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Rehabilitation Policy
Tribune Impact |
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FCI-arhtiya stalemate ends
Disproportionate Assets Case
Discontinuation of Toronto Flight
Students come to rescue of dengue patients
23 more Sangrur villages say no to liquor vends
Bus service from Bassi Pathana to Chandigarh sought
Drive to raise awareness about dope-free sports
Threat By Transporter
Prez to visit Amritsar tomorrow
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Rehabilitation Policy
Amritsar, October 4 Similarly, Mangal Das had a prosperous ration depot in Maharh village near Chhabal till his father Diwan Chand was killed by terrorists in 1990. Today, he plies an autorickshaw to look after his widow mother Shanti Devi and his siblings. According to official records, there are 916 identical terrorism-hit families, who are registered under the rehabilitation policy of the state government in Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Batala and Pathankot. However, over 300 families belonging to Amritsar have reportedly been deprived of any benefit under this policy. The district administration instead of providing them place to live is bent on earning revenues by auctioning land. The chairman of the All-India Terrorist Victim Association, Dr BR Hastir, alleged that the district administration had been misguiding officials by declaring the non-availability of vacant land in the district. “The MC recently auctioned off 6.09 acres of land near the bus stand. The district authorities pocketed crores from it while keeping its reserve price of Rs 30 lakh per acre. However, they would show lame excuse of having no vacant land when any communication about the rehabilitation policy came from the state government,” he alleged. According to a survey, there are 12 commercial plots lying vacant in Shaheed Bhagat Singh market, 16 plots in the Gol Bagh area, 1,000 sq yards opposite to the outer circular road, 77 vacant commercial shops in the old sabzi mandi and 164 lease plots in different areas. The Punjab Government in its notification in July 2001 had directed all district heads to make available any land on subsidised rates for the purpose of the rehabilitation of terrorism-hit families. The state government directed that widows who had no able-bodied member to support them should be given LIG houses at the fixed price recoverable in 25 years at the rate of 4.5 per cent interest with two-year moratorium period. Similarly, 2 per cent reservation should be kept for affected families for residential plots and 10 per cent in commercial plots/booths etc and further directed to make them available at 20 per cent less than the normal reserve price. However, Deputy Commissioner KS Pannu said the delay had been due to cases filed by some of the victims, which were pending in various courts. He added that the final list would be prepared and their cases would be taken up on priority.
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Tribune Impact
Chandigarh, October 4 Taking up a PIL filed by Balwinder Singh Bhinder, a social worker, a Division Bench of Mr Justice Mukul Moudgil and Mr Justice Ajay Tewari today also asked the state government to formulate means of improving the conditions of anganwaris. Bhinder had moved the PIL following a series of news reports carried in these columns from March 24 to March 26. The PIL was admitted and a notice issued to the state. In an affidavit filed by the state government, the Department of Women and Child Welfare listed various facilities given to children in these anganwaris. However, in this affidavit, the state government “reiterated” allegations leveled by the petitioner admitting that several deficiencies existed in the running of anganwaris. Bhinder, who is also working as a stenographer in the Additional Advocate- General’s office here, filed an affidavit in the court today pointing out that the state had admitted that the condition in anganwaris was dismal. Taking his affidavit on record, the Bench ordered that Bhinder along with advocate Madhu Singh and a representative of the state Department of Women and Child Welfare would function as an inspection committee and visit various anganwari centres in the state and file their report by November 15. The news reports based on physical checks of anganwaris across the state by Tribune correspondents had revealed that at several places the number of children enrolled in the anganwari was much higher than those actually present. Food and other supplies meant for the children was also allegedly being pilfered by those managing the centres. Following this, the matter was raised by Opposition Benches in the Punjab Vidan Sabha and CM Parkash Singh Badal marked an inquiry into the allegations. Principal Secretary of the department TR Sarangal was asked to file a status report on the state of anganwaris. The “status report” submitted by the department in May ended up being an eyewash as it was just a compilation of para-wise comments on points raised in news reports.
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28 pc of citrus plantations with imported varieties beyond salvage
Disappointed Non-Resident Indian Bhupinder Singh Ghuman is a typical landlord who gave his land in Dholbaha village in Hoshiapur to the Citrus Council on lease. “I thought it was a good step for us if they could set up an orchard, look after it and hand it over to us after 12 years. Listing his experience on his farm to The Tribune, Ghuman said the council initially managed the 45-acre orchard but after one and a half years, left it to him. “They promised they would reimburse my expenses but never did,” he said, adding that he had been unable to manage the large orchard on his own. “As you can see, most of it is a jungle now with hardly any of the plants surviving,” he added.
Chandigarh, October 4 Upon receipt of the report, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has now directed a team of the state Horticulture Department to conduct a further examination of the plantations next week. The aim of the fresh study is to find ways and means to salvage the remnants of the programme. The Citrus Council had taken 3,843 acres of land on lease across 17 districts in the state in 2006 and planted 11 to 12 imported citrus varieties in them. The survey by the PAU, which was commissioned by the state government, was conducted following complaints by farmers that the council had left them in the lurch and that their plantations needed funds if they were to be salvaged. The report, prepared by the PAU Horticulture Department head, Dr PS Aulakh, citrus expert Dr GS Kahlon and Dr Susheel Sankhyan, in charge Citrus Nursery, Jallowal (Jalandhar), says while 28 per cent of the orchards have been deserted or severely damaged, another 27 per cent were in poor health. Only 17 per cent of the orchards were reported to have moderate plant health. The experts, who conducted a sample survey of the various citrus plantations, noted that the Citrus Council plantations were not getting proper and timely care and that this was likely to have an adverse impact on fruiting. The experts have also pointed out that drip irrigation systems, created for the orchards, seem to have failed. They noted that as many as 53 per cent of the orchards had inefficient drip-irrigation systems and that 18 per cent of the orchards did not have any drip irrigation in place. The report is vague on fruiting, saying the plants were still passing through their juvenile growth stage.
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FCI-arhtiya stalemate ends
Chandigarh, October 4 The issue was resolved after the matter was taken up by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal with Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today. Acknowledging the withdrawal of instructions, a senior official of the FCI said procurement by the agency would start shortly. Ravinder Singh Cheema, President of the Arhtiya Association, Punjab, told The Tribune that the FCI had directed that payment for paddy procurement would be made through seprate cheques to the farmers and arhtiyas for the crops sold in the grain markets. This, he said, was not acceptable to the commission agents, who, in turn, decided to boycott the FCI. Harsimrat Badal, MP from Bathinda, said the matter was taken up by the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal with Pawar, who was in the city today. “The stand taken by the Punjab government is whatever the justification for change in the mode of payment, it is Punjab’s farmers who will suffer if the paddy lifting is delayed.” Pawar asked the FCI to revert to the earlier mode of payment to commission agents for this season. The commission agents maintained that in Punjab Agriculture Produce Markets (General) Rules, 1962, in rule 24, for sub-rules (11), (12), and (13), the kacha arhtiya shall make payment to the seller through an account payee cheque or by electronic transfer after the weighment is over. The buyer shall make payment to the arhtiya within two days. The modification in rules had caused problems in the grain market of these three states. Meanwhile, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has also assured the Punjab government of an early solution to the lifting of the PAU-201 variety of paddy that has been lying un-lifted with Punjab since the last paddy season. The variety that was earlier declared “unfit” for human consumption has now been cleared by various lab tests.
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5 killed as bus overturns
Phagwara, October 4 The deceased have been identified as Jaswinder Kaur, Baljinder Kaur, Kulwinder Kaur and Jyoti Heer and Rajbir Kaur, both students of Kamla Nehru College for Women. The three of the deceased were crushed under the bus and could be pulled out only after lifting the bus with the help of a crane. The fourth victim, Kulwinder Kaur, succumbed to her injuries later at a hospital. Technical Education Minister Swarana Ram, former minister Joginder Singh Maan, SDM Amarjit Pal, SP Kamaljit Singh Dhillon and Principal of Kamla Nehru College for Women Kusum Verma also rushed to the spot and helped in rescue work. One of the victims said the bus was overcrowded and several passengers were sitting on the rooftop of the bus. He said the bus driver was talking on his cellphone and lost control over the bus following which it overturned. The bus driver and conductor fled the spot. The injured were rushed to the Phagwara Civil Hospital, where 15 were admitted while the remaining were discharged after giving first aid. A case has been registered in this regard. Meanwhile, Technical Education Minister Swarana Ram announced free medical treatment of the injured and ex gratia for family members of the deceased. The Phagwara SDM has taken serious notice of overloading of passengers in several buses and instructed the Transport Department to check irregularities.
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Disproportionate Assets Case
Mohali, October 4 Some of the other acquitted persons, including Nirbhjit Singh, also furnished their surety bonds. The Deputy Chief Minister, along with his mother, made a short appearance before the court. On October 1, special judge, while acquitting all 10 accused, including Parkash Singh Badal, his wife Surinder Kaur Badal and Sukhbir Singh Badal, as there was no incriminating evidence against them. In the case, the court had also ordered prosecution of the investigating officer Surinder Pal Singh and supervisory officer BK Uppal for fabricating evidence. The court had mentioned that it was an exceptional case, wherein not only the complaint and the material evidence, but also even the senior vigilance officers who investigated the case have not supported the prosecution. While ordering prosecution of the vigilance officials for perjury and misconduct, the court had directed the public prosecutor to file a complaint against the officials so that they could be prosecuted under Sections 120 B (punishment for criminal conspiracy), 182 (false information with intention to cause public servant to use his lawful power to the injury of another person), 193 (punishment for false evidence), 211 (false charge of offence made with intention to injure), 218 (public servant framing in correct record or writing with intent to save a persons from punishment or property from forfeiture) and 219 (public servant in judicial proceedings corruptly making report).
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Punjab CM moves plea to take back case against Amarinder
Chandigarh, October 4
It was stated in the application that the intention behind this step was to “create an atmosphere of cordiality in the relationship”. The court adjourned the matter to October 16. The application was moved by advocate Varinder Issar. It was mentioned in the application, “even though the case is bound to succeed but without creating prejudice and in order to create atmosphere of cordiality of relationship” permission has been sought to withdraw the criminal defamation case. The application is the first in the series of pleas for withdrawing complaints against the present Opposition. Badal had filed the defamation case against the Captain under Sections 499 and 500 of the IPC in 2002. The court was presently recording Badal’s statement in the case. Badal had recorded his statement in the case on July 30, 2006. The foundation of case is based on a letter, which Badal maintained, Amarinder had written him on September 4, 2001.
— TNS
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Discontinuation of Toronto Flight
Amritsar, October 4 Addressing mediapersons at his house here today, Sidhu said, “It is an issue of Amritsar’s existence.” Dubbing the move unfortunate, particularly when a Punjabi is heading the nation, he said, “We are not seeking any favour from him, but are merely expecting that our rights are not taken away from us.” In his letter to the Prime Minister, he said the flight’s withdrawal would not only spell doom for the region’s economic resurgence, but also come as a jolt to Punjabi diaspora who dream of staying connected to their roots in Punjab. Terming the move as “irrational and unethical,” Sidhu claimed that the Amritsar-London-Toronto flight had been the most profitable flight in the annals of Air India. “No other Air India flight has been as successful as this. The flight has a load factor of over 90 per cent as against an average load factor of 58 per cent in Air India,” he said. He also raised a question mark over the government spending Rs 200 crore to raise world-class infrastructure at the Rajasansi Airport, Amritsar, if the holy city was to be meted out such a “step-motherly treatment”. He said he had taken up the matter with Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel, who told him that the Air India would facilitate a connecting flight from Amritsar to New Delhi from where the passengers could board the flight to London and Toronto. Sidhu now plans to raise the issue in the Lok Sabha in the next session.
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British regime landmarks in Faridkot need upkeep
Faridkot, October 4 These include the Darbarganj (now circuit house), clock tower in the heart of the town, the palace and its approaches and also the Nehru gate. The dominating clock tower in the main bazar was built by the then Raja Balbir Singh in the memory of Queen Victoria who died in 1901 at the age of 81 after being the ruler of Britain for 63 years. Prof Brahm Jagdish Singh, a teacher who retired from the government college and is a respected resident of the town, said it would have been a great day had Prince Charles spared some time out of his visit to the neighbouring Patiala and come here today. This would have given him an opportunity to see the historical buildings that were built in memory of his ancestors. He rued that some of these buildings required immediate attention as neither the state government nor the Archaeological Survey of India had done anything for their upkeep. Most of these historical buildings bear the insignia or architecture of the crown, connected with the British regime. The four-storied clock tower was most probably built in 1902 in pure Gothic style and its top resembles the crown. Similarly, the Darbarganj that was built by Raja Balbir Singh in 1898 for the marriage of his sister, Balwant Kaur, too, has on its top a structure resembling the crown. The clocks in all four directions of the tower were imported from Britain. The design of plaques in the cast-iron railing of the Darbarganj also reflects British influence among the then rulers of the area. The agent of the Governor-General and royal visitors used to stay in the sprawling Darbargarh during their visit to this town.
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Students come to rescue of dengue patients
Jalandhar, October 4 On a call given by a committee headed by DC Priyank Bharti, various colleges, including Government Sports College, DAV Arts College, CT Institute, Lovely University and Layalpur Khalsa College, have started sending volunteer student donors to the local Civil Hospital. Besides, the BEd Teachers’ Association, Bank Employees’ Association and Air Force jawans also donated blood. The call had to be given as attendants of patients were facing problems in arranging blood donors. More than 200 confirmed cases of dengue have reported to the Civil Hospital till date. In addition to it, hundreds of viral fever cases, with declining platelet count, have also been admitted to the hospital in the past few weeks. “Most of the politicians have been condemning the Health Department with regard to the treatment of patients but hardly any of them has come forward to donate blood,” said a student donor. Meanwhile, the number of confirmed dengue cases in the state today gone up to 449. Fresh 44 cases of dengue have also been confirmed in Ludhiana thus taking the total number of patients to 135. In Jalandhar, the number of confirmed cases is 223 and Mohali 25 and Amritsar 20.
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23 more Sangrur villages say no to liquor vends
Section 40 of the Punjab
Panchayati Raj Act says… It empowers the village panchayat with the power to introduce prohibition, following which intoxicating liquor cannot be sold at any licensed shop within the gram panchayat area. The Section further mentions that if within two years, preceding the date of the passing of such a resolution, illicit distillation or smuggling of alcohol has not been carried in the particular village, the resolution would be binding upon the Excise and Taxation Commissioner of the state.
Patiala, October 4 Earlier, in February this year, with a view to completely end the practice of alcohol consumption in their villages, panchayats of 44 villages of eight districts of Punjab, which included 22 from Sangrur only, had passed a resolution, under Section 40 of the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act (PRA) 1994, urging the Excise and Taxation authorities not to allow liquor shops be opened in their villages from the next fiscal. Eight months after, the number of village panchayats in Sangrur that have passed similar resolution have gone up to 45. Social activist Kamal Anand said two NGOs- People for Transparency and Scientific Awareness and Social Welfare Forum Sangrur (SASWF)- have made earnest efforts to educate and make the panchayats aware about their right, under Section 40 of the Punjab PRA 1994. “After a lot of brainstorming sessions, finally 23 more panchayats have now passed the resolution, urging the Excise and Taxation authorities to stop the opening of the liquor shops in their villages,” said president of SASWF Dr AS Mann. Notably, in February this year, apart from 22 village panchayats of Sangrur, the villages of some other districts that had taken similar initiative include Mohali, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, Barnala, Ludhiana, Patiala and Faridkot. Speaking to The Tribune, sarpanch of various Sangrur villages, including Paramjit Singh of Changel village, Pyara Singh of Fatehgarh Channa and Gurtej Singh of Seron said they did not want the youth to spoil their life by getting addicted to alcohol. “Some NGOs have spread awareness about the relevant Act under the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act and subsequently we have decided to put forward the resolution that disallows the opening of liquor shops in villages,” they told TNS. Kamal Anand, who is also an RTI activist, said majority of panchayats in the state were not aware about this revolutionary power under the Punjab PRA 1994. “Especially, women representatives in panchayats must have proper knowledge about this provision, so they can at least think of exercising this right,” he asserted, while adding that it was actually the duty of the state government to educate panchayats about the provisions of the Punjab PRA 1994.
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Bus service from Bassi Pathana to Chandigarh sought
Fatehgarh Sahib, October 3 A representation in this regard was given to Transport Minister of Punjab Master Mohan Lal, wherein the government and private employees deployed in Chandigarh, students and some physically challenged people urged the minister to introduce roadways buses directly from Bassi Pathana to Chandigarh before 8 am and from Chandigarh to Bassi Pathana between 4 pm to 7 pm. Presently the timing of the two buses, which leave after 7.50 am does not suit students, patients visiting PGI and daily commuters. “People have to reach Chandigarh before 9 am to get their work done in time so that they may come back before dark. However timings of the buses do not match with their working hours and people have to change buses frequently,” said Manoj Kumar of Bassi Pathana. He said there was only one direct bus from Chandigarh to Bassi Pathana in the evening, which does not match with public timings. He said the Transport Minister in a letter dated June 11, 2010 had termed demand of the area residents as genuine and assured to do the needful by introducing buses from Chandigarh to Bassi Pathana between 4 pm to 7 pm and in morning before 8 am. But nothing has been done in this regard so far. Presently people who have to reach Chandigarh have to change three or four buses and they always get late. Poor people shell out extra money on taxis to reach Chandigarh and come back in time.
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Drive to raise awareness about dope-free sports
Patiala, October 4 Director Sports, Punjab, Pargat Singh informed that this plan had been formed keeping in view the fact that a large number of kabaddi players were found positive during the World Kabaddi Cup that was held in Punjab a few months back. It is pertinent to mention here that earlier the department had planned to start this drive for school-level players, but the plan could not be implemented due to NADA’s busy schedule before the Commonwealth Games. Moreover, many coaches did not support the idea stating that it was not at this level that sportspersons started taking drugs. Only when they grow up and reach a certain age is when they start taking drugs for enhancing their performance. The director informed that though the department had sought proposals from various schools in this regard, but it came to light that it was at the college level that players start moving towards these banned products.
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Threat By Transporter
Rajpura, October 4 AETC, Patiala, SS Bangar said Sandeep Kumar of Rajpura, his brother Vishwanath, alias sarpanch, their business partner Ranjeet, alias Gogi Sood, Mohan Singh, Lakhwinder Singh and drivers Lakhwinder and Najar Khan were booked at the Rajpura Sadar police station on Thursday for evading tax. After registration of the case, one of the accused Vishwanath alias Sarpanch, who was earlier also booked by the Ghanaur police for helping truckers in evading tax duties, threatened him over his cell phone. The AETC in his complaint to the police alleged that the caller also boasted his links in the Vigilance Department, Patiala. The police officials after recording statements of the complainants also took the list of all phone numbers of the department officials to enquire into the matter. The Excise Department officials demanding stringent action against accused said the excise inspector feels dejected after such threat perceptions.
— TNS
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Prez to visit Amritsar tomorrow
Chandigarh, October 4 The National Conference for Empowering of Women for Saving the Girl Child will see politicians cutting across party lines to further the cause. Talking to a select group of mediapersons here today, Harsimrat Kaur said she was expecting the MPs and MLAs and their wives from various political parties to attend the conference that would take place at Khalsa College,
Amritsar.
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Vets stage state-level dharna
Bathinda, October 4 Determined over their demands-the notification of the grant of non-practising allowance (NPA) and regularisation of rural veterinary officers (RVOs), veterinary doctors under the aegis of the PSVOA and RVOs working on contract basis staged a state-level dharna here today. To promote livestock breeding, horse breeding and equestrian sports, the department had announced to inaugurate the competition from Bathinda on October 4. But finding that almost the whole staff went on protest, the department has now postponed it to October 18. Hundreds of veterinary officers from across the state today assembled at the office of the Deputy Director (Animal Husbandry) here and staged protest against the government. “Though the state government has rescheduled the championship, we are determined to boycott the event and stage a similar dharna at Muktsar on October 18,” the protesters said.
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