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| Wednesday, October 25, 2000, Chandigarh, India |
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Dalit youth’s death due to police torture alleged LUDHIANA, Oct 24 — A youth belonging to the Valmiki community is alleged to have succumbed to his ailments caused as a result of being brutally tortured by the police. He was rounded up by the CIA staff for questioning in a case relating to some money recovered by the police during a raid conducted to arrest gamblers. Thirty-two-year-old Raju, a resident of New Valmiki Colony, Chowni Mohalla, died of renal failure at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital here this morning. It is learnt that he was suffering from some renal disease and being subjected to third degree torture for two days aggravated his problem further. The hospital was a scene of hectic activities and mass mourning for nearly four hours today till the body of the deceased was taken away to the Civil Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Members of the Valmiki community gathered in large numbers to mourn the death of Raju and express sympathies and solidarity with the deceased family. Though Raju died at around 9.45 a.m. and the people had started converging at the hospital at around 10.00 a.m., the police reportedly decided to keep away from the scene and stationed itself outside the hospital. As tension continued to brew, a few leaders of the community went to meet the Deputy Commissioner and the Senior Superintendent of Police. The situation was, however, soon brought under control. However, the police has denied that Raju's death occurred as a result of torture in police custody. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr. Sandeep Goel, said that Raju's death had occurred as a result of renal failure. "Though, he had been picked up by the police for questioning, neither he nor any other member of the Valmiki community was ever subjected to any kid of torture in police custody," he said. Ever since his release from police custody on October 14, the deceased was undergoing treatment at a private nursing home till October 22. When his condition grew serious, he was referred to DMCH . It is learnt that a police party had raided a gambling den at Narian Mohalla on the night of October 11 and arrested 17 persons while gambling. However, though the police had allegedly recovered a sum of Rs. 1.23 lakh from the accused, it had shown a recovery of only Rs 23,000 after the case was registered under various sections of the Gambling Act. All the accused were arrested and later let off on bail. Later, when this fact came to light, the police ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident and this was entrusted to the CIA staff. Interestingly, instead of questioning the police officers concerned who had registered the case, the police rounded up 16 of the accused for questioning on the morning of October 13. One of the persons who was rounded up by the police and allegedly subjected to third degree torture, Rakesh Kumar, alleged that while the police did not touch any of the other 13 persons, three of them were targeted and subjected to third degree torture. "The police hung all three of us upside down and beat us with rods. While the two of us were strong enough to take the severe beatings, Raju was quite sick and could not bear with the torture," he alleged. He also said that they were beaten up by a tall and fair police officer, and whose name they did not know. "It was only when the members of our community raised a hue and cry that we were released by the police on the night of October 14. Later, we met SP Detective Gurkirpal Singh and he instituted an inquiry to be conducted by DSP Detective Manjit Singh. However, till date no inquiry report has been made public." It was on October 16 that Raju's condition began to deteriorate and he was admitted to Dr Rajinder Sood's nursing home. He was then referred to DMC on October 22. It is learnt that there was swelling all over his body and he was vomiting blood. Meanwhile, president of the Bharatiya Valmiki Sabha, Sudesh Gharu has condemned the incident and said that all those involved in these kind of atrocities on the Dalits should be severely punished. Mr Vijay Danav, another leader of the community and the adviser to the Punjab Chief Minister, has also condemned the incident and said that it was shocking that such incidents occurred in this date and time.
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Punjab agriculture at crossroads LUDHIANA, Oct 24 — Agriculture in Punjab is facing a situation where lakhs of farmers are feeling duped by the ‘pro-farmer’ Akali-BJP government in the state and BJP-led government at the centre. The recent package announced by the government may have saved the farmers for the time being. But will there be no problem for the next crop, wheat or the distress sale of paddy next time? Dr G.S. Kalkat, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University, said: “In the short term there may not be a ‘viable solution’ for the farmers as the government in the last decade has been concentrating only on wheat and paddy crops. The minimum support price announced by the price commission, the free power supply, and subsidy on credit, diesel and fertilisers facilitated the wheat and paddy as most profitable crops. However, the changes in international and national agriculture markets in the past five years have badly affected our competitive edge in these crops. Consequently, we are facing a crises of surplus in paddy and next time there can be a wheat crisis.” In fact, the economists like Prof G.S. Bhalla and Gurmail Singh had predicted in the early nineties that Punjabi farmers would benefit a lot after GATT agreement. The varieties of ‘duram’ wheat and ‘basmati’ rice would make them millionaires. But they missed ‘some other factors’, say critics. The same economists and studies of PAU now blame ‘green box-black policies’ of the West and changes in international prices. Mr Navtej Singh, a student of Soil Sciences Department, who belongs to a farming family of Bambi Khan village of Bathinda district, said, “The farmers were not warned at all neither by the agriculture experts nor by the government agencies regarding the building up crisis.” Our experiences in sowing other crops were not so good. If we sow vegetables, soybean, sunflower or mint, where is the market?” he asked. Interestingly, some years ago PAU had facilitated the export of grapes to France for wine preparation which was rejected by the company, said Mr Navtej. Mr Gurmeet Singh of Giganwal village of Jalandhar district expressed another view: “Agriculture is no more a simple occupation. It requires lot of investment, knowledge and managerial skills. Unfortunately, Punjabi farmers have failed to upgrade their skills because of government’s ensured prices for wheat and paddy. The over-dependence on migrant labour, failure of modern agriculture machines likes paddy transplanter (developed by PAU), competition with the other states, and lack of agro-processing units have further aggravated the situation.” Presently, it is true that farmers get good returns in wheat and paddy as compared to other crops. But in the fast changing scenario of increasing production by states like U.P., Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, they may lose its superiority. Further, by 2005 their prices will be linked to the international prices. The government instead of indulging in populist measures, should prepare the farmers for the next challenge, feels the analysts. Mr Suraj Sharma, president of the Association of Focal Point Industries opined the ‘politician-bureaucracy-big farmer lobby nexus’ had affected the interests of small and marginal farmers by making them dependant on government ‘doles’ every year. It should be stopped sooner than later and they should be prepared for the WTO regime and asked to control their extravagant expenditure as well. Rather they should be encouraged to invest in education and upgradation of skills. While commenting on the diversification efforts undertaken by farmers, Ms Jagmohan Kaur, a student of agriculture sciences, who belongs to a big farming family, said, “Only big farmers can take risks to experiment with other crops. A majority of small and marginal farmers have no viable alternative except wheat and paddy though they are aware about the declining gains in them. Incidentally, the overproduction of paddy has affected the ground water level due to over exploitation of water resources and created the problems like air pollution and dark fog due to the burning of paddy straws.” Prof. Kalkat, while expressing his concerns about the crisis, said, “As a matter of fact, there is no short-term solution except investment in modernisation of stores to store wheat and paddy for five or six years. This can be sold in the national and international market when conditions are favourable. However, in the long-term, the government will have to take corrective measures in collaboration with private sector. Investments in infrastructure, research and marketing institutions and quality production of alternatives like afforestation, sunflower, moong and groundnut will have to be made.” |
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What a punishment for coming late! LUDHIANA, Oct 24 — Nine teachers and over 200 students of middle and senior classes of DAV Public School were punished for coming late for the assembly by a few minutes today. As per the rules set by the Principal, Mr R.S. Patial, the students of the school have to come for assembly at 8: 30 am. If any student of a particular section comes late, the whole class and the teacher is sent back. It is learnt that today when a few students of different classes did not come for the assembly, all students of those classes, along with their teacher were told to stand in the sun for more than three hours. At 1 pm, the students were given a break and told to quench their thirst and bring their food outside their classes where they were punished. The teachers were told to bring their chairs and take some rest. The teachers, however, refused to do so. It is also learnt that when later three students of the school went to the Principal to apologise, they were again told to stand outside for half an hour. Mr Patial then called up the students and the teachers to the auditorium and is said to have used abusive language. The teachers and the students were also reportedly threatened by the Principal. Even after repeated efforts, Mr Patial could not be contacted for his comments. |
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Driver’s murder
case solved LUDHIANA, Oct 24— The proximity of a van driver of Sanatan Vidya Mandir, who was found murdered near Government Polytechnic College in Rishi Nagar, became the bone of contention between him and his murderer Raj Bahadur and ultimately led to his murder at the hands of the latter. The Haibowal police led by SHO Rajeshwar Singh has succeeded in solving the murder of Shankar that took place on October 15. His body had been found by the police on a lonely stretch of road near the college on the morning of October 16 with severe injury marks on his head. It was on the morning of October 17 that two of the accused, Raj Bahadur and Harish Bahadur, had approached the police and identified the body as that of Shankar. In fact, the cremation of the deceased had also been performed
by them. The police has now succeeded in solving the murder mystery and arrested two of the accused, Raj Bahadur and Harish Bahadur, but the third conspirator in the case, Ravi Kumar, is still at large. It is learnt that Raj Bahadur and Shankar were always at loggerheads as the former believed that the deceased was making use of his proximity to the Manager of the school by poisoning his ears against the accused. It was because of this that the accused had reportedly stolen the registration copy of the van that Shankar was driving and had recently burnt it. This had further increased enmity between the two. According to the police, on the night of October 15, the deceased had come to the school at around 9.00 pm. Since, he did not have money to pay the rickshaw-puller, he borrowed some money from a sweet shop owner across the road. Later, when he reached inside the school, he found Raj Bhadur there and the two reportedly also shared a drink before they again broke into a fight. It was then that Raj Bahadur took a hammer and hit Shankar several times on the head from the sharp side of the tool. Shankar died after a while, but the accused developed cold feet and rushed to the house of Harish Bahadur (also a van driver in the school and staying there with his family). In the meantime, their other friend, Ravi Kumar, who works as a driver with a businessman residing near Hotel Gulmohar, also came there. The three men decided to lift the body from there and throw it at a safe place. They then put the body in a school van and threw it at a secluded spot near the polytechnic. Inspector Rajeshwar Singh said that the finger of suspicion pointed towards the accused when they claimed that they had last seen him around 5.30 pm on October 15, but the sweet shop owner claimed that he had seen him around 9.30 pm. Also the fact that the accused had not reported about the deceased being missing for two days to anyone till the police had recovered the body. |
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College students boycott classes LUDHIANA, Oct 24 — Nearly 3,000 students of SD Government College today boycotted classes in protest against the ‘‘harassment’’ by lecturers of the college. After attending a few classes in the morning, students raised slogans against the professors. They rued that some of our teachers do not allow us to stay comfortably on the campus. "While some of them ask us to show the identity cards,
others do not allow us to sit in the canteen. While some professors
ask us to go to the classrooms, others would tell us to walk out of
the classroom when there is no lecture. We cannot tolerate such undue
restrictions", they said. Some of the hostellers lamented that we
were facing problem of accommodation. Later student leader Vicky Aujla
met the Principal, Mr S.S. Sooch, and submitted the charter of
demands.
Mr Sooch said none of their demand was genuine. The students were
asked to show identity cards because some outsiders were coming to the
college and disturbing the educational environment. "We are not
giving any special diet to the sport students as the government is not
providing us any special funds for that purpose. Some hostellers who
are putting up in group of six are doing so as per their own wishes
and we are not charging them any amount,’’ said the Principal.
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Molestation case:
principal booked KHANNA, Oct 24 — The Khanna police registered a case against the Principal and a teacher of Nankana Sahib Public School of Kallal Majra, village 2 km from here, yesterday. According to S.P. (HQ), Mr H.S. Sidhu, a 10th class student of the school had lodged a complaint that the Principal of the school, Mr Gurbax Singh, had molested her on September 25. The girl told about the incident to her parents who met the Additional Secretary of the school, Mr Lakhbir Singh, who requested them to sort out the matter. However, the girls’ parents decided to pursue the case and lodged an FIR against the alleged culprits. The Principal of the school has been arrested. |
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Dengue treatment is
costly LUDHIANA, Oct 24 — Ramesh, a factory worker, has been suffering from dengue for the past one week. He has been given 10 units of blood platelets, but the count has remained steady at 60,000. Doctors say he will need at least five more units. It has cost the family, about Rs 10,000. The hospital charges will be known only when he leaves the private nursing home where he is being treated. Ramesh has been lucky in that he has got the blood free of cost. If he were to pay for the blood, the cost will have been much higher. Ramesh’s wife is thankful to his employer who has spend all the money so far. Otherwise it may not have been possible for the family to continue the treatment. Most of the people suffering from dengue belong to economically weaker sections. They are mostly labourers working different factories and living in unhygienic conditions in slums. Poor sanitation is said to be one of the main reasons for the spread of dengue as it breeds mosquitoes, the main carriers of dengue. Not all people suffering from dengue are as lucky as Ramesh. In private hospitals the cost depends on standards set arblitrarily by the hospitals. Officials of the Christian Medical College and Hospital and the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, two leading private hospitals that also have the facility for platelet sepratation, are not prepared to reveal the exact amount charged by them. But it is believed that their charges are at least double those of the Civil Hospital. Despite the facilities in the Civil Hospital at a relatively low cost, most of the patients have been opting for private nursing homes and hospitals. According to the Civil Surgeon, Dr Rajinder Kaur, platelet separation costs about Rs 500 per unit in the Civil Hospital. This was revised recently, and till some time ago, it was Rs 300 per unit. She said the hospital blood bank also provided blood at Rs 500 per unit. However, for patients of the Civil Hospital, the cost was Rs 250 per unit. |
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Traffic jams in city The number of vehicles has increased manifold in Ludhiana in the past few years leading to frequent traffic jams and frayed tempers on the roads. Another factor which has accentuated this problem is the rising number of women drivers many of whom are not sufficiently aware of traffic rules. It is common to see them causing traffic jams at places like Ghumar Mandi because of their lack of skill in coping with heavy traffic. Many of them do not even have driving licences. Traffic policemen are lenient with them and do not always challan them for violation of the traffic rules. The traffic police should conduct surprise checks and challan those who violate traffic rules regardless of their sex. |
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This week MTV VJ Asif Seth came to the city with the MTV Ga Ga van for talent hunt. When he went to the KCW, he had a pretty good time. As soon as the girls heard about his arrival in the college, they instantly swarmed around him. Soon the audition started and girls one after the other were getting their voice recorded. Scores of girls were rather disillusioned as they could not get any room close to Asif so that they could face the camera. Even on the next stop at Aptech Education, the several guys and girls and even one sub-inspector of police came up for audition. They all eagerly awaited for their turn to come. Later in the evening, the MTV van along with Asif went to Sarabha Nagar Market which is supposed to be one place where all roadshows go hit. Nobody in the market knew that any Asif was present there. No one turned up for audition. Interestingly, some of the shopkeepers were watching with keen interest the MTV Select, hosted by the VJ Asif, on the TV sets in their shops. However, none of them knew that the anchor was physically present in the market at the same time. Seeing no one keen for any audition, Asif entered one shop, ordered a Coke, quickly gulped it down and went off, unnoticed. One reason why the MTV team could not draw many people in the market could be that there was no previous announcement about the arrival of the MTV team . Secondly, It was quite dark when the MTV van hit the market and very few guys could be seen sitting here or there. One could hardly see any girl. And of course had it been Mallaika as was scheduled earlier, situation could have been different The flute seller Religion has nothing to do with the feeling of a child or a festival. For Raju Khan, a flute seller, Divali is as important as Id. Fifteen-year-old Raju has been selling flutes for the past five years or so. The young lad sells flutes that are made by his family members. His parents, as well as his two elder brothers, Sanan and Manan, make flutes. He is the only youngster who has been chosen by the family to explore the market for the product. Every child of the age of Raju expects his parents to buy him crackers, sweets, new clothes and a gift or two, whereas Raju is trying his best to sell all flutes his father made for the festival season (see photo at the top of the page). If he is able to sell most of his stocks he will be in a position to buy new clothes for his family. Although Raju loves to go to school like other children, he does not blame his parents for not sending him to a school. He is mature and wise enough at this age to understand the economics of his family. He can not only sell the bamboo flutes but can play one too. He wants to become a famous flute player. He can play a umber of film and folk tunes as good as a grown up artist. When asked, "Why do you want to become a flute player?,' Raju replied, 'Flute making is my ancestral profession and I love making, selling and playing a flute." Well, who knows what lies in store for little Raju.
Thandi Divali Divali this season is not going to be as bright as before going by the look of the things. First of all, the hustle and bustle associated with the festival is absent. The bazars of the city wear a deserted look in spite of the fact that sales have been put up by many a shopkeeper to attract festival business. An old timer remarked that festivals were becoming more like rituals that have to be performed out of necessity rather than being real occasions for merry celebrations. What, however, reminds one of Divali are the strings of tiny coloured bulbs that dot the neighbourhood. And of course, the spectacle of cleaning, white-washing and painting that is everywhere to be seen with watchful housewives close on the heels of the men employed to give a new tidy look to their houses. An outstanding feature on the roads that loudly proclaims the approaching festival are the canopies erected all over the city by lottery sellers who are keen on selling as many tickets of the Divali bumper as possible before the draw. The bumper offers a first prize of Rs one
crore. Well, God knows who will become a crorepati this Divali — Sentinel |
Farmers end indefinite
fast KHANNA, Oct 24 — The indefinite fast started by two farmers against the negative altitude of the government procurement agencies was withdrawn yesterday after the intervention of the Additional Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana, Mr S.R. Kaler. Earlier, Mr Kaler along with SDM Khanna held a meeting with the officials of the government procurement agencies, including the FCI, Punjab Agro, PUNSUP and Food Supplies Department at the local market committee office. The ADC directed the officials to speed up the procurement process. Later he talked with the leaders of the farmers and announced a formation of a four-member committee, including SDM, DFSO, chairman market committee and secretary market committee. The ADC said that the committee would decide the quality and price of the paddy lying unsold in mandi. The BKU leader, Mr Netar SIngh Nagra, claimed the ADC had assured that 85 per cent paddy lying in the grain market would be purchased by the government agencies and the rest 15 per cent would be sold at the rate of Rs 500 per quintal to the private miller through the newly formed committee. Meanwhile, SDM Khanna, Mr S.S. Gill, said that the procurement of paddy was going smoothly and he was monitoring all points personally as directed by the DC Ludhiana. He thanked Mr Kaler, for visiting Khanna and persuading the farmers to withdraw their fast. |
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Postal staff stage
dharna LUDHIANA, Oct 24 — On a joint call given by a number of national associations and organisations of the postal employees, the group C, D and E employees, here, observed a strike for the second day today and sat on a dharna outside the Head Post office. A press note issued by the representatives of the striking employees said the two-day call strike ends today. But if the central government did not accept the demands, the postal employees may go on an indefinite strike in the month of December. According to Mr C.L. Verma, Mr Y.P. Bangia, Mr Ramesh Kakkar, and Mr Kuljit Singh, representatives of various postal employees organisations, the strike was observed to air their resentment about the non- implementation of their demands in spite of assurances given by Union Ministers Sushma Swaraj and Ram Vilas Paswan. The release said the demands accepted by the government and the postal union vide an agreement dated May 1 this year should be implemented immediately. The employees demands were the implementation of the positive recommendations of Justice Charanjit Talwar Committee for the Extra Department Employees with particular reference to grant of status and pension, upgradation of pay scales of group D and C, TBOP, BCR, HSG-1, postal accounts, implementation of upgraded pay scales of postmen, mailguards with effect from January, 1996, upgradation of pay scales of Head Mail Peon, stenographers and additional increments to drivers, workshop staff and RMS accountants. |
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Speed post service to be
streamlined LUDHIANA, Oct 24 — In order to speed up the Speed Post service provided in the city, the Department of Post has decided to centralise the delivery system. Under the new policy a special office is being opened at the local railway station from November 1 onwards. The office will receive parcels directly and then despatch them on its own to the various destinations. Earlier, the parcels were directed to the head post office which, in turn, sorted them out and then they were sent to the awaiting persons. Sources said, due to this process an unwanted delay was caused in the delivery of the parcels which in turn was affecting the popularity of the service. According to Mr M. K. Khan, Senior Superintendent of post offices in the city, the facility would specially benefit the business community for whom a few hours’ delay can cost much. A contingent of 16 postmen will be specially deputed in the new office at the railway station. “Not only will the general public benefit from the scheme but even the department employees who earlier had to deal with the posts at three places would heave a sigh of relief, as all the sorting would be done at the railway station only. The scheme, which aims to give competition to the courier companies that have mushroomed in large numbers, will be given further fillip with the complete computerisation of data of the parcels arrived and dispatched. According to Mr Khan the sender as well as the addressee would be able to know the status of their parcel through the internet service. Another significant change for the benefit of the public, the facility of delivering the service would remain open on Sundays also. This had been done on the popular demand of the public , Mr Khan said. These steps are the latest undertaken by the postal department to improve the services particularly in the wake of the popularisation of the private courier agencies as well as the coming up of other modes of communication. Earlier the department had opened special speed post centres in the rural areas, given more incentives to the agents and provided the service at almost all the post offices in the city. |
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Pensioners resent govt
apathy LUDHIANA, Oct 24 — The Government Pensioners’ Association has criticised the state government for being “unfair to pensioners”. The association said despite repeated assurance, given to the pensioners’ delegation by both the Punjab Chief Minister and the Finance Minister, regarding the early implementation of the long-pending recommendation of the Punjab Pay Commission concerning pensioners, nothing had been done so far. Mr Yash Paul Ghai, additional had general secretary of the association said more than two years had elapsed since the report containing 10 major recommendations concerning pensioners was submitted to the state government on February 20, 1998. However, the Badal administration had, so far, implemented only one recommendation - revision of pensions. The other recommendations remained unimplemented. These included: old-age allowance at the rate of 5 per cent and 10 per cent on attaining the age of 65 and 75 years, respectively, 97 per cent D.A. admissible on July 1, 1993 to be counted our gratuity, benefit in pension for the service rendered beyond 33 years, restoration of the commuted pension after over 11 years, reservation of plots and flats in PUDA colonies, at least 50 per cent pension to the retiree of the minimum of there revised grade of the post held at the time of retirement, increase in the expenses incurred on the dentures, spectacles and hearing aid. Resentment prevailed among Punjab pensioners over the recent notification regarding reimbursement of medical expenses incurred by the pensioners for the treatment of chronic diseases. They were sore over the reduction on the number of chronic diseases against which the pensioners were availing reimbursement upto Rs 6000 on the treatment of chronic diseases should be rolled back. Earlier, there was no such condition. Punjab Government employees who retired between 1.1.86 to 30.9.86 were perturbed over the faulty formula for determining their pensions. They were suffering a loss of Rs 200 to Rs 5000 over month in their pensions for the that 15 years. The association sought the recomputation of their pensions also as it had recently been done by the Punjab Government in the case of those who retired between 1.1.96 to 30.9.96. |
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Law fails to deter
underage drivers LUDHIANA, Oct 24 — It all starts innocently when you ask your child to park the car in the garage. Then come small market chores or dropping a guest somewhere. Before you know, the child is driving on his own, and he appears confident enough. The law to prevent children from driving is not sufficient. If a minor is caught driving, the vehicle is impounded and is released when the parents or guardians of the child appear in court and pay the fine. The fine is anything between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 for a two-wheeler and from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 for a fourwheeler. We do not have a card punching system to indicate repeated offenses. Parents too take driving by their underage children not more seriously than playing loud music, or reading comics. The Superintendent of Police, Mr Sukhdev Singh Bhatti, in charge of traffic says, “some prominent figures of the city and their children create a lot of nuisance. Sadly, instead of checking their children, they encourage them to drive and make false allegations against the police.” The law on underage driving is not sufficient by itself and some other provision should also be there to check underage driving, he added. The Ludhiana police organises surprise checks and conducts raids once a week in any of the city schools to catch such offenders but they end up fining four or five children at the most.
Congress leaders flay RSS LUDHIANA, Oct 24 — Mr Pawan
Dewan, chairman, All- India Youth Congress Urban Development Cell, and Mr
K.K.Bawa, secretary, PPCC, today criticised the RSS for the communal role being played by it in the national politics. In a joint statement released here today, they said that it was a matter of regret that the RSS was indirectly ruling the country. They said the various constituents of the NDA alliance had been maintaining a silence regarding the RSS which was encouraging communal forces in the country. |
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Women face subtle discrimination
at home, LUDHIANA, Oct 24 — Traditionally, Indian women have been conditioned to believe that their primary responsibility is on the home front. But now a days, changes are taking place. Women have entered fields that were traditionally reserved for menfolk. Yet they continue to face subtle form of discrimination at home as well as workplace. Many women have been found to leave their jobs due to the role conflict which probably results from their involvement in two demanding areas of office and home. This has been brought out in an interesting research to study the problems of working women conducted by Dr Vandna Maini, a lecturer in commerce at Arya College, Ludhiana. The study deals mainly with the job attitudes, job commitment, job satisfaction, interpersonal relationships and role conflicts of the women executives. The sample consisted of 325 women executives working in different occupational categories at Chandigarh and Ludhiana. The term 'women executives' included those women who had the overall responsibility of their department, those who were officially listed as the executives on the payroll of their organisations and those who were the heads or the principals of their departments and institutions. The research showed that 50 per cent of the respondents found their job to be quite fulfilling. A positive correlation was found between educational qualifications and the work experience of the respondents and the level of the job satisfaction of the women. Although the respondents in Chandigarh were more satisfied with their salaries as compared to their counterparts in Ludhiana, no significant difference was found in the job satisfaction of the women executives working in Ludhiana and Chandigarh. Among the occupational categories, women executives working in educational institutions topped the list in terms of job satisfaction. Regarding the interpersonal-relations, the women executives living in Chandigarh perceived better inter-personal relations with their superiors as compared to the women executives in Ludhiana. Further, senior respondents having higher educational qualifications and work experience perceived better inter-personal relations at work place. The respondents were also asked to specify whether they faced any sexual harassment at work place. Only eight respondents admitted to having been sexually harassed by their co-workers. Surprisingly, seven out of these belongs to educational institutions. The third major objective of the research was to study the role conflict experienced by women executives as a result their dual responsibility of looking after their home as well as office. As many as 46 per cent of the respondents considered themselves to be fully successful in bringing about a harmony between their office and domestic duties. They emphasised on the qualitative utilisation of the time as well as cooperative attitude of their family members. The help of domestic servants and time-saving gadgets were also given due importance. Statistical analysis confirmed a negative correlation between family income and role conflicts. Higher the income, the lesser the role conflict. The respondents who were unable to synchronize the activities at home and office stated that it was due to the communication gap with their families. Lengthy and unusual working hours and the non-cooperative attitude of their employees also contributed to the role conflict. The results of the research also showed that the women executives who took keen interest in their job experienced more role conflict. Thus, women holding top positions still felt guilty about neglecting their home and children. In
an attempt to study the job commitment of women executives, they were asked to state the reasons as to why they took up the present employment. Most of the respondents listed development of personality, realisation of their potential, economic independence, status elevation as the main reasons. A direct correlation were found between age and job commitment. Finally, the executives were asked to rank the factors which would increase their job commitment. Higher salary, opportunity for promotion, pleasant working conditions, opportunity to use skill, fair treatment by seniors and opportunity for training were the various reasons given by the respondents. Although no significant difference was found in the job commitment of women executives working in Chandigarh and Ludhiana, women executives working in banking and insurance companies were found to be more committed to their work as compared to their counterparts in business organisations. Most of the women executives felt that their employment raised their status in the society and their families. The women executives working in educational institutions perceived better societal attitude as compared to the women executives working in business organisations. Although the majority of the respondents were getting good salaries, they still regarded their husband as bread winner of the family. Only 29 per cent of the respondents felt that their husband would be appreciative if they were given better salary than their husband. Only 43 per cent of the respondents were helped by the husband in performing the household chores. Lastly, an attempt was also made to study as to how far the women executives agreed with the traditional role of a woman in society. Although 49 per cent of the executives did feel that their family commitments affected their work efficiency, 70 per cent of the respondents disagreed with the traditionally held view that the role of a woman in the society was to look after home and children. In fact, 92 per cent of the respondents felt that they were as competent as their male counterparts and given the right opportunity they could prove their mettle. This research confirms that economic independence coupled with job status gives woman better perception of societal attitude, which results in more effective role performance on their part. However, there is still the need for an attitudinal change on the part of the executives themselves, their families and their
organisations.
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PFA cautions public
against firecrackers LUDHIANA, Oct 24 —The People for Animals (PFA) has cautioned the citizens, especially children, to keep a check on bursting of crackers with high noise frequency sounds of these crackers creates panic among animals and birds. A PFA note said this was evident from the behaviour of animals like dogs and cats who hide themselves in the dark corners of a house due to noise . Moreover, noise also creates, pollution and is harmful for human beings as well. Every year thousands of people suffer from Burn injuries and property is destroyed due to the crackers. The release said out of respect for all living ones, we should not indulge in trying crackers to the body or tails of dogs or donkeys, as it caused immense pain and agony for these dumb creatures. These animals suffer from burns and injuries and sometimes die. Giving such a treatment to anyone dampens the spirit of the festival. Fireworks like rockets cause burn injuries to birds and damage to their nests and sometimes to cattle too sheds. Fire in forests/trees as well as at other places resulting in deaths and damage to property/environment was also a result of crackers. The festival days cause great discomfort for asthmatics as the fumes and gases emitted from these fireworks is very dangerous and poisonous. The note advised that the festival should be celebrated by lighting of diyas and exchanging sweets with loved near ones as well as providing food to dogs, cats, cattle and birds. The note also suggested that we should put some pieces of fruit or grains on the roof top or in isolated place for birds. Similarly we can go to any animals shelter and provide food and love to its inmates. we can donate a part of our pocket money, money saved by saying no to crackers, for the food and treatment of stray and helpless creatures. |
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Punjab police holds
pre-Divali show PHILLAUR, Oct 24 — Sunday was a fun-filled day for the families of Punjab Police personnel. For the first time,
pre-Divali celebrations were organised at the parade ground of the Police Academy here. Wives and children of police personnel responded enthusiastically to the invitation and a large number of them participated in the events. The authorities announced that the celebrations will be made an annual event. Mr Parveen Kumar Sinha and Ms Anita
Punj, both IPS officers, posted at the academy, said the Director of the academy, Mr
A.Siddiqui, felt that at though a number of recreational activities for the trainees and staff members were held regularly, events for the families were
laking. It was with this in mind that the pre-Divali celebrations were held, they said. “Due to the hectic training schedule, the
DGP, Punjab, has agreed to hold such events at least once a year” they said. The celebrations were full of fun and frolic not only for the participants but also for the spectators. It was a treat to watch children and women competing in games like three-legged race, slow cycling, balloon race, sack race, tug of war, musical chairs, needle and thread and chocolate race.
The DGP, Mr Sarbjit Singh, presented the prizes to the winners. |
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MOST people erroneously think that playing with fireworks or having a fireworks display at home at the time of festivals or occasions like marriage functions is great fun. But the fact is fireworks are extremely dangerous to your health, especially your eyes. Never handle, light or play with fireworks of any kind at all, says Lakshmi Chand, sitting in the darkness of permanent blindness of his both eyes. He had a ‘bomb’ exploded in his face, last Divali in Chandigarh while his grandson was displaying fire power of crackers. For this family, and many more like them, on whom the curse of darkness descended from nowhere, the festival of lights would never be the same. Others have to learn a lesson or two. Why not to celebrate Divali and other happy occasions as ‘firework safety festivals’, instead of converting each home/street as a ‘bomb blast yard ?’ The best way to avoid injury is not to use crackers or fireworks. Fireworks are unstable. Injury can happen to anyone, anytime, even if you are being careful. If you handle or play with fireworks, you are putting yourself at risk for permanent blindness, hearing loss, loss of hands and fingers, and second and third degree burns to the face and other parts of the body. The eyes are especially vulnerable to firework injuries. Fireworks, and the debris from fireworks, can burn the eyes, cause loss of one or both eyes, or blindness. Sparkles are not safe for children or adults! They burn at a temperature hot enough to melt gold (1,800°F). Many people injured by fireworks are innocent bystanders. The most dangerous type of fireworks is the “bottle rocket”. A bottle rocket will fly erratically and explode without warning, flinging glass, metal and other material into bystanders. Almost half of those treated for firework injuries are children under age 15. Just because crackers and fireworks are being sold under licence from the administration, it doesn’t make them safe. All fireworks are dangerous and should not be handled at all. Certain big crackers/bombs are available in the market, though banned as illegal, fireworks, and are highly dangerous. Peer pressure can influence children and teenagers not to use fireworks. Talk to your children and family the dangers of handling fireworks and persuade them to desit from this self-destructive game.’ Pets are also at risk from fireworks. The noise associated with firecrackers and other devices can frighten your pet and cause him to run off. Keep pets indoors on Divali. While Indian figures are not available, US fireworks statics show: 72 per cent of the victims are males, 50 per cent of them below 15 years of ago; The greatest number of eye injuries are associated with rockets; sparkles anaars are the second highest cause of fireworks injuries, requiring trips of the emergency room. Sparklers can heat upto 1800°F; misuse and negligence or casual attitude cause 60 per cent of injuries; bystanders are more often injured by fireworks than operators themselves. What if an accident does occur? The following actions can help save your child’s sight: Do not go to quack. Go to an eye specialist, if an eye injury has occurred. Do not delay medical attention even for seemingly mild injuries. “Mildly” damaged areas can worsen and end in serious vision loss, even blindness, that might not have happened if treatment and taken place immediately. Stay calm, do not panic; keep the child as calm as possible. Do not rub the eye. If any eye tissue is torn, rubbing might push out the eye’s contents and cause more damage. Trying to rub the eye is an automatic response to pain, but pressure will only do more harm. Take the child’s hand away from his or her face. Do not attempt to rinse out the eye. This can be even more damaging. Shield the eye from pressure. Tape or secure the bottom of a foam cup, milk carton or another shield against the bones surrounding the eyebrow, cheek and bridge of the nose. Avoid giving aspirin or ibuprofen (or other non-sterodical anti inflammatory drugs, called N-SAIDS”) to try to reduce the pain. They thin the blood and might increase bleeding. Acetaminophen is the over-the-counter drug of choice. Unfortunately, non-prescription painkillers will not be of much help. It is better to get to the emergency room right away. Do not apply ointment or any medication. It is probably not sterile. Also, ointments make the eye area slippery. This could slow the doctor’s examination at a time when every second counts. What the government can do? The government has to take a bold decision to put a complete ban on the sale and use of crackers in houses/streets/public places of all kinds. Instead, the government can arrange display of fireworks by professionals under
it's own supervision, in an absolutely safe environment, away from residential/commercial areas. Professional firework displays are entertaining and spectacular. Not only do they offer a much safer environment, they are more affordable too. — Dr R. Kumar(President of the Chandigarh Ophthalmological Society) |
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Ludhianvis prefer Punjabi
cuisine Ludhianvis, though known as epicures, are quite unadventurous in their food habits. That is the opinion one gathers from some of the well-known restaurants in the city. Despite a variety of Mexican, Continental, Chinese, Mughlai, Hyderabadi, Avadhi and Rajasthani meals available at these restaurants, Ludhianvis invariably opt for Punjabi food. When Lodhi Ruwayat was launched on February 18, it used to serve Avadhi and Mughlai cuisine and attracted about 30-40 odd customers every night for dinner. However, after observing the trend in the city, they put typical Punjabi cuisine on their menu. Now they get 60-70 customers on week days and about 100 on weekends and festive occasions. Mr Shivam of Grewalz says, "Most of our clients refer to noodles as "sewian." Also, they prefer Manchurian, soups, chilly and hot and sour chicken only. We have a lot of variety and some exclusive items, but people here are not ready to experiment." Business, however, is booming as most of these restaurants have their regular customers. To retain these loyal clientele, all cuisines have been given a Punjabi flavour and cosmopolitan items have been Indianised. The clients remain loyal because of the quality of the food, good service, efficient staff and a clean environment. Mr Gaurav Gera of Gazebo added: "Personalised service and an element of surprise are important. At our restaurant, we keep introducing new dishes and change the cutlery quarterly." The restaurant owners admitted that there was a lot of competition. Most of them said they believed in maintaining their quality and keeping their houses in shape. The decor or 'theme restaurants' are yet to catch up in the city. Only the Park Plaza has theme restaurants. |
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Youth turning to
religion LUDHIANA, THE room is suffused with the fragrance of incense and the air resonates with chants of hymns. Sitting cross-legged on the floor is a young man who works as an executive with a leading business house. A young woman, dressed in hip-hugging trousers and a short top, flaunts her guru’s picture on a gold ring adorning her finger. Both are real-life scenes from the industrial city of Ludhiana. Religious life of the Ludhianvis appears to have come full circle. “About a few decades ago, the youngsters were cagey about making public their religious preferences. Having a guru was considered an out dated concept. Today such selfimposed restrictions are ebbing away,” said a school teacher, whose 20-year-old son is a staunch follower of Shri Asa Ram. The youth is turning religion with vigour not known before. It is true that religion has acquired a status tag, but this is half the story. Many young persons turn to religion for genuine solace. In these stress ful times, we need a peg to hang our troubles on and this is where religion comes in. The spiritual succour offered by a guru surpasses all other kind of experiences,” said a follower of Shri Murari Bapu. Not that the youth are treading only the beaten path and are following the religion professed by their forefathers. They are exploring new paths. “Even though I am a Hindu, I regularly go to the Pir Mela held every Thursday at PAU. Most of the friends who accompany me are also non-Muslims,” explained Lalita, a school student. Interestingly, there is also a frivolous side to the religious foray of the youth. “For some of my friends, religion has a purely utility value. If their prayers for success go unheard, their faith slackens and they took for other rewarding avenues. Their religion is more like a business deal,” lamented a research scholar. |
8 arrested for
gambling LUDHIANA, Oct 24 — The police has arrested eight persons for gambling at public places from different parts of the city during the past 24 hours. An amount of Rs 6,375 has been recovered from them. Cases have been registered against Ashok Kumar of Harkrishan Nagar, Yashmpal Singh of Basant Nagar, Nitu of Harkrishan Nagar, Ramesh Kumar of Guru Gobind Nagar, Babu Ram of Daba Colony, Ramesh, Karam Singh of Guru Gobind Singh Nagar, Kala Ram of Guru Gobind Singh Nagar and Kala of Guru Gobind Singh Nagar. Liquor seized Man killed One held |
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Woman alleges torture
by in-laws SAHNEWAL, Oct 24— A woman has accused her husband and in-laws of torturing her physically and mentally for bringing insufficient dowry. The police has booked the in-laws and the husband of the victim under Sections 406, 498-A and 506 of the IPC. According to the complaint, the victim, Manjit Kaur of Bharo Munna village, was married to Balbir Singh of Madanipur on June 26,1996. She was constantly nagged by her in-laws for bringing insufficient dowry. About six months ago, she was forced to write a note that if she committed suicide, her in-laws should not be blamed for it in any way. When she was in advanced stage of pregnancy, her husband left her at the house of her parents where she gave birth to a girl child. Her in- laws had refused to help her and told her that she had been permanently thrown out of the house. Fearing that her in-laws could use her forced suicide note to harm her physically, Manjit Kaur lodged a complaint against her husband, Balbir Singh, her brothers-in-laws, Narang Singh, Harbans Singh and Hardev Singh, father-in-law Ram Asra, mother-in-law Mukhtiar Kaur and sister-in-law Manjit
Kaur.
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Knitwear Club flays double taxation LUDHIANA, Oct 24 — The Knitwear Club, Ludhiana has criticised the double taxation policy of the Punjab Government and sought its immediate withdrawal. The club has submitted a representation to the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal regarding the double taxation on hosiery goods. Mr Vinod Thapar, president and Mr Narinder K. Miglani, general secretary of the club in a joint statement, said the hosiery industry had been a victim of double taxation, which was inimical to the industry’s prospects. There was 4 per cent tax on yarn, which was the only raw material for hosiery products and then there was 4 per cent sales tax on the end product. For taxable sales traded within state the industry gets let off but in case of inter-state trade no such provision exists. The problem should be seen in the light of the fact that 90 per cent of trade of the city was inter-state. Mr Thapar added that the economy was moving towards value added tax (VAT) and the state ministers as well as Union Finance Minister had agreed to the implementation of VAT. This would be a step in the right direction but the current system of double taxation was hampering the growth garment industry in the state. The woollen knitwear industry was worst hit by unfair double taxation as a result, was migrating to areas with lower tax incidence. And if the policy continued the city would lose its competitive advantage in the knitwear segment. Members of the club informed since fabrics did not attract tax on inter-state trade the industry was selling fabrics to other states instead of adding value to it in the form of finished garments, which resulted in lower returns. Again Punjab was one of the few states that had implemented uniform sales tax. State like Delhi did not attract any tax if unit price was less than Rs 100 and 2 per cent for higher unit value and Calcutta had not tax on readymade goods. These states had become attractive business propositions and the garment manufacturing industry was moving out to these places, which also included Rajasthan, Mumbai with lower taxes on sales. This phenomenon had been noticed by National Institute of Fashion Designing also and seeing the influx of garment manufacturing out of Punjab, they have planned to set up institute for garment manufacturing technology in Jaipur. The president said that it was a reason for poor performance of Punjab in the field of garments exports, as the inputs remained common for the domestic production as well as exports. Tirupur on the other hand had grown due to more prudent tax system. On behalf of the industry, the club members have requested the Chief Minister to take up the matter for the cause of garment industry and waive the double tax. |
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Punjab industry working at 50 pc
capacity LUDHIANA, Oct 24 — The season of Divali of the new millennium will not be a boom period for the industry and trade of the state and if this unsavory trend is any indication, it would spell doom for the industry. The Union Government headed up Atal Behari Vajpayee is responsible for the present sorry state of the affairs as the BJP and its coalition partners have shunned the Swadeshi plank and are welcoming the multinationals with folded hands to make unhindered forays into the domestic market under the garb of liberalisation and globalisation ostensibly at the behest of IMF and the World Bank. This was stated by Mr Harish Khanna, president of the Industry and Trade Forum of Punjab. He said that as many as nine lakh small units in the country had turned sick and in Punjab more than 8,000 units had closed down. Industry was today working at 50 per cent of its capacity. Overtime working was now unheard of. Finished goods were seen lying dumped and there were no takers. These are the finding brought out by team of the forum, Punjab and the Ludhiana Small-Scale Manufacturers Association headed by Mr Harish Khanna which had conducted a survey of the industrial units and trading towns of the state. It was found that over a period of time there was steep hike in the prices of raw materials like iron and steel, petro-chemical and rubber products and yarn.This price rise had become unmanageable as the manufacturers find it extremely difficult to absorb the same in the cost of end products as the prices of end products were nor rising in commensurate with those of raw materials. The State government had adopted multiple taxation policy. Corruption and inspector raj were adding to the woes of small-scale entrepreneurs. The state government was adopting populist measures like free power supply to one sector to safeguard their vote banks without caring for its ill-effects on other sectors. Hitherto, industry in the state was enjoying special incentives which were not any more available. The survey found that the SSI units manufacturing edible oils, cycle parts, auto parts and accessories, fastners, ball-bearings, packing materials, hosiery goods, machine tools had become sick. Fifty per cent of the total sale of fastners had declined. The cycle parts industry in the state was the worst hit due to wrong economic policies of both the union and the state governments. The central government was also withdrawing incentives on export of cycles parts in a phased manner. In the electroplating industry 70 per of the units had turned sick as per rough estimates. The condition of steel rolling mills and foundries was not better either. Fifty per cent of the mills and foundries running in Batala, Ludhiana and Mandi Gobindgarh have closed this year. The team analysed the problems being faced by industry and trade in Punjab in connection of the prevailing economic scenario and arrived at a conclusion that some drastic and sincere steps definitely need to be initiated to save the existing industrial units from the impending problems. In order to be able to wriggle out of the crises-like situation, the union government and the state government should set up expert committees where in representation should be given to representatives of the small-scale sector. Some sort of succor to this ailing sector at this juncture in the form of financial package should be given to the small-scale sector failing which it was bound to doom. The rates of taxes, be it sales tax or local taxes should be reduced and labour laws simplified. The way the Chief Minister made frantic efforts to get the problem of the farmers in effecting the sale of paddy solved, he was also expected to take similar actions in the case of industry especially in the small-scale sector whose problems have assumed alarming proportions. |
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