Bathinda, December 24
There seems to be acute shortage of LPG cylinders in the city when one sees a long queue of the cooking gas seekers in front of an office of an LPG agency. The shortage of the LPG is being attributed by the officials to the backlog of the booking of the cooking gas by the consumers. As per information, there are about 1.05 lakh LPG consumers (connections) in the city whose LPG requirements are being catered by seven LPG agencies, comprising two agencies each of Hindustan Petroleum and Indian oil Corporation, and three of Bharat Petroleum. Besides, there are three more agencies which are meant for only consumers of the thermal plant, the police department and the NFL.

Though the officials attribute the shortage of LPG to the backlog but the residents of the town do not agree to it. They say that there are some other reasons. According to them the reasons are: use of the LPG in houses for geysers, use of LPG for running the vehicles, use of domestic LPG cylinders for commercial purposes. They are of the view that the shortage can be checked if the administration deal it with an iron hand.

On the other hand, an official of the food and supply department on the condition of anonymity said that against the total number of LPG consumers in the city, the total supply of cooking gas was just 8.5 kg per connection per month whereas a consumer used 14 to 16 kg.

The official was of the view that to end the shortage either the supply to the existing LPG agencies in the city should be enhanced in a big way or at least five new agencies be allotted to the city by the oil companies. He also emphasised on re-verification of the LPG consumers to stop the in-genuine LPG pass book holders from getting LPG supply. These in-genuine consumers included those who had LPG pass books of either dead persons or who had left the city.

When contacted, the sales officer of the Indian Oil Corporation S.K. Sharma said today that there was no shortage of the LPG for genuine consumers. However, he admitted that there was a backlog of only three-four days for his company's consumers in the city. He said as per his information, the backlog of the LPG booking in the case of other companies was also just seven to eight days. He said during past six months, his company's LPG agencies in the city had suspended 2000 connections temporarily, asking the consumers to present proofs to get their connections continued. 

Bathinda, December 24
Three suspected swine flu patients (all women) from Ghuda, Rajgarh Kube and Kotha Guru villages of this district were today admitted to the local civil hospital. Their throat samples were taken by the local hospital authorities to send the same to the PGI, Chandigarh for swine flu test. The samples will be sent to the PGI tomorrow morning.

Talking to The Tribune this evening the district health officer (DHO) Dr Dharampal Singh Sekhon said Mandip Kaur (21) from Ghuda village (near Sangat), Gurbinder Kaur (28) from Rajgarh Kube village (near Bhagta) and Amandip Kaur (23) from Kotha Guru village (near Bhagta) had been admitted to the isolation ward in the civil hospital here.

Dr Sekhon said with the admission of these three fresh suspected swine flu cases, the total number of suspected swine flu cases in the local civil hospital had risen to four as Lakhbir Singh, whose swine flu test's report from the PGI was still awaited, was also under treatment in the isolation ward here.

The DHO said out of three suspected women patients, two women, Mandip Kaur and Gurbinder Kaur, were pregnant. He said the pregnant women became victim of the swine flu as resistance power among them decreased rapidly during pregnancy period.

Dr Sekhon said two swine flu patients, Nitin Singla (24), a resident of Rampuraphul, and a two-and-half-year old girl Khushi from Bathinda were now in good health at the PGI, Chandigarh.

Meanwhile, the DHO Sekhon today gave a talk on swine flu awareness at the Bathinda Radio station for an hour here.

The drama team today staged two shows at Goniana and Bhagta with regard to creating awareness among the masses about swine flu. The team will now stage the drama show at Bhucho Mandi tomorrow morning. 

Bathinda, December 24
Lucknow University defeated Lal Bahadur Shastri Vidyapeeth (LBSV), Delhi by 9 wickets in the North Zone Inter University cricket tournament match played at the Rajindra College ground here today.

Electing to bat first, Delhi lost its both the openers in the very first over as Shivansh Sharma sent Rajneesh Kumar's middle stump for a stroll and three balls later, he found the edge of the Vishal Kumar's bat.

Middle order batsman Kapil Dev smashed three successive boundaries and with the solid looking Ravinder Pandey, he managed to take the score to 45 for 3. Later, Shivansh Sharma, flattened Kapil Dev's leg stump with a vicious in-swinging delivery.

On the other hand, medium-pacer Sachin Srivastva bagged two wickets in one over. Delhi folded up for a paltry 129.

Opener Ajay Singh showed his class when he stood on his toes to delicately flick the ball to the square leg fence and then pulled a not so short delivery into the stands. Mohammad Abbas was giving him good company at the other end and both took the score to a comfortable 75 before Abbas ran himself out.

Lucknow completed the rituals in just 18 overs to enter the next round of the tournament.

In another match, Punjabi University got a walkover against Palampur University who failed to turn up at the Police Public School, the venue of the match.

Bathinda, December 24
In view of the announcement made by the ETT Teachers Union, Punjab, that its members would throng Badal village soon, the Bathinda police reportedly detained 11 leaders of the union in the wee hours today from various parts of the district.

Talking to this reporter over the phone this evening, the patron of the district unit of the union Harmeet Singh said the Bathinda police had arrested 11 leaders and members of the union. He said the police had arrested three leaders from Bathinda, three from Chughian Khurd, one each from Burj Mansa, Bhucho, Bhagta, Mehta and Nahiawala. Harmeet further said the police had held district president Jagmail Singh, district general secretary Jaswinder Singh Mehta, Arjan Singh Bhucho, Darshan Singh Burj Mansa, Ram Singh Nahiawala, Narinder Singla and Manjinder Singh from Bathinda and Gurjit Singh Chughe Kalan.

He said they would continue their agitation till the acceptance of their demands by the state government. — TNS

Moga, December 24
A resident of Moga (30) has died of suspected swine flu while under treatment at the CMC Ludhiana in the wee hours on Thursday while two confirmed patients of swine flu and another suspected case from this district were still under treatment.

Confirming the death, Dr Kuldip Singh, District Health Officer (DHO) of Moga, informed The Tribune that the deceased had been identified as Tejinder Pal Singh, a resident of the Gill road of the town. The patient was referred to the CMC after collecting his blood samples.

However, the patient unfortunately died there while under treatment at about 3.10 am on Thursday, he said.

When asked about whether the deceased was suffering from swine flu, the DHO said that the report of his blood test was still awaited from the PGIMR Chandigarh.

“At the moment, I cannot confirm that he was suffering from swine flu,” he said.

The DHO said two cases of swine flu had been confirmed in the district. One patient identified as Harvinder Kaur, wife of Jagsir Singh, a resident of Sada Singh Wala village and another one identified as Jaswinder Singh, a resident of Saidoke village were suffering from swine flu and they were undergoing treatment at the CMC, Ludhiana.

He further said that one more resident of Moga had developed symptoms of swine flu. “We have taken the blood samples and sent for laboratory test at PGIMR, Chandigarh,” he added.

Dr Kuldip Singh said that the health authorities had distributed medicines of swine flu to as many as 25 persons, who were family members and close relatives of the two patients.

“The situation is under control and all of them are absolutely normal,” he said.

He asked the people to refrain from coming in contact with the suspected cases of swine flu and take preventive measures as per the advice of the government. The district health authorities had printed pamphlets highlighting preventive measures, which were being distributed among the public across the district.

He appealed to the people that the patients from flu-like symptoms should not waste time and immediately report to the district hospital so that their blood samples could be taken and sent for a laboratory test for timely treatment. 

Mansa, December 24
The case of former DGP, Haryana, SPS Rathore, should be re-opened and re-investigated as the punishment is not proportionate to the alleged crime committed by him, stated Harsimrat Kaur Badal, while taking to the media persons at Budhlada today.

Security of women could be ensured by giving befitting and early punishment to the accused, she added. She further said that the Central government should take necessary steps regarding this case.

Speaking on cancer, she said that after identifying cancer patients through organising camps in this area by the Roko Cancer organisation now financial help was being provided to them for treatment. She had approached Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Union Health Minister to take appropriate steps to control the disease, she added.

Speaking on the Nanhi Chaan programme, she said nearly 20,000 saplings were distributed to people on the occasion of Jor Mela at Fatehgarh Sahib. She distributed grants worth Rs 50 lakh to different villages for development works.

District president of the SAD Harbant Singh Datewas, former MP Chetan Singh Sammaon and Gurpreet Singh Banawali also addressed public meetings. 

Khosa Pando (Moga), December 24
The people of Khosa Pando village have complained that the doctor posted at their dispensary was not coming regularly on duty forcing the patients to get medical facilities from the district hospital about 10-km from here. This dispensary is running under the supervision of the Zila Parishad.

When this correspondent of The Tribune visited this village on Thursday morning, the doctor posted at the dispensary was not present on duty. The pharmacist and the class IV employees were present on duty.

Surjit Singh, sarpanch of the village said that the doctor hardly comes to the dispensary while Mukhtiar Singh, Nambardar of the village said people were forced to go to Moga for medical facilities.

An official of the district rural development agency revealed that the chairman of the Moga Zila Parishad, Gurbax Singh Kapure, has taken the OPD and attendance register of the dispensary into his custody following complaints of the village people that the doctor was not coming on duty regularly.

During preliminary inquiries, it has been found that there were bogus entries of the patients made in the OPD register. Further, scrutiny of the official record was in progress.

Meanwhile, a village youth Jagga Singh alleged that his father had died of negligence of the doctor about three weeks back. “My father Gurjit Singh was suffering from vomiting and the doctor did not administer glucose and injections that were available in the dispensary due to which he died within 24 hours,” he complained.

He asked the district authorities to conduct a thorough inquiry into his father's death and take legal action against the doctor.

The Tribune tried to contact the controversial doctor, Ankur Mittal, on his mobile phone but his father received the phone and said that his son was not available for comments.

It was learnt that a senior leader of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal was shielding the doctor and pressure was being exerted on the officials of the administration to stall the process of inquiry against him. 

Abohar, December 24
If the Central and the state government can spend billions of rupees on renovation of the Taj Mehal, why could a few crore not be spared for making the pilgrimage to holy Gufa of Shri Amarnath, asked Lok Sabha member Navjot Singh Sidhu?

While supporting the demands listed in the memorandum presented to him by a deputation of Shri Amarnath Yatra Welfare Organisation, led by its national vice-president Bhim Sain Jat today, Sidhu said the Central government have been giving a subsidy amounting Rs 250 crore for Haj pilgrimage to Mecca. Similar attitude needs to be adopted for yatras to Shri Amarnath and Nankana Sahib, he said.

There seems to be no justification in asking over 140 NGOs to pay Rs 25,000 each for running free kitchens (Bhandaras) for the welfare of Shri Amarnath yatris.

The Central government should liberally release grants to the J & K government for making perfect arrangements for the Yatra.

It is regrettable that the NGOs were asked to pay VAT on the goods transported for the Bhandaras. He plans to take pilgrimage to the holy cave as well as Ajmer Shrief.

Cricketer-turned-politician Sidhu revealed that he has set up Shiv Mandir at the top floor of his Yadwindra Colony residence at Patiala and spends an hour in the morning prayer thereafter reciting Gurbani for 60 minutes daily.

He assured the organisation that he would mobilise maximum number of the Lok Sabha members to raise the issue related to Shri Amarnath Yatra during the next session of the house.

The ancient holy places should be rated higher than Taj Mehal that is hardly visited by 30,000 tourists annually while more than five lakh take pilgrimage to holy Gufa in Dras sector of the Kashmir valley.

Two lakh persons pay obeisance at the Golden Temple daily, why Amritsar should not be given status of heritage city, he asked?

Sidhu supported the demand made by representative body of 140 NGOs to confine Shri Amarnath Yatra to one month preceding Raksha Bandhan.

Later, speaking to this correspondent Sidhu said that ancient holy shrines are foundation of our cultural rich heritage. These are manifestations. Amritsar is the fourth most visited destination in the world, he said

Fazilka, December 24
Seema Rani of local Jhinvran Mohalla, who was attacked by her husband with acid, succumbed to her injuries today. She was allegedly administered acid forcibly by her husband two months back. Following her deteriorating condition, she was admitted to the local Civil Hospital from where she was shifted to the Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot.

According to SHO, City Police, Baljit Singh, a case had been registered against Kailash, his father Nomian and mother Chhotan Bai under section 328 and 34 of the IPC. As Seema Rani has died, a case under section 302 has also been registered against all the three accused today. — OC

Mansa, December 24
The no-confidence motion, which was moved against the municipal council president, could not be passed for want of majority of members.

As per the rule, two-third majority of the municipal councillors was compulsory for the removal of president from his post.

Fifteen out of total 21 members had submitted no -confidence motion against the municipal council president Atamjeet Singh Kala on December 21.

However, when the executive officer today convened a meeting of the councillors in this regard, only 13 members were present whereas attendance of 15 members was compulsory for passing the motion.

It is notable that 21 members were elected in the municipal council of Mansa and one vote of the sitting MLA is counted at the time of voting.

During the meeting today, two members, who had signed no-confidence motion, Rajinder Kaur from ward 21 and Bhagwan Dass from ward 4, were not present.

Meanwhile, executive officer SK Gulati said the motion could not be passed for want of two-third majority.

Some of the municipal councillors said that they would continue their move for the removal of president because the president was not interested in the welfare of city. 

Mansa, December 24
Mansa police on Thursday arrested the ETT teachers while they were staging demonstration to support their demands. They have been organising agitation for shifting them in education department from Zila Parishad.

Today, they had burnt the effigy of the Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and raised slogans in favour of their demands. During the agitation, a bus was also damaged and police arrested nearly 100 ETT teachers.

Senior Superintendent of Police Hardyal Singh Maan said that preventive arrests have been made by the police.

Meanwhile, Democratic Employees Front criticised the arrests and supported the demands of the struggling ETT teachers. Convener of Save Education Committee, Darshan Singh Dhilon, condemned the arrests and demanded that genuine demands of ETT teachers should be accepted.