Saturday, November 27, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Saturday, November 27, 1999 |
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Talks to
form basis : Dhindsa Badal rules out patch-up |
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Rally
against Punjab Govt stance
PUTA president’s deputation
flayed Governor rejects plea to pardon
life convict Pre-arrest bail for acting
Director Destroy terrorist bases: Buta
Singh No move for ‘patch-up’
with Tohra 2 Babbar Khalsa militants held
BBMB employees may not get
salaries Scribes resent police inaction
against SHO 5 irrigation officers’ remand
extended Privatisation will raise tariffs: assn Dhan-Pothohar conference Retired cop booked in bribery case Expedite enrolment drive :
Amarinder Punjabi varsity teachers protest |
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Punjab, Haryana issues CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 — The Union Minister, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, said here today that efforts would be made to resolve the inter-state disputes between Punjab and Haryana by sitting across the table. He claimed that he would play a role assigned to him by the party president, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. As relations between the respective governments in Punjab and Haryana are cordial, there should be no problem in resolving the issues by holding a mutual dialogue, he added. Talking to mediapersons at his residence this morning, Mr Dhindsa said he would soon meet the Agriculture Minister, Mr Nitish Kumar, to hold discussions as regards a new agriculture policy. Efforts would also be made to safeguard the interests of farmers of northern states in the new policy, he added. The minister said he had requested the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Badal, to direct all the departments concerned to provide him details with regard to pending projects and other works and schemes pertaining to Punjab with the Central Government. "I would pursue such projects, works and schemes for getting early clearance at the union government level." Quizzed about the portfolio given to him, Mr Dhindsa said his portfolio was as good as others. There was a lot of scope for doing good work in this ministry, he added. Mr Dhindsa said he was all for the adjustment of Mr Surjit Singh Barnala either as governor or elsewhere. Even the Punjab Chief Minister was making efforts in this connection, he disclosed and said he was not against Mr Barnala. Mr Dhindsa said he would soon call a meeting of the members of Parliament of all political parties belonging to Punjab to discuss issues pertaining to Punjab and formulate a joint strategy. He added that it had
been proved beyond doubt that the BJP was a secular party
and it had nothing to do with communalism. The agenda
framed by the BJP and its allies was being followed at
the national level. There was no riots and the BJP
opposed the attacks on Christians. Under Mr Vajpayee's
leadership Pakistan had been isolated in world diplomacy,
and the USA, which remained hostile towards India for so
many years, had turned friendly with India. |
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Badal rules out patch-up CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 — The Punjab Chief Minister and President of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has ruled out any patch-up with the former SGPC chief, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra. Refusing to entertain any question as regards rapprochement with Mr Tohra, the Chief Minister said no one had talked to him on the subject. He said this in the context of statements made by certain persons, including foreign-based Mr Harbhajan Singh Yogi saying that he was trying for a patch-up between Mr Badal and Mr Tohra. It may be recalled that several stories have appeared in the print media in the past few days, speculating about unity efforts at various levels among the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Sarab Hind Shiromani Akali Dal headed by Mr Tohra. But from today's attitude of Mr Badal, it is clear that all such stories on unity were speculative and had no substance and base. Earlier speaking at the meeting of the office-bearers of the party, including district presidents, members of the executive of SGPC and members of the PAC, Mr Badal focused the attention on the coming zila parishad and panchayat samiti elections. It was evident from his speech at the meeting that the defeat in the Lok Sabha poll is weighing heavily on his mind. He called upon the Akali leaders that the party should perform impressively in the coming elections and the party's rank and file should start approaching the people right now. He said that the party would make all-out efforts to win the Nawanshahr Assembly constituency elections for which is expected to be held soon. He urged the party activists of the Nawanshahr area to make preparations for the election by mobilising people in support of the SAD. From Mr Badal's tone it was clear that he did not want to lose any election as the defeat could cost him dearly. Another point on which Mr Badal laid emphasis was corruption. He said the Opposition parties had launched a full-fledged campaign against the SAD-BJP Government, levelling charges of corruption. Such a campaign should be countered by party activists and leaders in their respective areas, and the people should be told that the Badal Government was determined to eliminate graft. However, jathedars and other party leaders who attended the meeting had some grievances. Some of them told Mr Badal that they were non-entities in their respective areas, and officers did not care to pay heed to them. They urged Mr Badal to restore the dignity of party leaders at district level. They said they could play an effective role only if they were given due respect. Several resolutions were passed at the meeting. Through one resolution, the meeting authorised the party president, Mr Badal, to take whatever steps he deemed necessary to maintain discipline in the SAD. At meeting the Congress was blamed for all problems and ills facing the state, including the financial crisis. It was decided to observe the 32nd anniversary of Master Tara Singh, an Akali stalwart, on December 4 in Amritsar. Many senior leaders were
unable to attend the meeting, it is learnt. Perhaps,
short notice for the meeting was responsible for this. |
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Tunnel dug by Pak smugglers:
BSF KAMALPUR Border outpost, Nov 26 — Has the smugglers used oxygen cylinders instead of making camouflaged air vents they would have succeeded in their nefarious designs", says a senior BSF official while showing the winding over 200 metres tunnel which reaches 170 metres into the Indian side. Dense "sarkanda" (elephant grass) along the barbed wire fencing allowed the builders group of Pak smugglers to work for more than three months despite round-the-clock surveillance by BSF jawans along the 532-km long Indo-Pak border in Punjab. It takes months to cut sarkanda along the international border. The gigantic task is done annually on a contract basis. However, Pakistan Rangers have agreed to burn the grass on their side of the border. After the protest lodged by BSF officials at the flag-meeting with Pakistani Rangers on November 23 at BOP, Kamalpur the latter agreed to burn the "sarkanda" along the border permitting a clearer view of the frontier. Senior BSF officials admit that had the tunnel not been detected for another fortnight the ISI could have pushed deadly explosives arms and terrorists in. Talking to The Tribune, Mr S K Dutta, DIG BSF said following the flag meeting Pakistani Rangers agreed to burn "sarkanda" for better visibility along the international border. "We came to know the nefarious designs of the anti-India forces in the month of September-October itself during the regime of Nawaz Sharif. That something was cooking across the border," he said. Notorious smuggler Saka Isahi, son of Sadhu Isahi, a resident of Machh village in Narowal district (Pakistan) had a meeting with militants, smugglers and ISI officials in Dera Sahib Kartarpur (Pakistan) where he made this plan. However, we were not sure of their exact designs and area of their operation. This was why the detection of the tunnel took so much time," Mr Dutta said adding that the BSF had asked Pakistani Rangers to nab Saka Isahi, who masterminded the tunnel. He said he was also behind the two tunnels dug on the border in the past. The village of Saka Masih is in a five km radius of the international border. He said the Pakistani Rangers had assured the BSF that it would arrest the notorious smugglers who had created 'distrust' between the forces of both countries. Mr A.S. Aulakh, Inspector General (Punjab frontier) discussed the issue of the tunnel with Director-General, BSF, Mr E.N. Ram Mohan at New Delhi after a formal training camp at the BSF headquarters. BSF officials are of the view that high-level of technical know-how was used in digging the tunnel. Heavy military vehicles could have plied over the tunnel without affecting it. "The width of the tunnel is sufficient to allow intruders to crawl through easily". The involvement of Pakistani Rangers at some level can-not be ruled out as the men digging the tunnel would have to take the soil to the Pakistani side and conceal it. Interestingly the builders of the tunnel selected their site with care, choosing the sole tree standing amidst thick 'sarkanda' as the starting point so that users would not encounter a problem in finding it. 'Sarkanda had tied at points above the tunnel possibly to indicate directions. Senior BSF officials said Pakistani smugglers or ISI officials have to resort to digging tunnels since electric fencing was installed on the Indian border along Punjab. "They cannot cross the fencing as current is passed through the barbed 'cobra' wires after sunset", they said. The tunnel, which was only 20 metres short of the fencing, was proposed to exit in a dense plantation grown by the BSF. The tunnel extended 30 metres from the international border on the Pakistani side. Two tunnels were
detected by the BSF in 1997 and 1998 respectively, which
also led to the lodging to strong protests by the BSF.
However, Pakistani Rangers did not take any step to stop
the recurrence of such incidents. |
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Rally against Punjab Govt
stance CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 — General category employees from various departments of Punjab, farmers and professionals staged a rally to condemn the discrimination against them on political considerations and the appeasement policies for members of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes in the state near the bridge market here today. The protesters from various parts of the state assembled at the venue and raised slogans against the authorities for their "anti-employee stance and casual attitude" in solving their long-pending demand. A large number of women employees took part in the protest. Mr Shyam Lal Sharma and Mr Prabhjit Singh, president and senior vice president of the Punjab State General Categories Welfare Federation, said certain MLAs and MPs and other leaders of the Scheduled Tribes and Castes are protesting against the judgement of the Supreme Court, in the Ajit Singh Janjua case, for political considerations and are trying to create a wedge between the members of the Scheduled Castes and the general categories. They said they were not against any benefits accorded to the members of any particular class but were demanding that reservation should be done solely on the economic criteria. Hundreds of posts lying vacant in various departments should be filled immediately on the basis of the court verdict. Representatives of the All India Equality Forum, the Swarn Samaj Party, the Brijdesh Party, the Arakshan Smapti Abhyan Samiti besides leaders of several general category employees' unions took part in the rally. The agitators resolved that the promotion of general category employees according to their share should be carried out as per the government orders issued in October. They also demanded the abolition of reservation of Class I and Class II services on the Haryana pattern and in all professional courses as directed by the apex court that all admissions should be done on merit. A separate department should be created to solve the problems of the general category employees and extending the 'shagun' scheme for poor girls of the general category. The protesters demanded fertiliser, seed and agricultural implements at concessional rates besides reasonable rates for their produce. Caste-based reservation should be done away with from panchayats, Vidhan Sabhas and the Parliament and in granting gas agencies, petrol outlets, bus routes and houses. The protesters said they
would observe a protest week from December 15 in case
their demands were not met by then. |
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PUTA president’s
deputation flayed PATIALA, Nov 26 — The decision of Punjabi University to allow the Punjabi University Teachers Association (PUTA) President, Dr Gurdeep Singh, to join as Principal of the Government Institute of Engineering and Technology, Malout, on deputation for two years has generated controversy with the Forum for Educational Action and Reform (FEAR) calling it an ‘illegal’ appointment. The forum has taken objection to it saying that Dr Gurdeep Singh along with Dr M.S. Bedi had been stopped from holding any administrative responsibility by the Syndicate towards the fag end of the term of former Vice-Chancellor J.S. Puar. The forum’s President, Dr Amarjeet Singh Dhillon, said following the Syndicate decision, the Vice-Chancellor had no authority to allow Dr Gurdeep Singh to hold an administrative position. Dr Dhillon said if the university authorities wanted to vacate the decision with regard to Dr Gurdeep Singh they could have done so in the last meeting of the Syndicate. He also accused the Vice-Chancellor of making PUTA a defunct body through this decision. The FEAR President alleged that the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, had also struck a deal with a former Dean, Colleges, Dr Balkar Singh, by withdrawing two cases of serious lapses and allegations against the latter which had been listed in the agenda of the last Syndicate meeting. He alleged that the items had been removed from the agenda as Dr Balkar Singh also went back on his demand for direct elections from the Senate to the Syndicate. He said the other case pertaining to Dr Balkar Singh was the use of derogatory and unparliamentary language against his colleague at an official meeting of the administrative committee of the Department of Guru Granth Sahib Studies. The Vice-Chancellor when contacted said Dr Gurdeep Singh had been allowed to go on deputation as there was a ban on his holding administrative responsibility in the university only. He said there was no question of obliging him as he had been selected for the job and the university itself had not relieved him earlier. Speaking on the ban put on Dr Gurdeep Singh from holding any administrative post, he said he did not know till when it was effective. He said the issue had not been taken up in the last Syndicate meeting as there were cases in which teachers had alleged victimisation by the previous regime to the Pro Vice-Chancellor for review. These cases would be taken up in a phased manner, he said. When questioned about the agenda items regarding Dr Balkar Singh which had been removed, he said the case involved internal department rivalry. He said he had asked the Dean, Academics, to sort out the matter amicably and added the matter could also not be taken up as the affected parties could not submit replies to queries in time. Speaking on demand of
elections to the Syndicate from the Senate, he said it
was a different subject altogether and had not been
voiced at the Syndicate meeting. |
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Governor rejects plea to pardon CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 — The Punjab Governor, Lieut-Gen B.K.N. Chhibber (retd), has rejected a petition filed by Mr S.S. Bajwa, an Akali Patrika correspondent, seeking pardon and premature release of his daughter, Sumanjit Kaur, who had been convicted of "premeditated and cold-blooded murder" of a national-level hockey player. Jagbir Singh and sentenced to life imprisonment. The appeal of Sumanjit Kaur against her conviction was earlier dismissed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The Governor held that she had killed Jagbir Singh merely because he "did not agree to marry her". The convict had already been shown leniency by the courts. In his order, the Governor had observed that despite the dismissal of her appeal by the Punjab and Haryana High Court after an in-depth appreciation of facts and evidence Mr Bajwa "does not show any inclination of repentance on the part of the convict". The Governor took exception to Mr Bajwa's statement that Judges of the lower court and the High Court "have been brushing aside all points of defence by hook or crook". The Governor held that the contents of Mr Bajwa's petition "betray an inherent contempt for the law and our judicial system." Rejecting Mr Bajwa's plea for premature release of his daughter, the governor held that such a request could be considered only after the convict had undergone eight years' behind bars. Till now Sumanjit Kaur had been imprisoned for three years, 10 months and eight days. "I have very carefully considered the petition of Mr Bajwa ... and the recommendation of the Chief Minister for its release of a convict should be considered only after he or she has undergone actual imprisonment of eight years." In his recommendations the Chief Minister had stated that Sumanjit Kaur was a distinguished sportsperson being a national level hockey player. She is educated and had got married during the course of her trial and that her good conduct shows that if, released, she would not misuse her liberty. "What I have to consider in this case is whether these factors mentioned by the Chief Minister are sufficient to outweigh the normal procedure and the parameters set down by the state government for the consideration of petition for premature release in exercise of powers under Article 161 of the Constitution," the Governor observed. "When all relevant
factors concerning this case are taken into
consideration," the Governor held, "I cannot
but conclude that the grant of pardon in this case would
seriously affect the deterrent effect of judicial
punishment and would amount to subverting the concept of
the rule of law. It will reduce the faith of the common
man in justice and fair play by the government and in all
likelihood will also attract allegations of
discrimination in favour of the convict without any
reasonable basis. It is, therefore, my considered view
that the petition for the release of convict Sumanjit
Kaur is without any merit and does not deserve to be
accepted." |
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Pre-arrest bail for acting
Director CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 — Dr Balkaran Singh, officiating Director of Agriculture, Punjab was today granted anticipatory bail by Mr Justice T.H.B. Chalapathi of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in five FIRs registered against him on November 6, at Chandigarh, Ludhiana and other places on allegations of demanding money from seed dealers for issuing sale letters as required by the government. The Judge, however, clarified that it was always open to the government to take departmental action against the petitioner, if so advised, including placing him under suspension. Allegations levelled in the FIRs are to the effect that the government owed subsidy of Rs 200 per quintal on sale of seeds to the cooperative agencies. When the complainant dealers approached Dr Balkaran for issuance of sale letters, as required by the scheme, Rs 10 per quintal was demanded from them as bribe. On these allegations FIRs under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act were registered. However, the petitioner stated that the affidavits on the basis of which FIRs have been registered had been procured by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and the Agriculture Minister Gurdev Singh Badal who want to help Mr Mewa Singh Sonar, who is facing charges in the fertiliser scam. The Judge dismissed the
plea of the petitioner for blanket anticipatory bail as
he apprehended registration of more FIRs against him. |
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Illegal generators a traffic
risk JALALABAD: There was a time when it used to be very difficult to pass through the dark lanes of this town during a power failure. Although no darkness prevails now due to hundreds of private generator sets installed by every second houseowner, but the intolerable noise and smoke of these generators make passage more difficult. One can see 6 kw to 10 kw alternators equipped with equal capacity diesel engines installed in front of every second house on municipal roads. This causes not only a severe traffic hindrance but a problem in cleaning drains as most of these generator rooms have been constructed on the small drains built on both sides of the streets. These drains constitute the only drainage system. According to byelaws of the Punjab State Electricity Board, every generator installed on the residential premises should be approved by the Electrical Inspector. The wiring of generators should be separate from the usual wiring and a proper system must be adopted. All these generators are unauthorised and no one had taken the required approval. Last year while doing repairs, a lineman of PSEB had suffered a severe electric shock due to back-supply from such generators. The Municipal Council is aware of this encroachment. The newly appointed Executive Officer, Mr Ram Lal, has also admitted that this practice had been prevailing here for a long time. The EO further states that people are being mobilised to remove these illegal structures. He told this correspondent that these structures would be dismantled in an anti-encroachment drive planned in the near future. It is normally seen where the generator sets are kept, people also start throwing garbage at the corner of the site. It is felt that if this activity keeps on going at such a rapid speed, it will not only affect sanitary conditions in the town but it would also reduce the moving space for vehicles on the roads. Ironically the violators are also not indifferent to the menace. Most of them are of the opinion that they had not started it but only followed others. The poor power supply
and shortage of space forced them to adopt this method.
They have expressed their readiness to relocate their
structures provided the municipal authorities spare none.
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Destroy terrorist bases: Buta
Singh PHAGWARA, Nov 26 — Mr Buta Singh, Congress MP maintained here today that terrorists camps in Pakistan should be destroyed to curb trans-border terrorism. Talking to newsmen Mr Buta Singh expressed concern over the detection of a tunnel on November 18 across the international border as well as the capability of extremists to pierce through layers of defence at army headquarters. The reports emanating from J & K and Punjab about terrorist bids to reorganise are really disturbing, Buta Singh said. However, he appreciated the well-advised and cautious response of the Centre to developments in Pakistan. "Though options for dialogue should not be closed, yet interaction with Pakistan will have to wait". "Being the largest democracy of world, we are most competent to speak on developments in Pakistan. But bound by the policy of non-interference in affairs of our neighbours, India should leave it to people of Pakistan to assert for the restoration of democracy there, Buta Singh said. However, there should be no relaxation in our defence preparedness, he cautioned. On Punjab, Mr Buta Singh
said remedies being taken by the state government were
worse than the fiscal ailment. The Badal Government had
gone all out to announce populist measures without caring
for the economic crisis and the fall out, he continued. |
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No move for
‘patch-up’ with Tohra FATEHGARH SAHIB, Nov 26 — There is no question of a patch up with the Tohra faction. There are only speculations in the media about Yogi Harbhajan Singh working for this aim, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Minister for Finance, told this correspondent here today. He urged that Akal Takht should not be politicised and made an issue. There is no groupism in the Akali party and the state government. Later, he held a lok durbar at Bachat Bhavan. He directed the DC and SSP to ensure the presence of district officials in their offices on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for attending to public grievances. He said if any police or civil official is found involved in corruption the DC and SSP would be held responsible for that. He said complaints of the public would be computerised to ensure their time-bound solution. He urged the district administration to give due regard and priority to Akali Jathedars. He said in all the meetings and lok durbars the involvement of jathedars should be made compulsory. Jathedar Swarn Singh Chanarthal, Sarwan Singh Suhabi, Member, Planning Board, Harbans Singh Mehmoodpur, Mandip Singh, former Chairman, Tejinder Singh Salana, President District Bar Association also addressed. The district officials were also present. Meanwhile, in a press
note issued here today Mr Didar Singh Bhatti and Rajesh
Paul Singh Lalli, Akali leaders have criticised the
statement of Capt Amarinder Singh, President PPCC, for
making allegations against the Badal family. |
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2 Babbar Khalsa militants
held BATALA, Nov 26 — The police has arrested two militants of the Babbar Khalsa International — Sahib Singh, alias Shaba, and Didar Singh alias Dari, both sons of Gian Singh of Baba Bakala. They were held during a dusk to dawn search operations recently launched in the district. The two are part of 15 member-gang which indulged in robberies and murders. A .32 bore revolver with seven live cartridges and a .38 bore revolver with eight live cartridges have been recovered from them. In 1997 their accomplice, Sarabjit Singh, of Chachowali met Shaba in Baba Bakala and had left with him 5 kg of RDX, one Mouser and six detonators. Shaba along with Gurdev Singh Bhullar were later arrested by the Majitha police and the consignment was recovered from them. Kulwant Singh, alias Kanta, another member of the group, was arrested along with his accomplice by the Amritsar police a few months back. The group had received consignments from across the border. A part of the consignment has been recovered by the police in Ferozepore and Amritsar districts. Mr Lok Nath Angra, SSP, said the militants were trying to reorganise the outfit to revive terrorism. They had contacts with Wadhawa Singh chief of this group through Jakhmi who stays in England. Two telephone numbers of England had also been disclosed by them through which they remained in touch with Wadhawa Singh. The arrested men have also remained in touch with three other persons Gurdial Singh, alias "Bhai", Angrez Singh of Khadur Sahib and Jakhmi who have been acting as mediators between the arrested persons and Wadhawa Singh. The true identity of Jakhmi, Bhai and Angrez Singh is yet to be established. The arrested persons agreed to join terrorism on the allurement for employment in Dubai. The arrested militants
along with other gang members have been indulging in
other heinous crimes like murder, ransom and robberies
etc. With the arrest of these persons, the police has
claimed to have foiled attempts to reorganise Babbar
Khalsa. Some prominent members of this gang are Kulwant
Singh, Nirmal Singh, Gurcharan Singh, Sukhjinder Goldy,
Ladi and Jyoti, Jasbir Singh, D C Bijliwal, Natti and Bau
of Amonangal and Bau of Bhamboi. All these criminals are
wanted by the police in different crime cases, including
the killing of Ritu in 1998 and a number of vehicle
snatching cases. A case under sections 25 of the Arms Act
has been registered. |
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BBMB employees may not get
salaries NANGAL, Nov 26 — The financial crisis in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has aggravated to such an extent that about 15,000 employees of the board may not get salaries for November. Mr Satish Loomba, the Financial Adviser, BBMB, said, "I have no money to give salaries to BBMB employees this month unless some partner state pays up within two to three days. The situation has arisen due to the Central Government’s directive to the BBMB to keep it’s Public Ledger Account (PLA) positive. The Secretary, Power, Union Government, in a letter October 10, 1999, had written to secretaries of partner states that if the PLA of the BBMB remained negative consistently, the PLA facility to the organisation may either be reviewed or cancelled. The Punjab Government which has a 51 per cent share in the BBMB, has paid up just two instalments in the past two years. At present, the Punjab Government owes Rs 40 crore to the BBMB, the PSEB Rs 15 crores, the Haryana government Rs 22 crore, the H.S.E.B. Rs 19 crore, the Rajasthan Government Rs 13 crore and the RSEB Rs 8 crores. The Punjab Government says that granting of PSEB scales to its employees working in the BBMB is the reason for non-payment. The BBMB, at a board meeting on July 19, 1991, had decided to remove anomalies in pay scales of employees from various states working for it. It was decided that any employee working in the BBMB, irrespective of his parent state, had a right to opt for a scale drawn by any other employee, working on a designation similar to him. After this decision, most employees, including Punjab Government employees working here, opted for the PSEB scales. Mr Satish Loomba, FA in
the BBMB, has meanwhile stated if the partner states,
especially Punjab, doesn’t immediately pay the BBMB,
it will be difficult to continue various capital projects
being undertaken by the board. |
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Scribes resent police inaction JALANDHAR, Nov 26 — The Punjab police Director-General, (DGP) Mr Sarabjit Singh, today held a meeting with the representatives of city-based journalists to resolve the issue arising out of manhandling and slapping of a scribe by a station house officer (SHO), and termed the incident "regrettable". While the DGP said the SHO in question, Nirmal Singh, had been transferred and an inquiry ordered against him for gross misconduct while on duty, the reporters remained unsatisfied with the action and said nothing less than a suspension was acceptable. Interestingly, while the DGP, Inspector-General of Police, Mr G.S. Aujla, and the DIG, Mr Suresh Arora, were regretting the incident, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Mr Gaurav Yadav, said preliminary police investigations had revealed that the incident did not even happen. The scribes protested at the SSP’s observation, and he was immediately reprimanded by the police chief who said the SSP was "pre-judging the issue". Thereafter, the SSP did not make any other reference during the talks. The reporters were wearing black badges and later boycotted a function held at the PAP grounds here. The reporters later decided to continue the boycott of all police functions till the SHO was suspended. The SHO had slapped and
manhandled Bikramjit Singh, reporter of Punjabi Tribune
of The Tribune group of newspapers on November 21 at the
VIP gate of the venue of a star nite here featuring
Bollywood stars Salman Khan, Karishma Kapoor and other. |
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5 irrigation
officers’ remand extended LAMBI (Muktsar), Nov 26 — The Judicial Magistrate, Malout, today extended the police remand of five officials of the Bathinda Canal Division, allegedly involved in the Rs 2.5 crore scam up to November 30 when they were produced by the local police. Earlier the Judicial Magistrate, Muktsar, remanded all five officials — G.S. Sidhu, Xen, G.S. Bains, SDO Hakam Singh Bhattal, Kaka Singh Chahal and Daljit Singh Tangra (all junior engineers) in police custody for two days when they were produced before him on November 24. All these officials were arrested by the local police following a registration of a case under Sections 406, 409, 420, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC, for allegedly indulging in fraud, embezzlement and forgery in government funds, on November 23. These officials were booked on the inquiry report of ADC (D), Bathinda, Mr Alok Shekhar. These officials were indicted in his report. Mr Shekhar made a probe into various allegation levelled against these officials in a complaint made to the Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, Mr S.R. Ladhar, by the Extra Assistant Engineer, Mr Tirath Singh Brar, of Bathinda Canal Division. After Mr Ladhar submitted the report to the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, for necessary action, the latter ordered the DIG, Ferozepore, Mr Hardeep Dhillon, to investigate the matter in association with the Superintendent Engineer, Canals, Ferozepore. Mr Dhillon, who along with the SE, visited various sites of the works executed by these officials, endorsed the inquiry report of Mr Shekhar and reported the entire matter to Mr Badal at Barnala a few days back. Acting promptly on the report of Mr Dhillon, Mr Badal asked him to register a case against the guilty officials and probe the matter thoroughly to unmask others who were also involved in the scam. Mr Dhillon has also made
a request to the DIG, Faridkot, to register cases against
these officials under relevant provisions of law as some
of the works executed by them of were of this district. |
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‘Sohna pind’ scheme only
on paper CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 — Punjab has failed to provide committed funds for the development of cities and villages. There is a shortfall of at least 50 per cent in what the government had promised in the Budget to fund the development of 137 towns and cities and 12,639 villages, officials sources here said. Plan to pucca lanes has remained a pipe-dream. The same is the position of towns and cities. Punjab owed Rs 285 crore, including Rs 65 crore it received from the centre, to make the filthy cities livable. It has not been able to provide substantial amount to villages to improve the quality of life. The Chief Minister and President of the Akali Dal, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, during his endless tours is never tired of telling the people about his promises and commitments to the rural areas. But what is the picture? Out of Rs 149 crore promised for rural development until now not more than Rs 70 crore has reached the villages. The "Sohna pind" scheme is, therefore, long forgotten by the people. As many as 215 villages have no buildings for schools. The government had promised to provide funds. But not more than 30 per cent have got any money. All this means an effective cut of 50 per cent in the plan committed in the Budget. Finance department sources pointed out that by the end of March next, most commitments of the government would remain just on paper. Reason, the tax collection has been tardy and expenditure is rather high. For the total plan of Rs 2,680 crore, the state was to contribute Rs 1,611 crore and Central assistance was Rs 565 crore. But the budgetary gap of Rs 1,162 crore envisaged in the Budget is far from getting filled. Reduction of subsidies to the tune of Rs 450 crore and additional mobilisation is still a far cry and the state’s revenue receipts estimated at Rs 8,450 crore are no where near the target. What do the villages in Punjab require. Here is what the government departments have to say. Out of 12,639 villages, only 2,467 villages have paved lanes. The state needs Rs 673 crore at the current prices to meet this urgent need. To light up the streets, the state needs another Rs 250 crore more. For the maintenance of dharamsalas, panchayat ghars, schools and other assets, the panchayats need Rs 22 crore a year. The development of parks would need Rs 10 crore annually. Construction of village circular roads required Rs 642 crore. Panchayat ghars and community centres another Rs 135 crore. If all other works like primary schools, veterinary dispensaries, civil dispensaries and other amenities are to be added as promised, Rs 5,015 crore would be needed for the next five years. But the total income of these institutions is just Rs 532 crore. It leaves a vast gap of Rs 4,483 crore. The balance must come from the state or the Centre. No one has that kind of money and hence no development. The status of urban civic bodies is also bad. The total income of 17 bodies was Rs 480 crore last year. It has increased to Rs 750 crore, thanks to the hike in octroi rates and better collection. This is just enough to meet the basic expenditure. To complete water supply, sewerage and other systems, build roads and solid waste management, these bodies require Rs 5,860 crore if completed by the year 2005. The total resources are just Rs 1,500 crore. Who would finance the much-needed clean city plan is anyone’s guess. Punjab after findings itself without any money is knocking at the doors of the Centre through the 11th Finance Commission. Under different laws, the state government is bound to share tax collection with the municipal councils and panchayats. The government has to share 20 per cent of the five major taxes. Excise duty too has to be shared. But the government by and large is using this money to pay salaries and pension. In fact, the recommendations of the State Finance Commission constituted under the Constitution’s 73rd and 74th amendments have remained on paper. "We do not have that kind of sources", a Finance department official admitted. The sad plight of the cities and towns has been admitted by the government in its report to the Finance Commission. It said: "Water supply, sewerage and surface drainage, solid waste management, roads and streets, and street-lighting are universally acknowledged as core civic services. There are serious deficiencies in the availability of these services in towns and cities of the state, both with regard to the coverage of the population and the level and quality of services. Only 55 per cent of the urban population has access to municipal drinking water. Nearly 38 per cent of the urban population is covered by sewerage facility and even where the sewer system exists, there is no proper arrangement for sewage disposal and treatment". "There is not even
one sewage treatment plant in the whole state. There are
many pockets where even surface drainage does not exist.
Solid waste removal and disposal leaves much to be
desired. Nearly 80 per cent of the urban population is
covered by this service and 25 per cent garbage daily
remains unlifted. The condition of roads and streets is
highly unsatisfactory with nearly 40 per cent of the
roads and streets needing extensive repairs. There are
many municipal areas without pucca roads and streets and
proper street-lighting. About one fifth of the urban
population lives in slums and lacks access to basic civic
amenities. Rapid urbanisation is putting tremendous
pressure on civic infrastructure and gigantic efforts are
needed to provide the basic infrastructure for the urban
population," the government said. |
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Privatisation will raise tariffs: assn PATIALA, Nov 26 — The Punjab State Electricity Board Engineers Association today appealed to the Haryana Chief Minister to look at the long-term implication of enslaving the entire power sector of the state to the World Bank and allowing private parties to make profits at the cost of the common consumer. In a statement here, association president Padamjit Singh and general secretary H S Bedi said the statement of Mr S L Rao, chairman, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission that Haryana was doing very well after 'unbundling' of its state electricity board was not based on facts and was an extremely short sighted assessment. They said the injection of dollars by the World Bank into the Haryana power sector, would give a temporary fillip but in the long-term Haryana would be crippled under the debt burden, including payment of interest charges in dollars and repayments. They said the long-term result of these actions would be to increase the cost of power in Haryana to a level at least two times the tariff prevailing at PSEB. Mr Padamjit Singh and Mr Bedi said in case of a state electricity board if some surplus was achieved in a particular year it had to be ploughed back into the power sector and would yield long term benefits whereas in the World Bank scheme profits would be taken first by donor countries and second by private parties who took over the distribution while the common consumer would end up playing double the tariff without getting any benefit of plough-back into new projects. They said the Haryana State Electricity Board had not shown good results because it was under the control of bureaucracy for more than 80 per cent of its tenure. It is the same bureaucracy which has taken the lead as agents of the World Bank, they added. They said it was an open
secret that the Electricity Amendment Bill was 'dictated'
by the World Bank and passed by the Haryana legislature
without serious debate. |
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Dhan-Pothohar conference LUDHIANA, Nov 26 — The former Prime Minister, Mr Inder Kumar Gujral will be the chief guest at a cultural conference of the Dhan-Pothohar Brotherhood, Punjab to be held here on November 28. Mr Kartar Singh Duggal, MP, and author, will preside over the function. Mr Gujral and Mr Duggal will also be honoured by the brotherhood. Mr N.S. Nanda, president of the brotherhood, said here today that research papers on the cultural importance of Dhan-Pothohar and contribution and sacrifices of Pothoharis to the South Asian civilisation would be presented by eminent scholars at the conference. It would also assess the heritage of the region of district Rawalpindi, Texla, Jhelum and Attock, all now in Pakistan. Others who expected to
participate include Mr Barjinder Singh Hamdard, Dr Harnam
Singh Shan, Jagjit Singh Anand and Bhisham Sahni. |
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Retired cop booked in bribery
case KAPURTHALA, Nov 26 — The district police has registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act against a retired police inspector, Kirpal Singh, on the charge of taking bribe of Rs 12 lakh in the name of SSP, Kapurthala, and other high police officials from a resident of Phagwara in order to save his son involved in a murder case. The SSP, Mr Iqbal Singh, told mediapersons here that Surjit Singh, a resident of Phagwara, had complained that Kirpal Singh had taken Rs 12 lakh from him for saving his son, Balwinder Singh, involved in the killing of his wife, on the pretext that he could help in getting the case closed as he had got links with SSP. Surjit Singh that he demanded the return of the money when Kirpal Singh failed to do what he had promised resulting in the surrender of his son before the police. On his refusal to return the money Surjit Singh complained to the SSP who entrusted the inquiry to Mr Munish Chawla, SP (Headquarters). In the inquiry the allegations were found true and the registration of a case against Kirpal Singh was recommended. Kirpal Singh has
absconded. |
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Expedite enrolment drive :
Amarinder CHANDIGARH, Nov 26 — The President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, Capt Amarinder Singh, has directed the district and block units of the party to expedite the enrolment drive of new members for which the Central Election Authority of the party has fixed December 31 as the last date. Mrs Lakhwinder Kaur Garcha, general secretary of the party, said the membership books, fee and lists of members were to be deposited with the block Congress committees by January 10 and the final publication of the lists of members would be done by the DCC on March 23. Meanwhile, Capt
Amarinder Singh has nominated two more members — Mr
Amarjit Singh Brar and Mr Vijay Kalra in a committee
constituted to enlist cases of police excesses on
Congress activists in Faridkot and Ferozepore districts. |
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Punjabi varsity teachers protest PATIALA, Nov 26 — Teachers of Punjabi University wore black badges today to mark their protest against the delay in release of their salary from January 1, 1996, on account of pay revision. The call to wear black badges was issued by the Punjab Federation of University Teachers Association and was endorsed by the PUTA executive. Dr Hari Singh Boparai, Secertary, PUTA, said all sections of central and state government employees had already received the arrears on account of pay revision with effect from 1996, teachers of universities and colleges was the only section which had so far been deprived of the arrears. He further pointed out the 80 per cent of the arrears were to be financed by the UGC and the liability of the state only amounted to 20 per cent. Dr Boparai said the PUTA
executive in its emergent meeting yesterday through a
unanimous resolution appealed to the State Chief Minister
and the Vice-Chancellor of the university to immediately
release the arrears. |
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Lecture on plant pathogens LUDHIANA, Nov 26 — Dr G. Alabouvette, Director, Flore Pathogen Inra, CMSE, Dijon, France, delivered a lecture to the faculty and students of Punjab Agricultural University on management of soil-borne plant pathogens. He also explained the principles and procedures of controlling these pathogens through solar energy and biological control. He apprised the faculty of the higher education facilities in France particularly in the field of agriculture and allied areas. Dr Alabouvette stressed
that due to the continuous pollution of environment
through insecticides there was an urgent need to shift to
biological and solarisation techniques. |
||
Defence pension adalat opens AMRITSAR, Nov 26 — The first ever two-day defence pension adalat concluded here today at the Panther Army auditorium. Inaugurating the Pension Adalat, the Controller General of Defence Accounts, Mr N. Gopalan, said it was felt that the adalat should be held in Punjab to redress the grievances of defence pensioners and their surviving kin in Punjab and its neighbouring states. The Controller General said the adalat took up 308 cases. Out of which 140 were settled on the spot. The remaining would also be sorted out soon. The GOC of the Panther
Division, Major General Avtar Singh, the Additional
Controller General, Mr A.K. Lal, and the Principal CDA
(Pension), Mr S.S. Savadi, also addressed the pensioners. |
||
Licences of 31 ration depots
suspended AMRITSAR, Nov 26 — The Food and Supplies Department has suspended the licences of 31 ration depots, one depot was cancelled and 51 depots served show-cause notices during a special drive for checking kerosene and other commodities distributed through fair price shops to streamline the public distribution system. Giving this information, Dr Bhupinder Pal Singh, District Food and Supplies Controller, said here today that 25 kerosene retail depots were checked and 4 licences suspended. He added that the checking of adulteration of petrol and diesel with the help of the district coordinator of oil companies and officials of the weight and measures department was also being launched in the district. Gas agencies have been
instructed not to issue hot plates forcibly at the time
of issuing of new LPG connections. |
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Dharna by medical practitioners SAMRALA, Nov 26 — Hundreds of medical practitioners and panches and sarpanches of the area sat in dharna in front of the SDM court here today. They also hold a rally. In a memorandum to SDM, Mr Arun Sekhri, they demanded withdrawal of cases against them and an end to harassment of the medical practitioners by the police. They also sought starting of volunteer training immediately. They also demanded
compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the family of Dr Gurmeet
Singh Kaunke, who committed suicide following harassment
by authorities, and those responsible for his death be
arrested. |
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Teacher duped of Rs 78,000 HOSHIARPUR, Nov 26 — On the instructions of Mrs Archana Puri, Chief Judicial Magistrate, the police registered a case under Sections 420/34, IPC, yesterday against Sureshta Devi and her husband, Nand Kishore, for fraudulently taking Rs 78,000 from Mrs Manjit Kaur, a school teacher at Bagpur Sataur, on the pretext of depositing it in Hoffland Securities Ltd and Hoffland Finance Ltd. Mrs Manjit Kaur had
earlier approached the local police which, she alleged,
did not register the case. Nand Kishore was her colleague
in the school. |
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More relief sent to Orissa BATHINDA, Nov 26 — The district administration has sent 15 trucks loaded with relief material, including eatables and clothes, for Orissa after it was hit by the super cyclone. In a press note issued
here today, Mr S.R. Ladhar, Deputy Commissioner, said the
trucks were flagged off from here for Ludhiana by the
ADC, Mr Ajaib Singh Bhatti. He added that from Ludhiana
the relief material would be sent to Orissa by train. |
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