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Protest by teachers takes a serious turn
Solid waste plant: Next date of hearing fixed on February 20
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Students not allowed to board buses despite pass
City comes to a standstill after infant’s death
Adarsh teachers meet Maluka
Gandhi scion is misfit for the post of country’s PM: Badal
Two-day Kala Mela begins at Malwa College
Placement drive held on PTUGZS campus
Dr Gill joins as Dean of GKU
National seminar concludes
World Cancer Awareness Day observed
Thieves strike at school
RNTCP workers’ stir enters Day 9
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Protest by teachers takes a serious turn
Bathinda, February 6 Kiranjeet Kaur (31) from Bambiha Bhai village in Moga, who has been sitting on dharna at the Subhash Park near Gol Diggi since the wee hours on Sunday, was inconsolable as she wailed over the body of her daughter Gurnoor Kaur, who breathed her last around 2 am at the Civil Hospital. Poverty a curse
Fighting back his tears, Gurnoor’s father, Taranjit Singh (32), said, “I supported my wife when she came here to sit on dharna. I am a painter by profession and had borrowed money from relatives and friends to help Kiranjeet pursue ETT course in the hope that she would get a permanent job. But the state government dashed all our hopes.” “Many would wonder why we brought along our daughter to the dharna in the cold weather. But not many can understand what poverty can make a person do. It is a curse to be poor,” added Taranjit, who came to Bathinda on Sunday evening when Gurnoor fell ill. He added that they had left their five and a-half-year daughter with her already ailing grandmother in Moga. “I’m a daily wager and work from morning till evening. My mother would not have been able to take care of two children in the absence of their mother,” he added. Doctors blamed
One the union leaders, Gagan Kaur, accused the doctors of misleading them into believing that the child was improving under treatment. “The doctors at the Civil Hospital told us that her condition was improving and that they would keep her in the hospital for 15 days. Even when we complained that the child was having some respiratory problem, the doctors didn’t tell us the real problem,” she said. “We had lost one of our teachers, Kiranjit Kaur, when she committed suicide by setting herself on fire. With the death of the child, a part of Kirandeep has also died. The state government is responsible for these deaths and will have to pay heavily for this attitude,” said another protester. Family not ready for cremation
After members of several other unions came and expressed their solidarity with the teachers, it was time for politics over the body. It was deeply distressing to see how the protesting teachers carried the body with them while they took out protest rally through Dhobi Bazaar, Mall Road before blocking traffic at Hanuman Chowk, Fauji Chowk and the bus stand. “We had suggested to the family that it was time to cremate the body but they decided otherwise. If we cremate the child, the administration will lathicharge us and throw us out of the city,” said another leader Avtar Singh. Negotiations still on
Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, Kamal Kishore Yadav, who convened a meeting with the teachers, told the Bathinda Tribune that the negotiations were on till late in the evening. “They have raised their own demands and we are negotiating to reach a common ground. We had offered the best of medical facilities to the child when she took ill and she succumbed to multi-vitamin deficiency. We are wondering why they are not cremating the body,” he said. |
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Solid waste plant: Next date of hearing fixed on February 20
Bathinda, February 6 The counsel for the Municipal Corporation Bathinda (MCB) said that the Mandi Khurd area has been earmarked as an exclusive landfill facility where the refuse of the treatment plant would be dumped. He also reasoned that the land at Mandi Khurd village is not enough for dumping, setting up the plant, incinerator and land filling. A principal bench of the NGT asked the Punjab government officials to give an undertaking about the time limit within which the plant would be completed. The officials of the Municipal Corporation Bathinda present at hearing assured that when given the green signal by the NGT, the plant would be completed within a year. However, the officials of the Municipal Corporation refused to give an undertaking on behalf of the Punjab government. The Secretary, Local Bodies Department, has been summoned at the next hearing to give an undertaking about the stipulated time period. The next date for the hearing has been fixed for February 20. At the same time, the High Court hearing of the disputed site in Mandi Khurd, about which the CBI conducted an investigation, is scheduled for February 10. During the last hearing on February 6, the NGT declared it would give a final verdict and had directed that the senior officials of Punjab government need not be present before the tribunal. Meanwhile, during the hearing on January 20, when the Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, was also present, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had appreciated the efforts of the Secretary, Local Bodies Department, and his officers for preparing the state’s municipal solid waste management plan.
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Students not allowed to board buses despite pass
Bathinda, February 6 A student leader, Sarabjit Singh, said despite having the passes issued by the Transport Department, the students are not allowed in the Punbus and some PRTC buses. “We have brought the problem to the notice of the ADC to take an initiative and give respite to the affected students,” Sarabjit Singh said. He added that if the authorities fail to take any action, then the students would be forced to adopt the protest route to meet their demands. The students said those belonging to the poor strata of society were the worst affected who, at times, are forced to pay the price of tickets despite having bus passes.
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City comes to a standstill after infant’s death
Bathinda, February 6 With reports of the police rounding up the protesting teachers on Wednesday evening, the city residents passed through the dharna epicentre with an extra caution. Commuters were seen taking alternate routes to reach their desired destinations following the teachers’ protests. “My nephew advised me not to go near the water tank where the protesting teachers are on dharna as the police on Wednesday evening did not spare even the shoppers,” said a senior citizen, Surinder Kaur, a resident of Ajit Road. NGOs, political parties and some local residents walked with the protesters to take out a protest march in the city to support the cause of the agitating Following reports of the death of the child, some local organisations forced some shops to pull down their shutters and supported the teachers in their protest. Commuters travelling on the main city roads faced hardships following the teachers’ blockade near the bus stand. After cursing the state government’s policies nd the claims of MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal of saving the girl child under the Nanhi Chaan programme, the protesters came out on the roads. “The traffic became irritatingly slow on the Power House Road and despite being aware of the teachers’ protests, no traffic policemen were deployed to streamline it. I could not make it in time,” said Rajiv Arora, a resident of Model Town Phase I. Advisor of the Lok Morcha Punjab, advocate NK Jeet, who met the agitators to enquire into the issue, said: “The protesters’ meeting with the SSP and the DC, Bathinda, is underway.” He said apart from Rs 20-lakh compensation, the protesting teachers were also seeking government jobs for one of the deceased child’s family members. They have also put up their long-pending demands of regularisation and reinstatement in their respective centres all over Punjab. The protesters mourned the death of the child at the site of the dharna where the onlookers failed to control their emotions and blamed the state government for the wrong policies which forces the agitators to take the protest route for their rights. Meanwhile, sources said that senior political leaders had passed orders to settle the dispute with agitators by persuading the teachers to end protest.
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Adarsh teachers meet Maluka
Bathinda, February 6 "We showed him a copy of an advertisement through which the teachers for the Adarsh School under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode were recruited. We told him that the pay scale which was promised through the advertisement was never actually given to the teachers," said Deepak Grover, state president of the union. He said the union pointed out the difference between the salaries of teachers of the PPP Adarsh schools and the Adarsh schools which were running under the state government. "While we are not even being paid according to the pay scale, the latter, apart from getting full pay are being given all facilities which a government employee enjoys," he added. "We also told the minister that we will not allow the word government to be dropped from the names of the Adarsh schools opened under the PPP model. These schools are functioning as part of the project under the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyaan, a Central government scheme," Grover added. He further said the minister took a copy of their demands and assured them of taking these up with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal soon. He, however, expressed his helplessness in promising anything to them immediately since he needed to seek nod from the Finance Department and the CM. Maluka also assured the teachers that their demands will be considered and that they would soon be called to attend a meeting with the top officials of the Education Department. Apart from Grover, Gurjeet Singh, Sukhdeep Kaur, Amandeep Singh, Harpreet Singh and Vikram Singh were in the delegation. }We also told the minister that we will not allow the word government to be dropped from the names of the Adarsh schools opened under the PPP model. These schools are functioning as part of a project under the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyaan, a Central government scheme.~ Deepak Grover, president of the union
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Gandhi scion is misfit for the post of country’s PM: Badal
Bathinda, February 6 Addressing gatherings during the Sangat Darshan programmes in Bathinda rural assembly segment here today, the CM said a country where nearly 60 per cent of the population resides in the villages could not be run by a person who was not acquainted with the problems faced by the people residing in them. He added that the scion of Nehru Gandhi family was not only an inexperienced leader and politically naive, but was ignorant about the basic topography of the nation due to which it would be disastrous for the country if he was selected for the coveted post of the PM. He also accused the Central government of formulating ill-conceived policies that has got India the tag of being an underdeveloped country. Coming down heavily on the Congress, the CM stated that instead of rewarding the hard working and resilient residents of Punjab for their immense contribution towards making the country self-reliant in food production and safeguarding its borders, the successive Congress governments had adopted a discriminatory attitude towards the state. Reiterating that the Union government must give “royalty on water and food grains” to Punjab the way it is given to the other states for supplying coal and other minerals in the country, the CM said the state had over-exploited the only available natural resources of the state in terms of water and fertility of the soil to make the country self-reliant in food production. Patting the back of his own government for introducing welfare schemes like Atta-Dal, Mai Bhago Istri Vidya, Shagun, Bhagat Puran Singh Sehat Bima, Dr Hargobind Khurana Scholarship scheme and others, he exhorted the people of the region to give their unwavering support to the Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal. Also present during the Sangat Darshan were MLA Darshan Singh Kotfatta, Deputy Commissioner KK Yadav, Senior Superintendent of Police GS Bhullar and Additional Deputy Commissioner Sonali Giri.
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Two-day Kala Mela begins at Malwa College
Bathinda, February 6 Addressing the gathering, Gill exhorted the students to shun habit-forming substances and adopt a positive and healthy attitude towards life. He asked the students to be ready to face the challenges of life. In the poem recitation competition, Simran Kaur and Navjot Singh of Bathinda bagged the first and second positions, respectively. In the debate, Sandeep Kaur of Jassi Pau Wali and Garima of Gidderbaha won the first two positions, respectively. In shabad gayan, Government Senior Secondary School, Goniana Mandi, won the first prize while Guru Nanak Senior Secondary School stood second. The choreography presentation by Government Senior Secondary School, Bathinda, bagged the first prize while the second place went to the Government Senior Secondary School, Jassi Pau Wali. In the poster-making, Jaswant Kaur of Gidderbaha won the first prize while the second prize went to Jagjit Singh of Behman Diwana. In the traditional folk song contest, Harinderjeet Singh of Bathinda won the first place while Pankaj Kumar came second. Gagandeep Kaur of Bathinda and Priyanshu Grover of Goniana Mandi bagged the first and second places in the solo dance competition. In the rangoli making competition, the creation by Deepu won the first place while the second place went to Parminder Singh, both from Bathinda.
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Placement drive held on PTUGZS campus
Bathinda, February 6 Khushboo and Eshan Bansal, students of BTech (textile branch) were recruited by the prestigious Trident Group at a salary of Rs 9 lakh per annum. Another leading textile manufacturing company of the region, Nahar Group, selected Neeraj Kumar, Navdeep Singh and Manas Vyas for placement. Many more textile manufacturing units of the region such as SEL Manufacturing Corporation Limited, Williamson Limited, Vardhman Spinning & General Mills Limited, Venus Garments (India) Limited and Aarti International Limited will also hold placement drives on the campus in the coming weeks. Punit Gupta and Shubham Goyal, students of BTech (civil branch) were selected by Sobha Developers and Era Infra Engineering, respectively. Rupanshi Garg, a student of architecture, was shortlisted by the Indian Army under its University Entry Scheme. During the earlier placement drives, more than 20 students of computer science, electronics and communication were selected for recruitment by the Unitnexus and Pact-Solutions. A finishing school programme will also be organised soon with the objective of enhancing the placement opportunities for the students of the campus and preparing them for facing the challenges posed by the corporate world in an effective manner. The programme is sponsored under the TEQIP-II project. Under the programme, the campus is due to receive a World Bank grant worth Rs 10 crore. This specialised training programme is aimed at personality development of students by conducting mock interviews, group discussion sessions, communication skills and encouraging them to interact with their peer group for such discussions. Expert lectures on quantitative aptitude, reasoning, life and career, motivation and confidence building have been delivered and mock interviews conducted for the benefit of the students. Experts from the IIMs and other leading professional organisations of Delhi and Chandigarh are conducting the proceedings of this finishing school. To give a further impetus to campus placements for the 2014 batch of students, a mega job fair will be conducted by the end of March, in which several leading companies of the country shall be provided a common platform to recruit BTech and MBA students. Campus Director Prof Jasbir Singh Hundal expressed happiness and satisfaction at the potential of students on the campus. He conveyed his best wishes to the selected students for a successful professional career. He also appreciated the Training and Placement Department of the campus for enhancing the training and placement opportunities for the students.
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Dr Gill joins as Dean of GKU
Bathinda, February 6 He first became the head of the Department of Extension Education and then Additional Director and retired as Director of Extension Education. He has a number of publications which are highly acclaimed by the farming community as well as by the agricultural scientists across the country. Having a good command over both Punjabi and English languages, he is extremely popular among the farmers. His publications occupy an important place in the library of the PAU, Ludhiana, and the Publications Bureau of the university. Dr NS Malhi, vice-chancellor of the university congratulated Dr Gill on his joining. Campus Director Harpal Singh, Director of Planning and Development Prof Gurbhajan Singh Gill and Registrar, Guru Kashi University Satish Goswami were also present on the occasion.
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National seminar concludes
Bathinda, February 6 Speaking during the seminar, Dr Meenakshi Sharma, Head of the Department of Education, Punjabi University, Patiala, stressed upon the need for quality education. She said to bring excellence in an institution, not only the building, but also the good teachers are required. |
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World Cancer Awareness Day observed
Bathinda, February 6 District Health Officer Dr Raghubir Singh Randhawa said the theme for this year's cancer awareness day was reducing stigma and dispelling myths about the disease. He said people think cancer should not be talked about. However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) feels that discussing the disease openly can improve the outcome as it creates awareness among the masses leading to early detection and treatment. People commonly believe that there are no signs or symptoms of cancer whereas for some types of cancer, there are warning signs and symptoms and benefits of early detection are indisputable. "Generally, people feel they cannot do anything about cancer. However, there is a lot that can be done at the individual, community and policy level and with right strategies," said Dr Randhawa. He also said that everyone has a right to cancer care. He said all people had the right to access and effective treatment and services in equal terms. Senior Medical Officer, Women and Children’s Hospital, Dr SS Romana and Medical Officer Dr Beant Maan were also present. — TNS |
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Thieves strike at school
Bathinda, February 6 A case under Sections 457 and 380 of the IPC has been registered in this connection at Dyalpura police station. It is pertinent to mention here that earlier too, a large number of theft incidents were reported in government schools.
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RNTCP workers’ stir enters Day 9
Bathinda, February 6 The employees have been on strike since January 29. The members of the union had held a dharna outside the office of the Director, Health, Dr Karanjit Singh on February 5, but could not find a solution to their problems. Now, the employees are sitting on a dharna outside the office of the Director, Health Services. The RNTCP workers have said that their stir will continue till their salaries hiked in April 2013 are implemented by the government. Meanwhile, the ASHA workers and Facilitator Workers Union have also decided to start a state-wide campaign on February 10. After having several meetings with the government representatives, their demands have gone unnoticed. The union will start a mohalla and village-based campaign wherein people would be informed about the achievements of the SAD-BJP Government. Starting from February 10, continuous dharnas would be held and the Punjab government’s effigies would be burnt at the block-level.
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Bathinda, February 6
Bathinda, February 6
Bathinda, February 6
