Jalandhar, May 11
Several Anganwadi centres in the district are suffering from mismanagement, apparently for a long time. The truth was verified by the District Commissioner (DC) here today.

As many as six Aanganwadi centres woke up to a surprise inspection by officials of the district administration.

Mr Anurag Verma, the DC, has recommended “strict” action against the Anganwadi workers in Chack Kalan, Chack Khurd and Chack Vendal villages.

The centres at Gohir and Boparai Kalan had not opened by 8.15 am and 8.30 am, respectively. The official opening time is 8 am.

At the Aanganwadi centre in Chack Kalan, only 12 of the total 22 enrolled children were present. The dalia supplied there was found to be full of pests, including “susri”. A worker at the centre did not know the names of all the 12 children present there, indicating that the worker might not be coming regularly to the centre.

At Chack Khurd, only seven of the 21 children were present; at Chack Vendal, only two of the 21.

However, the functioning of the centre at Aujla Patti in Bopa Rai village was found to be “satisfactory”.

Villagers at Gohir were stunned to see the DC’s cavalcade. The officer reached there at 8.15 am and started the inspection straightway. He was accompanied by the Assistant Commissioner, Dr Karnal Singh, District Health Officer, Dr Raman Trehan, District Programme Officer, Ms Brajesh Kaur, District Development and Panchayat Officer, Mr Jarnail Singh, and Jalandhar Zila Parishad Secretary, Mr S.S. Walia. The team then moved onto other centres.

The DC expressed displeasure at the District Programme Officer and directed her to take action against the erring Anaganwadi workers at Chack Kalan, Chack Khurd and Chack Vendal.

Ms Brijesh Kaur was also asked to convene a special meeting of all the Child Development and Project Officers, “so that they could be conveyed to ensure the opening of the Aanganwadi centres on time”.

She was directed to ensure a proper attendance of the children and asked to ensure that Aanganwadi workers must make sure that the dietary items meant for children were properly stored and the food prepared under hygienic conditions.

The DC warned the workers that surprise checks of the centres would again be undertaken through SDMs. He added that if any shortcomings were found, deterrent action would be taken against the guilty officials.

Kapurthala, May 11
The Kapurthala police has launched a community policing scheme to replace the age-old chowkidari system in the district by the end of June.

The SSP, Mr Rajeev Ahir, said the scheme, which was introduced by the Khanna police last year, had been effective in lowering crime during night time.

He added that cases of burglary, eve-teasing and strolling by hooligans in the night had reduced considerably in the districts where the scheme was launched.

Now, Mohali, Patiala, Sangrur, Tarn Taran, Jagroan, Mansa and Fatehgarh Sahib is in the process to adopting the scheme. Giving details of the scheme, the DSP, Mr Diljinder Singh Dhillon, said, “One Community Policing Officer (CPO) will be deputed for every 100 units in the locality. A single commercial establishment or a house would be counted as one unit. The owner has to pay Re 1 for the services every day to protect his property”.

He added that every CPO would be entitled to draw Rs 2,100 per month out of Rs 3,000 collected from the 100 units of his area. “The remaining money will be spent on meeting expanses of Supervisors, Senior Supervisors and on other exigencies.”

The DSP later added that the residents could pay more if they wished.

“The CPOs will be recruited and trained under the supervision of the district police and would be deputed on the locations in such a way that every CPO can see the CPO next to him. A Supervisor on 10 CPOs and one Senior Supervisor on 10 Supervisors would be deputed,” the SSP said. The scheme, he said, would help in giving the employment to the youths. The town of Kapurthala needs 375 CPOs while 250 CPOs would be deputed at Phagwara. 

Phagwara, May 11
In an attempt to streamline the process of transfers of government officials, the state government has come out with certain guidelines while fixing June 30 as the deadline for effecting all transfers for the year 2006-2007.

However, the process of transfers in the Education Department could start and get over in the month of June, while for the Departments of Co-operation and the Food and Civil Supplies, the transfers may be made from July 1 to July 31, 2006, since they are in the middle of the procurement season, revealed a government spokesman here.

“The government has clarified that a stay of three years and five years would be treated as the minimum and maximum period respectively at a particular place.

Within particular offices, seats having sensitive nature of work, such as extensive public dealings, establishment, monetary sanctions etc. would be clearly defined and maximum stay would be kept at 2 years for such seats,” said the spokesman.

The employees or officers, who were posted in the border, “bet” and “kandi” areas would remain there for a minimum period of two years, added the spokesman.

Giving details of the broad guidelines to be adopted, he said that as per the policy, the number of transfers would be kept minimum.

They would be made against vacant posts except where the transfers were justified on administrative or compassionate grounds.

He also said that as far as possible, the employees, whether gazetted or non-gazetted due to retire within next two years, would be allowed to continue in the same district or at the same station of postings till their retirement.

In order to mitigate the suffering of the physically-disabled and the visually-challenged employees, the state government would be considerate to post them to stations that suit their convenience or a station nearest to their homes.

Jalandhar, May 11
Three teachers’ and non-teachers’ unions organised separate dharnas in support of their demands in the city today.

On a hunger strike in Chandigarh for the last 24 days, the Unemployed Elementary Teachers’ Union held a dharna at the Desh Bhagat Yaadgaar Hall.

Addressing the gathering, president of the union, Mr Beant Bhadna, said the members would continue their protest till their demands of regular employment was not fulfilled by the state government.

The members also marched towards the bus stand and they raised anti-government slogans. They also moved across several bazaars of the city.

The other dharna was organised by the Non-Teaching Staff Union of the MGN Public School at a park in Adarsh Nagar.

The members rued that they had been waiting for regularisation for a long time.

They also demanded that their superannuation age be raised to 60 years. The members were also protesting against the non-fulfillment of their demand for the merger of DA with the salary.

Mr Amrik Singh, president of the union, said in case a decision was not taken within a week, they would start an indefinite protest.

The Democratic Teachers’ Front also organised a dharna at the Desh Bhagat Yaadgaar Hall in protest against the decision of the state government to hand over six public departments to panchayats and Zila Parishads.

Hundreds of employees took part in the rally raising slogans against the state government.

Mr Gurmel Singh, president of the union, demanded that the regulation be reverted. 

Jalandhar, May 11
Harassed over an alleged insult to his mother and sister, a 21-year-old youth set himself on fire. His condition is stated to be critical.

Ranjit Singh, a resident of Chuggitti near Kot Ramdas, was reportedly perturbed over the disgrace his family had to go through in front of the police as well as the panchayat in a case regarding an alleged harassment of his mother and sister by one Mahinderpal during an accident in September last year. The two women were allegedly beaten up by the accused. The victims had also lodged an FIR.

The police today claimed that Ranjit had fought with his mother, Jaswinder Kaur, yesterday evening and in a fit of rage, doused himself with kerosene and set himself on fire.

The victim’s sister, Davinder Kaur, claimed that the police had “under pressure” filed a cross report against them in the case.

She said that his brother had approached the panchayat for a compromise, but the accused, Mahinderpal, insulted her and her mother in front of the panchayat. She said that Ranjit was unable to bear the humiliation and was angry over his mother for approaching the panchayat.

According to the police, Ranjit Singh, a driver by profession, had accidentally knocked down the wall of Mahinderpal while reversing his truck which had led to the case.

The police has now booked Ranjit Singh under Section 309 of the IPC. 

Jalandhar, May 11
The six girls, arrested form the city yesterday for being part of an alleged sex racket, were put through medical examinations by the police at the Civil Hospital here today. Sources claimed that one Subhash, also arrested yesterday, used to supplying the girls to influential people. The girls, most of them minors, had alleged that Subhash had forced them into prostitution. — TNS