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No word yet for complainants from DC office
ASI caught red-handed while taking bribe
Scam unearthed in Mehma Sarja Cooperative Bank
Residential school counselling to begin today
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NCD employees may knock High Court door
De-addiction centre revives hopes of many
Middle schools run without mathematics teachers
Four cops booked for assaulting youth
BKU stages protest against govt policies
A gathering of BKU Sidhupur activists protests against the Central and state governments in Bathinda on Tuesday. photo: vijay kumar
Row over construction of wall
Residents submit memorandum against land acquisition
Two drug smugglers get 10-yr jail
CRIME BRIEFS
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No word yet for complainants from DC office
Bathinda, July 22
During the programme, the DC had announced that he would make a weekly review of the follow-up to the complaints marked to various departments. It has already been three weeks since the programme was held. The DC told TNS that as many as 35 complaints had already been dealt with and he had received report from the departments concerned in this regard. “I have received information that as many as 35 cases have been resolved. We will inform the complainants after verifying if the reports submitted by the departments concerned are genuine or not to rule out the possibility of fake reports being submitted. Some of the solutions to the problems may not be in favour of the complainant. We will also intimate the complainants if they need to take up the matter with the court or at some other forum,” said the DC. Meanwhile, the complainants are eagerly waiting a word from the departments to which their complaints were marked. Some of the complainants spoke to TNS and said they were waiting to hear from the departments concerned. Lakhwinder Singh of Talwandi Sabo block had come to request the DC to ask the state government to release the arrears of teachers hired under the Bharat Saksharta Mission. In his complaint, he had mentioned that as many as 72 teachers of the block were to be paid Rs 6,000 each for the work they had done under the scheme. “We waited for a call from the DC office but in vain. We finally went and met the ADC (D) a week after the Sangat Darshan programme was held but got no satisfactory answer. We had taken up the matter with Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal as well but nothing was done,” he said. Kewal Krishan Verma, who had complained that his home was registered in some other person’s name, had requested the DC to direct the Municipal Corporation to set the record right. But he is yet to get any response. “After the Sangat Darshan, I got a call from the office of the SDM. The MCB officials were also present during the meeting and were directed by the SDM to settle the matter at the earliest. But nothing has been done till now. I went and met the MC Commissioner but got no response from him. He told me that he was yet to read my case file and gave me some time,” said Sanjeev, Kewal Krishan Verma’s son. Another complainant, Satwinder Singh Gill, had raised the issue of development of the land below the ITI Chowk flyover. A member of the Mohalla Union of the area, he had demanded that the MCB either use the interlocking tiles to level the muddy area under the flyover or initiate a plantation drive on the patch of land. “A couple of days after the Sangat Darshan, a JCB machine was seen levelling the mud on the patch of land but it too did a shoddy job. The machine was never seen again. Neither have the interlocking tiles been laid nor has the plantation drive started,” Gill pointed out.
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ASI caught red-handed while taking bribe
Bathinda, July 22 As per the information available, Jaskaran Singh, a resident of Kalebandar in Talwandi Sabo tehsil area, worked as a labourer. His father had died four years ago and his elder sister Sukhpal Kaur was married to Binder Singh of Pucca Kalan 14 years ago. She has four children. His Jaskaran's) brother-in-law used to quarrel with his sister on one issue or the other every day. Distressed with the daily fights, his sister Sukhpal Kaur committed suicide on May 18 this year by consuming some poisonous substance. A case under Section 306 of the IPC was registered at Raman police station and his brother-in-law was arrested and sent to Central Jail, Bathinda. Jaskaran's advocate told him that if 60 days passed after the arrest of his brother-in-law and a challan was not filed in the court, then the accused would get bail easily. Because of this, Jaskaran went to met ASI Darshan Singh again and requested him to present the challan of the case in the court. Darshan then allegedly demanded Rs 10,000 from him stating he would have to pay the fee if he wanted the challan to be filed in the court. When Jaskaran told the Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) that he couldn't pay such a big amount as he was an ordinary labourer, Darshan agreed to file a challan in lieu of a payment of Rs 5,000. He then complained to the Vigilance Bureau and told them the whole story. A trap was then laid by the police. When Darshan went to give Rs 5,000, the police caught Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Darshan Singh red-handed. A case under Sections 7, 13(2) and 88 of the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered at the Vigilance Bureau police station in Bathinda.
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Scam unearthed in Mehma Sarja Cooperative Bank
Bathinda, July 22 Following the probe, the bank management has suspended Manjinder Singh, manager of the Ghudda village branch of the bank in this regard. He was the manager of the Mehma Sarja branch when the scam took place. Bathinda Central Cooperative Bank had constituted a three-member team to investigate the matter. Those included in the committee were senior manager Gurdeep Singh, assistant manager Upinderjit Singh and branch manager Major Singh. The team detected that at the end of the last financial year, the bank manager had added a Rs 7 lakh loan into the account of the Cooperative Society, Deon. He had also added a Rs 1.70 lakh loan into the account of the Phulewala Cooperative Society. Jagjit Singh, Secretary, Cooperative Society, Deon, had claimed that the Mehma Sarja branch of the bank had added a fake loan of Rs 1.58 crore into the account of the society. Three days ago, secretary, Kothe Phula Singhwala Cooperative Society, Surjit Singh had written to the Assistant Registrar, claiming that the branch had added a fake loan of Rs 52 lakh into their account. Earlier, Jaskaran Singh, president, Punjab Raj Cooperative Agriculture Employees’ Union, Bathinda, had demanded a high-level investigation into the matter. Assistant Registrar, Bathinda Central Cooperative Bank, had written to the district manager of the bank on July 17 to conduct a high-level investigation into the matter and submit a report within seven days. Jagdish Singh Sidhu, Managing Director, Central Cooperative Bank, Bathinda, said Manjinder Singh had been suspended. He said fake entries had been made in three accounts.
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Residential school counselling to begin today
Bathinda, July 22 “We have received 809 applications. The counselling will be held according to the location preference given by the students. Those who have given Bathinda as their first preference will be called first. Separate teams have been constituted to counsel students of Mansa and Muktsar so that they don’t have to come all the way to Bathinda,” said District Education Officer (Secondary) Amarjit Kaur Kotfatta. She said as many as 17 teachers had been recruited to conduct medical, non-medical and commerce classes at the school and the teachers would join on July 25. As per the directions of the principal secretary of the Punjab School Education Board, the list of candidates selected for interviews was declared on June 20 and the interviews were held from June 21 to 24 at the office of the board. Delayed by a month The dream project of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is a month behind its schedule. As per the initial plan, the school had to start functioning on July 1, which has been delayed to August 1. The schools being developed under the supervision of the Society for Promotion of Quality Education for Poor and Meritorious Students of Punjab aim to offer quality education to students scoring 80 per cent or higher marks in Class X examination to give them a level-playing field vis-s-vis the students getting education at private schools. While most of the private schools started their Class XII course in April and Class XI course on July 1, the students seeking admission to the special school are worried about their future. Construction on war footing Just a week before the school is scheduled to open, construction and finishing of several parts of the building is being done on a war footing. The academic block has been completed with furniture and other items in place. “Material and equipment for the physics, chemistry and biology laboratories and two computer labs have also been purchased but some items are yet to be installed,” said the DEO. As many as 500 students will be given admission for the first session but the facilities for accommodation have not yet been completed. As per the contractors, the construction of hostels for girls and boys is almost complete and additional labour has been roped in to complete the interior work. Cupboards in almost 75 per cent of the rooms had been fixed. The Education Department will take charge of the structures on July 30, just two days before the opening of the school.
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NCD employees may knock High Court door
Bathinda, July 22 Employees of the NCD clinic said they would knock at the doors of the High Court if the state government failed to give them the promised salary. The facility was established vide a Central Government project on prevention and control of cancer under the National Programme for Control of Cancer, Diabetes and Cardio-Vascular Strokes (NPCDCS) at Bathinda, Mansa, Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur. The Centre and the state are sharing the expenditure in the ratio of 75:25. A non-communicable diseases centre (NCD) tasked to detect the symptoms of cancer among the patients includes a staff nurse, a laboratory technician, a counsellor and a health educator besides an oncologist. It is noteworthy that in violation of law, the state government has reduced the salaries of contractual counsellors and staff nurses. Against the promised salary (as per the advertisement for recruitment published in November 2012) of Rs 18,000 to staff nurses and Rs 15,000 to counsellors, both are receiving only Rs 12,000 per month. These employees are also not getting the six per cent annual increment in time despite numerous complaints to the Health Department but in vain. Demanding regularisation which had been promised to them a number of times, the National Health Mission (NHM) employees struggled a lot. The NCD employees are not even getting the salary promised in the advertisement for recruitment. NRHM employees' state union president Avtar Singh said, "The government is violating the labour laws as it is now reducing the salary of the employees without any reason while something else was promised during the recruitment. We have been demanding regularisation for long and were promised the same in March his year. In July, the Chief Minister assured us saying the matter is in the pipeline. We hope the government fulfils its promise soon."
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De-addiction centre revives hopes of many
Bathinda, July 22 Since its inception in February, 137 drug addicts have undergone treatment at the centre. As many as 14 addicts have renounced drugs while 79 are under treatment. As many as 54 addicts have been declared as dropouts. Besides a psychiatrist, a project coordinator, two nurses, four pharmacists, a social worker, a multipurpose health worker and three policemen are deputed at the centre. However, the shortage of staff has put a burden on the existing staff. Sukhwinder Singh (name changed) was a chronic drug addict four years ago and used to inject intoxicants in his veins. Eventually, the nerves of his hands started fading. He has been booked in criminal cases. He admitted his involvement in chain snatchings and thefts to satisfy his urge. “I used to lose my temper easily. As there was no money after the refusal of my parents, I indulged in snatchings and thefts. Now, I feel guilty. My family members brought me here. I was not fully prepared earlier but the
staff at the centre convinced me. I was admitted here for a few days but my treatment continued for long. Mandeep Singh Bitta, another drug addict undergoing treatment at the centre, is now working as a security guard in a private firm. “I thank the saff at the centre for treating me. At the age of 16, I started consuming drugs and till the age of 20 years, I became an addict. My parents started praying for death as I started abusing them for money. I have been receiving treatment at the centre for the past two years. Now, I work as a security guard. I was married six months ago.” Project coordinator-cum-counsellor Roop Singh Mann said, “Drug addicts often fight with us during their initial days of treatment. But after some days of care and treatment, they understand the meaning of life. The project is being run under the aegis of the United Nation Organization for Drug and Crime (UNODC) and medicines are being provided by them. There are four other such centres in the
country besides the Bathinda centre. The other centres are at the Kapurthala Civil Hospital, AIIMS, Delhi, RIM Hospital, Imphal, and KM Hospital, Mumbai.” Psychiatrist Dr Nidhi Gupta said, “Our motive is to treat the patients with full dedication. The 25-bed de-addiction centre has proved to be a boon for drug addicts.” |
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Middle schools run without mathematics teachers
Bathinda, July 22 State president of the association, Gurbachan Singh, said in government middle schools, there were nine periods for physical education, nine for drawing, 12 for Hindi and 18 for Punjabi in a week. While teachers for almost all subjects are there in the schools, no post for mathematics teacher has been sanctioned despite the fact that there are almost 24 periods of the subject in a week. Members of the union said since other teachers hold classes for maths, the students draw a zero in the subject. By the time the students reach Class IX, they are very weak in the subject and have almost no interest left, they said, adding that this weakens their chances of having a bright academic career. General secretary Rajesh Monga said the state government was jeopardising the future of the students by not recruiting mathematics teachers for the middle schools. |
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Four cops booked for assaulting youth
Bathinda, July 22 Senior Superintendent of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar confirmed that two cases have been registered by the police. The first case has been registered against the two groups who were fighting while the second case is against the police officials who assaulted the youth outside the Mittal Mall. Pavas Jindal, brother of the victim, said Lakshay, along with his friends Rishu and Sameer Chhabra, had gone to have ice-cream at the mall where some youngsters had a fight. Meanwhile, ASI Jaswant Singh, the SHO’s driver constable Sapinder Singh, constable Sandeep Singh and constable Sartaj Singh reached the spot and started beating up Lakshay and his friends without any reason, he said. Pavas said when they protested, constable Sapinder Singh, who was heavily drunk, started abusing and beating up Lakshay. Lakshay was admitted to the Civil Hospital. Dr Ajay made his medico-legal report (MLR) in which it was stated that Lakshay his body had marks of 27 blows. Beopar Mandal leaders also met the Senior Superintendent of Police and demanded strict action against the police officials. Ashok Dhunike, president, Punjab Beopar Mandal, said they had met the SSP and he had assured them that a case would be registered against the accused. He said they would not tolerate any attack or any such incident on their members. Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sarup Chand Singla condemned the attack and said he would talk to the police officials and would make sure that these types of incidents do not happen in future. DSP (City) Gurjit Singh Romana said two cases had been registered — one on the statement of Lakshay Jindal and another on the statement of security guards of the mall. |
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BKU stages protest against govt policies
Bathinda, July 22 Addressing the protestors, Kaka Singh Kotra, senior-vice-president of the Punjab unit of the union, said they had been fighting for the rights of the farmers for long but the successive governments failed to address their concerns. He said the rates of crops should be decided as per the inflation rate in 1966-67. He said the Union Government should immediately implement the Swaminathan Committee recommendations and the rates of cotton and paddy should be revised. Kaka said during the last elections, SAD-BJP leaders were claiming that the condition of farmers could not be improved until the UPA remained in power but after coming into power, the NDA government did not call any farmers’ organisation for talks. Farmer leader Mukhitar Singh said the Centre’s move preventing the state from announcing bonus on crops was anti-farmer. |
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Bathinda, July 22 Some other residents and committee members of Rambagh tried to demolish the newly-constructed wall. Members of the Rambhag committee met the DC who deputed the tehsildar to resolve the issue. The tehsildar got the wall demolished. — TNS
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Residents submit memorandum against land acquisition
Bathinda, July 22 Residents alleged that though their area falls under the municipal limits, they were being considered as the residents of the rural area. The land close to the Bathinda-Goniana Road is being acquired for the four-laning of National Highway-15. The residents lament that if their area is considered rural, then at least 52 feet of the area close to the road will be acquired for widening and if considered in the city, then 16.5 feet will be included. The compensation for the rural area is four times higher than the city area. Munish Pandhi, a local residents, said the area earmarked within the limits of the municipal corporation was till Gill Patti village. He said the residents of both the wards were in dilemma over the status of their area. “This despite the fact that we pay house tax, water bills, got voter cards, ration cards made. Even our area falls under Bathinda urban constituency,” he said. The plan, which the authorities picked up for survey to acquire land is more than 10-year-old, which leads to the problem. Other residents of the area said they would knock the doors of the court, if the authorities fail to address their problem. Fact file |
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Two drug smugglers get 10-yr jail
Bathinda, July 22 The convicts will have to spend a year more in the jail if they fail to pay the fine. Harmeet Singh and Gora Singh, both residents of Phulomithi village, were arrested by the Sangat police in October 2011. About 500 grams of intoxicant powder and 44 vials of syrup were recovered from them. A case was registered against them at the Sangat police station. — TNS |
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CRIME BRIEFS
The police have booked an unidentified person for kidnapping and compelling a 23-year-old girl for marriage. In a complaint lodged with the Nehianwala police station, Jagdish Singh, a resident of Jeeda village, said his daughter was kidnapped by an unidentified person and he put pressure on her to marry him. He alleged that the accused forced her daughter to develop physical relationship with him.
The complainant stated that his daughter had gone missing on the intervening night of July 7- 8. A case has been registered under Section 366 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Man killed in accident Shivkaranjit Singh, a resident of Blahar Vinju, was killed in a road accident. The victim was serving as a peon at Delhi Public School (DPS). His bicycle was hit by a car. A case has been registered against car driver Sukhjeet Singh, a resident of Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar, under Section 304-A of the Indian Penal Code. One held with illicit liquor Dharam Singh, a resident of Poohla village, was arrested with 20 bottles of liquor today. A case under Sections 61,1,14 of the Excise Act has been registered against him. Two booked for
stealing bricks The police have booked two farmers , Gurdeep Singh and Balwinder Singh, both residents of Bhai Rupa village for stealing bricks worth Rs 96,000. In a complaint to the police, Nirmal Singh of the same village accused the duo of stealing bricks and threatening him with dire consequences. The complainant said the bricks were stolen from a plot three months ago. A case under Sections 379 and 506 of the IPC has been registered. One booked for rape The police on Tuesday booked Seol Mehraj, a resident of Patti, on the charge of raping a woman and making casteist remarks . The victim, a resident of Mehraj Road-Rampura, lodged a complaint against Balwinder Singh. A case under Sections 376 and 3-4 of the SC/ST Act has been registered. — TNS |
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The Bathinda drug de-addiction centre is proving to be a boon for drug addicts. Many addicts, who were involved in petty crimes, are leading a responsible life after undergoing treatment at the
centre. Since its inception in February, 137 drug addicts have undergone treatment at the
centre. As many as 14 addicts have renounced drugs while 79 are under treatment. As many as 54 addicts have been declared as dropouts.
The Bharatiya Kisan Union, Sidhupur, headed by Baldev Singh Sandoha, today staged a protest at the Children’s Park against the Central and the state governments. They also submitted a charter of demands to the Deputy Commissioner.
Residents of ward number 50 and ward number one near Adarsh Nagar submitted a memorandum to the SDM against the lacunae in acquiring the land for the Amritsar-Bathinda four lining project here today.
Residents alleged that though their area falls under the municipal limits, they were being considered as the residents of the rural area.
