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| Friday, September 15, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
Intact syringes, gloves find their
way to medical waste dump PMO’s directive ignored Thapar institute hikes fee by 50 pc Health guide scheme ‘loses relevance’ Bollworms attack
cotton crop Rise in crime against children Will college teachers protest? |
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AISSF to support Dhindsa’s son Cong wins
Mahilpur civic election
SGPC website ‘forgets’ Mian Mir Anandgarh: villagers meet Jathedar Relief sought for crop damage Scribes to meet
CM on Sept 19
Punjab Govt staff
reclassified Action against
DFSC sought SE’s effigy burnt EC shifts two
more officers MC President’s
election put off Reinstatement of
JE sought Gate construction on
despite MC order
Arms smuggler
arrested
Teachers demand
release of arrears Teachers
meet minister
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Intact syringes, gloves find their
way to PATIALA Kabaris descend on the dump in the morning itself. This is because a large number of syringes and vials of various injections are available for picking. Doctors and other medical staff help in the reuse of syringes by unscrupulous elements by disposing these of with their needles, leaving even the plastic covers on the needles intact. Dogs can be seen feeding on the placenta which becomes waste after child birth and is thrown in the dump along with other medical waste . Other items which dogs drag out from the dump include appendicitis removed after surgery or soft tissue wasted during amputation of human limbs. Employees start burning the medical waste in mid morning. Leaves and dry grass are thrown on the medical waste following which part of it starts burning. However, propblems arise when wet cotton or other stuff refuses to burn which results in excess smoke in the area, causing air pollution. The Corporation authorities are the last to tackle the waste. The Municipal trolley does not, however, discriminate with the medical waste of the Rajindra hospital. It treats the waste like any other and dumps it on its grounds with other waste. Hospital sources said syringes and surgical gloves used in the hospital were usually not destroyed and found their way into the medical dump and following that in chemist shops. “What else can be their fate when little effort is required to bring them back to their original shape”, says Sukhwinder Singh who resides near the hospital. He says the task is made even easier as original plastic coverings of the needles are also available in the dump. “They have only to be heated and packed with the syringes to sell as new”, he added . Hospital authorities, when contacted, said apparatus had been installed at all places where patients were given injections by the medical staff. They said all syringes were supposed to be made ineffective for future use by breaking the needles from the main body which was a simple procedure. A source said though checking was done to ensure all syringes and gloves were destroyed it could not be enforced on a daily basis. “At this stage the own character of the individual comes into play ”, he added . Sources said all this was taking place as the hospital was not using the incinerator. An incinerator was constructed in the hospital around 10 years ago. They said the incinerator never functioned as it required Rs 1 lakh to use it regularly every month. As the hospital did not have separate funds for the use of the incinerator, it could never be used. Due to paucity of funds, the hospital is unable to use the incinerator even though it has failed to comply with the Union Government instructions on the disposal of medical waste to implement which the incinerator usage is most important. Sources said the issue of starting use of the incinerator or devising some other way to dispose of medical waste was pending with the higher authorities. |
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PMO’s directive ignored AMRITSAR, Sept 14 — The Prime Minister’s Office had proposed to the Chief Secretary of the Punjab Government to take appropriate action against an illegal marriage palace on Mall Road once but twice, first on June 12 and later on August 8. But the state government’s failure ot take action have shocked residents of the posh residential colony. It was not only the PMO which drew a blank but the letter dated August 21 from the Ministry of Urban Development to the Principal Secretary, Department of Local Government, Mr N.K. Arora, failed to move the authorities. The residents living near the illegal marriage palace, Shiana Garden Banquet, have been trying to get the marriage palace evicted as it has been causing considerable nuisance in the neighbourhood. But it appears that the district administration and municipal corporation have been sleeping over the matter. Interestingly, based on various complaints the Deputy Commissioner ordered an inquiry by an SSP, who submitted his report on March 22 to the DC, categorically stating that the marriage palace in question should be shut down. The inquiry report, copy of which was made available to TNS, added that the marriage palace was situated in a residential area and had been running without a licence. The report pointed out that the marriage palace had no parking facilities and during functions the blaring loudspeakers disturbed the residents. But in spite of all this the administration allowed the banquet hall to run. The DC asked the SDM to conduct another probe into the complaint, which too gave its conclusive report on July 20, copy obtained by TNS. The SDM in the report had stated after checking the palace it was found that it had been constructed illegally and sought its immediate closure, but no action was taken. This is not the isolated marriage palace. The city has more than a 50 banquet halls, most of them flouting the rules laid down by the corporation. The Deputy Commissioner when contacted was not available for comments. |
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Thapar institute hikes fee by 50 pc PATIALA, Sept 14 — First year students of bachelor of engineering (B.E) and masters of computer application (MCA) of the Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology here have been saddled with a 50 per cent hike in tuition fee, besides a steep increase in ‘development fee’ by the institute to “ensure it can keep providing quality education to them” . The Governing Council of the Institute met on August 3 and decided to increase the tuition fee of the first year students from Rs 16,000 to Rs 24,000. The council also decided to take development charges of Rs 3,500 from each student per year. Earlier, the institute was taking development charge of Rs 5,500 as a one-time measure for the entire course. Non-Resident Indian (NRI) students have been burdened with $ 1000 development charge (around Rs 45,000). The fee hike was displayed on the notice board on September 12. Students are agitated at the steep hike and feel the institute had closed their avenues for opting for a different college by not making the decision public for more than one month.Talking to TNS, a cross-section of the students said their parents were already burdened with a stiff fee structure and that a further increase was unwarranted. Students of the NRI quota felt they would also face difficulties in getting more money sponsored from their relatives. The students have conveyed their apprehensions to the Dean, Students Welfare. He has assured them that their representation would be forwarded to the Director. The students said already their fee was much more than that in other engineering colleges in the state. They had not anticipated such a steep hike when they took admission and had been told that the tuition fee and development charges were under revision . The Director, Dr M. P. Kapoor, said it had been clearly mentioned in the brochure for both courses that the tuition fee and the development fee were under review and were likely to be revised upwards. He said the Governing Council had taken a decision to increase the tuition fee after the Punjab Government also took a similar step. Dr Kapoor said the Punjab Government had fixed free seats in its engineering colleges at Rs 30,000 and paid seats at Rs 66,000. He said the Governing Council had decided to take the average of both categories as it had a uniform fee structure. He said the tuition fee had been increased after due thought and that the Principal Secretary, Education, was also present at the meeting. When asked about the delay in notifying the fee increase, he said the approval of the minutes of the decision took nearly one month. He said students were making an alibi by saying that they could have opted out if they knew about the fee increase in advance. He said 22 students had already opted out due to such reasons. Dr Kapoor said the students as well as their parents must understand that if they wanted quality, they must pay for it. He said scarce funding was received from the Punjab Government and that the cost of training a student had gone up to Rs 1 lakh. The institute was also spending a big amount on providing latest information technology facilities, besides proper infrastructure and a well-qualified faculty . The institute has been regularly hiking various fees since the past few years. Students of second year pay a tuition fee of Rs 17,000 compared to Rs 13,000 paid by students of the third year. Last year the institute also decided to take a security of Rs 20,000, as against Rs 1,000. Out of this amount, Rs 15,000 is refundable while Rs 5,000 is to be compulsorily transferred to the Alumni Association Account. |
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Health guide scheme ‘loses relevance’ CHANDIGARH: Among the several centrally sponsored schemes is one on village health guides. First launched as the Community Health Workers Scheme on October 2, 1977, it has since undergone several changes, including its nomenclature. It was fully financed by the Centre till 1978-79. Then the Centre wanted the states to share 50 per cent of the financial burden. Punjab, along with some other states, opted out, forcing the Centre to continue to bear the full financial burden. The scheme became operational again from December 1, 1981. How has the scheme fared all these years? To find out the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare entrusted the task to the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID), Chandigarh. The aim of the VHG scheme was to involve the community, making it self-sufficient in the provision of simple, promotive, preventive and curative health services with VHGs acting as a “bridge” between the community and the higher health authorities. The CRRID report entitled: “The Village Health Guides Scheme in Selected Districts of Punjab: An Assessment” is a telling comment on this little-known scheme, wherein, primarily women are employed as VHGs. The remuneration received by a VHG is just Rs 50 per month, besides a kit of simple medicines of an equal amount. The study was conducted in two districts, Kapurthala and Bathinda, selected because of their contrasting economic, cultural, developmental and administrative traits. The views of 97 VHGs, spread over 33 villages in 11 community development blocks and involving 258 households, 80 community leaders and opinion makers and 94 health functionaries, revealed that the scheme had lost its relevance, its well-intentioned purpose notwithstanding. Except for immunisation and, to some extent, family planning the VHGs served little useful purpose. Their very appointment showed that rather than being kingpins of the community they had become appendages of the multipurpose health workers to whom they owed their job. As a result of social metamorphosis in the rural area and the advent of network of electronic and print media, the role of multipurpose health workers and VHGs is diminishing. The availability of private healthcare and failure of the government to support and re-invent the VHG scheme, corresponding to the changing social tide, has proved to be the undoing of the programme. Right from VHGs’ selection to training, providing necessary inputs, monitoring, supervision, interaction with higher health authorities (including bureaucracy), provision of medicines, etc. there is a snag. Even the existing medical system has failed to recognise their services. Their functioning is no better than any other government department employees. VHGs have remained unrecognised and unorganised sans any political support. The study has recommended that since the scheme had lost its relevance, it be “abolished” if its restructuring was not possible. The VHGs were unable to fulfil the expected job specifications. These VHGs often visited households but seldom gave any medicine. Nevertheless their visits did help in a limited manner in certain aspects of healthcare and awareness. Interestingly, VHGs being from their own village, the residents (households) were “satisfied” with them and preferred that the scheme be continued. This sentiment was more out of sympathy than the usefulness of the scheme or medical benefit that accrued. Even the response of opinion-makers and leaders to the presence and usefulness of the VHG was no different from that of ordinary households. These leaders were aware of the presence of VHGs but unmindful of what they did. Their “meetings” with the VHGs were more of chance encounters than regular interaction. The professional contribution of VHGs was of little or no consequence of them. Though unable to outline the VHGs’ role, these village leaders wanted the scheme to be revamped but not abolished. Their argument was that some segments of the village population still secured some benefits from their work. Right from multipurpose health workers to the civil surgeons, no one wanted the scheme to be scrapped. In fact, the former today totally depended on the VHGs since the latter perform duties on their behalf. A majority of VHGs were over-age even when they got the job and were not literate (standard VI) as stipulated in the rules. However, the study conceded that VHGs did play a role in several aspects, particularly, in creating an awareness among the people about issues like immunisation, proper toilets, personal hygiene, motivation for adopting family planning, nutritional diet and counselling on matters related to health care. Besides they talked of chlorinating water, opting for smokeless chullah, extending a helping hand in the registration of births and deaths, etc. But in respect of rural health, namely, treatment of minor ailments and dispensing of medicines or giving first-aid in an emergency, VHGs were either not doing their duty or were not properly trained. There are, thus, different dimensions of their non-performance and failure of the scheme. The paradox is the socio-economic transformation of Punjab villages on the one hand and the role performance of the VHGs on the other. This makes them look redundant in the emerging socio-economic scenario. If there are new health-related problems so are their remedies. Where do VHGs fit in? One important factor, which finds only a passing reference, is the arrival of quacks in villages. This has far-reaching consequences as every village has one or two quacks. Their financial health, networking, array of services, accommodation potential etc. keep VHGs at bay. The cooperation extended by the community to VHGs is extremely measly. Yet these VHGs get support from the households, village opinion-makers and the health authorities. |
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Bollworms attack
cotton crop MANSA, Sept 14 — There has been an outbreak of American bollworm in the cotton belt of Punjab. This is an annual feature, however, this time it has assumed serious proportions. The Agriculture Department says the attack has crossed safe limits and needs immediate check. A survey was conducted by Joint Director Agriculture Arjan Singh Chandi, District Agriculture Officer Kulwant Singh Sonar and Agriculture Officer Vinder Singh in different villages of this district. After assessing the situation, they published pamphlets and distributed them among farmers. They said the bollworm had attacked the cotton crop and eggs were in abundance on the plants. The attack might increase in the coming days. Mr Chandi advised farmers to check the extent of the loss and collect flowers fallen from the plants. The flowers which had been attacked by the bollworm would have holes in them. If the number of such flowers was more than 5 per cent, pesticides should be used to check the damage. The department recommended some pesticides to control the bollworm. If the crop was small then prophenophos-50 E.C. 500 ml, ethion 50 E.C. 800 ml and tifeagophos 40 E.C. 600 ml per acre could be used. If it was large then chloropyrephos 20 E.C. 2 litre or aciphate 75 WP 800 gram per acre could be used. The District Agriculture Officer said the farmers should use only recommended pesticides. |
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Crime in Punjab-II CHANDIGARH, Sept 14 — In July this year five children, all below 15, were done to death in Punjab. Not only murder, children have also become soft targets for kidnapping. Compared to 284 cases of kidnapping reported in Punjab between January 1 and September 13 in 1998, the number of such cases has increased to 341 for the same period this year. The police, however, claims credit that out of 341 cases, victims were rescued in 336 cases. In five cases, the victims, all minors, were killed in cold blood. The number of kidnapping in 1999 — between January 1 and September 13 — were 279. Investigations reveal that there have been two instances — one each in Tarn Taran and Jalandhar districts — where two children each were done to death in captivity. The first case was reported from Jalandhar on June 8 when two children of a “dhobi” — Heena (eight) and Abhishek (six) — were kidnapped and murdered. The police was able to solve this case. In the second case, reported from Tarn Taran, on July 26, two boys — Malkiat Singh (7) and Surjit Singh (12) — were also murdered in captivity. The oldest of murdered children during the current year was 14-year-old Mohit Sharma, a student of class X in Hoshiarpur district. He was murdered on July 13. In Ludhiana, five-year-old Deepa was done to death on July 2. On July 23, six-year-old Rinku was murdered in cold blood in Patiala. Police officials are unable to explain the growing crime against children. Ransom does not seem to be the reason. In 341 cases victims were relased without the payment of ransom. The maximum number of the kidnapping cases — 63 — were reported from Patiala, followed by 43 in Jalandhar and 36 in Ludhiana. Interestingly, not even a single case of kidnapping has been reported from Faridkot police district. Mansa reported two cases, followed by Muktsar and Batala with five cases each while Gurdaspur had seven and Majitha, Kapurthala, Jagraon and Moga eight cases each. In case of Batala, one of the kidnapped victims was killed in captivity. Equally disturbing is the rise in rape cases in the state. Against 138 cases of rape reported from various parts of Punjab between January 1 and September 13 in 1998, the number swelled to 172 in 1999 for the same period. And this year, the number has increased to 210. Rape, the police officials maintain, is more of a social problem than a preventable crime. They admit that crime against women and children has been on the rise. Quoting figures on dowry death, kidnapping and rape the police apportions blame on to society. In Punjab, there is no separate module or head under which crime against women at their work places is recorded.
(To be concluded) |
Will college teachers protest? CHANDIGARH, Sept 14 — Though an Act has been made to implement the pension-cum-gratuity scheme for the non-government aided colleges in Punjab, the scheme is yet to be implemented. The issue is threatening to snowball in the Sunam Assembly
byelection. The Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union is under pressure to hold a demonstration in Sunam to focus on the government’s failure to honour a constitutional commitment. The demand for a demonstration has raised many questions. Will such a step politicise the demand? Should teachers disrupt academic work? Will such a demonstration, if held, divide the Union? Will drawing public attention to the “callous” attitude of the SAD-BJP government towards teachers further the Union cause? Is intended demonstration only a pressure tactics? Should the teachers take to streets too often? Are there other options available to them to make themselves heard in the corridors of power? To find possible answers to such and related questions a meeting of the Union’s state executive committee has been convened at
G.G.N. Khalsa College, Ludhiana, on September 24, say informed sources. Both teaching and non-teaching staff of 172 odd colleges feel “cheated and humiliated”, admit Union leaders. It is beyond their comprehension as to, after all, what is holding the government from implementing the Act. The Council of Ministers approved the pension cum gratuity scheme for college teachers on January 3, 1996. The scheme was notified by the Governor on April 6, 1989. Later the Bill was passed by the Assembly on March 30, 1999. This issue, in fact, has become an irritant between the Union and the government. While the former has organised dharnas and marches in Chandigarh and elsewhere in the past, the latter has remained unmoved. Another equally prickly issue is the recent statement of the Minister of Higher Education, Master Mohan Lal, followed by a communication by the Director Public Instructions (Colleges) on August 10 to all colleges directing the teachers to spend at least 40 hours per week on the college campus. Moreover, teachers are now required to mark their arrival and departure every day. Such instructions, the Union maintains, were contrary to the University Grants Commission notification of December 24, which, inter alia, says that service conditions of college staff are to be determined by the respective universities and not the state government. A sub-committee of Panjab University’s Syndicate had also recommended that a teacher must spend a minimum of five hours per day on the college campus. Rule 15 of the UGC notification reads as follows: “The workload of the teachers in full employment should not be less than 40 hours a week for 30 working weeks (180 teaching days) in an academic year. It should be necessary for the teachers to be available for at least five hours daily in the university/college for which necessary space and infrastructure should be provided by the university/college. The direct teaching hours should be as follows: lecturers, senior lecturers and lecturers (selection grade) 16 hours per week; readers and professors 14 hours per week. “However, a relaxation of two hours in the workload may be given to professors who are actively involved in research, extension and administration”. Master Mohan Lal, perhaps, is unaware that while universities observe a five-day week, it is a six-day week in colleges. The issues of government determining college teachers’ service conditions and working hours are likely to spill over. This may add more decibles to the voice of those teachers’ who want to exploit this issue during the Sunam Assembly by-poll to embarrass the ruling SAD-BJP combine. The final decision rests on September 24 executive meeting. |
AISSF to support Dhindsa’s son PAKHARPURA (Amritsar), Sept14 — The All-India Sikh Students Federation, headed by Dr Manjit Singh
Bhoma, Vice-Chairman, Punjab Raj Khadi Board, has passed a resolution to support Mr Parminder Singh
Dhindsa, a SAD candidate and son of the Union Sports Minister, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa for the forthcoming Sunam by-election. In all seven resolutions were passed to mark the 56th anniversary of the
AISSF, here yesterday. The federation also urged the state government to release Sikhs who have been “languishing” in various jails. The AISSF urged the state government to decrease the college and school fees. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Joginder Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takht, has appealed to the sangat to follow the teachings of Gurus and desist from taking drugs or other intoxicants. Mr Natha Singh Dalam, Minister for Public Relations, said the federation had a role to play in reforming the society. He said the Punjabis should support the SAD-BJP government which was instrumental in overall development of the state. He said more than Rs 45,000 crore was invested for setting up new industries during the reign of the Badal government. However, Mr Dalam expressed concern over the increasing dependence on outside labour. They (the Punjabis) must continue to work hard for the development of the state, he added. Mr Jagir Singh
Bhullar, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, who had been the president of the AISSF said it was a matter of concern that the federation was divided into so many groups. |
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13 in fray for Sunam
poll CHANDIGARH, Sept 14 — With the withdrawal of one Independent, 13 candidates have been left in the fray for the Sunam Assembly byelection scheduled to be held on September 29. Today was the last day for withdrawal. Those in the fray include Mr Parminder Singh Dhindsa (Shiromani Akali Dal), Mrs Parmeshwari Devi (Congress), Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra (Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal) and Mr Sampuran Singh Chhaajli (CPI). Others in the contest are: Mr Kartar Singh (RPI), Mr Sukhjinder Singh (Akali Dal Amritsar), Ms Surinder Kaur, Mr Hakim Singh, Mr Krishan Lal, Mr Parveen Kumar, Mr Manjeet Singh, Mr Manohar Lal and Mr Lajpat Rai (all Independents). In all 22 candidates had filed their nomination papers, seven of which were rejected. Mr Rajinder Kumar Deepa, son-in-law of Mr Parmeshwari Devi, withdrew from the contest yesterday, while Mr Narinder Kumar (Independent) withdrew his papers today. |
Cong wins
Mahilpur civic election GARHSHANKAR, Sept 14 — The election to the posts of president and vice-president of the Nagar Panchayat, Mahilpur, took place today in which, the Congress won the president’s post securing seven votes. Its candidate was Mrs Gurmit Kaur Bains. Defector from the Joint Front Mahant Chhinda — a Khusra won the vice-president’s post by two votes.In a House of 11 members the Congress has a strength of five members, the Joint Front four, and BSP one. There is one Independent in the House.  |
SGPC website ‘forgets’ Mian Mir JALANDHAR, Sept 14 — Has the SGPC forgotten the Sufi Saint Mian Mir, who had laid the foundation stone of the Golden Temple? Yes, it seems true, if one surfs the lone official website of the SGPC on the Golden Temple and the Sikh history. The website sridarbarsahibasr. org, which claims to be the only official website of the SGPC and has been created and maintained under the guidance of SGPC Chief Bibi Jagir Kaur and secretary Dr Gurbachan Singh Bachan, has been sans any reference the Sufi saint. Otherwise, the site claims to have full information about Sikhism, the SGPC, the Golden Temple, and the historic gurdwaras. What could be the reason behind the lapse or was it sheer omission, could not be ascertained, but it was learnt that by omitting the reference pertaining to saint Mian Mir the SGPC had tried to skirt round the controversy pertaining to the visit of the saint to the temple for laying down the foundation stone of the sanctum sanctorum. While majority of Sikhs and scholars assert that the saint had indeed visited the shrine and laid its foundation, another school of Sikh scholars were of the view that he had not laid the foundation stone and his visit was nothing but a “myth”. Dr Bachan admitted that the site did not mention anything about Mian Mir since “those young scholars, who designed it, omitted certain things on their own for they preferred not to touch the controversy”. He could not describe as to how this could have happened when the site itself claimed to be the only official website of the SGPC. In that case the latter should know each and everything about the information uploaded onto the Net. He, however, asserted that the SGPC was of the view the saint had indeed visited the shrine to lay its foundation stone and, “We are going to make the correction in the site in this regard within a week.” |
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Anandgarh: villagers meet Jathedar AMRITSAR, Sept 14 — A delegation of residents of 29 villages being displaced for the new Anandgarh township proposed by the Punjab Government in the vicinity of Chandigarh today called on the Jathedar Akal Takht Giani Joginder Singh Vidyanti and presented a memorandum to him. The delegation led by Mr Jasvir Singh Dhaliwal, General Secretary Anandgarh Hatao Sanjhi Sangharsh Committe, urged the Jathedar to intervene in the matter. Members of the delegation said the Chief Minister had said during the tercentenary celebrations last year that the new township would be dedicated to the historic Sri Anandpur Sahib Gurdwara and would be constructed near it. But now government had decided to build it near Chandigarh. The General Secretary said it would be disastrous for the thousands of families of the 29 villages which would be affected by the proposed project. Jathedar Vidyanti, however, told the delegation that he could only intervene in religious matters. The members urged the Jathedar to issue a hukamnama against the setting up of the township and said we should urge the government not to name it Aanandgarh. They appealed the Chief Minister to build the township near Anandpur Sahib. |
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Relief sought for crop damage ABOHAR, Sept 14 — Mr Sajjan Kumar Jakhar, president, District Congress Committee, Ferozepore, yesterday urged the Punjab Government to speed up survey to assess the damage caused to cotton crops by a hailstorm in the area. Mr Jakhar said standing cotton crops in villages like Bhakayanwala, Danewala, Satkosi Panjawa, Koyal Khera Diwan Khera and Gidderanwali were badly damaged. Farmers of these villages brought damaged crops in their tractor/trolleys to the tehsil complex to show the authorities the damage. Steps were initiated to conduct the survey. Mr Jakhar said cotton growers were expecting good crop this time but the hailstorm had shattered their hopes. He urged the authorities to compensate them adequately. |
Scribes to meet
CM on Sept 19 CHANDIGARH, Sept 14 — A delegation of the Punjab-Chandigarh Patarkar Parishad will call on the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh
Badal, on September 19 to apprise him of the victimisation of the wife of a journalist by the Social Welfare Minister, Mr Gobind Singh
Kanjla. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Parishad held here under the chairmanship of Mr Surjit Singh today. The Parishad decided that in case, the victimisation of the wife of the journalist working in the Social Welfare Department did not end immediately, it would organise a day-long dharna at Sunam where byelection is to be held on September 29. The Parishad stated in a press note that the matter has already been brought to the notice of the Press Council of India, the Governor of Punjab and the Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. The Parishad has urged the Chief Minister to intervene and restrain Mr Gobind Singh Kanjla from such activities. |
Punjab Govt staff
reclassified AMRITSAR, Sept 14 — Following the recommendations of the Fourth Pay Commission, the Punjab Government has regrouped its employees. Those who were earlier classified into classes I, II, III and IV will now be classified into Groups A, B, C, and D on the basis of the upper limit of the entry scale of the employees. The posts having the upper limit of entry scale of Rs 11,660 or more would fall in group A, according to a notification issued on September 8. Thus, Agriculture Development Officer, with the Rs 7,220-11,660 entry scale would now fall in Group A. Besides, all posts which at present have Class-I status, but otherwise come under B Group, would also fall under Group A. For instance, the post of Block Development and Panchayat Officer, with a pay scale of Rs 7,000-10,980, would fall in A category. For Group B category posts, the maximum limit of entry scale is between Rs 10,640 and Rs 11,659, for Group C category posts between Rs 5,160 and Rs 10,639, and for Group D category, the limit is less than Rs 5,160. According to the notification, the posts with Group A status would have gazetted status. Posts at present having Class-I and Class-II status would also retain their gazetted status, even if they fall in Group B following the new decision. Talking to the Press regarding this decision, the state General Secretary of Punjab Animal Husbandry Services Association, Dr Hazara Singh Cheema, said although its long-standing demand for PAHS-I status for agriculture development officers (feed and fodder) had been accepted, the demand of status of Class-I from January 1, 1991, was still pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. |
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Action against
DFSC sought FEROZEPORE, Sept 14 — The state body of the Ministerial Staff Union of the Food and Supplies Department has staged a protest rally, demanding action against the District Food and Supplies Controller, Ropar, for allegedly misguiding the authorities to get an employee of the department suspended. The union alleged that some employees of Patiala and Faridkot had also been suspended on flimsy grounds. Addressing the rally, Mr Rajesh Sachdeva, state president, and Mr J.S. Kahlon, secretary of the union, demanded that the suspended employees be reinstated and action be taken against the DFSC. The union further demanded that the employees who have been posted at places far away from their home should be brought back to their home districts. The union threatened to intensify the stir if its demands were not met. The union leaders requested Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Food and Supplies Minister, Punjab, to intervene in the matter. |
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SE’s effigy burnt BATHINDA, Sept 14 — Activists of the Technical Services Union (TSU) of the PSEB, Bathinda Circle, today held a state-level rally and a demonstration in front of the office of the Superintending Engineer (SE) in protest against the “anti-employee” policies of the PSEB management and Mr Sikander Singh Maluka, Electricity Minister, Punjab. The rally was attended by the activists of other unions of Punjab. The SE’s effigy was burnt during the demonstration. Representatives of the unions alleged that the board management had transferred 11circle representatives in order to weaken the unions. They demanded that the “false” cases registered against employees should be cancelled and the restrictions imposed on them regarding the holding of demonstrations and rallies should also be withdrawn. The balance amount in the case of those employees who had died in harness had not been given to their family members, they alleged. Mr Amarjeet Sodhi, President, of the TSU, Punjab, was among those who addressed the rally. |
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EC shifts two
more officers CHANDIGARH, Sept 14 — The Election Commission has directed the Punjab Government to shift Mr B.S. Shergill, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development), Sangrur, and Mr J.S. Sandhu, Block Development and Panchayat Officer, Sunam, immediately. Disclosing this here today Ms Usha R. Sharma, Additional Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, said the decision had been taken following complaints against these officers relating to the election process of the Sunam Assembly constituency. |
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MC President’s
election put off ROPAR, Sept 14 — The election for the post of the President of the Nangal Municipal Council, which was scheduled for today, was postponed till September 16, amid pandemonium in the meeting hall of the council. Apprehending violence, the district administration had made elaborate security arrangements for the meeting. Extra police force was summoned from the district headquarters, which cordoned off the office of the council early in the morning. Only the municipal councilors and government employees were allowed in the council office. The meeting began with the administration of oath of office to the newly elected members of the municipal council. Trouble began when a council member of the Congress, Mr Raj Singh, proposed the name of Mr R.S. Saini for the post of President. The BJP members objected to the candidature of Mr
Saini. |
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Reinstatement of
JE sought GURDASPUR, Sept 14 — Junior Engineers of Batala urban and sub-urban subdivisions have stopped conducting raids to check power thefts in the division in protest against the suspension of their colleague, Joginder Singh Randhawa on August 18. The charges against the Junior Engineer were that he did not check three unauthorised power motors in his area of operation. A deputation of Junior Engineers met the Superintending Engineer, Gurdaspur circle, on August 22. They claimed that the SE had assured them to reinstate the JE within four days, but three weeks after the meeting, the JE had not been reinstated. The council has issued an ultimatum to the SE demanding reinstatement of Randhawa by September 18. They also threatened to boycott work if their demand was not conceded by then. |
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Gate construction on
despite MC order BATHINDA, Sept 14 — The Madhok Pura Residents Association has urged the authorities to take action against a resident of the locality who is allegedly constructing the second floor on the main entrance of Madhok Pura against a resolution of the Municipal Council. There are three main gates to enter Madhok Pura. A resident has started construction of the second floor on the gate in front of the station. Mr Pradeep Malhotra, another resident, said the pillars of the gate were not strong enough to bear the weight of the second floor. In a letter written to the Principal Secretary Local Bodies, Punjab, the residents of Madhok Pura said although the Municipal Council had suspended the resolution regarding the construction of the floor, it was not being followed due to the political pressure. The residents alleged that the authorities of the Municipal Council were also involved in the matter. The authorities were reluctant to comment. |
Arms smuggler
arrested GURDASPUR, Sept 14 — The police today arrested Rakesh Kumar, a resident of Chhanni in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir for smuggling and selling countrymade arms under the brand names of revolvers made in Germany. According to Mr Varinder Kumar, SSP, Rakesh is a member of a six member gang whose two members identified as Sunil Kumar and Pawan Kumar, both residents of Jammu are still at large. The other three members of the gang, including Kuldip Kumar, Choudhary Shakeel Ahmad and Murari Lal, all residents of Jammu were arrested on April 1, 1999, in a case registered against them under the Arms Act at Sadar Pathankot police station. Two .32 revolvers with 10 cartridges and one 303 bore pistol, with five cartridges were recovered from their possession. The accused used to smuggle arms from Jammu and Kashmir. He sold these to firearm dealers in Punjab on his rates after carving fake brands like “made in Germany” on them. The accused had become drug addicts and started selling these arms. They came into contact with Pawan Kumar, alias Pamma, who took them to Suneel Kumar, a drug and arms smuggler. Sunil Kumar persuaded them that he would give Rs 5,000 per piece for smuggling it from Jammu and Kashmir to Punjab. The accused brought the arms sale at Jalandhar. However, they were given eight revolvers/pistols for delivering it near the Lal Rattan Cinema Chowk at Jalandhar on April Ist 1999 but due to fear they returned these firearms. They were later persuaded to deliver the firearms. |
Teachers demand
release of arrears FEROZEPORE, Sept 14 — The Engineering College Teachers’Association of the local Shahid Bhagat Singh College of Engineering and Technology has lodged a protest against the state government and the college authorities for not releasing their arrears along with 9 per cent interest of revised pay scales. The ECTA has also urged to appoint Head of the different departments on rotation. The association accused college authorities for not allotting the vacant quarters to the teachers which otherwise have been allotted to the non-teaching staff on the basis of existing unrevised pay scales. The association resented the discriminatory attitude of authorities in respect of implementation of CPF schemes. The Principal, they allege, is arbitrarily forwarding GPF scheme to all those who have joined service before 35 years of age, whereas Giani Zail Singh Engineering College in Bathinda was keeping the options of CPF or GPF open irrespective of age bar. The association also condemned authorities for charging electricity bills of their residences on the basis of commercial rates since the start of the college. It has been decided to observe September 25 to September 29 as “black week”. When contacted, the college principal, Dr R.C. Behl, said he was not authorised to take decision on all these issues. The teachers should first approach the decision making body through proper channel and even then, if their demands are not acceded to, only then they should adopt this attitude. |
Teachers
meet minister CHANDIGARH,
Sept 14 — A deputation of the Punjab State Aided School Teachers and
Other Employees Union led by its president, Mr Teja Singh and general
secretary, Mr Manohar Lal Chopra here today met the Punjab Education
Minister, Mr Tota Singh. Mr Chopra said the minister had assured to
get the recommendations of the fourth pay commission regarding
pensioners of aided schools implemented at the earliest. The minister
has also directed the DPI (Schools) to issue an order declaring a
holiday on second and fourth Saturday of every month in
government-aided schools on the pattern of government schools. |
Anti-employee’
policies flayed Amritsar,
Sept 14 — Four associations of Guru Nanak Dev University — the
Non-teaching Employees’ Association, the Teachers’ Association,
the Officers’ Association and the Workers’ Union — have
condemned the “anti-employee” policies of university authorities.
At a meeting held here, it was demanded that the four associations be
given due representation in the Syndicate and Senate. |
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