Bathinda, November 26
Colour was today added to the Punjab Jago Yatra of rebel Manpreet Singh Badal when his father Gurdas Singh Badal, who is younger brother of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, joined the campaign against the SAD-BJP combine government in a series of public meetings in Muktsar district.

Gurdas Singh Badal was conspicuously missing when the 'yatra' was launched at Faridkot on Wednesday but he accompanied his son in the five public meetings that were held today in the home turf of Parkash Singh Badal.

However, he remained quiet in these public meetings and remained confined to meeting prominent persons individually.

Manpreet added to his agenda two new points, banning wasteful expenditure on foundation-stone laying ceremonies and fixing eight hours as the duty time of cops in order to improve functioning of the police.

He said the duty of policemen stretched to about 20 hours a day, as a result of which efficiency of the department had nosedived. Three shifts should be introduced in the police stations to reduce stress of police personnel.

He also demanded de-politicisation of the police set-up and making it accountable for any lapse.

Manpreet stressed that wastage of public money on ceremonies to lay foundation stones should be stopped immediately.

Public money should also not be misused for personal publicity of politicians, Manpreet added.

The former finance minister underlined the need for radical administrative and economic reforms to check corruption and accelerate development of Punjab.

He warned the SAD-BJP combine government not to create hurdles in his 'yatra'.

MLA Jagbir Singh Brar was among those who accompanied Manpreet at the rallies.

Jodhpur Romana (Bathinda), November 26
With the conclusion of the three-day Punjab state zonal livestock and milking competition-2010 today, the Department of Animal Husbandry, Punjab, is now going to set all in place for the much-hyped national livestock championship to be held at Muktsar in January 2011.

Terming the district and zonal competitions to be successful in attracting farmers and breeders, HS Sandha, director, Animal Husbandry, Punjab, said the number of participating animals was almost double than the previous year, which was a sign that such events were succeeding in creating awareness among people.

Speaking to TNS, Sandha said the state government was going to organise the national livestock championship at Muktsar during Maghi Mela celebrations. The total cost of the event would be about Rs 2 crore, out of which Rs 1.25 crore will be distributed as prize money.

When asked whether the Union government would be financing the Muktsar event, he parried the query saying, “The initiative of the state government should be appreciated rather than focusing on the source of funds.”

“To make the event a success, we have urged all states in writing to send their animals for participation. We hope it would be another Pushkar Mela of the country,” claimed the director.

Further, he informed that the department was putting its best to improve the breed of animals across the state.

“We have ordered 1.50 lakh units of semen for cows to convert the traditional breeds into high-milching ones. Besides, the department has placed an order for 10,000 sex-determined semen straws of HF breed to ensure birth of female calves,” he said.

He further informed that the HF semen was being imported from the USA with an expectation of improving the present productivity of cow per lactation period from 3,000-3,500 litres to about 12,000 litres.

About the cost of insemination, the director said last year too, about one lakh cattle were inseminated with a nominal charge of about Rs 200 per unit. Still, the government with a motive to further the drive has planned to run the scheme with 50 per cent subsidy this year.

Sandha confirmed the reports about the poor results of the animal insurance policy. He said observing some bad experiences, the department had switched to another insurance company with a target of covering 50,000 animals under the scheme during the next year.

Speaking about other initiatives of the department, he informed that they were promoting piggery and goat farming as well by offering handsome subsidies on the establishment of 20-unit farm.

Bathinda, November 26
Thirteen new dengue cases were reported in the district today thereby raising the number of cases in past three months to 317.District Malaria Officer Dr Malkiat Singh Gill said the district health authorities today received a report about seven news dengue cases from the DMC Hospital, Ludhiana, and two cases from the Apollo Hospital, Ludhiana.

They also received a report about four new dengue positive cases in the district from the Sentinel Surveillance Hospital (SSH) located on the premises of the Civil Hospital here.

Dr Gill said out of total 317 dengue cases in the district, 276 cases were from the Bathinda city alone. Dengue cases in other blocks of the district are Talwandi Sabo (21), Bhagta (7), Sangat (5), Ballianwali and Nathana (3 each) and Goniana (2).

Bathinda, November 26
A local court today sent Daljeet Singh of Aspala village and Kampal Singh of Sarava Bodla village, the alleged kidnappers of Nandan Nagpal of Malout, to judicial custody till December 10. Before, the accused would undergo an identification parade.

The Thermal police had brought the duo to Bathinda from the CBI court at Ambala on transit remand yesterday. The police produced them before the Ilaqa magistrate today to get their police remand.

However, sources informed that the court sent them to jail with a direction to the police to conduct their identification parade within the stipulated time.

It may be mentioned that the two were nabbed by the CBI sleuths and the Panchkula police in some mysterious kidnappings of Haryana about a couple of days ago.

During interrogation, their names had figured in the Nandan kidnapping case, which occurred in June this year near thermal plant here.

During preliminary investigation, the police was suspecting the kidnapping was a handiwork of six persons, including two women. While four, including two women, have been arrested two of the accused are absconding.

Bathinda, November 26
Students of the Millennium School here paid homage to the heroes of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks by organising a peace march on the school campus today. Principal Beena Rao said the safety and security of the country doesn’t solely rest on the shoulders of the armed forces and it was the responsibility of every citizen.

The students sang patriotic songs remembering all those who laid their lives during the attack. They lighted candles and took oath to inculcate the spirit of brotherhood. — TNS

Ferozepur, November 26
The District Consumer and Disputes Redressal Forum has penalised one of the local college for inadequate service and unfair trade practice.The college authorities have been directed to pay the complainant Akhil Aggarwal a sum of Rs 50,000 as compensation for the loss of one year, mental agony and also to refund the total fee submitted to the college and university besides a sum of Rs 3,000 as litigation expenses within 30 days otherwise they would be liable to pay interest at the rate of eight per cent per annum from the date of complaint.

Akhil Aggarwal had filed a complaint against principal, Guru Nanak College (Ferozepur Cantonment) and assistant registrar, Punjab University (Chandigarh) pleading that after doing his graduation from the Punjabi University (Patiala), he joined the college for pursuing PGDCA course on July 20, last year, for which he paid a fee of Rs 5,000 to the college and was issued roll no.1527.

He further alleged that he regularly attended the classes and again paid a sum of Rs10,000 on November 23, last year and Rs 5,850 on February 15, this year as balance fee and was also issued university examination roll no.427. Besides fee, he also paid a sum of Rs 3,000 to the college as migration fee. Akhil Aggarwal said, “I was offered a job by Bajaj Alliance Life Insurance Company but I chose to complete by studies first. Later, the university objected to my eligibility to appear in the PGDCA examination as I had not secured required 50 per cent marks in aggregate in my three years Bachelor Degree.” While demanding a compensation of Rs five lakhs, the complainant contended that even the university did not object to his admission at the initial stage and allowed him to appear in the practical exam.

On the other hand, the college authorities pleaded them the basic qualification for PGDCA was 50 per cent in aggregate in three-year degree course. However, the compliant allegedly concealed the information during admission and did not submit complete certificates.

When the university scrutinised the documents, it was found that he was not eligible for PGDCA. Hence, the university cancelled the candidature. The college authorities said though the complainant has taken coaching for the entire year, still they were willing to refund the fee after deducting university charges. 

Fazilka, November 26
About week-long standoff between the paramedics and authorities of the health department over alleged confinement of officiating SMO of the Primary Health Centre (Kasuana) Dr Gyan Singh and registration of cases against Para Medical and Health Employees Coordination committee chairman Ravinder Luthra and four others ended last night.

As per the press note released here today by Shashi Kant, press secretary of the Committee, the deputation led by Ravinder Luthra met civil surgeon (Ferozepur) Dr Kanwaljit Singh Kakkar on latter’s invitation to end the stalemate. The deputation also met principal secretary and director health services last week at Chandigarh in favour of their demands including withdrawal of the cases registered against the paramedics by the district health administration.

Luthra and Shashi Kant have stated in the press release that the civil surgeon has acceded almost all the demands of the paramedics in the meeting.

The civil surgeon has also directed to pay three months salary to ailing sanitary inspector of PHC Kasuana Ajaib Singh. He also worked out an amicable compromise between paramedics and SMO Dr Gyan Singh in a meeting held in congenial atmosphere. Dr Kakkar assured the employees that their genuine demands would be addressed immediately and the case registered against Luthra and others would be withdrawn soon. Luthra and Shashi kant said upon the assurances from civil surgeon regarding acceptance of their demands, the committee has decided to end their week-long agitation.

Sriganganagar, Nov 26
Even when the ‘International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women was observed’ globally on Thursday a housewife was brutally beaten to death by her husband in Suratgarh sub-division while a female cook was raped and killed in Padampur area after the sunset, district police confirmed.

One Chhinda Singh of village 56NP (Raisinghnagar) informed the police that he received a phone call last night informing that his daughter Manpreet alias Bholi (23) was being beaten by her husband Manga Singh inside her in-laws house at village Gurusar Modian of Suratgarh sub-division.

On reaching the village, he found Bholi lying in pool of blood. She died on way to the civil hospital. SP Rupinder Singh said that Manga Singh has been arrested under section 302 of the IPC on the basis of FIR.

In Padampur, body of a woman was found on the periphery of village 22BB at today. Later, the victim was identified as Kalawati Meghwal, wife of Birbal Ram of ward number 1 in Padampur. Her husband informed the police that the victim had been working as cook at marriage parties.

Preliminary medical examination indicated that she was raped before murder. A case under section 302, 376 and 201of the IPC had been registered, the police said. The culprit was yet to be identified. 

Mansa, November 26
Lodging a protest against the lack of civic amenities and uncleanness all around the city, the Environment Society, Mansa in association with various social, religious and trade organisations organised a ‘Jago Mansa Candle March’ in the city on Thursday.

In this protest, Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Aggarwal Sabha, Brahman Sabha, Arorvansh Sabha, IMA, IDA, DTF, Rotary club, Lions club. Mansa club, Sewa Bharti, Asra Club, Bharat Vikas Parishad, Rickshaw union, Labour Union, Taxi Union, Arthiya Association, Blood Donors Council, Sabhyacharak Chetna Manch, Sabhacharak and Samaj Sewa Manch participated with full strength and school children also joined hands in order to keep the city clean and green. People participating in the protest were carrying candles, placards and written slogans. — TNS

Abohar/ Fazilka, Nov 26
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) exhorted the executives of all the nationalised, private, rural and cooperative banks to promote Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission that is to be implemented in three phases and aims to feed 20,000 MW to the national grid by 2022, with an initial investment of Rs 4,337 crore.

Chief general manager of NABARD SC Kaushik inaugurated the district-level workshop of the executives at CIPHET on new investment opportunities in farm and non-farm sector in Abohar today. NABARD GM DC Sharma, AGM Amrik Singh and MM Suri also spoke on the occasion.

Meanwhile, SC Kaushik, while talking to the media in Fazilka today said, “The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is keen to invest in diversification schemes in the field of agriculture and inorganic farming. It decided to switch over to reforms linked investment schemes in agriculture and non-agriculture sector.” He was here to monitor the projects initiated by Zamindara Farmsolutions (Fazilka) regarding motivating the farmers not to burn straw and stubble and use it for farming and other projects.

He disclosed that NABARD has been providing loan for more than 150 different projects in the state. It has so far advanced Rs 818 crores for drinking water projects.

Under this project, pure drinking water is being provided to more than 94 lakh residents in Punjab. Zamindara Farmsulution directors Surinder Ahuja, Vikaram Ahuja, progressive farmer and industrialist Sanjeev Nagpal were honoured with the award of Kinnow king by the PAU. 

Abohar, November 26
The Tail-end Farmers Sangharsh Samiti had criticised the irrigation department for sanctioning canal water to some brick kilns in this sub-division.While faxing a memorandum to the CM office and chief engineer of the irrigation department today, Kulwant Singh Sandhu and Tejwinder Singh Aulakh, convener and advisor respectively regretted that the officials here had succumbed to pressure for giving benefit to kin of veteran politicians of neighbouring state, who are considered close to ruling politicians of Punjab.

By sanctioning water to brick kilns, the department would further enhance scarcity of water to the farmers of the tail-end villages, they feared. The Samiti warned that this would force it to spearhead another agitation. — OC

Ferozepur, November 26
Three teenaged students of a local school allegedly sodomised a minor schoolmate for many days.

Police sources said a case under sections 377, 506 and 34 of IPC has been registered against two students of class VII and one student of class VI of the local convent school at Sadar police station (Ferozepur).

Information gathered by the TNS revealed that the matter came to light when the victim started persisting that he would not attend the school without disclosing any reason to his parents.

When his parents persuaded him, the victim narrated then the whole incident.

However, the parents were shocked, when the school authorities allegedly did not listen to their grievances.

The parents moved an application with the district police.

During an inquiry conducted by the district police on the complaint of the parents of victim and medical examination of the victim done by a panel of doctors of local civil hospital, it was found that the victim, who was just six, had been sodomised.

The accused had also held out a threat that if the victim would disclose anything to anyone, he would have to face dire consequences.

Though efforts were made to reach authorities for their comments, none from the side of the school was willing to make any statement on the issue.

Information revealed that the school authorities had not taken any action against the guilty students so far despite the fact a case had been registered against them.

However, no arrest had been made in this connection so far. 

Abohar, November 26
Members of 18 Dalit families at village Sardarpura of Balluana segment have joined the SAD, said MLA Gurtej Singh Ghuriana. He offered them siropas as well.He said Sanjeev Godara, political advisor of the SAD and member of Punjab Mandi Board along with Raipura sarpanch Harpal had launched a campaign to bring Dalits to the SAD fold since these communities made a strong base for the Congress during the past elections.

MLA assured the dalits that benefits of all welfare schemes would be passed on to them without any hurdle. 

Ferozepur, November 26
BJP leader Lakhwinder Singh Rattoke assumed the charge as chairman, Market Committee (Ferozepur) on Friday in the presence of the BJP leaders and workers of the district.

Chief Parliamentary Secretary (Revenue) Sukhpal Singh Nannu, who was also present on the occasion, said that the BJP always acknowledge the efforts of dedicated party workers.