Bathinda, February 14
The future of nearly nine lakh schoolchildren, studying in government-aided private schools of the state, is appearing to be grim. The decreasing numbers of teachers in these schools caused by the six-year-old ban on the recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff has not only crippled the 484-odd schools but also left the ‘future of the country’ in lurch.

To control expenditure, the Punjab government on May 13, 2002, imposed the ban and no staff was recruited during this period. The aided schools, entitled to 95 per cent grants-in-aid were facing an acute staff and resource crunch and all their pleas to lift the ban had gone unheeded.

During this period, the strength of aided schools had gone up by about 500 per school while the staff strength had been reduced day by day due to a large number of teachers quitting jobs periodically.

The staff strength was determined on the basis of the strength of the students in 1967 when the scheme was started and the number had remained unchanged, said Gurcharan Singh Chail, president, Punjab Aided School Teachers and other Employees Union.

The situation had turned worse as the ban was imposed even on filling up of vacant posts, he added. As per the data procured under RTI, there were around 10,000 vacancies in private aided schools including 150 vacant posts in 13 aided schools in Bathinda alone.

The government notification issued in April 2002 covered both the government and aided schools but ban on filling up of posts in government schools was lifted last year but the same gesture was not showered on private aided schools.

A senior teacher in a local aided school said that all the 13 schools in Bathinda fulfilled the criteria for government aid which included vacancies as existed in 1967, number of students and approval of recommendations of the school managing committee by the District Education Officer (DEO). The future of more than nine lakh students studying in these schools is at stake in the state, he added.

Punjab Transport Minister Mohan Lal, himself a former teacher was apprised of the situation and he is learnt to have written a letter to the government in support of demand of aided schools for removing the ban on recruitment.

These aided schools were charging nominal fee as compared to public schools and in some of the schools, salaries had not been paid to the teachers for the last six months, said another teacher on the condition of anonymity.

When contacted, secretary, education, K.J. Sidhu, said the education department was in favour of lifting the ban on recruitments in government-aided schools, but as the state government had 95 per cent stake in these schools, they had to take permission from the finance department. The issue would be discussed by the cabinet soon, he added.

It may be mentioned here that the teachers launched a state level agitation in support of their demands on December 7, 2006 in which 700 women and 1300 men participated and cases are still pending against 133 teachers in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The managements of aided schools were sore over the apathy of the government and question the justification of opening ‘Adarsh’ schools when the government was starved of funds even to meet the current committed 
liabilities.

Bathinda, February 14
The electrical engineering department of the Giani Zail Singh College of Engineering and Technology (GZSCET) organised the 2nd National Conference on ‘Current Trends in Electrical Engineering –2008’ today. A.S.Mokha, chief engineer of the Guru Nanak Thermal Power Plant (GNTPP), released a souvenir to mark the event.

He appreciated the efforts of the organisers , J.S. Dhillon, chief coordinator, Y.S. Brar and S.K.Brar , both co-ordinators, to make the event a success. A large number of delegates from various institutes and industries presented technical papers on induction generators, neural networks, fuzzy techniques, artificial intelligence and many more aspects of the trade.

Dhillon delivered a talk on power system operation. D.K. Jain spoke on power quality management and R.Jha on modelling of electrical systems.

A very interesting paper, by Seema Gupta of the Government Rajindra College and Naresh Kamar Garg, of GZSCET, was presented, in which en effort was made to decipher consciousness in the form of brain waves. Consciousness is the awareness, which human beings have of themselves and their environment. The electric charge is not only responsible for activity in manmade things but in human beings also. Different states of consciousness can be associated with different patterns of brain waves.

H.S. Randhawa, chairman of the college, extended a warm welcome to all the delegates. 

Kahnewal (Mansa), February 14
“The Shiromani Akali Dal (B) does not have any such relationship with the Dera Sacha Sauda chief, Gurmeet Ram Rahim, that needs to be condemned. Allegations like SAD (B) shielding the Dera chief are baseless. People who have no mass base, are levelling such charge,” said SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Talking exclusively to TNS at the house of SAD general secretary Balwinder Singh Bhunder, he refuted allegations levelled by Jathedar Jasbir Singh Rode and Ravinder Singh, president of the SAD (1920) and the Khalsa Action committee leaders.

Talking about development plans, Sukhbir said the government was set to honouring its commitment over the recruitment of 16,000 teachers in Punjab in April.

On the proposed unbundling of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB), he said, “It is a long process. Till now, nothing has been finalised. But I can say that a proper survey is being carried out and all the pros and cons are being taken into account. The decision is in the hands of the Centre, but we are committed to the welfare of the people of the state.”

Regarding the proposed imposition of fine for early sowing, of paddy as stated by agriculture minister Sucha Singh Langah at Maluka village recently, he said, “Harsh steps are not always fruitful. So, before imposing such penalty, steps like urging and making the farmers aware would be taken.”

After getting approval from the Centre to open a Central University in the state, Sukhbir said it would be opened in Bathinda with a minimum expenditure of Rs 500 crore, which can go up to Rs 3,000 crore.

“To encourage the participation of youth in politics, the SAD (B) has been funding the Students Organization of India (SOI), as it is a student wing of the SAD (B). We are also going to set up Youth Development Boards in which the presidents of colleges or universities would have a respectable place,” disclosed Sukhbir.

As the SAD (B) chief was on way to lay foundation stones of various projects, including power grids at village Ali Ke and Kahnpur, he also directed the senior officials of the PSEB to make the Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant (GNDTP) in Bathinda a ‘zero pollution’ unit.

The SAD (B) president also warned the PSEB officials of strict action if pollution in the city was not controlled immediately.

When asked about the tussle between the local SAD-BJP leaders, in the light of the forthcoming municipal corporation elections in Bathinda, he expressed his ignorance about the alleged rift.

Mansa, February 14
Admitting that the incidence of cancer is on the rise in Malwa region due to contaminated water, Sukhbir Badal, SAD(B) president, said that the Punjab government was planning to set up new water works and a cancer hospital in Bathinda soon. Addressing a public rally at the Khalsa School grounds here today, Sukhbir also announced that water works would be established in 250 villages of Mansa district.

On power reforms, he said a 2000 MW thermal power plant would come up in Mansa for which around Rs 10,000 crore would be invested. Along with Mansa, Abohar and Rajpura would also get a power plant of 5,000 MW each.

He also announced a package of around Rs 3,300 crore for the irrigation sector. Sukhbir also informed that Mansa would get four cement factories, which would improve the job scenario here.

Earlier, Sukhbir Badal laid the foundation stone of development projects and water supply stations at Ghurkani, Alike, Baran, Sahnewala and Sardulgarh. MP Paramjit Kaur Gulshan and general secretary of SAD (B), Balwinder Singh Bhunder, were also present on the occasion.

Barnala, February 14
Though the acceptance of the supplementary challan in the court in the Bhadaur gurudwara clash case has given some relief to the local police, yet the ghost of assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Avtar Singh is still haunting them. Avtar Singh’s statement recorded in the court of chief judicial magistrate Ramesh Kumari can prove costly to the police.

ASI Avtar Singh, who died in a road accident on January 30 near Sangrur, when he was travelling in his car from Patiala to Barnala, recorded his statement on October 20, 2007, under section 164 of the CrPC.

In his statement, the ASI had reportedly blamed the then SSP Barnala, S.K. Asthana, for the death of Ruban Masih, on October 11, 2006. As per his statement, he was posted as an ASI at Bhadaur on October 11, 2006.

During the Bhadaur gurudwara clash, the police had arrested some people and SSP Asthana himself had reportedly beaten up Ruban Masih and Hari Bawa with batons which allegedly led to Ruban’s death.

This report came to light today, when defence counsel Rajdev Singh Khalsa made a disclosure about the statement.

He said after the ASI’s death, the recorded statement had become a dying declaration and there was no chance of a change or amendment.

Earlier today, the local court of additional sessions judge, Vivek Puri, accepted both the revision petitions of the local police. In these revision petition, the police amended both the challans produced against FIR number 72 and 73 dated October 11, 2006. In the supplementary challan, the FIR in which section 302 was registered, had been changed to 304 A, which meant light punishment to the guilty.

Moreover, the hearing under section 302 could be done only in the court of additional sessions judge, while the hearing in case of section 304-A could be made before a judicial magistrate.

A special investigation team prepared a second report of inquiry into the circumstances leading to the death of Ruban Masih and the special investigation report (SIR) was submitted before the High Court on January 31, 2008, while ASI Avtar Singh died on January 30.

While submitting the report, the statement of ASI Avtar Singh, recorded under section 164 of the CrPC had reportedly been ignored.

Bathinda, February 14
TNS: As per the reports, around Rs 200 crore has been spent on the renovation of the Unit-I and the Unit-II of the plant. But it appears that nothing tangible has been achieved as fly ash is still emanating from the stiff-necked chimneys of the plants.

A.S. Mokha: The quality of coal is responsible for this. As per the standards laid down by the Ministry of Environment, we must get coal with a percentage of ash below 35. We have written to the Coal Authority of India and the district administration in this regard.

TNS: Is it a recent phenomenon? The ash has been there only for the last five-six years.

A.S. Mokha: Coal quality has degraded recently. The PSEB is planning to have washeries at coal pits, which will reduce the ash features of coal. Trials have been going on and I hope that they would be operational soon.

TNS: How much coal does this plant consume per day and what is its output?

A.S. Mokha: Around 6,000 to 6,500 tonne of coal is the daily requirement and if all the units work, 440-megawatt power is generated.

TNS: The PSEB has claimed that the GNDTP achieved a record generation of 2,795 lakh units in October 2007, which is the highest monthly generation in the last 20 years. Is there any pressure on the plant to produce more?

A.S. Mokha: Well yes, as you know the power demand is increasing day by day. So, the pressure is always there.

TNS: Is there any modernisation plan for the 33-year-old power plant?

A.S. Mokha: The Unit-I and the Unit-II have already been renovated. For the Unit-III and Unit-IV, orders have been placed with the Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited (BHEL) and by the end of this year, renovation will start, which will also reduce pollution.

TNS: And how much time will it take?

A.S. Mokha: For one plant, a period of 10 months is required. First, the Unit-III would be renovated, and then it would be the turn of the fourth one.

TNS: What is your take on the unbundling of the PSEB?

A.S. Mokha: No comments.

TNS: Power plants are coming up in the private sector too!

A.S. Mokha: Thermal power plants in private sectors are coming up at Rajpura, Abohar, Gidderbaha and Talwandi Sabo. The government does not have the money to invest more. It is a path-breaking development.

TNS: What is the future of thermal power plants in this new age?

A.S. Mokha: As you know, France and Canada depend largely on nuclear power. The Chinese have also been switching over to chain reaction. The raw material needed to power thermal plants is coal, the stock of which will diminish some day. So nuclear energy will power the future. 

Abohar, February 14
One person was killed and eleven others were injured as two groups of farmers exchanged fire over a land dispute in Bakayanwala village close to Hindumalkot (Sriganganagar) and the international border, reports received here in the evening said.

Those rushed to the Nehru Memorial Civil Hospital here after the clash were identified as Darshan Singh, Dayal Singh, Dayal Singh’s brother Jeet Singh and mother Jaggo Bai, Veero Bai and Maya Devi of one faction.

On the other side, Kala Singh died on the spot. Kala Singh’s son Jaspal Singh and, Joginder Singh and his brother Rajinder Singh, sustained injuries.

Joginder Singh and Rajinder Singh told the police that they had purchased seven acres of agricultural land from a resident of the same village and today at noon started cultivating it. The members of the other faction allegedly prevented them from continuing cultivation and later allegedly started firing using weapons, which needed to be retaliated, sources said.

The other faction claimed that the documents of ownership as per the revenue record were in their possession and Kala Singh’s relatives tried to grab the land resulting in the clash.

Seven rounds of firing had so far been confirmed. The police said that the exact position would be known by tomorrow after a preliminary investigation.

The security inside the hospital had been beefed up to prevent further clash.

Mansa, February 14
Of the eight accused in the infamous Jhabbar case here, seven were imprisoned for seven years while one was acquitted by the court of additional sessions judge here on Wednesday.

It may be recalled that one Bant Singh, son of Jageer Singh and resident of Burj Jhabbar village, in his complaint with the Joga police, had stated that ex-sarpanch Naranjan Singh, Navdeep Singh, Sandeep Singh, Jaswinder Singh, Yadwinder Singh, Harpinder Singh, Gurditta Singh and Deedar Singh had attacked and injured him.

On the basis of his complaint, the Joga police had registered a case on January 7, 2006.

After hearing the arguments in the case, additional sessions judge J.S.Bhatia sentenced all the defendants, except Naranjan Singh, the ex-sarpanch, to seven years of imprisonment.

Meanwhile, the Jhabbar case action committee today termed this sentence as inadequate.

Bant Singh Jhabbar and the convener of the committee, Bhagwant Singh Sammaon, said here today that considering the seriousness of the case, the sentence was inadequate.

They informed that had the 14 labour organisations not started an agitation, the prosecution would not have been possible.

Bant Singh said the sentence was not adequate as his two arms and legs were amputated in the attack and he has not been able to work since then.

He informed that he would appeal in the High Court for granting life imprisonment to the accused and demand compensation also.

Ferozepur/Abohar, February 14
Families of the bride and the groom would have to take more care of their guests now onwards as the district authorities have taken strict congnizance of the carrying of weapons at the marriage functions. Failing to do so, the family members would be booked along with the erring persons and the owner of the marriage place.

SSP Dinesh Pratap informed the media persons here that several cases have come to fore where relatives and guests present at the functions resorted to firing in the air to express joy. And at times, it led to accidents.

He further said that though, the district magistrate has imposed ban on carrying of weapons inside the marriage halls or parties, the public was not following it in letter and spirit.

The SSP said if any such case was reported in future, where weapons were brandished and misused during celebrations, a case would be registered against the families of the bride and groom along with the owner of the marriage palace besides the erring persons. The district magistrate would also be informed in order to get the arms licence cancelled.

Meanwhile, in Abohar, the old city police station today confirmed having registered an FIR against the father of a bridegroom Kuldeep Singh, his maternal uncle Jassi Gill, Harjinder Gill and Resham Singh under various sections of the IPC and the Arms Act.

One Baljit Singh, son of Beant Singh and the resident of Malleke road, Zira, in his complaint with the police said that he along with his team was booked for performing bhangra at a marriage in Sangam Palace on the college road here yesterday. The show was over by 5 pm in agreement with the terms of booking.

But some relatives of the bridegroom insisted on the continuation of the dance and Kuldeep Singh allegedly fired a shot with a licensed weapon. He had a miraculous escape.

The officials said that investigation was in progress.

Ferozepur, February 14
The district administration has envisaged a special drive to enrol all the children, who were working in dhabas, restaurants and brick kilns, into various schools so as to curb the child labour menace and to ensure bright future for these underprivileged. 

This was stated by the deputy commissioner, Megh Raj, while presiding over a meeting of the district NGOs’ coordination committee.

The DC also asked for the support of the NGOs to ensure that the slum dwellers of Ferozepur and Abohar had access to potable water.

On the occasion, the DC instructed the district food and supplies contoller to check the unauthorised use of domestic LPG for commercial purpose.

While expressing concern over the rise of drug abuse in the border area, the DC directed the civil surgeon, Ferozepur, S.S.Walia, to take stringent action against the chemists who were selling spurious drugs.

Fazilka, February14
An 80-year-old woman, Sarswati Devi, living in the thickly populated area of Dasondhi Ram street here, has been found dead in mysterious circumstances.

According to preliminary details, the woman was living alone in the house as her only married daughter, Darshana Rani (61), has been living in Delhi. Sarswati had rented out a portion of the first floor of her house to Krishna Devi and her son, Varun (18).

It is stated that Varun and his mother left the house in the morning. Varun returned around 3 pm for his meal and noticed the door bolted from outside. On entering the house, he saw Sarswati Devi lying dead in her room. Her ornaments were reportedly missing, creating doubt that the she might have been killed with malafide intentions. It is also said that the milk vendor had visited around 1 pm. An eyewitness said freshly boiled milk was found in the kitchen. The crime is suspected to have been committed between 1 pm and 3 pm. The city police is investigating. — OC

Bathinda, February 14
A scooterist was crushed to death by a bus belonging to the Haryana Roadways while his son sustained severe injuries at Liberty Chowk here today.

Sources said that Amar Singh who was in his fifties and his son Tejinder Singh were on a scooter (PB-03E-2861), when all of a sudden, the Haryana Roadways bus, bearing number HR62-0347, hit them

Soon after receiving the information, volunteers of Sahara Jan Seva reached the spot and took the victims to the civil hospital. After conducting the postmortem, the Kotwali police handed over the body to the family members. A case in this regard has been registered at the Kotwali police station.

Bathinda, February 14
Continuing the drive launched against female foeticide, officials of the health department inspected two ultrasound centres in the city. The machines there were sealed after detection of irregularities in the records.

Giving details, health department officials said not only were the machines sealed but the registration of the ultrasound centres was also terminated.

The district health authorities also appealed to the people to cooperate and inform about any activity relating to pre-natal 
diagnosis. 

Bathinda, February 14
Ludhiana-based Eastman Cast and Forge Limited launched its exclusive Eastman brand service and sale outlet in the city at Hanuman Chowk, on Wednesday. 

After Bathinda, the company would be expanding its network of exclusive outlets throughout the country by opening up four more exclusive outlets in Bangalore, Jalandhar, Chandigarh and Jaipur by April this year.

The director of the company, Ranjodh Singh, said “Besides the service, the customer will also see the complete live demonstration of the tools at our exclusive outlet. Here, the tools will also be serviced within 24 hours. A complete range of tools and accessories will be available and users can buy the tools of their choice at very competitive prices.” —TNS