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Flooded Sutlej maroons 50 villages in Ferozepur
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Breach on Ravi bank plugged
Faulty sewerage line spells trouble for commuters
Rs 1,496 cr for improving power distribution
Provide Rs 25,000 per acre relief to flood-hit: Bajwa
Deputy CM asks SGPC to focus on dharam parchar
SGPC chief wants PM to intervene
Woman dies in roof collapse in Tarn Taran
Race for IAS nomination intensifies
CM showers grants on Gidderbaha villages
Eco-sensitive limit reduced, will help Camelot project
PAU experts: Faulty export policy to blame for onion prices
Video-conferencing for BSF jawans launched
No preventive measures taken, claims Jakhar
Centre’s health scheme to be launched in 41 Punjab cities
Rainwater harvesting can help recharge water table: Experts
Forest cover increased in state: Minister
Prisoners to get smart cards
for purchasing grocery
Medicos resent delay in promotions
Medical teachers oppose new work schedule
Protesters seek drainage of rainwater from farmland
Staff crunch hits healthcare facilities in Muktsar villages
Health varsity asked to take over de-addiction centre
Firm alleges fraud during auction, approaches HC
TV serial production team booked
Two booked for cheating contractor of
Rs 6.8 lakh
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Flooded Sutlej maroons 50 villages in Ferozepur
Ferozepur, August 18 Though Irrigation Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon along with a battery of officials from the Drainage Department today visited the flood-hit villages, the release of more water from Harike head-works has been giving anxious moments to the residents. Sekhon said no breach had been reported in the ‘dhussi bundh’, which was being further strengthened to avoid any untoward situation. “I have directed the officials concerned to work on war-footing,” he said. Vinod Chowdhry, Chief Engineer, Drainage, said the discharge downstream Harike was recorded at 1.04 lakh cusecs today while upstream Hussainiwala headworks it was 76,777 cusecs. He said the water level in the Pong Dam had already reached 1,383 feet, which was likely to rise if the downpour continued in catchment areas. “We have controlled the release from the dam till now. However, the safety of the dam has also to be ensured, for which some more water may have to be released subsequently,” he said. Deputy Commissioner Manjit Singh Narang said the district administration had provided tarpaulins, gunny bags and medicines, besides other necessary support, in the flood-ravaged areas. He said girdawaris had been ordered to ascertain crop loss. MLA condemns ‘inaction’ Ferozepur MLA Parminder Singh Pinki, who visited the flood-hit villages along the India-Pakistan border today, has said the state government had “failed” to provide any succour to the affected people till date. He alleged crores were being spent by the state government on flood-protection measures but nothing had been done on ground. Pinki said, “The Chief Minister and his deputy should have at least done an aerial survey of the affected villages. The father-son duo who claim themselves to be custodians of the farmers were totally unmindful of their miseries.” Bid to damage ‘bundh’ Thousands of residents belonging to the over a dozen villages under Muthianwala Complex had a narrow escape when some unidentified persons made at attempt to cause a breach in the advance protection ‘bundh’ between Kamalwala and Muthianwali villages. Villagers said around 2:30 am, some persons dug the ‘bundh’ up to 15 feet near pillar number 2325. However, timely alarm raised by some farmers prevented the situation from turning worse, they said. The police has booked unidentified persons in the case.
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Breach on Ravi bank plugged
Ajnala, August 18 The authorities had yesterday sounded an alert in the area following reports of massive erosion near the BSF’s Shahpur post alongside electrified fence with Pakistan. The restoration work would continue for two more days. The residents, however, complained they had spotted the erosion two days ago and had started repair work without any help from the administration. “We did what we could with our own resources. The government machinery joined today, though it was a big help,” said Jagir Singh, a farmer. Though the ‘bundh’ has been repaired, hundreds of acres of crop alongside the river lay submerged in water. The extent of flooding could be gauged from the fact that tall sugarcane crop was hardly visible with only tip of leaflets showing above water. The residents have demanded that state government should use concrete boulders to strengthen the vulnerable spots. Seetal Singh Talwandi, a Jamhoori Kisan Sabha leader, said, “The river bank is vulnerable at several points and the government should take concrete steps to strengthen these.” He said the BSF officials had informed the Irrigation and Drainage Department officials about the weak points a month ago. Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal, who supervised the operation, claimed, “The Ravi bank has been restored and a new ‘bundh’ parallel to the original one has been constructed. It will help in case the first one erodes.” Aggarwal said the water level in river had started receding. Against 5 lakh cusecs of water in the river yesterday, the figure stood at 3 lakh cusecs today. The district administration has also set up a camp at Bal Lubhe village to provide emergency services to the residents. A BSF pontoon bridge over the Ravi near Kakkar village was also washed away today.
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Faulty sewerage line spells trouble for commuters
Ferozepur, August 18 Instead of rectifying the problem, the authorities concerned have been passing the buck. More than 10 accidents have already occurred on this stretch, with several persons, including schoolchildren, receiving serious injuries. “Many representations have been made before the district administration by the residents and worried parents of schoolchildren, but the problem still persists. Probably, the authorities have been waiting for a bigger tragedy to occur,” said Bhupinder Singh, a resident. He said the Water Supply and Sewerage Board had laid a new sewerage line last year. “But the problem worsened rather than improving the condition due to its flawed design,” he said. This sewerage line was not only endangering the lives of the passersby but had also damaged the newly constructed road, thus causing losses to the state exchequer, said Sukhbir Singh, another resident. On August 28 last year, a large number of residents had staged a protest, following which then Additional Deputy Commissioner Gurmel Singh and municipal council chief Ashwani Grover had assured of action. But till date, nothing has happened. Officials in the Public Works Department said the stretch could not be repaired as sewerage was still spilling onto the road. They said some colonisers had allegedly connected their sewerage pipe with the main sewer link illegally, which caused the problem. Deputy Commissioner Manjit Sngh Narang said he had constituted a four-member team to look into the matter. Ferozepur MLA Parminder Sngh Pinki said action should be taken against those responsible for the laying the “faulty” sewerage line.
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Rs 1,496 cr for improving power distribution
The ambitious Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme will ensure quality power supply besides minimising transmission and distribution losses. The Rs 1,496 crore project has been approved for setting up reliable and automated transmission and distribution systems and to improve internal efficiency and customer services. The Secretary, Power, Anirudh Tiwari, said the focus would be on sub-transmission system and capacity addition of lines and 66/33 KV substations. Punjab would be the first state to set up fault passage indicators for quick detection of line faults and replacement of electro-magnetic energy meters with electronic meters. Tiwari said the 47 towns on the list had been divided into seven categories.Three reputed companies including- L&T, Godrej and A2Z - had been allocated the work to be carried out on a turnkey basis. These companies had already conducted a survey and would complete the work within a year. Umesh Dewan/TNS Jalandhar, August 18 The government is contemplating to introduce the new billing system on a pilot basis in three cities. Official sources said a large chunk of consumers did not pay water and sewerage charges. This had resulted in the deterioration of the fiscal health of municipal bodies across the state. With the new billing system, the government aims to minimise the number of defaulters. However, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) authorities have A senior PSPCL official told The Tribune: “The system will not serve any purpose. It will rather adversely affect the clearance of power bills too.” “The proposal sent by the government is vague and unlikely to bring the desired results,” he said. “Consumers do not pay water and sewerage charges because the municipal bodies do not take strict action. against defaulters. If the civic bodies begin to disconnect water and sewerage connections of the defaulters, everyone will pay up “The government should not complicate matters. It should rather issue instructions to the civic bodies to strictly deal with defaulters”, the official said. Sources said a meeting on the matter had already held between government functionaries and PSPCL officials and another meeting was likely to be held soon. The reforms plan
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Provide Rs 25,000 per acre relief to flood-hit: Bajwa
Gurdaspur, August 18 Two days ago, SAD leader SS Langah, party in charge of Gurdaspur, also had toured around a dozen marooned villages. Accompanied by Dera Baba Nanak Congress MLA Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Bajwa visited the worst-affected villages of Ghaniya Ka Bet and Ghonavala in Dera Baba Nanak sector along the India-Pakistan border. Standing crops on over 25,000 acres has been inundated. Expressing anguish over the plight of the affected people, he said, “The SAD-BJP government is indifferent towards the sufferings of the border villagers whose wait for relief is proving to be endless. There are villages that have been annually facing the flood fury but the ruling coalition is least bothered about protection measures.” Bajwa has urged the Punjab Government to pay a compensation of Rs 25,000 per acre to the farmers who had completely lost their crops and Rs 15,000 per acre to those who had suffered partial losses. “Expenses for the reconstruction of damaged houses should also be given. The residents of Ghania Ke Bet village have been isolated and need immediate help. Even boats are not available,” he said. Meanwhile, officials in control of flood-protection measures claimed all arrangements were in place. They said the damage turned out to be a bit more due to the strong current of water in both the Ravi and the Beas. Commissioner (Jalandhar Division) R Venkatratnam, Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner Abhinav Trikha and officials of the Drainage Department camped at Mokkaran Pattan village, the confluence point of the Ravi and the Ujh, for a major part of the day. Trikha claimed the water level in the Ravi had receded considerably. The SAD-BJP government is indifferent towards the sufferings of the border villagers whose wait for relief is proving to be endless. There are villages that have been annually facing the flood fury but the ruling coalition is least bothered about these
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Deputy CM asks SGPC to focus on dharam parchar
Chandigarh, August 18 Sukhbir has directed SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar and the committee executive members to focus entirely on the propagation of Sikhism and to stop the business of setting up schools, colleges and other educational institutions. Sukhbir has said that it is government’s job to set up schools/colleges/universities and hospitals and not that of the SGPC. However, he has asked the SGPC to fund the education of bright students, especially those who follow the Sikh way of life. Karnail Singh Panjoli, SGPC executive member, who was present at the meeting held here on August 15, said Sukhbir wanted the SGPC to concentrate on preaching the Sikh religion and to help people get rid of social evils such as drug addiction. "The Deputy CM has asked the SGPC president to make arrangements for air-conditioned buses for people residing in villages to take them to the Golden Temple and other Sikh shrines and to arrange for their overnight stay at these places,” said Panjoli. The SAD president told the SGPC to set up a world-class museum over a piece of land near the Golden Temple in Amritsar and to take the help of experts for lighting up the Golden Temple complex. He suggested the display of weapons, golden spades, golden canopy and other artefacts kept in the temple Toshakhana in bullet-proof glass enclosures. Sukhbir pointed flaws in the functioning of the SGPC. He said a large chunk of land should be bought near Amritsar for a “serai” with 2,000 rooms for pilgrims. He suggested adequate parking space at the serai and an auditorium to screen documentaries on the history of the Golden Temple. Panjoli said the SAD president would meet the SGPC executive members next month for a feedback. Sukhbir issues do's and don'ts
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SGPC chief wants PM to intervene
Amritsar, August 18 Talking to
mediapersons, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said such incidents raised questions over the security of the Sikh community in the UK. The elderly Sikh was punched in the face without any provocation.The teenager spat on him and walked away. The incident occurred on August 10. “Even though the suspect has been arrested, the racial attack is a matter of concern as this is not the only incident of its kind. I have appealed to the Prime Minister to intervene and hold a dialogue with his counterpart in London so that such attacks do not recur," he said. Makkar also spoke of the Oak Creek Gurdwara shootout in the US and the attack on septuagenarian Piara Singh in San Francisco, US. The SGPC president asked Sikhs abroad to take steps to sensitise the local people and officials about their religion.
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Woman dies in roof collapse in Tarn Taran
Tarn Taran, August 18 In another incident, three houses of farm labourers collapsed in Darajke village near the Indo-Pak border. The houses belonged to Bagicha Singh, Lal Singh and Nand
Singh. Chaman Lal Darajke, district president, Dehati Mazdoor Sabha, demanded that a special team be sent to the area to access loss due to floods and that the affected residents be given adequate compensation. Heavy rain recently had claimed six lives in Amritsar district after rickety buildings in which the victims were residing caved in. Three persons, including a six-month-old child, had died at Bangla Basti area while a woman had lost her life in New Jawahar
Nagar. Two minors had died in Lopoke area.
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Race for IAS nomination intensifies
Chandigarh, August 18 In an official communication to the Principal Secretary, Technical Education, the Vidhan Sabha committee has sought exemplary punishment for the officer and an action-taken report within a month. The committee has nullified the report submitted by the Additional Director of Technical Education giving a clean chit to Dr Tarun Sehgal, posted at the NIT Dispensary, Jalandhar. The latter had allegedly passed casteist remarks against dispensary worker Baljit Kaur. Mohan Veer Singh's report had termed the allegations against Sehgal baseless following which a House committee was constituted. The Tribune is in possession of the report of an inquiry conducted by the office of SSP, Jalandhar-Rural, in January this year giving a clean chit to Dr Sehgal. The NIT inquiry too had not found anything against Dr Sehgal, sources said. Dr Shiv Karan Singh Kahlon, ML Sharma, Economic Adviser to the Punjab Government and Dr Preneet Girdhar are said to be among the other IAS aspirants. Dr Shiv Karan enjoys considerable political support. Dr Kahlon was appointed Medical Officer in Haryana in October 2000 and "absorbed" in the Punjab Government in January 2001. Another name that has raised many an eyebrow is that of Parampal Kaur, daughter-in-law of Education Minister, Sikander Singh Maluka. The list of nominees will be sent to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The Punjab Chief Secretary will have a major say in the selections. AR Talwar, Principal Secretary, said: “I have not yet received any House report and , hence, can’t comment on it.” House panel seeks...
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CM showers grants on Gidderbaha villages
Muktsar, August 18 Figures provided by the District Development and Panchayat Office, Muktsar, show that a sum of Rs 17 lakh was sanctioned for each of these gram panchayats for various works such as promotion of sports activities, building dharamshalas, supplying potable water, construction of roads/streets and dispensaries. The Chief Minister announced Rs 17 lakh for Khirkianwala, Rs 19 lakh for Assa Buttar, Rs 23 lakh for Guri Sanghar, Rs 31 lakh for Kauni, Rs 13 lakh for Wadda Kishanpura, Rs 16 lakh for Surewala, Rs 32 lakh for Harike, Rs 11 lakh for Smagh, Rs 18 lakh for Peori, Rs 12 lakh for Daula, Rs 8 lakh for Bharu, Rs 2.5 lakh for Buttar Bakhua, Rs 28 lakh for Kotbhai, Rs 9.5 lakh for Rukhala, Rs 14.5 lakh for Madhir, Rs 4.5 lakh for Husnar, Rs 15 lakh for Chottian, Rs 12 lakh for Sahib Chand, Rs 15.5 lakh for Chhateana, Rs 21 lakh for Bhalaiana, Rs 15 lakh for Kotli Ablu, Rs 12 lakh for Kothe Chiddianwale, Rs 6 lakh for Kothe Dhaban, Rs 8 lakh for Kothe Hazure, Rs 6 lakh for Kothe Bade, Rs 4 lakh for Kothe Kesar, Rs 1.02 crore for Mallan, Rs 10 lakh for Kothe Amargarh, Rs 14 lakh for Buttar Shreen and Rs 3 lakh for the Sukhna Ablu gram panchayat. District Development and Panchayat Officer Naval Kumar said: “Within a month, the amount will be transferred to the accounts of various agencies executing worksin these villages.” The district administration has started preparations for the next Sangat Darshan from August 22 to 24 in
Gidderbaha.
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Eco-sensitive limit reduced, will help Camelot project
Chandigarh, August 18 The proposal cleared by the Punjab Cabinet is being sent to the Central Government, say sources. The state government is sending the proposal to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. Although the government claims to be reducing the eco-sensitive area limit for developmental activity in the state, highly placed sources in the administration hinted that the move was actually aimed at helping the controversial Tata Camelot project. If the proposal is approved by the Centre, the forest area under the Chandigarh Administration, just 200 yards from the Camelot project, will be exempted from eco zone limits and the Tatas would be free to go ahead with its multi- storeyed housing project. Meanwhile, the Chandigarh Administration is learnt to have sent a separate proposal to the Centre to keep the 2.5 km area adjoining the sanctuaries in the eco-sensitive zone. The Punjab Government is learnt to have sought an amendment with regard to the UT Administrator’s proposal. The Punjab Government had in January this year sought that the limit for eco-sensitive zones be kept at 500 metres. Within less than eight months, the government now has sought that it be be kept at a mere 100
metres.
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PAU experts: Faulty export policy to blame for onion prices
Dr MS Sidhu, Head, Department of Agriculture Economics, PAU, said the government exported 51 lakh quintals of onion from April to June at Rs 15.18 per kg. “ The government should have stopped the export of onion after the Met prediction that heavy rain was certain to affect the onion yield at home. The government made a major error.” Maharashtra is the major producer of onions with 33 per cent contribution, followed by Karnataka (18%) and Gujarat (10%). Punjab's share is only 1.19 per cent which is too little to meet consumer needs.
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Video-conferencing for BSF jawans launched
Amritsar, August 18 This is the first-of-its-kind initiative was launched from Amritsar by Subhash Joshi, Director-General, BSF, during his two-day visit to Punjab. The project will be introduced in other border areas as well. MF Farooqui, DIG, BSF, said the project was an initiative of the Amritsar sector, which would be replicated in other border areas where the BSF had been deployed. The arrangements for video-conferencing had been made at the Amritsar sector headquarters and the Integrated Check Post, he said. “There have been instances in the past where jawans committed suicide out of frustration due to tough working conditions. The facility aims to check stress among the jawans who can now interact with their families and help them in their domestic issues,” said Farooqui. The facility would be extended to the JCP and other company headquarters, he said.
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No preventive measures taken, claims Jakhar
Abohar, August 18 While the department had demanded Rs 200 crore for flood preventive measures and for cleaning drains spread over 1,500 km, the state government had approved just Rs 56 crore. He alleged that Rs 180 crore received from the Centre last year were misutilised by the state. Besides, the Centre had released Rs 96.77 crore last month for disaster management, but the state had failed to prevent flooding in border areas of Gurdaspur, Ferozepur and Fazilka, he alleged. The Met Department had forecasted a prolonged monsoon, but the government took no preventive measure, he added. — OC
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Centre’s health scheme to be launched in 41 Punjab cities
Ludhiana, August 18 All cities with a population of 50,000 and above will be covered under NUHM in the state. Hussan Lal, Managing Director, National Health Mission, Punjab, said, “In Punjab we will cover 41 cities, including Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar. For slums with a population of around 1,500 to 2,000 people, one ASHA worker will be deputed; for every 10,000 people in cities, one Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) will be appointed. Furthermore, a primary health centre (PHC) will be set up to cater to every 50,000 people and a community health centre (CHC) will be set up for every 2.50 lakh persons in cities.” He said more primary health centres and community health centres would be established next year. Lal said the NUHM would be implemented at the existent PHCs and CHCs from this financial year and that the present health centres would be upgraded for the purpose. “We might get Rs 80 crore to launch NUHM in Punjab this year,” Lal said. He said six CHCs would be built in Ludhiana city next year. The project will cover 41 cities, including Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar. For slums with a population of around 1,500 to 2,000 people, one ASHA worker will be deputed and for every 10,000 people in cities, one auxiliary nurse midwife will be appointed.
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Rainwater harvesting can help recharge water table: Experts
Moga, August 18 From 2001 to 2008, the groundwater table that was declining at the rate of 2.74 metres per year in Moga-I, Moga-II, Baghapurana and Nihalsinghwala blocks has reduced to just 0.74 metre per year from 2008 to 2013. Experts believe if rainwater is used to recharge groundwater for the next few years, the groundwater level would not drop any further. Agro-scientist Dr Jaswinder Singh Brar said, “The surplus water left after irrigating the fields can be used to recharge groundwater aquifer through artificial recharge techniques. This can also improve the quality of the groundwater and lower fluoride content in it.” Brar said the number of tube wells in the state increased from 2 lakh in 1970 to 13 lakh in 2013. “The insensible use of groundwater for irrigation purposes coupled with the lack of any concrete policy for saving this natural resource led to the decline in groundwater table in the last four decades,” he said. Moga district received 180 mm of rainfall in June, 135 mm in July and 185 mm in August this year. Brar said a 3 horsepower motor was sufficient to pump out water from the ground in the 70s and 80s whereas now, a 15 horsepower is needed to do the same.
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Forest cover increased in state: Minister
Barnala, August 18 Stating this at the PWD Rest House here today, Forest Minister of the state Surjit Kumar Jyani said the Forest Department had fixed a target of planting 4.75 crore saplings during this monsoon to bring more area under forests. The government had earmarked Rs 70 crore for the purpose, he added. He claimed that about 88 per cent saplings, planted last year in the state, had survived as forest officials and people had been nursing them. The minister said his department had been supplying saplings of various trees free of cost to educational institutions, NGOs, religious organisations and others to increase the forest area from the present seven per cent to 15 per cent during the next seven years. He said the Forest Department had chalked out a planrelated to plantation of saplings in assistance with the Department of Rural Development on vacant lands lying in villages. Jyani said under the programme, 90,000 hectares of vacant land had been identified in 9,145 villages of the state where saplings would be planted. He also appealed to people to plant at least five saplings on the birth of a daughter at their homes.
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Prisoners to get smart cards
for purchasing grocery
Ludhiana, August 18 In a unique initiative, the jail authorities will issue smart cards to prisoners for purchasing grocery items from the jail canteen. Confirming this, Additional Director General of Police (Prisons) RP Meena said the pioneer project would be launched in the Ferozepur and Patiala jail. He said the need to introduce the smart card system was felt for curbing the inflow of cash that often led to quarrels among prisoners. The relatives of prisoners will deposit money in the smart cards. After purchasing grocery, the canteen operator will swipe the smart card and deduct the money. Sources said drug addict prisoners bribed jail guards for sneaking drugs inside jails. Yesterday, the central jail authorities nabbed a prisoner with 265 psychotropic tablets. Mohd Ismail said he had paid a bribe to the jail guard for arranging the tablets. Meena was at the Ludhiana Central Jail to inaugurate an RO system for the prisoners. The RO system has been installed by the Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust. Managing Trustee SP Singh Oberoi said nearly Rs 3 lakh were spent on the installation of the RO system. Oberoi, who had played a pivotal role in the release of 17 Indian prisoners on death row in Dubai, said the Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust would work in coordination with the jail authorities for the development of infrastructure in jails across the state. Oberoi said besides the Ludhiana Central Jail, the RO project was launched at Patiala, Sangrur and Ferozepur jails. Avoiding commenting on the allegations leveled by former ADGP (Prisons) Shashi Kant about the politico-official mafia supplying drugs to the jail, Meena said, "We have zero tolerance for drug peddling in jails. We have dismissed five jail officials found guilty in this connection." He said Rs 2.5 crore released by the state government for curbing drug menace in jails would be spent on constructing medical laboratories and installing recreational equipment.
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Medicos resent delay in promotions
Patiala, August 18 These teachers are working on the same posts for the past 15 to 20 years. Their students who had completed the PG course a few years ago are now working as their seniors after gaining some experience at private institutes. The teachers alleged that the medical education department had failed to follow the MCI norms while appointing teachers. In a government medical college, a doctor with post-graduation is posted as a lecturer whereas doctors with same qualification are posted as assistant professor in private medical colleges. The latter then become eligible to apply for higher posts in government medical colleges under direct quota. In Government Medical College, Patiala, one assistant professor in the medicine department has a teaching experience of more than 15 years. He is working on this post since 1998. Similarly, an assistant professor in the pathology department has a teaching experience of 19 years, but he too is working on the same post. Many doctors with teaching experience of more than 6 to 8 years are still working as lecturers under their own students appointed under the direct quota. Two doctors with DM in Medicine are working on the post of assistant professor and associate professor for the last many years with no promotion. Similar is the situation at Government Medical College, Amritsar. A senior doctor said delay in time-bound promotions had spoiled the working atmosphere in hospitals. "How can you expect the doctors to perform their best when they are compelled to work under their own students. Appointments by direct quota have created anomalies in medical colleges,” he rued. Dr DS Bhullar (MD), representative of committee on time-bound promotions, GOMCO, Patiala, said they had demanded time-bound promotions and re-designation on the pattern of the Punjab Police where the government had promoted 1,500 police personnel without an increase in their salaries. “We want promotions without any increments or financial considerations. The demand was even accepted by the Medical Education Minister. More than 80 per cent faculty will be benefited. This will also enhance availability of senior faculty members which in turn will facilitate increase in post-graduation seats,” he added. Vini Mahajan, Principal Secretary, Medical Education and Research Department, said: “At present, we are only focusing on filling our existing vacancies through promotions and direct quota. We have recently received a large number of applications under the direct quota. We are creating new posts, mainly for specialists, to improve the quality of health services in medical colleges”. Seeking Justice
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Medical teachers oppose new work schedule
Patiala, August 18 The decision has come in view of the lack of infrastructure in the state-run medical colleges for accommodating the faculty after the OPD hours in the new schedule, i.e. 8 am to 4 pm, with a lunch break from 2 pm to 3 pm. The president of the association, Dr JPS Walia, said there were no rooms alloted to the junior faculty member and no paramedical staff was available in the evening. Besides, there was no subsidised staff canteen for tea or lunch break. He said it made it impossible for them to sit and have lunch at the college. "Moreover, temporary amendments in the timings by the general body will improve the functioning of the hospital as the OPD timings have not been decreased," said BS Sohal, secretary of the association. The association has also demanded time-bound promotions, restriction on direct quota promotion interviews, parity with the PGI faculty and allowances on the pattern of the PCMS. —TNS There are no rooms alloted to the junior faculty members and no paramedical staff is available in the evening. Besides, there is no subsidised staff canteen. It is difficult for the staff to sit and have lunch at the college
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Protesters seek drainage of rainwater from farmland
Muktsar, August 18 The residents of Jhabelwali village blocked the Muktsar-Kotkapura road for almost two-and-a-half hours alleging that since the drains were not cleaned properly, their agricultural fields got inundated after rain. They sought action against the erring officials of the Drainage Department. Similarly, the residents of Lubanianwali and Seerwali villages blocked the Muktsar-Ferozepur road for almost four hours. Reports of a road blockade were also received from Warring village and also from Gidderbaha sub-division. Meanwhile, a breach in canal at Madhir village inundated crops on nearly 60 acres. An official in the Irrigation Department said the department had received nearly 10 complaints of breaches in minors, which occurred due to the incessant rain. The rainwater also inundated all major roads and streets in Muktsar town.
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Staff crunch hits healthcare facilities in Muktsar villages
Muktsar, August 18 According to the latest data procured from the Zila Parishad office, 26 more MBBS and MD doctors are required to run the dispensaries, but the situation has turned such that some doctors have been given charge of three dispensaries. "Though it is not possible for a doctor to run three dispensaries at the same time, no other option is available," said an official working under the Zila Parishad. He further said that some time ago, four doctors were transferred to other districts and two had recently availed of study leave. The maximum number of 14 health centres are in Lambi block, 12 in Muktsar block, 11 in Gidderbaha block and seven in Malout block. Giving reasons behind the shortage of medicos, an MBBS doctor said that hardly any outsider was willing to join rural health centres belonging to the Zila Parishad and those already deployed too were lobbying hard for transfers. Similarly, villagers in these areas said the state government had failed to provide healthcare facilities in the villages. "Go either to the dispensaries being run by state health department or the dispensaries belonging to the Zila
Parishad. The situation is almost the same everywhere, leaving people with no other option but to travel to nearby towns for treatment," said the residents. Ramvir Singh, ADC (D), Muktsar, said, "We have informed the higher authorities about the problems affecting the rural dispensaries. Presently, we have given additional charge to each doctor of one or two dispensaries." The ADC (D) admitted that this was affecting the health services. "It is not possible for every doctor to daily visit two or three dispensaries. As a result, rural healthcare facilities are getting affected," added
Ramvir. Dearth of docs
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Health varsity asked to take over de-addiction centre
Bathinda, August 18 Reeling under the shortage of funds for long, the centre is being funded by the Guru Gobind Singh Refinery. However, in the month of May, the state government requested the BFUHS to take over the centre, which is due to get a complete facelift with the construction of a new building and an increase in indoor patients' intake. It was decided that the BFUHS will run this centre. However, facing the problem of shortage of funds, the district administration has now written to the BFUHS to take over the project (paying salaries of the staff) at an early stage even before the construction of the new building commences. The site marked for the new 100-bed de-addiction centre is opposite the residence of the civil surgeon inside the Civil Hospital premises. Vice-chancellor, BFUHS, Dr SS Gill said tenders have already been floated for the building the construction of which will start soon. "We are waiting for the government's approval to take over the project,” he added.
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Firm alleges fraud during auction, approaches HC
Chandigarh, August 18 In a petition before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, a Mohali-based firm has alleged that its user-ID was blocked "in order to facilitate the illegal mining and in order to help the political masters and the sand mafia operating in Punjab." Going into the background of the controversy, Shree Marble and Building Material Store alleged that it applied for open auction of mineral sand and stone quarries on the basis of an advertisement for Patiala, Pathankot, Ropar and Mohali districts. The firm was given a digital signature, user-ID and password by Bangalore-based Antares System Limited for the online auction. Sullar alleged the site was to refresh every 15 seconds. The refreshing time was between 20 and 25 seconds. The bidding was to begin at 9 am on August 12. But the system stopped refreshing the page after 10.58 am. No firm could update the online auction bid. Elaborating, he said: "The respondents, in order to oblige their political masters and the sand mafia operating in Punjab created a fraud online auction by hanging the user online ID of the petitioner and other participants. The firm was the highest bidder at 10.57 am for Plassy village in Ropar district. Sullar sought directions to set aside the e-auction. The Division Bench of Justices Jasbir Singh and GS Sandhawalia issued a notice to the State of Punjab and two other respondents for August 23. The petition
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TV serial production team booked
Nakodar, August 18 Deputy Superintendent of Poilce Harinder Pal Singh Parmar said the case was registered on a complaint by Bhartiya Valmiki Sarav Dharam Samaj president Rauni Gill, who had alleged that derogatory and objectionable remarks against the community were made in an episode of the TV serial aired on August 5.
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Two booked for cheating contractor of
Rs 6.8 lakh
Nangal, August 18 Complainant Jarnail Singh Nikkuwal said both the accused, forged his signatures and took away two of his cheques from the civic body. Filing an affidavit in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Jarnail Singh leveled allegations of demand of bribe against them. In his application, the complainant alleged that the civic body owed him a payment of Rs 6.8 lakh. Two cheques against the amount were issued in his name by the council in March last year, he said. The cheques, however, never reached him and when he asked for it, Chaudhary and Parminder demanded Rs 1.5 lakh. Taking cognisance of the issue, the High Court ordered the release of payment to the contractor and directed the Ropar SSP to take action in the matter. Nangal DSP SS Dhaliwal said following a preliminary inquiry, a case under Section 420 of the IPC had been registered against the two accused and further investigation were on. Local councillor and Congress leader Paramjit Singh Pamma said he had already been raising the issue of corruption in the civic body for long. Now the directions of High Court to investigate the allegations of corruption against the MC president and a former official would help check corruption in the department, he added.
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