M A I N   N E W S

Sportspersons to retain jobs
Punjab Ministry amends police rules
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 17
The Punjab Council of Ministers today amended the relevant police rules to retain the services of 337 police sportspersons. These sportspersons, including at least seven Olympians, 285 national and international players and coaches, will not now face any demotion.

This decision was taken in view of a writ petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court by which all 337 sportspersons faced demotion to the rank of constable.

Among the prominent sportspersons who faced demotion in the wake of the court order included hockey players Gaganjit Singh and Jugraj Singh, besides seven Olympians.

The rules have been so amended as to protect even the future sportspersons who excel in different games and sports. Earlier, only constable-level jobs were permitted. The government is contemplating more posts of DSP, Inspector, Sub-Inspector, ASI and Head Constable for sportspersons.

These special sports quota posts would be kept out of the purview of the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) and the Punjab Subordinate Service Selection Board.

The Council of Ministers also decided on the devolution of powers to panchayati raj institutions (PRIs) in a phased manner.

In the first phase, functions, funds and functionaries of six departments — Social Security, Development of Women and Children, Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes, Public Health, Rural Development, Health and Family Welfare and Education — would be transferred.

In the Department of Social Security, all pension schemes — old age, financial assistance to widows, children and disabled persons — would be transferred while funds would be released by the panchayat samitis to the gram panchayats. The identification of beneficiaries and the disbursement of pension would also be done by the gram panchayats.

In the Department of SCs/BCs Welfare, scholarships to Scheduled Caste girls in primary classes and pre-matric and post-matric scholarships would be disbursed through panchayati raj institutions. Schemes relating to the distribution of free books among SC students and plots among houseless persons would also be undertaken by the PRIs.

Sarpanches and members of the panchayat samitis and Zila Parishads have been empowered to attest documents like the death and birth certificates, which would now be issued by the gram panchayat at the village level. Village chowkidars would now be appointed by the panchayat samitis.

Recruitment boards would be set up at panchayat samiti and Zila Parishad levels for the recruitment of employees. The financial powers of the gram panchayats have been enhanced to Rs 10 lakh for development works. Similarly, panchayat samitis would grant administrative approval up to Rs 20 lakhs while the Zila Parishads had been given unlimited powers.

Similarly, the PRIs had been empowered to supervise and monitor various healthcare schemes. The recruitment of teachers would be at the Zila Parishad level. Supervision of teachers would be undertaken by the PRIs and all construction activities in the schools would be executed through the gram panchayats.

The Council of Ministers also approved the recruitment of Panchayat Secretaries on a contract basis from among the candidates who have at least one-year experience as a gram sewak or a Panchayat Secretary. They would get Rs 4,500 per month. The council also approved the constitution of district planning committees.

The ministry also approved the creation of 2010 posts of ETT teacher under the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan.

It also approved a higher subsistence allowance to orphans (whose parents were killed in terrorist violence or riots) from Rs 1,000 per month to Rs 2,500.