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BMC website on the anvil
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Bansal for interlinking of rivers
Mobile unit to detect breast cancer flagged off
NGO demands setting up of eye banks
Kinnow plants begin to dry up in the region
Hike in VAT: Traders resolve to go on strike
215 undergo non-scalpel vasectomy
Sexually abused alleges harassment
Dalit girl, labourer commit suicide
Man killed in road mishap
Deer death
Investiture ceremony of Army on Feb 24
Mansa NREGA stall at national fair in Delhi
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BMC website on the anvil
Bathinda, February 1 While composing the data, prime focus of the website has been kept upon the online services like assessment and checking of the arrears related to house tax, water supply and sewerage bills. It is said that fresh applications and status of already submitted forms for birth and death certificates along with providing a facility to lodge grievances related to the BMC were being given much consideration. The website would also be quite informative for visitors to the city as it would include detailed information regarding Bathinda under various sub-heads like historical background, physiography and climate, institutional and planning, administrative milestones, population growth, housing and recreation facilities. It would also cover subjects related to organisational structure of the BMC, its departments, landmarks of the city, status of RTI applications, persons to be contacted for various works, Acts and bylaws related to municipal corporations along with helpline numbers and various photos of the city and events that took place here. Further, it would have a provision for free
downloading of various forms related to birth certificate, death certificate, water supply connection, sewerage connection and a performa to file an RTI application. In an attempt to bring transparency in the system, the website would also have slots for providing information related to tenders and public notices Confirming details, BMC commissioner Ravi Bhagat said, “We have been doing our best to bring about a change in the system and the launching of such a dynamic website is an important part of our efforts. It will not only be useful to city residents but will reduce our workload also.” “We have almost compiled the details and studying various aspects. Once finalised, it would be dedicated to people through some eminent personality of the state government,” he added. |
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CM’s Sangat Darshan proves to be blessing for ailing septuagenarian
Muktsar, February 1 Badal intermingled with the people and ordered the chief medical officer of the district to arrange specialised treatment and surgery of Kartar Singh for which he earmarked a grant of Rs 50,000. During Sangat Darshan in villages Virk Khera, Inna Khera, Aulakh, Saunke, Ram Nagar, Katorewala, Mallwala and Jhandwal Sheikhu, Badal asked farmers to adopt dairy farming and other allied occupations like fishery and bee-keeping as agriculture was no more a profitable venture in the present context due to its marginal returns. Blaming the Centre for anti-farmer policies, Badal said though Punjab was an agrarian state but the entire policy for procurement of foodgrains, fixation of minimum support price and supply of fertilizers was framed by the Centre without taking the state government into confidence. Badal said that it was high time that the Centre shuns its indifferent attitude towards Punjab’s farming community. To give a facelift to the holy city of Muktsar, the CM sanctioned Rs 30 crore for various development projects, including a railway over-bridge, road network and sewerage treatment plant besides numerous schemes of drinking water, sanitation and upgradation of existing infrastructure. Presiding over a meeting of the local municipal councillors and district level SAD-BJP leadership to review the progress of various ongoing development projects and welfare schemes in the Muktsar city, Badal gave approval for a railway over-bridge costing Rs 15 crore and directed the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) to expedite the project in order to avoid inconvenience caused to local residents due to heavy vehicular traffic. Besides, the CM also sanctioned Rs 2.20 crore for the construction and repair of roads to be executed by the PWD. He also accorded approval for construction and repair of roads at a cost of Rs 4 crore and granted Rs 3.75 crore to the Mandi Board and the Municipal Committee, respectively. He also sanctioned five Reverse Osmosis (RO) system plants to be set up at a cost of Rs 75 lakh so as to ensure safe drinking water to the residents of Muktsar city. Two of these would be installed in the area across the railway line. |
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Bansal for interlinking of rivers
Barnala, February 1 However, he hastened to add that it was a state subject which can be sorted out only on the negotiating table wherein he could act best as the facilitator in the interest of states and the country. Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the annual prize distribution function of the Lal Bahadur Shastri Arya Mahila College, Barnala, where he was conferred Arya Rattan award, Bansal said that whereas some areas in India record only 1100 mm of rainfall, some other areas record a huge amount of rainfall at 11,000 mm. He added that interlinking of rivers would help in the best and optimum use of river waters for uplift of the farmers by giving a boost to irrigation and making the best use of the available water resources. Bansal added that the Central government has placed the Shahpur-Kandi as a national project and is awaiting proposal wherein just 10 per cent matching grant for repair, renovation and elation of 2500 crore Central government would be contributed by the state government. He also expressed concern over 152 per cent depletion of sub-soil water, but expressed satisfaction that the sub-soil water is still enough but needs its recharge for which the Centre has sponsored various schemes. The water resources minister added that presidential reference is awaited on scrapping of river water agreement between Punjab and Haryana by the Punjab Assembly. Speaking to the media at the residence of Sangrur MLA Surinder Pal Singh Sibia, in the evening, Bansal held the doubling of the minimum support price (MSP) for wheat and paddy during the last five years of the UPA government responsible for the price rise in the country. Responding to a query as to whether he would he use his influence to get Punjab out of fiscal mess, Bansal ruled out playing a role in getting a special package for Punjab saying that it has to be the Prime Minister’s decision. He, however, added that states must use the money in such a way that they do not fall in debt. Commenting on the completion of Ghaggar rivulet bandh, Bansal said that his ministry is ready to release funds but only after Punjab and Haryana amicably solve the issue which is a state subject. He added that he could negotiate only after both the governments desire as Haryana also wants to resolve Hansi-Butana dispute with Punjab simultaneously. Ruling out the existence of various groups in Punjab Congress, Bansal said there is difference of opinion in every family but that does not mean that it ceases to be a family. |
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Mobile unit to detect breast cancer flagged off
Kotbhai (Muktsar), February 1 In a ray of hope for this cancer-prone belt, the state government has hired the Roko Cancer Charitable Trust-India to run the breast cancer detecting campaign, for the whole year. As per the information, during this period, the team would cover Muktsar, Faridkot, Ferozepur and Moga—the badly hit districts. Earlier, the same campaign had been launched in Bathinda and Mansa districts, during which about 4,000 women were diagnosed. Among the diagnosed women, 132 cases were detected as suffering from cancer. Manpret Singh Badal said that the van (unit) would visit four districts of Gidderbaha-- village Chhateana (February 2), Sukhna Ablu (Feb 3), Chotian (Feb 4) and Sahib Chand (Feb 4), where camps would be held from 9 am to 5 pm. He urged all to cooperate with the fully equipped team of Roko Cancer, which had arrived to diagnose all women above 40 years of age, especially those belonging to poor rural strata and complaining about any kind of breast disease. According to the staff of the Roko Cancer unit, it is all an effort of a UK-based NRI, APS Chawla, who is the chairman of MKC Trust, whose wife, Manjit Kaur Chawla was just about 43, when she succumbed to the breast cancer. Chawla then decided to fight the disease by empowering women with knowledge. The MKC Trust is named after her. He started the campaign by donations of Rs one crore, with which the first mobile unit was purchased. Coordinator of the unit, Parminder Singh said that the team would hold diagnosing camps for first 20 days of every month then the last 10 days would be devoted to make some tie-ups with the state health department to get the detected patients treated. Charanjeet Singh, OSD to the Finance Minister said, “I request you all to take the the campaign in election spirit, when you people bring voters from their homes to the polling station. This time you will have to take all women of your villages to this team, whenever the van reaches your village.” |
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NGO demands setting up of eye banks
Bathinda, February 1 It has also stated that setting up of such banks or centres was a need of the hour as several non-government organisations (NGOs), which are working for the promotion of eye-donation campaigns, have to carry the donated eyes to far away hospitals for getting corneas transplanted in the eyes of blind persons. For example, the Bareta Netradan Samiti takes the donated eyes to Ludhiana for transplantation of corneas. Talking to The Tribune today district president of Mansa BVP Harbans Lal Bansal said that besides setting up of eye-donation banks or eye-collection centres in district hospitals, the government should also make arrangements for the transplantation of corneas free of cost at government hospitals in all districts. Bansal said the Health Department should also set up a special cell in each district hospital for enrollment of voluntary eye donors so that any person wishing to donate his eyes after his death could get himself registered there. He said it would also encourage the noble cause of eye-donation. Bansal also urged the state government to constitute district-level committees under the chairmanship of respective deputy commissioners for promotion of eye-donation campaigns and monitoring the eye-donation/collection works. He suggested that members of the NGOs involved in the eye-donation work should also be made members of these committees. Bansal said till now, his NGO had got transplanted corneas in the eyes of 538 persons and their campaign was continuing. He said today morning they had also collected eyes of one deceased Suraj Bhan of Bareta. His eyes were being sent to the Punarjot Eye Bank, Ludhiana, for transplanting the corneas in the eyes of two blind persons. He said though carrying eyes to Ludhiana was a difficult task, they did it from the core of their hearts, as they aimed at providing sight to every blind person in this belt. |
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Kinnow plants begin to dry up in the region
Abohar, February 1 Though a large number of orchard owners, where the plants have started drying, are worried about the fact that production of kinnow would come down drastically in
the coming years, they are also confused a lot as they do not know how to handle this kind of situation being confronted for the first time by most of them. RD Garg, a leading orchard owner of this area, said that about 20 per cent of kinnow plants in his orchard of about 60 acres in Balluana village had dried up in the past few weeks. He added that though he could not approach the authorities concerned to find out the reasons so far, he was of the opinion that plants had dried up due to waterlogging. Parshant Bishnoi, an orchard owner of Mehrajpur village said that about 37 plants in his orchard had dried up so far despite the fact that these were about five years old and were giving large quantity of fruits. He said that if this trend was not arrested by the authorities concerned, it would cause huge losses to the economy of this region. Jagdev Singh, an orchard owner of Aalmgarh village, said that about 400 plants had dried up in his orchard, measuring about 18 acres. Similarly, Mohinder Partap, orchardist of Kala Tibba and Raipura villages said that about 70 plants had dried up in his both orchards measuring 50 acres. Prishit, another orchard owner said that number of plants, which were drying up were not so high at present but it could be a high figure in future if the corrective measures were not taken by the Punjab government. Interestingly, Resham Singh, deputy director, horticulture, Punjab, who is manning Ferozepur district, when contacted said that he has been facing same kind of problem as kinnow plants in his orchard located in Faridkot district had also started drying up and he could not find out the reasons so far. A team from the Punjab Agriculture University (PAU), Ludhiana, visited one of the orchards in Dutaranwali village of this sub-division a few days ago, where about 200 plants have dried up. It reported that plants had dried up as the soil did not suit kinnow cultivation. Pushpinder Singh Aulakh, head, department of horticulture, PAU, while expressing concern over the trend, said that observation made by a team, which visited the area, had reported that plants had been drying due to a drought like situation last summer and the problem of phyto pathora fungus in those pockets, where the water table had come up. He added that the entire problem was being analysed so that other reasons for this trend could be found out. |
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Hike in VAT: Traders resolve to go on strike
Fazilka, February 1 It has been demanded in the memorandum that recommendations of the two member resource mobilising committee based including Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and cabinet minister Manoranjan Kalia, regarding hike in VAT, surcharge on increased VAT rates and entry, should not be implemented. Scores of other office-bearers who have signed the memorandum, have said that the traders are already facing financial hardships and now a rise in the rate of VAT from 4-5 per cent, a surcharge of 10 per cent on increased VAT and imposition of entry tax on some essential commodities would spell ruin for the traders in the state. It is pertinent to mention here that the traders in their meeting held on Friday had decided to observe a half-day strike on Tuesday from 9 am to12 pm. Beopar Mandal, president, Ashok Gulbadhar said that all the establishments including medical stores would remain closed. |
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215 undergo non-scalpel vasectomy
Bathinda, February 1 Talking to TNS, district family welfare officer Dr RS Randhawa said today that maximum number of persons (50) had been operated for the NSV at Sangat while number of persons operated upon in Bathinda and Goniana were 45 and 40, respectively. He said in Rampura hospital (18), Nathana (8), Ballianwali (15), Bhagta (20), Talwandi Sabo (12) and Raman hospital, five persons had been operated upon. Besides an incentive of Rs 1,100 each, one kilogram refined oil each was given to the operated persons at Bathinda while blankets were given to those who went for oeperation at Goniana, Sangat and Rampura. Dr Randhawa said any male operated upon for NSV could attend his duties/work normally after 48 hours of the operation. |
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Sexually abused alleges harassment
Moga, February 1 Talking to The Tribune, she alleged that some persons including a resident of Ramuwala Kalan village tried to grab her land on January 26 at Badhni Kalan village. They attacked my mother resulting in injuries on her head, she said. “Instead of arresting the culprits, the police has registered a criminal case against us on fabricated injuries made himself by one of the attackers,” she alleged When contacted, ASI, Tara Chand, who was investigating the case confirmed to The Tribune that an FIR has been registered against her. “We have registered her complaint also under section 323/34 of the IPC in the daily diary register of the police station and have not lodged the FIR because her mother’s injuries are not serious in nature.” |
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Dalit girl, labourer commit suicide
Moga, February 1 She was admitted to a private hospital at Dharamkot where she breathed her last on Sunday. Post-mortem was conducted in the district hospital here today. The doctors had taken her viscera samples and sent it for a chemical examination. The ASI said her father Harjinder Singh stated that his daughter was not feeling well for the past few weeks and was undergoing treatment. “The girl had mistakenly consumed sulphas tablets,” he said. The police had initiated inquest proceedings under section 174 of the CrPC into the incident. Meanwhile, a Dalit man (45) identified as Baljit Singh, residing in a slum area near the railway station at Ghal Kalan village jumped before a train today in the morning. The railway police has initiated inquest proceedings under section 174 of the CrPC into the incident. |
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Man killed in road mishap
Fazilka, February 1 He was returning to his residence on Sunday night on a bicycle. His bicycle developed a snag near the grain market. When Ramesh Chander was working it out, standing along the roadside, a speeding white colour Maruti Alto car hit him from the rear. He was rushed to the local civil hospital where doctors declared him brought dead. As per the FIR, a local resident Bughi was driving the car.
— OC |
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Deer death
Abohar, February 1 Sabha vice-president, Ramesh Kumar Bishnoi, informed that a deputation met Dr Shyam Bhalla senior veterinary officer and in-charge of Abohar sub-division today to express dissatisfaction over the report given by Dr Vinod Bansal, in-charge of the veterinary hospital at Seeto Gunno. Dr Bhalla has agreed to get the post-mortem done by a panel of three veterinary doctors by exhuming the body of the female deer tomorrow. |
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Investiture ceremony of Army on Feb 24
Fazilka, February1 In this ceremony, the Indian Army would honour its brave soldiers who have performed commendably in different Army operations and have rendered distinguished services to the nation in the course of their duty. The awards would be presented by Lt Gen CKS Sabu, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Command. It is pertinent to mention here that every year, the Indian Army recognizes the bravery of its gallant soldiers by awarding them medals in an investiture ceremony. This ceremony is considered to be a poignant occasion where the Army, in a befitting, sober and dignified manner, honours its brave soldiers. |
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Mansa NREGA stall at national fair in Delhi
Mansa, February 1
Four districts of Punjab including Mansa, Bathinda, Hoshiarpur and Amritsat have been selected for participation in the fair on the basis of performance in implementing the NREGA scheme. ADC General Tanu M Kashyap, along with four workers, who had completed 100 days of job under the NREGA, would participate in the Delhi fair. |
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