Bathinda, April 15
To prepare a detailed report for the state government on the basic potential and feasibility for developing tourism in Punjab, a delegation of the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) and officials of the state tourism department visited the city on Tuesday.

The two-member delegation comprised James Plannery, expert in legal matters, and Jackie Robson, specialist in statistics, while Sonali Roy, conservation architect, Balraj Singh, state tourism officer, Bikram Bahia and Satish Arora, local hoteliers, assisted them.

The team visited Qila Mubarak, rose garden and the lakes to have a vision for the possibility of development. Earlier, the team had visited the Takht Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo and was also planning to inspect zoo and Putlighar in the city.

While talking to media persons at the fort, the WTO representatives said, “The Punjab government has hired us to submit a detailed report about the scope and plans for the over all tourism development in the state. We suppose to submit the report in the first week of September, after a fieldwork of six months.”

“We have bisected the work in two stages, while the first stage has already been completed. We two are in Punjab from the last more than two weeks and have already visited Amristsar, Patiala and some other stations also. In Amritsar, we have found a good scope for developing the Freedom Fight project,” said James Plannery.

Adding to his statements, Jackie Robson said, “We have been taking the project as whole and then we will make some sub-projects and finally it will be cumulated and report will be prepared.”

Overwhelmed with the hospitality received from the Punjabis, Robson said, “People in the state possess a quality, which deserves a lot of appreciation.”

Speaking further over the feasibility of tourism development in the state, they said, “We have observed that tourists have now inculcated in themselves the interest in new fields, heritage and even teachings also. So from all aspects Punjab has a lot of potential.”

When asked about the motive of the tourism development in the state, they replied, “The motive is to generate income, then to create jobs and to decentralised the attraction points of the state.”

“When we chalk out the plan, we will consider the aspects as how many visitors would come, why and from where would they come and what would be their purchasing power,” they added.

“It will be around 100-crore dollar project, which is for five districts of the state. The state and centre governments are ready to spend the money but only after checking out all pros and cons,” said Balraj Singh, tourism officer from Punjab’s tourism department.

Muktsar, April 15
Accusing the Punjab government of conniving with the private millers against the cooperative structure in the state’s sugar industry, hundreds of unpaid workers of the SUGARFED units have scheduled a protest march against cooperative minister Captain Kanwaljit Singh in Chandigarh tomorrow.

Even though the state government has, for the time being, dropped its own proposal of handing over certain sick cooperative sugar mills to the private players reportedly on lease, the workers across all the 14 closed or running cooperative units are fighting tooth and nail against privatisation.

Tomorrow’s protest rally, under the banner of the Punjab Cooperative Sugar Mills Workers Federation, would be another stir which the workers had been holding time and again for the disbursement of their long-overdue salaries and revival of the closed units, Faridkot Cooperative Sugar Mill Employees Union president Sukhdev Singh said here today.

Launch of private sugar mills in the vicinity of the cooperative mills, disparity in the rates of molasses to allegedly benefit the private mills, non-payment or irregular payment to the sugarcane growers were some of the aspects which the cooperative sugar industry workers’ body has been pointing out during the agitations in the past.

The employees of the Faridkot mill, who have not received salaries for the last two years now, were doing odd jobs like pulling a rickshaw after the mill hours as their attendance was still mandatory as they were forced to remain in the closed-mill during the working hours despite the non-payment of salaries, said Sukhdev Singh. He pointed out the demise of one of their co-workers, Arti Devi, a widow who died in painful sickness, as she was not able to afford medicines, not even the upbringing of her two children. Another mill worker, Partap Singh, had died last year after he became mentally upset after not getting the salary.

It may be recalled that the state government, during the last regime of the Congress in the state, had brought five closed SUGARFED units under liquidation. These are situated at Faridkot, Zira, Jagraon, Tarn Taran and Rakhra. Nearly 250 regular workers of these units have not got salaries for the last two years.     

Only three of the nine other units are earning profit, each at Nawanshahar, Batala and Nakodar, while those running in losses are situated at Budhewal near Ludhiana, Morinda and Fazilka.

Fazilka, April 15
The sadar police, Fazilka, today nabbed a youth, who was impersonating as a senior transport department official.

According to the available details, station house officer (SHO) Palvinder Singh was patrolling on the Fazilka-Ferozepur road, where he noticed a car bearing the registration number Pb-61-7700, fitted with a red beacon light, parked near village Lalowali.

He noticed two youths, later on identified as Sunil Kumar, who resides near Amar Hotel, Fazilka, and Shabad Verma alias Shabu,a resident of Gandhi Nagar locality, having discussion with a truck driver, Rehmat Ali Khan, a resident of Chhatargarh in Bikaner.

On seeing the police party, they tried to run away, but the policemen nabbed Sunil Kumar.

However, Shabad Verma managed to escape.

Upon this, the driver said that both the youths introduced themselves as senior officials of the transport department, who were only verifying the papers of the truck.

The truck loaded with sheeps was going to Amritsar.

SHO Palvinder Singh said that he along with the police officials nabbed a youth and had registered a case against both on the basis of the statement made by Rehmat Ali Khan.

The car of the accused has also been impounded.

Fazilka, April 15
An elderly woman, trying to intervene between two clashing groups, was allegedly killed in firing while another woman sustained injuries from firearms on Monday night.

According to the FIR lodged with the Sadar police, Fazilka, by Chhinder Singh, an employee of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) living in the nearby Ojhanwali village, his neighbourer Sukhwinder Singh and his wife Balbir Kaur had mediated in settling the matrimonial proposal of Rajwinder Singh, son of his another neighbour Sukhjinder Singh.

Rajwinder Singh was married to Ramandeep Kaur about one and half months back. According to his statement, Sukhjinder Singh was reportedly unhappy with the marriage of his son Rajwinder Singh.

On that fateful day, Satnam Singh, brother of Ramandeep Kaur, had come to meet his sister and brother- in-law. Sukhjinder Singh had a dispute with his son Rajwinder Singh, daughter-in-law Ramandeep Kaur, and her brother Satnam Singh. Flying with rage, Sukhjinder Singh allegedly pulled out his gun.

Upon this, all the three rushed to the house of Sukhwinder Singh, a neighbourer. On hearing the noise, Chhinder Singh and his mother Harbans Kaur (75) also reached there.

However, Rajwinder Singh, Ramandeep Kaur and Satnam Singh hid themselves in a room in the house of Sukhwinder Singh.

But an enraged Sukhjinder Singh opened fire resulting in gun injuries to Harbans Kaur who died on the spot.

Another woman who was mediating, identified as Balbir Kaur (45), wife of Sukhwinder Singh, also sustained gun injuries. She was rushed to the local civil hospital from where she was shifted to the Medical College, Faridkot.

The police have registered a case under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code against Sukhjinder Singh.

Mansa, April 15
The families of the three labourers, who were killed on Sunday after a wall collapsed at the Akash Cotton Factory here, would get from the factory owner Rs 3  lakh each in the form of compensation.

SHO Gamdoor Singh of Sadar police station here informed that the factory owner and labourers reached a compromise last night.

The three killed were Darshan Singh, son of Jagir Singh and resident of Gharangna village, Onkar Singh, son of Jaswant Singh, and Gurpal Singh, son of Gurjant Singh, both residents of Ramdite Wala village.

Abohar, April 15
Another boy from the city got the distinction of participating and expressing his views at an intearnational conference. Interestingly, Rishi Rai (25) too belongs to a family of teachers like Satwant Dhindsa, who had presented his paper at an international conference on information technology last year.

While Rishi’s grandfather Shiv Nath Rai had served as a music teacher with Gopi Chand Arya Mahila College here, his father and other relatives are at present running an educational institution here.

Rishi was the youngest of the four Indian entrepreneurs invited to participate in the Global Agro Industries Forum Conference in New Delhi last week. The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, International Fund for Agriculture Development, Food and Agriculture Organisation and the Government of India had joined hands to organise the conference.

Around 500 senior representatives from agro-industries, government, technical and financial institutions, civil society organisations and UN agencies discussed the potential of agro-industries and the challenges being faced by them.

Pitam Chandra, assistant director general of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), during a recent visit to the Central Institute for Post Harvesting Engineering Technology here, came across Rishi’s success story in promoting soya products in the region and wanted him to share the same with delegates from the other countries at the global meet. Rishi was amazed on receiving the invitation. He expressed gratitude to the NITCON for it had trained him during the Entrepreneurs Development Programme here and helped in installing the soya unit on a small-scale basis.

Rishi informed that during the meet, experts felt that the development of competitive agro-industries was crucial for creating employment and income opportunities and for enhancing the demand for farm products.

A report presented during the meet said that agro-industry in Malaysia and India grew on an average by 8 per cent and 6.2 per cent respectively over the past 10 years while the regional agro-industry grew at the rate of 5.7 per cent. China led by 35.2 per cent in the region and Pakistan trailed at 2.1 per cent.

Female employment share in the Indian agro-industry was 17.4 per cent while it was 52.4 in Vietnam, the report revealed.

Rishi Rai has been invited to participate in the next meet of the forum which to be held in Italy.

Bathinda, April 15
Last year, when the state showed a downward trend in cotton production due to the mealy bug attack and the production loss was around 4 lakh bales, the 48 villages of Talwandi Sabo block came out victorious. The average yield per acre of raw cotton there was 22 mounds (1 mound = 37.324 kg), as compared to 18 mounds that was the state average.

This year, Markfed has adopted the Maur block and this time, they are hopeful of beating their own record of the last season. Maur block has 28,293 hectares of geographical area.

Speaking to TNS, Mandeep Singh Brar, district manager, Markfed, said, “This year, we would be adopting all 34 villages of the Maur block, which would benefit thousands of farmers. Besides providing technical know-how, we would also organise training camps for farmers regularly. Last year, in Talwandi Sabo block, at least seven such camps were organised on an average.”

Brar further informed, “In these villages, we would provide soil and water testing for free. One scout each would be appointed in every village of Maur block. These scouts would be trained for soil, water testing, pest control, usage of fertilisers, mealy bug control and other cotton related diseases at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra of Punjab Agricultural University at Bathinda. For every eight villages, we would appoint one cluster in-charge, who would be a B.Sc (Agriculture) graduate. One technical adviser would be appointed for the whole block.”

For this season, which is expected to start a bit late due to the untimely rains, Markfed would distribute around 2 lakh packets of Bt cotton seed this year so that farmers don’t fall prey to spurious seeds. “Out of this, around 50,000 packets would be distributed in Bathinda district alone. These packets would be of three different companies, namely Rasi, Mahyco and Ankur, and stocks have been placed at various branches, agro-service centres of Markfed and co-operative societies. This seed is available at the rates fixed by the state government,” Bal Mukand Sharma, chief manager (inputs), Markfed, informed.

“The National Commission of Farmers has said recently that almost 60 per cent of Bt cotton seeds sown in Punjab are spurious. The area under cultivation of all kinds of Bt varieties in Punjab last season increased to 5.57 lakh hectares from 3.84 lakh hectares last year,” Sharma added.

Mansa, April 15
Following a national-level call, the CPI (ML) Liberation today launched protests against the rising prices of essential commodities. The protests would continue till May 1.

Addressing a rally at the Labour Chowk here, the state secretary of CPI (ML), Rajvinder Singh Rana, tehsil secretary Gurjant Singh and city secretary Sukhcharan Singh criticised the Centre and the state governments. They also burnt the effigy of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. They said that rising prices were the result of anti-people policies of the Centre and the state governments.

They also informed that protests were held in other cities of Punjab. In Ludhiana, a demonstration was held at the district secretariat and party leaders Parkash Singh Hissowal and Ranjit Singh addressed the rally. At Sangrur, a rally was organised in front of the deputy commissioner’s office and party leaders Sher Singh, Harbhagwan Singh and Pargat Singh asked the government to check inflation.

At Moga, party workers staged a dharna in a semi-nude naked condition in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office.

Party leader Hukamraj Singh and Teerath Singh criticised the government policies. Protests were held at Barnala and Nathana.

Abohar, April 15
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has issued instructions to the purchasing agencies to reduce the period of payment to farmers against the wheat purchased from 72 hours to 48 hours. Stating this Ravinder Singh Cheema, president of the Punjab Commission Agents’ Association, recently claimed that stitching charges for each bag would be included in the commission agent’s bill at 55 paisa a bag now.

Referring to the talks held with the CM recently, he informed that the association had assured the CM of implementing the lower rate of interest for the farmers with effect from the next crop season. The association is convening a meeting to take up the issue besides other matters, he added.

Cheema was here on Saturday to address a meeting of the commission agents of this sub-division conducted by local president Pramil Kalani.

He advised the commission agents to reassess the financial position of the farmers before advancing loans to them so as to avoid bickering besides moderating the farmer-agent relationship.

Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Cheema termed the waiving off the agricultural loan of Rs 60 crore as “drama”. He said the decision by the UPA government was going to benefit the banks only. It would also send a wrong signal to those who pay off their debts on time.

Coming down heavily on the various factions of the Bhartiya Kisan Union, Cheema alleged that those who conspired not to repay the loans to commission agents, and cooperative and commercial banks were hailing the BKU. The union leaders tried their best to intimidate the commission agents and bank officials under the threat of agitation, he further alleged.

On debt-suicides, Cheema said that 45 per cent of the population in Punjab belonged to the farming community while the graph of suicides had already touched 37 per cent mark. Besides stress to repay the loans, there could be other reasons of committing suicide also like psychological or a family quarrel. But all the suicides are classified as debt-suicide.

The association has informed the government that 233 commission agents had reportedly committed suicide during 2001-06 and most of them did so as the farmers had not repaid the hefty loans taken during the past decade, Cheema said.

Khiali Wala, April 15
Over 12 persons, including three women, sustained serious injuries when two groups in village Khiali Wala clashed today. To restore peace, the police fired blank shots. Sources in the village said the incident had its genesis in the land dispute between the factions of Nachhatar Singh and Mangat Singh. Activists of BKU (Krantikari), Khet Mazdoor Union, Mahila Morcha supported Nachhatar’s group against Mangat’s, they added.

It has been reported that the dispute over a piece of land was lingering for a long time. Members of Nachhatar’s group alleged that Mangat had encroached upon the 
disputed plot. Earlier, the possession of the land was restored to Nachhatar but Mangat had again reportedly encroached upon the plot.

To get the possession back, Nachhatar’s group had decided to hold a rally in the village today. As the rally concluded, some persons from Mangat’s group sat on the disputed land. When some women reached there and tried to vacate the land, a clash between the women took place which later turned out to be a fight between both groups.

According to an eyewitness, the police remained a mute spectator and only after sensing that the situation might get out of control, did they resort to firing three rounds in the air.

Later, the injured were rushed to the Civil Hospital, Bathinda and Goniana. The injured included Gurlal Singh, Lachhaman Singh, Sukhpal Singh, Nardev, Deepak, Mahinder Kaur, Amandeep of Nachhatar group whereas Tej Kaur, Jeet Kaur, Jagsir Singh of Mangat group.

IPS probationer P.K. Yadav, deputed at Nehianwala police station, said, “Most of the force was deputed at Talwandi Sabo for Baisakhi, so we did not have the adequate number of policemen. Duty magistrate Karnail Singh ordered firing in the air to disperse the crowd. Cases against both the parties have been registered and after watching the video footage, some people have been booked.”

Bathinda, April 15
A native of Uttar Pradesh, Ram Singh, allegedly tried to kill his wife before ending his life here last night. He was reportedly working at a chemist shop on the Bathinda-Goniana road.

According to sources, the deceased, who suspected that his wife had an illicit relationship, reportedly stabbed her, injuring her critically before lying down on the railway track.

His wife has been admitted to the Civil Hospital in a critical condition while Singh’s body has been kept in the mortuary. Police said that investigations were going on.

Volunteers of the Sahara Jan Seva reported that the body was found on the railway track and a diary recovered from his pocket said he had suspected his wife and was under stress.