Abohar, February 11
Nearly 500 acres of agricultural land was inundated due to breaches in different canals last night in the sub-division. Breaches at a dozen places were, however, prevented due to timely action, sources said on Wednesday evening.

An 80-feet breach in the Panjawa distributary has affected crops in about 200 acres of fertile land besides depriving the tail-end villages of regular water supply. Incessant rain was said to be the cause of the breach. Sources, in the Irrigation Department said that most of the farmers preferred to keep the water outlets shut as the fields were already under water due to heavy rain that lashed the region on Tuesday. This made most of the sub-canals and distributaries over- flow after the sunset yesterday.

About 300 acres of land was still under water due to a 150 feet breach that was noticed late at night in the Lambi distributary near Bajidpura Bhoma village. This canal also feeds the villages located at the tail-end on the inter-state border with Rajasthan.

The situation was worst near village Choohriwala Dhanna and Nihalkhera, where gushing water entered the farm houses owned by Mangat Ram, Jas Ram, Lal Chand, Madan Lal, Om Parkash, Rajji Ram and Lachhman Dass forcing the families to shift to safe places by the roadside. Some of the tube-wells have also got submerged. The villagers rued that at least 16 goats had been washed away as their shelter was close to the site of the canal breach on the outskirts of the village Choohriwala Dhanna.

Sources, in the Irrigation Department said the head works was asked to suspend the supply in all these canals immediately upon receiving telephone calls from the affected villages. However, plugging of the breach is likely to be expedited by Thursday evening.

The sources confirmed that overflowing in the Malukpura distributary was noticed near the village Burjmuhar, Dhaani Kadaka Singh near Abohar town besides Jandwala Hanwanta and Malukpura at Burji number 170 but timely action has brought the situation under control by now. 

Bathinda, February 11
In spite of threat by Shiv Sainiks and other religious groups to city restaurateurs and florists for not celebrating the Valentine’s Day, the generation next is all set to express their love on February 14. The young residents of the city were found busy buying gifts and cards for their loved ones.

Aushutosh Tewari from the ABVP told The Tribune on Tuesday that his party was against the Valentine’s Day celebrations and would not allow the shops in the city to sell the Valentine’s Day related stuff on February 13 and 14.

Sanjay Bindal, who runs Archies Gallery on Mall Road, said, “I am getting more response from this sleepy city than what I had expected. I have to keep Valentine’s Day cards more than the other cards in order to meet the growing demand.”

Collegians in the city said they would not bother about parties like the Shiv Sena, ABVP, and others that hog attention on the occasions like Christmas and Valentine’s Day.

“These parties should think about spreading peace in the city and not trouble innocent people. I read in the papers today about these parties and their attempt of creating a panic on February 14. The police must ensure peace in the city,” Archana, a college student, said.

Sources in the city said school-going children were showing more interest in buying cards and gifts than the collegians.

“Most of our customers buying things for February 14 are from schools and class VII students have been coming in for buying greetings for the day,” Bindal said.

Every year, there is a lot of hullabaloo around the Valentine’s Day. Still, not only the young but the old also express their feelings for their loved ones on the day. If even St. Valentines could not escape the wicked eye of people then, how can the day named after him remain unaffected! 

Bathinda, February 11
As a preventive measure, the sub-divisional magistrate, Bathinda, today sent eight activists of the Shiv Sena to judicial custody till February 16.

As per the details available, they were accused of threatening hoteliers and florists on Tuesday against the celebration of Valentine’s Day.

The Bathinda police raided their houses in the early hours today and nabbed Yogesh Batish, state vice-president, along with Vijay Singla, district president of Shiv Sena, and six others. — TNS

Bathinda, February 11
The residents of the city and the adjoining areas today got up to a blind start as the dense fog enveloped the region in the morning.

The commuters had a tough time due to almost nil visibility. The situation improved only after 10 am.

Most importantly, the mercury which had been on northwardly direction for the last couples of days took a halt and retreated up to 5.2 degree Celsius, 2.8 degrees lower than yesterday, as per the Agro-MeT advisory services, PAU Regional Station, Bathinda. The maximum temperature was recorded 17.5 degrees Celsius.

The city residents, who faced inconveniences on Tuesday due to intermittent rain, looked pleased when the sun appeared. They, however, experienced nip in the air as wind speed - 6 kmph – added fresh chill to the winter.

The weathermen had predicted that Thursday may be dry and clear.

Bathinda, February 11
Weary of the indifferent attitude of the state government towards veterinary doctors working on contract basis with Zila Parishads, rural veterinary officers under the aegis of Punjab State Veterinary Doctors Association (PSVDA) held a state-level mass rally here today. Later, they burnt an effigy of the Punjab government in front of the Mini-Secretariat here.

The officers are on hunger strike for the past five days.

Dr Abdul Mazid, president, PSVDA, said: “The contracts of veterinary doctors are coming to an end but they had not been regularised. Also, the Zila Parishads have added to their miseries as there was continuous interference of politicians in the working of dispensaries.”

He said the government had shown disinterest in the development of dairy and agricultural allied services in the state, especially when it claims to be farmer-friendly.

The association further criticised the state government for its proposal to open two new veterinary colleges in Punjab saying that the existing veterinary officers were subjected to harassment in contractual jobs.

“We don’t have job security or medical security. There is no provision of annual increments in salary also. Moreover, 50 per cent veterinary hospitals in the state does not have electricity connections, water supply or regular medicine supply and their buildings are in bad conditions,” lamented the veterinarians.

Rural medical officers (RMOs), Progressive Dairy Farmers Association, Bharti Kisan Union and ETT teachers extended their full support to the agitating veterinarians.

Bathinda, February 11
As the chain hunger strike of rural medical officers (RMOs) entered its seventh consecutive day today, Dr. Aslam Parvez, president of the RMSA, announced that from tomorrow onwards the RMOs would conduct ‘medical awareness camps’ in the slum areas all over Bathinda.

He said at these camps people would be made aware about the benefits of the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP), Direct Observed Treatment Short course (DOTS), institutional deliveries and antenatal care.

Dr Manish Gupta, advisor, RMSA, said though the cries of RMOs had no effect on the ruling Akali-BJP government, they would make the uneducated and poor people aware about these programmes and help in creating healthy and disease free society.

Dr Sandeep Jot Singh, president of RMSA unit of Sangrur, said the ‘free medical camp on floor mats’ was also gaining strength by the day.

By the time of filing of this report, 64 patients had already been examined and provided free medications.

Meanwhile, the satirical imitation by the RMOs of the ‘foundation stones’ being laid down by the incumbent government was a source of day-long attraction for the people of Bathinda. People showed massive interest and were seen thronging the dharna site of the RMSA (Punjab) in front of the Mini-Secretariat.

Dr J.P. Narula, advisor, RMSA, ruined the fact that the government due to its shrewd policies was trying to create a wedge between the doctors and the members of the paramedical services. He said that the meagre salaries to these workers were not sufficient to support their families.

RMOs today came out in full strength to support the rally of veterinary doctors. While addressing the gathering, Dr Gurpreet Badal said that all agitating associations should unite and fight as a decisive unit. He stressed upon the need to support each other so as to defeat the nefarious plans of the ruling government.

Bathinda, February 11
The IDP and the British Council, the institutions that conduct the IELTS exams all over the world, have withheld the results of some students, who appeared for the exam on December 6.

Those, who got their results, are also getting letters saying that their results are invalid. This has made the students panic and many of them are now left with no option but to apply again. However, these institutes have asked them to send their statements, if any, and if they want to.

Ashok Sadiora, director of the Brill Institute, Bathinda, said, “We are a recognised institution from the British Council and are holding classes for the past four years. My students are perturbed over the announcement made by the IDP and the British Council. Rs 7,200 are charged from every student for the exam. The amount has been forfeited and they are not being given another chance.”

The result is first sent on the internet and on the mobile phones. After a week, a certificate giving scores of IELTS is issued. The students, who do not get the certificate, were those whose results were withheld. And those, who had got their certificates, are now getting letters that their results were invalid.

Sources said the two institutions cancelled the result on the basis of paper leak news, which spread around. No one was sure whether the papers actually were leaked or not. There are four modules in the IELTS exam: Listening, reading, writing and speaking. Generally, students score almost similar marks in all papers. But, according to sources, the doubt arose after it was noted that there was a huge difference in the marks scored in various subjects.

“The difference in marks made the authorities at the IDP and the British Council suspicious. Without having any solid ground about paper leak, how can the results of a majority of students be cancelled? And what is the point of asking them to submit their statements now? Once they have cancelled the results, the students have been affected. Sending a statement will not help the students,” said Ashok.

Sources said some students had also got engaged and were about to tie the nuptial knot soon on the basis of their selection in IELTS. But, seeing the present circumstances, their engagement is also on the verge of breaking and due to it, students did not come forward to voice their concerns. Some students had also got their seats booked for flights abroad. Even they have been left with no choice now.

Moga, February 11
The state government's decision to include Duneke village in the local Municipal Council (MC) by extending its limits on the recommendation of the local administration has been stayed by the High Court, this week.

Balwinder Kaur, a panch, filed a petition before the High Court that in the panchayat elections held on May 26, 2008, she was elected as a member of the village panchayat but she was not administered oath by the state government on the pretext that her village was included in the local body.

She alleged that the panchayat elections were held two-and-half months before the notification of the local body department to include her village in the new limits. Therefore, the election of village held earlier was legitimate and the state government should have constituted the panchayat respecting the democratic principles.

The local body department had decided on July 1, 2008 on the recommendation of the district administration to include this village along with other villages, Landeke, Sant Nagar, Kotha Patti Mohabbat and Mehma Singh Wala and some parts of parts of Bughipura and Talwandi Bagherian into the MC limits. A notification in this regard was issued by the department on August 14, 2008.

Adding that the local body elections were held on September 14, 2008 on old limits of the MC following intervention of the Supreme Court, she pleaded before the court that neither the village panchayat was constituted nor the people of her village were given representation in the local body.

Reacting to her plea, Justice Ajay Lamba of the High Court has for the time being stayed the orders of the local body department, which has raised a hope for the constitution of the village panchayat.

It may be mentioned that the elected panches of Landeke, Sant Nagar, Kotha Patti Mohabbat, Duneke and Mehma Singh Wala villages were not administered oath due to which the people of these villages had been left in lurch for the past many months without having any say in democracy either in the village panchayats or in the local body.

The process of extension of the municipal council limits was started in the year 2004 when a resolution regarding this was passed by the then president Joginder Pal Jain with the consent of the elected members, on the basis of which, a survey was conducted early in 2006 and later, objections were filed in November in the same year.

Moga, February 11
Moga police has arrested a doctor posted in a government hospital at village Daroli Bhai on charges of corruption, forgery and under the NDPS Act for allegedly helping a drug peddler in smuggling and giving him advantage in getting bail by tampering with the official records of the hospital.

Revealing this to The Tribune, Jaswant Singh, SHO of the police station (rural), said that Dr Gurinder Singh has been booked under sections 218, 466, 468, 471, 120B of the IPC, section 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and sections 27A, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act.

He said that Ranjit Singh, a drug peddler, against whom an FIR under sections 15, 25, 29, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act was registered at Jagraon police station on September 26, 2007, however, eluded arrest and got himself admitted to the hospital at Daroli Bhai by manipulating with the accused doctor on back date to secure anticipatory bail from the High Court.

An investigation in this case was conducted by SP (Crime) Sukhdev Singh posted at Chandigarh in which it was found that the said doctor helped the drug peddler to escape from the police net following which an FIR was registered against the doctor and subsequently, he was arrested, last night.

Meanwhile, Lakhvir Singh additional public prosecutor of the district, revealed that the said doctor was produced before the local court of Kuljit Pal Singh, today. The court has sent him to police custody for one day for further investigations, he said.

It may be mentioned that on December 14, 2008, another government doctor Gurvinder Singh posted in the same hospital was booked by the police station (rural) under similar charges for allegedly giving an advantage to a drug-peddler Jagdev Singh, son of Gurnam Singh, in seeking anticipatory bail by tampering with the official records of the hospital.

However, he could not be arrested by the police as he got anticipatory bail. 

Mansa, February 11
Farmer leaders were arrested following a row over land between farmers and the canal department.

According to sources, the canal department had distributed areas and nearly 340 shops among traders along the canal distributory. The farmers were protesting against the department's move.

Today, when the traders were occupying the allotted places, farmers raised objections. The arrested farmers, including state president of Punjab Kisan Union Ruldu Singh Mansa, district president Karnail Singh Mansa, Bhura Singh Maan, Harjinder Singh Manshia, Bakhtaur Singh Mansa, Jagral Singh and Naib Singh, alleged that the district administration and the canal department had been doing grave injustice with the farmers.

Meanwhile, farmers staged dharna in front of the deputy commissioner’s office in Mansa. Addressing the dharna, state secretary CPI (ML) Rajwindwer Sing Rana and Bhagwant Sammaon said that the administration was doing injustice to the farmers.

Meanwhile, Xen, canal department, Gopal Singh said that the site was sold to the businessmen in 1998. 

Ferozepur, February 11
Following demand of the residents of the local cantonment, the district magistrate has revoked his own orders issued on September, 17, 2007, in which it was stated that no registration of sale deeds in respect of any property located in the cantonment will be executed unless a No Objection Certificate (NOC) is obtained by the CEO, Cantonment Board.

Since then, the local residents were finding it difficult to purchase or sell their properties located in cantonment even in case of dire need, since the orders had put a blanket ban on the registration of sale deed.

While the residents have heaved a sigh of relief after revocation of ban, the latest orders issued on February 6, 2009, however has put certain conditions while executing the sale deeds which include that no sale deed shall be accepted unless it is accompanied by affidavits by both the parties affirming that the registration being done was of the superstructure only and not of the land.

Further, the orders state that it will be imperative for the Registrar or sub-registrar to inspect the property in question personally and ensure that the sale deed was being executed for superstructure only. The orders have also made it mandatory for the Registrar to forward copies of the sale deed so registered to the CEO and DEO of the defence estate department within 24 hours.

When contacted, DC Megh Raj said that the revocation of the ban has been taken since there was widespread resentment among public who were demanding withdrawal of the ban for the last two years.

The DC said that the matter had been taken up with the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal by the Irrigation Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon, who represents Ferozepur Cantonment constituency, during the CM's last visit to this town on December 28, 2008.

While denying any sort of political pressure to lift the ban, the DC said that the decision had been taken after carefully examining the pros and cons of the matter, and purely in public interest.

While the defence officials still maintain that the execution of sale deed concerning defence properties and old grant properties is violation of the provisions of the Governor Generals Order of 1836 which states that no transaction for more than Rs 5,000 could be made without the sanction of the government. But the latest order by the DC says that the orders were almost 160 years old and had become extraneous since no property costs less than Rs 5,000 in the present scenario. Moreover, the latest enactment in form of Cantonments Act 2006 has overriding effect on all previous rules, regulations and instructions.

Bathinda, February 11
Members of the Telecom Retired Employees Welfare Association, Bathinda district, demanded a hike in their medical allowances.

Addressing the members of the association at a meeting held here today, the president of the body, Hardev Singh Sewak, said that medical allowances paid to them were proving to a negligible sum in the present economic scenario.

Several members of the body across the distinct attended the meeting. — TNS

Bathinda, February 11
The hunger strike by the activists of the Park Bachao Sangharsh Committee of Kamla Nehru Colony entered its fourth day today.

In a press release issued here, the protesters said they had been lodging protest to save a park in their locality, which had been auctioned off recently at the price of Rs 2.36 crore.

The agitators accused the administration of being hand-in-glove with the land mafia while auctioning the land measuring 502 square yards.

They said the protest would continue till the administration did not cancel the auction of the land.

Bathinda, February 11
Amrit Pal Singh Sidhu, advisory committee member, Food Corporation of India, met Sharad Pawar, Union food and agriculture minister on Tuesday and apprised him of the problems being faced by the FCI.

Talking to newsmen here today, Sidhu said he had submitted to the minister three memorandums related to Punjab problems.

He apprised the minister of about 100 posts to be filled on compassionate grounds and lying vacant in different departments of the state. He urged him to put an end to the five per cent quota for such posts.