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Curbs On Paddy Transplantation
Cancer concerns bring SAD, Congress together |
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In Bribery Net
Cured cancer patients bring new hope
Irrigation canal bane of Dhuri residents
Engineers seek financial restructuring of power cos
Dal Khalsa protest ends
Procurement Process
Prices of construction material leave builders worried
Ex-Communicated Sikhs  Amritsar, June 6Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh in his address on the 26th anniversary of Operation Bluestar today urged all Sikh leaders to sink their differences and take up the issue of “blacklist” having names of Sikhs with the Central government. An ardas being performed at Akal Takht to mark the 26th anniversary of Operation Bluestar in Amritsar on Sunday. Photo: Vishal Kumar
IT Institute Chuwarianwali (Fazilka), June 6 The state government has started reconsidering its decision of ordering the cancellation of allotment of more than 201 kanals belonging to the panchayat of this village to Shri Bhagwan Mahavir Jain Charitable Trust for setting up an information technology (IT) institute.
Short-duration paddy varieties find favour
German ‘spy’ case: Focus shifts to Russian girlfriend
Medallist boxer Bipranbir cremated
Seminar held
Gang of thieves busted, 6 held
IIT strives to churn out industry-ready pros
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Curbs On Paddy Transplantation Khidkiyan Wala (Muktsar), June 6 The restriction was imposed keeping in view a rapid depletion of groundwater, but efforts have failed to show the desired results. Though a number of officials of the Agriculture Department and even DCs were authorised to charge cost from those who go in for early plantation, boasting of their “proximity” to the CM, farmers of this district are least bothered and are throwing rules to the wind. Ironically, due to high-level connections of farmers, the district- level staff of the department, too, has turned a blind eye towards the defiance and the early sowing of paddy is going unchecked. During a visit to villages located in Lambi, Gidderbaha and Muktsar blocks yesterday, it was found that several acres of fields were covered with standing paddy crop. Number of farmers, along with their helpers, were found busy planting paddy in a large field located along a canal distributary in Khidkiyan Wala village. Though aware of a ban on early plantation, they were still busy with the job. Replying to a query, the owner of the field said, “If I had started late, labour problems would have marred the crop.” A farm labourer, Hari Chand, who was planting paddy along a link road diverting from the Gidderbaha-Lambi road, said, “My employer is aware of the restriction imposed by the government to check early sowing till June 10. But he enjoys proximity to Finance Minister Manpreet Badal as well as CM Parkash Singh Badal. So he is carrying it out.” Muktsar Chief Agriculture Officer Sukhdev Singh Sidhu said, “We are aware and a notice is being issued to violators. Utilising the authority invested in us, we have even destroyed the transplanted paddy also.” On the other hand, sources in the district agriculture office said, “To save their skin, officials have evolved a strategy to destroy the crop in the field, which got highlighted in the media.”
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Cancer concerns bring SAD, Congress together Chandigarh, June 6 Intriguingly, it is not only the wife of the state Chief Minister but also a Congress MLA belonging to the region, who are reportedly under the treatment of cancer in a
US hospital. While Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal has asked Union Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee not to do away with the special cancer quota in rail reservation to facilitate patients to travel to New Delhi and Sriganganagar for treatment, a delegation of senior Congress leaders of the region met Governor Shivraj Patil to demand special treatment centres in the region. Harsimrat in her letter to Mamta Banerjee opposed any cut in quota in the Railways for cancer patients and their attendants saying she and other MPs had to struggle hard to get this emergency quota. Both Harsimrat and Congress leaders blame the poor quality of groundwater for the area becoming a cancer belt. Because of a steep rise in cases of cancer, Harsimrat said on a request from the Punjab Government, the Union government had already initiated special studies to determine the exact cause. Since most of the cancer patients had been going for their treatment, follow-up medication, chemotherapy etc to Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan and New Delhi; Harsimrat wants the Railways to start a New Delhi-Bathinda Shatabdi besides adding new bogeys to the existing trains. She regretted that instead of meeting her demand for the benefit of cancer patients, the Railways have now reduced the existing quota. Opposing the latest notification of the Railway Board issued on May 19 in which only four berths in the sleeper class and two berths each in AC chair car and AC three tier, AC two tier and first class have been earmarked as emergency quota and first priority for cancer patients in the emergency quota has been withdrawn. She decried that this quota of cancer patients would now be used for Railway officials, government officials, elected representatives and others. The Congress delegation said in its memorandum to the Governor that the people of Mansa and its surrounding areas had been suffering from cancerous diseases due to contamination of the
subsoil water. The main reason for the contamination of subsoil water had been excessive use of insecticides, pesticides, fertilisers and other chemicals. Medical and preventive medicare facilities are almost non-existent in the area. The delegation wanted that a modern cancer research and medical training institute having latest diagnostic facilities for the early detection of cancer are established in Mansa. The affect of cancer could be felt in unborn and new born babies in the region. The delegation also wanted mobile vans with facilities for diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients made available in the region. They also want Mansa to be declared cancer prone and both the Union and the state governments should get the entire population of the district medically insured against cancer at the state expense. Both Harsimrat and the Congress leaders also want that quality potable water should be made available for the people. Harsimrat Badal said over 600 RO plants had already become functional in the area and more would be commissioned in the coming few months.
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In Bribery Net Moga, June 6 He opposed discharging of the drug inspector, arguing that his life and liberty was in danger and Luthra along with senior officials of the bureau may eliminate him if the latter was released from custody. The duty magistrate turned down his plea but placed on record in the case file the facts he brought to the notice of the court. The officials pleaded that this case was still under investigation and they no more required Luthra for investigation. Therefore, they had no objection if he was discharged from custody. It was learnt that senior leadership of the BJP and a couple of bureaucrats had tried their level best to secure the release of Luthra, due to which pressure was built up by the bureau on Sukhdev and three witnesses, including a shadow witness, to give a statement in favour of the drug inspector. In a bid to “hush up” this case, the bureau officials and Luthra allegedly roughed up and beat Sukhdev last night. When Sumedh Singh Saini, Chief Director, and HS Dhillon, Director of the bureau, came to know about the incident, they asked RL Bhagat, DIG of the bureau, Jalandhar Range, to visit the spot and inquire into the incident. Interestingly, bureau officials in an “unusual way” filed a discharge application before the duty magistrate to secure the release of the drug inspector. Had the duty magistrate not discharged him, he would have have to stay in judicial custody for a few weeks because the additional sessions judge Raj Shekhar Attri (special designated court) is proceeding on holidays from June 8 and it would have been difficult to get bail in just two working days. The other option was to get bail from the court of the district and sessions judge at Faridkot, which would also have taken a few days provided the judge was on duty during the holidays. Therefore, the whole emphasis of the Vigilance Bureau officials was focused on getting the drug inspector discharged today itself from the duty magistrate. Meanwhile, Sukhdev while talking to The Tribune said that he would approach the high court to expose the Vigilance Bureau for closing this case.
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Cured cancer patients bring new hope Jalandhar, June 6 Now he is alright and living a normal life. Thanks to early detection followed by rigorous treatment, including surgery and chemotherapy. He is now spreading a message among new patients that cancer is curable. Over 50 healed cancer patients along with their relatives shared their painful ordeal and subsequent triumph with the disease at a special function at the the Regent Park Hotel organised under the aegis of Pehal, an NGO. Interestingly, Prof Lakhbir Singh, president of the NGO, himself emerged victorious in his fight against bone marrow cancer. Recalling his ordeal, he narrated how he defeated the disease after bone marrow transplant at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in 2007. In the same way, Prof Sanjiv Naval, HoD of Civil Engineering Department at DAVIET, here, said how his mother afflicted with breast cancer two years ago was now, healed after his surgery and chemotherapy by surgical oncologist Dr Rupinder Bhargava at Sacred Heart Hospital at Maqsudan here. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Bhargava said: “The disease is almost curable after rigorous treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy if detected at an early stage.” Dr Bhargava advised cancer patients not to delay their allopathic treatment by losing the precious initial time by making rounds of quacks and babas (self-styled godmen).
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Irrigation canal bane of Dhuri residents Dhuri, June 6 Sources said since people threw garbage into the canal, it was hardly cleaned. It had also become a health hazard for residents with a case of dengue reported from here last year. “The Rajwaha canal has become a nuisance for residents, who are also equally responsible for turning it into a garbage dumping place. During the monsoon, it becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes. With the help of some NGOs, the administration has cleaned it partly, but a lot is needed to be done,” said a resident of the area. Moreover, there was no protection on its sides and a few years ago, a child had lost his life after he fell into it while playing. Dr KS Khuaran, who served as the Dhuri SMO during the last monsoon, said they did not receive many cases of malaria or dengue last year. Dhuri SDM Rajesh Tripathi said they had roped in about five-six NGOs to get the canal cleaned and were trying to create awareness among the people not to throw garbage into the canal. Regarding no protection on the sides of the canal, the SDM said the Irrigation Department had submitted a proposal to repair the sides of the canal.
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Engineers seek financial restructuring of power cos Patiala, June 6 Association president and general secretary HS Bedi and Bhupinder Singh, respectively, said they had requested CM for an immediate financial restructuring at a meeting with him yesterday as otherwise power companies would not be in a position to ensure timely payment for coal, freight and power purchase affecting power supply position in these summers. Meanwhile, the association has requested the CM to fill vacant post of Director/Commercial on merit basis, as had been done while appointing other directors of these companies.
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Dal Khalsa protest ends
Amritsar, June 6 Family members of the “martyrs,” including wife and son of Bhai Amrik Singh, joined the protest to express their solidarity with the cause. Senior leader of the Dal Khalsa, Satnam Singh Paonta Sahib, also ended his 72-hour fast after performing ardas at Akal Takht. — TNS
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Procurement Process Jalandhar, June 6 In a letter to IS Sandhu, managing director of the Punjab Warehousing Corporation, they have pointed out that the department had no authority to take such a drastic step that would not only play havoc with the procurement in the state, but also their employees. Akshar Kumar, chairperson of the union, said instead of concentrating on their primary task of improving the public distribution system, streamlining the atta-dal scheme, making ration cards and other allied duties, the department was more interested in the procurement process. Our staff had been successfully procuring wheat and paddy for the past 17 years and no one had ever complained regarding our working. The ground of staff shortage in our organisation cited for our ouster from the process was arbitrary. Does this mean that any department could take over another one citing this reason, he questioned. Moreover, the cabinet had in 1993 allotted 13 per cent of the procurement share in view of our storage capabilities. As such, it was the prerogative of the cabinet to take this decision, Akshar said. This decision would also affect the recovery of 5 lakh MT of rice given by the corporation to millers. In view of the haste shown in barring them from the procurement, the millers have started dilly-dallying in returning the rice knowing well that they were in no position to force them to do so, he added.
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Prices of construction material leave Ludhiana, June 6 While addressing a meeting today in Ludhiana, SS Mavi, patron of the Ludhiana Builders Association, said the construction activities in the state had been disturbed for the past few days. “The rising prices have led to black marketeering in the region and the cost of white sand has doubled in just a few days, while the rate of crusher and coarse stone has gone up by 50 per cent,” said Mavi. HS Virdi, president of the association, said in the times of global recession, building and construction work had already been passing through a bad phase and the rising prices would only force us to switch over to another profession. Ajit Singh, press secretary, alleged about the involvement of some sand mafias behind all this scam. “We are worried as the three-year sand lifting contract is about to expire and its re-auction has been delayed,” alleged Ajit. He added that some sand mafias were procuring sand by using their power. On the one hand, the government is giving subsidies on housing loans but on the other hand the prices of construction material were increasing unabatedly, Mavi said. “We have requested the government to intervene in the matter by filing a new application in the High Court to solve the matter immediately,” Mavi added.
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Ex-Communicated Sikhs Amritsar, June 6 The SGPC, along with religious organisations, performed the bhog of akhand path to seek peace for those who were killed during Operation Bluestar in the Golden Temple. However, activists of radical Sikh organisations raised slogans in favour of “Khalistan” and Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in the front of Akal Takht. SAD (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Maan and other radical leaders also addressed the gathering and some of them were wearing T-shirts with pictures of Bhindranwale. Meanwhile, the Jathedar expressed concern over the non-release of Sikh youths from jails though they had completed their sentences since long. At a separate meeting of the five Sikh high priests held at Akal Takht today, it was decided to offer a golden chance to all ex-communicated persons to return to the mainstream of the Sikh community after seeking pardon for their mistakes at Akal Takht. They also prohibited Sikh scholars and sangat from commenting on Dasam Granth unless the final decision was taken by Akal Takht in this regard. Earlier, without naming the Dal Khalsa, which held a protest against the SGPC to build memorial to those killed in Operation Bluestar, he said it did not hold well to do politics in the name of “martyrs”. He added that memorials were not the only way to pay regards to the departed souls, but the right way was to follow in their footsteps. Takht Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Tarlochan Singh, Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh and Harmandar Sahib head granthi Giani Jaswinder Singh were also present. In another significant decision, they said only significant matters pertaining to the community could be brought to the notice of the Takht. They said all pending matters with the Takht would be handed over to the Dharam Prachar Committee of the SGPC to look into them.
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IT Institute Chuwarianwali (Fazilka), June 6 The allotment of the land was cancelled by the state government when the trust failed to honour the conditions laid down in the donation agreement. Though the allotment of land was cancelled a few weeks ago, the trust continued the construction of the building over the same. Official sources said JP Singla, divisional deputy director, Department of Rural Development and Panchayat, today visited the spot and examined the fact that how much construction had been done over that piece of land by the trust. The sources said Singla was the deputy by the higher authorities to make on the spot inspection of the site after the trust moved an application to the state government urging it to set aside its orders of the cancellation of allotment of the land to it (trust). “The government is the appropriate authority, which can set aside the orders passed in connection with the cancellation of allotment of the land to the trust. As in the natural course of administration, the local authorities of the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat had got written assurance from the district magistrate in connection with the police help while taking possession of the land from the trust,” said a senior functionary of the department while pleading anonymity. This piece of land, worth crores of rupees, was allotted to the trust in 2001 during the regime of the SAD-BJP government led by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. The allotment was cancelled on May 5, 2010, by Jagpal Singh Sandhu, financial commissioner, Department of Rural Development and Panchayat, Punjab. The land was allotted on the condition that a building of the institute would be set up within three years of allotment failing which the allotment would be cancelled and land would vest again in the panchayat of the village. The trust failed to fulfil this condition and, hence, its allotment was cancelled. Meanwhile, a section of local residents alleged that the state government was trying to cancel its earlier order of cancellation of allotment of land to trust under political pressure. They alleged that when the allotment had been cancelled about a month ago then why the authorities concerned failed to take possession of the same.
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Short-duration paddy varieties find favour Fatehgarh Sahib, June 6 Private companies are now trying to woo farmers with claims of more crop yield in short duration. Agriculture Department officials at Fatehgarh Sahib, Rajpura and Banur areas said hybrid varieties, though notified by the government, are not recommended by Punjab Agriculture University (PAU). “Farmers opting for hybrid varieties have to be very cautious while cultivating them. Accurate spraying of fertilisers, proper water availability and continuous monitoring is necessary,” said Agriculture Development Officer (ADO) at Banur, Amaninder Singh Mann. He said the increase in the number of hybrid varieties this season was due to lack of farmers’ interest and non-availability of recommended varieties, besides ban on PAU-201. Another ADO at Amloh, Jaswinder Singh said commonly grown recommended varieties in Fatehgarh Sahib and adjoining areas are PR - 118, 120, 111 and 116. Besides these varieties, farmers have also opted for PUSA-44, which, too, is not recommended by PAU. However, it has been approved by the Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI). Mann said PUSA-44 would cover nearly 80 per cent of the area under paddy cultivation this season in Fatehgarh Sahib. Because of non-availability of recommended varieties, farmers are left with no other option but to by the hybrid ones. The hybrids give same yield as compared to recommended varieties, however, their prices ranges from Rs 100 to 150 per kg. The recommended varieties come at much cheaper rate of just Rs 20 to 25 per kg. The private companies also claim 30 to 40 quintals of yield from the hybrid varieties within just 75 days of sowing. Chief Agriculture Officer in Fatehgarh Sahib, Sarabjit Kandhari said farmers could not opt for basmati, which is also a late-sowing variety due to marketing problems. He suggested that farmers must opt for PAU-recommended varieties, as hybrids get infected with diseases. Even PUSA-44 is easily susceptible to diseases and requires more pesticides and water. PAU-recommended varieties take nearly 135 to 140 days, but farmers need not spend extra money on pesticides and fertilizers.
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German ‘spy’ case: Focus shifts to Russian girlfriend Ropar, June 6 Police investigations have revealed that Thomas Keuhen’s passport was used in 2008 at Sanoli checkpost on the Nepal border. In his statements to the police, Thomas said he befriended a Russian girl, Olga Temosek, in 2004, during his journey from Goa to Delhi. He also visited Jammu and Kashmir and Dharamshala with the girl. After this tour, Thomas returned to Germany. He again met Olga in 2007 and travelled with her to Alora in Maharashtra. She then went to Nepal saying that she would get Thomas a visa, but never returned. The police suspects that Olga acted as a tourist guide but was actually a spy, as Thomas’ passport was used at Nepal border by some other man. SSP LK Yadav said the girl had now become the focal point of the investigation. The police has even approached the Russian Embassy to get more information about her. Also all those immigration agencies are being contacted who sought the services of Olga and Thomas. Thomas had earlier told the police that he visited France, Spain, Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia, Sudan, Central America, Algeria, India, Scotland, Romania, Indonesia and other countries between 1999 and 2010. He has also visited Nasik, Aurangabad, Jalna and Haridwar.
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Medallist boxer Bipranbir cremated Patiala, June 6 Chief coach of the nation boxing team Gurbax Singh Sandhu, chairman of Youth Development Board Gurpreet Singh Raju Khanna and his coach Harpreet Singh attended the cremation. The cremation was largely attended with around 1,000 persons turning up to pay obeisance to the young boxer. Bipranbir had been state champion six- seven times in sub-junior and junior category, and had won silver and bronze medal in the Junior National Championships held at Goa and Jamshedpur.
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Seminar held
Patiala June 6 Patiala ADC APS Virk was the chief guest on the occasion. He highlighted the importance of preservation of natural resources. He said these natural resources helped in making environment pollution free. — TNS
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Gang of thieves busted, 6 held Patiala, June 6 Khatra said the arrested had been identified as Lakhbir Singh Lakhi, Amarinder Singh, Manpreet Singh, Satpal Singh, Parminderjit Singh and Malkit Singh. The SSP stated that the gang was mainly active in the areas of Sanaur, Julka, Bhunarheri and Dakala. “Two LCDs, eight computer monitors, one printer, 10 LPG cylinders, two submersible motors and computer accessories have been recovered from the accused,” Khatra said, adding that kingpin Makhan Singh is still at large. A case has been registered.
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IIT strives to churn out industry-ready pros Ropar, June 6 Prof Ashish Ahuja from the department of mechanical engineering said the software was being used for product lifestyle management. “We are using the same software that all Boeing manufacturers use wherein they outsource different parts of aircraft from different vendors. When IIT Delhi designed IIT Ropar’s curriculum, stress was laid on being more innovative. We wanted that even before our students graduate, they should have enough work experience to get into competent jobs and should be updated with the latest technology being used in respective fields,” he added. In a way, students will pursue their projects from the first year itself, which in other IITs is done in the final year as a major project. Prof BD Gupta, Dean of Academics, said the institute is encouraged its faculty members to initiate research work and provided an initiation grant and also the basic facilities for its sustenance. “The scope of research at IIT Ropar ranges from nuclear physics and quantum computing to nano-technology and bio-informatics. Also, we are keen to establish central research facility and are in the process of procuring a number of sophisticated analytical instruments like scanning electron microscope, X-Ray diffractometer, scanning probe microscope, and high-performance computing facilities,’ he said. Also two virtual classrooms are being created under the aegis of National Knowledge Network that will be used to connect IIT Ropar to other IITs and premier institutes via video-conferencing. This would bolster research collaboration and facilitate faculty from IIT Ropar to teach a class in any other institution and vice-versa, he said.
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The “strict” warning of the state government imposing a ban on paddy transplantation before June 10 is falling flat in CM Parkash Singh Badal’s home district —
Muktsar.
Duty magistrate of Moga Rakesh Gupta on Sunday discharged drug inspector Balram
Luthra, who was caught red-handed two days ago by the Vigilance Bureau while accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000.
While Sukhdev Singh, an employee of a chemist shop from whom he allegedly accepted the money, also appeared before the magistrate and gave in writing that he was beaten up by sleuths of the bureau and was released at midnight.
Hike in the prices of white sand, coarse sand and crushers have left builders in a tizzy. The prices of construction material have touched the sky due to the imposition of new taxes and royalty by the Mining Department. Apart from it, the department has also imposed additional tax and permit scheme on brick kilns for digging earth on agricultural land due to which brick kiln owners have already increased the rates of bricks.
The number of private companies offering hybrid varieties of paddy has doubled this season. Farmers, who opt for late sowing, too, are purchasing short-duration varieties.
As compared to last year’s six or seven hybrid varieties, now there are at least 15 or 16 such varieties available in the market. “After prohibition on use of PAU-201 variety, which was in great demand last year, farmers have no other option but to purchase the seeds available in the market. Now farmers opt for hybrid varieties as there is shortage of recommended
varieties.”
Patiala, June 6
As compared to last year’s six or seven hybrid varieties, now there are at least 15 or 16 such varieties available in the market. “After prohibition on use of PAU-201 variety, which was in great demand last year, farmers have no other option but to purchase the seeds available in the market. Now farmers opt for hybrid varieties as there is shortage of recommended varieties,” said Major Singh, a farmer in Bassi Pathana.