|
|
|
|
|
Local rank system doesn’t please all in Punjab Police
Excavation at Ram Bagh sparks row
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Manpreet deserted by all, says Badal
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Cabinet Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra in Samana. Tribune photo: Rajesh Sachar
Health sector to get industrial status: Sukhbir
Sukhbir writes to Shinde on visa office in Amritsar
Electronic billboards at bus shelters
Harried farmers not to celebrate Divali
Demands not met, Power Corp Union intensifies agitation
Additional DGP to review security of senior officers
Thousands gather outside jail to receive Bibi Jagir Kaur
Mega health camp in Mansa from today
Ladhar asked to deposit arbitration charges, HC told
Man arrested with heroin worth
Rs 9 cr
|
Local rank system doesn’t please all in Punjab Police
Amritsar, November 2 Local rank is a system through which a police official is given a higher rank, up to the level of inspector, but without any additional monetary benefits. The rank is okayed by the Director General of Police Office on the basis of good work, satisfactory record or three months left for retirement. The objective is to boost the morale of the police personnel. A policeman can avail of the local rank benefit for a maximum period of six months, following which the grant shall have to be renewed by the Director-General of Police Office. The section of policemen objecting to the system claims that once the rank is given to any policeman, it is rarely withdrawn. A few of them even enjoy plum posts, including that of station house officer, after getting the local rank of inspector, they claim. A plea filed under the Right to Information by local activist Ravinder Sultanwind revealed that between January 2009 and September 2011, 350 police officials in the state were given local ranks. The police officials who are opposing the practice claim that “favouritism” was often the criterion for giving local rank, thus, "denying promotional avenues to the deserving candidates who have been waiting to become Station House Officers for years". Information provided by the local police department officials mentioned that “the local rank shall automatically stand discontinued after the expiry of six months. It also mentioned that in case the enrolling officer of the unit/range considers it desirable that the local rank should be extended beyond the period of six months, specific recommendations justifying the extension of the local rank should be sent well in advance”. Inspector-General (Headquarters) Arpit Shukla, claimed that a number of policemen were granted local ranks, "but the practice hardly affected the seniority list". He said the period of local rank could be extended every six months by the Director General of Police (DGP) Office following a review. “Why this local rank has not been withdrawn even after the expiry of six months? Does that mean other policemen are not working well? What is the criterion of describing ‘good work’?” questions Sultanwind. A senior police official reiterates that it is the prerogative of the DGP to extend the period of local rank. "Anybody can approach their seniors if they think they also deserve a local rank. They can show their achievements to stake claim for the post. He said arresting criminals active in anybody's area, how a policeman deals with the public and how he carries out the duties assigned by seniors are considered as criterion for describing good work. Usually, the rank is given following recommendation by senior officials," he said. About local rank It is a rank granted to a police official by the Director General of Police Office in lieu of their good work and outstanding service. The rank could be given up to the inspector level. The main objective of granting local rank is to motivate police officials to do better service. Under the local rank system, the police official concerned gets a higher rank than his original post but he is not allowed any extra monetary benefits. 350 officials given local rank benefit A plea filed under the Right to Information has revealed that between January 2009 and September 2011, 350 police officials in the state were given local ranks.
|
|
Excavation at Ram Bagh sparks row
Amritsar, November 2 It is not yet clear as to who ordered the excavation of earth at the garden which is preserved by the Punjab Tourism Department and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The work was on for the past couple of days.Those involved in the work claimed that they had acted on the instructions of the Tourism Department and that the earth was to be utilised at the Heritage Village project. Talking to mediapersons here today, a visibly upset Joshi said on being intimated by a morning walker, he went to Ram Bagh and found a JCB machine and some trolleys parked there. He called Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal and other officials to the site and directed the DC to find out as to who was to be blamed for the excavation work. Aggarwal admitted that the excavation had caused environmental degradation. District Mining Officer Dharampal Bhagat said no permission had been sought for excavation of earth at the garden.” Anybody resorting to mining has to submit an environment clearance certificate with the department. But that too has not been done,” he said. Police Commissioner Ram Singh said neither had any complaint been received, nor any case registered in this connection.
|
||
Manpreet deserted by all, says Badal
Samana, November 2 Speaking to mediapersons after laying the foundation stone of an indoor sports stadium at a cost of Rs 1.38 crore at Public College here, Badal said: “Manpreet’s political party has failed miserably.” To a query, he said that even if Manpreet joined hands with the Congress, “it will not affect the SAD in any manner.” Coming down heavily on the Centre, Badal said the people of the country would teach a lesson to UPA-II in the 2014 parliamentary elections for its “discriminatory, apathetic and anti-people policies” that had led to high inflation. He said Congress-led state governments were being given preferential treatment regarding grants and projects. Addressing a function later, Badal asked Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra to prepare a comprehensive plan for the development of the Samana constituency. He announced Rs 10 lakh for development works to be undertaken in Samana. Opens vocational training institute Bathinda: Badal today inaugurated a vocational training institute here. The institute, run by the Punjab Ex-Servicemen Corporation (PESCO), is spread over 2.5 acres on the Mansa road. The foundation stone of the institute was laid by the Chief Minister last year. A sum of Rs 5.5 crore has been spent on constructing the building which comprises several rooms, a library and a hall.
|
|
Health sector to get industrial status: Sukhbir
Ludhiana, November 2 Badal said that Medicity near Mullanpur, Educity in Mohali and Entertainment City near Sahnewal were all set to become new hubs of future investment in Punjab. He added that the expansion of airstrip at the Sahnewal airport would be expedited with the acquisition of 500 acres of land near the town. Big Boeing aeroplanes would then be able to land at the airport even at night. Sukhbir said the Machhiwara International Airport had already been approved by the Civil Aviation Ministry and the Bathinda airport, which was awaiting its approval, would soon be inaugurated. The Deputy CM said Punjab was all set to announce the new industrial promotion policy in the beginning of 2013 to attract Rs 1 lakh crore investment in the next four years. He said he had already constituted a core group of industrial giants, who were giving final touches to the policy. He said the new Industrial Promotion Policy would be operational in Punjab by January 2013. Key initiatives Industrial status also for real estate, hotel industry to boost investment Medicity near Mullanpur, Educity in Mohali and Entertainment City near Sahnewal to become new hubs of investment 500 acres of land acquired to widen airstrip at Sahnewal airport Industrial promotion policy in 2013 to attract Rs 1 lakh crore investment in next four years
|
|
|
Sukhbir writes to Shinde on visa office in Amritsar
Chandigarh, November 2 In a letter sent to the Union Minister, Sukhbir said he was happy that India and Pakistan were moving towards a liberalised visa regime and that this would help trade and cement people-to-people ties.
Sukhbir said opening a visa office at Amritsar would ensure that people would not have to travel to Delhi for the same. Listing out the problems being faced by Indian nationals visiting Pakistan, he said the Pakistan authorities took almost two months to process the visa applications. He said the Centre should prevail upon Pakistan to curtail this waiting period. Similarly, Pakistani nationals who intended to visit India required a sponsorship letter attested by a gazetted officer and that many visa applicants found this condition difficult to meet. He suggested that traders who wished to visit India should be allowed to do so if invited by a Chamber of Commerce. He said such traders’ bodies could be registered so that issuing visas could be fast-tracked. To encourage medical tourism between the two countries, the Deputy CM said patients in Pakistan suffering from eye and bone ailments did not have access to appropriate surgical facilities. India has good orthopaedic and ophthalmic hospitals and if medical tourism was put on a fast track, it would be a win-win situation for both Pakistan and India.
|
|
|
Electronic billboards at bus shelters
Chandigarh, November 2 Sukhbir said it was imperative that a standardised advertising policy be put in operation that would do away with unauthorised hoardings and defacement of public property. — TNS
|
|
|
Harried farmers not to celebrate Divali
Muktsar, November 2 Mahinder Singh
Lakhewali, district president of the union, said: “First the Centre failed to provide compensation to Punjab farmers who faced a drought-like situation this year. Now, the state government has failed to streamline procurement arrangements. Rice mill owners are looting the farmers by purchasing paddy well below the minimum support price
(MSP).” Surinder Singh of Lundewala village in the Gidderbaha subdivision, said: “Divali brings cheer to everyone, but we have nothing to smile about as our produce is lying in
mandis. If the situation persists for another week, the farmers will have have to step up their stir.” — TNS
|
|
|
Demands not met, Power Corp Union intensifies agitation
Fatehgarh Sahib, November 2 Union leaders Mohinderpal Singh and Rattan Lal accused the management of not meeting their demands. They said the union members had held protest dharnas outside the corporation’s headquarters in Patiala and other places on October 18 but the management, instead of meeting their demands, only gave them assurances. The employees demanded the release of their second installment of arrears under the revised pay scales of pensioners; that the corporation offers a job to the family member of an employee who dies at work and that it rejects the PWC report. The union leaders said if their demands were not met within the given time, they would intensify their agitation and observe a day-long strike on November 8.
—TNS
|
|
|
Muktsar anganwaris to get RO water
Bathinda, November 2 Such centres in other districts of Punjab, however, were yet to supply purified water to children. The Muktsar administration issued orders for the supply of water purified through RO (reverse osmosis) technique after the District Legal Service Authority, headed by Daljit Singh Ralhan, took up the matter with it on the basis of over 400 complaints. The cost of supplying RO water at each anganwari is Rs 60 to Rs 100 a month. The complaints mentioned that children at anganwaris were allegedly being provided unfiltered water containing uranium and other heavy metals. The Tribune too had highlighted the issue. The Department of Child and Women Welfare had aired its helplessness to supply RO water due to dearth of funds. The Muktsar administration later took the lead saying it would bear the cost of supplying treated water. The legal authority had received the complaints while it was conducting seminars on legal awareness. Muktsar Deputy Commissioner Paramjit Singh said, "We acted as soon as the matter was brought to our notice." Anganwari Workers Union national president Hargobind Kaur said they were already spending much from their own pocket at their respective centres. She demanded that all districts must be made to emulate
Muktsar.
|
|
|
Additional DGP to review security of senior officers
Chandigarh, November 2 As a petition filed by Panchkula resident SK Nayar against SK Asthana and other respondents came up for hearing this morning, an affidavit by Additional Inspector-General (Welfare and Litigation) MS Chinna said this was to ensure that the officers had security as per the specified norms. Asthana is facing allegations of retaining unauthorised manpower. He has been accused of having 31 personnel from the Punjab Police and the Home Guards Department at his official residence. These personnel were allegedly engaged in household work. Chinna told the court that an IGP-level officer was entitled to have 11 police personnel, including six personal security guards. He said that personnel deployed beyond the norms in Asthana’s case were being sent back to their parent units. During the hearing, some policemen alleged they were being harassed by the department. Arguing on their behalf, advocate AK Walia said six policemen withdrawn from Asthana’s residence and sent to the Patiala Police Lines had not been given posting orders. He said that they were being victimised by the Police Department by opening up the departmental proceedings against them on old issues. Acting on the application, the court directed the Punjab Government to file a reply on the contentions raised by the policemen on December 6.
|
|
|
Thousands gather outside jail to receive Bibi Jagir Kaur
Jalandhar, November 2 An advocate from a Patiala court brought her bail orders at 5 pm. Bibi came out of the jail compound at 5.45 pm. Seated in a
Fortuner, she was escorted by her son-in-law Yuvraj Bhupinder Singh. There was a wave of joy and her supporters burst crackers and distributed
laddoos. Former MLA Sarabjit Singh Makkar, SGPC member Paramjit Singh
Raipur, Jarnail Singh Dogranwala and her confidants Jaspal Singh Desi and Swaran Singh Josh were all there to receive her with siropas.Bibi then left for her dera at
Begowal. She will pay obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar tomorrow morning. The Akali stalwart had been convicted by a CBI court for forcible abortion and abduction of her daughter
Harpreet. She was sent to jail on March 30 this year, days after being inducted into the Punjab Cabinet. The trial court had also held: “A conspiracy was hatched with accused Bibi Jagir Kaur for terminating Harpreet's pregnancy. However, because the status, political and social, of Bibi was to be safeguarded at all cost, the latter distanced herself from the process of executing the conspiracy and accused Dalwinder Kaur
Dhesi, Paramjit Singh Raipur and Nishan Singh, along with approver Dr Balwinder Singh
Sohal, took upon themselves to accomplish the object of conspiracy by keeping Bibi Jagir Kaur informed of the developments from time to time.”
|
|
|
Mega health camp in Mansa from today
Bathinda, November 2 The camps are aimed as addressing health issues of Punjab, especially in rural areas where people do not have an easy access to quality medical services due to financial constraints and long distance. — TNS
|
|
Ladhar asked to deposit arbitration charges, HC told
Chandigarh, November 2 “'We have served a notice on Ladhar asking him to deposit the arbitration charges collected by him in arbitration cases," Additional Advocate-General Atul Lakhanpal told the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Appearing before a Division Bench of Chief Justice A. Sikri and Justice Rakesh Jain today, Lakhanpal sought more time for filing a reply. As the case came up for resumed hearing, the High Court again expressed surprise and observed: "We wonder how a government officer can collect arbitration fee while acting in his official capacity." The observations came on a petition filed in public interest by advocate HC Arora. He is seeking criminal and departmental action against Ladhar for fixing charges for arbitration in disputes between private parties and the National Highway Authority of India. Arora has alleged that a sum of Rs 1.5 crore had been collected and retained instead of being deposited with the state government. After Ladhar's counsel sought four weeks’ time for filing a reply on his behalf, the High Court asked: “ For what purpose do you require four weeks' time? " As the counsel reduced the time to three weeks, the Chief Justice quipped: "We are not shutting your defence, though we wonder how a government officer accepts arbitration fee for deciding arbitration cases in his capacity as aovernment officer." The case will now come up on December 10.
|
|
Man arrested with heroin worth
Rs 9 cr
Bathinda, November 2 The contraband is valued around Rs 9 crore in the international market. A mobile phone with a Pakistani SIM card was also recovered. Inspector-General (Intelligence) Jatinder Jain said the accused had been identified as Shaheeda. His son Pippal, however, managed to flee, he said. The accused was arrested in Purana Beeroke village, adjoining double canal bridge in Ferozepur. “Smugglers get attracted by the high cost of heroin. It also entails high margin when sold further. They procure drugs from Pakistan and then sell them in Punjab,” said Jain. The accused is a resident of a village situated adjoining to India-Pakistan border. The SIM obtained from Pakistan also functioned in India, the police official said. A case under Sections 21, 61, 85 of the NDPS Act has been registered.
|
|
| 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 | |
Several officials in Punjab Police have been working on local ranks for years together, a practice that has led to resentment among a section of the force.
Samana, November 2
Supporters of Akali MLA Bibi Jagir Kaur, who was granted bail yesterday, 10 days before
Divali, gathered outside the Kapurthala Modern Jail today. Men donning saffron and blue turbans and women jathas began collecting outside the jail premises in the morning.
Langar, tea, jalebis and bananas were served to the crowd that had swelled to a few thousand by noon.
