Wednesday, June 30, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Wednesday, June 30, 1999 |
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Doctor-teachers
feel cheated Mend ways, Punjab Congressmen told |
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Dismissed
staff seek justice If returned, Kohinoor will be
displayed Tohra to start party campaign on
July 16 Sirhind a neglected town Dalits’ torture: CPI
threatens gherao Brar alleges mala fide in transfer
cases Badal pooh-poohs national govt
idea IAS, IPS officers of Punjab
transferred Servant's murder: case registered Punjab KVIC staff to donate a
day's salary |
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Doctor-teachers feel cheated CHANDIGARH, June 29-- The Punjab finance Department has reportedly stayed the operation of a notification dated April 7 regarding grant of revised pay scales of the teaching staff of the medical and dental colleges on the premise that because of some wrong notion teachers have been given more than their due. This bizarre advice of the government has come as a "shock" to the Punjab State Medical and Dental Teachers' Association, which had struggled hard for the revised grades since December, 1997. It was only after a long fight, including suffering transfers and suspensions, that the Chief Minister had accepted the demands of the teachers at a meeting he had chaired in Punjab Bhavan here on November 6,1998. It was a consequence of that meeting, and in anticipation of the Cabinet approval, that the Chief Minister gave his consent for the April 7 notification. The finance department was fully involved at all stages. The association is livid over this development in the government. A deputation of the association, drawn from Amritsar, Patiala and Faridkot colleges, today met the Principal Secretary Medical Education and conveyed to him the unanimous decision of the association not to tolerate any "wrongs" done to the teachers. It was with great difficulty that some sort of parity in pay scales was sought to be had with the PCMS doctors. An association spokesman told TNS later that from July 5 the association will "lock" the three medical and two dental colleges, the departments and the emergency wings of the hospitals attached to the medical and dental colleges in the state. "We have purchased over 100 locks", said a doctor. This one week-long ‘operation’ was to focus the attention on unfulfilled gaps. In fact it was on June 25 that the association had sent proceedings of the emergency meeting of the teachers to the Director, Research and Medical Education. The doctor-teachers feel "cheated because no arrears had been paid to them so for, causing them economic loss." What has irked the association is that the same finance department which was fully involved in the acceptance of the demands and had approved even payment of arrears from January 1, 1996 ( this approval was given on April 21 last) has now the audacity to ask the Principal-Secretary to "reverse" the April 7 notification. The association members pointed out that when the government cannot fend the existing medical institutions there was little hope of Faridkot and Jalandhar institutions (University of Health Sciences and Medical Institute, respectively) coming up. The total strength of the association cadre was around 400. At least 40 per cent posts are vacant. Service conditions being so appalling out of sheer frustration over a score of senior doctors and specialists have resigned their posts in the past two years. At least 50 per cent of them quit jobs in 1998 along. The association told the Principal-Secretary that "any modification of the already notified pay scales, which may be detrimental to the interest of the teachers will not be tolerated in any manner." A government spokesman
when contacted said any decision on this issue would be
in consultation with the doctor-teachers. |
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Mend ways, Punjab Congressmen
told CHANDIGARH, June 29 — The Congress high command has taken a serious note of indiscipline in the Punjab Congress and asked the state-level leaders to mend their ways. Informed sources here said Ms Shelja, Secretary to the AICC, has been asked to look into the affairs of the party in detail and set things right. She would be here to oversee the deliberations on the selection of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections, besides trying to stem the rot that has set in the Punjab Congress. Sources also pointed that the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President, Capt Amarinder Singh, had met twice the Congress President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, and in the past three days he is said to have apprised her that certain leaders like Mr Bir Devinder Singh and Mr Prem Gupta had been speaking against the state president and were almost daily trying to plant reports in the press. As Mrs Gandhi had heard the other side led by former Pradesh Congress Committee chief Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and was aware of the details, she wanted Capt Amarinder Singh to improve his working and curb indiscipline. Later Capt Amarinder Singh met the AICC General Secretary, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, twice in the past two days. It was decided that as Mr Mukherjee, who looks after of the Punjab Congress affairs would be away, Ms Shelja should look into the Punjab affairs. Dissidence against Capt Amarinder Singh has been growing from day one. While many expected that he would bring cohesion and unity and lead the party to victory, his working has been under attack. Today a good number of dissident leaders, including some MLAs, met at the residence of Mrs Bhattal here and after fixing a meeting with Mr Mukherjee tonight, they left for Delhi. Among those present were Mr Awatar Brar, a former minister, Mr Brahm Mohindra and Mr Sant Ram Singla, and two other MLAs. The dissidents who feel ignored want the central party high command to help bring unity and correct the working of the state president. "We feel hurt the way some known corrupt people are being given important positions, and honest Congressmen ignored. This can not go on like this" one of them told TNS here. Their main target is that Mr Lal Singh, a former minister who has been charged with corruption by the Punjab Lok Pal should be removed from the Disciplinary Committee and from the General Secretaryship of the PCC as well as from the Election Committee. Their allegation is that Mr Lal Singh, a minister in the Beant Singh Cabinet, is using his money and power to influence party decisions. Second, they want that the Disciplinary Action Committee should be reorganised with more sober and mature leaders in it. It should not be just a serving organisation. At another level, while
dissidents are claiming that the suspension of two
Congress leaders, Mr Bir Devinder Singh and Mr Prem
Gupta, yesterday was withdrawn after Ms Shelja asked Capt
Amarinder Singh, the ruling group says this was all done
by Capt Amarinder Singh himself. "When I learnt
about the suspension and show-cause notices to the two
leaders, I thought that they should first be given a
chance to explain their conduct and then action, if any,
should be taken. So I immediately asked the pradesh
Congress office to first serve the notice. This was done.
I was told that in the past the practice has been that
suspension and notices are ordered simultaneously. Since
I am not vindictive and wish to unite and improve the
working, I thought each person, whatever be his fault,
should be given a chance to explain and reform himself.
If the replies are not satisfactory, they would face the
music", the Punjab Congress chief told TNS on the
phone from Delhi. |
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Stringers stop TV coverage of govt BATHINDA, June 29 — Due to indifferent attitude of the State Public Relations Department authorities towards their payments, the stringers of Doordarshan, Jalandhar, have stopped the television (TV) coverage of the Punjab government's functions. Official sources said that nearly 12 stringers deployed in the state took this decision on June 7, 1999 when the Public Relations Department, Punjab, failed to honour its commitment made with them on May 27, 1999 at Chandigarh regarding their payments. Officials sources said that the Punjab government owed Rs 18 lakh to these stringers for television coverage of its functions. Payments to most of the stringers for the year 1995 had not been cleared yet so far by the Punjab Public Relations Department authorities. Sources said that these stringers submitted a memorandum to the Director, Public Relations Department, Punjab on May 27, 1999 when their talks with the Secretary, Public Relations Punjab and Finance Minister, Mr Kanwaljit Singh on May 4, 1999 failed to get the desired results. In the memorandum, the stringers threatened that if their payments were not cleared within 10 days, they would stop coverage of all functions of state government including ministers'. Officials sources said that the Punjab government which already was facing severe financial crisis could make payment of a few thousands in the past 20 days. The stringers in the memorandum have also alleged that their maximum bills of TV coverage were missing from the Press section (DDP). They added that they were finding it difficult to locate the bills. The stringers now were doing TV coverage of only those functions for which they were getting assignments directly direct from Doordarshan Kendra authorities. On the other hand, the Public Relations Department officials were finding it difficult to 'please', their political masters in the absence of TV coverage of government's functions. The stringers would
decide their future action against the Punjab government
following non-payment of their dues at a meeting at
Chandigarh on July 1, 1999. |
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Dismissed staff seek justice NANGAL, June 29 — The Director, Local Government, has dismissed 19 employees of the local municipal council, including eight octroi clerks, nine pump operators, a driver and a mason. The selection and appointments of these employees was done on June 18 and they joined their duties on June 24. The Director had given directions to the executive office of the local municipal council to relieve all newly appointed staff. The letter stated that some irregularities had been noticed in the selection process, so these employees should not be allowed to remain in service. The letter, however, made no mention of the kind of irregularities. The Deputy Director, Local Government, had been directed to hold an inquiry into the selection procedures. Earlier the interview for these posts was scheduled for March 17. However, the employees of the local municipal council disrupted these interviews on the plea that the local council was not following the norms laid down for promotions by the Punjab Government. The interviews were then scheduled for June. About 500 candidates from different parts of the state appeared for the screening test on June 5, out of which 150 candidates were called for interview. The President of the council, Mr Rakesh Sharma, when contacted termed the decision of the Director as unjustified. He said a proper selection procedure was adopted at each step. The candidates were called through advertisements and the local employment exchange. For the screening test of octroi clerks, a local ITI instructor was deputed. Moreover, an interview committee comprising five members, including three municipal councillors, was constituted for this. Mr Rakesh Sharma, however, added that though merit was the criteria for the selections, a few candidates with higher qualifications, who had misappropriations regarding octroi clerk posts, later showed disinterest and were rejected. Meanwhile, the ousted
candidates were alleging that they were being made
victims of political rivalry. The ousted candidates have
decided to move the Punjab and Haryana High Court to
challenge their dismissal. |
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If returned, Kohinoor will
be displayed ROPAR, June 29 — A descendant of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Lt. Col. Kanwar Karanbir Singh (retd.) today promised to donate the Kohinoor diamond to the Punjab Government for display at the proposed Khalsa Heritage Memorial Complex in Anandpur Sahib, in case he gets it. He was addressing a state-level function organised in connection with the 159th death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Ambedkar Bhavan here. The function was presided over by Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Minister of State for Public Relations, Punjab. Mr Karanbir Singh stated that he had sent his claim to the Swiss Government for getting the box of Catherine, a daughter of Maharaja Dalip Singh, which was lying in a locker of a Switzerland bank and contained some documents and other articles. He said an arbitrator of the Swiss Government had accepted his claim which would now be finally settled by a tribunal in September. He expressed the hope that some documents, related with the Kohinoor, would certainly be in that box. At present the Kohinoor was a part of the crown of Queen of England. He further added that the shahi takht (royal throne) of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, now lying at the Victoria Albert Museum in England, and the 'Kalgi' of Guru Gobind Singh would also be brought back here from England. He said being a descendant of the Maharaja, he would stake his claim before the British Government. Seven descendants of the Maharaja, Mr Karanbir Singh, Mr Karvinder Pal Singh, Mr Meet Pal Singh, Mr Sukhpreet Singh, Mrs Jaskirat Kaur, Mrs Jaspal Kaur and Ms Manpreet Kaur were present at the function. They were honoured by the minister. However, the BJP leaders were conspicuous by their absence at the function. Only leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal were present. The Minister denied that there was any tension between the BJP and the SAD. The gathering also observed a two minutes' silence to pay homage to the jawans and officers who had sacrificed their lives in the Kargil action. Addressing the gathering, Mr Sekhwan urged the public to follow the path shown by the Maharaja. He announced that a special function would be organised to honour all officers who had performed well for the successful completion of Khalsa tercentenary celebrations. He added that the state government had identified 139 points for the setting up of hydel projects. Four projects had already been completed while work on the other four was in progress. Among others who
addressed the function were Mrs Satwant Kaur Sandhu, MLA,
Chamkaur Sahib, Mr Pritam Singh Sallo Majra, President of
the district unit of the SAD; Mr Jarnail Singh Aulakh, a
member of the SGPC, Mr Karanbir Singh Kang, Senior
Vice-President of the SAD youth wing, and Mr K.S. Sidhu,
Deputy Commissioner. |
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Tohra to start party campaign
on July 16 PATIALA, June 29 — The Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal headed by Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, will start its election campaign on July 16 with the organisation of a district level conference here. Announcing this at a press conference here today, Mr Tohra said the Dal in unison with the third front would contest all the 13 Lok Sabha seats in the state and that of the Union Territory of Chandigarh as well. Endorsing the demand made by Mr I.K. Gujral, former Prime Minister, for the formation of a national government, Mr Tohra said such a move was necessary at this critical juncture. The Kargil crisis demanded the coming together of all the political parties and adopting a policy acceptable to all for dealing with the situation. With the formation of national government the view of the whole nation about the issue would be taken into account. Though the BJP government's diplomatic move in the Kargil crisis was praiseworthy. The Central Government owed an explanation of the intelligence failure, questionable statements given by the Defence Minister and secret parleys between Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee and Mr Nawaz Sharif. The Rajya Sabha member also demanded calling a session of the upper house of Parliament. Mr Tohra also clearly hinted the party's decision of giving the ticket to sitting MP, Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra for the local Lok Sabha seat. In response to a query in the selection of the candidate, Mr Tohra said "unofficially everyone knows". It was only to be announced formally. Referring to Mr Surjit Singh Rakhra's candidature on the SAD ticket, Mr Tohra said Mr Rakhra is making a grave mistake of siding with "anti-Panthic and corrupt forces". He even appealed to Mr Rakhra for withdrawing his candidature form the Lok Sabha seat. Mr Rakhra's family has contributed to the development of the state and upholding the Panthic value. He announced formation
of a advisory committee to the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali
Dal. Mr Gurdarshan Singh Grewal has been appointed its
chairman, Mr Balwant Singh Zandu vice-chairman and Mr
Kundan Singh Nagra convener. Its other members are Mr
Surjit Singh Sood, Mr Nirdev Singh Bhathinda and Mr
Amarpreet Randhawa. |
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Sirhind a neglected town FATEHGARH SAHIB: Sirhind is one of the five small towns adopted by the Union Government in Punjab for all-round development under the small town development scheme. The government has earmarked Rs 2 crore for each town and even released two instalments for various development works but the infighting among Municipal Councillors as well as officials of the Municipal Council, Sirhind, has not only hampered the development work but it has converted the Nagar Palika into "narak palika". It is well known that Municipal Councillors indulge in complaining against each other and moving no-confidence motions, similarly the Executive Officer of the council and Sectional Officer (SO) have no good relations. Both the officials come from Chandigarh and Patiala occasionally. The official work suffers due to their absence. If the EO is present, the SO will not come, when the SO comes, the EO remains absent. Whenever any public man goes for any work he has to face disappointment. Certain contractors told The Tribune that for the past many days they have been waiting for the SO as they have to start work and take payment. Similarly some Municipal Councillors also alleged that corruption was rampant in the council. Neither the EO nor the SO bother for elected representatives. Due to their infighting the employees have also lost interest in the official work. When contacted, the EO said it was an open secret that the SO came to the office occasionally and due to his absence the entire work of the council suffered. He said he himself was demanding that the development works of the town should be got done through some government agency like the PWD or the Panchyati Raj Department. He urged mediapersons to approach the Deputy Commissioner to get the development works started through some other agency. Sirhind, the district headquarters town, is dotted with heaps of rubbish at every street corner, the choked sewers and drains speak volumes about the neglect by the local municipal council which is in the grip of financial crisis. All roads of this historical town are in bad shape. The encroachments have become a right of the powerful and the influential people. There is no outlet for drain water in the town. During minor rain the town is flooded. The town has not been fully covered under water supply and sewerage scheme The condition of the lone Municipal Park is worst. Mr V.K. Janjua, Deputy
Commissioner, said certain projects for the development
of the town had been sanctioned by the District Planning
Board. The bus stand at the new site and Bal Bhavan with
amusement park are being started immediately. The roads
of the cinema road and main bazars have been sanctioned
and the work on them would start soon. He said the
affairs of the council and working of the officials would
be probed and strict action would be taken against the
erring officials. Also their stay at headquarters would
be ensured so that problems of the public may be solved. |
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Dalits’ torture: CPI threatens
gherao BAGGI KALAN (BATHINDA), June 29 — Tension has gripped this village following a clash between the families of Roop Singh and Basant Singh, both Dalits, and the sarpanch, Mr Sukhjit Singh Banti, and his men a few days back. Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (CPI) activists have decided to gherao the Raman police station tomorrow in protest against the illegal detention and torture of members of the two Dalit families by the police in the past two days. According to villagers, Gurkirtan Singh and Beera Singh, both sons of Roop Singh, a Dalit, attacked the sarpanch of the village, Mr Banti on June 6 with sharpedged weapons. The sarpanch sustained nine injuries on his body and was hospitalised at Raman Mandi. On June 7 the houses of Roop Singh and Basant Singh were allegedly razed to ground and the household goods thrown into the canal by the men of the sarpanch. Fearing arrest after a case was registered, the families of Roop Singh and Basant Singh fled the village on June 6. On June 26 Mr Jagjit Joga, District Secretary, CPI, produced both accused, Gurkirtan Singh and Beera Singh, before the DGP, Talwandi Sabo. Mr Joga in the telegrams sent to the Chief Justice, Punjab and Haryana High Court, and Chairman, Punjab Human Rights Commission, alleged that though he produced both accused before the DSP on June 26, their formal arrest was not made till June 28. Moreover, they were tortured by the police at Raman police station. Sources said Basant Singh and Roop Singh had been possessing the panchayti land illegally for the past 28 years and a legal dispute in this regard was going between them and the panchayat. The dispute between the sarpanch and the Dalit families erupted over the leasing out of the village pond by the sarpanch to a contractor. The sarpanch, in a press note, while denying his involvement in the demolition of the houses of the Dalits, said only a kutcha room for storing the wheat husk was demolished by the villagers after a rumour regarding his murder by the Dalits spread in the village. An inquiry by the additional Deputy Commissioner has been ordered into the case and appropriate action would be taken on the basis of the inquiry report. Mr Joga, while addressing a press conference today, said the CPI would set up a shoshit lok seva dal for the protection of the oppressed sections of society at the hands of landlords. He added that volunteers of Dal would be trained for ensuring the protection of the oppressed classes. Mr Harnek Singh, SSP,
when contacted said Gurkirtan Singh and Beera Singh were
professional criminals like their father and uncle Roop
Singh and Basant Singh. He added that both attacked the
sarpanch with sharpedged weapons. A pistol had also been
recovered from them, he added. |
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Brar alleges mala fide in
transfer cases BATHINDA, June 29 — Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, former MP and Vice-President, PPCC, today alleged that the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, had been transferring officials in the old Faridkot districts so as to ensure the victory of his non Mr Sukhbir Badal, in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. Addressing a press conference here, he said Mr Badal had transferred the Deputy Commissioner of Muktsar, which was part of the Faridkot parliamentary constituency in the recent past as he (the Deputy Commissioner) was not following the 'diktarts' of Chief Minister. He added that earlier, Mr Badal had transferred the Deputy Commissioner of Moga on the same ground. Mr Brar said he had taken up the transfer of these two bureaucrats with the Election Commission as both the transfers violated the instructions of the Chief Election Commissioner that officials connected with the election work should be transferred only in special circumstances after the announcement of elections. He pointed out that apart from these two transfers, Mr Badal had brought in certain IAS officers from other states and posted them in Muktsar district to get benefit from them during elections. He claimed that out of 62000 bogus votes registered in the Faridkot parliamentary seat by Mr Badal and company, about 29,000 votes had been rejected by the Election Commission. The Election Commission has also given justice to those people whose genuine votes were deleted from the list on the direction of Mr Badal and his family members. He pointed out that
registration of bogus votes in the Faridkot Lok Sabha
segment was evident from the fact that increase of voters
was 7.73 per cent against the state average at 2 per
cent. He added that Chief Election Commissioner Mr M.S.
Gill, and the State Chief Electoral Officer, Dr Barjindra
Singh, had been making efforts to check unfair practices
in elections. |
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Badal pooh-poohs national govt
idea CHANDIGARH, June 29 — The Punjab Chief Minister said here today that there was no need to form a national government at the Centre as the government led by Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee was capable of handling the Kargil issue efficiently. Opposing the calling of the Rajya Sabha session, Mr Parkash Singh Badal said there was no need to convene the session as it would divert the attention of the armed forces from the real issue. Only small meetings of political leaders should be held to discuss issues pertaining to the border. Mr Badal added that his party had not announced the name of any candidate for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. The party would soon take a decision in this regard. He claimed that the party's poll alliance with the BJP was almost final. Asked about the Jalandhar seat, Mr Badal said Mr I.K. Gujral had contested last time from Jalandhar in Akali quota. In other words, he indirectly laid the SAD's claim over Jalandhar seat. He averred that Mr Gujral had so far not contacted him as regards contesting Lok Sabha poll from Punjab. Quizzed about reports that Mr Gujral might contest as a Congress Party candidate, Mr Badal said he had no knowledge about this. The Chief Minister said
his party would go all out to make Mr Vajpayee Prime
Minister again. Saying that Kargil would not be a poll
issue, Mr Badal asked the political parties not to derive
political mileage out of Kargil crisis. |
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IAS, IPS officers of Punjab
transferred CHANDIGARH, June 29 — The Punjab Government today ordered the transfers and postings of IAS, IPS and other officers. Mr B. Sarkar has been posted as Special Secretary of the Education department and Mr Phulwant Singh Sidhu posted as Secretary of the Punjab State Agriculture Marketing Board. Mr R.L. Mehta has been posted as Joint Secretary of the Home department. Mr A.K. Singla has been posted as Additional Director (Administration) in the office of DPI (Colleges). Mr Pritam Singh has been transferred to Phagwara as Subdivisional Magistrate and Mr Dharmpal transferred to Garhshankar as Subdivisional Magistrate. Mr Gurwaryam Singh is posted as SDM at Bassi Pathana. Among the police officers transferred today are Mr Rajendera Namdeo Dhoke, who has been transferred to the Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur, as Deputy Director (O). Mr Naresh Kumar has been transferred to Amritsar as Additional S.P. Mr B.Chander Shekhar has been posted as Additional S.P. at Gurdaspur. Mr Gurdev Singh has been
posted as S.P. (Operations) at Gurdaspur and Mr Mohinder
Singh has been transferred to Pathankot as SP. Mr S.K.
Asthana has been posted as Deputy Director (I) at PPA,
Phillaur, and Mohd Faiyaz Farooqui posted as Additional
S.P., Jalandhar. |
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Servant's murder: case registered PHILLAUR, June 29 — After dithering for two days, the police has registered a case against an influential farmer for murdering his 31-year-old servant on June 27 at his farm in Talwan village. The victim, Sushail Kumar, father of four children, had been employed by one Mr Amrik Singh on a monthly wage of Rs 1,500 for the last two months. The reason for the murder, according to the victim's brother Paramjit, was that Sushail remained absent from work for two days as he was busy in connection with a cousin's wedding in the same village. The deceased family and villagers alleged that the three persons, Amrik Singh, Sukhraj Singh and Devraj Singh, forcibly took Sushail to their farm on June 27 morning, and his dead body was brought in a Maruti car to the Mandi village later in the evening. Paramjit, the victim's brother was informed that his brother had become unconscious due to exposure to pesticides while working in the fields. However, on being taken to Christian Medical College, Ludhiana, he was declared dead. The peoples' vigilance
committee on bonded child and migrant labour and the
Talwan village panchayat succeeded in getting a case
registered by the police under Sections 302 and 34, IPC,
today. |
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Lance Naik cremated TARN TARAN, June 29 — Kargil martyr Lance Naik Kuldeep Singh was today cremated with full state honour at his native village, Kang, 12 km from here Dr Rattan Singh, Animal Husbandry Minister, Punjab, Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar, Mr Narinderjit Singh, the SSP Mr Surjit Singh, the SDM, Mr Khadoor Sahib, were among others who laid wreaths. The armed forces were
represented by Maj S.P. Singh and Capt R.S. Marwaha. Arms
were reversed in respect of the hero. |
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Punjab KVIC staff to donate a
day's salary CHANDIGARH, June 29 — The staff of the Punjab Khadi and Village Industries Board, Chandigarh, have decided to donate their a days salary for the armed forces personnel fighting in Kargil. Mr O.P Bhardwaj,
Chairman of the board, will donate his total one-month
honorarium for this noble cause, according to Mr B.K.
Garg, Member-Secretary of the board. |
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Kerosene racket busted JALANDHAR, June 29 — The police has busted a kerosene racket, arrested seven persons and recovered 17,000 litres of adulterated kerosene. The factory was sealed and three oil tankers used for transportation were also seized. Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP, said here today that information was received that an illegal factory near Bidhipur railway gate was indulging in the manufacture and storage of adulterated kerosene on a large scale. A case under Sections 420, IPC, of the Essential Commodities Act was registered. A police party and officers of the Food and Civil Supply Department was sent to raid the premises. During the raid Raj Kumar, proprietor of M/s Pritam Chemicals, Raj Kumar, Ashu Bhasin of Jalandhar, Baldev Singh of Ahlowal village, Tara Chand of Kot Ram Dass village, Parminder Singh of Hoshiarpur, Babbar of Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Kantu of Khaleta village, Nepal, were arrested. Mr Yadav said during the
preliminary interrogation the arrested persons disclosed
that they were mixing a chemical and sulphuric acid with
blue kerosene to convert it into white kerosene. The blue
kerosene was available at Rs 3 per litre, while white
kerosene was available at Rs 10-11 per litre. During the
search two huge storage tanks of 12,000 litres each
capacity were found on the premises of the factory. |
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Three arrested for liquor
smuggling LUDHIANA, June 29 — The police today arrested three persons, Swaran Singh, Maan Singh Saini and Gagan Singh, for allegedly smuggling liquor and recovered 300 boxes of liquor from them. The three were travelling in a truck which was stopped by the police at a naka near Jamalpur. The three had bought liquor from Chandigarh. During interrogation, they revealed that they had also installed a distillery for preparing hooch. Meanwhile, the police
has arrested Nemi Chand, a resident of Prem Nagar, for
selling his house twice. |
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Pak spy arrested TARN TARAN, June 29 — The Khem Karan police has arrested a Pakistani national for spying. Mr Surjit Singh SSP,
told this correspondent here today that the spy had been
identified as Ferozu, son of Atif Zaffer, a resident of
Sazid, Arbas Zulafkar district. A case has been
registered under Indian Passport Act. The spy was posing
himself to be dumb. |
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Lekhak Sabha’s plea on
Shiromani awards ROPAR, June 29 — The Kendri Punjabi Lekhak Sabha (Sekhon) has criticised the Punjab Government for not announcing Shiromani awards for 1998-99. Dr Tejwant Mann, General Secretary of the Sabha, alleged that the Badal Government was anti-Punjabi as it had ignored Punjabi writers, poets, playwrights and musicians during the Khalsa tercentenary celebrations. Dr Mann urged the state government to direct the Punjab Language Department to announce the awards at the earliest. He also sought financial aid for the Punjabi Sahit Sabhas in the state and for publishing works of Punjabi writers. Dr Mann also demanded
that the representatives of the Kendri Punjabi Lekhak
Sabha and the Punjabi Sahit Akademi be included in the
advisory board of the Punjab Language Department. |
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Aujla assumes charge CHANDIGARH, June 29 — Mr Paramjit Singh Aujla took over as Director, Punjab Public Relations department here today. Earlier he was Secretary
of the Punjab State Agriculture Marketing Board. |
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Punjab staff plea on salary
payment CHANDIGARH, June 29 — Various employees unions here today urged the Punjab Government to release the salary of the remaining government departments immediately. The unions said here today that the treasuries had not cleared the salary bills of certain departments. Meanwhile, the Punjab Ministerial Services Union said today that the state government should revert to the old system of releasing funds for salary and contingency. Mr K.K. Jindal, a spokesman of the union, said a meeting of the union would be held on July 3 in Ludhiana in which all such issues would be discussed. Union leaders said
earlier funds for salaries and contingency were released
on an annual basis but now these were released on a
quarterly basis. |
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Manure plants for dist
headquarters NAWANSHAHR, June 29 — Plants for converting garbage into manure will be set up at all district headquarters. This was announced by the Local Bodies, Labour and Employment Minister, Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, to mediapersons here at the office of the Municipal Council on Monday. He said such a plant had already been set up at Jalandhar and Ludhiana. Mr Tandon said the government had also started single transit pass system for the convenience of traders and transporters. He said the octroi
income of Nawanshahr had increased from Rs 85 crore to Rs
1.66 lakh and that of Jalandhar from Rs 28 crore to Rs 46
crore. |
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Recycling plan for temple water AMRITSAR, June 29 — Mr Gurdev Singh Badal, Agriculture Minister, today inaugurated the "artificial recycling" scheme for the holy water of Golden Temple, Gurdwara Santokh Sar and Gurdwara Ram Sar. The total cost of the project is Rs 9.75 lakhs. Giving details of the
scheme, Mr Badal said the water of the 'sarovars' would
now be re-used. |
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