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State of affairs at Talwandi Sabo
Seeking 20 pc HRA, govt staff at Bathinda to meet Dy CM today
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Normal rain forecast a good sign for farmers
Joint front to take care of pensioners’ issues
Improvement Trust chief accused of vendetta politics
Naxal posters spotted in Abohar village, 2 rounded up
More NCC cadets now joining armed forces
Free eye check-up camp held
Acharya Mahapragya cremated
Acharya Mahashraman nominated 11th Acharya of Terapanth
One held for killing Dalit youth
Fazilka MC launches demolition drive
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State of affairs at Talwandi Sabo
Talwandi Sabo (Bathinda), May 10 In contrast to the fixed price list for all application forms displayed at the entrance of the Suwidha Kendra, the private vendors, who have been allotted the contract to sell the forms, charge sometimes more than double the price mentioned in the list. During a visit to the Suvidha Kendra, this correspondent witnessed the fleecing going on rampantly. The application forms like for obtaining rural area certificate and scheduled caste certificates, which should otherwise be sold for Rs 10, were being issued for Rs 25. When the over-charging was objected to, the employee of the vendor flatly said: “We got the contract after paying a huge amount of Rs 1.52 lakh. If we will sell the forms at the government prescribed rates, from where will we meet the expenses incurred by way of catering to the ‘unofficial orders’ of the officers?” Once inside the centre, it was observed that out of the four windows/counters, only two were in operation. People waiting for their turn had no other alternative than to bear the sweltering heat as the air-conditioner installed there was switched off. Adding insult to the injury, the authorities concerned had not even arranged for drinking water facility for the people visiting there from distant villages. It was also seen that neither the staff was issuing token to the people waiting there nor the electronic display boards (LED), installed there were functioning. When asked about two of the four chairs lying vacant inside the window, the staff said, “Our in-charge has no time to visit here as he remains busy in obliging the Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, by performing an unofficial duty as his steno. He draws salary as the administrator of the Suwidha Kendra, but remains with the DC at Bathinda.” About the other vacant chair, the staff informed that a woman employee designated as data entry operator remained busy at the SDM office as the SDM had verbally assigned some computer related job to her. Speaking to the people waiting for their turn, it was observed that due to the lack of staff and disinterest among the higher authorities, hardly a few of the designated tasks were being performed there. People informed if one had to apply for a driving license, he/she was to get the medical certificate from the Civil Hospital as there was no medical officer appointed (like in Bathinda). Moreover, the Suwidha Kendra only issued learning driving licence, which meant, after the completion of the time-frame, the applicant has to go to Bathinda to apply for a regular driving licence. On his part, the administrator of the Suwidha Centre, Rakesh Kumar said, “We have been facing a staff shortage, otherwise, everything would have been fine.” About his unofficial duty as steno to the DC, he refused to divulge details but said, “I have to manage somehow.” When contacted, SDM Talwandi Sabo, Jora Singh Thind expressed ignorance about the irregularities at the Suwidha Centre. However, when apprised about the public grievances, he quipped, “We have so many constraints which you cannot understand.” |
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Seeking 20 pc HRA, govt staff at Bathinda to meet Dy CM today
Bathinda, May 10 Talking to TNS here, state president of the PSMSU Darshan Singh Bajaj expressed regret for non-fulfillment of the promise so far. He said it was a matter of concern that though the state government had already given 20 per cent HRA to its employees posted in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Mohali and Chandigarh, those posted in Bathinda and Patiala were still waiting despite the fact that both the cities had Municipal Corporations. Bajaj claimed that the deputy CM had assured the PSMSU during previous Lok Sabha elections at Bathinda that the employees posted in Bathinda would be given HRA at par with Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana etc. He said barring Bathinda and Patiala, the government had given 20 per cent HRA in five cities from August 1, 2009 while the Bathinda and Patiala employees had been awaiting the benefit. He said the employees in Bathinda and Patiala had been getting 15 per cent HRA so far. Besides, the union leaders will also put pressure on the deputy CM to accept their other demands, including release of 43 months arrears of the revised pay-scales from January, 2006 to July 2009, revision of some allowances, including border area allowance from August 1, 2009 and release of eight per cent dearness allowance installment from January 2010. The union will also emphasise on the deputy CM to make arrangement for connecting the local Mini-secretariat with hotline so as to provide uninterrupted electricity during office hours. |
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Normal rain forecast a good sign for farmers
Moga, May 10 It will not only reduce the burden of the intake of electricity in farm practices reducing the financial burden on the state exchequer but also help in maintaining the soil fertility giving enough time-gap between the two crops- harvesting of wheat and transplantation of paddy. Dr Jaswinder Singh Brar an agricultural expert posted as agriculture officer in Moga district, is of the view that the state government should immediately gear up the official machinery to launch an awareness campaign among the farmers across the state to wait till the arrival of monsoon for transplantation of paddy. "I personally feel that the farmers should adopt the practice of direct sowing of paddy, which has shown good results in 2009 with good yields and reduced intake of water by 30 to 35 per cent," he said. Gurmej Singh, a farmer from the border district of Ferozepur district, revealed that his personal experience of direct sowing of paddy in one acre of land on an experimental basis has not only saved his money spent on diesel to run the generator sets due to the shortage of electricity but also helped in maintaining the soil fertility as he used less fertilizers and pesticides. "The production was almost same as in the other plots where I transplanted paddy seedlings," he said. It has been observed in the past few years that action on the part of the government become more visible in the event of a poor monsoon. The entire administrative machinery works to ensure that as much area as possible is planted, credit is advanced to the farmers, fertilizer and quality seeds along with other inputs are made available at the reach of the farming community. As such, many things change as a consequence of a normal or good monsoon. A normal monsoon will also lead to lowering the prices of essential commodities even as the global market challenge will remain before the country. The buying capacity of farmers will increase due to less input on diesel for running generator sets, which will also help banks to recover loans in the months of October and November. Overall, the risk factors for the farming community will come down, thereby, improving the economy. The low pressure of wind over Rajasthan and the adjoining Pakistan areas during these days is a good sign for the farmers of Punjab. It has developed a regional monsoon trough- an indication of good monsoon in the days to come. The scientists of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) are of the view that the monsoon rainfall is likely to be 98 per cent of the long period average with a model error of plus or minus five per cent. According to KK Gill, an agro-meteorologist at the PAU, the year began with dense fog and cold conditions prevailing over the region mainly during the month of January. She elaborated that the day temperatures were below normal by four to eight degrees Celsius but the minimum temperature was above normal by two to three degrees. Adding that February was near normal in respect of both maximum and minimum temperatures, she said that in March, generally known as the transition month from winter to summer, both maximum and minimum temperatures remained above normal almost throughout the month. The PAU observatory recorded that the maximum temperature increased considerably from the beginning of the third week of March and during this period, maximum temperature reached 36.6 degrees Celsius leading to the development of heat wave conditions. |
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Joint front to take care of pensioners’ issues
Bathinda, May 10 The meeting discussed the demands, including arrears of 43 months of the revised pay-scales, enhancement in monthly medical allowance, arrears of eight per cent dearness allowance installment, free bus facility for pensioners and rural area allowance for pensioners. The pensioners also appreciated the Pensioners Front for carrying out an agitation against the district treasury office on the issue of non-passing of the bills of revised gratuity of the pensioners. The Front also decided to hold a meeting to chalk out further course of action in this regard. Among others, the pensioners were addressed by Gurcharan Singh, Jagmohan Kaushal, Sukhdev Singh Palta, Kulwant Singh Kingra, Raj Kumar and Basant Kumar. |
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Improvement Trust chief accused of vendetta politics
Bathinda, May 10 Though police has termed it as a simple case of quarrel after sudden provocation which took place after a utility vehicle hit a car late on Sunday night. Moreover, the investigation officer (IO) stated that the DDR was recorded on the basis of statements from both the sides. It was not only Ashok Bharti but several others who have been named in the complaint, the IO mentioned. However, the incident proved to be a godsend to Bharti’s rivals within the party who remained busy highlighting the issue throughout the day. Calling up media persons over the phone, they termed it as a case of vendetta politics, alleging that the car, which was a little damaged, belonged to a close associate of Bharti. Hinting at the rivalry, BJP activists said, “The man, who was driving the utility vehicle, had openly supported Bharti’s rival Darshan Singh in the municipal corporation election, when Darshan, despite contesting independently, had made Bharti bite the dust in polls.” Showing swollen eye and rashes on the back, the injured man, Vicky of Bhaika Mohalla, alleged that he was driving a jeep, when it slightly grazed against a car parked in the street and an altercation ensued. “I admitted my fault and proposed to get it repaired but the owner of the car, Teenu, did not even listen to me and started hurling abuses. Meanwhile, he called up a group of persons, who started beating me up,” he alleged. Speaking further, Vicky alleged, “After the neighbours interfered, they released me. Taking a two-wheeler from home, I went to the Kotwali police station, where the BJP leader Ashok Bharti was already present. At first, he directed the cops to beat me up with lathis and belts then Bharti himself hit me with a belt. When I started bleeding, they pushed me out of the police station.” When contacted, SHO Kotwali police station, Amarjeet Singh refuted the allegation that the man was beaten up in the police station. He said it was a personal issue between the two parties, which took place in a locality. “Moreover, the injured did not lodge any such issue in the complaint lodged with the investigation officer. Acting upon the statements of both parties, we have recorded cross complaints in accordance with section 323 of the IPC in the DDR. The FIR would be registered only after receiving the medical reports,” the SHO said. On his part, chairman Improvement Trust Ashok Bharti said, “I admit that I called up police twice in support of Teenu but did not become violent. After sometime, I visited the police station just to ask the police officials to settle the matter as persons from both sides had sustained injuries.” About vendetta politics, Bharti refuted the allegation saying he did not even know the role of the injured man during the election which he had lost to his rival. |
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Naxal posters spotted in Abohar village, 2 rounded up
Abohar, May 10 As per available information, the posters are believed to have been pasted during the past night between an STD PCO and an electronics shop located on the bus stop. The posters carry the names of Nepali Ekjut Communist Party, East Bengal Sarvhara Committee, East Bengal Communist Party, Lal Jhanda Communist Party of Bhutan and Naxalite CPI Maoist. The outfits have given a call against the Operation Greenhunt launched against the Naxalite movement by the Centre. Village Nihalkhera forms part of Fazilka sub-division but had recently been merged with the Balluana constituency following delimitation and stands connected to the Abohar Sadar police station now. The police said posters were noticed in the morning and removed immediately. The district officials have been informed. They said there is no need to panic and that the persons behind the mischief would be handled firmly. |
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More NCC cadets now joining armed forces
Chandigarh, May 10 As many as six cadets from Chandigarh made it to the services this year so far. This includes two sisters, Suman and Ritu Godara, who secured third and seventh position, respectively, in the merit list for the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai. While Suman has already reported to the OTA, Ritu is yet to clear her medical examination. —
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Free eye check-up camp held
Abohar, May 10 Nambardar Pradeep Dabra was the chief guest. Deputy Manager Roshan Lal Sethi said over 2500 patients had earlier been treated and 218 operations performed under the special eye care campaign launched with the IFFCO Kisan Seva Trust. —
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Acharya Mahapragya cremated
Sriganganagar/Abohar, May 10 Former President Abdul Kalam, who had co-authored a book with the Mahapragya, too turned up and said “I have come here for ‘antim darshan’ of the great saint and philosopher". Special emissaries of President Pratibha Patil, AICC president Sonia Gandhi and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi visited the town to deliver condolence messages. Modi was expected to attend the funeral procession but the programme was changed. Baikunthi (procession carrying body of the deceased saint) was taken out from Shree Samvasaran complex where tens of thousands of devotees had made a beeline to have ‘antim darshan.’ People stood on both sides with folded hands, most of them bowing heads in reverence as the procession proceeded to the cremation ground through main roads of the historic town. Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil said in his message, “The Acharya was a great sage and philosopher who gave a new direction to Anuvrat movement and spread the message of non-violence through his Ahimsa Yatra.” Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, his cabinet colleagues and other prominent people, attended the funeral along with Rajasthan Pradesh Congress president and Central minister CP Joshi. “He was a guru to all, including followers of other communities,” said state home minister Shanti Dhariwal. Gehlot said, “The country has lost a great guru and a social reformer.” Former CM Vasundhara Raje and Rajasthan BJP president Arun Chaturvedi too condoled the demise. Notably, late Indian President S Radhakrishnan had termed Acharya Mahapragya (then known as Muni Nathmal) as one of the two finest philosophers of modern India along with Swami Vivekananda. Acharya Mahapragya is credited with the formulation of the ‘preksha’ meditation system in 1970s. He was also the supreme head of Jain Vishva Bharati University and played a key role in its establishment. He also took forward the Anuvrat movement launched by Acharya Tulsi.
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One held for killing Dalit youth
Faridkot, May 10 The SSP of Faridkot AK Mittal while claiming this said that Allah Rakha, one of the main accused had been brought on production warrants from Sriganganagar in Rajasthan where he was arrested under the Arms Act on the same day. The police had got a five-day remand of the alleged accused. One Johny is co-accused in the case. Interestingly, the FIR lodged against Allah Rakha in Rajasthan also bears the same date as that of one lodged in the Kotkapura police station for this murder. Titu, the Dalit youth was murdered over a minor issue allegedly by these two youths that led to communal tension in the town. Titu was killed with sharp-edged weapons near a dera on Jalleana road after the two alleged accused persons suspected that the deceased had stolen their mobile phone. Meanwhile, Dalip Singh Pandhi, a member of the Punjab State Commission for Scheduled Castes had also sought a reply from the District Magistrate of Faridkot within two weeks directing the administration to arrest the culprits and provide protection to the kin of the deceased. |
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Fazilka MC launches demolition drive
Fazilka, May 10 Hundreds of occupants mostly belonging to poor section of society became roofless after the demolition drive. One occupant Prameshri Devi fell unconscious when the demolition drive was going one while majority of othe occupants were seen crying loudly. They also pleaded with the MC authorities that they must be given sometime so that they would be able to find alternative accommodations and hence they would remove the encroachment on their own. They alleged that they did not have encroached upon the area and raised permanent structure on their own as they were encouraged to do the same by the politicians belonging to successive ruling parties of the state. Tilak Raj Verma, Executive Officer (EO), when contacted, said that MC authorities was supposed to get piece of land measuring more 10,000 square yards, where the encroachments had come up many years ago, vacated as the same had been sold off to various person through open auctions for constructing their dwellings. He added that about six occupants, who had managed to get stay orders from court of law for stopping the demolition of their houses, were left untouched. The next date of hearing in these stay matter cases was fixed for May 25, 2010. |
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Thanks to the attitude of the authorities towards public grievances, the Suwidha Kendra at Talwandi Sabo has become an ‘Asuwidha’ (inconvenience) Kendra with poor facilities and people getting duped.
Though a section of women, who were occupants of these structures including hutments, offered resistance by pelting stones on the officials of MC accompanied by police personnel, SDM and DSP, they were neutralised by the lady police, which was also present in large number.