Bathinda, March 13
The two hastily inaugurated projects— cancer short-stay home and mother and child hospital — are yet to start functioning. While the District Red Cross Society will be responsible for managing the affairs of the cancer short-stay home, the Health Department is responsible for running the Mother and Child Hospital.

Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal had inaugurated the cancer short-stay home on January 27 while MP Harsimrat Badal had inaugurated the Mother and Child Hospital on February 22.

Constructed at a cost of Rs 3.15 crore, the short-stay home is meant for the kin of cancer patients who visit Max Hospital, the only empanelled hospital in Bathinda under the CM’s Cancer Relief Fund.

The short-stay home will benefit the patients who visit the Max Hospital as the Civil Hospital does not have any facility for cancer treatment. Even the non-communicable diseases (NCD) clinic has only daycare facility for cancer patients.

The secretary of Red Cross Society, Col (retd) Mukhtiar Singh, said the building was being checked for leakages, flow of water, electrical installations and ventilation. “We will complete the checking in four days. Since it’s a huge project, we will not be able to run it alone. Hence, we have decided to outsource it,” he said. Mukhtiar Singh added that charges for the stay and food would be less than the market rates.

Meanwhile, the gynaecological OPD in the newly constructed building of the 50-bed mother and child hospital, has been shifted while the labour room and the paediatrics OPD are still operating from the old wing. The new gynaecological OPD is far away from the labour room, giving a tough time to the doctors.

Interestingly, the hospital staff alleged that the new building, constructed at a cost of Rs 9.10 crore, had not been built keeping in view the convenience of the patients.

The paediatrics OPD is on the first floor of the building. "In the absence of the ramp facility, which exists in the old building, ascending the staircase would be a challenging task for the lactating mothers, handicapped children and the elderly. Even the rooms do not have washbasins. These rooms were actually meant for clerks. We are being forced to shift there,” said one of the medicos.

Civil Surgeon, Dr Ajay Sahni, said there was a provision for installing an escalator for the patients. Due to the financial constraints, the lift could not be installed at the time of the construction of the building. He said the department had written to the Punjab Health System Corporation’s (PHSC) engineering wing for the installation of a lift. 

Bathinda, March 13
Three members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including two females, who were reportedly standing beside Fauji Chowk, in the heart of the city, were today picked up by the cops from the Kotwali police station for allegedly violating the guidelines of the Election Commission of India.

The local leadership of the AAP accused the policemen of taking the women into their custody, forcing them to sit in the police vehicle, without the women cops being present.

However,Station House Officer (SHO), Kotwali, Mahesh Saini, said the police came to know about canvassing by the AAP workers after a specific complaint. "We got to know that the AAP workers were waving their party flags and we rounded up them and took them to the police station.

AAP leader Blas Chand Gupta, however, accused the policemen of taking the workers into custody just to suppress the party's voice. "I have sent a group of 20 workers to the police station and are gathering more workers to reach the police station to secure the release of our workers," Gupta said.

Those rounded up have been identified as 30-year-old Sukhjit Singh from Bhucho Mandi, Harvinder Kaur (23) and Harvinder, who was also in her early twenties.

The AAP workers, while arguing with the cops at Kotwali police station, alleged that the police is now trying to impose section 188 of the CrPC.

Later in the evening, around 50 AAP workers thronged the police station after which the AAP workers who had been rounded up by the police were released. 

Bathinda, March 13
Members of the Retail Chemists' Association met Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) Sarup Chand Singla today. They accused the district police of high- handedness.

The association alleged that the police were registering false cases against chemists for selling habit-forming drugs and forcing the affected chemists to close down their shops.

The president of the association, Ashok Ballianwali, said if the police suspected the involvement of any chemist in unlawful activities, they should consult the drug authorities before taking any action.

"While conducting a raid, a representative of the drug licensing authority should also accompany the police team. Shops of such chemists should not be sealed," he said.

The chemists’ association also threatened to go on strike, if the police continued its operation against the chemists. — TNS

Amritsar, March 13
With the aim of keeping an eye on the poll expenditure of candidates of different parties in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the district administration today formed many teams and flying squads.

Additional District Election Officer-cum-Additional Deputy Commissioner, Pardeep Sabharwal, said in order to keep a vigil on the money spent by the candidates of all political parties, the administration had formed 14 video surveillance teams, 13 video scrutinising teams, 12 accounting teams, 34 flying squads and 33 static surveillance teams.

Holding a meeting with the district administration officials, Sabharwal said these teams would record all the expenditure of the candidates in their shadow registers, which would be later on compared with candidate’s expenditure register within the stipulated period.

As per the orders of the Election Commission of India, a candidate can spend a maximum of Rs 70 lakh for his poll campaign.

Sabharwal said the video surveillance teams would videograph all the poll rallies, including keeping recording of tents, chairs, posters, banners, hoardings and vehicles used during a rally by a candidate.

He said these teams would also record the speeches of the candidates while the video scrutinising teams would scrutinise the expenditure by the candidate by watching these videos.

He said in order keep a check on the use of cash and liquor, flying squads would remain on their toes and reach the spot whenever they receive any complaint in this regard. These teams will seize material, gather evidence, prepare documents and register an FIR within 24 hours.

The static surveillance teams will hold nakas at various points and check the flow of liquor and cash. They will videograph all the events and file a report that will to be submitted to the District Election Officer and other officials concerned.

He said a candidate can carry a maximum of Rs 50,000 while a star campaigner can carry Rs 1 lakh with him. Anything beyond these limits will be seized in absence of any proper document or record pertaining to the amount recovered from them. 

Bathinda, March 13
Arrhythmia, the week-long cultural and sports extravaganza of the Adesh Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (AIMSR) culminated here today.

Paramraj Singh Umranangal, IG, Bathinda Zone, was the chief guest while Chancellor, Adesh University, Dr HS Gill was the guest of honour. Vice-Chancellor Dr GPI Singh was the special guest on the occasion. Principal, AIMSR, Dr Harkiran Kaur, presided over the function.

Students of the AIMSR performed bhangra, duet dance, Western dance, choreography and skits. The colourful event was marked by the presentation of trophies to the winners.

Interns Anachal Nandrajog and Amanpreet Singh were adjudged the best female and male performers, respectively, in the co-curricular category, while Bharti Kaundal and Rajan Gupta were declared the best female and male sportspersons.

Secretary of the AIMSR magazine Jaspreet Singh Makkar was awarded the AIMSR Principal’s Special Appreciation Award for being instrumental in releasing the first ever college magazine. The over-all best sporting batch trophy and the over-all trophy at the Arrhythmia went to the 2010 batch.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chancellor congratulated the students and the faculty for conducting the Arrhythmia. The Vice-Chancellor, in his address, emphasised that the students must imbibe the concept of time management in their lives and should enjoy and participate whole-heartedly in cultural and sports events.

They should equip themselves with modern diagnostic and therapeutic methods and learn to treat patients in a humane and ethical way. A Hindi poetry book, Mazi Se Mustaqbil, written by the Dean, Academics, Dr Rajiv Mahajan, was also released on the occasion. The highlight of the function was the installation of students' council at a formal ceremony.

Registrar, Adesh University, Dr Paramjeet Singh, Medical Superintendent, Administration, Dr Gurpreet Gill, Medical Superintendent Dr AS Bansal, Dean, Academics, Dr Rajiv Mahajan, Dr SS Dhaliwal, Dr VK Dubey, Dr PS Cooner, Dr Amarjit Kaur, Dr AK Maria, Dr Parmod Goyal, Dr Vijay Suri, Dr Jaswinder Kaur and Dr Manraj Kaur Gill were present on the occasion.

In the end, general secretary, Students' Council, Rupali Tandon, presented a vote of thanks. 

Bathinda, March 13
Paramjit Singh Umranangal, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Bathinda Zone, on Thursday said the police had taken all precautionary measures to ensure free and fair parliamentary elections.

Addressing mediapersons, the IG said people with a shady past had been identified and efforts were on to nab them. The possible hideouts of such people are also being regularly monitored, he added.

The IG also claimed to have information about the person who escaped police custody few days ago. 

Bathinda, March 13
To make people aware about the importance of kidneys, an awareness camp was held on the World Kidney Day today at the Pragma Hospital.

Nephrologist Swarnjit Kaur Gill sensitised the patients on the importance of maintaining healthy kidneys for leading a healthy life. She counselled the patients on the need o have a balanced diet, take plenty of fluids and refrain from alcohol or any other drug intake.

"Ageing Kidney was the theme for this year's World Kidney Day. As we grow old, so does the functioning of our kidneys. The key to health of this pivotal organ lies in keeping it functioning well," she said.

Nephrologist JJ Singh said though kidney ailments were not common, they had serious consequences on one's health. However, timely intervention can make a difference.

He said people with high blood pressure, diabetes, overweight and those above 50 years of age with a family history of kidney disease were at a higher risk. He said such high-risk people should undergo screening at least once in a year. 

Bathinda, March 13
Kafile, a street play, was presented by the Awam Rang Manch, today at the Punjabi University's Regional Centre. An initiative of the Punjab Students Union (Shaheed Randhawa group), the play was dedicated to martyr Bhagat Singh. The play aimed at creating awareness among the people on the political scenario atthe time of general elections in the country.

The team presenting the play included Happy Bhagta, Manjit, Sukhchain, Mandeep and Kewal.

The Rang Manch plans to stage the play in other educational institutes as well. 

Bathinda, March 13
Puneet Sankholia, a student of the Regional Polytechnic College, Behman Diwana, won a bronze medal at the International Thai Boxing Championship held in Bangkok.

Puneet is a sixth semester student of mechanical engineering. The championship was held from February 19 to 23. He is also a player of Wushu. Chairman Gurlabh Singh Sidhu appreciated the efforts of the college.

Bathinda, March 13
Thieves took away Rs 10,000 and jewellery from an SUV, parked outside a private hospital near Mittal Mall here today. The whole incident was recorded in the CCTV camera installed at the entrance of the hospital.

Malkit Singh, a resident of Teona village, said his father was admitted in the hospital and after parking his vehicle, he went inside the hospital. When he came back, he saw that the windowpane of the car was broken and the cash and jewellery were missing.

The police officials reached the spot of the crime and watch the CCTV footage for some vital clue. A case in this connection was registered by the police. 

Bathinda, March 13
The police have registered a case against two unidentified persons on the charge of stalking. A case under Section 354 (d) of the IPC has been registered in this connection at the Canal Colony police station on the complaint of a retired Major of the Indian Army.

The retired Major alleged that his daughter was chased by two persons in a jeep bearing the registration number CH-01M-2876. The complainant said his daughter was chased from Vishal Mega Mart near the Bathinda Civil Hospital up to the shopping complex at Housefed Colony. The police said efforts were on to trace the jeep’s owner.

Head constable killed in road mishap

A head constable was crushed to death by a rashly-driven bus near the Multania overbridge today. The deceased has been identified as Jasvir Kumar.

In a complaint to the police, Manjit Kaur, wife of the deceased, stated that she, along with her brother, had gone to drop his son at the bus stop when a speeding bus crushed her husband to death.

The police have registered a case in this connection under Sections 304-A and 279 of the IPC.

Case against institute for defacing public property

A case under various sections of the Provision of the Property Damage Act has been registered against the K Tech Kings of Technology Institute of Advanced Technology for defacing the public property. The investigating officer-cum-complainant in the case ASI Balwinder Singh said the institute had pasted advertisement posters on the boundary walls of government offices and the back of the bus stand. He contended that by doing so the institute had defaced the public property. A case has been registered at the Kotwali police station in this regard. No arrest has been made so far. 

Amritsar, March 13
A 22-year-old youth, identified as Jashanpreet Singh, a resident of Partap Nagar Bazaar, today committed suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan.

The incident came to light when Jashanpreet's father returned from the market after recharging his mobile. The police took the body of the deceased in possession for post-mortem examination. Fateh Singh, father of the deceased, who works as a driver in Punjab Roadways, said that he returned from his office at Punjab Roadways depot number 1 in the evening and had gone to the market for recharging his mobile.

“It had hardly taken just 15 minutes. When I came back, I was shocked to see Jashanpreet hanging from the ceiling fan,” he said. He said no suicide note was found from the spot while according to Jashanpreet's father he used to remain in depression. — TNS

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