Bathinda, August 23
The revision in power tariff by the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) will spell ‘double trouble’ for the city residents who will not only end up paying their own (extra) power bills but also bear the whopping Rs 4.22 crore incurred on street- light bills of the Municipal Corporation Bathinda (MCB). The MCB is paying exorbitant power bills on streetlights under the ‘commercial’ category.

The revised power tariff will further increase the annual expenditure of Rs 4.22 crore that was recently paid during the last financial year April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014). Corporation officials said since the MCB pays the streetlight bills under the ‘Commercial’ category—the amount will surely put extra burden on the general public. “We have no other means to clear the bills except for extracting it from the pocket of the public,” said a corporation official.

The PSERC has made a 2.74 per cent hike in power tariff across all consumer categories in Punjab. Powercom officials said the power tariff has been increased to meet the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL’s) consolidated revenue gap of nearly Rs 593 crore. The announcement of tariff hike was delayed due to the Lok Sabha elections and byelections, they said.

The corporation officials said they had taken up the matter of shifting the commercial category to at least domestic, with the higher government authorities, but to no avail. “The issue was once taken up by some Municipal Councillors during a meeting a few years ago, but then, no follow up was ever done in the matter,” said a senior corporation official.

Apart from the Rs 4.22 crore on electricity bills only for streetlights, another Rs 8 crore (approximately) is also paid by the MCB for using power at its office, for water supply in the city, sewerage plant, using electricity in parks and horticulture purposes. “We have been demanding that either there should be a rebate on the use of power—meant for public works like street lights and others—or the charges of domestic or other categories should be applied for the same,” said another official.

At present, the major source of income for the MCB is 11 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) submitted by the business houses in the form of sales tax to the Punjab government. Apart from sales tax, the MCB collects property tax, water supply and sewerage charges, advertisement tax and rent from 400 shops in the vicinity of municipal limits. Last year’s yearly budget of the MCB was around Rs 125 crore. With augmentation of the corporation area, more street lights and other basic amenities will be extended to the city outskirts in the coming three to four months.

Bathinda, August 23
Despite the increased power tariff, hardly any effort has been made by the Powercom to fix the exposed low-lying electricity wires in various localities. Despite the death of two youngsters, including a 28-year-old resident of Ganesha Basti, and a young kabaddi player, nothing has been done so far.

Low-lying electricity wires are a common sight in Pujanwala Mohalla in Bathinda. Tribune photo

The residents of Pujanwala Mohalla near Bathinda Fort said the low-lying electric wires with so many joints are posing a serious threat to the lives of the people, especially the youngsters and the elderly.

“The electricity wires with so many bare joints at some places are located just at the main entrances of the houses and the people try their best not to touch the joints inadvertently,” said Ramesh Mehta, a resident of the locality.

He said the residents are concerned over such electricity wires following two recent incidents where two youngsters got electrocuted in Bathinda.

It is pertinent to mention here that an 18-year-old kabaddi player, Talwinder Singh, died of electrocution on October 10 last year. He tried to cross the road near Dashmesh Senior Secondary School and received electric shock from a pole. A native of Bhawanigarh near Patiala, he was staying in the school building along with other students who came to attend the school games in Bathinda.

In another similar incident that took place on April 30 2014, Sonu, a resident of Ganesh Nagar, died when he came in contact with the electric wires while standing on the rooftop of his house. Her mother Kamlesh Rani regretted that the wires still hang in her locality in the same manner as the Powercom authorities failed to fix the wires or cover the bare electricity wires.

Residents of Pujanwala Mohalla stated since their locality is the oldest in Bathinda city, the streets are quite narrow and the area is congested.

“There is every possibility of people—especially the elderly and children—coming in contact with the electric wires,” said Krishan Kumar, a resident.

Powercom SDO, Jassa Singh, said since the area residents did not bring this problem to his notice, the issue might not have been resolved. “I will surely send workers to fix all the hanging wires with immediate effect despite the problem of staff shortage,” he said.

Ramesh Mehta, a resident of Pujanwala Mohalla said, “People are prone to electrocution in view of the low-lying electric wires. Despite repeated requests, nothing has been done by the Powercom authorities in this regard.”

Said Krishan Kumar, a resident of Pujanwala Mohalla, “Despite increasing the power tariff and huge amounts of bills, there is hardly any facility provided to the consumers by the Powercom.”

Another resident Swarna Rani said, “It seems that the Powercom officials are waiting for another tragedy to happen after which they would fix the problem in the locality which is full of exposed electric wires.”

Kamlesh Rani-a resident of Ganesh Nagar said, “I have lost my son due to the low-lying bare electric wires but despite the death, no Powercom official ever made any attempt to fix the problem. A mason also received serious injuries after he came in contact with a live electric wire in our locality, no far away from our house”.

Bathinda, August 23
The inter-state bus terminus (ISBT) in Bathinda, which is among the busiest in Punjab, paints a picture of neglect and apathy. Facilities for passengers are non-existent though the department concerned is earning enough money through bus stand fee and rent from shops on the premises.

Bathinda is the district headquarters visited by thousands of people daily for official work.

There are hardly any benches for the passengers to sit upon at the bus stand. Besides, there is no facility for drinking water, toilets are dirty and sewage is seen overflowing most of the time.

In the summer season, it becomes difficult for the passengers as there are hardly any fans and the existing ones are in a damaged condition.

Big potholes welcome the commuters as they enter the bus stand. The condition of the bus stand becomes insufferable during the rainy season. The accumulation of sludge and sewage worsens the condition.

The roads inside the bus stand are in such a pathetic state that deflated tyres are a common occurrence.

The passengers travelling daily are of the view that the authorities need to pay attention towards the condition of the bus stand as it becomes almost impossible to enter the premises

Stall vendors at the bus stand appear to be overcharging the passengers who buy eatables from their stalls.

Vendors there are reportedly selling chips at the price of Rs 30 instead of the MRP of Rs 20. A bottle of cold drink is being sold for Rs 30 besides many other such products.

Vandana, a resident of Ajit Road, said when her son compelled her to buy chips, she was charged Rs 30 for the packet of chips for which the MRP was Rs 20.

Sukhpal Singh, a passenger, said the government should at least provide basic facilities at the bus stand as this is the largest used public transport which people use to travel.

Bus stand officials said they do their best to provide the basic facilities to the passenger.

There is no such issue as many things have been done to ensure the comfort of passengers.

Mansa, August 23
The Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, lashed out at the economic policies of the previous UPA government and said the NDA had inherited a bankrupt economy as the previous government had completely ruined it.

While speaking to media persons after paying obeisance at historic Gurdwara Sulisar Sahib, Kot Dharmu village of Mansa on Saturday, Harsimrat said the previous UPA government led by the Congress had left the country’s treasury empty.

She claimed that the NDA government under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been taking initiatives and measures to improve the fiscal health of the country to pave way for the development.

She informed that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be launching ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana’ on August 28 countrywide. The ambitious scheme aims to bring poor people into the ambit of the Government’s financial programme, which will give a push to the economic growth. The scheme will cover both urban and rural areas and those who open account would get Domestic Debit Card.

Talking about the food processing ministry, she promised that food processing potential across the country would be utilised properly and her ministry has been preparing a National Food Map to bring the processed food in the reach of common man and various measures to enhance the income of the farmers/producers.

However, she said, “I have also taken over the reins of the Food Processing ministry in such circumstances when there is nothing left behind by the previous government. Even the subsidies to the entrepreneurs were not paid since 2004. My first priority will be to clear the debt and subsidies and then new ventures.”

While addressing a gathering at Kot Dharmu, Jhunir and Sardulgarh during thanksgiving tour, she promised to fast track development in the constituency. “I will work to provide basic facilities, clean drinking water, electricity and other civic amenities in every home of my constituency, houses for the houseless and revamping of water channels to provide water for irrigation to farmers.” — TNS

Bathinda, August 23
Even as the police had received a complaint regarding an alleged attack on Baljinder Kaur, the Aam Admi Party (AAP) candidate for the Talwandi Sabo by-election that was held on August 21, no case has been registered and the police have failed to identify any of the accused.

Baljinder Kaur has been demanding the registration of a case against SGPC leader Dyal Singh Kolianwali, who is close to Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, for allegedly attacking her and other AAP workers in her native village Jaga Ram Tirath, a day before the polling.

Police has been denying the presence of Dyal Singh Kolianwali at the spot while the AAP candidate and leaders will hold a meeting on Sunday to discuss further action in the case where the police failed to register a case.

Bathinda police have preferred to remain mum on the issue even as the AAP candidate has been alleging police pressure on her driver Gurbaksh Singh and her to enter a compromise. Gurbaksh Singh, driver of Baljinder Kaur, was also reportedly injured in the incident on August 20. The AAP has been accusing the police of being hand in glove with ruling alliance and not accepting the medical report of the driver.

"The police has turned a puppet in the hands of the ruling Akali Dal and failed to take any action against the accused. Police had even played a crucial role in favouring the Akali leaders on the day of voting. It even ignored booth capturing by the Akalis on the day of voting. We had written to the Election Commissioner of Punjab against sarpanch Sukhpal Singh of village Teona Pujarian who abused me badly on the day of voting," said AAP candidate Baljinder Kaur.

SP (Detective) Sawarn Singh Khanna said, "We are busy investigating the violence at Rama Mandi clash that took place on the day of voting. An inquiry has already been initiated and further investigation would be carried out after the probe. No case has been registered against anyone on the complaint of Baljinder Kaur. We would inquire into the case and listen to both the parties before registering any case."

Bathinda, August 23
A girl student has accused a government teacher of beating her up. Although the incident took place at Government Elementary School in Jivi Nagar on August 22, the matter came to light today when the girl was admitted to the Civil Hospital with facial injuries.

Dev Raj, the girl's father, said she had made some mistakes in the written assignment and was beaten up mercilessly instead of being just told to rectify them. He also alleged that despite submitting a written complaint to the Thermal police, no action had been taken.

Sakeena was badly beaten up by her teacher Ranjit Kaur. Her face was swollen and had turned red, Dev Raj alleged.

He also alleged that the teachers of the school regularly beat up students to hide their inefficiency and demanded strict action against the teacher concerned.

The fault of the girl was that she had made spelling mistakes while taking down the notes. Officials of the Education Department said they have initiated an inquiry against the teacher concerned. The Block Primary Officer (BPO) have been told to conduct an inquiry into the incident and action against the teacher will be taken subsequently.

Investigation officer Sukhmander Singh said a complaint has been received in this regard and action will be taken as per the law after investigating the matter.

Bathinda, August 23
Three persons were injured when a tractor-trailer hit them on the GT Road near the Improvement Trust office in the city here today. The injured have been identified as students of Lord Rama Public School and their mother.

Meena, a resident of Kothe Amarpura, was travelling on an Activa Honda after picking her two children from the school. When they reached near the Improvement Trust Office on the GT Road, she stopped the Activa by the roadside to buy stuff. In the meantime, a speeding tractor-trailer hit them. They were rushed to the Civil Hospital. Sources said they received multiple injuries.

The injured students have been identified as Sachin (Class II) and Palak (Class IV). After the accident, the driver of the tractor-trailer fled from the spot. Surprisingly, the officials at the police station concerned were not aware of any such incident within their jurisdiction till late in the evening.

The rising number of road accidents in the city has again exposed the government's claims of tackling the problem in an effective manner.

It is pertinent to mention that in the last one and half months, more than 150 persons have been injured and more than half a dozen persons have died in road mishaps in the district. Traffic police official said a major reason behind the road accidents in the city is that people are always in a hurry due to which they drive rashly.

Bathinda, August 23
One person was seriously injured in a clash between two groups at Government Rajindra College here on Friday.

The injured, who was admitted to the Civil Hospital, has been identified as Sukhmander Singh, a resident of Dhingar village in Mansa district. Sukhmander Singh was a student of BA in the college.

At around 10 am, Sukhmander Singh had an argument with some youths on the college premises which turned into a bloody clash. The youths with whom he had an altercation started beating him up with hockey sticks. After injuring him seriously, the assailants fled from the college. He was taken to the Civil Hospital by the other students of the college.

It is learnt that at around 10 am, the two groups of students began arguing over the college union which does not exist. The fight apparently stemmed from the fact that one group pasted posters claiming that its leader was the president of the All Bathinda College Union for the session 2014-15.

Interestingly, the union is non-existent since the Punjab Government had imposed a ban on the formation of college unions.

Last year also, on August 13, 2013, a bloody clash took place between two groups at the college canteen following a poster war when one of the groups claimed that its leader was the president of the students union.

Bus stand police post in-charge Surjit Singh said he has started investigations into the matter and action would be taken in keeping with the provisions of the law after recording the statements of all those concerned.

Vijay Goel, principal, Government Rajindra College, said he got to know about the clash through the police.

Goel was of the view that the clash must have taken place near the college gate.

He also said that the college administration was waiting for the police investigation and if any college student was found involved, he would be suspended. In case they turned out to be outsiders, the college will ask the police to take strict action against the accused.

Bathinda, August 23
Forty eighth AWWA Day celebrations were organised at Bathinda Cantt today wherein a ‘Healthy Baby Competition’, ‘Well Women Health Camp’ and a ‘Throw Ball Competition’ was organised.

A special family welfare meet was organised under this event where Zarina Hariz, zonal president of AWWA, Chetak Corps was the chief guest.

The event commenced with the traditional lighting of lamp and was then followed by a rendition of AWWA song.

During the programme, Veer Naris of Bathinda were felicitated and the AWWA Award of Excellence was also conferred upon 8 ladies. The event concluded with an address by Zarina Hariz in which she reiterated the importance of family welfare activities and the need to focus on health care, education of children and empowerment of women. She also complimented all the families for their hard work and commitment in undertaking various activities.

Bathinda, August 23
Artists in the city have urged the state government to open an art gallery in Bathinda. Amarjit Singh Painter, president of S.Sobha Singh Memorial Chittarkar Society, said the coming up of an art gallery is important for the city as it helps connect the people with their culture.

It will also motivate the youngsters to take up artistic vocations and help them stay away from drugs.

The demand was raised by the artists today at a function held to mark the silver jubilee celebrations of the society.

The occasion was the two-day 29th Vibjyor Art workshop on oil paintings, water colour, acrylic colour, charcoal sketching, terracotta and wood sculpture at Teacher's Home in the city. The workshop has been dedicated to renowned cartoonist Pran , who passed away recently.

Amarjit Singh Painter said every year, the workshop is organised but this year being the silver jubilee year, it was decided to organize eight workshops, out of which five have already been held.

According to Painter, talented artists from all over the state and even from Haryana come here to display their art which gives people a great learning opportunity.

The artists also said that they have met the Punjab chief minister, state ministers and officials but no concrete steps have been taken so far to open an art gallery here.