Monday, March 1, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Monday, March 1, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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SAD’s
Majha citadel may fall Big
haul of electronic goods from bus |
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Bid to
sabotage march : CM Badal
to speak to PM on diesel price hike Tohra
flays SAD on Article 356 CPM
to stay away from celebrations High-speed
coaches unveiled |
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SAD’s
Majha
citadel may fall AMRITSAR, Feb 28 — Shiromani Akali Dal's citadel in the Majha region, comprising border districts of Amritsar and Gurdaspur, may crumble if the Badal government fails to take immediate steps for its overall development, especially at the time of the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa Panth. The Congress which had lost all assembly and Lok Sabha seats (16 in Amritsar and 12 in Gurdaspur district) in the last elections is trying to mobilise the "Majhails" (residents of the Majha region) against the SAD-BJP government by telling people that Malwa (Mr Parkash Singh Badal belongs to the Malwa region was being developed at the cost of the Majha region. All big projects, including oil refinery, chemical/fertiliser plant, health university and science city etc had either been given to the Malwa region or the Doaba region during the two years of Badal government's rule. The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) had virtually launched a pre-election campaign from the Majha region when it organised a rally at Quadian (Gurdaspur district) on February 26 to mark the 12th death anniversary of Mr Satnam Singh Bajwa, a former Congress minister and father of Mr Partap Singh Bajwa, general secretary, PPCC. Mr Pranab Mukherjee, general secretary, AICC, who was the star speaker at the rally declared that the Congress was ready to face elections any time. Mr Satnam Singh Bajwa was killed by militants on July 10, 1987. The Majha region, which was once a hot-bed of militants had elected almost all official candidates of SAD-BJP combine in the last elections. Speakers at the Quadian rally pointed out that senior Akali leaders were feeling disappointed as Mr Badal had been promoting his own family at their cost. It may be mentioned here that after becoming chief of the PPCC, Capt Amarinder Singh started wooing Akali leaders from the Majha region. First, Mr Surinder Singh Kathunangal (Majitha) and then Mr Manjinder Singh Behla, a former Akali MLA from Tarn Taran, were persuaded to join the Congress with a view to giving a jolt to the SAD. On the other hand, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, SGPC chief, addressed the rally of rebel Akali leaders at Tarn Taran on February 21. The rally was organised by Mr Prem Singh Lalpura and Mr Major Singh Uboke. The human rights organisation and human rights wing of the SAD have also come openly against Mr Badal. The rebel Akalis and activists of human rights organisation have been mobilising people against the Badal government. They have been criticising
Mr Badal for promoting his son-in-law Mr Adesh Partap
Singh, an Akali MLA from Patti, and his father Mr
Surinder Singh Kairon (a former Congress MP and son of
late Mr Partap Singh Kairon a former Chief Minister)
while senior Akali leaders were being ignored. |
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Big haul of electronic goods
from bus LUDHIANA, Feb 28 — Seizure of audio-cassettes, video-cassettes, audio compact discs, video compact discs and publicity posters worth Rs 4 lakh by the head octroi post here yesterday has unearthed a possible nexus between the local music market and private bus agencies. According to information available from highly placed sources in the octroi department of the municipal corporation, a private deluxe bus of a local bus agency commuting between Delhi and Ludhiana was found carrying 71 cartons of the above mentioned electronics in specially carved out secret pockets of the bus by a team of officials of the department led by Mr Sudarshan Sharma and Mr Ram Tirath, both superintendents. The operation was carried out under the guidance of Mr Jasbir Singh Heer. Joint Commissioner, Income Tax, on a specific tip-off received by him. It is learnt that the department officials had been given the information about the registration number of the bus and that the department officials had laid siege for around 72 hours till the time they could nab the bus. The secret compartments that the officials found were in the base and on both sides of the bus from which some 9000 pre-recorded audio cassettes, 1000 blank video cassettes, 475 pre-recorded video compact discs, 220 audio compact discs and some 700 publicity posters bearing the T-series logo were seized. Since the identification marks on the cartons were different, it appeared the cassette came from various dealers. When contacted Mr J.S.
Heer confirmed the incident and said it was possible that
this kind of evasion of octroi tax was a common practise.
He said it was probably for the first time that such a
large consignment was seized. Meanwhile, the bus has been
impounded by the department and the cassette is also in
its custody. The octroi tax on the seized goods would
have been around Rs 12000. The defaulters are likely to
be imposed a penalty of about Rs 2,50,000. |
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Bid to sabotage march : CM DINA (Bathinda), Feb 28 — The Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, alleged that some forces were trying to sabotage the "Chardikala-sarbat da bhala" march to be taken out from Takht Damdama Sahib to Takht Keshgarh Sahib. Addressing a gathering here last evening, Mr Badal said the forces which were trying to sabotage the march would not be pardoned by the panth. He warned that these forces were also trying to disturb the hard won peace in the state and cautioned the people to remain vigilant against the nefarious designs of such forces. Mr Badal, who was accompanied by Mr Gurpreet Singh Dinakangar, Finance Secretary, Youth Akali Dal, said the large gathering was a proof of the fact that the people were with the SAD-BJP coalition government in the state as it was a people-oriented government. He claimed that the march would help in consolidating peace in the state and would strengthen the bonds of brotherhood among the people belonging to different castes and religions. He said the SAD was prepared to make all sacrifices to stop the return of terrorism in Punjab. Mr Badal also said the Punjab Government was trying to get relics relating to Maharaja Ranjit Singh and display these at Anandpur Sahib on the occasion of the tercentenary celebrations of Khalsa Panth. He was accompanied by ministers, MLAs and SGPC members and circle Jathedars. Meanwhile, Mr Badal while addressing a gathering at Mehadiana (Ludhiana) yesterday said the tercentenary celebration of the birth of Khalsa would be a mega event and the cooperation of world-level organisations and heads of different states were being invited for the celebrations. He said the Prime Minister would inaugurate the week-long celebrations on April 8, and vice-president would also participate in the celebrations on April 12. Referring to the steps being taken by the Akali Dal-BJP government for beautification of Anandpur Sahib and upgradation of civic amenities, Mr Badal said work on various projects was in full swing and 300 years of Sikhism would be depicted in a befitting way through museums, wall paintings, light and sound programme and other modes. He said that a martial academy was being set up at a cost of Rs 12 crore to revive traditional sports and the work would be completed within two months. Expressing his gratitude
to the people of Punjab for supporting the chardikala
sarbat da bhalla march, Mr Badal said his heart had been
overwhelmed by the love and faith reposed in him by all
sections of the Punjabi society. The Chief Minister
strongly criticised those who described the march as a
government sponsored venture. He said the march had been
planned by the Punjabis. |
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Badal to speak to PM on diesel
price hike AMRITSAR, Feb 28 — The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, will speak to the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, about rolling back the Re 1 per litre hike in diesel prices as it was bound to adversely affect the economy of this agricultural state. Mr Chiranjilal Garg, state Minister for Food and Supplies, said here today that the state would be the worst hit due to the hike as maximum consumption of diesel was in the agricultural states. The Chief Minister had already taken up the case of hike in urea prices with the Centre. Mr Garg said he and the Chief Minister would also meet Mr Vajpayee for relaxation in the specifications of rice as demanded by the millers. Mr Garg denied that the relaxation in the rice specifications were not being given by the Centre due to alleged differences between Mr Badal and Mr Surjit Singh Barnala. Mr Garg was here to take part in the 'kar seva' at the Durgiana Mandir. He led a jatha of over 300 persons from Bathinda district to participate in the kar seva at the temple. Mr Bhupinder Singh Bhullar, president of the Municipal Committee, Bathinda, Dr Om Parkash Sharma, general secretary, Punjab Brahmin Sabha, Mr Hardev Singh, president, market committee and Mr Daljit Singh, president SAD (Bathinda circle) accompanied Mr Garg. Mr Garg opined that the Chardikala march from Talwandi Sabo would create an environment of communal harmony in the state. Mr Garg also said that a
high-level inquiry had been constituted by the state
government to probe the charges of the farmers that some
influential arhtias had siphoned off money with the
connivance of procurement agencies and officials at the
time of the procurement of paddy during this season. He
said though the time for lodging complaints with the
inquiry committee had already lapsed, the affected
farmers could come forward with their complaints without
any fear. |
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Lakhs to participate in Hola
Mohalla ANANDPUR SAHIB: The three-day annual Hola Mohalla which was first organised in 1701 at the local Kila Lohgarh Sahib by Guru Gobind Singh begins with enthusiasm and religious fervour at the birthplace of the Khalsa here on March 1. The Hola Mohalla has a great importance in Sikh history. In view of its religious and historical importance, the Government of India declared Hola Mohalla a national festival in 1996. Lakhs of pilgrims participate in the festival from all parts of the country and abroad. Thousands of devotees start arriving here a day before the start of the festival after paying obeisance at Gurudwara Patalpuri Sahib at Kiratpur Sahib. The Hola Mohalla celebrations conclude in the evening at Kiratpur Sahib. In view of the arrival of lakhs of pilgrims here, the administration and the SGPC make elaborate arrangements for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the festival. This year Mr Tejbir Singh, IAS, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Anandpur Sahib, has been appointed the mela officer. Talking to TNS here, Mr Tejbir Singh, ADC-cum-Mela Officer, said that the administration had left no stone unturned in providing facilities to the pilgrims. He said about 25 duty Magistrates had been deputed in the mela area for the smooth conduct of the festival. The mela officer said that parking sites for the vehicles in about 120 acres had been developed near Jhinjri, Agampur village and on the Nangal side. Three temporary bus stands on the Kiratpur Sahib side, Agampur village and Nangal side near a power station had been developed. As many as 300 safai sewaks have temporarily been recruited for the mela. Four fogging machines to kill mosquitoes have been pressed into service. Nearly 1700 temporary toilets, 800 temporary urinals, 180 temporary bathrooms have been provided in the mela area. Sulabh International has also provided 1000 temporary toilets. Power supply in the mela area round-the-clock has been ensured. Seven fire tenders have also been requisitioned from the nearby fire brigades. Eight recovery vans and four cranes have also been requisitioned to avoid traffic jams. Mr Tejbir Singh said that the supply of the eatables in the town in requisite quantity had been ensured. Besides, PUNSUP and MARKED would also open their outlets. He said an exhibition, depicting development of the state by various governments department would also be organised. The mela officer said 30 divers had been arranged which would be deployed at Kiratpur Sahib and here at the sarovars. In addition to veterinary hospital here, two extra veterinary dispensaries had also been set up. He said for human beings 15 dispensaries would work at the control rooms. In addition to these, a base hospital would also function in the complex of the railway station. The ADC stated that water treatment plant had been made operational for meeting the demand of water supply. While 24 water tanks (mobile) had been requisitioned, 16 water points had been set up. Mr Gurmit Singh, SP, who has been supervising law and order machinery here, said that 18 SPs, 52 DSPs, 150 Inspectors, 490 NGOs and about 4400 constables would perform duty in the mela. As many as 11 watch towers had been set up. To detect anti-social elements, three squads have been formed. Spotters have also been called from all districts of the state to identify the anti-social elements. The police control room will function during the mela days with phone numbers 33991 and 33992. Mr Gurbakhsh Singh, guide of the Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, was of the view that this time, foreigners may come in a big number as compared to the previous years due to the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa. He also said that nearly 15 lakh pilgrims were expected to participate in the Hola Mohalla festival. Mr Udham Singh, Manager of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, said that he had information about the organisation of more than 100 langars in the mela area. The SGPC would provide tents, shamianas and space etc to the organisers. Residential arrangements for the pilgrims at Khalsa College, schools and Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Niwas had been made. He said religious Diwan at the Takht here had already been started. It would continue till March 3 next. Sant Samaj, SAD(Badal), SAD(A) and the SGPC would also hold religious diwans. Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib and all other local historical gurdwaras were being decorated. Exhibitions regarding Sikh religion had also been organised by the Niskam Sewak Jatha, UK, the Gani Khan Nabi Khan Sewa Society, Machhiwara; Sikh Missionary College and the SGPC. The political conferences
will reportedly be organised by SAD, SAD Plant (A) and
the Congress Party here on March 2. |
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Tohra flays SAD on Article 356 SANGRUR, Feb 28 — Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, president of the SGPC has criticised the SAD for supporting the use of Article 356 in the case of dismissal of the Rabri Devi government in Bihar. He said this would set a wrong precedent for future central governments. Mr Tohra was talking to mediapersons at Kartarpura village, near here today. He said the support was against the declared policies of the SAD. Mr Tohra disagreed with the plea advanced by the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, that in this case opposition to Article 356 would have gone in favour of the Congress and clarified that the Congress had nothing to gain out of it as there was a non-Congress government in Bihar. Mr Tohra said the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of Khalsa should have been left to the party and the SGPC as the matter was related to the Sikhs and the SGPC and the SAD could propagate the teachings of the gurus in a better way, moreover the government may face problems in this regard as it was secular. Mr Tohra suggested that a cancer and heart hospital should be set up at Anandpur Sahib and Khalsa bhavans in all states in the country. Mr Tohra said the suspension of Bhai Ranjit Singh jathedar of Akal Takht, by the 10 members of the SGPC executive would be written in black letters in the Sikh history as it had opened the way for future non-Akali governments to interfere in the religious affairs of the Sikhs. He regretted that the SAD government, which was elected to power on the main planks of anti-repression and anti-corruption, had failed miserably on these two fronts. Not even a single police officer who killed innocent youths in fake encounters had been punished. Rather huge sums were being spent by the Punjab Government for providing legal shelter to such officers. Mr Tohra said he would always remain in the Akali Dal of which he had been a primary member for the past 60 years and had always remained loyal to the party and its principles. He further stated that the SAD belongs to the workers and is not the property of one or two individuals and individuals would not be allowed to dominate the party for furthering their narrow family interests. Mr Tohra refuted the
charge that he was directly or indirectly encouraging
terrorism in the state. Terming it as a baseless
propaganda, he stated that the had fought against the
terrorism and had faced the bullets of terrorists. |
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CPM to stay away from
celebrations CHANDIGARH, Feb 28 — The Communist Party to India (Marxist) has decided to dissociate itself from the Khalsa tercentenary celebrations to be organised by the Shiromani Akali Dal headed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal. Addressing a press conference here this morning. Mr Balwant Singh, secretary of the Punjab unit of the CPM, said today that the celebrations were being used by groups headed by Mr Badal and Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra in the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to settle political scores. He said his party would only participate in celebrations if both groups organise the celebrations unitedly, rising above their vested interests. It was unfortunate the both Mr Badal and Mr Tohra had reduced this historic event to mere a political game of upmanship. He said only a few days ago he had participated in all-party meeting called by Mr Badal in connection with the celebrations. At the meeting, he said, it was made clear that the celebrations should not be used to serve political ends of any particular person. Mr Balwant Singh said his party would organise celebrations its own way and spread the message of Guru Gobind Singh in the state. That Guru Gobind Singh brought a major change in the society of his times, and laid the foundation for democracy and casteless society in this part of the world. Mr Balwant Singh said Guru Gobind Singh was the first to recognise the power of people and he held the view that "sangat" was a supreme. It was a great occasion to spread his message in every nook and corner, he added. He said Mr Badal was making every effort to oust Mr Tohra from the celebrations. He criticised the statement of Mr Badal that he was heading a Panthic Government in the state and said that Mr Badal had started toeing the lane of fundamentalists. He quipped that his party was invited for participation in the religious march which started from Talwandi Sabo (Damdama Sahib) a few days ago. Mr Balwant Singh said his
party was against the "quami agenda" proposed
by Bhai Ranjit Singh, suspended Jathedar of Akal Takht. |
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High-speed coaches unveiled KAPURTHALA, (Punjab) Feb 28 (PTI) — A new state-of-the-art designer coach with enhanced strength and noise isolation suited to specific conditions for superfast trains is all set to hit Indian Rail. The Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, the youngest production unit of Indian Railways has developed the new bogie for trains up to a speed of 160 kmph, which could be stretched upto 180 km. The new IRY/IR20 passenger coach developed in collaboration with research, design and standards organisation, Lucknow, has improved aesthetically designed interiors and exteriors, larger windows and is most suitable for superfast trains, RCF General Manager V.P.Ojha told visiting mediapersons here. The RCF, founded in 1985 and spread over 1170 acres of land in this sleepy desert terrain, has manufactured more than 8,200 coaches since then, 30 per cent of the total passenger coaches on Indian Railways, and is improving output with state-of-the art technology, he said, adding, the future plan was to manufacture coaches for the much hyped Metro Railway Transport Station (MRTS) and focus on export. The new comfortable-to-ride bogie has a corrugated roof, box type endwalls, larger windows and newly developed, simpler draw gear to reduce maintenance. The much lighter Y-frame bogie of h-type construction with axle mounted disc brake and wheel slide protection has been tested upto 180 kmph on Rajdhani routes. In order to reduce maintenance, a perpetual problem with traditional bogies, the factory has used aluminium extrusion for concealing all joints and screws in passenger area while modular type ducting arrangement has been used to provide improved air circulation in the new coach. The plywood floor is supported on rubber profiles for isolating noise and sidewall mounted chairs are used restricting noise level in passenger area to 55 dba when stationary and 85 dba while running, Ojha said. "Our core competence lies in the manufacture of a wide variety of air conditioned and non-air conditioned passenger coaches inclusive of all sub-systems and on-board equipment and in this pursuit we have surpassed a production level of over 1000 coaches per year and emerged as one of the largest and most modern rail coach builders in the world," a senior RCF official said. The factory has installed the latest design capability through a computer aided design (CAD) centre with over 25 design workstations running a wide variety of design and analysis software, he said. The RCF is diversifying
into manufacture of electricity and diesel-powered
self-propelled rolling stock, deputy chief planning
engineer Rakesh Behl said. |
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Visa relaxation to boost
Indo-Pak tourism AMRITSAR, Feb 28 — The major demand for relaxation of visas for the Indian and Pakistani nationals visiting both the countries was likely to be accepted very soon, revealed the Chairman of the Delhi Tourism Development Corporation, Mr Tarlochan Singh while talking to reporters last evening. Mr Tarlochan Singh had accompanied the Indian Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee for the Lahore summit with Mr Nawaz Sharif and felt the need to promote tourism among the people of both countries. He said while visa formalities were likely to be relaxed by allowing composite visas for the visit to their respective countries, which was earlier restricted for visit to only a particular city and also required police registration. Mr Vajpayee had suggested to "do away" with these formalities to increase interaction between people, which he felt would break the artificial barriers. At present, the entry of Pakistani nationals to Indian Punjab was prohibited via road, through Wagah checkpost, Mr Tarlochan Singh said. The Indian Government would soon lift the ban and opt to open the land route on reciprocal basis. The chairman of the DTDC
added that the Pakistan Government had accepted his
proposal to open "pilgrim tourism" for the
Sikhs settled abroad and allow them to visit Sikh holy
shrines of Nankana Sahib and Panja Sahib especially
during the tercentenary celebrations of Khalsa Panth this
year. He said during his extensive talks with the
Pakistan Minister for Information and Tourism, Mr
Mushahid Hussain, the minister had agreed to open the
land route for the Sikh pilgrims and extend all
cooperation during the celebrations. |
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Visa waiver sought for senior
citizens JALANDHAR, Feb 28 — A delegation of writers, journalists, and intellectuals from West Punjab (Pakistan) has sought withdrawal of visa for all persons above 60 years, to boost trust and friendship in the sub-continent. The leader of the delegation Dr Khalid Javeed Jaan while speaking at Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall, said the partition had left lakhs of people victimised and dislocated from their ancestral place. Appealing emotively at the function organised by the Bharat Pak Dosti Manch and Servants of the People Society, Dr Khalid said people should be allowed, to travel to their place of birth and to meet their long lost friends. He lamented that in the past 52 years, the governments of Pakistan and India had offered poverty, illitracy and hatred, but now the "harted and mistrust" should be put aside and a new millienium, should usher in peace and harmony. The delegates appealed the two governments to do away with visa restrictions for the aged. Mr Salmat Ali of the
famous Chamchurrasi gharana, Dr Rashid, prep of Law
College Layallypuri, Naadeem, Human rights activist, and
Ahmed Afsail, poet, were among the delegates. |
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Baby contest held MALERKOTLA, Feb 28 — A baby contest was organised by the local DAV Senior Secondary School here on the school premises yesterday. About 80 children between two and-a-half to four years participated. The contest was divided into two parts. In category-I (in the age group of two and-a-half to three years) Himanshi and Kartik were adjudged first among boys and girl, respectively. While in category-II (in the age group of three to four years) Ishan Aggrawal and Dimple were declared first among boys and girls, respectively. All winners were crowned
by the chief guest, Mr K.K. Mehta, Principal of the
school. He said the winners of the contest would be
admitted to the school on a priority basis without any
admission fee. |
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Monkey menace in village MALERKOTLA, Feb 28 — Residents of Gigamajra village 10 km from here are being troubled by a swarm monkeys who have created terror among the villagers. This was stated by the villagers at a "sangat darshan" programme held here on Friday. The SDM, Mr Jaspal Singh presided. The SDM assured the villagers that he would try to find out a solution to their problem. He also listened to their grievances regarding pension and welfare schemes. He expressed surprise when
he found that officers of Welfare Department were not
present at the programme. He said disciplinary action
would be taken against the officers concerned. |
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Tohra resorting to 'petty
tactics' ALAMGIR (Ludhiana), Feb 28 — The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today accused the SGPC chief, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, of trying to disrupt the tercentenary celebrations of Khalsa and has asked him not to play an obstructionist role in the unprecedented surge of panthic sentiments evident in the on-going chardikala sarbat da bhala march, and advised him to maintain a dignified silence till April 15. Speaking to mediapersons at Gurdwara Manji Sahib, here the Chief Minister criticised Mr Tohra for resorting to petty tactics and said Mr Tohra had first started rumours about his ill health and was now propagating that the show was a ploy to promote his son in politics. Mr Badal said Mr Tohra and
his colleagues were trying to insult the sentiments of
the Sikh masses by alleging that the march was a mere
"sarkari show". He warned Mr Tohra not to
create a wedge in the panthic unity at this time. |
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Badal stricken with
‘Cong-phobia’ GURDASPUR, Feb 28 — Mrs Sukhbans Kaur Bhinder, senior Congress leader, talking to newsmen here today accused Mr Parkash Singh Badal of suffering of Congress-phobia and instead of blaming the Congress for all ills, should make some comprehensive plan to pursue development. Mrs Bhinder said that Mr Tohra’s statement that Mr Badal has too much 'puttar moh' was credible given the concentration of development in the Lok Sabha constituency of his son Sukhbir Singh Badal, while ignoring the rest of Punjab. She reminded Mr Badal that he is the head of the state and not of the constituency of his son alone. Mr Bhinder accused Mr Badal of denigrating Sikh institutions and Sikh maryada but added she did not support Mr Tohra, either. SGPC on this account whom she hold equally responsible. She criticised Mr Badal for eating his words and one too ofen, saying when he accompanied Mr Vajpayee to Pakistan he told newsmen said that he would handing over of control of Gurdwaras in Pakistan to the SGPC. But he was satisfied to return with five sheep intead. She also accused Mr Badal
of gross neglect of the kandi and border areas in the
state. |
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Tributes paid to Azad ROPAR, Feb 28 — The martyrdom anniversary of freedom fighter Chander Shekhar Azad was observed here last evening with a function at the Netaji School here. Mr Anil Mukerjee, Deputy-Speaker, West Bengal Legislative Assembly, lit a jyoti in front of portraits of Chander Shekhar Azad, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh and Bharat Mata. Mr Mukerjee, Mr V.P. Saini, Chairman of Netaji Research Foundation and members of All-India Jai Hind Parivar and students paid floral tributes to the martyr. Freedom fighters and
I.N.A. veterans from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and J&K
also paid tributes to the revoltionary. |
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PCCTU condemns slashing of grant LUDHIANA, Feb 28 — Reacting sharply to the Punjab Government’s decision to provide only a fixed sum as grant to private-aided colleges of the state instead of 95% amount of their deficit as at present the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union (PCCTU) has flayed the SAD-BJP Government for violating its election manifesto and giving a raw deal to higher education. Speaking to the press here yesterday Prof S.S. Hundal and Prof K.B.S. Sodhi, president and secretary of the union, dubbed the move as "retrogressive and unfortunate". And have urged the Chief Minister to reconsider the decision. Meanwhile an emergent
meeting of the PCCTU executive committee has been
convened at Chandigarh on March 1, where the teachers
will hold a protest rally in support of their
long-pending demands. |
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‘Chetna yatra’ from March 18 ROPAR, Feb 28 — Mr Anil Mukherjee, Deputy Speaker, West Bengal Legislative Assembly, talking to newsmen here today, disclosed that the West Bengal Assembly had adopted a resolution unanimously demanding the setting up of a third inquiry commission and an access to all documents in the country and abroad, relating to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's disappearance after August 18, 1945. Mr Mukherjee further said that there was sufficient evidence at Taihoku where the alleged aircrash occurred on August 18, 1945 and Netaji allegedly died that Netaji did not die there. He said the facts being produced to prove that he died in the aircrash were part of a concocted story. The Deputy Speaker also said he had sent the copy of the adopted resolution to the central government for the setting up of a third inquiry commission to settle the issue finally. Meanwhile, a meeting of the Northern India Netaji Chetna Yatra Organising Committee, presided over by Mr Anil Mukherjee was held on the premises of Netaji school here today. Issuing the proceedings of
the meeting to the press, Mr V.P. Saini, convener of the
meeting and Chairman of the Netaji Research Foundation
here said that Mr Mukherjee would lead the chetna yatra
from Jammu to Delhi while Mr Triloki Nath Gupta, the
national convener of the Jai Hind Parivar, would be the
coordinator of this yatra which would begin on March 18. |
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