R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

AMLOH
ANNUAL FUNCTION: The annual function of Punjabi Sahib Sabha would be organised here on Sunday in which a freedom fighter and a singer would be honoured, according to Mr Mehar Singh Baiwal president of the sabha, in a press note on Thursday.

BIRTH ANNIVERSARY: The birth anniversary of Maharishi Valmiki was celebrated here on Thursday with fervour. Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo, MP, announced a grant of Rs 1 lakh to the community centre. Mr Sadhu Singh Dharmsot, former minister, and Mr Ajinderpal Singh Advocate, joint secretary of the Punjab Pardesh Congress Committee, addressed the gathering. A cultural programme was also arranged on the occasion.

AMRITSAR
PUNJABI WEEK: Guru Nanak Dev University on Thursday organised a cultural programme titled “Rangeela Punjab” to mark the Punjabi Week celebrations. Mr Kirpal Singh, a former MP, was the chief guest while Dr S.P. Singh, Vice-Chancellor of the university, presided over the cultural programme.

BARNALA
GANG BUSTED: The police claims to have busted a gang responsible for indulging in extortion and theft of wine bottles from various liquor shops of Burj Rajgarh, Rayia, Rallo and Aalike villages in the district. This was stated by the Kanwerjit Singh Sandhu, SSP, here on Thursday.

BATHINDA
12 ARRESTED: The police has arrested 12 persons for their alleged involvement in various criminal activities and seized 58 litres of illicit liquor, 65 kg of lahan and Rs 670 from their possession. This was stated by Dr Jatinder Kumar Jain, SSP, here on Thursday.

HEPATITIS B CAMP: Sri Sukhmani Sahib Seva Society, a local religious institute, organised a vaccination camp of hepatitis-B at the local Government School on Wednesday.

CONDEMNED: The Punjab Civil Medical Service Association (PCMSA) has condemned the recent decision of the Punjab Health System Corporation (PHSC) to invite private parties to set diagnostic facilities in the hospitals and community health centres of the state. This was stated by Dr Hardeep Singh, state president of the association.

SCIENCE FAIR: A science fair is being organised at the local Des Raj Senior Secondary School from Friday. Mr S.L. Goyal, District Science Supervisor, said various schools of the subdivision would participate in the fair.

‘CHETNA YATRA’: The local DAV College and Arya Samaj institutions of the city will organise a “chetna yatra” in the city on Saturday. Mr S. Marriya, Principal of the college, said the motive behind the ‘yatra’ was to educate the masses regarding social evils prevailing in the society.

IT NOTICES: In a move aimed at widening the tax base, the Income Tax authorities plan to send notices to those eligible under the 1 by 6 scheme after the same got a lukewarm response. The last date for filing returns has been extended to November 30. Till date, only 2,000 returns had been filed in the city office of the department, sources said.

DERA BASSI
BLOOD DONATION CAMP: As many as 181 units of blood were donated by students and the staff members of Sri Sukhmani Institute of Engineering and Technology at a blood donation camp organised in collaboration with the PGI, Chandigarh here on Wednesday. Dr Kirpal Singh, Principal of the college informed that this was the second blood donation camp organised at the institute this year.

GURDASPUR
PAYMENTS DUE: The government procurement agencies owe Rs 1.40 crore to arhtias regarding the procurement of paddy in the district. According to official sources, the agencies have lifted approximately 5 lakh tonnes of paddy so far as against 1.77 lakh tonnes of paddy procured during the corresponding period last year. The payment made so far for the lifting of paddy by the government agencies amounts to Rs 1.42 crore against its total approximate cost of Rs 2.8 crore.

KHANNA
URGED: The local municipal councillors belonging to SAD-BJP alliance have urged Mr Parkash Singh Badal to release a grant of Rs 3 crore, which he had promised during a sangat darshan programme here. They said a sewerage project using Rs 8.52 crore, inaugurated by the CM, was lying pending due to non-availability of funds. Mr Jaspal Lotey, president of the local unit of the BJP, said it was damaging the state government’s image.

SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIP: Pioneer Swimming Championship of Sahodaya Schools was held at AS Modern Senior Secondary School here. The other schools which took part in the championship: were Radha Vatika Senior Secondary School, GNPS, Mullanpur, and PPS, Phillaur. The overall first position was bagged by the host while PPS, Phillaur, was declared runner-up.

PRE-RD CAMP: Six girls from the local Government Girls’ Senior Secondary School attended the pre-Republic Day camp of the NSS, north zone, in Delhi from October 15 to 24. According to Ms Harminderjeet Kaur, in charge, Punjab contingent, 160 students from seven northern states attended the camp.

ELOPEMENT: A 22-year-old woman, who used to live with her uncle in Dalip Singh Nagar, has eloped with her paramour, father of three children, according to police sources. It is learnt that the girl had eloped with the man earlier also.

LUDHIANA
THREE-DAY UTSAV: A three-day Sambhav Utsav would begin from Saturday at the PUDA Grounds, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar. This Divali mela is being organised by the Clean and Green Movement’s ‘Sambhav Hai’. The proceeds from the event would be utilised for making Ludhiana a clean and green city. Over 60 business establishments, involving both NGOs and others, would participate. The prominent NGOs expected to participate are Bharat Jan Gyan Vigayn Parishad, School for Diabled, Aashirwad, Ek Prayas for Animals.

FUNCTION: The Punjabi Language Department, Patiala, would organise a state-level function on Monday at Punjabi Bhavan, here, to celebrate Punjabi Week 2001. Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha, Minister for Technical Education Punjab, would preside over a poetry competition. Mr Harpal Siddhu, Assistant Director and District Language Officer, stated that the function was being organised under the guidance of Dr Madan Lal Haseeja, Director, Language Department, Patiala.

MANSA
CPI(ML)RALLY: The CPI(ML) Liberation will hold a rally in Delhi on November 9 in protest against the enforcement of policies of the WTO in to by the Central Government. This was stated by Mr Brij Behari Panday, member of CPI(ML) Liberation politburo, while addressing a meeting of the state unit of the party here on Monday.

WORKSHOPS: Three seminars-cum-workshops for the orientation of teachers of DAV Centenary Public Schools concluded at the local DAV School on Wednesday. This was stated by Mr Sudhir Singh Thakur, Principal of the school. Six schools of the Bathinda zone took part in the workshops. The concluding function was presided over by Ms Raji P. Srivastava, Deputy Commissioner.

MOGA
AGITATION: The Punjab Roadways Traffic Supervisory Staff Union has decided to launch a statewide agitation from November 7 in front of the office of the Director, State Transport, Chandigarh, against the failure of the roadways and the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, to replace the buses, which have been rendered unfit for transportation. This was stated by the president of the union, Mr D.S. Bhullar, while talking to newspersons here on Thursday.

2 KILLED: A man and his son were reportedly killed in an accident involving a tractor and a tanker near Pangrahian village, about 30 km from here, according to report received here on Wednesday. A case has been registered.

PATIALA
AWARDED: Dr U.K. Anand Popli, senior lecturer at the Department of Social Work, Punjabi University, has been awarded the third prize in the Prof Radha Kamal Mukerjee Memorial award competition for young scientiest at the 21st conference of the Indian Social Science Association (ISSA).

SATKAL AWARDS: Satinder Kaur Memorial Trust for Advancement of Librarianship (SATKAL) has awarded former university librarian, Ms A.K. Anand with the “Women Librarian Award” while Dr Jagdish Arora, Deputy Librarian, IIT, Delhi has been awarded the “Young Librarian Award” Giving this information, Ms Devinder Kaur, Librarian, Punjabi University, and Organising Secretary of SATKAL awards, said the annual function of the Trust would be held on November 5,2002.

OFFICE-BEARERS: The following have been unanimously elected office-bearers of the Diploma Engineers Association, PWD Public Health (Zone Patiala): President — Er Mohan Lal — General Secretary; Er Gurcharan Singh — Finance Secretary — Er Suresh Aggarwal; Vice-President — Er Rajinder Singh Sehgal; Joint Secretary — Er R.P. Bawa — Organising Secretary — Er Tarlochan Singh Parmar and Auditor Er S P Singh — Er Ashok Gupta, Er Devraj Gupta, Er K.S. Walia and Er Mahinder Singh have been elected members of the Executive Committee.

AMBEDKAR REMEMBERED: Dr Ambedkar Library and Study Circle, Gandhi Nagar celebrated the golden jubilee of the historical visit of Baba Saheb Ambedkar to Patiala on October 29 ,1951. On this day, Dr Ambedkar visited the city to mobilise the masses for an election campaign. To commemorate the occasion, meritorious students of Gandhi Nagar High School were presented with mementos and students who participated in literary and cultural activities were also honoured. Mr Mohan Ram Banga , Joint Director, Language Department, Patiala and Mr Mohinder Pal, Deputy Registrar, Punjabi University were present on the occasion.

LOANS DISBURSED: Loans under the State Bank of Patiala’s ‘Total-Home-Loan-Scheme’ were disbursed to 15 borrowers by the General manager Mr J.R. Devgan at the Bank`s Mall Road branch here on Wednesday. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the bank had introduced a number of new loan schemes under the retail banking segment, keeping in view the aspirations of people during different seasons and festivals. The ‘total-Home-Loan-Scheme’ for the general public provides for a house and household goods like furniture . Under the `Greh Kaya Kalp Scheme` all needs of repair , renovation and extension of the house are met. `Medi-Home-Fexi-finance scheme` provides financial help to doctors. Recently launched schemes like ‘SBP-UTSAV’ provide festival loans to employees in state\private sector, while the newly launched ‘Greh Lakshmi scheme’ aims to provide loans to house-wives for purchasing household and kitchen gadgets.

PENSION BOOKS GIVEN: In a camp held at Ottalan village, 130 old aged, widow and handicapped persons were given pension books by the local SDM, Mr S.S. Brar, on Wednesday evening. Mr Avtar Kaur, CDPO, appealed the participants, who could not apply earlier under the schemes which are sanctioned by the Punjab Government, to submit their applications. She also appealed to reapply if one could not get Rs 5,100 under shagan scheme.

TARN TARAN
BOOKED: The Goindwal police has booked four persons in connection with the murder of Gurmukh Singh of Dhunda village and injuring another. They have reportedly been identified as Mehal Singh, Pohla Singh, Mohinder Singh and Sahib Singh, all residents of the same village. A land dispute is said to be the reason behind the murder.

HARYANA

AMBALA
EYE CAMP: An eye camp was held at Ambala Central Jail on Friday. Dr Kapil Vohra and Dr Ravinder Sharma participated in the eye camp in which 150 jail inmates had their eyes checked up and free medicines were given to them. The Jail Superintendent, Mr Amar Singh, said that on the directions of DGP Jail, Mr Ravikant Sharma, a special programme had been launched to give more facilities to jail inmates. He said that a health camp was going to be held soon and after Dewali, a 20-day yoga camp would also be held for the inmates. He said those jail inmates who needed an eye operation, would be operated upon free of cost by the doctors at the camp. 

VEHICLE RECOVERED: The CIA staff of Ambala recovered a stolen Tata Sumo from a Baldev Nagar resident, Ranjit Singh, alias Vikram. Meanwhile, 11 gamblers were nabbed by the Ambala range police. A sum of Rs 9,065 has been recovered from them.

COMPLAINTS: A bank employee of Saha complained of uneasiness after opening an envelope on Wednesday. The bank clerk had opened a registered envelope when he felt itching on his hands and also complained of uneasiness. A bank guard, who also touched the enveloped, complained of similar symptoms. They were taken to the local Civil Hospital. A team of doctors investigated the matter. A senior doctor opined that there was nothing wrong with them. He said that once the envelope was brought to them, it would be forwarded for examination to Delhi.

BHIWANI
BAN ORDERS: In view of the safety of the public property on the occasion of Divali, the District Magistrate has invoked Section 144 and banned the storage and selling of firecrackers and explosive material at congested places. The District Magistrate said those interested in selling crackers could apply before the licencing authority from November 2 to 7.

SIRSA
LEGAL SERVICES DAY: The Legal Services Day will be observed on November 9 in the library hall of Government National College here. Stating this the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mr A.S. Narang, aided that the function would be presided over by the District and Sessions Judge. It was being organsied to educate the poor, and members of the backward classes, the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes about their rights, he added.

SONEPAT
STABBED TO DEATH: A local shopkeeper, Balbir, was allegedly stabbed to death by Jogga, alias Joginder, near Chatia Aulia village, about 10 km from here, on Thursday. The deceased belonged to Qumashpur village in the district. The police has registered a case in this regard.

KILLED: Suraj Bhan of Ganaur was killed on the spot on being hit by a train while he was crossing the railway track near Ganaur, about 16 km from here, on Thursday. The Government Railway Police (GRP) has sent the body for a post-mortem examination.

TRADER ROBBED: A local shopkeeper, Mr Ravinder of Biswan Meelstone, was allegedly robbed of Rs 6,500 and a gold chain by two armed miscreants near Seweli village, about 15 km from here, on Thursday. The Rai police has registered a case in this regard.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

BILASPUR
FARMERS’ CAMP: A training camp and workshop for farmers was organised by the District Agriculture Department, in collaboration with Chaudhary Sharavan Kumar Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, at Chandpur on Thursday. Himachal Pradesh Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagatprakash nadda presided over the camp.

NURPUR
AWAS YOJNA: The Union Government has launched “Balmiki Awas Yojana” for providing land for the construction of houses of safai karamcharis. This was claimed by Mr Ganga Ram Teja, a member of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis, here on Thursday.

SHIMLA
ELECTED: Mr K.D. Sultanpuri, chairman, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes department of the Congress, has nominated the following district presidents: Mr Surinder Kumar (Solan), Mr Sohan Lal, councillor, Shimla (urban), Mr Sohan Lal, ex-chairman, Shimla (rural), Mr J.S. Bhandari (Sirmour), Mr Balbir Singh (Una), Mr Mast Ram (Mandi), Mr Surinder Singh (Kulu), Mr Madan Rawat Advocate (Chamba), Mr Tulsi Ram (Kangra), Mr Santosh Kumar Sandhu (Hamirpur) and Mr Beer Singh (Bilaspur).

SPLIT: The State Tourism Development Corporation Employees Union formally split on Tuesday with the breakaway faction floating the Himachal Pradesh Paryatan Vikas Nigam Karamchari Sangh. The new body has been duly registered and affiliated to the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh. Mr Sant Ram and Ms Preeti Sharma have been elected president and general secretary, respectively, of the sangh.