R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

Regional potpourri
NREGA comes to Dalit  women’s rescue

Bathinda
Exhibition held: The St. Joseph’s Convent Punjabi medium high school organised an exhibition on all subjects as is customary. Students actively participated in the show that consisted charts and models prepared by them and creatively displayed. Parents visited the school in large numbers and appreciated the hard work of the students. 

HARYANA

KURUKSHETRA
Kurukshetra rly station: Kurukshetra railway station is likely to be upgraded as “Adarsh railway station”. An announcement to this effect was made by Rajya Sabha member Dr Ram Prakash at a press conference held at Neelkanthi Yatri Niwas here on Sunday. Prakash said this had been confirmed in a written reply received by him from State Railway Minister E Ahamad on July 17 in which it had been stated that Kurukshetra railway station had been selected to be developed as “Adarsh (Ideal) railway station” and the related works were in progress. Facilities like food stalls, restaurants, bookstalls, medicines, variety store, budget hotel and underground parking will be made available, the reply added. 

REWARI
Youth murdered: A youth was allegedly done to death with a sharp-edged weapon by some assailants, who later threw the body behind Panchayat Bhawan near the railway crossing on the Rewari-Bharawas road here on Saturday. The Model Town police recovered the body from there on Saturday evening. The deceased has been identified as Rajender Singh (30), a resident of the Mangolpuri area of Delhi. His cousin Rajesh Sharma, a resident of Model Town area here, told the police that the victim had come here in search of job. A postmortem was conducted in the Civil Hospital here on Sunday. Meanwhile, the police has registered a case of murder in this regard. 

2 held for flesh trade: The Model Town police on Saturday raided a house in Employees Colony and busted a flesh trade racket here. Two women were arrested while the pimp, Mahender Singh, managed to escape. Mahender Singh along with his wife and another woman had been reportedly running a flesh trade racket in a rented accommodation for the past some time. The two arrested women were on Sunday produced before the Duty Magistrate, who remanded them in judicial custody. The women were later sent to the women’s wing of the Gurgaon district jail in Bhondsi village, near Gurgaon. The police has registered a case under Sections 3/4/5/6 of the Immoral Trafficking Act against Mahender Singh as well as the women.

Regional potpourri
NREGA comes to Dalit women’s rescue

Women employed under NREGA scheme dig a pond in Bhalaiana village of Muktsar district

Feeble smile of octogenarian Jasmel Kaur of Bhalaiana village in Muktsar district seems to praise job scheme under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA). She, along with others, is employed to dig pond in 
the village.

She is widow and her seven married children, including five sons, have left her to fend for herself when in the evening of her life.

Though disheartened by the treatment of her children, the NREGA scheme is a boon that keeps her busy and protects her self-esteem by fetching her three meals daily.

Like her 55 other Dalit women are employed in the village. Almost every one of them has a tale of woe to tell. All these women have been employed under NREGA 
that has helped them face odds of life .

Another widow Harpal Kaur, who was shifting sand from one place to another, said “I lost my son and daughter-in-law in an accident. Since that day, bringing up three grandchildren is my responsibility. It is very tough but somehow, I am doing with my earnings from this job. So please do not write anything which 
may lead to the scheme being discontinued.”

The story of elderly Darshan Singh, struck by paralysis and his wife Baljeet Kaur, who received burns , is also touching. They have also been forsaken by children and are dependent upon NREGA for livelihood.

Showing her burnt skin , Baljeet Kaur said, “It is difficult to be active in such conditions but when none of our three sons is in a position to bear our burden what else can I think of?”

Middle-aged Bhuro Kaur said “No doubt the scheme is good but meeting all expenses with such meagre amount is not possible. We are ready to work more hard but the wages, which are at present about Rs 123, should be increased. Moreover, the salary distribution should be faster and easier.”

“I have the responsibility of running house as my husband is addicted to drugs . I have been married for 15 years but I have no child. So, working here, in the company of other women, keeps me busy and also gives some financial help with which I can run household. 
So, the NREGA is a good gesture on the part of the government.”

Dependence of the needy on NREGA gives them reason to admire it. But the workers wanted , keeping liabilities of the labourers in mind, mode of payment made easier and quick.

Contributed by Rajay Deep