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Rice bags for mid-day meal scheme found stacked in school toilet
High drama at railway tracks
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16 fresh dengue cases reported, total count rises to 90
Architect booked in suicide case
Heaps of Garbage mar beauty of Historic Quila mubarak
Troubles at Suwidha Centre turn it into ‘Asuwidha Centre’
2 lakh enrolled for issuing UID cards
Functions mark Youth Red Cross Day
Traders eagerly awaiting Navratras to get over ‘Shraddha’ slump
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Rice bags for mid-day meal scheme found stacked in school toilet
Bathinda, September 21 The matter came to light when the assistant block manager, mid-day meal scheme, Sunita visited the school for an inspection. The in-charge for the mid-day meal scheme in Bathinda, Daljit Singh Joshi had sent Sunita after he received complaints regarding anomalies in the implementation of the mid-day meal scheme at the school. After Sunita had conducted an inspection and found everything to be in place, she got a call from her office asking her to check the locked toilet. On opening the toilet, three bags of rice were found dumped near a toilet seat, emitting foul smell. The school authorities told Sunita that the toilet was not used frequently. They claimed that the rice was stored in the toilet as there was no place in the store-room. "But when the store-room was opened, there were just ten bags of rice lying there besides two cylinders and a cupboard. There was plenty of space to accommodate the bags of rice found in the toilet," Sunita said. The school authorities failed to produce any record for the four bags of rice when asked. "There was no entry in the records about the bags found. Either it was the surplus stock or it was not given to the kids on time. In either case, the stock should have been returned or reported to the department," Sunita pointed out. As soon as the anomaly was detected, a blame game started amongst the staff members. The school's cook, librarian and the employees working for the midday meal scheme started blaming each other for keeping the rice bags in the toilet. Principal Surendra Nagar said he was not aware of the rice bags lying in the toilet. "I was away to Chandigarh last week and someone might have kept the bags there. I can't check each and every room of the school building every day. I have faith in my subordinates. We were, in fact, going to serve idlis and dosas to the kids on Children's Day.”
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High drama at railway tracks
Bathinda, September 21 The residents including women, elderly and children began their protest at 6 am with banners and flags in their hands. They raised slogans against the railways and local political leaders for delaying the laying of sewerage pipes. While the commuters remained at the receiving end as five trains got delayed for more than an hour, local SAD leaders, the Bathinda Mayor and an SGPC candidate reached the place to address the agitators. While the SGPC candidate Sukhdev Singh Bahia said that he could organise langar for the agitators, Mayor Baljeet Singh Beerbehman and SAD leader Sarup Chand Singla too promised to take up the cause of the people. Residents of the area said that they had been demanding the laying of sewerage pipes for the past for a long time as the situation worsens during the rainy season in the low-lying localities. Residents of Amarpura Basti, Lal Singh Basti, Sanguana Basti, Udham Singh Nagar, Balraj Nagar and Bangi Nagar thronged the railway tracks. The elderly, women and children were among the protesters. Local SAD leader and Municipal Councillor Manjeet Singh said that the corporation deposited Rs 12 crores with railways around four months ago for laying of sewerage pipes under the railway tracks but the authorities have delayed the permission. He added that a letter received by the corporation few days ago stated that the project would now be undertaken by the railways and not the state government which will further complicate the matter. Mayor Baljit Singh Birbehman too express similar views and said the project has been hanging fire for a long time leading inconvenience for the people. The Mayor said that officials of the corporation have to visit railway officials in Ambala, Ferozepur and Delhi to get sanction for the work but nothing has been done so far. When asked if the dharna was organised by the SAD he replied in the negative and said the SAD leaders and SGPC candidates came to know about the dharna today in the morning itself. "We rushed there to express our our solidarity with the people,” he said. The dharna was lifted only after the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) assured of granting permission within the next 15 to 20 days for the laying of the sewerage pipes. Meanwhile, local Congress leaders, in a press release issued here today, said that their party workers would also hold a massive dharna on Saturday to get the sewerage work done in the localities beyond the railway tracks near the Patiala railway crossings.
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16 fresh dengue cases reported, total count rises to 90
Bathinda, September 21 Of these 16 cases, 10 were from different local localities like Guru Ki Nagri, MES Colony, Paras Ram Nagar, Calcutta Street, Guru Nanak Pura Colony, Balla Ram Nagar, Multania Road, Hospital Bazar area, Power House Road and Harbans Nagar. Of the total 90 cases, 64 were from Bathinda city while 20 were from Talwandi Sabo block (especially from the Raman Mandi area), four from Sangat block and one each from Goniana and Bhagta blocks. All the 90 cases were reported to the office of the the Civil Surgeon here by the Civil Hospital and the DMC Hospital at Ludhiana, the Civil Hospital, Bathinda, the Apollo Hospital, Ludhiana, and the Government Rajindra Hospital at Patiala. Though 64 positive cases of dengue from the Bathinda city have come to light this season but a majority of these have been reported to the district health authorities and hospitals at Ludhiana. It has compelled one to think as to why a majority of the patients have preferred to get themselves treated at the hospitals situated outside the district, whether due to lack of faith in the local doctors or lack of proper medical facilities here as compared to the hospitals at Ludhiana. According to information available, the authorities at the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana have reported 33 positive cases of dengue so far to the Bathinda district health authorities while 31 cases have been reported by the by Civil Hospital, Bathinda, 23 cases by the DMC Hospital, Ludhiana, two cases by Apollo Hospital, Ludhiana and one case by the Government Rajindra Hospital, Ludhiana. The confirmation about a patient suffering from dengue fever is done by conducting the Mac Elisa test on the blood sample of the suspected case. If the test is found positive then the patient is declared to be suffering from dengue. In the year 2010, as many as 364 positive cases of dengue were reported from the district, of which 318 were from the Bathinda city alone.
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Architect booked in suicide case
Bathinda, September 21 Jagsir Singh, son of the deceased Labh Singh, in his complaint to the police, alleged that his father consumed some poisonous substance following threats by the accused over the issue of returning some papers related to the ownership of land. Jagsir said his father had borrowed some money from the accused and had duly returned the amount. The accused however did not return the papers and threatened him Canal colony police have registered a a case under sections 306 and 506 of the IPC but no arrests have been made so far. — TNS
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Heaps of Garbage mar beauty of Historic Quila mubarak
Bathinda, September 21
Dogs can be seen foraging for food in the decomposing heap that is placed in a pit where a room might have stood earlier.
While the sanctum sanctorum and the yard of the gurdwara premises are cleaned twice daily, pilgrims and the visitors to the Fort have a tough time because of the stench emitting from the pile. People from all walks of life visit the gurdwara, including politicians, VIPs, police officials, educationists and others. The gurdwara is under the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) that is responsible for its maintenance and management. While SGPC member Sukhdev Singh Bahia said that two people have been specially appointed to clean the premises, the gurdwara's manager Shamsher Singh said the onus to clean the premises lies with the Archaeological "The ASI does not allow us to even pick the bricks that came tumbling down when the wall of the Fort near the langar area collapsed a year ago. Such is the situation that alterations carried out within the gurdwara too have invited the wrath of the ASI officials who are hell-bent on registering a case against me," said Shamsher Singh. Bahia said he has not been able to go to the gurdwara at the Fort for the last two months. "I was busy with the SGPC elections. Now I will take up the matter and get the area cleaned. But at the same time, ASI officials too should make adjustments," Bahia said. In the absence of adequate staff members, the gurudwara management puts garbage on fire after every 15 days thereby emanating clouds of smoke put people at unease. Meanwhile, ASI official MC Sharma said the ASI is only responsible for ensuring cleanliness beyond the area demarcated with iron railings. "For cleaning the area preceding the railings, the gurdwara management is responsible." |
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Troubles at Suwidha Centre turn it into ‘Asuwidha Centre’
Bathinda, September 21 As per the information, over 350 persons visit the centre daily to submit application forms for learning, permanent or duplicate driving licences, besides renewal of driving licence. However, the space near the counters meant to accept the forms is not enough to accommodate such a large number of persons. Some of the exhaust fans installed at the waiting hall are lying dysfunctional. One Mandeep Singh said he came at about 10.30 am to submit his application form for a learner’s driving licence, but even after about three hours had passed, he was still waiting for his turn. Besides, several people have to visit the centre time and again when they learn that even after passing of stipulated period, their files did not come from the offices concerned. The works include police verification for arms licence and copies of the decisions of Tehsildar, SDM and other officers. In such circumstances, some of them even feel harassed. Some persons said more staff should be appointed at the centre for handling the work of driving licences to avoid inconvenience.
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2 lakh enrolled for issuing UID cards
Bathinda, September 21 For the purpose, 19 centres have been set up at Khialiwala village and Dansinghwala in Goniana; Ghudda, Jassi Pau Wali and Bajak in Sangat; Virk Kalan, Kot Shamir, Bathinda and Bir Talab in Bathinda; Malkana in Talwandi Sabo; Seriawala in Bhagta; and Kotfatta, Ghuman Kalan, Ganga, Mehma Sarkari, Kuttiwal Kalan, Sandoha, Burj Throd and Rajgarh Kube in Maur. At these centres, as many as 1,99,403 persons were enrolled till Tuesday. The work at the Sandoha centre has already been completed while at three centres of Kotfatta, Khialiwala and Bajak, the work has been temporarily suspended. As per Rakesh Kumar, representative of the agency engaged for enrolling persons, said the 'Aadhar' cards would be useful in many important works. Rakesh said they were taking finger prints, retina scan and photograph of the person to be enrolled besides collecting basic information. He said the data collected was being sent to a Bangalore-based centre for preparing 'Aadhar' cards, which would be sent to the applicants directly from Bangalore. Rakesh said they had installed four machines at the Mini-secretariat here to enroll the employees, but residents of the town were also being enrolled.
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Functions mark Youth Red Cross Day
Bathinda, September 21 Also inter college competitions were during the state level function held at SSD Girls' College on September 20 and September 21. During celebrations various competitions such as poster making, declamation, quiz and other cultural activities like folk songs and patriotic group songs were held. Aman Bishnoi of DAV College Abohar won the quiz, while BBK DAV College Amritsar bagged first prize in declamation contest, group song, folk song and poem recitation. National College Bhiki Mansa secured first prize in poster making while Nehru Memorial Mansa shared first position with BBK DAV Amritsar in declamation contest. Additional Deputy Commissioner Bathinda Dr Abhinav Trikha presided over the closing ceremony. The winners were awarded. |
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Traders eagerly awaiting Navratras to get over ‘Shraddha’ slump
Bathinda, September 21 Brahmins cite Shraddhas as an inauspicious time and the ‘inauspicious days’ have brought a mourning-like situation in the business sector by adversely affecting their sales. On the contrary, the days are auspicious for Brahmins as they are high in demand and busy collecting offerings such as food, new clothes and most importantly ‘Dakshina’. Priests in the local temples, including Ram Swaroop Shashtri, Ram Kishor Sharma and others, said they had a busy schedule these days. “Sale has considerably gone down during these days,” said Ashok Single, owner, Dwarka Jewellers, Bathinda. Similar views were expressed by Sanjay Jain, owner of the Royal Jewellers in the city. Lalit, cashier at the Woodland Store in the Mittal Mall, said, “The days have hit the sale to great extent.” “Sale has nosedived during this period,” said Paramjeet Singh at a franchisee of Octave clothing. “Even stock market is no exception as it is also more or less experiencing downwards trend these days,” informed Raman Agarwal, a local share broker. However, some customers were seen shopping in the city. “It is not an inauspicious time but the days are dedicated to our ancestors,” maintained college students Muskan, Simmi and Maggi. Amit Setia, an engineering student, who was buying new clothes for his birthday, pointed out, “I do not believe in this myth as during these days, we also buy petrol, travel and watch movies. What’s wrong in shopping then?” The concept confounds rationalists. “We do not care for living beings but perform rituals for the well-being of departed souls. Moreover, people from other communities do not know about Shraddhas and make purchases. Does it bring them bad luck,” asked Chanan Warder and Harjit Singh, Rationalists, Tarksheel Society, Bazakhana. “Shraddha is derived from ‘Shraddha’ that means faithful. Instead of believing in myths one should avoid doing things that may cause grief to one’s ancestral spirits,” said Rajunder Monga, a supervisor at NFL. “Instead of challenging the set customs why not to follow them as it is,” maintained Asha Bansal, Vinita Garg and Savita, housewives. Anyways, the shopkeepers look forward to see a jump in the sale during Navratras.
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City Briefs
In the 57th Punjab State School Games, the students of St. Joseph’s Convent School have brought laurels to the school. Principal Helen DCosta informed that 24 teams of the school participated in the state-level tournaments. The girls in under-17 and under-14 teams of handball and taekwondo have bagged the first positions. The under-14 girls team in netball has also won the competition. The principal felicitated all the participants and wished them success in their future endeavour. Mayor seeks more power for local bodies
Local bodies should be empowered with 74th constitutional amendment all over the country so that mayors get more power to meet their responsibilities. This was felt at 102nd executive meeting of All India Council of Mayors held at Jaipur. Bathinda Baljit Singh Bir Behman, who is the vice-chairman of the council, participated in the meeting. He said that the 74th constitutional amendment has not been implemented in all the states of the country. Foetus found
A four-month-old foetus was found on Wednesday near the canal adjoining Guru Nanak Dev Thermal plant. It was noticed by some passerby in the morning and the matter was brought to the notice of local police by volunteers of Waheguru Welfare Society. Police reached the spot and take the foetus for medical examination. Police officials said so far nothing has come out of the inquiry. Efforts were on to trace the accused. A case under section 318 of the IPC has been registered against unknown persons at thermal police station. —
TNS |
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Bathinda, September 21
A garbage dump situated in the premises of the holy gurdwara at the Bathinda Fort has become an eyesore for the pilgrims visiting daily to pay obeisance.
Situated right at the entrance of the gurdwara, a few yards away from the sanctum sanctorum, the garbage consists of waste from the
langar, cups and plates made from styrofoam and plastic.
A large number of people visiting the local Suwidha Centre, situated on the premises of the Mini-secretariat here, for various works, especially submission of application forms for learning or permanent driving
licences, have to face different types of inconvenience. Due to this, some of the visitors term it as
'Asuwidha Centre'.
Bathinda, September 21
Even in the cyber age, ‘Shraddha’ holds an important place in rituals associated with the Hindu religion. “As per the Hindu mythology, the days are considered to be bad for purchasing new stuff, settling marriages, shifting to a new accommodation and many other things as the period is dedicated to perform the death rites,” stated Pawan Kumar
Shashtri, Sia Ram temple, Goniana road, Bathinda.
