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DCs made accountable for governance reforms
Amarinder says it is up to Bajwa to contact him
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State-level Science Exhibition in
Amritsar
34 teachers suspended in Ludhiana
Cong supports Amarinder, criticises Bajwa, Brar
No funds bungling: Info Commission
PIMS Principal resigns
Concerns expressed over Kurali barrier jams
Cotton bales damaged in a fire that broke out in a factory in Sanghera (Barnala). A Tribune photograph
Bir Chand in Jalandhar on Thursday. Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh
6,750 cops to be recruited
Medical camp organised
CBI to investigate missing Rajpura bride case
Consider change in PCS (E) exam date, state told
City Centre Case
PAK PRISONER’S ESCAPE
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DCs made accountable for governance reforms
Chandigarh, December 2 Reviewing the progress of administrative reforms at a meeting of all deputy commissioners, Sukhbir Badal said that the DC of each district would be designated as Nodal Officer for the implementation of administrative reforms, NREGA and all centrally sponsore schemes. He said the SAD- BJP government was committed to implementing governance reforms within a stipulated time and that he would review the progress of implementation every month. Reiterating the He said the state needed to ensure total computerisation of land records, entry of pending 3.54 lakh mutations and completion of data entry of 8.80 lakh khawats within the stipulated timeline. Every district was given a monthly target for putting land records live on the web. He said he and other ministers would be inaugurating fard kendras every month. All 154 fard kendras along with the required workstations would be made operational by March 31. He also asked the Chief Secretary to ensure the completion of construction of administrative complexes in each subdivision by April 30, 2011. Sukhbir Badal lamented that despite clear instructions from the Chief Secretary, all districts were adopting different standards for discontinuation of affidavits. He asked the Chief Secretary to draw up a standard list of legally compulsory affidavits. Asking the DCs to regularly monitor the ongoing development projects in their districts besides the working of public dealing offices, Sukhbir Badal said that every deputy commissioner and his designated officers would conduct surprise raids on a regular basis. Reviewing the implementation of NREGA projects Sukhbir said against last year’s performance of Rs 152 crore, Punjab must execute Rs 300 crore projects during the current financial year. The Secretary, Irrigation, was asked to ensure the de-silting of drains, minor canals by June 2011. The next DCs’ meeting is scheduled. for Dec 15.
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Amarinder says it is up to Bajwa to contact him
Chandigarh, December 2 Amarinder Singh, who was in the Punjab Congress office here to meet party leaders, said all new presidents were allowed to form their own teams.“The same will happen now”, he said, adding it was even more important now as he had only one year or so to create an atmosphere for a Congress win in the state. Amarinder Singh claimed Bajwa was well aware of this practice and that in this light there was no logic in the MP’s going public on the issue of Pradesh Congress appointments. Maintaining that senior leaders, including Congress Legislature Party president Rajinder Kaur
Bhattal, former Pradesh Congress President Mohinder Singh Kaypee and MPs, including Manish
Tewari, had given their suggestions to him, he said Bajwa could have done the same. Reacting on the issue of meeting
Bajwa, which has not taken place since he took over as the state Congress President, Amarinder Singh pulled seniority saying, “He should come and meet me. Why can’t he ring me up? Why is he waiting for my call?” Amarinder Singh also debunked Bajwa’s theory of the Majha and Doaba regions playing a dominant role in the next Assembly elections, saying, “Regions are not important”. He went on to maintain that enough wrongs had been done by the Akalis on the issue of regionalism which had led to a truncated Punjab and that the state should not be divided in this manner. Meanwhile, in an associated development, former Punjab minister Jagmohan Singh Kang called upon the Congress rank and file of the state to rise above petty affairs and iron out their differences in the larger interest of the party. Maintaining that Amarinder Singh was the best bet for the party at the present juncture, Kang said anyone creating confusion or defying the state Congress chief would in a way be defying the party high command. Two independent SGPC members --- Jagjit Singh Bhullar and Master Shingara Singh, both from
Valtoha, on Thursday joined the Congress at the party office in Chandigarh. Amarinder Singh said the party had received feelers from more SGPC members as well as SAD leaders and that more were likely to join the Congress “unconditionally”.
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State-level Science Exhibition in
Amritsar GS Paul/TNS
Amritsar, December 2 Interestingly, the state government is nowhere in the picture. The venue has been sponsored by St. Francis School and food expenses of children and the cost of prizes and printing of certificates have been doled out by teachers, who are accompanying them. Moreover, their stay has been arranged by officials of the State Institute of Science Education and some district science supervisors through their own “connections”. And due to fund constraint, students have no choice but to sleep on the floor. To promote science and technology, there is a provision in the state Budget for holding seminars, fairs, dramas and teachers’ training in collaboration with the NCERT. Like every year, officials had submitted an annual estimated expense of Rs 16 lakh, but, except for Rs 1 lakh from the NCERT side, not even a single penny could reach them on time. Though the state Education Minister and the Director, Public Instruction (Secondary), Chandigarh, were here to preside over the concluding function of the National School Games today, neither of the two had any inkling about hardships being faced by these children and they even did not visited the exhibition site. As per the policy, the state provides a day’s expense of Rs 20 to each participant. “We have been providing students with morning tea and lunch costing about Rs 60,000, but for dinner, students are either paying from their own pockets or are dependent on teachers, told teachers. In the evening, a Tribune team came across a group of students, who were being shifted to the Durgiana Sarai by their teachers and others were planning to take their students to the Golden Temple. Irked over the indifferent attitude of the authorities, teachers rued that if the same continued, there would hardly be any participation from the state in national level competitions in the future. State Education Minister Sewa S. Sekhwan said: “It is a serious issue and some deficiency is certainly there in the mechanism of the disbursement of funds. Otherwise, there is an ample Budget exclusively for children to generate their interest in science and innovative technology. I will personally look into the matter.” DPI (S) Davinder Singh said: “Since I have recently joined the department, I never knew that it was our liability to arrange funds. But when I am in the town, I will visit the site and instruct the officials concerned to do the needful on priority.”
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34 teachers suspended in Ludhiana
Ludhiana, December 2 In addition to this, four teachers, who are on long leave, have been chargesheeted. Show-cause notices have also been served on as many as 46 teachers, who came late to work this morning. All these teachers are from different middle, secondary and senior secondary schools. The DGSE conducted surprise checks in as many as 103 middle, secondary and senior secondary schools today along with his teams, which later conducted checks across 79 primary schools in the district. Out of the 79 primary schools, only one teacher was found absent from duty. The checks were conducted by 13 teams. Giving details, an official, who was a part of one of the checking teams, said, surprise mathematics and science tests were also held in all classes across schools, results of which were below satisfactory. "The teams found toilets in most of the schools dirty as well as lack of general cleanliness on the campuses,” he said. Apart from that, classes where teachers were absent had no substitute teachers,” he disclosed. “There were a lot of other such issues where the school staff was found lacking following which the DGSE called an all-principals’ meeting at RS Model Senior Secondary School this evening,” revealed another official. He added that in the wake of the findings of the surprise checks, the DGSE was in the process of issuing show-cause notices to other teachers who were found guilty of dereliction of duty. Meanwhile, the meeting was still in progress and a report on primary schools was still awaited till the time of filing of this report.
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Cong supports Amarinder, criticises Bajwa, Brar
Patiala, December 2 The Patiala Congress leaders have targeted senior Congress Leader Jagmeet Singh Brar for issuing statement that he would be meeting the party high command to give his suggestions regarding the constitution of the new organisational structure of the PPCC. Speaking to The Tribune, Congress MLA from Shatrana Nirmal Singh said, “When the party high command has already appointed Amarinder as PPCC president, the step taken by Bajwa and Brar is uncalled for. They can have discussions with Punjab Congress chief but taking such issues publicly will affect the party’s image.” Congress MLA from Nabha Randeep Singh feels that such statements send a wrong message to the electorate that Congress is a divided house. He said internal issues of the party should not be discussed in public and every Congress leader should work in coordination so that party has a united face in assembly elections, which are just 14 months away. Interestingly, when contacted, close confidant of Amarinder, former Finance Minister Lal Singh did not comment on the issue. Congress MLA from Samana Brahm Mohindra too preferred not to comment on the issue, while stating, “I will give my feedback to the party high command in New Delhi.” However, former Punjab Minister Jasjit Singh Randhawa was too vocal in criticising the statements given by Bajwa and Brar. “When party high command has appointed Amarinder as Punjab Congress president, every congress activists and leader should back him. If some leaders want to get their supporters accommodated in the new PPCC body, they should give the lists to Amarinder and discuss the matter with him directly.” Airing his views on the issue, former MLA from Nabha Ramesh Singla said, “It is not the issue of Doaba or Majha, Amarinder is the leader of the entire Punjab. The party’s rank and file is with Amarinder,” he asserted. Another former MLA Brij Lal Goel said such statement by few Congress leaders would only benefit the SAD-BJP alliance.
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No funds bungling: Info Commission
Chandigarh, December 2 Yesterday, an RTI activist had alleged that there was misappropriation of funds in the purchase of tyres for official cars of the commission. It has been alleged that tyres for car number CH-01-G1/1717, attached with Rupan Deol Bajaj, were purchased for Rs 12,875 in 2009. There was another purchase of tyres for the same car for which the payment (Rs 14,200) was made on March 31, 2010. The Secretary State Information Commission has clarified that as per an account book entry, dated May 18, 2010, nine tyres were purchased for cars number PB-65G/0690 and Pb-65E/0909 by paying Rs 23,700. It has been further alleged that car number PB65-G-0690 was being used as official vehicle by one of the State Information Commissioners. The commission has further clarified that only one set of five tyres was purchased in September, 2009, for the car attached with Bajaj and payment for that was made in October 2009. An entry to that effect was duly made in the logbook of the car and the bills duly verified. Another set of tyres was purchased on March 18, 2010, and payment was made on March 31, 2010, for car number PB-65G-1150 (attached with Information Commissioner Kulbir Singh) and not for car number CH-01-G1/1717 (attached with Rupan Deol Bajaj). The Commission Secretary has said that other allegations are also untrue as car number PB-65G-0690 is attached with Ravi Singh, Information Commissioner, while car number PB-65E/0909 is attached with the secretary to the commission. Both officers are entitled to official cars. Ravi Singh was never allotted car number 0909.
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PIMS Principal resigns
Jalandhar, December 2 The sudden development came to the fore following a circular issued by the management to all major departments of the institute in this regard today. The circular mentions that Dr Kulwinder Kaur, the medical superintendent, will now be the officiating Principal till further notice. Talking to The Tribune, Rajshekhar K, chief operating officer of the PIMS, confirmed the news of Dr Kiranjit Kaur’s resignation. Refuting rumours of any rift between the former Principal and the management, he said she had resigned citing family reasons.
“She is a thorough professional and was an excellent administrator. She was performing her job efficiently. Therefore, there was no reason for any differences to crop up. She opted for resignation owing to her family compulsions,” said Rajshekhar. He said until a replacement was found, Dr Kulwinder Kaur would also officiate as the Principal in addition to holding her own charge. As many as six doctors had applied for the post of Principal and the management had shortlisted four eminent doctors. Dr Kiranjit Kaur also confirmed that she had resigned due to some family commitments.
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Concerns expressed over Kurali barrier jams
Kurali, December 2 SDM Rajiv Gupta and DSP Raj Balwinder Singh Mrar met the officials of Pearl Construction Company, which had constructed the bridge and has been charging toll from the commuters. Officials visited the place after traffic jams on the road were reported. Area residents had opposed the railway over bridge, which has failed to meet its current requirements. The officials expressed their concern over poor traffic management at the toll barrier. Company officials have been directed to employ more people for issuing receipts to avoid long queues. The CCTV cameras were not functioning properly. A Representative of the company Sunil Kumar SAID two counters had been set up for the traffic and presently three employees were employed to provide mobile receipts. He pointed out that increased number of vehicles on the stretch was main cause of traffic jams. Constructed over the Sirhind-Nangal line, the bridge is unable to meet the growing quantum of traffic. According to Rasta Kholo Sangharsh Committee, agitating against the barrier, the project has violated several norms laid in its agreement. Earlier, the width of bridge was planned to be 17.5 mts. However, owing to urban construction, it was found infeasible.
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Cotton bales worth crores burnt in factory fire
Barnala, December 2 Sources said that employees working in the Trident unit, located in Sanghera along the Barnala-Raikot road, smelt something burning at around 12 am last night. On enquiry, they noticed that cotton bales worth crores of rupees, lying in unit number two of gowdon number eight, had caught fire. The sources added that soon the authorities and workers of the factory started making efforts to prevent the fire from spreading to other areas. To control the fire, Fire Officer, Barnala, Ravi Kumar, along with two fire tenders and his team reached the factory but they could not control the fire. A team from the administration led by SDM Barnala, Paramjeet Singh Padda, and police officers rushed immediately to the spot and requisitioned two more fire tenders from the Air Force station, Bhadalwad, one fire tender from Sangrur, one from Rampura Phul and one from the Trident group, to extinguish the fire. It was only after five hours that the fire fighters controlled the fire. The fire was totally controlled by 10.30 am this morning. A manager of the Trident group, Basant Singh, told mediapersons that around 7,000 cotton bales worth about Rs 14 crore were lying in godown number eight of the factory. He added that a surveyor’s team was assessing the actual loss due to the fire. Basant Singh said that in the meanwhile they were trying to ascertain the cause of the fire.
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Physically challenged await hike in pension
Sarbjit Dhaliwal Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, December 2 “The SAD-BJP government had promised to increase the monthly pension to Rs 400 but it has done nothing so far,” said Bir Chand, who visited The Tribune office in his wheelchair here today. “Tomorrow is World Disabled Day. I want to remind the government of the promise it had made with physically challenged persons before the last Vidhan Sabha poll,” said Bir Chand, who is looking for a job to sustain his family. “In fact, we should not be kept on a par with others as far as the fixing of monthly pension is concerned. There should be at least Rs 1,000 per month pension for us because we are unable to do any work involving physically labour,” said Bir Chand. “As we have no source of income, the government should include us in below poverty line families. That will help us in getting foodgrains at subsidised rates. Our families should also be given free medical insurance cover,” he added. “I passed matriculation exams eight years ago, but have not got any job so far”, he added. He added that power to distribute pension for physically challenged persons should stay with the sarpanch of the village concerned. “To withdraw pension money from a bank is difficult for a physically challenged person”, Bir Chand said.
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6,750 cops to be recruited
Chandigarh December 2 Presiding over a meeting to review the implementation of reforms in the Police Department, Sukhbir said that construction of all police outreach centres should be completed by February 28 and that all centres should be operational by March 31.
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Medical camp organised
Banur, December 2 A team of dental surgeons led by Dr Vinay Goyal, president of the Indian chapter of the Punjabi Dental Society, examined the dental patients. Dr Jasdeep Singh of Gian Sagar Medical Colleges said 215 patients were given free spectacles after eye testing and 40 were identified for surgery.
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CBI to investigate missing Rajpura bride case
Chandigarh, December 2 Asking the investigating agency to conduct a “preliminary inquiry” into the case, Justice Rajan Gupta also directed it to submit a report in two months. The state has also been asked to hand over the records within 10 days. The case will now come up for further hearing on February 14 next. Victim Rekha’s father Ved Parkash of Rajpura had initially brought the disappearance to the High Court’s notice by filing a habeas corpus petition. Parkash had claimed his daughter was missing since April 17, 2008 --- just about two months after she tied the knot with Kapil Kumar on February 22, 2008. Taking note of the assertions in the petition, Justice Gupta observed there was apparently a matrimonial dispute between the couple. The petitioner had, rather, alleged his daughter had been complaining about ill-treatment at the hands of her husband and his mother. Dowry demand was also alleged. Justice Gupta also took note of the fact that the police registered a daily diary report on April 21, 2008, at Rajpura police station on the husband’s statement. After the filing of the writ petition, a special investigation team headed by the Rajpura DSP was constituted to trace the missing girl. Despite efforts by the SIT, and publicity through the media, including Doordarshan, the missing bride could not be found. As the case came up this afternoon, state counsel told Justice Gupta all efforts by the state to trace the girl had proved futile. He added instructions had been received from an additional director-general of police that the state had no objection if the inquiry or investigation in the matter was handed over to an independent agency. Justice Gupta concluded since Rekha had not been traced till date, the court was left with no option but to seek the assistance of an independent agency.
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Consider change in PCS (E) exam date, state told
Chandigarh, December 2 In his petition, Bhushan Kumar of Patiala said the date of the PCS (preliminary) exam was clashing with the joint UGC test for JRF and eligibility for a lecturer exam, 2010. Candidates would not be able to appear in both exams on the same day.
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Amarinder seeks exemption from appearance
Our Legal Correspondent
Ludhiana, December 2 An application in this regard was filed by Amarinder’s lawyer in the court of the Ludhiana Sessions Judge, SP Bangarh, today. In the application, it has been pleaded that Amarinder was busy in finalising the list of district Congress presidents going to be appointed in the state soon, in consultation with the party high command in New Delhi.
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PAK PRISONER’S ESCAPE GS Paul/TNS
Amritsar, December 2 The jail authorities have now registered a case against three jail warders on the basis of a complaint filed by the Jail Superintendent, GS Sandhu, for being negligent on duty. It has been alleged that the Pakistani prisoner had scaled the outer wall of the jail when the three — Parshotam Dass (Ward no. 1216), Baljinder Singh (Ward no. 4210) and Chamkaur Singh (Ward no. 2476) were on duty. The Jail Superintendent, who earlier believed it to be an “impossible task” to scale the 25-foot high security wall, today confirmed that Ali had escaped from their custody, allegedly in connivance with jail staff. “The three jail warders have already been put under suspension and a case has been registered against them on December 1 with the cantonment area police station. The three would be questioned as to how did the prisoner escape while they were on duty,” he said.
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Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today made all deputy commissioners accountable for the implementation of governance reforms within specified timelines in their respective districts besides accelerating NREGA-related projects and said their performance on these fronts would reflect in their Annual Appraisal Reports.
TODAY IS WORLD DISABLED DAY