Out in the field to erode Manpreet’s support base
Akalis to hold Sangat Darshan at Jalandhar
Jalandhar, October 19
In the aftermath of recent developments following Manpreet Badal’s dismissal as Finance Minister, senior Akali leaders have started paying special attention towards those Assembly constituencies which are represented by his supporter MLAs apparently in a move to consolidate base of the ruling SAD.

Bathinda, October 19
Nearly 12 persons allegedly opened several rounds of fire at the office of the newly appointed block president of the Congress for Bathinda (Urban) located at Lal Singh Basti here today. Though the office was ransacked, no one was injured in the firing, as the bullets hit the door and walls of the office.

As the Congress leader, Mohan Singh Jhumba, was reportedly not in the office, the accused caught hold of his nephew, Jasvinder Singh, and allegedly beat him up with rods and sticks.

Jasvinder denied any rivalry but police officials investigating the case unofficially cited a previous quarrel between children from the Jhumba family with some other boys as the reason behind it. During preliminary investigation, the name of a student leader of Government Rajindra College also figured in police details.

Jasvinder, in his complaint to the police, alleged that he was sitting in his office when four cars stopped outside and nearly 12 youths came out of them. Without even asking anything, they allegedly opened fire at him, which he managed to escape.

“Two of the indiscriminately fired bullets pierced through the door and walls of the office while many others were fired in the air. Meanwhile, our neighbours assembled and the accused fled the spot in their cars,” he said. The police rushed to the spot and initiated a probe. However, till the filing of the report, it was yet to register a case in this regard.

It is learnt that the police has rounded up two persons while the SHO, Canal Colony police station, denied any such development. But he said raids are being conducted to nab the accused.

Speaking over the phone, Congress leader Mohan Singh Jhumba said the incident might have a political grudge as its backdrop but it was shocking. He urged the Bathinda SSP to probe into it.

Anandpur Sahib, October 19
The Deputy Chief Minister and president of Shiromani Akali Dal ( SAD) Sukhbir Singh Badal reached here on Tuesday afternoon to personally escort Anandpur Sahib MLA, Sant Ajit Singh, to Chandigarh for the CM’s press conference. The MLA, who had caused ripples after appearing at a press conference with the sacked finance minister Manpreet Badal, today took a u-turn and declared his allegiance to the Shiromani Akali Dal and to the Chief Minister while denouncing the former FM.

The motorcade of the SAD President, trailed by black cat commandos, reached the dera at Lodhipur around 1.30 pm and a closed-door meeting followed. While other SAD leaders like Bikram Singh Majithia and Prem Singh Chandumajra had arrived earlier to soften the ‘rebel’, the SAD President claimed to have explained why Punjab needed subsidies and their importance for the poor.

They emerged from the meeting after 25 minutes and Sant Ajit Singh declared that in the larger interests of the common man, he now disagreed with Manpreet Singh Badal’s views on withdrawal of subsidies. He was a party loyalist and subsidies had been promised in the party’s manifesto, he pointed out. There was clearly no way the party could back out from the commitment, he asserted.

He declared withdrawing support from Manpreet amidst slogans of “Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh”. SAD sources claimed that frantic efforts were made during the last six days to make Sant Ajit Singh change his mind.

Addressing media persons with Sant Ajit Singh by his side, Sukhbir Badal referred to him as a father figure. “We have won over many issues under the patronage of Sant Ajit Singh. I am happy that Sant Ji has agreed with the government of the common man and decided to support it,” he said.

With his mission accomplished, the SAD President and his entourage left for Chandigarh a little before 3 pm along with the legislator.

Chandigarh, October 19
After winning over Sant Ajit Singh, the Shiromani Akali Dal is learnt to have decided to isolate Manpreet Badal further and win over the MLA from Beas, Manjinder Singh Kang, who too had pledged support to Manpreet Badal along with Sant Ajit Singh.

SAD sources claimed that Sant Ajit Singh had been camping in his dera in the Chambal ravines beyond Gwalior after appearing with Manpreet Badal last week. Senior SAD leader Prem Singh Chandumajra was assigned the responsibility of persuading him to return and rally round the party, they held.

The Anandpur Sahib MLA was presented before the media at the Chief Minister’s press conference, where he castigated the former finance minister. Praiseworthy work is being done in the state under the CM and the party has become stronger under Sukhbir Badal, he said.

When questioned about his about turn, the Sant said he had always stood for subsidies and that he felt he should part ways with Manpreet when the latter made subsidies an issue at his recent press conferences. “I feel the state needs to find other ways to reduce debt”, he added.

Later, Sant Ajit Singh also had a meeting with the Chief Minister and was assured that party spokesman Dr Daljit Singh Cheema would not interfere in Anandpur Sahib.

Meanwhile , efforts are on to win over the Beas legislator Manjinder Kang, who is said to be annoyed with Bikramjit Majithia. Efforts are on to bring about a rapproachment. If Kang also deserts Manpreet Badal, he will be left with a solitary supporter in the SAD Legislature Party - his cousin and Jalandhar Cantonment MLA Jagbir Singh Brar.

Jalandhar, October 19
In the aftermath of recent developments following Manpreet Badal’s dismissal as Finance Minister, senior Akali leaders have started paying special attention towards those Assembly constituencies which are represented by his supporter MLAs apparently in a move to consolidate base of the ruling SAD.

So much so, either Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal or Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal will hold a special sangat darshan soon after the Diwali at Jalandhar Cantonment constituency, currently being represented by Manpreet Badal’s staunch supporter MLA Jagbir Brar.

Talking to The Tribune, Political Affairs Committee (PAC) member of SAD Bibi Jagir Kaur said she had talked to Sukhbir to expedite development works in Jalandhar Cantonment so that public and party workers of the area should not feel ignored after Brar’s open support to sacked FM.

Also a former SGPC chief, Bibi said Sukhbir had assured her that a special sangat darshan would be held either by him or by Chief Minister at Jalandhar Cantonment soon after Diwali to redress the grievances of the public of this constituency. The exact date would be finalised a few days later, she added.

Besides Brar, SAD MLAs Sant Ajit Singh (Anandpur Sahib), Manjinder Singh Kang (Beas) and Independent MLA Charanjit Singh Channi (Chamkaur Sahib) also supported Manpreet.

Meanwhile, without naming anyone, Bibi appealed all party leaders and workers not to indulge in any type of anti-party activity. Failing which, the party would be left with no option but to take action against those persons, she added.

Also senior vice-president of SAD, Bibi further blamed Manpreet of working against the issues included in party manifesto issued at the time of the last Assembly elections. He wanted to withdraw subsidies provided to farmers and atta-dal scheme to the poor families, which were part of SAD manifesto, and he had also contested the elections under the same manifesto.

To a query, she said: “If the UPA government can waive loan of Rs. 70,000 crore of farmers without any condition before the last parliamentary elections, why Manpreet was in favour of doing away with subsidies for writing off loan of Rs. 35,000 crore.”

Phagwara, October 19
Punjabis with colourful turbans and traditional costumes dominated the international folk presentations at one of the biggest international festivals, “Cheonan Heungtrang World Folk Dance Festival” organised by Cheonan City Hall at Cheonan in South Korea.

Led by Dr Davinder Singh Chhina, the director of the international folk ensemble Punjab Cultural Promotion Council (PCPC), an 11-member Punjab troupe attracted the attention of the Korean community in general and students, folk artistes from other participating nations of the world in particular, in this global gathering of diverse cultures.

Talking to The Tribune in Phagwara after returning to Punjab, Dr Chhina said the Punjab troupe represented the great folkloric traditions of the state, rich heritage of Punjab and Sikh traditions through Sikh martial arts - "Gatka", much to the applause of the international communities, scintillating Punjabi music and exotic Punjabi folk dances i.e. bhangra, gidha and malvai gidha.

Chhina said gatka displayed by Mandeep Singh Lotey and Varleen Kaur depicted the great Punjabi spirit during the 'International Folk Carnival' which passed through Cheonan city amid much fanfare and applause.

Punjab team comprised Gurcharan Singh Sandhu (DTO Ferozepur), Jaspreet Singh Bableeto (Choreographer), Mandeep Singh Lotey (Gatka Artiste), Amandeep Singh and Supreet (both from Chandigarh), Keetika and Sahil Kumar (both from Amritsar), Varleen Kaur and Talwinder Singh Khalsa and Krishan Kumar Jassa (all three from Ludhiana).

Ludhiana, October 19
Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi) general secretary, Harvinder Singh Sarna today said his political outfit extended all support to former Finance Minister, Manpreet Singh Badal.

Announcing this here today, Sarna said Manpreet was an able finance expert and wanted to bail out the debt-ridden Punjabi farmer. But he was stumped by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, he claimed.

Equating Badal with Dhritrashtra of Mahabharata, Sarna said the CM was blinded in his son's love and was putting the future of the farming community at stake. He also equated Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal with Duryodhan and Manpreet with Yudhishthir.

“In Badal's regime, the upright man is shown the door”, he said, adding that they were with Manpreet and he would come out to be a visionary after the entire fiasco.

Sarna added Badal's nephew had proved that his propaganda against the Congress for being anti-Sikh was wrong and it was Badal himself, who was against people of Punjab. That is why he had not even said no to the loan waiver offered by the union government but also thrown his nephew out for voting in its favour. — TNS

Chandigarh, October 19
There seems to be something uncanny about the figure -Rs 35,000 crore- the “so-called” debt quantum that Manpreet Badal claimed the Centre had offered to waive.

Coming from Manpreet, the claim was pounced upon by his detractors, some termed it “imaginary” while the others said he had attached a zero in the end to the actual waiver amount of Rs 3,500 crore.

But interestingly, the figure came back to haunt his detractors at the Chief Minister’s press conference this evening. And this time it came from Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal himself.

“We paid the Centre Rs 2,000 crore in 1994 as the partial repayment of the special term loan given to us during the period of militancy. When IK Gujral was the Prime Minister, I got this loan waived from the Centre after which we did not have to pay it. We have now asked the Centre that the value of that Rs 2,000 crore today is now Rs 15,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore, which they should give us back,” he said.

Going by Manpreet’s break up of Rs 35,000 crore “loan waiver”, this component has been calculated to be Rs 10,000 crore.

Congress leader and former finance minister Surinder Singla had laughed off these calculations. “Does the Punjab Government think that the Centre is going to return the Rs 2,000 crore with interest?” said Singla.

The CM further said the Centre had been requested to waive small savings debt, which amounted to over Rs 21,000 crore. “The Centre forces states to pay 10.5 per cent interest on this money while they themselves pay only 8 per cent interest on it. We had asked the Centre to waive this loan,” he said.

This is the same amount, which Manpreet had counted in his figure of Rs 35,000 crore. Incidentally, the small savings debt is the largest single debt component in the total debt burden of Rs 64,000 crore. Beyond these two heads, Manpreet had added Rs 6,000 crore which the Food Corporation of India “owed” the state as incidentals.

While Manpreet reached the magical figure of Rs 35,000 crore, the CM’s demands put to the Centre also totals up to Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000 crore.

The difference in the two, however, was made amply clear by the CM. “We have met the Prime Minister and the Union Finance minister several times over the issue of the loan waiver and these were the demands which we put forth. But there is no offer from the Centre that says that these demands have been agreed upon or there is loan waiver worth Rs 35,000 crore awaiting us,” he categorically stated.

“In case there was an offer like this, I would not jump at it. I would go walking to the Delhi to get the loan waiver. If the Centre is ready to waive our loan, we would be the first one to accept it,” he said.

Patiala, October 19
The arrival of the paddy in grain markets of Punjab has touched the figure of 49.50 lakh metric tonne.

Giving this information, DS Guru, Principal Secretary to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, has stated that various agencies had already purchased 47.70 lakh metric tonne of paddy, for which payment amounting to Rs 3,620 crore had already been disbursed to farmers.

Guru, who visited the grain markets of Patiala district today, said he was satisfied with the smooth ongoing procurement of the paddy.

“Paddy is being procured by various purchase agencies from a total of 1,718 purchase centres and grain markets in the state,” he said.

Speaking to mediapersons at the market committee office on Sirhind Road, Guru said from the total paddy arrival registered in grain markets, 97 per cent has been purchased so far.

“What is more satisfying is the fact that 87 per cent of the purchased paddy has already been lifted from grain markets,” he added.

Guru further said instructions had already been issued that employees/officers, involved in the paddy procurement process, who were not discharging their duties diligently would have to face stern action.

“Deputy Commissioners of the respective districts would be responsible for the smooth procurement,”he said.

Replying to a query regarding the old stock of wheat and paddy, lying in shellers and godowns, he said the Punjab Chief Minister was in contact with the Union Government and hopefully this matter would be resolved in the near future.

Amritsar, October 19
Dismayed over less return vis-à-vis the production cost traditional crops like wheat, paddy etc., Karamjit Singh, a farmer hailing from Wadali Viram village, near here, has sown banana and papaya this season and his experiment bore fruits. Karamjit (26), who used to cultivate wheat and paddy before 2009, could get a maximum return of Rs 30,000 from an acre of land per annum, but banana and papaya prospered him by over Rs 2.5 lakh in a year, from the same quantum of land.

Like him, more and more border area farmers, majority of those having land below five acres in the rural areas of Amritsar, Ajnala and Tarn Taran, have been rejecting the idea of sowing wheat or paddy, owing to high cost of production and less returns, while switching over to fruits like banana and payaya.

“I discontinued growing wheat and paddy crops, as it would require at least double the amount of water for irrigation than what was needed for banana. Further, to deal with constant power cuts, heavy-duty gensets were to be hired on exorbitant rent. Besides, the wheat and paddy crops were prone to fungus infection. After facing all these hardships, the government officials in the market would not recommend suitable price for want of meeting their moisture content parameters. That’s why, after consulting with district farm experts, I started growing banana and papaya,” he told.

“After investing just Rs 2,800 per acre in September 2009 by planting 1,400 saplings of banana on 9 acre, I could get per acre return between Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 3 lakh. I also planted 900 saplings on papaya on an acre, which cost me Rs 2,900. I expect to earn about 1.5 lakh from an acre. Another advantage is that the saplings of both WILL bear fruit for over two years unlike wheat and paddy, which have to be replanted every year,” explained Karamjit.

Encouraging the new trend, the Amritsar administration, too, have initiated to extend 50 per cent subsidy on its seed. A sapling of banana that costs Rs 15 would be given for Rs 7.5 only.

Deputy Commissioner KS Pannu said, “Earlier despite certain varieties recommended by PAU, the farmers were hesitant to grow banana and papaya as these crops were highly vulnerable to frost bite during the peak of winter season. But after studying traits of their varieties, we gave a trial to it in the district on 11 acres, while inviting various progressive farmers, who were found more than willing to take up the challenge.”

Ludhiana, October 19
As a part of nationwide raids on the premises of BJP leader and businessman Sudhanshu Mittal and his relatives after finding contracts worth crores related to Commonwealth Games allotted to them, Income Tax sleuths today raided a coloniser here today.

The IT officials conducted raids that went on till late evening on the premises of Ireo Waterfront Pvt Limited at Feroze Gandhi market and at its site located at Baddowal.

A team of sleuths, led by Ravinder Mittal, assistant director (Investigations) Income Tax, carried out the operations in the city.

Rama Goel, DIG (Investgations), said, "It is part of the raids that are being carried out by the department in Delhi. The operations are going on simultaneously at different locations. Our team is assisting them and will be forwarding all details to the Delhi office," he said.

Patiala, October 19
India did herself proud in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games, and so did the Punjabi University, Patiala, in a manner different albeit. As many as 48 of its students, pursuing their B. Tech in TV, Film Production and Media Technology at the University’s Centre for Advanced Media Studies (CAMS) performed the duty of the Media Operations Assistants (MOAs) during the Games.

This lot constituted nearly half of the total strength of the MOAs, who were assigned the task to liaison, interact and help the 600-odd mediapersons from India and abroad covering various events for their organisations.

Significantly, Punjabi University was the only university in the region, whose students were chosen as the media workforce for the CWG’s Main Press Centre (MPC). Expressing their delight at the excellent performance of the CAMS students, Vice-Chancellor Dr Jaspal Singh and CAMS Director Dr Gurmeet Maan, said the university would organise a special function to honour these students on their arrival at the campus.

The Punjabi University contingent was led by Dr Gurmeet Maan and other faculty members, including Dr Bhupinder Batra, Dr Inderpreet Kaur, Er Charanjit Chopra and Er Manpreet Singh. The students worked in different zones of the MPC, including the Press Conference Room, Protocol Desk, Technology Desk, Media Work Stations, Venue Operations Centre, Welcome Desk and Photo Workroom etc. In addition to this, they also sent regular live feeds to the AIR, Patiala, for daily broadcasts.

Commenting on the performance and work attitude of the students, Tarlochan Singh, CWG Media Committee’s chairman, and Manjushree Roy, deputy director general, Press operations, said, they had done a commendable job in the MPC, failing which mediapersons wouldn’t have gone satisfied, contented and fulfilled. We owe a good amount of thanks to them and their university. 

Patiala, October 19
At the start of the festive season, the Patiala administration has geared up to ensure that this time no vendor is allowed to sell crackers without a valid licence. The district administration has decided to register a case under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code against those found selling crackers without a licence. Confirming this, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dipinder Singh said sale of crackers would be permitted only at the places approved by the district administration.

“We have also decided that sale of crackers that can pose threat to human life would not be permitted. Also, those shopkeepers interested in selling crackers would have to apply for a licence. The applications for the issuance of the licence would be entertained only if the applicant obtains a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Excise and Taxation Department,” informed Dipinder.

Furthermore, toughening its stand against the shopkeepers, who indulge in makeshift encroachments by putting up cracker stalls outside their shops, the district administration has decided to take stern action against such shopkeepers.

The DC told TNS that SP Narinder Kaushal had been directed to personally monitor the city markets to ensure the compliance of the instructions issued by him. “Those found defying the administration guidelines pertaining to sale of crackers will have to face music,” Dipinder added.

The DC has also directed the shopkeepers selling crackers to ensure proper fire fighting arrangements in their shops. Dipinder also instructed all the SDM’s to ensure that no person in their respective subdivision is allowed to sell crackers at places that are not authorised by the district administration. Meanwhile, the places that have been earmarked for the sale of crackers in Patiala include Bhupindra Road, alongside boundary wall of Lower Mall adjoining Polo Ground, Tripuri Water Tank area, Veer Haqikat Rai Ground near Bus Stand, the vacant ground on Badungar Road, SST Nagar and Urban Estate.

ROPAR: The district administration has imposed a ban on sale of crackers in the congested areas during the coming festive season.

The police and the district administration yesterday convened a meeting in this regard. Deputy commissioner Arunjit Singh Miglani said besides following instructions of the Supreme Court on air and noise pollution, firecracker sellers had been directed to sell crackers in open spaces only.

Respective area sub-divisional magistrates have earmarked specific areas for sale of crackers. A ban has also been imposed on sale of those crackers, which create immense noise and air pollution. Miglani has urged people to cooperate with the district administration to celebrate Diwali in a pollution and noise-free way.

The DC also passed instructions not to use loudspeakers after 10 pm so that studies of children should not get affected. 

Chandigarh, October 19
Sportspersons of Ludhiana have once again succeeded in their endeavour to prevent use of multipurpose Guru Nanak Stadium for purposes other than sports.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who was to hold a massive programme of yoga, meditation and cultural events, including bhangra by 2,000 persons at Guru Nanak Stadium on November 11, has acceded to a request from the Ludhiana Sports Association by deciding to shift the venue of the programme.

Secretary, Joint Action Committee of the Ludhiana Sports Association, Teja Singh Dhaliwal and other members had sent an email to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar last month to apprise him of the relentless struggle of the sportspersons of Ludhiana, who have been waging for the past more than three decades to prevent misuse of the multipurpose sports complex.

It all started in 1979, when the then Ludhiana Sportsmen Welfare Association convinced the district administration and the state government not to allow celebration of Dasehra inside the stadium. At that time, sportsmen and women, irrespective of their caste, colour or religion courted arrest and forced the organisers to celebrate Dasehra outside the stadium.

In his email to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Teja Singh informed that Ludhiana sportspersons even managed to get the venue of a political rally that was to be addressed by Indira Gandhi at Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana, on November 5, 1979, by seeking intervention of then Chief Minister of Punjab Parkash Singh Badal.

Teja Singh said a playfield was like a place of worship for sportspersons, who come and practice there every day and holding of non-sporting events not only leave the playfields damaged and unfit for regular training and practice, but also disrupt their training schedules.

In reply, Girin Govind of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Foundation said, “Guruji is a proud supporter of the Indian sports and sends his best wishes.” He further said since Guruji was in silence due to the navaratras, the foundation was unable to revert to the Joint Action Committee earlier.

“Keeping your sentiments, we have changed the venue. We had only chosen this venue for public convenience, since we will be having over 2,000 bhangra dancers performing and it will have been easier for the public to view,” Girin added.

“We have held similar programs in the Rabindranath Tagore Sports Stadium in Kolkata, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium in Ammedabad and in different sports stadiums in Russia, Irkutsk and Kazan. Our only aim is to bring joy, celebration and spirituality into people's lives,” he added.

Teja Singh said, he on behalf of the sportspersons of Ludhiana, has thanked Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and his foundation for changing the venue of their November 11 function.

Fatehgarh Sahib, October 19
The yoga guru Baba Ramdev today said corruption in various government departments had led to increase in the level of pollution in cities like Mandi Gobindgarh.

Ramdev visited the steel town and Bassi Pathana areas where he addressed people and urged them to inculcate yoga in their day-to-day life. “It is evident from the pollution emitted in air that factory owners are greasing the palms of authorities supposed to check pollution,” said Ramdev.

It is a matter of serious concern and leads to the deterioration in the health of common people, especially the poor. Formulation of new policies and its stringent implementation can solve the problems.

Ramdev visited Fatehgarh Sahib during his ongoing Bharat Nirman and Swabhimaan Yatra, organised with the help of Patanjli Yog Peeth.

After organising a one-day yoga camp in the ground of Khalsa School, Mandi Gobindgarh, he visited Bassi Pathana where he addressed people and highlighted the importance of yoga. Baba also gave tips to some ailing patients and medicines were provided. He also paid obeisance at the Fatehgarh Sahib Gurdwara.

Ramdev said he along with some of his supporters were likely to form a political party in the coming two years or so. The party would be secular and people from all quarters would contribute to work for the development of the nation.

Ramdev suggested that since most of the fake currency notes are in the form of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, the Indian government should immediately recall Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes to curb the menace of fake currency.

Abohar, October 19
Despite a stiff opposition by farmers of various villages located at the tail ends of different irrigation minors flowing into this subdivision, the state Irrigation Department has started work on the construction of a cross regulator on the Malukpura distributary at 21,000 RD.

The authorities have directed a private contractor to execute the construction work immediately despite the fact that it was stalled in April when a large number of farmers had staged a dharna at the site and subsequently launched an agitation. However, later they had called off the strike on an assurance of the Deputy CM that they would not be allowed to suffer by diverting water of the Malukpura distributary to the other areas.

Sources said the construction work was started so that the Gurusar minor, which ran into different villages falling in the Lambi Assembly Segment, could be fed from that point. They added that the cross regulator would be constructed at a cost of Rs 30 lakh and it would carry 6.71 cusecs of water into the Gurusar minor.

However, farmers said they had not been getting enough water at the tail ends of various minors that dotted the Abohar region and hence they had been failing to bring their entire landholding under cultivation. They said they would oppose the construction of the cross regulator in a democratic manner.

Ramesh Gupta, Executive Engineer (Irrigation), Abohar, said the Malukpura distributary carried 590 cusecs of water. Only 6.71 cusecs of water would be given to the Gurusar minor, which was very less as compared to the total volume in the Malukpura distributary. He said interests of farmers belonging to all areas were being taken care of in a proper manner.

Meanwhile, sources said the civil works contractor was hesitant to start the construction fearing opposition from farmers. — TNS

Moonak (Sangrur), Oct 19
In a reflection of the sorry state of healthcare in rural areas of the state, over 75 per cent posts of medical officer are laying vacant in primary health centres (PHCs) of the Moonak and Lehragaga block of Sangrur.

Since there are no medical officers posted in more than 75 per cent of the PHCs, pharmacists are looking after the healthcare in these blocks.

Sources in the Health Department here said, of the six PHCs in the Moonak and Lehragaga blocks, only two PHCs- Shaadi Hari and Khanauri- have medical officers.

Sources added that even in rural hospital, Mandavi, one post of medical officer is vacant. They added that in a further set back to the health infrastructure of Sangrur district, three posts of sanitary inspector and two of lady health visitor, are laying vacant.

Since there is no medical officer in our PHC in Maniyana, we have to come to Moonak for treatment. During the day it is fine, but in case of emergency during nights, it is very difficult to reach here as the distance is 10 Kms, says Amrik Singh, a farmer and resident of Maniyana, who had come for treatment of Asthma.

A medical officer, posted in one of the PHCs in Moonak block, told TNS that though they were managing the affairs of the health centers, majority of medical officers and other supporting staff were overburdened.

He added that the government should fill the vacant positions soon so that the poor don’t suffer. Dr Prabhat Kumar, SMO at PHC Moonak, who is also the administrator of PHCs in Moonak and Lehra Block , confirmed to TNS that they were facing shortage of medical officers, sanitary inspectors and lady health visitors in his area of responsibility. “We have to manage within the available resources till some arrangement is made by the government,” Dr Prabhat said.

Chandigarh, October 19
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked the lower courts to adopt the “utmost sensitivity” while dealing with rape cases. The call came after Justice Sabina of the high court took cognizance of the rising number of crime against women cases, including rape.

Taking up a petition filed by rape case convict Gurbir Singh against Punjab, Justice Sabina asserted: “Of late, crime against woman in general and rape in particular is on the rise. It is a sad reflection on the attitude of indifference of society towards the violation of human dignity of victims of sex crimes.”

“A rapist degrades the very soul of the helpless woman. The lower courts are, therefore, required to deal with the cases of rape with the utmost sensitivity. If the evidence of the prosecutrix inspires confidence, it must be relied upon without seeking corroboration of her statement in material particulars.” Justice Sabina is currently hearing “criminal matters”. Among the cases pending before her are petitions related to the Ruchika case filed by the Haryana’s former DGP, SPS Rathore.

In her detailed order on Gurbir Singh’s plea, Justice Sabina noted: “The appellant was convicted for an offence under Sections 363, 366 and 376 of the IPC vide judgment dated January 14, 2008, passed by the Sessions Judge, Rupnagar”.

He was directed to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 10 years along with fine. The FIR was registered on the statement of the prosecutrix’s father on April 11, 2006.

A resident of Barodi village, he was working as a head chowkidar in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. According to the prosecution, he was told that their daughter was seen along with the accused. The prosecution had added that he had allegedly “enticed away their daughter without their consent with an intention to marry her”.

Dismissing the appeal, Justice Sabina asserted: “In the present case, the prosecution had been successful in proving its case. The statement of the prosecutrix inspires confidence. The prosecutrix was a minor and had been subjected to rape after she had been kidnapped by the appellant…. The trial court has, thus, rightly convicted and sentenced the appellant under Sections 363, 366 and 376 of the IPC. No ground for interference is made out.”