Bathinda, March 8
The International Women’s Day might have international importance but in Bathinda many women expressed their agony that their sorry plight still remains the same. Anganwari workers staged a protest in the city today. These women said that they have been facing maltreatment from the government for long.

“CM Parkash Singh Badal had promised us Rs 1000 as honorarium before coming into power. But we got only Rs 200 and that too after a long struggle. We went to meet him in February and he had assured us that he would increase our honorarium. But, as usual, nothing happened on ground,” Harbans Kaur, an anganwari worker said.

Most of these workers said that just curbing the social evils is not enough for women empowerment but the state should cater to their basic needs and provide them with the rights that they deserve.

Things went rather worst for these workers when they were picked up from Lambi, near Badal village, and lodged in Ferozepur jail for around 22 days.

“We were lodged in jail in Ferozepur and then in Bathinda also. We were asked to attend a function at the civil hospital where health minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla was to come. We went there and even the Chief Minister was present there. We wanted to submit a memorandum to the CM when we were thrashed, beaten up mercilessly and locked up in the Bathinda jail,” Chinder Pal, a worker said.

According to sources, aanganwari workers came under the Central Government and they earn Rs 2,100 per month, out of which, Rs 600 is given by the Punjab Government. Rest comes from the Centre.

“They extract so much of work from us but refuse to pay back. We used to get Rs 400 but when CM Parkash Singh Badal came to power just Rs 200 was raised against the promised sum of Rs 1000. For Rs 200 we were beaten up, locked in jails and thrashed also. I do not know how much torture we women would have to undergo to get the rest Rs 800,” another worker Harmeet Kaur said.

Apart from anganwari workers, women were seen sitting at dharnas near the Mini-Secretariat.

EGS teachers were sitting, doctors and many more women were waiting for the International Women’s Day to spell happiness for them but nothing came their way.

Amanpreet, a doctor sitting at dharna, said, “Harsimrat Badal is running ‘Nannhi Chhan’ in the state. What is the point of stopping female foeticide when they are being stripped off their dignity and are being denied basic rights, even after having good education. The Women’s Day would have a meaning for us only when we would have mental peace and do not have to sit on dharnas on roads to ask for our rights.”

Mansa, March 8
Harsimrat Kaur Badal, wife of deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, appealed to the women to come forward in the fight against social evils and also for the protection of their rights.

Addressing a public meeting here today on the occasion of International Women’s Day, she said that women reservation bill should be passed. She further said she would suggest the government to provide financial aid to girls from birth so that they could be independent.

She also said that sincere efforts would be made for their welfare of women of Bathinda and Mansa.

She addressed meetings at Sammaon, Kotra, Mohar Singh Wala, Beeroke Kalan, Dhalewa, Beerkhurd and Heeroke Kalan. Among others who addressed meetings included former MLA Sukhwinder Singh Aulakh, Chetan Singh Sammaon, Parmjeet Singh Sandhwa, Manjeet Singh Bapiana, Jasbir Kaur and Hani Mansahia.

Harsimrat Kaur visited the house of late Hakam Singh Sammaon. 

Bathinda, March 8
With Holi just three days away, health experts suggest extra precaution to protect eyes from the harmful effects of the toxic colours. Doctors maintain that the commonly used synthetic colours are actually chemicals. They contain heavy metals like lead, which is harmful to the eyes and skin.

Dr Amrit Sethi, an ophthalmologist, says, “Post Holi, the hospital are crowded by people complaining of skin, eye or general problems. Eyes being the most sensitive part of the body are prone to allergy or even severe chemical burns in case of contact with toxic colour.”

Dr Sethi has suggested a number of precautions like avoiding synthetic colours, not to use balloons and ensuring that the eyes are protected while playing Holi.

He further said, “The colours used during Holi usually cause mild redness and irritation in the eyes. If this persists, the person should visit an ophthalmologist. One should always check if the clarity of vision is affected. 

If yes, then rush the patient to an eye specialist. The common eye problems during the Holi include allergic conjunctivitis, chemical burn, corneal abrasion and blunt eye injury.”

The particles in colour powders (shining mica particles in ‘gulal’) can cause damage to the cornea. The corneal abrasion is an emergency and one should consult the doctor. The patient will experience pain and watering eyes. If not treated on time, it can cause ulcer or infection in the eye.

The balloons used by children during Holi are most dangerous and can cause blunt eye injury. There can be bleeding within the eye, lens subluxation, or retinal detachment. These can lead to the loss of vision or loss of the eye.

Dr L.R. Jain, a senior dermatologist at the local civil hospital, says toxic chemical colours can be very harmful to the skin, hair and eyes. “The chemicals that go into these colours can cause irritation, oozing, redness, contact allergy, etc. 

Skin is a delicate protective wrap. To protect it, we can make colours from turmeric powder (yellow), beetroot (red) and henna leaves (green), which are not only safe but also good for skin,” Dr Jain suggests.

Such colours can cause pigmentation and urticaria. “Those suffering from acne are the worst affected,” the physician adds. The rush at skin and eye OPDs after Holi increases, claim doctors.

Chandigarh, March 8
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought sanction to prosecute a civilian clerk posted in Headquarters Western Command, after prima facie establishing that he had accepted money from people seeking employment in Army establishments.

The CBI had, in a joint operation with the Military Intelligence, caught AK Sondhi red-handed while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh from a prospective candidate for employment in the Army, in May last year.

Cash amounting to Rs 7.5 lakh was found at his residence in Sector 4 Panchkula, while another Rs 13.5 lakh was recovered from his bank locker the next day.

“Our investigations have prima facie established that he had accepted the graft money,” a senior CBI officer told The Tribune. “We are now awaiting sanction for the case to be tried in a court of law,” he added.

Sondhi was posted as a senior superintendent at the Ordnance Branch of Headquarters Western Command. His wife was the personal secretary of the Major General heading the branch. Based upon evidence collected, CBI sources have so far ruled out the involvement of senior Army officers in the case.

His modus operandi was to lure the poor and needy civilian boys with offers of permanent government jobs in various Army Ordnance establishments, for which he used to extract large amount of money from them.

Chandigarh, March 8
The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the Army to disclose the recommendations of and directions on the findings of a court of inquiry (COI) constituted by the Army, under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

The CIC’s ruling assumes significance as the opinion or recommendations made by a COI and directions for further action issued on it are, as a rule, not released by the military authorities. Only the portion of the COI containing evidence or statements made by witnesses during the proceedings is disseminated to persons concerned for use in subsequent proceedings.

Since the Army convenes dozens of courts of inquiry every year to investigate various incidents and offences, some of which end up in action being instituted against those held blameworthy, the order could affect a large number of personnel.

Disposing off an appeal filed by a local lawyer Capt Sandeep Bansal, seeking details of the COI in the alleged suicide of a jawan from Malerkotla, the CIC has directed the Army to supply a copy of the COI, if any, along with supporting documents including its recommendations and directions and a note on the action taken on the findings and recommendations of the COI.

In 2005, Sapper Bhupinder Singh, posted with an engineer regiment in the western sector, had allegedly committed suicide in Pune. He had been short-listed for the national rowing team for participation in the 2006 Asian Games and was attached to Pune for training.

He had left behind a suicide note, in which he had reportedly named some Army personnel. The Army had not lodged any FIR and his family members remained ignorant of the exact reasons behind his death. In fact, it was a local gurdwara that lodged an FIR.

His brother, Gurdeep Singh, had sought information under the RTI from the Army, but was unsatisfied with the reply of the CPIO as well as that by the appellate authority. The CIC held that a number of issues raised by the appellant were left out by the CPIO and replies to some of the queries were not very specific.

Bathinda, March 8
The Bhatha Mazdoor Union during its meeting held at Deep Nagar here today demanded implementation of minimum wages and deduction of provident fund. Tahal Singh, general secretary of the Union, said a majority of the brick kiln owners were not even paying old minimum wages (Rs 216) to their workers, whereas the new rate of minimum wages was Rs 250.

He further said the owners deduct advance money from their meagre wages and for the repayment of the advance, the workers were compelled to work for more than 14-15 hours a day.

"We want that commodities like flour, pulses, tea, sugar and oils be provided on subsidised rates to the economically weaker sections," the union leader said.

He also raised demands like better working conditions, uniforms for brick kiln workers and withdrawal of 'false' cases against workers.

Singh said the union was also fighting for the implementation of labour laws. If the brick kiln owners implemented the labour laws in letter and spirit, a majority of the problems of the workers would be solved, he added. 

Mansa, March 8
There has been nearly 18 per cent decrease in cotton arrivals in markets of the state compared to last year. According to cotton officials, this year 6,920,488 quintal of cotton was brought to the markets till the end of February while this figure in the corresponding period last year was 8,540,108 quintal.

Official sources cited two main reasons behind the poor cotton arrivals as this year. One is that 10 or 12 per cent less area was covered under the cotton crop and while the other being the late entry of the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) in the markets, forcing many farmers to sell their crop in Haryana. 

According to the estimates, nearly 10 lakh quintal of cotton had been taken to purchase centres of Haryana. Private traders of the state exploited cotton growers by procuring their crop at the rates ranging from Rs 2,400 to 2500 per quintal against the MSP of Rs 2,800 per quintal.

Farmers Ram Singh and Mahinder Singh said farmers sold their produce in Haryana to avoid exploitation at the hands of private traders.

According to an official report prepared by the cotton head office, Bathinda, a total of 6,920,488 quintal of cotton arrived in the state markets till the end of February. As much as 5,064,773 quintal was procured by the CCI while private traders purchased 1,854,111 quintal of cotton. 

Cotton arrivals decreased in Bathinda district by 7.46 per cent, in Faridkot by 46.83 per cent, Ferozepur by 16.56 per cent, Ludhiana by 64.18 per cent, Mansa by 25.75 per cent, Moga by 43.28 per cent, Muktsar by 6.73 per cent, Sangrur by 58.13 per cent and Barnala by 8.37 per cent.

Cotton officials hoped that nearly one lakh quintal of more cotton could arrive in state markets till March 31.

Sriganganagar/Abohar, March 8
The residents of Padampur recently urged the district administration to take immediate action against the persons, who had encroached upon the government land and were discharging all the waste into a canal that also feeds water to drinking reservoirs in the town as well as scores of villages.

Members of the Rehri Majdoor Union, led by its president Lilu Ram, brought to the notice of the DC Rajiv Singh Thakur during his visit to Padampur tehsil that land valued in crores of rupee had been encroached upon by some shopkeepers on the banks of the BB canal. 

They permanently discharge dirty water and solid waste in the canal. Construction of illegal market has narrowed the width of the road resulting in mishaps, they alleged.

Over three dozen persons, who met the DC near Rajpura village alleged that some influential persons had grabbed 165 ft long strip of land near 46 RBA and RB sub-canal. They demanded that a special drive be launched to remove the encroachments that galore on the road and canal sides all over the sub-division. 

Chandigarh, March 8
The Punjab Chief Electoral Officer today directed the Mohali Deputy Commissioner to send an immediate report on the non-transfer of officials from their home district besides directing the Patiala Deputy Commissioner to get hoardings removed.

On another complaint, the Mansa Deputy Commissioner has been asked to stop the distribution of meters as well as ‘atta-daal’ scheme cards following a complaint from Partap Singh, Chairman, Land Mortgage Bank, at Sangha village in Sardulgarh tehsil.

On a complaint of panches of Narain Pura village, Abohar tehsil, regarding the declaration of the result the election for the post of sarpanch and the constitution of gram panchayat, the Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayat, has been asked to take action.

In another complaint by the City Congress Committee, Batala, that president of the MC had laid foundation stones of different works, the Deputy Commissioner, Gurdaspur, has been asked to report immediately. 

Regarding the complaint of Bhagwant Singh Saroa, district secretary CPI ML (Liberation), Bathinda, in connection with the transfer of Shri Amarjit Singh, JE of the MC, Mansa, the Principal Secretary, Local Government, has been asked to send his report.

Ferozepur, March 8
Girls students who have excelled in various fields including academic, sports, and culture were honoured at a function organised to mark the Women's Day at the local Dev Samaj College for Women here today.

Ravneet Singh Bittu, president of Punjab Youth Congress presided over the function while Parminder Singh Pinki, general secretary PPCC was the special guest. Sneh Lata, chairman, district women welfare association, Madhu Prashar, principal of the college, besides other prominent persons were present at the function.

Bittu said that women had excelled in every field at the highest level. He laid stress on the need to eradicate evils like female foeticide from the society.

Bittu said every parent should ensure that they provide best of education to their daughters to make them independent.

Meanwhile, Pinki lauded the efforts of Dev Samaj for providing excellent quality education to the women.

Mansa, March 8
The Congress has formed a committee which would prepare list of government officials found indulging in irregularities during polls and the report of the committee would be sent to the Election Commission of India, said Raninder Singh, general secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee at a press conference here on Sunday.

He alleged that some government officials had been favouring the SAD - BJP combine.

He informed that the Congress would announce candidates but he questioned why SAD was not announcing candidate from Bathinda.

He also addressed public meeting at Bhikhi and Mansa. Other senior Congress leaders also addressed the meetings. 

Chandigarh, March 8
Giving in to the repeated demand of designing something “more comfortable” for the pre-natal and post-natal period of women cops, the Bureau of Police Research and Development, Government of India, has recommended two designs of salwar-kameez for them.

Director-General, BPR and D, Prasun Mukherjee said after much deliberation, the National Institute of Fashion Technology was given the task of designing alternatives for the women cops.

“We selected two designs. Both are salwar-kameez designs, the only difference being the size of the kameez. The designs have been forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs for approval,” he said. These designs would be forwarded to the individual states for individual feedback.

Bathinda, March 8
The Arya Yuva Samaj-Punjab, Bathinda, organised a free medical camp on the occasion of the International Women’s Day on the premises of RBDAV Senior Secondary Public School here today.

Harsimrat Kaur, wife of Baljeet Singh Bir Behman, Mayor, Bathinda Municipal Corporation, inaugurated the camp. Dr Satwant Kaur, president, Arya Yuva Samaj (Women Wing), Punjab, was the guest of honour.

A team of doctors headed by Dr Rakesh Pawar from Dayanand Ayurvedic College, Jalandhar, examined around 800 patients for various diseases. Free medicines were also distributed to the needy patients.

Among others, Dr J.S. Anand, principal, DAV College, Bathinda, and Harnam Singh, superintending engineer, CPWD, were also present. — TNS