 |
|
|
Only favourites get funds in Jalandhar MC
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Insanitary conditions weaken school’s health
54 govt schools sans principals
Notices to 6 firms for defacing pillars
Future of dental implants explored
Man escapes accident with minor inuries
Gynaecologists eligible to conduct ultrasound tests: FOGSI
|
|
Only favourites get funds in Jalandhar MC
Jalandhar, August 20 A perusal of records by the Jalandhar Tribune pertaining to allocation of funds revealed that the BJP, the party to which the city's Mayor belongs and also a coalition partner of the state government, shares the largest slice of the pie from the expenditure incurred on the construction of roads, sewage system and street lighting. Consequently, the residents of the wards represented by the BJP councillors have a reason to smile while there are those in the Congress-led areas are facing a tough situation as far as funds for development are concerned. The SAD leaders, who have been pushy throughout, too have managed to get the various civic works done in their respective wards. The three bigshots in the MC who have actually ruled the roost and managed to spend large amounts of grants in their respective areas are-BJP Mayor Rakesh Rathour (Ward 20), SAD Senior Deputy Mayor Kamaljit Bhatia (Ward 45) and SAD Deputy Mayor Parvesh Tangri (Ward 50). The Mayor Rakesh Rathour, who is also in the race as a candidate from Jalandhar Central Assembly constituency, has spent nearly Rs 2.69 crore on the roads of his ward. This is ten times the amount Jasvir Kaur, a Congress councillor from Ward 12, could get in the past four years. She got only Rs 20.75 lakh for the purpose. Senior Deputy Mayor Kamaljit Bhatia managed to get even a bigger share of Rs 4.23 crore for sprucing up the 120-feet road and surrounding areas. Nirmal Singh of the Congress from Ward 8 has got an approval of just Rs 3.54 lakh for sewage facilities in his area, which is just peanuts as compared to the share of Deputy Mayor Parvesh Tangri, who has got Rs 2.62 crore. The Mayor’s close allies within the BJP, including Kirpal Singh Buti and Sunil Jyoti are the lucky ones. So is Ravi Mahendru, a confidant of ex-Local Bodies Minister Manoranjan Kalia. Rimpi Prabhakar, Pawan Gupta, Mamta Sharma, Ved Vashisht, Majinder Singh Chatha and Yogita Gupta from the same party who too have received a good share of the funds for the operations and maintenance. OPPOSITION TAKE “Our wards are badly neglected. Estimates worth Rs 2 crore for building and roads works had been passed for areas, including Qazi Mohalla, Qila Mohalla, Bazar Charan Singh, Bajoura Mohalla, Mitha Bazaar, Jain street and Dhikki Muglan, three years back but there has been no work on the ground. The ward that I represent had been with the BJP for the past many years and leaders here have not been able to digest the change. The officials even refuse patchwork claiming that there are no masons and no raw material available”. -Mahesh Puri, a Congress councillor from Ward number- 27.
|
|
Insanitary conditions weaken school’s health
Jalandhar, August 21 Sandwiched between a
nullah, garbage dumps and public toilets on one side and a filthy bazaar drain on the other, sanitation woes have hounded the school for more years than the staff can recount. The fact that the administration has constantly been in the denial mode, adds to their woes. Principal Meenakshi
Bhardwaj, who has been in the school for the last 12 years, says she never witnessed a respite from the problem, in fact that the apathy of the government authorities has been surprising. “They mostly say it’s a jurisdiction problem.” “Earlier, there were no urinals outside the school and people used to urinate in the open. We wanted a solution, but the railway authorities made public urinals, which further increased our problems. The dump right next to the wall emanates a bad stench. The wall already has a dirty drain flowing by it, the water from which has even seeped into our classrooms on the ground floor at times (a problem about which the school has written to the MC). The concrete slabs on the top of the drain are often removed and that adds to the smell. So we have gotten the windows of all classrooms on that side sealed,” Bhardwaj says. “The wall on the other side of the school also has a dirty drain flowing by it, causing stench from both the sides. Sick of the administration for not taking any initiative to get it cleaned, we have now started getting that side cleaned by our own sweeper once or twice in a week. We have tried waiting for the administration to do something, but it just give assurances,” Bhardwaj laments. The school authorities have written and talked to the MC and the railway administration many times and are also in touch with NGOs. “Every two to three months, the problem of the school is published in the newspapers too, but no one takes action.” Once, even a 12-member team, sent by the
DRM, Ferozepur, visited the school, but a lasting solution is still awaited. Billboards by the wall of the school were rendering the classrooms dark, so the school filed a case about it. “That is the only problem we managed to get rid of.” The principal says many students have even opted out of the school due to the persisting stench. “If saplings are planted by the wall or permanent kiosks are set up, we would be happy because that would solve our problem and even railway station visitors would also benefit from them,” Bhardwaj says. OfficialSpeak
|
|||
|
Night gangs giving nightmare to residents
Jalandhar, August 21 These gangsters chase motorcyclists, scooterists or people travelling by rickshaws and then snatch their valuables. Women wearing jewellery, carrying purses and handbags are the soft targets of these miscreants. Some of the snatchers have become so ‘gutsy’ now-a-days and even tried to tear-apart ears of women for their gold ear-rings. Even though the snatchers have thrashed some of the victims, who resisted, but none suffered major injuries as yet. The ‘night-riders’ belonging to a particular gang, earlier used to commit ‘organized’ snatchings but the trend has witnessed a change. The city police is of the view that boys belonging to well-to-do families are involved in the crime to meet the needs of their luxurious life. Besides this, certain drug-addicts are also active in the snatching incidents for substance abuse. Shockingly, arrest of a Punjab Police constable in a chain snatching case near Nakodar Chowk on Wednesday, has also put the police force under scanner. As per police records, 93 cases of snatching have been registered in the city till July 31 this year. The modus operandi of all these armed snatchers is that they chase their ‘prey’ for a long distance on motorcycles and pounce upon the victims at isolated places from where they could speed away. Though the police claims that localities including the Cool Road, Footbal Chowk, Gurunanakpura, Chugitti Chowk and Maqsudan are their favorite spots but the snatching incidents have occurred Basti Bawa Khel, Pathankot- Bypass, Industrial Focal Point area, PAP Chowk, Rama Mandi and Domoria under-bridge and other places. Challenging the city police, the snatchers in last two moths have even committed the crime on the Laddowali Road, and near Tehsil Complex which is just a stone throw away from the office of the commissioner of the city police.
|
|
Chandigarh-Amritsar Duronto brings no cheer to city residents
Jalandhar, August 21 The residents are disappointed as the first direct train connecting the holy city with the state capital will not have any stoppage at Jalandhar. People from all walks of life say there would be no benefit of starting the train especially for the residents of the city if there is no stoppage of this train at Jalandhar. The president of Federation of Jalandhar Industrial and Traders Association, Gursharan Singh, said most of the residents of Jalandhar in general and businessmen in particular daily go to Chandigarh and come back to Jalandhar. So, if the train won’t stop at Jalandhar, there would be no benefit of starting this train, he added. Similarly, expressing happiness over starting the maiden Amritsar-Chandigarh train on Wednesday, Punjab and Haryana Bar Council member Advocate Navtej Singh Toor and the president of District Bar Association (DBA) Jalandhar, Advocate GK Agnihotri, said, “The train should have stoppage at Jalandhar City railway station, as not only the common man but several advocates from this city go to Chandigarh and come back to Jalandhar daily for attending hearing of their cases in Punjab and Haryana High Court, Punjab State Human Rights Commission and Punjab State Consumer Commission.” In the same way, state media convener of BJP Rajat Mohindru, said, “Hundreds of residents of this city go to Chandigarh for their different works at secretariat, for their treatment at PGI and for several other purposes. So, the Railways should reconsider its decision of not having any stoppage of Duronto train between Amritsar and Chandigarh.” Industrialist Gursharan Singh, advocates Navtej Singh Toor and GK Agnihotri demanded that Jalandhar MP Mohinder Singh Kaypee should raise the issue of stoppage of Amritsar-Chandigarh train at
Jalandhar. |
|
State of schools
Jalandhar, August 21 Out of the 114 senior secondary schools in the district, as many as 54 are without principals, adversely affecting education in the district. According to the information, the state of schools in the urban areas is still better, senior secondary schools in some villages have been without principals for more than 20 years. Senior secondary schools at villages like Heran, Kadowal, Kala Bakra, Bhogpur, Adampur, Mehatpur, Sanghwal, Pandori Nijjran, Alawalpur, Doli Ke Durhe, Beas and others have been languishing without a regular principal for the past many years. Satpal Singh, a political science lecturer at the Government Senior Secondary School Nihaluwal, has been the officiating principal of the school for the past 12 years. Satpal said, “Several times in a year we tell the authorities about the state of affairs and inconvenience caused in the school due to the lack of a regular principal. The issue of stalled promotions of principals is also one of the causes. They know about our case. Assurances have also been given from time to time but nothing has been done as yet.” DEO (secondary) KK Aeri, while admitting a dearth of principals in the district, said, “From time to time, principals retired or were transferred so the posts got vacant. We are working on filling the posts soon and have talked to the DGSE about the matter. For the time being, the charge of acting principal has been given to the senior-most lecturer in the schools in question.”
|
|
Notices to 6 firms for defacing pillars
Jalandhar, August 21 Assistant Commissioner DP Bhardwaj said notices had been issued under Section 122 and 123 of the Punjab Municipal Act 1976. He said in case the companies do not remove these posters in two days, FIRs would be registered against them for non-compliance. — TNS |
|
Future of dental implants explored
Jalandhar, August 21 Dr Udey Vir Gandhi from Kolkata and Dr K. Mahendranath Reddy, Principal, Sri Sai College of Dentistry, Hydrabad, explained the innovations being made in the field of implantology across the globe. Dr Reddy said usually the patients are quite uncomfortable with their lower dentures, which do not fit properly in mouth. The problem can be overcome with the implants placed in the bone in the mouth and fixing dentures on them. “The latest advancements have revolutionised the technique up to such an extent that by placing just two implants, the masticating capacity of the patient can be improved by 20 times,” added Dr Reddy. Dr Sachin Dev Mehta, state secretary, IDA, Dr Rajeev Arora, president, IDA, Jalandhar, Dr Ajay Bibra, Dr Sukant Varma, Dr Ankush Puri and Dr Gurpreet Saini also delivered lectures.
|
|
Man escapes accident with minor inuries
Jalandhar, August 21 Rajesh was driving Tata Fortuner. According to the police, a truck loaded with bags of fertilisers was heading towards the local vegetable market from Maqsudan side. The truck driver lost control over the steering wheel while Rajesh immediately took a turn towards a link road. The truck fell on the car with its driver inside. Hearing the loud thud, passersby and the police assembled at the site and broke open the windowpanes of the car to extricate Rajesh Kapoor. He received minor injuries. The truck driver reportedly fled from the scene leaving behind the vehicle. The police has booked the truck driver.
|
|
Seminar
jalandhar: Dhilwan International Public School (DIPS), Urban Estate, organised a seminar for its students on Saturday to motivate them to join defence services. Major-Gen (retd) Raj Mehta was the resource person. Chairman, DIPS Institutions, Gurbachan Singh, CEO Monika Mandotra and Director Principal Lakhwinder Kaur welcomed him as he encouraged students to face challenges and achieve goals in life.
TNS |
|
BEd teachers hold protest march
Jalandhar, August 21 The front demanded the release of the last four months’ pay of 14,000 teachers in the state. Front president Ravinder Singh, while addressing the gathering, said the delay in the implementation of special pay grades was causing anger among teachers. Senior president Chandra Shekhar demanded the removal of the unnecessary regulation of probation period (two years) on 14,000 teachers as the teachers had already served for more than two years in the department. A demand letter was also submitted to the ADC (General) in this regard. TNS
|
|
Gynaecologists eligible to conduct ultrasound tests: FOGSI
Jalandhar, August 21 Dr P.C. Mahapatra, national president, FOGSI, a conglomerate of 213 obstetricians and gynecologists’ societies with membership of 26,000 gynaecologists across the country, said as per the norms of the Medical Council India (MCI), a gynaecologist holding a postgraduate degree or diploma in gynaecology was eligible to conduct ultrasound tests of expectant mothers. Dr Mahapatra was here to participate in the CME conducted on “Contraception update”, organised by Dr Amita Sharma, president of the local unit of the FOGSI. “The norms state that as study of sonography is a part of the curriculum of gynaecology degree and diploma, therefore the gynaecologists are trained enough to conduct the ultrasound tests,” said Dr Mahapatra. The FOGSI’s reaction has come after the strict decision taken by the state government recently, which states that all those ultrasound centres, registered after 2002, would be considered illegal if they don’t have a MD (Radiodiagnosis) or a diploma holder (Radiodiagnosis) on their rolls. Sources said earlier, around a month ago, the state government had sent clear signals to act tough against the violators of the PNDT norms and had shot off letters to all the Civil Surgeons of the sate not to renew the licences of such ultrasound centres. Stating that the frequent use of emergency contraception and pregnancy termination pills was rapidly deteriorating the physiological hormonal balance in female population, Dr Harinder K. Oberoi, vice-president of the FOGSI, said the government should immediate impose a ban on sale of such pills without prescription. “Such pills are easily available at every chemist shop. The hormonal imbalance caused by the injudicious use of such pills would definitely lead to disastrous physiological disturbances in the entire population in the next one to two generations,” said Dr
Oberoi.
|
||
|
Residents speak
|
||
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
It is either the power wand or the aggressiveness of councillors that translates into funds for the development of wards when it comes to the Municipal Corporation in Jalandhar. While mostly the councillors owing allegiance to the ruling SAD-BJP alliance get the lion's share in MC's funds, followed by the several pushy ones, the other not-so-fortunate ones have to do without
funds.
Jalandhar, August 21
Jalandhar, August 21
I do not nurture prejudice against any councillor irrespective of his party. I have tried to maintain balance in the distribution of funds as far as possible. Some councillors are known to have a laid-back attitude. They are not consistent in following up with officials for their area problems and are in the habit of creating a hue and cry or giving political slant to their frustration and weaknesses. ~
