Bathinda, April 15
In a relief to residents, the Department of Local Bodies, Punjab, has extended the last date for depositing pending bills of sewerage and water and house tax till May 31. The residents can now deposit the bills without paying any interest on the principle amount.

“The government has decided to waive off the interest that was applicable on the pending bills after March 31,” said Municipal Commissioner Uma Shankar Gupta.

Gupta said “The Municipal Corporation of Bathinda (MCB) is yet to recover more than Rs 11 crore from the residents. People can now pay their bills without worrying about any interest or penalty for getting late. Action will be taken against those who do not clear their dues even after May 31.

Apart from the water and sewer bills, the government has also extended date of paying house tax till May 31. An amount of Rs 3 crore as house tax lies pending in the masses.

Though waiving off interest rate may decrease the collection of the local body, the MCB sees the move through another prism. “Extending date has at least ensured that more number of people will clear their dues. We are at least saved from suffering losses that would have been incurred due to no recovery. Now, at least the recovery of the pending bills would be sped up,” said one of the MCB officials.

In terms of earning more revenue, the MCB has been eyeing recovery of the water and sewerage bills all over the city. The MC had even constituted special teams that visited door-to-door in commercial as well as residential areas and collected the pending bills.

The MCB has also organised regular camps in different localities and appealed to the municipal councillors in helping them in the collection of the pending bills. Surveys were also conducted in the city to find the number of defaulters.

There are around 15,000 legal connections in the city from which the corporation was collecting around Rs 2.5 crore to Rs 3 crore per month. However, people did not turn up voluntarily to pay the bills and hence the department had adopted several methods of recovery. Also, the collected money as bills and house tax is not enough to meet with the expenses of the corporation.

Not only the individuals, albeit government institutions, also have not cleared the outstanding bills. Till March 7, Government Polytechnic College owed Rs 11,41,280 as water and sewer bills to the MC, while Government Rajindra College owed Rs 48,800 as the bills.

The Municipal Corporation of Bathinda is yet to recover more than Rs 11 crore from the residents. Action will be taken against those who do not clear their dues even after May 31
— Uma Shankar Gupta, Municipal Commissioner

Bathinda, April 15
Residents of Bathinda today welcomed the Rs 1 per litre cut (excluding VAT) in the petrol price by petroleum major Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). A section of commuters getting their petrol tanks refilled at petrol pumps says though the cut is too small, still for a change they are happy listening about a slash instead of a hike this time.

"Earlier, we always listened about a hike in the petrol or diesel prices but this time the cut is good. Such moves are always welcomed by the people and especially those having two-wheelers and four-wheelers running on petrol," said Amarveer Singh Sidhu, a resident of Abohar.

Krishan Kumar, a shopkeeper from Ajit Road, said the reduction in petrol price by Re 1 per litre (excluding VAT) would go a long way affecting the economy. People would get some respite from the ever rising price of all essential commodities.

Joginder Singh, owner of a car driving school, said he had been using LPG to teach driving to his students due to the increased prices of the petrol. "Though an amount of one rupee hardly encourage someone to change an opinion, it would surely affect the mindset of the people," Joginder said. He added that earlier shopkeepers and fruit or vegetable sellers used to increase the price of their produce on account of rising oil prices but now they may change their stand due to a decline in the petrol price.

Bathinda, April 15
Bali Boy India, a company entrusted with the task of de-silting sewerage in the city, has been served a show-cause notice in the death case of a man, who died while working in a manhole opposite Government Rajindra College on Saturday.

Mayor Baljit Singh Birbehman said the owner of company Satish Bali had appeared before the Corporation today. “He has been served a show-cause notice and directed to file a reply in next three days. We have mainly laid emphasis on the cause of the accident that led to the worker’s death, while the company claims to have used all the safety measures,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Municipal Corporation has stalled work on the de-silting project till the company files a satisfactory answer. If the MCB officials do not find the answer satisfactory, the contractor can be directed to stop the work and tenders may be recalled or given to the second lowest bidder.

A MCB official, on the condition of anonymity, said the MCB had been following the guidelines of the government to provide work to the lowest bidder. The total cost of project was around Rs 4.44 crore, it had been given to Bali Boy India at around Rs 3 crore as it was the lowest bidder.

Time and again, the issues of high difference between bidder’s amount and project estimated amount have been raised. Municipal councillors have repeatedly pointed out that either the estimates of the government are too high, or the work done by the lowest bidder is substandard.

Earlier, the MCB had outsourced work of de-silting sewers on the GT Road opposite the Namdev Road and as that on Thandi Sarak to a company. The firm used super-sucker machines and state-of-the-art technology to de-silt the sewers. To ensure that the work has been properly done, it showed the inner views of the clean pipes using CCTV cameras to the MCB officials. However, the same firm could not be given the work this time as it was to be awarded to the lowest bidder.

Deputy Commissioner Kamal Kishore Yadav has also sought a report of the incident from the Municipal Commissioner. Yadav said he had sought reasons for the mishap and the lapses. “We will take further action only after getting the report from the Commissioner,” he said.

Meanwhile, the sewer de-silting project tender document states that the contractors are supposed to be present near the work place where there are risks of drowning, all necessary equipment shall be provided to workers and kept ready for use, all necessary steps shall be taken for prompt rescue of any person in danger and proper provisions shall be made for prompt first aid treatment of all injuries, which are likely to be sustained during the course of the work.

However, in the case of the accident, the rescue help arrived only after the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was informed. The contractor violated the law by not having any arrangements made for the prompt treatment.

It has also been mentioned that not less than two people should be allowed to work inside the manhole at a time whereas the victim, Rupesh Kumar Mandal, was the only one in the manhole when the mishap occurred.

The workers entering the manhole were to be provided with a wadder suit, hand gloves protective head gears and head lamp. However, Rupesh did not have even a shred of a wadder suit on his body.

The Commissioner said the issue was being investigated.

Bathinda, April 15
Students of Government Sports School, Ghudda, have more than one reason to cheer. Starting this academic session, they will be exposed to smart classes. Secondly, the school has also been officially handed over the synthetic hockey ground and a synthetic track for field events.

Most of the schools in Bathinda have been using smart classes since the last academic session, the principal of Government Sports School said it was never too late to start. School principal Gurdeep Singh said, “The equipment for the smart classes had been installed some time ago. Now, we are training the teachers for using the modules. We are hopeful that the smart classes will begin by the next week.”

Earlier, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had directed the Director General of School Education (DGSE) to issue funds to the tune of Rs 45 lakh to the sports school at a meeting held in Badal village to review development projects.

Another good news in the offing for the students is that the synthetic hockey ground has been handed over to the school. “Construction of the ground and laying of the synthetic turf had begun 18 months ago. Now, it has been handed over to the school. This will be helpful in honing hockey skills of the students,” said the principal.

“Apart from the hockey ground, construction of a synthetic track has also been completed. The indoor gymnasium is also ready. Now, the students can be trained in wrestling, boxing and weightlifting at the indoor stadium. The structure also has a multi-purpose gym for them,” he said.

Notably, the school, which had started functioning out of a makeshift campus at the then Giani Zail Singh College in Bathinda, has got the hockey ground, track and gymnasium at the beginning of its third academic session.

The principal said the school management had sent a request to the government to release funds for diet, salary, academic and other works. “We are expecting that we will receive the funds soon,” he said.

Every year, the school management organises sports trials across the state to select 45 students for admission to Class VI. Beside academics, the students are trained in wrestling, boxing, weightlifting, hockey, volleyball, and many other track and field events. The school provides uniforms, medical assistance, sporting kits, diet and many other facilities to the selected entrants free-of-cost.

Bathinda, April 15
An assistant sub-inspector reportedly posted with the counter intelligence wing at Barnala, a Home Guard jawan and an opium smuggler were arrested by the Balianwali police for carrying 1.2 kg opium in a Hyundai Verna car. The trio was arrested during a police naka laid near a water channel on the Mandi Kalan-Khokhar road.

Station House Officer (SHO), Balianwali, Mahinderjit said the accused were arrested on the basis of information received about the transportation of contraband. He said the opium kept in the car emitted a foul smell. After preliminary investigations and ascertaining the identity of the accused, the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Maur Mandi, was called on the spot to verify the facts. The accused have been identified as ASI Manjit of Uggoke village, presently posted in Barnala, head constable Tar Singh and Kuldeep Singh of Dyalpura village, the alleged opium smuggler. A case under sections 18, 61, 85 of the NDPS Act has been registered against the accused at Balianwali police station.

SHO Mahinderjit Singh said the accused ASI is posted with the Punjab Armed Police (PAP), Jalandhar, but it is yet to be verified whether he is a serving police official or has got fake identity card. A senior police official, pleading anonymity, however, confirmed that the ASI is posted with the counter intelligence wing at Barnala. The accused were produced in the court today and sent to one-day police remand.

All the senior police officials of the district including SHO Balianwali Mahinderjit Singh, SP (D) Amarjit Singh and Senior Superintendent of Police Ravcharan Brar remained tightlipped over the identity of the accused ASI. The police officials refused to share details about the accused on the pretext that the matter was under investigation.

Bathinda, April 15
With the onset of the harvesting season, the flow of poppy husk in the district has increased manifold in view of the demand for the drug among the labourers working in the agricultural fields.

Though the police managed to seize a huge quantity of poppy husk during the last few days, sources said the seizure is just the tip of the iceberg as labourers still manage to arrange for the drug using various means.

Though the police authorities claim to have geared up to check the inflow of poppy husk, opium and other narcotics into the border state of Punjab during the harvesting season, the smugglers too seem to be a step ahead in smuggling the same using various tactics.

While the police had arrested a mother-son duo near Mehraj village with 136 kg of poppy husk, the cops managed to arrest three persons with 1.2 kg of opium near Mandi Kalan village.

The mother-son duo were arrested selling the drugs red-handed, while the accused arrested today with opium was found ferrying it in a Verna car. Police has seized the car and nabbed the accused.

Police sources said there has been an increase in the number of arrests as well as seizure during the last few days.

"The quantity of narcotics seized during April and May usually increases every year due to the harvesting season," said a senior police official.

"Gone are the days when farmers along with labourers used to do hard work by consuming healthy diet. Harvesting is now being done by consuming banned drugs like poppy husk, opium and other forms of drugs," said Karam Singh, a farmer who has grown wheat on seven acres of land.

Bhupinder Brar, a resident of nearby Matta village, denied arranging poppy husk for the labourers harvesting wheat in his fields. "Now, they arrange for poppy husk on their own and carry out the work without any disturbance," Brar said. He added that the labourers usually arrange for the daily dose of the drugs and the price of poppy husk increases because the consumption increases during the season. Sources said to avoid arrests, the smugglers have formed a chain across the inter-state border of Haryana and Rajasthan to bring small quantities of poppy husk instead of bringing it in bulk.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ravcharan Brar said though the police remains on high alert to check the flow of contraband into the district, extra precautions have been taken during these two months. "The lower rung staff, SHOs, DSPs and others have been told to pull up their socks to nail the culprits without any delay," the SSP added.

Bathinda, April 15
A Mahindra pick-up van was looted by three unidentified persons from near Jeet Palace on the Barnala road.

In a complaint to the police, Sunny Joian, a resident of Sriganganagar in Rajasthan, said he was on way to Rajpura and was intercepted by three unidentified persons on Barnala road on Baisakhi night.

The complainant said the accused threatened him with dire consequences and took away the jeep after snatching the keys.

They also threw him out of the vehicle. The matter was brought to the notice of the police and a case under sections 382 and 34 of the IPC was registered in this connection at Thermal police station.

Car stolen

A car, worth nearly Rs 25,000, was stolen from outside Chetak canteen by some unidentified persons. The complainant, Kulveer Singh of Power House Road, said he had parked his car outside the canteen and when he returned, he found the car missing in the parking lot.

A case under section 379 of the IPC has been registered against unidentified persons at Cantonment police station.

Bathinda, April 15
"The way Indian singers go abroad and perform, Pakistani singers should face no opposition in India. Music has no boundaries. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has sung a song in my film, Mirza, and I want him to sing more for my films," said singer-turned actor Gippy Garewal.

Gippy was in the city today to promote his upcoming film, 'Lucky Di Unlucky Story'. The film has been made by the team behind 'Carry on Jatta'. The film also has Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff playing a don.

"We had to really convince him to take up the role. Only after we showed him the Punjabi films which have been super hits in the recent past, did he agree to do a Punjabi film," said Gippy. He himself was in talks with some "big production houses" in Bollywood. "I may announce something soon," Garewal said.

Talking about the popularity of Punjabi films in Bollywood, he said, "Many Bollywood actresses have started acting in Punjabi films. It is not because they don't get work in Bollywood but because Punjabi cinema has grown out of the tag of regional cinema."

Gippy Garewal's next film, 'Paaji in Problem' has been produced by Akshay Kumar and the actor is also doing a cameo in it. Apart from Akshay, cricketer Harbhajan Singh has also done a cameo in the film. The lead actress in the film is Ragini Khanna, a popular name in TV industry.

"We had offered Ragini films in the past as well but she had declined the offers saying she didn't want to do regional films. After the success of 'Jeena Mera Dil Luteya', 'Jatt and Juliet', 'Carry on Jatta' and 'Singh vs Kaur', she realised that Punjabi cinema is not confined to Punjab alone," he added.

Gippy, who has acted with Neeru Bajwa, Surveen Chawla and now Ragini Khanna, thinks actresses who have worked in television earlier are very professional. "It is a natural progression for them to move from television to films. The TV actresses are very professional since they have the habit of working according to a schedule and they are hard-working as well."

The singer also added that cinema thrives on formula films. "I went to many producers but no one agreed to produce 'Carry on Jatta'. They wanted me to add action to it. Finally, I had to produce the film myself. After the success of the film, everyone started making comedy films and now no one wants to make action films," he said. 

Bathinda, April 15
Police today arrested a 23-year-old man for allegedly raping a six-year-old girl near the railway lines adjoining the Bathinda railway station. The accused has been identified as Bachhi, a native of Purulia, Bihar.

The incident took place on April 5 and a case in this connection was registered at the Canal Colony police station. The minor girl, the daughter of a balloon seller, was picked up by the accused while her father was asleep in the hutment adjoining the railway lines after midnight.

The child's mother had died over two years ago. The girl's father, Sarwan, said he was informed about the incident at around 3 am by some passersby who found the girl crying in a secluded place away from the hutments. SP (D) Amarjit Singh said the accused would be produced before a magistrate tomorrow. 

Bathinda, April 15
Police has registered a case against four persons on the basis of a complaint lodged by a resident of Virk Kalan village.

The complainant, Roshan Singh, said he was beaten up by four persons, namely, Gurdeep Singh, Gurmeet Singh, Bahadur Singh and Dharminder Singh, all residents of Virk Kalan village. The complainant said the accused Gurmeet Singh suspected him of eyeing his wife and attacked him with the help of three other accomplices. Police said a case under sections 341, 323, 506, 148 and 149 of the IPC has been registered against the accused at the Sadar police station.

One arrested for stealing money in Bhucho Khurd

Police has arrested a resident of Bhucho Mandi for stealing Rs 1,730 from a gurdwara in Bhucho Khurd. The accused Rakesh Kumar has been arrested by the police and a case under section 380 of the IPC has been registered against him at the Nathana police station.

One injured in accident

An unidentified government vehicle hit an elderly man near Ghumman Kalan village, seriously injuring him. In a complaint to the police, Paramjit Singh, a resident of Mansa, said the unidentified vehicle, on which 'On Government Duty' was written, hit his father. Maur police has registered a case under sections 279, 337 and 336 of the IPC on the basis of the complaint filed by the injured man's son, Paramjit Singh.

Educational trip to GNDTP

Students of the electrical engineering of Guru Kashi University (GKU), talwandi Sabo, visited the Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant (GNDTP) in Bathinda.

Engineer Ravinderpal Singh explained to the students the details about the thermal power plant. Assistant professor Amninder Singh coordinated the trip for the students.

Bathinda, April 15
The All India State Bank of Patiala Employees Federation celebrated the 68th Foundation Day of the All India Bank Employees Association at the State Bank of Patiala branch here today.

To celebrate the day, a blood donation camp was organised on the premises of the bank. More than 60 bank employees donated blood at the camp.

Inaugurating the camp, deputy general manager of the zonal office, Bathinda, SP Shrimali and the general secretary of the federation, SK Gautam, said they were happy that the bank employees were dedicated towards helping society.

He added that this year, all the zonal offices were organising such blood donation camps. These offices are at Amritsar, Patiala, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Mumbai, Delhi, Muradabad, Chennai and Lucknow. Also present on the occasion were assistant manager AK Kamra, Lachhman Singh, PC Singla, Naresh Gaur, Yadwinder Gupta, Narendra Bansal, Sukhdeep Bhardwaj, Rakesh Jain, DK Dhawan, PS Pannu, among others. 

Bathinda, April 15
Punjabi University Campus, Maur, organised a guest lecture on 'Corporate social responsibility (CSR) today. The lecture was delivered by Dr Ranjit Singh Ghuman, professor, Nehru SAIL chair and head, Panchayati Raj Institutions Unit, Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development, Chandigarh.

Dr Ghuman discussed the relevance, benefits and challenges for CSR. He said CSR was moving from the fringes to the mainstream of corporate consciousness. He said the Lok Sabha had passed the Indian Companies Bill (2011), which stated that every company having a net profit of Rs 5 crore or more during any financial year shall constitute a CSR committee.

He discussed the evolution of CSR in India and said as many as 82 corporations are participating in it. He highlighted various CSR activities like eradication of poverty, promotion of health and education, women empowerment, etc, with special reference to Steel Authority of India Ltd which spent Rs 80 crore per annum on CSR activities during 2009-12.

Prof DK Madaan, principal of the campus, said that the responsibility of the companies towards stakeholders and society was more important today than ever before.

He said Dr Ghuman's study on students belonging to rural areas in the universities of Punjab revealed that their share was a mere four per cent.

The study encouraged Punjabi University, Patiala, to open 11 regional and neighborhood campuses in the rural areas of Malwa.