Bathinda, October 14
In a major contradiction, while farmers have a reason to smile after the bumper production of cotton this season, ginning millers of Malwa are complaining due to the heavy burden of taxes and the high rate of MSP.

Units owned by many of the ginning millers have been rendered non-functional on account of this.

As per the information available, more than 300 ginning units of the Malwa region have been lying non-functional for the last ten days.

But despite the closure, the units have to bear other expenses like electricity charges. The effect is also visible on the workers who have been left in the lurch.

According to details available, generally, the cotton industry of Malwa used to
get a business worth crores but this time the burden of taxes has forced the
ginners to call it quits.

These ginners say that the "Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) has been purchasing cotton at Rs 2,800 as minimum support price. Farmers expect the same from private purchasers. But they forget that the purchaser will have to bear the burden of 12.5 per cent tax on the purchase which makes it economically unviable for us."

After the low production of cotton in the 1990s, the introduction of Bt cotton had given a boost to the cotton industry, which at that time was running in losses.

But the bumper crop production gave a boost to entrepreneurs who invested in ginning mills, which at present numbers around 325.

As per the reports, Mansa is on top of the list with around 80 ginning mills, Abohar and Fazilka have around 60-70.

Bathinda has 50 units, Muktsar around 40-45 units, Faridkot has 10 in Kotkapura and six in Jaito, while Moga has less than 10. The data indicates that the economy of the Malwa region is based on the otton industry.

During a random visit to the Industrial Growth Centre, Bathinda, it was informed that one of the biggest ginning and spinning mills, based on German technology, the Bathinda Integrated Co-operative Cotton Ginning and Spinning Mills, inaugurated by the then Punjab CM Beant Singh, could not run for even a decade.

This is not so only in Bathinda, but in Abohar, Mansa, Kotkapura, Goindwal, Tapa and Malout, all cities that have been witnessed the closure of cotton factories.

Expressing regret over the situation, Sukhdev Singh Chahal, district president of the Punjab Cotton Ginning and Processing Association, said, "Earlier, spinning mills were closed down due to which ginners had to face the loss of value addition. And now, the heavy taxes have meant losses for us due to which we have not been running the units for the last couple of days."

Muktsar-based Bhagwan Bansal, state president of the Punjab Cotton Ginning and Processing Association, said, "We urge the Union textile minister to have a joint meeting, where representatives of all cotton growing states should reach and the tax rate should be fixed at par after discussions."

"A number of major cotton industrial houses have already shifted to MP and if the tax disparity remains like this, the day is not far off when the ginning mills, the life of Malwa, would be forced to leave the state," he added.

Bathinda, October 14
Quite a few snatching incidents have come to light in the city. The snatching trend, a widespread menace in cities like Delhi and Chandigarh, is being reported here also.

More than five snatching incidents were reported in Chandigarh on a daily basis about three months ago and the police just felt helpless. But Bathinda too is catching up fast of late.

Mobile phones, purses and chains are being snatched and the incidents take place when it gets dark because city roads get isolated.

The TNS spoke to people from different parts of the city and they stated different causes for such incidents.

Anupama, a housewife, feels that snatchings are mostly done by college-going students and the reason is parents are unable to keep a check on their children.

They develop a lavish lifestyle which parents can not afford and to meet the rising expenses, children get into such crimes.

They do not get caught mostly because they flee from the scene in no time and by the time the victim raises an alarm, it's too late.

A few cases have come to the fore where children belonging to decent families have been caught snatching jewellery at gunpoint and selling them off.

The principal of a city college said, "Children get addicted to drugs and hide it from their parents for obvious reasons. To get money for drugs, they snatch valuables from people walking on roads and sell them in the market later. Parents have a major role to play. They must keep a check on what their children are doing."

Satinder, a college student, said, "Unemployment is one reason for such crimes. The government should do something to employ the youth so that they don't get frustrated and get involved in such activities. No one wants to be a criminal but conditions force a person to commit such misdeeds."

"It is an easy way of making money until one gets caught. The guilty should be given a harsh punishment because more than the monetary loss, it leaves a deep impact on the victim's mind which is hard to erase," added Rashmi, another student.

This offence seems to be increasing but one can prevent becoming an easy prey for such criminals on the prowl.

Ashish Chowdhary, SSP Bathinda, said, "The number of snatching incidents has declined after I joined here as the SSP. To nab the culprits, I have increased the field staff strength of the PCR vehicles. We are making every possible attempt to deal with this menace in the city."

Bathinda, October 14
The drive to collect polythene bags and make people aware about its harms, launched a few months back by the Bathinda Municipal Corporation (BMC) with much fanfare, has now started losing its sheen.

The scattered polythene bags on the roads are an eyesore. The problem is not just confined to the city roads but is also widespread in the areas near the Sirhind canal which flows on the outer limits of the city.

The polythene waste causes problem to the farmers who complain that these plastic bags choke the points where water enters their fields.

During the festival season, the problem is more acute as all religious materials, packed in polythene, is disposed of into the canal.

People arriving on their two-wheelers and throwing junk into the waters is a common sight in the area.

Many a times, the problem takes a serious turn. Due to the polythene, the sewerage system also gets choked for which everybody has to suffer. But in the absence of any check, no one seems ready to stop it by themselves.

Earlier, the BMC officials had taken steps in this regard. A polythene collection drive was launched in the city.

Under the plan, schools were requested to propagate the scheme among children, assumed to be the best possible way to make everyone aware about the menace.

Schoolchildren were motivated to collect the waste polythene bags from their homes and streets. Then they had to put in the school bins.

Plastic waste collected by each child was according to the weight being noted down and there was a prize distribution scheme, just to encourage them.

Finally, the van of BMC used to go to the schools every Tuesday and after weighing the material, waste was collected from there.

The waste was then sold to contractors at a fixed price and the cash awards fixed was sent to the schools and children.

But in the absence of any interest on the part of BMC officials and councillors, the scheme has started losing sheen and plastic waste is seen scattered everywhere.

When contacted, Mayor Baljeet Singh Bir Behman said he was not aware of any
such scheme.

Later, when apprised about the drive, the Mayor said, "We will re-launch the scheme with fanfare and everyone would be strictly ordered to follow the rules."

On the other hand, BMC executive officer Kamal Kant differed saying, "The scheme is still continuing but it has not been as per the expectations. Earlier, we used to collect quintals of polythene bags in a week. It has now decreased to 23 kg during the recent week."

Bathinda, October 14
"I do not want to carve a niche in Bollywood. I intend to spread Punjabi culture and want to relate myself with it," said Priyanka Sharma, who was declared Miss Bathinda recently at the Vivel Miss PTC Punjabi 2008.

The event that was organised in Noida, has introduced a major change in Priyanka's life. Now she is much more confident, elated about her achievement and has big dreams in life.

Priyanka who is a second year MCA student at the Lovely Professional University in Jalandhar aims at making people aware of how deep-rooted Punjabi culture is.

"It is rich and varied but its sheen seems to be fading away because he younger generation is drifting towards the West which is tarnishing the image of Punjabis. I want to contribute my bit in putting life back into our culture so that it retains its significance and keeps generating values for the coming generations," said an effervescent Priyanka.

Destiny took her father away when she was just five. Her father, Jaganath Sharma, a reporter with a daily, was brutally killed in March 1990, when terrorism was at its peak in Punjab.

She was brought up by her mother Amarjit Kaur, who always motivated her to pursue her dreams, a positive thing in Punjab where female foeticide is prevalent.

She is yet to compete for the Miss Punjabi contest that would be taking
place in November.

"I am preparing myself for a bigger level. I am practicing dance and working on my body because looking good plays a major role in glamour industry. I have already been crowned as Miss DAV and Miss Rajendra when I was doing my graduation here. I have a five-year experience in Giddha but it is not sufficient. I do not want to leave any stone unturned, hence, I am preparing hard," she said confidently.

Being an MCA student, she wants to pursue modelling as her career but wants to maintain a distance from Bollywood as she feels that films are not what she intends to take up.

She wants to be famous and promote the essence of Punjab in every part
of the country.

"I would stand up against female foeticide and encourage girls to surge ahead because there is nothing that a girl can't achieve," added Priyanka.

Giving the credit of her success to her mother, she said, "I want to thank my brother Suraj Mani who has always stood by me and motivates me to do better and my dean Rashmi Mittal, who has been a source of strength for me. I request everyone to pray for me and help me in achieving what I aspire for because I am here for a cause."

Moga, October 14
A middle-aged Dalit woman Paramjit Kaur, a resident of nearby Ghal Kalan village, who was allegedly raped early this year, was allegedly attacked with acid by one of the accused in connivance with a couple of his associates, last night.

She was rushed to the district hospital with burns in her abdominal region and legs. However, her condition was stable and out of danger, said the doctors who were attending on her.

The police had recorded her statement and registered an FIR under sections 326 and 34 of the IPC against the Soni, son of Kirpal Singh and two of his associates Nita, son of Karnail Singh and Jita, son of Bara Singh all residents of her village.

While talking to The Tribune Paramjit Kaur revealed that when she came out of her house to visit a doctor for treatment of her previous injuries late last evening three motor-cycle borne youths sprinkled acid on her and ran away. "I have identified all of them and given my statement to the police", she said.

Meanwhile, the investigating officer ASI Jaswant Singh in the acid attack case told The Tribune over the phone that no one had so far been arrested.

"I will first inquire into the matter and record the statements of the local people of the village and then only make arrests if deemed necessary". He also said that the victim would have to produce witnesses in her favour.

Moga, October 14
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs on the request of the National Commission for Women (NCW) vide orders of the Supreme Court in writ petition (CRL) No.362/93 had on May 7 this year issued a notification to constitute a district-level board headed by district magistrate to provide relief and rehabilitation to victims of rape.

However, the district administration of Moga has so far not constituted such a board for the aid of the rape victims and neither any process has been started by it to constitute such board.

Under this scheme, 'after having been prima facie satisfied that a case of rape
has been made out the board shall order an interim financial relief of Rs 20,000
to the victim'.

The Board should release the balance amount of Rs 1.30 lakh amount unspent towards relief and rehabilitation measures as per the guidelines.

Moga, October 14
Despite the tall claims of the local municipal council and the animal husbandry department of periodic cattle round ups, herds of stray cattle continue to roam on the roads here endangering the lives of motorists as well as the common people.

The problem in this town apprently arose from the flawed policies and planning of the local body, the animal husbandry department and the local administration. They were equally responsible for the problem of stray cattle.

The biggest cowshed in this town has been carved out illegally in a tin shed of the new grain market.

A couple of months back, there were more than 500 cows kept here but with the procurement season of the paddy that had already begun, half of the portion of the cowshed had been evacuated and more than 200 cows left free.

The market committee grappling with shortage of space has long been requesting to vacate their tin shed but the committee/persons running this cowshed has encroached upon this area in manipulation with the senior civil executive officials of the local administration.

The authorities concerned had so far not made any alternate arrangement to keep the stray cows of this illegal cowshed.

If the market committee gets back the possession of its land the problem of stray cattle would further aggravate.

It was learnt that there was a total collection of more than Rs two lakh per
month (accountable as well as unaccountable) apart from the cattle feed from
the local donors.

The official nexus could have been involved in running this illegal cowshed because of this huge amount of money involved in it.

There were six cowsheds legally functioning from this town apart from few others running from the outskirts of this town having huge spaces but the money collection was much higher here because of its vicinity in the heart of the town, therefore, it was being patronised by the local officials for the reasons best known to them.

The management of this cowshed presently keeps only three hundred cows and the rest thrown out of it recently were freely roaming in the town and no one had taken any action against it as to why they were left free if they could handle them. Why these were not being shifted to other cow sheds?

As a result of which, hundreds of stray cows were freely loitering on the roads of and these cows could be seen adding to the traffic jams and creating nuisance for the residents.

As per the official figures available from the animal husbandry department, the population of stray cattle roaming freely in the district was 6,256, out of which, 961 animals were here in the town alone.

There were 27 cow sheds in the district in which 8,894 stray animals had been kept and taken care by the local animal welfare associations. In the Moga town, there were seven cow sheds housing 1,365 animals.

It had also come to notice in the recent past that some cattle were seen ambling across the township's open spaces at night.

They were neither unproductive nor stray but were being deliberately driven into the township by their owners to graze. While most of these cattle go back to their homes by dawn some wander off and remain in the city permanently.

Most of the cattle were not stray, but belong to those residing in the outer areas of the town and the nearby villages.

Moga, October 14
The national president of Rashtriya Gau Raksha Sewa Samiti Swami Krishna Nand who was here in the town last week for couple of days visited many 'gaushalas' located in and outside the town to review their functioning.

He was of the view that the local NGOs should come forward and run the cowshed scientifically. He said that scientific running of the cowsheds could earn a lot of money by selling milk, urine, cow dung and making by-products out of the cow dung.

He said that it could emerge as an eco-friendly cottage industry that could be run from 'shamlat' lands, which were traditionally meant for grazing of the cattle.

He also appealed to the Union Government and the state government to reserve the 'shamlat' lands for making 'gaushalas' and ban selling or leasing out this land for other purposes.

Hanumangarh/Abohar, October 14
The district administration in Hanumangarh and Sriganganagar districts immediately swung into action as the Election Commission of India announced on Tuesday that polling for Rajasthan Assembly would be held on December 4.

The announcement gave some relief to the authorities who had been facing agitations by some gram panchayats, including Sadak Wali to press the demand for upgrading the government primary and middle schools in their respective villages.

They were conveyed today that with the model code of conduct in force due to declaration of the schedule for elections, no demand could be considered now.

Hanumangarh DC Mugdha Sinha had recently held meetings with senior representatives of different political parties seeking their earnest cooperation for smooth conduct of the entire process.

She had already earmarked duties for the returning officers in each Assembly segment besides arranging their meeting with secretary to the State Election Commission to update the staff on ways and means for fair polls.

Sinha today visited polling centres in Hanumangarh for physical verification and discussed preliminary measures with the officials who accompanied her.

And on the political front, Padam Jain, district president of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), today held a meeting with party workers asking them to get ready.

He was actually on a damage control exercise as many INLD workers had yesterday joined the BJP during a public rally that was addressed by Ram Partap chairman of the Indira Gandhi Canal Project at Hanumangarh.

Interestingly, a day earlier INLD supremo Om Parkash Chautala announced re- alliance with BJP, while joining the NDA, for the next Haryana Assembly elections.

The BJP also stole the show at the Bhagwan Valmiki Jyanti celebrations held in Hanumangarh town.

The city units of the party mobilised workers to reach Maharishi Valmiki Chowk garland the statue of the great scripter of Ramayana and distributed sweets as well as fruits there.

The saffron party was expecting the announcement of election dates today,
sources said.

Abohar, October 14
Nearly 12 persons, late on Monday night, ransacked the office of Guru Nanak Canter Union (GNCU) here apparently in a bid to wrest its control from the BJP-sponsored presidents who had on Monday concluded the three-day Akhand Path and performed prayer for peace and prosperity.

According to a complaint lodged with the city police by Harjinder Singh and Nihal Singh Ramsara, members of the union presidium, about a dozen persons allegedly led by three former presidents of the union identified as Nishan Singh, Balkar Singh and Vicky Bhadoo ransacked the office complex late on Monday night, broke furniture, window panes, damaged the inverter electricity supply system, cabin before decamping with Rs 24,000 from the cash box.

SHO Jagrup Singh led the police party from the city police to nab the culprits but all had fled by then. The police have registered a case under section 456, 383, 427 of the IPC, sources confirmed on Tuesday evening.

As per information, a group led by SAD loyalist Vicky Bhadoo had allegedly wrested the control of the union from pro-Congress presidium last year and had thrown out the portraits of local Congress MLA and other senior leaders from its office. However, he was replaced following a revolt by the canter operators resulting in formation of another presidium led by BJP workers later.

Abohar, October 14
A farmer of village Khippanwali was allegedly duped of Rs 6 lakh on the pretext of sale of two horses by four persons.

As per the FIR registered by City Police-2 here today, one Babaljit Singh stated that he and his son Jaipal Singh are fond of having horses.

Two days back, they had visited village Dirba of Haryana to purchase two horses. The owner demanded Rs 10 lakh for the same while they offered Rs 6 lakh.

On return, they reportedly received a call from broker identified as Sunder Lal, assuring them to strike the deal for Rs 6 lakh.

On Monday, Sunder Lal informed them over phone that the horses would be supplied in the evening.

Later, he said canter for transporting the animals was yet to be arranged. Babaljit received another call asking him to reach the bypass at Abohar as the supplier was not aware about location of village Khippanwali.

As per the complaint, Babaljit and his son reached the city bypass with Rs 6
lakh at about 10 pm on Monday. Sunder Lal along with three others arrived after
a few minutes.

Two of them allegedly entangled Babaljit and his son in discussions while the others allegedly removed the cash bag from the car of the complainant. The alleged culprits decamped with the money without supplying the horses, Babaljit alleged.

The police had registered a case under section 380, 420 of the IPC against Sunder Lal and three unidentified persons, sources said.

Bathinda, October 14
Hundreds of Spice telecommunication users in the region faced uncomfortable times when the signals snapped for more than four hours today.

Spice services remained suspended for four hours from 5 am to 9 am today. Although the company officials refused to give any reason, it was learnt that there was some serious technical problem, which left Spice subscribers high and dry.

"Neither you could make a call, nor you could receive one during this time", said Vineet Mittal, a Spice subscriber. Every time a subscriber dialled a Spice number the call was rejected.

An executive was called nearly two hours after the signals had snapped. An executive on the customer care desk confirmed the problem of the snapped signals since early morning.

"The problem was in different regions, particularly Bathinda and Ludhiana. The trouble arose because of the congested lines. The towers needed to be reset and now it is okay,” he said.

Bathinda, October 14
The following have been elected office-bearers of the Government School Lecturers Union, Punjab, (Bathinda).

Bathinda district: Ramesh Kumar-- president, Harpal Singh-- senior vice-president, Harmander Singh and Sukhdev Singh--vice-presidents, Gurmel Singh--general secretary, Mohan Singh--secretary, Naib Singh-finance secretary, Pushpesh Kumar--press secretary, Mahesh Kumar-patron and Sikander Singh-senior advisor.

Bathinda tehsil: Gurmel Singh-president, Chaman Lal--vice-president, Prem Sagar-general secretary, Ajaib Singh-finance secretary, Jatt Singh-press secretary, Sewa Singh-patron and Sikander Singh-senior advisor.

Rampura tehsil: Iqbal Singh-president, Rajveer Singh-vice-president, Basant Kumar-general secretary, Harnek Singh-finance secretary, Gurpreet Singh-press secretary, Sukhdev Singh-patron and Iqbal Singh-senior advisor.

Talwandi Sabo tehsil: Pawan Saini-president, Gurwinder Singh-vice-president, Sandeep Khan-general secretary, Hakam Singh-finance secretary, Kulwinder Singh-press secretary, Surinder Singh-patron and Surinder Singh-senior advisor.

Ferozepur, October 14
Members of the Punjab Christian Welfare Association (PCWA), in a meeting held here today, criticised the Congress-led UPA government for going soft on anti-secular forces like Bajrang Dal and VHP, which they alleged were perpetuating communal violence and spreading venom against the minorities in the country.

Alvin Bhatti, regional secretary, PCWA, said that during the meeting of the National Integration Council, the UPA members did not took any concrete steps for banning the “communal forces”.

In the meeting, the members expressed anguish and concern over the continuous attack on the members of Christian community in states like Orissa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Ferozepur, October 14
The state government had embarked on an ambitious scheme for the all-round development of all the villages for which an amount of Rs 468 crore would be spent during the current fiscal, said Sukhpal Singh Nannu, chief parliamentary secretary (revenue) while talking to media persons here after distributing compensation cheques amounting to Rs 80 lakh to the residents of village Muthianwali here today.

Nannu was accompanied by SDM M.P. Singh, Tehsildaar Tej Singh besides other government officials and BJP leaders.

On the occasion, Nannu lauded the decision of the chief minister Parkash Singh Badal to allocate annual discretionary fund of Rs 4 crore each to legislators for development of all the 117 Assembly segments in the state.

Nannu expressed satisfaction over the ongoing procurement drive going on
in the grain markets.

Fazilka, October 14
Punjab BJP vice-president and local MLA Surjit Kumar Jyani, while addressing a press conference here today, gave a detailed account of various development projects launched in Fazilka Assembly segment during the present SAD-BJP regime.

Jyani said that Rs 1.20 crore were being spent of modernisation of local civil hospital. Besides, grant for worth several crore had been distributed for construction of drinking water works, roads, school buildings, dharmshallas, community centres, bus stands, dispensaries and strengthening the basic infrastructure in rural areas.

He strongly refuted corruption charges levelled against him by former Congress MLA Mohinder Rinwa.

Terming the charges as baseless and frivolous, he challenged Rinwa for an open debate on issue of corruption with him.

About slow pace of paddy procurement, Jyani said that he had taken up the issue with senior officers and within next three to four days the glut would be cleared.

The MLA said that on demand of the residents of the town, the taxi stand had been shifted. Special cleanliness drive had been launched by reinforcing mobile vans. He said that more new machines would be brought in for maintenance of the town.

Fazilka, October 14
DIG BSF V.K. Sharma today inaugurated an administrative block with a dining hall and kitchen at BSF check post GG3 in border village Teja Rohela in Fazilka sector.

The necessity of an administrative block and a dining hall in this area had been
felt since long.

Addressing a gathering of BSF jawans, the DIG said that many years back, the jawans had to take their meals in open areas during rough weather too and the cooking of food had to be done in make shift arrangement.

He said that such dining halls kitchen and administrative blocks were being raised in advance border areas.

The DIG was accompanied by Commandant S.C. Yadav, Assistant Commandant Manmohan Randhawa and other officers.