Bathinda, February 11
After making four districts of the state smoke-free under the Tobacco Control Act, the Punjab Government has now shifted its focus on Bathinda.

Efforts have been initiated to make the district smoke-free by March 31 this year. Earlier, the districts of Ropar, Mansa, Mohali and Amritsar were declared smoke-free, which means it does not have people smoking in public.

A task force has been formed at the Bathinda district level that would ensure implementation of various guidelines under the Tobacco Control Act. The main emphasis would be on enforcing a complete ban on smoking in public places.

A meeting in this connection was held here today. Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Mohammad Tayyab presided over the meeting, which was attended by officials of various government departments.

Talwandi Sabo sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Anil Garg, Rampura Phul SDM Bhupinder Singh, District Transport Officer BM Singh, District Development and Panchayat Officer Rajinder Batra, District Health Officer Dr Raghubir Singh Randhawa, Deputy District Education Officer Dr Amarjit Kaur and others were among those present at the meeting.

Under the Tobacco Control Act, government officials from various departments have been designated and empowered to challan those who smoke in public.

Addressing the officials present, Tayyab said all the government and private schools should be thoroughly checked to ensure that tobacco or its products were not sold within 100-m radius of education institutions. He directed that action must be taken against any vend or shop that flouts the Tobacco Control Act.

The District Transport Officer has been directed to ensure that slogans motivating people to shun tobacco and its products are displayed in all buses and that the tobacco products are not sold at public places.

He directed that the smoking be completely banned in public places such as railway stations, bus stands, malls, markets etc.

Government officials were told to submit details of the challans issued by them as it would be helpful in compiling data in this regard.

Bathinda, February 11
Under the Tobacco Control Act, government officials, other than those from the health department, hesitate in challaning people for smoking in public places.

While the Act empowers all gazetted officers of different government departments to challan the offenders, it is only the health department officials that have taken a lead.

During meetings held by the district administration, the officials have admitted that they avoid challaning offenders as they are not "well-equipped". They even demanded that they be given police help to undertake such a task.

"One of the SP-level officers confided that when in civil dress, he did not dare to challan a man who was smoking openly. One never knows how the offender would act and can even end up insulting the officer. No one wants to draw ire unnecessarily in the times when people are over-aware of their rights than duties," added one of the health officials.

Nodal officer Dr RS Randhawa said all officials have to pitch in so as to meet the target of declaring the district as smoke-free by March 31. "The need is to sensitise all the officers, which is being done," he said.

The cumulative figure of challans issued in January this year is unavailable. Apart from officials of the health department, others who could issue challans include the Chief Agriculture Officer CAO), Bathinda, GNDTP authorities and Rampura Phul SDM.

"With officials of other departments not performing their job, the responsibility and burden on us increase. If other officials start challaning offenders, we can concentrate on the other tasks," said one of the health officials.

In 2012, a total of 642 challans were issued and Rs 60,110 were collected as fine from those smoking in public places.

The months to register the highest number of challans were those when the health department was not caught up in some epidemic or survey work. The maximum number of challans (156) was issued in November followed by August (115).

Apart from issuing challans, emphasis is also being laid on discouraging people from smoking in public. Signages and boards have been installed at various places, including the District Administrative Complex, the judicial complex, educational institutes, health institutes and other places.

Bathinda, February 11
The future of around 700 candidates, who had cleared the exams of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) in July last year, is at stake.

A group of the selected candidates claimed that they were suffering due to delay on behalf of the PSPCL in handing over two investigative reports before the court.

After the exam was held in July last year, some of the candidates moved the court alleging that unfair means were used.

In the meantime, the PSPCL declared the result for the different posts and the recruitment process was continued.

The internal vigilance department of the PSPCL as well as the cyber crime cell of Punjab Police at Mohali conducted the inquiries.

The candidates alleged that the PSPCL did not submit the inquiry report in court during the last hearing held on February 8.

The court has now directed the PSPCL to appear with documents in the next hearing scheduled for February 19.

The candidates said that due to the unclear recruitment procedure, they have been left jobless.

"The PSPCL had called us for verification for which we had to withdraw our documents submitted with the present employers. Many of us lost our current jobs in the process," said one of the candidates who cleared the exam.

Bathinda, February 11
Three persons, including two lecturers, were killed in a head-on collision between a car and gas tanker near Jeeda village on the Goniana-Bajakhana road today.

The eye-witnesses and the police said the mishap took place due to fog.

The car, Chevrolet Tavera, was ferrying 10 teachers of Bathinda city and Goniana Mandi to government schools at Bhodipura near Bhagta Bhaika and Akalia Jalal villages. It rammed into the gas tanker, which was coming towards the city.

The mishap proved fatal for lecturers Tejinder Singh (42) of Namdev Nagar, Bathinda, and Parampal Kaur (40) of Jalal village, and the car driver, Jagroop Singh Roop (25) of Kotbhara village.

Those who sustained injuries were identified as Usha Bhandari of Goniana, Ritu of Goniana, Jaswinder Singh of Bhagu and Amarjeet Singh of Bathinda.

Volunteers of the Goniana Welfare Society, an NGO, helped in shifting the injured teachers to the Civil Hospital in Goniana. Usha and Jaswinder, who had received serious injuries, were later referred to the Civil Hospital, Bathinda.

The bodies were shifted to the Civil Hospital in Bathinda for conducting post-mortem examination.

Nehianwala SHO Gurpreet Singh said the tanker driver, Harcharan Singh alias Bindu, a resident of Makbulpura (Amritsar), fled from the scene and would be booked under various sections of the IPC at the Nehianwala police station.

The volunteers of the NGO and the area residents said a large number of accidents have taken place on the road. "I have witnessed more than 50 minor and major accidents during the past three or four years wherein at least 20 people have lost their lives," said Sandeep Kumar, a resident of Goniana Mandi.

Bathinda, February 11
The counsel for the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief today said they would move the High Court against the February 8 orders of the additional sessions judge DS Johal in which it was ordered that the Dera head appear before the court.

The legal experts said that the Dera head has two options-- either to move the High Court against the February 8 decision or appear before the court. The Dera head may also get an exemption from personal appearance.

Counsel for the Dera head SK Garg said they would move the High Court against the decision. "If we fail to get respite from the High Court, then Guruji (Dera head) will appear before the court, as we have to abide by the court's decision," he said.

So far, there have been nearly 25 hearings in total during the last five and half years in the case. Legal experts said the case may linger further.

A case was registered at the Kotwali police station in connection with hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community in 2007 by wearing attire similar to that of tenth Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh by the Dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. The incident had at that time inflamed passions and triggered social tension.

The Sikh religious leaders have already imposed faith in the judicial system for bringing the case to its logical conclusions.

Counsel for the Sikh religious leaders, JR Khattar said the incident dates back to May 11, 2007 when Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh wore attire similar to that of the tenth Guru at Salabatpura dera in Bathinda.

A case was registered under sections 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or beliefs) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Later, during the investigations, a case under sections 298 and 153-A of the IPC were added to the first information report (FIR).

While the Sikh religious leaders accused the Dera head of hurting the sentiments of the Sikhs, the counsel for the Dera head said he had not done anything wrong.

The counsel for the Dera head, Bathinda-based Kewal Brar, said the case has been lying dormant for over four years as the police failed to produce challan in the court.

"After the police submitted an affidavit for the cancellation of the FIR and the subsequent second appeal by Sikh leaders, the court again summoned us," Brar added.

"Today, we got the copy of the February 8 order in which the court of the additional sessions judge in bathinda BS Johal dismissed the revision petition filed by us. Now, we may move the High Court or appear before the court," Brar said.

The case has been lying dormant as the police failed to produce challan in the court. After the police submitted an affidavit for the cancellation of the FIR and the subsequent second appeal by Sikh leaders, the court again summoned us. Today, we got the copy of the February 8 order in which the court of the additional sessions judge BS Johal dismissed the revision petition filed by us. Now, we may move the HC or appear before the court.
—Kewal Brar, Counsel for Dera head

Bathinda, February 11
The University College of Agriculture of the Guru Kashi University (GKU) organized a seminar on biotech outreach. Salinder Singh Gill, regional co-ordinator, Mahyco Monsanto India Ltd., was the keynote speaker at the seminar.

At the seminar, experts informed the students about the role of biotechnology in meeting the challenges of the growing population and how farmers can increase productivity by using the safest methods.

Experts said that the BT variety of crops can not only meet the requirement of food and fibre but will also solve the environmental issues. This will reduce the use of insecticides which will keep the food safe for humanity, they said. The students were also told about the career opportunities in this sector.

Vice-chancellor of Guru Kashi University SK Ahluwalia asked the students to concentrate on biotech industry so that they can benefit with the expansion of the industry.

Dr DR Godara, dean, agriculture, assured that the university will organize an industrial visit for the students soon with the help of Monsanto to make the students familiar with the industry.

Bathinda, February 11
A brawl broke out in the district court complex today after one of the accused in a case of murder donned dark sunglasses while appearing in the court.

The other party objected to the use of sunglasses and complained following which the inmates and the witnesses in the case entered into a clash with each other.

Later, the police said the accused revealed that he has an eye infection that forced him to wear goggles.

Heavy police force arrived on the spot and dispersed those who entered into a brawl. Kotwali SHO Jaspal Singh, who reached the court complex with police force, said both the parties were pacified.

"The two groups, the complainant and the accused, arrived in the court today in connection with a murder case that took place near Mehna Chowk gunhouse in which a Bathinda resident Simran Maur was shot dead," the SHO said.