Saturday, October 30, 1999
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Saturday, October 30, 1999 |
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BJP, SAD ties turning
sour? CHANDIGARH, Oct 29 — Developments in the recent weeks in the two parties, the SAD and the BJP indicate that a crisis situation is brewing, which could possibly pose a serious challenge to the SAD leadership and strain the cord of cordiality further between the two coalition partners. |
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Travel concession in
Punjab modified CHANDIGARH, Oct 29 — The Punjab Cabinet Subcommittee on Economic Reforms today modified and rationalised several concessions available in the transport sector. LIC, GIC employees observe strike SGPC
blamed for encroachment Empower
market panels: CM “States
need more fiscal autonomy” BBK DAV College bags top positions 100
in jails despite expiry of term Josan:
Cong men harassed Smack worth 5 lakh seized,
Nigerians held |
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BJP,
SAD
ties turning sour? CHANDIGARH, Oct 29 — Developments in the recent weeks in the two parties, the SAD and the BJP indicate that a crisis situation is brewing, which on the one hand, could possibly pose a serious challenge to the leadership of the SAD President, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and on the other strain the cord of cordiality further, between the two coalition partners, who,nevertheless, adhere to different political ideologies and represent two distinct streams of people. If on the one hand, the BJP leadership today discussed the political situation in the wake of the Lok Sabha results, there are reports of SAD MLAs (some Ministers too) writing a requisition to be submitted to Mr Badal, requesting the convening of a meeting of the legislature party for an "open house" discussion on issues and matters agitating the party rank and file. Some BJP MLAs are believed to have appended signatures on the requisition, insisting that as it was a "collective responsibility" there should be a "joint" meeting of the legislative wings of the combine, the SAD and the BJP. In fact it was Mr Badal who had talked of "introspection" after the defect and stated that he would hold a discussion and a debate within the appropriate party wings, like the district presidents, Political Affairs Committee, legislative wing and the working committee. He has already had discussions with the district jathedars and the PAC. But the other two meetings are still due. Both partners have different views and propound different hypothesis as to what led to the humiliating debacle in the Lok Sabha poll. Now the two are gearing themselves up for the panchayat samiti and the zila parishad elections, which are scheduled for December-end, though, these were due in September. These were deferred due to unscheduled Parliament elections, which intervened. Political observers say that contrary to statements being issued separately by SAD and BJP leaders over "collective" decision-making, "cohesiveness" in the government and at organisational level functioning, the cleavage is discernible and undeniable. It is difficult to hazard a guess as to how many SAD and BJP MLAs will finally append signatures on the requisition addressed to the Chief Minister, certainly the political developments are hotting up within the SAD. For the past few days, Akali MLAs and other party leaders are busy in holding meetings and formulating strategies with regard to the emerging political developments. Although today's BJP meeting was scheduled to be presided over by the BJP all-India General Secretary, Mr Narendra Modi, who is in charge Punjab, he could not make it. Mr Sodhi presided. Though there was no formal press note TNS learns from reliable sources that the meeting identified broadly four factors for the poll debacle: urban-rural divide; parting of the ways between Mr Parkash Singh Badal and Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, which had a cascading effect down the line; raids by the Excise and Taxation department on business and trade; and continuation of octroi contrary to poll promises to abolish it. Interestingly, the BJP has not talked in terms of shoring up of revenue or loss of it but instead has found fault with tax compliance. Moreover, in different meetings with SAD ministerial colleagues, including the Chief Minister, there have been verbal skirmishes between SAD-BJP Minister over several issues. There were at times heated arguments as well at today's meeting and it is learnt that the BJP has taken the stand that the party should continue its alliance, based on principles, with the SAD as a "party" and not with any particular "individual". This is a significant development which has emerged, meaning, thereby, that in case there was any change within the SAD leadership, the BJP should remain a political ally of the SAD and not owe allegiance to a particular leader. It is also learnt that
the BJP is keen on a joint meeting of the combines'
legislative wings for taking stock of the debacle factors
and apply correctives. Party leaders and office-bearers
also deliberated upon the "organisational
matters" as well as on relationship between the rank
and file of the SAD-BJP workers, it is learnt. |
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Vigilance dept to be cleansed CHANDIGARH, Oct 29 — Major changes are proposed in the Department of Vigilance, Punjab, to make it effective, restore its credibility and cleanse it of deadwood. The changes have been suggested by a Cabinet Subcommittee and are shortly due to be presented to the Cabinet for approval. While the Chief Minister himself is the Minister in charge, the Chief Secretary is the Administrative Secretary concerned. Over the decades the Vigilance department and the Vigilance Bureau had become more an instrument of harassment rather than checking corruption, which has multiplied manifold across the board in the government. Reports of vigilance staff themselves clouding with the corrupt are not totally unfounded. There has been no time-bar and enquiries have been pending for years for a variety of reasons, including sanction not being given for investigation, informed sources told TNS. Enquiries by TNS have revealed that even the prosecution rate is pretty low: 10 per cent to 15 per cent. As there had been no deterrent effect of a vigilance enquiry, corrupt elements often cooked a snook at the department. It is believed that last week the Director-General of Police (Vigilance), Mr Sube Singh, had a meeting with the Chief Minister, who has not been able to check corruption the way he would have preferred. At present the Vigilance department has before it 56 pending enquiries, 127 regular enquiries and the number of cases it is handling is 469 at various stages of investigation. Though the names and the number of IAS, IPS officers are not known, it is believed that several gazetted officers do figure in the vigilance record, including certain provisional service officers and non-gazetted officers. Surinder/Add/chng-2The revamping of the department was to have been discussed at the last meeting of the Cabinet but the item was deferred for reasons best known to the powers that be. The Cabinet Sub Committee has identified three areas in which vigilance will operate: acquisition of assets disproportionate to known sources of income (this is a common charge in most of the vigilance complaints); allegations constituting offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act, Indian Penal Code etc; and allegations of moral turpitude. It is now proposed to constitute two “screening” committees, which will first take cognisance of the complaints received. Only thereafter refer the same to the vigilance. For the officials placed in the pay scale of Rs 12,000-15,500 and above and also in respect of chairmen of boards, corporations and members of the board of directors or persons holding executive offices the committee will comprise the Chief Secretary; the Secretary, Vigilance; Chief Director, Vigilance Bureau; Legal Remembrancer and the Administrative Secretary concerned. For all other officers, officials, etc, the committee will consist of Secretary, Vigilance; Administrative Secretary concerned; the Legal Rememberancer and the Chief Director, Vigilance Bureau. It is for Secretary, Vigilance, now to examine all complaints which shall be sent to the Vigilance department by the bureau for necessary action. In all cases where comments of public servants or administrative secretaries are required, the same shall have to be submitted to the Secretary, Vigilance, within a month. The Vigilance department shall register an enquiry or an FIR (first information report) only after approval by the committee concerned. The respective screening committees on the basis of any information available with them can suo motu and without any formal complaint propose a vigilance enquiry or registration of FIR. But without sanction/approval of the screening committees no action will be initiated by the Vigilance either for holding an enquiry or registration of an FIR. No notice will be taken of anonymous and pseudo-anonymous complaints unless allegations made were “quite serious and verifiable”. Second, the Vigilance department will concentrate on cases against gazetted officers and such cases shall be handled by an officer not below the rank of a Deputy Superintendent of Police in the Vigilance Bureau. Except in rare and abnormal circumstances Vigilance will not handle cases or complaints against Class III and employees below this category. In future there shall be just one “Vigilance enquiry” and not the present system of nomenclature: “preliminary” and “regular” enquiry. All enquiries shall be completed within three months. No extension in time period, except with approval of screening committee(s), shall be allowed. Investigation in criminal cases shall be completed within three months from the date of registration of FIR. No administrative department shall hold a parallel enquiry or field enquiry in the matter, facts and issues into which the Vigilance has already initiated action. Reports on enquiries received from the bureau shall be placed before the screening committee within two months of its receipt. Only thereafter action will be decided upon. A Vigilance Officer will pass on any information, etc, to the Secretary within a week. The Cabinet Sub-committee has introduced an element of accountability as well. In case a source report is found to have been prepared or collated with ulterior motive or on flimsy grounds or proved to be false, action shall be taken against the officers concerned by the screening committees. The Vigilance shall have to obtain prior permission of the government to lay “trap” or “arrest” officers of Class I and above. The recommendations are very specific and a timeframe has been suggested even in respect of trap cases. There is a provision for “surprise” checking by Vigilance in development departments on ongoing schemes but not without active association and participation of Deputy Commissioner(s) concerned or without taking into confidence the head of the department or the Secretary concerned. It transpires that administrative departments shall have to ensure employees filed their property returns regularly. If assets were found to be disproportionate to their known sources of income then Vigilance shall step in. It will be for the administrative departments to ensure public servants do not channelise their “ill-gotten money” through “loans and gifts”. “No ex-post facto sanction to gifts and loans shall be granted after an enquiry has been ordered”. There shall be a Chief Vigilance Officer in each department. The Secretary Vigilance, shall make an entry in the annual confidential report of these CVOs. Besides other assigned duties, the CVOs shall keep a tab on corrupt elements scrutinise cases of compulsory retirement of corrupt officers at the age of 55 and to check up cases of compulsory retirement of corrupt government servants even earlier if permitted by the law and rules. The committee has recommended that the Vigilance do away with the system of taking technical staff from various departments on deputation with the Bureau. Instead, the Bureau will get such technical cases examined from the department concerned. The committee has laid down steps to check misuse of government vehicles in which case user-officer and driver shall be equally responsible. A Vigilance enquiry shall not affect “promotion, pension etc, unless the officer or official involved is charge-sheeted or a challan has been put up in the court of law.” Clearance certificate
will be a must in all cases of promotion of Class I
officers (including promotion of Class II to Class I);
empanelment, deputation on foreign training etc. and
before retirement in respect of all gazetted officers.
For summoning and seizing of record proper procedures
have been suggested. |
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Travel concession in Punjab
modified CHANDIGARH, Oct 29 — The Punjab Cabinet Subcommittee on Economic Reforms today modified and rationalised several concessions available in the transport sector. This will curb free travel facilities available to policemen and women above 60. The Transport department has also been permitted to enhance taxes on vehicles. All this is aimed at jacking up resources. The subcommittee has directed the officers of the department to keep up the intensity of the ongoing crackdown for all times and increase the revenue through effective enforcement. It also approved the Uttar Pradesh Government formula for regulating the transport fares caused by any rise or fall in diesel prices from time-to-time. That lays down for each per cent point increase in diesel rates, there will be an increase of 0.2 per cent in the fares and vice-versa. The subcommittee also rationalised the existing free travel concession in government buses. It was decided that the Police department should print vouchers containing the particulars of police employees mentioning name, rank, Number, name of the police station and district and particulars of the free journey performed. These vouchers will be signed by a police official, not below the rank of an SHO as well as the police employee actually travelling. Free travel concession available to the police officials will continue on the payment of a monthly contribution of Rs 100. Free travel will be permitted only against the delivery of the voucher to the conductor and production of the identity card. It was also decided that the facility of free travel to women above 60 should converted into one of 50 per cent travel concession. Each such beneficiary shall now be required to purchase "concessional tickets" and produce an identity card issued by the designated officers of the Social Security department. Meanwhile, the Transport department has changed the present system of per seat calculation of taxes by imposing lumpsum tax on motor cycles having engine capacity up to 50 cc at the rate of 1.5 per cent on the price of motor cycle and at the rate of 3 per cent of the price of motor cycle whose engine capacity is above 50 cc By another notification, the Transport department has fixed the annual rate of special road tax for transport vehicles registered in other states and entering Punjab at Rs 3,000 for light motor vehicles against Rs 1210 earlier; Rs 4,000 for medium goods vehicles against Rs 1410 earlier. Similarly, the annual rate of special road tax (excluding driver and conductor) for mini buses having 16 to 30 seats has been fixed at Rs 16,500 against Rs 13,200 earlier. The Subcommittee has appreciated the efforts of the Punjab Motor Vehicle Board in enforcing economy in expenditure of staff cars. The proposal to gradually phase out the existing cars with fuel-efficient Euro II norms standard cars was also accepted. It was decided in principle that independent staff cars at headquarters should only be allowed to the head of department, administrative secretaries, chairmen and managing directors of corporations/boards and above. All others may use their private cars of requisition a car from the general pool for a specific justifiable purpose.
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LIC,
GIC
employees observe strike JALANDHAR, Oct 29 — As part of a country-wide protest against the introduction of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Bill in Parliament yesterday, the LIC and GIC employees here observed a complete strike today. The strike was a total success and the offices wore a deserted look. In the LIC, even Class-I officers and development staff joined the strike. A massive rally and a demonstration was held in front of the local divisional office of the LIC where slogans were raised against the move to open up the insurance sector and demanding withdrawal of the IRA Bill. Mr S.S. Kooner, President of the Northern Zone Insurance Employees' Association, said the employees in the insurance sector would intensify their struggle and campaign against privatisation of the insurance sector. A seminar would be held here on November 13, where prominent economists and parliamentarians would be invited to express their views on the subject. He said the private insurance companies would concentrate only on more profitable areas and rural areas and the most vulnerable segments of society would get neglected. Reports of strike were also received from Chandigarh, Bathinda, Mansa, Nawanshahr, Fatehabad and Batala. KURUKSHETRA: In response to a call by the General Insurance Employees Association (GIEA), Northern Zone, the employees of all subsidiaries of the GIC and LIC here observed a day's token strike on Friday in protest against the IRA Bill. Describing the Bill as "a black law" the Kurukshetra unit President of the GIEA, Mr M.L. Arora, said the introduction of the Bill was akin to East India Company's era in India. He condemned it as an "anti-people" stop. SHIMLA: The LIC and GIC employees observed a complete strike in Himachal Pradesh on Friday to protest against the introduction of the IRA Bill in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. The employees held demonstrations and gate meetings and organised rallies outside their offices, demanding withdrawal of the Bill. The rallies were addressed by union leaders. Class I officers of the LIC also participated in the strike, according to union leaders here. In Shimla, employees gathered outside the LIC divisional office and raised slogans against the government. Northern Zone Insurance Employees Association Secretary A. C. Chauhan described the Bill as "anti-people", "anti-national" and " against the sovereignty of the country". Reports of strike were also received from Una, Mandi, Dharamsala, Nurpur and Solan. A report from Hamirpur said the LIC and GIC employees observed a strike. They held a rally and organised a dharna at Gandhi Chowk here. Addressing a rally,
Shimla Divisional LIC Employees Union Vice-President
Haman Singh charged that by introducing the IRA Bill, the
Union Government had sold the nation's interests to
foreign powers. He warned the Union Government of an
indefinite strike, if this "draconian" Bill was
not withdrawn forthwith. |
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SGPC blamed for encroachment AMRITSAR, Oct 29 — An inquiry conducted by Commissioner, Jalandhar, Mr B.K. Srivastava, has indicted the SGPC for encroaching Improvement Trust land. A detailed report sent by the Commissioner to the Chief Secretary, Mr R.S. Mann, is based on specific complaints by BJP legislator Laxmi Kanta Chawla to the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal. The report mentions encroachment on Improvement Trust land by the SGPC and on public parks for construction of gurdwaras at two places. Mrs Chawla had brought to the notice of the Chief Minister that the SGPC had forcibly taken over a prime piece of land measuring 711 sq yards while building Guru Ram Das Dental College near Mall Mandi on the GT Road, here. The Commissioner made an on-the-spot inspection before submitting the report. He has requested the Chief Secretary to ask the Department of Local Bodies to initiate suitable action to recover the land in possession of the SGPC-run dental college and suggested that the action taken on the matter should be reported to the Chief Minister. The Commissioner in his letter has mentioned that the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Mr S.S. Rajput, and the SSP had failed to reply to various queries which had delayed a detailed report on cases of land grab. However, Mr Kulwant Singh, Secretary SGPC has denied the SGPC had encroached land of the Improvement Trust. He said the Commissioner had not contacted the SGPC for its version before filing his report. He however, alleged that
the Improvement Trust had encroached upon land belonging
the SGPC. He said a complaint in this regard was pending
with the Deputy Commissioner. |
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Startling disclosures by Pak agent AMRITSAR, Oct 29 — The Majitha police today nabbed Mohammed Shafiq, a resident of Gujranwala in Pakistan, working as an agent of the Field Intelligence Unit (FIU) an agency of Pakistan army intelligence, from the residence of an Indian smuggler in the Ramdas area and seized explosives and arms from his possession. The IG (Border Range), Mr JP Birdi, briefing reporters claimed that Mohammed Shafiq was the sixth agent of the FIU arrested in Punjab in the past one month. With his arrest the police foiled the FIU and ISI plan of subversive activities in India during the Divali festival, he claimed. Interrogation of the agent revealed a long-term plan of the ISI and the FIU. He revealed that the ISI of Pakistan was not able to recruit any youth from the Punjab area to indulge in such activities. Due to this Pakistani’s ISI and the FIU had been sending trained Pakistani operatives to continue militant activities. Mr Birdi said that besides five kg of black RDX the police seized five detonators along with wire, one Pakistan made .30 bore mauser and five cartridges. The Pakistani agent was remanded in police custody after the registration of a case under Sections 25/54/59 of the Arms Act, 4/5 of the Explosive Substance Act and 3/34/201 of the IPC. The agent during interrogation stated that he was directed by the FIU and FIU and the ISI to cross over to India via area of Jammu sector. Sneaking into the Indian territory at midnight about a week back he brought along with explosives and other material which were dumped near the Jammu border. Then he came to the Amritsar area via Jammu in a bus pretending to be a seller of blankets and lois like other Kashmri nationals. Thereafter he contacted an Indian smuggler having links with the Khalistan Commando Force (Panjwar) as per plan. He further also revealed that Pakistan’s ISI and the FIU planned to utilise the services of Indian smugglers specially those having links with militant groups as conduit of its activities. Mr Birdi said this smuggler of the Majitha area went to the Jammu area in a Maruti van along with Mohammed Shafiq and brought the explosives and weapons from the place where it was dumped. The agent further revealed that he took a temporary job in Pakistan MES through one of his close relatives, who was working as SDO in the MES. While doing on this job in MES he came in contact with one Asla who is working as head constable in the Pakistan Army. On persuasion and inspiration of Aslam he was made an operative of the FIU. Earlier he used to inform the FIU about corruption in the Pakistan MES. The agent further stated that Aslam introduced him to a senior officer of the FIU. In Lahore. Thereafter he was trained in the handling of weapons and explosives at training centre Chawinda camp in Sialkot. During training he was briefed thoroughly on clandestine activities, sabotages and explosions to be carried out in India. He was also directed to collect intelligence on locations activities and other details of Indian Army. The agent told the police that he was promised a handsome reward.. He was having a sum of Rs 5000 as outstanding loan against his name and this sum was paid by the FIU. In addition another Rs 5000 was paid for household activities. Mr Birdi said that
police was trying to get information about the Pakistani
Muslim agents of the FIU and the ISI, who had settled
permanently in India and carrying out their normal
activities and business. |
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Empower market panels: CM SAS NAGAR, Oct 29 — The Punjab Government is in favour of giving more financial autonomy to the chairpersons of market committees in the state by decentralising the powers to accelerate the development process. Disclosing this at a gathering here today, the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, who was here to lay the foundation stone of a Rs 24-crore residential complex of the Punjab Mandi Board in Sector 66, said a meeting of the officials of the departments concerned would be called at the earliest to implement the decision. Congratulating the staff of the mandi board for checking theft of market fee leading to a 48.5 per cent increase in the market fee during the current financial year, he said more steps were required to effectively check the pilferage. A sum of Rs 450 crore is expected to be collected by the mandi board on account of market fee and rural development fund, he added. The officials of the mandi board should adopt new technology in construction of markets and stores, he said, adding that Rs 90 crore had been sanctioned for strengthening the infrastructure in all the 144 mandis in the state. Under the project, concrete auction platforms would be constructed and roads, water supply and other basic amenities upgraded in the next two years. He said the main objective of the mandi board officials should be to see to it that farmers coming to the mandis for buying and selling their produce faced no inconvenience Expressing concern over the state of affairs in the functioning of government departments, he said the gap between the politicians, bureaucracy and the public had widened over the years, leading to poor administration and delayed justice to the people. He asked the officials to strictly monitor the quality of construction. Mr Gurdev Singh Badal, Agriculture Minister, said the record agricultural production was due to supply of quality seeds and timely inputs like fertilisers and insecticides. He disclosed that the state government had launched a crusade against the supply of substandard insecticides and fertilisers. Mr Mal Singh Ghuman, and Mr Phulwant Singh Sidhu, Chairman and Secretary of the Punjab Mandi Board, respectively, also spoke on the occasion. The Chief Minister gave loans to handicapped farmers and distributed 500 crates among farmers enabling them to transport their produce to mandis. Later giving details of
the residential complex, Mr S.S. Sekhon, a senior
architect of the mandi board, said an area of 4.38 acres
would be covered under the project. A total of 185 flats
of five different categories would be built. The flats
would be in seven blocks of six stories each. A unique
feature of the project would be a central piazza. Apart
from landscaping, a community centre was also planned in
the piazza. |
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“States need more fiscal
autonomy” LUDHIANA, Oct 29 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, today pleaded for a true federal structure in the country and more financial autonomy to states for socio-economic development. Addressing a gathering after inaugurating a Rs 5 crore outpatient department (OPD) building at Christian Medical College and Hospital here last evening, the Chief Minister said the states had meagre resources not enough for development in different spheres. The main revenue earning departments like income tax, customs and central excise were with the Central Government. The Centre had its own priorities and paid scant attention to the needs of states. Exhorting doctors and teachers to work with a missionary zeal, the Chief Minister said they must opt to serve in rural and backward areas where their services were needed the most. It was unfortunate that employees sought postings in cities and other convenient places. Stressing the need for a clean and healthy environment to check the spread of diseases, the Chief Minister said joint efforts at various levels must be made by government functionaries and the public educated about healthy surroundings. The participation of people, especially the youth, in this task was of importance. Dr Silas, J. Charles,
Director, CMC, expressed gratitude to the government,
particularly the Chief Minister, for the cooperation and
help OPD, he said, would be one of the best in India
equipped with the latest technology where all services
would be available under one roof. |
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Doles may go, says Tandon LUDHIANA, Oct 29 — The Minister for Local Bodies, Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, today declared the state was in for some tough measures designed to put its ailing economy back on the rails. Addressing a press conference here, he said experience had shown that doles were neither helpful nor appreciated. “People want development. And if there are no funds for development work, people don’t like it. This has been made amply clear by the reverses suffered by the coalition partners in the recent parliamentary elections,” he said. Mr Tandon said the government had taken a comprehensive review of the doles and concessions and was contemplating their withdrawal. “There are seven lakh tubewells in Punjab. What is the point of supplying these with free electricity if there is no electricity or is available for just a couple of hours in a day. People don’t mind paying for the services if the government can improve their quality,” he said. The government would, therefore, have to resume development work in the state and regain the confidence and goodwill of the people. He pointed out that the law and order situation in Punjab was among the best in the country. Despite attempts from across the border, there was no revival of violent activities in the state. Mr Tandon indicated that the withdrawal of concessions may include free electricity and water to the rural sector, house tax exemption to Palatial Houses in urban areas, the “shagun scheme” and free bus travel concession to policemen and other sections. The minister denied differences between the SAD and the BJP as well as between him and the Deputy leader of the BJP “legistative party, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal. “There is complete unity among us,” he asserted. As regards the performance of the Local Bodies Department, he said it had been among the best during the past more than two years. Revenue from local bodies which was just Rs 380 crore in 1997-98, rose to Rs 547 crore in 1998-99 and was set to cross the Rs 750 mark in 1999-2000. He said privatisation of octroi collection in several towns in the state had led to a 300 per cent increase in the revenue. He denied private
contractors were harassing transporters. |
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BBK DAV College bags top
positions AMRITSAR, Oct 29 — The students of the local BBK DAV College for Women bagged 10 first positions in the university zonal youth festival which concluded in Guru Nanak Dev University here today. Ramandeep topped in elocution, Manmeet, Shruti and Ruchi in the quiz, Manu Kapoor in landscape painting, Manan Sachdeva in still life painting, Ravinder in sketching, Pooja Khanna in cartoon drawing, Pawanpreet Arora in poster-making , Sukriti Khanna in college-making, Nalini Sharma in clay modelling and Binish Khanna in fresh flower arrangement. DAV College, Jalandhar, excelled in the men’s section at the youth festival. The detailed results are as follows: Fine arts: Painting (landscape) DAV College, Amritsar Painting (still life); Khalsa College, Amritsar-1 Sketching: Khalsa College, Amritsar-1 College: Khalsa College, Amritsar-1 Clay Modelling: Khalsa College, Amritsar-1 Cartooning: DAV College, Amritsar-1 Poster Making: Khalsa College, Amritsar-1 Flower Arrangement/(fresh): DAV College, Amritsar-1 Flower arrangement (dry): GNDU campus, Amritsar-1 Rangoli: DAV College, Amritsar-1 Fine arts Painting (landscape): DRV DAV College, Phillaur-1 Painting (still life): DAV College, Jalandhar-1 College: DAV College, Jalandhar-1 Clay modelling: DAV College, Jalandhar-1 Poster making: DAV College, Jalandhar-1 Cartooning: DAV College, Jalandhar-1 Flower arrangement (fresh): KRM DAV College Nakodar-1 Flower arrangement (dry): DRV DAV College, Phillaur-1 Rangoli: NJSA Govt College, Kapurthala-1 Literary events: Poetical symposium: Khalsa College, Amritsar-1 Elocution: Khalsa College, Amritsar-1 Debate: Rajiv Thakur, Khalsa College, Amritsar: 1 Quiz: Khalsa College of Education, Asr-1 Literary events: Poetical symposium:
Doaba College Jalandhar-1 Elocution: DAV College
Jalandhar-1 Debate: Saurav, DAV College, Jalandhar-1
Quiz: NJSA College, Kapurthala-1. |
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Lovers commit suicide MORINDA, Ropar, Oct 29 — Jaswinder Singh (35), a married man who allegedly abducted a 16-year-old girl of Saherri village, near here, and later committed suicide on Wednesday evening by consuming pesticide was cremated today at his native village, Pathrerri Jattan, 12 km from here. The girl, who also ended her life, was cremated last evening at Saherri village. It is alleged that the lovers had been missing from their respective homes for about a month. Talking to mediapersons, Mr Sukhjit Singh, SHO, said the police had registered a case under Sections 363 and 366 of the IPC on September 29 against Jaswinder Singh on a complaint by Mr Gurmeet Singh, father of the deceased girl, that his daughter had been abducted by Jaswinder Singh, a medical practitioner. The SHO said the villagers of Saherri spotted the two on a scooter in the village on Wednesday. They followed them to the town. The villagers found the two in an “abnormal” state and informed the police which took them to the local Civil Hospital, where they died. Dr Surinder Bhagat, who was on duty in the hospital on Wednesday evening, said Jaswinder and Sarbjeet had been admitted by constable Gurcharan Singh at about 8 p.m. They had been brought in a critical condition and seemed to have consumed poison. On the basis of the FIR dated September 29, the police has initiated proceedings under Section 174, IPC, in the case. The SSP, Ropar, Mr
Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, has asked Mr Jagdish Singh
Kahlon, Superintendent of Police (Detective), Ropar, to
conduct an inquiry. |
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2
dead,
41 injured as mini bus overturns PATIALA, Oct 29 — Two persons died and 41 were injured, two of them seriously, when a mini bus overturned after hitting at the rear of a truck near Sirhind-Rajpura bypass road here today afternoon. The mini bus No PB-23-A-3680 was going to Mullepur village from here. It hardly had travelled 10 km when it met with the accident just on the outskirts of the city. The passengers mainly were college-going students besides villagers returning with Divali shopping. According to the injured passengers, the bus was overloaded with many sitting on the roof. It was travelling at a fairly high speed and was overtaking a truck when it hit the truck’s rear, lost balance and overturned to the right of the road. Casualty figure might have been higher had the ill-fated bus turned turtle and fallen into a 10-foot roadside gorge. The police said the driver and the conductor of the bus were missing. However, the owner of the bus reached Rajindra Hospital as his own son was travelling in the bus and was injured. The deceased have been identified as Dharminder Singh of Ucha Riana village, a student of BA-I at Khalsa College here, and Tejinder Singh (25). Heart rending scene was witnessed at the emergency ward of the Rajindra Hospital here. Cries of the injured were deafening. Relatives of the injured were pushing around in search of the care for their kin. Problem of the supply of medicine was also felt. Patients who required X-rays had their trouble multiplied when they had to be taken to a separate building through the rough hospital road for X-rays. Discomforting scenes were seen at the site of the accident. Relatives of the injured were seen searching the belongings lying scattered on the side of the road. The police had hard time controlling the crowd that had gathered there. Searching for the her ear-rings, an old woman who was also travelling in the bus and had escaped without injuries said the accident happened all of a sudden and no one had time to recover. She said as the bus fell towards the right, passengers seated on that side (driver side) suffered most of the injuries while some on the left escaped unhurt. She said the bus was full with passengers from inside and many more had occupied the roof. Some passengers tried to stop the driver and the conductor from picking more passengers but they turned down the request, she said. The bus overloaded in violation of all norms had crossed a km back the District Transport office which is very active these days challaning the private bus operators. The overcrowded bus had crossed a number of traffic lights where traffic policemen are always on duty.
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100 in jails despite expiry
of term PATIALA, Oct 29 — More than 100 prisoners are languishing in various jails of the state even six months after the expiry of their reduced jail term, remitted by the Punjab government celebrating 300 years of Khalsa Panth. The prisoners have written to the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, other senior Ministers, Inspector General (Prisons) and newspapers highlighting their plight of undergoing imprisonment more than their term. A copy of such letters sent to The Tribune office here and signed by some of the aggrieved prisoners says that there are more than 25 prisoners in the central jail here alone who have been affected by the delay of their release order. These prisoners said on April 14, this year on the occasion of the Khalsa tercentenary celebrations the Punjab government had announced release of prisoners sentenced for life imprisonment (14 years), who had completed eight and half years of their sentence and fulfilled, other requisite conditions of the rules. But even though six months have passed and cases of more than 25 prisoners of this jail have been sent with complete papers to the IG-Prisons. But still there is no feedback. The prisoners said they were elated at the announcement of the Punjab government but now feel they have been taken for a ride. They alleged that the prison staff was delaying their release under one pretext or the another. While IG-Prisons Mr K.L. Sharma, was not available for comment sources in the department confirmed the delay of release of such prisoners whose number was much more than 100 though the exact figure could not be ascertained. Sources said the delay was due to time consumed in the notification of the state government’s release orders and secondly because some time was also consumed in verifying whether the prisoner fulfilled the conditions or not. Mr G.S. Sidhu
Superintendent Jail when contacted said no case was
deliberately delayed. There were some official hiccups
which have been cleared at their level. |
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Smack worth 5 lakh seized,
Nigerians held CHANDIGARH, Oct 29 — The police has arrested two Nigerian nationals on the charges of peddling smack in the city. A case has been registered at the central police station. Vincent and Henry, both in their late 20s, were arrested by a special squad in a late night swoop. Both are students of Mohindra College, Patiala. While the former is a student of BA the latter is pursuing a course in B.Sc. According to police sources, the raid was conducted on specific information that smack was being sold in the city and that efforts should be made to control the menace. Accordingly, a team was constituted to fan out in the area and bring the culprits to book. At about 10 p.m., the informer revealed that the duo were sitting at the lawn of a hotel in Sector 22 and a decoy customer was sent to negotiate the deal. Two 100 rupee notes were signed by officers and the deal was clinched. As the smack was being handed over in small packets, the party swooped in and the drug worth more than Rs 5 lakh was seized from them. Sources said the duo did not have requisite papers as every foreigner had to get himself registered with the Foreigner's Registration Office in the city concerned.
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Punjab to modernise bus stands LUDHIANA, Oct 29 — The government of Punjab as part of initiatives towards developing and improving infrastructure in the state, has decided to modernise bus stand through private participation. Feedback Infrastructure Limited (FIL), a 100 per cent subsidiary of Feedback Ventures Limited, will be advising the government of Punjab on the project. In the first phase, the Punjab State Bus Stand Management Company Limited (Punbus) has proposed to adopt the bus terminals in Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Patiala for modernisation through privatisation — Build operate transfer (Bot) — model. The bids inviting private sector participation for the modernisation of these terminals have been issued — a press release of Feedback infrastructure informed. Feedback has recommended a "user-pay" model as the main driver of the bus stand modernisation. As per the model. The successful bidder would build the modern bus stand at the existing site and operate the bus stand during the period of the concession. The returns to the concession receiver would be through income from operations of the bus stand, primarily "adda" fee and also from lease of shops and other facilities. The concession receiver would transfer the new bus stand to Punbus at the end of the concession period.
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Josan: Cong men harassed FEROZEPORE, Oct 29 — “If the Ferozepore district police does not stop atrocities on me and my supporters, including my near relations the issue may be raised in parliament,” threatened PPCC secretary Hans Raj Josan, who was defeated from this constituency in the recent elections, here last evening. He said ever since his candidature was announced by the party high command, the police, allegedly at the behest of certain Akali leaders, had been harassing him and his supporters. More than six Congressmen had been implicated in cases, he alleged. Mr Josan said Congressmen of Abohar, Jalalabad and Guru Harsahai areas in the district were particularly subjected to harassment. The PPCC high command was aware of the happenings. Mr Josan said he along with several partymen including Mr Mohinder Rinwa and Mr Sajwar Singh both secretaries of the PPCC, had met the Ferozepore range DIG yesterday in connection with a case registered under Sections 307, 382, 342, 323, 336, 148, 149 and 506 of the IPC and Sections 25, 27, 54, 59 of the Arms Act on October 27 against five of his close relatives by the Jalalabad police. The Congressmen urged
the DIG to hold a free and fair inquiry into the case.
The DIG, he said, had assured them that the “needful
would be done”. |
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Dog bites on the rise in
Bathinda BATHINDA, Oct 29 — The lives of residents of this town have been jeopardised due to frequent incidents of dog biting as the authorities concerned have failed to take effective steps in this regard.Civil Hospital sources said that, so far in this year, about 460 persons had come to the hospital to get vaccinated against rabies after dog bites. Besides, a number of victims also reported at some private hospitals to get treated by purchasing the vaccine on their own.The sources said dog bites were common even in the posh localities of the town, including the Civil Lines area, Model Town, Power House road, Ajit road, Mall Road and various newly-developed colonies of the Improvement Trust.Mr B.S. Aulakh, Executive Officer with the municipal council, while admitting the problem of stray dogs in the city, said he had not received any complaint of dog bites so far. He added that the municipal council authorities could not control the menace of stray dogs as they lacked the infrastructure required to deal with the problem.He said he had taken up the matter with the Animal Husbandry Department for carrying out mass sterilisation of stray dogs but it did not materialise due to lack of funds. He added that the department had demanded a dog van, 60 persons to form a dog squad and Rs 400 per sterilisation which the municipal council was unable to provide.He pointed out that earlier, the municipal council used to keep the population of stray dogs under check by poisoning them, but killing dogs had been banned by the Punjab Government. He added that
controlling the population of stray dogs through
sterilisation would take at least six months to begin as
huge infrastructure was required for this.Dr Bawa Ram,
Civil Surgeon, said the dog squad of the hospital killed
stray dogs whenever a complaint in this regard was
received by the authorities. He added that checking the
menance of stray dogs was the responsibility of the
municipal council.phase |
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PCCTU's 3-phase stir plan PHAGWARA, Oct 29 — The Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union which represents 5000 teachers of 160 non-governmental affiliated colleges has declared a three-phased struggle in support of its demands like pension and gratuity for DPEs and librarians release of grants etc. In the first phase two periods, peaktime strike will be observed on November 3 in colleges falling under Panjab University, on November 5 under the Punjabi University area and on November 11 in GND varsity area colleges, PCCTU sources disclosed here today. In the second phase a state-level protest dharna will be held outside the DPI office at Chandigarh on November 25. In the third phase a
march will be organised to the Punjab Assembly during its
coming session, added the sources. |
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Randhawa is GM of Ranjit Sagar
dam CHANDIGARH, Oct 29 — Mr J.S. Randhawa, chief engineer, irrigation, has been appointed General Manager, Ranjit Sagar Dam and Shahpur Kandi projects for a period of two years. Mr Randhawa succeeds Mr S.L. Garg, who has resigned. The appointment of the Randhawa will become effective from November 1. He retires as Chief Engineer on October 31. The orders of appointment of Mr Randhawa and the acceptance of the resignation of Mr Garg were passed today by the Principal Secretary Mr Bikramjit Singh. Thein Dam has recently been in the news because of delay in its commissioning following detection of faults in the gates as well as tunnels. The project has been inordinately delayed due to snags, reported scandals and dithering by the bureaucrats and technocrats, which escalated its cost manifold. In fact even the advisory committee of the government had expressed its reservations over the continuation of Mr Garg. Several associations of
the engineers have welcomed the appointment of Mr
Randhawa. |
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PSEB engineers to hold gate
rallies BATHINDA, Oct 29 — Members of the PSEB Engineers Association, Lehra Mohobat, have been on a protest since October 26 in protest against the non-implementation of demands by the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) management. In a press note issued here today, Mr D.S. Bhuller, regional secretary, of the association, said the association would hold gate rallies to press the management to accept their demands. The demands include filling of posts, adequate residential accommodation and enhancing of project allowance. He pointed out that though the Lehra Mohobat thermal plant had been functional for a long time now, the management had not given any incentive to its staff members. Some engineers were not being paid allowance as per the conditions mentioned in the appointment letters. Mr Bhuller said the issue of local outdoor allowance had not been sorted out for the past two years. The main concern of the association was the “non-scientific” approach of the management in running the thermal plant. The manpower at the Ropar thermal plant was 2.70 per mw while that at Lehra Mohobat was 2 per mw. He warned if the
management did not take appropriate steps, the production
of electricity would be affected due to the agitation of
the engineers. |
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Govt employees stage rally AMRITSAR, Oct 29 — On a call given by the Amritsar Central Government Employees Coordination Committee of the local trade unions, thousands of Central Government employees from various departments, viz Railways, Postal, Telecom, MES, CPWD, Central Excise, FCI and Income Tax held a massive rally in front of the GMT office here today. The employees marched in a procession raising slogans in favour of their demands. Speakers from various
organisations spoke against the massive onslaught of
privatisation "unleashed" by the Central
Government on the public sector and government
departments. They also criticised the government for
bowing to the dictates of the IMF and the World Bank.
They said the decision to disinvest major organisations
like insurance, the ONGC, the BHEL, the HMT and the VSNL,
which were highly profitable was highly deplorable. |
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Progress of health project
reviewed CHANDIGARH, Oct 29 — The World Bank mission, led by Mr David Peters, called on the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, here today and discussed the progress and implementation of second stage of the health system project. The mission expressed satisfaction over the progress and the efficient management of the system, a press note said. It laid stress on free flow of funds to achieve the targets. The Managing Director of
Health System Corporation, Mr S.S. Channy, said
construction work on 80 hospitals out of 151 was in
progress under the first phase, and work on the rest of
the hospitals would start by January. |
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Vet officers hold dharna CHANDIGARH, Oct 29 — Members of the Punjab Veterinary Officer's Association led by Mr Gurcharan Singh Chahal held a dharna here today in front of the office of the Director, Animal Husbandry, Punjab, to protest against the non-implementation of the association's long-pending demands. Due to the non-implementation of the demands, there was great resentment among veterinary officers, Dr Chahal said. The main demand of the association is grant of higher pay scales after 4,9 and 14 years of service. This demand was accepted by the government. But later a letter was issued by the Finance department that pay in higher scales should be fixed after the guidelines were issued by the Personnel department. Likewise, the
recommendations of the Fourth Pay Commission like higher
qualification pay, academic allowance and an increase in
visiting fee had not been implemented as yet, he added.
Other demands were designating doctors as Assistant
Directors after eight years of service and Deputy
Directors after 18 years of service. |
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Student commits suicide PATIALA, Oct 29 — Avtar Singh first year (law) student committed suicide in a hostel in Punjabi University here yesterday evening. He consumed celphose tablets and left a suicide note saying he is fed up with life and ending it at his own will. He prayed to his parents not to weep at his death. The suicide note was found written in one of his registers. A pencil sketch of a girl which resembled with another one, drawn on a wall in his hostel room was also found in the register. According to Dr O.P. Aggarwal, Associate Professor Forensic Medicine the youth died because of celphos and viscera has been sent to the chemical examination laboratory here. The police said a broken love affair seems to be the only cause of suicide.
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Taxi drivers hold rally LUDHIANA, Oct 29 — Hundreds of taxi drivers affiliated to the Taxi Workers Union, Punjab, organised a protest rally at Chattar Singh park here today in protest against a Punjab Government notification directing taxi drivers to obtain a permit within 10 days. The leaders of the union are demanding that they should be given three months' time for obtaining the permit. They said a deputation of the union would shortly meet Mr Parkash Singh Badal in this regard. The rally was led by a
former CPM leader, Mr Tarsem Jodha. |
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