Friday, July 16, 1999
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Friday, July 16, 1999 |
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SGPC, Sant Samaj on
warpath AMRITSAR, July 15 — The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and Sant Samaj headed by Sant Kashmira Singh seem to be on warpath over the implementation of the Nanakshahi calendar. Paucity of funds casts shadow CHANDIGARH, July 15 — The echo of the tercentenary celebrations held at Anandpur Sahib in April last has long faded into silence. |
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Sonia's
behaviour immature: Tandon Puar's bail extended till July 19 Robberies jolt cops into action Sonia unfit to lead country: Badal Teachers object to Khaira's demand Army Institute of Law opened Sabharwals to get award |
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Nanakshahi calendar AMRITSAR, July 15 — The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Sant Samaj headed by Sant Kashmira Singh seem to be on warpath over the implementation of the Nanakshahi calendar. Mr Kulwant Singh, Secretary, SGPC, said the "so-called" Sant Samaj had right to object to the decision of the SGPC which represented the entire Sikh community. He said Sant Kashmira Singh had no moral right to reject the Nanakshahi calendar as his 'dera' was not following the Sikh "Maryada" (code of conduct). He said the Nanakshahi calendar was prepared after seeking opinion of eminent Sikh scholars on the demand of the public to avoid confusion regarding events and dates about the Sikh history. Due to the non-implementation of the Nanakshahi calendar, the Gurpurb of Guru Gobind Singh was celebrated twice last year. The Gurpurb of the tenth Sikh guru won't be celebrated this year, if other calendars were followed. He described the statement of Sant Samaj chief as irresponsible and misleading. The SGPC also denied that there was any differences between SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur and Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Puran Singh over certain issues as reported by a section of the press. Mr Kulwant Singh said Bibi Jagir Kaur always held the Akal Takht Jathedar in high esteem. It may be recalled that the Sant Samaj was divided after the "unceremonious" removal of Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, former SGPC chief, and Bhai Ranjit Singh, Akal Takht Jathedar. Mr Kulwant Singh said
the SGPC had taken a serious view of the
"misleading" statements issued by a section of
the Sant Samaj against Bibi Jagir Kaur and the decisions
of the general house. |
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Anandpur Sahib Projects CHANDIGARH, July 15 — The echo of the tercentenary celebrations held at Anandpur Sahib in April last has long faded into silence. The euphoria generated by the historic event has evaporated. The illuminations atop Takht Kesgarh Sahib have been switched off for "strategic reasons". The torrent of pilgrims, devotees and tourists has dwindled to a mere trickle. Thanks to the labour put in by the Anandpur Sahib Foundation, the Anandpur Sahib Urban Planning and Development Authority, (ASUDA) and the Ropar district administration, the political executive managed a fair mileage out of that religious event. At stake was the prestige involved of the ruling Akali Dal due to internecine war. Nevertheless, the celebrations will be remembered for long and the "city of bliss" got its due share of a face-lift. What is the post-celebration scene like? One of the major attractions remaining is the Khalsa Memorial Heritage complex with Nishan-e-Khalsa being the talk of the devout. The large-sized model of the proposed complex, had attracted maximum visitors. Contrary to the impression that over Rs 300 crore has been spent on the event, the fact is that the actual spending on the celebrations did not exceed Rs 15 crore or so. Despite officials asking the political executive to set at rest rumours on expenses and explain the actual spending, there has been no response. But one thing is sure. The Minister of Finance, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, who was at the centrestage of the events, in his March 24 Budget speech had said that "Rs 35 crore have been earmarked as a grant to the Anandpur Sahib Foundation for the establishment of the Khalsa Memorial complex. The trust is that till date not a penny has been made available to the foundation. On the contrary, sources told TNS, the foundation owed Rs 9 crore to several agencies from whom services, goods and material were availed of for the success of the celebrations. Though several departments were involved and had spent money for the success of the event and each was assured of repayment and reimbursement from the foundation, that had not happened. Secondly, a national committee was formed with the Prime Minister as Chairman. The committee announced that Rs 100 crore would be spent on the celebrations. Punjab had received a mere Rs 19 crore. Now an estimate of Rs 87 crore had been sent to the centre, which was yet to respond. The celebrations were
slated to last for one whole year till Baiskahi 2000 with
functions proposed all over the country and even abroad.
Inquiries, however reveal that the foundation has no more
programmes to organise. |
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Sonia's behaviour immature:
Tandon CHANDIGARH, July 15 — Mr Balramji Das Tandon, a Cabinet colleague of the Punjab Chief Minister and senior BJP leader, today flayed the Congress for withdrawing support to the Bansi Lal government in Haryana. In a statement Mr Tandon said all decisions and actions taken by the Congress party under the leadership of its President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, reflected her immature and naive behaviour. The statement said: "I hold no brief either for Mr Bansi Lal or his government." But the way the support was withdrawn within 15 days of bailing out Mr Bansi Lal in his no-confidence vote showed the party's tainted vision and low quality of leadership. Referring to the Bihar situation, Mr Tandon said keeping in view the deteriorated law and order situation in the state, the Central Government wanted to impose Governor's rule there. But from an ordinary worker of the Congress in Bihar to the All-India General Secretary, Mrs Gandhi blamed the state government for not protecting the Dalits. But at the time of imposing Governor's rule in Bihar, it was amazing, the same Congress came to the rescue of the Rabri Devi government. Reacting to the role of the Congress in the recent Kargil war, Mr Tandon said instead of standing at the back of the fighting soldiers, the Congress was trying to draw political mileage out of the whole situation. The daily briefing of the Congress centred round: "First enquire about the intruders' date of crossing the LoC and fix responsibility for lapses on the military, RAW and Intelligence and thereafter other things should be taken in hand." He said the Congressmen
might be swayed by the name of the Nehru family, but
Indians at large understood the difference between a
seasoned statement of the stature of Mr Atal Behari
Vajpayee and a novice and ambitious persons like Mrs
Sonia Gandhi. |
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Punjab revises rent of rooms,
suites CHANDIGARH, July 15 — The Punjab Government has finally got around to revise the rent of rooms and suites in various guest, rest and circuit houses and bhavans. The first orders issued by the Department of General Administration on April 27 last had to be withdrawn following an outcry against the "high" tariff charged for the rooms. The same were reconsidered and considerably lowered. A new set of rent rates issued in mid-June have become effective now. As per a notification sent to the departments concerned in respect of category 1-a, the rents are at the rate of Rs 30 per day for ordinary and minister's suite as well as for Suite No. 1. (Earlier it was uniform rate of Rs 50). For category 1=b, the new tariff will be Rs 60, 90, 150, respectively (against Rs 100, 150 adn 250). For category 1=bb there is no change; it is Rs 120, 180 and 300 respectively. For category 2, an ordinary suite will now cost Rs 105 (against Rs 175 earlier); minister's suite Rs 180 (against Rs 300 earlier) and Rs 330 (against Rs 500 earlier). For category 11=a, it will be Rs 255 (against Rs 425 for an ordinary suite). For category 111, the rates are the same as for category 11. For category 4, the rates are Rs 780 (ordinary suite), Rs 930 (minister's suite) (against Rs 1,550 earlier for both) and Rs 1,830 for Suite No. 1 (against Rs 3,050 earlier), This is for non-officials. For those who overstay the "penal" rent is ordinary suite and minister's suite Rs 1,530, and Suite No. 1 Rs 3,000 (against Rs 2550 adn 5000 earlier). These rents are
applicable to Punjab Bhavan and Punjab House in New Delhi
and other circuit houses, including the one in Sector 39,
Chandigarh. |
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Puar's bail extended till July
19 PATIALA, July 15 — Additional Sessions Judge B.C. Rajput today extended interim bail of former Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor J.S. Puar till July 19. Earlier, the judge had granted interim bail to the former Vice-Chancellor till today in a case registered against him under the Prevention of Corruption Act and other Acts by the local vigilance bureau. In his bail application, Dr Puar submitted that in a writ petition submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court pertaining to the Punjabi University Teachers Association (PUTA) versus the state of Punjab, the latter had filed an affidavit on October 25, 1996, stating that the complaints received against him were inquired into and nothing could be found against him. The former Vice-Chancellor submitted that following this the high court vide its order of October 8, 1997 while disposing of the writ petition directed the Vigilance Department of complete the inquiry within six months. He submitted that he had remained in office till May 15, 1999 when he retired after completing his tenure as Vice-Chancellor. The judge while finding sufficient reason to grant interim bail, directed the former Vice-Chancellor, who was present in the court, to cooperate in the investigations. The prosecution claimed that the accused was not cooperating in the investigations upon which the judge asked the prosecution to make a list of inquiries needed from the accused. Later, while talking to The Tribune, Dr Puar claimed that he had visited the office of the superintendent of vigilance yesterday and today. He said while yesterday he was told by Deputy Superintendent of Police R.S. Dhillon to come again, the officer did not meet him today even though he waited for an hour. He said he had sent a telegram informing the SP, (Vigilance), regarding this and also filed an affidavit in the court. He termed the FIR filed against him and other university teachers, including the university Registrar, as a hastily prepared document which did not convey anything. He said if at all any irregularities had been committed in putting up of tents during the Indian Science Congress in 1996, he was not responsible for it as a committee had been formed for this and other works relating to the congress. According to the FIR, the former Vice-Chancellor had allegedly overstepped his authority and committed several irregularities in various appointments. It goes into detail regarding the appointment of Dr Mann Singh Dhindsa as Reader in the Correspondence Department saying the Vice-Chancellor got his appointment done through the Syndicate even though, he was not shortlisted by the committee concerned. There is a long list of other appointments made by Dr Puar which have been termed as irregular. Regarding the
irregularities committed during the Indian Science
congress, it mentions the names of Dr I.J.S. Bansal, Dr
S.S. Joshi, Dr Baldev Kumar and Dr J.L. Bhanot who it
says were in the committee responsible for putting up the
tents. It says the tents, put up by two Delhi firms, cost
Rs 21.75 lakh. |
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Robberies jolt cops into action JALANDHAR, July 15 — In a damage-control exercise in the wake of a spate of robberies and murder of two persons by robbers last night, the police has launched a special campaign. The SSP, Mr Gaurav Yadav, said here today that ‘thikri pehra’ had been ordered in villages under the Punjab Village Patrol Act. Night domination operations by the police, foot patrolling, mobile patrolling and special checking, and raids on hideouts of suspected criminals in Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Ropar, Banga, Nawanshahr, Ferozepore, and other places had also been ordered. Every able-bodied village male, under the supervision of the panchayat, would be required to take part in ‘thikri pehra’. Orders for ‘thikri pehra’ had been issued by the District Magistrate and all SHOs and DSPs had been instructed to ensure compliance by holding public meetings to spread awareness and organising patrol squads. SHOs are visiting villages and holding meetings with groups of 10 to 15 sarpanches to effectively implement ‘thikri pehra’. The area of rural police
stations had been divided into ‘zails’, i.e.
beats comprising group of villages which are supervised
by an ASI. Police patrol parties had been directed to
check the presence of ‘thikri pehras’. |
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Scheme to identify servants LUDHIANA, July 15 — Following a recent case of theft and poisoning of family members by a servant of the household in the Aggar Nagar locality, the local police and the residents of the locality have come up with a novel servant identification scheme to reduce the incidence of thefts by domestic servants. Under this scheme, which was launched here on July 13, a Sub Inspector, one resident of the locality and a photographer will move from door to door and collect the photograph, thumb impression and address of the native village of the servant. The information thus gathered will be maintained in two separate files — one at the Sarabha Nagar police station and the other at the office of the Ludhiana Aggarwala Cooperative Household Society. Already, information regarding 150 domestic servants working in various households of the locality had been gathered, informed Mr Deepak Singal, president of the society and the brain behind this scheme. Aggar Nagar is one of
the posh localities in the city, with around 750 houses
and a population of 3,500 people, says the SHO of the
Sarabha Nagar police station, Mr Rajesh Hastir. Although
the incidence of thefts during this year so far is 50 per
cent less than during 1998, but the probability of thefts
is higher during summers when people relax in the late
afternoon. The introduction of this scheme will
definitely help in curbing cases of theft in this
locality. |
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Sonia unfit to lead country:
Badal RARA SAHIB (Ludhiana), July 15 — Launching an attack on the Congress President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, said that Mrs Gandhi would be totally unfit to lead the country as she was not aware of its culture and traditions. Mr Badal said that neither Mrs Gandhi was familiar with Indian languages nor with its demographic features. She die not know how many districts Punjab had and which were its important places. Making an appeal to the people to vote for SAD-BJP alliance, Mr Badal said that Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee had proved that he was the best Prime Minister the country ever produced in the past 50 years and his re-election as Prime Minister would enhance the status of the country the world over. There would be only one issue in the election — weather an Indian born should be Prime Minister or a woman with foreign origin. There was no alternative to Mr Vajpayee. Paying tributes at a state level function to the first Indian martyr of freedom struggle, Shaheed Baba Mahraj Singhji, at a function organised here today, Mr Badal said that the first priority would be given to the villages of Kargil and other martyrs in development works. Shaheed Baba Mahraj Singhji fought very bravely against the British and died in Singapore jail on July 5, 1856. He refused to make any commitment on this occasion due to election code of conduct. Referring to the sacrifices made by Army jawans in Kargil while driving out Pakistani Army regulars and other intruders, Mr Badal said that Punjab's contribution in this battle was the maximum. He made mention of it while taking part during the Chief Ministers' meeting held recently in Delhi. The Punjab Government would give Rs 7 lakh in cash to martyr soldiers. The inauguration of the Ranjit Sagar Dam had been deferred due to the election code of conduct. Earlier, the inauguration was planned to be held later this month and the Prime Minister was approached for this purpose. Punjab had made development in all fields during the SAD-BJP government in Punjab. Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan,
Punjab Public Relations Minister, said that the previous
Congress government was responsible for the financial
crisis facing the state now. The Congress government got
a loan of several hundred crores of rupees and Punjab had
to pay back that loan now. Mr Sekhwan announced that
every year on July 5 a state level function would be held
here to pay tributes to Sant Baba Mahraj Singhji. Among
others who spoke were Mr Amrik Singh Aliwal, a former
member of Lok Sabha, Mr Sadhu Singh Ghudani Kalan, MLA. |
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Teachers object to Khaira's
demand PATIALA, July 15 — The teaching community in Punjabi University is again set to be divided with its teachers' Association General Secretary, Dr N.S. Atri, yesterday taking exception to PUTA President, Dr S.S. Khaira's demand for suspension of senior teachers who have been implicated by the Vigilance Department. In a statement here, Dr Atri, taking exception to Dr Khaira's statement, said it was surprising that the latter was demanding suspension of senior faculty members instead of demanding protection for PUTA members and retired teachers who were facing "harassment" for performing official duties assigned to them by the previous Vice-Chancellor (VC). Dr Atri said the teachers were ready to cooperate with the Vigilance Department and could be questioned for any "lapses" on their part. He however, said the issuance of non-bailable warrants by the Vigilance Department had created an atmosphere of fear and suspicion on the campus. Dr Atri urged the VC to ensure that the "harassment caused to teachers was stopped. He also appealed to the Punjab Government to stop "such type of action" as the teachers concerned were ready to co-operate with the Vigilance Department. Meanwhile, the Sikh Intelligentsia Forum has urged the VC, Dr J.S. Puar, to take strict action against those implicated by the Vigilance Department. The forum also appealed to the government to punish the guilty at the earliest. The President of the forum, Dr D.S Dhillon, welcomed the government's move to get a criminal case registered against a former VC and other senior leaders who, he claimed, were responsible for "swindling" crores. An emergency meeting of
the Executive Committee of the World Sikh Intellectuals
Council held here yesterday under the chairmanship of
Prof B.S. Balluana welcomed the registration of a
criminal case against the former VC and six varsity
teachers. The council urged the VC to appoint a new
Registrar in place of Dr Ranbir Singh Sarao. |
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Army Institute of Law opened PATIALA, July 15 — The Army Institute of Law, which will cater to wards of Army personnel and civilians, besides acting as a feeder institute for the Judge Advocate-General (JAG) Department of the Army, was inaugurated here today by the Western Command General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Lt-Gen H.B. Kala, at a ceremony attended by military and civil dignitaries. Lt-Gen Kala, in his brief speech, said the institute would fill a vacuum by providing specialised education for wards of serving and retired Army personnel and widows. Lt-Gen Kala also thanked Punjabi University for granting speedy affiliation to the institute and the approval given by the Bar Council of India, which did away with red tapism to ensure speedy setting up of the institute. The institute would function in Patiala for two years, and thereafter shift to Mohali, where five acres of land had been acquired for the institute. Maj-Gen P.P.S. Bhandari, General Officer Commanding, 1 Armoured Division, said the institute would run a five-year LL.B degree course as per the syllabus prescribed by the Bar Council of India with emphasis on important aspects of human rights, international law and conventions. Besides serving as a feeder institute to the JAG, 20 per cent seats had been earmarked for civilians. The GOC-in-C was taken around the institute, which had barrack-style accommodation. Lt-Gen Kala was all praise for the modern administrative block, library and computer room. The institute also has hostel and sports facilities. The institute will be managed by the Army Welfare Education Society. Diplomas in the field of taxation, criminology, labour laws, humanitarian laws and environmental laws are envisaged. Other senior officials
present were Lt-Gen G.S. Sihota, General Officer
Commanding, 2 Corps, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Jasbir
Singh Bir, a Sessions Judge, Mr K.S. Garewal, and the
Punjabi University Pro Vice-Chancellor, Dr Ram Murti
Goel. |
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Sabharwals to get award PATIALA, July 15 — The All-India Artists Association, Shimla, has selected Mr Pran Sabharwal and his wife, Mrs Sunita Sabharwal, of the National Theatre Arts Society (NTAS), Patiala, for its "Peoples’ National Award 98" for their distinguished and selfless services in the field of theatre. This was stated by Mr Sudarshan Gaur, president of the association, while presiding over a question-answer session of an NTAS theatre workshop held on the stage of Gaiety Theatre, Shimla, during their "sanskritik yatra" programme. The prestigious award, he said, would be presented to the couple in Patiala at a special function next month. Answering a question, Mr Gaur, who himself has been marshalling all his energies for the sole cause of promoting theatre by organising drama festivals for the past 58 years said an artist should work for evolution and not for selfishness and ultimately evolve a method to replace himself to continue the cherished cause effectively. The "sanskritik
yatra" of the participants of the NTAS theatre
workshop was sponsored by the North Zone Cultural Centre,
Patiala. |
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Ex-serviceman shot, 4 injured KAPURTHALA, July 15 (UNI) — Six armed persons allegedly murdered a retired subedar Jagjit Singh (60) and injured his four relatives at his house at Fattudhinga village, near here, on Wednesday evening. DSP Parambir Singh Parmar today told mediapersons that all culprits had been identified and police parties had been sent to arrest them. According to FIR lodged with the police, deceased, Jagjit Singh, was supporting one of the two parties who had a land dispute in the village over the possession of land. The culprits did not like interference of Jagjit Singh in their property dispute and intruded his house and opened gunfire resulting in the death of Jagjit Singh and injuries to four others. The injured identified as Mr Kulwinder Singh, Mr Lakhwinder Singh (both nephew of the deceased), Mrs Veer Kaur, wife of the deceased’s brother, and Mehanga Singh. They have been admitted to the local Civil Hospital where the condition of Kulwinder Singh is stated to be serious. The police has registered a murder case against Bahadur Singh, Balwinder Singh, Gurdeep Singh, Surjit Singh, Shingara Singh and Gurdev Singh but no arrest has been made so far. The police said Bahadur
Singh and Gurdeep Singh were bank guards and were
possessing licensed weapons. |
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Gang busted: 5 held AMRITSAR, July 15 — The Amritsar Police has busted a gang of chain snatchers and scooter lifters with the arrest of five persons. Mr Jatinder Jain, SP (City), said the persons identified as Ramesh Kumar, Anil Kumar, Rajnish Kumar, Aman Kumar and Raman Kumar. The police has recovered the stolen properties from their possession. them. The police has registered a case under Sections 356, 379, 411 and 34 of the IPC, against. In other case the police arrested three miscreants who were allegedly involved in making duplicate soda water and cold drinks. The accused identified
as Manoj Kumar, Sunil Kumar and Vinod Kumar. |
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Remark motivated, says PWD Secy CHANDIGARH, July 15 — The Punjab PWD Secretary in a press statement today while appreciating the cooperation of the Subdivisional Engineers Association to check corruption, improve efficiency and transparency has described as unfortunate certain comments in a news report appearing in a section of the Press (July 13) saying quality was being sacrificed for other considerations" in road construction. It had also quoted a bureaucrat saying 75 per cent of the staff could be sacked. The statement said such remarks had not been made by any department official and appeared to be motivated to tarnish the image of the department. The association on its part has assured active participation in organisational development, systems management and other improvements for proper maintenance of the roads. The Secretary disclosed that the government proposed to evolve a performance evaluation mechanism to reward good engineers. The association, it may
be recalled, had taken cognisance of certain allegations
against the department in the July 13 report and were
agitating. |
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Jagmeet to contest from Faridkot
MOGA, July 15 — Former MP Jagmeet Singh Brar has said that the Congress will not only contest all Lok Sabha seats in the state but also win these as people had lost faith in the SAD-BJP Government. Mr Brar stated this yesterday while addressing meetings at Dhudike village, about 25 km from here, and elsewhere in the district. He said there would be surprises in announcing the list of candidates this time. He said he was going to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Faridkot against Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, Union Minister of State for Industries, on demands from people of the constituency. Mr Brar levelled charges
of corruption against Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal
and his son, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, who, he said, had
amassed wealth using their position. He asked people to
ensure defeat of such corrupt persons. |
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Illegal factory unearthed PATHANKOT, July 15 —The Gurdaspur police has unearthed a factory engaged in manufacturing spurious paints of reputed companies. The Gurdaspur police chief, Mr Varinder Kumar, said the police raided the factory located at Khanpur road following a tip off. The factory owner used to manufacture spurious paints and sell these under the brandnames of reputed companies, he sold the goods in tins of these companies. Mr Varinder Kumar said Mr Prem Dass, SHO at the local Sadar police station, was directed to raid the factory. The SHO seized huge quantity of spurious paints. A case has been
registered against Mr Arun Kumar Chawla, the factory
owner, who has absconded. |
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Dr Dharminder Singh PATIALA, July 15 —
Dr Dharminder Singh has been appointed vice-president of
the Punjab Youth Congress by Mr Devinder Singh Babbu,
President of the Punjab Youth Congress. Mr Babbu said Dr
Dharminder Singh, who was a prominent leader of the NSUI
and the Youth Congress, had been assigned a specific task
of organising unemployed youth. |
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