Thursday, November 11, 1999
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Thursday, November 11, 1999 |
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Fiscal crisis Call all-party meeting: PPCC CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee has urged the state government headed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal to call an all-party meeting for preparing a "forceful case" for presentation before the 11th National Finance Commission, which is to visit Punjab next week. Body released by CMC, cremated LUDHIANA, Nov 10 — The body of 21-year-old factory labourer, Ram Bharose, who had succumbed to dengue haemorrhagic fever at the Christian Medical College and Hospital here on November 3 was cremated today. |
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SDM makes payments FATEHGARH SAHIB, Nov 10 — Apprehending strict action taken by the Chief Minister, the SDM, Bassi Pathana, who allegedly collected Divali gifts, has started making payments to the affected shopkeepers. CM begins selection of
team-mates Songs
being shot in violation of law Lecturer
suspended on girls' complaint Gurkirat
is PYC vice-president Two
killed in accident Three
held for girl trafficking ‘Tax
evasion due to trader-official nexus’ SGPC
seeks Army recruitment on merit Punjab
to revamp water supply schemes Revision
of poll rolls from Nov 15 Punjab
sends food, clothing to Orissa
Sat
Paul Mittal award announced Steps
to welcome migratory birds Intensive
vegetable farming training programme Police
remand for Malwa Kulbir
Kaur detained, freed Man
robbed of Rs 1.60 lakh Punjab
Police postings Verma
assumes office as Health Secy Pensioners
hold protest rally 26
held under Gambling Act
Maj
Sudershan Singh dead Youths
rob man of Rs 90,000 |
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Fiscal crisis CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee has urged the state government headed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal to call an all-party meeting for preparing a "forceful case" for presentation before the 11th National Finance Commission, which is to visit Punjab next week. The PPCC chief, Capt Amarinder Singh, in a statement here today said a collective strategy at the party meeting should be prepared for securing maximum funds for the state through the Finance Commission. He said the visit of the commission was overdue. It was constituted on July 3, 1998. The fond hope was that the commission would evolve just and realistic principles as regards distribution of net proceeds of the taxes between the Centre and states like Punjab which are small in population and size but make a high contribution to the country’s economy. Expressing concern over the deteriorating fiscal health of the state, he hoped that Centre would render all help to Punjab at this juncture. He reminded that Punjab was the pioneering state in setting up a strong decentralised municipal and Panchayati Raj set-up during the previous Congress government by holding elections to these bodies and by enacting suitable laws for the purpose. Capt Amarinder Singh said the proposed all-party meeting before the visit of the commission should be able to arrive at a consensus on suggestions for the commission to make realistic and practical distribution of funds between the Centre and progressive states like Punjab. All alternative proposal for devolution of funds, a revised formula for excise duties, more funds for relief and problems relating to the border state should have to be worked out and kept in mind for suggesting the new criteria. Capt Amarinder Singh
said for good financial health of the state all parties
should work unitedly to achieve the objective. He
promised his party’s total support in this regard. |
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Body released by CMC,
cremated LUDHIANA, Nov 10 — The body of 21-year-old factory labourer, Ram Bharose, who had succumbed to dengue haemorrhagic fever at the Christian Medical College and Hospital here on November 3 was cremated today. The body was collected from CMC by the friends and neighbours of the deceased along with leaders of the Inqalabi Kender and the Moulder and Steel Workers Association who then took out a procession in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office. The body of the deceased was also taken there and a deputation of the protesters gave a charter of demands to the Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Mr K. Siva Prasad. The protesters were demanding adequate steps on the part of the district administration to check the further spread of dengue which had affected around 1,000 people treatment for the poor in private hospitals on rates equivalent to those charged in the government hospitals and adequate compensation to those who had died as a result of dengue. Arvind Kumar, a friend of Ram Bharose, who also hails from the same village, Dudehi, told this correspondent the relatives of the deceased had already performed his last rites in a mock ceremony at their native village on receiving information that the hospital had not released the body. He pointed out that Ram Bharose was the sole earning member of his family. He is survived by his parents, wife and three children, who are all in their native village. Meanwhile, another dengue death was reported in CMC here today. Paramanand (40) was admitted to the hospital on November 5 with dengue haemorrhagic fever and succumbed to his ailment today. This is the fifth death caused by dengue in the city. The Inqalabi Kender alleged the hospital was not releasing his body for non-payment of bill. However, Dr T.M. Jason, Deputy Director, CMC denied this and said the body had already been handed over to the relatives. Dr Jason said that the
hospital had also given a concession of over Rs 30,000 to
the family by accepting only Rs 20,000 out of the total
bill of about Rs 55,000. |
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Illegal tree felling in Muktsar CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — Illegal felling of trees in government forests has become a common place occurrence in Muktsar district, particularly since 1978. Informed sources say that cutting trees on the sly, theft and clandestine trade is a well-known happening. Often the Forest department has lodged complaints with the police, which registered first information reports (FIRs) under Section 379, IPC. What held up investigation and subsequent action against the culprits was the politico-administrative influence exercised by the elements involved, who have the right connections at the right places. But things have now begun to change, much to the chagrin of those who either trade in this or who have benefited from such an activity or who connived. A case in point is the FIR lodged with sadar police station, Muktsar, on March 13, 1999, under Section 379 IPC, on a complaint by Range Officer, Punjab Forest Department, Mr Ashok Kumar. Following investigation, though delayed, the police has arrested (on November 4) two persons — Des Raj and Pargat Singh — allegedly involved in cutting of at least three big ‘‘tahli’’ trees. The police, sources say, has even recovered four sawed planks. The two arrested have alleged during their interrogation that the sawed wood of illegally cut ‘‘tahli’’ was toed to the house of an MLA, for use in his house under construction, in a tractor-trailer. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr Gurdev Singh, and the Superintendent of Police (Detective), Mr Balkar Singh, have been assigned the investigation. It is believed that at least 40 to 45 ‘‘tahli’’ trees were felled illegally. The police is also looking for another alleged ‘‘kingpin’’ in connection with illegal felling and trading. Against him at least 15 cases are registered with the police. The person belongs to Jheendwala village and has been the village sarpanch and a member of the block samiti. the firs registered against him are dated September 11, 1997, (FIR no 155); June 22, 1999 (FIR no 112) and October 26, 1999, (FIR no 211). The said person, identified as ‘‘Sukhi’’ is absconding. He got bail in two cases but was declared a ‘‘proclaimed offender’’ in the third (FIR no 211) in which he is alleged to have committed a theft of at least 77 eucalyptus trees, say sources. In this connection at least two persons, allegedly involved in illegally felling, theft and trade, have been arrested by the police. This was on October 26. The two have been identified as Harjinder Singh and Mehnga Singh of two different villages. The value of the trees recovered from them, so far, is to the tune of Rs 80,000. Sources revealed that the ‘‘tahlis’’ and eucalyptus are in great demand. The police has sent parties to raid the known places of ‘‘Sukhi’’, who is a big landlord. His involvement and details available with the police makes an interesting reading. Now the question before the police is how to proceed against the MLA, who has exerted lot of pressure to stall investigation. The police is believed to have thought it prudent to ‘‘sound’’ the powers that be and take permission before it raids the MLA’s premises for recovery and investigation. Since 1997, the police
has recorded FIR which point to the fact hundreds of
trees have been felled by the unscrupulous elements. The
Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr Kultar Singh, when
contacted confirmed ‘‘illegal
felling’’ and theft of trees. He however, did
not divulge information or entertain questions on the use
of stolen ‘‘tahli’’ trees by the MLA.
‘‘We are still investing’’, was all
he would say. |
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SDM makes payments FATEHGARH SAHIB, Nov 10 — Apprehending strict action taken by the Chief Minister, the SDM, Bassi Pathana, who allegedly collected Divali gifts, has started making payments to the affected shopkeepers. When this correspondent visited Main Bazar, Bassi Pathana, shopkeepers in a large number thanked The Tribune for carrying the news item as a result of which their payments had been made. They said the payments were being made by the Tehsildar. Certain shopkeepers and cracker sellers are still awaiting payments. On the other hand, factionalism came to the fore in the ruling SAD when one group started favouring the SDM. The president of the local municipal council and general secretary of the district Akali Jatha had issued statements in favour of the SDM. Reacting to these press notes eight municipal councillors out of 13, including Mr Neelam Mukhija, senior vice-president, Mr Ramesh Kumar Gupta, Mr Ravinder Singh Virk, Mr Bhagwan Singh, Mr Ramesh Kumar, Mr Om Prakash Tangri, Mrs Sunita Malhotra and Mrs Sukhdarshan Kaur in a signed statement have condemned the statement of the municipal council president and the Akali leaders who were supporting the SDM. Meanwhile, this forcible
collection has become a matter of discussion in the
entire town. The people are eagerly awaiting action
against the SDM. They said certain Akali leaders came to
their shops, urging them not to make any statement before
inquiry officer, but the shopkeepers were full of anger
against the SDM. |
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CM begins selection of
team-mates LUDHIANA, Nov 10 — With the re-election of Bibi Jagir Kaur as President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for another term today, the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, is expected to take up in right earnest the task of expanding his Cabinet. The Chief Minister has made no secret of his intention to carry out the long-awaited expansion, probably next week. He is said to have begun the delicate exercise of selecting his new teammates in consultation with other party leaders. Apparently, the severe drubbing the ruling SAD-BJP combine received during the recent parliamentary elections in the state has finally driven home the point that the party leadership can no longer take for granted the support of the party rank and file. Not unexpectedly, the move has caused a flutter in the ranks of ministerial hopefuls who have begun to lobby vigorously for the ministerial berths.The Badal ministry at present has seven “vacancies”. Five ministers belonging to the Tohra faction — Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Mr Inderjit Singh Zira, Mr Surjit Singh Kohli and Mr Harmel Singh — resigned in December last. Another minister, Mr Sarup Singh, died last year. Bibi Jagir Kaur, resigned earlier this year to become the President of the SGPC. Therefore, Mr Badal has to take at least seven more in his Council of Ministers. It remains to be seen whether Mr Badal will exceed this number, given the fact that there is no dearth of ministerial aspirants in the SAD as well as the BJP. The state BJP leadership is said to have conveyed to the Chief Minister that if he plans to induct seven new ministers from the SAD, another two should be taken from the BJP. If Mr Badal proposes to have a total of 10 new ministers, three of them should be from the BJP. The reaction of the Chief Minister is not known but Mr Badal is said to be inclined towards including at least one BJP MLA in the Cabinet. The tie for the ministerial berth is said to be between the BJP MLA from Ludhiana, Mr Satpal Gosain and Mr Jagdish Sahni from Gurdaspur. Mr Tikshan Sood from Hoshiarpur and Mr Baldev Raj Chawla, Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha are also said to be keen on their inclusion in the ministry. But sources close to the Chief Minister say as far as he is concerned, it is Mr Gosain and Mr Sahni who are in the reckoning with the BJP high command having the final say in the matter. Mr Badal is aware of the fact that at least three important districts of Punjab are not represented in the council of ministers. These are Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur and Mansa. Ludhiana was represented by Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal but he resigned last year after he threw in his lot with Mr Tohra. Ludhiana is the biggest city in Punjab with a population exceeding 25 lakh. It is, therefore, certain that Mr Badal will strive to include an MLA from the district. The BJP has only one MLA from Ludhiana, Mr Sat Pal Gosain. Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, who also hails from Ludhiana district, is said to be keen on being accommodated in the Cabinet. But party sources here say Mr Atwal’s inclusion in the ministry would not solve the problem of providing representation to trade, business and industry which dominates Ludhiana. Mr Atwal is a rural-based politician whereas the businessmen of the megacity expect that they will be represented in the Cabinet by someone like Mr Gosain who is intimately connected with trade, commerce and industry. He is also regarded as a
leader with a mass base who has fought many a battle for
different sections of society. |
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Songs being shot in violation
of law BATHINDA, Nov 10 — Even as the Wildlife Act has specifically banned any private activity in the deer park maintained by the state government here, the shooting of Punjabi songs by folk singers in the deer park is going on unchecked. Most of the songs which have been shot in the park in the last one year by various singers, who hired private cameramen, have been telecast by Jalandhar Doordarshan in its different programmes, including ‘Apna Punjab’ and ‘Goonj’. Sources said the shooting was going on for the past many years with the connivance of the local authorities. On October 18, 1999, the shooting of a Punjabi song by a local singer was done in the park. Mr Gurcharan Singh, Wild Life Inspector, when contacted said that only one shooting of Punjabi song was done in the deer park after the system of gate tickets was initiated in the November 1998. He alleged that he had tried to stop the shooting but failed to do so. He added that about 30 persons involved in the shooting in the deer park and when he tried to stop them they started abusing him. He further said that he had informed the matter to the Chief Warden, Wild Life, Punjab, and had also mentioned the registration number and type of vehicles which were parked inside the deer park on the day of shooting by those persons. Mr Neeraj Gupta, Warden, Wild Life, who was also here to inspect the enclosures of animals and feed being given to them, said that under the Wild Life Act, private shooting of any film was banned. He added it could be done with the prior permission of Chief Warden Wild Life. Mr Gurcharan Singh, said
that he had sought permission from the Chief Warden for
registering a criminal case against those persons who
were involved in the shooting of the Punjabi song here
recently. He said that he never gave permission to any
one to do the shooting in the park. |
Lecturer suspended on girls'
complaint BATHINDA, Nov 10 — Rajinder Singh Sekhon, Lecturer, Production Engineering, local Government Polytechnic College, has been placed under suspension allegedly for making phone calls to girl students. Mr R.P. Singh, Principal of the college told TNS today that Rajinder Singh was suspended by the Principal Secretary, Technical Education and Industrial Training, Punjab, Mr N.S. Rattan on November 4, 1999, following a report of an inquiry committee into the allegations made by the girl students. He added that the three-member committee held Rajinder Singh guilty of harassing the students by making phone calls. He said after receiving the inquiry report, he wrote a demi-official letter to the higher authorities for transferring Rajinder Singh to another college, but the authorities concerned placed him (Rajinder Sekhon) under suspension. Following his suspension, the headquarter of Rajinder Singh Sekhon had been shifted to the office of Director, Technical Education, Chandigarh. A high-level committee, to be constituted, would further probe into the matter, he added. The Principal said complaints were made by the girl students of the Instrumentation branch, while Rajinder Sekhon was a lecturer in the Production Engineering. He added that both these branches were not directly connected. Rajinder Sekhon was residing in the Staff Colony in the premises of the college. Rajinder Singh, when contacted at Chandigarh while denying the contents of the complaint made by the girl students alleged that his image was being tarnished at the instance of another staff member. He said the inquiry committee constituted by the college authorities did not give him an opportunity to present his case and its report was one sided. He claimed that he would come clean if a proper inquiry was conducted as allegations made against him were false. He added that his suspension was also illegal as he had not been given an opportunity to explain his position by the inquiry committee. He added that he would
take legal action against those persons who had defamed
him. He added that he had identified the staff member who
was behind this "dirty game". |
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Gurkirat is PYC vice-president JALANDHAR, Nov 10 (PTI) — Punjab Youth Congress President Devinder Singh Babbu today announced the appointment of Gurkirat Singh, grandson of the late Chief Minister Beant Singh, as a Vice-President of the body and also declared the new 90-member organisational set up, including 33 general secretaries. “We have tried to include all those who have taken active part in the Youth Congress activities and are prepared to include anyone who could have been left out but deserved to be included,” Mr Babbu told reporters here. The Youth Congress chief also announced an agitational programme comprising a series of district level dharnas against recent hike in petrol and diesel prices and the state government’s decision to put up barriers to catch sales tax evaders. “The move by the SAD-BJP Government to intensify checking through barriers was nothing but a ploy to harass the traders and the business community,” Mr Babbu said, adding the Youth Congress activists would support any agitation or protest programme that may be launched by business community in the state. He said the state Youth Congress would hold the first dharna at Nawanshahr next Monday. Announcing the new organisational set-up, Mr Babbu said the state Youth Congress would now have 38 vice-presidents, including Mr Gurkirat Singh who was acquitted earlier this year from an abduction and rape case involving a French woman. “Gurkirat Singh acquitted honourably and no one should have any objection to his appointment”, Mr Babbu said. The state body would
also have 33 general secretaries and 20 secretaries. No
name was announced for the office of treasurer, neither
was Mr Babbu able to tell why the Youth Congress would
not have any one in the post. Two killed in accident KAPURTHALA, Nov 10 — Two persons were killed and three injured in a road accident near Dayalpur village under Subhanpur police station last evening. The deceased have been identified as Avtar Singh (35) and Parminder Kaur (20), both of Dhilwan village. The victims were travelling in a jeep which collided with a four-wheeler. The injured have been
admitted to hospital in Beas. |
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Three held for girl
trafficking GURDASPUR, Nov 10 — The police has busted an inter-state gang involved in girl trafficking in the district. The gang members used to sell girls after bringing them from Bengal. According to Mr Varinder Kumar, SSP, three members of the gang, identified as Tara Singh, Billa Masih and Fikka Masih, all residents of Mustafabad Jattan had been arrested while another member of the gang, identified as, Surjit, a resident of Bengal was still at large. The SSP while briefing mediapersons here today, said the gang members used to lure poor Bengali girls with prospects of good jobs in Punjab. The girls were thus brought from Bengal and were drugged till they were sold off. Mr Varinder Kumar said earlier Surjit had allegedly sold his own sister to Tara Singh, one of the accused, who is married and has children. Later, Surjit connived with his brother-in-law and other accused to sell girls. The girls were sold for Rs 5,000 to 10,000 each. Mr Varinder Kumar said the police on a tip off conducted a raid at the residence of Pikka Masih today and recovered Rajni (17) and Momina (30), an aunt of Rajni. Momina is married and has three children. A deal had been struck
to sell Rajni to Sucha Singh of Sadhu Chack village, near
here for Rs 5,000. After the raid the police arrested the
three suspects while their fourth accomplice is on trip
to Bengal to fetch more girls for sale in this district.
A case under Sections 366, 366A, 368 and 34, IPC, has
been registered against three. |
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‘Tax evasion due to
trader-official nexus’ PHAGWARA, Nov 10 — Punjab Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh today alleged a nexus between junior officials and traders leading to low recovery of taxes and financial difficulties in state. Talking to newsmen here, he further alleged that this cartel was responsible for tax evasion to the tune of Rs 2000 crore, annually. Tax recovery had gone down and even excise duty had dwindled, regretted the minister. As per GDP and other states, Punjab’s annual income from various taxes should be Rs 2700 crore, he said. However, while Rs 700 crore revenue came from diesel, petrol and liquor, only Rs 500 crore came from all other departments/resources, he added. He claimed if the existing tax system functioned judiciously, there wont be any need of fresh taxes. He called upon traders and businessmen to stop tax evasion for financial health of state. In case traders showed 15 per cent annual growth in payment of taxes, the government may even abolish enforcement wing and removing other irritants, the minister promised. Admitting need for
financial reforms and simplification of present tax
system, for making tax structure unoppressive, he
declared that the Punjab Government would urge the
Eleventh Financial Commission team visiting state on
November 16 to recommend review of the present state and
Central lists for granting more financial powers to
states. The team led by the commission Chairman, Mr
Khusro, will review the whole gamut of state’s
financial condition. |
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SGPC seeks Army recruitment
on merit AMRITSAR, Nov 10 — In a unanimous decision the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee today urged the Centre to make recruitment in the Army on the basis of merit instead of population percentage. The resolution said that merit should be the criterion for recruitment in the Army. Another significant resolution passed by the General House stated that the Parliament should have the sole right to make any amendment in the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925. The resolution stated that it was against the very spirit of the Act that amendments were being made by issuing notifications. Another resolution urged the Centre to issue necessary instructions to the authorities concerned for the implementation of its own orders, which had granted permission to Sikhs to carry their ‘kirpan; while travelling in international flights. It alleged that Sikhs wearing “kirpan” were being harassed at various airports despite the permission granted by the Centre in this regard. In yet another resolution, the General House urged the Central Government not to impose any tax on the SGPC as it was not a profit making organisation. It said that the SGPC should be exempted from Sales Tax and other taxes. It also requested the Centre to nominate a Sikh judge to the Supreme Court as Sikhs did not have any representation in the Apex court at present. It also demanded an increase in the ratio of Sikh judges in various high courts in the country. In yet another
resolution, the SGPC demanded the transfer of Panjab
University to Punjab at the earliest as it was being
funded by the Punjab government. The SGPC also urged the
neighbouring states of Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, and
Himachal Pradesh to grant second language status to
Punjabi. |
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Punjab to revamp water supply
schemes CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — The Punjab Government has decided to strengthen 67 existing rural water supply schemes at a cost of Rs 16 crore in 93 waterlogged villages of Muktsar district in 1999-2000. It will take two years to execute the work. Since the SAD-BJP Government came to power, 437 villages and 192 other habitations have been covered under various rural water supply schemes with an expenditure of Rs 72 crore till September last. A project costing Rs 1,078 crore to cover the remaining 5,138 villages and 705 other habitations and also the upgradation of the schemes that have outlived their utility has been prepared and submitted to the Union government, says a press note quoting the Minister for Public Health, Raja Narinder Singh. Of the 12,428, villages, 8,579 were identified as "problem" villages where scarcity of drinking water as per the criteria fixed by the Union government exists. Besides 1,047 are "problem" habitations in the vicinity of problem villages. Punjab has asked the Central Government to provide 50 per cent of the funds required for tackling the remaining ‘problem’ villages in the state under the Accelerated Rural Water Supply Schemes and Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission. The remaining 50 per cent will be provided by the state. The state now proposes
to tackle the problem of chemical contamination of
drinking water in Patiala, Sangrur, Ludhiana, Mansa,
Bathinda and Faridkot by strengthening/augmenting the
rural water supply schemes by spending Rs 10 crore in
current year. Schemes also exist for the kandi area of
Ropar, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur and Nawanshahr. |
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Revision of poll rolls from Nov
15 CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — The summary revision of electoral rolls for the 90 Assembly constituencies in Haryana will start from November 15. According to a press note issued by the Election department, the publication of the draft rolls will be done on November 15, the claims and objections regarding the electoral rolls will be received in the office of the Electoral registration officer form November 15 to 30. The date for disposal of claims and objections has been fixed as December 8. The final publication of rolls will be done on January 1, 2000. The rolls of each constituency will be available for inspection with the Deputy Commissioners, Subdivisional Officers (Civil), District Election Officers, Electoral Registration Officers.Tehsildars, District Public Relations Officers from November 15 to 30. Any person who has attained the age of 18 on January 1, 2000, is eligible for enrolment as a voter in his constituency. Objections could be filed for deletion of names from the poll rolls in case of dead or ineligible persons. The Election department
has said that the claims and objections are required to
be presented personally or through an authorised agent
and any reason who has changed his place of residence
from one Assembly constituency to another is required to
have his name deleted from the rolls of the previous
constituency before filing his claim for enrolment as a
voter in the other constituency. |
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Punjab sends food, clothing to Orissa CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 (UNI) — Punjab today swung into action in providing succour to the cyclone-ravaged coastal Orissa as 400 trucks carrying food and clothing began their journey for Bhubaneswar. The trucks from different parts of the state would converge at the Sindhu border near Delhi tonight. The caravan is slated to be flagged-off from the Capital by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal tomorrow morning, an official spokesman of the Punjab Government said here. Reports from Moga and Faridkot said that 22 and 15 truckloads of relief material, respectively started from the two towns early this morning for Delhi. Similarly, about 20 trucks, carrying foodgrain, clothing and other essential commodities, were flagged-off from Bathinda by Punjab Minister of State for Food and Supplies Chiranji Lal Garg. A report from Hoshiarpur said that 13 trucks loaded with rice, potatoes, tea, match boxes, milk powder, pulses, clothes, blankets groundnut, onion and sugar were flagged-off by Deputy Commissioner Iqbal Singh Sidhu. The trucks were being escorted by the police. Mr Sidhu said the
aforesaid material had been sent by the district
administration. He said that more edible goods and
clothes would be sent again in future. He appealed to the
people to donate for cyclone victims who were still
struggling for their survival. |
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Sat Paul Mittal award
announced LUDHIANA, Nov 10 — The Sat Paul Mittal National Award 1999 has been awarded to Shri Karani Nagar Vikas Samity, Kota (Rajasthan), and Dr V.S. Natarajan, Chennai, jointly. The vice-president of the trust set up in the memory of Sat Paul Mittal, Mr Ratesh Bharti Mittal, said here today that the trust had received 106 nominations for the award, instituted in 1992. The Shri Karani Nagar Vikas Samity is involved in providing foster care to abandoned children, educational programmes, family counselling, development and rehabilitation of destitute children. It also runs a primary school, homoeopathic dispensary and provides free accommodation to the aged at “Ashrya ”. It also runs a day-care home “Diva Sangam”. The heart and soul of this institution, Mrs Prasanna Bhandari, is known as Mother Teressa of Kota. The other winner of the award, Dr V.S. Natarajan, is the first person to introduce geriatric health care in India about two decades ago. He organises free geriatric health camps and geriatric care courses. The award carries an amount of Rs 2 lakh along with a citation and a medal. Shri Karani Nagar Vikas Samity and Dr Natarajan will be awarded an amount of Rs 1 lakh each by Dr G.V.G. Krishmamurthy, former Election Commissioner, at a function to be held on November 12 to commemorate 110th birth anniversary of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru. The function will be presided over by Mr Sat Mahajan, President of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee. In addition, the trust
will award Nehru Scholarship and Mittal-Panday
Scholarship for medical, engineering and vocational
courses and for girl students to about 500 students. |
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Steps to welcome migratory
birds GURDASPUR, Nov 10 — Mr S.K. Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner, has directed officials concerned not to grant permission for new fish farms and discourage cultivation of lotus in the periphery of Magar Mudhian Chamb. Diesel pumps used in the cultivation scares away ducks, cranes and stokes from Siberia. A meeting in this
connection was held at Magar Mudhian, 6 km from here, on
Thursday under the aegis of the District Society for
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA). It was attended
by sarpanches, panches , representatives of the Forest
Department. |
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Intensive vegetable farming
training programme CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — The Chairman, Punjab Agro-Industries Corporation, Mr Jagjit Singh Ghungrana, , said today that a 12-day training programme on Intensive Growth of Vegetables will be organised jointly by Punjab Agro-Industries Corporation, Punjab Agricultural University and Directorate of Horticulture, through MASHAV, Centre for Cooperation, Israel. At least two Israeli experts Mr Gadi Tsffir and Mr Rafael Khrigaer, would impart training at Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana. Mr Ghungrana added that there was a need for the diversification of agriculture, keeping in view the large potential for distant marketing and export of fruits and vegetables. The training programme would emphasise on the cultivation of tomato, cauliflower, melons, garlic, onion, potato, capsicum, chilli, okra etc. Besides field lectures and demonstrations, in-depth discussions would be held on the latest agronomic practices, disease control, pre and post harvest management techniques. The Chief Minister, Mr
Parkash Singh Badal, would inaugurate the training
programme on November 22 at PAU. |
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Police remand for Malwa LUDHIANA, Nov 10 — The senior Sub Judge, Mr B.K. Mehta, gave police remand for a day to Gurcharan Singh Malwa, one of the suspects in the Mamta Kulkarni abduction bid. He was arrested yesterday and was presented in the court today. Meanwhile, the
Additional Sessions Judge, Mr B.S. Mehndiratta, today
postponed the hearing of the anticipatory bail plea of
the other suspect Kamal Sharma, till tomorrow. |
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Kulbir Kaur detained, freed AMRITSAR, Nov 10 — Bibi Kulbir Kaur, head of Gur Aasra Trust which looks after the orphans of slain militants, was detained yesterday by the Jandiala Guru police station to stop her from demonstrating in front of the SGPC office in protest against the stopping of a monthly grant of Rs 16000 to the trust by the SGPC. Mr Gurcharan Singh
Tohra, President, Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr
Simranjit Singh Mann, member of Parliament, and Mr Manjit
Singh Calcutta, MLA, have condemned her detention. |
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Man robbed of Rs 1.60 lakh PHILLAUR, Nov 10 — In a second incident of robbery in a week in Phillaur subdivision, two scooterists armed robbers looted Rs 1,60,000 from Satnam Singh of Paul money changer at around 2.30 p.m. today. The miscreants also opened fire on Satnam Singh and injured him before leaving the place. He was admitted to a Ludhiana hospital in serious condition. A police party headed by DSP Upinderjit Singh Ghuman visited the place where the robbery took place. Earlier, Rs 1.25 lakh
was looted and a nun was injured by robbers at St Joseph
Convent School, Phillaur, last Wednesday. |
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Punjab Police postings CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — The Punjab Government today ordered the following postings/transfers in the Police department with immediate effect, according to a spokesman of the State Home Department as per a press note. Mr Harchand Singh has been posted as SP Internal Vigilance Cell, Punjab, Chandigarh, against a vacant post. Mr Kuldeep Singh has been posted as SP Intelligence, at Chandigarh against the vacant post of SP, CID unit, New Delhi, on his return from leave. Mr Surinder Singh Sodhi has been posted as SP Interrogation Centre, CID, Chandigarh, against a vacant post. Mr Ranbir Singh Khatra
has been posted as SP Computer, Chandigarh against a
vacant post. He was awaiting posting on return from
leave. |
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Verma assumes office as Health
Secy CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — Mr P.K. Verma today joined as Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, and Chairman, Punjab Health Systems Corporation. Mr Verma was earlier serving in Punjab Raj Bhavan as Principal Secretary to the Governor, according to a press note. Mr S.C. Aggarwal has
joined as new secretary to the Governor. He was earlier
Chief Administrator, Punjab Urban Planning and
Development Authority. |
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Pensioners hold protest rally JALANDHAR, Nov 10 — On a call given by the Paindu Mazdoor Union, Punjab, old age pensioners from different subdivisions of the district organised a protest march and staged a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here today. Addressing the protesters Mr Tarsem Petre, general secretary of the union, criticised the Punjab Government for its ‘indifferent’ attitude in releasing the implemented old age pensions and pensions for the handicapped. He alleged that in spite of repeated visits by these septuagenarian pensioners, government officials concerned kept on dilly dallying. The pensioners met government officials also in this connection but all in vain. The union leaders
threatened to launch an agitation if the issue was not
resolved. |
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26 held under Gambling Act LUDHIANA, Nov 10 — The police has arrested 26 persons under the Gambling Act and recovered Rs 29,485 from them. Kulwant Kaur has been arrested for fraud. She would run committees and run away with the money. A case under Section 406 and 420 of the IPC has been registered against her. The Vigilance Bureau has arrested Balraj Singh a kanungo, and Baldev Singh, a patwari, for accepting a bribe of Rs 1500 from Ram Singh for marking his piece of land. In a separate case, the
SP (Vigilance), Mr B.K. Garg, has arrested Jaswant Singh,
a kanungo, and Mr Shamsher Singh, a patwari, for
illegally selling a piece of government land measuring
129 acres despite a court order. |
Kurrah Khan sans carriage PATIALA: A cannon which has been made out of the utensils of Punjabis, was used to subjugate them and subsequently saw the rise and fall of Sikh power, is lying forgotten in the tercentenary year of the birth of the Khalsa in the complex of Quila Mubarak here. The cannon, named Kurrah Khan, lies on a cemented stand. Its original carriage is lying in a corner. Shorn off its carriage it seems an ordinary piece of artillery. There is no sign boards to tell its history. While Kurrah Khan is written in English on the cannon. It also has Urdu and Gurmukhi inscriptions. The cannon and two others came into being after Ahmed Shah Abdali melted utensils collected in a raid in the early 18th century. Of the three Kurrah Khan is in the country. Of the other two Zam Zam is in the Lahore fort and the third sank into the Ravi during transportation during Abdali’s time. The Kurrah Khan was left at Sirhind by Ahmed Shah Abdali Sirhind had been made a subedari by him. Subsequently it came into the possession of the founder of the Patiala royal house Baba Ala Singh following the plundering of Sirhind to take revenge for the “Ghallughara” of Kupkalan in 1726. Kurrah Khan was part of Baba Ala’s war booty. Baba Ala’s grandson Maharaja Amar Singh used it to-expand the Sikh empire. Ranjit Singh acquired the cannon for bringing about rapproachment between Maharaja Sahib Singh and his wife Mai Aas Kaur. Ranjit Singh used the cannon in the conquering Multan, Dera Ismail Khan and Dera Qazi Khan. After Ranjit Singh’s death the cannon was used in the Anglo-Sikh wars. It was won by the British in the battle of Mudki. The British took it to Delhi. It was returned to Patiala after the 1857 war of Independence. The Additional Deputy
Commissioner, Capt R.S. Randhawa, who had earlier headed
a project to renovate the quila, said the cannon could be
restored to its original carriage with little effort.
Captain Randhawa also pleaded for placing the cannon at
an appropriate place for due recognition in the year of
the 300th anniversary of the birth of the Khalsa.
“The cannon symbolises all the Khalsa is worth
militarily and must be treated as such”, he added. |
Maj Sudershan Singh dead CHANDIGARH, Nov 10 — Major Sudershan Singh, grandson of Bhai Kahan Singh of Nabha and the first cousin of Raja Narinder Singh, Public Health Minister, Punjab, died of a massive heart attack at Nabha on November 9. He is survived by a son, a Major in the Army, and a daughter. Brig Omit Sarkar on behalf of the Army and Raja Narinder Singh on behalf of the Chief Minister, laid wreaths on the body of Major Sudershan Singh. Wreaths were also laid
by the SDM, Nabha, and the Headmaster, Punjab public
School, Nabha. |
Youths rob man of Rs 90,000 LUDHIANA, Nov 10 — Three youths in a Maruti car are alleged to have robbed a man of around Rs 90,000 which he had withdrawn from a bank for his employers at Dhandari Kalan today. According to police information, an employee of M.K. Enterprises was carrying Rs 90,000, which he had withdrawn from the State Bank of India, to the office when he was attacked by the youths who snatched the bag from him. A case has been
registered. |
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