Tuesday, October 26, 1999
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Tuesday, October 26, 1999 |
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Truckers' stir hits
trade, industry LUDHIANA, Oct 25 — Truck operators' strike which began on October 21 for an indefinite period, has made Trade and Industry of Punjab pessimistic. This has hit transportation of essential items and industrial products in the country and created a state of instability on the economic scenario of the state of Punjab and country as a whole. |
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Take instructions
seriously, Corpn told AMRITSAR, Oct 25 — In a follow-up to the report on the Defence Enclave area of Amritsar that appeared in these columns on October 12, the IAF authorities,taking note of the fact that a building falling in the no-construction zone was left intact during the recent demolition of structures, responded to the Municipal Commissioner, reminding him that the Defence Ministry's instructions in the 900-metre zone were to be adhered to.
2
held for killing mother, daughter Tandon
blames Badal-Tohra rift for defeat Differences
with VC removed: PUTA Party
workers call on minister Gang
of cheats busted, 2 held Doctors
honoured at API conference Training
camp on farming held Drive
against tax evaders on anvil People
told to be wary of fake institutes SAD
men ridicule Tohra’s demand |
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Truckers' stir hits trade,
industry LUDHIANA, Oct 25 — Truck operators' strike which began on October 21 for an indefinite period, has made Trade and Industry of Punjab pessimistic. This has hit transportation of essential items and industrial products in the country and created a state of instability on the economic scenario of the state of Punjab and country as a whole. In addition, registration fee and other allied fees of all types of vehicles have been increased to more than 100 per cent in several cases. It is again a harsh blow to the inhabitants of Punjab and the country as a whole. This was stated by Mr Inderjit Singh Pardhan, president of the Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings, today while condemning the hike in the diesel prices and the increase made in the registration fees. He urged that this vindictive approach of the present Punjab government towards trade, industry and the people of Punjab had further added fuel to the flames to aggrieved Punjabis already displayed in the recent Lok Sabha elections. Amritsar: Goods operators' strike today entered the fifth day with both government and the Indian Truckers Congress hardening stand over diesel prices. A spokesman of the Truckers Union said here that the steep hike in the diesel prices needed to be reviewed immediately while the Union government was forcing them to accept the hike now and offered to refer the matter to a committee, which was not acceptable to the operators. Meanwhile, goods
carriers were running skeleton services for carrying
fruits, vegetables and other perishables to avoid and
hardship to people and to keep the price line in check. |
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Take instructions seriously,
Corpn told AMRITSAR, Oct 25 — In a follow-up to the report on the Defence Enclave area of Amritsar headlined "Plot-holders near IAF area duped" that appeared in these columns on October 12, the IAF authorities,taking serious note of the fact that a two-storey building falling in the no-construction zone was left intact during the recent demolition of structures, responded with a letter to the Municipal Commissioner, Mr S. S. Rajput, in which they reminded him that the Defence Ministry's instructions in the 900-metre zone were to be adhered to as the Amritsar unit came under Air Force installations with reference to Note No 2, which clearly bars construction within 900 metres of any Air Force installation. The particulars of the restrictions were that no structure or construction of any height or depth as well as no electrical disturbance should be allowed within this distance. To further remind or make the Amritsar Corporation aware of the seriousness and sensitivity of the matter, a document was also enclosed. The document pertains to the objections made on July 4, 1966 by the Defence Ministry written to the Chief Secretaries of 21 states. The states of Jammu & Kashmir, followed by Punjab and Rajasthan top the list. Wing Commander A.R.
Srivastava says: "The issue of the second letter
should not be constructed as a bias against a particular
person or place. It is important for us to make the
municipal authorities seriously aware about the defence
concerns. When we stated in our previous letter (August
31) that nothing should be there and no constructions
should be permitted, it meant the area be cleared of any
constructions -- past, present or future — and such
instructions should be adhered to in letter and spirit.
In case of any clarification the matter should be settled
by the respective state government in mutual consultation
with the Central Government," he added. |
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Punjab honours Kargil martyrs CHANDIGARH, Oct 25 — A grateful Punjab today honoured families of martyrs and heroes of Kargil and allied operations. A special citation was presented to the 8 Sikh for capturing Tiger Hill from the occupation of Pakistani intruders. The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal gave benefit letters to the relatives of martyrs and heroes at a function held at Kisan Bhavan here today. A total of 166 beneficiaries were present on the occasion. The break-up of presentations is as follows: appointment letters for class 1, 2 and 3 jobs 72; allotment letters for plots or flats from the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority, 13; cash grant of Rs 5 lakh each in lieu of plot or house, 57 and ex gratia grant of Rs 2 lakh each, 24. A special citation signed by Mr Badal was presented to the 8 Sikh for its role in Kargil operations between May 14 and July 7 last. The 8 Sikh suffered 35 casualties. Its 70 jawans and officers were wounded. Sub Joginder Singh laid down his life for capturing Tiger Hill. Besides families of heroes and martyrs of Kargil and other operations senior retired officers also attended. The speakers recalled the sacrifices and schemes for the defence personnel. Punjab's contribution to Kargil operations was referred to as: martyrs 105 and wounded 181. The highest contribution being of Amritsar (21 martyrs), followed by Hoshiarpur (20), Gurdaspur (13), Ropar (11) and so on. In fact martyrs belonged to all 17 districts. In the lobby of Kisan Bhavan was a display of schemes introduced or upgraded by the state for the benefit of defence personnel. Besides Mr Badal others
who spoke included the Minister of State of Defence
Services, Mr J.S. Sekhon, the Minister of Finance, Capt
Kanwaljit Singh. Present on the occasion were the senior
Akali leader, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi and the SGPC
President, Bibi Jagir Kaur, the Chief Secretary, Mr R.S.
Mann and several senior bureaucrats. |
Writer’s long wait for
royalty PATIALA: Prof Sikander Singh who shot into fame last year for his book on Shaheed Udham Singh did earn recognition but no reward. Prof Sikander Singh’s book — “The Great Patriot and Martyr: Shaheed Udham Singh” — is hailed as the first authenticated book on the life and exploits of the martyr, who waited for 21 years to murder General Michael O’ Dwyer responsible for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. The book, completed after 14 years of research, unfolded certain top secret files kept in London regarding Udham Singh’s trial. With such rare material the book was released by none other than Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in Amritsar last year. The book, apart from receiving rave reviews, also attracted attention of actor-turned parliamentarian Raj Babbar, who made it the base for a film on the martyr. The shooting of the film has almost been completed. After basking in glory for more than a year Prof Sikander Singh has now realised the huge financial loss he has suffered because of the book. Had it not been for a job in a government college, the author would have by now landed up on the road. Apart from the time taken, the book flew up over Rs 2 lakh of the writer, who took loans from friends and relatives, but has not got any returns either from the publisher or the film producer. Prof Sikander Singh does not even know how much money he deserves or whether he should be paid or not. Talking to this correspondent, he spoke of his hope of getting financial benefits, but so far he has only got promises. “I am very thankful to all those concerned for the popularity of my book,” says Sikander Singh remembering the cherished moment when Mr Vajpayee released his book. The excitement soon gave way to frustration over lack of financial profits. The film producer told him they had spent a huge amount on the film and he would have to wait. Similarly an Amritsar based publisher of his book had also not made any payment to the writer. Admitting his ignorance about royalty, he wanted to know the practice. “Do they pay in advance or does one have to wait for profits”. Meanwhile, on directions of his publisher he has also completed the Punjabi version of his book but is temporarily holding it back. I need money. I have to pay friends and relatives”, he laments. The writer said he had
travelled several times to Mumbai to help in making the
film. He also spent several days with the film unit when
it had come to the state to shoot sequences. While being
vocal about his frustration, the writer was apprehensive
about the result.” I fear the publisher or the film
producers might get annoyed,” he says but his
courage returns sooner than expected to claim his right
for getting financial returns. |
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2 held for killing mother,
daughter SANGRUR, Oct 25 — With the arrest of two persons, the police claims to have solved the double murder of a mother and daughter, according to Mr Arpit Shukla, district police chief. Mr Shukla said one of the arrested, Amrik Singh of Madian village under Amargarh police station in Malerkotla subdivision of this district, had reportedly conspired to kill Amarjit Kaur, his brother’s wife and her daughter Sukhwinder Kaur with a view to grab their property. Amrik Singh’s brother had died eight years ago and the dispute regarding the property between the accused and his sister-in-law was pending in a court. However, Amrik Singh, allegedly hired a mechanic Rajinder Singh and two others Daljit Singh and Bhola Singh for Rs 2,25,000 for murdering his sister-in-law and her daughter. On July 5, 1999, the culprits strangulated Amarjit Kaur and her daughter to death. A police party led by SP
(Detective) Gurpreet Singh and DSP, Malerkotla Surinder
Singh Saini arrested Amrik Singh and Rajinder Singh while
the other two Baljit Singh and Bhola Singh are still at
large. A case under Section 302, 201 and 506, IPC has
been registered against the accused. Tandon blames Badal-Tohra rift
for defeat SANGRUR, Oct 25 — The SAD-BJP alliance lost six seats in the recent Lok Sabha elections because of between the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and a former SGPC chief, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, Punjab Minister for Local Government, said here yesterday. Mr Tandon ruled out the possibility of abolition of octroi posts managed by the private contractors. He said the income of the municipal committees had increased which enabled them to speed up the development works. He admitted that earlier there was big octroi evasion. He assured a delegation of the local industrialists that the system of octroi collection would be improved so that the private contractors could not harass the public. He admitted that
corruption in Punjab was also one of the reasons for the
poor performance in the elections. |
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Differences with VC removed: PUTA PATIALA, Oct 25 — The Punjabi University Teachers Association said today all differences with the university's Vice-Chancellor, Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, had been removed as the VC had assured acceptance of most of the demands of the teachers. A press note issued by PUTA Secretary Hari Singh Boparai said representatives of PUTA had a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor today and discussed a number of misunderstandings that had arisen in the recent past. PUTA secretary said the meeting arrived at a conclusion that the misunderstandings took place because of communication gap between PUTA and certain members of the Vice-Chancellor's personal staff. Mr S S Khaira, Director, AVRC and a former PUTA President, had resigned recently from his post after the Vice-Chancellor and the present PUTA had a tiff over the latter demands. Mr Khaira had found himself sandwiched between the two over their differences and had thus resigned. Mr Gurdip Singh,
President, PUTA, said the association had also submitted
a letter of demands to the Vice-Chancellor. The letter
demanded parity between the merit promotees and direct
recruitee teachers. PUTA said the item Number 10
concerning this issue should be removed. |
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Party workers call on minister CHANDIGARH, Oct 25 — About 200 persons, including SAD (Shiromani Akali Dal) workers, visited the party office at MLA flats here today. Present to lend ears to party workers and public was the Punjab Transport Minister, Mr Raghbir Singh. This system of interaction was introduced by the party President, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, in the wake of party debacle in the recently held Lok Sabha poll. The first day of hearing party workers’ complaints was October 22. Dr Rattan Singh a minister, was designated to hear the grievances, but he did not turn up. When this reporter visited the party office around 12.30 p.m. there were no visitors. The schedule time for the meeting is between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Mr Raghbir Singh had only a telephone and his aide for company. Talking to TNS he said among those who came was the MLA, Sham Chaurasi, Ms Mohinder Kaur. She had some work regarding recruitment into the SAD. Another caller was Mr Lehna Singh Tur, a former MP. He was accompanying party workers from the Tarn Taran Lok Sabha constituency for work related to roads. A majority of visitors sought favours for bus route permits or transfer of a relative. Since Mr Raghbir Singh is the Transport Minister several officials from the department also called on him. On route permits he said already 500 applications were pending. Only deserving ones have been given the permits. In fact most of the favours being sought pertained to transfers of teachers or revenue or development staff at the junior level. Today’s visitors came from Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Fatehgarh Sahib, he added. Another minister will
await visitors tomorrow at MLA Hostels, flat No. 7 in
Sector 3 here. |
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Gang of cheats busted, 2 held GURDASPUR, Oct 25 —The police has busted a gang of cheats involved in several cases of fraud. They used to cheat people on the pretext of getting various items at cheaper rates. Mr Varinder Kumar, SSP, said the police had arrested Tirath Ram and Satnam Singh, alias Saju, both residents of Dhariwal, while other members of the gang including Ashok Kumar Bhandari, Raman Kumar, Shyam Singh, alias Lakha, Mehnga Singh and Makhan Singh, were still at large. Mr Kumar said the police was informed that Tirath Ram and Satnam Singh had approached officers of the FCI and had told them they could supply 100 bags of sugar and ghee on cheaper rates and had also taken Rs 5,500 in advance. The police investigations revealed that culprits were part of a gang which was involved in various cases of cheating. The accused had cheated Amrik Singh, a tailor of Rs 28,000 on the pretext of securing a tailoring contract from MES, for him, they had also taken Rs 16,000 from a shopkeeper of Gillanwali to get him sugar on cheaper rates. In other cases of cheating they took Rs 75,00 from a trader of Amritsar to get him scrap, Rs 3,200 from Boota Masih of Gill Manj for providing him wood on cheaper rates and many other cases of the same nature. A case under Section
420, 34 of the IPC was registered against the accused
yesterday. |
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Doctors honoured at API
conference FATEHGARH SAHIB, Oct 25— The North Zone Chapter of the API has been constituted for the first time under the leadership of Dr Kamaljit Kaur, Professor and Head, Department of Medicine, GMC, Patiala. This chapter will fulfil the academic and scientific needs of the physicians of this part of the country. The first annual conference of the North Zone Chapter of the API was held here today. It was inaugurated by Dr S.S. Sidhu, acting DRME, Punjab, and Principal, GMC, Patiala. He stressed the need for such meetings in future. Dr C. Prakash, Dr G.P. Singh, Dr B.C. Bansal and Dr O.P Sharma, prominent physicians of the area, were honoured for their meritorious services in the field of medicine. Dr K.K. Talwar, a renowned cardiologist from AJMs, delivered the keynote address on “recent advances in the management of cardiac rhythm disturbances”. Dr Sharma, President Geriatric Society of India, highlighted the problems the elderly people were likely to face in the next millennium. Dr Bansal, member of the WHO group on control of stroke, stressed the need of a regulated lifestyle and management of factors like hypertension, diabetes and mellitus for the prevention of strokes. Dr S.N. Chugh from Rohtak and Dr Kamaljit Kaur emphasised the need for educating agricultural workers to adopt proper safety measures. While spraying the insecticides. Dr Muralidharan and Dr
Yogesh Chawla from the PGI, Chandigarh, Dr Rohni Hands
from AIIMS, New Delhi, and Dr U.P. Singh from DMC,
Ludhiana, delivered lectures on the common problems like
thyroid, liver joint and respiratory diseases. The others
who spoke were Dr Manmohan Singh and Dr Raghuvansh
Sharma, all from Government Medical College, Patiala.
More than 250 delegates from the region attended this
conference. |
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Training camp on farming held GURDASPUR, Oct 25 — More than 1000 persons participated in a district-level camp organised by the Agriculture Department here today to impart training in the cultivation of rabi crops. Dr R.K. Rampal, Joint director of the departments president over the function and Mr Hassan Lal, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue), was the chief guest. Various agriculture experts of Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana warned farmers not to use fertilisers and weedicides in large quantities because these were harmful for the environment and also contributed little to increase in production. Spraying should be done only a few times and that too after consulting agricultural experts of the department and Punjab Agriculture University, they said. The experts emphasised on timely sowing and watering and use of certified seeds. Dr Ram Pal, Joint
Director, advised the farmers to use only those certified
seeds recommended by the university. He also emphasised
on soil testing for bringing land holdings under the
cultivation of a particular crops. This district was
ideally suited for cultivation of vegetables and
horticulture items. |
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Drive against tax evaders on
anvil NAWANSHAHR, Oct 25 — Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Public Relations, Revenue, and Rehabilitation Minister, while talking to reporters yesterday at the nearby Shahabpur village, said the government had chalked out a comprehensive programme to launch an intensive drive against tax evaders in the state to tide over the financial crisis being faced by the government. Action against tax evaders in the transport sector was an indication of the government’s determination that no one found guilty would be spared. The Minister said all potential sources of income in the state would be exploited and the financial health of the state was likely to become normal within a few months. A cabinet subcommittee had been constituted to review beneficiary schemes launched by the Badal government. The committee will submit its reports shortly. Mr Sekhwan said 12 posts
of APROs were vacant in the state and these would soon be
filled. A free bus travel facility had been provided to
600 journalists so far. After the financial crisis in the
state was over, the remaining journalists would also be
provided with this facility. |
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People told to be wary of fake
institutes LUDHIANA, Oct 25 — The Director, International Affairs, University of Aberdeen, UK, Mr Alister Smith, has asked people to be wary of certain persons who are cheating public by claiming wrongfully to be the affiliates of certain UK based universities. Mr Smith was addressing a press conference organised by the Institute of Future Studies to launch the United Kingdom educational aids here today. He said that though a few universities of the UK had been offering the degrees through Indian colleges, there were many institutes that were fake and added that the British Council of India should check the growth of such institutes. Mr Suryajeet, Director
of the UKEA, also announced the setting up of a
counselling centre of the UKEA here, along with
Chandigarh and Jalandhar to give access to the students
of information about the universities affiliated to the
British Council of India, free of cost. |
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SAD men ridicule
Tohra’s demand PHAGWARA, Oct 25 — The Phagwara circle Akali Jatha of the Shiromani Akali Dal today pooh-poohed the demand of the Tohra-led faction (SHSAD) for the replacement of SAD chief and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal raised in the SHSAD meeting held yesterday. Akali stalwart and PSSSB
member Jarnail Singh Wahad, circle president Jathedar
Gurmukh Singh and secretary-general Jatinderpal Singh
Palahi said here that Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra and the
faction led by him had no locus standi to demand the
ouster of Mr Badal. Those who had lost their deposits in
the recently held Lok Sabha elections and stabbed the
Panth in the back by openly supporting the Congress had
no moral right to make such a demand, continued the SAD
leaders. |
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SAD
membership CHANDIGARH, Oct 25
— The Secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr
Kirpal Singh Badungar, in a statement issued here today
said the President of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr Parkash
Singh Badal had extended the date of submitting lists for
enrolling new members and delegates till October 30.
Earlier, party officials concerned had been told to
submit such lists by October 25. |
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Fashion designing course
introduced AMRITSAR, Oct 25 — The BBK DAV College for Women has started a new degree course in design, textile fashion and garments. The Principal of the college, Mrs J Kackria, in a press note, here, said a absolutely new faculty had been added for the benefit of its girl students to take up designing a professional career. The girls of the new
course presented cultural show depicting the origin of
garments from the pre-historic times to the contemporary
era of latest fashion and designer clothing. |
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Gurpurb
celebrated AMRITSAR, Oct 25 —
Gurpurb in connection with the "Parkash Utsav"
of the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Dassji, the founder of the
holy city, was celebrated with a nagar kirtan. The holy
procession comprising gatka parties, kirtani jathas and
school bands was taken from Akal Takht this morning. |
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Youths set up gaushala PHILLAUR, Oct 25 — A group of youths have set up a gaushala at Banga town to save cows from slaughter. Mr Satish Suri, chief organiser, said a five kanal plot had been donated for the gaushala by Mahant Bachan Giri. The Baba Shiv Gir Gaushala, being looked after by Mahant Giri, has more than 150 barren cows. Mr Suri said residents
of the town had also donated money for the gaushala. |
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Punjabi musical raises funds PATIALA Oct 25 — A Punjabi musical "Odak, Sach Rahi" on Guru Gobind Singh's life presented by The National Theatre Arts Society ( NTAS) Patiala at the open AIR Theatre of S.D. College, Ambala Cantt, raised Rs 11,000 for the Kendriya Gurpurb Committee, Ambala Cantt. The Haryana Legislative Assembly member, Mr Anil Vij, the chief guest, said the play with music, dance dialogues and martial arts was artistically presented. He urged the people to follow the path of righteousness shown by the 10th Guru. Earlier, Mr Desh Bandhu,
Principal, S.D. College, Ambala Cantt, guest of honour,
emphasised the need for healthy entertainment to counter
westernised and vulgar presentations. |
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"Govt concerned about
Dalits" PATIALA, Oct 25 — Tributes were paid to Rishi Valmikiji at his birth anniversary here today. Several functions highlighting his contributions and idealism were organised. Speaking at some of the functions organised at Dhiru ki Basti here last night, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, said the Punjab government was committed to the well-being of the Dalit community. He said several schemes to upgrade their standard of living had been launched by the SAD-BJP government in the state. The Finance Minister
also announced a grant of Rs 1 lakh for various schemes
for Dalits in the city. |
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No rift between SAD, BJP:
Sodhi PHILLAUR, Oct 25 — Punjab BJP chief Daya Singh Sodhi has denied differences between the Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP. Talking to newsmen here today, Mr Sodhi assured that the SAD-BJP alliance was strong as it symbolised Punjabi Ekta and brotherhood. The state BJP chief said
the political situation in Punjab, besides organisational
matters, would be discussed at a meeting of
office-bearers of the Punjab BJP at Chandigarh on October
29. |
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CPI, CPM rally on Nov 5 CHANDIGARH, Oct 25 — Mr Balwant Singh, Secretary of the state unit of the CPM and Mr Joginder Dayal, Secretary of the state unit of the CPI said here today that a joint rally would be held by Opposition parties at Hoshiarpur on November 5 to protest against the police repression. They said CPM workers
were lathi-charged at Hoshiarpur. Many of them, including
Mr Balwant Singh, were injured. They alleged that police
ransacked CPM office there. The party workers has not
done any provocative act, they added. |
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CM calls on injured DTO CHANDIGARH, Oct, 25
— The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal,
today visited the PGI to inquire about the health of Mr
M.S. Jaggi, District Transport Officer, Fatehgarh Sahib,
who was injured on Friday night, when he was attacked by
truckers while checking the vehicles on G.T. Road near
Gobindgarh. |
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