Jalandhar, July 14
Doaba, the NRI heartland of the state, is considered to be the most prosperous region of the state. The cash rich pocket may soon hit a hurdle., The region is churning out graduates by thousands every year. Yet very few are able to land a decent government job. The prevailing degree of unemployment defies common notion.

The spectre of unemployment seems to loom large in the region. Nearly 17,000 graduates pass out of colleges every year. Officials attributed the level of unemployment in the otherwise prosperous Doaba region to the fact that no recruitment had been conducted since 2001 by the state government.

Government statistics reveal that 22,801 youngsters got registered with various employment exchanges falling in Hoshiarpur (843), Jalandhar (16,168), Kapurthala (3,192), and Nawanshahr (2,598) last year.

Similarly, approximatly 16,800 graduates pass out from colleges every year since 2001. Of these, 6,992 passed out from colleges of Jalandhar district, 4,778 from Hoshiarpur, 4,150 from Kapurthala and 912 from colleges of Nawanshahr district.

The whopping numbers suggest that there are about 80,000 unemployed youth in the region itself. Such a high degree of unemployment could lead to mass exploitation of youngsters in one or the other way.

In fact, none of the about 80,000 graduates, who passed out from different colleges and educational institutes in the four districts of Doaba — Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Nawanshar — during the past five years has been able to land even a Class III government job.

On the other hand, a small number of 513 youths out of the registered 22,801 youngsters were absorbed as class IV employees either in Central Government departments or in the private sector during 2005. None of the registered graduates, it was learnt, had got absorbed even as a clerk in any government department.

A graduate is eligible for ‘unemployment allowance’ of Rs 200 a month only after three years of his or registration with an employment exchange and that too, if he or her family income is below Rs 1,000 per month. The allowance in case of matriculates is Rs 150 per month.

Kapurthala, July 14
Following orders of the high court, the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Raminder Singh, inaugurated the handing-over of the mid-day meal scheme to Self Help Groups (SHG) at Topkhana Government Elementary School.

The DEO (Primary), Kapurthala, Ms Harjit Gill, said the SHGs had been formed in almost all the 538 primary school of the district.

Like Maharashtra and Kerala, the cooking and distribution of mid-day meals has been handed over to mothers of children studying in these schools. Teachers of government primary schools in Punjab don’t have to cook mid-day meals any more.

This will not only provide teachers more time to teach students in these already short-staffed schools but it will also enhance the quality of the meal.

Each SHG has at least four women. However, in schools where mothers of the students showed more interest, two SHGs were constituted, Ms Gill said, adding that they would look after the cooking and distribution of mid-day meal to more than 45,000 students in the primary schools of the district.

The SHG would be able to engage a cook for preparing the meal. However, if any member of the SHG wanted to cook herself, she could do so. According to her, 70 paise a day would be provided to each SHG for cooking and fuel for every student.

Ms Gill said they had to convince mothers to become members of the SHGs. They had problems in forming SHGs in schools where children of daily wagers mothers studied.

A total of Rs. 2.91 is spent on each student per day for providing the mid-day meal. While Re 1 is provided for dry items like salt, ghee and sugar, 70 paise are provided for cooking and fuel.

The government supplies rice and wheat of Re 1.11 for each student per day. 

Jalandhar, July 14
To start an united “mass struggle” against the rise in the prices of essential commodities and the present state of unemployment, five Left parties— CPI, CPI(ML) Liberation, CPM(Punjab), All India Forward Block and RSP— have floated a joint platform.

General secretaries of the five parties Jagroop Singh, Rajwinder Rana, Mangat Ram Pasla, V.P. Saini and Avtaar Singh Janjua said this at a press conference here today.

The leaders alleged that the policy of neo-liberalisation being followed by the Union government was creating unemployment, which in turn, was generating social tension.

“A struggle with widespread mass mobilisation is the need of the hour and such a movement can force the government to shun the policies of globalisation, liberalisation and privatization,” the leaders said. “The government is lifting restrictions on foreign investment in all sectors. It is also showing a callous attitude towards the youth. Its using police force against them,” they alleged.

The leaders also gave a call to all Leftist organistions “to build a mass pressure against the Central government”.

Jalandhar, July 14
A sub-committee, set up under an ADC, will look into the complaints pertaining to the rates levied by cable operators in Jalandhar.

A decision in this regard was taken by the Deputy Commission, Mr A. Venu Prasad, here today. Other members in the meeting will include representatives from the police, Municipal Corporation, PSEB, BSNL, residents and cable operators. 

Jalandhar, July 14
Apprehending a threat to the life of former Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) area commander Kulbir Singh Bira, his counsel sought strengthening of his security cover.

Bira, on a judicial remand, was presented in the TADA designated court, headed by Mr S.K Garg, in two murder cases here today.

Mr D.S. Dayal, the counsel for the militant leader, apprehended a threat to Bira’s life as his security had been reduced drastically in a gradual manner. “Anything can happen and his security needs to be beefed up,” urged Mr Dayal. The matter would be discussed in the court tomorrow, it was learnt. Meanwhile, the court fixed July 27 as the date for next hearing in the two murder cases.

Talking to mediapersons, Bira said he supported the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) as, “ it was the only political party, which, was fighting for the cause of the Sikhs.” He said he would educate people of Punjab about the long-standing problems being faced by them and the cause of these problems.

He also asserted that his struggle for Khalistan would continue and arms could also be taken up to accomplish the ‘cause’.

“I was forced to take up arms by circumstances and if same conditions are created in the future, there would be no hesitation in doing that once again.”