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Captain refrains from personal attacks on Badal family
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Lok Sabha Polls
Error in pay panel report irks ETT teachers
Mothers’ Day today
Mansa lags behind in literacy rate
More funds to boost sugar industry in Punjab
Three cases of crime against
women in a day
4 members of ex-MLA’s family killed in mishap
Warehouse watchmen killed as rice bags fall
Lok Adalat held
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Captain refrains from personal attacks on Badal family
Moga, May 9 A little relaxed on the response of the people in the public gathering, the former CM speaking to The Tribune claimed that his son would win the Bathinda seat by a margin of over one-lakh votes. When asked about the overall scenario in Punjab, he said, "Honestly speaking we will win all the seats. Although, it is a romantic idea but it is a reality". When asked about that the electioneering has reduced to Captain versus Badal, the outspoken Congress leader said that this was only in Bathinda because his son was contesting against Badal 'bahu' but in the state it is Congress versus SAD-BJP and the Congress leadership was united to uproot them from the state politics. "There is a visible wave in favour of the Congress, which the Akalis will realise soon after the outcome of the Lok Sabha elections", he said. Presently, the Akalis were wandering somewhere in a dreamland, he added. In reply to a question, the Captain said that he called Sukhbir Badal a 'balungara' (kitten) because it was his nature. Adding that 'Balungara' was not an abusive word, he said that Sukhbir is actually
'slinky' like a cat. He did not want to comment on Bikramjit Singh Majithia but when insisted on to say something he said that his involvement in the firing incident in Bathinda constituency has displayed the frustration of Akalis. This incident was not in the interest of a healthy democratic society," he said. "The people of this state are well-educated and know who is right and who is mistaken and I hope they will vote for the right candidates to secure their future and prosperity of the state and the nation as a whole", he added. |
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Lok Sabha Polls
Sriganganagar/Abohar, May 9 The district collector-cum-district returning officer Rajeev Singh Thakur said that in Sriganganagar segment poll percentage of men and women electorate was 56.53 and 52.97 respectively even as the district headquarter recorded the lowest polling in the constituency. 63.77 per cent male and 59.58 per cent female polled votes in Sadulshehar neighbouring Abohar segment. In Sangria, the percentage was 64.71 of men and 60.08 women while it was 65.73 and 60.60 respectively in Peelibanga. However, 60.04 per cent of women and 57.05 per cent of men polled votes in Hanumangarh segment. In Srikaranpur, 62.56 per cent men, 59.42 per cent women exercised their rights to vote while the percentage was 67.51 and 62.56 respectively in Raisinghnagar. It was 58.89 and 53.92 per cent respectively in Suratgarh segment. In the Sangria segment, lowest polling 42.71 was recorded in Manak Tibbi while the highest was 84.32 at 13CDR village. Notably, 95.15 per cent of electorate used photo I cards while casting their votes. In Hanumangarh segment, highest 81.46 per cent polling was recorded at 28NDR village, lowest was 38.98 per cent at village Uttamsinghwala. 94.28 per cent voters produced photo I cards while voting. 87.69 per cent electorate polled votes at village Ahmedpura in Peelibanga segment while only 45.81 per cent turn out was recorded in Kaswan even as 96.64 per cent of the voters carried photo I cards with them. |
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Error in pay panel report irks ETT teachers
Bathinda, May 9 According to a member of the front, the pay band of ETT teachers shown in the report was Rs 5,910-Rs 20,000 and grade pay was Rs 3000. Seeing this, ETT teachers in the state protested against the report. A letter accepting the error was taken out by the pay commission which clearly termed the error as a clerical mistake. According to the corrected figures the pay band of ETT teachers was Rs 10,300 to Rs 34,800 and grade pay was Rs 4,200. The front said that its members had met Ramesh Inder Grewal, principal secretary Government of Punjab on May 6 and had apprised him of the issue. According to Ramesh Hoshiarpuri from the front, Grewal had assured them that they would get the corrected pay for Grewal had sent a report to the audit department, as stated by him, but he refuses to state what the report was all about and says that it is an official matter now. Grewal also told the front that if something misses out after pay commission gets implemented then a committee would be constituted to look into the matter. The front also said that the pay commission report is not applicable on teachers under zila parishad and municipal committees. There are around 11,000 such teachers in Punjab. Now, the front has argued that when SAD had come to power it had promised to get zila parishad and municipal committee teachers under education department. But it did not happen so. The struggle is on and the front feels that their long pending demand has been rejected by Badal government as the government now says that they can not place them under the education department. In these Lok Sabha elections, their demand was not included in the manifesto and they fear that they would not be given the increased pay scales. Sources had said that there were talks about implementing the earlier pay scales and not the corrected scales. Hoshiarpuri added that their demands have been sent to all the concerned departments and a reply is awaited. They also plan to carry out a huge protest march in Noor Mahal on May 17 where all ETT teachers from Punjab would take part. |
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Mothers’ Day today
Bathinda, May 9 Though western influence is not accepted easily in India such days receive a warm response. A major credit goes to the satellite revolution, which made cultures accessible. Media is yet another channel that has spread awareness about such days. Other contributors are the greeting cards and gift markets. But more than anything, the emotional quotient attached to this day is what makes it unique. Mother is a person who can never be forgotten, feels Neelam Bajaj, civil surgeon, Bathinda. She says that a mother cannot be compared to anyone. “I believe truly that a mother is the one who creates an environment. Whatever children become is because of her. No one can understand the feelings of children more than a mother. I definitely owe a lot to my mother,” she added. What makes this day special? Swati, a class X student, says with a smile that ‘emotions’ make this day special. “I would cook a meal for my mom so that she can get some respite from the kitchen chores. She works all day long but never complains. This is what makes my mom special. I have also bought a Mothers’ Day card for her. No one understands me better than my mother and she is very special to me,” Swati said. Rupinder, a teacher in a local school, expresses her feelings with a quote, ‘A mother never thinks once, she always has to think twice. Once for herself and then for her children.’ Rupinder is a mother of two and says that her life revolves around her kids. Whatever she does is for her children. Harleen, a college student, said, “Our routines keep us busy all day long. But the Mother’s Day would remind me of my mom throughout the day. I don’t get time to think about anyone because I have a very busy routine. But such occasions definitely add that emotional warmth when we sit back and think about what our mothers went through while bringing us up. Whatever we do for them would never be enough.” |
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Providing relief from sweltering summer
Bathinda, May 9 The Goodwill Society, a local NGO, has been engaged in this altruistic job of serving water for about eight years now. With the help of about 25 employees, the NGO has been serving chilled water to passengers at the local railway station. It is carrying on with the project with the help of donations, which even comes from banks. From May to October, these good samaritans serve water to passengers. Believe it or not, on an average, about 25,000 to 30,000 glasses of water are served daily. Vijay Bareja, president of the society, and Kulwant Rai Jindal, secretary, told TNS that though they did not have the exact figures, yet 1,000 glasses of water were served on an average to passengers of each train. Besides, those waiting to board trains are also served water. “About 10 fully covered ‘rehris’ carrying water are stationed on platforms. About 400 steel glasses are in the stock even as glasses worth Rs 10,000-20,000 get lost or taken away every year. Six blocks of ice are used daily,” informed the society members. Volunteers of the society rush to the station from their resting place just before the arrival of a train to serve water. After serving it, they return to their rest place. Their shuttling between rest place and station continues from morning till evening, as does the chugging in and out of trains. A volunteer used to come from as far as Barnala daily to serve water at Bathinda, disclosed Bareja. The aged volunteers serve water on what is called “adda” (stationary water joints). Septuagenarian Balbir Singh is one such old man engaged in the service. Tarsem Arora, project coordinator of the society, is the moving force behind this act of philanthropy. Actually, a body called the Manav Seva Samiti had started the noble work a long time back. When it discontinued, the Goodwill Society took over. The society dreams of serving distilled water one day. |
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Pitcher water still preferred to quench thirst
Bathinda, May 9 Harpal, who sells pitchers on the Bibiwala road, claims to sell around 60 to 100 pitchers a day and sometime even 100. “I have been into this work for a long time now. My parents came to Bathinda half a century ago. My father used to make pitchers then and ever since, I have been witnessing that the craze for pitchers have not died down among all sections of society. Refrigerators were not there then and pitcher was a necessity. However, even today people buy pitchers and I do good business.” People who buy pitchers are mostly housewives, children staying in PGs and hostels, schools and a lot of people come from the cantonment, Harpal said. Tajinder Singh from Parasram Nagar said, “I do not like very cold water. It can get you coughing at times and you cannot gulp down very cold water. I prefer pitcher water because it is very refreshing.” Manpreet, a house wife, said although it was not proved but she believed that the pitcher water was healthier than refrigerated water. She buys a new pitcher every summer. “I have a four-year-old daughter and she prefers pitcher water. I have been consuming it for a long now. I fill a pitcher with water purified by Aquaguard and consume it. Even the guests coming to my place ask for pitcher water,” Manpreet said. A pitcher costs between Rs 30 and Rs 50 depending on its size. Pitchers are made in winters and sold in summers. When asked why these were made in winters, Harpal said, “I don’t know but everyone who make pitchers follow this practice and many people ask for pitchers made during winters.” |
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Abohar girl makes it to IAS
Abohar, May 9 Interestingly, Kamlesh Kalra is presently serving the GD Senior Secondary School where Ankush had completed her school education. Earlier, the city lad Navdeep Rinwa, son of Professor B.L. Rinwa of the DAV College had the distinction of making it to the IAS in 1999. Ankush has ranked 280 in the IAS result announced recently. She is at present serving as lecturer at the Guru Gobind Singh College in New Delhi and expected to visit the hometown after a week. Praveen Bhardwaj and Aman Sharma of the GD School management said Ankush was known as one of the outstanding students during her school days. Being an all-rounder, she not only excelled in academics but also in NSS, NCC and cultural activities. Equally buoyant Dr Neelam Arun Mittu principal of the Gopi Chand Arya Mahila College informs Ankush maintained her excellence in co-curricular activities while doing B.Com in the institution and later took admission in the Punjab University
to do her M.A. in Economics. She was honoured with Award of Honour by the Punjab University on getting 67 per cent marks. Her sister is serving as chemical engineer in a reputed oil company and brother is studying in Chandigarh. Arjun Dev Kalra had been reminding Ankush of his wish that she should work hard to qualify the IAS exam. She had also drawn inspiration from Kalyani while viewing TV serial Udaan regularly. |
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Mansa lags behind in literacy rate
Mansa, May 9 As per the information from education department, no lecturers and teachers are available for important subjects in the secondary schools and colleges. Nearly 33 per cent posts of teachers have been lying vacant. There are 42 Senior Secondary Schools and 52 Government High Schools and just one Government College in Mansa. The district has no institute to impart vocational or technical education. The buildings of most of the schools are in poor condition and children are forced to sit on the ground. The posts of lecturers for the subjects like Psychology, Geography, Philosophy, Sociology, Business Management, Urdu and Fine Arts are too lying vacant. The district has no medical college or management institute. Professor Jagtar Singh, who teaches Punjabi at Government Nehru Memorial College Mansa said that in the college there are 27 posts of permanent teachers but only six teachers have been working on regular basis while other teachers are part-timers. Students are lacking interest at studies. He demanded Engineering, Medical and B.Ed Government Colleges in the district. District project director of Sarv Siksha Abhian Darshan Singh Dhillon also expressed concern over it. DEO Secondary Harbans Singh Sandhu said that low rate of literacy is the reason for backwardness of this district. |
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More funds to boost sugar industry in Punjab
Bathinda, May 9 As per the press release issued here today, Sanjay Gupta, finance manager of the company, stated, “We are aware of the urgent needs of the industry in this region and we are sure that there is a huge potential in the sugar market here. We have already invested Rs 30 crore in Punjab, and plan to further invest Rs 250 crore here over the next three years.” The SEDL opened its research and development office in Mohali and already has branches at Panchkula, Noida, Chennai, Pune, Secunderabad and Chandigarh. According to Gupta, the SEDL is also looking at production of bio-fuel and ethanol from sugarcane. He further stated that even a traditional sugar unit creates by-products like biomass that is used for generating electricity. But the electricity generated is not sufficient and these mills still need to buy power. “However, in a modern integrated sugar complex, the efficiency of production process is very high. The biomass not only produces enough electricity for the entire unit but also the surplus power, which can be sold,” he added. |
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Three cases of crime against
women in a day
Sriganganagar/Abohar, May 9 As per information, Kalawati (name changed) of village Gadarkhera alleged in a complaint lodged with the Sadulshehar police that one Jethu Ram of the same village forced entry into her house and sexually exploited her. In a complaint lodged by a girl at the Raziasar police station, a resident of village Kardu, Ashish Ali Zakir thrashed her before assaulting sexually. Another case was registered in the Rawla police station under section 376, 323, 341, 354, 452 and 511 of the IPC and 3 SC/ST Act against Surinder Kumar, Mahabir, Banwari Lal. Som Parkash of village 12KND alleged that the accused forced entry to his house in the absence of other family members and sexually assaulted his wife besides hurling caste based abuses. Station house officers have been directed to investigate the complaints, the police said. Another case was registered at Chunavadh police station of Padampur segment under section 306, 120B against Rachna, Sheela, Amarjeet and Vikas for allegedly abetting one Shyam Lal to commit suicide. The complaint was lodged by Bhirawan Bai, mother of the victim. |
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4 members of ex-MLA’s family killed in mishap Mansa, May 9 The deceased have been identified as Jagir Kaur, mother of Arvel Singh, Gurmail Kaur his sister, Ramandeep Kaur, the daughter of his sister and Mehtab, the child of Ramandeep. It may be mentioned that Arvel Singh was injured in the clash with Congress workers at Matti village and was referred to the Fortis Hospital at Mohali. The dead were cremated at different places. Mother Jagir Kaur was cremated at Beeroke Kalan in Mansa, sister Gurmail Kaur at Mehala in Sangrur, Ramandeep Kaur and her one-year-old child at Borawal in Mansa. Meanwhile, SAD general secretary Balwinder Singh Bhunder, district president of SAD Harbant Singh Datewas and the youth leader Gurpreet Singh Banawali have expressed deep sorrow over the death of the relatives of ex-MLA Sukhwinder Singh Aulakh and Arvel Singh.
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Warehouse watchmen killed as rice bags fall
Mansa, May 9 According to information, Nachhatar Signh, resident of Matti and Darshan Signh, resident of Bhikhi were killed when the bags suddenly slipped and fell on them. This godown of Ware Wouse is situated on Bhikhi Budhlada road. SHO Bhikhi said that an inquiry would be conducted in this regard. |
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Lok Adalat held
Ferozepur, May 9 Navneet Gupta, ADA (Legal), said that 18 benches were constituted for the Lok Adalat where apart from lawyers, prominent social workers also participated. He further said that during the Lok Adalat, matrimonial cases, cases under section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act were taken up.
— OC |
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AICC
general secretary Rahul Gandhi and Congress campaign committee
chairman Amarinder Singh sharing a point during a rally in Moga on
Saturday. Sukhwinder Singh Danny, the Congress candidate for
Faridkot, is also seen in the picture. Tribune photo: Malkiat
Singh
