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Red Cross Sarai in Civil Hospital
Rly station has miles to go to roll on right track
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Bhagwant Mann joins fight against pollution in Sutlej
Cops book man for killing dogs
The art of impossible
Bus operators stage stir
Youth Congress to submit memo to Rahul
Encroachment on forest land
Fake travel agents: Woman among six booked for fraud
Mismanagement, financial irregularities irk club members
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Red Cross Sarai in Civil Hospital
Bathinda, May 25 The foundation stone of the sarai was laid by then Bathinda deputy commissioner Jai Singh Gill on January 30, 1981 while it was reportedly constructed during the same year by the Bathinda District Red Cross Society at a cost of about Rs 1.17 lakh with 50 per cent financial assistance, provided by Lala Jagat Parkash Trust, Bathinda. In the sarai, three big rooms, a room for office, a room for store, a verandah, kitchen block, bathrooms and toilets had been constructed. Sources told TNS here today that for more than eight years, the trust maintained it and kept it in a running condition, but in October 1990, an office-bearer of the trust handed over the maintenance of the sarai to the District Red Cross Society. However, due to poor condition of the sarai's building, the relatives of the patients stopped the use of the sarai. However, in 1992, the secretary of the District Red Cross Society prepared a note for handing over the building of the sarai to the local civil hospital authorities so that they could bring it into use for the welfare of the people after getting it repaired. Thus the building was then handed over to the hospital, but nothing concrete happened to run the affairs of the sarai smoothly for the stay of the relatives of the patients. Since then, the hospital authorities have reportedly been using the sarai building for different purposes. Nowadays, the malaria unit is using the kitchen block for its store while in a big hall, an anti-larva office has been established. Likewise, the hospital authorities have also been using other rooms for different purposes. Thus, the sarai has been converted into an office block by the hospital authorities. Secretary, District Red Cross Society JR Goyal said here today that if the hospital authorities handed over the sarai building to the society then it would run it on a 'no loss, no profit' basis so that attendants of the patients, who come from far away villages, could stay here at night. He said the society had also written to the Civil Surgeon two years ago to hand over the sarai to it, but to no avail. |
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Rly station has miles to go to roll on right track
Bathinda, May 25 It is an irony, that the junction, which caters to about 150 trains including more than 70 passenger trains for different destinations on a regular basis, does not have even a ramp facility for the elderly as well as physically challenged to reach the platforms. Finding no other way, one has to climb about 30 flight of stairs on the foot-bridge (only link) from the entrance and again climb down the same set of steps to reach the respective platform. "It becomes a gruelling task for me to catch the train as climbing up and down on such a big stairway requires the help of somebody. It is because of this that I have to board buses, which cost me dear," rued Sukhdarshan. There are hundreds of people like Sukhdarshan who face a similar problem due to the official apathy.
While surveying the facilities at Asia's biggest railway junction, one came across several passenger-unfriendly measures. The problems start just when you step inside the parking lot and find it crowded and mismanaged. Further, long queues at the booking windows are a common sight as out of the three windows, one is closed for the past couple of months. Moreover, there is no separate window for senior citizens, women and the physically challenged. If you ask, the officials cite staff shortage as an excuse. You climb up the bridge to reach the platform and a long queue of beggars welcome you in different ways and do not leave before you put some coin in their bowl. Further, reaching the platform does not ensure that you will be able to board the train as the dislocated cement tiles and potholes make it risky. Speaking to TNS, vendors moving on the platform said that everyday, a number of people fall due to these potholes while catching a train. Thanks to the indifference of the railway authorities, fleecing has become a normal practice at almost every tea/snacks stall. If you object to over-charging, the staff deputed at the stall bluntly say, "We have obtained the contract on the condition of daily payment of Rs 2,500. If we sell the goods at MRP, we won't be able to recollect the hefty contract installments." The unchecked use of domestic LPG cylinders is also a normal practice for them. To avoid any departmental action, they claim having reached a "settlement" with the officials concerned. The huge railway junction has only one eating joint or restaurant (Bhojanalya), that too, has been lying locked up due to a contractual dispute. Due to the unhygienic condition of drinking water taps, NGOs have set up stalls, where they offer free drinking water facility. Moreover, the indifference of the authorities has made people allow the sale of promotion posters and stickers for pasting it anywhere they wish, giving the junction a shabby look. When contacted, station superintendent SS Rai said, "All issues are in our notice and we keep making regular efforts to resolve them." "Despite our best intentions, there are various problems like staff shortage and long procedural formalities, which mar the steps taken for the welfare of passengers," added Rai. |
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Bhagwant Mann joins fight against pollution in Sutlej
Teja Rawela (Fazilka), May 25 Mann took this decision after visiting the victims of the polluted Sutlej water of this village this evening. He came here on his own after reading a news item that appeared in a section of press about the plight of residents of those border villages, who have become handicapped as they are forced to consume the poisonous water of Sutlej. "Why are bureaucrats being paid huge salaries, why do politicians go to these village to seek votes in elections and why is Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal mum over the plight of the residents of these villages despite the fact that they fall in the assembly segment represented by him," asked Mann. Disclosing that he was going to set up a non-governmental organisation (NGO) to raise voice on various social issues confronting the state, Mann said he would also appeal to artists of the state to come forward to help such people, who had been living in hellish conditions. He claimed that artists have the ability to make ruling politicians listen to the grievances of the most cursed sections of society. "The residents pleaded with me that their villages should be transferred to Pakistan as they hoped that their plight would be changed by the rulers of the neighbouring country," said Mann, adding that he was a social critic and would keep on fighting for the interests of Punjab. He said that he had also asked the victims and other residents of the villages to stage a dharna at Chandigarh. "I am not against any government. However, I would participate in the dharna if the victims invite,” he added. Can the successive governments of Punjab answer as to whey they allowed the polluted water of Sutlej to adversely affect the health of the residents of the border village when they were also respectable citizens of the state? Can the successive governments justify the blatant ignorance and denial of basic amenities to such people by them,” he asked. The time had come when Punjabis would have to come forward to save the rivers of Punjab, failing which, potable water would become rarity in the state, which had acquired the pride of being the food bowl of the country, Mann added. |
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Cops book man for killing dogs
Bathinda, May 25 Police sources informed that the complainant alleged that he freed his dogs for wandering on Sunday evening and when he went out for jogging on Monday morning, he found them lying dead on Nandgarh road. Police said the complainant mentioned that Harcharan had already threatened to kill his dogs as they had spoiled his crop. Acting upon the complaint, police booked Harcharan under section 429 of the IPC. However, the accused was at large till filing of news report. — TNS |
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Badal’s Mann Friday back
Out in cold, Zora Singh Mann rehabilitated by SAD (B) leadership Chander Parkash Tribune News Service
Ferozepur, May 25 The development is also bound to change the political equations in this region also as Mann has been facing blatant and surprising ignorance by the SAD leadership ever since he was denied party nomination in the last Lok Sabha elections. Vardev Mann, son of Zora Singh Mann, is a member of the SGPC. Mann was again pushed to corner when Sukhbir Badal, who contested Jalalabad assembly by-election a few months ago, deliberately avoided visiting Mann despite the fact that Mann’s village Chak Suhele Wala falls into that assembly segment. Besides, Sukhbir always kept himself away from Mann whenever he visited this area. Mann is among those who stood by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal when he was under threat from the terrorists during the peak days of militancy. The sudden entrusting a senior post in the organisational set-up to Mann by Sukhbir Badal has raised many questions as to what was the compulsion of the SAD leadership to bring Mann back to active politics and why was he ignored earlier? Party insiders said the Shiromani Akali Dal leadership had come to know about the sharp caste divide, which had surfaced in the border district of Ferozepur where almost members of all communities except one had been feeling cornered and humiliated due to ‘undue promotion’ of members of a particular community allegedly at the instance of the leader of that community. Even Sukhbir had been apprised of the feelings of members of various communities in connection with the political scene in this district by the senior party leaders time and again, they added. The second reason, which compelled the SAD leadership to change its strategy, was the fact that the SAD, which was known as a representative of the peasantry in the state, could earn their displeasure in the next assembly elections due in 2012, if policy to appease members of one community at the cost of other communities was not discontinued. They also pointed out that Mann had been rehabilitated as Sukhbir would have to contest the next assembly elections from Jalalabad where peasants had become a ‘sizeable and decisive’ vote bank after the delimitation of assembly segments in Punjab. Mann said he never asked for any post from anyone. Badal could not be contacted for his comments despite repeated efforts.
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Bus operators stage stir
Ferozepur, May 25 They also decided to observe a continuous boycott of the bus stand situated in the cantonment area till the Cantonment Board authorities withdrew the hike made in bus stand fee for the transporters. The Cantonment Board had hiked the bus stand fee to Rs 39 per bus from Rs 24 per bus. |
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Youth Congress to submit memo to Rahul
Abohar, May 25 “We would urge Rahul to censure the state government and make it accountable for not providing benefits of the Center sponsored schemes to common people,” he said, adding that the alliance government leaders willfully avert implementation of such welfare schemes so as to get an opportunity condemn the UPA government. —
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Encroachment on forest land
Ferozepur, May 25 Besides the registration of a criminal case was also recommended against six private persons, including a son of a senior SAD (B) leader of the area and sarpanch of village Gatti Hari Ke for grabbing 22 acres of land, having market value running into crores of rupees, with the help of revenue officials. Official sources said two revenue officials and six private persons were found guilty of conniving and conspiring to grab 22 acres of land belonging to the state forest department in an inquiry conducted by the additional deputy commissioner, Ferozepur. The inquiry was ordered by Yadav when this matter was reported to him by Mahavir Singh, district forest officer (DFO). The private persons were identified as Daljeet Singh, Rachpal Singh, sarpanch, village Gatti Hari Ke, Daljit Singh, Amarinder Singh, son of senior functionary of the ruling Akali Dal, Lakhmir Singh and Ronak Singh. The names of revenue officials were not disclosed in the note of recommendation for registration of criminal case sent by Yadav to the district police chief. Mahavir Singh, DFO, said 22 acres of land out of total 114 acres of the forest land was grabbed by unscrupulous elements with the help of revenue officials. He said as criminal action had been initiated against these elements, it would stop such illegal prctices in future. |
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Fake travel agents: Woman among six booked for fraud
Fazilka, May 25 The main reasons for this ostensibly are greener faster and studies. One such incident has come to light at village Chack Mauzdin and village Chhatirwala in which a Ludhiana-based alleged travel agent has cheated the family members of Tarsem Singh and Udham Singh of these villages of Rs 6.60 lakhs on the pretext of sending their sons to Canada for education. The police have booked six persons including a woman in a cheating case recently. As per the statement of Tarsem Singh, a resident of village Chack Mauzdin, he is a marginal farmer. His son Ranjit Singh was taking coaching in a private academy at Chandigarh for one course. Tarsem Singh has stated that Harshpinder Singh, who was the class fellow of Ranjit Singh, informed him that his relatives are travel agents and they have so far sent many persons to Canada on work visa. Ranjit Singh and Harshpinder Singh decided to go to Canada for studies. Fathers of both the students decided to send them to Canada for studies. Udham Singh father of Harshpinder Singh introduced Ranjit Singh's father Tarsem Singh to one woman Karamjit Kaur and travel agent Shervinder Singh. Shervinder Singh allegedly demanded Rs 12 lakh for one person for sending him to Canada. Tarsem Singh and Udham Singh handed over passport, necessary documents and a cash of Rs three lakh as earnest money to Shervinder Singh on September 9 last year for sending their sons to Canada. They further paid Rs 3.60 lakh more to Shavinder Singh in installments. Shervinder Singh allegedly demanded the remaining amount from Tarsem Singh on 21st of this month, so that he could send both the youths to Canada. According to the statement of Tarsem Singh, Shervinder Singh had promised them to send both the students to Canada within six months. However, he could not do so. Tarsem Singh refused to pay remaining amount and instead asked Shavinder Singh to refund the amount as they were no more interested in sending his son to Canada. However, Shervinder Singh instead of returning money also refused to return the documents. The police registered an FIR against Shervinder Singh, Karamjit Kaur, residents of village Chhatriwala and their accomplices Gurvinder Singh, a resident of Ajitwal, Gurmail Singh, a resident of Ludhiana, Rajesh Kumar and Harpreet Singh, residents of village Kotla Bhai under section 420, 465, 120 B and 506 of the IPC against them for cheating. Police have arrested Harpreet Singh and Gurmit Singh while all others are absconding, sources said. |
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Mismanagement, financial irregularities irk club members
Moga, May 25 As per the constitution of the club, the DM is the president of the club and an executive committee is constituted as per the constitution of the club from among the members to run the day-to-day affairs of the club in a democratic way. The general body meeting of the members has not been held for the past over four years. An advisory committee to run the day-to-day affairs of the club was constituted on October 6, 2007 for a period of Since then, neither the elections of the executive committee, also the governing body, have been held nor the fresh advisory committees constituted after this period. As many as 84 members, including five members of this advisory committee, have given a written complaint to the DM Satwant Singh Johal and alleged that their democratic rights to hold election has been usurped, the successive presidents have made new members without approval from the general body, advisory committee is working illegally even after expiry of its term in April 2008 and the secretary of the ‘illegal’ advisory panel is passing the bills of all the purchases arbitrarily. They have demanded immediate calling of a meeting of the general body for discussing all these issues. Meanwhile, investigations made by The Tribune revealed that three years back, Pawan Kumar, accountant of the club, withdrew a sum of Rs 3 lakh from the accounts of the club without taking written permission from the advisory committee or president of the club. No action has been taken against him, so far. Similarly, a Nepali bar attendant ran away duping the club of a sum of Rs 2 lakh, three years back. Instead of lodging a complaint at the police station, the successive DMs are protecting the accountant who still holds this important job. Pawan admitted that he withdrew money from accounts of the club without seeking written permission from the executive/advisory committee. He said, “I have a joint family and I was in need of money to meet certain family requirements, therefore, I withdrew the money but I am returning it in installments.” The finance secretary of the club Ravinder Kumar, a charted accountant, claimed that accounts of the club are being audited every year but
could not be placed before the general body for ratification in the absence of meeting. The general body meeting is supposed to be held at least once a year, he added. Another irregularity has come to light that about 40 residents of Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Chandigarh, who could not pay huge amounts to become members of the clubs in their respective towns got membership of this town hall club by paying Rs 11,000 as against the normal membership fee of Rs 21,000 thus, flouting the norms of the club. They furnished wrong details of their addresses. No action has been taken against them. The town hall club is affiliated to the Satluj Club of Ludhiana, Chandigarh Club and Gymkhana Club of Jalandhar and these ‘outstation’ members got the right to enter these clubs of their towns as guest members. Otherwise, they were supposed to pay huge amounts as donations and membership fee to get the memberships of these clubs. |
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Though the local Civil Hospital has a sarai (inn) 'Red Cross Jagat Parkash Sarai' on its premises for the stay of the attendants of the patients for the past about three decades.
Teja Rawela (Fazilka), May 25
Moga, May 25
