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Seven NIT students get
NTPC placements
Animal Husbandry |
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Body found on rail track
Sugar,
egg hit 40
Price-hit dhaba owners mull new menus
RCF observing vigilance week
Now, poll ticket quota for YC leaders
Talk on infertility
90 take Punjabi typing test
North-eastern splendour visits city
Fire alarm: Junking the burning issue
Tortured for dowry, she lies in hospital
Young World
Information denied under RTI Act
Awaiting remainder of CM’s promised funds
Milk plant workers hold protest
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Seven NIT students get
NTPC placements
Jalandhar, November 5 Manjeet Kumar, Jaspreet Singh, Gaurav Gupta, Kiran Kumar, Sushant Kumar, Dilip Kumar Chaudhary and Jatinder Kumar, students of electronics and communication engineering (ECE), mechanical and instrumentation and control engineering (ICE) were shortlisted for recruitment through the cumulative grade point index (CGPI), which ranks the students according to their percentage. The students would be joining the NTPC after the completion of their seventh semester. Talking to The Tribune, Gaurav Gupta of mechanical engineering from Jaito said he owed his success to his parents who despite financial problems paved the way for his education. “When I informed my mother about my selection she broke down badly. Even my father was in tears and said hat this is a lifetime gift for them.” Sushant Kumar of mechanical engineering from East Champaran, Bihar, said he specially went to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple along with his friend after his selection. “As it was not possible for me to go home so I decided to visit the Golden Temple,” he added. Kiran Kumar of mechanical engineering from Orissa headed for his home without any notice. “My achievement coupled with my sudden visit left my parents awestruck. They could not believe for a minute that I have landed up with a secure job,” he said. Manjeet Kumar of ECE from Nalanda, Bihar, credited the institute in providing excellent placements to the students. “Even last year too our seniors secured placements with top PSUs in the country,” said Dilip Kumar Chaudhary of ICE from Samastipur, Bihar, who celebrated his achievement with the bank employees who helped him getting timely loan for his study at the NIT. For Jaspreet Singh of ECE the achievement was a big surprise for his parents, though he was confident of his placement. “My parents were virtually short of words and could not help thanking the Almighty for this achievement,” he said. NIT Director Dr Moin Uddin said they were looking forward to a mega placement drive in January. “The Indian Navy shortlisted our 21 students in September, the Army shortlisted 12 students,” he added. The authorities are awaiting the PSUs like Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN), Power Grid Corporation of India, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Maruti Udyog, Vardhman and TCS to conduct recruitment drives in January. |
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Animal Husbandry
Jalandhar, November 5 According to information, 250 posts of veterinary doctor (called in charge veterinary officers) are lying vacant in Punjab. In Jalandhar district, there are 72 posts of veterinary officers, but at present 23 posts are lying vacant. Similar is the case with veterinary inspectors (earlier called pharmacists). There are 133 posts, but 57 have not been filled. The case of Class IV employees is even worse. Owing to the dearth of staff, created by the non-recruitment of regular employees, the Punjab Panchayat and Rural Development Department (PPRDD) has hired doctors, inspectors and helpers on a contract basis. They are paid meagerly as compared to the regular employees. A veterinary officer employed on a contract basis is paid Rs 26,000 a month. Out of this money, he has to shell out, as wages, Rs 5,000 to an inspector and around Rs 2, 300 to a Class IV employee, who is kept as a daily-wage worker. “Nobody has been appointed on regular basis after 1998. Three years back some doctors were appointed on contract basis. We have demanded that around 250 posts of veterinary officer, which are lying vacant, should be filled,” said Dr Jatinder Kumar Chopra, district president, Punjab State Veterinary Doctors’ Association. As there isn’t enough staff, employees are asked to carry out additional duties. Without any extra monetary benefits, doctors are handed over the charge of another hospital. In some cases, one veterinary inspector has to look after three dispensaries, when each dispensary covers around five villages. Adding to their woes, veterinary inspectors are also deputed on election duty from time to time. Be it elections for the village panchayat or municipal council, they are always on call. Many a time, they are also put on duty as booth-level officers and handed over the orders to make and deliver election identity cards. All this happens despite the fact that the Election Commission of India has freed them from election duty in its letter dated April 23, 2002. And when, due to heavy workload, the staff fails to meet the target of vaccination and artificial insemination (AI), their annual confidential report (ACR) is marked negative by the indraj officials. On the one hand, there are around 250 unemployed trained veterinary inspectors and on the other, 57 posts are lying vacant. These inspectors have many times sat on hunger strikes demanding regular jobs, but their pleas have always fallen on deaf ears. As per the rules, medicines, instruments and disposable material like syringes and arm sleeves are to be supplied once in six months. However, either they are supplied once a year or the medicines and equipment are provided in inadequate quantities. Turpentine oil, which is used to treat maggot wounds in animals, has reportedly not been supplied for the past two years. “Earlier we were given 20 litres of the oil, then the quantity was decreased to 10 litre, which further fell to 5 litre after some years, and now, its supply has stopped altogether,” said an official on condition of anonymity. Phenyl, used for antiseptic dressing, has not reached the dispensaries for the past one year. The rendering of primary veterinary aid like vaccination, castration, dressing of wounds and such others is getting more and more difficult owing to the shortage of proper staff and facilities. One of their main objectives listed by the department is to provide efficient and effective health cover to the livestock wealth of the state. But the ground reality shows that in the present conditions prevailing, it is next to impossible to achieve that. Neglect of such essential services is taking its toll on the health of the cattle and also on the socio-economic conditions of the people.
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Post office without postman, in charge
Jalandhar, November 5 Thousands of messages ranges from a few words to loved ones, sad family affairs and heartbreaking news of war fronts up to call letters for important interviews are still waiting for someone in the post office of the PAP complex here, who can deliver them to their destination. There is nobody to deliver posts from this post office as both the postmen employed here are on leave for the past 10 days. Postman Ram Lal is on medical leave from October 28 and he has submitted his medical leave again from November 4 onwards. As per the attendance register, another postman Karnail Ram was on leave from October 16 to 29 and then again from November 1. Sub-Postmaster Ranjana Bala, who is also in charge of the office, is also on leave from October 27 to November 6. Only one member, postal assistance, from the entire staff is providing his services in the office. Bundles of letters, including registered ones, and parcels are piled up in the room which is used as an office. The post office caters to the population of New Beant Nagar, Old Beant Nagar, Gulmarag Avenue, Professor Colony, Panchratan Colony, Joginder Nagar, BBMB and Mohan Vihar. Postal services to important areas like campuses of the PAP and the BSF, where personnel from other districts and far away states reside, is also provided by this post office. “I was waiting for my detailed marks card from the National Board of Education, New Delhi. It was important to me as I need it to appear in interviews. All of my colleagues got their DMCs on or before October 28,” said Dr Rajesh Sharma, resident of New Beant Nagar. “When I visited the post office on November 4, one of the staff members told me that they cannot deliver post as there is no postman in the office,” he added. The post office has already made a request to the office of Sub-divisional Inspector (North) for any alternative arrangements on October 28. However despite repeated attempts the SDI(North) cannot be contacted.
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Body found on rail track
Jalandhar, November 5 Receiving the information railway police personnel reached the spot and removed the boy. According to eyewitnesses, the body was in tact which raised doubts if the body was dumped on the track after killing him at some other place. Meanwhile, the railway
police has sent the body to the Civil Hospital and inquest proceedings have been initiated. |
Sugar,
egg hit 40
Jalandhar, November 4 The unabated prices of sugar and wheat flour have been haunting the pockets and kitchens of the lower and middle classes and owners of small roadside food corners and dhabas. The prices of sugar, which remained nearly Rs 34 per kg, suddenly shot up to Rs 41-42 per kg and the common man is yet to know the reason of this hike. The same is the case with wheat flour which increased from Rs 157 to 160 per 10 kg. The prices of wheat flour had touched Rs 18 per kg just a few days back. This sudden rise and fall is generating a wave of apprehension in families. “How can the prices of much-needed commodities be decided by speculative methods? Within these few months, we, the citizens, feel as if we have been bereft of even our basic right to food,” said Naresh Kumar, a resident of Ladhewali bypass. The prices of tomato rose from Rs 18 to Rs 22 per kg. Radish is available at Rs 15 per kg. The prices of onion have witnessed a rise of Re 1 per kg. Only lemon and capsicum witnessed a fall in their prices. Lemon prices came down to Rs 50 from Rs 60 per kg. Capsicum prices slashed down from Rs 70 to Rs 60 per kg. Prices of cauliflower, garlic and ginger remained nearly the same. On the other hand, the prices of non-vegetarian stuff have also been rising. The prices of chicken witnessed an increase of Rs 5 per kg. It ranged from Rs 138-143 per kg last week to Rs 145-150 this week. Similarly, the prices of mutton increased from Rs 180 to Rs 190-200 per kg this week. All varieties of fish witnessed an increase of approximately Rs 40-60 per kg nearly two weeks back. Similarly, the retail price of egg is Rs 40 per dozen, which is up nearly by Rs 5-6 per dozen as compared to last week.
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Price-hit dhaba owners mull new menus
Jalandhar, November 5 While the house-makers have already increased the allowances for their monthly budget, the hotel owners are also mulling re-charting their rate list. “We haven’t increased the rates yet. But if the situation remains grim and inflation continues, we won’t be left with any other option,” said Madan Lal, owner of Vijay Dhaba, Shastri Market. Owing to a tough competition, dhaba owners hesitate to increase rates and cannot afford to bring down the quality. “Prices keep vacillating. We can’t shift the burden on to our customers,” he added. There is a general consensus among hotel owners that either prices should come down or the rates should increase. “Today, with a commercial LPG cylinder costing more than Rs 984 and wheat flour priced at Rs 17 per kg, rotis should cost around Rs 5 each,” Madan Lal said. “Since profits have dropped sharply, hotel business has become more like delivering free service to customers,” said Gurmeet Singh, owner of Manni Dhaba. “I have maintained the quality but decreased the quantity of food,” said Munna Lal, a migrant worker who runs a food-stall in front of the Civil Hospital. “The prices of vegetables and pulses are rising so fast that they are almost out of the reach of the middle class. There are already so many problems in life, this has only increased the burden,” said Nimal Das
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RCF observing vigilance week
Kapurthala, November 5 General Manager Pradeep Kumar administered the pledge to all officials. He also released the 10th vigilance bulletin published by the RCF vigilance organisation. RCF Chief Vigilance Officer Dinesh Kumar read out the messages of the President, the Vice-President, the Prime Minister and the Chief Vigilance Commissioner. Addressing the officials, Pradeep Kumar emphasised on the speedy finalisation of tender cases and selection processes which could help in eliminating corruption from the system. — TNS |
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City student wins silver, bronze medals
Jalandhar, November 5 Shaurya completed his 50-m breaststroke in 37 seconds and 100-m swimming championship in 1 minute 22 seconds. “Although I improved my previous record this year but my best is yet to come,” he said. He won two gold and one silver medals during the CBSE North Zone Swimming Championship, which was held from September 17 to 20 at Pathankot. “I completed my 100-m breaststroke in 1 minute 17 seconds and 50-m in 34 seconds. It was owing to the rigorous practice sessions that I managed to excel in the championship,” he said. Earlier, he participated in the 55th School State Swimming Championship and won two gold, one silver and two bronze medals. Even during the Jalandhar schools district swimming championship, he emerged with flying colours and won five gold medals. The champion owes his success to his father and two coaches, Rahul and Dinesh Raojuria, who have been shaping his swimming career. “My father is the man behind my good performance. It is almost seven years since I have been going for regular practice sessions at the PAP swimming pool,” he maintained. The swimming champ aims to make it big in the Asian Games one day. “My coach has been emphasising hard on improving stamina and energy for excellent results. I wish to win a gold medal in the Asian Games,” he said.
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Now, poll ticket quota for YC leaders
Jalandhar, November 5 This was disclosed by MP and PYC chief Ravneet Singh Bittu at a training session of YC delegates here this evening. The team included Dr Suresh Sharma, Pooja Chandra, Man Singh and Vinod Sultanpuri. Bittu said Rahul Gandhi had assured him that deserving elected leaders would be eligible for seeking party ticket to contest the state assembly and Parliament elections. For example, a DYC chief could stake claim to an assembly seat, while block chiefs and others down the line would also be eligible for corresponding posts, he revealed. — TNS |
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Talk on infertility
Jalandhar, November 5 Dr Ranu Chhabra, a local specialist, said doctors stressed on the need for regular awareness programmes for medical professionals as well as general people. |
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90 take Punjabi typing test
Jalandhar, November 5 The test was conducted by the Languages Department. District Education Officer (Secondary) Joginder Singh said that 212 candidates had enrolled for the test, of which 90 appeared, while 122 were absent. |
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North-eastern splendour visits city
Jalandhar, November 5 The exhibition was inaugurated by V.K. Savita, Assistant Director of Handicrafts from the north-eastern region. Many have written about the universality of art. But for it to be true, art has to travel so that people would know about the specialities of those living in other parts of the world. This exhibition is committed to the promotion and marketing of the rich tapestry of north-eastern India and ethnic products of other states. While your eyes feast on colours, your sense of smell is assailed by the jumbled aroma of wood, flowers and eatables and your ears overflow with the hum of human voices, ruffling of clothes and clinking of metal. The exahibition, which remains open from November 4 to 15 everyday from 10 am to 8 pm, holds everything ethnic, from flowers, fruits, dry fruits to shimmering silver objects, wall hangings, jewellery, a variety of curtains, bed spreads, to cane and bamboo utility and decorative products, furniture and woven murrah. Exquisite specimens of basketry and cane works from Assam and Tripura, which have perfected to fine arts, are also on display. Praiseworthy is the sittal patti made with a kind of reed. A variety of headgears fashioned out of cane and bamboo, like wide-brimmed Japi can be found there. Also present are colourful hand-woven, handloom items from the north-east like traditional mekhala chadder, varities of shawls and jackets, Assam muga silk sarees, mulberry silk sarees, gamochas and other attractive items. The craftsmen, some of whom have come all the way to give us a feel of their culture, have modified their traditional craft to suit modern taste and contemporary style. “We are here to promote our products so that our medium of expression can also earn us a decent living. We know the rules and needs of the market,” said one of the craftsmen. Since it’s a Government of India initiative, the prices are kept moderate. Everything is sorted out and price-tagged to help the customers choose things compatible with their taste and pocket.
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Fire alarm: Junking the burning issue
Jalandhar, November 5 With hundreds of junkyards which are usually located in open spaces, the risk of a fire breaking out always looms large as owners and workers of these yards hardly bother to clear these damaged vehicles from soft stuffed materials like seat covers, seat foam, tubes, tyres and other parts like bumpers, dash boards and seat mats. The situation aggravates during the festival season. Moreover, these scrap yards, most of the times have no caretakers. According to Part IV of the National Building Code, every building or store should be equipped with very basic fire safety equipment, including hydrants, underground water tanks and sand buckets. The number of hydrants should be decided according to the measurement of the area. It can be revealed only by a survey whether equipment to control emergency fire breakouts is available at all the junkyards. Due to the absence of any competent authority to strictly implement the rules and regulations of Part IV of the National Building Code, the authorities don’t even bother to issue any notice to the owners of junkyards. As the Fire Act is not implemented within the limit of Punjab, both citizens and authorities always remain complacent regarding the issue. Under the Fire Act, the Chief Fire Officer has the power to access any building after giving notice of only three hours to the owners. In a fire incident-prone situation, the CFO issues a notice to the owners and has the power to seal the building. It is important to note that this move of the CFO cannot be challenged and the Governor (in case of UT) and the Home Secretary are the only appealing authorities. In defiance of the notice issued by the CFO, the owner can be charged with a fine of up to Rs 30,000 or six months of imprisonment or both. But the guilty party easily escapes in Punjab as the authorities only issue them warnings, to which they hardly pay heed. “As there is no departmental feedback or any representation from any quarter regarding the issue, no such move of transferring these junkyards out of the city is under consideration,” said MC Commissioner Vinay Bublani when asked about the relocation of the junkyards.
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Tortured for dowry, she lies in hospital
Jalandhar, November 5 Only six months into her marriage and she was back at her parental home. When there came no word from her in-laws even after one and a half years, her family pleaded for settlement and Harmeet Kaur went back to stay with her husband. But she was still ill-treated, pressurised to bring more dowry and threatened with dire consequences. Besides her husband, Harmeet’s brother-in-law Jaswinder Singh and his wife Sukhwinder Kaur also used to abuse her. On October 31, 2009, her husband and his family members beat her and reportedly tried to strangulate her. Her family has filed a case of dowry, threat and torture against Gurcharan Singh with the city police.
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Young World
Jalandhar, November 5 The students participated in events like solo singing, mimicry, mime, classical dance, folk song, choreography, ad mad show, group song, one-minute show, on-the-spot painting and website designing. Adviser to PTU Dr Nachhattar Singh inaugurated the events on both days. Workshop held A workshop on effective teaching of English was organised at MGN Public School in association with Ratna Sagar Private Limited today. Dr Francis M. Peter was the resource person. The speaker emphasised on the use of spoken English, teaching of prose and various skills of teaching methodology to make classroom teaching more interesting. Exhibition A two-day-long Kendriya Vidyalaya Regional Social Science Exhibition, Jammu region, was held at Kendriya Vidyalaya No 2, Jalandhar Cantonment. As many as 224 students from different schools of Jammu region cluster, including Udhampur, Pathankot, Jammu and Jalandhar, participated in the event. A debate titled “End is more important than means” was also held. The students also presented in a cultural programme. Sub Area Commander Brigadier R.K. Sharma visited the exhibition alongwith Dr Jaswant Minhas, Principal of the school. Blood donation A blood donation camp was organised at St Soldier Management and Technical Institute in association with the Civil Hospital. Seventy units of blood were gathered. The donors were awarded with badges and certificates by the Civil Hospital authorities. Blood Transfusion Officer Dr Gagandeep highlighted the importance of blood donation and urged the students to participate in voluntary blood donation camps.
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Information denied under RTI Act
Jalandhar, November 5 Aakash Gupta, the applicant, had sought information about the number of octroi collection centres, posts, along with their addresses, working in the jurisdiction of the Jalandhar Cantonment Board. He sought to know the number of categories under which the octroi was being collected. The applicant also sought to know the amount of money collected at different octroi collection centres in the cantonment from 2004 till date.The applicant had filed an application under the Right to Information Act on August 28. But the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) failed to provide the information. The applicant filed another application on September 29, but was provided incomplete information. As a result, the applicant filed another application on October 6. The last application was submitted on October 19. However, till date no information has been provided. “I shot off a letter to Cantonment Executive Officer (CEO)-cum-Appellate Central Public Information Officer (ACPIO) Ramesh Mittal and sought his intervention in the matter. I also sent a copy of the same to Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) Wajahat Habibullah,” he added. He said instead of providing the information, the CPIO on October 23 asked me to deposit Rs 130 as RTI fee. “The demand for the RTI fee is illegal as per section 7 (6) of the Act. But despite mentioning this fact in my applications, the appellate authority sought fee from me,” he added. When contacted, Mittal said; “As the information sought by the applicant was voluminous, it led to delay. However, I have directed the CPIO to provide the information at the earliest. The applicant would get the information in a day or two.”
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Awaiting remainder of CM’s promised funds
Phagwara, November 5 The announcement was made by the CM on April 23, 2007, after the outbreak of jaundice in several parts of Phagwara. The residents of different affected localities were living in miserable conditions due to the dirty, stagnating water spreading on to the streets and lack of its disposal. The residents of Shivpuri, Onkar Nagar, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Sham Nagar, etc. raised their voice against, and submitted a memorandum to SDM Amarjeet Paul and demanded early disposal of dirty water which could give rise to several diseases. Paul assured a deputation of early action and said the rest of the amount was expected to be received soon and the remaining sewerage work would soon be restored. When contacted, Nagar Council Executive Officer Paramjit Singh said dirty water would be drained out with temporary arrangements.
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Milk plant workers hold protest
Jalandhar, November 5 While addressing the gathering, president of the Milk Plant Employees Union Gurmail Singh Saini said all departments of the state hade implemented the report of the commission but the management of the milk plant was allegedly showing reluctance in
the implementation of the report. He said the protest would continue till
the management of the milk plant meet their demands.
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Seven tech-savvy students of the Dr B.R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology (NIT), Jalandhar, bagged placements with the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) at an annual package of Rs 8.2 lakh each.
The divine fragrance of “agarbattis”, accompanied with the colliding textures of a whole range of colourful things, fills your senses as you enter the muddled yet stimulating Ruby Palace at Adarsh Nagar here.The palace is presently holding an exhibition organised by Purbashree Emporium, a branch of the North-Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation,
Guwahati, in collaboration with the Ministry of Textiles.
The recent fire which broke out in one of the junkyards located in a thickly populated area of the city generated a strings of questions regarding the safety of residents from disasters which have occurred due to the irresponsible attitude of citizens.Though, on one hand, it points towards the irresponsible behaviour of junkyard owners, it also raises a question mark on the accountability of the local authorities and the Municipal Corporation.
