Bathinda, July 30
The Bhartiya Kisan Union Ekta (Ugrahan) and Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union in a massive demonstration held in front of the Mini-Secretariat here today demanded waiving of all kinds of loans of labourers, an end to arrests, grant of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of those debt-ridden mazdoors who had committed suicide and government job to one member of each affected family.

The demonstration was held as part of the state-wide agitation to raise the issues and problems of the agriculture and rural workers.

Addressing the workers, Shingara Singh Mann, district president of the BKU (Ugrahan), said: ''The Punjab government is following a dilly-dally approach regarding the problems of the rural labour. It had not taken any concrete step to solve the problems of unemployment or poverty in the rural areas. Moreover, the labourers are not provided with foodgrains at lower rates despite promises by the SAD-BJP government including distribution of ration through depots, restoration of electricity connections to the houses of labourers after one-time waiving of power bills, placement of all labourers in the below poverty line category and allotment of residential plots to mazdoors along with grants to build houses.''

Among other things, union leader demanded free electricity, water supply and abolition of security for new connections, a separate social welfare fund for rural labour, at least 50 kg wheat at the rate of Rs 2 per kg and 15 kg rice at a rate of Rs 3 per kg supply to the rural labourers every month, 5-marla plots to the landless labourers and to fix at least Rs 125 as minimum wages.

Addressing the protesters, Jora Singh Nasrali, president and Lachhman Singh Sewewala, general secretary, Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, lashed out at the state and union governments.

They alleged that employment guarantee schemes, the Atta Dal scheme, laws to regulate limits of farming land and Shagun scheme have failed to improve the lot of the poor but have only benefitted the upper crust of society. They pointed out that the state government had failed to provide 100 units of free electricity supply to the labourers so far. The education facilities in the rural areas were also inadequate and out of the reach of the labourers.

The speakers urged the government to enhance the old-age pension to Rs 1,000 per month and to release funds under special component scheme. The government should try to improve the conditions of the families of the rural labour, who were forced to live a second-class citizens' life despite their significant contribution to the state economy.

The unions warned the government to accept the genuine demands of the workers otherwise they would be forced to intensify their struggle.

Barnala, July 30
Lashing out at Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal and his family for allegedly ignoring "taksali" (genuine) Akalis, Akali workers, leaders and supporters of the Barnala family today urged Surjit Singh Barnala to quit the post of Governor of Tamil Nadu to join active politics and lead the Akali workers through out the state.

When asked about the sentiments of workers, Surjit Kaur, his wife, said she would ask him to quit the post of the Governor of Tamil Nadu to honour the sentiments of the workers.

However, though hundreds of Akali supporters of Barnala family today attended the gathering but former Dhuri MLA and expelled SAD leader Gaganjit Singh Barnala (son of Surjit Singh Barnala) was conspicuous by his absence at the workers' gathering, convened by his mother Surjit Kaur Barnala at the residence of Barnala family here in connection with the revival of the SAD (Longowal). When asked about the absence of Gaganjit from the gathering, Bibi Barnala said he was out of station and would come by August 3 or 4.

Two resolutions were also adopted by the gathering by raising hands. Through the first resolution, it was demanded from the government to order girdawari immediately to assess the damage to standing crops due to recent rains for providing compensation to the farmers while by another resolution, Surjit Kaur Barnala was asked to head the SAD (Longowal).

Bibi Surjit Kaur Barnala said in the SAD (Longowal), women wing, youth wing, farmer wing etc would be constituted. She also said the SAD (Longowal) would make efforts to get the SGPC freed from the control of Badal. She also announced that the formal announcement, regarding formation of the SAD (Longowal), would be made on August 20 on the death anniversary of Sant Longowal at Longowal.

A former Punjab minister Baldev Singh Mann said Badal had done “injustice” to the followers of Sant Longowal, like him. He said they would never reach a compromise with Badal and the SAD (Longowal) would contest the SGPC elections. Among others who addressed the workers, included Karamjit Singh Sunam, Gurjant Singh Sidhu, Mohinder Kaur, Amandeep Singh Verka from Amritsar and a former chairman of the Barnala Improvement Trust, Rupinder Singh Sandhu. 

Bathinda, July 30
In view of the increasing number of cases of crime against women, the state police has decided to set up a women police station in Bathinda.

And the Civil Lines police post, selected to house the station, is getting a face-lift. The post, however, was declared unsafe in the past.

Initially, the Crime Against Women Cell (CAWC), which is presently running at the entrance hall of the Mini-secretariat, would be shifted there and later, after a notification, it would be converted into a proper women police station, where the station house officer (SHO), would be a woman inspector.

Keeping in mind, the speculated visit of the director general of police (DGP), Punjab, here in the first week of August, the district police is working round-the-clock to give a face-lift to this 'unsafe' structure.

The Civil Lines police post has been shifted to the Model Town police post and all its records and case properties have been shifted to Kotwali police station.

For the time being, the district police have arranged about Rs 1.5 lakh for the repair of the police post. Two air- conditioners have been installed, one at the waiting room and one at main office.

To meet the Friday deadline, senior police officials have been deployed to get everything in place. Fresh coats of paint have been given to the 'unsafe' structure and new tables, chairs and other infrastructure is waiting to be installed there.

Sources in police department said that till now the land for the would-be women police station is yet to be transferred in the name of the police department as the ownership lies with other department.

The district police are finding it tough to depute the required number of women staff at the CAWC. As per a senior cop, there are 46 women cops in the district and the new police station would require nearly 25.

SSP Bathinda, Ashish Chaudhary, who was inspecting the ongoing renovation, said, "The staff crunch would be resolved as we are trying to get the required number of women staff from other districts, falling under the Faridkot range."

About the unsafe structure of the police station, he said, "After the notification, fresh funds would be allocated and a new structure will replace the existing building."

Bathinda, July 30
Prices of vegetables and fruits are skyrocketing in Bathinda and the adjoining areas.

Vendors and wholesalers here are attributing arrival of less vegetables and fruit here to the reason for these commodities going north. They said that the situation arose due to vegetables being destroyed due by the excessive heat in the past.

"The vegetables available in this season grow on creepers and get easily affected due to the scorching heat. Rains have arrived but the damage has already been done. If there is no production then the vegetables and fruits are bound to get expensive," Mahinder Kumar, president of the Ahrtiyas Association said today.

Wholesalers said that the daily sale of fruits and vegetables in mandis totals to around Rs 25 lakh. They also stated that the margin of a vendor increases if the vegetable or fruit is on the expensive side. "A vendor can not charge more than Rs 4 to Rs 5 per kg if the vegetable or fruit is not costly but if you buy apples then he can charge whatever he feels like," Mahinder Kumar added.

Prices of vegetables in retail market are as given: cauliflower costs Rs 60 per kg, tomatoes cost Rs 36 to 40 a kg, tinda costs Rs 45 to 50 a kg, zucchini would cost you Rs 50 a kg, brinjal is Rs 25 to 30 a kg, potatoes cost Rs 15 a kg, cucumber is Rs 25 a kg, lemon is Rs 60 a kg, green peas are Rs 100 a kg, onion is Rs 13 a kg, chillies are Rs 40 a kg and ladyfinger is Rs 45 to 50 per kg. Other vegetables also are exorbitantly priced.

Though, vendors said that the prices were even higher a few days back but due to the rains, the prices have dropped marginally but not much.

Fruits are out of reach with bananas costing Rs 40 per dozen, apples Rs 160 a kg, papaya Rs 30 a kg, grapes Rs 150 a kg, pomegranate Rs 125 a kg and seasonal sweet lime Rs 30 a kg. Mangoes cost Rs 80 a kg depending on the variety. With the mango season coming to an end, the fruit would be available for only a few days more and only Chausa variety is available.

Talking to people staying in slums, one learnt that their consumption was limited to potatoes, onion and brinjal only and fruits were out of question. 

Abohar, July 30
In a rare instance, the PSEB has restored electricity supply to the house owned by the wife of a former legislator here, sources said. The order was reportedly issued by the local authorities on July 25 after receiving “verbal orders” from the Board headquarters. 

The PSEB authorities had twice carried out raids at his residence, first, after formation of the SAD-BJP government to detect ‘kundi’ connection and then to remove the meter, blaming the consumer for not paying dues worth Rs 1.92 lakh. Recently, when the former legislator was campaigning for the Congress candidate in Jalalabad, a flying squad again conducted a raid and slapped a penalty of Rs 1.22 lakh. Now, the development is being attributed to the fact that the ex-legislator's name did not figure among campaigners for Hans Raj Josan during the last few days. — OC

Bathinda, July 30
To provide a lighter moment to the women inmates of Central Jail, Bathinda, some social workers of the city jointly organised Teej celebrations here today.

All the convicted and undertrial women inmates set aside their sorrows for the time being and took part in the colourful cultural show at the women’s barrack. The jail staff also joined them in the merriment comprising singing and dancing.

The inmates enacted a marriage ceremony as two of them played the role of a couple while others performed the role of kin. Wedding songs added colour and joy to the ambience.

The inmates installed a swing and a sound system was also arranged. Many of them attired in colourful dresses and sporting mehandi and ornaments, provided to them by the organisers, turned the event into moments of their lifetime.

Aware pof their miserable lives, the prisoners expressed gratitude to the organizers for providing them a day of enjoyment.

Parminder Kaur, convicted for killing her husband, said, "It has been more than a year in jail, we celebrate such festivals to banish all our worries."

"We had been preparing for the event for the past two days. Such activities invigorate the otherwise dull and boring moments in jail," said Paramjeet Kaur of Jatana village, who has also been convicted for killing her husband and is in the jail for the past four years.

Reena Kaur and Seema Kaur of Rajasthan, both sisters, who are undertrial trial in a drug related case, also enjoyed themselves. Rakesh Narula of Bathinda Vikas Manch, Raj Gupta, principal of Swami Vivekanad Girls College, Shanti Jindal, a municipal councillor, Ravinder Kaur of Phulkari orgnaisation, Surekha, SL Latka, Veena and Pushpa Bansal were among the organisers and guests.

Bathinda, July 30
The district consumer disputes redressal forum, recently awarded the general manager of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Bathinda, with a penalty to compensate the consumer to the tune of Rs 500.

According to details available, Rajesh Kumar of Mehna Chowk had filed a complaint with the consumer forum that despite claims of not charging for sending SMS between 11 pm to 7 pm, the company deducted the amount from his balance. Showing the balance in negative, the BSNL barred his outgoing and incoming calls for about 19 days.

In his statement, the BSNL official replied that the deduction was due to some technical snag and was reimbursed later on. — TNSs