Bathinda, March 26
Reacting to the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) fielding Harsimrat Kaur Badal for the Bathinda Lok Sabha seat, Raninder Singh, who is the Congress nominee for the seat, said the announcement was on expected lines, as Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal cannot think beyond his own family.

“We will fight the Badals and also win the election,” he remarked.

Raninder said in view of reports of deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal planning to “rig” the election to make his wife win, a high-level delegation, consisting of Amarinder Singh, chairman of the campaign committee of the Congress, has already met the Election Commission and apprised the members about this.

However, this was not a panchayat election, during which Sukhbir’s henchmen could indulge in booth capturing. The electorate would give a befitting reply to the SAD in case they tried to rig the election, he added.

It is learnt that Raninder has himself complained to the Election Commission about certain officers of the local district administration, who were dancing to the tunes of the Badal family.

Meanwhile, SAD activists converged in the party office here and distributed sweets as soon as Harsimrat’s candidature for the seat was announced. Mayor Baljeet Singh Bir Behman and senior SAD leaders Chiranji Lal Garg and Sarup Chand Singla were among others present.

The 41-year-old Raninder, who did his schooling in Dehradun and has a degree from St. Stephens College, New Delhi, completed the first round of campaigning even before his candidature was announced by the AICC.

Harsimrat also did not lag behind and has extensively toured the constituency during the past three months. She did her schooling from the Loreto Convent, Delhi, and graduation from the Delhi University. She is also engaged in philanthropic activities.

Bathinda, March 26
Following the announcement of his candidature for the Bathinda Lok Sabha seat, Raninder Singh lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) accusing a number of police officers, ranging from Deputy Inspector General to SHO level, of being allied to the ruling Badals.

Taking a serious note of the complaint, the ECI marked an inquiry to Inspector General, Patiala zone, G.S. Sahota, on Wednesday. The IG was instructed to reply within 24 hours.

Acting upon the complaint, the IG passed on the inquiry to DIG, Faridkot range, S.S. Chauhan, who reportedly assigned the job to various subordinate officers.

The accused police officers include DIG (Vigilance), Bathinda, Jitendra Jain, SSP Mansa, Manminder Singh, SP (H) Sukhdev Singh Bhatti, SP (D) Ajay Maluja, DSP (CID) Joginder Singh, DSP (CID) Amarjeet Singh, superintendent of the Central Jail, Bathinda, Jeevan Kumar Garg, deputy superintendent of the Central Jail, Bathinda, Kaur Singh, SHO police station Sangat, Gursewak Singh, SHO Nehianawala, Daljeet Singh, and in-charge police post Nandgarh, Sikander Singh.

Police sources informed that in the complaint, the officers have been accused, among others, of lending support to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal during his election campaign.

When contacted, DIG Chauhan said, “I have submitted the reply to the officer concerned and now it is in the jurisdiction of the EC to take action.”

Ferozepur, March 26
Union Home Minister P Chidambaram along with a battery of senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Intelligence Bureau and the BSF, today visited areas along the Indo-Pakistan border in this sector.

During his brief visit today, Chidambaram interacted with BSF jawans and took stock of their working conditions.

While interacting with them, Chidambaram assured them of taking all possible measures to improve their duty conditions and provide them with more facilities.

Earlier, the minister who arrived by a chopper today in the morning, straightaway went to Hussainiwala where he addressed the BSF sentinels. Thereafter, the minister visited the BSF’s 1965 war memorial where he laid wreaths. Chidambaram also visited the National Martyrs Memorial, Hussainiwala, the memorial of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev where he paid his respects to the gallant martyrs who had lit the eternal flame of liberty and smilingly embraced the gallows.

With the Lok Sabha polls on the anvil, Chidambaram's visit to this forward border area assumes great significance keeping in view the growing tension and the situation of political instability in neighbouring Pakistan.

According to the information available, Chidambaram also visited various border outposts along the Indo-Pakistan border in this sector.

He was accompanied by Director General BSF, ML Kumawat, Additional Director IB, Secretary, Border Management Wing, besides other senior BSF, intelligence and MHA officials.

Chidambaram also interacted with some border farmers working in the fields across the Cobra fencing and listened to their problems.

The farmers demanded that the compensation of Rs 2,500 per acre which was promised to them should be enhanced.

The farmers also demanded that the pending compensation cases should be cleared soon. The minister assured the farmers that he was aware of their problems and would try his best to solve them as soon as possible. Chidambaram also visited DT Mal border outpost and other areas along the Zero Line.

It is pertinent to mention here that a lot of cases pertaining to drug trafficking have been reported in this area in the recent past.

The BSF officials remained tight-lipped about the Home Minister's visit.

Mansa, March 26
After hearing the news that Harsimrat Kaur Badal would be the SAD candidate for the Bathinda Lok Sabha constituency, the Akali leaders and workers gathered here to express their happiness and thanked Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal for the decision.

They distributed sweets and prepared themselves for campaigning. SAD general secretary Balwinder Singh Bhunder, district SAD president Harbant Singh Datewas, political secretary to Sukhbir Badal, Paramjeet Singh Sandhwa, ex-MLA Sukhwinder 
Singh Aulakh and youth leader Gurpreet Singh Banawali, welcomed the party high command’s decision and hoped that Harsimrat would play an important role in the development of the region.

Former Public Service Commission member, Paramjeet Singh (Lalli Badal), who was campaigning for the Shiromani Akali Dal in the Mansa area for some time, also welcomed the candidature of Harsimrat Kaur Badal and hoped that she would win with a good margin.

Mansa, March 26
The Communist Party of India (CPI) today held big rallies in different villages in support of the party candidate, Hardev Singh Arsi. These rallies were held in Jhuneer, Kotli Kalan Kokhar Khurd, Jhanda Kalan, Dulowal and Gharangna.

Addressing the rallies, the general secretary of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) said that the NDA and UPA have failed to solve the basic problems of people and now the Third Front was coming forward with pro-people policies.

He alleged that the wrong economic policies of the capitalist parties have resulted in unemployment and poverty. He appealed to the people to support left parties and other Third Front parties in the election. Addressing the rallies, party candidate, Hardev Singh Arsi said that now the fight has become clear in the Bathinda constituency. On the one hand, there are candidates from rich families and on the other, there are pro-people candidates of the CPI, he pointed out.

Arsi further said that the Third Front was becoming stronger in the country and it would definitely come into power at the centre and people should support the candidates of the left and Third Front parties.

Among others, who addressed the rallies included Jugraj Singh, Nihal Singh, Daljeet Singh Mansahia, Seopal Pala and Krishan Chauhan.

Moga, March 26
Domestic animals in the rural areas of Moga and Faridkot districts will have to undergo a tough time for a couple of months as the animal husbandry department has, for the time being, suspended the routine process of organising medical camps, keeping in view the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections.

Although the Election Commission has not prohibited the organising of the medical camps for the animals but the authorities concerned of the animal husbandry department were not willing to face the 'annoyance' of the EC.

Subsequently, funds already earmarked for this purpose in these districts released before the announcement of Lok Sabha elections is likely to lapse by the end of this month.

When contacted, Dr P.C. Mittal, the deputy director of the department, confirmed that in Moga and Faridkot districts, such medical camps had been stopped keeping in view the model code of conduct. "I will write a letter to the EC through the Chief Electoral Officer of the state seeking clarification whether they can continue to organise the already pre-scheduled medical camps or not," he said.

In these medical camps, special treatment for infertile animals, surgeries, de-worming, anti-ticks treatment and treatment of other ailments were proposed to be carried out free of cost, as per the routine calendar of the department's working, besides, to provide training to rural women on management, treatment, vaccination, artificial insemination of animals and lectures on fodder and the seed management.

In Moga district, 17 such camps had already been conducted in the past few months and 8 camps in the villages of Marhi Mustafa, Kotla Raeke, Sadda Singh Wala, Bhinder Kalan, Nurpur Hakima, Nathuwala Zadid, Gagra and Himmatpura were planned to be organised this week but the process has been stopped with immediate effect.

Adding that the pending amount of Rs 77,000 was likely to lapse by the end of this month, he said that this money was released by the state government for this purpose on January 9, 2009.

It may be mentioned that there were no private veterinary clinics in the rural areas of these districts, which would not only add to the woes of the domestic animals but also adversely affect the economy of the farming community.

The Moga district has pioneered white revolution in the state in the 1960s, which was quite evident from the coming of the Switzerland-based food industry giant Nestle (earlier known as Food Specialities Limited), here. 

Abohar, March 26
The SAD and the BJP will organise separate meetings here on Sunday to mark the launching of the election campaign by the Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal. Earlier also, they had indulged into similar practice, when the CM visited the town on December 30, sources pointed out.

As per the information, the local units of the alliance parties had reportedly agreed to create "congenial" environment to enable, Parkash Singh Badal, kickstart poll campaign for the Lok Sabha election candidate Sher Singh Ghubaya. But today they resolved during the separate meetings that the Balluana circle SAD will be organising the maiden election meeting near Jeev Raksha Chowk on the city bypass, while the local BJP unit will arrange a meeting inside a marriage palace. The CM will address both the meetings. The parties held meetings here to discuss the arrangements and ensure maximum participation of their respective units. 

Bathinda, March 26
The state government today came under criticism from the rural doctors working on contract basis under the Zila Parishads.

Dr Aslam Parvez, state president of the Rural Medical Services Association, today informed The Tribune that regular doctors working with the government were being given a conveyance allowance of Rs 900 per month while the allowance is being denied to rural doctors working on a contract basis.

The doctor mentioned that some time back, the government was contemplating giving Rs 600 to rural doctors for a rural school programme but the fate of the file related to the case is not yet known.

The doctor also said the health department had planned to hire a private company to get the medical examination of government school students done but the private companies said they would just examine the students and not give medicines for which they were charging Rs 40 per child.

The health department declined it because it was a costly affair. “If the government can consider private companies to get the students checked up then why can’t it pay us as we are already doing this job for the government,” a doctor asked.

When asked about the issue, Satish Chandra, director of the National Rural Health Commission, said, “I will look into the matter as I am not aware of it. A doctor, who has to make an effort and even travel long distances on his own, deserves an allowance. I will try and get the matter resolved.” 

Bathinda, March 26
Send your kids to Australia with sufficient money so that they don’t get exploited there. This is an advice that the chairman of the GOPIO Australia Business Council has for the parents wishing to send their wards to the Down Under either for study or work.

While talking to TNS here, Dr J.S. Virk, who heads the Australian chapter of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), said, “For want of money to sustain life during the initial period, students generally take up petty jobs at the cost of their studies. And in the pursuit of earning more money, they work illegally for over the permissible working time, i.e. 20 hours. At times, the employers exploit them and don’t compensate for the extra work done.”

He said the GOPIO would soon write to the Australian government to extend the permissible working hours to 30 hours.

“If a student has done a hotel management course, he should do a job in that profession only. That is the best way,” said Virk.

The chairman said that the students with a degree end up earning more than the ones with diplomas. “It is disappointing that in the pursuit to start earning early, many students take up jobs just after diplomas. Only 3-5 per cent of students pursue degree course,” he added.

Virk said that on his visit here this time, he came to know that there were certain institutions in the region, which are fleecing money from students by offering them a three-year hotel management course, with two years of training offshore.

He categorically said the Australian government does not recognise the training obtained in India. “The diploma course there is of two years only and the Australian government wants it to be done there only.”

The talks here that Australia has cut down on immigrations or that the immigration to the country has become difficult are nothing but rumours, said Virk, adding, “Australia still needs people. Moreover, they would not like to lose business generated by the education industry, which stands at Australian $ 12 billion as on January 2009.”

Bathinda, March 26
The state government has decided to upgrade the level of mid-day meals in the state by adding iron tablets and de-worming tablets to the meals.

The medicines were received by the civil hospitals a few days back and would be reaching the government schools soon.

Rural doctors said the government had started the mid-day meals to counter malnutrition in the children studying in government schools of the state. The reason was that these children came from poor backgrounds and could not afford a wholesome diet.

The doctors said the mid-day meals were not proving useful because most of these kids were worm-infested.

"Despite the meals, the children were suffering from acute anaemia. These children needed de-worming and regular iron supplements for desired results. We had recommended to the government to take this step around one-and-a-half years back and since then, we have been reminding the authorities. Finally, civil hospitals of the state got iron tablets and albendazole medicine for the students. A full course of de-worming requires one stat dose of albendazole and 100 iron tablets," Dr Aslam Pervez, state president of the Rural Medical Services Association (doctors working on contract under Zila Parishad), told The Tribune today.

According to sources, the tablets were received by the civil hospitals around three days back. It would be sent to the SMOs and then to the government schools.

The doctors said children, who have iron deficiency, lacked calcium also. So, the government should also add calcium supplement to the mid-day meals.

Dr Neelam Bajaj, civil surgeon, Bathinda, when contacted, said, "We have received the tablets and we have given them to the SMO also. They would soon be reaching the schools.”

Abohar, March 26
The irrigation department and the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) have slapped notices on the municipal council here for the recovery of arrears and warned that supply of canal water and electricity would be suspended, if the council fails in making payments by the end of March 31, the current financial year.

While confirming this, the BJP-led council expressed its inability in clearing the arrears and resolved to seek special grants from the state government, during a meeting held in the town hall here on Wednesday evening.

It was pointed out that the council owed Rs 40 lakh to the PSEB, when the Congress was in power. No bill had been paid since the SAD-BJP government came to power. The council had not received any grant from the government during the past financial years and the grants received at the fag end of the current financial year were specific in nature.

The councillors were informed that the assistant controller of the local audit department had also asked the council to clear arrears worth Rs 48 lakh 58 thousand 996 on account of the audit fee. The council has to pay an amount of Rs 1,05,816 as installment of the loan obtained for the water supply and sewerage system. While taking the ruling party to task, Congress councillor, Prem Kalra, blamed the authorities of criminal negligence in managing the streetlights. He said the 1500 watt sodium vapor lamps could be seen switched on even during the day hours causing loss to the exchequer whereas hundreds of tubelights were not found not functioning after sunset on the busy main roads besides the residential areas.

The state government asked to replace the traditional incandescent lamps with the energy saving compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) but the financial crunch kept the council from purchasing high voltage sodium vapour lamps, which consumed power15 times more than the CFLs. 

Bathinda, March 26
Moved by the news related to the death of a school boy in a road mishap yesterday at Tinkoni, a group of NGOs and advocates have approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

In a letter to Justice Ajay Lamba, inspecting judge for Bathinda district, advocate B.L. Sachdeva, president, Kaushish Maukhta Lai, Suresh Gaur, president, Human Rights Protection Forum, and advocate Rohit Khattar urged to entertain the petition as public interest litigation (PIL).

They asked Justice Lamba to issue directions to the deputy commissioner, the district transport officer, the district education officers and principals of all the schools in Bathinda to comply with the order of the Supreme Court regarding the rules and regulations for transporting school children.

They alleged that despite charging hefty amount from parents, hardly any driver or owner of a school vehicle was seen following the rules and regulations.

They added that the school vehicles were generally overloaded, old and had lived their life.

Most of these vehicles were not even permitted under the Motor Vehicles Act but the school authorities, in connivance with administration, were still using them.

Moreover, some vehicles were being run on LPG.

They further alleged that many drivers of the school vehicles were incompetent and did not have valid licenses. Fitness certificate of the vehicles and first aid kits were also missing.

Besides, the vehicles were not painted in appropriate colours, they further alleged.

Abohar, March 26
Can an illegal occupant of the municipal land sublet a part of it to anyone else? Yes, the council president sought to say.

Senior councilor Vimal Thathai, questioned the propriety of accommodating the office of the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in the Abohar Club without passing any resolution in the House. Municipal council president Shiv Raj Goyal said it was the "prerogative" of the club management to allow the functioning of the DSP office there. "We have not given any permission," he said.

Interestingly, the lease of the club, located on prime land in the heart of the town, had expired about four years back and the local bodies department had issued a decree in favour of the council to get the premises vacated besides initiating action to recover the arrears but the election season prompted the council authorities to avoid the issue. 

Abohar, March 26
The residents of Ram Nagar and neighbouring localities gheraoed the contractors as they tried to dump a carcass near Shivpuri cremation ground today. The contractors had to run for safety.

The irate protesters then marched to the municipal council complex and shouted slogans against the authorities for not checking the practice. A BJP councillor and coloniser, Ravi Makkar, pacified the protesters by assuring that henceforth, carcasses would be dumped only near the village, Killianwali, where the council had acquired land for this purpose. — OC

Bathinda, March 26
During a surprise check conducted on several shops running computer lottery business in and around the city, the local police today nabbed over a dozen persons doing ‘illegal’ business. Over Rs 80,000 along with computers and mobile phones were also recovered during the raid.

Giving details, Harmeek Singh, SHO, Kotwali police station, said, “The operation was launched after receiving a number of complaints.”

At the Kotwali police station, he said, seven cases were registered and 10 persons were arrested. The police also confiscated six computers, eight mobile phones and Rs 70,000 in cash.

Meanwhile, in-charge Civil Lines police post, Sandeep Singh, said, “We have arrested four persons after registering a case. Currency worth Rs 12,000 has been seized.”

The accused have been booked for committing fraud. Cases have been registered under the Gambling Act along with the IPC.

Bathinda, March 26
The dip in mercury, due to Tuesday evening downpour, which has made the weather conditions “pleasant” for the residents of the urban areas in the region, is also beneficial for the farmers.

The region witnessed around 4 mm rain between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, as recorded by the Agro-met Advisory Services, PAU regional station, Bathinda. It led to the decline in mercury, which had been hovering around 32 degrees Celsius for the past 10 days.

The maximum temperature recorded on Wednesday was 27 degree Celsius while the minimum was 15 degrees. As far as the range of temperature during the last seven days is concerned, the maximum remained between 30 degree Celsius and 33 degrees whereas minimum remained around 13 and 17 degrees. 

Talking to The Tribune on Thursday, the director of the PAU regional station, Bathinda, Dr Gurmeet Singh Buttar, said the prevailing weather conditions were beneficial for farmers as it would lengthen the maturity period for wheat grains and would also increase the size of seeds. He, however, said the dip in temperature was good but not the storm and heavy rain.

As far as the weather forecast is concerned, the weathermen on Tuesday had said the conditions would remain mainly dry with possibility of light to moderate rainfall in some pockets of the region during the four days.

The weathermen, however, did not rule out the possibility of thundershowers during the period.