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Windfall for region
Murder of BKU
(Ekta) Leader |
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IGP launches helpline to check drug menace
After kicking drugs, they will now strive to check the menace
Takhtupura’s death
Import of raw rice
Inter-state gang busted, two held
Kalia for fillip to vocational courses
CM showers blessings on 121 couples at mass marriage
Local boy wins laurels at judo championship
PCCTU call for bandh tomorrow
Annual elections
BSF sports meet concludes
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Windfall for region
Bathinda, February 24 Springing a surprise for the Malwaites, Mamata, while delivering the budget speech in Parliament today, left the region awestruck not only by mentioning Bathinda at least twice but also Abohar, Ferozepur but also by giving new trains to the region besides making provisions for opening up multi-functional complex at Bathinda cantonment and out-patient department (OPD) and diagnostic centres at Bathinda, Faridkot and others. Mamata announced introduction of a tri-weekly train between Sarai Rohilla station in Delhi and Sriganganagar via Bathinda. She also proposed to start a train service, titled Janmabhoomi weekly express, between Ahmedabad and Udhampur, linking Jodhpur, Phalodi, Lalgarh, Biradhwal, Pilibanga, Mahajan, Suratgarh, Hanumangarh, Bathinda, Faridkot, Ferozepur, Jalandher, Chakki Bank, and others. To bring the backward areas on the fast track of development, Mamata has chosen the Abohar-Tohana via Fatehabad lines for updated survey under the socially desirable projects connecting backward areas. Mamata announced to open a multifunctional complex in Bathinda and also to open OPDs and diagnostic centres at four places in the region including Bathinda, Faridkot, Ferozepur and Hanumangarh (Rajasthan). Most importantly, just like extending a helping hand to cancer-ridden Malwa, Mamata proposed to give 100 per cent concession to cancer patients travelling in AC-III and sleeper classes. Besides, her proposal to man all the level-crossings would also help the region which has been witnessing accidents at level crossings frequently. She also said that work on the Abohar-Fazilka rail track would also be completed during 2010-11. Thanking the Rail Minister, vice-president of the Railway Passengers Association, North Zone, Hanuman Dass Goel, said that Mamata’s initiatives would certainly give an impetus to socio-economic development in the region. “Concession to cancer patients would certainly give a big relief to them,” Goel said, adding that the demand for a train to Delhi also appeared to have been fulfilled. “We got more than our expectations,” a visibly jubilant Goel added. President of Railway Welfare Association, Bathinda, AK Garg, echoing similar sentiments said it was a good thing that the backward areas were getting the attention of railways. “It shows the perspective and concern of Mamata Banerjee towards weaker areas and sections,” Garg added. Member of Railway Grievances and Reform Committee, Gidderbaha, Sanjeev Kochhar, said he was hoping for help but it was, in fact, a windfall by Didi. “Two or more trains in a single budget! Perhaps Malwa is experiencing such thing by the railway for the first time,” he said. Office-bearers of these associations also thanked Mamata for making journey in reservation classes a bit cheaper by reducing the service charge of e-ticket and giving other benefits. Business fraternity in the region also thanked Mamata for reducing wagon freight charge on foodgrains and kerosene transportation. Raj Sadosh adds from Abohar: “We had requested the Railway Board chairman SS Khurana to introduce Jan Shatabdi train on the Sriganganagar-Abohar-Bathinda-New Delhi route. However, the Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee, on Wednesday, has listed tri-weekly Sriganganagar-Abohar-Bathinda-Sarai Rohila express among the new trains. Still, we are thankful to both of them,” said Virendra Kataria, former member of the Rajya Sabha and ex-president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC). This would give some relief as no train for Delhi was at present available from 7 am to 10 pm, he added. Speaking to The Tribune over the phone, Kataria said by sanctioning a new train from Abohar-Tohana via Fatehabad, the railway has also taken another welcome step since hundreds of passengers, having social links in Haryana, had till date been depending upon bus services that are more expensive as well as tiresome. The Railway Minister has assured that the long-awaited Abohar-Fazilka rail link would be operational during the next financial year. This too would bring cheers to the passengers of the region as bus fares had been raised thrice since the formation of the SAD-BJP alliance government in Punjab. He also thanked the minister for sanctioning Chandigarh-Dehradun express train via Ambala, Jagadhari and hoped passengers of this region would also be able to board it at Ambala. However, he regretted that Mamata had wrongly claimed that all the trains announced during her last year’s budget speech had become functional. She had promised to introduce Sriganganagar-Nanded Sahib weekly train but people are still waiting for it. The train should be introduced without further delay and it must be tri-weekly train, he demanded. |
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Murder of BKU
(Ekta) Leader
Bathinda, February 24 Accusing the state government of providing protection to the killers of Takhtupura, the protesters, including women, declared him a martyr of the ‘kisan’ movement. The leaders said Takhtupura was murdered when he was mobilising support for an agitation against the recommendations of the Badal-Kalia committee. Naming a number of leaders of Shiromani Akali Dal, including a former MLA, sarpanch, the chairman of a committee and some police officers, the agitators said they would continue their struggle till all culprits were put behind bars. They accused the state government of using the police as a tool. They alleged that formation of a special investigating team only reflected the efforts made to pull the influential persons out of the case. Jhanda Singh Jethuke, state senior vice-president of the BKU Ekta (Ugrahan), and Shingara Singh Mann, district president of the union, accused CM Parkash Singh Badal and his son deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal of patronising the goons for suppressing all movements initiated against them. Jora Singh Nasrali, state president of the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, accused the government of protecting the big industrialists even at the cost of lives of the marginal farmers and labourers. Urging all to reach Takhtupura village on February 28 to pay homage to Sadhu Singh Takhtupura in large numbers, the leaders said further programme of intensifying the protest would be announced there with the joint decision of about 22 organisations of farmers and farm labourers. |
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IGP launches helpline to check drug menace
Bathinda, February 24 “To teach a lesson to notorious drug peddlers, it is now decided to attach their property. We have shortlisted more than 40 such criminals whose property can be attached after completing the formalities,” added Chaudhary. When asked about the number of cases registered under the NDPS Act but have failed as cops had turned hostile, he said, “We have started compiling the list of such cases. Any cop found to be guilty of shielding a drug peddler would be dismissed immediately.” SSP Bathinda Sukhchain Singh Gill, SSP Faridkot AK Mittal, SSP Moga Ashok Bath, SSP Muktsar Inder Mohan Singh, SSP Ferozepur SPS Parmar and SSP Mansa HS Mann were also present during the interaction. Ferozepur: Alongside initiatives being made for modernisation of the police force to make it well-quipped and hi-tech, no efforts would be spared to win the confidence of the people by inculcating a spirit of devotion and commitment towards the duty amidst its men, said IG Bathinda Zone, Rohit Chowdhary while interacting with the media persons at the CPRC here today. IG Chowdhary during his maiden visit after assuming charge of Bathinda zone held detailed discussions with the senior police officials and took stock of the state of law and order in the district. Speaking about the incidents of cyber crime, the IG informed that training was imparted to the men to combat cyber crime and track the culprits. About communal violence, he said ward wise peace committees would be constituted so that the sinister designs of the trouble creating elements could be defeated. The IG denied there was any political pressure on the force in discharge of its duties. |
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After kicking drugs, they will now strive to check the menace
Bathinda, February 24 The main aim was to give an opportunity to the de-addicted persons to share their views and experiences with each other and educate them to motivate drug addicts in their respective villages and towns to give up drugs/intoxicants. On the occasion, a street play “Amli di barbadi” was organised by Nachhattar Sidhu Buladewala (Muktsar) and his party. The play not only entertained the gathering but also sent a message to public that addicted persons could give up drugs and intoxicants if guided properly. Some de-addicted persons, including former employee of a petrol pump Harjinder Singh (35) of Puhli village (near Nathana), labourer from Kalyan Sukha village Roshan Singh (30), registered medical practitioner from Ganganagar district Shamsher Singh (33), truck driver from a village near Gidderbaha Kulwinder Singh (32), labourer from Behman Dewana village Kaka Singh (37), Surjit Singh (50) of Virak Kalan village, drum beater from Kalyan Sukha village Binder Singh (35), told TNS that they had taken intoxicants, like poppy husk, liquor, medical tablets and cough syrups for years, but after getting treatment from the centre they were now enjoying a happy family life. Since October 2009, the Ambuja Cement Foundation has provided financial assistance to the centre to the tune of about Rs 2.75 lakh to develop infrastructure and provide medicines, food etc to the inmates. More than 24,500 addicts, including 8,412 indoor patients, have been treated by the centre till now. The centre was set up in 1992 by the District Red Cross Society as a project of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. The drug de-addicted persons, their family members and others were addressed by assistant commissioner (under training) Joram Beda IAS, assistant vice-president of the Ambuja Cement, Bathinda, Rajiv Jain, secretary of district Red Cross Society JR Goyal, project director of the Red Cross Integrated Treatment-cum-Rehabilitation Centre Baljinder Singh, psychiatrist at the centre Dr Sunil Gupta and project coordinator of the Ambuja Cement RN Chauhan among others. |
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Farmers stage stir, seek justice
Kulwinder Sandhu Tribune News Service
Moga, February 24 Sukhdev Singh, state general secretary and Tarlok Singh Himmatpura, district president of the BKU (Ekta), addressing the protesters, alleged that the SAD-BJP government had planned the conspiracy of the murder, which could be judged from the fact that the SSP concerned has been sent on leave even before the investigation had begun in this case. They alleged that the main accused involved in this murder was a former MLA (SAD) Veer Singh Lopoke and the state government was protecting him. “The government gave him a seat in the front row during the recent visit of the union minister P Chidambram at Amritsar,” they said. The agitated leaders of various unions feared that the local police under the pressure of the government was trying to protect the SAD leader and delete his name from the list of the accused persons during the course of investigation. It may be mentioned that Sadhu Singh, the deceased, BKU leader, belonged to Takhtupura village of the Moga district and was murdered in broad daylight at Bhindian Saida village in Amritsar district, last week. He was struggling for farmers rights in Majha region of the state for the past few years and the alleged accused persons had earlier also clashed with him many a times before this tragic incident. Takhtupura on behalf of the BKU had recently also organised a big rally at Ajnala against the police for allegedly killing a youth in the police custody. Parmod Mehta adds from Mansa: Following state-level call, farmers and labourers organisations today held a demonstration in front of the DC office against the alleged protection given to the assassins of the Kisan leader Sadhu Singh Takhtupura, who was killed in the Amritsar district recently and to carry forward their struggle to support their other demands. Those who participated in the dharna today at Mansa included Bhartiya Kissan Union (Ugrahan), Bhartiya Kissan Union (Dakoda), Punjab Kissan Union, Mazdoor Mukti Morcha (MMM) and Punjab Kisan Sabha. Leaders of these organisations alleged that the state government was providing protection to the main accused of the murder of Sadhu Singh Takhtupura. They said an Akali MLA close to the CM and some other persons were responsible for the murder. They also raised a demand that Sukhbir Badal-Manoranjan Kalia committee recommendations should be withdrawn that were against the interests of the farmers and labourers. State president of Punjab Kissan Union, Ruldu Singh, district president of the BKU (Ugrahan), Ram Singh Bhainibagha, state secretary of the Mazdoor Mukti Morcha, Bhagwant Singh Sammaon, Mohinder Singh and Inderjit Singh Jhabbar addressed the gathering and said the ownership rights should be provided to cultivators of the land. The issue of killings of farmers at Khanna Chamara was also raised and action against the culprits was also sought.
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Five more consignments of rice fail quality test
Kulwinder Sandhu Tribune News Service
Moga, February 24 As a result of which, the authorities concerned of the FCI had withdrawn powers of accepting milled rice from the millers from a technical assistant Parsu Ram while a report had been sent to the higher authorities at Chandigarh against the manager (quality control) Kishan Lal for action. Both these officials accepted five consignments of sub-standard rice from Sameer Agro Industries, last week. However, when the assistant general manager (quality) of the FCI took samples from this stock, it failed to meet the requirements of the food agency. When contacted, DK Jain, the district manager admitted that the stock accepted by these officials did not meet required standards of the agency. "I have immediately taken an action against them for accepting the sub-standard rice," he said. Adding that he had got all the five consignments of the sub-standard rice replaced from the said miller, he said the millers that they should give good quality rice to the FCI; otherwise, strict legal action would be taken against them. In a strict tone, he warned, "I would not accept poor quality rice from the millers at any cost and anybody trying to do so would invite legal action." Jain claimed that he had got more than 70 per cent of the sub-standard rice replaced, given by the millers from the 2008-09 stock and the process was going on at a rapid pace. "We would soon replace rest of the stock," he added. Meanwhile, it was learnt that the millers of this district had just milled only 22 per cent of the paddy during the current season, which otherwise, should have been more than 60 per cent at this point of time as per the policy and guidelines framed by the state government.
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Inter-state gang busted, two held
Faridkot, February 24 The SSP of Faridkot, Arun Kumar Mittal while revealing this to The Tribune said that Inderjit Singh, Madho Singh, both residents of Moradabad, had been arrested by the police. A sum of Rs 10,000 in cash, a motorcycle and a currency passbook had been recovered from their possession, he said. Mittal said today, inspector, Satpal Singh, SHO of the police station (city) during a routine checking in Nanaksar Basti area managed to nab them. Meanwhile, a local court had sent them to the police custody till February 27 for further investigations. Two of their associates Raj Kumar Raju and Jatinder Singh were still at large. |
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Kalia for fillip to vocational courses
Ferozepur, February 24 He laid foundation stones for the upgradation project of high school at village Bareke and stone of girls’ hostel at the Government Girls School in the city. He was accompanied by Sukhpal Singh Nannu, CPS (Revenue), Basant Garg (ADC), Gurtej Singh (SDM), Manjit Singh Rai, chairman, District Planning Board besides other senior BJP leaders and workers. Earlier, while addressing media persons at the residence of Sukhpal Singh Nannu, he said to encourage industrialists for setting up business ventures in the state, a helpline service has been started which would provide them with the entire know-how about the policies of the government. “Inspector Raaj” has been dispensed with giving way to single window system involving nine departments to ensure total transparency, he added. Nannu condemned the brutal attack on Sikhs in Pakistan, asking the UPA government to take stringent measures to combat such incidents. |
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CM showers blessings on 121 couples at mass marriage
Bathinda, February 24 Badal appreciated such activities of the Trust that had earlier organised four mass marriages, in which 240 couples belonging to weaker sections and poor families had tied the nuptial knot. The mass marriage was performed with religious rituals in the grain market where a lunch was also organised. Badal honoured those activists of Barnala and Sangrur districts, who underwent imprisonment during the emergency
and the Punjabi Suba agitation. He also laid foundation stone of a government college that would be built at a cost of Rs 8 crore over 15 acre of land in Dhilwan village. The college would begin functioning from next session, he announced. |
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Local boy wins laurels at judo championship Bathinda: Yadvinder Singh of class X, St. Paul’s High School, brought laurels to the city by securing the first position and a gold medal in the 17th National Judo Championship held at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, from February 3-7. Earlier, Yadvinder had won the first position in the Punjab Judo Championship. — TNS
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Bathinda: A joint action committee formed by the managements and principals of non-government colleges in Punjab and Chandigarh, and the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union (PCCTU) has given a call to observe “education bandh” on February 26 to the management, principals, teachers and non-teaching employees of the non-government colleges. On the day, a rally will also be held at the rally ground in sector 25, Chandigarh. — TNS
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Fazilka MC elects office-bearers
Our Correspondent
Fazilka, February 24 Senior BJP councillors Bajrang Lal Gupta proposed the name of Raghunath Rai Indora and another member Ashok Jairath proposed the name of Kamlesh Chugh for the post of junior vice-president. The other BJP members raised their hands in support of the proposal of these candidates. Notably, these posts had been lying vacant for more than five months. The BJP high command allegedly could not decide the candidates for these posts earlier as there were many aspirants for these posts. The elections were postponed twice earlier also for different reasons.
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BSF sports meet concludes
Abohar, February 24 DIG Vimal Satyarthi gave away the trophies to the winners and runner-up teams during the closing ceremony after thrilling final matches in kabaddi and handball. The players were honoured by sector battalion commandant Sanjay Shiva. —
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Hundreds of farmers and farm labourers today staged a dharna outside the Mini-secretariat here. They demanded arrest of some ruling party leaders.
Bathinda, February 24
