Land purchase policy fails to evoke response

Land purchase policy fails to evoke response
Now, govt to rope in private facilitators to aggregate land
Rajay Deep/TNS

Bathinda, June 10
The land purchase policy of Punjab that was introduced in 2010 to do away with the complications in the traditional land acquisition process, failed to meet the expectations in Bathinda region with only a few land holders responding.
Finding the response of the land owners much below the expectations, the government is now going to involve private facilitators/aggregators, who will get two per cent commission for aggregating lands from different owners and offer it to the government in the shape of a huge chunk meeting the requirements of the area.
The basic aim of the policy, when launched, was to make the urban land acquisition process a land owner and government-friendly affair. As per the policy, the state was to buy land for projects from owners through tender-based bidding, divided in two parts — technical and financial bids.
With high hopes from the new policy, the Bathinda Development Authority (BDA), in March 2011, invited bids from six towns of the region — Bathinda, Muktsar, Mansa, Bhucho, Goniana and Rama Mandi — as it wanted to develop urban estates there.
However, the response to the invitations was quite discouraging for the authorities as no bidder came forward in three towns, namely, Rama Mandi, Goniana and Bhucho.
Moreover, only two bidders responded to the invitation for Muktsar and Bathinda (one each) but they too could not fulfill the basic conditions of minimum area (50 acres). Finding them not complying with the conditions, the BDA re-called the tenders.
Ironically, in the second offer, no bidder came forward in Bathinda while two land holders of Muktsar after clubbing their ,lands offered a bid, which the BDA shortlisted.
The tenders/bids were invited by adopting a two-envelope system through newspapers.
The first envelope that carried technical details like revenue record, registry, Jamabandi, ownership rights etc., was recently opened and only two properties one at Mansa (nearly 63 acres) and another at Muktsar (nearly 62 acres) were shortlisted.
The second envelope that contains financial bids is yet to be opened, said BDA officials.
Chief Administrator, BDA, Ravi Bhagat informed that the financial bids would be opened next week. Considering the financial viability of the project, an interim report would be sent to the district collector to fix the price. After that, negotiations would be made with the bidders and whichever land proved suitable to the cabinet sub-committee, would be purchased, he added.
Replying to a query related to response to the land purchase policy, Bhagat said, "Had we got satisfactory response from the bidders, the involvement of facilitators and aggregators, which is now going to start, would not have been required."
He maintained that the policy was beneficial for the land owners but due to lack of awareness among them, it could not evoke much response in the region.

Farmers join hands to cut input costs

Farmers join hands to cut input costs
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 12
A few years ago, some progressive farmers of the Bathinda region got together to find a way to reduce the cost of input in agriculture and simultaneously, cope with the competitive world. Today, they are providing free help to various potato, chilly and onion growers of the region.
As many as 25 of these progressive farmers had formed the Bathinda Horticulture Association in 2005 to realise their goal of cutting down on time, energy and expenditure incurred on agriculture-related activities. For this purpose, they introduced a system of collective purchase of seeds, tools and other things. The purchased items were later distributed as per one's requirement. Besides, every member was duty-bound to share his knowledge with others.
Some of them, tech-savvy and well-qualified, utilised the internet to keep themselves abreast of the latest agricultural technology.
The members of the association have attended more than a dozen national and international conferences on horticulture, where they also share their knowledge with others. The association was honoured during the district farmers' training camp held recently. Hailing the efforts of the association, the agro-experts at the camp termed them as role models.
Speaking to The Tribune, secretary of the association, Jagtar Singh Brar of village Mehma Sarja said, "We always prefer to purchase equipment, seeds, plants and other required things in a collectively. Besides the product cost, the collective purchase also help us in saving time and energy."
About the advantage of attending seminars and conferences, vice-president of the association Bhupinder Singh Sidhu said, "It has not only widened our vision but also helped us in catching up with the pace of the fast-moving world."
"Now, we keep a check on the swinging moods of the market and accordingly decide if to sell or hold the produce," Sidhu mentioned.

State doubles the youth participation target

State doubles the youth participation target
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 13
Finding the sponsored activities bringing about positive results to keep the youth away from drugs and helping in developing their personality, the Punjab government showered its largesse for the department of Youth Services and also set a target to enhance youth participation in extra-curricular activities with more focused approach, this year.
Following the guidelines of the government, the Department of Youth Services, Punjab, has revised the district-wise youth participation target. It is now double than in the previous year in different activities like youth leadership training camps, hiking, trekking and mountaineering, inter-state tour, teacher training camps and the cultural and youth exchange programmes.
All the activities (camps) would be held at Shimla and Manali from mid July to December, the officials of the department informed.
To cover the youngsters in the age-group of 13-35 years, the state government has reportedly increased the annual fund allocation for the camps/activities from Rs 31 lakh to Rs 91 lakh, this year.
Confirming the details, the Assistant Director, Youth Services, (Headquarters), Charanjit Singh said, "As the activities brought about amazingly positive results last year, the funds as well as the participation targets have been revised this year."
Issuing a revised target plan, the department has allotted 10 camps for youth leadership training programme to each district with seven seats in a camp, which include five camps for girls only.
With the equal participation of boys and girls, the camps have been divided into four categories-college students (two camps), students of class XI and XII (four camps), students of class IX and X (two camps) and non-student youth (two camps).
For another activity of the department- hiking, trekking and mountaineering- the department has given five camps to each district with nine seats in a camp. Further, each district has been given 50 seats for the inter-state tour programme. The cultural programme/youth thought exchange programme, one of the major components of the activities, will see the participation of 10 youngsters from each district.
Besides, each district has been given one camp of nine seats for teacher's training programme that is meant to hone the skills of teachers.
To ensure the participation of the youth belonging to the reserved categories, the Director, Youth Services, has clearly directed each district official that 25 per cent of the total participants should be from the SC/BC category.
Assistant Director, Youth Services (Bathinda), Kamajeet Singh Sidhu, when contacted, said, "The process to enroll the participants has been initiated and the response from the youth suggests that the department will surely achieve the revised targets."

PSEB Class X Pass Percentage Drops---- Experts point fingers at exam pattern

PSEB Class X Pass Percentage Drops
Experts point fingers at exam pattern
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 15
The ‘tough’ decision taken by the authorities of the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) to make it mandatory for the students of class X to pass in five of the total six subjects led to a steep downfall in the pass percentage from 77.94 last year to 64.32 this year. The move is now attracting criticism.
Of the total 3,52,948 students who appeared in the PSEB matriculation examination, this year, only 2,27,009 could clear it.
Parents and some educationists are anticipating that it would further increase the drop-out rate.
“Finding the Board examination tough to crack, a large number of students who failed this year would opt to leave their studies and it would even affect the next batches also,” they feared.
Sham Lal Bansal of Bathinda termed the PSEB decision against the national policy. Flaying the PSEB for repeatedly claiming that it had been moving on the pattern of the CBSE, Bansal said, “When the CBSE can give the option for students to go for either the Board exam or the school test, why has PSEB toughened its stand?”
“The officials of the state education department want some amendment in the Right to Education Act 2009, claiming that they want it to be more friendly but making the three languages and two out of the remaining three subjects compulsory indicates wrong intentions,” said Parkash Goyal, a teacher.
“Though the PSEB officials are claiming that the tough decision will pave the way for better results in future, the fail percentage of this year, that is nearly 36 per cent, can not be justified in any way. Hardly a few students declared to have failed or those given compartment in math, science or social studies will be able to bear the jolt and make another attempt,” lamented Darshan Singh Dhillon, convener of the district Save Education Society, Mansa.
“This experiment of the PSEB making it mandatory to clear five out of six subjects is not less than being responsible for the national loss. The affected students would either have to pay huge fees or would opt to quit studying further,” he added.
However, the chairman of the PSEB, Dalbir Singh Dhillon said, “Making it mandatory to clear five subjects was not the decision solely taken by me. It was decided after a number of meetings conducted with different committees of eminent educationists for the purpose.”
Clarifying the doubts, Dhillon said the actual fail percentage is just 15 per cent and comparatively unchanged compared to last year. The rest of the gap is of compartment cases, which decreased the overall pass percentage.
“Taking a tough stance may have resulted in unexpected results and has invited criticism but in the long run it will surely prove to be beneficial for the students and people will appreciate it,” he added.

Postal Dept to roll out ATMs to retain customers

Postal Dept to roll out ATMs to retain customers
Rajay Deep/TNS

Bathinda, June 17
The Postal Department, after receiving a dent in the strength of its customers due to the facilities offered by banks, is now ready to roll out its banking services. As part of this move, the department is going to install Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) at the head post offices.
The installation of ATMs is the part of the core banking project of the India Post that will focus on faster transfer of funds and easier withdrawals. As the department is in no mood to delay it further, the locations to install ATMs are being finalised in the state.
In the past couple of years, the postal department authorities were reportedly observing that due to the failure to adopt technology in its services, it had been losing customers to the banks, which were using technology to its fullest.
Finding the step of the banks proving to be of multiple benefits including helping in reducing the rush at their counters and providing their customers with efficient and rapid services the postal department also decided to improve its quality of service and operational efficiency.
Toeing the lines of its competitors (banks), the postal department that still has the pride of having the largest banking network in the country, once it is in place, will also provide 24-hour banking facility to its customers.
The move is being mainly seen as a great relief to all, who have savings accounts in the post offices, from the trouble of standing in long queues for withdrawing and depositing money, making enquiries regarding outstanding balance, etc. Besides, it will also attract new customers.
According to the information available, the postal department has planned 1,000 ATMs as part of the India Post 2012 project.
It has also been informed that the department is also working on issuing debit cards. As per the scheme, for other post offices where the ATMs are not planned, debit cards will be issued to customers who can use the other banks' network of ATMs to withdraw money and access transactions in merchant establishments.
As the head post of Bathinda has also been selected for the installation of an ATM in the first phase, the officials posted here are busy in finding a suitable location as they have to submit the report to the authorities concerned within a stipulated time period.
Confirming the details, the postmaster, head post office Bathinda, Parshottam Dass said, "The department is also going to link up its ATMs with the national network to which the ATMs of all banks are hooked up. After that, the post office customers will be able to enter into transactions at the ATMs of other banks and vice versa."
"We are working at a fast pace to get the ATM installed here and after that the cards will be issued to the customers as per the directions from the higher authorities," he added.
However, the post master could not divulge more details including the withdrawal limits through the ATM and annual service charges for the ATM users.

Money orders fall out of favour as ATMs step in

Money orders fall out of favour as ATMs step in
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 16
In this era of fast communication, people want quick services and the postal department has also not remained unaffected by it.
Adapting to the trend, migrant labourers, once totally dependent on the traditional money order service of the postal department, have now started using it less frequently, moving on to technologically more advanced methods.
With the emergence of the ATM facility provided by almost every bank, they have started switching their decades-old relationship with the postal department.
"I used to save money and immediately after the savings amount reached the Rs 5,000 mark, it was my first job to go to the post office and book a money order to send the money to my family at a small village in Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh," said a 50-year-old labourer Hari Vallabh Ram.
"But with the introduction of the ATM facility in government banks, which is quite simple and almost free from any transaction expenses, I stopped going for money orders. Now, I deposit money in the savings account of the bank and tell my kin at home to withdraw it as and when required through the ATM card, which is with them," he added.
This is not only the story of Hari Vallabh Ram. A majority of the migrant labourers working in Punjab to earn a livelihood have switched to the ATM facility of banks from the traditional money order service of the Indian postal department.
Though finding the customers (especially migrants) running away from their expensive service (charge @ Rs one for Rs 20), the postal department introduced the electronic money order (eMO) facility, which is a comparatively quicker than the traditional MO. But it could not succeed in attracting the migrant labourers as the service charges remained unchanged.
The data collected from the Bathinda head post office, which is the parental office of 35 post offices and 200 rural post office branches in Bathinda and Mansa districts, the total money order amount sent has seen a steep downfall since the year 2007-08.
In the year 2007-08, a sum of total Rs 6.25 crore was sent through money orders, while the next year (2008-09) it was Rs 5.13 crore. The downfall continued in the coming years also as in the year 2009-10, a total of Rs 3.25 crore was sent through money orders which was further decreased to Rs 2.38 crore in the year 2010-11.
Though the post office officials claim that with the introduction of eMO service, the money order service regained some life and people sent Rs 1.89 crore through eMO in 2010-11, they agree that out of the total eMO consumers the number of migrant labourers was negligible.
Besides the expensive service, one more reason that is pushing the labourers away from the money orders is that the whole amount comes in the hand of the recipient in a single lot that makes a safety risk. On the other hand, they feel the ATM transactions comparatively safer as one can withdraw the amount as and when required.
The postmaster, head post office, Bathinda, Parshotam Dass, said, "We have another option that is cheaper and faster-instant money order (IMO). But despite efforts, the migrant labourers are still not becoming familiar to it. Now the postal department is going to launch Core Banking Project (CBP), which is expected to come soon in Bathinda.
"Once the CBP is introduced, we are sure our customers will return to us as the trust worthiness of the postal department remains unchallenged," he added.

Bhattal asks Congmen to shun differences

Bhattal asks Congmen to shun differences
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, April 11
Taking a serious note of the absence of party leaders belonging to the Captain Amarinder Singh camp at the Amritsar conference, PPCC chief Rajinder Kaur Bhattal is learnt to have asked the various factions to tone down their alleged differences.
Aware of the factionalism among the party MLAS in Bathinda district, Bhattal has ordered them to work collectively to make the Baisakhi conference a success. A five-member coordination committee has also been formed in this regard.
Tej Parkash Singh has been appointed as the chairman of the committee while Amarjeet Singh Samra, Bir Davinder Singh, Avtar Singh Brar and Jasveer Singh have been appointed as members of the panel.
It may be recalled that the rivalry between Harminder Singh Jassi, MLA Bathinda and Jeet Mohinder Singh, MLA Talwandi Sabo, had surfaced in the open at a conference held in Bathinda on April 8.
Sources said that the PPCC chief, through a phone call, has restricted Harminder Singh Jassi, Jeet Mohinder Singh, Gurpreet Kangar and Makhan Singh, all MLAs from Bathinda district, from making remarks against each other from the stage at the Baisakhi conference. Bhattal has also reportedly asked them not to intervene in each other's constituency.
Avtar Singh Brar said over the phone, "All MLAs and workers have assured of making their best efforts to make the conference a success. We have visited the site of the conference in Talwandi Sabo to make the necessary arrangements."
The conference is being supervised and coordinated by a committee. No senior leader from the Centre is expected to visit on the day. Moreover, Margaret Alva, in-charge Punjab Congress affairs, is also busy with elections in Karnatka. So, she too will not be able to attend the conference, Brar added.
It may be mentioned that the Congress MLAs had called a press conference in Bathinda today, which could not take place as party MLA Jeet Mohinder Singh turned up late for the event.

Villagers protest laying of pipeline for NFL project

Villagers protest laying of pipeline for NFL project
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 9
The much-hyped feedstock changeover project for converting the National Fertilizers Limited (NFL), Bathinda, from a fuel-based plant to a gas-based unit, hangs in balance due to protest by farmers of village Gillpatti in Bathinda.
The farmers of village Gillpatti, through which the underground pipeline (gas feeder) is to enter the NFL, are determined not to allow the laying of the pipeline beneath their agricultural lands.
Assuming it to be a simple task to get the Right of Use for laying the pipeline under the provisions of the Petroleum and Minerals Pipeline Act 1962 (P&MP Act), the authorities of the GAIL India Limited had started the project (Bawana (UP)-Nangal gas pipeline) about 18 months ago.
The project was started from the village Gillpatti but the villagers' protest made the authorities drop it midway. It was then started from Doraha in Ludhiana, from the pipeline splits for NFL-Nangal, local industry of Ludhiana and Jalandhar and NFL-Bathinda. Now, after completing 119 kms out of a total of 122 km (approximately) stretch, the work has been stalled after reaching its last leg at village Gillpatti.
Despite their best efforts, the administration and the GAIL India officials could find no alternative. The administration could neither get the right of use from the villagers nor could it distribute the compensation awarded.
Speaking to The Tribune, some villagers, whose land come under the project, said their land had come within the limits of the Bathinda Municipal Corporation so it would soon be demanded for residential and commercial purposes. “If we give our nod to lay down the pipeline under our lands, we will be debarred from raising any building over it. That means, the monetary value of not only that particular strip (100 feet wide) but of the whole chunk would never rise,” they rued.
The villagers demanded that the pipeline should be laid on the government land along the Behman canal distributary, running nearby. They proposed to change its route and divert it to villages Joganand and Kothe Amarpura. However, both the options are proving unacceptable to the administration and the GAIL as on the one hand, the Forest Department has refused to lay the pipeline along the canal distributary and on the other, the residents of village Joganand and Kothe Amarpura have warned the administration of launching a massive protest, if the pipe route was taken to their lands.
Moreover, the change of route plan at this moment would make the GAIL incur a loss of nearly Rs 20 crores as four kms of the already laid pipeline would have to be dug out. As per the details, the GAIL authorities had requested the administration to revise the collector rates manifold for getting the Right of Use over the lands but the administration, finding it an invitation to future problems in acquiring any other land in that area, turned it down.
The SDM Bathinda KPS Mahi, when contacted, said, “Efforts are on to find an amicable solution. We have now decided to have one-to-one meeting with the villagers and hope to resolve it soon as the whole project is almost complete except for this three km stretch.”
The regional representative of the GAIL India Limited, Harpal Singh said, “If the issue is resolved and work is started this month, the whole project is expected to be commissioned before the end of this year.” It was also informed that nearly 1.5 MMSCMD of gas would be supplied to the NFL daily through the pipeline.

Bathinda dist home to over 6800 special kids

Bathinda dist home to over 6800 special kids
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 2
In a shocking revelation, as many as 6,871 children (6-14 years) in Bathinda district are found suffering either from mental or physical disability. Of these, 3,302 are girls.
As per the details collected by the education department through various surveys, 3,145 children in the district are suffering from visual impairment, 877 from hearing impairment and 698 from orthopedic disability. Besides, 648 are victims of mental retardation, 275 of cerebral palsy, 52 of autism, 912 of the learning disability (including slow learning) and 264 are facing multiple disabilities.
The staff and volunteers of the education department have collected the data under the Inclusive Education for Disabled (IED), a special component of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), which ensures that each of the children with special needs is provided with a meaningful and quality education.
After identification, the education department officials are now going for formal assessment, appropriate educational placement and preparation of Individualised Educational Plan (IEP).
A large number of such children are admitted in the 41 resources rooms located in the district. Apart from this, the education volunteers have been assigned to visit hundreds of children, who are not capable enough to visit the resource room/ school, personally to provide home-based education, which includes training to deal with routine needs.
Though a majority of the children in the district have been provided with the required aids and appliances, a case for the requirement of 351 children has been recommended to the union ministry this week.
The district coordinator of the IED component, Ram Pal Singh, said, “Earlier, the special children used to avoid schools or leave it mid way due to one or the other disability. Under the IED, we provide the best possible aid/appliance to help a special child to get at least the basic education.”
He rued, “Despite best efforts of the education department, a large number of parents still do not show much interest in the scheme that may lead their children to suffer the whole life.”

Gala road show round the corner!

Gala road show round the corner!
New look Bathinda-Goniana highway soon
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, April 24
To charm voters in the forthcoming municipal corporation elections, the ruling party is going all out to present to the city a revamped Bathinda-Goniana highway. To complete the assignment within the stipulated time, the Improvement Trust officials are leaving no stone unturned.
The Rs 11 crore project aimed at giving the Bathinda-Goniana road a makeover was launched in March last and is expected to be completed in August.
As per the plan, the 4.8 km stretch of the road, from Rose Garden to ITI Chowk, will have five-feet broad pavements on both sides with interlocked double coloured tiles. Both sides of the road would also facilitate parking for vehicles. Maroon and grey colour tiles would work as frame line for every vehicle. It would be 6 inches above the metalled road.
The main attraction of the road, the 155 illumination poles of a new style, have been purchased from Kolkata. Keeping the future plan for a local bus service in mind, bus lanes are also being constructed.
The centre of the road, which was having a bit of greenery, is now being demolished and a new concrete divider is being constructed in its place. As per the plan, a two feet iron grill would be raised for separating both sides of the road.
At a distance of 18-feet, on the footpath, at least one tree of around 15-feet height would be planted on both sides of the road. There is also provision for benches and traffic posts on the roadsides.
The project has also a provision for the speedy flow of drainage, especially during the rainy days. These channels would be connected with the main sewer line existing under the road.
The work of utility ducting is also going on, which would carry all wires of BSNL phones and the electricity department.
Confirming details, administrator, Improvement Trust, K.K. Yadav said, “It is project worth Rs 11 crore, out of which Rs 6.75 crore is for civil works while Rs 2 crore is for electrical works. Rs 2.18 crore has been sanctioned for the PSEB out of which half the money has already been deposited with the department concerned for the underground wiring. After this, the B&R department will also work on the road.”
When asked about the controversy that had erupted with the forest department claiming that both sides of the national highway are part of a green belt and any construction in it could not be permitted without the prior approval of the union government, he said, “It has been resolved as we have filed a reply saying there is no tampering with the green belt. We have sent them the project file according to which 1,000 trees would be planted on the roadsides.”

‘Busy’ Sukhbir leaves residents dejected

Long wait proves futile!
‘Busy’ Sukhbir leaves residents dejected
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, April 25
The stormy visit of Shiromani Akali Dal (B) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal here today, apparently with the hope of luring voters, disappointed people who were made to wait for him in scorching heat today.
In his rhetoric, Sukhbir had only one line to say at the end: “I have a very busy schedule, so I am leaving.”
People waiting for him desperately to put forth their grievances before him, were left in a lurch as he was in a hurry to move on.
The visit to Model Town Phase I, where a SAD leader had arranged a public meeting with Sukhbir, also annoyed residents of the locality.
The SAD chief just claimed that the skyline of Bathinda would be changed within a year. Pleading shortage of time, he left without even seeing the people holding their complaints in hands.
An ex-serviceman attempted his best to draw Sukhbir’s attention to put forth his grievance, but paying no heed, to Sukhbir left in his “Pajero” car.
It has also been reported that Sukhbir Singh Badal, sitting on the stage, complained to a senior SAD leader that he could not find the local crowd of the Model Town area in the gathering.
Some senior mediapersons complained to Sukhbir about the mismanaged event, who then expressed his displeasure to the SSP Bathinda for the lapse.
It may be mentioned that the over-reaction of the public relations department authorities and the district police, who claimed to have prepared a file with photographs of all mediapersons for security purposes and to make foolproof arrangements for undisturbed coverage of events, today resulted in a futile exercise as there was no proper arrangement for the press conference that became a free for all affair.

Badal, Bhattal console fire-hit families

Badal, Bhattal console fire-hit families
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Midhu Khera/Tharajwala (Muktsar), May 3

Nursing their burns

To comfort families of victims of the fire which engulfed fields in the Malwa belt on Thursday, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, today visited the villages in Muktsar district.
The CM was tight-fisted, mostly giving assurances to bereaved families, citing the election code of conduct in force due to the rural bodies’ polls.
The Chief Minister visited Midhu Khera village where he met Soma (18), a Plus II student, who due to smoke, has suffered respiratory problems. He asked the family to shift her to Ludhiana for treatment and assured that the cost of treatment would taken care of by the government.
After that, he met the family of the deceased Bimla (32) and her daughter Mamta (14), a student of class VII, and assured her husband Om Parkash of a fixed income in the name of his three children (aged 10, four and two years). He also handed over a cheque of Rs 10,000 on the spot. It has been reported that Badal has assured him of a compensation worth Rs 2 lakh, but after the elections.
He then moved to Tharaj Wala village, where he met the family members of the deceased Agwan Kaur (65), belonging to the Dalit community, who was burnt alive and assured support to the family members
The CM said, “Investigation has been initiated and the loss assessment report has reached the Finance Department, which will decide on the compensation”.
Meanwhile, Bhattal too visited the affected villages. After a halt at Bathinda and Badal villages, she too, in a cavalcade, visited Midhu Khera, Tharaj Wala and Bhullar villages and assured the families of her support. She even sought the photographs of members of the victim families, with the promise of putting up their case before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and AICC chief Sonia Gandhi.
As the Leader of the Opposition, she assured support to the ruling party in passing a Bill or enacting a law banning the burning of straw in the wheat fields.

Sarna for separate SGPC for Haryana

Sarna for separate SGPC for Haryana
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 8
“Not personal grudges but difference of opinion has led to rift between me and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal,” said Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGPC) chief Paramjeet Singh Sarna here today. Sarna was here to address a meeting of the Shiromani Panthic Council (SPC).
After the meeting, Sarna said, “We will give tough fight to Badal in the SGPC elections on all 170 seats under banner of the SPC”. On selection of candidates, he said, “We will give ticket only to those who are ‘true Sikhs’ and have not had political post in the past one decade”.
Criticising Badal, Sarna said, “Badal himself is not a true Sikh, and has no right to interfere in the free will of Haryana Sikhs who want a separate SGPC. I will support the formation of Haryana SGPC”.
On a recent statement of Badal offering Haryana Sikhs to keep offerings of Haryana gurdwaras with them, but not demand a separate SGPC, Sarna said, “It is tactics. He wants to keep the SGPC under his control so that he can bargain with Chautalas and the BJP in Haryana in elections”. He accused Badal of shielding the anti-Sikh organisations for votes.
“Badal can go to any extent for votes to rule the state. Not only the Dera Sacha Sauda, he may befriend anyone for selfishness,” Sarna alleged.
On his statement over the Vienna incident, Sarna said, “I have nothing to worry about those words as videography of the incident will soon be with me. One Sikh recently contacted me in Delhi and expressed willingness to provide pictures and video footage of the incident, which will be enough to make my stand clear”.

Bhattal camp skips Raninder’s meeting

Bhattal camp skips Raninder’s meeting
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 10

Factionalism among the state Congress today resurfaced during a party meeting addressed by Raninder Singh, general secretary of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), here.
It was Raninder’s first visit to the Bathinda parliamentary constituency after losing the Lok Sabha seat to Harsimrat Kaur Badal. He addressed a gathering of party workers but local MLA Harminder Singh Jassi, who is said to be close to Rajinder Kaur Bhattal faction in the Congress, did not attend the meeting. The Bhattal camp is known to be at loggerheads with Raninder’s father Capt Amarinder Singh.
It was not just Jassi who skipped the meeting but his core group, including district Congress (urban) president Ashok Kumar and PPCC secretary Tehal Singh Sandhu, were also absent. Later, Raninder held a press meet at the Circuit House where absence of the Jassi group fuelled speculations.
Replying to a query, Raninder said: “They were busy with their engagements, they were allowed to discharge their personal responsibilities.”
He added that he had come to the constituency to thank his supporters, who had voted in his favour.
On visiting the constituency so late, he said: “Earlier, the temperature was soaring high, which would not have suited my supporters. Moreover, they were busy in planting paddy and cotton at that time.”
Recalling the result of the polls, he claimed not only to have retained the Congress vote bank but also consolidated it but with some shift. On losing the Bathinda seat, he termed it to be an outcome of reasons that went beyond politics.

Harcharan Singh Brar---Man of the masses!

Man of the masses!
‘He always remained above party lines’
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Sarainaga (Muktsar), Septmber 7
Harcharan Singh Brar was a leader of the masses. He gave a lot but never expected back anything other than votes, that too only if one deserved. The development of this region was all due to his fair approach.
These were the commonly observed sentiments of residents of village Sarainaga. "He performed the functions of a court, as during his time, nobody in this village preferred to go to a police station to lodge a complaint. After listening to both parties, he always used to facilitate their reconciliation," said the elderly Pritam Kaur.
Om Parkash Sharma of Muktsar, who was present at the cremation, said, "Clean and away from corruption, he set examples for others. Even after his death, no one can point a finger at him" "He always remained above party lines. It is because of this that the Akali leaders have also come here," said Parkash Chand of Udekaran village. "Harcharan remained supportive to all, even for those, whom the family members would have neglected," said an old and feeble Jamuna Devi.
Karan Singh Brar, grandson of Harcharan Brar said, "The good deeds of my grandfather have earned for us a lot of goodwill as people in the village, recognizing us as his family members, accord us great respect. We can never pay back to the people for being always ready to stand by us."Others also echoed similar sentiments.

Maghi Mela: Political leaders prepare for mudslinging at conferences

People throng Muktsar for Maghi Mela
Political leaders prepare for mudslinging at conferences
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, January 9

Celebrations of the historical and religious Maghi Mela have started taking place, but all is not well here. Ill-maintained monuments have been baring the reality of politicians and bureaucrats, for whom the fair has apparently become just another source to gain benefits. If one takes the round of the city, which has been waiting its official status as a holy city from the past couple of years, the state of affairs will itself be exposed.
However, ignoring sentiments of the people about the system, politicians are “excited” about their conferences to be held here on January 13, when they will use the fair as “a platform to set scores by mudslinging over each other”.
Moreover, turning a blind eye to sentiments of the crowd thronging the city from various places to celebrate the mela, the administration could not yet earmark any permanent site for holding the mela.
With the passage of every year, the mela site is getting away from the main gurdwara of the city. Adjusting according to circumstances, sometimes the fair goes to the Malout road, then it shifts to the Barkandi road and sometimes moves to the Bathinda road.
The prestigious four gates of the city, constructed in 2004-05 by the state government through the construction wing of the Markfed, were named on the names of Bhai Daan Singh, Bhai Maha Singh, Mata Bhag Kaur and Bhai Langar Singh. However, after the change of the government, the gates (each worth about Rs 18 lakh) were taken as nobody’s baby. The stone of the gates and steel-made alphabets of the names of the reverential Sikh martyrs have fell down, but no one paid attention towards the menace.
Dedicating it to the 300 years of the martyrdom of the 40 Muktas, former CM Amarinder Singh had inaugurated the Mukte Minar (a memorial of 40 muktas), near the district administration complex, on May 4, 2005.
Despite spending crores of rupees from the state exchequer, neither the Congress nor the SAD (B) government could take care of its maintenance. Moreover, against the public wish, the governments could not give it the due respect as neither any politicians reportedly visited there nor it had been included as a destination of the mela.
Taking a cue from the then ruling Congress, Bibi Jagir Kaur, the then president of the SGPC and Parkash Singh Badal, who was the president of the SAD (B) at that time, had laid the foundation stone of a martyrs memorial outside the Tibbi Sahib Gurdwara.
Dedicating it to the 300 years of the martyrdom of 40 Muktas, Badal had said that the design was approved and crores of rupees would be spent there to build a great wall, where the portraits of all martyrs (Muktas) would be installed.
However, even after passing more than four years, the foundation stone is standing alone and the issue of construction has been “dumped” by the government.
A few days ago, some migrant labourers were witnessed setting their makeshift huts and burning stoves around the lone foundation stone.
However, when the issues were discussed with the SDM, Muktsar, Dalwinderjit Singh, he assured to look into the matter and take it up with the higher authorities.

Scheme to launch gas-run auto-rickshaws draws flak

Scheme to launch gas-run auto-rickshaws draws flak
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, March 3
To reduce pollution in the city, the state government is going to launch three-wheeled radio auto-rickshaws within the municipal limits of Bathinda. These auto-rickshaws would run on LPG/CNG. However, in the absence of any auto LPG-CNG station in the city, residents are skeptical that the scheme would meet success. They also believe that it would encourage illegal consumption of domestic LPG as fuel.
“I have read that the state transport authority is going to launch the scheme at the earliest. It only shows the lack of vision of the authorities concerned. Before launching such a scheme, auto LPG and CNG filling stations must be installed in the city,” said a local businessman, Sham Lal Mittal.
A retired bank employee, Bal Krishan, said, “We are already reeling under acute shortage of domestic LPG. The introduction of LPG auto rickshaws will turn the situation from bad to worse as the auto-rickshaw operators would start using domestic LPG for commercial purposes.”
It may be mentioned that there is one auto LPG station located at Bhucho village, which is nearly 10 km away from the city limits. The routine sale and experience of the owner of that pump show that due to non-existence of any check, majority of people make use of domestic cylinders to run their LPG-fuelled vehicles.
Municipal Commissioner, Bathinda, Uma Shankar assured to check the use of domestic LPG in vehicles. However, he added, “Without installing auto LPG and CNG station within the municipal limits, the success of the scheme would not come easy. After consulting the transport authorities, I will take up the matter with the Ministry of Petroleum to set up auto gas pumps in the city.”
District coordinator for the LPG supply Suresh Kumar said, “In absence of any check, usage of domestic LPG as fuel is going on unabated thereby creating shortage of LPG for domestic consumers. We had once chalked a proposal to install an auto gas pump in the city but finding the sales of the only gas station at Bhucho Mand not encouraging enough, we did not proceed further on the proposal.”
Secretary of Regional Transport Aauthority Bhupinder Singh said he would discuss the matter with the higher authorities.

Finally, 2-lane ROB on Bathinda-Badal road ----Punjab govt to bear the total cost of construction as Rlys refuse

Finally, 2-lane ROB on Bathinda-Badal road
Punjab govt to bear the total cost of construction as Rlys refuse
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, March 9
After the railway authorities flatly refused to bear the burden, the state government has initiated the construction of the railway overbridge (ROB) located on the Bathinda-Badal road, paying the cost to be incurred on it from the state exchequer.
It is reported that the construction of the ROB, nearly 1.25 km long, would cost nearly Rs 25 crore out of which Rs 4.5 crore is to be spent on the construction of the 35metre area above the railway tracks.
But the railway authorities, after assessing the road traffic and its requirement, had refused to bear the expenses, on the ground that the flow of traffic did not suggest any requirement for such an expensive ROB.
The controversy kept the project hanged fire for a couple of months and delayed it much behind the schedule.
It was said that the ROB was planned not to focus upon the requirements of the common man but because the road led to the native village of the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
However, the state government cited a number of reasons like the upcoming projects in Ghudda village, located en route the Bathinda-Badal road, as the reason behind its necessity.
Finally, the state government has now agreed to bear the total cost of constructing the ROB and asked the PWD (B&R) officials to start the construction on the portion above the railway track.
It may be mentioned that Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal had directed the authorities concerned to modify the initial plan of developing a two-lane ROB by expanding it into a four-lane one.
When this order had been issued, out of the total ten pillars, seven had already been constructed that put the officials and contractors in a dilemma.
The proposed change had also created fresh trouble for the officials as it would have required fresh acquisition of land located adjacent to the ROB.
Meanwhile, officials of a Panchkula-based construction company, to whom the contract was allotted, suspended the work.
The government finally decided to stick to the earlier plan of a two-lane ROB.
Executive Engineer, PWD (B&R), Baljeet Singh said, "Crossing all hurdles, we have now initiated the construction of the ROB. The company, which has been allotted the contract, has been asked to complete it by August this year."
He added that as the work over the railway track had been initiated, people would have to take diversions to reach their destinations.

Row over debt waiver offer -----FM finds friends on Facebook

Row over debt waiver offer
FM finds friends on Facebook
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, October 11
Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Badal has been in the eye of a storm following his stance over the Centre’s offer for debt waiver. The issue which has threatened to tug at the very fabric of the ruling Akali Dal in general and the Badal family in particular has also found an echo in the cyber world with geeks posting their views on Manpreet’s page in the social networking site Facebook.
While the district presidents of SAD have rallied around party president and Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal, indirectly targeting Manpreet by seeking “penal action against anyone who violates party discipline,” the Finance Minister’s fans have come to his support in the virtual world.
The Facebook account of Manpreet is now flooded with posts—encouraging him to move ahead and relieve the state from a huge debt burden, which is seen to be creating a hurdle in the state’s growth.
With over 4,000 friends on Facebook, Manpreet finds it to be an easy and straight way to ascertain the public opinion about his moves.
A majority of his friends are full of appreciation for his speech stating that it has ignited a positive debate on the issue, which is related to the welfare of the whole state. A number of “emotional” well-wishers are also there, who finding that his ‘enemies’ have become quite vocal against him, have urged him to leave the party.
One of his well-wishers, Peter Bassi writes: “Manpreet, we all know you take stand on what is best for state of Punjab. We need people like you to understand the long-term economic growth rather than short political gain.”
Further, one Jasdeep Grewal says: “You have the support of millions of overseas Punjabis, who want welfare of Punjab. Carry on the good work.”
Another of his Facebook friend Kumar Karun Krant went ahead saying, “Andhera lakh raushan ho, Ujala phir ujala hai” (However much be the depth of the darkness, light shines through).
Punjab is the birth place of the greatest philosophy on earth, ‘Mat uchi, sir neeva” but in the past few decades ‘Mat neechi par sir uccha’ has become the truth. You are the only hope.”
Meanwhile, some people like Rabinder Cheema and Karambir Hundal state, “It’s time to say bye-bye to Akali Dal.”
The different suggestions or posts have started an intra-account (Facebook) debate over the issue Taking all this in a positive way, Manpreet posted his comments on Facebook on Sunday: “Thank you all for your support. It truly means a lot to me. Your faith is what gives me the strength, courage and resolve to keep going.”

Cotton farmers have a reason to smile

Cotton farmers have a reason to smile
With CCI entering market, they hope to get good price for their yield
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, October 11
The entry of the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) in the market has brought a smile on the faces of cotton growers as they are assuming it to be a sign of accelerating competition among the purchasers.
Notably, finding the prices of white gold (cotton) to be much higher than the minimum support price (MSP), the CCI has entered at the commercial level, which means its officials would also purchase the crop competing with the private buyers.
The CCI has shortlisted 22 purchase centres throughout the state. It is worth mentioning that all the 22 purchase centres are in the Malwa belt.
Seeking anonymity, an official posted at the state office of the CCI in Bathinda, informed that Bathinda, Goniana, Bhuccho, Sangat, Rama Mandi, Maur, Rampura, Mansa, Sardulgarh, Budhladha, Bareta, Barnala, Tapa, Lehragaga, Sunam, Kotkapura, Jaitu, Muktsar, Malout, Gidderbaha, Fazilka and Abohar are the purchase centres, which have been selected for the purpose.
However, the official mentioned that the CCI had just planned and not finalized whether it would purchase from all centres or not, as all would depend upon the economic viability.
According to details collected, the CCI officials had started purchase from the Maur purchase centre of Bathinda district, where they bought about 500 quintals of cotton on Saturday and about 400 quintals on Monday.
Being one of the competitors, the CCI has purchased the crop on prices varying from Rs 3600-Rs 4310 per quintal and the officials calculate an average of about Rs 4310 per quintal.
When asked about the ceiling level of price and quantity of the purchase, the CCI officials said it would keep varying everyday and they would just implement the decision coming from the national headquarters at Mumbai.
During a visit to various cotton markets of the district, The Tribune today observed that the private buyers were purchasing the crop at prices varying from Rs 4100-Rs 4360 per quintal.
However, sources in the Mandi Board informed that an unusual jump in the price was recorded on Saturday, when some buyer purchased a heap of white gold (cotton) at the rate of Rs 4560 per quintal, which had surprised all.

Mansa bags top spot, Bathinda 24th

Mansa bags top spot, Bathinda 24th
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service Mansa, December 12

Mansa—regarded among the most backward districts of Punjab—now has a reason to smile. The district has been adjudged the best among the total of 25 commissionerates/districts of the state in a police performance test.
At the same time, Bathinda—a district which takes much pride in being addressed as the adopted turf of the ruling Badals —stood just a step away from the bottom by securing 24th rank in the list of 25 commissionerates/districts.
Issuing an e-letter, the Director General of Police, Punjab, recently announced the results of the performance appraisal report of the commissionerates/districts for the period from July 1-September 30 this year.
The test was of 100 marks, out of which Mansa scored 66.4 marks, followed by another backward district Barnala which got 63.5 marks.
The report is not worth flaunting for the police of Shaheed Bhagat Nagar (Nawan Shahar) district as they could score only 46 marks and remained at the last position.
Meanwhile, Bathinda and Tarn Taran stood at 24th and 23rd position, scoring 47.2 and 47.6 marks, respectively.
There were 20 factors in the test, which not only the senior police officials of the state but also a private agency considered, for the above said period.
According to information, crime control, detection, investigations, preventive measures, detection of old cases, public services like passport verification etc were among the main points on which the performance of the cops was minutely monitored.
Besides, custodial deaths, custodial torture, violation of human rights, were also the important points considered before awarding points to any police district.
Speaking to The Tribune, an elated SSP Mansa, Hardial Singh Mann said the district police would do its best to maintain the position as it was a matter of pride for all of them.
“I will now recommend to the DGP, Punjab, to issue appreciation letters to all gazzetted rank (GO) officials. Besides, I will write for the awarding of commendation certificates class-I to all SHOs, Class-II for all NGOs and Class-II for the other ranks,” the Mansa SSP said.

Double delight for cotton growers

Double delight for cotton growers
Boost income by selling cotton stalk to bio-mass power plants
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 18

With three biomass power plants set up in this part of Malwa region — known as cotton belt of the state —the cotton growers are a happy lot as they are earning a handsome amount for their agro-waste.
The cotton stalk (agro residue), which was earlier hardly of any use to them is now being sold to biomass plants, which use it as fuel for generating electricity.
Thanks to the close competition among those running the biomass plants, farmers are getting payments on time. At some places, the residue is being booked in advance.
To allure farmers, the plant authorities have set up cluster-wise purchase centres across Bathinda, Muktsar, Faridkot and Ferozepur districts. Each centre caters to about 10 surrounding villages.
Besides, trading in cotton stalk has emerged as a fresh business. The cotton stalk is procured from farmers, stored and then sold to the bio-mass plants at a higher price.
They are hiring large chunks of lands in different villages on lease to store the agro-waste.
During a random survey, The Tribune observed that the normal price for a quintal of cotton stalk was fixed at
Rs 70. It means an average trolley-load of 35 quintals helps a farmer earn Rs 2,450. Further, chipped stalk is being purchased at about Rs 120 per quintal.
“One might be surprised to learn that selling the crop is a hectic process but selling the residue is comparatively a quicker and effortless job. We go to a purchase centre, get the trolley weighed, unload it, collect a slip and receive the cash the very next day,” claimed Gurdas Singh, a farmer from Dhunike village.
Acknowledging his views, one Parkash Singh of Ghudda village said, “While selling cotton crop, we face harassment as we have to wait for a couple of days in mandis. We sometimes even stage dharnas and block roads to build pressure upon the government for smooth and speedy purchase but selling residue is a more smooth process.” Cotton stalk was earlier used as fuel by households in rural areas.
An elated farmer said, “Gone are those hassles. Availing of subsidies, we have installed bio-gas plants at our home, from which we get free cooking gas. In addition, we sell stalk at handsome rates.”
According to information available, there are three biomass power plants in the area, all in the private sector.
The plant located at Channu village (Muktsar) has a capacity for 15 MW power generation while the other two situated at villages Gulabewala (Muktsar) and Gadda Dob (Ferozepur) have a capacity for 7.5 MW and 8 MW generation.
Dinesh Bhardwaj, manager of the Malwa Power Private Limited, Gulabewala, said, “As the plants require hundreds of tonnes of agro-residue everyday, we are purchasing it to the best of our capacity. We open a purchase centre wherever there stalk. is available. We collect as much stalk as possible.”

Muktsar admn swings into action against black-marketeers

Bt cotton seeds
Muktsar admn swings into action against
black-marketeers
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, April 9
The complaint regarding black-marketeers of Bt cotton seeds enjoying a free run in his home district (Muktsar) that reached the CM Parkash Singh Badal on Friday, has landed the district administration here in trouble. A group of farmers complained to the CM about the district administration being indifferent towards their problem and also accused some officials of being hand-in-glove with the seed traders.
Taking serious notice, the CM warned the officials to check the menace or be ready to face the music. Fearing action, the district staff of the agriculture department hurriedly swung into action and launched a special drive.
A team led by Chief Agriculture Officer Darshan Singh Sandhu, conducted raids at six seed shops in Gidderbaha sub-division last evening. During the raid, suspecting foul play, the teams seized the sale-purchase records. Meanwhile, finding evidence of mischief, the team restricted the total sale of two shops till further orders.
The agriculture department staff again conducted raids at various shops today and nabbed a shopkeeper of Gidderbaha selling non-permissible seeds brought from Gujarat to a farmer. Suspecting that the dealer was in possession of a large stock of spurious seeds, the team called the police and handed him over to them to ascertain the facts related to his source, godown etc.
“We were already conducting surprise checks but after the matter reached the CM, the drive has been intensified,” said Sandhu.
Refuting the allegation of being hand-in-glove with the black marketeers, Sandhu said, “We are taking the sale-purchase record of all those suspected to be involved in overcharging and selling fake seeds of Bt cotton. After an in-depth probe, the guilty will have to face action.”

Punjab reduces market fee on cotton purchase

Punjab reduces market fee on cotton purchase
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, April 2
Bringing permanent relief to the cotton factory and ginning mill owners, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today announced the reduction of 1 per cent in the market Fee levied on cotton purchase in the state. The Rural Development Fund (RDF) cess imposed on cotton purchase has also been reduced by 1 per cent.
Earlier, accepting the demand of the Punjab Cotton Factories and Ginners’ Association the state government had temporarily slashed the Market Fee and the Rural Development Fund (RDF) from 2 per cent to 1 per cent (each) in October 2010 for up to March 31, 2011. After the decision, both taxes are now at 1 per cent.
The CM urged association members to put 0.25 per cent of the total cotton purchase amount in the state government’s recently-created fund for the Cancer patients’ help as a goodwill gesture.
Finding no unanimity among the association members, Badal said: “I am not compelling you so if you all reach an amicable decision, do inform me later on.”
The CM added that major cotton madis of Malwa will be provided with well-equipped fire-brigades to counter any fire tragedy during the cotton arrival season.
Badal added, “I wish this region which is known as Cotton belt of the state to be developed a hub of textile mills. If it happens, people will enjoy the benefits of value addition.”

Long haul for residents as no train halts at these railway stations

Long haul for residents as no train halts at these railway stations  
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, November 28

A railway station where no train stops! Sounds strange but it is a fact that Karam Garh, Sardar Garh and Daula Kotebhai are villages on the Bathinda-Malout rail route, which is facing discriminatory behaviour from the railway authorities.
Karam Garh and Sardar Garh villages were provided with a common railway station, with the name ‘Karam Garh Sardar Garh.’ In the late 60s, the villagers unitedly approached the railway authorities with the request that passenger trains should halt at their village station. Accepting the demand, the railway authorities granted them the facility.
The story was the same at village Daula, located at a distance of four kilometers from Sardar Garh village.
During a visit to these villages, the TNS team found that buildings at the village station (waiting room, ticket counter and office) were in bad shape. The railway time-table and board displaying the name of the station were telling a tale of apathy.
Said Bhupinder Singh, a resident of Karam Garh village, “Earlier, there were two trains on the up and two down route which halted at the station. Later, the authorities concerned totally ignored the villagers and banned the stoppage of trains over here. In this regard, we have met with the higher officials, but did not get any favourable response.”
Harmander Singh of the same village added, “It is not the one village, but two villages Karam Garh and Sardar Garh, that were availing of the facility. But as of now, we have to board a bus or tempo to reach Bathinda or Gidderbaha to catch the train for further journey.”
At Daula Kotebhai, the reaction of the villagers was similar as they discussed their problems resulting from the closure of the station.
Balwant Singh, a ticket vendor at Daula railway station, rued, “The authorities seemed to be looking for an issue to stop the halting of trains here. The basic requirement was to have an income of Rs 2,500 per month, but at that time, we were collecting Rs 6,000. But the authorities then passed the order that a minimum of 40 tickets should be sold every day to allow trains to halt there. When they found that the requirement was not being met, they sealed the station.”
The villagers said the words that labourers working in the villages now have to be dropped at either Bathinda or Gidderbaha railway station, so that they can board trains leaving for their hometowns.
They also informed that they have submitted requests to the railways authorities at Delhi, Ambala and Bathinda many times in this regard. The villagers accused the political leaders of the area with just making verbal promises to console them and doing nothing to meet their demands.
An elderly man at village Daula Kotebhai said, “Everyone knows that the area is cancer-prone. So, the patient who has to go to Bikaner for treatment faces a problem as now no train stops here.”
When contacted, ATM railways, Bathinda, Sher Singh said, “It is the policy of the railway department that the station that does not meet the minimum fixed target, is closed.” He parried queries relating to any plan to revive the status of these stations in the near future.

Tribune Impact---- Canal water flows again, cotton farmers happy

Tribune Impact
Canal water flows again, cotton farmers happy
Rajay Deep
TNS

(Above) The canal that was dry since May 15; (below) Water flows again in the canal. Photos by writer

Talwandi Sabo, May 28
Restoration of water in the irrigation minors and distributaries linked to the Kotla branch canal today brought smile back on the faces of hundreds of cotton growers of Maur, Rama, Talwandi and Sangat blocks of this district.
Earlier, water supply in Kotla branch canal, which used to feed about 100 villages of Bathinda district, had been running dry since May 15 on account of launching a revamping project.
The paucity of water, amid the cotton sowing season, had left the farmers in the lurch in the area.
Left with no way out, farmers had started cultivating their fields with the unfit sub-soil water, which was reportedly affecting the productivity of the land.
Probing the matter, The Tribune observed that the revamping project, in the name of which the water supply was stopped, had been grappling under litigation at the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the irrigation department had no authority to initiate the work till the court announced its verdict.
Mentioning the facts collected, The Tribune had highlighted the plight of the cotton growers on May 25 under the headline "Cotton growers wilt as canals run dry." Taking notice of the news item, senior officials of the irrigation department released the water supply in the canal from a far located dam, the next day. Running across miles, the water finally reached almost all minors and distributaries including the Talwandi minor, Bangi minor, Jodhpur minor, Mansa minor and Pakka minor, which are linked with the Kotla branch on Thursday evening.
Speaking over the phone, an elated farmer of village Jeevan Singh Wala, Gursharnajeet Singh informed this correspondent about the development, early this morning. To verify the fact, when TNS visited the Bathinda-Talwandi Sabo road, it was observed that almost all minors and distributaries, which were running dry on Monday were carrying water but at a low level.
When contacted, the executive engineer of irrigation department, Gopal Singh said, "Earlier, the supply was suspended on the pretext of revamping project but due to some legal hurdles, it was getting delayed.
On the other hand, farmers were in dire need of water supply to irrigate their fields for cotton sowing. Finally, senior officials of the department decided to release the water supply till the court announced the verdict."

Laying of Mumbai-Bathinda gas pipeline courts controversy

Laying of Mumbai-Bathinda gas pipeline courts controversy
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, May 31
The much hyped project of laying Mumbai-Bathinda underground gas pipeline has been caught in a controversy. The GAIL authorities were in a piquant situation as the company contracted had camped here with a large of huge machines on Saturday but the farmers, in whose land the 100 feet wide pipe is supposed to be laid, are still not allowing the trenching work to start.
Among others, farmers nurse resentment over the fixation of the allegedly less compensation for using their agricultural land. The farmers have been demanding a compensation of Rs one crore per acre against the reportedly fixed price of Rs 10 lakh.
The controversy erupted on Saturday, when the company contracted was about to start trenching at Gillpatti village from the National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) side. Before the engineers and labourers could start work, farmers of the village assembled and made them leave the place.
The protest gained momentum today, when the company officials again took a chance to start the work but the farmers from nearby villages, from where the pipeline would cross, assembled and started lodging a protest.
Surrounding the machines, they announced that work would be allowed only after the acceptance of their demand.
The hapless officials had to inform the police. Finding the farmers rigid over their demand for compensation, police called the executive magistrate, who listened to their grievances and assured of an amicable solution.
Executive magistrate Karnail Singh Bhullar said, “I tried to convince them that in the process, the company will not get the land transferred in its name and it will remain in the name of farmers in the revenue records. The compensation is paid to bar the farmers from doing any agricultural and construction activity on the land beneath which the pipe is laid.”
“Despite all negotiations, the farmers were firm over their demand. To resolve the issue, a meeting has been fixed with the DC, SSP and GAIL officials who will arrive here on Tuesday,” said Bhullar.

‘By 2035, people will be on Moon & Mars Dr V. Adimurthy

‘By 2035, people will be on Moon & Mars

Dr V. Adimurthy, professor and senior advisor (Interplanetary Missions) at the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), who was in Bathinda on Friday to attend a UGC-sponsored national conference on ‘Advanced mathematics and its applications’ organized by the the post-graduate department of mathematics of the DAV College, spoke to Rajay Deep of The Tribune on the steps the ISRO is taking to accomplish India’s mission in space.
Excerpts from the conversation:
Q: How far is the day when human beings will be able to live and work at other destinations within solar system?
Ans: Efforts are on for a mission to Mars and Moon and I am hopeful that by 2035, people will be there.
Q: What is the focus on — Mars or Moon?
Ans: No doubt, efforts are being made for both but the prime focus would be on Mars as it has been observed that the possibility to create living atmosphere there is more than on the Moon. It is easily possible to establish a colony on Mars as on the Moon, the whole supply would be required from the Earth.
Q: Is water available on the Moon?
Ans: There were various studies giving different opinions on the issue but the final report suggests that water is available on the Moon but not in its present form like a flowing river. But its molecules are certainly there and may form into water with the passage of time.
Q: What is ISRO doing to build bio re-generative systems?
Ans: Since the propylene product is not biodegradable, researches are on for green propylene.
Q: What are the steps being taken to develop instruments to measure greenhouse gases, disaster monitoring and climate data records?
Ans: We are aware of the anthropogenic effects caused by the man-made remote sensing satellites. To evaluate and check them, there are many researches going on. Parallel to it, we have to understand that it requires continuous services experimenting upon the soil, groundwater, agro-products etc.
Q: What is the major challenge for space transport?
Ans: As at present the cost of space travel is too high, we need the expandable launch vehicles that can be used and reused, but it requires very high investment. So, nobody has approved it yet.
Q: What proved to be the reason behind the failure of India’s advanced GSAT-5P communication satellite, launched recently?
Ans: Though the first and foremost cause is yet to be ascertained, we have studied that the connections snapped and therefore, the vehicle lost control.
Q: Does the failure of GSAT-5P put any effect on the plans of ISRO to launch three major missions, namely the Resourcesat-2, Youth satellite and X- satellite?
Ans: Undoubtedly. After the unexpected experience, our schedule was mismatched. But we are all working hard to launch them on schedule.
Q: Why does ISRO want to launch the regional navigation satellite system when the Global Positioning System (GPS) maintained by the United States is freely accessible by anyone with a GPS receiver?
Ans: The requirement for such a navigation system is driven by the fact that access to GPS is not at all guaranteed in hostile situations and we have witnessed various uncertainties in it.
Q: What is the ISRO doing for students?
Ans: The ISRO is running a large number of programmes to attract students from various pockets. The Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology offers various courses for graduates and postgraduates.

...commuters left high and dry

...commuters left high and dry
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, April 28

The hourlong jam outside the bus stand here left hundreds of commuters in the lurch, that too in the scorching heat at around noon.
To build pressure on the government for the fulfillment of their demands, the PSSF employees blocked the main gate of the bus stand and disrupted the traffic movement there, apparently ignoring the inconvenience caused to the common people. Not only the commuters but also the bus staff were observed annoyed over the chaos.
Ironically, the police preferred to be a mute spectator and remained indifferent to the plight of women and children who were stuck in the buses in the sweltering heat.
Of late, it has become a regular practice in Bathinda that whenever anyone has a grudge against the government, they find this tactic to be the most suited for them to raise their issues. But in doing so, they always forget about the hardships caused to the others.
"I have paid the bus fair and got the ticket for Patiala where I had to attend a meeting. Now it has been over half-an-hour but I am sitting in the bus helplessly as there is no way I can reach my destination."
"If the cops here are unable to solve the problem, do give us a free hand and we can tackle such nuisance," said Sukhjinder Singh, an irked conductor of a private bus company.
A driver Pritam Singh, frustrated over the jam, said, "Protesters have 'fun' as there is no check on them. But nobody is bothered about our route and timings which have been been affected due to them."Gurpreet Singh, an adda-fee contractor said, "On an average, if the gate is blocked for an hour, we suffer loss of around Rs 1,500. Our haplessness is that as per the contract terms, we have to deposit Rs 14,420 with the PRTC authorities every day, irrespective of the condition."
When asked about the public inconvenience, Kotwali station house officer Harmeek Singh Deol expressed his inability in taking any action.
Commuters stranded in the buses were seen terming the problem as the fallout of Bathinda having become a hot seat courtesy the poll battle between the Badals and Capt Amarinder Singh.

City bus service gets govt nod

City bus service gets govt nod
10 low-floor buses to be introduced; PRTC to operate, maintain the buses
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, May 30

The realisation of the years-long dream of the city residents to see a local bus service here came closer today after the state government cleared all decks for the introduction of the service.
According to the project details, the Municipal Corporation, Bathinda (BMC), will deposit Rs 2.5 crore with the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) to purchase, operate and maintain 10 non-AC low-floor city buses.
Though the modalities are yet to be finalised, it is being planned that the local buses would not only ply within the municipal limits but would also connect the city to the towns located nearby.
The point to start city bus service had been incorporated in the agenda list of the BMC for discussion in the general house meeting many a times, but due to lack of consensus among the councillors, the plan could not materialise.
However, during a meeting held on April 5 this year, the SAD-BJP councillors passed the proposal and forwarded it for approval to the state government.
During a meeting called by the secretary, Local Bodies, Punjab, today, the file was cleared and the BMC officials were allowed to start the service by appointing the PRTC as executing agency.
With the expansion of the city in all directions, the introduction of a city bus service had been the main demand of the residents for past several years. The project was drafted a number of times but could not be implemented for one reason or the other.
About six years ago, the municipal authorities had even completed all formalities to launch the service. Over two dozen bus stops with shelters were also built across the city. However, the scheme could not mature and the bus stops gradually dilapidated.
Speaking over the phone from Chandigarh, BMC Commissioner Uma Shankar Gupta confirmed that the government had approved the project. He claimed that the scheme would be operational within two months.
"We will soon deposit the required sum with the PRTC. The PRTC officials have informed that it would take nearly one-and-a-half month to get the delivery of the buses. By the time, we will work out all modalities like the renovation of the existing shelters, building new ones, routes and the bus fare," said the BMC Commissioner.

City bus service a distant dream

City bus service a distant dream
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 28


The dream of the people here, of having a city bus service, has once again turned sour as the state government has ignored this fast-growing town while introducing such service in three other cities of Punjab.
Several people whom this correspondent contacted felt “betrayed” over the government not fulfilling its commitment. They alleged that the department concerned was taking the commuters here for granted and giving them just fake assurances in view of the forthcoming Municipal Corporation elections.
One Deepak Kumar of Naamdev Nagar here said, “The promises are nothing but the ploy to lure the voters in view of the upcoming MC elections.”
Bathinda has been termed as speedily growing city of the state. But in the absence of local buses, people here are forced to commute through rickshaws and private vehicles only. The 28 passenger shelters built across the city a few years ago are in dilapidated condition now as the city bus service was yet to be introduced.
The MC authorities had made promise of introducing a city bus service here. In 2005, the department concerned even prepared the proposal to launch the service but it was put under the carpet as nothing has matured so far.
The department of local government has today inserted a notice in newspapers whereby it has invited proposals from bus operators for financing, procurement, running, operation and maintenance of city buses on specified routes under city bus services project for Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana.
In the advertisement, the department has mentioned innovations regarding GPS system, pass system and electronic ticket vending machines.
The people who failed to see the name of their city in the advertisement, have now raised their voice against the alleged ‘ignorant’ attitude of the government.
On his part, the Bathinda MC commissioner, K.K. Yadav, said, “A resolution has been submitted to the principal secretary of our department to launch the scheme here.”
Replying to a query about the repeated promises made to the residents of the city, he disclosed that it would take time as the process was only in its first stage as even the preliminary survey had not yet been completed.”
The Punjab minister for local government, Manoranjan Kalia, when contacted, said, “A survey was in progress to check the feasibility of the project. The bus service would start only if the routes are economically beneficial.”