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Heritage fest begins
Panel to sort out differences in SAD(A) |
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Promises galore at Sangat Darshan
State BJP chief says party not in race for post of Dy CM
Details of workers now compulsory
Judicial custody for mother, son in corruption case
Molestation case
Driver crushed to death
Music buff sets the record straight
Two held for smuggling opium
8,000 teachers awaiting salary
Dera spokesman not happy with officials
Dalits seek police help in Barnala village
Police plays spoilsport, stops NRI from marrying third time
Agitated farmers at Gharsana plan rallies next week
Sex Scandal
Drop-out rate high among SC students in Mansa
Protest
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Heritage fest begins
Bathinda, November 16 The Member of Parliament Paramjit Kaur Gulshan attended the procession. The deputy commissioner Rahul Tewari, senior superintendent of police Naunihal Singh and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion. The procession comprised more than 250 people, including artistes, performers, wrestlers, snake charmers, folk singers, camels, horses and elephants from all parts of the state. The procession, which started from Gurudwara Hajiratan Sahib around 11.30 am, moved through Khalsa School, Sirki Bazaar, Dhobi Bazaar, Fire Brigade chowk, Mall Road, Stadium Road and reached sports stadium around 3 pm. On their way to the stadium, people from all walks of life greeted the procession. On reaching the stadium, all artistes went to Heritage Village Jaipalgarh, adjoining the sports stadium and performed different items. The heritage village was inaugurated by the finance minister Punjab, Manpreet Singh Badal who urged people to preserve their culture. Later at night, a Kavi Darbar was also organised in which poets from all parts of the state recited their poems. |
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Not displeased, says Manpreet
Bathinda, November 16 Badal was in town for the inauguration of the Heritage Festival in Bathinda today. When asked whether he was satisfied with the decision of the state government to bear the additional burden of hiked power tariff in the state, Manpreet Singh Badal said, ``We all live in a democracy and whatever the majority decides is implemented. I am a part of this government and so there is no question of displeasure or happiness over any issue. Whatever the majority decides, we have to agree on it.’’ Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, on November 12, had announced after the recommendation of the joint coordination committee of the SAD and the BJP that the additional burden of hiked power tariff, which is around Rs 292 crore, would not be passed on to consumers and instead would be borne by the state government itself. Commenting on the heritage festival at Bathinda, Manpreet said it is a good effort for the restoration of Punjab’s culture, which is fast fading away. ``I suggest to the Malwa Heritage Foundation, which is organizing this heritage festival, to work on the restoration of Bathinda Fort as well. And if the people of Bathinda want the state government to step in and organise heritage festival like the ones organised in Patiala, Amritsar and Kapurthala, then they should send me a proposal for that.’’ However, though the finance minister was in town, DC Rahul Tewari, DIG Jatindra Jain, SSP Naunihal Singh, SAD district in-charge Sarup Singla and other top brass were absent from the venue. They were said to be away in Faridkot where Sukhbir Badal held a Sangat Darshan.
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Panel to sort out differences in SAD(A)
Bathinda, November 16 Satnam Singh Behru, Sewa Singh, Gurmel Singh, Gurpeer Singh and Raghvir Singh Kartarpur are the members of the committee. Last month, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) had asked the chairman of its kisan wing to clarify his stance on the recent statements issued by him regarding bringing about a truce between party chief Simranjeet Singh Mann and expelled senior vice-president Daljit Singh Bittu. The five-member committee had pledged to sort out differences between Mann and Bittu, which the SAD(A) says was done without consulting the party leadership. Bittu had announced some time back that he would be forming a new political party. Behru further said that though the party top brass is not happy with the committee, but the cadres feel that it is a step for the betterment of
SAD(A).
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Promises galore at Sangat Darshan
Kotkapura, November 16 The Akali leader was here to listen to the panchayats of Kotkapura assembly segment, falling in his parliamentary constituency, under Sangat Darshan programme. However, when reminded that it was due to the pressure of the DMK, an ally of the UPA government, and M. Karunanidhi, DMK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, that the bonus was announced, he said it was also the collective effort of regional parties. He stated that the ultimate benefit would trickle down to farmers in Punjab, who contribute over 60 per cent paddy to the Central pool. Aiming to make the state self-reliant in power, the SAD-BJP combine would establish six thermal power plants, he added. He hoped that power cuts would be a thing of the past once the plants become critical after four years. He said that at present, the state had to procure 11,000 megawatts of power at the rate of Rs 7 per unit from other states as Punjab could generate only 6,000 MWs. Commenting on the condition of irrigation in the state, he said the 125-year-old canal system was unable to fulfill the state’s present requirements. The government was preparing an irrigation plan worth Rs 4,000 crore to solve the problem Sukhbir added that 25 per cent additional water would be available after the completion of the scheme in the next two years. On education sector, he said 100 Adarsh schools would be set up with an investment of Rs 400 crore which would help over 2 lakh students. At the programme, as many as 61 panchayats of the assembly constituency narrated their grievances and problems. District administration officials were also present at the programme. The SAD leader also distributed cheques for Rs 70 lakh to these panchayats for various developmental projects. Besides, over Rs 25 lakh was distributed to 75 youth clubs of the area. He said that to redress the acute water problem in about 25 villages of the constituency, Rs 15 crore would be spent to establish water works. These water works would be rendered operational within the next six months, he added.
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State BJP chief says party not in race for post of Dy CM
Abohar, November 16 Talking to newsmen at the residence of city BJP president Ravi Setia, here today, he said buoyed over unprecedented victory in the February elections, the expectations of the party workers had risen. Now, the decision depends on the political wisdom of the chief minister, he added. Acknowledging that the BJP had opposed the hike in electricity tariff as part of its commitment to watch and safeguard the interests of the people, he stated that the hike would have affected all sections of society. On possibilities of transferring the post of CM to SAD working president Sukhbir Singh Badal, Bhandari said it was an internal affair of that party. “Parkash Singh Badal has proved to be a seasoned and experienced leader and runs the government well. We will make our stand known if such a situation develops,” he added.
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Details of workers now compulsory
Bathinda, November 16 The district administration’s order, making the filing of this report mandatory, is aimed at controlling crime in the district. Additional deputy commissioner (ADC), Upjeet Singh Brar, using his power, under section 144 of the CrPC, has issued the order. In the written order, the ADC has mentioned that migrants commit crime and disappear. Without their records, the police find it hard to trace them. Therefore, the idea is not to allow anyone to hire a worker without filing a detail report about him with the police. In the order, it has been mentioned that district public relations officer will take measures to make people aware about the new order.
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Judicial custody for mother, son in corruption case
Bathinda, November 16 Giving details, the deputy superintendent of police, vigilance, Onkar Singh, said, “The accused are mother and son. They along with three others, namely Rajinder Kaur
Brar, Baltej Singh and Satpal Singh, were involved in an assault case registered in 1999. Kotwali police had arrested all the accused. They had been convicted by the court. But they further filed an appeal in the sessions court. “Now in this case of corruption, Rajinder Kaur lodged a complaint that Bhupinder Kaur and Jagjit Singh had taken Rs 25,000 from them to bribe the then judge in that previous case. But when the case was not decided in favour of the accused, Rajinder Kaur asked them to pay back the amount. On their failure to do so, she lodged a complaint with the DIG, Bathinda range, against them,” he added. The case was then referred to DSP City and later a case under the Prohibition of Corruption Act, was registered at Kotwali police station. The case was then referred to the
DSP, Vigilance. The accused were presented before the court, that sent them to 14-days in judicial custody.
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Molestation case
Bathinda, November 16 Police sources said the complainant had reported that she was alone at her home on November 9 as her parents were out of the village. Taking advantage, the accused trespassed into her home and tried to outrage her modesty. When she cried for help, a neighbour came but the accused managed to escape. Sarbjit, in her complaint, said she did not want to disclose the incident, as she was concerned about her parents’ reputation. But her father took her to the police station to lodge a complaint. The Sangat police has registered a case under sections 452, 354 of the Indian Penal Code. However,
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Driver crushed to death
Bathinda, November 16 According to sources, Bhupinder Singh of village Jeeda, was crushed to death by another tipper, between village Bhokhra and Amar Garh. Sources said Bhupinder was going towards village Amargarh on his tipper (PB-03H-7131). All of a sudden, a stray dog came in front of his vehicle. In an attempt to save the dog, he lost control over the vehicle and hit a tree. He fell on the road and another tipper (RJ-31GA-1072) coming from the opposite direction crushed him to death. Roop Singh, the accused driver, managed to escape from the spot. Nahianwala police has registered a case under sections 279, 304 of the IPC. After the post-mortem, the body of the deceased was handed over to the family members.
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Music buff sets the record straight
Bathinda, November 16 The present Punjabi music has just beats and no rhythm. But there is a place in Punjab where a music lover can find even that piece of old music that is beyond his knowledge and imagination. In Malwa, famous for its rich heritage and culture, a man continues his passion for collecting and preserving old Punjabi music. Baljinder Singh, who is now in his mid 40s, is a head constable in Punjab Police by profession and hails from Bhagta Bhai Ka village in Bathinda. He has a library of more than 5,000 such records, the existence of some of which can be tracked to the early 19th century. And he has been collecting them without any outside support. Interestingly, he started collecting these records just seven years ago and he has bought 99 per cent of them from different people in this short span of time. ``People sold these records for prices ranging from Rs 300 per record to Rs 50,’’ Baljinder informed. In his archive, all the rare forms of music and performances of great personalities in the field of music like Chandi Ram, Mehar Singh and party, Shamshad Begum, Noor Jehan, Lal Chand Yamla Jatt, Surinder Kaur, to name a few, are available in the form of LP (which has around 12 songs), EP records (two songs), super seven (six songs) and even the ones made of stone and that too in its oldest format. Not only this, he also owns nine gramophones, which he bought from various people all across the state. ``My first gramophone I bought from a person in village Lakhmireaana in district Muktsar for Rs 2,000. Now the number has gone up to nine, five of which are of HMV company, three of Philips, one of Mega and one more,’’ he said. Even the upkeep of these records is difficult. ``These records have to be saved from direct sunlight, dust and wear and tear. For gramophones, there is only one mechanic in
Malwa,’’ he informed.
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Barnala, November 16 DSP Jagjit Singh Gill told reporters that the police, working on a tip-off, set up a check-post near the drain in Kurud village. Two persons, in a Maruti Zen, having registration number, DL-03-CH-1875, came near the drain. When the police gave a signal to stop the car, both the accused fled from the site. A team, headed by ASI Gurdit Singh, chased the accused and arrested them. DSP Gill said during the investigation, 600 grams of opium was recovered from Rajinder Singh ,while 400 gm grams of opium was recovered from Ajaib Singh. —OC
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8,000 teachers awaiting salary
Fazilka, November 16 State unit president of government-aided school teachers and employees union Gurcharan Singh Chahal and general secretary of Ferozepur unit, Jagmohan Singh, in a joint statement, had strongly resented non-payment of salaries to them. They rued that 800 teachers and employees of around 84 primary aided schools have been paid their salaries till September 2007, but they are being meted step-motherly treatment. They also urged the chief minister, education minister and finance minister to immediately intervene and get their salaries released, as the teachers and employees were facing a serious financial crunch. They warned that if the government did not accept their genuine demand, then they would be forced to launch a statewide agitation.
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Dera spokesman not happy with officials
Abohar, November 16 It is pertinent to mention that the chief of the Dera had been camping at his ancestral house in Gurusar Modia village for the last four days. He had arrived in a 60-vehicle cavalcade to host a feast in connection with the marriage of his daughter. Around 200 cops had been deployed to ensure a peaceful meeting. There had been no tension there as even Jathedar Baldev Singh Nandgarh had said there was no logic in opposing the visit of the Dera chief to his ancestral village. However, the satsang at Budhranwali could not be tolerated. The Khalsa Action Committee followers had told the authorities that they would also cancel the proposed gathering at a gurudwara near Budhranwali, provided the Dera chief was not allowed to hold the satsang in the village. The authorities had evoked powers under section 144 to prevent a clash, sources said today.
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Dalits seek police help in Barnala village
Barnala, November 16 Sher Singh, convener of the Dehati Majdoor Morcha, complained that some miscreants belonging to the upper castes were trying to destroy communal harmony. At night, they parked a tractor in their locality and allegedly played cheap songs at a loud pitch on their tape recorder, causing inconvenience to the women there. Sher Singh said that when asked to stop playing these songs, they threatened them with dire consequences. Next day, they again came to the locality and played the same songs, he added. Station house officer, sadar Hemant Kumar assured the Dalits that the matter would be investigated and any action to thwart harmony would be dealt with strongly.
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Police plays spoilsport, stops NRI from marrying third time
Moga, November 16 After learning about solemnising of third marriage of Balbir, his first spouse Gurbhajan Kaur reportedly faxed a message from England to the Ludhiana office of Balwant Singh Ramoowalia headed LBP. They informed the same to their counterparts at Moga, who headed by their local leader Sukhwinder Singh Brar reached the marriage palace at Baghapurana. The LBP activists asked the police which rounded up the groom. Till the filing of this report no case was registered as the police personnel were waiting for the fax of Gurbhajn Kaur from England to initiate legal proceedings. According to Brar, Gurbhajan stated in her letter that she also had two children from Balbir. Family members of 40-year old bride from Rajeana village said they did not marry her off for some profit. They said Balbir had told them that he was marrying for the third time and that he had to marry the second time following the demise of his first wife.
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Agitated farmers at Gharsana plan rallies next week
Abohar, November 16 The district collector and agricultural officers had been telling the farmers to sow those crops, which need less water. Contrary to this, Beniwal, also the co-convener of the Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, asked farmers to sow wheat from November 17 to 25, when the authorities would release water to canals. The Samiti decided to hold rallies at Suratgarh, Peelibanga, Loonkaransar and Anoopgarh next week to mobilise farmers for action against the administration.. Vallabh Kochar, a senior activist, said the authorities should desist from putting up barricades to thwart farmers’ agitation. District Congress president Prithipal Singh Sandhu cautioned the government that farmers know how to retaliate if authorities adopt repressive measures. Chairman of the Sangharsh Samiti, Sant Lakha Singh also addressed the “Mahapadav” at Gharsana.
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Sex Scandal
Moga, November 16 Following the revelation made by the two women allegedly involved in the case, Manpreet Kaur and Manjit Kaur, the accused, Rocky was arrested from Karnal in Haryana two days ago.They disclosed that Rocky, a resident of Bedi Nagar here had allegedly provided safe refuge to the dismissed station house officer Raman Kumar and them. The city police station here has registered a case against Rocky for providing safe refuge to the accused.
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Drop-out rate high among SC students in Mansa
Mansa, November 16 Convener of the Save Education Committee Darshan Singh Dhillon said that according to data available, nearly 10,500 such students were in the middle class while 2,200 were in matriculation. The data revealed that a very small percentage of SC students could reach matriculation. The condition was the same for students of the backward classes. There were nearly 4,000 such students in the middle class and 1,500 in matriculation. According to teachers, poor economic condition and lack of job-oriented courses are the major reasons for the high drop-out rate among students from poor families in the district. One more fact that stands out is that in the middle class, the number of girls is lower than boys. The District Education Committee has demanded that the government should take appropriate steps to improve the situation. When contacted, the district education officer was said that the drop-out rate was high in the whole of Punjab. But no exact data was available for Mansa district, he added. He also pointed out that poverty and lack of facilities in schools were the main reason for the high drop-out rate. |
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