Slogans can't achieve unity: scholars
AMRITSAR, March 19 — Scholars from Canada and India, who gathered here to attend a seminar, were of the view that diversities would always be there and icons and symbols of nation and nationality would go on changing. They said no sloganeering could achieve unity.

Stress on cash crops, agro ventures
LUDHIANA, March 19 — Mr Arun Goel, Deputy Commissioner, has advised the farmers to shift to cash crops and commercial agro-ventures like floriculture, horticulture, vegetables, fisheries etc to enhance their income. He was addressing a district-level horticulture training camp organised by the Horticulture Department at its floriculture farm near Doraha today.

Subsidy case: CBI told to give progress reports
CHANDIGARH, March 19 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the local CBI branch to submit every month status report on the progress on what has come to be known as multi-crore subsidy scandal, allegedly committed by entrepreneurs in tandem with state government officers.

Dalits return home
BATHINDA, March 19 — Over 100 Dalits of Chak Fateh Singh Wala village, 20 km from here, who spent two nights in the village gurdwara after fleeing their homes on March 17 following an alleged threat to their lives from the Nathana MLA, Mr Balbir Singh, returned to their homes this evening.

Giani Puran Singh undergoes tests
AMRITSAR, March 19 — Giani Puran Singh, who had suffered a heart attack on February 15 after his installation as acting Jathedar, Akal Takht, today underwent as many as 14 tests at Government Guru Nanak Hospital here today. He was advised to take at least seven days' rest at home.

Appointment of Bibi hailed
TALWANDI SABO, March 19 — Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib today welcomed the appointment of Bibi Jagir Kaur as the president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.

Badal urged to give up party post

Patwaris stage dharna

Payments stopped

College teachers give memo

Celebrations not political: Badal
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 19 — While urging his main rivals — Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra and Bhai Ranjit Singh — without naming them to give up plans for parallel celebrations of the birth of the Khalsa, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal announced his government's agenda for the next century in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha today.

Hitting at Mr Tohra and Bhai Ranjit Singh, the Chief Minister said "those who talked about 'khooni holi', should not play a spoilsport". He appealed to them to be a part of the main function being organised under his leadership.

Concluding the four-day debate on the motion of thanks on the Governor's Address, Mr Badal appealed to all political parties, religious organisations and scholars to hold joint celebrations. "There is nothing political in the celebrations," he emphasised.

While announcing the agenda for the next century, Mr Badal said the SAD-BJP government was according the topmost priority to maintaining peace and promoting Punjabi brotherhood. He said this was the basis for the prosperity in the state. "We prefer consensus and conciliation to social and political confrontation", Mr Badal said.

Restructuring of the economic set-up to bring about social equality was one of the top priorities. Social and financial security would be provided to Punjabi youth and employment schemes introduced.

Pointing out that it was the last Budget session of this century, he said historic decisions were required to be taken on the occasion.

Seeking full economic and adequate political autonomy for states, Mr Badal said there was a provision for a federal structure in the country. But due to the one-party rule at the Centre as well as states for a long period after independence, the Centre had become all powerful.

He made it clear that his party was against retaining Article 356 in the Constitution but justified supporting President's rule in Bihar in the Lok Sabha. "We wanted to deny any advantage to our principal enemy party in the Lok Sabha. Due to this reason alone, we supported the use of Article 356 in Bihar," he explained on various issues pertaining to Punjab like river waters and territorial disputes, Mr Badal said such issues had been "complicated" by previous governments, especially the Congress and had become difficult to resolve.

The Chief Minister said that his party had created history by making Bibi Jagir Kaur as president of the SGPC. He praised her making a mention about her "spotless" political career and farsightedness.

Using a lot of pun and satire in his speech, Badal attacked the Opposition, especially the Congress, highlighting the achievements of his government in the past two years. In fact, he was at his best while needling the Congress benches.

Referring to the removal of Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal from presidentship of the Punjab Pradesh Congress and later leadership of the Congress Legislature Party, Mr Badal said the Congress was giving a "shabby" treatment to its women members.

Admitting financial crisis in the state, he said his Government had inherited a "financially ruined" Punjab from the Congress and "we have tried out best to put it back on the rails".

Among the achievements Mr Badal mentioned the proposal to built a kandi canal in the Hoshiarpur belt and Dasmesh Canal in the Dera Bassi and Majri belt, taming of the Ghaggar, spending Rs 297 crore on the welfare of Scheduled Castes, framing of new municipal and cooperative Acts, direct payment of excise duty on liquor to municipal committees, free power and water to farmers, bricklining of grain markets and payment of Rs 1500 crore to employees.

He announced that the deadlock on the demands of government-aided colleges and schools had been resolved. A notification in this connection would be issued soon.

Mr Badal skipped many points from his written speech, copies of which were distributed to mediapersons in the press gallery, perhaps, for want of time. He said his government was of "Bhai Lalos" while the Congress Government was of "Malik Bhagos".

Lull before the storm
By Gobind Thukral
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 19 — Ousted SGPC chief, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, is holding lengthy parleys with his supporters to chalk out his future course of action. Right now, the Tohra group has been outmanoeuvred by the group led by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. This is the first time that this octogenarian leader will have to design a strategy to revive his political fortunes without the wherewithal of a large organisation like the SGPC.

Senior leaders including Tohra supporters in the Assembly say they will not do anything which even remotely may be taken as an impediment in the celebrations of the tercentenary of the Khalsa. "This could give a handle to the supporters of Mr Badal to run us down", they say.

But they will also not give up the proposal to launch their own celebrations. The message from Mr Tohra is clear — create no hindrance before the celebrations being organised by the government, but resolutely carry on with the celebrations planned by the suspended Akal Takht Chief, Bhai Ranjit Singh. Clearly two parallel celebrations will take place this Baisakhi.

Once the celebrations are over, the real fight will begin. Asked to spell out their plans, these leaders would not say much except that they would thrive on the mistakes of Mr Badal and his government.

Mr Tohra is touring extensively to mobilise his supporters to launch a separate Akali Dal. The feeling is that this will be inevitable as Mr Badal will not accommodate anyone from their camp. Mr Tohra has repeatedly said he has no plans to launch a new Akali Dal, but he also admits that he may be forced to do so sooner than later. Yesterday, seven Akali MLAs who alleged that they were not allowed to speak in the assembly had staged a walk out. This is the first formal protest and more could follow. A group is clearly emerging owing allegiance to Mr Tohra. But it is very small and Mr Badal is least disturbed by it.

In fact, Mr Tohra feels he has to live with small numbers everywhere. There are just two Rajya Sabha members out of five, one Lok Sabha member out of eight and 40-odd SGPC members out of a house 175 and 9 MLAs. This fact, however, does not discourage this group. "We should just wait for Mr Badal to take any harsh step against us and then we can match him. Just watch the government's performance list it and broadcast it to the people. Keep doing it"? Mr Tohra is believed to have told his supporters at Patiala.

Mr Tohra has also to worry since Mr Badal with levers of power in his hand could further erode his base. In Delhi Akali circles, where Mr Tohra has a good support and also in the Delhi Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Mr Badal is trying hard to make inroads. His supporters are in touch with MLAs, SGPC members and other local level supporters of Mr Tohra.

At another level, Mr Badal has told Bibi Jagir Kaur, the newly elected President of the SGPC to shoulder maximum responsibility of the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa which is less than a month away. Bibi Jagir Kaur has assured him that she would mobilise all sources so as to see that the SGPC plays a leading role. In fact, she has already held meetings with senior functionaries of the SGPC at Amritsar. Her message is that there should be no other work during the next four weeks except these celebrations.

Nothing but assurances
By Amarjit Singh Thind
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 19 — They came, they listened and dispensed. In short, this sums up the feeling of most who participated in the 28th annual Kisan Mahapanchayat organised by the Bharti Kisan Union here today.

The panchayat, saw an impressive turnout. The participants, who had come prepared with utensils and foodgrain in anticipation of a strike call which was to be issued by their leadership today, returned with mere assurances by the Punjab Chief Minister that their problems would be solved.

The event passed off peacefully although the local police was deployed in strength to prevent any untoward incident. The fiery speeches at the beginning, castigating the government for the ills plaguing the farmers today, set the tempo for the mahapanchayat. Speaker after speaker urged the government to save the farm sector from further ruin and take steps to waive loans totalling more then Rs 20, 000 crore. Concern at the growing number of debt-related suicide cases among the farmers of the state was a key element in several speeches.

Things changed the moment the Chief Minister arrived. He was welcomed by the leaders on the dais and presented with a shawl. Mr Badal, while avoiding the points raised by the union and commenting that farming was no more a paying proposition urged the peasantry to take to agro-related professions like poultry and dairy farming, training for which had been arranged by the government in various parts of the state. Efforts were afoot to open more training centres in all districts.

He said the per capita income of the farmers was Rs 12,950, which was among the lowest in the country. Highlighting the achievements of the ruling alliance, he said it was the first to provide free power and water to farmers at the cost of Rs 350 crore. More than Rs 250 crore had been earmarked for pucca mandis.

Mr Badal also announced that from now on, land acquisition would not be done by officials but in consultation with the area MLA, the DC and the village sarpanch where the land was being acquired. The compensation would also be decided as per the location of the land.

He, however, expressed his inability to do anything when a farmer stood up and raised the question of increase in the price of farm produce. The prices were fixed by the Agricultural Price Commission, he explained.

Mr Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, president of the union, said the loans must be waived as was done in the case of sick industrial units in 1995. A sum of Rs 40, 000 crore was waived then. It was in the interest of the government that the farmers kept paying debts and in this direction, the interest on the new credit limits should be fixed at the rate of 4 per cent per annum.

The price of the farm produce should be fixed at the wholesale price index of 1966-67, following which the price of wheat would be Rs 912 per quintal, paddy Rs 636 per quintal, sugarcane Rs 132 per quintal.

Condemning the move of the government to bring the farmers into the tax net, he said while the rates of farm produce were raised by only 6 to 7 per cent in the past three decades the salaries and perks of employees had been raised by 30 times.

He said the Rajiv-Longowal accord was dead and the Union would not allow the construction of the SYL canal.

Prof Manjit Singh Qadian, general secretary of the union, said out of the Central Budget, as much as 65 per cent was being spent on meeting the salaries and perks of employees, 10 per cent went towards debt liabilities and the rest was spent on development works.

He said spending on employees should be brought down to 18 per cent and all posts be filled through the contract system. This would ensure that more money was spent where it was needed. He also demanded more compensation in case of natural calamities and land acquisition.

Others who addressed the rally were Mr Karnail Singh, Mr Baldev Singh Barkhandi, Mr Pritam Singh Baghapurana and Mr Kapoor Singh.

Slogans can't achieve unity: scholars
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, March 19 — Scholars from Canada and India, who gathered here to attend a seminar, were of the view that diversities would always be there and icons and symbols of nation and nationality would go on changing. They said no sloganeering could achieve unity. It came from the stirring of the heart as in the case of literature. Hence, leaders, politicians and historians must learn a lesson from the literary world to achieve real unity.

They were participating in a two-day seminar on "Nation and nationality: Contemporary concerns in India and Canada", organised by the Department of English, Guru Nanak Dev University, and sponsored by the Indian Association of Canadian Studies.

Prof James Morrison, University of Halifax, Canada, said in modern culture, there was no place for local culture. Mere commonality of ethnic culture did not make a nation.

Prof Mushirul Hasan, former Vice-Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi, dwelt upon the theme of the seminar as of contemporary interest and concerns, especially in the context of the partition of the country as the last triumph of the British.

Dr Johanna Forest, Second Secretary, Canadian High Commission, New Delhi, emphasised on the importance of Canadian studies programme in countries, interaction, exchange of scholars and ideas in diverse areas. She highlighted the contribution of the Canadian High Commission, Shastri Institute of Canadian Studies, UGC, and Indian Association of Canadian Studies in this regard.

Prof Chandras Mohan, president, Indian Association of Canadian Studies informed that there were now 15 centres for Canadian studies and four area study centres in India. He said another centre was likely to be opened in the Punjab region.

Dr Inder Pal Singh, Pro Vice-Chancellor, who presided over the inaugural session, remarked that we needed a world without barriers irrespective of languages and culture, since people by and large had the same concerns.

Potato growers a disappointed lot
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, March 19 — Potato growers of the region are a disappointed lot as they are finding it difficult to find buyers for their produce.

In the absence of any procurement policy of the state government and the existence of a cartel of traders and cold store owners, they are forced to sell their produce at low prices.

Mr Jagjit Singh Joga, member of the Punjab state council of the CPI, Mr Gurnam Singh Sema, member, PPCC, and Mr Jagroop Singh Gill, organisational secretary, PPCC, in a letter to Mr Jagjit Singh, leader of the Opposition, and Mr Hardev Arshi, leader, of the CPI group in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, yesterday urged them to raise the issue in the state assembly.

They alleged that traders and hoarders were fleecing the potato growers by offering them Rs 80 per quintal instead of Rs 130 which was the production cost. They said the opposition should protect the interests of potato growers by raising the issue in the Vidhan Sabha.

Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhillon, a former Akali minister, while talking to this reporter alleged that apart from traders, hoarders and cold store owners, officials of the Market Committee were unnecessarily harassing the growers and forcibly peeping traders from markets.

He said the imposition of certain conditions on Uttar Pradesh traders by their state government regarding the storage of potato had brought an unprecedented slump in potato prices.

He warned that if the authorities concerned did not come to the rescue of the potato growers, they would start ploughing their standing potato crops. If corrective measures were not taken immediately, they would be forced to take extreme steps.

Mr Harcharan Singh, a potato grower of Kararwala village, said that about 6000 hectares in the district was under the potato crop and farmers spent about Rs 15000 per acre on potato cultivation, but now they were getting only Rs 8000 to Rs 10,000 from per acre produce.

Mr Gurdip Singh, another potato grower of Mandi Phul, said most of the farmers in the region who were in debt due to the repeated failure of the cotton crop would further go down economically as their potato crop was bringing them losses.

Mr Dhillon said the central government should lift the ban on the export of potato to stabilise the prices and generate demand.

Stress on cash crops, agro ventures
Tribune News Service

LUDHIANA, March 19 — Mr Arun Goel, Deputy Commissioner, has advised the farmers to shift to cash crops and commercial agro-ventures like floriculture, horticulture, vegetables, fisheries etc to enhance their income. He was addressing a district-level horticulture training camp organised by the Horticulture Department at its floriculture farm near Doraha today.

The Deputy Commissioner said the district, which had achieved commendable position in green revolution, white revolution (milk production) blue revolution (fisheries) and in honey production in the country, was all set to bring about a new revolution in floriculture as the young farmers of the district were taking keen interest in adopting this type of farming.

He added that the Department had distributed 3.74 lakh bulbs of gladiolus and 50 kg of marigold seeds on subsidised rates to farmers.

Mr Goel said 5,322 hectares were brought under orchards from which 50,694 tonnes of fruits had been produced. He asked the farmers to adopt the latest techniques in diversifying the crop pattern and lay more stress on the improvement of quality of their produce in order to compete internationally.

Mr Balbir Singh, Deputy Director, Horticulture Department said during last year vegetables were sown in 14,036 hectares from which 2.05 metric tonnes were produced. He said at present floriculture was a better paying crop and farmers could earn more than Rs 30,000 per acre from marigold plantation during a season. He added that a new horticulture laboratory had also been set up in Ludhiana.

On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner distributed more than 200 free vegetable-seed kits and presented cash prizes to the winners of the horticulture exhibition.

Earlier the Deputy Commissioner listened to public grievances at a "sangat darshan" programme at Doraha.

Subsidy case: CBI told to give progress reports
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, March 19 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court today directed the local CBI branch to submit every month status report on the progress on what has come to be known as multi-crore subsidy scandal, allegedly committed by entrepreneurs in tandem with state government officers.

Mr Justice J.L. Gupta and Mr Justice T.H.B. Chalapathi, who handed down this order, directed that the case be posted for hearing on April 23, by which date the CBI shall furnish the fresh status report.

Speaking for the Bench, Mr Justice Gupta directed Punjab's Deputy Advocate-General to ensure that such documents and files as the CBI might ask for be made available without delay.

Earlier submitting the interim progress report in the investigation of the case in a sealed cover, CBI counsel brought to the notice of the Bench that the investigating agency received about 500 files only yesterday. He prayed to the Judges that the CBI needed at least four months to investigate the case as the investigating agency was to question officials of various departments. "Why officials only? Why not officers?" asked Mr Justice Gupta. He further told the counsel that the Bench was not going to grant such a long time to the CBI to complete investigation.

The CBI had registered the case in 1998. Owing to difficulties it faced in procuring documents, it could not make much progress in the investigation.

"The status report filed today by the CBI is nothing," observed Mr Justice Gupta. "Who are the officers responsible for this scandal? If the CBI does not complete the investigation expeditiously, we shall take the CBI also to task," the Judge ruled.

At this stage the Deputy-Advocate-General assured the court that the government would not shield any officer involved in this scandal.

This multi-crore subsidy scandal was unearthed by The Tribune in its report carried in the issue dated May 13, 1996. Its Bathinda correspondent had stated that industrial units were set up in Bathinda to siphon off subsidy to the tune of crores of rupees. It was pointed out that this was the reason why Bathinda remained industrially backward despite having great potential for growth. Many such units existed only on department files, while others had got their sister concerns registered with the department, though they never existed. Moreover, in violation of the byelaws certain owners had put up bungalows on industrial plots. There were also instances where owners constructed commercial buildings and rented these out to banks. There were also cases where owners of industrial plots made godowns instead of setting up industries.

Mr Justice Gupta and Mr Justice Chalapathi had converted this news item into a public interest litigation because they had felt concerned about the misuse (or embezzlement?) of public money.

Punjab history conference opens
Tribune News Service

PATIALA, March 19 — The Punjab Public Health Minister, Raja Narinder Singh, today said Punjab could lay claim upon being the cradle of the Indian culture and civilisation from the Vedic and Upanishad times to the present.

Inaugurating the 31st session of the Punjab History Conference being organised by the Department of Punjab Historical Studies at the Punjabi University here, Raja Narinder Singh said the state had not only been a reconciler, a harmoniser and a synthesiser, but also simultaneously a shock absorber and catalyser.

The university Vice-Chancellor, Dr Joginder Singh Puar, said this platform not only accelerate of the research activities, but also gave an opportunity for sharing the ideas and viewpoints, both among the seasoned and young scholars.

Dr D.N. Jha of Delhi University in his keynote address said the north western part of the subcontinent, in general and the Punjab region, in particular had been the meeting ground of many faiths and played a crucial role in promoting communal harmony which was the greatest need of our times.

Dr Param Bakhshish Singh, Head of the Punjab Historical Studies Department, introduced the theme of the conference and presented a detailed report of the achievements of Punjab History Conference.

In his presidential, address, Dr H.S. Soch, Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, stressed on the need for making history more objective and free from prejudices.

Dalits return home
Tribune News Service

BATHINDA, March 19 — Over 100 Dalits of Chak Fateh Singh Wala village, 20 km from here, who spent two nights in the village gurdwara after fleeing their homes on March 17 following an alleged threat to their lives from the Nathana MLA, Mr Balbir Singh, returned to their homes this evening.

They returned to their homes after Mr Hardip Singh, SP(D), and Mr Arashdeep Singh, SHO, Nathana, assured them that full protection would be given to them.

Mr Arashdeep Singh, while talking to TNS said a police party had been posted at the village to patrol the entire area, particularly the Dalit basti round-the-clock.

He said they had been asked to lodge a complaint in writing and assured them of action.

Mr N.K. Jeet, president, Lok Morcha, Punjab said the Dalits had been assured of action against those persons who were related to the MLA and who had reportedly tried to kidnap Jagsir Singh from his uncle's house in the village.

He said they would continue their agitation until the police withdrew the cases registered against five Scheduled Caste persons.

Giani Puran Singh undergoes tests
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, March 19 — Giani Puran Singh, who had suffered a heart attack on February 15 after his installation as acting Jathedar, Akal Takht, today underwent as many as 14 tests at Government Guru Nanak Hospital here today. He was advised to take at least seven days' rest at home.

According to Dr Adarsh Kumar, Professor and Head of the Cardiology Department, Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, Giani Puran Singh was making very satisfactory progress and was being gradually rehabilitated for his routine activities which he would be able to perform very soon. Dr Adarsh Kumar said all cardiac parameters of Giani Puran Singh were functioning normally.

Bibi Jagir Kaur, SGPC chief, visited the residence of Giani Puran Singh and inquired after his health.

Appointment of Bibi hailed
Tribune News Service

TALWANDI SABO, March 19 — Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib today welcomed the appointment of Bibi Jagir Kaur as the president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).

Talking to reporters after laying the foundation stone of Guru Kashi Khalsa Medical College for Women and Hospital here today, he pointed out that Bibi Nanki was the first woman preacher of Sikh religion and the appointment of Bibi Jagir Kaur as the SGPC president would start a new phase in the religion.

He said the Punjab Government was giving top priority to the development of this historic town and about Rs 2.70 crore had been allocated for various development works in the town.

The medical college is being set up by the Khalsa Rural Trust.

Lawyers boycott court work
From Our Correspondent

BARNALA, March 19 — Lawyers here boycotted court work today and held a dharna at the local courts complex.

Mr Amarjit Singh Sidhu, Chairman, local Bar Association, said advocates responded overwhelmingly to the dharna call to protest against the construction of the Soil and Conservation Department by the PWD Department at the complex. They alleged that this was illegal.

Vendor driven to death
From Our Correspondent

PHAGWARA, March 19 — A vegetable vendor Sucha Singh, 35, was allegedly driven to death and his body was found on the Hoshiarpur road yesterday. The local police has registered a case under Section 306 of the IPC for abetment of suicide.

The police said the vendor had paid Rs 85,000 to a travel agent for going abroad. However, the vendor was neither sent abroad nor returned the amount. He had last night gone to demand back the money from the travel agent. The vendor belonged to Ajit Singh Nagar, Khalwara Gate.

Badal urged to give up party post
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, March 19 — In direct reference to alignments in the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Human Rights Wing of the party has sought resignation of Mr Parkash Singh Badal as President of the Shiromani Akali Dal for allegedly having failed to protect the traditions of Sikhism.

In a press note issued here, Mr Surinder Singh Gharyala, President of the wing, alleged that the Punjab Government had failed to release hundreds of Sikhs languishing in various jails of the Punjab and other states. It had also failed to take up the case of disappearance and cremation of unidentified youths in the past with the Centre and the CBI so far.

Payments stopped in Ferozepore railway division
From Manoj Dhiman
From Our Correspondent

FEROZEPORE, March 19 — It is learnt that all payments except regular salaries and court payments have been stopped in the Ferozepore Division of Northern Railway due to financial crisis.

Sources in the Railways told this correspondent today that in a circular issued to Assistant Divisional Accounts Officers, Senior Section Officers and Section Officers of the Accounts Department, they had been directed to stop payments, other than regular salaries and court payments.

The directive, which had been issued by the Senior Divisional Accounts Officer (SDAO), Northern Railway, Ferozepore, on March 10, further stated that the order would be in effect till further instructions.

The sources said the SDAO had issued these instructions on a directive given by the Financial Adviser and Chief Accounts Officer. Due to this directive, payments, including those to contractors and for local purchase, were lying pending.

When contacted this evening, the Divisional Railway Manager Mr N.K. Goel, admitted that the payments had been stopped. He said this had been done due to financial crisis adding that the funds for the ongoing financial year had finished.

However, he said the financial year was about to end and hoped that funds would be made available for the coming financial year.

When asked whether the payments had been stopped due to some alleged dispute between the Railways and the Reserve Bank of India, he said he knew nothing about it.

Patwaris stage dharna
Tribune News Service

ROPAR, March 19 — Revenue patwaris of this district held a dharna in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner at the mini-secretariat here today.

They have been agitating for the past few days to get the names of two patwaris Balwinder Singh and Randhir Singh withdrawn from an FIR lodged against them at the Kharar police station for making an entry in revenue record.

According to Mr Kashmir Singh, president of the SAS Nagar tehsil unit of the union, Balwinder Singh made the entry in the revenue record after receiving an order from the Tehsildar, while Randhir Singh has also been involved though he has no connection in the case.

The patwaris claimed that a false FIR had been registered against the two.

College teachers give memo
From Tribune Reporters

PATIALA, March 19 — On the call given by the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU) teachers of private aided colleges of this district held a demonstration in the city and submitted a memorandum of their demands to the Deputy Commissioner here today.

Teachers from Modi College, Khalsa College, PNM College, Rajpura, and Public College Samana, participated in the demonstration.

Addressing a rally at Modi College the district president of the union Prof M.M Gupta, condemned the lathi charge on the teachers at Chandigarh on March 12.

JALANDHAR: Teachers organised gate rallies at several colleges here on Friday against the "irresponsible" attitude of the Punjab Government.

Dr Rajnish Bahadur Singh, district secretary of the PCCTU, urged the government to issue a complete notification for the implementation of the UGC scales for college and university teachers.