Bathinda, October 23
In the wake of rising drug menace in the state, Punjab Governor, General (retd) S.F. Rodrigues is all set to lunch a campaign against drug addiction by adopting a multi-prolonged strategy and through effective participation of the people.

Bathinda has been chosen as the first district of the state where the Governor is expected to launch the drive in the first week of November as a pilot project. After observing the results in Bathinda, the scheme would be implemented in other districts of the state.

To run the project in a systematic form, an ‘Anti-Drug Society’ was formed here on Thursday. The Bathinda Deputy Commissioner is the president of the society, while 19 officials, heading various government departments at the district level, including police and health, have been included as office-bearers.

The main objective of the society is stated to be combating the menace of drug addiction in the district by adopting means like preventing the youth from getting hooked to drugs, checking illicit supply of drugs, promotion of community participation to fight against drug abuse, inter-sectoral co-ordination and building up of public awareness, etc.

According to the details of the project, the society will run the campaign adopting multi-prolonged strategies. To fight drug abuse, the society is supposed to hold various rallies at the block level, contests in essay writing, paper reading, making posters, slogans, etc.

Further, signature campaign, training of teachers, parent-teacher meetings, formation of anti-drug units, ‘Mahila Prerna’ clubs and drug-free youth clubs are also. The society would adopt some villages and meet with gram panchayats for motivation and cooperation. It will organize drug tests at random also.

As of per calendar of activities, the society will also get undertakings by students and parents to shun drug abuse. Besides, screening of documentaries will also be undertaken.

To achieve the goal, the Anti-Drug Society has sought Rs 7.50 lakh as funds to run all activities, which includes expenses of Rs one lakh to be incurred on the inaugural ceremony.

Sources in the district administration informed that Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tewari, who is the president of the society, today sent the details to Vishwajeet Khanna, secretary to Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who is coordinating the project, to get it approved.

Confirming the facts, Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tewari said, “We are all set to launch the drive launched. Complete details of the activities to be run under the project have been chalked out and submitted to the officials concerned to get their nod.”

Muktsar, October 23
The ban imposed by the state government authorities on the burning of paddy stubble has literally gone up in smoke with farmers here openly resorting to the burning of farm residue unmindful of deteriorating environmental and soil health.

A survey of Bhullar, Doda, Bhillaiana, Kunan Kala, Rupana, Chak Duhewala, Aulakh villages of this district revealed that farmers had already burnt the stubble or were in the process of doing so in an attempt to prepare their fields for the next crop. At some villages, the colour of fields was almost black while at other places smoke could be seen out billowing out of the fields making breathing an impossible exercise.

Environmentalists are surely worried about this hazardous phenomenon which, according to many farm scientists, is slowly acquiring Kafkaesque dimensions. This is because, as an agriculture expert pointed out, burning one tonne of paddy stubble releases 3 kg of particulate matter, 60 kgs of carbon monoxide, 1460 kgs of carbon dioxide, 199 kgs of ash and 2 kgs of sulphur dioxide.

Apart from this, heat from the burning stubble penetrates at least one centimeter deep into the soil increasing the temperature to a high-level. Large amounts of intoxicants like nitrogen dioxide are also released into the air in the process harming the environment in a big way.

Said GS Dhillon, a noted environmentalist of the region, “The burning of paddy stubble is a dangerous process. One way out is that farmers should use harvest combine at a low-level, very near the ground so that there are no traces of stubble left. Farmers, in an attempt to get their fields ready for next crop, do not use harvest combines at a low-level because it is a time-consuming process and on the contrary they resort to burning the stubble, unmindful of the effects of such an exercise. The government should enact stringent laws to check the malady.”

The Muktsar DC Rajat Aggarwal, admitted that the problem was assuming gigantic proportions but at the same time assured that the district administration was doing its best to check the environmental hazard.

He said the district administration had initiated a three pronged strategy to fight the menace. “I have directed the chief agricultural officer of Muktsar to tour villages and educate people and also asked the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to register FIRs against the offenders and also the administration has urged the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) to disconnect tubewell connections of the law breakers.”

Observers feel that this is a politically sensitive issue and officials, fearing the wrath of politicians, are not ready to touch the problem even with a bargepole. “What officials and politicians say is pure rhetoric. This practice has been going on for decades and the issue needs serious attention,” said a rice miller.

Bathinda, October 23
In a bizarre drama, a woman after allegedly poisoning and strangulating her so-called husband to death, tried to cremate the body but the Sangat police that reached the cremation ground at village Doomwali here in time thwarting her plan. The woman had told people that her husband died of heart attack.

Though the police managed to take the possession of the body before the pyre could be lit, the accused woman managed to flee.

Sources in the village said Niranjan Singh alias Tota (40) of village Faridkot Kotli had been living with a widow Shanti Kaur of Uttar Pradesh for about a decade without being legally wedded. Shanti Kaur had two children, including one married daughter, from her previous marriage. She was living with Niranjan along with her son. Meanwhile, Niranjan met with a train accident and lost one leg. Later, Shanti’s son started running Niranjan’s tractor on a hire basis to meet the family’s financial needs.

Earlier, Niranjan had a seven acre of land, which he and Shanti sold off to fulfill their requirements. Finally, after losing all his property, Niranjan became an alcoholic and starting quarreling with Shanti over monetary issues.

Villagers disclosed that the couple had a brawl on Thursday night, when Niranajn asked her to provide him with liquor. Later, they did not hear any sound but were told in the morning that Niranjan died due to a heart ailment. To cremate the body, some villagers accompanied her to the cremation ground.

It came as a shock when Ranjeet Singh, brother of the deceased, accompanied by the Sangat police, reached the cremation ground. Sensing foul play, most of the villagers, who were attending the cremation, started leaving. Meanwhile, Shanti also managed to flee from the spot.

SHO Sangat police station Sandeep Singh informed the villagers that Ranjeet had accused Shanti of killing his brother. On the basis of this allegation, the police booked her under section 302 of the IPC and took the body to the Bathinda Civil Hospital for post-mortem.

When contacted, the SHO said, “During the investigation, we found the woman guilty of killing Niranjan by mixing celphos tablets in liquor and then strangulating him with his ‘Kurta.’ Though she managed to flee, we have been conducting raids to catch her.”

Bathinda, October 23
The local main bus stand is in a state of neglect and has been crying for attention, thanks to the indifferent attitude of the state government as well as the PRTC authorities towards its maintenance.

A big pothole welcomes one before he enters the bus stand. All buses have to cross it to enter the bus stand. It is learnt that this pothole has not been repaired by the authorities concerned for long. Besides, the bus stand also presents an unpleasant look as it has broken slabs in some of the open urinals; shed of a rickshaw stand is in dilapidated condition; pucca road contains several potholes; sanitation conditions are poor; and open urinals are stinking.

No whitewash or paint work has been done at the bus stand for past some years.

Though this bus stand caters to the needs of thousands of passengers daily but no one is caring to improve the prevailing conditions here, reasons best known to the authorities concerned.

However, it is learnt that a sum of Rs 13,000 as “adda fees” is being received on daily basis from the contractor by the PRTC, but it appears to be in no mood to spend money on repairs. About 1,200 buses, including mini-buses, reportedly touch the bus stand daily.

When contacted, Iqbal Singh, General Manager, PRTC, Bathinda Depot, told The Tribune today that during the past some years, the local PRTC authorities had not received any earmarked amount from either the government or the PRTC to get the repair works executed at the bus stand. He also said that during the past five years, no repair has been undertaken here.

The GM also said that about one and half years ago, a proposal had been made by the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) for constructing a new bus stand at the site of the existing bus stand here, for which even several companies had given bids. Besides, drawings had also been prepared. But now, it seemed that the proposal had been dropped, he added.

Bathinda, October 23
Bathinda district dominates in voluntary blood donation in the state. While the average voluntary blood donation percentage in the state is 33, it is 53 per cent in this district.

This was stated by Dr Neelam Bajaj, Civil Surgeon, Bathinda, while presiding over a meeting organised to encourage voluntary blood donation and impart training for donating maximum number of blood units. The meeting was held at the office of the Civil Surgeon here today. Officials of the Health Department and members of various NGOs took part in the meeting.

Dr Bajaj asked the NGOs to ensure 100 per cent voluntary blood donation in the district.

Dr Alka Gupta, assistant professor, Adesh Medical College and Research Centre, Bathinda, detailed about blood donation to the participants. She told them the circumstances in which blood could be collected. She apprised them about the components of blood and that blood could not be donated under the influence of liquor.

Senior medical officer Dr Vinod Garg and Blood Transfusion Officer Dr Inderdeep Sran also spoke on the occasion. Assistant civil surgeon Dr IB Aggarwal, Dr Ravi Kant, Dr RL Jain, Dr Rakesh Gupta and district mass media officer Usha Singla participated in the meeting.

Fazilka, October 23
Fazilka MLA Surjit Kumar Jyani and Deputy Commissioner Ferozepur KK Yadav held a meeting with the chief of the Civic Body Anil Kumar Sethi, Market Committee chairman Ashok Jairath, Block Samiti chairman Ranjit Singh Dhaliwal and other senior officials in the municipal council office on Thursday evening to find solutions to the vexed problems of Fazilka town.

To streamline traffic hazards as a result of laying of Road Over Bridge (ROB) on Malout Chowk, it was decided that the railway crossing, which had been closed down due to construction activities, would be re-opened within two days for the smooth flow of traffic.

Following the decision to remove encroachments, steps have been initiated to remove encroachments from the Clock Tower market on Friday.

Another important proposal of shifting the judicial complex in the vicinity of newly-constructed sub-divisional administrative complex (mini-secretariat) was seriously discussed.

It is pertinent that the land adjoining the mini-secretariat complex has been vacated by the Army. The council is likely to get the possession of the land.

Bathinda, October 23
Three contractual workers of Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant, Lehra Mohabbat, sustained severe burn injuries, when an electric flash took place at the plant this evening. The injured were rushed to a private hospital at Bhucho.

Sources in the thermal plant informed that at about 5.45 pm, the incident took place at 220 KV sub-station of the plant, where the repair work of bus bar was going on.

Due to the incident, all three running units of the thermal plant tripped. As a result, the generation and supply got suspended. It may be mentioned that the unit had four units but one unit was already shut down due to annual maintenance.

Despite repeated efforts, officials concerned could not be contacted but the sources informed that the injured were out of danger.

Highly placed sources disclosed that there was no arrangement for any ambulance at the plant, due to which the injured were rushed in a private vehicle.

“It was not the only incident that took place there, but the administration of the plant is yet to accord priority to safety measures,” sources said.

Ferozepur, October 23
An inmate of the Central Jail, identified as Jaswinder Singh, son of Ajit Singh, a resident of village Dhaiwala under district Tarn Taran, died after complaining of uneasiness.

Jail superintendent Lahwinder Singh Jakhar said the deceased was an accused under the NDPS Act and was serving his sentence for the last two years. He said the deceased was not well and his treatment was going on in the jail hospital.

However, his condition deteriorated and he was shifted to the Civil Hospital but he could not survive. The father of the deceased, Ajit Singh said he had come to meet his son last week. At that time, he was fine.

He also suspected some foul play into the incident. Jakhar, while denying any such possibility, said that an inquiry would be conducted to verify the facts. The police conducted the post mortem and the body has been handed over to the family.

Mansa, October 23
Both the father and brother of former district president of the Sikh Students Federation, who were allegedly picked up by the police, were released late on Thursday night. Ranjit Kaur of Jhanduke village earlier alleged that her husband Gurbachan Singh and son Avtar Singh were picked up by Jhuneer police on October 14 without giving any reason.

Jagtar Singh, elder son of Ranjit Kaur, had served as district president of the Sikh Student Federation for two years. Gurbachan Singh, who was present in his house at Jhanduke village, said he and his son Avtar Singh were kept in Boha Police Station for nearly a week.

Earlier, the police had inquired about Jagtar Singh. Later, the police did not ask them any question. Police did not inform them about the reason for arrest, he added.

Meanwhile, SSP Hardyal Singh Maan, expressing ignorance about the matter, only admitted that the village panchayat met him in connection with the case.

Mansa, October 23
A district-level agriculture camp was organised to impart information to farmers about various crops at Mansa on Friday. The camp was inaugurated by deputy commissioner Kumar Rahul. He called upon the farmers to grow commercial crops such as groundnut, different pulses along with paddy and wheat.

ATMA scheme had been launched in Mansa so that farmer could increase their income, he added. Joint director of agriculture department, Gurdyal Singh, said farmers should switch on to modern techniques for agriculture. Dr Sukhdev Singh, DAO, appealed to the farmers for growing high quality seeds.

He also informed that Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna would be launched in Mansa district to benefit farmers. — OC

Talwandi Sabo (Bathinda), October 23
Ludhiana annexed the overall championship in the Punjab State Rural Games for girls (Under-18), which concluded at the Dashmesh Public Senior Secondary School ground here on a vibrant note today.

Tarn Taran bagged the second spot while Amritsar eves got the wooden spoon.

The highlight of the day was the speed of Simrandep Kaur of Sangrur, who won the 100m sprint. The Sangrur lass was slow off the starting blocks but managed to gain speed midway. She maintained the momentum for the next 20 yards to win the race clocking 12.43 seconds. She was followed by Jaspreet Kaur of Jalandhar and Kirnadeep Kaur of Gurdaspur in that order.

In Football, Ludhiana downed Muktsar 4-0 in a lopsided final to win the title.

In basketball, the Amritsar cagers played a good zonal defensive game to beat Gurdaspur 48-38 to win the top prize while in hockey, Tarn Taran girls scored a brace in either half to rout Muktsar 4-0.

Balwant Singh Nandgarh, Jatehdar of Takht Damdama Sahib, was the chief guest. Also present on the occasion were Harpal Singh Kanwar, Deputy Director, Punjab Sports Department.