Moga, June 12
There have been reports of an outbreak of hepatitis B and C in Bhagike and its neighbouring villages of the Nihalsinghwala sub-division in the district. Seven cases have been found positive of these viral infections, while the reports of 29 blood samples are awaited. The medical authorities have sprung into action on the directions of district magistrate

Chief medical officer of Moga, Adarsh Sood, while talking to The Tribune on telephone, had epidemiological linked these infections to the use of inadequately sterilized needles and syringes by the unqualified medical practitioners.

She said that viral infections were at the 'career' stage and as of now there were no signs of jaundice among patients. She revealed that 13 blood samples were collected from this village yesterday, out of which, five cases of hepatitis B and two cases of hepatitis C had been confirmed.

"Today, we launched an awareness camp in this village and collected as many as 29 blood samples that were still under clinical observations, the reports of which will be available tomorrow," she said.

Sood stressed upon the need to strengthen the routine surveillance system and to organise an education campaign targeting all health care workers including private practitioners, especially those working in rural areas, as well as the public at large.

"There is also a need to target health care workers in rural areas for an educational campaign about the importance of sterile equipments," added the CMO.

In reply to a question, Dr Sood said that there had been some reports of such infections from the Baghapurana area also. "I have asked medical officers to go there and take stalk of the situation," she added.

She revealed that health department would launch an awareness campaign throughout the district particularly in rural areas so as to prevent such viral outbreaks.

She appealed to the people not to go panic because the hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections had been found at a 'carrer'stage that could be treated easily by taking adequate precautionary measures.

Ferozepur, June 12
On the occasion of the World Day Against Child Labour, a function was organised here to spread awareness amidst masses about the ill effects of child labour in society.

Besides DC Megh Raj, several prominent speakers including, DEO Baswinder Kaur, assistant labour commissioner R.L. Chowdhary, DPRO Ashok Handa, BPEO Sukhwinder Singh, lecturer Simranjit Kaur, Nirmal Handa and various representative from NGOs participated and expressed their concerns over the child labour.

In her address, DEO said though there were very few children from Punjab who were labourers, however, hundreds of children belonging to the poor families from Bihar, UP and some other states were working in Punjab to earn their livelihood. She informed that the Punjab Government had enacted some stringent laws to prevent the child labour. On the occasion, she advised the students of Class XII that they should teach the children of nearby slum areas, which are close to their homes during summer vacations.

Assistant labour commissioner R.L. Chaudhary said if any case related to child labour comes into the notice of NGOs, they should inform immediately to administration about it.

Many children from slum areas were also admitted to school under the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan during the function.

Bathinda, June 12
While Punjab has nearly 78,000 child labourers working in various sectors, the Bathinda district administration has planned to conduct a survey from September 23 to 27 to identify child labourers in rural and urban areas of the district.

Finding that the menace has been spiralling in the country, the Government of India has decided to implement the Child Labour and Prohibition Act, 1986, strictly in the state. Under the Act, no person or organisation would be allowed to employ children below the age of 14.

At its level, the district administration has decided to identify children under 14 years, who have been forced to do some work irrespective of the reason.

After identifying such children, they would be provided with opportunities to acquire free education under the “Sarb Sikhya Abhiyaan”.

“We are going to launch the district-level survey from September 23 and it would continue till September 27. Anyway, the survey would be completed by September 30,” said N.K. Wadhawan, Labour Commissioner, who also convened a meeting of senior officials of the Department of Labour and directed them to complete the survey within the stipulated period.

“The findings of the survey would be used to eliminate the menace of child labour in the district. We would be doing our bit, but people should come forward and contemplate ways and means so that these deprived children can be educated at par with other children,” said Wadhawan

He further said the survey would be conducted by patwaris, panchayat secretaries in the rural areas. In urban areas, the job would be accomplished by executive officers of the Nagar Councils or other civic bodies.

Abohar, June 12
The indefinite sit-in by the members of the Kisan Sangharsh Samiti to protest against the non-supply of water for irrigation in the tail-end villages of this district entered tenth day in the canal colony here today. Local MLA Sunil Jakhar visited the dharna site and shared the farmers’ grievances.

Even when the water-level in the Bhakra dam was just two feet below the last year’s level, the state government was expressing its inability to supply water to the farmers in the tail-end villages of this sub-division citing acute shortage of water as the reason, rued the legislator. If there was problem of insufficiency, then how could the government boast of increasing the paddy area by 20 per cent, he questioned.

Speaking further, the legislator said even after 60 years of the Independence, the farmers, considered to be the backbone of the nation, had to stage an indefinite dharna as their families were denied water even for drinking. “It is a matter of big shame,” he said.

Jakhar lambasted the SAD-BJP government for falsely claiming that it was pursuing farmers-friendly policies.

“Even when irrigation minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon belonged to our district, the irrigation department has not bothered to use the funds received from the centre under the NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) scheme to get the canals and sub-canals desilted.”

Media reports had recently quoted officials expressing inability to check theft of water because all the culprits belonged to the Chief Minister’s home turf. Officials, on the condition of anonymity, had revealed that the police had not taken any action on the complaints lodged against those caught red-handed while stealing water in the CM’s home district.

The samiti leaders informed the MLA that the district administration had expressed its inability to desilt canals before October. The department had, however, suspended supply in the sub-canals to facilitate the farmers to desilt the same themselves. But those having proximity to the power corridors were creating hurdles in their way.

Bathinda, June 12
Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), today said that work on the Pathankot-Ajmer super express highway would be expedited to shorten the distance to Mumbai by 300 kms.

Sukhbir Singh told the TNS here that the super express highway would be built privately. It would run through Jalandhar, Moga, Bathinda and Mansa in Punjab.

The express highway would cost about Rs 9000 crores and would cut the travel to Mumbai by one day. He said that each truck proceeding to Mumbai would save diesel worth about Rs 3000.

He said that engineers were working on alignment of the express highway and proposals would be sought from the private sector for executing the project. The Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) recently cleared the project.

Sukhbir said that the focus of the SAD-led coalition government was on building a sound infrastructure for Punjab. Chief minister Parkash Singh Badal would lay foundation of 32 new flyovers at various places in Punjab next month.

The vision of the government was to develop the Malwa belt expeditiously. Two major thermal power stations costing Rs 10,000 crores each would be set up at Mansa and Giddarbaha. Cement manufacturing plants would also be attached with these thermal stations.

He said that the as its commitment for all-round development of Punjab, the SAD-led government started launching development projects immediately after coming to power, whereas the previous Congress regime slept during the first four years and half-heartedly undertook some projects at the fag end of its tenure for which funds were not made available.

Sukhbir Singh said that the government has initiated an ambitious programme of cleaning all drinking water sources and tanks in the state within three months to provide clean water to the people. No cleaning of these water sources was done during the Congress regime.

The SAD chief hoped that the party would make a clean sweep in the coming elections for the Bathinda Municipal Corporation. The people were convinced with the working style of the SAD led government in Punjab, he claimed.

Bathinda, June 12
It was one of the worst days in the history of Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant (GHTP), Lehra Mohabbat when two workers sustained serious injuries when an electrical blast took place during the commissioning activities of unit IV at Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant, Lehra Mohabbat. Not only this, even the unit III had to be shut down due to breakage of coal belts.

Since the work on phase II of GHTP has started, around 20 accidents have occurred due to almost nil safety measures and more than 10 persons have died as a result of that.

The injured persons have been identified as Lal Babu (35) and Ram Karan (30) and they are undergoing treatment in the emergency ward of local Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) near here.

When the doctors at AIMS were contacted, they confirmed the critical state of the workers. A doctor requesting anonymity at AIMS informed TNS, “Around 5 45 pm, three persons reached the emergency ward of our hospital with superficial burn injuries on face and limbs. One of the persons have already been discharged while the other two are still under observation. On seeing their condition, it seemed as if a blast had occurred in the thermal plant because current have not passed through their body. They might be discharged in a day or two.”

However Paramjit Baweja. Chief Engineer (Constructions), GHTP, Lehra Mohabbat could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

Ferozepur, June 12
The district administration here has completed all arrangements to conduct the elections of 68 gram panchayats (GPs) belonging to 10 blocks of the district

DC Megh Raj informed that according to the instructions of the state election commission (SEC), the elections to 57 gram panchayats, where earlier polls were cancelled on account of certain ambiguities, and for another 11 gram panchayats, which were constituted afresh, would be held on June 22.

The DC further said in case of village Ratta Khera Gulab Singh Wala, the election process had been discontinued for time being as all candidates had withdrawn their nominations earlier.

The DC said in the Ghall Khurd block, the gram panchayats which would go to the polls on June 22 include, Achewala, Khwaza Khadak. In the Guruharshai block, the list of gram panchayats going to polls include, Natthu Chishti, Chall Jammit Singh Wala, Mega Rai Uttarh, Jhanduwala, Burann Bhatti, Billi Marke, Chakk Shatgarh, Mohanwala.

In the Khuian Sarwar block, repolls would be held for Muradwala, Bohamgarh, Lakhewali Dhab, Shattirwala, Sabuaana, Bandiwala, Jhugian, Ram Sukhpura, Khiuwalidhab, Killawali, Dhani Harcharan Singh Randhawa, and Gujar.

In the Zira block, the list includes, Kamalgarh, Mansoorwala Kalan, Bharana, Basti Sohan Singh, Basti Sawun Singh, Gadhriwala, Dhandian Kalan and Dhandian. For the Mamdot block, elections would be held at nine places including, Killi, Khundhar Hittarr, Rahime ke Uttarh, Peer khan ke garh, Theh Gujar, Burre Khurd, Chak Haraj, Chakk Gubaya and Shaheed Jarnail Singh Wala.

The list also includes 10 gram panchayat of Jalalabad, which are Chakk Palhi, Chakk Dumal, Lakho ke Masahib, Bagge ke Uttarh, Kamewala, Mokham Araian, Blackiwala, Mandi Ladhuka and Chakk Suhelewala, besides two gram panchayats of the Fazilka block , including Chuwarianwali and Chakk Pakhoke.

Abohar, June 12
“Qualitative requirement (QR) for the Congress candidates in the next Lok Sabha elections must be clearly defined and the aspirants should be totally committed to the party’s long cherished ideology,” said Lt Col (Retd) Onkar Nath Chopra, chairman of the Land Grabbing Victims Association, while welcoming the formation of a penal by the party chief Sonia Gandhi to suggest ways for rebuilding the oldest political party.

Chopra, a veteran congressman, has in a letter addressed to the panel chief A.K. Antony, suggested that a ticket should be allotted only on the basis of candidate’s merits. Talented and progressive youths should be preferred and those with criminal record should not be considered.

Bathinda, June 12
The Shiromani Akali Dal chief, Sukhbir Singh Badal, today air-dashed here to bring peace among the warring factions of the party in a bid to improve the prospects in the elections for the prestigious BMC.

During his brief stay here, Sukhbir Singh held a series of meetings with different factions of the party and asked the leaders to contest the forthcoming elections united.

Sources said that he firmly told leaders of the warring factions to sink their differences and ensure victory of the SAD candidates in the election on June 22.

Sukhbir Singh flew here from New Delhi after his return from abroad. He would again meet the SAD activists tomorrow.

He drove to the residence of Sarup Singla, vice-president of the SAD, where Singla’s arch rival, Chiranji Lal Garg, was also present and the SAD chief asked both of them to join hands and campaign for the party candidates. Balwinder Singh Bhunder, general secretary of SAD, Sikendar Singh Maluka, district president of SAD and Narendera Mittal, district president of BJP were among those present on the occasion. He also met those activists who were annoyed over denial of tickets to them.

Interestingly, the SAD leadership in a last minute development yesterday gave the ticket for ward number 12 of the municipal corporation to Rajan Garg, who is son of Chiranji Lal Garg. Leaders of the rival factions were present when Garg went to the SDM’s office for filing his papers today.

Sources said that Sukhbir Badal had directed the local leadership of the party to field Garg in a bid to pacify Chiranji Lal Garg who enjoys considerable support in various pockets of the town.

Sukhbir Badal is scheduled to hold a meeting of activists of the party tomorrow at the Haji Ratan gurdwara where he would also honour the newly elected members of the Zila Parishad and Block Samitis. 

Bathinda, June 12
Chaos prevailed in and outside the district administrative complex as more than nearly 140 candidates, their families and a large number of frantic supporters started pouring in this morning to file their nominations on the last day of submitting of papers for the forthcoming civic poll.

It, in fact, was a day of traffic chaos, public inconvenience and also code violations, to some extent. Even as the candidates arrived in convoys of three or less number of vehicles, big and small cars in large numbers of various candidates from different parties remained parked right till the middle of the road outside the DC office causing traffic congestion for over two hours.

Three big cars, in which Rajinder Mittal, a BJP candidate from ward number 36, arrived, remained parked right in the middle of the road just outside the gate of the district administrative complex, causing a lot of inconvenience to people even as the police force deployed outside the complex failed to bother.

Many candidates came with scores of supporters marching on foot carrying huge banners, party flags and blocking the entire route.

The supporters of Rajan Garg, an Akali candidate from ward number 12, too created quite a ruckus as they blocked the entire passage while coming from the Income Tax office side. Similarly, the brigade of Manjit Singh, also an Akali candidate from ward number 11, created a jam near Hanuman Chowk.

Since the political parties had announced their ticket only on Wednesday evening, most candidates only had one day to file their nominations. The candidates started turning up even before 11 am today, when the process began. In a five-minute time, two candidates, Krishan Garg of BJP from ward 21, and Suman Gupta also of BJP from ward number 49, had even filed their nominations.

Soon, there were others turning up in large numbers who was lifted up by his numerous supporters and brought inside the complex amidst loud enchanting of slogans, against code violations.

The administrative complex was so jam-packed that the entire passages and corridors leading to the offices of the returning officers got overcrowded, causing much of a problem to the routine visitors. Candidates even distributed publicity material, such as paper shades, to visitors within the complex.

Bathinda, June 12
After the issue of alleged rejection of nomination papers on flimsy grounds in the Zila Parishad, Panchayat Samiti and Gram Panchayat elections held recently was picked up by the Congress party, the State Election Commission (SEC) has reprimanded all returning and assistant returning officers for the forthcoming Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat elections.

In the letter number SEC-2008/9570 dated June 11, 2008, sent to all district electoral officers, deputy commissioners, additional district electoral officers and additional deputy commissioners of the state, the SEC has written, “A large number of complaints were received regarding rejection of nomination papers on flimsy, irrational and illegal grounds by the returning and assistant returning officers in the general elections to gram panchayats, panchayat samitis and zila parishads. A strong adverse view has been taken by the Punjab and Haryana High Court for such defaults on the part of returning and assistant returning officers.”

The letter also states, “It has also been alleged that such massive rejections on the above said ground was motivated by the extraneous reasons rather than those of logic and fair play.”

SEC has also emphasised, “Very candid provisions exist in the statue that nomination papers are to be rejected only on the grounds of a substantive character. Clerical, typographical or serial number errors in the voting list are desirable to be ignored. All the returning and assistant returning officers specifically need to be enlightened on this.”

The letter, undersigned by secretary, SEC states, “Any instance of motivated action in violation of the act and the rules on the part of any public servant connected with the conduct of the elections shall invite serious view.”

Local Congress MLA Harminder Singh Jassi, said that in the recently held elections, the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) used all kinds of unlawful means to get the nomination papers of Congress candidates rejected. “Even during the upcoming Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat elections, SAD will try to repeat the same things as well.

Abohar, June 12
If one goes by the complaint made by Sham Lal Goyal of Nai Abadi locality, who alleged that some one took away a sum of Rs 50,000 from his pocket when he was inside the sub-divisional complex to execute registration of purchase of property today, you can easily guess how much safe the complex is.

Recently, two scribes Mohinder Jit Bahawalia and Rajinder Soni had complained that the miscreants had decamped with their scooters, which were parked close to the administrative offices. There had been scores of similar incidents in the past. The complex has three judicial courts besides the offices of the sub-divisional magistrate, tehsildar, naib tehsildar and treasury officer. 

Sources said miscreants had, two years back, struck at the computer centre located next to the office of the tehsildar and decamped with CPU and other valuable gadgets.

The chambers of the advocates and document writers had been targeted four times during last three years. Intriguingly, the police had not been able to trace out the culprits involved in all these cases.

Ferozepur, June 12
As per the directions of Vajinder Jain, chief justice, Punjab and Haryana High Court, and patron-in-chief, Punjab Legal Services Authority, Chandigarh, the quarterly Lok Adalat would be held at Ferozepur, Abohar, Fazilka, Jalallabad and Zira on June 14.

As many as 12 benches have been constituted for the early disposal of cases. The Adalats will be supervised by Jaspal Singh, District and Session Judge and chairman, District Legal Service Authority, Ferozepur. Jaspal said the purpose of holding the adalats was to save time and money of the people besides ensuring that the disputes were settled amicably. — OC

Ferozepur, June 12
The Zira police booked a firm belonging to Thatha Madi village for allegedly duping the Markfed to the tune of Rs 42 lakh on account of embezzlement of wheat bags. The case came to fore after the DM of Markfed reported the matter to DC.

In his complaint, DM said that a firm had stored around 8,542 bags of wheat, whose cost was about Rs 42, 53, 146. He reported that the firm, without any information, sold the entire consignment of wheat. On the compliant, the DC marked the enquiry to SSP on June 4.

After investigating into the matter, the Zira police registered the case against the owners of the firm, M/S Zamindara Commission Agent and Balvinder Singh, member of the Co-operative Marketing Society.

A case under various sections of the IPC had been registered against all erring persons.

Mansa, June 12
A court of Additional Sessions Judge here awarded 10 years imprisonment to two persons in a poppy husk smuggling case. In addition, a fine of Rs 1 lakh each was also imposed on the convicts.

According to information, on June 21, 2005, the Bhikhi police had registered a case against three persons, Labh Singh, son of Chand Singh, Gurmel Singh, son of Chhota Singh, residents of Amba village, and Avtar Singh, son of Dhanna Singh and resident of Kamalu village, for smuggling poppy husk.

The police had arrested two persons and one was absconding.

Today, Additional Sessions Judge G.S. Bhatia sent Labh Singh and Gurmel Singh to jail for 10 years along with a fine of Rs 1 lakh.

Ferozepur, June 12
The Makhu Police today booked a man for allegedly maltreating his wife for bringing inadequate dowry leading her to commit suicide on Wednesday. The case was registered on the statement of the deceased’s father.

In his complaint, Baldev Singh, resident of Lohe Kalan (Zira), said his daughter was married to Jit Singh, resident of Burj Mohamad Shah Wala, for past several years and was allegedly harassed by his son-in-law for bringing inadequate dowry.

He added that at times, under the influence of liquor, she was even tortured physically. Fed up with his behaviour, she eventually committed suicide.

Abohar, June 12
If one goes by the complaint made by Sham Lal Goyal of Nai Abadi locality, who alleged that some one took away a sum of Rs 50,000 from his pocket when he was inside the sub-divisional complex to execute registration of purchase of property today, you can easily guess how much safe the complex is.

Recently, two scribes Mohinder Jit Bahawalia and Rajinder Soni had complained that the miscreants had decamped with their scooters, which were parked close to the administrative offices. There had been scores of similar incidents in the past. The complex has three judicial courts besides the offices of the sub-divisional magistrate, tehsildar, naib tehsildar and treasury officer. 

Sources said miscreants had, two years back, struck at the computer centre located next to the office of the tehsildar and decamped with CPU and other valuable gadgets.

The chambers of the advocates and document writers had been targeted four times during last three years. Intriguingly, the police had not been able to trace out the culprits involved in all these cases.

Bathinda, June 12
The scorching heat claimed another life today taking the toll in the city to five.

A 60-year old person named Gopal died on the Mall Road here today. Earlier on Wednesday, a beggar in his mid-forties died of heat stroke near Malgodam Road here.

According to police sources, the beggar was found unconscious in the morning and some activists of Sahara Jan Sewa shifted him to the local civil hospital where doctors declared him brought dead. Activists of the Sahara Jan Sewa cremated the body of the victim after a post-mortem examination was carried out at the hospital.— TNS