 |
|
|
Fog hits rail, road traffic
Staff, schemes run out of funds in DEO’s absence
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Residents lay seige to road, seek case against accused’s employer
Ministerial staff strike Day 2: Double whammy for residents
Visually impaired Kishanpura resident seeks justice
Youth from 6 nations to attend camp in city
Cough, cold, fever cases on the rise
Development works to be hit
|
|
Fog hits rail, road traffic
Jalandhar, November 23 On the contrary, no cat eye has been fixed on most of the highways around the city, including the National Highway-I from PAP Chowk to Maqsoodan railway over bridge (ROB), state highways from Nakodar Chowk to Wadala village and Kapurthala Chowk to Science City. As a result, road users had to face a tough time in driving their vehicles. Kulwant Singh, who is a daily commuter from Urban Estate to his office at Guru Gobind Singh Avenue via PAP Chowk, told The Tribune: “The authorities should install cat eye on highways, especially on those stretches which are within the 2 km radius of the city. It will reduce mishaps which usually occur during the foggy weather.” Met department said the foggy weather might continue in the days to come. The traffic wing of City Commissionarate has asked road users to take some necessary steps to avoid any untoward incident. Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Traffic, Diljinder Singh Dhillon said: “Emergency blinkers in the front and rear of vehicles should be used during the fog. Low beam lights should be used as high beam lights hamper visibility. “Cat eye has already fixed on most of the internal roads of the city which works as a marker to the road and saves commuters from collision.” |
|
Staff, schemes run out of funds in DEO’s absence
Jalandhar, November 23 After the former DEO (Secondary), KK Aeri, left charge on October 20, no new DEO has joined the duty so far causing hardships to both teachers, administrative and clerical staff. For the past one month, demands for bills, salaries and grants by various sections of the education department have been piling up as an overburdened deputy DEO and the district science supervisor grapple with the additional task. This has also held up grants for salaries of aided teachers, clerical staff and for government schools without the drawing and disbursing officer. Other areas that have been hit include sports funds and science prize grants. Sources in the department reveal that the grievance addressing potential of the department has also suffered along with the number of inspections to be carried out per month. "People who need the release of GPF funds, or promotion cases will have to wait for the new DEO to come. Funds for many activities are being put in by other officials from their own pockets," source added. Science exhibitions
District science co-ordinator Sanjiwan Singh Dadwal said: "We need funds to disburse as prize money to the winners of the science exhibitions on the tehsil level (held today) and that on the district level (to be held two days later). In the absence of the DEO, all this money is being put in by the district science supervisor. Until the new DEO joins duty, the trend will continue." Sports funds
Ashwini Kumar, assistant district education officer (sports), says: "One entire sports team (judo) and over 20 players of various sports like volleyball, kabaddi etc have been sent to different places after the DEO (secondary) left charge. The expenses for all these players have been borne by me and various coaches as well as the players' parents." While I the AEO has spent Rs 1.50 lakh, there are coaches who have spent from Rs 15,000 to Rs 50,000. The money needed for the district games, too, is being put in by the AEO and the coaches concerned. Aided school teachers
Teachers of various aided schools also await the release of their salaries. While they received their salaries for the months of January, February and March last Tuesday, their salaries for the months of April to September have already reached the district treasury office, they can't receive them because they get it via the DEO (secondary).Also, a letter (regarding the state of pensioners) that was released by the ministry of finance, has reached the DEO office but isn't being released to the teachers because only the DEO has the power to disburse these. The other district teachers have already received these letters. Clerical staff
Around 35 clerical staff members associated with the DEO (secondary) are already on strike (from Tuesday to Friday) in support of their demand for better pay grades. Their salaries for the past two months have also not been released due to the absence of the DEO (secondary). As per Assistant Deputy DEO Harinder Pal Singh, salary finds of nearly 10 lakh meant for the clerical staff await disbursement in the absence of the DEO (secondary). Inspection
Ideally, the DEO (secondary) is to carry out 25 inspections and the district science supervisor 50 per month. Pal says: "There has been no laxity as far as inspections are concerned. I have already carried out 15 inspections and there are only five more left. The district science supervisor has also been carrying out inspections." Grievances
"I have been addressing grievances in the absence of the DEO and we are making sure we do justice to all complaints," said Harinder Pal Singh, Deputy DEO. Official speak We are handling the administrative work pretty fairly, but there is a problem as far as funds and finances are concerned. Salaries to the clerical staff and aided teachers, among other funds, will be distributed only when the post is filled. We are expecting the new DEO this week. — Harinder Pal Singh, Deputy DEO
|
|
Residents lay seige to road, seek case against accused’s employer
Bipin Bhardwaj Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, November 23 The protesters led by Satnam Singh of Daroli Kalan, a cousin of the deceased, and some other leaders along with their supporters gathered outside the police station and held a protest disrupting vehicular traffic on the busy Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur road for over two-and-a-half hour. Irate residents also assembled outside the cremation ground when the body was taken for the last rites after the post-mortem. Instead of cremating the body, the protesters held a protest and blocked the road putting hundreds of commuters to inconvenience. The protesters demanded that owners of the dairy where Naresh was employed should be arrested for their alleged connivance with the accused. They said the dairy owner and the domestic help were residing in the same premises where the crime took place. The traffic was restored after the police pacified the protesters around 4 pm. When contacted, DSP, Adampur, HPS Khakh said the family members of the deceased had been demanding registration of a criminal case against the dairy owner and his family. The body of Jaswinder Kaur, wife of NRI Jasbir Singh, who was allegedly kidnapped for ransom of Rs 50 lakh by Naresh Kumar, a domestic help, from Kalrian Mohalla in Adampur on Monday, was found dumped in a heap of cow dung in the same locality on Tuesday. The police has already arrested the accused, hailing from Sita Mori locality in Bihar. He was looking after the dairy owned by Harkamal Singh in the same locality.
|
|
Ministerial staff strike Day 2: Double whammy for residents
Jalandhar, November 23 This virtually crippled the functioning and implementation of the Right to Service Act in various district administration and state departments. While the administrative complex wore a deserted look, half day at the Suvidha Centre came as a shock for many. As if this was not enough, two of the major services of the centre, including affidavit attestation and learners’ licence, were also not available following a technical snag. An elderly man who visited the Suvidha Centre twice for getting his affidavits attested in the day, came again at 4 pm just to be informed that it was a half day. “The government is making fool of us by claiming timely delivery of services under the Right to Service Act. Look at their functioning. The ministerial staff is on strike and the Suvidha Centre is functioning without this service. The administration should ensure some alternative arrangement as the common man is being harassed.” People gathered at the district transport office and the social welfare department as a usual, but returned disappointed. “What can we do if clerks and the superintendents are on strike? People, especially women from villages, are fighting with us to accept their applications and entertain them, but we cannot help. People are not willing to listen,” said an attendant at the social welfare department. We are helpless as we cannot make any alternative arrangements so that people do not suffer. The strike is hampering the implementation of the Right to Service Act. However, all that we can we do is assist people with the services at the Suvidha Kendra. We wish that the government accepts the demand of the ministerial staff at the earliest so the common man is not harassed. — An official at Administrative complexGovernment to blame
yMembers of the Punjab State Ministerial Services Union said even they were concerned about the services being hampered owing to the strike, but then the government too had turned a mute spectator. "The strike will at least show the government that the ministerial staff is the backbone of all departments," the union members added. |
|
2 sambars stray into city
Jalandhar, November 23 The animal was later released in the Takhani Wildlife Sanctuary in the Mehngrowal area of Hoshiarpur after giving it primary health care at a local veterinary hospital. Another male sambar was spotted in a plot in the Ladhewali area. Forest guard Kapil Dev revealed that the animal was injured and had taken refuge in the fodder field. The animal was easily trapped as it was injured and sent to a cattle pond, owned by the People for Animals in the city. The winter season witnesses the influx of sambars in the city with forest officials catching dozens of them every year. Being mating season for animals, the strong male animals push the weak ones out of the jungles for winning over their female partners. While some surrender to their rivals in this fight, the others are chased out of the territory, claimed Gunraj Singh Saini, a Hoshiarpur-based wildlife expert. The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Jalandhar, Surjit Singh Gill, however, claimed that shortage of fodder in forests and fog during winters force the herbivorous to leave their habitats. The lush green fields in the plains allure them and in the process many either fell prey to the human beings or lost their lives in road accidents, the DFO added. |
|
Visually impaired Kishanpura resident seeks justice
Jalandhar, November 23 His problem is that two money lenders from whom he took money on interest for the marriage of his daughter have allegedly made a false complaint against him. Accompanied by his wife Usha Devi, Suraj Kumar has been going from one police officer to another for justice, but to no avail. Narrating his woes, Suraj alleged that the police had been harassing him while the money lenders threatening him of dire consequences. Suraj claimed that he had taken Rs 5,000 and Rs 15,000 from Tari and Gaggi, money lenders of the same locality, on interest, respectively, and had given blank cheques to them in lieu of that. After one year he paid the money back to the lenders, but the duo refused to give him the cheques. They rather complained to the police and started demanding money from him. Police officials at the Division No 3 police station had also been harassing him, he alleged. Denying the charges, Gaggi and Tari, however, claimed that Suraj had been levelling baseless allegations against them. Gaggi said he had helped Suraj in need and managed to arrange Rs 60,000 (in two instalments) from the third party for him. Now Suraj was not willing to pay back the money and levelling baseless allegation against him. Unable to walk independently, the victim has also sought justice from the civil and the police administration. |
|
Youth from 6 nations to attend camp in city
Jalandhar, November 23 As many as 550 students from all the states of the country are also likely to participate in the camp, which will be held from November 29 to December 6. The Directorate of the Youth Services has already started making arrangements for the stay of the youth at its newly setup Youth Hostel in Burlton Park here. “The building of the hostel is ready, but we are arranging for furniture and beddings there. We will have a provision of 120 beds in the dormitories and rooms there. Besides, we have a hostel in Surjit Hockey Stadium, which will also be used for the purpose,” said Assistant Director, Youth Services, Capt IS Dhami. Giving details of the programme, he said on the first two days of the camp, the youth would be involved in the upkeep of the garden areas in Burlton Park. “A lake in the park, which has been lying dry and ill-maintained, will also be spruced up availing the services of the youth. The next day, they will be taken to the Red Cross School for the Deaf. A peace march passing through the city would also be a part of the camp. A visit to the Wagah border post and Pingalwara at Amritsar is also scheduled for the last day,” the official said. Cultural evenings to be held daily at the auditorium of the DAV Institute of Engineering and Technology will give the students a chance to “integrate” - the motive of the camp. All-religion prayers will be held daily. “In one of these days, the guest students would visit the houses of the host students as their guests. They would spend the whole day there and have home-cooked food,” Capt Dhami added.
|
|
Cough, cold, fever cases on the rise
Jalandhar, November 23 The chill is taking a toll on the health of the people as doctors across the city say that there is a substantial increase in the number of patients coming in with season-related problems. Chief among these are upper respiratory tract (URT) infections, fever and asthmatic problems. All doctors unanimously agree that there is an increase by 15 to 20 per cent in patients owing to the season change. Paediatrician Dr Rajiv Paul says, “Among my patients, children from birth to two years of age mostly come in with cough, cold and viral fevers. There is a considerable number of asthma patients too, but that problem starts in elder children. These cases have started pouring in since after Diwali and the numbers have substantially increased, especially from the first and second weeks of November.” “It is important that children are taken care of well during seasonal changes because serious cough and cold cases might even develop pneumonia. Statistics also say after diarrhoea the most number of deaths in children under five years of age in our country occur due to pneumonia,” Dr Paul adds. Among adults too, the number of asthma patients is considerable. District TB Officer Dr Rajiv Sharma says, “Bronchitis and asthma patients have considerably increased this season. This is a regular pattern during season change (both in summers and winters). The COPD (smoking-related illnesses) cases are also on the rise. There is also a myth among people that smoking causes the body to stay warmer. There is yet another section of respiratory problems caused during cough and cold. These days, 40 per cent of the OPD patients comprises these very cases and people need to take adequate preventive measures to counter respiratory trouble because if left unchecked, they can also be fatal.” Dr Harish Bhardwaj says, “The most number of cases I get these days are those suffering from URT infections, allergies and fevers. The cases started coming in right from the mid of October. There is also a constant flow of patients with relatively milder but bothersome problems like headaches, body ache, vomiting.” Preventive measuresThe initial chill can be fatal. Wear clothes to keep you warm. Eat foods rich in proteins and with high calorific value. Avoid going for walks early in the morning and late in the evening. Consume a lot of fluids. It’s a myth that fluids cause the body to go cold.
|
|
Development works to be hit
Jalandhar, November 23 The contractors said various ongoing projects worth Rs 50 crore related to road relaying, sewerage and streetlights, which are being carried out in various wards of the city, would be stopped owing to non-payment of their dues. The ongoing works include the city beautification project under which footpaths and central verges of all main roads are being repaired. The work of re-laying of various internal roads of colonies, including JP Nagar, Model House, Basti areas and Industrial area, is likely to be delayed. MC contractors said for the past two-and-a-half months, they were being told that a Rs 5 crore grant was expected from the Jalandhar Improvement Trust. “Now that the Trust has paid them the amount, we are being told that Rs 1.3 crore would be distributed among us. We have an outstanding payment of over Rs 15 crore. How can we continue with other works?” asked Avtar Singh, president of the contractors’ union. MC councillors, however, have been after the authorities to ensure that works in their respective areas get over quickly so that they can lay the foundation stones well before the imposition of the model code of conduct ahead of the assembly polls. Mayor Rakesh Rathour said he was trying to sort out the matter with the contractors. “The dues of the past three months are pending. We are expecting another amount of Rs 1.5 crore soon and we will compensate them.” |
|
Youth festival at LPU enters Day 2
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, November 23 The participants competed in eight categories at four venues of LPU. About 700 participants from 10 states performed in the events like group singing (Indian), Western solo, one-act play, skits, classical instrumental (non-percussion), elocution, rangoli and clay-modelling. The first edition of “LPU Virsa Connect” - a daily newsletter - was also released today. The participants were given the themes of corruption, modern women in India, greed, patriotism, environment, culture, mockery and nationality for skits. In the rangoli competition colourful formations, made from saw-dust, sand, chip-stones based on traditional, religious, marriage occasions and other national or state-level fairs and festivals were depicted. Orphange visited
The Social Welfare and Charitable Society of B.D Arya Girls College, Jalandhar Cantonment, visited Guru Nanak Dev Anaath Ashram and gave dry ration, clothes and sweets to orphan students. Principal Dr Sarita Verma urged school students to indulge in such noble activities. NCC students’ donation
Cadets of the NCC Army Wing of Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya (HMV) donated clothes, shoes, toys and eatables to the inmates of Pingalaghar today. Principal Dr Rekha Kalia Bhardwaj appreciated the spirit of the cadets and encouraged them to donate such things at various orphanages in the city. Pharmacy Week
On the second day of the “Pharmacy Week” being celebrated at Mehr Chand Polytechnic College, senior lecturer Sanjay Bansal, motivated the students for voluntary blood donation. Blood group testing of 50 students was carried out by the pharmacy students and significance of knowing the blood groups was highlighted. Extension lecture
The Department of Chemistry, Kamla Nehru College for Women, Phagwara, organised an extension lecture on “Stereo chemistry”. Dr Ajay Sharma, Assistant Professor from Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, was the chief guest. The lecture was attended by the BSc students of the college. Educational tour
The Postgraduate Department of Commerce and Business Administration conducted an educational tour to India International Trade Fair, New Delhi, from November 18 to 20. The fair consisted of 18 halls, including foreign pavilions of Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Thailand, Turkey, Myanmar and South Africa. Students were also taken to Dilli Haat where they saw the traditional goods produced by different tribes of India. |
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
pace around the city till 10 am today, a majority of Amritsar and Jammu bound trains were running between two and 10 hours behind schedule.
It was a double whammy for city residents as the ministerial staff remained on strike for second consecutive day today and it was half day at the Suvidha Kendra on the eve of the martyrdom day of Guru Teg
Bahadur.
A visually impaired resident of Kishanpura, Suraj Kumar, has been running from pillar to post for justice for the last one year. The police has been allegedly harassing Suraj Kumar instead of solving his problem.
The road users did not face much difficulty in various parts of the internal city as the impact of the fog was not as much there compared to the highways. Moreover cat eyes fixed on most of the roads in the city facilitated road users even during fog.