Bathinda, March 10
The closure of A-139 railway level crossing (railway gates) for the past more than one month has been causing inconvenience to the people, especially bicyclists, motorcyclists, scooterists and rickshaw-pullers.

Due to this, they have been crossing the Ambala-Bathinda-Sri Ganganagar railway track at this spot at the risk of their lives even by way of violating all rules. This level crossing is situated near the local Civil Hospital and has been closed for public in the light of the construction of a road overbridge (ROB) on the railway track.

The passersby, who cross the railway track even without caring for the arrival of a train from Ambala or Sri Ganganagar side, endanger their lives besides inviting a major mishap or hazard at any time at the railway track of this closed level crossing.

Due to closed level crossing, the violation of the rules can be seen on a grand scale between 9 am and 10 am when people living in the localities, situated on both sides, crossed level crossing in a hurry either to go to their offices or business establishments or schools and colleges etc.

According to an information, about two dozen passenger or goods trains pass through this railway level crossing daily. When a train comes near this level crossing, the person manning the level crossing cabin, has to cry or even blow the whistle to warn people. But people reportedly do not care for the same and continue to cross the closed gates till the train approaches them.

A cabin man told TNS that the level crossing had reportedly been closed in view of the safety of the common masses as work was in progress to cover the area of rail track with the ROB. He said sometimes the cars, gypsies, tractors and other light and heavy vehicles had to return back after reaching the closed level crossing.

When contacted, the railway area traffic manager of Bathinda, Sher Singh said the railway could do nothing to stop the people from crossing a closed level crossing. He said though violation of rules was a crime, but people did not bother about it. He also said the railway would not be responsible in any way if any person was hit by a train as the railway had already closed the level crossing permanently to provide safety to the people. 

Bathinda, March 10
Foreseeing the scale of development around the under construction Guru Gobind Singh refinery, the Bathinda Development Authority (BDA) has come forward with an ambitious plan to develop a well-planned Urban Estate at Rama Mandi.

Besides, considering the expansion and growth of Bathinda city on a fast note, the BDA officials have also initiated a proposal to set up such urban estates at Goniana and Bhucho towns, both located at a distance of about 12 km from here.

If sources in the BDA are to be believed, it is not just the foreseen expansion that is driving the authorities to take this step, but the entry of private colonizers in large numbers. These private colonisers have already started carving out localities and selling plots there.

Meanwhile, finding it to be a way to earn easy money, a number of farmers with the connivance of land mafia, carved out various localities, which have now been declared illegal under the PUDA Act.

Taking serious note of such activities, the BDA staff has procured the related records and studies of other towns from the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) and initiated the process, under which a detailed demand survey would be carried out to know the response of interested ones for the BDA's proposal.

To execute the plan, the BDA might acquire a chunk of about 100 acres at Rama and about 50 acres each at Bhucho and Goniana towns to set up urban estates. Sources said once the proposals regarding the setting up of such urban estates at all three towns, where the residential plots are in much demand these days mature, it would provide an option to all to purchase property at competitive prices in the presence of private colonisers.

Fixing different prices for different dimensions of plots, the BDA would put about 80 per cent of the total number on sale through a lucky draw of lots while the rest would be sold out through open auction, to earn some profit.

To check the sale-purchase activities of the land mafia, the BDA has decided that the allottees would not be allowed to resell the plot for a specific period spread over years.

Confirming the details, chief administrator, BDA, Ravi Bhagat said, “The scheme is being initiated to benefit the customers. Once we start the projects at these towns, people will have options at cheaper rates.”

Bathinda, March 10
The National Fertilizers Limited (NFL), a leading manufacturer of fertilizers in country, today signed an agreement with Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T) to revamp the ammonia plants at Bathinda and Panipat by changeover of feedstock from fuel oil to gas.

The L&T would revamp the units on turnkey basis within 36 months.

Bathinda, March 10
The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) is going to organise a Kisan Mela at its regional station, located on Dabwali road, here on March 22.

Considering it as timely, the PAU authorities have selected the theme of the mela as "Kudrati Saumey Bachao, Sabh Layi Khushali Leyao" (Save natural resources, bring prosperity for all). Besides the display at various exhibitions, seeds of improved varieties of different kharif crops as well as fruit plants recommended by the PAU will also be distributed among the farmers and growers.

Vice-chancellor, PAU, Ludhaina, Dr MS Kang will be the chief guest on the occasion, whereas various specialists will share the latest research findings with the farmers.

Confirming the details, director, regional station, Bathinda, Dr Gurmeet Singh Buttar said a special session would also be arranged where the experts would answer all related queries of the growers. — TNS

Bathinda, March 10
Launching the drive of signing memorandum with their blood, which is to be submitted to the President of India on March 14, a number of activists of the ex-servicemen wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal (B), Bathinda unit, today put their signatures and thumb impressions on it.

The ex-servicemen are going to hold a national level rally at Delhi on March 14, when hundreds of them will return their medals to the President of India for the seventh time.

Meanwhile, they will also submit the memorandum to the President, which would be signed with the blood of more than 10,000 ex-servicemen, who had been struggling against the various alleged anomalies in the recommendations of the sixth Central Pay Commission.

“More than 22,000 medals submitted to the President on six different occasions apparently failed to draw the attention of the authorities concerned. So, with a fresh hope, we are now going to use our blood to sign and put a thumb impression on the memorandum,” the ex-servicemen said.

The ex-servicemen took a strong exception to the recent statement of the Prime Minister regarding the implementation of the enhancement of pensions of all.

Among others, who addressed the gathering were Gurjinder Singh Sidhu, convener of the protest movement, Col Bikramjit Singh Gill (retd) and Major Karnail Singh (retd), general secretary and district president of the SAD wing of the ex servicemen.

Moga, March 10
A three-member team of the police department headed by DIG Sham Lal Gakhar visited the office of Moga SSP Ashok Bath and two police stations (City-I and Sadar) today to look into the functioning of local police.

The DIG along with other two members Arun Pal Singh, Commandant of the 7th Battalion of PAP, Jalandhar and Baljit Singh Rathore, Commandant of the 3rd Battalion of PAP, Mohali, checked the record of the SSP office and looked into various aspects of the functioning of the local police.

The SSP briefed the visiting team about the efforts initiated by the Moga police to uproot the nexus of drug smugglers in the area.

He gave details of the achievements and progress made in the investigation of some important cases. Later, the team went to the two police stations and held public meetings.

The DIG asked the people to cooperate with the police in tackling the menace of drugs by providing information about the anti-social elements involved in this illegal business.

It may be mentioned that the state DGP, Paramdeep Singh Gill, has recently constituted such committees for all the police districts to evaluate the functioning of the police.

Abohar, March 10
Scores of farmers carrying banners and flags of the Bhartiya Kisan Union Ekta (Ugrahan) organised a protest march here on Wednesday to express anguish against an ENT specialist blaming him for improper diagnosis that allegedly led to end of a patient from a nearby village.

The BKU last month staged dharna and gheraoed the hospital run by the family of the specialist on the periphery of the grain market here. Former MLA Dr Ram Kumar Goyal along with members of the local unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) rushed to the site and persuaded the protesters to call off the dharna.

The BKU had claimed that the former BJP MLA had assured adequate compensation to the family..

However, the IMA had later asserted that the specialist had not been found guilty during an inquiry conducted by a senior medical officer under orders of the sub-divisional magistrate.

The IMA had advised the doctor not to succumb to alleged blackmailing tactics. The BKU activists warned to continue the agitation.

Moga, March 10
Giani Sardara Singh Foundation, running educational institutes, has reserved the deluxe number 0001 by paying a sum of Rs 4.55 lakh, the auction of which was held by the transport authorities here, today.

Revealing this to The Tribune, the District Transport Officer (DTO) of Moga, Ajay Sood said the department has earned Rs 27 lakh from the auction of deluxe/fancy numbers. A total of 590 applications of the aspirants were received by his office for getting these numbers, he said.

Speaking to The Tribune, Lakvir Singh Gill, chairman of the Sardara Singh Foundation running North-West group of institutes said his foundation already has five 0001 numbers for their BMW and Mercedes cars. Last week also, Gill made a bid of Rs 6.5 lakh for another series of number to fetch 0001 delux number. He said, “I always prefer to get 0001 numbers only and never go for other deluxe/fancy numbers.”

Abohar, March 10
A daily wage earner identified as Sita Ram who had migrated from Uttar Pradesh has been arrested under section 376, 506 of the IPC by the city police here for allegedly raping his minor daughter, sources said.

As per details on Sunday, his mentally retarded wife was away when the culprit committed the shameful act. The 15-year-old girl had been working as a domestic help to supplement the needs of her family. She remained under shock and threat for two days but narrated the incident to her relatives yesterday. She has been medically examined at the civil hospital here today after recording her statement.