Friday, September 17, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Friday, September 17, 1999 |
weather  spotlighttoday's calendar |
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CM
opposes amendment move Bhai Ranjit Singh opposes voting
right |
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Fake
currency racket busted |
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Doctor
arrested for killing wife Govt’s order on paddy
harvesting Minister warns contractors 6-year-old boy murdered for
ransom, 2 held Call to scrap reservation based on
caste Raja Narinder denies report Nirankari sammelan held Paddy procurement begins |
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CM opposes amendment move JALANDHAR, Sept 16 (PTI) — The Punjab Chief Minister and ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President, Mr Parkash Singh Badal and the SGPC chief, Bibi Jagir Kaur, today lashed out at the Chief Commissioner of Gurdwara Elections, Justice Harbans Singh, for sending a draft notification to the Union Home Ministry to amend the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, and said he had no authority to do so. "Justice Singh’s only job is to conduct gurdwara elections, he has no authority to send proposals of amendments to Union Home Ministry," Mr Badal told reporters here, adding he spoke to the Home Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, yesterday on the issue and apprised him of the SAD’s view point. The SGPC chief, Bibi Jagir Kaur also assailed Justice Harbans Singh’s move and questioned his authority to draft a notification for amending the Sikh Gurdwara Act. "The SGPC is a premier Sikh institution and no one has any right to amend the Sikh Gurdwara Act without its consent,’’ Jagir Kaur told PTI here. She said any amendment, if required, would be only after getting the consent of the SGPC, Sikh intellectuals and other Sikh forums. Justice Harbans Singh had sent a draft notification to the Home Ministry last month containing proposed amendments in the 1925 Act ending reservations for women and scheduled castes in the SGPC, changing the definition of ‘Sikh’, removing the bar on alcoholics from becoming voters in gurdwara elections and several other changes. Reservation for women was introduced in the SGPC in 1996 through a notification in August, 1996, during the tenure of former SGPC chief G.S. Tohra. The SGPC has 30 reserved seats in the 170-member general house in which members owing loyalty to Mr Badal dominate. Mr Tohra has so far not reacted on the issue. Mr Badal also assailed the suggestion to-end reservations for women in the SGPC saying at a time when various political parties and progressive groups wanted to reserve 33 per cent seats for women in state legislatures and Parliament, "ending reservations for women in SGPC would be a thoroughly regressive step." Incidentally, the Chief Commissioner of Gurdwara Elections, in his draft notification sent to the Union Home Ministry last month, said the reservation for women in the SGPC was "generally not favoured, not even by the present President of the SGPC — a woman." Mr Badal, however, did not comment about Justice Harbans Singh’s additional suggestion to end the reservations for scheduled castes also in the premier Sikh shrines management committee. Bibi Jagir Kaur appealed to the Sikhs not to get confused by the controversy as any amendment, if required, would be made only after getting the consent of Sikh intelligentsia, Sikh institutions and think tanks and the SGPC. Mr Badal also said he would expand his ministry after the Lok Sabha poll results next month. Talking to reporters here, the Chief Minister said the SAD-BJP combine would win most seats but "may miss one or two of them." This is the first time that Mr Badal has admitted a possibility of defeat at "one or two seats". He also termed as "totally wrong" the exit poll surveys which predicted only three seats for the ruling combine in Punjab. The ruling combine and the candidates supported by it had won all 13 seats in the state in 1998 but a resurgent Congress-Left alliance buoyed by a division within Akali ranks is widely expected to give it a run for votes this time. Asked about any consultation by the Central Government with the Chief Minister regarding appointment of a new Governor in view of the tenure of incumbent, Lt Gen (retd) B.K.N. Chhibber, ending on September 18, Mr Badal said: "It is a matter for Government of India." He did not elaborate upon whether any consultations did take place or not. The Chief Minister said
he had taken personal interest to ensure that procurement
of paddy by government agencies begins today and had
specially gone to New Delhi for confabulations in this
regard. |
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Sehajdhari Sikhs JALANDHAR, Sept 16 (PTI) — Former Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh today categorically said he was against granting the right to Sehajdharis to vote in Gurdwara or the SGPC elections and accused anti-Panthic forces of trying to subjugate the Sikh ethos and institutions through motivated amendments in the Sikh Gurdwara Act. "A section of the media has wrongly quoted me as having said that I advocated Sehajdharis' right to vote in Gurdwara elections. I am against granting Sehajdharis the right to vote," Bhai Ranjit Singh told PTI here on phone from Amritsar. He said the proposal advanced by Justice (retd) Harbans Singh, Chief Commissioner of Gurdwara elections, to lift the bar on alcoholics from becoming voters in Gurdwara elections was "ridiculous of anti-Panthic lobbies' doing." "There is a systematic attempt to gnaw at the core principles of Sikhism in the garb of becoming pragmatic. Removal of bar on alcoholics is like legalising corruption just because it was difficult to control it," the former Jathedar, who is a staunch critic of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said. He said Mr Badal was fighting shy of asking for removal of the Chief Gurdwara Election Commissioner because he was not a true Sikh. Bhai Ranjit Singh also reacted angrily to the move to make eligible ‘patits’ (apostates) for purpose of fighting Gurdwara elections. "All this may one day make possible for people like H.K.L. Bhagat to become president of the SGPC," he added sarcastically. However, when asked
about reservations for women and scheduled castes in the
SGPC, Bhai Ranjit Singh said he was a votary for the
‘merit only’ criteria. |
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Fake currency racket busted JALANDHAR, Sept, 16 — The police has arrested five members of a gang which printed and distributed counterfeit currency and seized Rs 4.5 lakh of counterfeit currency notes. Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP, said here today that on the evening of September 14 a white Maruti car was signalled to stop at Kartarpur, where the police had laid a naka. Upon search Rs. 80,000 was found and three persons Pal Chand alias Pala, Rajinder Kumar and Lekkh Raj, travelling in the car were arrested. On examination, the seized currency notes were found to be fake as there was a discrepancy in the water-mark, guide-wire and a change in colour pattern. However, the quality of the counterfeit currency notes was so good that on a cursory examination they could have passed as genuine. The arrested persons disclosed that they were members of a six-member gang which printed fake currency with the help of computers and supplied it to a large number of persons. The transactions were carried out by meetings at locations arranged on mobile phones. The computer and other equipment used in the operations was in Chhokra village, at the house of Balbir Singh, who was the main operator and leader of the gang. A raid was conducted on his house on September 15 and two persons, Balbir Singh and Harnek Singh, were arrested. During the search two mobile phones and counterfeit currency notes worth Rs 3.25 lakh were seized. They revealed that they
used a computer to scan genuine currency notes so the
printer would print genuine looking notes. Balbir Singh
had purchased the equipment from Delhi in January this
year and had been carrying out his operations since then.
One member, Pala of Sarai Khas, village is still
absconding. The arrested persons were produced in the
court of Ilaqa Judicial Magistrate, the SSP said. |
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Doctor arrested for killing
wife MUKTSAR, Sept 16 — The lust for dowry has landed a doctor posted at Lambi in police custody. Dr Balkar Singh allegedly killed his wife, Manjit Kaur, on July 30 1997. The police also arrested Mohinder Kaur, mother of the doctor, for killing the wife of the doctor, Manjit Kaur by electrocution. Police sources said that a case under Section 304-B and 34 had been registered against Balkar Singh and his mother yesterday for allegedly killing Manjit Kaur. Mr Kultar Singh, SSP, said Manjit Kaur who was a daughter of deceased IPS officer was married to Balkar Singh on January 22, 1995. Her mother, Mrs Kanwaljit Kaur, a Sub-Inspector in the Delhi police, gave car and other dowry items to Balkar Singh at the time of marriage. After his marriage, Dr Balkar Singh started raising demands for other items and Mrs Kanwaljit Kaur kept fulfilling all demands which included VCR and other items. After the birth of a son, Balkar Singh demanded Rs 5 lakh from her for opening a clinic. When Manjit Kaur failed to fulfil his demand. Balkar Singh and his mother beat up Manjit Kaur. When Manjit Kaur fell on the ground, Balkar Singh allegedly electrocuted her with live wires and she died on the spot. The doctor informed his mother-in-law about her death and told her that she should rush to Lambi immediately. But instead of waiting for his mother-in-law, he took the body to his native village Mohmdewala near Jalalabad. An inquiry headed by Mr
Balkar Singh, held Dr Balkar Singh and his mother,
Mohinder Kaur guilty of murdering Manjit Kaur. |
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Govt’s order on paddy
harvesting ROPAR, Sept 16 — The Punjab Government has directed the Deputy Commissioners in the state to initiate action against those combine harvest operators who will harvest unripe paddy, operate their combines during night hours or close the fan of their combines while operating the same. Stating this today, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Food and Supplies Minister, Punjab, said with the starting of paddy procurement this morning, written directions were being sent to the Deputy Commissioners to take action against erring combine harvest operators so that farmers could not face any harassment or loss during marketing of the crop in the grain markets. Hailing the decision of the Central Government to procure paddy from today in place of October 1 in the state, Mr Mittal appealed to the farmers not to bring sub-standard, wet and unripe paddy in the grain markets. Mr Mittal also exhorted the farmers to get their paddy crop harvested by keeping the fan of the combine open. He also urged the farmers not to get their paddy harvested during night hours. The minister also asked the combine harvest operators to avoid harvesting of unripe paddy. He said they should also not operate their combines in the late and early hours. He said if any operator violated directions issued for them, he would have to face stern action. Mr Mittal further said
that the commission agents in the grain markets should
also make proper arrangements for the clean paddy and
provide tarpaulins for the safety of crop. |
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Minister warns contractors CHANDIGARH, Sept 16 — Punjab's Department of Local Government today reviewed octroi collection through contractors and took cognisance of complaints pouring in. The Minister, Mr Balramji Das Tandon, presided. The minister issued a stern warning that under no circumstances, the government would tolerate any harassment and high-handedness of the contractors. It was made clear that no contractor would have any power to either seize goods or levy and collect any penalty or composition fee. These powers were to be exercised only by the municipal council/nagar panchayats. Octroi contract would be cancelled if a contractor indulged in any misconduct either personally or through his staff. Mr Tandon made it clear that no contractor would be allowed to check handbags and brief cases, particularly of women. It was also made clear that contractors should not inspect private cars unless there was prior information of such vehicles being used for evasion of tax. The minister appealed to
the people not to succumb to the pressure, if any, of the
contractors and report to the officials concerned. |
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6-year-old boy murdered
for ransom, 2 held BATALA, Sept 16 — The Batala police has unravelled the mystery of a six-year-old missing boy, Gurdip Singh, a resident of Hussanpur village, who allegedly kidnapped from the school for ransom and later murdered. However, both the kidnappers, Kuldip Singh, alias Keepa, and Sewa Singh, alias Billa, residents of Hassanpur Kalan village, have been arrested under Sections 302 and 201, IPC. The boy had gone to school on September 6 in the same village. There he was allegedly kidnapped by Kuldip Singh. It is pertinent to mention here that Kuldip Singh had earlier worked with Mr Sukhdev Singh, father of the boy, in Alfa Foundry. Mr Sukhdev Singh was to receive Rs 50,000 as compensation in a case filed by him against Alfa Foundry. Kuldip Singh who knew this hatched a conspiracy with Sewa Singh to grab the money. According to Mr Lok Nath
Angra, SSP, parents informed the police on September 10
and a team was constituted to trace the boy. He said
during the course of investigation the body of the boy
which was buried near the drain adjoining Balpurian
village was recovered. Later, Kuldip Singh and Sewa Singh
were arrested who confessed their crime, he added. |
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Call to scrap reservation
based on caste CHANDIGARH, Sept 16 — The Punjab State General Category Welfare Federation, at a meeting held today under the chairmanship of Mr Shyam Lal Sharma, state president, demanded that every kind of reservation on the basis of casteism, should be scrapped immediately. The decision of the apex court dated August 12 last handed down in respect of medical services and technical services that selection must be made on the basis of merit only should be implemented. Due to alleged involvement of the son and relative of Mr Gurdev Singh Badal, Agriculture Minister, Punjab, in the rape of a girl, the minister should be removed from Council of Ministers immediately. Owing to the reservation policy undue benefits were being extended to rich Scheduled Castes. Therefore, the meeting demanded the government of India limit of reservation, which expires in January, 2000, should not be extended. The reservation policy, which was only for a period of 10 years, has been extended from time to time up to 50 years. There is no justification in extending the reservation policy any further, the statement said. The meeting said scholarships should be given to the "poor" of the general categories. The facility of "free" electricity should also be provided to the "poor" persons of general categories as in the case of Scheduled Castes categories. Several district
presidents of the federation and the Punjab Civil
Secretariat and directorates attended the meeting. |
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Raja Narinder denies report CHANDIGARH, Sept 16 — The Punjab Public Health Minister, Raja Narinder Singh, in a signed statement today described as "mischievous and baseless" report appearing in a section of the Press that he was trying to change the present leadership of Mr Parkash Singh Badal, who heads the SAD. He said such doctored propaganda was being done to misguide the people. The persons behind the move to "destabilise" the government and directly "help" the Congress were the ones who had been rejected by the Sikh masses and even expelled from the SAD. The likes of them were Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra. "I am solidly standing at the back of Mr Parkash Singh Badal, who has emerged as the strongest leader". No one should pay heed
to anti-party activities of people like Mr Tohra but
should instead be exposed. The entire Sikh sangat was
behind Mr Parkash Singh, who remains the "guiding
spirit" behind the SAD. |
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Nirankari sammelan held PATIALA, Sept 16 — Nirankari Sant Hardev Singh today exhorted the masses to come out of preconceived notions of religion, language and caste and work for progress of humanity. Addressing a large gathering of Nirankaris at Shaheed Udham Singh Stadium in Sunam, Sangrur, the Nirankari sant said men, who had fallen in vortex of desires was drifting away from humanity and becoming a demon. He said this demon was so cruel that it was spreading bloodshed all around and not even leaving small innocent children. He said the demon would soon engulf all if man did not follow the path of truth and control his mind. He said man's biggest enemy was his ego and arrogance. If a person was able to fight his desires and control his ego then he could lead others to the path of truth. Later Baba Hardev Singh
accompanied by his wife Mata Satwinder Kaur and Mr
Joginder Singh Thind who heads Nirankari sect in Patiala
laid a wreath at the memorial of Shaheed Udham Singh in
football stadium, Sunam. |
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Paddy procurement begins KHANNA, Sept 16 — The Punjab Government agencies started paddy procurement here today. The FCI, however, has not purchased a single bag of paddy despite the announcement by the government. According to official sources, Khanna grain market was allotted to the FCI alone for procurement of paddy earlier, but today evening the Punjab Government directed the Civil Supply Department to start the procurement immediately through the PUNSUP, Markfed, Warehouse, Food Supply Department and FCI. Sources said 1,500 bags of paddy were purchased by the Punjab Government agencies in the first hour of work. LUDHIANA (TNS): With
a view to protecting the interest of Punjab farmers, the
FCI is fully geared to commence procurement of paddy,
according to Mr D.P. Reddy, IAS, Senior Regional Manager,
Punjab Region. He said this while addressing senior
officers of the FCI here today at a meeting of the
quality control staff and officers. He said they had been
directed to be available in all the 528 mandis allotted
to the FCI by the state government so as to extend the
price support for the paddy stocks arriving in the
mandis. |
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Ferozepore, Ludhiana DCCs dissolved CHANDIGARH, Sept 16 — The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President, Capt Amarinder Singh, today dissolved the Ferozepore and Ludhiana District Congress Committees and appointed new presidents in Major Harminder Singh (retd) and Mr Surinder Dawar, respectively. According to a party
press note, the PPCC chief has asked the two new DCC
presidents to send a panel of names for appointment as
office-bearers of the respective districts for approval. |
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Case against Mann withdrawn FATEHGARH SAHIB, Sept 16
— The Punjab Home Secretary in a communication to
the Deputy Commissioner and the district Attorney has
asked them to withdraw a case against Mr Simranjit Singh
Mann, which was registered under Sections 353 and 186,
IPC, at Sirhind police station on the complaint of
Sub-Inspector Najar Singh. The District Attorney withdrew
the case today. Mr Mann was summoned in the court as his
presence was necessary. |
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UTF sweeps PUTA elections PATIALA, Sept 16 — The United Teachers Front (UTF) comprising group against a former Vice-Chancellor, Dr J.S. Puar, today swept the Punjabi University Teachers Association (PUTA) elections bagging all four office-bearer seats and four out of seven executive member seats. All four members of the front fighting for office-bearer seats won by handsome margins. The elected officer bearers were Dr Gurdeep Singh, Dr A.S. Bhatia, Dr H.S.Boparai and Dr J.M. Khan. The four members aligned
with the UTF who were elected as executive members of the
association were Dr Sarabjit Singh Grewal, Dr Ravi Anu,
Dr Kulbir Singh Dhillon and Mrs Kumkum Bajaj. Those who
aligned with the UTF and won as executive members were Dr
Bhupinder Singh Khaira, Dr R.C. Gupta and Dr Ravinder
Singh. |
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Teaching faculty threatens stir AMRITSAR, Sept 16 — The teaching faculty of the Beant College of Engineering and Technology, Gurdaspur, is up in arms against the non-implementation of the revised pay scales by the state government. The faculty members alleged that while the revised pay scales had already been given to the teaching faculty of regional engineering colleges of state, they had not been given the revised scales so far. They threatened to
resort to agitational path if the revised scales were not
implemented at the earliest. |
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