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H1NI claims its first victim in Bathinda
BoPs hit by Ghaggar flood water
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Rain ruins cotton crop
Bathinda, a paradise for boozers
Coop agriculture service societies running losses
Oral health programme launched
Hefty fine: College students stage stir
Installation of latest medical equipment
Drug inspector convicted in another fraud case
Tender allotment
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H1NI claims its first victim in Bathinda
Bathinda, September 22 Talking to TNS tonight district nodal officer for swine flu Dr R.S. Randhawa said that Mandir Singh, a farmer from Pitho village (near Rampura Phul), died of swine flu at DMC Hospital at Ludhiana today morning. The DMC authorities informed his office at about 4.30 pm about his death. He said on receiving information, a rapid response team, led by him, visited Pitho village this evening to know about the swine flu history of the dead and gave medicine to the persons, who had remained in his close contact during treatment at Ludhiana. Dr Randhawa said this was the first confirmed case of swine flu from the district during this season so far. He said the deceased had been cremated by the family before they reached Pitho village. He said the wrapped body had been handed over to the family by the DMC Hospital for cremation. The nodal officer also said that there was no history of swine flu in this case as the farmer neither had gone anywhere nor anyone came to the village from outside to meet him. He said when he was ill the family got him examined from a doctor at Bathinda who referred him for further treatment. He said during diagnosis Mandir Singh had been found suffering from swine flu by the DMC hospital staff. The rapid response team today distributed Tamiflu capsules as a precautionary measure among about 20 persons who had remained in close contact of the deceased. He said a team of the health staff would also visit Pitho village tomorrow to keep a close watch on the family members and other persons. |
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BoPs hit by Ghaggar flood water
Sriganganagar, September 22 The media team that visited the border area on Wednesday found wire-fencing and floodlights in four-feet deep water. The state government had not taken substantial measures to drain out or divert water from hundred of acre of agricultural land that remained inundated for more than two months. The BSF men confirmed that five border outposts (BoPs) had been affected by the flood water. Each patrolling team of the BSF had been assigned the challenging job of ensuring round-the-clock vigil in three kilometre length. There were reports that Pakistan had made arrangements to push back floodwater that crossed the Zero Line to Bahawalpur sector of the West Punjab province. Though the jawans were found in high spirits but they were feeling uncomfortable with wild growth of mosquitoes, snakes and other pests. The water that had accumulated in the fields caused foul smell. Animals too had been trying to proceed towards the Indian territory, sources said. Medical teams had recently visited the border for general check-up to prevent spread of malaria. Hundreds of deer, blue bulls had been camping in the jungle that remained unaffected by gushing water, local residents Chander Ojha and Narinder Bhojak said. Some of the farmers in the adjoining areas said they were benefitted by sowing seasonal crops on the deserts using Ghaggar water but felt that the state government should have developed check dams to store water for irrigation. The funds provided by the Central government under the Border Area Development Project (BADP) were not utilised to strengthen road network, they regretted. Road link from Anoopgarh had been developed only up to village 27-A. One has to traverse on muddy lanes to visit the BoPs that include Kailash post, Binjaur, Majnu, Sherpura and Chittarkoot. Regretfully, the administration had not earmarked even 10 per cent of the BADP funds for construction of link roads to the BoPs. |
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Rain ruins cotton crop
Bathinda, September 22 Growers in various parts of the cotton cultivating areas cried that they have suffered immensely as the rain had caused damage to their crop. The loss was being felt here the most as the Bathinda district was among the largest cotton growing areas. Many cotton fields in the Sangat block were waterlogged as the rainwater was standing there. Several farmers rued that the rain at this stage has damaged both matured and unmatured cotton bulbs. There was no arrival of cotton in the terminal market here as the rain kept the farmers indoors. Santokh Singh, a farmer near Ghudda village, said that he was expecting a bumper crop this time but the rain has spoiled the cotton that was standing ready for being plucked. The wet cotton would now have to be disposed at a throw away price, as it would not produce high quality yarn. The only hope of making up the loss was pinned on the second and third plucking, he said. Another farmer, Teja Singh, near the Kot-Shameer village said that the initial flowering on cotton plants indicated a good crop but the subsequent drizzles and cloudy conditions have upset the calculations. Meanwhile, normal life was thrown out of gear as several areas of the town were waterlogged due to rain. The Sirki Bazar was the worst affected and residents waded through hip-deep water on the roads. |
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Bathinda, a paradise for boozers
Bathinda, September 22 One takes his family to a dhaba or restaurant here to eat out and ends up facing embarrassment on finding tipplers binging on alcohol at the place openly. It is alleged that cops and the officials of the Excise and Taxation Department of the district have, at some fixed monthly fee, allowed the people running such eateries to use their premises as ‘ahatas’ (taverns). The city has six hard drink bars, two club bars, one beer bar, one pub and 11 authorised taverns. It is learnt that consumption of liquor and beer at dhabas and restaurants is much more than bars, pubs and taverns. Further, parking lots as well as the areas surrounding the lakes and adjacent to the Sirhind canal here are also preferred destinations of booze lovers because milieu is scenic. It is ironic that though boozing in public has become rampant, the senior officials of the Excise and Taxation Department say they have not penalised even a single violator during the current financial year. A regular collection of a good number of empty liquor bottles was enough to suggest that the dhabas outside the railway station were the most preferred haunt of boozers, said a junk dealer. He informed that he provides fixed commission to the rag pickers, who bring him empty bottles from parking lots as well as surroundings of lakes daily. All this is not only giving a bad name to the city but also causing a huge loss to the state. According to the information available, the government charges Rs 30,000 per annum from a tavern. However, about dozen illegal drinking joints are running in the city and causing a loss of lakhs of rupees to the state. The owner of a dhaba outside the railway station said, “I know it is an illegal act but I am helpless. Even if I wish to stop the practice I cannot. We all dhaba owners are into stiff competition and a majority of customers before stepping in ask about the availability of facility at our place.” “It is not that we earn good profits by providing liquor or beer to our customers, but it is a service that brings them in. Otherwise, we will lose half of our customers, which we cannot afford,” lamented another dhaba owner. Not only small dhabas, there are some restaurants also, which serve alcohol even as these are not authorised to do so. Sources said three of these food joints were located on the stretch between the Rose Garden and the Hanuman Chowk on the Bathinda-Goniana road. However, officials concerned do not check the illegal activity running just under their noses. Excise and taxation officer RS Romana feigned ignorance. However, he assured of conducting raids and dealing with the guilty, if any, as per the law. Bathinda SSP Sukhchain Singh Gill said, “Such an illegal practice is intolerable. Those indulging in this unlawful acitivity and the officials who are hand-in-glove with them will have to face the music.” When contacted, president of the Hotel, Restaurant and Resorts Association Satish Arora said, “We will investigate at our own level and anybody found guilty of indulging in the illegal practice will be issued a warning.” |
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Coop agriculture service societies running losses
Bathinda, September 22 According to information available, these societies were suffering a loss of over Rs 6 crore till the end of the previous financial year. Some of the societies that were suffering losses are at Chughe Kalan (about Rs 61 lakh), Bangi Raghu (about Rs 46 lakh), Ghuman Kalan (about Rs 37 lakh), Nasibpura (about Rs 32 lakh), Rajgarh Kube (about Rs 23 lakh) and Behman Diwana (about Rs 21 lakh). Out of the surviving 181 societies, around 150 had been set up till December
2004 while the remaining were established during the past about six years. It is learnt that there are only six CASSs, which are undergoing winding up process on one account or another. These are reportedly at Gehri Butter in Bathinda tehsil, Mehraj Patti Karam Chand in Phul tehsil, and Jagga Ram Tirath, Sandoha, Mansa Kalan and Kutiwal Khurd in Talwandi Sabo tehsil. The one at Gurdit Singh Wala village is said to be defunct. No strict action has been initiated to revive the societies undergoing winding up process. However, the authorities of the Cooperative Department have been persuading these societies to repay their loans at the earliest. The CASSs are reportedly not manufacturing any product. These are selling fertilisers (DAP, urea) to the farmers after procuring the same from the Markfed and the IFFCO. Besides, agriculture service centres of the 42 societies in the district have been making machinery and agriculture implements available to the farmers on hire basis. The societies are also selling essential commodities like soaps, surf, sugar, pulses. According to an official of the Cooperative Department, the Bathinda Central Co-operative Bank Limited has recovered Rs 228.08 crore against the loan of Rs 275.95 crore till June 30 last. Thus, the bank has recovered 82 per cent share of the total loans given to the CASSs. |
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Oral health programme launched
Bathinda, September 22 Apart from dentists from the city, school teachers also attended the function that was presided over by president of the Bathinda IDA branch Dr Meena Gupta. Deputy director, Dental Health Services, Dr JL Singla was also present. Dr BD Puri, secretary, Bathinda IDA, said under the programme, dental check-up camps would be held in over 50 schools in the city and other towns. Dr Amnish Singh educated teachers about oral health practices and diseases.
— TNS |
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Hefty fine: College students stage stir
Ferozepur, September 22 Dr TS Sidhu, director, SBSCET said after the meeting with students in the presence of the SDM today, it was finally decided that a committee be constituted to look into the redemption of fine and it was also decided that if the students bunk classes in near future, the fine would be charged to the tune of Rs 200 per day and Rs 75 per lecture. Meanwhile, data entry operators working in the various revenue department offices have resorted to an indefinite strike in support of their demand for permanent absorption against the government vacancies and hike in their monthly stipends. |
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Installation of latest medical equipment
Fazilka, September 22 Besides, the authorities concerned have also decided to initiate a move to increase its capacity to 75 beds. Jiyani said Rs 93 lakh had been given to the hospital authorities. The Punjab government had decided to give Rs 1.10 crores to the local hospital for purchasing all these three medical equipment. Meanwhile, DP Godara, assistance civil surgeon, said a purchase committee would set up to purchase three equipment. and it was expected that all the formalities would be completed within two months. Kanwar Kakkar, Civil Surgeon, said he would write to state health authorities to deploy a radiologist at the local Civil Hospital so that CT scan and digital X-ray machines, could be put to maximum use. |
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Drug inspector convicted in another fraud case
Moga, September 22 He was ‘convicted’ after a formal inquiry and his licence was cancelled by the government. This was disclosed in the official documents procured from the chief medical officer of Hoshiarpur under the RTI Act by a chemist Pawan Kumar Goel. He has written to the health secretary to remove him from service and to SSP of Hoshiarpur to initiate legal action against him.
— TNS |
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Tender allotment
Fazilka, September 22 The contractors alleged that the Trust allotted the tenders to a person allegedly having proximity with the chairman flouting the rules. They have asked Ferozepur DC KK Yadav to cancel the allotment of tenders and fix a fresh date. While Mohinder Dhingra, chairman of the Trust, refuted the allegations by terming it politically motivated.
— OC |
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