Sirhind/Rajpura, Dec 31
Sporadic rains have halted the harvesting of potato crop. Shortage of potato in the market has led to an increase in its price to almost double, from Rs 250 per quintal, now potatoes are being sold at a price of Rs 400 per quintal.

Farmers had begun harvesting the early sown varieties of potatoes in mid-December. This harvesting will continue till end of February. However,the rains have halted potato harvesting. Potatoes are harvested using tractors, which do not move in waterlogged fields. “As potatoe supply in markets has stopped, its prices are likely to increase in the next few days. Farmers, who have already harvested their crop, are making profits by selling it at an increased price of Rs 400 or more for every 100 kilogram,” said farmer, Jaspal Singh from Rajpura.

Manjit Singh, a potato grower from Fatehgarh Sahib said he had deployed labourers to drain out water from fields so the potato crop could be saved.

“Potatoes will perish and may become disease-prone if water is not drained out of the fields,” he said.

Farmers are praying for the rains to stop. Increased rainfall will spell havoc for potato growers and damage the recently sown wheat crop. “Rain has been useful in lifting thick blanket of fog, which is good for wheat, potato, and other crops and vegetables”, said Ripudaman, another farmer at Amloh.

Potato growers said the crops got respite from tella (aphid infestation) after the rain. Rainwater has washed away tella that attack potatoes when temperature decreases in fog. While Fatehgarh Sahib recorded a maximum rainfall of 28 mm, Bassi Pathania block recorded 15 mm, Amloh and Khamano recorded 12 mm each. Department officials said area under potato cultivation in Fatehgarh Sahib was 5100 hectare and horticulture department gave four-quintal different medicines, on subsidy, to farmers to get rid of fungal disease attack on potatoes.

Agriculture department officer, Jaswinder Singh said rain, during these days were good for wheat, vegetables and sugarcane but water should not accumulate for longer in the fields. Water logging tends to invite diseases, which harms the crop. 

Mohali, December 31
The Department of Housing and Urban Development, Punjab, has introduced a ‘time frame’ for issuing various statutory approvals like registration of promoters, conversion/change of land use, licence for setting up colony, renewal/extension of license and issue of completion certificate. Aiming planned urban growth, with adequate amenities inside and outside the colonies and safe guarding interests of common man, all these approvals are essential.

SS Sandhu, Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department said the time frame has been introduced in continuation of various concessions notified earlier e.g. reduction in external development charges, change of land use and centralization/ simplification of licencing process.

The 13 master plans including those of Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala, Bathinda, SAS Nagar, Zirakpur Kharar, Derabassi, Mullanpur, Banur, Abohar, Gobindgarh and Srihargobindpur have already been notified. Master plans of 5 towns, including Goindwal Sahib, Khanna, Hoshiarpur, Sultanpur Lodhi and Taran Tarn are at final stages and would be notified shortly. He said the process of finalisation of master planning in the state would continue and the master plan of Bagha Purana, Kapurthala, Batala, Pathankot, Nawan Shahar, Gurdaspur, Roop Nagar, Rajpura, Jagraon, Fatehgarh Sahib, Rama Mandi, Talwandi Sabo, Dhilwan were at advanced stages and would be notified in the near future.

He said all development authorities had been directed to adhere to time schedule. Announcing the time schedule, he said, “The ‘promoter’s registration certificate’ would be issued within 7 days from the receipt of the application. Similarly, the time frame for issue of licence (for setting up a colony) is fixed as 60 days. This includes completion of entire process entailing consent/report from all the concerned government agencies. The processing time allowed for the grant of ‘Change of Land Use’ is 23 days. ‘Renewal of Licence’ will be conveyed within 7 days of the submission of progress report by the promoters. Issue of ‘Completion Certificate’ will be ensured with 15 days of the inspection date.” 

Chandigarh, December 31
The Punjab government is betting big on the completion of hospital projects as well as a slew of water supply and sewerage projects, modern jails, modern bus terminals and scores of railway over bridges and tourist complexes in 2011 to bolster its chances in the run-up to the Assembly elections, scheduled for early 2012.

Hospitals seem to be high on the government list for 2011 and a number of projects are likely to be completed next year. These include two super-speciality hospitals at Mohali and Bathinda. These hospitals, coming up at a cost of Rs 200 crore, are being undertaken by Max Health Care Private Limited and will come up on vacant land adjoining the existing Civil Hospitals at Mohali and Bathinda.

Two modern hospitals are being funded at Faridkot and Amritsar by Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB), its Managing Director, Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, told TNS. He said these projects, which would also be completed in 2011, would come up at a cost of Rs 150 crore.

Among other hospital projects is the 50-bedded multi- specialty hospital at Nangal, which will also come up in 2011 under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode at a cost of Rs 50 crore. The Mother and Child Care hospital, which is also coming up at a cost of Rs 50 crore at Fatehgarh Sahib, will also be completed and operationalised next year.

The Mohali bus terminal project, which has got delayed earlier, will also see part completion in 2011, according to Dr Sandhu. He said the bus terminal area would be completed next year. The Rs 300-crore project envisages a 10-storied building having a bus terminal on the ground floor and a helipad on the top floor. Besides, modern bus terminals will also come up at Sangrur, Kapurthala, Faridkot, Kharar and Zirakpur next year under the PPP mode.

Water supply and sewerage schemes are also limping towards completion. The PIDB head said these projects, worth Rs 600 crore, had been initiated in 56 towns located on the banks of important rivers in Punjab and that completion of the projects would result in cleaning of the rivers also. Dr Sandhu said in addition to this clean drinking water through reverse osmosis system in 500 villages had also been funded by the PIDB.

The PIDB has also funded modern jails at Kapurthala and Faridkot at a cost of Rs 200 crore. These projects are expected to be completed shortly. Other infrastructure projects in the pipeline include four laning along the Sidhwan canal in Ludhiana along with beautification of the canal at a cost of Rs 400 crore, polytechnics at Nanowal and Rahon at a cost of Rs 20 crore, institute of hotel management at Sirhind through the PPP mode at a cost of Rs 75 crore and bridges at a cost of Rs 320 crore in Ropar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Nawanshahr and Amritsar. 

Morinda/ Gharuan, Dec 31
A day after promising division status to Ropar within next 15 days, Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal asserted to raise the matter of according sub-division status to Morinda in the next cabinet meeting here today.

Making the announcement, Badal said apart from raising the issue for sub-division status, augmentation work on roads, sewerage and drinking water supply in the city would also be undertaken.

Badal also distributed Rs 2.85 crore grant to 40 village panchayats and Morinda as residents gathered to redress their grievances on the spot.

“Morinda will be given a facelift soon. Better facilities, in terms of better water supply, sewerage system and efficient road network at a cost of Rs. 30 crore would be provided to the town. Work on these components will be complete by November next year and also sub-tehsil complex at Morinda will be constructed,” he asserted.

Badal said the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) was given the responsibility to carry out sewer, drinking water and other development works in Morinda city. He called the GMADA officials and asked them to get these works completed as soon as possible without compromising on quality.

He also instructed his adviser Dr Daljeet Singh Cheema and deputy Commissioner Parveen Kumar to visit village Saheri. The village belongs to one Gangu Brahman, who was an advisor to Guru Gobind Singh.

Area residents appraised Badal that the house of Gangu Brahman was in shambles. Residents demanded that Gangu’s house should be declared a historic monument. ADC (development) Sukhminder Pal Singh Mrar is scheduled to visit the village on December 3.

During the Sangat Darshan at Gharuan, Badal distributed grants of Rs 2.50 crore to 35 villages of the area. He also distributed cheques of Rs 1.65 lakh to the beneficiaries of the shagan scheme. A separate grant of Rs 30 lakh was given for laying drains of Gharuan village. An announcement regarding upgrading the primary health centre to community health centre was also made. 

Chandigarh, December 31
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today felicitated the people of the state on the eve of the New Year and wished all the Punjabis in India and abroad a 
happy and prosperous New Year 2011.

In a message here, the Chief Minister said the unprecedented development in the state had scripted a new chapter in the history of state’s overall economic growth and prosperity.

Seeking people’s wholehearted support and cooperation in an endeavour to ensure the state emerges as a front runner in the country, Badal reiterated his firm commitment to cherish the aspirations of the people as well as to honour the poll promises made to them.

Meanwhile, PPCC president Amarinder Singh in a separate release also greeted the people.

In his message, Capt Amarinder hoped that 2011 heralds a new era of peace, progress, prosperity and development in the state. He hoped that the New Year would usher in the much-needed change to put Punjab back on the path of progress and development.

Chandigarh, December 31
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today said 2011 would herald the fructification of the infrastructure projects as well as administrative reforms in the state.

In a statement here, the Deputy Chief Minister said the coming year would showcase the development projects initiated by the government during the past four years so that people of the state could enjoy the fruits of development and governance reforms.

Expressing personal satisfaction over achievement of milestone mission of initiating governance reforms in all departments, Sukhbir said he would be the happiest person over the completion of total computerisation of land records that could not be completed by any government during last 63 years. He said that till date 79 Fard Kenders had been fully computerised and by March 31 next year land records in all 154 Fard Kenders would be put on web.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that establishment of Outreach Centres at each Police Station, Suwidha Centres in Urban Areas, 154 computerised Fard Kenders at the sub-tehsil level, 3116 E-Grams at village level, public friendly amendments in archaic Revenue Acts besides computerisation of DTO offices was set to change the perception of public regarding working of government offices.

Sukhbir said that the year 2011 would witness the completion of the Rs 20,000 crore Bathinda Refinery besides dedication of five thermal plants with a combined cost of Rs 62,000 crore that would put Punjab on a higher pedestal of growth besides opening new vistas of employment for the Punjabi youth. He said this year would also witness linking of every important city with 4/6 lane roads besides completion of 33 ROBs / RUBs initiated at the cost of Rs. 7073 crore

Promising to continue the development agenda for the state of Punjab, the Deputy Chief Minister said that he believed in focusing on development rather than on petty politics of destructive thinking, regressive opposition to every development project and hoped that the SAD BJP government would be successful in making every Punjabi living in Punjab or abroad as a equal partner in over all development of the State. 

Fazilka, December 31
The local residents, who have witnessed perhaps one of the longest agitation in the past 162 years ever since this town came into existence, for getting a district-level status for it, will witness its local BJP MLA Surjit Jiyani sitting on fast unto death from January 5 next year along with SAD (Badal) circle president and former chairman, Market Committee, Fazilka, Charan Singh, for the same demand.

The agitation, for pressing the SAD-BJP alliance government to accord this town district-level status, was launched by the Sanjha Morcha, Fazilka, comprising representatives of different political parties, farmers’ organisations, employees’ organisations, trade organisations, Bar members, social and voluntary organisations, on August 15, 2010.

Fazilka was chosen as one of the strategically important place by the East India Company to keep a watch on the activities of political rulers of Bhawalpur, Bikaner, Mamdot, Faridkot and other states during the British Raj. The first political officer to be stationed on this tract was Vans Agnew.

Till 1974, Fazilka remained one of the parliamentary seats of Punjab. It was one of the biggest controlling stations of the East India Company. Sirsa district of Haryana was carved out of it. The town was famous for its wool market. The town has also suffered a lot during two Indo-Pak wars in 1965 and 1971.

“For the past 137 days, the members of the morcha have been observing chain fast to get district status to this subdivisional town. From January 5, Jiyani and Charan will sit on fast unto death strike at the clock tower for the same cause,” said Sushil Gumber, convener, Sanjha Morcha.

“Either we will die or get district status for Fazilka,” said Jiyani, adding that a number of delegations, which had met Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal in connection with the demand could not yield positive results so far. Abiding by the decision of the morcha, he would sit on fast unto death on January 5, he said.

Patiala, December 31
The computerisation work of the Revenue Department in Patiala is progressing at a fast pace and computerised fard centres are functional in Bhadson and Dhudansadhan areas of the district recently.

While stating this during the meetings of the advisory committees set up for monitoring the working of different government departments, here recently, Patiala Deputy Commissioner Dipinder Singh, said the computerised fard centres would provide easy access to information pertaining to Girdawri’s, mutation, fard and other records of the department. Dipinder said computerisation of revenue records would not only bring transparency in the functioning of the department but would benefit the masses.

On September 1, Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Ajit Singh Kohar said with a view to make functioning at the department prompt, it would be made computerised and the online data will be available by March 31.

Meanwhile, Dipinder has instructed the Deputy Registrar of cooperative societies in Patiala to ensure that its maximum members are given the insurance cover under the Bhai Ghaniya Health Scheme being undertaken by the Cooperation Department. He has said camps and seminars should be held in the villages to make the members aware about the benefits of the insurance cover being offered to them.

Jalandhar, December 31
In almost all the thalassaemic units running in the government hospitals of the state, blood having a large volume of white blood cells is being transfused to thalassaemic kids, which led to the occurrence of various febrile reactions and can cause serious infections among children.

As per guidelines, white blood cells (leukocytes) should be thoroughly filtered out before transfusing blood into thalassaemic kids, as frequent transfusion (2-3 times a month) of blood full of leukocytes into such patients trigger an unwanted immune response in their body and led to several allergic reactions.

“Leukocytes are coated with specific antigens, which are unique for every individual. During repeated transfusion, it generates antibodies in the body of patients and led to several unwanted allergic reactions. Therefore, leucocyte-free blood is recommended”, said Dr Kulbir Kaur, Principal, PIMS, and a specialist in transfusion medicine.

Though filters required to clear off leukocytes from blood are available in the market in the absence of subsidy by the government, they are beyond the reach of most of the kids, who belong to poor families.

Moreover, as unfiltered leukocytes can carry the causative agents of various infections with them, the chances of developing such infections are quite high among thalassaemic kids, who usually get multiple transfusions.

“Leukocyte reduction filters cost around Rs 1,100-1,300 per piece in the market. Moreover, each such filter can be used only once. Some manufacturers agreed to provide the filters at subsidised rates at Rs 600-700 per filters. But poor families still not able to purchase it as 2-3 filters are required for a patient every month. Over one kid is affected with the disease in such families,” said Tirlok Singh Bhatia, president, Jalandhar Thalassaemic Society, where over 90 thalasaemic children get treatment. The survey conducted by The Tribune revealed that only economically sound families were using them for their kids.

“Out of hundreds of patients undergoing treatment, only a handful of them prefer to use leukocyte filter due to its high cost”, said doctors concerned overseeing the treatment of thalassaemic kids at Government Medical College, Patiala and Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, Amritsar.

Chandigarh, December 31
Armed with the right to vote in India, Punjabi NRIs are launching a campaign from January next year to lobby for the right to cast their votes in their respective embassies for the next Assembly elections in Punjab.

The Punjabi NRIs are not alone in this quest as they are joined by NRIs from other states also who want to cast their votes from abroad for elections to the state Assemblies in Kerala and Tamil Nadu next year.

The Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) is taking an initiative to invite prominent leaders as well as MPs from India for functions abroad next year as a part of the campaign to lobby for NRI voting rights in embassies and high commissions abroad.

Though NRIs have been given voting right through a notification by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, they will have to come to their respective constituencies in India to cast their votes. The NRIs are emphasising that allowing them to cast their votes abroad would give a practical shape to a right already given to them.

Punjab IOC head Vikram Bajwa told TNS that NRIs abroad were confident that the government would change the present law on voting in accordance with laws abroad. A change in the law could well make Punjabi NRIs game changers in politics in the state with there being around 80 lakh NRIs with Indian passports settled in various countries, including the UK, USA, Canada and the middle-east.

Bajwa said the Punjab chapter of the Overseas Congress had invited the PPCC president, Capt Amarinder Singh, to visit the US as well as Canada for Baisakhi celebrations in April. He said the celebrations would be held at San Francisco and Vancouver.

NRIs from Punjab do not only want to vote in the state elections but want to stand for elections also. Bajwa said the Overseas Congress would demand 10 seats from NRI candidates in the next state elections. He said NRI candidates had the advantage of having a vision of where they wanted the state to head in the coming years.

All political parties in Punjab are working to attract NRI votes. On behalf of the Congress, Qila Raipur legislator Jassi Khangura, a former NRI, is abroad regularly to drum up support for the party. Bholath legislator Sukhpal Singh Khaira is at present in New York to meet his constituents.

The SAD is also turning aggressive to woo NRI voters. Its ministers, including Sewa Singh Sekhwan, have been abroad in this regard recently. The party has made Surjit Singh Rakhra, brother of prominent NRI Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, in charge of its NRI affairs. It is also planning to advertise in the print and radio media abroad to attract NRIs to the party.

Amritsar, December 31
The pilgrims and tourists on board the luxury Sikh pilgrimage train, which arrived in the holy city this morning, listened to pious Gurbani at Harmandar Sahib on the New Year eve.

Against the schedule they alighted at the Verka railway station, seven km from the local railway station, where they were accorded a warm welcome as per the Sikh traditions. Folk artists playing traditional instruments sang hymns from Gurbani. SGPC officials were also present.

Under the thick fog cover, the swanky train chugged in at the Amritsar railway station. After remaining there for a considerable time, it moved out to the Verka railway station. In order to pave the way for the arrival and departure of regular trains, the train moved out to the nearby Verka railway station.

The pilgrims were then taken to the Golden Temple in deluxe coaches. They also visited other historic gurdwaras in the city. Later, they paid tributes to martyrs at the Jallianwala Bagh and witnessed to the retreat ceremony at Attari Wagah joint check-post in the evening.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal would flag off the train at the Amritsar railway station for Talwandi Sabo to pay respects at Takht Damdama Sahib tomorrow morning.

The luxury train on a spiritual odyssey of all the five Takhts of Sikhs began its journey on December 29 from New Delhi.

Sajive Trehan, CEO, The Luxury Holidays, said guided tours of all holy places was arranged while The Taj group was entrusted with the task of on board catering.

He said the pilgrims and tourists would also visit historical places at Jaipur and Agra. Apart from journeying in the train, they would be flown between Mumbai and Patna and during the return journey from Patna to Delhi.

SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar, Tourism Minister Hira Singh Gabaria, former Rajya Sabha member Tarlochan Singh were present among others.

Amritsar, December 31
The trade between India and Pakistan via the rail route came back on track with a goods train carrying red chillies, rubber, chemicals and cycle parts finally crossing over to Pakistan today after more than a week’s halt.

The trade was badly hit as Pakistan authorities had failed to renew the visa of Indian drivers. The visa of seven drivers was renewed by the Pakistan authorities. The goods train service came to a halt on December 22. It triggered panic among the traders on both sides of the border.

They suffered huge losses as they had to reload their goods in the trucks in order to send them to stores as there was no arrangement at Attari railway station for proper storage of the material.

Fazilka, December 31
Chando Bai, a widow residing in Kothe Thagni village of this subdivision, killed her former paramour Sher Singh with the help of new paramour Mangu and threw his body into a drain running along the Indo-Pak border in this sector.

Though Sher Singh, a resident of Mandi Hazoor Singh village, was done to death on December 28 by Chando Bai and Mangu, the matter came to light when his body was found entangled in hyacinths in the drain by his son Sajjan Singh and brother Satnam Singh, who were searching him since December 29.

In the complaint lodged with the police, Sajjan alleged that Chando Bai was having illicit relations with his father Sher Singh for the past four years. Sher Singh had also given Rs 20,000 to Chando Bai to help to marry off her daughter.

A few months ago, Chando Bai developed illicit relations with Mangu. On December 28, Chando Bai phoned his father and called him to a particular location on the pretext of returning him Rs 20,000. Sher Singh went to that point to meet Chando Bai and did not return. After he (Sajjan), along with his uncle, carried out a search for him, they found his trouser and a bottle of liquor lying near the defence drain, located near Kabul Shah Hitad village, Sajjan alleged.

He added that when they searched the drain, they found the body of Sher Singh lying entangled in the hyacinths.

Bathinda, December 31
The exposure of two officials posted in the office of the DIG, Police (Bathinda Range), taking bribe to expedite the promotion of a cop has brought the functioning of the office under a scanner.

Though the Civil Lines police after an inquiry conducted by a SP (detective) booked the two accused - a superintendent and a senior assistant (dealing clerk) - under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, on Wednesday, it failed to arrest them till now.

As per details, the district police recently received an information that a superintendent and a senior assistant (dealing clerk), namely Harbhajan Singh and Ramesh Kumar, respectively, posted at the DIG office had accepted a bribe of Rs 10,000 each from an accountant of the office, Prem Kumar, to expedite his promotion as a SI, which was already due for the past some time.

Acting upon the information, the district police chief, with the permission of the DIG (Bathinda range), masked an investigation to the SP (D) Jatinder Singh Behnipal.

During the probe, the SP (D) found the allegations true. After recording the statements of the accused as well as the person, who had paid the bribe, he recommended to register a case against the two.

Speaking to The Tribune, Behnipal said: “The allegations were proved against the accused. Moreover, during the investigation they confessed that they had committed the crime.”

Replying to the queries, ASP (city-II) Bikram Pal Singh Bhatti said: “To escape the arrest, both have fled from their houses. We had conveyed a message to their family members that their appearance before the office was must.”