Bathinda, June 29
Facing serious allegations of inaction during the Panchayat and Bathinda Municipal Corporation elections leading to rigging and lawlessness, officiating Bathinda SSP M.F. Farooqi today assured ‘free and fair’ polls in elections being held for municipal committees tomorrow.

The police was committed to ensure fair polls and maintain law and order to enable the electorate to exercise their franchise without any fear, he told media persons here.  

 He said that elaborate security arrangements had been made at seven Municipal Committees of Bucho Mandi, Goniana Mandi, Sagat Mandi, Kot Fateh, Rama Mandi, Maur Mandi and Rampuraphul in the district.

Giving details, he said that 120 booths have been set up at 56 polling stations in a total of 91 wards in seven municipal committees and 38 NGOs, 94 Havildars, 186 policemen and 102 SPO/PHG have been deployed to man these booths. Apart from this, 20 patrolling parties have been kept on alert to avoid any untoward incident on the polling day, he added.    

“Barring Rampuraphul, two patrolling parties would be positioned at every Municipal Committee, while Rampuraphul with the largest number of voters would have three patrolling parties,” he added. Further, five patrolling parties equipped with wireless sets and mobile phones could be rushed to the spot immediately.  

 Replying to a query about the alleged involvement of some outside elements in bogus voting in the recent Gram Panchayat and BMC polls, Farooqi said that restrictions on free movement of people was not possible but the police would ensure law and order.

 In reply to another question regarding entry of prominent non-voter politicians into polling booths, he said that no outsiders, irrespective of his status, would be allowed entry into polling booths during the polling hours.

Farooqi said that the press and police were the instruments to ensure justice and work for the welfare of people and appealed to the media persons to cooperate with the police and said that any information about breach of law would be welcomed. 

Bathinda, June 29
Senior leaders of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today asked the Congress leadership to accept the party’s defeat in the recent Bathinda Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections in a dignified manner and avoid indulging in mudslinging over the issue.

In a joint interaction with media persons here, J.S.Nakai, chief parliamentary secretary and SAD leaders Sikendar Singh Maluka, Chiranji Lal Garg and Sarup Chand Singla alleged that the Congress leadership was trying to create an impression that it had lost due to booth capturing by SAD supporters. They denied rigging and booth capturing in these elections.

They said that the Congress had foreseen defeat. As a result, its leadership did not get involved in the campaign seriously. Of the eight election rallies that were scheduled during the visit of the PPCC chief Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, only two were held. Except for the local Congress MLA Harminder Singh Jassi, the other four MLAs belonging to the district kept themselves away from the campaign.

On the other hand, chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, SAD chief, Sukhbir Singh Badal, ministers and legislators of SAD-BJP vigorously campaigned here.

They accused the Congress of making false claims that their two activists were “murdered” during the campaign. The two lost their lives in a road accident, the SAD leaders claimed.

The SAD leaders pointed out that the Congress was not seriously taking the elections for the local bodies as not even their MLA has campaigned in his own Rampura segment where the elections will be held tomorrow.

Bathinda, June 29
Despite the constant efforts made by the coordination committee comprising BJP general secretary Kamal Sharma and adviser to CM Daljeet Singh Cheema, the SAD-BJP candidates have locked horns in some wards of the municipal committees (MC) of the district.

On the other hand, the Congress, which has been protesting against the alleged “rigging” in the recently held polls, is missing from five out of the seven Municipal Committee elections, which are going to take place on Monday. According to sources, the BJP leaders today lodged a complaint with the CM about some SAD leaders supporting independents contesting against the BJP candidates.

Meanwhile, the SAD and BJP candidates are also not appearing much excited about the elections as at many wards of the various committees, not even a single candidate from both the parties has been contesting the elections.

For the 11-ward Kotfatta MC, eight SAD and three BJP candidates as well as 13 Independents are in the fray. No Congress candidate has filed his nomination. In ward 11, Manjit Kaur of SAD and Sawarn Kaur of BJP are fighting against each other.

In 13-ward Raman Mandi MC, eight SAD candidates, two BJP candidates and 26 Independents are fighting against each other as there is no Congress candidate in the competition. In ward number 11, Madan Lal of SAD is contesting against Vijay Pal of the BJP. Meanwhile, three independents are also in the fray from the ward. In the 13-ward Bhucho Mandi MC, seven SAD candidates, four BJP candidates, 14 independents and 10 Congress candidates are contesting. .

Rampura Phul, a 17-ward MC, with 12 SAD candidates, five BJP candidates, 16 Congress candidates and 35 Independents will be the most happening MC of the district.

In the 15-ward Maur Mandi, 10 SAD candidates, five BJP candidates and 36 Independents are in the fray. In the 13-ward Goniana Mandi, no party has fielded its candidates from eight wards. 

Ferozepur, June 29
Stakes are high for both the ruling SAD-BJP combine and Congress in the elections to the 25-ward municipal council of this border town, the voting for which is scheduled for Monday. As many as 125 candidates are in the fray.

The BJP is contesting in 18 wards while its alliance partner SAD is in fray for six wards. In one ward, neither the SAD nor the BJP has fielded its candidate. However, they have extended support to an independent candidate.

The Congress announced its candidates for all 25 wards but in couple of wards their candidates had withdrawn the nomination papers at the eleventh hour.

For the ruling party candidates, local MLA and chief parliamentary secretary Sukhpal Singh Nannu, irrigation minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon and local MP Zora Singh Mann have been addressing nukkar sabhas in the town while for the Congress, no senior leader except state general secretary Parminder Singh ‘Pinki’ actively campaigned for the party candidates.

The local residents are seeing the elections as a direct contest between Nannu and Pinki as the political stakes of both these young local leaders are at stake not only among the masses but also within their party circles.

In ward 1, the sitting MC Davinder Kapur (BJP) is facing challenge from Rajinder Jaun of Congress and in ward 2, it is a triangular contest between Kamal Kumar (Cong), Swarna Ram (BJP) and independent Ulfat Rai. Ulfat is husband of Nirmal Sahota, who was the president of the council in the last term.

In ward 4, the contest has become interesting with two independents Kulwant Maggo and Sukhdev Singh giving tough fight to Kishore Kumar (BJP) and Kuldip Manak (Cong).

In ward 8, there is a triangular contest between Gulshan Uppal (Cong), P.C. Kumar (Ind) and Manjit Kaur (SAD). In ward 9, two times MC Pooran Jossan (SAD) is in direct contest with Sham Lal (Cong) and in ward 10, the contest is between Charanjit (SAD) and Ranjit Kaur (Cong).

In ward 13, the official Congress nominee Ranjit Dhillon backed out brightening the chances of Kamlesh Kaur (SAD).

Uma Johri (Cong) is looking for a hat trick even as Rajinder Kumar (BJP) is giving her a tough challenge in ward 15.

In ward 18, sitting MC Prem Sethi (Cong) hopes to retain the seat. He is facing contest from a new face, Naresh Kantore (BJP).

Davinder Bajaj (BJP) is facing challenge from party’s rebel candidate Anil Sharma and Kripal Bawa (Cong) in ward 24. In ward 25, the fight is between sitting BJP councillor Parminder Singh and Ashok Sachdeva (Ind).

Abohar, June 29
Even when the administration is claiming ‘all possible’ arrangements to ensure ‘free and fair’ polling in 31 wards of municipal council, apprehensions of violent clashes during rigging and booth capturing by ‘outsiders’ are equally gathering weight by the evening.

The scores of vehicles with tainted glasses and VIP parking stickers pasted were seen moving and some were busy in getting fresh film coated, sources said.

The information from political circles indicated that the ruling “workers” from Sriganganagar and industrial capital of the state were expected to reach here in good number to boost the morale of some ruling alliance candidates.

The alliance aims to wrest the council from the Congress and the latter is trying hard to retain it. Going by the official version, 81,472 eligible voters could vote in a total of 71 booths by presenting any of the 17 listed proofs.

Nearly 500 policemen were to be deployed in the town tomorrow; each booth would have three armed cops, local official said.

The ban on carrying mobile phones in the polling centres would be enforced. Twelve patrolling parties, equipped with video cameras, would take a round of the town during polling which was to be started at 8 am and would be finished by 4 pm, local officials informed.

The counting of votes is to be done immediately after closure of the polling in the same centre. The authorities have appointed seven supervisors who would be also having video cameras.

Although every ward is being termed as sensitive but disturbance is feared mostly in the areas on the outskirts of the old town.

The ruling alliance and the Congress leaders are blaming each other for alleged attempts to influence the electorate with money and liquor and have deputed groups to keep a vigil on rival factions.

Although there was a brisk sale of liquor during the last 48 hours, yet the candidates might not find any problem in instant purchasing even tomorrow as the town had reportedly maintained the old tradition of not observing ‘dry-day’ even on Gandhi and Bhagwan Mahabir Jyanti, the sources added.

There are some interesting facts about the polls- ward no.10 has got only 730 voters, whereas ward no. 3 has highest, 4146. Why such disparity, officials have failed to explain.

There will be a straight contest only in four wards where top political functionaries are locked in a keen contest. Ward no. 25 has got eight candidates and is considered prestigious for both the SAD and Congress.

Mansa, June 29
For the Municipal Council elections today, complete arrangements have been made to ensure free and fair voting. The polling would start at 8:00 am and would close by 4:00 pm. After that counting of votes would start.

Additional district election officer, Baljeeet Singh Sidhu, informed that a total of 92 polling booths had been setup for Mansa, Budhlada, Sardulgarh and Bareta Municipal Councils. But voting would be held on 89 booths because two candidates, one from Mansa and one from Sardulgarh were elected unopposed.

Nearly 450 polling staff have been assigned duties for smooth conduct of polls.

For Mansa’s 21 wards, there are 85 candidates in the fray. Forty-five polling booths have been setup and 55,178 voters would exercise their franchise.

For Sardulgarh’s 13 wards, there are 33 candidates in the contest, 12,629 voters would exercise their right to vote in 17 wards.

In Bareta, 13 booths have been set up for 13 wards and 10,442 voters would exercise their voting rights.

Seventeen polling booths have been established for 13 wards of Budhlada and 16,894 are eligible voters.

Bathinda, June 29
Bathinda Marathon organised by the Army on the occasion of the 29th raising day of the Chetak Corps here today evoked overwhelming response with not only the JCOs and their families but also the local civilians joining the event.

The Bathinda Marathon christened as Barathon was flagged off by GOC-in-Chief Chetak Corps, Lt Gen R.S. Sujlana  this morning and consisted of three categories namely, 6 km run for men, 3 km run for women and children up to 15 years of age and run for fun, which was open for all.

Enthused by the grand success of the event the Chetak Corps decided to make it an annual event.

Sanjay Kumar from army won the 6 km race, Navin bagged the first place in 3 km run and Sujata Yadav of the army school came first in the open category while Payal and Jalwal bagged the first prize in Children and physical challenged categories respectively.

Besides winners and participants in various categories, special prizes were announced for the oldest, youngest, ladies, special children and physically challenged participants.

Bathinda, June 29
Barely ten days after the first downpour in Bathinda that threw normal life out of gear, large areas of the town were inundated again as the town was lashed by intermittent rains today.

Large tracks of roads, streets and houses in low lying areas were completely submerged under water making life miserable for the people again. The local authorities watched helplessly as gushing waters flooded various localities and consoled the affected people by making promises to restore normalcy.

The water entered some polling stations in Goniana Mandi and Bucho Mandi where polling was slated for tomorrow and the local staff was working around the clock to flush out the water.

Several localities like Bus stand, Mall Road, Sikri Bazaa, some areas of Pratap Nagar, Paras Ram Nagar and Power House road were submerged under two feet of water and even the vehicular traffic had come to a halt at some places where trees were uprooted causing great inconvenience to the people.

A family that just landed in Bathinda to visit their in laws accused the authorities of poor administration as they got drowned in water as the Richkaw in which they were travelling submerged got submerged on Mall road.

However, Municipal Commissioner K.K. Yadav said pumping in low lying areas had started. The flushing out of water takes 8 to 10 hours, he added. However, till late at night the work was not yet over.

Ferozepur, June 29
The rains may be a boon for farmers, but as far as the public of this border town is concerned, it turns out to be a nightmare since it often brings along problems galore for the local residents.

What to talk of heavy downpour as was witnessed today, even a slight drizzle inundates the town, particularly the interiors and the low-lying areas. The bumpy roads dotted with potholes become a cesspool of slush and the faulty sewerage system further adds to the people’s woes.

Majority of roads, which were re-carpeted recently, have been damaged again incurring loss of lakhs of rupees to the state exchequer.

The road from Baghdadi gate upto Balmiki chowk that was redone recently by the MC has been damaged to condition even worse than before.

The road from Udham Singh roundabout to Baghdadi gate, road leading to officer’s colony near Consumers Court, main circular road, roads near Piranwala Mohalla and Lohanran Bazaar and even at the Mall have been filled with water.

Furthermore, the potholes beneath the accumulated water act as deathtraps, as it becomes risky to drive on this road.

A tour of the town reveals that heaps of garbage dot the edges of blocked drains, serving as breeding ground for flies and mosquitoes. Ironically, the sewerage is lying accumulated for the past several days in front of the office of water supply and sewerage board, besides other places. Few years back, more than a dozen people had died in this area due to gastroenteritis and diarrhoea but the municipal authorities, it seems have not learnt any lesson.

What to talk of other places, the scenario at the old civil hospital and TB hospital complex is equally dismal. The availability of clean potable water and sewerage disposal has also been affected badly.

Ashwani Kumar, a local resident, said that the situation regarding condition of roads, availability of potable water and the cleanliness in the city which should have been a matter of prime concern for the councillors seems nowhere on their agenda.

He alleged that over the years, the councillors instead of working for the development of the city had been fighting amidst themselves over petty political issues, due to which the town sans development.

Whenever MC officials are contacted, they always come with a stereotype replies citing paucity of men, material and funds.

Barnala, June 29
To impart high-tech training to the jail staff of the state, a new college would be set up at Kapurthala shortly while the existing college at Patiala would be equipped with latest training techniques. For the purpose, Rs 30 crore has been earmarked by the state government, informed Hira Singh Gabria, minister for jails and social welfare in the state. He was here to campaign for Akali candidates for MC polls.

Talking to reporters, Gabria said his department was making every effort to check the security lapses in the jails of the state. The new college will be set up on the western pattern and hi-tech equipment would be provided to the jail staff.

On being asked about the overloading of inmates in jails across the state, the minister said that Rs 170 crore has been earmarked for the construction of new jails along with the renovation and expansion plan of the existing jails. He hoped that the construction of new jails would help in reducing the burden of the existing jails.

As far as cultural affairs are concerned, minister said that so far he had convened 32 meetings of the Arts Council of Punjab. New programmes aimed at reviving the old culture would be chalked out shortly, Gabria added.

Canvassing for the SAD candidates, he appealed the voters to vote for SAD-BJP alliance to accelerate the pace of development in the city. He assured that he would provide good deal of fund for the development if SAD-BJP alliance was voted to power in the civic elections.

Bathinda, June 29
The sowing of Bt cotton is over in the south-western region of Punjab, also known as the cotton belt. It was delayed this year due to closure of canals and frequent rains.

Last year, the area under Bt cotton in Punjab was around 6.48 lakh hectares.

Though we all know that groundwater in this region is not potable, it is also unfit for the irrigation of crops.

Dr G.S. Buttar, who has been associated with the All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Water Management for the last 20 years and is also director of PAU's regional centre at Bathinda, said that around 70 per cent of water in the south-western part of Punjab, comprising Ferozepur, Mansa, Bathinda,Muktsar, Moga and parts of Sangrur, is unhealthy for crops as well as soil.

In the 'unfit' category of underground water, there are two kinds, saline and sodic, which have to be understood properly.

The sodic category consists of mainly insoluble salts of sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate.

These salts do not percolate down, and hence also cause waterlogging. Fertilisers containing gypsum salts must be used in this case.

Gypsum, when it reacts with sodium carbonate or bicarbonate, converts it into sulphate salts, which are soluble in water.

The quantity of gypsum varies with the category of water, which can be determined by testing water in the laboratory, and is applied before the sowing of seeds.

The common mistake by farmers is that they take gypsum as the only remedy. For the saline category of water, which consists of mainly soluble salts of chloride and sulphate, farm yield manure or natural manure is recommended.

Buttar also recommends heavy input of canal water in the saline kind as it leaches out the salts.

He says that for the saline quality underground water, pre-sowing irrigation with canal water followed by subsequent irrigation with poor quality water for cotton grown on ridges is preferred.

It is important to mention here that cotton grown on ridges and furrows saves around 30 to 35 per cent of water required for irrigation.

But the important question here is how can a farmer judge the quality of water?

Farmers can approach water-testing laboratories in Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, Bathinda and Markfed labs. The Agriculture department has labs in all districts, which can test the quality of underground water.

Barnala, June 29
Five persons got injured including two women in a clash today at village Sehjara near Mehalkalan, about 25 km from here, over the issue of a common tube well passed under the OYT scheme.

At least four persons have been booked-Sarwan Singh, Mukhtair Singh, Palwinder Singh and Najar Singh. The police registered a case under the IPC. But no arrests have been made so far.

Investigating officer Jasbir Singh said a case had been registered on the basis of a statement made by Baljinder Singh. After the registration of the case, the police was conducting raids to nab the accused, he added.

As per the police diary, Baljinder complained that he was having a dispute with Sarwan over a common tubewell. Sarwan is his distant cousin. They wanted to divide the connection, for which a tussle was going on for the past few weeks.

Yesterday, Sarwan along with Mukhtiar Singh, Palwinder Singh and Najar Singh, entered his house and attacked his family with sharp-edged weapons and sticks.

In the clash, Lakha Singh, Malkeet Kaur, Gurnam Kaur, Naginder Singh and accused Sarwan got hurt, who were hospitalised first at Mehalkalan but later, due to critical condition of two patients, they all had been shifted to the civil hospital, Barnala. — OC

Bathinda, June 29
Officiating Bathinda SSP, F.M. Farooqi today assured that an FIR will be registered in all cases of murder and other heinous crime and any laxity on the part of officials concerned would be viewed seriously. He was responding to media who drew his attention to general complaint that the police was not registering FIR even in case of murders and tried to hush up these cases by dubbing these as suicides and accidents.

He admitted that registering an FIR was duty of police and every citizen had right to lodge an FIR in case any crime or other unlawful activity.

There had been incidents in which villagers had to resort to protest with the dead body in order to get the FIR registered.