Moga, February 9
Uneasiness continues to prevail among the rice millers of Moga district as another team of technical experts from the head office of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) arrived at Moga to take samples of the rice from storehouses of the corporation following reports of cheaper sub-standard imported rice being mixed with the local produce.

The Tribune in its news report 'Millers importing poor quality rice into state' on January 4 had exposed the modus operandi of the rice millers of Punjab, who were importing cheaper varieties of rice from outside states and deceiving the authorities of the FCI by mixing the imported rice with the locally produced paddy varieties, the milling of which is in progress these days.

A couple of days back, a team led by Inder Kumar Negi, deputy general manager (quality control) from the regional office Chandigarh came here and collected as many as five samples of rice from the store houses of the corporation at Ajitwal in the district.

Yesterday, a team from Noida led by Chunni Lal Ram, general manager (North Zone-1) had arrived here and took eight samples from the storehouses of the corporation situated at the district headquarters.

Out of the total of 13 samples taken by the technical teams, as many as two samples failed to meet the requirements of the corporation while four other samples were slightly less than the quality parameters set by the corporation.

The district manager of the FCI, DK Jain admitted that there were minor problems with regard to colour and broken quantity in two samples but nothing much was to worry in the other samples. "We have now become more vigilant and will ensure the millers give us quality rice," he said.

Meanwhile, it was learnt that a huge quantity of rice from the 2008-09 stock was lying in the storehouses of the FCI in the district, which was being transported to other states through special trains these days without any quality tests.

Insiders in the FCI and the rice millers revealed to The Tribune that both the FCI teams that came here had categorically taken samples from this year's produce. They had not taken samples of rice from the last year's stock, which was being transported to other states.

A powerful lobby of the local rice millers had allegedly tried their best to prevent the Noida team to take samples from the last year's stock.

A rice miller on the condition of anonymity alleged that there were many deficiencies in the last year stock and if the samples were taken honestly, the results could expose a big nexus of corruption prevailing in this trade.

It may be mentioned that during the past couple of months, the rice millers/traders had imported rice worth over Rs 200 crore from other states into Punjab through the inter-state road barriers and this 'illegal business' was still going on in the state to mix it with the local produce, under the shelter of politicians in power.

Bathinda, February 9
The Central government plans to have a bank branch in each village of the country with a population of more than 2000 persons.

In an endeavour to provide inclusive banking services to every citizen of country or hitherto excluded segment of population, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has formulated a policy to provide a bank branch for every village with a population of more than 2000 persons.

Announcing that the facility will be ready by March 2011, the RBI authorities have asked all the states to chalk out details in this regard.

Complying with the directions, the Punjab government has initiated the process with the the department of finance, Punjab, conveying the message to all deputy commissioners.

Issuing a letter, Vikas Pratap, secretary, department of finance, Punjab, has asked the deputy commissioners to compile a list of villages, which did not have a bank branch.

Presuming that the population of each town and village since the last Census of 2001 would have grown by around 20 per cent during the last decade, the secretary of the department directed the DCs to consider all villages, which had a population of 1700 in the 2001 Census.

It is reiterated that only the 2001 Census figures should be taken into account while compiling the above list.

Mentioning further, the letter states that all DCs would compile the list in consultation with Lead District Manager (LDM) of their respective districts so that the programme for inclusive banking in Punjab could be successfully chalked out. vConfirming the contents of the letter, Bathinda deputy commissioner Rahul Tewari said, “We received the letter today only. However, immediately after that, all officers concerned have been directed to compile the list on a priority basis. We are hopeful of dispatching the list within a week to the department concerned.”

Bathinda, February 9
Dismissed inspector of Punjab Police Harnek Singh, who was once awarded three years of imprisonment for committing extortion and corruption, has yet again been sentenced for four years in jail along with a fine for the similar charges that he had committed while he was an SHO in this district.

According to information collected, in both cases lodged against him in 2008, Harnek Singh was accused of using two women as tool for extortion.

The case in which Harnek Singh and his accomplices were awarded punishment today, one Narinder Singh of Kotfatta village had accused Harnek of duping him of Rs 40,000 with the help of three accomplices, including two women, on May 14, 2008.

During investigation, it was found that Narinder Singh had relations with one Raj Kaur of Poohla village, who floated a proposal to him that her friend Kuljit Kaur of Nathana wanted to have friendship with him as her husband was living abroad.

As per the plan, Narinder and Kuljit were about to go in a compromising position when Harnek reached the spot and sought a bribe of Rs 1 lakh to dispose off the case. Meanwhile, another accomplice Randhir Singh intervened and got it settled at Rs 40,000.

After paying the bribe, Narinder along with his friends approached the then SSP, Naunihal Singh, and lodged a complaint. Fearing action, Harnek retuned the money to Narinder.

However, the police initiated an inquiry, which was conducted by the then DSP (rural), DS Brar, who found the accused guilty. The matter was later handed over to the then ASP, PK Yadav, who too declared him guilty. In the report, it was mentioned that Harnek Singh was having extra-marital affairs also.

Announcing the judgment, Bathinda District & Sessions Judge Kuldip Singh today awarded four years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 to Harnek Singh; three years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 to Randhir Singh; and one year of imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 1,000 to Raj Kaur. Meanwhile, the court reserved the case of Kuljit Kaur as pending because the police could not arrest her yet.

In another case, Harnek and his accomplices were convicted in the same court for the similar charges on October 29, 2009. In that case, he was sentenced for three years of imprisonment. That case was lodged in July 2008 when one Natha Singh of Nathpura village accused Harnek of duping him of Rs 90,000 with the help of the same women on April 21 following the same modus operandi.

Speaking on the issue, Bathinda SSP Ashish Chaudhary said, “The accused had already been dismissed on the orders of higher authorities as he earned a bad name for the department.”

Hanumangarh/Abohar, February 9
Congress has retained its control over the Hanumangarh Zila Parishad but lost to the BJP in Panchayat Samiti at Hanumangarh.

The ruling party also suffered shock in Sangria segment that had returned the Congress candidate Dr Param Navdeep in the last Vidhan Sabha elections.

As per results announced today, the Congress candidates emerged winners in 15 zones of Zila Parishad at Hanumangarh while the BJP could win 12 seats. Each one has gone to the CPI (M) and an independent.

However, in 23 wards of the Panchayat Samiti, the BJP has got a simple majority by winning 12 seats while Congress has won seven, BSP and independents two each. Shabnam Godara of the Congress defeated her BJP rival by a margin of 5,327 votes.

The Congress has won 15 seats in the Panchayat Samiti, Nohar, leaving only five seats to the BJP while two went to the BSP and five to independents.

In the Bhadra Panchayat Samiti, the Congress candidates were declared elected from 14 wards whereas nine independents and four CPI (M) candidates have emerged victorious. Some of the independents are considered to be the BJP followers.

In Rawatsar, Congress has won nine, BJP trailed behind with four seats and independents got two in the Panchayat Samiti.

At Peelibanga and Tibbi, BJP has got one seat each more than Congress, each one has gone to the CPI (M) and independents resulting in speculations over the horse trading.

Much to the political discomfort of the Congress legislator Dr Param Navdeep in Sangria, the BJP has won in eight wards whereas the Congress could win only two while independents got five seats. 

Sriganganagar/Abohar, February 9
The ruling Congress party has suffered a major setback at the hands of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) in the Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections in Sriganganagar district, results were announced today morning.

Out of four Congress front-runners for the office of the chairman in Zila Parishad elections, three have lost in the battle of ballots. Former minister Jagtar Singh Kang, who had trailed at third position in the Vidhan Sabha elections, has now been defeated by the BJP candidate Amarveer Singh in zone 31 of Zila Parishad by a margin of 1873 votes. Another former minister, Dula Ram was defeated by Kalu Ram of the CPI (M) with a difference of 7,000 votes in zone four. Yet another heavyweight Het Ram Meel, nephew of Suratgarh MLA, Ganga Jal Meel was defeated by the BJP candidate Vijender Kumar by a margin of 5,000 votes.

District Congress president, Prithvipal Singh Sandhu, however, did a face-saving for the ruling party by defeating Sunil Kumar, son of former CPI (M) MLA, Het Ram Beniwal, who had been spearheading the agitation of farmers against the state government. Sandhu has won by 3,000 votes.

Out of 31 zones in Zila Parishad polls, the BJP candidates have won in 20 zones, Congress got eight seats while three were won by the CPI (M). Interestingly, Ram Bala Duggal, wife of CPI (M) legislator, Pawan Duggal is also among the losers. She was defeated by Anadaki Devi of the Congress by about 2,300 votes in home segment Anoopgarh.

Significantly, all the three BJP aspirants for the Zila Parishad chairmanship Dr Brij Lal Saharan, Amarveer Singh and Baldev Singh Brar have won in the election.

As per results of the Panchayat Samiti (PS) election, the BJP has won 15 
while Congress got eight leaving one seat each for the BSP and independent in Sriganganagar PS.

The BJP has also got majority with 13 seats each in Suratgarh and Raisinghnagar, 11 in Sadulshehar and eight in Padampur. Congress could win eight seats in Sriganganagar, seven in Suratgarh, four in Raisinghnagar, five each in Sadulshehar and Padampur. The ruling party (Congress), however, emerged victorious in Anoopgarh, the constituency that had elected CPI (M) candidate Pawan Duggal in the Vidhan Sabha elections.

It also leads in Srikaranpur but is one short of the CPI (M) in Gharsana the epicentre of farmers’ agitations. 

Labourers at work to set up sheds for the Arogya Sehat Mela that will begin on February 12 at the Government Rajindra College in Bathinda, on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Pawan Sharma

Bathinda, February 9
In view of the four-day “Arogya Sehat Mela” to be held from February 12-15 at the Government Rajindra College here, work for erecting eight huge sheds commenced today on the sports ground of the college. The temporary sheds will have doctors’ clinics, lecture hall, canteen and stalls for various pharmacies, literature, dry herbs and medicinal plants besides an information centre.

The mela is being organised by the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy (AYUSH), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

The main motive of the fair is to promote Ayurveda. More than 75 manufacturers of Ayurvedic and Homoeopathic medicines from all over the country will put up stalls to display their medicines during the fair.

Yoga instructors, besides delivering lectures, will demonstrate yoga exercises to educate people on ways to cure diseases with the help of yoga.

About 30 medical experts from the country will deliver lecturers about various diseases and their treatment. Besides, valuable information about the medicinal plants will also be provided to the visitors.

The medicinal plants will not only be displayed but will also be put on sale.

Talking to The Tribune today, nodal officer of the mela and Ayurveda medical officer Harbinder Singh Dhaliwal said in the shed for clinics, three Ayurveda clinics, a clinic each of Homoeopathy, Unani and naturopathy would function. He said that in another shed, the medicinal plants would be displayed.

On the inaugural day, a function will be held under a shed. Later, yoga will be performed while in the evening, a meaningful cultural programme will be held. Next to the shed, a Yoga lecture hall has also been erected. In three big sheds, the pharmacies will put up stalls of their medicines. Besides, the department of AYUSH will exhibit its literature. Dry herbs will also be displayed.

Two 200-KV power transformers have also been installed at the site to ensure power supply. Besides, two power generators of 125 KV-capacity each will reportedly be kept to pitch in in case there is a power cut.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal will inaugurate the mela on February 12 while Health Minister Lakshmi Kanta Chawla will preside over the inaugural function.

Bathinda, February 9
Under a public-private partnership (PPP) of the Punjab Government and the Ranbaxy Lab Limited, three mobile vans will be provided in April to the Bathinda district to detect cancer patients and check pregnant women in rural areas. Each mobile van will have two doctors, including woman doctor, and an auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM).

The staff of these mobile vans will also examine women for cervix cancer and will maintain record of patients. Besides, the staff will also conduct general check up of the patients. The staff will also conduct minor tests, like haemoglobin test, on the spot.

Bathinda Civil Surgeon Dr Neelam Bajaj said here today that under the programme, a total of 10 mobile vans were being provided in the state. She said while Bathinda and Muktsar districts were getting three vans each, Mansa district would get one.

She said they had selected Ballianwali, Talwandi Sabo and Sangat health blocks of this district to send the mobile vans in rural areas. The district authorities would form groups of four to five villages to cover each block in four to five days by conducting morning as well as evening sessions, she added.

Meanwhile, the mobile van of the “Roko Cancer” campaign is revisiting the district in March to detect cancer among women, especially in villages. The van has a mammography unit to detect breast cancer among suspected women. The test is done free of cost.

Ferozepur, February 9
Four persons were arrested by the Makhu town police of this district for their alleged involvement in stealing cars and subsequently disposing of the same to the unsuspected buyers in different towns by preparing fake documents including the registration certificates of the same.

Those, who were arrested by the Makhu police, were identified as Jaswinder Singh alias Jassa, Jatinder Pal Singh, Piara Singh and Pala Singh. A Bulgaria made pistol of 7.65 bore along with 10 live cartridges of same were recovered from the possession of Jassa.

Wazid Singh, DSP, Zira, when contacted, said Jassa remained in Jodhpur (Rajasthan) jail after he was booked under Tada case for his alleged terrorist activities.

Pala Singh, who was convicted in fake currency case and remained in jail for about five years in Punjab, was also in Jodhpur jail when Jassa was its inmate.

Both Jassa and Pala, who were known to each other, made a new gang in Punjab and started stealing cars from different parts of Punjab including Chandigarh.

He said that though initial information revealed that Bulgaria made pistol recovered from Jassa was also stolen. However, deep investigations were being made into this so that original source of the weapon and its cartridges could be known.

He said case under sections 379, 411, 465, 467, 468, 471 and 474 of the IPC was registered against all the accused in police station, Makhu. Another case under section 25 of the Arms Act was registered against Jassa in police station, Makhu separately.

Ferozepur, February 9
To provide speedy justice to the people, the district legal services authority has organised 223 Lok Adalats during which 12,106 cases have been sorted out till date and an amount of Rs 54.14 crores has been granted as compensation, disclosed Jaspal Singh, Sessions Judge, while presiding over a meeting of the senior civil and police officials here today.

He revealed that till date, 10 special Lok Adalat have been held in Ferozepur during which 8,951 cases were solved and an amount of Rs 19.80 crores was given as compensation. Similarly, 18,719 cases were settled in Moga and an amount of Rs 32.44 crores was provided as compensation.

Jaspal Singh exhorted the officials to spread awareness about the Lok Adalats through field officials like BDPOs, Panchayat officers and tehsildars.

Bathinda, February 9
The state drug controller has cancelled the licence of two chemist shops of Jodhpur Pakhar village in Talwandi Sabo health block and Teona village in Goniana health block of this district.

Talking to this reporter here today, district drug inspector Vinay Kumar Jindal said the state drug controller had cancelled the licence of Garg Medical Store, Jodhpur Pakhar, and Dhan Guru Amardas Medical Store, Teona, due to various contraventions under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. He said during raids, the health authorities had recovered drugs/medicines to be misused as intoxicants from both the chemists.

Jindal said the authorities inspected these shops and later issued show-cause notices.

However, the chemists submitted their replies, but the state drug controller found it unsatisfactory and cancelled the licence of both the shops, he added.