Bathinda, May 22
The Municipal Corporation Bathinda (MCB) has started a survey of 15 notified scheduled roads in the city to identify the commercial establishments and make them pay the change of land usage (CLU) charges.

The MCB staff began the survey in the last week of April and was expected to complete it by May 10. However, they could not able to meet the deadline and the last date has now been extended to May 31.

Municipal Commissioner Uma Shankar Gupta said as many as 500 big and small commercial establishments were expected to dot these roads. With the survey, all these establishments would be identified and would be asked to pay the pending CLU charges as per the respective areas and other yardsticks included in the change of land usage provisions.

Earlier, the files under the CLU charges used to remain pending with the Local Bodies Department at Chandigarh and the traders had to run from pillar to post trying to get their files passed.

Now, the government has allowed the respective local bodies to collect the CLU charges on their own and keep the collected amount with themselves as well. The MCB eyes it as an important source of income and has targeted a collection of Rs 5 crore from the charges.

The CLU is comparatively a new subject, especially for the small and old traders. During the survey, traders are being made aware of the importance of paying the CLU charges. With the payment of the CLU charges, all unauthorised structures would be regularised in strict line with the building bylaws.

“Once the lists are populated, we will first issue notices to people asking them to pay the charges within a stipulated time period. If the charges are not paid, we may have to resort to strict measures such as cutting off the power connection to the commercial establishments. If still someone doesn’t pay it, we have no option but to demolish the structure,” warned Gupta.

As many as 40 CLU cases, under the town planning schemes, were put up before the MCB. All files have been cleared but only 20 persons have paid the CLU charges.

“People should realise that the money collected as taxes is utilised for their welfare only. How can we provide adequate civic amenities unless and until we do not have any kind of resources at our expense?” he said.

He appealed to the traders to pay their CLU charges on time and save themselves from unease.

Bathinda, May 22
No-smoking signages were installed at the Bathinda and Talwandi Sabo bus stands under the PEPSU Roadways Transport Corporation (PRTC) today.

Area traffic manager Jaswinder Singh Chahal and his team installed the signages which are being put up as a part of a campaign to declare Bathinda smoke-free district by May 31.

Jaswinder Singh Chahal said Rampura would be covered tomorrow.

Bathinda, May 22
The Municipal Corporation Bathinda (MCB) today issued notices to contractors working on roads in ward No. 22 and 36.

Municipal Commissioner Uma Shankar Gupta today reviewed the work at the sites. He was unsatisfied with the progress of the work and issued notices to Sai Ram Contractors. Roads are being recarpeted in the city starting from the Fort Chowk towards the Old Police Station. Besides, the work on some narrow streets in the ward No. 22 and 36 has also been undertaken.

The company was laying roads using large stones, which was not required. “The company was using bituminous macadam (BM) which is to be used to lay roads only. Here, the roads need filling of potholes and simple premix carpeting,” he said.

Gupta explained that the laying BM had led to wastage of funds. The companies have been asked to explain their working. He said even the specifications of BM were not being properly followed. “The roads made with such substandard material won’t last long. Our aim is to provide roads that have longevity and are properly levelled,” he added.

Meanwhile, traffic in the area remained held up today where the roads were being laid.

official speak
The company was using bituminous macadam (BM) which is to be used to lay roads only. Here, the roads need filling of potholes and simple premix carpeting. The roads made with such substandard material won’t last long. Our aim is to provide roads that have longevity and are properly levelled.

— Uma Shankar Gupta, Municipal Commissioner 

Bathinda, May 2 2
Bathinda and its adjoining areas remained in the grip of searing heat for the past three-four days, but the worst came true on Wednesday as the city recorded a maximum of 46.8 degree Celsius.

As per the forecast released by the Agri-Met Department of the PAU regional station, Bathinda, the maximum temperature was being recorded at 46 degree Celsius over the past three days, but on Wednesday it crossed the 46-degree mark and was recorded at 46.8 degree Celsius.

The minimum temperature plummeted a little and was recorded at 24.2 degree Celsius. Hot winds blew at the velocity of four kilometres per hour.

Bathinda, May 22
International Biodiversity Day was celebrated by the Centre for Environmental Science and Technology of Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, today. The day is observed globally under the leadership of the United Nations to understand the importance and spread awareness about issues related to biodiversity.

Central University of Punjab, which celebrated the day in collaboration with the Punjab Biodiversity Board, under the sponsorship of National Biodiversity Authority, organised lectures by eminent scientists in the field.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Jai Rup Singh welcomed the distinguished speakers and guests from the region and spoke on the importance of biodiversity. In his speech, the VC stressed that the beauty of this earth could only be maintained by celebrating the biodiversity on the planet.

Dean, academic affairs, Prof P Ramarao, introduced the work and achievements of the speakers in the inaugural session and Prof RG Saini introduced the speakers at the technical session.

Eminent botanist Dr SS Bir, Professor Emeritus, Punjabi University, Patiala, was the chief guest and delivered the inaugural address on the occasion. He praised the efforts of the university for having gathered high-end infrastructure for research and education and hoped that the university will be the topmost institute not only in the region but in the country.

He also proposed that teachers and students coming from various geographical regions can bring plant seeds from their respective regions in order to establish a biodiversity park in the university. He stressed the importance of planting trees and advocated the use of vacant spaces for this.

Prof DS Brar, former scientist, International Rice Research Institute, Philippines, who was the guest of honour, delivered his lecture on 'Utilization of Genetic Resources for Increasing Productivity and Sustainability of Crops'. He stressed on the importance of an inter-disciplinary approach and said better productivity could be ensured through research on plant genetics. He also emphasised upon the need to collect various breeds of flora and fauna for research and conservation.

Prof Pushpinder Jai Rup, former professor, Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, also delivered a special lecture on 'Biodiversity and Insects'. She deliberated on the importance of insects in carrying forward life on this planet. She presented a slide-show of the insect varieties found in a kitchen garden. She advocated the need to conserve diversity of insects in order to save the diversity of life on our planet.

During the technical session of the programme, Prof MS Saini, former professor, Department of Zoology, Punjabi University, spoke on 'Impact of changing environment on biodiversity of Punjab'. Speaking about the effects of green revolution on the various species of birds, he said the use of insecticides, pesticides and fertilisers has endangered the habitats of several birds including the state bird, eagle. He also stressed upon the need for a reference museum in order to preserve biodiversity.

Prof MS Chahal, Department of Human Biology, Punjabi University, delivered his lecture on 'Biodiversity: The Human Case'. Prof Chahal expressed concern that human biodiversity is a comparatively less explored field as there is plenty of diversity in human race based upon height, complexion, hair, fingerprints and blood groups. Similarly, there are different levels of immunity against diseases in different races which could be deciding the factor in treatments available.

Prof PK Joshi, Department of Natural Resources, TERI University, while speaking on 'Biodiversity - That Sustains Life' said India has an important role in the sphere of biodiversity as diverse life forms are found here but the danger to these life forms is equally severe.

Human beings need to frame equality based relations with nature and affirmative action can be taken to conserve biodiversity through the use of modern technology and regional surveys, he added.

Speaking on behalf of the Punjab Biodiversity Board, Gurharmandar, senior scientific officer, Punjab State Council for Science and Technology, said Punjab Government is particularly vigilant about the conservation of biodiversity in the region and as a result, Punjab has become the first state to implement the organisation of district level committees for conservation of biodiversity. An important project on Shivalik hills of Punjab is underway and new projects on south-west Punjab will soon be started.

Prof AK Jain, Dean, School of Environmental and Earth Sciences, proposed a vote of thanks at the conclusion of the event. The event was attended by eminent members of institutes from the region, senior citizens and faculty and students.

Bathinda, May 22
Block-level maths quiz competitions were organised in six blocks of the district today. In the Bathinda block, teams of the Government High School, Bhagu, Government High School, Gehri Devi Nagar and Government High School, Bir Behman, secured the first three positions.

In Nathana block, while the first position was grabbed by the Government High School, Khyaliwala, the second place went to Government High School, Bhucho Khurd. The teams of Government Girls High School, Bhucho Mandi and Government Boys Senior Secondary School, Kotha Guru, tied for the third place.

In the Mandi Phul East block, the first three positions went to the Government Boys Senior Secondary School, Mehraj, Government Girls High School, Bhai Rupa, and Government High School, Dulewala.

In the Madni Phul West block, the positions went to the teams of the Government High School, Bhunder, Government Middle School, Chanarthal, and Government High School, Dikh.

In the Sangat block, the top three positions were grabbed by the Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Chak Ruldu Singh Wala, Government High School, Bangi Rughu, and Government High School, Bhagwangarh, respectively.

In the Talwandi Sabo block, Government High School, Chathewala, Government Middle School, Kotli Khurd and Government Senior Secondary School, Teona Pujaria, grabbed the top three 
positions. The competition was held under the guidance of the district maths coordinator Harmesh Kumar Verma. 

fact file
All the teams from one block first appeared for a 20-minute written examination. The top six teams from the block were chosen for the block-level quiz competition.
The district-level quiz competition will be held in Bathinda on May 25.

Bathinda, May 22
Baba Farid College of Management and Technology (BFCMT) organized an honour ceremony for the meritorious students who scored more than 85 per cent marks in the first university examination of the MBA course. Chairman of the group, Gurmeet Singh Dhaliwal, said the results were the outcome of the targets set by the institution. The college has 10 meritorious students who have scored more than 85 per cent marks and 26 students who scored more than 80 per cent in Punjabi University results.

A press release issued by the BFGI informed that the college has introduced students' employability scorecard to assess the skills and essentials for employability. The aim behind preparing the scorecard is to assess the students on various fronts like technical and non-technical skills and even contribution to society. 

Bathinda, May 22
A six-month-old boy and his five-year-old sister sustained burn injuries when boiling milk spilled on them. The incident took place on Tuesday evening at the house of Vijay Kumar who lives in a private school near Sirki Bazar where he works as a watchman.

His six-month-old son Devan and daughter Sandhya were playing while his wife was boiling milk. Suddenly, the toddler went near the gas stove and spilled the milk. Confused in the melee, the six-month-old sat on hot milk and received serious burn injuries on his hips. The girl received burn injuries on her arms.

Till evening, Vijay kept applying bandages to the burnt area which worsened the child's condition. In the evening, he went to the president of the NGO, Sahara Welfare Society, Vijay Goyal, requesting him to arrange medical help for his children.

"When we went to see the children, they were in pathetic condition. We rushed the children to the burns unit of the Bathinda Civil Hospital where they are undergoing treatment. Had the six- month-old not been attended in time, it could have cost his life," said Vijay.

Bathinda, May 22
Liquor bottles worth Rs 48,500 were stolen from a vend belonging to Supreme Wine Companies on Hans Nagar Road.