Bathinda, October 13
Even as temperature during the evening and morning hours has come down, there is no let up in dengue cases. The viral disease claimed one more life from the city as the patient, admitted to DMCH, Ludhiana, succumbed to the illness, taking the death toll to four, while eight fresh cases of suspected dengue have been reported from different city hospitals and DMCH, Ludhiana. Some others, already under treatment for dengue like symptoms, have been confirmed on the basis of serology reports.

Information gathered by TNS revealed that six new cases of dengue had arrived at the DMCH during the past two days, taking the total number of dengue patients to 54, whereas two more confirmed cases had been reported by the authorities at private hospitals in the city. Of the eight new patients of dengue, six were reported from Aggarwal Colony and two from the Bhatti Road area.

Despite claims of the health authorities that the situation was not as grim as was being made out to be, particularly in comparison to last year, the total number of suspected and confirmed dengue patients, both from the city and those referred to different hospitals here from other places, had already crossed 50. However, the health authorities maintained that so far only 28 confirmed cases of dengue had been reported.

Indu Bhushan Aggarwal, assistant civil surgeon, told TNS that six confirmed cases of dengue had been referred to the DMCH, Ludhiana,

Teams of health officials were also looking into the anti-mosquito spray and fumigation being conducted by the Bathinda Municipal Corporation (BMC) in different localities as per the schedule submitted by the BMC to the district authorities, he added.

He said the health department was taking necessary steps like providing radical treatment to all family members of the patients, arranging focal sprays in areas from where dengue cases were reported and preparing blood slides of residents in vulnerable areas.

Aggarwal further said that instructions had been issued for immediate repair and servicing of the blood component separation machine, considered vital for treatment of dengue, which has been lying defunct at the local civil hospital.

Bathinda, October 13
Taking serious note of the dengue menace in the city, Additional Secretary (Health) C.S. Talwar held a meeting here today with the district administration officials to launch preventive measures.

Later, talking to media persons, Talwar said that as many as 16 teams had been formed to check the menace and the team members would carry out an awareness drive also. Sensing the gravity of the situation, two new fogging machines had been given to the officials here, he said.

Talwar disclosed that the city has also been provided a dengue test check machine, which was earlier in Ludhiana. Refuting allegations, he said the administration had sufficient quantity of the medicine required to kill the larvae of the dangerous mosquito Aedes Aegyptus that causes dengue. When asked about the availability of health check-up machine and lack of staff, he assured all help.

Replying to a query, the officer said that the disease had spread in the urban areas as the "Tiger Mosquito" had not been reported in the villages.

DC Rahul Tewari said the administration had deployed four rickshaws for announcement of preventive steps. Two emergency telephone numbers, 0164-2212221 and 0164- 2212501, was also listed in case people wanted to get any information.

Ironically, in the evening, when this correspondent contacted both the telephone numbers to cross-check, one phone call was attended by a peon and the other by a doctor who said no physician was available at that time.

Bathinda, October 13
Despite the attempt being made by the BJP to maintain the status quo and convince the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) about contesting Assembly elections in Rajasthan and Delhi on the former's election symbol, the SAD will go ahead and contest polls in these states on its own election symbol.

Making the stand clear, Sukhdev Singh Dhinda, MP and leader of the SAD (B) parliamentary group, said the party would stick to its decision.

Dhindsa, who is also president, Punjab Olympic Association, was here to attend the concluding ceremony of three-day Punjab State Games for Women.

When asked about the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) getting support from regional parties, he said, "Earlier, we felt the need for support in Haryana which Chautala (INLD) has given. Meanwhile, the NDA is open to all 20 parties, which have a common enemy in the Congress".

Replying to a query regarding the nuclear deal, Dhindsa made it clear that the SAD was never against the nuclear power, but feared that the deal may compromise the nationa's sovereignty. He made it clear that the party did not have any problems with future power plants using nuclear energy, but said the issue had not yet been resolved.

Dhindsa feigned ignorance when asked about the Barnala group preparing for the parliamentary polls. "The CM has announced that I shall be a candidate for Lok Sabha elections. So, I have nothing to worry. Moreover, the party high command is there to look into such issues," he added.

About commercialisation and betterment of sports, he said, "We have been chalking out a plan to hand over sports stadium and grounds to private firms for maintenance. They will get handsome returns in lieu of it."

About waning spectator interest, he he said it was for the people themselves to generate interest in sports to boost players who bring laurels to the nation.

Earlier, he lauded Director, Sports, Punjab, Pargat Singh, for making concerted efforts for the development of sports in the state. He also disclosed that the sports policy was ready but needed formal authentication by the government.

Bathinda, October 13
Hundreds of activists of the Narma Patti Kisan Bachao Sangharsh Committee staged a dharna in front of the Mini-Secretariat here today for three hours and raised slogans against the Central and Punjab governments for their alleged failure to ensure remunerative price for raw cotton.

Criticising the policies of the government, Satnam Singh Ajnala, state president, Raghbir Singh, joint secretary, Jamhoori Kisan Sabha, Modal Singh Dullowal and Chajju Ram Mansa of the Sangharsh Committee, said the farmers were facing losses as the prices of insecticides, pesticides, diesel and machinery etc had gone up drastically, while the prices of wheat, cotton, paddy and sugarcane had come down.

He said the minimum support price (MSP) of raw cotton should be fixed at Rs 4,000 per quintal.

They alleged that under a well thought out plan, the government was trying to ruin the cotton growers so that they could be forced to opt for paddy cultivation. "The government has imported more than 15 lakh bales of cotton from Australia and dumped it in the market at a time when domestic crop is hitting the market."

As a result, traders, in active connivance with the government officials, were exploiting the cotton growers. They maintained that the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) and other procurement agencies were totally indifferent to the plight of farmers.

Satnam Singh Ajnala, state president, Jamhoori Kisan Sabha, said the government should take steps to increase productivity and production in agriculture by making more public investment in agriculture, power, science and technology, infrastructure etc. and priority should be given to self-sufficiency in foodgrain.

The farmer leaders demanded remunerative prices for agricultural commodities through appropriate market interventions and institution of a price stabilisation fund as suggested by the National Commission on Farmers. They also demanded waiving of loans and reduction in the rate of interest to four per cent. They demanded that the government should ensure canal irrigation at the time of cotton sowing and expand crop insurance to cover the entire state and all crops and open the trade with Pakistan through the Ferozepur border.

They said if the government did not accept their demands, they would intensify the struggle. They said that cotton growers could not earn enough even to repay their debts despite the fact that their farms had witnessed better yield this year. 

Mansa, October 13
The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has purchased nearly 1.20 lakh quintal cotton in Punjab till now. Around 9 lakh quintal of cotton has reached the markets of state.

Mandi officials said that there was a hope that nearly 20 lakh bales would reach the markets. Due to the late arrival of CCI, more cotton was purchased by private traders at lower rates than the governments rate of Rs 2,800 per quintal. This forced farmers to go to the markets in Harayana and Rajasthan.

In the markets of Mansa, nearly 1.81 lakh quintal of cotton was brought, out of which 23,710 quintal was purchased by CCI and other by private traders. According to mandi officials, nearly 50 per cent decrease was noted in the arrival of cotton in the markets this year in comparison to the corresponding period last year.

Meanwhile, government agencies have started purchasing of paddy at some centres but in some centres farmers have been facing the problems due to non starting of procurement by government agencies.

Deputy commissioner of Mansa, Kumar Rahul, visited markets today and reviewed the arrangements. He said that paddy could not be brought to all centres due to late sowing. He assured that procurement would start at all centres soon. 

Muktsar, October 13
Following the instructions of chief minister Parkash Singh Badal to check the irregularities in the purchase and lifting of paddy, a team of six bureaucrats comprising government agencies and the Mandi Board officials today inspected various grain markets in his home district, Muktsar.

The team comprised S.K. Sandhu, MD Punjab Agro, Narinderjeet Singh, MD Punsup, G.S. Grewal, MD Markfed, Iqbal Singh Sidhu, MD Punjab Godown Corporation, Dapinder Singh, secretary, Punjab Mandi Board and Harjeet Singh, additional director, Pungrain.

The delegation held meetings with representatives of farmers, arhtiyas and labour unions and assured them of resolving the problem at the earliest.

They said that besides the contractors, arhtitayas had also now been given the right to lift the crop.

Later, while talking to media persons, team members said that the agencies had been ordered to speed up the purchase and lifting process. About the expected arrival of paddy, they said that it would cross 1.65 lakh metric tonnes. Out of this, a total of 36 lakh tonnes had been purchased till date. About lifting, they said that till date, 2.23 lakh metric tonnes had been lifted from the district grain markets.

At the meeting, deputy commissioner, Muktsar, Rajat Aggarwal disclosed that in the district, the expected arrival was 5.60 lakh metric tonnes. Out of this, 3.39 lakh metric tonnes had been purchased.

Providing agencywise details, Aggarwal said Pungrain had bought 96,052 metric tonnes, Markfed 8098, Punsup 84641, Punjab Godown Corporation 34,914 and Punjab Agro a total of 35,819 metric tonnes.

Activists of the Bharti Kisan Union (Lakhowal) put forth their demand for proper purchase, weighing and lifting on the occasion.

The team visited Muktsar, Gidderbaha, Malout and Badal grain  markets.

Bathinda, October 13
The construction of a multilevel parking-cum-commercial facility project in the city failed to get the nod in the adjourned meeting of the general house, which took place today at the Bathinda Municipal Corporation meeting hall following the apprehension by some councillors that it may put the BMC in the red.

A nine member sub-committee had been formed to investigate the matter which would present its report within the stipulated time period of one month.

The committee comprised Mayor Baljeet Singh Bir Behman, senior deputy mayor, Tarsem Goyal, deputy mayor, Gurwinder Pal Kaur Mangat, councillors Mithu Ram Gupta, Rajbans Kaur, Bhupinder Singh Bhullar, Parshotam Gargi, Tek Singh Khalsa and Raj Kumar Garga.

Earlier, in the morning, SAD and BJP councillors, in the presence of SAD area in-charge Sarup Chand Singla and BJP district president (urban) Narender Mittal held a joint meeting at the Circuit House here to discuss the matter. It was also reported that BMC commissioner KK Yadav also marked his presence at the meeting.

Sources, who attended the meeting, disclosed that some of the councillors floated the proposal to allot the project to them on lease at more than double the rate, which has been proposed by the company, CHD Developers Ltd., New Delhi.

After negotiations, it was decided that the matter would be deferred at today's meeting and would be handed over to a sub-committee.

Accordingly, soon after the agenda was listed at the general house meeting, SAD councillors Bhupinder Singh Bhullar, Rajinder Singh Sidhu, Tek Singh Khalsa and others floated the proposal that the matter be handed over to a sub-committee.

After getting the nod from councillors, the names of the members for the committee were asked for which was then discussed for half an hour. The date for Letter of Intent has also been extended till December 15.

It may be mentioned that the land in question (3207 square yards) would be given on a 90 years lease on design, build, operate and transfer basis, where a facility for parking 250 cars would be provided.

Moreover, 1000 square feet on ground floor would be given to the BMC, where the already existing shopkeepers would be adjusted on some terms.

It was said that the upfront amount would be Rs 5,21,00,000 and the BMC would get an annual concession fee as 10 per cent of the amount. It was mentioned that after every three years, it would be increased to 15 per cent. The highest bidder was CHD Developers Ltd., New Delhi.

Bathinda, October 13
Amidst the objections raised by Congress councilors, three pending agendas of the third general house meeting of the BMC was approved today.

As per the details, agenda number 16, which was about the salary and other charges to catch stray cattle from the municipal limits, was passed.

The total estimate of expenses was Rs 77,000 per month, which the Gaushala Committee would accept in lieu of the job on a regular basis. Demand for catching stray dogs and pigs was also raised but it was deferred. Agenda number 17, referring to the installation of reverse osmosis (RO) systems in 10 wards of the city, 31, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45, was approved.

It was said that one RO plant would cost about Rs 12.5 lakh. Meanwhile, some councillors raised demand relating to their wards.

Some of them complained that a number of areas in the city were deprived of normal water supply, which should be the priority than the setting up of RO plants.

Agenda number 18, relating to street lights project, including the installation of new lights, timers, renovations, putting off the alternate lights automatically, was passed to get the required funds of Rs 4 crore after the sale of the Blue Fox land.

Earlier, before the meeting started, some women from Ganesha Basti street number 11 arrived at the meeting hall and asked BMC commissioner KK Yadav and the Mayor to take immediate action to shift the garbage dump lying in their area.

When the meeting was about to end, Rajinder Kaur Brar, a SAD councillor, warned the officials that she would stage a dharna if a patch of street, for which she had requested a number of times, was not constructed in her ward.

Bathinda, October 13
Gold is glittering. This shine, however, comes with a price tag, which is stretching beyond the common people's expectations with each passing day and is even zooming out of their limits fast. The unabated shooting up of gold prices, however, has failed to dim the spirits of the people of Bathinda, particularly women, who want to have the precious metal as long as they have the money to buy it.

Though the mind-boggling upward spurt in price has limited the sphere of buyers and has virtually restricted gold as the commodity of a chosen few, the lust for gold is still unending among common women, and those who want to hoard the precious metal in the hope that its sale, later on, could add some more money to their treasures.

Those dealing in gold, and experts contacted by TNS, come out with a piece of advice in unison - buyers should go in for purchase of bullion at this point of time as there are no chances that gold prices would come down ever again for 'shortage' of the metal in the market.

Gold was priced around Rs 11,000 (22 carats per 10 grams) and around Rs 11,500-12,500 (24 carats per 10 grams) about three months back. Though prices keep fluctuating daily, nowadays this precious metal could be purchased at prices over Rs 14,000 which means that within this short period, there has been an astronomical price hike of around 20 per cent. "Though the number of customers has come to a half during this period and though there is a general slump in the market, there has hardly been any difference in the quantum of sales as those people, particularly women, who can afford, are buying more gold nowadays," said Rajesh Bindal of Rajasthan Jewellers on the Mall Road, who has a vast experience in the trade.

Raman Bansal of Super Jewellers, has some dim hopes about a reversal in prices. His estimates are that if the present international gold situation continues, the prices of the precious metal could also touch the highest mark of Rs 15,000 in the next few days. "Actually, gold prices are linked with dollar rates, and if dollar rates come down, the prices of gold also come down," said Bansal.

Mohit Chawla from Laxmi Jewellers, however, has a different opinion. He maintains that only need-based customers were purchasing gold from the market. "Sellers are more than genuine purchasers," says Chawla.

Despite slightly different views, almost all gold dealers and experts give a common piece of advice that echoes the prediction of Bansal. "There is no chance of gold reversing to its earlier position. There is hardly any hope that prices will come down. So, one should go and lay one's hands on the precious metal as soon as possible," says Chawla.

Not only gold, the silver prices, too, have been registering uneasy jerks. If a kilogram of silver was priced at Rs 18,000 on Wednesday, it shot up to Rs 20,000 on Friday. "Silver prices are up because of shortage of the metal in the market and a sudden increase in demand, created by a hike in the utilisation of the metal by auto-industry," says Bansal.

Some of the people are even selling gold and gold ornaments with the hope of buying back the yellow metal again, once prices start a southward journey. "Presently, the mentality of people is to sell now and buy later. The random buying in the market has evaporated," he says. "The buying is only being done for marriage or ceremonial purposes," he adds.

Bathinda: A meeting of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was held at the Circuit House here on Monday. District president Mahinder Singh Bhatti and Vidhan Sabha in-charge Major Singh presided over the meeting. The BSP leaders said that the party was trying to strengthen its position in Punjab and would sweep to power at the Centre under the leadership of UP chief minister Mayawati.

The meeting also decided to hold a rally on October 24 in the Nathana assembly constituency to create public awareness about the party's policies and programmes.— TNS

Mansa, October 13
Haryana police has registered a case against two persons, including Bikram Singh Moffar, son of Ajit Inder Singh Moffar, MLA Sardulgarh, in connection with attack on Akali worker Bohar Singh, a resident of village Jhandakalan, near Sardulgarh.

The case was registered at the Deeng police station in Sirsa district of Haryana.

Police said that a case against Bikram Singh and Dalbeer Singh was registered under section 307, 365, 148, 149, 323 and 324 of the IPC.

Police said that Bohar Singh, son of Major Singh of Jhandakalan, was attacked last night near Mariwala village. Bohar was admitted to the civil hospital, Sardulgarh.

Meanwhile, Bikram Singh Moffar said that he had no connection with the case and he did not know anything about it.

He alleged that some political leaders had been trying to drag him into the case. 

Abohar, October 13
Students of a privately-run industrial training institute (ITI) today tried to block traffic on the Abohar-Sriganganagar road (NH-15) to express resentment over refusal by most of the private bus operators to drop them in front of the institute.

They rued that the state government had given the ITI to private players on contract but their attitude remained unchanged even after the change of guard at the Punjab civil secretariat.

Many students including girls arrive at the main bus stand from other towns including Bathinda besides far off villages daily but the management of the institute had not bothered to arrange a local bus for taking them to the campus.

The management had provided themwith bus pass but it was of no use as the private operators neither honour the pass nor agree to drop them outside the campus on the national highway. The students warned they might resort to damage to the buses by tomorrow if their grievances were not reddressed.

As per information, the caretaker of the institute refused to comment. He allegedly threatened some scribes if the news was 
published. "We are not responsible for the doings of the students outside the campus," he was quoted as saying to some reporters who succeeded in contacting him in the office for a while.

Abohar, October 13
The Divine Light Public School (DLPS) and the DAV Senior Secondary School got first and second positions respectively in the national group song competition organised by Bharat Vikas Parishad at the LRS DAV Senior Secondary School on Sunday. The third position was obtained by Sanatan Dharam High School and Shivalik Public School.

Kusum Khungar was the chief guest at the function. The toppers will participate in the state-level competition to be held at Faridkot on October 19. — OC

Abohar, October 13
Anoop Kumar (chief coordinator) said that Kisan Mela-2008 will be organised by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) of Gramothan Vidya Peeth at Sangria in Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan on October 16 to update the farmers on rabi crops.

District Collector Mugdha Sinha will be the chief guest on the occasion.

Experts from agricultural universities and different departments would speak on several topics, including pest control, better animal care, balanced use of insecticides and fertilisers, horticulture and avenues for women’s empowerment through self-help group formations.

An exhibition of the products will also be organised to display the work of self- help groups of women, who had been imparted training during different camps.