Districts gear up for flood control
GURDASPUR, June 25 — All arrangements to control floods have been completed in this district. Mr S.K. Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner, briefing newsmen here today said that five flood control rooms had been opened. In addition, five police control rooms at these said places had also been set up.

Badal authorised to issue ticket
CHANDIGARH, June 25 — The Political Affairs Committee of the Shiromani Akali Dal has authorised the party supremo, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to explore the the possibilities of poll alliance with other parties and for disbursement of the party ticket for the coming elections.

Poll panel to meet on July 1: Amarinder
LUDHIANA, June 25 — The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President, Capt Amarinder Singh, has denied dissension in the state unit of the party.

Guru Kashi University within 2 years
BATHINDA, June 25 — Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, today said that Guru Kashi University at Talwandi Sabo would start functioning within two years.

• Protesting patwaris organise rally
• Big farmers agree to research cess
• Special police drive in Ludhiana
• 4 arrested for cheating

• Civic shops sold to "favour some"
• Philanthropist
  dead
• Special scheme for transporters
  
  

Punjab gives 1 cr to war heroes fund
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 25 — The Punjab Government today decided to contribute Rs 1 crore towards the Punjab War Heroes Family Welfare Fund for providing relief to the families of officers and jawans who sacrificed their lives in Operation Vijay in Kargil and other sectors in Jammu and Kashmir.

This decision was taken in a high-level meeting presided by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who is the chairman of the fund.

The meeting appealed to volunteer organisations, religious and charitable institutions, individuals and boards and corporations to contribute generously towards the noble cause.

Mr Badal asked the Defence Welfare Organisation of the state to speedily process and monitor the cases of giving jobs to next of kin of the martyrs so that service benefits could be extended to them within a month at a place of their choice.

The Chief Minister also ordered that financial benefits, Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia grant and Rs 5 lakh for construction of houses reached the war heroes in time.

It was also decided at the meeting that suitable memorials for the martyrs of Operation Vijay should be set up at district headquarters and their photographs displayed at the war museum.

The Punjab IAS Officers’ Association today decided to contribute a day’s salary to the war heroes family welfare fund.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the executive committee of the association with Mr B.R. Bajaj, president, in the chair.

Members of the association observed a two-minute silence in memory of soldiers who have died for the nation.

Meanwhile, 500 employees of the Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation have given names to donate blood for the army jawans and officers injured.

The corporation was to organise a blood donation camp today but doctors of the PGI, General Hospital and Command Hospital requested them to postpone the event as blood banks were already full, according to corporation chairman, Mr R.S. Talwandi.

Directive to clear all pending revenue cases
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, June 25 — The Punjab Government, in a bid to check corruption and delay in deciding cases, have asked revenue officials to clear all pending cases in 90 days and warned that show-cause notices would be served and entries made in their service records, including Deputy Commissioners and tehsil officers, in case the number of pending cases exceeded more than 20 per cent.

This was stated here today by the Commissioner, Jalandhar Division, Mr B.K. Srivastava, who presided over a meeting of Deputy Commissioners and Collectors of six districts comprising Jalandhar Division.

Mr Srivastava said any delay in deciding the revenue cases would be considered as a "corrupt act." Besides, the government had also decided to set up monitoring cells for regularisation of revenue records and registration of properties and lands taking place at the tehsil-level, he added, while talking to newsmen here today.

He said it was explained to the officials that there were many areas in adjudication of disputes under Section 36 of the Land Revenue Act which created doubts in the minds of the revenue officers, especially when different arguments and rulings were put forward by counsel. To remove such doubts guidelines have been issued, he added.

He said he had stressed on the officials to bring punctuality in deciding the revenue cases. Villagers were to be grouped in small batches of five to six villages. One village is chosen as a nodal village where a club is formed to sort out the problems of these villages. These clubs will hold meetings once a month to be attended by officials of departments concerned.

Referring to complaints of disconnection of panchayat telephones, Mr Srivastava said such telephone connections were cut off due to nonpayments or on technical grounds. Efforts were being made to contact the senior telecom officials to restore connections.

Referring to complaints of the farmers in the border areas who own land across the border fencing, he said he had contacted the I.G. (Border Range) who had assured him that fencing gates would be opened daily instead of an alternate days to enable the farmers to attend to their lands.

Rights panel urged to rescue 2 girls
Tribune News Service

JALANDHAR, June 25 — The People's Vigilance Committee on Bonded Child and Migrant Labour has urged the state Human Rights Commission today, to rescue two minor Scheduled Caste girls, who have been working as bonded labourers for the last 4 years, with a Ludhiana-based industrialist.

The chairperson of the committee, Mr Jai Singh, told TNS today that the state Human Rights Commission had been moved as the employer, Mr V.K. Malhotra, a resident of Ludhiana had refused to release the girls.

Father of the two girls, Prem Mesai, a daily wage labourer from Ferozepore had got his two daughters, Ladi (10), Sumita (12), employed at Malhotras' house four years ago for a sum of Rs 5,000.

He alleged that he had not got any other money and Mrs Neelam Malhotra had not allowed him to take his daughters back to village.

Mrs Malhotra, however, admitted that the girls were working as domestic help for the past 4 years and she had paid Rs 5,000 for them.

When asked if she understood the implications, as the Constitution of India prohibits traffic in human beings and forced labour and debt bondage, she replied "you can pay me Rs 5,000 and take the girls."

In another incident the committee moved an application to the Deputy Commissioner here for the release of a migrant family working as bonded labourer at a brick kiln, owned by Mr Kashmira Singh at Bilga village.

The Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mr Parveen Chandra, has directed Mr Prem Kumar, SDM, to rescue the family of "Kubadi" of Dhan village in Muzaffarnagar district.

RMPs beaten up at conference
From Our Correspondent

FATEHGARH SAHIB, June 25 — A delegation of registered medical practitioners was beaten up at a conference of the Minorities and Dalit front at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib here today. The conference was organised by MLA Balwant Singh Sahpur, President of the front. Bibi Jagir Kaur, SGPC chief was the chief guest.

She urged the people to vote for the SAD so that Sikhs could share power at the Centre. She said the people must decide whether they wanted a foreign national as Prime Minister or an Indian. She said corruption in the SGPC had been checked and income in all gurdwaras had increased manifold. She said the income of Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib had doubled.

In the district, three units of the Dalit Front are operational headed by Mr Gurdev Singh Badal, Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan (both ministers), and Mr Balwant Singh. Last week the Dalit Front led by Mr Sekhwan had also organised a conference.

Mrs Satwinder Kaur Dhaliwal, a former MP, introduced herself as the SAD candidate for the Ropar parliamentary seat and sought votes. She said the Congress had always secured the votes of Dalits but had done nothing for them.

Mr Balwant Singh urged the SAD high command to intervene to force unity among various groups of the party.

The RMP doctors submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner against the "highhandedness" of the MLA. Mr Balwant Singh, however, alleged that they had been "sent to disrupt the conference".

Mr Ajaib Singh Maikhmailpur, MLA, Mr Joginder Singh Panjrath, SGPC member, Mr R.S. Cheema, former minister, Mr Didar Singh Bhatti, former minister, and Mr Harnek Singh Badali, addressed the conference.

Repair dug-up roads, please
From Sanjeev Kumar

JALANDHAR: Resentment prevails among residents of Mota Singh Nagar here over the digging of trenches by the Telephones Department for laying underground cables.All roads, including metalled portions, in Mota Singh Nagar, were damaged in digging operations in March. Neither the Telephones Department nor the Municipal Corporation has taken care to repair these damaged roads.

It is learnt that the Telecom Department had deposited the requisite charges with the Municipal Corporation for carrying out the necessary repairs of the damaged roads before it was permitted to carry out the digging operations.

Heaps of material dug out from roads have been lying here and there, blocking traffic movement. Some roads in the area cannot be used even by pedestrians.

The prestigious Cool Road has been rendered unfit for vehicular traffic because six electric poles are situated in the middle of the road.

The Public Welfare Society of Mota Singh Nagar and the Jalandhar Lok Bhalai Sabha have repeatedly approached the Municipal Corporation authorities and the district administration but all in vain. Both these societies complained that the district administration was apathetic towards the civic problems of the town.

Mr S.S.Sohal, President of the Public Welfare Society, said there was no arrangement for maintenance of the town. Almost all roads and lanes in the town had developed potholes. These potholes become virtual death-traps during the rainy season.

Districts gear up for flood control
From Our Reporters

GURDASPUR, June 25 — All arrangements to control floods have been completed in this district. Mr S.K. Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner, briefing newsmen here today said that five flood control rooms, including one at district headquarters Gurdaspur, with telephone numbers 30914 and one each at Tehsil headquarters Batala with telephone number 40036, Pathankot with telephone number 24517, Dera Baba Nanak with telephone number 47054, and Gurdaspur with telephone number 30978, had been opened. In addition five police control rooms at these said places had also been set up.

Mr Sandhu said that 40 medical teams, including 17 mobile teams, had been constituted in this regard. All veterinary dispensaries in flood-prone areas had been equipped with adequate stock of medicines.

Mr Sandhu said that nine motor boats, 18 boats and 128 life jackets had also been stocked. BSF and Home Guards personnel had been asked to be ready for rescue operations.

Mr Sandhu said that Executive Engineer (Drainage) had been directed to intensify patrolling of Dhussi bundh. More than 50000 sand bags had also been stocked to meet the situation.

KAPURTHALA: The district administration has made all arrangements to control floods in the district during the coming monsoon.

Stating this at a meeting to assess the anti-flood measures, held on Friday, Mr V.K. Singh, Deputy Commissioner, said that out of 115 km long Dhussi bundh along the Beas river, 45 km track along the Dhussi bundh had been widened. Anti-flood measures to check the erosion of land by the Beas in Mand Desal, Mand Dhilwan and Mand Kuls villages would be completed till June 28. As many as 50 medical teams had been constituted to provide medical aid.

The Deputy Commissioner said that the administration had identified 206 villages in the district which could be affected by floods. To provide information regarding floods in the district, a district-level flood control room had been set up here which would start working from July 1. Mr S.S. Bains, Additional Deputy Commissioner, has been made in charge of flood relief camps.

Badal authorised to issue ticket
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 25 — The Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the Shiromani Akali Dal has authorised the party supremo, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to explore the the possibilities of poll alliance with other parties and for disbursement of the party ticket for the coming elections.

Stating this while talking to the TNS at the Sector 15 gurdwara, Mr Badal said the decision was taken by the PAC during its meeting, which was held here today.

The PAC had already given powers to Mr Badal for selecting and fielding the candidates for the poll at its meeting held last week. In today's meeting, the PAC, besides reiterating its decision as regard authorisation of Mr Badal on the issuance of the ticket, it also empowered him on the party's tie-up with other parties.

Regarding possibilities of the SAD's alliance with other parties, Mr Badal said the party would face the electorate along with its current allies — the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Bahujan Samaj Morcha (BSM) headed by Mr Satnam Singh Kainth. However, he did not rule out the possibility of the party going in for a truck with any third party.

Regarding preference of candidates while distributing the ticket, Mr Badal said: "Most of the party ticket will go to the sitting members."

Poll panel to meet on July 1: Amarinder
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, June 25 — The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President, Capt Amarinder Singh, has denied dissension in the state unit of the party.

Talking to mediapersons here today, he said difference of opinion between various leaders were bound to occur, but the party was certainly not a house divided.

Referring to the former Chief Minister, Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal's recent visit to Delhi, the PPCC chief stated he would not allow anybody to "damage the image of the party" when elections were round the corner.

He said all party workers and leaders would back the official party candidates chosen for the Lok Sabha elections.

He said the state election committee would meet on July 1 and the poll strategy discussed. The party would contest all 13 Lok Sabha constituencies on its own.

On the Kargil issue, Capt Amarinder Singh said a joint parliamentary committee should be constituted to look into the failure of intelligence. He said the BJP had suffered diplomatic failure while dealing with Pakistan. At the time when the Lahore accord was signed, the Pakistani Army had already made plans for pushing intruders into the Indian territory.

Capt Amarinder Singh said the Congress would not make Kargil a poll plank. "The blood of our Army men is not to be made an issue in the forthcoming elections", he said.

Guru Kashi University within 2 years
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, June 25 — Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, today said that Guru Kashi University at Talwandi Sabo would start functioning within two years.

Addressing a press conference here, he said by 2001, the university would start conducting examinations.

He pointed out that the university would be developed into phases. In the first phase three centres of information technology, religious studies and modern management with special emphasis on rural management would be developed. The development of the first phase would initiate the development of the second phase which would include different courses.

When asked how Punjabi University would arrange funds for the new university, Mr Ahluwalia said that Internal reapportion exercise of funds would be carried out for generating funds for this task. He added that NRIs would also be approached for it.

He disclosed that next month, the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, would lay the foundation stone of the information bhavan in the Guru Kashi University complex. About Rs 5 crore would be spent on the bhavan and Rs 1.75 crore had been arranged for its construction.

He said under the new policy education would be taken to rural areas from the cities.

He disclosed that Panjab University would take up the matter of recognition of pharmacy course of Guru Kashi College, Talwandi Sabo, and law course of local regional centre with the Pharmacy Council of India and the Bar Council of India. He said that local regional centre would not be closed.

Protesting patwaris organise rally
From Our Correspondent

NAWANSHAHR, June 25 — Over 700 patwaris belonging to Nawanshahr, Balachaur, Garhshanker, Phillaur, Anandpur Sahib, Ropar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Jalandhar and Kapurthala organised a massive protest rally here and a protest march in the town on Friday to protest against the alleged dictatorial attitude of the State Revenue Minister, Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan, and the Deputy Commissioner of Nawanshahr, Dr Roshan Sunkaria.

Activists of the Punjab Kisan Sabha, Bhartiya Kisan Union and Punjab Mulazam Sangarsh Committee also participated in the rally to express solidarity with the patwaris.

Mr Baldev Balli, state executive member of the Revenue Patwaris Union, Punjab, while talking to the mediapersons said the rally was organised to press the Deputy Commissioner, Nawanshahr to release the 70 patwaris, who were arrested on June 11, and to press the government to implement the already accepted demands of the patwaris. He criticised the Deputy Commissioner for not letting the family members of the arrested patwaris meet them.

He alleged that the police had misbehaved with the family members of the patwaris and criticised the Deputy Commissioner for registering case against three patwaris under Section 409of the IPC.

Mr Gurmail Singh, state president of the union, and others addressed the rally and severely criticised the attitude of the Revenue Minister towards the striking patwaris and warned him that the patwaris would not withdraw their agitation till their demands were fulfilled.

Civic shops sold to "favour some"
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, June 25 — Mr Jagroop Singh Gill, organising secretary, PPCC, today alleged that the local municipal council had sold shops to tenants at throwaway prices.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, copies of which were circulated to mediapersons here, Mr Gill alleged that the municipal council authorities had sold these shops and shop-cum-flats to the tenants to "extend favours to certain selective persons."

He pointed out that a shop of 13 square yards had been sold at Rs 5 lakh while a shop-cum-flat of 92 square yards had been sold at Rs 10 lakh. The market price of these shops and shop-cum-flats were five times than the price at which these had been sold.

He further pointed out that a shop measuring 13 square yards had been sold off at Rs 5 lakh while a shop-cum-flat which was double-storeyed had been sold at Rs 10 lakh.

He claimed that the market price per square yard was Rs 60,000. These shops and shop-cum-flats had been sold on the request of the tenants and not for raising funds by the municipal council, he pointed out.

Mr Gill alleged that on the one hand Mr Badal was advocating that more powers should be given to local bodies and on the other the government had taken away the rights from local bodies to deal with landed properties.

He demanded that the Punjab Government should cancel the sale of these shops and shop-cum-flats, failing which he would approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Big farmers agree to research cess
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, June 25 — At a meeting of the state-level farmers advisory committee of Punjab Agricultural, University here today, the Punjab Government was urged to provide sufficient funds to the university for carrying out research activities.

The committee consisting of progressive farmers from all districts was of the view that if agricultural research continued to suffer, the economic plight of farmers would deteriorate to the point of no return.

Farmers at the meeting expressed their willingness to contribute a research cess at the rate of Re 1 per quintal on the farm produce marketed by them.

Presiding over the meeting, Dr Jaspinder Singh Kolar, advised the farmers against the in judicious use of fertilisers and pesticides. This resulted not only in higher cost of production, but the produce was also polluted.

Dr S.S. Gill, Dr S.P.S. Brar, and Dr S.S. Sokhi also spoke. Prominent among those who participated were Mr T.S. Sodhi (Ferozepore), Mr Balbir Singh Sandhu (Ludhiana), Mr Kehar Singh Dhillon (Kapurthala) Mr Mohinder Singh Dosanj (Nawanshahr) and Mr Manmohan Singh Sandhu (Mansa).

Philanthropist dead
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, June 25 — The founder-trustee of Mata Kaulan Mission Hospital and a known philanthropist, Mr Ravinder Singh (69), passed away after a brief illness here last night.

Mr Ravinder Singh leaves behind his wife, three sons and two daughters.

His funeral was attended by thousands of people from all walks of lives.

Special police drive in Ludhiana
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, June 25 — The district police has launched a special campaign to inspect the bus stand and the railway station. Officers of the rank of SSP and DSP are supervising the campaign Special night dominance operations have also been launched. All SSPs, SPs and DSPs are involved in the exercise of supervising police patrol and "nakas" from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. in all residential areas of Ludhiana, including Tagore Nagar, Kichlu Nagar, Sarabha Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Model Town and the Civil Lines area.

Special scheme for transporters
From Our Correspondent

NAWANSHAHR, June 25 — The state government has formulated a special scheme for the owners of transport vehicles who had failed to deposit their taxes during the due period.

Mr Ravinder Kumar Chaudhary, DTO, said under the new scheme the owners of transport vehicles such as trucks, tempos, mini buses, Tata-407 vehicles etc which were in arrears of taxes under the Punjab Motor Vehicles Taxation Act, 1924, could now pay without penalty the dues within three months, up to September 24.

This scheme would not be applicable to the owners of buses, scooters, cars jeeps etc.

4 arrested for cheating
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, June 25 — The police has arrested four persons in the past two days in separate cases involving fraud and cheating.

Mann Singh was arrested yesterday for allegedly selling off land at Bhamia Khurd village, belonging to the Punjab Wakf Board, which had been rented out to his father. A case under Sections 467, 468, 471, and 420 of the IPC has been registered. The other accused, Mohinder Singh, Harnek Singh and Sardool Singh have absconded. The police arrested Avtar Singh for submitting a forged and fabricated cheque of Rs 30,000 of a bank where he did not have an account

In another case, the police has arrested two persons, Balwinder Singh and Ram Rattan, for selling the same piece of land, measuring 100 square yards to two persons.