Bathinda, September 21
After cases of booth capturing incidents in the recently held municipal council polls in the city, high drama prevailed during the university senate elections held at the local DAV College here today.

Voting ran into trouble and remained suspended for over an hour today, when a few activists reportedly belonging to a political party allegedly captured the booth at the local DAV College and snatched the ballot papers from the polling staff.

They even roughed up presiding officer J.S. Anand. Amid the hue and cry, the police was called in.

But before the arrival of policemen, the miscreants fled from the scene leaving some marked ballot papers without putting them into the ballot box.

Talking to the TNS, presiding officer, J.S. Anand said, "Everything was going on smoothly but all of a sudden, some miscreants barged into the booth and manhandled me. They then started tearing off ballot papers and wrote their preferences for candidates of graduate constituency of serial number 10 and 11. Sensing trouble, I called up the police to defuse the situation. The alleged miscreants fled after snatching the ballot papers from the polling staff," he added.

"I have also brought the matter to the notice of the Registrar and the Vice-Chancellor of the university at Chandigarh and they have assured of blacklisting both the candidates," Anand said.

Other staff standing besides, as a witness, alleged that the miscreants referred to the names of some political dignitaries of the state government and ruling parties.

However, Harinder Singh of serial No. 10 said that he had no role in booth capturing and disrupting the senate polls. Later on, the polling continued smoothly.

Bathinda, September 21
Coins of Re 1 and Rs 2 denominations have literally disappeared from the market. The coins, in such a huge abundance only a couple of months ago that people wanted to get rid of these, are barely available now.

The worst hit are small traders and bus conductors who find it difficult to pay small change to people.

It is learnt that the coins were being melted for being used in industry. It is estimated that people who melt these coins, redeem several times more from these than their face value.

At least two shaving blades can be made from a single coin which sells for at least
Rs 7 each.

And the manufacturers make about Rs 3 to 4 per blade, thus, redeeming at least
thrice the price of the coin.

Compared to Re 1 and Rs 2 coins, the Rs 5 coins have not gone short. This is for
obvious reasons.

Because Rs 5 cannot fetch as much as the coins of lesser denomination after
these are melted.

Ashok Gupta, a senior manager of a local bank, also confirmed that they had got reports of shortage of coins.

They said although nothing could be said with certainty, there were apprehensions that the coins were being used for "other purposes" also.

This has led to massive shortage. Some nationalised banks have chests for coins, which they get from the Reserve Bank of India.

Some bank officials pointed out that it was very difficult to trace the coins once they were melted. Equally difficult is to find out the people who melt these.

They said although this is a serious offence, so far no case had been made out
against anybody.

They said only good intelligence feedback could provide some leads that could help in tracking the "coin mafia".

However, during recent months, there were reports that some people would ask for the coins and pay more for them than their actual denomination.

Hundred coins of Re 1 were bought between Rs 125 to Rs 150, depending
on the bargain.

Once the banks got alerted, "coin traders" also vanished and they now seem to
be operating clandestinely.

Talking to TNS, a number of shopkeepers and retailers, said for the last three months, they had faced an acute shortage of coins.

"Earlier, we would be flooded with coins so much so we found it difficult to dispose these of, but now we have to search for these," said Raman Mittal, a shopkeeper.

Expressing concern over this, local Beopar Mandal president Anil Kapur said that in the absence of coins of Re 1 and Rs 2, the shopkeepers had to give toffees, biscuits or matchboxes to customers.

In this way, customers have to lose money on every single purchase, when it can
be used for other purposes. Kapur said that the Centre must provide small coins
in the market.

However, top official in the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Chandigarh, informed TNS that though they have increased the supply of coins in the market by over 15 per cent as compared to last year, they had been receiving complaints of coin shortage.

The RBI official said that it is learnt that the shopkeepers continued to offer
sweets for change.

It is yet to be ascertained if they are the ones who are selling the coins to unscrupulous elements for the intrinsic value of metal in the coins," said the official.

Meanwhile, the RBI official said next time the owner of a departmental store or a chemist offers you sweets for the change that he has to pay back, be sure to insist upon getting the change only.

For, there is no shortage of coins, as is being projected by unscrupulous elements, which are hoarding coins.

Bathinda, September 21
The quality of covers of manholes in the city now poses a threat to the safety of the people here.

Accusing the local civic body of buying poor quality cemented manhole covers, Pawan Kansal, a resident of New Shakti Nagar, said just a few days after a manhole was covered with a lid in the locality, the cover had given way and only a frail mesh of iron bars was left.

Showing the cover that he removed from a street in New Shakti Nagar, Kansal said he received a complaint about a damaged cement lid and when he got it removed, he found that the cement was coming off without any effort.

"It was all made of sand. It came off when I hit it lightly. This is how the BMC is caring for the lives of people, who can fall in manholes after stepping on a weak manhole lid," he said while demanding an inquiry into all manholes purchased by the BMC in the recent past.

He added that the iron remains weighed at 2-3 kg only. "Ideally, a manhole cover should have 10-12 kg of iron if we want to avoid accidents."

Kansal has kept the iron remains at his house and said he would take it to the MC chief on a working day.

"I want an inquiry should be conducted to find out from where these manholes were being purchased and why BMC bought these when they were of inferior quality."

"These are death-holes if not covered properly. I would demand action against the officials for their negligence which can lead to accidents once it is proved that the quality of covers was not checked before distributing these," said Kansal.

The city has witnessed many accidents owing to open manholes. Recently, a minor girl had fallen in it and sustained multiple fractures.

During the last many years, some lives were lost due to the open manholes. The MC has been under fire as far as the manhole is concerned.

A month ago, some councillors had alleged that the covers were in short supply in the BMC store. Later, the authorities had purchased these.

The civic body had switched over to cement and iron covers some years ago
when iron lids were found to be stolen by scrap dealers and rag-pickers, leaving
the manhole open.

This had forced the BMC to switch over to concrete covers. But with allegations
of inferior quality material surfacing, it seems the local body would have to take
some stringent steps.

Bathinda, September 21
Rahul Gandhi is the sixth member of the Nehru-Gandhi clan to visit this Malwa heartland of Punjab. He is arriving here tomorrow evening and would resume his road show on Tuesday.

The first member of the clan to visit here was Jawahar Lal Nehru who came twice in 1919 and 1947.

He courted arrest during the Jaito Morcha in 1919 and came again in 1947 to hoist the tri-colour on the Faridkot fort despite resistance by the then ruler.

The then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, grandmother of Rahul Gandhi, also came here twice in 1965 and 1972.

Her visit in 1965 was to boost the morale of troops during the Indo-Pakistan war and in 1972 she came to campaign for Congress during assembly elections in the state.

Sanjay Gandhi launched his 5-point programme here in 1975 when he also
addressed a rally.

Rajiv Gandhi visited here in 1985 to campaign for the assembly elections soon after the Rajiv-Longowal accord.

Thereafter, Sonia Gandhi addressed a panchayat sammelan here in 2004 during the regime of Amarinder Singh.

Ferozepur, September 21
AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi will pay respects to the gallant warriors of the freedom struggle Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev at the National Martyrs Memorial, Hussaniwala, here on September 23.

He would also address the Youth Congress workers. While talking to mediapersons here, Parminder Singh Pinki, general secretary, PPCC, said Rahul would also visit the Dev Samaj College for Women where he would interact with party cadres and college students.

He added that there was a lot of enthusiasm among the Congress workers. Pinki said that Rahul’s visit would strengthen the party ahead of the parliament elections.

He also expressed confidence that the Congress would win all the Lok Sabha seats
in the state.

Mansa, September 21
“The Youth Congress workers are enthusiastic about Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Punjab,” said Bikram Singh Moffar, general secretary of the Punjab Youth Congress, and district president Gupreet Singh Vicky.

They informed that the reports of atrocities committed against the Congress workers, allegedly by the ruling alliance, would be submitted to Gandhi.

His visit would boost the morale of the Youth Congress workers, they added.

The leaders said Gandhi would also inspect the new election system at Bhikhi in this district on September 22.

Faridkot/Bathinda, September 21
A drama festival was today organised by the Taraksheel Society at Amar Ashram in connection with the Baba Farid centenary celebrations.

Professor Jagmohan Singh, chairman of the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Facts Research Committee, presided over the function.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Jagmohan Singh said the Taraksheel Society not only rids people from superstitious and illusion but also protects them from the exploitation made by hypocrite saints and tantriks.

He said about 80 per cent population of the country was devoid of basic amenities and they are also discriminated for imparting proper education. He added that people should fight for their rights.

On this occasion, the Lok Kala Manch, Mullanpur, also staged a play showing that even today female foeticide was very common. The play urged the women folk to unite against this inhuman practice.

Magic tricks were also performed and motorbike was driven blindfolded. The spectators were astonished to watch a bare-footed man walking on burning ambers.

Last night, the Literary Forum, Faridkot, organised a Kavi Darbar in which prominent Punjabi poets of the state recited their poems.

The programme was conducted by Harmeet Vidyarthi. The poets dealt with the theme of corruption in society, female foeticide and the role of religious bigots, who created differences among the masses.

Sukhwant Chittarkar, Sulakhan Sarhaddi, Satish Gulati, Mohinder Sathi, Ram
Singh Chakkwala (Tehsildar), Shamsher Mohi, Mukesh Alam, Gurchara Gill,
Parminderjeet, Sunil Chandianvi, Surjit Singh and Harcharan Singh Sandhu,
SDM, Faridkot, recited poems.

V.K. Meena, deputy commissioner, Faridkot, who was the chief guest, honoured veteran poet Darbara Singh Panchhi with the Chand Singh Chahal Award and Vijay Vivek with the Sheikh Farid award.

Faridkot, September 21
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal will on Monday honour five prominent artists at Faridkot during the concluding ceremony of the Baba Farid centenary celebrations.

Those to be honoured are Baltej Singh Brar, president of the Faridkot chapter of the INTACH, Fauja Singh Brar, a poet, Ajmer Singh Aulakh, writer and a playwright, Subhash Parihar, researcher, and Manohar Singh, DPRO.

Badal will also honour five wrestlers, namely Randhir Singh Dheera, Hari Krishen, Balwant Rai, Harpreet Singh and Mandeep Kaur.

Bathinda, September 21
The civic agony over the revamping of the the Bathinda-Goniana road is apparently not yet over.

First the project has been proving to be a mismanaged affair taking toll of human lives. Seconddly, the material used in the construction of pavements and parking lots is allegedly of poor quality.

Thirdly, the pavements that were supposed to facilitate pedestrian, is now proving to be a convenient place where the shopkeepers can encroach at their own sweet will. Finally, work is moving at a snail's pace.

If a pedestrian wishes to walk on the pavements, he would hardly find a single stretch free of hassles as auto repair shops have been using the place to carry out their work. On being asked, they all have their different versions.

"Jad mayor sada avda hai, taan municipal corporation ya Improvement Trust de officer sanu ki kahenge (when the BMC mayor is ours then how can the officers of BMC or Improvement Trust say anything to us)?" replied a motor mechanic opposite the ADC (D) office.

Giving another interesting reply, a welder-cum-painter, near Pukhraj Theatre, said, "Till date, no one has come to us to stop this so-called encroachment. Moreover, we do regard it as encroachment because it is all a facility for us. Being part of the electorate, we too can enjoy this metalled floor for our activities."

It had been reported in these columns about the dislocation and caving in of the interlocking tiles used for the pavements, but despite assurances, the official did not bother to look into the matter.

Claims by the transport and police officials regarding the diversion of traffic routes do not seem to be working as in the absence of the traffic police, nobody bothers to abide by the rules.

Bathinda, September 21
Talwandi Sabo girls with their much-admired
performances in all disciplines shone on the
second day of the district (inter-block) rural
sports competitions (under-16 boys/girls) and
district panchayat tournament (men) at sports
stadium here today.

Ironically, despite the claims of promoting sports among the youth, efforts seemed to be lacking.

Weightlifting is included in the competition but the
district sports authorities have neither equipment
nor coaches to encourage and train the players.

As such, the competitionis taking place at a
private gymnasium.

Expressing regret, deputy director, sports, Patiala division, Harpal Singh Kanwar and district sports officer S.S. Buttar said they have repeatedly brought the matter to the notice of the higher authorities but action in this regard is still being awaited.

Further, they disclosed that Bathinda district has been selected for the Punjab State Women's Festival, that would take place from October 11-14 here.

Results of today's events:
Volleyball (boys): Rampura bt Bathinda, Nathana bt Sangat, Talwandi Sabo bt Phul, Maur bt Bhagta, Bathinda bt Talwandi Sabo, Sangat bt Nathana
Volleyball (girls): Bathinda bt Phul, Rampura bt Bhagta, Sangat bt Nathana,
Talwandi Sabo bt Maur, Bathinda bt Sangat, Talwandi Sabo bt Rampura, Bathinda
bt Talwandi Sabo
Athletics (men): 100 mtrs: 1 Gurjant Singh, 2 Maandeep Singh, 3 Sandeep
200 mtrs: 1 Gurlal Singh, 2 Jasweer Singh, 3 Vijay 400 mtrs: 1 Labh Singh, 2 Jasweer Singh, 3 Vijay
1500mtrs: 1 Labh Singh, 2 Gurtej Singh, 3 Gurmukh Singh
5000 mtrs: 1 Labh Singh, 2 Gurpreet Singh, 3 Dinesh
Long jump: 1 Gurpreet Singh, 2 Ahmed Hussain, 3 Prabhjot Singh
High jump: 1 Amandeep Singh, 2 Harpreet Singh, 3 Ram Akhya
Shotput: Santokh Singh, 2 Gurpreet Singh, 3 Sandeep
Discus throw: 1 Sumandar Singh, 2 Jagtar Singh, 3 Santokh Singh
Javelin throw: 1 Maandeep Singh, 2 Gurpreet Singh, 3 Pawanjeet Singh
Hockey (men): Nathana bt Bathinda (3-0), Bhagta bt Maur (2-0), Bhagta bt Nathana (4-0)
Football (u-16): Talwandi Sabo bt Sangat (5-4), Nathana bt Phul (1-0), Bhagta
bt Rampura (walkover); Semifinals: Talwandi Sabo bt Natahana (4-3), Bhagta
bt Maur (5-4), Rampura bt Sangat (5-0), Nathan bt Phul (walkover), Maur bt
Bathinda (walkover)
Weight lifting: (u-16) 44kg: 1 Jaspreet Kaur, 2 Rupinder Kaur, 3 Sandeep Kaur; 48kg: 1 Beant Kaur, 2 Simarpal Kaur, 3 Ekam Kaur; 53 kg: 1 Rajveer Kaur, 2 Amanpreet Kaur, 3 Kamal Deep Kaur; 58 kg: 1 Veerpal Kaur, 2 Kamal Preet Kaur, 3 Gurpreet Kaur; 63 kg: 1 Sukhpal Kaur, 2 Vashpreet Kaur, 3 Pritpal Kaur; 69 kg: 1 Maninderjeet Kaur, 2 Narindert Kaur, 3 Simranjeet Kaur.

Barnala, September 21
Coming down heavily on the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party for its “anti-democratic” policies, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) presented itself as an alternative in the form of a Third Front to rule the country.

Adressing a well attended rally here today, BSP national secretary Narinder Kashyap asked the party rank and file to strive hard to ensure the BSP’s win in the coming parliamentary elections so that Mayawati can rule from Delhi.

He said only Mayawati could provide good governance, justice and stability to the common man, particularly the Dalits.

Kashyap said that inflation was at an all time high and it had become difficult for the common man to make both ends meet.

Unemployment was high and corruption had become indispensable part of system.

Kashyap accused the BJP of promoting its Hindutava agenda and said the Congress was bent upon appeasing just one section of society.

In all these circumstances, only the BSP has the capability to provide a third alternative to the masses at the national level, he added.

The BSP leader alleged that the UPA government has mortgaged the nation’s interests by signing the nuclear deal with the US.

The electricity thus produced would cost Rs 7-8 per unit as compared to power generated from coal, which costs less.

So, the common man will have to shell out more money for electricity, he added.

Meanwhile, state BSP president Avtar Singh Karimpuri projected Madanjeet Singh Balian as the party nominee from Sangrur for the Lok Sabha elections.

He said the SAD-BJP combine government had unleashed vendetta politics and the people should therefore, vote them out this time.

Barnala, September 21
The farmers of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Dakonda) foiled two separate bids to acquire the land of a famer at village Tajoke.

Sohan Lal, the commission agent, along with the tehsildar, reached the site to take the possession of the land as farmer Aatma Ram failed to pay the loan.

However, the activists of the BKU, along with other farmers in the village, gathered at the site and surrounded Sohan Lal and the Tehsildar.

Both managed to escape with great difficulty. Because of the emerging situation, the “kurki” of farmer Balwinder Singh could not be done today.

It was to be done by the State Bank of Patiala. But no bank official came to the village to take possession of the land.

Leader of the farmers Jaswinder Dhilwan claimed that it was because of the effect
of the gherao of the Tehsildar that bank officials did not turn up for the “kurki” of
farmer Balwinder.

Darshan Singh Ugoke, district president, said they will not allow anybody to take the possession of the land of the farmers.

Abohar, September 21
Simmering discontent has come to the fore with unofficial reports indicating that the BJP high command has issued notices to two senior functionaries of the party here for allegedly boycotting the workers’ meeting convened on the maiden visit of Tikshan Sood, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Forests and Wildlife, recently.

State BJP secretary Kamal Sharma and district president Mohinder Pratap Dhingra had accompanied the minister but they were reportedly “stunned” to find presidents of both the urban units absent besides other office-bearers, sources said.

As per information available, former MLA Ram Kumar Goyal, who unsuccessfully contested the Vidhan Sabha election from Abohar constituency, had reportedly brought it to the notice of the party high command that some of the senior office-bearers, who were opposed to his candidature had betrayed in the campaign.

Sources said the factions opposed to Goyal reportedly further got frustrated as
not only that he succeeded in getting most of his loyalists fielded in the municipal
elections held in June this year but they were elected also thereby making a
majority group, which was paraded before the party president at Chandigarh to
press election of Ram Kumar’s son Shiv Raj Goyal as the youngest president of
the municipal council.

It is said that the fast-changing political scenario, however, brought warring factions to share a common platform to thwart all image-building exercises taken for the Goyal family.

The meeting held during Tikshan Sood’s visit was aimed at thanking the party workers for “untiring efforts” made to win the civic elections.

However, unofficial sources said not only the minister but other senior functionaries had actually toured the district to mobilise support for a candidate for the Panjab University’s Senate elections under instructions from the state headquarters.

The saffron party appeared to be a divided house even for this venture, the sources indicated. Now, the party high command has reportedly asked two senior most office-bearers of the local units as to why disciplinary action against them should not be initiated for abstaining from the workers meeting.

There were complaints that some of the senior functionaries had asked the workers to avoid welcoming Sood and Sharma on their arrival at the canal rest house here, the sources added. Senior officials, however, refused to comment on the reports.

Abohar, September 21
Three senior citizens, including a retired gazetted officer, were caught allegedly in a “compromising” position with a young girl past midnight, police sources said.

As per the information available, following a tip-off, the police raided a field near Chak Kala Tibba village on Saturday night.

It arrested a former sub-divisional engineer of the Punjab State Electricity Board, a retired driver of the same Board and owner of a PCO, all aged above 60, in a compromising position with a 23-year-old girl of the Arya Nagar locality of this town.

They have been booked under sections 109 and 412 of the IPC, the police said
here today.