Maur Mandi (Bathinda),January 11
A day after expressing resentment over the Union government’s decision to extend the industrial package to hill states, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal termed the old rail network of Punjab as an hindrance to the growth of its industry.

During his visit to the district for the second consecutive day, Sukhbir said Punjab was dealing with ancient railway network, which had been affecting the growth of industry in the region. The rail network needed immediate upgradation, he added.

In the wake of upcoming oil refinery, thermal power plants and ancillary industry in Punjab, especially in Malwa, Sukhbir said he would personally request Union Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee to double various rail lines as well as electrification of the railway tracks.

The list procured from officials stated that Sukhbir wanted the upgradation of the Delhi-Bathinda via Jakhal-Mansa, the Delhi-Bathinda via Patiala-Rajpura-Ambala, which would link the Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant at Lehra Mohabbat, the Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant at Bathinda and the Gidderbaha thermal plant, along with the Delhi-Bathinda via Sirsa-Hisar (linking the Guru Gobind Singh Oil Refinery and Talwandi Sabo thermal plant).

Talking to media, Sukhbir said he would impress upon the Union Railway Minister to announce these projects as well as the Delhi-Bathinda Shatabadi via Mansa and Jakhal in the ensuing Rail Budget in February 2010 so that the projects scheduled to be commissioned in 2012 could get the maximum benefit of the upgraded railway network.

Sukhbir claimed that after Bhakhra project, the Guru Gobind Singh Oil Refinery in Bathinda was the first multi-thousand crore project that came in Punjab post-Independence of the country.

Taking a dig over the previous Congress government, Sukhbir said, “It is the SAD-led government, which brought the mega projects like refinery for the development of the state even as the Congress tried to scuttle the project.”

Sukhbir reiterated his commitment to commission all major projects till 2012.

Bathinda, January 11
In the wake of the ETT teachers’ warning to lodge a protest at the political conference to be held in Muktsar on January 13, the state government allegedly imposed a restriction to grant them leave before the day.

Activists of the ETT teachers Union, Punjab today termed the development as stabbing them in back. They said on the one hand, police officials had assured them of arranging a meeting with the Deputy CM and on the other hand, the government restricted the leave of ETT teachers employed in the schools under the Zila Parishads so that none of them could reach Muktsar to hold protest.

Speaking over the issue, senior vice-president of the association Swaranjeet Singh Bhagta said they would surely lodge a protest at the Maghi conference in Muktsar if the government did not accept their demands.

Meanwhile, he alleged that the police had been rounding up their colleagues even when they were teaching in schools. However, chairperson of the Bathinda Zila Parishad Rajwinder Kaur has refuted the allegations.

In a press statement, Rajwinder condemned the agitation of the ETT teachers and termed their demand for transfer the governance of their institutes to the state education department as an ‘unwanted controversy’.

She stated that it was the 73rd and 74th amendment of the Indian Constitution, under which these teachers were made answerable to the Panchayti Raj. The motive behind the amendment was to achieve the target of elementary education.

Bathinda, January 11
The Punjab Cotton Factories & Ginners’ Association today announced to call off their statewide strike following the assurance by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to resolve the matter through talks.

Accusing the state government of discriminating between small and mega projects, regarding exemptions in the market fee and rural development fund (RDF), the association activists had been observing an indefinite boycott of the cotton auctions throughout the state mandis since January 1.

Moreover, the agitators were not even allowing the government agencies to stock the purchased crop in their factories.

Giving information of the development over phone from Chandigarh, president of the association Bhagwan Bansal today said the CM assured them of resolving the matter with discussion. “Considering our memorandum, the CM immediately summoned the heads of all departments concerned for January 18 at the Punjab Bhawan, Chandigarh, when our demands would probably be accepted. Following the development, we have announced to call off the strike,” claimed Bansal.

“Despite running in deficit, we pay fee and taxes (four per cent of the purchase rate) to the state government, which amounts to the difference of Rs 130-140 per quintal of cotton. Resultantly, we are rendered incapable to compete with mega projects,” said member of the association Kailash Garg.

Speaking over the issue, other members of the association said they demanded a uniform policy of the state government in giving tax relaxation otherwise they (the small unit holders) would not be able to survive and about 300 ginning mills would be closed throughout the state and about 35,000 labourers would be left in lurch.

Bathinda, January 11
Members and activists of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Sidhupur), led by district senior vice-president of the union Baldev Singh Gehri Bhagi, held a rally in support of their demands near the Mini-secretariat here today. They also raised slogans highlighting their demands to put pressure on the government for its acceptance.

The protesters were demanding payment of Rs 50 per quintal bonus on paddy announced by the government during previous paddy procurement season, make arrangements for providing urea fertiliser immediately, stop arrests of farmers for not repaying loan instalments, scrap the Central Electricity Act 2003, stop privatisation of the Punjab State Electricity Board and repair drains (Pucca khals) constructed for irrigating fields. They also submitted a memorandum enlisting their demands to the administration for sending it to the Punjab Government.

Bathinda, January 11
Conceding the long-pending demand of the residents of Tapa Mandi and its adjoining areas, the Northern Railway has decided to stop the 4731 Bathinda Express at Tapa Mandi from January 11 onwards.

The 4731 Bathinda express that runs between Delhi and Bathinda via Ambala, starts its journey at 14.15 and reaches Bathinda at 22.15. According to the senior divisional commercial manager, Ambala division, Karan Singh, the train would now make a halt at Tapa Mandi station at 20.50.

Residents of the areas welcoming the railway move term the same as lohri gift to the commuters.

Train commuters of the region expressed hope that the Northern Railway would continue to fulfil their demands regarding between connectivity.

Ferozepur, January 11
The Local Military Authorities (LMA) under the patronage of Major General Rajan Bakshi, GOC, Golden Arrow Division have embarked on a massive drive to give a facelift to all the important places of this historic border town which, hitherto, wore an agrarian and deserted look.

Under the drive, all the roundels and main roads of the cantonment besides entry and exit points are being spruced up and given a fresh look. The Mall road, popularly known as “Walker’s Paradise” is also being groomed on both sides with flower beds, planters and mud walls adding to the grandeur of this road.

Two old war tanks have been placed near the DIG office which evokes an emblazoned feeling of astute patriotism as you walk past this place. The VI KEO Calvary memorial, Brown low’s Punjabis, the war memorial of the 20th Duke Cambridge's own infantry constructed in the memory of the British officers, NCOs and men, who laid down their lives during the first world war, are also being given new lease of life.

The work ahead to beautify Barki Square built to commemorate bravery of soldiers, who made supreme sacrifice during 1965 Indo-Pakistan war has also been initiated for which a special grant of Rs 10 lakh has been given by the CM Parkash Singh Badal.

Deputy Commissioner, Kamal Yadav while lauding the efforts of LMA in taking up the massive beautification drive, said that the district administration is extending all possible help in this endeavour. Yadav said that around 500 ornamental trees have been planted along the stretch of the GT Road from octroi post no. seven to the Hussainiwala Road. He said that the administration has also mooted a proposal to construct service lanes along this stretch.

Big welcome hoardings are also being put up at the entrance of the town and there are plans to add fountain on the Flame Chowk, he said, adding that no efforts would be spared to maintain the legacy of this town.

Amit Kumar, CEO Cantonment Board (CBF), said that seeing the immense historic importance of this town, such drive was necessary to maintain its rich heritage.

Kumar said that the CBF has also planned a lot of major renovation and development works supplementing the efforts of LMA and district authorities. He said that the railway road from the DAV College up to DRM office has been widened and interlocking tiles are being put on both sides for the walkers.

He said that since there was no stadium in the cantonment to cater to the needs of the youths, the CBF has decided to construct one near the south garden, the work on which has already started. Kumar said that the old shed of the bus stand was also being replaced with the RCC structure for the comfort and safety of bus commuters.

Abohar, January 11
A leading industrialist of the region, RD Garg, who is zonal chairman, ministry of food processing industry, Government of India, would formally join the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) at a simple function to be held in his resident here on Tuesday.

The joining of Garg, who owns a vegetable oil manufacturing unit apart from running a pharmacy college, is likely to change the political equations in this assembly segment, which has been sending the Congress and the BJP candidates to Punjab Vidhan Sabha in the past.

Garg, who also deals in real estate and is one of the leading horticulturists of the area, would be helpful for the party for making inroads into the business class of this region.

The function being organised on Tuesday morning would be presided over by the deputy chief minister and president SAD (Badal), Sukhbir Singh Badal.

A section of senior functionaries of the SAD (B) are expected to attend the function.

After that Badal would formally inaugurate the bridge constructed over the railway level crossing in this town.

Garg, while talking to TNS this evening said that he had decided to join the SAD (Badal) because of its people friendly policies. He added that Congress leaders remained inaccessible to the people whenever the party came into power and hence always failed to deliver the goods.

He added that his main objective to join politics was that he wanted to serve this area, which was known for its cotton and kinnow production with the help of the ruling politicians. He added that if opportunity came in his life, he could throw his hat in the election arena.

He said that he would also apprise Badal of the main demands of the residents of the town besides urging him to make efforts for bringing a major industrial project in this border pocket of Punjab to generate employment opportunities.

Fazilka, January 11
Two women constables of the Border Security Force (BSF), reportedly fell unconscious during the morning physical exercise in Fazilka, have been admitted to the local civil hospital.

A woman constable, Meenu, posted at the 199 Battalion of the BSF in Fazilka, was admitted to the local civil hospital today. On Sunday, another lady constable, Kamaljit Kaur, posted at the 51 Battalion was admitted to the hospital. She was discharged in the evening after brief treatment.

These lady constables were posted at Fazilka sector about three months back. Their main job is to frisk the rural women folk across the barbed wire fencing.

“The Border Security Force is extra conscious towards the health and fitness of their personnel, that is why the officials even in case of any minor illness are immediately rushed to the hospitals,” said DIG Abohar sector, Vimal Satyarthi. 

Mansa, January11
Crops of wheat and vegetables standing in nearly 100 acre were damaged due to breach in a canal distributary near Fafrebhaike village on Monday.

As per the information available, a breach had taken place in Uddat canal distributary on Sunday night and wheat crop of the nearby villages was filled with canal water. People of these villages tried to plug the breach.

Xen canal distributary, Gopal Singh, said that the breach was plugged by the canal department that had taken place during the night.

He could not tell the reason of breach. Meanwhile, district president of the Bhartiya Kissan Union (Ugrahan) said that 125 acre crop of wheat and vegetables was damaged with canal water.

He said that negligence of the canal department was responsible for the breach. He demanded a compensation of Rs 30,000 for farmers whose crop was damaged. Kissan leader Iqbal Singh Fafre also demanded a compensation for the affected farmers. 

Abohar, January 11
Even when the light and sound show -- Life of the Master -- was maiden presentation by the recently formed The Incredible Society at the DAV College here on Monday night, the viewers felt mesmerised. SDM Amit Dhaka was the chief guest. Principal Dr BB Sharma welcomed the distinguished gathering.

The 25 artists on the stage included Ravi, Aman, Sahil Wadhwa, Sahil Nagori, Sahil Taneja, Sunil, Sheena, Saloni, Gagan, Kavita, Ajay, Ishan, Anshita, Tushar, Anvita and Chiragh besides five off-the-stage artists.

Sound recording by Dimpy from Fazilka, make up by Atul Khungar and light effects by Pawan Kataria too won appreciation.

Sriganganagar/Abohar, January 11
Members of the Sriganganagar-based Agar Samiti visited an orphanage today to distribute especially stitched suits to about 50 children.

Significantly, the suits had been stitched under the personal guidance of noted fashion designer Parul Bhatia.

The visitors included Agar Samiti president Kishan Aggarwal, secretary Ajay Aggarwal, women wing president Paru Bansal, secretary Shelley Bansal and cashier Suman Gupta. Patrons Vijay Bansal, Lovbhushan Gupta, Suman Jindal, Vandana Aggarwal, Neha Singhal and Rakhi Arora were also present during the Sankrati and Lohri celebrations. — OC