Bathinda, January 2
Accusing the government of cod-shouldering their demands, hundreds of landless peasants under the banner of the coordination committee of three unions, namely, Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, Dehati Mazdoor Sabha and Pendu Mazdoor Union Mashal today staged a region level dharna outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office.

The protesters, who came from Bathinda, Muktsar, Faridkot, Moga, Ferozepur, Barnala, Sangrur and Patiala accused the state and Central governments of pursuing anti-labourer policies.

Addressing the protesters, Jora Singh Nasrali, president and Lachhaman Singh Sewewala, general secretary, Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, Baldev Singh Rasool pur of Pendu Mazdoor Union Mashal, Darshan Singh Nahar of Dehati Mazdoor Union lashed out at the state and union governments.

The leaders said that most of the schemes launched or promised for the betterment of peasants could not serve their purpose as the main motive of the politicians was just to lure them for votes.

They alleged that employment guarantee schemes, the Atta Dal scheme, laws to regulate limits of farming land and Shagun scheme have failed to improve the lot of the poor but have only benefitted the upper crust of society.

“The entry of multinational companies (MNCs) and the encouragement given to them by the government to attract investment has totally broken the backbone of the poor peasants,” they alleged.

Lashing out at the SAD (B) slogan, Raaj Nahi Seva, leaders said the slogan is different from reality. “In this government, one has to lodge protests for each and everything. Nothing can be expected from the government in a normal way. A number of agitations, hunger strikes have been going on to just to assert one’s right.”

Speaking about the demand, the protesters said the government should ensure Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the families of the peasants who lost their lives due to the debt burden.

They demanded that the survey of suicide numbers should be speedy, proper supply of ration should be made at government depots, cards should be made for all to help them avail of the benefit of the Atta-Dal scheme in a real sense, plots for the poor and homeless peasants and facilities regarding education, health services and power. 

Sriganganagar/Abohar, January 2
Suspension of supply by the Cane Growers' Action Committee today stalled functioning of Sriganganagar Sugar Mills. The farmers also started an indefinite dharna at the entrance of the mills.

The Ganna Utpadak Sangharsh Samiti had given an ultimatum for suspending supplies demanding parity in rates with the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana.

The farmers who had parked about 25 tractor-trolleys, loaded with sugarcane, on the mills premises refused to accept tokens from the authorities resulting in suspension of sugar production.

The Samiti secretary Satwinder Pal Singh said the authorities instead of addressing to the genuine demands had tried to mislead the growers resulting in dharna by agitated farmers. The officials were not inclined to show copy of the proposal which they claimed having forwarded to the state government for revising the rates. Regretfully the administration had taken the issue lightly; he rued and announced that the dharna would continue till acceptance of the demands.

Cane officer Prithvi Raj Meharda led the team of the mills officials to end the stalemate but the action committee said we want results, not talks.

Gurlal Singh, Amritpal Singh, Raj Singh, Sukhjinder Singh, Bhola Singh and Deputy Singh are also among those sitting on dharna.

Srikaranpur MLA Gurmit Singh Kunnar said he would try to contact the Chief Minister tonight to find an acceptable solution. 

Ferozepur, January 2
The Ministry of Defence has asked the authorities concerned of the Western Command to conduct an investigation into a complaint against a former Chief Executive officer (CEO) and a Junior Engineer (JE) of the Cantonment Board Ferozepur for alleged irregularities in their respective duties committed by them during the past three years.

Sugandha Mishra, a resident of the cantonment area in a three-page complaint sent to the Defence Minister on September 18 this year had levelled serious allegations against both the former CEO A. Shekhar Babu and the JE Satish Arora with regard to mismanagement of the board finances and biased attitude in routine administrative works.

The CEO was recently transferred to the head office at New Delhi after this complaint. Moreover, his tenure of three years of stay was also over, here.

The complainant alleged that both the officials had wasted public money by constructing new walls and floors in a hospital run by the board that sans good medical facilities. "No patients have been admitted in this hospital for the past five years", she had pointed out in her complaint.

It had further been alleged that the board under the tenure of the said CEO had shut-down an elementary school, paid a fine of Rs 8.45 lakh to the electricity board on the interference of a consumers' forum, gave permission to construct a guest house-cum-shopping complex just opposite the cantonment bus stand in violation of the rules and allowed illegal constructions in old grant bungalows on the mall road.

The orders to conduct the inquiry, a copy of which is available with The Tribune, were jointly passed by Manish Erry Director Planning (Lands) and AK Singh Director (L & C) of the Ministry of Defence.

The Defence Minister AK Antony after considering the complaint had asked these officials to look into the matter.

It may be mentioned that a criminal case under sections 395, 397, 452, 506, 427, 148, 149 of the IPC was also registered against these two officials along with Yashpal Chawla an office superintendent of the cantonment board, which was pending before a local court.

They were alleged of being involved in rioting armed with deadly weapon, robbery/dacoity with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt, mischief causing financial loss and house-trespass after preparation for hurt/assault or wrongful restraint. 

Bathinda, January 2
With the mercury hovering below the normal range during the first two-day of the New Year, the city and the nearby places are experiencing 
biting chill.

Most importantly, the condition worsened today as the mercury, which has been on the downward mode for the last couple of days, dipped further and touched 2.5 degree Celsius at 7 am, the lowest recorded so far in the season.

The retreating mercury reached below the normal level on the very first day of the year and was recorded at 4 degree Celsius while the maximum could manage to touch only 17.2 degree, as per the Agro-MeT advisory services, PAU Regional Station, Bathinda. And the minimum temperature recorded on January 2 was 2.5 degree Celsius while the maximum was 19.0 degree, the weathermen added.

It is pertinent to mention here that the normal minimum temperature on January 1 had been 4.3 degree Celsius while the maximum remained 20.2 degree. On January 2, the normal minimum had been 4.0 degree while maximum remained 21.0 degree.

However, the region which had been under the grip of dense fog for last several days experienced some respite from it during the last two days.

The strong sunshine has continued to give some comfort to the residents throughout the two days.

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, the intensity and duration of the fog is likely to decrease in next one and two days. The minimum temperature may witness decline, the weathermen predicted.

There may be dry condition in next one to two days, the weathermen said, adding that however, there may be possibility of rainfall and thundershower in isolated pockets in the region after two days.

The weathermen said that system for rainfall was developing in the region. However, the speed of the wind could also play a role in the occurrence of rainfall, the weathermen added.

Bathinda, January 2
Mayor of the Bathinda Municipal Corporation (BMC) Baljeet Singh Bir Behman is planning to sue some senior officials of the BMC for tampering with the original report related to the proceedings of the recently-held general house meeting of the BMC and circulating the same without his approval.

As per the information available, the report has been distributed to the councillors in writing. Soon after getting the report, many councillors, mostly from the BJP, raised an objection over it.

Discussing the matter with mediapersons, the councillors alleged that some matters on the agenda of the meeting, like one related to the finance and control committee, which remained the main topic of controversy, has been shown as passed. It ignored the original demand of the house, they added.

They said the issue of multi-storied parking, which was cancelled in the meeting, had been mentioned as deferred till the next meeting.

“All this is tampering with the official documents. If someone presented it in form other than the original, it is a crime,” said senior deputy mayor Tarsem Goyal.

Goyal was backed by deputy mayor Gurwinder Pal Kaur Mangat besides Krishan Garg, Basant Bhatia, Mithu Ram Gupta, Pashotam Gargi, B. S. Bhullar and other coucillors present at the office of the BMC.

Talking to TNS, they alleged, “When the matter was discussed with the Mayor that the cover note of the report did not bear his signature but that of the executive officer, he said he did not even pass the details of the report.”

“It clearly shows how much the bureaucrats of the BMC care about the orders and respect the elected councillors,” they lamented.

Gurwinder Pal Kaur Mangat, said, “In the report, a matter related to a gram panchayat has been mentioned under my name and was stated to have been approved. But in fact, I did not say anything about the issue.”

“We demand that the report should be declared as void and an immediate legal action should be taken against the official, who indulged in tempering,” they demanded.

While talking to the media in the presence of the above councillors, Mayor Bir Behman confirmed the details and said he would initiate an inquiry into the issue and the guilty would have to face the legal proceedings.

“I have not discussed the matter with the commissioner of the BMC yet. I know that he authorises the EO to circulate such proceeding reports. I will check the details to ascertain the facts,” he added.

On his part, commissioner K.K. Yadav said, “I am not aware of the facts as neither the Mayor nor any councillor has approached me. However, I will check where the lapse occurred.”

Bathinda, January 2
The festive season and celebrations have come to an end as people ushered in the New Year and returned to their routine businesses. The last year was good for some and not so good for others. The TNS spoke to youngsters here about what they think should be done to make the city a better place for special occasions. In general, the younger lot feels that 2009 should add something contemporary to this otherwise sleepy city. The youth of the city felt that this part of Punjab remains the least developed as compared to other cities of the state.

“Youth is all about energy, vibrancy and enthusiasm, which is not seen much here. Bathinda still remains subdued by cities like Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Mohali and others and has a long way to go,” said Sahil, an undergraduate student of a local engineering college.

Youngsters feel that the city should have good restaurants. There are a few good ones but more are needed for sure.

“There are hardly two to three good restaurants here. Cuisines like Italian, Continental, Mexican and even Chinese are lacking here. Punjabis are food lovers. But not much is available in this city to cater to our taste buds,” said Neha Sethi, a banker.

A craze catching up really fast among youngsters all over the country is Bollywood. Everyone likes to watch the latest flicks but many have to go without watching them because there is not even a single good theatre here.

“With the kind of movie halls here, I don’t feel like watching a movie here. I go to Chandigarh or Ludhiana once a month to watch movies. Girls cannot even think of venturing out to watch the latest releases here,” said Parwinder, a student.

Hopefully, with some malls coming up here, there would be some good movie halls where people could go without thinking twice, she added.

Limited choice of flowers was something many people spoke about. Roses, gerberas, gladioli and orchids are available and that too in limited colours.

“The city florists have very few varieties of flowers. If you want white roses, you would have to order for it in advance. I think that with the craze for Valentine’s Day, Friendship Day and Christmas catching up, flowers like lilies and carnations should also be made available along with the usual varieties,” quoted Swati Singla, a teacher in the city.

The thing that the youngsters wanted the most was a good coffee shop on the lines of Barista and Café Coffee Day.

“We have to think 10 times about the place if we have to go out with friends here. There is not a single good hangout in this city. I study in Pune but my parents stay here. I have to go through a boring stay every time I come here. I have heard that some malls are coming up and I wish they get a good coffee shop here,” said Niti Bakshi, a student.

The youth hoped that the year 2009 would make Bathinda more entertaining and that the government would take steps to boost tourism here, which is stagnant as of now. 

Bathinda/Malout, January 2
It is becoming evident that the SAD (B) will try to use three issues, namely oil prices, failure to curb terrorist attacks and discrimination towards Punjab while providing benefits to the industry and agriculture, to take on the UPA government during the parliamentary election campaign.

Giving an indication, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, while speaking to the media in Malout sub-division accused the Union government of discriminating against Punjab. He said the Congress, which had remained in power for more than 40 years, has always tried to take the farmers for a ride in the state.

Further, passing on the buck for industrial backwardness in the state to the Centre, Badal said, “The Union government has forgotten Punjab while showering largesse on the neighbouring states. The possibility of steps being taken to weaken the state also cannot be ruled out.”

“At this time, when the price of crude oil has fallen, the Centre is not reducing the price in the country which is a sign that it is benefitting the oil companies at the cost of the poor,” alleged Badal.

Flaying the Centre for its alleged failure to curb terrorist attacks, he said, “Everyday, one or the other place is being targeted by the terrorists. The Mumbai blasts exposed the Union government, as despite having all the machinery, it took so long to bring the situation under control.” All this will itself be sufficient to cause the collapse of the UPA government in the next parliamentary polls, he added.

Before leaving, Badal said he had deputed Bikram Singh Majithia, Minister for Public Relations to chalk out a strategy for providing better facilities to the media persons. The CM held Sangat Darshan at Sarawa Bodla, Chhapianwali, Mahuaana, Fatehpur Mania, Chak Midhu Khera, Fatta Kera and Mann villages, and gave cheques.

Bathinda, January 2
A head constable of the Bathinda police was shot as he tried to intercept two motorcycle-borne youths during a special naka at the T-point of the oil refinery on Dabwali road this evening.

According to information available, the Sangat police had set up a special naka at village Gurthadi following a tip-off. The cops grew suspicious on seeing two motorcycle-borne youths, who had covered their face, and signalled them to stop. But the bikers tried to flee.

However, head constable Jagjit Singh caught hold of the driver, Prit Pal Singh of Kot Bakhtu. The latter pulled out a country-made pistol and shot the cop in the abdomen. In the melee that followed, pillion rider Bhupinder Singh of the same village fled.

The police took the motorcycle, without registration number, into custody and registered a case of attempt to murder at the Sangat police station. The injured cop had been taken to civil hospital, Bathinda, from where he was referred to the DMCH at Ludhiana.

Confirming the details, Ashish Chaudhary, SSP Bathinda, said, “The accused has confessed that they were going to loot a petrol pump. It was the courage of the head constable, who even after being injured did not let the accused escape.”

Mansa, January 2
"Labourers of our country were bound to live a very pitiable life due to the wrong policies adopted by the government," state secretary of Mazdoor Mukti Morcha Bhagwant Singh Sammaon stated this while addressing a labourers’ rally at Kotdharmu village.

He said that the government could not provide social security laws to the poor people.

The labour leader informed that rallies had been planned to be held from December 10, 2008, to January 10 against the false promises made by the SAD-BJP combine during the last assembly elections.

A big rally would be held in Chandigarh in February to expose the anti labour policies of the government, he added. — OC

Mansa, January 2
Residents of Bareta under the banner of the Lok Sangrash Committee today disrupted rail traffic between 10 am and 1 pm in protest against the suspension of some trains on the route.

Leaders of the committee said that four trains had been suspended between December 15 and January 31.

Railway officials rushed to the spot. Service of one train between Jind and Ferozepur was resumed today. The officials assured that services of two more trains would be resumed from January 6.

The blockade was lifted following assurance from rail officials. 

Mansa, January 2
A blood donation camp was organised at Khokhar Khurd village by Aasra Lok Sewa Club Mansa on Tuesday. DC Kumar Rahul inaugurated the camp.

The DC said that the State Bank of Patiala, the main branch in Mansa, cooperated in organising the blood donation camp. Blood bank belonging to Civil Hospital, Mansa, collected 23 units of blood on the occasion.

Sunil Grover, the bank manager, donated blood for the 35th time and he was honoured by the DC. Project Chairman of the club, Tarsem Semi said that the club would continue its activities in the field of social services. — OC

Bathinda, January 2
Seven girls from a local school were part of the state’s handball team (under-17 category) that bagged the second position at the 54th National School Games held in Delhi. 

The camp for these games was held here from December 7 to December 21. The state team’s coach, Devinder Singh, said the seven girls from the local St Xavier’s Senior Secondary School were Navpreet Kaur Mann, Anmol Kaur Dhillon, Jasmine Kaur Kaler, Ajashanjot Cheema, Shippu Mittal, Shubhreet Sidhu and Reetinder Reet Kaur. The school’s principal, Father Bernard D’za, congratulated them and appreciated the efforts put in by their coach and physical education lecturer Paramjit Singh.