Muktsar, October 16
Special Principal Secretary to Punjab Chief Minister KJS Cheema toured various grain markets of this district and gave a stern warning to government officials who were found to be acting in connivance with commission agents against the interests of the farmers.

Cheema, who was accompanied by officials of the district administration, including the Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal, told various procurements agencies that paddy procurement should be a hassle-free process and any official found to be acting against the interest of the farmers would not be spared.

After touring the grain markets and inspecting things for himself, Cheema asked officials to ensure that farmers got payments of their produce within 48 hours of procurement.

Cheema, who is acting a special envoy of the Chief Minister in Bathinda, Muktsar and Mansa district as far as overseeing the process of paddy procurement is concerned, said that since rice millers had ended their strike, paddy stocks would be lifted immediately. He assured farmers delegations that not even a single farmer would be harassed in any grain market of the district.

Cheema assured the farmers present in the grain markets that the Chief Minister was constantly monitoring the situation at various levels. He said special cells had been opened at various places where aggrieved farmers could submit their grievances against any government official or officials.

Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal too expressed satisfaction over the procurement of paddy in different grain markets of the district. He said 106 purchase centres had been established all over the district and he himself was monitoring things at various levels to ensure that farmers were not subjected to any harassment. He said till yet 3.65 lakh metric tonnes of paddy had been procured by various government agencies, including Punjgrain, Markfed, FCI, Punsup, Punjab agro and Punjab Warehousing Corporation.

Jalandhar, October 16
The Union government has agreed to bear 90 per cent of estimated expenditure of Rs 487 crore on remodelling of the Sirhind Feeder Canal that carries water to some parts of Punjab and Rajasthan.

Earlier, the Union government had approved to bear only 25 per cent of the total cost on this project. The remaining project cost was to be borne by Punjab and Rajasthan in the ratio 68:32.

Official sources said Rs 487 crore would be spent on the remodelling of the canal, the seepage from which had created problems in some parts of Faridkot-Ferozepur region. The state government had approached the Union Water Resources Ministry asking it to bear 90 per cent cost of the project. Sources said the ministry had told the state government to first submit the project to the Union Planning Committee for approval.

In case, the Planning Commission approved the case then the state government would have to pay 68 per cent of Rs 48.70 crore, which would be 10 per cent of the total cost of the project.

However, the expenditure on the remodelling of the Rajasthan feeder would entirely be borne by the Union government and Rajasthan in the ratio of 90:10. This feeder canal carries water to some parts of Rajasthan.

The state government had spend several hundred crores of rupees in the past, a few years to tackle the problem of the waterlogging. However, it continues unabated. The state government has given tube well connection in the waterlogged area on priority basis to bring down the level of sub-soil water and as a measure to tackle the problem.

Bathinda, October 16
Despite Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s efforts to encourage livestock owners in the state to get their milch cattle insured under a special policy, most of them are still reluctant to sign up.

The scheme’s objective is to provide protection to farmers, especially those rearing cattle, against any eventual loss of their animals. It envisages payments from central funds as grants-in-aid with 50 per cent of the premium as subsidy, payment of an honorarium to veterinary practitioners and publicity expenses. The beneficiary will have to incur only the balance 50% of the premium.

Implementation of the scheme is being coordinated and monitored by the statistics division of the department of animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries, Government of India. The scheme, launched last fiscal, covers only six districts - Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Moga, Bathinda and Mansa and has not even come close to meeting its expectations.

Whether it is lack of awareness among farmer or unwillingness to pay for getting their cattle insured, Punjab Livestock Development Board has been finding it tough to achieve the target allotted to Bhatinda and Mansa districts. At present only 700 cattle have been covered in Bathinda while the number in Mansa is a mere 150 as compared to 920 and 300 cattle insured last year in both districts, respectively.

During an interaction with farmers to ascertain the reasons for the lack of interest in the scheme, some of them said, “The policy covers only death due to pleuropneumonia and not theft of the insured animal. Besides, injury and death due to transportation is also not covered, so it’s not much beneficial for us.”

Surinder Kumar, deputy director of the animal husbandry department, Bathinda, said: “Despite organising awareness camps most farmers are in the dark about the scheme’s benefits’.

Bathinda, October 16
Taking preventive measures against any incident of fire during Diwali celebrations, the authorities concerned have ordered to keep the cotton purchase suspended across the state for two days beginning today.

Though the orders have been passed for the suspension of only two days’ purchase, farmers will have to wait for three days as Sunday is an official holiday and mandis remain close and no auction takes place on that day. The orders have been issued in view of requests of arhtiyas.

President of the Arhtiya Association, Bathinda, Satish Kumar said, “The crop is highly inflammable and during the festival, people play with crackers in an unrestrained manner. We had urged the officials concerned to suspend the purchase as a preventive measure against any untoward incident during Diwali celebration. In the past, we had witnessed some incidents of fire which caused loss to all, including farmers, arhtiyas and even purchasers.”

Confirming the details, state cotton officer Narender Singh said, “The suspension is on the request of arhtiyas, that too, as a preventive measure.”

According to details gathered, till Wednesday, in all 41 cotton mandis of the state, about 9.5 lakh quintals of cotton had arrived, of which the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), which is at present procuring the crop in 22 mandis, purchased about 2.72 lakh quintals and the rest was purchased by private buyers.

It has also been reported that the CCI was planning to enter Bhikhi, Moga, Bariwala, Jalalabad, Ahmedgarh, Dhuri, Boha and Killianwali mandis after Diwali. However, it could not be confirmed from CCI officials.

Jalandhar, October 16
The Punjab Numberdara Union has said their grievances had not been redressed despite assurances from Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. A meeting of the office-bearers of the outfit from Jalandhar, Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Hoshiarpur was held here today.

Mohinder Singh Jehangir, general secretary of the union, said they had discussed their grievances with the Chief Minister in the presence of senior revenue officials on two occasions and despite the directives of the CM, no action had been taken at the administrative level, he alleged.

He said the CM had ordered that the post of Numberdar should be kept as a hereditary one and that the son of the Numberdar, who fulfilled all conditions laid down in the Punjab Revenue Act, 1909, would be appointed in his father’s place within 15 days. This directive was not been followed in the state resulting in harassment of their kin, he added.

The government is yet to clear their dues for the past six months. We are paid an honorarium of only Rs 500 per month as compared to Rs 700 drawn by a village watchman. This was unjust since they had to verify the antecedents of people buying and selling land or property in government offices besides other allied activities that fetched revenue for the state. The state should hike their honorarium to at least Rs 1,000, he pointed out.

He also added that the government should order a probe in the accident of their chief Harminder Singh Chhajali. Strict action should be taken against the driver of the vehicle that hit Chhajali and the state should bear all the latter’s medical expenses, he said.

The union was also creating awareness about female foeticide that had assumed alarming proportions in Punjab. We are of the view that this evil practice cannot be wiped out until we eradicate the dowry system. This menace can be tackled only when youngsters voluntarily come forward and take a pledge that they will not accept dowry, he added.

They were also persuading youngsters to desist from drug abuse since it would be fatal for their future and that of the state, he said.

Ludhiana, October 16
The Delhi-based Indian Agricultural Research Institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) on Wednesday termed the statement appearing in the Iranian press about the Pusa basmati 1121 variety as erroneous, incorrect and misleading. The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) is the developer of the variety Pusa basmati 1121.

The media reports had stated that the rice grains of Pusa basmati 1121 are genetically modified and are contaminated with heavy metal levels causing ill health.

In a press note issued today, the ICAR has stated, “Based on the analysis of the market samples of Pusa basmati 1121 rice done at the highest precision levels of parts per billion (PPB) scale at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, it is categorically stated that the rice is absolutely safe for consumption and does not contain heavy metals like arsenic or heavy metals like lead, cadmium and nickel at so low levels, which cannot cause any harm or ill-effect on human health even on daily consumption.”

The IARI has carried out detailed analyses of heavy metals in grain samples of Pusa 1121 basmati obtained from the market using graphite furnace version of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer at highest precision level of parts per billion (PPB).

There is no genetically modified (transgenic) basmati rice released or commercialised in India. Therefore, the question of Pusa Basmati 1121 being genetically modified should not arise stated ICAR authorities in the release.

They added that there is no reason for the rice industry and farmers to panic about the Iranian press report on heavy metal contamination in Pusa basmati 1121. It is pertinent to mention here that Pusa 1121 was released for commercial cultivation in 2003.

Patiala, October 16
The police administration has beefed up the security in the city. It claims to have made elaborate security arrangements to ensure that no untoward incident occurs during festival season, especially during Diwali.

SSP Ranbir Singh Khattra told The Tribune that after convening a meeting with police officials, a comprehensive strategy had been chalked out to ensure the foolproof security arrangements.

The SSP said senior police officials had already been given directions to personally monitor the security arrangements in their respective areas of jurisdiction. “The reserve police forces have been deployed in markets and crowded places. Patrolling is also being done,” said Khattra, while adding that the police nakas have been set up at all entry points in Patiala.

Senior police officials said though reviewing security arrangements ahead of the festive season was a routine exercise, this time the deployment of the police force in the city was more as compared to the previous years.

Besides deputing cops at all crowded and important places, the police has also kept the bomb squad and dog squad on alert.

Meanwhile, notwithstanding the tall claims of police officials, a round of the city during night hours revealed that presence of cops in the markets and crowded places was minimal. Many Patiala residents said once the markets were closed, the cops were nowhere to be seen.

Patiala, October 16
Film actor Om Puri, an old student of the college, was honoured with the College Ratan award at the old students meet organised by Khalsa College, Patiala, on Friday. The function was part of a series of functions to celebrate the golden jubilee year of the college.

Om Puri was the chief guest of the function. Sharing memories of his college days with the gathering, he said the initial exposure in the college and encouragement played a vital role in grooming him as a leading actor in the industry. He was adjudged the best actor for his role in drama Anhoni in the Youth Festival. That proved to be a stepping stone for his tremendous success as an actor. He recalled how Harpal Tiwana, a renowned figure of his time, had showered praise on him. He said it was a proud moment for him that the College Ratan award had been bestowed upon him.

Prof Kirpal Singh Badungar, former president of the SGPC, presided over the function. He said the college felt proud to have nurtured and taught students who had achieved zenith of success in their respective fields and earned respect for themselves, the country and the institute.

Dr Manjit Singh, Dean, College Development Council, Punjabi University, Patiala, said the old students’ association (OSA) provided a unique forum to unite with old collegemates.

Dr Dharminder Singh Ubha, Principal, Khalsa College, Patiala, welcomed the chief guest and alumni of the college. Prof Ambika, Vice-Principal of the college and general secretary of the OSA, explained the purpose and importance of the alumni association. Dr Charanjit Kaur, teacher in charge of the OSA, conducted the stage.

Eleven old students of the college namely Om Puri, Dr Manjit Singh, Dean, College Development Council, Punjabi University, Patiala, Dr Harish Sood, a plastic surgeon, Dr Gurnam Singh, Department of Gurmat Sangeet, Punjabi University, Patiala, Dr Malti Thapar, a former minister, Ashok Kumar Singla, Director, Grievances and Pension, Parvesh Kumar, Principal of the Desh Bhagat Institute of Art and Craft, Vinod Jindal, GM, PRTC, Raju Khanna, chairman of the Youth Development Board, Dyal Singh and Abhishek Rana, internationally acclaimed cyclist, were conferred with the College Ratan awards on the occasion.

Dr Gurmohan Singh Walia, director, education, SGPC, and Joginder Singh, education secretary, SGPC, were among the distinguished guests present on the occasion. Harmail Singh Tohra, additional secretary, Local Managing Committee, presented the vote of thanks.