Bathinda, February 21
Besides better connectivity, train passengers in Bathinda and its adjoining areas have been demanding upgradation of amenities at several railway stations in the region.

From better public convenience to safe drinking water facility, from full length shed to proper announcement system, from better hygienic conditions to computerised reservation system besides increase in number of ticket counters have always been on the wishlist of residents of the area.

Convenor of the Joint Action Committee, MM Behal said that Rail Minister Mamata Benerjee should make provisions for ramp or subway at Bathinda station.

The facility would come as a great relief not only to senior citizens and physically challenged but also to women and others, Behal added.

It may be mentioned that there is no escape from stairs at Asia biggest railway junction.

Demanding more ticket counters at Bathinda station, Behal said that number of counters at the station must be increased, particularly in the morning.

Social activist Dr Madan Mohan Garg of Goniana demanded provision for quota in AC-III tier in Punjab Mail form Goniana. He said that the Punjab Mail stops at Goniana and there was provision of general quota of six berths in sleeper class. Such facilities should be extended to AC-III tier also, he added.

Dr Madan said that businessmen and others visit Delhi daily therefore such provision would be economically-viable for railway too. Seeking quota, he has written letters also to the Rail Minister and the railway official concerned.

Dr Madan also sought a computerised reservation system at the station.

President of the Daily Passengers Association, Rampura Phul-Barnala, Rajinder Garg, said that a lot of amenities, like drinking water, at the Rampura Phul station were commendable but the enquiry system certainly needs upgradation.

Not only commoners, People’s representatives of the region also believe that amenities at several stations here require a major revamp.

Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal had written letters to the Rail Minister in this regard.

In a letter written in August last year, she sought upgradation of Bathinda station and facilities of passengers reservation and provision of VIP lounge, AC retiring rooms, dormitories and construction of an foot-over bridge (FOB).

The MP writes that Bathinda station is more than 100 years old and is situated in the centre of railway yard because of which there is no approachable way to any platform. Therefore, there is an urgent need to build another platform.

All in the name of reservation system, Bathinda has a congested place which is crowded all the time which needs upgradation by replacing it with a new passenger’s reservation building.

The platforms and sheds are very old. The platform being of bitumen surface and PF shed being very old, should be replaced with latest design PF shelters of full length, she writes, adding that the existing FOB is old and could not withstand load during crowded moments so an FOB is required at the Mansa end.

Bathinda, February 21
Acting upon the guidelines of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and the Punjab Legal Services Authority, the District Legal Services Authority is soon going to start a special Lok Adalat at the Central Jail, Bathinda.

With an aim to help undertrials (lodged in the jail) pursue their cases by way of compromise and settlement, the special Lok Adalat will dispose the criminal compoundable cases every month.

Giving details, ADA (Legal services) Rakesh Soni said the district & sessions judge Kuldip Singh, who is also the chairman of District Legal Services Authority, Bathinda, had approved the bench of the special Lok Adalat, which would be presided over by chief judicial magistrate (CJM) AS Virk.

Rakesh Naruala, president of the Bathinda Vikas Manch, and advocate Ranbir Brar have been nominated as members of the Lok Adalat.

Bathinda, February 21
Physically-impaired Kaur Singh, who had been pulling rickshaw for the past 20 years, witnessed a shift in occupation on Sunday as empathising with him, elderly city resident Raghbir Kaur Mokha donated him a cycle-cart to sell vegetables instead of ferrying passengers on the busy city roads, thus risking his and passengers’ lives alike.

The plight of physically-challenged rickshaw pullers was highlighted in the columns of this newspaper last year. Her family had then lent financial support to Kaur Singh’s family that included his visually-impaired wife and two kids.

Raghbir blessed Kaur Singh with a better and happy life after making the donation as Kaur Singh thanked her for the benevolent act. — TNS

Abohar, February 21
The Bharat Krishak Samaj (BKS), having on roll more than 75,000 progressive farmers as its members, has urged the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to appoint national food security advisor to streamline foodgrain production in the country.

BKS president, Ajay Jakhar informed this correspondent over the phone after meeting the Prime Minister today that request for making special provisions in the annual budget have been made in the memorandum that was personally submitted to Dr Manmohan Singh.

The BKS said that the Central government had allocated Rs 12,000 crore for organising the common wealth games this year, the amount is equal to the annual agricultural budget outlay of the country.

The first Prime Minister Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru had earmarked 40 per cent of the annual budget on promoting agriculture. However, this has now been slashed to just two per cent.

The Agricultural Price Commission has not been able to keep the interests of the farming community, making 70 per cent part of the total population, at par with interests of the consumers. The situation necessitates appointment of a national food security advisor.

The farmers must be paid 75 per cent of the prevailing market prices of the commodities. Resenting that the government was talking repeatedly of ensuring food security but the farmers were not getting remunerative prices of their produce.

The President of Brazil had created office of the Food Security Advisor and has coordinated among different departments to change the scenario, India should follow suit, Jakhar said.

The PM reportedly gave good hearing and assured that the suggestions would be deeply considered, he added. 

Abohar, February 21
Hundreds of patients from far off places thronged the 13th free medical check-up that was organised by Shankar Dass Daulat Ram Charitable Trust here today.

Senior doctors including cancer specialist Dr Raman Arora from Ludhiana, heart specialist Yash Pal Jassi, pediatric specialist Naresh Bansal, Vishal Jai and Shelley Mahajan from Ferozepur, Sneh Chugh, SMO Rakesh Arora, ENT specialist Rishi Raj, Ajay Gandhi, Anil Moolri examined the patients.

Jagdish Chander Nagpal has called a meeting of social activists of the region on Monday to make medical aid a regular feature. 

Mansa, February 21
Guru Angad Dev Educational and Welfare Council Circle, Mansa, has provided financial help to needy people of this area with the help of NRI Mukhminderpal Singh, a resident of Canada, who recently visited Punjab.

Members of the welfare council as Sukhdev Singh, SDO, Amrik Singh Ludhiana, Heera Singh Narula and Kashmir Singh along with visiting NRI visited Mansa, Sunam and Bathinda to provide with financial aid to poor people.

Heera Singh Narula said the team visited Sunam in Sikligar Locality Sunam where Rs 21,000 and Rs 4,000 were given to Balvir Singh and Billu Singh respectively to construct houses by NRI Mukhminder Pal singh. A stitching centre for girls was approved in the Indra Locality Sunam, where girls of poor families would get free of cost training.

The welfare council gave Rs 40,000 for the construction of hall room in the Sikligar Locality Bathinda and a hand pump was set up on the Tuthianwali Road Mansa.

Meanwhile, visiting team members informed that welfare activities would continue in the coming days. People of Sikligar Community are too poor in Punjab to have houses, they added.