Monday, July 12, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Monday, July 12, 1999 |
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SAD
reviews poll strategy |
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Pollution
Control Board sans Chairman CM for revolution in education
field "Tohra misutilised SGPC
funds" Starved of funds Aircraft Engg
college may face closure Open schools ‘help’
females, dropouts Punjab BJP seeks two more LS seats Plea to Badal to field
"honest" nominees VHP to organise awareness drive PSMDTA to boycott exams from today 4 cases of murder registered Medical teachers to boycott exams |
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SAD reviews poll strategy CHANDIGARH, July 11 — The Political Affairs Committee of the Shiromani Akali Dal today discussed the "poll strategy" to be followed in the Lok Sabha elections scheduled from September 4 in five phases. Presided over by the SAD President, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, the discussion mainly revolved round selection of candidates; sharing of 13 seats with its coalition partner in the government, the BJP; issues to be got included in the common minimum programme to be drawn up by the BJP and its allies in the coalition government; poll alliances within Punjab; and action against 10 MLAs who have replied to the "show-cause" notice. Despite difference of opinion among members on the last issue, taking action against the 10 MLAs, the committee finally decided to entrust the matter to the party's Disciplinary Action Committee, which is headed by Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi. The other three members include Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Mr Balwinder Singh Bhundar and Mr Tota Singh. Mr Dhindsa said there was a possibility of action being "deferred" in view of the announcement of the poll schedule today. Independent sources in SAD when contacted by TNS maintained that when the Lok Sabha poll was at the doorstep it would be "unwise" to open yet another front. Some others felt that a dissident group within the legislature wing should not be allowed to grow roots. Going by the replies filed by the 10 MLAs, Mr Dhindsa said, it was obvious that what was submitted in writing seemed quite contrary to the "actions" of these MLAs, who are aligned with the new faction of the SAD, headed by Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, ex-president of the SGPC, who was ousted in a coup engineered by the Chief Minister. Though the PAC has already vested in Mr Badal all powers to decide on the candidates with similar authorisation being given to him by the district jathedars, Mr Badal believed in "consensus". Hence the discussion, which remained inconclusive. The names of the candidates are likely to be announced soon. Mr Dhindsa indicated that the seat sharing of the SAD and the BJP will be the same as in the last election. The Jalandhar seat belonged to the SAD. There could be some give and take with the BJP on that. In the last election, it was contested and won by Mr Inder Kumar Gujral of the Janata Dal; much to the consternation of the BJP. On the Phillaur reserve constituency, the SAD had allowed the breakaway faction of the Bahujan Samaj Party to put up its candidate, Mr Satnam Singh Kainth, who contested under the banner of Bahujan Samaj Morcha. The opinion in the committee was that Mr Kainth stood with the SAD through thick and thin despite allurements from different quarters. Therefore, while "mutual adjustment" on seats between the SAD and the BJP is possible, the latter is not likely to contest on more than three seats. The SAD is yet to hold formal parleys on forging an alliance with other parties. One thing goes without saying. The SAD would welcome any party which is opposed to the Congress, which is its "enemy" number one and is totally untouchable for the Akalis. The meeting did discuss the existence of Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal and was of the view that the presence of that new outfit cannot be ignored totally. The threat of the outfit will depend largely on who all, how many and which of the other Akali factions and political parties join hands. The Sarb Hind SAD has reached an understanding with the BSP of Mr Kanshi Ram. The meeting identified pockets of influence of the rival Akali Dal of Mr Gurcharan Singh. It will divide even Congress votes. "Alignments which are formed will enable us to make a better assessment. We have not dismissed its presence and existence", remarked Mr Dhindsa. Among the issues the SAD will have included in the common minimum programme of the allies (partners in the BJP-led coalition) will be setting up a "federal structure" and giving greater "autonomy" to the states, which alone will take care of most of the regional problems. Kargil, it was pointed out, will be a major issue, particularly the "victory" of Operation Vijay. More important was the fact that the BJP-led government, through its military and diplomatic strategy had succeeded in "isolating" Pakistan in the comity of nations which itself was a big "morale booster" for India. The committee felt that the Congress was following the policy of double-speak and double-face when it praised and criticised the BJP Government. "At this hour all parties should keep quiet and extend support to the government in the larger interest of the country". On the local issues, which the SAD will have to answer will pertain to "performance" of the SAD-BJP combine. It is conceded that there has been criticism of the government in several areas. Nevertheless the basic promises in the election manifesto and common minimum programme it drew up with the BJP for Punjab of maintaining "communal harmony and amity", "rule of the law", "peace" and "bridling" the police and, thereby, creating an atmosphere free of fear-psychosis had been achievements. Such bigger issues will eclipse the small bruises. Punjab's outstanding issues of sharing of river waters and transfer of territory or language are also under consideration for the national common minimum programme. The SAD PAC felt that these issues should be settled through natural process of the rule of the law and land rather than through arbitrary awards. The committee is aware of an internal party crisis and despondency and frustration among rank and file. The meeting was attended among others by Mr Balwinder Singh Bhundar, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, Mr Gurdev Singh Badal, Capt Kanwaljit Singh and Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan. Bibi Jagir Kaur, SGPC president, was present. Of the regular members, two, Mr Ranjit Singh Brahmpura and Mr Ravi Inder Singh, were absent. Basically the meeting was for an appraisal of the situation and to decide the strategy in terms of opening of the central election office of the party and other details. The central office is likely to be in Jalandhar. The party for the first
time decided against holding a formal briefing for the
media or issue any press note. |
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SGPC chief, Pannu do not see
eye to eye AMRITSAR, July 11 —Balbir Singh Pannu, senior vice president, of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, has objected to the transfer of certain officials of the committee made by Bibi Jagir Kaur, SGPC chief, following 'complaints' made by some SGPC members. Though Mr Pannu denied any differences with the SGPC chief, yet he has alleged that some pro-Tohra elements were active to create a rift between them. When contacted on telephone at his Naushehra Pannuan village Mr Pannu said that a 'deeprooted' conspiracy was hatched to mis-guide the office bearers on certain matters. With this they (Tohra-loyalists) wanted to show that the new team of SGPC office-bearers had failed to run affairs of gurdwaras smoothly. He, however, said that Bibi Jagir Kaur herself was an honest person who wanted to streamline the SGPC. Bibi Jagir Kaur, when contacted also denied that she had any differences with Mr Pannu. However, sources in the SGPC claimed that Mr Pannu had serious objections to the transfers of his "own men" to far-flung places without his knowledge. Mr Pannu told The Tribune that he would have no objection over the transfer of SGPC officials had it been made on "corruption" charges or other serious charges. However, the transfers made on "flimsy" grounds could be a cause of concern. Mr Pannu also charged that there was resentment among some officials shifted from one place to another without seeking their consent. They (transferred officials) had played a crucial role in brining a change of leadership of the SGPC. Mr Kulwant Singh, secretary, SGPC when contacted said that the vehicle which was sent back by Mr Pannu was not permanently allotted to him. He denied that the vehicle was sent back under protest. He said only SGPC chief was entitled to have a permanent vehicle, other office bearers could get vehicle anything on the basis of requirement. However, Mr Pannu said that he had returned the vehicle as it was not required by him. Mr Pannu said that the
office bearers of the present committee should be extra
conscious to defeat the alleged "nefarious"
designs of certain elements who had been resorting to
"divide and rule" policy these days. |
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Water, power shortage their
main grouse ABOHAR: Residents of the border villages between Hindumalkot and Fazilka were concerned more about the acute shortage of water for drinking and irrigation, besides erratic supply of electricity, than the deployment of the Pakistan army near the ditch-cum-bundhs where heavy movement was visible during the night. There was evidence that artillery had also been put at the bunkers by the Pak army though little civil activity was noticeable in the rural area near the international border across fencing. During a visit of the border by a Tribune team, second in a fortnight, it was found that more families had migrated to safer villages from Old Siwana and Muradwala villages, which had been occupied by the Pakistan army during the 1971 war. Only a few people were camping there. Their compulsion was hundreds of cattle who were to be looked after by them round the clock. The primary schools in a majority of such villages wore a deserted look. Some students were playing in the streets where no other activity was visible. The common problem in all these villages was that farmers were not getting three-phase electricity supply during the day for tubewells. Mr Ravi Kant Rinwa, a young educated farmer, who has land across the fencing, said sufficient canal water was available even at the tail-ends of the water courses when Mr Beant Singh was the Chief Minister of Punjab. The situation had worsened during the past two years. Now not only the villages at the tail-ends were deprived of canal water for irrigation but also electricity for tubewell-supported irrigation was available only for three hours during the day. Mr Sat Pal Soni and Mr Pyara Singh of Kheowali Dhaab village said there were two rural water-works but both reservoirs were lying dry. People were critical of the working of the PSEB and the Irrigation and Public Health Departments for making life in border villages more miserable. A college student asked Mr Sajjan Kumar Jakhar, a former minister, who visited 12 villages on Thursday, as to why officers were not bothering about the announcements made by the government for the welfare of the border people. Mr Jakhar said he would take up the matter with the Secretaries of the departments concerned and also request the ministers, who represented this district, in this regard. At Roopnagar village, school teachers were found discussing the situation in Kargil when the Tribune team halted at the main gate of the government school for a few moments. Students were, however, doing their work sitting under trees. Women were going to fields carrying lunch. This village had also fallen into the hands of the Pakistan army in the last war. Farmers said adequate transport facilities were not available in these villages. Teachers had generally been avoiding full time in the schools. The Health Department had never cared to send mobile teams. At Bareka village, Mr Inder Sain Rinwa, Lambardar, and Mr Angad Ram Rinwa said many families has shifted their valuables to safer villages while some residents were staying back in their homes. People were vigilant but not panicky. Their grievances were aimed only at the PSEB and, of course, the employees who managed rural waterworks. Employees of the Public Health Department reportedly criticised senior officers for withholding funds for desilting of water courses and tanks for the past 12 months. In some villages people alleged that there was discrimination in the supply of electricity on political grounds as well as due to corruption that allegedly prevailed at all levels. Farmers alleged illegal ‘kundi’ connections had been given by the PSEB authorities for a consideration. Sarpanches and former sarpanches who accompanied PPCC General Secretary Sajjan Kumar Jakhar in his hectic tour of the border area, confirmed that some villages had been getting improved supply of electricity for tubewells. There were also reports of theft of canal water by politically well-placed farmers. Mr Jakhar claimed this practice had completely been stopped when he was the Irrigation Minister. Mr Jakhar met securitymen and farmers who were working even at the last point of fencing. Mr Chuni Lal Siyag and Mr Dharamvir Siyag said at Siwana village that the Pakistan Army had occupied this village in 1971. They had even removed bricks from all houses but when jawans started removing the bricks of a temple in the village, their officer pulled them up and the damaged portion was repaired before handing over the village to the Indian Army. Now farmers had removed the idol from the temple so that no disgrace could be done with it by the enemy . The farmers had now inhabited New Siwana, a village at some distance from the international border. This village had new pucca houses, well-constructed streets and other facilities but faced a shortage of water and electricity. The present state government had not cared to develop this village under any scheme, a few farmers said. The residents of these border villages were least interested in the Lok Sabha elections. "Let us decide once and for all with Pakistan whether we were to live like good neighbours or not," many farmers said. They were fed up with Doordarshan news bulletins which attributed most of the time to the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and others whereas the other satellite channels were giving sufficient importance to armymen who had sacrificed their lives in the Kargil sector. Jandwala Meerasangla was
a unique border village where no family had so far
thought of shifting valuables or family members to any
other place. Mr Balbir Singh, block Congress President,
said Congress workers would continue a morale-boosting
campaign in the border area. Mr Sat Pal Singh Sandhu, a
progressive farmer of Shatgirwala village, hoped the war
would now be fought on the enemy's land. Mr Prem Kumar, a
former sarpanch of Khuikhera village and Mr Dharam Pal
Nai, a former sarpanch of Bodiwala Peetha village said
special financial assistance should be announced for
farmers of the border villages. |
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Pollution Control Board sans
Chairman LUDHIANA, July 11 — Polluting units in Punjab are having an easy time for the past three months. The Punjab Pollution Control Board has been without a head since April last when its Chairman Mr F L Kansal retired. Since then the post of the chairman has not been filled. Powers for prosecuting the polluting units are vested in the chairman in the board. He has the authority to prosecute the polluting units and order their closure. Sources in the board said that hundreds of cases are awaiting disposal in the chairman's office for the past several months. Board's field officials send cases of defaulting units for action to the chairman of the board and action is decided at his level. Sources said that 300 cases of polluting units in Ludhiana city, known as industrial capital of Punjab were awaiting decision. Ludhiana has several hundred units most of which are polluting. Even the post of the member- secretary of the board has been vacant since May 5 this year. Mr G S Bains, who was made member secretary in the board retired to his parent Public Health Department. Additional charge of the post of member-secretary has been given to Mr D K Dua, a Superintending Engineer, posted at Ludhiana. Sources said that following pressure from field staff, the State Government last week allowed member-secretary of the board, having additional charge, to exercise powers of the chairman. He has been authorised only to recommend action to the state government. Final decision rests with the government. Sources said that as it was a lengthy process to get the cases decided at the government level functioning of the board remains paralysed. According to information available, the Punjab Government has shortlisted a Junior Officer of the Punjab Public Health Department for appointment as chairman of the pollution control board. But a decision could not be taken in this respect because senior officers of the Public Health Department reportedly objected to the posting of a junior officer of their department as chairman of the board. Mr Kansal, who retired as a chairman of the board, was a senior Chief Engineer in the Public Health Department and was on deputation with the board as chairman. Officials concerned in the Board said that the board was proving a toothless tiger for the polluting units. There are several lacunae in the air and water pollution controlling Acts and defaulting units take advantage of such loopholes. There was no provision for on the spot action against the defaulting units. Inspecting officers of the board first prepare case against the units and then send a notice to the unit concerned for initiating action against it. Almost six months pass in this process and by the time prosecution proceedings start, defaulting units succeed to dodge the law by pleading that in future they would not violate the Act. There was no provision for fining such units. Only closure could be ordered, which, officials say, was not a proper solution as its side affects like resultant unemployment had to be taken into account. Moreover, they say that how many industries could be closed. Although water treatment plants have been set up by most of the polluting units but these remain inoperative in most of the cases as operating cost is quite high. Whenever officials concerned of the board go to inspect such plants, they invariably find these non-working. A senior functionary of the board said that as they had no power to take action on the spot, they could only report the matter to the Chairman of the Board. Managements of such units get away with saying that the water treatment was shut down temporarily due to some technical fault. Sources said that 30
posts of Sub Divisional Engineer were vacant in the
board. There are total 67 sanctioned posts. Out of total
48 posts of junior engineer only seven are filled. How
could the board function effectively in such circumstance
one could guess. At field level, sub-divisional engineer
is the main functionary as far as inspection of polluting
units is concerned. |
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CM for revolution in
education field BIBHAUR SAHIB (Nangal), July 11 — The Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today called upon the heads of various kar sewa jathas to come forward to construct buildings for colleges and schools along with the gurdwaras to bring about a revolution in the field of education in the state. He was addressing the concluding function of the three-day Gurmat Training Camp, organised at the historical Bibhaur Sahib Gurdwara here by the Sikh Students Federation (Mehta) to impart knowledge to the youths about the Sikh history, traditions, ideology, culture and heritage. Mr Badal said revolution in the field of education was the need of the hour to provide more avenues of progress in every sphere to the children so that they could compete with others at national and international levels. Without education and knowledge of different fields, economic prosperity could not be fully achieved. The Chief Minister also exhorted the Sikh Students Federation leaders to set up their units in every college and school to educate the youth about the Sikh heritage and culture. He claimed that the successful completion of the Khalsa tercentenary celebrations had glorified the image of the Sikhs at the national and international level. He announced that he would extend all help to the members of the family of Ashwani Bedi, who died here last night when he went to take bath and drowned in the Sutlej. He had come from Ferozepore to attend the training camp. Bibi Jagir Kaur, SGPC President, said that the SGPC would give Rs 50,000 to the family of Ashwani Bedi. She also announced that the SGPC would make arrangements for holding 'Amrit parchar' camps in the villages. Teams of preachers would be sent for the purpose. Preachers were being given training in Gurmat Missionary College at Anandpur Sahib. After the completion of their training, the SGPC would make efforts to provide them employment as preachers. Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Sant Baba Jagjit Singh Harkhowal Wale, Sant Baba Labh Singh Kar Sewa Wale, Mr Partap Singh, a member of the SGPC, Mr Amarjit Singh Sandhu and Mr Amarjit Singh Chawla, Senior Vice-President and Secretary-General of the SSF (Mehta), respectively, also spoke. Giani Puran Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takht, and Mr Rajinder Singh Mehta, President of SSF (Mehta) were also present. The gathering also adopted four resolutions, presented by the SSF leaders. The SSF expressed satisfaction over the successful completion of the Khalsa tercentenary celebrations. It also appealed to them to continue the programmes chalked out during the celebrations. The SSF also supported the SAD headed by Mr Badal, and criticised Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra for "misleading' the Sikh sangats in the name of Akal Takht. The SSF also adopted a resolution to express grief over the untimely death of Ashwani Bedi here. It also pledged to strength the organisation by enrolling more members in three months. Mr Amarjit Singh Chawla, Secretary-General of the SSF (Mehta), charged the Congress and Mr Tohra with spreading political instability in the state and added that the SSF would not allow them to achieve this objective. He said that during the
camp, 30 youths were baptised. A number of scholars
addressed the youths. They included Dr Kehar Singh, Prof
Kulwant Singh Grewal, Dr Gurbachan Singh Bachan, Dr
Darshan Singh, Prof Harpal Singh Pannu and Prof Harbhajan
Singh. |
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"Tohra misutilised SGPC
funds" GURDASPUR, July 11 — Bibi Jagir Kaur President SGPC, speaking at a function at Chak Sharif village today in a gurdwara under construction in the memory of Baba Makhan Singh Lubana said former SPGC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra during his long tenure of 25 years as president had no significant contribution for promoting Sikh culture and religion. She accused Mr Tohra of denigrating Sikh institutions and tenets. Even today she said the Tohra was responsible for creating confusions among Sikh sangat by questioning the Jathedar of Akal Takht. Bibi Jagir Kaur said Giani Puran Singh had been appointed Jathedar of Akal Takht by the SGPC and there was no dispute about it. The SGPC had the authority to appoint and remove Jathedar of Akal Takht and Mr Tohra as president of the SGPC had undertaken this several times. Bibi Jagir Kaur said that Mr Tohra had been misutilising SPGC funds for his political ends and the SGPC would expose it at the right time. Bibi Jagir Kaur announced the opening of Mata Sahib Kaur College for girls in the memory of martyrs of Ghallu Ghara. The college will be run by the SGPC and first instalment of Rs 25 lakh in this regard will be released shortly. She also appealed to the residents of the area to contribute liberally for the construction of the college. Bibi Jagir Kaur said the SGPC would hold Kirtan darbars in all the districts of the state and the process would start on August 1 at Kapurthala. She announced a contribution of Rs two lakh for construction of the said gurdwara. Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan
Minister of State for Public Relations criticised the
Congress for its role during the 84 riots. Attack on the
Golden Temple is black chapter which Sikhs for
generations to come will not forget. He announced a grant
of Rs one lakh for the development of village. |
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Starved of funds Aircraft Engg
college PATIALA, July 11 — The Punjab Aircraft Maintenance Engineering College here, the only one in north India and one of the two such institutions in the whole country is crying for urgent care. Serious financial crisis faced by the college has crippled its functioning. Besides affecting the services provided to the students, the staff is also suffering they have not been paid for the past nine months. The building is somewhat maintained by the Punjab government, remaining premises gives a ‘jungle’ like impression. Instead of planned lawns, wild grass and dry patches of land can be seen. A basketball ground made for the recreation of students reveals pathetic picture of neglect due to shortage of funds. The court is totally covered under wild grass, poles and the cages have been eaten by rust. Condition of roads under such conditions can be well-imagined. Sources point out that the college was set up in 1981 with a grant-in-aid scheme of the state government and an annual fund of Rs 5 lakh was earmarked for the functioning of the college. Sources say that though more than 18 years have passed, yet the government has not enhanced the annual grant. This is in spite of the government’s promise of making 10 per cent increase every year in funds. While prices of commodities required to run the college have skyrocketed, funds are not sufficient even for providing salaries to the staff. Revised pay scales over the years have made the task more difficult say sources. According to them, things have come to such a pass that the college might be closed any moment. A number of official letters have been written to the Punjab Civil Aviation Department for raising funds but to no avail. Mr Amrik Singh principal of the college, when asked for comments admitted serious financial crisis and non-payment of salary to the staff. He said plight of the college had been highlighted in various letters to the government. He said he was in touch with the Civil Aviation authorities and hoped things would improve. The college needs Rs 30 lakh annually for smooth functioning, he said. The college is one of the leading feeders of technocrats in the field of aircraft maintenance engineering. The students trained by
this institute are working as chief engineers in various
aviation organisations of the state governments, at
national and international levels. One is chief engineer
with the Punjab Civil Aviation Department, (VIP
aircraft), another with J and K state government (VIP
aircraft), Engineers of Patiala Aviation Club, Northern
India Flying Club, Jalandhar, Hisar Flying Club, Kanpur
Flying Club (UP) and number of the aircraft maintenance
engineers and technicians are serving in national and
international aviation industries such as Air India,
Indian Air lines, Pawan Hans Ltd., Panam, Lufthansa
Airlines etc. etc. and drawing handsome salaries. The
students of this college can also join the Indian Air
force and Indian Navy (aviation wing) provided candidates
are fit, physically and medically. |
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Open schools ‘help’
females, dropouts AMRITSAR, July 11 — "A human being is the positive asset and precious national resource which needs to be nurtured and developed. For this the open school system can play a significant role." This was stated by Dr Inder Pal Singh, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Guru Nanak Dev University, at the one-day national seminar on "open schooling in Punjab" here yesterday. This seminar was organised by the Punjab School Education Board, Mohali, in collaboration with the National Open School, New Delhi. The open education system was, economically and academically viable. It was of great relevance to countries which had large populations. It took education to the doorstep or people in villages and remote areas, thereby helping females, disadvantaged sections of society, in-service persons and dropouts. Dr Kehar Singh, Chairman of the education board, in his presidential remarks said that education should be value based. He emphasised that teachers should provide the necessary feedback to enable the authorities to make essential amendments to improve the education system. In his keynote address, Mr S. S. Gill, Secretary, National Open School, said that in Punjab 46 per cent of the children never join school or are dropouts. He said 14 centres had
been started in Punjab to impart distance education
through Hindi, English and Urdu medium. He announced that
from this academic session, Punjabi language would also
be introduced as the medium of instruction in these
centres. |
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Punjab BJP seeks two more LS
seats LUDHIANA, July 11 — The BJP which last time contested three Lok Sabha seats in Punjab has laid claim to two more seats this time. A meeting of office-bearers of the Punjab BJP was held here today under the chairmanship of its president, Mr Daya Singh Sodhi. Addressing a press conference, Mr Sodhi said the party would renominate its winning candidates in Punjab. From Amritsar Mr Daya Singh Sodhi himself had won while Mr Vinod Khanna and Mr Kamal Chowdhary had won the Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur seats, respectively. Mr Jugal Mahajan, a general secretary of the BJP, who was also present at the press conference, said that as a part of the SAD-BJP alliance during the last Lok Sabha elections the party was given three seats in Punjab. But this time the party would ask its ally, the Shiromani Akali Dal, to give the Jalandhar and Ferozepore seats also to the BJP. Mr I. K. Gujral had won the Jalandhar seat with the support of the SAD headed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal while SAD nominee Zora Singh Mann was elected from Ferozepore. Mr Mahajan said this demand would be taken up with the SAD leadership. When asked that the BJP had become virtually redundant due to factionalism within the party in the state, Mr Sodhi said the party was united and there was no groupism. He said there would be
no local issues in the forthcoming elections. The only
issue this time would be whether Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee
should be the Prime Minister and Mrs Sonia Gandhi should
be in the saddle. |
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Plea to Badal to field
"honest" nominees AMRITSAR, July 11 — Former member of Parliament and vice president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr Charnjit Singh Walia has urged the party president Mr Parkash Singh Badal to give ticket for Lok Sabha election to honest and winning candidates. Talking to The Tribune here today, Mr Walia suggested that Finance Minister Kanwaljit Singh should be fielded as a candidate from Patiala. He claimed that Patiala was a prestigious seat for the Sad as Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, president, the Sarbh Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, and captain Amarinder Singh, president, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee belonged to the Patiala Lok Sabha constituency. He said Captain Kanwaljit Singh had considerable influence in the Patiala Lok Sabha constituency and hence could defeat to the Sad (Tohra) and Congress candidates. The ex MP, however, said that though he had decided not to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha election, yet he was ready to be a candidate for the Patiala Lok Sabha seat if captain Kanwaljit Singh refused to contest. On the statement of Ms Parneet Kaur, wife of Captain Amarinder Singh who is an aspirant for Congress ticket from Patiala, in which she had said that the Sad was looking for a suitable candidate for Patiala, Mr Walia said that the Shiromani Akali Dal would achieve a great victory in the forthcoming Lok Sabha Election. Mr Walia claimed that
the Sad the would repeat its performance of previous Lol
Sabha elections if ticket was given to suitable
candidates. |
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VHP to organise awareness
drive PHILLAUR, July 11 — The Vishva Hindu Parishad will organise "Jan Jagran Abhiyaan" from July 28 to August 26 throughout the country and arrange "Rashtriya Suraksha Yajnas" at 7,000 blocks, besides collecting Rs 1.25 crore by sants and mahatma related with the Kendriya Marg Darshak Mandal of the parishad for its Rashtriya Suraksha Kosh to help Army jawans. This was stated by parishad's regional organising secretary Raas Bihari and parishad's state organising secretary Chiranjeev Lal Sharma while talking to reporters here on Saturday evening. The parishad leaders described India as adhoora (incomplete) without the Pakistani occupied Kashmir and they urged the government to free PoK and said that now was the proper time for it. They said the parishad would observe August 14 as "akhand Bharat divas". Mr Raas Bihari said the
VHP would recruit 5,000 "Hindu missionaries" to
counter propaganda of Christians and said a special
regional-level training camp would be held from August 1
to 7 at Datarpur village in Hoshiarpur district. Mr
Sharma said a sant sammelan would also be organised at
Datarpur on July 30 and 31 and the parishad would observe
"sathapna divas" on September 2 and 3 on the
occasion of Shri Krishan Janamashtmi. They reiterated
parishad's pledge of construction of temples at Ayodhya,
Kashi and Mathura. |
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PSMDTA to boycott exams from
today AMRITSAR, July 11 — Members of the Punjab State Medical and Dental Teachers Association (PSMDTA) has decided to submit their resignations on August 15 in protest against the non-acceptance their demands which include release of arrears of the new pay scales. In a joint statement issued by Dr Manohar Singh and Dr Baljeet Singh Dhillon, President and General Secretary, respectively, of the PSMDTA, said the members of the association also decided to boycott the university examinations, hospital classes and related work from July 12 onward. In order to avoid inconvenience to the public, the association decided to exempt the emergency services of the hospital from the strike. Meanwhile, members of
the association have decided to contribute their one-day
salary towards the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. |
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4 cases of murder
registered TARN TARAN, July 11 — Four cases of murder were registered in different police stations of this police district in the past two days. According to official sources Balwinder Kaur of Hansanwala village falling under Goindwal Sahib police station killed her unmarried daughter Amarjit Kaur (20) a teacher in a private school at Goindwal who had become pregnant. The police registered a case under Section 314, 302 of the IPC against Balwinder Kaur. Another case under Sections 302, 201 of the IPC has been registered against Atam Singh of Bahadurnagar village he killed his daughter Bindo (14) seven months ago and the body was buried. Binder another daughter of Atam Singh lodged a report in this regard. Yesterday morning Mukhtar Singh (45) of Bagrian village was killed with knife injuries by his cousins Kulwinder Singh and Gurbaj Singh and Devinder Singh borthers-in-law of Kulwinder Singh. The Sadar police has registered a case under Section 302 of the IPC. According to another
incident in Sakkianwali village falling under Verowal
police station Gurdeep Singh (63) was found killed by
some unidentified persons last night. A case under
Section 302 of the IPC is registered. |
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Medical teachers to boycott
exams PATIALA, July 11 — The Punjab State Medical and Dental Teachers Association (PSMDTA) has decided to suspend all teaching work and university examinations from July 12 onwards due to the non-payment of arrears of new pay scales. In a press statement issued here yesterday, Dr Amarjit Singh Sidhu and Dr Baljeet Singh Dhillon, chairman and general secretary, respectively, of the PSMDTA’s state core committee said strong resentment prevailed among the employees as the Punjab Government had already paid the arrears of the new pay scales to other government employees except medical and dental teachers. Besides, all other allowances of the teachers agreed upon by the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, on November 6, last year had also not been implemented. An emergency meeting of the state core committee held recently decided to launch an agitation in a phased manner for the acceptance of their demands. The agitation programme
begins with boycott of teaching and examinations on July
12, mass casual leave on July 19, 26 and 27. Pen-down
strike from August 7 and mass resignation by the medical
and dental teachers on August 15. |
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Forum flays Tohra’s
remark on Badal PATIALA, July 11 — The Sikh Intelligentsia Forum comprising doctors, engineers, professors and advocates of the state have condemned a statement made by Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, president of the All- India Shiromani Akali Dal, in which he had alleged that Mr Parkash Singh Badal owns a big farm in the USA. Dr Dalbir Singh Dhillon, president of the forum, said Mr Tohra was making false accusations against Mr Badal out of sheer political frustration and to malign the image of the Punjab Chief Minister. The forum, he said,
would organise meetings in the state to expose the Tohra
camp’s secret support to the Congress to harm the
‘SAD’ candidates in the coming Lok Sabha
elections. |
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Police fails to check
robberies, cheating BARNALA, July 11 — Robbers and cheats have created fear among people in Barnala and the police has failed to the check incidents of robbery and cheating. On Saturday at 8.15 a.m. three persons with faces covered and wearing plastic gloves entered a house near the Gokul market in the heart of town and robbed gold ornaments weighing 100 grams valued at Rs 50,000. A couple of days ago, Darshan Lal of Barnala cheated of Rs 14000. Again a resident
withdrew Rs one lakh from a bank his rupees was stolen
from his scooter box. The people resent police failure in
nabbing the culprits. |
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Plea to hold camps on gender
equality AMRITSAR, July 11 — A girl child consciousness camp was organised by the Punjab Istri Sabha in cooperation with the Central Social Welfare Board at Guru Nanak Dev University, here today. The camp was inaugurated by Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Dr Inder Pal Singh, who explained the importance of "UN Convention on the Rights of Child adopted in 1989" and called for its implementation. He urged the women organisations to organise seminars, especially in villages to create awareness about gender equality. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Narinderjit Singh, who was the chief guest called for equal rights in the sphere of education, health and development and lauded the efforts of the Punjab Istri Sabha in this regard. Mrs Vimla Dang, Patron
of the sabha, demanded ban on sex determination tests,
child marriage and passing of the women reservation Bill. |
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