Bathinda, April 27
Rising flames in the harvested wheat fields along the highway in Bathinda and Mansa districts are enough to presume that farmers of this region have forgotten the tragic incidents of stubble burning witnessed in the past.

During a random visit to various villages on the Bathinda-Sardoolgarh route, the TNS team today witnessed a number of fields engulfed in fire and smoke. On being asked, farmers bluntly said they themselves had put the crop stubble on fire, finding it to be an easy way to get the field ready for sowing the next crop.

When asked, Bansa Singh, a farmer from village Singo said, “It is the best and traditional way to swiftly solve the problem of crop stubble. Generally, we do this during the late hours. But because of the elections, we know that no officer will dare to take action, so this time, we have been burning it fearlessly even during the daytime.”

Besides Bansa Singh, other farmers too said that it was an easy way for them to get the fields ready for sowing the next crop.

Holding a piece of burning bamboo in his hand, Jawahar Singh, a landless peasant near Kot Shamir, said, “The owner of this field has ordered me to put the stubble in this 13-acre field on fire. Of this, work on six acres has been completed, the rest I shall finish within a short time.”

It was observed that farmers were least bothered about losing the fertility of the soil. They even expressed their ignorance about the fact that the smoke can cause a number of respiratory problems.

When asked about the new machines in vogue that can cut the stubble from its root, the farmers collectively said, “Why waste money on such machines?”

No doubt farmers are not bothered but the state agriculture department also seems reluctant to check the menace. The department has not pass any notification in this regard, till date.

Ironically, the deputy commissioners at their level have passed orders under section 144 of the IPC but no officer is ready to take the responsibility for its implementation.

When contacted, Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, Rahul Tewari said, “It is a matter of grave risk so if any case comes to my notice, action would be taken against the accused.”

A senior official in the district administration, seeking anonymity, said that no officer could do anything against the farmers as the ruling party can ill afford to antagonise them at the time of elections.

Bathinda, April 27
Every year, the law which states that stubble burning is not permitted, goes up in smoke. Due to the lax implementation of the law which restrains the farmers from burning crop stubble, the area reels under the perennial problem of fire and smoke, and poses a serious environmental and health risk.

The warnings by agricultural experts and environmentalists that the process ruins the soil health, its fertility and plays havoc with the health of residents, besides creating environmental hazards, goes completely unheard every year.

Children are the most affected as they have smaller respiratory passages and complain of difficulty in breathing. Teachers from government schools reported lesser attendance of children when stubble is burnt. They also stated that on an average, around 30 to 40 per cent students displayed symptoms like cough, shortness of breath, frequent nasal symptoms, wheezing and asthma during this period of time.

The physical condition of the children is having an adverse effect on their ability to study and play, teachers claimed.

“Children are not able to concentrate and attend school regularly when stubble is burnt,” a government school teacher said. The problem is mainly faced by village children because the effect of stubble burning in city is low as compared to villages.

Rural doctors hold awareness camps in several rural areas. “We advise residents to cover their noses with a clean cloth and wear glasses to protect their eyes from the smoke, which causes irritation and redness of eyes,” a doctor said.

Even the private medical practitioners observe 40 to 50 per cent children visiting them during this time of the year and they complain of symptoms like cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, asthma of frequent nasal symptoms related to allergies. The spurt in respiratory diseases during this period of the year is mainly due to the burning of stubble which adds to the already existing industrial pollution in the area.

Repeated chest infections decrease immunity of children making them unable to tolerate stress. The condition also severely affects their ability to concentrate on studies and play outdoor games.

Chief Agriculture Officer, Bathinda, Paramjit Singh, when contacted, said, “There is a law that bans stubble burning but farmers who are poor can not dispose of the stubble because the machinery used for this is expensive. The residue left after cutting wheat and paddy does not decay easily and burning is the only alternative left. The government should provide the farmers with some alternative for disposing of stubble.”

Hanumangarh/Abohar, April 27
Punjab had rightly emerged as India’s food basket. Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts of Rajasthan are also in the race to stake a similar claim but Punjab also tops in supplying highly contaminated "black water" to millions of people not only in the Malwa region but also to those settled on the other side of the inter-state border.

Local residents who warmly received the Jal Chetna Yatra launched by the Ek Onkar Charitable Trust led by Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal today, expressed these views.

Hundreds of people preferred to miss election meetings to participate in the seminars, as the Yatra passed through Hanumangarh and Rawatsar on its way to Pallu, Arjunsar and Loonkaransar.

Sant Seechewal kept two bottles on the dais, one of potable mineral water and the other filled with black water that flowed into Rajasthan through the canals emanating from Punjab.

Such seminars were also held at Gurdwara of ward number 13 and NM Children School. Academicians and social activists lambasted the Punjab government for failure in checking discharge of chemical effluents by industries based near Ludhiana besides Buddha Nullah. 

They quoted 'The Tribune' reports also to criticise the politicians, including Ludhiana legislator Sat Pal Gosain of BJP and top brass in the SAD, for allegedly shielding the industrial house of those who continue to violate the directions given by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. They resented that black water continued to flow in April for the last five years after resumption of supplies in Rajasthan area from Punjab. 

People in Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts too were becoming victims of deadly diseases like cancer and Hepatitis B due to impure water. Cattle had no option other than to consume stinking water stored in the ponds after fortnight long suspension of supply, they rued.

Sant Seechewal exhorted the people to rise above political leanings and reject the forces that had failed in ensuring a hygienic environment and potable water supply. 

Ferozepur, April 27
A two-year-old child was run over by an independent candidate contesting the Ferozepur Lok Sabha seat, Raj Kumar alias Raja, in his speeding Tavera car.

The child died on the spot and has been identified as Rahul. Rahul was playing in front of his house in ward 1 in the cantonment area, when Raj Kumar, who was allegedly driving the Tavera himself, lost control of the vehicle and overran the child. The driver of the vehicle and the security guards provided to the candidate were also present in the vehicle when the incident took place.

Eyewitnesses said that Raj Kumar, instead of taking the child to the hospital, fled from the scene and is still reportedly absconding. Rahul’s family belongs to village Panniwala in Muktsar district and he had come to Ferozepur to meet his maternal grandparents, who stay here.

Meanwhile, a case has been registered against Raj Kumar. SSP Dinesh Pratap confirmed the incident and said that the police has registered a case against the candidate.

Abohar, April 27
Unidentified persons looted a truck loaded with wheat and burnt its assistant driver alive near village Balluana on the Abohar-Malout road today.

As per available information, assistant driver Naresh Kumar and his helper Sattu had loaded wheat from the Bhullarwala purchase centre yesterday but the vehicle did not reach its destination Killianwali. 

The owners, Manpreet Singh and Gurjant Singh of Dabwali and Bishan Lal, brother of the driver, got worried as they lost contact with Naresh on the mobile phone. During the search, it was learnt that a truck was burning near village Balluana, 10 km from Abohar town, on NH-10. Later, they were shocked to find that the driver had been burnt alive. 

He had been tied with rope by the miscreants who allegedly had hijacked the vehicle and looted 170 out of 400 bags of wheat before decamping.

A case has been registered, police said.

Bathinda, April 27
The Rampura police today recovered an illegal weapon and other documents from the possession of a rape bid accused, who was arrested recently.

According to information available, Varinder Kumar alias Pinna of Rampura was booked for an attempt to rape a 17-year-old girl of Barnala on March 1, 2009.

The police had arrested him on April 23 from the town and produced him in the court of SDJM, Phul. He was sent on police remand till April 26. The remand was extended for another day.

During interrogation, the accused admitted to having a .32 bore revolver under illegal possession, which was found buried along the wall of the Railway Department in the town along with four live cartridges. Later, the police raided his house from where a mobile SIM card and other documents were seized.

SHO Buta Singh said Varinder was booked under various cases registered at Mansa, Kot Bhai (Muktsar), Ahmedgarh (Sangrur) and Rampura at different times.

Bathinda, April 27
After assessing the seriousness of the level of the groundwater contamination in Malwa region, the proposed Central University in Bathinda is likely commence its academic session with the opening of a school of environmental studies this year.

During a meeting with the Tribune correspondent at his recently allotted residence in the city, the first vice-chancellor of the Central University of Punjab, Dr Jai Rup Singh today said the level pollution here has been posing a grave threat to people. So, to benefit the region, it has been proposed that a full-fledged department should be started in the initial days.

“I was aware of the problems related to the ground and canal waters in this region but to get a first-hand account, I got a laboratory test conducted. The report was alarming as the TDS level in ground and canal water is higher than the maximum permissible limit for consumption,” he said.

Maintaining that the project is in its early days, the vice-chancellor said, “Before recruiting the university staff and arranging for accommodation of students from across the world, it is my responsibility to check this menace and during the first phase of the survey, I have rejected the reverse osmosis (RO) plant system, considering its later effects.”

Talking about the dilapidated condition of the wel known fort at Bathinda, he said that as per the proposal, a school of archaeology should be started here.

When asked about the USP of the Central University here from other state universities, he said, “First of all, it would be free from the interference of politicians as all decisions would be taken by the university itself. Then the university will have about hundred per cent funding from the Central government. Thirdly, the fee would be just a token amount, which would roughly be the one-tenth of that charged in other universities.”

About the plan to start the first academic session, he said everybody was keen to start it as soon as possible. He added that there would be number of schools and to check their viability, a special panel had been set up. The university would be a “non-vacation university,” he said.

“I have been searching for a makeshift arrangement till the final building comes up at Ghudda village, where more than a 500-acre chunk has been allotted for the purpose. I have visited 25 premises in and around Bathinda. Now, I have selected a building of the spinning mill, located on the outskirts of the city, that was shut down, as the best among all. After getting the final nod, the other procedure would be started.”

Recounting the distinction of the Central University in Punjab at Bathinda, he said, “Here one will be able to pursue a parallel course while enrolled for another and the whole affair of the university would be purely based on only academics.”

“It is a great challenge to start from the grassroot level and that too in the case of a Central University. But I would try my best to ensure the success of the university,” he said.

Bathinda April 27
On a call given by the members and activists of the Adhyapak Dal, Punjab, teachers from all over the state held a rally here today to demand the early implementation of the Fifth Pay Commission recommendations, from January 1, 2006, onwards.

Addressing the gathering, Nachhattar Singh Jahangir, chief coordinator, Adhyapak Dal, Punjab, said, despite the Election Commission of India’s nod to allow submission of the report of 5th Punjab Pay Commission to the Punjab government and its processing by the state government, by not implementing the report of the Fifth Pay Commission, the Akali-BJP government was doing injustice to five lakh employees, whereas the Haryana government and many other state governments had already implemented the Fifth Pay Commission report from January 1, 2006.

He further said the Akali-BJP government had not kept their promises made during the 2007 poll. Teachers recruited on contract and part-time basis and daily wages had not been regularised, he added.

Hardev Singh Raipur, Punjab Adhyapak Dal president, has demanded that the state government should release the report with immediate effect as it amounts to discriminating against the Punjab government teachers.

He said the market demand could be made stable and strong only if the teachers would be recruited on full grades and a pay hike was given to them.

Among other demands, the Dal leaders also demanded recommendations relating to allowances to be implemented from the date of notification by the government.

A teacher stagnating at the maximum of any pay band for more than a year continuously should be placed in the immediate next higher pay band without any change in the grade pay, each post has a distinct grade pay attached to it and grade pay is linked to its seniority in the hierarchy, they pointed out.

The leaders also demanded the enhancement of medical allowance to Rs 1,000 from the earlier Rs 500, release of enhanced pay of computer teachers and posts lying vacant in different schools to be fulfilled soon.

As the rally was about to culminate, Hira Singh Gabria, minister for jails, tourism and cultural affairs and Surinder Kaur Badal, wife of CM Parkash Singh Badal, appeared on the scene towards the fag end of the rally. They assured the agitating teachers that the SAD always stood for the teachers’ cause and all their demands pertaining to the Fifth Pay Commission would be met soon.

Bathinda, April 27
The Election Commission (EC) has met the shortage of ballot units for the Bathinda Lok Sabha Constituency by providing 1,350 additional units raising the number of units to 2,700.

The units have been drawn from the rest of the LS constituencies in the state.

It may be mentioned that on finding that 22 candidates are in fray for the Bathinda LS seat and a ballot unit catering only to 16 candidates at a time, the administration has asked the EC to supply additional units.

Now, two ballot units would be installed at each polling booth in the constituency.

Confirming the details, returning officer Rahul Tewari said, “After receiving the units now, all nine assistant returning officers have been allocated their share to arrange a preparation meeting for April 29, where all candidates would be called. The units of electronic voting machines (EVMs) would be distributed to polling booths on random basis.”

Fazilka, April 27
Birth anniversary of Bhagwan Parshuram was celebrated with fervour and enthusiasm here today at Parshuram Temple.

Deputy Inspector General of the Border Security Force V.K. Sharma participated as the chief guest and Saroj Kaushal, Block Development and Panchayat Officer, Fazilka presided over the programme organised by the Brahmin Sabha, Fazilka.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad district president Lila Dhar Sharma, Brahmin Sabha president Ashok Sharma, Krishan Kumar Sharma, Vijay Shankar Sharma, Subhash Kataria and other officer-bearers of Brahmin Sabha Ved Parkash Punj, Hans Raj Sharma, Chiranji Lal Sharma, Chander Shekhar paid obeisance by showering flowers on the idol of Bhagwan Parshuram. 

Swami Atma Nand Puri delivered discourses and highlighted qualities of Bhagwan Parshuram. Speaking on the occasion, DIG Sharma called upon the devotees to follow in the footsteps of Parshuram. — OC

Fazilka, April 27
Election observer Sameer Singh Chandel during today's tour of the Fazilka Assembly constituency impounded two vehicles engaged in canvassing for the SAD and the Congress without due permission from the administration.

The observer found that one Mahindra jeep carrying the flags and loudspeaker was canvassing for Congress in border village Mauzam and another Tavera jeep bearing SAD flags was being used by the party in another remote border village Mohar Jamsher.

When the election observer asked them to show the relevant documents regarding sanction for canvassing in favour of the political parties, the persons failed to furnish any such documents.

The observer impounded the vehicles. He also directed the police to register an FIR against the owners of the vehicles. — OC

Ferozepur, April 27
Punjab PCC chief Lal Singh visited Ferozepur constituency and addressed the gathering at the local Basti Bhatian Wali followed by Attari, Dheera Ghara.

He also held public meetings at Churi Wala and at Waka populated by Rai Sikhs. Waka, a border village, has 462 votes and since independence they never voted due to absence of polling booth there, said Dewa Singh, a 60 years old native of Waka.

But this time, inspired by the working style and all human political approach of Parminder Singh Pinki, they passed a resolution in the panchayat to vote and support Congress and also joined the party in presence of PPCC general secretary Parminder Singh Pinki on Sunday. — OC

Moga, April 27
A scam in black marketing of kerosene meant for Public Distribution System (PDS) has come to light in Moga town. The police has registered a case under section 409 of the IPC and section 7 of the Essential Commodities Act against a depot holder.

The depot holder has been arrested and 600 litres of kerosene recovered from him, which he was trying to sell in the black market.

As per the details, Balbir Singh, son of Mangal Singh was running a ration depot at Bedi Nagar here. There were reports that he was selling kerosene and other commodities in black cutting into the quota of the poor families.

Last evening, a team of the local police trapped him red-handed while selling kerosene at higher rates and recovered 600 litres of kerosene from him.

However, the district administration and the food and civil supplies department was yet to take action with regard to the cancellation of the depot licence, when the news report was last filed.

Meanwhile, there were reports that a majority of the depot holders were selling kerosene in the open market at rates ranging between Rs 30 to Rs 38 per litre as per the requirement of the buyer cutting into the quota of the poor families.