Bathinda, December 12
“No one will be permitted to disturb peace in the state at any cost,” Director-General of Punjab Police N.P.S. Aulakh declared regarding the police department’s preparedness for the bandh call given by the Shiv Sena (Hindustan) and the ‘Fateh’ march planned by Simranjit Singh Mann, leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal (A), on December 14.

Aulakh was in the city for a short time, to hold a meeting with the IG Patiala, DIG Faridkot range, SSP Bathinda, SSP Mansa and SSP Faridkot. After the meeting, the DGP left for Jalandhar.

It is believed that the police officials were directed to be vigilant and take preventive measures to ensure the peace and harmony in their respective areas. The DGP personally directed the SSPs to keep a watch on anti-social elements.

The DGP also inspected the crime chart of the range and gave directives for taking some action that are to be enforced.

In a short interaction with the media, Aulakh emphasised upon the need to take preventive measures to ensure hat the bandh passes off peacefully.

It may be recalled that the Shiv Sena (H) has called for the bandh to protest the installation of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale’s portraitwhile SAD (A) has decided to oppose the Punjab bandh.

Shiv Sena workers detained

Acting reportedly upon the directives of the DGP, the Bathinda police arrested six workers of the Shiv Sena (H), including the state vice-president of the party, here on Wednesday. All have been arrested as part of preventive measures for the proposed bandh call given for December 14.

State vice-president of the party, Yogesh Batish, said, “We were in a group when the police arrested us near the railway station. We were requesting the shopkeepers to cooperate with us on the day of bandh. Our proceedings were peaceful, but all of a sudden, DSP (Traffic) and the SHO Kotwali, along with a number of policemen, came and rounded us up and took us to the police station.”

On the other hand, SHO Kotwali, Davinder Singh, said, “We had information that they were planning to burn an effigy, which could have led to an untoward situation. Using legal powers, we arrested them under sections 107 and 151 of the CrPC.”

When contacted, SSP Naunihal Singh said the arrest was a part of the agenda decided at a meeting with the DGP to ensure peace on the day of the bandh. The step is part of preventive measures. Some reports have been received that there are chances of a disturbance.”

He also repeated the stand taken by the DGP that nobody would be allowed to disturb peace at any cost. 

Bathinda, December 12
“Bathinda city has been granted Rs 90 crore for making improvements in electricity supply and the district planning and development board will spend a total of Rs 7.95 crore on the development of the city,” said Bikram Singh Majithia, Punjab Minister for Water Supply and Sanitation.

The minister first held a meeting today with the district planning and development board and thereafter with the members of the district grievances redressal committee, Bathinda, as their chairman. It may be learnt that these meetings were the first to be held after the formation of the committee.

At the meeting, Majithia said that the board has been granted Rs 7.95 crore for various development programmes, out of which Rs 5.78 crore has already been received. He assured that Rs 184 crore, earned with the sale of a piece of land in the city, would be spent only on the development of the city.

Directing the district authorities, he said development works should be initiated and completed on a priority basis.

Majithia disclosed that to increase the domestic connection of electricity 
(minimum one bulb) to 50,000 families, the board 
has released a sum of Rs 2.39 crore.

Regarding the sale of fake Bt cotton seeds, the minister asked the Chief Agricultural Officer (CAO) about the action taken in this regard. The CAO replied that four inspectors have already been deputed to investigate the mater. Majithia further directed the CAO to educate the farmers through farm contract programme.

Majithia ordered the Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, to submit a report on pending works, mainly the sewer lines.

When media persons asked him about the water treatment plant, he asserted that the previous report submitted by a team from the PGI, Chandigarh, was not very authentic. So, a new team had been formed in which the PGI staff and some government officials would work together. He said that the team would, shortly, submit a report regarding the cause for the spread of cancer in the area.

Speaking to media persons, Majithia said in a lighter mood, “Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and the working president, SAD (B), Sukhbir Singh are more concerned about the area. Both of them have been focusing on development plans, so I am a bit relaxed.”

On the other hand, when Makhan Singh, MLA, Pakka Kalan, who was also present at the meeting, was contacted, he alleged, “At the meeting, I said that the funds, which have been mentioned in agenda item number 1— from serial number 1 to 9— were issued under the central government plans, but the credit is being taken by the ruling party in Punjab. Chairman Majithia did not say anything on this issue.” 

Moga, December 12
The proposal to replace old street light fittings here with compact flourescent lamps (CFLs) which were to be supplied by a private company, has been hanging fire for the past one year now. The local Municipal Council (MC) had entered into an agreement with a company, the Asian Electronics, on December 29, 2006 for the supply of CFLs.

MC president Swaran Lata Jain, through her letter dated May 3, had said that the 
CFL material had already reached the MC office and that undue delay in its installation might create complication for civic body.

However, when contacted by this correspondent, she merely said that the CFL material had reached the company’s local godown.    

The CFL lamps would replace the streetlight fittings, including tubelights, halogen lamps and mercury lamps, at a cost of Rs 3.17 crore.

Some of the citizens, however, questioned the logic behind changing the entire streetlight fittings, despite their good condition.

They were of the view that public money should be utilised in a proper and lawful manner.

MC functionaries said that the lamps were to be supplied by the private concern after conforming to the technically approved specifications of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) standards.

Some persons, however, doubtful of the intention behind the deal, filed complaints against it.

They said that no certification of approval, as reported by the officials, from the BEE, had been received.

The MC president refuted the allegations and described them as baseless.

As per the agreement, if the MC failed to comply with the agreement, it would have to pay a huge compensation to the company for breach of contract.

Jain said that the state government’s department of power (energy branch), through its letter dated August 22, addressed to all the heads of departments and executive officers of the municipal bodies, had made it compulsory to use CFLs for streetlight to save energy.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Engineer (Energy Conservation) of the PSEB, Patiala, is learnt to have informed under the RTI Act 2005 that regarding T-5 series of bulbs, no BEE certification was available. The PSEB was also not aware about the manufacturing of T-5 in India.

However, the BEE has star labelled T-8 36W fluorescent tube for replacing T-12, 40W tube and recommended an electronic choke to replace the electromagnetic choke, it is learnt.

It further stated that the PSEB was not aware about the manufacturing and supplying of any T-5 bulbs and CFLs by the company concerned.

However, it has already been clarified that T-5 tubes and its fixtures have not been standardised by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and not certified by the BEE. So, the question of any manufacturer of T-5 or its fixtures is irrelevant, it maintained.

The BEE has enlisted six manufacturers to provide CFLs under BLY and 10 manufacturers for tubular fluorescent lamps.

It has been learnt that in both the lists, the name of the company, Asian Electronics Private Limited company, Thane, has not been included. 

Ferozepur, December 12
The inclement weather along with frequent power cuts has thrown normal life out of gear in the region. The unannounced power cuts have not only affected commerce and trade but also the supply of water and studies in schools and colleges.

While the examinations are round the corner, the school and college students are finding it difficult to study as they can neither study outdoors due to cold weather nor can they study indoors for want of electricity.

Former MLA Gurnaib Brar said since farmers were not getting adequate supply of power to irrigate the fields, production of wheat might get affected.

A leading industrialist of the region, Ravikant Gupta, said that due to erratic power supply, production in his factory had come down to nearly 25 per cent.

He added that the government imposed a minimum charge on the sanctioned electricity load irrespective of whether regular power supply was there or not. They had to bear the minimum charge. In addition, he had to spend Rs 5,000 towards generator expenses.

Municipal councillor Chander Mohan Handa said notwithstanding tall claims made by the state government on improving power generation, the scenario remained dismal. K.C. Arora, a resident, demanded that the government should take concrete steps to improve the power supply.

Rajeev Khanna, owner of an electronics outlet, averred that frequent power cuts had affected his business, as he was unable to provide timely repair service to his customers.

While the absence of electricity hit water supply, the recent hike in power tariff has added to woes of consumers.

S.D. Kattal, superintendent engineer, Punjab State Electricity Board, said he had no information about the power cuts, as it was done by the power controller in Patiala.

He added that in urban areas, power was being shut down for 4-5 hours whereas in rural areas, power supply was snapped for about 14-15 hours. 

Abohar, December 12
Following reports that minor children were driving two-wheelers in the sub-division, the district traffic police here organised a seminar on traffic awareness in village Shergarh today. Kuldeep Singh Brar, in charge of the district traffic education cell, Punjab Police, Balkar Singh, SHO Khuyiansarwar, Narinder Kaur, block primary education officer, Ramesh Chander Setia, former BPEO and Shanker Chaudhary, headmaster of government primary school, spoke on various aspects of the traffic rules and safety measures.

The chief guest, Ajinder Singh, principal of the government senior secondary school for boys here and presiding officer B.S. Chaudhary, chairman of the Social Welfare Society Trust, lauded the initiative of educating the students at the primary level.

The students of Government High School, Baba Farid Public School, Saraswati Middle School, Adarsh Vikas Model School and Arvind Model School were also present.

The Naujwan Ekta Club and Gram Sudhar Sabha were instrumental in arranging an impressive gathering. Naresh Nath conducted the programme.

The organisers presented traffic awareness mementos to the guest speakers. 

Bathinda, December 12
Members of the ex-servicemen wing of Shiromani Akali Dal paid floral tributes at the statue of Jemadar (Naib Subedar) Nand Singh on Diamond Jubilee Martyrdom Day today.This brave son of Malwa was awarded Victoria Cross by the British and Mahavir Chakra (posthumously) by the Indian government. 

He died while fighting in the Kashmir sector on December 12, 1947. This was stated by Colonel (retd) Partap Inder Singh Phulka, secretary general, ex-servicemen wing of SAD. Major Karnail Singh, president of the wing, thanked the large gathering. —TNS 

Bathinda, December 12
The representatives of Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal and various other industrial organisations held a meeting of I-T advisory council with H. S. Sohi, Commissioner, Income Tax (Bathinda charge), at a hotel here today.

At the two-hour long meeting, issues pertaining to the collection of advance tax in Bathinda charge, which comprises districts like Ferozepur, Faridkot, Muktsar, Bathinda and Mansa, and other matters, were discussed.

Speaking to TNS, Madan Lal Kapoor, president, Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal, said, ``By November 30, there was a growth of 40 per cent in advance tax collected countrywide. In Bathinda charge, only Rs 25-30 crore has been collected against a target of Rs 110 crore by the end of this financial year.”

“The IT commissioner has urged upon all the industrial organisations and beopar mandals to pay advance tax on time so that the target can be achieved,’’ he added.

T. R. Singla, general secretary, Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal, said, ``Our beopar mandal consists of all industrial organisations and traders’ associations in Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala. Bathinda, Moga, Faridkot, Ferozepur, Muktsar and Mansa districts. Various problems which can be redressed at the commissioner’s level were also discussed at the meeting.’’

Others present at the meeting included IT Commissioner (Bathinda charge) H. S. Sohi, Joint Commissioner Garima Singh, Additional Commissioner Laxman Singh, Assistant Commissioner Rajinder Kaur and Income Tax Officer Mohinder Arora. 

Barnala, December 12
The district police has begun taking preventive measures to avoid any untoward incident on December 14, the day on which Punjab bandh call has been made.

So far, as many as 25 activists of Shiromani Akali Dal (A) have been detained.

Senior Superintendent of Police Parmjeet Singh Garewal said the arrests were made as part of preventive measures and that the police would not allow anyone to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in the district.

Acting on the orders of the Director-General of Police, Punjab, the local police picked up nine activists from Barnala, five from Tapa, four from Sherpur, three from Bhadur and four from Mehalkalan and Dhanaula.

They have been held under sections 107 and 151 of the CrPC.

The police has also picked up one Lalit Kumar, vice-president of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Barnala, on the suspicion that he was a Shiv Sena activist.

But when it was learnt that he belonged to SAD (B), he was later released. 

Moga, December 12
Centres for the welfare of girls in the age-group of 11-18 years from BPL families would be opened in 148 blocks of the state under the Kishori Shakti Yojana. Chowdhury Swarna Ram, technical education and social security minister, announced this here today.

The minister was here today to chair a meeting to review the progress of the integrated child development scheme (ICDS) and other social security schemes.The meeting was held at the district administrative complex.

He announced that the centres would be opened at Mamdot, Guru Har Sahai, Dina Nagar and Mehmedgarh and new courses like fashion technology and garments would also be introduced.

Besides, schemes as supplementary nutrition programme, Kanya Jagriti Jyoti, Model Anganwadi Centre and Kishori Shakti Yojana, related to social security were taken up with field officers from Mansa, Muktsar, Bathinda, Ferozepur and Faridkot.

He said that 20,169 Anganwadi centres were being run in the state for the benefit of one to six years old children and pregnant ladies.

The minister said that for creating awareness among people for helping disabled persons and checking female foeticide, secretariat-level seminars were held at Phagwara and Ludhiana.

He added that these seminars would be organised in different parts of the state to make it a mass movement.

According to him, the social security department would launch a programme to make people aware about fallout of drug addiction.

He said that the process had been initiated for removing unnecessary formalities for granting old-age pension.

Director, Rakhi Gupta Bhandari and Jagpal Singh Sandhu, secretary, of the social security department, Punjab, delved at length on the significance of the integrated child development scheme and other social security schemes and their impact on society. 

Abohar, December 12
The three persons who were held recently by a team of the Revenue Intelligence Directorate (RID) near Ludhiana by intercepting a car were staff of a courier company and not smugglers, investigation conducted in the neighbouring Sriganganagar area reportedly suggested. The team had recovered 8 kg of heroin from them.

According to sources, further investigation in the case in Sriganganagar area confirmed that Balwinder Singh and Malkiat Singh of Padampur tehsil with Gurcharan Singh of Khajuwala were on their way to Ludhiana to deliver the consignment to the family of a Canada-based NRI who allegedly had close links with the international drug mafia.

They reportedly revealed during interrogation that they had been working as couriers for a mafia based in Punjab. The same were having pockets in the border area of Sriganganagar, sources indicated.

It is believed that heroin had been smuggled from Pakistan. The mafia had been active in border districts Ferozepur, Amritsar and Gurdaspur of Punjab for a long time. Now, when the BSF had intensified vigil in these districts the mafia was contemplating on border areas of Rajasthan close to their home state Punjab, sources added. 

Feedback from across the border indicated that buoyed over unprecedented increase in opium production in upper areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan, the smugglers had been busy converting the contraband in to heroin, smack and cocaine.

They had even stacked drugs in the West Punjab province especially in Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar located close to Sriganganagar, the investigation reportedly indicated. 

Ferozepur, December 12
Following the instructions of the state government, the district administration has opened a non-resident Indian (NRI) cell here at the DC office to deal with the problems faced by the NRIs, said deputy commissioner Bhagwant Singh.

He said that M.P. Singh Mahal, AC (General), had been made in charge of the NRI cell.

The NRIs hailing from the district should get their names registered with the cell by December 20 so that timely assistance could be accorded to them in case a need arose, the deputy commissioner said.

Bhagwant said as per recent notification of the government, the deputy commissioners had also been designated as NRI affairs officer. 

Fazilka, December 12
The vice-president of BJP, Punjab, and local MLA, Surjit Kumar Jyani, while inaugurating the 23rd sugarcane crushing season at the Fazilka cooperative sugar mill at village Bodiwala Pitha said that stress should be laid on streamlining the functioning of the sugar mill instead of expanding it in a haphazard manner.

Addressing a large gathering of sugarcane growers, he said it should be ensured that the farmers get the payment for their produce within a week and the employees of the mill get their salaries on a regular basis.

Jyani was accompanied by V.K.Bhalla, managing director of Sugarfed, Punjab, M.L.Wadhwa and Gurbaj Singh Vandar, managing director and director of the mill respectively.

V.K.Bhalla said that during the year 2006-07, 1.18 lakh hectares of land was used for sugarcane cultivation, which should be enhanced to 1.39 lakh hectare during the year 2007-08.

On the occasion, three sugarcane cultivators, Varinder Kumar, Bohar Singh and Harish Chander, were also honoured.

Progressive farmer Kanwal Dhuria, who secured a yield of 612 quintal from one acre of land, was also awarded. 

Bathinda, December 12
The lawyer-police deadlock in the city has almost come to an end. Considering the demand of the lawyers for action against station house officer (SHO) Bhagwant Singh, the district police suspended him and sent him to the Police Lines, Bathinda.

It has been reported that following the order of the district magistrate, the police registered a DDR against the SHO on Tuesday night.

ASI Jagraj Singh has been deputed as in charge of the Civil Lines police post.

The inquiry in this case has been entrusted to the IG, Patiala, and the report is still awaited. 

Bathinda, December 12
Three persons laced with sharp-edged weapons assaulted Surjeet Singh of Kothe Amarpura and injured him seriously at the National Colony, here late on Tuesday night.

The injured was reportedly admitted to the Civil Hospital, Bathinda.

The family members of the injured said that Surjeet was returning from Bathinda to his village along the embankment of the canal at night.

All of a sudden the accused attacked him. Of the three accused, the family members named two, Amrik Singh and Sandeep. Police sources said the injured was not in the condition of recording his statement.