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Cong turns to Gandhigiri as train stalled
Bathinda police nab Babbar Khalsa man
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KLF terrorist was nabbed by cops after 5-year trail
BSF steps up vigil near Hussainiwala border
Town celebrates Sampla’s elevation with sweets
Hurt by Centre’s volte-face on relief to ’84 victims: Sikh outfits
Govt okays healthcare for urban poor
Muktsar chosen by Central Govt for girl child project
NRI funds taxed, Bhattal questions Badal’s silence
DGP to oversee Mintoo’s interrogation in Chandigarh
Jallianwala Bagh facade altered
Appointment of medical varsity VC
Medical books in Punjabi
SC students on warpath, demand refund
Teachers seek job letters, protest
DC accused of ignoring public representatives
50 lakh visit Virasat-e-Khalsa in three years
Rs 9 cr for Moga dist hospital
Tackling stray cattle
19 years on, Muktsar lacks basic amenities
Ludhiana plot allottees seek possession
PSPCL giving tenders at steep rates: Assn
Peacock count goes up in Pathankot sanctuary as rehab plan takes wing
Treat wheat seed before sowing, farmer told
Millers booked for cheating Markfed of paddy worth
Rs 66 lakh
Bikers’ gang targets three in Abohar
Gang of robbers busted, 3 held
Four killed, 1 injured in accidents
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Cong turns to Gandhigiri as train stalled
Ferozepur, November 9 They have been presenting roses to the railway staff in support of their demand for resuming the Ferozepur-Chandigarh Express. The activists have been on a protest outside the Divisional Railway Manager office here since October 27. “We have been sitting on a silent protest for the last two weeks. Everyday, we hand over flowers to the Divisional Railway Manager and other officials,” said Gurbhej Tibbi, Punjab Youth Congress general secretary who has been spearheading the protest. Tibbi said the protest was slowly gaining momentum as a large number of people were joining the cause. “Several political and non-political outfits like the Aam Aadmi Party, the People’s Party of Punjab’s youth wing, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan) and many NGOs have been supporting us,” he said. Senior leaders across the political spectrum, including Punjab Youth Congress president Vikramjit Singh, Faridkot MP Prof Sadhu Singh and former Minister Inderjeet Singh Zira, have already addressed the protesters. Amritsar MP and former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had also demanded immediate commissioning of the train, ridiculing both the Union and the state government for the delay. He even blamed the ruling Badals for the delay, claiming the train could dent their transport business. The Ferozepur-Chandigarh Express had started running between the border town and the state capital in March. But it was discontinued despite getting overwhelming response from commuters, who had to shell out much less fare as compared to that in buses. Tibbi said if Gandhigiri failed to work, they would start an indefinite fast. “We will also start a signature campaign in front of schools and colleges from November 12,” he said. Congress MLA Parminder Singh Pinki said he had taken up the matter with senior railway officials, who had assured of commencing the train by the end of this month. Pinki said hundreds of passengers, including government officials, students and businessmen who had to shuttle between the state capital and the town on a daily basis, would immensely benefit from this train. He said the service would also boost the economic prospects of the border region. Punjab BJP president Kamal Sharma said he had met Union Railway Minister Sadanand Gowda, who had assured him of starting the train soon. “It is just a matter of time. This train has already been approved in the Rail Budget,” said Sharma. Route beneficiaries Government officials, students and businessmen who have to shuttle daily between the border town and the state capital Cong allegation Amritsar MP and former CM Capt Amarinder Singh has accused the ruling Badals of scuttling the project, claiming it could severely dent their own private transport business. He cited the low train fare as compared to the costly bus transport. Assurances pour in I met Union Railway Minister Sadanand Gowda, who has assured me of starting the train. It is just a matter of time. For, this train has already been approved in the Rail
Budget I have taken up the matter with senior railway officials, who have assured me of commencing the train by the end of the
month
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Bathinda police nab Babbar Khalsa man
Bathinda, November 9 Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Paramraj Singh Umranagal said the CIA staff acted on a tip-off. They were told that Ramandeep Singh alias Sunny, a resident of Tellianwala in Bathinda, was a member of the Babbar Khalsa and had ties with Jagtar Singh Tara. The officer claimed that the accused, who had visited Thailand and Malaysia a few months ago for training from Pakistan’s ISI, had been booked under Sections 10,13,18 and 20 of the anti-terrorist Act and the Arms Act. The IGP claimed that Sunny had confessed to his links with Babbar Khalsa leader Jagtar Singh Tara, an accused in the Beant Singh assassination case. He had told the police that Tara had sponsored his visit to Bangkok where he was trained by Pakistani agents in bomb-making. He said Sunny’s parents were dead and he was living with his grandmother Rajinder Kaur (80). The latter accused the police of implicating her grandson in a fake case. She said the police claimed to have arrested Sunny from a locality on the Dhobiana road today whereas he was arrested from the Fauji Chowk area yesterday. Two held for spying Ferozepur: Two persons believed to be spies were arrested by the police on Sunday. The accused were identified as Shiv Narayan (38) and Arjun (30), residents of Khukhrian village near Bhopal. Vibhor Kumar, DSP (City), said they had been staying in a guest house in the cantonment area for the past 10 days. "Their mobile phone record shows they were in touch with their Pakistani counterparts," he said. He claimed that photographs of the border area were recovered from their possession. He said the police had acted on a tip-off by the owner of the guest house, Ashish Gupta. "We have details of Rs 12,000 received by them via moneygram from Pakistan," he said. Sukhwant Singh Gill, Senior Superintendent of Police, said a case had been registered against them under Section 121 A and 11 of the Wildlife Act. He said the police had recovered scorpions from their possession.
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KLF terrorist was nabbed by cops after 5-year trail
Chandigarh, November 9 It all started in 2009 when following the assassination of Rashtriya Sikh Sangat (RSS) chief Rulda Singh in Patiala in July, several arrests were made from Rajasthan and Jammu. The police had been tracking the leads it got then that culminated this week with the nabbing of the three terrorists. Police sources said the arrested terrorists, Goldy and Mintoo, had claimed that the RSS state chief was supported by one group of Sikh hardliners for his role in pruning the blacklists of Sikhs. Another group led by Paramjit Pamma of the Babbar Khalsa had accused him of betraying Sikhs by being part of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, the alleged parent body controlling the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat and for his efforts to maintain peace in Punjab. The feud between the two groups aggravated in April 2009 when Rulda Singh was honoured by a group in England. The sources said Pamma had a heated altercation with Rulda Singh the same day. Pamma then collected 60,000 pounds and tasked Goldy to kill Rulda Singh. After Rulda Singh’s murder, the police suspected the role of Pakistan-based Sikh terrorists. A police team headed by DSP Rajinder Singh Sohal was alerted on the arrest of narco-terror smuggler Soda Khan in Barmer district of Rajasthan in September 2009. The Rajasthan police learnt that nearly 14 kg of RDX and detonators were meant for a terror strike in Punjab. But scanning of call records of Soda Khan’s mobile phone did not reveal much. Later a booth operator told the police that two turbaned Sikhs who came in a car had made a call from his booth. The police traced the car’s registration number from the parking slip book maintained by the market contractor. It led the police to Jagmohan Singh and Harpreet Happy, who had come to take an RDX consignment. Their arrest revealed the conspiracy to kill Rulda Singh. The clinching evidence on launching the operation in Thailand came from the interrogation of a Jammu-based terrorist, Pintoo. Narendra Bhargava, Senior Superintendent of Police, Jalandhar rural, said they nabbed Pintoo from Jammu on August 4. “He along with other terrorists was planning to strike big on the occasion of Independence Day. His arrest led us to Goa where Mintoo operated for many years. All leads were put together by the counter-intelligence wing which got in touch with international agencies to carry out the operation in Thailand.” Connecting dots
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BSF steps up vigil near Hussainiwala border
Ferozepur, November 9 BSF officials said that all the vehicles that go beyond the JCP barrier were being thoroughly checked. Sniffer dogs had also been pressed into service, they said. The BSF said the Pakistani Rangers too had taken certain precautionary measures. “We have also advised the visitors not to bring any bags and gadgets with them,” said another BSF official. Women guards have already been deployed at the check post.
BSF officials further said they were planning to install hi-frequency metal detectors at the check post. Even the seating capacity of the visitor’s gallery is being increased as the jam-packed arena poses a security risk. The Retreat ceremony attracts thousands of visitors from both sides of the border. Both the BSF and Pakistani Rangers posture and strut while lowering their respective national flags during the 40 minute drill. Visitors on both sides of the Radcliff Line also get charged up and raise patriotic slogans. The JCP at Hussainiwala assumes significance as the National Martyrs Memorial, where Shahid Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were unceremoniously cremated, is located a stone’s throw away.
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Town celebrates Sampla’s elevation with sweets
Hoshiarpur, November 9 They say certain development projects that have been hanging fire for long should be expedited. The long-pending demands of the locals include a cancer hospital, industrial package for cottage units, easing of norms for the industries and employment generation for kandi and bet areas. Then MP and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Santosh Chowdhary had laid the foundation stone of a cancer hospital, but funds were not released for the project. Narendra Bagga, district vice-president, Punjab Mahavir Dal, said: “We want Sampla to get funds released for the cancer hospital. There is also a demand for a medical college in the area.” Rakesh Kumar, a resident of Janauri village, said: “Mega projects for the area were promised, but the leaders failed to keep their word. We expect that Sampla would get things going in the district.” Local industrialists want incentives as being offered to the industries in Himachal Pradesh. “Incentives such as interest-free loans for 15 years, 15 per cent subsidy on fixed capital investments, including cost of land, building and machinery, should be extended to the local industry,” said Umesh Jain, vice-president, Laghu Udyog Bharti. He said: “We want him to help us bring uniformity in guidelines on EPF and ESI and revise the definition of factories under the Factories Act.” Wish list
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Hurt by Centre’s volte-face on relief to ’84 victims: Sikh outfits
Amritsar, November 9 Within days of the Centre announcing Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of those killed, the Union Home Ministry told the Election Commission that no such decision had been taken. Noted lawyer HS Phoolka, who is fighting cases of riot victims, said it was quite surprising why the government dealt so lightly with such a serious issue. He said the government should now make a proper announcement as the code of conduct was no more applicable in Delhi. He said the victims should not be kept in a limbo. Former SGPC secretary Manjeet Singh Calcutta termed it a “cruel joke with the 1984 victims who were hoping to receive monetary aid”. “The government is playing with the sentiments of the riot victims who have been awaiting justice for the last three decades,” he said. Radical Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa spokesman Kanwar Pal Singh said from day one they were critical of the Modi government for offering compensation instead of delivering justice to the victims. “The people want to see the killers behind bars, and not money in lieu of the lost lives, honour and dignity of their dear ones. The Election Commission, by pulling up the Union Government, has by default saved the aggrieved families from further emotional exploitation as the intention of the Modi government was to take political mileage out of it,” he charged. He said both the “offer and now the volte-face was nothing but dirty politics”. Terming the compensation as “fake justice”, the Dal Khalsa leader said, “Justice can never be expected from both the Congress and the BJP as both have perpetrated the politics of state-sponsored genocide against minorities.” All-India Sikh Students Federation chief Karnail Singh Peermohammed alleged the successive governments at the Centre had made mockery of the issue for the last 30 years and the Modi government was no different. He said the government should have given it a thought before announcing the aid as it knew very well that it was election time. However, if it had gone ahead with it despite knowing about the elections, it should have stuck to its stand instead of backtracking from it. But, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee president Manjeet Singh GK defended the government, stating it had taken the decision in principle to extend an aid of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of those killed in the riots, but it could not be implemented in view of the Assembly elections. He said they were also expecting that a special investigating team would be set up. Venting ire It is quite surprising why the government dealt so lightly with such a serious issue. It should now make a proper announcement as the code is no more applicable in Delhi It's a cruel joke with the victims. The government is playing with the sentiments of the riot victims who have been awaiting justice for the last three decades
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Govt okays healthcare for urban poor
Chandigarh, November 9 The project will cover rickshaw-pullers, street vendors, coolies, street children, construction site workers and those living in slums. For implementing the project, new infrastructure will be created and the existing one upgraded. Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jyani said under the UHM, 40 towns had been identified where 155 primary health centres with OPD facility would be set up. Community health centres would be established in the state’s three big cities. Ludhiana would have six health centres, Amritsar four and Jalandhar three. These centres, with the latest diagnostic equipment, would have both out-patient and in-door facilities. He said 769 paramedical staff would be appointed by the government to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services at these centres. The primary health centres would remain open from 12 noon to 8 pm in summers and from 11 am to 7 pm in winters. Jyani said the mapping work at the 40 identified towns had already been undertaken. In the first year, 93 primary health centres would be set up. As many as 126 doctors, 33 full-time and 93 part-time, 186 staff nurses, 33 pharmacists, 93 lab technicians and 340 ANMs would be appointed. All modalities had been worked out and the posting orders would be issued within a month. The minister said 2,394 Asha workers would be appointed to educate slum dwellers on health and hygiene. In all, 8,974 Mahila Arogya Samitis would be created in the slum areas. A monthly outreach health camp would be organised in targeted slums where medical tests would be performed under the supervision of specialists.
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Muktsar chosen by Central Govt for girl child project
In 174 villages of Muktsar district, the child gender ratio has remained lower than the national average, the lowest being in Assa Buttar village with 580 females per 1,000 males. In the Lambi block, which is part of the Chief Minister’s s constituency, 41 villages having a child gender ratio lower than the national average. In the Alamwala block 39 villages, Doda block 35 villages and Chak Sherewala block 59 villages have a gender ratio below the national average. Under the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” scheme, a target of 10 points per year has been fixed. For instance, in Muktsar the target for next year is 929 females per 1,000 males. When contacted, Dr Narinder Singh, Civil Surgeon, Muktsar, said: “The Health Department staff in coordination with the other departments concerned held an awareness programme in the villages. Yet the declining child gender ratio is worrisome.” He said the Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act would be strictly implemented. The other districts selected for the central project are Sangrur, with a child gender ratio of 853:1,000, Patiala 856:1,000, Taran Taran 860:1,000, Gurdaspur 864:1,000, Barnala 868:1,000, Mansa 875:1,000, Fatehgarh Sahib 883:1000, Ferozepur 884:1,000, Mohali 900:1,000, Amritsar 905:1,000 and Muktsar 919:1,000. Of the 100 districts selected from across the country, 85 have a child gender ratio below the national average and eight above the national average, but show a declining trend. District gender ratio Sangrur 853 Patiala 856 Taran Taran 860 Gurdaspur 864 Barnala 868 Mansa 875 District gender ratio Fatehgarh Sahib 883 Ferozepur 884 Mohali 900 Amritsar 905 Muktsar 919 In all, 11 Punjab dists selected
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NRI funds taxed, Bhattal questions Badal’s silence
Chandigarh, November 9 “The decision taken by the Modi government is totally uncalled for. The Punjabis living abroad will be affected the most. The tax will prevent the NRIs from using the proper channel. They will instead take to illegal mediums like hawala,” she said. Bhattal said the UPA government had also planned to levy the service tax, but the move was stalled after the Punjab Congress leadership intervened. “Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal raised a hue and cry when the previous government at the Centre announced the plan. His complete silence on the issue raises many eyebrows,” she said. The Congress leader also urged the Modi government to revoke the notification. She said she would also submit a memorandum to the President. “I will meet Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi and urge them to raise the issue in Parliament during the winter session,” she said. Bhattal said there were thousands of Punjabis and Keralites doing menial jobs in Gulf countries. "They send money back to their families after hard labour abroad. There is no logic behind charging service tax on the families that can't afford two square meals a day," she said.
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DGP to oversee Mintoo’s interrogation in Chandigarh
Jalandhar, November 9 He was arrested by the Punjab Police from Indira Gandhi International Airport., New Delhi on Friday. Mintoo’s questioning is expected to provide vital leads on efforts by various terror outfits to regroup in Punjab. Sumedh Singh Saini, Punjab Police chief, would oversee Mintoo’s interrogation in Chandigarh. The terrorist was reportedly shifted to the police headquarters amid tight security in the wee hours today. Reliable sources confirmed the development even as police officials remained tight-lipped. A police official said Mintoo was likely to be interrogated jointly by RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) and Intelligence Bureau (IB), both central agencies, and the Punjab Police. The Jalandhar police had busted a pro-Khalistan module in Jammu on August 4 and arrested three militants. Harpreet Singh alias Harmeet alias Pintu, Karanjit Singh alias Pamma and Sarwan Singh Shabba were reportedly assigned the task of activating sleeper cells in Punjab. The three confessed to have held a series of meetings in Punjab, mainly Gurdaspur and Dalli village, Mintoo’s native place near Jalandhar. They said they planned to strike in Anandpur Sahib on August 15. The police suspect the three had received funds for further distribution among sleeper cells. “It is suspected that they may have activated sleeper cells in various parts of Punjab, which is a serious development,” said a senior a police official. Sources said Mintoo had revealed that Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s spy agency, had for the first time organised a terror camp on foreign land, Thailand, for training terrorists in various techniques for making bombs. “It is now absolutely necessary to ascertain whether the KLF militants, during their camp in Thailand, had planned strikes anywhere in India. Knowing who all attended the camp is crucial too,” a police official said. Rigorous questioning by IB, RAW
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Jallianwala Bagh facade altered
Amritsar, November 9 They point out that the National Commission on Urbanisation, in its reports published in 1988, categorically states that neither an elevated road nor a flyover or a road widening scheme should be allowed in historic towns. Also, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), with its headquarters in Paris, France, in its guidelines issued in 1987, states that any activity that destroys the historic character of the town should not be allowed by the government. The Jallianwala Bagh Memorial Trust is headed by the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) president. The beautification of the historic garden was carried out after a series of meetings with experts. The renovation plan, costing about Rs 5 crore, was undertaken at the behest of the Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC). The aim was to develop Jallianwala Bagh as a world-class monument, by removing encroachments on its periphery. The project included a light and sound programme every evening for the benefit of tourists. When contacted, SK Mukherjee, Memorial Trust secretary, said the beautification plan was carried out by the ITDC after it was approved by a high-powered committee headed by then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was present at the meeting where the decision was taken, he said.
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Appointment of medical varsity VC
Faridkot, November 9 But with Dr SS Gill giving up charge as VC following the expiry of his tenure on November 3, work at the only medical university of the state has come to a standstill. Won’t act in haste: CM
A delegation of 22 doctors of Guru Gobind Singh Medical Colleges and Hospital, Faridkot, recently met Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at his residence at Badal village. They urged the CM to expedite the process of appointing Vice Chancellor. Sources said the Chief Minister told the delegation that the government would not act in haste as sometimes such decisions led to legal complications. They said Badal told them that a screening committee headed by Chief Secretary was on the job and it would soon make a selection. Dr KK Talwar, Adviser, Health, is a member of the screening committee.
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Medical books in Punjabi
Patiala, November 9 The Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) has been told to begin work. The government has appointed Dr Harshinder Kaur, member, Board of Medical Sciences, BFUHS, as coordinator of the project to recommend and work out the modalities for the printing of medical books in Punjabi. Dr Harshinder Kaur said: “The government is making an effort to provide medical text in Punjabi to make it convenient for Punjab students, especially from rural areas, to understand the concepts. The university will be responsible for the copyright of these printed books.” Sources said around 60 doctors and principals of nursing colleges had been recruited for the project that was likely to take five years to complete. The university would take inputs from the language department of Panjab University and Punjabi University for the job. Chandigarh: The in-service doctors’ wing of the Indian Medical Association, Punjab, has ridiculed the decision. Dr DS Bhullar, chairman of the wing, said it was a retrograde step, which was not feasible. It was an intriguing move by Dr SS Gill, former Vice Chancellor, BFUHS, at the fag end of his career. He said the wing welcomed official working in Punjabi but how could the modern scientific courses like MBBS/MD/MS be run in a regional language. He said there was never any demand or necessity from any quarter of society, medical students and faculty to convert MBBS literature into Punjabi. “How will MBBS students after being taught in Punjabi compete at the national or international level for higher studies?” he asked.
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SC students on warpath, demand refund
Faridkot, November 9 It all started in Faridkot last month with the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) asking SC students in Class XII to pay the annual examination fee. Many of then refused to do so, claiming that the fee was paid by the government under the post-matric scholarship scheme.They threatened to boycott the exams. After of them submitted a complaint with the District Welfare Officer, alleging that they were being forced to pay the examination fee in violation of the July 27, 2014 orders of the State Welfare Department. The latter raised the matter with the state Education Department. On November 3, 2014, the department issued directions to the school board not to charge tuition fee and examination fee from SC students. In a letter, the secretary, PSEB, twas told that the scholarship money would be directly credited in the board’s account. Scheduled Class students whose parents have an income less than Rs 2.5 lakh per year are eligible for post-matric scholarship. Paramjit Singh, director, Welfare, said they had clear instructions that eligible SC students should not be asked to pay examination fee. On reimbursement of their contribution to various funds, he declined to comment. District education officials said the miscellaneous funds are utilised to pay electricity bills and other expenses. “We have already sent the students’ demand to the state government. We want the students to resume their studies,” said Mohammad Tayyab, Deputy Commissioner, Faridkot.
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Teachers seek job letters, protest
Sangrur, November 9 General secretary of the union Raghbir Singh Bhawanigarh said they would organise a state-level action on November 16. Besides taking out a rally, they would also block road traffic on that day. He said the state government had been making false promises on the issue of giving them jobs for the past three years. During a rally at Banasar Garden, speakers asked the state government to issue appointment letters to about 3,800 TET pass unemployed BEd teachers, who appeared for counselling for 5,078 posts of rural associate teacher in October 2013. These teachers cleared the TET in July 2011. The speakers also demanded that an advertisement should be issued for filling 15,000 posts of master. Around 40,000 posts of teacher were vacant in the state, they said. The leaders who participated in the protest included Gurjant Singh Moonak, Karamjit Singh Dhuri, Kashmir Singh Barnala, Amaninder Kaur Sangrur and Jodh Singh
Sunam.
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DC accused of ignoring public representatives
Ropar, November 9 Addressing a press conference, she said she wanted to bring to the DC's notice the problem of sewage disposal being faced by residents of Saini Majra Jatt Patti village. She visited the mini secretariat in that connection twice, but the DC did not spare time to listen to her although she waited there from 9 am to 5 pm. Thinking that the Deputy Commissioner was very busy in the office, she decided to visit her home on Saturday. There she was told to come to the DC's office, said the Zila Parishad member. "When the Deputy Commissioner does not bother to meet elected representatives of the people, the common man will surely suffer," Manjit Kaur said. In case the Deputy Commissioner did not change her attitude towards elected representatives of the people, they would be constrained to resort to agitation, she said. People's Party of Punjab (PPP) Ropar district (rural) president Balwant Singh Gill and Congress leader and SGPC member Gurinder Singh Gogi have also condemned the incident. Gill said the working of the Deputy Commissioner was contrary to the SAD-BJP government's claim of working with the motto of "Raj Nahin Sewa". Gogi said the incident indicated that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had lost control over the bureaucrats and consequently they had started ignoring the public. The Deputy Commissioner has, however, denied the allegation. She had never refused to meet any visitor, she said. In case she was busy in office work, the visitors could meet the Additional Deputy Commissioner, she said. Earlier incidents
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50 lakh visit Virasat-e-Khalsa in three years
Anandpur Sahib, November 9 This was stated by new chief chief executive officer of the musuem Navjot Pal Singh Randhawa here today. Randhawa, who is the Director of the Cultural and Archaeology Department of Punjab, said the work on the second phase of the museum was in progress. The first phase of the museum displayed Sikh history till the installation of Guru Granth Sahib. The second phase would display history from the installation of Guru Granth Sahib till the present day. An auditorium, a library and a gallery for organising cultural activities would also be constructed, he said.
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Rs 9 cr for Moga dist hospital
Moga, November 9 He was talking to a section of the media during a surprise checking of the hospital. He walked into the emergency ward of the hospital and checked the attendance register of employees. He also checked the register containing record of patients. He asked doctors to prescribe generic medicines available at a store being run by the Red Cross Society on the hospital premises. He said Rs 3 crore would be spent on constructing a new building for the offices of the Chief Medical Officer and the Senior Medical Officer. The rest of the money would be spent on upgrading facilities at the new maternity ward, purchasing equipment and improving infrastructure.
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Tackling stray cattle
Muktsar, November 9 Apart from commoners, some bureaucrats too chipped in with their ideas on tackling this menace that has caused several road mishaps. Uma Shanker, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Mohali, said, “Sir, there is a provision to levy cess on some items under the Punjab Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act. This cess has already been notified in Bathinda and Mohali. Through this we will be able to collect around Rs 7 crore annually by imposing 2 paisa per unit on electricity tariff, Rs 10 on liquor bottle, Rs 200 on the purchase of two-wheelers and Rs 500 on four-wheelers. “With this money, one can not only build and manage gaushalas, but also try to build separate gaushalas for a cluster of 7/8 villages.” He further said, “Even the Animal Welfare Board of India gives a grant of Dr Raj Rup Fuliya, Additional Chief Secretary (retd), Haryana, posted, “Most of the cattle appear to be bulls that are a source of power. I wonder if we can explore some ways to put their energy to creative use.” Rajesh Gupta, a veterinary officer, said, “A multi-pronged strategy should be devised to tackle the problem. We should be prepared for a long battle and shouldn’t expect to get results overnight. Veterinary aid, sterilisation campaigns and gaushalas, etc., are needed to tackle the menace.” Suggestions offered
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19 years on, Muktsar lacks basic amenities
Muktsar, November 9 Further, government offices have not yet been shifted to one place. For instance, the office of the Senior Superintendent of Police is still located on Bathinda Road that is on the outskirts of the town. The administration had promised to shift the office to the District Administrative Complex (DAC). Several offices face staff shortage. “The Deputy Commissioner’s Office has 26 posts vacant,” said Varinder Singh Dhosiwal, general secretary of the DC Office Employees’ Union. Similarly, a large number of posts in the Health Department are lying vacant. The town is yet to be developed and needs a facelift. On the other hand, neighbouring towns such as Bathinda and Jalalabad are well developed. The garbage collection system doesn’t work properly. Though a private firm has been hired to lift garbage, its services are not satisfactory. The old Tehsil Complex has virtually turned into a garbage dumping site. With the blocked drainage system, roads linking The rail connectivity is poor with no fast trains to Chandigarh or Delhi. Moreover, the roads to the town are potholed. The Mukte Minar that was built in the memory of Mai Bhago and 40 Muktas needs to be renovated. The railway overbridge project on Jalalabad Road has been delayed by two years. “For the last 19 years, successive state governments have ignored the town,” said Sham Lal Goyal, a local resident. Some residents allege the town has not been developed as most people in the area voted for the Congress. Yet to be developed
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Ludhiana plot allottees seek possession
Chandigarh, November 9 The draw list was duly issued and it was recorded in the proceedings book of the Trust, but the allotments letters were not issued. Several allottees today submitted a memorandum to the Secretary, Local Bodies, and other officials concerned. Dr Satish Thaman, who led the delegation, said no one paid any heed to their request to issue the allotment letters. “We have already paid our dues. The officials concerned have been apathetic towards our demand all these years. We had come to meet the Chief Minister to seek justice.” The allottees have urged the Chief Minister to set up a special investigation team to probe the delay and take action against the erring officials.
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PSPCL giving tenders at steep rates: Assn
Patiala, November 9 Association president Baldev Singh Sran and general secretary Sanjeev Sood said the Executive Committee of PSEB Engineers Association said, “The prevalent cost efficient practice is to execute the 11 KV/LT distribution works and 66 KV sub transmission works separately. However, the PSPCL management clubbed all these and awarded these at higher costs to private firms.” They claimed that the tenders were being awarded at steep rates on the pretext that the project would be completed on time. The engineers then claimed that most of the works had been delayed.
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Peacock count goes up in Pathankot sanctuary as rehab plan takes wing
Kathlaur
(Pathankot), November 9 But steps taken by the wildlife authorities have now ensured that flocks of the national bird are back in the natural environs of the sanctuary. Traffic in and around the area now gets diverted on the new by-passes constructed nearby following which a complete silence prevails. And it is this quietness and stillness of the area that has acted as a catalyst in bringing back the birds. District Forest Officer (Wildlife) Rajesh Mahajan claimed that the birds, whose wing span on an average is 60 inches and whose average weight is anything between 1 kg and 6 kg, need a peaceful place to build nests and flourish. “The restriction on human traffic near the sanctuary has not only improved the peacock population, but also that of other species like hog deer,
sambhar, wild boar and jungle cat,” he said. The sanctuary has now been trifurcated into different zones — outer zone, where wildlife lovers can enter after taking the mandatory permission, the buffer zone, where only the Forest Department officials can go, and the core zone, where no one is allowed. “This has helped us save the peacock habitats,” maintained
Mahajan. A wildlife official said two forest guards and five daily wage workers maintained 24-hour vigil near the habitat. A fire line of 20 km protects the birds from a blaze. The clearing of weed in about 50 acres of land has provided the bird with its feed of worms and other insects,” he said. Sources said rapid urbanisation had also contributed to the increasing number of peacocks visiting the sanctuary. “Earlier, the birds used to reside in massive orchards. These orchards have now come under the urbanisation hammer following which residential colonies have come up in their places. After this development, peacocks were forced to change their habitats and return to the sanctuary,” said an
expert. Mahajan said the birds were spotted in groups and till now officials had identified 30 to 40 groups. “Although there is no specific count of the number of birds in the sanctuary, we can safely assume there are nearly 300 to 400 of them,” he observed. Steps that were initiated
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Treat wheat seed before sowing, farmer told
Moga, November 9 Agriculture Minister Tota Singh today inspected the first-of-its-kind machine manufactured by Germany-based Bayer Crop Science at Duneke village on the outskirts of the city. The company has launched this fungicide treatment machine for the control of loose smut disease in wheat during the cropping season. It has provided 20 machines for demonstration. The machines have been pressed into service to treat wheat seed under the guidance of agriculture scientists and representatives of the company. Tota Singh said loose smut was one of the most common fungal diseases affecting wheat crop. “Such diseases can be best controlled by this fungicidal seed treatment machine,” he said. The minister asked the farmers to go in for a germination test of wheat seed to assess seed’s quality and viability and to predict its performance. In the recent years, there were reports that poor storage and preservation of wheat seed reserved from last year’s home-grown crop had resulted into lesser germination. This has forced the Agriculture Department to tell farmers to opt for germination test before sowing the crop. Hitesh Sharma, regional marketing manager, Bayer Crop Science, said the company had been providing seed treatment machine to Punjab farmers for many years, but this new computerised machine had an advanced FS (flowable concentrate for seed treatment) formulation that stuck uniformly on the seed leading to increased efficacy in controlling the disease. “The active ingredient in the product can control pathogens that are present inside the seed as well as those found on the surface”, he said.
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Millers booked for cheating Markfed of paddy worth
Rs 66 lakh
Sangrur, November 9 Sadar police station SHO Deepinderpal Singh said no arrest had been made in connection with the case so far. According to the complaint, Markfed entrusted Friends Rice Mill, Gharachon, with 62,495 bags of paddy (21,873 quintals) for milling last year. The mill belonged to Satbir Singh and Mandeep Singh. According to a policy of the government, the millers had to deliver 14,655 quintals of rice to the FCI in the Markfed's account. The millers, however, gave only 12,400 quintals of rice. Thus, about 2,255 quintals of rice (3,365 quintals of paddy worth Rs 66 lakh) remained pending with the millers, which was found missing during a physical verification. The millers neither delivered the remaining rice nor deposited the requisite amount. Thus, they cheated Markfed of Rs 66
lakh. The fraud
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Bikers’ gang targets three in Abohar
Abohar, November 9 Malkiat was found injured near Malukpura distributary last evening. He said the miscreants took away his camera worth Rs 45,000, cash and a mobile phone. The accused also hit Malkiat before fleeing. Congress Legislature Party
(CLP) Leader Sunil Jakhar said the police had not been able to bust the gang of motorcyclists even though station house officers of different police stations had been reshuffled five times in the past two years. He alleged the police failed to arrest any of the accused persons despite the fact that residents and bank officials had provided them with CCTV footage of the incidents. Rising crime The police have not been able to bust the gang of motorcyclists even though station house officers of different police stations have been reshuffled five times in the past two years.
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Gang of robbers busted, 3 held
Phagwara, November 9 Superintendent of the Police Gursewak Singh Brar said the accused were arrested at a naka. They were identified as Charanjit Kumar (alias Channi) of Narangshahpura, Gagandeep (alias Gogi) of Mannwali and Satish Kumar of Gandhwan. They had confessed to their involvement in various crimes, including the looting of mobile shop owner Parveen Kumar near Hadiabad on November 4. Twelve mobile phones, one laptop, three motorcycles, Rs 31,000 and three sharp-edged weapons were recovered from them. The SP said SHO (Sadar) Aman Kumar and CIA in charge Balbir Singh noticed five suspicious persons travelling on three bikes. While three of them were intercepted and arrested, two managed to escape. Those absconding would also be arrested soon, he said.
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Four killed, 1 injured in accidents
Hoshiarpur, November 9 In another accident, a car hit a bike near Bhunga. Gurnam Singh of Garhdiwala and Preet of Kabirpur (Hariana), who were going to Garhdiwala on the bike, were killed in the accident. The car driver escaped from the spot. Migrant labourer Ramesh Kumar of Saroli (Bareilly, UP) was hit by a car in Dasuya. He was taken to a hospital from where he was referred to a specialty hospital in Jalandhar where he succumbed to his injuries. Car driver Som Raj (alias Kala) of Jalal Chakk village was booked under various Sections of the IPC. In the fourth incident, a dispatcher of Mahavir Spinnings Mill, Bhikhari Rai, was injured after being hit by a speeding car while he was going on his bicycle. Car driver Harpal Singh of Model Town has been booked.
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Hoshiarpur, November 9
Amritsar, November 9
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Sangrur, November 9
Kathlaur (Pathankot), November 9
Muktsar, November 9