Friday, March 12, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Friday, March 12, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Sikh panel:
file on order produced Puran
Singh to head meeting |
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Governor's
Address contrary to reality: Cong Cong,
CPI, SAD (Mann) stage walkout Pregnant
woman beaten SDM,
wife ‘threaten’ Principal 2
city fathers booked for gherao India,
Pak to improve rail traffic Dang
complains against DC |
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Sikh panel: file on order
produced CHANDIGARH, March 11 — Pursuant to the directions issued by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Standing Counsel for the Union Government today produced the file relating to the notification dated October 19, 1978, about the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission before a Division Bench consisting of Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice Amar Datt. Arguments of petitions filed by Mr Dara Singh and Mr Kashmira Singh, former members of the commission, questioning their removal and constitution of the new judicial commission were concluded on March 5, and the order reserved. On March 9, the Union Government’s counsel had made a statement that the file had not been traced so far and had sought two day’s time to produce it. The Bench observed that
the case would be taken up in chamber for further
clarification, if any, tomorrow. |
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Attempt to counter predecessor's move AMRITSAR, March 11 — Even as the suspended Jathedar, Bhai Ranjit Singh, is yet to take a decision on holding parallel celebrations of the tercentenary of the foundation of the Khalsa Panth at the proposed meeting of representatives of all Sikh institutions and bodies to be held at Gurdwara Alamgir (Ludhiana) tomorrow, the newly appointed acting Jathedar, Giani Puran Singh, has decided to preside over a meeting of the Sant Samaj and representatives of all Sikh ‘sampardas’ (institutions) on March 13 at Ludhiana in an apparent bid to counter the move of his predecessor. In a press note issued on the letterhead of Akal Takht here today, Giani Puran Singh urged the heads of various Sikh bodies to cooperate in organising the tercentenary of the Khalsa Panth in a "befitting" manner. He made a fervent appeal to the entire Sikh community to "overcome all hurdles" in the way of the celebrations. Giani Puran Singh was hospitalised following a heart attack immediately after his installation as acting Jathedar of Akal Takht on February 15. Due to ill health, he could neither attend the Akal Takht secretariat (which is still in the possession of Bhai Ranjit Singh) or any meeting of Akal Takht even after 24 days after his installation. So much so Giani Puran Singh could not attend the traditional Holla Mohalla procession last week at Anandpur Sahib. In his absence, Bhai Ranjit Singh, the suspended Jathedar, succeeded in leading the procession causing embarrassment to the Badal camp. In yet another significant statement, Giani Puran Singh said all should rise above bitterness and sink differences so that the tercentenary could be celebrated in a proper manner with religious fervour. "Nobody should indulge in any sort of allegations or counter-allegations on the auspicious occasion. Instead, we should fulfill the dreams of the martyrs by implementing the concept of ‘miri and piri’ as conceived by the sixth Sikh master, Guru Hargobind,’ he said. He called upon the Sikh scholars and the Sant Samaj to come forward to chalk out a programme to mark the celebrations. Meanwhile, a jatha of 1300
Sikhs from Takht Sri Hazoor Sahib visited the residence
of Giani Puran Singh to enquire about his health. |
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People's panel ‘giving opinion
on excesses’ CHANDIGARH, March 11 — A prominent Supreme Court advocate and counsel for the Coordination Committee on Disappearances in Punjab, today strenuously defended the People's Commission before a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court comprising Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice Amar Dutt. Before her, another senior Supreme Court lawyer appearing on behalf of Mr Sudershan Goel, who challenged the commission's formation, alleged that the antecedents of members of the committee, which had constituted the commission, were questionable. One member of the committee is Mr Kirpal Singh Randhawa, against whom a criminal case for coercing one Sawinder Singh to make a false statement against police officials, is pending in the High Court. Another counsel appearing for a police official, Mr Madanjit Singh, pointed out that the committee included persons facing trial in the Burail jailbreak case. Arguine in defence of the People's Commission, counsel for the coordination committee contended that the commission was only documenting cases of police excesses since a large number of persons were missing. "If we come to conclusion, after going through the documents, that state agencies had failed to fulfil their legal obligations, we will be free to express our opinion. We will be entitled to hold our opinion and even educate the public on the matter," counsel stated. Any ban on what we are doing at this stage will amount to pre-censorship and will be illegitimate. No breach of law and order was involved in it," claimed counsel. Referring to the rules framed by the commission which include inquiry into cases decided by the courts and pending cases, counsel asserted that there is no legal bar on criticising cases that had been decided and even in pending cases, opinion could be expressed in public interest. Counsel argued that it was legitimate to criticise a judgement that the judge was biased. "A decision can be legal but unjust," said counsel, while buttressing the argument that opening cases for review was legitimate. She also repudiated arguments that the commission was seeking to arrogate to itself the powers of the courts. The case was adjourned to
March 24. |
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Governor's Address contrary to
reality: Cong CHANDIGARH, March 11 — The Punjab Vidhan Sabha today started discussion on the Governor's Address delivered on the opening day of the Budget session on March 9. The first Speaker was SAD's Mr Manpreet Singh Badal, he talked of most what was contained in the Address and lauded the government for its achievements. Plodding away at data and statistics, Mr Manpreet Singh concluded by suggesting that irrespective of the political party which might rule the state in times to come, the need of the hour was to let the persent session arrive at a consensus to evolve an economic agenda for Punjab, which should be vigorously pursued if Punjab was to be saved from economic slideback. The state had already suffered enough. It could not be allowed to suffer yet again. Trading allegations and charges is one thing working together as responsible political leaders and parties is quite another. Rather than apportioning blame to one another on what went wrong where or talking of its hows and whys it was time to concentrate, collectively, on economic situation and possible solutions. The second suggestion after economic agenda for Punjab was that there must be a population policy for Punjab. Human reproduction can not be allowed to overrun the economic production in farms and factories. Even if state had to evolve such a policy by giving incentives to people, who produced only one child, Punjab should do so in its own interest. Same way, the state needed a long-term "sports policy" so that Punjab remained on the top. Human resource development through such a sports policy would itself ensure peace, progress and economic prosperity, he added. He offered to quit if any one could prove that SAD-BJPs two years were responsible for economic mess. Among those who spoke on Governor's Address today were Mr Satya Pal Saini, Mr Amarjit Singh Samra , Mr Tikshan Sud. Mr Samra (Congress) said what the Address contained was contrary to the ground realities and far removed from truth. He again harped on the plight of the teachers and referred to focal points scheme's failure and governments mishandling of panchayat elections. For the day's speakers besides the economic situation, employment was of equal concern. They also wanted Punjab to take steps to improve its literacy rate. Earlier, there were three calling attention motions moved in the House. Mr Satya Pal Saini, drew the attention of the house to illegal felling of trees in the catchment area of Shahpur Kandi project and in the adjoining green belt in Dhar block in Gurdaspur. Mr Sher Singh Jalalabad drew the House's attention to discontentment among people due to lesser supply of kerosene in Ferozepure. The third calling attention motion was by Mr Hardev Arshi, who wanted a reply on resentment among workers employed in the state under various projects under ICDS schemes due to nonsanction of said scheme by the Centre. The ministers concerned gave the replies. While the Speaker presented the first report of the Business Advisory Committee to the House, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs laid on the table of the House several papers and reports. As per the report of the
Business Advisory Committee, the present session will
last till March 30 next, |
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Demands of non-govt educational institutions
CHANDIGARH, March 11 — The Punjab Vidhan Sabha today saw the Congress and other Opposition parties walk out of the House during zero hour over the issue of demands of the non-government-aided educational institutions, both colleges and schools. Even as the Speaker, Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, reminded the Leader of the Opposition, Chaudhary Jagjit Singh, that a calling attention motion was listed for the afternoon session and he and other members could raise the issue then and speak on the subject, the Opposition did not heed him and staged a walk-out. Joining the Congress in the walk-out was the CPI and said (Mann) MLAs. Even the BJP member, Ms Laxmi Kanta Chawla, who raised the issue was not allowed to proceed further by the Speaker. At this juncture with several members on their feet, the Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, rose to say that it did not behove the Opposition members to act the manner in which they did, compromising on the decorum and dignity of the House. The conduct of business in the House required a certain degree of "respect, seriousness and sacredness". The members had agreed upon to maintain democratic traditions of the House at a meeting on Wednesday. They had forgotten the same today. Capt Kanwaljit Singh said the Speaker was the custodian of the House and the Chair had to be respected. The House provided a platform to air the grievances and problems of the people as much as if afforded an opportunity to articulate their aspirations. But it so seems that to hog media attention and headlines staging of a walk-out had become a fashion with the Opposition. Such acts only lowered the decorum of the House and were against norms of parliamentary form of democracy. He chided the Congress for first walking out when the Governor delivered his address on March 9 and again today, expressing his concern over misuse of the democratic process and special authority enjoyed by the members, he hoped better sense will prevail. There was enough time to speak on issues during the discussion on Governor's address and otherwise, he added. The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, expressed similar sentiments. When the government was holding talks with the teachers and was "sympathetic" towards their viewpoint, there was no need to lower the decorum of the House by walking out. The Speaker, who agreed
with the views expressed, pointed out that he had
interacted with members and presiding officers of
Parliament in other countries and never ever had there
been an occasion when the head of state's address was
boycotted or a walk-out staged as was done here. He hoped
members would pay heed. |
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Pregnant woman beaten BATHINDA, March 11 — In blatant abuse of authority, Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Hukam Singh arrested Mr Prem Kumar, brother-in-law of Mrs Geeta Sharma, who was beaten up by three persons and subsequently hospitalised in the Civil Hospital here yesterday in serious condition. Mrs Sharma, who was into seven months of pregnancy, was beaten up by Bhupinder Kaur, Jagjit Singh and Sukhwinder Kaur. Due to the injuries in her stomach, she was hospitalised. Mr Narain Sharma, a police constable, while narrating the case to TNS said ASI Hukam Singh first arrested one of the accused but later, set her free. Then, he arrested the victims brother in-law, Mr Prem Kumar and the owner of the house in which he was living on rent, Mr Abhey Singh. They were kept at the police station without giving reasons for the same. Official sources said though the police had registered a case against the three accused, nobody had been arrested Singh so far. Mrs Omwati, wife of Mr Abhey Sigh alleged that Mr Hukam Singh had registered a "false" criminal case against Mr Prem Kumar and her husband in "connivance" with the accused. Mr BS Romana, DSP(Headquarters), when contacted, said he was making an inquiry into the matter and action would be taken against the culprits. Mr Jagjit Singh Joga,
member of the state council of the CPI, Punjab, has
demanded the accused should be arrested immediately. He
has also sought action against the "erring
policemen. |
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SDM, wife ‘threaten’ Principal KAPURTHALA, March 11(UNI) — Kapurthala SDM and his wife allegedly misbehaved and threatened the local NJSA Government College Principal for registering an unfair means case (UMC) against their domestic help Ashok Kumar, who took the general English paper of the plus two examination here on March 9. College Principal J K Mehta, when contacted today, said that he was Controller of the examination centre for private candidates of the plus two and registered seven cases of UMC, for copying. He said SDM N S Baath along with District Education Officer (Secondary) Surjit Kaur Nibber came to the centre at around 3 p.m. on March 9 and went to the room where Ashok Kumar was writing the paper and asked for the lady superviser, as to who had registered a UMC against him. When the supervisers told them that case was registered because Ashok Kumar was caught copying red-handed by the Princpal.Both Mr Bath and Ms Nibber questioned the authority of the Principal to register UMC against Ashok Kumar. The situation took an ugly turn when the SDM allegedly misbehaved with the Princpal outside the centre and threatened him with dire consequences. The Principal had brought the matter to the notice of Deputy Commissioner. When the examination was over,the wife of the SDM along with gunmen came to the college in the official Gypsy and went to the office of Principal. She also allegedly misbehaved with him in the presence of the college staff. When the SDM wife asked her servant to slap the Principal, some lecturers intervened. The Princpal again brought the matter to the notice of Deputy Commissioner on telephone and the DC reportedly snubbed the SDM’s wife for her misbehaviour. Meanwhile, all college lecturers in an emergency meeting held today condemned the misbehaviour by the SDM through a resolution. In a counter-complaint to the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Bath and Ms Nibber demanded the registration of a case against the Principal for allegedly misbehaving with them during their surprise checking of the examination centres at the college. The Deputy Commissioner Mrs Usha Sharma,when contacted, said she would soon convene a meeting of the SDM and the Principal to sort out the matter. Neither the SDM nor the
District Education Officer were available for their
comments. |
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Fasting teacher sent to hospital CHANDIGARH, March 11 — A former teacher, Mrs Tejinder Kaur, who has been on fast for the past four days in front of the office of the Punjab DPI (S), was shifted to General Hospital here today in view of her deteriorating physical condition. Mrs Ritu Joshi from Sangrur has taken her place. She was taken away by the police after the doctors advised that she needed medical help. Apart from weakness, her blood pressure was also low, police sources said. As the number of teachers was large the police had to call in reinforcements to shift her. A large number of teachers present on the occasion raised slogans against the government when she was carried away to the hospital. A member of the Nav Niyukt Adhyapak Union, Punjab, she has been on the fast to highlight the plight of hundreds of teachers who had been removed from service by the government. The state government had sacked the teachers who had put in 89 days of service. Mr Pushpinder Singh, president of the union, said the teachers had exhausted all other options before deciding to go on fast. It was a fight to the finish this time , he added. He said a meeting of all the unions of the state would be held tomorrow to take stock of the situation. A state level rally was being held on March 15. The employees have been
agitating ever since and had been cane charged a couple
of times in the city following rallies and attempts by
them to march to the Chief Minister's residence. |
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city
fathers booked for gherao FEROZEPORE, March 11 — The city police has registered a criminal case against four persons, including two Municipal Councillors (MCs), who were allegedly among the hundreds of traders who gheraoed the car of the Minister for Local Government, Labour and Employment, Mr Balramji Dass Tandon. On March 7, more than 100 members of the local Beopar Mandal, led by its President, Mr Ashwani Mehta, welcomed Mr Tandon with black flags when he came to attend the annual convocation and prize distribution function of RSD College here. The entire "drama" had lasted 45 minutes. The vehicle of the minister was gheraoed to press him to withdraw the hike in tax on commercial properties within municipal limits. The agitators had ‘forced’ Mr Tandon to come out of the car and hear their grievance. They were pacified only when the Minister had a closed-door meeting with them to discuss the issue. According to informatoin received this afternoon, an FIR has been registered under Sections 341, 147 and 148 of the IPC against Mr Mehta, Mr Chander Mohan Handa and Mr Ashok Kumar (both MCs) and Mr Jagdish Lal Gakhar, a former president of the Municipal Council. The FIR has been lodged on a complaint by ASI, Sukhminder Singh. The complainant stated in his complaint that when the car of the Minister arrived near Makhu Gate chowk, the four accused, along with other members of the Beopar Mandal, stopped it and shouted slogans. The demonstrators were holding sticks and carrying black flags, he alleged. The complainant said the police personnel on duty had asked Mr Mehta and other demonstrators not to stop the Minister’s car, but they did not listen. The DSP (City), Mr Rachhpal Singh, has been directed to investigate the matter further. Meanwhile, Mr Ashok Gupta,
a former propaganda secretary of the District Congress
Committee, has condemned the registration of a case
against the four persons. |
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India, Pak to improve rail
traffic AMRITSAR, March 11 — A meeting of the divisional-level Indo-Pakistan railway delegation which was held here yesterday discussed various measures to streamline the movement of passengers, parcel and goods between India and Pakistan. The Regional Manager, Pakistan Railways, Lahore Division, Mr Tariq Saeed Dasti, who led the seven-member delegation conferred with the Divisional Railway Manager, Mr N.K. Goel, for over the two hours at Attari railway terminus. Giving details of the meeting, Mr Yogesh Kumar, Assistant Traffic Manager, here said it was agreed to provide better facilities to the passengers and to expedite the formalities in the shortest possible time. Both delegations agreed to advance by at least one hour the arrival and departure of the bi-weekly Samjotha Express train. He said the advancing of the line of arrival would provide one extra hour for customs and other formalities which would make it possible to maintain the schedule of departure from Attari and Lahore and vice versa. At present over 1,000 passengers travel each way and there is continuous pressure for more bookings. The meeting decided to add two additional coaches to cope with the traffic. The issue of the smooth operation of goods trains, inlcuding the inter change of wagons was also discussed. The Pakistani delegation expressed apprehensions over the delay, due to the security agencies on the Indian side. The Indian delegation pointed out that it would ensure the timely departure of the goods trains so that they operated during the day time, when the security gates were open. It was agreed that with the removal of these kinds of restrictions, more than one interchange could take place in a day. The Indian side assured that these hurdles would be removed soon. At present India is importing sugar from Pakistan and almost every day rakes loaded with sugar are reaching Amritsar. While there are negligible exports yet the Indian side is providing the interchange of wagons. Earlier, de-oil cakes of soyabean were being exported to Pakistan in large quantities. The delegations also agreed to attach additional parcel wagons with the Samjhota Express. Earlier, there was a provision for only six wagons which would be increased to eight to facilitate the export of tyres, spices, seeds, imli, haldi, beetle leaves and other small items from India. The officials agreed to
meet more frequently preferably twice a year. The meeting
was held after a gap of two years. |
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Dang complains against DC AMRITSAR, March 11 — Veteran CPI leader Satya Pal Dang yesterday came down heavily on the functioning of the Deputy Commissioner here. In a letter to the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, which was released to the Press here yesterday, he said it was practically impossible to speak to him on phone or meet him personally. Quoting a number of instances during the last week on days fixed for public hearings, he said the DC's telephone operator told him he could come on Friday but later changed it to Monday or Thursday. He lamented that even CPI MP Gurudas Dasgupta, who sought an appointment with the Deputy Commissioner on March 5, failed to elicit any response. Mr Dang regretted that in December last year he had recommended two genuine cases from terrorist-hit families for jobs but the Deputy Commissioner in his wisdom rejected their applications without giving any opportunity to plead or support their contentions. The CPI leader added that the district grievances committee met only twice or thrice in a year. He felt the Deputy Commissioner did not include all complaints and only a few were selected while most of the cases were put in cold storage. Having a dig at the poor administration, Mr Dang pointed out that it was next to impossible to get him on the phone. Citing an instance during last week, he said he called up the Deputy Commissioner at least four times in one hour. Every time he called he was told "Sahib is in the bathroom" or "Sahib has not yet come out of the bathroom". Lashing out at the total lack of public sympathy, Mr Dang alleged that the Deputy Commissioner had even directed the police not to come to the rescue of the agitating OCM workers. Mr Dang alleged this smacked of favouritism. The CPI stalwart added the
Chief Minister must intervene to save the district
administration from total collapse as he felt this was
something which he had not experienced during his 46
years of public life. |
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People for Animals spreads wings LUDHIANA: The awareness about the need to prevent cruelty to animals and treat kindly is slowly but surely seeping in among residents of this megacity, thanks to the efforts of the local chapter of the People for Animals, an outfit launched by Ms Maneka Gandhi. The chapter came into being quite some time ago when Ms Gandhi visited Ludhiana, but it was only about a year ago that the team of volunteers headed by Dr Sandeep K. Jain, along with Mr Tajinder Bhanot, Mr Ajay Jain, Mr Arun Jain and Mr Sanjeev Kundra began working in right earnest. "The level of awareness among the people about the need to treat animals kindly is appaling", recalls Dr Jain, who heads the chapter. "The first time we went to a police station to lodge a complaint under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, there were smiles all around. Policemen tend to treat us as some kind of eccentrics. It took some effort on our part to inform them that there was an act on the statue book dealing with cruelty to animals". Finally, the PFA had to go to the district administration for help. The Additional Deputy Commissioner, Mr K. Shiva Parsad, issued an order to all police stations in Ludhiana to register cases under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, if and when brought to their notice. The previous SP (HQ), Mr Virender Kumar, also took interest in the activities of the PFA and on his suggestion, the PFA got the laws translated into Punjabi and Hindi and distributed them at police stations, government offices and opinion builders. So far, the PFA has registered about 20 cases against various offenders. But in all of them, it has avoided actually prosecuting them. "Our objective is to educate the people and make them aware of the fact that the animals, too, require humane treatment. In all cases, we have let off the offenders after giving them a warning and taking a written undertaking from them that they would not repeat it", says Dr Jain. Although some progress has been made in this direction, PFA members are aware that they still have a long way to go. "When I was the Mayor of Ludhiana Municipal Corporation during 1994-95, I chalked up an elaborate plan to shift all wayside butcheries to the city's outskirts," says Mr Satya Parkash, the PFA's honorary patron. "Even 13 sites were identified but for some reason, the scheme did not take off". According to a sample survey done by the PFA, there are more than 10,000 dogs, between 5000 and 6000 stray cattle, about 200 horses and ponies in Ludhiana, besides countless pigs. There is hardly a colony in the city which does not swarm with pigs, posing a hazard to humans as well as vehicular traffic. There is no system to register pets with the corporation. Many of the animals need to be vaccinated against rabies while the dog breeding needs to be checked through sterilisation. The PFA is hampered by the
fact that it has to transport to carry stray cattle nor
does it have a shelter for them. "But we are ready
to assume the responsibility for curbing the stray dog
and cattle menace if the administration provides us with
the necessary facilities", adds Dr Jain. |
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Revised pay scales CHANDIGARH, March 11 — The notification issued by the Punjab government on the revised pay scales of the university and college teachers late last might was rejected out of hand today by the dons. The Government College Teachers' Association, president, Dr P.S. Bhatti, and general secretary, Mr B.S. Sandhu, in a joint statement said the notification was "discriminatory" and full of "flaws." As a consequence of the rejection of the notification, the association leaders reiterated their call to all 4,000 government college teachres to proceed on a "mass casual" leave tomorrow and reach Chandigarh for a demonstration. That is intended to extend support to their colleagues working in non-government aided colleges, who have been excluded from the notification. Their number is more than 4,500. The university dons will join their college colleagues. The two leaders, Dr Bhatti and Mr Sandhu, told The Tribune that teachers of the universities and colleges, both government and private, would march from the Parade Ground to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha to protest. The notification issued by the government is contrary to the notifications issued earlier by the Ministry of Human Resource Development as well as the University Grants Commission in November and December. The contents of the Punjab notificatin showed that the powers that be have deviated from the UGC and HRD notifications and promises made to teachers, the two added. The non-incluson of minimum fixation of Rs 14,940 for selection grade and readers to benefit total service, the state has deprived 70 per cent of the teachers of the benefit due to them. Other "flaws" pertained to silence on age of superannuation and benefit of service in the feeder grade. Moreover, there is no mention of reader's designation for selection scale lecturers, creation of posts of professor and readers in colleges and payment of arrears in one instalment. The incentive to non-M.Phil and Ph.D teachers is also missing. On the other hand, the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers' Union ex-president, Mr Charanjit Chawla, said the government had played a "cruel joke" on the teachers, who were likely to file a PIL in the high court to seek justice. Worse was the attitude of the Chandigarh administration. Mr Chawla said the decision of the Chandigarh Administration not to adopt pay scales' notification of the HRD and the UGC for government and private colleges was not based on any sound reasoning. It continues to say it will follow the Punjab pattern. The Centre had clearly directed the states and union territories in its notification of November 6 last to adopt new pay scales. The Chandigarh Administration follows UGC pay scales and Punjab when it comes to allowances. In fact the day was marked by high drama with notification issued on Wednesday night not being available even in the office of the DPI Colleges, The rumour was that the government had "withdrawn" the same having changed its mind. A copy of the notification became available only late in the evening after 3.30 pm when some teachers were able to get it from sources in the main secretariat. Power that be in the mini-secretariat and office of the DPI Colleges were keeping others in the dark on this. The bulky notification has
become a contentious issue. The teachers have already
decided to observe March 24 as a day of "education
bandh". Even "mass casual" leave by
teaching staff in Punjab and Chandigarh tomorrow will
cast a shadow on Punjab government's poor performance. |
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Talks between govt, teachers
fail ROPAR, March 11 — Talks between the Punjab Government and Punjab State-Aided School Teachers and Other Employees Union at Chandigarh yesterday did not produce any result. The meeting was presided over by the Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, Mr Tota Singh, Education Minister, Mr Swarna Ram, State Minister for Education, Finance and Education Secretaries of the state represented the government while the union deputation was led by Mr Lashkar Singh Samra, acting president. More than 10,000 teachers, working in about 500 aided schools have been observing strike for more than a month for the implementation of their demands. Talking to TNS here today, the general secretary of the union, Mr Manohar Lal Chopra, said the union rejected the state government's position that financial crisis was forcing it not to meet the additional responsibility due to the implementation of Fourth Pay Commission benefits for the employees, teachers and pensioners of aided-schools. The general secretary criticised the state government plan to reduce grants of aided schools. He said the union would oppose any such move. He announced that a
massive demonstration will be held at Moga on March 13 to
register protest against Punjab Government. |
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Excise on liquor fetched Punjab
Rs 984.65 cr CHANDIGARH, March 11 — The Punjab Vidhan Sabha today was informed by the Minister of State of Information and Public Relations, Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan, that the government issued advertisements on 67 occasions (between March 1, 1997 and February 19, 1999) incurring an expenditure of Rs 1,46,35,400 (Rs 1.46 crore). The question was asked by the BJP member, Ms Laxmi Kanta Chawla, who wanted to know the advertisement policy and if there existed a committee to decide as to how much advertisement is to be given (in terms of size and money involved) to whom and on what occasion. Earlier, she wanted to know from the Minister of Local Bodies, Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, the expenditure incurred on advertisements issued by his department. She was told that total amount involved was Rs 133,907 between March 1, 1997 and till to date). When she pointed out as to why hefty sum was spent on advertisements when Mr I.K. Gujral was the Prime Minister or when Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee visited the state besides the visit of Queen Elizabeth, Mr Sehkhwan replied Mr Gujral and Mr Vajpayee had done for Punjab, to uplift the state economically but none else also had done. The ads were befitting the stature of the personalities involved. He read out the policy on the releasing of advertisements and said a modified policy was on the anvil keeping in view the presence of the electronic media besides the print media. The damage to cotton crop in the state found an echo in the House today when Mr Ajaib Singh Raunta and Mr Hardev Arshi (CPI) raised a question. The Minister, Mr Gurdev Singh Badal said in 1998-99 area under cotton was 5.67 lakh hectares and 15 lakh bales were estimated to be produced. But the estimated production will be around 6 lakh bales. CPI's Mr Hardev Arshi questioned the Transport Minister, Mr Raghbir Singh on the fabrication of chassis of buses and complaints received from certain general managers who had questioned the quality of the works executed. When the minister denied having received any complaints, Mr Arshi read out the letter number and gave dates. He let the Speaker decide if the Minister had "misled" the House or not and said his (minister's) statement amounted to a breach of the Previlege of House. Mr Arshi offered to make available copies of the complaints from the general managers and said some record was also tampered with. In violation of the anti-pollution laws a total of 285 cases were pending in the courts, said the Finance and Planning Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh in a written reply to a question by Mr Tikshan Sud. Out of these cases, 151 are under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and remaining, 134, under Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) act. 1981. Punjabis consumed 358.73 lakh proof litres of country wine in 1998-99 (till January) and 196.09 lakh proof litres of Indian Made Foreign Liquor during the same period enabling the state to earn a revenue of Rs 984.65 crore. This was stated in a written reply by the Chief Minister, in response to a question by CPI's Mr Hardev Singh Arshi and Mr Ajaib Singh Raunta. There is no government primary school in 437 villages, of the state, according to the Educaton Minister, Mr Tota Singh, who said in a written reply to a question by Mr Inderjit Singh Zira, (SAD.) Mr Baldev Singh Khiala, (SAD) today said the Speaker should ensure that the ministers and the members were brief and to the point while answering the questions or putting supplementries rather than allowing them to narrate history. He was upset since several members did not get an opportunity to speak out their question. Even while the existing
government pensioners are crying hoarse for non-payment
of pension on time and the government is in a cash-strap,
the Minister of Rural Development and Panchayats, Mr
Nirmal Singh Khalon, told the House that shortly a
pension policy would be evolved for the zila parishad and
panchayat employees. He gave June 30 as the last date by
when policy should be through. He gave this assurance to
a questin by Mr Tikshan Sud. |
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Cong alleges nepotism in liquor
vends' auction CHANDIGARH, March 11 — Afternoon session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha here today witnessed noisy scenes during zero hour as Chaudhary Jagjit Singh, leader of the Congress party in the House, raised the issue of auction of liquor shops of Ludhiana district. Chaudhary Jagjit Singh called the auction a "fraud" as the exercise was designed to give liquor shops to those belonging to the ruling party and their close relations. He said that the government used wrong method and force" to allot shops to certain people. Those who had offered higher bids than the allottees of shops were denied the allotment. Attacking the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, who was not in the House, Mr Jagjit Singh said that Mr Badal used to make claims that there would be full transparency while holding such auctions and there would also be video recording of auction of shops. Where all these claims had gone now, he asked. When Treasury Benches objected to the remarks of Choudhary Jagjit Singh, all Congress MLAs got up to press the issue further. What would be the fate of Punjab when ruling party was allotting shops at a longer rate to its relations? he said. Punjab, which was facing a financial crisis, required money, he added. Seeking the cancellation of Ludhiana auction and holding the re-auction of Ludhiana shops at Chandigarh, Choudhary Jagjit Singh demanded that the minister concerned should make the statement. While Mr Chiranji Lal Garg, Minister of State for Food Supplies, got up to make a statement, the Congress MLAs trooped out raising slogans against the Punjab Government and seeking cancellation. Mr Garg said that the Congress MLAs were making noise without any reason. Congressmen were, in fact, involved in the auction and got the shops. Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, said that it would have been better if Congress leaders had raised the issue of the poor and down trodden people. He said that the Congress party was pleading the case of liquor contractors. It was unfortunate and clearly indicated that with whom the sympathies of Congress MLAs lay. He said that the Congress party, which had big liquor contractors in its ranks was hand in glove with contractors and trying its best to protect their interests. While replying to a calling attention notice moved by Mr Hardev Arshi with regard to agitation by aided school employees, Mr Tota Singh, Education Minister, said that the government was ready to talk to teachers but would also like to involve the Management Committees of such schools. He said that the government was not in a position to bear entire burden of wages etc of such schools. Such schools were not under government control and managed by private committee, he said. When asked what stopped government from implementing the scales with effect from January 1, 1996, Mr Tota Singh said that the Government would have to bear a burden of Rs 56.65 crore if it implemented the scales from January 1996. He said that the Government had offered to pay revised scales from January 1, 1999. He said that the Government was prepared to concede genuine demands of agitating teachers. Mr Inderjit Singh Mofar raised the issue of waterlogging in Mansa district. Drawing the attention of the Minister concerned, he said that entire Mansa subdivision was facing the problem of waterlogging. He mentioned the names of villages like Kot Dharmu, Bhame Kalan, Nangal etc. Mr Sikandar Singh Maluka State Minister for Irrigation said that neccessary steps were being taken to tackle the problem of waterlogging. A division had been set up at Mansa and a subdivision of the Drainage Department had been opened at Budhlada, he added. The issue of pollution of Ghaggar was also raised by Mr Mofar. Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister responding to Mr Mofar’s notice said that already a number of steps had been taken to stop the pollution of Ghaggar. The Central Pollution Control Board was also active in this connection. Governments of Haryana, Himachal and Rajasthan were also doing what was necessary in this connection. However, unsatisfied, Mr Mofar sought the setting up of a committee of MLAs to monitor the issue of pollution in Ghaggar. Resolution was also moved
with regard to built up bhavans in memory of Shaheed
Bhagat Singh by Mr Arshi. Among those who participated in
the debate in this connection were Mr Avtar Singh Brar,
Mr Ajaib Singh Raunta and Mr Makhan Singh and Mr Jagdish
Sahni, Mr Tota Singh and others. As resolution did not
get through the opposition staged a walk out. |
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Mongolia's envoy meets Badal CHANDIGARH, March 11 — H.E.Oidov Nyamdavee, Ambassador of Mongolia called on Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal here last night and discussed with him various issues of mutual interest. The visiting dignitary during 40-minute meeting with the Chief Minister, offered collaboration and setting up of joint ventures with the state of Punjab in different sectors of economy including agriculture, food processing, agro industry, development of livestock and manufacture of varied wool and fabric products through hi-tech industrial techniques. The Ambassador informed the Chief Minister that farm and industrial sectors were the main economic sectors of Mongolia besides great scope for livestock development. He said that his government was paying special attention toward facilitating market principles in livestock sector and improving animal husbandry as a modern intensive sector, increasing the number of heads of high productivity pure and cross-breed animals to develop and expand combined fodder industry and increasing meat export. The Chief Minister welcoming the offer, said that he would explore the possibility of realising this proposal of sponsoring farmer groups from Punjab encourage them for going to Mongolia for setting up ventures. He appreciated the offer and directed the officers of state government to examine it for giving practical shape to the plan. Later on Mr Oidov Nyamdavee, Ambassador of Mongolia in India along with his wife called on Punjab Governor, Lt. Gen. (retd) B.K.N. Chhibber late last evening. Mr Oidov and Gen.Chhibber
discussed issues of mutual importance and shared ideas to
improve trade and technical collaboration between Punjab
and Mongolia. Mr Oidov evinced interest in the areas of
agriculture, horticulture, textile, woollen and Hosiery
and agro-based industries. |
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Lawyers block traffic FEROZEPORE, March 11 — Intensifying their month-long agitation, members of the local District Bar Association (DBA) today blocked the GT Road near the PWD office in the cantonment area here. This was done in protest against the reported move of the Punjab Government to exclude the Dharamkot area from Ferozepore district and include it in Moga district. Vehicular traffic on the road was diverted elsewhere. Lawyers sat on the road for an hour. They were addressed, among others, by the DEA President, Mr Balwant Singh Sekhon. They also shouted slogans against the Punjab Government and alleged that the state government was giving step-motherly treatment to them. A meeting of the DBA would be held tomorrow at which future course of action would be decided. Tight security
arrangements were made near site of the blockade. |
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Books on Sikhism in Italian AMRITSAR, March 11 — Professor Stefano Piano, who is teaching in an Italian university, presented two books on Sikhism in the Italian language, to Mr Surjit Singh, secretary, SGPC, here today. These books were sent to the Sikh reference library. The first book entitled
"Guru Nanak and the Sikh Religion" is an essay
on the origin of the Sikh faith, which deals with the
literary sources of the Panth. The second is an anthology
of texts taken from Guru Granth Sahib and translated into
the Italian language together with an index, a glossary
of Gurmukhi terms and a comprehensive introduction. |
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Tohra asks PM to withdraw letter
to banks AMRITSAR, March 11 — The SGPC president, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, has appealed to the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, and the Union Finance Minister, Mr Yashwant Sinha, to instruct the income tax authoritiesto withdraw the letter directing banks to deduct income tax on term deposits by the SGPC. In a statement here today, he said the money received as compensation for the SGPC and Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) properties acquired by the government under the corridor scheme had been deposited in banks for a certain period. With the interest accrued
on these term deposits, the SGPC had been managing
‘langar’ (communit kitchen) and accommodation
in ‘serais’ (inns) for visiting pilgrims and
running educational institutions and medical centres for
the benefit of the common man. Pointing out that the
Shiromani Akali Dal was an ally of the BJP-led coalition
at the Centre, Jathedar Tohra asked Mr Vajpayee and Mr
Sinha not to impose any such tax on the income of
gurdwaras, mandirs, masjids and other religious places. |
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Punjab Budget on March 24 CHANDIGARH, March 11 — The Punjab Finance Minister Captain Kanwaljit Singh, will present the Budget for 1999-2000 on March 24 at 10 a.m. The supplementary demands (estimates) for the current year will be presented on March 18 afternoon sitting. He will also move the Appropriate Bill. As per the report of the Business Advisory Committee. Despite an arrangement between the Treasury and Opposition Benches, there will be double sittings of the House on some days. There was an afternoon sitting today itself. The next double sitting days are March 18 and March 27. There is a "non-stop" sitting of the House on March 26. The House meets that day at 11 a.m. to take up general discussion on the Budget estimates for the next financial year. The discussion conludes on
March 27, morning session and House will take up
discussion on voting on demands for grants in respect of
Irrigation, Home, Education and Transport in the
afternoon. |
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Punjab has no water for SYL:
Badal CHANDIGARH, March 11 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today said no water can flow through the Sutlej-Yamuna-Link canal as the state did not have any surplus water for Haryana. This categorical statement came in the wake of a question put by CPI MLAs Mr Hardev Arshi and Mr Ajaib Singh Raunta in the Vidhan Sabha. Intervening in the reply given by the Minister of State, Mr Sikandar Singh Maulka, Punjab, Chief Minister categorically stated that no talks were underway with the Centre on the SYL issue and in the interest of Punjab no water will be available for the SYL. He blamed the previous government - run by the Congress - for the mess. Mr Sikandar Singh said it was Punjab's firm resolve not to commission SYL come what may. There had to be a permanent solution to the problem which should not infringe on the interests of the state. No work is to be resumed on the SYL, he added. Referring to an expenditure of Rs 121.57 lakh incurred on SYL between 1994 and till February 1999, Mr Sikandar Singh said this was on account of repair works carried out at different places to save the adjoining villages or for de-silting the canal. When a Congress MLA, Mr
Brar stood up to say that how come Punjab did not
approach the Centre now for redressal of its grievances
and demands, Mr Parkash Singh rebuffed him by saying no
state could take a step which is self-harming. Several
Treasury Bench MLAs chided Mr Brar. |
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Punjab assurance on admission in CHANDIGARH, March 11 — Captain Kanwaljit Singh, Punjab Finance Minister, assured the opposition in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha today that the policy with regard to admission in the Government medical colleges in the state would be reviewed. He gave the assurance while replying to a question raised in this connection by Mr Hardev Arshi, leader of the CPI group in the Vidhan Sabha. With facts and figures, Mr Arshi made an attempt to prove that due to "loose"policy of the Punjab Government, students of Punjab were suffering while seeking admission to the medical colleges in the state. He said that as many as 34 students from other states succeeded in getting admission in the Government medical colleges by procuring domicile certificates from various parts of the state. He said that such students usurped the right of students from Punjab. Captain Kanwaljit Singh
said that the government would take these points into
consideration. Mr Arshi urged to make domicile rules more
appropriate to plug the holes in these rules. He also
urged the authorities concerned that while converting
unfilled NRI seats in medical colleges for local
residents normal charges should be taken from them. |
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Two held for stealing cash,
valuables BATHINDA, March 11 — The police has arrested two members of a gang involved in stealing cash and other valuables from the vehicles at market places and infront of the banks. Police sources said two pistols and over 10 cartridges were recovered from two, they have been identified as Sayyad Hussain and Irfan Ali. A motor cycle bearing registration number UP-21F 6872 had been recovered from Irfan Ali. The sources said one of the accused was arrested by Civil Lines police on March 9 while the other was arrested by the Kotwali police on March 10. Both the accused had been
booked under the Sections 25/54/59 of the Arms Act, the
source added. |
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Liquor shops auction fetches
116.61 cr JALANDHAR, March 11 — The Punjab Government today netted a revenue of Rs 116.6 crore in the auction of liquor shops in Jalandhar for the year 1999-2000 held at Hansraj Stadium here today. According to the official version, the revenue from the auction registered an increase of Rs 15.53 crore over that of 1998-99. The Kapurthala administration today auctioned 168 liquor shops and earned Rs 41.29 crore in revenue, an increase of Rs 6.19 crore since last year. The hour-long auction was
supervised by Mr N.R. Bali, Commissioner, Excise and
Taxation (Divisional). |
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CPM plea to CM on teachers CHANDIGARH, March 11 — Mr Balwant Singh, Secretary, Punjab State Committee of CPM has condemned the callous and indifferent attitude of the Badal Government towards the just demands of teachers of recognised and aided colleges and schools who were forced to launch an agitation. The demands of this
teaching community and employees are just. Non fulfilling
of these demands amounted to back tracking from earlier
commitments. Supporting the struggle of these teachers he
has urged the Punjab Chief Minister that he should
intervene in the matter and concede the demands so that
future of lakhs of students, who are suffering, was
saved. |
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BSP condemns policies on
Dalits TARN TARAN, March 11 — The alleged anti-Dalit policies of the Union Government and the Punjab Government were condemned in a resolution passed at a rally organised here yesterday by the local tehsil unit of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). The speakers addressing the rally demanded immediate arrest of the culprits responsible for raping a minor Dalit girl of Bhanjan Kheri village near Abohar. According to the other resolutions passed at the rally the need strengthen the hands of BSP chief Kanshi Ram was stressed. Atrocitieson Dalits and
the Ranvir Sena's activities in Bihar were condemned. The
leaders demanded provision of free power and drinking
water to Dalit families. |
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Visitors can go up to dam top NANGAL, March 11 — The Bhakra management has now allowed visitors to go on the top of dam. The visitors at Bhakra now
can rome at the top of the dam up to the first lift,
allowing them to enjoy scenic beauty of the Gobind Sagar
Lake. Earlier the visitors were allowed only up to the
corner of the dam and only those having special
permission could go to the top. |
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YC announces quota for women JALANDHAR, March 11 — In a significant decision, the Punjab Youth Congress today announced 33 per cent reservation for women in the state body which will be constituted within 10 days. Announcing this, the state president of the Youth Congress, Mr Davinder Singh Baboo, said here today that women would be given 22 per cent representation in the "Federal" structure of the Youth wing of the party. Accusing the state government of protection and promoting corruption in the Sales Tax Department, he said the "octroi posts" should not be auctioned as this led to more corruption in the "system". The state president said he had constituted a three-member committee to monitor the "working" of the Youth Congress. The members were Mr Sukhwinder Singh (Ropar), Mr Shusheel Malhotra (Ludhiana) and Mr Darminder Rana (Jalandhar). Dubbing the Badal-Tohra fued as a "war of golak", he said the entire state was in a "shambles". The Youth Congress had
started awareness drive among transportors and had urged
the local administration to take steps to curbs
"noise pollution", Mr Davinder Singh said. |
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Punjab Cong Kisan Dal dissolved CHANDIGARH, March 11 — The Punjab Congress Kisan Dal and its District and Block units have been dissolved by Mr Amarinder Singh, President, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, with immediate effect. Stating this here today
Mrs Lakhwinder Kaur Garcha, organising secretary, PPCC
said that this step had been taken to reorganise the
Punjab Congress Kisan Dal and its district and block
units to streamline and strengthen the function of this
front organisation. |
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National farm policy sought ROPAR, March 11 — Immediate implementation of a national agricultural policy favouring farmers as well as consumers, was demanded at a farm technocrats and kisan rally, organised by the district unit of agriculture technocrats action committee, Punjab, at the grain market, here today. A large number of farmers and technocrats participated. Addressing the gathering, the agriculture technocrats and farmers presented their demands which include adequate and profitable prices for crops, reduction in the prices of inputs like machinery, fertilisers and seeds, more investment in the agricultural sector, grant of conveyance allowance to agriculture technocrats, revival of pay parity with the veterinary doctors. Among farmers and others,
who also addressed the rally, include Dr Chaman Lal
Vashist, general secretary of the Plant Doctors Services
Association, Dr J.S. Kooner, Chief Agriculture Officer,
Ropar, and convener of the rally, Dr O.P. Chaudhary, Dr
Ranjit Singh, Dr Arjan Singh, Mr Shamsher Singh,
president of the district Mr Ujjagar Singh, and general
secretary of the district BKU. |
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