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Union budget elicits mixed reactions
Child adoption racket alleged in Ludhiana
Central varsity celebrates second foundation day
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A labourer loads rotten wheat bags in a goods train at Gidderbaha on Monday. Photo by writer
Wildlife sanctuary
Suwidha Centre staff protest against ‘indecent’ language used by officer in-charge
Barnala residents yet to get park
Football tourney
NREGA workers burn the effigy of the Prime Minister while protesting against the Central government, in Fazilka on Monday. Photo by writer
National seminar
Rajasthan team shines at netball championship
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Union budget elicits mixed reactions
Bathinda, February 28 State president of All Punjab Anganwari Mulazam Union Hargobind Kaur said though hike in the honorarium of anganwari worker from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000 and anganwari helper from Rs 750 to Rs 1,500 was welcome as it would improve their financial health to an extent, they would continue their struggle seeking regular pay-scales. President of Bathinda Chamber of Commerce and Industry Raman Watts said they were dissatisfied with the proposals in the budget as the government imposed one per cent central excise duty on 130 items, which were exempted hitherto. Besides, it had proposed hike in the central excise duty on some items, from four per cent to five per cent. It had also proposed hike in duty on branded readymade garments from four per cent to 10 per cent, which would also hit the middle class, he added. State president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan) Joginder Singh Ugrahan also criticised the Union government on offering loans to farmers on the interest rate of four per cent if they made loan payments in time. He said as 80 per cent farmers were bank defaulters, so they would not get any benefit from this offer. If the government really wanted to help farmers, it should first write off their loans and then provide interest-free loans. A leader of Punjab State Ministerial Services Union, Ashok Chopra, flayed the enhancement in the income tax exemption limit from Rs 1.60 lakh to Rs 1.80 lakh. He said the exemption limit should be Rs 2.50 lakh for both male and female employees in the light of revision of pay-scales and increase in dearness allowance due to rising prices. |
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Child adoption racket alleged in Ludhiana
Bathinda, February 28 The advertisement was about “illegal” offer of child adoption. The NGO has recorded the conversation. The person on the other side of the phone claimed that he was an Ayurvedic practitioner ‘Dr Bakshi’ from Ludhiana. President of the NGO Sonu Maheshwari claimed in writing that “self-styled doctor offered me to adopt the child for Rs five lakh. Though I did not accept his offer, the man in question apparently found me interested in the deal and called me up a number of times. He gave me his address in Ludhiana. Each time he called up, he asked me to drop in at his Ludhiana residence at the earliest as hundreds of people were approaching him for the purpose." “As we know that such an adoption is illegal, we have sent the recorded conversation to the Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, seeking an immediate action in the case,” said Maheshwari. To verify the facts, when media persons (hiding their identity) called up the number mentioned in the advertisement, the person said he was Dr Joginder Bakshi and demanded Rs 4 lakh for the child. Asked whether he had a licence to do so, he said, "I don't think there is any law in our country for child adoption. Moreover, the parents of the child, who are daily-wage labourers and need money, are ready to give in writing; and that too on a stamp paper. No body can challenge it. I will also sign the document as witness." Turning down the request to negotiate the amount demanded, he said, “If you want the child, come to me with money latest by Tuesday morning.” Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tewari expressed ignorance about the matter and assured to take immediate and strict action. “I am going to order for tapping the mobile number that the person is using for the illegal trade. Besides, I will mark an inquiry into the matter to some senior official and ask the police to conduct raid at the address he is giving so as to trace him,” said Tewari. It is reported that there are only five child adoption centres in the state.
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Central varsity celebrates second foundation day
Bathinda, February 28 After introducing the chief guest and highlighting his research achievements, the Vice Chancellor, Dr Jai Rup Singh introduced all about the academic programmes offered by the university. He informed that in addition to the existing M.Phil.-Ph.D. integrated programmes in four schools of studies, the university was offering admission to seven more disciplines like Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Computational Sciences, Genetic Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Social Studies, Computer Science and Technology, Environmental Law and Green Architecture and Landscape Design during current academic session. Further he informed that M.A.-Ph.D. and M.Sc.-Ph.D. integrated programmes in the above disciplines were also in the offing in near future. Speaking about setting up of an ultra modern transit campus of the university, the VC mentioned that the university had state-of-the-art lecture halls, science laboratories, exhibition hall and a seminar hall to support academic activities. Sharing his experience and study about Malwa, the VC informed the audience that people of this region were facing serious threats to their health and the environment had degraded rapidly. In view of this, the main thrust of research at this university had been identified to be cancer, its causes and socio-economic impacts, he added. In his lecture, the chief guest Dr Talwar introduced his work on development of immunotherapeutic vaccine for treatment of leprosy for the first time anywhere in the world. “The vaccine is useful against treatment of tuberculosis, cancer and acts as a strong modulator for many vaccines including those used for birth control,” pointed out Dr Talwar, while discussing about his invention of microbicides for cure and prevention of reproductive tract and sexually transmitted diseases Dr Talwar also talked about his recombinant vaccine for control of fertility and advanced stage of cancer. He advised the young generation to identify the regional problems and work to find their solutions. |
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Rotten wheat for human consumption found in Gidderbaha
Gidderbaha, February 28 A former employee of the PUNSUP brought the irregularity into the notice of the media this afternoon. On reaching the spot, media persons found that the practice was underway. District manager of the FCI Babu Ram has passed the buck on the quality controlling staff of the FCI and the officials of the PUNSUP. He claimed that immediately after the menace came to his notice, he rejected the bags to be loaded in the wagons and even returned a truck loaded with sub-standard wheat. However, he expressed ignorance about the bags filled with rotten wheat lying inside two wagons. It was reported that the train had to ferry nearly 2,600 metric tonnes of wheat from the godowns in Gidderbaha sub-division. Meanwhile, district manager of the PUNSUP Yash Pal, who was present on the spot, also refused to take the responsibility. He said, “Our duty was limited to the weighing of trucks outside the godown. After that, we hand over the stock to the FCI officials. As the sub-standard stock was being loaded in the train, I apprehend some foul play took place mid way.” However, he admitted that there were some godowns in Muktsar district where the wheat stock was rotting because it was stocked in open. “I will inquire into the matter and if anyone is found guilty, he would have to face the music,” he added. On the other hand, sources in the food supply department informed that the wheat in question belonged to some renowned firms. It was also reported that the FCI and PUNSUP officials tried to snub the matter.
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Bittu flays state for not using funds released by Centre
Raj Sadosh
Abohar, February 28 During his maiden visit to the wildlife sanctuary, he was informed by the senior functionaries of the Akhil Bhartiya Jeev Raksha Bishnoi Sabha that the government had failed even in protecting the statue of their most revered animal blackbuck installed at the Jeev Raksha Chowk on the Abohar-Seetogunno bypass here. The same was vandalised twice and the administration was not able to identify the culprits even after getting the instructions from the Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. He assured that it would be taken up at the Central government level. He was also informed that the state government had not submitted the project report to get funds from the Central government for raising animal husbandry hospital in the region. The offer had long back been made by the Union Minister for Environment Maneka Gandhi in the NDA-led ministry. She had visited the sanctuary area to unveil the statue at the Jeev Raksha Sabha of the Indira Priyadarshini Environment Award recipient Sant Kumar Bishnoi, who was one of the founders of the Jeev Raksha Sabha. Speaking during the visit, Bittu said false claims were being made by the Chief Minster and others over the development of the state. Indeed, Punjab ranked at 18th position in the education and 28th in the rural development as per the national survey. Forty out of 42 government colleges in Punjab did not have regular principal. The alliance partners were showing their frustration by making false propaganda against the senior Congress leaders, he observed. Bittu hoped that 20 nominees of the Youth Congress would be given tickets by the party during the Vidhan Sabha elections next year.
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Suwidha Centre staff protest against ‘indecent’ language used by officer in-charge
Bathinda, February 28 In-charge of the staff at the Centre Jaswinder Singh alleged that the officer in-charge had been using “indecent” language against them for the past several days due to which the entire staff was feeling uncomfortable since then. He said the staff was so upset that it had even decided to submit resignations en masse. Jaswinder Singh said they also met the DC to demand for replacing the officer in-charge so that they could work in a peaceful atmosphere. He added that the DC assured them that the matter would be examined soon. Meanwhile, when contacted, the DC said the allegations levelled against the officer in-charge by the Suwidha staff were false. He said he had examined the matter and found nothing against the officer concerned. The Deputy Commissioner added that the officer in-charge wanted to streamline the working at the Centre.
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Barnala residents yet to get park
Barnala, February 28 Another resident pleading anonymity opined, “Municipal Council does not seem to have adequate funds to complete the construction of the park.” “Since the Municipal Council had failed to complete the construction of the park, some residents throw garbage inside the area meant for park,” the residents rued. Besides, bushes have come up inside the park. Even dogs and pigs roam in the park, they added. President, Municipal Council, Barnala, Paramjeet Singh Dhillon revealed to The Tribune that the Municipal Council does not have sufficient funds to complete the construction of park. He also admitted that no construction work has been carried out for the last one year. |
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Rising Star Corps, Pine Division enter semi-final
Tribune News Service
Ferozepur, February 28 On the sixth day of the championship, they defeated Gurj Division and Ram Division. In the first quarter-final match, being hosted by the Golden Arrow Division, Rising Star Corps virtually crushed Gurj Division 8-0. G Daniel and TA Sanju Airy scored two goals each in the 22nd and 28th minute and 81st and 84th minute of the match, respectively. Remaining four goals were scored in the 13th, 38th, 86th and 88th minutes of the match by other members of the team. The second quarter final match, played between Pine Division and Ram Division ended in a similar way but with lesser number of goals scored by the winning team against the defeated team. The Pine Division also managed to defeat the Ram Division 3-0. Dipen Chhetri, Mansukh Thren Lipcha and Dil Kumar scored one goal each in the 26th, 33rd and 77th minutes of the match, respectively. Prior to the event, four quarterfinal matches were played in different pools. In Pool A, Panther Division and Gurj Division fought with each other, in Pool B, Tiger Division and Ram Division while in Pool C, Rising Star Corps troops and Golden Arrow Division and in Pool D, Pine Division and Golden Key Division fought the match with each other.
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NREGA workers stage stir
Fazilka, February 28 The workers also staged a protest demonstration in the town bazaars and raised slogans against the government. While presiding over the programme, Sarv Bharat Nauzwan Sabha, state unit vice-president, Sarbjit Singh Banwala rued that crores of Indians are deprived of basic amenities. On the other hand, the government has failed to bring back the black money of crores of rupees lying outside the country, he rued. The representatives have demanded complete and transparent implementation of the NREGA scheme. All India Youth Federation local unit president Prem Kumar Popli has demanded that following the inflation, daily wages of the NREGA workers should be increased from Rs 130 per day to Rs 148.
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Scholars focus on BR Ambedkar’s life & works
Our Correspondent
Abohar, February 28 The scholars who focused on different aspects of Dr Ambedkar’s life and works included his close associates LR Bali and KC Sulekh, Brij Pal Bharti, Ummed Singh Gautam, Kusum Lata Gautam, senior functionaries of Samta Dal, PU senator Mukesh Arora, Dr Raunki Ram, Dr PC Verma, Makhan Lal and a student Aman. Dev Mittar Ahuja, chairman, local college managing committee, welcomed while principal Dr Neelam Arun Mittu thanked the guests.
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Rajasthan team shines at netball championship
Sriganganagar, Feb 28 The team comprising Priyanka, Arshdeep, Neha, Kirandeep, Kiranpal and Neeju had substantial support from Meenu and Sarita of Sikar, Chanda and Kanchan of Jaipur and Madhu of Udaipur in defeating the Chandigarh UT team in the netball 36-34. In-charge of the sports wing in Gurusar Modian Rampal said the shining girls belong to Srikaranpur, Hanumangarh and Khajuwala. No permanent coach had been provided so far. They excelled only by practice and determination. |
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