Bathinda, November 12
Business worth Rs 8 crore was affected in the city due to a nation-wide one-day strike called by the major central trade unions. The entire staff of the nationalised banks observed a complete ‘hartal’ in the city today.

Almost the entire banking industry virtually came to a grinding halt today on the call of the United Forum of Bank Unions, comprising all the nine trade unions in the industry, for seeking immediate wage revision and stop ‘so-called’ banking reforms, affecting the employees as well as the people of the country.

All the officials of the banks in the city also staged a demonstration on the Mall Road outside the Union Bank of India.

The association members highlighted the issues facing them and stressed for a negotiated settlement with the IBA regarding wage revision at the earliest to avoid any further escalation of unrest in the banking industry in the country.

Pawan Jindal, convenor of the UFBU, condemned the negative attitude of the IBA and the government regarding wage revision of the employees of banks and said that the wages and service conditions in the banking sector are governed by the industry-level bipartite settlements signed beween the Indian Banks’ Association and the workmen unions and Officers’ Association operating in the banking industry.

MM Behl, convener of the AIOC, alleged that the IBA, the government body, responsible for governing the public sector banks in the country, was not serious about negotiating the wage revision in the banks.

He further pointed out that the government was taking various steps to liberalise and de-regulate the banking sector in the name of banking sector reforms.

Recently, the government has decided to reduce the government’s equity capital in the banks to less than 51 per cent which means nothing but privatisation of the public sector banks. The decision has been strongly opposed by the entire staff. We have been forced to take this extreme step because of the bank management's apathetic attitude towards the employees' demands. We have been left with no option but to observe strike," he said.

A bank official, Sunny Dhuria, said if their demands were not fulfilled by the IBA, they would intensify their protest in the coming days.

It is pertinent to mention that even some private banks also announced support to the strike. Due to the strike, cheques remained uncleared while transactions like cash withdrawal, cash and cheque deposits could not be carried out. Industrial segment in the city bore the brunt of the strike as industry representatives complained that their business transactions were adversely affected.

Bathinda, November 12
Representatives of the Democratic Teachers Fund met Deputy Commissioner Dr Basant Garg and submitted a memorandum, seeking exemption from duties as block level officers (BLOs). The DC assured the teachers that he would take up the matter with the state Election Commission and arrive at a solution at the earliest.

Paramjit Singh, president of the union, said the Director General of School Education (DGSE) had issued a letter on September 11, directing all the District Education Officers to exempt teachers from all non-academic works.Taking cognisance of the fact that oblivious of the directives, the district administrations assigned BLO duties to the teachers, the DGSE wrote to all deputy commissioners, asking them to exempt teachers from BLO duties, on October 29.

The member of the district committee of the union, Gagan Grover, said the DC told them that he would consult the Election Commission and then would take a call on the matter.

The teachers also added that apart from going against the directives, the administration was causing inconvenience to the students as their studies would suffer. “The Right to Education Act also exempts teachers from any non-academic work as BLOs, the teachers will be engaged in revision, cancellation and the making of new votes. Apart from spending time at the booths, voters approach us throughout the working days. As the year is coming to an end and those who will turn 18-year-old by January 1, 2015, will be enrolled as voters, thus increasing the work burden,” said Grover.

Bathinda, November 12
A student of D Pharmacy (Ayurvedic) has filed a complaint against Dr Nagpal Punjab Nursing College for allegedly defrauding ST/SC students.

In a written complaint to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, he has stated that he (Gurdas Singh) is a resident of Jassi Paowali village and comes under the scheduled caste category. He belongs to a poor family and is unemployed, he said.

He said he had deposited all his certificates with Dr Nagpal Punjab Nursing College to get admission in D Pharmacy Ayurvedic free course. It has been given in the advertisement of the college that the education for the ST/SC students is free in D Pharmacy Ayurvedic course, he added.

But the college took Rs 5,000 from him without giving any receipt and now, when he has got himself enrolled in the course, they are demanding another Rs 7,000, he said.

The student said he had taken admission in the course just because he was told that the course was free but now they are charging fee that is much more than other colleges, he said. He said the college was misguiding poor students and playing with their lives. All his documents were with the college, he added.

He has demanded that the police should help him to get back his documents from the college and take strict action against the management. He has also demanded that a probe by some senior official should be conducted into the matter. — TNS

Bathinda, November 12
Coming into action after the food poisoning incident that took place in the Guru Kashi University (GKU), Bathinda, in which many students had fallen ill after consuming poor-quality food two days ago, authorities of the Health Department have now started filling samples of food from mess of other colleges also in Bathinda.

Sources revealed that about seven samples were filed from the mess of Giani Zail Singh PTU College, Bathinda, on Wednesday by the district health authorities. The action was taken after strict instructions of the Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, following the incident in which a number of students of Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda, were admitted to hospital after suffering from food poisoning.

Sources also claimed that doctors had made their schedule to conduct surprise checks in to the mess of many other education institutions in Bathinda district.

Its pertinent to note that on the night of November 8, about eight students were suffered from food-poisoning after consuming food of hostel mess at Guru Kanshi University, Talwandi Sabo, while about 80 students complaining of headache were also brought to the hospital by the varsity staff after allegedly consuming food with dead lizard.

About eight students, who had complained of vomiting, were admitted to the Civil Hospital while others with and shivering were sent back after being given medicines by the doctors. Some students had then complained of having found lizard in the food and the same food was allegedly served to students in the mess of GKU hostel following which few students complained of vomiting.

A team of doctors and a pharmacist was also sent to the hostel of the GKU immediately by the district health authorities to give medicines to other students.

Authorities of Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, took immediate action with the Vice-Chancellor cancelling the contract with the mess contractor besides lodging a complaint against him at the police station. Hostel warden was also placed under suspension with an immediate effect.

Bathinda, November 12
Demanding the subsidy for farmers to control the stubble-burning, leaders of the farmers’ union demanded the supply of bailers and rotavators to farmers on subsidised rates on rent to clear and collect the stubble.

Two farmers have been booked each in Bathinda and Mansa district for burning of stubble that has been prohibited. Farmers said they themselves do not want to burn the stubble and pollute the environment but having no other option, they are burning stubble, said, president, Bathinda, the BKU (Ekta Ugraha), Shingara Singh Mann.

“We are totally against the burning of stubble and polluting the environment. But farmers don’t are not left with any other option. First, a straw-reapers reaps the paddy straw and bailer machine collects them and keeps aside. Later, another machine collects the paddy straw and knot it into a folder. Then the rotavator machine is used to level the land. All these machines are costlier, in lakhs each, even after subsidy. Then, how could a farmer purchase such costlier machines?” asked Mann.

It’s noteworthy that the district administration of Bathinda and Mansa time and again have been instructing the officials to get farmers comply with the ban imposed on stubble burning and for this the agriculture officials should also keep an eye. The environment is being polluted for the last one week in Punjab with burning of stubble by the farmers but the farmers do not find other option.

“We ourselves do not want to burn our paddy straw as this activity harms the us because by burning of stubble, the eco-friendly worms in the agricultural fields too burn. If the cooperative societies provide us equipments and achines on subsidised rates on rent then farmers would never burn the stubble. The same stubble can be used by farmers for cooking as it was traditionally used,”said Gurjant Singh, a farmer from Bhagta Bhaika village.

Ram Singh Bhainibaga, president, the BKU (Ekta Ugraha), Mansa, said, “The farmers are not mad. But it’s the duty of the state government to help the farmers over the issue. A farmer cannot purchase the bailers, rotavators and other machines that cost lakhs of rupees only to avoid burning of stubble. Biomass plants should be promoted and farmers should be paid for the straw. If this happens that stubble becomes too a profitable for farmer, then that day is not far when none of the farmers will stop burning stubble. The government is imposing a ban without giving a facility to farmers and its just like one is asking for toll tax on a shambled road. Provide the facility and profit to farmers first and then impose the ban. Farmers are committing suicide only because they are facing financial crisis and the government is not giving any help to them.”

Bathinda, November 12
The local police have booked one person for chopping fingers of a resident of Bhagibandar village.

In a complaint filed by Gurlal Singh, he stated that on November 9, the accused, Jagdev Singh, cut his two fingers by a sharp-edged weapon over some water dispute.

The police have registered a case under Sections 324,323 of the IPC at the Talwandi Sabo police station. Investigation officer said a case on the statement of the victim has been registered.

He added that both the victim and the accused had a fight over some water dispute during which the accused cut two fingers of the victim. No arrest has been made so far.

Bathinda, November 12
Pacifying the contractual employees under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, the Director General of School Education (DGSE) has released a list of leaves that they can avail and has cleared the conditions attached to them.

The contractual SSA staff can take 15 leaves without prior intimation in a year but not more than three in a month. The staff has been asked to make sure that they do not go on leave for more than three consecutive days and also to intimate their immediate seniors about the urgency of the situation. Seniors can approve or cancel the leave request. The women staff has something to cheer as they will be able to avail maternity leave for 90 days after furnishing a certificate from a health officer. While they can avail the maternity leave with salary for two deliveries, they will not be paid salary for the period during their third delivery.

The contractual staff can avail 15 leaves without pay in a year. The DGSE has clarified that the leaves under this category may be availed only when an employee is getting married or he or a family member is not well. In case, if they require leave for more than 15 days, the employees will have to seek the approval the higher authorities.

As far as leaves for pursuing higher education is concerned, they can seek leave on the day of the exam. The employees will also be able to avail 15-day ex-India leave but they will have to get the approval of the head office two weeks before leaving for the trip. The employees will not be paid for the duration for which they seek ex-India leave. 

Bathinda, November 12
A 20-year-old girl of Chauke village committed suicide after allegedly quarreling with two girls of the same village. The girls reportedly also tore her clothes.

Feeling ashamed over the incident, Gurpreet Kaur ended her life by hanging herself from a ceiling beam at her house.Investigation officer ASI Major Singh said the father of deceased Harbhajan Singh had stated that her daughter was married but she was staying with them following a quarrel with her husband.

Bathinda, November 12
The women’s police station has booked the husband and mother-in-law of a woman for demanding dowry. In a complaint to the police, Amandeep Kaur, a resident of Baba Farid Nagar, stated that she was married to Jatinder Singh, a resident of Chak Bhaktu, who, along with his mother tortured her and demand dowry.

The police have registered a case against Jatinder Singh and his mother Jaswinder Kaur under Sections 406, 498A of the Indian Penal Code. 

Bathinda, November 12
The Youth Services Department, Bathinda, today sent relief material for the flood-hit Jammu & Kashmir in collaboration with various units of the National Services Scheme (NSS). As many as 750 blankets, 25 beddings and 10 quintal of rice were sent. The carriage was flagged off for the flood-hit areas of Pulwama in J&K.

Director of the PUNBUS Dyal Sodhi said everyone should help the people in distress so that their lives could be brought back to normal.

Speaking at the event, the Assistant Director, Youth Services Department, Raghbir Singh Mann Tungwali, said in the days ahead, 4,000 more blankets would be sent for the victims of the floods.Gobind Singh, principal, Guru Nanak Public School, Kuldeep Singh Sidhu from Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Paramjit Singh Sekhon, Gurdeep Singh and programme officers of different schools were present on the occasion. 

Bathinda, November 12
The chairman of Baba Farid Group of Institutions (BFGI), Gurmeet Singh Dhaliwal, said here today that the group had tied-up with five universities of Canada.

He said University of British Columbia, British Columbia Institute of Technology, University of Fraser Valley and Thompson Rivers University were joining hands with the BFGI.

BFGI has already signed a written consent for MoU with Sprott Shaw College and is in discussion with Simon Fraser University, University of Victoria, Langara College, British Columbia and Vancouver Film School for collaboration, he added.

As per one of the agreements, five students of Baba Farid College of Engineering and Technology have been selected by University of Oslo for a collaborative research programme where they would work with Canadian students on research projects, he said. 

Bathinda, November 12
The Little Kingdom Nursery School celebrated the birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru by organising a sports event at the school.

A hoarding bearing Nehru’s portrait was installed in the school. The children were made aware of the importance of the day by paying respects to Pt. Nehru. They participated in various events. A march past, obstacle race, bucket race, cycle race, three-legged race & various other competitions were organised. Prizes were distributed among the children.

The principal of the school, Shuchita Grover, said Pt. Nehru had a vision of strong and self-reliant India.

She said November 14 was celebrated as Children’s Day in the memory of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. “Children’s Day is celebrated all over the country and Pt. Nehru is lovingly called as Chacha Nehru. This day reminds us to renew our commitment to the welfare of children and teach them to live according to Nehru’s dreams. — TNS

Bathinda, November 12
General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (Sapta Shakti Command) Lt Gen Arun Kumar Sahni paid a visit to the Bathinda Military Station here today. The Army Commander attended various brainstorming sessions on issues ranging from operational effectiveness to the maintenance and administrative challenges faced the Army. The Army Commander appreciated the measures undertaken by the Chetak Corps for the welfare of the Army personnel and veterans. 

He stressed that the commanders should be dynamic in their approach so that they could meet future challenges. The focus must be on modernisation, training and development of the soldier to ensure that the Army remained effective, he said.

Bathinda, November 12
To mark World Pneumonia Day today, doctors from Max Super Speciality Hospital (MSSH), Bathinda, stressed upon the need to spread awareness about pneumonia.

In a press release issued here today, the doctors said 3.5-lakh children below the age of 5 years die because of pneumonia every year. Globally, pneumonia kills an estimated 1.4 million children, which is more than AIDS, malaria and TB combined.

“Unfortunately, India accounts for 25 per cent of world’s pneumonia child deaths. Clean and hygienic environment, addressing malnutrition, encouraging breast feeding and timely immunisation can reduce the mortality rate due to pneumonia,” the doctors said.

Dr Gaurav Garg, consultant, Neonatology, MSSH, said pneumonia was a respiratory disease wherein the lungs get infected by bacteria, virus, fungus or parasites.

New-born babies, particularly premature babies and infants, need special care, particularly if they have underdeveloped lungs, narrow airways, poor nutrition or weak immune system.

Parents should seek immediate medical advice if their child is experiencing fast breathing rate, groaning, decreased oral intake, retraction of lower chest and cyanosis (appearance of a blue or purple coloration on the skin).

Pneumonia was the leading cause of death among children in developing countries, including India.

“Today, on World Pneumonia Day, we have urged the parents to get their children regularly vaccinated for the serious ailment,” said Dr Garg.

“The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine has proved to be helpful in reducing the rate of pneumonia not just in children but also in young adults. Since the vaccine is inactive, it is safe even for pregnant women and people with immune deficiencies. In fact, when the vaccine is administered to pregnant women, it may actually protect their babies also against certain respiratory infections.”

Speaking about the incidence of pneumonia in elderly, Dr Vitull Gupta, consultant physician, said it was important to note that elderly people might have fewer or different symptoms than younger people.

An elderly person who experiences even a minor cough and weakness for more than a day should seek medical help. Some elderly people may become lethargic and may show general deterioration in health.

Discussing about preventing pneumonia from spreading, Dr Saurabh Tandon, consultant, Internal Medicine, said the best way to prevent serious respiratory infections such as pneumonia was to avoid contact with sick people and to practice hygiene. 

Bathinda, November 12
With slight nip in the air, the city residents started feeling the chill. As per the Agri-Met Department of the the regional centre of Punjab Agriculture University, the weather is set to be cooler from now onwards.

The experts said a thick layer of smog that had been enveloping the city and its adjoining areas over the past two weeks was also causing a fall in night temperature since the areas received very little sunlight during the day.

As per the data made available by the PAU regional centre, the maximum temperature was recorded at 26.6 degree Celsius on Wednesday while it was recorded at 26.4 degree Celsius on Tuesday. The minimum temperature, however, was recorded at 9.4 degree Celsius on Wednesday.

“Due to a little or no wind, the smoke emanating from the burning of paddy stubble hangs in the air and this mixes with the air to create smog, which brings the down. The smog prevents sunlight from reaching the surface of the earth thereby resulting in a fall in temperature,” said Dr Rajkumar of the PAU regional centre.