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Service tax arrears raise hackles of tenants
Separate parking space for city buses
Parents unaware of RTE Act provisions, get trapped in admission rush
Bee attacks on the rise in city, 8 injured so far
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Students bring laurels to Malwa College
Bathinda feels the chill in the air
A man wraps a shawl around himself and his grandchild in an attempt to keep warm. After rainfall on Thursday, sky remained cloudy on Friday as well. The sky is expected to clear within a day or two. Tribune photo: Pawan sharma
Special trainers brave the cold
After DC Kamal Kishore Yadav assured the members of the Special Trainer Teachers Union that joining letters will be given to the remaining teachers as well, the union allowed Jasbir Kaur (above) to be taken to the Civil Hospital in Bathinda on Friday. Tribune photo: Pawan Sharma
Annual day celebrations at Sanawar
Children of Sanawar school present a dance at the annual day celebrations on Friday evening. Tribune photo: Pawan Sharma
AMOs want regular jobs
Don’t donate, but share blood: SSP
Two days later, cop booked for rash driving
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Service tax arrears raise hackles of tenants
Bathinda, December 14
In the last week of November, the corporation started issuing notices to the shopkeepers, directing them to pay service tax at the rate of 12.36 per cent of the rent from June 1, 2007 till December this year. Also, another 18 per cent interest is to be levied on the amount to be recovered from these shopkeepers. "It is yet to be decided how the 18 per cent interest is to be levied. We may calculate it according to the ratio per shop," said the officials of the corporation. The MCB paid around Rs 56 lakh as service tax in early November to the Central Government. The shopkeepers alleged that the amount paid was being recovered from them. "We are the tenants of the MCB and not the owners of shops allotted to us. We are liable to pay service tax only if we are the owners. The MCB is taxing us wrongly. When we are paying the hiked rent after every three years, then why should the MCB not sell these shops to us? If the shops are sold to us, we will promptly pay the taxes," said Sunil Kumar Singla, one of the tenants of the MCB. The shopkeepers have decided to meet the MCB officials on Monday. If their grievances are not redressed, they plan to move the court. The shopkeeper also said that the last date of submitting the entire payment was December 15. "Today, a state holiday was declared owing to the death of Satguru Jagjit Singh. Tomorrow (Saturday) is a half day. After December 15, the MCB will impose a fine on us. If the government continues to impose taxes at this rate, the common man would be forced to close down all ventures and die of hunger," added another shopkeeper in the fish market area. Mayor Baljit Singh Bir Behman said the tax is being collected on the orders of the Supreme Court. "Everyone will have to abide by the orders of the court," he said. Meanwhile, municipal commissioner Uma Shankar Gupta said the MCB paid Rs 56 lakh to the Central Excise and Service Tax Department. "For five years, the state government contested this service tax, but the Supreme Court directed that all local bodies are liable to pay service tax," he said. Gupta added that the MCB is the owner but not the beneficiary of services. The tax paid to the government would be divided by the number of beneficiaries and will be recovered from them. A member of the opposition in the general house of the MCB said the Central Government had imposed a tax on the owners and not the tenants. "If the agreement between the MCB and the shopkeepers is silent on service tax, the latter are not bound to pay it," he said.
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Separate parking space for city buses
Bathinda, December 14
He expressed satisfaction over the performance of the city bus service but emphasized upon the need to have separate parking space, so that the local buses need not compete with the other bus services. With 175 buses, including 12 AC buses of the PRTC, 43 buses under the kilometer scheme and other private buses parked haphazardly, there is no space left for the 11 city buses. "We were directed to get the entire bus stand cleaned properly and mark space for the city bus service," said the PRTC officials. He pointed at the potholed roads within the bus stand as well as the damaged floor of the platform at the bus shelter. The proposal to shift the bus stand out of the city has been hanging fire for the last many years. With little possibility of the bus stand being shifted in another one year or so, Kharbanda directed the officials to ensure that the potholes are repaired with patchworks and the entire area is cleaned properly. He said repair and whitewash should be done at the earliest so that the passengers do not face any further problems. He also directed that RO system be installed to provide clean drinking water to the passengers. The bus stand presently has water coolers to provide drinking water facility. The PRTC MD found the posters defacing the bus stand annoying and asked the PRTC officials to get these removed and ensure that no such posters are found pasted again.
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Parents unaware of RTE Act provisions, get trapped in admission rush
Bathinda, December 14 Section 13 (1) of the Right to Education Act, 2009, says that while admitting a child, no school or person shall subject the child or parents to any 'screening procedure'. The RTE Act defines the term 'screening procedure' to mean the 'method of selection for admission of a child, in preference over another, other than a random method'. Turning a blind eye to the "random method" mentioned in the RTE Act, schools claim that the students are selected either through a lottery system or through the first-come-first-serve basis. But the reality is different. Admission procedure in most private schools in the city got over this week. Sources at various schools confirmed the fact that pseudo-screening procedures were held at almost all the schools to select the students. "On an average, as many as 2,000 people apply for seats ranging from 150 to 250 in every school. Although the RTE mandates that the admissions be done without any prejudice and on first-come-first-serve basis, it becomes difficult for the schools to do so. And then, to cap the pressure, there are always requests for back-door entries," said a source involved in the admission procedure of a city school. A major reason for schools doing so is the parents' ignorance about the RTE Act. In their bid to get their wards admitted to the best school in the city, parents are not only ready to go through these screening procedures but are also willing to pay up. "None of the parents in the city are aware of all the rules and regulations laid under the RTE Act. We had been training our daughter for the interaction session for the school admissions. At one of the schools, she was asked about her hobbies and friends. The school authorities asked us about our respective professions, how many hours we spend at work and if need be, who will teach the kid at home," recalled Gurpreet Kaur, a resident of Bhatti Road. Parents also refrain from raising their voice against the school authorities for obvious reasons. "Schools asking for 'funds' is an open secret. Almost in all the cases, either paying these "funds" or "recommendation" only can ensure admission of your child to a good school in the city. If everyone is complying with the demands of the schools, why would an individual raise his voice?" asked another parent. |
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Bee attacks on the rise in city, 8 injured so far
Bathinda, December 14 According to the volunteers of the NGO Sahara Jan Sewa, who rushed the victims to the Civil Hospital, the bees attacked five persons today near the residence of the deputy commissioner. A PWD clerk was attacked by the bees on Power House Road. A school girl became the victim of a similar attack near the SSP's residence while another man was stung by the bees on Bhagu road day before yesterday. "Bee attacks could be deadly but fortunately, the victims were released after first aid," Goyal said. He said two girls, Tapashi Rai and Pinky Sinha, both 22-year-old, from Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, had come for shopping near the Civil Lines area and were attacked by the bees. Three more youths were attacked near the Civil Lines area and the volunteers were rushed to help the victims. The two others have been identified as 40-year-old Bhupinder Paswan and 21-year-old Mohammad Zamir. A clerk deployed with the PWD, Sudhir Kumar, was on a bike when he was attacked by the bees near the Power House Road. The volunteers of the Sahara Jan Sewa demanded that the authorities, with the help of the Municipal Corporation, should remove the bee hives near the public and commercial areas. Fact file
* As many as eight people, including a school girl, were attacked by the bees in the last three days near Civil Lines, Bhagu Road, Power House Road and near the official residences of the DC and the
SSP. * A progressive beekeeper at Tungwali village, Gurcharan Mann, said people these days trim the trees to get sunshine and the beehives get disturbed. In panic, the bees attack human beings. He said people should stand still to avoid bee stings. Mann offered to extend a helping hand in identifying the hornets and getting them removed from near the public areas. *
People using strong perfume or cologne are more prone to bee attacks. People wearing floral prints with bright colour may also attract bees. |
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Students bring laurels to Malwa College
Bathinda, december 14 Abul Rana, a student of B.P.Ed bagged the gold in the 20k.m. walk event. Another B.P.Ed student Romit bagged the bronze medal in the same event. While Harpreet Singh bagged gold in discus throw, Sharwan Kumar won the bronze in 5,000 m race. Touching the 53.90 meters mark, B.P.Ed student Anita not only won the gold medal in hammer throw but also created a new inter-university record. Amanpreet Kaur bagged the gold medal in the shotput event. The management of Malwa Advanced Education Society, international athlete and president of the district athletic association KPS Brar, principal of the Malwa Physical Education College Darshan Singh Kang and principal of Malwa College RC Sharma felicitated the students.
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Bathinda feels the chill in the air
Bathinda, December 14 Bathinda woke up to a light drizzle on Thursday. By the evening, the drizzle turned into a downpour. The city recorded 6.0 mm of rainfall on Thursday. The minimum temperature recorded on Thursday was 12 degree Celsius and the maximum temperature was 20.2 degree Celsius as per the agri-met department of the PAU regional station, Bathinda. In the absence of sun, the mercury dipped even further on Friday. The minimum temperature recorded on Friday was 12.4 degree Celsius and the maximum temperature was recorded at 17.4 degree Celsius. Attributing the sudden change in weather to Western Disturbance, the wea therman forecasted that similar weather may prevail on Saturday as well. The city may experience a respite from the cold by Sunday when the sun is expected to shine again. While other than stepping out for work, city residents chose to stay indoors for the two days, shops selling woollenwear made hay. As the residents prepared to brave the cold, sales for electric heaters and blowers also registered a rise in the city.
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Special trainers brave the cold
Bathinda, december 14 However, the tents under which the members of the Special Trainer Teachers Union had been protesting for the past more than 45 days, could not withstand the winds and rains on Thursday night and got uprooted. The Union members had to buy new tents and sheets to continue their protest. Jasbir Kaur, who has been on fast-unto-death for past many days was shifted to the Civil Hospital today owing to her deteriorating health condition. On Thursday night too the administration had tried to shift her to the hospital, but the union members did not allow the shift. Today, the Deputy Commissioner KK Yadav said as per the orders of the Director General of School Education (DGSE), the 500 special trainers who had been given the joining letters should report at work. He also assured the union that the rest of the teachers would also be given their appointment letters. After DC’s assurance the union members allowed Jasbir Kaur to be taken to the hospital. The members of the Special Trainer Teachers Union have been demanding the reinstatement of all the 900 ousted teachers. As of now, joining letters have been given to 500 teachers. The Union is demanding that the remaining teachers also be taken back. The Union has been accusing the state government of going back on its promise. |
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Annual day celebrations at Sanawar
Bathinda, december 14 Members of the school management committee, GS Brar, HS Brar and Amarinder Singh, MLA, Gidderbaha, welcomed the guests. Principal Ravinder Kaur read out the annual report of the school. A cultural programme was also presented on the occasion.
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AMOs want regular jobs
Bathinda, december 14 A year ago, the state government advertised for 133 posts of ayurvedic medical officers. For this, the contractual AMOs were not given any added advantage and they had to apply as fresh candidates. The contractual AMOs demanded that they should have been given some credit for already serving people at the PHC level. The 220 contractual AMOs were recruited between 2008 and 2010. These doctors moved the high court demanding that government should first regularise them and then conduct further recruitments. They said as against posts of 517 permanent ayurvedic medical officers in the state, 300 are lying vacant. They demanded that they be adjusted against these posts by being regularised and government should later make new recruitments. Meanwhile, one of the health officials pointed out that the contractual staff could not be adjusted as the permanent staff. “This is because the PHCs are covered by AYUSH department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy systems. Funding and working of these centers falls under the purview of central government wherein state government has little or no role to play,” he said. He added that this was the prime reason behind state government not considering contractual doctors or giving them extra weightage at the time of permanent recruitment. Fact file
* State government advertised for 133 posts of ayurvedic medical officers. For this, the contractual AMOs were not given any added advantage and they had to apply as fresh candidates. *
These doctors moved the high court demanding that government should first regularise them and then conduct further recruitments. *
They said as against posts of 517 permanent ayurvedic medical officers in the state, 300 are lying vacant. They demanded that they be adjusted against these posts by being regularised and government should later make new recruitments. |
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Don’t donate, but share blood: SSP
Bathinda, December 14
Addressing the people at the camp, he urged them not to use the word ‘donate’ at such camps. “We need to change the perception of donation as the blood is given to us by god. It is something which we possess by the grace of god,” Brar said. He added that blood was something which could be shared and distributed but not donated. He urged everybody to share his/her blood to save lives. Volunteers of the NGO said the camp was organised in the memory of their worker Ram Singh who lost his life in a road accident while saving life of an another road accident victim.
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Two days later, cop booked for rash driving
Bathinda, december 14 The accused, Rashpal Singh, a resident of Fatehabad (Haryana), along with co-passenger NRI Jaswinder Singh were in the Tata Safari that took a U-turn near the lake number three of the Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant on the Goniana road. While the NRI was taken to the police station, the driver of the car was later arrested by the police. The NRI was let off and the cop was booked under sections 304, 338 and 427 of the IPC at Thermal Police Station Bikes stolen A motorcycle was stolen from near the Civil Hospital here today. In his complaint to the police, Kulbhushan Goyal, a resident of Bibiwala Road, stated that he had parked his bike, worth nearly `25,000 near the Civil Hospital. He added that the bike was stolen by some unidentified persons. A case under the section 379 of the IPC has been registered at the Kotwali police station. In similar cases, bikes were stolen from near the MSD School. Complainant Gurjant Singh, a resident of Balraj Nagar, said he had gone to see Dussehra and some unidentified person had stolen his bike. He added that he searched for his bike for many days but failed to trace it after which he got a case registered under the section 379 of the IPC at the Civil Line Police Station. Guninder Singh, a resident of Dhillon Colony, said he had parked his motocycle outside the Sports Stadium. He added that some unidentified person stole his bike. A case under the section 379 of the IPC has been registered at the Civil Line Police Station. Car stolen A Tata Indica car, owned by T Suresh, a finance manager working with the Sundram Finance Company was stolen from outside his residence in Model Town, Phase-1. In his complaint to the police, the manager said some unidentified person had stolen the car. A case under the section 379 of the IPC has been registered at the Cantonment poilce station on the complaint by T Suresh.
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Bathinda, December 14
Braving the chill and sudden dip in mercury due to rains, the special trainers of the education department continued their agitation against the state government in the city.
Bathinda, december 14
The MCB has around 392 shops in the city in areas like the fish market located opposite the railway station, Arya Samaj Chowk, Purana Thana, Mall Road, Gandhi Market, behind new bus stand, grain market road, Bhagat Singh market and at other places. People here have taken shops on rent for the last many years. The rent of these shops is hiked by twenty per cent after every three years.
