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Uranium in water proving fatal for residents
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Ashwani flouting party rules: MLA
Improving ties rekindle hope for more routes
Hussainiwala will benefit state’s cotton industry
With top posts vacant, admn work hit in Gurdaspur
Excise inspector found drunk, ETO absent
Two more blast victims identified
Do not use religion for votes, Sarna told
Centre gives nod to Kharar-Ludhiana road’s four-laning
Science Express changes tracks, goes to workshop
Minister urges people to report sale of drugs
Villagers block road against medical store
Sansi community may soon get ST status
Rap for drug peddler over false document
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Uranium in water proving fatal for residents
Bathinda, April 14 A recent study conducted by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), which confirmed the high uranium content in underground water, particularly in Faridkot district, sent shockwaves throughout Punjab. Even the quality of filtered drinking water in Bathinda town was not found any better. The water was being supplied in an unhygienic way to the residents. The content of fluoride was found to be beyond the permissible limit and it was reportedly causing bone-related diseases. The research, conducted jointly by the BARC and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, had attributed the high concentration of dissolved uranium in groundwater to high salinity, alkalinity, excessive use of chemical fertilisers like phosphate and TDS (total dissolved solids). These components, the researchers claimed, increased the solubility of uranium in water. The high uranium content in groundwater was also traced in other parts of Bathinda as well as Mansa districts. The highest content was found in Karamgarh Satran village of Bathinda where it was measured at 644 µg/L, followed by Dhillawan (463.6 µg/L), Giana (292.65 µg/L) and Gudda (165.85 µg/L). The BARC report even showed the water of many hand-pumps on the banks of Indira Gandhi Canal and Sirhind Feeder Canal in the area containing high uranium traces. The villages in Bathinda and Mansa with high uranium concentration include Karamgarh Satran, Dhillawaan, Giana, Gudda, Siriyara, Ghabri Bhaji, Sangat Kanchiyan, Chabri, Chugge Kalan, Nathana, Balluana, Aklia Kalan, Gobindpur, Budhlada, Mansa and Bhikhi. In Fazilka, the affected villages include Dona Nanka, Teja Rohela, Jhangar Bhaini, Gulaba Bhaini, Ram Singh Bhaini, Mahatam Nagar and Gatti number 2 and 3 and Gulam Rasool. These are situated along the Sutlej creek and the residents have been suffering from skin and various other serious ailments. Apart from the excess use of fertilisers, industrial pollutants flowing into the Chand Bhan drain from different areas were also to blame. The pollutants have rendered the subsoil water unfit for human consumption. It is brackish and highly contaminated with fluoride and other toxic chemicals. (With inputs by Balwant Garg, Sushil Goyal, Anirudh Gupta, Raj Sadosh and Praful Nagpal)
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Advantage Amarinder
Chandigarh, April 14 Sources said the PCC president, who is facing a challenge to his leadership from a few MLAs as well as a number of senior leaders, including former PCC chiefs, was also likely to get the support of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Sunil Jakhar. The PCC president had played a role in Jakhar’s appointment and the unseating of former CLP leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal. Bhattal now leads the pack of eight legislators who have not backed Amarinder openly. They include Charanjit Kaur Bajwa (wife of Gurdaspur MP Partap Singh Bajwa), Brahm Mohindra, Parminder Singh, Kuljeet Nagra, Raj Kumar Verka, Rakesh Pandey and Randeep Nabha. Besides, the anti-Amarinder camp includes former PCC presidents Mohinder Singh Kaypee, an MP from Jalandhar; Shamsher Singh Dullo and Varinder Kataria. Congress Working Committee member Jagmeet Brar’s brother Ripjit Brar has also opened a front against Amarinder. Jagmeet and Partap Bajwa have emerged as the main challengers to Amarinder’s leadership. Sources said even though the leadership issue was still open and under consideration, the PCC president had proved a point that his detractors did not represent the majority view in the party. The Amarinder camp has, however, played safe even while displaying a show of strength. All these legislators, alike the defeated candidates and the DCC presidents, have “appealed to all party leaders to desist from issuing statements and speaking against each other as the high command was already aware of the matter”. The MLAs also issued a joint statement: “Instead of targeting our own party leadership, we must take on the SAD-BJP government to defend our workers.” The statement said the party needed to focus on the coming municipal corporations and the next parliamentary elections. The signatories to the statement included Laal Singh, Ashwani Sekhri, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Aruna Chaudhary, Sukh Sarkaria, OP Soni, Ramanjeet Sikki, Rana Gurjeet, Sangat Singh Giljian, Sunder Sham Arora, Tarlochan Singh Soondh, Gur Iqbal Kaur, Joginder Pal Jain, Balbir Sidhu, Jagmohan Singh Kang, Gurkirat Kotli, Amrik Dhillon, Surinder Dawer, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Gurcharan Singh Boparai, Rana Sodhi, Raja Warring, Kewal Dhillon, Joginder Singh Panjgraian, Ajaib Singh Bhatti, Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu, Arvind Khanna, Mohammad Sadique, Harchand Kaur, Ajit Inder Singh Mofar, Charanjit Singh Channi, Karan Brar, Navtej Cheema and Sadhu Singh
Dharamsot.
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Ashwani flouting party rules: MLA
Batala, April 14 When Ashwani Kumar visited the residence of a supporter, Ajay Mahajan, hundreds of Congress supporters, led by Batala Congress Committee president Navel Malhotra and Batala Youth Congress president Parveen Sanan, exchanged heated words with him and told him to stop “fanning factionalism”.
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Improving ties rekindle hope for more routes
Amritsar, April 14 The historic Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara holds great significance for Sikhs as first Sikh master Guru Nanak Dev spent the last 18 years of his life there. The distance between Dera Baba Nanak and Kartarpur Sahib is a mere 3 km and Sikhs have for long been demanding unrestricted access to the historic shrine through a visa-free corridor connecting the two places. The corridor, when constructed, would be an important channel of hassle-free pilgrimage for the devotees as compared to the long, strenuous journey through circuitous route via Wagah, Lahore and Narowal. Most of the devotees who are unable to visit Pakistan are left with no option but to bow their head in reverence towards the shrine while standing at the “darshan sthal” (viewing facility) constructed by the BSF along the Indo-Pak border at Dera Baba Nanak from where they can catch a glimpse of the shrine. The BSF also provides them with binoculars so that they can have a clear and closer view of the shrine. On June 28, 2008, the then Union Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee had visited Dera Baba Nanak and said a group of Indian experts would conduct feasibility study for the construction of barbed corridor, but no forward movement was made after it. SGPC secretary Dalmegh Singh said, “Now that the Chief Minister has renewed the demand, the SGPC will definitely follow it up.” The DSGMC chief, Paramjit Singh Sarna, claimed the Pakistan government was almost ready for the construction of the corridor in 2003, but the then NDA government didn’t agree to it. Senior SAD leader Kuldeep Singh Wadala, who has also been pursuing the matter, said they have been performing ‘ardaas’ at the “darshan sthal” on a particular day every month since April 13, 2001, praying before the Almighty to facilitate the corridor for the devotees.
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Hussainiwala will benefit state’s cotton industry
Ferozepur, April 14 On a number of earlier occasions, leaders from both the sides have been raising the issue to reopen the Hussaniwala and the Sadqi (Fazilka) borders, which were shut following the India-Pakistan war in 1971. The development has also found favour among the trading community here . Such a step will also provide an opportunity to export petroleum products manufactured by the Bathinda refinery. Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal says reopening the two trade points in the Malwa region will bring prosperity to the area. This will also provide a direct access even to the Karachi port. Ravikant Gupta, a local industrialist, said the entire trader community in Malwa had been demanding reopening of this route for a long time. “Most of the trade that takes place from Punjab to Pakistan is through Mumbai or Dubai, which involves high costs. Perishable goods like vegetables cannot be shipped. Besides onions and potatoes, there is a great demand for green chilly, ginger and other such commodities in Pakistan, which can be easily sent through Hussainiwala, the shortest route to Pakistan,” Ravi said, adding that the resumption of this route had the potential to revive the economy in the area. Punjab Cotton Factories and Ginners Association president Bhagwan Dass Bansal said opening of the Hussainiwala route would immensely benefit the cotton industry of the region. At present, the transportation cost of cotton that was being exported to Pakistan via Wagah was around Rs 200 per bale, but through Hussainiwala, it would come down to Rs 50 per bale. Besides, it will help generate employment opportunities for thousands of youths here, he said, adding that even the government would get richer with an increase in tax collection.
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With top posts vacant, admn work hit in Gurdaspur
Gurdaspur, April 14 The district is functioning without a regular deputy commissioner (DC), additional deputy commissioner (general), executive magistrate and public grievance officer due to which residents are having a tough time in getting their works done. The government is also dilly-dallying on the appointment of senior superintendent of police (SSP) after previous incumbent Varinder Pal Singh was suspended in the aftermath of communal violence that rocked the city last month. Deputy Commissioner Mohinder Singh Kainth, too, was shown the door soon after the town witnessed violence and the death of a Sikh youth. The posts of both general assistant to the deputy commissioner and executive magistrate have been lying vacant for the past several years. The previous general assistant had left the office about five years ago. Senior officers claim that all these posts should be filled immediately as the administrative works of the common man has been suffering. The government has given the additional charge of the DC to Siben.C who is holding the same post in Pathankot. Likewise, Pathankot SSP Surinder Kumar Kalia is also holding the post of the district police chief here. Officials here admit that it is an onerous task for a senior bureaucrat to simultaneously handle both the assignments although Siben.C says "he is comfortable with the additional charge". A former Gurdaspur DC said: "In the absence of senior bureaucrats, the administration tends to lose its grip over affairs of the state. A deputy commissioner has to perform multifarious roles. He has to co-ordinate the functioning of all the departments. The police force in a district is placed under the general control and direction of the district magistrate who is responsible for protection to the public whenever there is lawlessness and disorder".
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Excise inspector found drunk, ETO absent
Bathinda, April 14 Sarup Chand Singla, Chief Parliamentary Secretary (Excise and Taxation), who conducted the surprise check, ordered a departmental enquiry against ETO Inderjit Sharma while the inspector was let off with a warning. Singla later listened to the problems of truck operators standing in queues at the Doomwali barrier in Bathinda. He assured them to provide all basic facilities at the post. The truckers informed Singla that they were forced to get the entry and exit tickets from people sitting in temporary sheds. They said it was difficult for them to get the tickets from such people and instead, the department officials should issue them these tickets. Singla said the reason behind surprise checking of the barrier was regular complaints of corruption from the barriers.
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Two more blast victims identified
Moga, April 14 Veer Pal and Iqbal Singh were both residents of Preet Nagar. Veer Pal's father Beant Ram said his son was playing with his friends in the area. He identified his son from his legs as he had suffered from polio. The other victim, Iqbal Singh, a teenage boy of the same locality, was playing with his dog in the street outside Liyakat's house when the blast took place. A team of forensic experts today visited the site and collected some samples. The government has so far not announced any monetary compensation for the family members of the victims and for those whose property was damaged in the blast. Agriculture Minister Tota Singh along with District Magistrate Arshdeep Singh Thind and other senior officials also visited the site. Preliminary inquiries by the police reveal that Liyakat Ali who also died in the blast was running the illegal crackers manufacturing unit without following any safety measures. He used raw material like potassium nitrate, sulphur and coarse aluminum powder. The police is yet to ascertain from where he used to procure raw material. Liyakat hailed from Agra and there could be a possibility of his getting raw material from Uttar
Pradesh.
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Do not use religion for votes, Sarna told
Amritsar, April 14 The Jathedar said he had come to know that Sarna was allegedly seeking votes for the Congress from the stage of Lakhi Shah Wanjara Hall at Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib ahead of the MC polls in Delhi. He said Sarna’s move was clearly a violation of the Akal Takht’s directions, as per which the leaders had been warned against garnering political support from a religious platform.
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Centre gives nod to Kharar-Ludhiana road’s four-laning
Mohali, April 14 Ravneet Singh Bittu, Member of Parliament from Anandpur Sahib, said it was a long-pending demand to four-lane one of the busiest road sections in Punjab. The stretch has been witnessing a number of accidents. Sources said that tenders would be invited for the project after getting approval from the Planning Commission. The MP said four-laning of all roads leading to Mohali and Kharar was his priority list. He said four-laning of a road connecting Mohali with Fatehgarh Sahib was also in the pipeline. About re-carpeting of the 11-km long Kharar-Kurali road, he said the Ministry had recently sanctioned Rs 8 crore for the road. The stretch would be re-carpeted by the PWD Department of the state government.
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Science Express changes tracks, goes to workshop
Bathinda, April 14 Talking to Tribune News Service about the delay, Sudeep Sharma, manager of the Science Express, said, “The tour has been cancelled for the time being. The train has gone for maintenance and upkeep and only after it is out of the workshop will it be back on tracks again.” Science Express, a joint venture of the Union Ministry of Science and Technology, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany, research organisation Max Planck Society and BASF, the chemical company, aims at developing students’ interest in science. “This time, the theme of the Science Express is biodiversity. The theme will cover all the details about the species, ecosystem and genetic diversities in the living organisms in the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Tentatively, the train is expected to begin its tour on the Environment Day, June 5, this year. The fresh schedule for the train’s present phase run will be finalised by next week,” said Sharma. The Science Express takes the students on an expedition into the mysterious world of groundbreaking discoveries, cutting-edge science and future-oriented technologies. Details of the smallest elements of our world to the largest structures in the outer space are shared with the students. The train has interesting images, video clips and interactive exhibits that offer insights into the world of atoms, cells and neurons, as well as the complex interactions of civilizations, planets, stars and galaxies. The exhibition inside the Science Express also throws light on the developments of modern science. It aims to inspire young students to pursue various fields of science —physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and the environmental sciences.
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Admn turns blind eye to traffic jams
Patiala, April 14 Cabinet Minister from Patiala Surjit Singh Rakhra had promised that traffic would be his first priority, but nothing concrete has been done so far. A visit to the Lower Mall road near Fountain Chowk reveals how shopkeepers have not only encroached upon pathways, but also started repairing vehicles on roads, leading to traffic jams. "Several times corporation officials have been apprised in the past, but they are afraid of removing these illegal encroachments," said a traffic policeman. "Due to these illegal encroachments our job has become tough and whenever we initiate any action, politicians and corporation officials do not support us," he added. An official of the administration said that despite several meetings of the police with NGOs, nothing could be done due to lack of interest shown by the authorities. "Many times, the DC has been approached and the police has been asked to initiate steps, but no one really bothers," said Karamjit Singh Jattana, a social activist. Surjit Singh Rakhra's media advisor Ravee Singh Ahluwalia said that officials of the police and the administration would soon be asked to find a solution to the traffic problem. "The problem is something which concerns residents everyday and it's high time that the corporation and the police must take steps and stop giving lame excuses for not acting against offenders," Ahluwalia said. Police officials say that due to shortage of staff with the traffic police, the authorities find it difficult to depute more policemen, but the same force manages everything smoothly during a VIP visit. "We will surely look into the matter and ensure that the problem is solved at the earliest," said Patiala traffic in-charge Achru Ram.
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Preneet discusses paddy stock with Food Minister
Patiala, April 14 Thomas assured her that the issue would be sympathetically examined and suitable action would be taken in consultation with the Punjab Government. MP Singh, additional personal secretary to Preneet Kaur, said that around 88 rice millers from Patiala and Bathinda districts who were asked by the state government's procurement agencies to accept stock of PAU-201 paddy (2009-2010) for milling with an assurance that they would not be forced to stick to the prescribed quality norms while milling the paddy of the said variety. The PAU-201 variety has higher broken grain content and reddish shade due to which the FCI has not been accepting it resulting into losses to rice millers. Rice millers had met Preneet Kaur and told her that they were being penalised without fault. A committee under the chairmanship of Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, Department of Food and Public Distribution, had in the past recommended the disposal of such rice in the domestic market.
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Minister urges people to report sale of drugs
Ludhiana, April 14 The Health Minister said, "Everyone talks about an increase in the incidences of drug use and all know who sell illegal drugs. So, I appeal to the public to call me up on my mobile phone number 9876741554 if one comes across sale of illegal drugs anywhere in the state. The identity of callers will not be revealed and we will take necessary action against the drug supplier." Mittal, who was in the city today to inaugurate a cancer diagnostic machine at Ace Healthways, said, "I have directed doctors on night shifts to be present on duty and none of the doctors should ask patients to buy medicines from outside if medicines of the same salt are available in hospital's drug store. Doctors should have friendly relations with patients and pay special attention to children, women and old people." On shortage of funds and only availability of paracetamol in majority of government hospitals and dispensaries, he said, "There is no shortage of funds. We have enough funds for medicines. If any hospital or dispensary faces shortage of medicines, they can bring it to my notice." About increasing cases of cancer in Malwa belt, he said, "Drinking water has been contaminated with pesticides and insecticides. The state government is already helping cancer patients through Chief Minister's Relief Fund. I will also request the Ace Healthways to provide cancer diagnosis facility at a concessional rate to poor and needy patients."
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Villagers block road against medical store
Hoshiarpur, April 14 Police said villagers, including women, of Paldi blocked traffic to press the administration to initiate action Sunil Medical Store. But the shop owner closed the shop and slipped away. On getting information, Garhshankar naib tehsildar Satnam Singh, district drug inspector Navjot Kaur and Mahilpur SHO reached the spot and opened the locks of the shop. The protesters lifted the dharna after the drug inspector seized the expired drugs and intoxicants from the shop. Navjot Kaur said a case under the Drug and Cosmetic Act has been registered against the medical store owner.
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Sansi community may soon get ST status
Chandigarh, April 14 The Government of Punjab has already requested the Union of India to include the community in the category. The Central Government’s response to the request is currently awaited. The Sansi community is a nomadic tribe originally hailing from Rajasthan. Expelled in the 13th century by Muslim invaders, they are now scattered throughout the country, but predominantly live in Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab. Though their traditional occupations vary from trading to farming, they have been accused of indulging in illegalities. During the British rule in India, they were, in fact, placed under the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871, and were stigmatised for a long time. After Independence, they were de-notified in 1952. The issue regarding their alleged criminal activities even cropped up before the Punjab and Haryana High Court while hearing a petition filed by Balbir alias Kala against the State of Punjab. Taking up the matter, Justice Ranjit Singh asserted: “While granting the prayer for anticipatory bail in this case, directions were issued by this court to the State counsel to carry out a study as to why the Sansi community was indulging in trade of narcotics. “It was pointed out before the court that this study was undertaken by the Department of Social Security and a sum of Rs 5.86 lakh was set apart for this purpose. “The Vice-Chancellor, Punjabi University, Patiala, has undertaken this study. Directions were issued by this court to release the finances to the department concerned and the case was adjourned to await the report from the Home Secretary. “Since no report had come, the case was placed before the Bench. Ultimately, it transpired that this grant had lapsed and no case for grant of fresh sanction was also taken”. Closing the matter, Justice Ranjit Singh added: “The State counsel has placed before me an affidavit of Secretary to Government of Punjab, Department of Home Affairs & Justice, Chandigarh, to indicate that Harvinder Singh Bhatti has conducted an ethnographic study of Sansi caste. “It is noticed that the Sansi community is socially and economically backward. Some members of this community indulge in socially unapproved practices to earn their livelihood. This leads to their social backwardness. “On the basis of this study report, the Government of Punjab has requested the Government of India, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, New Delhi, to include Sansi community in the list of Scheduled Tribes category and further action in this regard is awaited from the Central Government”.
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Rap for drug peddler over false document
Chandigarh, April 14 Justice Ranjit Singh of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has not only asked the Registrar-General to file a complaint against him under Section 340 of the CrPC, but has also imposed a cost of Rs 20,000. Section 340, CrPC, deals with those filing false documents or giving false evidence in the court. Surinder Kumar alias Shinda was allegedly involved in a case stemming out of recovery of 120 kilograms of poppy husk. The police had claimed that Shinda had managed to escape while the co-accused in the case was arrested. Moving the High Court for the concession of anticipatory bail, Shinda had claimed he was admitted to a hospital on the day of incident. In an attempt to substantiate his contentions, Shinda had produced a certificate issued by a medical practitioner, Dr Devinder Singh Sodhi. As the plea came up for hearing, the HC asked the State counsel “to ascertain the facts with regard to the admission of the petitioner on the date of incident”. Responding to the directions, Mehal Kalan DSP Gurdarshan Singh filed an affidavit. Enclosed along was Dr Sodhi’s statement. A private practitioner at Muktsar, he stated “whatever medical certificate has been produced by Surinder Kumar alleging that he remained under his treatment at his clinic with effect from November 10, 2011, to November 13, 2011, presented with the present petition, is not correct”.
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Bathinda, April 14
Amritsar, April 14
Ferozepur, April 14
Mohali, April 14
A joint research of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, attributed the high concentration of dissolved uranium in groundwater to high salinity, alkalinity and excess use of chemical fertilisers like phosphate. Besides, the research also blamed industrial pollutants flowing into the Chand Bhan drain from different areas for the menace. The highest uranium content was found in Karamgarh Satran village of Bathinda (644 µg/L), followed by Dhillawan (463.6 µg/L), Giana (292.65 µg/L) and Gudda (165.85 µg/L) villages.
E.coli traced
Waterworks in limbo