Bathinda, August 11
This is not an imagination but a matter of great concern. The groundwater reserves are depleting at an alarming rate in Bathinda besides a serious decline in the quality of water at many places due to the overuse of the available resources, say experts.

A survey conducted by the Water Resources and Environment Directorate, Punjab Irrigation Department, tells this distressing story. With a drastic fall in the water table from 8 cm per year to 95 cm per annum in the district, there is an urgent need to recharge water in the overexploited areas besides developing available shallow water in safe blocks to avoid waterlogging, it said. The fast depleting water-table in the district is not only eating into the pockets of farmers who have to spend a lot of money on the installation of deep submersible tubewells, but also giving some rather anxious moments to urban residents who face an acute shortage of drinking water, especially in the summer season as a large number of Bathinda Municipal Corporation (BMC) tubewells go dry.

Out of a total of seven blocks covered under the study, only one has been found safe with three of them being overexploited, one being critical and the other two in a semi-critical state, says a study.

For experts, it is a situation to ring in the alarm bells. They feel in case the government fails to take immediate remedial measures to halt the depleting water table, the day when the region will be virtually turned into a desert, is not too far. They say the government should encourage farmers from opting for paddy crop and encourage drip irrigation by providing them with adequate financial help.

Experts also advocate making rooftop rain harvesting mandatory.

The district is suffering from poor water quality with high levels of salinity and fluoride contents, the study said and attributed the phenomenon to the overexploitation of the available water resources by way of irrigation and power generation. The water-guzzling paddy crop and spurt in the use of heavy-duty tubewells in the district have also been identified as the factors deepening the crisis.

Noting that the present groundwater level is unable to meet the demands of future development in the district, the study suggests an urgent shift from water-guzzling crops to water-friendly ones and rain water harvesting as the tools to avert the impending crisis. 

Ferozepur, August 11
Ferozepur, that was the biggest district of united Punjab next to Kangra, seems to have always been at the receiving end since independence, even during the recent years of progress after the end of militancy. Successive governments at the Centre and in the state during the past six decades have failed to set up good educational institutes and industries and provide job avenues, much to the annoyance of the local populace that is by and large agrarian in nature.

The district shares a 246.22 km long international border with Pakistan on its west and Rajasthan in the south. With the idea to pave the way for easy development, the Faridkot district was carved out of it. Later, when Moga and Muktsar districts were carved out of Faridkot, probably due to political considerations, the Dharamkot area comprising more than 100 villages falling under Ferozepur district was transferred to Moga.

Being a border district, industries never came here. The impact of green revolution also reached here late. The international trade route to Pakistan through the Hussainiwala border was not re-opened like at the Wagah border in Amritsar district. No one ever cared for the socio-economic upliftment of the people having a diverse culture.

Most people in the district with whom this correspondent interacted alleged that lack of interest shown by the local politicians is one of major factors responsible for the poor economic, industrial and infrastructural growth in the district.

Even the vital issue of opening the Hussaniwala border for trade, which was the lifeline of the traders before its closure after the 1971 Indo-Pak conflict, have not been resolved by bilateral talks with Pakistan. The defence ministry has so far not given clearance to the opening of this border even as many parliamentarians had in the recent past expressed their feelings through candlelight vigils and raising this issue in parliament and also at international forums.

One could well realize the step-motherly attitude of the successive governments from the facts that being one of the oldest districts of the country, it is sans a government college, a modern judicial complex, mini-secretariat and job providing industries that otherwise should have been on the priority list of successive governments.

In the absence of any administrative complex, various government offices like that of Commissioner, DIG, Deputy Commissioner, SSP, SDM, Civil Surgeon, DTO, RTA, DPRO, DEO and other departments have been scattered and situated at distant places due to which people who come from far-flung villages for their work at these offices face a lot of problems.

Unfortunately, some offices are functioning in rented accommodations. The consumer court functions from the premises of a badminton hall of the sports department. The condition of administrative offices at sub-divisional headquarters is also equally worse.

The worst part of the government apathy towards Ferozepur is that there is no Government College in the town due to which the students pursuing graduation and post-graduation courses have to seek admissions elsewhere. Although, there are a couple of private colleges but keeping in view the large number of students seeking admissions to these colleges, there is a need for a Government College especially for postgraduation and vocational courses. In terms of technical and medical education, the situation is equally grim with only one government engineering college and no medical college. A private dental college has recently come up near the town.

As far as sports is concerned, despite being a breeding ground for hockey players of international repute like Gaganajit Singh and Harmeek Singh, there is no separate hockey stadium. There is only one stadium, which is being used for all kind of sports be it athletics, volleyball, handball, judo or basketball, besides, playing host to official functions including Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations. There exists no facility for sports like tennis, squash, fencing, table tennis and other games.

The work on construction of a Circuit House, the foundation stone for which was laid way back in April 1995, has been suspended for the past five years reportedly due to shortage of funds.

The sessions court is situated on the Mall Road while other courts are functioning from the old building of the district courts complex at Jhoke Road. The number of advocates has increased manifold in the past few years and the space to adjust them on the court premises has shrunk.

The town is also sans an old age home, Nari Niketan, Bal Bhawan and a community centre. The local bodies in the district lack resources and infrastructure to provide the basic amenities. The internal roads in Ferozepur are in a bad shape, dotted with potholes, and pathetic sewerage condition. The cesspools of slush impede the flow of traffic. Even a slight drizzle inundates the city particularly the interiors and low-lying areas.

Residents demand that the government should wake up and do something substantial for developing infrastructure in this town. 

Bathinda, August 11
The first general house meeting of the Bathinda Municipal Corporation (BMC) today offered an open platform to all councillors present to express their views. The first to draw the ire of the councillors were the government officers who reportedly enjoy the free services of labourers. Interestingly, the matter was raised by a BJP councillor and that too in the presence of BMC commissioner K.K. Yadav.

While lashing out at the officials, BJP councillor Krishan Garg said that almost 200 employees of the BMC had been providing their services at the houses of officials. Mentioning that most of them were sweepers, he said that it affected the maintaining of cleanliness in the city. He urged that they should all be called back immediately.

A five-member finance committee of the BMC was formed to regulate the financial matters at the meeting.

Baljit Singh Bir Behman, BMC mayor, Tarsem Goyal, senior deputy mayor, Gurwinder Pal Kaur Mangat, deputy mayor, Master Harmander Singh and Daljeet Singh Brar have been appointed as the members of the finance committee.

As per the reports available, the powers of the committee remained mired in contradictions. Sources in the meeting hall said that the BJP and Congress leaders were more vocal than the SAD (B) councillors. Jagroop Gill, a Congress councillor, raised the matter of pending projects. He pointed that the work which had been initiated across the railway track area in the city had now been stopped midway. He raised the matter of sewerage, water supply and streetlights. He was not the only one. Other councillors also lodged complaints on similar issues. 

Bathinda, August 11
Members of the Retirees Welfare Association today urged upon the state government to release dearness allowance/dearness relief to in-service employees as well as pensioners and family pensioners at 6 per cent from January 1, 2008.

They held a monthly meeting of retirees and pensioners. Association president J.R. Jindal said the allowance should be given on the similar pattern, as has been done by the central government. The pensioners urged the state government to simplify the procedure for medical reimbursement as at present they were facing several difficulties on the receipt of expenses, which they are incurring on account of indoor hospitalisation. They also wanted the government to press upon expediting the proceedings of sixth pay commission.— TNS

Bathinda, August 11
Activists of the brick-kiln owners associations of Bathinda and Muktsar districts have threatened to shut down operations if the steep hike in prices of coal was not withdrawn by the union government.

Shortage of bricks and increase in prices will affect the construction and development work in the area.

According to Amit Singla and Pyare Lal Goyal, activists of the district associations, they have threatened to shut down their kilns if the price hike was not withdrawn.

Earlier, brick-kiln owners had to suffer losses due to increase in transport fare and now the prices of middle class varieties had been hiked from Rs 5,000 per tonne to Rs 7,800 per tonne.

"Prices and availability will be further affected when quarries in Assam are flooded with rainwater," apprehended Singla while talking to TNS after attending a meeting of office-bearers here today.

Observations revealed that the hike in coal prices had resulted in corresponding increase in the rate of bricks. A majority of kiln owners quoted rates between Rs 1,900 and Rs 2,000 for 1,000 standard bricks. The fare was to be paid by the buyer.

With little stocks of coal at their disposal, a majority of the kiln owners have started searching for alternative sources of fuel.

Thousands of labourers working at kilns will be rendered jobless after fuel stocks are exhausted. Masons and labourers working with them also apprehend a similar fate.

Bathinda, August 11
A three-day Scout and Guide Tritiya Sopan Testing Camp concluded at the Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1, Bathinda Cantonment today.

Altogether 136 scouts and 75 guides from different Kendriya Vidyalayas of Chandigarh region participated in this camp. It was organised under the leadership of Ramesh Kumar, divisional training commissioner and his team members.

The camp was inaugurated by the venue director and principal of K.V.No.1, T.D.Garg on Saturday. On the second day of the camp, Rajbir, yoga teacher of K.V.No. 3, Ambala Cantonment, taught the students some useful asanas and pranayams. It was followed by flag break, Tritiya Sopan test and camp fire. Bagirathi, principal K.V.No. 5, Bathinda Cantonment was the chief guest on the occasion.

On the concluding day, valedictory function was held in the afternoon session. Speaking on the occasion, Garg congratulated all the scouts and guides who had qualified the Tritiya Sopan and laid stress on 'Arise, Awake and Stop not, Till the goal is achieved'. Mementos were presented to all the experts and trainers. 

Bathinda, August 11
Listing a number of demands students at the Government Rajindra College went on the warpath by holding a protest against the college authorities, here today.

Complaining of poor facilities, the protesters submitted a list in which they mentioned that the total fund collected from nearly 3300 students was Rs 20,09,700.

Giving details, the protesters mentioned that the college authorities had been collecting money under various heads, namely, water, generator, building fund, maintenance fund, library fund, PT fund and medical aid, but none 
of the facilities had been provided to the students in a proper way. The activists of the Punjab Students Union (Shaheed Randhawa) also gave details of funds amounting to Rs 5,44,500, which the college collected under various heads.

The protesting students mentioned that the students of BA-I should be allowed to change their subjects and that the hike in hostel fee should be rolled back. They further accused the education department of sending teachers to some other college situated in Sardoolgarh (Mansa). They alleged that the teachers visit there for three days a week by rotation, due to which the studies in their college get affected badly.

Accusing the college authorities of providing inadequate facilities, the president of the union, Pavel Kusa said that repeated requests had failed to awaken them from their deep slumber. Kusa also warned of intensifying the stir if the voice of the students went unheeded.

On his part, principal of the college, R.K. Bangar refuted the allegations and spoke at length about the facilities being provided to the students. About the teachers going to a college in Sardoolgarh, he said, "It is a temporary arrangement and an advertisement has already been published for the new appointment of teachers. We will never let the students suffer at any cost."

Bathinda, August 11
ICFAI National College, Bathinda, organised an inter-college poetic recitation and quiz competition 'Jagriti-2008' at its campus here today.

The objective of this mega event was to instill the spirit of patriotism and dedication in the young minds towards their country.

Forty-three students from various colleges of the region participated in the quiz and poetic recitation function. Students of the college added a colour to the ceremony by their folk dance and a play on "Shaheed Bhagat Singh."

Amarjit Singh, former principal, Government Rajindra College, Bathinda, was the chief guest on the occasion. He enlightened the students about their duties towards the nation.

Pooja Sharma, campus head, welcomed and thanked all the guests present. She also motivated the young citizens to contribute to the nation in ethical terms.

The following are the results of the competitions: Quiz India: Vijay Joshi and Narindra Kumar, DAV College, Bathinda, were declared winners while runners-up trophy went to Jyoti and Meena of Gopichand Arya College, Abohar. Poetic recitation: Pardeep Kumar, DAV College, Aboha,r got the first position while Manisha Sharma, SSD Girls College, Bathinda, were declared the 
runners-up.

Abohar, August 11
The students of LRS DAV Senior Secondary Model School here have brought laurels in the field of science. They were accorded a warm welcome in the school campus today.

Principal Kusum Khungar informed the morning assembly that Anandita and Arpit Bhutani from class X had added a feather in the cap of the school through their performance at the regional level Science Exhibition, 2008, held under the aegis of the CBSE at the Police D.A.V. Public School, Jalandhar Cantonment, on August 8-9.

Under the theme of 'Science & Technology and Planet Earth', their project, 'Generation of energy from municipal solid waste (MSW)' was selected for the national level competition. Under the guidance of the science teachers, Ravinder Kumar, Smita Sharma and Neeta Kamboj, the students prepared a working model on how to generate electricity from MSW. They used plasma gasification technique. The project received a wide acclaim. — OC

Bathinda, August 11
In the course of its ongoing crackdown to curb the menace of drug addiction, a team of health department staff, led by district drug inspector Vinay Kumar, conducted raids on a number of chemist shops at Maur Mandi which yielded a big haul of intoxicating tablets and cough syrups.

According to Dr Neelam Bajaj, Civil Surgeon, Bathinda, the seizures from Anand Medical Hall, Maur Mandi, included 19,700 tablets of Finotin, 600 tablets of Nitrozepam, 125 bottles of cough mixtures, 1,400 tablets of Alprax, 40 capsules of Proxivon, 100 tablets of Carisoma, 50 tablets of diazepam and other intoxicating material.

The owner failed to produce sale and purchase documents and other record, which was to be maintained under the relevant provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

She said the state drug control authorities had been intimated about search and seizure operation with a recommendation of cancellation of license of this chemist shop.

The stock of seized medicines would be produced in a court here tomorrow for launching proceedings against the defaulting chemist. 

Abohar, August 11
BSF DIG V.K. Sharma today inaugurated another barrack, the second in the last 50 days, for the jawans at the sector headquarters here.

The jawans and officers who braved the scorching summer heat, gave the chief guest a warm welcome. He spent over half an hour in performing rituals before unveiling the inaugural stone. Sharma recalled that the areas was mainly part of the desert and a jungle when he had first visited the complex in 2002 as the commandant of a battalion. It had now emerged as a picturesque spot, thanks to the untiring efforts of the BSF men who have supplementing the projects funded by the central government for their welfare.

Talking to The Tribune on the sidelines of the ceremony, Sharma said the double storeyed building spread over an area of 1784 square meters will house 120 jawans up to the rank of the head constable. Its construction had commenced in the last quarter and was completed recently involving an expenditure of about Rs 1.28 crore. Another barrack that had also been constructed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) at the same cost was inaugurated on June 19. This was regarded as a major step towards accomplishing the objective of providing basic amenities to the jawans who live far away from their families during posting in this area.

While designing the barracks, adequate emphasis was laid on hygiene and sanitation. The floors were laid using Kota stone and provision for modern electrical fittings were appropriately catered for. 

Barnala, August 11
The district consumer forum, Sangrur, has asked the Life Insurance Corporation, Barnala branch, to pay its five policy holders their due benefits within 60 days and also pay a fine of Rs 5,000 each for harassing them.

Amarjit Singh, Manmohan Kaur, Santosh Jindal, Neeru and Kanchan Garg and Sukhwinder Singh, all resident of Barnala, filed complaints against LIC before the forum that they had obtained policies from LIC in the year 2006. After that on July 20, 2006, these policy holders submitted applications to LIC Barnala to change the fund of their policies. But instead of changing the fund of complainant's policies as per their requests, the LIC wrongly changed the fund of the complainants’ policies due to which they were suffering huge pecuniary losses.

The policy holders requested many a time for rectifying the mistake to which they did not agree. Aggrieved by the stance of the LIC, the complainants knocked at the door of the district consumer forum, Sangrur. Agreeing with their counsel, the forum president M.D. Sharma gave the decision in the favour of the policy holders.

Barnala, August 11
Former CMO and president of International Naturopathy Organisation, Punjab, Gurmail Singh has been selected for Health Excellency Award by Sikkim Naturopathy Centre.

He will be conferred the honour by the Governor of Sikkim at the two-day International Conference of Naturopathy commencing from August 16. — OC