Amritsar, July 7
Irate residents and members of trade and industry were up in arms against the PSEB for erratic power supply and prolonged cuts as they are facing a severe heat wave. As the monsoons play hide and seek, there is little hope for improvement in the power supply. Officials of the Punjab State Electricity Board said the cuts had gone up from eight to 10 hours daily with little respite from the sweltering heat. The last week’s rain had brought some relief but the continue dry spell has come as a big blow not only to the agriculture sector but also to the industrial units who were facing long cuts.

According to the metrological website, rains were expected to hit the region in the next two to three days. The board officials said due to intense heat conditions, the load on the transmission had gone up manifold and only rains could provide the much-needed relief to the parched fields and the people.

Till last week, the whole of the state, specially the border district of Amritsar, has faced unprecedented power cuts ranging from eight to 12 hours daily. Generators and invertors have failed to provide the back up to the power thirsty people.

The construction of new malls and commercial complexes has added to the woes of the power-starved board which has been giving connections to several of this complexes without caring to generate extra units or bulk purchase power to meet the growing consumption which is going up by 20 per cent annually for the past two decades. The hype created by the state government to make the state power surplus in the next three years has failed to kick off as construction of all the four proposed thermal plants is yet to start. The discontent among the residents is likely to grow in the coming days in case the rains fail to provide relief. The suppliers of generators, inverters and other alternate appliances were receiving huge orders, but were unable to cop up with the heavy demand.

Amritsar, July 7
Scant rains and searing heat have adversely affected the crops of seasonal vegetables and fruits, causing their prices to shoot up in the city.

Spiraling costs of vegetables have dealt a blow to the budget of households. The middle and lower middle class families reel under the bitter impact of soaring prices while Below Poverty Line (BPL) families find it hard even to survive.

Lemon is no longer a compulsory ingredient in the diet of industrious persons with meager resources. Said to be a saviour of persons involved in working in the sun during summers, lemon is being sold at Rs 70 to Rs 80 per kg in the retail market.

A resident of Majitha Road Sushmita Mehra, a house maker, says all seasonal vegetables like ladyfinger, bitter gourd, tomato, colocasia and tinda occupy a lion’s share of the budget. She rues that no vegetables are available at less then Rs 30 per kg.

Rajinder Singh, employed at a local firm, talked of the lighter side of skyrocketing prices. “Shopkeepers no longer tell prices of a kilogram lest the customers may be scared. So they prefer saying prices of 250 grams”, he added.

According to the Fruit and Vegetable Merchants Union, about 60 per cent fall in arrival of vegetables has been recorded in the wholesale market.

Harish Taneja, general secretary of the union, said 60 per cent fall in the arrival of Mango and 75 percent in plum and Bokhara plum had been recorded.

Similarly, the crop of potato is not arriving in the capacity as it used to come from adjoining Himachal Pradesh every year. While he said local crops like ladyfinger, bitter gourd, tomato and lemon were affected by prolonged heat.

When contacted, Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO), Paramjit Singh Sandhu said it is natural that prolonged heat and absence of adequate rain would affect crops adversely. He said it was temporary phase and would subside with the arrival of new crops.

Amritsar, July 7
Tejinder Singh, a small-time farmer of Nagkalan village in Majitha subdivision is a pleased person these days.

With a view to augmenting his income, he has procured a tractor valued at Rs 5.50 lakh, Laser Leveller for Rs 3.5 lakh and Rota Vater worth Rs 85,000.

He levels soil, ploughs land of those farmers who do not own them and in return gets remuneration.

Owning just three acres, he has managed to posses these costly farm equipment with a loan of Rs 10 lakh approved by a district-level committee headed by Deputy Commissioner K.S. Pannu with the Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO), the Deputy Director Horticulture and the Deputy Registrar Cooperative Societies as its members.

The Punjab State Farmer Commission has floated the scheme for farmers owning less than 10 acres of land.

Under it a farmer is given Rs 10 lakh in advance with 33 per cent subsidy.

The innovative scheme aims at increasing the income of farmers, marred by dwindling land holdings.

It is not reasonable to possess costly farm equipment used for a limited period. It only results in show off in society. These costly equipment must be rented out to augment income.

High cost of farm equipment and rise in cost of labourers, resulting from their return to native states, have driven young farmers to join hands to float societies to procure costly farm appliances and giving them on rent to farmers for a brief time period.

So far, the committee recommended 30 cases, including 11 to corporate societies. Educated unemployed youth from rural areas, with little capital and assistance from the state government, have floated nearly 11 corporate societies. Shrinking of land holdings is also forcing the rural youth to look for new ventures to carve out a career.

The beneficiaries procured tractors, laser levellers, Rota vator (land preparation), happy seeder (Rs 90,000), paddy transplanter (Rs 1.65 lakh), multi-purpose bed planter (Rs 50,000) and others.

They give these appliances to farmers against a rent for a limited period.

The concept was lapped up by the youth and centres were opened in various parts of the district. The centres are primarily serving marginal and mediocre farmers who are unable to buy expensive equipment. Besides, some of the farm equipment are utilised during a specific period of the year.

Amritsar, July 7
Destroying of natural refuse by burning has put green belts of the holy city under severe threat with incidents of fire destroying these green spaces on the roadside becoming an order of the day.

The easy way to get rid of waste dumps and save manual labour caused a great loss to our grean wealth. The latest casualty this time is the large part of green belt having many high rise and decorative trees along the boundary wall of Guru Nanak Dev University on the Ram Tirath road.

Even as the world famous university which boasts of its botanical garden and lush green spaces, has failed to maintain these green belts. Earlier, a large part of the green belt along the boundary wall of the university on the GT Road was ravaged in a fire allegedly caused by some persons to destroy congress grass and waste.

What is more strange is burning the green belt on the Amritsar cantonment side on the same road. Thus burned green belts on either side on half-a-kilometre stretch till Mahal village has disappointed various NGOs and environmentalists who are working hard to enhance the green spaces in the holy city.

Mission Aagaaz executive and environmentalist Deepak Babbar said Manjit Jangra, an activist of the organisation, who was passing through the road noticed this fire which had ravaged the whole green stretch and was reaching to the backside gate of the univeristy. He along with security men of the university somehow succeeded to douse the fire. But it had already damaged a larger part of the green belt. He said even as the university which had its own landscape department, failed to initiate any steps to recreate the green belt outside the university gate on the GT Road till now, this loss had raised many serious questions and worries among the environmentalists. He urged the university authorities to fix responsibility of the persons who he alleged had lit the fire to destroy the waste.

Brij Bedi, a social activist, said authorities and the administration seemed to be non serious on the issue. He said the NGOs should play an active role in maintaining these green spaces. He said the administration should divide the city into several parts and fix the responsibility of the NGOs to maintain and develop green belts. He said the administration should establish a cell, especially dedicated to this cause, with provision of at least 50 gardeners with a supervisor who could be paid under the NREGA scheme.

When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Kahan Singh Pannu said the administration was serious in enhancing the green cover. However, it was not possible to take action in such incidents as it was difficult to trace the persons who had lit the fire. He added that he would look into the matter. While criticising, Pannu said several NGOs, instead of playing active roles, were only limited to issue statements to the press.

Burning of residue not only destroyed green belts but it also added to global warming, besides destroying flora and fauna.

Amritsar, July 7
The Tribune talked to emminent personalities from different sectors for their reactions on the Union Budget 2009-10.

Gunbir Singh, Chairman, CII Punjab State Council:

Warmly welcoming the Budget for 2009-10 presented by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Gunbir Singh, Chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Punjab State Council, said it was in keeping with CII’s expectations.

He said many of recommendations made by the CII have been incorporated in the budget with spending package for inclusive growth and large outlays on infrastructure and NREGA will help revive the economy by stimulating investment and consumption. A record Rs 10 lakh crore expenditure by the Central government shall spur demand in the economy and thus assisting the growth, he added.

Gunbir said on tax reforms, reiteration of implementation of goods and service tax by April 2010 was a very welcome and key initiative. In general the budget has clearly outlined the intent towards convergence of rates and simplification of procedures. He said that the removal of FBT, CTT and Income Tax surcharge are positive steps towards simplification in tax structure and CII is looking forward to the announcement of the Direct Tax code within the next 45 days, as announced by the budget, he said.

Kahan Singh Pannu, Deputy Commissioner: The DC, who is also an agriculture expert, said he welcomed the budget, which envisages four per cent growth in the agriculture sector. He said the government must provide revolving research funds to the agriculture universities for conducting research on high yielding variety, which consumes less water to save the precious natural resource. He said that with the shrinking agriculture land the agriculture growth has stagnated and the government must provide new impetus with farsighted approach to make agriculture sustainable for a longer period to feed the population of the country.

Realty sector: The sector has not been enthused by the budget, as the government has not touched the property segment and failed to provide any relief to the potential buyers of the property.

Krishan Kumar Kuku, a leading land developer and coloniser, said the government should have provided relief in income tax on the interest paid for acquiring a house for a property.

He said Punjab has received a serious setback in the realty segment and revenue from the property sale purchase has drastically dropped in last two years. He welcomed the steps to stimulate growth through social economic funding at the grassroots level.

Rattan Singh Randhawa, leader of Jamhoori Kisan Sabha: He criticised the government terming the Union Budget as anti-farmer and anti-people.

P N Arora, Chairman of Hindu College Managing Committee: He welcomed the budgetary allocation for higher education and said with cheaper education loans the lower middle class families could avail the opportunity to professional colleges.

He said the Central Government should encourage NAAC accredited college with more funds for improving the standard of education and bring in more and more needy students into colleges.

Amritsar, July 7
People, especially those engaged in professional works required to constantly look at computer screen and other vocation demanding focused attention, besides minute observation, complain of “watery eyes”. The number of people suffering from the disease is mounting.

The problem can be either congenital (from birth) or acquired. The symptoms of “watery eyes” may involve eye discharge, sticky eyelids in the morning, swelling around the eyes spreading to the face and in acute cases, is painful.

Dr Raman Mittal, oculoplastics specialist (plastic surgery of the eye) working at Dr Om Parkash Eye Institute here, while explaining in detail the new technique, says, “The watery eyes is a problem caused by blockade of eye’s drainage system wherein the naturally produced eye fluid in lacrimal gland that keeps the eye lubricated and then naturally drains out through nose or throat through the naso-lacrimal duct fails to follow the natural course and results in pooling of the tears resulting in watery eyes or drooling of the fluid as tears.”

He said the new laser technique evolved in advanced countries some five years back, was now available in the city. It is preferred by patients afraid to undergo a surgical operation. He said laser has other advantages over the conventional technique as it involves no cuts, no bleeding or wound and above all, no scar. Besides, requiring no bandage or eye patch, the patient was fit to resume his duties.

However the doctor advised pregnant women against the laser procedure as not much data about its safety were available.

Amritsar, July 7
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) urged the Central and Maharashtra governments to restore the dissolved management committee of Takht Hazoor Sahib at the earliest.

Seeking immediate intervention of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, DSGMC President Paramjit Singh Sarna said it hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community and added that it was also against the democratic principles to oust a religious body.

Meanwhile, SGPC member Manjit Singh Calcutta said Takht Hazoor Sahib was one of the five revered Takhts of the Sikh faith. There was a prescribed set of rules for constituting a management committee and ousting it. However, he said, the established norms were not followed in this case. He also questioned installation of Maharashtra’s former DGP P.S Pasricha as its administrator. He said only a baptised Sikh could head a Sikh religious management body as per the “rehat maryada” (code of conduct).

Sarna said the hurry in which the Maharashtra government expelled the management committee and appointed an administrator in its place raised doubts. He added that if there was any urgency in appointing a head for managing the affairs of the shrine then a southern Sikh must have been given preference. He said the Sikh masses were forced to be suspicious of this appointment as Pasricha’s earlier stint with the management of the Takht was mired in controversy.

Earlier, the Maharashtra government had dissolved the board for managing affairs of Takht Hazoor Sahib on July 10, 2000, and constituted a 16-member management committee headed by a chairman in its place. Pasricha was appointed its chairman in November, 2005.

Amritsar, July 7
A local young talented swimmer has brought glory to the country and the holy city by claiming the sixth position in the International Children Games held in Athens recently.

Glowing with pride, Abhinav Dudeja (14), son of ace swimmer Ajay Dudeja, told The tribune that it was a marvellous experience participating in such a high-level competition and competing with the best in the young students’ category, participants in which came from 27 countries across the globe. He remained sixth in the 50 m backstroke category and also participated in the 100 m backstroke category.

He attributed his success to his parents, family and coaches, especially his mother, for encouraging him to take swimming as a sport, which not only keeps him healthy but also mentally fit to pursue his class IX studies in DAV Public School. He said his mother took care of his nutritious diet.

Earlier, he created a record in the 50 m freestyle during the All-India CBSE Swimming Competition by covering the distance in 33.48 seconds. He clinched the gold in the contest as well as in the 50 m backstroke competition held in Bhopal.

He learnt swimming at the age of six. He bagged nine gold and silver medals in various competitions. Among his successes include two golds in the 50 m backstroke and freestyle competitions in the CBSE North Zone Swimming Competition. He secured the top positions in 50 m and 100 m freestyle and the second position in 50 m backstroke. He bagged top positions in 50 m freestyle, 100 m freestyle and 50 m backstroke in the district swimming competition.

He clinched his first medal in 50 m freestyle under-11 age group during the Sub-Junior Open Punjab (2002). The medal not only boosted the morale of this young sportsperson, but also encouraged his parents, who decided to make him a swimmer par excellence. In the next year’s (2003) edition of the championship, he secured golds in 50 m and 100 m freestyle. He got the 10th position in the Sub-Junior Open National Swimming Championship (2003) held at Talkatora in New Delhi.

Amritsar, July 7
A meeting of the Engineers’ Association, which met here today, expressed deep concern for not arresting “real culprits”, involved in the assault on Amrik Singh, Additional Superintending Engineer (west division) Chheharta, which took place 
on June 22.

The secretary of the association Jagjit Singh Such said it was a matter of grave concern that even after two weeks of the attack, the district police had failed to identify the actual culprits.

He said a five-member-committee, comprising PD Lufa, Parmjit Singh Bal, Narinder Singh Bal, JS Suchu and Amrik Singh, had been formed to take up the case with the Deputy Commissioner and the SSP.

It is pertinent to mention here that Amrik Singh was going to his office in his official jeep when he was attacked by unidentified youths with Hockey sticks and baseball bats in full public view. His vehicle was badly damaged during the attack while his driver Mehnga Singh had sustained minor injuries.

The Verka police, with which a case has been registered, has arrested Harpreet Singh, an employee of the PSEB, in this connection. The district police has claimed that the complainant had alleged that the attack was conspired by one of their employees Harpreet Singh, RTM, who had earlier threatened him.

The police authorities said the matter was under investigation and no more arrests have been made in the case.

Amritsar, July 7
The Rotary Club, Amritsar (North East), has started free blood investigation camps for those who cannot afford the costly tests. The first camp in the series was held on Sunday where about 200 patients got their blood tests done.

Taminder Singh, secretary of the club, said the camps would be held on the first Sunday of every month.

Dr Jagdish Gargi, Principal, Government Medical College, inaugurated the camp.

Taminder said the club was running a free sewing and stitching training centre at Mudhal village for the girls of rural area. He said the club would soon open a free computer training centre to train the girls of rural areas in computer.

Amritsar, July 7
Guru Nanak Dev University in its recent Syndicate meeting has approved the relaxation of 5 per cent (i.e from 55 per cent to 50 per cent) marks at the Master’s level and 5 per cent relaxation at the graduate level under the term of “Good academic record” at par with SC/ST candidates to the physically and visually handicapped candidates in university appointments.

Amritsar, July 7
The police nabbed seven gamblers and satta operators during a raid conducted on a private hotel and seized more than Rs 70,000 from them. The accused were identified as Rajiv Kumar of Kallu Da Akhara, Navprit Singh of Bazaar Laxmansar Chowk, Narinder Kumar of Gate Bhagtanwala, Manjinderbir Singh of Gate Bhagtanwala, Lakhbir Singh of Bhagtanwala, hotel manger Ravi Kumar of Himachal Pradesh and servant Parveen Kumar of Rishikesh, Uttaranchal. A case has been registered under sections 13, 3 and 67 of the Gambling Act and 420 of the IPC.

Meanwhile the police nabbed Gagandeep Singh of Bagh Rama Nand and recovered a snatched car (PB-02-BD-9409) from him.

Harjinder Singh, the complainant, who hailed from Gurdaspur and working as a driver with the Mehta Transport, Ranjit Avenue, said on July 5 night, he parked his car outside Milan Palace, Batala Road. The accused along with other persons forcibly sit in his car and pushed him out of the car near Sun City. He informed the police which put up a naka on the Batala road and arrested Gagandeep Singh with the snatched car.