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Has govt dropped the idea of acquiring land?
A view of the Clock tower. Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh |
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Workshop on HIV-AIDS
Workshop on teaching of Sanskrit concludes
Rajindra College
Ms Farewell crown goes to Sukhbir Kaur
Encroachment: Admn turns blind eye
Medico attempts to ‘end’ self
Liquor vends sold for Rs 23.25 cr
Code of conduct ‘violated’
Wanna go Canada... ‘Beware of touts’
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Has govt dropped the idea of acquiring land?
Abohar, March 13
Manpreet during a recent visit in connection with the marriage of a senior SAD (B) functionary’s kin here was told by the party workers that the power crisis might seriously hit the prospects of party candidates in the panchayat elections slated for April. He said the crisis would be over only after commissioning of four thermal power plants in the state. Three would start generating power after a year but the 2,650 MW super thermal unit to be installed near village Thehri in his constituency Gidderbaha could take more time, he was quoted saying. Balluana was not among the areas earmarked by the finance minister. He parried question which specifically wanted to elaborate whether Balluana had been dropped from the list. His father Gurdas Singh Badal, a former MP and “think tank” of the ruling party was also present. Well-placed sources in the SAD (B) pointed out on the condition of anonymity that the top brass in the party had taken note of the resentment shown by the farmers in the Balluana segment over the proposed thermal plant project. It was felt that the farmers in this area had smallholdings and successfully taking two crops a year besides adopting diversification by developing orchards. Most of them were migrants from the West Punjab province who had been allotted land here on compensatory ground. So depriving those of the highly fertile agricultural land would be harmful for the ruling parties, sources said. Initially sub-tehsil village Seeto Gunno was the choice but it had to be dropped as it was not technically feasible to lay 25 km rail line for transporting coal. The location also did not fulfil the second condition that canal should not be away by more than 5 km. The next survey was conducted in villages Malukpura, Bahadurkhera and Dhaba Kokrian but the Central Electricity Authority team found black bucks roaming freely in the area that was close to the Asia’s largest open wild life sanctuary. Then it was proposed to acquire land belonging to Chanankhera, Bhangala and Kundal villages which fulfilled both the conditions on rail link and canal. But the farmers of these villages forced the survey team to go back. They formed struggle committees and started an indefinite sit in besides cordoning off the villages to prevent entry of the survey team. The agitation has completed four weeks. The families of the farmers, to be affected, also joined the sit-in near village Bhangala and raised slogans throughout the day against the chief minister and legislator of the area. The Bhartiya Kisan Union Ekta-Ugrahan has lent support to the agitation. BKU district secretary Gurmail Singh and block president Sukhmander Singh today informed the agitators that the state unit of the BKU had in principle decided to intensify the agitation if the state government avoided making it public formally that the proposal for this segment has been dropped.
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Citizens’ timepiece for a century
Faridkot, March 13
Located in the heart of the city, the intersection is known in local parlance as Ghanta Ghar chowk. It has been guiding the lives of its inhabitants with punctuality for over a century. Artistically designed, the tower tapers as it rises upwards and until at the top. All the four sides of the tower have been provided with clocks visible from a good distance. Limited open space on its ground floor has been rented out to public relations department, which is operating an information centre. Besides, it attracts aged and youngsters from the town who come to enjoy reading newspapers. Its striking facade and chiseled flowers convey the glorious past of its royal family, which ruled Faridkot for numerous centuries and it is also an exquisite specimen of the western influence on architecture in Punjab in those times. Based on the French design, the tower was constructed by the then ruler of the Riyasat, Raja Balbir Singh, about 1900 in honour of the visiting queen Victoria of the British Empire. Hence, it was named Victoria tower. It speaks volume regarding the then nobility who could go to any extent to express their servitude to the British royality. Its four sides were adorned by the Swiss watches, which used to strike hourly and were audible upto a long distance. Transcending the literal meaning of the clock tower, it has become a significant landmark of this formerly princely town. Having worked as a driving force and encouraged the locals to begin their work on time for the past over a century, now it is rare that chimes of clocks are heard. For its caretaker municipal council, it is an uphill task to find a suitable technician to repair them.
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‘AIDS victims need empathy’
Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service
Moga, March 13 S.S Johal, DC, inaugurated the workshop and exhorted the officers and the representatives of NGOs to tirelessly work for creating awareness among people about the incurable disease.On this occasion, he released a district action plan prepared by the district health society to achieve medical targets by the year 2011. He also called for setting up voluntary blood donor’s society by involving youth for the availability of healthy blood. Dr Amarjit Singh, associate professor, Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot, concentrated his keynote address on the causes of HIV-AIDS and its preventive measures. With the surfacing of the first case of the HIV-AIDS in 1981, it has now brought about 60 million people under its grip in the world. So far, out of which, 22 million has succumbed to it. According to him, it was alarming that 50 per cent of the victims were in the age bracket of 15 to 24 years. In India, the first HIV affected patient was found in Tamil Nadu in 1984, he said, and added that as many as 3.86 million people were estimated to be HIV infected. Half of them are between 10 to 25 years. Dr Singh warned against unprotected sex with the infected partners and re-use of the affected needles by drug users and unsterile syringes for the infusion of blood, which causes HIV-AIDS. He opined to change the mindset discriminating against the HIV affected people and stressed the need for positive social behaviour and response from the society towards its victims. He urged the need for self-restraint and consistent and correct use of condoms. Dr Manjit Singh, civil surgeon, informed that 125 HIV infected persons were detected in the district last year. Later, question-answer session was held in which among others, Tejinder Gupta, deputy medical commissioner, Dr Anupam Bansal, Nirbhay Singh Toor, SDM at Nihal Singhwala, Kala Singh, DEO (secondary), B.S Balli, DPRO, and representatives of the NGOs participated.
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Workshop on teaching of Sanskrit concludes Our Correspondent
Abohar, March 13 Principal Neelam Arun Mittu said this was an earnest effort to preserve and nourish the classical language that was used in the ancient literature and religious books for centuries. The workshop was started on December 6 last year under a nation wide programme. Dr Mittu honoured some Sanskrit scholars including, Pritam Lal Chawla former vice-principal of DAV College and Dr P.C. Padhey. They hoped such small efforts would help in taking the language to the common people again. Students who had been attending the workshop presented songs and ‘shalokas’ in Sanskrit. In a similar valedictory function of another workshop in village Choohriwala Dhanna near here, Shriram was the chief guest and Krishan Kumar Acharya participated as key speaker. Arvind Kumar was in-charge of the workshop there. Students from rural areas took keen interest in learning the language.
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Row over special fees
Rajay Deep Tribune News Service
Bathinda, March 13 This has flabbergasted the nearly 2500 students of the college who were being made to shell out this amount in addition to the annual fee. As per the reports, the authorities of the Rajindra College have put up a notice in the college premises to pay a mandatory fee of Rs. 210 to get their roll numbers. The break up of the special fee is, Rs.100 are being charged towards the university fund, another Rs.100 are being collected on the name of Parents teachers association (PTA) and as the deputy commissioner Bathinda has sent flags’ stickers to the college, the college is charging Rs.10 for every sticker per student. The president of the Punjab Student Union, Pavel Kusa today met the principal of the college and expressed resentment on behalf of the union. Pavel said that the students will take up the issue with the special secretary, (education), Jaspal Singh, who is supposed to come to the college for the annual prize distribution ceremony on March 15. When contacted, the Principal of the college, R.K. Bangar said, “The University has ordered us to deposit a fixed amount for the hostel, which is to be constructed in the university premises.” While clarifying the charges, Bangar said, “The college is going to start new courses as PGDCA, B.Sc. (computer) and BCA, for which an amount of Rs.One lakh is supposed to be paid to the university. There are many part time teachers and to pay them salary, the college itself is supposed to collect the amount and pay to the teachers. All this can be covered only if the college collects amount from the students on the name of PTA fund. So we have requested the students to pay the fee.” “But the Rs.10 are being charged on the order of the DC, who has issued 2500 stickers to the college,” he added. When the principal was asked about the fate of the students, who were not capable to pay the extra fee, he parried the query. It may be mentioned that the college has a total strength of near about 2500 students and out of which around 700 belongs to the reserved categories.
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Ms Farewell crown goes to Sukhbir Kaur
Abohar, March 13 The function started with the allocation of titles by the juniors to the final year students in Bachelor of Arts, which suited much to their behavioural aptitude and personality. One-minute-games which included filling the balloons entertained the gathering besides, solo dances as well as the group dances. The participation of maximum students was ensured to feel them fully involved in the event. Sukhbir Paul Kaur was adjudged Ms Farewell with Shayna and Arun Rani holding the first and second runner-up positions respectively in recognition of their multi-faceted personalities. Principal Parminder Sharma honoured the winners and wished all the outgoing students a bright future.
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Encroachment: Admn turns blind eye
Bathinda, March 13 In this shopping complex, which was inaugurated in April 8, 2001 by the then state minister Balramji Dass Tondon, the owners of a three-storey hotel has expanded the building at all sides. The hotel management is alleged to be close to the officials who have failed to remove the encroachments. The hotel has encroached five-feet land of Tagore Nagar, expanding the building with makeshift structures. The vegetation which was planted by the improvement trust, have also been uprooted to meet the cause. Even LPG cylinders have been placed outside the building, which could be hazardous. Adding to this, the outlet of the air -conditioners and chimneys face the residential colony. Moreover, Tables, sofas, chairs, deep freezer— all have been placed in the facade. The hotel has a party hall, including a facility for DJ at the first floor, which has reportedly become a source of noise pollution. The residents rue that the high-pitched music continues even after midnight. However, when the owner of the hotel, Jagdish Grover, was asked about flouting the rules, he assured, “All the violations will be removed, within a couple of days.” When contacted, MC commissioner K.K. Yadav said, “I have ordered the executive officer to look into the matter, If the report suggests, illegal structure will be demolished.
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Fight still continues after 60 years of independence S.P. Sharma Tribune News Service
Bathinda, March 13 Giani Zail Singh during his tenure as chief minister of Punjab awarded him Tamra Patra and the freedom fighters certificate in a function at Fatehgarh Sahib. However, Jagat Singh is all these years waiting for release of the pension that is paid to the freedom fighters. He was arrested in 1945 and sentenced to 9 months rigorous imprisonment for participating in a public meeting that was addressed by Subhash Chandra Bose at Ambala. He underwent imprisonment in the Ambala central jail and also the Lahore central jail. A public-spirited resident of Bathinda, Jagdish Singh Ghai, who is general secretary of the public library, today wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking his intervention in early settlement of the pension case of freedom fighter Jagat Singh. Ghai said that Jagat Singh had sent a series of representations to the administrative reforms and public grievances department at New Delhi, but these have fallen in deaf ears. Irony of the case was that the department ignored the recommendation that Giani Zail Singh made while he was the President of the country, he claimed. Jagat Singh was presently living in the Ramgarh village of Barnala district. He remained sarpanch of the village for 19 years.
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Medico attempts to ‘end’ self
Bathinda, March 13 Police sources said that Amarveer, a student of a medical college at Talwandi Sabo, failed in a examination and after seeing the result he consumed some poisonous substance. He has reportedly admitted of doing so. He has been undergoing treatment at the Goniana Civil Hospital. Nehianwala police registered a case of attempt to suicide against him.
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Liquor vends sold for Rs 23.25 cr
Mansa, March 13 This auction was held through lottery system in the presence of deputy commissioner Surjit Singh Dhillon. Excise and taxation officials said that for the auction of 169 country-made liquor and 23 foreign-made liquor vends, 75 units were formed. Total 3,267 applications were received. In the year 2007-08, the income from liquor vends was around Rs 21.44 crore.
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Code of conduct ‘violated’
Bathinda, March 13 Alleging upon the Shiromani Akali Dal (B) leaders, the Congress activist panch of the village, Rajinder Singh lodged a complaint to the ADC (D), Vijay N. Zade, who is acting as additional district election officer and also to the State election commission, Punjab. In his allegation Singh has mentioned that Jora Singh, panch, Mithu singh, an ex-panch, Gurbachan singh, Gram Sewak Gurtej Singh and Kuldeep Singh of the village Phulokhari had been violating the code of conduct, imposed from March 7. In his written complaint, he mentioned that the persons in question had been befooling the voters to allure them for the forthcoming rural local bodies’ elections. He also stated that the accused were getting some forms filled regarding old age, handicapped and widow pension, as an attempt to lure voters. When contacted, Jora Singh Panch of the village Panchayat said, “The opposition party has been leveling false allegation. Forms were of the previously sanctioned pensions.” The member block samiti, Paramjeet Kaur said, “in the village Phulokhari around 80 pensions were sanctioned in July last year, which could not executed till day.” When Vijay N. Zade, the additional district election officer was contacted he said, “The complaint has been forwarded to the concerned returning officer to take further action.” It may be mentioned here that in pursuant to the notification of Government of Punjab for holding General Elections to Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads, the State Election Commission, Punjab had decided that general elections of all the three rural local bodies would be held simultaneously on April 7, 2008.
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Wanna go Canada... ‘Beware of touts’
Bathinda, March 13 Saran was in the city to meet his friend Sardool Singh, who works as a superintendent with the Irrigation department. “In Manitoba province (state), the government started a programme called ‘Provincial Nominee Programme’ to get skilled labour from other parts of the world. Under this programme, two people, who are residents of Manitoba state, need to nominate your name and if you fulfill all other terms and conditions, you get a Canadian residency in short span of time. People, who claim to be immigration consultants, easily fool people on the pretext of sending them abroad and charge hefty amount.” Saran added. He further informed that all details for the Provincial Nominee Programme are available on the internet at the website www.immigratemanitoba.com “Even the application form and other details can be downloaded from this website. In 2006, only 540 Indians reached Canada through this programme, as compared to 2025 people from Philippines and 1559 from Germany alone. Every year the Canadian government issue 10,000 such visas and anyone who fulfill all the terms and conditions can apply.” Saran, who migrated to Canada in 1970, is the second person from the 15,000 odd Punjabi community of Manitoba province, who has been elected as an MLA from the ruling New Democratic Committee. “Besides we have just one more Indian in the assembly, who hails from Patna (Bihar).”
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Kulwinder bags gold
Bathinda, March 13 According to college principal, Balkar Singh Sandhu, “Events of shot put, long jump, discuss throw, javelin throw, high jump, triple jump, pole vault, hammer throw, 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 3000m, 5000m, 100X4m relay and 400X4m relay would be held during the two days.” Result Boys: 3000m: Kulwinder Singh Shot Put: Rohit Long Jump: Amandeep Discus Throw: Ankush 1500m: Gagandeep Singh Girls: Long Jump: Kamalpreet 400m: Kamalpreet Discus Throw: Anoop 800m: Kiranjot
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Encroachment at the Swami Vivekananda Shopping Complex, a building of the Improvement trust at Bathinda-Goniana road here, is a live example of how rules are made to be broken.
In this shopping complex, which was inaugurated in April 8, 2001 by the then state minister Balramji Dass
Tondon, the owners of a three-storey hotel has expanded the building at all sides.
