Bathinda, November 10
Sudhirendar Sharma, an eminent ecologist, today said the blind race of economic development has led to the breaking up of the whole community.

While delivering a lecture at the Government Rajendera College here, he said the problems of the common people had compounded as the government instead of taking steps to bail farmers out of the debt was taking interest in flourishing the private sector. The public money was being pumped into the private sector.

He said the GDP-led growth model had completely failed as the US with a lesser growth rate was virtually ruling the world.

Sharma, who is the director of a Delhi-based ecological foundation, said the corporates, which have entered so many areas of social life, had responsibility towards society and the environment.

“Like the rest of the world, in India too, there is a growing realisation that since capital markets and corporations are created by society, they must, therefore, serve it besides earning profit,” said the ecologist.

Sharma strongly criticised the Central government's approach to water, which is most essential for life.

He said the national water policy was a pack of paradoxes. On one extreme, it sought to de-bureaucratise water by bringing it under community control while on the other, it advocated the increased role of private sector in managing water.

Speaking on the water policy of the state government, he said Punjab's draft water policy was no different. "While it has the current buzzword like community partnership and ownership of water utilities, the proposed four-tier system starting from an apex council reflects the growing control by the state in connivance with the water corporations.”

He went on to say, “The crop diversification plan, apparently to save the state from the imminent water crisis, is a plan with a hidden agenda of corporates hijacking the state's agriculture and farmers.”

Umendra Dutt, another ecologist, said the poison, being used by the farmers was not present in Punjab’s soil from the beginning. Indigenous seeds, cow dung manure and a plethora of crops growing together - were the old mantra in India's golden bowl for centuries.

“Today, the formula has changed drastically. In the race for more food and greater production, the Green Revolution in the state brought with it bagfuls of chemical fertilisers (urea, DAP), pesticides, hybrid seeds and mono cultivation of wheat and rice,” he added.

Muktsar/Bathinda, November 10
Finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal has announced that fifth pay commission’s recommendations would be implemented in toto after its announcement. He was speaking at a function held here today on the occasion of the installation ceremony of Jagjit Singh Brar Fattanwala as chairman of the Muktsar Market Committee.

The minister said that in order to raise the retirement age limit of the state government employees was under the active consideration of the pay commission.

On the issue of all-round development of the state, he said that Rs 6,200 crore would be spent in the current financial year as compared to Rs 5,100 crore spent in last fiscal.

Manpreet also urged the people of the state to pay their tax liberally and honestly so that they could get benefit of standard education, better health services and other civic amenities easily.

He regretted that though the country got independence about 62 years back 20 per cent of its population was still living below poverty line and that over 60 per cent of the population was getting merely Rs 25 as daily wage.

The finance minister further said though the global economic crunch had hit the country but the Punjab, having an agro-based economy, would not suffer much.

To a query regarding selling the state government property, which earned no income at all, Manpreet said the Punjab government was selling those properties so that it could purchase such properties, which would benefit the people of the state in a better way.

Among others present on the occasion were Gurdas Singh Badal, former MP, Sukhdarshan Singh Brar, chairman of the PADB and Jagbir Singh, MLA from Jalandhar.

Bathinda/Gidderbaha, November 10
Finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal, while talking to TNS recently, expressed regret that most of the elected representatives of the public use red beacon atop their vehicles without any logic.

Speaking over the issue, he categorically lashed at the area in-charges of the ruling party. He said, “They are nothing but public servant. If I, as a minister, do not feel it necessary to use a red beacon, they can do away with it too.”

Manpreet disclosed that he pays toll taxes at all barriers. “We have a duty to set examples in front of them, who have elected us as their representatives. If we start evading taxes, what can we expect from them?”

Talking further, he said, “We have touched the third position in the country in VAT collections. I expect that during this financial year, the collections would reach Rs 7,000 crore.” He added, “Our stamp duty collections would be higher than Haryana this time, which is ahead of us now.”

Replying a query about the industry running out of the state, Manpreet said, “As the tax holiday would be over in 2010, the industries will return. Moreover, we have been setting up huge infrastructure which would attract entrepreneurs to the state.”

He parried the query related to incentives to the investors.

Bathinda, November 10
Students of Giani Zail Singh College of Engineering and Technology (GZSCET) blocked the National Highway 64 for two hours today against the authorities of the Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar, with which the college is affiliated. The students alleged that each year in every semester, only a few students are able to pass, rest have to reappear or fill up revaluation. They added that the university was overcharging the students in order to meet their building expenditure.

In the ongoing fourth semester of electronics engineering, only one out of 64 students have passed while two students out of 66 passed in mechanical engineering.

The students alleged that the question paper was easy this year and the syllabus was covered fully, still the result was poor. They said an application was sent to the officiating vice-chancellor, principal secretary technical education, Tajinder Kaur, but it could yield no response.

Deepinder, a fourth semester student of electronics engineering, said, “Only six students passed the first semester. I feel that answer sheets are not being checked properly.”

The students also alleged that the university announced the result very late every year. The result of the re-appear exams that were held in May has not come out yet.

“The authorities give us only one day to fill up re-appear forms once the result is declared. We do not carry passport size photos with us all the time and the late fee charged is Rs 1,000,” rued Gurvinder Singh, a student.

The students added that the university in Jalandhar was being run in a rented building which is changed every year. There is a new campus for every session. The university is building a new campus on Kapurthala road, which according to the students is not less than a five star resort and the authorities are extracting money to meet the expenses from students by making them pay Rs 500 per student for re-appearing, Rs 500 per student for revaluation and that is the reason that a majority of students are declared failed in every semester.

“We went to meet the dean (exams) N.P. Singh on November 6 but he refused to meet us by saying that we have not fulfilled the formalities of fixing up an appointment with him. We are paying fee regularly to the university which gives a right to us to get answers to our queries,” Deepinder added.

Another problem which came to the fore was that the university charged Rs 10, 000 per student at the time of admission out of which Rs 2, 500 was charged as a counselling fee and the rest was to be returned by the third semester but the university has not returned a single penny to any student.

The students said a team of the college left for Jalandhar today to sort out the matter and they expected a positive response. The students would be submitting a written complaint to the Chief Minister and technical education minister besides the mayor and the DC of Bathinda soon.

Moga, November 10
The novel idea to replace all street lights of this town with Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) is hanging fire for the past about two years, thanks to the certain complaints of use of  sub-standard material and lack of  interest shown by the local body  department.

The local Municipal Council (MC) had entered into an agreement with a Thane-based company, the Asian Electronics, on December 29, 2006 for the supply of CFLs. The total cost of this project was estimated at a cost of Rs 3.17 crore.

Former councillor Ajay Sood and a local resident Jagdish Chabra had complained to the District Magistrate Satwant Singh Johal that the said company was not approved by any competent agency of the state government. They also levelled serious allegations of misappropriation of public funds in this project.

The DM asked Ajmer Singh, the then Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC,) to inquire into the matter. The ADC submitted his inquiry report to the DM, early this year. Adding that there was 'confusion' in the project report and its implementation, the DM asked executive officer of the MC in May this year to get fresh guidelines from the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) and the local bodies department to go ahead with this project.

Meanwhile, a survey was also conducted by the MC authorities to auction the old existing street light fittings, the process of which was stayed by the DM office till the completion of the inquiry and further instructions.

On the request of MC, the PEDA authorities stated that the said agency/firm was not empanelled in the list of their suppliers. Similarly, the deputy chief engineer of the energy conservation wing of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) had also stated that this company was not listed in their empanelment.

When contacted, Brij Mohan Jhamb, executive officer of the MC told The Tribune that he had twice written to the directorate of local bodies for fresh instructions in this regard but so far he had not received any response in this regard. "Even today my electrical engineer visited the directorate to get fresh guidelines but he has not been given any reply", he said.

He said that this project was still under the consideration of the council because the implementation of this project would help in reducing the power bills by over 60 per cent.

In reply to a question, he clarified that there was no question of going ahead on the contract signed with Asian Electronics because the company was not approved by any competent agency of the state government.

Now, the MC was in a dubious position to go ahead with this ambitious project in the absence of support from the local bodies department for the past about six months even as there were sufficient funds to do this job in the process of long-term planning to save money out of huge power bills. 

Bathinda, November 10
The ruling alliance, keeping in mind the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, has come up with a policy where people would be given representation in the governance of the administration through advisory committees. The committees would be formed at district as well as sub-division level throughout the state by November 15.

According to a procured document of the state government, the chief minister has ordered all deputy commissioners (DCs) of the state to form seven committees to involve people in working of the administration. In the letter, the CM has expressed his view that with their involvement, the administration can be run in better manner.

The letter states that the committees would be namely, Excise and taxation advisory committee, Public health (drinking water) advisory committee, Police matters advisory committee, Education advisory committee, Health services advisory committee, SC/BC and social security advisory committee and Irrigation and electricity department committee.

For the constitution of committees, it has been specified that at district-level, it would have minimum of 21 members. At sub-division level, the number would be 11. It has been strictly ordered that minimum three members would be taken from each assembly constituency.

A condition says that one member can get representation in only one committee and no member of the state-level board or corporation would be offered membership in any of such committees.

In the committees, officers of the departments concerned would also be the members. The meetings of the committees would take place every month under the headship of DCs and SDMs to discuss the jobs of all the departments.

Sriganganagar/Abohar,  November 10
Construction and destruction go side by side in most of the Assembly segments even on the first day for filing of nomination for the ensuing Rajasthan elections.

While the people cry hoarse against alleged violation of the model code of conduct despite clear instructions from the Election Commission and subsequent warnings, the administration laments that the works had already been sanctioned and allotted to the contractors by floating tenders.

Residents said that if one goes through some of the constituencies, constructions were found apparently to “please” the electorates as the political bigwigs apprehend anti-incumbency factor may gain weightage during next few days.

In Suratgarh, construction is in progress in the mortuary located on the outskirts. Brick paving can also be noticed in some localities where electorates were unhappy over neglect of their demand for pucca streets. As the authorities started downloading of bricks from a tractor-trailer some of the residents including an aged woman was found staging a sit-in (dharna) right on the layer of the bricks. Why they had not bothered for the basic amenities for last about five years, the residents including Nawal Bhojak question while criticising those in power.

Another important two-prone development in the Suratgarh area is drive against alleged encroachments. One finds JCB machine and other equipments being used to remove even recently constructed projections besides stairs outside the showrooms which attracted the visitors most. But the people alleged that the administration was selective in the drive and targeting only arch opponents of the ruling saffron party. Equally visible is relaxation in the rules for distributing LPG cylinders demand for which had recently increased due to change in the weather conditions. The prospective candidates of the ruling party were reportedly trying hard to arrange additional supplies to subdue the discontent among the users, sources said.

In Tibbi area, renovation of the civil hospital has become talk of the town as most of the residents raised eye brow over the ongoing project of replacing the floor with Kota stones. One Babu Ram rued that the floor was in good condition but the authorities were getting it renovated to please certain persons having political weightage besides other qualities. However, the authorities while trying to play down all the controversies terming the same said that "ever thing was going on as per rules".

Bathinda, November 10
A one-day career and entrepreneurship awareness camp was organised at the Swami Vivekenanda Girls’ College here today.

The chief guest on the occasion, Dr Paramjit Singh, pricipal consultant, regional centre for entrepreneurship (RCED), Chandigarh, in his speech touched upon various aspects of success and economic freedom for women in the society. He discussed about the entrepreneurship as a career option for women and the support available by the government and financial institutions for new entrepreneurs.

Paramjeet said, “Jobs in the government sector are decreasing everyday, corporate and private set up works on ‘hire and fire’ principle. The number of unemployed in our country is quite high and there is a need to help the surplus human resources do some productive job. It is possible only through awareness about entrepreneurship and self-employment.”

He added, “I have never seen a woman repairing TV or doing repair work. Women should identify their potential and put it to use. There are various schemes initiated by the government but there is lack of awareness among masses.”

Raj Gupta, principal of the college, said, “Students opt for vocational training after class XII. The trend of earn while you learn is catching up fast. Following this, the distance learning programme is becoming a craze among students and proving useful too.”

Barnala, November 10
Three persons, including a couple and seven-year-old girl, were killed and six others sustained injuries in a road accident involving a car and a truck on Sunday night.

The deceased have been identified as Parkash Chand (60), his wife Pushpa Devi (58) and a seven-year-old girl, Sehjot.

According to sources, the incident took place when the four-wheeler in which Parkash Chand along with his family members was going to Nabha from Bathinda after attending a wedding party collided head-on with a truck which was coming from opposite direction.

The husband-wife duo died on the spot while Sehjot died later on.

The injured includes Rajeev Kohli, Menu Kohli, Manpreet Kaur Parminder Singh, Vipin and a Iknoor.

Volunteer of the Mini Sahara Welfare club reached at the site and took the injured to a private hospital in Bhuchoo Mandi.

Police has registered a case in this connection. The driver of the truck and his helper are absconding.

Abohar, November 10
Mystery shrouding the alleged gang-rape of a minor girl further deepened as the victim disappeared from the Nehru Memorial Civil Hospital after the medical examination on Monday, sources said.

As per sources, the minor girl today appeared before the sub-divisional magistrate N.S. Brar along with her relatives. She reportedly stated in her complaint that yesterday when she was returning from a medicine shop after purchasing medicine for an ailing member of the family, eight car-borne boys kidnapped her in a vehicle. They allegedly took her to fields where she was gang-raped. Late at night, they dropped her in semi-unconscious position near her house.

The SDM confirmed that he had referred the application to the senior medical officer of the civil hospital for necessary action.

Sources in the hospital said the victim was medically examined but to their surprise neither she nor her relatives were found in the hospital complex when the report was to be handed over.

Well placed sources indicated that the minor girl had put the number of kidnappers at eight and four of them belonged to affluent families.

However the city police feigned ignorance about today's medical examination and complaint by the minor girl. 

Abohar: Three motorcycle-borne youths allegedly hit a girl in Sidhu Nagari here on Monday. Sources said that the victim was going to market when the incident took place. Locals tried to nab the accused but they managed to escape leaving behind the vehicle. The same had been handed over to the old police station.

The residents of the locality termed the incident as a case of eve-teasing and alleged that police had failed to check the menace not only in localities but also on the college road. Scores of miscreants riding unnumbered two-wheelers and cars with tainted glasses were seen teasing girl students throughout the day but no action was initiated against such elements, they alleged. — OC

Ferozepur, November 10
More than 10,000 cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act, NDPS Act, compoundable criminal offense, Hindu Marriage Act and others such Acts pending in various courts in the district would be taken up during the mega lok adalat, “Samadhan 2008” to be organised at the district and sessions court here on December 20 and 21.

While addressing a meeting in this connection here today, Jaspal Singh, district and sessions judge, said that the lok adalat was being organised under auspices of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to provide speedy justice to the people.

In the meeting, Dinesh Pratap SSP, Jaskiran Singh ADC, H.S. Pannu SP (Detective) besides various senior judges including Baldev Singh Sodhi, J.S. Chauhan, J.P.S. Wahniwal, J.S. Kang CJM and senior advocates participated and shared their suggestions.

On the occasion, the SSP held detailed discussions with the judges regarding various cases under NDPS Act pending in the courts for a long time.

Jaspal Singh said that the cases under 18 various categories were likely to be taken up during the lok adalat besides some cases which were not taken up by the courts earlier, would also be sorted out on the spot. He said that cases related to accidental claims, monetary dispute, house rent besides atrocities against women shall also be considered during the lok adalat. 

Ferozepur, November 10
After unearthing a plot to eliminate the head of Dera Sacha Sauda, Baba Ram Rahim Singh, the Ferozwpur police today reportedly carried out more raids at various places during which one police inspector has also been detained from Moga.

Though, there was no official confirmation on the same, well-place sources said that the police also conducted raids at some places in Amritsar today, during which certain discriminating documents related to insurgent movement, including maps have been seized.

The police has recently recovered arms, including five AK 56 rifles with lot of ammunition, 10 Chinese made .30 bore pistols and fake Indian currency running into lakhs of rupees from the hideouts of the arrested persons. 

Abohar, November 10
SDM N.S. Brar said on Monday that a 12-week camp will be organised at the municipal town hall here under the aegis of the Science and Technology Department of the Central government in collaboration with NITCON under the Skill Development Training through Science and Technology programme.

Informing that persons aged 18-35 years and having basic knowledge of computer would be trained in computer hardware maintenance and networking. Brar said that applications received till November 17 at the municipal council till lunch hours would be screened immediately to start the programme by next day.

NITCON project officer Prince Gandhi informed that six-week workshop on food processing industry would also be organised here soon. 

Abohar, November 10
The state government had sanctioned new sub-canal named Tarmala Channel to meet the irrigation related requirements of farmers in villages Seetogunno, Himmatpura, Bishanpura and Khairpur.

MLA Gurtej Singh Ghuriana said at a function in village Seetogunno that foundation stone of the project would be laid soon.

He laid the foundation stone of a small road there that will cost Rs 24 lakh. The legislator during a tour today distributed Rs 39 lakh cheques in village Raipura, Dutaranwali, Mehrana, Modikhera and Himmatpura of Balluana Assembly segment for different development works. He informed that the chief minister had so far granted Rs 2 crore for his constituency. Chairmen of Abohar and Khuyiansarwar panchayat samitis Vipan Neol and Devinder Manu accompanied the legislator. — OC

Mansa, November 10
Political organisations have demanded an inquiry into the alleged suicide committed by a youth of Malikpur Khiala village. Two women of this village were booked in this connection.

As per sources, Jaspreet Singh, son of Bakshish Singh, a resident of Malikpur Khiala village, allegedly committed suicide on October 15, by throwing himself before a train at Mansa. Jaswinder Singh, in-charge of railway police, Mansa said that the police had registered a case against these two women on the statement of Bakshish Singh.

Gurjant Singh, leader of CPI (ML), Mansa along with labourer leader, Hardev Singh Khiala and women leader Jasbeer Kaur Natt said that both the women had been falsely implicated in this case. — OC

Ferozepur, November 10
The cantonment here will soon have sewerage system in place, stated Parminder Singh Pinki, general secretary PPCC. Pinki along with local delegation had recently met the Union Minister of State for Defence, M Pallam Raju to exhort him to look into the problems of the cantonment residents.

Pinki said that the minister had promised to sanction the sewerage project, once the proposal reaches him.

Meanwhile, the cantonment board has floated tenders inviting the parties to submit detailed plan for setting up sewerage here. 

Bathinda, November 10
Directorate of Field Publicity, Jalandhar unit, organised Bharat Nirman rally here today. Makhan Singh, MLA, Pucca Kalan, flagged off the rally. Students from different schools of the city participated in the rally.

The students carrying placards and banners, raised slogans on various themes on the Bharat Nirman programme like national rural health mission, AID, female foeticide etc. Later, the rally was terminated at the local Grain Market.