A haven for liquor smugglers
LUDHIANA, June 9 — A substantial hike in liquor rates in Ludhiana and its surrounding areas from the first of April this year has led to a massive upsurge in liquor smuggling into the megacity.

Dang writes to CM on martyr's portrait
AMRITSAR, June 9 — Contrary to claims of giving due honour to martyrs and freedom fighters, a portrait of Pandit Kishori Lal, an associate of Shaheed Bhagat Singh was allegedly removed from the Bhagat Singh Memorial at Khatkar Kalan.

JEs want service rules amended
ROPAR, June 9 — The Joint Committee (JAC) of Diploma Engineers, consisting of Junior Engineers (JEs) of government departments, boards and corporations, has demanded from the state government to amend the service rules of its cadre for providing promotions to the JEs. The existing service rules were framed in 1941 by the British government.

AISSF rejects chief’s resignation
AMRITSAR, June 9 — The emergency meeting of the All-India Sikh Students Federation has rejected the resignation of its chief, Mr Harminder Singh Gill.

Badal has no powers to expel: Chandumajra
PATIALA, June 9 — Former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra yesterday said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal did not have the right to expel anyone from the Shiromani Akali Dal as he himself had been expelled from the party.

Bhattal plans privilege motion
CHANDIGARH, June 9 — A former Punjab Chief Minister, Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, today urged the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to withdraw cases registered against state Congressmen on political grounds.

In jail even after completing term
AMRITSAR, June 9 — Mr Surinder Kumar Billa, president, All India Hindu Shiv Sena has alleged that many prisoners who had completed their sentence were still "languishing" in jails as the Home Ministry had not completed the necessary formalities.

Sant Samaj to celebrate "masya"
JALANDHAR, June 9 — The Sant Samaj and four Akali factions have decided to celebrate "masya" at Dhaki Sahib, Maksudaran (Ludhiana) on June 13.

Nurses to hold dharna today
AMRITSAR, June 9 — The Punjab Nurses Association has decided to stage a dharna in front of the residence of Mr Manoranjan Kalia, Health Minister, Punjab, tomorrow in protest against the dilly-dallying attitude of the state government towards their demands.

Two thieves arrested
LUDHIANA, June 9 — The police has arrested two persons, Davinder Kumar and Sunil Kumar, who were members of a gang involved in snatching gold chains.

• Hindu Shiv Sena takes out march
• 3 days’ pay given to war heroes fund
• JEs urge govt to accept demands
• Plea to parties on Kargil

• Man for probe into son's disappearance
• Two die after inhaling gas
• Veterinary officer held
• Laying of Ldh-Chd rly line on June 27

Villagers apprehend war, shift to "safety"
From Our Correspondent

FAZILKA, June 9 — In the sensitive border belt of the Fazilka sector some villagers living across the defence line have started shifting household goods, food grains and valuables to "safer" places due to the apprehension of war between India and Pakistan and enhanced activities of Pakistani forces along the border.

Majority of the villagers residing in four big villages of Pakka Chisti, Noor Mohammad, Churiwala Chisti and Beriwala across the Indian defence line have removed their valuables including television sets, refrigerators, furniture, foodgrain tanks and other necessary household articles to Fazilka town and some other villages at a distance from the International border. Most of the shifting has been done to the places of the relations of the villagers. Residents of these 4 border villages which are partially located across barbed wire fencing have witnessed battles in 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistan wars. Hence they are not ready to take any chance. When this correspondent visited Pakka Chisti village just along the international border an old woman Kakko Bai (70), with anxiety on her face was getting her household goods loaded in tractor trailer along with her nine family members. Narrating her experience of 1965 and 1971 wars she said her family did not feel like taking any risk this time hence she was removing her household goods and food grains as during past wars. She did not have handful of foodgrain to sustain her family. She discussed that her articles were being shifted to their relatives house near Fazilka on the Ferozepore road, Kakko Bai however, added that her family would stay in the village and carry out cultivation on small.

Mr Jagir Singh, another resident of same village said most of the residents of 250 families had evacuated their household articles and valuables. However, they are carrying out cultivation activities uninterrupted to the last inch of the border. Likewise Mr Mukhtiar Singh of Noor Mohammad village who was on way to Fazilka transporting his household goods in a tractor trailer said that even as there was no danger of war as their village was at a strategic point that on the commencement of war the armed forces immediately removed the temporary bridge connecting their village with Fazilka town hence in the event of war they were trapped between armed forces of both countries. When this correspondent took up the matter of exodus of some people and evacuation of bulk of household articles from rural border areas with Mr S.K. Singla, SDM, Fazilka, he said he was totally seized of the matter and was in constant touch with the BSF and the Army authorities. Mr Singla said despite there being no threat of regular war even then he had directed the Tehsildar and the BDPO, Fazilka to reassure the villagers of safety. Geography of Fazilka town and surrounding areas was altered as a result of the Swarn Singh Sheikh pact under which the Hussainiwala memorial of great martyrs Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev which had fallen to the share of Pakistan at time of partition of the country was transferred to India in lieu of territorial exchange in Fazilka sector four decades back. As a consequence of this geographical change fertile land on three sides of Fazilka and Strategic Sulemanki headworks was handed over to Pakistan and the International border line came quite near to Fazilka town which thus came into the shelling range of Pakistan mortars. Since then the Fazilka sector has become a sensitive border area where villagers start evacuating in the event of a war like situation.

I never misused SGPC funds: Tohra
From Our Correspondent

FEROZEPORE, June 9 — Former SGPC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra today said that he had never misused SGPC funds.

Talking to mediapersons at the residence of Mr Karnail Singh Bhabra, an SAD leader here, Mr Tohra said Mr Badal should ask an investigative agency to hold an inquiry into his and the Chief Minister's assets.

Regarding the demolition of the office of the Akali Dal (Amritsar) by the SGPC in the Golden Temple complex on Monday, Mr Tohra said it should have been done by taking into confidence the party president, Mr Simranjit Singh Mann.

He said the Congress, the SAD and the BJP were the main opponents of his party.

He alleged that the Chief Minister was pursuing the policies of the Congress.

He said the SAD-BJP combine government had failed to eliminate corruption and stop police excesses.

Mr Tohra said his party would contest all Lok Sabha seats in Punjab.

Regarding the financial crisis in the state, Mr Tohra said that the Punjab Government should cut administrative infrastructure in the state.

Later, he addressed a meeting of party workers in Gurdwara Khalsa here. Among others, the meeting was addressed by Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, ex-MP, and Mr Inderjit Singh Zira, MLA, and former Minister of State for Health and Jails, Punjab.

Punjab in grip of poll fever
by P.P.S Gill
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 9 — Punjab is in the grip of poll fever. While parliamentary elections are still to be announced, the political executive has already been infected by the "chon virus". From the Chief Minister down to a Minister of State everyone is out in the "ilaqa", re-establishing links with the workers and Akali jathedars or party karyakartas (the State has SAD-BJP coalition government).

The Programme of district conference to resuscitate the organisational apparatus has depleted the state secretariat and ministerial bungalows of the rush and crush of the people ever present with representations, mostly seeking "badli" — postings and transfers of dear and near ones or to spite an obtrusive officer here or there.

If the political executive is engaged in a political exercise and assessing new permutations and combinations, can bureaucracy be far behind? Nearly a dozen-odd senior officers at key positions or at the cutting-edge of the administration are on leave, a majority of them are abroad. Some ministers have returned and one or two are expected back home soon. Even religio-political leaders like the SGPC president-cum-MLA, Bibi Jagir Kaur, are in the process of acquiring a "diplomatic" passport for a trip abroad.

TNS learns authoritatively that among those who have been abroad in the recent weeks at the state expense did so only after they were given a lesson or two in at least putting forth a convincing reason to go "videsh" so that the Ministry of External Affairs (or related ministry) would not obstruct the visit.

In this situation it is but natural to find Punjab secretariat deserted and desolate . There is an eerie silence in the parking slots. Corridors wear an empty look. One senior bureaucrat remarked "there is a definite relationship between the ministers and the secretariat canteen. If some ministers are attending office (not files) the canteen will make "samosas" otherwise not."

With hardly any money available for execution of development works (forget about payment of pensions, and other dues of employees) and revenue inflow being still poorer, the only money officers talk about is the one available under the centrally sponsored schemes, where state contribution is not a penny. On top of this tight financial position, several rollbacks in already proposed tax, rent, fee, etc, have been announced.

TNS while looking for newsy bits today ran into an elected member of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. He stopped mid-stride while going to the sixth floor. In seconds TNS saw him give vent to his frustration. He was visiting the secretariat, as an MLA, with a major task to perform: get a couple of postings and transfers done.

Scratched a bit deeper, he burst out, lamenting that everything was totally centralised in the Chief Minister's office. Since key appointments (including placements) of civil and police officers in the districts are made by the Chief Minister (he did not contest Chief Minister's prerogative to do so) thus the officers and their team listened to none, least of all the MLAs, but the Chief Minister and his family. This has sent wrong signals to party workers who are pent-up. "Sadi sunvai hi nahi hai. Zile jathedar dabi awaz vich bole si piche jaye, par hona kujh nahin," he rued. (No one lends us his ears. Recently district presidents had in a subdued voice raised this issue. But nothing is expected to come out of airing of such a grievance).

The MLA was from the Majha area. Then whom does the administration in the district listen to? TNS asked . He sighed and whispered, "Lalji". Reading the puzzled look, he said, only the son-in-law of the Chief Minister matters. In fact the situation was no better in other districts, where officers lent their ears only to a select few politicians. " When MLAs have no say in field appointments why should anyone bother about them. The CM's instructions are simply ignored when it comes to giving a hearing and courtesy to MLAs etc. "Officers oblige congressmen more willingly," he added.

All this system failure will get reflected when the elections to the Lok Sabha come knocking. Whatever be the claims and confidence of the leaders, party workers will put them and the candidates through their paces. The presence of other Akalis — Tohras, Manns, Wadalas, etc, cannot be ignored or wished away. People are up against the incumbents, both in administration and in politics, he went on.

The MLA's analysis, specific for a district and general for the rest of the districts, nevertheless gives an insight into the mind of the MLAs, vis-a-vis their relationship (politically functional) with ministers and jathedars or the high command.

In fact today the secretariat, with a forlorn ray of hope, is waiting for the return of the "sarkar". Where is the "sarkar" anyway? The only visible activity is the presence of ITBP jawans on duty. There are no visitors. The reception counter rarely gets people who formed the government.

"At times while driving through the reception gate, I wonder whether a holiday has been declared for the day," remarked a senior bureaucrat.

Cong will win all seats: Amarinder
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, June 9 — Confident that the Congress will be able to sweep the 13 parliamentary seats in the forthcoming elections, Punjab Pardesh Congress Committee (PPCC) President Amarinder Singh said here today that if the party high command entered into an alliance, seat adjustments could be considered.

Briefing mediapersons on a visit to meet grassroots workers and aspirants for the party nomination for the Jalandhar Lok Sabha seat, he said the election committee had been constituted, after considering the fact that 64 per cent of the population in the state was under 24 years of age. As the state Congress chief he had to give due representation to all castes and creeds, he remarked.

He warned party leaders and workers to abstain from airing their differences in public. "Strict disciplinary action will be taken against those who try to undermine the morale of the party in the state", he warned.

He said the party will shortlist its nominees before mid-July.

On the victory of the party in the Goa Assembly he said the "trio" had a "zero impact" on the voters. People had voted for AICC chief Sonia Gandhi, he observed.

Criticising the BJP government for mishandling the Kargil crisis, he said "no talks should be held with Foreign Minister of Pakistan Sartaj Aziz on the Line of Control till the last intruder was pushed back from the Indian territory".

While complementing defence forces for their fight against the intruders, he said Defence Minister George Fernandes was making contradictory statements and these were undermining the morale of the armed personnel engaged in do or die situation.

Other leaders present at the press conference were Ms Santosh Choudhary, Former MP, Mr Avtar Henry, MLA, Mr Amarjit Samra, MLA and Ch Darshan Singh.

A haven for liquor smugglers
From A. S. Prashar
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, June 9 — A substantial hike in liquor rates in Ludhiana and its surrounding areas from the first of April this year has led to a massive upsurge in liquor smuggling into the megacity.

Ludhiana has become the destination for all liquor smugglers, both professionals as well as amateurs, as also bootleggers and moonshiners producing "snake's juice" in the riverine tracts of the nearby Sutlej. Even housewives have joined in liquor smuggling operations to make a quick buck. While women with babes-in-arms have been caught bringing liquor pouches by the bagful in buses coming from Chandigarh, it is not uncommon for travellers from Chandigarh to bring in a few bottles for "personal consumption".

Chandigarh has emerged as the biggest base for liquor smugglers from where the heady brew is transported not only to various districts of Punjab but also to Himachal Pradesh. This has created a serious headache for the excise officials here who have to put up 'nakas' on all major roads into Ludhiana almost on a daily basis. At some excise barriers, the police and excise officials are allegedly accompanied by "spotters" provided by liquor contractors. Hoardings have also been put up at various places in the city warning against liquor smuggling.

Ludhiana is Punjab's biggest customer for liquor, both country as well as IMFL. During the current financial year, it is set to guzzle 90.87 lakh bottles of country liquor and 73.80 lakh bottles of IMFL.

The difference in prices of some of the popular liquor brands between Chandigarh and Ludhiana range from 25 per cent to 50 per cent. Hence, the spurt in liquor smuggling.

The rate of liquor in Ludhiana this year are substantially higher than last year mainly because of the formation of a liquor syndicate which cornered liquor vends in the district. The syndicate is said to enjoy the patronage of politicians of the ruling combine. Tohra loyalists allege that a leading political family in the state corners up to 35 per cent of the syndicate's earnings.

Auction of liquor vends in Ludhiana this year fetched a record Rs 113 crore for a cash-strapped state government. "The only way to maximise revenue from excise is to encourage formation of liquor cartels because they alone can bid high", says an excise official of Ludhiana. "There is nothing wrong in liquor contractors coming together to form syndicates or cartels to bid for excise vends. The whole of UP has been cornered by half-a-dozen liquor contractors".

He also defends the strong measures taken for checking liquor smuggling into Ludhiana. "This was a promise the government made to the liquor contractors before putting the vends to auction this year. He however denies that employees of liquor contractors man some of the barriers along with excise officials and the police.

Dang writes to CM on martyr's portrait
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, June 9 — Contrary to claims of giving due honour to martyrs and freedom fighters, a portrait of Pandit Kishori Lal, an associate of Shaheed Bhagat Singh was allegedly removed from the Bhagat Singh Memorial at Khatkar Kalan.

In a communication to the Chief Minister, Mr Satya Pal Dang, a senior CPI Leader said that by removing the portrait of the freedom fighter from the memorial a great disrespect was shown to those who had fought for the sake of country.

Mr Dang said that Pandit Kishori Lal, too was awarded death sentence along with Bhagat Singh and others. However it was commuted to life term due to his being young at time. Even after independence Pandit Kishori Lal did not give up struggle. He fought shoulder to shoulder with martyr Karnail Singh Isroo for the liberation of Goa and worked for its merger with India. Till his death on July 11, 1990, struggled for toiling sections of the people.

Mr Dang said that on the death of Pandit Kishori Lal the then Governor had promised to install his statue at a suitable place in Jalandhar. However, it was a matter of concern that instead of fulfilling the promise of the statue, the portrait of the great freedom fighter was removed from the Bhagat Singh Memorial. Mr Dang urged the Chief Minister to order a high level probe into the matter. He also demanded the restoration of a photograph of Pandi Kishori Lal in the memorial.

JEs want service rules amended
Tribune News Service

ROPAR, June 9 — The Joint Committee (JAC) of Diploma Engineers, consisting of Junior Engineers (JEs) of government departments, boards and corporations, has demanded from the state government to amend the service rules of its cadre for providing promotions to the JEs. The existing service rules were framed in 1941 by the British government.

Mr Pawan Kumar, Convener of the JAC, Ropar Zone, said here yesterday that the state government had, so far failed in framing the promotion rules for the JEs. This was the main reason that the JEs had been retiring for the past couple of years even after serving respective departments for more than 30 years without a single promotion in their service career.

The Convener stressed up that the government should take immediate steps to amend the service rules to end stagnation, and provide promotions to the diploma engineers.

The Convener said that the JAC had prepared a programme to put pressure on he government for the framing of new promotional rules and the acceptance of other demands. As per the programme, rallies would be held at the district headquarters and memorandums handed over to the Deputy Commissioners to forward the same to the state government. A state-level rally would be held on June 23 at Chandigarh in this connection.

AISSF rejects chief’s resignation
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, June 9 — The emergency meeting of the All-India Sikh Students Federation has rejected the resignation of its chief, Mr Harminder Singh Gill.

It may be mentioned here that Mr Gill had submitted his resignation as President of the AISSF due to strong criticism by Panthic circles for attending the bhog ceremony of Ajit Singh Sandhu, a former district police chief of Tarn Taran. Mr Gill was under tremendous pressure for quitting because of attending the bhog ceremony as SSP Sandhu was allegedly involved in cases of police excesses.

The AISSF meeting, however, asked Mr Gill to undergo 11-day ‘paschatap’ (repentance) for attending the bhog ceremony.

Mr Gill, however, said that he would start his religious ‘paschatap’ from tomorrow. Meanwhile, he has suspended all his political activities till the completion of the religious punishment. Mr Gill, however, said that he had attended the bhog ceremony of Ajit Singh Sandhu being the relative of the departed soul. However, "I bow my head before the decision of the federation", he said.

Yet another rollback by Punjab Govt
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 9 — Bowing to employees' pressure, the Punjab Government today ordered yet another rollback.

As per an order issued today by the Finance department, the deduction of house rent (licence fee) would be restricted to 5 per cent instead of 10 per cent of the pay; and, second, the order regarding withdrawal of concession of rent-free houses, etc, has been stayed till the matter is looked into de novo.

Badal has no powers to expel: Chandumajra
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, June 9 — Former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra yesterday said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal did not have the right to expel anyone from the Shiromani Akali Dal as he himself had been expelled from the party.

In a statement here, Mr Chandumajra said Mr Badal had been expelled from the party at a conference held at Alamgir recently and was no longer president of the Akali Dal. He apparently was reacting to a statement made by the Chief Minister saying all those who were siding with the former SGPC chief would be expelled from the party.

Mr Chandumajra said the development of the state had taken a backseat as the government was only interested in Tohra bashing. He said the Chief Minister himself was only concentrating on safeguarding the interests of his son Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal and other family members.

He said that plight of farmers was pitiable as they were not even assured of compensation for the damage caused to their crops as had happened in the Samana-Patran-Shatrana belt recently. He said farmers of the Patran, Shatrana and Samana belt were also suffering as they were not able to sow paddy crop as the Punjab State Electricity Board had failed to restore power to the area after it was disrupted following a storm a month ago.

Bhattal plans privilege motion
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 9 — A former Punjab Chief Minister, Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, today urged the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to withdraw cases registered against state Congressmen on political grounds.

Mrs Bhattal said that the false case registered at Nabha against more than a dozen Congressmen and commission agents should be withdrawn immediately.

The Punjab Government had yesterday withdrawn case registered against Mrs Bhattal at Nabha.

She said that the Chief Minister had failed to maintain law and order in the state and the police was registering false cases against political leaders opposing the government. Action should be initiated against the police officers involved in registering false cases against commission agents at Nabha.

The former Chief Minister said she was considering bringing a privilege motion against police officers who were involved in registering the case against her at Nabha.

The motion may be brought in the next session of the Punjab Assembly.

In jail even after completing term
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, June 9 — Mr Surinder Kumar Billa, president, All India Hindu Shiv Sena has alleged that many prisoners who had completed their sentence were still "languishing" in jails as the Home Ministry had not completed the necessary formalities.

In a press statement, issued here yesterday, Mr Billa alleged that at least 30 prisoners lodged in the local Central Jail had been waiting the orders of the authorities concerned for the past one year, but in vain. The Central Jail authorities had also sent the case for their release to the higher authorities. Mr Billa said that the state government should take appropriate steps to formulate fool-proof methods for automatic release of the prisoners after the completion of the sentence.

Sant Samaj to celebrate "masya"
From Our Correspondent

JALANDHAR, June 9 — The Sant Samaj and four Akali factions have decided to celebrate "masya" at Dhaki Sahib, Maksudaran (Ludhiana) on June 13.

This decision was taken at a meeting held here today under the presidentship of Sant Paramjit Singh Mahilpur, general secretary of the Sant Samaj, who alleged that after the arrest of Sant Darshan Singh, Head Granthi of Dhaki Sahib, the Punjab Government had not allowed to celebrate the "masya" ceremony at Dhaki Sahib last month.

Sant Mahilpur said the police had made tight security at five entrance gates of the gurdwara. But the Sant Samaj and the four Akali factions — SAD (Tohra), SAD (Amritsar), SAD (Democratic), and SAD (Panthic) — have decided to celebrate the ceremony defying the security arrangements made by the government.

He warned that if the government did not release Sant Darshan Singh immediately, the Sant Samaj will start an agitation at Ludhiana.

Nurses to hold dharna today
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, June 9 — The Punjab Nurses Association has decided to stage a dharna in front of the residence of Mr Manoranjan Kalia, Health Minister, Punjab, tomorrow in protest against the dilly-dallying attitude of the state government towards their demands.

In a press note issued here today Ms Gurcharn Kaur and Ms Raj Bedi, General Secretary, Punjab, and District President, Amritsar has said nurses all over the state would go on mass casual leave for two days from June 12 in pursuance of their demands.

The nurses held a massive protest rally today at Guru Ram Dass hospital, Mental Hospital, ESI, TB Hospital, civil hospital and dental hospitals, etc.

They said the demands of the nurses included implementing the pay scales and allowances on the central pattern, enhancement of stipend to students.

The association threatened to intensify their agitation if their demands were not accepted by the state government.

Two thieves arrested
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, June 9 — The police has arrested two persons, Davinder Kumar and Sunil Kumar, who were members of a gang involved in snatching gold chains. They were involved in a number of incidents of chain-snatching in Civil-Lines, Model Town, Sarabha Nagar and Daresi Road. The police has also received clues about the other gang members — Raju, Rinku, Vipin and Ashoki who are still absconding.

The police has recovered three gold chains, two pairs of gold bangles, one pendant and a few other jewellery items from their possession. The two accused were presented in the court of Mr H.S. Khalsa and have been remanded in police remand till June 9.

Hindu Shiv Sena takes out march
From Our Correspondent

KAPURTHALA, June 9 — Workers of the Hindu Shiv Sena today took out a march in the town to protest against the Pakistan-aided infiltration in the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir. They also burnt the effigy of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner.

The workers also held a rally and later presented a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner.

Man for probe into son's disappearance
Tribune News Service

ROPAR, June 9 — Mr Jit Ram, a Dalit resident of Cheharr Majara village in Anandpur Sahib, demanded a C.B.I. inquiry into the disappearance of his son, Jagtar Singh (22) under mysterious circumstances from the village on July 24, 1998.

In a letter, to the Governor, Punjab, Mr Jit Ram said that he suspected that his son had been killed and evidence of the murder destroyed.

Mr Jit Ram alleged that the 'suspects' were influential persons, and felt he would not get justice from the state police.

3 days’ pay given to war heroes fund
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, June 9 — In a goodwill gesture members of Punjab Food and Supply Inspectors Union (Grade-II), here, today decided to give their three days’ salary for the welfare of families of those Army and Air Force personnel, who lost their lives in Operation Vijay launched in the Kargil Sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to a press note issued by Mr Amarjit Singh and Mr Sat Pal Rahi, president and general secretary of the union, respectively the salary would go to the war heroes fund. They said that union also expressed sympathy with the bereaved families.

Two die after inhaling gas
From Our Correspondent

MALERKOTLA, June 9 — Two sweepers Raghubir Chand and Tarsem Chand, both cousin brothers died here after inhaling the sewer gas yesterday evening. According to reports both sweepers opened the manhole of a sewer in 786 Chowk here to clean sewers.

As soon as they got down in sewer line they became unconscious and died on the spot. Their bodies were taken out and sent to the local civil hospital for a post-mortem examination.

JEs urge govt to accept demands
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, June 9 — Activists of the Joint Action Committee of Junior Engineers today held a chetna rally in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner here to press the Punjab Government to accept their demands.

In a press note issued here, Mr Sham Lal Garg, Convenor, Bathinda zone, said their main demands included granting of initial pay scale of Rs 7220-Rs 11660 to the Junior Engineers with promotional scales of Rs 7880-Rs 13900 from January 1, 1996 and to solve the problem of acute stagnation in promotion in the cadre.

He said their other demands were to declare the post of Junior Engineer as gazetted, increase the local travelling allowance, stop direct recruitment to the post of subdivisional engineer and granting of design allowance.

Mr Garg said that rally was addressed by Mr Tara Singh Saini, President, Punjab State Tubewell Corporation (PSTC), and Mr Chiranji Lal, President, Irrigation, Bathinda zone.

Veterinary officer held
Tribune News Service

ROPAR, June 9 — The local Vigilance Bureau today caught Dr Naresh Kumar Vohra, a Veterinary Officer and in charge of the Veterinary Hospital, Morinda, while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 300 from Mr Gurjinder Singh of Marroli Kalan village.

According to Mr Malwinder Singh, DSP, Vigilance Bureau, here today, the doctor had received the bribe for issuing him a health certificate for his five cows. He added that the amount was recovered from the accused in the presence of two witnesses.

A case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Plea to parties on Kargil issue
Tribune News Service

ROPAR, June 9 — Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Punjab, and a former president of the Punjab BJP, today urged all parties to join hands on the Kargil issue.

Talking to mediapersons after attending the bhog of a local senior BJP leader Mr Om Parkash Jain here, Mr Mittal said it was crucial for boosting the morale of the security forces. But it was unfortunate that certain leaders had been giving a political colour to the issue for petty gains.

Laying of Ldh-Chd rly line on June 27
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, June 9 — Railway Minister Nitish Kumar will inaugurate the laying of a new railway line between Ludhiana and Chandigarh on June 27.

Confirming his visit to Ludhiana to former union minister Balwant Singh Ramoowalia here today, the Railway Minister said that work on the Tarn Taran-Goindwal Sahib route would also start shortly.