Bathinda, November 24
The historical fort that has been declared a national monument in the heart of the town here is crying for immediate attention as successive governments in the state have been playing politics on the issue of its conservation.

Many portions of the fort have already crumbled while residents of the adjoining localities were encroaching upon the land around it. The restoration work taken in hand by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was progressing at a snail’s pace because of paucity of funds.

A ray of hope had recently kindled when the previous Chief Minister Amrinder Singh during his regime announced a special grant of Rs 1.25 crore for the fort’s restoration; however the joy among environmentalists was short-lived as Parkash Singh Badal, who succeeded him, has reportedly diverted the funds elsewhere and earmarked only Rs.10 lakh for this purpose, sources said.

With meager resources available, the ASI has tried to protect some portions of the fort by repairing the roofs and channelising the drainage system to prevent choking of rain water that had in the past resulted in collapse of the several portions.

ASI officials said that seepage of water through the Rani Mahal and the main gate has been plugged and the rooms of the palace would be restored when funds are made available. The entire restoration was being done with mud bricks and “surkhi” and lime. The ceiling of most part of the Rani Mahal has been restored.

They said that a sum of about Rs 80 lakh had been spent on restoration of the fort during the past few years. The special grant of Rs.1.25 crores announced by the previous Chief Minister would have paved the way for taking up major restoration works. However, the work was now progressing inch by inch as per availability of funds.

Imposition of a fine of Rs 50,000 by a local court on an individual who constructed a building in the vicinity of the fort is expected to come as a deterrent for others.

Archaeologists point out that the bricks used for construction of the fort indicate it to have been built during the Kushan period during the regime of emperor Kanishka. The name of Razia Sultan, the first woman ruler of the Moughal period, is also attached with the fort. 

Bathinda, November 24
Taking strong notice of the Tribune report regarding air pollution caused by the Thermal Plant at Bathinda, the deputy commissioner Rahul Tewari today issued a notice to the Thermal Plant authorities to initiate immediate steps to check the menace.

The notice said that the newspaper report about air pollution caused by the Plant was a cause of concern and a health hazard for the people. It directed the concerned authorities to install modern pollution control devices to bring air-pollution down to permissible levels.

When contacted, Tewari confirmed that a notice has been sent to the Thermal Plant to check pollution. He said that health of the people is a major concern for the administration and he had earlier also told the authorities of Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant (GNDTP) verbally to address the problem of pollution.

Earlier, the Joint Action Committee formed by the residents of the most effected areas had complained about increasing air pollution due to pollutants emitted by the Plant and asked the authorities to take stringent measures under the provisions of section 22-A (1) of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1881 against the power plant in order to check the nuisance.

The toxic emissions from the Plant are injurious to health and cause respiratory diseases. The Senior Medical Officer, Charanjit Garg said that air pollution causes Bronchial Pneumonia, asthma, eye and skin diseases and could even lead to cancer.

The incidence of breath related diseases and cancer is very high in Bathinda and surrounding areas and the government is also aware of it. Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal had also announced during his visit to Bathinda on October 14 that a big cancer hospital would be set up in the area.

The officers of the Pollution Control Board, actually responsible for taking effective pollution control measures were not available for comments.

Ferozepur, November 24
Whether it may be the Congress regime or the Akali-BJP combine at the helm of affairs in the state, the project of construction of Ferozepur circuit house which is lying incomplete for the last ten years, has never caught the attention of the either.

The project of construction of this proposed circuit house was sanctioned during Beant Singh’s regime and its foundation stone was laid way back in the year 1995. The construction of circuit house was supposed to be completed within 10 months; however, the same is still far from completion allegedly due to government’s apathy, as no funds were released by the successive governments in the state after 1998.

Over the years, the incomplete structure which gained status as “Rigid Skeleton” has become haven for unscrupulous elements and drug addicts, as work on this project is on standstill since the last 10 years.

According to the information gathered by The Tribune, the initial estimate for the project was Rs 159 lakh, which was revised in 1998 making it to Rs 211.40 lakh. Till date, around Rs 92 lakhs has been spent on the construction of this complex, located at the entrance of the district headquarter.

As per plan, the complex would have two VVIP suites, 11 VIP suites besides dormitories for security guards and sub-staff, four rooms measuring 600 sq ft and 6 rooms measuring 400 sq ft.

According to information, no funds have been released since Beant Singh’s government, notwithstanding budgetary allocation for the same.

Although, the basic structure is almost complete, the work on façade, plaster, doors and windows and other parts of the building remain far from completion. The wooden door and window frames fixed that time, have started decaying. As per officials of the PWD, which is the executing agency, the estimate has again been revised ,which has now reached Rs 272 lakh.

Even now, the present SAD-BJP government in the state is doling out huge lumps of money in the name of development in the state, however, this circuit house seems nowhere on the priority list . When contacted, the deputy commissioner, Bhagwant Singh, told that he had already brought the matter to the notice of the government; and the funds were likely to be released soon.

He expressed hope that the construction work would be completed soon. On earlier occasions also, the district administration has reportedly shot off letters to the government, but without any tangible result.

Ironically, despite being district headquarter there is only one rest house in Ferozepore, which belongs to the PWD department. Sometimes, due to unavailability of suitable accommodation, visiting dignitaries have to stay in private hotels or Canal Rest house, which is far away from the town.

Fazilka, November 24
On the second day of the Fazilka heritage festival to mark the 160th anniversary of Fazilka town, a colourful cultural programme was organised in the Local Ram Press complex here today.

The Graduate Welfare Association, Fazilka (GWAF), the Punjabi Sabhyacharak Manch, Fazilka, the Students for Society Organisation and the Infantry Brigade of the Indian Army jointly celebrated “Padmshree Pushpa Hans Musical Nite”.

On the occasion, “Voice of Fazilka” competition was held in which local artists presented popular Punjabi and Hindi songs. Rahul Verma and Vikram Sharma were jointly adjudged “Voice of Fazilka” while Gurnam Bhullar and Amanjot Sidhu stood first and second runner up respectively.

Rakesh Nagpal and Roshan Lal Jain hosted the “Neelam Ghar” programme.

Dr. Bhupinder Singh distributed prizes to the winners.

Maur Mandi (Bathinda), November 24
Gurjant Singh, a farmer in his mid 30s, from Mansa Kalan village visits the Hariyali store at Maur Mandi 3-4 times a month. He travels all the way from his village just to buy new clothes, grocery, along with some electrical items for his house. ``The stuff we get here is of good quality and the prices are very competitive. So we prefer buying all our household as well as agricultural items like seeds from here.’’

Gurjant Singh is the new face of Punjabi farmer, who is fast adopting this model of agri retail. These agri retail outlets have helped shatter several myths including one that the farmer won’t shop in big format stores.

The booming Indian economy has opened the doors for these stores to set shop in small towns like Malout, Kotkapura, Sunam, Ahmedgarh, Bassi Pathana, Makhu, Zira, Samrala and many others in Punjab.

The largely agrarian economy of India has been in the doldrums, with the production per acre having reached a plateau and the area under agriculture declining rapidly.

With a staggering growth rate in agriculture at 2.3 per cent and high rural indebtedness, the boom in agri-retail is expected to fuel growth in the agriculture sector, besides improving the financial condition of farmers.

Rural retail stores in Punjab have continuously evolved keeping in view the constantly changing demand of the consumer. For example, at the Hariyali Kisan Bazaar, owned by DCM Shriram Consolidated Ltd (DSCL), the number of stock keeping units (number of items available) has gone up from 1,200 in 2002 to 10,000-15,000 now.

K C Sharma, territory manager, DSCL, which owns 23 Hariyali stores across Punjab says, ``Our chain of rural stores retail products such as fertilisers, pesticides, farm implements, seeds, animal feed and irrigation equipment among other agriculture-related products.’’

``Our company has also tied up with Bharat Petroleum recently and will start dispensing petrol and diesel at the outlets soon, along with LPG. The stores also help facilitate credit and retail services such as general and life insurance, two and four wheeler loans, money transfer facility, batteries and much more. We have average footfalls of 200-300 per day, which can go up to a 1,000 in the peak season,’’ Sharma added. 

Bathinda, November 24
The Behman Jassa Singh Agni Kand Action Committee today threatened to ‘gherao’ the SDM, Talwandi Sabo, and also the police station on December 19 incase the government fails to meet their demands. The convener of the committee announced further intensification of their agitation during a meeting held at the Teachers’ home, here today.

The members of the committee apprised that after a week of the proposed gherao of the police station and the SDM, the mortal remains of the four deceased family members would be immersed at Muktsar Sahib. The committee will organize protest in the 50 villages enroute Muktsar Sahib.

The convener of the committee said after returning from Muktsar Sahib, the office of the Senior Superintendent of Police Bathinda will also be gheraoed.

The members of the committee alleged that the police had set the four members of the family on the fire and killed them. One girl of the family was still struggling for life.

The members further alleged that the action committee had submitted a memorandum to the DIG, Faridkot range and the Chief minister of the state, but all had gone in vein. No police official took a single step towards providing justice to the three orphan girls.

The members collectively raised slogans against the government and demanded CBI probe in the matter. Speaking on their demands, the convener Jagjit Singh Joga said the accused police officers should be punished and the girls must be paid adequate compensation.

The representatives of CPI, CPM, BKU (sidhupur), Akali Dal (1920) and BSP jointly attended the meeting.

Bathinda, November 24
Following serial bomb blasts in courts in Uttar Pradesh on Friday, the district and the railways police along with CIA staff carried out anti- sabotage search at the railway station, bus stand, courts complex and mini secretariat here, today.

The civil lines police with anti-sabotage team and a sniffer dog searched courts complex and mini secretariat. The squad used metal detectors, explosive detectors, vapour detectors and scent detectors.

Giving details of the search, in-charge civil lines police post, Bhagwant Singh said, “It was a precautionary measure and to avoid any untoward incident. No objectionable material has been found.”

The government railway police (GRP), following the orders of the ADGP (railway), conducted a through search at Bathinda railway junction. The GRP staff along with the jawans of RPF and CIA staff searched all trains, platforms and parking lots. Luggage of passengers was also frisked.

SHO, GRP, Bathinda Railway station, Kuljit Singh said, “The anti sabotage check was being carried out at the station.” The city police swarmed the bus stand and conducted a search in courts complex and mini secretariat.

ASP (city), Harsh Kumar Bansal, who was supposed to lead the search, said, “It was an SHO level search, so I have nothing to say on the matter.”

Mansa, November 24
“Our students should gain the principles of humanism through the ideas of our gurus and patriots,” said Balwinder Singh Bhunder, general secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal on the occasion of prize distribution function of the 16th District Schools Athletic Meet 2007 here today.

Addressing the gathering on this occasion, he remembered the contribution of Sri Guru Nanak Dev and head of the Kuka movement Baba Ram Singh.

He told the Akali government would try to encourage the sports in the state and for this purpose; a modern stadium would be set up in Mansa soon.

He also stressed for the need of facilities in the government primary schools for the poor students. 

The final results of these games are as under:

 In the Under 19 Boys Games, the Government Secondary School, Bhikhi won the overall championship and in the contest of girls, the Government School Ralli got the first position. 

In the contest of 17 years old boys, the Government Secondary School, Ralli secured the overall championship and the girls from this school got the same trophy too.

In the event of U-14 Boys, the Government High School, Jeetgarh won the overall championship and the girls of the Government Middle School, Tandian won the same championship. 

In the contest of 19 years old boys, Kuldeep Singh of the Government High School, Boha was declared the best athlete and in the contest of girls, Karamjit Kaur was declared the best athlete.  

In the event of 17 years old boys, Khushwinder Singh of the Akal Academy, Bhai Desa was declared the best athlete.  In the contest of girls of the same age group, Jasdeep Kaur of the Government Senior School, Nangal Kalan was declared the best athlete. 

In the age of 14 years, Jaspal Singh of the Government School, Jeetgarh and Amandeep Kaur of the same school were elected as the best athletes.

Fazilka, November 24
In an intensified drive against anti-social elements, the police led by SHO Baljit Singh nabbed eight persons on charges of gambling.

During two separate raids, one police patrol party led by assistant sub-inspector Ved Parkash, arrested four persons from near the local car taxi stand and recovered Rs 1,155 from them. The second patrol party arrested another group of four gamblers near M.R. Government College road and recovered Rs 1,135 from them. The police has registered a case under the Gambling Act.