Bathinda, January 7
The de-addiction campaigns, launched by various NGOs in the Malwa belt of Punjab, where consumption of drugs particularly by the youth has taken the shape of an epidemic, has virtually failed to takeoff due to lack of cooperation of the concerned government functionaries.

Illicit drug trade was thriving in most of the towns in the Malwa region, including Bathinda, Mukatsar, Barnala, Moga, Mansa, Faridkot and Ferozepur. Most of the dhabas and other eating joints illegally turn into bars as the sun sets.

Except the de-addiction campaign launched by a top police officer in a nearby village, no other effort has so far succeeded.

Violation of the excise laws was prevalent right under the nose of the police and excise officers in the main town of Bathinda where liquor is available on demand in almost every dhaba around the railway station. Several other restaurants and hotels not possessing bar license also serve liquor to the customers with impunity.

When contacted on telephone, a senior excise officer was vague in his reply to queries about violation of excise rules in the town. He said such violation was a “persistent complaint”. He had no idea of the number of licensed bars in the town.

Boozers can purchase liquor at any hour of the day as many liquor vends do not adhere to the rule of closing their establishment at 11 pm. They do a brisk business during the late hours when they are supposed to shut down.

Interestingly, Surinder Kaur Badal, wife of chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, was in the forefront of the campaign against drug abuse.

A piece of land donated by a religious organization for the deaf and dumb school here has been utilized for running a bar.

The health authorities have also failed to prevent the chemists from selling intoxicating drugs. Non-conventional intoxicants including iodex, boot polish, petrol and various medicines were being consumed by addicts.

Dr.S.K.Verma, who is engaged in de-addiction, said that a pack of 100 tablets of Lomotil was available as cheap as Rs.15. This is a crude form of opium that addicts 
consume.

Poppy husk and opium was reportedly being smuggled in large quantity through the neighbouring states of Haryana and Rajasthan. 

Bathinda, January 7
“The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) will independently contest on all seats in the forthcoming Municipal Corporation and Panchayat elections,” said Kamal Sharma, general secretary, BJP, Punjab, here today. 

Reacting upon the statement issued by the SAD (B) regarding indirect Panchayat elections throughout in the state, he spoke, “No member of the SAD (B) has invited suggestion over the matter from us.”

Talking about the further strategy of the party, he said a state-level first meeting would be held on January 15-16 at Chandigarh to chalk out the strategy for the MC elections.

When he was asked about the party’s main issue in the MC polls, he said, corruption and civic amenities would be highlighted.

In an attempt to calm down the matter raised by the Bathinda contractors regarding the 40-crore single contract for the over all face lifting of the city, he said that the matter was not in his knowledge but transparency would be maintained in that.

Expressing concern over the ‘feeble’ financial condition of the state, he said, “It is alarming situation as the state is facing financial crunch.” To get rid of this problem some drastic steps were required, he said adding that all the people’s representatives should leave lavish life-style.

The district BJP president, Narender Mittal said, “In the MC polls, BJP Yuva Morcha will be projected.” Replying to a query, he said BJP would not suffer due to Dera-Sikh issue as it had played no role in the row. 

Bathinda, January 7
The gruesome killing of Rita Bawa (59), principal, Kanya Maha Vidhyala (KMV), Jalandhar on Sunday has shocked the principal and teachers fraternity of the city.

Rita was found murdered at her residence on the college campus in the wee hours and her cook Kishore Mandal and two security guards Tarsem Lal and Shamsheedin were also 
murdered.

Rita was to retire in March, this year. Also a student of KMV College, Rita had also taught at Kamla Nehru College in Phagwara for some time.

Ram Krishan Bangar, principal, Government Rajindra College, who knew Rita Bawa personally, is shocked after hearing about the murder and condemned it. “A college principal is no ordinary person and so the security of all principals should be beefed up. The murder of Bawa has left all of us shocked. We belong to a creed of people who are nation builders and so it becomes the duty of the government to provide us with ample security so that such cases should not take place in future.”

J.S. Anand, principal, DAV College said, “I totally condemn this whole incident. It’s a dastardly act, which is indicating that our society has lost its reverence for its teachers. It’s a symptom of a deeper malaise with evil seeping into our heart and mind. A civil society should hang its head in shame.”

Raj Gupta, principal, Swami Vivekananda Girls College has also condemned the whole incident and has said that it’s a very shameful act.

A condolence meet was also organised at local SSD Women Institute of Technology, SSD College of Education and SSD Girls College here today. Deputy director Sudarshan Dewan, principals Parminder Tanghi and Darsh Bansal and teachers of these colleges have condemned the whole incident. They also observed two minutes silence.

Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union has also condemned the murder of Bawa. In a press release issued by N.K. Gosain, district president of the association, he demanded the immediate arrest and punishment of the culprits.  

Abohar, January 7
The gruesome murder of Rita Bawa, principal of Kanya Maha Vidyalya, along with three others at Jalandhar on Sunday shocked the teachers in the region.

At the DAV College here, a condolence meeting presided over by principal B.C. Josan was held today where those present condemned the murder as ghastly act that spoke volumes of the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

Josan said the killers must be identified and booked at the earliest to restore the confidence among teachers.

The state government should take the appropriate measures to prevent the reoccurrence of such incidents, a resolution passed at the meeting after prayers said. M.L. Aeri, director of DAV College Managing Committee, and the office-bearers of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union were also present at the meeting. — OC 

Bathinda, January 7
The telecom major, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited’s (BSNL) claim of ‘Connecting India’ has been taking a severe beating here for the past few days as congestion and call dropping snags have almost become a normal feature these days.

The problems have left subscribes of this mobile telephony high and dry as a talk reportedly consumes several calls to be concluded.

Subscribers alleged that repeated complaints being made to the authorities concerned had seemingly been falling on deaf ears.

“BSNL’s claim of being cheapest service provider has been falling flat as the repeated calls to conclude a conversation is much more expensive than any other mobile service providers,” rued Akanksha Deepinder Kaur, a student.

Parminder Singh, a chemist on Bathinda-Goniana road, Bathinda alleged that the company charges monthly rental from its subscribers but the link remains disrupted.

Several advocates in the courts complex, here, alleged that disruptions had virtually been a routine affair but the problem has been aggravated after January 1, 2008. An advocate even threatened to drag the company into consumer court in this connection.

The company makes tall claims of providing good services to its subscribers through billboards and newspapers but poor state of the connectivity was in fact the reality nowadays, lamented Deepak Kumar, Namdev Nagar resident.

Deputy general managers, BSNL, Bathinda, Vijay Aggarwal and Piyush Gupta, when contacted, admitted that the problems exist. They, however, said, “There are around 1.50 lakh activated-connections till December 31, 2007. There are total 125 towers in the area and 32 new towers in the urban and 102 towers in the rural area have been approved for installation so the problem will be solved very soon.” 

Bathinda, January 7
The number of motor vehicles plying on the city roads is increasing. So is the level of pollutants contaminating the atmosphere. Apart from pollution, the increasing number of motor vehicles has led to traffic congestion on city streets.

The time calls for switching over to a cleaner mode of conveyance, bicycles.

“Bicycle is a cheap and convenient mode of conveyance. It is the least expensive, right from its purchase to its usage,” says Parmod Gupta of Gupta Cycle Store on Arya Samaj Chowk, who sells as many as 150 bicycles a month.

A bicycle for kids costs anywhere between Rs 600 to Rs 1,800 and for grown-ups, its cost ranges between Rs 1,500 and Rs 3,000. And to pick up an international quality product, one has to shell out an additional Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500.

“Indigenously produced bicycles are, however, more durable,” believes Om Parkash Gupta of Punjab Cycle Store, Dhobi Bazaar.

While helping one to save bucks, a bicycle also helps one stay fit. Along with walking and swimming, it is considered to be a complete exercise. If you ride a bicycle, chances are that you will not need to visit a gymnasium to knock off those extra kilos.

If one rides a bicycle for 5 to 10 km a day, chances of developing knee problems are also reduced to a great extent. The international price of oil touching $ 96 per barrel and the consequent rise in the price of petrol and diesel, is not something that can be ignored.

“It is easy on one’s pocket. One who rides a bicycle not only saves money but also contributes to ecological well-being. Also, petrol is a scarce natural source and its stock is fast depleting. Using it mindlessly would only hasten the process of depletion,” says Munish Sharma, an employee with a private firm.

“The number of bicycle riders is increasing in China, Japan, South-East Asia and some Western countries. We must follow suit,” adds Bhupinder Singh Gosain.

With an ever-increasing number of cars, scooters and motorcycles, people have to face traffic problems as well. During the rush hours, one can notice traffic jams across the city. The worst part is that even while waiting for the green light, people keep the ignition on.

“A motor-operated vehicle provokes one to jump traffic lights if a traffic cop is not present,” says Hardev Singh, a traffic cop.

“Today’s youth suffers from an inferiority complex. They feel that if they would ride a bicycle, they would be looked down upon by their friends. But I feel that it is one’s attitude that finally matters. A senior officer in Bathinda police, an acquaintance of mine, still rides a bicycle,” says Om Parkash Gupta.

“I was gaining weight and did not have time to reduce or control it. I, therefore, resorted to cycling three months back and you can see the difference,” said Vijay, a reporter with a Chandigarh-based newspaper who has an athletic physique. 

Bathinda, January 7
The Industries and Commerce Minister, Manoranjan Kalia, on Monday, said that with the removal of octroi, municipal councils across the state, had been facing financial problems. He disclosed that to make up the loss and smoothen the economy, new taxes were going to be introduced as a substitute for the octroi.

Talking to media persons in Rampura Phul, the minister said that considering the problem of water and sewerage as a serious menace, a full-fledged plan had been prepared to tackle the problem. Further speaking about the plan, he disclosed, “The scheme will be launched in 44 cities to recoup basic needs regarding civic amenities. The sewerage system will be managed in a proper way and the water shortage will be solved on a priority basis.”

Kalia said that for streamlining the education system, plans had been formulated and attempts were being made. In the continuation of the education reforms, he said that very soon every block in the state would have an Adarsh School. During his speech, he also he also emphasised on the need of girls’ education.  

Abohar, January 7
Concerned over a sharp decline in admissions to science streams in schools and colleges in recent years all over the country, the DAV managing committee has earmarked a budget of Rs 1 crore for the current year to promote education and research in science and technology.

Informing this during his inaugural address as the chief guest at the National Conference on Recent Advancement and Developments in Chemical Sciences in the local DAV College today, M.L. Aeri, director (technical education) of the managing committee, hoped that annual budget might be enhanced to Rs 5 crore in the coming years.

Aeri said the USA budget allocation on research in science and technology was equal to the total annual budget outlay of the government of India. If the government was really interested in checking brain drain to other countries, more emphasis would have to be laid in providing state-of-the art facilities here.

The companies like Microsoft were concentrating more on Beijing and Bangalore to explore brighter avenues for the youth in information technology, he further said. They believed in broader sense that the world was emerging as a global village, he observed.

Exhorting the science teachers to do the learning at the speed of thoughts, the chief guest said technology had made progress many folds; the days of 3G technology were ahead. “Skills will have to be updated to keep pace with the changing world. Get ready for outsourcing, off-shoring and on-shoring. You must innovate, collaborate, invent and re-invent. We will have to develop a trust-based society. Always go in life for fertilisation of ideas. We, the teachers, must inculcate good values and principles.”

“Knowledge through internet and the latest available literature will ultimately matter. Don’t be an outdated teacher. We would be blamed for wasting the career of students, if walk on old lines. The UNESCO had launched a 10-year programme for development of sustainable education. We must contribute in its success”, Aeri told the gathering, which included experts, teachers and students from Punjab and Rajasthan colleges and universities.

Principal B.C. Josan and conference-convener B.B.Sharma presented a shawl and mementos to the chief guest. Experts from different universities joined the chief guest in lighting the lamp to mark the formal inauguration of the conference, first one to be hosted outside Panjab University campus.

Responding to a call by the chief guest, the gathering gave a standing ovation and applause when some students, who had succeeded in getting their write-ups published in foreign journals, came forward to light the lamp.

Earlier the students accorded a traditional welcome to guests by applying vermilion on their forehead and showering petals.

Amalendu Pal from Kurukshetra University (KU) and Rajpal Sharma from Panjab University (PU) presided over today’s sessions. The speakers included, D.V.S. Jain (PU), P. K. Sharma (KU), B.S. Sekhon (PAU) and G.S.Sodhi (Delhi). 

Bathinda, January 7
A monthly get together, under the chairmanship of president, Gurdev Khokhar, of Punjabi Sahit Sabha, Bathinda was held at Teachers Home here today. During this get together, general secretary, Ranbir Rana congratulated all the poets and writers present on New Year.

On the occasion, Ranjit Gaurav narrated his story, ‘Isnu Badal Deyo’ while Gurmeet Khokhar recited five ghazals. Mangat Kuljind recited his poem, ‘Kaash koi CM hi aa jaave’ and Makhan Singh Chauhan narrated two of his short stories, ‘Bhukh’ and ‘Hakk banaam farz’. Gurjant Singh Sidhu and Sewak Singh Sameeriya recited their poems. 

Moga, January 7
A city police station registered a case of corruption against two of its officials here today.

The case was registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, following completion of an inquiry by DSP Jaspal. The police officials are Suresh Kumar, a sub-inspector and Kulwinder Singh, SHO of Fategarh Panjtur.

Inquiry was instituted after a complaint from Gurpreet Singh. Sub-inspector Suresh Kumar got the case registered on the complaint of Gurpreet on December 20, 2007. The complainant stated that his Hero Honda, bearing registration number—HR 24 E 8859, had been stolen by unknown persons.

Meanwhile, Suresh apprehended Malkiat Singh of Manawa village with motorcycle but his accomplice Baldev Singh of Fatehgarh Panjtur managed to escape.

During the investigation, Malkiat confessed to have stolen wires which he sold to Chaman Lal and Gurmail Singh of Basiya village. Raman called the two traders and demanded Rs 10,000 to let them off. Eventually, he accepted Rs 5,000, the police sources said.

On the other hand, police station in-charge of Fategarh Panjtur, Kulwinder Singh, succeeded in arresting fleeing accused Baldev Singh.

This accused also confessed to have stolen wires and sold to the same traders. Upon this, Kulwinder, instead of initiating legal recourse against the customers, had demanded Rs 10,000, which they had agreed, the police sources said. 

Abohar, January 7
Hundreds of farmers from Kundal, Bhangala and Chanankhera villages today started an indefinite dharna outside the office of the sub-divisional magistrate here under the banner of the Bhartiya Kisan Union Ekta Ugrahan to resent proposed acquisition of 2,500 acres agricultural land for setting up a 1,100 MW thermal plant in private sector.

BKU district secretary Gurmail Singh Burjan regretted that the SAD (B)-BJP led government had observed conspicuous silence after protest rallies held on this issue during the last month. This callous attitude had forced the farmers to go in for an indefinite dharna.

The BKU and allied organisations would not allow the government to acquire two-crop pattern high fertile and canal-water irrigated prime land for the thermal plant, he asserted.

The region had recently emerged as the largest fruit growing area. The state government had recently set up Rs 30 crore agro fruit and vegetable processing plant with substantial financial aid from the Central government.

The plant was still not functional even when the present chief minister and his predecessor boasted of inaugurating it with much fan fare, he rued.

The thermal plant would ruin scores of orchards besides uprooting the farmers, who had settled after migration from West-Punjab province here to start life afresh.

The plant would be harmful for the wild life sanctuary also, he lamented. The BKU cautioned the ruling party workers on playing gimmicks over the project. — OC 

Faridkot, January 7
Vigilance Bureau (VB) registered a case of corruption against Jagir Singh, Sub-divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Khadoor Sahib, for alleged bungling in auction of market committee shops last year.

A team of the bureau brought the SDM here today and he would be produced before the court tomorrow. Ramandeep Singh, deputy superintendent of police (VB), said that the bureau carried out the inquiry following directions from chief minister Parkash Singh Badal.

He said 34 shops were openly auctioned, with the reserve price of Rs 21.50 lakh of each shop, in the middle of the last year.

Jagir Singh was in-charge of the auction process as administrator of rehabilitation department. He added that the accused sold off nine shops at a cheaper rate in connivance with its owners and other officials.

He informed that besides Dalbir Singh, a tehsildar, his two associates and owners of nine shops were yet to be apprehended. 

Barnala, January 7
A man was killed while his wife sustained serious injuries in a road accident, which occurred at Dhanaula today. The mishap involved a PRTC bus and a motorcycle.

The deceased has been identified as Lachmman Singh of Batthal village.

The accident took place in the morning when a PRTC kilometer scheme bus coming from Ropar and bearing registration number PB-12D-8484 collided with the motorcycle that the couple were riding upon.

Eye-witnesses said the bus was overtaking another bus and was running at a very high speed when it hit the motorcycle leading to the death of the man on the spot and rendering serious injuries to his wife.

The injured woman had been referred to the PGI at Chandigarh. The body of Lachamman Singh was brought to the civil hospital in Barnala for post-mortem examination and was later given to his family for cremation.

The Dhanaula police on reaching the accident site impounded the bus. However, the driver and the conductor of the bus managed to escape from the accident site.

A case has been registered. 

Barnala, January 7
The residents of Guru Nanak Basti here, adjacent to the office of Municipal Committee, are getting contaminated water and nearly 12 children have already taken ill in the Basti. 

The residents of the Basti come from very low strata of life and don’t even know where to complain.

They rued that the water being supplied in their Basti was mixed with sewerage water and was unfit for drinking or cooking purposes.

Mukand Singh and Guljar Singh, both residents of the Basti, said about 12 children have taken ill. And since they cannot afford good medical treatment they were taking medicines prescribed by RMP doctors.

Municipal councillor Kirna Rani was not available for comment. However, Ashwani Kumar, JE of the Municipal Committee, said the problem was due to the leakage of water connection at some point and checking process was on to locate the problem.

Meanwhile, Makhan Sharma, president of the Committee, when contacted admitted to the problem and said though the problem came under the jurisdiction of the water and sewerage board still he had deployed his men to tackle the problem and hoped potable water be supplied by tomorrow evening. — OC 

Abohar, January 7
A freedom fighter and former soldier of the Indian National Army (INA), Bachan Singh Judge (90), was cremated with full state honours in his native village Khyaliwala on the Abohar-bypass near Sriganganagar on Sunday.

Judge, born in Khadur village of Ludhiana district, was a member of the Nehru Brigade in the INA. — OC 

Abohar, January 7
The Bhartiya Kisan Union at a meeting presided over by block president Sukhminder Singh today criticised irrigation department for tampering with present location and size of the water outlets in Lambi sub-canal.

The BKU said the department was conspiring to release more water for irrigation to neighbouring areas in Rajasthan.

A sub-divisional engineer of the department had led a team for this purpose near Bazidpur Bhoma village but the BKU activists rushed to the site and staged a dharna yesterday.

As temperaments ran high and more farmers joined the protesters, the team had to flee after few hours.

The BKU warned that the department would face an agitation if such a plan were mooted in future. 

Moga, January 7
A seminar on the role of Physics in health and disease was organised by Dr Shyam Lal Thapar College of Nursing at its auditorium here today.

P.L Garg, coordinator, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, while delivering a lecture emphasised the role of Physics in Medicine, Electricity, Sound, Light, Magnetism, Nuclear Physics and Radio Physics.

He said with the advancement of Physics, medical specialists were able to perform better diagnosis using ultrasound, C.T. Scan, MRI and Nuclear Medicine.

Recent advancement in Physics especially in medical physics led to the modern research in genetic engineering, he added.

Baba Farid University of Health Sciences organised the lecture under the directions of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Punjab State Council of Science and Technology as part of the International Year of Physics and Earth Year.

Malti Thapar, in her presidential address, felt that such lectures would help in enhancing the knowledge of students pursuing medical and nursing courses.

She advised the students to keep themselves updated of the scientific knowledge in order to brighten their job prospects. 

Faridkot, January 7
The Mulazam Sangarsh Committee of Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital (GGSMCH) announced to gherao Sukhbir Singh Badal, officiating president of the SAD, to press their demands on January 15.

Avtar Singh Gill, convener of the committee, said they would hold protest in front of the venue of Jan Sehat Mela scheduled to be kicked off by Badal here.

They demanded restoration of release of pay from the state budget instead of current practice of issuing from grant in aid.

They said following shift of control of GGSMCH from the Punjab government to the Baba Faridkot University of Health Sciences made their jobs transferable to other medical colleges of the state. They are against transfers upon promotion to other colleges. — TNS