IAS-IPS acrimony not desirable, feel retired officers
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 16 — The ongoing exchange of words through the media between the Chandigarh Administration and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr Kiran Bedi, has made the retired bureaucracy and police force in the city sit up and take notice. For the old time administrators, such a thing is unprecedented.

Retired senior cops are of the opinion that there should be no “interference” but harmony in working. Retired IAS fraternity says the letters to lower staff in the police force should have been routed through the head of the police force. But add that the Home Secretary may well be within her powers to issue such orders if she is competent under the powers vested in her in the Union Territory.

IAS officials opine that the police is part of the Administration. This fact is not refuted by the cops. The difference of opinion between the two officials should not be made public is the general statement.

One thing that is certain, both sides opine, is need to follow the laid down norms and rules, besides avoiding public statements. Most retired officials, when contacted, were reluctant to comment at first and at least two retired IAS officials refused any comment, saying “ we do not want to get into any controversy”. Another IAS officer, a retired Chief Secretary of Punjab, preferred to talk on the promise that he will not be named.

A former Director-General of Police, Haryana, Mr S.S. Brar, laments that the whole controversy between the IGP and the Home Secretary, UT, on the issue of the Administration’ s intervention in police functioning has become public.

According to him, differences between the police and Administration can arise and do arise in practical working but it certainly would be better if such matters are handled through official channels. Unfortunately in this situation, the posting and suspension orders of certain lower officials seem to have been made by the Home Department. Under normal circumstances, these are to be issued by the Police Department. These instances do undermine the authority and ability of head of the police force to command.

Mr Brar is of the view that since it is the primary responsibility of the police to maintain law and order, prevent and detect crime, it is essential that the morale of the force is maintained at all levels.

If their authorities are undermined, it will have a direct effect on their abilities. “There is a need for harmonious relationship at senior levels because acrimony and friction will not produce any positive results, ‘’ says Mr Brar.

Traditionally speaking, the tussle between IAS and IPS is old, but here it seems to be a clash of personalities.

He pointed out that the National Police Commission had suggested a greater measure of autonomy for the police force nearly 20 years ago, but most of the recommendations of the commission still remain unimplemented.

“Both Administration and the Police should function strictly in accordance with the rules and regulations to avoid such conflicts,’’ asserts Mr K.D Vasudeva, a former Chief Secretary of Punjab.

The police, as per the norms, may well be under the ambit of the Administration and answerable to them but any order pertaining to the subordinate staff should be routed through the police chief. This also holds true for orders pertaining to all other departments of the Administration.

Condemning the idea of joint representations, as in this case, he says that even if the cause is common, each is required to address his or her representation independently to the competent authority.

The open representation is in itself a violation of the norms. He also does not approve of multi address system in which the representation is addressed to various officials, including the Government of India.

According to him, it is neither IAS vs IPS clash nor a clash of egos but a clash on account of violation of rules.

A retired Inspector-General of Police, Punjab, Mr B.S. Danewalia, does not find any merit in the row between the two officials on a frivolous issue of intervention. He is of the view that the IGP, Mrs Kiran Bedi, who has recently taken over should try to win public approval by virtue of her work and not get embroiled in such ugly controversies at the outset.

She should concentrate on strengthening the internal administration and improve the morale of her force by working out better modalities for promotions and other things, rather than bother about external interference. She should not dig up old issues but work on new ones. In case of interference, she should approach the Governor.

He maintains that if one works in accordance with the norms, the Administration will not unnecessarily interfere. “The two officials need to get out of their groove and get down to work to serve the public at large’’, he says.

Mr P.C. Wadhawa, a retired Inspector-General of Police, Haryana, said the chain of command should be followed and not diluted. It is unfortunate when such a thing happens. “I believe there should be the best of relationship between the two wings.”

However, a situation like this is deterimental to the country, he opined. According to Mr Wadhawa, rule 1.2 of the Police Rules says that in all matters of the police, the IG should be the principal advisor to the government.

In the eyes of a retired Chief Secretary, Punjab, documents of the government should not have been made public through the media as is being done now. It is unfortunate that such a thing has happened. The Home Secretary is utilising the powers delegated to her by the government not her own powers, the retired CS, opined.

Mr J.D. Sharma, an IAS officer, who has served in joint Punjab and later in Haryana, after the re-organisation of states, says the IG as head of the state, has to be given autonomy in functioning. The Administration must intervene when the rules are not being followed, he said. But such interventions must be the least possible.

Garbage dumping continues
From Our Correspondent

DERA BASSI, May 16 — Marred by huge heaps of garbage and other domestic refuse, the backyard of the local bus stand has become an eyesore. This place is fast turning into a dumping ground with the residents of the area throwing waste here.

This problem was also highlighted by The Tribune on March 9.

The drainage has been blocked at many points due to the rubbish, causing cesspools of stinking water and slush.

The residents complain that the authorities have never sprayed any insecticide in the drains to protect the area from flies, mosquitoes and water-borne diseases. They allege that they dump the garbage in the proper place, but workers of then Municipal Committee put it along the sides of drains which subsequently enters the drains.

The garbage heaps in the backyard of the bus stand attract stray animals which also compounds the problem. Even commuters can be seen using this place as public toilet.

Mr Jagjit Singh Dalli, presidents of Municipal Committee, said that though bins have been placed at different places to keep the town clean, the residents throw the waste out side the bins. Vegetable sellers and the horse-cart owners also dump their waste material at the spot, making the problem worse, he added.

Polluted river poses problems
From Bipin Bhardwaj
From Our Correspondent

DERA BASSI, May 16 — Jharmal river, perhaps the worst chemically polluted river of this region, has posed a threat to the environment and life of the residents of nearly 15 villages situated along its banks.

This seasonal river originates from Kurranwala village and merges with the Ghaggar near Lalru after covering a stretch of nearly 15 km. Due to effluents discharged into the river by various industrial units on the sides of the river, the water has become polluted to such an extent that the vegetation has been reduced and the colour of the soil has turned black.

A visit to the area revealed that Jharmal river starts carrying sullage, discharged by factories situated near its origin. Besides withering plants and thickets, a number of trees have dried up due to the pollution in this river. The fields have become less fertile. The production of grain crops and vegetables has also got reduced during the past six years.

Pungent smell is being emitted by these industrial units on a regular basis which increases air pollution in the area.

Some factories dump their industrial refuse (chemically treated) and also discharge cycled water into the river, making the pollution problem acute.

Mr Hem Raj, a resident of Kurranwala village, said that the chemically treated water, discharged by industrial units into the river, has made it difficult for the villagers to cross it bare footed. Parts of the body which dip into the water get infected. Students of the village have to face a lots of problems during rainy season while crossing the river.

According to Mr Atma Ram, Sarpanch of Kurranwala village, several representations have been given to the Deputy Commissioner and to the Punjab Pollution Board authorities regarding the water and air pollution being caused by the factories, but the authorities have not taken any action.

According to Mr Rumala Ram, a 70-year-old resident of the village, there is irritation in the eyes due to the air pollution caused by the factories, which have come up in this location within a shot span of time. “Gone are the day when we used to take dips in the river and went for fishing in the river whole day. Not only fish but even toads and frogs have disappeared”.

Mr Prithi Chand, a lambardar of Haripur Hinduan village, complained that the river carrying the polluted water had contaminated the upper water level, which was being consumed by the residents of nearly 12 villages along this seasonal river.

Industries making towels, paper, yarn and chemicals discharge their industrial refuse into the river, according to residents.

Meanwhile, Mr Vinod Kumar Sethia, Director, Sona Paper Boards Limited, has denied allegations of residents regrarding contamination of river. He said the waste left out side the boundary wall of their unit would be lifted soon.

Chief Engineer, Pradeep Bhandari has also denied the allegations. He said three-four industrial units discharge sullage into the river. “Our unit is taking all precautionary measures to keep the area pollution free,” said Mr Bhandari.

When contacted, Mr G S Bains, Member Secretary, Punjab Pollution Control Board, said the industries had been directed to manage their refuse, chemically treated water and gases properly.

The industries have also been directed to use pollution control devices. “We shall check if there is any violation of the directions”, “strict action would be taken against the defaulters,” added Mr Bains.

Check population growth: Kamla
By Prabhjot Singh
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 16 — "To retain the special identity of Chandigarh, both the Chandigarh Administration and the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation must strictly enforce the existing bylaws," cautions Mrs Kamla Sharma, the first Mayor of the city.

Mrs Sharma, who moved to Chandigarh from Qadian in Gurdaspur in 1962, is now Chairperson, Chandigarh Social Advisory Board, besides being a Councillor of the Municipal Corporation.

"When I came here, Chandigarh was at the initial stages of development. It was an open and wide city with scarce population. In 1965, I got married here.

"Initially I used to live in Sector 20 and was working in a school in Sector 15. I often used to walk down to my school from my home. But now it is not possible. Chandigarh is so crowded and populated that walking seems difficult and unsafe," says Mrs Sharma.

"Though the influx of migratory labour started with the development of the city, but at no stage any attempt was made to limit the influx as per requirement of the city. This uncontrolled influx is responsible for some of the problems the city is facing today.

"The best thing would have been to construct rain baseras provided with basic amenities there. In addition, for those who came and settled here, the Administration should have identified some pockets and rehabilitated them there rather than scattering these colonies all over. In such cases, the basic services should have been developed before the allotments.

"It is unfortunate that such a large number of people live in unhygienic conditions. The basic services must be provided to them. These amenities should include drainage and sewerage disposal, besides drinking water and power supply.

" The Chandigarh when we came here, 37 years ago, and what we perceived the city to be at that time are no more the same," adds Mrs Sharma.

The special status of Chandigarh, she feels, can still be maintained provided the Administration is strict about prevention of encroachments and preservation of open spaces.

'For this, the Administration and the Municipal Corporation need full cooperation from the people of the city. I am convinced that further population growth of the city must be controlled. If encroachments, population and growth of slums are controlled, the city would remain what we all want it to be.

"In the initial years, the enforcement staff was so strict that no rehris or handcarts were allowed to be parked or stationed at any place. The number of rehris was controlled and regulated. But, since the influx of people from other states continued unchecked, the numbers grew and went out of control. This is where, I feel, the administrative machinery failed.

"In spite of the construction of booths and day stalls, the number of rehris has not come down. In some areas, where there is no market, say for example in Sector 43, I got an Apni Mandi started recently. This was required. But on the other hand, some busy areas have more problems of encroachments than elsewhere," says Mrs Sharma.

Talking about the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, she said after teething problems of financial resources, the corporation was now working. "This has been made possible after the Finance Commission was requested during my tenure to come and provide some financial stability to the civic body whose initial annual grant of Rs 25 lakh was even less than the annual salary bill of more than Rs 30 crore. But once this was settled, the corporation started working.

"The corporation still needs more powers. I am also convinced that the civic body must work out ways and means of generating revenue of its own for future sustenance. Once the grant-in-aid stops from the Administration eight to 10 years from now, it will be in real financial mess unless something is done right away," Mrs Sharma concluded.

Training them to become self-reliant
From Vishal Joshi
From Our Correspondent

BHAGWASI (DERA BASSI), May 16 — Life has taken a major change in Aganpur and Bhagwasi villages as several training programmes are conducted there and tools are distributed free of cost among the local artisans enabling them to earn their livelihood.

More than 40 girls from these villager have been trained at the tailoring school at Bhagwasi village in Dera Bassi subdivision of Patiala district.

Several other programmes, including distribution of handlooms (khaddis), tools and charkhas, and training the people in bee-keeping are held by the Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute (CSWCRTI), Chandigarh.

These programmes are part of the Integrated Wasteland Development Programme (IWDP), said Dr R.K. Aggarwal, head of the institute.

The project was aimed at developing the cultivable land which was not in use.

According to Dr V.S. Katiyar, team leader of the IWDP, the training programmes were an integral part of starting the project. “It was necessary to win the faith of villagers before launching the project in their fields. It was a challenge for us such a project was never carried out in the country,” he added.

Initially, when the project was launched in March, 1997, a tailoring school was started as an “entry point activity” as it was the primary demand of the villagers. Residents of these sleepy villager were economically very week and theyhad no means to undergo courses like tailoring, etc.

Ms Parminder Kaur, a teacher in the tailoring school, said that villgers gave very positive response. Parents were eager to send their daughters to the school.

The school was being run in the accommodation provided by the village panchayat. The CSWCRTI has provided 10 sewing machines at the school.

Dr Aggarwal said that the idea was conceived by the institute as several artisans were provided with tools to make them self-reliant. The artisans were given tools worth Rs 800 each.

Handlooms were provided free of cost to the persons who knew weaving carpets. Ms Mahindro said that she charged Rs 250 for a durri. She was interested in expanding her work.

A nursery has also been developed in the village. Mr Shakti, who is also the secretary of the village watershed committee, provided a piece of land for the purpose.

More than 10,000 saplings of poplar had been planted free of cost. Dr Katiyar said that this practice was expected to be followed by fellow farmers.

The saplings would be bought by the institute at Rs 10 a plant. Saplings of aonla have also been raised in the nursery.

Villagers have also been imparted training in bee-keeping. Several women in the village have been provided with charkhas.