Friday, February 26, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Friday, February 26, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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All set for
Sarbat da Bhala march Faridkot
in grip of jaundice |
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Badal
rejects abstention theory Dist
Consumers Forum’s order set aside Bengali
girl rescued, 4 held for rape
Strike
paralyses bank work |
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All set for Sarbat da Bhala
march TALWANDI SABO: The district administration has made all arrangements for the Sarbat da Bhala-Chardikalan march; which will start from Takht Damdama Sahib here on February 26. This town, which houses the fifth Takht, Takht Damdama Sahib, is being given massive facelift as also the route of the march. The stems of the trees along the route of march are being whitewashed, roads being cleaned and repaired, road berms being strengthened and welcome arches being installed. The march, being organised under the patronage of Anandpur Sahib Foundation, as part of the Khalsa tercentenary celebrations will start from here after performing "ardas" on February 26. On February 24, "akhand path" will start while "diwans" will also be organised. The march, which would have Guru Granth Sahib at its head, would reach Bathinda city after covering Bhagibandar and Kotshamir villages. From Bathinda the march will reach Chatteana village in Muktsar for night halt after covering Goniana, Gillpatti, Nahianwala and Gurdwara Shri Lakhi Jungel. Mr S.R. Ladhar, Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda told TNS that all the heads of religious organisations, political figures of the area, social workers and other prominent figures had been invited for joining the march to propagate the message of Guru Gobind Singh and other Sikh Gurus. He said Guru Gobind Singh's weapons and horses belonging to the pedigree used by the Guru and other materials would be on display. He added that Dhadi Jathas, Kawishris, Kirtani Jathas and Gurbani Jathas would also regale the people with their respective items. A gatka play would also be organised during the march. He said people belonging to villages falling on the route of the march would also organise community kitchens for the people. The march would be joined
by number of politicians including Chief Minister,
Parkash Singh Badal, ministers, MLAs, SGPC members as
well as Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, Giani Kewal
Singh. |
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Faridkot in grip of jaundice FARIDKOT, Feb 25 — Jaundice has created an alarming situation due to the supply of contaminated water, collapse of the sewerage system and unhygienic conditions in the town. During the current month two persons died and more than 200 were affected following the spread of the disease. Victims include Amarjeet Singh of Talab Mohalla and Paramjeet Kaur of Sanjay Nagar Colony. More and more patients were coming to various private clinics and the local civil hospital. About 10 persons were daily visiting different laboratories here for tests. A gynaecological expert told this reporter that 12 pregnant women affected with the disease visited her clinic during the past one week. Even doctors, including an epidimologist, were affected by the disease. However, Dr K.K. Aggarwal, Civil Surgeon said about 100 patients visited the hospital and clinics. A team of doctors had been deployed to check the cause of the death of the two persons. He made it clear that if no proper measures were taken immediately to control the epidemic, the situation may worsen. The Commissioner, Mr Gurinder Singh Grewal, has blamed the Public Health Department and the Municipal Council which failed to take timely action to check the disease. He has already informed the higher authorities about the lapses on the part of the department concerned. Refuting the charges, Mr
Tirath Singh Saini, Engineer, Public Health Department
clarified that the turbidity meter of drinking water was
regularly checked before the supply from the reservoir to
the town. However, the supply may have been affected by
old pipelines. Steps are under way to augment the entire
supply line in the next four months. He said he had
already informed Mr Chamkaur Singh, Chief Engineer,
Public Health Department, Patiala, about all facts. |
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Sikh panel members removed
'without cause' CHANDIGARH, Feb 25 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court today heard arguments on petitions filed by Mr Dara Singh and Mr Kashmira Singh, questioning their removal from the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission by the Punjab Government. Resuming arguments before a Division Bench consisting of Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice Amar Dutt, counsel for Mr Dara Singh took the stand that members of the judicial commission, once appointed, could not be removed, except for a "good cause". Therefore, their tenure was life long. He refuted the stand of the Punjab Government that every time the S.G.P.C. was elected, it was the state's duty to reconstitute the commission. Counsel told the court that since Independence it was for the first time that the commission had been reconstituted. He told the Bench that even if it was to be presumed that the judicial commission would be reconstituted every time the S.G.P.C. members were elected, it was the power of the Union Government and not the state government. He told the court that the S.G.P.C. was a Central Act and was applicable not only to Punjab but also to Haryana and other states. Counsel for Mr Kashmira Singh described the notifications issued by the Punjab Government for the removal of Mr Dara Singh and Mr Kashmira Singh from the commission as a colourable exercise of power. He brought to the court's notice that Section 79 (4) of the Act which had empowered the government to remove any commission member after he completed a two-year term was struck down by a Full Bench of the High Court. The action of the Punjab Government was arbitrary, illegal and without any justification. He told the court that even the Punjab Government had accepted in its reply that there was nothing against the members who were removed. "They were functioning efficiently", the government conceded. Counsel revealed to the
Bench that there were two factions in the Akali Dal. The
government felt that Mr Kashmira Singh and Mr Dara Singh
were aligned to the opposite group. This was the reason
for their removal. |
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Badal rejects abstention theory CHANDIGARH, Feb 25 — The Punjab Chief Minister and President of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has rejected the proposal of abstaining from Parliament on the Bihar issue. Informed Akali sources told TNS here today that some of the senior party leaders, including Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Secretary-General of the party, had put up a proposal to Mr Badal that party MPs in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha should not take part in the voting as regards ratification of the proclamation to President's rule in Bihar. These leaders had told Mr Badal that the SAD should not compromise with its policy and programmes and should adopt the middle path of abstaining from voting in Parliament as far as Bihar issue is concerned. Mr Badal was told that party's image would be "tarnished" countrywide if it supported the use of Article 356 in case of Bihar. Pressing their point before Mr Badal, according to sources, senior Akalis argued that the SAD had been opposing the use of Article 356 in the country for the past three decades or so and sought its scrapping repeatedly. The party should not dither on the issue now. Overruling the opinion of senior leaders, according to sources, Mr Badal said that the entire benefit would go to the Congress if Akali MPs abstained from Parliament on the Bihar issue. He told them that the SAD was facing an extraordinary situation and due to this reason extraordinary measures had been taken to support the use of Article 356 in case of Bihar. Mr Badal reportedly said that there was no harm in making a "slight political adjustment" in the party line on Article 356 to ensure that the Congress Party, a principal "enemy" of the SAD and "Punjab" was not allowed any space to regain entry in portals of power. In fact, party sources
said that Mr Badal had already made a beginning for
"painting" Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra and Mr Prem
Singh Chandumajra as a pro-Congress leaders. He had made
the first attack on them at the Patiala rally held on
February 12 by saying that they were playing a
"Congress Party's game" |
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Badal repeats warning on whip TALWANDI SABO, Feb 25 — The Shiromani Akali Dal supremo and Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal today said that any party MP violating the party whip on President rule would be expelled from the dal. He said that though he was not the party whip in the parliament, he could issue the whip in his capacity as party president. When asked is Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, MP and whip of the party in the parliament objected to his order, Mr Badal said the party president was more powerful than the party whip and could override him. Mr Badal, who was here to oversee arrangements made by the district administration regarding initiation of "Chardikala-Sarbat Da Bhala" march from here tomorrow, talking to newsmen said that there was no danger to the BJP-led coalition at the Centre. He clarified that though the SAD was against the use of Article 356 it supported the BJP action in Bihar under 'special circumstances' to stop the Congress from coming to power. When asked whether he would take any action against Union Minister, Mr Surjeet Singh Barnala as Mr Barnala had condemned the suspension of Bhai Ranjit Singh as Jathedar of Akal Takht Mr Badal kept silent. He said that he was not lobbying support for President rules in Bihar from other allies. However, he had made the TDP leader Mr Chander Babu Naidu aware of the SAD's stand. He said that a three-member committee constituted by the Centre for deciding the fate of Udham Singh Nagar would hold its meeting before a bill in this regard was introduced in parliament. Mr Badal said, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee would inaugurate the tercentenary celebrations on April 8, 1999 at Anandpur Sahib and Vice-President, Mr Krishan Kant would join the celebrations on April 12. The President of India might also attend. He said tomorrow's march was the first in a series of marches to be taken out from different places on the tercentenary. When asked when the general university would be set up here, Mr Badal said that the government was making serious efforts for the overall development of this historic town. He said that his Cabinet
would be expanded after the coming Assembly session was
over. |
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Dist Consumers Forum’s
order set aside BATHINDA, Feb 25 — The State Consumers Disputes Redressal Commission, Punjab, has set aside the order of the local Consumers Dispute Redressal Forum in which it directed Dr Renu Garg to pay 1.50 lakh as compensation and Rs 15,000 as refund of the fee along with costs of proceedings assessed as Rs 2000 for removing the uterus of Ms Manpreet Kaur without her and her husband’s consent. According to a copy of the judgement of the state commission, Ms Manpreet Kaur in her complaint alleged that a major caesarian hysterectomy operation was performed on her by Dr Garg at her hospital in September, 1994, and her uterus was removed. She alleged that due to the removal of her uterus, her hope of getting a child had been shattered which led to depression. She claimed compensation for the removal of uterus, prolonged labour pains, loss of health and amount paid to doctors as medical fee and cost of proceedings which amounted to Rs 4,75,000. Dr Renu Garg in her reply pleaded that Ms Manpreet Kaur who was admitted to her hospital on September 16, 1994, gave birth to a female child the next day and no caesarian operation was performed. After the delivery Ms Manpreet Kaur started having profused bleeding from the uterus and vagina due to a normal medical complication of the delivery called PPH (Post Partum Haemmorrhage). When all emergency measures failed, it became necessary to perform the operation of hysterectomy to save the life of the patient. The consent of the brother-in-law of the patient was taken, she added. The state commission while considering the appeals of both held the view that in such a situation the surgeon was the best judge and not getting the consent from the husband of patient could not be taken as negligence on the part of doctors. It further added that the
District Consumer Forum had wrongly observed that
caesarian hysterectomy was done before the delivery which
was highly improbable and not factually correct. The
findings of the district forum holding Dr Renu Garg
negligent, thus, could not be sustained under law. |
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Bengali girl rescued, 4 held for
rape GURDASPUR, Feb 25 — The police has busted a gang involved in immoral trafficking of girls. According to Mr Varinder Kumar, SSP, the police today arrested Khairul Sheikh of Amritsar, and Daljit Singh and Surjit Singh, both residents of Daulatpur in Amritsar, and Kulwant Singh of Bhattian in this district for molesting and raping an orphan girl. The police has rescued the girl from the clutches of one of the accused. The district police chief said girl, a resident of West Bengal, was sold to a person by her maternal uncle, Gangu. The person brought her to Punjab on the pretext of getting her a job. He also took her to a brothel, where she was forced into prostitution. Later, he sold her to Khairfull Sheikh, one of the accused who is member of a gang dealing in the sale of girls through the two other accused, Daljit Singh and Surjit Singh. The girl was allegedly sold for Rs 12,000 to another accused, Kulwant Singh, who raped and forcibly detained her. Khairull Sheikh, who is the kingpin of the gang, during preliminary interrogation confessed that he had contracts in Delhi and Bengal who supplied the girls from Bangladesh. The price of the girls varied from Rs 8,000-Rs 12,000. In each sale, the accused got a commission between Rs 3,000-5,000. He is involved in selling several girls in various districts of Punjab. A case under Sections 366, 367, 374, 376 and 120-B of the IPC has been registered against the accused in Kahnuwan police station. In December last year,
also, the police busted one gang with the arrest of its
kingpin, Shifali, and recovered two Bengali girls from
her detention. |
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Cong recognises Puran Singh JALANDHAR, Feb 25 — Capt Amarinder Singh, president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), today endorsed the appointment of Giani Puran Singh as acting Jathedar of Akal Takht as he was appointed by the SGPC executive. Addressing a press conference here today, he said since the SGPC was a body set up by an act of Parliament, the appointment of the Akal Takht Jathedar by it was acceptable to his party. But at the same time he said the Congress was firm on its stand on not mixing religion with politics. Asked if Giani Puran Singh would be invited by the Congress to take part in the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa being held by it, he replied in the negative and said since predecessor of Gian Puran Singh had declined to accept the invitation of the Congress earlier, there was no need to again invite the Akal Takht chief. However the PPCC chief said the jathedars of the remaining four takhts would be invited. Capt Amarinder Singh said the Congress was celebrating the event as a historic occasion and not as religious event by associating different religious leaders. On the all-party meeting recently convened by the Punjab Government to celebrate the event, the PPCC chief said it was a belated attempt by the SAD to associate opposition parties in view of the crisis in the ruling party. Asked if the presence of
Congress leader Bir Devinder Singh at the meeting was
endorsement of the Badal Government's stand on the
celebrations the PPCC chief said. "We have nothing
to do with the Badal-Tohra fight. It is their internal
affair." |
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Strike paralyses bank work LUDHIANA, Feb 25 — Work in all branches of nationalised banks in the city came to a halt with the employees observing a strike in protest against the early settlement of wage revision due from November, 1997. The United Forum of Bank Unions had called upon bank union to join the strike. The All-India Punjab National Bank Employees Federation and the State Bank of India Staff Association held rallies in front of their offices. Leaders of the two associations reiterated their threat to launch an indefinite strike from March 17 in case their demands were not met. JALANDHAR: Bank employees and officers of different bank branches of the city observed a complete strike today, paralysing banking functions. All bank branches remained closed and gave a deserted look as the two-day strike commenced today. Bank employees were demanding an expeditious and reasonable wage settlement. Thousands of bank employees and officers took out a protest march from different parts of the city and assembled in front of the State Bank of India where a massive rally was held. The speakers condemned the adamant, unreasonable and indifferent attitude adopted by the IBA Chairman and the government towards their demands. PATIALA: Various banks here observed a complete strike today. A massive rally was held in front of the State Bank of Patiala head office. Addressing the rally Mr N.K. Gaur, Secretary, Punjab Banks Employees Union and Mr Amar Singh, Secretary, Associate Banks Officers Association criticised the uncompromising and adamant attitude of the Indian Bankers Association (IBA) due to which the bank employees were forced to to on a countrywide strike. GURDASPUR: All banks in Dinanagar, Gurdaspur, Dhariwal and their surrounding villages remained closed in response to the strike called upon by various unions of banks. No business was transacted. Employees held a rally here where most of the speakers said the strike would continue if the government did not concede to their demands. FATEHGARH SAHIB: Banking operations came to a halt in all branches of nationalised banks in the district following the two-day bank strike. The striking employees gathered in front of Punjab National Bank, Sirhind branch, shouted slogans against the Finance Minister and Chairman, IBA, and held a rally in support of their demands. FEROZEPORE: Local banks remain closed today as its employees observed a strike against the alleged non-cooperative and adamant attitude of the IBA and the Government towards wage bipartite settlement. The striking employees held a rally in which speakers accused the IBA of trying to divide employees and officers of the banks with the motive of weakening their strength. HOSHIARPUR: Employees of all nationalised bank branches in the district went on a two-day strike here today in support of their demands due to which the entire banking business came to a standstill. Employees staged rallies in front of the branches of their banks and the callous attitude of the government was criticised. MUKTSAR: All
branches of banks here remain closed today on account of
the two-day strike. A rally was organised where the
striking employees sought an early disposal of their
demands. |
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Cases filed against 8 CPM
leaders BATHINDA, Feb 25 — The local police has registered a case against seven CPM leaders here today for allegedly occupying their chair of the Deputy Commissioner at his office in his absence and holding a 'Durbar' on February 19 during the party's jail bharo andolan. Police sources said that more than 100 CPM workers had came in a procession to the Deputy Commissioner's office and marched in after beating up the peon. One of them then sat on Deputy Commissioner's chair and announced that loans of farmers had been waived from February. The CPM activists also snatched files from the reader of the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Darshan Kumar and was thrown out. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr S.R. Ladhar was away at village Ghuman Kalan. Police sources said that the seven leaders against whom a case had been registered were Mr Darshan Mehraj, Mr Mahipal, Mr Jaggar Singh, Mr Gurcharan Singh Bhagta, Mr Balwant Singh Ballo, Mr Harnek Singh Alike and Mr Balwinder Singh Jeeda. No arrest has been made so far. Mr H.S. Kandola, Assistant
Commissioner (G) has been holding a magisterial probe
into the incident. |
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Zee TV tenders apology to SGPC AMRITSAR, Feb 25 — The management of Zee TV has tendered an apology to the SGPC for hurting the feeling of the Sikh community in serials "Hun Panch" and "Sa Re Ga Ma". In a press note here today, the SGPC said, the general manager (Legal) of Zee Telefilms Limited, Mr Rajesh Mishra, had said in his apology that the programme was not aimed at hurting the feelings of any particular community or religion. The SGPC served legal
notices on the management of Zee TV for their programme
on January 14 and 20 in this regard. |
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Protesters barge into DC's office PATIALA, Feb 25 — Nearly 2000 activists of Punjab Kisan Sabha, which is on a state wide agitation programme since February 15 in collaboration with state unit of 'CPM' demanding waiving off the farmers debt in the state, today forcibly entered the Deputy Commissioner's court room and occupied the office for nearly 20 minutes before being evicted by the police. The scene was repeated a short while later when the Pensioner's Welfare Association and the Revenue Patwar Union, who were earlier staging separate dharnas in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office, encouraged by the farmers method, also barge into the DCs office. They relented only after the G.A. to Deputy Commissioner Mr Devinder Singh came on the spot and received their memorandums. The Deputy Commissioner was away at a meeting. A number of farmers also courted arrest and were taken away by the police. Earlier, addressing a press conference, Mr Lehmber Singh Taggar, general secretary, Punjab Kisan Sabha and Prof Balwant Singh general secretary CPM, Punjab said the agitation had been launched to highlight the pitiable condition of farmers of the state. The agitation will be called off only after the Punjab government wrote off all the loans of the farmer and paid 'arhatiyas' on the farmers behalf he said. The Punjab Kisan Sabha and
CPM also called upon all the farmers to join the
agitation rather than to commit suicides. |
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Pro-Badal men flay Tohra's
remarks AMRITSAR, Feb 25 — Ten pro-Badal executive members of the SGPC today accused the SGPC President of "lying and misleading" the Sikhs on the questions of appointment and removal of Jathedars of Sikh Takhts. In a rejoinder to Mr Tohra, these members said that according to the Sikh Gurdwara Act the jathedars, including that of Akal Takht were called "head ministers" and come under the purview of the act which empowered the SGPC executive to appoint or remove them. Taking "strong notice" of the 'misleading' statements of Mr Tohra concerning the SGPC constitution, Sikh traditions and 'maryada' of Akal Takht for his narrow outlook. They said that Mr Tohra,
using the power of the executive under the act, had
appointed and removed the jathedars in the past,
including Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode and four other head
priests in 1988. |
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Badal ‘destroying’
party’s policy CHANDIGARH, Feb 25 — Mr Jasmer Singh Bala, general secretary of the Panthic Vichar Manch, said here today that Mr Parkash Singh Badal had turned "his back towards the political aim" of the Shiromani Akali Dal by supporting President's rule in Bihar. Mr Bala, in a statement said that the SAD had suffered the most due to the use of Article 356 as its governments were dismissed by the Central Government in the past by using this provision. In the inter-state council meeting, Mr Badal had opposed Article 356 and had demanded its scrap. He said that the party had
not been taken into confidence by Mr Badal on the issue.
Mr Badal was destroying the party's policy and programmes
without taking the party into confidence, he alleged. Mr
Badal's stand on the Bihar issue was totally against the
party's demand for more powers to the states, he added. |
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Cops serve notice on DIG KAPURTHALA, Feb 25 — Twenty one head constables serving in the district police have served notice upon Home Secretary, Punjab and the Director General, Punjab Police under Section 80 of CrPC seeking promotion to the rank of Assistant Sub-Inspector. In a notice served through their council Mr Harjit Singh Sandhu advocate, the head constables pleaded that they were entitled to a promotion as per the seniority list but 35 head constables junior to them had been promoted instead on ad-hoc basis. The notice says that if
they were not given their due promotion within two months
they could be forced to file a suit in the competent
court. |
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Sant Samaj meeting put off CHANDIGARH, Feb 25 — The meeting of Sant Samaj and other religious organisations convened by the Shiromani Akali Dal President, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, in Ludhiana on March 4 has been postponed in view of their preoccupation with the Hola Mohalla celebrations. A new date will be
announced later, a press not here today, said. |
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Medical colleges to have computer
cells PATIALA, Feb 25 — With the receipt of Rs 66 lakh loan from the Centre, decks have been cleared for setting up computer education cells in the three medical colleges and adjoining hospitals in Punjab. The move heralded as the first step towards complete computerisation of medical education and treatment in the state, would enable medical fraternity to have knowledge of latest developments in the profession at their door step through facilities like 'Medlar' Medical Library System Internet and e-Mail etc. Secondly, setting up of computer education cell will revolutionise the medical teaching methodology in the state. Disclosing this to The Tribune, Dr Sudesh Khanna, Director, Research and Medical Education, said under the scheme the Punjab Government along with 'National Informatics Centre would install terminals at Government Medical College Patiala, Faridkot and Amritsar before March 31 this year. As per a rough estimate about twelve terminals would be installed at Patiala and Amritsar, where there are an estimated 1500 users, and 10 terminals at Faridkot. However, according to informed sources the funds for the scheme are less for initiating computer education programme. They contend that 12 terminals to be accessed by 1500 people, including teachers, doctors, postgraduate and undergraduate students, are too less and will lead to chaos. When asked to comment, Dr Khanna said once the terminals were installed the government aimed to expand it consistently by generating resources from the medical colleges and hospitals itself. Dr Ravinder Singh, Medical Superintendent and Head of the Department of Surgery, Rajindra Hospital, who is also associated with the project, said the need to introduce medical education through computers was long felt. It had become more urgent now because other civic departments had begun installing computers. He said the three medical
institutions in the state could communicate easily
through the e-Mail facility. |
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Funds for centres under ICDS
sought PATIALA, Feb 25 — The Punjab Government is holding talks with the Centre to take permission and funds for running its 32 centres under the integrated child development scheme (ICDS) in the state by anganwadi workers. Ms Jagir Kaur, Minister for Culture, Social Security, Women and Children Welfare, in a statement issued here today urged the anganwadi workers to neither panic nor resort to strikes as the state government was committed to take care of them. These anganwadi workers recently held a rally-cum-dharna at Chandigarh to protest against the closing down of 52 centres. With these orders, the future of more than 6000 women anganwadi workers who run creches in rural areas had been threatened. They were also not being paid salaries for the past six months. Ms Jagir Kaur said in total 142 centres were opened in the state during the regime of the previous government. However, the then central government had only awarded permission for opening of 90 centres. The remaining 52 centres however, continued functioning and were funded by the state government. The minister further added that 20 more centres had been sanctioned, and assured that the remaining 32 would continue to receive grants from the state government. She also stated that the Punjab Chief Minister had written three letters to the Prime Minister for granting permission to all centres. She announced that the new
tourism centres to be opened in the state would be
privatised. |
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Traditional Hola Mohalla planned LUDHIANA, Feb 25 — Hectic preparations are underway at the urban estate Dugri here for celebrating Hola Mohalla as part of the tercentenary of the Khalsa on March 2, 1999, under the auspices of Guru Gobind Singh Study Circle, an international socio-religious voluntary organisation. Representatives of more than five gurdwaras of the area and seven religious organisations have together formed Khalsa Sajana Purab committee headed by Mr Gobinder Singh, president, Gurdwara Sukhmani Sahib, Phase II. In a talk with newsmen here today Mr Gobinder Singh disclosed that the hola mohalla would be celebrated in the traditional way by organising mock battles, gatka, horse and wrestling shows. There would be as many as 12 games in which people from all age groups would participate. These included games based on Gurbani such as Amrit Mandal, Maya Agan, Bhukha Sher as well as javelin throw, kabaddi. Kho-Kho, musical chairs, long jump, races etc. A competition of tug-of-war of ladies and elders will also be organised. The study circle has given a call to celebrate the Hola Mohalla in this way in all the gurdwaras of the country and abroad. The committee has decided
not to invite any political leader in view of the
on-going controversy because the organisers feel that the
spirit of tercentenary should not be dampened by
political developments. |
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Two killed in explosion ABOHAR, Feb 25 —
Sepoy Major Singh (25), son of Bhagwan Singh, resident of
village Kandrfa of Zira sub-division, and Gurmit Singh
(22), son of Joginder Singh, resident of Plakimukeria,
were wounded in an explosion somewhere in the western
sector on February 24. They were rushed to the hospital
here, but succumbed to their injuries. The Sadar Police
registered an FIR by sepoy Satnam Singh, under section
174, IPC. ASI Balwant Singh is investigating into the
case. |
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Puran Singh may be discharged today AMRITSAR, Feb 25 (PTI) — Akal Takht Acting Jathedar Giani Puran Singh might be discharged from the Guru Nanak Hospital of Medical College here tomorrow provided the medical board set up to observe him finds him fit in its examination today. Medical College Principal Dr O.P. Mahajan said that the Jathedar was cheerful and had no symptoms of heart ailment. Even if discharged he will
not be allowed to exert himself and will be asked to take
complete rest for at least one month, he added. |
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2 more pilgrims bodies recovered ABOHAR, Feb 25 — The death toll in an accident at Rishikesh has gone up to five with the recovery of two more bodies. Both the deceased belonged to Sri Ganganagar 42 km from here. Official sources said four of the five victims belonged to Abohar and Ganganagar. The mishap occurred when a
jeep hired by pilgrims returning from Neelkanth temple
fell into the Ganga near Rishikesh. Akram Khan and
Sanjeev Kumar jeep driver, Jindal and his brother-in-law
Madan Lal Garg were fished out on the same day. At least
five other pilgrims were reported missing and two others
were admitted to the hospital. Of the missing the body of
Rajesh Gilhotra was recovered on Tuesday and cremated at
Sriganganagar. The body of Pawan Kalra was recovered on
Wednesday. |
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Notice to civic body chief JALANDHAR, Feb 25 — Ten municipal councillors last evening served a notice under Sections 25(2) and (3) of the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911, on the president of the local municipal council to convene its meeting within 14 days failing which they will do so. However, KL Gabha, President, Municipal Council, today said that he had convened a meeting of the council on March 3 at 11 a.m. The 10 councillors have demanded a special meeting for the selection of two vice-presidents, alleging that no meeting of the council has been held after August last year. The 10 councillors include
Mr Gurbachan Singh Walia; Mr Charanjit Singh Singh
Jhikka, Mr O.P. Batra, Mr Manmohan Sharma, Ms Kusum
Sharma, Mr Charanjit Mittal, Mr Malkiat Singh Ragbhotra,
Mr PS Jassar, Mr Vijay Sondhi, all from the Congress and
Mr Balbhadar Sain Duggal. The 23-member council at
present has 21 members. |
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