Bathinda, March 22
Displaying unity, thousands of farmers and arhtiyas from across the state marked their presence at the Kisan-Arhtiya Conference held in the local grain market today.

Though the conference was called to discuss the demands and grievances of farmers and arhtiyas, the speakers on the occasion focused on hailing the ruling SAD leaders and ensuring their support to the party during the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was the chief guest while outgoing MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa was the special guest.

The conference was arranged by the president of the Arhtiya Association, Punjab, Ravinder Singh Cheema, and president of the Bharti Kisan Union (Rajewal), Balvir Singh Rajewal.

During their speeches, Rajewal lashed out at the Congress for “supporting naxalites” to re-emerge in the state while Cheema thanked the CM and deputy CM for accepting all demands of arhtiyas.

Cheema flayed former CM Amarinder Singh for his 'anti-arhtiya approach'.

Sharing his experiences, former SAD minister Tota Singh, who had been a farmer, arhtiya and businessman also, alleged that union government was putting its best to launch direct purchase from farmers through cheque payment, which was a tool to loot innocent farmers. He said farmers had witnessed much harassment in receiving bonus cheques.

Senior SAD leader and candidate from Sangrur Lok Sabha seat, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, said that rural mandis had now been proving much beneficial for farmers, which were earlier alleged to be inconvenient. He also called for linking agriculture to the international price index.

Sukhbir Singh Badal said, "In bringing farmers and arhtiyas together, the main role has been played by the SAD (B). Whether it is a matter of shop allotment or focal points, we have accepted all the demands of arhtiyas, businessmen and farmers."

He alleged that former CM Amarinder Singh never visited any agricultural market, industry association, arhtiya association or chemist association during his last regime.

Among others, former SAD minister Charanji Lal Garg, district president of the Arhtiya Association Jaswant Rai Ballo, leader of the Youth farmers, Punjab, S.S. Sandhu, and junior vice-president of the SAD (B) Saroop Chand Singla also addressed the gathering.

Bathinda, March 22
Though the Congress has announced Raninder Singh as its candidate for the Bathinda Lok Sabha seat the Shiromani Akali Dal SAD (Badal) has still not zeroed in on its nominee.

Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was here today to attend a conference of farmers and arhtiyas as the chief guest, preferred against announcing the SAD candidate.

Instead, he passed the buck to his father Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. It is worth mentioning here that the Chief Minister had already stated that the decision in this regard rested with Sukhbir.

However, when coaxed by media persons, Sukhbir said, “The candidate would be an immediate family member and would be a lady. But the announcement will be made in two-three days.”

Terming it as a vague rumour, the SAD chief ruled out any possibility of senior Congress leader Mahesh Inder Singh Badal, a cousin of the Chief Minister, for being called in the Shiromani Akali Dal (B).

When asked about his role in allegedly controlling the whole cable network of the state, he refuted the same saying, “Investigate at any level. I have no concern with the Fastway and the Digi cable networks. It is just the frustration of the Congress leaders, who keep blaming me for everything.”

On queries related to the Dera Sacha Sauda, he urged to change the topic. “We have not yet decided to approach the Dera chief. But we will seek votes from all.”

He termed the letters being issued to youth and others to join the party as a way to reach the masses. But on the allegation of taking the correspondence addresses of the beneficiaries of the Atta-Dal scheme in order to approach them, he parried the query saying, “They too are voters.” 

Bathinda, March 22
A woman with the help of two men, including her paramour, killed her husband at village Babbanpur in Sangrur on Holi i.e. March 11. The body was thrown into a canal distributary, which was recovered near Raman mandi in Bathinda on Saturday. The trio has been arrested on murder charges.

According to details available, the deceased, Nirbhay Singh (28) of village Bhasaur (Sangrur), married Jasbir Kaur six years ago. In the meantime, Jasbir got involved in an illicit relation with Sukhwinder Singh, a friend of her husband. 

On March 11, she proposed him for marriage with a condition to kill her husband first. Sukhwinder along with one of his friends Manminder Singh took Nirbhay from his house on the pretext of celebrating Holi together. However, Nirbhay never returned home. The father of the deceased got worried and informed the Sadar police station at Dhuri in Sangrur district.

The police began inquest and inquired Sukhwinder and Manminder also.

On March 21, volunteers of the Sahara Jan Seva, an NGO working in Bathinda, recovered a body from the Raghu distributary near Mannwala railway bridge.

On getting the information, the Dhuri police visited Bathinda and identified the body as that of Nirbhay.

After conducting the post-mortem examination, the body was handed over to family members.

Meanwhile, a case has been registered at the Dhuri Sadar police station. The three accused are on police remand till March 25.

Fazilka, March 22
Sadar police, Fazilka busted a fake currency printing racket. The police has also nabbed Gurdip Singh (24), a resident of border village Chananwala and recovered fake Indian currency of Rs 71,000 and a printing material from his possession.

The deputy superintendent of police Fazilka Hargobind Singh told media today that police-led by ASI Ranjit Singh in-charge of police post village Arniwala on information staged a nakka near village Mahuana Bodla on Fazilka-Malolut road and arrested Gurdip Singh.

The accused had gone to meet his relatives in village Mahuana. The police party recovered fake currency notes of Rs 18,500 from his person on the spot. These included currency of denomination of Rs 1,000, Rs 500, Rs 100 and Rs 50 of different series.

After primary interrogation of Gurdip Singh, police party raided his residence at the village Chananwala and recovered fake currency notes worth Rs 52,500. All the notes had different serial numbers.

The police have also recovered a scanner, printer, two ink jet toners, a cell phone charger, 50 blank while paper sheets and fake security threads for preparing currency notes.

It is stated that the accused has confessed that after printing the notes, he used these for purchasing domestic articles in nearby small towns and villages. The DSP said police was also probing to find out that whether the accused was alone or had some other accomplices.

A case under section 489 A, C and D has been registered against the accused. 

Abohar, March 22
Three persons, who had sustained injuries during different mishaps last night, died at the Nehru Memorial Civil Hospital here on Sunday, sources said.

As per information Gurmej Singh, son of Ajaib Singh of new Dharam Nagari, sustained injuries as he fell in a khud while heading towards his house from the Malout Chowk as street lights were not in working order last night. He was rushed to the civil hospital where he succumbed to his injuries today.

A daily wage earner Liladhar, son of Krishan Lal was returning to village Choohriwala Dhanna after finishing Saturday-work at Ramsara sub-canal. The motorcycle that he was driving collided with a bullock cart the driver of which left the victim in multiple injuries. Some persons shifted him to the hospital after four hours when he had lost much of blood. Liladhar died this afternoon.

Panniwala Mahla resident, Satpal Singh, was injured seriously when unidentified tractor-trailer overloaded with wheat-husk hit his motorcycle near village Kallarkhera last night. The highway police spotted him in the morning and shifted to the civil hospital where he died today. The police stations have registered all the cases.

One person was killed and three were injured as a jeep overturned after colliding with a thrasher near village 3LSM last evening. Four passengers were rushed to the civil hospital at Anoopgarh. Of them Sahab Singh son of Nachhattar Singh succumbed to his injuries, others are responding to the treatment. The police registered a case against the driver of the jeep who had fled after the mishap leaving behind the vehicle. 

Mansa, March 22
The district excise and taxation department has earned a total revenue of Rs 25.99 crore from the auction of liquor vends on March 20. The auction was held at the Mehak Hotal Manasa through lottery draws in the presence of applicants under the supervision of the deputy commissioner. The department received more profit amounting Rs 3 crore from the auction in comparison to last year.

The department earned Rs 23 crore from the auction of liquor vends. The officials told that 60 groups and 77 units were formed for 7139 applicants. An amount of Rs 20.7 crore was earned from the 183 vend of the Punjab Made liquor and Rs 5.92 crore from 23 vends of the Indian made foreign liquor. The department collected Rs 8.22 crore from the sale of application forms. 

Bathinda, March 22
The formal launching of the BSNL’s 3-G service in Bathinda has been deferred for two days. The telecom major is now likely to offer the service to the people of the district on March 25; earlier it was to be launched on March 23, sources in the BSNL said on Sunday.

The decision concerning deferment was taken by the BSNL senior officials at Chandigarh, the sources said, adding that the BSNL Bathinda, however, had been all set to launch the service on March 23.

“In technical term, the service is operational in the district as the test runs are going on smoothly. It is now a matter only of formal launching,” sources confirmed.

Mansa, March 22
The poor sewerage system and the resultant accumulation of sewerage water on roads in Mansa city has not only been adversely affecting the residents but also causing waterborne disease such as jaundice, malaria, measles and others.

In some wards, including Dhaliwal Chowk near Channi Di Chakki in ward no. 9, Bhatha Basti, the muddy water has accumulated in front of the houses of residents.

Retired engineer Satnam Singh, Darshan Singh, retired head master Gurcharan Singh and Rajni said that they could not even come out of their houses as the accumulated dirty water due to poor sewerage system blocked the way.

Despite of repeated appeals to the municipal council and other concerned officials, nothing was done in this regard, they alleged.

Leader of Radical People Forum, Jaspal Khokhar, city secretary of CPI (ML), Sukhcharan Singh Dannewalia and others alleged that the municipal council and other concerned officials did not pay proper attention to the problem of sewerage and cleaning and all the funds were not spent for this purpose.

Municipal council president, Atam Jeet Singh Kala, could not be contaced despite repeated efforts. The executive officer of the municipal council Parminder Singh assured that problem would be solved as early as possible. 

Mansa, March 22
"The campaign - Nanhi Chaan aims at developing Punjab, economically as well as socially," said Harsimrat Kaur Badal while addressing media at Mansa today.

She said that some social issues were more important than political issues so there was a need to concentrate on them. When she was asked that if SAD decides to give her ticket for parliament polls, what would be her stand, she said that this was also a social service and she would accept this.

She, however, said that her campaign for social service would continue in every situation. She further said some problems in villages, like safe drinking water, education and health, require immediate attention.

She assured that with the cooperation of people she would make sincere efforts to solve these problems on priority basis. She appealed to the people that they should support the SAD during parliament elections to ensure development of Punjab and this area.

She addressed public meetings at villages, including Jawaharke, Nangal Kalan, Kotdharmu, Gahle, Musa, Makha, Raipur, Bajewala.

Among others who spoke at the meetings included SAD general secretary Balwinder Singh Bhundar, district president Harbant Singh Datewas, Dilraj Singh Bhundar, former MLA Sukhwinder Singh Aulakh, Jaspal Kaur Bhundar, Gurpreet Singh Banawali and Majeet Singh Bapiana. 

Mansa: Mansa district Congress president Ajit Inder Singh Moffar, Sher Singh Gagowal MLA and PPCC Member Ram Pal Dhepai has welcomed the Congress high-command for giving ticket to Raninder Singh from Bathinda Constituency. They said that Congress high command decision to give tickets to youths is welcomed. — OC

Ferozepur, March 22
Taking cognizance of the alleged violation of the model code of conduct by certain cable operators in the run up to the general elections, the deputy commissioner Megh Raj today instructed the private cable channel operators not to telecast any such programme which hurts the feeling and sentiments of any caste, sect or religion.

In a meeting, the DC said that all cable operators should follow the guidelines issued by the election commission and telecast their programmes strictly in accordance with the same.

The DC said that cable operators should not relay programme projecting any party or its candidate at its own. On the occasion, copies of the model code of conduct guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) were provided to the cable channel operators.

Dinesh Pratap senior superintendent of police also addressed the cable operators wherein he told them that no news programme like halchal, sargarmian should be telecast through their channels. Mohan Lal ADC, Ashok Handa DPRO, Harphool Singh Tehsildaar (elections) were also present in the meeting.

Bathinda, March 22
Kanwaljeet clinched the best athlete title at the fourth annual athletic meet of the Dasmesh College of Education, Badal. The two-day track and field carnival was held on the college premises from March 20.

Gurbax Singh Sandhu, boxing coach and Dronacharya Award holder, was the chief guest on the occasion. Principal Dr S.S. Sangha in welcomed him on behalf of staff and management. The meet began with the march past staged by different houses of the college.

Participants took part in the events including 100, 200, 400 and 800 m races, discus throw, long jump, chatti race, sack race, obstacle race, javelin throw and shot put. The track and field events were also organised for the non-teaching staff of the college.

Speaking on the occasion, G.S. Sandhu said that he was delighted to see such type of institution with best kind of educational facilities and infrastructure.

The Lakshami Bai house stood first while the Mother Tersa house got second position. The Kalpana Chawla house won the third place in the contest. 

Abohar, March 22
Rt Rev Dr Anil Jose Thomas Couto, Bishop of Jalandhar Diocese and patron of more than 100 convent schools in the state, inaugurated the St Alphonsa Convent School here today.

The institution will be managed by Jijoe Augustine, a renowned educationist from Kerala.

Rev Couto hoped the school shall be an instrument of God to serve the people of this sub-divisional town, dispelling the darkness of illiteracy. The teachers and students of this school will be torch bearers to lead the citizens to progress. 

The progress of a state depends upon the number of educational institutions it has and its literacy rate. Kerala is the best example of that. The contribution of the teachers from that state is unmatched. Punjab too owes a lot to them. 

Meghwal exhorted the workers to shun petty differences and bitterness of the Vidhan Sabha elections to wrest seat from the BJP. Notably Kunnar, an old worker, had won as an independent in Vidhan Sabha elections giving crushing defeat to the Congress candidate Jagtar Singh Kang.