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PSEB pays up demurrage to Rlys
Bank guarantees to be encashed as penalty
Child marriage prevented, groom held
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Red Ribbon Express to arrive on Oct 27
Diet, lifestyle could reduce risk of fractures, say doctors
Agitated farmers round up CCI inspector
Farmers staging protest at the cotton market in Bathinda on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Kulbir Beera
DEO served show-cause notice over project
Acid attack on Dalit woman
Paddy purchase
Rajasthan Assembly elections
Traffic check
Youths donate blood on friend’s birthday
Conference on labour demands
Abohar MC to pledge property
Abohar archers return to warm welcome
The archers pose with their medals at school campus. A Tribune photograph Blood donation camp
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PSEB pays up demurrage to Rlys
Bathinda, October 15 This state of affairs in the PSEB was perhaps one of the reasons for pushing up the cost of electricity thereby putting additional burden on the consumers. According to information obtained under the RTI Act by a social activist Charanjeet Bhullar, demurrage amounting to slightly over Rs.1.85 crores was paid to the railways during three months between April to June this year by the Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Project, Bathinda, while the Lehra Mohabbat based Guru Hargobind Thermal station paid nearly Rs.1.28 crores demurrage during this period. The thermal project based at Roop Nagar during two months in April and May this year paid demurrage amounting to Rs.1.74 crores, whereas during the last financial year the project authorities paid Rs 2.39 crores to the railways. The PSEB authorities say that the railways imposed demurrage on account of detention of rakes beyond the permissible time. Due to operational difficulty of railways, the rakes are placed in quick succession and it is not possible to unload them within the permissible free time. They point out that sometimes rakes with oversized coal are received and it becomes extremely difficult to unload such rakes within time as the oversized coal chokes the grizzly of wagon tippler time and again. During the rainy season, unloading these rakes becomes a problem resulting in imposition of demurrage. The Bathinda thermal project was imposed demurrage amounting to Rs 1,05,17,000 last year. The highest demurrage amounting to Rs 3.27 crores was imposed on the project during 1997-98, but the authorities paid Rs 2.82 crores to the railways. A total demurrage of Rs 18.52 crores had accrued on the project till June last. The reason assigned by the project authorities for the unending payment of demurrage was bunching of rakes and old system of unloading. The railways imposed Rs 2.61 crores as demurrage from the thermal project at Lehra Mohabbat between April to June this year when only three of its four units were functional. The project paid about Rs 1.05 crores as demurrage last year. However, the figures furnished by the project indicate that during the five months, between February to June this year, the railways imposed demurrage amounting to Rs 3.24 crores on the project. The project authorities claimed that the plant's coal handling capacity had reduced as the coal unloading system of unit 3 of stage II was yet to stabilise and as such it was being supplied coal through the unit I. The figures indicate that the bill of the Roop Nagar thermal project towards demurrage has generally remained high. The project paid Rs 1.38 crores as demurrage during 2006-07 and Rs 1.41 crores during 2005-06. |
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Bank guarantees to be encashed as penalty
Bathinda, October 15 The board, which normally seeks guarantee when a unit is not complying with a certain norm, has now decided to get firm and go ahead to encash the guarantee so as to ensure compliance. "Earlier, bank guarantees were not being used but now we have decided to be firm and not hesitate to encash the guarantees furnished by industries," Yogesh Sharma, PPCB chairman told TNS. The board, within the last month-and-a-half, has taken bank guarantees worth nearly Rs 10 lakh. Besides this, the board has also decided not to take a lenient view of units found adding to pollution by discharging untreated effluent or waste into any water body in the state. The common facility for disposal of hazardous waste would commence by the end of this year. The PPCB has also decided to grant time-bound clearances to industrial enterprises. "Within a month of submitting applications, we would grant clearances," added Goel. To speed up functioning, the PPCB would hold monthly meetings of site appraisal committees and CSA and also send information pertaining to clearances through courier. "It is for the first time that we have decided to start sending communication via courier. The move would speed up functioning and those dealing with the board will not have to visit the head office to get their work done." The PPCB chairman also held an interaction with large and medium scale industry enterprises. He also sought co-operation from the industry to streamline the functioning of the board. He told industrialists that the Pollution Control Board would soon get a new look and re-shuffling was on the cards. |
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Child marriage prevented, groom held
Bathinda, October 15 According to details available, a truck driver, Gurcharan Singh (35) of Raman Mandi had come to marry the girl, a resident of Dhobiana Basti located in the city. At that time, the girl's mother Gurjeet Kaur, Gurcharan's first wife Jasweer Kaur and mother Kulwant Kaur were also present carrying dowry articles in a trunk. The marriage was about to be performed in a simple way with the Shagun ceremony at a dhaba located on Dabwali road in Bathinda. People present at the dhaba became suspicious and informed the police and all the accused were nabbed. When asked, the accused, who was locked up at the Vardhman police post said, "I was about to marry a mature girl but she fled. So, her mother asked me to get married to her younger daughter." Jasweer Kaur, the first wife of the accused, said, "I have been married to him for 15 years but we do not have any child. So I insisted hat he should marry again. Today, we came here to perform the "rukka" ceremony, as we had been planning to bring the girl home only after four-five years." On the other side, the minor girl, who was about to be married off, said, "As my mother works as a daily wage labourer, so she wanted me to get married as soon as possible in keeping with the social norms." "I am not aware whether they wanted me to take along with them or not," she added. When contacted, SSP Bathinda, Ashish Chaudhary said, "All of them would be booked but we are trying to find appropriate sections of the law for this as the marriage was not yet solemnised." |
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Red Ribbon Express to arrive on Oct 27
Bathinda, October 15 The theme of the train is mainstreaming the issue of HIV/AIDS, which invites so much of social stigma. The train is a joint effort of National AIDS Control Society (NACO), Unicef and Indian Railways. During its 20-day sojourn in Punjab, the train will halt at Fazilka, Ferozepur, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Pathankot and Ludhiana and will then enter Haryana on November 14 before it returns to Delhi on November 28. The Red Ribbon Express which was flagged off by Congress president Sonia Gandhi from New Delhi railway station on December 1, 2007, to mark World AIDS Day, has separate coaches for training, exhibition and testing which means those willing to be tested for HIV can get it done on the train. Mukta Sharma, regional coordinator, Population Foundation of India, while talking to TNS here today, said the train that has counsellors on board, offers a facility to train those from policy-making groups and NGOs on HIV/AIDS. As part of the drive, even the station area would be provided with a lot of information material. She informed that the train has also been provided with coaches for folk artists to perform informative street plays and would also visit nearby areas, especially villages, to educate people on HIV/AIDS. The effort is basically dedicated to youth. "If we plan it well, even with limited resources, we will do wonders in controlling the disease," said Sharma. "The train is a hub of information as far as the malady is concerned. It also fixes the role and responsibility of various segments of the government as far as creating awareness and checking the spread is concerned," she added. Mukta Sharma said: "The Red Ribbon Express is a mission and a war against HIV/AIDS". |
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Diet, lifestyle could reduce risk of fractures, say doctors
Bathinda, October 15 "Men should also be concerned about osteoporosis as approximately one in eight men will have an osteoporotic fracture. The above figures are alarming and proper care is needed to prevent it," he added. Out of 125 persons, tested for bone density at the camp, 45 per cent were found to be osteopenic or osteoporotic. Since bone density is one of the factors that determines bone strength, individuals with low bone density have a higher risk of fractures and refractures. Poonam Grover, a naturopathy expert, said that factors that contributed to osteoporosis were ageing, lack of exercise and hormonal changes, low calcium dietary intake, reduced calcium absorption and inadequate vitamin D levels. Grover advised the patients that regular bone density scans should be done in persons above 45 years of age especially in post-menopausal women who have had a fracture earlier. Each individual should have a daily intake of 1000-1500 mg of calcium. She further added that if one was diagnosed with osteoporosis, diet and lifestyle changes could reduce the risk of refracture. She stressed that regular exercise was one of the best things that people could do to prevent osteoporosis. It keeps one physically fit and adds to muscular strength thereby reducing any such risk. "The key to the treatment of osteoporosis lies in prevention, with the major goal being the preservation of bone mass."
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Agitated farmers round up CCI inspector
Bathinda, October 15 As per the details available, protesters alleged that the inspector purchased the bales at his own discretion. They further alleged that the private purchasers rated the bales at Rs 2,500-2,600 in his presence and he showed a callous attitude in purchasing at fixed MSP, which is Rs 2,800. Amarjeet Singh, a leader of BKU, got frustrated over the issue and instigated the farmers to get united and stage protest. Following the suggestion, the farmers gheraoed the inspector and raised slogans. Finding himself at risk, the inspector locked himself up in a shop to save himself. Later, Tehsildar Savita reached the spot with police force and rescued him. After a dialogue with the protesters, the matter was resolved. Talking to TNS, Amarjeet Singh said, "Earlier, the inspector was leaving all the bales giving the excuse of moisture and short size of cotton. When we reminded him of the Bhucho incident where we gheraoed a CCI inspector on Tuesday for the same reason, he changed his attitude and started purchasing according to the parameters fixed by the government." "In fact, he was hand-in-glove with the private purchasers, who wanted to purchase cotton at a cheaper price," he alleged. He disclosed that a number of organisations have chalked out a a rogramme to hold a ‘rail roko’ protest at the state level on October 20. CCI inspector, P.K. Gupta said, "I was following the set norms but they were insisting on purchasing all variety of cotton at the same price which was not at all possible for me as the crop with moisture is supposed to be bought after deducting the value of moisture." "They threatened to manhandle me. So I reported the matter to a senior officer but did not lodge any police complaint," he added. Block development and panchayat officer Rajinder Batra, who was present at the spot said, "Farmers were protesting demanding the immediate purchase and early lifting, that too on the MSP and without any deduction. But later, the matter was resolved as they were assured that even the crop backlog would be lifted within three days."
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DEO served show-cause notice over project
Bathinda, October 15 In the notice, it has been mentioned that during the monthly meeting, the DGSE came to know that work in a new school building (primary) and a kitchen shed had not been completed in the district, wherein funds for the project had been released to the officer concerned during the year 2006-07. Further, she has been accused of not taking up the civil work for two BALA projects (a scheme of learning aid) and a ramp for which the funds had been released to her during the year 2007-08. The officer had also not taken up the civil work in three additional classrooms (primary), five additional classrooms (upper primary) and a toilet. In the notice, she has been called upon to explain the reasons as to why disciplinary action should not be taken against her. The letter was also marked to the deputy commissioner, Bathinda, Rahul Tewari, who further marked the inquiry to ADC (D) Shruti Singh, who summoned the District Education Officer in question to appear before her in person on October 16 and explain with records. When asked, Gurinder Kaur Dhillon said, "I am not aware of any such notice. Moreover, if the notice reaches me, then I will file my reply as I am not guilty." |
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Acid attack on Dalit woman
Moga, October 15 Navraj Singh, who conducted the medical examination of the victim told The Tribune that she had suffered ‘corrosive’ injuries that might have been caused by an acid. He said it was not clear whether it was acid or some other substance, adding that the nature of injuries had been written in the medico-legal report of the victim. He also revealed that the shrunk clothes of the victim also indicate that it could be acid, which requires thorough forensic and chemical examination. The SHO of the police station (rural) Jasbir Singh while talking to The Tribune said that he had taken into custody the clothes of the victim that were being sent to a government forensic laboratory for chemical examination so as to confirm whether she was attacked by an acid or not. He further revealed that keeping in view the seriousness of the incident, senior authorities of the police department had constituted a special team headed by SP (D) Lashkar Singh to investigate into the whole incident. Earlier, ASI Jaswant Singh was asked to investigate into it. In reply to a question, the SHO said that none of the three accused had so far been arrested by the police. However, he said they had given a message to join investigation whenever it was required by the police. The police had registered an FIR under sections 326 and 34 of the IPC against Soni, son of Kirpal Singh who raped her and two of his associates, Nita son of Karnail Singh and Jita, son of Bara Singh, all residents of her village on the basis of the statement of the victim. It may be mentioned that this Dalit woman was forced to carry out a protest march by taking her clothes off on May 19 this year here in the heart of the town to get an FIR registered against the two persons who allegedly raped her. On the other hand, the accused persons met the District Magistrate Satwant Singh Johal and in a written statement said that they were falsely implicated in this case. The DM had advised them to meet the SSP for a thorough investigation into the incident.
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Paddy purchase
Mansa, October 15 This was disclosed by deputy commissioner Kumar Rahul after a meeting of district officials. He also ordered the purchasing agencies to lift the paddy at the earliest. The DC had been visiting the markets daily to ensure that arrangements with regard to purchasing of paddy were in place. He directed the district mandi officer to provide lighting facility and drinking water at every market. |
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Rajasthan Assembly elections
Abohar, October 15 Addressing the first meeting after announcement on the election schedule in his office on Wednesday Detha said for each political rally, prior permission from the administration would be mandatory. All such rallies will be recorded on camera. No candidate or other office-bearer of the party will be allowed to cast aspersions on the opponents. Loudspeakers can be used from 6 am to 10 am only with written permission of the authorities. No meeting will be allowed to continue after 10 pm. While cautioning the political parties against indulging in such propaganda which leads to communal hatred he also made it clear that no religious place should be used for political gatherings. Sounding a strong note against indulging in corrupt practices to influence the mandate of the electorates the DC said pasting of posters, writing of walls and display of banners would be permitted only on specified locations. Informing that sector magistrates and observers will keep vigil on the activities of the political parties round the clock. Detha said prior permission for political publicity through local cable network/TV channels will have to be taken. No member of the cabinet, MP or legislator would be allowed to stay in the government rest house during the election. Those present in the meeting included Atma Ram Tarad (BJP), Bhima Ram (NCI), Bhura Mal Swami (CPIM), Hem Raj Puri (CPI), Ram Partap (Rajasthan Vikas Party), Duli Chand Meghwal (Shiv Sena) and Subhash Suthar (BSP). The DC also informed that no voter would be allowed to exercise franchise without showing the I-card. Even when 87 per cent of the electorates had already been issued such cards, others can avail the facility till October 30. He has ordered action against the officials who failed to record 75 per cent target in their respective segment.
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Traffic check
Moga, October 15 While presiding over a meeting to discuss the state of law and order in the district, district magistrate Satwant Singh Johal asked the executive officer of the local municipal council to redesign the main square of the town. The present traffic lights set up in the heart of the town was confusing and had been adding to the traffic troubles. Taking a serious note of the traffic chaos in the town, the DM has also constituted a traffic regulation committee to be headed by the additional deputy commissioner. The committee would have the executive engineer of the public works department, the executive officer of the municipal council and the traffic in-charge of the police as members. Johal had pulled up the civil and police authorities concerned for their failure in implementing various orders of his office with regard to misuse of loudspeakers and burning of paddy straw in the fields. He asked the police officers present at the meeting to register FIRs against those violating the orders of his office. Additional deputy commissioner Mahinder Singh Kainth, sub-divisional magistrate Lakhmir Singh, chief medical officer Adarsh Sood and many other senior officials of various other departments and the police were present at the meeting. |
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Youths donate blood on friend’s birthday
Abohar, October 15 The state government had cautioned the needy families against purchasing blood from private hospitals/clinics. The storage capacity of the blood bank at the civil hospital has enhanced to 1,000 units from 100 units. In-charge of the blood bank Gobind Aggarwal and his assistant Franklin Masih informed that the average need of blood in the blood bank is 200 units per month due to fast increasing road mishaps mostly on the National Highway. The victims never suffer due to paucity of blood because of the availability of volunteers of the non-government organisations (NGOs), they added. Blood donation camps are held by most of the institution and colleges. The NCC cadets of the DAV Campus too made blood donation a regular feature. Raj Kumar Charya, president of the Ner Sewa Narayan Sewa Society, said the level of awareness was to such an extent that some of the citizens offered to donate eyes of their young kin who died due to mishap. The NGO also assured that no unclaimed body would lay un-cremated. Speaking on the occasion other social activists including Praveen Kathuria and Shyam Sunder Sachdeva, however, regretted that the state government had failed in fulfilling its promise for developing a trauma ward in the civil hospital here. The hospital was upgraded from 50 to 100 bed capacity but its infrastructure remained unchanged. Only four old rooms were available in the private ward. The hospital had maximum number of emergencies due to road mishaps but the health department was yet to modernise it, they rued. |
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Conference on labour demands
Mansa, October 15 In a statement released here today, state secretary of the morcha said the district-level conferences would be held at Bathinda on October 17, Barnala (October 22), Sangrur (October 24), Mansa (October 25) and at Ludhiana (October 26). The state secretary added that the state-level conference would be held at Barnala on November 3. |
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Abohar MC to pledge property
Abohar, October 15 While chiding the BJP-SAD alliance on this, the Congress members said during the meeting that the council did not have funds to pay salaries to the staff how the installments of the loan would be paid. They regretted that the council was unable to arrange money for proper chlorination of drinking water and the stores for stacking alum as well as bleaching powder were lying empty whereas surveys clearly indicated that spread of cancer in the region was due to supply of polluted water. — OC |
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Abohar archers return to warm welcome
Abohar, October 15 Principal Kusum Khungar said Japinder Singh, Joyjit Singh, Sourabh, Akshay Satija, Sourabh Saharan, Kulwinder, Harpreet, Gaganjit and Karamanyata succeeded in clinching the medals in different events. Karamanyata topped in individual category as well. Boys won the under-14, under-17 and under-19 categories. In the compound round, Akshay Satija and Gaganjit Kaur won top positions in individual category. The winners will participate in the national games to be held in Goa next month, coach Ravi Kumar said. |
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Bathinda, October 15
Bathinda, October 15
Bathinda, October 15
Abohar, October 15
