Police encroach upon forest land at Doda village

The police post in Doda village that has been built on the forest land. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, September 29

Though the state government is trying hard to reclaim government land encroached upon by private parties, a classic case of law enforcers turning into lawbreakers has emerged at Doda village in the Gidderbaha subdivision.

Violating laws, the district police are expanding its existing police post on the Forest Department’s land along the Muktsar-Bathinda highway at Doda village. Though the police have in-principle approval to build just two rooms, it was now constructing a boundary wall almost doubling the area.

Muktsar Forest Range Officer Amritpal Singh said the approval was given to the police authorities in 2007-08 to build just two rooms and that too for the highway patrolling post. “Now, they are expanding the area, raising a boundary wall. They were even told to obtain permission from the department for the purpose, but the application in this regard has not come as yet,” he added.

Meanwhile, a senior official in the divisional forest office here said they had not even received a single rupee as rent from the police till date. “As per the rules, those using land have to pay some fixed rent, but that too has not been paid to our department till date,” said the officer.

However, senior police officers denied encroaching upon Forest Department’s land for the construction of the Doda police post. The rent for the building was decided to be paid by the district administration, said SP (D), Muktsar, Gurinderjit Singh.

Courtesy: The Tribune

AAP leaders target Badals at Gidderbaha rally

AAP leaders during the Punjab Jodo rally at Doda village in Gidderbaha Assembly constituency on Monday. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Doda (Gidderbaha), Sept 21

Aam Aadmi Party’s “Punjab Jodo” rally at Doda village in Gidderbaha Assembly segment today got a good response from the public.

Its leaders — state convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur, Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann, Faridkot MP Prof Sadhu Singh — only targeted the ruling Badals and did not utter a single word against sitting Gidderbaha MLA-cum-Indian Youth Congress (IYC) chief Amrinder Singh ‘Raja Warring’, much to the surprise of the audience.

The AAP leaders raised all issues such as drugs, corruption, illegal mining of sand and gravel, privatisation of transportation, favouritism, politicisation of police etc.

All leaders spoke openly against the Badals and the Congress but did not name Raja Warring anywhere in their long speeches.

Bhagwant Mann said, “We don’t want to turn Punjab into California, as Sukhbir claims in his speeches. We want that our Punjab remains Punjab where people can live happily without any harassment. People from all walks of life be it farmers, businessmen, youngsters facing unemployment are fed up with the state government. They will show the SAD-BJP government the exit door in 2017. The public has seen the real face of Badals who believe in filling their own pockets and in looting commoners. They will definitely vote for AAP.”

Courtesy: The Tribune

Muktsar boy Gurkeerat selected in ODI team; Belongs to a politically influential family

Muktsar boy Gurkeerat selected in ODI team

Belongs to a politically influential family

Gurkeerat Mann

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, September 20

Gurkeerat Mann, who hails from Baam village near here, was today selected in the One Day International (ODI) cricket team. Mann is the first sportsperson of the family that is politically well connected.

Gurkeerat’s father Rupinder Singh is a District Mandi Officer (Flying Squad) at Punjab Mandi Board’s headquarters in Mohali. His father’s first cousins are former CWC member Jagmeet Brar and Kotkapura ex-MLA Ripjit Brar.

The cricketer’s maternal grandfather late Mohinder Saiyanwala was Local Bodies Minister in the government of Surjit Singh Barnala. Gurkeerat is also related to Youth Akali Dal’s Malwa zone in charge Kanwarjit Singh ‘Rozi’ Barkandi.

Though Gurkeerat was born in Muktsar district, his family shifted to Mohali when his father got selected in the Punjab Mandi Board in 1990-91.

Speaking over the phone, Gurkeerat’s father said, “I am getting a number of phone calls from relatives, friends, but I have not yet congratulated my son as he is playing a match in Bengaluru.”

He said, “My son along with his coach Balwinder Singh ‘Tinku’ worked very hard to achieve this. Gurkeerat is the first one from our family to pursue sports seriously.”

Meanwhile, the residents of Baam village are celebrating his success. “Gurkeerat has inspired many youngsters in this area,” said villagers. Gurkeerat is the only son in the family. His elder sister is married.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Now, officials fear whitefly attack on wheat crop

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, September 18

It is not just the alleged poor quality of pesticides to be blamed for the whitefly attack that caused a massive damage to the cotton crop in the Malwa region, the Agriculture Department had also “ignored” the growth of this pest on moong crop and vegetables in March, April and May. The state government on Thursday removed Agriculture Department Director Mangal Sandhu from the post for reportedly purchasing pesticide that failed to tackle the attack on cotton crop.

Now, Agriculture Department officials have admitted that the whitefly had first attacked and damaged the moong crop. The sucking pest had grown at a fast pace and later attacked the cotton crop, they said. It also grew on lady finger, guar and some other vegetables, causing a massive damage to these crops as well.

Even though the state government has now swung into action, Agriculture Department officials are apprehensive of damage to the next-in-line wheat crop as well.

“The whitefly had started growing on moong crop and some vegetables and it later attacked cotton crop. It will die down with the change in weather. But before the season approaches, in the first month of sowing of wheat crop, it may cause damage to wheat crop as well. The farmers will have to be cautious for a month after sowing wheat crop,” said Beant Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer, Muktsar.

He said famers were being told to destroy the wild growth in and around their fields. “We have also requested the Deputy Commissioner to ask MGNREGA labourers to uproot wild growth from the roadsides,” said Beant Singh.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Badals' district’s new mantra: ‘Beta Padhao’

Tweaking Modi’s slogan

• The ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ (save girl child, educate girl child) was launched by PM Narendra Modi on January 22 from Panipat in Haryana
• The Muktsar district authorities have started promoting education for boys by rephrasing the slogan as ‘Beti Bachao, Beta Padhao’ (save girls, educate boys)
• They say there is a need to educate boys to counter drug addiction among youth

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, September 15

Worried at prevalence of drug addiction among the younger generation in Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s home district, the education authorities are pushing for boys’ education by rephrasing PM Narendra Modi’s slogan “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” as “Beti Bachao, Beta Padhao” (save girls, educate boys).

Muktsar’s Deputy District Education Officer (DEO) Jaspal Monga says there is a need to educate boys since their chances of taking to drugs increase if they neglect studies.

“This doesn’t mean girls do not need education. Education is important for all. By changing the slogan, we are not only showing our concern towards the fairer sex, but also boys,” he says.

“The need is to save girls at birth and focus on educating boys. Boys need more attention than girls when it comes to education. There is already awareness among parents about educating girls,” he says. The education authorities have started promoting the idea at school seminars.

“If we don’t educate boys, they will struggle to manage their family affairs. There is a rise in matrimonial disputes as well. It is better that the slogan be changed to ‘Beti Bachao, Beta Padhao’. I shared this idea with some educationists who liked it,” says Monga.

“We support the idea of changing the slogan. This has been debated at seminars. There is a need to shift our focus to educating boys now since drugs pose a serious threat,” says Prof Gopal Singh Makkar, former principal, Government College, Muktsar, and honorary secretary, District Red Cross Society.

The deputy DEO also wants making dope test mandatory before wedding. “It can save the young generation from drugs,” says Monga.

Some officials in the district education office here have supported the idea, saying it will have a positive impact on the society. As per the 2011 census, Muktsar has a female literacy rate of 59.24 per cent  against male’s 71.76 per cent. The rate was 50.3 per cent and 65.4 per cent, respectively, in 2001. The average literacy rate in the district stood at 65.81 per cent in 2011. It was 58.2 per cent in 2001. Punjab has been grappling with the problem of drugs and has blamed neighbouring Rajasthan and Haryana for the menace.

Top police officers of three states have held joint meetings in the past to keep tabs on drug smuggling. The sale of poppy husk through legalised vends in Rajasthan has compounded the problem. These vends are frequented by people belonging to Muktsar or Fazilka.

Courtesy: The Tribune

In Muktsar, reflector belts for stray cattle

Move to reduce number of road mishaps

A reflector belt tied to a cow in Muktsar. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, September 13

The local municipal committee has been tying reflector belts around the necks of stray cattle to prevent road mishaps caused by them. The MC officials purchased 150 belts about six months ago, each costing Rs 150.

Residents have often demanded that the stray cattle menace be tackled. Several accidents have taken place near the bus stand and on Maal Godam Road, Bathinda Road, Railway Road, Malout Road, Jalalabad Road and Abohar Road.

Sandeep Tiwari, former Executive Officer (EO), Muktsar MC, came up with the idea to tie these belts to the cattle to reduce the number of road accidents.

Jagsir Dhaliwal, EO, Muktsar, said, “These belts will make cattle visible at night. If this experiment works, we will purchase more belts. We will also introduce the system in Malout.”

The district administration is also constructing a huge pound for stray cattle at Ratta Tibba village in the district.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Rs 1.41 cr to be spent on Malout grain market’s boundary wall

The damaged wall of the grain market in Malout that has to be reconstructed. A Tribune photograph

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Malout, September 9

The state government is about to spend a whopping Rs 1.41 crore just to reconstruct the boundary wall of the grain market at Malout in Muktsar district.

The work executing agency – Punjab Mandi Board – has even floated the e-tenders for this 1,500-m-long boundary wall. If one analyses the figures, a 1-m boundary wall with a height of 4.25 ft and 1.75-ft iron grill fixed atop it would cost the state government about Rs 9,390.

However, if construction experts are to be believed, the amount proposed to be spent is much higher than the actual cost. “The 1,500-m-long boundary wall can’t cost Rs 1.41 crore. Before allocating the tender work, the execution agency must reassess the actual cost of the project or some independent agency must intervene timely to save unnecessary expenses. It seems the department or officials concerned are in a mood to spend lavishly on this project,” said a private construction contractor.

When contacted, Sham Behari Kansal, Executive Engineer, Punjab Mandi Board, Muktsar, said, “The project cost has been fixed after thoroughly assessing the design of the boundary wall and that too as per the common schedule of rates (CSR). There is a difference of about 2.5-ft between the level of outer road and inner road of the grain market. So, the inner portion of the wall has to be built like a retaining wall. It will be made on the reinforced concrete cement (RCC) model, having double beams. Besides, the wall will have multiple pillars at a distance of every 12 ft. Some gates will also be installed for having entry and exit passage.”

He said earlier some notorious elements had dismantled the boundary wall. “This time we are making it in such a way that it can’t be dismantled without using heavy machinery,” added Kansal.

Sources in the Punjab Mandi Board said the tendering process couldn’t be done on the earlier date and it would be be done in a few days.

Courtesy: The Tribune

De-addiction centre awaits VVIP for inauguration

Badals’ home district

• Muktsar, being the home district of the ruling Badals, has the status of VVIP district in state. Even Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal keep visiting their native Badal village frequently. The trio had visited the district recently, yet the inauguration of the centre was not on their schedule.

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, September 8

A 50-bed de-addiction and rehabilitation centre at Thehri village in Gidderbaha subdivision of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s home district Muktsar is ready for inauguration, but the inaugural ceremony of the new building has been delayed for more than a fortnight now as the expected VVIP has not indicated the dates on which the programme can be held.

The Punjab Mandi Board constructed this building on nearly 3.25 acres at a cost of Rs 4.8 crore. Notably, the building was handed over to the Health Department last month, but it is lying unutilised till date.

The civil administration has also formed a drug de-addiction society in the district. The Deputy Commissioner, along with other senior officials of the district administration, too has inspected the building.

Notably, the state government has constructed these centres in all 22 districts in the state with an aim to reform the addicts by giving de-addiction treatment.

A senior officer in the district administration told The Tribune that they had informed the higher-ups that the centre was ready for inauguration, but awaiting approval in this regard.

Sources say the administration is trying that the centre be either inaugurated by the Chief Minister or Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal.

When contacted, Dr Jagjivan Lal, Civil Surgeon, Muktsar, said, “The de-addiction and rehabilitation centre is ready for inauguration. It will be inaugurated soon.”

Asked whether the administration was awaiting any VVIP to inaugurate this much publicised centre, Dr Jagjivan said, “I can’t comment in this regard. The decision about inauguration has to be taken by senior officers.”

On the equipment and deployment of the staff, the Civil Surgeon said three medical officers and equipment would come only after the inauguration of the building.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Ex-SOPU leader shot by father; Family was upset over his conduct

Ex-SOPU leader shot by father

Family was upset over his conduct

How it happened

• Karnail Singh Brar (pic) reportedly had strained relations with his wife due to his extramarital affair
• He returned home in an inebriated condition on Saturday night and opened fire in air with his pistol
• Irate over it, his father Darshan Singh fired at Karnail with his .12 bore gun, killing him on the spot

Karnail Singh Brar

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, September 6

Karnail Singh Brar, former Muktsar district president of Student’s Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU), was allegedly shot by his father at Nandgarh village near here last night.

Karnail (29), who reportedly had strained relations with his wife due to his extramarital affair, returned home in an inebriated condition last night and opened fire in air with his pistol. Irate over it, his father Darshan Singh fired at Karnail with his .12 bore gun. The victim died on the spot.

His mother Baldev Kaur has lodged a complaint with the Lakhewali police. A case of murder has been registered. The accused is on the run.

Sub-Inspector Balvir Singh, SHO, Lakhewali police station, said: “Preliminary investigation revealed that the Karnail’s family was unhappy with his conduct. He had deserted his wife and had an extramarital affair. He would come home drunk everyday. He had also been threatening his family members.”

The SHO said the .12 bore gun used in the crime was registered in the name of Darshan Singh. “However, we are yet to ascertain whether the pistol in possession of Karnail was licensed or not,” he said.

The body has been shifted to the Malout Civil Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Experiment failed, yet Muktsar admn transplants date palms

Costly exercise

• Sources say the transplantation of date palm trees is a costly exercise
• The trees have to be transported from faraway nurseries
• The date palms also need a lot of care as compared to others

Date palm trees on Malout Road in Muktsar. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, September 5

Even though many of the date palm trees transplanted here have died, the Muktsar Municipal Council continues to transplant these ornamental trees. In the past, the same experiment was carried out at Badal village and outside the district police lines in Bathinda, but it proved to be a failure. Most date palms had to be uprooted within a short period.

Sources said the transplantation of date palm trees was a costly exercise. “The trees have to be transported from faraway nurseries. These trees also need a lot of care as compared to others,” said sources in the Forest Department. The date palms trees have so far been transplanted on Malout Road, outside the residential complex of the district, session judge and the deputy commissioner. Further, the municipal council has planned to transplant more date palms on all entry points of the town.

Harpal Singh Bedi, president, Muktsar Municipal Council, said, “As of now, 21 date palms have been transplanted in the town. We will transplant more such trees after getting the public’s response.” Bedi claimed he had spent money from his own pocket for the transplantation of the trees. Sources claimed the MC had even hired three gardeners for the maintenance of the trees.

Some local residents said the authorities should attend to the sewage flowing on the streets and heaps of garbage strewn around, instead of spending on the transplantation of ornamental trees.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Five days after Rakhi, women of Mann village get Harsimrat’s gift

Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal hands over insurance policies to women of Mann village in Muktsar district on Friday. Tribune photo

Tribune News Service
Mann (Lambi), September 4

Five days after the Raksha Bandhan, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal today handed over her promised gift — personal insurance policies under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) -– to women residents of Mann village in Lambi Assembly segment.

Harsimrat has adopted this village under the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) to develop it as a model village.

During her last visit to the village on August 8, Harsimrat had announced that she would personally hand over free insurance policies for 10 years to the women of the village between 18 and 70 years of age on August 27, two days before Raksha Bandhan.

But she failed to turn up on that day, much to the surprise of the residents.

Later, the district administration issued a statement that as the survey in this regard was on, it had led to delay in the minister’s programme.

Harsimrat has bought insurance for the women by paying Rs 120 for each one of them for 10 years from her salary.

Interacting with the mediapersons, she took potshots at Congress and AAP leaders, saying that they were fighting for personal gains.

“In such a scenario, Punjab or the people of Punjab are not their priority. By using wrong modes of publicity, the AAP formed its government in Delhi which is now proving to be a big failure,” said Harsimrat.

She said, “In the last about eight years, the SAD-BJP government has taken the state to unprecedented heights of development and the NDA too, after coming to power in the Centre, has given many big projects to the state. While the earlier Congress government in the state did nothing for its residents and the UPA government in the Centre had ignored Punjab in all respects.”

About the whitefly attack on the cotton crop, the Union Minister said that the state government had already ordered a survey of the fields that would be completed by September 25.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Anganwari centres running from dilapidated buildings

An anganwari centre being run from a dilapidated building in Muktsar district. Tribune Photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, September 3

A large number of anganwari centres are running from dilapidated and unsafe buildings in Muktsar district, putting the lives of children at risk.

Though the authorities concerned are well aware of the fact, they seem to be least bothered about the situation.

“The district has 842 anganwari centres, out of which 208 are in good condition, 28 are being re-built and rest all are either running from crumbling buildings or declared unsafe,” said Chhinderpal Kaur, district president, All Punjab Anganwari Mulazam Union.

She said in most of the villages, the centres were being run from the rooms provided in panchayat ghars or dharamshalas, which posed a huge risk to the lives of children belonging to poor families. “I have visited a number of anganwari centres in Thandewala, Udekaran and Bhullar villages, which are running from crumbling buildings,” said Chhinderpal Kaur.

The anganwari centres have the basic purpose to provide food and fight malnutrition by providing supplementary nutrition and non-formal pre-school education. Besides, in convergence with public health systems, these centres have to provide immunisation, health check-up and referral services too. An anganwadi worker and a helper are deployed at each centre.

During a visit to various parts of the district, it was found that a majority these centres were running along the roads, village ponds and that too without having any boundary wall. Further, unavailability of potable water is a major problem being faced by these centres. Anganwari workers and helpers said they were fetching water from the houses located nearby.

A child development and project officer (CDPO) said the state government was giving them Rs 200 to get a room for the anganwadi centre in rural area and Rs 700 for urban area, thus they were even unable to get good rented accommodation.

Naresh Kumar, district programme officer, Muktsar, said, “The construction work of 28 anganwari centre buildings is underway in the district. We have got the first installment of funds in this regard and expected to get the second installment soon.”

Notably, the anganwari workers’ unions have time and again raised the issue that the successive state governments had turned a blind eye towards the anganwari centres, alleging that about 90 per cent anganwari centres lacked basic amenities and children attending them had to sustain the vagaries of weather.

Courtesy: the Tribune