Bathinda, November 21
The local administration sleeps over various problems caused by fly ash as the city reels under a serious health hazard. Fly ash is being dumped in and around the city by contractors responsible for disposing it of.

Fly ash is causing health problems like itching, allergies, asthma and related health problems to those staying in the city. Leave aside humans, even animals are showing signs of itching diseases caused by the fly ash. One can see heaps of fly ash spread in Beant Singh Nagar where daily wagers and labourers reside.

Residents of the area alleged that some people got the fly ash dumped here. "We were told this is cement and there were a lot of open ditches here, so we thought of getting them filled up. When we started getting allergies, we enquired about it and were told that it is ash generated by the thermal plant in the city. Some trucks had come here around two months back and dumped the ash. We can't stop them and even if we do, who is going to listen to us," Jagdish Ram, a cobbler living in the area, said.

Jaswinder, a chemist on the Power House road, said, "Around 20 patients come to take medicines for allergies and breathing problem from this area everyday. People here are unaware of the hazards posed by fly ash. According to them, it is normal ash. Some of them know about it but in spite of several complaints, the administration has failed to take any action."

The city reels under a thick layer of fly ash, especially in the evening hours, when fly ash dust is raised because of the wind. Residents also complained that stray dogs have also been noticed to suffer from itching.

Since these animals move around in residential areas, it poses a health hazard to everyone, especially children, who play around.

Diseased dogs have been spotted in areas near Thermal Plant like Green Avenue, Tagore Nagar and Vishal Nagar. Chicken and fish is sold in Beant Singh Nagar. But because of the prevalence of fly ash, the threat of infection again looms large.

"A lot of people belonging to the cantonment buy meat from us because it is close by," a chicken vendor stated.

A rickshaw puller Naseeb Das told the TNS that the residents have informed about the fly ash to the area's municipal councillor Assisar Paswan and alleged that he was hand-in-glove with the contractors who dispose of fly ash in this area. Paswan, on the other hand said, "I don't charge anything from anybody. The charges are false and I would get the ash lifted from here soon."

Convener of the Joint Action Committee M.M. Behl said, "We have written to the chief engineer and the district administration many times about the problems caused by the fly ash but no action was initiated. If the fly ash menace is not curbed, then the health hazard will go on unchecked. Doctors charge a hefty fee these days and the poor can not afford to visit a doctor often.

“We have told the administration to ensure that ammonia flu gas system and ESP installed at the thermal plants work properly, but to no avail. Cheap quality coal is being supplied to the plants which add to the problem. We have been fighting for this for the past four years but no one is listening. We plan to carry out mass rallies in the first week of December if this menace is not curbed."

Satwant Singh Aulakh, PRO, GNDTP thermal plant stated, "The joint action committee has not sent any notice to us. Two units of the plant have been renovated and tenders for renovating two more units have been floated. An affidavit has also been given in the High Court by the chairman that the pollution would be over in 2009 or 2010."

"We are doing our best to curb the pollution. The norms of the Punjab Pollution Control Board are being followed by us. Unit III and IV has outlived their existence and unit IV would be shut down next year for renovation and modernisation," engineer H.P. Singh from the plant added.

Bathinda, November 21
The president of the Ferozepur district consumer disputes redressal forum, Sanjay Garg, today ordered three officers of a gram panchayat to pay from their pocket a compensation of Rs 9,000 to a farmer, who was not handed over a piece of shamlat land for cultivation although he had deposited the auction amount of Rs 14,000.

The farmer, Kuldip Singh, had filed a complaint in the forum that he was denied handing over of the land of the gram panchayat of village Karian Pehalwan that was put to open auction for cultivation during the current year.

Relying on various judgments of the Supreme Court and other courts, Garg ordered the three officers, Bakshish Singh, administrator of the panchayat, Gurcharan Singh, panchayat officer and Sukhwinder Singh, panchayat secretary, to pay a compensation of Rs 9,000 to Kuldip Singh as punitive damages and each of them would contribute Rs 3,000 each. The amount shall be paid by them personally and not from the government funds.

The department concerned would refund the amount deposited by Kuldip Singh along with an interest of 9 per cent per annum from the date of deposit till realisation.

He observed that the panchayat officers were not statutory and contractually bound either to give the possession of the land or to refund the amount deposited by the complainant, who is a poor agriculturist, but also morally and socially bound to do so because of their duty as public servants.

Garg ordered that if any of these panchayat officer was transferred to some other place, then the amount of Rs 14,000 along with the interest will be refunded by the respective newly appointed officer.

Bathinda, November 21
The three-day Virasat Mela today kicked off to a colourful start with a heritage march being organized from Baba Haji Rattan's dargah to Jaipalgarh village.

A procession showcasing the different facets of Punjabi culture, including Sath, Trinjan, gatka, marriage customs, Jago, Makkan (mourning group), etc was carried out in the main markets of this town to mark the beginning of Virasat Mela being organised by the Malwa Heritage Foundation in Jaipalgarh village adjoining the Sports Stadium.

Bedecked elephants, camels and horses with youths dressed in traditional Punjabi attire riding them were leading the procession. Majestic chariots flanked by band parties also attracted people's attention. Various troupes of boys and girls performed Giddah and Bhangra atop tractor-trailers.

Traditional items like flour grinder and distillery used to extract jaggery were also put up in the tableaux. Students of local colleges and a local troupe displayed their 'gatka' skills. 'Dhadis' and 'Kavishars' too participated in the march. This time, an attempt was made to rope in artistes from states like Rajasthan and Haryana for the procession.

People showed great enthusiasm and greeted the march at various points. Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tewari, and the members of the Malwa Heritage Foundation, were presented 'siropas' at the Cloth Market when the march passed through the Mall Road. Sweets were distributed among those taking part in the procession.

On the first day, the parade assembled at `Nambardaran Di Haveli' in Jaipalgarh village. A special village, named "virasati pind'', made of mud and bricks covered with thatched rooftops, portraying the rural Punjab was laid at the village.

"I read about it. Here I personally saw the courtyard well, old vessels, farming equipment and a lot more," says Pawittar Singh, a visitor.

The fair also has a special attraction for food lovers. One can taste fresh `sarson da saag' and `makki di roti'. This delicacy is served with `Chatti di Lassi' and `gur'.

"All this is very much appreciated as such fairs showcase our rich cultural heritage. The traditional food like `karhi-chawal' and `sarson da saag' and makki di roti' is far better than fast food. Such fairs should be organised on a larger scale,'' says Brahm Chawla, another visitor. As a special attraction, a mushaira would be organised tonight at the mela. Punjabi folk singers would also enthral the audience. 

Bathinda, November 21
Every year at the Virasat Mela, college teams are invited to perform cultural activities on the occasion. But this year, only two college teams have arrived to perform at the mela.

Government Rajindra College authorities said, "Our team will not be going this year because the arrangement for the participating teams is not up to the mark. A senior official had announced that only those teams that took part in the August 15 and January 26 functions would be eligible to take part in Virasat Mela and we had not participated in these functions. The teams showcase the state's culture which requires funds. The mela attracts a lot of funds every year but nothing is given to the participating teams for the preparations. The students who attended the mela before had complained that there were no arrangements for food and water. So, we are not sending our team this time."

Around 50 students from city's Vivekanand College are participating and according to them, people on the way served eatables and water to all the teams.

"Shopkeepers and others gave biscuits to us and served us water at Mall road. The organisers arranged for tea and breakfast for the participants but we had breakfast and lunch on our own," Maninder Kaur from Vivekanand College said.

According to sources, the organisers are supposed to give funds to every participating team. Raj Gupta, principal of Vivekanand College, said, "We did not take any funds from the organisers. The authorities concerned do provide food at the mela." On the other hand, some people alleged that last year, those who had come from far off places had to suffer due to severe cold as no proper arrangement for lodging was made. College teams went without water for the entire day, they said.

K.P. Brar, an organiser at Virasat told the TNS that proper arrangements for food and water had been made for everyone.

"We sent an invitation to every college to take part in the mela but only two colleges responded. We organise breakfast, lunch and dinner for all the participants. Coupons are distributed to every participant for food. The colleges have to inform us that they are interested in taking part in the mela but only two teams came forward."

Bathinda, November 21
Two lovers made an unsuccessful bid to end their lives here today by consuming some poisonous substance. They were rushed to local civil hospital, where doctors attending on them, referred the duo to a private hospital, the police said.

Jasbir Singh, an ASI with Model Town police post, said Jaswinder Kaur, a resident of Bibiwala village, was studying with Sikander Singh in a local school, a resident of Housing Board Colony in Model Town and wanted to marry her. Parents of the duo were against their marriage.

According to the police, some residents found the two in an unconscious condition and rushed them to the local civil hospital. Later, they were referred to a private hospital where their condition was stated to be critical.

Bathinda, November 21
To meet the growing power demands of the state, the PSEB has signed a power purchase agreement with four private hydel projects developers, which would install eight micro hydel projects in the state. G.S. Sra, member, generation, PSEB, said in a press release here today. Initially, the agreement is for 30 years and the cost of purchase will be Rs 3.49 to Rs 3.70 per unit. Eight such projects were being installed in Muktsar, Mansa and Gurdaspur districts. 

One project each would be set up at village Ralla (Mansa) and at UBDC (Gurdaspur). Besides, six would be at villages Sotha, Khanpur, Sudhar, Akhara, Gholian and Channuwal (Muktsar). The projects would add 12.725 MW to Punjab’s power generation. Sra pointed out that the hydel projects would spare displacement and deforestation. — TNS

Bathinda, November 21
Government Rajindra College honoured the meritorious students who won laurels for the college at the youth festival held at Punjabi University in Patiala from November 12 to 14. Around 176 colleges from Bathinda, Sangrur, Mansa, Fathegarh Sahib, Ropar and Patiala zones had participated.

Rajindra College stood third in the fest and got a trophy along with gold medals.

Those who were awarded were Asha Rani, Poonam Rani, Garima Goel, Kavita Gupta from installation team and in group shabad Mohit Garg, Sukhjinder Singh, Gurjit Singh, Lovepreet Singh, Jaspal Singh and Shamsher Singh got awarded.

Garima and Poonam said, "We are thankful to our teachers for motivating us to do well." Asha and Kavita added that, "We thank our teachers Jyotsna, Inderjeet and Parveen who stood by us throughout the event."

Bathinda, November 21
The trials for contestants from Muktsar zone for the Miss World Panjaban-2008 would be held on December 2 at Bawa Nihal Singh B.Ed College, Muktsar, a press release issued here today said. The event is being organised by Sabhyacharak Sathh, Punjab.

Giving details, Jasmer Singh Dhatt, chairman-director, said girls between 17 to 25 years and residing or studying in Ferozepur, Bathinda, Faridkot, Mansa and Muktsar could fill their entry forms on the spot. During the prelims, folk dance in traditional dress and cultural knowledge of the participants would be judged.

Winners will be given Miss Punjab titles on district-level. The final contest would be held on December 19 at Jalandhar. — TNS

Sriganganagar/Abohar, November 21
Even when most of the women attending corner meetings keep their faces covered as per tradition, their participation in electioneering has increased as compared to 2003 elections, a healthy sign for women’s empowerment. Another interesting factor is that in most street corner meetings, the number of minor children surpass that of eligible voters since the minors expect sweets or fruits to be distributed.

However, the district returning officers have cautioned the candidates against frequent weighing against fruits/sweets. As it could attract security risk besides action for organising such meetings without informing the administration, sources said.

Initially, Tara Devi Sahu, wife of BJP candidate Ram Partap had led the BJP Mahila Morcha workers in campaigning. But now Vijay Chaudhary, wife of the sitting MLA, Congress candidate Vinod Kumar has not only activated the Mahila Congress but of her own through fast campaigning. She addresses street meetings and then knocks at each door to convince people that even when the BJP was in power her husband had succeeded in solving most of the development related problems in Hanumangarh constituency. She asks women to ensue an end to the saffron rule of “lathi and goli” reminding that farmers in Hanumangarh and Sriganganagar districts had to cry themselves hoarse for canal water for five days and face lathicharge besides firing during the agitations.

None of the political parties had ever fielded a woman candidate in Sriganganagar constituency whereas the Congress and BJP this time chose to field women, Param Navdeep and Damyanti Beniwal, respectively, in Sangaria segment of Hanumangarh district though the constituency falls in general category. Interestingly, Kiran Soni Gupta was considered most efficient district collectors in Sriganganagar. Hanumangarh also has got a woman, Mugdha Sinha, as DC. The Election Commission has also appointed a senior woman IAS officer Jyanti Shrinivasan Ravi as observer for Hanumangarh.

Sriganganagar/Abohar, November 21
Eunuchs are being approached by different candidates to intensify their respective election campaigns in selected pockets across Sriganganagar district.

Notably, Basanti Sharma was the first eunuch to hit the headlines when she contested and won by a heavy margin in the Sriganganagar municipal council elections about 13 years ago.

BSP candidate Arjun Meghwal in Raisinghnagar constituency has taken a lead in winning over eunuchs this time. He has appointed Jyoti, head of the eunuchs’ dera, as vice-president of the city unit of the party claiming that his party was above caste, creed, gender and religion. He along with Jyoti Maai (the head is called as Maai) toured Vijaynagar and some villages on Thursday to mobilise support.

Besides eunuchs, the members of the Bawri community are also in good number in the rural areas, most of them are living in dwellings for over a decade. They have fielded two candidates. Both are dissidents, one from the BJP and the other from the Congress. But their organisation, during a meeting in Padampur, remained indecisive as the census was that after making tall promises during the elections, neither the Congress nor the BJP had made any effort for their welfare.

Sikligeers and Sansi are other communities, who had been shifting their tents from one place to the other but their rehabilitation remained an unfulfilled promise. Intriguingly, most of the raids conducted by the police to check manufacturing of illicit weapons besides drugs exposed members of these communities. However, they remain important players in elections, sources indicated. — OC

Gidderbaha (Muktsar), November 21
“The Punjab government has released the first instalment of Rs 2.64 crore for the cleanliness of ponds in the villages falling under Gidderbaha constituency,” stated Manpreet Singh Badal, Punjab finance minister, while speaking at three different functions held in Daula, Peori and Bharu villages here today.

He said the Central government, after collecting taxes, should bear half the burden of the state governments so that they could run development and public welfare schemes in their states in a better way.

Elaborating the economic crunch, the finance minister said the condition of other states was no better than Punjab and the 30 per cent financial aid to states by the Centre was meagre.

He informed that in order to get more financial aid from the Centre, a meeting of the finance ministers of all the states would be held on December 15.

Badal made it clear that if any officer or employee of the treasury office was found to be involved in corruption he would not be spared.

Speaking on the implementation of the recommendations of the pay commissions by the state governments, the finance minister said the Central government should bear the burden by paying half the amount to state pay commissions as their respective annual plans might not suffer much.

Later, Badal announced a grant of Rs 18.50 lakh to Daula village, Rs 22 lakh to Peori village and Rs 10 lakh to Bharu village for developmental works.

Among others present on the occasion were Gurpal Singh Gora, Navtej Singh Kauni, SGPC members, Gurdial Kaur Mallan and Surjit Singh, chairman, market committee, Gidderbaha.