Cong ticket-seekers highest in Bathinda
CHANDIGARH, July 1 — The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee on elections today decided to leave the selection of candidates for Parliament to the party chief, Mrs Sonia Gandhi.

SSP directed to register rape case
BATHINDA, July 1 — Mr S.R. Ladhar, Deputy Commissioner, has written to the SSP to register a case against Malkit Singh, nambardar, Killi Nihalsinghwala village, for allegedly raping a minor girl in his house on June 20.

Punjab enhances linemen's status
PATIALA, July 1 — The Punjab Government has enhanced the status of linemen of the Punjab State Electricity Board to Additional Junior Engineer.

Medals of glory lose sheen
PATIALA: One thousand, five hundred and one medals. 734 decorations, and many other priceless artefacts housed in the Sheesh Mahal here form the second largest medal collection in the world after that of the Queen of England.

Aid pours in for Kargil heroes
PHAGWARA, July 1 — Noted Punjabi film director, producer and actress Preeti Sapru here yesterday announced a series of measures to mobilise fund for the welfare of Army personnel fighting Pakistani intruders in Kargil.

Power cuts hit life in Abohar
ABOHAR, July 1 — Unprecedented power cuts and erratic power supply since Saturday have virtually crippled normal public life this subdivision and border villages.

Tohra on Cong's payroll: Badal
FATEHGARH SAHIB, July 1 — Jathedar G.S. Tohra President, the Sarb Hind Akali Dal is on the payroll of the Congress, all directions to him come from Sonia Gandhi.

Pension scheme for zila parishad staff
CHANDIGARH, July 1 — The employees working in the zila parishads and panchayat samitis will now be entitled to pensionery benefits.

Abduction bid: eight held
HOSHIARPUR, July 1 — Resident of Chak Narial village under Mahilpur police station of this district foiled bid of Joga Singh and his eight accomplices to abduct his wife Jasvir Kaur on June 28 according to the delayed information received here today.

Girls outshine boys in BA/ B.Sc-III exam
AMRITSAR, July 1 — Carrying on the past trend, girls have again outshone boys in BA/ B.Sc-III examination conducted by Guru Nanak Dev University, the results of which were declared here today.

Parents protest against poor results
TARN TARAN, July 1 — A large number of parents today lodged their protest with the respective school authorities against the poor results of the matriculation examination.

"MC selling shops at approved price"
BATHINDA, July 1 — Mr Bhupinder Singh Bhullar, president, local Municipal council yesterday said that shops and shop-cum-flats in the local Gandhi market were being sold at the rates approved by the Punjab government.

Octroi staff detained
KAPURTHALA, July 1 — Since the privatisation of the octroi posts in the state, a nexus among the police, shopkeepers, and local political leaders had emerged, with the octroi collecting agencies running into losses.

3 women killed in Tarn Taran area
TARN TARAN, July 1 — Three women were killed in different incidents here during the past 24 hours.

Cong ticket-seekers highest in Bathinda
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 1 — The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee on elections today decided to leave the selection of candidates for Parliament to the party chief, Mrs Sonia Gandhi.

The meeting with Capt Amarinder Singh in the chair was also attended by the AICC Secretary, Ms Shelja.

Talking to newsmen after the meeting Congress leaders said a total of 175 applications had been received with Bathinda topping the list. The number of women opting for the ticket is 30. The minimum applicants are from Amritsar; just one. The wife of the PPCC President, Ms Parneet Kaur, is one of the aspirants from Patiala.

The meeting decided that there will be no patronage for individual Congressmen holding meetings, etc, and only the AICC and the PPCC approved meetings will have the "official stamp". This is being construed as a means to send a "warning signal" to the dissidents, who, incidentally, were present at the party office today. It transpires as a consequence of this and the party leaders talking sternly of taking "disciplinary action", the proposed Devigarh meeting of the dissidents is now called off.

The criteria for the selection of candidates is simple: ability to win and loyalty to the party.

The PPCC left to itself would like to plough a lonely furrow and not enter into any alliance with any other party. But given the Congress culture, the decision-making is done in Delhi and states only obey and implement all those decisions imposed on them.

Even while putting up a brave front and a facade of unity within the Punjab Congress ranks, the fact remains that divisions and dissensions are sharp and clear. One of the former ministers aptly said: "Trouble with us is each one of us is scared of the other. Each one of us wants to be the Chief Minister. We have already presumed and our perception — every Congress leader's — is that Akalis are out and we are moving fast to grab power".

The PPCC will shortly announce the official campaign committee which will oversee, organise and lead the party to the poll during electioneering.

Incidentally, the PPCC, as in the past and is its wont, did not send any invitation for the press conference (briefing) to the TNS. This had been brought to the notice of the PPCC president in the past, but to no effect.

SSP directed to register rape case
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, July 1 — Mr S.R. Ladhar, Deputy Commissioner, has written to the SSP to register a case against Malkit Singh, nambardar, Killi Nihalsinghwala village, for allegedly raping a minor girl in his house on June 20.

The Dalit girl, who had been working in the house of the nambardar, for the past two years approached the Deputy Commissioner yesterday and narrated her tale of woe.

The Deputy Commissioner, after examining the medical report of the victim, and taking the opinion of the District Attorney, directed the SSP today to book Malkit Singh under Section 376 of the IPC for rape and other relevant provisions of the Atrocities on Women Act, the Atrocities on the Scheduled Castes Act, the Child Labour Act and the Bonded Labour Act.

In a written complaint to the Deputy Commissioner, Mrs Manjit Kaur, the mother of the victim alleged that her daughter was raped by Malkit Singh in his house on June 20 when he was alone.

She alleged that Malkit Singh had been sexually harassing her daughter before the incident as a result of which she had stopped going to his house.

She alleged that after the incident, she approached the court and a Judicial Magistrate ordered the medical examination of her daughter on June 23. But the lady doctor in the Civil Hospital refused to carry it out.

On June 25, another Judicial Magistrate ordered the medical examination which was conducted by three doctors.

She alleged that the police was helping Malkit Singh. She added that there was danger to her and her daughter's life from Malkit Singh who was also being helped by the doctors.

Mr Ladhar said the medical examination of the victim had confirmed the rape. He added that he would dismiss Malkit Singh from service.

Border schools wear deserted look
From Varinder Walia and Gurbax Puri
Tribune News Service

VALTOHA (Amritsar), July 1 — Even as government schools opened after a month-long summer vacation, most of them wore a deserted look.

In some schools of the border belt the attendance was reported to be between zero and 10 per cent, notwithstanding the claims of the administration that 80 per cent residents of the border area, who had migrated to safe areas due to escalation of tension in the Kargil sector, had returned.

Government Middle School, Chhina Bidhi Chand, which is a few yards away from the Indo-Pakistan border all 60 students were absent. The villages is within the firing range as border fencing is visible from the school building. Similarly, only two students out of 260 students were present in the Government Primary School of the same village. However, according to Ms Gurmit Kaur, head teacher, all teachers were present.

In Government Girls High School, Valtoha, only three students out 114 students were present in the school.

In Khemkaran town the attendance in government schools was less than 5 per cent. Only 30 out of 650 students were present in Government Senior Secondary School. The Principal of the school, Mr Sawinder Paul Singh Bhullar, however, attributed the thin presence in the schools to other reasons. He said most of the students were helping their parents in paddy plantation.

However, attendance in Government Senior Secondary School, Khalra, was better than other schools of the border belt. According to Mr Kuldip Singh, officiating Principal, out of total 745 students as many as 90 students were present. He said the attendance was likely to improve in the coming days. The attendance in Government Girls High School in the same village was about 3 per cent. In Primary School, the attendance was little more than 4 per cent.

In Government Primary School, Narli, the attendance was less than 2 per cent. Only seven students out of total 486 students came to school on the opening day after summer holidays.

In Government Senior School, Narli, the attendance was less than 13 per cent. In the adjoining village of Narla, only 18 students out of 64 were present in Government Primary School.

The attendance was very poor in schools in Gillpan, Theh Kala (near Khalra), Marhi Megha, Kalsian Khurd, Dode, Marhi Wan Tara Singh, Bhaini, Baser ke Amarkot, Bhoora Kona villages etc. in the border belt.

Punjab enhances linemen's status
From Our Correspondent

PATIALA, July 1 — The Punjab Government has enhanced the status of linemen of the Punjab State Electricity Board to Additional Junior Engineer.

Announcing this at a largely attended state-level conference organised at the Singh Sabha grounds by the Employees Federation of the PSEB here today, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, said those linemen who attain the pay scale of Junior Engineer would be re-designated as Additional Junior Engineer. At least 12,000 linemen of the PSEB stand to benefit from the upgradation of their status.

The Chief Minister directed the Punjab State Electricity Board authorities to finalise and implement the recommendations of the wage formulation committee constituted for settling the anomalies of pay scales of different categories of employees of this organisation by August 15 this year.

He said the DA instalment to the PSEB employees should be decided as per the Punjab Government norms and power connections may be given to the employees on priority basis. He said the issue of giving employment quota to the wards of PSEB employees would be considered sympathetically by observing the legal aspect and other demands would also be taken into account to the satisfaction of the employees.

Mr Badal and the Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, however, evaded the issues of awarding 15 per cent house rent allowance to employees working in this city.

The demand was raised by scores of speakers of the Employees Federation. Even Rajya Sabha member, Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder, who spoke before Mr Badal, and Capt Kanwaljit Singh endorsed the demand saying that if employees working in the municipal corporation limits of Jalandhar and Amritsar could get 15 per cent house rent employees of this city also deserve it.

Mr Badal while announcing acceptance of other demands did not say anything about the house rent issue. Capt Kanwaljit Singh also avoided it.

The issue of house rent allowance hangs fire since last year. Mr Badal had in a May Day conference, organised by the state employees himself announced the awarding of the house rent. Since then the employees waiting for the notification are issuing press releases or reminding the state government by holding rallies.

Medals of glory lose sheen
From Jangveer Singh
Tribune News Service

PATIALA: One thousand, five hundred and one medals. 734 decorations, and many other priceless artefacts housed in the Sheesh Mahal here form the second largest medal collection in the world after that of the Queen of England.

Not many even in this small city, know of the collection as it is not open to public. The medal collection should be housed in city was the main condition put by Maharaja Yadvindra Singh while presenting it to the Punjab Government in 1962.

The collection could become a major tourists attraction, if it is opened for people other than VIPs.

Mr Manmeet Singh, an art teacher, said one has to seek permission from the Cultural Affairs and Archives Department, Punjab, at Chandigarh.

Mr K.S. Dhalieal, an art aficionado, said there was no programme for children of the city to the collection.

The collection, includes medals, decorations, swords, lane yards, miniature medals and cufflinks. Weather has taken its toll of the medals and decorations. The ribbons and sashes have either faded or frayed.

The boxes of Spink and Sons containing the medals have served their utility. The collection should be encased in dust-proof, moisture-free boxes and housed in places where temperature can be controlled.

The medals are mainly from the collection of the ninth maharaja of Patiala "Lt Gen His Highness, Farzand-i-Khas Daulat-i-Ingishia, Mansur-i-Zaman, Amir-i-Umra, Maharaj Dhiraj Raj Rajeshwar Sir Maharaj-i-Rajgan Sir Bhupinder Singh Mohinder Bahadur, GCIE, GCVO, GBE, ADC". The Maharaja was referred as such in all official communications. Maharaja Bhupinder Singh collected the medals during his tours to England and Europe between 1911 and 1935. Very few medals were added to the collection after the Maharaja's death in 1938.

Medals from as many as 40 countries have been displayed in the gallery. They include medals from the Battle of Dunbar to First World War and thereafter. Medals conferred on the Maharaja like the Broad Ribbon of the Order of Leopold from King Albert of Belgium and the Legion of Honour from France. The collection also includes the Guru Ghar Manya Mandal, (the order of the holy saint) medal with "Ek Omkar, Deg Tegh Fateh" inscribed above the relief of Guru Gobind Singh. The medal was instituted by the Maharaja. Medals given to soldiers in First World War from Patiala and other princely states and even those given in honour of the capture of Seringapatam form part of the collection.

Aid pours in for Kargil heroes
From Our Reporters

PHAGWARA, July 1 — Noted Punjabi film director, producer and actress Preeti Sapru here yesterday announced a series of measures to mobilise fund for the welfare of Army personnel fighting Pakistani intruders in Kargil.

She said Re 1 per ticket from proceeds of her film‘Muqaddar’ to be released on July 16, would be donated to the Army Welfare Fund.

Preeti said she was trying to persuade a popular Hindi movie producer to premier his forthcoming big release at Ludhiana and donate the premier show proceeds to the fund.

The actress said she would be leaving for Mumbai on July 2 for this purpose and also to mobilise Bollywood artists for a march from Ludhiana to the Amritsar border to boost the morale of soldiers fighting a grim battle in Kargil.

Preeti said she would also arrange a musical nite by ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh at Jalandhar to raise money for the Army fund.

She said she would produce and direct ‘Shahadat’, a movie on the 1971 Indo-Pak War, in association with the National Film Development Corporation.

Meanwhile, in a novel way of raising funds for the Kargil martyrs, members of a local voluntary group, the Janata Seva Samiti, yesterday resorted to shining shoes at Gandhi Chowk here.

A large number of people responded generously paying Rs 10 to Rs 20 as passerby looked on.

A spokesman of the samiti, Mr Makiat Singh Ragbotra, said activists had so far collected Rs 18,013.

PHILLAUR : Responding to an appeal by the Northern Motion Pictures Association, representing Punjab, Haryana, Himachal and J and K, cinema owners and film distributors of the region would donate their one-day income on July 25, to the relief fund for the families of the Kargil martyrs, Mr Sukhjit Singh Parmar, executive member of the association, said here on Tuesday.

AMRITSAR: On the birthday of martyr Lt Saurav Kalia, who was murdered by the Pakistani army, a blood donation camp was organised here on Tuesday.

The camp was inaugurated by Mr Parduman Singh, vice-president, AITUC. As may as 20 donors, including workers and bank employees, donated blood.

BATHINDA: Mr Jagdip Singh Chowhan, Additional Director, Public Relations, Punjab and in charge, Media Management of Moga, Faridkot and Bathinda yesterday decided to donate his salary to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund for the welfare of Kargil heroes.

In a press note issued here, he said that he would continue to contribute his salary to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund until the Kargil issue was alive.

MALERKOTLA: Mr C.R. Khajuria, Regional Manger, Punjab National Bank, Bathinda region, has said employees of the 60 branches of the bank under the Bathinda region would contribute their one-day salary to the fund.

Meanwhile employees of the Department of Telecommunications, Malerkotla and Ahmedgarh, have donated their one-day salary to the National Defence Fund.

JALANDHAR: Staff of Press Information Bureau, Jalandhar, have donated their one-day salary for the National Defence Fund.

Power cuts hit life in Abohar
From Our correspondent

ABOHAR, July 1 — Unprecedented power cuts and erratic power supply since Saturday have virtually crippled normal public life this subdivision and border villages. With mercury hovering at 43° celsius the past one week, the area had experienced rain only in the first week of the month for two hours only. People are facing great inconvenience with no information available at the complaint centres regarding power cuts.

Mr Sat Pal Kariwal, convener of the Consumers Movement, in a fax message sent to the Chairman and the Chief Engineer of the Punjab State Electricity Board on Tuesday, said the local electricity authorities had announced power cut for three hours only on Saturday but more than a dozen localities remained without electricity for 10 hours. On Sunday no announcement was made but the consumers were deprived of electricity supply for eight hours in areas falling under the subdivision across Nai Abadi. Even after that the supply was disrupted after every half an hour. On Monday no prior information was available regarding power cuts but many localities remained without power for 10 hours and the supply was not stable in other areas.

Mr Khariwal, after visiting various border villages, including Shahtirwala, Khanpur, Roop Nagar, Bareka, said two ministers of state who represented this district had promised the residents that 10 hour three phase supply would be made available during day hours for running their tubewells. But even after 10 days of their visit farmers were getting three phase power supply for only three hours. These villages are also facing 10-hour regular cut daily in single phase power supply. Women and children could be seen sitting under trees using traditional hand-fans in all villages.

The movement criticised Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for giving step-motherly treatment to people of Abohar and Fazilka subdivisions. Mr Khariwal said round-the-clock power supply was being made by the PSEB to please the consumers in areas falling under the Lok Sabha constituency of the Chief Minister’s son, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, whereas the consumers in the border subdivisions had been put to great inconvenience.

Mr Khariwal warned that the movement would resort to an agitation if power supply was not put in order immediately. The organisation demanded that local power distribution station should be upgraded to remove grievances of the consumers.

Tohra on Cong's payroll: Badal
From Our Correspondent

FATEHGARH SAHIB, July 1 — Jathedar G.S. Tohra President, the Sarb Hind Akali Dal is on the payroll of the Congress, all directions to him come from Sonia Gandhi. He has one-point programme to defeat the SAD(B) alleged Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, while speaking at the death anniversary of Jathedar Amar Singh at Balhari Kalan village 10 km from here today.

He said Jathedar Tohra was more dangerous than the Congress as, he was joining hands with parties which helped the Congress. The SAD (B) would not align with those who had sided with the Congress in the recent confidence motion, he added.

Addressing the gathering Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister Punjab also criticised Mr Tohra. He said Mr Tohra claimed to have formed the All-India Akali Dal but decided to contest only three seats. What will he do with these three MP's if he won. He said he was not finding suitable candidates even for those three seats. He said whosoever had left the mainstream met his political death.

Mr R.S. Cheema, former Minister, Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar OSD to the CM, Mr Didar Singh Bhatti, Mr Randhir Singh Harain also addressed the gathering.

Pension scheme for zila parishad staff
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, July 1 — The employees working in the zila parishads and panchayat samitis will now be entitled to pensionary benefits.

The scheme becomes effective from today; July.

This was announced by the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayts, Mr Nirmal Singh Kahlon, according to a press note issued by the department's controller panchayti raj finances.

The pension scheme will be operated by the employees in consultation and cooperation with their respective parishads and samitis. Each employee will have the option to accept the same.

The scheme will benefit nearly 3,150 employees, directly. The employees and their institutions will now draw up relevant rules. A special cell is being created in the department for overseeing the pension scheme implementation.

Abduction bid: eight held
From Our Correspondent

HOSHIARPUR, July 1 — Resident of Chak Narial village under Mahilpur police station of this district foiled bid of Joga Singh and his eight accomplices to abduct his wife Jasvir Kaur on June 28 according to the delayed information received here today. Villagers over powered all eight accomplices of Joga Singh along with their Tata Sumo and maruti van and handed them over the police while Joga Singh escaped from the scene.

Police sources said that Ms Jasvir Kaur daughter off Mr Mohinder Singh Ramdasia was married to Joga Singh son of Pritam Singh Ramdasia of Mohalla Gobindpura Phawara on December, 1998. Due to some tiff with her Jasvir Kaur came to her parents home on June 1, 1999. On June 28 Joga Singh along with his eight accomplices tried to abduct her . On the complaint of Ms Jasvir Kaur Mahilpur police has registered a case in this connection.

Girls outshine boys in BA/ B.Sc-III exam
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, July 1 —Carrying on the past trend, girls have again outshone boys in BA/ B.Sc-III examination conducted by Guru Nanak Dev University, the results of which were declared here today.

According to the provisional merit list of the result, first three ranks of B.Sc were bagged by HMV, Jalandhar, and first position in BA was bagged by KMV, Jalandhar, while second and third position were secured by Hindu Kanya College, Kapurthala, and Prem Chand Markanda S D College for Women, Jalandhar, respectively.

In B.Sc, Amanjot Kaur (Roll No 116760), Saruchi Puri (Roll No 116748) and Poonam (Roll No 116787) of HMV College, Jalandhar have secured an aggregate of 1911, 1867, and 1843 marks, respectively.

Similarly in B.A., Rama (Roll No 125045) of KMV College, Jalandhar, secured 1876 marks, Poonam (Roll No 130340) of Hindu Kanya College, Kapurthala, secured 1858 marks and Preet Kamal (Roll No 127352) of Prem Chand Markanda S D College for Women, Jalandhar, secured 1856 marks.

Of the total 11,058 students who appeared in BA exam, 8,003 have passed.

Similarly, in B.Sc of the total 1546 students 1,330 have passed.

The pass percentage of BA was 72.3 per cent as compared to last year when the pass percentage was 77.50 per cent. In B.Sc this year pass percentage was 83.3 per cent as compared to the last year when the pass percentage was 80.46 per cent.

Parents protest against poor results
From Our Correspondent

TARN TARAN, July 1 — A large number of parents today lodged their protest with the respective school authorities against the poor results of the matriculation examination.

Residents of Dhotian village told this reporter that out of 60 students of Government High School Dhotian, only one had been declared successful in the examination. Eight were declared failed and the remaining got their compartment. Residents of Dhunda village said all 24 students of their village Govt High School had failed in the examination. Only three students from Government Senior Secondary School, Khadoor Sahib, could clear the examination out of a total of 153.

Only one student out of 41 from Government High School Pandori Sidhwan, could pass the examination, while 15 students were placed under the compartment, 25 students had failed.

"MC selling shops at approved price"
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, July 1 — Mr Bhupinder Singh Bhullar, president, local Municipal council yesterday said that shops and shop-cum-flats in the local Gandhi market were being sold at the rates approved by the Punjab government.

In a press note issued here yesterday, he refuted the allegation of former president, Mr Jagroop Singh Gill, that shops and shop-cum-flats were being sold at throwaway prices.

He said that a resolution to sell these establishments had been passed by the Municipal Council with majority.

He claimed that with the sale of shops and shop-cum-flats, the revenue of Municipal Council would increase many times in the form of house rent.

He disclosed that Municipal Councillors had decided to contribute their one day's pocket money for the welfare of the soldiers who had sacrificed life while guarding frontiers of the country.

Octroi staff detained
Tribune News Service

KAPURTHALA, July 1 — Since the privatisation of the octroi posts in the state, a nexus among the police, shopkeepers, and local political leaders had emerged, with the octroi collecting agencies running into losses.

Mr Vijay Kumar, owner of the octroi agencies, said: The local octroi posts were auctioned for Rs 3 crore, which prior to privatisation the state government had not earned in a decade, because of understating of invoices, and compromising staff. But, the low revenue collection did not deter us to bid for the octroi collection rights as we were sure, that by working honestly, we could collect, Rs 3 crore easily.

Mr Ragubir Singh, Transport Minister said that half of the staff was illegally detained in the city police station for daring to stop a truck full of utensils on June 18. The shopkeeter lobby, not used to paying taxes, attacked the octroi staff and cut a thumb of Mr Naresh Kumar, who had stopped the truck, for checking.

Mr Naresh Kumar, who has been admitted in a hospital, said DSP Parmar, had threatened him with dire consequences if he did not change his version.

Mr Jagdish Katria, president of the local unit of the Shiv Sena, who was detained along with others, demanded an inquiry into the case.

3 women killed in Tarn Taran area
From Our Correspondent

TARN TARAN, July 1 — Three women were killed in different incidents here during the past 24 hours.

According to information, Ranjit Kaur (27), a resident of the local Muradpur locality was killed allegedly by her husband, Rachhpal Singh. A case under Section 302 of the IPC had been registered at the city police station. Ranjit Kaur had four children and was married 12 years ago.

In the second incident in Sheron village, 8 km from here, Rajwant Kaur (20) was killed when the stove on which she was working brust.

A 70-year-old woman, Veero, was crushed to death by a tractor.