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SGPC POLLS
Army School Shame
Dalits stage protest in front of DC office
Woman gives birth in 108 emergency ambulance
Women’s study centre inaugurated at Abohar
Row over illegal branches of liquor vends & pubs
ASI held on graft charge
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Central Jail relocation plan hangs fire
Ferozepur, August 11 “When Jalalabad was a part of the district, which is being represented by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, the projects were moving at a quick pace. However, since that area has now been transferred to the Fazilka district, it seems the government has lost interest in the projects here,” said a local resident. Earlier, the district administration, following the nod from Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, had embarked upon this proposal so that the prime chunk of the Central Jail land measuring over 60 acres, located in the heart of the town, could be commercially exploited. A piece of land measuring around 44 acres had even been identified near village Khai Pheme Ke on the Ferozpur-Fazilka road regarding which a proposal had been sent to the government. The new site was also visited by the senior government functionaries including principal secretary (Home) AR Talwar, DGP (Jails) Anil Kaushik besides others. DPS Kharbanda, ADC, confirmed that the proposal was forwarded to the Rural Development Department to acquire the land for which a collector rate of Rs 7 lakh per acre had been fixed. “Even a resolution had been passed in the village panchayat for it,” he informed, adding that the government’s response was still awaited. Around 10.68 acres of the jail land has already been earmarked to the PUDA for commercial use. Jaswant Singh, ACA, PUDA, while confirming the move, said this land would be utilised for setting up a shopping hub with a few sites for institutional utility and the auction for it was being planned soon. Sources pointed out that even the Jail Department has expressed reservations over the proposal as they wanted a bigger piece of land for the relocation of the jail. LS Jakhar, Superintendent, Central Jail, said the project to shift the jail could not materialise as the land being offered for the new jail was not enough. “We have to plan the new jail on modern lines keeping in view the need for future expansion as about 44 acres of land was enough to accommodate only 1500 inmates,” said Jakhar. He added that at present, there were 1973 prisoners lodged in the jail against its capacity of 1136 due to which there were several boarding and lodging issues. Meanwhile, the existing Central Jail, which was established in the middle of the nineteenth century, stands tall as a mute testimony to the many historical events that have shaped the destiny of the nation. In this jail, there remained confined valiant freedom fighters of the Indian struggle for independence, during various periods, who also sacrificed their lives to ensure the nation’s sovereignty. The list includes the sons of the soil Brij Krishan Chandiwala, Farid-Ul-Haq Ansari, Maulana Nurud Bihari , Dr Yudhvir Singh, Health Minister of the State of Delhi, Brahm Parkash, Radha Raman (MP), Gopi Nath Aman, Dr Govells (Tehri Garwal), Jugal Kishore Khanna, Krishan Nair (MP) President Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee and Mir Mushtaq Ahmed among others. During the Emergency, several towering political personalities were lodged here. |
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Korean chilli brings tears to growers’ eyes
Mashana (Bathinda), August 11 Darshan Singh, who had sown chilli of the Korean variety 134 on one and a half acres, said usually, a farmer earns Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 per acre from the crop. A large number of farmers had been sowing chilli here for the past four years but they never witnessed such problem. “We even used lot of chemicals to fight against the disease and experts from various pesticide companies too visited the fields but could not save our crop,” Darshan lamented. He said besides Mashana village, farmers from Pucca Kalan and Malwala also sow chilli and had witnessed similar attack this season. An otherwise profitable crop, it is readily sold in markets in the markets of Bathinda, Faridkot and Dabwali. Farmers said labourers charge Rs two to pluck one kg of chilli and similar amount was spent on its transportation. They, however, get Rs four per kg in the market and end up without any profit. “Now we have decided to destroy the entire crop to grow maize,” said another Charanjit Singh. He added that farmers had spent Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 on seeds, insecticides and irrigation but failed to earn profit. “Otherwise, we start plucking chilli after three months of sowing in February and keep on harvesting after every week till December,” Charanjit said. Farmers said they used to earn Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh in a season. Good quality chilli is sold at Rs 8 to Rs 12 per kg. Meanwhile, Dr Jagdish Grover, director, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bathinda, said farmers had grown a non-recommended variety. “Farmers should have chosen hybrid seeds in consultation with our experts,” he added. |
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Thermal plant fuels land price hike at Gobindpura
Gobindpura (Mansa), August 11 “As word spread that a thermal plant is being set up here, property rates in this sleepy village and around increased manifold. Now, we are unable to get the same area of land anywhere near our village,” said Gurmel Singh Moni, a village resident. Moni has three acres of land which the government has acquired in lieu of Rs 23.68 lakh per acre. “Now, the prices in surrounding areas have crossed even Rs 30 lakh per acre. Farmers like me will not be able to purchase the same acreage which we had,” Moni said. The government has given Rs 23.68 lakh and Rs 20. 68 lakh per acre to farmers which also includes displacement allowance. Farmer leader Ram Singh Bhainibagha said before the project was brought to the village, land was being sold at a price of around Rs 15 lakh per acre. He added that the prices skyrocketed for agricultural land and even residential areas surrounding Gobindpura. Villagers said people got aware of setting up of a thermal plant in December 2010 and the land prices started spiralling within few days. However, farmers whose land was acquired got compensation cheques after three months. They said the government had given mere Rs 14 lakhs per acre to the fertile land and after including displacement allowance and other compensations, the amount increased to nearly Rs 20 lakh. Farmers with less fertile land have got Rs 11 lakh per acre besides displacement allowance and other compensations. Bus service resumes
Gobindpura: Villagers in Gobindpura got some respite on Wednesday as bus service resumed after a week. The bus plying between Gobindpura and nearby villages made a few rounds. Villagers said that earlier, two buses used to ferry passengers from the village to nearby towns but it was stopped in the wake of protest. On Wednesday, one bus was allowed to pick passengers from the village.
— TNS |
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Woes overflow for Barnala residents as rain causes waterlogging
Barnala, August 11 The residents complained that during the monsoon, water accumulates in many areas in the absence of natural drainage system. Besides, the town has a weak sewerage system which mostly remains choked resulting in waterlogging. The waterlogged areas have been identified as Rambagh Road, Kacha College Road, Grain Market Road, Bus Stand area and ward number 2. Besides, the area in the vicinity of Municipal council (MC), which has to take steps to check waterlogging, located in the new grain market area, gets waterlogged during the monsoon. Since water accumulates in Kacha College road, where coaching centers and private hospitals are located, the students face many problems during the rainy season. The bus stand area and the railway station market (college road), where workshops and business houses are located, are also affected by waterlogging. As a result, businessmen and the common people have to suffer almost daily, said a resident. “In areas along the grain market road and Rambagh road, people are facing a lot of problems due to waterlogging as their movement gets hindered. The condition of sewerage system in the town can be gauged from the fact that recently water from sewerage pipes got mixed with water supply system resulting in jaundice to four dozen residents of ward number two,” said Amit Mitter, a resident of street number 8 of the Kacha College road, who runs a business. “The MC authorities need to wake from their slumber as people are suffering due to waterlogging, which has the potential to cause severe health problems including jaundice and other gastro-intestinal illnesses,” he added. Manjit Kaur, a student of Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Mahila Arya Mahila (LBS) College along the Rambagh road, said, “We face a lot of problems due to waterlogging as our movement gets affected. The government must address the problem immediately.” Paramjeet Singh, President, MC, Barnala, admitted that the residents are suffering. “We had sent a proposal of Rs 6.50 crore to the government for the sewerage system of the town. So far, we have not got clearance for that proposal. Even the principal secretary to the CM promised us that we would get Rs 7 to Rs 8 crore for the purpose but till now, we have not received even a single penny,” he said. A doctor at the civil hospital confirmed that a large number of patients of jaundice and gastro-intestinal problems are received during the monsoon, which most probably can be attributed to waterlogging in the affected areas for a longer duration. |
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SGPC POLLS
Bathinda, August 11 From Bhagta general seat, two candidates have filed their nominations, including Mukand Singh from SAD (A) and Harinder Singh from Panthic Morcha. From Bhagta (SC) seat Sukhminder Singh from SAD (A), Teja Singh from Panthic Morcha and Krishana Singh filed their nominations. Similarly, from Rampura Phul, nine nominations were filed, including that of Hardeep Singh from Panthic Morcha, Dharm Singh from SAD (A) and Major Singh Dhillon from SAD. Rampura Phul women general seat saw two nominations from Jaspal Kaur of SAD and Swarnjit Kaur. From Balluana, eight nominations were filed, including one by Amrik Singh from SAD. Five women SC candidates from Balluana filed nominations, including Surinder Kaur from Panthic Morcha. Only one nomination was filed from Talwandi Sabo, including that of Harbans Singh. Six nominations were filed from the Maur constituency, including that of Panthic Morcha candidate Darshan Singh. On August 10, 16 nominations were filed.
— TNS |
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Army School Shame
Bathinda, August 11 Investigating Officer (IO) in the case ASI Kaur Singh said the accused was a resident of Hajura Kapura Basti and his father owns an electronic goods shop in one of the shopping centres at the cantonment. The official said the girl was playing in the fields when the Class IX student took her in the bushes nearby where he allegedly tried to rape her. The girl started weeping and other school students gathered around the child, who informed the school authorities. The matter was brought into the notice of the police by the girl’s family. The victim’s family accused the school authorities of negligence and demanded stringent action against the officials responsible. They also demanded exemplary punishment for the student accused of committing the heinous crime. Bathinda Cantonment SHO Jaskaran Singh said the boy had been arrested after questioning the students who had witnessed the incident. The family members had said there were two boys involved in the crime. The other boy is yet to be identified. |
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Dalits stage protest in front of DC office
Ferozepur, August 11 Bagga Singh said the atrocities against the Dalit community were increasing day by day. While giving instances of some police cases, Bagga Singh said the police department has unleashed a reign of terror against the Dalits. Lashing out at the SAD-BJP government, Bagga Singh said all their requests for a fair trial and justice have always fallen on deaf ears. So, they have no other choice but to intensify their protest. He further said the Dalits were also not getting enough work under the NREGA scheme. Besides, they were either not being paid for their work or it was insufficient. While cautioning the state government against the alleged step-motherly treatment to Dalits, Bagga demanded that they should be given their due. He also demanded that under the provision of the Punjab village Common Land Act 1961, Dalits from the EWS strata should be allocated five marla plots for the construction of houses. |
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Woman gives birth in 108 emergency ambulance
Abohar, August 11 Their neighbourers called 108 at 4 am. EMT Kuldeep and pilot Jangveer reached the locality in less than 10 minutes along with the delivery kit and essential newborn care equipment. The woman arrived safely with her newborn baby and her parents at the civil hospital. Notably, earlier too, such births had been recorded here. |
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Women’s study centre inaugurated at Abohar
Abohar, August 11 Seema Somani has been appointed its coordinator while Surinder Kaur Sandhu and Anita Singh would be the members of the coordination committee. Mittu said a 15-day judo karate camp for girls would soon be organised here to mark the beginning of activities. A seminar to bring awareness on rights and laws would also be held. To promote women’s studies, the UGC is playing a significant role through the creation of centres for women’s studies (CWS), Mittu added.
— OC |
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Row over illegal branches of liquor vends & pubs
Abohar, August 11 The deputation led by Sher Singh and Radhey Shyam alleged that the illegal liquor sale outlet was being run in a rented house near a private school in street number 15 adjoining Azeemgarh. Tipplers create nuisance throughout the day making it difficult for girls and housewives to pass through the street. The protesters demanded that all such shops should be closed without further delay. Meanwhile, one Kalu Ram who had given a room in his house in Nai Abadi locality to run an illegal sale counter of liquor to some licensees was thrashed by the residents of the locality today. He has been admitted to the civil hospital for treatment. |
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ASI held on graft charge
Moga, August 11 Revealing this to The Tribune, SSP Sneh Deep Sharma said an FIR under Sections 7, 13 (2) and 88 of the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against him at the police station (rural) following a complaint by Sukhdeep Kaur, daughter of Harjinder Singh, a resident of village Bhekha. The SSP said the alleged accused policemena was produced before a local court, which has sent him to police custody for a day. He said further investigation was in progress. |
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