Bathinda, July 11
City residents flayed the proposal of the state government to purchase high-end cars for its ministers, chief parliamentary secretaries and other political appointees.

Prof NK Gosian, Dean, Malwa College, termed the decision of the government as unfortunate. He said the state was in the debt trap and the fiscal condition of the state did not allow the purchase of costly cars as the government had failed to pay salaries to its employees.

“Many welfare schemes are dying due to the unavailability of funds but to please some of its ministers, the government is buying expensive cars,” he added.

Vijay Goyal, president, Sahara Jan Sewa, said,” The government should immediately drop the idea as the cars in which the ministers are travelling now are in a very good condition. So, there is no need to put an extra burden on the exchequer. Instead of buying expensive cars, the government should think about the public and provide basic facilities.

“Many employees’ unions are demanding regularisation of services but the government refused to accept their demand, citing the lack of funds. A large number of teachers in government schools have not received their salaries for the past two months. But, they have funds to spend on their luxury,” said Resham Singh of the Democratic Teacher Front, Punjab.

Harmander Jassi, general secretary, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), also condemned the proposal. He said, “The condition of the state’s economy was such that all major wefare schemes such as the Atta-Dal Scheme are facing financial crunch. The government should reduce expenditure on its ministers, if they want to take Punjab ahead. Otherwise, they would put an extra burden on the exchequer. The focus of the government should be on improving the fiscal situation of the state.”

Bathinda, July 11
The district police claimed to have arrested two for the thefts of cars. They recovered two cars-Swift Dzire and Innove- from them.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said they had started a drive against car thieves in the city. The police got the success when Ucee Chawla, SHO, Nathana, was checking cars at Bhucho Mandi.

The police had come to know that Satnam Singh (21), a resident of Jhanduke, and Jaspal Singh (31), a resident of Phoola village, were travelling in an Innova car after installing a fake number plate.

The district police arrested both the accused and seized the car.

Later, they confessed that they had hired the car from Jalandhar and on the way, they took away the car from its driver on gun point.

Satnam Singh also confessed that five-six months ago, they had taken away a Swith car from Mallout and a Swift Dzire from Abohar on gun point. Both the accused have been booked under Sections 382, 379,420, 467, 471 and 120 B of the IPC. The police also recovered a Swift Dzire from Jaspal Singh.

Bathinda, July 11
With an aim to rein in corrupt officials, the district administration today launched an anti-corruption helpline. The administration requested the public to report against any corrupt official or embezzlement of funds by government departments and officials.

Anyone wishing to lodge a complaint will have to call the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) office on the numbers 0164-2214697 and 9779721003. The DSP, Vigilance Bureau, Bathinda, can be contacted on 0164-2211378, 981475490 or on the toll-free number 1800-1800-1000.

Bathinda, July 11
A 50-year-old jail inmate died of heart attack today. Jail superintendent Rajmahinder Dhaliwal said initial reports indicated that Gurdeep Singh died of heart attack. The police and doctors said the exact reason of the death would be ascertained only after a post-mortem.

Dhaliwal said the jail inmate was accused of carrying illegal liquor and a case was registered by the Anti- Narcotics Cell. He was a taxi driver and was a resident of Amarpura Basti. Darshan Singh, son of the deceased, alleged that his father was implicated in a false case by the police. He alleged that his father was accused of carrying two liquor bottles but the police later added two liquor boxes and a case was registered against him at the Canal Colony police station.

Bathinda, July 11
Women teachers of Government Elementary School Lal Singh Basti have accused the head teacher of their school of using “inappropriate language and causing mental torture”. They lodged a formal complaint with the Block Primary Education Officer (BPEO).

BPEO Darshan Singh Jidda today reached the school to conduct an inquiry into the complaint filed by Syukhdeep Kaur, Savita Rani and Sudesh against head teacher Bant Singh.

In their complaint, the teachers alleged that the head teacher caused “mental torture” by complimenting on their dress sense besides threatening them of making their videos on his mobile phone. They alleged that he used to use inappropriate language.

They said Bant Singh was threatened them of sabotaging their career by giving a negative annual work report. The teachers said he used to boast of high connections in the Education Department. In their letter to the BPEO, the teachers had demanded a departmental action against the head teacher.

The team, headed by the BPEO, had come to the school to record the statements of the teachers. They also spoke to other teachers. The head teacher, however, refuted the charges and argued that the teachers turned against him as he had directed them to work sincerely and pulled them up for not doing their work properly. He argued that the teachers detested his disciplinarian attitude as he kept the record of their attendance. “They had developed a habit of remaining idle. After I joined here, I tried to ensure that they work. They turned against me as I asked them to work,” he said.

Meanwhile, the BPEO siad District Education Officer (Elementary) Shiv Pal had already been apprised of the complaint and the report of the inquiry would be sent to him.

Mansa, July 11
In a drive against encroachments, the Mansa administration warned the public encroaching upon roads. The officials asked the shopkeepers not to occupy the space by constructing illegal foothpaths for their own use.

Under the supervision of SDM Rakesh Kumar, officials visited the main markets and removed temporary encroachments. Mansa DC Parveen Kumar Thind said, “In Budhlada we have removed encroachments using JCBs.”— TNS

Bathinda, July 11
Government Rajindra College here has been facing a water crisis for the past two weeks. The motor installed on the college premises, has been lying defunct for the past two weeks. Owing to the non-functional motor, the college is left with no option but to adjust with whatever little water it get from a tubewell.

Notably, the college authorities had written to the SDO, Water Supply and Sanitation Department, to change the motor. Later, the college brought the matter to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner after the department failed to do anything. “We had called the SDO on July 1 and dispatched a letter to her, requesting her to install a bigger motor but nothing has been done till now. The college is getting water supply for only two hours everyday, which is not enough considering the demand in the college. We had brought the matter to the notice of the SDO but nothing was done. We have now written to the DC,” said college Principal Vijay Kumar Goyal.

“We assure the college authorities to look into the matter and take it up with the department concerned. The problem will be solved at the earliest so that the students and staff of the college do not suffer,” said DC Dr Basant Garg said.

“There is not enough water to maintain cleanliness in washrooms of the college. The washrooms have started stinking and are not fit for use,” said a student. About 2,000 students visit the college everyday. Meanwhile, SDO Jaspreet Kaur said they had already placed an order for a motor and as soon as it was received, they would install it in the college.

Bathinda, July 11
A special team of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Chandigarh, Government Rajindra College here and inspected the mysterious tunnel found in the college ground here.

During the inspection, the ASI team found some ancient pieces of utensils, which seemed nearly 2,200-year- old as per the special team. The tunnel is being linked with the historic old fort of the city.

The team, headed by Rajinder Singh Bath, also found some important pieces of ancient utensils made of mud. They looked like the upper part of a pot.

The team said the utensils seemed to be belonging to the Buddhist era. They also collected samples of the mud inside and outside the tunnel.

A member of the team said it seemed that the site was not a tunnel but a place of bathing in the ancient times or a big place for the collection of water. They also found a big pothole. They said the pothole was a place for the collection of water, which was of the Buddhist era.

The members who were present where ASI team from Chandigarh Rajinder Singh Bath, Sunil Kumar, Pradip Singh, Jung Singh and management of Rajindra College.

Bathinda, July 11
The police have booked two persons for thrashing aresident of Kothe Chet Singhwale Ablu village over a land dispute.

In a complaint to the police, Khushpreet Singh said he was attacked by

Bathinda, July 11
Wrong-side driving is one the major reasons behind the high number of accidents in the city. People usually take shortcuts, resulting in road accidents. Such violations come with the risk of mishaps but those who drive on the wrong side are least bothered about it.

There are some points at Ajit Road from where most of the commuters take wrong side and go towards Fauji Chowk to save their time instead of taking a U-turn from a power-house road chowk near the bus stand.

Even the commuters coming from Model Town and wanting to reach an overbridge take the wrong side, inviting road mishaps.

A motorist, Sandeep Singh, said, “The situation is almost the same in every part of the city. Youngsters, especially college students, do not care about the traffic rules. Sometimes, the violators end-up causing injuries to others.”

Harinder Grover, a resident of Model Town, said, “The people who flout the norms are putting the lives of others in danger. The traffic police must pay attention towards such violations.”

A senior police official said the people were always in hurry and wanted to reach their destination quickly. He said the traffic police personnel were deployed at various points in the city to keep a check on traffic violators but the people should follow the rules for their own benefit.

Bathinda, July 11
A special programme was organised on the occasion of World Population Day at Government Secondary School, Maisarkhana, under the supervision of principal Varinderpal Kaur and NSS programme officer Rakesh Narula.

Narula said in 1951, Indian population was 36 crore and now this has crossed 125 crore, which is a matter of great concern.

Successive governments at the Centre and in the sate didn’t care to implement an effective population policy, he added.

Population explosion is the root cause of many problems, he said. India has only 2.4 per cent of the world area, 1.5 per cent natural resources but 17 per cent population.

The need of the hour is that strong steps should be taken to control the growth of population in the coutry and across the globe, he said.

Principal Varinderpal Kaur said, “The government should formulate a policy to control the population explosion and it must be included in school syllabus to spread awareness on the issue that is affecting the whole of humanity.”

Painting, essay writing and quiz contests were organised on the occasion and awards were given to the winners.

Winning students include Narinderjit Kaur, Amamndeep Kaur, Hira Lal and Navjot Singh.

Bathinda, July 11
University College of Commerce and Management (UCCM) of Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, is going to launch a monthly e-magazine soon.

The magazine will provide a platform for creation and dissemination of knowledge in the field of management.

The publication of this magazine is an attempt to encourage academicians, professionals and students to undertake research and share knowledge.

Every issue of the magazine will carry research papers, articles, case studies, book reviews, latest happenings in management and discussion topics among other things.

GKU Vice-Chancellor Dr NS Malhi congratulated the college for the milestone, which will develop research attitude among students. Managing director of the college, Sukhraj Singh Sidhu, appreciated the efforts of the college and motivated other colleges to work on the same lines to provide best research platform to the students. 

Bathinda, July 11
A farewell function was organised at the Sainik Vocational Training Centre, Bathinda, on the eve of the completion of a six-week NDA/CDS written examination coaching programme.

Maj Gen (Retd) Mohinder Singh, VSM, was the chief guest on the occasion. He urged the candidates to further consolidate their knowledge gained during the course to achieve success in competitive exams. He reiterated the need of hard work and focused approach for success in life. He appreciated the efforts made by District Defence Services Welfare Office in imparting coaching to the aspirants.

Cdr (Retd) BS Virk, District Defence Services Welfare Officer, said a total of 26 candidates were enrolled, including four women candidates for the programme. In addition to the written examination coaching, an interaction with senior Army, Navy and Air Force officers was also organised.

The candidates were also briefed about the procedure and guidelines for appearing in a Service Selection Board interview.