Bathinda, April 17
The election office of the Congress at Harchand Cinema on the G T Road is under scanner. The owner of the cinema has an entertainment licence, which cannot be changed or transferred for any other purpose.

Congress candidate Manpreet Singh Badal opened his office at the theatre on March 22, claiming it to be the building belonging to his mother's family. Since March 22, no movie has been screened in the cinema.

In an application to the office of the election tehsildar, Bathinda, Manpreet’s election staff had sought permission to hire two rooms on rent for the election office.

However, besides the two rooms, cinema’s hall, parking space and other places are also being used by Congress workers.

Returning Officer Kamal Kishore Yadav said only movies could be screened in cinemas as per the law. “We will look into the issue,” he said.

Meanwhile, Manpreet Badal’s spokesperson claimed that the Congress had sought permission to run the election office from the theatre. Manpreet Badal was not available for comments.

Bathinda, April 17
Pradeep Singh Sidhu from Rampura, in a complaint to Returning Officer (RO) Kamal Kishore Yadav alleged that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Jasraj Singh Longia was enrolled as a voter at two places and had submitted a false declaration, claiming to be enrolled at one place only. The complainant stated that the AAP Candidate had been enrolled as voter at two places in Mohali.

In the nomination papers, Longia has stated that he is enrolled as voter (serial number 995, part 221, Mohali) under the name, Jasraj Singh Longia, a resident of Sector 71, Mohali. Longia is also registered as a voter (serial number 736, part 212, Mohali) under the name, Karan Jasvir of Sector 70, Mohali. Sidhu demanded that the Longia's candidature be cancelled.However, RO Kamal Kishore Yadav said registration at two places as a voter would not affect the Longia's candidature.

"I have marked an inquiry to the ADC (Development), Bathinda. We will get in touch with the District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner of Mohali and seek details on the issue. "If the allegation are found true, the Mohali DC would be requested for action," he said. 

Bathinda, April 17
Following an incident in Mansa, wherein a sarpanch's signatures were forged on a resignation letter, the office of the District Development and Panchayat Officer (DDPO) is going an extra mile to check the authenticity of signatures on resignation letters.

In January this year, the sarpanch of Ralla village in Mansa had alleged that someone forged his signatures on a resignation letter, which was sent to the Panchayat Department, to dethrone him. The sarpanch came to know about his resignation only after copies of the resignation letter were distributed in his village.

Besides the registration of a case against the accused, a case of cheating was also slapped against Deputy Director, Panchayat Department.

Taking a cue from the incident, the DDPO office, Bathinda, has made it mandatory for the resigning sarpanches or members of panchayats to appear in person before the District Development and Panchayat Officer with a witness.

Today, Balwant Singh from Sekhu village in Sangat block resigned. His resignation was accepted in the presence of a witness at the DDPO's office.

Similarly, on February 10, Gurcharan Singh, member panchayat, Kuttiwal Kalan village in Bathinda resigned in the presence of a witness.

Confirming this, DDPO Rajinder Batra said the person wanting to resign, first tenders his or her resignation to Block Development and Panchayat Officer concerned, which is sent to the district headquarters. 

Bathinda,April 17
Parents of students studying in two Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)-affiliated schools submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner through tehsildar Kuldip Singh on Thursday. They alleged that these schools were overcharging for books. They also alleged that the schools were using books of local publishers instead of the National Council of Educational Research Training (NCERT) as directed by the CBSE. They complained against Saint Kabir Convent School in Bucho Khurd village and Mahindera Public School in Chak Fateh Singhwala village.

Gurjot Singh, father of Fatehvir Singh, a Class IV student of of St Kabir Convent School, alleged that the school was forcing parents to buy school bags, copies, colours and uniforms at higher rates.Jaskaran Singh, whose children are studying at St Kabir Convent School, said other CBSE schools in the city were providing Class IV NCERT books for Rs 2,000 while the school was providing the same books for Rs 4,500. He said the schools were violating the norms as the CBSE has directed them to use only NCERT books. Sukhwinder Singh, whose children are studying at Mahindera Public School, alleged that the school was charging more for books than the actual price. He said he had paid Rs 3,500 for the books but when he added the rates mentioned on them, the total came out to be Rs 2,880.

Narinder Bhularia, chairman of the management committee of Mahindera Public School, denied these allegations. While replying on the use of books of a private publisher, he said for junior classes, the NCERT was not able to provide books at the start of the session due to which they were forced to use other publisher's books. "But we use only those books, which are in accordance with the NCERT syllabus," he said . He said many a times, they had asked the CBSE to solve the problem and provide NCERT books at the beginning of the session.The principal of Sant Kabir Convent School could not be contacted as his phone was switched off. 

Bathinda, April 17
District Consumer Dispute Redressal Forum has imposed a fine of Rs 3,000 on Ing Vysya Life Insurance Company Limited and directed it to refund the amount of insurance in two separate cases.

In the first complaint, Jasdeep Singh of Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar complained that he purchased a policy by paying a premium of Rs 26,000 in February 2012.

The company officials assured him at the time of purchasing the policy that it was for 3 years with guaranteed death benefit of Rs 1, 27,410 and the rate of guaranteed interest was 8 per cent. They also assured that on surrender of the policy, the entire deposited amount would be returned with a guaranteed addition of 8 per cent per annum.

The complainant said he, however, came to know that the balance amount shown in his account was Rs 124. The complainant demanded his principal amount of Rs 26,000 along with guaranteed addition of 8 per cent from the date of its deposit, besides cost and compensation.

The company officials appearing before the forum pleaded that they offered a free look period to the complainant wherein he might cancel the policy within a period of 15 days. Since he did not cancel the policy, it meant he was fully satisfied with the terms and conditions of the policy, they said.

The complainant, they said, purchased a traditional insurance policy where he had to pay a regular premium for 3 years and thereafter the policy would have been in force till the end of the tenure of 12 years.

They added that since the complainant did not pay any renewal premium, except the initial premium, despite sending regular reminders, the policy stood terminated with no further benefits payable under the policy and the company should be relieved and discharged from all obligations under the policy. If the complainant had paid the premium for one year regularly and surrendered the policy thereafter, only then he would have got the principal amount with 30 per cent deduction, they added.

After hearing arguments, the forum observed deficiency in services and directed the insurance company to pay Rs 17,838 (after deducting 30 per cent of first premium of Rs 25,482) along with Rs 3,000 as cost and compensation.

The complainant’s counsel, advocate Ashok Gupta, said in another complaint lodged by Baljeet Singh of Guru Teg Bahadur area, it was said he paid a sum of Rs 1.5 lakh as premium amount to the company in six installments.

The agent of the company had assured that an amount of Rs 3 lakh would be given at the time of surrendering the policy after adding the bonus and rate of interest. The complainant, however, was refunded an amount of Rs 91,745 only.

The forum, after listening arguments from both sides, observed that the complainant deposited premiums of Rs 1.5 lakh and there was nothing on file to show that the bonus of Rs 3 lakh was to be given to the complainant. The company calculated the amount of the surrender value of Rs 1, 17,645.83. But no detail of this amount was given to the complainant by the company to show how they reached this amount, which amounts to deficiency in service on the part of the company.

The forum partly accepted the complaint with Rs 3,000 as cost and compensation against the company with directions to furnish complete details showing each and every deduction to the complainant regarding the payment. In case there is any other amount found payable to the complainant, it would be paid to him by the company, the forum ordered. 

Bathinda, April 17
Santosh Mahant (50), a transgender and former municipal councillor, has many reason to rejoice after the Supreme Court recognised transgenders as third gender.

“It’s for the first time that our existence has been acknowledged. For ages, we remained a laughing stock or an object of sympathy for society. I am thankful to the apex court for the decision and extending reservation in education and jobs to us,” said Mahant. Mahant became a municipal councillor in 1999. Before 2008, she was the municipal councillor from the Bhucho Mandi area, while she represented the Sanguana Basti area in 2008.

Born in a family of Rajasthan, Santosh prefers to call herself a women. She was brought up in a dera meant for transgenders. Now, she is taking care of six children, who are transgenders.

“Gone are the days, when we taught children like us to clap, behave like a woman and the art of dance. My children study in different educational institute and with the SC verdict, I foresee a bright future for them,” she said.

As per a rough estimate, there are 100 transgenders in Bathinda district. Mahant and her group approach the people who have transgender children in their families. “A transgender's place is in a dera. Parents continue to love their child irrespective of their gender but society fails to adjust with them,” said Mahant, who is still in touch with her family in Rajasthan.

After representing people in the civic body for so long, she feels blessed to know both sides of the fence. “ I am a man among men and a woman among women. People from my area feel secure while talking to me, irrespective of their gender,” she said.

Mahant said the implementation of the SC verdict might take few more months. “Even the so-called human rights organisations confined us to the margins. Now, it’s a new dawn for us,” she said. 

Bathinda, April 17
Residents of Harbans Nagar area held an agitation against the Municipal Corporation Bathinda (MCB) today demanding the removal of a structure of an illegal mobile tower from the area.

The agitators threatened to sit on a dharna outside the MCB office on Mal Godam Road and gherao it if the structure was not removed soon. Members of the Mohalla Sudhar Committee, Sukhdev Singh, Nachhattar Singh, Davinder Singh, Baljinder Singh, Harpal Kaur, Hardev Singh and Sukhdev Kaur were amongst the agitators.

They said an illegal mobile tower was working in Street Number 10 of Harbans Nagar without getting any a no objection certificate (NOC) from the MCB. On the basis of complaints filed by the area residents, this mobile tower’s connections were snapped on May 20, 2013. But the structure of the mobile tower has not been removed yet.

Residents alleged that the property owner, on whose property the tower has been installed, and the telecom company have connived in not dismantling the structure. They alleged that MCB officials wanted to give nod to the tower in the residential area.

Residents said the radiations emitted from the tower could have serious health consequences.

They added that the building, on which this tower has been installed, had also been damaged due to immense pressure on it. The building has common walls with houses of area residents Nachhattar Singh and Baljinder Singh.

Residents were afraid that the tower could fall on the nearby houses leading to loss of lives and property.

They claimed to have brought the matter to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner and MCB officials, but the tower has not been removed.

MCB officials were not available for comments.

Bathinda,April 17
The Textile Engineering Department of Giani Zail Singh PTU Campus organised a one-day techno-cultural fest titled ‘Textile Technocrats-14’ on their campus yesterday.

The function was inaugurated by campus director Prof JS Hundal and Prof A Mukhopadhyay, head of the Department of Textile Technology, BRA National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, was the chief guest.

Prof Hundal emphasised the benefits of such techno-fests as they promote the communication and presentation skills of students, thereby developing their overall personalities.

He pointed out that textile engineering has an excellent job potential owing to the presence of numerous textile industrial units and a large cotton growing area in and around the Bathinda district.

Prof Mukhopadhyay delivered a lecture on ‘Technical Textiles’, which is an emerging high-tech area comprising use of textile products in medical, civil engineering, transport, sports and warfare.

A number of technical and literary events such as paper presentation, ad-mad, spin-a-yarn and technical quiz were organised in which a large number of students participated. In the ad-mad event, students enacted a small skit to highlight the bizarre advertisements to promote products. Spin-a-yarn included telling a story on the spot on the basis of a photograph.

In the evening, a farewell party for the outgoing students of the 2010 batch was also organised.

Associate Professor Devanand Uttam proposed a vote of thanks on behalf of the Textile Engineering Department.

Bathinda, April 17
The Health Street Hospital has introduced total knee replacement surgery, in collaboration with Shalby Hospital Ahmedabad, which enables patients to walk within a few hours after the operation.

Addressing mediapersons here today, hospital director Dr Ajay Gupta, senior joint replacement surgeon from Shalby Hospital Dr Ashish Sheth, and Dr Ranjit Singh said the zero technique of knee replacement ensures lesser trauma, brief surgery and early recovery.

On April 16 - 17, doctors conducted surgeries of eight patients, including six women and two men. Of these, six patients were able to walk today. All the patients are in the age group of 55 to 60 years.

One of the patients, Harinder Kaur from Hanumangarh area, had undergone surgery for left knee on April 16 and today she walked around the hospital. Suffering from knee problems for the past 7 to 8 years, she underwent surgery for her right knee last month.

“Having experienced no pains or after effects of the surgery, I decided to go in for surgery of my left knee too. I am looking forward to be back to my normal life within few days,” she said.

Dr Sheth said the doctors wore space suits while conducting surgery in specially sterilised operation theaters at the Health Street Hospital to ensure that patients didn’t contract any kind of infection.

The surgery is conducted over a period of one-and-a-half hour. The patient has a hospital stay of three days and can walk after two to four hours after the surgery and climb stairs after four hours.

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