Ferozepur, September 6
“The Punjab government has embarked on a massive plan to provide infrastructural facilities in the rural areas of the state for bringing them at par with urban locations. For the same, Rs 650 crore shall be spent during the current fiscal,” stated irrigation minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon, during the inauguration of a new block samiti meeting hall constructed at a cost of Rs 10 lakh in Ghal Khurd village, 20 km from the district headquarters, today.

On the occasion, he also laid the foundation stone of the new residential block of the samiti, for which an amount of Rs 10 lakh would be spent. He also planted saplings in the office compound of the block samiti here.

Earlier, Jaswinder Kaur and Mukand Singh, chairperson and vice-chairman of the block samiti Ghall Khurd, respectively, assumed the charge of their offices in the presence of the minister.

Sekhon exhorted the chairperson to work hard for the uplift and welfare of the rural masses.

Later, while addressing a gathering, he said the state government has vested several powers in the panchayats and the work of various government departments had also been brought under their control.

The minister said the state government was making concerted efforts for the all-round development of rural and urban areas alike. “Several thermal power projects were being sanctioned for 24-hour power supply, the canals were being realigned for better irrigational facilities and road network was being improved,” he added.

Moga, September 6
The SAD-BJP candidate for the post of president of the local municipal council (MC) in the ensuing elections, Barjinder Singh Brar, son of senior Akali leader Jathedar Tota Singh, from ward number 1 and five other party candidates were elected unopposed on the last day of withdrawal of the nomination papers.

In a house of total 31 seats, the others who were elected unopposed include Saroj Rani from ward 9, Prem Chand from ward 20, Sandeep Sood from ward 26, Gurminder Singh Bablu from ward 28 and Dapinder Pal Singh Sandhu from ward 29.

Talking to the media persons here this evening, Tota Singh claimed that the SAD-BJP would emerge victorious in the elections. He refuted the allegations of the Congress that their party had used the influence of official machinery, particularly the police, to reject the nomination papers of opponents.

He said the local Congress MLA Joginder Pal Jain had betrayed his own party candidates by not giving them the authority letters to fight the polls on party symbols.

Adding that Jain was frustrated over the way his candidates were running away from the elections, he said the MLA had lost moral credibility among the common masses. Jain was now unnecessarily raking up the issue of misuse of official machinery to cover up his own mistakes, the Akali leader alleged.

Meanwhile, there was huge rush of Akali supporters in the election office of the SAD in the evening to congratulate Barjinder Brar and other five candidates who had already won the elections.

The SAD was now fighting the elections in 15 wards and the BJP in 10 wards. There were a total 101 candidates left in the fray.

Moga, September 6
The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) has alleged that the ruling parties were misusing the official machinery to win the municipal council (MC) elections here.

Describing the elections as a farce and murder of democracy in broad daylight, the PPCC working president Mohinder Singh Kaypee, while talking to the media persons here today, alleged that the candidates were being terrorised by misusing the police force to withdraw the nomination papers.

It may be mentioned that as many as many 50 candidates had withdrawn their nomination papers today. However, none of them belonged to the Congress.

Kaypee alleged that many police and civil officers, including SSP Ashok Bath and SDM Lakhmir Singh, were dancing to the tunes of the SAD. The police had raided the premises/houses of few Congress candidates and chased them to exert pressure to withdraw their nomination papers or simply sit down quietly while the SDM had tactfully tried to get signatures of some candidates on withdrawal forms, he said.

He said it was shameful for the SAD-BJP government that there was no civil rights and no rule of law. Kaypeed said the very essence of democracy as enshrined in the Constitution, a free and fair election of the representatives of the people had been mercilessly murdered by the ruling parties.

He said the state election commissioner did not pick up his phone to listen to the grievances of the Congress candidates.

The PPCC had also announced to approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court demanding to start the process of elections afresh under the eyes of independent observers and central police forces. — TNS

Fazilka, September 6
“If those involved in assaulting Raj Baksh Kamboj, president of the Block Congress Committee Jalalabad (Rural), are not arrested within a week, the Congress workers would gherao the office of deputy commissioner and the SSP Ferozepur. A state-level dharna would also be staged,” said Mohinder Singh Kaypee, PPCC working president, who visited the residence of the Congress leader in nearby town Jalalabad today to enquire about his health. He was accompanied by former Congress MLA from Jalalabad and ex-minister Hans Raj Josan.

It may be recalled that a murderous assault was allegedly made on Baksh on July 12 in broad day light in court complex. It had been alleged in the FIR that the accused were patronised by the ruling party, particularly the SAD MLA from Jalalabad and chief parliamentary secretary Sher Singh Ghubaya.

Kaypee alleged there was a complete breakdown of law and order machinery in the state. “The present government was committing excesses on Congress workers to demoralise them. The police is acting as a puppet.” He said the issue of excesses on Congress party workers, including assault on Raj Baksh, would be raised in the ensuing state Assembly session, which would commence on September 10.

Kaypee severely criticised the Badal-led government for its failure in handling flood situation in the state. “So far, the government has neither submitted a report of the exact crop loss neither the special girdawri of the affected land has been conducted.”

Bathinda, September 6
“I am sure of winning a boxing gold in next Olympics. And, the Indian pugilists will win at least five medals at the Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi in 2010,” said Dharmendra Singh Yadav, Arjuna award winner and the coach of boxers from the CISF, participating in the 55th Senior National Boxing Championship that began here today.

After the win at the Olympics, the game has gained in popularity. Earlier, people did not know what the rules of the game were and how the points were calculated. “Now, they are showing interest in boxing also.” Breaking into laughter, he says that some time back, he was asked, “Bhaaji, naak di haddi todan de kinne points ne. (How many points one gets after breaking the nose of one’s rival).” “Gurbax Singh Sandhu, Dronacharya award winner, is the force behind the status that boxing has achieved today. It was due to his hard work, motivation and administrative skills that we could win the medal.”

Cash incentives prove to be a great motivator for Indian boxers. More such awards would bring out better players, said the pugilist. “Nevertheless, media's support can do a lot,” he added. Replying to a query, the 35-year-old said, “Lack of exposure is the reason why Indian players under-perform at international events. Only if they fight against international pugilists more often, would they come to know how quick and powerful the foreign players are besides knowing their weaknesses and the techniques they use.” While it would help the Indian players learn their opponents better, it would also help in lowering the psychological pressure on them. Then, they won’t be scared of them at the Olympics, he added.

Talking about the stumbling blocks in the rise of sports in India, he said, “One of the basic problems is that the senior officials of the departments concerned do not relieve the coaches to train the players competing at international events. But when it comes to representing the department, then they are more than willing. They seem to be more interested in medals for their department at national events rather than for the country,” he rued. 

Bathinda, September 6
Alleging that a constable posted at Thermal police station had an illicit relationship with a widow of Joga Nand village, residents of the area thrashed him and  tied him with a rope during the wee hours on Saturday, when he reportedly came out of her house. The constable was later suspended.

Within a week, it is the second incident when policemen in the district have faced the music for involvement in such activities.

As per the information received, Darshan Singh, the suspended constable, used to come to the house of a widow in the village at night. He used to park his scooter outside her house. It aroused the suspicion of the villagers who thought the "unclaimed" scooter might lead to some untoward incident. They called the police but reportedly received lukewarm response.

The villagers then set up a naka at the crossing of street and after waiting for an hour, they saw Darshan Singh coming out in an inebriated condition When he tried to ride his scooter, he was nabbed. On being asked, he disclosed his the relationship with the woman which infuriated the mob.

After thrashing him, they tied him with a rope. The villagers tried to contact the police but the emergency number of police control room (100) kept ringing but the call was not attended. By that time, media persons had gathered there. They tried to contact the SSP, who assured of taking immediate action, but even after an hour, no policeman reached there.

Panchayat members of the village informed that the woman came to them to get him released, but they refused. They mentioned that the husband of the woman died when she was quite young and hence, had received the sympathy of the whole village.

When contacted, SHO Thermal, Ucee Chawla said, "The SSP himself passed the order to suspend the constable and a departmental inquiry had been initiated."

Mansa, September 6
SSP Manwinder Singh has ordered a probe into the alleged incident of the selling of a girl child by his father.

According to sources, seven-year-old Neelam was allegedly sold by her father at Bathinda. The case came into light when the uncle of the girl, Shankar, a resident of Bhallan Wara under Mansa district, lodged a complaint with the SSP Mansa in this connection yesterday. In his complaint, Shankar alleged that his brother Hira Lal, a resident of village Koreana near Talwandi Sabo, had sold Neelam to someone at Bathinda.

The SSP said that on the basis of the complaint, an inquiry had been marked to the DSP, headquarters. He added that action would be taken after the report is submitted.

Mansa, September 6
Two motorcyclists fired three shots at a Dera Sacha Sauda follower at Bhikhi while he was returning to his house in the evening today.

According to the information available, Bhola Singh, a Dera follower was returning home when two unidentified motorcyclists shot at him near the gurdwara at Bhikhi. He was rushed to the local civil hospital. But since his condition was serious, the doctors referred him to the PGI, Chandigarh.

Residents of Bhikhi informed that all of Bhola’s family members were Dera followers, which might be the reason behind the attack.

SSP Mansa, Manwinder Singh, when contacted, said that the assailants were not identified yet. Even, the reason of attack was not clear, he added.

Meanwhile, the condition of Bhola was reportedly critical till the filing of this report. The Dera followers have started gathering at his residence. —OC

Barnala, September 6
To discuss the hardships being faced by the brick kiln industry, the Brick Kiln Association of this district held its meeting today, which was presided over by district president Moti Ram Garg. The brick kiln owners from Mehalkalan, Dhanaula, Barnala, Bhadaur and Shaina participated in the meeting.

Expressing concern over the shortage of supply of coal to the brick kilns, the association demanded from the state government to provide them with sufficient supply. The members also discussed the non-availability of labour for production, which was hitting the industry hard, especially the small-scale units.

While talking to reporters, Garg said the price of bricks would shoot up if coal supply was not ensured on reasonable rates at the earliest.

The association has also decided to begin the work from November 1 as directed by the Punjab Brick Kiln Industry Association.

Bathinda, September 6
The Ex-servicemen Welfare Union of the city expressed anguish regarding the much talked about Sixth Pay Commission recommendations announced by the Central government. Capt Bhagwant Singh Bhatti (retd), the union president, Major Singh Brar, senior vice-president, and Subedar Balbir Singh Sidhu, secretary general, stated today that all the three chiefs of the armed forces could not do much for JCOs and other ranks. The chiefs had asked that discrepancies in the pay commission should be dealt with before it gets implemented.

The ex-servicemen feel that as defence forces cannot voice their concern openly, the government is paying little heed to those who guard the borders. Moreover, the recommendations given by the defence chiefs were not made public.

It is still not clear that what kind of proposal was put up by the three chiefs.

The union feels that the Sixth Pay Commission is purely "pro-officer." Little is in store for other ranks. They pointed out serious anomalies in the pay commission's recommendations.

The government has announced Rs 6,000 as military service pay for officers whereas other ranks get Rs 2,000 only. Grade pay was another issue pointed out by the union. It said the government had further increased the grade pay of officers over and above what was recommended by the review committee. The union feels that increase in grade pay should be applicable to other ranks as well.

They said if the government turns a deaf ear to their plea then they would take up the issue in a serious manner.

Bathinda, September 6
At least 22 pilgrims sustained injuries when a canter on which they were travelling turned turtle near Rama Mandi, here today.

According to sources, they were heading towards Bagad village in Rajasthan from Rajpura via Bathinda. The injured have been admitted to Bathinda and Rama civil hospitals for treatment.

As per the information available, most of the injured hailed from Hoshirapur and Patiala districts.

Bathinda, September 6
Students of the Mata Maiserkhana College of Education (for girls) celebrated Teachers' Day with enthusiasm at a function organised to mark the occasion on Friday.

Som Jeet Pal, president of Malwa Prantiya Brahman Sabha, Maiserkhana, presided over the function.

The students presented a cultural programme while guest speakers, including Gian Chand Sharma, Janak Raj Sharma, Nirmal Kaushik and Giani Kartar Singh, expressed their views on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, O.D. Sharma, general secretary of the college, said that changes becoming perceptible in the culture of students, teachers should present themselves as role models. He said that teachers should take their jobs as passion and not as profession.

The guest speakers were honoured by the chief guest. Faculty members of the college were also felicitated by the management for their work.

Sanjay Sharma, CA and adviser, Mohan Lal Sharma, senior vice-president, Bhupinder Ojha, cashier and Om Parkash of the sabha were also present on the occasion. Piyara Lal Sharma, vice-chairman of the college, extended the vote of thanks.