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8 Punjabis stuck in Libya urge govt to rescue them
Ambulance squashed between trucks, 6 dead
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SAD trying to expand urban base, not to rely solely on BJP
Cong sees red as govt puts prime Ludhiana land on sale
Jails to install system to monitor telephone calls by
prisoners
Gandhi meets Badal, discusses Patiala’s woes
Paddy growers count losses after rain
Hopes of cotton farmers drown in waterlogged fields
State-level function for teachers overshadowed
PM’s address: Schools banking on watchmen, panchayats for TV sets
Six officials chargesheeted for lapses in using grants
Hit by canal breach, Mansa residents shift to safer places
DIET employees not paid for months
Mandatory viewing flouts govt
notification
6 IAS, 1 PCS officer shifted
Cong distributes fake currency coupons in protest
Hoteliers won’t set up sewage plants
Schools, hospitals fail to meet fire safety terms
A view of waterlogged 'parikarma' of the Golden Temple on Thursday.
Tribune photo
Custodial death: Villagers block traffic in
Goraya Coal-starved PSPCL heaves sigh of relief Election Commission drive to ensure authentic electoral
rolls
Indian contribution during WW-I grossly understated, Amarinder tells Londoners
Capt Amarinder Singh addresses a gathering at Royal Hospital Chelsea in London. A Tribune photograph
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Moga youth shot dead in Philippines
With tears in his eyes, the aggrieved old man said he had paid Rs 7 lakh to a travel agent to send his son to Philippines. After working in a finance company for two years, Nirmal had recently started his own finance company. Nirmal married a resident of Philippines last year. Balkar Singh and Gurdev Singh, uncles of Nirmal, have appealed to the Punjab Government to help them in bringing back the dead body of their kin.
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Ambulance squashed between trucks, 6 dead
Fatehgarh Sahib, September 4 Truck driver Darshan Singh and Sandeep Singh were brought to the Civil Hospital, The former was referred to the PGI, Chandigarh. His condition is stated to be serious. Sources said the ambulance (PB 11N 5373) was on its way to the PGI Chandigarh from Patiala. The driver tried to overtake a truck (HR 37 4353) carrying iron bars but colided with another truck (PB 11 9675) coming from the opposite direction. The ambulance was squashed between the two trucks. The SSP, Gurmeet Singh Chauhand, SDM Pooja Syal, DSP Hardevinder Singh Sandhu, and Sirhind SHO Harjinder Singh rushed to the accident site. Deceased Harish Kumar's son said his father was suffering from a liver ailment and doctors at Patiala had referred him to the PGI, Chandigarh.
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SAD trying to expand urban base, not to rely solely on BJP
Chandigarh, September 4 Observers say the SAD president clearly wants to ensure that the party has its own urban base. It does not want to rely on its alliance partner (BJP) alone for securing urban votes during the elections. The BJP had taken Akali leader PS Gill into its fold last week. This was openly objected to by the Chief Minister, who is SAD’s chief patron. Now the SAD move to expand its base in urban areas has made the BJP jittery. Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal denies he is encroaching on BJP’s space. “There is no competition between the SAD and the BJP. After I took over as party president, I have ensured that all local body elections are contested by candidates on the party symbol. We have SAD presidents in more than 70 of the total 90-odd local bodies. Also, the SAD cannot rely on rural votes alone. It is imperative that we expand into new areas, especially when several Assembly seats have an equal number of urban and rural voters,” he explained. Sukhbir is also concentrating on creating more infrastructure in the state to woo the urban populace. “We have got the sanction to construct four new expressways, linking new towns and cities. The RTS project in Amritsar and Ludhiana is being speeded up. Other projects are in the pipeline,” he said. On the recent outburst by BJP ministers against government policies, Sukhbir said there were no fissures in the alliance. He said the alliance with the BJP was permanent and it served the interests of the state. Putting all speculations to rest regarding the resignation of Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia as Youth Akali Dal president, he said: “No one has the ability to lead the youth all by himself. Majithia served the party at a time when the Opposition attacked us and tried to sabotage us (Manpreet’s rebellion). In the party’s interest, we have decided to have YAD presidents for the Majha, Doaba and Malwa regions”.
On alliance partner There is no competition between the SAD and the BJP... We have SAD presidents in more than 70 local bodies. Also, we cannot rely on rural votes alone. As the party grows, it becomes imperative that it expands into new areas, especially when several Assembly seats have an equal number of urban and rural voters. On Revenue Minister Majithia served the party at a time when the Opposition attacked us and tried to sabotage us (referring to Manpreet's rebellion). In the party's interest, we have decided to have YAD presidents for the Majha, Doaba and Malwa regions. On infrastructure We have got the sanction to construct four new expressways, linking new towns and cities. The RTS project in Amritsar and Ludhiana is being speeded up.
— Sukhbir Badal, Deputy CM
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Cong sees red as govt puts prime Ludhiana land on sale
Chandigarh, September 4 The government had earlier sold land of the old district complex which led to axing of 1,600 trees. It had also tried to dispose of prime property of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), but the deal could not materialise. The 32 acre land, which is on the block, is situated opposite the PAU land and houses a PSPCL office, a guesthouse and a residential colony. Punjab Congress spokesman Sukhpal Khaira and city-based environmentalist Jatinder Moudgill today alleged the government was in a hurry to sell the land. They warned Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal against creating a concrete jungle in the city at the cost of its green cover. Khaira said Sukhbir was hell bent on selling precious government properties. “Sukhbir is going overboard with private commercial ventures as if the entire state is his personal property,” he alleged. Showing documents, he said the market value of the property was more than Rs 3,000 crore. Besides, there were a large number of full grown trees on the land which might be axed, he said. They said the government came up with argument that 80 per cent of the proceeds generated from the commercial Down Town project would be utilised for financing Mukerian power project. However, all private sector thermal plants vigorously pushed by Sukhbir were in “jeopardy”.
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Jails to install system to monitor telephone calls by
prisoners
In the special call system, the prisoners will have to make calls from kiosks set up in all jails. The authorities can then record call details of the inmates at these kiosks that will be fitted with biometric devices. Inmates will be able to call just the two numbers provided to the authorities. Under the smart e-purse card system, each inmate will be issued a smart card and his/her relatives will be allowed to deposit money in his account. The inmates can then purchase items from the canteen with the card. The prisoners' wages will also be credited to their accounts. Electronic cards for 14,200 inmates will be provided by a Panchkula-based company, which will also install the equipment in the jails. "This system will bring in more transparency," said Shivraj Singh, Superintendent, Sub-Jail,
Muktsar. LS Jakhar, DIG, Prisons, said, "Both the systems were first introduced at Tihar Jail in Delhi. Then we tested these systems in a pilot project in our jails. Now, we will launch these in all major jails within a fortnight."
The new systems
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Gandhi meets Badal, discusses Patiala’s woes
He said connectivity of the Malwa region with New Delhi would be a boon for the region. This would boost trade and create job avenues for the people. He said Union Railway Minister DV Sadananda Gawda had agreed to connect Rajpura with New Delhi provided the state government agreed to give land for laying a railway track. Gandhi urged the CM to look into the matter on priority. He also took up the issue of the Ghaggar. He said the river was once considered a lifeline for the villages situated alongside its bank, but now it was often termed as the "River of Sorrow". River water often flooded nearby villages after heavy rainfall, causing loss of life and property, he said. Immediate steps should be taken to resolve the issue, he added. Gandhi also briefed the Chief Minister on issues such as vacant posts of doctors and other staff at the Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital, non-availability of potable water in various areas, poor condition of roads and non-availability of garbage treatment plants in Patiala.
What he wants
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SAD post for Izhar Alam irks Dal Khalsa
Hoshiarpur, September 4 He said his party would expose all perpetrators of violence, most of whom had joined mainstream parties such as the SAD, the Congress and the BJP. Party spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh said the SAD's Panthic mask was off. He taunted Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to now also give a party post to retired police chief KPS Gill for his “contribution to suppress the Sikh struggle” that has been lauded by its alliance partner BJP.
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Paddy growers count losses after rain
Amritsar, September 4 Gurnam Singh, a farmer from Daoke village, said, “We have suffered a major loss as we had sown early varieties. The paddy crop in almost one-third of the village land has been flattened.” He said it had come as a jolt to farmers like him who had shelled out a lot of money to save their crop from the drought-like conditions that prevailed earlier. Farmers claimed they had to spend an additional around Rs 5,000 per acre on rearing their paddy crop due to deficient rains and inadequate power supply. Kabal Singh, a farmer from Majitha block, said, “The countdown for harvesting of early varieties had already begun. We were hoping to reap a rich harvest. But the sudden rainfall has dashed our hopes. We have been left counting our losses.” He feared that if it rained more over the next couple of days, it would further damage their crop and lead to discolouration of grain, which would translate into great financial loss to them. Amrik Singh of Pandori village was dejected as he pointed towards vast tracts of his farm with flattened paddy crop. “Earlier it was lack of rainfall that took the toll on our crop. Now it is the sudden and excess rain that has done the damage.” Nachhatar Singh from Mughal Chak village in Tarn Taran also lamented that paddy on his six acres of land had been flattened. Kuljeet Singh from Kajiwal village said their crop was submerged in knee-deep water and they feared major losses. Tarn Taran sub-division received 105 mm rainfall, though it was less in other parts of the district. However, there is also a section of the farmers which is elated after the rainfall. Amritsar Chief Agriculture Officer Paramjeet Singh Sandhu said Amritsar witnessed 65 mm rainfall since yesterday, which did not augur well for the early varieties of paddy. He said around 30 per cent of the paddy sown in the district was early variety while the rest were late varieties, primarily of Basmati. He estimated the crop loss to be around 3 per cent. Farmer leader Rattan Singh Randhawa said the rainfall had come as a setback for those who were looking forward to harvest their crop in the next 10 to 12 days, though it was beneficial for paddy in totality. He said rains would benefit small and marginal farmers who had limited resources and were largely dependent on either canal water supply or rainfall to cultivate their land.
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Hopes of cotton farmers drown in waterlogged fields
Chandigarh, September 4 The loss to crops has been reported from other parts of the state as well. The Bathinda and Amritsar areas witnessed moderate to heavy rain. “The weather is likely to remain unchanged till September 10. There can be several spells of rain during this period,” said Gosal. Cotton crop on about 10,000 acres was damaged in Mansa region due to overflowing of water bodies over the past two days. The Agriculture Department has deputed its officials to gather information on the losses. The state government has already ordered a special ‘girdawari’ in the flood-hit areas of Mansa. Gosal said certain varieties of paddy were at seedling stage now. “Rain is harmful for such varieties and could affect the yield considerably. Likewise, cotton was at the flowering stage. While the paddy crop may face discolouration, the cotton plants can be damaged by waterlogging,” he said. The university has advised the farmers to keep a vigil and take measures accordingly to minimise the damage to crops.
Saplings worth lakhs damaged in Fazilka Fazilka: Saplings worth lakhs of rupees were damaged as water entered a nursery here after a breach in Badha canal on the outskirts of Fazilka town on Wednesday night. The right bank of the canal gave in following incessant rain and release of water from upstream, resulting in a four-foot-wide breach.
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State-level function for teachers overshadowed
Jalandhar, September 4 Effort are afoot to ensure that the function starts well in time at 11 am and is wound up by 1.30 pm so that all state-level officials, including the Principal Secretary, Anjali Bhawra, and the Director General School Education, GK Singh, are free for the live telecast of the PM’s speech. Rather than making arrangements for the state-level function to be addressed by state Education Minister Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, the District Education Officers (DEOs), Deputy DEOs and government schoolteachers are working hard to ensure that the maximum number of schools are provided a TV set or a radio set. A committee comprising district and block level officials met for the fourth day today to take stock of the situation. Checking teams have been constituted to ensure that the directions are adhered to and technical snags removed. Remarks a schoolteacher: “The Education Minister will have to ensure that his speech is well-scripted so that it is as impressive as that of the PM.” At least 34 teachers will be awarded at the function. Chief Parliamentary Secretary Inderbir Singh Bolaria will be the guest of honour.
Teachers protest
Amritsar: Teachers, under the banner of the Democratic Teachers Front, and activists of other organisations today burnt effigies of the state government outside the DEO’s office at Amritsar and Tarn Taran. Leaders of various unions lashed out at the government for reducing the teachers to “mere puppets” in the hands of political leaders.They said that Teacher’s Day had been turned into “Modi Divas”. They said India is a democratic country and it is not necessary that everyone should agree with the ideology of the Prime Minister. Meanwhile, differences have cropped up between the Tarn Taran administration and the District Education Officer (Elementary) regarding the working hours in elementary schools. Additional DC Bakhtawar Singh said all schools would open at 12 noon and close at 4.45 pm, but the DEO (Elementary), Jaspal Singh, said he had issued instructions that schools should open at 8 am and close at 4.45 pm.
Badal, Cheema greet teachers Chandigarh: The Chief Minister and the Education Minister felicitated the teaching fraternity on the eve of Teacher’s Day. In a message, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal asked the teachers to inculcate a spirit of nationalism in students. Education Minister Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, describing teachers as the “guardians of moral values,” said they could be a friend, philosopher and guide to the students. Chief Parliamentary Secretary (Education) Inderbir Singh Bolaria also congratulated the teachers.
— TNS
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PM’s address: Schools banking on watchmen, panchayats for TV sets
Phagwara, September 4 There is no TV set in 110 government primary schools in Phagwara subdivision. Block resource person Satwant Toor said: “Some watchmen stay in the school campus. They have TV sets in their rooms. We have requested them to lend the sets to the school authorities. We have also asked village panchayats to make arrangement for a TV set for a day. Only 26 government schools of the 176 in Phagwara have the edusat facility.” The edusat system is installed in rooms that are not big enough to accomodate all students at one time. “We will surely use radio sets in primary schools where it is impossible to provide TV sets,” said Toor. A teacher said many radio sets were not working. Toor said they had been informed today that students of Class I and Class II could be exempted from attending school for the PM’s speech. Most schools are finding it difficult to outsource equipment like projectors, TV and radio sets and generators. Reliable sources said that plasma TV sets installed in several schools are lying defunct.
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Six officials chargesheeted for lapses in using grants
Chandigarh, September 4 A government spokesperson said a probe ordered by the minister had found that medicine kits purchased for anganwari centers in Ludhiana, Mansa, Sangrur, Muktsar, Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib districts were of inferior quality. He said on the basis of the probe, Naresh Kumar (presently posted in Muktsar) and Rakesh Walia (Faridkot) had been chargesheeted on the charges of purchasing substandard medicine kits for Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib and Ludhiana and Mansa districts. The spokesperson said Jagmel Singh (Bathinda) and Avtar Kaur had been chargesheeted for purchasing inferior quality kits for Muktsar and Sangrur districts. He said Sumandeep Kaur (Hoshiarpur) and Amarjit Kaur (Barnala) had been chargesheeted for fund lapses of Rs 89,22,000 and Rs 40,68,000 for the 2013-14 fiscal.
Kiosks for citizen services
The state government today finalised the setting up of kiosks under the unified service delivery system to facilitate 200 services to the masses. It also fixed July 2015 deadline to make the system operational. Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal asked Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal to expedite the process of setting up of these Unified Service Delivery Centres in the state.
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Hit by canal breach, Mansa residents shift to safer places
Mansa, September 4 Jherianwali, Raipur and Tandian villages of Sardulgarh subdivision and Bhainibagha, Sadda Singh Wala, Khokhar Khurd, Karamgarh, Autanwali, Talwandi Aklia, Banawali and Peron villages of Mansa sub-division are waterlogged since Tuesday due to overflowing of distributaries after heavy rainfall. The administration has initiated the process to drain out water from the Talwandi Sabo power plant using six suction tanks. However, no team of medical experts has reached waterlogged villages to extend medical facilities to the residents stuck there. Jherianwali sarpanch Badal Singh said, “The condition is almost the same as it was earlier. Most of the villagers have left their homes. They have either taken shelter in dharamshalas or moved to other villages. In our village, crops on more than 400 acres have been damaged.” Mansa Deputy Commissioner Parveen Kumar Thind said, “Health teams will reach the affected areas by tomorrow.” Sardulgarh MLA Ajit Inder Singh Mofar also visited the affected villages.
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DIET employees not paid for months
Sangrur, September 4 The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Punjab, prepares the budget of these DIETs. The Centre contributes 75 per cent and the state government contributes 25 per cent towards paying their salaries. Sources said Sangrur DIET principal and four senior lecturers had not been paid since April and 14 lecturers since May. Similarly, a superintendent, seven clerks, a teacher, a librarian and two senior laboratory assistants had not got their salaries since May. Muzvinder Dev Goel, staff secretary of Sangrur DIET, said the Sangrur DIET had also not received permission from the SCERT for the filled posts for 2014-15.
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Mandatory viewing flouts govt
notification Chandigarh, September 4 The December 2006 notification was issued in the wake of a PIL filed by Balwinder Singh Bhinder of Chandigarh. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had asked the state
government to stop children’s participation in functions other than those related to education. Upset over the mandatory viewing of the PM's speech and large-scale preparations for it, Bhinder has termed it contempt of court. “The children are being forced to view the speech and remain present in the school for long hours,” he said. In its notification, the government had said students could not be used for VIP duties and political functions. “Students should not be used in pursuit of activities not connected with
the core education and curriculum,” stated the notification. The orders were circulated by the then Education Secretary Sarvesh
Kaushal, who is now the Chief Secretary. As the Chief Secretary, he has now written letters to all Deputy Commissioners for ensuring proper attendance of students in all private and government schools (about 40,000) for the PM speech. The letters issued by the Chief Secretary and other officials concerned do not mention that listening to the PM speech was a part of the educational curriculum or a core educational activity. Despite repeated attempts, Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal could not be contacted. Principal Secretary, Education, Anjali Bhawra said listening to the PM speech was an educational activity. “Thanks for researching our old notification, but I would like to ask you isn’t listening to the PM speech a part of education,” she said.
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6 IAS, 1 PCS officer shifted
Chandigarh, September 4 Alaknanda Dayal had been made Director, Social Security and Development of Women & Children, in addition to Special Secretary, Social Security and Development of Women & Children. Gurkirat Kirpal has been posted MD, Markfed. Dilraj Singh has been made Registrar, Co-operative Societies. Vijay Namdeorao Zade has been posted Special Secretary, Housing and Urban Development. Major Amit, SDM, Pathankot, will also be the Joint Commissioner, Pathankot.
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Cong distributes fake currency coupons in protest
Sangrur, September 4 The protest, led by Youth Congress' state general secretary Poonam Kangra, was held to mock at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's completion of 100 days in office. The coupons had the photograph of Mahatma Gandhi, but carried the bank's name as "Manoranjan Bank of India". The original currency is issued by the Reserve Bank of India. "Full of fun" was written on the right side of the coupon and on the left 500 coupon (instead of five hundred rupees) was printed. The coupons were distributed by Congress activists in the market near the Bus Stand. Kangra alleged Modi had shown dreams of good days to the public but nobody knew when the period would come.
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Hoteliers won’t set up sewage plants
Gurdaspur, September 4 "Since hotels are already running in losses, installing an STP is financially unviable," said Romesh
Mahajan, president of the GAHRO. Sources said on the one hand, hotel owners have to grapple with a high VAT of 14.30 per cent, and on the other hand, they paid commercial rates instead of industrial rates for electricity. The state government had notified hotels as industrial units.
Their complaints
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Schools, hospitals fail to meet fire safety terms
Muktsar, September 4 Similarly, a survey ordered by the Secretary, Health Department, found that most hospitals, including the Civil Hospital, did not meet the minimum requirements of fire safety. At present, the fire safety office is inspecting all the banks on the directions of the Reserve Bank of India. Chaman Lal Sharma, Fire Officer, Muktsar, said, "We are issuing notices to the building owners, who have failed to fulfil the minimum fire safety conditions set by the department." He said they had recommended a fire extinguisher to cover 500 sq ft area in hospitals; two fire extinguishers for primary schools; four for middle schools; and five for senior secondary schools. For banks, a fire extinguisher was required for 500 sq ft area. Sharma said the Supreme Court in May this year had given six months to all schools to fulfil the minimum conditions of fire safety. The fire officials said they were also training the residents to use fire extinguishers in case of emergency.
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Indian contribution during WW-I grossly understated, Amarinder tells Londoners
Patiala, September 4 Amarinder Singh highlighted the contribution of Indian soldiers in the World War I and the fact that their contribution was still "grossly understated" in history. The erstwhile Patiala kingdom sent around 28,000 soldiers for the war and Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, grandfather of Capt Amarinder Singh, dedicated a Gateway at the Royal Pavilion at Brighton, Sussex (October 26, 1921) in memory of Indian soldiers who fought on the Allied Side. It was during Maharaja Bhupinder Singh's reign between 1900 and 1938 that Maharajas of Patiala carried the title "Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-Inglishia" demonstrating their proximity to the British Crown. "India's great contribution to the 'World War I' has remained grossly understated and this despite the fact that about one million Indians participated in the war. Of them, around 74,000 died and 67,000 got seriously injured, but that contribution has not figured prominently anywhere," said Amarinder Singh while addressing a gathering at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London on Wednesday evening. The event was also attended by Field Marshall Sir John Chapple, Lord Singh of Wimbledon, and Paul Uppal MP representing the government. The function was held in memory of the Indian soldiers who participated in the war and laid down their lives. Amarinder Singh said, "Even today this is a largely untold story of how over a million volunteers stepped forward and helped change the outcome of the war. It is a contribution that can neither be overlooked nor ignored."
Indian role
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Eight Punjabi youths stuck in trouble-torn Libya have urged the Indian Government to rescue them.
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is no longer a party with a rural base alone. In a well-thought-out strategy, it is now spreading its wings in urban areas too.
With elections to Punjab’s civic bodies around the corner, Deputy Chief Minister and Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal is clearly preparing to widen the party’s reach by setting up urban units in small cities and towns. Even in big cities, where the party already had its urban units, the party plans to set up several units.
The state government is in the process of selling about 32 acres of prime land owned by Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) in Ludhiana for setting up an entertainment hub, named Down Town, consisting of malls, multiplexes etc.
While there is no dearth of such facilities in Ludhiana, land owned by the government is on the decline and so is the highly polluted city’s green cover.
Though the region witnessed the season’s first heavy and widespread rainfall over the past 48 hours, it has failed to bring cheers to many farmers. The rain accompanied by strong winds has flattened early varieties of paddy crop in different pockets of Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts. The late varieties, however, stand to benefit.
The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, today said the heavy rain in several parts of the state could affect paddy yield and cause considerable damage to the cotton crop.
SS Gosal, Director of research at PAU, said farmers should immediately drain out water from cotton fields. He said waterlogging could adversely hit the crop, which was at the flowering stage. The cotton crop is mainly grown in the Malwa region of Punjab.
Water level in ‘sarovar’ reduced
railway station.
They were protesting the alleged police inaction in the case. They demanded the arrest of policemen responsible for Gopi’s
death. Harkamalpreet Singh Khakh, SP (D), pacified the protesters by assuring them of an early action.
The matter is being probed by Judicial Magistrate,
Phagwara. Earlier also, the residents of Mahal village had blocked traffic in Goraya and Phagwara in support of
their demands. OC
Patiala, September 4
Moga, September 4
Muktsar, September 4
Patiala, September 4
A day before the Teacher’s Day, students of a local government school were seen sweeping the school ground and removing puddles created by incessant rain
(see pic)