Punjabi cinema plans to highlight 1984 anti-Sikh riots in its own way

Gagandeep Singh

Tribune News Service Jalandhar, June 5

Punjabi film industry seems to have been commemorating the 30th anniversary of 1984 issues, including Operation Bluestar and the Sikh massacre in New Delhi in the wake of assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, by making films. Two films have been already made on the issue so far this year. The Central Board for Film Certification in India has reportedly refused to issue a certificate to one of these films, "Kaum De Heere". The other one, "47 to 84", was released on May 30 following some issues with the censor board. It is doing good business. Some more films on the same issue are also set be released this year. These include "Punjab 1984", "Gaddaar", "Kaun Kare Insaaf", "Dilli 1984", "Lather Life" and "Blood Street". Writer of "47 to 84", Babli Singh said earning revenue was not their aim as it had been already announced that the amount would be distributed among widows of 1984 victims. "The film is based on my personal experiences as I have been one of the victims of 1984 Sikh massacre," he added. The film was not made with an intention to release it this year. It was set be released months ago. However, it got delayed as the Central Board for Film Certification in India issued the certificate late. The only purpose of the film was to let the younger generation know about the sort of circumstances the Sikh community had gone through. "Punjab 1984" will be released on June 27. Director of the film Anurag Singh said making profit from this film was not the idea. "We are doing this film because our sentiments are with the issue. It has been a coincidence that the film is going to be released this year," he said. He said the film depicted aftermath of the episode, including suffering of women and children due to these developments. "It is the story of a mother, who has to run from pillar to post seeking justice. As I said, making profit was not our motive, we are planning to do something for the victim of 1984, if the film does good business," he added. Baljit Singh is planning to release his film "Kaun Kare Insaaf" in October-end. He said his film would sound a caution to the system that anarchy would prevail if the justice system collapsed. Since justice has not been delivered to the 1984 massacre victims, what the system expects them to do? "Through this project we want to create a dialogue to address the issue," he added. Amitoj Mann's "Gaddaar" would be released around Diwali. He said some 1984 incidents were depicted in the film, but it was not entirely based on that issue. Films this year Kaum De Heere 47 to 84 Punjab 1984 Gaddaar Kaun Kare Insaaf Dilli 1984 Lather Life Blood Street

Operation Bluestar anniversary

Sikh groups to hold separate events

AISSF wants Centre to apologise

Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 5

On the eve of the Operation Bluestars 30th anniversary, the All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF), Peermohammed group, today demanded that the Narendra Modi-led Union Government should apologise to the Sikhs for the Army operation on the floor of Parliament tomorrow. Addressing mediapersons here, AISSF chief Karnail Singh Peermohammed and former SGPC secretary Kulwant Singh said: It has been 30 years since the Operation Bluestar, but the successive Union Governments never apologised to the Sikh community. The Modi Government must take an initiative and tender an apology to the Sikhs tomorrow. They claimed they had got some documents that prove that the army operation was the beginning of the Sikh genocide. They said they would file a plea with the United Nations, appealing it to declare the Operation Bluestar as Sikh genocide. They urged the state government to declare a holiday on June 6. They have, however, decided not to support tomorrows bandh call given by the Dal Khalsa. They said they would take out a Sikh sovereignty march from Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh to Akal Takht tomorrow. The Dal Khalsa took out a genocide remembrance parade today. Its president HS Dhami alleged the operation was pre-planned and the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had taken advice and other support from the UK. Activists of the Sikh Students Federation (Mehta) also took out a march from Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh to Akal Takht. In another development, the SAD (Amritsar) questioned the Damdami Taksals move to organise a separate programme to mark the occasion at its headquarters at Chowk Mehta. Party president Simranjeet Singh Mann said all Sikh organisations should unite on a single platform to observe the event. Shops for traders Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi on Thursday announced that 133 shopkeepers whose shops were destroyed during the Operation Bluestar would be given shops at Mall Mandi area of the city. He said the Cabinet had approved it.

Shortage of senior residents hits medical colleges

Gagan K Teja

Tribune News Service Patiala, June 5

The shortage of senior residents in the government medical colleges of Patiala and Amritsar has crippled the functioning of these institutions and related hospitals. Many of these are struggling to run even emergency services. To make things worse, the state government has shifted all medical officers from these hospitals and deputed them at various community health centres and district hospitals. The move is bound to plunge these institutions into further chaos since these medical officers had been performing all main duties in these hospitals. Right from handling emergency cases to maintaining record registers, handling legal matters, issuing medicines and other jobs, the entire work was being done by medical officers. The government has directed junior residents to look after these jobs now. Senior faculty members, however, feel the junior residents cannot handle emergency cases. The MCI had recently declined the proposal to increase PG seats in these colleges citing shortage of faculty positions as one of the reasons. Some departments, including emergency/casualty, blood bank, cardiology and newer units of medicine/surgery, will be now totally locked out as no doctor, except the teaching faculty, will be available in the absence of medical officers. This will further deteriorate the services at these institutions as half the staff were already on summer vacation. Around 100 final-year resident doctors will also have to be relieved within a week, whereas their replacement will available only next month. The state government has relaxed norms for appointments of SRs to attract quality doctors, who were earlier not eligible for the posts due to certain conditions that generally included two-year experience of working in rural areas and regular jobs, but their appointment has been stayed due to a court case. The government had created 321 new posts of SRs in Government Medical College, Patiala, and Government Medical College, Amritsar, which included posts of super-specialty doctors. Dr BS Sohal, general secretary of the Punjab Medical and Dental Teachers Association (PSMDTA), Punjab, has demanded that the transfers of medical officers be out on hold. Principal Secretary, Medical Education and Research Department, Vini Mahajan, however, maintained the Health Department had acute shortage of medical officers and therefore it was important to shift these specialists. The crippling effect Many hospital were finding it difficult to run even emergency services

To make things worse, all medical officers have been shifted to various community health centres and district hospitals

Junior residents have been directed to look after the jobs that were being performed by senior residents earlier.

Finally, Talwandi Sabo plant begins operation...

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service Bathinda, June 5

After facing several hiccups, the Talwandi Sabo Power Plant at Banawali in Mansa has finally started generation just in the nick of time ahead of the high-demand paddy sowing season commencing June 10. Owned by Sterlite Energy Ltd, the first unit of 660 MW  the plants total capacity is 1,980 MW  is now contributing power to the state grids at Dhurri and Moga. It generated 500 MW today and aims to achieve 660 MW soon. Officials said they were selling a unit for Rs 2.70 each. The plant missed several deadlines over non-availability of coal, disputes with the PSPCL (Punjab State Power Corporation Limited) and bureaucratic wrangling since its construction started in April 2010. In 2013, the construction had to be stopped. The officials said the plant was running since December, but only on oil. The plant was functional but we were waiting for coal supply. The supply finally arrived from Odisha. The full generation on coal began only when we stocked 60,000 tonnes, the minimum requirement as the plant cant be stopped midway, they said. The first unit was synchronised in December last with hopes that the generation would begin in March or April. As per the power purchase agreement, the first unit was to be commissioned by August 31, 2012. The deadline was then revised to November 30, 2012. The running of the plant is an encouraging sign for the beleaguered SAD-BJP government, which has been promising a power-surplus state to the people for the last several years. Last year, the government had arranged a visit by Pakistan Punjab Chief Minister Shabaz Sharif to showcase the advancement in power generation in the state.

...But two faulty units at Ropar plant still out of job

Tribune News Service Ropar, June 5

The power scenario at Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Plant here may take a few more days to get back to normal. The Unit No. 5 had stopped generation on June 3 due to a leakage in its boiler. The next day on June 4, the Unit No. 4 also tripped due to high positive pressure in the furnace of its boiler. While the Unit No. 5 had stopped generation at 6:25 am, the other unit tripped the subsequent morning at 7.40 am. Sources said the boiler of the Unit No. 4 had cooled down by today evening, following which the maintenance engineers started examining the damage. The repair is likely to begin tomorrow only. Chief Engineer HP Singh said the Unit No. 5 had been repaired and would be synchronised any time soon. He said engineers had already started examining the damage in the other unit. It may take at least two days for repair, he said, adding the exact time, though, would be known only after its inspection. 5th fault in 2 weeks This is the fifth time over the past fortnight that a unit at Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Plant had stopped functioning due to a mechanical fault. On May 21, Unit No. had 1 tripped due to a fault in air free heater. On May 25, the Unit No. 5 had stopped functioning due to a leakage in boiler. On May 29, Unit No. 6 stopped working due to a leakage in its boiler tube.

Govt shuts down science groups in over 25 schools

Balwant Garg

Tribune News Service Faridkot, June 5

The Principal Secretary, School Education Department, ordered the closure of science groups for Classes XI and XII in over 25 government schools. The Education Department declared these groups as dead due to inadequate number of students. The science teachers, senior laboratory attendants and lab equipment have been shifted to other schools, where there was a shortage of teaching staff. On the other hand, the department has announced to set up science groups in over 10 schools. Over 230 science teachers and lab attendants in the state have been shifted as the government aims to rationalise the education department. In March, the department shortlisted the schools where the number of total science stream students in Classes XI and XII was less than 25. The government let groups of over 15 students continue in each class. But as several groups did not have sufficient number of students, the government shut these down. Through the rationalisation process, the department aims to shift surplus faculty members from certain schools to institutes where is a shortage of staff. Anjali Bhawra, Principal Secretary, Education Department, said the rationalisation process was started to augment the infrastructure in schools as per the student-teacher ratio. Rationalisation drive These groups were shut down as these had less than 15 students enrolled

The Education Department aims to shift surplus faculty members from certain schools to institutes where there is a shortage of staff

Govt revokes Gargs suspension

Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service Chandigarh, June 5

The Punjab Government has revoked the suspension of the 1998-batch IAS officer and former deputy commissioner of Patiala, Vikas Garg. He has not been given any posting as of now. His services have been placed at the disposal of the Personnel Department. Top officials told The Tribune that Gargs suspension had been revoked after a review committee meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Rakesh Singh. The committee examines the cases of officers placed under suspension. Sources say rules governing IAS and IPS officers clearly state that if an officer is found guilty of dereliction of duty and is suspended, a decision on taking action against him has to be taken within two years or his suspension stands revoked. Garg was suspended in 2012. Garg was found guilty of having facilitated the sale of prime government land in Patiala to a private party. This land, measuring 6,000 sq yards, houses several government offices, including that of the district town planner, civil surgeon and education office. It is valued at Rs 250 crore. During the three inquiries instituted by the state government, Garg had maintained that the land was private property allotted in the name of Kanwar Barjinder Singh and that there was no illegality in its sale. A Vigilance probe, ordered in July 2012, found Garg guilty of dereliction of duty. It said he had failed to prevent loss to the government. He was also indicted by Divisional Commissioner SR Ladhar. Later, an inquiry by Financial Commissioner (Revenue) NS Kang too held him guilty. Garg has already been charge-sheeted in the case and the Vigilance Department is awaiting permission from the state government to prosecute him. Sources say the department had sent Garg's file to seek sanction for his prosecution in May 2013. However, no action was initiated. Looking back Vikas Garg was found guilty of facilitating the sale of prime govt land in Patiala to a private party

A Vigilance probe said he had failed to prevent loss to the government

He was indicted by Divisional Commissioner SR Ladhar

An inquiry by Financial Commissioner (Revenue) too held him guilty

Vinod Kumars death due to drowning, says report

Tribune News Service Chandigarh, June 5

The autopsy report of the Deputy Director (Vocational) of the Punjab Education Department, Vinod Kumar, shows death by drowning. The officer committed suicide by jumping into the Sukhna Lake on June 3. Doctors, who conducted the post-mortem, wrote in their report: To rule out concomitant poisoning, viscera samples have been sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL). The autopsy report noted that there were no signs of injury on the body. Anti-govt slogans raised Vinod Kumar's mortal remains were consigned to the flames today. Among those present at the cremation were Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka, Congress MLA Balbir Singh Sidhu and senior officials of the Education Department. Comrade Lashkar Singh and an elderly woman raised slogans against the state Government. Police to study call details The police will scrutinise the call details on the deceaseds cellphone to ascertain the reasons for the suicide. Vinod Kumar's body was fished out from the Sukhna Lake on June 3 at 11.15 am, about two hours after he had left his office.

Sack Maluka, says Bajwa

Tribune News Service Chandigarh, June 5

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Partap Singh Bajwa has demanded dismissal of Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka, alleging his moral culpability in the suicide caseof Vinod Kumar, the prime accused in the book scam. PPCC spokesman Sukhpal Singh Khaira has demanded a CBI probe into the scam. In a statement issued here today, Bajwa said the deceased was stated to be under mental stress following his indictment alongwith two others by a commission constituted to look into this scam. Posers to Maluka Was Vinod Kumar not handpicked by him to be part of the committee?

Was the purchase committee not constituted by bypassing procedures?

Was he not responsible for the irregularities in the purchase of textbooks and science kits?

Did the deceased write to the DGSE in a bid to shift blame on the minister?

Family of commando killed in mishap to get Rs 46 lakh

Tribune News Service Bathinda, June 5

The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Mansa, has ordered ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company and the driver of an SUV to pay Rs 46.72 lakh to the family of Harbans Singh, a Punjab Police commando. Two commandoes, Harbans Singh (38) and Gurmeet Singh (41), were killed in a road mishap while escorting Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka at Kundli (Sonipat) on June 13 last year. The ministers cavalcade had to stop near Nathpur Mor village near Kundli as an electric wire had fallen in the middle of road due to rain. Harbans Singh and Gurmeet Singh came out of their vehicle to remove the wire when a speeding SUV allegedly hit the two commandoes that led to their death. A case was registered against the SUVs driver and a compensation was sought from the driver and the company which insured the vehicle. The family members of Gurmeet Singh have also moved the tribunal and sought Rs 80 lakh compensation.

PSEB re-appear examination

Tribune News Service Chandigarh, June 5

The Punjab School Education Board has decided to conduct additional subjects/re-appear/supplementary examinations for Class 10 students of the schools affiliated with it as well as open schools. In case of Class 12 students, the examination would take place only for open school students in September 2014. A spokesman of the Education Department said June 23, 2014, would be the last date to submit examination forms without any late fee-Rs 870 for Class 10 and Rs 1,100 for Class 12. The forms could be submitted with a late fee of Rs 500 till June 30, Rs 1,000 till July 7 and Rs 2,000 till July 14, he added.

Strengthen rural link roads: DC

Tribune News Service Patiala, June 5

Deputy Commissioner of Patiala Varun Roozam has asked district officials of the Rural Development and Panchayat Department to ensure strengthening of rural link roads. Besides providing better road facilities to the people, it will also minimise road accidents, he has said. The directions have come following reports of some fatal accidents. Addressing a meeting of officers today, the DC said the administration had already taken up the task of levelling berms of all rural link roads in the district within a week. All berms would be repaired before the commencement of paddy sowing, he added. He asked the officers to seek cooperation of land owners/farmers to ensure that the work was completed in time. He said committees had been constituted at the subdivision level to monitor progress of various development projects. The committees would have the SDM, Tehsildar, Kanoogo, Patwari and the SHOs concerned as their members.

Ranikes escort vehicle hits car, four injured

Our Correspondent Mohali, June 5

At least four persons were injured when an escort vehicle in the convoy of Cabinet Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike collided with a car near Saneta today. The minister, who was travelling in another vehicle, escaped unhurt. He was coming to Chandigarh. Sources said the escort vehicle collided with a Verna car coming from the opposite direction on the Banur road. Four persons, including the driver of the escort vehicle, were injured. They were admitted to hospital in Chandigarh. The Verna car is reportedly belonged to a police official.

Farmers choose basmati over parmal

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service Gurdaspur, June 5

More and more farmers in the district have begun to grow basmati-1121, instead of the traditional water guzzling variety of parmal. The area under basmati crop is likely to increase by one-and-a-half times in Gurdaspur and Pathankot districts this season as compared to last year. Gurdaspur Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO) Dr Ravi Kumar Sabharwal said the total area under basmati in Gurdaspur and Pathankot districts would increase from 80,000 hectare last year to 1,25,000 hectare this season. Experts, however, are worried that the farmers may get a lower price for their Basmati crop if they get a high produce. Sabharwal said farmers in these areas were keen to grow more basmati this year because they earned huge profits last year. They got Rs 4,200 to Rs 5,000 for each quintal of basmati last season, while the traditional paddy crop was sold for just Rs 1,300 per quintal. He said basmati was exported to a large extent and procured by private rice millers.