Moga, April 19
Unlike the people in slums or congested areas in the metro cities, people in the rural areas of Moga district in Punjab, one of the most advanced states of the country, are more at the risk of suffering from water-borne diseases.

As many as 323 out of a total of 328 villages have their own water supply systems set up with the financial help of World Bank to supply clean potable water to the rural people so as to minimise the risk of water-borne diseases. The total population in the villages is 7,16,214 persons as per the 2001 census comprising 80.04 per cent of the total population of the district.

However, it is surprising to know that more than 60 per cent of the rural people have illegal water connections in their houses, particularly in the settlements of Dalits (lower caste people). These illegal connections by-and-large are seeping and the tap water often comes in contact with the open drains or upper crust of the earth having chemicals and pesticide deposits. During the past one year, the district health authorities have taken as many as 373 samples of potable water from various locations in the district, out of which, 177 samples have failed the quality tests and have been declared unfit for human consumption. On the other hand, at least 50 per cent of the panchayats have failed to pay the electricity bills of water pumps in their villages, due to which, the water supply systems are on the brink of closure.

Worried over this situation, the authorities concerned of the water supply department in consultation with the district administration have decided to act tough on the illegal connections, revealed Kulbir Singh, executive engineer of the water supply department.

He said the water supply department’s primary duty was to install water pumps, make a supply channel and hand over the systems to the panchayats but after doing this job perfectly during the last few years, the problems of his department have multiplied with most of the panchayats having failed to pay the electricity bills of their water pumps.

“We have decided to issue eight-day notices to 25 villages every month—- five from each block, after which the electricity connections of their water pumps will be disconnected if they fail to pay their arrears and current bills,” the executive engineer revealed.

There are over 200 villages in the district that are not paying the electricity bills regularly and have also failed to regularise the illegal connections so that the water supply bills could be collected from the households. Meanwhile, as per a study conducted by the Central Groundwater Board, the chemical quality of water from shallow (phreatic) aquifers indicate that the groundwater in general in Moga district is fresh to marginally saline, except for the localized pocket near Dameru Khurd in Bhagapurana block, where EC is as high as 4490 µ-mho/cm at 25°C.

In general, all the chemical parameters, i.e. major cations (Ca, Mg, Na & K) and major anions (CO3, HCO3, Cl & SO4) are well within the permissible limits set by the BIS, 1991 except fluoride. Fluoride concentration is higher than permissible limit in most of the areas. Iron concentrations have been found in shallow groundwater at some places to be higher than permissible limits in south-eastern, north-western and in areas adjoining the Sutlej. Combined effect of sodacity and salinity hazard has been reported to be alarming in parts of Moga-II and Bhagapurana blocks. By and large, the quality of groundwater is suitable for domestic/irrigation purposes in major parts of district. (To be continued)

Abohar, April 19
Residents of the area surrounding the ancient tombs of Panjpeer today thronged the sub-divisional office of the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board (PWSSB) and shouted slogans before the in-charge official over the non-availability of drinking water.

The protesters were led by BJP councillor Surinder Vij. They rued that the supply of drinking water had not been restored to their locality, even when the irrigation department had released water in canals after three-week long closure.

They warned of a gherao of the PWSSB office if supply was not made within the next 48 hours. — OC

Fazilka, April 19
The tall claims of the state government of smooth procurement, prompt lifting and payment stand belied.

As per the details gathered by The Tribune, lifting process is quite slow due to the alleged wrong distribution of lifting of bags to the labour groups.

The reason behind the slow process is stated to be that the lifting work has not been distributed properly by the authorities concerned. As per sources, the work of lifting of about eight lakhs bags has been allotted to one labour group comprising 270 labourers.

However, surprisingly the remaining work of lifting of 24 lakh bags has been allotted to the labourer group comprising 140 persons only. This alleged wrong distribution is the main cause of glut of wheat in the market. As per sources, the Punjab Agro Industries have purchased about 22,000 quintals of wheat from Ramkot focal point.

The purchase started on April 12 by the agency. However, the Punjab Agro Industry authorities have made only one payment to the farmers that too on the first day of the inauguration of purchase. The remaining payment is yet to be released.

Similarly, one private company UBC has purchased about 12,000 quintals of barley from this focal point. Of it, only 3,000 quintals of barley have been lifted so far. The payment has not been made of the purchased barley so far.

“The company had a contract with the farmers that it would purchase barley at previous year’s price of Rs 1,080 per quintal. The company has reportedly backtracked on its assurance and instead purchased barley at Rs 1,000,” alleged farmers Gurdipt Singh and Karam Singh of village Ramkot and said they have been betrayed by the company.

They have asked the government that it should intervene into the matter to ensure a remunerative price to the farmers. PPCC general secretary Davinder Sachdeva has alleged that the payment process of procured wheat is very slow. He has asked that the government should arrange for prompt lifting of wheat and that payment should be made within two days, according to the norms. 

Abohar, April 19
Anguished over the collapse of purchase as well as lifting arrangements for wheat produce, scores of commission agents shouted anti-government slogans as business activities came to a grinding halt in the new grain market here on Monday.

The protesters included Arhtia Association president Pramil Kalani, former president, Anil Nagori, secretary, Sugreev Setia, Jagat Periwal and Harinder Bathla. They regretted that three lakh bags of wheat were waiting for lifting and each corner of the market stood occupied by the produce.

The state government had been making false promises for the past three years. Senior officials from Chandigarh had virtually been on sight-seeing tour under the pretext of on-the-spot inspection to streamline the arrangements.

The government had advised that the produce must be cleaned before sale but here no space was available for using dusting, they regretted. "We had held a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and thrice attended the meetings convened by the sub-divisional magistrate but it has not served any purpose,” the protesters said.

There has been no improvement in lifting of wheat bags all over the sub-division and stacking at the open plinths too goes at a slow pace. “We have informed the officials concerned about the situation that prevails in the new grain market besides over two dozen rural purchase centres and may give a call for complete strike by tomorrow,” they said. 

Bathinda, April 19
Darbara Singh Guru, principal secretary to the Punjab Chief Minister, today said procurement of wheat was progressing hassle-free throughout the state. He, however, warned that sluggishness of government agencies in procurement of grain would not be tolerated.

Guru is touring grain markets in the districts to oversee the procurement drive. After visiting Mansa and Bathinda districts, he said till yesterday, over 64 lakh tonne wheat had been procured in the state. The government was expecting arrival of 110 lakh tonne of wheat and storage space has been created for 115 lakh tonne.

He said a tie-up of Rs 10,000 crore had been made with various banks to disburse payment against procurement and a sum of Rs 4,000 crore had already been released to the farmers whose crop has been purchased.

The procurement agencies have been ordered by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to release payment to farmers within 48 hours of purchase.

He said for smooth lifting of the grain, the deputy commissioners have been authorised to make alternate arrangements for carriage and labour in case the contractors failed to do so.

Guru said some teething troubles had initially cropped up in the procurement process as the period of lifting had shrunk to about 25 days because of the sudden high temperature in climate, but the operation was now progressing smoothly.

The wheat grain did not fully mature in size in Bathinda, Mansa and Muktsar districts as weather was exceptionally hot.

Guru said the district manager of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) was today asked to initiate proceedings for suspension of the corporation’s inspector at Talwandi Sabo for negligence of duty at the procurement centre from where he was found missing.

He said there was no shortage of bags for wheat. Against the requirement of 4.60 lakh bales of bags, 4.90 lakh were available.

Meanwhile, Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, deputy commissioner, Bathinda, said 3.70 lakh tonne of wheat had arrived in the grain markets in the district and 3.43 lakh tonne was purchased. The payment for 86 per cent of the arrival had been released within 48 hours, he added.

Earlier, Guru visited several procurement centres in the Mansa and Bathinda districts. He would go to Muktsar and Faridkot districts tomorrow.

Thoothian Wali (Mansa), April 19
Causing discomfort to all including farmers, arhtiyas and the staff of the procurement agencies, the administration is running the grain market at Thoothian Wali in the district from a mud floor.

“Whenever the wind blows, it worries us. As the grains get covered with dust and the buyer asks for cleaning it before proposing it for auction,” rued a middle-aged farmer, Babu Singh.

The grain market, having a capacity of more than 15,000 quintals of wheat storage, is located on the Bathinda-Mansa highway. During a random visit, this correspondent witnessed farmers and labourers juggling with the wrapping sheets to cover their gold (wheat grains) from the dust storm. They blamed the apathy of the officials concerned for their woes.

“We have taken up the matter with the district officials as well as the chairman of the Mandi Board, Ajmer Singh Lakhowal and the principal secretary to Chief Minister, Darbara Singh Guru, but nothing was done except issuing statements of noble intent,” lamented the farmers.

Sat Pal, an arhtiya, said, “The purchasing agencies want the grains free from any foreign particle. The authorities of the market committee charge an amount of Rs 1.55 per quintal from us and Rs 1.50 from the farmers, for the cleaning process.”

“But due to the mud on the ground, we have to get it cleaned twice and at times even more. For every cleaning done after the first round, the farmers refuse to pay and we have to bear all the expenses,” rued Sat Pal. Mandi supervisor Raj Kumar admitted the problem but expressed his inability to take action. However, giving details, he said besides the non-purchased crop, about 4400 bags of purchased wheat was lying in the mandi, which was getting covered with dust and filth.

Speaking over the phone, secretary, market committee, Mansa, Jarnail Singh said, “We are well aware of the problem. Taking notice of it, a detailed proposal for constructing metalled floor was sent to the authorities concerned a long time back. However, till date, no intimation has been received by us.”

Bathinda, April 19
In protest against non-acceptance of their demands, members and activists of the Lal Jhanda Bhatha Mazdoor Union (AICCTU) today gheraoed a gate of the Mini-Secretariat (DC’s office) here and raised slogans against the government and in favour of their demands.

The protesters lifted the gherao when the administration reportedly assured them that the matter would be settled by holding a meeting between them and the owners of the brick kilns on April 21.

The protest was attended among others by state president of the union Gurjant Singh Mansa, district president Harwinder Singh Sema, and state general secretary of the Mazdoor Mukti Morcha Bhagwant Singh Samao.

The demands of the brick kiln workers include increase in minimum wages, implementation of labour laws on brick kilns in letter and spirit, group insurance of workers, deduction of provident fund (PF) from the wages of workers and equal contribution into the PF by the owners, arrangements of potable water, electricity, toilets and bathrooms at brick kilns. See pic on P5

Bathinda, April 19
Admitting that BJP workers have a little say in the administration, the party’s senior leader Kamal Sharma said today that the problem was being faced by the workers for the past three years.

He said some months ago, a solution to this problem had been found that the BJP ministers would go to the districts to hear the grievances of the workers in this regard, but it could not be implemented in letter and spirit yet. He added that the issue would be presented before the new team of the state BJP as and when it was formed by the state president of the party.

Sharma along with vice-chairman of Punjab Small Traders Board DP Chandan and another senior BJP leader Manjit Singh Rai was here today to hold a meeting with the party representatives from five districts, namely Sangrur, Barnala, Mansa, Bathinda (Rural) and Bathinda (Urban), in connection with the party’s rally against price rise on April 21 at New Delhi and subsequent gherao of the Parliament on that day.

He also said that from Punjab, about 15,000 party workers would join the rally and carry a protest march towards the Parliament on April 21. He said the rally was being organised to send a message among the common masses that the Union government was unable to control the rising prices.

Sharma said the party had collected five lakh signatures from Punjab against price rise. These would be handed over to the party’s national president for submitting the same in the form of memorandum to the President of India.

DP Chandan described the UPA government as “inflation-oriented government” while Manjit Singh Rai claimed that prices of the commodities had risen by 80 per cent.

Among others present on the occasion included senior deputy mayor of the Bathinda Municipal Corporation (BMC) Tarsem Goyal, deputy mayor Gurinder Pal Kaur Mangat, chairman of the Bathinda Improvement Trust Ashok Bharti and district BJP president (Urban) Sham Lal Bansal. 

Bathinda, April 19
Bathinda Civil Hospital may have fifth “anti retro-viral treatment (ART) centre” of the state in the months to come if today’s visit of a five-member team of the Punjab State AIDS Control Society, led by additional project director Dr NM Sharma, is an indication.

The hospital authorities showed the visiting team three large rooms for senior medical officer (SMO), medical officer (MO), staff nurse, counsellor, medical laboratory, medical store and dispensary etc for setting up the ART centre here.

At present, Patiala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Amritsar have ART centres for specialised treatment of HIV/AIDS patients.

An ART centre is set up after approval from the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO).

Talking to TNS, district health officer Dr Dharam Pal Singh Sekhon said the team would now prepare its report and submit the same to the NACO for setting up the ART centre.

Dr Sekhon said as the team members were seemed to be satisfied with the space and other facilities at the hospital, so it could be expected that Bathinda Civil Hospital would have the ART centre in the months to come.

He added that with the setting up of the ART centre, HIV/AIDS patients would be able to get the required and specialised treatment at the earliest.

Ferozepur, April 19
The state excise and taxation department authorities today imposed a ban on supply of liquor by the distillery Chandigarh Distillers and Bottlers (CDB), Banur, following the seizure of three trucks loaded with 3,600 cartons of liquor in 
Bathinda by the officials on Sunday.

The 3,600 cartons of liquor, which were seized by the officials of the excise department, were going to Abohar from Banur and the same were seized in Bathinda after the officials suspected foul play connected with the evasion of the excise duty into the same.

LA Khan, Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner (Distilleries), Patiala, said that apart from imposing a ban on supply of liquor by the CDB, Banur, the liquor dump of this business firm situated in Ferozepur, had also been sealed. He said that ban would remain in force till the investigation.

Khan said that TR Jindal, Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner (DETC), Faridkot, was investigating the matter. He said if the distillery owner was found involved in any malpractice, they would be issued a show-cause notice and if it was found that everything had been as per rules, then the ban would be lifted. 

Barnala, April 19
With sultry summer setting in, ten children suffering from diarrhoea have been admitted to the civil hospital here from different areas. As per details, the kids were admitted yesterday as they had been suffering from diarrhoea for the last few days. The parents added that they took their kids to the private clinics for treatment but the children had no relief.

Child specialist Bharti Garg said that the children admitted to the hospital are suffering form diarrhoea. The kids were responding to the treatment as their condition was improving, she added.

The doctor advised people not to eat uncovered food and drink boiled water only.

Abohar, April 19
Baldev Singh, a guard of the transport department, was killed while seven persons including four army men sustained injuries in a road mishap as a truck collided head on with a heavy army vehicle near village Telewala on the national highway 15 last night, sources said.

It is learnt that transport authorities had impounded the truck during checking on the NH-15 as the driver failed to produce genuine documents. Guard Baldev Singh was driving the vehicle to Sriganganagar at the time of collision, sources said.

Meanwhile, a motorcyclist identified as Gyan Ram (35) of village Sawaichhani (Bhirani) was crushed to death by an unidentified pick-up van. The victim was going to Bhadra.

A case has been registered at Hanumangarh police station following death of one Prabhu Ram of village Munda.

He had sustained injuries during a road mishap near village Shergarh on February 7 and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital at Jaipur since then.

The police in neighbouring area of Sriganganagar confirmed today that three bodies, including one of a girl, were recovered from the canals that originate from Punjab. The body of the girl had been packed in a jute bag.

At Rawatsar, three pilgrims from Muktsar sustained injuries as the car by which they were travelling reportedly collided with an ambulance while one Amana Ram (20) had died on the spot.

In another mishap, a technical worker of the electricity board (now corporation) was electrocuted while attending to a fault at a transformer at Dhaani Shafi near here yesterday. The victim was identified as Ram Chand. — OC

Bathinda, April 19
Mystery shrouds the death of a girl whose body was found wrapped in a mat at the Sports Stadium, Rampura, this afternoon. Though the identity of the girl is yet to be ascertained, she appeared to be in her early twenties.

The body was found lying near the stage. On getting the information, volunteers of the Sahara Blood Seva reached the spot and informed cops, who unwrapped the body and found no visible injury mark but the dry foam coming out of her mouth and nose.

The police initiated the investigation and found the girl was living with a man, whose identity could not be ascertained as he had changed four rooms during the past six months and every time he changed his name too.

Police also found that the couple was last living at a rented accommodation, located at Mehraj Basti, where the man had presented himself as a mason belonging to Zira (Ferozepur) and the identity of the girl was given as Sonia of Sangria (Rajasthan).

The police said they had launched two parallel theories suspecting it to be a case of murder as well as suicide and it was also not clear if the couple was married or not. 

Sriganganagar/Abohar, April 19
Two salesmen were murdered by the miscreants who looted a petrol filling station on the national highway during the wee hours on Monday, sources said.

As per the information gathered by The Tribune, the crime came into light when another salesman Mani Ram arrived to take charge at the Gupta Service Centre located near village Bamanwasi in the Loonkaransar segment.

Bodies of both the salesmen who were on the night duty were found lying in a pool of blood. The police officials who rushed the spot, said preliminary investigation indicates that Puran Ram (25) and Bhanwar Singh (27) were attacked with sharp-edged weapons as they were sleeping outside the cabin. The culprits had looted more than Rs 55,000 by breaking open the cash box and escaped.

Earlier, one Purna Ram, owner of a Dhaba at village Kalu of Loonkaransar area was killed by some miscreants who attacked him and staff with lathies and sharp-edged weapons. The police have registered a case. 

Makhu (Ferozepur), April 19
Another minor girl hailing from the scheduled caste community has allegedly been gang raped by two friends identified as Gurjeet Singh alias Vicky and Balkar Singh in the car near Talwandi Nepal village situated on the Makhu-Mallanwala road.

Though Mandeep (name changed) was raped by the accused on March 27, she did not disclose the incident to her parents and the police as she was threatened by the accused of dire consequences.

Later, she narrated the incident to her parents and subsequently Baldev Singh, father of victim, reported the matter to the police. A case was registered against the accused on the complaint lodged by the victim, police sources said.

This is the fourth case of rape, which has surfaced in Ferozepur district in the past few days.