B A T H I N D A    E D I T I O N

Ex-FM sticks to his guns on fiscal mess
Abohar, October 23
Once known for its prosperity routed through the green and white revolutions, Punjab is by all means expected to create history of sorts by becoming the first state in the country to go bankrupt, said Manpreet Singh Badal, former finance minister and founder of People’s Party of Punjab (PPP).

Advani to hold road show in Bathinda on November 13
Bathinda, October 23
BJP leader LK Advani would skip a public meeting but would hold a road show in the town when his ‘Rath Yatra’ reaches here on November 13. Advani would address roadside gatherings from his specially fabricated vehicle.

Tributes paid to Subedar Joginder Singh
Moga, October 23
The military and the civil administration authorities paid floral tributes to Subedar Joginder Singh, a Chinese war hero, on his 49th death anniversary at a commemoration ceremony organised in Moga on Sunday.

Drain water fury
No Diwali celebrations in Balluana segment
Abohar, October 23
While endorsing the call given by some village panchayats, chief parliamentary secretary Gurtej Singh Ghuriana, who represents the Balluana constituency, today announced that there would be no Diwali celebrations this time.

Ex-FM sticks to his guns on fiscal mess
Raj Sadosh

Abohar, October 23
Once known for its prosperity routed through the green and white revolutions, Punjab is by all means expected to create history of sorts by becoming the first state in the country to go bankrupt, said Manpreet Singh Badal, former finance minister and founder of People’s Party of Punjab (PPP).

Speaking on the sidelines of a rally here, he dared the Punjab Chief Secretary and Finance Secretary to make public the current financial status versus the liabilities to be cleared by the end of the financial year. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has declared bonanza for the government employees besides announcing grants at his Sangat Darshan functions but the state exchequer will have no funds to pay even the salaries to its employees in February and March next year, he claimed. The ruling alliance is expected to withhold all grants for development works besides pre-declared bonanzas by December under the pretext of the implementation of the election code of conduct.

Responding to CM Badal's comment that he had tarnished the image of the Badal family as well as the SAD, Manpreet recalled that the SAD supreme had expelled him well 
before he could think of quitting the party formally in October last year.

He had no hesitation in comparing Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal with the Mughal princes, citing his life and style of working. Manpreet said his party was not adverse to promoting traditional sports including kabaddi but procuring Rs 6-crore loan for any event can't be appreciated. Moreover, he added, such events are not going to save the SAD-BJP boat from sinking in the coming Vidhan Sabha elections.

Asked about representation to women and youth, Manpreet said 50 per cent of the tickets for the next Vidhan Sabha elections might be allotted to these two sections as they were expected to script the bright chapters of democracy in Punjab. Former MP Gurdas Singh Badal and PPP state general secretary Surinder Saluja also addressed the rally. 

Advani to hold road show in Bathinda on November 13
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, October 23
BJP leader LK Advani would skip a public meeting but would hold a road show in the town when his ‘Rath Yatra’ reaches here on November 13. Advani would address roadside gatherings from his specially fabricated vehicle.

According to Kamal Sharma, general secretary of the state BJP, the BJP leader would enter Punjab from Dabwali after spending the night at Sirsa. He would address three public meetings at Ludhiana, Amritsar and Pathankot.

The BJP units on the route of Advani’s ‘Rath Yatra’ have been asked to mobilise the party rank and file and also the general public to make it a grand show.

Tributes paid to Subedar Joginder Singh
Tribune News Service

Moga, October 23
The military and the civil administration authorities paid floral tributes to Subedar Joginder Singh, a Chinese war hero, on his 49th death anniversary at a commemoration ceremony organised in Moga on Sunday.

Born on September 28, 1921 at Mahla Kalan village in the Moga district, Subedar Joginder Singh served in the First Sikh Regiment. He joined the Army on September 15, 1941. He was posthumously given Param Vir Chakra (PVC), the highest gallantry award of the nation.

Colonel SK Yadav of the 29th Infantry Brigade, Colonel HS Guleria, Commanding Officer of the 21st Punjab Regiment, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Ajmer Singh and many other serving and retired Army and civil/police administration officials were among those who paid tributes at the war hero’s memorial, situated on the national highway, outside the judicial complex.

Kulwant Kaur, daughter of Subedar Joginder Singh was honoured by the Army officials. Some widows of ex-servicemen were also given financial assistance of Rs 20,000 each by the state government.

Earlier, a prayer was also jointly organised jointly by the Sikh, Christian, Hindu and Muslim priests to mark the ceremony. Besides, a contingent of the Army presented a guard of honour to their hero on the occasion.

Drain water fury
No Diwali celebrations in Balluana segment
Our Correspondent

Abohar, October 23
While endorsing the call given by some village panchayats, chief parliamentary secretary Gurtej Singh Ghuriana, who represents the Balluana constituency, today announced that there would be no Diwali celebrations this time.

He realised that the drain water fury had ravaged the crops, spread over thousands of acres besides causing damage to the houses in 28 villages of his constituency.

Most of the villages fall under the wildlife sanctuary area and assessment of loss by the Revenue Department is yet to be completed. He assured that the compensation would be distributed by the next month after completing the formalities.