Encroachment taint on Bathinda MLA
Bathinda, September 20
Security personnel of the Congress MLA from Bathinda, Harminder Singh Jassi, have encroached upon an unsold plot in Urban Estate-Phase-II, which is said to be worth Rs one crore. The plot has remained unsold for more than a year despite the claims of the BDA officials on holding its auction.

With the Congress flag flying atop, the house is known as the residence of MLA Harminder Singh Jassi. Tribune photo: pawan sharma

Shops selling rotten fruits, veggies raided
Bathinda, September 20
To make fresh fruits and vegetables available to the people in the market, a team from the office of the Civil Surgeon today conducted raids at more than 30 shops in different markets of the city and destroyed the rotten and over ripe vegetables and fruits, unfit for human consumption.

New extension block of Mini-secretariat ready
Bathinda, September 20
In a major relief to the people who throng government offices to get their work done, the newly-constructed extension block of the local Mini-secretariat is ready to accommodate a number of government offices, which are at present scattered all across the city.

The newly- constructed extension block of the local Moni-secretariat, which has been built at a cost of 15.81 crore, is ready to accommodate a number of government offices in Bathinda. Tribune photograph: Pawan Sharma

Long queues make patients lose patience
Bathinda, September 20
An elderly woman, in her late 70s, was standing in a queue in the waiting hall at the Civil Hospital, Bathinda. She had a registration slip, which was directing her to meet an ophthalmologist. The indications were to be followed. However, this mother-figure could not locate the doctor as there was no room number written anywhere on the slip and even the enquiry had no receptionist to help her or others like her.

Civil Hospital has single dentist with two chairs Bathinda, September 20 Everything seems well furnished and one feels great while entering the new building of the Civil Hospital, housing various health units. At the entrance is the department directory to help the patients locate various sections. However, in room number 111, on the first floor, the view is shocking --- watching a single dentist single-handedly taking care of the patients of this expanding city.

A patient undergoes treatment at the dental wing in Civil Hospital at Bathinda. Tribune photograph: Pawan Sharma

Youngest magician of India turns his small dream into a big reality

Bathinda, September 20 Inspired by the famous American illusionist David Copperfield, the youngest child of Munjrals decided to be the greatest magician of the world. At the age of 13, Deepak Munjral, who loves to be called as Mangal Tara, fought with his family and give up his studies to turn his dream into reality. After three years of hard training, under the guidance of his guru—Senior Mangal—the youngest child of the family became the youngest magician of India.

Deepak Munjral

Encroachment taint on Bathinda MLA
Jassi’s security personnel camp on an unsold plot in Urban Estate Phase-II
Gurdeep Singh Mann
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, September 20
Security personnel of the Congress MLA from Bathinda, Harminder Singh Jassi, have encroached upon an unsold plot in Urban Estate-Phase-II, which is said to be worth Rs one crore. The plot has remained unsold for more than a year despite the claims of the BDA officials on holding its auction.

With the Congress flag fixed atop and security personnel thronging the place, it is known as the house of Congress MLA Harminder Singh Jassi. Even the security guard there claimed that the house belonged to MLA Jassi.

However, a copy of the documents procured reveals that the house is in the name of the MLA's brother, Gopal Singh Jassi. The records of the Bathinda Development Authority (BDA) also mention this fact.

Four rooms have been constructed on the unsold 500-yard plot where the security personnel stay. Another unsold plot of a similar size in front of the house of the MLA's brother has been converted into a park. As per the official reports of BDA, both the plots have been encroached upon and could not be sold as nobody turned up to purchase them despite holding the auction twice.

Property dealers in the area said nobody wishes to purchase the two plots in view of encroachments and consequent hassles in removing politically well-connected people. The price of the land ranges from Rs 20,000 per square yard to Rs 25,000 per square yard in the area.

Residents of the area said the BDA is indifferent when it comes to removing encroachments by the powerful and influential.

MLA Harminder Singh Jassi said the house does not belong to him but to his brother Gopal Jassi. The security personnel deployed too for his brother, he said and added that the temporary sheds would be removed and the land vacated immediately if anyone has a problem or when the plot is sold.

"There has been a similar use of empty land in Chandigarh by senior politicians of Haryana and Punjab including Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Since we have a posse of security personnel to accommodate, we have converted the empty plot into their residence," Jassi said. Moreover, the empty land was earlier used as a dumping ground where stray animals create nuisance.

The MLA's brother, Gopal Jassi, said some of the security personnel given to him are for 'Bai Ji' (MLA Jassi). "We have given the BDA authorities in writing about the construction of temporary sheds and we will remove it within 24 hours if anyone raises any objection," he claimed.

Gopal was the chairman, Market Committee, during the Congress regime for a brief period. Congress spokesperson Rupinder Bindra said that presently, Gopal holds no office.

BDA Chief Administrator, Uma Shankar Gupta, initially feigned ignorance over the encroachments but later said it would be removed soon.

Factfile

• Security personnel of Bathinda MLA Harminder Singh Jassi have converted an unsold plot of BDA into their camp. The cost of the plot is nearly Rs 1 crore. Also, another unsold plot in front of the MLA's brother's house has been converted into a park.
• Despite holding of auction twice, nobody turned up to purchase the plots.
• BDA Chief Administrator Uma Shankar Gupta claimed that he would take possession of the land after taking suitable action in this regard.
• Congress MLA Harminder Jassi and his brother Gopal Jassi said that they have given BDA authorities in writing about the construction of temporary sheds on the unsold plot. Chief Administrator, BDA, however, denied having given any permission to construct temporary sheds on the plot.

Shops selling rotten fruits, veggies raided
Sushil Goyal
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, September 20
To make fresh fruits and vegetables available to the people in the market, a team from the office of the Civil Surgeon today conducted raids at more than 30 shops in different markets of the city and destroyed the rotten and over ripe vegetables and fruits, unfit for human consumption.

The team comprising an assistant unit officer and four sanitary inspectors, took a round of the city and visited the various vegetable and fruit shops near the Rose Garden, Ghanahaya Chowk, Amrik Singh road, Old Hospital Bazaar road and the main vegetable market.

District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Raghubir Singh Randhawa said the exercise is conducted from time to time to protect the people from diseases. He claimed that the team did not spare those found guilty while conducting the inspection.

Giving details about the signs of fresh fruits, the DHO said people should ensure, before purchasing the fruits, that they presented a fresh look and did not emit any foul smell. Besides, the fruits should not have dirty spots.

Randhawa said that in case of any problem, he can be contacted on his mobile phone, number 98143-48023, so that the health staff could take the required action.

Meanwhile, the health staff today also issued challans to four persons on the premises of the Civil Hospital here for smoking at a public place.

New extension block of Mini-secretariat ready
To be inaugurated on September 26
Sushil Goyal
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, September 20
In a major relief to the people who throng government offices to get their work done, the newly-constructed extension block of the local Mini-secretariat is ready to accommodate a number of government offices, which are at present scattered all across the city.

Built at a cost of Rs 15.81 crore in about one and a half years, this three-storey building has 157 rooms. The new block also has a basement for parking the vehicles. Besides, record rooms have also been constructed in the basement.

According to information, the offices of the superintending engineer (SE) and the executive engineers (XENs) of the Canal Department; the SE, Sewerage Board, Pollution Control Board, Tehsil, Patwaris, Farad Kendra and the XEN, PWD (construction wing), will be shifted to the new block.

Besides, offices of the Soil Conservation Department, District Language Officer, Deputy Director (Dairy), Internal Audit and the Fisheries Department will be shifted to the new building from the existing old block at the Mini-secretariat. After the shifting of these offices, extra accommodation will be provided to the offices (already situated in the old block) of the DIG of Police, the AIG (Intelligence), the SSP and the SSP (Vigilance), in the space, vacated by the offices, now functioning in the old block.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Bhupinder Singh said the administration had sought applications from the offices about their requirement for the allotment of space to them in the newly constructed block. Several offices sent their requirement to the administration.

On its basis, a proposal was made and sent to the Deputy Commissioner for allotment.

Deputy Commissioner Kamal Kishore Yadav said that letters had been issued to the offices concerned in connection with the allotment of accommodation to them in the new block. However, with regard to the inauguration of the block, he said it was likely to be inaugurated on September 26.

Long queues make patients lose patience
Neha Sharma
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, September 20
An elderly woman, in her late 70s, was standing in a queue in the waiting hall at the Civil Hospital, Bathinda. She had a registration slip, which was directing her to meet an ophthalmologist.

The indications were to be followed. However, this mother-figure could not locate the doctor as there was no room number written anywhere on the slip and even the enquiry had no receptionist to help her or others like her.

"There is no separate queue for the senior citizens and even the counter is closed. Due to old age, I could not stand in such a long queue. While waiting in the row, suddenly, I felt giddy and had to sit.

“Moreover, I could not find the OPD room as there was nobody to guide us. Therefore, I had to call my son. Who would take me to the doctor,” regretted Chander Kanta, a resident of Vasant Vihar, who came to consult the eye specialist for her cataract.

The Civil Hospital has an OPD for nearly 600 patients and there are just three registration windows.

Two counters are for male and female, respectively, and the third one is reserved for the physically disabled and senior citizens for their convenience.

However, they have to wait with others as there are just two lines to get the registration slip. There are four computer operators appointed on contract basis for this registration work, but only two can work simultaneously as they have only two computers in working condition.

There are even no safes to keep the cash. Moreover, the enquiry has no receptionist, due to which patients have to move around seeking guidance.

On being asked about the problems faced by the patients due to this mismanagement, Senior Medical Officer (SMO) Civil Hospital Dr SK Raj Kumar clarifies, “The existing windows are sufficient.”

“The maximum rush is during the peak hours and it is easily manageable. Sometimes, the registration window has no patient and at times, it has a long waiting line. And this is the common problem in every hospital.”

Regarding the issue, District Health Officer Dr RS Randhawa said, “The OPD has recently shifted to the new building and the drawbacks would be examined and solved very soon.”

He further pointed out that more registration counters would be set up, if required.

He also said for every four departments, a class-IV employee has been allotted to help the patients to locate the doctor’s room and for other assistance.

Civil Hospital has single dentist with two chairs
There is only one sanctioned post in the dental wing of hospital that has been filled up
Neha Sharma

Bathinda, September 20
Everything seems well furnished and one feels great while entering the new building of the Civil Hospital, housing various health units. At the entrance is the department directory to help the patients locate various sections. However, in room number 111, on the first floor, the view is shocking --- watching a single dentist single-handedly taking care of the patients of this expanding city.

With just two dental chairs and a dentist, the wing looks like a step-child of the hospital. Not only the city residents, but the patients from the villages adjoining the city also come to the Civil Hospital for treatment. And they have to wait for long for an appointment with the dentist.

An employee of the department, said on the condition of anonymity, that the work load is quite high. The OPD is frequented by around 40 to 60 patients and the number of patients even exceeds this following any holiday.

“The hospital administration should appoint more dentists, so that every patient should get treatment on time. Sometimes, due to the wastage of time, we even leave without getting treated,” said a patient, who was waiting outside the OPD. He had come from Dhanoa village.

Sources in the hospital administration revealed that there is only a sanctioned post in the dental wing of the Civil Hospital, against which a dentist has already been appointed. They said in the near future, there would be no plan to recruit more doctors.

The patients in the Civil Hospital come from a section which cannot afford expensive treatment in private clinics. Therefore, they are dependent on the government hospital.

“We are unable to pay too much fee outside. So, we have to visit the government hospital,” said a patient. Admitting that there is a dearth of professionals to tackle the heavy volume of dental patients, SMO, Civil Hospital Dr SK Raj Kumar said, “We have sent our demand to the authorities concerned about the requirement for more staff in the dental wing.”

Youngest magician of India turns his small dream into a big reality
Mangal Tara gave up his studies at the age of 13 to become a magician
Neha Sharma
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, September 20
Inspired by the famous American illusionist David Copperfield, the youngest child of Munjrals decided to be the greatest magician of the world. At the age of 13, Deepak Munjral, who loves to be called as Mangal Tara, fought with his family and give up his studies to turn his dream into reality. After three years of hard training, under the guidance of his guru—Senior Mangal—the youngest child of the family became the youngest magician of India.

Hailing from Rajasthan, a graduate in commerce, Deepak had always found himself alienated from his family business of marbles. "Business is not my cup of tea. When I decided to be a magician, I could not sleep," he says. What made him a rebel was a magic show of the Senior Mangal, shown in his city, Sriganganagar, in Rajasthan. His father never knew that after watching those magic tricks, his son would foresee his future. Like any other father, he wanted a secure life for his child. "Initially, my father was not convinced about my choice, but later on, he realized my desires," he said. With a glitter in his eyes, he says proudly that his father left their family business to supervise his worldwide magic shows.

On asking whether the magic shows attract the audience, he stated, "No doubt, television and film industry has overshadowed the simple means of entertainment but viewers relate themselves to the performers more in the live shows than in the reel programmes."

Expressing his grievances, he said, "Like foreign nations, our government does not make any effort to keep this purest form of art alive. If it provides us with financial aid, we need not seek sponsors." He further added, "We have to pay up to 50 per cent entertainment tax to some of the state governments."

Not very fond of reality shows, Mangal says a big no to all the talent hunt shows. "For the reality shows, he cannot leave his more than 40 troupe members, whose living is dependent on him," he described.

Remembering the most exciting show of his career, he quips, "I can never forget when I made the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir invisible in my Maruti car while performing at Jammu." He laughed and recalled that the Governor's gunmen even pointed their guns at him.

However, all the professions need dedication and devotion, but a performer has some additional hardship to face. He shared that in the middle of a show, when he heard of his grandmother's demise. The young lad admits, "In any case, the show must go on and there is no excuse for a performer."