Saturday, May 8, 1999
|
P U N J A B | |
Saturday, May 8, 1999 |
| weather n
spotlight today's calendar |
 |
||
|
Water-logging
leaves them powerless Minister "misleading"
residents |
 |
|
|||||||
|
MC chief
loses trust vote Sugar mill to be set up in Malout Punjab ‘committed’ to
crop insurance scheme
CBI set deadline on subsidy racket Big shake-up in Punjab Police Paswan's poll rally on May 16 Doctors, students hold rally Army holds free medical camp |
|||||||||
 |
||||
Water-logging leaves them
powerless BABANIA (Muktsar): Pushed to the wall due to successive failure of crops and indebtedness, darkness seems to have become the fate of most farmers of a number of villages of this district affected by water-logging. The Punjab State Electricity Board has disconnected power supply to thousands of consumers in almost all villages falling in Muktsar and Ferozepore districts as farmers could not pay electricity bills. Official sources say in Muktsar circle alone, power supply had been disconnected to about 5000 consumers. In Gidderbaha division, power supply to about 300 houses has been cut. In this village, only a few house-owners are privileged to get power as they pay their bills regularly. In other houses, farmers do not get enough power even for one bulb. Official sources say the disconnection of power supply to houses has been done in almost all villages facing water-logging. However, the power cut-off is widespread in villages like Babania, Ghagga, Thehri Gurusar, Lundewala Inna Khera and Ratta Khera. The residents of these villages while talking to TNS say in February 1998, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had announced that power bills had been waived off for water-logged areas. They alleged that now the PSEB authorities were sending them heavy bills. However, a senior PSEB official, preferring anonymity, says the state government had deferred the payment of electricity bills in February 1998 only for six months. After six months, bills were sent to residents they were asked to pay in instalments. He states that the PSEB is bound to disconnect power supply when the consumer does not pay the electricity bill within the scheduled time. Mohinder Singh, a farmer points out: " I cannot manage Rs 3000 to pay several months' electricity bill as my economy has been shattered with my agriculture land being water-logged." The power supply to his house had been disconnected by the PSEB authorities as he could not pay the previous bill. Many villagers allege that the PSEB authorities had sent them power bills without taking a reading from the electricity meters. Owing to this fault, a number of power bills were inflated. "Even I am unable to arrange food for my survival, how can I arrange money to pay the power bill? asked Mr Teja Singh of Ghagga village whose six acres of land had been water-logged for the past 10 years. Official sources say that farmers whose power supply had been cut had resorted to using kundis to draw power for their houses. The power from "kundis" was drawn mostly during the night. An Executive Engineer of
the PSEB told TNS that there was no use in raiding
premises where kundis had been installed to draw power as
the farmers were unable to pay the fines. |
||
Minister "misleading"
residents BATHINDA, May 7 — Mr Jagroop Singh Gill, Organising Secretary, Punjab Pardesh Congress Committee (PPCC) and former president of the local Municipal Council, today alleged that a minister in the Punjab government belonging to the area had been repeatedly making false statements regarding approval of an overbridge on the Parasram Nagar railway level crossing in the city. In a press note issued here today, he pointed out that the minister concerned for the last two years had been "misleading" city residents on the issue. He said the minister had claimed a number of times that site for the construction of the overbridge had been approved and funds sanctioned for the same. Mr Gill pointed out that at a meeting of municipal councillors held on May 6, the matter was discussed and the council asked to arrange for a site for the same. He demanded that the Punjab Government should allot funds for the bridge out of the money given to it by the Central Government for celebration of the tercentenary of the Khalsa. Mr Chiranji Lal Garg, Food Minister, on the other hand, claimed that there was a proposal to build the bridge but due to the rise in the underground water level, the proposal had been dropped. He claimed that all formalities had been completed. A resolution to this effect had also been passed by the local Municipal Council. A land utilisation certificate had also been issued by the Deputy Commissioner. Mr Garg pointed out that Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had taken up the matter with Union Railway Minister Nitish Kumar and the file regarding the overbridge would reach the ministry next week. He said apart from
development of urban areas, the construction of link
roads had also been started in rural areas of the
district. |
||
'Expel Tohra' move gains
momentum CHANDIGARH, May 7 — The Akalis led by the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, are raising the pitch to finally throw out the former SGPC president, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra. From several centres, supporters of Mr Badal are orchestrating the demand that Mr Tohra should be shown the door. "It will be a matter of a few days only when we would announce the end of formal relationship with Mr Tohra", a senior Akali leader and a minister declared here today. The name of the game is expel Mr Tohra and also expose his misdeeds as the SGPC president, even blame him for Operation Bluestar. This charge was earlier repeatedly laid by the Congress party. Eleven members of the SGPC demanded strict action against Mr Tohra. They also sharply criticised Bhai Ranjit Singh for still claiming himself to be the Jathedar of Akal Takht. "Remember you were appointed by the SGPC executive and you have been removed by it. Now do not keep singing that you are the real Jathedar of Akal Takht. Do not live under any illusions", they said in a signed statement. The signatories include Mr Mohinder Singh Romana, Mr Makhan Singh Nangal, Mr Jagjit Singh Brar, Mr Nazar Singh, Mr Satnam Singh and Mr Balwant Singh Khalsa. Some members of the Sikh Intellectual Council, led by Giani Bachitter Singh and other lawyers, also issued a similar statement in Jalandhar. They said Mr Tohra had done enough harm to the cause of Panth. They alleged that Bhai Ranjit Singh was spreading falsehood for personal gains, and he should desist from this. Mr Badal, who heads the ruling Akali Dal, feels that the time has come to strike the final blow. He has been touring Punjab and has sought support even from a former Akal Takht Jathedar, Mr Darshan Singh Ragi. He has been trying to assess the mood of the rank and file and find out what kind of support Mr Tohra and Bhai Ranjit Singh enjoyed. Even intelligence network has been asked to prepare an assessment report. While the support base of Mr Tohra is limited, Bhai Ranjit Singh, much to the chagrin of the Badal camp, commands a good deal of respect among Sikh peasants, the traditional Akali support base. And the two put together could be a source of great trouble for the Badal camp. " We have nothing to lose now. Mr Badal and his followers at the senior level have done all they could. They have to take care of since they rule and we know how much money is being collected by the Badal family and what kind of government he has given to Punjab. Let him do what pleases him", Mr Tohra has been telling his followers. Meanwhile, the Akali Dal (Badal) is holding a major public meeting at Fatehgarh Sahib on May 16, and Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, who successfully organised a rally at Patiala is now touring the districts of Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala and Ludhiana to mobilise support. "We would show where the big Jathedar stands in his own area," the Finance Minister declared today at Amloh. Incidentally , he too belongs to Fatehgarh Sahib district. After this rally and all the orchestration, it would be easier to remove Mr Tohra, Badal Akalis feel. Also, Mr Tohra is planning to hold a first convention of the Punjab Bachao Morcha around May 20. It would have Akalis opposed to Mr Badal, the two Left parties, the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Punjab Bhalai Manch which is led by Rajya Sabha member, Balwant Singh Ramoowalia. What makes this new emerging combination formidable is the support announced by the BSP president, Mr Kanshi Ram. He said yesterday in Bombay that his party would firmly align with the Tohra group of Akalis. This a a real shot in the arm for Mr Tohra. Mr Badal understands the capacity of this group to upset his apple cart. His assessment is that this combination cannot win a single Lok Sabha seat, but could cause headache for the Akalis. He is keeping a close watch and, is ready to expose the combination of it reaches any tacit understanding with the Congress. This morcha formed for poll purposes would have one point programme — to defeat the candidates of Mr Badal. It could either field candidates and openly fight or have an understanding with the Congress and lend support. Each Lok Sabha seat
would offer a different scene. |
||
MC chief loses trust vote NABHA (Patiala), May 7 — A no-confidence motion was passed against BJP municipal committee president Swarupa Singla at a meeting of the committee here. The motion, which was introduced by Congress municipal councillor Narinderjit Singh Bhatia, was carried with 16 of the 19 members present at the meeting voting in its favour. The strength of the committee is 21. A BJP member has resigned while lone Akali Dal councillor Kiran Bala could not vote as she arrived late for the meeting. The no-confidence motion was made possible today with Congress General Secretary Ramesh Singla withdrawing support of his seven-member group to the committee. The decision to withdraw support to president Mrs Swarupa Singla was taken yesterday at a meeting between Mr Singla and Congress leader Randeep Singh, who has the support of nine councillors. The two agreed to bury their differences at a meeting held at the latter's residence. Speaking on the occasion, Mrs Singla refused to resign which resulted in voting on the motion. She claimed that she had done her best for the welfare of the city citizens during her 13-month tenure and it was strange that the Congress members supporting her had decided to withdraw support without citing any concrete reasons. According to the proceedings registered the no-confidence motion was passed with seven Congress councillors and nine independent councillors (Randeep Singh group) voting against it. Copies of the motion are being sent to the Director, Local Bodies, for necessary action. The race for president
of the municipal committee is likely to hot up now. Mr
Narinderjit Singh Bhatia is the top contender. He belongs
to the Randeep Singh group. Rajesh Kumar Babla and Mr
Joginder Tuli are the other likely contenders. Mr
Amardeep Khanna or Mr Surinder Bawa may be fielded by the
Singla group. |
||
Sugar mill to be set up in
Malout KOTBHAI (Gidderbaha), May 7 — The Punjab Government has decided to set up a sugar mill in the Malout area shortly at the cost of Rs 45 crore. While stating this at a function organised in connection with a seminar on the cultivation of soyabean, Mr Manpreet Singh Badal said here today this decision had been taken due to change in crop pattern in the area due to repeated attack of American bollworm on the cotton. He added that farmers of the area should cultivate other crops than cotton as the crop had been failing repeatedly due to bollworm attack. He said it was an era of scientific cultivation and only those farmers could get better returns from their fields who were following the recommendations of the scientists. He pointed out that the Punjab Government was spending Rs 6 crore for increasing the capacity of distributaries of Muktsar district so that adequate water could be given for irrigation to the farmers for paddy cultivation which was on the rise. Dr G.S. Kalkat, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agriculture University, who presided over the function, said soyabean would be cultivated in 400 acres in Gidderbaha block on an experimental basis. He added that for getting bumper crop of soyabean, farmers would be educated about the latest techniques for its cultivation. He advised the farmers to sow only those crops which could be marketed easily. He added that at present paddy cultivation was being done in about 60 lakh acres and there was a strong need to bring it down to half. Later, Mr Badal
distributed cheques worth lakhs of rupees to the
panchayats of Kothe Kashmir Singh, Chak Giljesinghwala,
Babnia, Karaiwala and Dashmesh Nagar. |
||
Punjab ‘committed’ to
crop insurance scheme ROPAR, May 7 — The Punjab Government is committed to implementing the crop insurance scheme in the state as and when the Central Government issues a notification after including suggestions made by the state government. This was stated by Mr Gurdev Singh Badal, Agriculture Minister, while talking to mediapersons here today. Mr Badal said the Central Government had agreed in principle to include suggestions of the state government for the benefit of farmers. He said the state government had suggested to the government to include cotton, sugarcane and pulses in the scheme. It had also suggested that crops of farmers who had not got loan from a cooperative bank be also covered. It had suggested that insurance compensation be given as per the actual damage to the crops. At present the maximum compensation limit was Rs 10,000 for any amount of loss. Besides, the state also asked the government to release grant for the scheme to states for further distribution among farmers. Mr Badal said he along with the Chief Minister would meet the Union Agriculture Minister soon to urge him to give clearance to the scheme. The Agriculture Minister said there was no proposal to announce bonus on wheat by the state government. He also said that there was no truth in reports that the state government was considering withdrawing the facility of free power and water to the farmers in the state. He said the state
government had adopted a tough attitude towards those
producing adulterated pesticides. As a result 70
companies involved in the same had left the state. |
||
3 held for beating woman
to death HOSHIARPUR, May 7 — The Sadar police has arrested three persons for allegedly killing Mohinder Kaur of Chagran village and cremating her body on April 6 without informing her parents. The SSP, Mr R.P. Mittal, said in a press note here yesterday that Bahadur Singh (husband), Harbhajan Singh (father-in-law) and Dalbir Singh (brother-in-law) had been arrested while the deceased's sister-in-law Paramjit Kaur was still at large. Surinder Singh of Nangal Shahidan had been arrested for disposing of the body. Mr Jagir Singh of Bassi Wazid in a case registered with the police alleged that his sister, who was married for 13 years, was tortured and beaten up for bringing less dowry on several occasions. The SSP said
investigations revealed that the accused beat up Mohinder
Kaur on April 5 and later took her to a compounder for
treatment. On seeing her condition, the compounder
suggested them to take her to a doctor. However, her
condition deteriorated and her body was cremated
secretly. |
||
CBI set deadline on subsidy
racket CHANDIGARH, May 7 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court today set July 9 as the deadline for the CBI to file its latest report on the investigation into the multi-crore industrial subsidy racket in Punjab. Mr Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta and Mr Justice T.H.B. Chalapathi, before whom the petition came up for hearing, observed that the CBI counsel stated that more time was needed to complete the investigation. "We are satisfied that the CBI has already taken more than reasonable time. However, lest there should be failure of justice, we grant time till July 9 when the latest report shall be submitted to the court", the Bench directed. Earlier, the CBI had filed a status report before the court pursuant to the orders of March 19, 1999 in a sealed cover. "We have not opened the report for the reason that counsel has produced before us a photo-copy of the report submitted by Inspector Bhora Singh." The High Court had taken suo motu notice of a news item carried in the columns of The Tribune on May 12, 1996 under the heading "Ghost units" eating up subsidy. The report carried under
a Bathinda dateline had alleged that there were
industrial units "which exist on paper only but get
a huge subsidy with the alleged connivance of some
officials of the Industries Department." |
||
Big shake-up in Punjab
Police CHANDIGARH, May 7 — The Punjab Police today ordered a reshuffle, affecting at least three Senior Superintendents of Police. The orders of the Principal Secretary, Home, Mr Y.S.Ratra, pertain to fresh postings and transfers involving a total of 22 police officials, both IPS and PPS. Mr Parampal Singh Sidhu is Senior Superintendent of Police, Amritsar. He succeeds Mr Gurdev Singh, who stands shifted as Deputy Commandant-General, Punjab Home Guards and Deputy Director, Civil Defence, Chandigarh. In place of Mr Sidhu goes Mr Harpreet Singh Sidhu as Senior Superintendent of Police, Patiala. In his place, Mr Narinderpal Singh has been posted as SSP, Majitha. Mr B.K. Garg is now
Superintendent of Police, Vigilance Bureau, Ludhiana; Mr
Randev Singh is S.P. Litigation, Chandigarh; Mr Amardeep
Singh Rai is S.P.City, Ludhiana; Mr B. Chandra Shekhar is
S.P. Operations, Gurdaspur; Ms Shashi Prabha Dewadi is
Commandant IRB, Ludhiana; Mr Naresh Kumar is S.P.
Headquarter, Gurdaspur; Mr Lakhwinder Singh is S.P.
Headquarters, Sangrur; Mr Ramji Lal is Deputy Director
(I), PPA, Phillaur; Mr Surinderpal Singh is Commandant,
9th BT, PAP, Amritsar; Mr Ajit Singh Randhawa is S.P.(CI)
CID, Amritsar; Mr Pritpal Singh is S.P. (SB) Zonal, CID,
Ferozepore; Mr Dilbagh Singh is S.P. (D) Jalandhar; Mr
Balkar Singh is S.P. Nawan Shahr; Mr Jaskirat Singh is
S.P. (D), Kapurthala; Mr Surinder Singh Atwal is S.P.
Operations Hoshiarpur; Mr Iqbal Singh is S.P. Special
Investigation, Crime, Chandigarh; Mr Surinder Pal Singh
is S.P. Security, Chandigarh; Mr Harbhajan Singh is S.P.
(D), Ludhiana; and Mr Baljinder Singh Grewal is S.P. (D),
Hoshiarpur. |
||
Paswan's poll rally on May 16 ROPAR, May 7 — Mr Ram Bilas Paswan, a senior Janata Dal leader, will launch the party's election campaign in Punjab and Haryana on May 16 and 17, respectively, for the coming Lok Sabha poll. Giving this information here today, Mr Jagir Singh Ganesh, President of the Punjab unit, said Mr Paswan would address a public meeting at Ropar on May 16 to explain the party's programmes and strengthen the party's base in the region. Mr Ganesh said the Janata Dal would field its candidates in Punjab for four Lok Sabha constituencies — Ropar, Patiala, Jalandhar and Ludhiana. He said the Dal would also attempt seat adjustments with the 'third front". Mr Paswan would address
a public rally at Bhiwani on May 17, he added. |
||
Doctors, students hold rally AMRITSAR, May 7 — Members of the Junior Doctors' Association (JDA) and Medical Students' Association (MSA) today held a joint rally in front of the OPD complex of Guru Nanak Dev Hospital in protest against the steep hike in hospitalisation charges. Addressing the rally Dr Neeraj Gill and Dr Rajnish Sharma, president and vice president, respectively, and the JDA condemned the Punjab Government for the hike in the fee structure of undergraduate and postgraduate students. Dr Sudhir Abrol, criticised the government for raising hospital charges much that these could not be afforded by the poor. Dr Joginder Singh Sahota, general secretary, MSA, threatened to intensify the stir if their demands were not met. Ms Gurcharan Kaur general secretary, Punjab Nurses Association, also addressed the gathering and stated that as the fees of nursing students had also been arbitrarily raised, the nurses' association would also join hands with students and doctors and if the need be, they would paralyse the hospital services. The Deputy Medical
Superintendent, Mr Amarjeet Singh tried to pacify the
students but they refused to listen to him and raised
anti-govt slogans. |
||
Army holds free medical camp MULLANPUR, May 7 — As part of its drive to reach out to the civil populace of Punjab, the Army today organised a free medical camp at Boparai village, near Mullanpur Mandi. The camp was attended by over 200 patients, including 58 women and 36 children. The medical camp comprised a dentist, a lady doctor and a medical officer. The camp was organised by Gorkha Rifles. It was inaugurated by the Commanding Officer, Col J.S. Pama and was managed by Maj S.S. Kinha. In addition to free
medical advice, a large quantity of medicines was also
distributed free of cost. A CSD canteen outlet provided
canteen facilities to the ex-servicemen of the area. |
||
Plea for measures to control
'blight' PATIALA, May 7 — The Punjab Rice Millers Association today said it was strange that varieties like PUSA — 44 which were now being discarded by scientists continued to be grown in Punjab since the past many years with the recommendation of the state Agricultural Department. In a statement here, association president Tarsem Saini said with the introduction of this variety, superfine varieties of paddy had become 'A' grade and as such there was no sense in discarding it at this stage when the farmers had already suffered major losses. Mr Saini also urged agricultural experts to find remedial measures to control "blight" as reported in PR-106 variety instead of discarding it as this non-basmati variety was considered "superfine" and should be allowed to continue since it had great demand in the international market. Mr Saini requested
Punjab Agricultural University to conduct joint milling
trials of PR-103. PR-111 and PR-114 varieties with the
involvement of the Food Department the Food Corporation
of India and rice millers so that their average yield
could be calculated. |
||
Hawala money seized JALANDHAR, May 7 (UNI) — The Phillaur police claims to have seized Rs 5.24 lakh of hawala money from Parminderjit Singh of Ludhiana by intercepting his car over the Sutlej in Phillaur, 45 km from here, on a tip off last evening. The SSP Mr Gaurav Yadav, today said Rs 1 lakh was found on his person. The remaining Rs 4.24 lakh were found under the car seat. The accused was taking the money to a client at Madhopur in Kapurthala district. A diary listing names and addresses of other clients were also seized from him. The Phillaur police has
registered a case under Sections 411 and 414 of the IPC
and Sections 9-B and 9-D of the FERA. |
||
Naib Tehsildar held for graft PATIALA, May 7 — The Vigilance Department today arrested Naib Tehsildar Prem Lata for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 2,000 at the Nabha tehsil complex, 30 km from here. According to sources, Ms Lata was caught red handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 2,000 from Paramjit Singh of Ghamrouda village. The vigilance team was
led by Mr Ranjit Singh Dhillon and Mr Jaspal Singh, both
Deputy Superintendents of Police. |
||
Rift among Akali workers FATEHGARH SAHIB, May 7 — The SAD (B) has decided to launch its election campaign in the state on May 16 instead of May 14, according to Mr Didar Singh Bhatti, a close confidant of Mr Parkash Singh Badal. Meanwhile, Mr Rajesh Paul Singh Lalli, a senior Akali leader, said today that, workers had decided to boycott all meetings to be addressed by Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister. He alleged that genuine Akali workers owing allegiance to the Badal camp were being ignored by Capt Kanwaljit Singh who was strengthening his own group in the district. Capt Kanwaljit Singh has
been deputed by Mr Badal to strengthen the party in the
stronghold of Mr G.S. Tohra but the group led by Mr Didar
Singh Bhatti is being ignored, allege Akali workers. |
||
570 cr allocated for repair
of roads CHHANDRA (Ludhiana), May
7 — The Punjab Government has allocated Rs 570 crore
for the repair of roads in the state. This was stated by
Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, Speaker of the Punhab Vidhan
Sabha, while addressing a function organised by the gram
panchayat here yesterday. He announced that in order to
provide all facilities available in the cities to the
villages under the focal point scheme, 364 focal points
had been provided basic facilities during the past two
years. |
||
SAD workers "will get
due regard" FATEHGARH SAHIB, May 7 — Grievances of SAD workers will be redressed and they will be given due regard in government offices and police stations. This was stated by Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, while addressing party workers at Naulakha village in Fatehgarh Sahib district yesterday. He said Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra had not gained anything by holding a separate conference at Anandpur Sahib on Baisakhi. He further said the activities of his faction had only benefited the Congress. Capt Kanwaljit Singh
asked the workers to attend the conference to launch the
campaign for the Lok Sabha poll from Fatehgarh Sahib on
May 16. |
||
Check crime, traders urge CM MOGA, May 7 — Traders from Moga and Zira towns have sought the intervention of the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and the DGP in checking the deteriorating law and order situation in the region. In a communication to Mr
Badal, they said incidents of robbery had increased in
the region causing panic among them. They said three such
incidents had occurred in the past six months in which
car-borne miscreants had snatched Rs 7 lakh from traders
at gunpoint and none of the culprits had been arrested. |
||
New PF office at Jalandhar CHANDIGARH, May 7 — A separate sub-account office has been set up by the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) Organisation at Jalandhar. In a press note issued here today, Mr J.S. Kahlon, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner-II, said account work relating to Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Nawanshahr and Hoshiarpur districts had been transferred to this office from Chandigarh. He said the employees
and members of the EPF organisation in these districts
had been advised to deal with this office henceforth. |
||
 |
||
 |
| Nation
| Haryana | Himachal Pradesh | Jammu & Kashmir | Chandigarh | | Editorial | Business | Sport | | Mailbag | Spotlight | World | 50 years of Independence | Weather | | Search | Subscribe | Archive | Suggestion | Home | E-mail | |
