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Govt to sell land to mop up resources
UK Institutes
PAU 201 |
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PSEB told to check ‘uncalled for’ litigation
Pak duo on peace mission
(From right) Members of a delegation from Pakistan comprising Tahir Iqbal and his father, Chaudhary Zaffar Iqbal, along with Dr Pawan Thapar and Dr Malti Thapar in Moga on Tuesday. Photo by writer
Police commissionerate system notified
SSA to hold Class VIII exams
Arrange fertilisers for kharif crops, Centre urged
Patiala to have govt-run old age home
Now, no pvt functions in govt schools
Bansal’s stress on interlinking of rivers
Liquor shops under scanner
Punjabi singer gets bail in rape case
Improvement Trust Case
2 booked for rape
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Govt to sell land to mop up resources
Patiala, February 2 The exercise had been started two years ago, but it had to be abandoned in view of the economic recession. Now, the exercise has been revived and the PIDB has identified 322.49 acres of land which is proposed to be auctioned, which would net about Rs 10,000 crore. Sources in the PIDB said the maximum properties planned to be auctioned belonged to the Punjab Public Works Department and it included the Rajpura Colony in Patiala. The colony has several hundred government houses which have been allotted to government employees and they have been living here for decades now. It is proposed to utilise this land for commercial purposes and auction it for commercial use. Indermohan Singh Bajaj, Chairman of the Patiala Improvement Trust, confirmed today that there was a move to build a
commercial complex at the site where the Rajpura Colony in Patiala was now located. He said new government houses were being built along the Patiala Nadi, where the residents would be shifted when the PIDB acquired the Rajpura Colony. PIDB sources revealed that the properties identified for auction included 19 of the Public Works Department, four of the Jail Department and three of the Irrigation Department. The total number of such properties identified is 33 and this is likely to get the government about Rs 10,000 crore. Of the Jail Department, five properties have been identified which include a total of 95.08 acres of land. This includes the Jalandhar, Ferozepur, and Gurdaspur central jails, and the land adjoining the Amritsar central jail besides the Kotkapura sub jail and the court located at Muktsar. PIDB sources said of the total 33 properties, only six were vacant plots while others had government buildings built there and in many cases government offices had been functioning in these buildings. It is proposed to relocate these offices to alternate sites on the outskirts of the towns where they are located. Earlier, the PIDB had sold off five acres of land of the Amritsar central jail for a sum of Rs 152.70 crore to a Delhi developer firm but in view of the economic recession, the deal did not materialise and the initial deposit of Rs 15.27 crore of the developer was confiscated.
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Centre for refund of students’ fees
Umesh Dewan and Gagan K Teja Tribune News Service
Patiala, February 2 Preneet, who was in the city, said, “If the UK appoints a nodal officer to deal with the matter, it would save the Indian students from inconvenience. We would also like that the UK facilitates Indian students in getting their fees refunded from the blacklisted institutes,” she said. Preneet further said India had also sought a list of the blacklisted institutes from the UK. She added the Central government was expecting a positive response from the UK in this regard. Reacting to a query regarding travel agents, who are into the illegal business of sending youth abroad on different types of visas through “wrong means”, she said it was a crucial issue and her ministry would look into the matter to ensure that no one fell prey to the travel agents. When asked about some of the educational institutes that allegedly send the students abroad but fails to ensure their admission as promised, Preneet said the government would devise a system to keep a check on all the educational institutions offering the students to send abroad on students visa. “These institutes would be allowed to operate only after proper screening. The said system may take time but we would like to bring it in place in near future,” she asserted. Meanwhile, expressing her views on the state of education in the state, she came down heavily on the SAD-BJP government for “miserably” failing to bring the primary education in the state on track. Even as the Punjab government has announced that all the government schools would be fully equipped with requisite staff in the coming six months, Preneet said, “It is the utter failure and the lack of interest of the present regime to raise the standard of education.” Preneet was critical of the government schools in the state. Expressing her deep anguish over the deplorable state of infrastructure in the government schools, she accused the state government of not “utilising” the Central funds being released for the upliftment of the government schools. While asserting that the state government must make proper use of the funds being allotted for the school education, Preneet said, “There is an immediate need for the infrastructure upgrade of the government schools in the state. Students should be provided proper facilities and special measures should be taken to bring down the dropout rate of the students.”
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State takes up issue with Cabinet Secy
Sarbjit Dhaliwal Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, February 2 Chief Secretary SC Aggarwal, accompanied by senior officials of the state government, today briefed the Cabinet Secretary regarding the problems being faced by the state owing to “indifferent” attitude of the Centre with regard to its acceptance for the central pool. “ I have informed the Cabinet Secretary about the issue and expect that some solution to the problem will be found,” said Aggarwal over the phone from New Delhi. About 40 lakh tonnes of PAU 201 procured by state government agencies is stacked with rice millers, who have not started its milling because the FCI is not ready to accept rice prepared from it for the central pool owing to high percentage of damage and black spots on its grains. This variety was sown in a large area in the Mansa-Bathinda belt. As three Union Ministries- Union Agriculture, Food and Supply and Health Ministry- are involved to deal with this issue, the state has requested the Cabinet Secretary to deal with the issue at his own level. The FCI has declined to accept rice prepared from PAU 201 because of high percentage of damage - up to 11 per cent against the permissible limit of 4 per cent. The damage beyond 5 per cent is covered under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (PFA). If the damage up to 11 per cent is to be accepted, the PFA would have to be amended. Besides, the percentage of broken rice is up to 35 per cent for beyond the permissible limit. Following the pressure build by the state government, earlier the Union Government had referred the issue to the Union Health Ministry to find out whether the rice prepared from it is fit for human consumption or not. Teams sent by the Centre had collected samples of this paddy from various places. Results of samples are being awaited. The state wants that black spots on its grains should not be counted in damage, as these are not caused by fungal infection. As the rice prepared from PAU 201 is fit for human consumption, it should be cleared for acceptance in the central pool.
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PSEB told to check ‘uncalled for’ litigation
Chandigarh, February 2 Justice Ranjit Singh also asked the board to consider the feasibility of examining the amount spent on contesting claim for not so hefty amount, that also after years of delay. In an order full of electrifying observations, Justice Ranjit Singh asserted: “As one is generally aware from frequent newspaper reports, the board is not in good health financially. Still, this is no deterrent for the board to avoid frivolous litigation. The board has experts to advice if the case is fit one to file an appeal. Still the appeals are being filed in cases where it would show them to be penny-wise pound-foolish.” “The board must have a mechanism to check this uncalled for litigation…. It may wish to check how much it has spent to contest the claim for recovery of approximately Rs 1 lakh”. The assertion came on an appeal filed by the board against Jagjit Singh and others. The board’s central zone chief engineer had directed the recovery of Rs 1,31,000 from Jagjit Singh. He was transferred from the division where the shortage was alleged to have taken place on August 14, 1991. The show cause notice was issued on May 15, 1997, for the recovery of the amount. Subsequently, the impugned order directing the recovery was passed on June 2, 1999. Justice Ranjit Singh asserted: “I have perused the instructions dated July 12, 1997. They clearly mention that the official concerned is required to be informed about the shortage as expeditiously as possible; and within a period of three months, which is extendable to six months.” “It cannot be said these instructions introduced in 1997 would not apply to the existing or pending cases, which were yet to be finalised when these instructions were issued. “It is well settled principle of law that with the passage of time, person may not have in his possession any material to show his innocence…. The authorities cannot be permitted to wake up after lapse of eight years to direct recovery…. There is no substantial question of law arising in the case, which would require adjudication. The board is rather well-advised not to file uncalled for litigation”.
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Pak duo on peace mission
Moga, February 2 This was stated by Chaudhary Zaffar Iqbal, President of the Pakistan-India Peoples’ Forum (for democracy and peace), Faisalabad chapter, and his son Tahir Iqbal, a social activist, who were on a peace mission as part of a people-to-people contact programme here today. “People on both sides
need peace, not war,” they maintained. Chaudhary said such programmes were necessary to build confidence among the masses and remove the stigma of hate that has been created by political powers on both sides. Lashing out at the western powers, he said the USA had “vested interests” in the region and was using the soil, which has undoubtedly fuelled disturbance in
the frontier provinces, indirectly affecting the Indo-Pak relations. “Kashmir is just one of the 10 or 12 issues confronting the bilateral relations between us and if we go one by one to solve the pending issues, there is no question of doubt over improving the relations,” he claimed. At the residence of former minister and senior Congress leader Malti Thapar, Chaudhary pledged to continue working for peace between the two nations, stressing that the war was no solution to problems both the countries were facing at this time. Tahir Iqbal said, “War can never be a solution, hence both governments should desist from war-posturing and immediately engage in meaningful and effective dialogue and actions to address the issue of terrorism and to resolve all other outstanding problems.” They appealed to the people of both countries to play a constructive role to propagate and strengthen positive attitudes for the resolution of all issues to bring peace and prosperity in both countries.
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Police commissionerate system notified
Chandigarh, February 2 Conceived after recent incidents of mob violence in the state, this new arrangement will empower the police head in these cities to take any decision, including that to order firing, which was earlier vested in an executive magistrate with matching duties and accountability under the provisions of the
CrPC. The new police set-up will ensure urgent preventive action, quick decision in rapidly changing law and order situations like communal and sectarian violence. These cities will now be headed by an officer of the rank of DIG, who would be designated Police Commissioner. The commissioners in these three cities will now report directly to the Director-General of Police. The existing police staff of the government will be made to undergo specialised training to deal with situations arising out of
urbanisation, huge floating populations and migration that has chaged the demographic profile of these cities. Punjab has already made changes in police functioning by bringing in the Punjab Police Act 2007 that replaced the old Police Act of 1861. Punjab has adopted the commissioner system being followed
by states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, Karnatka, Andhra and recently Haryana too.
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SSA to hold Class VIII exams
Chandigarh, February 2 This was stated by Education Minister Dr Upinderjit Kaur in a meeting held here today in a meeting with a delegation of Punjab Unrecognised Schools Managements Association. The Minister said the education department had already decided to take the examination of Class V of the recognised, aided and government schools at their own but the examination papers would be delivered by the SSA and the papers would be evaluated by the schools under the supervision of concerned DEOs. Similarly, the examination of Class VIII of aided, recognised and government school would also be conducted by the SSA, she added. She further said it had also been resolved by the department to grant a chance to students of Class X in unrecognised schools to appear as private candidates in the regular examinations to be conducted by the PSEB during the ongoing academic session. This decision has been taken in the interest of students studying in such schools and their parents had also been advised to admit their wards in the state schools so that they should not face the problems in future.
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Arrange fertilisers for kharif crops, Centre urged
Jalandhar, February 2 As the sowing of kharif crops would start in three months from now, fertilisers would be required at that time to farmers. “For importing the fertilisers, companies concerned require 2-3 months time. First they have to submit the tenders to import the fertilisers and then its takes about two months for the arrival of fertilisers at various ports”, said a senior officer. He said if the Centre did not finalise its policy, there could be fertiliser crisis in the country and its prices could shoot up. Chief Secretary SC Aggarwal said today he had taken up the issue with the Centre. The authorities concerned in the Centre had been told to make arrangements to provide adequate fertiliser to farmers well in time during the kharif sowing season.
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Patiala to have govt-run old age home
Patiala, February 2 Giving this information, Patiala Deputy Commissioner Deepinder Singh said once the land is
finalised, the Town Planning Department would prepare a blueprint of the proposed old age home. Earlier, there were old age home in Patiala but all of them were run by NGO's. The DC said while finalising the plan special emphasis would be on acious rooms, medical facilities and basic facilities required for a healthy living. “We would also ensure that enough green spaces are there in the old age home. Besides, a library, dining hall and an entertainment room with TV would be there,” he said, adding that if there was more than one floor in the proposed old age home, then there would also be provision for ramp and automatic lift facility.
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Now, no pvt functions in govt schools
Patiala, February 2 The decision in this effect has been taken by the government in consultation with District Education Officers (DEO) in order to save the loss of students' studies. They have unanimously decided that the school would not declare any holidays except government holidays on the pretext of any local function or sports event. It is pertinent to mention that the incident was brought in the notice of the DGSE when a three-day sports event was organised by Baran village panchayat with the help of a religious organisation at Government High School, Baran, in December. The event was organised at a time when examinations were going on. Sources revealed that the headmistress of the school had opposed the programme but to no effect as the panchayat had taken permission from higher authorities.
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Bansal’s stress on interlinking of rivers
Barnala/Sangrur, February 2 Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the annual prize distribution function of Lal Bahadur Shastri Arya Mahila College, Barnala, wherein he was conferred the Arya Rattan award by the management, he said whereas some areas in India record 1,100 mm rainfall, some other areas record a huge rainfall of 11,000 mm. He added interlinking of rivers would help in the best and optimum use of river waters to make best use of the available water resources.
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Liquor shops under scanner
Patiala, February 2 The city residents are the worst sufferers of this unhealthy trend, as they have to face trouble on account of the nuisance created by such boozers. Though time and again, the Patiala police has been conducting raids to check this menace, but nothing concrete was done. Now, the DC has directed the police to conduct surprise checks in key areas during evening hours and take strict action against the shops/vends that allow liquor consumption in the open.
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Punjabi singer gets bail in rape case
Chandigarh, February 2 The notice by Justice Ajay Tewari came soon after Gill’s counsel Jasjit Singh Bedi claimed the complainant had not submitted her voice samples. Gill had earlier claimed he was in possession of compact disc with conversation clearly establishing the complainant’s unwillingness to marry him. Accusing Gill of rape, the complainant had earlier alleged that the singer had refused to tie the knot with her.Taking up the matter, Justice Tewari had on December 24, 2009, directed the forensic science laboratory to examine the CD to determine whether the voice was that of the complainant. Justice Tewari asserted: “Let notice be issued to the complainant for March 17. In the meantime, the stay on arrest of the petitioner shall continue”. SC sub-classification The HC Division Bench of Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal and Justice Jasbir Singh today issued notice of motion on a PIL for quashing notifications issued in 1975 and 1989 on sub-classification in reservations for Scheduled Caste for recruitment in Punjab government service. The petitioner, Pardaman Singh, employed as a vaid with the Punjab Ayurvedic Department, had earlier claimed the SC category was further being classified and 50 per cent posts of the quota were for Balmikis and Mazhibi Sikhs. The Supreme Court and later the Punjab and Haryana High Court had held that there could be no sub-classification within classification of the SC. The petitioner said the government in November 2009 had advertised for posts in the department and was likely to follow the notifications.
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HC orders return of trial court records
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 2 The record of cases allegedly involving former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and others registered by the state vigilance bureau had been summoned by the high court. The directions follow a petition seeking directions for ensuring the vigilance bureau functioned in accordance with the guidelines on prior approval from a high-powered committee before initiating proceeding, like registration of case under the then Prevention of Corruption Act. The order was passed by Justice MMS Bedi during the resumed hearing on Capt Amarinder Singh’s petition for quashing the FIR registered against him at Amritsar under the Act in connection with the alleged land scam. Other accused in the case include the former minister Jagjit Singh Chaudhary and Trust chairman Jugal Kishore. During the hearing, Punjab Additional Advocate-General Naresh Kumar Sanghi said in the absence of the record, the proceedings before the trial court had come to a standstill. Counsel for the petitioner, on the other hand, reiterated the state vigilance bureau in presenting the charge sheet before the trial court at Amritsar had violated the interim orders of the Supreme Court. Also, the investigation was also not being conducted independently, as directed by the Apex Court. The bureau was merely following the recommendations of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha’s special committee report. Rebutting the arguments, the state counsel said the vigilance was conducting the probe independently and not going by the special committee recommendations in its report. Sanghi also said since a similar matter was pending before the apex court, it would only be appropriate to await the outcome. The matter has now been adjourned to March 22.
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2 booked for rape
Amritsar, February 2 In her complaint lodged with the police, the victim has alleged that when she had gone to answer the nature’s call in nearby fields, the accused - Major Singh of Burj village and his friend Shingara Singh of Mandiala village - tied her mouth and forcibly took her to a furniture’s house and raped her repeatedly. A case has been registered, however, no arrest has been made so far. The medical examination of the girl has confirmed the crime. Asked about delay in registration of the case, he said the complainant approached them only yesterday evening as the father of the victim was not at home. The police said raids were being conducted to nab the culprits.
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Moga, February 2
