Abohar, September 30
A cause for concern! Commission agents have started migrating to the neighbouring markets of Rajasthan. They blame the wrong/irrational policies of the SAD-BJP coalition government for taking such a step. Not only this, farmers too are transporting their cotton yield to the markets in the neighbouring state to get “remunerative” price for their produce.

This was confirmed today during a brief ceremony held at the new grain market here to formally inaugurate the purchase of paddy.

Some of the local commission agents, including Hem Raj Singla, a member of the state executive committee of the Arhtiya Association, and Pramil Kalani, president of the local unit, said that Punjab was the only state in the country where the government had slapped a whopping eight per cent cess that includes over two per cent of market fee besides the infrastructure development fee.

On the other hand, the government in the neighbouring state was charging only one per cent on the purchase of crop. Some of the commission agents have obtained licences in Sangria, Sadulshehar and Sriganganagar and plan to start business there before the end of ‘navratras’.

On transporting of cotton to the neighbouring areas, they said cotton rates here varied between Rs 2,690 and Rs 2,735 per quintal whereas in Rajasthan, the traders offered Rs 2,890 for the same quality.

The attitude of the state government would adversely hit the economy, some other commission agents and farmers feared.

Meanwhile, doors to clear about 3,300 quintal glut of paddy from the grain market were opened today as SDM N.S. Brar formally inaugurated the purchase on behalf of the Markfed and the Punsup at minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 880 per quintal.

Harpal Singh, secretary of the market committee, assured that all possible facilities would be made available to the farmers.

Chanan Singh, a farmer, said that this time, basmati quality had also been grown by the farmers of the sub-division for which private traders offered Rs 1,130 a quintal.

Moga, September 30
The assistant commissioner (Grievances) of Moga district, M.S. Jaggi, has begun magisterial probe against Inderjit Singh alias Dimple and Tejinder Pal Singh alias Sony, both sons of SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar, who along with some of their associates allegedly roughed up few mediapersons, broke their cameras and threatened them of dire consequences while they were covering the polling of municipal council (MC) elections about a fortnight back.

It may be mentioned that political violence on a large scale was reported in ward number 4 on September 14 during the MC polls. In this ward, Gulwinder Singh, son-in-law of the SGPC chief, was contesting the elections. Hundreds of youths, led by the sons of the SGPC chief, had allegedly ransacked the polling camp of Surinder Singh Goga, the rival candidate of Gulwinder, thrashed him and his son, opened fire in air and then captured the polling station forcibly.

District magistrate Satwant Singh Johal, after consulting with the state election commission, had countermanded the process of election in this controversial ward on the spot. The local police had registered criminal cases against both the parties who later reached a compromise.

The journalists, who tried to take photographs of the bogus voting and capturing of the polling station, were roughed up by the SGPC chief’s sons and their supporters. Besides, the presiding officer and the assistant presiding officer were also thrashed. They had to be admitted to the district hospital as they sustained injuries.

The journalists, on the same day, protested against the blatant violation of democratic rights and the freedom of press by the kin and supporters of the religious leader and demanded from the DM to take action against them. Following that, the DM marked a magisterial inquest into the incident.

While talking to The Tribune, Jaggi said he had asked few local journalists to record their statements before him after which he would issue summons to the sons of Makkar to record their statement. “I will record the statements of Inderjit and Tejpal in the presence of the complainants,” he said.

Meanwhile, there were reports that Makkar had approached few local mediapersons for a compromise by tendering an unconditional apology.

Bathinda/Muktsar, September 30
A family of village Bhalaiana in Muktsar district, which has lost three members due to cancer, has bid good bye to pesticides and resorted to organic farming. Though the members have not converted the whole agricultural land organic, but for self-consumption they would not spray any pesticide.

Manjeet Kaur (60) has witnessed the death of her husband, son and grandson because of cancer. When asked, she murmered, “Use of pesticides and presence of fluoride in water have made our life miserable.”

Her husband Gurmel Singh died at the age of 65, her son Ranjeet Singh at 32 and her grandson at a tender age. She said, “The disease is so wide spread that we have now stopped drinking underground water and also the canal water. For the agricultural substances, we have started using organic manure and all pulses, wheat and vegetables have been cultivated this way.”

Paramjeet Kaur, widow of Ranjeet Singh, with her wet eyes and choked throat said, “Cancer swallowed our family.”

Jagtar Singh and Kuldeep Singh, cousins of Ranjeet, have also started organic farming for their self-use and a bit for sale. They produce manure themselves using cow dung, cow urine, tobacco, jaggery and other things. They have done this on three acres of land each. They said not many residents of the village have relished the idea of switching over to organic farming, as the cost of production is high.

Their family is not the only one in the village facing the brunt of cancer. It may be mentioned that to tackle the problem of contaminated underground water, the state government has installed reverse osmosis (RO) plant in the village, which caters a number of families but there is no check over the excessive use of pesticides.

Mansa, September 30
The Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan) today staged protest rallies in around villages and burnt effigies of Punjab agriculture minister to protest against the state government decision of providing seeds, fertilizers and pesticides through Punjab Agro and Punseed agencies to farmers.

Before the decision, these items were provided through co-operative societies. Criticising the government, district president of BKU Ram Singh Bhainibagha said this decision was against the interests of farmers because co-operative societies were within the reach of farmers.

“The offices of Punjab Agro and Punseed are located in the cities only and farmers would certainly face difficulties to approach these offices”, he added.

The farmers were also able to get agriculture items without cash payment and on low rate of interest.

Among 50 villages where protest rallies were held included Bhainibagha, Kishangarh, Chakalisher, Joga, Dyalpura and Jatan.

Kisan union leaders Bhola Singh, Inderjeet jhabbar, Ramphal Sing and Joginder Singh Dyalpura participated in the rallies.

Fazilka, September 30
To assess the damage done to crops due to the hailstorm that lashed the region on September 23, the BJP’s state vice-president and local MLA Surjit Kumar Jyani visited villages of Azamwala, Kheowali Dhab and Lakhewali Dhab of this sub-division today. He was accompanied by SDM Rajiv Prashar and sarpanches of the villages.

Jyani informed that standing cotton and paddy crops on about 200 acres of agricultural land was destroyed to the extent of 80 per cent. He directed Rajiv Prashar, SDM Fazilka, to conduct special girdawari of the damaged crops.

Meanwhile, Jyani inaugurated the procurement of paddy in the local grain market on Monday. He directed for orderly procurement there and at all the 18 rural purchase centres of this area.

Mansa, September 30
Ludhiana clinched the overall trophy of the Punjab State Rural Games which concluded today at the Nehru Memorial College, Mansa. Gurdaspur won the Athletics trophy.

Nearly 2000 players from all districts of Punjab took part in the four-day event.

Balwinder Singh Bhunder general secretary of SAD was the chief guest at the concluding ceremony.

State sports director Pargat Singh congratulated all the participating and officials for successful organisation of the games.

Deputy commissioner Kumar Rahul and ADC Sukhwinder Singh distributed prizes among the winners.

SSP Manwinder Singh, SDM Gurjeet Singh Pannu, College principal N.K. Gupta and DEO (secondary) Harbans Singh Sandhu were present on this occasion.

Final results:

100-m sprint: 1 Parminder Singh of Ludhiana; 2 Venod Kumar of Ludhiana; 3 Vishwajeet Singh of Sangrur.

Archery: 1 Ferozepur; 2 Sangrur; 3 Muktsar.

Soccer: 1 Gurdaspur; 2 Mansa; 3 Hoshiarpur.

Hockey: 1 Amritsar; 2 Mansa; 3 Moga.

Kabaddi: 1 Ludhiana, 2 Mansa; 3 Tarantarn.

Kho- Kho: 1 Jalandhar; 2 Ludhiana; 3 Bathinda.

Volleyball: 1 Ludhiana; 2 Amritsar; 3 Sangrur.

Wrestling: 1 Jalandhar; 2 Amritsar; 3 Gurdaspur.

High jump: 1 Gurdaspur; 2 Bathinda; 3 Hoshiarpur.

Bathinda, September 30
Yet another male bastion is breached. This time, a woman is filling fuel at a local petrol pump and that too with a smile on her face. She works 12 hours a day and doesn't mind doing the job.

"I don't shy away from doing any kind of work as long as it is decent. So what if I am a woman and working at a filling station. I think it is better than whiling away time at home and becoming a burden on everyone," said Anju Arora, who fills petrol along with her male counterparts at a petrol pump in the city.

Clad in a navy blue and orange uniform, she has no regrets doing the job although she did not pick it up by choice. In fact, she enjoys her work.

Hailing from a poor family, Anju could study till standard X only. "My mother use to remain unwell and I had to leave my studies in between so that I could provide some help at home. I wanted to study as I was a good student and aimed at becoming a police officer like Kiran Bedi but…"

Anju is married for past eight years now. Her husband met with an accident and was rendered unable to work. Following which, she had to chip in to provide financial support to her family. "A woman is not someone who is delicate and fragile. She is a symbol of strength, tolerance and selflessness," she remarked.

Her job begins at 8 am and stretches till 8 pm. "It gives me satisfaction when I think that I am rearing my children and my husband,” Anju said.

When asked wasn't she advised against joining a petrol pump, she said, "My parents, brother and sisters advised me not to do it. But I went against their advice as I knew that at the end, it's only me who has to support my husband and children."

Anju revealed that she was determined to provide her two sons with better education so that they do not end up filling petrol like her.

Bathinda, September 30
The Punjab Legal Help Service (PLHS) organised a seminar at Bathinda jail.

The seminar aimed at creating awareness among inmates about the services given to them by PLHS.

District attorney Rakesh Soni conducted the seminar. The speaker said that the PLHS could provide free legal aid to inmates in terms of advocates and the cost of fighting cases would also be paid by the PLHS. These schemes come under Act 1987, section 12 and about 900 prisoners have been benefited through this scheme, speaker added.

Jail superintendent Darshan Singh Grewal and several others were also present at the seminar. 

Bathinda, September 30
An Income-Tax fair was organised at the Central Excise and Service Tax Range on Tuesday. Assistant commissioner of the Central Excise Division, Sangrur, M.L. Goel inaugurated the fair.

During the mela, issues concerning service tax registration were also settled. During the mela, 21 people got registration of service tax and nine got their registration cancelled.