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Nawanshahr model under scanner
Nawanshahr, August 18
The “Nawanshahr Model” which is reportedly known for achieving a high sex ratio, is under fire, as the district does not have the relevant data of child birth on the basis of which the district administration as well as the NGO, UPKAR Society, has been making high claims.

PPMC vice-president demands probe
Nawanshahr, August 18
Nimisha Mehta, vice president, Punjab Pardesh Mahila Congress, raised questions on the role of Nawanshahr police in a recent case of thrashing of a physically challenged girl. "The police has been claiming to launch a women help line to check the crime against women, but ironically, the district police, headed by a woman IPS officer, has virtually been ignoring crime against a physically challenged poor girl committed in full public view", lamented Nimisha while demanding a thorough inquiry into the case of crime against women as well as action as per law against the guilty.

Rainwater harvesting can recharge groundwater
Moga, August 18
Heavy rainfall and late sowing of paddy for the past five years has helped reduce the rapid depletion of groundwater in Moga district that was once declared a dark zone of Punjab by the Central Ground Water Board.

Trader robbed

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	Nawanshahr model under scanner Parmod Bharti Nawanshahr, August 18 The “Nawanshahr Model” which is reportedly known for achieving a high sex ratio, is under fire, as the district does not have the relevant data of child birth on the basis of which the district administration as well as the NGO, UPKAR Society, has been making high claims. This fact came to light when Parvinder Singh Kittna, general secretary of the Human Empowerment League of Punjab (HELP) sought information regarding data of birth of male and female babies during January 2006 to June 2013 from the Civil Surgeon under the RTI Act- 2005. “The district health department had provided incomplete data. Astonishingly, the district health department don’t have any data of childbirth for a number of villages for the past seven years", lamented Kittna revealing that he had been provided information of few villages falling under PHC Saroya, there are only 14 villages under Mujjafarpur PHC where the number of girls is more than the boys, out of 87 villages falling under Sujjon Health Cente, he had been provided the list of just 22 villages where the sex ratio had been improved. "Few months ago, the issue was raised and the civil surgeon had assured the Deputy Commissioner in writing that the data regarding childbirth from MCs would be collected and submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, but nothing concrete has been done so far", said HELP activists while urging the DC to ensure proper data collection regarding childbirth so that the real picture regarding " Nawanshahr Model" for fighting the menace of female foeticide can be understood. It is worth mentioning that Nawanshahr has remained in lime light for improving sex ratio. A comprehensive fight against female foeticide was launched in the district in 2005 by the then Deputy Commissioner, Krishan Kumar. Besides enforcing PNDT Act, Krishan Kumar had also launched an awareness campaign by mobilising NGOs under the banner of UPKAR Society to bring in a change in the mindset of the people. The Punjab & Haryana High Court has appreciated the innovative initiatives by the district for improving sex ratio and has asked the state to replicate " Nawanshahr Model" in other districts also. Last Year, Aamir Khan in his TV programme "Satyamev Jayate" had also highlighted the achievements of the district in fighting the menace of female foeticide.
	PPMC vice-president demands probe Our Correspondent Nawanshahr, August 18 Nimisha Mehta, vice president, Punjab Pardesh Mahila Congress, raised questions on the role of Nawanshahr police in a recent case of thrashing of a physically challenged girl. "The police has been claiming to launch a women help line to check the crime against women, but ironically, the district police, headed by a woman IPS officer, has virtually been ignoring crime against a physically challenged poor girl committed in full public view", lamented Nimisha while demanding a thorough inquiry into the case of crime against women as well as action as per law against the guilty. She said if the girl had to buckle under the pressure then why the police adopted a lenient attitude towards the accused just on the flimsy ground of non - filing of complaint, when the incident had occurred in full public view. "It seems that the police has neither learnt a lesson from the recent incidents at Faridkot, Amritsar and Tarn Taran and donot bother to follow the instructions of the Deputy Chief Minister, Sukhbir Singh Badal, pertaining to tackle crime against women", lamented Nimisha. A physically challenged girl , Loveena, resident of Karyam Road was allegedly thrashed by a computer centre owner on Wednesday. The girl had gone there to take her degree of the computer course. A couple passing from the market came to her rescue and informed the police. The police reached there and took the accused to the police station. A number of well wishers of the accused gathered at the police station and apparently influenced the victim girl to compromise. She stated that she had pardoned him as he had promised to provide her genuine certificate. The police said the victim had not filed any complaint and did not want to pursue the case. The police would take action if the victim files a complaint.
	Rainwater harvesting can recharge groundwater Tribune News Service Moga, August 18 Heavy rainfall and late sowing of paddy for the past five years has helped reduce the rapid depletion of groundwater in Moga district that was once declared a dark zone of Punjab by the Central Ground Water Board. From 2001 to 2008, the groundwater table that was declining at the rate of 2.74 metres per year in Moga-I, Moga-II, Baghapurana and Nihalsinghwala blocks has reduced to just 0.74 metre per year from 2008 to 2013. Experts believe if rainwater is used to recharge groundwater for the next few years, the groundwater level would not drop any further. Agro-scientist Dr Jaswinder Singh Brar said, “The surplus water left after irrigating the fields can be used to recharge groundwater aquifer through artificial recharge techniques. This can also improve the quality of the groundwater and lower fluoride content in it.” Brar said the number of tube wells in the state increased from 2 lakh in 1970 to 13 lakh in 2013.
	Trader robbed Our Correspondent Phagwara, August 18 Three unidentified motor cycle-borne robbers snatched a bag containing more than Rs 1 lakh from a trader Amarjit Kukreja near Joshian Mohalla here last night. The trader was returning to his home after closing his shop, when the accused stopped his activa, snatched the bag and fled. The police has registered case.