Salabatpura (Bathinda), March 20
While the radical Sikhs are firm on marching to the biggest unit of the Dera Sacha Sauda here on Sunday in a bid to "shut it down", routine activity was being carried on inside the sprawling complex by the disciples of the Dera.

There was no fear or panic among the leaders of the Dera, who were supervising normal activity in the orchards and vegetable fields in the complex. Several people were partaking langar.

The police has, however, started barricading the area and vehicles coming here were being checked at a barrier at Bhai-Rupa, about 10 km away.

The Punjab police personnel have been deployed in strength outside the Dera premises and name of each visitor was being noted in a register. However, disciples of the sect manning the gate frisk the visitors thoroughly before allowing entry.

Major Singh, a member of the political committee of the Dera, wondered why the radicals were sticking to their demand for closure of the Dera that was peacefully carrying out its religious and social activities. "We don't preach against any religion," he said.

"The Dera is an 'open book' and we have nothing to hide. People are welcome to visit and see for themselves that nothing provocative is allowed here," added Major.

He said that 500 to 700 disciples at any point of time were present on the Dera premises performing "sewa" in the orchard or vegetable fields. The Kinnow and guava orchard spreads over an area of 76 acres while a flower nursery has been set up on the other side.

On the other hand, Makhan Singh, a radical Sikh leader, claimed on telephone that the police in civvies raided the serais (inns) of the Takht Damdama Sahib at Talwandi Sabo last night in a bid to arrest Daljeet Singh Bittu, chairman of the Panch Pradhani group.

While the government was making efforts at several levels to defuse the situation, the police was leaving nothing to chance and was taking steps to prevent the controversy taking an ugly turn.

Police reinforcements from the neighbouring districts of Barnala, Faridkot and Mansa are likely to be deployed on the roads leading here from Talwandi Sabo.

Bathinda, March 20
The Communist Party of India (CPI), Punjab, is organising a mass campaign rally on March 30 at Bathinda where general secretary of the party A.B. Bardhan among various other leaders of the Third Front would address the gathering. To make the rally a success, state leaders of the CPI have started door to door campaigning.

Addressing media today, Joginder Dayal, national executive member of the CPI, Hardev Arshi, party candidate for the Bathinda Lok Sabha (LS) seat, and Jagjeet Singh Joga, a senior leader, lashed out at the UPA government.

"At present, the UPA is crumbling and trembling. The mass attachment with the Third Front is a clear signal for its emergence as the ruling coalition," said Dayal.

Replying a query, he said, "Till the SAD (B), the BJP and the Congress finalise their candidates for all the LS seats in the state, the Third Front is open for any alignment regarding the ticket distribution."

He said negotiations were on its final stage to include the Lok Bhalai Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party in the Third Front.

Dayal blamed CM Parkash Singh Badal for the tension between Dera followers and Sikhs. "For the sake of the state, the CM should now stop playing a treacherous role," he added.

Targeting former CM Amarinder Singh, Dayal said, "During his regime, he had taught the ruling Badals not to collect money through petty bribes and instead, try for a big fish."

The trio said it was only in Punjab that IAS and IPS officers 'make a beeline to welcome not only the CM but also his family members'. They alleged that the Atta-Dal cards were also issued in back dates, violating the election code.

Arshi alleged that after looting the common man in Punjab, Badal and Amarinder had now deposited money in foreign banks.

About his election campaign, Arshi said he had canvassed in 200 out of the total 540 villages of the constituency.

Bathinda, March 20
Ravinder Singh Cheema, president, Arhtiya Association, Punjab, today announced that the association would support the ruling SAD in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. Cheema was here today to review the arrangements for the Kissan Arhtiya Conference to be held on March 22. 

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh badal, his wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal, SAD MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and many other dignitaries are expected to attend the conference.

The chief of the association accused some Congress leaders of tarnishing the image of 'arhtiyas' in the eyes of farmers for their vested interests. He said, "Sharad Pawar, union agricultural minister, had enticed farmers not to repay the loans taken from arhtiyas. Further, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Congress Legislative Party leader of Punjab, had urged the government to clear all debt of farmers, which they had received from arhtiyas."

"We can make compromise with the Congress only if Pawar and Bhattal both tender apologies for their statements," he added. Cheema said the debt relieving policy could never be appropriate. "If the government really wanted to help farmers, subsidies should be increased."

While addressing media, Cheema cited reasons for supporting the SAD (B). He said, "Whatever Badal government had promised, it was fulfilled. Moreover, it also offered helping hand to the Congress-wounded arhtiyas."

He also termed the agricultural bonus as eyewash, adding, "It is just a lollipop."

Bathinda, March 20
The Bathinda administration today earned revenue of Rs 64.25 crore while allotting 94 units of liquor vends for the financial year 2009-10.

Jaspal Garg, assistant excise and taxation commissioner (AETC), said the Excise and Taxation Department had received 7,208 applications for the liquor vends in the district, as compared to over 3,700 of last year. Revenue of Rs 9.21 crore was collected from the sale of application forms alone as against Rs 2.38 crore last year.

Garg said, "Out of the total of 94 units of liquor vends in Bathinda district comprising 10 circles, 293 vends were of Punjab Medium Liquor (PML) and 65 of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL). In Bathinda Municipal Corporation (BMC), four vends were allotted against one application, so eight draws were conducted for the 32 vends. Revenue of Rs 24 crore was earned from the draw of vends as against Rs 21 crore falling within the municipal limits."

Several hundred bidders gathered here today at the venue where the draw for 358 vends of the IMFL and PML for both the rural and urban areas across the district was conducted. It was the consecutive fourth draw and a peaceful atmosphere prevailed at the venue.

Fazilka, March 20
Women Gate Management Force would be deployed at barbed wire fencing gates on the Indo-Pak border for frisking women who cross the fencing. Hundreds of men and women cross the barbed fencing for farming purpose along the zero line. So far BSF security personnel have been conducting the check ups at entry points.

The necessity for deploying women security personnel had been felt since long for effective checking of narcotics, arms and other contraband items.

This was stated by the Border Security Force (BSF) DIG V.K. Sharma who was accompanied by Commandant 199 Battalion, SA Srivastva, while addressing media at a medical camp in border village Pakka Chisti.

The DIG said that Women Gate Management Force would be deployed within six months. He said that the recruitment of women constable had already been done and they were undergoing training at a camp near Hoshiarpur.

The DIG said that as deployment of the women security personnel was on the cards, separate barracks and toilets were being constructed on Border Observation Posts (BOP) near entry gates of barbed wire fencing.

He further said that vigil along the border have also been enhanced due to possible unexpected action by Pakistan. He said the extra vigil had been necessitated due to unstable scenario in Pakistan.

In reply to a question on construction of concrete bunkers along the border by Pakistan rangers, the DIG maintained that the Indian authorities were totally seized off the matter and no bunkers had been constructed by the Pakistan in this area.

He lauded the villagers living along the border belt for their courage in cultivating the fields till the last inch of the Indian Territory.

Earlier, V.K. Sharma inaugurated a free medical check up camp at Government Elementary School of village Pakka Chisti in which BSF Dr Jagdev Singh, senior medical officer civil hospital, Dr Y.K.Gupta, orthopaedics Dr Ajay Narang, physicians Dr Navdeep Jasuja, gynaecologist Dr Simmi Jasuja and dentist Dr Anita Kataria examined over 515 patients. Free medicines were also distributed on the occasion.

The DIG, school principal Rakesh Dhawan and sarpanch Swarna Rani distributed text books, note books, shoes, sports material among about 225 school children. One dozen chairs were also presented to the school by the BSF from Border Welfare Grant. 

It, however, had a marginal escape, as casualties were also apprehended in such a situation.

Witnesses said the truck hanged in balance over the sidewall after damaging it, as the driver lost its control, while trying to overtake another truck. The other truck reportedly skidded down the road but the position of the first truck forced blockade of the traffic on the busy highway. The drivers and their assistants sustained minor injuries.

The police and the civil authorities rushed to the spot after receiving frequent calls informing that hundreds of vehicles including buses, which were on their way had been stranded. Women and children too had to wait for clearance of the traffic while sitting on the roadside. 

Some of the children were crying for drinking water and refreshment but nothing was available even at 2 km distance on the isolated road. Finally, cranes were pressed into service to remove the affected truck and traffic was restored at about 12.30 noon. 

Mansa, March 20
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that the Congress was responsible for poverty, unemployment and illiteracy in the country because most of the period Congress government had ruled at the centre and states and the state government depends on the Central government.

Speaking about the relation between Centre and Punjab, he said that other states had received more share from the Centre funds and schemes than Punjab due to the discrimination policy of Centre with 
Punjab.

Though Punjab farmers had made substantial contributions in solving the food problem of the country, they could not get reasonable prices of their products, he added. Cost on crops had increased, which had brought farmers under the burden of debt because they were not provided help on time.

Speaking on the security issue, he said that sensitive and important places of the country came under terrorist attack and the UPA government could not do anything concrete for their protection. Talking about row between Dera Sacha Sauda followers and Sikh organisations, he said that it would be resolved amicably and no one would be allowed to ignore the rule of law.

He informed that Badal family member would contest from Bathinda constituency and the announcement of candidate would be made by SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal after returning from his foreign visit.

The CM addressed public meetings in Kotli Kalan, Ghuman Kalan, Buraj Hari, Tuthianwali, Dalel Singh Wala, Farmahi, Burj Rathi, Ubha and Burj Dhilwan.

Among others who spoke at the meetings included parliamentary secretary Jagdeep Singh Nakai, former MLA Sukhwinder Singh Aulakh , former MP Chetan Singh Samaon, Paramjeet Singh Sandhwan, Gurpreet Singh Banawali and Baldev Singh Makha.

Ferozepur, March 20
Dr Anil Kohli, chairman of the Dental Council of India (DCI) today inaugurated a hi-tech library and computer lab at the Genesis Institute of Dental Sciences and Research (GIDSR) in presence of Dr S.S. Gill, vice-chancellor Baba Farid University of Health Sciences.

On the occasion, Major General T.S. Gill, GOC, Brigadier S.S. Bhatia and other officials were also present.

Later, Dr Kohli along with other guests participated at the annual prize distribution function of the institute.

All the students, who had excelled in various spheres including academics, sports, culture were given away the prizes. Principal of GIDSR, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Dr B.R. Chetal read out the college report, wherein he highlighted the achievements of the college in short span of four years of its existence.

Chairman of the college, Dr Kamal Baghi, said that post graduate courses in dental sciences would be introduced in the college by the year 2010. He said that a medical college with 750 bed super-speciality hospital and another dental college were also being established by the society.

Dr Kohli appreciated the initiative being undertaken by GIDSR to provide quality dental education to the students in the border area. Students of the college presented a colourful cultural programme, which was lauded by the audience.

The students also presented a report on adoption of the village titled "Gift a smile", which was also appreciated by all. Sanjay Ahuja, joint chairman, thanked all the guests and students for their valuable participation in the end.

Bathinda, March 20
To press for their demand of 'one rank one pension', the Ex-servicemen Welfare Union, Punjab, would organise a rally at Faridkot on March 22.

Issuing a press release here today, president of the union B.S. Bhatti and general secretary B.S. Sidhu said 'one rank one pension' was the common demand of the ex-servicemen and the union government should agree to it immediately in the larger interests of the ex-soldiers.

They appealed the ex-servicemen of Sangrur, Mansa, Bathinda, Moga, Muktsar, Faridkot and Ferozepur to attend the rally.

Major-General Satbir Singh, Brigadier Harwant Singh and Major S.S. Dhillon would be participating in the rally.