Amritsar, November 12
The jail reforms set in motion at the local Central Jail would soon be replicated in the remaining jails of the state.

This was stated by the ADGP Jails, Punjab, Mr H.R. Chaddha, while talking to The Tribune during the two-day workshop of jail officers of northern states. The workshop was organised under the aegis of the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D).

The ADGP said that after understanding the problems being faced in the jails of the state, he had already sought additional funds of Rs 33 crore for improving infrastructure in the jails in view of the reforms initiated by the Amritsar Central Jail.

He said that presently the budget allocation was Rs 67 crore and that he had requested the Finance Department to extend the allotment to Rs 100 crore.

Expressing his satisfaction over the initiation of various measures that had helped create better environment for inmates of the jail here, Mr Chaddha said that with the opening of the distance education centre by Guru Nanak Dev University there, they had added a new chapter in the process of reforms at the initiative of the DIG Jails here, Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh. He said the jail administration had also started a number of vocational courses for women inmates, who had been given training for art and craft, sewing, tailoring, embroidery, candle making, besides computer.

The ADGP said the department was considering that families of women inmates be allowed to spend a day with their dear ones in the jail complex. He said he would also consider their request for better legal aid, which would help them get justice. Mr Chaddha lauded the role of various NGOs, including the India Vision Foundation, founded by the first woman IPS officer, Dr Kiran Bedi.

He said the Punjab State Social Welfare Board was also providing basic funds for running many courses for women inmates and that it helped children of women undertrials lead a normal life in the jail environment. 

Jalandhar, November 12
A group of Dalit intellectuals have criticised the present Dalit leadership for its “failure” to provide right direction to the Dalits.

The intellectuals participated at a convention organised jointly by the SC/BC Mulazam Taalmel Committee and the Adhiyapak Union, Punjab, at the Desh Bhagat Yaadgar hall here today.

Mr Gurmel Singh Chander, who was elected leader of the group, said time had come to spearhead the struggle that was initiated by Dr B.R. Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram.

“The present leadership has failed to follow the path shown by these great leaders,” he said.

Interestingly, Mr Satnam Singh Kaith, a former MP and national president of the Bahujan Samaj Morcha, Mr Pawan Tinu, general secretary of the party, shared the stage and views.

Mr Kainth exhorted the Dalits to overthrow the present leadership and choose those people as leaders who had vision and ability.

Three resolutions were passed during the convention. The resolutions criticised the Punjab BSP chief, Mr Avtaar Singh Karimpuri, for his alleged remarks about employees, appealed to various outfits to join hands for Dalit cause and urged the sate government to implement their demands.

Nawanshahr, November 12
Acting on a tip-off, a team, comprising Mr Arshdeep Singh, SDM, Balachaur, Dr Balbir Singh, Civil Surgeon, Dr I.S. Sekhawat, District Health Officer, Dr Usha Kiran, Medical Officer, Mr D.S. Cheema, DSP, Mr Inderjit Singh, SHO, Rahon, and Mr Birbal Takhi, a member of the Upkar, an NGO, raided the house of Balbir Kaur, a “self-styled” nurse, at Rahon yesterday. At that time Balbir Kaur accompanied by her daughter Mohinder Kaur was performing medical termination of pregnancy. The team sealed the room and equipment and arrested the duo under various sections of the MTP Act and Section 120-B of the IPC.

Mr Krishan Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, said in order to check female foeticide cases, a special squad was constituted in the district which would function round the clock.

Jalandhar, November 12
With the trend towards acquiring agricultural land for SEZs or converting it into “concrete jungle” is rising, a “juicy revolution” is underway in Punjab, which is set to change land management.

It is not only helping the farmers, especially those with small landholdings, but also checking the groundwater that is sinking to new depths due to the wheat-paddy rotation.

What is the “revolution” all about? The Council for Citrus and Agro-Juicing is acquiring land on lease for developing it into a citrus orchard under the Citrus Orchard Management Programme.

The land is taken on a rent ranging from Rs 8,000 to 12,000 per acre per year. The council develops the orchard by using scientific techniques, including drip irrigation, and transfer technology directly to the farmers.

Here are two options to select from. In Option I, the council takes the land on lease for 12 years and gives sustenance to the farmer with an annual enhancement of the lease amount at the rate 20 per cent after every three years.

Under Option II, the council takes the land on lease for 12 years and pays the lease amount for the first six years with an enhancement at the rate of 2 per cent. For the balance years, the net profit from the sale of yield would be shared on 50:50 basis.

After 12 years, the developed orchard will be handed over to the farmer. In case the farmer wants to end the contract period, he has to pay the entire invested money.

For planting high-yield table and processing varieties, the council has set up nurseries over 38 acres at Jallowal and Leseriwal villages in Jalandhar district. At the nurseries, Pepsi is giving the technical support.

For the nurseries, the council has imported 49 types of finished trees, 11 types of rootstocks, 17 types of rootstock seeds and 25 types of bud wood of citrus from the USA.

The CEO of the council, Mr V.S. Chimni, says the Clemenules variety has been chosen in Thakhani village because of its adaptability to soil and weather conditions.

“The first agreement was signed in April 2006 in which Dr Hargobind Grewal of Talliwala Jattan village in Abohar district has adopted the scheme. Till date we have nearly 2,000 acres in hand and by February another 5,000 acres are likely to be added,” claims Mr Chimni.