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Village sans panchayat loses out on benefits
State teachers seek salaries
Ande Ka Funda
Rajasthan polls
20-20 National Open Cricket Tournament concludes
Got It
! : Jubilant members of the Sandhu XI after getting the trophy and a cash prize of Rs 51,000 from MLA Sunil Jakhar as winners of the 20-20 National Open Cricket Tournament in Abohar on Tuesday evening. Photo: Raj Sadosh
Cong MLAs flay Brar for ‘irresponsible’ statements
‘Langar sewa campaign only a political gimmick’
Cyber café owners told to maintain records
Cotton ginners on strike
Youth fest: Girls win laurels for college
LIC staff protest FDI ceiling
LS polls
One held with sedatives
Man commits suicide
9 hurt in mishap
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SCF protests denial of free travel facility
Bathinda, November 25 The students, who have been agitating against the alleged high-handedness of a section of private bus operators under the banner of Students' Common Front (SCF), were not stopped anywhere in the city. Leaders of different student organisations while addressing the rally alleged that instead of taking action against the erring bus operators, the district administration had been protecting them. They added that with the active patronage of the district administration, a section of the private bus operators had been indulging in hooliganism. They alleged that first the Punjab government made an unprecedented hike in the tuition fee and now they were being denied the concessional bus pass facility. "The Punjab government had been supporting the guilty transporters,” the students alleged. They said that now they had decided to take the guilty private bus operators head on as the authorities concerned had failed to take action against them despite repeated harassment. The students pointed out that if they could acquire the facility of concessional bus travel by making sacrifices, they could protect the same by more sacrifices in future. Later, they submitted a memorandum to district officials.
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Teachers to go on mass CL; dharna in Patiala
Bathinda, November 25 The teachers demanded that the report of the Punjab government's fifth pay commission be made public soon. They demanded that the basic pay of class IV employees should be be at least Rs 10,000 and the pay of other classes too should be increased accordingly. "We should be taken at par with the Central government employees of our level. The government is being unfair to us. Rising inflation and other factors are beyond our control. We need higher salaries to meet the growing demands," a teacher said. Till the time the pay commission recommendations get implemented, we must be given at least 10 per cent interim relief. They also demanded that the contributory pension scheme which was started in 2004 should be bunged. According to the scheme, all employees who joined in 2004 and later would not be entitled to pension after retirement. The teachers were demanding the implementation of the old pension scheme. Some serious corruption charges were levelled against the clerks working in the offices of the District Education Officer (DEO), both primary and secondary. "The clerks working in DEO office demand money on phone for doing our work. They say that they will not initiate any work till the teacher concerned gives them some money." On the other hand, the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers' Union members from Bathinda, Mansa, Barnala, Sangrur, Patiala, Ropar and Fathegarh Sahib would proceed on mass casual leave tomorrow and hold a mass dharna in Patiala. They alleged that almost 95 per cent of the grant-in-aid amount is not being released in time resulting in non-payment of regular salaries to these teachers. I In many small colleges, there are teachers who have not received their salary for the last few months. No regular teacher has been appointed since 2004 which has affected the students in a big way.
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Village sans panchayat loses out on benefits
Bathinda, November 25 Old people were not getting their pension and scholarships were denied to the children among other development related benefits. Finally, its panchayat was formed two days ago after some Akali leaders intervened and made the elected members reach a unanimous decision. Kothe Lal Singh Wala village did not have its panchayat because the elected people did not support each other. Five members were elected by the people of this village, when the last panchayat elections took place. The post of a sarpanch was reserved for a Dalit. Only one out of these five people was a Dalit. Those elected were Naib Singh, Lakhwinder Kaur, Harwinder Kaur, Ajaib Singh and Jagseer Singh. Once the elections were over, Naib Singh, being a Dalit was confident that he would become the sarpanch. But it did not happen so and he was disappointed when denied support. Once the elections are over, a district officer concerned along with a team visits the village and forms the panchayat after all the elected members announce support for any one out of the elected members. Malkiat Singh Bhullar, who had come with his team to form the panchayat of this village, had to go back disappointed because of indifference among the elected members. The team visited the village twice but the condition failed to improve. The other villages then started advising the members of Kothe Lal Singh Wala village to reach a unanimous decision and extend support to Naib Singh because he deserved it, and they were losing out on all the benefits being given by the government. Other villages had already got development grant twice but this village failed to do so. Finally, after the intervention of some Akali leaders, the village decided to opt for Naib Singh to take over as the sarpanch and wrote a letter to the deputy commissioner, Bathinda. On the deputy commissioner’s orders, Bhullar and his team reached the village and formed the panchayat about two days ago. "The members did not give their support to Naib Singh because he was a Dalit. We had been to the village twice before but could not form their panchayat. But recently, on DC's orders, after getting the information that the villagers have reached a common decision, we went and formed the panchayat two days back," Bhullar said. |
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State teachers seek salaries
Fazilka, November 25 According to available details, about 7,000 teachers working in government-aided schools, including middle, high and senior secondary, in the state have not been paid salaries since July 2008. The main reason stated is that the finance department has not released grant for these schools. Similarly, about 2,000 teachers, who were promoted as lecturers in the government senior secondary schools have also not been paid for past four months. These lecturers were elated on their promotion but their joy remained a short-lived affair as they are awaiting their salaries on revised scales. It is stated that the promotions of the lecturers have not been approved by the finance department so far. Besides, the government had appointed thousands of computer teachers in government middle, high and senior secondary schools to promote computer education about four years back. However, these teachers did not get their salaries regularly ever since their appointment. They have also not been paid since September this year. Gurcharan Singh Chahal, president of the Government-aided Teachers and Employees Union, Bihari Lal Doda, general secretary of the Pensioners’ Cell, and Raj Kishore Kalra, president of the Siksha Sudhar Committee, Punjab, in a joint statement said it was the prime duty of the government to disburse the salaries regularly. They demanded from the state government to formulate a policy so as to ensure regular disbursement of salaries to the teachers. |
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Ande Ka Funda
Bathinda, November 25 The prices of feed meal, which is a mix of maize and soya meal, have risen significantly forcing the government to ban the export of maize. The government is also considering banning soya meal exports soon for controlling the prices of poultry products. According to the Poultry Farmers Association (PFA), Punjab, after the recent ban on maize exports, the prices have fallen from Rs 9,600 per tonne prevailing two months back to Rs 8,700 per tonne. On the other hand, due to a significant rise in the export of soya meal, the prices have gone up to Rs 22,000 per tonne from Rs 16,000 per tonne prevalent six months back. "At present, we are selling eggs at the wholesale price of Rs 1.79 per egg while the input cost of the egg is around Rs 1.85 per egg. Thus, a price rise in poultry products is inevitable," H.S. Thind, president, PFA, informed. Similarly, according to PFA, the wholesale price of chicken is around Rs 46 per kg while the input cost is around Rs 48 per kg. The retail price of eggs in Punjab is in the range of Rs 30-34 per dozen while chicken is sold at around Rs 100-110 per kg. "If the input costs do not go down soon, the prices of chicken and eggs would go up by 10-20 per cent," Thind said.
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Cong steps up campaign, PM to address rally on December 1
Raj Sadosh
Hanumangarh/Abohar, November 25 Sources in the Congress indicated that former Punjab CM Rajinder Kaur Bhattal would be addressing election rallies in Sangria on November 28 and Hanumangarh on November 29. Union minister and Haryana leader Shelja has planned rallies for Wednesday in Peelibanga, Hanumangarh and Sangaria constituencies. Interestingly, no rebel is contesting election against the official nominees from Hanumangarh and Nohar segments. Congress last night announced expulsion of former legislator Gurmeet Singh Kunnar for contesting from Srikaranpur, formidable rebel Gurdeep Singh “Shahpeeni” deputy district chief for contesting against party candidate Dr Param Navdeep in Sangria and Rajinder Bhadoo, who is contesting as an independent against the Congress nominee, Gangajal Meel in Suratgarh constituency. The supporters of the rebels, however, looked undeterred over the disciplinary action. “We are opposing Param as she is not a resident of Sangria segment and Gangajal Meel (Suratgarh) had shifted his loyalty twice during past six years to watch his commercial interest,” a senior rebel worker rued. The Sangaria born Param said during a meeting in the village Meharwala near Tibbi, “So what if I am married to a senior police officer. Only unsocial elements should be scared of the police.” In Suratgarh, one comes across street corner meetings of the official party candidates with thin attendance, which rings alarm bells for the Congress as well as the BJP in some pockets. Similar situation emerges in Srikaranpur segment where Kunnar presents tough fight to the official candidate Jagtar Singh Kang. Another interesting factor is that the political activists who had been maintaining a distance with common persons are now found mixing in the gatherings and shower affection for the shabbily dressed voters also.
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20-20 National Open Cricket Tournament concludes Our Correspondent
Abohar, November 25 The winners received Glittering Trophy and Rs 51,000 in cash amidst thunderous applause by hundreds of citizens from local legislator, Sunil Jakhar, who had promoted the series through Chander Cricket Club as part of his “Nashon Se Door, Khelon ki Aur” campaign. He along with another legislator and former minister for sports Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi stepped into the stadium to a warm welcome at about 3.45 pm and remained present till sun set to enjoy spectacular fireworks show. Jakhar honoured the runners-up Kings XI with a trophy and Rs 25,000 cash prize. Sandhu XI’s Jatinder Singh got Rs 11,000 prize as a man of the series for scoring 106 runs and taking seven wickets in all. Sumit of Kings XI Patiala was adjudged the best batsman while Karan and Kaashi of the same team were declared the best wicketkeeper and best fielder respectively. Varun Sandhu of Sandhu XI was adjudged the best bowler. He won the prize as man of the match in the final too. Notably, this was the first tournament in which top Ranji stars played for about 20 teams from different states. Coordinator Rajinder Girdhar, principal of the Homoeopathic Medical College, said free lodging and boarding arrangements were made for all the teams who had made it to this remote town.
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Cong MLAs flay Brar for ‘irresponsible’ statements
Abohar, November 25 Reacting sharply to aspersions reportedly cast by Brar during a social visit here yesterday, Abohar MLA Sunil Jakhar and Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi legislator from Guruharsahai constituency said that they don’t need certificate on their integrity from anyone. Brar was quoted by a section of vernacular media as having blamed “traitors” within the party for his defeat in the last Lok Sabha polls. A few scribes, who spoke to Brar on Monday here, had also reported that he had been given green signal for contesting from Ferozepur Lok Sabha constituency since his home town Muktsar was part of it now due to delimitation. While speaking to newsmen in the Nehru Stadium here during the final match of 20-20 National Open this evening, Sodhi and Jakhar said that Brar had taken a lead from their respective assembly segments in the last election. But he had remained cut off from the electorate for the last five years. Brar neither cared for the flood-affected people of Ferozepur nor spoke for the people of Abohar and Fazilka, who were denied water by the present state government. Transfer of his hometown to this constituency does not entitle him to stake a claim. Brar being a senior party activist should avoid making irresponsible statements to catch space in the print media, they observed. |
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‘Langar sewa campaign only a political gimmick’
Abohar, November 25 Commenting on her recent
tours to mobilise the SAD-BJP workers for collecting ration to serve at Golden Temple, the MLAs said Mrs Badal was actually busy in damage-control exercise since the ruling alliance had suffered much in the Malwa region and the political leadership of the alliance felt disillusioned even after concentrating on Bathinda and Patiala. “She should better understand the universal formula of ‘Nar Sewa Narayan Sewa’ and give relief to thousands of people, who were crying hoarse against rampant corruption, social injustice, poor law and order situation, scarcity of water for drinking and irrigation besides malpractices by the SAD-BJP workers at the grassroots,” they suggested. |
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Cyber café owners told to maintain records
Fazilka, November 25 According to the inspector, no unidentified person shall be allowed to operate the cyber café. Besides, it has been made mandatory for the café operators to maintain a register recording the entries of the visitors. A photocopy of the identity of the user shall also be kept as record. He further directed that for establishing the identity of the user, voter-card, identity card, ration card, passport, driving licence and photo credit card would be the approved documents. Along with this, the usage time of Internet or e-mail would have to be mentioned in the register. The SHO has also directed the cyber café operators that if they suspected the activities of a user, they should inform the police at once. They have also been instructed to preserve the record so that it may be produced when required. |
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Cotton ginners on strike
Bathinda, November 25 Bansal stated that ginners were suffering Rs 150 per quintal in view of the cotton realization of cotton bales and cotton seed amid depressed global markets. The cotton MSP for Punjab is fixed at Rs 2,800 per quintal, higher by 40 per cent over the last year's price.
— TNS |
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Youth fest: Girls win laurels for college
Bathinda, November 25 The students of this college participated in collage making, on-the-spot painting, still life, poster making, group song,
shabad, folk song, instrumental music and folk dance (Luddi). In folk song, Amanjot bagged second position. She also bagged the individual third position in
shabad. In folk dance, Poonam Deep Kaur bagged the first position and Sapna Khanna bagged the third position. On this occasion, principal S.S. Sangha, the management and the staff congratulated the students. |
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LIC staff protest FDI ceiling
Bathinda, November 25 The protesters raised slogans disapproving the policy of liberalisation and FDI. They also staged a dharna at which the speakers condemned the management for its negative attitude towards the demand for wage revision. Regional secretary of the Northern Zone Insurance Employees Association
K.K. Sharma said the twin policies were neither in the favour of the country nor the employees. Association members said though the finance minister had stated that the government would not interfere with administrative jobs of the LIC management, it was creating hurdles in the settlement of wage revision. |
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LS polls
Mansa, November 25 He said the economic crisis in the country had proved the Left parties right. The crisis was a part of capitalist system, Dyal added. He further said the communal forces in the country, particularly the Hindu organisations belonging to the BJP, had been posing a danger to the unity and the integrity of the country. Meanwhile, National Council member Hardev Singh Arshi in his address said the party would support the secular forces that were against the communal forces.
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One held with sedatives
Fazilka, November 25 Giving details, CIA staff in-charge Amarjit Singh said ASI Sanbeer Singh searched one Ashish Kumar, a resident here, carrying a bag near the cinema on suspicion and recovered 23 boxes of spasmo proxivon, 25 boxes of proxivon, 45 boxes of patmolspas, four boxes of trika, a box of alprazolam, three boxes of mircrolit, 10 packets of finotil and six boxes of oxytocin. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered.
— OC
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Man commits suicide
Bathinda, November 25 |
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