Bathinda, January 16
The decline in the number of institutional deliveries in the periphery government health service centres has become a cause of concern for the district health authorities.

The problem was discussed at a meeting on low performing areas convened today at the Civil Surgeon's office in Bathinda.

The reports presented stated that in the month of December, only five deliveries were registered at the primary health centre (PHC), Maisarkhana, eight at PHC, Bhai Rupa, five at Ghudda hospital, three at PHC, Jodhpur Pakhar and four at PHC, Lehra Mohabbat in the district.

While the doctor at PHC, Maisarkhana, is on study leave, the other centres are facing the problem of staff shortage.

Civil Surgeon Dr Ajay Sahni directed the doctors to make arrangements for posting adequate number of staff. He said the surplus staff at some centres should be put on duty by rotation.

Dr Sahni also directed that special emphasis should be laid on motivating women to go for delivery in hospitals.

The new mothers are not provided meals at Ghudda hospital as the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) Scheme has failed to take off there. At other government health centres, the new mothers are given free diet in the hospital to ensure nutritious food for the mother and promote institutional delivery.

However, at the Ghudda hospital, the scheme has failed to take off as the hospital could not find caterers for the scheme.

The doctors here were directed to seek help from village households for getting food for the new mothers and pay the villagers for it.

"When less than ten deliveries are registered at a health centre, the caterers refuse to take up the work. We should then rope in the village folks and pay them," the Civil Surgeon advised the doctors.

Later, talking to TNS, Dr Sahni said the shortage of staff was the main problem. "A verdict from the double bench of Punjab and Haryana High Court is awaited for recruiting the nursing staff. As soon as the court case gets cleared, the government will immediately recruit 650 staff nurses that will take care of our needs," he said.

He added that at Ghudda, people were not yet aware of the new hospital and hence, less number of deliveries was registered. He said the health department planned to hold health camps in the villages and make people aware of the existence of the hospital at Ghudda.

Earlier, while addressing a meeting of senior medical officers (SMOs), Dr Sahni directed the doctors to ensure that ultrasound machines, which are not working, are sealed.

A committee under the Pre-Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act had conducted a checking of the ultrasound centres in the city on January 12.

The members of the team included doctors from Ludhiana, Rajpura and Nabha who visited four or five centres in the city.

One of these centres were found to possess three ultrasound machines of which only one was in working condition.

Dr Sahni said that as per the orders, all the non-working ultrasound machines should be sealed so that its unauthorised use by the clinics could be checked.

Bathinda, January 16
A 14-year-old boy committed suicide in Bir Talab area today. Identified as Sukhraj Singh, the boy was a student of Government School, Bir Talab. His father Bheera Singh said Sukhraj did not go to school today. His body was found hanging at home from a "dupatta".

The volunteers of the NGO Sahara Welfare Society reached his home and took the body for post-mortem. SHO, Sadar, Amritpal Singh said the boy's father Bheera Singh has ruled out any foul play. "We have not got any suicide note so far and on the request of the boy's family, we initiated inquest proceedings under sections 174 of the CrPc," he said. — TNS

Bathinda, January 16
A new fact has come to light in the missing lawyer's case. A day earlier, it was reported that a city-based lawyer, Yogesh Bansal, had gone missing since January 10 and there was no trace of his whereabouts.

It has now been learnt that a friend of the lawyer, Sheetal Kumar Goyal, 29, a resident of street number 4, Ganesh Nagar locality near Durga Mandir, has also been missing since January 10.

Sheetal had gone with Yogesh Bansal on that day and both the friends are missing since then.

Sheetal repaired mobile phones for a livelihood and had come in contact with Yogesh when he was working in the tehsil office earlier. They had left together at 5:30 pm on January 10 saying they were going for some work. They had left on a Splendour motorcycle PB 03 7172. Sheetal's mother called him up at 7:30 pm on his mobile phone to which Sheetal responded saying he was in the market and would reach home in half an hour.

Later, the mobile phones of both Yogesh and Sheetal were found to be switched off. A DDR has been registered in this case by the police.

Bathinda, January 16
Members of the Master Cadre Union today issued a statement protesting against the state government for engaging the master cadre teachers in conducting the economic census in the state.

The members pointed out that conducting the economic census was consuming the precious time of the teachers. "We are being told to conduct the census in the evening but that is the time when people, especially the farmers, relax and are not in a mood to be disturbed," said one of the teachers.

The union also pointed out that the state government was coming up with new ways of keeping the teachers away from schools.

"As soon as the winter vacation got over, the teachers were asked to attend training camps. And now, the master cadre teachers have been loaded with the work of conducting the economic census. When does the government expect us to take classes," added the union.

The members of the union added that when they took up the matter with the government, they were told that the government was paying the teachers for conducting the census. "We do not want the money. Why does the government not give the work of conducting the census to unemployed teachers who are spending their time in holding dharnas and protests? They would gladly take up the work and would also be able to dedicate more time," pointed out Sukhdev Mittal, a member of the union.

The sixth socio-economic census began today in the district. As many as 1081 enumerators and supervisors have been deputed for the task.

The staff on census duty has been issued special identity cards. The enumerators will collect information from households, shops and factories.

The data is being collected under the Collection of Statistical Act 2008. The economic and statistical advisor, Bathinda, has been appointed as the nodal officer for the survey.

Deputy Commissioner KK Yadav inaugurated the exercise by taking details from the enumerators and supervisors and filling up the same in proformas.

The first proforma to be filled in the city was that of Mayor Baljit Singh Birbehman.

ADC (Development) Mohammad Tayyab, district statistical officer Gurdeep Singh, assistant economic advisor Harmandar Singh Dhillon and census in-charge, Bathinda, Kishore Bansal were also present at the meeting.

For any additional information, the authorities can be contacted on the phone number 0164-2217050.

Bathinda, January 16
The district police today issued a calendar aimed at promoting awareness regarding traffic rules among the people.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ravcharan Singh Brar released the seven-page informative calendar at a press conference today.

Brar said the calendars will be distributed in schools, colleges and government offices in the district. ASP City Patil Ketan Baliram and SP (Headquarters) Gurmeet Singh were also present on the occasion.

Speaking at the press meet, Brar said traffic awareness week was observed from January 1 to January 7 during which efforts were made to create awareness among school students and the people in Bathinda.

Students of Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School, Lord Rama School, MSD School, Guru Nanak Dev Public School, Police Public School, Dasmesh Public School, Guru Ramdass Public School, Little Flower School, Shaheed Sipahi Sandeep Singh Government School, Khalsa School, MHR School, Guru Kashi Public School, National Public School, Desraj Government School, Guru Arjan Dev Public School took out a rally to create awareness on traffic rules.

An exhibition was also held at the traffic park in Rose Garden to create awareness among the people. During the week-long celebrations, the NCC volunteers of the Punjab Technical University Giani Zail Singh (PTUGZS) campus and the Government ITI, Bathinda, performed the task of managing traffic along with the policemen.

The police also conducted an eye check-up camp for the truck drivers. Besides, reflectors were installed on tractors, trolleys and mule-driven carts to safeguard them against mishaps due to fog or darkness.

Students drink water at a tap in the stadium

Bathinda, January 16
Poor participation by the college students in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) rehearsals for the coming Republic Day reflects the lack of enthusiasm among the educational institutes.

Very few students from colleges across Bathinda are showing interest in the NCC preparations. Further, there is no regularity among those who come for the parade rehearsals.

Subedar Govind Kumar is one of those responsible for rehearsing the NCC parade, but the unwilling attitude of the college authorities has left him frustrated. "For the Republic Day parade, we have to prepare a council of senior division (SD) , i.e. boys and 40 senior wing (SE) i.e. girls. We have sent a letter to different educational institutes asking for specific number of cadets but the response is very disappointing."

"We asked for 15 SD and five SW from DAV College, out of which they have sent only five SD. ITI has sent only 12 cadets, though we asked for 30. Also, Giani Zail Singh College of Engineering and Technology did not send any students to us."

The subedar also complained that 50 per cent of the students come daily and leave the rehearsals. "The students are not regular and the colleges are showing no concern over the issue. It becomes very difficult for us to train new faces everyday. If the same situation continues, then I am really worried about the final parade on Republic Day," he said.

JS Hundal, principal, Giani Zail Singh College of Engineering and Technology, said, "It is a professional college and it is difficult for students to miss classes for more than 10 to 12 days for the Republic Day rehearsals."

Rajiv Bhargava, NCC head at ITI Bathinda, said, "Most of our students were out for a camp and they will come back by January 17. I will make sure that from January 18, almost 30 students will go for rehearsals at the stadium. Also, the same students will go for rehearsals and will present a good show on Republic Day."

Bathinda, January 16
The Punjab Ayurvedic Medical Services Association (PAMSA) today demanded a CBI probe into the re-totalling scam in BAMS examination held by Guru Ravidas Ayurvedic University.

In a press statement issued here today, advisor and member of the state co-ordination committee Dr SS Romana said that to ensure a fair and impartial inquiry, vice-chancellor, secretary to vice-chancellor, registrar and university dean should be removed from their posts.

The university is running without its own building, without a senate, syndicate and board of studies which are mandatory to run a university as a “statutory provision.”. In the absence of these, it is not recognised by the UGC and the Central Council of Indian Medicine, he pointed out

He also demanded that the examinations, presently being conducted by the university, be handed over to Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) until the infrastructure of the university is comes up.

He added that for scientific research in the teaching and practice of Ayurvedic system of medicine, the university should be merged with Baba Farid University of Health Sciences as the intention behind establishing BFUHS was to impart studies and conduct scientific research in every system of medicine, modern system as well as the Indian system of medicine.

The Benaras Hindu University (BHU) is an example in this regard, Dr Romana added.

Bathinda, January 16
The students of the Punjab Technical University Giani Zail Singh (GZSCET) campus have been allowed to see their answer books as per the new policy adopted after the institute got the academic autonomy with PTU.

Campus director Dr JS Hundal said the institute was upgraded to university status and renamed as PTU GZS Campus, Bathinda in December 2010. Since then, the semester-end final examination papers are set and are checked by the in-house faculty.

“The faculty has worked hard and got papers checked within 10 days of the final exam date. Students are shown the final exam answer booklets. A compiled result will be sent to PTU, Jalandhar and the official result will be declared later,” he said.

He added that the institute has recently been offered a grant of Rs 2 crores under TEQIP (Technical Education Quality Improvement Program) scheme of AICTE for the upgradation of laboratories and infrastructure facilities.

Bathinda, January 16
From January 20 to January 22, over 1.76 lakh children would be administered polio medicine in the district, said Deputy Commissioner Kamal Kishore Yadav while presiding over a meeting of the task force formed to monitor the national round of campaign today.

The DC would also flag off an awareness rally which will be held on Thursday. The rally will start from Government Rajindra College and will conclude at the Gole Diggi Chowk.

For the population of 13, 88, 859 people and 2, 59,109 households, 723 polio booths have been formed. These include 220 city booths and 503 booths in rural areas.

DDPO Rajinder Batra, civil surgeon Dr Ajay Sahni, SP (headquarter) Gurmeet Singh and representatives of various NGOs were also present at the meeting.

Yadav directed the DDPO to ensure that the panchayats of all villages contribute towards making this drive a success. The Powercom officials were directed to ensure that power supply is not interrupted due to technical snag as it may lead to the refrigerated vaccine getting spoilt.

The district food and civil supplies officer was directed to ensure that children (0 to 5 years) working at the brick kilns are also vaccinated. To cover such children, transit booths would be set up.

The women and child development officer has been directed to ensure that aanganwari workers and helpers are also roped in for the drive. DEOs (elementary and secondary) were directed to make students aware of the importance of polio vaccine during the morning assembly.

State Bank of Patiala, Zonal Office, Bathinda, will be organising a pulse polio rally in the city on Thursday to spread awareness about the campaign. DC Kamal Kishore Yadav will flag off the rally at the District Administrative Complex. — TNS

Bathinda, January 16
To spread awareness about water conservation, DAV institutions will be organising a Jal Chetna rally on January 19. As a precursor to the event, DAV College, Bathinda, today organised an on-the-spot essay competition focusing on various aspects of water conservation. As many as 90 students participated in the competition. During the Jal Chetna Week, expert lectures, painting competitions and other events will be organised. Dr JS Anand, principal DAV College said students of RBDAV Senior Secondary School, DAV College, MHR Senior Secondary School, Arya High School , and some other schools will participate in the rally.

The rally will be led by Swami Suriya Dev, PD Goyal and Dr Satwant Kaur Bhullar. The rally will start from RB DAV School and after passing through Mall Road and main bazar, conclude at Arya Samaj Chowk, Bathinda.

Bathinda, January 16
The Government Rajindra College (GRC) today organised a felicitation ceremony to honour its students who won medals in judo, power lifting and netball events organised at the Yadvindra College of Engineering in Talwandi Sabo and Punjabi University College, Ghanaur.

The Yuva Club of the college also organised a paper presentation competition to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

Prof Seema Gupta inaugurated the event. While addressing the students, she threw light on the teachings of Swami Vivekananda. Dr Gurjeet Singh Mann, youth coordinator, presented a report on the activities of the Yuva Club. He also spoke to the students about the importance of youngsters in bringing about a change in the society.

Kamaljeet Singh Sidhu, assistant director, Youth Services was the chief guest at the event. He exhorted the students to take steps towards curbing the social ills and lead the society. Principal Vijay Goyal welcomed the guests and praised the students for presenting papers.

As many as 13 students participated in the competition and spoke on various aspects of Swami Vivekananda's life and his perspective towards society and religion, among other things. They also threw light on the life and philosophy of Swami Vivekananda's teacher, Ramkrishna Pramhansa.

Verpal Kaur, Amit Sharma and Amrinder grabbed the first, second and third places, respectively.

Bathinda, January 16
Aiming to popularise the diminishing Punjabi culture among its students, Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, will be organising a Lok Mela in the campus. The mela will be organised on February 14.

As per a press statement, Vice-Chancellor SK Ahluwalia today headed a meeting with Dr AK Kansal (dean, student welfare), Karanjeev Singh, Jagwinder Singh, KPS Mahi and Kamaljeet Singh (sports wing).

Events like kite-flying competition, pranda making, phulkari, embroidery, knitting and rope making competition will be part of the Lok Mela.

University PRO Sukhdevinder Singh Kaurra added that apart from the students of the University, folk artistes and singers from Punjab will also be invited to the event.

The university will also felicitate the artistes and singers during the event for their contribution towards enriching Punjabi culture.

Bathinda, January 16
Agriculture department of the Centre-sponsored Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), launched a calendar today. The calendar was launched by the Deputy Commissioner of Bathinda, Kamal Kishore Yadav.

During the event, DC suggested that images on the calendar can be used to promote initiatives like exposure visit, farm school, district-level fairs organised by agricultural department to educate farmers about the latest developments in the field of agriculture.

Chief Agricultural officer, Dr Rajinder Singh Brar, pointed out that gazetted and other registered holidays should also be listed in the calendar to make it more useful to the people. He also added that website and contact details should also be printed on the calendar to help those who have questions related to agriculture.

Dr KK Singla, agricultural information officer, Dr Pradeep Bansal, deputy director, animal husbandry and others were present.