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Shifting of five NCLP schools raises question mark
Passsengers suffer as NRMU blocks rail traffic for an hour
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Suwidha Centre manager indicted
Protest outside Punjab and Sind Bank
Arrangements for Samiti, Zila Parishad poll going on at war footing
2 IAF officers honoured by President
from schools & colleges
All ITIs in state will be upgraded, says Joshi
Duping charge levelled by worker
Riot victims shocked at Sajjan's acquittal
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Shifting of five NCLP schools raises question mark
Jalandhar, April 30 While the NCLP project in the city already has a lot on its hands, with only 27 schools (total 1,350 students - each school with a capacity of 50 students), currently attempting to handle the burden of over 9,000 child labourers in the city, sources say the five schools were shifted even as the target of mainstreaming child labourers in their respective areas was not yet reached. Schools based in Suchi Pind, Basti Gujan, Guru Nanak Nagar, Mithu Basti and Nahlan village were shifted to Ladhewali, Urban Estate Phase II, Khurla Kingra, Islam Ganj and Basti Danishmandan, respectively. While the schools, the department says, were shifted based on survey reports and greater need in other areas, sources said, department’s whims and teachers’ considerations had caused the queer change rather than labour data. Notably, Basti Danishmandan and Basti Gujan, are the areas where child labourers work in both hazardous and non-hazardous professions in big numbers. A school in Garha was closed down and another one, in its place opened at Jamsher Khas. The number of child labourers, rag-pickers, children working at tea stalls, shops etc, is undoubtedly huge at Garha and the schools at Jamsher were already studying in other primary schools. While each of the 27 schools, presently running in the district, are under a specific NGO, sources said many NGOs were also very non-serious and do not take mainstreaming child labourers seriously. Project staff, requesting anonymity, said, “While the higher-ups are serious about results, there have been instances where immediate bosses hamper our hard work. Children working as rag-pickers have been turned away from schools just because they were not dressed well enough to meet the standards of a government school.” In other instances, sources said, students already studying in primary schools or enrolled in other primary schools have been admitted to the NCLP schools as labourers. Talking about genuine problems, some teachers said, “Some children refuse to come to school despite repeated attempts and irregular salaries and stipends, at times, act as a discouragement.” Project director NCLP Inderjit Singh, who has been instrumental in bringing many labourers to the mainstream, said, “Schools were shifted to other areas because 50 students in the previous area had already been brought to the mainstream and our survey indicated great need in the new area.” Talking about some of the schools, like Garha, Singh said, “The schools coming to the school were already too few, so the school had to be shifted. Although we have put in requests to increase the number of NCLP schools in the district.” The NCLP project director wrote to both the Union government and the ministry of labour in the state, asking to increase the limit of total schools in the district to 60. We have requested for an additional 33 NCLP schools in the district given the number of child labourers. While we are willing to make reforms, serious steps can only be taken if the government sanctions enough funds for more schools. |
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Passsengers suffer as NRMU blocks rail traffic for an hour
Jalandhar, April 30 It was a harrowing time for the passengers boarding various trains passing through Ferozepur division as they were stranded at different places. A number of NRMU activists sat on the track in front of Mumbai-bound Pashchim Express as soon as it left Jalandhar City railway station. As a result, the rail administration thought it better to halt the Dadar Express at outer and a Hoshiarpur-bound train at platform number 3 till their dharna was lifted. Rail traffic remained disrupted for an hour in the entire Ferozepur division as NRMU activists staged a dharna at tracks at Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Jammu, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Pathankot and other stations. When asked about inconvenience caused to the passengers, Jalandhar district convener of the NRMU Baldev Raj said he was apologetic about it. At the same time, Baldev Raj said the NRMU was left with no option. The protesters were urging the state government to immediately arrest those Uttar Railway Men's Union (URMU) members who had attacked several NRMU activists with swords and lathis on April 27.
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Suwidha Centre manager indicted
Jalandhar, April 30 Sandhu has submitted his report regarding the matter to the GA to DC, Dr Sanjeev Sharma, for being put up before Deputy Commissioner Shruti Singh. The SDM, after giving a hearing to the manager, has reportedly concluded that the latter had faltered “by not replying to the show-cause notices issued to him timely, not attending visitors at the Suwidha Centre properly and not being able to discharge his services properly”. The administration had to get the inquiry conducted after the staff had gone on a protest leave on March 7 against the decision of the termination of the services of Sandeep. Hundreds of applicants at the Suwidha Centre had faced a lot of inconvenience, as the entire staff had gone on an indefinite strike then. Since the staff did not even hand over the documents to the administration and give passwords of their systems, no delivery of te ready documents was possible for almost four days. A few regular employees from various departments were, however, then deployed at the centre for receiving applications. For the alleged violation, the administration had taken a very serious note and even deducted the salaries of the protesting staff for those days when they remained off work. What the inquiry report says
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Protest outside Punjab and Sind Bank
Jalandhar, April 30 Nearly 100 persons gathered outside the bank branch at 9:30 am, seeking confirmation regarding compensation on the matter from bank officials. As the bank staff started arriving around that time, the locker holders did not allow them to open the branch. Even the branch manager was not allowed to enter the premises for more than an hour till there was some agreement reached on the issue through the intervention of the police. Vikram Singh Khaira, leading the protesters, said they had been made to present affidavits in writing regarding their jewellery and other assets lost during the episode. "Even as the valuables lost are unaccounted for, the bank must owe the responsibility and work out ways to compensate us. Had the bank not committed serious lapses like ensuring security staff, installation of CCTV cameras and lights during the night, the theft would not have occurred. So, we clearly deserve compensation on that account," he demanded. ACP (North) Balkar Singh reached the spot, after which the bank officials pacified the locker holders, saying they could come and meet the zonal manager tomorrow at the bank’s branch for discussing the issue.
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Arrangements for Samiti, Zila Parishad poll going on at war footing
Jalandhar, April 30 The lists of the zones for Zila Parishad elections, with their reservation plans, have already been notified. There are 21 zones for Zila Parishad, seven of which, including Wariana, Jamsher, Aagarmaan, Talhan, Apra, Bajwa Kalan and Jandiala, have been put in general category. Four zones, including Gidderpindi, Kular, Dandowal and Bundala, have been reserved for women. Seven zones have been kept reserved for SCs, including Samrai, Cholang, Shankar, Ganna Pind, Jandu Singha, Naugajja and Dusanj Kalan. The remaining three, including Behram Sarista, Pholariwal and Patara, have been reserved for SC women. There are 11 blocks for which samiti elections are to be held in 194 zones. There are 25 zones in Phillaur, 22 zones each in Jalandhar East and Jalandhar West, 18 in Nakodar, 17 in Adampur, and 15 each in Bhogpur, Shahkot, Nurmahal, Lohian, Rurka Kalan and Mehatpur. For 899 gram panchayats in which polls are yet to be notified, there are 5,545 wards. While there were 901 panchayats last year, the number went down since the formation of Mehatpur committee. Two new panchayats, Divyagram and Patti Jattan Nahal, have been included in Nurmahal this time. In each of the ward, the number of voters range from 150 to 300. Poll schedule
The filing of nomination papers is to be done between May 3 and 7. Scrutiny is scheduled to be held on May 8. The last date for withdrawal of nominations is May 9. Elections are to be held from 8 am to 4 pm on May 19 and the results will be declared on May 21. Poll duties assigned
The administration has already assigned poll duties for the zila parishad and block samiti elections. DC Shruti Singh will discharge her duties as District Election Officer. ADC (D) Harminder Singh has been assigned the charge of Additional DEO. Various PCS officers, including RTA Jaskiran Singh, SDM-1 Iqbal Singh Sandhu and Estate Officer PUDA Amarjit Bains will discharge duties as Returning Officers. Though there are 14 PCS officers, including two retired officials posted in Jalandhar, even tehsildars have been taken as ROs. Bilga has maximum voters
Bilga, which has more than 9000 voters, perhaps is the biggest village in terms of vote bank. While most villages have been split into two or three villages, Bilga has as many as 13 wards. Appointment of panchayat secys
The appointment of panchayat secretaries has been on at full swing ahead of the panchayat elections for which the code of conduct is scheduled to be imposed on May 3. There are several grants with the concerned panchayats which have been recently pushed by the government ahead of the polls for which due sanction of the panchayat secretaries is mandatory. Since there are several circles where the posts of panchayat secretaries had been lying vacant, the posts are being filled on war footing so that the grants are released just ahead of the polls and voters can be wooed in favour of the government. The posts of panchayat secretaries of Jamsher Khas and Pholariwal were filled today on the orders of the administration. |
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2 IAF officers honoured by President
Jalandhar, April 30 Coming from a family of achievers, his father, Ranbir Chopra was the captain of Indian basketball team in the first Asian Games. Meanwhile, the spokesperson further added that Air Commodore Manvendra Singh was awarded Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) by President Pranab Mukherjee. Singh was born on December 13, 1962 in Hoshiarpur. After the initial schooling at Ludhiana, he joined the National Defence Academy and graduated with the 61 Course. He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on December 29, 1982 as a helicopter pilot. In a distinguished career spanning over 28 years, Singh has flown a wide variety of trainer aircraft and helicopters. He has an experience of nearly 7,000 hours of flying in various challenging sectors like the Siachen, the Eastern sector, the UP Hills and the Western desert. He is a qualified flying instructor with vast instructional experience and an alumni of Defence Services Staff College, Joint Forces Staff College (USA) and Army War College, Mhow. A decorated air warrior, Singh was awarded Vir Chakra in 1990 for undertaking operational flying missions in Siachen.
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Kindergarten students go for nature walk
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, April 30 Inter-house singing competition
Inter-house singing competition was held at Apeejay School, primary section, yesterday. The students of Aravali, Nilgiri, Shivalik and Vindhya Houses participated in the competition with great zeal. The theme of the competition was ‘patriotism’. The budding singers captivated the audience with their melodious songs. Aravali house bagged the first position followed by a tie at the second position between Shivalik and Vindhya house.
Farewell party
BD Arya Girls College organised a farewell party for the outgoing students of PG departments. Different competitions like musical chair, paper dance, and balloon dance were organised. Mehak was selected as Ms Farewell. College Principal Dr Sarita Verma wished outgoing students luck for their future endeavours. Sports day
Sports Day was held at Seth Hukam Chand SD Public Senior Secondary School for the students of class I to V. The day was inaugurated by hoisting the National Flag and reciting the National Anthem. The day was marked to inspire the youngsters towards athletics. Besides 100-mt race, one-leg race, lemon race, hurdle race were organised to attract the students towards health consciousness. |
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All ITIs in state will be upgraded, says Joshi
Phagwara, April 30 This was announced by Punjab Industry Minister Anil Joshi in an interaction programme with the industrialists, after laying foundation stone of ITI for Women in Phagwara. He said 43 more ITIs would be opened in Punjab and a proposal was sent to the Union Government in this regard. Free education would be provided to the girls in all ITIs in the state and many more new courses would be started in these centres. Joshi, while reiterating his commitment to provide 'Single Window System' to facilitate the industrialists, said a new industrial policy would be introduced by the end of May. Several prominent industrialists and exporters, including Sat Paul Sethi, Om Uppal, Ashok Sethi, Mukhinder Singh, Ashok Guptaa and Pankaj Gautam, urged Joshi to set up Special Economic Zone, Industrial Focal Point, better infra-structure in industrial area, better sewerage facility in Phagwara, besides easy Vat Refunds. Joshi assured the industrialists to streamline the department by providing online facilities. Chief Parliamentary Secretary Som Parkash, Markfed Chairman Jarnail Singh Wahid Advocate, ADC Phagwara Satish Singla, SDM PP Singh, Municipal Commissioner Kuldip Singh and Market Committee Chairman Sarwan Singh Kular were also present and addressed the industrialists.
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Duping charge levelled by worker
Jalandhar, April 30 An employee of United Metal Company, Ashok, alleged that he went to the bank around noon today to deposit the amount in the company account. He said the deposit form had been filled by the company owner. He alleged that when there was a lot of rush at the counter, he was approached by a person, claiming himself to be a bank employee, who assured him of "being facilitated from the back-end office". He said he took him to the rear side of the deposit counter and took the cash, telling him that he would return soon, but was later nowhere to be seen. As the entire episode occurred and bank officials were alerted, the complainant Ashok and his companion, on their own, started frisking customers at the bank. An ugly scene was witnessed when a woman was subjected to the same treatment. She lodged a protest in this regard. The police said the matter was being investigated. “No clues have come through CCTV footage. The matter still seems doubtful.” — TNS
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Riot victims shocked at Sajjan's acquittal
Jalandhar, April 30 "The court has acquitted Sajjan Kumar may be due to lack of evidence not produced by the CBI in the case. The Supreme Court of India has already intervened in the case of Coalgate, wherein the CBI shared report on Coalgate with Union Law Minister Ashwani Kumar. Hence, it is clear that the working of the CBI is influenced by the ruling party Congress," stated Kalia.
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Jalandhar, April 30
