The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Wednesday, October 10, 2001, Chandigarh, India

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

R E G I O N A L B R I E F S

PUNJAB

AHMEDGARH
SEMINAR: A seminar on career awareness was organised at Sanatan Vidya Mandir here by Shanti Tara College. Mr D.R. Sharma, president of the school management committee, presided over the seminar. Mr Deepak Dhingra and Mr Nirmal Singh Grewal, career experts, apprised the students of various avenues available to them.

LICENCES CANCELLED: According to Mr Mall Singh Ghuman, Chairman, Punjab Marketing Board, he had cancelled the licences of about 12 commission agents at Faridkot, Ferozepore, Kotkapura and Barnala, during his recent visits to grain markets there. He expressed satisfaction over the procurement of paddy. He said due to timely guidance provided to farmers, they had brought dry and clean produce to mandis this time.

AMRITSAR
FAREWELL: A farewell was accorded to Mr B.S. Sandhu on his retirement as Assistant Registrar of Guru Nanak Dev University here. Dr R.S. Bawa on behalf of the officers association of the university presented a souvenir to him. Besides, Mr Jaswant Singh Kanwal took over as Assistant Registrar (examination 2) of the university.

CALLED OFF: The 20-day long hunger strike called by the CPI in protest against the lack of basic amenities at Sher Shah Suri Road ended on Monday when the Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Mr B.R. Banga, and the Senior Engineer, Mr A.K. Malik, assured them to start the work of laying sewerage within six months. The work on metalling the road and drainage would start immediately, said Mr Amarjit Singh Asal secretary, CPI, in a press note here on Monday.

INAUGURATED: Mr Brij Mohan Kapur, Mayor, inaugurated the work on a drainage at Katra Dullo here on Monday.

BOOK FAIR: A book fair was held to mark the ‘Year of Books’ at Shri Guru Harkrishan Senior Secondary Public School here on Monday. Mr Dharam Veer Singh, Principal of the school inaugurated the fair.

JAGRAON
CONDEMNED: Members of the local Bar Association, in its meeting held on Tuesday, strongly condemned the distortion of Guru Teg Bahadur's image in the NCERT book prescribed for plus two classes. They also criticised the ‘irresponsible’ attitude of Mr Murli Manohar Joshi, HRD Minister, and urged the government to ban the book and register a criminal case against its author, Mr Satish Chander, and the publisher. The association gave a call to members of all Bar associations of the state to abstain from work on October 11.

KHAMANO
PADDY PROCUREMENT: Procurement of paddy is going on smoothly in the state and a total of 22,942 mt of paddy has already been purchased by various government agencies till last Sunday. Out of this, Punsup has purchased 3,435 mt of paddy, while FCI has purchased 3,240 mt, Markfed 5,543 mt, and the Punjab Warehousing Corporation 10,574 mt.

LUDHIANA
SEMINAR: The Senior Sikh Budhijivi Council will hold a seminar, in connection with the 400th Parkash Utsav of Shri Guru Granth Sahib, on October 14 at Punjabi Bhavan. According to a statement, several Sikh scholars, including Dr Jodh Singh, Dr Tarlok Singh Anand and Dr Gurnam Kaur, will focus on the teachings of Shri Guru Granth Sahib in the pervailing socio-economic and political circumstances. The seminar will be presided over by Mr Surjit Singh Bhatia, a renowned Sikh scholar.

MEDICAL CAMP: A free medical camp was organised by the All-India Anti-Corruption Board at Field Ganj on Tuesday. Over 1,300 patients were examined by a team of doctors for various ear, nose and throat diseases. The camp was inaugurated by Mr Satnam Singh Tang.

MANDI GOBINDGARH
CELEBRATIONS: As part of the ongoing silver jubilee celebrations at Gobindgarh Public School, SPIC MACAY will organise Virasat 2001 here from Saturday. TV artistes from all over the country will participate in the fortnight-long programme, said Mr H. Sraw, Principal of the school, in a press note here on Tuesday.

NAWANSHAHR
CHECK-UP CAMP: The Guru Nanak Mission Medical and Educational Trust, Dhahan Kaleran, organised a medical check-up camp at Gandhran village (Jalandhar) on Sunday. An NRI, Mr Dalbir Singh, inaugurated the camp. A team of doctors from a hospital being run by the trust examined 955 patients suffering from various ailments. Eighty eye operations, 50 ENT and 35 surgical operations were done. Medicines, spectacles and food were provided free of cost.

BLOOD DONATION: The local Blood Donors Council organised a blood donation camp at the nearby Mubarakpur village on Monday. Subedar Santokh Singh inaugurated the camp in which 50 units of blood were collected. This was stated by Mr Gurinder Singh Toor, founder president of the council, in a press note here.

PATHANKOT
SANGAT DARSHAN: A sangat darshan programme was organised by Master Mohan Lal, Minister for Higher Education, Punjab, at Naloh village in Dharkalan subdivision, near here on Monday. While addressing sarpanches and panches he said Rs 40 lakh would be spent on the construction of a residential complex in Dhar block for government employees. Deputy Commissioner Kulbir Singh Sidhu said 96,400 old age and widow pension cases had been settled in the state.

4 ARRESTED: The police has arrested Soma Devi, Bishno, Shashi and Darshan Kumar and seized 28.5 litres of illicit liquor from them in the Sajanpur area . Four cases under the Excise Act have been registered.

NOMINATED: Mr Shaminder Sharma, has been nominated executive member of the Rashtriya Chetna Parishad. This was stated by Mr Vaishno Malhotra, president of the parishad, here on Monday.

PATIALA
SEMINAR: The Department of Public Administration and local branch of the Indian Institute of Public Administration would organise a seminar on “Disaster Management- Lessons drawn and strategies of future” on Friday in the Syndicate room of Punjabi University here. Dr S.L. Goel, Professor Emeritus of Public Administration, Panjab University, would present the theme paper. Dr B.S. Bhatia, Registrar of Punjabi University, would inaugurate the seminar.

INTERNET FACILITY: The availability of ultra-modern infrastructural facilities, such as Internet, will now make the Correspondence Courses of Punjabi University a model centre for learning. This was stated by Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, Vice-Chancellor, during a personal contract programme at the Science auditorium here on Tuesday. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ahluwalia said Talwandi Sabo would be developed into a developed centre for distance education. Dr T.S. Anand, Dean, Academic Affairs, said the personal contract programme would provide a channel for interaction and academic support to its students.

CHANDIGARH

SLOGAN WRITING CONTEST: Mrs Nisha from Government High School, Sector 40, won the slogan writing contest organised by the State Institute of Education, Sector 32, here on Tuesday. An official press note stated that the contest was organised for primary class teachers as a part of Population Education week celebrations. The second prize was won by Mrs Paramjit Kaur from Government Model High School, Sector 29. The third prize was jointly won by Mrs Santosh Kumar from Government Primary School, Mauli Complex, and Mrs Ramesh Kumari from Government High School, Sector 30.

ROTARY CLUB: The Rotary Club has invited working professionals in the age group of 18 to 40 for the GSE team programme of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. Four members would be selected from the district 3080 to visit Argentina in April next year for a period of four to six weeks. The travel expenses would be borne by the club and the stay would be taken care of by the Rotarians of Argentina, according to Mr Praveen Chander Goyal, chairman, GSE Selection Committee. Application forms can be obtained from RVTC, 107-A, Sector 18-A, Chandigarh, and walk-in interview would be held on Wednesday between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

VACCINATION CAMP: The Rotary Chandigarh Central, in association with the NSS wing of DAV College Sector 10, organised a hepatitis-B vaccination camp (second dose) on the college premises on Tuesday. Around 240 students and staff members of the college were administered the second dose of vaccine. The third and final dose of the vaccine would be given on February 7, next years.

ELECTED: Mr Shamsher Singh and Mr Keshav Kapoor have been elected president and general secretary of the Haryana Civil Accounts Association. The information was given by Mr P.S. Nain, Election Commissioner, appointed by the association.

WHITE-WATER RAFTING: The Chandigarh Adventure Association would organise a white-water rafting camp in Garhwal region on Saturday and Sunday. Mr Kulbir Singh Gaba, president of the association, said the trip would cover a famous 12-km stretch from Shivpuri to Muni- ki-rati. Apart from low-grade rapids, the stretch would also cross three and four grade rapids like return the centre, roller-coster, golf course and club house. The participants would also enjoy body surfing, and high side. He said night camping and camp fire on the beach of the Ganga would add to the excitement of the adventurous trip. Knowledge of swimming is not essential to join the trip. Interested persons may contact at 777581.

QUIZ CONTEST: The team of GGDSD College won the inter-college quiz contest organised by Sri Guru Gobind Singh College here on Tuesday. The host college won the second place while third position went to the Government College for Girls, Sector 11. The contest had 11 rounds, which included current affairs, history, general knowledge, IT, films, literature and language, besides others.

HARYANA

AMBALA
POLICY OPPOSED: Sangharsh Vahini, Ambala cantonment lodged its protest on Tuesday against the new house tax policy by submitting a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Ambala. Mr Hira Lal Yadav demanded that the new policy should not be imposed since it adversely affects the common man and there are also certain irregularities. The memorandum stated that the Municipal Council, Ambala Sadar, has unanimously opposed the new house tax policy. It stated that in the Housing Board Colony, the houses were allotted on hire-purchase and the resident were not the complete owners. So the new house tax policy should not apply there. “The new house tax policy has flaws and it is demanded that the new house tax policy should be withdrawn,” the memorandum adds.

OSTEOPOROSIS CAMP: A free osteoporosis camp will be organised at Sarwal Hospital in Ambala city on Sunday. According to Dr Ashok Sarwal, Director of the hospital, a team of senior orthopaedic doctors will examine the patients in the camp. The patients having the lack of calcium in the bones, back pain and joint pain can avail free check-up and tests facilities in the camp.

INAUGURAL FUNCTION: The inaugural function of newly added courses like MCA and M.Sc. (software) in SA Jain Post Graduate College, Ambala city, will be held on Wednesday. According to the Principal of the college, Mr C.L. Singla, the Member of Parliament from Ambala, Mr Rattan Lal Kataria, will preside over the function. A cultural show will also be presented by the students of the college on this occasion.

MEETING: The municipal councillors of Ambala Sadar reiterated their demand for holding of an inquiry into the passing of plans for a banquet hall and a commercial complex on Tuesday. Municipal councillor Rajeev Gupta demanded that a high-level inquiry should be conducted to find out irregularities. At the meeting, discussion took place on land allotment to the Jain Sabha for construction of a hospital and also naming of a road going towards Gandhi Market as Bhagwan Parshuram Marg.

NSS CAMP: A 10-day NSS camp of GMN College, Ambala cantonment concluded at Shahpur village. Ms Pratima Chowdhary, City Magistrate, was the chief guest at the closing ceremony. She appreciated the effort of the volunteers. The college Principal, Mr I.D. Shukla, presided over the function. He said that congress grass should not be allowed to grow in the area as it is harmful for health.

AGGARWAL SABHA: A meeting of the Aggarwal Sabha was held under the presidentship of Mr Naresh Gupta. The sabha has decided to observe Maharaja Agrasain Jayanti Samaroh on Saturday and Sunday.

KAITHAL
ALLEGED: Government employees of various departments under the banner of the Haryana Karamchari Mahasangh held a meeting outside the mini-secretariat here on Monday. Nihal Singh Matana, vice-president of the sangh, presided over the meeting. They alleged that the government had started selling public sector undertakings and other valuable lands to mobilise resources.

REWARI
SUICIDE: Naresh Kumar and his wife, Savita, reportedly committed suicide by consuming poisonous pills in Maseet village, 12 km from here, on Sunday. They were rushed to the local Civil Hospital where both of them died after sometime. Mr Bhagat Singh, ASI, is investigating the case.

ROHTAK
TWO KILLED: Two youths were killed on the spot when their scooter was hit by a vehicle at the Dhania crossing near Salhawas village on Monday. The deceased have been identified as Devender and Rajbir of Bhurawas village.

ARRESTED: A police party on Monday raided a hotel at Kharawar village and recovered 2 kg of opium. Rajesh, hotel owner, and an employee, Raju, were arrested in this connection. Devi Singh of Ismaila village was also arrested and 1 gm smack was seized from him. A case under Section 17 of the NDPS Act has been registered.

SHAHABAD
SANCTIONED: A sum of nearly Rs 11 crore has been sanctioned by the state government for the implementation of various development works in Kurukshetra district. This was stated by the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Abhilaksh Likhi. The local MLA, Mr Vaid Kapur Chand Sharma, distributed cheques for grants in a number of villages in Shahabad block on Monday.

SONEPAT
EYE CAMP: A free eye operation camp will be organised on October 14 on the premises of Shree Hanuman Mandir in Kalyan Nagar here.

RESENTMENT: Resentment prevails among residents of the city against the police for its failure to check the satta gambling being done under the garb of lottery tickets. Many people alleged that all their complaints made to the police authorities had fallen on deaf ears.

SURPRISE VISIT: The Divisional Railway Manager , Northern Railway, Mr S.P. Misra, paid a surprise visit to railway station here on Monday. He talked to the passengers at the platforms and directed the officials concerned to take immediate steps for the removal of passengers’ grievances.

BOYCOTT ENDS: Members of the District Bar Association called off their boycott of various civil courts from Tuesday following an assurance given by Mr S.K.Sardana, District and Sessions Judge, that the court of the District Consumers Forum will be shifted from the market committee office to the judicial complex within a week.

SCHEME: Employees of the local cooperative sugar mills have so far deposited Rs 1.45 crore in the small saving schemes during the current financial year. The Deputy Commissioner Mr S.N. Roy told this to mediapersons here on Tuesday.

REDRESSED: Mr Jeet Singh Mehra, SDM, organised a weekly “janata darbar” at Ganaur, a subdivisional town, in the district on Monday. He heard the grievances of the people and redressed them on the spot.

MEETING HELD: Residents of the city have decided to launch an agitation against the assessment of the house tax under the new policy announced by the state government and the forcible installation of electronic meters. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the residents held here on Monday.

NO WATER: Residents of the Ram Bazar and Mohalla Kalan areas had to go without drinking water on Monday, following the disruption in the water supply. They had to fetch water from distant places.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

CHAMBA
ANNOUNCED: In Himachal Pradesh, 276 primary schools, 569 middle schools, 105 high schools, 111 senior secondary schools and one degree college had been opened during the past three years, said Mr Kishori Lal, Himachal Industries Minister, while addressing a public meeting at Lagga village, about 32 km from here, on Sunday. He announced a grant of Rs 70,000 for the construction of an inn at Smela and Rs 50,000 for the Parchha-Pehi road.

WINE SEIZED: The district police seized 240 pouches of Patiala Orange, 48 bottles of Rum and 24 bottles of English wine from Akshay Kumar of Bhanala village in Kangra district when it intercepted his vehicle at Sinhuta, about 120 km from here, on Sunday. This was stated by the SSP, Mr S.R. Ojha. Charas weighing about 1.3 kg was also seized from Rikhi Ram of Bhatori village, under the Tissa police station. Cases had been registered, he added.

SHIMLA
MEDICAL CAMP: The Bharat Vikas Parishad organised a medical camp at Vikasnagar on Sunday. Specialists on allopathic and ayurvedic medicines and dentists examined more than 700 persons. Medicines were distributed and clinical tests like blood, urine, sugar and cholestrol were conducted free of cost at the camp.

ELECTED: The following have been elected office-bearers of the HPSEB Professional Officers Association: president — Mr S.P. Sharma; vice-president — Mr M.L. Mehta; general secretary — Mr Anurag Parashar; deputy general secretary — Mr Rajender Upadhya; treasurer — Mr R.S. Thakur; publication secretary — Mr J.K. Soni; chief adviser — Dr P.N. Sharma and auditor — Mr Baldev Sharma.