Bathinda, March 3
The controversy over the implementation of fair price shops (FPS) for the sale of medicines and drugs in government hospitals throughout the state is learnt to have finally landed in the court.

The FPS policy has been notified upon the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to implement a transparent mechanism for the sale of drugs and medicines.

Some specific conditions have been mentioned in it for issuing a licence like the para number 12 that states: the licence shall be given maximum percentage discount flat on MRP on generic drugs, branded drugs and surgical items. This will be the evaluation criteria for deciding the tender. 60, 12 and 25 percentage weightage will be given to discount on generic, branded and consumables, respectively.

Speaking about the conditions mentioned in para 12, president of the Punjab Chemists Association, Surjit Mehta, while talking to TNS over the phone, said, “The criteria of maximum discount bidding can never be justified because if a person quotes at 60, 15 and 25 per cent discount, he would earn nothing and in the end, will have to sale sub-standard drugs.”

“It is the tactics of the officials of the Punjab Health System Corporation (PHSC) to fill their pockets. To give that much discount percentage, chemists would have to make unethical settlements with the doctors,” he alleged.

Speaking further on the issue, he said, “We have submitted our request to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and he has assured us of looking into the matter. But meanwhile, we have filed a writ petition today to get a stay on the implementation of the proposal.”

On his part, managing director, PHSC, Roshan Sunkaria, said, “The chemists association has been misinterpreting para number 12. It is just a method of evaluation, but they have taken it as a percentage of discount. In fact, we have not mentioned any discount percentage.”

“Persons who are cribbing about the non-implementation of the scheme, have been the indirect beneficiaries of malpractices adopted by medicine shops located near government hospitals,” he alleged.

“Even deputy commissioners have urged us not to open these shops as they think it would affect the income of the Red Cross Society,” he added.

“To ensure quality, the drug control department would be there to keep a tab on any violation,” said Sunkaria.

When Punjab health minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla was contacted for her version, she said, “The FPS has been introduced in public interest and on the orders of the High Court. The policy has been framed after consultation with senior advocates.”

Abohar, March 3
The rank and file in the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) are dismayed over the treatment meted out by the top brass in the Shiromani Akali Dal (B) to the national general secretary and former law minister Arun Jaitely during the Insaaf rally held at Ramlila grounds in New Delhi last week, well informed sources said.

Even when most of the BJP workers who attended the rally prefer to remain tightlipped over the matter fearing disciplinary action for annoying the major partner in the ruling coalition in Punjab, some confessed on the condition of anonymity that resentment was writ large on most of them after finding Jaitely conspicuously absent from the “gala-show” which had virtually been organised to project the recently installed SAD (B) president Sukhbir Singh Badal, they felt.

Sources in the BJP said Arun Jaitely had replaced former Delhi Chief Minister Madan Lal Khurana as in-charge of party affairs for Punjab and was instrumental in finalising the modalities for a poll alliance with the SAD (B) for the February 2007 elections.

Despite of cardiac problems, he had extensively carried election campaign to win over the Punjabi speaking non-Sikh community to which he belongs. The party workers reminded that Jaitely had risked his health by addressing four rallies in a day. He also played a vital role in ensuring reasonable seat-sharing arrangement with the SAD (B) before and after the elections. He had accompanied Lok Sabha member Navjot Singh Sidhu to Sirsa to pursue Dera Sacha Sauda chief Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh to not support the Congress candidates under the influence of a close relation.

The sources further said that the SAD (B) leaders by not inviting Arun Jaitely to the Insaaf rally had hurt the feelings of the BJP workers, who always put him in the highest esteem.

It was also learnt that the state general secretary of the BJP, Kamal Sharma, was not allowed to find space on the dais in Ramlila grounds. The party workers were by all means treated as “second class citizens” there, the sources added. They not only felt cornered but humiliated as well.

The discontent is likely to surface during the visit of senior leaders of the SAD (B) in coming days, sources observed.

Bathinda, March 3
“The craze for cricket and the indifferent attitude of the government and the media towards other games has become a bane for Indian sports and we need to look beyond cricket to promote other games,” said Sukhpal Singh Brar, SP (Detective), Mansa.

An ace volleyball player of yesteryear, who led India to several victories in national and international events, Brar says cricket has become a villain even for most popular games like hockey and kabaddi. It is because of this that talent in other games do not get their due.

“Media focus on cricket has made it a status symbol and sports persons bringing laurels for the nation in other games are suffering as money, glamour, advertisements and status has all been usurped by cricket. When become victorious, there are festivities all around and bounties are showered on them. But if other sportspersons come out with flying colours, their achievements are belittled,” he rued.

‘We are blaming people at the helm of affairs for the rot which has set in but the real fault lies with the system which has failed to create a sound infrastructure and facility for training and has bred indiscipline in sports,” the SP (D) observed.

‘There are no suitable jobs for ace sportspersons and recently, the job of head constables was given to the winners of two volleyball Junior Asian Games. “I am sorry for them but can’t help,” he said.

Former hockey captain Pargat Singh did a lot to promote sports but he should be treated as an ‘exception’ and not the rule, he said.

An Arjun awardee (2000), Brar had a rich haul of medals. His team won the bronze in the 10th Asian Games at South Korea in 1986, gold in Gold Cup International tournament in 1986, second SAARC games at Kolkata in 1987, silver medals in international games in Japan in 1989, SAF games in 1989 and China league tourney in 1989 and bronze in international tournament at Doha in 1995.

Bathinda, March 3
The two-day 15th annual athletic meet of Giani Zail Singh College of Engineering and Technology, Bathinda, got off to a flying start with the oath-taking ceremony here, today. SP (D) Mansa, Sukhpal Singh Brar, who is also the former captain of the Indian Volleyball team inaugurated the meet.

Following were the winners on the first day:

Men’s shortput:
Jarnail Singh
Amanpreet Singh

Women’s shortput:
Sandeep
Simarpreet Kaur

Men’s long jump:
Daljeet Singh Sandhu
Deepak

Women’s long jump:
Sukhdeep Kaur
Swati Dhiman

Bathinda, March 3
Persistent traffic congestion on the city roads has been causing a lot of inconvenience to residents here, thanks to the inaction of the police and rampant violation of traffic rules.

The sharp increase in the number of vehicles, haphazard parkin, rampant traffic violations by two-wheeler and rickshaw owners have contributed much to the worsening traffic snarls. Worst affected is the Hanuman Chowk from where most of the buses proceeding to Amritsar and Chandigarh have to cross this stretch of road from the bus stand.

Parking of cars and two-wheelers on the roads is a common sight. With no proper

parking area, mini-bus operators stop their vehicles at will, often on the middle of the road, for passengers to alight and board, and block traffic. Street vendors too occupy the roadsides considerably. Neither the police nor the district administration takes concrete steps to ease traffic congestion.

The need for educating the public and streamlining the road traffic has been here since long. Since immediate provocation for such a move has been the directive issued by the Punjab and Haryana High Court to book those violating its directions for not using car seat belts, headgear and using mobile phones while driving, but ensure strict implementation of the High Court’s orders remain a dream.

Disclosing this to TNS, Bharpur Singh, traffic in-charge, said, “The police tried to encourage active participation of the public in controlling the prevention of traffic snarls occurring at several points in the city.” He said there was a move to add more policemen to the traffic section.

Singh also said that the police had been strictly complying with the High Court’s orders, challaning people found guilty of violating traffic rules.

The traffic in-charge said that when the traffic policemen issued a challan to such violators, an unnecessary argument followed. He further added that though traffic lights had helped in regulating traffic flow, due to shortage of staff, the traffic police could not keep vigil at these points.

Bathinda, March 3
To evaluate facilities and explore the scope for improvement, a five-member team from the National Institute of Health Services, Delhi, today conducted a survey at the Civil Hospital, here.

The team whose members were Rita Dhingra, Devinder, Devrani and Vertica, inspected the hospital closely. The members said that the coordinator of the team, J.K. Dass, could not join them today but would be present on Tuesday.

Disclosing the reason behind the survey, team members said, “It is just an evaluation. We have been taking into account aspects related to the working of the doctors, condition of service, benefits to patients, scope for improvements, usage of infrastructure, fee charged from the patients and generation of funds.”

“The institute has sent the team on the request of the Punjab Health System Corporation (PHSC). As many as ten districts were selected. It is the third visit of the team to the state and this time, three separate teams have been sent to the Bathinda, Muktsar and Ferozepur districts,” they added.

The members further disclosed that the team was on a three-day visit. While Monday was for Bathinda, on Tuesday, the team would go to the sub-divisionas and then to the villages for a thorough survey. On being asked about the loopholes in the hospital, they pointed to the non-existence of fire extinguishers and acute shortage of staff.

When civil surgeon Maninderjit Singh was contacted, he said, “The team has not disclosed anything to me. The coordinator will meet me on Tuesday”.

Abohar, March 3
In a drive aimed at understanding better the challenges being faced by the civilians in the border areas and instill belief in security forces as well as the civil administration, a bicycle rally was organised by the Military Station here on Monday.

Commander of the Stallion Infantry Brigade Bhupinder Singh, while flagging off the Cycle Expedition-2008 during the wee hours at a well attended ceremony, said the event was aimed at creating awareness among people about drug abuse, national integration, pollution, afforestation, education and AIDS. This would also inculcate a spirit of adventure among the youth of the region, he hoped.

Around 140 participants in seven groups took part in the expedition and covered a distance of 70 km. Farmers greeted them by waving hands as the Armymen passed through the border villages of Hindumalkot, Dullapur Keri, Bakayanwala, Daulatpura and finished at Mirzewala. They carried banners and placards which read: Desh ki hai yeh pukar, bachche kam aur ped hazaar; Jis ghar mein ladki padh jayegi, uski kul tar jayegi etc. The gathering, which thronged the flag-off point much before sunrise, clapped and responded to the slogans to boost the morale of the participants.

There were three interaction points at Hindumalkot, Dullapur Keri and Daulatpura on the route. The Army and civil administration officers spoke to civilians over a cup of tea. Medical facilities were also provided to the common people there. 
Jagsir Singh, a resident of Hindumalkot, said the rally was a practical step taken by the Army to improve relationship with residents in the border areas, especially ex-servicemen and members of village panchayats. This would also help in incorporating them for maintaining security, he observed. 

Barnala, March 3
The group clash which took place on Sunday evening has cost dear both leaders of political parties in the city as the police spared none when it came to the registration of cases against the persons concerned.

The supporters of both the groups backed by former MLA Malkeet Keetu and Congress MLA Kewal Singh Dhillon had been booked under various penal sections. The local police registered two FIRs in connection with yesterday’s firing incident and booked 10 people in this case. But no arrests have been made so far.

Seera who was injured in Sunday’s group clash gave a statement against four persons, supporters of ex-SAD MLA Malkeet Singh Keetu. He stated that he was coming from Rama’s residence situated near Chotti Mata Rani temple on Sunday evening when all of a sudden, the goons attacked him. On the basis of his statement, an FIR was registered against Bagga Singh, Gurjeet Singh, Rajwinder Singh and Kaka Singh under sections 324, 34 of the IPC.

Similarly, another FIR was registered against Gurdeep Singh Bawa, a close associate of Congress MLA Kewal Singh Dhillon, Nachattar Singh, Harvinder Gaggu, Gagga Singh Roodeke, Jaspal Singh and Rama under sections 336, 506,148 and 149 of the IPC and 25,54 and 59 of the Arms Act.

Sources said the two FIRs had been lodged to pave the way for an easy compromise between the two groups.

SHO Harmeek Singh confirmed the registration of two FIRs. He said no arrests had been made so far and all the accused were absconding. Raids were on to nab the accused, he added. 

Bathinda, March 3
The Talwandi Sabo police registered a case of defiling a place of worship with intent to insult the religion of Sikh community against Rajinder Singh, the ‘Granthi’ of Gurudwara at Bhagi Bandar village. 

Sources said that Bhola Singh of village Kalle Bandar found the priest carrying a packet of tobacco in his pocket while carrying out path ceremony at his residence on Friday. He first reported to the main priest of the gurudwara and after the bhog ceremony of the path the police complaint was lodged on Sunday. The matter had also been put in the notice of Balwant Singh Nandgarh, jathedar Takht Damdama Sahibon whose complaint the police registered a case under section 295 of the IPC, however the accused managed to flee.

Bathinda, March 3
Sumit Kalsi a student of Harbhajan Institute of Competition has bagged the third place in the all India NCERT exam organised by the Unified Council on January 28.

The director of the institute, Harbhajan Singh informed that thousand of students from all over the country appeared in the test. Singh further stated that 57 students of the institute cleared the Pre Medical Test (PMT) last year and Navjeet Singh who stood third in the Common Entrance Test (CET) was also a student of Harbhajan institute. Ashish Kumar who got the 223 rank in the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and was first in the state was also our student, he added. 

Ferozepur, March 3
To make women in rural areas self-reliant by improving their economic condition, they should be encouraged to become small savings agent, said deputy commissioner Megh Raj while addressing a gathering of small savings agents and angandwadi workers here today.

The DC said that a special meeting would be conducted to enrol these women as small savings agents. He added that all the women selected would be entitled to four per cent commission, which would be given by the Centre, and in addition to that, the state government would also offer incentives from time to time. The DC exhorted people to invest in small savings schemes.

Baldev Singh Bhullar, senior district small savings officer, said a matriculate woman was eligible for the post of a small savings agent.

Moga, March 3
The number of blocks with unfit drinking water in the state, known for its five rivers, has risen to alarming 103. Out of which Moga had two. There were only five blocks in 2001, revealed Dr Nachattar Singh Malhi of Punjab Agriculture University during an agriculture seminar held at Mehna village here today.

Except Baghapurana, remaining all six blocks of the district had been said to be containing unfit ground water. He opined that it was high time that the farmers must opt for crops and their kinds consuming minimum water while giving higher yield. He averred that pulses especially Moong was an effective crop to be sown in between paddy and wheat. He opined that it would restore the lost minerals and other effective traits of soil. Manjit Singh Kang, vice-chancellor, PAU, addressing the farmers expressed his concern at meager three per cent students studying at the agriculture university.

He informed that thus six-year B.Sc agriculture for atriculates from villages would be offered and added that it has been observed that a large number of rural students leave studies after matriculation. 

Moga, March 3
Officials of the district forest department with the active support of the police apprehended Nihang Bakhshish Singh of Kot Isse Khan with shisham wood worth of around Rs 60,000 here today.

The Kot Isse Khan police station registered a case under relevant sections against the offender following complaint from Harvinder Singh, a forest department official from Dharamkot block.

The police sources said that forest guards Jagir Singh and Harbhej Singh noticed that Bakhshish Singh chopped off shisham trees from Abohar and Sidwan branches of the canal. They promptly intimated about the same to their senior officials who referred the theft to the police. They said that further investigation would bring to light the theft of more trees worth lakhs of rupees.