The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Farmers vow to continue their fight Shariq Majeed/TNS Barnala, August 3 The seventeen farm and labour organisations, protesting against the killing of a farmer in protest against the acquisition of land in Gobindpura in Mansa district, today accused Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal and his son and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal of showing undue favour to the private company involved in the project. They also criticised the Congress-led UPA government of playing into the hands of private companies. Activists of farm and labour unions arrive to attend the cremation in Hameedi; Surjeet Singh’s kin mourn their loss. Tribune photos: Pawan Sharma These organisations stopped the district administration from conducting the postmortem of farmer Surjeet Singh of Hameedi village in Barnala, who died while protesting at Kot Dunna village along the Dhanaula-Bhikhi road last evening. Later, they staged a dharna at the grain market outside the SSP office. However, after an hour-long meeting with the officials they relented after a compromise was worked out. Jhanda Singh Jaithokey, senior vice-president of BKU (Ugrahan), who along with seven other farm and labour organisations leaders, authorised by the deceased family to hold talks with the district administration, told TNS after attending the meeting that the "district administration has agreed to give Rs 5 lakhs as compensation to the aggrieved family besides recommending job for one member of the family and waiving the debt of the dead farmer. "We have also asked for strict action against the killers of martyr Surjeet Singh," he said. "However, we will continue to fight against the forcible acquisition of land in Gobindpura," he declared. The DC told the farmers sitting on a peaceful dharna in the grain market that the district administration shared the grief of the deceased's family. At the venue of the dharna, tempers rose high with activists of the farm and labour organisations chasing a leader Gurdev Singh Dardi of the farmers wing of the CPI (M), calling him an agent planted by the government to sabotage their struggle. Meanwhile, SSP Gurpreet Singh Toor, said the "fate of the case will be decided after the post-mortem report". However, he reiterated that the body was recovered 2-3 kms away from the site of the clash between the farmers and the police and the body had no "visible injury marks" on it. Dr A.Gaaba, Civil Surgeon, Barnala, said the report of the post-mortem will be received in two to three weeks. Meanwhile, apprehending a clash between activists of farm and labour organisations, police had fortified the area near the Civil Hospital in Barnala where the postmortem was to be done. Patients and their attendants had to face a lot of problems as their movement was hindered by the police. Surjeet Kaur Barnala, President of SAD (Longowaal) and wife of the Tamil Nadu Governor, who had gone to the site of the dharna at the grain market near the SSP office reportedly had to face the ire of the protesters. She was reportedly forced by the protestors to leave and "not to try to play politics over the farmer’s death.”
	Farmers stage stir to oppose canal water theft Our Correspondent Abohar, August 3 Scores of farmers from the tail-end villages Gumjal and Kallarkhera staged a dharna at the Malukpura sub-canal to express anguish over the dilly-dallying by the irrigation officials in taking action against those involved in the theft of canal water. The protesters claimed that they had recovered pipes being used at burji number 10757 to steal water by a farmer. They contacted the officials of the Irrigation Department and Khuyiansarwar police seeking action but none responded. They shouted slogans and warned that a stir would be launched at the canal colony here, if the erring farmer was not booked within the next 24 hours. XEN, Irrigation Department, RK Gupta said the staff has been asked to identify the suspects and initiate action. Notably, the farmers had a few months back seized pipes from the Dharangwala sub-canal also but the authorities had so far not made it known as to what action was taken against the suspects.
	Paddy farmers rue inadequate power supply Archit Watts Tribune News Service Jalalabad, August 3 The paddy growers in the constituency of Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal are a harassed lot these days as they are not getting adequate power supply. Paddy is the main crop here and the economy of the area also depends on it. Though the government has announced to ensure eight-hour minimum power supply to the farmers, they are at the receiving end. The monsoon this year has also proved below average in the region so far and the growing paddy crop, which requires a lot of water, totally depends on generators. A number of farmers in Chak Banwala, Chimneywali and Jourkian Andhewala revealed to The Tribune that this season the crop was surviving on borewell water using the generators as the department was supplying power for just 3-4 hours daily. “Despite repeated assurances, the present government has failed in supplying adequate power to the villages. As a result, the farmers have now installed generators in their farms to save their paddy crop from the heat,” said Chaudhary Ashok Kumar, Nambardar of village Chak Banwala, who has sown paddy in 36 acres of land. He said there was a similar situation last year as well. Further informing about the increase in their expenses, he maintained, "A generator costs us Rs 800-900 per day, which supplies water to three acres. It consumes almost 20 litres of diesel, which would surely affect our profit." The farmers also said they had informed their local MP Sher Singh Ghubaya, but to no avail. Jalalabad SDM Rajiv Parashar said, “We have not received any complaint in this regard. However, in case of any emergency, the farmers are using generators to lift the water.” When asked as to whether the area was getting eight hours power supply, he said, “I cannot comment in the absence of details.”
	Oil leakage in Rajasthan may delay Bathinda refinery plan Tribune News Service Bathinda, August 3 Crude oil being brought from the Mundra port in Gujarat, through the pipeline, today leaked near Rajasthan. The leakage has delayed the target of bringing oil to Bathinda till August 15. The oil was being brought for the first time to the Guru Gobind Singh Refinery, Bathinda. It leaked around 250 km away from the refinery near Sardar Shehar in Rajasthan. Senior officials of the refinery, pleading anonymity, confirmed the incident and said the leakage would delay the refining of transported oil for a few days though it will not affect the functioning or trial of the refinery in any way. The oil was supposed to reach Bathinda refinery on August 15. It was transferred through the recently laid 1014 km long pipeline laid between Gujarat and Bathinda. Officials said the oil was continuously monitored by the officials concerned who immediately detected its leakage. The oil was placed in the pipeline in the last week of July with low pressure. It was to be bifurcated into different oils at the Bathinda refinery. Corporate communication head of the refinery Sangeeta Chakraborty could not be contacted despite repeated attempts. The refinery is a joint venture of the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and Mittal Energy Limited.
	Govt schemes to tackle infant mortality rate & improve mother & child health Beneficiaries happy but health staff face problems Praful Chander Nagpal Fazilka, August 3 The initiative of the Central as well as the state government to improve mother and child health (MCH) and infant mortality rate (IMR) has proved to be a boon for expecting women while the Health Department faces a tough time due to it. As per the official sources, under the Mata Kaushalya Cashless Delivery scheme and Janani Surkasha Yojana (JSY), all expecting mothers are provided with Rs 1000 along with transport money of Rs 200 per case. Under the JSY scheme, women hailing from the BPL families are offered another Rs 500 and Rs 600. Besides, a complete free medical aid is also provided to the mothers and newly-born kids in the health institute of the state. In case of a caesarian section, no fee is charged. Notably, with the launching of the schemes, the number of delivery cases has shot up considerably at the local Civil Hospital. According to Senior Medical Officer (SMO) Dr SP Garg, a total of 166 deliveries including 36 caesarian cases were performed in July, which is a record high in the newly-carved district Fazilka. As per the details available, in 100-bed Civil Hospital at Abohar 147 deliveries including 11 caesarian cases were performed in July. Likewise, in the sub-divisional hospital at Jalalabad (W), 78 deliveries including 19 caesarian sections were performed in July. With the rising number of beneficiaries of cashless deliveries, cash incentives, prompt and free transportation of delivery cases to the health institutes by 108 ambulances, the doctors and para medics of the department have to work overtime while facing several difficulties. Primarily, the local hospital is without a specialised gynaecologist. Of the two female doctors in the labour room round-the-clock, one is a pathologist while the other is an anaesthetist, who have to manage the delivery cases while performing their additional duties and conducting postmortems as well. The major problem faced by the hospital authorities here is acute shortage of medicines and consumables for conducting deliveries and caesarian sections. Delivery kits for only 20 cases were provided by the Civil Surgeon’s office (Ferozepur) in July against which 130 deliveries were conducted here. A similar situation can also be seen in the other hospitals of the district. The SMO said that the doctors and paramedic staff of hosptial is working against all odds while trying to keep the patients and their attendant satisfied. He lamented that the delivery and caesarian kits supplied by the department are inadequate in terms of quantity and need to be supplemented. Dr Garg pointed out that the additional arrangement has to be made from the user charges, which is also not sufficient. The annual budget of Rs 1 lakh under the Rogi Kalyan Samiti is quite inadequate to cater to the rising needs. Garg further said there is a dire need for separate gynaecologists to work in shifts round-the-clock along with half a dozen staff nurses as three of the staff nurses have recently been transferred from the hospital. He also demanded additional budget for medicines and postings of half a dozen more female attendants and sweepers. “At present it is a challenging job for the hospital staff. The matter has been brought to the notice of the high-ups of the department,” added Dr Garg. Maya Devi, a patient of village Shatirwala, expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made by the government and the cash incentive. Phuman Singh, a resident of village Rana, was elated with the cash incentive and free service provided for the delivery of his relative. Facilities on offer All expecting mothers are provided with Rs 1000 along with transport money of Rs 200 per case Under the JSY scheme, women hailing from the BPL families are offered another Rs 500 and Rs 600 A complete free medical aid is also given to the mothers and newly-born kids in the health institute of the state In case of a caesarian section, no fee is charged. With the launching of the schemes, the number of delivery cases has shot up considerably at the local Civil Hospital
	Faridkot to get rid of stray cattle soon Kulwinder Sandhu/TNS Faridkot, August 3 The district administration has initiated a move in Faridkot to get rid of stray animals prowling on the roads posing threats to the local traffic as well as the health of the residents. The Animal Husbandry Department has recently identified a total of 1,292 stray animals, out of which, 500 animals have been found in Faridkot, 510 in Kotkapura and the rest of them in the Jaitu town of the district. District Magistrate Ravi Bhagat has outlined a plan entailing the collection of these animals and transporting them to cattle sheds and reserve the forest area at Sikhanwala village. The operation would begin from August 6 till August 14 and a team of experts has been called from Patiala to ensure the safe transportation of these animals. The DM said, “We have come across many instances when these stray animals pose danger to both themselves and the common public. They cause road accidents, pose danger and create a sense of fear among the school going children. They can be seen dying on the roads due to malnutrition.” “Therefore, we have decided to catch these animals and shift them to safer places where they would be properly looked after as per the guidelines of the government,” he added. The DM said it has been observed that in most of the cases, the farmers and dairy owners turn out their cattle when they stop giving milk. Ravi Bhagat also called a meeting of the senior officials, owners of cattle sheds and some NGOs, on Wednesday requesting them to cooperate in shifting the stray animals to safer places. “We have assured the cattle shed owners that the price of fodder, which is paid to them by the Municipal Council, would be paid to them on a regular basis for the addition of animals,” he said. Meanwhile, the DM has directed the local bodies to bear the cost of the entire operation, which would begin from Faridkot and later shift to Kotkapura and Jaito towns.
	Garbage, puddles mar historic town’s beauty Archit Watts Tribune News Service Muktsar, August 3 Heaps of garbage and accumulation of water on the roads have become a major problem for the city residents these days, as the Municipal Council (MC) has turned a blind eye towards this. Being a religiously rich city, a large number of devotees visit here daily but arriving at the bus stand, they are welcomed by the sight of poor sanitation and have no other option but to fold their trousers to come out of the bus stand, as the entry and exit points are clogged with rain water. Heaps of garbage lying scattered and stinking everywhere adds to the woes. Not only the bus stand, the railway station and area around it also present a similar look. “Go anywhere in the city, you would find a similar situation. Just one spell of rain in a week leaves the city looking like a pond. The authorities concerned have virtually failed to perform their duties accordingly. “Though a large number of people come here to pay obeisance at the Gurdwaras, yet the government has no plan to develop it as a holy city,” said Bikramjit Singh, a local resident, adding that the Badals belong to the district, yet the historic town lacks basic civic amenities.” “It is an irony that the Kotkapura road, where the official residence of the SP (Headquarters) is located, has also turned into a ‘dumping ground’. Though the MC has installed a board outside the building appealing to the residents not to throw waste material in and around it, yet the practice goes on. Virtually turned into a dumping ground, the building which also serves as the DSP office, has been giving a tough time to the visitors. Moreover, the construction of the sewerage system in the city has also been turning out to be a nightmare for the public. All the roads leading to the Mini Civil Secretariat complex have been dug up and dust fills the air throughout the day. Manohar Singh, Executive Officer of the local Municipal Council, said, “Yes, we are aware of the problem, but it would be solved only after the new sewerage system gets functional. So far, we have deployed some machines to clear water.”
	Cong office-bearers appointed Tribune News Service Bathinda, August 3 Rupinder Singh Bindra has been appointed the general secretary (press in-charge) of the District Congress Committee (DCC), Bathinda (Urban). His name has been approved for the post by the president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) Captain Amarinder Singh. He has also been appointed press secretary of the DCC, Bathinda (Rural). The PPCC has also appointed ten general secretaries of the DCC, Bathinda (Urban), including Ashok Kumar Bhola, Harpal Singh Bajwa, Kuljit Singh Gogi and Pawan Kumar Mani. Besides, nine vice-presidents, including Jeet Mall, Harvinder Singh Grover, Surinderjit Singh Sahni and Vimal Garg, have been appointed. Rattan Rahi, Jagmeet Singh and Rajinder Pal Baghla have been appointed as press secretary, office secretary and treasurer, respectively. The PPCC has also appointed seven vice presidents of the District Congress Committee, Bathinda (Rural), including Ram Kumar, Resham Singh, Paramjit Singh; seven general secretaries including Sukhdev Singh, Baljinder Singh, Manjeet Singh; and 10 secretaries, including Hardeep Singh, Paramjit Singh, Bhagvan Dass, Jaswant Kaur. Besides, a 25-member senior advisory committee has also been appointed.
	Cooperative Bank SAD nominee GS Grewal unanimously elected MD Our Correspondent Abohar, August 3 The SAD today finally succeeded in wresting control of the Fazilka Central Cooperative Bank here from the Congress functionaries as its nominee Gurpal Singh Grewal was elected as the managing director (MD) unanimously. Ajayveer Jakhar, grandson of former Lok Sabha Speaker Bal Ram Jakhar, also attended the meeting. He had been elected as director unopposed from the Khuyiansarwar belt. Notably, the SAD had been able to get its candidate win the election only once during past 36 years. Surinder Gagneja and Sukhjinder Singh Brar have been elected as chairman and vice-chairman, respectively. Chief Parliamentary Secretary Gurtej Singh Ghuriana was present to congratulate the new officials.