Tuesday, July 13, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Tuesday, July 13, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Akalis
surprised at BJP demand Quack to pay 1 lakh to cancer
patient |
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Dons slam
govt on retirement issue SGPC likely to send jatha to
Pakistan Heavy rain lashes region New bridge across Beas Criminal case filed against former
VC Gang busted, goods found Open university for Punjab sought 20 jhuggis and houses razed, 10
injured One-year extension for Dr Soch Father Jose dies in mishap |
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Akalis surprised at BJP demand CHANDIGARH, July 12 — Akali leaders are surprised at the demand of Punjab BJP leaders who have sought two more Lok Sabha seats of Jalandhar and Ferozepore. The Akalis feel that even three seats which they helped the BJP win during the last Lok Sabha polls would be difficult seats for the BJP. "They are talking off their head. They have no idea of the ground reality. We shall have to strive hard to win all seats", a senior Akali minister said on condition of anonymity. He also revealed that this issue had been discussed by the Akali Dal President and Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and it was decided that the BJP would have only those seats which it contested last time. The BJP candidates from Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur and Amritsar had bagged these seats last time. While Mr Badal does not find any merit in the BJP claim to two more seats, he is likely to take up the issue of change in the candidates with the central BJP leadership. He is also likely to ask the central leaders to tell some of their ministers to improve their performance. In fact, the Akali leadership is keen that the BJP should think twice before fielding the last-time winners. "Take the case of Mr Vinod Khanna, the film actor-turned politician from Gurdaspur. The Akalis hold four Vidhan Sabha segments which helped Mr Khanna get huge margins. But in all five Vidhan Sabha seats held by the BJP, he lost. We would like the BJP to field a better candidate so that we could have the seat again. We had worked very hard last time", Mr Sucha Singh Langah, Minister of State for Industries, told TNS. He hails from Gurdaspur. A senior minister said that Mr Daya Singh Sodhi by criticising the Akalis had only alienated their cadres. He had made personal allegations against Mr Badal by saying that some people close to him pocketed Rs 50 crore during the liquor auctions. Even yesterday while releasing the details of the BJP state executive meeting at Ludhiana, he attacked the Akalis for providing free power to the farmers. Does he think he can get farmers vote and support by making these statements. Even if Mr Badal forgets all this and extends support how about the cadres. He is only queering the pitch for himself," the minister said. Akali Dal sources said Mr Badal in his meetings with Mr Vajpayee had brought this issue and sought a change in candidates. "It is their internal problem. But we have to strive hard to make them win. On their own what real strength they have," this senior leader said. The Akali Dal also feels that this mindset that rural voters belong to the Akali Dal and urban voters, mainly Hindus, are the pocketborough of the BJP is wrong. The Akalis have great influence among Hindus, particularly among those in the Malwa belt. But why divide this in this manner? Any concession for the rural areas needs to be matched by an equal concession for the traders. This approach is flawed. The Akali Dal looks after all Punjabis, he added. The BJP, on the other hand, is in upbeat mood and wants to make maximum out of the Kargil conflict and its resolution. It would make Vajpayee versus Mrs Sonia Gandhi as prime ministerial candidates the second big issue and claims that it can cash in on this. Mr Badal, who had
detailed discussions with his colleagues here today,
plans to have one or two new faces this time. The Akali
Dal realises that it would not be that easy and winning
all 13 Punjab Lok Sabha seats could be very tough. |
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Quack to pay 1 lakh to cancer
patient MUKTSAR, July 12 — In a significant judgement, Mr D.R. Singh Thakur, District Judge, District Consumer Court, Muktsar, had directed Dr L.D. Bajaj, an RMP of Malout to pay Hari Chand of Malout, Rs 1,00,000 for being negligent in treating the complainant. Hari Chand was suffering from throat cancer. The doctor known also as Fauzi doctor, had issued hand-bills claiming to cure to cancer, bronchitis, heart diseases. Allured by this advertisement. The patient approached the RMP who demanded Rs 10,000 for curing him. The doctor issued a receipt to the patient overleaf of a hand bill for Rs 9,600. Dr Bajaj could not bring on file any proof of his qualification for treating cancer, the RMP failed to explain the mode and content of treatment. The judge went by a ruling of the Supreme Court of India, wherein it was held that "a person who does not have knowledge of a particular system of medicine but practices in that system is a quack. Where a person is guilty of negligence per se, no further proof is needed". The court also had that this doctor has not even allowed the patient to die peacefully. The RMP has also been
directed to pay upto the complainant Rs 2,000 as
litigation expenses. |
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Efforts to improve Punjab roads CHANDIGARH, July 12 — Punjab has a road network of approximately 42,700 km. While traffic intensity in the state goes up by nearly 12 per cent annually, investment on roads is barely 5 per cent. Consequently, the condition of roads is far from satisfactory. The Ministry of Surface Transport tends to 1,100-odd km of the national highways in the state. The rural link roads, running into over 34,000 km together with plan roads, (7,000 km) are the main arteries of economic growth. It is revealed that for decades technocrats of the PWD (B and R) have totally neglected basic road engineering norms and specifications and sacrificed quality for other considerations. The defined thumb rule of taking traffic intensity and axle load factor into account while designing roads was ignored with impunity. There has been no scientific approach to road engineering, say sources in the department. Neither any data is available on material used, dates when last raising, widening and strengthening was done, nor a code number given to the roads for identification. Staff responsible for different roads is also not easily identifiable when it comes to fixing accountability when a road gets into a bad shape prematurely. Only an arbitrary approach in respect of patch-work, premix carpeting and tending to potholes has been followed are these years. Consequently, the
condition of roads is not what it should ideally be.
"Every approaching vehicle on state roads is a
potential threat to life," summed up sources in the
department. However, things are now looking up. During
the past six months when the whip was cracked to get the
department into a proper shape it resulted in at least 50
officials being served with"charge sheets" and
"dismissal" from service of another 12-odd,
including one Executive Engineer, two Subdivisional
Engineers and six junior engineers. The in-house
cleansing process is on. "Given" a free hand, I
would love to sack at least 75 per cent of the PWD staff.
But more important is to change the mind-set, introduce
quality work, systems management, scientific approach and
discipline", a senior bureaucrat said. |
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Dons slam govt on retirement
issue JALANDHAR, July 12 — The Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU) attacked the SAD-BJP government for lowering the retirement age of teachers from 60 to 58 years and demanded to reverse it immediately or face an agitation. Dr V.K.Tewari and Prof S.S.Hundal, General Secretary and President, respectively, of the union, stated that the decision was "an error of judgement based on insufficient and wrong information given by the DPI (Colleges), Punjab." They questioned the very basis of equating the service conditions of private college teachers with those in the government sector. They pointed that the service conditions laid down in the university calendars were based on acts passed either by Parliament in case of Panjab University and by the state assembly in case of Punjabi University and GND varsity. They said the acts only dealt with the service conditions of teachers in non-government affiliated colleges and "suddenly equating them with government college counterparts in only one respect was ridiculous." The union leaders said clause 13 of the 95 per cent deficit grant-in-aid scheme clearly stated that grant would be available only up to the age of 60 years, making it clear that the decision of lowering the age was baseless. The union also criticised "the silence of the chancellors of Panjab University, GND varsity and Punjabi University even when their legal authority stood challenged." Meanwhile, the union
decided to organise protest dharnas on July 16 in all 170
colleges of Punjab and Chandigarh. This would be followed
by rallies in districts under jurisdiction of Panjab
University on July 19, in areas of GND varsity on July
21, and in districts of Punjabi University on July 23,
they said. |
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SGPC likely to send jatha to
Pakistan AMRITSAR, July 12 — The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, which had stopped sending "jathas" to Pakistan in protest against the formation of the Pakistan Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PGPC), is likely to withdraw its decision, the SGPC which has not send two jathas on June 17 and June 29 has now decided to send a jatha on November 23 to commemorate birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji. Talking to The Tribune Mr Kulwant Singh, secretary, SGPC, however said that the Shiromani Committee would try to meet Mr Nawaz Sharif Prime Minister, Pakistan through the government of India for making an appeal to him to disband the Pakistan Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, headed by Javed Nisar, a former chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence. He said that the SGPC had already lodged a protest with the Pakistan government against the formation of the PGPC. He said the SGPC had not received any response in this regard so far. However, he said that if the PGPC was not disbanded, the SGPC won't send its advance team for making arrangements to Pakistan. As per the practice, the SGPC sends an advance team to Pakistan for making arrangements for 'langar' (community kitchen) etc which has now been taken by the newly formed PGPC. SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur and Mr Parkash Singh Badal Punjab Chief Minister, had sought immediate intervention of Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee for taking up with his Pakistani counterpart the disbanding of the PGPC. Both Bibi Jagir Kaur and Mr Badal had lodged strong protest for launching anti-India propaganda by the office-bearers of the PGPC and militants who had taken political asylum in Pakistan when a jatha of Sikhs had gone to Pakistan to celebrate tercentenary of the birth of Khalsa Panth in April. The SGPC officials who had accompanied the jatha were not allowed to make any arrangements at the time of the visit of Sikh Jatha in April. After the stoppage of sending of jathas to Pakistan, the PGPC had made a public appeal to Indian Sikhs to contact the Pakistani High Commission direct at New Delhi for getting visas. However, this appeal had evoked no response from the Indian Sikhs. So much so a section of the Sant Samaj loyal to Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra and the Shiromani Akali Dal (Panthic) led by Mr Jasbir Singh Rode while welcoming the formation of the PGPC had appealed to the Sikh masses to visit the Sikh shrines in Pakistan even bypassing the SGPC. An advertisement on behalf of Mr Surjit Singh a former SGPC secretary had also appeared in a language paper for collecting applications from the Sikhs wanting to visit Pakistan. However, the SGPC had reacted sharply to the advertisement given on behalf of Mr Surjit Singh and had stated that the SGPC had the sole right to send jathas to Pakistan. It may be mentioned here
that the SGPC sent a list of Sikhs three months ago to
the Government of India for clearance. |
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Heavy rain lashes region CHANDIGARH, July 12 (UNI) — The entire north-west region was lashed by a downpour accompanied by strong winds today, causing considerable fall in the temperature. The weather office here said the widespread rains occurred due to western disturbances over north-east Pakistan and adjoining south-west Jammu and Kashmir. Areas in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh were lashed by heavy rain this morning. Reports from Shimla said the capital town and several other areas of Himachal Pradesh were lashed by intermittent rain since last night, bringing considerable fall in the temperature in the region. Upper areas of Shimla district experienced moderate to heavy rain as the monsoon remained active in these areas during the day, tourist places of Wildflower Hall, Kufri, Naldehra and Narkanda in Shimla district and the key tourist resort of Manali in Kulu district also had rain with the mercury plumetting in these areas. The entire Kulu valley and Solan and Dharamsala towns also had rain. Reports of rain were also received from Keylong, the headquarters of tribal Lahaul-Spiti district. However, link roads and national highways were open for vehicular traffic and Indian Airlines Delhi-Shimla-Kulu-bound flight operated as usual this morning. According to the weather office here, Bhunter recorded 22.6 mm rainfall, Sundernagar 44.5 mm, Pandoh 43.5 mm, Kasol 61.6 mm and Sujanpur Tira 35.2 mm. In Punjab, Amritsar had 22.00 mm and Patiala 21.3 mm of rainfall early morning. Ambala, in Haryana, was lashed by 29.8 mm rainfall. Srinagar and Jammu had 6.7 mm and 16.3 mm rainfall respectively. HAMIRPUR: It has been raining heavily throughout Hamirpur district since Sunday evening, bringing normal life to a near standstill. Power supply, water supply and telecom services were hit and vehicular traffic on various kutcha roads of the district was disrupted. The rain lowered the temperature and provided relief from the scorching heat. Reports from the interior areas of the district said that all small and big rivulets and the Beas river flowing through the district were in spate. Those living in the catchment area of the Beas have moved to safer places along with their cattle and other possessions. Sharp winds also caused heavy damage to the standing maize crop. MOGA: Almost all low-lying areas in this town and its adjoining villages were flooded on Monday following heavy rain since Sunday night. The rain paralysed
normal life and also disrupted traffic. However, it
brought relief from the severe heat. Though beneficial
for the kharif crop, it caused considerable damage to the
foodgrain stock belonging to government procuring
agencies which was lying in the open almost in all towns
of this district. |
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New bridge across Beas HOSHIARPUR: The long-awaited bridge across the Beas river on the Sri Hargobindpur-Tanda road was recently inaugurated and opened for general traffic. Inhabitants of more than 125 villages located on both sides of the river between Mirthal and Dhilwan would be benefited with the construction of the bridge. It is worth mentioning here that there was no bridge on the Beas within 80 km from Mirthal and Dhilwan due to which inhabitants of the town and of Gurdaspur had to travel a long distance to reach their respective destinations. The construction of the bridge was started in 1986. It was completed at a very slow pace, in 13 long years. The bridge has 16 spans and is 696 metres long. A 5.93-km-long-approach road from the Sri Hargobindpur side and a 2.49 km-long-road from the Tanda side have been constructed to regularise the traffic. Similarly a 2.04-km-long guide bundh on the Sri Hargobindpur side and a 2.08-km-long bandh on the Tanda side have been built to protect the bridge. Mr Har Ashok Sharma, Executive Engineer, Central Works Division, told The Tribune that Rs 25 crore had been spent on the construction of the bridge, approach roads and bundhs so far. He stated Rs 10 crore more would be spent on the remaining work. He informed with the opening of the bridge the distance between Chandigarh and Sri Hargobindpur has reduced by 36 km, between Gurdaspur and Chandigarh by 26 km and between Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur by 60 km. Mr Sharma said the
construction of the bridge was a long-pending demand of
the inhabitants of the area. |
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Criminal case filed against
former VC PATIALA, July 12 — A criminal case has been registered against former Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor Dr Joginder Singh Puar, present university Registrar, Dr Ranbir Singh Sarao and six senior teachers for misappropriating funds during the Indian Science Congress, making wrong appointments and admissions and executing civil works with malafide intentions. The criminal case was registered by the Vigilance Bureau today under Sections 13 (1) D read with 13(2) 88 Prevention of Corruption Act and Sections 420 and 120-(B) of the Indian Penal Code in the Vigilance Bureau police station here. Superintendent of Vigilance B.K. Uppal, when contacted, confirmed that a criminal case had been registered against seven university officials and former Vice-Chancellor, Dr J.S. Puar. However, Mr Uppal refused to divulge details. Sources disclosed that Deputy Superintendent of Police, Vigilance R.S. Dhillon was investigating the case. Vigilance officials camped at the university till late in the evening today to question the suspects and witnesses. Though eight persons have been named in the FIR, which besides Dr Puar and the University Registrar include Prof J.L. Bhanot, Prof S.S. Joshi, Prof I.J.S. Bansal, Dr Kuljit Kapoor and Prof A.K. Sikri, sources said many other university officials are expected to be involved in the case. The Vigilance Bureau which had conducted the inquiry against the former Vice-Chancellor and other university authorities suspected to have misused their authority, completed it in February 1999 and submitted it to the government in February 1999. But it was only now that the government gave its nod for registration of a criminal case. A case had already been registered against university Executive Engineer A.S. Sandhu earlier in connection with poor execution of civil works prior to the science Congress held in February 1996. The other cases also pertain to the science congress during the course of which various committees constituted by the then Vice-Chancellor, Dr Puar had been accused of misappropriating funds. Dr Puar had claimed that he was not involved as all work pertaining to the science congress had been undertaken by the various committees. Other cases being investigated include one of a person seeking appointment based on experience extending beyond the date of filing of his application. Despite this he was appointed. Vigilance sources disclosed that since the sections under which a case has been registered against the eight accused including the former vice-chancellor, are non-bailable, they may be arrested at any time. The issue had deeply
divided the university into pro-vice-chancellor and
anti-vice-chancellor groups during the past two years.
Then United Teachers Forum convenor Dr Kehar Singh, who
has now become the Chairman of Punjab School Education
Board had spearheaded the campaign against Dr Puar and
demanded a vigilance inquiry. |
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Gang busted, goods found JALANDHAR, July 12 — The Jalandhar police has arrested three of the four members of an inter-district gang of two-wheelers and burglars was busted. Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP, stated here yesterday that secret information was received by SI Swaran Singh, SHO, police station, Jalandhar that the gang was in the process of dividing the booty at a plot near New Baradari, Ladowali Road. The raid was conducted under the supervision of Mr P.K. Uppal, SP, City-I, and Mr Dharam Singh, DSP/city on the evening of July 10. A case (FIR No. 108 dated 10.7.99) under sections 457/380/379/411/402 of the IPC has been registered against Khem Raj, Sonu and Pawan. The gang member who managed to escape has been identified as Raj Kumar. Goods worth about Rs 1,75,000 were found in the possession of the thieves. Mr Yadav stated that the
gang was active in Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur districts.
The stolen scooters were also recovered from them. |
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Open university for Punjab
sought PATIALA, July 12 — The state needs an open university for giving a fillip to the open education system. This was highlighted by speakers participating in a seminar on the open education system organised by the Punjab School Education Board at Senate Hall, Punjabi University, here today. Prof, Bakshish Singh, we are not giving enough attention to this new and innovative system of imparting education". He said a number of states in the country had adopted this innovative system and the Punjab Government should take a bold initiative in sitting up a state-level independent open school and an open university. Prof Harlal Singh Director (Academics), PSEB, said the target of universalisation of education could not be achieved through formal schooling. He said open education
system was the need of the hour. The most remarkable
feature of this system was its flexibility with reference
to its curriculum, number of subjects, duration and modus
operandi. It enabled the child to work at his own pace,
at his own convenience and with his own choice. It did
not suffer from disadvantages of either the formal system
of education or the correspondence courses. |
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20 jhuggis and houses
razed, 10 injured ROPAR, July 12 — Municipal authorities here today demolished 20 jhuggis, kutcha and pucca houses in the local Bangala basti in the Sadavarat area on the Ropar-Anandpur Sahib road. Demolition started with the police help. Later, occupants of the houses opposed the proceedings which reportedly led to injuries to 10 persons including six policemen. The police said, residents of the basti threw stones and bricks on the demolition party and the policemen. According to sources in the local hospital, eight persons have been admitted while two others were discharged after being given first aid. Among the 10 injured, there are six policemen including two ASIs, three employees of the Municipal Council and a woman. The SHO of the Sadar police station said, the persons, responsible for throwing stones and bricks, were absconding. The police was searching them. About 50 policemen were present this evening in the colony and were searching the colony to nab the persons, involved in the incident. Meanwhile, Mr Makhan
Singh, Vice-President of district unit of the Bahujan
Samaj Party, condemning the demolition of houses of the
poor persons, alleged that first the police used force
against the dwellers which compelled them to throw bricks
etc. |
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One-year extension for Dr
Soch AMRITSAR, July 12 — The Vice Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University here, Dr Harbhajan Singh Soch, was given an extension in service of one more year according to the notification issued by the Punjab Raj Bhavan on July 10. The Chancellor Lt Gen (Retd) B.K.N. Chhibber has extended the term of appointment of Dr H S Soch, Vice-Chancellor of the Guru Nanak Dev University for a period of one year from July 23,1999. The day his three-year tenure would have expired. Dr Soch was appointed
Vice-Chancellor on July 22, 1997 for three years. Earlier
he was principal of the Local Khalsa College here. |
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Father Jose dies in mishap HOSHIARPUR, July 12 (UNI) — Father Jose, Director of Mount Carmel School at Bhunga, died of injuries in a road accident near Bhikhowal village on the Hoshiarpur-Dasuya road today, the police said. The mishap occurred when the 36-year-old priest was driving an autorickshaw from Bhunga school to Hoshiarpur around 11 a.m. It, however, could not be ascertained whether the three-wheeler overturned on its own or was hit by a getaway vehicle. Father Jose, hailing from Kerala, was later shifted from Haryana hospital to the local Civil Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries at 1.20 p.m. His body was returned to
the school authorities after autopsy under Section 174 of
the Cr. PC, pending investigation into the cause of the
accident. |
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Ex-servicemen form political party LUDHIANA, July 12 (PTI) — The Rashtriya Raksha Dal (RRD), a new political party has been formed by the ex-servicemen here today. Disclosing this here, Ex-Servicemen League (Punjab-Chandigarh) president Col (Retd) C.S. Dhillon said that the new political outfit would act as a watchdog to protect and serve the interest of ex-servicemen and their families in the country. Col (Retd) H.S. Kahlon has been nominated the founder president of the new party, he said adding that the RRD would act as a political wing of the Indian Ex-Servicemen League. He accused political parties of "exploiting" those who had put in a remarkable service for the country, "instead of being silent spectator in the political arena of the country, ex-servicemen will onward play an important role in the affairs of the country", he said. Col Kahlon, the first president of the RRD, said that his party would put up candidates in the Lok Sabha elections. "State units of the league have been asked to hold parleys with other like-minded parties to formalise seat adjustments in respective states", he said. The RRD would contest
Lok Sabha elections from Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar
seats, he said. |
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Gastroenteritis claims 5 lives LUDHIANA, July 12 At least five persons have died and nearly 70 persons are reported to have been suffering from gastroenteritis in the past 10 days at Chaunta village, 30 km from Ludhiana. This was disclosed by a
senior district Health Official here today. It is learnt
that the District Health Department had received report
of 70 cases of gastroenteritis in the village on June 30
and has since then set up a medical camp to deal
effectively with the outbreak of this disease. The
district Health Official also said that the medical teams
had been despatched to the village were able to curb the
spread of gastroenteritis and 20 patients had already
been treated. |
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3.17 lakh snatched from
railway clerk FATEHGARH SAHIB, July 12 — Three motorcycle-borne youths today snatched Rs 3,17,954 at a gunpoint from the booking clerk of the railway station at Sirhind, near here. According to information available the youths stopped the booking near the octroi post when he was taking the money for depositing in a bank. The youths took out a revolver and snatched the bag containing the money and drove away from the scene. The SHO Sirhind, said a
case under Section 382, IPC, had been registered. |
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8.7 lakh ml illicit liquor
seized LUDHIANA, July 12 — In a joint raid conducted by officials of the Excise and Taxation Department of Ludhiana and Jalandhar districts, as many as 8.7 lakh ml illicit liquor was seized in the Bet area of Nakodar and Nurmahal. However, no arrest has
been made in this connection. The Excise and Taxation
staff was assisted by the police in carrying out the
raids. |
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Docs threaten mass
resignations AMRITSAR, July 12 — The Punjab Medical and Dental College Teachers Association today held a big rally in front of the office of the Principal, Medical College here. The president of the association, Dr Manmohar Singh, in a press note issued here, said the doctors had launched a phased agitation against the Punjab Government and suspended teaching work till August 15. He said the doctors had been demanding the clearance of their arrears immediately, as recommended by the Fourth Pay Commission, and an early decision regarding various allowances. The association also appealed to the doctors to donate one day's salary for the Kargil martyrs. He urged the government
to accept their demands at the earliest, failing which
the doctors would submit their mass resignations to the
Chief Minister. |
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US gynae consultant to
visit Amritsar AMRITSAR, July 12 — Dr Ravinder Jerath, consultant gynaecologist of the Medical College of Georgia and University Hospital, Augusta, USA, will visit Amritsar on July 28 for two days to give a live demonstration of the latest endoscopic techniques to gynaecologists of the city. According to Dr Ohri,
Senior Surgeon of Adlakha Hospital, Amritsar, Dr Jerath
will perform endoscopic operations on women facing
infertility and other gynaecological problems. The
demonstration and the operations will be carried out at
Adlakha Hospital here. |
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