400 govt primary schools set to go English medium
Punjab education minister says English medium to be introduced from Class 1 in primary schools to bring them on par with private ones
It will not be binding on students. They will have the option of studying in either Punjabi or English medium. ARUNA CHAUDHARY, Punjab education minister
CHANDIGARH : To improve educational standards in government schools, the Punjab government is planning to introduce English medium in 400 of its primary schools across the state.
Announcing this, state education minister Aruna Chaudhary on Thursday said the government was seriously considering introducing English as medium of instruction from Class 1 in primary schools to bring government schools on par with the private ones where the parents prefer to send their wards given their craze for the language. “However, it will not be binding on students. They will have the option of studying in either Punjabi or English medium. Those interested in Punjabi as medium of instruction can continue with it,” she said.
Chaudhary, who was speaking at a two-day workshop of northern states on innovation and best practices here, said the education department had sent a proposal to the finance department for funds for its introduction and was awaiting its response. Chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh has also recently expressed his view in favour introduction of English from Class 1 in the state-run schools. The state has 13,000 primary schools.
The workshop, being organised by the Union ministry of human resource development in collaboration with the Punjab government to promote and learn novel strategies in school education, was inaugurated by Union minister of state for human resource development Upendra Kushwaha. Besides Punjab, officials of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh are taking part in the workshop.
Chaudhary, who spoke during the inaugural session, said the state government would focus on revamp of school infrastructure, quality education and assistance to students from economically weaker sections. “These workshops are a golden opportunity for the states to learn and imbibe the best and novel practices from each other in the sphere of school education, as it is the best method to evolve school education on a national plane,” she said.
Kushwaha, who also addressed the gathering, said the drive to ensure uplifting of school education sector was a continuous journey with refinements at every interval. “There is an urgent need to spread awareness regarding the most unique and out of the box practices being followed in the sphere of school education,” said the minister. He also dwelt on the mechanism to make books available in the schools as per need.
Union school education and literacy secretary Anil Swarup, joint secretary, HRD ministry, Ajay Tirkey, director, RMSA, Nigar Fatima, additional chief secretary, school education, Punjab, G Vajralingam, director general, school education, Pradeep Sabharwal, additional state project director-cum-nodal officer of conference Ginni Duggal were also present.
As Cong MLAs sulk, Capt asks officers to give them due respect
CM ALSO WARNS PARTY LEGISLATORS AGAINST POLITICAL INTERFERENCE IN GOVERNANCE
CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday directed deputy commissioners (DCs) and administrative secretaries to address all issues raised by MLAs about the problems of the common man and apprise them of the action.
Amarinder, however, made it clear during his meetings with officials that political interference of any kind would not be tolerated in matters of governance.
The CM’s diktat comes after resentment among Congress MLAs, who had met Amarinder and Congress state chief Sunil Jakhar over the last week, complaining that administrative secretaries and DCs were not according them “due respect and still taking orders from Akali leaders”. Jakhar was also present at the meeting as Amarinder told officers that MLAs needed to be heard and given respect as elected representatives of people. The Congress MLAs from Ludhiana district had earlier complained against then Ludhiana police chief Kunwar Pratap Singh leading to his transfer.
Amarinder’s bid to keep political interference to the minimum in running the administration by reposing his faith on top officers in his government, is leading to heartburn among the party MLAs, who claim the bureaucracy had “cold-shouldered” them even during the 10 years of the SAD-BJP rule.
Taking cognisance of the 30,000 pending service-related cases against government employees, Amarinder directed scrapping of all frivolous cases to restore the confidence of the employees and enable them to function in a free and fair manner.
He also ordered Rs 10 meals to be made available under the government’s Sanjhi Rasoi scheme in all districts by July 1, 2017. He set a deadline of July 31 for the completion of joint verification of beneficiaries for pension and atta-dal schemes, with DCs to act as nodal officers.
Stressing the need for the government to be prepared for GST implementation from July 1, the CM asked the administrative secretaries to formulate schemes and programmes to take forward the government agenda, with year-wise targets clearly defined.
Addressing the administrative officers, Amarinder called for better coordination between the irrigation and agriculture departments to ensure adequate supply of clean canal water for crops, especially cotton.
He also ordered for taking the cases registered against those responsible for distribution and sale of spurious insecticides and pesticides during the previous regime, to a logical end.
The story of cooks who cooked the goose
THE COLD CUCUMBER SOUP GOT TO HIM WHEN HE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF SCANNING THE UNIT’S INSPECTION BROCHURE. THE FIRST SIP AND THE NEXT, AND THE BROCHURE WAS FORGOTTEN
Acook is in the eye of a sand storm in Punjab. But the row may eventually cook the goose of his political master.
This reminds me of an incident during the ’80s when I was a young captain. We had skilled tradesmen in our unit. The carpenter, Hriday Ram, was a magician with his trade. He could see a picture and produce a replica in hours.
Ruldu, our barber, could put today’s ‘head masters’ to shame with his skill with the mane. Our cooks in the officers’ mess, Garu Ram and Krishnaiyya, were par excellence.
The headquarters was well informed of these assets in a unit under their command and thus would not miss an opportunity to avail of their services. We often war-gamed on how to keep our prized assets confined to the unit rather than for VIP duties. Ironically, a day’s borrow would extend to days, weeks and months at times.
The new general officer commanding (GOC) was to visit the formation and its units.
He was put up at the inspection bungalow and a dedicated mess detachment, comprising a cook, a masalchi (kitchen help) and a waiter, was to be provided, obviously by our unit, as part of the administrative arrangements for the boss.
Since it was the first visit of the tiger to the brigade, the brigade commander cautioned our commanding officer (CO), “The old man is a stickler and would like everything tickety-boo.”
The commanding officer , who by now was quite frustrated with his best guys having become public property of sorts, decided to rock the boat. He selected a raw cook, Sowar Shiv Lal, with barely three months of service to head the mess contingent for the boss.
The second-in-command and all of us, though steadfast in moral support of ‘enough is enough’, were quite convinced that our CO will cook his chips in the bargain.
The day arrived and this young untested cook was briefed by the second-in-command. “Shiv Lal, aapki koi shiqayat nahin aani chahiye (Ensure there is no complaint).” Shiv Lal saluted smartly, “Jai Hind saab”.
The GOC was not much of a party man and preferred a quiet dinner in his suite. He requested for cucumber soup as an appetizer. Shiv Lal got into the act with the second-in-command’s briefing clearly at the back of his mind.
He took his time, making the boss restless. The cold cucumber soup got to him when he was in the middle of scanning the unit’s inspection brochure.
The first sip and the next, and the brochure was forgotten. He demanded the cook be summoned before him pronto. A sheepish Shiv, escorted by Risaldar Mani Ram, the liaison officer, stood in rapt attention holding their breath as if just before being pronounced guilty.
The general got up from his study and hugged Shiv Lal, “Beta, aisa cucumber soup humne aaj tak nahin chakhaa (Son, I’ve never had such tasty soup).”
The next day, the unit was told that Shiv Lal will be accompanying the GOC to the flag staff house. The CO was personally complimented for excellent administrative arrangements. During his address, the GOC said, “A unit that has sound administrative skills will come out victorious in war.”
The CO was aghast. Yet another loss despite best efforts to the contrary! Shiv Lal returned after the GOC retired three years later.
In his interview with our second-in-command, now the commanding officer, the following transpired,” Shiv Lal, general saab ke saath reh kar aap kafi pakwaan banana seek gaye honge (You would’ve learnt to cook many dishes at the general’s place)?” Shiv Lal replied, “Saab, mujhe fauj se barkhaast kijiye taaki Hardoi mein cucumber soup ka apna kaarobar khol sakoon (Please relieve me from the army so that I can open my business of making cucumber soup in my hometown of Hardoi).”
Roadways buses ply on BRTS lane
Track earmarked for Metro buses; officials say won’t allow anyone to use it
A roadways bus plies on the BRTS lane in Amritsar. Photo Vishal Kumar
Charanjit Singh Teja
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, June 1
Buses under the Pendu Bus Service have also started using the Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) lane in the city. Earlier, it was specifically earmarked for Metro buses.The BRTS project is yet to be made fully functional and only eight Metro buses are plying on the railway station to India Gate route, the drivers of Pendu Bus Service have started using the corridor without any authority.These buses were spotted using the BRTS lane on the GT Road. However, the authorities of the Metro Bus Service have claimed that they will not allow anyone to use the BRTS track.Harbans Singh, in-charge, Metro Bus Service, said, “No one is authorised to use the BRTS track except Metro buses. Residents often use the track in the absence of proper check by the traffic police. If any driver of government-owned bus violates the rule, we will initiate action. I will investigate the matter and issue strict instructions to roadways drivers to stay away from the BRTS track.”As the government failed to run the required number of buses on the BRTS track, a large number of residents can be seen using the lane designated for the metro buses.To curb the practice, the metro authorities have deployed security guards at every bus stop but they seem to be unable to stop the practice.“The guards stop the commuters from using the BRTS lane but they often argue with them. We have asked the police to keep a check on those who use the lane without any authority”, said Harbans Singh.Meanwhile, the guards deployed at the BRTS stations stated that residents often argue with them to use the track. “They can be stopped by starting rapid bus service,” said a guard.Avtar Singh, a city resident, said, “The BRTS lane lies vacant whole day so commuters prefer the lane. It also leads to traffic congestion on main roads.”
Project yet to be made fully functional
- The BRTS project is yet to be made fully functional and only eight Metro buses are plying on the railway station to India Gate route, the drivers of Pendu Bus Service have started using the corridor without any authority.
- These buses were spotted using the BRTS lane on the GT Road.
Wheat scam:14 food inspectors suspended
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, June 1
The government has suspended 14 inspectors of the Food and Civil Supplies Department after an inquiry in the Rs 10 crore disbursement scam under the Atta-Dal scheme in Amritsar district.The action has been taken after a report by the vigilance wing of the department relating to the sale of 45, 000 quintals of subsidised wheat in the open market. Chargesheets are being issued against the accused.The complaint was lodged against the food inspectors of Rayya and Mehta centre in Amritsar, a government spokesperson said.The accused are Inspectors Bikram Singh, Gursewak Singh, Prabhjot Singh, Varun Thakur, Davinder Singh, Harmandeep Singh, Gursangat Singh, Amritpreet Kaur, Simarjeet Singh, Ajay Kumar, Sandeep Kumar, Amit Sareen, Aarti Sharma and Sandeep Bansal.The probe found that officials fabricated documents showing the wheat to have been distributed amongst the beneficiaries by preparing bogus receipts and manipulating thumb impressions of the beneficiaries.
Ex-MLA’s brother gets Rs 40-cr land for just Rs 35,100
Jalandhar DC stays transfer of property, further sale
Deepkamal Kaur
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, June 1
Even as the SAD is out of power, its leaders still seem to exercise influence.In one such case, Paramjit Singh, brother of former Akali MLA Sarabjit Makkar, managed to get transferred 19 kanal and 17 marla of Centre’s land in Basti Sheikh area of the city for just Rs 35,100. The land, which has a market value of Rs 40 crore, has been allotted on the orders of Tehsildar (Sales) Navdeep Singh on the basis of its possession with Makkar’s father as sub-lessee.Even as the Claims Commissioner had dismissed Paramjit’s petition in 2011 and the Financial Commissioner Revenue (FCR) dismissed the appeal last year, the Tehsildar passed the orders in favour of Paramjit on May 8. A sales certificate was issued. It was registered in the sub-registrar’s office on May 22, the day the Tehsildar relinquished his charge. On the same day, ‘intkal’ was done too.Paramjit had been seeking transfer of the land in favour of his father late Roshan Singh, son of Sant Singh (lessee), under the Displaced Persons (Compensation and Rehabilitation) Act 1954. He claimed that on May 11, 1965, the Settlement Officer (urban lands) agreed to transfer the land to Roshan Singh at Rs 550 per kanal for a total amount of Rs 10,922. He was asked to deposit 20 per cent of the amount by September 1969, which he did after which a dispute arose and the remaining amount of Rs 8,738 was not paid.Roshan Singh passed away in 2005. His son submitted the application for transfer of land in 2011.The case was referred to the Claims Commissioner who dismissed it saying that the allotment order was passed by the Regional Settlement Commissioner whereas the application was submitted 40 years later and was not maintainable citing an apex court judgment in the case of Union of India v/s Hardyal.Paramjit’s appeal was dismissed by FCR KBS Sidhu on July 13 last year.Even as Sarabjit Makkar has allegedly been closely following up the matter with the officials, he feigned ignorance today. “I have no information about this case,” he said. Paramjit Makkar said, “We have rather been victims in this case and the land has been transferred too late.”Tehsildar Navdeep Singh said, “I have committed no illegality. The land was already in the possession of Makkars. It is just that dues were to be recovered.”Jalandhar DC Varinder Kumar Sharma said, “The urban land in no case could be transferred like this under the Act. The Tehsildar has committed grave errors. I have recommended action against him with the FCR. I have also imposed a stay on the orders as well as a stay on the further sale of the property.”
Ministers split on farm loan waiver
Ruchika M Khanna
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, June 1
Capt Amarinder Singh’s Council of Ministers does not seem to be on the same page with regards to the proposed debt waiver and debt relief for more than 31 lakh farmers.At least three ministers voiced their opinion against the proposed scheme during the meeting of the Cabinet held earlier this week.These ministers were reportedly of the opinion that the proposed debt relief would serve little purpose, as the agriculture advances disbursed each year in Punjab were to the tune of Rs14,000 crore. Thus, by the end of the Congress government’s five-year tenure, the farm debt would again stand at Rs70,000 crore, and the party would be unable to reap political benefit out of the scheme.One of the ministers said that if debt was waived, farmers would keep on availing loans, which incidentally was being given rather “large-heartedly” by private banks — which had enhanced the limits of the small and marginal farmers manifold to fulfil their priority sector lending targets.Sources said that during the discussions, at least two ministers also expressed their apprehension regarding the delay and reported “dilution” of the debt waiver scheme, which now appears to be more likely a debt relief.One of the ministers reportedly said that the watered-down version of the debt relief — one of the major poll promises that helped the party get a major chunk of the rural votes — would draw more flak for the government, especially now that it had been caught in the controversy regarding the e-auction of sand mines.Sources said Capt Amarinder listened to his ministers, but said he was awaiting the final report from an expert committee before a decision was taken.Interestingly, though a reference to Congressmen getting mired in the sand mining controversy was made, no one is reported to have discussed the matter regarding senior Cabinet minister Rana Gurjit Singh.Sources said the expert committee headed by Dr T Haque on dealing with farm loan waiver is likely to come up with two suggestions — either the government gives a relief of Rs1 lakh each to small and marginal farmers or waives loan of up to Rs5 lakh of small and marginal farmers.
Will raise debt issue in Parliament: Akali MPNew Delhi: The SAD will highlight the plight of Punjab farmers, including their alleged betrayal by the Congress government, in Parliament during its forthcoming session. SAD chief whip in Lok Sabha and Anandpur Sahib MP Prem Singh Chandumajra alleged that Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh was showing a lack of sincerity on his poll promise to waive farmers’ loans. Asking the CM to explain the government’s stand on the issue, he said: “Amarinder cannot be allowed to turn his back on the farmers.” TNS
Kurki ban misleading, say farmers Chandigarh: Days after the state Cabinet announced to abolish Section 67(A) of the Punjab Cooperative Societies Act, 1961, paving way for discontinuation of the practice of kurki, farmer unions claimed that the move would serve no purpose as the section has been practically redundant for the past over three decades. Farmer leaders claim that the scope of kurki (term used in local parlance to attach loan defaulter’s property) was still there as government did not abolish Section 63(C), which provided for recovery of loan by attaching and auctioning the defaulter’s property. TNS
MLAs, officers told to work in tandem
Tribune News service
Chandigarh, June 1
Giving a clear signal to the bureaucracy to fall in line with MLAs, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has said there was need for having a rapport between the legislature and the executive.The culture of ‘you’ and ‘me’ needs to be replaced with ‘us,’ he stressed.But in the same breath he also said no interference will be brooked but the MLAs must be apprised of the action taken on issues raised by them in common interest at a meeting of senior officers here today.The CM’s statement comes almost a month after he had said that no political interference in the functioning of the police and the civil administration would be tolerated.With PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar by his side, it was clear signal to the bureaucrats that the party has an important role in play in governance.While good governance was his priority, there was also need to ensure coordination with the elected representatives, the CM added.A PPCC leader said, “What the CM actually means is that nothing illegal or unauthorised would be allowed. Otherwise, the police/ civil servants are answerable and accountable to the public representatives.”
Cook’s company gave loan of Rs 50 lakh to Rana Gurjit
Balance sheet shows Punjab Power Minister’s dealings
Rana Gurjit Singh
Vijay C Roy
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, June 1
Punjab Irrigation and Power Minister Rana Gurjit Singh has denied any links with Amit Bahadur, his Rs 26-crore sand mine successful-bidder cook, but documents show that he, his family-owned company and brother received a loan of Rs 5.79 crore in 2015-16 from a company in which Amit Bahadur was shown as a director.As per the records with The Tribune, the Minister received a loan of Rs 50 lakh, the family-owned company Rana Polycot Ltd received a loan of Rs 3.84 crore and his brother Rana Ranjit Singh (co-founder of Rana Group) received Rs 1.45 crore as loan from Flawless Traders (P) Ltd. The loan was given by the company in 2015-16 for “business purposes”. Bahadur was director of Flawless Traders till March 21, 2017.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) According to the 2015-16 balance sheet of the company filed with the Registrar of Companies, Flawless Traders through its cash reserves raised through “inter-corporate interest-free loans” also invested around Rs 22.48 crore by purchasing shares in the family-owned companies of the Minister — Rana Polycot Ltd Rs 15.28 crore, Lakshmiji Sugar Mills Co Ltd Rs 7.09 crore, and Rana Sugars Ltd Rs 10.55 lakh.Surprisingly, the company did not transact any business during the year, as per the company directors’ report to the shareholders.According to the 2014-15 and 2015-16 balance sheets, the company stated zero income and claimed it did not transact any business during the year. Even with zero income, Flawless Traders had total long-term liabilities of Rs 51.84 crore, which is an un-secured interest-free loan as on March 31, 2016. The 2014-15 and 2015-16 filing does not show the sources from where the money was raised.According to the Registrar of Companies (RoC) records, the total paid-up capital of Flawless Traders was Rs 1 lakh as on March 31, 2016. Paid-up capital is the amount of money received from shareholders or promoters in exchange for shares of stock.The shareholders — PV Mohan and Ajay Inder Majithia — each are having 50 per cent stake in the company. Each was having 5,000 shares, with a share valued at Rs 10. According to the RoC filing, as on March 31, 2016, the registered address of PV Mohan was shown as 5809, Sector 38 (West) in Chandigarh and Majithia’s as 89, Sector 28-A.While PV Mohan sold the house around three years back, Majithia vacated the house around four years ago, neighbours told The Tribune.
