Friday, November 5, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Friday, November 5, 1999 |
weather  spotlighttoday's calendar |
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Action on
calendar put off |
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Cong not
acting as Oppn: Chandumajra Farmers flay hike in diesel prices
CM to work for Punjabis’
release Non-release of grant resented University teachers stage dharnas Traders plan stir against ST
changes Pope invited to visit Amritsar Novel move on open schools
7 PAU students attack PCO owners Remnants of glorious past New wheat variety a feather in
PAU's cap
Plea to confer Shiromani Awards |
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Action on calendar put off AMRITSAR, Nov 4 — The controversy over ‘Nanakshahi calendar’ today took yet another serious turn when the Sikh clergy again suspended its implementation till the "entire Sikh nation" evolved a consensus on this issue. The five Sikh high priests who met at Akal Takht have decided to re-examine the calendar before taking any decision on its implementation. It is pertinent to mention here that the Nanakshahi calendar had kicked off a controversy between the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee and Akal Takht. While the Shiromani Committee had passed a unanimous decision to implement the Nanakshahi calendar on April 20. However, Giani Puran Singh, Jathedar Akal Takht banned its implementation till representatives of various Sikh organisations approved the same. Before issuing a press release, the Sikh clergy had four-hour long meeting with the Sikh intellectuals, Sikh sants and certain executive members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee to seek their opinion. The Sikh intellectuals and sants had expressed diametrically opposite views on the controversial calendar. The five Sikh high priests including Giani Puran Singh, Jathedar Akal Takht, Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar Kesgarh Sahib, Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar Damdama Sahib, Giani Mohan Singh and Giani Bhagwan Singh, head priests of the Golden Temple and Akal Takht, respectively, asked the Sikh masses to celebrate all Gurpurbs and other historical events, related to Sikhism as per the previous calendar till consensus was evolved. The representatives of various Sikh organisations and sants were diametrically opposed over the implementation of the Nanakshahi calendar. It may be mentioned here that Bibi Jagir Kaur had announced that the SGPC would implement the Nanakshahi calendar as it was unanimously passed in the general House meeting. The Sikh clergy, however, clarified that the consensus over the "Nanakshahi calendar" would be evolved with the coordination of the SGPC. It may be recalled that Giani Puran Singh had to intervene for staying the implementation of the calendar when a section of Sant Samaj and Sikh intellectuals approached him after the unanimous decision of the SGPC to implement the "Nanakshahi calendar". The Nanakshahi calendar was prepared by non-resident Indian Sikh Mr Pal Singh Purewal. The Nanakshahi calendar may also be discussed in the forthcoming general house meeting of the SGPC, slated for November 10 in which annual election of the Shiromani Committee would be held. Dr Sukhbir Singh Nagra, president Sikh Intellectuals Council Punjab, said that the SGPC had taken a ‘hasty decision’ to implement the "Nanakshahi calendar". He said before passing a resolution for its implementation, expert opinion of Sikh intellectuals should have been taken. Mr Bachittar Singh Advocate, chief patron, Sikh Intellectuals Council has opined that any decision concerning entire community should be taken carefully. No such decision should be taken which divide the community, he said. Sant Kashmira Singh, president, Sant Samaj, while addressing the meeting at Akal Takht said that he was for the implementation of previous calendar as "Nanakshahi calendar" had divided the Sikh community. Among those who spoke on
the occasion included Baba Jagjit Singh Harkhowal, Giani
Gurdit Singh, Prof Gurbax Singh USA, Bhai Inder Singh of
Sikh Missionary College Ludhiana, Mr Bharpur Singh
Balbir, Baba Teja Singh of Nirmale Sampardai, Giani Ram
Singh, Mr Mohan Singh Mattia, Mr Hardalbir Singh Shah,
General Secretary, Bibi Kiranjot Kaur and Mr Partap Singh
— both executive members of the SGPC. |
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275 docs suspended for
negligence of duty BATHINDA, Nov 4 —The Punjab Government has dismissed 275 doctors who had been absenting themselves from duty for a long period. Stating this at a private function at Harnamsinghwala village in the district, the Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister, Mr Manoranjan Kalia, said these doctors had been recruited to improve the medical services in the state. He claimed that scandals in the health Department which had come into light at Sangrur and Ludhiana recently had taken place during the previous Congress government. The SAD-BJP alliance government of the state was instrumental in unearthing these scandals. He announced that henceforth the Civil Surgeon had been directed to purchase medicines and other necessary items by floating tenders only. He added that certain other steps were being taken to bring transparency in the functioning of the Health Department. He said the Punjab
Government was trying to improve the working of hospitals
and certain hospitals would be upgraded. |
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Owners’ hand in dera land
transfer? PATIALA: Dharmarth property worth crores is being colonised in this city of deras, which once served as lungs of the city, and made it an important religious centre. While some deras have virtually disappeared, others are in the process of being turned into residential colonies. Dera owners have exploited a particular ruling to alienate property on which land was being sold off by way of lease. While new Lal Bagh Colony now stands where once Dera Nirmala stood, Hira Bagh has gobbled up Chaura Dera. Recently the tenant of Shiv Dwaladoom Dera, opposite Mohindra College, took possession of dera land helped by low level revenue officials who handed over possession to him without giving notice to the Deputy Commissioner. Though a few officials were suspended following the transfer, the tenant was successful in his endeavour. In the latest of this series, dera land of Bir Kheri Gujran village is being colonised. This dera is situated beyond the new Officers Colony and its 45 acres command a market price of around Rs 50 crore. In the case of Bir Kheri Gujran, the mahant of the dera tried to exchange his land with family property at Shahbazpur in Samana in the late eighties. Even though the revenue department of Patiala tehsil recommended the case, it was turned down by the then Commissioner, Mr Jai Singh Gill, on the grounds that alienation of dera property was not in the dera’s interest. However dera mahants had started selling off dera property in the recent past by taking advantage of an order by the Financial Commissioner (Revenue), Mr K. S. Janjua, permitting alienation of property in a particular case. Former Deputy Commissioner Visvajit Khanna moved a file for withdrawal of the orders. Despite this dera property is being colonised in a big way at Bir Kheri Gujran village. A few Army officers have been duped by showing them the FCR’s order. Deputy Commissioner Jasbir Singh Bir, when contacted, said mutation of dera property registered earlier had been stopped. He said registration of dera property was not being done and the case was pending with the FCR. He said the case of construction being done at Bir Kheri Gujran was also with the government. Sources said things had come to such a pass due to the complete crumbling of the "bhik" (Order of Saints) system. Under the system, the order elects its mahant who was to use dera property for the institution’s welfare. They said as none of the deras situated in the city now had a well-defined order and the election of their mahant could not be done in a proper manner. They said as deras had become very important due to their value in real estate, a notification of its members should be done so that they could be run strictly for religious purposes. The barbed wiring of the Shiv Dwaladoom Dera is an example of residents losing open space and greenery. Though Deputy Commissioner Jasbir Singh Bir said Dharmarth land could not be used for any other purpose, residents of colonies in the vicinity have demanded that the open spaces be maintained as green belts or playgrounds. The deras are unique to
Patiala as they had sprung up due to the benevolence of
Mai Aas Kaur, mother of Maharaja Karam Singh who
encouraged her philanthropist projects which at one time
led to Patiala rivalling Varanasi as a centre for
learning. Some feel they could still be revived to
complement the tourism potential of the city. |
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Cong not acting as Oppn:
Chandumajra ROPAR, Nov 4 — Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, General Secretary of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD), today accused the Congress of not performing its role of an opposition party in the state though its leader in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha enjoyed all facilities as a leader of the Opposition. Talking to mediapersons at the Canal Rest House here, Mr Chandumajra said it seemed that the Congress had joined hands with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) as it had failed in opposing the anti-people policies of the Badal government and the corruption rampant in the state. He said the Congress even could not organise a dharna in this connection. He reiterated that the unity between SAD and the SHSAD was impossible till Mr Parkash Singh Badal was replaced as he had failed to provide an able leadership and government. Besides, he had also lowered the image of Akal Takht. The general secretary of the SHSAD also charged Mr Badal with giving up the issues of the state like transfer of Punjabi-speaking areas to the state, transfer of Chandigarh, river water disputes and control of headworks. He also held Mr Badal responsible for the debacle of the SAD in the recently held Lok Sabha elections. Mr Chandumajra also demanded an inquiry by a sitting judge of high court or a committee of the MLAs into the huge expenditure of Rs 500 crore on the construction of Ranjit Sagar Dam during the past three years. He claimed that his party felt that not more than 100 crore had been spent on the work during the period. He said the judge should also inquire into various matters like scandal in the sale of government land in the state, evasion of sales tax by traders with the help of government officials, power theft and evasion of taxes by private bus operators. He also stated that the SHSAD had not yet decided its candidate for the post of presidentship of the SGPC. He said the executive committee of the party had given powers to Mr Tohra to select a candidate for the post. However, he stated that their candidate for the post would be supported by other like-minded parties. On the issue of abolition of octroi in the state, he alleged that Mr Badal had betrayed the people by making false promises in the manifesto. He stated that instead of abolishing octroi the government had handed over the octroi posts to contractors who were harassing people unnecessarily on the pretext of searching luggage. The general secretary said the Badal government had failed on all fronts which led to a severe financial crisis in the state. Besides, development activities had also been stalled everywhere. He said his party had
been organising district-level dharnas against the
anti-people policies of the Badal government and in
favour of the withdrawal of hike on petroleum products,
including diesel. |
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Farmers flay hike in diesel
prices JALANDHAR, Nov 4 — Farmers from all over the state staged a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office, here today to protest against the hike in diesel prices. The dharna was jointly organised by the Punjab Kisan Sabha, Bhartya Kisan Union, Kirti Kisan Union and Punjab Kisan Union, and was addressed by Dr Joginder Dayal, Secretary, All India Kisan Sabha and the state Secretary of the CPI Mr Kulwant Singh and Mr Daljit Singh Johal. While addressing the farmers, Dr Joginder Dayal, alleged that such a steep hike would adversely affect not only the agrarian economy but also economy of the state as 52 per cent of the GDP was from agriculture. He alleged that Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee and Mr Parkash Singh Badal were acting against the interest of the farmers. He demanded that the price of the sugarcane and the rate of its crushing should be fixed at Rs 100 per quintal. Payment of the arrears of the paddy growers who were forced to make “distress sale” of their produce and insurance of Rs 3000 per quintal of narma and C.C.I. should be made on competitive bid. Mr Dayal disclosed that the five kisan organisations would meet on November 6 so as to force the government to withdraw hike in diesel prices and concede other demands of the farmers. PATIALA:
A joint dharna of five different farmers’
organisations was staged in front of the Deputy
Commissioner’s office in protest against the hike in
diesel price, here on Thursday. |
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Falling water table worries
experts CHANDIGARH, Nov 4 — The constantly depleting groundwater reserve in Punjab and Haryana, the foodgrain bowl of the country, is ringing alarm bells. Punjab leads in groundwater exploitation, although it is well served by a canal-based irrigation system. The level of extraction of groundwater has crossed 100 per cent of the total replenishable resource. Haryana, despite having vast stretches of saline groundwater, which could not be exploited, is not far behind with extraction nearing the 85 per cent mark. The large-scale exploitation was causing the water table to fall at a rapid rate. The trend, if not reversed, will lead to disastrous consequences, experts warn. They also suggest major changes in farm practices, particularly the methods of irrigation to conserve the precious resource essential for the survival of humankind. The farming community in Punjab is playing havoc with ground water. Despite having the best canal irrigation system in the country. Punjab tops the list as far as exploitation of ground water is concerned. The average stage development of water is 94 per cent, which means that the farming community in Punjab pumps out 94 per cent of ground water, which goes into the ground. Rain and snow on hills are major sources for recharging the groundwater. Experts say that groundwater exploitation should not cross the 65 per cent limit in any case. In other words only 65 per cent of the water available on the ground should be pumped out. In fact the level of groundwater exploitation in certain districts is more than 100 per cent and in some cases even above 200 per cent. For instance in Kapurthala district, groundwater exploitation is around 259 per cent and in Jalandhar district around 177 per cent. In Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala and Sangrur districts it is above 100 per cent. Bathinda is at the lowest place as far as exploitation of groundwater is concerned. In this district it is around 43 per cent while in Hoshiarpur it is 46 per cent and in Ludhiana nearly 50 per cent. As many as 68 blocks in the state fall in the category of over-exploited blocks areas which means that the use of ground water in these blocks is above 100 per cent, i.e. more than what goes into the ground for recharging the groundwater. As many as eight blocks fall in the category of dark blocks which means the exploitation of groundwater is between 85 per cent and 100 per cent. The indifferent attitude of the farming community and the government authorities is, by and large, responsible for such a saddening scenario on the groundwater front in Punjab. Neither the authorities have framed any act nor issued instructions for stopping the injudicious use of groundwater. Experts say that farmers are busy milking the mother earth dry. If the trend continued, it will certainly cause a big setback to the agriculture sector in the state. Experts suggest that it is time for shifting to sprinkling and drip irrigation systems, abandoning the age-old Flood irrigation system. It will help curb the overexploitation of groundwater and save the state for future generations. Dr M. Mehta, Director of the regional office of the Central Groundwater Borad, an organisation engaged in studying the groundwater level and use and making recommendations to the Central Government for taking appropriate steps in this connection, said the situation in Punjab as regards groundwater exploitation was very grim. "We have sounded warnings in this connection to the authorities concerned and now it is up to them to take the necessary steps." Experts say that while on the one hand Punjab is at loggerheads with Haryana on the issue of sharing of river waters and on the other the farming community in the state is busy over exploiting its water resources. Punjab should review its water use policy for irrigation and make a judicious use of water for irrigation. The continuing overexploitation of groundwater resources is leading Haryana towards a hydro-geologically 'dark' future. With the aggregate draft already crossing 84 per cent of the natural recharge, the state is on the verge of becoming a 'dark' area in the parlance of groundwater experts. For optimum utilisation of this precious resource, experts point out that the extraction should not exceed 65 per cent of the total of water replenishable groundwater reserves. However, in the absence of adequate canal-based irrigation system, farmers in most parts of the state are dependent totally on groundwater for raising crops. At present of the total .85 mham (million hecate metre) replenishable groundwater resource, over. 60 mham is being utilised for irrigation. Besides .12 mham was being used for industrial and domestic purposes. The situation was worse in districts where fresh water was available in plenty. For instance in Kurukshetra district the net draft had crossed the 200 per cent mark. Similarly, it was as high as 167 per cent for Mohindergarh and 152 per cent in Karnal. The large-scale overexploitation of groundwater in such areas had caused the water table to fall at an alarming rate. In Kurukshetra area, the level has plunged form 7.5 metres to 16 metres over the past two decades. There are certain pockets where it was as low as 20 metres. Of the total 108 blocks, as many as 45 fall in the category of overexploited areas with extraction exceeding 100 per cent of the total replenishable resources. The maximum number of the such blocks, five each, are in the Karnal and Mohindergarh followed by Gurgaon, Kurukshetra, Panipat and Rewari. Besides, there are six blocks constituting 'dark' areas with extraction ranging from 85 per cent to 100 per cent. There is an urgent need to implement artificial recharge measures to arrest the declining water table, according to Mr M. Mehta, Director of the regional centre of the Central Groundwater Board, here. In contrast the exploitation was minimal in districts like Hisar (31 per cent), Bhiwani and Rohtak (both 36 per cent) and Sirsa (42 per cent). In fact these areas do not permit large-scale groundwater development due to salinity in the acuifers. Some of these areas are served well with the canal-based irrigation system. Groundwater scientists
are not happy with the manner in which precious water
resources, both surface and ground, are being utilised.
The immediate need is to conserve water which is becoming
scarce day by day. They suggest the use of canal water
and groundwater in saline areas. This will help raise the
use of groundwater from the present low levels to the
optimum 65 per cent and save the surface water in equal
proportion. Besides, the farmers should be encouraged to
adopt drip and sprinkler irrigation techniques instead of
the present flood irrigation method, which leads to
wastage. Simple adjustment like irrigating the fields
during night in place of daytime could also help save
significant quantities of water, lost due to evaporation. |
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CM to work for
Punjabis’ release HARNAMSINGHWALA (Bathinda), Nov 4 — Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said he would make efforts to secure the release of Punjabis languishing in Ukraine jails and take up the matter with the Prime Minister of that country. He would also urge the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee and Union Foreign Minister, Jaswant Singh tonight to take up the issue of illegal Punjabi immigrants languishing in various jails abroad. Mr Badal, who was here to attend a private function, talking to TNS said he had read the story in The Tribune regarding the human cargo racket and added the Punjab Government would take necessary steps to check it. He, however, added that busting such rackets required a lot of effort as the deals between clients and unscrupulous travel agents were usually secret ones. Regarding the party nominee for the SGPC elections, he said the SAD candidate would be decided at the party meeting to be held on November 6. He said steps to check corruption had been initiated and in fifteen days a major racket would be exposed. He sought public cooperation in tackling corruption, adding the government would also try to check political corruption. Citing an example, he said certain officials were asked to return bribe money taken by them a few days ago following public complaints. He said no disciplinary
action would be taken against MLAs who did not attend the
meetings of party MLAs held at Chandigarh in the recent
past. |
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Non-release of grant
resented ROPAR, Nov 4 — Resentment prevails among members of the Maharaja Ajj Sarovar Vikas Parishad, Kharar over the non-release of a grant of Rs 5 lakh which was announced by Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, Punjab, for the development of Maharaja Ajj Sarovar at Kharar on the occasion of laying of foundation stone of the reconstruction work of the sarovar by the then Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, Mr Suraj Bhan, on November 5, 1997. Talking to TNS today, Mr Shashi Pal Jain, a member of the executive committee of the parishad, said the parishad had been waiting for the grant for the past two years Mr Satya Pal Jain and Mrs Satwinder Kaur Dhaliwal, former MPs, had approached the Finance Minister a couple of times for the release of grant but to no avail. He also said Capt
Kanwaljit Singh should keep his word by releasing the
grant in one go as he made the announcement while
presiding over the function in the presence of two MPs
and two MLAs of the SAD-BJP alliance. |
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University teachers stage dharnas AMRITSAR, Nov 4 — Responding to a call by the All-India Federation of University associations the executive committee of Guru Nanak Dev University Teachers Association staged a dharna in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s office to express the resentment against the non-implementation of the UGC’s package of revised pay scales by the Punjab Government. Dr S.S. Dhillon and Dr Kulwant Singh Thind, GNDUTA’s vice-president and secretary respectively strongly condemned the callous attitude of the state government towards the demands of the teachers. They said the state government was using its self-created financial mess to deny benefits to the teachers and warned that the teachers would be forced to proceed on a more vigorous agitational path if their demands were not accepted. LUDHIANA: The executive of Punjab Agricultural University Teachers Association staged a dharna in front of Thapar Hall against apathy of government to its demands. Dr Hari Singh Brar,
president and Dr M.C. Gupta, secretary of PAUTA addressed
the rally and urged upon the government to implement
their demands of payment of arrears in revised pay
scales, revoking imposition of 10 per cent cut in
non-plan and non-salary expenditure by UGC, removal of
anomalies in pay fixation in new scales, lifting the ban
on teaching posts etc. |
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Traders plan stir against ST
changes FEROZEPORE, Nov 4 — Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal president Madan Lal Kapoor has strongly criticised the policies of the ruling SAD-BJP combine for having adversely affected trade. Talking to reporters here today he said instead of fulfilling promises made during the Assembly elections, the Badal-led government had started forming “black laws” to harass traders. Already there were nearly 25 different types of taxes on traders and now the Punjab Government has made an amendment to the Punjab General Sales Tax Act, which makes ST evasion liable for imprisonment. He said that for the first time in history the entire trader community had united against the recent amendment and a joint meeting of four factions of beopar mandals of Punjab would be held at Jalandhar on November 11. He said Punjab was the only state in north India where octroi was levied. Against its promise to abolish octroi the SAD-BJP combine had instead privatised it creating even more difficulties for traders. He asked the Punjab Government to review its policies, including the policy on free power to the farmers. He favoured uniformity
in taxation in all the northern states to boost trade,
and end complications. |
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Pope invited to visit
Amritsar FEROZEPORE, Nov 4 —The International Bhai Mardana Yadgari Kirtan Darbar Society has asked the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, to stem-Pop’s visit to India from November 5. In a fax message to Mr Vajpayee yesterday, the society’s president, Mr Harpal Singh Bhullar, said nobody could be converted forcibly in the present era as was done during the regime of the Mughals. Mr Bhullar, on behalf of the Sikhs, invited Pope John Paul II to visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar during his stay in India. Mr Bhullar quoted an
example of Mr Harbhajan Singh Yogi who, he said, had
converted several Christians and Muslims of the USA, the
UK, Australia Jordan and Afghanistan into Sikhs and none
had opposed these conversions. |
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Christians for curbs on communal
outfits JALANDHAR, Nov 4 — The Punjab Christian movement claimed that the protest demonstrations organised by Hindu fundamentalist organisations in Punjab at the district level against religious conversion and the Pope’s visit to India failed. In a joint press statement issued here today Mr Hamid Masih, the president of PCM, Tarsem Masih, organising secretary, Sri Freddi Joseph, advisor and Mr Anil Masih, district president, Jalandhar have said organisations opposing Christian missionaries could muster the support of only 50-150 people at district-level demonstrations and their November 2 state-wide rally, did not attract more than 1300 people. It is clear that these Hindu fundamentalist organisations do not represent the Hindu community they said and has demanded that Mr Parkash Singh Badal check the activities of organisations spreading communal venom. They said the allegation
that there was any danger to Hinduism from Christianity
was baseless and Christians would continue their campaign
against illiteracy and economic backwardness as poor were
their brothers no matter whether they were Hindus or of
any other religion. |
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Novel move on open schools ROPAR, Nov 4 — The Punjab Government has approved in principle the opening of educational institutions on priority basis in all those places where a building for the educational institution will be constructed by voluntary organisation at its own expenses in the state. This stated by Mr Swarna Ram, Minister of State for Education, Punjab, while inaugurating District Science Exhibition at the Government Girls Senior Secondary School here last evening. The minister said the government would accord approval for the opening of such schools and colleges as per a condition set by it. The voluntary organisations would have to spend Rs 8 lakh, Rs 12 lakh, Rs 18 lakh, and Rs 40 lakh on the construction of buildings for opening middle high, senior secondary school and college, respectively. The minister said that as part of its policy, the government would give preference to the opening of educational institutions for girls. Besides, the government would also provide infrastructure and staff in these educational institutions. Mr Swarna Ram also stated that the government had conducted a survey of ‘unsafe’ school buildings in the state. He said, Rs 8 crore had been collected during the previous year by imposing a tax of Re 1 on each bottle of liquor which would now be spent on the repair of ‘unsafe’ school buildings and other construction works in the schools. The minister also said that the government had drawn up an education policy based on three issues under which education would be made job-oriented and students would be imparted education based on moral values along with book knowledge. He also stressed upon the need of imparting knowledge to the students as per the requirement of new era of science. Dr Ajmer Singh, District Education Officer (S), Ropar, said 190 teams drawn from 82 schools of the district were participating in this exhibition, organised on the topic “Science and Technology for Challenges of life”. The exhibition had been further sub divided under five sub themes like health, industry, environment and energy etc. Mr Khushi Ram, ADC,
Ropar, and Mrs Gurcharan Kaur, Principal of the host
school also spoke on the occasion. |
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7 PAU students attack PCO
owners LUDHIANA, Nov 4 — A PCO situated in a private girls hostel near Kaka Marriage Palace was scene of vandalism last night when around seven boy students of the Punjab Agricultural University attacked the PCO allegedly to settle a score with the PCO owner. Although the PCO owners Mr Davinder Gogna and Mr Harinder Gogna have lodged a complaint with the police station division no 5, no FIR has yet been registered in this case. It is learnt that the police had made a raid in the PAU hostel no 7 last night, (where the accused are supposedly lodged) but no one has been arrested. When contacted, one of the PCO owners Mr Davinder Singh said that two boys of the university had come to the PCO around 9.15 p.m. last night in a drunken state and one of them was using abusive language on the telephone. When they urged the boys not to use such language as a few girls of the hostel were also standing nearby, the boys hit Harinder. However, a few neighbours came to his rescue and the boys were made to apologise. They left in a huff, only to return with five more boys of the university in three cars who were carrying rods. By this time Davinder had locked the main gate of the hostel and Harinder had left to lodge a complaint with the police. The boys broke the duo’s car parked outside with their rods and left. Davinder also informed
that they had identified one of the boys as Jasbir Singh
by tracing the telephone call he had made on their PCO. |
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7 ‘satta’ agents
held NANGAL, Nov 4 — In a special drive launched against gambling in the town, the local police has arrested seven persons who were acting as “satta” agents. The local SHO Mr Pritam Singh, while talking to mediapersons said, these arrests had disrupted the “satta” network. Those arrested included, Gulshan Kumar, Kamal Kumar, Dharmpal, Kishore Singh, Gurdial Singh, Baldev Ram and Inderjit Singh. They all were acting as sub-agents, while the main agent had absconded. A Case under Sections 13-A 3/67 of the Gambling Act has been registered. The agents were arrested with the help of informers in disguise. The informers gave Rs 100 notes having special identification marks to the agents. They then gave them the number demanded on a plane paper slip. Thereafter the police
arrested them and recovered the Rs 100 notes having
identification marks. |
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Museum on Maharaja Ranjit Singh AMRITSAR, Nov 4 (PTI) — Frail, thin and small built and an eye lost due to small pox, yet he became the "Lion of Punjab" and a legend in his lifetime. Such was Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s appeal. Loved and respected by all his subjects, his reign symbolised the best in the tradition of Punjab. Today, remnants of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s glorious past are preserved in his erstwhile summer palace in the sprawling Ram Bagh Gardens of this holy city, now being used as a museum. A veritable treasure trove of information on the life and times of the "Lion of Punjab", the museum, the only one of its kind in North India, also has ample information on Sikh kingdoms during the 18th and 19th centuries. Maharaja Ranjit Singh had occupied Amritsar in 1805 and made the holy city his "spiritual capital". In 1818, he built a beautiful garden in the north of the city on the pattern of Shalimar Bagh in Lahore and named it Ram Bagh after Guru Ram Das, the founder of the city. Divided into parts, the museum comprises the palace and gardens on one side and houses prized possessions such as manuscripts, paintings, jewellery, artefacts and other priceless embodiments of the reign of the Maharaja. Despite low funds for maintenance from the government, the museum is upholding traditions of the Maharaja’s reign by preserving its art and craft. The main entrance to Ram Bagh Gardens is through Darshani Deori, a protected monument, and in the centre stands a two-storeyed palace, built at a cost of 1,25,000 "Nanakshahi" rupees. Encircled by solid masonry walls with four towers on the corners, the sprawling gardens, now being used as the museum has a moat, the water from which is used in the garden. Next to the palace is a bathing pool for the royal ladies and the central building served as a reception room. The buildings and garden were constructed under the supervision of Faqir Azizuddin, Sardar Dessa Singh Majithia and his son Sardar Lehna Singh. It is said Faqir Azizuddin brought special workmen from Delhi to adorn the buildings with the visible red stone work. Inside the museum are miniature paintings which show the camp and court of the Maharaja. The paintings present him as a thin little man with an attractive face with an eye lost due to small pox. Bedecked with gold ornaments and pearls, he carries a sword embedded with diamonds and emeralds. The paintings have a rich combination of colours of varied patterns. A huge painting on the city of Lahore with its fort and architectural beauty, showing arches, doorways and even pavements of locally made brick, is also displayed in the museum. There are also oil paintings of the Maharaja, his sons Karak Singh and Sher Singh, besides his grandson Naunihal. The most important painting is by a Viennese artist who visited Lahore in 1841 during the period of Maharaja Sher Singh. The collections also include a number of paintings by Lord Auckland’s sister Emily Eden, who visited Lahore in 1838. She was the last among the artists to paint Maharaja Ranjit Singh when he had become almost invalid, according to available information. There are also a large number of coloured lithoprints showing a series of battle scenes between the British and Sikhs which contain a wealth of information on war, including weaponry, the formation of troops and even uniform of that age. In a separate section of the museum are kept arms and armours of the times of the Sikh kingdom. The handles, guards and scabbards of swords are beautifully decorated with gold and silver work inlaid with costly jewels. But the most important manuscript preserved is the military manual which has coloured illustrations along with the text. A Persian sword which was presented to General Allard by Maharaja Ranjit Singh has a horse-head shaped jade hilt studded with rubies, with a miniature portrait of the Maharaja. There is also an iron and brass shield of exquisite workmanship in relief and cut work prepared by a Muslim craftsman of Lahore, whose name is inscribed on it. The Zafarnama issued by Maharaja Ranjit Singh is a military manual pertaining to the rules and training of the Army during his reign. One of the most remarkable objects on view is a "parwana" of the Maharaja addressed to Raja Fateh Singh of Kapurthala. It bears the seal of the Maharaja and his palm impression in saffron. Inscribed on April 13,1827, it is still intact. Other important correspondence with the chief is also preserved. Several coins kept in the museum display the secular outlook of the king. One of the coins even has a trident of Lord Shiva and on another "Om" inscribed. In some coins "Ram" is written in Devnagri script. Maharaja Ranjit Singh had become a legend in his lifetime loved and respected by all his subjects. Religion was given equal weight in the administration and his reign symbolised the best in the tradition of Punjab that could bring all its people together. The museum truly relives
the glorious times of the Maharaja which needs funds to
spread the saga of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. |
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New wheat variety a feather
in PAU's cap CHANDIGARH, Nov 4 — Wheat is the premier rabi crop in Punjab. Its sowing is underway at present. It goes to the credit of Ludhiana-based Punjab Agricultural University which has evolved a new double-dwarf variety, PBW-343. It has literally taken the northern region by storm. It is very popular and is expected to occupy at least 80 per cent of the area in Punjab alone. What distinguishes this particular variety are its characteristics; according to the PAU's Director, Research, Dr K.S. Aulakh, PBW 343 has an average plant height of 100 cm. It tillers profusely and has stiff straw, thus, it is resistant to lodging. It is also resistant to yellow and brown rusts; susceptible to Karnal bunt and loose smut diseases. It yields 22.3 quintals per acre. This is, as the Financial Commissioner, Development, Mr Y.S. Ratra, puts it, one of the six fine varieties evolved at PAU since 1990, which has become popular. Punjab sows an area of approximately 32 lakh hectares under wheat, most of the varieties being bread-wheat. In all, PAU has recommended 12 wheat varieties for the 1999-2000 rabi season, which include both timely and late-sown varieties under irrigated conditions as well as some to be sown under rain-fed conditions. At the September kisan mela, seeds of PBW 343 was distributed to farmers. In fact two years ago there was a premium on this very seed. PBW 343 has completely replaced HD 2329. Farm experts maintain that timely sowing of wheat is a must for maximum yield. Thus sowing time schedule evolved by PAU if followed by farmers, would go a long way in giving a better yield and returns. The advice to farmers is to complete sowing before November 15. Results have shown substantial increase in the yield, from 20.9 per cent to 52.6 per cent, in the last decade. Similarly, farmers are advised to adopt integrated approach for weed control, both chemical and mechanical. A balanced application of fertiliser and recommended irrigation schedule, if followed, would be of additional benefit. Dr Aulakh has given the following schedule for wheat varieties sowing operations. From fourth week of October to fourth week of November: (under irrigated conditions) PAU recommends PBW 343, WH 542, PBW 154, PDW 233 and PBW 34. (under rainfed conditions) suggested ones are — PBW 396, PBW 299 and PBW 175. After fourth week of November, the varieties recommended are: (under irrigated conditions) PBW 373, Raj 3765, PBW 138 and TL 1210. For (rainfed) areas the varieties are: PBW 396, PBW 299, PBW 175, PBW 373, Raj 3765, PBW 138 and TL 1210. The wheat improvement work started way back in 1964 when semi dwarf varieties came from international centre for maize and wheat improvement (cimmyt), Mexico, at PAU. There has been no looking back since then. In fact till 1990 PAU has released 25 wheat varieties. Dr Aulakh disclosed that wheat research continued to be aimed at meeting agro-climatic requirements of the region. After 1990, wheat varieties were released of which 343 is best. In the next millennium research is directed at postulation of genes providing resistance against yellow and brown rusts. As a result of detailed genetic analysis of exotic and Indian wheat varieties,a number of leaf rust resistance genes have been identified. In recent years Karnal bunt, however, continues to bug the farm scientists as being a major disease. At PAU, scientists using
biochemical techniques wheat germplasm has been
catalogued and characterised for resistance to major
wheat diseases. A total number of germplasm collection is
over 14,000 said Dr Aulakh. |
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Divali mela at Punjabi
University PATIALA, Nov 4 — The second day of the cultural divali festival being held in Punjabi University saw holding of exhibitions of paintings, Punjab folk instruments and antique Punjabi household utensils besides setting up of various eatable and games stalls. The Department of Fine Arts of the university has taken the lead in celebrating the cultural festival. Students evolved various scenes depicting different concepts of worship of the god. They have also tried to give original touches to two scenes one of Sri Harmandir Sahib Divali celebrations and the other return of Sri Ram Chander to Ayodhya after exile. Yesterday evening teams of girls carrying ‘jago’ came out of three girls hostels to the Vice-Chancellor’s residence. “Jago” is a clarian call for inward and outward awareness. A university release said students and employees were participating and enjoying this festival. The university right from its main gate, including its hostels, has been given illuminous shape by the students. In boys hostels various themes of Divali have been depicted by the students. Shaheed Bhagat Singh Hostel No 6 and Bhai Vir Singh Hostel have displayed certain paintings depicting celebrations of traditional Divali. The cultural troupes
performed traditional Punjabi dances, folk-singing and
Gatka items yesterday evening. It said the festival had
created an atmosphere of communal harmony with the total
involvement of the teachers, employees and the students. |
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Plea to confer Shiromani
Awards PATIALA, Nov 4 — Artistes have expressed surprise over the decision of the Punjab Government not to present the customary Shiromani Awards to Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu writers, artistes and journalists on November 1 to mark Punjab Day to the financial crunch. Mr Surjit Singh Grewal, an NRI and a noted photo artist, and Mr Pran Sabharwal, Director, National Theatre Arts Society, have urged the Punjab Government to seek the help of the Central Government and philanthropists and NRIs in the connection to keep up incentives for cultural grants. They expressed the hope
that the government would announce the awards. The
awardees would not mind donating their award money on
government's appeal in view of the Kargil episode. |
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Naib tehsildar suspended JALANDHAR, Nov 4 — The Commissioner, Jalandhar division, Mr BKS Shrivastav, today suspended Naib Tehsildar, Jalandhar-II. Siri Ram for demanding Rs 5000 for sanctioning the mutation deed of an applicant. In a press note issued here today the Deputy Commissioner said that acting on the complaint of Gurdev Singh, son of Arjan Singh of 206 New Jawahar Nagar, Jalandhar who claimed Siri Ram was demanding Rs 5000 for sanctioning the mutation of his plot no 9823 of in Dhogri village. An enquiry was conducted by Mr Krishan Kumar IAS, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Jalandhar-II. It was then found that
the Naib Tehsildar sanctioned the mutation on a back
date, ie 31-8-99 while on checking the roznamcha of the
patwari, it was noticed that mutation was actually
sanctioned only on 13.10.99. |
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Probe sought into paddy
purchase BATHINDA, Nov 4 — Mr Hartej Singh Mehta, President, Sarv Hind Youth Akali Dal urged the Deputy Commissioner to conduct a probe into cheating of farmers during paddy procurement. In a press note issued here, Mr Mehta said that Punjab Government should also waive all loans of farmers who had been facing an economic crises for the past many years due to repeated crop failure. Criticising the recent
hike in diesel, kitchen gas and petrol prices, Mr Mehta
demanded the central government should withdraw these
hike immediately. |
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CM seeks donation from
Punjabis CHANDIGARH, Nov 4 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today seek an SOS to all benevolent Punjabis to contribute generously for the rehabilitation of the suffering people of Orissa battered by a cyclone. Expressing grief over the death of a large number of people and his sympathy for those rendered homeless, Mr Badal reminded the Punjabis of their centuries-old rich heritage wedded to the noble cause of prompt help to the needy. The Chief Minister has called an emergency meeting of all deputy commissioners in Chandigarh tomorrow to deliberate on the grave national calamity and seek the help of the social and voluntary service organisations, philanthropists and individuals in this gigantic task. He in a statement said Punjabis had always in the past come forward to wipe out human tears and remove the causes in times of distress. The Chief Minister
sought liberal contribution to the Prime Minister's
relief fund for Orissa. |
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1 held for stealing
scooter LUDHIANA, Nov 4 — The police has arrested a woman, Balbir Kaur, under Sections 307 and 34 of the IPC for allegedly trying to burn to death her daughter-in-law, Malkit Kaur, in connivance with her son, Gurcharan Singh. An FIR was registered against the two on November 1, on the basis of the statement given by Malkit Kaur. In another incident the
police arrested Tarlochan Singh, alias Pammi for
allegedly stealing a scooter (PB-26-A-1217) from outside
Phawa Hospital. |
||
Red Cross aid for
cyclone-hit LUDHIANA, Nov 4 — The District Red Cross Society has set up a counter at the Guru Nanak stadium here to collect new and old clothes for the cyclone affected people of Orissa from November 5 to November 9. The Deputy Commissioner, and president of the District Red Cross Society, Mr Arun Goel, has called upon the people to contribute liberally. Deposit clothes for those who have been affected by this natural calamity and deposit clothes in separate packets for children below 5 years. Five to 10 years, above 10 years, for men and women. Mr Goel has also
appealed to the various voluntary, social, religious and
educational organisations to mobilise people for this
cause. |
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2 doctors issued notices NANGAL, Nov 4 — Two doctors, working at NFL hospital, have been issued show-cause notices for engaging themselves in private practice in violation of their conduct rules. The General Manager, Mr Ritolia, in the notice has directed Dr Arya and Dr Gulati to file their reply to the charges within 15 days. It is for the first time that the NFL administration has taken action against the doctors found abusing their position at government hospitals. Many of the doctors serving in the government hospitals here have been running their private clinics, in spite of being paid non-practising allowance which amounts to about 25 per cent of their basic pay. Many of the political
leaders have welcomed the move and demanded strict action
against the erring doctors. |
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Gamblers,
vehicle
thieves arrested AMRITSAR, Nov 4 — The local police has arrested as many as 100 gamblers and vehicle thieves, including a close relative of a Deputy Superintendent of the Police (DSP). Large quantity of stolen goods and illicit liquor were recovered from the alleged culprits. In another breakthrough, the Civil Lines Police has arrested Murat Singh, a resident of Talwandi Dogran (Kapurthala), on a charge of stealing a newly born female baby from Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, today. According to Mr Jatinder
Jain, SP (City), the suspect Murat Singh was found
roaming under suspicious circumstances at the hospital
two days before the incident had taken place. |
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Youth festival opens LUDHIANA, Nov 4 — The Prof S.N. Kakkar Memorial Youth Festival at PAU was inaugurated by the SSP, Mrs Gurpreet Deo. She said she was highly impressed to learn that besides scientists, PAU had produced a number of artists and poets of national and international repute. Presiding over the inaugural function, Dr G.S. Kalkat, Vice-Chancellor said the university had always enjoyed a status of being a premier research, teaching institute and now it was making waves in sports and cultural fields. Earlier a colourful
procession was brought out by the students of various
constituent colleges of PAU. |
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