Kot Shamir (Bathinda), April 6
In a move reminiscent of the Green Brigade in Haryana, the Shiromani Akali Dal (B) in Punjab is contemplating setting up a force in Bathinda district, consisting of 500 party workers to handle “uncomfortable” situations for its leaders. Of these 500, 100 will be women.

The announcement in this regard was made by ex-minister Sikander Singh Maluka in the presence of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who was here to inaugurate a school set up by the SGPC.

Maluka apparently, in an attempt to please the CM, stated, “Everybody has the right to air his views in a democracy. But if deliberate attempts are made to create disturbances by mischievous persons at party meetings and gatherings, then the party will deal with it firmly.”

Warning such elements, Maluka said they would not be allowed to disrupt meetings at any cost. If they want to put across their demands, they should do so in a peaceful manner for which they are welcome, he added.

When contacted, leader of the opposition, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, PPCC chief said over phone, “It is an attempt by the Badal government to strangulate democracy in the state.”

“The Badal government comes up every day with a new idea to muffle the voice of the people. The misbehaviour with pressmen and brutal attack on women Anganwari workers are shameful instances, that took place in the CM’s presence,” 
Bhattal charged.

Taking the SAD (B) to task for its stated intention to form a force she said, “If SAD (B) will launch such a force, the Congress will also have to raise a force to fight against this illegal force of SAD. We will give befitting reply to Badal if he introduces such an unconstitutional force.”

On the other hand, president of the Anganwari Workers’ Association, Hargobind Kaur said, “It amounts to laying the foundation of dictatorship in the state by SAD. The force will only assault the women folk of the state who have been raising their voice for their rights. But we will fight such an illegal force to get our rights.”

Bathinda, April 6
Expressing concern over the registration of criminal cases for alleged negligence against doctors in gross violation of the apex court’s direction, the Punjab unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called upon the medical fraternity to remain united to fight against the attacks on doctors and nursing homes and to effectively serve people.

Addressing the valedictory function of the two-day Punjab state IMA conference (PIMACON-2008) here on Sunday, IMA president Amrit Sethi urged the government to take into confidence the IMA in the state while framing laws and policies on public health.

Condemning the frequent assaults on private doctors and nursing homes holding them responsible for the death of patients even when they were admitted at the terminal stage, he said no doctor would deliberately cause harm to patients at the expense of his practice.

Sethi urged the state government to issue an ordinance, as was promulgated by the Andhra Pradesh government, making assault on medical professionals a cognisable offence, carrying imprisonment of three years and a fine of Rs 50,000 and to paying double for the damages caused to the hospital, nursing homes or equipment.

Briefing media persons, Sethi said that through the proposed Clinical Establishment Act, the government was making yet another attempt to impose ‘inspector raj’ on the medical profession. “The Bill seems to be a blatant attempt by the politicians and bureaucrats to inflict another blow on the medical professionals after numerous earlier such legislations like the Bio-Medical Waste Act, PNDT Act and MTP Act.

The executive members asked the government not to adopt repressive tactics for restraining the medical profession and pay attention to such other issues like income tax rebate for new hospitals, rollback duration of MBBS course to 5 1/2 years and reduce the fee charged by private medical colleges from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 1 lakh.

Later, a new team of the IMA, Punjab, was installed under the presidentship of Shiv Dutt Gupta. The other members of the team are Surinder Garg and Avtar Singh Dhillon—vice presidents, B.D. Bajaj, honorary secretary, Satish Jindal, joint secretary and S.R. Utreja as treasurer. 

Bathinda, April 6
The Indian students eager to get higher education in Australia need not worry about repaying the educational loan for pursuing studies abroad. The Australian government has relaxed the condition on Indian students to immediately go back after completing the studies and has instead made a provision for 18 months’ temporary residenceship to work and repay the loan, G. Bajwa, Indian Operations (head) of Australian Unified Pathway Program (AUPP) informed here today.

Bajwa who was here along with Australian delegates to interact with students of class X and Plus two on the last day of ‘six-day career counselling’ seminar at Baba Farid Institute of Higher & Foreign Studies was responding to the queries regarding the condition imposed by the Australian Government on Indian students to return to their country immediately after completion of the course.

He said even during the course of study, the students were given ‘work permit’ and an additional 18 months stay in Australia will further help them to supplement their income and repay the educational loan. The students are also made fluent in English and are made aware of the conditions abroad so that they can easily acclimatise in the foreign land and the programme is yielding 100 per cent results, he claimed.

The foreign students studying in Australia contribute two to three per cent to the GDP and 23 reputed Institutes in India have linkage with the AUPP. He said that a large number of universities are affiliates of AUPP and Indian students were pursuing over a dozen courses after completing class X and Plus two.

The duration of the courses, which include BIT, BCA, BBA, BHM, BAcc, BIS etc. is of three years and after completing one year in India, students are sent to Australia for the remaining two years of their study.

The average cost of these courses varied between Rs five to six lakh of which Rs 1.5 lakh is paid in India while the balanced amount is payable in Australia.

As the placements after obtaining the degrees are more rewarding, a large number of Indian students are lured to go to Australia for higher studies. Of the total students, persuing higher education in Australia, the ratio of boys and girls is 60:40.

The seminar helped the students to know about the upcoming courses and opportunities abroad for higher education and gave them wide exposure.

Amandeep Singh, a student of class XII said that it was a great experience and our knowledge about higher education was enriched. We have learned about many new upcoming courses and updated our knowledge, he added. The seminar was very fruitful and educating and we enriched our knowledge, said Manisha.

Ferozepur, April 6
Already reeling under huge financial debts, the farmers of the region suffered another setback as their crops standing on hundreds of acres of land were destroyed due to hailstorm and high velocity winds that lashed the region on Saturday. The calamity has not only compounded their problems but is also likely to hit the wheat production in the state which was pegged at 145 lakh MT this season.

According to information available, 60 per cent of the standing crops in three sub-divisions of Zira, Ferozepur and Jalalabad of this border district have been extensively damaged. The thunderstorm and accompanying downpour ravaged not only the standing crops but also hundred of houses in various villages of these sub-divisions rendering scores of people without shelter.

On getting the information, the district administration swung into action and despatched officials to the affected villages, including Lehra Bait, Suddan and Rasulpur under Zira sub-division, to conduct damage control exercise. More than 70 houses have been reportedly damaged in Lehra Bait alone.

When contacted, DC Megh Raj informed that nearly 85 houses were damaged due to sudden downpour and thunderstorm. However, no loss of life had been reported.

The DC added that the families were shifted to the local school and gurudwara overnight and food was arranged for them by the villagers of surrounding areas.

He said a team of officials, including ADC (G) Jaskiran Singh, SDM, Tehsildaar and other revenue officials, were sent to the affected villages, who visited the entire area and provided tents and medical aid.

Megh Raj further informed that boarding arrangements for the displaced families for the next 10 days had been made and doctors had been asked to keep a check on the medical requirements. In addition, fodder had also been arranged for cattle, he added.

The DC said he would take up the case for grant of compensation to the affected families.

Meanwhile, the summary assessment of the damage revealed that standing crops in 12,513 hectare of land had been severely damaged. As a result, 31,157 MT of wheat-production, constituting 1.9 per cent of the total production, was likely to be affected.

In the survey conducted by the district administration today, 59 villages in Zira sub-division alone have been hit by the hailstorm. In Jalalabad sub-division, 2,320 acre area has been affected by the downpour and thunderstorm, with crop in 1,650 acre area facing 100 per cent damage. Similarly, 950 acres of standing crop has been reportedly destroyed in Ferozepur sub-division.

Mansa, April 6
Hailstorm and raging winds accompanied by heavy rain in the region on Saturday caused a considerable damage to the Rabi crops, especially wheat. According to information available, heavy rain destroyed the crop of wheat to a large extent in various villages here. The farmers of Nangal Khurd, Kulrian, Bhawa, Bhakrial, Taamkot, Sada Singh Wala and Tillon villages were dejected due to the loss of crops.

Charanjeet Singh of Nangal Khurd village informed that heavy rain and hailstorm had destroyed his wheat crop. Pooran Singh, Budh Singh and Neela Singh of Kularian village also narrated the same tale. They lamented that they had engaged labour to harvest their wheat crop but persistent rain over the past few days had only spoiled their plans causing a huge loss.

Mehar Singh, Pyara Singh and Harnek Singh of Tamkot village were also distressed over the flattening of their crops. They demanded compensation for the loss from the government. — OC

Mansa, April 6
The Communist Party of India (CPI) today raised the issue of rising prices during its political conference, which was held on the occasion of a fair in the memory of Baba Dhyan Dass at Jhuneer, Mansa, today.

Addressing the conference, Hardev Singh Arsi, National Council Member of CPI, said although the Central government had been claiming of having controlled inflation, but in reality, the poor were finding it difficult to have even two square meals a day. This was the result of liberalisation policy of the government, he added.

Speaking on the Punjab, communist leader criticised the Punjab government for failing on every front. He blamed the Akali-BJP government for not paying heed towards the basic issues of people. He demanded for measures to increase the water table.

Former MLA and district secretary of the CPI, Buta Singh, demanded a special girdawari and compensation for the crop destroyed due to heavy rains in the last few days. During the conference, a call was given to participate in the April 17 Delhi rally, which would be held in protest against the rising prices. Among others who addressed the rally were Nihal Singh, Krishan Chauhan, Satpal Chopra and Atma Singh Atma. This conference was organised under the leadership of Jugraj Singh.

Mansa, April 6
Hundreds of semi-clad labourers, under the leadership of the Mazdoor Mukti Morcha, today marched to mark their protest during the visit of CM Parkash Singh Badal at Mansa. The labourers were accompanied by their children, who marched from village Kot Dharmu to the site of the function where the CM had to come.

The police, however, stopped them on the way where they held a rally in support of their demands. State secretaries of the Mazdoor Mukti Morcha, Bhagwant Singh, Sukhwinder Singh and Bika Singh, addressed the gathering and demanded for loan waiver for the labourers.

The CM was arriving to attend the inagural function at Sahibjada Jujhar Singh Public School, Kot Dharmu.

All scribes of Mansa boycotted the coverage of the function in protest against the police misbehaviour with mediapersons at the chief minister’s function in Bathinda. — OC

Ferozepur, April 6
Governor of Bihar, R.S. Gavai, today visited the National Martyrs Memorial, Hussainiwala, where he paid floral tributes to Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev. The Governor, accompanied by his wife, Kamla Gavai, also paid tributes at the memorial of Punjab Mata and B.K. Dutt, a prominent revolutionary.

He also paid respects at the Sikh Regiment memorial erected in memory of the gallant soldiers of the Indian Army, who attained martyrdom during the Indo-Pakistan conflict.

DC Megh Raj, SSP Dinesh Pratap besides, other senior civil and police officials, were also present on the occasion.

Earlier, the Governor inspected a guard of honour and took salute from a police contingent at the PWD rest house here. He said all segments of society should work together for the solidarity, integration and progress of the nation. — OC

Abohar, April 6
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal reviewed the upgradation of the thorough routes under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojna during a specially convened meeting with legislators and former MLAs of the SAD (B) and BJP, and senior officials at his residence on Friday. The state government had received Rs 2,000 crore as Border Area Package when the Congress was in power.

Former BJP legislator Ram Kumar Goyal, who represented this Assembly segment, informed TNS that NH-15 would be linked with NH-10 by widening and strengthening a stretch of 18.85 km through Khuyiansarwar, Panjkosi, Choohriwala Dhanna and Nihalkhera villages under the NABARD XII plan. The upgradation of the 20.8 km Abohar-Hindumalkot road will provide an alternate link to Rajasthan also, whereas most of the vehicles were at present using the Abohar-Sriganganagar road.

The government was upgrading the 21.82 km road that linked the border village of Shehteerwala with Abohar-Hindumalkot road via Jandwala Meerasangla, Lakhewali and Kheowali Dhab.

The vehicles from Fazilka will not need to enter Abohar for going to Rajasthan with the completion of the work.

Work on the widening of the Abohar-Fazilka road (NH-10) on both sides was in full swing, Goyal claimed.

The MLAs and former MLAs were informed that 63 per cent work on the 38.13 km Abohar-Shergarh-Bhangerkhera-Kallarkhera road had been completed. Nearly, 66 per cent progress has been reported in the upgradation of the Nihalkhera-Bazidpur-Dabwala Kalan-Arniwala road in this region.

The government has included 15 km DHS road to link Katehra, Kamalwala and Islamwala with Malout-Fazilka road. Another 13 km that connected Ghallu with Khippanwali, Azamwala and Kheowali Dhab villages was also to be upgraded, he said.

Meanwhile, a perusal of the documents delivered during the meeting indicate that nearly 47,65650 of the rural population is to be covered by upgrading 500 km road in the border districts of Ferozepur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur under the project. The total length available has been estimated at 606.58 km.

Another interesting part of the plan is that Abohar gets the lowest share, 11.76 km, in district Ferozepur.

Allocation for the other Assembly segments is: Guruharsahai 22.37 km, Jalalabad West 22.25 km, Balluana 20.26 km, Zira 18.81km, Fazilka 13.99 km, Ferozepur Cantt. 13.36 km and Ferozepur city 13.20 km. But the BJP and SAD (B) activists put the blame on the previous Congress government for discriminating against Abohar as the project was drafted and finalised originally during the regime of Capt. Amrinder Singh.

Since the project was funded by the NABARD, the present government had no power to amend it, the workers said.

Faridkot, April 6
The Dr Ambedkar Mission Society and the Dalit Coordination jointly organised a seminar on ‘Jan Jagaran Samajik Chetna’ at Ambedkar Bhawan here on Sunday.

R.S. Gavai, Governor of Bihar, was the chief guest on the occasion.

After paying floral tributes at the statue of Dr Ambedkar, he said that to realise the dream of the father of the Indian Constitution, the Dalit community should become more aware about the benefits being offered by the government.

He was of the opinion that only then they could get optimum benefits.

Agreeing that numerous schemes and laws have been framed to ameliorate the sufferings of Dalits, he said, “But more needs to be done.”

R.L Sandhu, president of the society, reflected that castes were man-made. “Hence, people must change their attitude to bring about equality in society.”

On the occasion, as many as 20 people from varied background were honoured for their exceptional contribution to society.

Faridkot, April 6
A state-of-the-art cotton yard with a high-tech laboratory spread over eight acres was commissioned at Jaito here today. The Technology Mission on Cotton (TMC) under the Ministry of Textiles built the yard to provide an isolated dust and trash-free marketing zone for cotton. It also emphasise on improving and upgrading cotton quality.

Besides, a computerised information centre informs farmers about the latest information on daily cotton rates in the national and international markets.

The Central government has approved 19 cotton markets of the state under the TMC. — TNS