Rehabilitation scheme begins
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 8 — The first phase of a mega scheme to build 16,000 dwelling units for the rehabilitation of illegal slum dwellers began today. The UT Administrator, Lieut-Gen J.F.R. Jacob (retd), laid the foundation stone of a 1,000-apartment complex in Sector 56 here, as part of the scheme.

The Chandigarh Administration plans to build more such units in the peripheral areas of the city. These will be built in a phased manner under the national rehabilitation policy.

After laying the foundation stone, General Jacob said the project aimed at providing apartments on priority basis to eligible bonafide residents of Chandigarh who were living in slums and had been included in the voters list as on December 8, 1996.

The land for this project has been given by the Chandigarh Administration to the Chandigarh Housing Board on a no-profit-no-loss basis. The land was acquired by the Administration from local farmers who were paid compensation for this.

General Jacob said, as the land was scarce in the city, these units were being built in the peripheral areas. He said Chandigarh was perhaps the first city where four-storey tenements would be built as part of rehabilitation schemes.

The Administrator said the first 1,000 tenements would be built on a plot size of 11.22 square yards each with a total covered area of 306.5 square feet. Each unit would include one room, one bathroom, one WC and one cooking alcove. He said the units had been designed to prevent encroachment on government land and public spaces. Sufficient open space (up to 65 per cent) has been left for parks, roads and pavements.

An allotment scheme would be worked out to ensure that the allotted dwelling units were not transferred illegally, the General said. He also asked the Chandigarh Housing Board (CHB) to plant a sufficient number of trees in the area and finish the project within two years.

Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Ms Neeru Nanda, Chairperson of the CHB, gave an overview of the project and said the CHB would spend Rs 10 crores from its funds on this project.

Terms eased for MLA housing colony?
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Nov 7 — After the scheme to allot land for a residential colony in the town to the sitting MLAs did not find favour with legislators, the Punjab Government has eased some of the terms and conditions of the allotment.

The scheme for the allotment of land of the housing colony had been approved at a meeting of the Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA), subject to certain terms and conditions. A condition of allotment, which banned transfer of property by way of sale or mortgage — except for raising loan from a financial institution to meet the construction cost of the house — has now been done away with. Another sub-clause banning the transfer of property through a General Power of Attorney for a period of 20 years from the date of issuing of the allotment letter has also been removed.

Citing security reasons, the Punjab Government has decided to allot 25 acre of land for a residential colony in the southern part of the town on the pattern of VIP complex at Sector 39 of Chandigarh. The proposal for providing the colony was moved by the government on the recommendation of the DGP, Punjab.

The police authorities in a note to the government had said that many MLAs and their family members were under threat from militant organisations. There was also a security risk for those living in the neighbourhood of politicians. The presence of security personnel and their “temporary” accommodations had become a source of nuisance for residents of respective areas. Moreover, the security personnel encroached on public land for pitching their tents.

Sources in the government said the scheme had not found much favour, as a society of the legislators of the ruling party was interested in buying land in Kansal village to be acquired for the Anandgarh Project. Some land had already been procured and more was being purchased in Kansal. The sources said the land purchased by the society could be released from acquisition by the Punjab Government.

Under the relaxed terms and conditions, the option for applying for a 300 sq yard plot or a 500 sq yard plot would also be given.

Weapons recovered from PU hostel
By Nishikant Dwivedi

CHANDIGARH, Nov 8 — Sharp-edged weapons were recovered from a Panjab University hostel, here yesterday. It was learnt that some persons had occupied a room in the hostel after breaking open its seal. When the warden went to take possession of the room, the occupants fled leaving behind some weapons. The weapons were later handed over to the police. No FIR has been registered so far.

A sword, a sickle (gandasa ) and a machete were recovered from this room of the Hostel No 4. The room belongs to Pushpinder Singh, a student of the Department of Laws. Sources said it was for the second time that his room's seal was found broken.

Sources in the PU relate the recovery of weapons to the just concluded students' body elections. They pointed out that the weapons were probably kept either to attack the rival group or to retaliate in case the other party attacked them.

Two post poll violence incidents had already been reported. In the first case, Bhupinder Singh Bhupi, president of the Panjab University Campus Student Council, had allegedly attacked Vikram. In another case, two students belonging to rival groups had a fight in one of the PU hostels.

The room from where the weapons were recovered was sealed as Pushpinder had not renewed the room in his name. Sources in the university said when the hostel watchman came to know about the occupation of the room, he went to the room which was found locked from inside. He reported the matter to the warden.

When the warden reached the room at 3.30 p.m. yesterday, to take possession of the room, the occupants had already fled. Sources point out that there were five to six persons in the room. However, their identity could not be established. The warden was not available for comments.

Mr V.K. Bansal, Dean Students Welfare, PU, when contacted said, ‘‘The university would take necessary action against Pushpinder ’’, and added, ‘‘he might be expelled from the hostel or a fine may be imposed on him’’.

Sources in the police say that the weapons recovered from the room do not fall under the Arms Act. When contacted, Mr Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal, Assistant Superintendent of Police (Central) said, ‘‘Before taking any action we would ask the student in whose room the weapons were recovered for an explanation’’. He also said that the warden concerned would also be asked about the action taken when the room seal was found broken earlier. He said, ‘‘Only after that we will take any action’’.

PU scientist gets Nehru birth centenary award
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 8 — Prof S.K. Malik, from the Department of Mathematics in Punjab University, has been honoured with the Jawahar Lal Nehru birth centenary award.

The coveted award has been bestowed with an aim of highlighting the progress of the country in science and technology at the international level. This entitles Prof Malik, to regular trips abroad to leading institutes of science and technology.

The small list of the earlier award winners include Prof R. Chidambaram, chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, Prof G. Padmanabhan, a former director of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and Dr M.G. Deo, a former director of Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, among others.

Professor Malik, who was appointed the Vice-Chancellor of Pondicherry University, in 1998 had turned down the proposal saying that “research more than administration was appealing to him at this juncture”.

Professor Malik has about a dozen impressive awards to his credit. The Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar award in Mathematics was awarded to him in 1985. A holder of the V.V. Narlikar award, he is a fellow of the Indian National Science Academy and also a section president. Professor Malik is also a fellow of the National Academy of Sciences.

Few prominent awards to Professor Malik’s name include the Megh Nad Saha award, the P.L. Bhatnagar award, and a UGC National fellowship. He led the Indian delegation for the International Mathematics Union and International Congress of Mathematics in Berlin. Professor Malik is associated with the Indian Science Congress, the council of the National Academy of Sciences, the Indian Statistical Institute and been a senior scientist in TPSC at the Department of Science and Technology.

The chief area of Professor Malik’s study is non-linear stability, non-linear waves, bifurcation and chaos in various physical systems. Besides numerous research papers, he has to his credit a couple of books ‘Continuum mechanics and its application’ (edited by G.A.C. Graham and himself), a text book on differential equations, Mechanics I and II.

Dr Malik is associated with various committees and boards of organisations like the Department of Science and Technology, the Councillor Scientific and Industrial Research, UGC, Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Indian National Science Academy.

Prof Malik is also associated with the selection of “Swarna Jayanti Award Fellowships”, the ‘Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar’ Award and various other award committees.

Professor Malik has been a research associate with the University of Wisconsin, a visiting professor at Simon Fraser University, Canada, besides being a professor at Panjab University.

Preparations on for 10th Plan
Stress on basic needs at grassroots
By P.P.S. Gill
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 8 — The Planning Commission has begun preparing the concept paper for the Tenth Five Year Plan with the focus on “back to the basics”. Its thrust will be on rural development by tackling basic needs of villagers at the grassroots with the aim of checking influx of rural population to urban centres.

The plan aims to educate the people, to make them aware of their rights and responsibilities and introduce elements of accountability and transparency. The plan will aim to be time-bound, cost-effective, economically competitive, pragmatic and practical.

This was stated by a member of the Planning Commission, Mr Kamaluddin Ahmed, in an exclusive interview here today.

Past experience has showed that despite best of efforts the results were not achieved. Distortions intervened even before the implementation of Plans. Therefore, a change in approach, in terms of concept, planning, monitoring, methodology of implementation had to be made in the next Five Year Plan. It will be bigger in size than the Ninth Plan that ends next year.

Steps were required to avoid pitfalls due to political or bureaucratic hurdles in the way of effective implementation of the Plan. “In fact, for the success of any scheme under the Plan, the ruling political parties shall have to rise above party line, taking community interests into consideration for equitable socio-economic development”.

Mr Ahmed, who has led an active political life and hails from Andhra Pradesh, joined the Commission two months ago. He asserted, “Key to India becoming a superpower lies in development of villages taking the block as a unit”. Today, technological advances and intelligence development was of a high order, requiring different strokes to do planning. These strokes would take into account the population increase, shrinking resources of water, need for its conservation and poverty alleviation. Education and health for all would require new techniques of planning. The Commission did not have an independent monitoring and scrutiny system. It depended on the feedback from the ministries concerned. Alongside planning, it would have to introduce an element of policing to cross-check claims of states on utilisation of funds.

Mr Ahmed said, “There are lessons to be learnt from the past for proper appraisal of the future to bring about systematic changes within given system constraints and certain parameters set by the National Development Council. This calls for competitive plans and planning”.

Future planning, he said, had to begin from the block level, going up in the form of a pyramid. The Constitution now provided for (as per the 73rd and 74th Amendments) “empowerment” of the grassroots democratic institutions, municipalities and panchayats. When the government gives power to the people at the village level it also transfers transparency. The people must question and assert without confrontation and demand what was due to them. “This can happen if there is widespread literacy and awakening. The Tenth Plan proposes to precisely do this by giving an opportunity to the people“.

The next Plan was expected to be “people-friendly, need-based and region-specific” and reflect the “collective will” of the people.

Despite “sacred” intentions and spending Rs 10,000 crore annually on rural development, the “soft” democratic states itself were responsible in providing little benefit to the targeted population. Therefore, the village economy had to be made self-sufficient by providing basic facilities for development. Mr Ahmed assured “correctives” in the next Plan, scrapping of the old order and creating a new one to articulate the aspirations of the rural and urban people. The domestic service sector, which thrives in urban slums, will also be part of the planning process. Should it be allowed to exist merely as a vote-bank?

Legal Services Day today
Legal awareness to be spread among 
40,000 neoliterates
By Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 8 — A special Lok Adalat in the Sector 17 district courts complex and a legal awareness camp in Model Jail, Burail, which will involve a personal visit of DIG Prisons to every barrack, will be the two main highlights of the Legal Services Day, which falls tomorrow. Not just that, the State Legal Services Authority, UT, seems to have coordinated well with many other institutions including the Panjab University and affiliated colleges, as also with the Department of Adult and Continuing Education in order to ensure that the Day was observed in letter and spirit.

Yet another highlight tomorrow will be dissemination of information about legal aid schemes and programmes under the Legal Services Authority Act, 1987, to about 40,000 neo-literates and learners in UT’s periphery. The ambitious project will be made possible by the Department of Adult and Continuing Education under the aegis of the State Legal Services Authority which has already supplied wall posters, brochures and calenders to about 40 nodal preraks. These preraks have been identified from the 400 centres of adult education. The 60 other preraks who operate far off from UT were also contacted by officials of the authority, which is all set to create a para-legal force.

More benefit for slum dwellers

An amendment that was made in the much-criticised rehabilitation scheme of the Chandigarh Administration yesterday, will now benefit more slum dwellers than the original target of 16,000.

Highly placed sources in the Chandigarh Administration said the amendment would alter the eligibility criteria for the allotment of dwelling units. This would allow more slum dwellers to be eligible for getting apartments under the scheme. It would increase the burden on taxpayers and result in windfall for more illegal slum dwellers who had encroached upon public land.

Under the present scheme, all those who were on the voters list as on December 8, 1996, will be eligible for getting an apartment on a nominal rent in Chandigarh. The cost of land here is close to that in Delhi.

After the amendment, slum dwellers who had not been included in the voters list of December 8, 1996, but had their names in previous voters lists between 1990 and 1996, will also be eligible for getting apartments. However, only those person would get the benefit who had not benefitted from any other rehabilitation scheme of the Administration.

As the number will be more than 16,000 that was estimated earlier, the Administration will have to acquire more land. It will also have to invest more money in building apartments. The burden of the expenses, thus, will be on taxpayers.

One this is still not clear after the amendment — what will happen to the claims of those persons who were included in the voters list between 1990 and 1996, but later died or moved out of the place.

Administration concedes on land dispute issue
From Our Correspondent

KHARAR, Nov 8 — The blockade on the Chandigarh- Ludhiana highway by residents of Khanpur village since Monday afternoon ended yesterday. The villagers were protesting against the allegedly illegal attempt to take possession of some land in the village, which falls in Kharar municipal limit. The resident of Rurki Pukhta village also blocked the road in support of the residents of Khanpur.

The villagers lifted the blockade at about 1 p.m. yesterday, after their demands were accepted by the administration and a written compromise was signed by Mr Dewinder Singh, DSP Morinda, Mrs Daljit Kaur, MLA Kharar, Mr Roshan Lal and Mr Charanjeet Singh — both members of the Municipal Committee, Kharar, Mr Maan Singh Manheda, a senior leader BSP leader, Mr Mehar Singh, President Block congress (I) Kharar and Mr Khushwant Rai Giga of BJP.

Mr Khushi Ram, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Ropar, assured the gathering that all terms of the agreement would be implemented. The villagers concerned with the common land of the village should be enquired by the CBI on recommendation of the SDM Kharar.

As per the agreement, the earlier possession of the villagers on this land would be restored and action would be taken against miscreants who attacked the villagers. Compensation for the loss suffered by the villagers would also be done.

Mrs Daljeet Kaur, MLA, Kharar while addressing the gathering was critical of the administration. She alleged that every thing had been done by the administration as per the directions of a so-called SAD leader.

Mr Mann Singh Maheda, while addressing the gathering said that poor persons were in possession of this land for the past 50 years and now they were forcibly made to part with it.

MC drive to beautify spaces along roads
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Nov 8 — The SAS Nagar Municipal Council has launched a drive to beautify the open spaces along the roads that lead to the town from Chandigarh. Under the drive, the road divider on the dual carriageway from the YPS rotary to Sohana will be beautified. Rs 9 lakh have been earmarked for the project, initially.

Mr Jaipal Singh, Administrator of the civic body, said, under the drive, a crafted mild-steel railing would also be erected on both sides of the road divider. A fine grass and decorative shrubs would also be planted on the road divider.

Initially, a stretch of about 2,000 feet on the road divider was to be covered, but the drive would now be extended upto Sohana. The Municipal Engineer of the civic body, Mr Ajay Kanwar, said motorists frequently crossed the road divider, causing a number of accidents. He said the mild-steel railing would prevent such accidents.

The Administrator had also written to the Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner (AETC) to get the information collection centre (ICC) near the YPS rotary relocated as it was a traffic hazard. The mild-steel railing will run through the present site of the ICC. 

Bag containing Rs 1 lakh stolen
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 8 — In a complaint to the police, a Sector 4, Panchkula, resident alleged that a bag containing Rs 1 lakh was stolen from his car parked outside a bank in Sector 35.

Giving details of the incident, Mr Pankaj Sharma, working as an accounts supervisor with a Lalru-based company, said the money was stolen after he parked the car and went inside the bank.

The complainant added that the driver, too, had left the car after locking it for having tea. He added that the money was withdrawn from the Sector 17 branch of the Oriental Bank of Commerce.

Taking up his complaint, the Chandigarh police has registered a case of theft under Section 379 of the Indian Penal Code. 

COMMUNITY

‘Faulty recarpeting of road’
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Nov 8 — Public money amounting to lakhs of rupees being spent by the SAS Nagar Municipal Council in providing basic amenities to the entrepreneurs in the Industrial Focal Point in Phase IX here is being wasted.

A case in point is recarpeting of roads being undertaken by a contractor in certain pockets of the extension area of the focal point. A stretch of road in front of units from 491 to 496, which was laid on Tuesday, started coming off today. The entrepreneurs in the area also complained to the engineering wing of the council about the non-adherence of road-laying specifications.

Mr Devinder Pal Singh, an entrepreneur in the area, said the carpeting was not done to the proper width of the road. He has complained to the Administrator and the Municipal Engineer of the council in this regard. Such non-adherence of road-laying specifications on other road stretches in the extension area could not ruled out, said another entrepreneur.

The Administrator of the council, Mr Jaipal Singh, on being asked about the irregularity, directed the engineering staff to take action against the contractor and inquire into the matter. The Municipal Engineer, Mr Ajay Kanwar, said the contractor had already been warned about the irregularity.

Besides, absence of storm water system, poor street lighting and failure of water supply were among the other problems faced in the area.

Residents fear encroachment on open space
By Geetanjali Gayatri
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, Nov 8 — Residents of Sector 12 here are apprehensive that the management of a gurdwara in the same sector will encroach upon the open space adjoining the place, belonging to HUDA on the eve of Gurpurab.

They contend that after levelling of the area, plans are afoot to prop up a board announcing the making of a “Guru Nanak park” which will be maintained by the management which has extensive plans chalked out for the area.

“We have been demanding a dispensary in the area which has not come through despite assurances of the Chief Minister. The project has been shelved by HUDA for want of space much to our annoyance. However, the gurdwara management has designs on the only open space in our sector. We disapprove of this since we already have a lot of place allowed for the purpose,” they rued.

Meanwhile, managing the making of the park next to the gurdwara, Capt Gurdev Singh (retd), says that the open space was full of people defecating in the area and heaps of garbage were a common site before the gurdwara stepped in to launch “operation clean up”.

“We sought the prior permission of the Administrator, HUDA, before beginning the job. Now, we have managed to maintain cleanliness. Also, we decided to beautify the place by planting flowers and maintaining a lawn. For the purpose, we are already consulting the Horticulture Department,” he informed.

Further, he added that the general secretary of the INLD, Mr Pradeep Chaudhary, had visited the place and seen the deplorable condition of the open space next to a religious place. “He assured us that he would further our case to the government and help us get the land in question. We have already sent our application to the Chief Minister through him,” he explained.

Capt Singh said that the idea of naming the park on the auspicious occasion of Gurpurab after the Sikh guru was proposed and accepted. “A special board has been got painted and will be displayed amidst fanfare on that day when the devotees are around. It is this display that is being seen by residents as the first step to encroaching upon public land.

When contacted, Mr Shrikant Walgad, Administrator, HUDA, said maintaining a piece of land was absolutely fine but the department would take strong objection to display of any sort at the site. “Putting up of a board without permission on public land amounts to encroachment,” he said.

Mr Pradeep Chaudhary also denied having given any assurances and said that on the instance of the management of the gurdwara, he had only said that permission for maintaining the land would be granted to them.

Upper limit for legal aid notified
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 8 — The Chandigarh Administration has notified an increase in the upper income limit for availing legal aid from Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000. Now any person, who earns less than Rs 50,000 per year, can avail legal aid from the State Legal Services Authority.

This has been done to keep the upper limit of income in tune with the limits set by National Legal Services Authority, and to make the facility of legal aid realistically available to the poor and downtrodden.

The Parliamentary Committee on Estimates had also felt that the upper limit of annual income of a person entitling him to legal services should be raised. Besides, the following persons can also claim benefits irrespective of their income: A member of a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe; a victim of trafficking in human beings or ‘beggar’, as referred to in Article 23 of the Constitution; a woman or a child; a person with a disability or mentally sick; a victim of mass disaster and industrial workmen.

The legal authority has also shown how the per capita income is more in Chandigarh at Rs 32,591 (based on estimates of 1996-97), compared to Punjab Rs 20,834 and Haryana Rs 19,773. 

Environment issue: Acts need acting out
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Nov 8 — An International Symposium on Environmental Education, ‘Think Globally, Act Locally,’ was organised at the Technical Teachers Training Institute, Sector 26, here today.

This symposium was organised as part of the ongoing regional programme on integrating environment education in programmes of technical education and training, being jointly organised by the Technical Teachers Training Institute, Chandigarh and the Colombo Plan Staff College for Technical Education, Manila, Philippines.

The symposium was attended by more than a 100 participants, comprising eminent industrialists, senior academician, researchers, administrators, policy makers, post graduate students and persons associated with environmental issues.

While addressing the symposium, Mr Rajan Kashyap, Principal Secretary, Science and Technology, Punjab, highlighted the problems pertaining to the continuous deterioration in our environment. The decline in civilisation is closely associated with the deterioration in environment, he remarked.

He further added that widespread concern about the degradation of environment world over is now resulting in implementation of a number of acts pertaining to protection of water, air and environment. India has well-drafted legislations pertaining to environment protection, but lacks in their implementation. He suggested stringent legal measures, allocation of resources, close monitoring of pollutants, reforms in Municipal administration and adoption of latest technology so as to deal with environment related issues.

In his inaugural address, Dr Anil Jain, President Vaisheshika, Ambala, highlighted the need for sustainable development. He said that the survival of the world depends upon the quality of water and air. The involvement of NGOs and individuals at all levels would help in protecting the same.

Mr Paritosh Tayagi, Ex-Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board, in his key note address gave an account of various forms of tools that can be used for protection of environment for sustainable development. The tools include those used by regulatory bodies, with a wide perspective, and those which are technique-based, protection-based and appraisal-based.

Dr S.C. Jain, Chairman, Department of Chemical Engineering, PU, Dr K.K. Garg, Sr Scientist, Ministry of Forests and Environment, Dr M.D. Nutiyal, Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board, Mr D.K.Sharma, Conservator of forests were some of the panelists who spoke on industrial pollution, and presented their views on strategies and policies to control deforestation.

Dr S. Krishnamurthy, Principal, Teachers Training Institute, Chandigarh presided over the function. The symposium was sponsored by Gujarat Ambuja Cements Ltd, Solan. Prof S.D. Patki, Faculty Consultant, CPSC, Manila, proposed a vote of thanks.

Dharna by farmers
From Our Correspondent

KHARAR, Nov 8 — Vehicular traffic remained suspended for about half an hour here today when agitated farmers sat on dharna on the Kharar-Banur road near the police post to protest against the failure on the part of various government agencies to purchase their paddy from the grain market, Kharar, since Saturday. The agitated farmers raised anti-government slogans and demanded that their paddy should be purchased. They lifted the dharna on the assurance given by the SDM, Mr Devinder Singh, that he would see to it that the purchase of paddy started immediately.

Mr Zora Singh Bhuller and other farmers, who were sitting on dharna, told The Tribune that the paddy was not being purchased on the plea that they did not have enough bags. They said that the farmers met the officials yesterday and today and were assured that purchase would start but nothing happened. Many farmers said that they were sitting in the grain market here for the past about 10 days and their paddy was not being purchased.

The farmers demanded that the purchase period of paddy should be extended till November 20.

Bright colours for winters
From Our Correspondent

CHANDIGARH, Nov 8 — Bright cheerful colours are going to dominate this year’s winterwear, say budding fashion designers of the National Institute of Fashion Designing (NIFD).

The right sort of accessories to be seen this winter are crochet handbags and junk jewelleries with matching semi-precious stones for women and leather strapped watches and matching heavy soled, square type shoes for men, said Mansi. 

Residents to get mail twice
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 8 — Starting from tomorrow, city residents will once again get their mail twice a day. The facility had been withdrawn about five months ago, owing to certain reasons. The decision is being implemented with immediate effect.

The orders will bring cheer to the public as the demand was pending with the department. Keeping in view the fierce competition offered by various courier companies, offering multiple facilities to consumers, including fast delivery, the postal department hopes to combat the situation with this measure . “Moreover this will help us keep pace with the fast world.” asserts Mr S.P. Jain, Senior Superintendent, Post Offices, Chandigarh Division.

Mr Jain further says that this system has been re-introduced in order to provide more facilities to the general public. “It will help ensure faster delivery and the residents will get their mail on the same day, instead of getting it the next day.”

Mail will be sorted out twice daily and the postmen will deliver the same during the morning as well as evening hours. They will leave for their job at around 11:30 in the morning and 2:30 in the afternoon. The post that the department used to receive in the evening was distributed the next day but this will ensure faster delivery.

Earlier, the postal department was following the procedure of delivering mail twice a day, but this system was discontinued few months ago. Then the department made special arrangements during Divali to distribute the post twice a day to keep a control on the postal traffic.

“After the special arrangements, it was concluded that the department needed the system on a regular basis. So the authorities decided to re-start the system.,” says Mr Jain.

According to the authorities, the postmen will not be overburdened with the move, adding that the department has a strong staff to cater to the increased workload. “The number of letters to be delivered will remain the same. The only thing that will be changed, is that they will have to go to their respective areas twice a day, “says Mr Jain.

“This move will help the poor for whom postal services are the only means of communication.” he added.

Women panches pack a hard punch
By P.P.S. Gill
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 8 — An unusual request by elected women sarpanches that Punjab government intervene to enable them to work independent of the influence of men in their families, while discharging official duties, has been accepted.

The issue was raised by women sarpanches, Paramjit Kaur, Dhanwant Kaur, Hardeep Kaur and others at a two-day seminar on training of the elected representatives of the panchayati raj system, which concluded at the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID) , here today.

The Principal Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayats, Mr J.S. Kesar, informed the participants that the matter had been discussed with the concerned minister and orders to the effect would be issued tomorrow.

He said men, from families from which women sarpanches and panches had been elected, were often seen visiting the panchayat samiti and zila parishad offices for various kinds of odd jobs as favours in the name of being members of the families of elected women of the panchayat.

“Henceforth, unless a woman sarpanch or a panch herself took up any issue concerning official matters, men would not be entertained on behalf of any village panchayat”, he added.

Women participants, among the 35 sarpanches from four blocks, greeted the government decision, while men sarpanches squirmed.

The seminar, according to the CRRID Director, Mr Rashpal Malhotra, was sponsored by UNICEF. While Punjab Minister, Mr Surjan Singh, inaugurated the seminar on Tuesday, the Minister of Finance, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, presided over the concluding function today. A member of the Planning Commission, Mr Kamaluddin Ahmed, attended the seminar to understand the problems and requirements of grass root institutions.

As in charge of rural development in the Commission, Mr Ahmed said empowerment of elected representatives and grass root institutions was imperative. This would create awareness and help check corruption. He disclosed that Rs 10,000 crore were spent annually on rural development in the country but benefits accrued were not much. People’s participation as well as the response of the community was required for intended results of such investment.

His conviction was that unless gram sabhas were empowered the country would not develop. The key to India becoming a super power lay in improving the living conditions in villagers.

The Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh, said for 50 years or so villagers had been denied their due. Name a problem and villages were beset with. There were fundamental problems like shortage of drinking water, inadequate education and heath facilities and infrastructure. The community must rise as one man to attend to its own needs.

He favoured total decentralization of administrative and financial powers and divesting bureaucracy of powers that obstructed the pace of development and providing need-based facilities to the rural people. Justice demanded that villages get a lion’s share for development at work. Grass root democratic institutions and government, right from states to the Centre, needed an equilibrium which was provided by the panchayati raj system.

Capt Kanwaljit Singh called for a change in attitude. The work system must change and so the decision-making process should be in tune with democracy which was now a way of life. People were conscious of their rights. Till they became conscious of their responsibilities, the situation would not improve, he warned.

The seminar was addressed among others by the Punjab Chief Secretary, Mr R.S. Mann, CRRID officials and the UNICEF representative, Mr Parveen Bhandari. Among those who attended were Director, NIRD, Hyderabad, Dr S.P. Jain and Dr R.N. Pal from Punjabi University, Patiala.

Ensure careful handling of arms: SSP
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 8 — The Chandigarh police has asked the Deputy Superintendents of Police and Reserve Inspectors responsible for training activities to ensure that security guards carry unloaded weapons.

The orders, issued by the Senior Superintendent of the Chandigarh police, Mr Parag Jain, will apply to all forces in the city. Copies of the letter have also been sent to the Commandents of the second, third and fifth battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force, besides the Commander of the Haryana Armed Police.

The directions have been issued after the death of a home guard volunteer, Ram Rattan. He was killed on the spot after a bullet, fired accidently by a woman volunteer during a training session on November 4, pierced through his head.

He and 11 other volunteers of Platoon Number 5, including three women, were receiving training at Police Lines under the supervision of Head Constable Ram Dhan when the incident occurred.

Meanwhile, the SSP has also directed that “static sentries” will only stand attention and not reverse weapons. The SSP, in the letter, has called it an unnecessary exercise. The letter also said a sentry’s attention was diverted every time a senior officer passed by.

When contacted, the SSP confirmed that such a letter had been issued. The SSP said there was nothing extraordinary about the directions and these were “normal security precautions”.

Terrorist victims’ kin get fresh chance
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 8 — The Punjab Government yesterday decided to give another opportunity to dependents of terrorist victims and deceased of government employees to apply for jobs on compassionate grounds who could not apply earlier till the specified date.

A spokesman for the Relief and Resettlement Department said the eligible applicants could apply within six months from August 25 this year. This relaxation had been given as a special case in view of the hardships faced by dependents of terrorist victims.

The Chief Secretary had already issued instructions to all Deputy Commissioners in the state to entrust this task to some responsible officers to process all applications.

Transport contests conclude
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 8 — The two-day inter-sector motor transport competition organised by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) concluded at the Basic Training Centre (BTC), Bhanu, today.

Mr S.C. Nayar, ADIG, who was the chief guest, gave away the prizes to the winners. Present on the occasion were Mr M.S. Bhurji, Commandant, 9 Battalion, Dr M.S. Rao, Commandant, Base Hospital, Mr M.S. Chhina, Commandant, Transport Battalion, and Mr I.S. Negi, Commandant, BTC, besides jawans.

The Himachal sector stood first, while the logistics sector was declared second. In the individual category, constable driver Ishwar Singh of 9 Battalion stood first in the motor cycle event, while constable Balbir Singh of Logistics Battalion and constable Praveen Kumar of 16 Battalion were declared winners in the light and heavy vehicle driving, respectively.

Recruitment rally
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 8 — A special recruitment rally for the wards of serving personnel, ex-servicemen and widows was held at Football Stadium in Sector17 here today.

Conducted under the aegis of the HQ Recruiting Zone, Ambala cantonment, candidates from all the districts falling under the BRO, Ambala, were covered. As many as 1,000 candidates turned up for the rally and were given a fair chance for passing the test in the presence of their parents and relatives.

The entire procedure of documentation, physical fitness, measurement and medical was covered in this round. Those who got through were asked to come for a written test to be held on November 26.

CRIME

Minor girl abducted
Tribune News Service

Cash removed
In a case of theft from the glove compartment of a scooter, a Sector 43 resident alleged that Rs 25,000 was stolen. The complainant, Balwinder Singh, alleged that the scooter was parked in the Sector 35 market. The police has registered a case and further investigations were on.