 |
|
|
Youth Congress plans rally in Badal’s bastion
Arrears Forced PSEB To Snap Power Drug Menace |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Dr S. S. Boparai, vice-chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala, interacting with students at Rampura Phul
on Tuesday. — Tribune photo by Kulbir Beera
Kids suffer for mother’s deeds
Celebration time for kids
Farmers’ fair organised in Fazilka
Revision of voters’ list on
No penalty on arrears, local bodies told
Incentive issue: NFL workers hold dharna
Workers of NFL, Bathinda, staging dharna on Tuesday. Tribune photo by Malkiat Singh
SIC directive
Kidnapping On Abohar-Malout Road
Tributes paid to noted philanthropist
5-year term for murder attempt
‘PESCO doing commendable job’
|
|
Youth Congress plans rally in Badal’s bastion
Muktsar, November 13 A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the IYC’s Muktsar district leadership, which was presided over by IYC secretary Yogita, in charge of the party’s Punjab affairs. “We are receiving complaints like registration of false cases against our party men in the region and I will take up this issue with IYC general secretary Rahul Gandhi so that a planned mass protest could be initiated here,” Yogita told TNS after the meeting at Gidderbaha. She said IYC president Ashok Tawar would soon conduct a whirlwind tour of Punjab to speed up the membership drive. “We appeal to the youth to join the Congress if they want to fulfill their dreams,” she said. Muktsar district Youth Congress president Randhir Singh Dhira said that the district police was “registering false cases against Congressmen” in all four blocks of the district. Youth Congress chiefs from Lambi, Malout, Gidderbaha and Mukstar blocks also briefed the IYC central leader about the prevailing political scenario in the region. They included Pradeep Arora (Urban) and Avtar Singh (Rural) from Gidderbaha, Bhinder Sharma (Urban) and Sharanjit (Rural) from Muktsar, Ashok (Urban) and Dalbir Singh (Rural) from Malout and Jagminder Singh Kala from Lambi. |
|
|
Arrears Forced PSEB To Snap Power Anirudh Gupta
Ferozepur, November 13 When contacted, deputy commissioner Bhagwant Singh said the municipal committee owes around Rs 2.25 crores to the PSEB but due to its poor financial condition, the arrears have not been paid till date. The deputy commissioner said the PSEB was planning to disconnect the streetlight connection even before Diwali, but due to his personal intervention, it was not done earlier. He also said he has requested the government to allocate some special funds to the MC, so that they can clear all outstanding dues towards PSEB. Sadhu Singh, Executive Engineer, PSEB, said only the connection of streetlights has been withdrawn at the moment, and other essential services like sewerage and water supply were still continuing in public interest. He said that the Board had no other option, as the municipal committee was not paying its dues. Nirmal Sahota, president, municipal committee, admitted that the MC owes over Rs 2 crores to the electricity department. She said the arrear was increasing every day, as the PSEB had imposed a heavy surcharge on the pending bills. She said as soon as funds would be received from the government, all dues would be cleared on a priority basis. On the other hand, Parminder Singh ‘Pinki’, general secretary Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) said the development has exposed that the fiscal condition of the state was precarious. He castigated the ruling Akali Dal-BJP combine saying that while the state government talks about the development of the state, it has not even been able to provide adequate funds to the municipal committee to meet its dues. It was unfortunate, more so, as people in Ferozepur had always been at the forefront in the case of conflict with Pakistan and now their interests were being ignored especially with a chief minister at the helm who himself studied in Ferozepur, he added. He also warned that if the electricity connection were not restored, he along with partymen and people from the Ferozepur town would sit on a hunger strike outside the municipal committee office.
|
|
|
Drug bug spreads tentacles, catches urban youth
Anirudh Gupta
Ferozepur, November 13 The use of drugs has assumed alarming proportions, which can be gauged from the fact that during the period from January 1, 2007 till date, 472 cases have been registered under the NDPS Act in Ferozepur district alone. A total of 536 persons, including 39 women, were arrested. In the last ten months, the police has recovered 63 kg of opium, 4,298 kg of poppy husk, 2.53 kg of smack, 9.9 kg of heroin, 23,364 vials of injections and over 4 lakh spurious tablets from the possession of drug peddlers, estimated to be worth crores. Information suggests that Ferozepur, being a border district, has of late become one of the biggest transit points. Even before the dark days of insurgency in Punjab, drugs used to be smuggled through the porous Indo-Pakistan border. There were lots of drug carriers called ‘snakes’ operating in this border belt. However, after the border was sealed with cobra fencing, smuggling of drugs reduced considerably. When contacted, SSP Dinesh Pratap said apart from tightening the noose against drug peddlers, the police had also been actively involved in community-based efforts to root this evil out. He said a team from the Department of Theatre from the Punjabi University was invited recently to stage plays on drug abuse where school and college students were invited. Munish Kumar (name changed) said that the son of a factory owner, where he was working, used to give him a dose of drug per hour in lieu of over-time every day. This is not an isolated case as several factory owners, contractors and businessmen are reportedly exploiting workers by providing them drugs to get better output from them. Some politicians also reportedly provide drugs to their workers especially, during canvassing in elections. If the number of cases registered against women under the NDPS Act this year is any indication, then women too are now actively involved in drug peddling. Till date, 39 women have been arrested this year on charges of drug peddling in the area. SSP Dinesh Pratap said that ever since the police had launched a massive drive against drug peddlers in this border region, more and more women were being used as couriers as they tend to arouse less suspicion than the men. P. C. Kumar, a social worker, said corrective schemes would exist only on paper and the menace would assume higher proportion if not checked.
|
|
|
Neighbourhood campus scheme — A success story
Rampura Phul (Bathinda), November 13 The V-C said this while inaugurating two hostels at the College of Engineering, Punjabi University Neighbourhood Campus, Rampura Phul, today. He also said that an MBA college will be opened at the same campus and the construction of the building will start in two months time. Admissions for the same will start from the next session. In 2005-06, a study conducted by the Punjabi University revealed that there were only 4.07 per cent students from the rural areas in various universities of the state. The study revealed that out of 22,360 students in state universities and their regional campuses, only 911 were from rural areas. Talking to TNS, Dr S. S. Boparai said there had been widespread exclusion of rural students in Punjab from higher education, particularly professional education, in the past two decades. ``The main reasons for this are the collapse of school education in rural Punjab, admission through entrance tests, costly education in private schools, gap in rural-urban amenities and lack of awareness, among others.” Commenting on the state government’s decision to ban the recruitment of teachers in Punjab, Boparai said the ban should be lifted as education itself is suffering due to this. He said that the Punjab government should give some relaxation for the appointment of principals in B.Ed colleges. On the concept of neighbourhood campus, he said that Punjabi University has been the first university in the country to adopt this model of education. ``We are admitting students from rural areas in a six-year engineering course. After finishing class X, a student is enrolled for this programme and he joins the engineering course without any entrance test. We have 10 neighbourhood campuses at present and as of now, no new campuses will be started. The PM has sanctioned Rs 10 crore for their betterment and so we will now focus more on existing ones than on opening new ones.’’ Director Youth Welfare, Punjabi University, Patiala, Sunita Dhir and Principal Surjit Singh Bhatti were also present on the occasion.
|
|
|
Kids suffer for mother’s deeds
Bathinda, November 13 As per the details provided by jail officials, there are around 55 children in jails of Punjab, whose age is less than six years. What is sad is that these children are of such a tender age that they cannot survive without their mothers in the world outside. As per the estimates provided by a senior jail official, there are over 1,300 children in the country, who are away from the glare of society. This number is nearly 185 in the jails of North India. A senior official at the Bathinda Jail said on the condition of anonymity that last week, six children had been sent to the Central Jail in Ferozepur, as there is a crèche there to help in their care. He further said that the Bathinda Jail had sent almost 15 children along with their mothers to Ferozepur Jail, following the judgement in R. D. Upadhayay case on April 14, 2006. The judgement states that children, aged less than six years, should be provided with crèche facility in jails. Sources in Ferozepur Central Jail said there were about 13 children in the jail along with their mothers, whereas in Ludhiana and Patiala, there were 15 and 4 children, respectively. Social activists feel that the authorities should develop a system of celebrating Children’s Day even in jails so that kids languishing there can savour their innocence. When contacted, AIG, Prisons, Jagjit Singh, said, “The superintendents of jails, along with the NGOs, organise some activities for these children inside the jails.” |
|
|
Celebration time for kids
Bathinda, November 13 Schools here have chalked out a variety of programmes to disseminate the message on Children’s Day in an effective manner. Playschools like Strawberry Fields have tiny-tots in focus. The theme of the programme is to send the message through children of a tender age so that it has a lasting impact. While public schools are celebrating the day by organising colourful programmes and other activities to highlight the importance of teacher-student relationship and inculcate moral values, a local organisation is organising a music competition to tap the hidden talent in children. Children’s Day is celebrated every year but the perception is gradually undergoing a change. ‘Teachers and students interact more now but the traditional teacher-student relationship is vanishing. The students are more career-oriented and look up to teachers as a guide who facilitate in their day-to-day growth. But ethics and moral values are facing erosion,” says principal of Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School, Jaswinder Singh. The celebrations are mainly confined to schools and other institutions and efforts to involve underprivileged children are lacking. The underprivileged kids working in eateries and at construction sites seem totally unaware of the importance of Children’s Day. It is like just another day for them. A young boy working at a dhaba, when asked about the significance of the day, pleaded total ignorance and continued with his work. |
|
|
Farmers’ fair organised in Fazilka
Fazilka, November 13 The fair was inaugurated by Manjit Singh Kang, vice-chancellor, Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana, and was presided over by Director, Extension Education, Nachhtar Singh Malhi. Besides, agricultural experts Balkar Singh, M.S. Brar, Jaskaran Singh, Neerja Singla, Davinder Singh Mand, Dharminder Singh, Harinder Singh Gill, deputy director of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ferozepur, and Karnail Singh, president of Kisan Nauzwan Club, were also present at the fair. The pesticide manufacturers had organised an exhibition on this occasion. The State Bank of India, Fazilka branch, had set up a loan stall. Prominent satirist of Punjab, Jaswinder Bhalla (Chacha Chattar Singh), folk singer Puran Chand Hazranwanwala and Bibi Suman Bhatti presented attractive programmes and folk songs. Experts on agriculture answered a volley of questions to resolve problems. |
|
Revision of voters’ list on
Ferozepur, November 13 Barnala: R.L. Mehta, deputy commissioner, said if anyone wanted to record objections or amend the list, he could do so before the authorities concerned on a prescribed form, from November 13 to 28. Mehta said specially designated officers would be present at the polling booth on November 17 and 18 for public convenience. Any decision regarding the objections or other changes would be made on December 4 at the district election office.
— OC |
|
No penalty on arrears, local bodies told
Abohar, November 13 According to a communication received by the municipal council, the joint secretary in the department of local government has said the matter regarding the period for waving off interest or penalty on arrears of house tax, user charges for water and sewerage charges was reconsidered. The department decided to extend the collection period till November 30. This period must be utilised by the urban local bodies to liquidate their arrears of such taxes, he added. Deputy directors of the urban local bodies and the commissioners of municipal corporations had been asked to send the arrear collection report to the deputy controller of finance and accounts office through fax or special messenger in the prescribed performa on a weekly basis. It is pertinent to mention here that the previous government had made provision for recovering arrears with 20 per cent interest on water and sewerage bills. For house tax, the rate was 18 per cent. |
|
Incentive issue: NFL workers hold dharna
Bathinda, November 13 Wearing black badges, the workers also convened a gate meeting over the issue in the afternoon. The general secretary of the NFEU, Bathinda, Bhanu Pratap Singh said that the union had decided to go on a daylong strike on November 29, as the NFL management had not acceded to their demand. He added that the “rigid attitude” of the NFL management had resulted in a lot of resentment among the workers. Therefore, they had adopted the path of agitation from November 12. Threatening to intensify their agitation, Singh said that the NFL unions could call upon their workers to go on indefinite strike if their demands were not fulfilled. President of the union, Naib Singh Brar and other office-bearers were also present at the dharna.
|
|
Bathinda, November 13
|
|
|
Kidnapping On Abohar-Malout Road
Abohar, November 13 The meeting, presided over by Parwinder Panwar, resented that the police had failed to make a breakthrough in the Abohar-Malout road kidnapping and murder case that took place two weeks ago. In the case, Rajinder Kumar and Pala Singh were kidnapped at gunpoint on November 1 and their bodies with injury marks were recovered a few days later. The sadar police had registered a complaint on November 1 but no sincere efforts had been made to trace the culprits, the meeting resented. The committee has resolved to organise a protest rally here on November 19. — OC
|
|
Tributes paid to noted philanthropist
Ferozepur, November 13 Chawla, an income tax advocate by profession, had been rendering social work for the past several decades. As president of the Army Samaj, Hindu Sabha, Gopal Gaushala and other social, religious and charitable organisations, Chawla had done a commendable job leaving an indelible imprint on the hearts and minds of the people in this border town. Chawla also rendered laudable service to improve civic conditions and in the development of the Hindu Sabha school. He was survived by his wife Swarn Chawla, sons Arun and Ajay, and daughter Achla.
|
|
5-year term for murder attempt
Barnala, November 13 As per the counsel, the three accused went to Kuldeep Singh on August 5, 2005 and asked him to accompany them to the grain market where he was assaulted with a sharp-edged weapon. He was taken to the hospital. The Bhadaur police registered a case under sections 307, 324, 34 of the Indian Penal Code. The court pronounced the judgment on the basis of the statement recorded by eyewitnesses, Gurmeet Singh and Parmjeet Singh, and the doctor who treated Kuldeep. |
|
‘PESCO doing commendable job’
Bathinda, November 13
|
||
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Mailbag | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
Bathinda, November 13
