Paid Rs 200 a month, jobless youths give it a pass
Amritsar, January 9
Many recipients of unemployment allowance have not been issued the stipulated amount for want of funds. Of the 21,818 registered job seekers with the district unit of the Department of Employment Generation and Training, previously known as the employment office, about 250 are entitled for the monthly allowance.

Visual appeal
Art lovers rush for tickets to keep date with theatre
Amritsar, January 9
For the first time it seems that theatre has won the hearts of lovers of art in city. As the city prepares to host international theatre festival for the first time, residents are going all out to book their place in the audience.

Amritsar, January 9
As many as 250 junior resident MBBS doctors pursuing post graduation and posted at government medical as well as dental colleges have not received their medical stipend for the past over nine months. Their stipends have not been released reportedly due to a paucity of funds with the Medical Research and Education Department, Punjab.

There are 100 junior resident doctors belonging to the first year of the MD/MS courses at Government Medical College, Amritsar, who have not got the stipend since April last. The same number of students of the second year and over 40 students of Government Dental College have also not got their stipends for the past more than six months.

Complying with the guidelines of the Government of India, the state government had agreed to enhance their stipend but the matter has been hanging in balance due to the election code of conduct which was imposed with the announcement of the assembly elections.

Against the earlier stipend of Rs 24,000 per month, the Government of India has provided guidelines in the revised pay commission to place the junior resident doctors in the monthly pay scale of Rs 15,600 to 39,100 carrying a grade pay of Rs 5,400 and non-practising allowance, transport allowance, house rent allowances with the DA.

They have to take loan to foot the bill for their hostel or study expenses. Most of the doctors resent that they are dependent on the college mess for food that too on credit based.

Dr Sneh, president of junior doctors association, said the first year resident doctors who are pursuing post graduation are entirely dependent on others for their financial needs. "Due to a delay on part of the state government, the decision of revised stipend for junior doctors, which was supposed to be released from December 1, could not be implemented," he said.

Dr SS Shergill, principal of Government Medical College, said the funds crunch was responsible for the crisis.

“Whatever funds we received from the Medical Research and Education department, were disbursed, but these were not enough to cater to the number of doctors here. We have already communicated to the department about this crisis, but have received no response from their side till date," he said.

Amritsar, January 9
Dejected to have been included in the list for poll duty by the GND varsity authorities for the ensuing assembly poll duty, the teaching staff of GND varsity today lodged a protest outside the Registrar Inderjit Singh's office and locked it before Singh's arrival in the morning today.

They have termed their inclusion for poll duty as anti-teachers. They said it was a deliberate attempt by the authorities to stop them from holding meetings on some crucial matters which has been scheduled for January 11.

The executive committee of GNDU Teachers Association declared that they will protest the move on January 11.

Denying the allegations, varsity Registrar Inderjit Singh said he was bound to abide by the orders of the Election Commission, which he had received through the Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar. "It is true that the teachers are being put on poll duty for the first time but we are bound to honour the decision of the election commission. The letter from the election commission had asked us to spare around 300 Class A officials for poll duty, which included teachers too. Since, we do not have that many members of the non-teaching staff, I had to send a list of 154 employees (both from teaching and non-teaching), out of which 94 have been deployed for poll duty.

“I have sent another supplementary list to the Deputy Commissioner urging him if some teachers could be exempted from the responsibility of conducting poll duties," he said. "There was no other intentions on our part, as alleged by the teachers," he added.

On the other hand, Balwinder Singh, president of GNDU Teachers Association, has emphasised that the teachers had adopted unhealthy tactics and warned the university authorities to deter from such practices which only usher in uncongenial working relationships and will be detrimental to the academic functioning of the varsity. "The students will suffer as under the newly-adopted continuous evaluation system, the students are to be monitored on a continuous basis. This way the performance and evaluation of teaching work will be disrupted," he said.

“It is our duty to help the poll process be conducted in a free and fair manner. Due to a staff crunch, we have been working with no break to meet the upcoming examination schedule, still we are willing to conduct election duties,” said Hardeep Singh Nagra, president of the Non Teaching Employees Union.

Amritsar, January 9
Alleging police inaction, Mathias, a resident of Guru Nanak Avenue, Majitha Road, has alleged that the police had adopted a dilly dallying approach in taking action against a Head Constable who is an accused in a suicide case.

Sadar police had booked Kashmir Singh, a Head Constable posted at Tarn Taran, following the death of his wife Angelina. Angelina, a nurse, allegedly died of shock after he had allegedly threatened her. A case under Section 306 of the IPC has been registered at the Sadar police station on the basis of the statement of Veena, sister of the deceased.

Mathias said his sister Angelina married Kashmir Singh in 1992. The couple did not have any children, which led to friction between them. He alleged that Kashmir Singh began living with another 'unidentified' woman without divorcing his wife Angeline. He said an enquiry was conducted by an ACP in this connection who had recommended registration of a case against Kashmir Singh on charges of bigamy besides violating police service rules.

He said Kashmir Singh came to his sister's residence at Friends Colony and threatened her of dire consequences if she interfered in his life. After this Angelina fell unconscious due to shock. She was rushed to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, from where she was referred to Escorts Hospital. However, she could not survive. He alleged that the police was not deliberately arresting the accused.

Sohan Singh, SHO, Sadar police station, refuting the charges said Kashmir Singh has been absconding since the registration of the case. “Following the registration of the case he has not been attending his office. If the family informs us about the whereabouts of the accused, we will be arrest without any delay,” he claimed.

Amritsar, January 9
Many recipients of unemployment allowance have not been issued the stipulated amount for want of funds. Of the 21,818 registered job seekers with the district unit of the Department of Employment Generation and Training, previously known as the employment office, about 250 are entitled for the monthly allowance.

District Employment Officer (DEO) Jaswant Rai said 115 beneficiaries had been issued their allowances which collectively stood at Rs 1, 76, 651. Citing ignorance about the reason of the remaining amount not being released, he said the gap had been brought to the notice of the head office. He said as soon as the amount reached his office, the same will be disbursed among the remaining beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, the amount of the allowance vis a vis inflationary trend was a measly sum for the beneficiaries. Hence, a majority of the youth do not wish to draw it.

An unemployed youth becomes entitled to the allowance after three years of registration. Besides, he has to submit an affidavit that he or she is unemployed. A matriculate unemployed is given a monthly allowance of Rs 150 per month and a graduate person who is unemployed is given Rs 200 per month. As per the rules a beneficiary is entitled to receive the allowance for three years only. No stock is kept of the jobless youths after this period.

A youngster Jasbir Singh said he got registered with the office after completing his graduation four years ago. He said Rs 200 was not enough even to fund a form to apply for a job. Instead, he joined a jewellery shop to learn the skill.

The trend of the unemployed youth seeking allowance is also going down. The data available with the department states that Rs 11,91,130 was disbursed among 639 beneficiaries, including 306 women, in 2006-2007, Rs 5,40,507 was distributed among 391 beneficiaries, including 189 women, in 2007-2008, Rs 5,34,058 was issued to 343 beneficiaries, including 165 women, in 2008-2009, Rs 4,68,458 were disbursed among 315 beneficiaries, including 140 women, in 2009-2010, Rs 3,54,802 was given to 231 beneficiaries, including 103 women in 2010-2011 fiscal. The reason for a fall in the number of youths applying for the benefit is said to be the rule of family monthly income being not more than Rs 1,000 is also held for this. 

Inderbir Bolaria (SAD)

What are the major issues facing your constituency?

The first and the foremost problem, I believe, is to relieve the residents from the foul smell that emanates from the Bhaktanwala dump yard. The matter of solid waste management plant is pending with the court. But as an immediate measure a wall (if raised on the periphery), it will not only stop the garbage from spilling over, but would also stop the foul smell to a major extent.

The problem takes a toll on Bhaktanwala grain market especially during monsoons as truckers find it difficult to reach the market. I would have set up the wall, but the polls were announced. As the model code of conduct came into force, the project could not be executed.

Second, the national highway which passes through my constituency needs to be completed.

Third, I know that in the absence of playgrounds, the children or youngsters have no alternative but to play either on the road side.

What is your poll plank?

For youngsters, I propose to build at least two stadiums here. Three-acre land adjoining the newly renovated Raminder Singh Bolaria Memorial Park can be utilised for the purpose.

What are your poll promises?

If given a chance again, I promise to complete the development works underway in my constituency, which included eight-laning of Taranwala Pul, covering of Ganda Nullah and beautification of Sakatri Bagh. Revamping of road like the Tarn Taran road is also a must as it lies in a shabby condition.

What makes you better than other candidates?

I am young, energetic and above all I am born and brought up here. So, I am aware of the pulse of residents and have immense capacity to deliver what I say.

What are your chances of winning?

I am at least 110 per cent sure of winning because residents here are well aware of the fact that I deliver what I promise.

What are the major issues facing your constituency?

The area is under developed. The dump yard is a key issue. Major portion of this constituency is devoid of basic amenities like safe drinking water, sewerage system and roads. Roads are in a very bad shape. In absence of proper disposal system, water gets accumulated on roads. The constituency has no green cover and residents here are compelled to live under unhygienic conditions. The major portion of this constituency is still facing the menace of ganda nullah and open drains.

What is your poll plank?

Corruption is the order of the day. Be it traders, goldsmiths, small industrialist like fan manufacturers, cloth merchants or Bhaktanwala grain market traders, are harassed by the authorities, who are mere puppets of the politicians. I would work on that front by amending administrative policies. I will also implement all welfare schemes, like Indira Awas Yogna, Atta-Dal at subsidised rates or pension schemes.

What are your poll promises?

Development, development and development. And I am bound to do it. My main focus would be to provide residents basic necessities. Besides, safe water and sanitation facilities, the immediate need is to introduce ROBs (railway overbridges) here, get ganda nullah covered and implementation of welfare schemes.

What makes you better than other candidates?

My experience in politics and my capability to deliver will work in my favour. My USP is my easy accessibility. I relate to the people very easily as I always identify myself as just one of them.

What are your chances of winning?

I am 101 per cent sure to outdo anyone who is fighting against me. I am above vendetta politics.

The dump yard in our locality is the biggest problem. The foul smell and the smoke emanating due to garbage burning here does not let us breathe. Heaps of garbage remain scattered on the roads. We are still vying to have streets, sewerage, drinking water, streetlights on roads

                        
                                             — Varinder Singh, a shawl block printer

It was a welcome step to cover the Ganda Nullah. But sewerage system is the need of the hour. Despite repeated reminders to the corporation, there has been no drainage system in our area. It is a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and poisonous insects. Even our relatives refrain from visiting our place~

                                                                — Kashmir Kaur, a housewife

A number of politicians and local ministers have made many promises for proper disposal of sewer water in our area, but nothing has been done. Works that were initiated were just taken up in view of the 2008 bypoll and upcoming Assembly polls. What else Bolaria has done in between? We want a politician who is easily approachable and can understand the ground realities and have the capacity to redress them~

                                                          — Subheg Singh, an agriculturist

Traders do not come to our shop because of the foul smell from the dump yard. Garbage spills over to the roads. Streetlights here too need repair. We have been allotted shops by the corporation after charging Rs 40 lakh, but it seems nobody is liable to ensure safe and better conditions here~

             — Sharanjit Singh, a commission agent at Bhatkanwala market

It will be for the first time that I will vote. I will go for a candidate who is willing to spare a thought for youngsters. There are no playgrounds and the park that has been developed is not allowed to be used to play cricket. There are huge plots which are lying unutilised. Such places can be identified and can be developed as playgrounds~

                                                            — Amarjeet Singh, a student

The approach roads are in a bad shape. In the absence of proper water drainage system, these roads become slippery and result in accidents. Politicians and officials have visited our area several times, but nothing ever happened. There is no streetlight here and it becomes quite risky to move out at night. Chain snatchings and robbery is quite common here, but officials and politicians don't bother~

                                                   — Mahinder Singh, a senior citizen

The constituency needs good computer coaching centres. The ones, which are there on the outskirts, charge exorbitant fees. If the MLA wants, it is quite possible

                                                                — Deepak Kumar, a student