Fazilka, March 6
Dozens of students of business studies of class XII, in a memorandum sent to the Chairman, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Regional Officer (CBSE, Panchkula) have asked for a 20 marks grace on the pretext that they were allegedly not allowed the stipulated three hours by the examiners to solve the question paper.

Vinay Aggarwal, father of Rachit Aggarwal, a student, said scores of students had appeared in the exam on March 3 in different examination centres at Fazilka.

The students charged that as per the rules and regulations of the CBSE, the question paper is distributed at its scheduled time of 10.15 am to the students. They are allowed to start writing the examination at 10.30 am.

The students and their parents have alleged that on March 3, the question paper of Business Studies was distributed at 10.30 am instead of 10.15 am.

“A total of three hours was not allowed to solve the paper at the SKB DAV Centenary School examination centre. Hence, the students could not complete the answers,” alleged another student Raghav.

The students have also demanded suitable action against the examiners concerned. The managements of the DAV, Sarv Hitkari and Atam Vallabh schools where the examination centres were set up, have also reported the matter to the CBSE authorities in this regard, informed Vinay Aggarwal.

Moga, March 6
Elevation of the former MP Jagmeet Singh Brar in the Congress Working Committee (CWC) as a permanent invitee has not come as a surprise.

With the changing political scenario in the Malwa belt, the power centre of Punjab, after the exit of former finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal from the ruling SAD party, which is likely to lead to the formation of a third front in the run-up to the state assembly elections, the Congress high command has realised the importance of Brar, who possesses exceptional oratorical skills to attract crowds.

No matter, he has won only twice out of the nine elections he fought in his political career but no one has forgotten this ‘muscleman’ who defeated Sukhbir Singh Badal in the 1999 (13th) Lok Sabha elections at a time when Sukhbir’s father Parkash Singh Badal was the chief minister of the state. He represented the 10th Lok Sabha also from the Faridkot Lok Sabha constituency.

Brar joined the Congress in 1980 and since then he remained loyal to the party. He boldly raised the issue of 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Parliament. He was conferred the Best Parliamentarian Award in the 10th Lok Sabha.

In the early nineties, when Beant Singh was the chief minister, Brar carried out a Lok Yudh Morcha holding public conferences across the state highlighting the problems of the farming community and the youths. He became so popular among the youth that the people used to call him ‘Awaaj-e-Punjab’ (voice of Punjab).

His supporters feel that even as he could not win the last few electoral battles but still he has the ability to attract the masses. Former MLA Vijay Sathi who is a staunch supporter of Jagmeet Brar said, “Jagmeet means Jag-Da-Mit (friend of all), who has his presence in the hearts of the people.”

Sathi feels that Jagmeet has the ability to take on the Badal family, both Sukhbir Badal and Manpreet Badal, provided he is given a free-hand to handle the political affairs of the party in the Malwa belt.

“No one can match Jagmeet's personality as he has come out and risen in politics like a common man unlike the Badals, the ‘jagirdaars’, who cannot realise the problems of common people,” he said.

On the other hand, political observers feel that the Congress could perform better and neutralise the Manpreet factor in the Malwa belt under the changing political situations only if the former CM and PPCC President Captain Amarinder Singh and Jagmeet Brar join hands leaving aside 'personal' differences, which is an open secret.

It's a different matter that both have in the recent past been quite vocal against each other and the political dominance of Brar on the pitch of Malwa would not suit Amarinder but ignoring the quintessential Brar may further lead to intra-party factionalism at a time when he holds the powerful post of a permanent invitee in the central body of the party.

Faridkot, March 6
Bhai Kanhaiya Cashless Healthcare Scheme launched by the Punjab government in the year 2008-09 for providing free medical facilities to the farmers, particularly, members of the cooperative societies, seems to be on its last legs in Faridkot district due to lack of proper implementation and monitoring by the health authorities and the administration at the local level.

The Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta) has warned the district administration to stop this scheme while the secretaries of the cooperative societies of Faridkot met the local authorities of the cooperative department on Friday announcing that they would not undertake the task of enrolling the farmers under this health insurance scheme as they (farmers) were not showing any interest in it.

The activists of the BKU had alleged that as many as 6,946 farmers opted for this scheme last year but no one was given free medical care even as Rs 2600 per farmer was collected from the members of the cooperative societies to enroll them under the scheme.

It was learnt that many farmers were not provided indoor medical treatment even after paying the insurance amount here forcing some of them to knock the doors of consumer forum.

Now, the state government has again issued a letter directing the authorities concerned of the cooperative department to help enroll the members of cooperative societies under the scheme but the farmers are not giving any response.

The local authorities, in a verbal communiqué to the secretaries of the cooperative societies, had asked each of them to enroll at least 50 farmers under the scheme for the ensuing financial year. The secretaries had warned that they would not forcibly enroll the farmers for achieving the fixed targets.

Meanwhile, an official of the district administration claimed that Rs 1,50,26,937 had been released for the treatment of members. However, it was learn that there no proper record of this disbursement was available in the cooperative societies.

There could be a possibility of fake release of payments to the empanelled hospitals on the name of farmers who opted for this scheme, which needs to be probed by an independent agency, said a farmer of Faridkot district.

Jalaur Singh, president of the cooperative societies employees union, Gura Singh, Labh Singh Jaito and other office-bearers of the union had also announced that they would not force any farmer to opt for the scheme.

Abohar, March 6
Maya Rani was adjudged the best athlete among girls during the 43rd annual athletic meet at the DAV College of Education here. She topped in 50 metres, 100 metres and 200 metres race.

SP Virender Singh Brar, former MLA Parkash Singh Bhatti, national hockey player Rajinder Singh Jakhar and Ishwar Singh Marshal, former in-charge of sports in the institution and Colonel Dilbagh Singh were among the guests who awarded medals to the winners.

Other toppers in different events included Nazia, Bindu Rani, Ramanpreet, Simran, Radha Rani, Rajinder Kumar, Chet Ram, Mangi Lal, Maninder, Harminder Singh and Lovpreet. Principal Dr Venita Singh welcomed the guests, Simple Kamboj, in-charge, sports wing conducted the proceedings.

Bathinda, March 6
The Indian Medical Association, Bathinda, organised the Punjab State Cardiology Summit 2011 on Sunday at the Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Barnala road, Bathinda. Nearly 780 delegates from Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan participated in it.

In his address president of the local IMA chapter DR Shiv Dutt Gupta said emphasis on diet, exercise, conduct and positive thinking can go a long way in preventing and managing heart diseases.

Fazilka, March 6
A total of 100 eye surgeries were performed and more than 500 eye patients were examined in the 26th three-day eye camp held by the Lions Club (Fazilka) (Vishal) and Lala Munshi Ram Aggarwal Charitable Trust at the local civil hospital. Dr Purshotam Mohan Kakar, Dr SP Garg, Dr AK Thind, Dr Indu Khosa and members of the Eye Mobile Team led by Ravinder Luthra performed the surgeries.

The chief guest at the concluding programme, held at the local hospital today, philanthropist Raja Ram Nagpal, civil surgeon Ferozepur Dr DP Godara, Senior Medical Officer (SMO) of the local Civil Hospital Dr SP Garg, Pakka Arhtiya Association president Dina Nath Sachdeva and Sanjeev Nagpal honoured the doctors and volunteers.

Meanwhile, a heart disease check-up camp was organised by the management of the Arya Samaj and Istri Arya Samaj here today. President of Arya Samaj Pardeep Arora said over 200 patients were examined by the heart specialist Dr Raman Chawla, Arvind Makkar and Aman Salwan.

Bathinda, March 6
The Millennium School celebrated its annual day on Saturday. The highlights were 'Masti ki Pathshala', a colourful fashion show, 'The Millennium Circus' and a display of acrobatics with a touch of humour.

The star of the show was a synchronized dance on the song 'Behti hawa tha sa soch', echoing the message of liberty and excellence with creativity. The programme began with lighting of the traditional lamp by the Principal Beena Rao. The vote of thanks was proposed by Radhika Tiwari. — TNS

Abohar, March 6
Three cops of the Punjab police and a Home Guard have been booked under Section 384 of the IPC at the Wahabwala police station in this sub-division.

As per the details, one Bhola Singh of Ghal Khurd in Mansa had alleged in his complaint lodged to the district police chief that the cops intercepted his car when he along with some close relatives was going to Hanumangarh to attend a function on February 24.

The cops in question allegedly harassed him on flimsy grounds and allowed him to proceed only after he paid Rs 55,000 as illegal gratification.

Fazilka, March 6
The accountant of the local Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) was booked for assaulting the clerk of the Tehsil office while the latter was performing the census duty.

As per the FIR registered with the city police (Fazilka) by Pardeep Sharma, posted as clerk in the Tehsil office, he and his colleagues were carrying out the census work in the meeting hall of the Block Development and Panchayat officer on Friday evening.

Nirmal Singh, accountant, BDPO, along with his companions reached the meeting hall and allegedly assaulted Pardeep Sharma with sharp-edged weapons. As per the sources, Nirmal Singh, who has been residing in the BDPO complex near the meeting hall, had a wordy duel with the tehsil employees.

Sharma was admitted to the local civil hospital. Initially, the police did not take any action. As a protest, the ministerial staff of the SDM and tehsil office decided to boycott the census work. It is stated that with the intervention of the senior civil administration officer, the police registered an FIR against Nirmal Singh under the provisions of IPC.

Bathinda, March 6
State president of the Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal Madan Lal Kapoor today appointed Ashok Kumar Dhunike as president of Bathinda district unit of the Beopar Mandal.

He also announced the appointment of Kasturi Lal Aggarwal, the outgoing district president, as the state vice-president of the Beopar Mandal.

Both these announcements were made by Madan Lal Kapoor at a meeting of the Beopar Mandal, held here today.

The leaders of the traders also expressed their views, regarding problems being faced by the business community.

Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Board of the Mandal from Maur Mehnga Ram, vice-president of Beopar Mandal Kartar Singh Jaura and Bathinda city president of the Beopar Mandal Rajinder Kumar 'Raju Bhathewala' also spoke on the occasion.