118 years of Trust P U N J A B Regional news
Saturday, January 23, 1999
weather n spotlight
today's calendar
punjab
Line Punjab NewsHaryana NewsJammu & KashmirHimachal Pradesh NewsNational NewsChandigarhEditorialBusinessSports NewsWorld NewsMailbag
SAD-Takht row may intensify
PATIALA, Jan 22 — The ante in the ongoing tussle in the SAD may be further upped with Akal Takht Jathedar attending a rally to mark the birth anniversary of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale being organised by the Akali Dal (Amritsar) on February 12 at Fatehgarh Sahib, to which SGPC chief G.S. Tohra is said to have given a positive response.

BJP ‘not involved’ in Badal-Tohra dispute
PHILLAUR, Jan 22 — The BJP had its alliance only with the SAD and had nothing to do with the much-publicised Badal-Tohra dispute.
Punjab state map

9 Dogras completes 50 glorious years
CHANDIGARH, Jan 22 — The first post-war motorised Battalion of the Indian Army — 9 Dogras — will be celebrating its golden jubilee for the next four days at Tibri cantonment in Gurdaspur.
50 years on indian independence 50 years on indian independence 50 years on indian independence
50 years on indian independence

Search

Miss India GulMahadian's very own Miss India
FATEHGARH SAHIB, Jan 22 — With the crowning of Gul Panag as the Miss India-Universe at the glittering ceremony of Femina Miss India, both Chandigarh and Delhi rushed forward to claim her as their respective "products". But it is the people of her ancestral village Mahadian, 2 km from here, who are now celebrating the crowning of their "very own" Gulkirat.

Funds hold up varsity project
FARIDKOT: No progress has been made in the construction of much-publicised Baba Farid Medical and Health Sciences University complex here initiated by the Punjab Government early last year.

Rice millers facing financial crunch
GURDASPUR, Jan 22 — Rice millers in the district are a worried lot due to the financial crunch faced by them in view of the retarded functioning of their units in the current season. Initially huge stocks of rice piled up with the millers because the Food Corporation of India (FCI) did not lift the stocks due to the absence of a clearcuts policy by the Central Government regarding levy.

Fake textbooks seized in Jalandhar
SAS NAGAR, Jan 22 — As part of its ongoing drive against spurious textbooks, the Punjab School Education Board authorities claimed to have seized a large number of unauthorised books during a raid at a printing house in Jalandhar today.

Bitta’s call to check revival of militancy
BATALA, Jan 22 — Mr Maninder Jit Singh Bitta, a former chief of the Indian Youth Congress, here today invited the attention of the Punjab Government towards the reported call for revival of Khalistan given by Mr Simranjit Singh Mann and Mr Kuldeep Singh Wadala.

Gang of criminals busted
JALANDHAR, Jan 22 — A gang of criminals involved in incidents of dacoity and murder and having links with terrorists has been busted. Four pistols and cartridges have been seized by the police from the gang members.

GND varsity to set up Satguru Ram Singh chair
LUDHIANA, Jan 22 — To ensure comprehensive research on the Kuka movement, a Satguru Ram Singh chair would be set up in Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, and a portrait of Satguru Ram Singh would be installed in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.

6 hepatitis-B virus carriers detected
FARIDKOT KOTLI (Bathinda), Jan 22 — With the launching of a door-to-door survey, the district health authorities have detected six more hepatitis-B virus carriers in this village in the past three days.

India must document bio-wealth: workshop
LUDHIANA, Jan 22 — For solving patent-related problems, India must document its bio-wealth and traditional knowledge. The working efficiency and infrastructure of patent offices in the country should be improved and patent literacy should be popularised.

  Bomb defused

Kerosene shortage in Amritsar

Seminar on human rights

Staff serve strike notice on PSEB

Nirmaljeet Sekhon's mother dead

Top

 






 

SAD-Takht row may intensify
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, Jan 22 — The ante in the ongoing tussle in the SAD may be further upped with Akal Takht Jathedar attending a rally to mark the birth anniversary of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale being organised by the Akali Dal (Amritsar) on February 12 at Fatehgarh Sahib to which SGPC chief G.S. Tohra is said, to have given a positive response.

The rally could become a counter to the rally being organised by the SAD at Patiala on the same day if the SGPC chief attends it.

Talking to newsmen before addressing a public gathering on the occasion of Basant Panchmi at Gurdwara Dukhniwaran here. Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann said the SGPC chief had given a positive response to the letter of invitation extended to him and hoped Mr Tohra would attend the rally.

Mr Mann alleged that SAD was also holding a rally on February 12 at Patiala to sabotage the programme in the memory of Sant Bhindranwale.

He said the family of Bhindranwale including his wife and two sons, had been invited to the rally.

Speaking on the tercentenary celebrations, he called for the setting up of a political agenda on the occasion saying the Akali Dal (Badal) and the Congress were deviating on this by concentrating on monuments and marches.

He said the Panth should choose its political agenda from the Anandpur Sahib resolution, the Amritsar Declaration and Khalistan, the tercentenary celebrations should ensure debate on these issues in the true spirit of the Khalsa, he added.

Later speaking at the rally, he attacked the BJP. He said the RSS and the Bajrang Dal were spreading fundamentalism in the country and attacking the minorities.

Meanwhile, the SAD conference held by supporters of the SGPC President, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, at the annual Basant Panchmi mela here today passed a resolution urging the government to ban daily Ajit for publishing excerpts of an 'objectionable' book, 'Vanity Incarnate'.

The conference, which was a tame affair and not attended by the SGPC chief, also urged the Akal Takht Jathedar, Bhai Ranjit Singh, to summon the Editor of Ajit to explain why he had published excerpts from the book in his newspaper.

The conference was attended by a Lok Sabha MP, Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, and former Ministers, Mr Harmail Singh Tohra, Mr Surjit Singh Kohli and the district Akali Jatha President, Mr Rajinder Singh Tohra.Top

 

BJP ‘not involved’ in Badal-Tohra dispute
From Our Correspondent

PHILLAUR, Jan 22 — The BJP had its alliance only with the SAD and had nothing to do with the much-publicised Badal-Tohra dispute.

This was stated by the Punjab BJP President, Mr Daya Singh Sodhi, here today. He described the dispute as purely an internal matter of the SAD.

He said the SAD-BJP government was working with full coordination for all-round development of the state.

Mr Sodhi said more than 50 per cent of the SAD-BJP joint coordination committees had been set up in different districts of the state, and remaining would be set up in the next 15 days. He said chairpersons of all improvement trusts would be appointed next month.

Commenting upon the financial crisis in the state, he said it was a gift of the Congress which was now busy exploiting the issue.Top

 

9 Dogras completes 50 glorious years
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 22 — The first post-war motorised Battalion of the Indian Army — 9 Dogras — will be celebrating its golden jubilee for the next four days at Tibri cantonment in Gurdaspur.

Raised at Dogra Regimental Centre at Jalandhar cantonment on January 26, 1948, by Major-Gen (then Lieut-Col) Ram Singh, as an amalgamation of Dogra companies of 2, 3 and 5 Frontier Force, 4 Baluch and 4/16 Punjab Regiment, with troops hailing from Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab, this battalion has a unique record. It has virtually participated in all peace and war-time operations in the country since inception.

Within eight months of its origin, the battalion participated in Hyderabad Police action (Operation Polo) to get going. In October,1961, the unit moved to Nagaland where it participated in counter-insurgency operations against the Naga hostiles. In the subsequent year, in the Sino-Indian conflict, the battalion was flown to Leh, where it conducted operations against the invaders. It ended the operations with a Vir Chakra in its lap.

In 1963, the battalion was handpicked for the United Nations Emergency Force and left for Gaza (Egypt) and was deployed along the Armistice Demarcation Line between Israel and Egypt to ensure peace and stability

In the 1965 Indo-Pak conflict, 9 Dogras took part in both Operation Ablaze and Operation Nepal where it distinguished itself and fought gallantly. Eighteen Other Ranks (ORs) of the battalion made the supreme sacrifice and the battalion got one Sena Medal, six Mention in Despatches and nine Chief of the Army Staff commendations.

In 1967, the unit moved to Sikkim where it participated in Operation Salvage in actions against the Chinese at Nathu La and Jalep La where it won a Shaurya Chakra.

In June-July, 1971, it moved to Ramgarh and took part in Operation Steeple Chase against the Naxalites. Soon afterwards it moved to the eastern sector where it participated in Operation Cactus Lily in the 1971 Indo-Pak conflict. The gallant actions of the men and officers of the battalion in this theatre won them the battle honour "Suadih".

Second Lieut B.S. Kasana led his men from the front and in a daring daylight attack on the Pakistanis sacrificed his life. He was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra. Besides, one JCO and 12 ORs attained martyrdom and the battalion was awarded three Sena medals and two Mention-in-Despatches.

In 1980, the unit moved to Arunachal Pradesh where it participated in Operation Javelin and later in Operation Harre in Burma. The battalion got one Sena Medal, two VSMs, and four COAS commendation cards.

In 1986, the battalion again moved to the northern sector and after a stint on the Line of Control, it was inducted into Operation Meghdoot, the highest battlefield in the world. The unit lived up to its reputation of excellent performance and completed the assigned task in an exemplary manner. During its tenure on the Glacier, the battalion won two Mention-in-Despatches, 9 COAS Commendation cards and 9 GOC-in-C Commendation cards.

The battalion was deployed in Operation Rakshak-II in Jammu and Kashmir from 1996 to 98 where it countered militancy successfully in one of the most sensitive areas and earned the Unit Appreciation by the GOC-in-C, Northern Command.

According to Col B.B. Sharma, Commanding Officer, the battalion had to delay its golden jubilee celebrations by a year because of its involvement in Operation Rakshak-II last year. Since September last year, it is located at Tibri cantonment.Top

 

Funds hold up varsity project
From Romesh Gupta

FARIDKOT: No progress has been made in the construction of much-publicised Baba Farid Medical and Health Sciences University complex here initiated by the Punjab Government early last year.

Even the Rs 6 crore given to purchase 122 acres of land (against the requirement of 157 acres) to start the work on the first phase has not been released so far causing delay. The first phase includes the university administrative block, convention hall, paramedic and information centres, hospital and residential quarters.

Failure to release Rs 58 lakh last November has reduced the chances of conducting the P.M.T. test for admission to medical, dental ayurveda colleges scheduled for May and June.

According to reports, the plan to rejuvenate the building of the mortuary at local Guru Gobind Singh Medical College to start the university work has to be abandoned due to lack of funds. A grant of Rs 16 lakh has been allocated so far which is not enough to meet the expenses and paying the Vice-Chancellor's salary.

At present the institution is functioning from three rooms — one is the residence of Vice-Chancellor, the second a guesthouse and the third for doctors.

While laying the foundation stone of the project on October 6,1998, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal made a tall claim that the construction work of the university complex would be launched on a war-footing after completing all formalities in a short period.

Non-implementation of the project has created doubts about the credibility of the government among the residents of the area already reeling in hardship after the division of Faridkot district into Moga, Muktsar and Faridkot.

When contacted Dr L S Chawla, Vice-Chancellor said though both Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Union Minister of State Sukhbir Singh were keen to continue the work, yet paucity of funds was creating hurdles. However a meeting of the high-powered committee in this connection would be held here on January 27 to review the progress on the project.Top

 

Mahadian's very own Miss India
By Surinder Bhardwaj

FATEHGARH SAHIB, Jan 22 — With the crowning of Gul Panag as the Miss India-Universe at the glittering ceremony of Femina Miss India, both Chandigarh and Delhi rushed forward to claim her as their respective "products". But it is the people of her ancestral village Mahadian, 2 km from here, who are now celebrating the crowning of their "very own" Gulkirat.

Gul's grandfather, Col Shamsher Singh, who now resides in Chandigarh, not only owns agricultural land in Mahadian, but had also served as the Sarpanch of the village for many years. Her childhood years were spent with her grandparents after her parents separated. Gul got her primary education at Holy Heart Public School, Bassi Pathana.

Now a Delhiite, Gul, who is a canine trainer, was described as being very active since her childhood, by the villagers. Her uncle, Mr Malkiat Singh, a manager in Punjab Tourism, Aam Khas Bagh, said Gul loves to visit her ancestral village. Her aunt, Mrs Amarjit Kaur also expressed her joy at her being crowned Miss India, and added that her army background gave her the confidence to win the crown.

Gul, whose hobbies include bungee jumping and trekking, gave a sure-shot winning answer when she upheld the unit of family to be the most important in the universe, on being questioned, "If you were Chelsea, what is the single most important advice you would give to your parents?"

A dimpled Gul Panag, who also bagged the Colgate Gel Miss Beautiful Smile award, has not only won herself a cherished dream for most young women of this country, but has also done her village proud.Top

 

Rice millers facing financial crunch
From Our Correspondent

GURDASPUR, Jan 22 — Rice millers in the district are a worried lot due to the financial crunch faced by them in view of the retarded functioning of their units in the current season. Initially huge stocks of rice piled up with the millers because the Food Corporation of India (FCI) did not lift the stocks due to the absence of a clearcuts policy by the Central Government regarding levy.

The millers faced the resource crunch because of the undeclared emergency by the Punjab Government which directed officers of various treasuries in the district to suspend clearing of bills other than salaries and pensions of the government employees for December.

Mr B.K. Mittal, a spokesman of the District Rice Millers Association, said here yesterday that the district was facing an acute space shortage to store rice. As many as 1,500 wagons of rice, valuing more than Rs 30 crore, had piled up with the rice millers as the FCI stopped lifting rice due to the non-availability of space.

The FCI has a capacity to store 2.2 lakh tonnes of rice and wheat in their godowns. There was space for storing 60,000 tonnes of rice which has been procured by the FCI, leading to the exhaustion of the space. The FCI was able to transport some stocks lying in their godowns through railway wagons and trucks to neighbouring states but the space made available on account of this had also been filled.

The other states are not ready for the allotment of rice from Punjab because they feel that the rice stocks lying in the godowns of the FCI in the state are damaged and have become unfit for consumption. The FCI fearing the shortage of space approached the Deputy Commissioner to make additional space available but was abandoned by the FCI on the plea that the space made available was not fit for storing rice.

Mr Mittal sought the streamlining of the policy regarding rice. He said the relaxation given by the Centre regarding the procurement of rice should come into force from November 15 as promised by the government.Top

 

Fake textbooks seized in Jalandhar
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Jan 22 — As part of its ongoing drive against spurious textbooks, the Punjab School Education Board authorities claimed to have seized a large number of unauthorised books during a raid at a printing house in Jalandhar today.

Meanwhile, the board has directed the printers to change the type face of the textbooks to prevent the inflow of spurious books in the market.

According to a statement here today by Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, Chairman of the board, the seizure of books was made during a raid conducted by one of the four raiding teams, constituted recently by the board for the purpose. He said team members swung into action after getting a tip-off that a printing press near Gaushala in the Adda Tanda locality of Jalandhar had unauthorisedly been indulging in printing of board books and consequently seized a large number of printed pages of 'ganit' and 'Punjabi' books for class II.

He said in fact the press had been allotted printing of another text book, 'Arithmetic in Punjabi for Class III' for which water marked paper was supplied by the board. But under the cover of printing this book, the proprietors of the press started printing the other book unauthorisedly with a view to selling these books in the market.

Dr Ahluwalia said preliminary investigations into the matter had revealed another dimension of the racket which had been going on for past many years. The paper stocks with the printing press was found to be in excess than the quantity supplied by the board, which showed that the proprietors of the press had unauthorisedly been arranging the supply of water-marked paper from other sources. He added that following the seizure of fake books, the board has cancelled the allotment of printing job to the said press. An FIR had also been registered by the Jalandhar Police following a written complaint by the board authorities, he claimed.

While apprehending the presence of a large number of fake testbooks in the market, Mr Ahluwalia said it could be assessed from the fact that till few years ago the board used to get printed about 20 lakh copies of 'Primer In Punjabi' for the first standard. But despite a spurt in the population the number had declined gradually to just eight lakh copies. "This clearly showed the magnitude of the problem."

The chairman said a number of steps had been taken to prevent such incidents. Besides, changing type faces to make the new prints distinctive, a secret invisible code was also being incorporated in the textbook so that the fake ones could be detected easily.

A campaign to create awareness among people against fake books was also being launched, he claimed. Top

 

Bitta’s call to check revival of militancy
From Our Correspondent

BATALA, Jan 22 — Mr Maninder Jit Singh Bitta, a former chief of the Indian Youth Congress, here today invited the attention of the Punjab Government towards the reported call for revival of Khalistan given by Mr Simranjit Singh Mann and Mr Kuldeep Singh Wadala.

Mr Bitta, who now heads a non-political organisation, All-India Anti-Terrorism Front, urged the state government and the Centre to put their foot down and check the observance of Jarnail Singh Bhinderanwala's birth anniversary on February 12 at Fatehgarh Sahib.

He apprehended that the revival of call for a Sikh homeland would bring back blood-soaked days in Punjab thereby endangering lives of innocent people.

Mr Bitta demanded the arrest of exponents of Khalistan as their game plan had already been rejected by the people of Punjab.

Mr Bitta, who recently met the Canandian Ambassador in Delhi, said some gurdwaras in Canada were being managed by pro-Khalistani men. Funds collected by these gurdwaras were being sent to India for promoting militancy, he said.

He sought the cooperation of Canadian and US governments to weed out these elements from their countries as they had lowered the name of Sikhs all over the world.Top

 

Gang of criminals busted
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, Jan 22 — A gang of criminals involved in incidents of dacoity and murder and having links with terrorists has been busted. Four pistols and cartridges have been seized by the police from the gang members.

According to IG Police, Jalandhar Zone, Dr G.S. Aujla, four members of the gang active in the area had been arrested.

He said on information, the Goraya police raided a tubewell of one Mehnga Singh, who had promised Rs 2 lakh for killing his son-in-law, Ajaib Singh. Mehnga Singh's daughter had married against his wishes and he could not reportedly reconcile to the situation.

The gang members were finalising the strategy for murdering Ajaib Singh when the police raided their hideout and arrested them.

According to the police, the gang was formed after Divali in October, 1998. All members are in their twenties. The men have been identified as Santokh Singh Sokha, Karamjit Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Paramit Singh and Mehnga Singh.

According to the police, the gang shot Harmesh Lal Bedi on October 13 last year, it looted Rs 17,000 from a filling station in Hoshiarpur on October 20, 1998. It looted Rs 55,000 from Mukesh Mittal in Sarafa Bazar in Ludhiana. Mukesh was also shot and injured. In a day-light robbery in Ludhiana, the gang members snatched a scooter at a gun-point from one Kishan Lal on October 7.

The gang members also shot dead their leader Jaila in an inter-gang rivalry. The gang members after killing Jaila near Kunjpura road, near Karnal, dumped his body, which was later recovered in a highly decomposed state. The Karnal police had registered a case in this connection.Top

 

GND varsity to set up Satguru Ram Singh chair
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Jan 22 — To ensure comprehensive research on the Kuka movement, a Satguru Ram Singh chair would be set up in Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, and a portrait of Satguru Ram Singh would be installed in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.

This was announced here today by Mr Tota Singh, Education Minister, and Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, Speaker, while addressing a state-level function organised to commemorate the "incarnation day" of Satguru Ram Singh at his native village Raian (Bhani Sahib), about 25 km from here.

Referring to the contribution of Satguru Ram Singh in the freedom movement, Mr Tota Singh said he was the first to revolt against the British rule and had a big role in the non-cooperation movement. He said Satguru Ram Singh infused a spirit of sacrifice not only among Namdharis but in all Indians.

He said Satguru Ram Singh launched a movement to eradicate dowry and intoxicants from society. He also launched a mass-marriage concept without dowry which was still prevalent among the Namdharis. He exhorted people to boycott the killers of girl foetuses.

Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal said Satguru Ram Singh was the first to light the flame of Independence and completely boycotted the British services. He paid tributes to other Kuka martyrs who followed in his footsteps.Top

 

6 hepatitis-B virus carriers detected
From Chander Parkash
Tribune News Service

FARIDKOT KOTLI (Bathinda), Jan 22 — With the launching of a door-to-door survey, the district health authorities have detected six more hepatitis-B virus carriers in this village in the past three days.

Official sources said that out of 13 water samples which were tested, one water sample of Pathrala village adjoining this village was found doubtful.

The sources said the district health authorities had vaccinated about 257 "close-contact" persons of 41 jaundice patients of this village, who were detected by the authorities on January 14 and 15.

Dr Bawa Ram, Civil Surgeon, told TNS that total number of hepatitis-B (positive) patients were 24. He added that no person suffering from jaundice was detected from the adjoining village. He said all the samples of this village which were tested found fit for human consumption.

He disclosed that about 136 blood samples of "close-contact" persons had been tested and only six persons were found as chronic hepatitis-B (positive) carriers.

He said two teams of doctors and seven teams of para-medical staff had been carrying out survey and the vaccination task for the past five days. About 19,000 chlorine tablets had been distributed in the region. Mass health education camps were being held in all the villages of Sangat block.

Official sources said that water samples of Pakka-Kalan, Chak Attar Singhwala, Chak Ruldu Wala, Phulo Mithi, Sangat, Bangi Ruldu, Jassi Bagh Wali, Bagha, Malwala, Doomwali, Gurthri, Jai Singhwala, Nandgarh, Kaljharani, Seekho, Naruana and this village had been taken and their reports awaited.

Dr Bawa Ram said that Assistant Director, Surveillance, Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC), and a team of specialist doctors from Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot, had visited the affected village to make on-the-spot inquiries of spreading of jaundice and arrangements for checking its further spread.

Dr Bawa Ram pointed out that jaundice patients, including hepatitis-B (positive) carriers, were getting their treatments from the 'fake' registered medical practitioners (RMPs) from this village and adjoining town Dabwali of Haryana. He added that hepatitis might have spread in the village due to 'used' syringes being reused by fake RMPs.

He said that he had written a letter to the local unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to inform the health authorities about any patient of jaundice getting treatment from any private doctor so that its spread could be checked timely.

He said voluntary organisations were being motivated to organise hepatitis-B vaccination camps in the rural areas. More vaccination from the state health authorities was also being arranged.Top

 

India must document bio-wealth: workshop
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, Jan 22 — For solving patent-related problems, India must document its bio-wealth and traditional knowledge. The working efficiency and infrastructure of patent offices in the country should be improved and patent literacy should be popularised.

This was emphasised here today by Dr Pal Singh Sidhu, Dean, College of Agriculture, during the one-day patent awareness workshop at Punjab Agricultural University.

The workshop was organised by the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, Chandigarh, and supported by the Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi. A number of eminent patent experts from New Delhi as well as other parts of the country, representatives of industry and R and D centre attended this workshop.

Dr Sidhu disclosed that an intellectual property rights (IPR) cell had been established at PAU to create awareness about IPRs and patents. This cell would prepare a catalogue of processes and products which require patents.
Dr Sidhu also emphasised on protecting the interests of farmers and scientists in the agricultural sector. Neem, an Indian product, has over 100 patents throughout the world of which India claims only three patents while the USA has 40 patents on neem products. "We have been very slow in protecting our own intellectual property rights," he said.

Dr R. Shaha, Director, Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), the Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, disclosed that in the Ninth Five-Year Plan 22 patent information centres would be established throughout the country. One such centre had already been established in Punjab. Unlike art for art’s sake, research for research’s sake is not a self-sustaining proposition in the present industrial era, which is characterised by ever increasing competition.

Patent information had not been frequently used in India as an input for deciding research topics. This should become increasingly important in days to come as India also catches the attention of foreign companies for patenting. Hence, a thorough patent search and study of available patents become essential. Mr T. Venugopal, Director (Environment), Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, Chandigarh, said that trade related intellectual property rights are very important in the present global trade regime.Top

 

Bomb defused

FATEHGARH SAHIB, Jan 22 — The Gobindgarh police today detected a powerful bomb lying near the bus stand here and seized 1 kg RDX, a powerful battery and a sophisticated timer. Mr Paramraj Singh Dhaliwal, SSP, said that in the afternoon, some person informed the police that a suspicious object was lying near a toilet. He immediately reported the matter to the police. The bus stand was later vacated and the bomb was defused, Mr Dhaliwal added. Top

 

Staff serve strike notice on PSEB
From Our Correspondent

PATIALA, Jan 22 — Two employee organisations of the Punjab State Electricity Board today served separate legal notices of agitation to the board management regarding junior engineers' strike on January 28 and other employees' strike on February 10.

The Council of Junior Engineers, PSEB, said in a release issued here today they would strike work on January 28 to register their protest against the deliberate delay in the implementation of the agreement reached between the management and the council in March last year regarding the pay scales and other demands of the junior engineers.

Mr Sukhdev Singh and Mr Devinder Singh, president and general secretary of the council, claimed that thousands of junior engineers would participate in the massive protest and dharna.

Other demands listed in the statement were restoring pay parity of junior engineers with a divisional superintendent, first promotion scale of assistant engineer, compensation for junior engineers of 40 litres of petrol per month for maintaining 24-hour supply of power and the risk allowance etc.

The PSEB employees struggle committee was the second organisation to serve legal notice of agitation to the Chairman and Secretary of the board.

Mr H.S. Minhas, Mr Mukhwant Singh Sidhu, conveners of the struggle committee, said in a statement that they have given notice of strike to protest various moves of the government to privatise the PSEB in phases.Top

 

Kerosene shortage in Amritsar
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Jan 22 — The BJP MLA, Ms Lakshmi Kanta Chawla, has criticised the Punjab Government for its inability to check blackmarketeering of kerosene in the city.

In a press note issued here yesterday, she said kerosene was being sold at Rs 10 per litre in black market and the poor consumer was finding it difficult in procuring it from the depots.

People could be seen queuing up outside ration depots with no assurance of getting it.

She added, that the government should order raids to unearth the stocks with depot holders and make proper arrangements for its smooth supply.Top

 

Nirmaljeet Sekhon's mother dead
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 22 — Mrs Harbans Kaur, mother of Flying Officer Nirmaljeet Singh Sekhon, who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously after the 1971 Indo-Pak war, died at her native village, Issewal, in Ludhiana district on January 17.

She was 72. The bhog ceremony will be held at Issewal village on January 26 at 1 p.m., according to family sources.Top

 

Seminar on human rights
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Jan 22 — A two-day national seminar on human rights education sponsored by the UGC under the Ninth Plan to promote human rights education in universities and colleges will be organised at DAV College here from January 24.

The college principal, Mr M.L. Aeri, told mediapersons that the seminar was aimed at creating awareness regarding human rights education among various target groups especially the students and the teachers.

The seminar will be inaugurated on by Justice V.K. Khanna, Chairman, Panjab State Human Rights Commission, and presided over by Prof Yash Paul, former chairman, UGC and an eminent scholar. Top

  Image Map
home | Nation | Haryana | Himachal Pradesh | Jammu & Kashmir | Chandigarh |
|
Editorial | Business | Sport |
|
Mailbag | Spotlight | World | 50 years of Independence | Weather |
|
Search | Subscribe | Archive | Suggestion | Home | E-mail |