Saturday, February 27, 1999
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Saturday, February 27, 1999 |
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Hearing adjourned to March
4 AMRITSAR, Feb 26 — The Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission today adjourned hearing till March 4 of the application filed by pro-Badal executive committee members of the SGPC. Chardikalan march begins |
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9.5 kg of
RDX found on rail track Cong
prepared for govt's fall Insanitation
plagues Bathinda areas
Punjab
enhances grants to varsities, colleges Need
for shift in farm policy: Johl Bank
services remain affected |
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Sikh Gurdwara panel AMRITSAR, Feb 26 — The Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission today adjourned hearing till March 4 of the application filed by pro-Badal executive committee members of the SGPC which sought suspension and restraining from functioning of SGPC president Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, senior vice-president, Mr Sukhdev Singh Bhaur and three pro-Tohra executive members as the defence lawyer, Mr Surjit Singh Sood submitted that he could not contact Mr Tohra and needed time to consult him on the case. The defence lawyer however submitted his incomplete reply on behalf of Mr Bhaur in which he pleaded that the application for interim relief for his suspension was malicious as the executive members had joined hands with the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal for interior anti-panthic and anti-Sikh purposes. He said Mr Badal, with the ulterior motive of keeping political power within his family, had mortgaged the interests of the Sikh Panth to anti-minority like the RSS and RSS men had entered into a conspiracy with Mr Badal to destroy Sikhism. To that end efforts were being made to denigrate Sikh institutions like the Akal Takht. SGPC and Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission. To this end Mr Badal had removed the old members of the commission with ulterior motive and in disobedience of the law laid down by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana in case number SGPC Vs Lachhman Singh Gill reported as AIR 1970. The reply mentioned that the applicants though members of the executive committee, had been won over by Mr Badal by money and material in complete disobedience of the Sikh Gurdwara Act. The application by these members has been filed with ulterior motive to forestall proper consideration of the non-confidence motion in the general body meeting which to be summoned by the president in response to the requisition of members of the SGPC. He further submitted that the Jathedar of Akal Takht was neither an employee of SGPC nor a minister or head minister as defined in the Sikh Gurdwara Act. The executive committee of the SGPC therefore had no authority to suspend or remove any Jathedar from this post. The alleged passing of the suspension resolution by the applicants was a calculated conspiracy to denigrate the institution of Akal Takht. They said the applicants, in conspiracy with Mr Badal, disgraced the sacred 'maryada' on February 10 with the help when non-Amritdhari 'sants' were called Akal Takht and present bouquets and siropas to Giani Puran Singh illegally appointed Acting Jathedar of Akal Takht. The lawyers of the pro-Badal executive members, Mr Jugraj Singh Panu and Mr Mohinder Singh Romana also submitted written replies to the applications moved by the pro-Tohra SGPC member, Mr Sarup Singh Deshi who sought suspension of these members for causing irreparable loss to the Sikh nation in holding on unauthorised, illegal and politically motivated second meeting of the executive committee of the SGPC on February 10 in express violation of the agenda set by the commission vide its order on February 3. The pro-Badal executive members submitted that this statement was incorrect. There has been no deviation from the agenda fixed by the commission and all resolutions taken in the meeting were unanimous, legal and within the jurisdiction of the executive. The resolution calling for the suspension of Bhai Ranjit Singh was also not beyond the agenda and was within the scope of the directions given by this commission. They denied as wrong the averment that Bhai Mohan Singh was appointed as Jathedar of Akal Takht saying during the meeting the name of Bhai Mohan Singh was considered and two members sent to obtain his consent. However, on his expressing inability to assume the responsibility, Gaini Puran Singh was appointed as Acting Jathedar at that very meeting at the same venue. Press reports in this respect are neither relevant nor factual and no second meeting was held either in Circuit House, Amritsar or at the house of Giani Puran Singh. There was only one meeting which was held in the verandah of Guru Nanak Niwas. They further said that the appointment of Giani Puran Singh was within the powers and scope of the executive committee and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had no role to play in the appointment. Referring to the security provided to them, they said that they had been given security by the state following the press statements of the suspended Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh of a repeat of the bloodshed of Baisakhi, 1978. They further argued that Mr Badal was held in high esteem by the Sikh community and the applicant was trying to lower the dignity of the Chief Minister.They said they had nothing to do with the Chief Minister except as members of the Akali Dal, on whose ticket they were elected. After having been elected they were carrying out the duties according to the provision of the act. They described as wrong the averments that they were using the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission to destroy Sikh tenets. This was uncalled for they said and the applicant deserve to be proceeded against for contempt of court. The pro-Badal executive members also submitted an application as part of the petitions that SGPC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra, when in a minority in the SGPC executive, had made fresh recruitments on February 22 with retrospective effect from January 1, including of some drivers. In another application
they complained that Bhai Ranjit Singh, although
suspended by the executive continued to claim he was the
Jathedar and had issued wall poster summoning for a
Khalsa Darbar at Akal Takht on Sunday. They submitted the
wall poster along with their application. |
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Chardikalan march begins TALWANDI SABO, Feb 26 — The "Chardikalan-Sarbat da Bhala" march, the third function in the series of Khalsa tercentenary celebrations organised by the state government backed Anandpur Sahib Foundation started from here today after the performance of 'ardas' by Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar, Takht Damdama Sahib. The response to the march, which was lukewarm in the beginning started picking up as the procession approached Bathinda. Supposed to be show of strength in the traditional stronghold of Akalis, the function, which was attended by state Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal failed to project his popularity in any 'real sense'. The Tohra faction was conspicuous by its absence. In the first section of the march, historic weapons and two horses of the lineage of Guru Gobind Singh's horse, named Jodha and Anmol attracted curious crowds at a number of places. While others lined up to have a "darshan" of religious relics. The entire route of the march was decorated with paper flags and welcome arches and a glider of the Aviation Club, Patiala showered petals on the procession. Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar, Takht Kesgarh Sahib, Mr S.S. Dhindsa, Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Mr Sikander Singh Malooka, Mr Chiranji Lal Garg, Mr Gobind Singh Kanjla, Mr Ajit Singh Kohar, Mr Tota Singh and Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi and various party MLAs participated. Mr Badal and Mr Bhunder leading march in a Gypsy. Before setting out Mr Badal said "it is our goodluck that the tercentenary occasion has come in our lifetime". He said the Punjab Government was giving a massive facelift to the holy city of Anandpur Sahib. The tercentenary celebrations will continue throughout the year and it has been attracting a good response from the Sikh sangat living abroad, he said. About 100 horses, a police band and children singing hymns accompanied the marchers. The march will stay at
Muktsar on February 26, at Mehndiana gurdwara near Raikot
on February 27, at Chamkaur Sahib on February 28 and
reach Takht Kesgarh Sahib on March 1, 1999. |
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SAIL plant blamed for Khanna mishap NEW DELHI, Feb 26 (PTI) — A railway inquiry has held Bhilai Steel Plant of the Steel Authority of India (SAIL) “primarily” responsible for the Khanna train accident in November which left over 190 persons dead, the Rajya Sabha was informed today. Replying to written questions in the Upper House of Parliament, Minister of State for Railways Ram Naik said as per the findings of the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety, the accident occurred due to multiple rail fractures on continuously welded rails. The inquiry has also held office of the Chief Engineer (ultra sonic flaw detectors unit), Northern Railway, and office of the Track Directorate, Railway Board, responsible for the accident, the minister said. Mr Naik said SAIL was not
able to manufacture and supply the rail as per the
Railways specifications. |
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9.5
kg
of RDX found on rail track PATIALA, Feb 26 — A major tragedy was averted last night when an explosive device containing 9.5 kg of RDX was recovered from the Rajpura-Shambu railway track near the Ghaggar bridge at Sajjan Majra village at about 1.30 a.m. The RDX was found in a bag tied on the railway track along with a detonator and time-setter set to explode at 2.30 a.m. just before several trains were scheduled to pass. According to railway sources ASI Mohan of the CRP police spotted the bag. A bomb squad was immediately pressed into service and senior railway police officers reached the spot early in the morning. Train services were disrupted following discovery of the explosive. Normal rail traffic resumed by 6.00 a.m. Official from the railway police, Punjab and Railway Department were closeted in a meeting near Shambu till the filing of this report. This is the second recovery of RDX on this line. On February 7 an explosive device containing 5 kg of RDX was recovered from Shahabad-Markanda bridge near Shahabad. Our Correspondent adds from Ambala: The government railway police, Haryana, suspects the hand of Babbar Khalsa International, a militant outfit, behind RDX find at Shahabad Markanda railway bridge on February 7 night and at Ghaggar railway bridge near here last night. Though the attempts to blow up the bridges was foiled due to the alertness of patrols, the modus operandi was akin to the B.K.I., Mr Attar Singh Ahlwat, S.P. Railway Police, said here today. If the militants plans had succeeded, it could have resulted in the loss of several human lives. Mr Ahlawat disclosed that the interrogation of several suspects and investigations made so far pointed the needle of suspicion at the B.K.I., who had been behind such blasts in the region in the past. Mr Ahlawat said the police had definite clues and was zeroing on the real culprits. He visited the site with the D.I.G., Railway Police, Mr Resham Singh. The S.P. said that during special checking of the Jind-Rohtak express at Jind railway station, the S.H.O. of Jind police station, Mr Om Parkash arrested a passenger, Surinder Kumar Jain, carrying 17 gold biscuits weighing more than two kilos valued at about Rs 9 lakh. The biscuits were kept in a cloth tied around his waist. The gold was to be
delivered to one Jai Kumar Bansal, a resident of Jind.
Customs officials have been informed and a case
registered. |
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Cong prepared for govt's fall GURDASPUR, Feb 26 — The BJP led coalition at the Centre is working on daily wages, Mr Pranab Mukherjee general secretary AICC and incharge Punjab Congress said while talking to newsmen at Qadian, 25 km from here today. The BJP government is a conglomeration of diverse political views allied not on principals or ideology but for vested interests. Mr Mukherjee said that in case the government at the Centre fell and mid-term elections were ordered the Congress was fully prepared to fight such elections though it did not believe in the 'toppling game.' When asked whether the Congress was shirking its responsibility to form government at the Centre as alleged by Leftists and other secular forces, Mr Mukherjee said the Congress cannot think of forming the government till the present government collapses. On the parties stand in the parliament regarding imposition of presidents rule in Bihar, Mr Mukherjee said that part of the Bihar PPCC favoured imposition of president's rule while others opposed it. The Congress decision to oppose President's rule in Bihar was because the party honoured mandate of the people and was against misuse of Article 356 of the Constitution. He added that Article 356 was needed and the demand to scrap it by certain parties was indesirable. Mr Mukherjee said that in case the RJD government was restored the Bihar Congress would not press for change of leadership of the RJD because it was its internal affair. He added that if RJD government after restoration failed to protect the interest of Dalits it should own moral responsibility and resign. He said that the Congress Chief Minister in Orissa resigned owning moral responsibility for the killing of innocent persons in the state. Regarding the formation of a third front he said it was hypothetical for the time being. Mr Mukherjee said the Congress was rolling back to power in the country and the results of recent bye elections in Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat were a pointer in this direction. The Congress won 8 out of 11 assembly seats. Later, addressing a large gathering held to observe 77th birth anniversary of late Satnam Singh Bajwa in college grounds at Qadian, Mr Mukherjee said that the BJP-led government had failed on all fronts. He said only strong Centre with a stable government could deliver the goods. Captain Amarinder Singh, President Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee said that the SAD-BJP government in Punjab had failed to fulfil its electoral promises. Unemployment in the state was on the rise and industry, particularly steel, engineering and textile was facing closure. Mrs Sukhbans Kaur Bhinder
a senior Congress leader said that small traders small
farmers and employees were agitated because of the
government. The rice industry was on the verge of
collapse, she said. |
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Insanitation plagues Bathinda areas BATHINDA: The spread of jaundice on a large scale in various parts of this district in the recent past seems to have failed to move the local Municipal Council and sewerage board authorities as the residents still live in acute insanitary conditions. Absence of a proper drainage system coupled with official indifference had made the lives of residents miserable as their health has been jeopardised by the sewer waste flowing over the lanes and bylanes of the city. Known as the heartland of the Malwa region, the town has made little progress in the past decades. The promise of development repeatedly made by the town's elected representatives could not materialise and the fate of residents remained the same even with the change of government. The stinking low-lying areas, choked sewerage, unplanned development, non-implementation of town planning schemes and acute scarcity of drinking water bear testimony to the official indifference. The town is cleaned only when a VIP makes a visit. Otherwise, heaps of garbage are seen in every nook and corner, overflowing drains with sewage on the roads and open manholes embarrass the residents. Residents of the town allege that even after 51 years of Independence, they were living in a virtual hell and their repeated pleas to the authorities concerned have fallen on deaf ears. They allege that development was being carried out in select areas on the recommendation of influential persons. Even public parks have become garbage dumps for the residents in the absence of bins. Instead of children playing in these parks, pigs and other stray animals roam the "lungs" of the town, damaging plants. Stray animals roaming the town have become a traffic hazard and have caused a number of accidents. Most of the residents are also still deprived of piped water as the authorities have provided potable water to only 50 per cent of the population. Besides, the pressure in the pipes remains low. In such a situation, the residents meet their daily requirement from underground water, which is unfit for human consumption. Mr Kewal Krishan Aggarwal, General Secretary of the District Congress Committee, alleges that the state government has on one hand increased the rate of octroi on a number of items to fetch more revenue, but on the other it was ignoring the urban areas. He demanded that the state
government should provide all basic amenities to the
residents of urban as well as rural areas within a time
limit. |
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Punjab enhances grants to
varsities, colleges CHANDIGARH, Feb 26 — The Punjab Government has decided to allow enhanced grants to the universities as well as to government aided private colleges and schools in the state with effect from 1999-2000. Disclosing this here today following a meeting of the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, with Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister and Mr Tota Singh, Education Minister, an official spokesman stated that this decision would entail an additional expenditure of Rs 48.35 crore in 1999-2000. The grants for the current financial year has been fixed at Rs 60.22 crore of Punjabi, Panjab and Guru Nanak Dev universities, Rs 70.44 crore for government aided private colleges, Rs 74.57 crore for government aided private schools, and Rs 3.98 crore for government aided private primary schools. In respect of pay scales of teachers in the universities and colleges, the state government has accepted all the recommendations of the UGC, except in regard to the age of superannuation, which will remain at 60 years for university teachers and 58 years for teachers in government colleges. The Education Department is issuing a revised notification accordingly, which will cover all items, including increments, fixation of pay, allowance, etc as the per UGC pattern. In respect of government aided private colleges and schools the government would henceforth give a fixed grant from year to year. These institutions would be free to augment their resources. The official spokesman pointed out that all departments of the government had already placed a limit on their non-Plan expenditure for the year 1999-2000 to a level 5 per cent lower than that for the year 1998-99. The same principle will be followed in respect of grants to the universities and institutions aided by the Punjab government. In respect of university
and college teachers, the government of India is to bear
80 per cent of the expenditure on enhancement of their
salaries for the period January 1,1996, to March 3, 2000.
Any grant under this scheme received from the Union
Government would be passed on to these institutions. |
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Need for shift in farm policy:
Johl LUDHIANA, Feb 26 — Diversification in agriculture cannot take place in an economic void as farmers will produce what gives them the best of returns. Hence a major shift in policy was required to make diversification in agriculture possible, said, Dr Sardara Singh Johl former Chairman Agricultural Costs and Prices Commission, here yesterday. He was speaking during technical session on diversification of Punjab agriculture. More than 200 distinguished alumni of the college of agriculture from all over the country as well as a five member delegation of eminent agricultural scientists from Pakistan are attending this annual alumni meet. Dr Johl exhorted the government of Punjab and Punjabi society to rise to the occasion to step out of the dangerous dependence on rice-wheat rotation. In his presidential remarks during the inaugural function, Dr Gurcharan, Singh Kalkat, Vice-Chancellor, emphasised integration of research, teaching and extension saying user departments should be strong enough to influence the university to reorient its research programmes as per their need. Earlier, Dr Paul Singh Sidhu, Dean, College of Agriculture and president, alumni association disclosed that the college had produced 19 vice-chancellors, 3 Padma Bhushan and 7 Padma Shri awardees. The highest award of
Pakistan in agriculture, namely M.A. Hussain Award was
presented to Dr Gurcharan Singh Kalkat, Vice-Chancellor
on this occasion by the leader of the Pakistani
delegation Mr Hafiz Abdul Qayyum. Awards were also
presented to distinguished college alumni. |
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Bank services remain affected JALANDHAR, Feb 26 — Bank employees and officers of different public and private sector banks observed complete strike for the second consecutive day today. The two-day strike call was given by the United Forum of Bank Unions. The employees assembled in front of their respective branches and then gathered at the State Bank of India here from where a huge procession was taken out. The procession culminated in a massive rally at the Punjab National Bank chowk. Speakers said if their demands were not accepted, the 13 lakh bank employees and officers would go on indefinite strike from March 17. LUDHIANA: Employees of various branches of nationalised banks observed complete strike here and held a demonstration in front of the zonal office of the State Bank of India. They also demanded the lifting of ban of fresh recruitments. PATIALA: Complete strike was observed by bank employees for the second day on Friday. Mr Amar Singh, Secretary, Associate Bank Officers Association, said the union would go on indefinite strike from March 17 if their demands were not accepted. KAITHAL: The functioning of all nationalised banks remained paralysed in the district for the second consecutive day as bank employees and officers remained on strike in protest against the non-acceptance of their demands. A large number of employees assembled in front of the State Bank of India here and held a meeting where speakers condemned the attitude of the government. YAMUNANAGAR: Banking services in the district were totally paralysed as the employees went on a strike. The United Forum of Bank Unions had made a call for the strike to demand a revision in the pay scales. The employees held a demonstration in front of the Central Bank of India here and raised slogans against the Indian Bank Association and the Union Finance Minister. SHIMLA: Work in banks remained paralysed in Himachal Pradesh for the second day as employees struck work as part of their nationwide strike, demanding better pay scales. A rally was organised outside the zonal office of Uco Bank here which was addressed by employees' union leaders. They charged the Indian Bank Association with reported attempts to enforce wage freeze in banks and also to introduce measures to retrench the employees. Such attempts would further violate the atmosphere and would be fought strongly, they maintained. Reports of the strike were also received from Dharamsala. The employees submitted a
memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner. |
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First phase of Hola Mohalla
begins KIRATPUR SAHIB, Feb 26 — The first phase of the annual Hola Mohalla began with religious fervour and gaiety at the local Gurdwara Patalpuri Sahib today. The festival will be celebrated here for three days with the second phase beginning on March 1 at Anandpur Sahib and concluding on March 3 with the holding of procession. A large number of devotees paid their obeisance at gurdwaras in the town today. Nihangs have started arriving here and in Anandpur Sahib to participate in Hola Mohalla. Meanwhile, voluntary
organisations have started making arrangements for
organising langars on the Ropar-Anandpur Sahib road. |
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Exam records sealed LUDHIANA, Feb 26 — The Punjab Homoeopathic Medical Council has decided to seal all records relating to the DHMS and BHMS examinations for the 1997-98 and 1998-99 session pending an enquiry into the alleged bungling and large-scale irregularities. A meeting of the council held yesterday at Chandigarh also decided to abolish various committees, including the Unfair Means Committee, the Board of Students Committee, the Budget and Finance Committee, the Selection Committee and the Inspection of Institutions Committee. The meeting was attended by all 11 members of the council, including Dr S.K. Puri, Dr Tejinderpal Singh, Dr Krishan Chand Batish, Dr Mohinder Singh Chugh, Dr Rachhpal Singh, Dr Bhupinder Singh, Dr Mohan Singh Dhillon, Dr Satish Kumar Rana, Dr Om Parkash, Dr Ravinder Kochhar and Dr S.S. Kahlon. The meeting also did not
approve the annual budget of the council. |
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Verma against retd judges taking
jobs AMRITSAR, Feb 26 — Even one candle can throw enough light to dispel darkness all around, according to the former Chief Justice of India, Mr J.S. Verma. He was talking to social activists and mediamen here today. Mr Verma added that one should not give up hope and be patient as anger can be counter productive. Talking to this reporter Mr Verma said he was the strong votary of officials not taking up any job or assignment after retirement but added these were his personal views. Mr Verma added that he would only take on assignments if they involved the national interest only and that too without consideration. The Chief Justice, who was known for his landmark judgement during his tenure as the Chief Justice of the apex court was in town to deliver his keynote address at the Guru Nanak Dev University law faculty on the topic of fundamental duties of the citizens. He urged the government to transform itself into an agency of society from its role as an instrument of power. Quoting a UNESCO report, he said under the global perspective education required holistic approach. He said the world in the 21st century will be more equitable-fairer and more liveable. In his presidential
remarks, Vice-Chancellor, HS Soch said that we should
perform our constitutional duties towards the society as
enshrined in Article 51-A along with enforcement of
fundamental duties to serve the society as well as the
nation. |
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Puran Singh discharged AMRITSAR, Feb 26 — Giani Puran Singh, Acting Jathedar, Akal Takht, has been discharged from Guru Nanak Hospital here. He was admitted to the
hospital on February 15 following a heart attack soon
after his installation as the Acting Jathedar of Akal
Takht. |
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Municipal Act draft given to dept PHILLAUR, Feb 26 — A select committee headed by the Punjab Local Bodies Minister, Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, constituted for making a draft of the proposed Punjab Municipal Act, 1999, after deleting 45 out of the 642 Clauses, has handed it over to the Local Bodies Department. This was stated by Mr Tandon while talking to this correspondent here today. He said committee concluded a series of meeting at Chandigarh last night, adding that this proposed Act might be presented in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha during the Budget session in March. The minister said this new municipal Act comprising 597 Clauses would act in place of the 431 Clauses of the Punjab Municipal Act, 1911, 276 Clauses of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, and 100 Clauses of the Punjab Municipal Executive Officers Act, 1931. He denied reports of financial crisis in the state, but admitted that there were some temporary financial problems. He said the state government was preparing a masterplan to reduce its expenditure and increase its resources. Replying to a question, Mr Tandon said chairpersons of all improvement trusts would be appointed by April. Commenting upon the formation of the state-level coordination committee of the Akali Dal and the BJP, he replied that this would be possible only after the tercentenary celebrations were over. Regarding the increase in the minimum wages of unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled labour in the state, he said a sub-committee under the presidentship of the Labour Commissioner, Punjab, would give its recommendations within three months. He said all encroachments
on municipal lands would be removed soon. |
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Punjab to revise urea rates PATIALA, Feb 26 — The Punjab Government has accepted the hike in urea prices announced by the Centre. An indication to this regard was made by Mr Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Cooperative Minister, while talking to media persons at a function in Nabha today. He said the new supply of urea received from the Centre would be sold at the revised rates. However, the existing stock would be available at the old rates. Mr Brahmpura said no subsidy would be given to farmers in this regard. Criticism of the urea hike
came from some Akali Dal leaders, mainly belonging to the
Tohra camp. Incidentally Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance
Minister, had issued a press statement, saying that the
Punjab Government would not implement the revised rates
of urea. |
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Vegetables are dead cheap CHANDIGARH, Feb 26 — Vegetable growers are a doomed lot these days. Prices, especially of potato, tomato, cauliflower, cabbage, carrot, and radish etc are in peril. In fact there are certain vegetables for which there are no takers. See the fate of cauliflower, carrot and cabbage. These are being sold at throw-away prices. There are instances of cauliflower being given free to poor people in the evening when farmers are sure that no one would turn up to lift their stocks. The same is the fate of cabbage and carrot. All of a sudden the price of tomato has fallen to an all-time low. A trader brought a truck load of tomato from Haldwani in Uttar Pradesh to the local vegetable market today. He got a price Rs 40 per crate weighing 20 kg. And he had spent Rs 40 as freight charges per crate. He got nothing out of a truckload of potatoes. He is a trader. He has the capacity to bear such a shock. One could imagine what will be the fate of farmers who sell their stocks to traders. The worst hit are potato growers. They are getting Rs 80 to Rs 120 for a bag of 80 kg. Narrating his tale of woe, Dharam Singh, a potato grower of Bhankerpur village, says he had sown potato in 14 acres of land. He spent Rs 10,000 per acre but the return is nearly Rs 1000 less. In September and October farmers got a good price varying from Rs 500 to Rs 900 a quintal for potato. In Punjab farmers raise two crops of potato. One is harvested around Divali in October-November and the second in January-February. In fact farmers try to harvest potato crop a bit prematurely to make the fields available for sowing sunflower. What is the reason for such a great fall in prices of vegetables? Those engaged in vegetable business say that there was a glut in potato, tomato, carrot, radish and even peas. There is a bumper crop of potato in Uttar Pradesh. The Delhi market gets flooded with potato from UP. So, potato grown in Punjab and Haryana has to be disposed of in the local markets of these states. This was resulted in the virtual flooding of the local markets with potato. The story is same for tomato. It is coming to this part of the country from as far as Nasik in Maharashtra. Traders say there were no takers for tomato in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Traders also say that
though farmers try to withhold potato for some weeks at
the field level and some are also stacking in cold
stores, but there are no chances of the potato price
giving up in the next few months. There is already a glut
and it will continue for a month or so. In June and July,
potato will start arriving from hilly regions. It will
continue till August and September. And after this
farmers will have to vacate cold stores as they store
potato in such cold stores for six months. Immediately
after the arrival of potato from stores, new crop of
potato will be mature for harvesting around Divali. So
there is very little scope for an increase in potato
prices. |
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Loud speakers banned ROPAR, Feb 26 — The District Magistrate has banned the use of loud speakers from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the district. The ban has been imposed in view of annual examinations in schools. The order will remain in force from March 4 to April 30. The order will not be applicable on loud speakers used for government purposes or if the voice remains confined to the concerned building. Any approval for the use
of loud speakers will be given by the SDM concerned. |
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One arrested JALANDHAR, Feb 26 — The local police has arrested a person and recovered 50 kg of poppy husk from his possession. Mr Pawan Kumar Uppal, SP (City), said here yesterday that on February 23, the police received information that Jagdish Singh belonging to Tanda in Hoshiarpur district who was going towards Pathankot Chowk was carrying a huge quantity of poppy husk. Jagdish Singh was stopped by the police and his truck searched which led to the recovery of 50 kg of poppy husk. On being interrogated, he
revealed that he used to bring poppy husk from Bhopal and
sell it here, Mr Uppal said. |
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Three doctors suspended PHILLAUR, Feb 26 — Punjab Health Minister Mr Manoranjan Kalia has suspended three government doctors during different raids conducted by him in Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur districts last evening. Mr Kalia told this
correspondent here today that Dr Sandeep Bhjola son of a
former Civil Surgeon, Kapurthala, District Health
Officer, Hoshiarpur Dr Parvesh Taneja and S.P. Sahni,
Dental Officer, Hoshiarpur have been placed under
suspension on the charges of irregularities and violation
of rules. |
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IMA representation to Badal PHAGWARA, Feb 26 — The action committee-cum-legal cell of Indian Medical Association, Punjab, yesterday sent a representation to the Punjab Chief Minister drawing his attention towards dismal prison health care services in the state and suggesting five-pronged remedial strategy to stem the rot. Dr Raman Aggarwal, Secretary of the IMA cell, said the Punjab government should implement various recommendations made by the All-India Committee on Jail Reforms headed by Justice A. N. Mulle (1980-83); constitute prison health service advisory committee comprising IMA members, NGOs, Punjab Medical Council representatives, plan state prison health cadre, set up a coordination committee in jails and ensure regular visits to jails by civil surgeons. IMA members, NGOs, human rights activists, social groups for improving prison health services and interacting with inmates. Besides, incentives like
special pay, free accommodation and posting of choice
after completion of tenure of service in jails should be
given to medical officers posted in jails, pleaded Dr
Aggarwal here. |
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Vehicle forcibly taken away HOSHIARPUR, Feb 26 — Certain persons forcibly took away a Tata Sumo by pushing out the driver, Jang Bahadur, near Jodhewal village. According to Mr J.S. Rai,
SHO of Model Town police station, here today the van
belonged to Mr Subhash Chander of the local Kamalpur
mohalla. He said some persons booked the vehicle for
Ludhiana on February 21. The left Hoshiarpur but instead
of going to Ludhiana they forced the driver to go the
other way. When the driver did not obey them they pushed
him out. A case has been registered under Section 382,
334 and 34, IPC. |
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SAD support to BJP decried FATEHGARH SAHIB, Feb 26 — The state unit of Rashtriya Janata Dal has criticised the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, for supporting the BJP government on the Bihar issue. In a press note issued here yesterday, Mr Amar Handa, General Secretary of the state unit, said that Mr Badal has declared the support to murderers of democracy. He said the Akali Dal had always opposed Article 356 and had organised various morchas for scrapping this Article. He said Mr Badal has aligned the party with the communal BJP with utter disregard to the history of Akali Dal. The party appreciated the
stand of the DMK and the National Conference. He said the
law and order situation in various other states ruled by
the BJP was worst than Bihar. He said Mr Badal has
justified the decisions of previous Congress governments
to suspend the Akali ministries by using Article 356. |
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A
child labourer piles up potatoes in a field near
Bhankerpur village in Dera Bassi subdivision of
Patiala District. — Photo by Karam Singh