R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Sangrur
Standing crop gutted in Sangrur: Standing wheat crop on more than 100 acres was gutted in various villages of the district either due to short-circuiting or sparking in high-tension wires above the fields. While crop on 40 acres was gutted in Balwarr Kalan, Balwarr Khurd and Gharachon villages, the rest was lost to fire in Ghanauri, Model Town and Dhuri areas. Station Fire Officer Karam Singh said though they saved the crop in a few villages, they could not send fire tenders to Bakhopeer (Bhawanigarh), Mander Kalan (Longowal) and Naga Kherri (Dirba) villages.

Mistaken poisoning claims student’s life: A Class XII student, Ravi Kumar (17), of Sular Gharat village near Dirba died after allegedly consuming a poisonous substance by mistake on Sunday night. Station House Officer Krishan Kumar Panthey said in his complaint, the deceased's father claimed that Ravi consumed the substance after mistaking it for a medicine. He was a student at the local General Gurnam Singh Public School. The school observed a closure on Monday.

Chandigarh
Wheat procurement picks up in state: Wheat procurement in Punjab has picked up momentum as government agencies and private millers had procured more than 3,65,512 tonnes of wheat till Monday evening. A government spokesman said strict instructions had been issued that payment to the farmers had to be ensured within 48 hours of the lifting of wheat from grain markets. The state government has also constituted dispute redressal committees at every purchase centre. Besides, the Food and Civil Supplies Department had already established 24-hour control rooms at the headquarters in Chandigarh and also at district offices.

Spread awareness on RTS, officials told: The state government has issued directions to all departments of the state to ensure effective implementation of the Right to Service (RTS) Act and propagate the provisions of the Act among the masses. A government spokesman said it had been noticed that due to lack of awareness, people were not able to avail services that were available under the Act.

JAMMU & KASHMIR

Jammu
History Dept log win: The History Department scripted a thumping nine-wicket win over the Education Department in the ongoing Inter-Department Cricket Tournament being played at the University of Jammu grounds here today. Batting first, the Education Department accumulated 62 runs in 13.5 overs. The History Department did the needful in just 10 overs.

Srinagar
Fire damages house in Dooru: A house has been damaged in a fire that broke out in the Dooru area of Anantnag district last evening. The fire broke out in the house of Ghulam Qadir Wani in the Dooru area, resulting in partial damage to the house, said a police spokesperson. The situation was later taken under control, the spokesperson said.