State’s farm development model is faulty, says Bahuguna
Jalandhar, October 15
The existing model of agricultural development adopted by north Indian states particularly Punjab is unsustainable and sowing seeds of ecological deterioration for the coming generations.

POLITICS

Badal/Muktsar, October 15
In a bid to scuttle tomorrow’s meeting of his supporters convened by the sacked Finance Minister, Manpreet Singh Badal, in the Chhateana village of Gidderbaha, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal air dashed to his native Badal village where he today summoned prominent activists of the ruling SAD and panchayat members of the area to persuade them not to participate in the meeting.

Sukhbir Singh was camping in the Badal village since yesterday where he held a series of meetings on the issue with activists of the SAD as all eyes were set on Manpreet’s rally. About 500 party activists and panchayat members of Gidderbaha assembled at Sukhbir Singh’s residence in Badal village this morning where he explained to them the reasons behind the dismissal of Manpreet Singh from the ministry.

A prominent SAD leader of the area, Gurpal Singh Gora, said the meeting of the party activists was held in two shifts with Sukhbir Singh, in whom they reposed confidence.

Gora said it was decided by the activists not to go with Manpreet Singh whose activities were detrimental for the party. There was no move to organise a parallel rally at Gidderbaha tomorrow, Gora added.

During the two-hour long meeting, Sukhbir Singh informed the activists the sequence of events that led to the ouster of Manpreet Singh. This was followed by a question-answer session in which Sukhbir Singh replied to queries of the workers.

Sukhbir Singh assured them that the interests of the area would be protected and no victimisation would be done.

On the other hand, leaders of the Muktsar district Congress held a meeting wherein they warned that they would resist any move to induct Manpreet Singh into the party. District Congress chief Gursant Singh Brar warned that the entire district committee would resign in case the senior Congress leadership initiated any move to induct him into the party.

Chandigarh, October 15
It now seems that former Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal jumped the gun by taking on SAD chief and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.With Manpreet’s isolation in the party getting stronger by the hour, the ministers and party leaders perceived to be close to the former FM are now reportedly pledging their allegiance to Sukhbir. Irrigation Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon, who is very close to Manpreet’s father Gurdas Singh Badal, today told The Tribune that “his enemies were spreading rumours that he had met the former FM in a gurdwara.”

Sekhon admitted that Gurdas Badal had introduced him into politics in Ferozepur but said he was and would always remain in the SAD. Claiming that Manpreet had never even approached him, Sekhon said the party was supreme and it was important to maintain its discipline.

The SAD, besides reaching out to Manpreet’s close associates in the party, is also breaking those who have been working for him in the Gidderbaha constituency. Gurpal Singh Gora has been projected as the face of the party in Gidderbaha. Gora was identified with Manpreet earlier and this “defection” will be a blow to the former FM.

The SAD has also started an intensive campaign, which is being personally led by its chief Sukhbir to explain the “real reasons” behind Manpreet’s exit from the party. The exercise, which was initiated from Badal village in Muktsar district by Sukhbir today, will be taken forward throughout the state.

According to the SAD, Manpreet was a Trojan horse who had arrived at a pact with the Congress with the view of damaging his party on the same pattern as done by Raj Thakeray in Maharashtra. They claim the rebellion was to take place in another six to seven months but Manpreet jumped the gun after the CM and his family was absolved in the disproportionate assets case and the SAD got a boost both in the Assembly and outside.

The SAD has also decided to take on Manpreet on the issue of debt waiver by emphasising that the former FM had not achieved anything on this front, even while reaffirming that subsidies to the agriculture sector will continue. Senior leader Prem Singh Chandumajra says the SAD is committed to fulfilling its election manifesto even as he claimed that all governments, including the Centre, were giving subsidies.

The party is also ready to douse out all fires. Chandumajra said he was confident that Sant Ajit Singh, party legislator from Anandpur Sahib, who had supported Manpreet along with two other SAD mlas’, would return into the party fold soon. The party has also decided to give the two other legislators supporting the former FM - Jagbir Singh Brar and Manjinder Singh Kang a long rope before taking any action against them. 

Jalandhar, October 15
With the dropping of Manpreet Singh Badal from the state Cabinet, the race among some senior Akali MLAs for the vacant berth has picked up momentum. The MLAs from Doaba and Majha belts are eyeing the slot of the Finance Minister vacated by Manpreet.

A three-time MLA, Captain Bath could not get chance to be in the Cabinet, while the name of the five-time MLA from Phillaur was dropped at the last minute from the first list of ministers, who took oath immediately after Parkash Singh Badal became Chief Minister in 2007.

Phillaur was dropped to accommodate Bikram Singh Majithia, brother-in-law of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. Obviously, Parkash Singh Badal had accommodated Majitha under family pressure. Interestingly, Majithia was a first-time MLA to make entry to the Cabinet.

However, Majithia had to quit the Cabinet to make way for Sukhbir Singh following his election as MLA from Jalalabad. Later Sewa Singh Sekhwan, who won the byelection from the Kahnuwan Assembly constituency, was inducted in the ministry after the death of veteran Akali leader Capt Kanwaljit Singh and this time Phillaur had to compromise once again.

Talking to The Tribune, Captain Bath said what Manpreet did was not expected from him. When asked if he was in the race for the finance ministership, Captain Bath said, “I will feel honoured if given a chance to serve in the Cabinet,” he asserted.

Phillaur was of the view that it was a family dispute and could have been solved within the family. The Qadian MLA, Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal, who is said to be disappointed with the party, claimed that Manpreet should have waited till the discharging of the Parkash Singh Badal from the PGI and should not have acted in haste. 

Faridkot, October 15
Scientific fraternity has today officially confirmed the presence of uranium in the Malwa belt, urging need to conduct a thorough study on its sources and biological impact on humans, besides bringing in legislation to stop an indiscriminate use pesticides and fertilisers.

Eminent scientists from various institutes gathered at a national seminar on the “Impact of uranium and other heavy metals on health” organised by the University of Health Sciences here today.

Two years ago, the scientific fraternity and both the Union and state governments were surprised at the findings of a UK-based clinical toxicologist, Carin Smit, who found traces of uranium and other heavy metals in the hair samples of 149 children and adults living in the Baba Farid Centre for Special Children here.

Though the government earlier tried to overlook the issue, when the presence of uranium was prominently highlighted in the national and international media, scientific fraternity sprung into action.

Vice-Chancellor of the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences SS Gill on behalf of scientists present at the seminar today confirmed the presence of uranium in the Malwa belt.

He said the university had received a grant of Rs 5 crore for this purpose and a study on the impact of uranium and other heavy metals on health and causes of high incidences of cancer in Malwa would soon be conducted.

He said there was a possibility of the presence of uranium in rocks under the earth surface in this belt, but there could also be some other sources, which needed to be studied properly.

Ajay Kumar, a scientist from the Bhaba Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, said there could be multiple sources of the presence of uranium in this belt, which might include fly-ash generated from thermal power stations, cement factories, underground water and air.

Adding that so far no affect of uranium had been found on human beings, he said some studies had, however, confirmed the impact of uranium and other heavy metals on the health status of animals, particularly dairy animals.

Dr Surinder Singh from GND University, Amritsar, said uranium values in most of the water samples taken from Bathinda district exceeded the recommended safe limits.

Dr Raj Kumar, Dr Dhanwinder Singh and Dr Kuldip Singh from PAU, Ludhiana, said saltpeter (shora or niter) was being considered as the source of potassium nitrate, sodium chloride, calcium sulphate, flourine, chromium, arsenic, selenium and uranium minerals in underground water.

Dr KP Singh from PU, Chandigarh, also confirmed the presence of uranium in underground water of Bathinda and Faridkot districts saying the concentration of uranium and radon range at scattered places range beyond the permissible limits and stressed upon need to find out its affects on humans.

Jalandhar, October 15
The existing model of agricultural development adopted by north Indian states particularly Punjab is unsustainable and sowing seeds of ecological deterioration for the coming generations.

This was stated by world-renowned environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna, pioneer of the Chipko movement, who was here today to attend a two-day long International Conference on Environmental Challenges, organised at Kanya Mahavidyalya College, Jalandhar. “We have converted our sacred soil into a commodity and we want to extract profit from it at every cost,” said the Gandhian- cum-environmentalist, who, while airing his views against the apathy of the government on the issue of deforestation and soil erosion, refused to accept the Padma Shri in 1981.

Asked about the concerns of the modern youth over environmental issues, he said the youth of the nation could launch movements on such issues but they lacked role models and icons, who could transform eco-friendly drives into a nationwide struggle.

He said neither the political parties nor the social organisations were ready to mobilise the youth on ecological issues.

Taking a dig at the mammoth hydel power projects, Bahuguna said governments should deliberate on energy generation from solar, wind and tidal energy as besides proving detrimental for flora and fauna, lakhs of native people were being displaced by such projects.

Besides over 500 delegates, 236 scientists from across the country apart from 15 from various universities and research centres of the US, UK, Canada, Nigeria and Bangladesh will present research papers on various environmental challenges.

Jalandhar, October 15
The BJP ministers and MLAs, who met here this evening to take stock of the political developments after the resignation of the Finance Minister, Manpreet Singh Badal, have been told not to cooperate in any manner with the former Finance Minister. At the meeting, some senior ministers told MLAs that all of them should fully back the Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal, and the Deputy Chief Minister, Sukhbir Singh Badal.

No one except MLAs and ministers was allowed at the meeting. The proceedings of the meeting, which was held in a hotel here, were kept a secret. Except two MLAs, one minister and the Deputy Speaker, all others were present at the meeting. The Deputy Speaker was in Ludhiana to attend a youth rally. Laxmi Kanta Chawla, a minister, who did not attend today’s meeting, had gone to meet Manpreet Singh Badal a few days ago at his residence in Chandigarh.

However, party president Ashwani Sharma and Capt Abhimanyu, national secretary, who is acting as in charge of the BJP affairs in the state, were present at the meeting. The other issue that was discussed at the meeting was to secure funds from the government for development works in cities and towns falling in the jurisdiction of the constituencies represented by the BJP MLAs and ministers in the state Assembly.

Asked about the purpose of today’s meeting, senior BJP minister Manoranjan Kalia said “we will support our alliance partner — SAD — in its hour of difficulty.” 

Morinda, October 15
The industrial units in ward number four have become a grave threat to the health of the area residents. Caring two hoots for the rules and regulations, these units work round the clock, emitting billows of smoke during dawn and dusk. There are five units in this ward that manufacture parts of machines used in paper-making industry.

The units make a roaring business, selling their produce to parts of Shimla and Nepal, besides feeding the local market. Narinder Kaur Kang, 88, has seriously taken ill due to the pollution emitted from these units. She cannot inhale the air around and has to be provided with an oxygen cylinder and special oxygen instrument.

Narinder Kaur does not use any oxygen cylinder while she stays out of Morinda. She has been dependent on cylinders since the inception of these industrial units around seven years ago.

Area residents say that three years ago they had complained to the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) about the nuisance. Acting on complaint, one of the industries was sealed, but was back in action within few days.

Residents of ward number seven had filed case against similar industry in the high court, pleading the court to order shifting of the unit from the residential area. The area residents had won the case and the unit was shifted to periphery of city.

People allege that the PPCB employees as well as the District Industries Department is hand in glove with these industries, or else how do you explain unabated and illegal working of industries in residential areas?, asks Gurmail Singh.

These industries are supposed to be housed in industrial area near Manauli village. In order to save money incurred on taxes and other expenses incurred, units run illegally from residential area instead of industrial area.

General manager industries HS Pannu said industrial units took clearances from the PPCB, concerned local bodies or panchayats. “We just acknowledge their presence,” he said. PPCB environmental engineer RS Ratra said he had joined just a month back. I am yet to get familiar with the area. “I will look into the matter,” he said.

Fatehgarh Sahib, October 15
Paddy lifting has gained momentum in the grain markets of Fatehgarh Sahib. As compared to the last year wherein 70,977 metric tonne of paddy was received in grain markets of Fatehgarh Sahib this year nearly 74,781 metric tonne paddy has arrived so far.

Expressing satisfaction over the process of paddy lifting in grain markets, the officials of market committee said so far 17,940 metric tonne paddy had arrived in Sirhind grain market out of which 17,190 metric tonne had been procured by the agencies and 87,20 metric tonne had been lifted.

In other grain markets of the district out of 4,572 metric tonne in Chanarthal Kalan 4,342 metric tonne has been procured by the agencies, 11,584 metric tonne out of 11,794 in Bassi Pathana grain market, 31,215 metric tonne out of 32,530 metric tonne in Amloh and in Khamano and 6,825 metric tonne paddy has been procured out of 7,945 metric tonne.

Out of the total 71,156 metric tonne procured paddy in the district, Pungrain procured 18,695 MT, the FCI procured 6,825 metric tonne, Markfed 14,707 metric tonne, Punsup 17,746 metric tonne, Warehouse 7,703 metric tonne, Punjab Agro 5,308 metric tonne and private traders have so far procured 172 metric tonne paddy.

Amritsar, October 15
US President Barack Obama will visit the Golden Temple on November 7 during his first visit to India after becoming the US President.

Throwing light on his itinerary in the holy city, Amritsar Deputy Commissioner KS Pannu said: “The US President will arrive from Mumbai and land at the Rajasansi Airport before driving into the city. He will pay obeisance at the Golden Temple and will also visit the langar hall, though it is not clear whether he will partake of langar. His visit to the Golden Temple Complex will last for about an hour.”

Obama would also visit Khalsa College, where he would interact with students, he added. The US President would be in the city from 11 pm to 3 pm and would leave for New Delhi the same day.

The DC, however, said there might be a few changes in President Obama’s itinerary in Amritsar. When asked as to how the administration would manage the rush of devotees on November 7, it being a Sunday as well as the Diwali weekend, he claimed that they had handled VIP visits at the Golden Temple earlier also.

Meanwhile, SGPC President Avtar Singh said they did not have any special plans to welcome President Obama at the Golden Temple, as everyone was equal before God. “However, it is a matter of pride for us. We will welcome him from the core of our heart,” he averred. On any move to hand over a memorandum to Obama on problems like mistaken identity and security barriers being faced by Sikhs abroad, he said though they did’t have any plan to give anything in writing to the US President, he might raise the issue during informal talks with him.

Amritsar, October 15
Narinder Kumar from Patiala featuring in the merit list of a two-year correspondence course in Sikh Studies launched under the banner of the SGPC’s Dharam Prachar Committee may sound strange, but the fact is that for the past two years, 30 per cent of the students enroling themselves in the course are non-Sikhs. The course has witnessed an increase in the number of non-Sikh students particularly after the SGPC came out with the study material in Hindi last year.

Talking to TNS here today, the course director, Dr Jasbir Singh Sabar, said: “In the first year, we enrolled 2,500 students while in the second year, the number went up to 3,200 out of which 700 were non-Sikhs. This year we have enrolled 4,300 students out of which, nearly 1,000 are non-Sikhs.” What has led to the rise in the number of non-Sikh students enrolling for the course? Do it help them in getting an advantage in jobs? Dr Sabar gave a negative reply, but said: “It is a knowledge-based course and if a person has knowledge then only he will get a job.”

He said a majority of non-Sikh students were taking up the course due to their interest.

The number of students from the other states is also on the rise, as all students and staff members of Bal Bharti Senior Secondary School, Sadulshahar (Rajasthan) have enroled for the course.

The SGPC is holding the first convocation on October 17, in which all successful candidates of 2008-09 and 2009-10 batches will be given certificates.

Patiala, October 15
The battle between the ETT Teachers’ Union and Punjab Government is getting intense with each passing day. While on one hand the government had suspended many ETT (Elementary Teachers’ Traning) leaders, on the other hand the teachers refuse to give up their struggle at any cost.

Declaring their next action, state president of the union Jaswinder Singh Sidhu informed that they would gherao Badal village on November 13 and all ETT teachers, who would be suspended till that date, would sit on hunger strike.

He said the union would also take out a protest march against the Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Ranjit Singh Brahmpura on October 24 at Khadur Sahib, as he had not ditched them, but had also conspired with the government against them. He informed that the government was continuously expelling/suspending teachers’ time and again to put pressure on us. “But they must know that they we will not give up this struggle at any cost. It is about our rights and we will not compromise,” he added.

He further informed that the ETT teachers have decided to boycott all seminars being conducted by the Education Department from October 28. “On one hand, we are not considered as a part of the Education Department, on the other hand, we are asked to work on the terms and conditions of the same department. The government should at least stick to their decision,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention that the union is conducting meetings at block and district levels also to apprise all ETT teachers about the decisions taken by the union during the state-level meeting.

Mohali, October 15
Gurdeep Singh Dhillon has been declared as the president of the Punjab School Education Board Employees’ Association for the consecutive time in the annual elections here yesterday.

He won by a margin of 200 votes from Parvinder Singh Khangura. Others who were elected were general secretary - Ranjeet Singh Mann, secretary - Rashpindeer Singh, finance secretary - Raj Kumar Bhagata and press secretary - Sukwinder Singh Sukha. Four different groups contested the elections.