Valentine’s Day becomes vigilante’s day?

Valentine’s Day becomes vigilante’s day?
Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists take to moral policing, manhandle youths
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 14
Despite the tall claims of the Bathinda police of providing a peaceful atmosphere to those celebrating the Valentines’ Day in the city, activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) today indulged in hooliganism and manhandled couples celebrating the day.
Calling themselves “guards of Hindu ethics”, the VHP activists slapped boys sitting with girls in parks. The activists did not pay heed to the explanation given by the couples, and forced them to apologise in public.
Leading a group, including activists of ABVP and Bajrang Dal, VHP secretary Sukhpal Sran today pounced upon some couples sitting in the Rose Garden. According to information available, they snatched the cards from the hands of lovebirds and tore it off. Further, they forced the boys to do sit-ups. If a boy objected, he was slapped tight in the face.
When the couples stated that they were just sitting in the park and were not doing anything objectionable, Sukhpal asked girls to give the contact number of their parents so that their marriages could be arranged with the boys they were sitting along.
An advocate from Chandigarh, Babu Ram, was also victimised when he was sitting in the park with his girlfriend. Not knowing about his profession, the activists started thrashing him and asked him to tender an apology.
On reaching the spot, TNS observed that people were trying to get police help but hardly any cop was standing nearby. Meanwhile, some girls accused the group of hurling abuses and misbehaving with them.
However, after some minutes, some cops reached the spot and asked the VHP and ABVP activists to check their behaviour, otherwise, they would be booked. As the cops were listening to the grievances of couples, the activists fled the spot.
SHO Kotwali GS Romana said, “We had rounded up the hooligans but the complainants withdrew their complaints and we released them after a warning.”
VHP secretary Sukhpal said over the phone, “We did not misbehave with any girl but asked them to give their parents’ contact numbers so that they could be married to the boys with whom they were celebrating the Valentine’s Day.”
“We urge people to support us in this cause as the Valentines’ Day is a product of western culture, which is spoiling our youth and invading our culture,” he added.

Non-utilisation of allocated funds worries fisheries dept

Non-utilisation of allocated funds worries fisheries dept
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 22
Lack of interest among farmers of Bathinda to adopt fish farming has become a cause of worry for officials of the fisheries department as they are finding it difficult to spend the allocated funds, besides disbursing the earmarked amount of subsidy and meeting the target of loan assistance. The authorities would have to return funds worth lakhs to the state exchequer at the end of the current financial year.
Sources in the fisheries department disclosed that the district was allocated a sum of Rs 7.82 lakh for the expansion of a government hatchery at Rai Ke Kalan village during 2009-10. However, the department could not even find the official agency to get the work executed.
Further, a sum of Rs 1.97 lakh was allocated to the district for disbursing subsidies for excavation of fish ponds during the current financial year, but the department could not disburse even a single penny till January 31, 2010.
Fearing that the amount will lapse after March 31, the department has now found five farmers for issuing grant of Rs 91,420 as subsidy for excavation, input material and feed.
The Bathinda office of the department was asked to meet the loan assistance target of Rs 15 lakh during this year but till January end, only four cases were assisted with Rs 10.44 lakh. However, the officials are now assisting a farmer with a loan of Rs 2.30 lakh but it is under process.
Meanwhile, if one goes by the statistical details of the fish seed production in this district, it is negligible. The state authorities had fixed this year’s target of fish seed production for Rai Ke Kalan hatchery at 18 lakh but till last month, the authorities could get only 85,000 fish seeds from the hatchery.
However, an official of the department said the plant had produced about 5 lakh fish seeds during the year but more than 4 lakh were transferred to the account of last year to make up for the deficiency.
Replying to a query related to the dismal performance, deputy director of department of fisheries, Bathinda, Sukhdev Singh said, “There is no hurdle from our side. It is just a lack of interest among the farmers to avail of the benefits of government schemes.”
“Though fish farming is a beneficial trade, the high value of land has emerged as the major reason behind farmers shying away from adoptin it as a subsidiary occupation,” he added.

VB initiates probe into city beautification project

VB initiates probe into city beautification project
BMC officials yet to place records before sleuths
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 22
The controversy over the execution of a much-hyped Rs 40-crore worth city beautification project has brought the Bathinda Municipal Corporation (BMC) authorities under the scanner of the Vigilance Bureau (VB), Bathinda range.
Receiving two complaints, one anonymous and other from social activist Ved Parkash Gupta, VB sleuths summoned all details and documents of the project from the BMC officials.
A highly-placed source in the VB, Bathinda range, said the BMC authorities were apparently unwilling to provide the documents as despite receiving the order followed by a reminder, the BMC officials had not come up with the record.
“The delay is increasing our suspicion. We will send one more reminder. Even if the officials do not produce all required details, we are firm on taking action against all officials concerned,” a VB official said.
It may be mentioned that the tenders of the project were opened on January 24, 2008, and the construction work was initiated after Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal and local bodies minister Manoranjan Kalia laid more than a dozen foundation stones under the project on February 18, 2008. The project included re-carpeting of almost all roads and main streets, development of parks, work on storm water system, streetlights and beautification of the city.
To execute the project, the BMC authorities, during the tenure of the then BMC Commissioner KK Yadav, had taken a loan of Rs 40 crore from the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB). The controversy had arisen since the day tender was opened as local contractors accused the BMC authorities of doing injustice to them. They had alleged that the terms and conditions of the tender were such that a small contractor could not comply with. Ignoring their allegations and objections, the tender was allotted to a construction company, said to be an outfit of a ruling SAD leader of Bathinda.
Besides the small contractors, city residents and councillors too had accused the authorities of corruption. They even accused the construction company of using sub-standard material in connivance with the BMC authorities.
Taking a step ahead, during a general house meeting, Krishan Kumar Garg, a councillor of the BMC, had openly accused the BMC staff of perpetuating percentage wise corruption in the project.
Confirming the details, SSP Vigilance Bureau, Bathinda range, Chaman Lal said, “We have initiated a probe and are waiting for the BMC authorities to submit the documents. Once the allegation is proved, everybody, irrespective of the designation, will have to face the music.”
BMC Commissioner Ravi Bhagat said, “I have no information about the VB inquiry. Moreover, the tender was allotted before I assumed charge, but I will ensure full cooperation with the VB officials.”

Process to fill up vacant posts in progress: Sukhbir

Vacancies after retirement of staff at 58
Process to fill up vacant posts in progress: Sukhbir
UAE verdict: CM to meet PM tomorrow
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, April 5

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today announced that recruitment process for all vacancies which had occurred after hundreds of government employee retired at the age of 58 on March 31, was on.
“All departments have been asked to send their proposals at the earliest to fill up the vacancies as we do not want the working of any important department to suffer,” said Sukhbir.
Talking to this correspondent at the sports stadium, Bathinda, where he had come to take stock of the preparations for the semi-finals of the World Cup Kabaddi, Punjab-2010, scheduled for April 10, the deputy CM said he had taken the promotion of kabbadi as a challenge, which he had met by hosting the World Cup.
When apprised that people are taking World Cup as an extravaganza by Sukhbir the ‘showman,’ he said, “No doubt I did my best to make the event successful but it is nowhere concerned with my publicity as I want the game, which is the pride of Punjab, to be promoted worldwide.”
Speaking about the verdict of the UAE courts, under which 17 Indians including 16 Punjabis had been awarded death sentence, Sukhbir said, “It is a very serious issue and only the union government can take up the matter at the international level. Concerned over the issue, the chief minister of Punjab is going to meet the Prime Minister on April 7, where the matter will be discussed at length.”
About the contingency plans to handle the protests if the PSEB is unbundled, Sukhbir parried the query saying, “This is a matter related to the chief minister, so he would be the right person to reply to it.”
When questioned about the fate of his drive to check corruption in the revenue department, the Deputy CM said, “We have gained much success and soon it will be replicated in all major departments of the state government.”
Sukhbir was on a whirlwind tour to assess development projects in Bathinda, during which he even took to task the officials of departments concerned.
He visited various sites of the under construction development projects including railway flyovers and asked the officials to make sure that all projects are completed on the stipulated time. Meanwhile, he warned the officials that dilly-dallying would invite immediate action against them.
“I have been monitoring all the projects, so never try to show your incompetence to others,” he clearly instructed the senior officials, while inspecting an under construction railway overbridge at the Badal road.

Chopper take-off bid creates a flutter

Bathinda: There was panic when the chopper carrying Sukhbir Badal failed to take off twice at the PSEB grounds.
In the first attempt, it gained a little height, but due to some technical hurdle, the pilots had to immediately land it. One of the pilots came out and asked the officials to take away all the vehicles and vacate the ground.
Then the pilots tried to take off but had to land the chopper again. Finally, they succeeded only in the third attempt.
All this made the officials (witnessing it) tense. But after checking with the officials concerned, they said it was due to problem in vision and nothing much, bringing relief all around. — TNS

KAC to honour anti-Dera activists

KAC to honour anti-Dera activists
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, April 7

“The Khalsa Action Committee (KAC) will honour eight families whose members have played a significant role in the anti-Dera Sacha Sauda drive at a conference to be held at Talwandi Sabo on the occasion of Baisakhi, convener of the KAC, Bhai Mohkam Singh, disclosed this here today.
Speaking further on the issue, the members of the KAC said that during the Baisakhi conference, future strategy on ways to combat the influence of Dera Sacha Sauda would be discussed.
“To lure voters, the Shiromani Akali Dal (B), Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress all have been coming up with the statements supporting the Dera followers, which is a clear violation of the hukumnama issued by the Akal Takht to discontinue all engagements with the Dera followers,” charged Bhai Mohkam Singh.
Lashing out at the CM, the members of KAC said, “The attempt of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to suppress the fourth estate of the democracy has revealed his true belief. The Badal government is not ready to listen to anything against it and if anybody dares to raise his voice, the government tries to seal his lips.”
“The assault on and maltreatment of the protesters are enough to expose the reality of the CM’s slogan “Raja Nahi Seva”. The government is not working in a democratic way,” they alleged.
Condemning the incident that took place on March 27 in the presence of the CM, where the media was treated badly and the women workers of Anganwari were dragged by their hair by the police, members of the KAC disclosed that they would meet the Governor on April 11 to demand action against the administration and the government.
“By issuing a statement about forming its own force to tackle unpleasant situations for the Chief Minister and SAD chief Sukhbir Badal, the ruling party has expressed its wish to impose a ‘mafia rule’. The SAD force will be no less than a ‘goonda brigade’,” they aleged.
Lashing out at the Congress ties with the SAD (B), they said, “It is the cordial relationship between them which got Bhattal a clean chit in the financial scam. MLA from Bathinda, Harminder Singh Jassi, is also a part of the game as he never speaks against SAD because the leaders of the ruling party have allowed him to continue his chairmanship.
During a meeting held at the Gurudwara Singh Sabha, Daljeet Singh Bittu, Bhai Mohkam Singh, Gurdeep Singh, Baba Manmohan Singh and Darshan Singh Jaga Ram Tirath addressed the mediapersons.

Tussle keeps focus on Cong meet

Efforts on to put up a united show
Tussle keeps focus on Cong meet
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, April 12
The ongoing tussle between the Congress factions owing loyalty to Capt. Amarinder Singh and PPCC chief Rajinder Kaur Bhattal is generating much speculation ahead of the Baisakhi conference here. Supporters of party MLAS, Jeet Mohinder Singh and Harminder Singh Jassi, had clashed recently. So, there is a lot of curiosity on how the two sparring factions will manage to put up a united show.
It is well known that Jeet Mohinder Singh, MLA Talwandi Sabo and Harminder Singh Jassi, MLA Bathinda, do not get along well. This threatens to cast its shadow on the Baisakhi Conference also.
Aware of the ongoing tussle amongst Bathinda Congress MLAs, the PPCC chief had warned them, saying, “No indiscipline will be tolerated at the Baisakhi conference. If anybody commits any wrong, he will have to face the music.”
It has been reported that the PPCC chief ordered all MLAs to mark their presence in a cavalcade. Bhattal herself is expected to reach Talwandi Sabo in a large convoy. Her route has become another contentious point between the Tawandi Sabo and Bathinda. Both the MLAs were trying their level best to convenience the PPCC chief to come via their constituencies.
In the absence of any senior leader from the Centre, many issues, it is believed, may come to the fore, like coordination on stage, raising of slogans, mudslinging and time limit allocated for the leaders of the Bhattal and Amarinder factions.
When contacted, member of the coordination committee formed for the Baisakhi conference, Avtar Singh Brar, MLA Faridkot, said, “All the issues are being resolved. We have been trying to convince all MLAs from Bathinda to cooperate and not to fight overt petty issues.”
When Bhattal was asked about the tussle between the MLAs, she said, “All the leaders will be given a place on the stage and all interested, would be given a chance, in keeping with the decorum.”
Putting an end to the controversy over her route to Dam Dama Sahib, she said, “I will leave from Bhattal village and take the way via Bathinda, as it is shorter. There is no other reason for this.”
About her political differences with Capt. Amarinder Singh, she said, “We could only invite him for the Baisakhi conference and we did that. The rest depends upon him.”
On the other hand, one of the closest allies of Captain Amrinder , Bharat Inder Singh Chahal, while speaking over the phone, on his behalf, said, “Amarinder Singh will definitely come to the conference and would address the gathering .”
“Some people have been spreading rumours that he had spoken of remaining absent from the conference only to gain political mileage,” he alleged.

1100 cops, CCTVs: Security tightened for Baisakhi fair

1100 cops, CCTVs: Security tightened for Baisakhi fair
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Talwandi Sabo, April 12
Sparing no efforts, the district administration has made proper arrangements to ensure that the forthcoming Baisakhi fair, to be held at Talwandi Sabo on April 14, passes off peacefully. The Takht Damdama Sahib area has been bisected into six sectors, where six Block Development Officers (BDOs) and duty magistrates would be deputed.
The administration has called up 16 duty magistrates many of whom are from Mansa and Faridkot districts. At least one duty magistrate will be posted at each conference venue, at the helipad and inside and outside the gurudwara. One duty magistrate will be deputed at the Gurudwara Budha Dal.
For the convenience of visitors, the public health department has installed around 500 temporary toilets and urinals on a make-shift basis. Officials of the market committee and executive officers would be deputed as supervisers.
Keeping the warm weather in consideration, around 200 temporary connections for taps have been made to ensure drinking water supply for those asembled there. In addition to that, about 40 drinking water stalls would be set up by the market committee.
During the fair, a team from the health department will be deployed in each section while nine mobile health teams will also be doing the rounds. Further, there will be four fire-tenders and three recovery vans to deal with any untoward incident that may take place.
To ensure proper security, around 30 CCTV cameras have been installed in all nook and cranny of the gurudwara.
The much-hyped idea of introducing the balloon spy camera was, however, damaged by the storm on Friday night. Now, a camera has been installed at some height, that will keep an eye over the whole gurudwara campus.
Giving details, SSP Naunihal Singh said, “Around 1,100 policemen have been called up for the security arrangements. DSPs and SPs have been called up from other districts of the state also.”
About uprooting barricades, Avtar Singh, president of the SGPC, who was on a visit to Madhya Pradesh, said over the phone, “There was some resentment among the SGPC members over the tight security arrangements, which they lodged with me. I therefore requested the administration to remove the ‘irritating’ tall barricades on the path leading to the Takht Sahib. As they were concerned about VIP security, I told them to keep an entry solely for the VIPs.”
Mela officer, SDM Anil Garg, further said, “The SAD political conference will be held inside the gurudwara campus at the Diwan hall, while four other conferences, including that of the Congress, will be arranged on plots granted by the SGPC within the Takht Sahib premises. But the conference of the SAD (A) has been arranged opposite the bus stand.”