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| Tuesday, October 24, 2000, Chandigarh, India    |
Guru Granth Sahib moves judge to pilgrimage Decks cleared for joint hydel projects in HP Brick-kiln owners’ stir to affect 25,000
workers PSEB staff involved in power thefts:
minister Pong Dam oustees wait for land Move on common treatment
plants |
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Dal (Amritsar) decries
package on paddy
Raid: staff felt
‘humiliated’ “Net lingo” killing English? Need to reduce use of
fertilisers Front to help victims
of militancy Raids conducted to detect power theft Speed up land grab case: Dang Dance competition draws 127
kids Class IV staff hold rally Dengue patients cross
150 mark
Tension in Alike after
registration of cases Couple killed, 3 hurt in mishap
Teachers to hold
protest rally Primary schools “sans teachers” Students want bus passes to continue Improve quality of education: DEO GND
University hostel for
boys opened
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Guru Granth Sahib moves judge to pilgrimage AMRITSAR, Oct 23 — “The Guru Granth Sahib is “person” in law provided it is duly installed in a gurdwara: But every copy of the scripture cannot be given that status nor can other scriptures followed by Hindus, Christians and Muslims be equated with it. This is the text of a landmark Supreme Court judgement in a case involving the Sikh holy book . Justice AP Mishra who comprised one of the judges on the bench pronounced the judgement was here on a personal visit to the Sri Harminder Sahib. Asked what prompted the ‘reverential recognition’ bestowed on the Sikh holy book he refused direct comment saying, his was a very private and personal visit. But his remarks in the visitors book underline the depth of his feelings. It reads “Guru Granth Sahib has given me the great opportunity to visit Sri Harminder Sahib. I not only feel privileged but feel I am going back with more purity, with divine energy infused in me. I pray this energy gives me to render service to the mankind.” Justice Mishra was honoured by Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee Secretary, Dr Gurbachan Singh Bachan with a siropa, a set of books, a replica of the Golden Temple and a shawl. |
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Decks cleared for joint hydel projects in HP BATHINDA, Oct 23 — Decks have been cleared for setting up joint hydroelectric projects by Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh Governments in Himachal Pradesh to generate about 20,000 MW of electricity. Official sources said for this the Punjab and Haryana Governments had agreed to give 12.5 per cent of the total electricity generated from these projects free of cost to Himachal Pradesh while the Central Government had agreed in principle to give 70 per cent of the total project cost to these three states. In another significant move, the state power authorities had written to the Chief Secretary Punjab Government for taking action against those IAS, IPS and PCS officials who had been found indulging in power theft. The Punjab Government had also decided to launch a probe by an independent agency to find out the reasons for the failure of the rice-husk based power plant at Jalkheri, damage caused to Thein Dam and sub-standard works executed at various other projects so that the guilty could be punished, the sources added. The sources further said the Punjab Government would discourage coal-based thermal plant in future and emphasis would be given to hydroelectric potential of the canal system existing in the state. For this talks were being held with private companies. The Punjab Government was also toying with the idea of setting up an atomic power plant in the state to meet the increasing demand of electricity. A senior official of the PSEB, when contacted at the head office, Patiala, while confirming that the joint electrical projects would be set up, said the nod in this regard had been received from the central power authorities. He stated that the PSEB authorities were trying to deploy its men at the coal mines to check the theft of coal which had been causing loss to the tune of Rs 200 crore per annum. Apart from it, the quality of coal would also be checked up. He added that all formalities for setting up of two units of 250 MW capacity each at Lehra Mohabbat had been completed and work on it would be started shortly. The PSEB authorities were trying to use the services of 9,000 surplus employees of Thein Dam for constructing the Shahpur Kandi barrage. The PSEB authorities would also launch passbook scheme for the general consumers for maintaining the account of reading of meters on one hand, and on the other it was thinking of replacing the facility of free electricity to its employees by giving them some exemption on electricity units consumed. For the joint hydroelectric projects, some sites on the Sutlej and Beas had been selected while others were being selected. All participant states would contribute 10 per cent each of the project cost. The PSEB authorities had already given the facility to set up captive power plant to private entrepreneurs and industrialists and now it had been inviting people to generate and sell electricity by setting up micro hydel projects on the canal system in Punjab. |
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Brick-kiln owners’ stir to affect 25,000
workers SANGRUR, Oct 23 — More than 25,000 brick-kiln workers directly involved in the loading and unloading of bricks will be without work for at least eight days from tomorrow as the entire brick-kiln industry comprising more than 2,500 brickkilns in Punjab will stop the sale of bricks. All brick-kiln owners in the state are going to stop the sale of bricks from October 24 to 31 for the second time in less than four months to press upon the state government to accept their demands immediately. Earlier, the brick-kiln owners had not sold bricks from July 1 to 7. The brick-kiln owners have also decided not to deposit sales tax imposed on them from November 1 as a mark of protest against the state government, which has reportedly “failed” in accepting the demands of the brick-kiln owners of the state despite the closure of brick-kilns for the past about four months. They are up in arms against the Punjab Government and protesting against some policies implemented on the brick-kiln industry. They are protesting against the imposition of a new tax in the shape of royalty of Rs 45 after every 1,000 bricks and the enactment of a law which determines tow years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 25,000 to the brick-kiln owner if he does not do so. The brick-kiln owners are also agitating against the Factory Act. Another grouse of the owners is that they are being forced to lift fly ash of thermal plants to use the same in the bricks. Talking to TNS here today, Mr Kewal Krishan Longowalia, president of the District Sangrur Brick-Kiln Association, alleged that due to the “wrong” policies of the state government they had been forced to take this step which would not only affect the development works, but would also affect the common man. Besides, other related traders like those of cement, iron and wood would also face a slump. Mr Longowalia also admitted that the rates of bricks might further shoot up to Rs 1,600 per thousand against the present rate of 1,450 per thousand. |
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PSEB staff involved in power thefts:
minister BATHINDA, Oct 23 — The Punjab Power Minister, Mr Sikander Singh, said today that certain officials and staff members of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) were involved in the theft of power. Addressing a press conference here today, he pointed out that a CBI probe into the failure of the Jalkheri rice hust-based power plant and defect in a water channel of the Ropar thermal plant would bring many irregularities to light. He added that for these defects the board management was responsible. He categorically stated that Mr N.S. Vasant, who was adviser to the PSEB would not be given extension after January 1, 2001. He added that his services could be terminated earlier also. He said the appointment of retired PSEB employees for important posts had put extra financial burden on the board. He pointed that the PSEB had been suffering losses worth crores every year an account of theft of electricity and campaign against it had been launched to increase the income of the PSEB. He added that no one be spared if he was found working against the interests of the board. He said the government would not accede to the unjustified demand of the engineers’ association. Pong Dam oustees wait for land BATHINDA, Oct 23 — Landowners who were ousted from Kangra district where the Pong Dam was to be built have been running from pillar to post for the past three decades to get a piece of land they were assured. About 17,000 families were uprooted from Kangra and were assured by the governments of Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh that they would be given land in Rajasthan. However, despite the decision of the Supreme Court to give land to these families, no government has done anything in this regard. In 1973, however, the Himchal Pradesh Government had prepared a list of 1332 families to allot land but nothing concrete happened till 1996. Now these families have decided to intensify the campaign to get justice. The Pong Dam Rehabilitation Advisory Committee (PDRAC) about a month ago asked them to reach Bikaner district of Rajasthan to fulfil the necessary formalities. However, when these families reached there on September 20, no formalities were completed nor the land allotted and the families returned empty-handed. |
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Move on common treatment
plants PATIALA, Oct 23 — Common effluent treatment plants are being proposed for the electroplating and dyeing industry in Ludhiana and Amritsar districts to tackle the pollution problem caused by these units. The Punjab Pollution Control Board ( PPCB ) is proposing to set up common treatment plants involving the industrialists themselves. The plants, which will be modelled on the pattern of those existing in the South, will be run by a third party after industrialists form a cooperative, which contributes towards establishment of the treatment plant. According to the concept, individual industrialists will be shareholders as well as contributors to the setting up of the plants. Once the plant is set up it will be run on commercial lines with all users paying a fixed amount according to the amount of effluents released by their units. Pollution Control Board Chairman Ajay Kumar Mahajan said plants would be set up within the limits of the municipal corporations in both cities and would be a boon for small industrialists. He said individuals would only have to send the effluent to the common facility after primary treatment whose specifications would be laid down. After that, it would be the responsibility of the operator concerned to comply with the pollution standards. Mr Mahajan said the effluent plants would be established close to the treatment plants of the corporations in both cities. He said those industries would be benefited where the biological oxidizable deposits were more as it would be easiers to reduce their toxicity further by releasing the treated effluents in the sewers. The PPCB Chairman said it was a cost-effective way to follow the pollution norms. Central agencies and the state would be subsidising nearly 30 to 40 per cent of the cost and the pay back period of the plants was three to five years . The PPCB has conducted a study of the common treatment plants being run in Hyderabad and
Chennai. In Hyderabad, a common plant is managing the effluent of 150 industries.
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Dal (Amritsar) decries
package on paddy JALANDHAR, Oct 23 — The Akali Dal (Amritsar) has criticised the Punjab Government for its indifferent attitude towards paddy procurement in the state. Mr Ajitinder Singh Mofar, vice-president, Akali Dal (Amritsar), said this addressing a press conference at Circuit House here today. The so-called Central package would not benefit the farmers since a lot of farmres had sold out their paddy at lower rates than the support price announced to private traders without filling up form ‘J’. Their sale had not been entered into the official records. |
Raid: staff felt
‘humiliated’ CHANDIGARH, Oct 23 — Reacting sharply to the raid conducted by the Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Prof Jagir Singh Bhullar, to check attendance and punctuality at the head office of the Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation, employees of this organisation said the raid had hurt the sentiments of staff members, who worked four or five hours daily even after their official duty hours. The employees said the PSIDC was a professional and commercial organisation and it was not possible to adhere to fixed norms pertaining to working hours. The executive and other staff members often remained in the office to dispose of important work till late in the evening. They said the way the raid was conducted, employees felt humiliated and insulted. Policemen accompanying the Chief Parliamentary Secretary had blocked the entry of employees to the office. Besides, all attendance registers were in the possession of those accompanying the Chief Parliamentary Secretary. The employees said that some of the senior officials, who were taken as absent, were either on leave or on official duty. |
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“Net lingo” killing English? BATHINDA: How r u? ’m fine what bout ur
xms? history ok fundas clear baki on luk... You may say this is the worst way to write English, but it is the most ‘‘happening’’ thing these days. The Net community, particularly ‘‘Net chatters,’’ have been influenced the most by the “new language.” To save online time, Internet users have come up with their own terms and symbols and the use of grammar is reduced to the bare minimum. The use of capital letters is forbidden and is considered equivalent to shouting as per the unwritten rules of Net “chatting,” says Amit
Arora, a cyber cafe owner here. Language experts are very much concerned about this. A Professor of English at the local Government Rajindra College said that Net “chatters” were killing the language. ‘‘He is right, but we are also not wrong,’’ explains Shikha (name changed), an avid Net user. ‘‘To save online time, we don’t write the full spellings of words and avoid commas. We also ignore grammatical rules. What is the difference between ‘How are you?’ and ‘How r u?’ Why should we write ‘queue’ and not ‘Q’?” Harjeet Singh, another Net user, acknowledges that the “Net lingo” goes against our traditional views on language. He adds that ‘‘our experience, too, indicates that languages change with time and social influences. This time the revolution is a silent but potent one.” He says: “The Internet has connected the world and with its spread, we are going to see more changes in our use and application of language.’’ The parents of schoolchildren are disturbed. Mrs Ravi
Kiran, mother of a 12-year-old school student, says: ‘‘My son has failed in English. He was a brilliant student a couple of months ago, but the Internet language has taken its toll. He just cannot be convinced that to write correctly, it is important to follow the rules of grammar.’’ Mrs
Anuradha, consultant psychologist, explained that the use of the “Internet lingo” was due to the psychological needs of teenagers who wanted to be members of a larger group as they felt secure in this. She added that people had started using the Internet as a medium of entertainment rather than information. Mr Guriqbal Singh, a computer teacher, said students of computer courses were losing interest in language, particularly spellings, as more and more computer packages now came with the auto-correct facility. But he added that students were fully aware of what they were writing and avoided slang and ‘‘chat lingo’’ in the examinations. Dr Manmohan Singh, Professor of English, Guru Kanshi Regional Centre of Punjabi University, admitted that the Internet was a powerful medium and ‘‘the way we understand, write, apply and comprehend English is fast changing.’’ He said there was no such thing as ‘‘original English.’’ Internet English would help create a multi-faceted, multi-cultured society. He said that local languages and cultures would surely take on the colour of this silent revolution.
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Need to reduce use of
fertilisers TALWANDI SABO (Bathinda), Oct 23 — Dr G.S. Kalkat, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana, has said that with the excessive use of fertilisers and insecticides, environment pollution would increase. The use of insecticides and chemicals had crossed all limits and that the farmers were spraying more chemicals than needed. He said a balanced approach was needed to improve the condition of the farmers and added that the present cycle of rice and wheat was not going to help. He said economically viable projects were being sidelined and if we continue to put burden on our natural resources we would end up with nothing. Commenting on the economic condition of the farmers he said that even those who had very small landholdings had taking loans to buy tractors. The interest and other charges on farm equipments add to the woes of the farmers and they end up selling their tractors at throwaway prices to bail out of the situation. The dairy sector can improve the condition of the farmers if managed properly. Lack of education coupled with the dependance on nature also adds to the woes of the farmers, he added. |
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Front to help victims
of militancy BATHINDA, Oct 23 — Mr Jagmeet Singh Sahota, President, All India Anti-Terrorist Front, Punjab, today said the Centre should use its diplomatic missions to build world opinion against terrorism and caste-based violence. Talking to mediapersons he said the central government should take up the issue as many countries were facing the problem of cross border terrorism. He said activists of the front were making efforts to rehabilitate the victims of terrorism in Punjab and the country. He said the state unit of front would also hold meetings and seminars in the different towns of Punjab and stage rallies. He said Pakistan’s intentions were suspect and the Indian government should understand the gameplan of Pakistan to avoid Kargil type incidents. |
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Raids conducted to detect power theft KAPURTHALA, Oct 23 — Mr K.S. Gill, Engineer-in-Chief of the Punjab State Electricity Board, has said that the board has imposed a fine of Rs 98 lakh for power theft detected during the two days of surprise checks being carried out in north zone during the “chetna march” in the state. Talking to newsmen at Dhilwan village on Saturday, Mr Gill said the march which started on March 18 from Shambu border was being taken out to make public aware of power thefts. Mr Gill said the Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar, was fined Rs 2 lakh for unauthorised load on street lights. He announced that from the next week onwards, the board would resort to two-hour power cut. He stated that uninterrupted power was being supplied to 550 villages in the state and the remaining villages would be covered under the Tatkal Scheme. He said the board had decided to instal electronic meters to check power theft in the state. |
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Speed up land grab case: Dang AMRITSAR, Oct 23 (UNI) — Veteran CPI leader Satya Pal Dang today appealed to the district police to speed up the investigation in the land grabbing case of ghanupur village involving certain influential people, including a local lawyer. In a letter addressed to the Senior Superintendent of Police Parampal Singh Sidhu and released to the press here today, mr dang pointed out that the investigations into this case had been ordered by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in August this year. The orders of the court were passed after Mr Jagjit Singh, a resident of Amarkot village under the Patti tehsil, filed a petition in the high court, praying for the registration of a criminal case against the accused, the letter said. As per the letter, way back in 1996, a local advocate with help from certain influential people took possession of a municipal corporation park at Ghanupur village. However, the lawyer and his friends were chased away by the villagers, the letter added. Mr Dang pointed out that having failed to physically take possession of the park valued at Rs 1 crore, the lawyer filed a civil suit against the municipal corporation for permanent injunction. This suit is pending in the local court, the letter added. Mr Dang claimed that the said lawyer on the basis of two forged sale deeds claimed that he had bought the land from Din Mohammed, a resident of Patti town in the district. However, Mr Dang claimed, as per the official records, Din Mohammed died in June, 1969. Mr Dang further alleged that some powerful people had all along been shielding the lawyer involved in the land grabbing case. Even counsel for the municipal corporation had not put forward the actual facts pertaining to the case before the local court, the letter claimed.
Dance competition draws 127
kids BATHINDA, Oct 23 — “Boogie-Woogie”, a dance competition, was organised here by the Apna NGR channel last evening. The function was inaugurated by Mr Chiranji Lal Garg, Minister for Science and Technology, Punjab. The competition was divided into three categories — for the 5-10, 10-15 and above 15 age groups. As many as 127 dancers from the city and its surrounding areas took part. The panel of judges included Mrs Paramjit Devta of the Devta Yaadgari Manch, Toni Batish, theatre actor and Shaminder Bicky, TV artiste. The prizes were given away by Mr Kamaljit Mehta, patron of Apna NGR channel and Mr Baljit Singh, Managing Director, Central Cooperative Bank, Bathinda. The winners were as follows:- Category A (5-10 years):- Parminder Kaur (1st), Harpreet (IInd) and Surabhi Sharma (IIIrd). Category B (10-15 years): Ritika (1st), Jimmi Sharma, (IInd) and Goldi and Anup Ahuja (IIIrd). Category C (15 years and above): Priya (1st), Jitendra Sharma (IInd) and Manoj Kumar (IIIrd). |
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Class IV staff hold rally SANGRUR, Oct 23 — A large number of members of the district unit of Class Four Government Employees Union, Punjab, today took out a march and rally carrying an effigy of the Punjab Government, protesting against the Civil Surgeon, Sangrur, and his functioning, here. The effigy was taken to the office of the Civil Surgeon by the employees wearing black clothes, and held a siapa there. They stated that they were not being provided uniforms, their TA and medical reimbursement bills were also not being paid, motivation money under family planning programme was also not being and honorarium for health guides was also not being given.
Dengue patients cross
150 mark LUDHIANA, Oct 23 — With 17 more cases reported today, the number of patients suffering from dengue has reached 151. The local Health officials said cases were reported from different parts of the city. So far the disease has claimed three lives. The Health officials have been maintaining that the nature of the disease is sporadic and there is no apprehension of an epidemic. They pointed out the patients are not concentrated in any particular area, but have been reported from different parts of the city. According to the Civil Surgeon, Dr Rajinder Kaur, the Health authorities have taken adequate measures to ensure that the disease did not take epidemic proportions. The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation and the Health officials have already started massive fogging in vulnerable areas. Most of the patients belong to the economically weaker sections of society living in unhygienic conditions. |
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PSEB officials hold
awareness rally TARN TARAN, Oct 23 — As many as 22 PSEB officials marched through the local bazaars today as part of a “chetna” rally to increase public awareness regarding power thefts. Mr Shiv Kumar Mahajan, Director Enforcement, senior Xen Amrik Singh, Mr Ishwar Das, SDO, and other officials of the board participated.
Sale of crackers in markets
banned ABOHAR, Oct 23 — The authorities have allowed the use of the local Nehru Stadium and Loknayak Jaiparkash Narain Park for putting stalls of fireworks on the eve of Divali. The District Magistrate has prohibited the sale of fireworks on main roads or in markets to prevent untoward incidents.Reportedly, only five shopkeepers have sought permission to put stalls in the specified locations. |
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SGPC property panel
meet postponed AMRITSAR, Oct 23 — The crucial meeting of property sub-committee of Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee had to be postponed due to lack of quorum. Out of total 16 members only three members, including Mr Onkar Singh Sharifpura, Mr Puran Singh Josh and Mr Jaswinder Singh Advocate were present. Mr Balbir Singh Pannu, senior vice-president and Mr Hardalbir Singh Shah, the general secretary were present in the SGPC complex, they did not attend the meeting. Bibi to visit
Amritsar on Divali AMRITSAR, Oct 23 — Mr Swarn Singh Josh, political secretary to Bibi Jagir Kaur, has claimed that she will visit Amritsar on Divali.He said this when some journalists asked Mr Josh about the whereabout of the SGPC chief.A news item had appeared recently on the front page of a daily, with dateline Bhulath, had also claimed that the SGPC chief would visit Amritsar today but she failed to keep date with the holy city.
Pumping station awaits electricity ABOHAR, Oct 23 — Mr Vimal Thathai, leader of the Opposition in the local Municipal Council, today expressed concern over the poor quality of material being used to repair main roads.
While describing it as wastage of public money Mr Thathai said such repairs had failed to last long in Jai Nagar area. He regretted that sewer line on the Thakasr Abadi road and been completely choked. The Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board planned to install a temporary pumping station to dispose off sewerage water but the Municipal Council had failed to provide electricity connection. School watchman
missing BANUR (Patiala), Oct 23 — Mr Nirmail Singh, a watchman of Government Middle School,
Jangpura, near here, has been missing since October 19. According to a complaint filed by Mr Mohinder Singh, his son, in the Banur police station, the 45-year-old Nirmail Singh had gone to the school but did not return in the evening. His family members approached the Headmaster of the school and came to know that he had not joined duty in the morning.
The complainant has said that Mr Nirmail Singh was wearing a kirpan, a striped shirt, a parrot green turban and black Punjabi “jutties”.
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Tension in Alike after
registration of cases ALIKE (Bathinda), Oct 23 — Tension has gripped this village following the registration of criminal cases against the prominent residents today. Police sources said cases under Sections 452, 380, 295-A, 323, 506, 148 and 149 of the IPC were registered against many persons on the complaint of an attendant of a local religious place. However, Mr Bhan Singh Bhora, Member Parliament, alleged that sarpanch and many panchayat members of this village had been booked in a criminal case due to political pressure. He added that he had met the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Jaspal Singh, and police officials in this connection. Mr Jaspal Singh said he had directed the SDM, Rampuraphul, Mrs Rakhi Gupta Bhandari, to sort out the problem. He added that no written complaint had been lodged with him by any villager. Mrs Bhandari said the tehsildar had been sent to the village to inquire into the matter. She added that facts would be clear by tomorrow. The sources said the DSP (R), Mr Jaspreet Singh Sidhu, DSP Rampuraphul, Mr Manmohan Singh, SHO, Rampuraphul, Mr Mohinder Pal Ghai were camping at the village. There was a dispute among villagers and other persons regarding the appointment of attendant of a local religious place. |
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Couple killed, 3 hurt in mishap BATHINDA, Oct 23 — A couple was killed and three others were injured when the car in which they were travelling collided head on with an Army vehicle near Jida village in the district early today. The dead have been identified as Surjeet Singh and his wife Harjinder Kaur, residents of Guru Gobind Singh Nagar. The injured are Gurcharan Singh, father-in-law of Surjeet Singh, Karanpal Singh, son of Surjeet Singh and Satwinder Kaur, his niece. The family was on its way to Amritsar to attend a marriage. While Surjeet Singh died on the spot, his wife succumbed to her injuries at the Civil Hospital.
The Army vehicle, which was carrying arms and explosives, overturned after the accident.
Hospital sources said the injured were out of danger. The police has registered a case. |
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Two killed in road
accidents ABOHAR, Oct 23 — Ranjit of Ghallu village was crushed to death when his cycle was hit by a truck on the Abohar-Fazilka road yesterday. Sources said the victim was returning home from the local spinning mill where he worked.The driver and cleaner managed to escape leaving behind the vehicle.The police has impouned the vehicle and registered a case against the driver.The body of the victim was handed over to his parents after a post-mortem examination.In another incident, Indira Devi was killed when a truck hit her near a crossing on the Malout road. The woman had come from Rajasthan to attend a marriage. |
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1 held for carrying
8 kg charas JALANDHAR, Oct 23 — A person was arrested from a Haryana Roadways bus by the police for possessing 8 kg of charas during routine checking at a naka on the Jalandhar-Pathankot road last night.
Mr Gaurav Yadav, SSP, said charas worth Rs 80,000 was seized from the accused. He was identified as Gulzar Mohammed of Panihar village in Chamba district of Himachal
Pradesh. |
Teachers to hold
protest rally FARIDKOT, Oct 23 — The Punjab Government Teachers Union in collaboration with other employees’ associations will hold a state-level rally at Chandigarh on November 15 in protest against a government proposal to recruit teachers on fixed pay in the state. Addressing a press conference here yesterday, Mr Sukhdev Singh Bari, president of the union, said the rallyists would protest against the failure of the government to remove anomalies in teachers’ pay scales, and lack of infrastructure in government schools. The protesters would also demand a check on the commercialisation of education. He claimed that more than 25,000 posts of teacher, headmaster and principal had been lying vacant. Situation was worse in border areas where only one teacher had been running a school at some places. The president urged the government to immediately convene a meeting of the teachers to settle all issues through dialogue. He said the district and block level conventions would be launched from October 25 to mobilize the employees to participate in the rally. |
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Primary schools “sans teachers” PATHANKOT: The Municipal Council and the Improvement Trust here have failed to keep the city clean and green causing a setback to the comprehensive development programme under the city beautiful plan which was launched about three years ago. Sanitation is poor.Heaps of filth can be seen in various localities,including plush colonies.Sewer water often flows on to roads in certain wards.Congress councillors complain that safai karamcharis rarely report for duty in their wards.The streetlight system in the city is also poor. Among the areas where sanitation has been neglected is Garden Colony.The colony has no sewer system or proper drainage.Stray animals, particularly on the road leading to Chakki Bank,have added to the residents' problems. Certain organisations have taken up the task of cleaning roads and streets.The local unit of the Shiv Sena took the lead in this regard,cleaning the Sunder Nagar drain. Councillors of the BJP have blamed the state government for not providing adequate funds to recruit more safai karamcharis. The council Executive Officer,Mr Vijay Sharma,said the civic body had launched a cleanliness drive and gave an assurance that problems would be solved soon. * * * Many government primary schools in villages in Dhar subdivision are functioning "without teachers". In a memorandum given to the Higher Education Minister, Mr Mohan Lal, the sarpanches of various panchayats alleged that more than 70 per cent of the government primary schools in their villages did not have teachers.In other schools there was a shortage of teachers.Often many teachers remained absent from school most of the week. The memorandum,signed by the sarpanches of Lehrun,Dhadh,Bath Sudal,Bhallatt,Gahar,Niari and Thalla Lahri villages, said children of their areas were being forced to attend schools in Himachal Pradesh or in other villages.They had to go by bus or walk long distances to reach those institutions. The minister gave an assurance that he would take up the matter with the Chief Minister. * * * Mr Vinay Mahajan,president of the Sujanpur Municipal Council,said after the extension of the municipal limits with effect from July 9,1999,the civic body had earned an additional income of Rs 75 lakh from octroi. Welcoming the verdict of the state high court relating to the municipal limits,he said it had enabled the council to earn more revenue for development work in the town. Students want bus passes to continue AMRITSAR, Oct 23 — Protests were held by student organisations here today against the move to discontinue their passes in the wake of the kilometre scheme of buses. In a statement, general secretary of the Students Federation of India Hardev Singh said the protest was against the dismissal of the pass scheme and the lathi charge on students of Kurali college. Students of ITI, Art and Craft Institute, Senior Secondary School, Nawankot, Government College, Sathiala, Government College, Ajnala, and ITI, Ajnala, participated in the protest. |
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Improve quality of education: DEO MALERKOTLA, Oct 23 — Mr Dev Singh, District Education Officer, Sangrur, has stressed on the need to bring about qualitative improvement in education. He was inaugurating a conference on career guidance and counselling organised by Government Senior Secondary School, Bhogiwal, 5 km from here, on Saturday. He also underlined the need for better academic atmosphere and discipline among the students.
GND
University hostel for
boys opened AMRITSAR, Oct 23 — Master Mohan Lal, Minister for Higher Education, Punjab, inaugurated Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Boys Hostel on the Guru Nanak Dev University campus. Built at a cost of Rs 1.56 crore, the hostel has been designed by architect Mohinderjit Singh. Addressing staff and students of the university, Master Mohan Lal said 35 vocational courses, especially in computers and information technology, had been introduced in several colleges of the state from the current academic session. The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Dr H.S. Soch, said the new hostel was equipped with modern facilities and could accommodate about 200 students. |
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