Ferozepur, February 7
The teaching faculty of the local RSD College is up in arms against the alleged dictatorial and callous attitude of college authorities towards their long pending demands. Now, the situation has worsened to such an extent that all members of the teachers’ union have decided to go on mass casual leave in order to show their resentment towards non-fulfillment of their demands.

Earlier, the teachers had started protest with one period token strike on January 25 to prevail upon the management to accept their demands but things did not work. Even, central and district level leadership of the PCCTU (Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union) tried its best to break the deadlock but in vain.

The main demands of the protesting teachers include denial of selection scale to N.L. Gargi for the last 10 years .The union also alleged that instead of giving the selection scale, his salary had been lowered down by almost Rs 20,000 per month since March 2007 in non-existing pay-scale, overlooking the directions of the DPI (Colleges).

While talking to the Tribune, Gargi said that other demands included selection scale to three other teachers, which had been due since October 2006. On the pretext of a technical mistake in ACRs, the authorities had put these cases aside. Gargi also alleged that the teachers were not being permitted to attend mandatory refresher courses for their career advancements.

Gargi further contended that the college authorities were not deducting the CPF (Contributory Provident Fund) at 10 per cent of the total salary as directed by Panjab University. Moreover, pending arrears of the pay since 1996 had not been disbursed and no plan for any future payment hike had been chalked out, he added.

The protesting teachers included, Gurtej Singh, J. R. Prashar, D.K. Arora, Anil Sethi, Anil Dhiman, Gurinder Singh, Jaspal Singh, Veena Jindal, Ashok Jindal, Ashok Gupta, Sanjana Aggarwal, H.S. Randhawa and Neeraj.

When contacted, Suresh Sharma, principal of the college, stated that the demands put up by the protesting teachers were not genuine.

He said that the salary and PF deduction of all college teachers was as per the criterion, which had been maintained till date and followed as per the government rulings.

Sharma stated that some of the teachers were neither taking proper interest in the college activities nor extending any cooperation and support for the development of the college.

He also questioned the conduct of some teachers, stating that they were using abusive language for him in front of students. About the denial of selection scale to some teachers, Sharma said that their cases were sent to the DPI for the same but were returned back for want of an excellent ACR.

About grant of casual leaves, Sharma said that there was no provision of granting casual leave for dharna. He also stated that teachers were being regularly sent for refresher courses.

Sharma said that with examinations round the corner, the attitude of the college teachers was unfortunate as reputation of the college and studies of the students were suffering on account of their protest.

Bathinda, February 7
The conclave organised by Punjab Transport department to distribute ‘tokens’ to private truck and bus operators for smooth movement of vehicles turned out to be a “grievances redressal’ meeting with operators launching a blistering attack on the department and accusing the officials of corruption and inefficiency.

Punjab Transport Commissioner, R.Venkatesh Ratnam, who had convened the meeting, was at the receiving hand all along as the operators rued the ‘indifferent attitude’ of the officials and harassment caused to them at every step.

The main grievance of the operators included charging of exorbitant rates of taxes, plying of buses and trucks registered in neighbouring state of Rajasthan, deliberate delay in disposal of pending cases, centralization of powers to issue temporary bus permits and corruption.

Bakshish Singh, president, Truck Operators union, Muktsar said that the charges for temporary permit are Rs 110 in Rajasthan while the vehicles registered in Punjab are paying Rs 1,500. As a result, 80 per cent of the vehicles operating in the area specially Malout, Muktsar, Abhor are registered in Rajasthan and local operators are suffering losses.

He also questioned the wisdom of the government in increasing the permit fee for truck by 300 per cent (from Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000).

The president of mini-bus operaters, Punjab, Sharma resented steep hike in registration fee of mini-buses and said that the exorbitant fee of Rs 20,000 is acting as a deterrent for operators keen to expand their fleet.

Further, the powers to issue temporary permits vested in regional transport officers (RTOs) has made it difficult to get permits at short notice. The power should be delegated to the DTOs, who are locally available, he stressed.

The operators also resented carrying of passengers in goods transport vehicles and maintained that it is causing loss to them.

Ratanam distributed three types of ‘tokens’ to truck, bus and maxicab operators for allowing smooth passage 
of public carriers and said that DTOs, police or any other agency will not intercept the vehicles having these tokens and the operators concerned will not be harassed.

The token will be issued after thorough checking of the vehicles to ensure that there conformed to prescribed standards, valid papers, driving licence and other relevant documents.

The ‘Token’ for trucks will be charged at the rate of Rs 550 per tonne and Rs 1000 per seat for Maxicabs with five to nine seats. The tax from vehicles registered in other states will be charged on basis of single trip every time. Ratanam also announced one time waiver for tax defaulters and asked the operators to pay the tax in four installments. He said no fine or interest would be charged if the payments were cleared within the stipulated period.

Harmail Singh, Joint Transport Commissioner, various RTOs and DTOs of the state accompanied Ratanam.

Bathinda, February 7
Sensing tension brewing over the statement issued by leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Panch Pardhani) and the Khalsa Action Committee (KAC) about holding a Khalsa March on February 10 in villages near Salabatpura, the district police rounded up activists belonging to these organisations, here today.

Sources said that as a preventive step, the police conducted raids in the wee hours. Though senior police officials could not be contacted for confirming the news, sources said the arrested included Darshan Singh Jaga Ram Teerath, general secretary SAD (PP), Baba Ball, Baba Hardeep Singh Mehraj, senior members of the KAC, Sewak Singh Rampura, district youth president of SAD (PP), and others from nearby areas.

As per the reports, some of them have been produced before the duty magistrate and were sent to judicial custody till February 15.

It may be mentioned that Daljit Singh Bittu, the leader of the SAD (Panch Pardhani) had announced at Bathinda and Mansa that the march would be held on February 10.

It was also reported that Dera followers had submitted a memorandum to the DC here today demanding action against Jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh, Daljit Singh Bittu and Baljeet Singh Daduwal, acusing them of threatening peace. They also demanded restrictions on the Ek Noor Khalsa Fauj.

The memorandum accused them of supporting Swaran Singh Kotdharmu, the alleged member of the Fauj, who attacked Dera chief at Nilokheri. They also accused Baljit Singh Daduwal of attacking the Dera chief at Ghukianwali in May last year and demanded fundamental rights of for Dera followers.

Muktsar, January 7
The school education department today transferred the principal of a senior secondary school in Gurusar village of the district, following a tussle between the teaching staff and the principal that had led to the closure of the institution for two days.

The teachers of the school had gone on mass leave for two days yesterday, accusing Shashi Sikka, the principal of the school, of harassing them. The village panchayat had locked the school premises in the melee. District education officer of Muktsar, Harbans Lal Goel, today visited the school and ordered the transfer of the principal in question after probing the matter.

The DEO, however, said that the teachers responsible for the disturbance in the school would also be shifted soon. He said he had warned the teachers of strict action in case of any complaint against them. “Besides the principal, some teachers in question are also responsible for disturbing the atmosphere,” he added.

Goel said he would appoint a new principal tomorrow itself and that he had convinced the village panchayat that the school would now function smoothly without any further hindrance.

The village sarpanch said they had locked the school as they were “fed up with the atmosphere prevailing in the institution.” The teachers had gone on mass leave, demanding the principal’s transfer. They had also lodged a protest against the principal with the Gidderbaha police. Sikka has now been shifted to the DIET school in Mukstar.

Barnala, February 7
To oppose unbundling of the state electricity board, various farmers and labour unions held a demonstration outside the office of Xen, the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB), here today. It was led by the Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta (Ugrahan) state senior vice-president, Jhanda Singh Jethuke.

Hundreds of placards, with anti-government slogans written on them, were seen at the site. A handful of women were also seen participating in the demonstration.

While addressing the farmers, Jethuke said that the state government was implementing the union government’s move of partial privatisation of the electricity board. That’s why domestic electric meters were placed outside the houses. Even small farmers had to fix meter on their motor. The maintenance of electricity lines on contract system were some examples of the privatisation, which would make the going tough for the farming sector.

Jethuke feared that with the unbundling of the PSEB, small farmers would be unable to get power, as cost per unit would rise and it would be beyond the reach of small farmers. The unions warned that they would protest against this move.

Mansa: The Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan) today staged a dharna against the privatisation of the Punjab State Electricity Board outside the office of the XEN, electricity board, at Mansa.

Addressing the farmers, district president of the Kisan Union, Ram Singh Bhaini Bagha, blamed the Akali- BJP government for planning to privatise the PSEB.  He contended that in the states where electricity boards were privatised, power rates had gone higher and electricity supply had become poor. 

Bagha further said that by privatisation, farmers would face more tariff burden. Among others who addressed the dharna were Surinderpal of the employees’ federation, Jagraj Ralla, Ram Kumar and Mohinder Singh.

The members of the Punjab Kisan Union held a meeting here today presided over by Karnail Singh, district president of the union.

The members discussed the actions of the farmer and labour organisations against the privatisation of the PSEB. They decided to participate in the Punjab bandh to be observed by 17 organisations.

They also decided to support the demands of farmers and labourers struggling for their demand in connection with the thermal plant at Banawala village. 

State president of the union, Ruldu Sigh, said that the government had been depriving the poor of the facilities and instead providing several facilities to big companies. They also criticised the government for selling public properties.

Abohar, February 7
Ruing that the state government lacks wisdom in dealing with the problems faced by the farming community, about three dozen progressive farmers on Wednesday met the Punjab Agriculture University’s (PAU) vice-chancellor Manjit Singh Kang and asked him to use his good offices to help them out.

The farmers informed the vice-chancellor that kinnow growers had to transport the fruit on tractor-trolleys to the neighbouring markets of Rajasthan as the Punjab government charges four per cent market fee for the same.

The trucks carrying apple and other local produce in Himachal Pradesh were not intercepted on the way but in Punjab, officials harass the transporters in their own interest.

The farmers lamented that the state government boasted much about commissioning vegetable and fruit processing plants at Abohar and Hoshiarpur at a cost of Rs 30 crore each, with aid from the Central government, but none of them was serving the required purpose.

The farmers begged to differ from the view that the government was pursuing farmer-friendly policies.

One such farmer, Sanjiv Nagpal, said, “Every fourth farmer in the world is an Indian. Unless one-third of the unskilled and landless rural population is educated in technical skills to work post-harvest and food processing in dairy, poultry, silk worm farming and bee-keeping businesses, poverty will linger on in rural India and migration from rural areas to towns and cities will continue.”

He stressed upon the need to provide opportunities for the rural populace.

The farmers proposed the setting up of an agro-park where a facility should be provided to the farmers to train them on post-harvest activities so as to enable them to bring their produce for scientific storage and marketing.

The PAU vice-chancellor assured the farmers that he would convey their feelings to the government.

Bathinda, February 7
A 32-year-old man, a cook by profession, was reportedly killed by three persons, when he was returning to his village from a marriage palace at Baja Khana road late on Wednesday.

Moga, February 7
The police today handed over the body of the paramour to his family after conducting the post-mortem here today. The man, Puran Singh of village Bhinder Kalan, had succumbed to his injuries sustained on the intervening night of February 5 and 6.

He had reportedly entered the house of his beloved residing in the same village that night when the family members of the girl caught hold of him and beat him up badly. The girl’s father, Nachattar Singh, called up his neighbourers, Jaswinder Singh, a panchayat member, and village watchman Jaswinder Singh and they allegedly thrashed Puran Singh. Later, Buta Singh, Puran’s father, reached the spot and tendered an apology to take his son away.

In his complaint with the police, Buta Singh claimed that he took his injured son to an unqualified medical practitioner in the village who administered him an injection. However, his son died the next morning.

He added that it happened after a wrong injection was administered by the ‘doctor’.

The police officials said that actual reason for the death could be established only after the medical report arrived. Then only, a proper case would be registered, they added.

Depicting fast decline in the moral values in the rustic surroundings of the town, it was the third incident of its kind in the past fortnight. Earlier, at Burj Hamira village, a lover was beaten to death after he was caught while trespassing on the house of his beloved on January 22.

In another incident, a higher secondary student was beaten to death after he entered the house of his beloved in Rama village at Bahani Kalan block on January 27.

Abohar, February 7
While sounding an alert against embezzlement of funds released under the MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), SAD (B) MP Zora Singh Mann said the need was for bidding adieu to the prevailing “commission culture.”

During a visit to the Abohar Assembly segment on Wednesday, Mann released grants worth Rs 50 lakh each for developing Adarsh schools in three villages besides other projects. He advised people to form vigilance committees to keep an eye on the quality of material to be used in these projects. — OC

Barnala, February 7
In the infamous Bhadaur Gurudwara clash case, the Tapa police presented a revision petition in the court of additional sessions judge, Vivek Puri, here today. This revision petition, presented on the orders of chief judicial magistrate Ramesh Kumari, was issued on February 5.

DSP Tapa, through a public prosecutor, filed two separate applications on the CJM’s written orders. The hearing in this case is expected tomorrow. It may be recalled that Hari Bawa, victim and president of the Bhadaur municipal committee, has already filed a writ petition, in the High Court, challenging the FIRs registered. The hearing of that case is due on February 14. So, the local police is being seen in a hurry to present an amended challan to shield its officer. — OC

Bathinda, February 7
The deputy superintendent of police (traffic and security), Parminder Pal Singh, has been transferred to Talwandi Sabo.

He will take over from Gurmail Singh Dhaliwal on Friday.

Sources in the police department said that Manjit Singh, DSP Amritsar, will hold Paramjit’s charge in addition to the special branch at Bathinda. Gurmail Singh has been transferred to the 36th Battallion, PAP. 

Ferozepur, February 7
Megh Raj has assumed the charge of deputy commissioner, Ferozepur, here today. Earlier, he was posted at the finance department, Chandigarh. The previous incumbent, Bhagwant Singh, has been transferred as additional director-cum-additional secretary, Local bodies, Punjab.

After taking over the charge, Megh Raj went to the National Martyrs Memorial, Hussaniwala, and paid floral tributes at the cenotaphs of martyrs Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev. The DC has convened a special meeting of all officials tomorrow to take stock of the works going on in the district. — OC