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| Friday, January 19, 2001, Chandigarh, India |
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Now pre-poll bonanza for municipal councillors CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — Councillors of all 133 civic bodies and the trustees of all 21 Improvement Trusts in Punjab will now get an honorarium to attend the meetings of these local bodies even as the state government has decided to revise upwards both the honorarium and entertainment allowance for the presidents of the civic bodies and the chairmen of the Improvement Trusts. The decisions will be effective from December 1 last year. The Department of Local Government has decided that the councillors of all 133 civic bodies will now be entitled to an honorarium of Rs 100 per meeting attended by them. A similar concession has also been given to the trustees of the Improvement Trusts. Until now no such honorarium was paid to either the councillors or the trustees. Though the civic bodies have been categorised into four groups, depending on the population of the towns looked after by them, the rate of the honorarium for attending the meetings of these civic bodies has been uniformly introduced. There are 26 Class I, 39 Class II and 31 Class III Municipal Councils in the state. Besides, there are 37 Nagar Panchayats. The government has also decided to increase the honorarium and entertainment allowance paid to the presidents of these 133 civic bodies. In the case of Class I Municipal Councils, the presidents will now be entitled to a monthly honorarium of Rs 3,000 against Rs 2,000 earlier. The entertainment allowance for these presidents has been doubled from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per month. In the case of Class II Municipal Councils, the presidents will now be entitled to a monthly honorarium of Rs 2,000. Earlier they were getting Rs 1,000 per mensem. Their entertainment allowance, too, has been doubled from Rs 750 a month to Rs 1,500 a month. In the case of Class III Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats, the presidents will get Rs 1,500 per month as honorarium against Rs 1,000 drawn by them earlier. Their entertainment allowance has also been increased by 100 per cent to Rs 1,000 per mensem. The allowances for Mayors, Senior Deputy Mayors and Deputy Mayors besides the councillors of the Municipal Corporations in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Patiala have already been revised. In the case of the Improvement Trusts, the Punjab Government has increased the salaries of their Chairmen besides revising their entertainment allowance. In the case of Class I Improvement Trusts, five in the whole state, the chairmen will now be entitled to a salary of Rs 7,000 per month against Rs 5,000 a month earlier. Now their entitlement of entertainment allowance has been increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 a month. The chairmen of Class II Improvement Trusts, eight in number, will draw Rs 5,000 per month as salary. Earlier, they were getting Rs 3,000 a month. Their entertainment allowance has been increased from Rs 1,500 per month to Rs 2,000 per month. There are eight Class III Improvement Trusts in the state. Their chairmen will now be able to draw a salary of Rs 3,000 and an entertainment allowance of Rs 1,000 per month. The earlier amounts were Rs 2,000 as salary and Rs 500 as entertainment allowance a month. Similarly, the honorarium for the trustees for attending the meetings will be uniform irrespective of the class of the Improvement Trust. Though most of the civic bodies are in the red, the increase in the salaries and entertainment allowance besides the grant of an honorarium to all councillors and trustees for attending meetings are being viewed as yet another pre-poll bonanza as the state is heading for assembly elections this year. |
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Problem of potato — the way out CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — The problem of potato, as seen on roads in Jalandhar on Tuesday, is again not merely one of “plenty” alone. It is one of demand and supply. The problem has not occurred for the first time. The anguish of potato-growers is understand able. The problem of potato glut is cyclic in nature. Every three or four years it re-surfaces giving credence to the general belief that a farmer who suffers an economic blow due to potato failure or excess can recover only with yet another potato crop. The “mess” created on Jalandhar roads, on which nearly 30,000 quintals of potatoes were dumped, may have been cleaned. The question is how can the situation be prevented from becoming messy again? The answer does not rest with the government — any government for that matter, present or future. The reason is simple. Potato is a perishable commodity. For it there cannot be a minimum support price as in the case of wheat and paddy. If that be so, can a government be held responsible? Can the plight of potato farmers be linked to neglect by the government or its agencies (Nafed) ? The answer to these and related questions is, “No”. Therefore, the solution lies with the growers of Doaba, mainly Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur and part of Nawanshahr, though potato is now sown even in Patiala and Bathinda. The state has an area of about 60,000 hectares under potato with a range of varieties, namely Kufri chandermukhi, Kufri Jyoti, Kufri badshah and Kufri Sutlej. Most of the potato-growers are small-time operators. There are a handful of big farmers as well, nicknamed “Potato Kings”. They are the ones who had taken farms on lease for potato cultivation. The Doaba farmers did not face much of a problem when other states, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal and even Orissa, were deficit. All these states have now become self-sufficient. This has shrunk the market for Punjab potato. A question of demand and supply has risen. Since the produce is perishable, it has to be stored. The state has a chain of nearly 400-odd cold stores. But the prices of the “King’’ of the vegetable kingdom have so fluctuated as to render growers unable to pay even the cost of storage, so poor have been the returns. This has put a great debt burden on the farmers, who displayed their utter helplessness in Jalandhar on Tuesday. The capacity of cold stores is estimated to be 10 lakh to 12 lakh tonnes. Already nearly 2 lakh tonnes is stored, while over 10 lakh tonnes is expected to hit the mandis in the current marketing season that will last till May-end. Punjab can still survive potato problems in the future if certain short-term and long-term measures are taken by growers themselves. Punjab has the best climate, September to December-end, for “seed” production of potato. During that period the intensity of aphid, that spreads virus, is very low. The “seed plot technique”, as it is called, is very popular and peculiar to Punjab. Therefore, farmers should concentrate on “seed production” for better returns. The new variety for seed purposes, introduced about two years ago, is Kufri Ashoka. A demand for seed potato exists in other states. This will take care of the glut. While potato is sown in September, for seed production October’s first week is the best time. The best bet for potato-growers, however, lies in organising themselves into cooperatives, suggests Dr S.S. Johl, a former Chairman of the Commission on Agricultural Costs and Pricing. The government has nothing to do with the problem seen in Jalandhar or can do anything about it. “The farmers must form cooperatives, carefully study the market and then collectively decide how much area is to be sown each year. Unless the market demand and supply trends are monitored and followed, such cyclic problems will re-emerge. This can happen to any such crop — onion, radish, cauliflower, cabbage, etc,” adds Dr Johl. He gives the example of sugarcane growers of Maharashtra and recommends similar modules and solutions to vegetable growers of Punjab. The other option is the processing of potato as chips, wafers, alcohol or powder. But the processing industry cannot depend on “excess” or “surplus” production. It has to be the other way round — factory to field. That means “contract” farming. The potato-based or processing (food) industry must have a “command” area under the desired crop, ensuring remunerative returns and lifting of the produce from the contract farmers. All this adds up to this: farmers have to act business-like and compete to survive. Unless they band together, no one can help them. Such are the economics of production and market forces. The problem created by potato has not percolated down to the state’s Department of Horticulture. It has little role to play except for the distribution of Kufri Ashoka seed for multiplication or recommend a package of practices evolved by Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. Sources in the department say politicising the potato problem will not serve any purpose. But intelligent feedback on market pricing and demand trends will certainly help control production and save farmers from such losses. Moreover, rather than “quantity” it is “quality” that will decide the fate of potato and potato-growers in future. Given the inbuilt hardship and pricing of inputs and outputs, many farmers (a majority have small holdings) cannot take the risk of adventurism or invest large sums of money in vegetable production. One other suggestion as a way out of the potato problem is government intervention by declaring the area to be sown and regulating production (it used to be done in the case of poppy) through legislation and issuing licences to sow particular crops in designated blocks. That will have its own problems and may lead to corrupt practices. Hence, it is time for farmers to get together even though cooperatives may not be in tune with their temperament. |
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Beas changes course, threatens villages KAPURTHALA, Jan 18 — A sudden change of course by the Beas has posed a threat to the 10-km long
bundh constructed at a cost of Rs 4 crore near Desal village to save villages and hundreds of acres of agricultural land. The waters of the river have started swelling and have eroded an estimated 200 acres near the village during the past one week, leading to panic among farmers of
Desal, Bagwana and Karmuwala villages. “On Monday we were surprised to see that the river had started changing its course and soon we found that it had flooded about 200-300 acres of land standing between the river bank and advance
bundh,” said Sukha of Desal village. Though the land between the banks and the vast advance bundh belong to the state government and remains devoid of any vegetation, yet the land between the advance bundh and the main bundh may be flooded and these belong to the farmers. “For the last five years we had normal crops. Hopefully, the situation is not that much grave, but the government must take early steps to stop the erosion being caused by the river waters,” said Buta Singh of Karmuwala village. He alleged that in spite of having been informed the authorities had done nothing in this regard. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr
V.K. Singh, however, maintained that not more than 100 acres had been flooded, besides some damage to the spurs erected with an aim to save the advance bundh in the wake of sudden rise of level of water in the river. He maintained that the administration would need funds totalling Rs 2.5 crore for changing the course of the river, but since it would prove to be a costly affair the administration has planned to raise the level of protective spurs of the bundh at a cost of Rs 40-50 lakh. A team of the Drainage Department has been sent to the place for assessing the loss caused to the
bundh. |
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Khalra case: CBI
claims right to proceed PATIALA, Jan 18 — The CBI in its reply to an application filed by seven police personnel accused of murdering human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra in the sessions court today said it had full right to proceed against the accused as the acts allegedly committed by them were outside the purview of their official duties. In its reply in the court of the District and Sessions Judge, Mr S. N. Aggarwal, the CBI claimed that a charge-sheet had been filed against the police officers after taking permission of the authorities concerned. It said the charges had been framed by the court against the accused under Sections 120 (b), 364, 302, 34 and 201, IPC. CBI counsel H. Qureshi said before the filing of the charge-sheet the case had been taken up in the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the CBI had been entrusted with its investigation. He said the necessary procedure had been followed while proceeding against the officers, and they could not claim immunity citing the provisions of the Punjab Disturbed Areas Act. The police officers — Deputy Superintendents of Police Ashok Kumar and Jaspal Singh, Sub-Inspectors Surinder Pal, Rashpal Singh, Jasbir Singh and Satnam Singh, Assistant Sub-Inspector Amarjit Singh and Head Constable Pirthipal Singh — had in an application filed in December, last year, asserted that the CBI could not investigate their alleged actions as they were covered under the Punjab Disturbed Areas Act, which was in effect during the period of militancy in the state. The District and Sessions Judge fixed the next date of hearing for February 2 when the arguments are slated to take place. Meanwhile, today all the accused except Satnam Singh, who cited medical reasons, were present in the court. Two prime witnesses in the case Kuldeep Singh and Rajeev Sharma were also present in the court. A case had been registered against the accused, including former Senior Superintendent of Police Ajit Singh Sandhu for kidnapping and then liquidating Khalra following the intervention of the Punjab and Haryana High Court after an appeal filed before it by the activist’s wife Paramjit Kaur
Khalra. The human right activist had been kidnapped in September, 1995, while he was in the process of collecting data of cremations of unidentified bodies. |
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New admn complex for Bathinda approved CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — The Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) has been assigned the job of designing and constructing the new district administrative complex in Bathinda. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, here this morning. An official spokesman said a Rs 10-crore project comprising a covered area of 1,60,000 sq. ft. in the first phase, would house the offices of the district officers, including those of the Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police. Speaking about the details, the Chief Administrator of PUDA, Mr
K.B.S. Sidhu, said the project would be funded out of the sale proceeds of various unutilised government properties in Bathinda city. The architecture designs of the building would be prepared in-house by the Architectural Cell of PUDA. The Chief Minister issued instructions that the building should be
people friendly. The architecture, though modern, should reflect the traditional Punjabi values. Mr Sidhu said the location of the new complex would be at the existing site of the Deputy Commissioner’s office on the Goniana Road. The meeting also approved the transfer of old patwarkhana to the Bathinda Improvement Trust, at a cost of Rs 1 crore, the exchange of government and municipal land near the old tehsil complex and the commercial exploitation of part of the old Civil Hospital and an Old PWD store. Instructions were given at the meeting to DC, Bathinda, to sanction mutation in favour of PUDA in respect of these properties. The Administrator claimed that PUDA scheme of 260 freehold residential plots at Bathinda, opened on January 10 this year, had received a good response from the public. He claimed that more than 600 application forms had already been sold. He stated that arrangements had been finalised with Bank of Punjab to extend loan for the earnest money of the scheme. Among others who attended the meeting included Dr Upinderjit Kaur, Housing & Urban Development Minister, Punjab, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Food & Supplies Minister, Punjab, and Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Revenue Minister, Punjab. |
PPCC chief’s style feudal: Jagmeet FARIDKOT, Jan 18 — Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, Congress MP and whip of the party in the Lok Sabha has expressed concern over the attitude of PPCC president Captain Amarinder Singh for following feudal policies in the party in Punjab. He said it was giving rise to frustration among party cadres. It may further harm the cause of the party in the near future in Punjab. Therefore there was urgent need to change it to safeguard the interests of the Congress. Mr Brar said that he would shortly write to party high command to counsel PPCC president to change feudal ways to strengthen the party in the state. The Congress MP who arrived here to attend the funeral of freedom fighter Mrs Phoolan Rani wife of late freedom fighter Mr Madan Lal Gupta and mother of DCC president S.K. Gupta was talking to newsmen here yesterday. Mr Brar said that he had been fighting feudalism from his early political career and huge support in defeating Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal son of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in the last Lok Sabha elections from Faridkot parliamentary constituency. He reminded that even our great Congress leaders and patriots fought against feudalism in their political career. However, reposing faith in the leadership of Capt. Amarinder Singh, Mr Brar clarified that he had no differences with the PPCC president. He admitted that Mr Amarinder Singh was his (Brar’s) leader in the state. Mr Brar said that he is a loyal, sincere and a staunch worker of the Congress party and never in the race for any higher post. He assured to stand by PPCC president to work for unity in the Congress party in Punjab. To a question, Mr Brar said that he did not join the party’s political conference on the eve of Maghi fair at Muktsar on January 13 only in protest against the participation of former Chief Minister, Punjab, Mr Harcharan Singh Brar who had stabbed” the Congress party by withdrawing his candidature in the last state Assembly elections at the last moment. Moreover, Mr Harcharan Singh Brar also opposed him (Mr Jagmeet Singh) in the last Lok Sabha elections. To an other question the Congress MP made it clear that he never opposed the Congress policies like GATT and others. However, he had demanded only to protect the interests of the farmers before finalising any such issue. Mr Jagmeet Singh praised the Congress high command particularly Mrs Sonia Gandhi, AICC president for constituting a three-member committee headed by former Union Minister Balram Jakhar to review the GATT treaty and other policies under the prevailing situations. He expressed the hope that Mr Jakhar who himself belongs to a family of farmers would certainly watch the interests of the peasantry. The Congress MP assailed the SAD-BJP alliance for its failure to maintain law and order and improve lot of farmers in Punjab. He also charged the Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal with developing his family monetarily and in other fields. Mr Jagmeet Singh appealed to the people to throw out the ruling government in the next Assembly polls in the state. |
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Brar toeing SAD line: Bajwa AMRITSAR, Jan 18 — Mr Partap Singh Bajwa, a former minister and general secretary, Punjab Pardesh Congress Committee, yesterday alleged that Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, Senior Vice-President, was toeing the SAD line as he opposed the party line on the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Talking to TNS here yesterday, Mr Bajwa suggested that Mr Brar should not try to weaken the Congress by giving “anti-party” statements. He said the stand of Mr Amarinder Singh on WTO was not his individual one but it was party’s policy, which could not be violated by a person like Mr Brar. He said the party high command had already taken a serious note of the “anti-party” activities of Mr Brar. Now Mr Brar should refrain himself from making any such statement which could harm the party prospects. Mr Bajwa said instead of criticising the party president publically Mr Brar should air his grievances, if any, at a party fora. To highlight the alleged “discrimination” against the Majha region, the PPCC had decided to organise a state rally at Sri Hargobindpur (Gurdaspur) where a call to oust the Badal government would be given. Mr Bajwa said drug menace was on the rise in the Majha region. The Jathedar, Akal Takht, Giani Goginder Singh Vedanti, had openly said the Badal government and the police was responsible for this. |
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Surjewala flays govt policies MANSA, Jan 18 — The All-India Youth Congress (AIYC) President, Mr Randeep Singh Surjewala, has said that Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee had promised that a compulsory crop insurance policy would be introduced for the peasants of the country in order to save them from the continuing losses that they had to incur every year. However, even after four years nothing concrete has materialised resulting in suicides of farmers. Mr Surjewala, who had come here to address a state-level rally organised by the Punjab Youth Congress (PYC) under “Punjab bachao, Badal bhagao” programme launched all over the state, was talking to newspersons before the rally. Labelling the Union Government as anti-farmer and against the economy of India, Mr Surjewala stated that the BJP government, after coming to power, had increased the prices of urea and other fertilisers four times. However, the maximum support price of wheat had been reduced from Rs 580 per quintal to Rs 520 per quintal recently. He also alleged that the Union Government had released Rs 350 crore for the Punjab farmers in order to compensate them for the distress sale of paddy during the last season. However, the sum was allegedly misappropriated by the Punjab Government and the Chief Minister and the poor farmers got nothing. The AIYC president further stated that under its crusade against the misrule of Mr Badal, the PYC was going to organise rallies in Ludhiana, Bathinda, Jalandhar and Ferozepore before February end. Others who spoke on the occasion included DCC president Ram Paul
Dhaipai, former Congress ministers Kirpal Singh Makha and Sher Singh
Gogowal, PPCC members Karam Singh Chauhan and Gurjant Singh Kuttiwal, Mr Balwinder Singh Kaka, former district YC president and Mr Sukhwinder Singh
Sukhi, ex-DCC president. |
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Badal govt denigrating
Akal Takht: Tohra AMRITSAR, Jan 18 — Alleging grave violation of Akal Takht, the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal (SHSAD) and the All-India Sikh Students Federation (Gill) (AISSF) while jointly addressing a large conference at Chuslewar village in Patti subdivision today criticised the Badal government for denigrating the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs. Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra said Mr Parkash Singh Badal by establishing a family rule in Majha belt had followed the example set by Congress in establishing “dynastic rule” theory. Lashing out at Mr Badal’s allegations that the SHSAD was in connivance with the Congress, Mr Tohra accused Mr Badal of being more of a Congressman. He said Sikhism and Akal Takht has been repeatedly belittled by Mr Badal himself, who has made a mockery of the issue on hukamnamas. Blaming the government for the RSS’s daring act of interfering in Sikh affairs and creating an unsavoury situation among Sikhs, he said Mr Badal was in “awe” of the BJP and that explained his silence over the RSS issue. Mr Harminder Singh Gill, president, AISSF, while endorsing Mr Tohra’s stand, said the Badal government’s claim of being Panthic was misleading as all Panthic values had been eroded time and again during the SAD “misrule”. “Financially the state is in shambles, development has taken a back seat, whereas state industries are in poor health. Similarly, the wrong policies of the state and the Centre has taken a toll on the once prosperous farming community. Moreover, no new industry or projects have been installed in the state. Everything lies only on paper and in files,” he said. Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, a former minister Major Singh Uboke, AISSF senior vice-president Sukhwinder Singh Sidhu, senior vice-president of SHSAD Manjit Singh were also present at the conference. |
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Assess Badal’s assets: Tohra TARN TARAN ,Jan 18 — Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal President (SHSAD) and member Rajya Sabha levelling serious charges of corruption against Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister Punjab has challenged him to get his assets be inquired into by the CBI. Mr Tohra addressing workers of his party yesterday here during “Panthic Chetna” alleged that Mr Badal and his family members were indulging in corruption on very large scale and had purchased assets worth thousands of crores of rupees including the ‘benami’ property only after joining politics, especially during his this time of chief
ministership. Mr Tohra called on party workers to work for the strengthening the organisational setup in rural areas. Mr Tohra blamed that the policies of the Union Government and the Punjab Government had ruined the farming and the small scale industry including the public sector. Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, former Punjab Minister, Mr Ranjit Singh Bhai Manjit Singh, Mr Ranjit Singh Chhajjalwaddi, Mr Prem Singh Lalpura (all MLAs), Bhai Manjit Singh, (AISSF-Gill) President, Mr Harminder Singh Gill and others too spoke on the occasion and condemned the Punjab Government for its alleged anti- people policies. |
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District BJP chief’s
plea to councillors FATEHGARH SAHIB, Jan 18 — On the direction of the state BJP, the district unit has decided to organise training camps for workers to counter the rift being created by the Congress between the rural and the urban units. Addressing a training camp first of its kind of Sirhind today, Mr H.S. Sidhu, district president, criticised the local Congress MLA, Dr Harbans Lal, for carrying out a campaign against the President, Municipal Council, Sirhind. He alleged that Dr Lal and certain Congress councillors were feeling dismayed at the ongoing development activities being carried out the council at Sirhind and Fatehgarh Sahib. He said Sirhind, which was neglected for the past 20 years, had been given a new face-lit by repairing streetlights and cleaning streets. He urged the municipal councillors and political leaders to rise above petty politics and work for the development of the town. He said the party had sent a detail report to Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, Minister for Local Bodies. |
‘Health for all’ extended to 2010 AMRITSAR, Jan 18 — Unable to meet the target of ‘Health for all’ by the beginning of this millennium, the Union Health Ministry has pushed the ambitious project to 2010. Before launching the nationwide campaign against the dreaded disease of tuberculosis, Dr C.P. Thakur, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, admitted that the target of ‘Health for all’ could not be achieved by the turn of this century due to various reasons. Addressing a press conference here today, Dr Thakur said the Central Government was making all out efforts to curb the illegal sale of human organs in the country. He said the government was weighing the pros and cons of ‘legalising’ the cadaver transplantation to discourage the ‘illegal trade’. Dr Thakur said to encourage ayurvedic and Unani medicines all over the world, the Central Government would constitute a board which would cost Rs 1,000 crores. He said the export of ayurvedic medicines which had a great demand in foreign countries would be increased from Rs 400 crore to Rs 3,000 crore. Dr Thakur said the campaign for population control was no longer a ‘hidden agenda’ of the Central Government. He said members of all communities, would be covered under the nationwide commitment. He, however, said the ‘family welfare operations’ won’t be forced on anybody like Sanjay Gandhi did in seventies. He said the population explosion which was the root cause of all problems would be controlled through persuasion. Dr Thakur admitted that the financial constraints and other teething problems were responsible for not achieving ‘Health for all’ within stipulated time. He said there was need to improve medical colleges and hospitals. Dr Thakur said the Central Government was committed to ensure proper health facilities to the poor. Hence condition of government health centres would be improved. Dr Thakur said the cases of drug addiction, especially among school-going girls and boys had risen in the past. Dr Thakur said the spurious drugs were available in the market in huge quantity and one could not make a difference between the original medicine and the spurious medicine. Dr Thakur said the Central Government
would take care of the elderly by making enough budgetary allocation in the Tenth Five Year Plan. |
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Panel meets on hospital waste disposal AMRITSAR, Jan 18 — Alarmed at local hospitals defiance of rules relating to disposal of biodegradable waste, a high-powered meeting took place in Ludhiana. The meeting, deliberating on ways to control the menace of hospital and other hazardous wastes is contemplating to
install a central facility at Ludhiana. Invitation of technical tenders of the project are already underway while tenders are to be floated shortly for private parties which will not only execute the project but also put it into operation. The meeting was attended by officials of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation and Medical Representatives from all districts of Punjab. The contract will be given to ‘service providers’ who will cater to whole of Punjab to manage hazardous wastes. The project has been adopted from a southern state where Hyderabad holds the central facility and has provided effective service. The unit of biodegradable waste disposal entails the installation of an incinerator, autoclave (steam effect disinfection system) and shredder. Incidentally the deadline to
install incinerators and other waste management equipment has long expired on June 30, and December 31 last year for 200 or more bed hospitals in a population of 30 lakh or above after which summons were issued to hospital authorities by the Central Pollution Control Board under the Ministry of Environment and Forest. Estimates for the new project to be installed at Ludhiana are more than Rs one crore while operational costs will be extra. According to the plan specified, vehicles will collect waste from hospitals within 48 hours to prevent “fermentation causing infection” says medical experts. A single unit will have a disposable capacity of 200 kg per hour according to the plan. Hospitals however will have to segregate the waste in specified coloured bags for different kinds of waste. The bag colours range from yellow, red, translucent blue, black etc for different types of wastes but are rarely being used in any hospital to date claim medical experts. In the name of taking precautions majority of the hospitals either burn or dump (after digging) the waste while clinical laboratories, education and research institutions take little interest in any waste management whatsoever say doctors. Ten types of wastes are identifiable by the Central Pollution Control Board which included human anatomical waste, microbiological bio-technology waste from laboratory culture, waste and vaccine sharps like needless, scalpels, blades etc, discarded medicines (expired) solid waste e.g. contaminated cotton surgical waste solid waste disposal items as syringes,
intravenous sets etc, liquid waste includes laboratories washing, incinerator ash waste and chemical waste used for
disinfection. The government had proposed a fine of Rs one lakh, imprisonment up to five years or both under Section 15(1) of the Environment Protection Act for these who failed to conform to government instructors to all hospitals, nursing homes, institutions or any related profession. However, not a single instance of action has been reported so far, despite expiry of deadline. |
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Training in new farm technologies FARIDKOT: The Krishi Vigyan Kendra set up here by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research, New Delhi, has drawn up a plan to impart training in new technologies in agriculture and allied fields. The kendra, which will cater to the needs of Faridkot, Moga and Muktsar districts, will start giving practical training in the fields of crop production, plant protection, agricultural engineering, animal science, home science and horticulture. Later, other courses will be introduced. The training period will vary from one day to three months. Training in crop production will deal with methods of sowing, fertiliser application, use of improved varieties and pure seed production. In the plant protection course, growers will be trained to identify various diseases and told about control measures. Training in agricultural engineering will lay stress on the maintenance of tractors and farm equipment and biogas technology. The animal science course will cover various aspects of dairy farming, pig breeding, poultry farming and rabbit rearing whereas the home science and horticulture courses will focus on, among other things, pickle making, decoration of homes, use of hybrid seeds, production of vegetables, packaging and marketing of fruits and mushroom cultivation. Dr J.S. Brar, Deputy Director, Training, said no qualifications or age limit had been fixed for applicants. The training was scheduled to start in February. The ICAR has constructed a new complex of the kendra which is provided with the latest equipment. It was inaugurated recently by Dr G.S. Kalkat, Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. Dr Brar said the kendra was established in 1995. One of three kendras in Punjab, the local kendra had so far trained more than 7,900 persons, including women, by organising 265 camps. The kendra had also encouraged pisciculture. He said the ICAR had so far spent more than Rs 90 lakh on training and creating infrastructural facilities. The kendra laid emphasis on employment generation. It had got 42 acres for farming purposes at two locations — Raja Harinder Singh Seed Farm, Sikhanwala village, and at Faridkot. To meet the shortage of canal water, two tubewells had been sunk on these farms. |
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Farmers hold protest rallies FEROZEPORE, Jan 18 — As a mark of protest against the loan recovery drive launched by mortgage banks, the farmers supported by the Left parties today staged a demonstration near the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Accusing the banks of resorting to arm-twisting for the recovery of loans by way of attaching the property and arresting poor farmers, CPI and the CPM leaders also submitted a memorandum to the DC office seeking an end to the harassment. They contended that the loans be scrapped on account of poor economical condition of the farmers due to successive crop failure. Describing the method of loan recoveries as “draconian measures” of the government run by affluent landlords, the Punjab Kisan Sabha (CPM) leader, Mr Hansa Singh and Mr Angrez Singh of the CPI kisan wing cautioned that the banks had already cleared the orders for the attachment of the property of indebted farmers. SANGRUR:
Hundreds of farmers of this district belonging to five kisan organisations on Thursday gheraoed Sangrur Central Cooperative Bank for about an hour, staged a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office and took out a protest march in the town in support of their demands. The farmers reached the bank in a procession, gheraoed it, and held a rally. The rally was addressed by Mr Achhra Singh, a former MLA and district president of the Punjab Kisan Sabha affiliated to the CPI, Mr Darshan Singh Uppli, district general secretary of the Punjab Kisan Sabha (CPI), Mr Joginder Singh Ugrahan, district president of the BKU, (Ekta), Mr Bant Singh Namol and Mr Gurdev Singh Dardi, president and general secretary respectively, of the district unit of Punjab Kisan Sabha affiliated to the CPM, and Mr Sukhwinder Singh, a member of the state unit committee of the Kirti Kisan Union. The kisan organisations submitted two memorandums to the ADC, Sangrur, Mr G.K. Singh, regarding their demands. GURDASPUR: A large number of farmers owing allegiance to the BKU, the Kisan Sabha and the Kirti Kisan Union participated in a rally held at Guru Nanak Park here on Thursday. Prominent among those who addressed the rally were Mr Lakhbir Singh, general secretary, Punjab Kisan Sabha, Mr Chanan Singh
Dorangla, senior activist of the Kirti Kisan Union, Mr Ajit Singh and Mr Surjit Singh, general secretaries of the Gurdaspur and Batala kisan
sabhas, respectively. The speakers accused the BJP-led Central Government and the SAD-BJP government in Punjab for adopting “anti-national and anti-farmer policies”. NAWANSHAHR: Hundreds of activists belonging to five farmers’ organisations — the Punjab Kisan Sabha (both CPI and CPM), the Kirti Kisan Union, the BKU (Ekta) and the Kisan Sabha (Ramoowalia) held a dharna in front of Central Cooperative Bank here and took out a protest march to the office of the Deputy Commissioner on Thursday. Addressing the dharna, Mr Balbir Singh Jadla, vice-president of the Punjab Kisan Sabha, Mr Ram Singh Nurpur, vice-president of the Punjab Khet Mazdoor Sabha, Mr Surinder Singh Bains, district president of the Kirti Kisan Union, Mr Rakesh Nayyar, state vice-president of the DYFI, among others, spoke about the demands of farmers. KAPURTHALA:
Thousands of farmers on the call given by five farmers organisations owing allegiance to Left parties organised a rally at Shalamar Garden here on Thursday from where they marched in procession through the markets of the town raising slogans in support of their demands. They reached the District Courts in a procession where they staged a dharna in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner. Mr Balwinder Singh Bajwa, Mr Tek Singh Takkar, Mr Balwinder Singh Bhullar, Mr Gurdev Singh and Mr Naranjan Singh Ucha, all union leaders, addressed the farmers. |
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Farmers stage
dharna AMRITSAR, Jan 18 — Five kisan organisations staged a dharna outside the Central Cooperative Bank here today. Later, the protesters also submitted a memorandum of demands to the Deputy Commissioner demanding ‘waiver’ of loans and
attachment of properties on defaulting loans should be stopped. They also demanded Rs 120 per quintal as support price for it. Similarly, they demanded that support prices for other produces, be also determined. |
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Parallel SGPC AMRITSAR, Jan 18 — After the Pakistan Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee and the American Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (APGC), now this is the turn of Canadian Sikhs to form The “Canadian Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee” (CGPC) which may dilute further authority of the SGPC. Mr Harkirat Singh, member advisory committee of 36 gurdwaras of British Columbia who was “excommunicated” from the Sikh Panth by Akal Takht for violating the “hukamnama” on the “Langar” issue on June 25, 1998 said if the SGPC and Akal Takht failed to “rectify” the “hukamnama” the Canadian Sikhs would form “parallel” committee for its gurdwaras and start taking parallet religious decisions. Meanwhile, the Akal Takht Jathedar has received a complaint against Mr Harkirat Singh for taking further action against him as he had written an article in the Canada- based “Indo-Canadian Times” in which he (Mr Harkirat Singh) had challenged the authority of the Sikh clergy for excommunicating seven Canadian Sikhs. Mr Harkirat Singh, who visited Guru Nanak Dev University, the Golden Temple and many other institutions, while talking to The Tribune claimed that despite his “excommunication” from the Sikh Panth he was received by ‘near and dear ones’ with “open hands”. Challenging the authority of Jathedars, Mr Harkirat Singh claimed that there was no provision for the installation of “Jathedars” and their jurisdictions as per the Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925. He further claimed that other Sikhs who were excommunicated from the Sikh Panth by Bhai Ranjit Singh also visited Amritsar and other parts of Punjab and the “hukamnama” did not affect them. Mr Harkirat Singh also criticised the “amendment ” of “hukamnama” on “Langar” issue, done by Akal Takht recently. He said the institution of “Langar” was established for bringing equality among the “Sangat”. The partaking of “Langar” on chairs and tables could also bring equality between haves and have-nots. Mr Harkirat Singh, said if the Akal Takht failed to withdraw “hukamnama” wherein he and other six Canadian Sikhs were “excommunicated” from the Sikh Panth it would lead to a dangerous path. Instead of uniting the Sikhs all over the world, it would divide them permanently. Dr Gursharnjit Singh, a senior lecturer Guru Nanak Studies, Guru Nanak Dev University and Sikh scholar while talking to The Tribune said that the Akal Takht and the SGPC must find some amicable solution on this issue otherwise the NRI Sikhs would be divided on the pattern of “Catholics and Protestants” which would be a great loss to the Sikh Panth. However, Mr Harkirat Singh welcomed the decision of the SGPC to constitute “Religious advisory committee” for screening complaints received by the Akal Takht. He said the SGPC constituted the advisory committee earlier, the Canadian Sikhs would not have been excommunicated from the Sikh Panth. He said while the chairs and tables were being used by Sikhs in other parts of the world as to why the Canadian Sikhs were singled out for “excommunication”. |
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Minister finds himself in awkward position FATEHGARH SAHIB, Jan 18 — Mr Sat Pal Saini, Minister of State for Information and Technology, had to face an awkward position during his visit to this historical district today. After paying obeisance at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib he was taken to the room of gurdwara manager by BJP workers. Two Akali workers Harbhajan Singh and Avtar Singh Badauchhi, who happened to be in the room at that time started criticising Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, BJP Minister, for publically criticising the government and the Finance Minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh. They alleged that he was communal. Whenever any Akali worker goes to his office or residence for any sort of work he does not listen their grievances. Dr Raghbir Suri, general secretary, district unit of the BJP, who came to the rescue of the minister and urged the Akali workers to come to their office to sort out the differences as it was not a proper place to highlight their sentiments. Later, the minister presided over the meeting of the district BJP workers. He said all the departments of the state would be computerised soon. |
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Groom among 4
dead in mishap SANGRUR, Jan 18 (UNI) — A vehicle carrying a groom and his family members collided with a truck, hitting four persons, including the groom, at Moonak town today. Sources said the young groom of Kulian village was returning to his village along with his bride when their vehicle (HR-23-A-8733) collided with the truck. Ajaib Singh, Kewal Singh and Bahadur Singh died on the spot while Balwinder Singh succumbed to his injuries in hospital. Those in the truck reportedly escaped with minor injuries. |
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Selection grade for
13 IAS officers CHANDIGARH, Jan 18 — The Punjab Government has given the selection grade to all 13 IAS officers belonging to the 1988 batch. The officers are Ms Ravneet Kaur, Ms Anjali Bhawra, Mr Sanjay Kumar, Dr Roshan Sunkaria, Mr S.P. Singh, Mr S.S. Rajput, Mr Kulbir Singh Sidhu, Mr J.B. Goel, Mr S.S. Gill, Mr R.L. Kalsia, Mr Narinder Singh, Mr Ashok Kumar Goel and Mr Som Parkash, it was officially stated here today. |
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Bar associations
boycott work AMRITSAR, Jan 18 — The Income Tax Bar Association, the local branch of the Chartered Accountants Association of India and the Sales Tax Bar Association today boycotted work in the Income Tax Department in protest against the alleged raid on the premises of one of their members by the Director of Investigations. At an emergency meeting of the three associations held here today, it was decided that they would continue their protest in view of the seriousness of the raid. The secretary of the Income Tax Bar Association, Mr Lakhwinder Singh, and the secretary of the Chartered Accountants Association of India, Mr Davinder Singh, in a joint press note said they had sent representations to the Chairman of the Income Tax Board and to the Chief Commissioner regarding the matter. The press note added that the raid was against the norms and had lowered the member’s prestige in the community. The investigating team allegedly searched the premises and certain accounts registers and documents were seized and an inventory of his personal assets was also prepared. |
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Shiv Sena condemns attack on airport PHILLAUR, Jan 18 — The state unit of the Shiv Sena has condemned the terrorist attack on Srinagar Airport on Tuesday. Talking to media persons here yesterday, Sena leaders described the attack as an “inhuman and cowardly” act. They demanded handing over the maintenance of law and order of Jammu and Kashmir to the Army. They also urged the Union Government to adopt strict measures to curb terrorism in the valley. Sena leaders also demanded to discontinue the Samjhauta Express and bus service between India and Pakistan. |
PRTC squad to check ‘illegal’ operators PATIALA, Jan 18 — Faced with 10 to 15 per cent of loss in revenue due to illegal operations, the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC), has formed a special squad to check the menace. Corporation Managing Director Harkesh Singh Sidhu disclosed that a decision on this had been taken following a meeting presided over by Corporation Chairman Manmohan Singh Sathiala at which various measures were adopted to streamline operations and reduce overhead expenses. Mr Sidhu said a general manager had been made in charge of the Special Squad and that he would coordinate with District Transport Officers concerned to check illegal plying of buses on PRTC routes. He said according to estimates the Corporation lost nearly Rs one crore every month due to illegal plying as its monthly receipts were around Rs 10 to Rs 12 crore. The Managing Director said among the other measures being taken by the Corporation to economise on operations was recruiting future employees on contract basis after offering permanent employees, who had crossed the 55 years’ age limit, voluntary retirement scheme . He said in another move it was proposed to hire retired officials from various organisations, including the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) for posting to sensitive posts which required public dealing. He said the officials, who would be taken on contract basis, would be hired on the basis of their past record in their respective organisations. He said among other measures being taken by the organisation included starting a courier service. He said under this scheme, booths would be leased out to private parties in the bus stands. He said the consumers would benefit from this service as the courier would reach the desired destination on the same day and in case of short distances within a few hours of receipt. |
Robbery at municipal worker’s house ABOHAR, Jan 18 — Four robbers deprived the family of Mr Subhash Nagpal, an employee of the municipal council here, of gold ornaments and cash after storming his residence on Mahashya Kirpa Ram Marg in Indira Nagri area in the wee hours today. Sources said the culprits entered the house by scaling the 12-ft-high boundary wall. They forced open the door of the bedroom. When Mr Nagpal resisted, he was attacked with a rod and locked inside. The culprits had a torch. They removed the street lamp and the telephone wire before fleeing. The DSP, Mr Gurmeet Singh Randhawa, Mr Mal Singh, SHO (City), Mr Nagaur Singh, SHO, Sadar, and Mr Gurmeet Singh, in charge of the city police post, visited the area this morning. They spent more than two hours in the locality. There were indications that some clue had been found which may lead to the arrest of the culprits who while escaping issued threats of dire consequences to the family if the matter was reported to the police. The city police station has only 20 members of staff against the sanctioned strength of 200. It does not have a Gypsy for patrolling. At least 20 Home Guards assisting the police here have been deputed to control the labour trouble in the FCI. Other policemen are on VIP duty. Every political worker wants a securityman as this has become a status
symbol. Though the police led by the SHO himself was on patrol duty late last night, the miscreants succeeded in committing the robbery at Mr Nagpal’s residence who had taken all possible measures to check the entry of anti-social elements. The DSP told mediapersons this afternoon that the police was confident of nabbing the persons involved in the incident. He had directed all SHOs in the subdivision to screen persons with a police record so that such an incident did not recur. The police had requisitioned dog squads from the district headquarters to speed up the process, he said. |
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Inter-state gang busted GURDASPUR, Jan 18 — The police has busted an inter-state gang involved in car thefts and dacoity in Trikuta Nagar, Jammu. Mr Varinder Kumar, SSP, in a press note said today that four members of the gang identified as Vijay Kumar of Amritsar, Anil Malik, Vilal Ahmed Bhatt and Vinod Kumar, all residents of Jammu, had been arrested. The police has recovered a Honda City car and a Maruti car from them. The arrested persons belong to the notorious Cobra Gang of Amritsar. The SSP said the in charge, CIA staff, Pathankot laid a special naka at T-point, Sunder Chowk,
Malikpur, yesterday, when he intercepted a Honda City car without a number plate coming from Sujanpur side. When the car was signalled to stop for checking the occupants of the car alighted from the car at some distance and attempted to run away, but were caught by the police. The accused during interrogation confessed that they had joined a Srinagar-based gang involved in stealing cars. The SSP further said the accused had stated that they sold cars at cheaper rates to high officials and politicians in Jammu and Kashmir to win their favour. A case has been registered under various sections of the IPC. |
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14-year-old girl raped JALANDHAR, Jan 18 — A 14-year-old Dalit girl of Roopewal village near Nurmahal was allegedly raped by an electrician and one of his friends belonging to the same village last night. The girl, daughter of a labourer, Gurmej Ram, was heading towards the house of her aunt, Kiran Mehml, in the same village at around 7.30 p.m. and was allegedly abducted by Jinder Bhaia, an electrician running a shop in the village, and one of his friends, Sukhdev Kuka, while she was passing in front of the shop. They took her to an adjoining vacant plot and repeatedly raped her. In a complaint to the police, the girl alleged that the suspects threatened her with dire consequences if she narrated the incident to anybody. She also complained that Bhaia had been teasing and passing indecent remarks whenever she happened to pass in front of his shop. A case has been registered at the Mehatpur police station. |
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Drive against street Romeos BATHINDA, Jan 18 — Eve-teasers, beware. The district police has launched a campaign to check eve-teasing. If caught red-handed, the offender is asked to do sit-ups in full public view while their ears are pulled. On repeated complaints regarding eve-teasing near educational institutions, the district police has deployed policemen in mufti and women personnel to teach a lesson to “Romeos”. Whenever any eve-teaser is trapped he is asked to do sit-ups in front of those they have teased. The vehicles of eve-teasers are also challaned if documents are found in- complete. The problem of eve-teasing in this area was so severe that the Principal, Rajindra Government College, Mr Ashok Kapur, had requested the district police chief, Dr Jatinder Kumar Jain, to set up a permanent police post in the college premises. Most educational institutions had been facing problems due to interference by outsiders who would freely roam in the premises with the sole motive of indulging in teasing. |
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Woman’s death: case registered
after 15 months HOSHIARPUR, Jan18 — After running from pillar to post to get justice for deceased Kanta Devi, Mr Khajan Singh son of Mr Wasan Singh of Kaintha village at last succeeded in getting a case registered against his son in-law Rajinder Kumar after 15 months after the killing of his daughter. The Mukerian Police has registered a case under sections 302/120-B of the IPC against Rajinder Kumar son of Rattan Chand of village Budabar on Tuesday. It is reported that Kanta Devi married Rajinder Kumar in December 1990. Kanta Devi could not conceive due to which her husband and his family members used to torture her. Later Rajinder Kumar left Kanta Devi at her parents house. But when Khajan Singh and other relatives admonished Rajinder Kumar he took back Kanta Devi with assurance that he would not harass her in future. On October 22, 1999 Khajan Singh came to know that his daughter was killed by his son-in-law. He approached the police many times to get a case registered against Rajinder Kumar. But a close relation of Rajinder Kumar who was in the police always created obstacles in this regard. Mr Khajan Singh continued his efforts and at last succeeded in his mission. |
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Man lynches
ailing wife JALANDHAR, Jan 18 — Amrik Singh of Mander village in Nakodar district allegedly lynched his 34-year-old wife with a sword late last night. The deceased, Manjit Kaur, had been suffering from some mental disease for the past four years. Amrik Singh had reportedly been disturbed over the illness of his
wife. Baljinder Kaur, sister of the deceased and wife of Amrik Singh’s brother on whose complaint a case was registered, alleged that the gruesome incident occurred last night when all family members were sleeping. On hearing the shrieks of Manjit, they rushed to the room and saw Amrik Singh attacking all over her body with a sword. She said on seeing the family members, Amrik fled from the spot leaving the blood-soaked sword behind. The body of Manjit was found in
pieces. Baljinder Kaur alleged that Amrik had often threatened to kill Manjit. He had been saying that he could not live with an ailing wife, particularly when her condition deteriorated about a year back. She said Manjit was on her path to recovery now and only last night after a lot of persuasion Amrik had assured their father that he would not say anything to her on account of her ailment. |
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Youth shot dead HOSHIARPUR, Jan 18 — Jasbir Singh, alias Tota (24) was shot dead by two persons, including a Sikh youth, in his house at Parowal village near Garhshankar last evening. Jaspreet Singh (23) a tenant of the deceased, received bullet injuries on his leg. |
Census to hit teaching work FAZILKA, Jan 18 — The Punjab Government’s decision to put teachers on census duty would affect teaching work in 16 primary schools of Fazilka subdivision for four weeks. These schools virtually shall remain closed as all teachers of these schools have been directed to perform census duty from February 9 to March 5. Studies of hundreds of students shall be hit hard and they shall be forced to observe holidays at the fag end of academic session, just before the commencement of annual examinations. Parents of the affected students are getting restive due to this decision. According to details 10 primary schools of block II in villages of Muthian Wali, Mandi Hazoor Singh, Mohammad Pira, Guddran Wali Bhaini, Ghurka, Dhani Tirlok Singh, Dona Nanka, Teja Rohela and Jhuge Mehtab shall remain closed during census work as all teachers working in these schools shall be on census duty. In this block there are total 196 posts of teacher in primary schools out of which 18 are vacant. Of the working 178 teachers 82 of them comprising 59 man and 23 woman teachers shall go on census work. Similarly out of 203 posts of teacher 28 posts are vacant in block I. Of the 175 working teachers, 83 which include 62 men and 21 women have been assigned census job. Hence six schools in this block in villages of Jhalara, Ojhan Wali, Singh Pura, Ghariana, Chak Jamalke, Dhani Haripura in this block shall practically remain closed because all teachers working in these schools shall remain on census duty. Annual examinations of 5th standard students of the outgoing primary schools are scheduled to commence on March 7. With all teachers being on census duty for prolonged period and students remaining cut off, there is no possibility of smooth conduct of the annual exams. Sources in the Education Department reveal that of the affected 16 schools some are single teacher schools while the other are double teacher schools. Of the double teacher schools posts of second teacher in certain schools are due vacant. Despite this fact, all teachers single or double of these 16 schools have been deployed on census duty. This is in violation of
decision of the Education Department Punjab. Mr Raj Kishore Kalra, spokesperson of the government Primary and Secondary Teachers Union, Punjab, in a statement here today disclosed that there are one lakh posts of teacher in primary to senior secondary schools of state, but 80,000 are on roll and remaining posts are vacant. Mr Kalra added that of the total teachers 40,000 which constitute nearly 50 per cent of the total working strength have been engaged for census duty and two rehearsals for the purpose have been completed. Annual examinations of 10th class are to begin on March 12, hence the studies of students of high and senior secondary schools shall also be hit. He has demanded from the Chief Minister Punjab that only 25 per cent of the working teachers be deployed for census work in accordance with government policy of not deploying more than this percentage of employees for census. He has urged the Chief Minister to come to the rescue of hundreds of primary students of 16 schools and save their
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Students want Sunday as
holiday BATHINDA, Jan 18 — The recent move of the Director Technical Education Punjab to cancel Sunday holiday of the students of various
courses studying in the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) would lead to problems and should be withdrawn immediately. Stating this, in a press note issued here yesterday, Mr Swaran Jit
Singh, District president of the Students Federation of India (SFI), said that the move of the director was unfortunate and illogical. He said that routine of the students would be disturbed and that it would lead to many complications. The concessional bus passes of the students were not allowed and honoured on holidays and Sundays and thereby the students would be forced to travel on Sundays also. Already the students were facing the problem regarding the use of concessionary bus passes, and the new move would lead to complications. The move should be withdrawn keeping in view the larger interest of the students, he demanded. |
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Vedic astrology course
starts AMRITSAR, Jan 18 — The Indian Council of Astrological Sciences (ICAS), Amritsar centre has started Jyotish Visharda classes for the first time in Amritsar city. The course can be done after completing the Jyotish Parveen which is of one-year duration. Mrs Kiranjit Kaur, centre in charge, ICAS Amritsar has informed that classes for above courses are being held at local DAV college (for boys) Katra Sher Singh, Amritsar and admission for third batch of Jyotish Parveen has been started; classes for this course will start from January 28, 2001. The ICAS runs 23 centres of astrological education in India and holds examinations for these courses in June and December every year. On the completion of the two- year course diploma is awarded by the ICAS Chennai a registered body. The ICAS Amritsar centre has enrolled 65 students for Jyotish Parveen and Jyotish Visharda she said. Main purpose of the ICAS is to spread knowledge of great Indian saints and seers in scientific way. All courses are based on Vedic astrology, she claimed. |
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