|
|
|
|
Tech support for RTI appeals
Budget for ‘only’ one month irks rural docs
Fruit season almost over but juice plants yet to function
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
DCs told to form panel for biodiversity management
Allege foodgrains missing
Live bomb found in Hussainiwala village
College students vs private transporters
Dera Rumi Wala chief passes away
Kisan Khushali Kendra launched
Fresh recruitments soon in Punjab Police: DGP
Kerosene seized
|
|||||||||||||
|
Tech support for RTI appeals
Bathinda, January 27 As per the fresh move, the (SIC) would utilise the existing videoconferencing facility at the DC offices throughout the state to facilitate the hearing of appeal and complaints. It would thereby eliminate the need for the parties in the cases, including government officials, to visit the SIC headquarters in Chandigarh. According to documents procured, the Chief Information Commissioner (CIC), Ramesh Inder Singh has informed about the plan to all deputy commissioners and expressed the need for their support and cooperation to make the system functional at their end. The CIC has mentioned that the resources of Suvidha Centre could also be tapped for the purpose. The deputy commissioners have also been asked to work out arrangements in this regard and send consent for commencing the operations. Mentioning that the distance of district headquarters from Chandigarh will be a relevant factor, while shortlisting the first lot, the official letter issued by the Chief Information Commissioner states, “As the resources are limited and not all the districts can be covered, we will go by first come, first serve basis, extending the facility first to those districts who responded first.” Hopeful of getting the facility for Bathinda, Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tewari said, “As the scheme sounds beneficial for districts located at a long distance from Chandigarh, so immediately after receiving the letter, we sent our consent to the Chief Information Commissioner.” |
|
|
Budget for ‘only’ one month irks rural docs
Bathinda, January 27 The Department of Rural Development and Panchayats, Punjab through a letter (dated January 25, 2010) written to all additional deputy commissioners (Development) of the state has stated that the Punjab Governor is pleased to sanction Rs 4,17,94,300 for giving package to 1139 rural medical officers of the state for the month of January 2010. Talking to The Tribune today state president of the Rural Medical Services Association Dr Aslam Parvez said that allotment of contract package budget for only January month, that too on January 25, by the state government was a cruel joke, played on the rural medical officers, as in such circumstances the association felt the government was not sincere to provide proper healthcare in rural areas. Dr Parvez said if the government could not allot contract package budget for the doctors at least for a quarter then how the doctors could expect more from the government for their welfare and the development of infrastructure in the rural dispensaries. He said the doctors were worried over the government's attitude towards rural health care. Dr Parvez further said the association was of the view that the government wanted to ruin the PRIs as it was not paying proper attention to improve the poor infrastructure of rural dispensaries. Besides this, delayed payment of contract package to the rural doctors was also another factor which showed that government was not interested in strengthening the PRIs. He said even in some districts the doctors were getting contract packages after one month or two to three months. Besides this, the state government was also ignoring their demand to grant them salary
(in the contract package) at par with the PCMS doctors. He said due to such attitude of the government the rural doctors were leaving their jobs to join service in Haryana or elsewhere. |
|
|
Fruit season almost over but juice plants yet to function
Abohar, January 27 Notably, the Punjab agriculture minister Sucha Singh Langah had on January 6 announced during the state citrus show at Hoshiarpur that Markfed had consented to run the agro fruit and vegetable processing units at Abohar and Hoshiarpur latest by January 15. But inquiries made by this correspondent indicate that no agreement has so far been signed with the prime cooperative marketing organisation of the state. While confirming it, a senior official of the Punjab Agro Juices Ltd (PAJL) said, “We had sought permission for resuming the processing work with effect from February 1 of our own but the file
is still awaiting a nod from the Chief Minister’s office.” Meanwhile, as per the details provided by the Punjab Agro Juices Ltd under the Right to Information Act (RTI), the book value of the Abohar and Hoshiarpur-based plants set up at a cost of Rs 84.11 crore slides to Rs 69.77 crore now as the auditors had allowed depreciation of Rs 10.58 crore approximately. Interestingly, no permanent staff was recruited. Only two officials were working under the PAJL contract while 50 others were recruited by the service provider contractors. The plant at Abohar was formally inaugurated by the Union Minister for Food Processing Subodh Kan Sahai and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on October 1, 2007 as per official record while former Chief Minister Captain Amrinder Singh had also inaugurated it on December 16, 2006 with much fanfair. The Abohar unit has been pocketing off Rs 52 lakh annually on salaries to the staff. Reacting over the information, Tejinder Singh Aulakh, a progressive farmer of the tail-end village Kallarkhera and member of the citrus estate advisory penal said today the union minister as well as the Chief Minister had on October 1, 2007 claimed that the commissioning of the Agro juice plant here would help in ushering a new era for fruit and vegetable sector but the state government had failed to benefit the farmers. The government visibly appears more interested in bringing down the book value of the plants to benefit some private business house. Some had already visited Abohar to show an expression of interest and may purchase the plant at throw away price, he added. |
|
|
DCs told to form panel for biodiversity management
Bathinda, January 27 Issuing a date bound direction, the state government has asked all deputy commissioners to take up the matter with their subordinates and facilitate the constitution of BMCs and TSGs by March 31 this year. According to information available, the BMCs would be responsible for regulating access to biological resources within respective jurisdictions for commercial purposes, charges collection fee (wherever required) and maintaining register of such accesses granted by it. Further, the BMCs would be responsible for promoting conservation and ensuring sustainable utilisation and equitable sharing of benefits from local biodiversity. The BMCs would initially be set up at the district level (Zila Parishad) with representatives from areas of biological importance within every district. The BMCs would be guided by Technical Support Groups (TSGs). The BMCs would also identify biologically important heritage sites and prepare people's biodiversity registers (PBR), inventors' biological resources and record related traditional knowledge. It has also been informed that since ADCs (Development) were the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Zila Parishads, hence, the BMCs and TSGs would be constituted under the chairmanship of the ADCs. Laying stress upon the date, the secretary, department of science, technology and environment, Viswajeet Khanna, in his recent letter to the DCs, mentioned that national biodiversity authority (NBA) had already released Rs 8 lakh as one time grant-in-aid to BMCs for preparation of PBRs in 16 districts at the rate of Rs 50,000 per district, which were to be released and utilized before March 31 this year. Replying to a query related to the issue, DC Bathinda Rahul Tewari said, “We have received the letter and soon the process to constitute the BMC and TSG will be initiated.” |
|
Republic Day
celebrations: Youths exhorted to follow in the footsteps of freedom
fighters
Muktsar, January 27 Janmeja Singh Sekhon, the irrigation minister, Punjab hoisted the tricolour and took salute from the jawans of Punjab Police, Punjab Homeguards, NCC cadets, Scouts, Girls' guides and school children. In his speech, the minister assured all that the state government was bound to fulfill all its commitments. Displaying cultural activities, students of Shivalik Public school won the first prize, while the teams from Dashmesh Girls's school, Badal and Kulwant Joshi memorial school, Rupana clinched the second and third positions, respectively. As many as 35 persons, who exhibited the appreciable acts, were also honoured by the district administration. The district Red Cross Society Muktsar, distributed twenty tri-cycles and sewing machines to the needy people. Among others, DC Varun Roojam, the District and Sessions judge JS Kular and SSP Gurpreet Singh Gill were the prominent personalities who attended the celebrations. Mansa: A district level function was organised on Republic Day in Mansa on Tuesday. Punjab minister, Heera Singh Gabria presided over the function and unfurled the national flag. Nearly 37 persons were honoured from different fields for rendering services in various fields. Seven panchyats of the district that were selected for Nirmal Gram scheme were also honoured during the function. The administration distributed 21 tricycles and 25 stitching machines to the needy persons. Addressing to the gathering, Punjab minister Heera Singh Gabria said, “We should protect the independence and principles of freedom fighters for the interest of country.” He blamed the Congress for the poor power condition in the state. District president of the SAD Harbant Singh Datewas, BJP leader Sooraj Kumar Chabra, DC Kumar Rahul and SSP Hardyal Singh Maan were among those who were present on the occasion. Ferozepur: The 61st Republic Day was celebrated here with patriotic fervour at Shahid Bhagat Singh stadium where Gulzar Singh Ranike animal husbandry, fisheries, dairy development and SC welfare minister took salute from smartly dressed contingents drawn from the BSF, Punjab Police, Punjab Home Guards and the NCC. On the occasion, various departments showcased their performance and schoolchildren presented an outstanding cultural programme. In his address, Ranike, called upon the people to follow in the footsteps of great martyrs, who laid down their lives for the sake of the nation. Ranike said that most of the sacrifices during the freedom struggle were made by the Punjabis, who have always remained in forefront, while laying down their lives for the country. Ranike distributed tricycles and sewing machines to the needy. He also gave awards to the efficient government employees, students who had excelled in academics and sports, representatives from the NGO's and officials of the Punjab Police for various meritorious achievements. While talking about the achievements of the SAD-BJP regime, Ranike listed out the welfare schemes and development works, which have been initiated by the present government. On the occasion, Raminder Singh, Commissioner, RP Mittal, DIG, Kamal Yadav, DC, SPS Parmar, SSP, besides all senior civil, police and judicial officials were present. Earlier, Ranike along with other SAD-BJP leaders and civil dignitaries paid floral tributes at the National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala. School celebrates: Republic Day celebrations were held at the Blooming Buds School in Moga. Group chairman, Sanjeev Kumar Saini and chairperson Kamal Saini unfurled the national flag. In their speeches, they said students had a great role to play in it. Later, inter-house and inter-class matches were held. Class VII was declared as the best in handball while class VI (G) won the kho-kho match. |
|
|
Republic Day celebrated
Bathinda, January 27 He took the salute and witnessed the PT show and cultural programme, presented by the school students. Besides the district officers and members of political parties, the function was attended among others by the DIG Faridkot Range Dr Jatinder Jain, Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tewari and the SSP Ashish Choudhary. On the occasion, Langah honoured 46 persons for their achievements in various fields. He also honoured students of Vishvas Public School, Police Public School, Khalsa Senior Secondary School and St. Joseph's Convent School for collecting used polythene envelopes under a campaign launched by the Bathinda Municipal Corporation (BMC). Langah also announced a grant of Rs one lakh for the Mahant Gurbanta Dass Deaf and Dumb School here. He also distributed 45 sewing machines and 20 tricycles among needy persons on behalf of the District Red Cross Society. Chief Parliamentary Secretary Jagdip Singh Nakai hoisted the national flag at Rampura Phul.
— TNS |
|
Allege foodgrains missing
Abohar, January 27 Confirming it, Sunil Jakhar, a member of the Estimates Committee of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, said today that the
UPA-led government had decided to enhance monthly supply of wheat from 25 to 35 kg to the APL families but the Punjab government had not distributed wheat under the subsidy plan for the months of December and January so far in most of the districts. The Public Distribution System (PDS) had virtually collapsed in the state as the fair price shop licensees were by and large hand in gloves with workers of the ruling political parties of the alliance government. The Punjab government was supposed to make wheat available at Rs 8.06 per kg to the APL card holders but the latter will have to pay Rs 12 kg for Sohna brand flour (atta). The consumers had earlier been paying Rs one per kg as processing charges for the wheat but have now been burdened with Rs four as processing charges. Quoting figures, he said the Central government had been supplying about 100 thousand metric tonne of wheat to Punjab out of which 10,000 tonne was earmarked for BPL, 84,000 tonne for APL and 6,000 tonne for other modes of the PDS. But, he alleged, the supplies had been widely misappropriated. There had been discrimination in issuing blue cards also. In Abohar block alone 1724 cards had been issued under the Antyodaya scheme but the SAD workers reduced the number to 795 under the blue card scheme. Similarly out of 2536 BPL families only 1228 were issued blue cards. Such incidents would also be highlighted in the report to be submitted to the Prime Minister during the meeting, he said. |
|
Live bomb found in Hussainiwala village
Ferozepur, January 27 Fear gripped the residents when the news in connection with the presence of bomb spread like wild fire. Information gathered by TNS revealed that a team of bomb squad was pressed into service by army authorities after getting information in this connection. The area, where the bomb was found, was cordoned off and same was diffused by yesterday evening. Information revealed that Amar Singh was having a piece of land located near old Hussainiwala workshop. Yesterday, he started levelling the fields and at the depth of about four feet, they found a bomb like object. On physical examination, it was found that it was an old bomb, which could have been used in 1965 or 1971 Indo-Pak war and could not explode at that time. The year of manufacture and mark on the bomb could not be found as its shell had rusted. Sarbjit Singh, SHO, Sadar police station, Ferozepur, who also reached on the spot, when contacted, said that a report in this connection had been written into Daily Diary Register (DDR). He said that as the bomb was defused by the army authorities and it was found in the fields during levelling of same, there was no need to register any case in this connection. No official of the army could be contacted for his comments. |
|
|
College students vs private transporters
Fazilka, January 27 The dispute between the bus operators and students arose as students reportedly refused to buy tickets for the travelling and insisted on free travel. On the other hand, conductors refused to oblige. Following this there was resentment amongst the students. They have alleged
that a student was allegedly beaten up by the bus driver and conductor last week, therefore, they gheroed the bus. The students virtually laid seige to the bus and demanded that the students be allowed free travel facility which was accorded to them by the other and previous private bus operators on this route. Local MLA Surjit Kumar Jyani summoned both the parties to resolve the tangle, ease out tension and to maintain law and order situation. Following his intervention, it was sorted out that students would pay only Rs 50 per student per month for to and fro travel between Fazilka to Shahtirwala. The normal bus fare from Fazilka to Shahtirala is Rs eight per trip. |
|
|
Dera Rumi Wala chief passes away
Bathinda, January 27 His body will be taken from Delhi to Dera Rumi Wala on Thursday. The last rites would be performed on Friday. |
|
|
Kisan Khushali Kendra launched
Gidderbaha, January 27 While inaugurating the Kendra, finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal, hailed the initiative of the Markfed-Sygenta. Speaking on the occassion, Markfed officials said that the centre would facilitate farmers with all the latest information related to techniques, precautions and researches in the field of agriculture. |
|
|
Fresh recruitments soon in Punjab Police: DGP
Mansa, January 27 He inaugurated the new police station at Kotdharmu village and launched a website in the SSP office, Mansa, to facilitate people. DGP inspected the new Police Lines which was being constructed in Mansa. On the occasion, IG, Patiala range, Parmjit Singh Gill and SSP Mansa Hardyal Singh Maan were also present.
— OC |
|
|
Kerosene seized
Fazilka, January 27 The kerosene had been stored in 15 barrels. A case under section 7 EC and 420 of the IPC has been registered against the depot holder.
— OC |
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | Suggestion | E-mail | |
