Bathinda, January 17
The state government has initiated the process of compiling Census 2011, under which information regarding various specific items contained in Census 2001 would be updated. Various new heads are also expected to be included in the new Census.

While compiling the Census details, the administration would collect details regarding divisions, districts, sub-divisions, tehsils, sub-tehsils, blocks, towns, cities and inhabited villages. Meanwhile, population along with sub-heads like rural population, urban population, density, literate persons, literacy, sex ratio, total number of workers with further sections like main workers, marginal workers, non-workers, etc would also be updated.

The Census is a comprehensive source of data on socio-economic and demographic characteristics at all levels, which helps in preparing plans, welfare schemes and the electoral process.

According to a recent notification of the department of local government (Census), the special secretary, department of local government, Government of Punjab, informed that the Governor of Punjab had appointed all deputy commissioners as Principal Census Officer, particularly to take, aid and supervise the Census 2011.

Meanwhile, it has been added that in the five districts of the state where municipal corporations exist, namely Patiala, Jalandhar, Bathinda, Ludhiana and Amritsar, the areas within the corporation limits would be assigned to commissioners of the respective corporations.

The notification also authorised the Principal Census Officers to appoint Census Officers and sign some declarations for any areas within their respective jurisdiction.

Confirming the details, Bathinda Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tewari said, “We have received a copy of the notification. Acting upon it, ADCs and SDMs have been assigned some work as District Census Officers and Sub-division Census Officers, respectively.”

“The process is on and we are hopeful that all Census teams would be formed by February 15, which would take the work further as per the Census schedule,” Tewari added.

Bathinda, January 17
After enjoying bright, sunny and warm day for last two days, the residents of Bathinda and its adjoining areas had a date with biting chill coupled with fog and mist on Sunday when mercury took a sudden nosedive.

Besides, the residents once again got up to a blind and ‘bad’ start as a thick blanket of fog threw normal life out of gear by causing visibility level almost up to nil in several areas in the region in the morning.

Visibility began to improve around 10.30 am but as the sun remained under the cover of fog, residents preferred to remain indoors. The fog again started to develop around 4 pm and a cool breeze with fog and mist forced the residents to confine the holiday indoors early as the mercury’s sudden southward move had began .

These were not the only vagaries of weather that the region experienced today. The mercury sprung a surprise on Sunday when the temperature fell by as many as 8 degrees Celsius at maximum level thereby intensifying the prevailing chill.

The mercury recorded 9.8 degrees Celsius at maximum level, as per the Agro-Met Advisory Service, PAU Regional Station, Bathinda. The day’s low was 4 degrees Celsius. On Saturday and on Friday, the maximum temperatures were hovering around 17 degrees Celsius.

However, no noticeable change in mercury’s behaviour was witnessed at the minimum level as on the last two days, it were also around 5 degrees Celsius.

It may be mentioned here that temperature has been below normal in the first and second week of January.

As far as the weather forecast is concerned, on Friday, weathermen had predicted a fall in night temperature and resultant increase in cold conditions.

Chandigarh, January 17
Even as the anomalies in the sixth pay panel recommendations have been by and large sorted out, pharmacists in the Central Reserve Police Force are still to get the benefits suggested by the Fifth Pay Commission (FPC) around a decade ago.

Observing that the FPC recommendations concerning the pharmacists have not been implemented till date, even though steps were initiated in 2000, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has now directed the Centre to consider and decide the implementation of the fifth pay panel suggestions within four months.

The grievance of the pharmacists was that there were inadequate promotional avenues for their cadre in the force. The FPC had made certain recommendations for upgrading their payscale and service conditions. Though principally accepted by the government, they were not implemented in absence of a final decision. Pharmacists working in other Central government departments, however, were given the due benefits.

Holding that promotion was an important and relevant incidence of service as it brings in efficiency, the court held that the case of the CRPF pharmacists be considered in the light of similar benefit granted to similarly situated persons in other organisations.

The court, however, observed that though the petitioners have been provided promotional avenues in view of the SPC and it may not be necessary for the authorities to implement the recommendations of the FPC, the respondents are, in any case, under obligation to pass a reasoned and speaking order in this regard and communicate it to the petitioners.

Ferozepur, January 17
Taking advantage of intense fog and extreme winter conditions, the anti-social elements and international drug smugglers from across the border have intensified their attempts to push drugs, arms and fake currency inside the Indian territory.

In another such incident today, the alert troops of the BSF foiled a bid by Pakistani drug peddlers to push a consignment of heroin inside India.

A few days back, the BSF troops had recovered the consignment of drugs besides Rs five lakh fake currency from the area close to the BOP New Ghaziniwala followed by recovery of sophisticated firearms by the Punjab Police.

A Pakistani identified as Amanat Ali was also apprehended in the same area last week by the BSF jawans.

Giving details about the incident today, the DIG (BSF) Rajesh Gupta said that in early hours of the morning, at around 03:15 am, the BSF sleuths posted at a Naka near the border pillar no. 169/4 spotted some movement close to the fencing along the zero line.

The DIG said that when the BSF jawans challenged the intruders, who were probably two in number, they opened fire towards the BSF guards, who retaliated with return fire towards that area.

He said that due to thick fog and poor visibility, the exact number of Pakistani intruders could not be ascertained by the jawans.

After the exchange of firing, which lasted around 30 minutes, the Pakistani intruders, who were about 20 yards ahead of the fencing towards Pakistan side sneaked back taking advantage of fog, but not before leaving behind the consignment of drugs.

DIG further said that in the morning, when the BSF sleuths cordoned off, the entire area and carried out search operation, they recovered five packets of heroin weighing one Kg each from that location, which is close to the border outpost Ghazal in Khemkaran sector.

The BSF troops were on high state of vigil, adding that the special operations along the Indo-Pakistan border were being carried out and more troops have been added, he said.

DIG said that his men were leaving nothing to chance and were totally geared to defeat the sinister designs of international drug peddlers and anti-social elements. 

The might of the “Indian Army” including its latest military warfare equipment, hi-tech gadgets, artillery guns, armoured tanks, infantry combat vehicles, radars besides arsenal belonging to signals, engineers and air defence regiments was on display during an exhibition, “Know your Army” organised by the Golden Arrow Division. The exhibition was inaugurated by Major General, Rajan Bakshi, GOC, in presence of the senior army officers of the division.

Based on the theme “Role of Indian Army in nation building”, the exhibition attracted a large number of civilians, school and college students, NCC cadets and people from various hues, who evinced keen interest in knowing about the high technology military apparatus.

In his motivational address, General Bakshi saluted the gallant sons of the soil, who laid down their lives to defend the nation. Lauding the bravery of the people of this border town, General Bakshi spoke about the high standards of the Indian Army and reiterated the resolve to defeat the sinister designs of the enemy.

The exhibition not only showcased the technological advancement and military power of the world’s second largest body of troops, it also provided a unique opportunity for the people to witness the exiting demonstrations by the men in uniform. A number of stalls were arranged to provide information about joining the Indian Army by various exams. Another attraction was the documentary on famous battles fought against Pakistan by the Golden Arrow Division, which was screened. — Chander Parkash/Anirudh Gupta

Students perform dance during the Dhiyan di Lohri celebrations at Bhag Singh Hayer College for Girls at village Kala Tibba near Abohar. Photo: Raj Sadosh

The concept of ‘Dhiyan di Lohri’ this week visibly appeared having touched the grassroots of the society, a good sign for the awareness campaign against female child foeticide.

Even as the festival was slated for January 13 only, it turned out to be week long celebrations by the educational institutions and NGOs.

About 1500 students of village Kala Tibba-based Bhag Singh Hayer College for Girls were buoyed over laying of foundation for the school in the same complex by the renowned philanthropist Bibi Harbaksh Kaur Hayer, who had so far donated Rs two crore in addition to the prime agricultural land to promote girls education.

So they danced to the best of their talent during the "Dhiyan di Lohri" function organised under the guidance of principal Dr Parminder Sharma, who had been a national folk dance artiste as well.

Festival was celebrated also by the students of Meera Institute of Para Medical Sciences, Maharishi Dayanand Nand College of Education and Vikas group of institutions. Balluana MLA, Gurtej Singh Ghuriana, especially visited village Gaddandob to join ‘Dhiyan di Lohri’ function that was organised by a farmer Niranjan Singh to welcome the first girl child in his family.

He has got sons but no daughter. Now, his daughter-in-law had this week been blessed with a girl child.

The festival involved charity also. Dera Sacha Sauda followers of village Jodhpur distributed shoes, socks and woollens among the students during Lohri celebrations in a school. Bhajan sandhya during “Kanya Lohri Utsav” at Shri Ramsharnam ashram kept hundreds of visitors spell bound. Gifts were presented to the women who had given birth to girl child during past few months.

— Raj Sadosh

Abohar, January 17
The Dahiya Sports Club, Sonepat, clinched the IFFCO Cup and was awarded Rs one lakh as prize money by defeating Deep XI Patiala in the final match of the IFFCO Cup Twenty-20 National Cricket tournament that concluded on Sunday evening.

Prizes were given away by the legislator Sunil Jakhar and IFFCO chairman Surinder Kumar Jakhar. The Sonepat team scored 142 runs in 20 overs.

Agnesh Surya and Kuldeep Hooda contributed 34 and 33 runs respectively in piling up 142. Sarabjit Lada of Deep XI Patiala took four wickets in four overs conceding 21 runs only. In reply, the Deep XI Patiala was all out for 117 runs. Sanjay Mahajan contributed 26. Kuldeep Hooda of Sonepat was declared Man of the Match while Agnesh Surya of the same team was adjudged as man of the series and gifted Rs 10,000 cash prize that was sponsored by a local sports lover Vineet Chopra.

Sunny of Patiala was adjudged the best batsman and Dinesh Yadav of Sonepat was honoured as the best bowler. Parry Goyal of Patiala was declared the best wicket keeper.

Deep XI Patiala won Rs 40,000 as prize along with trophy that was sponsored by the parents of Harry Pasricha and some students of the local Homeopathic Medical College, who had died in a mishap. 

Abohar, January 17
Panic gripped the walled city on Saturday night as some youths went on the rampage on the circular road here and assaulted passersby besides smashing glass panes of some vehicles. This was in continuation of the vandalism that remains unchecked for the last few months.

Witnesses said five youths, carrying lathis and sharp-edged weapons, unleashed terror moving freely from Lala Lajpat Rai vegetable market to the busy north circular road at about 9.15 pm on Saturday.

They dared to hit whosoever was visible on the road forcing the shopkeepers to roll down the shutters and run for shelter while a few rehriwalas ran helter-skelter leaving the rehris.

Later, some citizens dared to chase and caught two of the miscreants as they were indulging in similar activities at the Aggarsein Chowk close to the official residence of the deputy superintendent of the police.

Others managed to escape. Interestingly, it took half an hour for the police to reach the spot even when the shopkeepers had made frequent phone calls.

By the time, some citizens had dared to thrash the miscreants, who appeared to be in an inebriated condition. The culprits have been admitted to the hospital for first aid, police sources said.

Earlier, on Friday night some miscreants were noticed creating nuisance on the recently inaugurated railway over bridge.

They parked a car, tuned on the deck at high volume, started consuming liquor in full public view and tried to misbehave with the motorcyclists, who were passing through the ROB.

Such incidents need to be viewed seriously, said Consumer Movement chief SP Khariwal. 

Fazilka, January 17
A leading NGO of Fazilka, Social Welfare Society (SWS), which has provided eyesight to 188 curable blinds, organised a special function to honour the families of the eye donors here today.

The society, which has been serving the poor and the downtrodden for over two decades in various fields including education, blood donation, health, education and eye donation, had launched its programme of eye donation along with other activities two decades back and had succeeded in inspiring 94 families in the town and surrounding rural areas to donate eyes of their kin.

Chief editor of the Punjab Kesari Group of newspapers, Vijay Kumar Chopra was the chief guest at the programme. Ferozepur MP Sher Singh Ghubaya and Nirmala Jyani, wife of the local MLA, Surjit Kumar Jyani, were the guests of honour in the programme.

Speaking on the occasion, Chopra lauded the efforts of the society in making eye donation 
a mass movement in this border area.

He stressed upon the need for emulating the example of neighbouring Sri Lanka where eye donation is mandatory.

Sri Lanka offers cornea for transplant to several other countries also. He said that if such a rule is implemented in India too, there would not be any curable blind left in the country.

Briefly highlighting the politico-social scenario in the country Chopra said of the four pillars of democracy, legislature and executive have virtually collapsed while judiciary and the press are trying to provide some relief to the people of country.

He said that the fields in which the government ought to work and take the responsibility, the NGOs have come forward to meet the need.

MP Sher Singh Ghubaya while appreciating the efforts of the Social Welfare Society in making sustained efforts of providing succor to the have-nots announced to arrange grant of Rs 50,000 from discretionary funds of the Punjab government.

President of the Social Welfare Society, Raj Kishore Kalra, general secretary Kanwal Kishore Grover and vice-president Shashi Kant highlighted different welfare projects undertaken by the society. Local socialite Raj Krishan Thathai, donated Rs 50,000 for the education project of society.

Local socialites and philanthropist Davinder Sachdeva, founder Bharanwan Bai Gian Chand Trust provided scholarship, teaching material and bags to 35 poor children of seven government and aided primary schools of this area.

Dr MS Mitra, senior eye surgeon of Jagdamba Charitable Eye Hospital, Sriganganagar, where the cornea transplant of the donated eyes is carried out, said that with the efforts of the SWS, the list of recipients of the cornea transplant has decreased considerably in the hospital.

He said that more than 200 cornea transplant surgeries have been conducted in the year 2009 and the vision to the curable blinds has been restored.

Eminent socialites Surinder Kumar Ahuja, Istri Arya Samaj patron Sudesh Kumari Nagpal, Agriculturist Prem Babber, Jalandhar-based businessman and socialite Avnish Arora, eminent Ayurvedic physician Dr SL Vasant, office-bearers and members of the SWS also honoured the kin of the eye donors along with the guests. 

Mansa, January 17
The Bar Association, Mansa, has started an indefinite boycott of the chief judicial magistrate Dimple Walia. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Bar Association on Saturday. President of the Bar Association, Sarbjit Singh Garewal, said the decision had been taken because of her “behaviour” which is affecting the working of lawyers and the court. The boycott would continue by the time she was transferred from Mansa, he added.

Former Bar Association president, Ajit Singh Bhangu, said the CJM had reversed her decision in a case for bail. He said CJM Walia had granted bail to a party in a case but the same day, she reversed her decision. Notably, High Court judge, Lakshmi Narain Mittal had visited the district court in Mansa in this regard and lawyers had put this case before him and he had assured of appropriate action in this case. — OC

Mansa, January 17
Mansa police has traced the accused in a blind murder case that was registered against unknown persons in Sardulgarh police station on October 11,2008. Police arrested all the three accused after investigating all the aspects.

SSP Mansa on Sunday told the media persons at Sardulgarh that police had traced the accused by making sincere efforts in blind murder case.

Darshan Singh of Allupur was murdered in the fields of cotton.

Now, after thorough investigation, the police have arrested Jagir Singh, a resident of Lohgarh, Jagir Singh, a resident of Lohgarh and Jagga Singh, a resident of Meerpur under sections 302, 34 of the IPC.— OC