Ready for early poll: Badal; Names Bibi Jagir Kaur as party candidate from Bholath Assembly seat

Ready for early poll: Badal

Names Bibi Jagir Kaur as party candidate from Bholath Assembly seat

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal listens to the plight of an elderly resident at Bhai Ka Kera village in the Lambi Assembly segment in Muktsar district on Friday. A Tribune photograph

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Bhai Ka Kera (Lambi), Dec 25

Looking much confident after holding a series of Sadbhavna rallies in the state, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said the SAD-BJP alliance was fully prepared to face early elections.

Amid media reports regarding possibility of early Assembly elections, Badal, while interacting with mediapersons on the sidelines of “Sangat Darshan” programme in Lambi Assembly segment in Muktsar district, said his party was ready for elections at anytime.

The ruling SAD-BJP combine will complete its second consecutive term in February 2017.

On being asked to comment on Congress’ state spokesperson Sukhpal Singh Khaira’s joining the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Badal said it was hardly an issue for them.

“It will not make any difference whether Khaira has joined the AAP or remained in the Congress. Earlier, he contested elections as a Congress candidate and this time he may contest as an AAP candidate, but our candidate from the Bholath constituency will remain the same — Bibi Jagir Kaur,” said Badal.

Replying to the statement of Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi, who had yesterday said his brother had still not got justice of attack on him and sought intervention of the CM to give justice to the Abohar Dalit youth Bhim Tank’s family, the CM said, “The state government is committed to firmly deal with any incident involving law and order. In the Abohar incident too, the state government is taking every step to deliver justice to the victims. A number of people have been arrested in the case.”

Badal, however, feigned ignorance on the reports of 10 Dalit families facing social boycott at Burj Dhillwan village in Mansa district and a large number of bicycles under the state government’s Mai Bhago scheme lying undistributed at a government school in Bathinda. He said, “I will ask the officers concerned while chairing a meeting at Badal village in the evening.”

‘Nihang’ accuses police of thrashing him

At Rasulpura village, a “nihang” stood up in front the CM and blamed the police of thrashing him and taking away his licensed weapon. He appealed to the CM to give him justice by taking action against the police. However, before the CM could hear his plight, some police personnel forcibly took him out of the “pandal”.

CM asks admn to hold camps in villages

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal asked the Malout SDM to hold camps in villages to identify the people who are yet to avail the benefits of blue card and pension schemes. He also directed the administration to complete the entire process within a month and display the lists of new beneficiaries in the village.

Huge grants sanctioned

Unlike past, the Chief Minister today sanctioned huge grants for the development works in the villages. A senior officer said the CM sanctioned nearly Rs 4.85 crore for Dabwali Malko Ki village alone. He also sanctioned grants for the renovation and repair of all “dharmshalas” in the villages.

CM curtails Sangat Darshan

The Chief Minister had to curtail the three-day sangat darshan due to the demise of SAD’s district president Dyal Singh Kolianwali’s younger brother Karnail Singh yesterday. The programme, which began yesterday, concluded today.

Courtesy: The Tribune

State least indebted, says Chief Minister; faces black flags; event held at school;

State least indebted, says Chief Minister

Reaffirms govt’s stand of naming UT international airport after Shaheed Bhagat Singh

Faces black flags

• Nearly 50 activists of the Technical Services Union showed black flags to the CM as his cavalcade entered Hakuwala village. They demanded that the suspension of two activists working in the Power Department be revoked. The CM reportedly promised to meet their demands.

Event held at school

• A Sangat Darshan was held in the Government Senior Secondary School playground in Ghumiara village, affecting the students' studies.

Chief Minister PS Badal at a Sangat Darshan in Lambi in Muktsar district on Thursday. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Ghumiara (Lambi), December 24

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said the state was least indebted in the nation at a Sangat Darshan in Lambi today. He said the government had taken these loans for the development of the state.

On the controversy over the naming of the UT International Airport, Badal said the government was firm on its stand of naming the airport after legendary martyr Shaheed Bhagat Singh. “We have already raised the issue with the Centre,” he said.

At the Sangat Darshan held here after four months amid tight security, the CM had to face angry residents, who complained of SAD leaders’ biased approach.

At Ghumiara village, Babu Singh alleged the sarpanch and a SAD leader hadn’t disbursed relief to at least 10 families, who had suffered damage to their cotton crop. Former panchayat member Bambri Singh alleged the panchayat was embezzling funds. The CM promised to take action in the matter.

At Mehna village, the sarpanch complained to the CM that some senior leaders were calling the shots, leaving him powerless. The SAD leaders immediately muzzled him.

Courtesy: The Tribune

COTTON CROP DAMAGE: Panchayats told to identify farm labourers for relief; favouritism alleged

COTTON CROP DAMAGE

Panchayats told to identify farm labourers for relief

Favouritism alleged

• The cotton growers are already accusing the state government of giving compensation for cotton damage to its favourite people. Even, there are reports from some areas that the compensation meant for cotton growers was given to paddy growers.

Tribune News Service
Lambi, December 24

After failing to find any foolproof mechanism to identify farm labourers/cotton pickers to compensate them against their losses due to crop damage this year, the state government has finally decided to give the amount to village panchayats so that they can disburse it among the farm labourers.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that 10 per cent of the total compensation amount given to a village for the loss of cotton crop would be given to the panchayats to disburse it among the farm labourers.

“For instance, we had given Rs 1.8 crore as compensation against cotton crop loss to farmers in Ghumiara village. Now, we will give its 10 per cent to the farm labourers in the village i.e. Rs 18 lakh. The village panchayat headed by its sarpanch will identify the beneficiaries,” the Chief Minister told The Tribune.

Asked whether the village panchayat would be able to find out genuine beneficiaries, the Chief Minister said, “There is nothing new in it. The grants are usually given to the heads to disburse among their subordinates.”

On another query about what were the findings of Additional Chief Secretary Suresh Kumar and Financial Commissioner Revenue Karan Avtar Singh, who recently visited the cotton belt of the state to seek suggestions from the public in this regard, Badal said, “No other option is available other than giving the money to the panchayats for further distribution.”

Courtesy: The Tribune

No compromise on quality of work, CM tells officials; Wants boards put up giving details of material used

No compromise on quality of work, CM tells officials

Wants boards put up giving details of material used

Markfed launches TV show

• Chandigarh: Markfed on Wednesday opened its studio to start a TV and radio show ‘Sohna Punjab’ for farmers which would be broadcast on DD Jalandhar and All India Radio, Jalandhar.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal holds a meet at Badal village in Muktsar on Wednesday. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Badal (Muktsar), December 23

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today convened a meeting of all department heads in the district at his native Badal village and directed them to install boards in villages depicting the proper ratio of material being used for construction work so that people could keep a vigil on it.

Badal said no compromise would be made on the quality of the ongoing development works.

“There will be zero tolerance towards laxity or compromise in the quality of material being used for the development works. Further, the concerned officers will be made accountable for any sort of lapse in the quality of development works,” he added.

The Chief Minister also exhorted people to play a pro-active role in checking the quality of works being executed in their respective areas.

He also directed officers to ensure timely completion of ongoing works such as the construction of toilets, water works, streets in villages and laying of water supply pipes, so that people could be facilitated from these public works at the earliest.

“My government is committed to providing basic civic amenities in every nook and corner of the state with a focus to provide a toilet and water connection in all households within the next three years,” he said.

A number of development works completed in the past in his Lambi assembly segment have developed snags within a short time. Residents of Panniwala Fatta, Mann village have even sought a probe in the construction of waterworks in their villages. Similarly, the pathetic condition of the community hall at Gaggar village, located just next to Badal village, constructed a few years ago, has also raised questions over the utilisation of funds. The road leading to CM residence in Badal village too has caved in a number of times and that too just within a month of completion of the sewerage system.

Courtesy: The Tribune

A day after inauguration, de-addiction centres lie closed

Employees yet to be deployed, infrastructure still incomplete, say officials

The de-addiction centre at the Civil Hospital, Malout, that was inaugurated by Health Minister Surjit Jyani on Monday lies locked on Tuesday.

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Malout, December 22

The state government boasts of successfully running the de-addiction drive but the reality is a far cry. For instance, a 50-bed de-addiction and rehabilitation centre at Thehri village and another 10-bed de-addiction centre at the Civil Hospital in Malout — inaugurated yesterday by Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jyani — were lying closed today.

The reason is there is acute shortage of staff in the Health Department and the district health authorities are unable to run these centres. Officials concerned admitted that the de-addiction centre at the Malout Civil Hospital was inaugurated in a hurry and the construction work was incomplete. A senior doctor said the 50-bed de-addiction and rehabilitation centre inaugurated at Thehri village on the Malout-Gidderbaha road was facing acute shortage of staff. “Just six paramedics have been appointed, which include four women. Despite knowing that a permanent doctor is required to run the rehabilitation centre, an additional charge has been given to the psychiatrist posted at the Civil Hospital, Malout,” the doctor said.

He said, “It is not an easy job to deal with drug addicts. There should be some male staff at the de-addiction and rehabilitation centre. Not even a single security guard has been deployed there. Similarly, there is no sweeper deployed as of now.”

Meanwhile, a visit to the Civil Hospital Malout revealed that the de-addiction centre was lying closed. Even patients, who were shown to the health minister yesterday, were not present there. Dr Sandeep Gilhotra, Senior Medical Officer , Malout, said, “The building of the centre opened at Malout is incomplete, thus the patients have been shifted to another ward. It will take nearly 10 days for its completion.”

Courtesy: The Tribune

Alcohol isn’t a drug, says Jyani

Health Minister Surjit Jyani in Gidderbaha sub-division of Muktsar district on Monday. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Thehri (Gidderbaha), December 21

Though the newly-formed Bihar government has banned liquor, the Punjab government doesn’t consider it a drug. While inaugurating a 50-bed de-addiction and rehabilitation centre built at a cost of Rs 4.3 crore, Health Minister Surjit Jyani today said, “Alcohol is not a ‘nasha’ (drug).” The state government collects a major share of its revenue through the sale of liquor.

On a query, Jyani even said, “The state government permits factories to produce liquor. Liquor vends are auctioned. When the whole process is legal, how can one call alcohol a ‘nasha’. However, it would become a drug the day the state government stops the production of liquor.”

Jyani further said the state was being defamed even though the prevalence of drugs is much higher in other states such as Haryana and Rajasthan. He said the state government had taken a number of steps to stop the smuggling of drugs.

Moreover, he said, a major programme was under way to reform the addicts. “De-addiction and rehabilitation centres are being set up in all 22 districts,” he said.

During the day, Jyani also inaugurated the new building of 10-bed de-addiction centre at Civil Hospital, Malout, and a 30-bed community health centre in Bariwala.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Swine flu: Officials take preventive measures in Muktsar

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, December 20

After the death of a 27-year-old woman of Muktsar due to swine flu in Ludhiana yesterday, the Health Department have started a campaign to prevent the spread of the swine flu (H1N1) virus.

The health authorities have circulated pamphlets among residents of a locality near Khalsa School here, advising them to wash hands often, avoid going to crowded places and if someone feels sick, he should immediately consult a doctor.

A private medical practitioner said people who are weak in general — old people, children and patients with multiple complications — are considered to be at a high risk of being infected.

“Fever, sore throat, cough, muscle pain, severe headache and breathing difficulties are among the symptoms of swine flu.

H1N1 is contagious, spreads quickly from person to person when the affected persons sneeze,” he added.

Dr Vikram Asija, district epidemiologist, Muktsar, said, “We are very alert since the woman was found having swine flu. The residents of her locality have been made aware of the symptoms of the disease and its prevention. Besides, family members of the deceased were administered Tamiflu tablets as a precautionary measure.”

He said the situation was under control and people should not get panicked.

“As of now, no other person is even suspected to have swine flu,” he claimed.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Leaders attend Channu mishap victim’s bhog

Tribune News Service
Channu (Lambi), December 20

Leaders from all major political parties today attended the bhog ceremony of 12-year-old Arshdeep Kaur of Channu village, who was crushed under a SAD leader’s bus on December 11.

Those who attended the bhog ceremony included bus owner-cum-SAD’s Gidderbaha constituency in charge Hardeep Singh ‘Dimpy’ Dhillon, his brother Sunny Dhillon, SAD’s organising secretary Tejinder Middukhera, OSD to Deputy CM Avtar Vanwala, SGPC member Bikkar Channu, district Congress president Gurmeet Khudian, AAP’s legal cell in charge Himmat Shergill, PPP’s senior vice-president Jagjit ‘Honey Fattanwala’.

Voicing solidarity with the bereaved family, Dimpy said he would bear the expenses of the weddings of the victim’s three sisters.

However, some representatives of farmers’unions said Dimpy should not have been allowed to deliver a speech.

Courtesy: The Tribune

CHANNU MISHAP -- Ban overloaded vehicles: Villagers

CHANNU MISHAP

Ban overloaded vehicles: Villagers

Valtoha visits mishap victim’s kin in Ferozepur

• Tarn Taran: Chief Parliamentary Secretary Virsa Singh Valtoha and leaders of other political parties on Friday visited the family of the Dalit girl reportedly crushed under a SAD leader’s bus near Makhu (Ferozepur) on Thursday. They expressed their sympathies with the family. — OC

An overloaded tractor-trolley at Channu village in Muktsar district. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Channu (Lambi), December 18

In the wake of Dalit girl Arshdeep’s death, the residents of Channu village demanded a ban on overloaded vehicles entering the village. They alleged the overloaded tractor-trolleys plying on the Gidderbaha-Lambi road belonged to a bio mass plant set up by Badal family’s relatives.

“Arshdeep died as the bus was trying to overtake an overloaded tractor-trolley. Since the trolley blocked the road, the bus driver drove off the road to overtake it. It then hit the girl, resulting in her death,” said Ranjit Singh of Channu village.

He further said, “If the bus driver is responsible for the death of Arshdeep, then so is the tractor-trolley driver. Overloaded vehicles pose a serious threat to villagers. The administration has failed to take action against the culprits.”

Dimpy visits victim’s family

A week after 12-year-old Dalit girl Arshdeep Kaur was reportedly mowed down by SAD leader Hardeep Singh ‘Dimpy’ Dhillon’s bus, Dimpy today met the victim’s family.

Expressing sympathies with them, Dimpy said, “I sincerely feel for the deceased girl’s family.”

Courtesy: The Tribune

Sukhbir clips wings of ‘mighty’ SAD leader from Lambi; Warns all leaders not to interfere in others’ areas

Sukhbir clips wings of ‘mighty’ SAD leader from Lambi

Warns all leaders not to interfere in others’ areas

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Lambi, December 18

After getting reports of groupism of party leaders in Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s home turf Lambi, SAD chief-cum-Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has clipped the wings of a mighty cluster in charge and cautioned all leaders not to interfere in any other’s area.

The development took place recently when three cluster in charges from Lambi specially went to meet Sukhbir in Delhi and apprised him of the “alarming” situation. They narrated their grievance against a “mighty” cluster in charge, known as Vakil Sahib in political circles, who often travels along with the state’s first family in their official vehicles, saying, “This man is damaging the party by entering, interfering in our areas. He also shows his supremacy over us, so either stop him or please change our areas.”

It is learnt that Sukhbir was already having such inputs, but awaiting a formal request. “Taking a swift action, Sukhbir not only reduced the area of this cluster in charge in question but also directed the district administration not to entertain his requests from the area beyond his limit,” said sources in the SAD.

Meanwhile, elated over this development, almost all other SAD leaders, excluding him, have made their own group in this VVIP constituency.

Notably, after the warning of Sukhbir, when the pre-Sangat Darshan meetings for the CM’s programme are being held in the constituency to prepare lists of public’s demands, this SAD leader has confined to his own area.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Channu Mishap: Akalis meet victim’s kin; Cong to organise bhog; BSP lodges protest

Channu mishap: Akalis meet victim’s kin

SAD leaders with Arshdeep Kaur’s family at their residence in Channu village of Muktsar on Thursday. Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Channu (Lambi), December 17

A week after the death of a 12-year-old Dalit girl Arshdeep Kaur of Channu village, who was crushed under the bus of SAD’s Gidderbaha constituency in charge, the district Akali leaders today visited the victim’s house to express solidarity with the family.

Some relatives of the deceased criticised the state government, alleging that their daughter was killed by the bus driver and to add insult to the injuries, policemen dragged her body and canecharged protesters.

Those visited the village included SAD’s district president Dyal Singh Kolianwali, MLA Malout Harpreet Singh, Laali Badal, SAD’s Lambi block president Avtar Singh Vanwala, Kulwinder Singh Kaka and Pappi Tarmala.

PPP chief Manpreet Badal also visited the aggrieved family’s house. “The police showed its brutal face by dragging the girl’s body on the road. This is a barbaric act, but the Badals are not bothered,” alleged Manpreet.

Cong to organise bhog

Congress leaders have decided to bear the expenses of the bhog of the deceased girl on December 20. “Barring SAD’s village in charge Bikkar Singh, no other leader visited the victim’s house in the past five days. But when they came to know that the Congress would be paying expenses of the bhog, a number of SAD leaders turned up,” said a village resident.

BSP lodges protest

The BSP activists today lodged a protest outside the district administrative complex (DAC) in Muktsar and handed over a memorandum to the Additional Deputy Commissioner, seeking Rs25 lakh compensation for the family and a government job for a family member.

Courtesy: The Tribune

BUS MISHAP: Channi meets mishap victim’s kin

BUS MISHAP

Channi meets mishap victim’s kin

Tribune News Service
Lambi, December 16

Congress Legislature Party leader Charanjit Singh Channi today visited the family of a 12-year-old Dalit girl, Arshdeep Kaur, who was crushed under the bus of a SAD leader.

He promised the family of legal help in getting justice. “We will raise the matter in the state Assembly and apprise the Cabinet of lawlessness prevailing in the state,” said Channi.

Hardev Arshi, CPI state secretary, too expressed solidarity with the aggrieved family. Most leaders who so far visited the family criticised the Badals for their alleged indifferent attitude.

Sources, meanwhile, allege that the SAD leadership has told the BJP leaders not to visit Channu village. State BJP chief Kamal Sharma had on Monday said party leader Som Parkash would meet mishap victim's family on December 15. "The top SAD leaders then advised the BJP against it," the sources said.

Sukhbir avoids visiting Channu

Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal arrived at Badal village last evening, but he did not visit Channu village, which is 6 km away.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Channu mishap: BSP to protest tomorrow

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Channu (Muktsar), Dec 15

A day after 12-year-old Dalit girl Arshdeep Kaur’s killing rocked Parliament, Congress and the BSP leaders today made a beeline for the victim family’s residence. Arshdeep was crushed under the bus of SAD leader Hardeep Singh ‘Dimpy’ Dhillon on Friday.

While the Congress said the compensation paid to the victim family was inadequate and demanded they be given Rs 1 crore, the BSP said they would hold protests at all district headquarters on December 17, seeking justice for the aggrieved family. Among those who visited the area were PCC ex-chief Partap Bajwa, former CWC member Jagmeet Brar, Congress spokesperson Sukhpal Khaira, BSP state coordinator Parkash Bharti.

Courtesy: The Tribune

CHANNU MISHAP: New Deep buses claimed other lives too: Villagers

CHANNU MISHAP

New Deep buses claimed other lives too: Villagers

SAD leaders’ buses have a free run on roads

Buses change route

• After a New Deep Transport bus was allegedly torched by a mob on Friday night, company buses travelling between Gidderbaha and Lambi have changed their route. “Not even a single New Deep bus passed through Channu village after the incident. They have opted for another route,” said a resident of Channu village, preferring anonymity.

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Channu (Lambi), December 14

Twelve-year-old Arshdeep Kaur, who was crushed under a New Deep Bus on Friday evening, was not the first one to have been involved in an accident with the transport firm’s vehicle. A few residents of Channu village have been injured in mishaps involving New Deep buses.

Village residents alleged over two months ago, a boy of their village fractured his leg in a road mishap.

“A surgery was done and doctors placed a rod in his leg, which cost him a lot of money. But he was paid a compensation of only Rs 10,000. Since then, he is unable to walk normally. However, New Deep Transport Company gave him a job in the company later,” alleged a resident.

Some village residents also alleged, “Around 18-19 years ago, a youth was crushed under a New Deep Transport bus. Though the aggrieved family was promised a relief of Rs 2 lakh, they were not given even a single penny.”

On a New Deep Transport buses being driven rashly, company owner Dimpy Dhillon said, “People make such accusations after every unfortunate incident. Why don’t they complain to us when they notice a bus being driven rashly?”

Courtesy: The Tribune

Girl's death: Lambi village fears police backlash; Angry residents had torched Akali leader’s bus after mishap

Lambi village fears police backlash

Girl’s death: Angry residents had torched Akali leader’s bus after mishap

Who paid Rs 10 lakh relief?

• DC Basant Garg said: “The administration has not paid anything to the aggrieved family. The case of compensation was forwarded to the CM’s office”
• Bus owner Dimpy Dhillon said: “I refused to pay Rs 25 lakh demanded by the family. I told them they would be paid as per the insurance policy of the bus. If someone has paid the money, they might have done so from their own pocket”

Residents of Channu village, located 6 km from Badal village, fear government backlash over staging protests.

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Channu (Lambi), December 13

Tension prevails in the native village of 12-year-old Dalit girl Arshdeep Kaur, who was run over by a bus owned by SAD’s Gidderbaha constituency in charge Hardeep Singh ‘Dimpy’ Dhillon on Friday evening.

The residents, who resorted to violent protests after the mishap, fear the government might use excessive force to ‘punish’ them. The villagers recall 2013 panchayat polls when 120 unidentified people were booked in Mann village for violence, forcing a majority of villagers to flee. Channu is located 6 km from Badal village in CM Parkash Singh Badal’s home constituency Lambi. Mann village is just 3 km from Badal village.

After the Congress spearheaded protests in support of residents in 2013, a number of villagers were arrested despite assurances by the police of not initiating action against them. Now, too, the police have registered two criminal cases despite having promised that no case would be registered against any protester.

In the first case, 82 persons have been booked, including AAP’s Lambi circle convener Narinderjit Singh ‘Naati Sarpanch’, while in the second one, a case has been registered against 60 unidentified persons.

The villagers learned about the cases today, a day after the aggrieved family lifted dharna and performed the last rites of the victim, a student of class VIII.

A resident of Channu village, who was part of the group that blocked the Lambi-Gidderbaha road seeking justice for the aggrieved family, said: “All those visible in photographs that appeared in newspapers are fearing arrest. The police have booked unidentified people for damaging two buses of  New Deep Transport, obstructing police team and hurling stones at them.”

“The police did not keep their word and backstabbed residents who did not indulge in any unlawful activity. Most residents are in touch with relatives living at faraway places seeking refuge,” he said.

Another resident said: “Policemen in civvies are still present in the village, keeping an eye on those visiting the victim’s house. We fear the police may arrest us anytime.”

Muktsar Senior Superintendent of Police Kuldeep Chahal had on Saturday said: “No case would be registered against any protester.” He, however, told the TNS today: “We had promised that no one from the victim’s family would be booked. But those who violated the law, torched the bus and damaged another, hurled stones and obstructed the police from performing duty have been booked.”

“Those innocent will not be harassed. They should not worry about it,” he said.

A Superintendent of Police-rank officer said: “The cases can be cancelled, but it will take some time. The villagers should not worry about it.”

Three cases have been registered at the Lambi police station in connection with the girl’s death and violence that took place in its aftermath.

Bus driver Baljit Singh has been booked for negligent driving, while nearly 60 people have been booked for rioting and vandalising two buses.

In the third case, 82 persons, 12 by name, have been booked. In his complaint, Lambi’s SHO Gurpreet Singh alleged Narinderjit Singh ‘Naati Sarpanch’ of Sarawan Bodla village and Bachitter Singh of Karaiwala village provoked people to torch the bus.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Only 50% population pays sewerage bill in Muktsar

Admn loses Rs 9 lakh each month; outstanding amount Rs 2 cr

Residents’ complaints

• Sewage gets mixed with water as a number of supply pipes are ruptured
• Sewerage doesn't function in some parts of the town

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, December 13

The Water Supply and Sanitation Department is suffering a loss of nearly Rs 10 lakh every month with only 50 per cent of the population paying the bills in the town.

With the department unable to claim the bills, the total outstanding amount was above Rs 2 crore. There were nearly 11,000 water supply connections and over 15,000 sewerage connections in the town, said department officials. A house of up to five marla has to pay Rs 100 for water supply, a 5-10 marla house Rs 105 and above 10 marla house Rs 140.

Amrik Singh, Executive Engineer, Water Supply and Sanitation Department, Muktsar (urban), said, “The overall collection from water, sewerage bills per month is nearly Rs 8-9 lakh, which is half of the total amount of bills each month. Our efforts have resulted in an increase in the collection of bills.”

He further said, “To crack down on defaulters, we have snapped some connections. We will also constitute teams to collect more bills.”

On the other hand, several local residents complain of the waterworks supplying dirty water. “The water supplied stinks. It is unfit for consumption. Since a number of supply pipes are ruptured, sewage gets mixed with the water,” said Shamsher Singh, a local resident.

Moreover, residents complained that the sewerage didn’t function in some parts of the town. Department officials said they would soon invite tenders to clean the sewerage with super-sucker machines.

Courtesy: The Tribune

LAMBI BUS MISHAP: Kin paid Rs10 lakh, villagers lift dharna; Lambi bus mishap Protesters torch bus, attack cops with stones, injure three

Kin paid Rs10 lakh, villagers lift dharna

Lambi bus mishap Protesters torch bus, attack cops with stones, injure three

Previous ImageNext Image

The bus of New Deep Transport that was set on fire by protesters at Channu village in Muktsar on Saturday

Civil and police officers persuade victim’s family to lift dharna. Tribune photos

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Channu (Lambi), December 12

Angry villagers today torched the bus involved in an accident that resulted in the death of a minor girl last evening. 

The bus belonged to New Deep Transport owned by SAD’s Gidderbaha constituency in charge Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon. The protesters also smashed the windowpanes of another bus of same transport.

The protest ended in a compromise with the family of the deceased getting Rs 10 lakh as compensation.

Earlier, the protesters accused the police of forcibly taking away the body of Arshdeep Kaur (12) after opening fire in the air.

The police, however, claimed that they opened fire after the protesters went berserk and set the bus on fire. They said the protesters pelted them with stones and injured an SHO and two constables.

Shivraj Singh, girl’s father, alleged: “The police forcibly took away the body of my daughter from the road where we had held a dharna. A policeman dragged the body on the road before putting it on a van. We demand action against the bus driver and the policemen involved in this inhuman act.”

During the day, a number of leaders, including AAP’s Faridkot MP Prof Sadhu Singh and Indian Youth Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, joined the protest. They demanded a case of murder be registered against the bus owner.

Deputy Commissioner Basant Garg, SSP Kuldeep Chahal, GS Romana, DSP, Talwandi Sabo and Bikkar Singh Channu, an SGPC member, held a meeting with the family members of the deceased in their house. 

Channu said: “The family has been paid Rs 10 lakh. Of which, Rs 5 lakh has been paid from the Chief Minister’s funds and the remaining from other sources.” 

The girl’s cremation was held in the village in the evening. Girdaur Singh, maternal uncle of the deceased, said: “We have been paid Rs 7.5 lakh cash of Rs 10 lakh promised. The dharna has been lifted on the condition that no case will be registered against the protesters.”

---

3 FIRs registered

Despite assuring the family that no case will be registered against the protesters, the police lodged two cases against them at Lambi police station, besides booking the bus driver in a separate case. 

Driver arrested

Muktsar SSP Kuldeep Chahal claimed that just one case was registered that too against the bus driver who had been arrested. 

Who paid money?

Even as the bereaved family claimed to have received Rs 7.5 lakh of Rs 10 lakh promised, neither the administration nor bus owner Dimpy Dhillon admitted to have paid any money. Basant Garg, Deputy Commissioner, said: "We have not paid any money. If rules permit, we will provide them financial help." Dhillon said: "They were demanding Rs 25 lakh, but I refused."

AAP leader hurt

Narinderjit Singh Naati, AAP's Lambi circle president, was injured during the protest. He said: "I was filming the incident when cops opened fire. I was hurt in the melee."

Courtesy: The Tribune

Minor girl crushed under bus belonging to SAD leader; Irate villagers block Lambi-Gidderbaha road, vandalise two buses

Minor girl crushed under bus belonging to SAD leader

Irate villagers block Lambi-Gidderbaha road, vandalise two buses

Earlier case

• In May this year, two girls had alleged that the conductor of a bus belonging to the same company had molested them.
• Later, the police found that their accusations were “false” and had recommended to cancel the case registered against the bus conductor.

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A bus vandalised by protesters. Tribune photos

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Lambi/Muktsar, December 11

A 12-year-old Dalit girl was crushed under a private bus on the Lambi-Gidderbaha road at Channu village in Lambi Assembly segment this evening. The police had not registered any case till the filing of this report.

The bus is owned by SAD’s Gidderbaha constituency in charge-cum-chairman, District Planning Committee, Hardeep Singh ‘Dimpy’ Dhillon.

Agitated over the death of Arshdeep Kaur, a class VIII student, angry residents of the village first vandalised the bus (PB 30 C 2278) and then blocked the road by placing the body there. They demanded the arrest of the accused, who managed to flee from the spot.

Later, they damaged the windowpanes of another bus (PB 30 L 4378) of the same transport company.

The villagers said the victim was standing on the roadside, when the bus crushed her around 5.30 pm. She was killed on the spot. The parents of the deceased girl are small-time workers.

The situation was tense till the filing of this report. A large number of policemen were also present on the spot.

Meanwhile, the SAD leadership had started efforts to pacify the protesters.

When asked about the registration of a case, Gurpreet Singh, SHO, Lambi police station, said, “As of now, the case has not been registered.”

In May this year, two girls had alleged that the conductor of a bus belonging to the same company had molested them.

Later, the police found that their accusations were “false” and had recommended to cancel the case registered against the bus conductor.

Courtesy: The Tribune

12,870 anti-tobacco challans issued in Punjab in 7 months

12,870 anti-tobacco challans issued

Max challans in Hoshiarpur

• In seven months, the maximum challans (1,558) have been issued in Hoshiarpur district and minimum in Pathankot district (112)
• In the terms of collection of fine, Patiala district has topped the chart with Rs 1,41,480 against the total number of 1,108 challans and Tarn Taran district figured last in the list with its fine collection of Rs 5,410 against the total 171 challans

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, December 10

It seems the state is not acting tough with violators of the Cigarettes & Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) as just 12,870 challans have been issued for smoking in public places and under other provisions of the Act from April 1 to October 31 this year and a fine of Rs 7,59,339 collected in the state.

In these seven months, the maximum challans (1,558) have been issued in Hoshiarpur district and minimum in Pathankot district (112).

In the terms of collection of fine, Patiala district has topped the chart with Rs 1,41,480 against total number of 1,108 challans and Tarn Taran district figured on the last in the list with its fine collection of Rs 5,410 against total 171 challans.

Further, as many as 1,422 challans have been issued in Gurdaspur district, 781 in Ropar district, 772 in Amritsar district, 679 in Faridkot district, 671 in Barnala district, 577 in Mansa district, 564 in Ludhiana district, 526 in Sangrur district, 483 in Mohali district, 480 in Bathinda district, 468 in Fazilka district, 462 in Kapurthala district, 408 in Muktsar district, 404 in Jalandhar district, 403 in SBS Nagar district, 339 in Fatehgarh Sahib district, 296 in Ferozepur district and 186 in Moga district.

Dr Veerinder Pal Singh, Nodal Officer, Muktsar, said, “The Health Department is trying its best to issue maximum number of challans. Even the heads of all other departments in districts, headquarters are appointed as nodal officers to issue challans, but their percentage of issuing challans is negligible.”

Courtesy: The Tribune