Saturday, May 1, 1999
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P U N J A B | |
Saturday, May 1, 1999 |
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spotlight today's calendar |
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No
easygoing for Badal |
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Bracing
for poll fund demands Inflated power bills shock
residents
Tohra threatens Panthic convention Forest fire near Balachaur spreads Little to celebrate for this duo Probe into complaint against
ex-councillor No frills wheat delivery system
Road not repaired for 4 years 1.5 lakh recovered as penalty
Teachers may be retired on March
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No easygoing for Badal CHANDIGARH, April 30 — The next Lok Sabha elections in Punjab will centre around two powerful combinations with the third group playing the spoiler's game. The ruling Akali-BJP coalition that captured all the 13 Punjab seats and added even the Chandigarh seat, would face a formidable rival in the Congress party. The third force, now taking some concrete shape will consist of the Tohra faction of the Akali Dal, the BSP and the two communist parties. This new phenomenon is causing a good deal of worry to the ruling coalition here. Most observers here concede that it would be very tough for the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal to push all 13 MPs to the Lok Sabha this time. The Congress is not that weak as was seen during the Adampur Assembly byelection, and the third force could spoil Mr Badal's gameplan. Except Jalandhar from where a former Prime Minister, Mr Inder Kumar Gujral, won with over a two-lakh vote margin, Akalis and BJP candidates had won their seats not by margins from 7000 votes to 85,000 votes. In fact, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, son of the Chief Minister could win only by a margin of just 35,000 votes from Faridkot, considered Mr Badal's pocket borough. The Third Front could easily spoil Mr Badal's chances here either by fielding a traditional Akali or by not contesting at all. "We would see that Mr Badal does not move out of this seat", a former SGPC chief, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, has said. It may not be an empty one as the revenge is the name of the game. This sentiment is echoed by a CPM leader, Mr Balwant Singh also. " We shall aim to win at least two to three seats but otherwise cause enough headache to the ruling party", the CPM leader said. Seat adjustments and who is to contest from where would become clear once the poll timetable is announced. But issues around which the election is to centre are almost clear. For Mr Badal, who has prepared a heady mix of religion and politics by establishing total control over the SGPC and Akal Takht, celebrations of the tercentenary of the Khalsa that saw a great deal of enthusiasm would provide the backdrop. This was amply clear yesterday at Anandpur Sahib where it was decided to launch an election campaign from May 14 along with all Akalis becoming Amritdharis. The Sikh clergy is now emerging too strong, and the Akali contestants would require a good certificate from it to fit the bill." It is not religion which is going to dominate and moral strength, but the clergy", one senior minister summed it up. Similarly, the ousted SGPC chief, Mr Tohra, would have Bhai Ranjit Singh, a former Jathedar of Akal Takht on his side. The current campaign lead by Bhai Ranjit Singh is hitting Mr Badal hard. Some supporters of Mr Badal feel that he could have waited more, and instead of removing him he should have kept the Jathedar in suspended position till the elections. At another level, Mr Badal would project that he has succeeded in establishing amity and peace, and pushed development to the fore. Well, peace and amity are okay. But there is much which the Opposition could say about developments and good governance. The government's kitty is just not empty, but has plenty of holes. The deficit is a staggering sum of Rs 1200 crore. Many of the promises made two years ago or one year ago during the Lok Sabha poll have not moved out of the files. Agrarian crisis, water logging and failed crops have added to the woes of the farmers, the backbone of the Akalis. Luckily the wheat crop is a record bumper this time and Mr Badal's woes could be less. In addition, Mr Badal would attack the Congress for bringing in a foreign lady to the top and as prime ministerial candidate. Currently, some observers do see that the BJP has gained some sympathy during the toppling game and the failure of the Congress to weave a coalition would go against Mrs Sonia Gandhi. But delayed elections could upset this calculation, the same set of observers think. Mr Badal faces charges of corruption and these are being levelled not by his Akali rival, Mr Tohra, or the Congress or the Left, but by the Punjab unit BJP president, Mr Daya Singh Sodhi. Finally what sticks and what is just washed away down the memory lane would depend upon evidence. But these charges false or true just stick out, credibility of the politicians being what it is. Mr Badal will have to work hard on that front as elections would bring up all kinds of charges. Strategists of the Badal
camp are weighing the candidates these days. Strong and
weak seats too are being classified. Mr Badal would have
an advantage that since he rules supreme, he could plan
his decisions in time and spoil the games of the
opponents. It would take time for the emerging group to
take a solid shape and then who knows the BSP top brass,
Mr Kanshi Ram, and Ms Mayawati. But they would surely see
to it that the BJP and its allies do not muster enough
strength to form a comfortable government. That would
mean they have to oppose Mr Badal and the BJP in Punjab. |
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Patiala seat PATIALA, April 30 — Even as the Punjab Pradesh Congress president, Capt Amarinder Singh, has announced his disinterest in contesting the Lok Sabha elections from his home parliamentary seat, efforts are being made to project his wife Parneet Kaur as a suitable candidate in his place. Congressmen requested her to contest the Lok Sabha elections at a meeting of office-bearers of the District Congress Committee and the Pradesh Congress held here two days ago and which was also attended by her. District Congress president Ved Prakash Gupta when contacted said Mrs Parneet Kaur was the best possible Congress candidate for the poll once Capt Amarinder Singh had decided not to contest. He said there was a consensus among District Congress and Pradesh Congress Members of Patiala that she should contest the elections. He said the District Congress Committee would convey the feeling of party members to the high command. Mrs Parneet Kaur speaking at the meeting urged party office-bearers to work towards further strengthening the party. The members who attended the meeting said they had urged her to fight the elections as she was more "social" than the PPCC chief and voters could identify with her better. However, even though an impression is being created that Mrs Parneet Kaur is the most suitable candidate for the seat, there seems to be a silent movement against this proposal. Party general secretary Birdevinder Singh, when contacted said all leaders should look beyond their families. He said the best candidate should be favoured instead of a family nominee. According to him, the best candidate would be one who had worked continuously for the Congress. He said in the coming elections the party nominee would have to be one who could ensure cross-voting from established Congress well as Akali factions as Patiala was gearing up for a three-cornered contest, with both Badal and Tohra factions of the Akali Dal likely to field their candidates. A former vice-president of the party, Mr Brij Lal Goel, who was not accommodated in the Pradesh Congress set up under Capt Amarinder Singh and who was presently aligned with former Chief Minister Rajinder kaur Bhattal, said it was up to the high command to select the candidate and its decision would be final. He however, said Capt Amarinder Singh should fight the elections or it would send a wrong signal to the party. Other detractors of the PPCC chief felt that an attempt was being made to force Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal to fight the elections from Sangrur. They said if at all she was to fight the elections, it should be from Patiala as her Assembly constituency of Lehra fell in it. They said in case Mrs Bhattal was a candidate from Patiala she would be helped by a large number of leaders whose Assembly constituencies fell in it and who were aligned to her. Those include former ministers, Mr Raj Khurana of Rajpura, Mr M.S. Gill of Banur, Mr Hamir Singh Ghagga of Shatrana, and Mr Brahm Mohindra from Patiala city, sitting legislator Bhagwan Das Arora from Sunam and Mr Brij Lal Goel from Samana. At present, the leading
contestants for the seat were former ministers Sant Ram
Singla and Surinder Singla, besides Mr Birdevinder Singh.
Mr Brahm Mohindra, though not interested in
national-level politics, had increased his activity at
the grass-root level. |
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Bracing for poll fund demands LUDHIANA, April 30 — The business community here has begun to brace itself to face demands from various parties for funds to meet their expenses in the forthcoming Lok Sabha poll. Although the Election Commission has drawn up an elaborate list of dos and don'ts for the parties contesting the Lok Sabha and assembly elections. This has not entirely succeeded in curbing their financial profligacy during the no-holds-barred campaigns. Contesting an election, therefore, continues to be an expensive proposition. According to those familiar with the arithmetic of fighting an election, an assembly poll costs around Rs 50 lakh or a "peti", as it is referred to in business circles, and a parliamentary election costs Rs 1 crore or one "khokha." There are not many in the parties who can afford that kind of expenditure from their own resources. Hence, the need for raising election funds from outside. Ludhiana has the largest concentration of trade, business, commerce and industry in Punjab and consequently, generates a lot of revenue. It has, therefore, become the biggest source of election funds in the state. While it is difficult to make a correct estimate of the quantum of the funds, Mr P.D. Sharma, president of the Apex Chamber of Commerce and Industry and an old-timer, estimates that about Rs 10 crore are raised by various parties by way of election funds here. The ruling party traditionally gets the major share of the funds while the rest is distributed among other parties. Almost every party has a sympathiser in trade, business and industry who helps it raise funds. Most of the businessmen make the contributions voluntarily. Coercion is rare. In many cases, there is quid pro quo when a political donation is made. Big business houses of Ludhiana have set apart amounts for donations to various parties. But most of others make contributions according to their own perceptions. However, recession and the consequent economic slowdown have shrunk the size of surplus funds with trade industry which could be given away for election purposes. Therefore, sources in
the trade and industry say that the parties will be lucky
this time if they are able to raise even one-thirds of
the amount they normally raise in Ludhiana in normal
times. |
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WSC fracas to erupt again AMRITSAR, April 30 — Accounts of the World Sikh Council are likely to become a new bone of contention between the dismissed Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh and newly appointed Jathedar Giani Puran Singh even as Justice Kuldip Singh (retd) resigned as president of the council. The submission of WSC accounts was the root cause of the feud among Jathedars, with Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh (now dismissed) banning the entry of Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar Kesgarh Sahib to Akal Takht meetings as he failed to submit the accounts of the council to Akal Takht and Prof Manjit Singh, who had by then resigned as chairman of the WSC for claiming that he had already handed over the accounts to the then general secretary of the council, Mr J S Mann. But before the old body of the WSC could submit the accounts to Akal Takht, Bhai Ranjit Singh was dismissed by the SGPC executive. The new body of the WSC is now likely to ask for submission of accounts to Akal Takht at the earliest. However, Bhai Ranjit Singh is unlikely to oblige. The dismissed jathedar claims that he was still jathedar of Akal Takht and patron of the WSC. However, resignation of Justice Kuldip Singh as president of WSC is a blow to him and other office-bearers of the council. Justice Kuldip Singh, in his resignation letter said he was resigning in protest against the dismissal of Bhai Ranjit Singh tacitly admitting that he (Bhai Ranjit Singh) now stands dismissed as jathedar of Akal Takht. A confidant of Bhai Ranjit Singh said that instead of quitting the post, Justice Kuldip Singh should have continued claiming that "real jathedar of Akal Takht Bhai Ranjit Singh is the patron of WSC. Meanwhile, SGPC Secretary, Mr Kulwant Singh said that the committee would move the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission to get the Akal Takht secretariat vacated. The Akal Takht secretariat also houses the office of World Sikh Council. It may be mentioned here that office-bearers of the WSC had alleged that the SGPC had taken away the entire record of the council by breaking open the Akal Takht secretariat. However, Mr Kulwant Singh said that no official of the SGPC had resorted to any illegal act such as breaking of locks. He alleged that the keys of the Akal Takht office were still with the dismissed Jathedar and Bhai Ranjit Singh had himself taken away the entire record with a view to defame the SGPC. He said the SGPC would urge the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission for handing over the keys and entire record of the council to the new Jathedar of Akal Takht. Mr Kulwant Singh said that the SGPC could also adopt the legal process for getting Bhai Ranjit's official accommodation vacated. Bhai Ranjit Singh has said that he would not vacate his official accommodation in Guru Ram Dass Hospital. Mr Kulwant Singh said the SGPC would also seek a direction from the Sikh judicial commission to the dismissed jathedar for disclose the sources of collections made by him as patron of World Sikh Council. Bhai Ranjit Singh had announced on February 2 that he had received Rs 20 lakh from a person. While announcing formation of "Sarbat da Bhala Trust" on February two, Bhai Ranjit Singh had said that the Rs 20 lakh received by him would be transferred to the Bhai Ranjit Singh had also urged Sikhs all over the world to contribute at least Rs 101 for the "Sarbat da Bhala trust" so that charity works could be started under the aegis of Akal Takht. Huge collections made on the spot at Akal Takht when Bhai Ranjit Singh had announced the formation of the trust. The SGPC secretary said that the old body of the council should immediately submit accounts to the newly appointed Akal Takht jathedar. It may be mentioned here
that the World Sikh Council was constituted under the
aegis of Akal Takht in the year 1995, when the Sikhs all
over the world had urged Prof Manjit Singh the then
acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, to float an organisation
of Sikhs of the world as the SGPC was elected by the
voters of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and
Chandigarh alone. This issue was raised by
representatives of various Sikh institutions of the world
who had assembled at Amritsar in connection with the
"World Sikh Sammelan" held from September 21 to
25. |
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Inflated power bills shock
residents BATHINDA, April 30 — Mr Basu Ram of Dube Colony suffered a shock when he received the electricity bill of Rs 2,847 for February and March 1999 on April 28. His electricity bill for December and January was Rs 96 only. Similarly, Mr Papu, of the same colony received electricity bill of Rs 15,839 for December and January while his bill for October and November was a mere Rs 256. The Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) authorities again issued him a bill of Rs 8,414 for February and March after giving a rebate in the previous bills. These are not isolated cases as several consumers of Dube Colony, mostly belonging to the backward classes are running from pillar to post to get their inflated power bills rectified, but without any success. They alleged that the PSEB had wrongly sent them inflated bills as they were using only few units of power and were living in one-room structures with one or two bulbs and a fan. They added that as most of them were labourers, they could not afford to file a suit against the PSEB for sending them inflated bills. They alleged that by sending them such bills, the PSEB was trying to disconnect the power supply to their dwellings. Mr Jagroop Singh Gill, organising secretary, PPCC, who is municipal councillor of Dube Colony, while alleging that the Punjab Government was bent upon depriving the poor section of society of basic amenities, demanded that an inquiry be ordered into the matter. Mr J.S. Dhaliwal, SDO,
PSEB, when contacted, said the bills had been sent to the
consumers of Dube Colony on the basis of actual metre
reading, adding that previous bills were sent on the
average basis as there was no metre reader for the
circle. |
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Kidnapped child found BATALA, April 30 — The police here has found a child within three days of his kidnapping. This was stated by Mr Lok Nath Aangra, SSP, here today. On April 25, Satinder Kaur, wife of Manjit Singh, residing near government quarters on Aliwal Road, along with her son Harmit Singh, one-and-a-half years old, and her daughter, Jasmit Kaur (6), had gone to the Golden Temple, Amritsar. Two women, Biro and Sarabjit Kaur, both of Fatehgarh Churian, became familiar with Satinder Kaur and accompanied her on their return journey. When they reached Batala, Biro and Sarabjit Kaur persuaded Satinder Kaur to get them some fruits while leaving her son and daughter with them . Immediately after this, they sent the daughter on the pretext that her mother was getting late. As soon as the daughter left, both vanished from the scene along with Harmit Singh. When Satinder Kaur came
to know of this, she approached the police near the bus
stand. Immediately the police distributed copies of the
child's photograph. The photograph of the child along
with the description of the two women was telecast on the
local cable network in the nearby areas as well as in the
major cities like Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, etc. |
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Tohra threatens Panthic
convention LUDHIANA, April 30 – Tohra loyalists have threatened to call a Panthic convention in case the President of Shiromani Akali Dal and Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, did not seek forgiveness from the sacked Jathedar of Akal Takht, Bhai Ranjit Singh, before May 20. This decision was taken during a meeting held under the aegis of Jathedar Tohra and attended by his close associates here today. Giving details Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra said it was felt that Mr Badal had used the SGPC to oust Bhai Ranjit Singh in violation of Sikh traditions, ideals and institutions. During the meeting, Jathedar Tohra also thanked various Sikh sangats and the Sant Samaj for conducting parallel celebrations of the tercentenary of the birth of Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib successfully. Later, during a telephonic conversation with this correspondent, Mr Chandumajra said Mr Badal had gone back on his election manifesto by increasing octroi and taxes on various commodities. He demanded that the government immediately release funds for procurement of wheat in various mandis. The All-India Sikh
Students Federation too criticised the sacking of Bhai
Ranjit Singh as Jathedar. Mr Karnail Singh "Pir
Mohammad," general secretary of the AISSF, appealed
to Bhai Ranjit Singh to call a sarbat Khalsa against his
illegal ouster. |
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Forest fire near Balachaur
spreads ROPAR, April 30 — After spreading in the Balachaur areas, the forest fire yesterday spread to the surrounding areas of Kartarpur, Nurpur Khurd, Karuran, Shakhpur, Sahupur and Katta Sabhor villages of the Nurpur Bedi block in the district. The fire is still raging while the forest officials are trying their best to control it. Talking to TNS today on phone, Mr J.S. Samundari, Divisional Forest Officer, here said the fire so far had damaged plantation and forests to some extent. The actual assessment of the damage could not be ascertained. He added that no loss of life or property from any village had so for been reported as the populated areas were still unaffected. Mr Samundari said a case in this connection had been lodged at the Nurpur Bedi police station. Mr Jarnail Singh Aulakh, a member of the SGPC from Anandpur Sahib, who visited the fire-affected areas yesterday, said the flames could be seen from a long distance. A large number of villagers from the nearby villages along with civil and police authorities were busy in the fire extinguishing operation, he added. Mr Tejbir Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Anandpur Sahib, confirmed that there was no threat to the populated areas from the fire. He said he (ADC) had asked the forest officials to localise the fire by adopting various measures so that it could not spread to the nearby forest areas. The ADC said seven fire tenders had been pressed into service to extinguish the fire. GARHSHANKAR (FOC): The fire which started from the forests of this block, has engulfed Benewal, Mehandwani, Dallewal Pandori-Bhandiar Mera, Nainwan and Kambala villages. Loss worth lakhs of rupees has been reported. A number of wild animals have also perished in the fire. This area is prone to
fire but the department concerned takes no preventive
measures. |
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Little to celebrate for this
duo JALANDHAR: At the crescendo of the 300 tercentenary of the birth of the Khalsa an aged Sikh couple is trying to find a roof over their heads. Their only child was massacred in the 1984 riots. It's 15 years since the riots took place, forcing Baba Gurbachan Singh and Bibi Swaran Kaur from Labour Colony, Kanpur, to migrate to Punjab with nothing but "meagre" hope that may be the SGPC, or the Sikh leadership would help them eke out a living. The "Singhs" had migrated before — in 1947. "But politicians make empty promises" laments Mr Gurbachan Singh wiping his tears. In 1987 he rent a shop constructed by the Nadala gurdwara committee and started practising "hakimi". But again fate struck through the SGPC as it look over the Nadala gurdwara. "They got the shop vacated and when I approached Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta all he said was 'If I could pay Rs 1500, the shop could be given to be on rent. I could not afford this huge amount. The SGPC has a budget of 200 crore. Why can't they help us. Can't the SGPC with its vast resources construct a factory or a mill where persons like me can earn," he reasons. The 70-year-old Gurbachan Singh is a proud man who wants to earn his daily bread. But who will employ him? Not the SGPC. Nor political masters who are "morally responsible" for the fate of people like him. "I have gone to Chandigarh thrice to meet the Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal, but each time the security "shoot me, away". The couple is not entitled to any help as no FIR was registered against the mob for killing their 22-year-old son, Rajwinder Singh. "I tried hard to lodged a complaint with the police at Kanpur, but who listens to us"? Although, he has a "certificate", by a committee founded in Kanpur which made a list of the riot victims, the same does not help get any monetary aid. Will the authorities
shed the bureaucratic approach for once and help this
aged couple? |
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Probe
into complaint against ex-councillor FEROZEPORE, April 30 — Deputy Commissioner Gurdev Singh Sidhu has directed the authorities concerned to probe into a complaint made against a former local municipal councillor who has reportedly been attesting old-age pension application forms as a municipal councillor. Mr Sidhu issued this verbal order at a sangat darshan programme held at Town Hall here today when certain municipal councillors drew his notice to a complaint in this regard. The complainants accused that several persons, including those who did not fulfil the required conditions and whose application forms were attested by the former municipal councillor, were getting pension. They demanded a police case be registered against him and also gave a copy of an application form attested by him. The Deputy Commissioner assured them that a probe would be held and a case registered if the former councillor was found guilty. Meanwhile conceding a demand made by the municipal councillors, Mr Sidhu said school timings would soon be changed in view of the hot weather. To another demand, he asked the authorities concerned to re-examine the matter regarding the expenses being borne by the municipal council on the maintenance of tubewells which had been installed for the supply of drinking water to the town. The tubewells were proving to be an additional economic burden on the council, which had already handed over the supply of piped water to the Water Supply and Sewerage Board a few months ago. Even piped water bills were being collected by the board, they added. The sangat darshan
programme, however, evoked no response from the local
residents as no publicity was made. Certain municipal
councillors said they got information about the programme
last evening. A few others said they were informed about
the programme an hour before the scheduled time. Leaders
of social organisations and the Beopar Mandal also did
not know about the programme, it was claimed. |
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No frills wheat delivery
system LUDHIANA, April 30 — The Food Corporation of India has launched a new scheme to send foodgrains in bulk containers of the Container Corporation of India (Concord) to other consumer states with Mr Arun Goel, Deputy Commissioner, flagging off the first consignment of 67 containers of wheat from the Dhandari Kalan railway station today. Mr Goel said in the new method grain was loaded in loose form in containers from different grain markets and dispatched to the destination in the fast and economically saving on gunny bags, storage and labour cost. On this occasion Mr Lakhi Ram, District Manager, FCI, said the remarkable arrangement by the FCI, Ludhiana, would help in the expeditious movement of foodgrains to grain-consuming states in time and with a reduced burden on the FCI and the Railways. In the first
consignments, 14,535.40 quintals of wheat was dispatched
from 13 mandis of the district. |
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7 workers hurt in
brick-batting AMRITSAR, April 30 — The two-month old strike in OCM Mill at Chheharta took a bloody turn when nine workers of the mill sustained injuries in brick-batting between striking workers and pro-management workers this evening. While the strikers alleged that the pro-management workers had attacked the house of one Sarabjit Singh and injured his father with sharp-edged weapons, the OCM management claimed that at least seven workers of the mill were stopped and injured by the strikers. In a telegram to the Chief Minister, Mr Jaikarn Pathania, President, Textile Mazdoor Ekta Union, has alleged that the security-in-charge of the mill, along with 10 others had attacked Mr Joginder Singh, father of a member of the OCM Workers Union Action Committee, and one Kedar Dass, another striking worker who was hospitalised. However, Mr Ashwani
Mishra, vice-president of the union, has alleged that the
striking workers had attacked workers who wanted to enter
the mill to work. At least seven pro-management workers
who were injured were rushed to Guru Teg Bahadur
Hospital. He claimed that of the seven injured the
condition of at least three workers, Narinder Kumar,
Charanjit Singh and Mohinder Singh was serious. |
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Road not repaired for 4 years NANGAL, April 30 — The 2.5-km road from Nangal Dam to Government Shivalik College is in a bad shape as it has been 'neglected' by the local municipal council and Public Works Department. The road has not been repaired since the past four years. Travelling on the road is an ordeal for the students of the two colleges and schools situated in the area and the residents of Mojowal colony and 50 nearby villages. The road is covered with 1-foot-deep potholes. The college authorities have written time and again to the council for the repair of the road. The authorities have pointed out that the travelling on the road is hazardous, especially at night when there are no street lights on the road and the pits cannot be seen. The road was earlier
made and maintained by the local Municipal Council. The
council has now 'disowned' the road on the plea that it
is under the purview of the PWD. However, residents of
the area say that since the college and its surrounding
area fell within the limits of the Municipal Council, it
is its duty to maintain the road. |
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1.5 lakh recovered as
penalty AMRITSAR, April 30 — In a raid conducted on the premises of a trader at Goindwal by a flying squad of the Mandi Board, the evasion of market fee and rural development fund (RDF) was detected on the purchase of 5000 bags of wheat, valued at over Rs 25 lakh. The squad members,
posing as buyers, recovered Rs 1.5 lakh, which included
market fee, RDF and penalty. In another raid conducted by
the same flying squad in the vegetable market of Tarn
Taran, Rs 21,000 was recovered on the spot. A spokesman
for the board said here today that the chairman of the
board had set up six flying squads to check evasion of
market fee. |
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10 p.c. schools sans
teachers FAZILKA: In Punjab 10 per cent primary schools are without any teacher, 60 per cent schools without building and drinking water facility and 40 per cent have no black-boards. According to official sources, out of total 12,000 primary schools, 1,200 in border bet, kandi and backward areas are without teachers. The post of teachers have been vacant for period ranging from six month to three years. These schools are run on a few teachers deputed from nearby schools in rotation. There are 3,000 schools have single teacher each and similar number of schools are run by two teacher each. Part of teachers in these schools have been sanctioned. Nearly 500 primary teachers get retired every month. The number of vacancies increases by 6,000 every year. The result of 1,700 ETT candidates has not been announced for past four months. If the result is declared 1,700 vacancies would be filled. Mr Raj Kishore Kalra,
spokesman, Government Secondary and Primary Teacher
Union, Punjab, said the result of the ETT teachers should
be declared immediately and trained graduate teachers be
recruited against vacant posts of JBT teachers. |
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Teachers may be retired on March
31 MALERKOTLA, April 30 — All government teachers in the state will be retired only on March 31 every year. A proposal to this effect has been sent by the Punjab Education Department for acceptance to the Cabinet. This was announced here yesterday by Mr Harbhajan Singh Dhindsa, President of the Government Classical and Vernaculars Teachers Union, Punjab. He said a deputation of the union met Mr Tota Singh, Education Minister, at Chandigarh recently told him that the gap between the actual retirement date and March 31 would be treated as an extension period. Under the proposed rule, there would be no problem of teacher shortage during the academic year. The union has welcomed
the proposal. |
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Budh Poornima celebrated JALANDHAR, April 30 — Budh Poornima was celebrated with favour and enthusiasm by the Budh Vihar Trust, Sofi Pind, here today. The "panchsheel" was unfurled by Mr R.L. Sampla, President of the Ambedkar Education Society, Birmingham (UK). Dr Om Parkash, Senior
Professor, IIT, Kanpur, also spoke on the occasion. He
said, "We should follow the teachings of Lord Buddha
if we want to get rid of social evils through which the
whole world is passing now. |
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Police organises mass marriage FATEHGARH SAHIB, April 30 — The DGP of Punjab, Mr Sarabjit Singh, attended a function to solemnise mass marriage at Hansali village, 10 km from here, today. The marriages of 31 couples were organised by the district police. Ornaments, watches,
furniture, utensils and other items were given to the
couples. |
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