Bathinda, April 2
On the last day for registration as a voter, two rooms at the district administrative complex remained crowded with young girls and married women. While some came alone, others came in groups or accompanied by their husbands, children and in-laws.

Powerhouse Road resident Parminder Kaur (30) came with her husband, brother-in-law and her daughter. When asked what took her so long to get her voter card made, she said, “I never thought much about the elections and was always busy with the family life. This time my husband insisted as voter ID card is required as a proof of residence or identity.”

Her brother-in-law, Amanpreet Singh (26), who works as a data entry operator at the income tax office in Bathinda, was also there to get his voter card made. “Whenever volunteers visited our house to identify the potential voters and register them, my parents never showed any interest. Since I was busy with my office work, I never tried to get myself registered as a voter,” he said.

Shimpu Jolly (23) and Shilpa Chawla (23) also got their voter cards made. “Earlier, when we were in college, we never realised the importance of voting. As many awareness campaigns were being organised to encourage people to vote, we also realised that it was our duty to exercise our franchise,” said Shilpa, who is studying at the Punjabi University Regional Centre in Bathinda.

Amarjit Kaur, a resident of Baba Deep Singh Nagar, came with her daughter-in-law Maninder Kaur (21). Maninder said, “Before marriage, my family never thought of getting myself registered as a voter in Fazilka. I was married a year ago and this time my in-laws asked me to get myselfregistered as a voter as they thought it was important for women to vote.”

Charanjit Kaur (19), Asha Rani (25), and Jyoti (22), all residents of Janta Nagar, visited the administrative complex together. While Charanjit is a first-time voter, Asha Rani said her parents never thought it important to get her registered as a voter though they had enrolled themselves as voters. Her husband and in-laws also didn’t pay much attention to it.

Jyoti, who came with her six-month-old daughter, said her husband was also not a registered voter hence, he was not keen on getting her registered as a voter. “At home, we never thought about it. Since other girls from the camp were coming here, I also came,” she said.

Bathinda, April 2
Seema (20), a resident of BPL Colony, Beant Nagar, is not excited ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Despite being eligible to vote, she could not get herself registered as a voter. Her parents didn’t push for her case and political leaders of the area also didn’t oblige her. Reason: She will move to her in-laws' house after marriage.

It is not that girls in the hinterland of Haryana are being deprived of their constitutional right, many girls like Seema in urban areas also face the same discrimination.

Gunjan (20) has also been denied her right to vote on the same plea. “I understand that I can get registered as a voter at a new place after marriage and cancel the previous registration. Yet, I am unable to vote,” she says.

Interestingly, Mamta, who wedded into a family in Beant Nagar, has also not been able to vote . “I have made endless rounds of offices and approached political leaders for registration as a voter but they demanded the proof of residence, which we don’t have as we are tenants,” she said. She said she could not enrol herself as a voter when she was unmarried and now she was being denied her right after marriage.”

Ravi Pardhan, a local SAD leader, said many girls could not get themselves register as voters as their exact age was unknown, “ Most of them do not seem 18 years of age. They could not prove their age.” He claimed that parents were not showing interest in some of the cases.

Bathinda, April 2
While Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Manpreet Badal are busy campaigning, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary and former Bathinda MLA Harminder Singh Jassi is busy in the damage control excercise.

Jassi today held a joint press conference, refuting the reports claiming Jassi’s displeasure over the selection of Manpreet Badal as the Congress-PPP candidate from Bathinda. Calling such reports “fake" and "an attempt to pull him down”, he said, “Such reports strengthen my belief that there are some people who want to malign my image and bring me down in front of senior PPCC leaders .”

“I was present at all meetings and press conferences held by Manpreet Badal. Anyone who thinks that I not am happy at his candidature should speak to me before making it public. I am supporting Manpreet with all my might,” he added.

Manpreet’s wife Veenu Badal, who was also present at the press conference, said, “We are aware how political parties indulge in foul play and these reports are a proof of that. When they can’t win a game by rules, they resort to unfair means. The Congress and the PPP have come together for the betterment of the state and its people.”

Jassi added that this was not for the first time that such false reports were being circulated about him.

Bathinda, April 2
On the first day of filing nominations for the Lok Sabha elections, the namesake of Congress candidate Manpreet Singh from Badal village filed his nomination papers this afternoon as an independent candidate. With this, the ball has been set rolling for the elections.

Interestingly, with both the Congress and BSP candidates deciding to file their papers on April 4, the district administration may face a difficult situation as a heavy rush of vehicles and people is expected on that day.

Talking to Bathinda Tribune, BSP candidate Kuldeep Singh said he would file his papers on April 4. “I am not concerned, if someone else is filing nomination papers on the same day,” he said.

As per the Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines, the district election office has deputed police personnel at various places, including Nehru Park, Deputy Commisioner’s residence and Income Tax office.

District Election Officer Kamal Kishore Yadav said forces had been deputed to prune extra vehicles that might block way near the District Administrative Complex at the time of filing of nominations.

During a meeting with the political representatives to explain rules and regulations to be followed while filing nominations, Yadav directed that no candidate would be allowed to bring more than three vehicles in a radius of 100 mt around the office of the returning officer (RO) or the assistant returning officer (ARO).

He also directed that not more than five persons would be allowed to enter the office of the ARO and the RO. However, there is no restriction on the number of vehicles that a candidate’s motorcade can carry.

“The entire process of filing nominations will be videographed. All kinds of election campaign material and vehicles, which will be part of a candidate’s motorcade, will be included in the expenditure list of the candidate,” said Yadav.

Nominations can be filed till April 9 from 11 am to 3 pm. However, on account of holiday on April 6 and April 8, no nominations will be accepted.

A general category candidate will have to deposit Rs 25,000 as security while candidates from the Scheduled Castes category will have to deposit Rs 12,050. The candidates will have to maintain separate bank accounts for poll expenses.

The expenditure limit has been set at Rs 70 lakh for each candidate and the accounting of these expenses will begin right after candidate files his or her nomination. The nomination papers will be scrutinised on April 10 at the office of the Returning Officer at 11 am. Nominations can be withdrawn on April 12 till 3 pm. Thereafter, symbols will be allotted to final candidates in the fray.

Congress, BSP candidate to file nomination on April 4 Only three vehicles allowed within 100 metre radius of the election office Not more than five persons can enter RO, ARO office while filing nominations Security deployed at District Administrative Complex to prune extra traffic accopanying the candidates

Bathinda, April 2
A woman was convicted under the NDPS Act today and was awarded 10-year rigorous imprisonment. The woman, Amarjit Kaur (40), is a resident of the area near Mai Wala Khuh, Kotha Guru police station, Dyalpura.

Amarjit Kaur was arrested on April 21, 2011 near Kotha Guru village. She was carrying a plastic bag and when she saw a police party approaching her, she tried to flee but was arrested.

The police had recovered 40 vials of a cough syrup from her. During the hearing, she pleaded leniency, stating that she was a poor woman and had minor children to support. She stated that she was was the only earning member of the family.

However, the court did not consider her plea. She was awarded 10-year rigorous imprisonment and was told to a fine of Rs one lakh. On failing to pay the fine, she will have to spent two more years in jail.

Bathinda, April 2
Children from slums, studying at Appu Society School, today took out a rally asking questions, about their plight, from politicians contesting the Lok Sabha elections. Led by the members of NGO Appu Society, they questioned about the plans that politicians have made for rehabilitating them.

They also asked the reason behind not covering them under the Nanhi Chhan campaign. Most of these children work as rag pickers, beggars or do menial jobs at roadside shops.

They demanded proper food, medical facilities, education and other rights.

General secretary of the NGO, Kewal Krishan, said Appu School was being run without any monetary help from the state government for the past two years.

He said the school in Benat Nagar, which is being run on an open ground, was being forced to close down. The Appu Society appealed politicians, people and the government to help out these children.

Students gave their memorandum of demands to Deputy Commissioner Kamal Kishore Yadav.

Bathinda, April 2
The Kotwali police have arrested a man for duping people in the guise of a CBI inspector. The police got secret information that the alleged accused used to harass people, especially migrants. They arrested the impersonator identified as Harish Kumar, near Mittal Mall in the city.

Harish Kumar, a resident of Ajit Road area, used to stop migrants and tell them that their looks resembled with that of some criminal. He used to let them off only after taking money.

Harish stopped one Deepak Kumar at Haunman Chowk, a few days ago, and trapped him in his usual way saying that he was investigating a murder case and the latter resembled like a murderer. Harish took Rs 1,000 cash and a watch from the latter.

Bathinda Tribune invites feedback from its readers on issues of public concern relating to Bathinda city and the nearby areas. Readers can email their views to bathinda.feedback@gmail.com

They can also send their views to: Feedback, Bathinda Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh - 160029.

Letters sent by post must mention 'Feedback for Bathinda Tribune' on the envelope and it should be signed and must contain the address and telephone number of the sender. It should not be more than 150 words.