Thursday, December 24, 1998
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Thursday, December 24, 1998 |
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Calcutta
offers to mediate Women
panel gets 92 complaints
'Take action against doctor' AMRITSAR, Dec 23 — The CPI leader, Mr Satya Pal Dang, has urged the Health Minister, Mr Manoranjan Kalia, to take steps to streamline the functioning of Dr Vidya Sagar Mental Hospital. |
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'Dastak'
to improve police-public dealings |
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567-crore
road project cleared Non-teaching
staff called for talks Blind
to observe protest week Public
campaign against pollution Jatha
for Katasraj to leave on Feb 11 Bathinda
to have employment centre Transport
company owner injured in attack |
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Calcutta
offers to mediate AMRITSAR, Dec 23 — The 'Tohra camp' received a setback when the district Akali Jatha of Amritsar city, led by Mr Pardeep Singh Walia reposed faith in the leadership of Mr Parkash Singh Badal, president, SAD. Mr Walia, a confidante of Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta and Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, SGPC, in a meeting held here said that the Amritsar unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal would support Mr Badal in every sphere. The members said that the SAD government was formed after a long struggle and at the time of 'crisis' the jatha should strengthen the hands of Mr Badal. Meanwhile, Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, senior secretary, Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, who recently resigned from the Badal ministry has offered to mediate to bring about rapprochement between Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister and Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, SGPC chief. Talking to TNS here today, Mr Calcutta said that he had talked to both Mr Badal and Mr Tohra to arrange a meeting between the stalwarts. Mr Calcutta said he did not mind mediation by the Akal Takht 'for the sake of the Panth', especially in a tercentenary year. He appreciated the appeal by the Akal Takht chief, Bhai Ranjit Singh to put off the tussle at least till April 13, 1999. He said the appeal had served its purpose as the 'war of words' had virtually stopped. Ruling out a split Mr Calcutta said neither Mr Tohra nor his supporters would do anything which would divide the Sikh Panth. He also denied that any meeting of the district Akali Jatha (Urban) was held to voice support for Badal. He said as Mr Tohra and Mr Badal did not belong to different factions there was no question of the Amritsar unit deserting one camp or joining the other as reported in a section of the press. He said that barring Mr Pardeep Singh Walia (a confidante of Mr Calcutta) all the office bearers of the district Akali Jatha had denied any meeting was held at all. He said if the firing did not stop and a split resulted his party would support the Panthic ally inclined outfit. Dubbing the SAD (Badal) a total failure, he alleged that rampant corruption in the state, an unbridled bureaucracy, and a complete volte-face by the Chief Minister on pre-poll promises was responsible for the party's defeat at Adampur. He regretted that the SAD
which was giving unconditional support to the BJP at the
Centre, had failed to get resolved even one long-pending
problem of the state. Instead Mr Badal had been crying
himself hoarse that Udham Singh Nagar will not be allowed
to become a part of Uttaranchal state. |
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Women
panel gets 92 complaints CHANDIGARH, Dec 23 — The Women Commission which was set up by the Punjab Government on June 4 last, has so far received 92 complaints from all over the state. Out of these 92 complaints at least 18 are said to have been "settled" and "justice" done. Going through the list of "complaints" one is shocked to see that "harassment" of women on account of less dowry continues to haunt the women in a progressive state like Punjab. The Women Commission has Ms S.K. Grewal as Chairperson. The Punjab Director-General of Police, Mr P.C. Dogra, is a member and Mr R.L. Kalsia ex-officio secretary-cum-member. One shudders to read about "atrocities" still being committed by men on women, often without any reason. Some of the complaints relate to "adultery" by the husband. In certain cases husbands have simply "deserted" the wife for the love of another woman. In one case, there is a complaint against a policeman for beating his wife; fed up with physical assaults the woman approached the commission. The other complaints referred to harassment at the hands of in-laws; denial in the share of property of the husband; hassles in workplaces; intimidation even after divorce; and in one case, still hounded for marrying someone of her own choice. One woman is horrified at the "murder" of her husband by some villagers, while, some have sought "transfer" because of harassment at workplace by either husband or in-laws. The complaints of "rape" are not many; only three cases are listed. Fear of social stigma, perhaps, has held back such victims. In fact not many in Punjab are still aware of the presence of the commission or how it functions. Punjab's Department of Social Security and Development of Women and Children has prepared the necessary amendments in the conduct rules, which the Council of Ministers has approved. The same have been circulated to all concerned. The term "sexual harassment" has been defined in the following manner: "any sexually determined behaviour, whether directly or indirectly as: physical contact and advances; demand or request for sexual favours: sexually coloured remarks; showing any pornography or any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature". Dr Indu Banga, Secretary of the Institute of Punjab Studies, told TNS that one of the reasons for gender problem is that Punjab has the most "adverse" sex ratio and a rather "dismal" record of violence against women. As power relations, gender relations cover not only women and feminity but also men and masculinity. Therefore, when one talks of gender justice one has to see it in the context of "history, sociology, psychology, geography, law, literature and religious studies". That one hears of gender "injustice" in a state like Punjab is quite a paradox because the place in this region is known to be "economically strong" and as also the "cradle" of socially radical movements. A sociologist, Ms Raj Mohini Sethi, says that no properly researched and theoretically sound studies of gender relationships in Punjab are available. There is a "virtual vacuum". Even mainstream social scientists seem shy of studying this subject. Ms Sethi regrets that social and political developments in the last five decades have pushed women to the margins of the development process. The Punjabi society has also experienced series of communal conflicts because of politicisation of religion, culture and regional identities. Within Punjab there are
vast variations in male-female sex ratio. As per the 1991
census, the ratio is 888 females to 1,000 males. The sex
ratio is high in Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar and Kapurthala:
(946-904), whereas, in Ludhiana, Sangrur it is low:
(854-876). Masculine sex ratio in Punjab is attributed to
the "imbalance" in the death rates of boys and
girls under the age of five years. "Son
preference" is a strong syndrome. Then there is
"nutritional and medical" discrimination
against the girl child. |
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At
the mercy of DoT SAS NAGAR, Dec 23 — Telephone subscribers of DoT are unhappy at the lack of promptness in the redress of complaints by applicants over the large number of technically non-feasible (TNF) areas in the town. Subscribers say the telephone exchange here has been expanded and modernised and one expected excellent services, but there has been disappointment for many of them. Although complaints are recorded on the computer, one still sees harassed subscribers personally pleading with officials to sort out their problems. It is surprising that even in developed residential phases there are TNF areas. There are only around 18,500 telephone connections in the town. About a month ago the TNF areas identified were in Phase I (HM, HL and HE quarters), a pocket in Phase 3B1, parts of Phases VII to XI, Sector 70 and Kumbra, Lambe, Mataur, Kambali, Kambala, Balongi and adjoining villages. No advice notes for new connections are being issued for these areas. Mrs Lakhwinder Kaur Garcha, Organising Secretary, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee and a resident of Phase IV, said yesterday that she had applied for the STD facility for one of her phones. She met the officials concerned time and again and was told that facility had been provided, but she was not convinced as she never got through. After a lot of harassment she finally came to know that her application for the facility had not even reached the local telephone office from the main office. On her second phone, she said, she was unable to get incoming calls. Many complaints had been made but to no avail. Mr S.S. Mongia, a resident of Phase VII, was today seen meeting DoT officials as his phone had been out of order since December 17. He said he had made a complaint the next day. Till the forenoon of December 19 his complaint remained listed on the computer, but to his surprise a new complaint number was given that evening. He wondered how the first complaint had got deleted without his telephone having been set right. Another subscriber of the same phase, Dr G.S. Bedi, said there was a lot of disturbance in the phone lines in his area. Mr R.S. Sachdeva, President of the Mohali Industries Association, said though the number of complaints had come down, it often took a subscriber five or six days to get his complaint redressed. He said no new telephone connections had been given in the Phase IX industrial area for the past three months. It is reported that a large number of phones in Phase II and about 100 in Phase III A remained dead over the past few days because telephone cables had got damaged during digging work in the area. Sources said that there was unnecessary delay in setting telephones right because complaints received on the computer were often "not tested properly" to determine whether the fault was in the exchange or external in nature. At times complaint lists were merely handed over to the linemen concerned who then checked the telephone boxes installed at different places. The linesmen at times found that the dial tone was missing which often indicated a problem at the exchange. Complaints then went back to the exchange staff resulting in the wastage of time. Officials, however, denied this. They also denied that in certain cases faults at the exchange were handled on a "temporary basis". Sources say on a complaint being received, the faulty "cord" at the exchange is sometimes merely exchanged with one in working order. Thus, while one grievance is removed another one relating to a different subscriber arises automatically. Each telephone "cord" has 16 connections. It is learnt that at least 13 "cords" were out of order at the exchange on Monday and repair work had been undertaken. This again was denied by the department. Senior DoT officials here declined to answer questions from The Tribune relating to subscribers' problems. Meanwhile, work on the
laying of telephone cables is in progress in various
phases and pending cases were expected to be cleared in
the next few months. |
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Millers
reject government's paddy-rice ratio LUDHIANA, Dec 23 — The Punjab Rice Millers Association has rejected the laboratory experiment conducted by the central team for Kharif 1998-99 for the fixation of rice yield on out-turn ratio. Mr Tarsem Saini, President of the association, talking to news persons here today said that experiments should be carried out on the millers' premises with the involvement of the representatives of the association or at Punjab Agricultural University here. The association drew the attention of the government to the fact that rice exporters had formed a cartel to give lower rates for the rice purchased and were delaying payments for the rice lifted which had led to a financial crisis. The association demanded that the levy on paddy stocks purchased during kharif 98-99 should be made optional. The association took strong notice of the action of the government to force the rich millers in Jalandhar, who had purchased their own paddy, to mill paddy purchased by government agencies. The association said while the government was talking about the abolition of licences, it had put restrictions on the sale of levy-free rice by obtaining release orders from the Director, Food and Supplies Department, Punjab. For the past five years, the sale of levy-free rice was without any restriction or release order. Mr Saini urged the Chief
Minister to accept the long-standing demands of the
association, which included the withdrawal of arbitration
cases initiated against the millers for the sale of paddy
in 1994-95 as per the policy of the Union Government,
finalisation of the recovery rate of bardana retained by
the millers during the milling of paddy in 1995-96 and in
1997, driage allowance on parboiled rice as has been
allowed for raw rice and relaxation in rice
specifications. |
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'Dastak'
to improve police-public dealings LUDHIANA, Dec 23 — In a bid to bring about greater transparency and efficiency in the functioning of the police, the local police chief, Mr Dinkar Gupta, launched a new programme today to hold weekly- public darbars at the district police headquarters. The first such darbar called "Dastak" was held here this morning. It was attended by the SSP, five SPs six DSPs and in charge of different wings. Mr Gupta told mediapersons that the programme would be held every Wednesday at the district police headquarters from 11 am to 2 pm and the officers would be available at one place to redress the public's complaints and grievances. As many as 40 complaints were received at the darbar today. The complaints related to property disputes, money transactions, dowry and public nuisance. Mr Gupta said the weekly
forum would increase the accessibility and accountability
of the police officers and also provide a single window
for the redressal of public complaints on the spot. A
computerised receipt of complaints, along with an
acknowledgement receipt for the complainant would also be
given to ensure regular monitoring of the complaints. |
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Take
action against doctor: Dang AMRITSAR, Dec 23 — The CPI leader, Mr Satya Pal Dang, has urged the Health Minister, Mr Manoranjan Kalia, to take steps to streamline the functioning of Dr Vidya Sagar Mental Hospital. Mr Dang alleged that the functioning of the hospital was in a mess and no steps had been taken to improve its condition despite the fact that an inquiry committee constituted by the state Human Rights Commission had presented startling facts. He said the condition of the mental hospital had deteriorated due to the alleged apathy of the state government. He also urged the Health
Minister to take action against a senior doctor of the
hospital who had made "derogatory" remarks
against Mr Justice Khanna, Chairman, State Human Rights
Commission, in a section of the Press.
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Non-teaching
staff called for talks PHAGWARA, Dec 23 — Representatives of the Punjab and Chandigarh Private College Non-Teaching Employees Union have been invited by the Principal Secretary, Education, Punjab for talks at Chandigarh on December 29. This was stated here today by Mr Gurprashad Chadha, executive member of the union. The non-teaching employees
have been agitating for a long time for the
implementation of the recommendations of the Fourth Pay
commission, pay revision and the grant of pension and
gratuity. |
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Blind
to observe protest week CHANDIGARH, Dec 23 — The Punjab unit of the National Federation of the Blind will observe a protest week to highlight the deteriorating conditions of institutes run by private managements for the visually handicapped. Mr Rajesh Mohan, general secretary of the federation, said that these institutions were getting grants from the state, and Central governments besides getting liberal donations from the public. Hardly money was being spent on the welfare of the blind. The protest is being observed in the memory of Rohtash, who died in Chandigarh during a previous agitation. The federation will hold protest meetings in Amritsar (December 15), Ferozepore (December 26), Bathinda ( December 28) and Chandigarh (December 30). The federation has decried
the non- implementation of the 4 per cent reservation
policy for the blind in various government departments.
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567-crore
road project cleared CHANDIGARH, Dec 23-- The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, at a high-level meeting today cleared a Rs 567-crore project for the construction and strengthening of the road network in the State. Leading banks have formed a consortium to finance the project. A sum of Rs 15 crore would be released from the Rural Development Fund. The Chief Minister, spoke to heads of different banks — Andhra Bank, Allahabad Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, and Punjab and Sind Bank — for releasing the funds for the project, which is scheduled to start from January, 1999. It would be completed by June, 2000. The monitoring of this project would be done by a committee of two senior officers of B&R and Mandi Board. It was planned to repair 4,500 km roads and complete the ongoing works on 1,500 km roads. A plan to construct 2,134 km new link roads, at a cost of about Rs 214 crore, was also approved. The State Government has
also proposed a road project for the World Bank
assistance, costing about Rs 1,000 crore. Roads with high
traffic intensity were being identified for improvement
and four-laning in a phased manner. Besides this, the
government had sent a project of Rs 106 crore to NABARD
for "infrastructure and strengthening" of roads
and bridges. |
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Public
campaign against pollution KAPURTHALA, Dec 23 — Residents of Kapurthala town have formed an anti-pollution committee to spearhead a campaign against air-pollution by rice shellers situated in the vicinity of the town. The worst-affected localities of the town are Mohabat Nagar, Circular Road, Nai Abadi, Brafwala, Topkhana, Raika, Shehrian and Markfed area. The residents have formed a 21- member action committee to mobilise the public against nuisance air-pollution by rice shellers. Dr Surjit Singh Bhatti, a prominent homoeopath, told newsmen that a deputation of anti-pollution committee met Mrs Usha R. Sharma, Deputy Commissioner and presented a memorandum apprising her of diseases being suffered by residents of the localities because of dust and thick black smoke omitted by rice shellers. Mrs Sharma assured the
deputation that their memorandum would be forwarded to
Punjab Pollution Control Board for necessary action.
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Jatha
for Katasraj to leave on Feb 11 PHILLAUR, Dec 23 — A jatha of 200 Hindu pilgrims will leave Amritsar for Shri Katasraj (Pakistan) on February 11. Disclosing this All-India
Hindu Shiv Sena President Surinder Kumar Billa here today
that the jatha will stay at Shri Katasraj from February
12 to 15 and will stay at Lahore from February 15 to 18,
Mr Billa said. Mr Billa said the jatha would return
Amritsar on February18. |
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Bathinda
to have employment centre FARIDKOT, Dec 23 — The Punjab Government plans to open a centre for the training and employment of Punjab youth at each district headquarters. Two such centres will shortly be set up of Bathinda and Gurdaspur, according to Brig S.S. Kler, Director General C-Byte and youth services, at a rally organised by the Assam Rifles to recruit youths here today. He said over 16,000 youths against the total strength of 54,000 who were trained at Faridkot, Ludhiana, Kapurthala and Amritsar had been absorbed in the armed and paramilitary forces under the scheme. Col Sarasakasahan said 125
youths against the vacant posts of 155 would be selected
from the rally which was attended by nearly 4,000 youths.
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Transport
company owner injured in attack BATHINDA, Dec 23 — Five persons, including Mr Maggar Singh, a proprietor of a bus service, were injured when they were attacked by eight persons at the local bus stand last evening. Police sources said a dispute between the Maggar Singh and Narpinder Singh started over the timing of departure of buses and turned violent in no time. Narpinder Singh and seven others attacked Mr Maggar Singh and four others with swords and hockey sticks. Mr Maggar Singh, Mr Amarjit Singh, Mr Lakhwinder Singh, Mr Tek Singh and Mr Makhan Singh who were injured in the quarrel have been admitted to hospital. Mr Kaka Singh, DSP (City), when contacted, said cases under Sections 324, 323, 148 and 149, IPC, had been registered against all accused and police parties had been sent to arrest them. The SHO said the other
accused have been identified as Gurmail Singh, Chinder
Singh, Janak Singh and Sheera Singh. |
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GURDASPUR, Dec 23 (UNI) — Five persons were wounded in a clash between two groups in front of the court of Additional Sessions Judge M.S. Rattu here today. The clash took place between members of the two groups who had come in connection with the hearing in the case of murder of Joginder Singh in his native Chinna Railwala village under Dhariwal police station in 1995. SSP Varinder Kumar said a
case of attempt to murder under Section 307/34 of the IPC
had been registered against Manmohan Singh, brother of
the deceased. |
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14
intruders held JALALABAD, Dec 23 — The 31 battalion of the BSF has detained 14 intruders, all natives of Myanmar, at gate no 263 of Santokhsinghwala check post while they were trying cross over to Pakistan. They have been handed over
to sadar police station Jalalabad. The sadar police has
registered an FIR against the suspects.
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