BATALA
PRIZE DISTRIBUTION: The annual prize distribution function of Saint Francis High School, Batala, was held on Saturday at the school campus. Mr Pardeep Sabharwal, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Batala, presided over the function. Earlier, Mr Issac, Principal of the school, read out the annual report.

BATHINDA
DRINKING WATER SUPPLY: The Sector Reform Scheme for supply of drinking water to villages would soon be implemented in three districts of Bathinda, Moga and Muktsar. Under the scheme, the village panchayats would be given the powers to look after the water supply projects installed in their villages, according to Mr Chiranji Lal Garg, Minister for Science and Technology, at Jassi Pauwali village. The panchayat would also provide water connections and collect bills. To educate the panchayats and the people about the proper and economical use of water, training camps would be held in the villages. He said the project was jointly undertaken by the Human Resource Department of the Central Government and Public Health Department.

KILLED: One person was killed in a road accident near Bhucho mandi when his tractor-trailor collided with a canter. The deceased has been identified as Parma Singh. The police sources said the driver of the canter was absconding and a case had been registered. The body was handed over to the relatives after the post-mortem examination at the civil hospital , Bathinda.

FARIDKOT
ENCROACHMENTS: The local nagar council has launched a special week-long campaign to remove all temporary encroachments in the town, particularly on Circular Road, Mall Road, Nehru shopping center and old sabzi mandi, which are most busy areas. Later the Circular Road area will be converted into a green belt. It will cost the nagar council about Rs 3.70 lakh. According to Mr A. Venu Prasad and Mr Vijay Kumar Gupta, Deputy Commissioner and Executive Officer, nagar council, respectively, a survey has been conducted to construct a roundabout and a divider on old road leading to the Army cantonment area. The work would start shortly.

GURDASPUR
HELD: The police has arrested Dalbir Singh former sarpanch of Magrala under Dina Nagar police station for misappropriating government funds amounting to Rs 44,000 . Mr Virender Kumar, SSP, on Saturday said the accused had collected the funds against the auction of panchayat land, in the year 1997-98. The accused, as per rules, was supposed to deposit the amount in panchayat or samiti accounts within 30 days from the date of auction but had used it for his personal interests. The Block Development and Panchayat Officer, Dina Nagar, had complained against the sarpanch. A case has been registered.

ARRESTED: The police has arrested Dilbagh Singh, a member of the timber mafia from Qila Jamalpura village in this district. His accomlice, Yahoor Ahmad, a resident of Digripur in Jammu and Kashmir had been arrested earlier. Mr Varinder Kumar, SSP, said the accused were caught with 9000 willow bats valued at Rs 11 lakh. Another member of the gang Jagir Singh, sarpanch of Qila Jamalpur has also been arrested. Jagir Singh had been receiving Rs 5000 per truck from the owners of the trucks to facilitate their passage through Berian Pattan in this district. A case has been registered against the accused in the Pathankot.

KAPURTHALA
LOK ADALAT: As many as 45 cases were decided in three lok adalats organised on Saturday, according to Mr Gurdev Singh, District and Sessions Judge. Talking to newsmen he said in all 115 cases were entrusted for disposal through compromise, out of which 45 cases were decided. Rs 11 lakh were disbursed in motor accidents claim cases. He disclosed that a long-pending dispute was amicably settled in which the wife was given a compensation of Rs 1.50 lakh. Mr Gurdev Singh, District and Sessions Judge, Mr B. J. Nangli, Civil Judge (Senior Division) and Mr Dharam Singh, Additional Civil Judge (Senior Division) presided over the three lok adalats.

KHANNA
Meeting: A meeting of the governing body of the alumni association of AS Senior Secondary School was held under the chairmanship of Mr Boota Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax, Shimla and president of the association, here on Sunday. Mr Darshan Singh, secretary of the association told that it was decided in the meeting that the annual function of the association would be organised on February 24 in the AS College, Khanna. Mr Boota Singh said the career guidance centre constructed by the association at a cost of Rs 6 lakh would be inaugurated in the next month. The meeting was also attended by Mr R. P. Sharma, Mr Jit Singh Kainth, Mr Anil Sood, Mr Paramjit Singh , Mr Pawan Sharda, Mr Iqbal Singh and many others. 

KHARAR
Ambedkar anniversary: The 44th death anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar was observed by Ambedkar Bhalai Manch at Christian High School here on Sunday. Mr Gobind Singh Kanjila, a Punjab Cabinet minister, who was the chief guest at the function distributed woollens among the poor students. Mr Kirpal Singh, president of the manch, said the organisation was giving financial aid to five meritorious students.

Ludhiana
Gurmat samagam: The annual gurmat samagam at gurdwara Nanaksar, Samrala bypass, concluded after Amrit sanchar and a kirtan darbar, on Sunday morning. Kirtan by various raagi jathas and discourses by religious heads enlightened and enthralled the audience. Thousands of patients were checked-up for dental problems during the concurrent three-day free camp organised by Baba Jaswant Singh Dental College. Addressing the gathering, Mr Bhajan Singh, a UK-based NRI, hoped that the projects of Sri Guru Amardas Charitable Hospital and BJS Dental College would be completed in the near future. While honouring a large number of NRIs, Baba Jaswant Singh lauded their contributions to religious and charitable causes. Langars were organised on the occasion by several social service groups. 

MACHHIWARA 
camp: A medical check-up camp would be organised by the Malwa Welfare Club, Machhiwara, in collaboration with the Diwan Advanced Laproscopic Surgery Centre, Ludhiana, on Friday, at Gurdwara Charan Kanwal Sahib. According to the president, Rupinder Singh Benipal, the camp would be inaugurated by Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha. 

school lying closed: Government Primary School, Shamspur, has been lying closed since November 9. According to the information available, there was only one teacher in the school and he, too, had gone on leave from November 9 and had not joined yet. The villagers had written many letters to the Punjab Government and the Education Department, but there had not been any positive response so far. It is learnt that the DEO (Primary), Ludhiana, had instructed the BEO, Machhiwara, on November 22 to sort out the problem, but nothing has been done so far. 

MALERKOTLA
THEFT: Thieves broke into the house of Mr Nirmal Kumar at nai abadi near Sajida colony here on Friday when all the members of the family were away to attend a marriage. According to the police on Saturday, the thieves decamped with cash, clothes and jewellery worth Rs 1 lakh. A case has been registered.

OFFICE-BEARERS: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Government Classical and Vernacular Teachers Union of Sangrur unit: president- Ms Shakuran Begum; general secretary — Mr Surinder Lal Sharma; and advisor — Mr Jagroop Singh Grewal.

MANSA
BOYCOTTED: The district unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party boycotted the function held on Friday at Budhlada for taking charge by Mr Harbant Singh Harta, an Akali worker, who is to take charge as chairman of the Market Committee, Budhlada. The district president of the BJP , Mr Madan Lal Goyal, said the BJP boycotted the function because the government had not nominated the vice-chairman of the Market Committee of Budhlada and Bareta.

PATIALA
honoured: Cadet Under Officer Narinder Singh Ralhan won the over-all static aeromodelling championship trophy at the All india Vayu Sainik Camp held at Bangalore recently. Disclosing this here 3 Punjab NCC Air-Squadron Commanding Officer Sher Singh said the Cadet Officer, who is a student of local Mohindra College, had been coached by Senior Aeromodelling Instructor S.P. Singh. 

Pulse polio programme: The Civil Surgeon, Dr Rameshwar Chander, gave information about the ongoing pulse polio programme at a panch sarpanch mela organised at the Primary Health Centre, Shutrana. Senior Akali leader Surjit Singh Rakhra who was the chief guest emphasised on ensuring that all facilities reached the rural masses. SGPC member Joginder Singh Panjrath and Gurdev Singh Sidhu, MLA, Shutrana were also present. 

LECTURE: Dr A Gnanan, Chairman of the National Assessment of Accreditation Council, (NAAC), will deliver a lecture on improving quality of higher education-challenges and opportunities of the 21st century; at the Senate Hall of the university on December 12. Disclosing this, Dean, Academics, Dr K. S. Dhir, said Dr Gnanam would interact with the teachers, officials and students of the university. 

strike: The postal strike in Patiala division entered the fifth day on Saturday. The postal employees sat on a dharna in front of the general post office throughout the day even as the strike hit postal services in the entire country. Counters at the GPO witnessed a deserted look with various other unions also taking part in the nationwide strike. Leaders of various unions said the strike would continue till their genuine demands were met, which included implementation of the pay scales recommended by a high power committee, said a leader. 

stir: The Punjab Government College Teachers’ Association has decided to join the dharna being organised, by the All India Federation of Universities and College Teachers’ Organisations before the office of the University Grants Commission in Delhi on December 12 to press their demands. Disclosing this association secretary Balwinder Singh said the demands, included benefit under the Career Advancement Scheme, third promotion for senior college teachers and benefit of higher fixation. 

Free medical camp: More than 100 persons were given acupressure treatment at a free medical camp organised by the District Block Congress Committee (Urban) at the Geeta Bhavan. The camp was inaugurated by Punjab Pradesh Congress member K.K. Sharma and managed by Block Congress Committee President Anuj Tewari. 

SAMRALA
elected: Mr Parminder Singh Gill, an advocate of Samrala, was unanimously elected president of the local Bar Association on Saturday. Mr Uttam Chand and Mr Gurdev Singh had withdrawn their nomination papers, according to Mr Harbans Singh Diwa, the returning officer. It is the second time that Mr Gill has been elected president unanimously. 

Pulse-polio campaign: Pulse-polio campaign was organised in Samrala by the traffic police officials, including ambulance staff of the police first-aid post. The members of the local Lions Club and the Leo Club under the leadership of Mr Rajbir Singh Mangat and Mr Rahul Khullar went door-to-door along with a team of doctors lead by Dr J.P. Singh, SMO, Samrala. 

Hailed: The Chandigarh Territorial Congress (I) Seva Dal, Chandigarh Colonies Welfare Association and the Shahpur Rajiv Colony, Sector 38, have, in separate statements issued here on Sunday hailed the appointment of Mr B.B. Behl president of the local unit of the Congress. They expressed the hope that the new president would look into their problems and work for the well-being and upliftment of the colony dwellers. 

Stir called off: The State Bank of India Staff Association (SBISA), Chandigarh circle has withdrawn its agitational programme scheduled for Monday. The circle management called upon the union leader on Saturday to resolve the matter and withdrew the previous letter whereby it had declined to recognise the newly co-opted general secretary of the union. Mr Kuldeep Singh, deputy general secretary (commercial banking), informed that the bank management had given in writing that they fully recognised the newly co-opted general secretary Mr O.N. Bindroo.

inaugurated: A community centre was inaugurated and ‘Adarsh Library’ run by Adarsh Educational Trust’ was re-started by Ms Ranjna Shahi, Municipal Councillor, in Sector 47-B here on Sunday. Mr DS Bhalla, chairman of the trust thanked Ms Shahi for giving ‘Adarsh Library’ a new life, informed Mr ML Dutta, general secretary of the trust.

ELECTED: The following have been elected the office-bearers of the Central Bank Officers’ Congress, Chandigarh zone : president; Mr Mangat Sharma, (Karnal), senior vice-president; Mr OP Bakshi (Jammu), vice-presidents; Mr Rakesh Kapoor (Jalandhar), Mr TS Duggal (Nurpur Bedi), general secretary; Mr HS Vedi and treasurer Mr T R Salwan (Ambala). 

PANCHKULA
Blood donation camp: Lions Club Panchkula Central, and the Income Tax Department, Chandigarh, will jointly organise a blood donation camp at Central Revenue Building in Sector 17, Chandigarh on Monday at 9 am, Mr Jaswinder Singh, president of the club informed that Mr Ashwani Kumar Luthra, commissioner of Income Tax, Chandigarh, will be the chief guest. 

AMBALA
Chautala’s initiative: Mr Rattan Lal Kataria, president, Haryana BJP said his party will welcome if the Chief Minister Mr Om Prakash Chautala, initiate a move to form a co-ordination committee together with the leaders of the BJP and the INLD in Haryana. He said it would help to pacify the misunderstandings prevailing in the two parties against each other. Talking to mediapersons here on Sunday he said the BJP MLAs had been supporting the government from out side but the Chief Minister had never taken them into confidence while taking important decisions. He said he had initially advised Mr Chautala, to drop the DGP, Mr Rathore for his alleged involvement in the Ruchika molestation case. But Mr Chautala ignored his advice for which the state government had to face the criticism of the public. Mr Kataria said the BJP had a difference of opinion in some matters like gram vikas samiti with the Chief Minister but it would continue its support to the government. Answering a question he said the BJP would not join the government in Haryana even if the Chief Minister insisted on it. 

SONEPAT
ATTACKED: Mr Surinder Kumar, a resident of Dev Nagar was shot at and wounded by unidentified armed youths in the mandi area here on Saturday. According to preliminary reports, the victim, along with his two children, was going on a motorcycle when he was stopped by the youths. They tried to snatch the motorcycle and cash from him. One of them fired at him from a counter-made pistol, injuring him before fleeing. The police has registered a case and further investigations are in progress. However, no arrest has been made in this connection.

INJURED: Four persons, including a woman, were injured when a Maruti van hit a scooter in Sector-14 near the police post here on Saturday evening. According to a report, all the injured persons were hospitalised and are stated to be out of danger. The police has registered a case.

HAWKER KILLED: Rajpal, a hawker, was allegedly attacked and murdered by two persons at Panchi Jatan village about 6 km from here on Saturday. According to a report, the victim had gone to the village to sell cup plates where he was allegedly attacked by Ravinder alias Mard and his associates. The alleged assailants also made an attempt to loot him but they were resisted by the victim. Then the alleged assailants inflicted injuries with sharp-edged weapons resulting in his death. The Ganaur police has registered a case.

RESENTMENT: Resentment prevails among the residents of Asawarpur village against the release of wet levy sugar at a fair price shop in the village. The residents demanded an immediate stop to the supply of wet sugar and threatened to launch an agitation if the authorities failed to supply better quality of levy sugar on the ration cards.

KANGRA
KILLED: One person was killed on the spot and another injured when a truck, while reversing, at Narwana near Yol hit them on Saturday morning, the police said. According to the police, the dead was identified as Om Prakash (70) who died on the spot. The injured was said to be out of danger. The police has registered a case and arrested the driver.