Wednesday, July 14, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Wednesday, July 14, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Squabbling
leaders a hurdle Takht Jathedar, WSC renew fighting |
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Varsity
Registrar goes on leave Engg colleges face funds’
crisis, admits minister Draft legislation under study One-way traffic in Patiala areas ‘Govt, not technocrats to be
blamed’ 2 held for attacking demolition
staff Police "tried to
prevent" Tohra loyalists’ rally |
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SAD selection of candidates CHANDIGARH, July 13 — The Akalis are finding hard to select winning candidates for some of the eight seats they held in the dissolved Lok Sabha. Jalandhar, a seat held by the former Prime Minister, Mr Inder Kumar Gujral, is the ninth the Akalis will contest out of the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab. The Political Affairs Committee of the Akali Dal has authorised the Chief Minister and Akali Dal President, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to select the candidates. Closed-door meetings and consultations are held on a daily basis. Both Mrs Surinder Kaur Badal, Chief Minister's wife, and his son, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, a Minister of State at the Centre, are playing crucial roles as key advisers. So far, the Akali Dal has been able to select candidates on a tentative basis for Ropar, Patiala, Sangrur, Ludhiana and Ferozepore, besides Faridkot from where the junior Badal, Mr Sukhbir Singh, will contest. For Tarn Taran, Bathinda and Jalandhar, Mr Badal is yet to choose the contestants. It is not that candidates are not available, but Mr Badal is keen on winning candidates only, squabbling being leaders a major hurdle. Take the case of Sangrur from where the obvious choice is the Union Minister for Food and Chemicals, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala. But the party General Secretary, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa. is opposed to him tooth and nail. Mr Dhindsa has suggested the name of Akali stalwart and disciplinary Committee Chairman Jagdev Singh Talwandi. This is obviously not acceptable to Mr Barnala. Mr Dhindsa feels that Mr Barnala lost much ground during his present tenure. He is also opposed to Mr Barnala as he holds him responsible for his defeat during the last assembly poll from Sunam. The TNS could discern two factions at war led by the two leaders during a visit to Sangrur. Mr Badal shall have to strive hard to unite them. Mr Badal may finally opt for Mr Barnala. For Patiala the Akali candidate will be Mr Surjit Singh Rakhara. In fact, the Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, who is in charge of Patiala, has already spent 15 days galvanising the Akali rank and file to eliminate the influence of the former SGPC President and rival Akali Dal President, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra. "We shall make it a straight fight between the Congress and the Akali Dal. You will find Mr Tohra's Man Friday, Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra nowhere in the reckoning", the minister said. For Ludhiana, despite opposition from local Akali leaders, the choice will be sitting Akali Dal member Amrik Singh Aliwal. But Mr Badal has to likely persuade Mr Talwandi to support him. While Mr Zora Singh Mann is likely to emerge as the final choice from Ferozepore, Bathinda is proving problematic. Here the sitting member, Mr Chaitan Singh Sumao, is not being favoured. Other claimants are former CPI leader and now an Akali MLA from Bathinda, Mr Makhan Singh, and Akali Minister Gurdev Singh Badal's son Sital Singh Badal. It is a reserved seat. Tarn Taran is once again posing a problem. Here Mr Badal's daughter, Mr Parneet Kaur married into the Karion family, is a serious contender. Her husband is an MLA. Last time Mr Badal, despite pressure, did not favour her. The dilemma persists. Mrs Parneet Kaur claims to have nursed the constituency and wants to be judged on merit. But Mr Badal already has his son, nephew and son-in-law as MP and MLAs, respectively. He does not want to invite the charge of filial affection. Other contenders are the sitting MP, Mr Tarlochan Singh Tur and Mr S.S.Pannu, a relative of Akali leader Major Singh Uboke. For Jalandhar, Akali sources indicate that the widow of the late Rajasthan Governor Darbara Singh may contest. Mr Gujral so far has not approached the Akalis for support from this seat which he held in the last Lok Sabha. From Ropar (reserved)
the obvious choice is Mrs Satwinder Kaur Dhaliwal,
sitting MP. She has already begun campaigning. From
Phillaur, another reserved seat, the rebel Bahujan Samaj
Party leader now leading his own political outfit, Mr
Satnam Singh Kainth, would contest with Akali support.
This leaves three seats of Amritsar, Gurdaspur and
Hoshiarpur for the BJP. |
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Takht Jathedar, WSC renew
fighting AMRITSAR, July 13 — After a lull, the World Sikh Council (WSC) and the Akal Takht Jathedar seem to have adopted a path of confrontation. Even as Giani Puran Singh, Jathedar, Akal Takht, has "directed" Justice Kuldip Singh, President, WSC, to take "prior permission" before making any amendment in the constitution of the council, the office-bearers of the WSC have categorically refused to accept him (Jathedar Akal Takht) as its patron. They have said that Bhai Ranjit Singh, the sacked Jathedar, is still the patron of the council. The WSC claims that Bhai Ranjit Singh still continues to be the Jathedar of Akal Takht. Most of the office-bearers of the council takes directions from Bhai Ranjit Singh as far as the working of the council is concerned. They describe Giani Puran Singh as "sarkari" Jathedar. Mr Avtar Singh Gulla, an executive member of the WSC, said the office-bearers of the council had already expressed their solidarity with Bhai Ranjit Singh and efforts were being made to install him as the Jathedar of Akal Takht again. It may be mentioned here that Justice Kuldip Singh had earlier resigned as Chairman of the WSC after "unceremonious" removal of Bhai Ranjit Singh as the Jathedar. However, his resignation was rejected by the office-bearers of the council. However, Giani Puran Singh has claimed that Justice Kuldip Singh had been endeavouring to make certain amendments in the constitution of the council. This step would be "unconstitutional" if amendments were made without his prior permission. He claimed that being the Jathedar of Akal Takht he was the patron of the council. Hence it was his prerogative to give permission for making any amendment in the constitution of the council. In a letter written to Justice Kuldip Singh and the general secretary of the council, Giani Puran Singh said being the Jathedar of the Takht he was answerable to the Sikh Panth as far as the WSC was concerned. It maybe mentioned here
that the accounts of the WSC had become a bone of
contention among the sacked Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh
and Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar Sri Kesgarh Sahib. The
then Jathedar of Akal Takht, Bhai Ranjit Singh, had
banned the entry of Prof Manjit Singh Akal Takht till the
submission of the accounts of the WSC by him. |
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Poll code violation by Punjab
Minister BATHINDA, July 13 — Punjab Food Minister, Chiranji Lal Garg today violated the election code of conduct when he appealed the people to vote for Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee in the forthcoming elections at a government function in the local engineering college. Mr Garg while addressing the gathering said that the time had come when the people were to decide to whether vote for Mr Vajpayee or any one else. Making an oblique reference to the AICC president, Ms Sonia Gandhi, Mr Garg said that people should not vote in such a manner that a person of foreign origin became the Prime Minister of India. He added that if the people did so the country would become slave again. He appealed that people should remember the sacrifices made by Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Chander Shekhar Azad, Lala Lajpat Rai and Madan Lal Dhingra for the freedom of the country from the British government. Again making an oblique reference to the failure of previous Congress governments in the country and particularly in Punjab, Mr Garg said that it was very unfortunate that qualified technical hands were still without jobs. He added that previous governments had ruined the system of the country. Mr Garg mentioned that Mr Vajpayee had done the country proud with the victory over the Pakistani intruders in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir. He added that entire nation was appreciating Mr Vajpayee for his achievement. Later, when the
reporters asked Mr Garg about the violation of model code
of conduct by him as it had come into force on July 11 he
said that he had appealed to the people for vote in
favour of Mr Vajpayee indirectly. |
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Varsity Registrar goes on leave PATIALA, July 13 — Punjabi University Registrar Dr Ranbir Singh Sarao, against whom a criminal case has been registered along with former Vice-Chancellor Dr J.S. Puar by the local Vigilance Bureau, has proceeded on leave even as Vigilance officials continued to question university officials for the second day today. A criminal case under the Prevention of Corruption Act was registered against the former Vice-Chancellor, the present Registrar and six other senior teachers here yesterday for misappropriating funds during the Indian Science Congress held in February 1996 besides irregularities in admissions and appointments. University Vice-Chancellor Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia when contacted said the university was providing all information required by the Vigilance officials. He said today Vigilance officials had been given relevant records demanded by them and that they had also questioned staff members. Dr Ahluwalia said university Registrar Dr R.S. Sarao, had proceeded on a two-day leave from today. He however, said there was no question of divesting Dr Sarao of his post as the investigation process was still in progress. Meanwhile a meeting of
the United Teachers Forum, the Progressive Teachers
Forum, the Sikh Intelligentsia Forum, the Liberal
Teachers Council and the National Teachers Council today
welcomed the registration of a criminal case against the
former Vice-Chancellor and other senior university staff. |
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Engg colleges face
funds’ crisis, BATHINDA, July 13 — Punjab Technical Education Minister Dr Upinderjit Kaur while admitting the financial crises in the government run engineering colleges, said that this problem would be overcome soon. Addressing a press conference here, she said that financial crises in the engineering colleges was a temporary phase and it would be over soon. She parried the question when asked why the staff members of local GZS college of Engineering and Technology were being paid salary out of students’ fund. She however, denied that Rs 10 lakh meant for giving compensation to those whose land was acquired for the setting up of engineering college was used for paying salary to staff members. She claimed that some development works in the local college could not be carried out as Punjab had been facing election and hence model code of conduct. She declared that new full time Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Technical University (PTU) Jalandhar would be appointed by the end of October. She added that best possible candidate would be given responsibility of such an important job. A search committee for this task would be constituted on July 30. When asked what were the findings of the inquiry which was conducted in to the lapses of CET examination last year, she said that action had been taken on the basis of inquiry report. Mr N.S. Rattan, Principal Secretary, Technical Education, who was sitting by her said that Mr Anoop Singh, the first VC of the PTU was made to resign and two deputationists in the PTU were reverted to their parent department on the basis of inquiry report. He, however said that details of inquiry report could not be revealed. Mr Rattan, who also answered several questions on behalf of the minister claimed that the backlog of degrees to the students of engineering and polytechnic college would be given by September 30, 1999 after the logo of PTU was finalised. He said that every student of the engineering college would be given Internet facility including e-mail and a full semester of six months would be spent on their practical training. He said that vacancies existing in the engineering college and polytechnic institutes would be filled soon and students would not suffer on account of shortage of staff in any institution. He added that kin of
Kargil martyrs would be given education free of cost in
its affiliated institutions if such directions were given
to the department by the Punjab government. |
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Advocates' welfare fund CHANDIGARH, July 13 — A proposal to enact the "Punjab state advocate welfare fund act" is under active consideration of the Department of Home Affairs and Justice. A draft of the Act, prepared by the Bar Council, aims at providing fund for running various social security schemes in the larger interest of advocates, who number around 25,000 in the state. Among other things, the proposed Act envisages raising of a corpus of Rs 10 lakh to be given by the state government. All suits, petitions, applications, appeals, written statements or memoranda of appearance in any court will have a Rs 5"advocates welfare fund" stamp. No court shall accept any memo of appearance, application or other paper filed for the first time in a court without affixation of the stamp. These adhesive stamps will be supplied by the government to the council for distribution and sale on a 10 per cent commission basis. Recently, a sort of history was created when the advocate-general of Punjab, Mr H.S. Mattewal, was elected "unanimously" President of the Bar Council. The draft Act has been submitted by him and is being pursued now. Enquiries in the government revealed that the Home Department has some "reservations" and has marked certain queries and sent the file to the Chief Secretary. Sources said powers there be are keen on pushing the proposal through and hectic lobbying is on. Mr Mattewal when contacted maintained that the draft Act is not for the welfare and benefit of just any trade union. Several states already had such Acts. "There is nothing legally wrong with the proposal as such as there is constitutional provision for such an Act." In fact the draft Act has been dated 1994, which means the proposal has been there for the past five years. The council is keen that the Bill on the subject be introduced in the next session of the Vidhan Sabha. A final clearance is awaited. Going through the draft, one finds that for the management of the fund there is a provision for a "trustee committee". Proper procedure has been laid down for this and the conduct of members. Even the term "advocate" has been defined. The word "court" means, besides the Punjab and Haryana High Court, revenue, criminal, tribunal, authority or any other court of quasi or judicial nature. The Act provides that the trust committee could frame schemes in consultation with the Bar Councils of Punjab, Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh in respect of group insurance for advocates, granting gratuity and or "retirement" benefits (age of retirement is 65) to advocates enrolled as participating members for such schemes. Every bar association will collect an annual subscription (half yearly) towards the advocates welfare fund from its members on the following basis: junior advocates up to five years of practice, Rs 150; advocates with more than five years of practice up to 15 years, Rs 200, and advocates with more than 15 years of practice, Rs 300. The Act provides for various "safety" clauses for alteration of fund. It also stipulates that every advocate's welfare fund stamp so affixed on the memo of appearance or any other paper shall be cancelled in a manner provided in the Court Fee Act, 1870. No advocate shall charge the value of fund stamp from any client and contravention, thereof, shall be deemed to be professional misconduct. How the Home Department
finally approves the draft, given the politico
administrative pulls and pressures remains to be seen. |
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One-way traffic in Patiala
areas PATIALA, July 13 — The local Municipal Corporation today imposed one-way traffic restrictions from Sheranwala Gate to Adalat Bazar, Nabha Gate to Sunami Gate and 22 number Railway Phatak to Chahal Nursery. A press note released by the corporation said the one-way restriction from Sheranwala Gate to Quila Chowk via Dharampura Bazar and Adalat Bazar would apply to four-wheelers only and two-wheelers and rickshaws would be allowed to ply both ways. It said in case of restrictions imposed from Nabha Gate to Sunami Gate, one-way movement of tractor-trailers would be allowed up to Old Grain Market without any parking on the roadside. The corporation has also
imposed restrictions on movement of heavy vehicles in the
walled city. Heavy vehicles would not be allowed to ply
in the walled city from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. during winter
and from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. during summer. It has also
decided that no heavy vehicles will be allowed on Mall
Road from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., including Army vehicles. |
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‘Govt, not technocrats to be
blamed’ CHANDIGARH, July 13 — The President of the Subdivisional Engineers’ Association of Punjab PWD (B&R) Chandigarh unit, Mr M.S. Nijjar, today said though road construction norms were "religiously" followed while framing estimates, due to paucity of funds these were "altered" to suit the budget. Reacting to an item appearing in these columns on Tuesday, the local unit of the association maintained that Punjab technocrats had always carried out major works on a "time-bound" basis and done "quality" work. The blame, in fact, rested with the government which expected maximum road coverage with minimum funds. The money was insufficient even to maintain the existing roads, yet new roads were being proposed for construction. Mr Nijjar as well as Mr K.S. Bhinder, President of the local unit, maintain that each division has the relevant data on roads. "What bedevils the department is the wrong policies pursued by bureaucrats who, with little knowledge, interfere in the functioning of technocrats rather than attending to their own administrative work." Citing an example, the association press note says even after being 27 years in service many technocrats have not been "confirmed" what to speak of getting their "first" promotion. Gradation and seniority lists remain untouched. There is growing frustration among the engineers due to stagnation. The association has
criticised the comments of a bureaucrat who would like to
see 75 per cent of the staff "go".
"Sacking is no solution. Overhauling and providing
funds is the right solution to the problems’, the
association argues. |
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2 held for attacking
demolition staff ROPAR, July 13 — The local police has arrested two women, Bambo and Kani, alias Rani, in connection with a case registered against 10 persons for allegedly obstructing government employees from performing their duty and attacking them when they went to demolish jhuggis, kutcha and pucca houses yesterday in the Bangala basti in the Sadavarat area here on the Ropar-Anandpur Sahib road. The two women were today produced in a local court and remanded in judicial custody till July 26. Eight of the 10 accused have absconded. In the demolition operation, 10 persons, including six policemen, had been injured. Two ASIs, Ravinder Singh and Jatinder Pal Singh, were still under treatment in the local Civil Hospital. The injuries were sustained when they had been stoned by a crowd to prevent the demolition of alleged illegal constructions on government land. The police has registered a case under Sections 353, 186, 332, 148 and 149 of the IPC. The local municipal
authorities yesterday, with the help of the police,
demolished about 20 jhuggis, kutcha and pucca houses in
Nangala basti. This led to resentment among the occupants
of the houses, leading to an ugly situation. |
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Police "tried to
prevent" Tohra loyalists’ rally PATIALA, July 13 — The police here today tried to prevent workers of the Sarb Hindi Shiromani Akali Dal from holding a meeting in Dukhnivaran gurdwara. The police put up a barricade at the side entrance of the gurdwara from where workers of the Tohra faction were expected to enter the gurdwara. However the workers were able to enter the gurdwara after a minor scuffle and held a meeting in the gurdwara hall as scheduled. Talking to reporters, Tohra faction SAD youth wing president Karnail Singh Panjoli condemned the police and the gurdwara management for using high-handed means to prevent Akali workers from collecting at the gurdwara. Mr Panjoli disclosed that the SAD (Tohra) youth wing had informed the gurdwara management about the meeting a few days in advance but was not given any definite answer. He said when the youth wing realised that the management was hedging the issue it decided to go ahead with the meeting. Mr Panjoli alleged that he was also physically prevented from entering the gurdwara and that the SAD youth wing members had to break a police cordon to enter the gurdwara. He said the meeting criticised the police action besides urging people to collect in large numbers at the proposed rally of the party on July 17. The SAD youth wing
president also alleged that the ruling Akali Dal wanted
to provoke the Tohra faction workers but the workers
maintained complete peace. |
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Akali leader escapes unhurt JALANDHAR, July 13 (PTI) — Veteran Akali leader and Senior Vice-President of the Sarb Hind Akali Dal, Mr Surjan Singh Thekedar, had a narrow escape today when his car rammed into a truck near Gyaspura chowk in Ludhiana, the police said. Mr Thekedar’s driver and a gunman, who were seated on the front seat, were injured in the accident as the car bumped into the truck when it suddenly screeched to a halt at a busy square. The car was badly damaged in the mishap. The Akali leader was
going to Ropar to attend a party meeting. He later left
for his destination by another car. |
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Badal grateful to PM CHANDIGARH, July 13
— The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal,
today expressed gratitude on behalf of the people of
Punjab to the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee,
for showing "utmost wisdom and farsightedness"
in handling the Kargil conflict. |
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Woollen clothing for Kargil
jawans CHANDIGARH, July 13 — The Punjab Governor, Lieut Gen BKN Chhibber (Retd), today flagged off a truck containing 4,000 woollen vests for soldiers in Kargil, Dras and Batalik. The woollen clothing, made at the initiative of the International Punjabi Society, was handed over to Lieut-Col RPS Bouncer and Lieut Col Joginder Singh of 'N' Area. Col Bouncer informed the Governor that the woollens in packets would be sent to forward areas tomorrow for the benefit of jawans stationed there. Col Shakti Prashad, Maj K.K. Panicar, Maj D.L. Singh Deo and Capt P. Sanjay were also present. Punjab State Veterinary
Officers' Association has decided to contribute a day's
salary towards the Punjab War Heroes Family Welfare Fund,
according to its President, Dr G.S. Chahal. |
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Vanamahotsava in Ludhiana LUDHIANA, July 13 —
The Udham Singh Nagar Welfare Association led the city in
celebrating Vanamahotsava here today. A function held in
this connection was inaugurated by Mr Amrik Singh, former
MP. The Joint Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation,
Mr J.S. Heer, was the chief guest. Mr Dhall, former
Principal of Arya College, was in the chair. Mr Mohinder
Pratap Nayyar, well-known freedom fighter, was among
those who took part in sapling plantation. |
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Minister's father cremated CHANDIGARH, July 13 — Mr Ram Saroop Mittal, father of Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Food and Supply Minister, Punjab, who expired on Monday night, was cremated here today. His elder son, Mr Rajinder Kumar Mittal, lit the pyre. Mr Mittal was 90. He leaves behind three sons and three daughters. The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and Cabinet colleagues, advocates, officers of Punjab and Haryana, journalists and a large number of people from Ropar and Nangal were present at the cremation ground here. Several condolence
messages have been received by the be bereaved family. |
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32.5 kg opium seized LUDHIANA, July 13 — The police seized 32.5 kg of opium today from a woman, Jasbir Kaur. During a naka set up near focal point. In another case the
police arrested two persons, Avtar Singh
"Taari" and Sunil Kumar in connection with an
armed robbery and assault on Kirandeep Kaur, a resident
of Sector 39, Urban Estate, Jamalpur. The police has also
recovered one Maruti car from their possession. |
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