Bathinda, December 16
To commemorate the exemplary acts of valour of soldiers of the Indian Army, Vijay Diwas was celebrated by the Chetak Corps at the Bathinda military station here today. Major-General D.C. Katoch, chief of staff, Chetak Corps, along with Lieut-Col K.P. Nair laid a wreath at Yoddha Yaadgar. Other senior serving and retired Army officers and civil dignitaries followed him.

Over 200 veterans were felicitated at the war veterans’ meet. The celebrations were graced by war-widows, a host of retired and serving officers, JCOs and ORs of the battalion.

Addressing the war veterans, Brig (retd.) Bant Singh, who is also the vice-president of the Zila Sainik Welfare Board, highlighted the welfare schemes being provided by the state government and the Army for the benefit of the ex-servicemen.

He said even now they were considered a part of the Army and any assistance required would be readily provided to them.

Speaking on the occasion, Maj-Gen Katoch lauded the war veterans for the sacrifices made by them. Relating the significance of the day, he said the occasion was historic for the Indian Army as on this day in 1971, Pakistan’s Lieut-Gen Niazi along with 90,000 soldiers surrendered to India. He also underlined the need to keep pace with the modern world and said that the CSD smart card would be beneficial for all as everything had been computerised.

Presenting gifts to the war veterans, he said efforts were being made to redress their grievances.

During the meet, the war veterans were also briefed on the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) and informed that they, as well as their dependents, were eligible for its membership.

The Defence Pension Disbursement Officer and representatives of ex-servicemen helpline interacted with the war veterans to resolve their problems. The veterans were also provided canteen and dental care. Besides, the chief of staff felicitated the veterans and hosted a barakhana.

Bathinda, December 16
Colonel (retd) Kuldip Singh Dhillon recalls that he was just a three-month-old second lieutenant in December 1971 when he found himself on the battlefield in the Chhamb area of Jammu and Kashmir to fight the Pakistani soldiers. He was the platoon commander of a Rifle Company.

“We had gone through a thick battle. There was heavy bombardment from the Pakistanis. At every yard, there was a shell. Our battalion had a heavy casualty with two majors and one lieutenant, two JCOs and 70 jawans dead,” said Dhillon, who had retired in April 2005 but was re-inducted due to shortage of officers to re-retired later, in April this year. Jat Regiment’s ex-colonel said he was a happy and satisfied person.

Ex-sepoy Bachittar Singh faintly recalled the 1962 war against China when he was posted at Tejpur, Assam, with the 4 Sikh, Light Infantry (LI). He lost both his legs as a grenade flung by a Pakistani soldier exploded minutes after a bullet had ripped through Bachittar’s ribs. He said he only saw some flesh dangling from his knees. “Jawaharlal Nehru was the prime minister then and Partap Singh Kairon was the chief minister of Punjab,” he pointed out.

The 66-year-old said one of his legs was amputated at Tejpur only while the other one was removed at a hospital in Delhi. Spirits still running high, he wants his grandson to join the Army after he finishes his graduation.

Bachittar, who retired in 1963, was vocal about his grievances against the state government saying he could not get grants which he deserved. But he did not forget to thank the then Bathinda DC, who made him the nambardar of his village Serianwala, tehsil Phul, about 17 years back. The war veteran was thankful to Major-General D.C. Katoch, chief of staff, Chetak Corps, who instructed his subordinates today in front of the media for providing him with a wheel-chair.

Ramli, a war widow from Maur Mandi, said she was getting pension regularly without any problem. Her husband Sepoy Banwari Lal of the Punjab regiment, died while fighting the enemy in the 1971 war and was conferred with the Vir Chakra posthumously.

Kuldip Singh, an ex-servicemen belonging to Phul, said there should be separate counters at the ECHS polyclinics for those living outside the city.

Several present at the war veterans’ meet could not hear, see or talk properly.

A 92-year-old Waryam Singh, ex-sepoy, belonging to Bangi Nihal Singh village, was here just to be a part of the Vijay Divas celebrations. He is deaf and was discharged from service in 1946 following the World War II.

Ex-subedar Mikhi Ram retired after serving for 26 years. He had fought 1965 and 1971 wars and was with 14 FOD at Guwahati. He said he did not face any problem as far as pension was concerned. He was here to be a part of the annual meet besides getting his wife checked at the medical camp organised on the occasion.

There were others like ex-naik Kheta Singh, ex-naib subedar Jaswant Singh and ex-sepoy Pritam Singh, who said they did not get the gift given to other war veterans at the function. They said they were the ones who fought the 1971 war, and were being ignored. Equally annoyed was ex-havildar Gurdev Singh, who said he was among those who brought down the crucial Hussainiwala Bridge between India and Pakistan during the war. Meanwhile, as their grievance reached the higher officials, they did not let them go unheard and provided them with gifts.

The 1929-born ex-serviceman from the Armoured Corps, little Jaga Ram adorning an olive green jacket and a cap of same colour, flaunted his eight medals hanging from his chest. He said he had fought the three wars, in 1962, 1965 and 1971. With a smile, he said he had double retirement. His first retirement came in 1976, after serving for 25 years. However, he joined the Ist Armoured Division at the Bathinda cantonment in 1978 and retired a few years back. Keeping the family tradition alive, now his son is serving the Defence Security Corps at the cantonment.

Fazilka, December 16
Rich tributes were paid to martyrs of 1971 Indo-Pak war at the war memorial at the village Asafwala, some seven kilometres from here, today to observe Vijay Diwas.

The function was organised by the War Memorial Committee, looking after the monument with cooperation of Army and civil administration. Major General A.K. Bakshi, MLA Fazilka Surjit Kumar Jyani, deputy commissioner, Ferozepur Megh Raj, Brigadiers K.K.Sinha, H.S.Kaura, Bhupinder Singh, D.S. Chahal, Commandant 20th Battalion, BSF, S.C. Yadav, SDM Fazilka Charandev Singh Maan, large number of Armymen, dignitaries, civilians and young students of both the educational colleges of the town were present at the function.

The dignitaries offered floral tributes by laying wreath at the memorial. Army jawans sounded the last post on this occasion. An all religion prayer (Sarv Dharam Prarthana) conducted by priest, Maulvi, Granthi and Pandit was offered at the memorial.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA Surjit Kumar Jyani said that there was a belief associated with this martyrs memorial that anyone who bows his head at this memorial his wishes were fulfilled. He announced to provide Rs 15 lakh from Punjab government funds for the development of the memorial complex.

Earlier, Major General Bakshi and deputy commissioner Megh Raj flagged off a cycle rally of jawans of 15 Rajput Regiment on peace mission and to commemorate the memory of the martyrs.

Paying tributes to martyrs, DC Megh Raj lauded the role of Army in its peacetime duties too besides protecting the borders. He recalled the active role of army men in fighting recent flood fury in Ferozepur district. DC announced to grant Rs one lakh for the development of the memorial complex and get three water purifiers installed there.

The War Memorial Committee (WMC) president, Rattan Lal Thakral, briefly highlighted incidences of supreme sacrifices of the Army men and subsequent construction of the memorial. WMC patron Sandeep Gilhotra, vice-president Umesh Chander Kukkar, general secretary Mohan Lal Paruthi, life member retired SDM B.L. Sikka, Jyoti B.Ed. and DAV B.Ed. college principals Dr Anita Arora and Dr Sarita Gijwani presented mementos comprising of a coloured placard of Asafwala War Memorial to Students of DAV B.Ed. College led by Gurdev Singh presented a punjabi skit "Na Chann Mama na beli tare" showing plight of unemployed and deprived youths. Noted Punjabi Ghazal singer, Vijay Parveen and Pooja Saroach enthralled the audience by presented a patriotic song and famous Hindi song "Aye Mere Vatan Ke Logo Zara Aankh Me Bhar Lo Pani." 

Bathinda, December 16
The residents of Bathinda and the adjoining areas on Tuesday woke up to an overcast condition punctuated by lighting streaks, thunderclaps and a brief spell of showers as the activated western disturbances approaching Punjab and the surrounding areas influenced the weather condition in the region.

Although the minimum temperature on Tuesday morning recorded a slight increase in comparison to Monday morning, residents felt the tinge of real winter chill throughout the day, first of this season, as the maximum temperature witnessed a decline.

According to the sources at the regional centre of the Punjab Agriculture University (PAU), Bathinda, the minimum temperature recorded on Monday was 5.5 degree Celsius while the maximum was 20.5 degree. The minimum temperature recorded on Tuesday morning was 8 degree Celsius while the maximum was 17 degree at 5 in the evening, sources added.

According to the assistant agro-meteorologist at the regional research centre of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bathinda, the activated western disturbances approaching Punjab and adjoining regions was influencing the weather condition. The overcast besides isolated and scattered rainfall was likely to continue for the next three to four days, the official said, adding that due to cloudy conditions, the minimum temperature might increase during the period.

The official also said the wind speed was likely to witness an increase while night temperature was likely to fall during this period.

Residents of some areas of the city said the lightning and thunderclap was unprecedented and terrifying.

Sources said that the lightning struck an electric pole at Parsam Ram Nagar’s street number 2 causing power failure.

Talking to The Tribune, K.S. Mann, XEN, in-charge, PSEB, Bathinda, confirmed that the severe lightning caused breakdown in power supply at nearly three-four areas in the city. He, however, added that the power supply was restored soon.

No casualty was reported from any area of the district.

Abohar, December 16
Having blocked vehicular traffic on the Seetogunno road till Tuesday afternoon on the second day of their strike, the BKU activists finally agreed to follow the new instructions of the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) for submitting copy of the revenue record called "jamabandi" to ascertain that they were genuine farmers.

This was made possible after the additional deputy commissioner Jaskiran Singh along with senior police officials from the district headquarters arrived here to hold discussions with the BKU Lakhowal faction workers who were led by the general secretary of the state unit Bhupinder Singh Maheshri. DSP Parampal Singh and Harpal Singh, secretary of the local market committee, were also present at the meeting.

The ADC made it clear that the rules had been revised at the level of the Union Ministry of Textiles and all state governments had endorsed it to plug tactical sale of cotton at the MSP, reportedly by small traders, who were allegedly collecting cotton from small and marginal farmers to mint money by foul means.

The ADC offered to make available services of two revenue employees at each entrance of the new grain market to issue identification slip to the cotton growers who transport their produce for sale in the cotton yard. The farmers will have to produce a copy of the jamabandi later when billing is done. The BKU leaders contacted their state president Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, chairman of the Punjab Mandi Board, over the mobile phone to apprise him of the situation. After getting a green signal from him, they decided to lift the agitation and go ahead with the sale of cotton.

The CCI immediately started purchase as per the assurance given to the farmers. Market Committee secretary Harpal Singh informed in the evening that 4500 quintals of cotton was sold today out of 20,000 quintals that was held up due to the strike.

V.P. Nagpal in-charge of CCI, Punjab zone, said the corporation had so far purchased 32 lakh quintals of cotton out of the total arrivals quoted at 45 lakh quintals all over the state. Purchase in all the 25 markets would be normal by tomorrow in accordance with the new rules, he added. 

Moga, December 16
The High Court of Punjab and Haryana has rejected the bail application of Shinder Singh, main accused in the infamous case of sexual exploitation of a Dalit woman of nearby Ghal Ghalan village.

The incident came to limelight when the victim carried out a semi-nude march on May 19 this year here to get registered a criminal case of sexual exploitation against the culprits. She was presently undergoing medical treatment in the district hospital here for the past two months. The culprits attacked her with acid on October 13 in which she suffered burn injuries on both her legs, feet and abdomen.

When the main application of Shinder Singh came up for hearing in the court of Justice S.D. Anand on Monday, a Chandigarh-based NGO 'Dalit Movement for Human Rights and Dignity' opposed granting bail to him.

The court while agreeing to the arguments of the NGO's counsel rejected the bail application of the accused.

Earlier, the High Court had already granted bail to the co-accused Soni but he was presently languishing in the jail along with two of his associates in the acid attack case on the same woman.

Meanwhile, the state government has marked another inquiry into these incidents of exploitation of this Dalit woman despite the fact that these cases were pending before the SP (City) of Ludhiana Harsh Kumar Bansal and SP (D) of Jagraon Pritam Singh had recorded the statements of villagers who had alleged that the woman had lodged false complaints. The villagers had given statements against the woman, revealed police sources.

A magisterial probe was also conducted into the incident of sexual exploitation, on the basis of which, the SHO of police station concerned G.S. Bhullar was immediately removed and a departmental inquiry was ordered against him. Later, after the acid attack, another SHO was also removed from his post.

On the other hand, the social welfare department had given a compensation of Rs 25,000 to the woman. The district administration had also provided her free treatment at the hospital.

The Dalit Movement for Human Rights and Dignity had demanded fresh medical examination of the woman by experts from the PGI, Chandigarh. 

Mansa, December 16
"One of my family members would contest from Bathinda in the coming parliamentary elections," said SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal at a public meeting here after laying the foundation stones for various development projects.

He assured that if the NDA government comes to power at the Centre, the oil prices would be reduced.

He alleged that the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) had been harassing the farmers and said that the CCI was a Central agency and was working on the directions of Central government.

He assured that thermal plants were being established in the Malwa region and this would help in providing electricity in Punjab at a lower rate.

He inaugurated an overbridge on the Bathinda-Delhi rail line which was built at the cost of Rs 17 crore. He also laid the foundation stone for a link road from Bhaini Bagha to Ramdittewala which would be completed at the cost of Rs 10 crore.

On the occasion, the chairman of the Zila Parishad Dilraj Singh Bhunder, district president of the youth Akali Dal Gurpreet Singh Banawali, deputy commissioner of Mansa Kumar Rahul and DIG Faridkot Range Jatinder Jain were also present.

Bathinda, December 16
The state government should make arrangements so that the weaker sections get the payment under pensions and Shagun scheme after three months by all means. This was stated by committee members of SC/BC welfare, Punjab, during a visit to the district today.

Sohan Singh Thandal, chairman, SC/BC Committee, said that the welfare schemes for weaker sections were not reaching them and grants for them remained unutilised, he added.

Talking to newsmen, he said that a fund of Rs 1108.81 lakh was released under the Special Component Plan in Bathinda and Rs 992.78 lakh had been spent till now. He said that Rs 188.80 lakh alone had been spent on the Shagun scheme.

Thandal said that as per details given by Social Security Department, under the national old age scheme, Rs 41.83 lakh had been distributed among 1,709 beneficiaries in the state and a grant of Rs 10,000 each was distributed among 41 widows under the national family benefit scheme.

During its visit to Bathinda, 6 members out of the 13 members of the committee were present here. Thandal rued that since Independence, conditions of weaker section remained the same.

He said that under the NREGA scheme, daily wages of the labourers had been increased to Rs 123 from the existing Rs 103.

Sriganganagar/Abohar, December 16
None of the wildlife officials has so far allegedly bothered to take care of the peacock that was found in village Manaksar of Sriganganagar district last week.

An NGO "Peoples for Animals" in a complaint faxed to the Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Central Government on Tuesday said that the injured peacock was found by Sukhdev Khichad of village Manaksar on December 8. Some of its wings were missing and one of its legs was also found to be injured.

Mohinder Singh Jatav, district president of the NGO, informed the regional wildlife officer over the phone on December 9 and requested to make arrangement for treatment as the peacock is the national bird and their number was reducing day by day.

Jatav alleged that he was asked to take the peacock home if he was more concerned about its health.

The regional officer said that a forest guard had visited the family which was taking care of it and a private veterinary doctor had attended to the bird.

The Khichad family today described the contention of the officers as baseless and said no veterinary doctor was available in or around the village. 

Bathinda, December 16
The Hotel, Restaurant and Resort Association on Tuesday warned that it would further intensify its agitation in case the state government did not withdraw the recently-imposed luxury tax.

Members of the association said they would not allow government functions to be held on their premises if the demand was not met.

They took out a procession here and raised slogans against the government.

Satish Arora, president of the association, said that the state government was observing silence over the issue even as the demand for withdrawal was being raised at different forums for the past 18 days.

Bathinda, December 16
The BSNL’s mobile telephony took a beating on Tuesday morning following the lightning. BSNL subscribers complained that they found difficulties in contacting other subscribers. Some said they faced problem concerning call drops around three hours after the lightning.

The BSNL authorities, however, while denying any such problem in the network, said the lightning had not affected their services and the service remained satisfying. They said no report regarding damage of equipment was registered.

Sources in the BSNL said that following the lightning, the department launched a search exercise to find out if the weather had damaged any equipment.

Bathinda, December 16
The Bathinda Irrigation Contractors Union has urged the government to release the payment of Rs 3.58 crores for the lining of the Ladhuka distributary that they had completed eight months ago.

In a statement here today, leaders of the union alleged that the treasury officer was not releasing the payments although the money had been received by the government vide letter number 1375 dated November 19 this year. They said the lining was done under Centre-sponsored NABARD scheme and the state government could not withhold the payment. The canal lining divisions I and II located here got the works done. — TNS

Bathinda, December 16
The local Malwa College and the Malwa College of Physical Education (MCPE) have won a gold medal each in weightlifting and powerlifting, respectively, at the Punjabi University Inter-State Sports Meet, which concluded at Anandpur Sahib on Monday.

While Parminder Singh of the MCPE won gold in the 100 kg powerlifting competition, Aman Singh of the Malwa College won the other in weightlifting. — TNS

Bathinda, December 16
In a function held at Patiala, A.C. Varma, MD, State Bank of Patiala, formally launched a campaign, SME Bonanza, beginning from December 1 to January 31.

Varma said under the scheme, fresh loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will be sanctioned at concessional rates. The bank will give an across the board concession of 0.5 per cent per annum on interest rates to the customers, who avail of the loan facility during the period and full waiver of processing, upfront fee and mortgage fee.

A lucky draw would entitle 50 customers, who avail of loans during this period, for an extra concession of 2 per cent per annum in interest rates till March 2010. Dinesh Bhatia, GM (Planning and Development), was also present on the occasion. — TNS

Ferozepur, December 16
The Education Department has initiated the process of inspection of all the government high and senior secondary schools in the district. Harbans Singh Chahal, District Education Officer (DEO), said that 12 teams had been constituted under various school heads to inspect all the 81 secondary, 99 high and 137 middle schools in the district.

Satinder Singh District, coordinator, said that the checking would be conducted in three stages and would be completed by February 15 next year. He said that during the inspection, all aspects of the school functioning, including the performance of the teachers, utilisation of the funds, eco clubs, Sarv Shikhiya Abhiyaan, discipline, cleanliness, hygiene, computer education, utilisation of grants besides performance of the students would be taken into account.

Chahal said that he had instructed all the principals to accord total cooperation to the inspecting teams and the entire staff should be present on the day of the inspection of the school.