Bathinda, September 9
The plight of Rattinder Singh and his father Gurnam Singh, a retired defence personnel, is a testimony to illustrate the state of affairs at the Improvement Trust, Bathinda.

Showing a huge pile of documents, the duo narrated their plight in detail. Gurnam Singh said they had applied for a plot, which was allotted to them in 1999, but till date, they have not been able to start construction on it, just because of the callous attitude of the officials concerned.

As per the documents, plot number 183 measuring 108 square yards was allotted to them in the 49.50 acre scheme of the Improvement Trust, Bathinda, vide memo number 340/ITB dated 19.2.99. Later, the plot number was changed to 99, vide letter number 1236, dated 3.4.2001.

The two started visiting the office of the Trust to obtain the possession of the plot but they were told that the plot was in illegal possession and could not be given to them. Then they submitted applications dated 22.1.02 and 27.5.02. In reply, they were verbally informed that an alternative plot would be allotted to them. Then they were allotted a plot, number 351 of 101.5 square yards in lieu of the 108 square yards plot, vide letter number 2371, dated 10.10.02. They rued that despite repeated personal contacts and applications, the possession could not be handed over to them.

"Later, we were told that some extra yards of land were available along with that land and we purchased it at market rate. Then, the possession of 136 square yards plot was handed over to me on 21.3.07. We contacted the architects for preparing a map for the construction of the house, who told us that as all the four sides of the plot are of different length, therefore the joining plan of the plot should be obtained from the Trust, for which I applied on 29.3.07," said Rattinder Singh.

Accusing the authorities of adopting an indifferent attitude, they said, "After several personal contacts, applications (last application dated 4.2.08, addressed by name to K.K. Yadav, Administrator Improvement Trust) a copy of the joining plan was received vide letter dated 5.3.08. Thereafter, a map for the construction of the house was submitted for approval on 7.4.08, which is still pending for action without any information to us. We continuously informed K.K. Yadav of the matter."

Now they have requested the state government to order an inquiry into the case because of the alleged delay at every step. They have also sought the assessment of compensation for mental tension, financial loss for non-construction of house and also loss of interest for the amount paid by them to the Trust. Efforts were made to contact Improvement Trust Administrator K.K. Yadav on his mobile phone but it was out of coverage area., A receptionist at the Trust office said, "As he is in charge of many important departments in the city, so Yadav Saheb rarely visits the place. So, there is no other option but to try and contact him on his mobile phone."

Mansa, September 9
"The Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) has launched anti-theft campaign and the voluntary disclosure scheme (VDS)," said H.S. Brar, member, distribution, of the PSEB.

Talking to this correspondent, Brar said that through the VDS scheme, consumers could increase their electricity loads for domestic and commercial purposes.

The scheme would continue from September 1 to September 30 and during this period, the electricity board would not levy any surcharge from consumers who would apply for increasing loads, he added.

He also said that nearly Rs 107 crore were collected as penalty for power theft in the state since April 1 this year.

Ajaib Singh, SDO (Urban) Mansa, said that altogether 249 cases of power theft were registered in August and Rs 24,73,000 was collected as fine.

Ashok Kumar, SDO, Mansa city, said that 93 cases of power theft was detected during raids and Rs 10 lakh was collected as fine in August.

Sources in the electricity department said that due to line loss and theft, only 50 per cent billing is being noted of total supply while 25 per cent goes in the account of defaulters and persons availing of free electricity, sources added. 

Chandigarh, September 9
The Punjab government has fixed a time schedule for the processing of applications received by various departments dealing with industrial development.

The move aims to strengthen the already existing Punjab Industrial Facilitation Act, 2005, which laid down a time schedule, but was rarely followed.

The government has now fixed a number of days for the various departments and in that time period they have to process an application for the establishment of an industrial project in Punjab.

Such a project requires as many as 15 clearances from the various departments and bodies, and the time consumed can range anything between a few months to a few years.

According to a notification issued by the Department of Industries and Commerce, the registrar of firms has been asked to complete the formalities within 10 days, while the PSIEC, PUDA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development have been directed to deal with the applications regarding change of land use within 40 days.

The housing department has also been asked to deal with the applications regarding grant of licences within 30 days. The state Pollution Control Board will have only 15 to 21 days to grant consent for establishment of the industry depending on its category.

The chief town planner, municipal corporations, director of factories and the PSIEC have been asked to take only 30 days to approve construction activity and buildings plans. The sanction for water and sewerage connection has to be given within 10 days.

The chief conservator of forests has been directed to grant approval to the project within 15 days in case no forestland is involved in the project, and 45 days in case the project includes forestland. The electricity board has been asked to give sanction for power within seven days to 120 days depending on the type of construction. The Department of Excise and Taxation will have to register the project for VAT within 30 days, and in case of a drug-manufacturing unit, a licence will be issued by the director, Health, within 30 days. The permission to draw water from a river or canal will have to be given by the Department of Irrigation within 30 days.

The government has already announced that in case the concerned department does not give the clearance within the stipulated period specified in the notification, the nodal agency would give a certificate of deemed approval to promoters of the project.

For industrial facilitation, the government has notified district industries’ centres as the district-level nodal agency and the Udyok Sahayak as the state-level nodal agency for the purpose.

Fazilka, September 9
The functioning of the Council for Citrus and Agro Juicing in Punjab speaks volumes of its indifference as far as promoting horticulture and crop diversification is concerned.

It is evident from a study of the situation obtaining on 60 acres of land taken on lease by the council to develop a citrus orchard.

Contrary to the ambitious plan of converting the agricultural land into an orchard, the factual study reveals that a major portion of the 60 acres of land is virtually set to turn into a barren unutilised land with Congress grass and weeds growing on it.

According to available details, the Council entered into an agreement for taking on lease agricultural land of the progressive farmer family of Davinder Sachdeva of Fazilka in the middle of the year 2006 for developing citrus fruits in village Ramkot of this sub-division.

The land was leased for a period of 12 years. The Council agreed to pay Rs 10,000 per acre annually, for a period of six years. There after, the profit from the citrus fruit yield was to be shared equally by the council and Davinder Sachdeva. After the agreement, the dismal tale of government functioning began.

During the first six months, no citrus plants were planted. The land was allowed to remain vacant. There after, the council planted some saplings of kinnow, oranges and Malta in different fields.

The department also laid pipes for drip irrigation. It spent about Rs 9 lakhs on the pipes amounting to Rs 15,000 per acre. Since the government officials "manning" the orchard allegedly did not take adequate care of the saplings, they started dying. The department then spent a hefty amount on replantation of saplings in some of the areas.

When this correspondent visited the "orchard" of the council in village Ramkot, it was altogether a different story even after a lapse of two years. The planted saplings were under developed and dwarfed.

Most of them were invisible amid the wild Congress grass and weeds in the field. Some of the employees engaged by the department were cutting the Congress grass to give it the shape of an orchard.

It is stated that due to lack of funds, the weeds could not be eliminated. The fertilisers were not used on time and the spray of desired pesticides was not done. The entire area neither presented the look of an orchard nor of an agricultural field.

Davinder Sachdeva, head of the family, who had leased his remunerative agricultural fields to the council for better earning and getting a citrus orchard developed by the "experts", lamented that he is not getting the settled lease amount at the proper time.

Sachdeva maintained that he was attracted by the scheme of the council for converting agricultural fields into orchards. He was also impressed that the experts horticulturists would take care of the orchard but now he is dismayed with the indifferent attitude of the council which has virtually turned his fertile agricultural land into a barren one. He is also sore over the fact that for providing drip irrigation, he had built three large reservoirs and three rooms for this purpose.

He said that he has got the lease amount of Rs 6 lakh only for the first year whereas the amount due in the month of April for the second year has not been paid. Contrary to it, he has spent more than Rs 6 lakh on the constructions of the reservoirs and the rooms.

Sachdeva feels that even after a lapse of six years, the yield if any of the citrus fruits is not likely to be remunerative for him. He is now disillusioned and worried about the pitiable condition of his fields which were fertile before handing over control to the council.

Sources revealed that the council has spent more than Rs 20 lakhs on developing this orchard.

According to sources, the council had engaged one supervisor, two watchman and five gardeners. Since the gardeners were not paid salaries, two of them have left. Another temporary gardener Kuldip Singh says that he has not been paid his salaries for a few months now as a result of it he is facing a financial crunch. He threatened to leave his job if he was not paid the salary fixed by the council.

Showing lush green fertile fields surrounding his 60 acres of land, Davinder Sachdeva says that if the present attitude of the council employees continues, he shall have to knock the doors of the court for getting the lease cancelled.

Council for Citrus and Agro Juicing In Punjab manager Kanwaljit Singh Thind, when confronted with the issue of the orchard the council undertook to develop, declined to comment. He maintained that such information may be sought from the headquarters of the council. 

Abohar, September 9
Balluana MLA Gurtej Singh Ghuriana visited some of the villages of his constituency till late in the evening which were badly affected by the hailstorm that hit the region yesterday.

Naib tehsildar Narinder Singh Saini accompanied the SAD legislator for on the spot survey.

Ghuriana said he would be apprising the CM Parkash Singh Badal of the situation tomorrow before attending the Vidhan Sabha session. He confirmed that crops in a dozen villages including Amarpura, Kandhwala Amarkot and Kikkarkhera were severely damaged due to heavy downpour and hailstorm. The farmers had earlier suffered much due to repeated breaches in the canals and fields remained waterlogged for couple of weeks. He would request the CM to visit the area personally after ordering a special girdawari. There have been loss to immovable property also, the MLA informed. 

Abohar, September 9
Vijay Luxmi Bhadoo, former state president of the BJP Mahila Morcha, has been appointed chairperson of the Punjab Women and Children Welfare Board, sources said here on Tuesday. She will enjoy cabinet minister rank.

According to information, she was among the top three contenders for the party ticket during last Assembly elections and later chose to campaign for the party candidates in Amritsar district as the ticket in Abohar constituency was again given to former MLA Ram Kumar Goyal. She was seen here only during an election meeting which was addressed by the national secretary Arun Jaitely during the election campaign. Her son had married Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda's daughter about three years back.

Vijay Luxmi Bhadoo has maintained studded silence after the formation of the coalition government and was seen only during the visits of senior leaders besides social functions. 

Mansa, September 9
The Bhartiya Kisan Union Ekta (Ugrahan) has demanded compensation for the families of those farmers who had committed suicide during the last decade.

In a statement given here today, the district president of the union Ram Singh Bhainibagha said that that state government should announce compensation of Rs 5 lakh to each family in the current Assembly session.

“Thousands of farmers had committed suicide since 1990,” he added. He blamed the state government that it had increased the salaries and perks of MLAs but not giving attention towards the problems of farmers. — OC

Bathinda, September 9
Depressed with his chronic ailment, a 23-year-old youth, Vinod Singh, reportedly committed suicide by hanging himself to death here on Monday evening.

Roop Singh, the father of the deceased said that he was working in a canteen at the Army cantonment. He used to constantly complain of headache and was quite troubled over it.

Last night, when Vinod was alone at home, he hanged himself from a ceiling fan and ended his life. After conducting a postmortem, Thermal police initiated inquest proceedings and handed over the body to the family members.

In a case of property related dispute, the Kotwali police booked the owner of a land along with the witness. According to the police, Jalandhar Singh of Kothe Kame Ke lodged a complaint with the police that Pritam Singh of village Malika received an amount of Rs 8 lakh from him in the name of token money for a piece of land.

Later, he sold the property to some other persons that too without returning the money to him.

After receiving the complaint, the case was referred to the economic offences wing, which found the accused guilty in during the investigation and submitted a report to the Kotwali police. A case under section 420 and 34 of the IPC has been registered. However, the police could not arrest any of the accused.

In another incident, a youth tried to commit suicide by jumping into the canal from the bridge near the thermal plant. He was immediately rescued by the bystanders. The volunteers of an NGO, Sahara Jan Seva, admitted him to the civil hospital in Bathinda. He was reportedly stressed by the pressures of daily life.

After some counselling, he was sent home. The youth is learnt to be a resident of Faridkot district.

Meanwhile, five people were injured in accidents. On Mansa road near Jassi Pau Wali chowk, a person was injured when the tyre of a tractor burst.

On the Gilpatti-Siwiyan road, a person was injured in a tractor-car collision. In Paras Ram Nagar, two people were injured when a motorcyclist knocked down a pedestrian.

Barnala, September 9
Terming the killing of panchayat member of village Tallewal Jagser Singh as the murder of democracy, Vijay Inder Singla, president of the Punjab Pradesh Youth Congress (PPYC) sought action against the guilty and demanded safety and security of the office- bearers of the PPYC.

Jagser was allegedly killed by the sarpanch of village Tallewal, Balraj Singh, on Monday evening.

Talking to this correspondent, Singla said that the murder of Jagser at Tallewal had proved the inaction of police and lawlessness. The deceased was a member of panchayat having four other members in his support and was a candidate for sarpanch of Tallewal village but Balraj Singh was elected sarpanch though he had fewer support. Jagser and other members filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging the election of sarpanch, held on August 10.

Singla, criticising the SAD-BJP led state government, said that the ruling alliance was creating an atmosphere of terror among the youth. He said that youth Congress had lost five office-bearers in the last one year in Punjab. All of them had been killed, if this continued, than what would be the fate of youngsters who would like to join politics to serve the country, he questioned.

Narrating the incident, Mukand Singh, father of Jagser Singh, said that Balraj Singh along with his accomplice was sitting at the shop of Wajir Chand at 7:30 pm on Monday when Jagser passed in front of the shop. Balraj allegedly shot at Jagser with point .12 bore pistol. Jagser was rushed to civil hospital, Barnala, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Today in the morning, villagers reached the hospital and demanded the arrest of the accused. They, later, took the body through main bazaars and reached court chowk, where they blocked the traffic and staged a dharna for about an hour. The protesters were raising anti-government slogans and also against the deputy commissioner for not conducting the fair election of sarpnch at village Tallewal.

Mukand Singh and former member of panchayat Buta Singh alleged that they had met deputy commissioner, Barnala, R. L. Mehta several times to ensure fair elections and to provide security to Congress panchayat members but it was all in vain.

Congress MLA Kewal Singh Dhillon and Sherpur MLA Beebi Harchand Kaur reached the spot and tried to pacify the protesters.

Satwant Singh Daud, DSP Tapa reached the site and said that the police had registered a case under section 302 and 34 of the IPC and 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act against five persons. Those who have been booked include sarpanch Balraj Singh, Jagraj Singh, Darshan Singh , Harnek Singh and Wazir Chand. Balraj Singh has been arrested.

After this announcement, the dharna was lifted and the body was cremated. Meanwhile, SSP Barnala, S.K. Verma said the police was conducting raids to nab the rest of the accused. He said the situation was under control and peaceful.

Bathinda, September 9
The "poor" results in the third semester of the Elementary Teachers Training in Bathinda district has raised the hackles of the students.

The students, under the banner of DIET Students Welfare Association (DSWA), have accused the authorities of vindictiveness against those who had lodged protests. They have also sought the intervention of the state government to inquire into the matter.

Providing a detail of the results, Parwinder Singh, president of the Malwa unit of DSWA, alleged, "As many as 101 students appeared in the third semester exam, out of which only 14 have been declared passed while 36 have passed with the help of grace marks. Ironically, 36 students have been awarded compartment in various subjects while six have been declared as failed."

In the same way, the ETT students of Ferozepur district too have faced the same problem as out of the 81 students, eight have been shown as failed, 14 have been awarded compartment and 29 have passed with grace marks.

Accusing the department of irregularities, a group of students rued that out of the partially or absolutely failed students, almost 90 per cent students were those who had scored around 80 per cent marks in the first and second semester. They maintained that they had been selected on merit after scoring a handsome percentage in their previous academic courses.

Accusing the authorities, they said that there was no provision for re-evaluation to remove the doubts of the students. They said that the authorities should re-open the answer-sheets and get them re-evaluated to ensure the satisfaction of the students. Moreover, they alleged that the SCERT did not provide the marksheets of all semesters to clarify the position.

Gursewak Singh, one of the aggrieved students, while showing a copy of the gazette, said, "I have been awarded compartment in three papers, Psychology, Emerging India and Teacher's Functioning. I can give in writing that in Psychology, there were only two chapters and I had done well in the paper."

Pointing to the gazette, the agitated students said that Psychology, Emerging India and Teacher's Functioning were subjects for which almost all candidates were awarded compartment. "It is sufficient to prove irregularities within the department," they added.

Giving their statement in writing, they mentioned that if the authorities and the state government do not take immediate action in this regard, the students, under the banner of a joint association, would intensify their struggle and adopt any means.

Brushing aside the allegations of irregularities, director of the SCERT, Sadhu Singh Randhawa, talking over phone from Chandigarh, said, "There is no provision for re-evaluation and we can not even show the papers to them because once we tried it and for that we had to suffer a lot. Moreover, I wish to add that many of them stay away from studies."

Bathinda, September 9
The 39th regional athletic meet being held at KV No. 1 concluded today. As many as 84 events were held at the meet and 550 participants from 58 schools from the Chandigarh region participated.

R.B. Meena, education officer of KVS, Chandigarh region, was the chief guest at the closing ceremony held today. Principal T.D. Garg welcomed the dignitaries and read a brief report on the sports meet. The students presented a cultural programme.

The Haryanvi dance and Taekwondo were the most appreciated. Then, a jumble march of the contingents followed. Mementoes were presented to the best athletes under different categories of the under-14, under-17 and under-19 boys and girls. The overall trophy was jointly shared by KV No.1 Patiala and KV No. 1 Bathinda. The chief guest in his speech appreciated the efforts of the participants. "The purpose of the meet was to create a feeling of competitiveness and not to get disheartened by loss," he said.

Results: Girls

Long jump, u-14: 1. Sangeeta- KV No. 1, Bathinda; 400m, 600m, and 800 m hurdle race: 1. Samina- KV No. 1, Patiala; 1500 m and 3000 m race, u-17: 1 Ritu Kumari- KV No. 4, Ambala; 800 m, 1500 m and 3000 m race, u-19: 1. Nitu Kumari- KV No. 4 Ambala; Boys -- 400 m race, u-14: 1. Pawan Kumar- KV No. 1, Ferozepur; 200m and 600 m race: 2. Pawan Kumar- KV No. 1, Ferozepur.

200 m, 400 m and 400 m hurdle race, u-17: 1. Avinash Kumar- KV No. 1 Patiala.

Long jump and high jump: 1. Bikram- KV No. 3, Bathinda.

400 m, 800 m and 1500 m race, u-19: 1. Lovejot Singh- KV, Jalalabad.

Shotput and discus hammer: 1. Sandeep- KV No. 2, Halwara.

The best school joint winner title was bagged by KV No. 1, Bathinda and best school boys and girls title was clinched by KV No. 1, Patiala.