Bathinda, December 31
The stand of the district administration in not imposing restriction on construction in Mati Das Nagar, as demanded by the Army, will be enough to bring a New Year smile on the faces of the residents of the locality in question.

After a long period, the district administration has now cleared its stand in the matter. The Army officials had repeatedly been asking the Deputy Commissioner to implement a gazette notification for defence land around the ammunition depot in Bathinda and cessation of construction activity up to a distance of 1200 yards from the perimeter of the depot terming it as "highly sensitive installation".

Providing copies of written communiqué, DC Bathinda Rahul Tewari said the Army officers were asking that construction in Mati Dass Nagar locality of the city, which is close to the arms depot, be stopped. The Army's demand may be justified but there were a number of complications, without sorting out which, it would be impossible to comply with the demand, the DC said.

"After receiving a number of letters from the Army officers and after talks with the residents, it has been analysed that without complying with the formalities mentioned in the Act, the whole procedure would be illegal. I have put a number of queries to the Army officer concerned, so that we may take further action," he said. "In a reply, I have clearly mentioned that residents of Mati Dass Nagar, the locality in question, have been pressing hard for the answers to their questions and would not succumb to force or pressure without getting convinced with the answers," Tewari added.

Speaking about a controversy raised over the restriction of 1200 yards, he said that in the notification issued in 2005, the restriction was for 1200 yards, whereas in the Act, restrictions of clause (a) to (c) of section 7 can be imposed in the periphery of 500 yards only.

"About the anomalies in the notifications of 2001 and 2005, I have asked the Army officers to make their position clear. It has been clearly told to them that in a democratic system, it is virtually impossible for the civil administration to enforce restriction without convincing people," he added.

"Moreover, the restriction in notified area is coterminous with providing adequate compensation and the Act says that survey and determination of compensation can be done only by the collector appointed by the Central government. But we have no document related to such authority given to any of the whole district administration for such issue."

"We are firm about our stand towards the rights of the citizens of Mati Dass Nagar but we will always be open for communications with the Army officers on such issues. Once their documents convince us of the need to take action, we will perform our duty within the limits assigned to us by the rule of law.

Bathinda, December 31
The endeavour of the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Bathinda, to ensure security to rail passengers and their belongings as well as safeguarding rail property, has yielded positive results in the year 2008.

It may be mentioned that Bathinda station comes under the 'A category' of stations and it is one of the important railway stations of the Northern Railway being Asia's biggest railway junction as it receives and dispatches trains from altogether six directions.

Between January and November 2008, the RPF registered altogether 2,274 cases under different section of the Railway Act. The highest numbers of cases (1731) were registered under section 147 of the Railway Act, which deals with trespassing and other acts.

Besides, these cases involved 70 cases under section 144 (illegal vending and hawking), 18 cases under 154 (gate-crashing), 54 cases under 156 (travelling of roof ), 143 cases under 159 (illegal parking), 193 cases under 167 section (smoking) and others. Under section 174, the RPF registered 18 cases for disrupting rail movement by staging dharna on railway tracks. Out of these cases, ten persons were arrested in three cases.

The post also registered 16 cases under 3 RP (Unlawful Possession) Act and recovered material worth Rs 28,900. Out of these cases, three cases were registered against receivers and one case was related to special report, in which one Railway staff was held for stealing rail property. Notably, the RPF booked two personnel of Armed forces for travelling on fake warrant. For that, the Northern Railway gave the GM Cash Award to the Post Commander, Bathinda, M.K. Panwar. Out of 2.274 cases, altogether 1,340 cases were solved in the court at CJM, Bathinda and the post recovered penalty in tune of Rs 1,04,400. The RPF also launched a safety drive at the station and seized cycles and motorbikes for parked illegally.

Carrying out a moral responsibility, the RPF men handed over a minor girl to her family members, who had allegedly left her home over some dispute. Exemplifying honesty, the RPF men handed over an abandoned camera, a VCD player to the Loss Property Office. Moreover, the RPF men also found a bag carrying jewellery and cash. On the basis of a phone number noted on a diary kept inside the bag, the post contacted the owner and handed it over after verification.

Talking to the TNS, Post Commander, Panwar said that in preventive measures against any untoward incidents, the personnel of the post kept on their toes throughout the year and carried out anti-sabotage operations and train checking exercise. 

Bathinda, December 31
The antique organ that played majestic sounds during the New Year service for over a century in the Methodist Church here is now lying like junk in a corner of a dingy room in the annexe. The organ manufactured by Messers Mason & Hamlin was imported more than 160 years ago from Italy but was dumped in the backyard about 20 years ago as it developed snags.

The Church does not have any exact record about the organ but the stamps affixed by the Calcutta and Delhi based companies that from time to time repaired it, suggest that it was more than 150 years old. It was for the first time repaired in 1857, one of the stamps indicates.Thereafter, it was serviced or repaired in 1873, 1881, 1883 and 1886. The wooden organ has distinctive carved designs on it that have so far withstood the rough handling.

The church on the Thandi Sarak in the Railway Colony that was the hub of activity on the New Year during the British regime rent with the majestic music played on the organ. The area around the church was rightly called as Thandi Sarak as unlike the rest of the town, it has a large number of full-grown green trees that keep the place cool. Father George Masih, pastor in-charge, said that he would now get the organ cleaned and placed in the church so that the small Christian community here could visualise the antique piece.

He said that the church was being maintained out of the contributions made by 117 earning members belonging to 56 families attached with it. No financial help was coming from the government for maintenance of the historic church.

The architecture wing of the Giani Zail Singh Engineering College some time ago after an in-depth survey, described the church as about 200 years old.

Existence of the church has been noted in a report of the National Survey of India in 1899. A Baptism certificate issued in 1923 also reveals the existence of the church.

The report of the engineering college pointed out that the interior of the high roofed church was built of Burma teak and Belgium glass was also used.

Bathinda, December 31
The Education department was in limelight in the year gone by. It initiated schemes, sanctioned funds but could not derive much. This was the feeling of teachers and students in the city. However, the department felt it had achieved what it planned to do in 2008.

Some new projects were started this year like 'Parho Punjab'. It was mainly started to curb the drop-out rate. Students were classified under various categories according to their performances and were taught to overcome their shortcomings. Reading cells were started in all primary schools of the state.

"A library needs infrastructure and lots of books but our concept of reading cell is more successful because these cells, whether in a small room, an almirah or even on a table, have been created in all primary schools of the state," district coordinator Harpal Singh of the department said.

Sources said that a magazine for government school students 'Aale Bhole' was also started recently. Two magazines every month would be circulated free of cost to every school which would also carry write-ups by the students.

Earlier, this facility was being provided only to girls. 'Parho Punjab' kits were distributed to students that contained reading material. "We have received some more kits with reading and writing material for the students," an official from the Education Department said.

Single teacher schools were given more teachers. A block resource person was given to these schools and education volunteers were also appointed. Every day, all government school teachers were put off duty for the first two hours of the school. These two hours were given to 'Parho Punjab' classes.

"Teachers earlier used to start administrative work during the school hours. It used to affect the students. Some teachers used to make excuses of doing administrative work but in reality did their personal work only," Harpal added.

Department officials claimed of having made 20 per cent improvement in the level of students. On the other hand, teachers and students had a different story to narrate. Some teachers felt that most of the students studying in government schools were poor and stayed on the outskirts of the city.

Sources also stated that some camps to improve the teaching strategy and level of teachers were started.

At times, there was no one to take classes at these camps and even if some one came, they were unable to teach. Teachers were given duties to be present at government activities which was a sheer waste of time, according to many teachers and students.

Teachers alleged that infrastructure in almost all government schools needs to be improved. There were no funds to make the change. "Now, Sukhbir has announced Rs 400 crore for the uplift of educational infrastructure. We hope that it is for our good,” some teachers said.

Sriganganagar/Abohar, December 31
The sixth Balidan Diwas of Captain Navpal Singh Sidhu was observed with due solemnity at his memorial in his native village 40 RB, about nine km from Padampur on the Raisinghnagar road in Sriganganagar region, on Tuesday.

The occasion gained further importance as the organisers honoured war widows besides other kin of other prominent martyrs including Chamkaur Singh, Des Raj, Sugan Singh, Partap Singh, Jarnail Singh, Ram Kumar, Mohinder Singh, Om Parkash Jyani, Bhupinder Singh and Jasveer Singh, from different parts of Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts. Navpal had sacrificed his life while fighting terrorists in the Surankot area of Jammu and Kashmir.

Wreaths were laid on the memorial by senior Army officers including Brigadier D.S. Chahal, Capt. Chadra Sinha and Capt. J Chakrawarti and others.

Former Rajasthan ministers Surinderpal Singh and Kundan Lal Miglani, former MLA Lal Chand Meghwal, district BJP president Sita Ram Maurya, former chairman of the Urban Improvement Trust Raj Kumar Gaur and Anand Chopra vice-president of the Kalptaru Power Transmission Ltd. also offered floral tributes.

Navpal's father Colonel Agyapal Singh Sidhu (retd) welcomed the officials and others who had traversed a long distance to join the Balidan Diwas function. They also paid their reverence to the Guru Granth Sahib during the Akhand Path. Ghanshyam Harwani vice-president of Navpal Memorial Trust thanked the gathering and urged the state government to develop the village in a befitting way.

Representatives of different political parties and NGOs said Navpal, by sacrificing his life at a young age in a complicated ambush, had brought glory to this sacred land of deserts. Navpal had emerged not only as a source of pride for his family but for the whole region, they observed.

Some of Navpal's teachers and old time friends were also present. 

Mansa, December 31
Most trolleys of cotton which were brought for selling by farmers in the markets of Mansa and Budhlada have been purchased by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) at full MSP rate of Rs 2800.

Leaders of different farmer organisations also intervened and pressed upon the CCI to provide full price for the cotton. District president of Bharatiya Kisan union (Ugrahan) said that yesterday in Bathinda, CCI officials and the administration had assured that cotton would be purchased at the MSP of Rs 2800.

Today, leaders of farmer organisations visited the markets to ensure that farmers were not being harassed, he added. He alleged that the CCI, with the support of market committee employees and politicians had been exploiting the farmers by purchasing cotton at lower rates in the market of Sardoolgarh.

Meanwhile, the BKU has demanded the restarting of power supply during the daytime which was suspended a few days ago. The farmers have been facing problems related to power supply at night time also, he said. 

Hanumangarh/Abohar, December 31
All roads seem to be leading to Mount Abu, the only hill station for people of Rajasthan and Gujarat, to celebrate New Year's eve. The Jammu Tawi-Ahmedabad Express train connecting Abu Road has been running late by about eight hours due to inclement weather for more than a week. Still, it goes overloaded.

Private transporters have pressed into service additional deluxe buses from all districts for Jodhpur and onward journey to Mount Abu.

As per information collected from different sources, the hotel industry in and around Mount Abu is rejoicing over the heavy rush. The tourists having thronged the hill station located close to the Gujarat border are ready to pay enhanced charges for two nights stay in the hotels and

Guest-houses which stand beautifully decorated with illuminations. Most of them have displayed "no room" placards.

Also star attraction for the tourists is "Sharad Mahotsav". Arrival of more than 10,000 tourists including foreigners was recorded on day two. Jawan band show, cricket match between the team of officers and local residents in the polo ground, skating race starting from the Nakki lake barrier and folk dances of Rajasthan and Gujarat entertained the visitors in Mount Abu till late on Tuesday night. Union minister for steel, fertilizers and chemicals Ram Bilas Paswan was among the VIPs. Paswan said the UPA government had released Rs 1.79 lakh crore subsidy to provide fertilizer to the farming community "even then the saffron party and others were blaming us for not helping the farmers."

New Year eve is being celebrated as "Baba Milan" by the Brahma Kumaris organisation. The Shantivan complex of the NGO located in Abu Road has virtually been flooded with men and women from far off places. Since all were supposed to be dressed in white the complex wears a different look. Till this afternoon, the reception centre had registered about 20,000 visitors, 2000 more than last year, B.K. Shantanu media coordinator said. The NGO ensures free lodging and boarding facilities for all the delegates. Since Shantivan has got accommodation for 15,000 people, seminar halls are also being used to house the visitors for two days. Brisk buying was noticed in the market outside the complex today.

Mansa, December 31
Funds worth Rs one crore were released for schools and blocks of Mansa district today. The decision was taken at a meeting of the District Education Development Committee which was presided over by Deputy Commissioner Kumar Rahul.

Before this, nearly Rs 45 lakh for 82 ETT teachers that were appointed under the Sarv Siksha Abhiyan, rs 18.90 lakh for 179 education volunteers, Rs 35 lakh for the volunteers of mobile education centres and Rs 12.90 lakh for the study of girls had already been released in the district.

During the meeting, District Project Director Darshan Singh Dhillon said that dresses would be provided to 2200 children of 110 education centres in this week. He also informed that study material would be given to 3000 children of nursery schools and Rs 13 lakh would be used for the study of girls.

He further said that in Mansa district, funds worth Rs 6.77 crore were received under the Sarv Shiksha Abhiya, that were sent to schools for different schemes.

In the meeting, education coordinator for girls' study Ashok Kumar, assistant project coordinator Amritpal Singh, finance coordinator Varun Kumar, civil works coordinator Major Singh, nursery education coordinator Narindar Singh, Hans Raj, Paramjeet Singh and all block education officers were present. 

Fazilka, December 31
The sadar police seized a truck-trailer carrying cows suspected to be on its way to a slaughter house near village Moolianwali on the Fazilka-Malout road here today.

According to SHO Palvinder Singh, the truck carrying the cows got off the road and got stuck in the mud. People around the village noticed the truck and the police came to know of the matter. The driver and the conductor of the truck, number HR-63-A-5196, fled from the scene. Police have registered case under the Cows Slaughter and Cruelty To Animal Act against unidentified persons.

The truck was carrying about four dozen cows. The cows jumped off the truck in panic. One of them died while four cows were injured. The remaining strayed into the fields. Eyewitnesses said that the cows had been allegedly concealed in the truck by laying dry fodder bags on the sides and the back of the truck.

Members of the Narayan Welfare Society that looks after the stray cows at the local Gaushala, took a serious note of the matter.

Ved Parkash Josan, Pardyuman Sharma, Dev Raj and Lovely of the Society have demanded arrest of the culprits involved in transportation of the cows for slaughter purposes. The SHO said that the cows which had strayed shall be soon located and sent to the local Gaushala. — OC

Bathinda, December 31
The general house meeting of the PSEB engineers association was held on Tuesday. Election for regional body was held and Gagan Deep Singh was elected the regional secretary.

The other executive members are K.K. Gupta, Pawan Sharma, H.R. Singla, Ranjit Singh, Rahul Kansal, Darshan Singh Mann, Naveen Garg and Hardeep singh Sidhu. The meeting resolved to deplore interference by the state government in day to day working of the Board including service matters of the engineers. The house also resolved to fill up the vacant posts of clerical and technical staff in the Bathinda region. — TNS