Bathinda, February 5
Given environmental clearance four months ago, the garbage collected from the city lies heaped unscientifically at the dumping site on Mansa road. While giving clearance, the State-level Environment Assessment Authority (SEIAA) Punjab, had laid down certain rules that have to be complied with. Even the Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed that interim measures be taken to manage garbage at the site, lest it should cause pollution.

The Municipal Corporation Bathinda (MCB) was directed to ensure that the entire area is fenced and a boundary wall is constructed, plantation is carried out in the area by developing a 15m-wide green belt, garbage be piled up systematically, ground is leveled, soil is spread over the heaps to avoid the stench from emanating into air and a wall is constructed separating the water body, Bathinda distributary taking off from Sirhind Canal, from the garbage heap so that it does not pollute water which is used for drinking purposes.

However, despite the orders, not even a single order has been complied with till date. A visit to the place reveals that garbage has been left to rot in the open as was being done for the past 30 years. "Giving clearance meant that the MCB or the private company hired to run the project should have taken at least interim measures showing their commitment towards the environment. With not even a single measure taken, people around are forced to live with the rot," said former municipal councilor, Sukhdev Singh Gill, a resident of Bhai Mati Dass Nagar.

The residents have also appealed against the project in National Green Tribunal (NGT), the hearing for which is scheduled for February 16. The MCB, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and local bodies' officials have been summoned to appear before the tribunal with records.

Sources said PPCB, which is supposed to monitor the pollution level at the site, has sent letters to the MCB asking it to take interim measures and ensure that the SEIAA guidelines are followed. As per the rules, the MCB will also have to take No Objection Certificate (NOC) from PPCB under Air Act and Water Act.

However, PPCB member secretary, Babu Ram, said the PPCB has no role in dealing with the site as it's the MCB, which is supposed to get the work done. "As per our knowledge, some time-frame has been chalked out to begin the construction," Babu Ram added.

Meanwhile, municipal commissioner Uma Shankar Gupta agreed that work had got delayed, but put the onus on the JITF Urban Infrastructure Limited for the delay. "A meeting with JITF officials has been convened wherein they have submitted the plan to start leveling and plantation work. The work would start in the first week of March," he said.

JITF official Sunil Singh said the earlier permission was received for compost plant only. "Later, a power plant was added to the project, which too would be cleared soon. As soon as the power plant is cleared, the construction would begin. Before that, we would be undertaking leveling and plantation work, which got delayed due to rains," he said.

Bathinda, February 5
The Director General of School Education (DGSE) has served show-cause notices to as many as 148 teachers from government schools across the state for remaining absent from duty for a long period of time. Of these 148 teachers, six belong to Bathinda district.

The list includes 48 teachers from Ludhiana district, 12 from Gurdaspur, 11 each from Amritsar and Moga, nine from Hoshiarpur, seven from Patiala, six each from Bathinda and Faridkot, five from Muktsar Saheb, four each from Ferozepur, Fazilka and Jalandhar, three each from Mansa, Ajitgarh and Roopnagar, two each from Barnala, Fatehgarh Saheb, Pathankot, SBS Nagar and Kapurthala and one teacher each from Sangrur and Tarn Taran.

The teachers from Bathinda district who have been sent the notice include Simarjit Kaur from Ghuman Kalan (absent since August 2006), Sarabjit Kaur from Sangat (absent since February 2008), Neelam Rani from Gill Kalan (absent since September 2008), Rituraj Kaur from Jodhpur Pakhar (absent since October 2009), Ripudaman Kaur from Sekhu (absent since February 2010) and Gurwinder Singh from Chak Ram Singh Wala (absent since February 2010)

Some of these teachers have been absent from duty for more than a year. Taking cognizance of the fact that the long absence of teachers from their duties has been costing the students of their school dear, the DGSE has served notices to the 148 'absentee' teachers.

In the notice, the teachers have been asked to tell the authority why action should not be taken against them for being absent from duty for an unauthorised period of time. The 'absentee' teachers have been given a period of 30 days to send their clarifications to the DGSE. In cases where the teachers fail to send their replies to the DGSE within the stipulated time period, it would be assumed that they have nothing to say and action will be taken against them.

It is significant to note here that in March last year, the Education Minister of Punjab, Sikander Singh Maluka had said that no teacher would be given ex-India leave beyond three months for visiting a foreign country. He had added that in case any teacher wanted to go on ex-India leave for years together, then he would have to resign from service as the state could not afford such long leaves at the cost of the study of the students.

Bathinda, February 5
The three Closed-Circuit Televisions (CCTVs) installed at the entrance, corridor and auditorium of the Government Rajindra College in the city have not been working properly for at least more than a month. Speaking to Bathinda Tribune, principal of the college, Vijay Goyal, agreed that the cameras hadn’t been working properly.

He also added that the college management is planning to install at least four more cameras to bring large part of the college campus under e-surveillance.

"The presently-installed CCTVs are working but the images transmitted by them are blurred. This may have been caused by parts of wiring being uncovered, the wiring being too long away from the cameras or some other reason. We have called experts to look into the fault," said Prof GS Brar.

"The cameras were installed more than two years back and we will look for the records to find out from whom the cameras had been bought and we will ask them to come and mend the fault," he added.

He also said the college management is planning to buy one more unit, comprising four cameras, of CCTVs to increase the surveillance in the campus. Earlier during a meeting, the college management had passed a budget of Rs 40,000 to buy new cameras but the budget may be increased during the next meeting. Right now, the management is planning to install cameras at two canteens, the rear portion of the library and the corridors.

Talking about the need to install more cameras, Brar said, "CCTVs will help the college authorities identify the outsiders or college students who create a nuisance on the premises of the college. We've noticed that students shy away from testifying or identifying those who indulge in fights. CCTVs will not only help the management catch hold of the culprits but also reduce such instances."

"Knowing that they are under constant surveillance, the students will also maintain decorum in the college. And most importantly, CCTVs will ensure safety of the students," he added.

Bathinda, February 5
The deadline for registration and licensing under Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) has been extended by another six months. In the order issued on January 29, the director (enforcement), Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), has mentioned that the deadline has been extended by six months or till further orders, whichever is earlier.

With the extension, the food business operators as well as the health department officials have heaved a sigh of relief. This is the second time an extension has been granted under the Act. Earlier, the FSSAI had extended the date for applying for licences and registration numbers to February 4, 2013.

Food Safety Commissioner for Punjab and managing director of the Punjab Health System Corporation (PHSC), Hussan Lal, said no official confirmation had been received from the FSSAI.

"Though we are yet to get an official communication, the website of FSSAI mentions orders of the director. As soon we get the written communiqué, all the health department officials would be duly notified," he said.

In Bathinda district, only 450 licences have been issued and around 4,000 food business operators have got themselves registered so far. The health department has held numerous meetings and campaigns to call upon the businessmen for getting themselves enrolled and avoid the last minute rush.

At a few places, like Rampura Phul and nearby areas, camps were organized to enable businessmen to get work done at a fast pace. However, with the extension, the food business operators might again go into hibernation, as has been witnessed before.

"In last week of July 2012, as the deadline neared, there were long queues outside the office, which trickled down to just a handful of people as soon as the deadline was extended," said the district health officer, Dr Raghubir Singh Randhawa.

Bathinda, February 5
The state has registered 18 deaths due to swine flu and 96 confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus so far. The Malwa region has reported the maximum number of swine flu cases. State Surveillance Officer for Integrated Disease Surveillance Project and State Nodal Officer for H1N1 (swine flu) Dr Deepak Bhatia said this while speaking at a continuing medical education (CME) programme held at the Adesh University today.

Addressing a gathering of 1300 students and staff members, he said there was reason to panic as the state has an adequate stock of Tamiflu medicine, which is used for the treatment of swine flu.

Dr Bhatia laid emphasis on prevention to keep the disease away. The swine flu virus is transmitted through the nuclei of droplets and by touching the inanimate objects soiled by the affected patients.

Hence, one must maintain cough etiquettes by using a handkerchief while coughing and sneezing. In case this is not available, the shirt sleeve or "chunni" can be used. Frequent washing of hand with soap for a minimum of 20 seconds is an essential pre-requisite of this preventive strategy.

Civil Surgeon Dr Ajay Sahni, who was present on the occasion, said the civil health authorities were geared up to tackle the problem.

Physician at Adesh Hospital, Dr JS Bahia, has been involved in imparting health education on swine flu to the students and the staff under medical superintendent Dr Avtar Singh Bansal.

Principal, Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Dr Harkiran Kaur informed that the outbreak of diseases has been reported earlier also.

The outbreak of plague used to wipe out the population in the areas. When it was controlled, diseases like syphilis and gonorrhea spread, which were dreaded.

In the recent past, HIV/AIDS lead to large-scale mortality and now swine flu is causing fear. She thanked Dr Deepak Bhatia for delivering a comprehensive talk and the Civil Surgeon Dr Ajay Sahni for gracing the occasion.

Bathinda, February 5
The student body, AART, of the architecture department of the Punjab Technical University Giani Zail Singh (PTUGZS) Campus, Bathinda, observed the World Wetland Day today. The event was marked by the efforts made by the students to create awareness about the importance of wetlands and their conservation. The students gave miniature potted plants to the guests as a souvenir.

Campus director Dr Jasbir Singh Hundal, chief guest and guest of honour Ranjit Kaur, head of the architecture department, released the special edition of the newsletter, which was published by the department's editorial committee 'INK'.

The chief guest on the occasion was Najar Singh, XEN, Punjab Pollution Control Board, Bathinda. Dr Hundal appreciated the efforts made by students in organising the programme as a mark of growing concern towards sensitive issues like conservation of wetlands.

Various events were organised at the inter-branch and inter-house levels. While Kudrat Dumra won the photography contest, Paras won in the poster-making competition, Kshitij and Gaurav won the collage-making competition, Rustam and Aviral grabbed the top slot in technical paper presentation, Smriti and her team won the quiz contest.

A talk on 'Wetlands and their conservation' was delivered by the noted scholar, Dr Onkar Singh from the Punjabi University, Patiala.

Bathinda, February 5
A chicken soup vendor today committed suicide by hanging himself in his house in Chandsar Basti. The deceased has been identified as 55-year-old Parminder Singh who used to park his vend near the Gol Diggi petrol pump.

As per the police, Parminder was suffering from various diseases including diabetes, gastroenteritis and jaundice.

Civil Lines SHO U Cee Chawla said Parminder hailed from Jagraon near Ludhiana and had been residing in Chandsar Basti with his wife and children.

The SHO added that the exact reason behind the suicide could not be ascertained. The locals however, spoke about Parminder being upset over his ailment. They added that the family members used to nag him over habit of consuming liquor. Some also claimed that he was burdened with debt.

Police said post-mortem would be conducted tomorrow and efforts would be made to ascertain the exact reasons behind the suicide.

Bathinda, February 5
Senior Superintendent of Police, Bathinda, Ravcharan Singh Brar, today convened a meeting with some local NGOs at the Kotwali police station to discuss modalities to curb the rising drug menace in the city.

The in-charge of Community Policing Resource Centre (CPRC) Ashok Kumar urged the NGO volunteers to provide them tip-off about any anti-social activities they come across in any of the localities of the city.

The SSP said police would extend all help to the NGOs and other organisations working towards curtailing the problem of drug addiction in the area.