 |
|
|
Suicide bid by Central Jail inmate
Thermal ash rains woes on residents, commuters
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Parking at malls adding to traffic woes on roads
Canine sterilisation project dogged by
hurdles
‘Fearing weakness, men hesitate to undergo vasectomy’
PSPCL CMD welcomed with black flags
Punjab Land Records Society staff take out protest rally, block vehicular traffic
Library president’s services remembered
Dr Bhagat
World Heart Day today: Change your lifestyle for a healthy heart
Punjab Chapter to curb cardiovascular diseases in state
6 booked for stealing cash
Migrant labourer killed in accident
Avneet shoots gold
|
|
Suicide bid by Central Jail inmate
Bathinda, September 28 The inmate has been identified as Major Singh, who was booked under section 302 of the IPC. Deputy Jail Superintendent Joga Singh said Major Singh tried to take the extreme step in frustration. Nobody had turned up to see Major Singh in jail ever since he was lodged here in January this year. Earlier, he was undergoing imprisonment in Hoshiarpur jail where his mother and sister are also lodged. All the three members of the family are undergoing life imprisonment. Major was shifted to Bathinda following his involvement in a number of quarrels with other inmates inside the jail. The Deputy Jail Superintendent said that nobody came to meet him in Bathinda which is far away from Hoshiarpur and he tried to commit suicide in sheer frustration. He was told to get up by a head constable in the morning but he refused. When pressed further, he was infuriated and cut his veins with a sharp blade. The Deputy Jail Superintendent said that efforts would be made to shift him back to Hoshiarpur with the permission of senior police functionaries so that he does not take such a step again. He said the inmates purchase the shaving blades from the jail canteen and then throw it away. Major, however, managed to lay his hands on one of the used blades to commit suicide. The inmate was admitted to the local Civil Hospital after being administered first aid. A case in this connection has also been registered against him at the Kotwali police station, he said. Fact File
Major Singh, undergoing life imprisonment at Bathinda Central Jail, procured a shaving blade and cut his veins in frustration as nobody turned up to see him since his transfer to Bathinda jail from Hoshiarpur 10 months ago. His mother and sister are also in jail at Hoshiarpur and now he wishes to go back to Hoshiarpur. He was shifted to Bathinda following his involvement in quarrels in the Hoshiarpur jail. Jail authorities said efforts would be made to send Major Singh back to Hoshiarpur or any other nearby jail so that his relatives could come and meet him. Round-the-clock monitoring of Major Singh has been ordered by the jail authorities in view of his despair to go back. |
|
Thermal ash rains woes on residents, commuters
Bathinda, September 28 Residents of Kheta Singh Basti, an area located near the thermal plant, lamented that despite taking up the matter on numerous occasions, little has been done to mitigate the problem. The fly ash keeps coming out of the chimneys and finds its way to the rooftops and streets. "Everyone in the locality surrounding the thermal plant gets affected by the ash. The children and the elderly are the worst affected. The situation worsens when the temperature rises and the wind carries along the particles of fly ash," said Sonu, a shopkeeper who lives near the thermal plant. He pointed out that during the afternoon and after darkness descends, the concentration of the ash suddenly increases in the atmosphere. "It becomes difficult to sit outside the house in the evening. A thin layer of ash covers the whole body creating irritation in the skin. People in Kheta Singh Basti suffer from skin disorders and eye ailments," said another resident, Manoj Kumar. Manwinder Singh Sekhon, a marketing executive who was on way to Behman Diwana village, said it is impossible to even stand in the open. "I was just supposed to wait here for 30 minutes but it has turned out to be a nightmare. Standing near the plant, I could feel the contaminated air entering my nostrils. It was like ash raining on the road," said Manwinder. For the shopkeepers nearby, it has become a way of life. The problem is acute and nobody even dares to open an eating joint near the thermal plant. Even fruit, vegetable and other edible sellers could be seen camping away from the chimneys on the Goniana road," Manwinder said. Meanwhile, Chief Engineer, GNDTP, K Lal said that unit I and II have been modernised. Unit III will start after the maintenance work is over in December while unit IV would be shut down soon for maintenance. "When the plant was set up in 1974, this was the farthest part of the city. With the increase in population, a large number of residential areas have come up nearby and hence, more problems are being experienced. “Our emissions are within the permissible limits of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB)," he added. The commuters, especially those on two-wheelers, ask for water as ash enters their eyes when they drive on the road in front of the plant. The ash leads to poor visibility and irritation in the body and eyes. — Kamlesh, Toy sellerIt is impossible to stand when wind carrying ash enters our homes. Kids keep complaining of irritation in eyes and ears. Some have left the place or are planning to leave due to this. — Sunny, Resident, Kheta Singh bastiClothes get worn out due to the fly ash and smoke emitted from the chimneys. Nothing works now, neither protests nor requests. One can only hope for the problem to end soon so that we are relieved. — Saspal, Resident, Kheta Singh bastiI reside near the plant and the quality of air inside and outside the thermal plant is the same. Some permanent solution should be worked out for the problem so that we get rid of the pollution nagging us. — Kishan, Junk dealer
|
|
Parking at malls adding to traffic woes on roads
Bathinda, September 28 The Mittal's Mall, situated opposite Panchvati Nagar, has encroached upon the road connecting it with the main road. During the peak hours in the evening, the mall authorities install barricades joined with iron chains to ward off traffic and accommodate the vehicles of the visitors visiting the mall. "The mall authorities are even charging Rs 40 for the cars that are parked on public roads. It's absolutely wrong. In order to create their own parking space, the mall authorities have resorted to taking possession of the roads," said Sandeep Oberoi, a resident of the area. A visitor to the mall, Nitin Kumar said the authorities there have illegally installed a board notifying that parking vehicles on the road is illegal and this is under orders from the SHO, Kotwali. He alleged that the malls continue to flout norms openly without batting an eyelid, all due to the political patronage that they reportedly enjoy. However, when contacted, SHO Kotwali Jagdish Lal said, "I had suggested that in order to deal with the parking problems, boards should be installed stating that parking is not allowed in the area. By mistake, the mall authorities mentioned on the board that I have passed this order. I have already raised an objection to it," he said. During the sale season at the shops in the mall, the situation goes out of control and roads crammed with vehicles honking at each other. Mall owner, Rajinder Mittal said that people do no cooperate and creating parking problems for themselves. "We have plenty of space for parking in our basement, but people do not park their vehicles there to evade the parking fees. Thrice, our security guards have had scuffles with people over the parking issue. The people themselves will have to develop a good parking sense," he said. Mittal vehemently denied any encroachment and added that instead, his employees are instrumental in navigating traffic on chaotic days. Similarly, even the mall situated in the Civil Lines area has encroached upon the side roads. Road leading from the Sainik Welfare Board towards the Mini-secretariat has been barricaded on both sides creating parking lots for the people. Meanwhile, Mayor Baljit Singh Bir Behman said that he would look into the problem and get the encroachments outside both the malls removed.
|
|
Canine sterilisation project dogged by
hurdles
Bathinda, September 28 Conceived in 2009, the project was aimed at controlling the growing population of stray dogs that pose a danger to the people in the city. The BMC had sent a detailed project to the Animal Birth Control Board, Chennai, through the deputy commissioner-cum-president of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). It was planned that canines would be caught, operated upon, fed well and then released after due medical care. The cost of the entire procedure per dog was fixed at Rs 510 of which the Animal Welfare Board was supposed to pay Rs 445 per dog and rest was to be spent from the funds of the BMC. The Corporation, however, is yet to assign separate funds for the project. The BMC even got a survey of stray dogs conducted in 2009, which pegged the number of stray dogs in the municipal limits to be over 5237. The canines not only add to the chaos in the city but also spread rabies, a dreaded disease. "Stray dogs multiply at a high rate and this number would be anywhere near 7000. Cost factor is not an issue with the corporation. The only problem is that we have no expert to guide us on the issue. It is not a minor issue and we hardly have any successful precedence in the state to follow," said former officials of the corporation. Earlier, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation had taken up this gargantuan task of sterilizing the dogs. But the project remained mired in controversies as the animal activists thumbed down the project saying that the way the company given charge of the project proposed to go ahead, amounted to torturing the dogs. Meanwhile, the Assistant Commissioner, BMC, Kamal Kant said the corporation is still looking for an expert who can help in startin the project. "Talks are going on with different people. We hope that the project takes off soon so that the problem is solved," he added. |
|
‘Fearing weakness, men hesitate to undergo vasectomy’
Bathinda, September 28 However, it appears to be true when someone goes through the figures of the Health Department regarding vasectomy and tubectomy cases during a specific period. As per the information available, in the first four months of the current financial year (April to August 2011), only 261 persons were operated upon for vasectomy in the Bathinda district while tubectomy was conducted on 2,068 women in the same period. Likewise, during the previous financial year (2010-11), vasectomy was conducted on 1,168 men while tubectomy was performed on 3,712 women. District Family Welfare Officer Dr Mohan Lal Rana said most of the men did not prefer vasectomy operations fearing sexual and general body weakness though it is not true. He said in some cases women also did not motivate their husbands for vasectomy as they did not want to take any risk to the health of their husbands. Another doctor said many women also presented themselves for tubectomy operations under social pressure. Besides, the number of multi-purpose health workers (MPHW) — female was more in the Health Department as compared to the MPHW (male). He said the female workers played a major role in motivating the women for tubectomy while in men's case, there is lack of motivation. Despite the fact that the government pays Rs 1,100 for non-scalpel vasectomy (NSV) operation to a man while it pays Rs 250 to common women and Rs 600 to those who belong to the BPL family for tubectomy operation, men do not come forward for the NSV operations. The district health authorities have not placed big display boards to promote the tubectomy and vasectomy operations on the premises of the Civil Hospital here. However, there are two flex boards in the Women and Children Hospital here informing the people about the facilities under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) programme including Rs 1,100 for vasectomy operation and Rs 250 and Rs 600 for tubectomy operation. Tubectomy Vs Vasectomy
In the first four months of the current financial year, only 261 persons were operated upon for vasectomy in Bathinda while tubectomy was conducted on 2,068 women in the same period In a similar way, during the last financial year (2010-11), vasectomy was conducted on 1,168 men while tubectomy was performed on 3,712 |
|
PSPCL CMD welcomed with black flags
Bathinda, September 28 Protesting against the PSPCL for not fulfilling their demands, members of the Sangharsh Committee Thermal Plant, Bathinda, gheraoed Chaudhary when he reached the gate number one of the Thermal Colony here. President of the union Gursewak Singh said the managements of the Powercom and the Transcom had made certain promises to the joint forum of employees at the time of formulation of two power entities, but the promises were not fulfilled. General secretary of the Thermal Plant Employees' Federation Malkit Singh Saini said while negotiating with the joint forum, the PSPCL had promised to implement the 9-16-23 scheme of time-bound promotion, which had not been done yet. Another employee said, "The PSPCL has even imposed a cut of 40 per cent in the current month's salary saying that the company does not have enough funds to pay to its employees. The PSPCL's management told us that bank has refused to give loan to pay for our salaries. Is it our fault that the company is going in losses?" The PSPCL employees also demanded immediate filling up of 25,000 posts lying vacant. Condemning the PSPCL's move of recruiting staff on contract basis, the federation said instead of opting for temporary recruitment, the corporation should hire regular employees. "We also want jobs for the family members of the employees, who have passed away," they added. Employees also demanded generation allowance on the basis of revised pay-scale instead of the old basic salary. The pay scales were revised in 2006.
|
|
Punjab Land Records Society staff take out protest rally, block vehicular traffic
Bathinda, September 28 They blocked the traffic in front of the local bus stand for some time and also at the Hanuman Chowk causing inconvenience to the commuters. However, the policemen remained mute spectators. The protesters lifted the blockade at the bus stand when the Tehsildar received memorandum from them and assured them that the memorandum would be forwarded to the state government. A leader of the Association claimed that the Tehsildar after talking to the Deputy Commissioner had told them that the administration had arranged their meeting with the CM. Meanwhile, the strike today entered its third day throughout the state. In the strike, assistant system managers, accountants, office executives, district managers and operators are participating. State president of the Association Harpreet Singh said the state government had not initiated any proceedings to accept their demand so far. "The strike has adversely affected the work at the Farad Kendras throughout the state," he added. He also said their strike would continue until the state government issues notification regarding regularisation of their services. |
|
|
Library president’s services remembered
Bathinda, September 28 The octogenarian was associated with the library for the last four decades. He has been the president of the library since January 2009. Earlier, he served as patron of the library for six years. However, he reportedly accepted the post of the president as a majority of the persons wanted it. His colleagues remembered him as a dedicated person for the uplift of the library. Dr Dhaliwal was so involved in the Library Day function that he even visited the library last Saturday and spoke to the staff to ensure perfect arrangements for the function on September 28. Kuldip Dhingra and Parveen Garg, secretary and manager, respectively, of the library said Dr Dhaliwal played an important role in making the library financially sound. "Due to his efforts the library's monthly income increased to Rs 60,000 than its monthly expenditures," they added. Dr Dhaliwal was fond of reading and he liked Urdu books. The library has a total of 5,000 Urdu books on poetry, novels and fiction. Dr HS Dhaliwal, Ayurvedic Medical Officer and son of Dr Bhagat Singh Dhaliwal, said despite of being a heart patient, his father was full of life. The Public Library was set up in 1938 in a room in the local Sirki Bazar. It was shifted to the existing building (near old telephone exchange) around 1954. The library has nearly 45,000 books and 2700 members. Besides, it also provides its readers with the copies of various daily, weekly and fortnightly newspapers and magazines. |
|
World Heart Day today: Change your lifestyle for a healthy heart
Bathinda, September 28 Cardiologist Dr Aman Salwan said that obesity is the nursery of all cardiac problems. "We travel in AC cars, ride on scooters and work in AC offices. Such lifestyle has minimized our physical activities, making us lethargic," he added. Dr Naresh Goyal added that due to the busy schedule, people have less physical activities to do. "Even children have reduced their outdoor activities leading to obesity among the youngsters. Added to this, the incidence of diabetes is high and so are the cardiac problems. Children as young as 10 years have excessive fat deposits in their arteries," he said. Dr Salwan added that this year's theme of World Heart Day, 'One World, One Home, One Heart' indicates the significance of heart. Obesity, tobacco chewing, smoking, excessive intake of alcohol and junk or fatty food are among some of the factors that can be easily controlled. He warned that the males are at larger risk of developing cardiac problem as compared to the females. "It is advisable to imbibe long walks and strenuous exercise as a part of daily routine. For instance, parking your vehicle at a distance which is far away from your destination, taking stairs instead of escalators and elevators and walking to small distance markets can all add up to one's physical activity," he said. Diabetics and hypertensive patients were advised to regularly check their sugar and blood pressure levels respectively to avoid any risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Of late, awareness about health has increased. But modernisation and consumerism has fostered a lifestyle that is inimical to our health. Consumption of junk food, stressful life and deadline compliance are all proving to be harmful for health, proving the wisdom of the old medical saying, avoid hurry, worry and curry for a healthy heart .
|
|
|
Punjab Chapter to curb cardiovascular diseases in state
Bathinda, September 28 In a press statement issued here today, Dr Vitull K Gupta, Assistant Professor, Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Bathinda, said the aim of the Punjab and Chandigarh chapter of the Cardiological Society of India would be the advancement of scientific knowledge and research regarding the cardiovascular system. “We would work for improving basic understanding and find better preventive measures and treatment of all types of cardiovascular diseases in particular reference to Punjab,” Dr Gupta said. Dr Manmohan Singh, president, Punjab Medical Council and Dr GS Wander, chief cardiologist, Hero DMC, Ludhiana, have been instrumental in formulating the state chapter. To achieve the aims and objectives, chapter would hold periodical meetings, conferences, social gatherings, clinical courses, discussions, demonstration, encourage research and frame guidelines in relevance to the conditions peculiar to Punjab. “Launch of Punjab chapter gains importance as Punjab is one of the richest states of country having high per capita income and socio economic status has an important role to play in causation of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). So Punjab automatically falls as a victim. “Heart diseases are assuming large proportions in population due to various factors like changing lifestyles, lack of exercise, stress and habits like alcohol and smoking,” Dr Gupta said. Risk factors responsible for heart disease like diabetes mellitus, hypertension are the most prevalent in the region and the Punjab chapter would try to curb it.
|
|
|
Bathinda, September 28 The accused also persuaded his daughter to accompany them. Two of the accused were identified as Anurag Tiwari and Anand Tiwari, residents of Kanpur. Four accused are yet to be identified. A case in this regard has been registered at the Rama police station. — TNS
|
|
|
Migrant labourer killed in accident
Bathinda, September 28 In his complaint to the police, Jaswant Singh of Kotshamir said that he was heading towards Kotshamir. A recklessly driven pick-up jeep hit the tractor trolley. A migrant labourer Ram Karan Yadav later succumbed to his injuries in a private hospital near Bhucho Mandi. Meanwhile, the police arrested two accused with an illegal drug in powder form which is used by drug addicts. A case in this connection has been registered at the Rama police station.
|
|
Bathinda, September 28 The championship, which is being organised under the aegis of the All India Police Sports Control Board, has 30 teams from various Central and state-level police organizations including the BSF, CRPF and ITBP participating in it. The championship would cover ten men's teams and seven women's teams with 400 to 500 participants for 68 each of gold, silver and bronze medals. Avneet won the gold medal in the women's 10m air rifle (pairs) at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. — TNS
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
An inmate of the Bathinda Central Jail, undergoing life imprisonment, today attempted to commit suicide by cutting his veins using a blade.
The inmate has been identified as Major Singh, who was booked under section 302 of the
IPC.
Deputy Jail Superintendent Joga Singh said Major Singh tried to take the extreme step in frustration.
Malls have come up in the city but they have added to the chaotic traffic that dots the arterial roads around them due to the alleged encroachment on public roads.
The Mittal's Mall, situated opposite Panchvati Nagar, has encroached upon the road connecting it with the main road. During the peak hours in the evening, the mall authorities install barricades joined with iron chains to ward off traffic and accommodate the vehicles of the visitors visiting the mall.
The project initiated by the Bathinda Municipal Corporation (BMC) to sterilize stray dogs in the city has hit a roadblock as the BMC has not been able to requisition the services of an expert for it.
Bathinda, September 28
Under the banner of ‘Computerised Land Records Employees Welfare Association’, Punjab, the employees of the Punjab Land Records Society today took out a protest march from the local Mini-secretariat to Hanuman Chowk here against the state government and raised slogans in support of their demand regarding regularisation of their services.
Bathinda, September 28
Change in lifestyle and dietary habits are needed for a healthy heart in modern times. Busy schedule and time constraints leave no space for exercising and has only encouraged the sedentary lifestyle.
Bathinda, September 28
