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Ailing rural healthcare
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24x7 emergency care still a far cry
Crucial Cabinet meeting today
Industrial peace Punjab’s USP: Badal
Experts call for three-year crop pattern
To check fraud, housing societies under watch
Amarinder to tour 7 constituencies
Cong ex-minister to Join SAD
100 rural medical officers have quit in a year
Lab awaits machine, forensic reports delayed
The Punjab State Chemical Laboratory in Kharar. Tribune photo
Tension in village over land dispute
Surprise checks an eye-opener
Schools get Rs 86 crore to buy utensils
Hospital ‘neglects’ HIV patient in labour pains
Neighbour shoots man
Set up stray dog houses: NGO
Relief for GPA holders
Gutkha banned
30 kg opium, 3 quintal poppy husk seized
Police officials along with handcuffed drug smugglers in
Jalandhar. Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh
Drug mafia using pupils as conduits
Two booked for selling PDS ration
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Ailing rural healthcare
It has been more than two years that ultrasound machines in several district hospitals, including those of Jalandhar, Mansa and Muktsar, have been lying unutilised for want of radiologists. At many places, private radiologists are allowed to come and operate these machines on pre-determined rates. The Faridkot Civil Hospital is one such example. This, despite the civil surgeon posted there himself being a radiologist. Even if a patient does get a scan done from a private centre, he cannot be sure of a surgery. For, his next task would be more daunting. He would now have to arrange an anaesthetist as several public health centres and district hospitals have been lacking in this service. The secondary healthcare services in the public sector lie crippled due to shortage of radiologists and anaesthetists. The poor and middle class families have no option but to seek specialised treatment in private hospitals, which comes expensive. There are surgeons, including ophthalmologists and orthopaedicians, but they cannot operate in the absence of anaesthetists. Surprisingly, the Dera Bassi Primary Health Centre is headed by a Senior Medical Officer who is an anaesthetist, but no surgery has been performed there since the last two months. The centre has four surgeons. In a sub-division in Patiala district, a patient had to be taken back from an operation theatre as an anaesthetist refused to turn up, complaining the remuneration offered to him was too low. A private anaesthetist is normally paid between Rs 1,200 and Rs 1,500 a surgery. Several civil surgeons, however, claim that listing private anaesthetists is permitted only for gynaecology cases and that too under the National Rural Health Mission. In all other cases, a patient himself has to arrange for an anaesthetist and even pay for his services. Due to the acute shortage of radiologists and anaesthests, district hospitals cannot even run intensive care units for providing tertiary care facilities, including treatment for minor and mild heart attack cases. A civil surgeon claims it is the state's duty to provide primary and secondary healthcare to the people. "We do not have arrangement for tertiary care, what to talk about specialist services, a field in which private hospitals are scoring. Fifty per cent posts of specialists are vacant. And even those who are available have been performing the duties of emergency medical officers," he says.
In need of a booster dose
Pvt anaesthetist charges Rs 1,200 A private anaesthetist is normally paid between Rs 1,200 and Rs 1,500 per surgery. But, the charges are borne by the State under the National Rural Health Mission in delivery cases. Private anaesthetists too are not easily available. In a sub-division in Patiala district, a patient had to be taken back from an operation theatre as an anaesthetist refused to turn up, complaining that the remuneration offered to him was low. There are facilities that have surgeons, but they cannot operate in the absence of anaesthetists.
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24x7 emergency care still a far cry
Cheema (Sangrur), August 27 When The Tribune team visited the hospital on Friday, a pharmacist and a nurse employed under the National Rural Health Mission were present there. The emergency medical officer, supposed to provide 24x7 care, was away to Longowal to attend a family welfare programme. The senior medical officer posted there goes to Longowal four days a week and attends to patients in this rural hospital the remaining two days of his duty. Another doctor, though posted there, spends three days at Longowal and the remaining three days at Bhiwanigarh. In the absence of a doctor, it is the pharmacist who attends to patients. There was not even a single indoor patient in the hospital. "How do you expect an indoor patient in a hospital that does not have a doctor available round-the-clock," quipped a resident of the town, who runs a shop opposite the hospital. The emergency medical officer, hired on contract basis under the National Rural Health Mission, also basically looks after maternity services. An antiquated X-ray machine, which has been in use for a long time, is now used more for hanging clothes. The room also serves as a temporary kitchen for the skeletal staff. A house built for the emergency medical officer was taken over by the police in early 1980s. Since then, its possession has not been restored to the Health Department despite regular correspondence. "In the absence of a staff quarters, how can you expect a lady doctor to perform round-the-clock duties," rued a class IV employee. This rural hospital gets about 50 patients, mostly for vaccination, every Wednesday, apart from 25 to 30 outdoor patients a day. The staff says on an average, 15 deliveries a month are done there. All complicated cases, including those requiring surgery, are referred to the Civil Hospital, Sangrur. "Deliveries are taking place here only because of the Rs 1,000 cash incentive given to a mother post-delivery. But, all 24x7 health centres also require a neo-natal care unit, which requires a paediatrician. The facility is missing here," claims a doctor. Cheema Rural Hospital is not an isolated case of neglect. Many other similar rural health care centres are in an equally deplorable state, most of them without regular doctors, pharmacists, nurses, paramedics and class IV staff.
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Crucial Cabinet meeting today
Chandigarh, August 27 Though the registration fee will be charged at 1 per cent, the uppermost limit is likely to be raised to Rs 2 lakh from Rs 30,000. The permit fee for vehicles is also likely to be raised. The maximum limit for registeration of vehicles is likely to be pegged at 8 per cent in case of high-end luxury vehicles, from 4 per cent to 6 per cent for middle segment vehicles and from 2 per cent to 4 per cent for the rest of the vehicles. The VAT is likely to be raised by 0.5 per cent across the board. The issues of property tax and user charges are also likely be taken up at the meeting. The BJP wants that the burden of property tax on the people should be minimal. It says the tax should be levied only on the well-off segment and those owing small houses and plots should be spared. How this contentious issue is to be handled at the meeting tomorrow is not clear. Sources said the issue of raising the retirement age from 58 to 60 is likely to be discussed threadbare at the meeting. Although the BJP leadership has reportedly given its nod to the proposal, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal reportedly has strong reservations on the matter. The BJP has already expressed opposition to the levying of fresh taxes on textiles, branded wheat flour and pulses. It wants the state government to withdraw the VAT on sugar too. Leader of the BJP in the assembly Chunni Lal Bhagat and Deputy Leader Arun Joshi have conveyed the party's sentiments on the matter to the Chief Minister, it is learnt. The BJP is also opposed to the levying of professional tax. This issue is likely to be deferred at the meeting tomorrow. The BJP has been insisting on rationalising the power subsidy to the farm sector. It wants that power bills should be sent to all farmers and the charges collected from small and marginal farmers reimbursed later. The party wants metered power supply to all tubewells in the state. The issue of power subsidy to the farm sector is likely to figure at the meeting.
On Agenda...
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Industrial peace Punjab’s USP: Badal
Chandigarh, August 27 Exhorting top industrialists from across the country to invest in Punjab, during an Investment Promotion Summit, organised by ASSOCHAM in collaboration with the state government, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said Punjab was ideally located within easy distance from the national capital. He said only Punjab could offer industrial peace and communal harmony in this
region. "Punjab's excellent infrastructure network coupled with industrial peace and skilled labour has made it as the most preferred investment destination. The 'unfortunate incidents' at Maruti's plant in Manesar are not good for any state. Good industry-labour relations are must to attract investment," he said. Even Industries Minister Anil Joshi drew comparisons between Punjab and Haryana. He claimed that Punjab was the best-suited investment destination in North India. "We were able to supply power to the industry all through the difficult summer period, unlike Gurgaon where the industry was getting just five hours of power supply daily," he said. Joshi said the government's endeavour was to bring the state out of the clutches of realtors by allotting industrial plots to genuine industrialists who were willing to set up units in a time-bound manner. Earlier, the Chief Minister called upon industrialists and entrepreneurs to set up their ventures in the state to boost the pace of industrialisation and assured all possible help and support to them. He said the state's existing industrial policy would be fine-tuned according to the needs of the industry. "We have taken on board organisations like ASSOCHAM, PHD Chamber, CII and FICCI to give vital inputs for making further improvements in the policy," he said. Badal said the state was taking initiatives to make Punjab power surplus in the next one-and-a-half years. Efforts were being made to improve air connectivity through the upcoming International Airport at Mohali, Sri Guru Ramdass International Airport at Amritsar, besides three domestic airports at Bathinda, Ludhiana and Pathankot. Punjab being a landlocked state and at a considerable distance from the ports, Badal sought special incentives for the state such as restoration of subsidy on freight equalisation, enhancing the currently 137 items being exported through ICP at the Attari-Wagah border, opening of the Hussainiwala border for trade, besides making coal linkages available to Punjab from the existing coal blocks of the country to augment its thermal power generation.
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Experts call for three-year crop pattern
New Delhi, August 27 A parliamentary consultative committee related to the Agriculture Ministry, that met today to discuss ways to increase rice production in eastern states, also focused on the deteriorating soil health and water table in the two key grain producing states of Punjab and Haryana. It suggested ways to replace the water-intensive rice paddy with an alternative crop pattern that was equally remunerative but ecologically friendly. Group discussions on crop diversification in various states, including Punjab and Haryana, will now be taken up by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar with the respective Chief Ministers. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has already met Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on the issue. Experts have raised concerns at the region’s dependence on wheat and rice, holding the prevalent crop pattern responsible for the the farm crisis in Punjab and Haryana. However, some contrary views have emerged in favour of the rice-wheat cropping pattern. Leading agriculture scientist MS Swaminathan, a member of the consultative committee, is of the opinion that any transition will not be possible unless the new formula protects the economic gains enjoyed by Punjab and Haryana farmers and also takes care of the depleting water table and soil health. “For a farmer, income is paramount. Besides, basmati is important for the country’s trade security. Therefore, any plan on crop diversification should take care of the country’s food needs and the farmers’ security,” he said. Among the suggestions put forth at today’s meeting was that of a three-year crop pattern mooted by Swaminathan. Swaminathan said the two states should be divided into three parts for growing economically viable pulses, the Egyptian clover (barseem) to fix the much-required nitrogen in the soil, and vegetables. The farmers could augment their income by dairy farming for high-value products like cheese and paneer, he suggested. The government is trying to raise agricultural output by harnessing the ample water resources in the seven eastern states of Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and West Bengal. It also hopes to improve the deteriorating soil health and water table in Punjab and Haryana by convincing the farmers to give up the rice-wheat cropping pattern.
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To check fraud, housing societies under watch
There are about 600 house building cooperative societies registered with the State Cooperative Department. The department is flooded with complaints against the managements of these societies. “Frauds committed by certain societies are serious. Huge sums have been siphoned and members are crying foul”, said a senior official. The Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Punjab, AS Miglani, said: “It is clear that most problems in these societies stem from lack of transparency. Hence, in the interest of the members, exercising powers under Rule 45 of the Punjab Cooperative Societies Rules, 1963, the managing committees of all housing societies have been directed to share information about their activities with their members through the internet”. Every cooperative society would have to set up a website at its own expense with a unique domain name within three months. The managing committee of the society would be responsible for regularly updating its website that would be “accessible to all members at all times”. The website would have to be updated at least once a month. It would carry the name, address, e-mail and the date of registration of the society along with the telephone number of its office. Relevant details about its members and office-bearers would also be put on the website. It has been made mandatory to put details with regard to purchase of land, its cost and the money paid on the website as also the number of flats/plots proposed to be built and allotted along with the date on which approval has been accorded by the general body. The date of allotment of work to the contractor, completion and the total cost incurred would also be put on the site. The dates of general body meetings held in the last three years, their agenda and the minutes of the meetings would also have to be displayed. A summary of the income and expenditure incurred by the society in a quarter of a year would have to be displayed. The audited balance sheet of the previous year would also be displayed on the website. Each member would be given complete details about his/her account and plot/flat allotted to him. It will be the joint responsibility of the president and secretary of the society to ensure that the information displayed or updated is authenticated and is duly provided in an intelligible format to the agency engaged by the society for updating and maintaining its website.
New Instructions
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Amarinder to tour 7 constituencies
Chandigarh, August 27 Sources claim that unable to find an alternative to Amarinder, the high command is reluctant to replace him. There are three key claimants to the top post - Gurdaspur MP Partap Singh Bajwa, Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Jagmeet Singh Brar and former minister Laal Singh. But there seems no consensus on Amarinder’s successor. Sources say the seven-constituency tour announced by Amarinder would give him a chance to test the waters. If the programmes are successful, he will be able to prove to the Congress high command that he continues to be a popular leader and retains the confidence of the Congress rank and file, despite the assembly poll debacle. Beginning his tour from Patti in Tarn Taran on September 2, Amarinder will hold programmes at MLA Charanjit Singh Channi’s constituency of Chamkuar Sahib on September 3, Gurpreet Singh Kangar’s constituency of Rampura Phul on September 5, Chaudhary Santokh and Vikram Chaudhary’s constituency of Phillaur on September 6, Lalli Majithia’s area of Majitha on September 9 and legislator Tript Rajinder Bajwa’s constituency of Fatehgarh Churian on September 12. On September 13, the PCC president will visit the Sanaur constituency represented by Laal Singh, which is adjacent to his own constituency of Patiala. Amarinder’s detractors, however, claim the exercise is in tandem with Amarinder’s propensity to conduct ‘show piece” activity for the Congress high command every few months. They maintain that the tour is unlikely to have a bearing on the party high command’s decision to bring in new leadership in the state.
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Cong ex-minister to Join SAD
Fatehgarh Sahib, August 27 He said he would join the party along with his supporters at a function to be held soon at Fatehgarh Sahib. He said he would try to expand SAD's base in urban areas. He alleged the Congress had become the party of rich and sycophants. It had lost touch with the common man, he said, adding Congress leaders had become inaccessible. Confirming the development, Chandumajra said he had talked to Sukhbir and a function would be organised after his (Sukhbir’s) return from abroad.
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100 rural medical officers have quit in a year
Patiala, August 27 These rural medical officers were deployed in dispensaries and subsidiary health centres run by zila parishads across Punjab. Most of them resigned after clearing the examination for recruitment of doctors conducted by the Department of Health and Family Welfare. These jobs are governed by the Punjab Civil Medical Service rules and entail, among other things, promotions, including that to the rank of a senior medical officer, civil surgeon, deputy director and director. However, there is no such promotion provision for rural medical officers working under zila parishads. Over 30 doctors resigned from June to December last year. Around 70 resignations came recently after the Department of Health and Family Welfare conducted recruitment to fill 500 posts of medical officer. Of all the resignations, five each came in Patiala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Ferozepur, four each in Bathinda and Ropar, three in Sangrur and two in Mansa. Rural Medical Officer Dr JP Narula, who is posted in Sangrur, said, "Doctors serving in rural areas are the backbone of preventive healthcare. But the state government is not taking care of their interests. Though our salaries are on a par with Health Departments, lack of promotion avenues is a big disadvantage." There are as many as 1,186 rural dispensaries or subsidiary health centres in the state. Each was run by a rural medical officer accompanied by subordinate staffs. Until 2006, these came under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health and Family Welfare. But after that, these centres were put under the control of zila praishads and the subsequent rural medical officer recruitments were made on a contractual basis. Perturbed over not being regularised, 400 rural medical officer had quit before May 2011. The Department of Rural Development and Panchayat later changed the rules and regularised the services of the remaining doctors. But that too did not change much as the doctors now started seeking promotional avenues.
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Lab awaits machine, forensic reports delayed
Kharar, August 27 The laboratory is yet to get an advanced gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) machine, which is used to identify different substances in a test sample. The machine is helpful in drug detection, fire investigation, environmental analysis, explosive investigation, identification of unknown samples and other analysis. "Most of the tests, which take weeks to complete, can be done in a day with a GCMS machine," said an employee of the laboratory. The process to import a GCMS machine was initiated in 2009, but no headway could be made. Dr SP Sureela, State Chief Chemical Examiner, said the process was in the pipeline following directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court regarding upgrading of the laboratory that catered to the entire state. The laboratory receives about 100 cases daily. These include about 30 cases of viscera examination. Besides, the laboratory is being run from an ad hoc accommodation. "The present building of the laboratory was meant for a hostel. It does not meet the technical parameters required to run a state-level forensic laboratory," said Dr Sureela. The building lacks a cold room, which is vital to preserve and store the samples. Even air-conditioners have not been installed in the labs. The building emits a foul smell, which makes working here difficult, said an employee.
In bad shape
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Tension in village over land dispute
Bathinda, August 27 Agitated members of the Bhullar community, who claim they have been worshipping at the gurdwara since generations and hosting festivals at the land in question, sat on the railway crossing on the Bathinda-Chandigarh highway alleging that the police was allowing the members of the opposing Sidhu community and the SGPC members to visit the religious place. Road and rail traffic were affected for nearly two hours near Rampura town due to the dharna. Bathinda Deputy Commissioner Kamal Kishore Yadav and SSP Sukhchain Singh Gill had to pacify the agitators. They have called a meeting of the warring parties on August 28 to find a peaceful solution. Besides the Bhullars, who have a sizeable population in the region, members of the Sidhu community, who claim to have a majority in nearby villages and the SGPC, have staked claim to the ownership of the gurdwara and the land. Representatives of the Bhullars claimed the police allowed only five members of their community to offer Ardas at the gurdwara yesterday. However, these five members saw over 20 members of the other community at the religious place, who allegedly raised slogans also. This, sources said, angered the community which first laid siege to the Mehraj-Rampura road and later, squatted on the railway crossing.
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Surprise checks an eye-opener
Chandigarh, August 27 The team has compiled a report on the basis of its inspections, which makes a specific reference to inadequate cleanliness in the Emergency Ward of the Sub-Divisional Hospital in
Rajpura. The team found that at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in
Ghanaur, the preparation room adjoining the operation theatre was not managed properly. It was found to be having disorderly surfaces covered with cobwebs. A non-functional autoclave was also gathering dust. The sterilisation room was also beyond satisfaction while syringe packets were strewn on the floor. The team pointed out that cleanliness in the hospital needed massive improvement. The team pointed out that the area outside the boundary wall of Community Health Centre in Banur was unclean with sewerage water and strewn garbage a cause for concern. A special mention about the lacking facilities at the Sub-Divisional Hospital in Mandi Gobindgarh has also been made in the report. It read that cleanliness in the emergency ward was not adequate. The floors were found to be dirty. The emergency ward did not even have an ECG machine while the minor operation theatre was found to be disorderly. As many as 12 toilets were found to be choked because of a sewerage block.
Shocking Affairs
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Schools get Rs 86 crore to buy utensils
Moga, August 27
The utensils are to be be purchased by the school management committees. The plate, weighing at least 300 gm, will have three bowls. The glass will weigh 100 gm and the spoon 30 gm. At present, most schools tell the students to bring bowls, plates or lunch boxes from home. Some schools have taken the help of the local community to provide the students with utensils.
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Hospital ‘neglects’ HIV patient in labour pains
Ropar, August 27 Dr Geeta Baweja, gynaecologist, Baweja Nursing Home, said the patient was brought to her clinic on August 21 when she was going through severe labour pains. "Her relatives informed us that the patient was taken to the Civil Hospital, but nobody attended to her," she said. She, however, said she was not told about the patient's HIV status, which exposed her and her staff to the risk of getting infected. "Her relatives must have informed us about that so that we could take precautions while carrying out the delivery," Dr Geeta said. The incident has left a question mark on the state of affairs of the Civil Hospital. Ropar Civil Surgeon Sham Lal Mahajan said the matter was brought into his knowledge and he has asked the senor medical officer to conduct a probe and submit a report in two days.
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Neighbour shoots man
Fazilka, August 27 Boor Singh informed the police that his family members were engaged in the construction work at 9.30 pm yesterday when their neighbour Jeet Singh, along with his son Nachhatar Singh, cousin Inder Singh, accomplice Hansa Singh and some other unidentified persons reached the site on a tractor-trailer. Jeet Singh reportedly opened fire with his .12 bore pistol. The bullet hit Balwinder Singh (40) resulting in his death on the spot. The accused fled from the scene after committing the crime. According to the deceased’s family members, the dispute arose because Jeet Singh suspected that Boor Singh was constructing the house on his land. Sadar police station in-charge Chhinder Singh said Jeet Singh and his accomplices have been booked under sections 302, 148 and149 of the IPC. Fazilka DSP Sukhdev Singh Brar said police teams have been sent to conduct raids on possible hideouts of the accused and they would be arrested soon.
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Set up stray dog houses: NGO
Patiala, August 27 SPWA secretary general DS Bhullar said: "We have suggested the Patiala MC that besides sterilisation, setting up of stray dog houses on the pattern of gaushalas can help solve the problem to a great extent". The menace has assumed alarming proportions in the past few years, with reports of thousands of dog bite cases. About 6,573 dog bite cases were reported at Government Rajindra Hospital and civil dispensaries in the district in the past three years, the highest in the state. "We want Patiala to be a city free from stray dogs, which is not an impossible task if corrective measures are taken on priority. We will provide assistance in devising a strategy and accelerating the sterilisation drive, besides suggesting appropriate locations for setting up stray dog shelters," said Dr Bhullar. Patiala Mayor Ajit Pal Singh Kohli said he appreciated that the IMA and the SPWA had volunteered to extend help for a permanent solution to the stray dog problem. "I will convene a meeting of their representatives and the municipal authorities to devise a mechanism to deal with this crucial matter," he added.
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Relief for GPA holders
Ludhiana, August 27 Acting on a Supreme Court ruling, the Deputy Commissioners of Amritsar and Jalandhar had asked the revenue officials not to entertain cases regarding registration of sale deeds against GPA. This had led to widespread resentment among realtors, developers and property dealers. Kultar Singh Jogi, president of the Punjab Property Dealers and Colonisers Association, said a deputation had met Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia in Chandigarh last evening, asking him to review the orders. Jogi claimed Majithia assured the delegation that the ban would be lifted for six months during which all pending registration of sale deeds against GPA could be carried out. A senior revenue official confirmed that the restrictions on registration of sale deeds against GPA had been relaxed.
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30 kg opium, 3 quintal poppy husk seized
Jalandhar, August 27 In the first case, two Jharkhand-based smugglers were held near Bhogpur here. The police recovered 30 kg of opium from them. The accused have been identified as Subodh Mahato (32) and Babita Devi (35), both residents of Jharkhand. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered at the Bhogpur police station. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Yurinder Singh Hayer said Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) incharge Angrej Singh and his team stopped the accused near a sugar mill in Bhogpur. After a search of their belongings, the police recovered 30 kg of opium bundled in huge plastic bags. The accused revealed that they were sent by Amit Kumar alias Kundan of Jamshedpur, owner of an auto spare parts manufacturing unit, who had assured them to pay Rs 20,000 for delivering the consignment to his clients near the Bhogpur railway station. The SSP said a police team would be sent to Jamshedpur to nab Amit. "With the arrest of the keyplayer (Amit), the police will be able to explore his local links," the SSP added. In another case, the police nabbed Baljinder Singh, a resident of Akalpur, near Phillaur, and Kundan Singh of Sona village, near Nawashahr, and recovered 3 quintal of poppy husk. They were to deliver the consignment in Hoshiarpur. Hayer said on a tip-off, a team of special staff and counter intelligence cell, under supervision of SP (Detective) Rajinder Singh, laid a naka on the GT road in the wee hours today. The policemen intercepted a truck (PB 07 M 5627) and after a search, they recovered the contraband. They said a silver colour Scorpio vehicle that was following the truck immediately fled the scene. The police suspected that its occupants might have some connection with the racket. Efforts were on to trace the vehicle, the SSP said. During preliminary investigations, the accused revealed that they had brought the contraband from Madhya
Pradesh.
Accused handcuffed Jalandhar: Violating the directions of the Supreme Court, the Jalandhar rural police handcuffed the three drug smugglers while taking them to a local court on Monday. The accused were also presented handcuffed at a press conference by SSP Yurinder Singh Hayer. SP (D) Rajinder Singh said the accused were handcuffed to avoid any possible attempt of escape as they were habitual criminals.
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Drug mafia using pupils as conduits
Bathinda, August 27 He said the Sardulgarh police had nabbed Rakesh Kumar of Pili Mandhori village of Fatehabad district in Haryana. “He is a Class X student and is barely 15 years old. During questioning, he revealed that he had been lured into the trade by one Sanjay Kumar of Rajasthan. The boy had purchased a motor cycle a month ago and wanted to earn quick money to repay the loan amount. So, he started drug peddling.” The SSP said the boy had confessed to having delivered several consignments to various parts of Punjab and Haryana. Earlier on August 19, the Sardulgarh Police had arrested Sandeep Singh and Neetu Singh and recovered 1 kg of opium from them. They too were students in their teens. They had told the police that they had taken to drug peddling for easy money. The SSP said on August 15, the Sardulgarh police had arrested Laadi Singh and Boota Singh and recovered opium from their possession. Boota Singh was a BA-II student.
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Two booked for selling PDS ration
Patiala, August 27 The police has recovered 10 quintals of wheat from their possession. "The wheat was bought from a depot and was meant to be distributed among the BPL families," said Rajpura City SHO Bikramjit Singh Brar. The police has arrested Vijaypal Singh while his father Satpal Singh, the owner of a depot near Kasturba Road, has been booked under section 120-B. The accused were allegedly trying to sell subsidised wheat to flour mills in the city.
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Thirty-six-year-old Amarjeet Kaur (not her real name) was told to get her ultrasound done from a private scan centre in Jagraon as the Public Health Centre where she got herself checked lacked the facility. She, however, could not afford it as all private radiology and X-ray centres in the town had recently revised their charges; over and above those fixed by the state government.
Chandigarh, August 27
Patiala, August 27
Kharar, August 27
Moga, August 27
Jalandhar, August 27
Chandigarh, August 27
Chandigarh, August 27
There are at least 17,20,000 students enrolled in the state’s elementary schools. the maximum of 1,50,269 being in Ferozepur. But the budget earmarked for buying utensils for 17,20,000 students is Rs 86 crore with the instructions that Rs 50 is to be spent on each student for providing him/her with a steel plate, a steel glass and a spoon. Schoolteachers say that this amount is too little.