|
|
|
|
|
Sutlej damages Fazilka defence bundh
HANSI BUTANA CANAL WALL ROW |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Agitation on Gobindpura off, next round of talks on Sept 13
Rajpura villagers reclaim land acquired in 1994
Water panel has changed stand: Capt
Govt surviving on loans: Bhattal
SAD rebel Kaka riding the sympathy wave
Panthic Morcha yet to name its leader
Barnala set to return to active politics
DGP keeping low key after Election Commission’s directives
Maximum Hepatitis C cases reported from state
Robberies up by 14 pc in Doaba belt
Deadline for Punjab, AP students is September 23
Colonisers pressurise MC for completion certificates
Residents protest against pollution by meat
plants
PSEB’s Bathinda book depot cries for care
Conclave on gastroenterology
Pbi varsity Dean part of CSIR project
Study on role of women in freedom struggle
3 thieves flee from custody
|
Sutlej damages Fazilka defence bundh
Fazilka, August 28 Due to this, more water has started entering the already flood-hit Dona Nanka, Jhangar Bhaini, Mahatam Nagar, Dona Sikandari, Kanwanwali, Mansa Bhiwani, Ganjuana Hasta, Teja Rohela villages and Gatti No 3. “The water is now flowing towards Mauzam defence bundh, which has already been strengthened two days back in light of threat to the eroded bundh,” said ADC Charandev Singh Mann. While the villagers want to remain safe without leaving their home, the administration is keenly persuading them to shift to safer places or in six relief camps set up at different points. Flood waters continue to enter unabated and have inundated standing crops on over 10,000 acres of agricultural land.
Bagha Singh and Gurnam Singh resident of Jhangar Bhaini and Dona Nanka village, respectively, said it was not possible for them to shift to other area. “They will fight the flood fury to the end. The water level will recede gradually,” they said. The Army men are also engaged in rescue and strengthening operations in cooperation with the district administration. They successfully rescued five persons and three children during night from the marooned areas. Nakodar village affected too Nakodar: Soil erosion due to the overflowing Sutlej has been giving a tough time to the officials of the Drainage Department. The dhussi bundh at Baopur village in Shahkot has also been damaged. Drainage Department official Arvinder Singh Sohal said compared to earlier days, soil erosion had increased manifold at the dhussi bundh, thus hampering the stud-laying work at the bundh. More than 100 labourers are engaged in the stud0laying and iron net making work. The water level at Baopur complex, he said, was 10,000 cusecs on Saturday and the level today had touched 30,000 cusecs due to the release of additional water from Ropar head works. — Nikhil Bhardwaj
|
|
HANSI BUTANA CANAL WALL ROW
Patiala, August 28 Sources said the farmers would hold demonstrations near the canal on the Patiala-Kaithal Highway from September 7. They would also start a relay fast. BKU Ekta (Dakunda) Patiala president Dr Darshan Pal said:“It is a major setback for Punjab as the agrarian state has not got relief from the Supreme Court. Under the circumstances, there is no other option but to resort to demonstrations.” Dr Darshan, who is also coordinator of the Anti-Hansi Butana Canal Committee, said instead of making efforts to amicably resolve this crucial issue, the Haryana and Punjab Governments are fighting each other to gain political mileage. During the hearing on the issue on August 26, the Central Water Commission (CWC) had filed a report saying that the strengthening of the canal by Haryana by constructing a concrete toe wall would not obstruct the flow ofthe rainwater or cause floods in Punjab. Subsequently, Punjab and Haryana sought time to file their response to the CWC report and the Apex Court adjourned the hearing till September 8. Farmers of flood-prone villages alleged that the CWC report was biased in favour of Haryana. “It is unfortunate that the CWC has so far not submitted a technically sound report pertaining to the under-construction wall. The arguments put forward in its report are baseless because the toe wall will indeed obstruct the natural flow of the water ”, claimed Kirpal Singh of Hassanpur village. Former sarpanch of Haripur village Jagtar Singh said the Haryana Government’s main objective for constructing the toe wall was to ensure that there was no breach in the Hansi Butana canal. The problem can be sorted out if instead of the concrete wall, Haryana constructs a siphon for the smooth passage of the waters.” Farmers of Dharmheri and Haripur said: “The Congress-led UPA government should intervene in the matter and resolve the issue amicably”.
|
||
|
Agitation on Gobindpura off, next round of talks on Sept 13
Even though Badal did not spell out as to what had transpired at the two-hour-long meeting, he reiterated his government’s commitment to safegaurding the interests of the farmers. Sources said the Chief minister assured the farmers that the government had, in principle, decided against “forcible acquisition” of cultivable land. Badal said the grievances of farmers unwilling to sell their land would be addressed to their satisfaction at another meeting with farmers’ bodies would be held at Chandigarh on September 13. To a query, the CM said that the SGPC poll code did not stop the government from discussing pressing matters with the aggrieved parties. Sukhdev Singh Kokri, general secretary, Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan), said the government had agreed to unrestricted movement of farmers on the acquired land to enable them tend to their crops, to restore power supply to tubewells in the area forthwith, to resume transport services and to remove the nakas in Gobindpura BKU, cops clash Sangrur: Nine policemen were injured in a clash with BKU (Ughrahan) activists at Bir Kalan in Sunam subdivision late Sunday evening . Among the injured were two DSPs. The clash occurred when the police tried to stop 1,000 BKU activists on their way to Gobindpura in Mansa. Sangrur SSP HS Bhullar could not be contacted as his cell was switched off. — TNS
|
||
|
Rajpura villagers reclaim land acquired in 1994
Patiala, August 28 After presiding over a meeting of the affected villagers, president of the Kirti Kisan Sabha, Punjab, Prem Singh Bhangu alleged that 1,119 acres of fertile land of several villages, including Khadoli, Sardargarh, Jakhran, Bhadak, Gandakheri and Damanheri, was acquired by the Punjab Government in 1994. While stating that the land was acquired by the Punjab Government for a private firm, Bhangu said, “Even after 16 years, about 533 acres of land was still lying unutilised. When the land was acquired, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the state government and the private firm, as per which, it was a pre-condition that in case the company fails to utilise the acquired land within 10 years, the government can take back the unutilised land.” Notably, when the process for the acquisition of the land was in process, the inhabitants of the affected villages had constituted a body - Ujara Roko Sangharsh Committee. The affected farmers have alleged time and again that when the land was acquired by the state government, they were not given proper compensation. “We would now launch an agitation to press upon the government for reclaiming the 533 acres of the land, lying unutilised,” said Punjab Trade Union leader Prem Singh
Nanwa.
|
||
Water panel has changed stand: Capt
In a letter to the CWC chairman, AK Bajaj, Capt Amarinder referred to the report prepared by the latter in 2006 when he was Chief Engineer, CWC, Indus Basin, Chandigarh, wherein he had contradicted the views of the Haryana Government. He said he was surprised at the commission’s stand now. Quoting the report dated January 25, 2007, the PCC president said at that time Bajaj had observed, “the apprehension of flooding is not connected to the capacities of the siphons. This was quite evident during the site visit on 01.12.2006 and the officials of the Government of Haryana accompanying on the visit also agreed. In fact they have agreed at the site as well as in their written submission to amelioration measures by way of providing cross drainage works across the line of the canal”. In the same context, Bajaj had said, “it is felt that even without lifting the flood waters from Ghaggar, the exiting flow conditions in the area can be retained in case Haryana is able to provide adequate number of cross- drainage works across the line of the canal so that the sheet flow of flood waters as existing before the construction of the BML-MPLC (Hansi-Butana Canal) can be maintained”.
|
||
|
Govt surviving on loans: Bhattal
Phagwara, August 28 Addressing mediapersons here today, Bhattal, former Chief Minister too, alleged the fiscal crisis continued despite tall claims being made by the government that the financial position of the state had improved. She said despite repeated demands, the government could not issue a white paper on the economic condition of the state. Bhattal, who earlier shared the dais with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at a religious function here, accused the government of playing politics over various schemes that had been cleared for the state by the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre. She said the law and order situation in the state was worsening by the day. She also congratulated the UPA government for resolving the crisis resulting out Anna Hazare’s stir. “The latest development again proves that the Union Government is committed against corruption. Democracy is being snubbed in the state by the Akali government and Badal’s Sangat Darshan has become “vote darshan,” she said. Earlier, Badal said a ropeway between Anandpur Sahib (Punjab) and Naina Devi (HP) would soon get functional. He appealed various political parties to join hands in the campaign against poverty, unemployment and illiteracy. PPP chief Manpreet Badal also addressed the gathering saying he would work to build a corruption-free society. Congress Punjab affairs in-charge Gulchain Singh Charak and BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia also addressed the function.
|
||
|
SAD rebel Kaka riding the sympathy wave
Moga, August 28 Stakes for former Education Minister Tota Singh are high in Dharamkot because he is likely to contest the forthcoming assembly elections from this constituency. While Kaka remained busy reaching out to the masses for votes, his son’s marriage ceremony was held at Los Angeles, US, yesterday. Kaka chose to stay back and visit Kamalke, Randiala, Vehniwal, Sherewala, Gagra and 10 other adjoining villages on the week-end, seeking votes on an emotional appeal. A resident of Lohgarh village, Kaka claimed he would win the SGPC election on a sympathy wave. He was given the SAD ticket but the party high command rejected his nomination papers at the eleventh hour, forcing him to contest as an Independent. “The people of my area want me to contest the assembly elections from the Dharamkot constituency. Therefore, winning the SGPC election is very important for me ”, he explained. Another candidate Jaswinder Singh fielded by Kuldip Singh Dhose, now with the People’s Party of Punjab, has made it a triangular contest.Observers say if the SAD candidate, who is Jathedar Tota Singh’s supporter, loses from here, the political scenario will undergo a sea change in the assembly elections. However, the Jathedar is undoubtedly in a winning situation from the Moga SGPC seat. Several villages in the Dharamkot assembly segment falls in the Moga SGPC constituency. He is among the frontrunners for the post of the president of the
SGPC.
|
||
|
Panthic Morcha yet to name its leader
During the SGPC elections in 2004, the Morcha had named Baba Sarabjot Singh Bedi of the Sant Samaj as its convener. However, this time round the Morcha has not named anybody as its convener or chairman till now. Though sources said the Morcha leaders failed to evolve a consensus over the issue, Khalsa Action Committee chairman Bhai Mohkam Singh said they themselves did not elect any leader. “We have divided duties among ourselves and we are jointly working to make the Morcha candidates succeed in the elections,” he said. According to him, the Morcha is a group of various political outfits and they have an 11-member coordination committee to take care of the entire work. “Moreover, we are also fighting against the culture in which the power lies in the hand of an individual and the rest follow his diktat,” he said, apparently hinting at the functioning of the ruling SAD in the SGPC. He said the Morcha was not a single political party and they believed in working in a democratic manner. Already, the Morcha has suffered some setbacks ahead of the SGPC elections. SAD (Delhi), SAD (1920), SAD (Longowal), SAD (Panch Pardhani) and Khalsa Action Committee had forged the alliance (Panthic Morcha) with an aim to give straight fight to the ruling SAD. However, they failed to rope in SAD (Amritsar) led by Simranjeet Singh Mann, which has turned the contest into a triangular one. As if it wasn’t enough, the unopposed election of seven SAD candidates has boosted the morale of the ruling party. Five of these SAD candidates got elected as the Morcha candidates withdrew their candidature in their support. Even the Khalsa Action Committee has suffered a jolt as a number of its office-bearers have oined the SAD.
|
||
|
Barnala set to return to active politics
Barnala, August 28 This is bound to further surcharge the political atmosphere in the state ahead of state elections. Gaganjit Singh, Barnala’s son and general secretary of the SAD (Longowal),said that his father was under pressure to rejoin active politics. “The Badals have done more damage to Punjab and the Sikhs than even the Mughals. The father-son duo has politicised the administration. Parkash Singh Badal has put a blot on the SAD history by making his son president of the SAD,” he said.
|
|
DGP keeping low key after Election Commission’s directives
He is the son of Nachhatar Singh Gill, a former Congress MLA who fell to the bullets of terrorists in the early 1990s. Former MLA Vijay Sathi of the Congress had alleged that some police and civil officers were “contacting people door-to-door for the DGP’s public meetings. “The DGP recently created the post of SP (City) in Moga, a town with a population of just 1.25 lakh,” he pointed out.Sources in the central and state intelligence agencies revealed that the DGP had visited Moga more than 100 times during the past couple of years and met the local people at platforms provided by religious and educational institutions and the residences of influential persons. According to sources, SAD leader Jathedar Tota Singh, who lost the last elections to Joginder Pal Jain of the Congress, has started his political activities in the nearby Dharamkot assembly segment on the directions of the party high command to “accommodate” the DGP in Moga. There have been reports that the DGP is promoting a team of policemen with a shady record to use them in the elections. Raman Kumar, kingpin of the Moga sex scam, and Rajesh Hastir whose services as SHOs were terminated by the government, have been taken back in service. The name of Balkar Singh, son of Jeon Singh of Moga, figured in the police record as a “bad character” but this status was changed after he gave evidence in the murder case of the DGP’s father. Prior to his statement being recorded, he reportedly visited the DGP’s office 17 times. DM seeks report District Magistrate of Moga Ashok Singla has asked SSP Sneh Deep Sharma to give a detailed report on the arms licences issued to the residents during the past two years and security personnel deployed with influential persons on the recommendation of the ADGP (Security). He has also asked for a detailed report on honorary promotions of policemen and those against whom criminal cases were registered but were taken back in service and deployed on key positions.
|
||
|
Maximum Hepatitis C cases reported from state
Bathinda, August 28 Hepatitis C has no vaccine and is known to be the most deadly silent killer. Liver is the most vital casualty of this disease that spreads due to shared needle, sexual encounters and from mother to child. Once hepatitis C infected patient develops liver cirrhosis, liver transplant is needed in 70 pc of cases. “The cost of liver transplant is five times more than the kidney transplant. In India, around 50 lakh people need liver transplant, but there is dearth of trained surgeons to carryout this most complicated form of surgery,” said Dr Arora. Laying emphasis on the need to educate people against use of needle sharing, Dr Randhir Sud from Medanta Medicity, Gurgaon, said, “Besides running programmes against drug addiction, the government should also run drives against quacks.” “Unregistered medical practitioners (quacks) are the most dangerous component in spreading hepatitis C. They should be educated against using one needle to prick all the patients and at the same time people, too, should be taught to ask their doctors for new needle every time they are pricked,” said Dr
Sud.
|
||
|
Robberies up by 14 pc in Doaba belt
Chandigarh, August 28 A comparison of figures during January-July last year with cases registered during the corresponding period this year reveals a 50 per cent reduction in the number of docoity cases and a 25 per cent reduction in kidnapping and abduction cases. Instances of robbery have decreased by The figures reveal that against 34 dacoities taking place during the first seven months last year, only 16 dacoities have been recorded during the same period this year. In case of kidnappings and abductions, as against 551 cases recorded between January and July last year, 422 cases have been recorded in the same period this year. Robbery cases have come down from 145 to 119. In case of murders, against 517 recorded in seven months last year, the figure is down to 491 in the same period this year. There has been a 22 per cent increase in the recovery of opium and 295 per cent increase in case of charas. Patiala district alone recovered 206 kg of opium while Sangrur district recovered 25 kg. The state has, however, seen a decrease in heroin seizures from 22 kg last year to 14 kg this year. Jalandhar Range comprising Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Kapurthala districts has shown an increase in robbery cases from 31 per cent of the total cases in the state last year to 45 per cent of the total cases this year. The number of snatchings has almost doubled in Amritsar even as these have slightly increased in Jalandhar. Burglary cases have increased in Ferozepur and Moga districts. Nawanshahr district has shown the best results in solving the cases of burglary with the district recording a traced percentage of 65 per cent followed by Gurdaspur with 60 per cent. In case of theft cases, Sangrur has recorded a traced percentage of 72 per cent followed by Barnala with 70 per cent. Director General of Police PS Gill said the police had achieved this success because the system had been overhauled. Now each Station House Officer (SHO) had been given two teams to look into crime investigation and law and order. The segregation of investigation and law and order duties had also helped.The DGP said policing in cities had been improved by bringing in the concept of community policing.
|
||
|
Deadline for Punjab, AP students is September 23
Ludhiana, August 28 Dr Dibyndu Mazumdar, President, Dental Council of India, said,"These students are already in the 5th year of BDS (which lacks internship). But as the Government of India has already issued a notification that the BDS course will be of 4+1 year now (4 years of theory and one year of internship). So, we have also allowed these two states, where there are students of the year 2007 who are already in the 5th year of BDS. If the state government give us in writing that their students of this batch should be given permission for 6 months of internship, we will allow them, but they should give us before September 23. It is because on September 24 and 25 we will hold annual general body (AGM) meeting of the Dental Council of India at Kolkata and we are supposed to deliberate on any such issue in the AGM. So it is my assurance to both these states that if we get request on time, we would allow their students of 2007 year batch to go for 6 months internship." He said it was good for the students as they would be able to getpractical training before joining a hospital or opening a clinic. Dr Mazumdar was in the city to attend a seminar organised by the Indian Dental Association, Ludhiana chapter. On asking about any other changes in the dental education in India, he said,"Earlier, there used to be brand names for buying equipment and material used in dentistry (practicals). But from now onwards, we have decided to give specifications and not the brand names."
|
||
|
Colonisers pressurise MC for completion certificates
Bathinda, August 28 At present, two prominent developers have put up their applications with the corporation asking it to takeover their projects and issue completion certificates. As per the rules, the private colonisers are supposed to complete a project within three years of the issuance of licences. The Municipal Corporation can extend this period for one year every year. When the colonisers apply for a completion certificate, a team of technical and engineering experts of the MC visits the project site and verifies whether
it has actually been completed. “When a coloniser floats a project, he promises the people of facilities like 24-hour water supply and power back-up, sewerage, wide roads, adequate green belts and parking spaces. However, things are quiet different when the project materialises,” said the BMC officials. The BMC officials said the colonisers had been pressurising them to issue the completion certificates despite the fact that many facilities were yet to be provided. The BMC officials said they were under political pressure to clear the files of these colonisers as soon as possible. However, Municipal Commissioner Uma Shankar Gupta said there was no political pressure from any quarter. “The committees have been formed to conduct inspection of the colonies that have applied for the completion certificates. The certificates will be given only if colonisers fulfil all the parameters,” he said.
|
||
|
Residents protest against pollution by meat
plants
Dera Bassi, August 28 They alleged that dirty water of meat plants was being discharged in the nearby choe but the concerned department was not taking any action. They said meat plants situated near Samgouli village had been discharging dirty water mixed with blood of animals and the management of meat plants was violating pollution control norms. Ground water was also being polluted. The residents warned that if any action was not taken they would protest in front of the SDM office soon.
|
||
|
PSEB’s Bathinda book depot cries for care
Constructed in 1955, it housed the printing and stationery department serving Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU). Later in 1977, the PSEB took over this building and even absorbed its employees. The structure, built over 6,000 sq ft, houses four halls for storing books, two halls for staff members and one room for the manager of the PSEB. The electric wiring in the building is completely worn off. If disturbed, it is impossible to restore the connection. Old wires have even led to short circuits, which, if not handled immediately, could damage the stock of books and forms housed in the building. Officials here have sent several representations demanding repairs, but all pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Officials, on one occasion, requested the PSEB that the building should be dismantled and new offices built. “But we were told that though the PSEB had taken over the building from the printing and stationery department, the land mutations were not transferred. As the building is not in PSEB’s name, no repairs or new construction could be done,” he added. “When the district administrative complex was built, it was decided to hand over the ground floor to the PSEB, department of canal lining and one more department. However, with Bathinda being declared a police range, offices were allotted to the police department leaving no room for us,” said PSEB employees. PSEB chairman Dr Dalbir Singh said that the PSEB has requested the state government to either give the board an alternative piece of land to construct a new building or transfer the present land in the name of the PSEB. “The government will decide the issue in the next three to four months,” he said.
|
||
|
Bathinda, August 28 Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ajit Sood from Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Ludhiana, spoke on management of hepatitis B and C and transmission of disease through injections, sexual encounters, pre-natal transmission and as occupational hazard. Dr Anil Arora from Sri Ganga Ram Hospital talked about liver transplantation and present scenario in India. —
TNS
|
|
Pbi varsity Dean part of CSIR project
He will be rendering his expertise, along with distinguished scientists like Dr CM Gupta, Dr JS Yadav and Dr Sayed Kabir, who are associated with various CSIR laboratories for guiding a project submitted by the HLL Life Care Ltd (formerly Hindustan Latex Limited) for developing a vaginal contraceptive. Dr Tiwary’s selection for this job is an accomplishment attributed to his research work in the area of contact spermicides. His research aimed at finding a novel method of post copulation contraception by using medicines that specifically elevate the intra-sperm calcium levels has been acclaimed internationally. —
TNS
|
|
|
Study on role of women in freedom struggle
Patiala, August 28 Dr Jaspal Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, informed that he had proposed this study keeping in mind the fact that women had played a significant role in Indian history but still no significant study had been done on their contribution. "People are unaware of the contribution of women in the Indian history. Though most of them know the names of prominent women, there is still ignorance as to what was their exact contribution in history. Therefore, this study would be highly beneficial for the coming generations. Rani of Jhansi Lakshmi Bai is one about which people have detailed knowledge," he added. Giving instances from the history, he informed that Guru Angad Dev's wife Bibi Khivi did a lot for the promotion of langar system but no one actually knows much about it. "Guru Gobind Singh's wife Mata Sundri holds a special place in Sikhism for the role she played in leading Sikhs through the troubled times that befell on them after the death of her husband and sons. She commanded the Sikh community for 40 long years after Guru Gobind Singh's death but people are not much aware of her contribution. Mai Bhago is another such heroic lady," he further informed. Therefore, we have decided to carry out this study in order to apprise our future generations about these strong women. He informed that Women's Study Centre will be given the task of this study.
|
|
3 thieves flee from custody
Moga, August 28 A case of negligence in duty was registered against the two head constables who brought these thieves from the Ludhiana jail. A hunt has been launched to nab the runaway thieves. Sources in the police revealed that the inmates, identified as Munnawar, Islam Khan and Armaan Khan, were wanted by the local police in some cattle-theft cases and were specially brought here to know the whereabouts of some of their associates operating in the Moga district. — TNS
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
The defence bundh at sensitive point RD 27 has started eroding today at several places. Army jawans and labourers have shifted from the area to the Mauzam bundh area located at a distance.
Phagwara, August 28
Farmers whose crops have been totally washed are compelled to witness their ruin with a bleak ray of hope of getting compensation before the pending assembly poll. In fact, the villagers of these flood-prone border areas are habitual of facing fury. They try to camp in their homes by shifting their belongings on the roof top and themselves living with their live stock.
Ludhiana, August 28
Chandigarh, August 28
Amritsar, August 28
Moga, August 28
Bathinda, August 28
Patiala, August 28