Saturday, October 23, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Saturday, October 23, 1999 |
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Show-cause
notice to revenue officials |
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Strike
hits Nangal units Cong worker booked for murder bid Facelift for Wagah check-post
Tension over damage to outlet Fiscal emergency ‘harsh
step’
CM's assurance to Christians Pant to inaugurate employment
project Govt employees hold rally Prof Mohan Singh Fair concludes
Doctors observe two-hr strike TB hospital closed since July |
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Duty evasion by DC PATIALA, Oct 22 — The district administration has issued show-cause notices to three revenue officials besides deciding to review the case involving exchange of rural land for urban by Faridkot Deputy Commissioner Gurinder Singh Grewal without paying any stamp duty and registration fee. According to documents available with The Tribune, Mr Grewal allegedly exchanged 1.7 bighas of land belonging to him in Passiana village of Patiala tehsil with one bigha of prime urban land behind New Moti Bagh Palace in the city through a transfer deed on August 6, 1997. The transfer deed was witnessed by Excise and Taxation Officer D.S. Sidhu and the mutation of the property done in a short period of five days on August 11. Following this, there was a complaint on the issue and the matter was investigated by the district authorities. According to a letter written by the Additional Deputy Commissioner to the tehsildar whose report was called for on the issue, the registry value of land in Passiana village was revealed at Rs 42,000 per bigha and that behind New Moti Bagh Palace in the city at Rs 8 lakh a bigha. Subsequently, the Additional Deputy Commissioner ordered that both parties who had effected the exchange should pay 10 times the stamp duty as penalty. The stamp duty which Mr Grewal would have had to pay in normal times was around Rs 2 lakh if the market value of the city plot was taken into consideration. As it was established that rule 17 of the Registration Act of 1908 had been violated, the district administration proceeded against Tehsildar Subhash Chander, Kanungo Nirmal Chand and Patwari Rajwant Singh by issuing them show-cause notices last month. The notices have asked them to reply why they got the mutation of the land endorsed and sanctioned by violation government rules. Deputy Commissioner Jasbir Singh Bir when contacted on the issue confirmed that show-cause notices had been issued to the three revenue officers. He said he had sent the case for review to Naib Tehsildar Moti Lal and only after the case was reviewed by inviting both parties to present their case would action, if needed, be taken against the revenue officers, Mr Bir, however, said he did not know the case pertained to the Faridkot Deputy Commissioner as the transfer deed and mutation had been carried out in the name of Gurwinder Singh. Naib Tehsildar Moti Lal when contacted, however, confirmed that the transfer deed had been executed by the Faridkot, Deputy Commissioner and three brothers who owned the plot behind New Moti Bagh Palace. He said an inquiry into the issue was going on and representatives of Mr Grewal had presented their case to him. He, however, said though Mr Grewal's representatives claimed the land was outside the municipal committee limits according to an old map but he had found during a study of the map that this was not so. The question whether Mr Grewal has wilfully posed as someone else has also arisen as his name is not spelt rightly in the transfer deed. While his original name in service records is Gurinder Singh Grewal, the transfer deed and subsequent mutation is done in the name of Gurwinder Singh. The property at Passiana which has been transferred with the urban property is also owned by Gurwinder Singh. Besides this, Mr Grewal has given his address at Passiana whereas he has a house in Model Town in the city. The Naib Tehsildar was
not clear on the issue of impersonation. He said it had
been revealed only now that the transfer deed had been
struck in the name of Gurwinder Singh. He said the issue
was being looked into. |
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Octroi divides alliance CHANDIGARH, Oct 22 — Ruling Akali-BJP alliance leaders are sharply divided on the issue of continuation of octroi in the present form where contractors collect tax on behalf of the municipal councils. This system of auctioning octroi collections was introduced last year. The purpose was to check large-scale evasion. According to figures collected by the local bodies department which monitors the working of the Municipal Council and Municipal Corporations, the collection has gone up with the introduction of this method. Some Akali ministers and at least one BJP minister to whom TNS spoke to asserted that the collections might have gone up, but the traders and the general public were facing a lot of harassment. "We have paid the political cost during the elections and this is one major local issue which has harmed us politically. In order to collect as much as possible the contractors indulge in frisking and searching of people, including ladies coming to towns and cities. At times, octroi is levied on even unfinished goods and instruments being brought for the purpose of finishing," it was stated. This apparently is causing a lot of harassment. Another view against the present system was that the contractors at times employed musclemen to collect octroi. There had been cases of beating and clashes. Akali leaders had discussed the issue at their assessment meetings and many had voiced serious concern. This might come up at the BJP meeting here on October 29 . Those who oppose the discontinuation of the present system assert that the octroi collection, is the major source for the civic bodies to maintain themselves, and undertake any development work. House tax has already been abolished. A look at the figures supports this contention. During 1997-98, octroi collection in all the municipal councils and corporations area was Rs 380 crore. This was the time when the Akali BJP government came into power with a promise to abolish octroi. It soon realised that there was no way to compensate this huge sum and hence the people should be requested to forget this as another election day promise. The following year, the civic bodies collected Rs 540 crore due to some increase in the rates and restructuring of the system. But when these were auctioned, the revenue rose sharply. "We will surely end up collecting more than Rs 750 crore this year. Already Rs 355 crore has been collected till September, 1999. In the next six months we will have it more", said Mr Balramji Das Tandon, Minister for Local Bodies, who defends this new system. " Once there is money, there is scope for development", he asserted without joining the issues whether it should be retained or the old system reintroduced. There is another issue related to the wellbeing of the councils and corporations that look after 43 per cent of Punjab's population. The state is so cash-strapped that it has eaten away the money meant for the civic bodies. The Punjab Government has collected Rs 70 crore as special excise levy on liquor and the law provides that this money should go to the civic bodies. But the government has used it for paying the salaries and pensions. Again, the government collects taxes and for five major taxes, 20 per cent collection must be given to the councils. This comes to Rs 168 crore for the current year. Last year a public interest litigation in the Punjab and Haryana High Court forced the government to part with Rs 30 crore. It would have pocketed that amount also. This year, the Local Bodies Department is waiting for a good samaritan. Then there is Rs 50 crore which the Centre has given as grant to the civic bodies for improvement of urban infrastructure. This money too has been utilised. And, finally, the Punjab Government has provided in the Budget Rs 40 crore to be given as grant. This too has not been given. In case of Central grant, since no utilisation certificate has been provided, the Union Government may withhold next year's tranche of Rs 60 crore. This much for the state government's apathy so how could it afford to do away with the present system. At whatever the political cost! But those who oppose also say that revenue collection is and should be done by the government. Is it possible to allow auctioning of revenue collection in other department? Then what is the government meant for? " It can hand over
law and order to a private agency. Already many agencies
have been engaged to protect even public sector
corporations", one minister said. Difficult
questions indeed. |
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Complainants come, minister missing CHANDIGARH, Oct 22 — It was the first day. Yet it turned out to be a day of disappointment for the people and Shiromani Akali Dal workers in particular, who turned up at the party office here in Sector 3 today. As per the announcement by the SAD Secretary, Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar, a minister, Dr Rattan Singh, was to be available at the party office between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to hear grievances and sort out problems of the people and the party workers related to politico-administrative system. But he did not turn up, much to the chagrin of the complainants and workers. When a TNS team visited the office at noon, an office hand said due to a "bhog" ceremony in Amritsar the minister could not be present. No one else was deputed in his place. Asked if people and workers came for redressal of their grievances, the office hand replied in affirmative. He even handed over a slip of paper with the telephone number and the name of the party secretary who, he said, was normally available. It was learnt that the next such availability of a minister (Mr Raghbir Singh) will be on October 25. TNS had received an official press handout signed by Mr Badungar that the party president, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, had decided that a minister, by turn, will sit in the party office (MLA Flat No. 7) on every working day for effective response to the people and the party workers’ needs and problems. Even the timetable for the remaining days of October was given out. There was, however, no
information available as to who the minister assigned the
task for the day was missing. |
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Strike hits Nangal units NANGAL, Oct 22 — The strike by truckers had hit the industry here. Two of the major public sector units, the NFL and the Punjab Alkalis and Chemicals Ltd (PACL) have been the worst hit due to the strike. On the call given by the All-India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), about 2,300 truckers of the local unions have stopped their operations. The PACL unit had to stop production due to the non-availability of salt, a basic raw material, which is procured on a daily basis from Gujarat. The PACL which is already running into loss, will have to bear an additional loss of Rs 50-60 lakh per day due to the strike, the General Manager of the unit said. If the strike continues for long it may damage the newly installed membrane based plant which set up at a cost of about Rs 1,10 crore. The NFL, another big public sector unit, may also have to stop production if the strike continues for a few more days. The spokesperson for NFL, Mr Sanjeev Randev, said the NLF unit had already exhausted its storing capacity and it might stop production if its newly-produced fertiliser was not transported. The strike has also affected the small-scale industry in the focal point Nangal area and the Mehatpur industrial area. PHAGWARA: The Punjab Private Truck Operators Union joined the nationwide indefinite strike called by the All-India Motor Transport Congress. The strike entered its second day on Friday. Mr Satbir Singh Sabbi,
state vice-president of the union, said the strike was
complete in Punjab. He demanded the immediate rollback of
diesel prices and revision of toll charges. |
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Accept truckers’ demand:
CPM LUDHIANA, Oct 22 — The CPM has expressed concern over the truck operators’ strike and has condemned the "adamant" attitude of the Central Government for not accepting the demands of the truck operators "who are the worst affected by the steep rise in the price of diesel". Mr Jagjit Singh Lyallpuri, General Secretary of the party and Mr Kuldip Singh Secretary of the state unit of the party, demanded that the government should accept the demands of truck operators without any delay. They also denounced the opening up of the insurance sector to multinationals. Describing the decision as anti-people, they said the government had succumbed to the US pressure. MOGA (UNI): The CPI on Friday alleged that the hike in diesel price was the result of the pressure of the G-7 countries, which would hit every section of society. It said Punjab would be the worst affected where mechanised agriculture was on a par with foreign countries and the peasantry was under heavy debt. Secretary and Assistant
Secretary of the state unit of party Joginder Dayal and
Jagrup Singh, respectively, and CPI leader in the Punjab
Vidhan Sabha, Hardev Arshi at a press conference here on
Thursday criticised the new economic policy. |
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Diesel price hike ‘done
under pressure’ CHANDIGARH, Oct 22 — The Punjab unit of the Communist Party of India today alleged that the recent hike in diesel prices was the result of pressure by G-7 countries. Mechanised farming in Punjab will be adversely affected, whereas, the peasantry was already under heavy debt, the party said. The CPI state council
secretary and assistant secretary, Mr Joginder Dayal and
Mr Jagrup Singh, respectively, and the party’s
leader in the Vidhan Sabha, Mr Hardev Arshi, have also
criticised the Centre’s new economic policy, which,
they said, benefited the multinational companies. |
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Cong worker booked for murder
bid KOTKAPURA, Oct 22 — The local police has booked Mr Dilbagh Singh, Organising Secretary, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), and three others for allegedly making a murder attempt on Mr Swaran Singh of Panj Garian in his house on October 19. According to an FIR, Mr Dilbagh Singh and three others entered the house of Mr Swaran Singh and abused him. Mr Dilbagh Singh then took out his pistol and tired to fire at him. (Swaran Singh). Mr Swaran Singh allegedly that the accused tried to kill him as they wanted to teach him a lesson for not casting vote in favour of the Congress candidate. Mr Dilbagh Singh, however, said at a press conference in Bathinda today, that he had been implicated in the case. Mr A.S. Rai, SSP, when contacted, said no Congressmen were being harassed on political consideration, adding that the case against Mr Dilbagh Singh and the others had been registered following a complaint by Mr Swaran Singh. He said Mr Balbir Singh Khera, SP(D), had been asked to conduct a probe into the authenticity of the facts of the FIR. He said no person named
in the FIR would be arrested until the inquiry was
complete. |
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Facelift for Wagah check-post AMRITSAR, Oct 22 (PTI) — The joint check-post on the Indo-Pak border at Wagah near here, the only transit point between the two countries is being given a facelift. As part of the Rs 1-crore spruce-up drive, the gallery for visitors, who come to watch the retreat ceremony, a major tourist attraction every evening, is being expanded and a gate commemorating the Golden Jubilee of Independence (Swaran Jayanti gate) would be erected, according to the DIG, the Border Security Force, Mr H.S. Gill. A museum, depicting achievements of the BSF, was also proposed to be set up, he said. Home Minister L.K. Advani had laid the foundation stone for these buildings in March this year. Mr Gill said 2,500 persons would be able to watch the retreat ceremony once the expansion of the gallery was complete. Special seating arrangements would be made and provision for toilets and canteen facilities would also be made. More than 500 persons watch the retreat ceremony by both the BSF and Pakistani border guards on working days and the number goes up to 3,000 on weekends. The DIG said Pakistan had been informed about the facelift and they too had shown willingness in doing on their side of the border. The project had been
divided into two phases. The construction work for the
first phase, which would include the quarter guard, would
commence shortly, Mr Gill added. |
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Wedded to aiding the needy FAZILKA: Students for Society, a nascent organisation of enthusiastic students of the local M.R. Government College, has established its identity in this area. The organisation, which has about 60 members with Gaurav Doda and Rohit Sharma as president and general secretary respectively, organised a charity show last week in aid of poor and needy students. An impressive inter-school competition and cultural programme on a variety of themes was conducted in which over five dozen children from eight schools participated. The programme was held at a local cinema theatre which provided its auditorium for the charity show. Mr Surjit Kumar Jyani, Minister for State for Rural Development and Panchayat was the chief guest. Amidst a gathering of the town’s glitterati the minister announced a grant of Rs 21,000 from his discretionary fund for helping poor students. A sum of Rs 30,000 was collected through sale of tickets for the charity show. Divulging the welfare activities of the society, Mr Vijay Challana, a spokesman of the society, said the organisation has contributed Rs 11,000 towards the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund during the Kargil action and submitted a list of those willing to donate blood for soldiers. It comprises the names of 100, both young and old. In addition, the youths
have pledged to fight social evils and the growing
tendency of addiction. They have launched an awareness
drive for creating better society with the participation
of youth. |
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Tension over damage to outlet BATHINDA, Oct 22 — Tension gripped Ghudha village of this district last night following damage to the outlet of Kotguru irrigation minor allegedly by officials of the Irrigation Department in connivance with certain villagers. Residents of the village have been on a dharna since last night in protest against the failure of the authorities concerned in initiating legal action against the culprits. Official sources said policemen in adequate numbers had been deployed at the outlet to prevent a clash between residents of Ghudha and Kotguru villages. In a complaint to the Deputy Commissioner by the panchayat of Kotguru village, it has been alleged that irrigation officials in connivance with certain residents of Ghudha have deliberately damaged the outlet. They have demanded action against those involved in this "illegal" activity of changing the size of the outlet to benefit residents of Ghudha. Mr Jaspreet Singh, DSP (Rural), who visited the site, when contacted, said irrigation officials were blaming residents of Ghudha village for damaging the outlet, while those of Ghudha were blaming the irrigation officials. He had submitted his report to the SDM, he said. Mr G.S. Sidhu, Executive Engineer, Irrigation Department, said no irrigation official had any role in the tampering of the size and design of the outlet. He said the outlet had been damaged by residents of Ghudha village and an FIR would be registered against the culprits. He said the outlet would
be repaired soon as per the specifications. |
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Fiscal emergency ‘harsh
step’ FATEHGARH SAHIB, Oct 22 — Mr Bir Devinder Singh, general secretary of the PPCC and senior Congress leader, has said Congressmen from Punjab should not demand fiscal emergency in the state as it was a very harsh measure. If it was resorted to the government could impose cuts on one’s salary, DA and other facilities for a considerable period. Moreover, personal accounts could also be frozen which people would not like, he added. Addressing a press conference at his native village, Kotla Bhai Ka, 5 km from here, today, he said he would also request Capt Amarinder Singh, president of the PPCC, to reconsider the demand. He said his party wanted that pilferage of government taxes and revenue should be stopped. He said it had been proved that by doing so Rs 50 lakh profit was made by Punjab Roadways and Pepsu Roadways in a single day. He demanded that the Transport Minister should be sacked and the erring officials with whose consent the buses without permit were operating should be punished. He said for the bankruptcy of the state both the Akalis and the bureaucrats were responsible. The fiscal crisis had happened due to mismanagement. Fiscal emergency, he said, was no answer. He said responsible behaviour should be cultivated and accountability should be fixed. He demanded a White Paper on plying of illegal buses should be issued. He said if taxes were collected properly there would be no need to impose sales tax on diesel and petrol. Meanwhile, Dr Dalip
Singh Pandhi, former minister, has appreciated the steps
taken by the Chief Minister to control the plying of
illegal buses. He urged that the illegal buses of other
states plying in the state should also be stopped and
similarly the private cars being run as taxis should also
be checked. |
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‘Ban Bible study’ in schools JALANDHAR, Oct 22 (PTI) — Continuing its tirade against alleged nationwide conspiracy of converting millions of poor people to Christianity, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad today demanded a complete ban on forcing non-Christian students in several public schools to read the Bible and urged Pope John Paul II to extend an apology for what it called "injustices committed by Christian missionaries in India in the past". Non Christian students in hundreds of Christian missionary-run schools are forced to read from the Gospel which preaches that Christ is the only saviour and the Christian world was a kingdom of God meant to fight other religions lumped together as kingdom of devil. This practice of forcing non-Christian students to read the Bible must be stopped forthwith, VHP's rashtriya mantri (member of the central committee) Mohan Joshi told reporters here. He said the Pope should visit Inida "only as a Head of the Vatican State" and ideally should not participate in the conference of Bishops as scheduled but "if indeed he participates in such a meeting, he should use the opportunity to allay our fears about conversion plans allegedly prepared by missionaries". Mr Joshi said the VHP leadership would also lodge a strong protest backed by documentary evidence of violence committed by missionaries to the representative of the Vatican in New Delhi through diplomatic channels. Mr Joshi was also accompanied by some other senior VHP leaders, including Mr Chiranjeev Lal Sharma, sangathan mantri of the organisation. "We also hope that the Holy Father will assure that revival of such acts committed in the past against tribal and backward sections of society would not be allowed by the Catholic religious head", Mr Joshi said. He also called upon top business houses, industrialists and private entrepreneurs to help set up public schools in India which would propagate the true Indian ethos and the principles on which a great country like India should be run. Clarifying that the VHP
had no plans to carry out any protest marches during next
month's Papal visit, Mr Joshi, however, said the VHP had
launched a countrywide jan jagran (awareness) drive,
backed by about 10,000 committed VHP activists and would
hold over 500 press conferences in the next few days all
over India to counter the anti-Hindu propaganda. |
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Master plan of medical institute
okayed CHANDIGARH, Oct 22 —The Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences, Jalandhar, today approved the ‘master plan’ of the project complex. The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, who presided and reviewed the progress of works schedule asked the Chief Secretary to review the progress of work on the project on a month-to-month basis. Mr Badal asked various government departments to extend full support for the execution of the project. Both the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) and the PWD (B&R) were directed to create supportive infrastructure for providing convenient and easy approach to the public for getting treatment from the institute. The Director-Principal of the institute, Dr Baljit Singh, told the meeting that the institute would be constructed in two phases. The full plan envisaged 150 seats in the medical college with a 1,000-bed hospital and scope for expansion. The first phase will include a 400-bed hospital with 50 seats in medical college. The second phase will include lecture and examination halls, library and various departments and operation theatres, labs, etc. The total cost on the
first phase of the project is estimated at Rs 80 crore.
The union government has sanctioned Rs 25 crore as
Central assistance for the institute. |
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Pant to inaugurate employment
project BATHINDA, Oct 22 — Mr K.C. Pant, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, will inaugurate a Rs 4-crore employment project at Kaljharani village in the district on November 1. Stating this here today, Mr S.R. Ladhar, Deputy Commissioner, said unemployed youth had been given bank loans to start their own vocation under this project which was the first of its kind in the country. He said all facilities, including roads, veterinary and civil hospital, handloom centre, streetlights gas plant, shopping complex, bank, purchase and milking centres had been provided to beneficiaries. He pointed out that the Punjab Government in association with various commercial banks and rural development agencies had created the infrastructure at the village for various vocations. He, however, said certain beneficiaries were trying to create problems in the running of the project for their vested interests, adding that the beneficiaries had utilised the money advanced to them by the banks for specific projects on other unproductive jobs. Meanwhile, Mr Jagjit Singh Joga, District Secretary, CPI, in a press note issued here alleged that the beneficiaries were denied those facilities by the authorities concerned which were promised to them at the time of the implementation of the project. Mr Ladhar clarified that certain beneficiaries who had committed fraud with the loan amount were turning to politicians to escape legal action for which they had become liable. He said more than seven
dairy farming beneficiaries were contributing over 60
litres of milk daily to the local milk plant authorities
while three were only managing to pool less than 20
litres. He said some beneficiaries had not purchased the
adequate number of cows with the loan advanced to them
and now they were trying to befool the authorities on
some pretext or the other. |
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Govt employees hold rally AMRITSAR, Oct 22 — In response to a call given by the Mulazam Coordination Committee, Ajnala, thousands of state government employees from various departments assembled in front of the office of the SDM, Ajnala. A massive rally was held and employees marched through the bazars of Ajnala. The employees raised anti-government slogans. Mr Sukhjinder Singh Guzzarpura, president of the committee, Mr Sucha Singh, Mr Shamsher Singh Kohri, Mr Amarjeet Singh Sarkaria, Mr Joginder Singh Gill, Mr Baldev Singh Heir, Mr Sukha Singh Issapur, Mr Harbhajan Singh Randhawa and Mr Amrik Singh Lakhuwal addressed the rally. The speakers demanded
release of the report of the anomaly committee, cash
payment of DA from January 1, 1999, filling of vacant
posts in all government departments, time-bound
promotional scales after four, nine and 14 years of
service. They also demanded stoppage of privatisation of
government departments and political interference in the
day-to-day functioning of departments. |
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BDS test on Nov 13 AMRITSAR, Oct 22 — Guru Nanak Dev University on behalf of the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, will conduct a test for migration to BDS (2nd professional) against vacant seats at Government Dental College, Patiala, Government Dental College, Amritsar, and SGRD Institute of Dental Sciences and Research, Amritsar, on November 13. This was stated here today by Dr R.S. Bawa, co-ordinator of the test and Registrar of the university. He said more information and application forms would be available from October 25 against cash payment of Rs 500 or by registered post by paying a demand draft for Rs 525 in favour of the Registrar up to November 8. He said the application forms should reach the Principal Government Dental College, Amritsar, by November 9. The migration test would
be opened to candidates who were admitted to first
professional BDS to any recognised dental college in the
session 1998-1999 and had passed their first professional
in 1999. He said upto 20 per cent seats would be offered
to candidates on highly exceptional compassionate
grounds. |
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Prof Mohan Singh Fair
concludes LUDHIANA, Oct 22 — The 21st Prof Mohan Singh Memorial International Cultural and Library fair organised by Prof Mohan Singh Foundation concluded last night with a Sufi kalam rendered by Barkat Sidhu, well-known Punjabi folk singer, who was awarded Shah Hussain Award this year. A Nawanshahr-based cultural troupe led by Sat Pal presented a cultural show. Among others who performed were Surinder Chhinda, Kuldip Manik, Surjit Bindrakhia, Harbhajan Maan, Sardul Sikander and Debi Bakshushpuri. Bindrakhiya pledged to always participate in the fair because he had shot into prominence only through this fair. Mr Buta Singh, Additional Commissioner of Income Tax, who presided over the evening session, said the fair served as a pivot for all forms of art. Among those who spoke on the occasion were Mr Lakiat Singh Dakha, former minister, Mr Harnek Singh Ghuruan, and Mr Inderjit Singh Grewal, Joint Transport Commissioner, Punjab. A press note issued by the foundation claimed that as many as 70 literary cultural clubs, 35 literary associations, the North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, and the Languages Department of Punjab took part in the fair. The fair was inaugurated
by Mr Jagdev Singh Jassowal. |
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Doctors observe two-hr strike KHANNA, Oct 22 — All private and government doctors of Khanna observed two hours’ strike on a call given by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Khanna, to protest against the alleged implication of some doctors in the medical scam. Dr A.K. Bhatia, president of the Khanna unit of the IMA, and Dr Manish Bhatia, general secretary, claimed all medical activities in the city were paralysed for two hours. They said all doctors
present in the dharna condemned the high-handness of the
police and the implication of Dr Dharampal, SMO Khanna,
Dr J.P. Singh, SMO, Samrala, and pharmacist Jagdev Singh.
The IMA demanded the immediate withdrawal of cases
against them. |
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Junior doctors hold rally AMRITSAR, Oct 22 — The Junior Doctors Association held a rally in front of the OPD complex of GND Hospital here today in protest against the fee hike which now amounts to Rs 60,000 during the complete course. According to Dr Rajnish
Sharma, vice-president of the association, the increase
in the hostel fee was also condemned. |
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CM's assurance to Christians CHANDIGARH, Oct 22 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today assured the Christian Front that necessary steps would be taken to ensure that there was no discrimination against Christians in the state vis-a-vis other communities. In a memorandum that the Front submitted to the Chief Minister, it was alleged that officers of the state government interfered in their functions. The memorandum also urged the government to extend the Front help in the celebrations of the 2000th birthday of Lord Christ. The other demands voiced
by the Front included nomination of Christians on all
boards and corporations in the state. |
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Valmiki birth anniversary CHANDIGARH, Oct 22 — The Punjab Government will hold a state-level function to commemorate the birthday of Maharishi Valmiki in Jalandhar on October 24. This was stated here today by the state Minister for Information and Public Relations, Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan. Elaborate arrangements have been made for the function. The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, will attend the function. A book on the ‘life
and philosophy’ of Maharishi Valmiki, a colour
calendar and a booklet published by the state Information
and Public Relations department will also be released. |
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TB hospital closed since
July GURDASPUR, Oct 22 — The TB hospital which was constructed more than 20 years ago at a cost of several lakhs of rupees for providing natural cure to TB patients has not been opened for the past three months. The patients have been shifted to the local Civil Hospital. The hospital was closed even earlier when a foundation stone was laid by Mr B.D. Pandey then Governor for a diagnostic centre. The plan was abandoned soon after and the hospital was again made operational. The hospital had been given 17.5 acres by the panchayats of Japuwal and Babbri. However, the land has reportedly been occupied by illegal means by a farmer. The farmer is not contributing any lease money against the use of the land but nothing has been done in this regard. The people of the area
have demanded that if the building and the said land are
not being used for the purpose for which they were meant,
may should be transferred back to the panchayats or to
local improvement trust or PUDA. |
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Hoshiarpur, Una to be rail-linked PHILLAUR, Oct 22 — The Northern Railway has decided to connect Hoshiarpur and Una (Himachal Pradesh) towns and Tarn Taran and Goindwal towns through a rail link. The survey for the 44-km Hoshiarpur-Una broadgauge line and the 22-km Tarn Taran-Goindwal rail section has been completed, sources informed yesterday. The sources said the
decision for the Hoshiarpur-Una link was made on the
request of the Himachal Pradesh Government, while the
link between Tarn Taran and Goindwal was decided due to
their historic status. |
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Mr M. P. Pandove CHANDIGARH, Oct 22 — Mr M.P. Pandove, Additional Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Punjab, today took over as Chief Auditor, Cooperative Societies. He has had varied experiences of working on administrative posts as well as on the management cadre of various institutions. Mr Pandove was the Chief
Executive in the bank and Managing Director of Housefed
and Puncofed, according to the General Manager, Puncofed,
Mr Rajinder Singh. |
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Police schools for all ranges FARIDKOT, Oct 22 — The Punjab Government has decided to set up police schools in all ranges to impart better education to children of police officials. Two such institutions will be opened at Patiala and Ferozepore in the near future and a grant of Rs 39 lakh has already been received for the project at Patiala, said Mr R.S. Gill, Inspector-General of Police (Patiala Range) while talking to mediapersons here yesterday. Four such schools were already functioning in Amritsar, Bathinda Jalandhar and Phillaur, he said. A Punjab Police School Education Board with the Director-General of Police as its head was already working to make the scheme a success. Mr Gill said all Police
Lines had been equipped with cooking gas agencies as part
of another welfare scheme. |
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Rally against drugs AMRITSAR, Oct 22 — A march against drug addiction and other social evils was held under the aegis of the All-India Sikh Students Federation (Pir Mohammad) here today. Activists of the AISSF
assembled at Akal Takht and performed ardas before the
start of the procession. |
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Pulse polio AMRITSAR, Oct 22 — Eight teams of the Song and Drama Division, Government of India, have been organising programmes in border districts to educate the public about the significance of the pulse polio campaign. Mr Surinder Parsad,
Deputy Director, Song and Drama Division, Chandigarh,
said the artistes had prepared a number of songs. |
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Most quacks in rural areas GURDASPUR, Oct 22 — The police has registered 402 cases against quacks in various police stations in the district. This has been done on the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. According to official sources 40 persons practising medicine without proper documents had been held. According to Dr S.S.
Sohal, Civil Surgeon, there were more than 1,000 quacks,
most of whom were practising in rural areas. Some of them
had opened clinics in Dera Baba Nanak and Fatehgarh
Churian which were subsequently closed on the
intervention of the health authorities. |
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