Abohar, May 2
Altogether 106 nominations have been received for 25 zones of the Abohar Panchayat Samiti (PS), official sources said.

Category wise break up is: 46 male general, 26 female general, 20 male Scheduled Castes (SC), 11 female SC, 3 Backward Classes (BC).

In most of the zones, there appear to be covering candidates also for the candidates of major political parties.

The BJP has yet to make the names of its candidates public.

In the Khuyiansarwar Panchayat Samiti, there are 99 nominations for 25 zones. Category wise break up is: 48 men in general category, 25 women (general),

13 SC men, 6 SC women and 7 BC.

The situation likely to emerge would be of direct fight between the ruling alliance and the Congress, sources said.

Bathinda, May 2
Traders have started stacking wheat bags on the roads and unhygienic places as the market committee yards in the Malwa region are overflowing with fresh arrival of grain that the authorities were lifting at a snail’s pace.

More than 2.5 lakh tonnes of wheat was lying in the main grain market here. Farmers and commission agents cry that the procurement agencies have failed to deploy adequate number of labourers and trucks to carry wheat to the godowns.

Similar was the situation in the market committee yards at Govindpura, Teona, Banewala, Behman-Dewana, Mehta, Bhego, Talwandi Sabo, Rampura and Goniana. The situation was equally bad in the Barnala district where lifting of wheat was very slow.

The authorities have failed to implement the government’s orders for speeding up the lifting operations.

As there was no space left for keeping the fresh arrivals, traders have started dumping wheat outside a public toilet on the roadside in the market committee complex here. Stray dogs and cattle were seen sitting on wheat bags.

Magar Singh, a farmer from the Jassi village, said that he was sitting in the grain market guarding his stock of wheat for the past six days, as the authorities have so far not lifted it. There was grave shortage of labour and trucks and as such more than what they lift again comes to the market every day. He said there was no space to offload the two trolleys full of wheat that he had brought.

The farmers and commission agents were critical of the state government on the issue of slow lifting of grains. The wheat lying in the open would be rendered unfit in case it rains.

Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tiwari said that even if the maximum workforce is deployed, “we would succeed in lifting only about 25,000 tonnes of wheat from the market here.” The procurement agencies had so far purchased 4.75 lakh tonnes of wheat out of which about 2 lakh tonnes has been lifted.

Jaswant Rai, a commission agent, said that the wheat stocks would be destroyed as the market committee yard here has the problem of waterlogging.

Mahesh Pal, another commission agent, said that only about 25 per cent of the daily arrival was being lifted by the procurement agencies.

Goverdhan, a labourer, said that a meagre increase of 5 paise for cleaning, filling and loading of each bag has been done this season. The wage of Rs 4.12 per bag for undertaking that much effort was not sufficient, he lamented. Moreover, the commission agents deduct the cost of diesel for running the generators during night from their wage, he lamented.

He said that after putting in hard labour for one month of procurement in the grain market, each labourer hardly earns around Rs 4,000 at the end of the season.

An official of the market committee said that notices have been sent to PUNSUP, PUNGRAIN and MARKFED to lift the stocks within 72 hours, failing which demurrage at the rate of 25 paise per bag would be levied per day. Notices have been sent thrice earlier to these agencies, he added.

Bathinda/Muktsar, May 2
A day after the devastating fire, which wreaked havoc in wheat fields and engulfed a major portion of the Malwa belt on Thursday, the Bathinda and Muktsar police booked 12 persons in the connection. Meanwhile, the assessment of loss is going on.

To meet the families of victim and assess the loss, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and the PPCC chief Rajinder Kaur Bhattal would visit the villages, namely Midhu Khera and Tharaj Wala, falling in Muktsar district, on Saturday.

As per a preliminary estimate, Muktsar district was the worst hit in terms of loss of lives and crops. Although the administration is yet to come up with exact data, as per the reports, the Malout tehsil area suffered a major loss with about 35 acres of standing crop and stubble in more than 700 acres destroyed. A girl, Mamta of Midhu Khera village, succumbed to her burn injuries, while her mother Bimla was referred to the CMC hospital in Ludhiana. Cattle were also reported to have been burnt alive in the tehsil.

Tehsildar Rohit Gupta said, “As per our reports, about 100 quintals of straw powder was also burnt. We had just one fire tender, so it took time to douse the flames. However, people made their best efforts to control the fire.”

In the Gidderbaha tehsil of Muktsar district, a woman, Agwan Kaur at village Tharaj Wala, was killed. Talking over the phone, SDM Rishi Pal Singh said, “Though the reports are still coming, till now we have assessed a loss of 114 acres of standing wheat crop, while 20 huge piles of straw powder were burnt.

Adding to that,Tehsildar Gidderbaha, Ravinder Singh said that the fire broke out on more than 600 acres of land, where only stubble was stored.

SDM Muktsar Basant Garg could not provide any data citing his busy schedule due to the ongoing rural bodies’ election process. But it has been reported that four children returning from school sustained burn injuries as their jeep was gutted.

Meanwhile, SDM, Talwandi Sabo, Anil Garg said that only 12 acres of standing crop was burnt in the villages falling under his jurisdiction. The fire broke out in the fields where only straw was left after harvesting the crop.

When contacted, SDM Phul, Umashankar, in Bathinda district, said that there was no fire incident in his jurisdiction. About Bathinda tehsil, tehsildar Savita said that the loss would be assessed till Monday. As per the reports, no loss of life was reported in Bathinda district.

The Muktsar police registered a case against four farmers, Tek Singh, Mohan, Jassa Singh and Lakhbir Singh, of village Lal Bai under sections 436, 435, 34 of the IPC at the Lambi police station.

The Bathinda police, meanwhile, has booked Jatinder Pal Singh, Deepak Pal of village Mehma Sarja at the Nehiana Wala police station under section 188 of the IPC for violating the district magistrate’s orders prohibiting burning of straw.

Further, Mohar Singh, Bhakar Singh, both of village Machhana, Dilpreet Singh of village Bangi Rugu and Amrik Singh and Sukha Singh, both of village Behman Diwana, were booked at Sangat, Raman and Sadar police stations, respectively.

Bathinda, May 2
The education department has initiated an inquiry into the Jam-e-Insaan Guru Ka ceremony, organised at the Government Elementary School, Chandsar Basti, here by the Shah Satnam Ji Green-S Helpline Committee, Bathinda, on April 29. And the district education officer has sent an inquiry report to the DPI (Elementary).

According to a press release issued by the committee, its members distributed copies, grocery and clothes among the poor and needy kids and their families following the guidance of the Dera chief, Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh. They also installed a portrait of the Dera chief during the function. It was mentioned in the press note that a number of Dera followers, including workers of the Shah Satnam Singh Ji Green-S Welfare Force Wing, participated in the event.

On the day when Gurdev Singh, one of the organisers of the event and also a member of the seven-member block level committee of the Dera was asked if permission had been sought for holding the function in the school, he said, “The acting principal was there along with the other staff.”

The event was published in some newspapers, taking cognisance of which the education department initiated inquiry considering the sensitivity of the Dera controversy in the state.

It may be mentioned here that it was after the observance of this ceremony at the Punjab headquarters of the Dera Sacha Sauda in Salabatpura on April 29, 2007, that the row between Dera Sacha Sauda and the Sikhs had reached a flashpoint.

When contacted, DEO (Secondary) Barjinder Singh said, “The inquiry report was sought from me. I have sent the report to the DPI (Elementary). It is a confidential report and I am not authorised to disclose the content.”

Talking over the phone from Chandigarh, DPI (Elementary), Haracharnjit Kaur Brar said, “The report is awaited which will point out whether the function was organised during the school hours or not. I have been informed that the school staff had not taken prior permission from any competent authority.”

“The Dera chief is already embroiled in several controversies. So, such events in government schools can never be tolerated. The matter is so serious that it could even disturb social harmony. Anyone found guilty will have to face the music.”

Though Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, Rahul Tewari could not be contacted today, on the day of the incident, he 
had assured of proper investigation into the matter.

Abohar, May 2
For the ZP and PS elections, the Congress today released its list of candidates for the Abohar Assembly segment. While handing over the authority letters, PPCC vice-president Sajjan Kumar Jakhar and Sandeep Jakhar, son of IFFCO chairman Surinder Kumar Jakhar, garlanded and offered greetings to the chosen candidates.

For the ZP elections, Jaipal Singh Syag is the party’s candidate from Kandhwala-Amarkot zone and Suman Devi Bishnoi from the Panjkosi zone.

The candidates for the PS from different zones are Bimla Devi (Jandwala-Hanwanta), Harpal Kaur (Gumjal), Gaura Devi (Sayeedwala), Saroj Rani (Panniwala Mahla), Bhagwanti Dhaneria (Waryamkhera), Vidya Rani (Khuyiansarwar), Saroj Rani (Dharampura), Puran Chand (Dalmirkhera), Niranjan Dass (Maujgarh), Sukhjinder Singh Jakhar (Killianwali), Lachhman Ram (Shergarh), Ram Chander (Kandhwala-Amarkot), Naib Singh (Dhani Karnail Singh), Diwan Chand (Diwankhera), Gurdip Singh (Smagh Panjkosi) and Jit Kumar Rinwa (Daulatpura). — OC

Ferozepur, May 2
The Shiromani Akali Dal (B) today announced the list of its candidates for the Panchayat Samiti (PS) and Zila Parishad (ZP) elections.

Irrigation minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon informed that Sarwan Singh had been declared as candidate from Bazidpur (SC) for Ghall Khurd zone.

Others are Sukhpreet from Khwaja Khadak (General) for Ghall Khurd zone; Jagjeet Kaur from Malwal Kadim (SC) for Sandhe Hasham zone, Gurdev Singh from Sandhe Hasham, Joginder Singh from Sher Khan (General), Surjit Kaur (General, Women) from Block Bholuwala, Raj Rani (SC, Women) from Vadha Bhaika zone, Gurdev Singh Mudki from Mudki zone, Pritpal Singh Sayian Wala from Sappan Wali zone, Mukand Singh from Machhi Bugra zone, Jaswinder Kaur (SC, Women) from Firozeshah zone, Sukha Singh Alleh Wala (General) from Satiey Wala zone, Gopa Singh Kulgarhi (SC) from Khulgarhi zone, Bhagwan Singh Kotkror Kalan (General) from Kotkrore Kalan zone, Surjit Kaur (General, Women) from Haraj zone, Lakha Singh Bagge ke Pipal (SC) from Mohkam Bhatti zone, Gurmeet Singh (Gen) Karmuwala from Karmuwala zone and Punjab Singh Basdni Gulab Singh (SC) from Ratta Khera zone.

Besides, name of Sulkhan Singh from Jhok Hari Har zone and Parwinder Singh for Nur Pur Sethan zone from Ferozepur Cantonment constituency were also announced.

Mansa, May 2
The national council member of CPI, Hardev Singh Arsi, said that government should implement the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, which empowers panchayati raj institutions to carry out development work.

After submitting nomination papers of party candidates, he blamed the government that it had not taken appropriate steps to give rights to panchayats.

He alleged that bureaucracy, MPs and MLAs were not in favour of giving the administrative rights to Panchyati Institutions because they want their control over development works. Arsi alleged corruption was becoming a big hurdle in the smooth functioning of panchayats and a big part of grants go to officials in shape of commission.

He demanded transparency in the works of panchayats.

Arsi said that the CPI was contesting on three Zila Parishad and 23 Panchayat Samiti seats.  On some seats, the party would support Congress candidates, he disclosed.

Meanwhile, CPI (ML) filed nominations for 5 Zila Parishad and 8 Panchyat Samiti seats.

The BJP has placed its candidates on one Zila Parishad and four Panchayat samiti seats.

Notably, the SAD (B) and the BJP are fighting these elections on its own as they could not arrive on any understanding regarding seat sharing. The SAD and Congress have fielded their candidates on all seats.

Moga, May 2
Two teenagers died while another sustained serious injuries in a road accident that occurred in the New Town area late on Thursday evening.

As per the details available from the local police, two teenagers, identified as Rishab Gaba (12) and Vimal Kumar (13), died on the spot when the motorcycle on which they were travelling, collided with a tractor-trolley on street number 9 of the New Town area, late yesterday evening.

Another person, identified as Vishal Narula, who was also travelling along them, sustained serious injuries in the accident. He was rushed to the local civil hospital where his condition was stated to be critical.

None of them was wearing a helmet as per the police sources.

The police, after taking the dead bodies into custody, sent them for a post-mortem to the civil hospital.

Meanwhile, preliminary investigations made by the police disclosed that the motor-cycle was being driven at a high speed and the riders were, probably, chasing a girl travelling on a scooter. They first collided with the scooter and then, rammed into the tractor-trolley.

The girl, however, escaped injuries and is safe.

Fazilka, May 2
A man along with his family members allegedly killed his younger brother with sharp-edged weapons following a dispute over the sharing of water in village Dabwala Kalan here on Thursday night.

The wife of the deceased, Parkash Rani, in the first information report (FIR) lodged with the Sadar police, said that her husband, Bhagwan Dass (45), used to allow his elder brother Munshi Ram to utilise canal water out of turn, even though the four brothers had mutually agreed to use water by turn.

This left Hans Raj, another elder brother of the deceased, irked Hans Raj and his family members allegedly nourished a grudge against Bhagwan Dass, she added.

Last night, when Parkash Rani went to the fields to give food to Bhagwan and her son, Hans Raj and his family members including his wife Jamuna Bai, sons Raj Kumar and Rimple, were thrashing her husband.

They allegedly inflicted critical injuries to Bhagwan Dass with sharp-edged and pointed agriculture implements.

He succumbed to his injuries while being taken to the Civil Hospital, Malout.

Sadar police have registered a case under section 302 of the IPC against Hans Raj, Jamuna Bai, Raj Kumar and Rimple.

Fazilka, May 2
The Punjab and Haryana High Court judge, Justice Rajesh Bindal, today inspected Fazilka courts.

Addressing the members of the Bar Association, he said the longstanding demand of lawyers for setting up the court of additional district judge was genuine. He maintained that the demand would be considered with a positive view at the meeting of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Justice Bindal was given a warm welcome by the president of the Bar Association, Anil Jain and senior advocates.

He was accompanied by district and sessions judge Jaspal Singh and CJM JPS Beniwal. He also visited the court complex at Jalalabad and sub-jail in Fazilka.— OC

Moga, May 2
The Harijan Sewak Sangh, Punjab, mourned the death of Nirmala Deshpande, an eminent Gandhian and parliamentarian, who died on Thursday. A meeting of the Sangh was held under the leadership of Malti Thapar, a senior Congress leader and former minister of Punjab, here today.

President of the Sangh, Pawan Thapar, general secretary Ajit Singh Kalyan, the office-bearers along with the local people were also present at the meeting.

Paying tributes to the departed soul, Malti said Deshpande was a true Gandhian who worked for the poor sections of society. — TNS

Mansa, May 2
Residents of Taamkot village today blocked traffic on Barnala-Mansa road. Protestors led by Punjab Kisan Union and Mazdoor Mukti Morcha were demanding immediate release of pending old-age pensions to 36 persons.

Leaders of the organisations alleged that the government had not sent any money under the head of old-age pensioners for a long time. Ranjit Singh Taamkot and Amarjit Singh alleged that earlier bank officials harassed the pensioners at the time of opening of bank account, now district officials had not been sending money in the accounts of pensioners.