Moga, October 30
Agitating farmers this evening lifted the blockade of rail traffic from 11 locations across the state, even as the stand-off on their demands still continue with no response from the Centre.

Sukhdev Singh Kokri, general secretary of the BKU (Ekta), announced lifting the blockade, paving the way for the restoration of rail traffic, which would be restored by tomorrow, according to the authorities at the headquarters at the Ferozepur railway division.

Earlier, the rail traffic continued to be hit at several places in the state for the second consecutive day as farmers and labour organisations squatted on railway lines and roads to press for relaxations in crop procurement norms till evening.

As many as 40 trains were affected in the Ambala and Ferozepur divisions of the Northern Railways due to this protest and some trains had to be cancelled or diverted.

The demands of the protesting farmers include raising the moisture limit of paddy from 17 to 22 per cent and damage limit from 4 to 12 per cent.

BATHINDA: With farmers calling off their rail and road blockade after 28 hours today, the Railways has started making efforts to bring rail traffic back on tracks on four rail sections of the Bathinda railway junction .

Meanwhile, the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Bathinda post, has registered cases against farmers’ leaders and over 500 unidentified farmers for disrupting rail traffic for 28 hours.

The movement of trains on four out of six rail sections touching the Bathinda junction came to a halt since 12 noon on Friday when farmers under the banner of several organisations launched a 24-hour blockade in protest against the non-procurement of paddy by agencies and making a little hike in the MSP of wheat for the next crop season by the Centre. Agitators lamented that it was enough to expose that the Union and state governments were least worried about the pathetic situation of farmers. But considering inconvenience to the public, they were lifting the dharna, they added.

However, they announced that it was not an end of the protest but they would launch an anti-government campaign. They added that they would hold “nukkad” meetings and agitations at the village level to expose the “ugly face” of the governments.

Due to the agitation, several trains, including the Punjab Mail, the New Delhi-Sriganganagar and the Bathinda-Jammu Tawi, had to be cancelled yesterday and also for the second day today till evening.

Sources said trains, including 338 and 4UB, started their journey in the evening while some other trains like 2487 Inter City, 9224 Jammu-Ahmedabad and others were expected to reach the station.

Moga, October 30
The Additional District and Sessions Judge here, Raj Shekhar Attri, has convicted three officials of the State Warehouse Corporation to 3-year imprisonment each, while two others have been acquitted of the charges in a Rs 1.76-crore rice scam that was unearthed at Baghapurana in the district in 2003-2004.

According to the case file, during a physical verification of two storehouses, as many as 1883.83 quintals and 3092.65 quintals of rice were found missing from the stocks.

The corporation authorities lodged an FIR under Sections 409, 120-B, IPC, and 13 (1) (d), 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, against Paramjit Singh, district manager, Ranjit Singh, manager, Pawan Kumar Kalia, manager, DK Rohela, technical assistant, and Gurbax Singh, godown assistant, of the warehouse corporation in 2005.

During the course of the trial, the charges were proved against Kalia, Rohela and Gurbax Singh, who were convicted to 3-year imprisonment each along with a fine of Rs 7,500 each on Saturday by the sessions court.

Ramesh Grover, the defence counsel of Paramjit Singh and Ranjit Singh, said his clients were not found involved in the scam and, therefore, were acquitted of the charges.

In a detailed order of the sentence, the Additional Sessions Judge, Raj Shekhar Attri, has sentenced the three said officials to 3-year imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 5000 each under section 409 of the IPC and one-year imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 2,500 each under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The imprisonment in both offences will run concurrently amounting to a total sentence of 3-year imprisonment. In default of payment of fine, the convicts will have to undergo another three-month imprisonment.

Amritsar, October 30
To check burning of crop residue, the Amritsar administration has introduced an innovative cost effective crop-shredding machine to help farmers managing refuse.

Unlike the earlier America-made baler machines that were very costly, this new machine will be 10 times cheaper than that and effective too. Costing about Rs 85,000, it will shred stubble and straw into small pieces and spread them back in fields.

Deputy Commissioner KS Pannu said themachine would serve dual purpose. “Driven by 50 horse power tractor, this attachment cuts crop residue into small pieces and spread them back in fields. This process helps enhancing soil health,” he added.

Amritsar district has 1.87 lakh and 1.85 lakh hectares of land under wheat and paddy cultivation, respectively. In absence of any economically viable alternative, farmers preferred to burn crop waste instead of hiring costly baler machines. But now this machine seems to bring with it a ray of hope to end this problem.

Meanwhile, farmers from block Jandiala Guru, who were the first to use these machines in their fields, have demanded 50 per cent subsidy on it. “There is about one-and-a-half month gap between sowing and reaping of two crops and if we wanted to plant another crop like vegetables, we had to uproot and destroy paddy residue. Since baler machines were expensive and less in number, we had left with no alternative but to burn refuse. But now this new machine seem to suit us”, said farmers.

Amritsar, October 30
It has been 26 years, but come November 1 and the horrifying memories of the day in 1984 start haunting Bibi Jagdish Kaur, a key witness in the Sajjan Kumar case, who fought against the odds to bring up her four children after her husband, elder son and three brothers were killed in riots in New Delhi.

After staying in a camp for the riot-affected families for a few weeks, Kaur along with her three daughters aged 13, 11 and nine and younger son, Gurdeep Singh, shifted to Amritsar. She had a tough time rearing her children with the help of her husband’s pension and a small-time transport business. As far as compensation is concerned, she received a total of Rs 7 lakh from the government in instalments.

For the past few years, Kaur is fighting for justice for the riot victims as a key witness in the Sajjan Kumar case. It is her testimony that has helped the CBI build a case against the senior Congress leader. "I was cross-examined for the consecutive 18 days in a sessions court in New Delhi in June this year. The defence accused me of being inconsistent, but I said I am telling only the truth," she said, hoping that though delayed, justice would be done in the case.

However, the family is still living under a threat, as a few days ago some unidentified men tried to gain entry into their Amritsar house during night. Her son, Gurdeep Singh, said they had lodged a complaint with the police in this regard besides taking up the issue with the ADGP (Security), Punjab.

Pathankot, October 30
The pilot project of the Punjab Government to conserve critically endangered scavengers — vultures — by feeding them in tree restaurants, has landed in a controversy.

Paucity of funds, absence of a well-equipped laboratory and inadequate veterinary staff with the Punjab Forest Department has forced this majestic bird to prey on carcasses in and around restaurants.

The project undertaken by the Punjab Forest and Wildlife Department, with a financial assistance of over Rs 20 lakh from the Union Environment and Forest Ministry, was started almost two years ago.

After witnessing quite a good population of vultures in the Dhar block and in the Kathlore Wildlife Sanctuary in Gurdaspur, the department had set up three restaurants in Kathlore, Chandola and Chamraur for feeding them with Diclofenac-free carcasses. Sources in the department said in almost two years, the department was left with hardly any funds to feed birds with Diclofenac-free carcasses.

Moreover, in the absence of requsite equipment in its laboratory, the department is unable to test the carcasses for Diclofene traces, before feeding them. Besides, absence of qualified veterinary doctors has further, accentuated the problem. The facts, which came to light following a reply to an RTI filed by former Wildlife Warden, Gurdaspur, Sukhdeep Singh Bajwa, were shocking. The department has no answer whether it is equipped to ensure Diclofenac-free carcasses for the vultures, says Bajwa.

The Chief Wildlife Warden, Punjab, Gurbaz Singh, claimed that the department was fully dedicated for the conservation of vultures in the state and has allocated more funds for the purpose. He said a full time veterinary doctor will be deployed for checking the carcasses for traces of the drug before feeding the birds.

He, however, claimed that the area divisional forest officer, has been asked to ensure that the animals got drug free carcasses. Besides, the department has also been motivating the farmers for not using Diclofenac to treat their animals, he added.

Environmentalists say that the drug given to cattle for ailments was the primary cause of rapid disappearance of vultures. The drug is also abundantly available in black market and even found in medicines prescribed for humans.

Chandigarh, October 30
Hectic political activity in the SAD has become a cause of worry for its alliance partner, the BJP. The meeting of the BJP’s legislative party, held in Delhi on Monday, resulted as a result of indications that the Deputy Chief Minister might be elevated soon. Also, the BJP wanted to eliminate the possibility of any disgruntled elements joining hands with former Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal to harm the alliance.

The immediate fallout of the turmoil in the SAD has led to revoking of suspension of Parliamentary Secretary and Batala MLA Jagdish Sawhney. Sawhney was suspended after he picked up cudgels with Health Minister Lakshmi Kanta Chawla when a team of medical doctors from Chawla’s department raided a nursing home belonging to a close relative of Sawhney.

Highly placed sources disclosed that the BJP National President Nitin Gadkari summoned a meeting of his party legislators after he was briefed by SAD leaders, suggesting that some “disgruntled” legislators could pose a threat to the SAD-BJP alliance if they joined the “hostile” (read Manpreet) camp.

Sawhney, who runs a transport business like Sukhbir Badal, is considered close to both Manpreet and the Chief Minister’s family. He reportedly met Manpreet recently, but later clarified that no meaning should be read into the visit as it was purely a social visit. The SAD asked the BJP high command to smoothen the ruffled feathers of its legislators much before they can become a potential threat for the alliance.

Gadkari has now informally asked Punjab BJP President Ashwani Sharma to consult leaders like BD Tandon, Madan Mohan Mittal, Brij Lal Rinwa and all those who matter to come up with what needs to be done in Punjab to consolidate the BJP. The brief also includes finding out if the BJP should ask for a reshuffle of its ministers in the Punjab Cabinet.

Though Gadkari has described the meeting held in Delhi on Monday as “routine”, it is a rare occasion when such a meeting is held and that, too, one that lasted till 2 am. Sawhney was especially asked to attend the meeting and given to understand that his suspension has been revoked. The formal announcement will be made later by the Punjab BJP president Ashwani Sharma at a later date.

Amritsar MP Navjot Sidhu and Punjab BJP president Sharma are believed to have apprised Gadkari that many party leaders and workers were feeling “ignored” in the SAD-BJP alliance for which the party leadership should first be brought together and then the issue be taken up with the SAD partners.

Since Chawla has announced that she will not contest the next general election, party insiders felt that it was more important to bring back Sawhney and others like him into the party fold rather than worry about annoying Chawla. Sawhney is considered to have the potential of upsetting political equations for the SAD/BJP not only in Batala, but in other adjoining areas.

Chawla, who is considered to be close to the Sangh Parivar and is well connected with the innermost circle of the RSS, was, however, not told that Sawhney had been invited for the meeting.

Mohali, October 30
A month after Badals were acquitted in the high-profile case of disproportionate assets, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today furnished surety bonds before the court and got his passport released. The Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and his mother Surinder Kaur Badal had already been given their passports on October 3.

On October 1, special judge while acquitting all 10 accused, including Parkash Singh Badal, his wife Surinder Kaur Badal and Sukhbir Singh Badal said there was no incriminating evidence against them.

While coming out of the court the CM countered the statement of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh on the Congress coming to power in Punjab. He said compared to the Congress ruled states, the development in the other states was much better.

He refused to comment on any query regarding the former Finance Minister Manpreet Badal. On being asked whether Sukhbir was being made the Chief Minister, he said, “Whenever Sukhbir becomes the CM, everyone will come to know”.

It may be mentioned that in the case, the court had earlier ordered prosecution of the investigating officer Surinder Pal Singh and supervisory officer BK Uppal for fabricating evidence. The court had mentioned that it was an exceptional case wherein not only the complaint and the material evidence but also even the senior vigilance officers who investigated the case had not supported the prosecution.

Both cops have now been asked to appear before the local court on November 20 on the basis of a criminal complaint for perjury and misconduct filed under Sections 120 B (punishment for criminal conspiracy), 182 (false information with intention to cause public servant to use his lawful power to the injury of another person), 193 (punishment for false evidence), 211 (false charge of offence made with intention to injure), 218 (public servant framing in correct record or writing with intent to save a person from punishment or property from forfeiture) and 219 (public servant in judicial proceedings corruptly making report).

Chandigarh, October 30
The Department of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab Government, under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) today signed a MoU with Ziqitza Health Care Ltd, Mumbai, for providing the Emergency Response Services in Punjab.

As many as 240 ambulances will be stationed across Punjab and will respond to the number 108, which will be the toll free number to call for help during an emergency. The service will be free of cost to the user. The first 10 of these ambulances are expected to start operations in Punjab from December end. In the first phase 90 ambulances will be made functional by March 2011.

The MoU was signed by Satish Chandra, Principal Secretary, Health, on behalf of the Health Department and Shweta Mangal, CEO of Ziqitza Health Care. Punjab’s Health & Family Welfare Minister Prof Laxmi Kanta Chawla was present on the occasion.

Prof Laxmi Kanta Chawla said under the Emergency Response Services, the 240 ambulances would be positioned in the state in a phased manner. She said earlier in 2008, the department had initiated the process for finalisation of the Emergency Response Services and on January 1, 2009 an agreement with the Emergency Medical Response Institute was signed. However, due to fallout of Satyam Group (key stakeholder in the EMRI) in Jan 2009, the agreement was cancelled with the company.

She said Ziqitza Healthcare Limited Mumbai had been now shortlisted after following the due procedure again. A total of 240 ambulances will be put across the roads. During Phase-I, 90 Basic Life Saving Ambulances will be positioned by March 2011. She added that services of these ambulances would be provided 24 hours through the Emergency Response Centre three digits toll free number. These ambulances will operate in the urban and rural areas. These ambulances will shift the trauma cases and other emergency in the designated earmarked health institutions.

Chandra said these emergency ambulances would response and would reach the place in 20 minutes in the urban areas and in 30 minutes in the rural areas. The control station will be set in Amritsar in vacant building of a training institute. He said the capital cost of 90 ambulances was Rs 11.20 crore i.e. for 90 ambulances at the rate of 12.45 lakh per ambulance and the company had quoted the recurrent cost/ operational cost of 12.75 crore at the rate of Rs 1.18 lakh per ambulance per month for 1st year for 90 ambulances.

Raji P Srivastava, Managing Director, Punjab Health Systems Corporation, B Purusartha, Mission Director, the NRHM, Punjab, Dr JP Singh, Director Health, Dr Ashok Nayyar, Director Family Welfare, Punjab, Dr Rakesh Kumar, Director Ayurveda, and Sh Vipin Sharma, General Manager, PHSC were present during the signing of the MoU.

Chandigarh, October 30
Former Member of Parliament and National president of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Bhupinder Singh Mann today said the Punjab Government was shedding “crocodile tears” over the procurement woes of the farmers in the state.

Addressing a press conference here Mann along with Baldev Singh Mianpur, the president BKU, Punjab, said writing letters to the Government of India was not the solution to the problem. They added that the so-called friends of farmers were busy looting them in mandis. There is large-scale loot happening in mandis in connivance of the administration, procurement agencies and the arhtiyas.

The BKU also welcomed the announcement of Capt Amarinder Singh as the president of the PPCC. “Capt Amarinder Singh ensured that in his tenure 10 crops were procured without even any minute problem. The BKU felt very happy that the reins of power will shortly come in the hands of person who understands the true problems of Punjabis and farmers and has a visionary thought for the development of the state,” they said.

The BKU also decried the productivity bonus announced by the government. The kisan leaders said the decision of the government regarding tube wells was harassing the farmers. The farmers are forced to become beggars before the psuedo-leaders who have been given the power to distribute the cheques to farmers. They pointed out that 50 per cent tube wells are in the names of the old farmers who have long expired, some are staying abroad and the bill are being paid by their heirs. Thus, the productivity bonus cheques are not reaching them.

The BKU also expressed deep concern about the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab. The goondas and mafia are playing havoc with people and these goons walk freely under the patronage of the government machinery.

Ropar, October 30
The Rupnagar Heritage Fest launched as an annual affair by the Rupnagar Cultural and Heritage Society amidst pomp and show in 2007 has lost into oblivion.

The fest was held in 2007 and 2008 with cultural icons like Wadali Brothers, music maestro Pandit Rajan Misra and Pandit Sajan Misra, plays by the Harpal Tiwana Foundation. The fest had carved a niche among the locals.

The society has district administration officials as its members, including then deputy commissioners, general assistant to the DC, district transport officer and others. The society took over Maharaja Ranjit Singh Bagh as its venue for holding the fest.

However, the fest was neither held in 2009 and nor this year. Sources in the district administration pointed out that the source of income of the society had remained matter of controversy.

Deputy commissioner AS Miglani said it was not mandatory for fest to be held annually. “Different districts hold such fest to boost their tourism industry,” he said. He added that there were no plans to start the fest again.

Chandigarh, October 30
The CJM of Chandigarh today dismissed as withdrawn two civil defamation cases against Punjab’s former Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, here today.

Two applications were moved by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his son, Sukhbir Badal, for withdrawal of the two civil defamation cases on October 5.

Earlier, the Badals had filed two different suits for damages amounting to Rs 5 crore each against Capt Amarinder Singh for defaming their family during the Vidhan Sabha elections propaganda in 2002.

In their suits, Badals had alleged that some of the advertisements, given by the Congress in different sections of the media at that time had brought disrepute to the Badal family. The All-India Congress Committee President Sonia Gandhi was also made a party to the suits.

Today, during the hearing, Amarinder Singh’s advocate did not raise any objection on the application, following which the court allowed the cases as withdrawn.