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‘Subsidies fine, but balance needed’
Plans afoot for cancer hospital
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Pharmacists meet health minister
Eye Check-up
Women ‘travel agents’ held for duping man
Cop killed in road accident
Revised power tariff demanded for gaushalas
Adesh College girls win basketball tourney
Chemists call off stir
Dispute over water
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‘Subsidies fine, but balance needed’
Bathinda, November 1 The minister was here, along with Analjit Singh, chairman, Max Healthcare, to survey the site for the proposed cancer hospital. The minister also said that more revenue should be generated by creating infrastructure. “Almost 75 per cent of the people living in India have a daily income of Rs 20 and so if there are no subsidies, how will these people survive,” he said. The finance minister had earlier said that the subsidies given to various sections of society, including the farm sector, should be reviewed to improve the state’s fiscal health. He said to help weaker sections of society and for rural areas insurance schemes in healthcare segment would be started. “We have approached insurance companies for this purpose. Punjab ranks fifth in terms of healthcare and to upgrade this number we need to have public-private partnership in this segment.” |
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Plans afoot for cancer hospital
Bathinda, November 1 Announcing this, Analjit Singh, chairman, Max Healthcare, said, “We have identified 3-4 sites in and around Bathinda. “Once we finalise the land for the hospital, we will come up with our final report. The hospital will have a bed strength of 100. Due to the high incidence of cancer in the Malwa region, our hospital will provide specialised care. The hospital will also have a trauma centre.’’ “We have already met the Chief Minister, Punjab, on September 13 and are looking at this project very seriously,’’ he added. |
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Punjab Day Celebrations
Bathinda, November 1 Several programmes, games, competitions, awareness plays, songs, poems and motivating lectures were organised by the authorities and the inmates to mark the occasion. The Bathinda Vikas Manch, a welfare society, presented a number of water warming equipment for the inmates, considering that winter chill is in the air. According to the jail superintendent, Bathinda Central Jail would be the first jail in the state having the facility of hot water for jail inmates. The officers of the jail organised an “Anti-drug awareness camp” to mark the day. The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Faridkot range, superintendent of the jail and the other senior officers of the jail delivered lectures to motivate the inmates to give up addiction to drugs, its consumption and sales. The whole premise of the jail was decorated with flowers and the boards conveying the message “Say no to drugs”. Quoting examples in the lecture given to the jail inmates, the DIG, Jatinder Jain, said, “The selling and consuming of drugs both ruin families.” He further shared some points of his research on the topic of
de-addiction. L. S. Jakhar, the superintendent of the jail, said, “We organise several camps on yoga, meditation and some kind of education in the jail to give a conducive environment for inmates to grow and devote energy in constructive work.” The main event of the day was the play performed by the Attro and Group, a message to show the demerits of drugs. The frog race, tied feet race, tug of war and songs enthralled everyone. The DIG distributed prizes and honours among inmates who had performed well in the field of painting. Darshan Singh Grewal, deputy superintendent of jail, Manjeet Singh Sidhu, deputy superintendent, jail factory, were among the those present on thec occasion. Some of the jail inmates, who had painted the walls of the jail to convey messages to live a crime-free life, were also honoured on the stage. |
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Dance, song contests mark Punjab Day
Abohar, November 1 Prof Gurdial Singh Dhillon, former head of the PG Punjabi department in the local DAV College and folk singer Tirlok Singh Brar were honoured for their contribution in uplifting the mother tongue and related literature as well as culture. Former SDM B. L. Sikka was the chief guest at the function conducted by the students independently. In the folk dance competition for boys, Jagdeep of SD College Faridkot and Pritpal Singh of Manav Mandir College Ferozepur bagged the first and second prize respectively, whereas in the girls category, Gurpreet Kaur of SD College Faridkot was declared the winner and Sonika of Vikas College for Arts the runner-up. Harpreet Singh topped among boys in the folk song competition. In the girls category, Sheenam of Vivekanand College Fazika and Maninder Kaur won the first and second prizes, respectively. |
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PU Zonal Youth & Heritage Festival
Abohar, November 1 People from all the neighbouring villages made a beeline to see the classical and giddha dances being performed by the students of local colleges. In the classical dance competition, there were only three entries, even when 13 colleges from the Muktsar zone were participating. Hina Parnami of Gopi Chand Arya Mahila College competed hard with Sheena of DAV College and Aruna Rani of the host college. The presence of famous folk singer Hakam Sufi also added flavour to the lively session. Ludhiana-based industrialist Rajneesh Ahuja, who was the chief guest on the occasion, complimented the principal Dr Parminder Sharma for organising the festival to promote extra-curricular activities. The results of the competition: Drama: 1. DAV College Abohar 2. GN Girls College Muktsar 3. Govt. College Muktsar; Individual prizes: 1. Sarbjeet Kaur Dashmesh Girls College Badal 2.Kirandeep Kaur Maharaja Ranjit Singh College Malout 3. Baljinder Kaur DAV Abohar. Histrionics: 1. Manvinder Kaur Bhag Singh College for Women Kala Tibba 2. Neeraj Sachdeva DAV Abohar 3. Priyanka, Gopi Chand Arya Mahila College Abohar. Skit: 1. GN Girls College Muktsar 2. DAV College Abohar 3. Maharaja Ranjit Singh College Malout. Individual prizes: 1. Vishal Bishnoi DAV Abohar 2. Ramanjot Singh MRSC Malout 3. Reema, GAMC
Abohar. Mimicry: Neeraj Sachdeva DAVCollege Abohar Mime: Dashmesh Girls College Badal Poem recitation: DAVCollege,
Abohar Debate: Bhag Singh College for Women Elocution: GN Girls College Muktsar Quiz: 1. DAV College Abohar 2. Bhag Singh College for Women 3. Guru Nanak College Killianwali. Essay writing: 1. Gopi Chand Arya Mahila College 2. Dashmesh Girls College 3. Bhag Singh College for Women. Poem Writing: 1. DAVC Abohar 2. Govt College Muktsar 3. MRS College Malout. Short story writing: 1.Bhag Singh College for Women 2. Govt. College Muktsar 3. DAV College Abohar. |
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Law frowns on it, but peter rehra still a hit
Bathinda, November 1 The ‘Gharuka’ is made by using a motor pump, used to draw water, as the vehicle’s engine. Then, a steering, wooden plank and tyres are assembled to give it a final shape in the form of a four-wheeler to carry passengers and goods. Though this vehicle is not entitled for registration under the Motor Vehicles Act, yet it is very popular in both urban and rural areas of the Malwa region due to the alleged lack of transport facilities. The state government has launched several drives to impound this vehicle, but in vain. Even traffic cops can be occasionally seen asking for a lift from the driver of a peter rehra. On being asked as to why he had asked for a lift in the vehicle, a traffic cop posted on the Bathinda-Mansa road, had a simple reply, “No bus goes to my village in the evening. So
I have to ask for a lift in this vehicle.” “The government should increase the frequency of buses to all the villages. Only then will the ban on peter rehra succeed,” he added. Gurlabh Singh, who owns a peter rehra, said, “It is a very cheap vehicle. In fact, it suits everyone’s pocket. The cost of assembling a vehicle is around Rs 25,000. Taking a ride on it is also cheaper, as we charge a nominal fare from the commuters.” But there is another side to the story. Rakesh Gupta, a doctor at the civil hospital in Bathinda, said, “This vehicle is dangerous for the other vehicles plying on the road as it has been made by mechanics that are not professionally trained. So, this vehicle is not reliable. If the government has imposed a ban on it, there must be some reason behind it. The traffic police must take strict action against the drivers of this vehicle.” “The government may be right in imposing a ban on plying the vehicle on the main roads. But this vehicle is being used for carrying agricultural products from the fields. So, in the rural areas, there should be no restriction on it,” said Sukhjit Singh, owner of a Gharuka, in village Sangat. As far as implementing the Motor Vehicles Act is concerned, Parminder Pal Singh, deputy superintendent of police, Bathinda, said, “No such vehicle is allowed to enter in the city. If someone is found guilty, his vehicle will be impounded. The mechanics, who assemble this vehicle, have already been instructed to comply with the traffic rules.” |
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Trapped In Mudslide
Bathinda, November 1 Manga was buried while installing a motor pump in the deep hole in the village on Wednesday. The rescue team pulled out Manga Singh, who later succumbed to injuries in the Rqampura Civil hospital. The ASI, Karnail Singh, police station Dyal Pura said, “A case has been registered under sections 188 and 304-A of IPC against Nachattar Singh. The accused is still at large. The body has been handed over to the family members after postmortem.” In another incident of land caving in, Parma Singh of village Dyal Pura Bhai Ka, who was digging and cementing the bore well on the same day. The land got caved in and he got buried in the deep pit. Even after continuous attempts, he could not be pulled out till late on Thursday evening. JCB machines and tractors were seen doing the job late in the Thursday evening. The SDM, Rampura Phul, Uma Shankar said, “Efforts to rescue the person is going on.” A case under Section 188 of IPC has been
registered against the landowner, Joginder Singh of village Dyal Pura on Wednesday. Police sources said that the district magistrate, in an order regarding digging of wells and tube-wells, had made getting permission for the same mandatory. As per the order, presence of some administrative official is required. |
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Picking rags to realise dreams
Bathinda, November 1 Hailing from families with a humble background, these students of Sant Farid School, namely, Pradeep Kumar (class VI), Shubham (class IV) and his younger brother Vinay (class I) have resolved not only to continue their education but also to support their families. While the other children of their age do not even know what struggle really means, these children experience it every day. They do not rush to play after they come back from school but instead, go to unhygienic places to pick rags. They search the garbage for small pieces of plastic, glass and other abandoned durables to sell them in the market for a mere pittance. The remuneration that these kids get after labouring for hours may deter others but it certainly infuses a sense of confidence and pride in them. “We pay for our education with the money earned and support our family too,” said Shubham. “On an average, we earn about Rs 25 a day. But it is hard-earned money. After school hours, we collect the garbage and sell it. We study at night,” says
Pradeep. These children, who reside in Bank Colony, may get treated with contempt, but are still blazing their own trail. |
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Pharmacists meet health minister
Fazilka, November 1 The delegation was led by its president Ravinder Luthra and general secretary Gurinder Singh Sodhi, to discuss the long standing demands of the pharmacists. During the meeting, minister assured that more money would be allocated for the purchase of medicines. She also said that it would be ensured that the purchased medicines would be of standard quality. It was decided that instead of providing medicines to all districts of the state by four existing zones, the medicines would be supplied at the district headquarters for further distribution. A chief pharmacist would be included in the drug demand committee at the district level, she added. The minister also assured to initiate a refresher course for all working pharmacists and would consider a grant of risk allowance in view of the serious nature of their duty. Ferozepur unit president Shashi Kant said the minister had assured to look into other demands related to change of designation of pharmacists to pharmacy officer, grant of gazzetted status to chief pharmacist grade–1and prescription rights to chemists in the absence of medical officer. The health minister reiterated that the increase of their pay-scales would be referred to the finance department and the newly set up pay- commission. |
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Eye Check-up
Fazilka, November 1 S. P. Garg, senior medical officer (SMO), civil hospital, Fazilka informed that the eyesight of 300 children, below 14 years and from different slum schools of the town, were checked at the programme that started on October 11. He said those with a weak eyesight would be provided free spectacles by the District Blindness Control Society, Ferozepur. Garg, an eye surgeon, urged people to come forward to donate their eyes so that after their death, they can be used by patients with eye problems. It would also help in eliminating blindness. Those who have lost vision because of damaged cornea would benefit from their noble act as replacing their cornea would restore their vision. He also lauded the efforts of the NGO, Social Welfare Society, Fazilka, which undertook the eye donation project. The SMO advised children to take adequate quantity of Vitamin A, eat green vegetables and watch television from a distance of at least 10 feet and that too with
tubelight on so as to prevent loss of vision. He also advised children to avoid eating junk food. |
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Women ‘travel agents’ held for duping man
Muktsar, November 1 They were later brought to the city police station and would be produced in the court here tomorrow. The police had registered a case against the two women under section 420 of the IPC last Friday on a complaint filed by one Chamkaur Singh of Kotli Abloo village in Muktsar district. The complainant had stated that the two accused, residents of sector 46 in Chandigarh, had taken Rs 4 lakh from him on the pretext of sending him abroad. The Muktsar police team, led by sub-inspector Jarnail Singh, raided the premises of the accused in Mohali at 4 am and arrested them, SHO Baldev Singh told ‘The Tribune’ here. According to the relatives of the two women, Sarbjit Kaur is legally divorced but was living with her mother-in-law in sector 46, Chandigarh, since 2002. |
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Cop killed in road accident
Bathinda, November 1 Police sources said both the motorcyclists were on their way to the city after completing their duty. Both were deputed at the thermal police station. After receiving the information, an ambulance of Sahara Jan Seva took them to the civil hospital. Rajinder was declared brought dead. Sensing the critical condition of Kallu Singh, doctors referred him to a private
hospital. Getting information about the accident, ASP Harsh Kumar Bansal and senior police officers reached the civil hospital. A case has been registered against the unidentified
driver of the tractor-trolley. |
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Revised power tariff demanded for gaushalas
Barnala, November 1 The meeting was presided over by Sushil Babar. A unanimous resolution was passed to demand the revised electricity tariff at the rate of Rs 2 per unit on the pattern similar to that of Haryana. Talking to
mediapersons, Sushil said they had received a copy of the official letter issued by Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran
Nigam. In the letter, the Haryana government, vide its circular no U-69/2007, had decided to revise the electricity tariff for a registered cowshed at the rate of 200 paisa per unit from June 1, 2007, he added. He said Gau rakhya was a sensitive issue related to Hindus. The upkeep of stray cows was also discussed. |
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Adesh College girls win basketball tourney
Bathinda, November 1 In these games, teams from all polytechnic colleges from Punjab and Chandigarh are participating. In girls, kho-kho match, Government College, Ludhiana defeated Government College, Ropar. In another match, Polytechnic College, Ajitwal girls team defeated Government College, Patiala. Finals of kho-kho were won by L.L.R.M. College, Ajitwal while Government College, Ludhiana, stood second. The third position was won by Government College, Patiala. Jagroop Kaur of Moga, Jasdeep Kaur of Ludhiana and Kuldeep Kaur of Patiala were declared best players in kho-kho. Balkar Singh Sandhu, principal, Government Polytechnic College, Bathinda and president, Punjab Polytechnic Institution Sports, urged all the players participating in these games to take part in all extra-curricular activities as well. |
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Chemists call off stir
Bathinda, November 1 Sources said it had been decided that at the time of the raid, a member of the health department would be present along with a drug inspection team and the police would not interfere unless there was trouble. |
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Dispute over water
Bathinda, November 1 |
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Bathinda, November 1
