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Safai sewaks stage protest
UP IN ARMS: Members of the Safai Sewak Union, Punjab, staging a dharna outside the BMC office in Bathinda on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Kulbir Beera
Feuding
Netas, indifferent Babus |
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Pen down strike exposes rift
SAD infighting surfaces ahead of Badal’s rally
Bathinda PNDT cell challenged in HC
Farmers blocking traffic in front of bus stand near Mall road on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh
Gang of vehicle lifters busted
Ten-day NSS camp concludes
50 dengue cases reported in Mansa
Students of Blooming Buds school dressed as Santa Claus at a function held on Wednesday to celebrate Christmas. Tribune photo: Kulbir Beera
Abohar police seizes 43 bags
of wheat
Honouring the champ!:
Principal B.B. Sharma and the staff of DAV College, Abohar, felicitating Sanjeev Kumar.
A Tribune photograph
Procession marks Shaheedi Jor Mela
Santa wishes Mansa students
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Safai sewaks stage protest
Bathinda, December 24 Earlier, in the morning, sweepers from several districts, including Bathinda, Faridkot, Mansa, Moga, Muktsar, Sangrur and Ferozepur gathered outside the Bathinda Municipal Corporation office and raised anti-establishment slogans. Speakers of the union, presenting a charter of demands to the commissioner, BMC, KK Yadav said that for the past 15-20 years, the part-time, daily wage earner sweepers had been performing the job at a meagre salary. They demanded that sweepers working in area sanitation committees should be regularised and in the case of working employees who had crossed the age of 47 years, their family members should be recruited in their place. Their demands included interest-free loan for daughter's marriage, hike in allowance for new uniform and broom and equipment, promotions, adjustment of employees, who had been left in lurch after removing the octroi barriers, implementation of recommendations of the pay commission. The BMC commissioner KK Yadav, after accepting the memorandum, assured the protesters of forwarding their demands to the state government along with his own forwarding letter. Parkash Chand Gaichand, Roop Chand, Nand Lal Muktsar, Ashok Kumar Jalandhar, Gore Lal Bathinda, Balkrishan Sangrur, Gurbaksh Singh Kotkapura, Boor Chand Bindra, Narinder Goldy, Kakam Kumar Malout, Faqeer Chand Barnala, Fateh Chand Ravi Malkat Abohar, Gurtej Singh
Ferozepur, Chiman Lal Kotkapura, Nathu Ram Neelkanth, Ramesh Bhanwar Jaito, Pala Ram Brar Dhuri and others addressed the gathering. Municipal Employees Union, Bathinda, under the leadership of Bhola Singh also lent its support to the protesters. |
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Feuding
Netas, indifferent Babus S.P. Sharma Tribune News Service
Bathinda, December 24 The allegations levelled in a meeting of the Bathinda Municipal Corporation (MBC) on Monday last have triggered a debate about the vulnerability among the coalition partners. The BJP councillors while walking out of the meeting demanded CBI inquiry into the execution of development works. The senior vice-president of the SAD, Chiranji Lal Garg, has also expressed anguish over the "haphazard" manner in which the storm water pipes were being laid particularly near the mini-secretariat. What the BJP councillors have pointed out in the house was ventilation of the grievance of the common people who have been raising fingers at the "insensitive" administration that the ruling coalition has given to this one of the most backward districts of Punjab. Allegations of sub-standard works were being levelled also by the common man ever since work started on widening of the main road and constructing a concrete divider by pulling down the green plantation that had started taking roots amidst the hostile environment here. When these allegations were a few months ago brought to the notice of the chief minister by media persons, he announced that a high-level committee would be asked to look into the matter. However, nothing has been done so far and the work was progressing as before. Provoked by statements of the BJP leadership, employees of the BMC were observing pen down strike since yesterday. A senior functionary of the BMC has not taken these statements kindly and had reportedly remarked that the BJP councillors should seek apology for their behaviour in the house. This is the attitude of some members of the bureaucracy here against which the people were leveling allegations of all sorts. Granting three most important positions on a platter to a single IAS officer has already raised eyebrows among the local bureaucracy as well as others. The officer is holding charge of the key departments of BMC, Bathinda Development Authority and Bathinda Improvement Trust. These departments have miserably failed to perform the duties that they were supposed to discharge. While on the one hand, crores of rupees were being spent on beautification of the town, on the other, encroachment on valuable government lands, insanitation and sale of unhygienic food were flourishing. Many localities in the town are still deprived of potable drinking water, as they were supplied contaminated water through the worn out system that requires immediate attention. Not only the BMC, but other departments including the revenue, excise, police and the anti-food adulteration set-up were also being accused of not performing their duties with conviction.
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Pen down strike exposes rift
Bathinda, December 24 To express resentment against the allegations, employees including senior officers had taken mass leave for two days (Tuesday and Wednesday). In their support, the Municipal Workers Union (MEU) also observed one-day "pen down strike". The engineering staff, while presenting a memorandum to the BMC Commissioner K.K. Yadav went on mass leave and also submitted a memorandum to Mayor Baljeet Singh Bir Behman. Bhola Singh, MEU president, said, "We have taken the matter seriously as the councillors, while levelling the allegations, forgot that the employees had been performing over-time duties due to staff shortage. In protest, we observed a pen down strike." BMC Commissioner K.K. Yadav said, "I am on duty along with the joint commissioner, Amit Dhaka, but the rest of the staff is on strike. No doubt, the manner and words used in the house meeting was an attack on the integrity of the whole staff. If any councillor has any particular objection, we can probe it." Mayor Baljeet Singh Bir Behman said, "They gave me a memorandum and wanted councillors to tender an apology but as it is just like a family matter of the BMC and we will sort it out soon." Tarsem Goyal, senior deputy mayor, said, "The BJP councillors had a meeting on Tuesday evening and they are not ready to bend as there was no hypothetical allegation. Moreover, councillors have been demanding a CBI inquiry into allegations of corruption." Krishan Kumar Garg, councilor from ward 11, who had accused the staff of corruption in the Rs 40 crore worth city beautification project, is still firm over his allegations. "What will the strike do when we will expose a number of senior officials of the engineering branch of amassing "benami" property in city. If they have the guts to prove themselves innocent, they should come forward to face an inquiry instead of applying pressure on us," he said. "If the BMC officials will not initiate move for an inquiry into the Rs 40-crore project, we ourselves will take it to the CBI and other agencies, but we will not allow malpractices to go unchecked." |
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SAD infighting surfaces ahead of Badal’s rally
Abohar, December 24 However, 14 sarpanches who were elected in SC category today expressed solidarity with Ghuriana after meeting him at his residence here. The statement that carried signatures of sarpanches Narinder Kaur Balluana, Chander Kala Kalatibba, Savitri Devi Khubban, Amarjit Kaur Kundal, Malkit Kaur Burjmuhar, Harpal Singh Raipura, Milakhi Ram Gobindgarh, Hans Raj Rampura, Mohan Lal Bhagsar, Gurdeep Singh Jandwala Bhameshah, Paramjit Kuharianwali, Aad Ram Gaddandob and Sucha Singh Shahpura, said certain disgruntled elements were misleading the people by using their names without any authorisation. They lauded the efforts made by the legislator in distributing pension cheques at the doorstep of the beneficiaries. Meanwhile, Shahbaj Singh Sran, national vice-president of the Youth Akali Dal, regretted that some forces were conspiring to sabotage the much-awaited rally to be addressed by the CM on December 30 at village Balluana. Alleging that a former block president of the youth wing, Inderjit Singh, had joined hands with some Congress leaders to sabotage efforts being made by the legislator in mobilising maximum participation on Badal's rally, Sran urged SAD (B) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal to expel Inderjit Singh for his "anti-party activities" from the party. Refuting the allegations levelled against Ghuriana by Inderjit Singh, Sran said that the panchayat in village Muradwala Dal Singh had not become functional due to lack of quorum and not because of interference by the legislator as Inderjit Singh had alleged. Sran further blamed the headmaster of a government school for participating in political activities to promote dissent against the Balluana MLA and demanded his transfer. Inderjit Singh, claiming support of some SC sarpanches, had given a call for forming a front against the legislator. |
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Bathinda PNDT cell challenged in HC
Bathinda, December 24 The petitioners have alleged that there was no provision for forming PNDT Cell under the PNDT Act and it was illegal and arbitrary. The project officer was illegally authorised by the then DC to file cases against doctors in the courts on flimsy grounds. It was also reported that the advocate's fee was also paid from Red Cross funds. Under the PNDT Act, only the District Appropriate Authority was given all the powers to file cases and penalise the offenders. Anurag Aggarwal and his successor KAP Sinha, after going through the records, sought the permission of the Home Ministry to withdraw these cases. Director, Health Services, Punjab, had also reported in October 2007 that the department had not given permission to PNDT Cell to register cases against doctors under the PNDT Act. The present DC Rahul Tiwari also admitted under the RTI that Sadhu Ram Kusla had no right to file cases under the PNDT Act. As per information gathered by TNS, the PNDT Cell collected lakhs from the unauthorised sale of Form F, which was supposed to be given free to the doctors. When contacted, Dr Amrit Sethi, past president Punjab IMA, welcoming the development, refused to comment further since the matter is sub-judice. |
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CCI policy benefitting middlemen, say farmers
Bathinda, December 24 Raising slogans against the CCI and the state government, the farmers parked their vehicles in a zig-zag manner in the middle of the road and did not allow traffic from either side to cross the barrier put up by them. Hundreds of vehicles were lined up on both sides of the road causing inconvenience to commuters. The farmers alleged there was a nexus between CCI officials and private ginners, who had been fleecing the farmers by purchasing their crops at rates lower than the minimum support price (MSP). They alleged that new CCI guidelines benefited only middlemen. They also said that hundreds of farmers had been arriving in the city with their produce every day only to be told by the CCI to wait for a few days. The CCI finds one excuse or the other to refuse the cotton of the farmers, the farmers alleged, adding that the central agency has now put a condition of seeing land ownership documents before purchasing any cotton from the farmers. "The CCI has not been purchasing our produce. We come to the mandis with our produce and wait in the open for 4-5 days and eventually end up selling our produce to the traders at lesser rates in distress sale," says Bakhshish Singh, a farmer from Mansa. Farmers said the Centre was responsible for the new clause and said they would urge the CM to ensure that the CCI created no hassles in procurement of cotton. They demanded speedy procurement of crop. Later, the transporters along with police, forced the farmer to flee the scene and the blockade was lifted.
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Gang of vehicle lifters busted
Bathinda, December 24 Giving details of the operation, SP (D) Ajay Maluja said that
following a tip-off, six accused, namely, Baljeet Singh alias Tikka, Gurcharan Singh alias Billa, his father Natha Singh, Jagdish Chander alias Happy, all residents of Bathinda, Amandeep Singh alias Lali of Ludhiana, Amit Kumar alias Sonu of Mansa were booked under sections 379, 411, 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B of IPC and 25, 54, 59 of the Arms Act at the Thermal police station on December 22. To trace the accused, the CIA staff set up a check-post on December 23 at the bus stand in Gill Patti village, where a Qualis bearing number RJ 19 U 0734 was intercepted. On the basis of suspicion, Jagdish and Gurcharan were interrogated and sensing something fishy, they were arrested. Immediately, they signalled a truck, bearing number PB 04G 9243, which was following them. The driver of the truck, Baljeet Singh, attempted to escape but was nabbed. Later, Jagdish confessed about the theft of a ten-tyre trailer HR 38 F 8157, which the police recovered near NFL, Bathinda. Later, a .32 bore pistol and five cartridges from a vacant plot with Jagdish's help. He confessed that the trailer (HR 38 F 8157) was stolen from the rear of the cricket stadium, Bathinda, while the truck (PB 04G 9243) was taken away from Moga, a week ago. On being asked, the accused claimed that they had bought the Quails but could not produce any document as evidence. Maluja further said that the accused accepted that they had stolen a trailer from Bathinda, one from Gidderbaha, a canter from Ludhiana and these were sold to Amit Kumar of Mansa, who runs a junk shop. SSP Bathinda, Ashish Chaudhary said, "All officers have been ordered to keep a tab. We hope to solve more cases soon."
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Ten-day NSS camp concludes
Abohar, December 24 "Here lies the real goal of the National Service Scheme," a buoyed SDM N.S. Brar, chief guest at the function, remarked. He lauded the volunteers for taking up multifaceted activities to bring awareness on literacy, dowry, female foeticide, environment and hygienic living. Former SDM
B.L. Sikka and veteran educationist C.P. Narang appreciated the organisers for selecting only folk songs and dances for the valedictory function instead of promoting western culture. Special guests Jagat Verma and social activist Rajiv Soni also encouraged the NSS volunteers. Principal Meenakshi Bhandari briefed about the camp activities. |
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50 dengue cases reported in Mansa
Mansa, December 24 According to sources in the health department, most of the dengue patients visited private hospitals for treatment as there was not adequate infrastructure for treatment of dengue. Deputy medical commissioner Dr Rupinder said that they were bound to refer dengue patients to other places as they had no proper machines and other equipment for treatment. Most patients got treated at DMC Ludhiana and Rajindra Hospital, Patiala. Former MLA Butta Singh and women leader Rekha Sharma said that contaminated water and lack of cleanliness were the major reasons for the spread of disease. They said that due to poor sewerage system, drinking water mixed with sewerage water. Many people were bound to drink groundwater which was not fit for consumption, they added. Dr Baldev Sharma, a resident of Dheer Street, alleged that they were receiving drinking water mixed with sewerage for the last few days. The president of the Municipal Council could not be contacted for his comment over this issue despite repeated efforts. |
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Bathinda, December 24
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Abohar police seizes 43 bags
of wheat
Abohar, December 24 The city police-II intercepted a vehicle on the Thakur Abadi road today and recovered 43 bags of wheat, which had allegedly been transported from village Dharangwala to sell the same to a private trader here, sources said in the evening. The food and supplies department had reportedly been receiving complaints that some of the depot holders indulged in selling the wheat and pulses in open market at higher price whereas the same were to be distributed among the BPL families at subsidised rates. The police acting on a tip-off from the department today succeeded in the first-ever catch, sources said, adding that the registration of case was in process. Earlier, a few bags of wheat received under the mid-day-meal scheme had been recovered from village Chak Kala Tibba near here. |
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Youth shines at Para Olympics
Abohar, December 24 Principal B.B. Sharma and staff members felicitated him during a brief function here in the campus on Tuesday. In the BMWS wheel- chair category, Sanjeev while participating in the badminton tournament, was adjudged as India No. 1 and Asia No 6. The principal announced that he would get free education till the completion of the degree course besides enjoying other incentives. Vice-principal Anil Makkar informed that Sanjeev had earlier won gold and bronze medals in the inter university youth
festival for his creative activities. |
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Procession marks Shaheedi Jor Mela
Abohar, December 24 A flower-bedecked palki carrying the Granth Sahab was led by Panj Pyaras in the nagar kirtan joined by hundred of devotees. Women recited shabad and performed kirtan throughout the route.
— OC |
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Santa wishes Mansa students
Mansa, December 24 Tiny tots of class II performed a dance item, a Punjabi skit 'Mitran De Dhabe Te.' Santa Claus distributed toffees and gift among the students. Principal Surendra Nagar wished the students a merry
Christmas. — OC |
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Bathinda, December 24
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Athlete sets record, bags gold
Bathinda, December 24
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Sarbjeet elected Bar Assn chief
Mansa, December 24 Sarbjeet Singh Grewal has been elected the president of the association. He defeated Shamsher Singh by 18 votes. Randeep Sharma, Gurnesh Mansahia and Ranbir Singh were elected general secretary, vice-president and joint secretary,
respectively. |
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Bathinda, December 24
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DYC chief visits Golden Temple
Abohar, December 24
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Members of the Safai Sewak Union, Punjab, today, burnt the effigy of the state government at the Gol Diggi chowk, here. They were protesting against the alleged indifferent attitude of government towards their demands.
