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Security at ISBT left to chance
Steady rise in malaria cases in the city
Excuses galore for not implementing Right to Service Act
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MC razes 10 structures along 120-feet road
Staff of govt-aided schools sans salaries for 5 months
Post penury and deaths, teachers get much-awaited pension
Asian hockey champs ditch fans, return home quietly
Shiksha Rattan award for Khalsa College researcher
Lawyers form RTI cell to help public
Legal Aid Cell set up at Khalsa College
Contamination feared from treatment plant emissions
Only 25 takers for amnesty of water, sewerage connections
Speaking Out
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Security at ISBT left to chance
Jalandhar, September 14 The Rs 20-lakh project for installing CCTV cameras and other security paraphernalia is yet to see the light of the day, with the result that the security of thousands of commuters are at the mercy of the Almighty. Every day around 2,600 buses ply on different inter-state routes. The Punjab Roadways had mooted the proposal to install the CCTV cameras around three years back. But all that took place during this period was official meetings regarding the issue, while the security norms went for a toss. Initially, when the bus stand was constructed four years back, the issue of installation of cameras remained on the priority list of the Punjab Roadways. However, it has been over a year since the security issue was taken up. Surprisingly, the tri-monthly meeting regarding the installation of the cameras was held around last year and after that the issue was never discussed. The meeting was chaired by the bus stand maintenance board, comprising officials from the Punjab Roadways, bus stand authorities and police. Sources at the Punjab Roadways maintained that they had also asked the police authorities to take up the work of installation of the CCTV cameras but the latter refused. “Later it was decided that the responsibility of installing the CCTV cameras be handed over to the Punjab Roadways, but till date the project is in the pipeline only,” the sources added. |
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Steady rise in malaria cases in the city
Jalandhar, September 14 There were two cases in March, three in April, 14 in June and July each and 25 in August. Dr Satish, epidemiologist, Civil Hospital, said the count for September was yet to be done. A chemical spray was done around fountain sites, including Guru Nanak Mission Chowk, Namdev Chowk, Skylark Chowk and Guru Ravi Dass Chowk, in the city today. He, however, said no mosquito larvae was found at these sites. |
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Excuses galore for not implementing Right to Service Act
Jalandhar, September 14 The District Transport Officer (DTO) Babita Kler came out saying, “The volume of applications for the eight services of our department covered in the Act is too high and the staff is too less comparatively. A majority of the available clerical staff from my department has to attend court cases almost daily.” As she discussed the issue, ADC (G) GS Khera, who was chairing the meeting, replied, “If that is the problem, you need to take up the matter with higher officials in your department and get the problem sorted out. Or else, we will not be able to accept the excuse as an appellate authority if we get a complaint against your department”. The DTO even asked if the windows for receiving applications could be closed on days when there is staff shortage, the ADC pointed out that it would not sound public-friendly and would rather defeat the very purpose of the Act. As the ADC (D) Sarojini Gautam Sharda posed the question related to delivering ration card in seven days to an officer from the Food and Civil Supplies Department, his take was, “We can do that in the normal course, keeping the procurement season as an exception. During these days, our inspectors who are the functionaries for the purpose are out in mandis.” The ADC (D) asked the officer to ensure that all inspectors spend at least an hour a day in the office to clear all such cases, but he said, “There could a problem again as every inspector is to take care of two mandis. Ration card issuance involves a verification process which cannot be accomplished hastily”. At this, the ADC asked him to approach the department director to get the problem sorted out. The tehsildar was quizzed if he had any problem in issuing an income certificate to the OBCs, he too replied in the negative. “Our union has got a joint resolution passed in this regard at the state level,” Sharda told the tehsildar to take up the issue with higher officials prior to the implementation of the Act or else the public would start expecting the service period to be 15 days and start filing complaints. An official from the revenue department too had his own reasons. He said that there could be a delay in demarcation of land beyond the time frame of 21 days as there could be a standing crop or some illegal property at the site. The ADC (G) asked him to give a genuine reply within the period. Again, when he was asked if a private partition would be possible in the stipulated 30 days, he said, “At times, the two parties leave the station and may be even move abroad after signing the agreement. The physical presence of both individuals is required. In most such cases, they leave without even giving power of attorney to any local relative and we are helpless”. Sharda asked the department heads to ensure the display of checklist of all documents required for any certification so that the applicants need not make rounds repetitively.
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MC razes 10 structures along 120-feet road
Jalandhar, September 14 The structures included temporary extensions up to 10 feet by residents and factory owners. “Since the passage was earlier not in use, several residents had extended their houses on the back by way of temporary sheds and structures,” said Senior Deputy Mayor Kamaljit Bhatia, representing the area. — TNS |
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Staff of govt-aided schools sans salaries for 5 months
Jalandhar, September 14 Teachers in aided schools in the city have not received their salaries for the past over five months (since April, 2011) and there are some schools where salaries have not been paid for the past nine months (since December, 2010). There are 53 government-aided schools in the city and teachers in all of them have been devoid of salaries for the past over five months. While grants for three months’ (January, February and March) salaries of 37 schools were announced in August, announcements in this regard for 13 of these schools were made today. But they are yet to receive the money. The problems of the teachers do not end here. While the total number of sanctioned posts in Punjab is about 10,000 (60 per cent are lying vacant), the number of sanctioned posts in Jalandhar are about 1,100, but more than 50 per cent of these have been lying vacant after the retirement of the teachers concerned. The teachers in these schools are also overburdened since only about 600 teachers work in these schools, causing school employees to handle immense workloads. Manish Aggarwal, a teacher at a local aided school, says, “We are without salaries and are overburdened with work. The government talks of implementation of new grades, but our DA continues to be 87 per cent while the DA, even in the old pattern declared by the government, is 115 per cent.” The teachers in the government-aided schools also demand that they be taken over by government schools, especially in the light of the fact that employees of aided schools in Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh had been absorbed in government schools. Deepak Sanan, principal of the DR Jain National High School, Jalandhar Cantonment, says, “The staff in our own school is less than 60 per cent. While the government has also implemented the new grades from April, 2011, we will get the HRA and medical allowance on the old pattern. That is not justified.” Vinod Sharma, principal, ND Victor Senior Secondary School, says, “We just got our salaries for the months of January, February and March 20 days ago. When I joined this school 32 years ago, it had 48 teachers here, now there are only six. Even the government’s talk about implementation of new grades is ambiguous.”
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Post penury and deaths, teachers get much-awaited pension
Jalandhar, September 14 Dismissing two writ petitions - Punjab Government vs Samdarshi Kumar and others (writ petition No SLV 2601/6) and Punjab Government vs Kamlesh Goyal and others (writ petition No SLV 14452/2009) - the SC, on Monday, restored the pension of teachers of aided schools, which had been stopped since May 31, 2003. Talking to The Tribune, Sudarshan Sharma, president, Punjab State Aided Pensioners Association, said, “The move is welcomed and was desperately needed. The past eight years have caused mental and physical torture for many teachers.” Quoting an example, he said, “Vijaylakshmi, a teacher of Shiv Devi Girls Senior Secondary School in Jalandhar, was forced to shift to Nari Niketan after her husband died. While I know at least 50 teachers in the region that have been stuck in penury due to the delayed move, the numbers across the state must be much more. As many as 100 teachers lost their lives waiting for their pensions. These teachers, who retired after 2003, weren’t even given CPFs (Contributory Provident Fund).” Savitri Sharma, a Hindi teacher in a local school, says, “The decision is much awaited and is welcomed, but it comes with a pinch of sadness. My school retained me after my retirement, thankfully. But not everyone has been as lucky. The decision robbed teachers of their financial freedom. The state of many of them is really bad. Thankfully, they will get their due now.” Sukhwinder Pal Kaur, who retired from Doaba Khalsa Senior Secondary School, says, “Yes it is a welcome decision. But we wait for the time when we will actually get our money. It seems it will still be some months before we actually do. At least the SC decision has taken a burden off our heads.” The teachers will get their due arrears in five instalments, but Sudarshan Sharma says it will be good if the teachers get all the money at once. “The SC has given a go ahead as far as the pensions are concerned, but it is also important that the payment is not delayed now. We need our money at the earliest and possibly in one go.” Pension Pain
l While across the state, the aided schools first started getting government grants in 1987, the pension for their teachers was started in 1992. l In 2003, pension for teachers of aided schools was stopped and since then 2,500 teachers, who retired after 2003, have been left without a support system. l The 3,795 teachers, who retired before 2003, continued to get their pension. l In these eight years, at least 50 teachers have been forced to live in penury and 100 more have died waiting for their
pensions
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Asian hockey champs ditch fans, return home quietly
Jalandhar, September 14 The players refused to accept the incentive money, which was offered during a felicitation function hosted by the union sports minister Ajay Maken and HI officials. Indian team defeated arch rivals Pakistan 4-2 in a tie-breaker in the finals match in China. Such was the impact of the incentive offer of HI that almost all the players returned home quietly. Jalandhar-based players Ravipal Singh, Gurwinder Singh Chandi and Manpreet Singh reached home this morning. In fact, many Olympians had to shelve last minute plans of a rousing welcome for the players at the city railway station. Ravipal Singh said, "Anybody in our place would have done the same thing. This was hardly an amount for winning against rivals Pakistan. We played so well and underwent rigorous practice sessions under Coach Michael Nobbs, which resulted in the win." Dronacharya awardee, Olympian Rajinder Singh who trained three players from Punjab & Sind Bank and who were also a part of the Asian Champions trophy said, "We had decided to welcome the players at the railway station but they didn't inform us. I spoke to the players in the afternoon and got to know that all of them had reached home." The players were of the opinion that the players reached home quietly as they wanted to evade media queries concerning the refusal of the HI incentive. The players maintained that Rs 25,000 was a meager amount which would not even fetch them a good sports kit. Another player, Sarvanjit Singh from Batala also said they had no demands from HI but at least they deserved a handsome cash prize for such a spectacular victory. “As a winning team we have every right to expect a good cash award. This was the collective decision of the team to return the incentive amount. After the felicitation ceremony we preferred to reach home quietly,” he added. Olympian Col Balbir Singh also termed the incentive as too small an amount and said while sports like cricket are enjoying the limelight with huge flood of money, the game of hockey has always been in controversy. Former local bodies Minister Manoranjan Kalia also lambasted HI for offering them Rs 25,000 amount as award. “The players have done the right thing by refusing the money as this is a matter of their dignity. Hockey is our national game and the players should be awarded suitably,” he added.
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Shiksha Rattan award for Khalsa College researcher
Jalandhar, September 14 The award would be given by India International Friendship Society, an organisation of retired scientists in the capital. The society honours upcoming scientists in the field of biotechnology research. Dr Arun Dev Sharma was selected for this award on the basis of previous research findings, researches published in leading agriculture journals and new UGC-sponsored projects taken up by him. Recently, the UGC awarded him a major research project worth Rs 7 lakh on 'Wheat crop and the role of boiling proteins' in it. In April this year, the Ministry of Science and Technology had also sanctioned a grant of Rs 55 lakh to Khalsa College under its 'Star College Scheme' to conduct researches in various fields of science, including biotechnology. He said he was conducting research on the transgenic wheat crop, which is aimed to increase its yield under various weather related stress.
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Lawyers form RTI cell to help public
Jalandhar, September 14 Advocates, including Ashok Sharma, Prabhjot Singh Sidhu and Ram Chhabra, alleged officials many a times deliberately suppress information only to conceal record or to safeguard their interests. “As a result the poor and illiterate section of the society is largely deprived of this right,” they said. The RTI cell, offering free services, encourages citizens to use the RTI Act as a sword to curtail the menace of corruption.
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Legal Aid Cell set up at Khalsa College
Jalandhar, September 14 The District and Sessions Judge and Chairperson, District Legal Services Authority, Inderjit Singh was the chief guest of the day while noted social activist Parminder Beri was the guest of honour. On this occasion, a camp was organised at Loharnagal village where as many as seven students, member of the club delivered lectures on the Right to Information Act. A declamation contest was also organised. The club organised a poster making competition on the theme of ‘Women Empowerment and Corruption’. which saw Ankush Kohal of BCA-III, Prabhpreet Kaur of B.Com-II (Professional) and Ankita B.Com-I securing first three positions. In the declamation contest, Manjit Singh B.Sc (Computer Science)-III was first, Kritika of B.Com-III second and Prashant BA-III third.
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Contamination feared from treatment plant emissions
Jalandhar, September 14 Jagbir Brar said he was preparing a case and would represent the matter strongly in favour of the residents of nearby villages during a public meeting to be held on September 30. Brar said he was also upset over the fact that the waste from over 29 municipal committees in the periphery would be collected at the site, which would convert Jalandhar into a home of garbage. According to him there would be trolleys loaded with waste coming from all adjoining towns, including Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Phagwara, Nakodar and other places. “We have also learnt that after conversion of the waste into energy, the trolleys of the treated waste would again be directed towards a dumping site near Hoshiarpur. They
ould use up two sites,” he rued.
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Only 25 takers for amnesty of water, sewerage connections
Jalandhar, September 14 The public notice could not be issued because of imposition of the model code of conduct due to SGPC elections, but the officials have started receiving applications on the prescribed forms and have even been collecting the dues. However, there is a confusion over the charges to be levied. The residents living in a house of 250 sq yards rue that they were to pay just Rs 500 as one-time settlement charges for illegal water and sewer connections as per the announcement made in this regard by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal. But they lament that they were being charged Rs 500 for illegal water connection in addition to Rs 500 for illegal sewer connection. A resident of Master Singh Nagar near Maqsudan claimed that he was forced to pay double the amount he should have actually paid. The employees at the Suwidha Centre of the MC claimed that they were facing a lot of problem over the issue and some residents had even turned away after a confrontation. SE (O&M), MC, AS Dhaliwal said he was simply trying to follow the notification which as per his interpretation implied that Rs 500 have to be levied each for illegal water supply and illegal sewer water connection. “If we do not follow it, then there will be more complications. There are many cases which have illegal water connection but a regular sewer connection or vice versa. Then there will be such individuals claiming that they be charged half the amount which would be just Rs 250.” The period of amnesty as per notification is from August 1 to October 31. Those availing the chance by self-declaration will have to pay just 10 per cent of the amount that they would otherwise have to pay if found guilty during the ongoing door-to-door survey in the city.
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Speaking Out
Jalandhar, September 14 Starting from the posh localities to the sub-urban areas, every part of the city is filled with garbage and dirt. Plaza
chowk, PNT colony, Master Tara Nagar, Vijay Nagar, Jail Road are few such localities where one can find heaps of garbage. And surprisingly, the Municipal Corporation (MC) seems to have turned a blind eye to these
problem.
Mandeep Singh, No doubt that the Municipal Corporation is responsible for keeping the city clean but the onus also lies on the public. In many localities, one can find garbage thrown on the roads itself. The residents lack civic sense.~ Jagtar Singh Probably my locality is the worst affected. A majority of residents throw garbage in an open area in our locality. I cannot remember a single day when the MC authorities have picked up garbage from this area. The weekly vegetable market, held on Mondays, adds to the
problem. Sukhwinder Singh Even as MC officials claim that they keep the city clean, almost all key areas in the city are a picture of neglect. Even outside the bus stand, one can always find garbage scattered everywhere.~ Tishey
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From colleges
Priya Sangar a student of M. Sc (Physics) of Kanya Maha Vidyalaya bagged third position in Guru Nanak Dev University. Apeejay toppers Vichitrika Sahota a student of Bachelor of Design-IV semester of the local Apeejay College of Fine Arts bagged the first position in GND varsity. Pallavi Kaura and Bharti Julka scored fourth and fifth position in the varsity, respectively. Sakshi, a student of Bachelor of Design stood first in the university. Talk on AIDS A talk on AIDS Awareness and drug Addiction was delivered by S.P.S. Khurana, Head of Pharmacy Department and President Red Ribbon Club of the Mehr Chand Polytechnic College. From schools Jalandhar Independent Sahodaya Complex inter-school volleyball tournament was organised from September 7 to 9 at Shiv Jyoti Public School, Jalandhar. As many as 36 teams took part. Results: Boys: Shiv Jyoti Public School, Jalandhar, (first) DIPS, Begowal (second) and Police DAV Public School, Jalandhar, and Guru Amar Dass Public School, Jalandhar, were the joint third. Girls: Police DAV Public School, Jalandhar, (first), SPPS Convent School, Begowal, Second) and Army Public School, Jalandhar Cantt, and DIPS, Dhilwan (third). Swimming event The team of the Police DAV Public School, PAP campus bagged the overall trophy in the swimming championship at Sports College, Jalandhar. The team won 40 gold medals, 18 silver medals and 15 bronze medals. Amandeep Ghai, Deshdeep Ghai, Shivangi and Pragya Verma were declared the best swimmers. Freshers’ party Freshers' party 'Tarang-2011' was held at the Innocent hearts Group of Institutions, Loharan, to welcome the new students.
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It seems that the recent bomb blast outside the Delhi High Court has not taught any lessons to the authorities of the Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat
Singh ISBT in the city.
Even as there has been a lone case of dengue this year in the city, there have been more than 58 incidents of malaria till now.
Jalandhar, September 14
