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| Monday,
November 5, 2001, Chandigarh, India
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SAD to oppose POTO if Press freedom
hit Jalandhar, November 4 Mr Parkash Singh Badal said here today that though he was yet to study the provisions of POTO, yet his party would oppose any provision which would be contrary to the freedom of the Press. Mr Badal, who was a strong critic of TADA, broke silence over the party’s stand to support this anti-terrorism Bill in Parliament and said, “We stand for the freedom of the Press and if any legislation curbs it we will firmly oppose those provisions. Besides, we will also keep in mind the national interests and other fall-outs of the ordinance before taking a final decision on POTO.” It may be mentioned here that POTO has the provision to book any person, for concealing information about terrorism and terrorist activities, which has led to resentment among journalists. The statement of Mr Badal opposing any move to curtail the freedom of the Press may force the BJP-led government to rethink about its provisions to get its safe passage in Parliament. The Union Home Minister, Mr Lal Krishan Advani, on the other hand had been asserting that anyone who opposed POTO would be appeasing the terrorists. Regarding decentralisation of powers, Mr Badal once again advocated the need of federal structure in the country and said states should be given more financial powers as too much dependence on the Central Government led to delay in completion of development projects. “We have to beg before the Central Government for financial assistance to complete development projects. The Centre should release funds to the states to carry out Centre-funded projects instead of instalments,” he demanded. When asked whether there was any move to replace the present SGPC chief, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, in the forthcoming election to be held on November 27, Mr Badal said, “I am not a dictator who can announce the party candidate
unilaterally. There is a set procedure to select party candidate and the political affairs committee will decide upon the candidate, which is scheduled to meet three days before the election.” On the reported unity moves with former SGPC chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra, the Chief Minister tried to avoid a direct reply and said there would be a direct fight between the Congress and SAD in the next elections, and anyone who would oppose the Congress was welcome to join the SAD-BJP alliance. Attacking the Congress regarding allegations of amassing properties in foreign countries by him, the Chief Minister said these were baseless allegations and SAD did not have any representative by the name of Mr Kulbir Singh Prempuri in the USA. “The party had already issued a legal notice to Mr Prempuri,” he added. |
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Congress
to oppose
POTO: Amarinder Amritsar, November 4 Addressing mediapersons here today Mr Amarinder Singh said it was a “draconian” measure which would curtail the rights of people and the press freedom. He said the Congress would strongly oppose the POTO notification, both inside and outside Parliament. Turning tables on Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, the PPCC chief pointed out that the SAD had always opposed TADA during the height of militancy in Punjab. They were now silent on POTO. Lashing out at the draft agriculture policy presented at the just-concluded two-day national executive meeting of the BJP here, the Congress chief pointed out that the new draft proposed to lower the minimum support price and dismantle the procurement system. The farming community, especially in Punjab, would be hit hard. Answering questions on pre-poll pacts for the ensuing Punjab Assembly elections, he said the party would have all “secular” parties as its partners and hinted at the CPI and the CPM joining the Congress to trounce the SAD-BJP combine in Punjab. The general secretary of the AICC, Mr Moti Lal Vora, said in UP, the Congress graph was on the rise due to the “parivartan” rallies organised in more than 900 blocks of the state during the past two months. He said the people of the state were fed up with the politics of caste and religion being pursued by the BJP. |
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Apex body for Sikhs
sought Chandigarh, November 4 The two-day seminar on ‘’Institutional failure in Punjab with respect to Sikhism and missing Sikh prisoners’’ that concluded at Gurdwara
Kanthala, also demanded that the Central and state governments should conduct a census to determine the number of persons who had been killed or had disappeared in Punjab between 1982 and 1995 in view of conflicting reports. The two resolutions, moved by Dr Gurdarshan Singh
Dhillon, were adopted, but were not without some emotive outbursts among participants. The ambience of the seminar invited some sharp comments from Justice Jaspal Singh, who presided over the concluding session. He wondered why the scope of the seminar was limited only to institutions in Punjab, reminding the organisers and participants that whatever was said and done in Punjab had its fallout all over the world affecting the Sikhs. He was visibly upset over the lack of ‘’self-discipline and sense of time’’ among the speakers. He said he was “disillusioned” to find the Sikh youth not bothering about the numerous problems that beset Sikhism. How else could one explain the absence of that segment of the Sikhs at the seminar? The reality was that the Sikhs themselves were to be blamed for the ‘’problems’’ they faced. ‘’It is we who have degenerated. We have to think of tomorrow’s problems that will rise, say once the issue of the voting right to the ‘Sehajdhari Sikhs’ is settled by the court’’. The proposal on the apex body had come from Dr Kharak Singh, a well- known Sikh scholar. The idea was not to negate the existing Sikh institutions set up by the Sikhs. Initially, these had played a significant role but subsequently had failed to evolve to the extent required to meet the new challenges. These institutions, at present, are marked by the lack or inadequacy of performance. The crises faced by the Sikh Panth are varied and multi-dimensional: lack of unity, challenges to the Sikh identity, hurt Sikh psyche, mushrooming of
deras, difficulties faced by the Sikh diaspora and backward tribes like ‘’Vanjaras,
Sikligars’’, etc. An appeal was made to the SGPC to convene a meeting of all recognised Sikh institutions, Sikh diaspora to draw up a concrete plan to set up the proposed apex body. There were voices against involving the SGPC which was charged with several ‘’failures’’ and dubbed highly
politicised. Those who defended the continuation of the SGPC and reiterated that the apex body was not an ‘’alternative’’ to it as perceived by some, said the leadership had failed the institutions. ‘’The apex body is to be on the lines envisaged by Guru Gobind Singh at the time of conferring eternal Guruship on Guru Granth Sahib and entrusting the Panth with empirical responsibilities under the doctrine of Guru
Granth-Guru Panth’’. The seminar was apprised of the situation related to ‘’missing’’ Sikhs by Mr Inderjit Singh
Jaijee, convener, Movement Against State Repression. His well-documented thesis was listened to with rapt attention. Based on his paper, the resolution demanded that the governments should release the names, addresses, dates of arrest, places of release, wherever applicable, of all persons held legally or illegally detained during the 1982-1995 period for so-called Sikh militancy-related offences in Punjab and other states. The figures available, as per official and unofficial sources, varied between 18,000 and over two lakh. ‘’Only a meticulously conducted census organised by the government with the
participation of all political parties and human rights groups will establish the true figures’’. One observer said most participants did not take a ‘’dispassionate’’ view of issues and showed lack of perspective. It is the scientific temper, not emotions, that should matter at such seminars. |
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Drivers
face humiliation at hands of pvt octroi staff Jalandhar, November 4 What is more disturbing for truckers and vehicle drivers and instills a sense of insecurity among them is the increasing use of muslepower by employees of private contractors and the alleged high-handedness by officials in those cities where collection of octroi is being controlled by civic bodies. So much so, that sometimes, civic body officials or walkie-talkie yielding muslemen of private contractors are seen in Gypsys. They conceal their identity and stop vehicles for a search by posing as officials of the Sales Tax or Excise and Taxation Departments. Mushrooming of such hi-tech groups of muslemen of private contractors and even officials is particularly noticeable at entry points of all townships of Punjab where octroi collection is in private hands and in corporation cities of Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Amritsar and Patiala. As the vehicle owners enter Jalandhar city from the Phagwara side and from the PAP Chowk, they are surrounded by dozens of muslemen, carrying “lathis” and even ‘lethal’ weapons like iron rods. The first thing they do in the name of octroi collection is to order the truckers and vehicle drivers to alight from their vehicles and “volunteer” for search of their vehicles. In case, any owner is hesitant to do so, the result can be humiliation in the shape of a slaps. “They behave like goondas and
don’t see any logic. If they think that you are following their dictats, they might pull you down to check papers pertaining to octroi or transit passes. This has been happening with me for about a month,” said Chain Singh, a Ludhiana-based truck driver, waiting in a queue to be questioned by “employees” of a private contractor, at the local PAP chowk, here. Similarly, a number of truck drivers at Rama Mandi alleged that they had been subjected to humiliation more than once by muslemen of private contractors. At Phagwara, this correspondent witnessed a number of young men with walkie-talkie sets at traffic lights, peeping into even private vehicles, causing embarrassment to commuters. On questioning they revealed that they belonged to the octroi collection staff. Sometimes drivers are left stunned when suddenly their vehicles are made to stop by speeding Gypsys chasing them. “The other day I had just entered Ludhiana, when I saw a Gypsy chasing me and people in it signalling me to stop. When I stopped and asked who they were, they cornered my vehicle as if I was a criminal and ordered me to open the boot. As I got suspicious and asked for their identity cards, they admitted that they were from the octroi collection wing of the municipal corporation,” said Mr Mukand Lal, a local resident. |
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Fire renders 135 families homeless Hoshiarpur, November 4 Mr Surinder Sham Arora, Chairman Arora Charities said they would arrange ‘langar’ for the victims till their rehabilitation. Mr Ashwani Sharma urged the district administration to provide tarpaulin sheets and blankets to the victims. Mr Sukhwinderpal Singh, SDM, said the total loss was estimated to be about Rs 61 lakh. |
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Rs 40-cr housing scheme for
Dalits Ludhiana, November 4 The Chief Minister made this announcement at a rally organised in connection with the inauguration of the Balmiki
bhavan. Mr Badal said he had got this grant from the Central Government for providing houses to all homeless
Dalits. He reiterated the resolve of his party to uplift Dalits in the state. He also blamed the Congress for exploiting this section of society without providing any material benefit to them. The Chief Minister also announced that he had directed the Vice-Chancellors of all four universities to ensure that no meritorious student belonging to the economically-weaker sections, suffered for want of funds. He said these directions were conveyed at a meeting held in Chandigarh recently. He said meritorious students would be exempted from academic fee, hostel accommodation fee and other expenses. Mr Badal claimed that if returned to power, he would ensure the eradication of poverty from the state. He admitted that although he had got five years to rule, this time period was too short for any major reforms as the Congress which had ruled for over four decades had created such a mess that it will need more time to be cleared”. The speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Mr Charanjit Singh
Atwal, Deputy Speaker Satpal Gosain and other senior leaders of the Akali Dal and the BJP said, Balmiki bhavans would be constructed in each district. Earlier, while talking to reporters Mr Badal said the candidates for the SGPC elections scheduled to be held on November 27 would be chosen by the political affairs committee of the party. |
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Drive against ‘dera system’
launched Nawanshahr, November 4 A five-member committee comprising Mr Jarnail Singh, Mr Hari Singh, Mr Prabhjot Singh, Mr Jaswinder Singh and Mr Shinder Pal Singh (all Dal Khalsa members) was constituted. Mr Kanwar Pal Singh, leader, Dal Khalsa, Punjab, while addressing the convention appealed to the Sikh sangat to oppose those running deras and practising ideals against the tenets of Sikhism. He criticised different Akali factions for politicising the Bhaniara episode. Significantly, speakers also criticised the Centre for not tabling a resolution in Parliament condemning senseless killing of Sikhs during the 1984 riots. Mr Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, former acting president, SGPC, blamed Mr Parkash Singh Badal for making the SGPC an “extension counter” of SAD. |
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Pak visas of rly staff
expire Amritsar, November 4 Mr Shashi Kant
Madan, Station Master, Attari, confirmed that the visas of nearly 10 employees of the Railway who are engaged in inter-change of the goods train between India and Pakistan, could not cross the border till their visas were extended. He, however, could not explain why the Pakistan High Commission could not process their case while the visas stood expired today Mr Madan said that it would not affect the Samjhauta Express which would continue to ply between the two countries. Earlier, ‘The News’ and
‘Jang’, daily papers of Pakistan, had carried a story accusing the Indian High Commissioner of denying visas to the staff of the Samjhauta Express. The Pakistan dailies with Islamabad dateline had stated, “The Indian authorities on Sunday denied issuance of further visas to the Samjhauta Express staff — thus causing an imminent halt to the train service. However, Mr Shashi Madan denied the allegation of Pakistan. It is clear that the import and export business between the two countries would be adversely affected if corrective measures were not taken immediately. |
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Pak rangers open fire near Dhusi bandh Gurdaspur, November 4 Sources on the border said Mr Malhan, Commanding Officer of the BSF battalion here, visited the site at 3 pm and got the work resumed. Yesterday again, unprovoked firing started at 5 pm and continued till 6 pm. This time the BSF returned the fire. However, no loss of life or property was reported. BSF sources could not be contacted. |
Sehajdhari Akali Dal
formed Amritsar, November 4 An announcement in this regard was made at Akal Takht after the performance of “ardas”. However, Mr Darshan Singh
Isapur, senior leader of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, described the move of floating a new party as “sarkari show”. He said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal wanted to create confusion among the Sikh at the time of the elections. Earlier, activists of the Sehajdhari Sikh Federation, before floating the party, said a decision to this effect was taken to watch the interests of
Sehajdharis. It may be mentioned here that a petition regarding the voting rights to Sehajdharis has been fixed for hearing on November 6 by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. |
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Cong activist decides to contest
poll Sangrur, November 4 He started his campaign from the Bhawanigarh area. He addressed gatherings at Bhawanigarh, Gharanchon, Batriana, Kakra and Panwan villages. However, it is not clear whether he will contest on the Congress ticket or as an Independent. Besides Mr Khanna, there are two other strong claimants of the Congress ticket — Mr Jasbir Singh, a former Punjab minister, and Mr Surinder Pal Singh Sibia, PPCC secretary. |
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Nabha BJP rift comes to fore Nabha, November 4 They alleged that the Chairman had misused his position and passed the estimates of lakhs of rupees without completing the quorum of the trust. They said the government nomination had never been completed in the trust and no trustee to represent the Scheduled Castes taken, which was mandatory according to the Section 4(2) of the Punjab Town Improvement Act, 1922. They said the terms of two trustees, Mr Anil Rana and of Mr Mulkh Raj, had ended on January 21, 2001, but both had participated in the meeting held on January 25, 2001. When contacted, the Chairman, Mr Dudeja, admitted Mr Rana and Mr Raj, had attended the meeting despite completion of their terms as he had got no intimation regarding this from the government. So they both attended the meeting in order to complete the quorum of the trust. He said Mr Bhushan Lal Bansal and Mr Adarsh Bansal were not attending the meetings of the trust so he was planning to remove them. |
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PM committed a blunder:
morcha Phagwara, November 4 |
Family loses daughter on Karva Chauth Ludhiana, November 4 Mridu, (27), daughter of Mr Dharamvir Duggal, a property dealer living in Deep Nagar Colony, was found dead in mysterious circumstances at her in-laws house last week. The woman’s father was informed over the phone by the in-law but when he reached there they had vanished”. He took the body for a post-mortem examination, the report of which is awaited. Mr Duggal today said that the Faridkot police had yet to arrest the culprits against whom a case had been registered at a police station in Faridkot. He said his daughter had informed him over the phone that she could only visit their house on Karva Chauth if her in-laws were given Rs 1 lakh and a new car. He said he had lost his son two years ago and his world had been shattered with the death of his daughter. He said his mother suffered a stroke after knowing of the incident and was battling for life in a city hospital. |
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City comes
alive on Karva
Chauth Bathinda, November 4 Shopkeepers had displayed various items like bangles, sarees, suits, sweets and other eatables to attract the attention of the women. The city gave the impression of a large mela. Girls who had kept the fast for the first time seemed more enthusiastic than the older women. Karva Chauth fever had gripped the city for the past several days. The women were seen applying mehndi and buying sarees, bangles and other items associated with Karva Chauth. A 10 year old girl said the only thing that excited her were new dresses that she got from her father on this day. |
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Men,
too, observe
Karva Chauth fast Phagwara, November 4 Newly-married Sanjiv Kumar fasted today since his bride Parveen had kept a fast for him. Gurpreet, a class X student, today observed the Karva Chauth fast for the third consecutive year. When asked for whom? He quipped, “No one in particular.” Devraj fasted for his beloved whom he plans to marry soon. His cousin Deepa also observed a fast for his would-be bride. Men have started observing Karva Chauth with their wives, girl friends and mothers. While for some it is just a way to give company to their beloved, for others, it is just a fad. Ten-year-old Simran fasted because his mother was observing Karva
Chauth. A father-son duo also kept fast to give company to their respective wives. |
NGOs asked to form corruption
indices Ropar, November 4 The CVC would provide data regarding corruption to the NGOs and they, under the aegis of Transparency International, a German NGO, would rate various government departments on the scale of corruption. The first rating of various government departments is likely to be published within six months. Mr K.L. Ahuja, officer on special duty to the CVC, Mr N. Vittal, gave this information while talking to this correspondent. He was at the NFL Nangal plant to supervise activities being organised on the eve of the vigilance awareness week. Mr Ahuja said despite reformatory steps by the CVC to control corruption in government departments, very little had been achieved. In 924 cases where the CVC had recommended departmental action against corrupt officials, nothing had been done. Besides, 6,900 cases against the allegedly corrupt officials had been lingering in courts for more than 10 years. The states were also reluctant to take action against accused bureaucrats. Despite these bottlenecks, the CVC planned to take its drive against corruption a step further. It was now planning to involve youth in the drive against corruption. It had been proposed that groups of youth under the guidance of retired government officers would be asked to keep vigilance on a voluntary basis around “sensitive” government departments. A proposal in this regard had been sent to the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs by the CVC and had evoked a positive response. The said ministry had offered the services of the NSS or NCC cadets for the same. The CVC had also written to the CBSE to include chapters on ethics in their curricula. It had written to the Chief Justices of various High Courts to expedite proceedings in cases against corrupt officials. |
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All set for ‘dhadi darbar’ on Nov 11 Sangrur, November 4 The meeting was attended, among others, by Mr Ranjit Singh Balian, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala, Mr S.K. Ahluwalia, Director, Public Relations, and Mr Sarvjit Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Sangrur. Mr Dalam, along with Mr Balian and other officers, visited the site of the “dhadi darbar” at Badrukhan village. Later, talking to mediapersons at the PWD Rest House here, he said the “darbar” was being organised by the state government in collaboration with the Punjabi University, Patiala. He said Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, would preside over the same. He said the dhadi jathas who would be adjudged first, second and third would be honoured with cash prizes of Rs 1 lakh, Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000, respectively. Mr Dalam said on November 10, a light and sound programme based on the life and regime of Maharaja Ranjit Singh would be presented at Badrukhan village in the evening. Regarding the controversy over the birthplace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, whether it was Badrukhan or Gujranwala in Pakistan, Mr Dalam said “no comment”. He added that most historians were of the view that it was Gujranwala. He said “Badrukhan has great importance for us as it is the village of the Maharaja’s mother. He said the controversy on the coronation ceremony of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was baseless because he was declared “Sher-e-Punjab” on Baisakhi after applying a “tilak” on his forehead by Baba Sahib Singh Bedi in 1801. Mr Dalam said a rally to mark the coronation would be organised on November 18 at Amritsar which would be attended by Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, Prime Minister. |
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Sonia visits dera of Radhasoamis Beas, November 4 Amidst tight security, Mrs Gandhi, along with party general secretary Moti Lal Vora and PPCC chief Amarinder Singh arrived at the dera this morning. Briefing newsmen after the departure of Mrs Gandhi, the PPCC chief said the head of the dera, Baba Gurinder Singh, had personally invited the Congress President a few months ago. He informed that more than 25,000 persons had come to get their eyes examined at the camp. Mrs Gandhi took a keen interest in the working of the dera. She left for Delhi in the afternoon. The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Farooq Abdullah, and the Governor of Haryana, Babu Parmanand, are also due to visit the dera tomorrow. |
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Gidderbaha
gets major
facelift Gidderbaha, November 4 Though Mr Manpreet Singh
Badal, MLA, who represents this Assembly segment, has been taking a keen interest in the development of this town and making efforts to bring maximum funds for the same, some of his friends turned foes are trying to create obstacles in the same. Official sources said the Punjab Government had sanctioned Rs 46 lakh for making two traffic islands at the main entry points of city from the
Bathinda-Malout road. The sources said a railway underbridge would also be constructed shortly and the foundation stone for the same laid by Union Minister of Railway Digvijay Singh on November 29. Underground pipes were being laid down to ensure adequate supply of drinking water to residents. Mr Manpreet Singh
Badal, MLA, talking to mediapersons here today, said a municipal park was being set up in the vicinity of the city, apart from this, tenders for premix carpeting of
criss-crossings would be floated within two weeks. He pointed out that during ‘sangat
darshan’, Mr Badal had given Rs 1.17 crore for various projects to develop the town and Rs 75 lakh out of this sum had been spent on development schemes. He said after some of his opponents got a stay over the use of funds for development, he managed to get Rs 50 lakh from the Chief Minister as special grant so that all the development works could be completed. He pointed out at present 21 development projects were in the town and within a month or so the city would get a new face. Residents would be provided with basic
amenities. Gidderbaha town came into prominence in 1995 when during the chief ministership of the late Beant Singh, Mr Manpreet Singh Badal successfully contested the byelection against the Congress candidate, Mr Deepak
Garg. Mr Beant Singh, who camped about a month in this area and campaigned for the party candidate promised the residents that it would be made a model town. He also announced that it would be made a subdivision. |
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Gurdial
Singh: give Punjabi its
due Amritsar, November 4 Dr Joginder Singh
Puar, a former Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala, inaugurated the seminar. Mr Amrik Singh
Pooni, a former Chief Secretary of Punjab, presided over. Dr S.P. Singh, Vice-Chancellor was also present. Prof. Gurdial Singh said, “We, especially the intellectuals, prefer English to our mother-tongue, but countries like France, German and Japan have made development in all fields giving due regard to their own languages. For progress we have to shun dependence on English and take concrete steps for the development of Punjabi”. Dr Puar stressed on the production of basic study material to meet present requirements of the Punjabi language. He said training in information technology should be imparted in regional languages of India, for the total development of the country. |
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Our N-reactors safe, say
scientists Amritsar, November 4 More than 200 delegates from the country attended the meet . Earlier, Dr
A.R. Reddy, president, Indian Society for Radiation Physics, thanked the Vice-Chancellor, Dr
S.P. Singh, and coordinator, Dr Kulwant Singh Thind for cooperation. |
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Health
workers raise demands Bathinda, November 4 Committee members demanded that the GPF accounts of the employees should be with the office of the DDO, seniority lists should be released as per the 1945 rules for all categories, field travel allowances should be continued, budgetary allocation for the planned schemes should be released on time, transfer rules should be framed and contract system should be done away with. |
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Forum: parking lots
inadequate Bathinda, November 4 He said the VCF had met the president and the executive officer of the Municipal Council to draw their attention towards the problem. He alleged that most of the parking places had been “converted into taxi stands”. Steps should be taken to remove these encroachments and more parking lots be created keeping in view of the increasing traffic and population of the city. Mr Jindal said the other problem which demanded urgent attention was the upkeep of the public toilets. |
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Ahmadiyas’ convention from November 8 Batala, November 4 “Ahmadiya Muslim delegates from all over the world are reaching here to take part in it. The volunteers of as many as 35 departments have started work three days ago”, he told reporters here. Qadian is the centre of worldwide Muslim Ahmadiya community and is the birth place of its founder, Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad.
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Chambers
issue: lawyers to meet on Nov 9 Mansa, November 4 The conference was presided over by Mr Balraj Singh Sohi, convener of the association. Advocates from all over Punjab and Chandigarh participated. The main agenda was non-provision of lawyers chambers in the new judicial complexes being constructed in the state. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had earlier issued directions to the state government to construct lawyers chambers along with new judicial complexes. |
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11 girls married off Barnala, November 4 Mr Amarjit Kaleke, chief president of the committee, said those married include Paramjit Kaur, Munti and Sandeep Kaur of Asoal Kalan village, Karamjit Kaur of Kaalele village, Salima Khan of Uppli, Ranjit Kaur of Waalian, Sukhwinder Kaur of Khiali, Birpal Kaur of Wazidke Kalan, Manjit Kaur of Barnala, Jitpal Kaur Amla Singhwala and Birpal Kaur of Sukhpura Maur village. Mr Kaleke said the committee had spent nearly Rs 28,000 on each girl. Besides hosting a meal the girls were given items like the double bed, TV set, two chairs and a table, sewing machine, a bicycle, dinner set, trunk, fans, wrist watches, beddings and 11 suits etc. Mr Malkiat Singh Keetu, MLA, Barnala, Mata Bimal Devi, Ubbe Wali Mata, Prem Chand Aggarwal, chairman, Punjab Beopar Mandal, Mr Rupinder Singh Sandhu, chairman, Improvement Trust, Barnala, and Ms Surinder Kumar Sindi, president of the committee, Barnala blessed the newly weds. |
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Cadet cremated with honours Pathankot, November 4 Mr Ram Lal MLA, Narote, Capt N.L. Yadav, Capt I.K. Parsad and Army jawans of the Dogra Regiment laid wreaths and paid tributes to the departed soul. |
Minister: use less
fertilisers Patiala, November 4 This was stated by Raja Narinder Singh, Public Health Minister, while addressing a gathering at an Escorts mela that concluded at Government Ripudaman College grounds at Nabha, near here, today. He said the present government had done more for the farming community than the Congress governments in the past 50 years. Raja Narinder Singh sounded a warning to farmers, saying that excess use of fertilisers should be done away with lest the land slowly turned barren. Raja Narinder Singh urged the farmers to learn various methods of modern farming by attending such melas. In this regard, he praised the efforts of the Mehram group of publications and said the group was working towards the betterment of the farming community in the state by organising such functions. The mela was inaugurated by Mr Zora Singh Thind, SDM, Nabha. Mr B.S Bir, Chief Editor, Mehram group of publications, said 35 companies and banks had set up their stalls at the
mela. |
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Youth shot dead Moga, November 4 The brother of the youth was suspected of having relations with the daughter of one of the assailants, the police said here today. The assailants entered the house of Jasgir Singh (24) yesterday when he was alone. In the ensuing scuffle, one of the assailants fired shots, killing the youth and injuring family members. The police has launched a search to nab the suspects.
PTI |
CM lays stone for medical
institute Jalandhar, November 4 The institute will have a medical college, and 1000-bed hospital. In the first phase, the government has planned to construct the building of the medical college to start its first batch of 100 students along with a 500-bed hospital at a cost of Rs 156 crore. Later, addressing the gathering at a function Punjab Medical Education and Research Minister Manoranjan Kalia stated that the department had given the contract for the construction of the building to a multinational company to get the work completed within the prescribed time limit. “The institute will be set up on 83,000 sq m. The ultra modern medical college-cum-hospital will have latest diagnostic and treatment facilities, including medicine, surgery, gynaecology, paediatrics, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, ENT, radiotherapy and radiodiagnosis, cardiology and cardiotheracic surgery, neurology, neurosurgery, gastroentrology, naphrology, transplant surgery oncology and trauma care,” Mr Kalia added. “Besides we will set up residential accommodation for the staff and hostel for students at a cost of Rs 15 crore”, he added. Mr Badal in his address said that the funds have already been allocated for the project and there would be no paucity of funds at any state of the construction. He further said though a former Congress Chief Minister had also laid the foundation stone of this institute about seven years ago, but funds were never allocated to start the work on the project. “I always lay the foundation stone of any development work after allocating sufficient funds for it and I assure you that it will be completed by April, 2004”, he added. The Chief Minister went a step further and invited the representatives of the private company on dais and asked them to publicly declare that the medical college and hospital would be completed in time. Those who were present on the occasion included the Director Principal of the PIMS, Dr Baljeet Singh, former SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, Rajya Sabha member Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Editor of the Hind Samachar group of newspapers Vijay Chopra, Mr Chunni Lal, a local MLA. |
Beopar bhavan
planned Bathinda, November 4 Those present at the meeting included Mr R. Venkatratnam, Deputy Commissioner, Dr Jatinder Kumar Jain, SSP, Mr Bhupinder Singh Bhullar, president, Municipal Council, Mr Madan Lal Kapoor, president, Punjab Beopar Mandal, Mr Jiwan Lal, president, Bathinda Beopar Mandal. Mr Garg said a beopar bhavan would be constructed here to provide board and lodging facilities to the traders of the Malwa region. |
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