Bathinda, February 23
The state government has now decided to convert all land records into a metric system over a period of five years, starting from the agriculture year 2010-11 to 2015-16. When this happens, all present units of land measurement like marla and kanal would be converted into metric measures.

Moreover, all jamabandis which will be prepared during the above mentioned period will also be prepared under the metric system.

As per the information received from the state administration, the Weight and Measures Act, 1976, mandates that all measurements shall be based on metric system. But ever since the law came into force, the implementation of the land record manual was not done so far in the revenue records.

According to a highly placed official, the matter of implementing the provisions of the land record manual had been under the consideration of the state government for a long time. The government, after careful consideration, has now decided to implement it in all districts.

As per the details available, the Department of Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management (Land revenue branch) has now issued orders to all divisional commissioners and deputy commissioners throughout the state to implement the Act.

According to the orders issued, for the coming five agricultural years, after a jamabandi is prepared and comes into force, all subsequent revenue records relating to the concerned revenue estate, in khasra, girdawari, mutation register etc would also be prepared according to metric measures.

Further, all revenue records, prepared on a settlement such as field book, Musavi etc. will be converted into metric measures whenever the next settlement or survey takes place. All instruments of measures including Zariv will also be in metric measures only.

The Deputy Secretary Revenue (S), Sohan Lal, in his recently issued letter, directed the Director, Land Records, to arrange for the necessary equipment and training to the revenue staff for this purpose. The divisional commissioners have been asked to monitor the progress of the implementation.

When contacted, DC Rahul Tewari said, “We have received the orders recently and have also been asked to send the quarterly progress reports to the Director, Land Record.”

Bathinda, February 23
The city reflected traditional fervour as it celebrated ‘Shivratri’ today. The decorated temples in the city remained abuzz with activities as hundreds of devotees started queuing up from early morning to offer prayers to lord Shiva.

Fruit vendors had a field day today. Devotees observe fast on ‘Shivratri’, which provides a boost to the sale of fruits and milk.

Darshan, a fruit vendor near Hanuman chowk, said, “There are certain days, when we also take advantage and earn good profits. Shivratri is one of them. Marriages are also on. So, the prices have shot up. Prices of guava and berries have been increased by Rs 10 per kg.”

At some places, ‘kinnow’ and bananas were also sold at a higher price. People were seen plucking leaves from the ‘bel’ trees. The leaves and fruit of the tree are offered to a ‘shivling’ on Shivratri.

By dusk, milk was also sold out at many shops. The reason being, a concoction of milk, water, rose water and honey is offered to the ‘shivling’ four times a day on Shivratri.

Many unmarried girls were also seen at the temples. There is a belief that if an unmarried girl keeps a fast on the day, she gets a good spouse. According to Hindu mythology, Shiva, the lord of destruction, had married goddess Parvati on this day.

Abohar, February 23
Hundreds of men and women thronged the Shivratri celebrations at Rajyoga Centre of Brahmakumrias on the old Fazilka road here today. The presence of V.K. Sharma, former commandant of the CRPF battalion, which had provided tight security cover to this

Sub-division after the March 1990 terrorist strike, added significance to the function. He was warmly received by the citizens as Sita Ram Sharma, state secretary of the Rashtriya Suraksha Samiti, escorted him from Dehradun to Abohar.

BK Pushaplata, in charge of the Rajyoga Center, applied vermilion on forehead of the former CRPF commandant and chief guest Shiv Raj Goyal, president of the local Municipal Council. Flower petals were showered as Rajyoga teachers BK Darshana and BK Sunita offered bouquets to the special guests. 

Goyal and Sharma joined hands in unfurling the Shiva flag that again showered rose petals adding colour and fervor to the function. Bunches of balloons were released in the sky amidst thunderous applause.

Those present included Senior Medical officer Dr Ramesh Verma, Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board SDO Sita Ram Bajaj, Beopar Mandal president Brahm Parkash Bhusari, Sanatan Dharam Sabha president Pramil Kalani, BJP Mandal president Ravi Setia, former Rotary district governor SL Gandhi, assistant district governor Dr AR Talwar, former Rotary Club president Dr KC Sharma, Swami Keshwa Nand College president Inder Mohan Verma, Bank of Baroda manager VK Miglani, Lions International zone chairman Dr Jaswant Singh, Punjabi Brahman Sabha president Ramesh Kumar Sharma and Yuva Morcha secretary Ankur Garg besides social activist Shakuntala Soni who had provided land for raising Rajyoga Center here. 

Bathinda, February 23
With the dual aim of promoting rural tourism along with providing an alternative business to farmers of the state, the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB), under the Punjab Farm Tourism scheme, has selected 15 rural accommodations throughout the state.

In the selected accommodations, Bathinda district is on top as accommodations of four farmers have been approved by the department, while in districts Roopnagar and Ferozepur, there are three each. In Patiala, Gurdaspur, Fatehgarh Sahib, SAS Nagar and Hoshiarpur, one each have been opted for the purpose.

In a recently issued direction, secretary-cum-director, Punjab Tourism, has asked the deputy commissioners and senior superintendents of police concerned to provide necessary security and safety measures at the selected farm houses.

As per the details gathered from the civil administration, in addition to each farmer’s own promotional activity, Punjab Tourism will act as a promoter of farm tourism as a major attraction of India’s agricultural state. It will promote farm accommodation and activities in partnership with the private sector providers. The quality of services offered by farm houses is to be verified by Punjab Tourism.

After enrolling them, the state tourism department will provide mandatory training as well as development and operational advice and undertake promotional activity of farm tourism via internet, publications and media relations.

Farm house owners will have to provide home cooked food, comfortable accommodation and show the visitors local agricultural practices such as floriculture, harvesting, bee keeping, dairying etc. They will act as both host and guide to the visiting tourist. The farm house will provide a clean, hygienic environment with modern facilities for the comfort of visitors.

A registration certificate will be issued to the selected ones, which they will have to display at the entrance area of the farm house. Approved farmers may use the term “Member, Punjab Farm Tourism Scheme” on their signboards and other printed material together with the scheme’s logo.

Confirming the details, Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, Rahul Tewari said, “The scheme will make a significant contribution to the rural economy and improve the quality of life of the farmers and communities involved.”

Chandigarh, February 23
There is a ray of hope for cancer, arthritis and gout patients of the Malwa region with the state government announcing reverse osmosis (RO) water treatment plants in 471 worst-hit villages in districts of the region. The decision has been taken based on the success of RO pilot project in 57 villages of the Gidderbaha constituency that has completed a year of operation.

On the success of the RO project in Gidderbaha, Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal said, “My dream has been fulfilled with clean drinking water flowing to 1,500 odd families from 63 water centres in 57 villages with the help of Naandi, an NGO”.

Water Supply and Sanitation secretary PS Aujla, who accompanied the minister at a function to celebrate the first anniversary of the RO project, said 471 worst-affected villages in the Malwa region had been identified in the Mansa, Bathinda, Faridkot, Ferozepur, Sangrur and Barnala districts. “With budgetary allocation of Rs 10 to 11 lakh for these RO centres, 225 such clean drinking water centres will be up by the end of March and the remaining 246 in the next fiscal year ”.

The RO project in Gidderbaha was part of the Public Private Partnership in collaboration with panchayats, the government and the Naandi Foundation. Depending upon requirement, RO machines can clean between 500 litres to 1,500 litres per hour. This water is sold to the villagers at 10 paise per litre.

Amit Jain of the Naandi Foundation said so far, the foundation had provided similar expertise in eight states benefiting 40 lakh people. The Gidderbaha project had benefited 1,500 families.

Manpreet said nearly two-thirds of the constituency’s population had already started using drinking water from the RO plants. There were some villages where the reliance on RO was 100 per cent, especially in the disease-affected areas. “In terms of cost it has been estimated average family uses 20 litres of water for drinking and cooking per day which in terms of cost becomes Rs 60 per month for everyone”. Rohtak and Jhajjar districts in Haryana had also decided to adopt the technology.

Bathinda, February 23
The Board examinations are about to begin and tense students have already started having sleepless nights. There is anxiety and nervousness among the students. The schools have taken steps to cut down the mounting tension among the students.

Boards for CBSE classes XII and X are starting in the beginning of March. And to help the students of these classes, schools have made special preparations. Special coaching is being provided to the students to clear their doubts, if any. Extra classes are on and model test papers are being circulated.

Arun Jee, principal of the Delhi Public School here, said, "We have conducted pre-boards and assessed the students. On the basis of these exams, we are providing guidance to the students. The students are nervous but we are 
taking every possible step to help them keep their cool."

M.L. Arora, managing director of the St Kabir Convent Senior Secondary School, told TNS, "We have special classes from 10 am to 12 pm daily. Students are being provided with every possible coaching."

Neelam Verma, principal of the Silver Oaks School, said, "The exams for class X would start from March 4 and students are having their preparatory leaves at the moment. We are providing our students with the model test papers."

However, there were many students who felt that entrance exams after Boards are more important.

Garima Singh, a class XII student from the Army School, said, "No doubt, students are tense about the exams. But I am more worried about the entrance tests after the Board exams. I have to appear for non-medical entrance after my Boards."

She added that being all-India exams, the Boards were over-hyped, which creates tension among students. "A student will fare better if Board exams were taken as normal exams."

Bathinda, February 23
After staging a protest in the city yesterday, the EGS teachers today met DC Rahul Tewari to know the status of their pending demands. They said they would continue their dharna till they are admitted to the desired course. They have also demanded medical aid for the members injured in the lathicharge.

Amit from the EGS union said, “The DC has arranged a meeting with education secretary K.B.S. Sidhu in Chandigarh on February 25 .”

The members complained of a step-motherly treatment being meted out to them by the government as they have not received any medical assistance after being lathicharged by the cops.

“Makhna Singh Tollawal was seriously injured at Fauji Chowk after a cop hit him on the head. Sunil Kumar Malout, another member, had a fractured hand after lathicharge. We asked the DC to provide medical aid but he is asking for the demand in writing. ”

Moga, February 23
The district administration of Moga has identified polling booths, printed voter lists, short-listed the required polling staff and made all other arrangements for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections in its area.

Revealing this, the District Magistrate Satwant Singh Johal said that the total number of voters in all the four assembly segments of the district has been counted at 6,28,425 so far, out of which, 6,03,446 voters have already been given photo identity cards. "Efforts are on to issue the remaining photo identity cards also," he said.

He said that the booth-wise voter lists with photos of the voters affixed on it have been printed and distributed among the leaders of all the registered political parties for their use.

Johal said that the district administration has identified buildings for 667 polling booths and short-listed the required manpower for the smooth conduct of the polls. The booth level officers, 52 supervisors and all other required staff would take their respective voter lists and visit the polling booths of their deployment on February 22-23 to listen to the claims and objections of the voters so that the voter lists could be revised accordingly if needed.

The DM said that all the political parties have been asked to identify their workers for appointing them as booth level assistants, a concept that has been introduced by the Election Commission for the first time, to ensure transparency in the conduct of polling.

He said that as per the fresh guidelines of the EC, the district administration is busy identifying at least three neutral persons at all booths along with their mobile/landline telephone numbers the names of whom would be send to the commission as part of a new system to gather time-to-time information on the day of polling.

Besides this, the administration has also identified central government in-service and retired employees to be appointed as micro-observers at the time of polling to ensure the implementation of the model code of conduct, he said.

In reply to a question, the DM revealed that more than 50 per cent of the polling booths in the district have been declared sensitive and hyper-sensitive in accordance with a report prepared by the police. Out of the total of 667 booths, 302 have been declared as sensitive and 42 others as hyper-sensitive, he added.

He said that the administration has asked the departmental heads of the polling staff to provide particulars of the employees by filling and attesting 25 columns including their address, vote numbers etc. so as to ensure 100 per cent voting by them. "In the past elections, it has been observed that the polling staff hardly bother to use their right to franchise but this time we will ensure 100 per cent voting by them through postal ballet," the DM claimed.

He announced that employees suffering from disabilities would not be deployed on poll duty. "We are also looking into the possibilities of not deploying women staff if we have enough male staff to be deployed on poll duty," he said.

Johal further said that an estimated sum of at least Rs 35 lakh would be required to conduct the elections in this district that fall under the Faridkot Lok Sabha constituency, for which, the administration has sent a request to the government to send the money. 

Mansa, February 23
"It is only the SAD which has tried to resolve the problems of the people," said Harsimrat Kaur Badal, wife of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal while addressing to public meetings in Budlada today.

Harsimrat said that if the NDA government was re-elected and the SAD candidate won from the Bathinda Lok Sabha seat, then all basic problems would be solved on a priority basis.

Harsimrat further said that the Congress governments had ruled the country and the state for more years than the other regional parties and this was the reason why the people of the state have been feeling ignored.

She informed that during the two years of SAD governance, nearly 13 lakh families had availed of the atta-daal scheme facility in Punajb. Talking about power supply in Punjab, she said the present government had made efforts by spending nearly Rs 36,000 crore to improve the power situation in Punjab.

She assured that during the next two years, the people of Punjab would get 24-hour power supply.

Among others who addressed the meetings were district president of Shiromani Akali Dal Harbant Singh Datewas, Balwan Singh Gobindpura, Inder Singh Rally, Balam Singh Kalipur, Surjeet Singh Gill, Balvir Kaur, Sashi Sharma and Suhara Rani. 

Mansa, February 23
"The communists had defeated the feudal and dynastic forces during the freedom struggle," this was stated by Hardev Singh Arshi, CPI Lok Sabha candidate from Bathinda while addressing public meetings at different villages. He addressed people at various places like Mansa, Budhlada, Bhainibagha, Khiala, Tamkot, Burjhari, Ubha, Burjdhilwa, Bhikhi, Chakalisher, Dharmpura and Saidewala.

He appealed to the people that they should support the communists because only they can fight for their rights. Criticising the Congress and the Akali Dal, he alleged that these parties favour the rich.

Meanwhile, a jatha of the All India Youth Federation which started from Jammu reached Saidewala village. Youth leaders Kashmir Singh and Kuldeep Bhola addressed the gathering in favour of the CPI candidate. District assistant secretary of the CPI Master Balvir Singh Mandra, Vedprakash, Daljeet Mansahia and Krishan Chauhan, addressed the meetings and criticised what they said was the "anti-people" policies of the central and state governments. — OC

Mansa, February 23
"Tehsil complexes have been set up at all 40 tehsil headquarters of Punjab by spending Rs 25 lakh on each. Along with this, the problems of the farmers too would he solved through Suvidha Kendras," said Ajit Singh Kohar, revenue minister, Punjab, at Mansa tday. He was addressing a state-level function of nambardars.

Kohar said the nambardars would be able to contest any election and would be included in government committees. He assured that the state government was considering raising the perks of nambardars.

He informed that a revolution had been brought brought by computerising all the records of the revenue department.

The minister said that he had directed all the deputy commissioners to complete intkals, which means regiatration of land sales and purchases within two and a half months.

He demanded cooperation from the nambardars in removing illegal occupation from public lands. ]

Among others who addressed the function were Harminder Singh Chajli, state president of numbardar union, Punjab, Harjit Singh Nanhera, senior vice president of the union and Gurpiar Singh, district president, Mansa. — OC

Moga, February 23
A statue of Baba Farid, one of the most revered and distinguished mystics of the medieval period, was unveiled by the local Congress MLA Joginder Pal Jain in Gurudwara Dera Baba Bhai Sewa Singh at village Singhawala on the outskirts of this town on Sunday.

A local businessman Kewal Krishan Arora has got the statue made of this Sufi saint whose 112 shlokas and hymns found a place in the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs. To give a realistic touch, Arora has constructed a small hut in which the statue has been kept. All around the hut, hymns of this saint have been engraved so that the visitors could acquaint themselves with the truths of life written by the saint.

Unveiling the statue, the MLA said that the appeal of Baba Farid's poetry goes deep into the soul and induces in man the vision of the ideal life.

The gurudwara in which the statue of Baba Farid has been set up was constructed about eight decades back. Earlier, it used to be a barren land with just one 'kikar' tree under which a local saint Bhai Sewa Singh used to meditate 300 years ago. The wooden log-- remains of the tree-- has still been preserved, here.

According to a legend, Baba Farid once passed through this area and stayed for a couple of days but no historical account is available in support. of this theory. However, the only truth is that thousands of people visit this gurudwara every month and pray here. 

Fazilka, February 23
In view of the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, there has been an administrative shake up in Fazilka. DSP Fazilka Rachhpal Singh has been shifted to PAP battalion, Amritsar. He will be replaced by Hargobind Singh. 

Tehsildar Subhash Khatak and Niab Tehsildar MS Bhandari have been replaced by Varinder Singh and Resham Singh, respectively. SHO city police station Baljit Singh has been shifted to Muktsar and Sanjeev Setia, ASI has taken over the charge of SHO. SHO Sadar Palvinder Singh has been shifted to Kot Bhai (Muktsar) and has been replaced by Manvinder Singh.

Cheques distributed: Local BJP MLA Surjit Kumar Jyani distributed cheques of Rs 50,000 each to seven rural sports club in villages Ghallu, Nihal Khera, Khui Khera, Chaurianwali, Korianwali, Kotha and Asafwala. 

Jyani said a special grant has been released by the CM for promoting sport in rural areas. SDM Charandev Singh Maan and Zila Parishad vice-chairman Prem Kularia were among those present on the occasion. — OC