Moga, December 9
Hundred per cent subsidy of power to the agriculture sector for irrigation purposes by the PSEB as per the state government’s policy does not seem to affect much finances of the board, if we go by its annual collection data.

The subsidy to agriculture sector comprises only 20 per cent of the total revenue collection of the board. The main sources of income are the collections from domestic and commercial consumers that comprise about 80 per cent of the total revenue.

However, the actual collections come around only 40 to 50 per cent from the domestic and commercial consumers while the rest goes in “bad accounts” in the form of power theft, non-recovery of payments and frauds leading to unnecessary litigations.

Board official P.K. Bansal, chief engineer, Human Resource Development, told The Tribune here that the board was taking steps to make 100 per cent revenue collections from the consumers by modernising the system.

He was of the view that if the board managed to collect even 80 or 90 per cent of the bills without any pilferage in the form of power thefts it would not face any financial crisis even if the subsidy to agriculture sector continues as per the government’s policy.

He said energy saving through the use of CFLs could save on money needed to set up more power plants.

Harinder Singh Brar, member, distribution, said if 50 lakh domestic consumers use CFLs, there would be a saving of at least 600 MW of power.

It would also cut down on domestic consumers’ bills by 70 to 80 per cent.

Similarly, there were 10 lakh electric water pumps in the state and usually two bulbs were installed in the rooms housing these water pumps. If farmers use CFLs in these rooms, it would save at least 150 MW of power, automatically cutting down on subsidised power by 300 million units annually.

Ferozepur, December 9
Former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh today cautioned the people of the state against simmering terrorism being orchestrated by the neighbouring country, for which, he said that it was important to have a secular and stable government to counter the nefarious designs of the anti-national forces which could only be provided by the Congress, he added.

Singh was addressing a large public gathering at a banquet hall here, which was attended by virtually the who's who of the district Congress leaders, who today managed to put a united front and minced no words while lauding the leadership of the former CM.

All the senior Congress leaders of the district, including Sunil Jakhar, Naresh Kataria, both MLA's, Ravinder Singh Sandhu, Mohinder Rinwa, Hans Raj Jossan, Prakash Bhatti, Balmukand Sharma, all ex-MLA's, former MP Jagmeet Brar , Anumeet Sodhi, son of Rana Gurmeet Sodhi, PPCC general secretary Raminder Awla, major H.S. Bhullar, former OSD besides galaxy of Congressmen from other parts of the state participated in the rally today.

Former CM lambasted the chief minister Parkash Singh Badal for promoting dynastic politics and ignoring the interests of the people of the state.

Bathinda, December 9
It may sound strange but it is true that one-fourth of the food samples taken during the Divali festival in the state were found to be adulterated. Taking a serious notice of this, the state's Health Department today flayed the individuals and officials conniving with those involved in food adulteration in the state.

Dr A.K. Khullar, assistant director (foods), health directorate, Punjab, expressed concern over the large-scale adulteration of milk in the state. Talking to TNS here today, he informed that out of the 316 milk samples taken during Divali in the state as many as 74 were found to be adulterated and unfit for human consumption by the health department.

It included the renowned 'desi ghee' producing companies also, Khullar added.

In all, 38 'desi ghee' samples were taken during the period and 18 of them failed the test.

According to a preliminary report of the team, including the health department, it appeared that the dairy development department and the district food and civil supplies department aimed at completing the quota fixed for collecting samples as they were not officially aware of any prosecution results of failed samples. On the other hand, the dairy department seemed only interested in creating public awareness about adulteration without adopting a proactive role in curbing the menace, said the official.

He said there was no coordination among the departments concerned. Not even with the prosecution agency, and that was the reason that the offenders could not be prosecuted. "Therefore, we cannot rule out the possibility of connivance among officials and the alleged offenders," the official pointed out.

Khullar said he would approach the higher authorities for prosecuting the guilty, including milk vendors and officials of health department. 

Bathinda, December 9
The members of the ex-servicemen wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal met here today and appealed to the ex-servicemen of the state to gather on December 12 to pay homage to Baba Nand Singh at his birth place, Bahadurpur. Nand is the only Indian to get a Victoria Cross, the highest bravery award given by the British government. He has also been awarded with the MVC, the second highest bravery award in war given by the Indian government.

Col P.S. Phulka, national president of the wing, said, “Once you get a Victoria Cross, you don’t go to fight again. But Nand went and sacrificed his life while fighting in the valley’s Uri sector on December 12, 1947.”

He said, “Major Mann, president of the wing in Mansa district, has been working hard for December 12 and I appeal to all ex-servicemen of the state to come forward and pay homage to the great martyr.”

The national president said they pay homage to Nand every year and this time it would be bigger than before as it is his 60th death anniversary.

Recalling Nand’s sacrifice, the ex-servicemen said paying homage to him was like a pilgrimage to them. It would be a pious journey for them and they would be honouring all those related to Baba Nand Singh.

The members also condemned the Karnataka Chief Minister’s remark that even dogs would not have gone to the Major Unnikrishnan’s house if he would not have died while fighting militants in Mumbai. “We were shocked at his remark. It was humiliating to all serving and retired officers of the Army,” Col Phulka said.

The members said that every year, they used to gather at the Fauji chowk in the city to pay tributes to Baba Nand Singh. But it led to traffic snarls at the chowk. So this time it was decided to organise the ceremony in his village Bahadurpur.

The members also announced that the government was running classes for those who want to join the armed forces. The classes are being run at the district sainik welfare office in the city. They also highlighted some of the issues related to Bahadurpur village.

“Baba Nand Singh always wanted that drinking water supply is made available to his village. It has been 60 years since he died but the facility has not reached his village,” Col Gill said.

A member said, “The villagers also want that a sainik school be opened up at Bahadurpur, for which land would be provided by them. A suitable memorial should also be made at the village so that it motivates the young lot to join the forces.”

Major Karnail Singh, district president of the wing, Col B.S. Gill and Capt R.S. Dhaliwal, members of the organising committee, would also be present on the occasion.

Bathinda, December 9
The Muslims in Bathinda today prayed for those who died in the Mumbai terror attacks and those affected by the dastardly acts on the occasion of Eid-ul-Zuha (Bakar-eid).

Maulvi Mohammad Ramzan Naini Ashrafi said, “We held a meeting and decided that we would offer ‘namaz’ on the day because it’s Allah’s order. But we did not celebrate the occasion. We wore black ribbons to condemn the Mumbai attacks. Around 10, 000 people gathered to pray for those, who lost their lives.” — TNS

Mansa, December 9
The Punjab Kisan Union (PKU) on Monday submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister through deputy commissioner, Mansa. A delegation of farmers leader led by state president of the PKU, Ruldu Singh, met the DC and submitted a memorandum of their charter of demands, which included further cut in fuel prices, rate for crop as per the recommendation of price commission as Rs 1050.

In the memorandum, they stressed that the CCI is yet to start purchasing at the market in Bhikhi. — OC

Bathinda, December 9
The Science Express, train which hosts a science exhibition, is all set to revisit Bathinda. The train will reach at the station on December 13 in the morning for a three-day halt. The train would depart on December 15 in the evening, sources in the railway confirmed.

It may be mentioned that the train, which has 13 coaches showcasing scientific models and research works, had been in Bathinda also on its three-day tour, in the last week of May this year.

The train is showcasing the research work done by India in the field of science and technology.

Vikram A Sarabhai from Community Science Centre is maintaining the train.

Bathinda, December 9
With the arrest of three persons, the Bathinda police today claimed to have busted a fake currency racket.

About five days back, the police had arrested two persons, allegedly for circulating fake currency notes in Bathinda.

On December 5, it nabbed another accused from Shimla along with the printing material.

The police said Kuldeep Singh of Kotdi Khakhian village in Jalandhar and Darshan Singh of Mehma Sarja in Bathinda were caught and 10,000 notes of the denomination of Rs 100 were recovered from their possession.

Following the information received through interrogation, the police nabbed one Mast Ram of Shimla district along with fake currency of Rs 55,000 besides the currency notes of Rs 76,500 that were in the process of printing.

The case had been registered on December 2 under various sections of the IPC at the cantonment police station.

The police disclosed that Kuldeep was already an accused in some heinous crimes.

It further said two more accomplices of the group were still absconding.