Chandigarh, June 24
After holding several meetings at senior officers level and detailed discussion in the Punjab Council of Ministers, the Badal government has decided to amend the East Punjab Holdings (consolidation and prevention of fragmentation) Act 1948 to prevent the partition of the land reserved for common purposes such as building schools, etc.

Sources said the Ordinance issued effecting amendment in the Act on May 22 by the Punjab Governor would be converted into a law on the concluding day of the ongoing session of the Punjab Assembly. A new Section 42-A would be inserted to the 1948 Act to prevent the partition of reserved land amongst proprietors in villages concerned.

In Punjab, the consolidation of land holdings in villages was ordered in ’50s and was completed by 1980. During the consolidation of land holdings, decision was taken to reserve some land for common purposes such for building institutions in the villages where land for common purposes was either not available or inadequate for this purpose. The common purposes for which the land was to be utilised were defined in the Section 2 of the 1948 Act.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court vide its order passed on January18,2000, had instructed the Punjab, Haryana and Union Territory of Chandigarh to re-distribute the remaining land, that was spared after utilisation for specified common purposes, amongst the proprietors according to their shares.

However, the Punjab government has felt that it will not be in the public interest to partition or apportion the land reserved for common purposes amongst proprietors. After detailed discussion, it has been felt that the retaining of the land in the common pool would be in the interest of villages concerned for their development and setting up more public utility institutions such as focal points, primary health centres, panchayat ghars, colleges, anganwari centres, for providing plots to build houses to weaker sections and public latrines etc. With the devolution of more powers to panchayats, there will be more demand of land in the common pool to set up new public utility projects.

For setting up any public utility institution by the Union Government or by the state government, villagers are asked to provide land free of cost. And land can only be provided if it is available in the common pool. In case land will not be available in common in villages, these will be deprived of important public institutions. Keeping in view these factors, the Badal government has decided to convert the Ordinance into the law, it is learnt.

Earlier, the previous Amarinder Singh government had tried to frame the law and had prepared the draft of the Bill in this regard. But at the last moment, it cancelled its decision to frame the law. 

Moga, June 24
Several Sikhs under the banner of the Khalsa Action Committee took out a procession here today demanding the arrest of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for his ‘blasphemous act’ of appearing in an attire akin to that of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.

Several Sikh organisations, both hardliners as well as moderates, participated in the procession from Gurdwara Zafar Nama, Dina Sahib to Damdami Sahib in Bathinda’s Talwandi Sabo.

Jasbir Singh Rode, former jathedar of Akal Takht, said: “Thousands of protestors participated in the march from Gurudwara Dina Sahib to Talwandi Sahib. The world should know that Sikhs will not allow anyone to hurt their religious sentiments. No one should ever think of coming at par with the Sikh Gurus. This is a peaceful march to expresses our grievances”.

Tight security arrangements were made along the procession route passing through Kangar, Bhai Roopa, Rampura Phul, Mandi Kalan and Ram Nagar, besides Punjab’s largest camp of Dera sect in Salabatpura.

The procession organisers had appealed to the participants to maintain peace and not raise slogans.

The organisers went against the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Avtar Singh’s appeal to defer plans till the SGPC took a decision over Dera chief’s apology.

Clashes between Sikhs and the Dera sect erupted after the publication of an advertisement showing sect leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh dressed up in clothes similar to those worn by Guru Gobind Singh.

The Sikhs took offence and termed it as ‘blasphemous’. Skirmishes between rival groups flared into mob violence when the Akal Takht — the top body of Sikh clergies — urged the community to boycott the sect.

The sect leader denied any wrongdoing and tendered an apology, saying he had absolutely no intention to imitate or replicate the Sikh guru. The Sikh clergy however, rejected the apology. — ANI

Bathinda, June 24
Hundreds of Sikh activists today reached here, after traversing about 120 km with great enthusiasm amid tight security, to press their demand for the arrest of Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for allegedly hurting Sikh religious sentiments.

The much-publicised Khalsa Chetna March from Gurdwara Zafar Nama Dina Sahib in Moga to Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo here passed off peacefully, without any untoward incident, SSP Bathinda Naunihal Singh said.

The organisers, Khalsa Action Committee, later resolved to participate in the July 27 meeting of the Sikh Sangat at Shri Akal Takht in Amritsar where action on the new apology letter from the dera chief would be taken.

However, the organisers, also declared that if they were not satisfied with the decision of the June 27 meeting, they would hold their own meeting at Jalandhar on June 29 and chart their own course of action against the dera and its chief, the SSP said.

The committee had, however, accepted the administration’s appeal today to avoid marching close to Salabatpura, the main Dera Sacha Sauda centre in Punjab, and took a slight detour from the scheduled route.

According to sources, the organisers also agreed to call the march Khalsa Chetna March instead of Khalsa march on the request of the administration and urged the participants not to raise slogans or carry arms at the march. — UNI

Amritsar, June 24
The president and the secretary of Chief Khalsa Diwan, the oldest Sikh body, have once again crossed swords despite a peace deal brokered by Jathedar, Akal Takht, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti following the disbanding of the education committee.

The 107-year-old Sikh body, apolitical till recently, has been embroiled in controversies due to growing factionalism. The warring groups want to occupy the centrestage by bending all rules.

The latest controversy arose when Charnjit Singh Chadha and Bhag Singh Ankhi, president and secretary of the body, respectively, sent their parallel panels comprising seven members each to the secretary, Khalsa College, for their nomination to the 100-member governing council, which is proposed to meet on June 30 for electing new office-bearers. However, veteran member of the diwan H.S. Soch, former vice-chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, has raised serious objections over sending parallel panels by the warring groups, without following proper procedures. The election of president, Khalsa College Governing Council, has been scheduled for July 1 while the elections of the diwan office-bearers are due in November.

Keeping in view the high stakes, both warring groups want their seven “close confidants” nominated to the Governing Council of Khalsa College, headed by Satyajit Singh Majithia, father-in-law of Sukhbir Singh Badal, working president of the SAD.

The chief of the diwan dissolved the education committee on the basis of a representation signed by around 40 members submitted at a meeting on June 17 with Dr J.S. Dhillon as acting secretary. Earlier, he had dissolved it on April 11 last year with Harminder Singh as its convener.

While, Chadha claimed that he was competent to disband the education committee since it had failed to hold a conference for the past six years, his opponents said he could not take such decision since the committee was an “autonomous body”.

Challenging both parallel panels, the former vice-chancellor has said the names for nomination to the council were sent without holding a proper meeting of the former committees with a proper agenda. The opponent group alleged that Chadha had been “misusing” the “directive” issued by the Jathedar, Akal Takht, for his “vested interests”. They feel that the Jathedar, while brokering a peace deal between both groups, had directed them to work together strictly as per the constitution of the diwan.

The former vice-chancellor, in a missive, said: “Let all three organisations, the diwan, the Khalsa Tract Society and the Education Committee, hold meetings of their members with clear-cut agenda and clear-cut notice to electing their representatives on the august body of the Khalsa College Governing Council”. He also threatened to seek legal recourse if the diwan failed to work as per the rules and bylaws.

The opponents of Chadha claimed that the bylaws did not allow him to disband the committee.

However, taking serious note of the parallel panels sent by Bhag Singh Ankhi for nomination to the council, Chadha said he was writing letters to all persons concerned not to honour any missive by the secretary unless it was approved by the president. He claimed that as per the constitution of the diwan, the secretary had limited powers and hence could not take major decisions like sending panel for nominations, etc.

Now, the credibility of Akal Takht is again at stake, as the Sikh high priests have failed to broker a permanent peace deal even after a period of three years. Jathedar Vedanti had directed both warring groups to desist from dragging the name of the diwan in courts.

Chandigarh, June 24
For unemployed youth, life is back to square one. In fact, it is a little worse now. Earlier, Akali leaders, who were then out of power, used to visit them at their dharna site here and help them by providing langar from nearby gurdwaras managed by the SGPC.

After the SAD came to power in Punjab, gurdwaras have stopped providing them langar.

It all started when the Congress was in power in Punjab last year. A large number of organisations of unemployed youth had started agitations to seek employment.

Some organisations like Unemployed PTI Teacher Union and the Unemployed DPE Teacher Union had organised dharnas against the previous government in Sector 17 for about five months.

As these organisations were holding protests against the then Congress Government, it was a blessing in disguise for the Opposition parties. Akali leaders used to visit those sitting in dharnas and also offer them all kinds of support for continuing the agitation.

Most of the agitators had lifted their dharnas in December last year following the enforcement of the code of conduct before the Assembly elections in the state.

Now, at least three organisations - Unemployed PTI Teacher Union, Unemployed DPE Teacher Union and Retrenched Computer Teachers - have resumed their agitation.

Talking to The Tribune yesterday, the leader of the unemployed teachers said “We approached the gurdwaras in Panchkula and Mohali which used to help us by providing langar earlier. We were flatly refused and were asked to approach the SGPC.”

“Sewadars and other senior officials in gurdwaras have told us that as the Akali government is in place now, no support can be extended to those agitating against it,” the leader added.

“Though we have made our own arrangement for dal-roti, we are facing a lot of problems in this regard,” he added.

Moga, June 24
Health minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla has said her department will receive Rs 161 crore under the National Rural Health Mission for procuring medicines, advance medical technology and upgrade of health infrastructure in the rural sector.

She was here today to pay homage to the 25 RSS activists and others who were killed in the twin explosions in the city in 1989. She said the department would receive the fund after submission of a report by this month. She opined that the amount would go a long way in strengthening health services in villages.

The minister said ayurvedic and homoeopathic therapies would also be introduced at all civil hospitals.

The Public Service Commission has been asked to recruit 147 specialists, 34 dental surgeons. Seventyfive doctors are re-joining the department after completing their postgraduation, she added.

Talking to TNS, the minister said she would have to take tough measures to streamline the department. For this, the rationalisation of postings of medical staff would be done.

When asked how she would tackle political and other pressures in streamlining the department, the minister replied that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had assured her full support. A campaign against druggists had received his immense support, she added.

Following the seizure of Rs 75 lakh of drugs, drug inspectors and state drug controller received threats from miscreants. The DGP had been informed about it.

Soon her department would launch a drive against the sale of spurious milk. The department had organised a number of functions here to caution traders against this illegal practice.

Rajpura, June 24
Two persons died and more than 80 others fell ill following an outbreak of gastroenteritis at Nagawan village in the subdivision. The health authorities have swung into action and deputed a rapid response team in the village to check the spread of the disease.

According to the information gathered by The Tribune, villagers had organised a chhabeel on June 16 to commemorate Gurpurab where flavoured water and eatables were offered by the villagers. After consuming the water and eatables at the chhabeel, many fell ill. Instead of going to a government hospital, the villagers preferred to get treatment from a private practitioner.

Civil surgeon Usha Dhingra stated that neither the villagers nor the private practitioner informed the Health Department, which led to unnecessary delay in the proper treatment of the affected persons. She said the department received the information late last evening following which she herself went to the village to take stock of the situation.

The civil surgeon said today morning a rapid response team was sent to the village which examined a large number of villagers and provided them with the required medicines. Besides, other preventive measures were also initiated, she claimed.

Sukhwinder Singh and Nikka Singh, who had contracted gastroenteritis, died while they were under treatment. While several others were admitted to private nursing homes in and around the village.

The civil surgeon said the situation was now completely under control and no new cases were reported today.

She said the department had sought an explanation from the private practitioner as to why he did not inform the Health Department about the cases of gastroenteritis. She said other private health care centres had also been directed to keep the department informed in case such cases were brought there.

Pathankot, June 24
The 16 Independent Armoured Brigade stationed at Mamun military station celebrated its 38th Raising Day here yesterday. A large number of retired officers and soldiers, who had served in this brigade, attended the function.

Brig J.P.Singh, present commander of the brigade, laid a wreath at the war memorial on behalf of all service personnel and a two-minute silence was also observed as a mark of respect to those who sacrificed their lives for the nation.

The brigade, raised on June 23,1969, by Brig K.K.Kaul (retd) in Faizabad, saw action during the 1971 war with Pakistan in Shakagarh sector. It also fought the Battle of Basantar under late Gen A. S. Vaidya in which the brigade launched a daring attack on Pakistan and in a day destroyed 50 Pakistani Patton tanks and its 8 Independent Armoured Brigade was decimated on the banks of river Basantar.By the end of war the Black Arrow brigade was the most highly decorated formation of the Army,having won one Param Vir Chakra,five Maha Vir Chakras,12 Vir Chakras,27 Sena Medals and 32 Mention in Despatches.

Amritsar, June 24
To provide a bridge between the talent of the region and the Indian film industry, Punjab’s first full-fledged film and animation school will be launched at Mohali in the first week of July.

Stating this here today, humorist Jaspal Bhatti said the school, MAD Arts (Media and Digital Arts), would cater to the needs of students in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh. He said the institute would train students of the northern region of the country to become actors, directors, editors, cinematographers, radio jockeys and animators.

Bhatti said there was a bright future for these professionals in the ever-growing entertainment industry. They were in great demand because of the mushrooming of TV channels and the increasing number of films.

Emphasis would be laid on practical training. Students would be made to shoot a short film, act in the film and edit it too.

Bhatti said the school had roped in highly talented personalities to be part of the faculty. They included Suresh Jangid, who had been the dean (film and TV) of the Asian Academy from 1993, and Dr Navdeep Kaur, gold medallist in theatre and TV from Punjabi University, Patiala, and Brijesh Ahuja, a renowned singer, musician and an actor.

Bhatti will take special lectures on the direction and humour techniques. Film personalities from Bollywood and abroad will be invited to deliver guest lectures.

Patiala, June 24
News channel Time TV will telecast the evening aarti performed on the banks of the Ganga at Hardwar live on the channel. The aarti is performed at Har Ki Pauri, Hardwar, at 7 pm everyday in which devotees from India and all over the world participate.

A spokesperson for the channel today said viewers of the channel could now enjoy the aarti everyday after the initiative of the channel.

The aarti at Hardwar is world famous. It presents a unique spiritual sight through its captivating ambience amid chanting of hymns, blowing of conches, ringing of bells and lighting of earthen lamps.

He further claimed that channel had made the initiative of telecasting Nitnem Path of Sri Sukhmani Sahib, kirtan and katha live from Bangla Sahib Gurdwara, New Delhi. — TNS

AMRITSAR: Amritsar’s “Kesar Da Dhaba”, almost a century-old food outlet, is keeping alive the essence of traditional Punjabi “tarka”.

The aroma of the 12 hours of simmering “mah ki dal” to serve with “lachha parantha” or “butter naan” is a speciality that has made this traditional Punjabi kitchen a landmark. Here, around 25 cooks prepare 23 Punjabi delicacies thrice a day.

What makes this so unique is that the owners themselves prepare these delicacies to keep the flavour.

It was in 1916 that, Lal Kesar Mal established this outlet. At that time, “parantha” and “mah ki dal” were the only preparations available.

For generations, the Lals have reserved this decade-old flavour of Punjab.

“Our tradition of cooking started from village Shekhupura, now in Pakistan. Our elders hit upon a business recipe and installed a “tandoor” there. During that time, some senior Congress leaders, including Lala Lajpat Rai, used to visit the dhaba,” said Vijay Kumar, the owner of the dhaba.

Indira Gandhi and Giani Zail Singh were among the distinguished guests who visited the dhaba.

Besides retaining the original flavour, they have also not disturbed the age-old arrangements to give the dhaba a traditional touch. To this day, there are marble tables and wooden stools.

Today, on an average 700 persons walk away with their favourite Punjabi dishes not bothering about the calories or the price. The meal consists of two paranthas, fried mah ki dal, cholle and rayta, all for Rs 43.

Avinash Sharma, a customer, said: “The atmosphere at the restaurant is very different. Eating here is akin to eating at home. This is the traditional taste of Punjab. You will never find this taste in any continental food”.

“Despite it being crowded, we enjoyed it immensely. The food was so delicious, something which one doesn’t get in New Delhi,” Ashish Seth, a customer from the Capital, said.

Only a few such dhabas remain in Punjab where one can eat genuine Punjabi food having the typical Punjabi flavour. — ANI

Fatehgarh Sahib, June 24
Harassed by her husband, a 32-year-old woman allegedly committed suicide after administering poison to her two children. The children, however, survived and were reported to be out of danger.

According to the police, Narinder Kaur, a resident Dera Meer Miran in the district, administered poison to her two children - eight-year-old Farmaan Kaur and six-year-old Balroop Singh - and later consumed poison on Friday night.

Her in-laws found her and the children in a critical condition the next morning and took her to a private hospital in Mohali.

However, she was declared brought dead at the hospital. While, the two children managed to survive.

The police said her husband Shehbaz Singh brought her body back to Fatehgarh Sahib for a postmortem examination here.

But woman’s brother Rajinder, suspecting foul play, refused to let a post-mortem examination be conducted here and insisted that the examination be conducted at Rajindra Hospital in Patiala. The body was later taken to Patiala.

Meanwhile, the police has registered a case against Shehbaz Singh on the statement of Rajinder, who alleged that his sister was maltreated by Shehbaz Singh.

Patiala, June 24
The local police arrested three persons with 22 bags of poppy husk from two different checkpoints here today.

A police team led by CIA staff in charge Manjit Singh Brar arrested Pala Singh of Chullar village in Sangrur district and another person for carrying six bags of poppy husk in a Maruti Zen car at a checkpoint here.

Also, the police arrested Balwinder Singh of Jakhal (Haryana) with 16 bags of poppy husk at a checkpoint near Pasiana village.

Cases under the NDPS Act have been registered at the Sadar police station.

Kharar, June 24
Continuing with its drive against anti-social elements, the Mohali police today arrested three persons and seized a huge quantity of liquor from the Mohali-Ropar road.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of the CIA staff, led by sub-inspector Sanjeev Kumar and ASI Barma Singh, set up a checkpoint between Balongi and Daon villages.

During checking, the team pulled over a car and a truck.

During the search of the vehicles, a huge quantity of country-made liquor, marked “For sale in Chandigarh”, was seized from them.

At least 5,136 bottles were being smuggled to Himachal Pradesh under the guise of onion stock, the police said.

Nand Kishore, Satish Kumar and Rangeel Singh, all residents of Himachal Pradesh, have been taken into custody and a case registered against them under the Excise Act.

Muktsar, June 24
In order to promote NCC training for girls in schools and colleges, the Punjab government has decided to establish an NCC Nagar at Moga so that NCC training to girls can be provided in weapons and the trained girl cadets can get commission in the Army easily, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said here today.

Presiding over the concluding function of the 12-day NCC girls training camp at Dashmesh Girls Senior Secondary School, the Chief Minister announced to introduce NCC training for girls in the school. — PTI

Kapurthala, June 24
Several hundred teachers appointed on contract under the Sarv Shikhsha Abhiyan (SSA) staged a dharna under the banner of the Education Volunteer Teachers Union outside Punjab education minister Dr Upinderjeet Kaur’s residence on the Sultanpur Lodhi road in Kapurthala on Sunday.

The district police tried to stop the teachers gathered from different parts of the state from reaching the education minister’s house. However, the teachers managed to reach there where they staged a dharna for about three hours. The teachers were demanding that their services should be regularised with immediate effect.

State president of the union Ishwar Dass told The Tribune that over 1,500 teachers were appointed on contract under the SSA about three years before and they were just paid Rs 2,500 to 3,000 per month according to their qualification.

Besides Ishwar Dass, representatives of the Government Teachers’ Union Jarmanjeet Singh and Makhan Singh Kohar also addressed the protesting teachers outside Dr Upinderjeet Kaur’s house.

Patiala, June 24
The Association of Punjab Unaided Colleges of Education held a meeting here today. The meeting was presided over by association president Jaswant Singh Khaira and representatives of private self-financed colleges of education.

Speaking on the occasion, Jaswant Singh said the association condemned the trend adopted by Punjabi University, Patiala, and other universities of the state.

The policy might force the closure of BEd colleges in the state due to which thousands of students would be forced to pursue their education outside of the state.

The association decided to take legal remedy against the university if the government did not intervene and resolve the matter amicably.

The association took a serious view of the discriminatory policy of the university against private self-financed colleges of education in terms of staff and infrastructure as compared to government and university colleges.

Khaira stressed that partial implementation of rules of the NCTE by the university must be checked as the rules be followed as such.

The association further appealed the state government to intervene and resolve the matter at the earliest to safeguard the fate of students keen on taking admission to BEd course in various self-financed colleges of education. — TNS