The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Sunday, December 30, 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

AMRITSAR
SANCTIONED: Dr Narpinder Singh, Head of the Department of Food, Science and Technology, Guru Nanak Dev University, has been awarded a project worth Rs 12.38 lakh for researching on isolation, characterisation and utilisation of starch from rice varieties being grown in India.

CONCLUDED: A three-day Indian sociological conference organised by the Department of Sociology, Guru Nanak Dev University concluded here on Friday. A symposium on “Contemporary Punjab: developments, conflicts and contradictions” was also held under the chairmanship of Mr Justice Rajinder Sachar. Dr S.S. Jodhka from Chandigarh presented his paper on the emerging regional identity of Punjab and changing nature of communities in the region.

BATALA
URGED: Mr S.P. Arjun, president, Gurdaspur District Welfare Association, has
urged the government to fill some posts of senior executive officer in Gurdaspur district in view of the forthcoming Assembly elections.

BATHINDA
ALLEGED: The local Public Grievances Association has alleged that the railway authorities have been overcharging commuters. Mr Sadhu Ram Kushla, general secretary of the association, in a press note issued here on Friday said employees at the local railway station charged extra for a ticket from here to New Delhi.

URGED: The local Consumer Welfare Council has urged the PSEB authorities to set up an electronic electricity meter-testing laboratory here as the consumers of the region have to go to Patiala for availing the facility. The council has written a letter to the PSEB Chairman in this connection.

DHURI
ANNUAL FUNCTION: The annual function of Guru Teg Bahadur Public School, Bardwal, will be held on the school campus on Sunday. Mr J.F. Jacob, Governor, will be the chief guest.

HOSHIARPUR
RED CROSS SOCIETY: The District Red Cross Society organised a camp here on Thursday. Mr Harinder Sidhu, chairperson, hospital welfare section, provided 18 tricycles, 7 wheelchairs, 24 clippers, 13 hearing-aid machines, 25 artificial limbs to handicapped persons.

MALERKOTLA
BOOKED: A case has been registered against Dhuri Truck Union president Gurmail Singh and his brother Dharam Singh for allegedly selling opium and seized 3 kg of opium from the flour mill owned by them here on Friday. Both have absconded. A case has been registered under Sections 18, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act.

NABHA
YOUTH FESTIVAL: The Sangrur zone youth festival of Punjabi University, Patiala, began at Silvon Theatre and Garden View Theatre of the local Government Ripudaman College, on Saturday. Mr C.B. Batheja, General Manager, local Smithcline Beecham Limited, was the chief guest. Eighteen teams of different colleges are participating in the festival. The bhangra, giddha, classical dance, classical instrumental, classical vocal and instrumental competitions were organised.

PHAGWARA
SEMINARS: Two seminars on power were held here on Friday under the programme “Mission — 2012: power for all on demand” under the aegis of Union Ministry of Power for creating awareness among people about the measures required for providing reliable, affordable and quality power to them. Mr Ajit Singh, senior XEN, PSEB, here presided over the seminars.

CHANDIGARH

EXPULSION APPROVED: The executive committee of the Mair Rajput Sabha, at an emergency meeting, approved the expulsion of Mr Ashok Karwal, who had earlier been given notice for his ‘anti-sabha‘ activities. In a press note issued here on Saturday, the sabha president, Mr Narinder Singh Jaura, said the members had been informed of the expulsion of Mr Karwal.

HEALTH CAMPS: A total of 2,500 persons visited four special health camps and a health mela organised by the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development under the Local Initiative Programme in different villages of Ropar district during the past one month. A total of 1286 patients were checked by gynaecologists, paediatricians, ophthalmologists and dermatologists during the camps and free medicines were distributed to them. Blood samples of anaemic patients were also collected.

SEMINAR HELD: A legal awareness seminar was organised under the chairmanship of Mr B.C. Gupta, Member Secretary, UT State Legal Service Authority, at Kajheri village on Saturday. It was organised for sensitising people about legal aid schemes and programmes for needy and weaker sections. Mr Gupta said in addition to motor accident claims, compoundable criminal matters and matrimonial, family and property disputes and landlord-tenant controversies, the authority was taking up matters relating to complaints of investors with companies, bank loan recovery cases and grievances of jhuggi-dwellers and colony residents.

HARYANA

AMBALA
JAIL INMATE DIES: An undertrial prisoner lodged in Ambala Central Jail died here on Saturday. The deceased, Ashok Kumar, belonged to Panipat and was held under the NDPS Act. According to information, he had been keeping sick for past several days. He was taken to the local Civil Hospital.

ONE KILLED: One person was killed and another got injured in a road accident here on Saturday. According to information, Amar Kumar and one of his friends were on their way to Nahan on a scooter when it collided with a truck near Panjokhra village. The police has registered a case against the driver of the truck.

WOMEN HELD: The police on Saturday arrested a woman for snatching a chain of another woman. According to the police, on a complaint by Ms Santosh Goel the police arrested the woman who had snatched her gold chain near Sarsedi village. The chain was also recovered form the woman.

HEALTH CAMP: The Lions Club here would organise a free health camp at Prem Mandir, Ambala city, on Sunday. The district governor of the club, Mr M.R. Sharma, would be the chief guest while Mr Surender Aarya would be the guest of honour on the occasion. According to Mr Rakesh Loothra, president of the club, a team of senior doctors would examine the patients in the camp.