Sunday, September 26, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Sunday, September 26, 1999 |
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Father-in-law
commits suicide |
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Maximum
suicides in Ludhiana
Revenue sources may be privatised Cess on agricultural products
resented Fake certificate racket busted Faculty dissociates from boards
Injured student's condition stable Christians demand probe Police launches 'Dastak' scheme Paddy arrival to be reviewed
daily: Badal Seminar soon on gurdwara Act Punjab, Rajasthan to work out
economic cooperation |
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Father-in-law commits suicide PATIALA, Sept 25 — In a unique case a resident of Ghanaur near here committed suicide yesterday after he was allegedly beaten up by the brother of his daughter-in-law who suffered 100 per cent burns on her first wedding anniversary and is at present admitted to Rajindra Hospital here. Sohan Lal of Ghanaur, consumed Celphos tablets after returning home from Rajindra Hospital yesterday. Earlier he was beaten up twice once in the early morning when he brought his daughter-in-law to the hospital and then again when other relatives of his daughter-in-law arrived later. According to Sohan Lal’s brother, Mohan Lal, the former preferred to commit suicide rather than be repeatedly humiliated. An FIR has been registered on Mohan Lal’s statement against the burnt women’s brothers Anu Puri and Shankari, under Section 306 of the IPC. However, the police has also registered a case under Section 307 (attempt to murder) against the burnt woman, Manju Bala’s mother-in-law, Suman Lata, and husband, Inderbir Singh, following a statement made by her. Manju in her statement to the police in the presence of a magistrate at the hospital said her husband doused her with kerosene and set her on fire. She said her mother-in-law, with whom she had strained relations, remained a mute spectator to the entire proceedings. However, according to Mohan Lal, the son was estranged from his parents and was living separately in the same house. Mohan Lal claimed that none from the family, including the parents, had been invited for the couples’ wedding anniversary and only Manju’s mother, Krishna, was present when Manju was set afire. He said when the neighbourhood and his family heard shrieks coming from the first floor, they immediately rushed to the house and saw Krishna bringing her burnt daughter down the stairs. He said Manju was taken to Rajindra Hospital for treatment. Manju is presently undergoing treatment at Rajindra, Hospital. She is in a critical condition with doctors stating that she has 100 per cent burns. Meanwhile, in an another
alleged dowry death, Kamaljit Kaur of Dhurri township
died today at Rajindra Hospital here. She was married to
Paramjit Krishan, a chemist of Sunam. A case has been
under Section 304,, IPC, against Pramjit Krishan and his
mother, Kamlesh Rani. |
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Custodial death: three cops
surrender ROPAR, Sept 25 — Malwinder Singh Malhi, SI of the CIA staff, Manjit Singh, a constable, and Devinder Singh, an SPO, suspects in the custodial death of Devinder Singh, alias Bhola, a 21-year-old truck driver from Hasanpur village, near Kharar, today surrendered before the SP(D) and investigation officer of this case, Mr Jagdish Singh Kahlon, according to highly placed police sources here this evening. The sources said that all three suspects would be produced before a magistrate here tomorrow. Devinder Singh who died in the custody of CIA staff here on September 18 was arrested on the same day along with three youths — Inderjit Singh, Sapinder Singh and Karnail Singh of Hasanpur village — on the charge of possessing an assault rifle. The remaining three youths were released by a Kharar court on September 19 when the police told the court that no weapon had been recovered from them. After the death of Devinder Singh, these three suspects, who surrendered, today were absent from duty and were placed under suspension by the police authorities. Since then they had absconded and the police was conducting raids at different places to arrest them. Before the surrender of these suspects, another suspect in this case, Gurcharan Singh, a constable, also surrendered before the police on September 22. Later, he was remanded in police custody up to September 28. Another accused in this case, Didar Singh, SHO of Anandpur Sahib, was arrested by the police on September 23. He was also sent in police custody up to September 28 by the court. With the surrender and later arrest of these three suspects, five policemen have been arrested in the custodial death case while in the FIR registered at the local sadar police station on September 18, the name of Malwinder Singh Malhi and other police officials concerned was mentioned. Meanwhile, the three youths — Inderjit Singh, Sapinder Singh and Karnail Singh — the victims of alleged police torture, who were admitted in the local Civil Hospital on September 22, are still under treatment in the medical ward here. They were shifted from the emergency ward on the night of September 23. The bhog ceremony of
Devinder Singh who died on September 18 will be performed
tomorrow at Hasanpur village. It is expected that top
leaders of various political parties will attend the
ceremony. |
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Punjab tourism in doldrums LUDHIANA: Even as the World Tourism Organisation together with UNESCO, organises yet another "World Tourism Day" on September 27 with "Preserving World Heritage for the New Millennium" as its theme, tourism industry in Punjab as a whole remains in the doldrums. "The last three-four months have been particularly bad for the tourism industry", says Mr N.S. Nanda, President of the Hotel and Restaurants Association of Punjab. Recession, Kargil and the general downturn in the economy together with the parliamentary elections have all combined together to keep the tourists away.... It is only now that things have started looking up and a trickle of tourists has started flowing into Punjab". As a matter of fact, the situation has been no different for the rest of the country too. Despite sluggish trends in the economy, a major increase of 9.3% in tourist inflow was registered during February this year. However, a negative growth of 4.6% during April brought down the cumulative growth down. According to official data, foreign tourist arrivals in India during the first seven months of the current year registered a 4.3% increase to 1,368,471 as compared to 1,311,533 during January-July, 1998. Excluding citizens of Pakistan and Bangladesh, the arrivals stood at 1,133,197 during January-July, 1999, as compared to 1,090,506 during the corresponding period of the previous year. UNESCO and WTO have established a close partnership over the years to promote the preservation of cultural heritage through sustainable tourism. Both organisations are working actively to promote two major long-term interregional projects of cultural and tourism itineraries, namely the "Silk route" and the "Slave Route". The WTO also cooperates with UNESCO in the "Memories of the Future Project", a partnership with hotel groups and tour operators which commit themselves to the realisation of projects for safeguarding and enhancing cultural heritage. However, in Punjab, precious little appears to have been done to preserve the cultural heritage. "In fact, promotion of tourism does not appear to occupy an important position on the agenda of the government. This is despite the fact that tourism industry has merged as the fourth largest foreign exchange earner of the country", says Mr Nanda. Although a tourism policy was framed by the government more than a year ago, it has not as yet been adopted by it. The policy is said to be stuck in the Finance Ministry because the government has been unable to spare even a measly sum of Rs 6 crore for tourism development. Hotel and tourism was declared as a full fledged industry in 1996 when Mr Harcharan Singh Brar was Chief Minister of Punjab. But not a penny has been given by the government since then to the industry by way of grant, assistance, subsidy or concession in any way."It remains a paper declaration only", says Mr Nanda. "No facility or concession is available to the tourism industry. Even the PSEB continues to charge for electricity at commercial rather than industrial rates. And when we contacted officials at the PSEB to demand that hotels should be charged at industrial rates, they said they do not recognise any notification by the Punjab government in this regard..." In places like Ludhiana, the hotel industry is subjected to as many as eight types of taxes on the supply of water alone. "The taxes have been imposed at different stages of water supply use, toilet seats, disposal, sewerage.... There is even a disposal tax. A house tax is charged on room rent". Despite suggestions that the Punjab government should open tourist centres at the international airports in India and abroad, nothing has been done. Little attempt has been
made to develop historical spots like Aam-Khas Bagh,
Sheesh Mahal at Patiala, Mudki, Sanghol, forts at
Bathinda and Phillaur, Hussaniwala and Wagah borders or
even the Qila Raipur rural sports mela. |
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Punjab may amend Lok Pal Act Chhappar (Ahmedgarh), Sept 25 — It was a day of competitive political conferences at the annual Chhappar fair attended today by thousands of village folk from all over the Malwa region. All major political parties of Punjab, including the Shiromani Akali Dal led by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, the Congress-CPI-CPM combine, the SHSAD headed by Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, and the Akali Dal (Amritsar) headed by Mr Simranjit Singh Mann organised political conferences where they held forth on the virtues of their outfits and ran down their rivals. The event was utilised as an occasion for a show of strength by various political parties. Both the SAD and the Congress attracted large crowds. The turnout was respectable at the SHSAD rally too. However, the attendance at Mr Mann’s rally was less than expected. Incidentally, Mr Mann fought the parliamentary election as a part of the Third Front headed by Mr Tohra but for some reason, he was not allowed to share the stage with the SHSAD supremo at the Chhappar mela today. "I was keen on having a joint political conference but I don’t know why Mr Tohra did not agree to this", said Mr Mann talking to newsmen at Ahmedgarh. Interestingly, while the Chief Minister predicted that the BJP and its allies would once again form the government at the Centre after the ongoing parliamentary elections, the opposition parties, including the Congress-CPI-CPM, the SHSAD and the SAD(A) insisted that the poll results would spell doom for the Badal Government in Punjab. The ruling Akali Dal was heading for a resounding defeat in the elections and, therefore, the days of the Badal Government were numbered, predicted leaders from the Congress, the SHSAD and the SAD(A). However, the Chief Minister said in his speech at the conference that he had toured Himachal and UP and there was a tremendous response to the BJP. Mr Vajpayee’s personality and stature as a statesman was universally accepted. He had no doubt in his mind that the BJP and its allies would form the next government at the Centre. Mr Badal poohpoohed suggestions from the Opposition that his party would not fare well in the elections. "Let us all wait till October 6 when the counting of votes will begin", he said. There was no question of any dissatisfaction in the SAD or any type of dissident activity. "Our party is fully united. And all this talk about Mr Surjit Singh Barnala losing in the poll and crossing over to the SHSAD is also baseless..." The Chief Minister indicated that amendments would soon be made to the Lok Pal Act to make it foolproof so that the problem of corruption could be tackled more effectively. He sought cooperation from the people for combating corruption. "They should come forward with solid cases and we will take strict action," he said, pointing out that even terrorism could be defeated only when people began cooperating with the government. This problem too could be defeated if people cooperated. The Chief Minister defended the supply of free power and water to the rural sector and denied that this had in any way offended the urbanites who had shown their ire by voting against the SAD-BJP combine in the parliamentary poll in Punjab. Farming was no longer a remunerative profession. It was, therefore, the duty of the government to come to its aid. The results were there for all to see. Punjab had achieved a record wheat and paddy production during the past couple of years. As regards the need for diversification of agriculture, he said mere talking about this would not help. Farm scientists must also show which alternative crops were more or at least equally remunerative for the farmers. Mr Badal said he had already directed the officers to expedite the procurement of paddy in the state. The current problem of farmers being unable to dispose of their paddy in certain mandis was temporary. "This is teething trouble witnessed at the commencement of every procurement season and will disappear soon". Speakers at the SHSAD rally concentrated their fire on the failure of the economic policies of the Badal Government which had brought Punjab to the brink of bankruptcy. They also vowed to free the Akali Dal from the clutches of "bogus" leaders and pledged to uphold the traditions of Akal Takht. They criticised the Badal Government for failing to properly organise paddy procurement operations with the result that farmer’s produce was rotting in the mandis. Congress, CPI and CPM leaders including Capt Amarinder Singh and Mr Joginder Dayal, too, criticised the Badal government for its all round failure and blamed it for rising corruption and unemployment. The SAD(A) leader, Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, indicated that his party would soon meet to discuss whether or not to pursue the issue of "Khalistan". "There are hardliners, softliners and moderates in the party. We have to reconcile their views. The party has already directed me not to pursue the issue of carrying three-foot kirpan in Parliament House. But I will certainly talk about the right to carry the kirpan to any place if I get elected to the Lok Sabha", he said. The SAD stage set up here boasted of big weights like Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, Senior Vice-President, Mr Mal Singh Ghuman and Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha. While addressing a gathering, the SAD President, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, claimed that the BJP and its allies would form a stable government at the Centre. He lambasted the Congress of doing injustice to Punjab by ruining the state economically, socially and religiously. The Chief Minister also
ridiculed Mr Simranjit Singh Mann and Jathedar Gurcharan
Singh Tohra for betraying Punjabis in order to meet their
own vested interests and cautioned people against their
nefarious designs. |
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Maximum suicides in Ludhiana BATHINDA, Sept 25 — After every 13 hours, a person in Punjab ends his life by consuming some poisonous substance according to the figures supplied by the Health and Family Welfare Minister, Mr Manoranjan Kalia in the Vidhan Sabha. The figures showed that as many as 2226 persons in Punjab — known as food basket of the country — ended their lives by consuming poisonous substance from January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1998. On an average, a suicide after every 20 hours by consumption of inorganic and organic poison has been reported in the state in the past five years. It is interesting these figures comprise suicides committed by taking poison. Cases of the people have committed suicide by jumping before running trains hanging from ceiling fans and jumping into river or canal have also become common in the state. The figures showed that suicides (with poison) are on increase every year. In 1994, there was suicide with poisonous substance after every 24 hours it came down to 17 hours in 1997. In 1998, suicides due to poisoning were reported after every 13 hours. Out of total 2226 persons who committed suicide in the past five years, 1563 were men while 663 were women. Out of the total 2226 suicides 8.67 per cent were unmarried girls while 21.11 were married women. In 1994 the total number of suicides by intake of poisonous substance was 358 which went upto 509 in 1997. It further went to 645 in 1998. In 1998, maximum number of suicides were reported from Ludhiana district where 215 persons ended their lives while no suicide was reported from Ropar district. In the past five years, Ludhiana topped the list with 509 persons committing suicide while Ropar district was placed at the bottom with only one person ending his life. Fatehgarh Sahib district witnessed only nine suicides in the past five years while Patiala reported only 36 suicides. After Ludhiana, Gurdaspur district witnessed 316 suicides in the past five years. The figures revealed that out of total 2226 persons who had ended their lives by taking poison, 1308 belonged to Malwa region comprising Bathinda, Mansa, Muktsar, Fatehgarh, Ropar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur, Ferozepore and Faridkot districts, 527 belonged to Doaba region comprising of Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Nawanshahar and Hoshiarpur districts and 391 belonged to Majha region comprising Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts. Mr Kalia said that
health education camps were being organised in the
villages and towns to create awareness regarding health
facilities and precautions while handling the poisonous
substances among public. |
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Revenue sources may be
privatised AMRITSAR, Sept 25 — Encouraged by the privatisation of collection of octroi in 140 Municipal Committees in Punjab, the state government is thinking of privatisation of many other avenues, of revenue, Punjab Minister for Local Bodies Balamjidas Tandon said here today. Briefing newsmen on the outcome of a meeting of Municipal Commissioners and Mayors of corporations, the minister said he could not spell out the scheme as it was still under discussion. The minister claimed the privatisation of octroi collection had not only resulted in plugging the leakage of octroi but also improved revenue. The revenue had increased from a mere 20 per cent to 120 per cent. "This additional income is being utilised for the execution of development works and provision of improved civic amenities. Such development works could not be executed for years together since the municipalities were dependent on grants from the Punjab Government", the minister said. Referring to complaints of harassment by traders at the hands of staff of private contractors, the minister said the government had been issuing instructions to the municipalities from time to time to ensure that this did not happen. In order to eliminate such complaints, the government had issued fresh guidelines to the authorities concerned. Now the contractor or his agent shall not be able to decide any octroi evasion case at his level but refer it to the Commissioner or Executive Officer, concerned who is the competent authority in such cases. However, if the importer
of goods was not satisfied with the decision of the
Commissioner or the Executive Officer, he could file an
appeal before the appellate authority concerned or might
avail himself of any other relief admissible under law. |
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Cess on agricultural products
resented AMRITSAR, Sept 25 — The agro-based industries in Punjab, including rice shellers and flour mills, have protested against the levying a cess of 1 per cent on paddy and other agricultural products as infrastructural development cees. In a joint statement issued here today, a spokesman of the industrie’s association said the Punjab already had the highest tax on wheat and paddy amounting to over 10 per cent in comparison to other neighbouring states, including Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. The high incidence of taxes includes 2 per cent market fees, 2 per cent rural development fund, 4 per cent purchase tax, besides the new cess of 1 per cent, thus making the essential foodgrains products very expensive. This adds to the burden, both on the consumer as well as on the industry, making it highly uncompetitive in comparison to other neighbouring states. The spokesman stated that already over 90 per cent of the flour mills had closed down in the state, while the remaining were finding it increasingly difficult to survive as there was no buyer for their products outside the state. It was pertinent to note that while the price of wheat at the mills comes to Rs 715 per quintal while the imported wheat from Australia comes to Rs 600. This was due to very high taxation which made wheat products uneconomical even to be moved to other states of South India.According to the spokesman, the 1 per cent cess violates the provisions of Article 254 of Constitution on wheat and paddy which are"declared goods" under the Act. The tax thereon cannot be charged beyond 4 per cent. He added that as per the provision of Article 286 of Constitution (read with Section 14 and 15 of the Central Sales Tax Act 1956) any law of a state should authorise the imposition of a tax on sale or purchase of goods declared by Parliament and by law. The restrictions and conditions also apply with regard to tax on sale or purchase of declared goods within the state. The tax payable under that law with respect to any sale or purchase of such goods inside the state shall not exceed 4 per cent of sale or purchase price thereof. Moreover, such tax shall not be levied at more than one stage. The contention of the
industry was that the cess had been levied on the
agriculture produce in the state under the provisions of
the Punjab General Sales Tax Act. The rules framed thus
showed that cess levied was nothing but an additional
sales tax in the garb of cess for providing
infrastructure facilities and thus violating Article 265
as it does not find any mention in Schedule 7, list II
and III of Constitution. He added that under Constitution
the state was prohibited to collect any amount which was
not supported by Constitutional provisions. |
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Fake certificate racket
busted JALANDHAR, Sept 25 — The local police claims to have busted a major racket of printing of fake certificates of the Punjab School Education Board, date and birth certificates of municipal corporation, octroi receipts, central excise forms. court fee stamps and obscene literature by arresting three persons and recovering a large amount of objectionable material from them. Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP, said here today that secret information was received by the police that Kulbir Singh Walia, a Superintendent in the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation, was illegally running a printing press, "Sachkhand Printers, at Santokhpura and indulging in printing of fake certificates and objectionable material on a large scale. The police conducted a raid on the premises of the printing press and arrested three persons — Surinder Kumar, Ram Lubhaya and Rakesh Kumar. However, Kulbir Singh Walia, and his son, Gurwinder Singh, have not been arrested so far. During preliminary interrogation, the accused disclosed that the printing press had been in operation for a long time and they were supplying obscene material to various persons. UNI adds: The police said the seizure comprised seven fake death certificates, one booklet of municipal corporation for issuing birth certificates, 300 Punjab School Education Board school-leaving certificates, four bundles of stencils for corporation octroi receipts, one booklet of court fee stamps 1,093 obscene books and 200 obscene posters besides three aluminium sheets and blocks for printing forms for central excise. A case under Sections
467, 468, 471, 294 of the IPC and 63 of the Copyright Act
has been registered. |
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Faculty dissociates from boards AMRITSAR, Sept 25 — In a first case of its kind, the faculty members of the Department of Sociology have written to all heads, teaching and non-teaching departments of the Guru Nanak Dev University that they have dissociated themselves from various boards such as the Board of Control, Board of Studies in Sociologies and Board of Editors in view of the "adamant and authoritarian" attitude and functioning of the head of the department. The circular further reads "any decision since August 12 or action undertaken by the head of the department does not carry our consent". The faculty members have also written to the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Harbhajan Singh Soch, that the circular or any other communication of the university should not be routed through the head of the department. In a signed statement, the faculty members of the Sociology Department have levelled serious charges of "irregularities" against the head of the department. They alleged that while setting the papers for undergraduate and postgraduate classes. The head of the department committed some "glaring mistakes". The representation reads, "as a chairman of the board of postgraduate studies, the head has not only created confusion by shifting paper III in MA I to MA II, thereby enabling the MA II students to study the same paper twice. But also made many alterations which were not discussed at the meeting." At the meeting, besides the chairman, only one member, Prof Parmjit Singh, was present. However, in the proceedings written by him, he mentioned that Dr Jasmeet Sandhu and Mrs Shankuntla Kaushal were present. Furthermore, one paper of BA II was exchanged with another paper of BA III creating the same confusion". The representation further reads that while transferring the journals from the department to the main library, the faculty was not consulted. The head rather made an unusual remark "nobody studies here" which offended all colleagues. The department has got substantial UGC grants to purchase books on "environment and society", but the head of the department made no efforts to buy books. The head, while recommending the books for purchase, has been highly discriminatory. It was alleged that the letters of faculty members were not being recommended or forwarded. The head has been sending the office clerk and the peon out for some work as a result of which the department remains closed even between 9 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. most of the time. The notices, particularly of academic nature, received by the department have not been circulated since March 8, 1998 it was alleged. Moreover, the office does not record the letters of the faculty members in the despatch register. Dr Jaspal Singh, head of
the Department, when contacted for his comments said he
could not reply to any query without the permission of
the vice-chancellor. He, however, claimed that these were
"small issues" which would be resolved. He said
half of the faculty members were his students and hence
everything would be sorted out shortly. |
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A village that thrives on
illegal brew, opium NANGAL: Majari, a village on the Punjab-Himachal border, is thronged by a large number of consumers every evening. Many of them come in cars, trucks, scooters and bicycles and even on foot. But all of them have to pass through about 2 km of difficult track to the rivulet near the village on foot, negotiating through the elephant grass and shrubs to reach the village market. This market is no different from other markets as there are a number of retail outlets, and the consumer can even negotiate the price. However, the factor which makes this market exclusive is that the product which is sold in this market is illicit liquor and opium. According to village sources, about 70 per cent of the villagers are involved in this business of making and selling illicit liquor. About 2000 litres of illicit liquor is sold every day in this village at the rate of Rs 40 per bottle. The average turnover is about Rs 1 lakh daily. This money is the basic motivation for them to continue their illegal trade. The prosperity of the village is obvious from the fact that almost all villagers live in pucca houses and most of them own either two or four wheelers. The prosperity of village can be attributed to the illegal business as most of them don't have any source of income but for an average land holding of about five acres per family. The basic ingredient of the alcohol made here is "gur". The gur is fermented in crude vessels by adding chemical or urea. Later it is distilled using a drum, an iron pot, an earthen pot and pipe, which carries the finished product to the collecting vessel. The "distillation" is done in the rivulet near the village. It serves as an ideal spot for such operation because it is almost inaccessible. Moreover, the heavy growth of elephant grass in the rivulet provides cover to villagers and helps them escape in the event of police raids. Opium is a new product in this "wholesale market" for narcotics, which has come up just a decade ago. According to sources, it comes from Rajasthan and the interior of HP. The rates of opium sold here range from Rs 300 (per 10 gm) for the purest quality to Rs 70 for the impure one. The impure opium is made after mixing gur with the pure quality. Truck drivers are the biggest consumers of the opium. They buy about 5 kg of opium daily from this village. According to the old residents of the village, illicit liquor has been made here, since time immemorial. However, now the geographic location of the village is helping the villagers to continue the tradition. The location of village is such that it is surrounded by Punjab on all sides. The only approach to the village from Himachal is through a rivulet which is blocked by shrubs and tall congress grass. The Kot Kahlur police station, which is nearest from the village, is located at about 20 km. The villagers involved in this business also have political patronage. A DSP, Mr Madhusudan, who had a stint of six months, had reduced the illegal trading of liquor to 10 per cent, but was transferred soon after, said a teacher of the village. Moreover, the lacunae in law was also being exploited by the villagers in this trade. The Himachal police registers about 100 to 150 cases annually under the Excise Act against the villagers of Majari. However, none of the villagers has been convicted in the past five years. This year alone up to September, the Kot Kahlur police has registered 58 cases against residents of the village. However, it is strange
that opium was being sold openly in this village and no
case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances Act. Under this Act, those guilty
face 10 to 20 years jail for possession or sale of opium.
This penalty acts as a deterrent for villagers involved
in this business. However, till this date the police
registered cases only under the Excise Act against the
villagers under which there is an imprisonment of just
three years. |
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Injured student's condition
stable SAS NAGAR, Sept 25 — The condition of Sahdev Singh Chopra, a first year student of Shaheed Udam Singh Engineering College at Dhangori village, near here, is reported to be stable. He was admitted to the PGI, Chandigarh, in an injured condition after being allegedly attacked by at least 20 youths armed with lathis and sticks on September 23. According to information, the attack was the outcome of an old enmity between two groups of students of the college. The assailants came in jeeps and cars and attacked the victim, reported to be a close friend of a son of a politician of the ruling party in the state. The politician's son, also a student of the college, was not in the college at that time and instead his friend, Sahdev was targeted by the attackers. The youth was first
taken to a hospital at Banur and was later referred to
the PGI. The statement of the victim has been registered
by the Sohana police. |
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Christians demand probe MOGA, Sept 25 — Christians from all over the state today demanded a thorough probe into the incident of the stripping of a nun by certain unscrupulous persons in Bihar and forcing her to drink urine. Speaking to newspersons here today, a deputation of Christians, led by Mr Massih, while expressing happiness over the reported orders of the Bihar Government for a probe into the incident, threatened to launch an agitation in case the accused were not arrested. They also sought the help of other communities in this regard. Meanwhile, the PPCC
General Secretary, Dr Malti Thaper, termed the incident
as a blemish on the BJP government and said immediate
action should be taken to bring the guilty to book. |
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Police launches 'Dastak' scheme LUDHIANA, Sept 25 — In an attempt to come closer to the public and serve it better, the local police today launched "Dastak-to-the- police" scheme. Mr Gurpreet Deo, SSP, presided over the inaugural function held here today. Dastak is a specially designed box installed at Bharat Nagar Chowk wherein people can put their complaints, information and suggestions . A team of police officers has been constituted for this scheme. The complaints would be segregated under various heads and dispensed to the police officers concerned. The complaints would be verified within a stipulated time period and a senior officer would personally monitor the process. The police reportedly
plans to launch a personal contact programme with the
public by organising meetings from October 15. |
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Paddy arrival to be reviewed
daily: Badal CHANDIGARH, Sept 25 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal said here today that certain vested interests were taking advantage and exploiting the sentiments of farmers as regards paddy procurement. The Chief Minister said as compared to 91,000 metric tonnes of paddy procurement last year, already over five lakh tonnes had been procured by the government agencies till September 24. This was a clear proof of the SAD-BJP Government's determination to safeguard the interests of farmers in Punjab, he claimed and said this was also the answer for those trying to exploit the farmers' sentiments. Mr Badal averred that at his personal intervention paddy purchase started in the state on September 16 whereas it was due to start on October 1. He had also spoken to Union Minister Surjit Singh Barnala to give instructions to the FCI to expedite paddy procurement in Punjab. Mr Badal said paddy arrivals would be monitored daily besides taking stock of lifting of stocks from mandis, and release of payments to farmers. Meanwhile, Mr R.S. Mann,
Chief Secretary, has said that a total 14.43 lakh tonnes
of paddy had been procured by various agencies in the
state. |
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Seminar soon on gurdwara Act CHANDIGARH, Sept 25 — Dr Sukhbir Singh Nagra, president of the Sikh Budhijivi Council, said here today that a seminar would be organised by the council soon for a detailed discussion on the proposed amendments in the Sikh Gurdwara Act. As it was a sensitive
issue, all aspects should be examined before carrying out
any amendments. The council would send its suggestions to
the SGPC after a discussion, he added. |
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Punjab, Rajasthan to work out
economic cooperation CHANDIGARH, Sept 25 — Punjab and Rajasthan will formulate a mutually beneficial strategy of cultural exchange and economic cooperation, the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal said this on return from Jaipur. He had gone to Jaipur on the invitation of the Rajasthan Chief Minister, Mr Ashok Gehlot, for a breakfast meeting with him at his residence in Rajasthan capital. Both Rajasthan and Punjab have their own mark in the production of handicraft, hand-made traditional textiles and other ethnic products. Providing mutually beneficial exposure to these products of Punjab and Rajasthan in both states would certainly lead to wider acceptability. Mr Badal said he had assured assistance to Rajasthan in transferring the latest farm technology and practices in an effort to promote agriculture and horticulture in that state. Mr Badal added that
steps would be taken to formalise soon the ideas that
emerged at the meeting. |
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Removal of Nishan Sahib decried AMRITSAR, Sept 25 — The Dal Khalsa and the Rani Ka Bagh Sat Sang Sabha in separate statement have strongly criticised the uprooting of "Nishan Sahib" (religious flag) from a public park by the Municipal Corporation in presence of the SDM and security forces. Dal Khalsa spokesman Kanwar Pal Singh Bittu has said that the action of the administration was uncalled for and without any warning. The district administration ignored religious sentiments of the people. Dr Dharmbir Singh Jolly, president, Rani Ka Bagh Sat Sang Sabha claimed that the 'Nishan Sahib' was installed with the written consent of Akali and BJP leaders. However, a spokesman for
the district administration said that the 'Nishan Sahib'
installed in a public park was removed following orders
of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. |
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"Overexposure to TV harming kids" PATIALA, Sept 25 — Dr G.P. Chopra, Senior Vice-President, DAV Administrative Committee, yesterday called upon the educational institutions to be prepared for countering ill-effects of overexposure of the children to the electronic media. Addressing the inaugural session of the three-day character building camp organised by DAV public school here, Dr Chopra said children were being exposed to too much violence through the electronic media which was making the modern youth aggressive. Dr Chopra said even family ties had been affected due to the attraction of the television offering plethora of programmes through the satellite channels. Cautioning the parents to take more interest in children and to spend more time with them, Dr Chopra said earlier children learnt moral values from older members of the family by the medium of interacting with them or listening to folklore or stories from their parents but the electronic media had destroyed all these relations. On the occasion he also released a book named "Safalta ki Aur" written by Principal S.M. Devgun, DAV Public School, Patiala. Forty principals from
various DAV schools and colleges were present along with
their staff from all over Punjab. The prominent speakers
were Principal S.M. Devgun, Principal H.R. Gandhar,
Principal S.C. Khosla, Principal Inderjit Talwar and
Principal Mrs P.P. Sharma. Charittar Nirman camp will
continue up to September 29. |
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Drive against illicit liquor MUKTSAR, Sept 25 — In a campaign launched against illegal liquor trade the district police and excise authorities have recovered a large quantity of lahan and countrymade and smuggled liquor. Official sources said about 60 cases had been registered in the district against those dealing in illicit distillation and smuggling of liquor. Mr D.K Singla, Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner, said eight persons were arrested in the Malout area alone in the past one week and a huge quantity of lahan, countrymade and smuggled liquor was seized from them, besides a few working stills. Mr Ashok Bath, DSP, Gidderbaha, said more than 30 persons had been booked under the excise and NDPS acts. Sources said due to large-scale smuggling of liquor in Punjab from Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal and Chandigarh, the sale at government approved liquor vends had been affected adversely, hitting revenue from excise duty. Official sources said
liquor vends in this district fetched Rs 2.86 crore less
in auction in 1998-99 than the previous year. In the
auction of liquor vends in 1999-2000, the state again
suffered a loss of Rs 1.24 crore. |
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Billed for phone he did not
have GURDASPUR, Sept 25 — Ways of the Telecommunication department here are strange. Mr Raghbir Singh, a
resident of Mission Compound here has been sent a bill
for the month of June and July for Rs 254 for telephone
number 32367. Mr Raghbir Singh does not own any telephone
connection. He has not even applied for a telephone
connection so far. |
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Kisan Mela on Sept 30 PATIALA, Sept 25 — A Kisan Mela will be held at Rakhra, near here, on September 30 under the aegis of the Punjab Young Farmers' Association. Seeds of the newly released high yielding HD 2687 (Shresth) variety of wheat will be distributed among members for multiplication and preparing their own seeds for the next season. The participating farmers will also be able to buy nucleus vegetable seeds for winter harvest. Scientists of Indian Agricultural Research Institute will interact with them on various problems. The festival will be inaugurated by Mr S.S. Dawra Managing Director, Food Corporation of India. The theme of the festival is "Problems of plenty — the need for diversification". An agricultural
exhibition will be set up on the occasion. |
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Bathinda to have B.Ed college BATHINDA, Sept 25 — The Punjabi University authorities have decided to open a B.Ed college in the city from next month. Official sources said a decision to this effect had been taken in the recent past following a meeting between the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, and the Vice-Chancellor, Mr J.S. Ahluwalia. The residents of the town had been demanding this college for quite sometime. The sources added that the Dean, Academic, and Executive Engineer of Punjabi University had visited the town and approved the building of the de-addiction counselling centre for running the classes till the college got its own building. One hall and four rooms of the centre would be used for imparting education to 60 students. Meanwhile, mahant Sarupa Nand of Dera Tapp has agreed to donate two acres near lakes of the thermal plant for constructing the building of the college. The college will be named after Baba Nihal Dass. The sources further said
hostel facilities to the students belonging to other
areas would be provided within the premises of the
centre. |
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