B A T H I N D A    E D I T I O N

Border farmers yet to get due for land across fencing
Ferozepur, September 4
The farmers having land holdings across the fencing along the Indo-Pakistan border in Mamdot block are an aggrieved lot as the compensation amount of Rs 3,000 per acre, earlier announced by the state government in lieu of their land across the fencing, is yet to reach them.

After stir, water released in canals
Abohar, September 4
Responding to the protest organised by the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) here yesterday, several officials including the XEN of the Irrigation Department Ramesh Gupta and XEN, Powercom, Malkiat Singh visited village Seetogunno to redress the grievances of farmers.

Tributes paid to veteran freedom fighter Chandi Ram
Abohar, September 4
Noted freedom fighter Chandi Ram Verma was remembered during a function organised jointly by the Swami Keshwanand Senior Secondary School and SKN Memorial Mahila College here today on his death anniversary.

Border farmers yet to get due for land across fencing
Anirudh Gupta

Ferozepur, September 4
The farmers having land holdings across the fencing along the Indo-Pakistan border in Mamdot block are an aggrieved lot as the compensation amount of Rs 3,000 per acre, earlier announced by the state government in lieu of their land across the fencing, is yet to reach them.

Karan Singh Dhaliwal, a farmer whose agricultural land is situated across the fence in DT Mal enclave, said the farmers were not amused due to the meagre compensation awarded by the state government and now the inordinate delay in the payment was added to their woes. While terming the move to provide them with compensation of Rs 3,000 per acre as “too little, too late”, Dhaliwal said even though the amount was less, it will provide at least some relief to the farmers whose standing crops have again been damaged by the ravaging Sutlej.

“It will certainly provide some respite as no compensation had been granted to us since 1999, notwithstanding the assurances by the politicians," said Joginder Singh, another farmer, adding that the compensation should be distributed at the earliest.

As per the information, the state revenue department had approved Rs 6 crore as compensation to the farmers belonging to the border districts of Ferozepur, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Pathankot and Fazilka. Sources said there is around 20,103 acres of land in Punjab which is situated across the fence, of which the maximum land (4,984 acres) falls in Ferozepur district alone.

Apart than Ferozepur, other districts like Fazilka (4,477 acres), Amritsar (3,367 acres), Tarn Taran (3,589 acres), Gurdaspur (2,612 acres) and Pathankot (1,071 acres) have also huge chunks of land situated across the fence.

Ferozepur DC Manjit Singh Narang said the process of awarding compensation for the year 2012-13 has been initiated and it will be completed soon. "Already a number of farmers have been provided compensation though a few are still left as the process is still going on," the DC said. However, no compensation will be paid in respect of “gair mumkin” land, the DC clarified.

It is pertinent to mention that last time, the border farmers were paid compensation during 1999-2000. Since then, they have been clamouring for the same but without any tangible outcome. Both the state and central governments have failed to redress their issues and provide them with adequate compensation. “During his visit to the forward border areas in Punjab two years back, the then Home Minister P Chidambaram had promised to look into the matter. However, nothing was done,” said Jagdev Singh, a farmer who lauded the state government for the move.

The farmers have also been asking for compensation in lieu of their land, which was acquired by the defence authorities for construction of an 11 feet wide road along the Zero Line for patrolling and other defence purposes. 

After stir, water released in canals
Our Correspondent

Abohar, September 4
Responding to the protest organised by the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) here yesterday, several officials including the XEN of the Irrigation Department Ramesh Gupta and XEN, Powercom, Malkiat Singh visited village Seetogunno to redress the grievances of farmers.

After the meeting held in the presence of Naib Tehsildar Jaspal Singh Brar, the officials agreed to release 80 per cent water in Malukpura, 60 per cent in Lambi and 50 per cent in Tarmala minors (sub-canals) realising that water works had gone dry and canal water was required immediately for irrigation. The farmers were assured that four hours of uninterrupted electricity supply will be ensured to dhaanis (cluster of houses) and the villages. The Powercom head office has also been requested to upgrade 33 Kv substations to 66 Kv in village Seetogunno.

Interestingly, even when the choppers used by the top brass in the state government had been landing at village Seetogunno many a time, there had been no substantial improvement in the amenities here. The village panchayat has taken up some projects at its own level by deploying NREGA workers and farmers to block traffic on the state highway to draw the attention of the administration over the denial of water and electricity.

Tributes paid to veteran freedom fighter Chandi Ram
Our Correspondent

Abohar, September 4
Noted freedom fighter Chandi Ram Verma was remembered during a function organised jointly by the Swami Keshwanand Senior Secondary School and SKN Memorial Mahila College here today on his death anniversary.

Social activist Mahabir Prasad Kanodia, an octogenarian, said on the occasion that Mahatma Gandhi and Lala Lajpat Rai had relied on village Abulkhurana-born Chandi Ram Verma, who left his studies at the DAV College, Lahore, in 1918 to join the non-cooperation movement.

Former chairman of Panchayat Samiti, Ravi Kant Rinwa said Lala Lajpat Rai had addressed a mammoth rally here at the grain market to install Verma as in-charge of the “Azadi Morcha” in Punjab.

Floral tributes were also paid by Dr Adarsh Talwar and Dr Saroj Miglani, former presidents, Innerwheel Club, educationists Saroj Nagpal, Satish Jasuja, SK Oberoi, Anurag Nagpal, Rita Miglani, Radhey Shyam Gupta and Dr Sandeep Watts, in-charge, Swami Keshwanand Ayurvedic Hospital.