Moga, May 30
Ten months have gone but the Punjab government has failed to plug the breach occurred on the main embankment of Sutlej by the swelling river on the intervening night of August 14 and 15 last year, which caused widespread damage to human lives, agriculture and property in Moga and Ferozepur districts.

A couple of months back, the district administration prepared a priority-wise list of flood protection and drainage work to be executed before the onset of monsoons and demanded a sum of Rs 6.5 crore from the government for this purpose but the money had not been received, so far.

Monsoons were just five weeks away from the northern plains but the government was yet to wake up to the threat of floods creating a sense of insecurity among the people living along the Sutlej river in this belt.

As per the details available, the estimated cost on filling the breach at RD-28250/L of Gidderpindi bandh is Rs 12 lakh, raising of various bandhs Rs 2.06 crore, raising of advanced bandh Rs 40 lakh, bringing to design section of 5-L bandh Rs 5 lakh, construction of stone crated studs on 5-L bandh Rs 88 lakh, repairing of armoured spurs Rs 48 lakh and desilting works of the drainage department of Kishanpura drain Rs 35 lakh, Moga drain Rs 75 lakh, Bassian drain Rs 25 lakh, Tihara link drain Rs 15 lakh, Attari drain Rs 3.5 lakh, Dagru drain Rs 18 lakh, Badhni drain Rs 31 lakh and Butter drain Rs 19 lakh.

A detailed report of the requirement of these funds was sent to the state government by the district administration a few weeks back but response has not come.

Pointing a question mark on the seriousness of the state government, a senior official of the irrigation department revealed to The Tribune that even if the required money comes within a week it would not be possible to complete all the proposed works before the onset of the monsoons.

Jaswinder Singh Aulakh, a resident of Takhtuwala village that was badly hit by the breach in the river said that the government authorities were not serious in flood control measures.

"The government has not been able to plug the main breach on the embankment of the river even after ten months of the floods", he alleged.

Meanwhile, when contacted the District Magistrate of Moga Satwant Singh Johal said that the state government had convened a high-level meeting for flood control measures on coming June 4 at Chandigarh.

Adding that the required funds were being awaited from the state government, the DM said that as soon as the money comes the administration would not waste any time in carrying out all these works. 

Bathinda, May 30
Close on the heels of the civil surgeon, Muktsar, coming under the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) scanner for alleged callousness in saving a female foetus, the officiating civil surgeon, Ferozepur, has now been accused of similar charges.

The Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) cell, Bathinda, and the Beti Bachao Manch, an NGO, have accused the officiating civil surgeon, Ferozepur, of negligence in acting upon information related to female foeticide.

Sadhu Ram Kusla, project officer of the PNDT cell, along with Bansi Lal Sachdeva and Ranbir Brar, conveners of the NGO, have lodged written complaints to various authorities, including the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, the Department of Health and Family Welfare, the deputy chief minister, the chief secretary and the state health minister.

They stated that on May 28 at 7 pm, the PNDT cell here received a tip-off that one of the two wives of Rahul Verma of Multania road, Bathinda, was four-month pregnant. Verma already had two daughters and had got the sex of the foetus determined. As per the information received by the PNDT cell, he along with his wife was going to the Grover Hospital, Jalalabad (Ferozepur) to get rid of the female foetus.

Sadhu Ram Kusla said, "We immediately took up the matter with the in-charge, Civil Hospital, Bathinda, who immediately conveyed it to the civil surgeon, Ferozepur, the competent authority under the PNDT Act."

The complainants alleged, "The civil surgeon, Feorzepur, for reasons better known to him, instead of conducting a raid, informed the district police. Meanwhile, the hospital authorities came to know about it. They shifted the pregnant mother to somewhere else and aborted the foetus."

The complainants stated that since the civil surgeon had to implement the PNDT Act throughout his district he was fully responsible for the lapse.

When contacted, Dr Neelam Bajaj, Civil Surgeon, Bathinda, said, "Soon after receiving the information, we had passed it on to the officiating civil surgeon, Ferozepur, for further action. On Friday evening, I came to know that after aborting the foetus, the couple had returned to Bathinda, which was also informed to the authority concerned."

On his part, the officiating civil surgeon, Ferozepur, Dr DP Godara, said, "I did not inform the police but called up the SMO, Jalalabad. But before we could raid the hospital, the couple had already left the place. The statements of the accused have been recorded. The registers of the hospital in question and of others located in its surrounding have been seized."

Bathinda, May 30
To educate farmers and students about various schemes and recent trends in agriculture, the Baba Farid Institute of Higher and Foreign Studies, Bathinda, organised a seminar, especially for the farmers belonging to Malwa region.

Gurmeet Singh Dhaliwal, managing director of the Institute, welcomed Dr M.S. Kang, vice-chancellor, Punjab Agriculture University (PAU), Ludhiana, who was the chief guest on the occasion.

In his address, Dr S.S. Gosal, head, School of Agriculture Biotechnology, PAU, gave details about various schemes related to agriculture that were launched by the Centre and the state government for the benefit of the farming community. He exhorted farmers to drive maximum benefit out of such schemes. Gossal said in order to face the new challenges in agriculture the farmers must replace the traditional farm technologies with the modern ones and it was possible only if the farmers kept a constant touch with the university scientists.

Terming the agriculture as backbone of the rural economy, he urged upon the farmers to update their knowledge of new agricultural practices in order to supplement their income. He hoped that the PAU would also organise such more seminars in every nook and corner of the state for the benefit of farmers.

Later, M.S. Kang said the PAU made policies for farmers keeping in mind their interests and it was up to the state government to recommend those policies. The PAU works as a team for the guidance of farmers, he added. He congratulated the institute for organising such a seminar.

A brief interaction session between farmers and PAU scientists was also arranged where Dr G.S. Buttar, director, Regional Training Centre, PAU, Bathinda, and Pushpinder Singh Aulakh, director, Regional Training Centre, Abohar, were also present.

The participants, including farmers, shared their experiences with the PAU scientists and urged them to organise more of such seminars to update them on the latest trends in agriculture.

Lauding the efforts of the PAU in educating the farmers and students about the latest agricultural technologies being adopted in the state, G.S. Dhaliwal, MD of the Institute, said such efforts would go a long way in boosting the farm production in the state.

Bathinda, May 30
Bathinda boy Arashpreet Singh has secured third position in Punjab in the AIEEE examination, the results of which were declared today.

His all India rank is 156. He has already cracked the IIT-JEE 2009 with 322 rank.

“I have never been a book-worm and used to study consistently for 2-3 hours a day with full concentration,” said a jubilant Arash. He plays soccer and enjoys listening to music.

He says, the mantra behind cracking the competitions is thorough subjective study. He owes his success to his parents, sister and his teachers. He took coaching from the Harbhajan Institute.

Arash considers his father Satveer Singh, lecturer of Chemistry at Government Rajindra College, as his role-model and learnt chemistry from him. “Arash had always remained optimistic throughout his studies and was never pressurised by us to study. He used to study whenever he felt like,” said his proud mother Gurmeet Kaur, a librarian at GZS College of Engineering and Technology, Bathinda.

Arash had cleared IIT-JEE last year also and was offered admission at IIT, Guwahati and BITS Pilani, where he did not join. He wishes to join IIT Delhi or Bombay this time.

Bathinda, May 30
Brig Ashish Ranjan Prasad honoured the meritorious students of classes X and XII at the Bathinda Military Station today. These students were the children of Army personnel who fared well in their board examinations, results of which were declared recently.

Ravi Prakash from the Army School did his class XII with science and maths and wants to go for engineering.

Pooja Sikdar wants to join the Army after she clears her engineering while Aditya Kanwar wants to explore the field of music and animation after clearing his class XII in Arts stream as he feels that not many students opt for creative subjects these days.

Nikhil Singh scored 93.2 per cent in class X and aspires to do engineering from IIT. Sarakshi Handa, who did her class XII with science subjects, said, “I would strive to become a doctor and serve the humanity.”

Bathinda, May 30
A painting and slogan-writing competition was organised on the ocassion of the World No Tobacco Day at Swami Vivekanada College on Saturday.

Principal Raj Gupta said that the ministry of health and family welfare of India has taken an appreciable step of packets of products containing tobacco must reserve 40 per cent of space for displaying a warning message. Information on anti-tobacco laws was also given which covered the penalty and imprisonment of anyone flouts the law. 

Abohar, May 30
Religious fervour and gaiety marked celebrations on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Arut, the founder of globally known Arora community, in twin districts of Hanumangarh and Sriganganagar.

Braving soaring mercury, hundreds of Arora community members of all age groups joined a procession that carried tastefully decorated tableaux, depicting life and ideals of the great social reformer and ruler, who had developed a town on the banks of river in undivided Punjab province on the advice of Bhagwan Parshuram. Scores of enthusiastic youths led the procession using two-wheelers while the Rath of Arut Ji Maharaj was pulled by horses.

Interestingly, the Arorvansh Sabhas of Hanumangarh Junction and town this time joined hands to celebrate the birth anniversary jointly. The procession supported by the band masters originated from the Arorvansh Dharamshala and passed through the main bazaars of the Junction area. At Bhagat Singh Chowk, people warmly welcomed the procession by showering flower petals.

The spirit and reverence of the community members is unparalleled, one Bal Krishan Thareja remarked. Welcome gates were erected on the route by different citizens. Women too recorded unprecedented participation.

After completing the round, the participants reassembled in the Arorvansh Dharamshala where some members of the community were honoured for their outstanding performance in the respective fields. Champat Rai Chalana and Dr BK Chawla presidents of the town and junction units thanked the participants for making the celebrations a grand success.

They exhorted the community to shun social evils and develop positivism in life. Free kitchen was also run.

Members of Shri Arorvansh Jagriti Sewa Samiti led by Hans Raj Gheek distributed fruits to the inmates of old age home and an orphanage. Reports of celebrations have also been received from Sriganganagar, Gharsana and Suratgarh. 

Bathinda, May 30
More than 300 out of the total 700 cases were settled during a Lok Adalat held at the district court complex here today.

Kuldip Singh, District and Sessions Judge, Bathinda, supervised the Lok Adalat.

During the Lok Adalat, revenue cases relating to mutation proceedings, compensation disputes or matters pending before the executive authorities under various urban and rural local bodies, matrimonial disputes, recovery proceedings, excise and taxation cases, cases under the Electricity Act and Motor Vehicles Accident Claims etc. were also settled.— TNS

Mansa: Lok Adalats were also held today at Mansa, Sardoolgarh and Budhlada. Out of nearly 158 cases, 109 cases were settled on the spot.

During the Lok Adalat at Mansa, six benches were formed to solve the cases.One bench was led by Justice Bhupinder Singh district and session's judge, another bench was led by the additional district and session's judge JS Bhatia. In the Lok adalt at Mansa, out of 79 cases 44 cases were solved. — OC

Mansa, May 30
A meeting of office-bearers of the Congress was held in Mansa today to review the election results of Bathinda Parliamentary seat.

Addressing the meeting, district Congress president Ajit Inder Singh Moffar said that it was found that a high level conspiracy was hatched in the voting process.

In the meeting, the party members demanded that a judicial inquiry in this regard should be conducted. “This case would be put up before the Election Commission to get justice,” Moffar said.

Party men criticised the government and district administration for doing injustice to the labourers, who were occupying panchyat land to construct their houses. Moffar said that district administration had adopted a wrong path in tackling this issue. — OC

Abohar, May 30
The police have registered a case under Section 307 of the IPC against BJP councillor Ravi Makkar, who is president of the Yuva Arorvansh Sabha also, and others in connection with the clash that reportedly took place near the city bypass crossing close to village Alamgarh yesterday, sources said. No case has so far been made out against the other faction.

As per information, warring factions of liquor/wine shop licensees had clashed over opening of competitive sale outlet near the bypass. Makkar claimed that he had been allotted sale outlet by the Excise and Taxation Department but the other group was trying to open a branch illegally about 200 feet away.

As per information, Amit Doda partner of the other liquor/wine group alleged that when his staff was returning to the town from rural areas Ravi Makkar BJP councillor, his brother Raman Makkar, Titu Chhabra husband of another BJP councillor and their men attacked them resulting in injuries to Massa Singh, Rinku, Arun, Rajneesh and Arvinder Singh. All were admitted to the Nehru Memorial Civil Hospital.

On the other side Raman Makkar and Raju who were rushed to the civil hospital at Fazilka to avert further clashes here alleged that the Amit Doda group assaulted them with sharp edged weapons and indulged in firing when they were sitting at the wine shop located outside village Alamgarh.

Notably the Excise and Taxation Department had allotted only five sale outlets through lucky draw last year but the contractors had allegedly opened many "branches" illegally in different localities here.

Some of such sale outlets were located close to temple and educational institutions. But the administration had ignored all complaints lodged by NGOs against them, it is said.

Ferozepur, May 30
Local businessman and Member Cantonment Board from Ward no. 5, Radhey Shyam, suffered serious injuries today when another businessman, Sushil Kumar, allegedly fired at him following a dispute over some financial transaction.

According to information, the injured councillor has been rushed to DMCH, Ludhiana while the person who fired at him is reportedly absconding.

Sources said that both, Radhey Shyam and Sushil Kumar, are junk dealers and were nursing business rivalry with each other being in the same profession, and their differences reached flashpoint today when their arguments over some financial matter took violent turn and the later, in a fit of rage allegedly fired at Radhey Shyam, reportedly hitting him on shoulder.

Radhey Shyam is associated with the ruling SAD while Sushil Kumar is a Congress man.

The police has started investigation in to the matter. 

Fazilka, May 30
The jawans of 199 Bn BSF arrested one 'mentally disturbed' person, aged around 35 years, near Mohar Sona BOP in Fazilka sector today morning.

Official sources said BSF jawans noticed a person moving near barbed-wire fencing. They immediately arrested him. He was identified as Bhura Ahmed, a resident of Meerut in UP. BSF officials handed the man over to Sadar police Fazilka. Nothing has been recovered from his possession.— OC

Hanumangarh/Abohar, May 30
A team led by Kishan Lal, in-charge of the police post at Dhannasar Kainchi during a raid at the residence of Mohinder Mirasi at village Lakhera today recovered a girl, who had been missing for the last three months from Rawatsar, sources said on Saturday.

Mohinder's wife Reshma along with Ranjit's wife Sarbati was also arrested for resisting the police action. — OC