Saturday, November 13, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Saturday, November 13, 1999 |
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Expansion,
a tedious job for Badal Initiate action, Punjab told |
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‘Amended ST Act to boost
corruption’ Reinstatement of SSP
‘negates’ Akali stand Brar warns govt to stabilise
economy Manmohan for more private
investment Thermal plant threat to wetland Dang urges party to review poll
strategy Guard kills two bank officials Rationalists object to sepoy story Govt sits over probe report Rights panel takes cognisance EC orders revision of Punjab poll
rolls Hike support price of sugarcane:
Rinwa Rally held against couple’s
torture 4700 teachers to be promoted No Sikh jatha to Pak: Jagir Kaur 30 employees found absent from
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Expansion, a tedious job for Badal CHANDIGARH, Nov 12 — The expansion exercise is proving too tedious for the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. He had repeatedly been declaring that he needed to expand his 25 member ministry to accommodate more MLAs. At a Chandimandir function, he announced that within October he would add more ministers. Later, he said he would expand or reshuffle soon after the SGPC presidential poll on November 10. Now that all that is over and both Akali and BJP MLAs with prayers on their lips are awaiting Mr Badal’s action. This job as Mr Badal is discovering with fright, was easier before the Lok Sabha poll. The defeat in the Lok Sabha elections has considerably weakened his position and his capability to operate the levers of power. Close aides of Mr Badal say expansion is no problem, but Mr Badal is worried about the post-expansion scene. "Once Mr Badal has expanded his ministry and adjusted a few MLAs as chairmen of some boards and corporations, his detractors including a former Speaker, Mr Ravi Inder Singh, would spread their fangs. "This is disturbing", one senior Akali leader said. Perhaps, to ward off this, Mr Badal after the political Affairs Committee meeting declared that he was not over burdened and could take on more load than he was carrying. At present Mr Badal is looking after several departments, including the portfolios which the five Tohra-supporting, ministers who resigned in February, had held. In addition, he got the portfolio of Urban Development and Housing held by late Sarup Singh and Bibi Jagir Kaur's departments of Tourism and Women Development. Mr Badal looks after more than half the work of the Punjab Government. He holds charge of Home, Justice, Vigilance, Irrigation and Power, Excise and Taxation and Industries. Other departments held by him include PWD (B&R), Medical Education, Science and Technology and Environment, Higher Education and Languages, Jails, Printing and Stationery. The list is, indeed, long and this also explains the phenomenon of one of the largest Chief Ministers' office till now. This heavy burden despite Mr Badal's assertion that he could carry on with more work is not leaving a very good impact on the functioning of the government. Even his official aides concede this. "Well, this is a political decision and Mr Badal has to decide", one of them said. The main dissident leader, Mr Ravi Inder Singh, who is now waiting in the wings to strike, feels that this showed that Mr Badal can not trust his MLAs with any responsibility. The government cannot be the monopoly of just one individual leader, however, big he might be, was his comment. The same way, his arch rival, the former SGPC chief, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, predicting fireworks after the expansion said: "Mr Badal should share the burden. But how would a fund-starved state bear it. He must have the answer." This is, indeed, a ticklish job and would require skillful handling. Mr Badal could expand in parts and keep the carrot hanging. But with less than two and a half years left, not many, particularly of the ambitious lot of MLAs, would wait longer. Also, not many could be accommodated as chairmen of boards and corporations, sick organisations otherwise. He could take not more than five or six at the most. Also, BJP leaders are breathing at his neck. They want at least one third of the share. Right now the BJP has five ministers and another five are in the race. A weak Mr Badal has to keep an ally ruling at the centre in good humour. At another level Mr
Badal might feel emboldened after having demonstrated his
strength during the SGPC presidential poll in Amritsar on
November 10. But his over involvement in Sikh religious
affairs is striking hard at his moderate image, which he
has very assiduously cultivated over the years. He
emerged a winner after the Moga conference which laid
stress on Punjabiat, amity and development. This has got
a bashing. Mr Badal is now increasingly being perceived
as the leader of a section of the Sikhs. Other
communities, Hindus and Scheduled Castes and a big
section of non-Akali Sikhs feel disenchanted as the
elections results proved. This over indulgence in the
SGPC affairs also makes good governance a tough task. Mr
Badal's well demonstrated sway over the Akali Legislature
Party has also weakened. He has so far not called a
meeting to debate the party's debacle in the Lok Sabha
poll. He has not even dropped those 11 pro-Tohra MLAs
despite their open defiance, and being part of the rival
Akali Dal. |
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Racket in sending students abroad CHANDIGARH, Nov 12 — The Ministry of External Affairs has asked the Punjab Government to make enquiries and take appropriate action against certain unscrupulous agents who had been sending students, mostly from Punjab and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, to the UK and the USA through Cyprus. In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, Mr R.S. Mann, the Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Mr R.S. Kalha, said number of cases of Indian students stranded in Cyprus had come to the notice of the Indian High Commissioner in Cyprus. These students, mostly from Punjab and Chandigarh, had been lured to educational institutions in Cyprus by certain ‘‘unscrupulous agents’’ who apparently ‘‘misrepresenting facts and charging between Rs 40,000 and Rs 50,000 per head along with their return fare of Rs 25,000 and miscellaneous charges as well as a draft for around $ 2,000 (approximately Rs 90,000) towards payment of fees for the first semester. ‘‘These Indian students are promised reception at the airport and free accommodation for 10 days before they are shifted to permanent, shared accommodation with other students. However, when they land in Cyprus, they have to pay nearly $ 45 for transit to a third-rate hotel from where they are shifted to overcrowded students’ accommodation. ‘‘The colleges in Cyprus for which admissions are being arranged by these unscrupulous agents, offer transfer to affiliated colleges in the UK and the USA. But this is possible only after students have completed an associate degree in Cyprus. Unfortunately, the prospective Indian students, unaware of this requirement, land up in Cyprus and get stranded there,’’ the letter from Mr Kalha said. It further says that the Indian High Commission in Cyprus had discussed the problem with a local lawyer who has said that possibly a case could be filed against the agents in India on grounds of oral misrepresentation. ‘‘We are concerned over the prospects of most of the Indian students getting disillusioned and thereafter seeking illegal jobs or illegal migration to nearby countries like Italy,’’ the letter from Mr Kalha added. The letter has also mentioned the names, telephone numbers and complete addresses of three such agencies who have been sending students to Cyprus. One of these belongs to Ludhiana while the other two are based in Chandigarh. When contacted, the Director-General of Police, Punjab, Mr Sarabjit Singh, confirmed receipt of the letter and said that necessary action would be taken against the agencies concerned after holding preliminary investigation. The External Affairs ministry has also suggested to the Punjab Government to educate the prospective students about the difficulties so that they do not get ‘‘misled’’ or ‘‘trapped’’. The agencies indulging
in this business, the ministry wants, should be warned
against enticing students with false promises. |
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Giani Kewal Singh asked to
quit CHANDIGARH, Nov 12 — The SGPC President, Bibi Jagir Kaur said here today that Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Saboo) in Bathinda district had been told to quit office held by him as a criminal case had been registered against him. Addressing the first press conference after her re-election as the SGPC chief, Bibi Jagir Kaur said Giani Kewal Singh had met her and he was told to resign. The SGPC would not send any Jatha to Pakistan to visit historical and religious places till the issue of a parallel gurdwara committee constituted by that country was resolved. Bibi Jagir Kaur said the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PGPC) was an illegal body and it should be dissolved immediately. The SGPC was looking after the management of gurdwaras in Pakistan for the past several years and it was the main organiser of religous functions there. A delegation of SGPC members would be sent to Pakistan to sort out the matter.The delegation members would meet the government and other authorities concerned in Pakistan. Speaking about her re-election, Bibi Jagir Kaur said the former SGPC chief, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, had tried to create a division in the ranks of Sikh leaders by insisting on holding an election to the office of the presidentship of the SGPC. But the election proved that Mr Tohra had been reduced to non-entity and his candidate was defeated comprehensively. She claimed that she had the support of 132 members in the house of the SGPC. While 126 voted for her, six others could not come to vote due to some unavoidable circumstances. When a resolution was moved against Mr Tohra last year, then 120 members had signed the document but now the number of members against Mr Tohra had gone up, she asserted. The SGPC chief said investigation against Mr Tohra was in progress and soon a report in this connection would be made public. The investigation was also in progress against other Jathedar of a Takht. Bibi Jagir Kaur thanked the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, for extending full support to her in the election for the SGPC presidentship. Relief material loaded
in 50 trucks and a 200-member delegation would be sent to
cyclone-hit areas in Orissa by the SGPC, according to
Bibi Jagir Kaur. The SGPC would run a community kitchen
in the affected belt to provide food to the needy. |
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‘Amended ST Act to boost
corruption’ PATIALA, Nov 12 — The Patiala Industries Association yesterday claimed that recent amendments to the Punjab General Sales Tax Act would only increase corruption as they would confer vast powers on department officials. The vice-president of the association, Mr Naresh Gupta, and an executive committee member, Mr P.S. Sidhu, said the Act was now akin to TADA. They said the state government should set its own house in order by properly governing corporations. Government institutions which were generating profits earlier had now become liabilities, they added. The government also seemed to be creating unhealthy conditions for the private sector. The region hardly had any industrial base and instead of giving boost to industry, anti-industry laws were being enacted. In a separate statement, the local Chamber of Industries opposed the enhancement in the rates of sales tax on various items. The Chamber president, Mr N.S. Khurana, said traders of Punjab would face problems as the entire burden of tax would have to be borne by them. Besides, they might have to resort to distress sale. Mr Khurana said the new law providing for imprisonment up to one year for those not maintaining proper account registers had created terror in industrial sectors. A big trading house or an industrial unit could enrol experienced personnel to maintain its accounts, but a small trader or an SSI unit where resources were meagre could not afford to employ experienced staff. Thus, there was a likelihood of omissions and commissions in account books. Condemning the hike in
sales tax, the Chamber urged the government to withdraw
it. |
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Reinstatement of SSP ‘negates’ Akali stand JALANDHAR, Nov 12 (UNI) — The Tohra-led Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD) today revived the demand for a judicial probe into decade-long militancy in Punjab while condemning the reinstatement by the Badal government of controversial Superintendent of Police Rajinder Singh who was dismissed on charges of abduction and extortion by the Beant Singh government in 1993. SHSAD secretary-general Sukhdev Singh Bhaur said reinstatement of such an officer despite of the opinion of the Supreme Court, which had upheld his summary dismissal under Article 311(2) (b) and opposition to his re-instatement by state Home Secretary Surjit Singh till early this month, was the "negation" of all that the Akalis struggled and stood for during the prolonged phase of militancy in Punjab. He said the re-instatement of such an officer was also violated the promise made by the ruling Akali Dal in its election manifesto that all those responsible for repression would be held accountable. Mr Bhaur replied in the affirmative when asked if his party still stood by the manifesto’s pledge to set up a judicial commission to probe administrative excesses during militancy. "We stand for the rule of law and are against terror of any type whether by the government or by an individual or a group", he added. The Akali leader said his party did not not approve of violence during terrorism in Punjab and was committed to waging peaceful and democratic struggle to achieve its religio-political objectives in the true spirit of the Sikhs and Akalis’ struggle in history. "We believe in the Indian Constitution which provide for redressal of grievances in several peaceful and democratic ways," he said, adding "what happened in Punjab (during the militancy) was not in consonance with our glorious tradition of sacrifice during peaceful struggle in history." He said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and other Akali leaders had openly condemned the activities of repressive police officers during the militancy and had also criticised the Congress governments in the past for allowing such repression. But by reinstating one such officer, who had been sacked by the Beant Singh government, the Badal government had "betrayed" a cause for which "we fought together.", he added. On the annual presidential election of SGPC executive, Mr Bhaur said it had helped the SHSAD’s objective of identifying forces which stood for and against akal Takht. Talking to reporters, Mr Bhaur, said "we opposed the unanimous election of the SGPC President because we wanted to expose anti-Akal Takht forces and we have succeeded in identifying them and now it is for the Sikhs to respond whenever an opportunity comes their way." He said the Badal camp
had offered them three seats in the SGPC executive while
pleading for a unanimous election of Bibi Jagir Kaur but
"we did not agree and insisted on a secret ballot so
that the Sikhs could know as to who stood for and who
stood against Akal Takht. |
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Brar warns govt to stabilise
economy DUGRI (Ludhiana), Nov 12 — The newly-elected Member of Parliament from the Faridkot Lok Sabha seat, Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, has given an ultimatum to the SAD-BJP government in the state till March next to initiate steps to stabilise the state’s economy. Mr Brar was talking to mediapersons during his visit to the city here today. He said that if the state government failed to do this then the Congress and CPI Members of Parliament from Punjab would meet the President and submit a memorandum calling for the imposition of a financial emergency in the state. The MP from Faridkot also suggested that the Chief Minister should convene a meeting of all Members of Parliament from the state and brief them on how to jointly put across the demand for Rs 10,000 crore from the Centre to tide over the state’s financial crisis. Reiterating that the Congress party did not oppose reforms. Mr Brar, however, expressed his reservations about the manner adopted by the state government viz recent amendments in the Punjab General Sales Tax Act and hike in sales tax on various commodities. In answer to a question about Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi being named as an accused in the Bofors scam, he said that this was a political controversy raked by the BJP to defame the Congress and to shift the public’s attention from its own issues of Article 370 uniform civil code and Ram Mandir. Mr Brar also announced
that the PPCC President Capt Amarinder Singh would meet
the Eleventh Finance Commission team on its visit to
Punjab on November 17 and 18 and present a paper on the
future of the state. Among others present on the occasion
were Mr Harmohinder Singh, MLA, Mr Rakesh Panday, MLA, Mr
Sukhwant Singh, Mr Harnam Das Johar, former Speaker, Mr
Gurkirat Singh, Vice-President of Punjab Youth Congress. |
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Dissidents take Amarinder to task PATIALA, Nov 12 — In a virtual revolt, dissidents in the Punjab Congress led by former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal today took PCC president Capt Amarinder Singh to task for unilaterally offering cooperation to the state government and dissociated themselves from the demand to hold an all-party meeting to discuss the fiscal crisis facing the state. Talking to TNS, Mrs Bhattal said Capt Amarinder Singh did not have any authorisation to request the state government for holding an all-party meeting to prepare a forceful case to be presented before the 11th National, Finance Commission which is to visit the state next week. Mrs Bhattal said this was a wrong decision which should be reviewed as cooperation was being offered without it being solicited. She said moreover the decision had been taken without taking PPCC office-bearers and the executive into confidence. The former Chief Minister said she and former PPCC presidents Santokh Singh Randhawa and Mohinder Singh Gill, PPCC vice-president Tej Prakash Singh, former MPs Surinder Singla and Gurcharan Singh Dadhahoor, former ministers Brahm Mohindra and Avtar Singh Brar and PPCC general secretary Bir Devinder Singh besides other leaders felt a wrong decision had been taken by the PPCC chief which should be reviewed. She said a meeting of the party should be called to discuss the issue. Mrs Bhattal said the wrong policies of the state government were responsible for the present crisis. She said the Congress could not be party to the financial misdeeds of the Akali government and its "fraudulent ways" to raise resources by selling and mortgaging its assets. She said the Lok Sabha elections had also been a verdict against the mismanagement of the state finances which had been rejected by the people. She said the Congress could not afford to disrespect the verdict of the people. In a separate release, former MP Surinder Singla and party general secretary said the statement in favour of an all-party meeting was in complete contrast to the earlier stand taken by Capt Amarinder Singh on the issue. Mr Singla said he along with the party chief, Mr Jagjit Singh and Mr Randhawa had met the President and submitted a memorandum calling for the dismissal of the Parkash Singh Badal government and declaration of financial emergency in the state. He said delegation had pleaded that Punjab was a case fit for imposition of financial emergency as it had crossed all limits of revenue expenditure and borrowed indiscriminately from every conceivable source. Mr Singla said the President had assured the delegation that its views would be forwarded to the Prime Minister. He said despite all this the PPCC chief had now thought fit to call for an all-party meeting and negated all efforts made by the party in this regard earlier. Both Mr Singla and Mr
Bir Devinder Singh said they had a different perception
of the Punjab economy. They said they would like to meet
the Finance Commission independently and present
Punjab’s case for a special waiver on existing loans
besides new formula for sharing central tax collection
which, they said, was at present loaded against the
state. |
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Manmohan for more private
investment LUDHIANA, Nov 12 — Dr Manmohan Singh, former Union Finance Minister, today asked the Punjab Government to be more aggressive in attracting private investment in the field of light engineering and agro industries to speed up the development of the state. In a talk with TNS here, Dr Manmohan Singh said he could not understand why no new auto units had been set up in Punjab. Ludhiana which had a vast trained industrial manpower would have been ideal for such a venture. Similarly, Punjab which was number one in the field of agriculture should have been able to attract private investment in agro industries, both Indian as well foreign. "I am sure that a more aggressive state government would have been able to do so", he said. Dr Manmohan Singh was here on a private visit in connection with the bhog ceremony of a relative. He was escorted around the city by the Ludhiana DCC(U) chief, Mr Surinder Dawar. Although he had been declared a state guest by the Punjab Government, he insisted on settling all his bills himself at the circuit house where he stayed for the night. Dr Manmohan Singh said if Hyderabad and Bangalore were good enough for IT industries so was Punjab. The state should strive to attract IT units too. There were a lot of Punjabis in the American Silicon valley." If Punjabis can flourish there, why can't they do it here? I have been telling successive Punjab governments for the past six to seven years to get big industries located in the state. But it seems that they have not been paying any attention. Trained Punjabi manpower is far superior in skills than anywhere else in the country", he said. The Congress leader noted that the state was today in dire financial straits. It was sad that a state which was in the top income bracket should be in such a condition. He was himself against the supply of free power and water to farmers in the state. "It is foolish to supply free power to the farmers because that way the state government is subsidising the consumers elsewhere in the country. What the farmer needs is quality, uninterrupted power. The cost of the power supplied to him can be taken into account while fixing the minimum support price for various agricultural commodities.The sooner they do away with it, the better it will be", he said. Dr Manmohan Singh emphasised that he was not against helping the farmers. As a matter of fact, he was convinced that the small and marginal farmer of the state was in a bad shape and needed to be assisted. "But the right way to assist him would be through ensuring quality power rather than giving subsidies". Dr Manmohan Singh said that there was urgent need for revamping the fiscal system in the country. Tax reforms and public sector management was the need of the hour. The manner in which the government was disinvesting in the public sector units showed that it had no strategy. It was just throwing away national assets to the competitors of those public sector units. The Congress leader was
highly critical of the government's action in including
the name of Rajiv Gandhi in the name of accused in the
Bofors case, saying that a person who could not defend
himself in court should not have been maligned in this
fashion. "The government is playing politics at a
time when it should have been more concerned about
building a national consensus on important economic
measures". |
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Thermal plant threat to wetland CHANDIGARH, Nov 12 — The ecological character of the Ropar wetland, about 45 km from here, is being affected adversely by Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Plant. If a report submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Forests by the Punjab Council for Science and Technology is any indication, the thermal power plant and the Nangal-based fertiliser units and paper mills continue to discharge effluents into the Sutlej, of which the wetland forms part. Alarmed at the subsequent degradation of the water quality of the wetland, the council has recommended immediate curative and preventive measures to check further deterioration of water. The report has cautioned against the deterioration of water quality in the area. Earlier the Irrigation Department had observed that 112 truckloads of silt has accumulated in the reservoir of the wetland. However, the thermal plant Chief Engineer, Mr Satish Mittal pleaded ignorance about such findings. Saying that he was a new incumbent to the post, Mr Mittal said he would look into the matter. He, however, hastened to add that the plant effluents were being discharged into the ash wells after being treated as per the laid down norms. Compiled by Dr Satnam Singh Ladhar, a senior scientific officer at the council, the report has also expressed concern over the use of the Sutlej for sewage disposal by the Nangal, Anandpur Sahib and Kirat-pur townships. Citing silting as another major factor ‘adversely’ affecting the ecological character of the wetland that assumed national importance in 1991, the report has called for immediate afforestation of the adjoining Shivalik foothills. A massive afforestation will check soil erosion on the hills and subsequent silting of the river, the document reads. Quoting the Punjab Irrigation Department, the report warns that silt deposits continue to accumulate in the wetland reservoir and asks for desilting operations. Spread over an area of 1,365 hectares, the wetland is also threatened by the growth of weed that has reduced the reservoir storage capacity. Poaching and fishing in violation of norms laid down by the department of fisheries are also a cause of worry for the council that seeks fencing of the wetland without delay. Speaking to the TNS, Dr Ladhar said the contractors engaged in fishing were denying natural food to the birds arriving at the wetland during winters. Significantly, the report that also seeks the inclusion of the site in the international list of wetlands, has listed a number of proposed conservation measures not begin implemented. Terming the measures so far taken by the authorities as "limited", Dr Ladhar suggested that a detailed survey should be undertaken on a long-term basis to protect the wetland. This would alone cost the government Rs 11.34 lakh. Likewise, afforestation
of the Shivalik foothills will cost Rs 40 lakh. Fencing
to check poaching and encroachments will account for a
budget of Rs 30 lakh. Curative measures to improve the
water quality by way of desilting will require a budget
of Rs 98 lakh, besides an additional investment of Rs
9.25 lakh will be needed to undertake
pollution-monitoring studies. |
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Dang urges party to review poll strategy AMRITSAR, Nov 12 (UNI) — Veteran Communist Party of India (CPI) leader and former member of the party’s National Council, Satya Pal Dang today called upon the top brass of the CPI to review the post-independence electoral policy and draw appropriate lessons for the survival of the communist movement in the country in the next century. In a letter addressed to members of the party National Council and released to the press here, Mr Dang regretted that the communist movement had suffered reverses since independence because of the wrong policies of leaders at the helm of affairs. The line of winning more seats in elections as propagated by a few CPI leaders had led to unprincipled electoral alliances as a result of which the values for which comrades had earned respect, had suffered a setback, the letter claimed. The strategy of gaining on the electoral field had pushed the CPI into the hands of casteist forces led by Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav and Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav. The Left parties, including the CPM, had failed in fighting the caste system, the letter claimed. The letter also said that till on the eve of the last Lok Sabha poll, communist parties were respected for being qualitatively different from non-Left parties as far as corruption was concerned. But this respect, too, had been lost when "we decided to embrace a king of corruption on the one hand and a queen on the other", the letter alleged. Parliamentarism had also
resulted in the CPI and the CPM maintaining an
"opportunist silence" on a number of crucial
controversial issues, the letter said. Opportunism on the
electoral field had vitiated relations between the CPI
and CPM. The need of the hour was for both major Left
forces to join hands. |
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Guard kills two bank officials ABOHAR, Nov 12 — Mr Devinder Krishan Mahendru, Accounts Officer and Mr Ashok Kumar, Cashier, posted at Sadul Shehar branch of Punjab National Bank, 23 km from here, were allegedly shot dead by a security guard of the bank, Mohinder Singh, this afternoon. Sources said the guard also injured Mr Surjit Singh, a tailor master, who had come to withdraw money. Mohinder Singh started firing with his official gun when Surjit Singh was coming out. The bullet hit him in the abdomen. The guard then entered the bank and shot at Mr Mahendru (40) and Ashok Kumar (36), a local resident. Mr Mahendru was a resident of New Delhi. Both of them died on the spot. The guard reportedly fired four shots without any provocation. The Branch Manager, Mr
Kailash Pradhan, was at Naib Tehsildar’s office at
the time of the incident. The guard has been arrested.
The injured was rushed to the hospital. |
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Rationalists object to sepoy story NAWANSHAHR, Nov 12 — The state unit of the Taraksheel Society, India, has taken serious notice of the reported "conventions" being practised by the Indian Army to continue the services of Sepoy Harbhajan Singh of 23 Punjab Regiment and even granting him "promotions" though he had died 31 years ago. It is supposed that the "spirit" of Harbhajan Singh still patrols the border. The "spirit" has not only been given the rank of honorary Captain but "he" is also being sent on two months’ leave to his native village Kuka in Kapurthala district along with orderlies and with all military honours. Though, this practice has been going on for the past three decades and Sepoy Harbhajan Singh is now worshipped as Baba Harbhajan Singh, this year the event was highlighted in the Press. Mr Ajmer Sidhu, press secretary of the Taraksheel Society, Punjab, in a press note issued here today said the society was of the view that the whole issue was not only a matter of just "superstition or faith" as it was connected with the security of the country. He said the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes, should immediately order an inquiry into the whole matter find out the truth whether the Army had in reality been continuing the services of the "spirit of a dead soldier" and giving promotions as had been reported in the Press. The society also smelled a rat the way the whole "drama" was given publicity after three decades, said Mr Sidhu, adding that it might be part of a deep-rooted conspiracy. The society has urged the Defence Minister that the matter should not be overlooked by terming it as a matter of "faith" as it was related to the sensitive issue of the country’s defence. The society was also trying to raise the issue in Parliament by contacting MPs, he said. A fact-finding team of the society had also visited the native village of Sepoy Harbhajan Singh where his "spirit" had reportedly been spending his vacation and had come to the conclusion that the whole matter was totally illogical and baseless. The society has offered
to pay Rs 1 lakh to anyone who can prove the identity of
the "spirit" of Sepoy Harbhajan Singh. |
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Govt sits over probe report BATHINDA, Nov 12 — The failure of the Punjab Government to take action on the inquiry report of Superintendent Engineer, Public Health, Mr R.K. Gupta, relating to the alleged bunglings in funds meant for enhancing the capacity of the water works in Bhagibandar village has raised many eyebrows. Sources said though Mr Gupta, submitted his report in the May, 1999, the government had failed to take action on it. Residents of Bhagibandar village in a complaint to the Punjab Government had alleged that payments made to various persons were bogus. Raja Narinder Singh, Public Health Minister, asked the authorities concerned to conduct a probe into the matter when he was approached in this regard by Mr Sukhmander Singh Shamiria, President, Anti-Corruption Crime Organisation. Mr Gupta recorded the statements of complainants and other villagers and visited the village for on-the-spot verification. The sources said though Mr Gupta had sent his report to the Punjab Government, no action had been initiated against officials of the Public Health Department found guilty in the report. Mr Gupta, when contacted, said he had sent his report to the Chief Engineer, Public Health, in May, 1999, for further action. He said some allegations by the villagers had proved true. Mr Sukhmander Singh in a press note issued here said while the Punjab Government was quick to act in case of any official involved in corruption of a few hundred, it was odd it had failed to take action against officials who had bungled Rs 26 lakh. He said his organisation would approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court if the government did not suspend the guilty. He demanded that a criminal case be registered against them. He feared the case was
being hushed up in connivance with the higher
authorities. |
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Doctors’ neglect BATHINDA, Nov 12 — The Punjab State Human Rights Commission has taken cognisance of the alleged negligence by doctors in treating Poonam, who was operated upon for gall bladder stone in the local Civil Hospital on September 28, 1999. The commission has taken cognisance of the alleged negligence by the doctors on the complaint of Poonam’s husband, Mr Brij Lal, who alleged that negligence by doctors had resulted in cardiac arrest and brain damage to the patient. Poonam, who was admitted to the local Civil Hospital on September 27, was operated upon for gall bladder stone on September 28. Dr S.L. Thukral, administered spinal anaesthesia at 10 a.m. and the surgeon Dr J.S. Sandhu started doing operation. At 10.50 a.m, the condition the patient deteriorated and her heart stopped working. Dr Sandhu stopped the operation and the patient remained in this condition for five to seven minutes. At 11.40 a.m. when the blood pressure was 120 the operation was allowed by Dr Thukral to complete. Dr Sandhu completed the operation at 12.30 p.m. Mr Brij Lal alleged in his complaint that pre-operation medical check up reports were wrongly given by the doctors. The patients who was shifted to the intensive care unit was unconscious since September 29. He added that the condition of Poonam was deteriorating and the doctors had expressed their helplessness in saving her life. He has demanded immediate compensation for the treatment of his wife and proper action against the doctors concerned. However, the fact-finding report given by a panel of doctors, including Dr Tejwant Singh Dhillon, Dr Girdhari Lal and Dr V.K. Kaushal, said the patient who suffered cholilithiasis was examined by Dr Sandhu on August 2, 1999. She was advised to get her HB/BT/CT, urine, RBS and ECG done. The patient was advised operation by Dr Sandhu. Her pre-anaesthetic check up was done by Dr Ravanjit Kaur, anaesthetist. Her ECG showed left axial deviation (LAD). History of wheeze and drug allergy of patient was also mentioned. Before the start of operation on September 28, Dr Thukral sought medical opinion second time for major surgery as he detected LAD findings in the ECG. Dr M.R. Gupta, MD, (Medicine), examined the patient before operation and declared the patient medically stable. After the operation, Poonam remained unconscious but her blood pressure and respiration was stable. Dr Bharat Bhushan MD (Medicine), who was called during the cardiac arrest in the operation theatre remained there till 12.30 p.m. and assisted the team. The patient was then shifted to the intensive care unit and then referred to Rajendra Hospital at Patiala for better management. The fact-finding team also opined that there was nothing on record to prove the negligence either on the part of the surgeon or the anaesthetist. Spinal anaesthesia is known to cause hypotension. The doctors had
explained the risk of LAD during operation and
anaesthesia to the relatives of the patient and had got
their written consent for the operation, the report
added. |
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Badal expresses grief CHANDIGARH, Nov 12 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has expressed profound grief and sorrow over the loss of 11 lives in a bomb blast in Delhi-bound Pooja Express last night and leaving many others injured in this tragedy. Condemning the incident, the Chief Minister said there was no place for violence in a democratic society and such cowardly acts against the innocent people must stop. He directed the district administration of Gurdaspur to extend every possible medical help to the injured admitted hospitals in Pathankot, according to official press note. Mr Badal conveyed his
sympathy to the members of the bereaved families and
wished a speedy recovery for the injured. |
||
EC orders revision of
Punjab poll rolls CHANDIGARH, Nov 12 — The Election Commission of India has directed the general revision of poll rolls of all Vidhan Sabha constituencies of Punjab on the basis of eligibility in January. Disclosing this here today, Dr Brajendra Singh, Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, said all Electoral Registration Officers concerned would publish voters’ lists of the constituency/constituencies by November 15 to invite the objections and claims. Objections and claims could be filed up to November 30 between 9 a.m and 5 p.m daily. The rolls will be available for the public with the District Electoral Officer, Electoral Registration Officer/Assistant Electoral Registration Officer of the respective polling station effective from November 15 to 30 for the convenience of the people. The formal publication will be made on January 7. Dr Singh added that all the individuals who will be completing 18 years of age as on January 1 and whose names were not included in the rolls could file their claims on the prescribed application form. Applicants are advised
to fill in the forms carefully and must obtain a receipt
for the same. He cautioned that incomplete forms would be
rejected. |
||
Hike support price of
sugarcane: Rinwa FAZILKA, Nov 12 — Dr Mohinder Kumar Rinwa, secretary, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) and a former MLA, today criticised the Badal government for claiming to be the champion of farmers as it has not increased the support price of sugarcane. Talking to newspersons he said in Haryana the minimum support price of sugarcane had been raised from Rs 95 a quintal to Rs 110 a quintal whereas in Punjab the price continues to be Rs 95 a quintal. The PPCC secretary revealed that the co-operative mill at Bhuna bordering Punjab in Haryana had offered Rs 20 per quintal extra to cane cultivators of the region and according to sources the mill authorities proposed to install a weighbridge for procuring sugarcane at Dabwali. Expressing dissatisfaction over the functioning of the Fazilka co-operative Sugar Mill Dr Rinwa said the mill authorities were reluctant to purchase cane from farmers of the area as there was a bumper yield this year. They had not started the crushing process. This had perturbed the sugarcane cultivators. He demanded that the
Punjab Government should raise the minimum support price
and keep it at par with Haryana. |
||
Rally held against
couple’s torture ABOHAR, Nov 12 — A massive rally was held at Nehru Park here yesterday by the action committee formed to secure justice for the Dalit couple, Mrs Swarna and Mr Gauri Shankar, who had allegedly been stripped and tortured by the city police on October 8 in connection with investigation regarding a domestic theft. The rally was attended by members of the Technical Services Union, the Democratic Teachers Front, the Raj Mistri Union, the Public Health Mechanical Workers Union, the Rickshaw Union, the Rehri Union, the Naujwan Sudhar Sabha, and the Lok Morcha Class Four Government Employees Union among others. The speakers regretted that ASI Hardial Singh had been transferred to Police Lines but was using the official vehicle given to the city police and moved with gunmen here to influence witnesses on November 9. Later, several hundred
persons carrying black flags and placards marched in a
procession. They staged a dharna in front of the
DSP’s office and submitted a memorandum demanding
that an FIR should be registered against the guilty
police official. They regretted that inquiry officer
Harbans Lal Sharma, DSP (Headquarters) had not so far
taken any action. |
||
4700 teachers to be promoted PHILLAUR, Nov 12 — The Punjab Government will promote 4,700 teachers, including 1,800 lecturers, 300 Headmasters, 300 Principals and 2300 primary head teachers within one month. Education Minister Tota Singh said here yesterday. These promotions had been lying pending for a long period. He stressed the need for increasing the education budget for improving the standard of education. Mr Tota Singh, who visited the USA for studying the education system there, said better, modern job-oriented education was the need of the hour. As the students' interest in science subjects was declining, the government had started a state-level campaign to organise "science fairs" at the tehsil, subdivision, district and division levels to promote science. The minister said the
government had constituted development committees in all
villages to promote education. He appealed to the NRIs to
help the government uplift the education standard. |
||
No Sikh jatha to Pak: Jagir
Kaur PHAGWARA, Nov 12 — Putting all speculations to rest, Bibi Jagir Kaur, recently re-elected president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), yesterday that the SGPC would not send a Sikh jatha to Pakistan on the occasion of "avtar purb" of Guru Nanak Dev on November 23 at Nankana Sahib. She stuck to her old stand that the parallel Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee headed by a former ISI chief should be disbanded and the supervision of gurdwaras in Pakistan should be entrusted to the SGPC. Denying cross-voting
during the SGPC elections, she asserted that the Panth
had once again reposed confidence in the leadership of
the SAD president and the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash
Singh Badal, by re-electing her. |
||
Committee formed to implement HC
order LUDHIANA, Nov 12 — A three-member committee comprising representatives of the District Food and Civil Supplies Controller, the Senior Superintendent of Police and the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, will be formed to give no-objection certificates (NOC) to the firms storing kerosene and other petroleum products in accordance with the guidelines given by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. This was stated by the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Arun Goel, while presiding over the monthly meeting to deal with the pending cases of various departments. He said the committee would survey the firms before issuing the NOCs. The NOC would be issued within a week’s time. Meanwhile, presiding
over a meeting of District Transport Committee, Mr Arun
Goel directed the Transport Department, the Municipal
Corporation and the PWD to ensure that the guidelines
laid down by the High Court for traffic rules were
strictly implemented. |
||
Car thieves’ gang
busted LUDHIANA, Nov 12 — The police has succeeded in busting an inter-state gang of car thieves with the arrest of Gurcharan Singh, alias Chan. While the other gang members are still at large, the police is expecting the recovery of some more cars after investigation. In is learnt that a police party led by ASI Dalip Singh was holding a nakabandi near Rajput Chowk when they received reliable information that a car with registration number JK-01C-9236 carrying Gurcharan Singh, Sunil Kumar and Sehzad was roaming in the Haibowal area. The police managed to
nab one person, Gurcharan Singh. A case under Sections
420, 467, 468, 471, 474, 379, 411 and 12-B of the IPC has
been registered. |
||
Youth fest for women ends AMRITSAR, Nov 12 — The local BBK DAV College for Women won the overall trophy at the Guru Nanak Dev University youth festival for women (zone-A) which concluded here last night at Dashmesh auditorium of the university. The second position was secured by local Khalsa College for Women and RR Bawa DAV College for Girls, Batala finished third. In the category of rural colleges, SDSPM College for Women, Rayya, won the first position and SD Arya Mahila College, Dinanagar remained second. Dr Satinder Singh, Dean,
Academic Affairs, gave away the prizes to winners. |
||
30 employees found absent
from duty ROPAR, Nov 12 — About 30 employees were found absent from duty this afternoon in various government offices located at the mini secretariat here. They were found absent during a surprise raid conducted by Mr Jarnail Singh, Assistant Commissioner (General) on the order of the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Gurinder Singh Grewal, who had asked the officers in charge to maintain a movement register for the employees. Later talking to newsmen Mr Jarnail Singh, said he had found about 30 government employees absent from duty during the surprise check at about 4.30 p.m. He said some of these employees had left their office by putting up leave applications for half-day or for short-leave without getting the prior sanction of the competent authority. Out of the 30 employees, the maximum absentees were from the District Employment Office and District Social Security Office. The leave applications and the attendance registers of some of the offices had been taken into custody so that no one could tamper with the record. The administration would now scrutinise the genuineness of the leave applications and other factors of the absentees so that no innocent employee was punished. After the scrutiny, the district administration would take up the matter with the departments concerned for further departmental action against the erring employees. He also asked the officers to maintain movement registers as per the direction of the district administration. It is learnt that some
of the employees left offices after the spread of a
rumour about the death of Mr S.D Sharma a former
President. |
||
Work in govt hospitals hit AMRITSAR, Nov 12 — All out- patient departments in various government hospitals remained closed following a one-day strike call given by the Junior Doctors Association (JDA) in protest against the fee hike and poor conditions prevailing in the hospitals here today. However, operation theatres and emergency services were exempted from the strike. Dr Rajnish Sharma,
president, JDA called junior doctors of Faridkot and
Patiala hospitals to support their genuine demands. He
said the peaceful agitation of the JDA would be
intensified if fee hike was not withdrawn at the
earliest. |
||
Youths beat up bus driver,
passengers PHILLAUR, Nov 12 — In the third incident of crime in a week in Phillaur subdivision, about half a dozen jeep-borne youths beat up the driver and five passengers of a private bus No. PB10AC9861 on the GT road near Phillaur this evening. According to the police, the miscreants wanted to overtake the bus but the driver did not allow them to do so. They forced the bus to stop, dragged the driver Karamjit Singh and beat him and other passengers up. The miscreants managed to escape after committing the crime. The police has
registered a case under Sections 134, 323 and 149, IPC. |
||
Hawala money seized, 2 held JALANDHAR, Nov 12 (UNI) — The Nakodar police today claimed to have seized Rs 6.70 lakh of alleged hawala money from two persons intercepted near Shankar village when they were taking the money for distribution to clients. Police sources said the
suspects Jagroop Singh of Bakha and Jaswinder Singh of
Lihan, both of Ludhiana district, were coming from
Phagwara side when they were arrested at the naka. They
confessed that they were working for the Pritam Singh
Deol of Boparai Kalan village in Ludhiana district, who
is settled abroad. |
||
Fair to remember Partition
victims CHANDIGARH, Nov 12 — Dr Tara Singh Sandhu, president of the Folklore Research Academy, in a statement here today said a fair would be organised near the Wagah border on November 14 and 15. It would be dedicated to the memory of 10 lakh Punjabis, who lost their lives in brutal massacre during Partition in 1947. The Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, will inaugurate the fair. Dr Joginder Puar, a
former Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bawa Singh, Deputy Chairman
of the National Minorities Commissioner, Dr Ranjit Singh
Ghuman, and Prof H.S. Mehta will participate in a
seminar. |
||
Free medical camp AMRITSAR, Nov 12 — A team of doctors of New Delhi's Apollo Hospital will hold a free medical camp here beginning on November 14, according to a press note issued here. The camp is to be held at Adlakha Hospital on Race Course Road here. Neurologist Vinit Suri,
will conduct the session at the camp while cardiologist
Raman Puri will deliberate on her heart diseases. The
specialist will also hold lecture sessions on neurology
and continuing education in medicine for the benefit of
Indian Medical Association doctors. |
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