Bathinda refinery fails to propel growth

Bathinda refinery fails to propel growth
Congress leaders and Akalis both have been claiming credit for bringing the project to region
Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service

An incomplete unit adjoining the refinery.
An incomplete unit adjoining the refinery. Tribune photos: Pawan Sharma

Bathinda, October 1
Even as the Congress and the Akalis are waging a credit war for having brought the Bathinda refinery to the region, the project has failed to accelerate growth in the area or generate jobs.

Guru Gobind Singh Refinery spread over 2,200 acres began operations in March 2012. Former Finance Minister Surinder Singla of the Congress claims that it was he who conceived the project in the 1990s. But the Akalis claim credit for pushing the project through.

Both claim that the refinery has triggered unprecedented development in the region. This is far from the truth. It will be quite some time before the refinery will aid growth in the area.

Ancilliary units missing

It was claimed that a number of ancillary units would come up after the refinery started functioning. Not a single unit has come up so far, 18 months after the refinery became operational.

The government has signed MoUs for setting up two firms for manufacturing plastic products. The refinery provides raw material like poly propylene which is used for making plastic furniture and car dashboards. The proposal to develop a "plastic park", where the two firms were to set up base, remains on paper.

The industrial growth centre appears an abandoned piece of land, with a broken boundary wall of a manufacturing unit and wild growth all around. A similar park near the Panipat refinery is growing fast. Raw material from the Bathinda refinery is transported to the manufacturing units there.

Transportation

It was claimed that the transportation of sulphur, petro chemicals and polypropylene would also result in jobs. An estimated 300 trucks ferry such material from the refinery. Deepinder Singh, president of the Bathinda Truck Union, says of these about 100 are owned by local truck operators and the rest by those outside the state.

Real estate

Other than boosting rental business, the refinery has not resulted in new colonies. The rental business is also on the decline with a residential complex of the refinery coming up nearby. Most employees reside in Bathinda and travel more than 40 km daily for work.

Hence, rental business in the city boomed initially. But with house owners adding more floors to put these on rent, this business too has seen a decline.

Pollution

Pollution caused by the refinery is a cause of concern. Already, residents of a Kanakwal village are being shifted to a safe location.

No jobs generated

It was promised that the refinery would boost the local economy, generating jobs for skilled and semi-skilled workers. However, most of the skilled workforce has been recruited from other states. Refinery officials claim that qualified staff is not available locally and that 50 students from polytechnics in Bathinda, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Amritsar have been recruited recently. But this number is too less.

The refinery has failed to jack up industrial growth in the region. No ancillairy units have come up. The state government is to blame for choking industrial growth with new taxes. The new industrial policy has been of no help
— Raman Watts, Bathinda Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The Bathinda airport has come up and new train services have been introduced because of the refinery officials. The project has brought work to contractors, transporters, auto-mechanics and electricians
— Spokesman, Industries Department

( Bathinda Refinery, Laxmi Mittal, HPCL, Sukhbir Badal, Harsimrat Badal, Surinder Singla, Pet coke, Petro chemical, Raman Watts, Bathinda Industry, Growth Centre)

For these panchayat members, it’s never too late to learn

Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 25
Fifty-year-old Murti Devi’s is a classic example of ‘it’s never too late to learn’. The victory in the recent panchayat elections has also made it possible for her to defeat the bigger “foe” of illiteracy that she had been associated with for the past five decades.

Elected to the panchayat at Jalal village in Bhagta block, Murti Devi has just started signing her name. She is one among the over 800 panchayat members in the district who have made it successfully despite being illiterate.

Panchayat Department officials say there are many panchayat members who are trying to rid themselves of the ‘angutha chhap’ (somebody who cannot even sign) tag.

Taught by a retired teacher, she says it is never too late to learn reading or writing. “I have got an opportunity to do something for my village. Learning to write my name is the first step. I want to read my name on the foundation stones that I will be laying for development works,” she avers.

There are as many as 805 illiterate sarpanches and panches elected from 294 panchayats in Bathinda district. There are only two post-graduate panchayat heads: Gurlabh Singh of Dhelwan and Gurtej Singh of Bhaini Chuhar villages.

"Learning to sign their names is their first step towards ensuring the progress of their villages,” says an administration official.

The constituency of Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluke, who is a matriculate himself, boasts of just one graduate sarpanch among the 45 panchayats in his segment.

Data procured from the district administration mentions that 63 sarpanches did not know how to read or write. Therefore, it seems, the political masters of all parties do not encourage educated persons to become part of planning in the state.

The Bathinda block has the highest number of illiterate sarpanches with 19 of them dependent on others to read official documents. Nathan block has the least two illiterate sarpanches.

Twentyseven sarpanches did not study beyond Class II while 90 are matriculates. Fiftysix sarpanches have passed Class V while 41 have cleared the Class VIII.

Talwandi Sabo block has 137 illiterate panches while Bathinda block has 135. There is some saving grace as well: Nirpinder Singh, a panchayat member of Jawahar Nagar village in Rampura block, represented by Maluka, is an MBA.

link : first published :http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130826/punjab.htm#13

Narinderpura, a mansa village where addict steal electric meters, sell bricks and even trees to arrange money for drugs

Drug addiction spells ruin for Mansa village
Jupinderjit Singh/TNS

Narinderpura (Mansa) July 23
Daljit Singh once tilled 25 acres of land on a contract basis. Along with his elder brother, he owned 12 buffaloes and a large house. Life seemed perfect, until their elder brother Manjit Singh took to drugs.

He turned violent and began eating into the family savings. He sold the family land. With the cattle gone too, he sold bricks of the cattle-shed and even a neem tree that gave shade to the house. He hanged himself to death when he ran out of money to buy drugs. Daljit now works as a labourer. He has no money to take land on lease. Married to his dead brother's wife, he has three children to take care of. This is the story of several families in the village.

Most youths in the village, belonging to Jat and SC families, are hooked on drugs, claim the residents. Jarnail Singh, a village elder, said: “Our village may become as infamous as Maqboolpura in Amritsar, which is known as the village of widows," he said.

There is hardly any house in the village not affected by the menace. "The electricity meter outside my house was stolen recently. Pipes, taps and wires are often stolen from houses by addicts who sell these for a few hundred rupees to buy drugs," said Darshan singh, a farmer.

Sources said peddlers sold drugs, especially smack, in small quantity at about Rs 30 per one-hundreth of a gram. "When we nab them with such small quantity, they get bail in a few months," said a police officer. Mansa SSP Narinder Bhargav said: "Owing to the village's proximity with Haryana and Rajasthan, smugglers are often able to sneak into the village. We are keeping an eye on them."

Gurpreet Singh, who quit drugs after a long battle, offers a ray of hope to others. He now works on his farm with his father. "After a long struggle, I am now cured of addiction."

Our village may become as infamous as Maqboolpura in Amritsar, which is known as the village of widows
— Jarnail Singh, a villager

Owing to the village's proximity with Rajasthan and Haryana, smugglers are able to sneak into the village. We are keeping an eye on them
— Narinder Bhargav, SSP

The making of Nishan Singh and victory of people over a criminal

Nishan Singh, sentenced to double life imprisonment in a rape and kidnap case, is the story of a young boy losing his way and seeking glory in crime. Belonging to a well-connected family, he lost his father and only sibling early. No fear of law and the desire to be a ‘bhai’ drove him to the extreme.
By Jupinderjit Singh & Balwant Garg

THE past has a way of catching up. When Nishan Singh, barely 19, abducted a minor girl from a downtown area of Faridkot on September 24 last year, beat up her parents, and opened fire at area residents, he thought he would have his way through his rich status, influence of a politician-uncle and “helpful” policemen. After all, he had a long list of criminal cases against him, including attempt to murder, and had already abducted the same girl, not yet 17, earlier as well and stayed with her for over a month. And there was no police action in any of the cases.
The victim and her parents thank the people of Faridkot for their support after her recovery on November 27, 2012. Tribune file photos
The victim and her parents thank the people of Faridkot for their support after her recovery on November 27, 2012. Tribune file photos

He was becoming some sort of a “folklore” in the city with his devil-may-care attitude towards law and society. He could have had his way, but for one thing — the people. Nishan forgot that a society may tolerate an individual like him only up to a certain point. Once the line is crossed, no matter how powerful the individual, society gets him.

The might of the people coming together to fight for the hapless parents of the girl, despite her contradictory statements, is what makes this case different from the hundreds of rape and kidnapping incidents. Those who knew the aggrieved family, those who were at the receiving end of the wayward Nishan and his friends, and people with a sense of justice dared to stand against the culprits and ensure that they are brought to book for their crimes.

No wonder, the landmark double life imprisonment awarded to Nishan Singh by District and Sessions Judge Archana Puri specially mentions the role of society. Perusal of the 119-page judgment in the September 24 case and the 58-page judgment in the June 25 incident makes it clear that it was a judgment for the people, of the people and by the people.
Nishan Singh being presented in court.
Nishan Singh being presented in court.

“The court must hear the loud cry for justice by society in cases of heinous crime of rape and respond by imposition of proper sentence. Public abhorrence of the crime needs reflection through imposition of appropriate sentence by the court,” the judge said.

She further ruled that in this case, family affluence and youthful excitement were the factors that led to the crime which traumatised the young girl, who shall be haunted by the memory. Coming down heavily on the increasing cases of rape and crime in the country, the judge noted: “Of late, crime against women in general and rape in particular is on the increase. A rapist not only violates the victim’s privacy and personal integrity, but also inevitably causes serious traumatising nailing of the victim for no fault of her. Rape is not merely a physical assault, but it is often destructive of the whole personality of the victim. A murder destroys the body, but a rapist degrades the very soul of the helpless female.”

The victim

The victim turned 16 this May, and at this young age she has already been in the centre of one of the most talked about rape cases of the state in recent times. She was held in captivity for two months at different times by a gang of criminals, and also conceived. From a small town, she has seen life in places like Goa and Chandigarh and has lived in the best of hotels (in captivity). She has also been to police stations and Nari Niketan, Jalandhar.

As per initial reports, she was close to Nishan Singh. The fact that she frequently changed her statements caused much confusion. But as stated in the judgment, she was under 16 and hence her consent or lack of it did not matter. She was at an impressionable age and physically incapable of defending herself. The judgment clarifies that the criminals forced her to toe their line, threatening to eliminate her family. It also states this was the reason why she did not raise the alarm even while roaming in public.

A big question mark stares the girl. Will she be able to live free of the incident? Will she finish her education? Will she get married? She has shut herself to the world. Will the society that stood by her, be there for her?

The criminal

In his statement before the court, Nishan Singh describes himself as an affluent and handsome boy with plenty of urban and rural property. He belongs to a respectable family that lives in a double-storeyed house in the posh Harindera Nagar, about 100 metres away from the Faridkot SSP’s residence. Known as a brat, he was on a crime spree for the last five years, but due to his wealth and political connections, no strict action was taken against him. He became a full-fledged criminal and his fearlessness made him brazen enough to drag a girl from her house in front of hundreds of people and inflict serious injuries on her family.

His father was a Captain in the Army and served with the prestigious “The Guards” regiment. He met with an accident early and was paralysed waist down. His friend and politician, Dimpy Samra, now a co-convict in the case, was associated with the family for long. The raw energy of Nishan, known for daring assaults on rival gangsters, may have been channelised into becoming a fine officer if his father was alive, believes a neighbour. But that was not to be. He was in class V when Nishan dropped out of Sanawar School, and later from a convent school in Faridkot, where the girl was his classmate.

Nishan suffered another blow when his only sibling, an elder sister, allegedly committed suicide at her in-laws house in Kotkapura. The unbridled love of his mother Navjot Kaur (also convicted) and Dimpy Samra, and plenty of cash saw him changing cars frequently, wearing the best of clothes and carrying expensive phones.

“He wanted to be a don,” says one of his close friends. “He would insist we call him Nishan ‘bhai’. He loved weapons and high-speed cars. He met with several accidents while performing stunts. He loved shooting and played violent video games,” he says.

Nishan gave freebies to his friends and stood by them, but never trusted anyone. “He had this particular trait. He never trusted anyone. If he was called for a movie or at some place by a friend or a girl, he would reach there before time and show himself only when he thought it was safe. He had stopped taking food from others. At ‘dhabas’, he would ensure the food was cooked in front of him,” his friend says, agreeing Nishan could have been stopped had the law been strict with him.

“He enjoyed the clout of his uncle. He learnt early that he could get away with crime as long as he was a juvenile. He got the patronage of senior police officers, due to which he got away even after urinating outside an SHO’s house and throwing bottles at a police station,” he says.

No wonder, the police initially defended him and said it was a case of elopement. It even released the picture of the girl with Nishan during their “wedding”. The police had to eat a humble pie as it had violated law by revealing the identity of the rape victim.

Was it elopement?

The defence argued that Nishan and the girl were in love and exchanged gifts and letters. She went with him willingly and no force was used. The judgment, however, said under Section 375, IPC, intercourse with a woman under the age of 16 fell within the purview of rape even if it was with consent.

The cases

Before kidnapping the girl on September 24, Nishan had committed 21 crimes. He had kidnapped the same girl in June 2012. The police had booked him for rape and kidnapping but neither did the society nor media take note of it. But the September 24 incident drew everyone’s attention due to the sheer brazenness of the crime.

People got together and launched a sustained protest against the accused. “It was because of this unique initiative that we succeeded in getting justice for our daughter,” says the victim’s mother, an LIC employee.

“I want her to overcome the trauma she underwent in the last 11 months. I want her to resume her studies,” says her father, a dealer of old vehicles. “I’m proud of my daughter. She is brave. Despite her tender age and legal grilling by advocates defending Nishan and others, she was unwavering,” he says. “I believe time is the best healer. She intended to appear for her matriculation examination this March, but the Punjab School Education Board did not allow her due to her long absence from school.”

The September 24 incident was the end of people’s tolerance and Nishan Singh met his nemesis,” says NK Jeet, an advocate and adviser of Lok Morcha Punjab, a voluntary organisation. Jeet fought the girl’s case and played a pivotal role in leading the protracted public agitation.

“Many victims of Nishan’s wrath joined hands, but several voluntary, social and religious wings also came together to root out such depravity from society,” says Buta Singh, a retired teacher and a member of the action committee formed to fight the gang.

“We salute the courage of the victim’s family that it did not relent despite many pressures,” says Bhupinder Singh Sangatpura, another action committee member.

Ravi Bhagat, Deputy Commissioner of Faridkot, says it’s important to show concern and sensitivity while dealing with public anxiety, but a better law and order situation is required to ensure women’s security.

Most of the culprits are in their early 20s. As adolescents are among the most vulnerable in the demographic group, the Punjab Legal Service Authority (PLSA) is educating school students about gender sensitivity, and imparting them moral and legal education to make them responsible, law-abiding citizens.

After establishing Students Legal Literacy Clubs in all government high and senior secondary schools and selecting 25 students in every school as its members, the PLSA is organising seminars and meetings in schools; educating students to desist from attitude or behaviour that brings them in confrontation with law; and take the help of law in day-to-day life while dealing with a crisis.

The PLSA is not relying on an official format. It holds question-answer sessions in which students raise all kinds of questions relating to routine problems they face in their social and family life, says Rakesh Mittal, secretary of the District Legal Service Authority. With the dictum “Ignorance of law is no excuse”, the young students are taught law in a simple language so that do not involve in any act which may jeopardise their future. “The aim of the legal literacy clubs is to spread legal awareness among youngsters and bring about a change in society. In our day-to-day lives, we encounter legal situations, therefore it is a must for us to know how to take the help of the law,” says Mittal.

HE CALLED IT LOVE
A picture taken from Nishan’s
A picture taken from Nishan’s
Facebook account.

June 25, 2012: Minor kidnapped by Nishan Singh.

July 27: Girl escapes; case of kidnap-rape registered against Nishan.

Sept 23: Nishan is seen sitting in VVIP gallery during Punjab Deputy CM's visit on the final day of Baba Farid Mela.

Sept 24: Nishan and his accomplices barge into girl's house, drag her by hair and bundle her into a car; shots fired into the air; multiple injuries inflicted on girl's family.

Sept 25: Public protests police inaction.

Sept 27: Nishan takes girl to Gurgaon; prepares fake documents.

Sept 28: Nishan leaves for Goa; DIG claims girl went with him willingly.

Oct 6: DIG releases wedding photos and letters “written” by the girl.

Oct 9: Massive response to district bandh call.

Oct 11: SSP, DIG transferred.

Oct 17: Police team dispatched to Goa.

Oct 21: Nishan arrested.

Dec 26: Police files charge sheet.

Jan 16, 2013: Charges framed against Nishan, 19 others

Feb 5: Hearing starts on day-to-day basis.

May 27: Court convicts 10 of the 20 accused.

The 10 convicted

Barring Akali politician Dimpy Samra, Nishan’s mother Navjot Kaur, and Pankaj Gautam, all the other accused in the case are in their late teens or 20s.

Nishan Singh (19): double life imprisonment for rape, kidnapping, causing grievous hurt, forgery and criminal conspiracy.

Navot Kaur (Nishan’s mother, 60): criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, armed with deadly weapon; sentenced to seven years.

Maninderjit Singh, alias Dimpy Samra (52), family friend: Conspiracy, kidnapping, armed with deadly weapon; sentenced to seven years.

Rajwinder Singh, alias Ghali (22), friend: kidnapping, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy, grievous injury, rioting, armed with deadly weapon; sentenced to seven years.

Toofan Singh, alias Toofani (23), friend: kidnapping, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy, grievous injury, rioting, armed with deadly weapon; sentenced to seven years.

Varinder Kumar, alias Dhalla (21), friend: kidnapping, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy, grievous injury, rioting, armed with deadly weapon; sentenced to seven years.

Pardeep Singh, alias Poppy (20), friend: kidnapping, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy, grievous injury, rioting, armed with deadly weapon; sentenced to seven years.

Bikramjit Singh, alias Bikram (27), friend: criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, member of unlawful assembly; sentenced to seven years.

Harsimran Singh Brar (25), friend: criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, member of unlawful assembly; sentenced to seven years.

Pankaj Gautam, alias Rinku (35), friend: criminal conspiracy and harbouring criminals; sentenced to seven years.

Bound by law, not emotions

The conviction of Nishan Singh and others is a big police success. We always try to perform our duty in accordance with the law. We try to reform first-time offenders, but to prevent the growth of such criminals, the role of parents and society is bigger than ours. The police is bound by law, not emotions. — NS Dhillon, ig, bathinda

a city with unsafe handpumps!!1

Bathinda MC declares handpump water unsafe
Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 27
Bathinda has become the first city in the state where water from its handpumps has been officially declared unfit for drinking. The Bathinda Municipal Corporation in the process of painting warning signs on all its 640 handpumps.

A government survey recently had revealed 1,546 people suffering from cancer-like symptoms in the city. Uranium traces have also been found in the Gurdaspur belt.

The city handpumps draw water from merely 40 to 50 feet while uranium traces in the region have been found at a depth of 500 feet. With poor quality of underground water cited as one of the reasons for the spread of cancer in the region, the local government has declared all handpumps unsafe for drinking purposes.

Mayor Baljit Singh Bir Behman said the warning signs had become necessary as water samples from all the pumps had failed. " We have already painted 200 handpumps with the warning sign," he said. He said there were reports that the water was contaminated with uranium and sulphur.

However, those who can't read are still using the handpumps. As of now, the MC does not have any plan to seal the pumps.
EOM

key words: Bathinda, Cancer, underground water, uranium, mayor,

Inter-cropping and Moga byelection

jupinderjit Singh
Inter-cropping is a new experiment being witnessed in the agriculture fields of Moga. Progressive farmers egged on by scientists are trying to grow two or more crops in the same field hoping to get better returns. The crops like wheat and Mint are chosen on the basis of their compatibility and certain studies that those can grow together without harming the other.


In the political field, an experiment of inter-cropping of politicians is nearing its climax. In two days, Moga residents will press the buttons of the electric voting machine not to vote for issues, development or party but for acceptance or rejection of an interesting experiment, which may set a phenomenal precedent for good or bad reasons.

Unlike the agriculture field, the list of the politicians uprooted from one field and planted on the other is endless. So many leaders ranging from the Akali Candidate Joginder pal Jain to a ground worker have switched side that it is difficult to keep pace with their names.

But like the agriculture fields, the farmers ( read leaders like Dy cm Sukhbir Singh Badal) are hoping the crops will help each other grow and provide the fruits of victory. What remains to be seen is the impact of this inter-cropping on the polity of the country.

On the face of it, it is a battle pitched between Sukhbir Singh Badal and Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh. Who so ever wins will get a boost for the target of becoming the Chief Minister in case of Sukhbir and emerge as the strongest leader of the party, in case of the congress president.

Closer look reveals the victory would have an impact not just on those two but on others down the rank. The Akalis have divided the constituency into small pockets making a MLA or a Minister incharge of as small an area of five villages. The poll result will decide the leader’s growth or decline in next few years.

The Akalis are not viewing it just as one seat. They want complete majority in the state. The seat would bring the seat no. 59. The BJP leaders, on the other hand, do not view the likely victory as a threat to their position in the SAD-BJP coalition. Talk to the leaders, and they show a ready data of how Akalis won many seats at thin margin only because of the clout of the BJP.

Similarly, the congress too had tried to put all strength of the state level leaders into the constituency. They would have got some boost if a national leader had joined the campaigning aggressively. The small battle of Moga could have proved psychological edge in the war ahead in form of 2014 parliamentary elections.

With the campaigning ending this evening, the ball would be in the court of the voter. Only he or she will decide whether the politics of inter-cropping would become a precedent in politics and we would witness more by-elections. Or the experiment is better left to agriculture only?

India to run high-speed train close to Indo-Pak border

Bonanza for Malwa region
Railway Minister annocues new trains, extends existing, model stations
to come up, more AC coaches
Jupinderjit Singh/TNS
Muktsar, January 13

India will soon run a high-speed train very to the Indo-Pak border with the
Union Railways Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal today announcing a
Jan-Shatabdi Train New Delhi and Feroepore.

In a pre-budget gift to the Malwa region of the state, Bansal
announced other manufacturing unit of the Indian Railways to be set up
in the state, extended Ganganagar-Bathinda-Haridwar train to
Rishikesh.

He promised to start a train between Muktsar-Hazoor Saheb (Nanded) and
promised connectivity between Takht Damdama Saheb (Talwandi Sabo) and
Hazoor Saheb.

He announced extention of New Delhi- Bathinda express train to
Fazilka. He also promised a Shatabdi train for Fazilka also but said
he would decide later if some Coaches of the Ferozepore-Shatabdi may
be diverted to Fazilka or a new train has to be started from Fazilka.

He announced at least one additional AC coaches in Delhi-Ganganganager
Express, New Delhi-Bathinda Express and Haridwar –Srinagar Express.

He would announce the route and schedule of the Ferozepore Shatabdi
later but said it would surely pass through Muktsar and Bathinda.He
announced Muktsar Railway stations would be upgraded to a Model
Railway Station and adding two more platforms to it.

Accepting the demands of the area residents of this border belt,
Bansal said Punjab has not got its share in the growth of Railways. He
promised more connectivity between the towns of the state.

Congress Legislature Party leader Sunil Jakhar ,Ex-MP Jagmeet Brar,
MLA-Gidderbaha-Raja Warring, MLA-Guruhar Sahai Rana Gurmeet Singh
Sodhi, MLA-Muktsar Karan Brar had demanded the trains and better
facilities for the border belt.

Capt Amarinder Singh said the “Badal” family was discouraging the
growth of railways as it would hit its highly profit making road
transport business.

Bansal said the railway foot over-bridges, and laying of new lines can
be laid with the help of the state government, which has to acquire
the land for the purpose.
EOM

State’s political capital hosts both celebrations & protests

Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, November 26
A 30" by 15" tent pitched outside the Mini-secretariat is the house for a number of teachers of the Sarv Sikhya Abhiyan in the state. They are sitting on a chain hunger strike for a month seeking salaries and cancellation of retrenchment orders of 900 of them. In between, these teachers take out rallies, clean roads to mark their protest while men go topless and try to gherao ministers of the Punjab Government.

Not very far away from them, preparations for the World Cup Kabbadi are in full swing. While protesters sleep on the floor thinking about the benefits of their education qualifications, with some of them even being M.Phil and PhD.

Such protests apart from political rallies and whirl-wind tours of Member Parliament Harsimrat Kaur Badal are held regularly here in this political capital of Punjab.

Celebrations and demonstrations virtually go side by side in this district that is shown immense interest by the Badal family.

A joyous procession of participants of the Virasat Mela where artistes attired in traditional clothes and young girls and boys danced merrily was hardly over yesterday when protesting teachers of the Sarv Sikhya Abhayan took to the same roads.

"We are specifically carrying brooms to clean the roads. We would be left to adopt cleaning roads as a vocation as the government was spending money on festivals and music nights and political functions instead of paying our salaries," said Satinder Singh Kang, Tarn Taran district president of the SSA teachers.

He along with other teachers alleged that they were supposed to receive Rs 3,500 per month as salary under the Centre-funded scheme. However, the state government was giving them Rs 2,000 - Rs 2,500 only.

Further, the immediate confrontation took place when the government relieved 900 teachers from duty. Under the SSA, slum or poor children in the age group of 6-14 years are provided education. The government relieved the teachers from those areas where the number of students fell less than 10.

Though an understanding was reached with the government regarding acceptance of their demands, but the dharnas will continue till the demands were implemented.

Not only the SSA but teachers from aided schools along with unaided staff of the schools, linesmen union, farmers union and action committees of various incidents like the Shruti Kidnapping case and others reach Bathinda to take on the government.

A tactical game of chess also goes on between the government and the protesting groups. Both try to outsmart each other.

The protesters try to gherao a minister or create a scene so that their voice is heard and on the other hand, the police aims at keeping them away from the government functions.

Usually, one meeting is held about the preparations of the programme and the second special one is on how to keep protesters at bay.

"It is all about who can out-think the other," said a senior police official, adding: "Every time, protesters come out with a new strategy to obstruct the functions. Our job is to pre-empt their moves without using much force."

link : http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20121127/battrib.htm#4

a classic case of robbing Tom to feed Jerry...govt wants to take away PAU land

Govt eyes PAU centre’s land to set up edu city
Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service

The PAU regional centre in Bathinda. A Tribune photo


Bathinda, November 26
If the state government has its way, the proposed ‘Edu City’ in Bathinda would come up on the 200-acre regional centre of the Punjab Agricultural University here.

Malwa’s gain in the form of an education hub, therefore, may turn out to be a loss for the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana.

Such education hubs, also to be set up in Ludhiana, Mohali and Amritsar, are the dream projects of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. National and international-level universities and institutes would be provided land to set up their campuses in these edu cities.

Sources said the PAU’s regional campus, situated on the Bathinda-Dabwali road on the city’s outskirts, worth hundreds of crores of rupees, has been chosen as the “ideal” place for the Edu City.

The PAU authorities, however, are yet to agree to the proposal. Sources said the state government was looking for an alternative piece of land for the regional centre.

Deputy Commissioner KK Yadav said talks were being held to set up the Edu City on PAU’s land, though no final decision had been taken so far. “We have formed a committee of the district administration officials to look for an alternative piece of land for the regional campus,” he said.

Sources said the PAU authorities, however, were yet to be consulted on the matter. The PAU may object to the proposal as several important projects, including cotton research, were under way on the campus. A few of these projects were being financed by foreign countries.

A PAU official said it would not be right to shift the campus. “Earlier, the PAU resisted a similar move by the state government to acquire its land in Ludhiana. The issue had brought the state government and a former vice-chancellor at loggerheads,” he said.

The official also questioned the wisdom behind shifting a fully functional educational institute to set up a new venture whose future was debatable since the Central University, Bathinda, was yet to take off fully due to non-availability of qualified staff.


link : http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20121127/punjab.htm#2

who is funding health camps in punjab..

TOP STORIES


Crores spent on 2-day Mansa health camp
Govt evasive on who's funding the camps; Badal says there will be separate budgetary provisions from next financial year
Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service

Free spectacles a crowd-puller


BIG DRAW: Long queues outside eye check-up chambers where free spectacles were being distributed, in Mansa on Sunday. A Tribune photograph

Mansa, November 4
From the next financial year, the state government will be allocating a separate budget for holding mega health camps even though it still remains a mystery as to who funded the two camps held in Badal village and Mansa.

Inquiries by The Tribune revealed that massive expenditure running into several crores of rupees was incurred on the two-day health camp that concluded here today.

Informed sources said heads of various departments were being made to bear the cost while some contribution was being made by businessmen supporting the SAD-BJP government.

The expenditure incurred on the first health camp at Badal village is still mired in a controversy. The state government has not yet gone public on how much amount was spent on it. Reports in a section of the media had mentioned that Baba Farid University, Faridkot, had borne the cost, but Vice-Chancellor Dr SS Gill denied the claim. "No, we did not pay for the camp," he affirmed.

Even at Mansa officials preferred to remain mum on how much was spent on the camp, the issue assumes significance as the infrastructure in government hospitals continues to be poor due to shortage of funds.

After taking a round of the camp, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said in wake of the whopping expenditure incurred on holding such camps, it was necessary to earmark a separate budget. He said such camps were instrumental not only in providing quality health services to the people at their doorstep but also in effectively tracking the areas that were affected most by fatal diseases.

Bathinda Member of Parliament Harsimrat Kaur Badal lauded the district administration and the police for "successfully" holding the camp. She said with 27,000 patients visiting the camp along with at least one attendant, the organisers catered to 50,000 persons apart from hundreds of doctors, policemen, nurses and volunteers.

Earlier, the Chief Minister and Harsimrat Kaur laid the foundation stone of a drug de-addiction centre at Khayala Kalan village, to be built at a cost of Rs 40 lakh. Badal also said that he would take up the issue of tardy procurement of cotton by the Cotton Corporation of India with Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar. He claimed that the agency was not conducting its operations aggressively as its officials had so far visited only 18 of the 45 markets.

10,058 patients visit on second day

Officials claimed that 10,058 patients visited the health camp on the second day, the figure dropping by 42 per cent as compared to Saturday
A record 27,358 patients availed themselves of medical advice and treatment at the two-day camp that concluded on Sunday
On an average, 1,709 patients were examined in an hour and around 29 in a minute
Orthopaedic patients outnumbered others on both the days
The organisers provided chairs to waiting patients and the policemen worked hard to ensure that queues were maintained
Though most of the doctors advised patients to maintain a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, the chamber of dieticians witnessed very less queries
Only 170 patients visited dieticians for advice; no patient registered with general medicine doctors on Sunday while Saturday's count stood at 1,400
Medicine shortage

Shortage of medicines remained an issue on the second day as well
Doctors prescribed medicines apparently available in their districts rather than those available with the medicine counter at the health camp
Doctors suggested that in future camps, doctors from nearby areas only should be called so that patients could visit them for further medication, if needed
Government doctors complained that private doctors were more interested in giving their visiting cards to patients rather than treating them
"The camp may not be of much help to poor patients in case they are told to visit Chandigarh or Patiala or other district. They cannot spend on travelling," a doctor said.
Chronic patients return disappointed

Patients suffering from chronic or major ailments had to return disappointed as no breakthrough improvement in their condition could have been possible in a day. Patients like Paramjeet Kaur (right) of Jeond village, who is suffering from a chronic ailment, were in a pitiable condition. Brought on a wheelchair by her neighbhours, she said terrorists had killed her husband, who was in the Punjab Police, in 1992. "My husband laid down his life serving the state.

But, I get a mere Rs 2,500 as monthly pension…. My daughter is speech impaired. So, I have to depend on my neighbhours. I have already sold a tractor and two cows for my treatment….The camp was of little help to me," she said. Karamjit Singh, her neighbhour, claimed that they had approached several politicians for help but to no avail.

TRIBUNE EDITORIAL ON THE ISSUE. DATED NOVEMBER 6

"Mega sickness
Health camp populism amidst misery

MORE than 27,000 patients were examined or treated by around 400 doctors at the two-day “mega” health camp which concluded at Mansa on Sunday. The Punjab Chief Minister and the MP of the area visited the camp and inquired after the health of patients. A similar camp was held earlier at Badal village. This is politics of cynicism at its supreme. People are first allowed to suffer for want of care, and then succour is provided directly from the hands of “benefactors”, who are from one family and elected from constituencies in which the camps are held. The spirit behind the events was just what it has been with the ‘sangat darshans’ that the Chief Minister is so fond of holding. This is a feudal approach, where providing people their much-denied right is made to look like a favour.

The foremost damage such exercises have is the diversion of funds. Money doesn’t come from the heads meant for the purpose, which means some other sectors suffer. Then there is no accounting for how it is spent. Unscrupulous officials only await opportunities in such chaos. Also questionable is the benefit of the one-time comfort people are provided. Chronic diseases cannot be addressed at a camp — where follow-ups are not possible — and short-term diseases don’t come timed to a camp.

The Chief Minister has even proposed setting aside a budget next year for medical camps. This would amount to institutionalising an irregular system, while letting the proper channel go to seed. The need is to breathe life back into the dying medical infrastructure, rather than let doctors from private hospitals hand out business cards at farcical medical camps. Put doctors in hospitals, operators behind the few diagnostic machines that government facilities do have, and supply the medicines needed. The very fact that thousands turned up at the Mansa jamboree should have shocked the powers that be; it was proof of how many people did not have access to, or could not afford, medical attention. "

politics of vote bank in punjab through health camps

Badals eyeing vote bank through mega health camps
Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service


A patient being taken for a check-up at the camp. Tribune photos

Mansa, November 3
Will the holding of mega health camps fetch votes for the SAD-BJP alliance? Political observers feel that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is hoping that the health camps may translate into votes like his Sangat Darshan programmes during the assembly elections.

The venues of both such camps, one at Badal village and another at Mansa, fall in the Bathinda Lok Sabha constituency, which is represented by Harsimrat Kaur Badal.

However, the utility of such camps is questionable when basic medical infrastructure is lacking in civil hospitals and primary health centres. Besides, there is a shortage of doctors and paramedical staff.

The government has not been able to find a qualified technician to operate an ultrasound machine in the local civil hospital. There is a perennial shortage of doctors due to which patients may not get the post-health camp care.

Due to lack of beds, patients bring their own cots to the Mansa Civil Hospital. There is a general feeling that the government will not need such camps if hospitals are equipped with the required facilities.

Though the Chief Minister and government officials talk of service to the people through such camps, the underlining idea is to project Harsimrat as the person behind these camps.

Speaking at the first day of the health camp here today, Badal repeatedly lauded Harsimrat for inspiring him to hold a camp in Mansa after the success of a similar camp in Badal village. The Chief Minister said he could not say no to his daughter and would do anything she says for the benefit of the people of Mansa.

Harsimrat also remained active at the camp. She kept making rounds of chambers of doctors and mingled with the public and asked their well-being. She also took officials to task for any laxity in arrangements.

Badal also touched an emotional chord with the public recalling how his granddaughter (Harsimrat's daughter) opposed the contesting of elections by her mother. He said Harsimrat took up the challenge of contesting against Capt Amarinder Singh's son.

The political observers say Badals don't want to leave anything to chance for the 2014 parliamentary elections.

Manpreet Singh Badal is likely to contest against Harsimrat from Bathinda. The Congress will also to field a strong candidate from this seat.

Political Exercise?

The venues of both such camps fall in Bathinda, which is represented by Harsimrat Kaur Badal
Political analysts feel that the underlining idea is to project Harsimrat as the person behind these camps
This became evident when the Chief Minister on Saturday repeatedly lauded Harsimrat for inspiring him to hold a camp in Mansa
Lack of medicines proves to be an irritant

Several patients had to return disappointed due to a shortage of medicines at the health camp. The unexpected high number of patients proved a headache for the organisers on the first day of the two-day camp. Randhir Singh of Gammiwala village said medicines were not available. Nihal Singh from Daler Singh Wala village levelled similar allegations. Laxman Singh of Fatehabad in Haryana, 70 km from here, was brought to the camp on a cot by his friends. But, he could not get treatment for four hours.
12 suspected cancer patients at dental chamber

Twelve suspected cancer patients were reported from dental check-up chambers. Among the patients was an 11-year-old girl. Doctors said six of the 12 were women who had no history of smoking or chewing tobacco.
17,360 patients diagnosed

A record 17,360 patients were registered at the Mansa health camp, which is twice as compared to that in Badal village in September. Deputy Commissioner Amit Dhaka said 5,500 ultrasound tests were conducted and several needy patients were provided free transport to their houses. The highest 3,334 cases were that of orthopedics.



Inspire or force docs for rural areas: CM
Tribune News Service

Mansa, November 3
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today told the Health Department officials to “lure, inspire or force” doctors to serve in rural areas. While inaugurating a two-day mega health camp here, Badal said a satellite centre of the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, would be set up in Malwa and Sangrur, respectively.

The Chief Minister also announced that doctors serving in rural areas would be given a preference in MD course.

Badal also used the occasion to hit out at the Congress-led UPA government for not fixing the minimum support price (MSP) of wheat: “The Central Government is insensitive towards Punjab’s farmers, who should have been rewarded for producing a bumper crop despite drought in several areas.”

Punjab Health Minister Madan Mohan Mittal said the Union Government too had announced an incentive of Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 a month for doctors posted in rural areas. “By holding medical camps, Punjab has launched a crusade against cancer. It is curable if detected in an early stage,” the Health Minister said.

Mittal said that there was more phobia of cancer in the state than actual figures on the ground. He claimed a fresh survey from October 1 to October 31 of six lakh households in the state had reported “a mere 2,000 cases”. He said a similar survey would be conducted in December as well.

Bathinda MP Harsmirat Kaur Badal lauded the initiative of the state government to provide quality health services to the people at their doorstep.


Next camp in Batala
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Saturday announced that the third mega health camp (first was held in Badal village and second in Mansa) will be held in Batala. Situated in Gurdaspur district, Batala has witnessed more than 40 deaths due to gastroenteritis in the past 40 days. The fourth such camp will be held in Tarn Taran.

"premis" , mainly farmers continue donating land to Dera Sacha Sauda

Premis” ( mainly farmers) continue gifting land to the Sacha Sauda Dera


Jupinderjit Singh


In a time of shrinking landholdings and debt on farmers, followers of
the controversial Dera Sacha Sauda, mainly including farmers,
continued gifting land to the sect for the second day today.

While spokespersons of the Dera in Sirsa had denied any order or
desire by the Dera Head for taking land of the followers, about 45
more properties ranging from few Kanals to several acres were made in
the name of a Shah Satnam Ji Green ‘S’ Welfare Force Wing of the Dera.

The total number of such sale deeds has reached 113. More such sale
deeds are expected on Monday. Sources said a number of follower s of
the Dera had lined up in Gonyana and Talwandi Sabo Tehsils but due to
some administrative reasons the registration of the property could not
be completed.

The “premis”(followers) who gifted land today were mainly from Gehri
Bhagga , Chugga Kalan and Bhaagu villages in the district. Talking to
The Tribune, some of the “Premis” got quite agitated at the queries.
They said they were free to give or take land. The “Premis” maintained
they were not worried about the impact on financial condition of a
family if they give part or major portion of their land.

“The Dera has given us so much. Its spiritual powers ad benevolence
starts from where your science and education ends. We can give
everything to the Dera as what ever we have is given by it,” said
Choor Singh of Bhaagu village.

He has “gifted” one acre out of his seven acres of land. When asked if
the donation would affect the annual earnings of the family he said
the Dera Head would give them anything they desire, “My son is in
Indian Army and my daughter is with the Punjab Police. What ever we
made was because of the Dera. I can give all my land. We just want the
Media to write the Truth and whatever I said.”

Mohinder Singh , another “Premi” said he has six acres out of which he
has given one acre today,” It must be for someone’s good. We donate
blood, ration and whever we are in trouble and need something the Dera
helps. I don’t know for what purpose the land was required. I only
know I am giving it in safe hands and it will serve someone.”

A perusal of some of the sale deeds revealed that the gifted property
was mainly ancestral. Some of the property was bought several years
ago.

EOM
Thursday

n an unusual development, about 68 followers of Dera Sacha Sauda
today ‘gifted’ their land, both rural and urban to a ‘Force Wing’ of
the sect that has remained mired in several controversies.

As many as 41 sale deeds were executed at the Tehsil office here in
favour of Shah Satnam Ji Green S Welfare Force Wing of the Dera Sacha
Sauda , Sirsa. Another 21 sale deeds were executed in Talwandi Sabo.

The process went late into the evening. Employees at the Tehsil were
seen compiling the list of the sale deeded in the presence of some
legal experts representing the Dera. One followere even gifted 13
acres of land.

Tehsil Sources said they do not remember such large number of sale
deeds was done earlier in favour the Dera or any party in one day. The
sale deeds were executed legally with all the requisite revenue paid
to the government.

Most of the Urban sale deeds were of Paras Ram Nagar and Lal Singh
Basti in the city. The “premis” as the followers are called executed
the sale deed of small to medium size plots.

Among the rural areas, most of the sale deeds were of Baluana and Rai
Singh Wala villages. Tehsil sources said the “premis” said the sect
Guru would give them many more land in return. The Shah Satnam Ji
Green ‘S’ Welfare Force Wing is a special volunteer group constituted
by the sect guru, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for providing disaster
relief.

Pawan Insan, spokesperson of the Dersa in Sirsa said the dera head
has not given any order for registration of the property of the
followers in the name of the dera or the Force Wing. He added that the
followers may have given the land for setting up centre sof the Dera.
He said he will check up and revert.

Sources however said it would be quite unusual to have so many centres
especially owing to the opposition to the Dera in Punjab.
EOM

Dear CM Punjab, you want Schools or distilleries? scholars or boozers?

Dear CM…you want school or distilleries? Scholars or boozers?

Jupinderjit Singh/TNS
Machhan (Bathinda) October 9

Dear Chief Minister, do you want schools in the state or distilleries?

This is a question posed by students of private school, who along with
several residents of six villages blocked Bathinda-Dabwali highway for
over four hours seeking immediate closure of the BCL distillery that
opened in this village about two months ago.

Residents alleged that they were forced to take the step along with
school children as no official of the District Administration or the
Pollution Control Board was listening to their grievances. Most
agitated were the students of the private school, which caters to 42
villages in the region and was situated close to the distillery.

Against the backdrop of the raging controversy of donation of rs one
crore to Sanawar School by Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal, the students
carried placards questioning if the government wanted scholars or
boozers? They also invited the CM to visit the place and try standing
through the pungent smell.

Residents and school children sat at different places on the highways
in groups at little distance from each other from 8 am to beyond noon
when a Naib Tehsildar Hukam Chand Deepak from Bathinda assured them
“due action” would be taken. Deputy Commissioner K K Yadav said he has
asked the officials of the Punjab Pollution Control Board to inspect
the distillery and report the ground situation at the earliest.

Rajinder Mittal, the most influential businessman of the region, who
owns the distillery besides a Multiplex and Industries, claimed the
distillery was pollution free. He said he had tried to educate the
villagers yesterday in a meeting at a Gurudwara about the environment
saving steps taken up at the factory.

“Most of the residents barring few persons agreed with our efforts.
The distillery is not fully functional. It is at establishing stage.
We are using Bio methods to prevent pollution. It is a little lengthy
process. I ensure you that we are taking full measures and will
continue to do so,” he claimed adding he has spent rs 20 crore alone
on prevention of pollution in the rs 110 crore worth project.

He added that the distillery was not just for preparing liquor, “We
use the alcohol to preserve upto 35 per cent protein of the rice brain
instead of the present 16 per cent. I request everyone concerned to
please show patience till the stablisation process of the distillery.

He also denied waste water was being discharged into Lasara drain- the
Budda Nullah of this region. Gagandeep Singh, one of the protesting
youths of Machhana village said it was increasingly becoming difficult
for them to live in the village due to the pollution. ever since the
distillery started functioning, “ There was unbearable noise besides
the air and water pollution. Farmers whose field are near the
distillery cant venture there to harvest cotton crop.

Jaspreet Kaur, principal of the private school said the unbearable
smell from the distillery besides the noise pollution was making
students and teachers sick, “ Students are complaining of headaches
and nausea. Even I fell sick for few days. The noise and the smell
remained unbearable even if doors and windows are closed.”

EOM

Yuvraj's victory against cancer lifts spirits of cancer patients in Punjab

Yuvraj’s victory against cancer gives hope to many in Malwa
Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, September 11
Cricketer Yuvraj Singh, who successfully battled a cancerous tumour in one of his lungs, has become a source of inspiration for those affected by the disease in the Malwa belt.

Vishal Kumar (16) who has been suffering from cancer. A Tribune photograph

Down with cancer, a number of patients, many among them being teenagers, now want to imitate their favourite star, who staged a comeback to international cricket arena recently, and win over the lethal disease.

Though they have limited resources as compared to Yuvraj, doctors feel positive attitude can work wonders for cancer patients.

Sixteen-year-old Vishal Kumar is one such example. Excited at the cricketer's re-entry into the game, he says, "Yuvraj's survival tale has made me forget the pain of chemotherapy. Of the eight chemotherapies prescribed for me, I have already undergone three. My condition is improving with each passing day."

Suffering from round cell tumour, Vishal had to quit studies after Class X. A cricket buff himself too, he says, "I used to play cricket in school… I want to play again… If Yuvi can (beat cancer), why can't I."

Dr Vandana Shukla, an oncologist at the Civil Hospital, says Yuvraj's case is motivating cancer patients, especially the youth, to keep a positive mindset during treatment. "Half the battle is won if a patient is optimistic. A doctor can also hope of a positive outcome then," she avers.

Citing Yuvraj's example, she convinced a patient for a throat surgery, she says.

Kamla Devi, a Srinagar resident who is in her late 20s, relates herself with the cricket star in a different manner: "While Yuvraj defeated a tumour in his lungs, I overcame cervix cancer, though mine case was detected in the last stage. Alike Yuvraj, I too need to return to my fields now — my apple orchards in Kashmir."

District Health Officer RS Randhawa says ever since Yuvraj recovered from cancer, he has been quoting the cricketer to inspire his patients.

"The fight against any disease begins from the mind. Treatment works better only if a patient is determined to be cured," he says.

link : http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120912/punjab.htm#5

Jajjal village – where people prefer saving village’s reputation than combating Cancer

FOR MAIN TRIBUNE -

Mal

Jajjal village – where people prefer saving village’s reputation than
combating Cancer

Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service
Jajjal (Bathinda) August 31

Residents of this village, which is considered the worst hit by cancer
in the Malwa belt, prefer saving the village's reputation over
combating the dreaded disease.

The village is the 'address' for researchers, government and media to
understand the spread and cause of cancer in the cotton belt of
Punjab. Just last month, a high-powered team of Parliamentarians
visited the village to take stock of the ground situation.

Yet, the common mood among residents is to deny the disease or try
their best to hide it or finally argue that cancer cases are being
reported from all over the world.

Villagers were quite hostile towards media teams visiting them. A
Chemist lost his temper at the first mention of the disease. “Go away
from here. Media and others bring bad name to our village. There are
no cases here,” he shouted.

A religious preacher, Baba Gian Dass explained the anger, “ Villagers
face difficulty in marrying off their children. Cancer has become a
social taboo for them.”

He agrees the problem of cancer cases was grave,“ I have recorded 37
deaths, 13 of which were females.” He showed documents supporting the
claims.

He alleged the government has not done much. “The RO plant was
installed only after we raised hue and cry. However, it is not
functioning properly. They are taking ground water for purification
instead of canal water.”

Jarnail Singh, a retired government teacher, who was the first to
raise the issue of cancer a decade ago agreed. “Villagers often
disrupt our speeches. I was not allowed to talk much before the team
of parliamentarians.”

"The general mood in the village is of denial. The apparent causes of
cancer- the pesticides, the heavy metals in the undergorund water,
the uranium and chemicals used in agriculture are still being used.
There is no effort to go for organic farming. People don’t seek
medical attention immediately if someone suffers from an illness. Even
a cousin of mine hid it from me."

He also featured in Amir Khan's 'satyamev jayate' recently to talk
about spread of cancer in Punjab. He claimed as per his records there
were 55 deaths due to cancer and about ten were under treatment.

Though scientists are non-conclusive on cause of cancer, Jarnail Singh
feels it was because of over use of fertilisers and chemicals, “ Our
farmers use most deadly degree of poison. However, farmers in Gujarat,
which is also a cotton belt use the least degree of insecticides and
pesticides. They are not suffering from cancer at our rate.” He said
quoting his visits to Gujarat.

The village Sarpanch, Najjar Singh, said it was true that the media
reports brought disrepute to the village. “We feel our village is
singled out when one talked of cancer. However, we do not stop anyone
from talking about the problem.”

District Health Officer Dr R S Randhawa, said the village has shown
more cases than other places, “However, our recent door to door survey
shows there were 21 deaths so far. Seven persons were under treatment.
Some people may have lied in the survey.”

The village had almost all kinds of cases. However, Uterus and breast
cancer was common among women and throat, stomach and prostate cancer
cases were recorded among men.
EOM

TEACHERS DAY SPECIAL - TEACHERS OF THIS GOVT SCHOOL SHOW THE WAY

style="clear: both; text-align: center;">

Outcry against doctor’s transfer

Lehra residents hold protest, see plot by influential persons

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Lehra Mohabbat, September 4

Hundreds of residents are up in arms against the transfer of a doctor from the Primary Health Centre here. They are adamant that they will not allow Dr Ashwani Kumar to go.

Available round the clock, the doctor would help patients get medicines at a substantial discount.

The doctor’s popularity can be gauged from the fact that various social and employees’ organisations, in association with the village panchayat, raised a tent at the Primary Health Centre where Dr Ashwani Kumar, who was relieved three days ago, examined patients at the week-end.

Dr Ashwani, his grey hair tied into a pony-tail, was swarmed by patients. As he examined patients, protesters carrying placards raised slogans against the government.

“Dr Ashwani has been seeing patients till late in the evening, not only from Punjab, but also from Haryana and Rajasthan,” claimed Jasmel Singh, president of the Lok Morcha, Punjab.

“On the doctor’s insistence, chemists in the village give us medicines on a substantial discount. Even lab owners in Bathinda oblige him. Dr Ashwani does not take commission,” said Kulwinder Singh, a local youth.

Dr Ashwani said he was not defying government orders and was among the 68 doctors transferred in the state.

The doctor, who has raised a team of volunteers that includes his daughter, has always examined patients on a first come, first serve basis. “The no-nonsense approach of the doctor earned him many enemies who got him transferred,” said Shingara Singh Mann, block president, Kisan Union.

Kulwinder Kaur from Ropar and Amritpal from Chandigarh were among hundreds of patients who attended Dr Ashwani’s week-end clinic.

after trees, chandigarh-bathinda highway to eat fertile land of 300 farmers

Four-laning of Zirakpur-Bathinda highway

Sangrur farmers oppose land acquisition

Allege the government chose the longest route to benefit politicians, traders; demand inquiry

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service


Sangrur, September 2

The four-laning project of the Zirakpur-Bathinda highway has run into a controversy with farmers of Sangrur seeking a CBI inquiry into the selection of the route. They allege that the proposed route has been chosen over two other routes of shorter length and which required no or little acquisition of land.


Nearly 300 farmers whose land will be acquired have threatened self-immolation as the move would mean loss of livelihood for them. Interestingly, the government has chosen the longest route from among three routes suggested by a private company which was asked to do a survey on the highway.


The company had suggested an elevated road on the existing 9 km highway which crosses through Sangrur city. This did not require acquisition of land, but city traders were opposed to it. The second route was a 10.5-km long bypass from the right side of the city. It required land acquisition. The third was a 12-km stretch, which required the maximum land acquisition. The government and the NHAI have chosen this stretch.


Alleging favouritism, Jagwinder, a farmer, has sent documents and a CD of the survey to the Centre and state government, seeking a CBI inquiry. He has alleged that the proposed route favours some politicians whose land would benefit from the bypass. On the other hand, nearly 300 farmers like him would be uprooted.


Farmers of Upli village in Sangrur have also objected to the move. The Sangrur administration has offered to listen to their objections.


Jagwinder has termed the government exercise inviting objections to the project from the public as a mere eyewash. "It is just a formality as the authorities have already allotted the tender to a Hyderabad-based company."


NP Singh, Executive Engineer (XEN), Central Works PWD, said the route was chosen on the basis of the feasibility study. "The route was approved after a thorough survey. Such projects are decided at the national level. There is no question of political or financial benefits to anyone".


He said it was not advisable to demolish shops in Sangrur. "We can't give curves here and there to save a motor pump or a house. The highway is of no use if the vehicles cannot maintain a certain speed. Besides, there is a provision for adequate compensation to the affected persons".


SURVEY SUGGESTS


Route 1: An elevated road on the existing 9-km-long highway which crosses through Sangrur city. No acquisition of land is required, but city traders are opposed to it

Route 2: Construction of a 10.5-km-long bypass from the right side of the city. This requires land acquisition

Route 3: A 12-km stretch which requires the maximum land acquisition
The government has chosen the last alternative

EOM

:First published in The Tribune dated September 3, 2012
http://epaper.tribuneindia.com/54946/The-Tribune/TT_03_September_2012#page/4/1

if only trees could bleed...there would have been rivers of blood in place of highways

Zirakpur –Bathinda tree cover a death knell for 96 thousand trees
Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service
Bathinda, August 14
http://epaper.tribuneindia.com/c/317852

If trees could bleed, a gushing river of blood would form soon in the place of Zirakpur-Bathinda highway. The rs 2500 cr four-laning project of this 200 km highway that aims at fast flow of traffic to Chandigarh and minimising road accidents would come up at the cost of nearly 96,000 trees.

These trees , including several mature and others just 10 -15 years old are all set to be sacrificed at the altar of development. But no one seems to be weeping. While immediate effect on the already depleting forest cover and the Environment in the state is anybody’s guess, the project also exposes the faulty planning of the government. Surprisingly, no champion of Environment has so far stood up to save the green cover.

Already over a lakh trees along the National Highway no 1 from Shambu to Jalandhar were removed making a severe dent on the Environment. No wonder, the state had a deficient rainfall, which depends on forest cover also.

Nearly half of the trees were planted a decade ago under the rs 450 crores Forestation project. The Indian Government took the money as loan from Japan with an aim and promise of improving the Environment. All that investment shall go down the drain.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had boasted a week ago about the massive project. He claimed the nearly four hours journey to Chandigarh would reduce to two-and-a-half hours when the four-laning would be completed.

The project is all set to begin soon with the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests giving a clearance to the Zirakpur- Patiala stretch. The approval for the remaining stretch from Patiala to Bathinda seems to be a mere formality.

“The state Forest Department has recommended approval of the remaining stretch also,” said H S Gujral, Principal Conservator of Forests. He said the state government is committed to provided double the land acquired as well as plant double number of trees.

“Nearly 1000 acres of Forest Land would be utilised in the expansion of the road,” he said adding that the planning of such schemes is done by the government and the Forest Department has given recommendation only when the state government provided alternate land and money for plantations.

Chief Conservator of Forests Kuldip Kumar said nearly 96,000 trees would be removed, “the trees include Sheesham, Neem, Arjuna, Brahma Drek, Melia, Keekar and Eucalyptus.”

What the PWD says?

Engineering-in-Chief , PWD, R P Singh, which made the project plan said it was impossible to expand the road without removing the trees, “development comes at a cost, mostly of the Environment. We are giving land in the Kandi area along the Shivalik hills for planting double number of trees that would be affected by this road project.”

On faulty planning as the four-laning hits the Japan Afforestation Porject, R P Singh said the road project was conceived two years ago only, “ We have tried to minimise the loss of trees. We are not removing the complete forest cover. We are expanding the road from one side only at several places. Still, the trees would be lost but then how can we develop roads and infrastructure and save human lives and time.”

He said there was no alternate to cutting down the trees, “The state government had to acquire land for carving out a new road for which massive investment of time and money was required.”

COST TO ENVIRONMENT

Dr Suman Maur, Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies claims that in one seasons, a single tree produces oxygen for year-round supply of oxygen to ten healthy persons.

“By that count, crores of persons would be affected in a way, “she said. Calling for better planning in future, she said the government should plan in advance the roads, or trains and then plant trees accordingly.

“Even now, if they are planning four-laning, they should earmark future expansion to six or eigt lane and plan vegetation accordingly.”

She said the cutting trees affects the environment in several ways. “ The trees are air purfiers. Some studies suggest they contain noise pollution also. They act as buffer zone for the environment. On road sides, they prevent polluting gases to affect the crops. Further, trees like Neem and Arjun have medicinal properties as well.”
EOM

Bobby Jindal losing fans back home

Louisiana Guv Jindal losing fans back home
Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service


Usha Jindal, Bobby Jindal’s paternal aunt. Tribune photo

Khanpur (Sangrur), August 9
Indian-origin Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal is fast losing fan following back home. Residents of Khanpur in Sangrur are disappointed that unlike several others who have shifted abroad, the Jindals have not contributed to the development of his native village.

His relatives, who had led the celebrations when Jindal was elected Governor, are even more bitter than Khanpur residents.

“People, linking us with the Jindals, often ask us as to when will the Jindals visit their homeland and if they have done anything for the village,” says Sudama Ram, who claims to have solemnised the marriage of Bobby’s parents.

Usha, Jindal’s paternal aunt, who retired as peon from a private school in Malerkotla, is living in penury. Sitting outside her one-room house, she refused to talk about her prosperous relatives in the US. “ My husband and son committed suicide because of financial difficulties and ill-health several years ago. I don’t expect anything from the Jindals.”

Harminder Kumar, Bobby Jindal’s cousin, runs a chemist shop. The shop is still owned by Amar Chand Jindal, Bobby Jindal’s father. “Amar Chand is my father’s younger brother. He used

to run a karyana shop from here. To his credit, he has never claimed the property. But at the same time, his family has never visited us,” he said with a hint of sadness in his voice.

“Bobby Jindal’s father grew up in the dusty lanes of Khanpur. He was intelligent and hard-working. He used to pedal 5 km kms to school everyday. I wish the family well. But I wish that they visit their native village at least once,” said Vijay Laxmi, another relative.

“Villagers had put up banners congratulating Bobby Jindal when he became the Governor of Loiusiana. It was a matter of pride that someone from our village had risen to such a powerful position in the US. We don’t want any help from the family. But it would have been nice if the Jindals had remained in touch with their roots,” said SGPC member Beant Kaur.

She said some other villagers who had migrated abroad had donated money for the village gurdwara as well as the village roads, but “the Jindals have done nothing for the village.”

Sudama Ram said: “I am sure Bobby will win more fans in India by doing something for his village. He can institute scholarships for needy students. His visit to Khanpur could draw the state government’s attention to the need for better facilities in the village.”

(link :http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120810/punjab.htm#13
and

http://epaper.tribuneindia.com/51285/The-Tribune/TT_10_August_20#page/4/2 )