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TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

Daily Ticket Sales Scam
Station suptd suspended
Abohar, March 21
Subhash Gautam, station superintendent at Hindumalkot, has been placed under suspension in connection with the alleged daily ticket sales scam (DTS) that was being investigated by the Railway Vigilance cell, sources said.

Grant released for wildlife sanctuary
Bishnoi Sabha blames state govt for not using Central funds
Abohar, March 21
The office-bearers of the Akhil Bharatiya Jeev Raksha Bishnoi Sabha have asked the wildlife sanctuary survey team that the Punjab government had not so far utilised Rs 1.20 lakh grant that was released by the Central government for Asia’s largest open sanctuary in this sub-division.

Celebrations mark Gangaur festival in Abohar
Abohar, March 21
Gangaur, one of the most important festivals in Rajasthan, was this week celebrated not only in the twin districts of Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh but also in Abohar with great fervour and devotion by womenfolk.

Rly to run special trains in summer
Sriganganagar/Abohar, March 21
The North Western Railway has decided to run special train services to clear extra rush of passengers during this summer, chief public relations officer, Lalit Bohra informed recently.

Rural Haats to sell goods produced by self-help groups
Bathinda, March 21
Under the “Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojna” of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, nine “Rural Haats” (shops) will be set up in Bathinda district for promotion of rural products and marketing of products being prepared by self-help groups. The products include honey, ‘dari’, ‘khes’, bedsheet, readymade garments, pickle, ‘murraba’, cover of quilt and detergent powder.

Official website of Rampura launched
Bathinda, March 21
After year-long efforts, the authorities of Rampura Phul sub-division have introduced their official website (www.rampuraphul.co.in), which contains detailed information about the history of the sub-division as well as the functioning of administration.

Orbit bus hits cop, driver booked
Bathinda, March 21
The Kotwali police booked the driver of a Badal-owned Orbit Transport Company for rash driving and injuring a police constable at the local bus stand on Saturday evening.

New guidelines for state award to govt teachers
Fazilka, March 21
The education department has come out with new guidelines for granting state awards every year on Teacher’s Day to the teachers working in the government and recognised senior secondary and elementary schools.

Intoxicants seized at chemist shop
Fazilka, March 21
Special staff of Punjab police has recovered intoxicating tablets in a large quantity from a shop during a raid near ITI here on Saturday. As per the in-charge of the special staff, Sanjiv Setia about 1.25 lakhs of tablets which could be used as intoxicants have been recovered from the possession of the in-charge of the shop Gurmit Singh. Setia said more tablets could be recovered from him.

Arrangements in place for pilgrims at Hanumangarh Navratra fair
Pilgrims worship at the ancient Bhadrakali temple near Hanumangarh. A Tribune photograph Hanumangarh/Abohar, March 21
Elaborate arrangements have been made to receive pilgrims from far off places of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan during the peak period of the Navratra fair at the ancient Bhadrakali temple, located seven km away from the district town of Hanumangarh, during the next three days.

Pilgrims worship at the ancient Bhadrakali temple near Hanumangarh. A Tribune photograph

Man kills widow in Ferozepur
Ferozepur, March 21
Mohinder Kaur, a widow of Guru Har Sahai town of this district, was allegedly murdered by Jamir Singh alias Jiri late last evening by hitting a baseball bat on her head and other parts of the body.

Harsh Vardhan wins Google sports contest
Sriganganagar/Abohar, March 21
Harsh Vardhan, a Physical Education teacher, at the Government Primary School, Husangsar has topped in the sports category in the contest “Hai Baaton Mein Dum” which was jointly organised by Google and Live Hindustan.

	Cell phone to act as tractor driver Mobile-based software can drive the vehicle from a distance Anirudh Gupta Ferozepur, March 21 While mobiles phones may have become an inseparable part of everyone’s life to communicate and stay abreast but going beyond that, two local boys have developed a mobile-based electronic software named ‘MCST’ with the help of which they can control the functioning of the tractor. For this, they use the ‘mobile phone’ as the driver. These young engineering students, Pavittar Singh and Gurdit Singh Gill, claim that with the help of this mobile phone software, they can manage the working of a tractor in the field remotely, while sitting in any part of the world. Born in village Talwandi Mange Khan near the Zira sub-division, they are at present pursuing a diploma course in electronic and telecommunication engineering from LLRMPC, Ajitwal. “Not only can a heavy machine like tractor work with the help of a mobile, all the functions right from starting the tractor, applying of clutch, changing gears, using accelerator, turning of steering, applying of brake and horn, can be done with this mobile-based software,” said Pavittar Singh. These functions can be performed even when you are far away from the tractor, Pavittar said, adding that besides some electronic components, powerful motors are used to operate on the tractor, which are controlled with the software. This mobile-based software can even be used to run the tractor from abroad, say from countries like the US, Canada and England for which one just needs 3G video calling to connect this software. "The tractor would automatically stop working if anything or any person comes in front of it," said Pavittar, further adding that not only the tractor, but also any kind of machine can be operated using the MCST. He claimed that this software has been invented for the first time in the world, which would go a long way in helping the farmers do more work besides just operating the tractor in the field. Director Dr CL Sachdeva from the Lala Lajpat Rai Memorial Polytechnic College congratulated the two brilliant students for their great invention. These boys had earlier invented the software with the help of which every function related to irrigation of fields can be performed while sitting at home.
	Traffic snarls at Rampura rly crossing Cops apathetic, call it a routine affair Rajay Deep Tribune News Service Rampura (Bathinda), March 21 Thanks to official apathy, a railway level crossing located on the outskirts of this town on the busy Bathinda-Chandigarh state highway has virtually become a trouble for motorists. Chaos rules the spot as traffic jams have become the order of the day. Ironically, traffic cops deputed there describe the traffic jams as a routine affair and hardly show concern towards the menace. It has been observed that whenever the gate at the rail crossing is closed, traffic bottlenecks emerge on both sides of the crossing. Drivers of buses and trucks break the queue and drive their vehicles in the wrong lane. They are followed by other motorists, which results in long queues on both sides of the crossing, facing each other. After the crossing bars are raised, people have to juggle to cross the railway track. However, the cops deputed there remain mute spectators. When questioned, the driver of a private bus said they had to rush in order to pick up passengers at the next stoppage, before their rivals could do so. Another bus driver said the transport department had reduced their time to pick passengers at every bus stop. “If we do not reach the bus stand on scheduled time, the next alottee will not allow us to pick up passengers during his time,” he added. On the other hand, one of the traffic cops deputed there expressed his inability to take any action against the violators. Seeking anonymity, he said, “We have reported the matter to our seniors a number of times, but they do not want us to issue challans to these bus drivers, who usually violate rules and are nuisance for others. We have also stopped bothering about it.” SDM Rampura Phul Uma Shankar Gupta was aware of the menace but he passed the buck on to police officials. DSP Rampura Phul HS Randhawa said, “I was not aware of the gravity of the situation but I will do my best to streamline the system. Moreover, I will issue a written order to the traffic cops to deal with the violators strictly.”
	Daily Ticket Sales Scam Station suptd suspended Raj Sadosh Abohar, March 21 Subhash Gautam, station superintendent at Hindumalkot, has been placed under suspension in connection with the alleged daily ticket sales scam (DTS) that was being investigated by the Railway Vigilance cell, sources said. Notably, the Vigilance team comprising R Subramanian, SN Tripathi, Suraj Mal and Baljinder Tiwari had recently raided rural halt stations of village Odaki and Kotha-Pucci besides Hindumalkot located on the Abohar-Sriganganagar section. The team had interrogated Subhash Gautam and the staff deployed at the halt stations before leaving for New Delhi along with the relevant record. Later, the Ambala division office of the railways initiated departmental inquiry and has now ordered the suspension of Subhash Gautam. Reports reaching the Rail Bhawan reportedly indicated that the daily ticket sales had nosedived to about Rs 500-700 during the past six months whereas it had been about Rs 5,000 earlier. The staff had been procuring tickets from the Hindumalkot depot against advance payment as per the rules. Since the opening of the bank account was not required for the stations that earn less than Rs 15,000 per day, the superintendent enjoyed the liberty of keeping the daily sales amount with him. The Commercial Movement Inspector (CMI) who is supposed to visit the stations for inspection is also under the scanner, sources pointed out.
	Grant released for wildlife sanctuary Bishnoi Sabha blames state govt for not using Central funds Our Correspondent Abohar, March 21 The office-bearers of the Akhil Bharatiya Jeev Raksha Bishnoi Sabha have asked the wildlife sanctuary survey team that the Punjab government had not so far utilised Rs 1.20 lakh grant that was released by the Central government for Asia’s largest open sanctuary in this sub-division. The team comprising Dr AN Negi, former director, Wildlife Protection department in Uttarakhand, Dr SN Prasad and Dr AN Dixit from Varanasi had been formed by the Central government to inspect wildlife sanctuaries/parks all over the country and submit report on their present status. They arrived here last evening and moved in the open sanctuary spread over 13 villages today. They have so far visited 10 sanctuaries in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, Uttrakhand and Uttar Pradesh. Visit to six sanctuaries has been planned during this year, Negi said. The team members were told by the Sabha that the state government had confirmed while providing details under the RTI that so far grants worth Rs 21 lakh received from the Central government for the open sanctuary remained unutilised during the past decade. Intriguingly, Punjab Forest Minister Tikshan Sood visited Abohar two years ago and argued that resources for the wildlife protection could not be arranged for want of funds. There had been no patrolling by the government staff to prevent hunting, ponds are not filled with water, the Sabha regretted. The team appreciated the Bishnoi community for its commitment to protect birds and animals in the sanctuary area, such practice had nowhere else been found, Dr Negi said. A copy of the information received under the RTI Act has been handed over to the visiting team. The Sabha also informed the team that former union minister Maneka Gandhi had offered to release grant for developing a veterinary hospital in the sanctuary area when she visited Abohar to unveil statue of Sant Kumar Bishnoi, the founder president of the Sabha, during the last tenure of the SAD-BJP government but the state government had not so far arranged land for the project.
	Celebrations mark Gangaur festival in Abohar Our Correspondent Abohar, March 21 Gangaur, one of the most important festivals in Rajasthan, was this week celebrated not only in the twin districts of Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh but also in Abohar with great fervour and devotion by womenfolk. Describing the significance of the festival, Hanumangarh Zila Parishad chief Shobha Doodi said, “Idol of Isar represents Lord Shiva while Gangaur represents goddess Parvati. We offer prayers to these idols on this day.” Hanumangarh Municipal Council chairperson Surjit Kaur was also among the dignitaries who participated in the colourful Gangaur procession. In Rawatsar, princess Indira Kumari, daughter-in-law of Maharani Luxmi Churawat kept up the century old tradition of joining the people in performing Gangaur poojan as the procession reached the Pipliya well. Wing commander Ghanshyam Singh, son of the Maharani, was the chief guest at the horse dancing competition. He awarded the winners. In Suratgarh, Municipal Council president Banwari Lal, an engineer- turned-politician, performed Gangaur worship at the main function held on Friday. Prominent artists entertained the gathering by performing folk dances during the Gangaur functions in different cities. Hundreds of women of Rajasthan origin assembled at the Patel Park in Abohar to celebrate Gangaur festival and performed ‘poojan’ after taking out a procession.

Rural Haats to sell goods produced by self-help groups
Sushil Goyal
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, March 21
Under the “Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojna” of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, nine “Rural Haats” (shops) will be set up in Bathinda district for promotion of rural products and marketing of products being prepared by self-help groups. The products include honey, ‘dari’, ‘khes’, bedsheet, readymade garments, pickle, ‘murraba’, cover of quilt and detergent powder.

One “Haat” each will be set up in eight blocks of the district. Besides, a district-level “Haat” will be set up in a village.

According to information, three villages (one village in each block) have already been selected for the purpose while a village where district-level “Rural Haat” will be set up has also been selected. For remaining five blocks, the district planning committee at its meeting here yesterday ordered the additional deputy commissioner (Development) to send a proposal to the Government of India in this regard.

Sources told TNS that in the first phase, three ‘Rural Haats” would be set up in Kalyan Sukha village (Nathana block), Seengo village (Talwandi Sabo block) and Kal Jharani village (Sangat block).

While 75 per cent of the cost of these shops would be borne by the Centre the state would bear the remaining cost. The district had received Rs 16.87 lakh from the Centre as its share, which had already been sent to the Panchayati Raj Department to construct the same in three villages. The state government is yet to pay for its share that comes to over Rs 5.50 lakh.

Meanwhile, the district-level “Rural Haat” would be built at Budhladhewala village in Bathinda block, but the funds are still awaited from the Central government for the purpose.

In the light of order of the district planning committee, after selecting villages in the remaining five blocks, namely Rampura, Bathinda, Phul, Bhagta and Maur, the ADC (D) will send a proposal to the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, through the state government.

	Official website of Rampura launched Rajay Deep Tribune News Service Bathinda, March 21 After year-long efforts, the authorities of Rampura Phul sub-division have introduced their official website (www.rampuraphul.co.in), which contains detailed information about the history of the sub-division as well as the functioning of administration. The homepage of the website welcomes the visitors with two optional slots — Suwidha Centre and Rampura Phul — carrying different pictures. The Rampura Phul slot is linked with a slide of eight photographs while it separately carries a huge picture of Maharani Chand Kaur Park as the main attraction of the town. Providing basic details of the sub-division, the website states that it came into existence on March 1, 1970, and is spread on 87,561 acres. The page mentions the pride of Rampura town — its worldwide popularity due to its blood donation movement. Renowned social volunteer Hazari Lal Bansal has been credit for boosting up the social move. Besides mentioning details about villages, welfare schemes, important telephone numbers and issued grants, the website provides information related to all government offices situated in the sub-division. In the Suwidha Centre slot, the website provides online information related to issued tokens and registered deeds. Further, it gives detail information about the services being offered. It also enables the visitors to download application forms for 11 services along with guidance to complete the procedure. Terming it an initiative for public welfare, SDM Rampura Phul Uma Shanker Gupta said, “We hope people will take the benefit of our website as it contains information about the whole administration.” Suggestions from public will be welcomed for its improvement, the SDM added.
	Orbit bus hits cop, driver booked Bathinda, March 21 The Kotwali police booked the driver of a Badal-owned Orbit Transport Company for rash driving and injuring a police constable at the local bus stand on Saturday evening. As per the details available, police constable Sanjeev Kumar of Batala was trying to board a bus when an Orbit bus bearing number PB03S9135 hit him. The hit was so forceful that the constable sustained multiple injuries, including fractures. He was rushed to a local hospital where doctors referred him to the DMCH, Ludhiana. Acting upon the statement of the injured, the police booked Gurjant Singh, the driver of the bus, under sections 279, 337 and 338 of the IPC. — TNS
	New guidelines for state award to govt teachers Praful Chander Nagpal Fazilka, March 21 The education department has come out with new guidelines for granting state awards every year on Teacher’s Day to the teachers working in the government and recognised senior secondary and elementary schools. In this regard, special secretary of school education department has issued a fresh letter. The significant aspect of the new guidelines is that the process and selection of the teachers for the award would be done at the district education officer level and the powers have been decentralised by the department as far as the award is concerned. It would be mandatory for the teacher seeking state award to secure commendation certificate from the district education officer concerned. The principal, headmaster and teachers of each subject would be eligible for the state award. It would be mandatory to select one teacher for one subject. Similarly total two state awards would be conferred for the subjects of vocational studies, drawing and agriculture. As per the letter for preparing the cases of state award, the government has decided to grant 15 points for educational qualification and 20 points for the results produced the teachers. Besides, two points each would be given on the basis of the strength of the students, presence of students in the class, cleanliness of school and classroom, availability of furniture, planting saplings, national integration, use of learning and teaching material while imparting education. Ten points for last 10 years' Annual Confidential Report (ACRs), six points for co-curricular activities, five points each for constructing new and renovation of old building and for research, four points each to maintain discipline and the contribution in checking dropout rate and three points each for published material written by the teacher, special coaching to the students and special commendation certificate from any institution has also been fixed as the criteria. NGO Shiksha Sudhar Committee patron, Raj Kishore Kalra, president Jaswant Singh Gill and state award winner Satider Singh have hailed the decision of the state government to work out new policy for the state award. “This would enthuse the teachers to work more efficiently,” said the committee office-bearers.
	Intoxicants seized at chemist shop Our Correspondent Fazilka, March 21 Special staff of Punjab police has recovered intoxicating tablets in a large quantity from a shop during a raid near ITI here on Saturday. As per the in-charge of the special staff, Sanjiv Setia about 1.25 lakhs of tablets which could be used as intoxicants have been recovered from the possession of the in-charge of the shop Gurmit Singh. Setia said more tablets could be recovered from him. The police would raid other places and chemists shops to recover banned tablets. The department is determined to check the menace of addiction, he claimed. The police have registered a case under the NDPS Act against Gurmit Singh.
	Arrangements in place for pilgrims at Hanumangarh Navratra fair Our Correspondent Hanumangarh/Abohar, March 21 Elaborate arrangements have been made to receive pilgrims from far off places of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan during the peak period of the Navratra fair at the ancient Bhadrakali temple, located seven km away from the district town of Hanumangarh, during the next three days. The fair has been formally inaugurated by the District Collector (DC) Dr Ravi Kumar by performing the first ‘poojan’ amidst chanting of hymns. Chief caretaker Satya Narain Puri monitored the ceremony. Later, the DC along with ADC KR Sharma, DSP Chandresh Gupta and other officials discussed all aspects of the fair. NGO Bharat Club, also known as Hanumangarh Seva Samiti, has been in the service of pilgrims for the last 25 years. Its patron Luxmi Narain Bansal said two decades back, a glass of water cost the pilgrims Rs 5 as seasonal money makers used to monopolise trade activities during the annual fair. Now, the club has installed four drinking water tanks, two tubewells, scores of taps, huge shed besides getting puuca road constructed. Two hundred volunteers will be on round-the-clock duty during the next three days.
	Man kills widow in Ferozepur Tribune News Service Ferozepur, March 21 Mohinder Kaur, a widow of Guru Har Sahai town of this district, was allegedly murdered by Jamir Singh alias Jiri late last evening by hitting a baseball bat on her head and other parts of the body. Police sources said that the accused Jiri attacked Mohinder Kaur as he could not tolerate the resistance offered by her to his repeated attempts of harassing her. Sources said that the accused had been coming to the house of widow a number of times in a day for the past many weeks and used to harass her. Mohinder Kaur lodged a complaint to Pavvi Midha, owner of the house, which was rented out to the accused Jiri. To teach the deceased a lesson for lodging a complaint, Jiri went to Mohinder Kaur's house yesterday and attacked her with a baseball bat. Mohinder Kaur, who suffered multiple injuries was taken to the nearby hospital and then shifted to Faridkot-based hospital. She succumbed to her injuries today. A case in this connection had been registered in the Guru Har Sahai police station under section 302 of the IPC and the accused had also been arrested.
	Harsh Vardhan wins Google sports contest Sriganganagar/Abohar, March 21 Harsh Vardhan, a Physical Education teacher, at the Government Primary School, Husangsar has topped in the sports category in the contest “Hai Baaton Mein Dum” which was jointly organised by Google and Live Hindustan. The organisers said Harsh Vardhan emerged as winner out of 3,000 entries. He is entitled to get amazing prizes, the organisers said in a release. — OC