Bathinda, April 9
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said the Congress has been left alone, as its other constituents that formed the UPA have deserted it on the eve of the Lok Sabha elections.

Badal was addressing a series of election rallies in Bathinda district in favour of his daughter-in-law and SAD candidate Harsimrat Kaur Badal.

He said that the Congress-led UPA government was facing the music because of its ‘anti-people’ policies and weak leadership.

Sharad Pawar, agriculture minister, was hobnobbing with the Third Front as he has lost faith in the Congress leadership and he was demanding that the next prime minister should be from Maharashtra. The contest would finally emerge between the Congress and non-Congress parties, he said.

The CM alleged that the Congress was misusing official power to intimidate smaller parties by registering CBI cases against their leaders. They were discriminating against Punjab in every field. He said the BJP-led NDA government did a lot for development of Punjab.

Among the villages where Badal held election rallies were Nandgarh, Naruana, Jodhpur Romana, Gehri Bhagga, Jassi Powali, Bhaggu, Gulabgarh, Katar Singh Wala and Dhan Singh Khana.

Bathinda, April 9
Director general of police (DGP) KK Attri during his first visit to the Faridkot range today made it clear that extra forces would be needed for free and fair Lok Sabha (LS) polls in the state. Requisition for the same would be made after a thorough survey.

The DGP was here to review the law and order situation of the Faridkot range, which includes Bathinda, Faridkot and Mansa districts. The meeting was attended by IG Patiala zone, and SSPs of the three districts, along with other officers.

Talking to TNS, Attri said, “It is too early to disclose the arrangements being done for the smooth conduct of the polls as facts change daily. But I have instructed the officials concerned to ensure strict enforcement of law and order.”

About the sensitive booths in Bathinda LS constituency, he said, “The survey is being done at the DC and the SSP level in this regard. Arrangements would be made after getting the reports.” When asked about the entire district police remain busy in VIP duties, he said, “Considering the facts, five companies have already been granted to the district, if required more can be arranged. But providing proper security to all VIPs is also our priority.”

Replying to a query concerning presence of some alleged miscreants from other districts in the constituency prior to polls, he said, “We can’t stop any one to come here as Sonia Gandhi and Lal Krishan Advani too may visit Punjab, so how can we bar others. But the police is able to thwart the ill-design of anyone.”

About the success of red corner notices being flashed on Interpol, he said, “It is our regular process to nab the absconders and we have been getting success in such move. We have launched a special drive to nab all proclaimed offenders and during a short time around 25 miscreants have been arrested from this area.”

Bathinda, April 9
The Congress candidate for the Bathinda Lok Sabha seat, Raninder Singh, today said that the Parkash Singh Badal led SAD-BJP combine government would fall soon after these elections.

Raninder Singh, who was addressing a series of election rallies, said fresh elections would be held for the state assembly as the SAD-BJP government has created lots of problems for the common people and corruption and nepotism were rampant.

He accused the Badal government of having stretched the river waters dispute and further complicated it by only launching morchas whereas Captain Amrinder Singh solved the problem within no time by introducing the River Water Termination Act. He accused the Badal government of being unfriendly towards the farmers.

Raninder Singh said that the high level of development the present UPA government headed by Manmohan Singh has done for Punjab was never done in the past. Health and education sectors were being given top attention by the central government.

Two central universities have been sanctioned for Punjab and special grants have been provided to the PGI to upgrade health care.

It was unfortunate that instead of giving credit to Manmohan Singh, CM Parkash Singh Badal and his son Sukhbir Singh were always making imaginary and misleading statements against him.

He alleged that the SAD-BJP leaders do not see beyond their nose and were indulging in nepotism as a result of which benefits of the centrally sponsored schemes were not reaching the targeted financially weak population.

Rampura Phul, April 9
When the entire Rampura police was busy providing security to CM Parkash Singh Badal today, the police station became a place for settling scores between two rival groups. In the free for all, two persons sustained injuries and the injured also charged the assailants and snatched their chains. 

The assailants also allegedly snatched a video camera from an electronic media person, who had captured the whole incident. The infrastructure at the police station was damaged in the brawl.

According to details, the dispute was among the rehri union activists and the parking contractor of the Sabji Mandi area. The issue was over charging. Earlier in the morning, both the groups went to the market committee office, where they had a minor clash. To lodge a complaint, around 100 activists of the union staged a protest outside the police station.

Meanwhile, a group of contractors, led by Amandeep and Lakhwinder Singh alias Lakha entered the police station. Some protesters also followed them where the contractors assaulted them. Lathis and chairs at the police station were used as weapons. Two of the rehri union members sustained injuries while others fled.

Later, the assailants were booked under the IPC and the Arms Act. No one was arrested. DGP KK Attri, who was here today, said, “The incident was unfortunate. Probe has begun and I have ordered strict action against the guilty. I have come to know that some raiding parties have been constituted to nab the accused.” 

Moga, April 9
A 14-year-old child was devoured to death by stray dogs at village Samadh Bhai in Moga district on Wednesday. Horrified by the incident, the local residents called up the police, which took the mauled body of the child into custody and sent it for post-mortem.

The child was identified as Beant Singh, son of Makhan Singh, who was studying in class VIII in a local school.

As per the details available from the police, the child went out to the fields after the school hours to help his parents in harvesting the wheat crop. Unfortunately, the child was left behind while coming back home late in the evening. Finding him alone, the stray dogs came out of the nearby dump of caracass (hadda rorhi) and attacked the child.

It was raining heavily when the dogs attacked the child. He cried for help but nobody heard his cries. As a result, he fell prey to the dogs.

When the parents came out in search of their child, they saw in the streak of lightening that stray dogs were eating something. They pushed back the dogs with sticks and shockingly saw that their child had been eaten by the dogs.

Local people reported to the police that the stray dogs had become used to flesh and had earlier devoured many goats.

The villageers had demanded from the district administration to shift the dump of animal carcases from their village and take concrete steps to tackle the dogs.

District Development and Panchayat Officer (DDPO) Joginder Kumar, when contacted, told The Tribune that the dump could not be shifted close to the residential areas. "The minimum distance of a residence from the animal caracass dump should be at least 400 metres," he said.

However, there was no such law in the state making it mandatory to cover the dumping site by a boundary wall, the DDPO added.

Abohar, April 9
One person was killed and two others sustained serious injuries today afternoon when the cylinder of an air-conditioning unit at a BSNL tower exploded this afternoon at village Tahliwala Jattan, sources said.

As per information, two employees of the Chandigarh Cool Tech Corporation were reportedly busy repairing the air-conditioner of a BSNL tower installed in the house of a former Sarpanch Baldev Singh. Its cylinder exploded at about 1.30 pm killing senior mechanic Jagtir Khan, son of Shibrati Khan of village Bhalwan in the Sangrur district. 

Pieces of his body were found at a distance of 25 meters, the local residents said. His assistant Daljit Singh and unidentified taxi driver were seriously injured. They were rushed to the nearby hospital at Arniwala Mandi.

Witnesses told this correspondent on phone that the explosion was so powerful that all the residents of the village panicked and ran for shelters. The completely charred body of the victim was later shifted by the police for postmortem. 

A farmer Sukhdev Singh Sandhu said a few weeks back, a person in village Kuharianwali was electrocuted while working near Airtel tower. Many towers are located in the residential areas of this region. 

Bathinda, April 9
A fresh controversy brewed in Guru Harkrishan Public School today with parents questioning the school for admitting students without any affiliation. Sources said the school’s affiliation to the CBSE expired in March this year. The management said they had held a meeting with the CBSE chairman in New Delhi and he had assured them of granting affiliation to the school soon.

But the question that arises is was the school allowed to admit children in the fresh session that merely on the basis of verbal interaction? According to the CBSE rules, no student can be admitted to class IX after March 31 whereas the school management said they would admit students because they trust the CBSE chairman.

The case of Jaswinder Singh, ex-principal of the school, who was suspended by the management in February, was taken up by the parents. The management accused the principal of embezzlement of funds worth Rs 17,35,000 which they claimed was returned by the principal.

A copy of the letter written by the principal Jaswinder Singh was also issued to the press in which Jaswinder clearly accepts his fault. Jaswinder Singh, when contacted, however, denied having a hand in the embezzlement and said H.S. Mokha and H.S Sandhu of the the school management were the signing authorities and the principal could not withdraw any amount on his own. 

“The letter issued by the school is not written by me as the letter does not contain any date. H.S. Mokha’s daughter-in-law Balwinder Mokha has a court case against her for having a fake degree since 2002,” Jaswinder Singh said.

Surprisingly, when Mokha was asked about Balwinder, he said the principal of the school had appointed Balwinder in 2002 and that he had no say in her appointment.

It may be noted that according to sources, Mokha’s personal accountant Ajay Kumar supplies electrical goods, computers, goods for constructing buildings etc without any quotations to the school.

Suspended principal levels charges

Bathinda: The suspended principal Jaswinder Singh today alleged that his family was under house arrest in the school campus. His salary payment has been stopped and he has been unable to pay his installments for the past few months, he said. His wife, who took a small loan for opening a boutique, also has been unable to pay the installments.

He alleged that his family is not allowed to go out of the school premises.

“My children were studying in this school. On April 4, when the new session began, as they dressed up for going to the school, a notification stating that they cannot attend school from now, was sent. I am not allowed to stay with my family except at night. The gatekeeper refuses to open the school gate and I have to call up the owner of the school to get in everytime. My car is not allowed inside the school,” Jaswinder Singh said. His wife Sarabjit Kaur told TNS that the school was not issuing a school leaving certificate for her children. She was unable to meet her daily needs from outside, Sarbjit alleged. — TNS

Guru Har Sahai (Ferozepur), April 9
Member of the Congress Central Working Committee Jagmeet Singh Brar who is fighting the Lok Sabha elections from Ferozepur has managed to win over all his main party rivals in the area who had shed their differences on the directions of the party high command to put up a collective fight to ensure victory.

The local MLA, Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, an influential leader in the border district who was his bête noire while seeking party ticket from this Lok Sabha constituency, joined hands with Brar in a public rally held here, today.

Another influential Congressman, Hans Raj Joshan, who was also an aspirant for the party ticket had also publicly announced at the rally to extend wholehearted support to him.

Sunil Jakhar and Sajjan Jakhar, the two sons of veteran Congress leader Balram Jakhar, having a great influence in the Abohar belt, had already announced to abide by the party decision to field Brar in the political fight. They had already come out openly to campaign in his favour.

Until recently, it was being said that Jagmeet Brar's fate would largely depend on Sodhi, Jakhar and Joshan. Notwithstanding the earlier two defeats he had faced from this constituency in the 1989 and 2004 Lok Sabha elections, Brar now looks confidant of his win.

It's worth mentioning that Brar is facing the electoral battle mainly with SAD-BJP candidate Sher Singh Ghubaiya who is presently an MLA from Jalalabad and is holding the position of chief parliamentary secretary in the state government.

Meanwhile, if going by the sentiments of the local Congress leaders it was not an easy task for Jagmeet Brar to handle the political situation had the party high command not intervened in the intra-party differences.

Rana Sodhi said in plain words while addressing a gathering of the people of his area and Brar in particular that he was a strong contender for the party ticket but 'fate has betrayed me.' Adding that there was a great disillusionment among his people for having not succeeded in getting the party ticket, Sodhi said that had not given up the hope and would wait for the next time to get party ticket.

Gurnaib Singh Brar district president of the party, Usha Chopra, district president of the women's wing, Shavinder Sidhu, block president, Hardip Sodhi, elder brother of Rana Sodhi and many others who addressed the gathering, cautioned Brar not to betray the local people this time.

There was a common feeling among the people there that Brar had contested the elections from Ferozepur on two occasions before this but after the polls, he never came back to listen to their problems.

Brar, who seemed a little nervous on stage, vowed not to betray the party workers and people this time and promised that if elected to the Lok Sabha, he would take up issues of local concern in parliament and do his best for the development of this district. 

Sriganganagar/Abohar, April 9
During a joint meeting chaired by the divisional commissioner Pritam Singh last evening, the Rajasthan and Punjab police officials , taking notice of a report appearing in these columns, the officials resolved to move for cancellation of dual votes.

These "privileged" voters spread over different parts of Ferozepur and Sriganganagar districts would be asked to choose either of Rajasthan or Punjab, sources said.

It has been reported that about 5000 persons enjoyed dual voting rights, as they owned agricultural land on both sides of the inter-state border.

Bikaner range Inspector General of Police Megh Raj Meena, Ferozepore range DIG R.P. Mittal, district magistrates of Sriganganagar, Muktsar and other senior officials were also present. — OC

Mansa, April 9
"CPI (ML) has entered the election fray to raise the basic problems of poor farmers and labourers," said CPI (ML) candidate from Bathinda, Bhagwant Singh Sammaon, while addressing a public meeting at different villages of Mansa today.

Addressing a public meeting, he blamed both the Congress party and Akali Dal for the pitiable condition of farmers and labourers. Both the parties had ruled the state but did not pay attention to the basic problems of poor people. He demanded 
loan waiver for the poor farmers and labourers and a daily wage of Rs 200 for the labourers.

He blamed the Badal government for the improper implementation of the NREGS. Public meetings were held at Ramditewala, Gahle, Ghrangna, Maujian, Daleuana and Saharna. Sukhvinder Singh Hirewala, Gursewak Singh and Balwinder Singh also addressed the meetings. 

Bathinda, April 9
The Academy of Broadcasting, India’s oldest and largest Radio Jockey training academy, has announced a new one-year diploma in Bathinda today for the benefit of the students wishing to enter the exciting and rewarding world of radio.

The course, named as ‘Diploma in Radio Station Operations & Management’, will cover all the aspects of the radio industry ranging from creative to marketing and management to technical.

While talking to media this afternoon, Sanjeev Garg, Franchise Director of the academy , said, “After interacting with the industry, we came to know their requirements for a very comprehensive training module and we created this programme which, he hoped, will go a long way in bridging the gap.

The best part about this diploma will be that the students will get a chance to intern in a radio station and also go ‘On-Air’, remarked Garg.

He said this one-year intensive diploma will provide a lively, relevant and detailed learning of the world of radio broadcasting and will lay a particular emphasis on ‘On-Air’ skills, production techniques, management functions, marketing and presentation skills.

The students will also learn the craft of radio effectively; develop their wit, observation skills, natural style and good technical skills, the franchise director added.

“With experienced professionals delivering the lectures, practical exercise, radio station visits and guest lectures by industry experts, the course is designed to provide students with comprehensive training to enter the exciting and rewarding world of radio” says Garg.

Today, the Academy of Broadcasting is in an aggressive expansion mode and has a presence in 23 cities of India.

Jeeda (Bathinda), April 9
As many as seven members, including a woman, of what was once a family of landowners in this village are subsisting on what their neighbours or villagers offer. The woman is the only physically and mentally able member in the family.

Octogenarian Chanan Singh Brar, whose one leg got amputated after an accident on a fodder chopper, had three sons and a daughter. His wife Mukhtiar Kaur could not survive a disease years back despite footing huge medical bills. 

One of his sons Major Singh committed suicide for he could not deal with the financial problems of the family. Chanan’s son Binder Singh (32) is certified with 50 per cent mental disability. The third son, who was a truck driver, too hurt himself in an accident a year back.

The only normal member in the family is 45-year-old Shiinder Kaur. She got married to Mehar Singh at Saho village in Muktsar. The couple lost all the money while meeting legal expenses in a land dispute case there and had to return to her parents’ village to live with other family members. 

This affected Mehar Singh psychologically. Ironically, while he does not get the work of a labourer in the village easily as he is a ‘Jawai bhai’, he only gets just 25 per cent of the remuneration for the work he does and is driven off.

As the destiny had it, her two sons Gamdoor Singh (22) and Lakhvir Singh (20) are also mentally retarded. Both have been certified to be so by the civil surgeon, Bathinda.

There was a time when the family had a 32 acre land and used to hire labour to plough their fields. But it was sold to foot medical bills and legal expenses in a court case. And today, the family is living a miserable life with members unsure of getting two square meals.

Fazilka, April 9
B.S. Sudan, Commissioner Ferozepur, formally inaugurated procurement of wheat in the grain market of Fazilka today. The deputy commissioner of Ferozepur Megh Raj and SDM Fazilka Charandev Singh Maan also accompanied him. Commission Agents Association, Fazilka, president Om Parkash Setia, general secretary Roshan Lal Bhusari, Naresh Setia, Ashok Pujara, Sukhdarshan Aggarwal and officers of the government procurement agencies were also present.

The commissioner also assessed the arrangement for procurement of wheat. He directed the officials of different agencies to ensure orderly procurement of wheat.

He warned them to be careful and lift the procured wheat on time. On this occasion, the officers of the government procurement agencies urged the farmers to bring dry wheat in the grain market to avoid any inconvenience. According to the official sources of Market Committee, Fazilka, about 20000 quintals of wheat arrival has been recorded so far.

Besides this, the farmers, who had held up stocks of paddy in expectation of a market price rise have also brought their paddy for sale.

To mark the commencement of the wheat procurement, the Commission Agents Association also organised an Akhand Path Bhog for the smooth procurement of wheat.

The Association president Om Parkash Setia said that the 'path' bhog has been arranged for the prosperity of the commission agents and the farmers as well. 

Ferozepur, April 9
Procurement agencies are facing difficulty in the purchase of wheat as the moisture content in the produce being brought to the purchase centres was more than the specified norms. Commissioner B.S. Sudan, who along with DC Megh Raj, SDMs and representatives of various government procurements agencies, after surprise checking of grain markets, said that heavy rainfall has affected the produce by increasing moisture content in it.

Sudan said that the arrival of wheat in Moga and Bahagpurana was slow, but at other places in Ferozepur, Faridkot and Moga districts, the wheat has started arriving in the markets in large quantity. 

Sudan said that till date, 1040 MT wheat has been purchased. While interacting with farmers at various villages and purchase centres, Sudan advised them to arrange for tarpaulins to save their produce from unexpected rains and ensure that dry and moisture content was below 12 per cent before bringing it to the market. 

Sudan assured the farmers that all the wheat arriving in market would be purchased and the payments will be made within 48 hours. He asked the farmers to collect “J” form so that they do not face any trouble in getting timely payments.

Mansa, April 9
A district-level Kisan Mela was organised today at the office of Chief Agriculture Officer, Mansa. The DC Kumar Rahul inaugurated this mela and Dr Gurdyal Singh, joint director of agriculture department presided over the function. 

The agriculture officer said that for the 2009 season, all types of seeds had been provided to the farmers.

The DC said during the function that Aatma scheme had been launched to bring about crop diversification and many farmers had benefited under this scheme.

District Chief Agriculture Officer Davinder Singh and team agriculture scientific centre, Bathinda, also imparted training to the farmers on new agricultural techniques. — OC

Sriganganagar/Abohar, April 9
Members of the Bar Association today suspended work and staged a sit-in shouting slogans in the court complex at Sriganganagar over the refusal of a senior judicial officer to endorse their idea to suspend work as a mark of respect to a former president, who had died in the US, sources said.

As per information, Karnail Singh (91), who had scripted the constitution of Sriganganagar Bar Association, died of pneumonia in spark city Reno in the United States. He originally belonged to Punjab and had participated in the freedom movement. Later, he shifted to Sriganganagar.

The Bar Association during an urgent meeting today decided to suspend work for the day to show respect to the late comrade.

Representatives of the association said they informed the senior judicial officer and also requested him to attend the condolence meeting but he reportedly did not endorse the idea and continued work.

During the condolence meeting, advocates Kesho Rai Gupta and Rajan Makkar informed the members about their conversation with the judicial officer.

This caused resentment and the Bar decided to stage a dharna and go on indefinite strike, sources added. — OC