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Badals in poll mode, Harsimrat checks pulse of people
Harsimrat Kaur Badal addresses a public meeting in Dhobiana Basti, a slum area, in Bathinda on Saturday. Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh
Eyebrows raised over official’s presence
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2009 will be year of good governance: Sukhbir
SAD (B) chief Sukhbir Badal laid the foundation stone for the 66 KV power station at village Mehraj in Bathinda district on Saturday. A Tribune photograph
Preparations complete for CM’s Ferozepur visit
BJP plans to felicitate Badal
‘Hospital at doorstep’ for cancer patients
‘PSEB not selling power to other states’
Fight against dengue
Devotees thronged the Shani temple in Bathinda on the occasion of Shani Amavasya on Saturday. Tribune photo: Kulbir Beera
Steps taken to check misuse of LPG
Ferozepur boy joins Indian Army
PPCB for clean Punjab
Promote self-help groups, DC to bankers
Hockey tourney begins
Admn gears up for ’09
Gautam elected Tax Bar Assn cheif
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Badals in poll mode, Harsimrat checks pulse of people
Bathinda, December 27 Harsimrat is in the city on a four-day tour (December 27-30). She has opted to check the pulse of voters at the micro level as she has been visiting civic wards in the city to pay heed to public grievances. "As of now, I have been allotted the duty to meet people at their doorsteps so that their grievances could be redressed. During the past elections, I had undertaken the responsibility for Muktsar and now I have been asked to do it for Bathinda," she disclosed. While talking to the media, she said, "Whosoever gets the SAD (B) ticket from Bathinda parliamentary polls, will be a representative of Sukhbir Singh Badal as it would be due to his tireless efforts in this constituency that the person will get votes." When asked to comment about the chances of former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh fielding his son from the Bathinda Lok Sabha seat, she said, "I do not want to indulge in mudslinging but it is quite clear to all that former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh is not a man of words as he backtracks from every statement hat he gives." After talking to a section of people in the slum areas, she listed a number of demands regarding basic amenities including sewerage, drinking water, roads and electricity for which she instructed the officer concerned to take iit up on a priority basis. One thing that was conspicuous was that people asked Harsimaat, wherever she went in the city, to contest herself from Bathinda. Later, she went to the house of a BJP leader and then to Kikkar Bazar. However, due to fog and for some personal reasons, two of her scheduled programmes were cancelled.
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Eyebrows raised over official’s presence
Bathinda, December
27 When she visited the city this morning, her black SUV was escorted by a pilot vehicle carrying six armed police personnel. Further, two senior officials of the Bathinda Municipal Corporation (BMC) accompanied her during her visit to the municipal wards. Moreover, one of them was noting down the directions that she was issuing. BMC Commissioner K.K. Yadav was seen in her vehicle sitting besides her and apprising her of the details about the ongoing projects and those in the pipeline. Sensing the curiosity of the people, when Harsimrat was asked about the pilot vehicle, she said, "It was not requested by me when I entered Punjab en route from Delhi. But due to security reasons, it was provided to me." When asked about his role, K.K. Yadav said, "I have been accompanying her as the Mayor and other BMC councillors are also here." An officer of the Bathinda Municipal Council, seeking anonymity, expressed frustration, saying, "We all have to follow her as our bosses are here. Otherwise, if she herself has been saying that it is her poll campaign, why should we move along with her?" While
Harsimrat, on the one hand, was enjoying the privilege of being a member of the ruling family, she also had to face a piquant situation when womenfolk of Dhobiana Basti, whose houses were recently razed in an anti-demolition drive, alleged that the politicians and administrative officials were chips of the same block. In an attempt to pacify them, Harsimrat Kaur Badal said, "I am happy to hear these words from you as at least you thought I was the right person before whom you can express your feelings. I have ordered the officials to resolve all your grievances." |
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2009 will be year of good governance: Sukhbir
Mehraj, December 27 The claim was made by SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal while talking to TNS at Mehraj village here today. Speaking further, he blamed a particular section of bureaucracy for the prevailing state of offairs in the babudom. "But now onwards, all hurdles in the way of laymen will be removed. The policy would be crystal clear and without ambiguity," he claimed. When asked about his view upon the prevailing tension between India and Pakistan, he lashed out at the Union government. "The Union ministers are still not sure what they actually want to do. In this critical situation, all policies and decisions should be absolutely affirmed," he said. During the visit of Sukhbir Badal, who was on a foundation laying spree, SAD workers today tried their best to show ofs their strength at a sports event, being held at Mehraj, the native village of former CM Captain Amarinder Singh. Lashing out at Amarinder, Sukhbir said, "He comes to the people only when his Pakistani woman friend is away from India. Whenever she comes, he forgets about his party and the state." "Now, people themselves have started raising eyebrows after finding him absent from all political stage. Moreover, he did not even attend the Jor Mela conference," he said. When asked about the contestant from the Bathinda parliamentary seat, he said, "Till now, everything is only speculative innature. There is still a lot of time and our family has not yet decided the name of the candidate." Refuting the allegations that the foundation stones were being laid just to lure the voters, he said, "I am a man of words, whatever I have been promising, will soon see the light of the day." When asked about the foundation stone for the proposed international cricket stadium in Bathinda, he said, "There may be complications or formalities but not even a single work will be left incomplete." It may be mentioned that Sukhbir and his wife, Harsimrat, both have been leaving no stone unturned to nurse the Bathinda parliamentary constituency. Sukhbir informed that after Harsimrat, his mother, Bibi Surinder Kur Badal, will also visit Bathinda.
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Preparations complete for CM’s Ferozepur visit
Ferozepur, December 27 Badal will also lay the foundation stone of sub-tehsil complex at Talwandi Bhai besides he is likely to announce several developmental schemes for this town and distribute grants to the local municipal bodies. According to the sources in SAD, Badal will also announce the decision regarding abolition of octroi from the cantonment due to which there was great deal of resentment amidst local traders as notwithstanding abolition of octroi in other parts of the state, the traders had to cough up large taxes in the cantonment area which actually comes under Ministry of Defense. In an understanding reached with the defence estate authorities, the state government has reportedly promised them to compensate the total amount of octroi being collected by the cantonment boards. Irrigation Minister, Janmeja Singh Sekhon who represents the Ferozepur Cantonment constituency had reportedly prevailed upon the state government machinery to work out the mechanism with the defense estate department in this regard. Badal is also likely to announce establishment of a government college at district headquarters. Political leaders as well as officials remained busy throughout the day making the last minute arrangements with weather and the prevailing chilly conditions being the main worry. Men from the municipal committee and other departments could be seen repairing the potholes infested roads on war footing. The road dividers and main roundabouts have also been white washed and decorated with ribbons and flowers. On the other hand, the condition of remaining roads in the city area continues to remain miserable. While both the Akali and BJP workers seem to be enthusiastic about the CM’s visit, the residents of the town seemed sceptical about it making any difference to the economic and developmental prospects of the town. The issues like establishment of Mini-Secretariat, Judicial Complex, Urban Estate, Hockey Stadium, Youth Hostel at Hussainiwala, City Bus Stand besides laying of sewerage, carpeting of roads are still unaddressed. |
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BJP plans to felicitate Badal
Abohar, December 27 Well placed sources indicated that the change in venue was necessitated due to "inclement" weather as the towns and its neighbouring areas have not seen sunlight till this afternoon. However, some sources attributed the change to the decision by the Technical Services Union of the Punjab State Electricity Board to organise black-flag demonstration on Badal's arrival. The ETT teachers are also grouping to hold demonstration without disclosing the time and place for that. The TSU leaders lamented that they were pursued by the authorities to not greet the CM during his social visit on the city bypass early this month but the memorandum submitted to him during the function in a village yielded no results. It is said that the authorities besides functionaries of the alliance cannot afford to ignore what happened in some villages during the visit of the Balluana legislator Gurtej Singh to mobilise people for the sangat
darshan. Witnesses said unruly scenes during his visit at village Bhangala prompted the police to use force to disperse the protesters last evening. Unpleasant situation had also developed in village Muradwala Dal Singh, sources said. Arch rival Congress has dared the organisers of the
"Abhinandan Samaroh" to come out in public whether the present government had released any grant for the development of this sub division. Claiming that the previous Congress government had been releasing Rs 87 lakh annually for the urban development through the municipal council, the city Congress in a release alleged that the council had not been provided even a rupee by the present government. |
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Fog throws life out of gear
Bathinda, December 27 The resultant nearly-nil visibility remained during most part of the day, throwing life out of gear besides, disrupting rail and road movement, in the region. Moreover, the mercury which is plummeting in Bathinda zone, on Friday touched 4 degree Celsius, the lowest temperature recorded so far in the season, while the maximum temperature was 21.2 degree. On Saturday, the mercury climbed a bit and recorded 6.5 degree Celsius at 7 am but could not cross 19.6 degree. The downward trend had started on Christmas as mercury hovered around 5.0-5.2 degree Celsius in the last two days while the maximum ranged around 22.5 to 23.5 degree while humidity was 97-35 per cent. The fog badly hit the rail and road traffic on Saturday as vehicles moved at a snail's pace with headlights on till late in the morning. Not only that, headlights of vehicles were found on at around five in the evening on Saturday. Rail services in the region were hit with many trains running behind schedule. Railway sources said visibility was almost nil late in morning as after 30-40 metres it was almost impossible to see. The 5610-Guwahati Express, 2137-Punjab Mail, 3007-Toofan Express arrived Bathinda around 90 minutes behind schedule. Several trains, including 4887, 9024, 4712 and passenger trains were also running about an hour behind the schedule. The 2482-Sriganganagar-Delhi Inter-City Express left Bathinda about 2.30 hours late at 10.25 am. The 4525-Ambala-Sriganganagar Inter City was running late over two hours. According to the weather forecast made by the IMD, Chandigarh, for Bathinda region and received by the Agro-met advisory services, PAU Regional Station, Bathinda, foggy condition may continue in the next two to three days. The temperature may decline further, the weathermen predicted, adding that there was no possibility of rainfall. |
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‘Hospital at doorstep’ for cancer patients
Ludhiana, December 27 The Betty Cowan Research and Innovation Centre (BCRIC) of the Christian Medical College , Ludhiana, has received positive signals from Eppendorf India Limited, a leading Biotechnology Research Company, Chennai, for assisting in a “molecular mobile lab” design, equipment and even partnering for a cause to help rural communities in Punjab. Confirming the development, Dr Neeta D Sinnappah Kang, head of Innovation at BCRIC, said the lab would carry along a team of expert doctors and related laboratory facilities as well. The recommendation gains importance against the backdrop of a recent international study which has stated that the number of cancer-related deaths globally will triple by 2030. Dr Kang said, “During our visit to the heavily cancer-affected areas of Jajjal, Husnar, Kotbhai, Bhuttiwala and Gyana villages of Bathinda and Giddarbaha districts, we discovered that availability of funds and proper health-care facilities in rural areas were the biggest factors for poor physical upkeep of residents. Manpreet Badal, Finance Minister, has shown interest in supporting medical and dental camps in these affected areas". Dr Kang said, “People in the most severely affected belt of Bathinda have lost hope in medical teams and journalists visiting their homes. Villagers told us that the issue had been so much highlighted in the area that it had become difficult for them to get their children married." Dr Kang said, “It is best to put oneself in the shoes of the affected population to really understand their problems. With a detailed molecular and cytogenetic analysis of cancer markers and availability of medical facilities, we will have ground to formulate an action plan for the future of rural Punjab”. Dr Kang added, “Mobile molecular/cytogenetic labs can be very effective in early detection (screening) of cancer which can save lives. In fact, voluntary organisations, NGOs, corporate bodies need to tie up with the programme for a better mass rural health care”.
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‘PSEB not selling power to other states’
Mehraj (Bathinda), December 27 Brar was here to attend the foundation stone laying ceremony of 66 KV grid by SAD (B) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal. "We have been returning around 96 lakh units per day to states like J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Maharashtra from where we had borrowed electricity. We hope that with our planning, we would be able to clear all debt by the end of February." “At this time, the PSEB has surplus units for consumption at night but during daytime people have to suffer as there is no other option that we have. In this regard, we have even requested the industrial units to operate on the basis of rotation," Brar said. When asked about the own your tubewell (OYT) scheme which hogged much importance, Brar said, "We are now all set for the relaunching of the OYT scheme. All assessment surveys and arrangements have been made and we are hopeful of issuing permits to all the 21000-22000 applicants." The priority in allotment would be given to waterlogged areas, as they are in dire need of it, but it would be done a phase-wise manner. The allotment would start in the first month of the New Year, he added. Speaking about the achievements of the CFL campaign, he said, "At this time, 108 villages have been assessed, where the target of CFL use has been totally achieved.
Interestingly, Darbar Sahib in Muktsar has also been fitted with CFLs, due to which the electricity bill there has decreased by five times." Replying to a query about the poor response of bidders for the Rajpura thermal power project, he said, "Though our efforts are on, we can not overrule the effect of global meltdown upon the investors." On the issue of Banawali thermal project, which was launched with much fanfare, Brar said, "It was handed over to the company one month after its foundation stone was laid by chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and now
the company has started its construction." About the delay in handing it over, he said there were a lot of formalities to be cleared. Brar informed that the expenditure incurred on the function held there by the PSEB, where the CM and his cabinet along with SAD leaders held a mega rally, had also been passed on to the company. When asked about the role of grids, when there is shortage in power generation, H.S. Nagpal, Chief Engineer (Sub-stations) said, "Both the task of generation and distribution have been going on in parallel mode." |
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Fight against dengue
Mansa, December 27 She admitted that due to lack of these machines and other infrastructure in civil hospitals, dengue patients were bound to visit private hospitals for treatment. Talking about cancer in Malwa region, she said that arrangements were being made to set up cancer hospital at Bathinda. Admitting the lack of health facilities in Mansa, she assured that vacant posts of doctors in civil hospital in Mansa would be filled in January. She also assured that every scheme that would be launched by the health department would be started from the Mansa district on a priority basis as the district required such measures. The minister inaugurated an Ayurvedic dispensary at the civil hospital today. She emphasised upon the need for collective functioning of all departments and local bodies to control the disease and create awareness among the common people. Heath secretary K.B.S. Sandhu, deputy commissioner Kumar Rahul, SSP Manwinder Singh, deputy medical commissioner Dr Rupinder and civil surgeon Dr G.S. Nagi, district president of Bharatiya Janata Party Suraj Kumar Chhabra were present on the occasion.
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On Saturday, a tryst with deity for devotees
Bathinda, December 27 Devotees were seen standing in long queues waiting for their turn at the temple. The priest Anil Sharma said that since the deity is associated with great hardship and forbearance in Indian mythology, so it was only natural for people, riven by the pressures of modern life, to try and appease it. Though it is not unnatural for people to visit temples on Saturdays to propitiate the deity and we all have seen people moving around on Saturdays asking for alms, but it was a special day for the faithful who thronged the temple in large numbers.
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Steps taken to check misuse of LPG
Sriganganagar/Abohar, December 27 District collector Bhawani Singh Detha, while taking strong note of misuse of the 14 kg LPG domestic cylinders by commercial establishments, had early this week pulled up the food and civil supplies officials and appointed the additional district magistrate as nodal officer to supervise the raids. As per sources, the raid conducted at a factory run by Kotkapura-based businessman led to recovery of a dozen LPG cylinders. Since then the teams of the food and supplies department had been raiding specific places all over the district including Kesarisinghpur, Srikaranpur and Gajsinghpur. The teams have so far recovered more than 100 LPG cylinders that were being used by sweets shops, dhabas and hotels. This has boosted sale of commercial cylinders even when the same cost much compared to the domestic cylinders, sources said. The DC has ordered cases be registered against all the businessmen who were found misusing the LPG.
— OC |
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Ferozepur boy joins Indian Army
Ferozepur, December 27 Rajeev, son of Ramjas Demra and Suversha Rani, both local residents, made the town proud by getting commissioned in the Indian Army as a lieutenant. An alumnus of the local Kendriya Vidyalaya, Rajeev nurtured the desire of joining the Army from his childhood. After completing his senior secondary from local KV, Rajeev had joined the prestigious National Defence Academy on December 24, 2004 and thereafter he went to the elite Indian Military Academy on January 7 this year. By joining the armed forces, Rajeev has added to the ever growing list of brave-hearted youths belonging to this town of martyrs, who notwithstanding the escalating tension and perpetual fear of war between two hostile neighbouring nations, are ready to sacrifice their lives in the line of duty. When asked, Rajeev said his spirit was high, and that Indian soldiers are always ready to make any sacrifice for the sake of the motherland. Rajeev attributes his success to his parents and elder brother, Sanjeev. |
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PPCB for clean Punjab
Bathinda, December 27 Goyal touched upon the road map and projects planned by the state to ensure a cleaner and pollution-free state. He dwelled on critical issues, such as waste and water management, solid waste disposal plants, biomedical and hazardous waste etc. He assured industry and the local associations of the board's full support for any project related to waste management. During the meeting, it was also decided to form a core group consisting of representatives from the CII and other industry associations from Punjab to discuss environmental issues. |
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Promote self-help groups, DC to bankers
Hanumangarh/Abohar, December 27 Expressing dissatisfaction over the progress in this respect, the DC has directed that special loan disbursement camps should be organised in the panchayat samiti complex at Hanumangarh on January 19, at Nohar on 20 and at Bhadra on January 21. The bankers must coordinate and work as a team besides ensuring more vigil in disbursing loans to the non-priority sector. Seeking to promote self help groups for women empowerment during a meeting, Sinha suggested that training and financial assistance should be offered to small scale projects like phenyl preparation. Zila Parishad CEO Shobha Lal Moondra informed during the meeting that 75 out of 124 applicants had so far been given loans worth Rs 58.35 lakh. However, only 74 applicants got benefit against the target of 680, under the Swaran Jyanti Urban Rozgar Yojna. The target given to the bankers in welfare schemes for SC/ST was 1405 but only 260 cases were processed and 101 issued loans. — OC
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Hockey tourney begins
Moga, December 27 Gurpreet Singh Gill, DGP of Himachal Pradesh, inaugurated the tournament by paying floral tributes to late Sidhu, who was a minister in the SAD government in the 1970s but he was better known as a social worker. Senior SAD leader and former education minister Jathedar Tota Singh while addressing the gathering and the participating players stressed upon the need among the youngsters to develop sportsmanship qualities among themselves, which according to him also helps
in leading a good and honest life. As many as eight teams in the men's category and four teams in the women's category are participating in this tournament. In the first match Baba Farid Hockey Club, Faridkot defeated Moga Academy by 7-5 goals. In the second match, Baba Nagan Das Academy defeated Khalsa Academy by 1-0 goals.
— TNS
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Admn gears up for ’09
Sriganganagar/Abohar, December 27 CM Ashok Gehlot has already ordered rescheduling of business hours by liquor vends. Orders received from Jaipur said the liquor shops can function only from 10 am to 9 pm now instead of previous timings.
— OC
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Gautam elected Tax Bar Assn cheif
Bathinda, December 27
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election. But if this time, my family gives me the responsibility, I will happily accept it," said Harsimrat Kaur Badal, wife of SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, here today.
The coming year, 2009, will be one in which the ruling SAD (B) has planned to focus on removal of all complexities in the administration. A new commission will be set up to deal with around 70 services and within six months, the implementation of all new schemes will be ensured.
Ferozepur, December 27
