AITUC: Ludhiana convention on 5th October

Com. Gurudas Gupta will address Convention

                                                                                                                                                                   File photo

Meeting of the Joint Council of Trade Union was held to discuss the issues concerning the workers of organized as well as unorganized sectors. Expressing concern at the recent hike in prices of Diesel and reduction of subsidy on LPG, the meeting felt that this will hit the working class the most as they are already low paid. Contractualisation has further added to their woes. It is ironical that even the public sector units are not paying minimum wages. The meeting which was attended by All Indian Bank Employees Association, PAU Employees Union, PSSF, Punjab Roadways Workers Union, PRTC Employees Union, Construction Workers Union, Hosiery Workers Union, Municipal Corporation Workers, AITUC, Asha Workers and Punjab Govt. Class IV Employees Union also condemned the Lathi Charge and registration of FIR against the agitating teachers demanding jobs at Ludhiana.
The meeting demanded the review of new pension scheme effective from 01.01.2004 on all govt. and public sector employees, Increased minimum wage of Rs. 10,000-00 per month, Enrollment of  employees in various departments/sectors on regular basis instead on contract & daily wages, Effective implementation of already existing labour laws, Immediate implementation of security of service laws for the workers of un organized sector, Anganwadi and Asha workers be given regular employment with grade equivalent to class 3 and 4 employees, Pension for all, creation of social security fund for unorgnaised sector workers.
Com D P Maur – General Secretary Joint council of Trade Unions Ludhiana informed that a convention of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) will be held at Punjabi Bhawan, Ludhiana on 5th October to finalise the upcoming programme of the central trade unions i.e March to the Parliament by the Trade Unions at Delhi on 20th December 2012 and then nationwide general strike of the workers and employees on 21 and 22 February 2013. This convention will be addressed by Com Gurudas Das Gupta – M.P, General Secretary AITUC.   AITUC: Ludhiana convention on 5th October
D P Maur
General Secretary Joint council of Trade Unions Ludhiana
Mobile: 94176 02333                                            Date: 27.09.2012

Red Salute to Gursharan Bhaa Ji

Supreme builder of Revolutionary Theatre movement
Jagraon: 23 Sep:-   Thousands of people including a large number of women poured into grain market of this town holding high red flags, banners, mottoes and raising slogans to join the ``Red Salute Gathering” in memory of the supreme builder of revolutionary theatre movement. Gursharan Singh alias Bhai Manna Singh who left this world last year, at 82, after devoting more than half a century of life to hectic revolutionary cultural as well as political life.
The huge gathering full of enthusiasm and emotion which came from all corners of Punjab, travelling long distances, was highly dominated by rural masses who had been enjoying and getting  inspired for decades, by reflection of their aspirations, on the stages of a unique but simple variety of theatre, full of revolutionary message and art, contending to surpass each other. 
The call for red salute gathering was given by a Shardhanjali Samagam Committee consisting of Jaspal Jassi, Mukhtiar Poohla, Darshan Khatkar and Balwant Makhu.
During two and half hour speeches followed by choreographies and action songs the speakers focused on the theme that Gursharan Singh, the crown of revolutionary theatre movement in Punjab was not merely a man of theatre. His source of inspiration was the ideal of creation of a new society free of exploitation, oppression and discrimination, through a people’s revolution. The ``expert” of theatre in his personality was colored by ``red” in his soul. The speakers stressed that Gursharan Singh always came forward boldly to play a revolutionary socio-political role at significant junctures and during challenging situations. He opposed Operation Green Hunt, Emergency, state terrorism and Khalistani terrorism etc. like a thoroughgoing democrat as every communist must be.
The speakers included Jaspal Jassi, Mukhtiar Poohla, Balwant Makhu, Datar Singh, Dr. Areet Kaur daughter of Gursharan Singh and Prof. Randhir Singh a known intellectual and relative of Gursharan Singh. 
The stage was conducted by Kanwaljeet Khanna. The gathering made a call to reach Chandigarh on Sep. 27, to join celebrations of Revolutionary Theatre Day, in memory of Gursharan Singh.

9th Ophthalmic Quiz Organized at CMC

1st prize winner-Pushkar and Samson

Ludhiana, 15th September, 2012 (Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria) The Department of Ophthalmology, Christian Medical College and Hospital successfully organized the 9th Ophthalmic Quiz for undergraduate medical students in the hospital auditorium. The Chief Guest for the occasion was Dr.A.G.Thomas, Director, CMC & Hospital. He encouraged the participating teams and appreciated the efforts of the department in making this academic venture a much awaited annual feature of the institution.
Among the 30 Undergraduate teams, 4 teams had qualified for the quiz following the preliminary round. Dr.Nitin Batra and Dr.Gurvinder conducted the final.   1st prize winner- PUSHKAR DHIR, SAMSON CHARAN &   2nd prize winner- JIBI JOHN, ANKITA RAISINGHANI (Batch of 2007 and 2009) won the champions trophy.

Dr.S.M. Bhatti, Principal CMC, was the guest of honor and presented a special Award for 100% attendance to George Koshy (Batch of 2009). Rohit Theodore (Batch of 2009) presented an interesting talk titled ‘Hall of Fame’, which gave a brief history of legendary Ophthalmologists.

Devki Devi Jain Memorial College for Women

MP Manish Tiwari inaugurated the Computer Lab

On September 14, 2012, Mr. Manish Tiwari, Member Parliament inaugurated the Computer Lab constructed in Devki Devi Jain Memorial College for Women, Ludhiana with the contribution of Rs.5,00,000/- sanctioned by Sh. Tiwari. He was accompanied by Sh. Pawan Deewan, District President of Congress, Mrs. Pinky Bansal, Councilor, Sh. Sham Sunder Malhotra & Sh. Jasbir Chadda, Ex-Councilors. Mrs. Punam Sareen, Officiating Principal welcomed the honourable guests and gave a brief account of the achievements of the institution. Samaj Rattan Sh. Hira Lal Jain expressed his gratitude to Mr. Tiwari for taking keen interest in the empowerment of women through the medium of education. Sh. Manish Tiwari in his address asked the young students to join the work force of the country after the completion of their studies to speed up the economic growth of the nation. He also assured that there will be no dearth of funds in providing the infrastructure to improve the quality of education. 
Sh. Kedar Nath, President of college Managing Committee, Sh. Raj Kumar Jain & Sh. Shanti Saroop Jain, Sr. Vice Presidents, Sh. Sheetal Kumar Jain, Vice President, Sh. Bipin Jain Secretary, Sh. Surinder Kumar Jain, Manager, Sh. Arvind Kumar Jain, Joint Secretary, Sh. Shiv Desh Bandhu Gupta, Sh. Amrit Lal Jain, Sh. Prem Kumar Jain & Sh. Rajiv Jain thanked Mr. Tiwari and reiterated that they have high hopes from young and charismatic leader like Mr. Tiwari who can lead the country to great heights. 

CPI condemned increase in LPG prices

The meeting of District Executive Committee of Communist Party of India (CPI) Ludhiana has strongly condemned increase in the prices of LPG and limiting it 6 cylinders. In a statement issued by Dr Arun Mitra and  Com D P Maur  Asstt. Secretary Disst. Ludhiana  and   Com Kartar Singh  Bowani Distt. Secretary This will hit the common man seriously. The taxes impose by the state govt and increase in the diesel  prices will further hit the people of Punjab.  Party will launch a mass campaign against this.





                         

Dr Joginder Dayal critisised the Punjab Government

This is making mockery of the medical education

Dr Joginder Dayal Member Central Executive Committee Communist Party of India (CPI) has critisised the decision of cabinet Punjab Government to allow the Private Medical Colleges to admit the NRI candidates on their own will. The Baba Farid University of Health Sciences was took conduct this admission. According to a press note issued by Dr Arun Mitra Astt. Secretary CPI Distt. Ludhiana It appears that the government has connived with the Private Medical Colleges. It is unfortunate that both central and the state government have taken their hands off.  Health care and medical education and left it to the private institution to sell.  He demanded that the decision of the Punjab government revoked and the admission should conducted by the Baba Farid University of Health Science. It is a known fact to everyone that most of their private medical colleges are charging hefty amounts as under hand money for the admission in both under graduate and post graduate courses. This amount some subject is more than one crore. This is making mockery of the medical education and health care. According to Indian constitution the reservation has to be given only to those who come from socially, economically educationally and culturally backward back ground. But it is the economically well off section who is being given benefits.  

IDPD on Koodankulam Nuclear Plant

We demand immediate withdrawal

The Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) has condemned police repression on the peaceful people agitating against the nuclear power plant in Koodankulam (Tamil Nadu). In our democratic country every citizen/ group has the right to express views openly. According to Dr L S Chawla President and Dr Arun Mitra General Secretary Peaceful agitators are raising their voice against the nuclear plant. The Fukushima experience has proved that these plants can be a potential threat to the human health only but all the flora and fauna around. We demand immediate cessation of loading of the plant with uranium and withdrawal of police forces from the area.                        

Punarjot organizes State Level function//Subhash Malik*

Mass Thanks Ceremony of 299  Eye Donors of 2012 

Punarjot Eye Bank Society organizes a State level special mass thanks ceremony of Eye Donors of 2012 at Merry Land Resort for giving gift of sight to corneal blinds.

Mr. Subhash Malik, Hon. Secretary of the society welcomed the chief guest Bhagat Chunni Lal, Hon.  Cabinet Minister, Medical Education & Research, Pb. and other guests came from different parts of Punjab. Mr. Malik give the details of work done by the society and thank the eye donor families to restore the vision of needy on selfless basis. He also told that our society is no.1 in collection and transplantation of cornea in Northern India.

At the occasion the chief guest, Bhagat Chunni Lal, Hon. Cabinet Minister, Medical Education & Research, Pb inaugurated the event by lightning Punarjot lamp and all candles were ignited from Punarjot lamp in sweet memory of all eye donors from almost whole of Punjab in 2012. Hon. Minister appreciated the work done by the society by giving the facility of free corneal transplantation and announced a grant of Rs. 2 lacs to the society for this noble cause of eye donation.

Dr. Ramesh, Medical Director of the society while thanking the chief guest told that Para-medical staff can play a vital role to spread the message of eye donation at the time grief to the family as most of the family forgets the eyes even the diseased have pledged during lifetime. Dr. Ramesh thanked the electronic and print media for their support in this noble cause. Dr. Ramesh thanked the eye donation families, motivators and different by different associates working in the eye donation movement in different parts of Punjab.

At this occasion students of college of Nursing DMCH & CMCH, Guru Teg Bahadur college of Nursing, Dr. Mohan Kaur institute of Nursing, Arvindoo College of commerce and Management and All Saints college of medical sciences participated in the Declamation, Skit and Rangoli competition on the theme of Eye Donation under the dynamic guidance of Dr. Ranbir Singh Sekhon. Dr. S.M. Bhatti, Principal, CMCH and Dr. G. S. Bajwa, HOD (Eye), DMC Ludhiana selected the winners of the competition.

The function was attended by Sh. R.K. Verma, commissioner and Sh. P.S. Bhullar, Joint Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Sh. Parveen Bansal, President BJP, Distt. Ludhiana, S. Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria, counselor, S. Inderjit Singh Gill, owner of the resort, Dr. Subash Bansal, President, Optical association Punjab, Mohd. Sadique and Hakam Bakhtariwala renown singers.

*Mr. Subhash Malik is contributing his services to the humanity as the Hon. Secretary of The

Punarjot Eye Bank Society. His Contact Number is: 93575-06505

Introduction of Metro Rail in Major Cities

Metro Rail system in any city in the country is a state subject 

                                                                                                                                             Courtesy Photo

The Government of India does not plan or initiate action for construction of Metro Rail system in any city in the country. Urban Transport is completely intertwined with Urban Development which is a state subject.  As such, the proposals for urban transport projects in cities have to originate from the respective State Governments and Central financial assistance is extended to such proposals on merits in the form of gross budgetary support or in the form of grant under the scheme of Ministry of Finance for financial support to the public private partnerships in Infrastructure.  At present, Central Government has approved metro rail in Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kochi and Jaipur city. In Chennai the sanctioned  Phase –I consists of two metro rail corridors of a total length of 45 km at an estimated completion cost of Rs.14,600 crore.
 24.15% of physical progress and 33.50%  of financial progress has been achieved till July, 2012.
 The following two corridors have been selected for implementation of Chennai Metro Rail project under Phase-I:
Corridor-1      (23.085 km)    from    Washermenpet  to   Chennai   Airport. From Washermanpet to Saidapet (14.3 km) it is under ground and from Chinnamalai to Chennai Airport  (8.785 km) it is elevated.
Corridor-2        (21.961 km) from Chennai Central to St.Thomas Mount. From Chennai Central to Thirumangalam (9.695 km) it is underground and from Koyambedu to St.Thomas Mount (12.266km) it is elevated.
           The entire project is expected to be commissioned by the end of  2015.
The details of the total funds needed from Government of India, the funds allocated this year, sanctioned and spent are Rs. 11566 cr., Rs. 1648 cr.,     Rs. 1166 cr. and Rs. 400 cr. respectively.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Urban Development Shri Saugata Roy in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today. (PIB) 05-September-2012 17:46 IST

The Governance and taxation structure

     Punjab needs to fundamentally change-PPP
A meeting of the Sanjha Morcha was held this morning at the residence of former Chief Minister S. Surjit Singh Barnala.

     The decision of Government of Punjab to impose punitive and savage taxes on the people of Punjab was discussed threadbare. The Sanjha Morcha is of the considered view that Punjab needs to fundamentally change the governance and taxation structure.

      It was felt that the piecemeal imposition of taxes is not a solution to the debt and deficit faced by the Government. It only distorts the economy and makes it uncompetitive while burdening the common man with unconscious able taxes

        Punjab needs a political solution to come out of this economic mess. It was also felt that before imposition of taxes, Government of Punjab must decrease its lavish and unproductive expenditure base.

        Therefore, it was decided that a memorandum will be presented by the leadership of Sanjha Morcha to the Hon. Governor on 14th September, 2012 requesting him to ask the Government of Punjab to withdraw these taxes immediately failing which it was decided to launch a Jail Bharo agitation on the lines of call given by the Morcha at the Barsi of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal. The Morcha activists will court arrest at all district headquarters on 21st of September, 2012. We will build an “Andolan” on this issue as we feel that there are more taxes in the pipeline.

      Insofar as the call given by the Congress Party to join their Dharna, it was felt that the time is too short for us to be a part of this Dharna. However, we are thankful to the Congress President Captain Amarinder Singh for this invite and view this step as a development in the struggle to build up consensus against the anti people policies of the Punjab Government.

       Besides S. Manpreet Singh Badal, President of the Peoples’ Party of Punjab, the meeting was attended by S. Gurpreet Singh Bhati, Senior Vice President, Shri Bhagwant Mann, Sh. Abhey Singh Sandhu, S. Kuldip Singh Dhose of the PPP and Dr.  Joginder Dyal and Bant Singh Brar of CPI and Com. Charan Singh Virdi, Ranbir Singh Virk and Vijay Mishra of CPI(M). Smt. Surjit Kaur Barnala , S. Gaganjit Singh Barnala with S. Baldev Singh Mann represented SAD (Longowal), said Arunjot Singh Sodhi spokesman PPP.