Bathinda, January 7
Expressing their resentment over the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to remove 16-feet encroachment on both sides of the national highway crossing through the city, shopkeepers, likely to be affected by the order, blocked the Bathinda-Goniana road near the Sirhind canal bridge here today.

The protesting shopkeepers raised anti-government slogans for not helping them in the matter. While narrating their woes, shopkeepers said that the HC has issued the order to get the road vacated up to 16-feet on both sides.

They rued that many of them had shop area less than the area which the administration is going to demolish now. They lamented that if the order is not stayed, they would be ruined. Talking to the media, the shopkeepers accepted that the administration had issued notice to them a number of times.

One of the leaders at the dharna, Jarnail Singh Matharu, said, "We have met a SAD (B) leader on the issue who assured us of delaying the matter for a week. But a junior engineer of the department concerned came to us personally on Wednesday evening and told us that today, the front of the shops would be demolished."

"We are lodging the protest so that the administration does not start the drive today and gives us some more time," he added.

Earlier, the agitators, after lodging their protest at Tinkoni, moved towards the canal bridge, where they disrupted the movement of traffic for nearly an hour. The protesters agreed to allow the flow of the traffic to resume but some of them took the stand that the dharna would be lifted only after an assurance from a responsible person from the government.

To pacify the protesters, the area in-charge of SAD (B) Sarup Chand Singla reached the spot and assured them of cooperation from the Punjab government. He said a meeting of the shopkeepers would be arranged with the Chief Minister. After the verbal assurance, the protesters let the traffic to resume.

When BMC Mayor Baljit Singh Bir Behman was contacted, he said, "The High Court has ordered us to demolish encroachments up to 16 feet area on both sides of the main road. There are around 129 such cases within the jurisdiction of the BMC."

"The HC has issued orders in accordance with the Punjab Regional and Town Planning and Development Act, 1995. So, it would cover only those buildings that came into existence after 1995. Others have been exempted. As the matter is related to the High Court, so none of us has any right to give any "fake" assurance to the public."

Bathinda, January 7
Amid the ongoing row over the release of the fourth general house meeting proceeding report without the Mayor's approval, another controversy has erupted over the test report of the roads and pavement projects in the city. Councillors, including the Mayor and other office-bearers, are not ready to accept the test report accusing the bureaucrats of being a law unto themselves.

According to a copy of the report procured from sources in the BMC, 13 samples of precast pavement construction material and 25 of bituminous road construction material had been examined for preparing the test report.

A senior official seeking anonymity said that according to the norms of compressive strength, bitumen content, compact field density and compacted thickness of layer, except two-three, all have been shown to be up to mark.

It may be mentioned that these roads and pavements were part of a single project worth Rs 40 crore.

Since the project started, it has been mired in controversies. It is not the opposition but the SAD-BJP councillors and party leaders who have been levelling allegations.

Earlier, former minister Charanji Lal Garg, a senior SAD (B) leader had alleged that officials and politicians had not been above board in implementing the project. Adding insult to the injury, Krishan Garg, a councillor had also levelled similar allegations during the recent house meeting.

After the hue and cry, officers of the BMC started a test survey. But even after getting the report, the officers are not producing the report before the elected councillors and other office-bearers.

Expressing his resentment, senior deputy mayor Tarsem Goyal said, "We are not ready to accept the test report as it was conducted without intimating us. We had raised our voice against irregularities in the project. The BMC Commissioner should have discussed the remedial action with us before launching it. Moreover, we are not aware about the terms of the survey's contract with persons with whom it had been done."

Mayor Baljeet Singh Bir Behman said, "I have been analysing all that has been going on in the BMC. Now it has come out in the open that some senior bureaucrats have been trying to ignore us to show their superiority for which they will have to face the conseqiences."

"First of all, the test report, even after a couple of weeks after completion, has not yet been placed before me. Secondly, there are many councillors whom they did not even bother to ask to remain present while taking the samples.

Thirdly, with whose authority did the BMC officials start carrying out the exercise? These objections are enough to reject the test report," added Bir Behman.

BMC Commissioner K.K. Yadav said, "We have done everything in a fair way. The report will be placed only in the next house meeting. If they do not accept it then they will have to wait for the integrated quality assurance consultant (IQAC) report, which will come after around two-three months."

Abohar, January 7
Concerned over the complaints against the officials alleging disrespect, non-cooperation and apathy on the issues of public importance, the SAD Youth Wing President Kiranbir Singh Kang sought to remind the bureaucrats that they are expected to behave like public servants in letter and spirit. “They will face the music, if they decline to mend their ways,” he said during a press conference here at the residence of Balluana legislator Gurtej Singh Ghuriana today.

“The government is less important than the organisation, we would have zero tolerance, if our workers are humiliated by the officials,” Kang said categorically. He also hinted that the annual administrative reshuffle is on the cards and there may be more transfers under instructions from the Election Commission after the declaration of the Lok Sabha election schedule, he added. 

Earlier, he was welcomed by Ghuriana along with the party workers on arriving here to participate in a function. Kang said Parkash Singh Badal has emerged as the first Chief Minister to visit Balluana Assembly segment since its formation. Badal by announcing funds for the construction of lining of 900 km water courses besides remodelling of sub-canals had won the hearts of the electorate in the region. The step would ensure canal water to the villages of this sub-division even at tail ends.

On being asked, why the Markfed was not asked to join the cotton market and what prevented the state government in waiving off two per cent unwarranted cess on the sale of crop to pave smooth sale of the processed cotton, Kang informed that he discussed both the points with the chief minister on Tuesday night and hoped to find a solution within a week.

On sharing of seats for Lok Sabha election by the alliance partners, Kang said status quo is likely to be maintained. However, the final word would come from the SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal. Hopefully, the SAD would continue giving reasonable representation to the youths. Development and easy access to the Chief Minister would be major poll planks. Congress is a divided house, we are a united force, he claimed. Kang hoped the alliance would improve its position in the Lok Sabha polls. He had launched a comprehensive campaign to contact and activate the grass root workers of the youth wing.

Later, addressing party workers, Kang said forming the government was not expected when the SAD was constituted. Now, the party has 70 per cent youth on the important organisational and government positions. He preached de-addiction and better health for the youth to ensure social status. The drug menace must be decisively fought at all levels, he exhorted. MLA Ghuriana presented a sword to Kang as memento on his first visit to the area.

Abohar, January 7
Even when the ruling parties claim addressing problems of the people while sounding Lok Sabha election bugles large number of women have to throng hand pumps at the new grain market and other localities to collect water for drinking purpose. In addition, they are seen washing clothes and utensils there.

Scores of women wander with pitchers and pots on their heads in search of water as the sub-division continue to reel under water crisis for over a week. One of them Prabhjit Kaur said, “We cannot be expected to clap on the claims being made by the leaders.”

As canals are lying dry due to one or the other reasons, the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board has resolved to supply water only for an hour on the alternate days, which should be stopped, residents said.

The crisis, however, has become a boom for the small water-purifying units. Most of them have been using ground water.

For most of the electorates in the sub-division, the day starts with power cut ranging from 8-10 hours a day. This has paralysed the functioning of tubewells, for which the state government had promised uninterrupted power supply for at least 6-8 hours.

The working hours of the small-scale units have been reduced to 3-4 hours as the PSEB forces power cut for most part of the day.

Over two dozen cotton ginning and pressing factories are running at less than half of their capacity, resulting in glut of cotton purchased by the CCI as well as private traders.

Bathinda, January 7
Lohri is approaching and the city seems to be gearing up for the festival by stocking up groundnuts, jaggery, rewaris and more. The sale of these commodities has shot up since the past few days.

Lohri was celebrated to express happiness over the birth of a boy in a family and marrying off a boy meant celebrating Lohri in a big way.

It is a big festival in Punjab and Punjabis celebrate Lohri with fervour and enthusiasm. But the festival seems to be taking a new form with some people coming forward to celebrate the birth of a baby girl and celebrating the wedding of their daughter on Lohri. This has given a new definition to this otherwise male child-dominated festival.

Garima, the mother of a newborn baby girl said, "This is my daughter's first Lohri. My in-laws were not very happy when I gave birth to a girl. I have decided to celebrate Lohri the way it is celebrated when a boy is born in the family.”

“The sex ratio is dipping and my husband told me that he faced great difficulty in getting married because he was not finding a girl. Celebrating my daughter's Lohri would be an example for those who feel that happiness means sons and not daughters," she added.

Rajinder, who has got recently married to Suman from Madhya Pradesh, said, "I got married at the age of 31. My family had started searching for a girl when I was 26 but they were unable to find a suitable girl. We had to resort to an inter-caste marriage because I was unable to find a suitable match in my community. It made me realise that there is a severe shortage of girls in Punjab. We just had a daughter and we plan to celebrate Lohri for her."

NGOs have come forward to express their concern about the skewed sex ratio in the state and female foeticide. Society Sehat Education and Welfare Activity (SEWA) has planned to celebrate Lohri for young girls.

According to sources, around 40 girls have been identified by the society and invitations were being sent out to their families. Sukhwinder Singh, programme coordinator said, "We have sent invitations to families that have had baby girls. We have also identified around five families that have only daughters and do not desire sons. They would also be invited and honoured at our programme."

The programme would be organised in Sivian village near the village's medical centre on January 12 at 12 noon. Dr Neelam Bajaj, civil surgeon, Bathinda, would be the chief guest, Sadhu Ram Kusla, project officer PNDT cell, along with SMO Dr Sekhon from Goniana Mandi, programme officer Sunita Rani and CDPO Jagtar Kaur would be present on the occasion.

Sources stated that the women and child development department, Punjab, would be assisting the society in this programme.

Sources added that the village sarpanch of Sivian Gurtej Singh Javanda also agreed to assist the society in carrying out the programme.

Some social and religious organisations also announced to celebrate Lohri for newborn girls in the city. Raj Gupta, principal, Swami Vivekananda Girls' College stated that the programme would begin at 1 pm on January 11.

Some societies like the Bharat Vikas Parishad, Sena Bharti, Dost Welfare Society, Naujawan Welfare Society, Aasra Welfare Society, Red Cross, Rotary Club, Bathinda Cantt, Art of Living, Patanjali Yog Sewa Samiti and other organisations would be taking part in the programme to celebrate a joint Lohri for girls. 

Bathinda, January 7
An NSS camp was organised at the Akliyan Kalan College of Women's Education near Goniana a few days ago where girls had donated blood. As many as 35 units of blood were collected. According to the civil surgeon, Bathinda, this region has the problem of anaemia among women. The problem here is more than in the other regions.

"These girls came forward to donate blood because they felt that it was a noble gesture and their blood would save someone's life. We have patients everyday and the haemoglobin (HB) count in women never crosses 11 gms. I have never seen anyone having HB more than 11 gms. The problem is more among married women. The least HB required for donating blood is 11 gms but women here hardly cross the 11 mark," said Dr H.K. Nagpal.

Girls who donated blood said they were not bothered what their haemoglobin was. "The team that came to take blood units did not get a weighing machine but they saw each one of us before allowing us to donate blood. A few girls were denied permission to donate blood because they looked unhealthy," said one of the girls studying in the college.

Tekpal, who donated blood, said, "It is for the first time I donated blood. My blood group is O negative and my haemoglobin is 11.5. We heard that only five per cent girls donate blood and we thought that we were being given an opportunity to help the mankind. So, I stepped forward."

It was for the first time that almost all the girls had donated blood. Those who were married said their husbands were supportive and motivated them to do so. "The team that came told us that those who weighed less than 45 kg would not be allowed to donate blood. I am more than that and did not find a reason why I should not donate. I am O positive and am sure that I would save someone's life," said Rupinder.

Girls felt that people do not want girls in society and female foeticide is still prevalent. "A woman gives life but there are many who want to take her life. I thought that donating blood would also give life to someone whom I won't even know. It is such a selfless and noble gesture," one of the girls said.

Most of those who donated blood said they would motivate their children also to donate blood when they would be able to. "I am 31 years old and have a little son. We were told that a blood donation camp would be organised during the NSS camp and we all agreed to donate blood. We were never given an opportunity before, else I would have done it. I did not feel weak after donating blood. I feel that it does not matter if you are a woman. Blood donation does not make you weak. We all must donate blood at regular intervals," said Veerpal from Bokhra.

All the girls were sure about one thing, that if given a chance, they would donate blood again. 

Ferozepur, January 7
The state government has embarked on a proposal to open information and computer technology centres in all the 10 blocks of the district. The centres will apprise the farmers about the latest know-how and developments in the field of agriculture.

Deputy commissioner Megh Raj, while presiding over a meeting of the governing body of Agriculture Technology Mission (ATMA) under National Food Security Mission here today, said an action plan had been prepared for the year 2009-10. Under it, a proposal had been sent to the Union government for sanctioning Rs 2.14 crore.

“Similarly, another proposal for the year 2010-11 has also been prepared for which an amount of Rs 1.94 crore has been sought for setting up of modern infocom centres for farmers under the ATMA,” he added.

The DC exhorted the farmers to participate in the Farm Tourism Scheme, under which farm houses in various villages would be identified to provide lodging to the tourists. He added that the chief agriculture officer had been appointed as nodal officer for the scheme.

On the occasion, the deputy commissioner instructed the agriculture department officials to organise exhibitions at block levels so as to apprise the farmers about allied agriculture programmes and vocations.

Ferozepur, January 7
The 94th Sangat Darshan was held in the office of deputy commissioner here, during which 26 complaints were received. As many as 17 were redressed on the spot while the remaining were directed to the officials concerned.

DC Megh Raj said that till date, 3,097 complaints had been received during various Sangat Darshan programmes, out of which 2,641 have been settled while rest were still pending in various offices and will also be settled soon.

The DC ordered release of the due service benefits of Late Mukhtiar Singh Patwari, resident of village Gadriwala. He also recommended grant of monetary help to two cancer patients. On the compliant of residents of village Thether Kalan, the DC instructed the excise and taxation officials to remove the liquor vend from the village. ADC Jaskiran Singh was also present on the occasion. — OC

Mansa, January 7
The Joga police today arrested a doctor of Ralla village on the charges of conducting abortion at his clinic that he operated from his house.

Giving details, DSP Amarjeet Singh said after receiving a tip-off, a police team led by SHO Deepak Singh raided the clinic of Dr Jagseer Singh, son of Phoola Singh, at Ralla village on Tuesday night and found an unmarried girl being treated for abortion.

The police arrested the doctor and registered a case against him and his wife under section 312/34 of the IPC and 3/4 of the MTP Act, 1971.

According to the police, the girl has denied the charges of abortion saying that she had visited the doctor for some other disease. The girl has been medically examined. However, the report is awaited.

According to sources, a relative of a local leader is involved in the case but the police was not saying anything about him.

It is worth mentioning that the name of the boy, who allegedly had relations with the girl, has also not come up in the case.

Bathinda, January 7
Considering the repeated requests of Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tewari, Finance Commissioner (Revenue) has de-notified him as Public Information Officer (PIO) and replaced him with ADC (General) Upjeet Brar.

Reliable sources in the district administration informed that about a wekk back, the order was received and now it has been placed in the official records of revenue department.

Sources said the DC had requested the Finance Commissioner (Revenue) Romila Dubey on October 27 pleading that he had a very busy schedule. He wrote that whenever the State Information Commission called him, he had to wait for long hours to present his version there. He had mentioned that recently, he had to go to Chandigarh a number of times in connection with such cases, which had affected his working in Bathinda.

Along with the submission, the DC himself named ADC (General) to replace him as PIO. Confirming the details, DC Rahul Tewari said, "I have requested the officer concerned to de-notify me as PIO keeping public interest in mind. As everybody is aware about the VIP visits and protests in the district, it was a requirement to get rid of that extra burden.”

Bathinda, January 7
Prevailing cold wave conditions in Bathinda and adjoining areas intensified today as the mercury dipped by 0.3 degree further to touch the 1.2 degree Celsius mark as per the Agro-MeT advisory services, PAU Regional Station, Bathinda.

Passing of the cold wave over the region is stated to be the reason for the same. The maximum, however, remained the same as yesterday, i.e. 18.5 degree Celsius. Agri-scientists have suggested the farmers to take measures if frost-like situation occurred. Delicate plants in nursery could be covered to protect them from the harsh weather, the agri-scientists added. — TNS

Bathinda, January 7
As a mark of social service, His Holiness Sant Baba Nahar Singh, Suneharanwale Charitable Society, installed two reverse osmosis (RO) plants at Behman Diwana and Sardargarh villages in the district.

In the presence of chief guest H.S. Sohi, Commissioner, Income Tax, and president of the society Baba Nahar Singh, the RO plants have been installed in schools. 
— TNS