CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Governor Surendra Nath on Thursday announced his administration’s agenda for the Period from now to the contemplated holding of elections in the State before February 15 next year for the removal mainly of public grievances through open ‘darbars’ joint village touring and regular meetings of district and sub-division level advisory council and reiterated his resolve to create reasonably peaceful conditions for a free and fair poll.

Nath who was addressing a news conference also disclosed steps to uphold the morale of the security forces in view of the massacres of members of families of policemen ‘valiantly fighting against militancy Sponsored by a foreign country”.

The joint darbars would he conducted by senior civil and police officers at divisional district and sub-divisional levels on every Monday Wednesday and ‘Friday respectively to entertain grievances of the people “who will not be allowed to return dis-appointed without getting a hearing”. These officers would also jointly tour their respective jurisdictions for on-the-spot Settlements of complaints or within a period of not more than 15 days. District and sub-divisional advisory council consisting of political and non-political representatives would review the redressed of these complaints.

Nath said absenteeism from duty on the part of government employees particularly doctors who were not found in three consecutive checks would be considered to be a ground of dismissal or removal from service.

In the case of complaints against police high-handedness or excesses a joint inquiry would be conducted by senior civil and police officers to be ordered by divisional commissioners or the state headquarters Officers would have to issue various licenses and revenue documents within prescribed time limits or face disciplinary action.

He said a force of 5000 special police officers (SPOs) comprising relatives of policemen living in villages would be raised and issued weapons for their defence. In addition to the usual compensation the children of killed policemen would be covered under a special scholarship scheme for education up to the university stage A special insurance cover for the relatives of policemen would be the evolved and preference in government service would be given to the surviving members of the victims.

The agenda was devised at a meeting of commissioners DIGs of ranges deputy commissioners and district superintendents of police presided over by the Governor which was also attended by the Chief Secretary Tejendra Khanna the DGP D.S.Mangat and the Financial Commissioner Home A.S.Chatha.

Answering questions Nath said the administration had five months to tackle the situation as he did not think elections in the state would be possible this year. He denied a report that the Director General CRPF KPS Gill was coming to the state as his advisor. Asked if he was changing his advisers the Governor said “as of now I do not intend to do so. But there are chances of a review in the next few months.”

When pressed to state clearly if the situation would be conductive in the state for elections after five months Nath said “I will choose my words carefully. To say that he situation will be perfectly normal in five months .Is a tall order but the conditions can be reasonably peaceful and good enough for the people to vote in a free and fair manner.”

He said the cases of about 1300 persons detained under various laws would be reviewed and those involved in cases of original nature would be released on guarantee of village elders for their good conduct.

Newsmen drew a blank when they tried to bring out Nath on any initiative he could take on his own level towards the solution of the Punjab problem He said there was hardly any scope for the initiative taken by Arjun Singh one of this predecessors which resulted in the Rajiv-Longowal accord because there was no leader of the stature of Sant Harchand Singh now to talk to. He was aware of the resolve of the Akalis not to take part in the elections and would want them to change this decision. The state level advisory council would also be revived.

Asked about any action taken against the erring police officials the Governor said action had been taken against a number of police official’s up to the level of DSP.

Article extracted from this publication >> September 27, 1991