Saturday, August 22, 1998
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P U N J A B | |
Saturday, August 22, 1998 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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Punjab in
no hurry to set up panel
UT-Mullanpur
road |
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 Ropar does Punjab proud CHANDIGARH, Aug 21 — Ropar has done Punjab a proud. It has topped the country and is the best literacy district now. Interestingly, while the rest of Punjab lags far behind Kerala, the state with near total literacy, Ropar beats over 540 other districts in the country. Another cotton crop hit by
disease Government
to turn PSUs around in 1 year |
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Teachers'
stir enters 11th day Vet
facilities for all villages 'Set
parameters for Jathedars' 967
polio patients to be treated on Sept 15 |
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| Textile workers threaten stir | |
Bank staff hold demonstration |
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Punjab in no hurry to set up
panel CHANDIGARH, Aug 21 — The Eleventh Finance Commission, among other things, is to find funds for the local bodies; this includes panchayats. The commission, however, will base its recommendations on the issue on the report of the finance commission of the state concerned. In other words, each state shall have to constitute a finance commission so that its report can be submitted in time to the Eleventh Finance Commission to enable it to frame its own recommendations for devolution of funds to local bodies. Consequently, Punjab will soon constitute a State Finance Commission. This will be the second such commission. The first commission was set up in April, 1994, following the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments which ensured greater empowerment of the grassroot democratic institutions. The first state Finance Commission was headed by Mr J.P. Gupta, a retired IAS officer. He submitted a report to the Governor in December, 1995. From inquiries made by TNS at different levels it seems the government is in no hurry to constitute the Second Finance Commission, though, as a source in the Finance Department conceded a communication to this effect had been received from the Local Government Department, urging action on forming a Second Finance Commission. The Eleventh Finance Commission, headed by Prof A.M. Khusro, has had its scope "redefined" and is to decide on the financial augmentation of the local bodies from the consolidated resources with the Centre by recommending appropriate relief and grant. In Punjab the groundwork for such a commission already exists. Even a "working group" can be constituted to further add to the exhaustive recommendations already contained in the J.P. Gupta Commission report. Since institution of a commission is a mandatory provision it should not be difficult to name a chairman and appoint other members. Why the delay is not explained. The recommendations of the First Finance Commission are valid till 2001, while, the relevance of the Eleventh Finance Commission is from 2000 to 2005. There is an urgent need for the second state commission which must submit its recommendations in the next six to eight months. The Tenth Finance Commission had made ad hoc recommendations for grant of money to states. It had, however, recommended that the Centre should share 29 per cent of the revenue collection with the states. This provision is to be in force for 15 years. Though the report was given effect three years ago, the constitutional amendment has not been enacted. The first State Finance Commission had found the financial health of the municipalities and panchayats "unsatisfactory". Much of what it had recommended remains unimplemented to date, both in financial as well as administrative terms. Punjab has been pleading with the Centre for a greater share in central revenue. Now is the opportunity to strengthen its claim by quickly constituting the Second Finance Commission so that it is among the first states to approach the Eleventh Finance Commission to which the case of waiver on repayment of loan (special term) has also been referred to. The Eleventh Finance Commission, therefore, is also to make "appropriate recommendations regarding debt relief to Punjab" as was decided by the former Prime Minister in a meeting with the Chief Minister in September 1997. From the point of view of
justice, the Punjab Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit
Singh, says the share of the Centre and the states should
be "equal", which means that the states should
get "at least 50 per cent share" so that the
states may tackle their regional and social problems, and
ensure regional balanced growth of the country. |
Ropar does Punjab proud CHANDIGARH, Aug 21 — Ropar has done Punjab a proud. It has topped the country and is the best literacy district now. Interestingly, while the rest of Punjab lags far behind Kerala, the state with near total literacy, Ropar beats over 540 other districts in the country. The district will be presented the Satyen Maitra Memorial award for the achievement by the Prime Minister at a function in Delhi on September 8. Two officials who designed and brought this total literacy scheme to completion are the then Deputy Commissioner, Ms Vini Mahajan and Dr Payara Lal Garg, the State Coordinator of the scheme. The Secretary, of the Human Resource Development Ministry, Mr P.R. Das Gupta, in a letter to the Punjab Chief Secretary Mr R.S. Mann, has congratulated the state. The selection was made after a study by the Indian Management Institute, Calcutta. Three senior professors, Mr Raghubendra Rao Chattopadhyaya, Mr V.N. Reddy and Mr Saila K. Ghosh, established the fact that the district has taken the lead over all other districts of the country. These scholars have predicted that the success of the total literacy campaign would have far-reaching social and economic impact on the life of the people, particularly the poor and deprived sections. The total literacy campaign was initiated in late 1995 and the district's 885 villages and a number of towns spread over 2,112 sq km were covered. Despite 2,872 schools and as many as 6,000 teachers, the district lagged behind in total literacy, says Ms Mahajan. In spite of this elaborate educational infrastructure, the literacy rate in the district was not impressive. To change the situation, the rural functional literacy programme (RFLP) was introduced in the district in 1978 with the aim of making everyone in the age group 15 to 45 literate by the end of the year 1990. This, however, did not materialise. The 1991 census report recorded the following literacy rate in Ropar district: male literacy 76.43 per cent, female literacy 58.39 per cent and the overall/total literacy 68.05 per cent. Some findings of the Indian Management Institute study are interesting. The learners successful as a percentage of learners appeared is about 95.80 in the rural areas and it is more than 92 in each subdivision. The learners successful as percentage of learners appeared is about 93.39 in the urban areas while this percentage in rural areas is 95.80. The percentage of success
among the female learners is higher than that of the male
learners in each sub-division, except Roopnagar. In the
case of urban areas, there was no significant gender
differences in the learners successful as percentage of
the learners appeared. |
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Teenage pregnancies on rise LUDHIANA: Gurpreet (all names changed to protect their identity) is no longer the bubbly teenager she used to be a year back. Daughter of a well-known businessman, she got involved in a physical relationship with a boy and became pregnant. Forced to go in for an abortion, she has become morose and is undergoing treatment for depression after her boy friend deserted her. Teenage pregnancies outside marriage are quite common here with certain nursing homes in the city receiving as many as two cases a week as compared to only one case in a year a decade ago. Although everything is hushed up for fear of victims being ostracised, it is not something that is alien. A leading gynaecologist at Basti Jodhewal reported that most of such cases who came to her clinic for the medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) were in the 15 to 17 age group. "Today's generation that is fed on a dosage of MTV and Baywatch, is fast imbibing the message of sex which could give them a kick. Sexual interaction between young people is definitely on the rise, the results of which often leaves them scarred for life," she says. Astonishingly, this phenomenon of adolescents and sex is not limited to a particular socio-economic group, but transcends all barriers, although it is much more common in the lower socio-economic groups. As in the case of Rita (14) who was sent to live with her elder sister for getting better education. A victim of incest at the hands of her brother-in-law, a peon in a government office, he got her aborted by an Auxiliary nursing midwife (ANM) as it cost less. However, certain complications arose and Rita developed sepsis in her reproductive tract. When she was rushed to a private nursing home in the Civil Lines, the doctors declined to operate on her and referred the case to the P.G.I., Chandigarh. Before she could be rushed to P.G.I., Rita succumbed to her wounds. "It is not just the poor who seek the help of quacks to deal with such cases. Even people from a good economic background seek the help of 'dais' and ANM's as they feel that the matter can be hushed up — not realising the consequences", says a gynaecologist practising at Model Town. Since it is a stigma for an unmarried girl to get pregnant, most people prefer obscure clinics situated in areas like Basti Jodhewal, Samrala Chowk, Sabzi Mandi, etc which fall in the city's periphery. There are others who go to nearby cities like Jalandhar and Malerkotla, get their MTP done, and return the same day. Its not that a majority of girls confide in their parents. Rather, they go to the gynaecologist pretending to be married while their boyfriends pose as their husbands. "These couples would give reasons like going abroad, hindrance in studies, etc, as reason for getting MTPs," says a gynaecologist from Sarabha Nagar. For most teenagers coming from higher income groups, lust is the reason behind their indulgence in sex. But in the lower and middle income groups, girls are driven by materialistic and monetary gains. Poonam (17) who worked as a receptionist in a local factory had an affair with her 35-year-old-employer. Luring her with expensive gifts and money, the couple developed physical intimacy and soon Poonam conceived. Her employer paid for her MTP and they resumed their relationship. Another gynaecologist practising near Samrala Chowk, admits being taken aback at the general level of ignorance by both partners. "Most teenagers are in for pure, clean fun when they enter into a relationship," she points out. "When they have not even acknowledged sex as inevitable, how can they think of using contraceptives?" However, there are others who feel that teenagers know a lot and are not being led by the media. "Rather, it is through the media that they know of various ways to protect themselves and avoid getting pregnant. Nowadays teenagers are smart enough and can even teach us a thing or two about life", comments a gynaecologist from the Civil Lines area. The millennium is fast
ending: as we reach out to the 21st century, its time we
give liberty in such vital issues with some insight to
young people so that they evolve perfect relationships. |
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Another cotton crop hit by disease ABOHAR, Aug 21 — Mr Surinder Kumar Jakhar, Chairman, IFFCO is among those farmers who have started ploughing under their cotton crop affected by American bollworm of leafcurl. Mr Jakhar, while ploughing under two acres of cotton at his farm at Panjkosi village said the cost of protective sprays suggested by experts was greater than the expected income from the crop. Destroying the crop will at least give some rest to the land till the time for wheat sowing. He along with other farmers resented the Agriculture Department and the Panjab Agricultural University for not coming to their rescue during the past five years. Only a few farmers who had planted hybrid seed procured from states other than Punjab still held hope of a good crop. The scientists of Rajasthan Agriculture University has advised farmers of this once rich cotton belt to revert to sowing desi cotton seed as hybrids had become prone of plant diseases and insects. Some experts had suggested diversifying into crops and many farmers have switched to soyabean now. The area under sugarcane has also increased but he crop need too much water. Farmers lament that ever since the SAD-led government took over they have faced a canal water shortage. According to Mr Dev Mittar Ahuja, Chairman Abohar Chamber of Commerce and Industries the cotton failure in north India, especially in Punjab has rung alarm bells nationally as the contribution of the region to the national kitty has come down from 25 per cent to 15 per cent during the 1997-98 season. This is attributed mainly to unseasonal rain, American bollworm, leafcurl disease and water logging. The trading community has apprised the textile industry and government of the gravity of the situation. Mr Ahuja said farmers had exhausted the land by taking two to three crops from the same land in one year. Indiscriminate use of fertilisers and pesticides had also reduced the fertility of the land. He suggested the accent should shift to more organic manures and bio-fertilisers rather than just on chemical fertilisers. According to Mr Ahuja,
spurious seeds sold in the market were mainly responsible
for the crop losses. Certified seed with high physical
and genetic purity, a high germination percentage, free
from pests and diseases should be supplied to farmers and
the research institutions developing new varieties should
keep in mind all parameters. |
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UT-Mullanpur road in bad
shape CHANDIGARH, Aug 20 – Thousands of residents of Mullanpur Garibdas, Khudda Lahora and Sarangpur villages, failing on the south-west side of the city, have been suffering for years due to the shabby condition of the Chandigarh-Kurali road, which is the lifeline of these villages. The entire 7-km stretch of the road up to Mullanpur Garibdas village in Punjab is dotted with large potholes, and is virtually non-existent at a number of places. According to residents of these villages, neither the Chandigarh Administration nor the Punjab Government have bothered to improve the condition of the road, which is an important alternate route to Ropar. The road shortens the distance between Chandigarh and Ropar by 25 km. They maintain that the condition of the road worsens during rains. As a result, they have to waste money and time in order to go to the city by adopting the Kurali-Mohali-Chandigarh road. During a visit to these villages, the TNS observed that the road has pools of slush accumulated on both sides, making it unsafe, particularly at night. The situation is worse at Mullanpur Garibdas, where a number of vehicles get involved in accidents as water and slush remain accumulated on the road. Mr Pawan Kumar Jund, a cattle feed merchant, said residents have been demanding repair of the road, after raising its level, but except for dumping a few truck-loads of sand, nothing has been done by the Punjab PWD authorities during the past three years. This reporter saw a truck lying in the midst of the road, which had turned turtle after getting stuck in a sledge. Similarly, the condition of the stretch of the road falling in Khudda Lahora village is no different. A resident alleged that in spite of the visit of the Administrator three months ago, the lot of the road had not improved. Mr Manmohan Singh, sarpanch of Khudda Lahora village, said he had been raising the issue in the advisory committee meeting, but the Engineering Department washed its hand off the issue by just constructing a small portion of the road. He demanded that the level of the road from Patiali choe to the village should be raised as it was the only solution to the problem. The Superintending
Engineer of the construction division of the UT
Engineering Department, Mr Kuldeep Singh, was not
available for comments. |
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Government to turn PSUs around in 1
year BAJAKHANA (Faridkot), Aug 21 — The Union Industry Minister, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal today demanded that the central government set up a commission on the lines of the Srikrishna Commission to probe the anti-Sikh riots of 1984. Addressing a press conference here before the inauguration of carpet weaving training centre, he said that the riots should have been conducted a long ago. Regarding public sector units in the country, he said that he had clear mandate from the Cabinet regarding disinvestment in 23 public sector undertakings. He added that within one year a major chunk of public sector units would be made profitable ventures. He said that Cabinet had also approved the proposal of sale of four cement plants currently in the public sector. He added that a number of public sector units would be run in joint ventures with the private companies. He said that joint ventures and private investment in the industry needed encouragement at this time when most of the public sector undertakings, were in the red. He said that the central government was following the policy of restructuring the public sector under takings the money released would be required for developing the infrastructure of the country. He said in Punjab ago-based industry would be given 'A' class incentives and given exemptions on electricity charges and generator sets. He disclosed that state
Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal would lay the
foundation stone of a cement plant in Bathinda town,
which was being set up with the cost of Rs 300 crore by a
private business house.
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Teachers' stir enters 11th day AMRITSAR, Aug 21 — A rally of the Guru Nanak Dev University Teachers Association (GNDUTA), Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU) and Government College Teachers Association was held on the campus of Guru Nanak Dev University here today in support of their demands. The nationwide indefinite strike of teachers entered its 11th day today. Mr Raghunandan Lal Bhatia, former Union Minister, while addressing the rally expressed solidarity with the genuine demands of the teachers. He said the Centre was going against the Constitution by rejecting the UGC recommendations on pay revision. He said a resolution of solidarity with the demands of the AIFUCTO, moved by him during a meeting of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, was adopted at Chandigarh on August 11. Condemning the approach of Dr M.M. Joshi, Union HRD Minister, AIFUCTO secretary V.K. Tewari said the July 27 notification of the HRD Ministry smacked of highhandedness. Dr R.K. Bedi, president of GNDUTA, said the teachers would continue to fight for better status. Protesters also demanded 100 per cent central financial assistance to states for implementing the revised pay scales. JALANDHAR: As many as 1,000 teachers of government and non-government colleges observed "cease work" here on Friday. According to a press note by Prof Jaspal Singh Randhawa, president of the district unit of PCCTU, the teachers sat on a dharna and held a rally in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner. The rally was addressed by Mr Jagjit Singh, deputy leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha who expressed solidarity with the cause of the teachers. Prof Randhawa said if the government did not change its attitude, the teachers would gherao BJP MLAs and MPs when they visit their constituencies and involve students in the agitation. Memoranda were submitted to the Deputy Commissioner for passing them on to the Prime Minister and the state Chief Minister. MANSA: Teachers of all government and private colleges took out a procession in protest against the "callous" attitude of the government towards their demands. Prof Aminderpal Singh, district president of the PCCTU addressing a rally said if their demands were not accepted, the government would be responsible for the consequences. Protesters appealed to the Centre to implement the pay scales suggested by the UGC. HOSHIARPUR: Teachers took out a procession through the main bazaars here in support of their demands. They also staged a rally in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner and demanded modifications in the decision announced by the HRD Ministry on July 27. They submitted memoranda, addressed to the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister, to the SDM. BARNALA: Teaching in S.D. College, Lal Bahadur Shastri Arya Mahila College, Guru Gobind Singh College, Sanghera, Akal Degree College, Mastuana, Government Ranbir College, Sangrur, Government College, Malerkotla, Government College, Sunam, Desh Bhagat College, Bardwal, and Khalsa College Sandaur, remained paralysed. Prof D.D. Singhal,
president of the Sangrur unit of the Government College
Teachers Association, said the teachers organised a rally
on the campus of Government Ranbir College in which
teachers from Barnala, Sanghera, Mastuana, Sandaur,
Sunam, Malerkotla, Bardwal (Dhuri) and Bhawanigarh
participated. |
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College staff allege harassment FATEHGARH SAHIB, Aug 21 — Teaching and non-teaching staff of the local Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engineering College went on indefinite strike and organised a rally on the college campus today in protest against the alleged "high handedness" of the principal. Addressing the rally, teachers alleged that the principal had been harassing the staff and chargesheeting the teachers without any reason since the past five years. They also alleged that they were being paid less salaries as against school teachers. They said two months ago the principal was instructed by the trust president, Mr G.S. Tohra, to give the salaries to the teachers on the pattern of Guru Nanak Engineering College, Ludhiana, but the orders had not been implemented. They also levelled
corruption charges against the principal. |
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Vet facilities for all
villages FATEHGARH SAHIB, Aug 21 — The Punjab Government will provide veterinary facilities to all the villages of the state. This was stated by Dr Rattan Singh Ajnala, Minister for Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, while talking to the mediapersons here today after inspecting the working of the department. Under this scheme all
those dispensaries which were located nearer to each
other would be shifted to those areas which did not have
any dispensaries. Similarly, the staff and equipment
would also be shifted to the required areas. This was the
only department in the state which did not have any
vacant post. As many as 182 doctors had been recruited. |
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'Set parameters for Jathedars' CHANDIGARH, Aug 21 — Dr Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, president of the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation, in a statement issued here today has urged the SGPC to come forward to lay down the parameters of the functioning of the Takht Jathedars to maintain the sanctity of Takhts and to avoid unnecessary controversies. He said the "Sikh code of conduct, approved by the SGPC on February 2, 1945, made no reference to the authority of the Takht Jathedars to issue hukmnamas (edicts) or to declare anyone a "tankhayia" or to impose religious punishment. For a self-admitted lapse,
rendering him a tankhayia, a Sikh has to directly
approach the sangat of his area seeking
forgiveness." |
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Textile workers threaten stir AMRITSAR, Aug 21 (PTI) — About 10,000 textile workers of Amritsar today threatened to go on an indefinite strike from September 12 in case the managements failed to raise their salary and emoluments by 20 per cent. The decision was taken at a rally held by the workers who observed a day's strike today in support of their demand. The rally which was held in the historic Ram Bagh after the workers marched through various localities in the city was addressed among others by the secretary of Punjab AITUC, Mr Amarjeet Singh Asal, Textile Mazdoor Ekta Union president Des Raj, Punjab CITU senior vice-president Vijay Mishra and Industrial Workers Union president Kishan Chand. The textile workers had already held strike on August 6. A deputation of the
workers later presented a memorandum to district
officials and urged them to call a meeting of
representatives of the managements and workers for an
amicable settlement. |
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967 polio patients to be
treated on Sept 15 ABOHAR: A campaign has been launched here to help polio victims in a big way. The idea behind forming the Shri Sanatan Dharam Polio Nivaran (Eradication) Samiti was to make this subdivision polio-free. At the first preparatory medical examination camp held on Sunday, out of the 1926 registered patients, more than 50 per cent had come here from Amritsar, Jalandhar, Gurdaspur, Patiala and Ludhiana districts of Punjab, Hisar and Sirsa districts of Haryana, Sriganganagar, Hanumangarh and Bikaner districts of Rajasthan. The Nehru Memorial Civil Hospital complex was virtually flooded with vehicles as polio victims were seen moving towards the registration/reception counter, water and langar stalls along with their relatives throughout the day. The camp was inaugurated by Mr Dev Mittar Ahuja, president of the samiti, with a prayer. Despite it being a Sunday, the entire staff of the Civil Hospital was on duty. In all, 967 patients were cleared for a final examination to be done by a 16-member team of Free Polio Hospital, Visakhapatnam, which will be flown to New Delhi for holding free operation camps at Abohar, Nohar (Rajasthan) and Bhiwani (Haryana) from September 14. The team will arrive here on September 15. Two days after the polio
camp held by the Sanatan Dharam Samiti, a function was
held by KRIBHCO, a cooperative organisation supported by
fertiliser company IFFCO. Mr Surender Kumar Jakhar,
Chairman of IFFCO, presented tricycles to 10
polio-affected persons to enable them to go to school.
Fifty widows were given sewing machines. |
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Bank staff hold demonstration PATIALA, Aug 21 — Employees of State Bank of Patiala held a demonstration in front of the head office here today on a call given by the All-India State Bank of Patiala Employees Federation in protest against the ban on recruitment. In a statement here, federation general secretary N.K. Gaur said it was demanding immediate allocation, of housing loan funds, implementation of the JCC meeting's decision and implementation of the medical scheme for retired employees. Mr Gaur said the employees
would stage a dharna in front of the head office on
August 27 in which more than 3000 employees would
participate. He further said a decision to go on a strike
would be taken on August 27. |
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Punjab police postings CHANDIGARH, Aug 21 — The following postings and transfers of Punjab police officers were ordered today: Mr R.J.S. Nalwa is AIG,
PAP, Jalandhar; Mr B. Chander Shekhar is Superintendent
of Police (officiating) headquarter, Sangrur; Miss Neerja
Voruvuru is S.P. (officiating) headquarter, Barnala; Mrs
Anita Punj is S.P. (officiating) HQ, Majitha; Mr Paramjit
Singh Grewal is S.P. Railways, Patiala; Mr Kamal Kumar is
assistant commandant, 36th Bn PAP, Bahadurgarh; Mr T.P.
Singh is S.P. Detective, Majitha; Mr Avtar Singh is S.P.,
Operations, Majitha; Mr Major Singh is S.P., Operations,
Barnala; Mr Ajaib Singh is S.P., Detective, Moga against
the post of SP Operations, Mansa; Mr Narjinder Singh is
S.P., Hq, Patiala; Mr Gurpreet Singh Gill is S.P., City,
Patiala; Mr Surjit Singh is S.P., Operations, Tarn Taran;
Mr Hartej Singh Sekhon is S.P., Detective, Khanna; and Mr
Surinderpal Singh is S.P. Commando Bn at Patiala. |
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Cyclist killed KHARAR, Aug 21 — One
Mr Karam Ilahi was killed when his cycle was knocked down
by a truck near Bhago Majra, village, on the
Kharar-Morinda road last night. The driver of the truck
escaped. The Kharar police has registered a case under
Sections 279 and 304-A, IPC. |
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Police training course ends PHILLAUR, Aug 21 — The Punjab Police Academy here organised a three-day training course for trainers which concluded here today. The course was material consisted of identifying priority area in police training, psychology, use of training aids and evaluation tools. The course was designed under the able guidance of Mr A.A. Siddiqui, IPS, ADGP-cum-Director, of the academy. The valedictory address was delivered by Mr Chander Shekhar, IPS, IGP-cum-Joint Director, of the academy. The Joint Director
interacted with participants to get the feedback on the
utility of the course. The participants acknowledged the
usefulness of the course. |
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Army
division to adopt village FEROZEPORE, Aug 21 — All units of the Army's Golden Arrow Division have adopted a village each along the Indo-Pak border for development. This was stated by the division's GOC, Major-Gen K.C. Padha, while inaugurating the Mamdot sports grounds at Mamdot, about 30 km from here, today. General Padha added that development activity in the adopted villages would be carried out with the active participation of residents. He added that priority would be given to those projects which would benefit masses and school students. General Padha said that in the adopted villages, schoolchildren would be apprised of the procedure of recruitment to the Army. He regretted that the main
road at Mamdot village was in bad shape with heaps of
garbage. |
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