Bathinda, December 8
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal launched Rs 3234 crore scheme to rejuvenate the irrigation system in Punjab and also laid foundation stone of an international level cricket stadium during his birthday celebrations here today.

SAD (B) supporters wearing caps distributed by Pyare Lal Karnail Singh Memorial Charitable Trust on the occasion of CM Parkash Singh Badal’s birthday in Bathinda on Saturday. Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh

BJP leader L.K.Advani and former chief minister of Haryana, Om Prakash Chautala specially came to participate in the birthday celebrations that were held in the sports stadium in the town. His 81st. birthday was observed as “Punjab Gaurav Divas”.

The local BJP leadership turned up in strength to make the function a success.

Badal distributed cash awards worth Rs one crore to outstanding players who won medals in international matches and other events.

The function was marred by slogan shouting by unemployed physical training instructors who tried to reach the stage. The police removed them from the stadium. The unemployed PTIs boys and girls took the police by surprise as they sat quiet throughout the function but started raising anti-government slogans when Badal started his speech. The public meeting remained disturbed for a few minutes.

Badal said that the unemployed youth were free to come to him to discuss their problems which could be sorted through dialogue and not by creating ruckus.

He said it was his duty to maintain law and order in the state and would not allow anyone to vitiate communal harmony and peace.

Speaking on the occasion, Leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha and former Deputy PM L.K. Advani described Badal as one of the most towering parliamentarians of the country. He said that the coalition politics in the country began from Punjab when the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the BJP forged an alliance.

Advani said that the two party system has so far not come to the country, but the bi-polar polity has come to stay. With the Congress and the BJP being the main parties, the small parties have the option to choose one of them for electoral alliance.

Addressing the massive rally, Badal said that the people of Punjab have already paid a heavy price during the decade long era of militancy in the state.  “We have been given a mandate against divisive politics and in favour of peace, amity and Punjabi unity.  Our government is fully alive to its constitutional obligation in this regard and no complacency would be shown”. He said that the state once the most prosperous in the county was pushed into the vicious circle of economic backwardness and financial crisis during the black days of militancy.  “The SAD –BJP government is committed to repose to the confidence of the general public in the law and order machinery and security of the life and property would be accorded top priority’, he asserted.

He said that the process of development and progress could only be initiated in the peaceful atmosphere and our government would not tolerate any one to spread the cult of violence and hatred. 

Blaming the Congress for instigating people for disturbing peace in the state and its indulgence in divisive politics, .Badal asked the Congress to refrain from such dirty politics. He accused the congress party of deliberately indulging in false propaganda against the governments’ schemes and plans for overall development and prosperity and spreading misgivings and rumours amongst the masses.  Badal said that it was an irony of fate that the Congress government led by Amarinder Singh pushed the state to the brink of economic disaster causing a debt of Rs.50,000 crores. 

Referring to the outcome of the recent Assembly elections, Badal said that his government had come to power as the electorate of the Majha and Doaba areas of Punjab voted for the SAD, but those in the Malwa belt were misled by the Congress. However, he hoped that the electorate of the Malwa region would come out to support the SAD in the coming Lok Sabha elections. He promised that he would not leave any stone unturned for development of the area.

He said that the irrigation scheme launched by him would plug leakages in the watercourses and enhance the water supply by 25 to 30 percent. 

Member Parliament and working president of the SAD, Sukhbir Singh Badal, said that the popularity of Parkash Singh Badal amongst the people of Punjab was due to his firm commitment towards the development of the state and welfare of its people.  He said that Badal had earned this unique reputation during 50 years of his political career due to his unflinching faith in the value-based politics.

He said that within three years Punjab would be made a power surplus state by adding 10,000 MWs of electricity through new thermal power stations. A 2000 MWs thermal power station will be constructed in Mansa at a cost of  Rs 10,000 crores.

Former CM of Haryana, Om Parkash Chautala also described Badal as a champion of farmers.  

The chief minister honoured the famous singer Ishmeet Singh by presenting a cheque of Rs.5 lakhs

Prominent among others who spoke on the occasion included, BJP leader Balbir Punj, Cooperation Minister Capt.Kanwaljit Singh, Local Government Minister Manoranjan Kalia, Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, Rural Development Minister Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, President State Unit BJP Prof.Rajinder Bhandari, President SGPC Avtar Singh Makkar, General Secretary SAD Balwinder Singh Bhundar, Secretary General SAD Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, senior Akali leader Gurdev Singh Badal, Member Parliament Paramjit Kaur Gulsahan and local leader Sarup Chand Singla.

Mansa, December 8
The Communist Party of India (CPI) held its district council meeting here today in which the political and economic situation of Punjab and country was discussed.

The CPI National Council member Hardev Singh Arshi and former-MLA Buta Singh said that the party had decided to expand its activities in the blocks and tehsils to make people aware about the anti-people policies of the state and the Central governments. The party had expressed concern over the weak economic condition of Punjab, Arshi added. 

He alleged that when state was facing economy problems and all public welfare schemes had been stopped then Punjab’s Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was expending crores in his birthday celebrations. This money would have been used for distributing wollen clothes among poor student, he said. —OC

Bathinda, December 8
The unemployed physical training instructors (PTIs) took the ministers and police by surprise at the venue of Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal’s birth day celebrations when they advanced towards the dais raising anti-government slogans.

It was an embarrassing situation for the administration as the scene occurred when the CM started addressing the gathering. To avoid any unpleasant situation, four protesting girls, who are reportedly sports champions, were taken to the police station, from where they were released in the late evening.

Protesters later blockaded the traffic on Hanuman Chowk to mark their protest.

A protester, Bhupinderjit Kaur of Amritsar rued, “Many of us are sports champions. Even after being a hockey gold medalist, I am unemployed. At one side the government gives us an excuse of the funds shortage but on the other hand, the Chief Minister on his birthday has distributed almost cheques of Rs One crore to the international players, wher will the national level players go”, she added.

The protesters further lamented that what is the use of building an international stadium, if the government is not able to provide employment to the national players.

“We have been staging a dharna in sector 17 Plaza in Chandigarh for the past one year and already met 32 times with the CM, at various Sangat Darshan programmes, but all had gone in vein,” said another girl.

Rakesh Kumar, president of the union said, “It is do-or-die situation for us, the government seems to be totally careless for our future, in a frustrate state of mind, we will go to any extent to awake the authorities from deep slumber.” “In the manifesto, the CM had assured that within the six months of the government establishment, 32000 teachers would be put on job,” he alleged.

But on the other side, the CM in his speech said, “It may be an attempt of some rival political party to disrupt the event.” “Demands should be presented in a pleasant way, but the mode adopted by these people is not the appropriate,” he  clarified.

Bathinda, December 8
“The State government will soon introduce 300 new buses, most of which will be fully air-conditioned and with better facilities for passengers,” said the state transport minister, Master Mohan Lal.

“To finalise the new model of buses, I along with Sukhbir Singh Badal and some other officials, went to Goa, from where I returned a day back. We met 4-5 manufacturers; it is yet to be decided that from which company the buses would be bought,” said Mohan Lal, while talking to the TNS here today.

Talking about the condition of the bus stands in the state, he said many of the bus stands were being renovated.

He added that the Ludhiana Bus Stand would be an example of the state-of-art-bus stand.

The minister cited that the Anandpur, Lehra Gaga, Phagwara were the main stations which are going to get new shapes.

He said all bus stands in the state would be directly interlinked with bus service and night bus services would also be introduced where these were not operating.

On the question of colour changing policy, he said, “It is just to differentiate whether these were purchased during the tenure of old or the new government.”

“The state has about 700 buses in PRTC and same in Punjab Roadways, meanwhile a hundreds of buses under PUNBUS scheme have also been plying,” he said.

The SAD (B)-BJP ruling government has already introduced 150 buses in the state and which is most likely to be increased to 450 as the minister has already taken the demonstrations of new buses from TATA, Ashok Leyland and some other bus manufacturing companies.

The minister stated, “The new buses will be routed on long distance covering stations Anad Pur Sahib, Katra, Amritsar and several other places.”

He assured to resolve every kind of problem being faced by the commuters within the state.

Abohar, December 8
The Railway Board has reportedly agreed to reconsider their decision on suspension of the 3007-3008 Udyan Abha Toofan Express train, well placed sources said today.

According to the information, MP Nihal Chand met Railway Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav yesterday to convey widespread resentment of passengers in this region over suspension of the train.

He reportedly told Yadav that migrants from his home state Bihar and UP besides those posted in the Army in Abohar and Sriganganagar would be affected most as they had no other train at night in this region.  Another deputation led by Gur Prasad Behal, joint secretary of the Rail-Road Users Consultative Committee, had a meeting with senior officials in the Rail Bhawan and discussed the problem in length. They said suspension under the pretext of foggy weather was not based on ground realities.

The officials confirmed having received representations from Hanuman Dass Goyal, joint secretary of the Railway Passengers Association (North Zone) and Madan Lal Bhalothia, member of the Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee, sources said.

Then authorities finally accepted the proposal that the Udyan-Abha Toofan Express be bifurcated. The night train should be run for the time being in between Sriganganagar-Abohar-New Delhi. The passengers can board other trains for onward journey at New Delhi for which advance reservation facilities had already been made available at Abohar and Sriganganagar. 

Barnala, December 8
To condemn the arrest of the Shiromani Akali Dal (A) president Simranjeet Singh Mann, Mehalkalan unit of SAD (A) held a meeting here today. It was presided over by circle president Baldev Singh Gangohar.

While addressing the meeting, Baldev said the arrest of Mann was made on the issue of Bhagat Singh while the real motive behind his arrest was to prevent Mann to take any action against the Punjab bandh call of December 14, given by some organisations.

He alleged that Punjab government wanted to make communal forces play their role but it might prove detrimental for the peaceful atmosphere of the state.

He said putting up the poster of Bhindranwale in the Sikh museum was purely an internal matter and no one had right to meddle into the affairs of Sikhs.

Abohar, December 8
A special task force (STF) of Sriganganagar police lines on Friday raided illegal distilleries in three villages. The STF, led by Ashok Meena, officiating DSP (Rural), raided distilleries in Malkani, Sardarpura Jiwan and Ganeshgarh villages.

Five illegal distilleries were busted in Malkani and huge quantity of raw material was destroyed.

The police arrested Sant Ram and Mohinder Singh in village Ganeshgarh as they allegedly resisted the police’s search for three persons wanted in a murder case.

At Sardarpura Jiwan, the police picked up Mukesh Kumar to know the whereabouts of the persons who had foiled an attempt to arrest an alleged opium-smuggler on Friday.  A mob had attacked a police party in village Sardarpura Jiwan under Lalgarh Jattan police station of Sriganganagar area and helped an alleged opium-smuggler to escape. The police had arrested one Atma Ram of Lalgarh Jattan under the NDPS act on recovery of 90 gm opium on Wednesday.

Fazilka, December 8
Physically challenged children of Fazilka bagged big share in the state-level athletic meet organised at Jalandhar by the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan authorities of Punjab.

Of the total 19 medals, students of Fazilka got 14 medals. For the first time physically challenged children brought such a big laurels to Fazilka.

The meet was presided over by the special secretary education, Krishan Kant, who is also the project director of the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan, Punjab.

Giving details of the results, Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan co-ordinator Ashok Monga said two students of Fazilka block secured gold medals, 7 silver and 5 bronze.

Amandeep Kaur of the Government Primary School at Mumbeke village, and Ramanjot Kaur, of the Government School at Sureshwala, won gold in the 200 and 100 meter races, respectively. Amandeep also got a silver medal in the 100 meter race while Ramajot came second in the 200 meter race. Boota Singh, of the Government Primary School at village Mumbeke, got silver medal in the 100-meter race and bronze medal in long jump. Sarbjit Kaur, of the Government Primary School at village Ghatianwali, got silver medal in the 100 and 200 meter races. Shreepal, of the Government Middle School at village Chaurianwali, got silver medal in the 100-meter race and bronze medal in long jump. Malkeet Singh, of the Government Primary School at village Chahlanwali, got silver medal in long jump and bronze medal in the 100-meter race.

Ferozepur district bagged over all runner up title in this athletic meet. Education Minister Upinderjit Kaur gave away the prizes to the winners.

Bathinda, December 8
Punjab Cricket Association, president and former Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) president, Inderjit Singh Bindra has said, ``Punjabi youth is very strong and well built. This is what we need in a good fast bowler. So very soon, we will be signing an MoU with the Punjab government for setting up cricket academies all across the state, especially in the rural Punjab, for providing coaching and equipment to the players.’’

Bindra was visiting Bathinda to attend the foundation stone laying ceremony of international cricket stadium at village Jodhpur Romana today.

``A proposal for the same has already been sent to Principal Secretary (Sports) and we are hopeful that the Punjab government would respond in a positive manner,’’ Bindra said.

Even one of the fastest bowlers of the world like Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul and many more come from the Punjab province of Pakistan. Even on this side of the border, former ace bowler Kapil Dev was a Punjabi.

``As we all know that the majority of punjabi youth is falling prey to drugs, by setting these academies in Punjab, we want to channelise energy of punjabi youth towards the right direction. 500 such academies would be set up in Punjab, and five such academies would come up in atleast each assembly segments of the state,’’ he informed.

A great organiser, a strict disciplinarian and a crusader that is Bindra. He is ruthlessly blunt. As a result some fear him while others respect him for the same reason. Yet no one can deny the fact that Bindra possesses great organisational skill. He has demonstrated this ability time and again. This time, he has taken the task of making the international level cricket stadium at Bathinda a success story.

``We have roped in international level architects for the construction of this stadium. Funds for the construction wont be any issue at all. All the funding would be raised by BCCI, PCA and through marketing,’’ he told.

After the foundation stone laying ceremony of the cricket stadium, even Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal appreciated Bindra for his contribution as a sports promoter and organiser. ``I still remember that many years ago, when Inderjit Singh Bindra was working as financial commissioner in my government, he played a very crucial role in the development of Mohali cricket stadium.’’

Abohar, December 8
The farmers of Malukpura, Dhaba Kokrian and Bahadurkhera villages on Friday submitted memorandums to the sub divisional magistrate refusing to give their land for the proposed thermal plant.

Copies of memorandums have also been sent to the higher authorities at Chandigarh and New Delhi.

Alleging that acquisition of land for the proposed thermal plant in private sector in the neighbouring Balluana Assembly segment would harm the small and medium farmers, the farmers said they would not give their fertile agricultural land for the proposed plant.

The farmers said a meeting of the residents of other villages including Dotaranwali, Sardarpura and Raipura would shortly be convened to draw a strategy to put tough resistance to the proposed thermal plant.

The government have to acquire over 1000 acre of land for the project.

Farmers said the plant would not only ruin small and marginal farmers but would also endanger the largest open wild life sanctuary, spread over 13 villages, in Asia.

Ferozepur, December 8
Taking serious note of the alleged reluctance of banks in providing loans to the people of economically backward strata of the society, the deputy commissioner today said action would be initiated against such banks.

Presiding over a quarterly meeting of the representatives of banks, DC said it was surprising that only one per cent people had been given loans under the BRI scheme. He said that with help of the Reserve Bank of India and NABARD, the government was trying to provide self-employment to people from weaker sections and for which banks had been instructed to provide soft loans but till date, their performance in this regard seems dismal as little had been done by banks so far. —OC