Bathinda, August 29
Deputy Commissioner Kamal Kishore Yadav and Municipal Commissioner Uma Shankar Gupta appeared before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), New Delhi, today in the case of garbage treatment plant proposed to be set up on the Mansa Road.

The NGT directed the officers to submit a complete plan report mentioning the details about the works undertaken regarding garbage collection and its management as well as a proposal on the way garbage would be treated when the plant comes into being. They have also been asked to provide alternative sites for the plant.

Talking to TNS, the Municipal Commissioner said, the NGT accepted that managing municipal waste was not an easy task and that it required proper planning and bountiful of resources.

NGT officials observed that the main purpose behind summoning the DC and the Municipal Commissioner was to get complete present and future pictures of garbage management. The tribunal laid emphasis on managing garbage using the least polluting technology.

Gupta said now, a committee would be formed at the level of the Municipal Corporation to create a consolidated document on garbage collection, machines to be used in the project and the money involved. in the entire project. “The committee will also study and propose the technology using which garbage could be treated by emitting the least possible pollution. The panel will also mention the practical problems faced in implementation of the methods.”

NGT officials are learnt to have promised their support for giving clearances to the viable options so that the same can be replicated in other parts of the state where similar projects are coming up.

The complainant in the case, Captain Mal Singh of Mati Dass Nagar, his counsel Guriqbal Singh Chahal and others were also present at the hearing.

The next date for hearing has been fixed for September 27 and the officers have been directed to submit details by then.

Bathinda, August 29
A physical handicap could not deter a student of Malwa College from topping in her class. Poonam Kumari, a polio-stricken student of MCA second year, topped her class securing 81.6 per cent marks.

Her father Bhola Rajak works at the National Fertilizers Limited (NFL). Eldest of the three children, Poonam also helps her siblings in studies. “Despite belonging to a modest family, Poonam’s father is trying his best to provide her education and make her self-reliant,” College principal NK Gosain said.

The college management has already granted her half fee concession and promised more benefits in future.

Bathinda, August 29
A group of around 50 students from St Joseph’s Convent Senior Secondary School will be visiting the NASA’s (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Kennedy Space Centre in Orlando at the end of October.

The team will be the first school in Bathinda district to visit the centre.

Students of Classes VIII, IX and X would be part of the team. They would be accompanied by five teachers.

During the 11-day tour, the team will be visiting Orlando, Universal Studio, Washington DC, Disney Theme Park, New York and other places.

Students were seen making a bee line for getting their passports made in order to be a part of a life-changing experience. “There is a lot of enthusiasm among students. They are excited to be face-to-face with astronauts and see the heavy duty machines exploring the space,” said parents of one of the students.

The school is arranging the tour through the Orange Education Private Limited, a Delhi-based company. Around Rs 2.15 lakh is being charged from every student visiting the centre apart from the pocket money he or she will carry.

Interestingly, parents of girl students are keener on sending their daughters for the tour. “My daughter has a strong inclination towards physics. A visit to the NASA institute will only strengthen her conviction and give her wings to dream of new ideas and turn them into reality,” added another parent.

Parents preferred not to be named in this news report as the school is yet to disclose the plan for the visit.

When contacted, the school principal, Sister Helen D’Costa, said there were indeed plans to take students to the NASA. “I cannot reveal any details as the process is still under way,” she said.

FAct file A group of around 50 students from St Joseph’s Convent Senior Secondary School will be visiting the NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Orlando at the end of October. During the 11-day tour, the team will be visiting Orlando, Universal Studio, Washington DC, Disney Theme Park, New York and other places. The school is arranging the tour through the Orange Education Private Limited, a Delhi-based company. Around ~2.15 lakh is being charged from every student visiting the centre apart from the pocket money he or she will carry.

Bathinda, August 29
The schedule for amending the voters' lists has been issued. The amendment in the voters' list will take place in the district from September 6 to October 4.

Presiding over a review meeting of the polling staff held today, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Mohammad Tayyab said as per the schedule released by the Election Commission, the primary voters' list will be published by September 6. Objections and claims have been invited till October 4. All objections and claims will be disposed of by November 8 and the final lists will be published by January 6 next year.

Besides, a special campaign will be run at all the polling booths on September 15, September 22 and September 29. All the block level officers (BLOs) will be present during the special campaign.

Tayyab directed that it is mandatory for all BLOs to attend the special campaign, while supervisors were directed to ensure that all BLOs remain present. The assistant returning officers (AROs) were told to conduct a random checking of the polling booths.

All the electoral registration officers (EROs) were directed to ensure that the data is updated on the Election Commission's website by August 31 and the certificate related to the same is sent to the district election officer.

The EROs were directed to fulfill the target of registering 100 per cent voters and getting voter I-cards of all made.

The ADC added that as per the census, around 50 per cent of the voters between the age of 18 and 19 years, are not registered and they should be covered soon.

The principals of schools and colleges were asked to teach the students about the importance of getting a voter registered and casting a vote. They were told to hold debates and declamation contests as well as painting competitions on the right to vote. The principals were also told to depute nodal officers in the educational institutes.

Prominent among others present at the meeting included the SDM, Bathinda, Damanjit Singh Mann, SDM, Talwandi Sabo, Sakattar Singh Bal, election tehsildar Harphool Singh Sohal, youth coordinator of Nehru Yuva Kendra, Jagjit Singh Mann, assistant director, youth services, Dr Kanwaljit Singh Sidhu, besides other officials.

Bathinda, August 29
Actor Harbhajan Maan promoted his Punjabi movie 'Haani', which is scheduled to be released on September 6, at the Adesh University here today.

Accompanied by the film producer and the music director Baabu Singh Maan, actors Mehreen Kaleka, Sonia Maan, Sardar Sohi and Gurvinder Sandhu, Harbhajan Maan regaled the students of the medical college with songs.

Chancellor of the university Dr Harinder Singh, Vice-chancellor Dr GPI Singh, registrar Dr Paramjit Singh, principal Dr Harkiran Kaur and others welcomed the team of 'Haani'.

Talking to the gathering, Harbhajan Maan said the movie yet again (like most of his films) talks about the rich Punjabi heritage and its association with the youngsters. The film progresses over a couple of decades from 1964 to 2013 and has a romantic story. Directed by Amitoj Maan, the movie focuses on two generations.

Producer Baabu Singh Maan said 'Haani' would be the first Indian movie to be released in 22 cinemas in Australia. Actress Mehreen Kaleka debuts in the Punjabi film industry with the movie.

Bathinda, August 29
Fake accessories sold by a section of shopkeepers have become a major cause of fire in automobiles. Vehicle manufacturers are distancing themselves from the incidents of vehicles catching fire and refuse to compensate the vehicle owners.

In the recent fire incident wherein a Hyundai i20 car of a city resident was gutted, the manufacturers have blamed the use of a local-made amplifier for the mishap. The vehicle owner, however, cries foul and accuses the manufacturer of not compensating him.

A visit to the car accessory shops in the city revealed that most of the shopkeepers are selling China-made cheap accessories which are a potential threat to vehicles.

Firemen said wrong wire connection and poor maintenance of central-locking system, use of extra lights and bulbs, music system, amplifier and lack of overload protection fuse lead to fire incidents in vehicles.

Apart from inferior accessories, ill-qualified mechanics fitting accessories with substandard electric wires could also lead to fire incidents, they said.

The poor locking system could also jam the doors of a vehicle and sometimes occupants get trapped inside.

Firemen said for the safety of their vehicles, people should opt for manual central locking instead of electronic central locking.

In most incidents, either the wires of poor-quality accessories catch fire in vehicles or the ill-maintained engines.

"People do not care to open the bonnet of their vehicle to check oil leakage. The leaking oil also becomes a major cause of fire and if ignored for a longer period, it can prove tragic," said former fire officer Baldev Singh.

He said school vans and buses must be equipped with fire extinguishers as these vehicles were mostly 'old and ill-maintained'.

Fire Officer Jaswinder Singh said last year, the city saw three incidents where car caught fire. Loose battery and other wires were the reasons behind the incidents.

"First, there was a spark and since the cars were parked in hot and humid places, it kept smouldering. Gradually, the flicker came in contact with oil which led to uncontrollable flames," Jaswinder said.

He advised vehicle owners to regularly check the engines of their vehicles and pay special attention to loose wires, if any, during summer.

The fire officer said this year so far, only one incident of a car catching fire was reported. The incident occurred on Amrik Singh Road a few days ago. Besides, two bikes reportedly caught fire in Balla Ram Nagar in April and in Veer Colony in June.

As compared to 258 fire calls last year, the Fire Department has received 178 calls this year so far.

FAct file Wrong wire connection and poor maintenance of central-locking system, use of extra lights and bulbs, music system, amplifier and lack of overload protection fuse lead to fire incidents in vehicles. Apart from inferior accessories, ill-qualified mechanics fitting accessories with substandard electric wires could also lead to fire incidents. Opt for manual central locking instead of electronic central locking.

Bathinda, August 29
The 59th district level school level games began today at the multipurpose stadium.

In the volleyball under-14 category for boys, Goniana zone defeated Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda I defeated Sangat zone while Bathinda II zone defeated Maur Mandi. In the under-14 girls'category, Bathinda II zone defeated Talwandi Sabo while Mandi Kalan defeated Goniana zone. In the gatka event for girls in the under-19 category, Talwandi Sabo defeated Maur Mandi to get the first place.

In the netball under-19 category for girls, Sangat defeated Mandi Kalan 10-1, Bathinda I defeated Mandi Phool 6-1 while Sangat defeated Bathinda II 15-8. In the under-17 category for girls, Bathinda II defeated Talwandi Sabo 11-1 while Bathinda I defeated Mandi Phool 11-3.

In the kabaddi under-19 category for girls, Bhagta zone defeated Sangat 45-6.

In volleyball under-17 category for boys, Talwandi Sabo defeated Bathinda I while Bhagta defeated Sangat. In dodge ball under-19 category for girls, Bhucho Mandi defeated Talwandi Sabo, Bhagta defeated Sangat, Goniana defeated Bhucho Mandi. Bhagta defeated Goniana to secure the first place and the latter ended as runners-up.

In volleyball under-17 category for boys, Goniana defeated Bathinda I. In volleyball under-19 category for girls, Goniana defeated Talwandi Sabo while Bathinda I defeated Maur Mandi. In the tug-of-war event for girls, Maur Mandi defeated Mandi Phool, Bhagta defeated Mandi Kalan while Maur Mandi defeated Bhagta to secure the first place.

In the under-19 girls' category in the tug of war event, Talwandi Sabo defeated Mandi Kalan 1-0 while Talwandi Sabo defeated Maur Mandi 1-0 and secured the first place. In the boys' hockey for the under-19 category, Bhucho Mandi defeated Talwandi Sabo 1-0. In the under-17 category for boys, Bathinda II defeated Talwandi Sabo 3-0.

The chief guest on the occasion was MLA from Bathinda rural Darshan Singh Kotfatta. He unfurled the flag, took the salute from the teams and inspected the parade.

District Education Officer (Secondary) Harkanwaljti Kaur, assistant DEO sports Pavittar Kaur, tournament committee members Karamjit Singh Khemuana, Sher Singh, Harmandar Singh, Makhan Lal, Najar Singh, Harmandar Singh Laleana, Satinder Sehgal were also present. Ten zones are participating in the tournament.

Bathinda, August 29
MLA from Bathinda rural Darshan Singh Kotfatta and the president of the Affiliated Schools Association Ravinder Singh Maan today distributed affiliation letters to the 28 rural schools of the district.

Students of Different Convent School presented a welcome song followed by the students of Dasmesh Public School village, Jhumba, who presented shabad gayan.

Coordinator under the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan, Rajinder Kumar, gave information about the Right to Education (RTE) Act. Students of Sacred Heart Convent School from Chak Attar Singh Wala village presented choreography and delivered a lecture in English.

Students of Sacred Heart School, Sangat Mandi, presented a dance based on patriotic theme.

Bathinda, August 29
The team of IRUVADE conducted a successful trekking expedition in the treacherous terrain of Ladakh through Zanskar and Great Himalayan Ranges.

In a press statement issued here, a spokesperson for the Army stated that the team led by Captain Basant Pandey comprising a JCO and ten other ranks trekked around 227 km in 20 days on an altitude ranging from 12,000 to 17,000 feet. It was one of the most difficult terrains with steep slopes and inclement weather.

The team returned successfully displaying the indomitable courage and strength of conviction of an Indian soldier and was flagged in today by Brigadier Hari Singh, Commander, Saravada Agrani Brigade, in the presence of other military officials at Bathinda cantonment.