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Dope in jail
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Cong MLA seeks probe into racket
Trouble Waves Reviving musical notes from the sacred past
Pollution level comes down in Buddha Nullah: PPCB
Annual Plan spending to miss target by miles
Family members show pictures of youths lodged in an Abu Dhabi jail. Photo: Vishal Kumar
Power-starved state going green
A day out for canine lovers
Big farmers bag lion’s share of subsidies
High Court rap for state police
Elderly couple found murdered
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Cong MLA seeks probe into racket
Chandigarh, February 19 In a statement, Khaira demanded that the Governor should initiate an inquiry into the matter following the disclosures made by the DGP (Jails). Shashi Kant had admitted that the Punjab Police had failed to check the inflow of drugs into the jails of the state despite the seizure of 721 mobile phones from the inmates of these prisons. He had also said that if the Punjab Police had checked the call records of these 721 cell phones seized from jails, the political-police-drug mafia nexus could have been exposed. Khaira claimed the DGP had pointed a direct finger towards the ruling political class for having "pressurised" the Punjab Police for its inaction on the issue. "What the DGP has stated is only the tip of the iceberg as drugs not only made their way into prisons but are openly available in every nook and corner of the state," he said. Khaira claimed that recently Dyal Singh Kolianwala, an SGPC member and Badal loyalist, was caught with a large quantum of poppy husk from his residence in Lambi constituency.
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Trouble Waves
The police says notorious smugglers lodged in various jails continue to be in touch with their counterparts outside. In this way, they facilitate the demand and supply of drugs. Still, the state government has failed to get installed jammers near jails to render the cell phones ineffective, say officials. Recent reports of the usage of SIM cars procured from Dubai and other middle-east countries by smugglers has baffled the agencies working to control the menace of drug smuggling. A hew high-profile persons of Punjab are suspected to be either part of the drug trade or sympathisers of local conduits working for international drug traffickers. Similar views were aired by the DGP (Jails) recently, hinting at the presence of a high-profile nexus. Sources in State Special Operation Cell of the counter-intelligence wing of the Punjab Police say at present over 350 "well-connected" smugglers are lodged in Amritsar jail who have "established their connections" with their counterparts and influential people outside through mobile SIM connections from Dubai and middle east countries. As their signals could not be traced through Indian networks, they (smugglers) continue their illegal drug trade from jail itself without any hassle, say sources. Amritsar and adjoining areas have become a transit route for the smuggling of drugs from Afghanistan and Pakistan to different European countries. Confirming that politicians and high-rank officials use their influence on the jail administration to be lenient with their aides, Jail Superintendent Rashpal Singh says only phone jammers can put a cap on the menace. The staff shortage in jails has only compounded the problem. "Over 300 inmates are allowed to meet their family members daily and over 100 are sent for judicial hearings. Though the jail staff is vigilant, the strength is inadequate to carry out thorough search of each and every inmate," he says.
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Reviving musical notes from the sacred past Kirtan in a jail Sultanpur Lodhi, February 19 The quila, caught in the maze of bureaucratic files and delays, needs a retaining wall - not of cement and concrete but of a strong and resilient will to revive and retain its cultural legacy. The quila resonates with history and a legacy of traditional music. Despite political apathy, it turns out that people of the town and adjoining villages have taken it upon themselves to turn the endeavour of a cultural revival, initiated by Anad Conservatory, into a success. Harbhajan Kaur and over a dozen other Sikhs, who have travelled from different continents, have been living inside the quila, for the last two weeks. They feel they are receiving music in a completely cultural context. “Most of us who have been fortunate to receive lessons in traditional Gurbani kirtan twice a year from Bhai Baldeep in USA or Canada, for the last 15 years, have discovered so many other cultural dimensions of this music here,” says Nirvair Kaur from Arizona. She plays the taus, an almost extinct stringed instrument played by the Sikh Gurus. Geographical distance from her cultural moorings does not deter her. “I do my riyaaz everyday, and sing kirtan with the community,” she says. Her daughter Niranjan Kaur, a Fulbright scholar, who is working on Dagarbani for her Ph D from the University of Michigan, is among the few women who have ever played the Amritsari pakhawaj. She has come with her toddler daughter. The locals have made room in their homes for women with young children. “We have eaten 30 meals that have come from 30 different homes, from far off villages- it’s a cultural immersion for us, one that is musical,” says Nirvair. Siri Ram Kaur Khalsa, an Italian, sings Gurbani Kirtan, with her two young daughters Dev Swarup Kaur and Sant Kaur, 13 and 10, who also play the pakhawaj. Ram Kaur began getting lessons in Naad Yoga in Italy and gradually discovered “The energy of singing during the course of kirtans”. Though her daughters carry their Italian names too, they are drawn to the music, and sing kirtan, of their own volition. Harbhajan Kaur says she never felt like a Catholic, the religion she was born into. She had been an opera, rock and jazz singer and played the guitar, but fell in love with kirtan the moment she heard it first. “I liked the poetry of shabads. There is no duality in this literature. We began by singing translations of the kirtan, and moved on to transliterations,” she says. For senior musicians like her, learning another discipline of music has not been a cake-walk. “ Moreover Bhaiji did everything to instil in us humility, so we need to sing kirtan,” she adds. Sat Kirtan from California agrees. She too had been a piano and violin player. First, the religion changed her, under the very exacting Guru late Harbhajan Yogi, who made them believe in the virtues of going through hardships, and then music. Then, the two blended. “It’s musical religion for us,” she says with a smile. But Harbhajan finds herself especially blessed. Her Guru Bhai Baldeep is going to gift her a Rebab, handcrafted by him, at the same venue where Guru Nanak had blessed Bhai Mardana with gift of the strings to help him blossom in the music of his soul. But, this was five centuries back. In the jet age, Harbhajan and other devotees of devotional music have travelled from Italy, USA, Canada and UK to discover the source of the musical fountain they so love. “A renaissance is happening here because everything is musical; the trees, birds and people, who overcome barriers of language with hugs and love. Where else would such music have originated?” wonders Harbhajan. On his part, Bhai Baldeep says musical talent is of secondary relevance to him. Though all of them are musicians trained in western music, what matters to him is seriousness of the quest and purity. “The purpose of this music is not to turn one into a fine musician alone. The purpose is to help one evolve into a better human being,” he says. His disciples agree. And they feel the place is meant for “finding possibilities”. As if to echo their thoughts, a bird begins to sing, perched on a unique tree in the sarai, which has both neem and peepal sprouting out of one stem.
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Pollution level comes down in Buddha Nullah: PPCB
Patiala, February 19 Sources in the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and the state Department of Science and Technology, said that although the pollution level in the nullah has reduced, there are still many dyeing and electroplating industries discharging toxic waste into the nullah. On January 19 this year, a meeting of a high-level committee headed by the state chief secretary was held at which pollution levels in the nullah figured prominently in the deliberation. According to the report, a copy of which is with TNS, the committee had observed that the concentration of heavy metals in the nullah has shown a decreasing trend with regular operation of the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) for the treatment of effluents of the small scale industry and the installation of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) technology by the large and medium electroplating units. The report states that the samples taken from the Nullah during the second half of 2011 have shown that the concentration of zinc, nickel, total chrome, cadmium, lead, iron and copper were well within the permissible limits. However, contrary to the claims of the authorities, the unhealthy practice of discharging the industrial waste into the nullah is still on. "Earlier, some industrial units used to directly discharge hazardous waste into the nullah. But now with the PPCB adopting a stiff stance against the violators, the erring industries have changed their modus operandi and are now discharging the factory waste in that stretch of the nullah which is at least 15 to 20 km away from the main city and that too during night hours", said a PPCB official, preferring anonymity. PPCB member secretary Dr Babu Ram said that stringent steps had already been taken to ensure that no untreated waste was discharged into the Buddha Nullah. "During the past few years, special drives were conducted by the board to catch erring industries red-handed. The CETP is functional and most of the electroplating units are sending the waste at the CETP. The dyeing units have also started complying with the pollution norms", he claimed. About the figures of various toxic substances shown to be well within the permissible limits, he said, "Our report is based on the sampling, which is done on a monthly basis. In view of this, the variation in the concentration level of a few substances is something not unusual." He, however, added that the PPCB was continuing to monitor the industries and surprise inspections were being made from time to time to ensure the compliance of the pollution norms.
Once a fresh water channel Buddha Nullah used to be a fresh water channel with about 56 types of fish species before 1964. Today, there is no fish because of the high level of toxicity in the water. Once an asset to the city, the Nullah is now a potential threat to health. 20 electroplating units raided Continuing its surprise raids, the PPCB teams today raided 20 electroplating industries in Jalandhar. However, all of them were found complying with the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 except for some minor irregularities.
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Officers misleading: Seechewal
Patiala, February 19 Coming down heavily on bureaucrats in Punjab, he said when the polluted water (jet black colour) can be spotted in every stretch of the Nullah, how is it that the authorities claim that concentration of toxic substance in the nullah is decreasing. "One cannot even stand near the nullah because of the foul smell. The committee was busy preparing reports which are nothing but a sham. Time has come for the people of the state to stand up and raise their voice against the authorities so that genuine steps are taken to bring down the pollution level in the Buddha Nullah. The biggest tragedy is that the authorities do not have the will to change things by adopting a strict posture on this issue", he said, while appealing to PPCB officers to wake up from the deep slumber and start working in a committed manner to make the Buddha Nullah pollution
free. — TNS
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Annual Plan spending to miss target by miles
Chandigarh, February 19 Official sources said by the end of the last month, Rs 5,610 crore had been spent on various schemes chalked out under the Annual Plan (2011-12). Obviously, the state's precarious fiscal situation is having its negative impact on its development programme. "By the end of the current fiscal year, it will be good if we achieve 60 per cent of the target," said a senior official. In the first 10 months, only 50 per cent of the targeted expenditure was made. Of the total Rs 11,524 crore, Rs 6,804 crore was to be provided from the state budget. The remaining amount was to be managed from other sources. The sources said there was a delay in releasing the funds. Some of the bills related to the plan are still stuck up at various levels. Even funds meant for important schemes such as the Rashtirya Krishi Vikas Yojna were released only in January. Under the current Annual Plan, 34 per cent expenditure was to be made on social services, 30 per cent on energy and the remaining on other sectors. However, the state government is preparing to peg the Annual Plan for the next year (2012-13) at Rs 14,000 crore. An exercise in this regard has already begun. The next plan will obviously be approved by the popular government to be formed next month, but the officials concerned have started preparing the draft to complete it in time. In fact, Punjab has not been doing well for the past some years as far as meeting the plan target is concerned. During 2010-11, the Annual Plan was worth Rs 9,150 crore. Of this, Rs 8,325 crore (91 per cent) was spent. In 2009-10, of the total Rs 8,625 crore, only Rs 4,974 crore (58 per cent) was spent. Except in certain years, funding of the Annual Plan has remained a problem. Punjab's average achievement during the 9th Five Year Plan (1997-2002) was 79.47 per cent and during the 10th Plan (2002-07), it was 94 per cent. During the current 11th Five-Year Plan (2007-12), it is likely to be 86 per cent.
Rs 275 cr released
The 13th Finance Commission has released Rs 275 crore for state-specific schemes for the current fiscal year. Of this, Rs 62.50 crore has been released for improving the gender ratio and an equal amount for the development of the Kandi areas. Rs 50 crore has been released for tackling the waterlogging problem and an equal amount for improving infrastructure for irrigation. For police training, the commission has released Rs 50
crore.
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18 Punjab youths face murder charge in UAE
Amritsar, February 19 Among these, Sukhwant Singh was to come to India on November 29, 2011, but was arrested on November 27, said his brother Bhagwant Singh. The family had been waiting for him at the airport. "As he did
not arrive, we enquired from his friends and came to know that he has been imprisoned," said Bhagwant. The families of Gurdev Singh and Virsa Singh of Jalandhar, Amandeep Singh of Bathinda district and Jatinder Singh of Hoshiarpur district were also present. Pleading innocence of the boys, the families demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh talk to the UAE
government. Said Hardeep Singh Nimana, a prominent local resident, "On the basis of information given by Sukhwant, we have traced 14 families whose sons have been arrested in connection with the murder of Pakistan national Mohammad Subheg". As per information with these families, Pakistan national Mohammad Subheg was injured in an incident on November 3, 2011, and on November 27, he succumbed to his injuries. The families claimed that a clash had occurred between Subheg and another Pakistani national, named Hero. "Our boys were just trying to stop them from fighting. They are innocent and have been implicated in the case," said Balbir Kaur, a relative of Virsa Singh. Amritpal Singh from Bathinda, whose brother Amandeep has also been arrested, said, "Recently, they were allowed to make phone calls. Aman has told us that Hero was the one who had injured Subheg and they have nothing to do with the case". Nimana said, "We have contacted UAE-based Indian businessman SP Oberoi and faxed him the details of all the boys. He has assured us that he will look into the matter." Oberoi had earlier took up the case of 17 Punjabi youngsters on the death row in the Mishri Khan case.
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Power-starved state going green
Rouli, February 19 The added benefit is that such plants powered by farm waste are totally green. In a state bedeviled by stubble burning, such projects are a boon. Hundreds of farmers in this belt have not been burning stubble ever since Multi-Fuel Management Company (MFMC) started collecting farm residues for the 15 MW power plant installed by A2Z Powercomm on the mill premises. Presently, the plant is generating 10 MW of power and is likely to run on full capacity in a few months. Another such plant is operational at a sugar mill in Morinda while the one at Fazilka is yet to start. The fuel to all the plants will be provided by MFMC, says Ashok Saini, an engineer with the company. "Our aim is to add 2,000 MW of power by 2015 to the national grid through such biomass powered plants," he says. Each plant will generate 15,000 KW of power every year while over 4.5 lakh tonnes of agricultural waste like paddy and wheat stubble, cow dung, mustard guna, cotton sticks and other such residues will be consumed annually which otherwise would have gone up in smoke, Saini claims. This will be a win-win situation for all the stakeholders: better health for the fields, profit to the farmers for tonnes of farm waste every season for which they did not have a cost effective solution, and the generation of electricity in a power-deficient state, he states. "We had collected over 500 tonnes of paddy stubble everyday from the fields of Mehatpur and Fazilka in the last season. Another 500 tonnes of paddy stubble were procured in the Morinda area before the plant went on steam in November, he says. "During the peak period, we managed to store more than 40,000 tonnes, 50,000 tonnes and 20,000 tonnes of agricultural waste at Mehatpur, Fazilka and Morinda, respectively, he says. Manjit Singh, a farmer of Rouli village, says he earlier used to burn stubble, but now the company harvests the stubble from the fields free of cost, which suits both the parties. Saini says such is their success that farmers are flocking to them to get their fields registered even before the standing wheat has been harvested. One acre of paddy or wheat yields about two tonnes of stubble each season, he says. Though these contribute a little in terms of power generation, but these help decrease pollution to a large extent, he said, adding that other states need to proactively start such mutually beneficial projects on a large scale. Win-Win for all
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A day out for canine lovers
Patiala, February 19 As stray dog scare continues to haunt adjoining areas and villages of Patiala following rising cases of dog bites, dog lovers from over 10 states today took part in 'The All Breed Championship Dog Shows' held under the aegis of the Patiala Kennel Club. In the past few years, the population of stray dogs has grown at an alarming rate. Despite frequent dog bite cases, the civic authorities have not taken note of the problem."We have stopped sending our children out of the house as the population of dogs has increased at an alarming pace and villages have decided to send two elders as escorts with children going to school", said Kavita Rani, a resident of Jhill village.A total 6,573 dog bite cases have been reported in the district in the past three years. Of these, 2,899 cases were reported in Rajindra Hospital and 3,674 cases in civil dispensaries. Despite dog menace, avid dog lovers made it a point to reach Raja Bhalendra Singh Stadium (Polo Ground) here to participate in the dog show. However, the attendance of visitors was low this year as compared to the past few years. "Dogs are my passion and I have read about the stray dogs problem. Instead of hating dogs altogether the government needs to act with priority", said Monica, a participant. A total 316 dogs (55 imported) belonging to 41 different breeds participated in the dog show. Exhibitors from Tamil Nadu, MP, UP, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Haryana, HP, Delhi and J and K participated in the show.
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Big farmers bag lion’s share of subsidies
Ludhiana
February 19 Statistics presented during an
interaction on "Agricultural Economy of Punjab: Science-Policy
Interface" at Punjab Agricultural University reveal that 30 per
cent of the farmers, who have less than five acres land, are
considered as small farmers. These small farmers cultivate only eight
per cent of the whole land in the state. In this way small farmers are
sharing only five per cent amount of the agriculture subsidies. Dr
Sucha Singh Gill, a renowned economist, said, "Subsidies are very
important for small farmers in the state. But in the name of
agriculture subsidies, 70 per cent landlords of the state are taking
benefit of the subsidies. Subsidies for the rich and urban class are
not justified". About the state budget he said, "A major
portion of the state budget goes in paying salaries, pensions and
debit clearances. The state should augment its research and
devolvement investment from 0.3 per cent, which is very meager,"
he further added. A
knotty issue
Much hue and cry was raised over
subsidies to the farmers. Former finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal
had walked away from the SAD over his differences with his uncle and
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and cousin Deputy Chief Minister
Sukhbir Singh Badal. Later, his former party had accused Manpreet of
withdrawing a large share of subsidies for the Kinnows farming. But
according to the statistics, Manpreet is among the big landlords of
the state who is a recipient of subsidies that should be going to poor
farmers.
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‘Inaction’ in rape case
Chandigarh, February 19 Kidnapped, the victim would still have been away from her home and parents, but for the sternness shown by Justice Ranjit Singh. As a petition by her father Sarabjit Singh was initially taken up, the police expressed its inability to recover the girl on the ground that the alleged abductors were absconding. "Once fair directions were issued to the police to trace out the minor girl, who was being kept in illegal custody and to produce her before the court, the police has promptly recovered the girl and she is present in the court," Justice Ranjit Singh asserted. Going into the background of the controversy, Justice Ranjit Singh asserted initially, the respondents - the alleged abductors - went to petitioner's house "to ask for hand of this minor girl". The parents were told one of the respondents "is well placed and employed. "Later on, the respondents allegedly abducted this girl and kept her in illegal custody. The allegation of offence under Section 376 IPC (rape) is also made by the girl, who has since been recovered". Justice Ranjit Singh added: "The minor girl is before the court and is being kept at Nari Niketan. I have spoken to her. She wants to go with her parents. The girl is at liberty to leave with her parents. "The girl's custody is handed over to the petitioner. SHO, Police Station Sadar, Tarn Taran, will personally ensure and secure the life and liberty of the minor girl. If need be, the petitioner shall be protected by providing adequate security. “I find that SHO in this case has not performed his duty diligently. It is only when this court passed a stern order, besides directing the presence of the SSP, Tarn Taran... the result has followed.
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Elderly couple found murdered
Hoshiarpur, February 19 Hoshiarpur SSP Balkar Singh Sidhu said preliminary investigation had revealed that the couple had been strangled. All the household articles were lying scattered. Their Opel Astra car (CH 03 5872) was also missing. It appeared to be a case of robbery, but the police was investigating the case from all angles, the SSP said. The elderly couple was living alone. Fingerprinting experts and sniffer dogs had been requisitioned for tracking the culprits. The bodies have been sent to the Civil Hospital, Garhshankar, for a postmortem. The police has registered a case on the statement of Bedi's son, Dr Gurvinder Singh, who is posted at a Chandigarh hospital. Mohali: A pall of gloom descended at the Phase-7 house of Dr Gurvinder Singh Bedi. The elderly couple had visited their son's house three days ago. Unable to come to terms with the tragic happening, the family members said a servant at the house had received a call from the couple at about 7 pm. But when Dr Bedi called them back, they he did not get a response. The family realised the happening only after a neighbour of the couple, who on receiving a call from Dr Bedi, went to check about their well being and found them dead. The family members who visited the spot said the assailants had taken away a green-coloured open Astra car of the couple. Dr Bedi, who was earlier posted at the Phase-6 Civil Hospital in Mohali before being posted at GMSH, Chandigarh, rushed to Garhshankar on receiving the information. While Dr Bedi was away to receive the bodies of his parents, mourners continued to trickle in to pay their condolence to the bereaved family.
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The edifice of Quila Sarai made of Nanakshahi bricks is crumbling. So is the famous Lahori gate, despite its unimaginative PWD kind of restoration, which lends it a strange hybridised identity.
The quila, caught in the maze of bureaucratic files and delays, needs a
retaining wall - not of cement and concrete but of a strong and resilient will
to revive and retain its cultural legacy.
Patiala, February 19
Hoshiarpur, February 19
For his part, Jails Minister Hira Singh Gabria claims his efforts to check the drug menace in prisons were bearing fruit. "I have done everything possible and have been successful in curbing the drug menace by over 70 per cent. I don't say the problem has been completely solved, but it has been considerably controlled. The new jails now have fixed glass walls and visitors can only talk with inmates over the phone and see them through the transparent glasses," he says. 
Amritsar, February 19
