Wednesday, March 17, 1999
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Wednesday, March 17, 1999 |
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Sikh scholars for new
Gurdwara Act CHANDIGARH, March 16 — Mr Parkash Singh Badal has finally had his way. Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra is out. Mrs Jagir Kaur is in. She becomes the first woman president of the Sikh parliament — the SGPC. Pak bus rolls in quietly WAGAH (Amritsar), March 16 —The first ever regular Pakistani passenger bus with 20 persons on board today formally entered Indian territory this morning at 8.10 a.m, signalling a major thaw in Indo-Pak relations made possible through the initiative of Prime Ministers Atal Behari Vajpayee and Nawaz Sharif. |
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Killed for marrying out of
caste BATHINDA, March 16 — Jasbir Kaur, a Jat Sikh, was allegedly killed by her father, Harpal Singh Bajwa, for marrying a boy belonging to a different caste here this evening. 3 families
flee home following dispute
Mohinder
Sidhu gets farming award Army
selects land for cantonment Legal
services body reviews progress DACO
intensifies drive Reopen
inquiry, urges Dang Dowry
demand lands boy behind bars |
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| Abducted circus artiste recovered | |
Cop booked on rape charge |
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Sikh scholars for new Gurdwara
Act CHANDIGARH, March 16 — Mr Parkash Singh Badal has finally had his way. Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra is out. Mrs Jagir Kaur is in. She becomes the first woman president of the Sikh parliament — the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). Expectations from Mrs Jagir Kaur will be high. Comparison with the style of functioning of Mr Gurcharan Singh will be obvious. The first challenge before her is the presentation of the annual budget, slated for March 30. Given the present line-up of the members, a majority — 136 odd — owe allegiance to Mr Parkash Singh Badal, one can only hazard a guess as to what will be the outcome of the budget meeting. The camp-followers — 30 to 40 — of Mr Gurcharan Singh will speak out their mind. Mr Gurcharan Singh has been saying all along, he said so even in his letter of resignation on Monday, he was willing to serve the Sikh or Panthic cause as an "ordinary" worker. Will he or won't he attend the March 30 meeting is the question. He did put a rider by saying he would do so if Bhai Ranjit Singh was accepted Jathedar of Akal Takht. An interaction with some Sikh scholars here showed that going by what has gone behind the scenes all these past weeks, since Mr Gurcharan Singh made the cardinal mistake of suggesting to Mr Parkash Singh he "concentrate on governance" and have someone else as SAD (Shromani Akali Dal) President, the opinion gathering ground and momentum is that given the "flaws" in the present Gurdwara Act, Mrs Jagir Kaur should vigorously pursue the enactment of a new, All-India Gurdwara Act, whose draft is available. Such an act, if enacted, will go a long way in clearing the confusion in several religio-political matters for future, says the Institute of Sikh Studies Secretary, Dr Kharak Singh. Both SAD and the SGPC claim to provide the "right direction" to the Panth. He is hopeful that the Panth will come out clean and gracefully out of the crisis. It does not, however, seem it will happen. Therefore, to his mind five causes are responsible for the religious crisis. If an All-India Act is there much of the problems, or causes could, perhaps, be sorted out. Dr Kharak Singh lists those five causes as follows: 1. In the appointment of jathedars of takhts, the Panth has never been taken into confidence in a meaningful way; 2. No standards on qualifications are prescribed for the incumbents of these positions of jathedars; 3. The Panth has not cared to lay down the parameters for the jathedars to follow, their powers, procedures to be followed, tenure, mode of issuing hukamnamas, and allied matters need to be clearly defined; 4. Ignorance in the minds of the people regarding status and powers of the jathedars touches borders of superstition. It is in the interest of the Panth to remove these misunderstandings. Their supremacy is subject to the doctrines enshrined in Guru Granth Sahib and the procedures approved by the Panth; and 5. There are serious misgivings about the institution of Panj Piaras. This institution needs to be studied in the light of Gurmat. Thus will Mrs Jagir Kaur convene a Panthic convention to deliberate on such issues as Dr Kharak Singh has demanded? Dr Kashmir Singh of the Law Department in Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, has done a very comprehensive research into the Sikh gurdwaras and institutions from the law point of view. Talking to TNS the Professor said religious institutions, gurdwara, were a rich resource if properly used in the sense of social engineering. These could usher in "social welfare and reforms". He is a strong votary of an All-India Gurdwara Act, if the Sikh religio-political controversies are to be sorted out. Dr Kashmir Singh has observed that, so far, Sikh intellectuals have had no role in running the affairs of the SGPC which has a symbiotic relationship with the SAD, both having emerged at Akal Takht. The institution of Akal Takht is still in the eye of a storm simply because all along religion has been shadowed by Akalis whose political, vested interests are more pronounced. Several Sikh scholars TNS spoke to pointed to the rampant corruption prevailing in the SGPC. Several of them wondered how strongly would Mrs Jagir Kaur, who will draw strength and sustenance from Mr Parkash Singh Badal till she lasts, be able to root out this malady which covers a wide sweep. The misappropriation and bungling ranges from handling of cash (offerings) to auctioning of agricultural and horticultural land attached to gurdwaras. The tainted ways of making money include making money out of preparation of "karah parshad", printing of religious literature, recruitment of gurdwara employees etc. The SGPC exchequer loses crores annually. At senior political level
people like Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, who heads SAD's
disciplinary action committee, must be sore. He was one
of the hopefuls of being made SGPC President. The fresh
election is due later in November. What turn the
political situation takes by then is anyone's guess. But
with tercentenary consuming time, money and attention of
the government, the pro-Badal camp has "won"
just the first round, the Akali battles are usually long
drawn punctuated by ego. |
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Pak bus rolls in quietly WAGAH (Amritsar), March 16 —The first ever regular Pakistani passenger bus with 20 persons on board today formally entered Indian territory this morning at 8.10 a.m, signalling a major thaw in Indo-Pak relations made possible through the initiative of Prime Ministers Atal Behari Vajpayee and Nawaz Sharif. A young Pakistani Mr Idris Khan described the bus ride as a sign of friendship. Settled in the USA for the last two decades, Mr Khan felt it had taken too long to reach out a hand of friendship after the Partitions bitter memories. He described the Partition as political decision which weakened the entire sub-continent economically. Though the Indo-Pak bus service opened with the symbolic visit by Mr Vajpayee its formal inauguration today turned out to be a "non-event" with no official ceremonies or welcome was arranged to celebrate one of the biggest turning points in history. Ironically, no Indian official either from the Punjab or central government though, the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal has been camping in the city since last night. The 40 -seater air conditioned coach of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation had only 20 passengers, as according to the liaison officer accompanying the bus, Mr Syed Ishtiaq Hussain, the response was very good but due to the lengthy visa procedures most aspirants were unable to come. He was confident that in a few days there would be a waiting list for getting a seat on the bus. A Parliamentary Secretary to the former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Mr Izhar Amrohi, who travelled in the bus said that he was very excited about the bus journey through Punjab and felt that this would strengthen bonds between the people of the two countries. He suggested that both countries should liberalise visa rules and waive police registration. Mr Amrohi, who undertook the journey along with his wife and two daughters said visa rules should be relaxed at least in the case of divided families. This he added, would go a long way in healing the wounds of Partition. He added that trade and cultural and economic ties should also be strengthened. Congratulating the Prime Minister of India and Pakistan for taking various steps to put relations on an even keel he said there was resistance from some quarters but the common man was extremely happy. Commenting on Kashmir, Mr Amrohi said that only dialogue could resolve the dispute and added if Israel and Palestine could sit to sort out their problems why can't India and Pakistan. Some 12 Karachi residents, mostly Burqa clad women, expressed dismay at delays by Indian consulate in Karachi. Almost all the passengers
expressed satisfaction over the friendly treatment by
Indian security, immigration and customs officials. The
commissioner customs, Mr D.S. Sra, who was personally
present at Wagah checkpost, said that the clearance and
immigration would not take more than an hour. The coach
was provided with police escort vehicles throughout its
journey and carried three security guards. |
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Time to govern, Mr Badal CHANDIGARH, March 16 — For more than three months, the only news about the ruling Akali Dal has been about its intense no-holds-barred fighting. Though other regional and national parties have their own claims to infighting, for the Akalis, whether in power or not, it comes a bit more naturally. One phase of this feud ended yesterday when the SGPC President, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, quit the leadership of the highest Sikh gurdwara body. He has been there for over a quarter of a century and this is no mean achievement. But as he admitted in conversation with this correspondent, he did not calculate that a simple demand — that Mr Badal should have someone else to look after the party affairs — would reach this end. "This issue was discussed between the two of us at least twice and, therefore, I suggested, he could have a trusted lieutenant to help him. Also for a minority party in power here and at the Centre, the Dal should have another leader to head the party. But this annoyed him and despite my retreat, he did not stop short of taking over the SGPC," he explained in great detail and with emphasis on his innocence. Now the Chief Minister and Akali Dal President, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, can have the satisfaction that he has shown the door to the best of the survivors of Akali politics. Come summer or winter, Mr Tohra was always there. Mr Badal can also organise the celebrations of the tercentenary of the Khalsa the way he wishes to. He has finally seen Mr Tohra out and his supporters are rejoicing indeed. Mr Badal is now the Chief Minister, Dal President and also a defect controller of the SGPC. This makes him the most powerful Akali ruler. But tragically the logic of power is strange, more power one leader usurps or assumes, less powerful he becomes. Classic case is that of late Indira Gandhi during the emergency. So one lesson more for Mr Badal is to guard against this and share this power among colleagues. But can be afford it, given the nature of factional fights where each one is ready to snap at another without batting an eyelid. But Mr Tohra in his hour of defeat too can draw some satisfaction. He has succeeded to some extent in derailing the government. For some months now, the government has been busy either leading this fight or showing some bright side on the front of organising the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa. In this number game, Mr Badal has clearly demonstrated his upper hand. What emerges today is a divided Akali Dal. It is only a matter of time that Mr Tohra will be leading another Akali Dal. How strong it will be does not depend upon Mr Tohra, but on Mr Badal. If the present trend of ignoring governance continues and the performance remains neglected, Mr Tohra does not have to pray for anything more. At another level, if Mr Tohra and his camp followers are pushed to the wall, they could take to extreme religious postures. Mr Tohra has the suspended Akal Takht chief, Bhai Ranjit Singh, to aid him. It is a fact that the people of Punjab who have lived through years of violence will do everything to see that the dark nights of terrorism do not return. The militants waiting on the sidelines could ask for nothing more. This will be Mr Badal's acid test. He has already sent confusing signals. He suddenly declared that his government was a Panthic government while he had a massive win on the promise of Punjabiat, peace and development. After this victory the fringe groups too will press the Chief Minister demanding their pound of flesh. And if this continues the interests of the people, who have no one to look to, will suffer. The next couple of months will see not only the political, but also the religious leadership more divided. There will be parallel celebrations on Baisakhi Day. This in turn will confuse and divide the people. A great celebration is being lost in the melee. At present the government is riddled with corruption, bureaucratic ineptitude and nepotism. As yet there are indeed exceptions. Some officers do work and provide leadership, but they are not the rule and only exceptions. Mr Badal has to meet the challenge of organising his fiscal affairs, show political will to collect taxes and a spend frugally on government and make more money available for development. This will be a real anti dote to factional fights and terrorism. The signs are indeed
ominous and will require a great leader to turn these in
favour of peace and development. |
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Killed for marrying out of caste BATHINDA, March 16 — Jasbir Kaur, a Jat Sikh, was allegedly killed by her father, Harpal Singh Bajwa, for marrying a boy belonging to a different caste here this evening. Police sources said Jasbir Kaur, along with her husband, Kulwant Rai, and sister-in-law, Neena, was going somewhere from her in-laws' house on a motorcycle when her father came over there and fired several shots from his pistol at them. The sources said two bullets hit Jasbir Kaur while one bullet hit Neena. All three fell down. Harpal Singh Bajwa then fled from the scene, taking his injured daughter with him. Neena was shifted to the Civil Hospital where her condition was stated to be out of danger. Om Parkash, father-in-law of the deceased, while talking to TNS said Jasbir Kaur, a student of BA-I at Chandigarh, was in love with his son and got married to him on December 9 at Chandigarh in a temple in the presence of a senior police official. The girl was handed over to her father on March 5 and a written acknowledgement was taken from him in this regard. Om Parkash said this evening the girl came to his house and asked Kulwant Rai to leave the city as her father was going to kill both of them. They along with Neena at once went out of the house on a motor cycle. After a few yards, Harpal Singh Bajwa fired at them. A case has been registered
against Harpal Singh under Section 302, IPC. |
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families
flee home following dispute BATHINDA, March 16 — Mithu Singh, Avtar Singh and Binder Singh, all brothers, and their families reportedly fled their home in Chak Fateh Singh Wala village, 20 km from here, last night following a dispute between Jagsir Singh, their nephew, and Kattar Singh, nephew of the MLA from Nathana, Mr Balbir Singh. Harnam Singh, grandfather of Jagsir Singh alleged that his three sons, along with their families, fled their home when a police party started searching their house and misbehaved with a number of residents of the Scheduled Caste colony late last night. He alleged that a dispute started between Jagsir Singh and Kattar Singh, at the ring road of the village. Later Jagsir Singh came to his uncle's house, where they were staying together, which was located in front of the MLA's house. Harnam Singh alleged that two brothers of the MLA, his son and two gunmen entered the house and tried to kidnap Jagsir Singh, he adding that a police party came from Bhucho Mandi and arrested Sahib Singh and searched several houses. The Nathana police has, however registered a case against five persons for reportedly beating up Kuldeep Singh, a gunman of the MLA. Mr H.S. Sran, SSP, when contacted, said about seven persons, including Mithu Singh, Binder Singh and Avtar Singh had beaten up the gunman with sticks and denied that the policemen had misbehaved with anyone. Mr Balbir Singh, MLA, when contacted in the Civil Hospital today said the accused were making "false" allegations to hush up the case and to harm him politically. He said some of the
accused were also involved in selling intoxicants and
illegally distilling liquor. |
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Husband accused of sexual assault SANDOHA (Bathinda), March 16 — After coercing his 48-hour-old wife Bholi Kaur to have sex Kulwant Singh has reportedly committed suicide. Police sources said Kulwant Singh took this extreme step on March 13 when he could not face the humiliation meted out to him by his relatives and other residents of the village. The sources said it could not be known how he committed suicide his parents had cremated the body without getting any post-mortem examination done. Kulwant Singh had reportedly forced his wife to submit to his sexual assault on March 12. Subsequently, she fell unconscious and was allegedly assaulted sexually by her brother-in-law, Gurtej Singh. The sources said Bholi Kaur and Rajwinder Kaur, both sisters, were married to Kulwant Singh and Gurtej Singh, respectively, on March 11. Gurtej Singh sent his wife Rajwinder Kaur to her parents at Bhagi Bander village on the evening of March 12 while Bholi Kaur was kept in the house by Kulwant Singh. At about 10 p.m., Kulwant Singh and Gurtej Singh allegedly assaulted her. Bholi Kaur, who fell unconscious and was bleeding profusely, was shifted to the Civil Hospital, Bathinda, by her parents on the morning of March 13. The Maurmandi police had registered a case under Sections 376, 323, 506, 120-B and 34, IPC, against Kulwant Singh, Gurtej Singh and the victim's mother-in-law and father-in-law. The SHO said no arrest
could be made so far. He said Gurtej Singh had absconded. |
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Mohinder Sidhu gets farming award LUDHIANA, March 16 — Dr Sukhdev Singh, former Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) inaugurated the Kisan Mela on the university campus today. Thousands of farmers had converged at the university on the first day of the Kisan Mela organised around the theme, "Scientific farming for maximising productivity." Dr Sukhdev Singh said that knowledge of modern methods can be obtained from magazines and books published by PAU. He cautioned farmers against early sowing of paddy which was depleting already scarce groundwater and was prone to rain damage as it ripened during the rainy season in September. As a result the quality of Punjab paddy deteriorated and it was not accepted in the national and international markets. Dr Jaspinder Singh Kolar, director of extension education, advised farmers to use various inputs like fertilisers and pesticides judiciously. He added that PAU has excellent facilities for training farmers in different aspects of agriculture like hybrid seed production, bee keeping, fish farming, dairy farming, poultry farming etc. Earlier Dr Sukhdev Singh presented the Innovative Farmer award to Mr Mohinder Singh Sidhu of Sheron village in Sangrur district. Mr Sidhu was selected for his pioneering contribution in the production of hybrid vegetable and flower seeds, production of good quality honey, mushrooms and flowers. Dr Sukhdev Singh also released a crop calendar brought out by the communication centre of the university. This calendar list appropriate farm operations for each month. Different departments of the university organised field demonstrations. There was also a
question-answer session between farmers and university
experts. |
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Army selects land for
cantonment ROPAR, March 16 — Lt-Gen H.R.S. Mann, Chief of Staff, Western Command, Chandi Mandir, today, visited Anandpur Sahib, along with a team of senior military officers for selection of land for setting up of an Army cantonment. Gen Mann visited sites in the nearby areas at Anandpur Sahib along with the members of District Site Selection Committee, including the Deputy Commissioner (Chairman), the ADC, the Divisional Forest Officer, the District Revenue Officer, the District Town Planner, the Chief Agriculture Officer and the Xen, PWD. According to Mr Tejbir Singh, ADC, the land measuring 400 acres, which falls in four villages of Tarapur, Lakher, Mindwa and Dhanera, near Anandpur Sahib, has almost been approved for the purpose, but a lot of work for the finalisation of the site was to be done by the military authorities. It may be mentioned here
that a site on the Nangal road was earlier selected, but
the same was rejected by the Army authorities on the
ground that it was nearer to the populated area. |
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Legal services body reviews
progress CHANDIGARH, March 16 — The Punjab Legal Services Authority yesterday held its meeting to review the progress made by the authority from July 1, 1998, to December 31, 1998. The meeting was chaired by Mr Justice H.S. Brar and attended among others by Mr Rajan Kashyap, Principal Secretary, Finance, Mr Surjit Singh, Principal Secretary, Punjab Home Department, and Mr J.S. Kesar, Secretary, Department of Information and Public Relations. A press note issued by the
Punjab Government claimed that during that period free
legal aid was given in more than 1,000 cases, while
nearly 4,000 cases were disposed of through Lok Adalat.
Compensation to the tune of about Rs 675 crore was
granted in various MACT and other cases decided through
Lok Adalats. |
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DACO intensifies drive BATHINDA: The District AIDS Control Organisation (DACO), Bathinda, has intensified its awareness campaign regarding ways and means to combat AIDS (Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome). After one such awareness camp held recently, convicts of Central Jail here have appealed to the jail authorities to make arrangements for testing their blood for HIV and Hepatitis-B. They have also asked the authorities to organise a blood donation camp in the jail premises. Mrs Raj Gupta, chairperson, AIDS Control Organisation, told TNS that DACO had held AIDS workshops at Lok Bhalai Club, United Welfare Society, Gopal Nagar, Youth Club and rural areas. She said AIDS awareness conferences had been organised at Thakur Bhawan, Bathinda, NFL Colony and Sarojini Naidu College, Rampuraphul. Posters in Hindi, Punjabi and English had been put at public places like bus stands, railway stations, PCOs, hospitals, clinics and schools. Sources say though Bathinda is yet to develop as a major commercial centre, 45 HIV suspected cases have been detected in the past four years. Apart from DACO, volunteers of the NSS wing of SSD Girls College has been organising skits, plays, seminars, talks and contests on the prevention of the killer disease at different stages. The volunteers organised a state-level conference on AIDS aw- areness in the college premises where experts from Punjab and Chandigarh delivered lectures. AIDS India, a society formed by residents of Rampuraphul, has been doing a yeoman's service to spread awareness on AIDS. Mr Anil Saraf, president of the society, told TNS that a bulletin was being published at regular intervals on AIDS. He pointed out that only 10 per cent of the HIV-infected people in India knew about their health status and the HIV infection rate in the country was ten times than the infection rate in China. Mr S.R. Lahar, Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, has asked the volunteers to display AIDS information on notice boards of schools and colleges and train at least two teachers from each school on the AIDS awareness programme. Mrs Gupta says to make the
awareness campaign more effective, questions on AIDS and
HIV should be made compulsory in competitive exams,
newspapers should start a column on the disease and
social, political, educational and religious institutions
should participate in the same. |
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Reopen inquiry, urges Dang AMRITSAR, March 16 — CPI leader Satya Pal Dang has demanded a high-level probe into the alleged inquiry by a senior professor of the local Government Medical College against his two colleagues who had reportedly made fake medico-legal reports against an FCI employee and certain others. In a communication to Mr K.K. Bhatnagar, Principal Secretary, Research and Medical Education, Mr Dang urged him to order the reopening of the inquiry. Mr Dang alleged that a false criminal case was registered against Mr Dharam Pal and Mr Rajinder Kumar by obtaining fake medical certificates from the Forensic Medicine Department of Government Medical College, on the basis of "fabricated injuries" at the instance of a landlord. This was done because Mr Dharam Pal was not willing to vacate the house. Two of the accused were in jail for about three weeks before bail was granted to them. An inquiry held by the Superintendent of Police (Head quarters) held that the case was false and should be cancelled. The Senior Superintendent of Police agreed. A departmental inquiry was entrusted by the government to a professor of surgery of the college. The date fixed for recording the statements of Mr Dharam Pal and others was fixed at February 8. Request for another date was turned down and the inquiry was closed. Mr Dharam Pal’s
request that the inquiry be entrusted to some class I
officer not belonging to the department concerned was
quite reasonable, Mr Dang said. |
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Dowry demand lands boy behind
bars JALANDHAR, March 16 — A FIR lodged in Dilwa police station, by a woman against two persons, for demanding dowry and threatening to call off the wedding one week prior to the wedding date, has led to the arrest of the accused by the police here. According to the FIR lodged by Mrs Kaileshwati, at Dilwa police station, her daughter's wedding was fixed for March 12 with Harish Kumar, a resident of Dashmesh Nagar, Ludhiana. But on March 6, her son, Naveen Kumar received a call from the groom's mother Naresh Rani, that, a scooter would be "inadequate" as dowry. She demanded a car. The girl's family rushed to Ludhiana to persuade the groom’s family that they were in no "position" to give a car as dowry. In vain. On March 12, the family
finally lodged a complaint, with the police. The police
has arrested both mother and son. |
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Abducted circus artiste recovered PHAGWARA, March 16 — Phagwara police have booked two youths Babbi and Sarabjit under Section 368 IPC for abducting and keeping in wrongful confinement a fourteen-year-old minor artiste Lakhi Rai of Amar Circus, presently showing at Sabzi Mandi, Hoshiarpur Road here. Hardip Singh Banipal, SHO, local sadar police station said here today that Babbi of Dharamkot locality and Sarabjit of Khangura village, had abducted and concealed the girl at a deserted site outside Khangura. The girl was medically
examined to ascertain if she had been raped. |
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Cop booked on rape charge KHARAR, March 16 — The Kurali police has registered a case against a police constable, Amrik Singh, on the charge of raping a Dalit married woman. According to information the woman, a resident of Kurali has complained to the police that on January 23, two policemen who were drunk came to her residence. Her husband was badly beaten up and he was taken to Kharar forcibly on a motor cycle. She has alleged that she was raped in the presence of her daughter and later was taken to another place where she was raped again. The constable was
suspended by the DSP here now as per the direction given
by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the police has
registered a case under Sections 452, 365, 376 and 34,
IPC, against Amrik Singh on March 12. |
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Well-digger killed FAZILKA, March 16 — Prem Singh (25) of Rana village, 6 km from here, died of suffocation as a big portion of the earth suddenly caved in while he and three others were digging a well last evening. His companion, Hukam Chand, a resident of Miani Basti, was injured and taken to the Civil Hospital. The deceased is survived
by wife and three minor children. |
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Congress plea on municipal Bill PATIALA, March 16 — The Punjab Congress Municipal Affairs Committee Chairman and former MP Surinder Singla yesterday appealed to the state government not to push ahead the new Punjab municipal Bill. Talking to newsmen here after a meeting of party workers where the clauses of the new Bill were deliberated. He said there was overwhelming opposition to the new Bill which party workers felt would breed corruption. The new Bill did not give the municipal bodies any power over land use and would allow the bureaucracy to interfere in municipal functioning. Mr Singla said it was surprising that instead of identifying more sources of revenue generation. The Bill relied mainly on octroi revenue. He said during the meeting participants had urged for a cess on liquor besides a tax on registered vehicle of the city. He said they also urged for privatisation of water and sewerage system. The former MP said other suggestions included setting aside a minimum sum of money for each ward of the city. He said this was suggested to off set complaints that wards of the ruling group were only developed. He said there had also been suggestions that the elected body write the annual confidential reports of municipal employees. He urged the government to
invite suggestions from the grassroots level. |
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Protest against cut in grant to
private colleges JALANDHAR, March 16 — The decision of the Punjab Government to cut the 95 per cent grant-in-aid scheme by 5 per cent and to fix the grant on a yearly basis has sent shock waves among the management of non-government colleges in Punjab. Mr Balbir Singh, former MP and president of the local Lyallpur Khalsa College for Boys and Lyallpur Khalsa College for Girls, expressed dismay at the attitude of the state government as it would lead to the closure of colleges. He pointed out that the Badal government which claimed itself to be a "Panthic government" failed to realise that the cut in grant would prove lethal for nearly 50 Sikh colleges. It was essential to make aided colleges financially viable for which the government aid must not only continue, but also be strengthened, he said, adding that the aided colleges shouldered more than 85 per cent of the responsibility of the state. He said teachers of
non-government colleges must be included in the pay
revision package as directed by the Human Resource
Development Ministry and the UGH. So far, the Punjab
Government had not granted the revised pay scales and
allowances to them as done for their counterparts in
universities and government colleges. |
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Controller of exams suspended KAPURTHALA, March 16 — Deputy Commissioner Usha Sharma today ordered the suspension of Controller of Examination Vir Kaur, Headmistress of Government High School, Khasan, for her failure in not controlling mass copying at the matriculation examination at the Government High School, Lakhan ke Padda, centre. Deputy Commissioner, along with Additional Deputy Commissioner and District Education Officer (Primary) today held a check at one of the examination centres at Lakhan ke Padda village following reports of mass copying and arrested three persons in this regard. The officers also registered two unfair means cases against two students. The Deputy Commissioner
also ordered the removal of all staff, including the
Superintendent, from the examination centre and directed
action against two policemen for their failure to check
outsiders coming in the centre. |
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Fake currency worth 12 lakh
seized FEROZEPORE, March 16 — The local city police has recovered fake Indian currency worth Rs 12 lakh from two persons who are yet to be arrested. It is stated that the fake currency notes came from Pakistan. Giving details in a press note issued today, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr Gurcharan Singh Pherurai, said the city SHO, Mr Gamdoor Singh, along with other police officials recovered the currency from two scooter-borne persons. The city police has
registered a case against the suspects who have been
identified as Chanan Singh Sarpanch of Bareke village,
and Om Parkash, alias Omi. |
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Josh stops wearing black robe AMRITSAR, March 16 — Veteran Akali leader who one of the oldest members of the SGPC Puran Singh Josh today expressed his delight over the ending of Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra's "misrule" of the apex body of the Sikhs. In a press note issued here today Mr Josh said that he had been voicing his concern over the maladministration and high handedness of Mr Tohra during his 25-year-old presidentship which, he alleged, had virtually ruined the rich Sikh traditions of service with devotion. Mr Josh, who had been
wearing a black robe in protest against the dictatorial
attitude of Mr Tohra, decided to shed these today and
wear white signifying victory over evil. |
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Ropar liquor vends auctioned for
51 cr ROPAR, March 16 — Country liquor and Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) vends of Ropar district were auctioned for the year 1999-2000 for Rs 51.38 crore in the presence of Mr Daljit Singh, Collector-cum-Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Patiala Division, here at the local Ambedkar Bhawan today. According to Mr Jarnail Singh, Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Ropar, this year's increase has yielded almost nine per cent more than to the previous year's excise auctions. The vends were auctioned in 1998-99 for Rs 47.13 crore. The AETC also said that entire proceedings of the auctions were recorded on video. Even the licences were allowed to record the proceedings of auction on their own video cameras. Mr Jarnail Singh said that
the nine per cent increase was substantial in view of the
Chandigarh factor. In Chandigarh, the excise duty is
almost half that of Punjab. This adversely affected sale
in Kharar and Kurali circles. |
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Teachers allege cheating in exam BATHINDA, March 16 — The Democratic Teachers Front (DTF) Bathinda alleged that copying was going on with official connivance in matric exams at certain centres in this district. Mr Karnail Singh, President, DTF, Bathinda in a press note issued here today alleged that to favour certain "VVIP" students in certain centres the superintendent was changed a few minutes ago before the start of the exams. He said that one student had been issued two roll numbers by the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) and was appearing in a centre where he was getting 'external support'. Mrs Surinder Kataria, District Education Officer (Secondary), when contacted denied that any invigilator was favouring any student. She also denied that she was instrumental in appointing superintendents of any examination centre, saying PSEB appointed superintendents and change invigilation staff. She claimed that the exams were being conducted in a fair manner and ten cases of copying had been detected so far. She said that she had not
received any complaint regarding one student being issued
two roll numbers by PSEB and said she would take
necessary action if any such complaint was made. |
||
Protest by RCF employees KAPURTHALA, March 16 — The employees of Rail Coach Factory here today organised a gate rally against the anomalies in the Fifth Pay Commission. In a memorandum submitted to the General Manager, employees demanded the recognition of unions in the production units, bonus according to the pay commission report, ban of the contract system, 12 casual leaves, and lifting of the ban on bonus ceiling. Rail Coach Factory Men’s Union President Niranjan Singh and General Secretary J.S. Gandhi in a press note here today warned that the employees would be forced to adopt a path of agitation if the matter was not resolved soon. After the rally the
workers resumed their duties. |
||
Links roads to be metalled by
June PATIALA, March 16 — All link roads in the state will be metalled by June this year. Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, local Bodies Minister, said this while addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone of a primary school at Budhanpur village in Rajpura block of this district here yesterday. Mr Tandon said the Punjab Government has granted a sum of Rs 1 lakh each for the repair of 20 primary schools in Rajpura block. He also announced that work on a railway overbridge at Rajpura would start within two months. He also gave away awards
to meritorious students of a primary school on the
occasion. |
||
Probe begins into Fruitfed case BATHINDA, March 16 — The Joint Registrar (Farming) Co-operative Societies, Punjab has started a probe into the alleged financial irregularities done by Mr Balbir Singh Sekhon, honorary Managing Director, Punjab State Co-operative Fruit Development Federation Limited (Fruitfed). Official sources said that
inquiry was ordered into this case by the Registrar,
Co-operative Societies, Punjab, on the complaint of Mr
Amritpal Singh Brar, Director, Fruitfed, Punjab. |
||
Railway GM's train blocked MANSA, March 16 — Hundreds of residents blocked railway track here to protest against Mr S.P. Mehta, General Manager, Northern Railway's refusal to come out of the train to listen to their demands. Mr Mehta had come here today at about 11 a.m. but refused to get off the train to meet delegation. Following this lay down on the track and agreed to end the protest the irate crowd only when the Deputy Commissioner Mansa, Mr Sanjay Kumar assured the people that the General Manager would come down from the train to listen to their demands. Among the demands are that
DJJI which runs between Delhi and Jakhal be extended upto
Bathinda and as the reservation quota for Delhi on the
Punjab Mail be increased from two to at least 20 in and
that overbridge be sanctioned at phatak No B 608 on
Mansa-Sirsa road to cope with traffic and platforms No 1
and two be provided sheds. |
Body of sect head immersed NANGAL, March 16 — The body of Jathedar Mohinder Singh, head of the Rareh Wale sect, was immersed in the Sutlej river here today in the presence of his followers. The body was brought from Tarag village of Ludhiana in a procession. Born in Doburji village of Ludhiana district, Jathedar Mohinder Singh had left his home at a young age. He became a follower of Maharaj Isher Singh, the then head of Rareh Wale sect. He became the head of the sect in 1975 after the demise of Maharaj Isher Singh. Nangal was chosen as a
place for immersing the body of sect head, as per the
last desire of late Maharaj Isher Singh. |
Birth, death certificates NANGAL, March 16 — The non-availability of birth and death certificates is causing problems to residents here. Employees working here are in constant need of these. The birth and death certificate forms are out of stock in the local birth/death registration office since last month. Moreover, no representative of the Health Department has been posted here for the job since the last man was transferred about six months ago. The job is being done by a municipal committee clerk. The Municipal Committee
chairman, Mr Rakesh Sharma, said their repeated
communications to the Health Department had not yielded
any result. |
 |
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