Bathinda, August 30
Even after 30 hearings and incurring an expenditure of lakhs during every hearing, residents continue to slug it out against the setting up of the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Treatment Plant on Mansa Road.

Residents of the area had moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT) against the setting up of the plant with claims and pleas that the dumping of garbage will lead to trouble for the residential areas and also pollute the nearby water body.

Captain Mal Singh (retd), who spearheaded the case in the tribunal, said he has witnessed more than 30 hearings in the Tribunal at Delhi but any outcome—in favour or against—was yet to come in this regard.

“While the authorities claim to be setting up the plant in a sophisticated manner, we have pointed to many lacuna in the setup to the Tribunal,” the captain said.

He added that while the government is using its large number of employees, officials and machinery to contest the case, the public is contributing money for the cause. He said every visit to Delhi cost them dear and they have, so far, spent over Rs 7.5 lakh.

The case was filed in December 2012 after the soil and water samples of the area failed and the local residents raised a hue and cry over the issue.

Harpreet Singh, a resident of Harbans Nagar, said nearly 6 lakh tonnes of garbage was already lying at the dumping site of the project, which includes plastic and other residue. Ideally, the authorities must segregate the garbage before dumping as it will further harm the soil and the water bodies.

“Also, the five-acre area left for the green belt is yet to be developed as there is hardly any plant or tree in the area. We are battling the anomalies in setting up of the plant and not against the setting up of a plant which complies with all the set guidelines,” said Mal Singh.

People raised a huge and cry after the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) had given its nod to the project in 2012.

Bathinda, August 30
Managing Director, Punjab Health System Corporation, Hussan Lal, visited the Drug De-addiction Centre and had a brief conversation with a number of addicts.

Hussan Lal also visited the Drug Warehouse in Bathinda that supplies medicines to many districts. He claimed that the recruitment process of 126 medical officers has been completed and very soon they would be assigned duties. He claimed that the monitoring of Drug Warehouses would be made online and every common man could have access to the details of stock needed.

However, the doctors and the staff at the centre were appreciated by Hussan Lal. The MD met the patients admitted to this centre and asked them to leave drugs for the sake of their families and future. He tried to convince the patients about the harmful effects of drugs.

Bathinda Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tejwant Singh Randhawa, said, “It was a routine visit by the managing director and our staff and doctors are also much dedicated towards their patients. The Bathinda Drug Addiction Centre is so famous and well known that patients from other states also come here to take medicines. It is one of the five centres in the country having special treatment facilities for those who are habituated to taking injections.”

A psychiatrist at the centre, Dr Nidhi Gupta, said, “It is our duty to remain honest and dedicated towards the patients here. We provide the medicine bupinorphine only to those drug addicts who have been admitted. Until the patient here feels all are his family, he would not get emotionally attached.”

Bathinda, August 30
The Punjab government has decided to hold the fifth edition of the Kabaddi World Cup this year. Earlier, the Punjab government had planned to organise the World Kabaddi League this year. The Kabaddi League and the Kabaddi World Cup were also to be held alternatively from now onwards. Accordingly, the Kabaddi World Cup was to be held next year.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, at a recently held meeting of the Sports Department officials in Chandigarh, had announced to hold the 5th Kabaddi World Cup this year from November 29 to December 13. He also announced that the semi finals would be held in the Punjab province of Pakistan.

The opening ceremony of the Kabaddi World Cup would be organised in Jalandhar, while Bathinda would witness the sparkling closing ceremony later this year.

It is worth mentioning that Bathinda had been organising the opening ceremony of the three editions of the World Cup. In the second edition of the World Cup, Bathinda organised a grand opening ceremony in which Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan enthralled everyone with his performance on the hit song “Chamak Challo”. In the third edition, Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar and Asin had entertained the Bathinda audience. In the last edition of the Kabaddi World Cup, sizzling Bollywood diva Priyanka Chopra rocked the opening ceremony at Bathinda. So, for the first time, Bathinda will be organising the closing ceremony this year. Earlier, Ludhiana had hosted the closing ceremony of the Kabaddi World Cup in the last three editions.

With the announcement of Kabaddi World Cup taking place this year, Bathinda has again been selected to witness the sparkling closing ceremony. The residents of the city have started guessing as to which celebrity would perform this year at the closing ceremony.

It is worth mentioning that the Punjab government even added glamour to the sport by spending crores on inviting Bollywood superstars to perform at the opening and closing ceremonies with the motive of attracting people toward the game of kabaddi, once the preserve of Punjab.

Ankush Gupta, a city resident, said he had heard that this year, again, Bathinda is hosting the closing ceremony of the Kabaddi World Cup. It is great that this year also, the people would see Bollywood star performing live in their city.

Sandeep Kumar, a kabaddi lover, said it would be great to see kabaddi matches and the spectacular closing ceremony in the city.

He also said that he felt lucky that every year, the people of Bathinda are able to see such a grand show during the opening and closing ceremony of the Kabaddi World Cup.

Bathinda, August 30
More than 48 hours after an incident in which the miscreants struck at the HDFC Bank branch on GT Road near the bus stand and took away Rs 4.05 lakh, the police have failed to identify the accused. The police investigation seems to be going on at a snail’s pace there has been no headway in the case so far.

HDFC bank officials had shown the CCTV footage of the incident to the police in their bank only. They did not give the footage to the police till Friday. The footage is a crucial evidence for identifying the culprit and when today they gave it to the police, the culprit was not clearly visible. Civil Lines SHO Angrej Singh, said the CCTV footage, given by the bank officials is not very clear. So, they were unable to identify the accused so far. He also stated that they have registered a case against the unidentified persons in the incident.

It is pertinent to mention that on Thursday, Dinesh Kumar, a servant, who works at a mobile shop in the Fish Market, was asked by a shop owner, Rajinder Kumar, to deposit the cash in the account of VK Textiles in HDFC bank.

When he reached the cash counter of the bank, a person standing close to the counter told him to use another voucher as his voucher was wet. Dinesh thought he (the accused) was a bank employee and gave the bag containing the cash to him and went to take another voucher. However, he found the person missing on his return. After this, the police reached the spot. When the police was busy solving the HDFC case, another incident of a bank theft was reported at Rampura, where the accused ran away after taking Rs 50,000 from inside the Punjab National Bank (PNB). In this incident, the accused had taken the money from the pocket of the accused and fled away from the bank.

In the CCTV footage, two youngsters, about 10-15 years old, have been spotted taking the money. Another mysterious person was spotted in the footage keeping an eye on these two accused. The two incidents in the last two days have raised question over the security at the banks.

Bathinda, August 30
Farmers have been facing one more hour of power shortage from the scheduled six-hour supply for more than a week now. The problem has added to their woes besides the scanty rainfall. Residents in urban areas are too facing power cuts for about seven hours.

Farmers were promised by the state government that they would be given eight-hour power supply for tube wells to irrigate their fields but this has not happened. The supply was reduced to six hours but farmers were not even given power for five hours.

The urban areas, too, have been witnessing seven-hour power cut for the last four days despite there being no officially ordered power cuts.

During the summer, the state has given only six-hour power supply to the farmers in Punjab while for the last one week, it has cut it short to five hours in the whole state revealed sources. In some areas, farmers claim they have not got even four hours of power supply for their motor connections.

It’s noteworthy that against the demand of 10,500 MW daily, the state is supplying 8,800 MW to the consumers. The Punjab government is capable of providing only 3,300 MW from its own hydel and thermal power plants and is purchasing 5,300 MW from outside at Rs 4.5 per unit on an average.

The state-owned three thermal plants are generating around 2,590 MW daily out of the 2,640 MW installed capacity. The Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant, Bathinda, having a capacity of 460 MW, is producing 440 MW, the Guru Gobind Singh Thermal Plant, Lehra Mohabbat, (920 MW) is generating 910 MW and the Ropar Thermal Plant (1260 MW) is producing 1,240 MW daily.

Kuldeep Singh, a resident Bhagi Bandar village in Mansa, said, “Our expenses on irrigation have increased because of the use of diesel while we are not getting even the promised supply. The government gains votes only in the name of power and the farmers cry for it during the peak season. The scanty rainfall has caused us a huge loss. We need to irrigate paddy 14 times. However, many farmers like me were not able to irrigate their fields properly. The government should compensate us for the losses we are facing.”

Farmer Boota Singh said, “Earlier, the government promised us eight-hour power supply but it cut it short to six hours and now, for the last five days, we are not even getting six-hour supply. One more hour of supply has been reduced whereas, sometimes, only four hours of supply is given. If the state cannot meet the demand for power, it should guide the farmers according to the situation so that we can sow some other crop instead of paddy.

“The state has failed to boost its diversification project that could benefit farmers the most. Our woes are endless as after ripening we would again face the problem of procurement. These are reasons why farmers commit suicide as the expenses on agriculture increases and the state provides no compensation.”

Bathinda, August 30
The three-day district-level Inspire awards exhibition concluded here today at the Teachers' Home. Fourteen models, seven each from the middle and secondary classes, were recommended for participation at the state-level competition to be held from September 10-12 in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district.

Dr Amarjeet Kaur, District Education Officer (Secondary), was the chief guest at the event. Dr Kaur saw all the models displayed at the exhibition and appreciated the efforts of the students and their guides. She said the improvisation of previous models and machines in terms of improvement in efficiency, energy consumption and cost-effectiveness was the factors on the basis of which the guides should help their students develop the models.

District Science Supervisor Baljit Singh said the models were made by the students under the guidance of their teachers and funds to the tune of Rs 5,000 would be provided to every school for this purpose.

He said the seven models which had been recommended for participation at the state level in the middle classes included one which depicted the calculation of the volume of a sphere by using sand. It was made by Manpreet Kaur of Government Middle School, Pippli.

Similarly, the model of a solar eclipse made by Jaspreet Singh of Government Middle School, Lalleana, a model of solar city showing the use of solar energy in different forms, made by Jagmeet Singh, of Government Senior Secondary School, Behman Diwana, was also selected.

Baljit Singh added that the hot plate model, showing the use of solar energy which was made by Ramandeep Kaur of Government Middle School, Lehra Saunda, a model showing water distillation using solar energy made by Gurbir Singh of Government Senior Secondary School, Killi Nihal Singh Wala, the model of a tree-shaped building made by Jagjit Singh of Government High School, Bhagu, and a model showing the additional security features of ATM machines, made by Amanpreet Kaur of Government High School, Poohli, was also recommended for participation at the state level.

He said the seven models which had been recommended for participation at the state-level in the secondary classes category included one which depicted the use of optical illusion using a periscope made by Lovepreet Singh of Government Senior Secondary School, Bhai Rupa (Boys) and a model showing the calculation of the surface area of solid objects made by Ramandeep Kaur, Government Senior Secondary School, Bhokhra.

Similarly, the working models showing the manufacturing of manure using fly ash made by Amandeep Kaur of Government High School, Sardargarh, an improvised model of air-conditioner made by Navjot Kaur of Government Senior Secondary School, Multania, a model of Archimedes screw and cyclone made by Harpreet Kaur of Government Senior Secondary School, Tungwali, a model of an automated sliding shed made by Rajinder Singh of Government Senior Secondary School, Chak Ruldu Singh Wala, and a device to measure the height of building using a mathematical formulae made by Amanpreet Kaur of Government Senior Secondary, Deon, was also recommended for participation at the state level.

While the team of Des Raj Memorial Government Senior Secondary School presented a bhangra on the occasion, the girls' team of Government Senior Secondary School, Paras Ram Nagar, presented giddha and the Punjabi Lok Bolian. 

Bathinda, August 30
Clubs and societies are coming up fast in this dry belt of Malwa, registering an increase of 2,500 per cent in the last one decade. The number of registered clubs and societies in 2002-03 was a mere 190 which increased to 5,000 in the year 2013-14.

Many of these societies are working in the field of education and most clubs claim to be doing welfare work.

"Neither do the societies fill their annual renewal forms nor the clubs. It is mandatory for them to submit the yearly balance sheet with complete details of money received in the form of donation and expenditure besides showing the welfare work done," said the General Manager (GM) of the District Industries Department, Jarnail Singh. He also has the charge of Additional Registrar of Societies-with which the societies or clubs are registered. He added that the balance sheet should be audited by the audit officer.

Jarnail Singh admitted that only 5 to 7 per cent of the clubs or societies fill the annual renewal forms.

Apart from the non-government organizations (NGOs), schools and colleges, the department also registers the recently opened Suvidha Kendras at police stations and the moghas' (water outlet in canals). "Anything meant for public welfare involving transaction of money is registered with our department," said Satpal Singh who is deployed as a senior assistant with the Registrar of Societies, Bathinda.

One could move an application by paying Rs 500 as one-time fee, for the registration of a society or club with a mandatory seven-member committee, comprising a president, secretary and cashier. "But it is mandatory for the society or club to deposit Rs 100 as annual fees with the balance sheet in which the entire money involved should be spent on the welfare of the people on a no loss, no profit basis," Satpal said.

The officials of the society, however, added that neither the societies operating the schools nor the colleges show their actual figure of income or expenditure. The clubs, societies or the NGOs also do not show the actual figures. "They rope in 'expert' chartered accountants (CAs) for the purpose of maintaining donations, expenditure and other monetary transactions," the officials said.

They added that only the clubs or societies receiving government grants from the state or Centre show their actual figures as they have to obtain a utilisation certificate from the DC office-after spending the amount-and maintain the balance sheet for the annual renewal.

"Only those clubs out of the 5,000, actively involved in the welfare work, are sincere while the others are lying defunct," said the chairman of Naujawan Welfare Society, Sonu Maheshwari.

President of the NGO Sahara Jan Sewa, Vijay Goyal, said only a handful of societies are working actively while many others are sitting idle ever since they were formed.

The officials of the Registrar of Societies said before the registration, these clubs or societies are supposed to declare their aims and objectives with a declaration that they will not work to earn money but on a no profit, no loss basis.

According to these officials, the number of such societies is increasing at a fast pace and as per a rough estimate, 200 to 250 such clubs and societies are registered every year.

Bathinda, August 30
Tension mounted today at Guru Nanak Dev Public Secondary School in Kamla Nehru Colony when the new management committee and the school staff came out openly against each other making the parents fret over the future of students studying in the school.

The principal of the school along with the staff members and students revolted against the new management committee, accusing the committee members of misbehaving with the principal, teachers and students. The school staff and the students alleged that the new management was not following any rules and doing whatever they wanted to without following proper rules and procedure. The members of the management committee refuted the allegations.

According to the principal, this showed that the priority of the management was to ignore pressing issues concerning the school and to target the principal and teachers.

Principal of the school Sarbjeet Kaur Sra as well as the other teachers alleged that the new management committee was putting pressure on the teachers. The tension between the staff and the management committee is also affecting the atmosphere in the school, she added.

Veerpal Kaur, a teacher, alleged that when the office-bearers of the committee were holding a meeting with the principal Sarbajit Kaur Sra, she suddenly went inside. At that time, she saw that the principal was tense and crying. Veerpal Kaur alleged that she came out and fetched a glass of water for her, due to which she was suspended.

On the other hand, the members of the committee said the teacher had been suspended because she had misbehaved with the office-bearers.

Principal Sarbjeet Kaur Sra said her salary was reduced from Rs 38,000 to Rs 30,000. The teachers also had to pay a part of their salary back to the school committee after their full salary was deposited in their bank accounts. The teacher stated that the school did not get water supply after 10 am and the school committee did not show any interest in getting the work done.

The principal alleged that the management committee wanted to remove the teachers and the staff by harassing them as they wanted to recruit their own relatives and acquaintances in the school.

It may be mentioned that the management committee runs two schools-- Guru Nanak Dev Public Secondary School at Civil Station and Guru Nanak Dev Public Secondary School in Kamla Nehru Colony.

Some days back, the principal of Guru Nanak Dev Public Secondary School at the Civil Station had also written a letter to Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal offering her resignation and alleging harassment by the school management.

The principal said that after getting the information today in the morning that the school teachers were protesting, the committee members came inside the school with the motive of attacking her. They had to close the inner gate of the school and the police was called for help as they were shouting "Principal nu dekhde ha, bahut bani firdi hai."

A police team led by the SHO, Cantonment, Mohan Lal also reached the school and tried to pacify both the parties. The teachers said they were ready for talks but Gurtej Singh Smagh, general secretary of the committee, should not attend the meeting. The committee members did not agree to this.

The teachers also staged a protest by sitting on dharna against the new management at the school gate. They also threatened that if their demands are not fulfilled, they will go on hunger strike from September 2.

Bathinda, August 30
As many as 871 cases out of 1,075 which came up for hearing in the Lok Adalat today were settled. An award of Rs 13.39 crore was passed during the hearing of these cases.

Chairman-cum-District and Sessions Judge Tejwinder Singh said the Lok Adalat is organised on the last Saturday of every month at Phul and Talwandi Sabo. A labour court is also organised in Bathinda on the last Friday of the month. Four cases were settled in the labour court, Tejwinder Singh said.

He said the objective of the Lok Adalat is to settle cases with the mutual consent of both the parties and also to reduce the monetary burden and enmity.

Excluding cases of a serious nature pending in various courts, those related to electricity bills, telephone bills, mobile bills, bank cases, insurance cases, immigration disputes, education and LPG connections are taken up in the Lok Adalat.

Also, 277 cases pertaining to traffic challans and 72 cases related to family disputes were resolved during the Lok Adalat.

Bathinda, August 30
Baba Farid College of Education has achieved 100 per cent results in the examination held for second semester of MA (Education) this year.

The college has given 100 per cent result in first division with Karamjit Kaur topping the list by obtaining 76.50 per cent marks followed by Parneet Kaur with 76 per cent marks and Paramjit Kaur with 73.75 per cent marks.

Gurmeet Singh Dhaliwal, chairman, Baba Farid College of Education, said, "The main objective of any educational institute is to manage the transition of a student to being a successful professional. To achieve these objectives, we direct all our efforts towards inculcating practical learning through various innovative teaching methodologies and thus our students shine in exams."

Bathinda, August 30
Mount Litera Zee School has been working to create a child-abuse free environment. Keeping such intent in mind and to foster a sense of responsibility among the students, the school organised a rally against child abuse.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Basant Garg inaugurated the rally. The purpose of the rally was to make the people aware about various types of child abuses prevalent in society and its impact.

The rally started from Fauji Chowk and marched to Mittal Mall, where the students presented a street play depicting the different kinds of exploitation faced by innocent children. The message of the rally was to make the kids aware.

This is with reference to the news item “Traders rent out footpaths” published on August 30. It is a sad state of affairs as the shopkeepers in connivance with the MCB officials encroach upon pavements and the MC land for their personal gains.There are several shops which are run from footpaths. This is big business for all the parties concerned and is done at the cost of public safety and the life of the common man. The footpaths have been occupied by shopkeepers and traders and the public parking place by the taxi owners and footpath bazaars. Similarly, the streets have been encroached upon by the rehriwalas, rickshawala and three-wheelers. Where would the common man facing such inconvenience go? Local politicians play populist games by allowing such encroachments. Let the district administration start an anti- encroachment drive with the help of enlightened citizens and NGOs .