Sunday, July 4, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Sunday, July 4, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Birdevinder
threatens fast Parents of ‘dowry
victim’ await justice |
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PML sues
Punjab for damages Presentation on intrusion More donations for relief fund L Nk Rakesh Kumar cremated Economy drive hits PR dept Big reshuffle in Mandi Board YC ready to fight poll
malpractices Punjab wants SGPC college out of
PMT rigmarole Reallocation cell set up Mahajan tipped to head pollution
board Scribes to boycott university
functions Brar's charge against CM Pre-Medical Test today |
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Show-cause notice issue PATIALA, July 3 — Dissidents in the Punjab Congress are headed for a straight clash with the state party leadership as Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) General Secretary Birdevinder Singh has reportedly threatened to go on an indefinite fast from July 14 to avenge the humilation meted out to him through the service of a show-cause notice. The dissidents, including Mr Birdevinder Singh, former MPs Surinder Singla and Sant Ram Singla, former ministers Brahm Mohindra, Raj Khurana and Hamir Singh Ghagga, former Punsup Chairman Brij Lal Goel, former Improvement Trust Chairman Nirmal Singh Bhattian and former Backfinco Chairman Lakhwinder Singh held a meeting yesterday to take stock of the situation after the show-cause notices were served on Mr Birdevinder Singh and Mr Prem Gupta. It was at this meeting that Mr Birdevinder Singh conveyed his decision to go on fast to the other leaders, sources said. They said Mr Birdevinder Singh was taking this stand as he and Mr Prem Gupta were in no mood to reply to the show-cause notice issued to them as it was to be examined by former ministers Lal Singh and Mr Bal Mukand Sharma whose removal from the disciplinary committee had been the major demand of the dissidents. However, the leaders had reportedly asked Mr Birdevinder Singh not to take such a step and decided to approach the high command shortly. Though Mr Birdevinder while confirming he had received the show-cause notice, said he would reveal his political plans only on July 14, which was the last date for the submission of the reply to the notice, Mr Prem Gupta, who had also received the notice, said a one-sided approach was being followed by the PCC and that their group would approach the high command against this. Mr Gupta said they had been served with notices despite the fact that the high command had recently directed both factions to bury the hatchet and work unitedly. He said following this there was no need to issue notices. Refusing to disclose whether he would reply to the notice, he said the decision would be taken after discussions with other leaders. Meanwhile, sources said it was stressed at the meeting that both Mr Birdevinder Singh and Mr Gupta had been served with notices as they were co-applicants for the Patiala Lok Sabha seat along with Mrs Praneet Kaur, wife of the PPCC President, Capt Amarinder Singh. They said the notice was aimed at making them fall in line and support Mrs Praneet Kaur's candidature. The dissidents are also likely to intensify their campaign against former minister Lal Singh, who is perceived to be close to Capt Amarinder Singh by meeting people informally at the village-level to relate his indictment by the Lok Pal and unsuitability for any post even as the high command has cancelled a meeting called by them at Devigarh to 'prepare' for the elections. The meeting was cancelled following a directive by General-Secretary Lakhwinder Kaur Garcha. The dissidents have also been directed not to convene any meeting without the prior approval of the PPCC President in future. Mr Gupta meanwhile
claimed that a meeting which was to be addressed by Mrs
Praneet Kaur at Dera Bassi today had also been cancelled
on their demand to ensure that factionalism was not
encouraged. |
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Parents of ‘dowry
victim’ await justice PATIALA, July 3 — Relatives of an alleged dowry victim have been running from pillar to post for the past two months to bring the culprits to book. Mr Tikot Raj Bhalla, a fruit seller and resident of Shastri Nagar, New Delhi, had written letters to the President, the Prime Minister, besides the DIG, ADGP, Punjab Police, seeking punishment of a family of Khanna into which he had married his daughter, Anita, but all in vain. Mr Tilak Raj told the Tribune that his daughter was married to Dr Suresh Dhussa, in 1990 and had three children, including two daughters. Mr Raj alleged that after sometime the in-laws of Anita began harassing her for bringing more dowry. They had even beaten her up on a number of occasions. Producing letters written by Anita to her father, to support his claim, he said he had tried to fulfil many demands which were possible within his limited financial capacity to save her daughter but the "greed" of the Dhussa family kept growing. He also showed a compromise document signed by Dr Dhussa in which he had vowed to treat his wife, Anita, in a humane manner. Mr Tilak Raj said in spite of this his daughter was harassed. He alleged that on April 30 Dr Suresh Kumar, his parents, brothers and a sister burnt alive his daughter. He claimed that the younger daughter of Anita was a witness to the crime who was presently living with her maternal grand parents. Anita died at DMC, Ludhian, after battling for life for five days. Mr Raj said not even a case had been registered. He added that he had not even been given the post-mortem examination report. He alleged that the police was deliberately trying to shield the 'culprits'. He said "whenever we raise the issue we are told that an inquiry would be conducted but no one has been arrested so far". He even showed the copies of letter written to the President, Prime Minister, and other high officials. A reply from the Prime Minister's office said it had directed the Chief Secretary, Punjab, to take suitable action. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Khanna, Mr R L Bhagat, when contacted termed the allegations as baseless. He said Anita in her dying declaration had said she caught fire accidentally and no one could be held responsible for it. He also claimed of
holding an independent inquiry into the matter which had
held Dr Suresh Kumar and the members of his family as not
guilty. |
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PML sues Punjab for damages CHANDIGARH, July 3 — Dr A.S. Bindra and associates yesterday served a legal notice on the Punjab Government claiming damages to the tune of Rs 675 crore for ordering the closure of the PML Industries (earlier named as Punjab Meats Ltd) set up at Behra village near Dera Bassi in Patiala district. In his 17-page legal notice Dr Bindra, who is a partner in the PML Industries, said he was invited by the Punjab Government to set up this state-of-the-art buffalow meat process unit in the state. The project had been on the Planning Board of the Punjab Government since 1972. He stated that he set up the plant with a view to lessening the environmental burden in Punjab. He said the plant utilised 10 lakh non-productive male buffaloes and paid a handsome price for these to farmers. He claimed that he obtained equities from Asian Development Bank and the Union Ministry of Food Processing and loans from the Export Finance and Investment Corporation of Australia at a low rate of 6 per cent interest. The project, prior to its final clearance, was visited by senior officers of the Punjab Government. Visitors from all over the world also came to the plant and gave excellent remarks. Dr Bindra claimed that the project was cleared by the Project Approval Board of Punjab. However, it was ordered to be closed down merely a few days after its inauguration. The plant, which had ongoing export orders worth over Rs 50 crore in 1994 and which had done an export turnover of over Rs 100 crore per annum, was asked to stop production due to "apprehensive political compulsion of politicians at that time." He alleged that the
Punjab Government, which had entered into a financial
collaboration agreement, withdrew its support by walking
out of the board. This action of the government was
against the norms of the agreement and caused it a great
setback. The company's working capital guaranteed by
nationalised banks to the tune of Rs 14 crore was also
withdrawn. |
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Punjab package for kin of
martyrs RARA (Hoshiarpur), July 3 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, declared here today that the families of the martyrs of the on-going conflict along the Line of Control in Kashmir would be honoured at a special ‘state-level function’ at Chandigarh soon. Mr Badal, who was on a tour of villages of Hoshiarpur district to pay homage to the martyrs and meet their families, also announced a package of measures to help the bereaved families and to immortalise the memory of those who had laid down their lives for the motherlands. These measures include the formulation of a special policy to provide employment to members of the bereaved families, the naming of educational and other institutions after the war heroes, the setting up of befitting memorials to the martyrs at the respective district headquarters and providing in-built systematic guarantees for a live contact between the government and these families. In another major announcement, the Chief Minister declared that the villages of the martyrs would be developed under the model development schemes, he declared that the Punjab Government would ensure ideal educational facilities to the orphaned children of the war heroes. They would have the option of selecting educational institutions of their choice and the government would bear all expenses on their schooling. Mr Badal visited each martyr's house. He presented a cheque for Rs 2 lakh each to the bereaved families. The first village, the Chief Minister visited was Rare, 12 km from Tanda, to which Nk Ranjit Singh belonged. The Chief Minister then drove to 10 other villages and presented grant cheques to the bereaved families. The Chief Minister visited the families of martyr Sub Sucha Singh Gnr Avtar Singh, Sub Daljit Singh, Sub Joginder Singh, Nk Ranjit Singh, Hav Kamaldev Singh, L Nk Rajinder Singh, Rfn Pawan Kumar and Rfn Pawan Singh. Mr Kamal Chaudhary former MP, Mr Mohan Lal Minister Forest, local MLA and senior district officials accompanied the Chief Minister. Mr S.K. Maheshwari
J.C.T. Ltd Chohal, presented a cheque for Rs 10 lakh for
War Heros Family Welfare Fund to the Chief Minister. |
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Presentation on intrusion BATHINDA: The function: "State-Level Youth Conference on HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis-B, Safe Blood and Environment". It was organised by the Young Blood Club and volunteers of the NSS unit of SSD Girls' College on June 20, 1999. The function started with two-minute silence for those who have laid down their lives in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir protecting border of the country. Later, activists of the club and NSS volunteers gave a choreographed presentation "Kargil ke Shaheed" on the intrusion of Pakistan's regulars and militants in the Kargil area. The presentation was also an update on the Indo-Pak relations. The presentation covered intrusion by Pakistani troops in Jammu and Kashmir in 1948, Indo-Pak wars in 1965 and 1971 and the UN resolution, Shimla Agreement, Bus Yatra to Lahore and the Lahore Declaration. The finale came with "kar chaley hum fidha jaan tan satheo, aab thumhrey hawale watan satheo". The song was followed by earnest message: "Donate liberally for war heroes' family welfare fund". The battle with Pakistani regulars and militants in the Kargil sector has evoked patriotic feelings among many. On June 23, 1999, in a marriage at Mansa before starting the drink, dine and dance session tributes were paid to Kargil martyrs. Very few chose to stay away from cremation of Nirmal Singh, Buta Singh, Rashwinder Singh, Gurcharan Singh, Ajay Ahuja, Gurbhej Singh at Kushla, Danewala and Ghurkani (all villages in Mansa district), Bhoapur in Ferozepore, Killi in Bathinda and Dhudhi in Faridkot district. Thousands from these and nearby villagers braved blazing sun for hours to pay their last respects to the martyrs. Many youths from this
area have offered their services to the Army. People are
donating blood and cash for the martyrs and wounded
soldiers. |
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More donations for relief
fund PATIALA, July 3 — Judges and other staff of Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib District and Sessions Courts have decided to donate one-day’s salary to the National Defence Fund for the benefit of Indian soldiers fighting in the Kargil sector, according to a press release issued by Mr K.S. Grewal, District and Sessions Judge. Over 2500 engineers of the PSEB have also decided to donate one-day’s salary to the ‘Army Welfare Fund’ every month till the Kargil conflict ends, according to Mr H.S. Bedi, general secretary, of the association. The staff members of the State Bank of Patiala have also decided to donate one-day salary to the relief fund for the Kargil martyrs. KAPURTHALA: The employees of the Punjab and Sind Bank, Sultnnpur Lodhi branch, have donated their one-day salary to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for the welfare of armed forces fighting in Kargil, according to Mr Reminderjit Singh, branch manager. A cheque of one-day salary with Rs 6530 has been sent to the fund on behalf of the employees. LUDHIANA: The Punjab Agricultural University Teachers Association (PAUTA) has decided to contribute two-days’ salary of its members to the Vir Jawan Fund for soldiers fighting in the Kargil sector. BATALA: The staff of the local Improvement Trust donated one-day salary amounting to Rs 35,000 for martyrs of Kargil on Friday. A draft of this amount was sent to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. JALANDHAR: Lt-Gen Kamal Davar, GOC, Vajra Corps, received a draft of Rs 1,24,630 from the executive officer of the cantoment board, Jalandhar Cantt in the presence of the president of the cantonment board, Brig. Surjit Singh, the chief of staff, Vajra Corps, Maj-Gen R. Karthikeyan, somewhere in the Western sector on Friday. The employees of the cantonment board have also contributed one-day salary for the welfare of the troops. The employees New India Assurance Company here on Friday decided to contribute one-day’s salary for the welfare of the soldiers fighting in the Kargil sector. Meanwhile, the Punjab State Freedom Fighters Organisation, a leading forum of freedom fighters, on Friday announced launching of a statewide fund collection drive for families of martyrs of Kargil conflict and postponement of all its demands till the crisis blew over. "We shall be collecting funds from only freedom fighters and not from general public because we want to do something for the brave soldiers on our behale", Mr Chain Singh Chain, general secretary of the organisation, told reporters here. He said the money collected through drive would be handed over to the Deputy Commissioners concerned for depositing it in the War Hero Family Welfare Fund set up by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. LUDHIANA: All employees of the local Municipal Corporation have decided to contribute their one-day’s salary to the Punjab War Heroes Welfare Fund. This amount comes out to about Rs 14 lakh. The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the employee unions of the corporation. The management of the Christian Medical College and Hospital has decided to reserve 50 beds for jawans in case an acute emergency due to a war-like situation the northern border, according to the acting director, Dr J.L. Joshi. MALERKOTLA: The local New Grain Market Arhtiyas Association has contributed Rs 51,000 the Prime Ministe’s Relief Fund for the welfare of the families of those who have laid their lives in Kargil and Dras recently. Rs 5100 have also been contributed to the fund separately by the Jai Ambe Jagran Committee, New Grain Market. All employees of the SDM’s office here have also contributed their one-day salary to the Prime Minister Relief Fund, according to Mr Jaspal Singh Jassi, SDM. GURDASPUR: The Staff of the primary health centre, Ranjit Bagh, near here has decided to donate Rs 40,000 towards the National Defence Funds for the welfare of the jawans killed in the Kargil sector. The Rotary Club, Gurdaspur Mid-Town, has decided to give fixed deposits amounting to Rs 5,000 each to the children of jawans and officers of the Gurdaspur subdivision killed during the Kargil operation. NANGAL: As many as 10,000 employees of National Fertilisers Ltd, Naya Nangal, have donated their one-day salary to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund, according to Mr Ratola, General Manager of the unit. He said the management has decided to rename Fertilisers Model Senior Secondary School as Captain Amol Kalia Fertilisers Model Senior Secondary School. KHANNA: FCI employees of Chawa Payal and Samrala have decided to donate their one-day salary, to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. HOSHIARPUR:
Employees of the Sainik Welfare Office and the Municipal
Council, have donated their one-day salary to the Chief
Minister's War Heroes Fund. |
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L Nk Rakesh Kumar cremated AMRITSAR, July 3 — Lance Naik Rakesh Kumar (32) of 18 Garhwal Rifles was cremated here with full military and state honours at Shiv Puri cremation grounds. Rakesh Kumar who belonged of the Ram Bagh area joined the Army six years ago after completing his matriculation from Sant Singh Sukha Singh High School. His father and other family members, though shattered, were proud of the sacrifice made by Rakesh Kumar. Talking to newsmen during cremation he said Rakesh made supreme sacrifice on June 27 in the Kargil sector while throwing out the intruders. Rakesh Kumar is servived by his wife Kanchan, a son and a daughter. Earlier, his body was brought draped in the national flag from his residence and escorted by a contingent of the Army. Wreaths were placed on his body by the Union Minister of State for Industries, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal. Paying tributes to the martyrs who had laid down their lives while evicting the Pak intruders, he said India was proud of its valiant armed forces. Wreaths were also placed
by senior Army Officers, including Col K.S. Yadav, Col
H.S. Ahuja, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Narinderjit
Singh, the Advocate-General, Mr H.S. Mattewal, BJP MLA
Mrs Lakshmi Kanta Chawla, Mayor Subhash Kumar Sharma and
a large number of retired Army officers. |
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Economy drive hits PR dept CHANDIGARH, July 3 — The on-going excercise in the Punjab Government on effecting economy in expenditure is beginning to be felt at least in the Information and Public Relations department. While the department has still to clear advertisement bills amounting to nearly Rs 70 lakh besides making outstanding payment of nearly Rs 20 lakh to TV stringers hired for coverage of "official" functions, the curbs placed on phone calls have affected the department's efficacy. Informed sources say that so scared are the officers and officials that many of them have prefer to lock phones even for local dialling. A scribe visiting the department does not have an easy access to the use of telephone. The department had recently circulated the prescribed limits on the telephones installed in the offices and residences of the staff and made clear that "excess" calls will have to be paid by the officers concerned from their own pocket. The blanket ban on release of advertisements to the print media has also distanced newspersons from the department. The fifth floor corridor is no longer buzz with mediapersons. Curbs on petrol, oil and lubricants have affected touring given the old outdated equipment, the department's own TV crew is almost grounded as it cannot cover field functions and does not have the wherewithal to hire private TV crews. Enquiries at differnt levels by TNS shows that "politics" within the ruling party ministers is to a large extent responsible for ad hoc and curtailed functioning of the department. The recent round of
transfers and postings has further jeopardised the
functioning of the department. It is learnt that a fresh
bid is on the anvil to resuscitate the department and get
some concessions and sops to enable the department
project the government achievements. |
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Big reshuffle in Mandi Board CHANDIGARH, July 3 — There has been a major reshuffle in the Punjab Mandi Board, involving mandi officers, secretaries of market committees, accounts officers, superintendents, senior assistants and class IV employees a total of over 60. Informed sources told TNS that a majority of the posting and transfer orders were issued either on June 29 afternoon or on June 30. There is a story behind this. Though the orders were prepared earlier these were concealed and released only after the secretary, Mr P.S.Aujla, relinquished charge on the forenoon of June 29. The reshuffle has been ordered by the chairman, Mr Mal Singh Ghuman, who has all powers. Some controversial officers have been posted at places they should not have been due to "administrative reasons", say sources. As per a board decision of July, 1998, a transfer policy was framed and approved, wherein even tenure was fixed for some posts. These transfers, however, seemingly violate that decision. Even the Financial Commissioner in his letter of April, 1994, had stipulated that the Secretary must ensure all such changes were in consonance with the government policies, rules and regulations". But at the time of
issuing of these orders there was no secretary. |
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YC ready to fight poll
malpractices ROPAR, July 3 — Mr Manish Tiwari, President, Youth Congress, has announced that the Youth Congress will not allow the misuse of state machinery and booth capturing during the Lok Sabha elections especially in those states which are being governed by the non-Congress governments. Addressing a press conference here this afternoon, Mr Tiwari said, any move to misuse of state machinery and booth capturing would be opposed by the activists of the Youth Congress. Mr Tiwari further said the Youth Congress was ready to face the challenges and fight the elections. He said the YC would hold long election rallies in all 542 constituencies by the end of August to spread the ideology of the Congress. The YC President said that the state presidents of YC had been asked to fill the vacancies of office-bearers to strengthen and overhaul the structure of state units. He said, besides holding rallies in all constituencies, a massive Youth Congress rally would also be held in each state. Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Congress President had been requested to address these state-level rallies. Mr Tiwari, who was here to address a rally of the district Youth Congress, in reply to a question said he disfavoured the idea of quota for the Youth Congress workers to allot party tickets for the Lok Sabha elections. On the Kargil issue, Mr
Tiwari said it was the time to show solidarity and the
whole nation should stand united to boost the morale of
the defence forces. He said the Youth Congress had
launched a drive for the welfare of Kargil jawans. It
would collect Rs 1 crore till the end of July and would
contribute it to the relief fund, floated by Congress
President. |
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Punjab wants SGPC college out
of CHANDIGARH, July 3 — Even as candidates wishing to join medical colleges appear for the pre-medical test (PMT) tomorrow being conducted by Guru Nanak Dev University, the state government is learnt to be keen that Guru Ram Das Medical Institute and Hospital with 50 seats should be permitted to have "direct" admission to the MBBS course. The institute in Amritsar is run by the SGPC. Informed sources say that the Chief Minister held a meeting yesterday which was attended by the SGPC president, Mrs Jagir Kaur, the Advocate-General, Mr H.S. Mattewal; Principal of the institute Dr S.S. Cheema; and the Vice-Chancellor of the Faridkot University of Health Sciences, Dr L.S. Chawla, besides, the Principal Secretary, Medical Education, Mr K.K. Bhatnagar; on the subject of direct admission of MBBS students. The refrain was to "exempt" the SGPC medical college from the rigmarole of the PMT formality. Obviously this was not acceptable to the officials who matter. They repeatedly told the meeting that such a step would invite judicial intervention and be violative of the rules of the Medical Council of India as well as the guidelines of the university, which gives affiliation. Nevertheless following political armtwisting, a letter was given to the institute that it may make admission on its own but as per the guidelines and policy of the university. Though no final decision has yet been taken it seems that there is scant respect for the rules. Interesingly, the PMT is being conducted by GND university while the counselling and interview of the selected candidates will be done by the Faridkot university. A source told TNS that
even when it was pointed out that students would go to
the court if the PMT was bypassed the response was
"so what, such things do happen." |
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Reallocation cell set up PATIALA, July 3 — The Punjab Government has set up a reallocation cell in the Finance Department in its efforts to downsize the bureaucracy and meet demands for work requirement from within. Disclosing this here today, Finance Minister Kanwaljit Singh said it had been found that many departments had surplus staff and a decision had been taken to use the staff in departments which were facing a shortage. He said all requirements of various departments were now being sent to the cell which was identifying the surplus staff and allocating them fresh work. He said under the scheme, the staff of the Sutlej Yamuna Link Canal, the Film Corporation and Punwac was being transferred to other departments. The Finance Minister said he was trying to mop up resources for which a plan had been introduced in the Budget. Capt Kanwaljit Singh also disclosed that ticket allotment for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections would be done in a week. He said discussions would also be held within the party to decide whether any candidates were to be fielded from outside the state or not. Earlier in the moring,
he presided over a meeting of party workers of the city
jatha. |
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Mahajan tipped to head pollution
board CHANDIGARH, July 3 — Mr Ajay K. Mahajan of the Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation is tipped to be the new chairman of the Punjab Pollution Control Board, which has its headquarters in Patiala, it is learnt. He is to succeed Mr F.
Lal Kansal, who on superannuation had retired on April
30. |
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Scribes to boycott university
functions PATIALA, July 3 — Local journalists today decided to boycott functions of Punjabi University in protest against the manhandling of Indian Express correspondent Jagdeep Chopra by the security staff at the university's main gate yesterday. At an emergency meeting here, it was decided that the journalists would not cover any event of the university till action was taken against the guilty. The meeting decided that
copies of the memorandum should be sent to the Punjab
Governor, the Chancellor of the university and the Chief
Minister seeking their intervention in the matter. The
journalists also handed over a memorandum to Punjab
Finance Minister Kanwaljit Singh. |
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Brar's charge against CM FARIDKOT, July 3 — Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, Senior Vice-President, PPCC and former MP has said that the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal has failed to fulfil any commitment made to the people of the state. Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Brar said the Chief Minister who repeatedly announced that he would get a grant of Rs 250 crore for state farmers had failed to do so. During the foundation
stone laying ceremony of the oil refinery at Bathinda
about six months ago, the Chief Minister had promised in
the presence of the Prime Minister that the state would
contribute Rs 250 crore for the construction of the
project but not even a single penny had been earmarked in
the current year's Budget. Charging the Chief Minister
with encouraging corruption and nepotism, the former MP
said that Mr Badal had not taken any concrete steps to
fulfil the basic needs of people like drinking water and
power supply. |
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Pre-Medical Test today AMRITSAR, July 3 — All arrangements have been made for conducting the state-level Pre-Medical Test-1999 (PMT) tomorrow for admission to first year course of all medical, dental and ayurvedic colleges of Punjab. Dr Inder Pal Singh, Pro-Vice-Chancellor said more than 7,500 candidates from Punjab were appearing in the test and admit cards had been sent. He said 27 centres at Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Bhatinda, Faridkot, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Abohar, Patiala and Pathankot have been set up for the test. He added that senior
faculty members of the university have been assigned
various duties for conducting the test. |
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Employment Dept to tie up with
embassies ROPAR, July 3 — The Deaprtment of Employment, Punjab, will tie up with embassies of various countries to send unemployed youth registered with the employment exchanges in the state, abroad through its overseas cell to prevent their exploitation by travel agents. Mr J.R. Kundal, Secretary, Labour and Employment, Punjab, said this today after presiding over a meeting of the employment officers of the state. The meeting was held to review the functioning of the department. Mr Kundal said there were 5,000 valid passport holders registered with the employment exchanges. Of these, many had an ITI polytechnic and other such qualifications. He said efforts would be made to arrange for their employment abroad. The Secretary stated that the department would also introduce domestic helpline service for the benefit of the unemployed youth. He said the youth registered with employment exchanges would be issued licences and identity cards so that they could be contacted when needed. Mr Kundal said he had
given a 15-days' deadline to the authorities concerned
for chalking out modalities for starting work on both the
projects. |
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AISAD rally on July 17 PATIALA, July 3 — The All-India Shiromani Akali Dal (AISAD) General Secretary, Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, yesterday said his party would field candidates to the Lok Sabha from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi also besides Punjab and Chandigarh. In a statement here, he said a broad understanding had already been achieved with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the MCPI and steps were being taken to rope in other parties to from an anti-Congress and anti-SAD front. He said the AISAD was holding a rally here on July 17 which would be addressed by front partners of the BSP and the MCPI. He said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had betrayed the people of the town by not fulfilling the already accepted demand of 15 per cent house rent allowance for government employees. He criticised the Khanna
police for stopping workers of his party from going to
Kalgidhar Gurdwara on Thursday. He also pointed out that
while on one hand the government was constantly harping
that it was in the midst of a financial crises, on the
other hand it was also allowing its ministers to go
abroad on expensive jaunts. |
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17.50 quintals of poppy husk
seized SAMRALA, July 3 — In a drive against anti social elements the police here seized 17.50 quintals of poppy husk valued at Rs 15 lakh a record in Khanna police district. Mr R.L. Bhagat, SSP Khanna at a press conference, said on a tip-off SHO Inspector Ashish Kapoor, raided Burma village near here today and booked Gurdial Singh son of Ajmer Singh of Bilaspur village, Surjit Singh alias Pappu of Burma and Chhinder Singh also of Burma village. They were waiting for a vehicle to transport said poppy husk to some other place. Mr Bhagat claimed that
it was the biggest recovery in Khanna police district
made by Inspector Ashish Kapoor who would be given
appreciation. |
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Darshan Singh's remand extended LUDHIANA, July 3 — The court has extended the judicial remand of Baba Darshan Singh of Dhakki Sahib, Maksoodaran, till July 15. This is the third time that the remand has been extended. Baba Darshan Singh was arrested on May 8 in connection with a land-grab case, along with 15 persons. Supporters of the Baba
had gathered in front of the court of Mr H.J.S. Tiwana
where he was to be presented for a hearing on the case.
The police had also presented the 15 persons, but Baba
Darshan Singh was not presented before the court. The
angry followers of the baba also raised anti-government
slogans. |
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Minor raped BATHINDA, July 3 — A minor girl of Jagaram Tirath village of the district has been allegedly raped by Hari Chand of the same village when the girl was alone in her house. Police sources said that on June 25 Hari Chand went to the house of the victim and invited members of her family to his house for attending a social function. He went again to the house of victim on the same day when she was alone in her house and allegedly raped her. The sources said the girl reported the incident to her family and a complaint was made at the police station, Talwandi Sabo. The girl was taken to the Civil Hospital, here for medical examination where the rape was confirmed. A case has been
registered under Sections 376 and 452, IPC. The accused
has absconded. |
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Protest march by traders ABOHAR, July 3 — Traders here took out a protest march from the main bazaar yesterday to express resentment over the harassment by octroi contractors and alleged corruption in the municipal council here. They also staged a dharna on the premises of the council. An eight-point memorandum was also given to the Executive Officer. The traders resented that goods were being unloaded at the wholesale wine depot complex outside the town for checking the packagings were allegedly being opened and checked in the absence of the traders. They demanded that rahdari posts on the Hanumangarh road, etc. be abolished . The Yuva Beopar Mandal has given ultimatum to set the things right by Monday. The Executive Officer,
municipal council here later issued a notice to the
octroi contractors directing them to unload and check
packets only at the Water Works Complex or inside the
municipal Town Hall. He added that such packet should be
checked in the presence of owners and the octroi
superintendent. The penalty would also be imposed by the
superintendent. The contractors have been asked to
recover the octroi tax as per schedule notified by the
state government, he added. |
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Showers flood bazaars LUDHIANA, July 3 — The first monsoon showers early in the morning, resulted in the flooding of areas like Talab Bazaar, Saban Bazaar, Sarafa Bazaar, Namak Mandi, Kesar Ganj Mandi, Chaura Bazaar, Harbans Pura and Field Ganj. Mr Parminder Mehta,
Senior Vice-President, Punjab Youth Congress, alleged
that the flooding was caused because the municipal
corporation had not cleaned various nullahs running in
these parts of the city. |
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Residents threaten to intensify
stir FARIDKOT, July 3 — A rally to protest against the failure of the Punjab Government to accept a long-standing demand of the residents of the town was held here today. The demand of the residents is regarding, reorganisation of Faridkot district which has been isolated following its trifurcation into Moga, Muktsar and Faridkot districts in 1995-96. Representatives of various political parties urged leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to pressurise Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to resolve the issue amicably. They threatened to intensify their stir if the state government failed to take any initiative in this regard. Those, who addressed the rally included Mr Avtar Singh Brar, Mr Mantar Singh Brar, MLAs from Faridkot and Kotkapura, respectively, Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, former MP, Mr Sukhwinder Singh Dhaliwal, president UCPI and others. Meanwhile, the
indefinite strike of the district lawyers regarding the
demand entered its 27th day today. |
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Ranbaxy Chairman passes away SAS NAGAR, July 3 — Dr Parvinder Singh, Chairman of the Ranbaxy group of Companies, passed away today at Appolo Hospital in New Delhi. Dr Parvinder Singh (56) was suffering from cancer and is survived by his wife and two sons. He was also the Chairman of the Export Committee of the CII and a member of its national council. The cremation will take
place at New Delhi around 4 p.m. tommorrow. |
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