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Misery continues even after 24 hrs
Dry day on June 22 |
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Independents may upset heavyweights’ plan
Warning issued by Sukhbir
Anganwari workers launch drive against SAD candidate
Sukhladhi, others rejoin SAD
Congress to boycott Gidderbaha MC polls
Sant Singh Brar (left) with Raghbir Singh Pardhan, ex-MLA, Gidderbaha, addressing a press conference in Bathinda on Monday. —Tribune photo by Malkiat Singh
Man dies in scuffle with son
Manpreet murder case
Martyrdom day of Guru observed
Pre-monsoon showers
Abohar MC polls
Cong names its candidates
BSF promises to facilitate agri-activities
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Misery continues even after 24 hrs
Bathinda, June 16 What to talk about the miseries of common man even the house of the deputy commissioner, superidendent engineer, Civil Lines Police station, and court complex were submerged under water, while flood like situation prevailed in Sikri Bazaar, Power House Road, some areas of Paras Ram Nagar, Pratap Nagar, Mall road and other areas. The vehicular traffic came to a grinding halt in several areas inundated by yesterday’s heavy downpour and the efforts of the municipal corporation and local administration to restore normalcy were too meagre to provide any relief. District agriculture officer said that Bathinda received around 127 mm of rainfall yesterday, which was the highest in the region. The gushing rainwater entered the record room in court complex and the records had to be shifted to safer places, said a senior official. The entire area beyond the DC’s residence towards Power House road was flooded and no movement was possible. “We are trying to flush out water but the level of water outside is so high that houses are being flooded repeatedly said gaurav, a resident of the locality. The local authorities had no answer as to why the choked drains could not be opened for smooth flow of water and why the town looked like a lake even after 24 hours. A number of vehicles were stranded at several places and a large number of people had to walk in knee-deep water to go for work or to bazaars buying articles of daily need. Only big vehicles and rickshaw were seen plying on the roads. K.K.Yadav, Commissioner, Bathinda Municipal Corporation who promised to restore normalcy yesterday said that the work was in progress and the low lying areas were flooded. But he was at pain to explain why the situation did not improve and simply reiterated that all efforts were being made to restore normal life. “Bathinda has been converted from a desert to a prosperous area but the mentality and way of working of administration has not changed,” rued an old man whose house was under three feet of water.
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Dry day on June 22
Bathinda, June 16 However, not many people are prepared to accept that candidates will spend just Rs 1.5 lakh on the election. Given the high-pitched campaign being carried out by candidates, it is hard to believe that the amount spent will stay within the limits. According to rough estimates by a city-based chartered accountant, the average expenses of the candidates will run around Rs 5 lakh per candidate per ward. There are candidates in certain wards who are expected to spend much more than that amount. “Even an ordinary candidate keeps the provision of around Rs 5 lakh,” says the chartered accountant, who does not want to be identified. He points out that hoardings, buntings and flags spread all across the city are evident of how much money is being spent by candidates. Also, campaign in the print and electronic media adds up to the expenditure. Besides, miscellaneous expenses like serving of liquor and other refreshments to supporters and workers during the campaign add to the list. Quite a few candidates admit that Rs 1.5 lakh is too small an amount to run an impressive and successful campaign. One of them remarks: “Even those who have fixed this (Rs 1.5 lakh) limit know that it is ridiculous.” He says there is no way but to organise the expenses in such a way that the candidate look like spending under Rs 1.5 lakh on their campaign. The rest of the expenses are shown to be made in the name of supporters. The candidates say there should be a rational limit on the expenditure of candidates. Interestingly, it is learnt that some candidates have raised money for electioneering from private financiers or have taken loans from banks saying, if elected, the sum will be refunded within no time. At some places, observes an Independent candidate who is a postgraduate in economics, the expenditure limit ( Rs 1.5 lakh) may sound realistic. But at a place like Bathinda, it is too little, he adds. It all comes down to the accountant to settle the expenses in accordance with the guidelines, admits a candidate. He points out that even during the Assembly and Parliamentary elections, the expenditure limits are crossed. So is the case with the corporation elections, particularly in a city like Bathinda, where people are in the habit of spending more.
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Independents may upset heavyweights’ plan
Bathinda, June 16 While political workers led by ministers, ex-ministers, legislators and other senior leaders are toiling, voters continue to be indifferent to the campaign. In the given situation, the Independents, numbering 147 out of the total 248, had launched the campaign early, can play the spoilsport for the main parties. Independents are doing their best to make the fight triangular. Overall it will remain a two-party affair with the SAD and the BJP occupying the centrestage since the Congress has been plagued with infighting, the situation is ideal for Independents to chip in and make their presence felt. The BJP is hoping to gain from the division of Congress vote due to infighting in the ranks of the party. However, it is struggling to keep its traditional vote bank intact. The anger of its own cadres, who feel ignored, could upset its calculations. With less than a week to go for polling, the parties have put their full strength into the campaign. While the BJP ministers, legislators and local leaders are having consultations with the party high command to seek votes for the party candidates, moving from door to door to seek votes, Ashok Kumar, the district Congress president (urban) and Kewal Singh Dhillon, state vice-president, Congress, have also joined the crusade for party candidates. Vijay Kumar, Rachna Oberoi, Vijay Singla and Harmandar Singh are spearheading the campaign of Independents. The SAD-BJP combine is trying to convince the voters that it is in better position to deliver the goods. The Congress, on the other hand, is quick to point out that elections to the Lok Sabha are a year away and claim that the Congress will be back in power soon. As the unending process of arguments and counter-arguments continues, factors like the reputation and public contacts of the candidates are playing their role weighing on the minds of the electorate.
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Warning issued by Sukhbir
Bathinda, June 16 It may be mentioned that Sukhbir had said on Sunday that rebels who were contesting independently would be expelled from the party. As per the details, as many as eleven rebels were contesting against the SAD-BJP candidates in various wards. In ward number 1 Mandeep Kaur and Pritpal Kaur, in ward number 2 Raj Kumar Garga, in ward number 6 Ajit Singh, in ward number 24 Darshan Kaur, in ward number 34 Lakhwinder Kaur, in ward number 35 Bhagwan Dass, in ward number 42 Jagtar Singh have been contesting independently but allegedly they were affiliated with either SAD or BJP. Confirming the names, BJP district president Narender Mittal said, “Some of them had applied for the tickets of both SAD and BJP but when they could not get tickets they turned rebellion.” When asked about the implementation of the Sukhbir’s warning on Monday, SAD district president Sikander Singh Maluka and junior vice-president SAD, Sarup Chand Singla passed buck to Sukhbir saying that only he had the final authority to take the decision. They added, “Efforts are being made to persuade them to extend support to party’s candidates but if they will not accept the requests then they would definitely be expelled.” |
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Anganwari workers launch drive against SAD candidate
Bathinda, June 16 While carrying out the drive, a number of Anganwari workers, distributed leaflets, appealing to the voters not to cast their vote in her favour. They also narrated the whole incident that happened at the civil hospital. In the printed literature, the Anganwari workers alleged that during the seminar they were called by the administration. When the CM started addressing the gathering, a few Anganwari workers, who were sitting in public gallery, raised slogans to highlight their demands. The scene took an ugly turn, when the women police officers, along with their male counterparts, thrashed them out of the tent. SAD contestant Rajinder Kaur Brar dragged protesters holding from hair, without having any authority, they added. When the photographs were published in newspapers, the police had to register the case against the woman. Hargobind Kaur, president of the Anganwari Employees Union, Punjab, said, “We were waiting for the time; now we have been urging people not to let her win the MC elections and also requesting to support her opponent.”
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Sukhladhi, others rejoin SAD
Bathinda, June 16 Holding a press conference, Kirpal Singh Bandugar, former SGPC chief, Sarup Chand Singla, junior vice-president of SAD, Sikander Singh Maluka, district SAD president and Jagdeep Singh Nakai, chief parliament secretary said that after getting approval from the SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, he had been welcomed in the party. — TNS |
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Congress to boycott Gidderbaha MC polls
Bathinda, June 16 Speaking to TNS, Raghbir Singh Pardhan, former MLA Gidderbaha, said, “All the former Municipal Committee members from Gidderbaha are being harassed by the state government officials. During the previously held panchayat polls, nomination papers of Congress candidates from more than 44 out of a total 54 panchayats were cancelled due to unknown reasons. Our candidates contested from only 10 panchayats, in which SAD used all kinds of unfair means. As a result, false cases were registered against 32 Congress workers.” “So we are all feeling very helpless over the whole poll scene. We have also met our party state president, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, on Sunday at Chandigarh, who has shown her helplessness over this issue. That is why, we have decided to boycott the Municipal Council polls scheduled for June 30,” Raghbir informed. Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, vice president, district Congress committee, Muktsar, said, “Earlier the SAD started from cancellation of nomination papers, and this time, they have publicly started harassing, terrorising and pressurising the candidates. They are also forcibly taking undertakings from Congress candidates not to contest the elections. We all know that if polls take place, Congress workers will indulge in violence and peace of area will be disturbed. So we have no other option than to boycott the elections.” Congress heavyweights from Gidderbaha, Sant Singh Brar, Baldev Krishan, four time vice-president, Municipal Council, Kulwant Singh Mann, former president, Municipal Council, Shivraj Garg, former MC, Dr Rajinder, former MC, Kaka Singh Mann, former MC, and several other former MCs have also supported the boycott of elections. |
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Man dies in scuffle with son
Moga, June 16 As per the details available, Arshdeep alias Deepu, resident of Ram Ganj area of the town, demanded motorcycle from his father, Ramesh Kumar Vadhwa (55), but the father refused saying that he was going to the clinic by the motorcycle. But the son did not listen to him, leading to a scuffle. Arshdeep allegedly took a wicket and started beating his father, who fell down and suffered head injuries, which led to his death. The police sources said it was not a pre-planned murder and the son had no intention to kill his father. Therefore, a criminal case under section 304 of the IPC had been registered against the son. It was learnt that the son was mentally disturbed for the past many years. The post-mortem of the body was conducted in the civil hospital after which the body was handed back to the aggrieved family. |
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Manpreet murder case
Barnala, June 16 The action committee members demanded the arrest of Shyam Singh, a JE with the Punjab State Electricity Board. To lend support to the struggle, the business community in the main market of the Sherpur also observed a bandh for half day. The road traffic was blocked from 11 am to 1 pm. The protesters raised slogans against the inaction of the Punjab Police and the district administration for not bringing the guilty to book. Circle president, PSEB, Dhuri, Mukhtiar Singh assured the protesters that though Shyam Singh was an employee of the PSEB yet no employee union of the PSEB would support him. Rather, the PSEB union would lend its support to the victim family. He regretted that his colleague was a main accused in the murder case. Master Sukhdev Bari, an employees’ union leader, while addressing the public, said the action committee was determined to fight for the arrest of Shyam Singh. He criticised the state government for being silent over the issue. Dalit leader Shamsher Singh demanded from the state government that it should direct the district police to arrest the accused at the earliest. It may be mentioned that Manpreet Kaur, daughter of Bant Singh was allegedly killed by her in-laws on June 5 at Kheri Chahal village. Her father had complained to the police that her daughter was ‘killed’ by her in-laws for not relenting to their regular demands for dowry. The police has already arrested two accused, including the husband and his maternal aunt in the case. |
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Martyrdom day of Guru observed
Abohar, June 16 Chief guest Mandeep Singh, in-charge of the local centre of Ludhiana-based Guru Gobind Singh Study Centre and Sikh Missionary College, inaugurated the function by lighting a lamp before Bharat Mata’s portrait. Sita Ram Sharma, chairman of the institute, presided over the function. Both along with the principal Jagsir Singh exhorted the students to follow the teachings and principles of the guru. Some of the students including, Amandeep, Puran Chand, Sukhminder, Mohan Lal, Raghubir and Sunder Singh presented patriotic songs. Lecturers Parwinder Kaur and Puneet Bajaj also addressed the gathering. The students later served chilled milk to the passers by on main road outside the institute. |
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Pre-monsoon showers
Mansa, June 16 In some localities, the rain water entered the dwellings and damaged the residents' belongings. Residents of Beer Nagar Mohalla and Bhatta Basti were badly affected. Labh Singh Street, Ram Bag Road, Court Road, Aulakh Basti and Dheer Street were submerged and residents of these localities were forced to remain indoors. Residents of the city rued over the poor sewerage system in the city. Sukhcharan Singh Danewalia, contesting MC elections from ward number 7, informed that the MC and the administration had not given proper attention to the drainage system. Youth leader Krishan Chauhan, convener of the Save Education Committee Darshan Singh Dhillon and president of Sabhyachark Chetna Manch Kamaljeet Malwa expressed concern over the poor sewerage system in the city. They complained about the unplanned sewerage system saying that small pipes were not capable of draining the rain water speedily. SDM Gurjeet Singh Pannu visited some localities and asked the Patwaris concerned to prepare the estimate of loss. Stressing the need for improvement, he admitted that defective sewerage system was the reason of blocking water in some streets. For the disposal of water motors were being used, he informed.
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Abohar MC polls
Abohar, June 16 The local unit of the SAD (B) convened an emergency meeting of its workers last night to reject out rightly the list announced by its alliance partner. The BJP had announced 25 candidates and later informed that decision for ward number 28 was pending. The consensus in the meeting was that there would be no compromise on less than eight seats. Circle president Sukhwinder Singh was quoted saying that the BJP was giving a step motherly treatment to the SAD (B). The feelings of workers were also conveyed through fax messages to CM Parkash Singh Badal, SAD (B) president Sukhbir Singh Badal and Minister for Jails Hira Singh Gabria, also the in-charge of the district. Interestingly, since the meetings convened jointly by Gabria and BJP district convener Kamal Sharma remained inconclusive here last week, the seat sharing was finally discussed with top leaders of the state BJP at CM’s house at Chandigarh. SAD (B) general council member Surinder Saluja informed this correspondent that following a meeting convened by district in-charge Hira Singh Gabria, the BJP had agreed to drop its nominee Ramesh Jain in ward number 1 in favour of former SAD (B) councillor Harcharan Singh Pappu. Notably, Pappu’s wife Parminder Kaur was the only SAD (B) winner in 2003. The SAD (B) has compensated the BJP by giving up claim on ward number 8. Saluja further informed that Jaswinder Kaur would contest on SAD (B) ticket from ward number 2, Jaswant Gill from ward number 4, Surinder Aneja from ward number 14 and former councillor Vijay Nagpal from ward number 25.
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Cong names its candidates
Abohar, June 16 The Congress candidates are: ward no 1 Suman Kumar Taneja; ward no. 3 Chanderkala Naukhwal; ward no. 4 Baldev Singh Kalsi; ward no. 5 Naresh Wadhwa; ward no. 6 Rameshweri Devi; ward no. 7 Inderjit Kaur Waring; ward no. 8 Raja Ram; ward no. 9 Sohan Singh Fauji; ward no. 10 Kamla Devi; ward no. 11 Veer Bala Nagpal; ward no. 12 Jagdish Tank; ward no. 13 Ganpat Ram; ward no. 14 Harpreet Singh Bhullar; ward no. 15 Sudesh Rani Chhabra; ward no. 17 Krishna Devi; ward no. 18 Sanjiv Chahar; ward no. 19 Raj Rani Goyal; ward no. 20 Krishan Nirania; ward no. 21 Manminder Singh Killo; ward no. 22 Hans Raj Midha; ward no. 23 Santosh Rani Baghla; ward no. 24 Prem Kalra; ward no. 25 Naresh Nagpal; ward no. 26 Rukmani Devi Gupta; ward no. 28 Vimal Thathai; ward no. 29 Madan Lal Doda; ward no. 30 Vinod Jain ; and Anil Kumar Dabbu ward no. 31. |
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BSF promises to facilitate agri-activities
Fazilka, June 16 The meeting was organised to sort out problems faced by farmers particularly of those whose fields are located beyond the barbed wire fencing. The meeting was attended by a large number of farmers, 30th Battalion commandant S.P.S. Sandhu, assistant commandant N.V. Syam, CMO K.C. Doval and other BSF officials. The farmers demanded opening of gates from 7 am to 7 pm during the ensuing sowing season of paddy, installation of tubewells across barbed wire, recruitment of local population in the BSF, compensation to farmers whose land falls across fencing. Besides, they demanded that the fencing should be relocated nearest to the zero- line on the Indo-Pak border. The DIG accepted the demand of opening the gates from 7 am to 7 pm on need basis. He also directed the commandant to open more gates in order to felicitate quick completion of the sowing season. Sharma revealed that with shifting of border fencing farmers would have unchecked accessibility to major parts of their fields. Only small portions would be left across the barbed wire fencing. He assured that the alignment of border fencing should be done in consultation with farmers and village panchayats. The DIG promised to clear all tubewell applications within 15 days and simplification of the ID card procedure. He also warned the farmers against the attempts to smuggle heroine, narcotics and pumping of the fake currency from across the border. DIG V.K. Sharma sought villagers’ cooperation to check all such infiltrations. |
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Bathinda, June 16
