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Corporation casts property tax net wide
Admission rush in city schools
MCB passes proposal for loan
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Family falls prey to gang at rly station, offered eatables laced with sedatives
The family administered sedative by a gang at railway station being attended to by Sahara worker. Tribune photo: pawan sharma
Breast cancer rising in the city
Administration on its toes before kabaddi semi-final
Officials of the district administration and the police visited the sports stadium on Thursday to oversee the arrangements for the World Kabaddi Cup semi-final matches.
A Tribune photograph
Students undergo medical check-up at civil hospital
Students of Govt Girls Sr Sec. School and Moti Ram School queue up to register themselves for medical examination at the Civil Hospital in Bathinda on Thursday. Tribune photo: Pawan Sharma
Mayor visits CUP museum
3 held for printing fake currency
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Corporation casts property tax net wide
Bathinda, December 6
While commercial property holders, who are already paying house tax, will start paying the new tax from April 1, 2013, the owners of houses of 50 square meter and 100 square meter areas will have to pay the tax before March 31. The owners of residential areas above 100 square meter would be divided into eight zones in the city. The assessment would be applicable to them on the basis of the unit area based property tax assessment methodology. Elaborating on the provisions of house tax before the general house of the Municipal Corporation Bathinda (MCB), municipal commissioner Uma Shankar Gupta said the tax has been imposed since November 15 this year. The owners of 50 square meter houses will have to pay Rs 19, while that of 100 square meter area will have to pay Rs 26 till March 31. The tax will be payable at the office of the municipal corporation. The owners of vacant plots of these sizes will have to pay 0.25 per cent of annual unit value. The owners of houses above 100 square meter in area will pay taxes after their areas have been divided into eight identified zones in the city. The eight zones will also include various commercial properties. A zonal committee, including members of the house, corporation, MLA and the representative of the local MP, will work on dividing the city into eight zones. The committee will issue a public notice inviting objections about zoning. To decide the unit value of different zones, Gupta said that district collectorate rates would be considered. The value of land, cost of construction and the value of rent would be considered before deciding the valuation. The unit valuation committee will also issue public notice and invite objections within 30 days. All local bodies have been directed to complete the record of units by January 15, 2013. Property tax would be self-assessed The corporation will provide slabs of various charges and the owners will have to pay taxes as per their property. The corporation is already working on Geographical Information System (GIS) with which the entire data of properties in the city would be digitised. Already, work on 8 to 9 wards has been done. "Every self-assessed tax form, when entered into our system, will come up with accuracy. If any property owner tries to conceal any criteria regarding his property, our GIS system will promptly point out the anomalies," said Gupta. He said the rates and slabs too would be provided and at later stages, the entire procedure may go online. The procedure is also expected to solve frequent controversies over assessing the taxes of properties. Fact file * Taxes would be payable till September 30 every year. Anyone paying tax after September 30 will have to pay 15 per cent penalty. Also, anyone paying tax before June 30 will be given a rebate of 10 per cent. Kiosks would be opened in all the zones enabling people to pay their taxes nearer home. * Tax would be levied on all kinds of properties including Wakf Board and shamlat land too. * No tax shall be payable on buildings and land exclusively used for religious purposes, religious rites, religious ceremonies, cremation grounds, burial grounds, gaushalas, stray animal care centres, historical and heritage buildings, charitable and philanthropic organizations and land being used exclusively for religious functions or festivals. * Self-occupied residential buildings having a total area of 50 square meter and 100 square meter are to pay Rs 50 and Rs 150 annually * Annual unit value means 5 per cent of total unit value in case of residential buildings, 20 per cent in case of malls and hotels with five starts and 15 per cent for others. * In any zone, tax on commercial property will be 12 times that of the residential property
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Admission rush in city schools
Bathinda, December 6
The admission rush in almost all the major schools in the city has begun and parents are certainly leaving no stone unturned when it comes to getting their ward admitted to the top school. The St. Xavier's High School, where the admission process began today, was crowded with anxious parents in the morning. Although the submission of the forms was to begin at 9.30 am, parents queued up well before time. "I have taken the first half of the day off from work. There are only a few good schools in the city and this will decide my daughter's future," said Savita Sharma, who was waiting to submit the form. The corridors of St. Joseph's Convent Senior Secondary School also witnessed similar scenes in the recent past. "We were told that the interview would be held at 1 pm. We reached the school at around 12.30 pm and could return only by 5 pm. The place was crowded. The children were sleepy and the parents tired," said Ankush Bhardwaj, who had taken his son for interview. The process wasn't that taxing at the DPS where the admission process started on November 26. "There's always a rush for admissions for the lower kindergarten class. The scene was the same this year too. We don't conduct interviews of the children. We just meet the parents and the children," said Dr Arun Jee, principal of the school. To ensure a seat for their child in the best school, many parents get "help" from top officials who put in a word for the child. And those who can't manage cry foul. Keeping this in mind, St Xavier's High School has, in its prospectus, requested all the parents to directly approach the principal for admissions. It also mentions that recommendations through intermediaries will not be entertained. Many parents, however, refute the claims made by the schools that admissions are done purely on the basis of merit. "Backdoor entries and schools extracting money from parents in the name of development funds is an open secret," said a harassed parent.
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MCB passes proposal for loan
Bathinda, December 6 Munching samosas, relishing pastries and sipping tea, the elected representatives of the people passed the proposal to seek Rs 100 crore in loan, which will be paid over the next 12 years, adding to the burden of the common man in the form of various taxes - property tax to begin with. The grumblings of councillors belonging to the opposition Congress was brushed aside. Unable to stage protest with facts and figures, the Congress councillors could not raise their voice effectively. While the SAD-BJP councillors agreed to pass the agenda even before it could be read out, it was the municipal commissioner who said that the economics of the loans should be discussed. The municipal corporation will borrow Rs 100 crore and pay back Rs 160 crore that includes the interest on the loan. Stating projections for the next three years, Gupta said the income of the Municipal Corporation is expected to increase owing to the property tax and the water and sewerage bills. Presently, Rs 15 to Rs 16 crore has been left for development works in the city. "In the initial years, per month instalment would be Rs 50 lakh, which would exceed to a maximum of Rs 1.25 crore. “Keeping this in view, the corporation will have to ensure that its revenue is not only maintained, but increased to meet the demands,” the municipal commissioner said. Since the loan instalments will be deducted from the VAT funds that the Punjab government provides to the municipal corporation, the latter will have to spend the money judiciously and not splurge it on meaningless exercise.
Fact file *
MC Jagrup Singh Gill, who was not present at the meeting on Thursday, said the Congress will meet the Governor with other representatives of society on the loan issue. "The government has stopped the registry of land in colonies deemed illegal and unauthorised. If the sewer and water project is meant to cover 100 per cent areas in the city, will the facility be provided in these controversial areas too," he asked. Gill alleged that the cash-starved state government has now made MCB the scapegoat to guzzle funds down its parched throat. "When the status of colonies is still not clear, what is the use of borrowing the amount and paying interest on it? We are sure that like all other funds, these funds will also be diverted," he said. *
It was demanded that the faulty traffic lights on Kanhaiya Chowk be changed. The area has seen a couple of fatal accidents in the last few days as the lights are not properly visible from the road.
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Family falls prey to gang at rly station, offered eatables laced with sedatives
Bathinda, December 6 Recently, a resident of Tezpur in Assam was found lying unconscious at the railway station. He reported Rs 1,000 missing from his pocket. The man, Pappu Singh, was taken to the Civil Hospital by the volunteers of Sahara Jan Sewa where he revealed that some youths offered him liquor after which he fell unconscious and lost his money as well. In another incident that took place last night, a family of labourers lost Rs 15,000 in a similar manner. Five members of the family, including two children, are undergoing treatment at the local hospital. The family members, including Ram Bahadur (35), Dharam Devi (30), their children Pooja (18), Prem Lata (10) and Kuldeep (12), were found vomiting near the ticket counter. A passenger brought the matter to the notice of the NGO, Sahara Jan Sewa. The family members were rushed to the Civil Hospital where their condition was said to be serious but improving. It will take another 24 hours for them to recover, Sahara workers said. Sahara Jan Sewa president Vijay Goyal said this is the second such incident to have taken place at the railway station during the last fortnight. A similar incident was also reported at Thermal Colony a few months ago. The family of migrant labourers was on its way to Uttar Pradesh after planting paddy in the villages of Malout. The miscreants were aware that the family was returning home and must be carrying cash. The family members revealed they were offered tea by some youths after which they became unconscious. "Their belongings were searched by the youths who took away Rs 15,000," Goyal said. Goyal added that the matter has been brought to the notice of the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the case is being probed. He said despite warnings to the passengers not to accept eatables from strangers in the train or at railway station, people continues to become victims of such miscreants. Volunteers of Sahara Jan Sewa said the railway police and the Punjab Police should initiate a drive to make the railway passengers aware of the nefarious designs of those offering eatables to the passengers to loot them.
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Breast cancer rising in the city
Bathinda, december 6 The hospital has taken the responsibility to create awareness about breast cancer in the Malwa region. Dr Kalra stated that researchers had found carcinogenic residue in the blood of farmers and even in the milk of the nursing mothers. “With breast cancer being a severe disease in the region, we want to educate the people of the region about the nitty-gritties of the disease like its symptoms and early detection. The best treatment for breast cancer is detection at the right time. Early detection and right treatment can help the patient fight the diseas,” he said in the statement. He added that breast cancer was the most common form of cancer among women in urban India. Recent data tells us that breast cancer accounts for 28-35 per cent of all cancer cases in the cities. Citing the data, he added that average age of developing breast cancer has come down from 50-70 years to 40-50 years. Major lifestyle changes in the urban population may have lowered the average age, he said. Dr Aniruddha Suranglikar, general manager, operations, Max Hospital, said there was an urgent need for awareness and dedicated healthcare facilities to tackle the rise in the number of breast cancer cases in the area. Breast cancer risk increases with age. However, it can also affect women who are in their 20s and 30s. For women, it is recommended that they start regular monthly self breast examination while in their early 20s to detect any changes in shape, size or texture. Early detection of breast cancer through screening and diagnostic methods contributes to decreased mortality. It also increases the chance of a cure through advanced management and treatment. Women are at a greater risk of developing breast cancer as compared to men. With age, the vulnerability to disease increases. Women with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer are at a higher risk. Girls who start menstruating before the age of 12 years or women who experience a late onset of menopause (after the age of 55 years) need to be more careful of the diseas. Dr Kalra suggested that women should avoid undergoing hormone replacement therapy after menopause. They should breastfeed their babies as it reduces the incidence of cancer. Obesity, excess weight and being physically inactive also makes one vulnerable to breast cancer. Smoking or exposure to passive smoking and consuming too much alcohol may also cause breast cancer. He said one can reduce the risk by maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise, a healthy diet, avoiding smoking and consumption of alcohol.
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Administration on its toes before kabaddi semi-final
Bathinda, december 6 A meeting was held today to review the arrangements. IG Bathinda Zone Nirmal Singh Dhillon, DIG Parmod Ban, deputy commissioner Kamal Kishore Yadav, SSP Ravcharan Brar, ADC Mohammad Tayyab, SDM Ramvir and District Sports Officer Karam Singh Sidhu were present at the meeting. The DC said semi-final matches of men and women would be held at the stadium. He said seating arrangements for spectators and accommodation for the players were being made.
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Students undergo medical check-up at civil hospital
Bathinda, december 6 Eye and teeth specialists from the Civil Hospital had first visited the government school a month back and checked as many as 2,400 students and prescribed medicines to the students who were detected with vision or dental problems. The students, who the specialist thought needed to undergo a detailed examination with more equipment at the hospital, were given yellow cards and were asked to visit the hospital. Others were given instructions on how to take care of their eyes and teeth and were also given medicines free of cost. “Since many of the students hail from financially weaker families, they decided not to go to the hospital as it would have meant spending money on conveyance. We were concerned about their health and spoke to the hospital authorities who earmarked Thursday for their medical examination,” said Mandeep Kaur, the principal of the school. “We called up the city bus service and they agreed to ferry the students to and from the hospital. The school paid for the tickets of all the students. Two teachers and two class IV employees accompanied the girl students to the hospital,” she added. Out of the 24 students of the Moti Ram School, who had gone to the hospital for the medical examination, only three underwent detailed dental check-up. The rest have been called to the hospital on Friday.
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Mayor visits CUP museum
Bathinda, december 6
The museum showcases the history of the city as well as the university. Photographs and cultural artifacts from the rich heritage of the Malwa region are on display at the museum. He appreciated the efforts of the university in conserving the cultural heritage by setting up the museum, the first of its kind in the region. He particularly lauded the contribution of Savita Goel of Barnala who has donated many cultural items which have been displayed at the museum. The mayor was also impressed with the infrastructural set-up, well-equipped library, hi-tech computer lab and laboratories for different schools. He also promised to extend all help on the part of the Municipal Corporation to do everything possible for the further growth and development of the university.
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3 held for printing fake currency
Bathinda, december 6 Police said the accused were arrested on the basis of a tip-off. Efforts are on to nab the rest of the accused. A case under various sections of the IPC has been registered at the Sangat police station. One arrested for gambling Police have arrested a man for gambling near the Gol Diggi. The accused, Sanjeev Kumar, a resident of Ganesha Basti, was found gambling by the cops from Kotwali police station. A complaint was lodged by head constable Roshan Lal in this regard following which a case under sections 13-A, 3, 67 of the Gambling Act was registered. The accused was later released on bail. One booked for instigating girl to elope Police have registered a case against a resident of Boha for instigating a minor girl to elope. The accused has been identified as Jaggi who was booked on the complaint of a resident of Baba Deep Singh Nagar. The complainant accused Jaggi of instigating his daughter to elope on the pretext of marrying her. A case under the sections 363, 366-A of the IPC has been registered against the accused at the Canal Colony police station. Police said efforts were on to nab the culprit. Woman booked for pocketing money Police have registered a case against a woman for pocketing money. In his complaint to the police, Bhavishan Kumar of Hans Nagar said the accused, Ramesh Rani, pocketed `47,000. The complainant added that the woman had been pooling money to be used by a group of people in a committee. Later, she returned `7,000 only and refused to return the rest. The police, after recording the statement of the complainant, registered a case under section 406 of the IPC at the Canal Colony police station.
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A gang involved in looting people by offering food stuff laced with intoxicants is active at the Bathinda railway station. The gang has so far looted people twice by offering such eatables during the last fortnight.
Recently, a resident of Tezpur in Assam was found lying unconscious at the railway station. He reported Rs 1,000 missing from his pocket.
Preparations for the upcoming semi-final matches of the World Kabaddi Cup to be held at Multi-Purpose Sports Stadium in Bathinda on December 12 are in full swing.
A meeting was held today to review the arrangements.
As many as 150 students of the Government Girls Senior Secondary School were taken to the Civil Hospital for medical examination today. As many as 24 students of the Moti Ram School of the city were also taken for medical examination to the hospital.
MC Rajinder Kaur Brar, who was arrested and sent to jail for slapping a government school teacher, today kept her demands before the general house stating that she was not afraid of going to jail. She demanded that a quarter be vacated and that electricity poles be removed from near the RO water plant in Guru Ki Nagri. She said if the work was not done within 15 days, she may take law in her hands. Addressing Mayor Baljit Singh Beerbehman, she said, "Mayor Sa`ab, pher na mainu aakhin, bibbi aa ki kitta" (Mr Mayor don't tell me later what you have done) — TNS 
* Recent data tells us that the average age of developing breast cancer has come down from 50-70 years to 40-50 years.