Bathinda, November 30
The foundation laying ceremony of the cricket stadium here on December 8 is bound to get converted into a political rally of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)—BJP combine with the top leadership trying to make it a show of strength in this heartland of the Malwa belt where their sworn enemy—Dera Sacha Sauda—- enjoys considerable influence.

Chief minister Parkash Singh Badal will lay foundation stone of the stadium, but the SAD is trying to derive political mileage out of the event in view of the Lok Sabha elections that are about a year away.

His son, Sukhbir Singh Badal, who is acting president of the SAD and a member of parliament, is learnt to have taken in his own hands the arrangements to make the occasion a memorable show. District chiefs of the SAD, party activists of the Malwa region and members of the SGPC are being invited to the function, sources said. The president of the SGPC, Avtar Singh Makkar, will also be present.

The chief minister is also scheduled to lay the foundation stone of the district headquarter building of the SAD.

To add colour to the show, the occasion is also being utilised to celebrate the birthday of Parkash Singh Badal that coincides with that day. Some top BJP leaders are expected to come.

Sukhbir Singh Badal has convened a meeting of sitting and former MLAs of the SAD in the Malwa region and also senior party activists here in the Gurdwara Haji Ratan on December 3 to give a final shape to the arrangements. He is reportedly not leaving any stone unturned to rejuvenate the SAD before the next Lok Sabha elections to meet the challenge of the Dera.

SAD leaders here said that 25,000 to 30,000 people were expected to participate in the show on December 8.

In between, Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Singh Badal are expected to visit Badiala near here on December 5 to participate in the anniversary function of Sant Fateh Singh where they would also mobilise the SAD activists to turn out in large numbers at the Bathinda rally.

Bathinda, November 30
Tension gripped the city as the Dera-Sikh controversy surfaced again, this time in Bhai Mati Das Nagar here, late in the evening. A group of Dera followers allegedly pelted stones at the house of a municipal councillor (MC) and in retaliation, a group of Sikhs allegedly pelted stones at the house of a Dera follower, believed to be their leader, in the locality.

Nearly 30 Dera followers were holding a meeting at street number 15A in Bhai Mati Das Nagar, at the house of a Dera follower, Veerpal Kaur. After receiving information about the meeting, the Sikh residents of the area gathered outside her house and reportedly asked that they stop their meeting. This triggered a stand-off in the area.

The Dera followers informed the police about the incident and in charge of police post, Civil Lines, Bhagwant Singh, along with his police team, reached the spot. After the intervention of the police, the Dera followers left the house where the prayer meeting was being held. Meanwhile ASP (City) Harsh Kumar Bansal and SHO Kotwali police station, Davinder Pal reached the spot.

The Dera followers while on their way back allegedly pelted stones at the house of MC Sukhdev Singh Gill. In retaliation, the Sikhs in the area reportedly decided to counter it through an announcement at the gurudwara in the locality.

After this, Sikhs gathered in large numbers and moved towards the house of a Dera follower, Sunder Singh Jamwat, who runs a provision store. The Sikh group started pelting stones at his shop and house.

Policemen on motorcycles, felt helpless and it was only after the arrival of the force in huge numbers, including commandos, that the mob was made to disperse.

Jamwat later told the media that he did not have rivalry with anyone and charged that even he along with his family members was abused and stones were pelted at his house. His wife alleged, “The MC of the area and others abused us and continued to pelt stones despite our repeated pleas.” She also showed broken glasses of windowpanes and stones that had allegedly entered their living room after the stone pelting incident. Jamwat has submitted a written complaint to the ASP (City) addressed to SSP, Bathinda.

On his part, the municipal councilor of the area, Sukhdev Singh Gill, said, “I was resting at my house, when all of a sudden, a group of Dera followers pelted stones, one of which injured me. After the incident, they ran away. We retaliated only after they took this step.”

ASP (City), Harsh Kumar Bansal said, “As soon as we received the information, we rushed to the spot with a large number of police force. The situation is under control and no untoward incident would be permitted to take place at any cost.”

Fazilka, November 30
More than a hundred marginal farmers in half a dozen border villages in the Fazilka sector feel aggrieved that they have been denied compensation for their land being surrounded by mine fields.

These affected farmers have now resorted to a legal remedy for seeking compensation. According to available details, about 125 farmers in the border villages of Khanpur, Muthianwali, Kerian, Kheowali, Shahatirwala and Bareka, having a land holding of about 2,500 acres, have served legal notices to the Secretary Defence, Government of India, Secretary Revenue Department (Emergency Relief Branch, Punjab Chandigarh), Deputy Commissioner, Ferozepur, Commanding Officer, Infantry Brigade, Fazilka and Defence Estate Officer, Jalandhar, demanding a compensation of Rs 12,500 per acre on the pattern of compensation granted to farmers in whose fields, mines were laid during the Kargil conflict in the month of December.      

It has been mentioned in the notices that for security purpose, land mines were laid in certain areas along the border. The affected farmers were awarded a compensation on account of non-cultivation of the rabi crops 2002-03 onwards. It has been stated in the notice that since the mines were laid in the surrounding fields, the affected farmers were not allowed acess to their fields.

Electricity supply of their tubewells were disconnected due to security reasons and entry was totally banned, although land mines were not laid in their fields. For about one and a half year, this situation prevailed and they had to bear the loss of three consecutive crops.

The affected farmers have clarified that compensation was paid only to those farmers in whose fields, mines were laid despite the fact that they had also made several representation demanding compensation. In March 2006, a high power defence committee, constituted by the Government of India, visited the area for assessment of loss of farmers by non-cultivation and non-use of the agricultural land. On yet another occasion, the defence team, in its visit along with a team from the Jalandhar cantonment, visited to assess the losses.

The farmers have alleged that the members of both the teams had verbally directed the revenue officers present on the spot to prepare an estimate about the loss to farmers resulting from non-use of their agricultural land.

Despite this, the authorities concerned did not prepare an estimate of the loss suffered by the affected farmers.

It may be mentioned that the government had disbursed about Rs 25 crore as compensation to the farmers for an area of about 10,000 acres in this sub-division.

Some of the similarly aggrieved farmers who had earlier filed petitions before the Punjab and Haryana High Court have also been granted compensation on the pattern of farmers in whose fields landmines were laid.

Bathinda, November 30
An exhibition of paintings and sculptures organised every year by S. Shobha Singh Memorial Chittarkar Society at Bathinda to create awareness about art and inspire kids to have a glimpse of the world of creativity, turned out to be a big draw.

The four-day exhibition has attracted hundreds of art lovers and ‘on the spot’ inter-school and inter-college painting competitions were also organised.

The ‘on the spot’ painting competitions were conducted in three categories for junior school, senior school and college students and the prize winning paintings in all the three categories were displayed. As many as 55 artists from Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, whose artistic works were showcased in the exhibition, participated in the event.

The sculpture of Mother Teresa was imposing while the paintings of Bhagat Singh and Princess Diana instantly caught the attention of the visitors. Impressive paintings depicting the rural Punjab and pencil sketches also engrossed the viewers. The exclusive sketches of female eyes by artists won the appreciation of all. The president of the society, Amarjit Singh, who himself is a painter and likes to portray the philosophy of Gurbani in his paintings, said it was a humble effort to create interest about art among kids and also to keep their sensitivities alive.

He further said that the society was an organization comprising artists only. It has about 50 artists from the Malwa region and the surrounding areas of Sangrur and Patiala. “We have been organising workshops, seminar, exhibitions related to the art since 1990,” he added.

This year, the society will be honouring seven artists for their contribution to the field of art on December 2. DC Rahul Tewari wil be the chief guest on the occasion.

Abohar , Novmber 30
“Sunita Williams and Sania Mirza should be your ideals now,” Sunil Jakhar, legislator from the area, told students after inaugurating two blocks in the Government Senior Secondary School for Girls in his native village Panjkosi, 14 km from here.

IFFCO chairman Surinder Kumar Jakhar was also present on the occasion. The blocks have been constructed from the funds released by the previous government. Expressing satisfaction over the lead taken by the students from schools in rural areas in district level games, science fairs and other academic activities, Jakhar said more emphasis should be laid on involving students in extra-curricular activities to build self-confidence and develop a multi-faceted personality. Only then, would they be able to compete with students from urban areas, he said.

He complimented the students on staging choreography to bring awareness against female foeticide. He also lauded the UPA government for making one-year service compulsory for each government doctor under the rural welfare plan.

IFFCO chairman Surinder Kumar Jakhar honoured meritorious students on the occasion. Those present included Mohinder Kajla, member, zila parishad, Rai Singh Poonia, BEPO Narinder Kaur and Vishnu Poonia, principal of the school. 

Moga, November 30
Chowdhury Swarna Ram, minster for technical education and industrial training, has said that the state legislature in its next session in December would place proposal for enhancing the pension for widows, handicapped and the elderly from Rs 250 to Rs 400 per month.

He was here today to participate in the annual function of a school. He said pension for aged persons would be given irrespective of their economic status. Besides, he claimed that unnecessary restrictions laid down by the erstwhile Congress government would be eased.

About the opening of bank accounts of pensioners, he hoped that the work would be completed in the next couple of months. According to him, the state government had to devise the way following nearly 1,500 complaints of malpractices by the panchayats, while disbursing pension. He also informed that pension till August had been released and for the later months, it would be distributed through the bank accounts.

He said developed countries like the US, Canada and Australia required about 50,000 drivers.

However, the state does not have well-trained drivers to provide employment to youth, who are more than eager to fly to these countries. Hence, the government would open driving schools at Bathinda and Jalandhar where tutors from Pune would impart training.

The minister said that the government was committed to providing 10 per cent quota to students from economically weaker families in government and private colleges. He said that 11 more ITIs would be added to the existing 266.

Ferozepur, November 30
The district administration has embarked on several measures for the beautification, upkeep and development of the roundabouts as well as entry and exit points of the town. For the purpose, deputy commissioner (DC) Bhagwant Singh today held a meeting of district officials, representatives from various non-government organisations (NGOs), banks and other semi-government agencies.

The DC said the main roundabouts of the town should be developed and beautified in order to maintain the city’s rich heritage. He instructed the departments concerned to remove unauthorised encroachments from the roadsides and instead plant trees to improve the ecology of the town.

He also gave instructions for the repair and re-carpeting of the roads that were in a bad shape. He informed that the Sangat Darshan, which was earlier held at district level on every Wednesday, would now be held twice a week on every Tuesday and Thursday.

The DC said the Cantonment Board, Ferozepur, had been given the task of installing welcome gates on Moga and Fazilka roads. Likewise, the State Bank of India would beautify and upkeep Mishal Chowk.

The State Bank of Patiala would undertake the beautification of D.C Model Chowk. Baba Shershah Wali Chowk would be maintained by Shershah Wali Trust whereas Udham Singh Chowk would be the responsibility of Oriental Bank of Commerce.

The DC said the responsibility of beautifying Arya Anathalaya Chowk had been entrusted to the Arya Samaj committee. The responsibility of planting trees on Moga-Ferozepur road was entrusted to AC (general)-cum-SDM, M.P. Singh Mahal. He told the MC officials to launch a special drive for overall cleanliness of the town.

Mansa, November 30
Some school teachers have demanded improvement in the syllabus of Punjabi subject in schools because no change had been done according to the needs of the time.  This issue was raised at a meeting of teachers.

Punjabi teacher Sadhu Ram Goyal and Satpal Garg said that due to common books for classes IX and X, they face difficulty in teaching the Punjabi subject.  There should be different books and syllabus for classes IX and X like in other subjects. 

They suggested that two books of Vartak and stories should be in IX class and novel and poetry should be in class X. They stressed the need for shorter syllabus and new grammar for these classes.  Lecturer in Punjabi Karnail Singh and Tejinder Kaur said that in for two classes, the Punjab School Education Board had not included any grammar in the syllabus.  Around 10 lessons about the Punjabi culture are given in class XII only.  There is a need to divide these lessons in the two classes. 

Punjabi teacher Hardev Singh Raipuri said there was a need to start lessons about the history and progress of Punjabi in the syllabus for the subject concerned. —OC

Fazilka, November 30
A delegation of Industrial Training Institute Employees’ Union, Punjab, led by its president Sohan Singh Bhangu met technical education minister Swarna Ram at Chandigarh on Thursday to discuss their long pending demands.

General secretary of the state unit Harish Kamboj said here that the main demands of the ITI employees included holding of a meeting by the departmental promotion committee for promotion of instructors to the post of group instructors, store and workshop attendants to the post of store keepers and instructors, especially in the case of those who had improved their qualification for the promotion.

Gradation of sportspersons on the pattern of education department, filling up of vacant posts, grant of travelling allowance to assistant training adviser, regularisation of services of instructors posted on a contract basis, computerisation of the GPF account and change of designation of instructor and group instructor to training officer and senior training officer, were also on their list of demands.

Besides, regular principals should be appointed against the vacant posts and senior group instructors should be allowed to function as officiating principals in case of vacancy.

The minister assured that their demands would be looked into. — OC

Ferozepur, November 30
The third Mohan Lal Bhaskar Art and Drama festival was organised here at the Manav Mandir Senior Secondary School in which students from various schools participated in poem recitation, declamation and other competitions.

Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Dinesh Pratap, SP Vigilance Rajinder Singh and a host of other dignitaries participated in the function.

Prabha Bhaskar, manager of the school paid tributes toLate Mohan Lal Bhaskar for his contribution to the society in the field of literature, poetry and education.

Results:

Poem Recitation: Dev Samaj Senior Secondary School (I), Manavta Public School ( II), Government Girls Senior Secondary School (III). Patriotic Characters: MLM Senior Secondary School (I), Manavta Public School (II), DDB DAV School (III).Mimickery: BSM Senior Secondary School (I), DCM Memorial Jain School (II), SD Senior Secondary School (III).

In the end, Parminder Singh ‘Pinky’, general secretary of the PPCC, distributed the prizes to the winning teams.

Abohar, November 30
A slogan-writing contest as part of events being held to mark the World AIDS Day was organised at Kenway College of Education, here today.

Tanu Yadav, Sandeep, Sheetal Midha, Kulwant Rai and Bhupinder Kaur bagged the first five positions.

Most of the slogans were poetic. One read as, ‘Bachpan, budhapa, jawani suno, AIDS ki sab kahani’ while the other one said ‘AIDS ke nuksan sabko batao, baat karne se mat ghabrao.’

The panel of judges included Geeta Rani, Amandeep Kaur and Shashi Kumar while Ajmer Singh, Ekta, Sukhjit Singh and Subhash were the guides.

Principal Satyender Singh and vice-principal Sushila Narang exhorted the students to make the society around them aware of the deadly disease.

Ferozepur, November 30
The police here embarked on a multi-pronged strategy to curb the menace of drug abuse and prevent it from spreading its tentacles further, particularly amongst the youth. Working in that direction, the district police today organised a seminar on the theme “Nasha Chado, Kohr Vado” at Government Boys Senior Secondary School here.

On the occasion, SSP Dinesh Pratap exhorted the youth to stay away from drugs. He called upon the NGOs and other social organisations to join hands to eradicate the menace of drugs and female foeticide from society.

DSP Paramjit Singh Parmar, youth coordinator Raghbir Singh, Kamal Bajaj, P.C. Kumar and NGOs, besides hundreds of students, participated in the seminar.

Barnala, November 30
Due to scarcity of coins of small denominations ranging from Re 1 to Rs 5, the shopkeepers as well as consumers are facing great difficulty. Expressing concern over this, local Beopar Mandal president Anil Kumar Nanna said that in the absence of coins of Re 1, Rs 2 and Rs 5, the shopkeepers had to give toffees, biscuits or matchboxes to customers. In this way, customers have to lose money on every single purchase, when it can be used for other purposes.

Nanna said that the Centre must provide small coins in the market . —OC

Mansa, November 30
The Asra Lok Sewa Club, Mansa, has launched a tree plantation campaign along with other social service activities. The club organised a tree plantation programme at the Government Nehru Memorial College today.

Deputy Commissioner Mansa Surjeet Singh Dhillon and SSP M.F. Farooqi participated in this programme and planted a sapling.

The DC praised the service of the Asra Lok Sewa Club and stressed for maintaining a clean environment. 

On the occasion, SSP M.F. Farooqi expressed concern over pollution in the environment.

He appealed to the youth to participate in constructive activities.

Project chairman of the Asra Lok Sewa Club, Tarsem Semi said tree plantation campaigns would be launched in villages soon.