IPS men prefer cosy Gujarat to deputation jobs Thursday, November 29, 2001
BY LEENA MISRA, FOR TIMES NEWS NETWORK
AHMEDABAD: 'A good assignment' rarely comes by the asking, but for most IPS officers of Gujarat a deputation at the Centre means oblivion and disruption in personal life.
Ask an IPS officer about the best postings in his career and chances are that he will be nostalgic about his stint in the district. Give the choice to young IPS officers and four out of five could opt for a district.
Independence in decision-making , a wide jurisdiction and fairly comfortable living is what most police officers look for, going by the impressions in the home department. Of course, there are a few like Gupta who look back to Delhi days. For Gupta, it also launched him as the first IPS officer to be deputed to the US for training in the FBI.
Recently, four IPS officers of Gujarat were shortlisted for a deputation to the Border Security Force _ the news had the police fraternity squirming in their chairs. Murmurs are that most of them are not interested and complain that their consent was never sought before the recommendations. "But we will move if directed by the state government", says an officer on conditions of anonymity. He blames 'inertia' for the state of affairs.
In fact, some officers are due for promotion and hope that once they come through, the deputation might just be put on the backburner. The other point the IPS officers raise is that unlike IAS that offers numerous opportunities at the Centre, the options for the IPS cadre is restricted to a few Central organisations. "There are postings as chief vigilance officer in PSUs but they are hardly attractive", said an official who feels at home in Gujarat.
While IPS officers argue that the 'good assignments' at the Centre rarely came their way, officials in the home department feel that the Gujarat IPS has got used to the 'cushy job conditions which this comparatively peaceful state provides'. Here 'peace' generally meant non-interference from political bosses (and the situation is usually compared to Bihar, and now Chennai!)
Yet, there are certain officers who crave jobs outside, especially if the offer is from the CBI, the Special Protection Group where the officer moves in the VIP circuit, RAW or the Intelligence Bureau, to name a few of the 'most wanted' jobs.
Officials in the home department rue over the fact that of the 136 officers borne on the Gujarat cadre, only eight are on Central deputations.
"My experience with the CBI was very rewarding, we worked incognito but there was job satisfaction", says Gupta. Contrarily, Hiralal who had long stints as police commissioner in Vadodara and Ahmedabad, says he figured on many panels for deputation to the Centre, but turned down all of them.
"The kind of public response you get here gives you more satisfaction than doing a desk job in the Centre", he told TNN. There are also cases of IPS officers who chose to leave the state to evade an 'unwarranted situation' in their careers.
"A deputation enriches career prospects, gives a wide exposure, especially if the officer is young", argues a home department official. But most IPS officers feel that, 'rarely do officers get a posting of their choice and sometimes offers come to those who are reluctant'.
In the exchange of fire between the bureaucracy and the constabulary, the latter's other grouse is that those promoted from the ranks are never deputed outside as compared to direct recruits.
News Source : The Times of India [India's best Newspaper]
Vadodara wildlife division to be expanded Thursday, November 29, 2001
SOURCE - TIMES NEWS NETWORK
VADODARA: The state forest department has decided to expand the jurisdiction of Vadodara wildlife division.
With the said expansion, Jambughoda and Ratanmahal sanctuaries will be added to Vadodara wildlife division. So far, the Vadodara wildlife division did not have any sanctuaries falling under its limits.
"The expansion of the wildlife division limits of Vadodara will be effected soon. The division will now cover Jambughoda and Ratanmahal forest sanctuaries," deputy conservator of forests (wildlife division) S K Mehta told Times News Network.
Forest management plans for both Ratanmahal and Jambughoda sanctuaries, which have already been formulated, will now be implemented by the Vadodara wildlife division. Currently, Jambughoda forest sanctuary is a part of Godhra division, while
Ratanmahal forest sanctuary comes under Baria division.
Jambughoda sanctuary, with its dry teak and dry mix deciduous forests is home to a variety of wild animals including leopards, reptiles and birds, while Ratanmahal is known for sloth bears. Both the sanctuaries have rich vegetation as well. Jambughoda sanctuary has 105 species of plants belonging to 88 genera and 42 families, while Ratanmahal has an equally rich floral diversity. Interestingly, the sloth bears of Ratanmahal are known to migrate to some north-eastern parts of Jambughoda sanctuary during certain seasons.
"The division will now be responsible for ensuring that the management plan for both the sanctuaries are put in place," Mehta said.
The management plan for Jambughoda and Ratanmahal sanctuaries, besides its technical compilation on forest land, animal, bird and reptile species, also lays emphasis on eco-tourism or wildlife tourism, a concept promulgated to create more awareness on wildlife. With the Vadodara division now handling both these sanctuaries, a boost to tourism and better professional approach seems imminent.
News Source : The Times of India [India's best Newspaper]
Gandhi statue blamed for frequent mishaps Thursday, November 29, 2001
SOURCE - TIMES NEWS NETWORK
AHMEDABAD: Twenty-four year old Rinku Shah's death in an accident at Income-tax circle on Tuesday has raked up a controversy with the police pinning the blame for the frequent mishaps at the busy intersection on faulty positioning of the Mahatma Gandhi statue.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Samiullah Ansari has decided to write to Ahmedabad Municipal commissioner Panneervel, suggesting the statue be shifted to a 'safer' spot. The 80-foot wide road has been apparently narrowed down by at least seven metres due to the memorial which is also the most sought-after venue for demonstrations.
Five years back, there was a move to relocate the statue which was turned down in the wake of political opposition. During the period, the AMC was forced to shift the statue of Veer Savarkar to a corner of Tagore hall following protests against its installation at the Paldi intersection.
Traffic sub-inspector KP Gohil, an eyewitness to Rinku's death, feels the statue ought to be relocated if lives are to be saved. Almost a month back another man lost his life at the same spot, points out Ansari.
The logic behind his argument is that every vehicle in the 11-foot lanes on both sides is forced to take a detour to avoid the statue and thus the space gets squeezed.
"The light had changed from red to green and a Maruti car, Rinku's Kinetic Honda and the ST bus started off at the same time. The car, which was near the statue, was forced to move towards the left and probably grazed Rinku's Kinetic," says Gohil.
There have been nine accidents at this intersection in this year of which two were fatal. Ten accidents were recorded last year.
An employee of Delta Rubber and Plastic products Dayal B Patel had written to Ansari a day before the accident, complaining about an arch placed at the intersection.
A copy of the letter made available to 'The Times of India' states that "after the opening of the railway underpass, the traffic load has increased to great extent".
Gohil, who does two shifts at the intersection in a day, vouches that every ten-minute demonstration results in traffic jams which extend up to two-and-a half hours.
News Source : The Times of India [India's best Newspaper]
NHRC notice to state DGP Thursday, November 29, 2001
SOURCE - TIMES NEWS NETWORK
AHMEDABAD: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has in a notice to state Director General of Police (DGP) sought a detailed report into an alleged murder of a Christian woman at Bordiyala village in Data taluka of Banaskantha district.
Taking cognisance of the complaint filed by the All India Christian Council, the commission sought the report within four months.
In the complaint to the commission, the council alleged that the victim, Markiben, was murdered in July and further stated that the police had refused to register the complaint filed by Uda Damor, husband of the victim. Moreover, the DSP did not co-operate, the complaint stated.
News Source : The Times of India [India's best Newspaper]
NIIT sets high target for Gujarat Thursday, November 29, 2001
SOURCE - TIMES NEWS NETWORK
AHMEDABAD: NIIT has set itself a high target of 8,500 enrolments for its Swift Jyoti programme as part of their project to enrol one lakh students nationally, to celebrate World Literacy Day on December 2. Chief Minister Narendra Modi will launch the programme in the city on November 29.
"We already have more than 1,000 enrolments in Ahmedabad," says Jay Sanghani of NIIT Ahmedabad. "I have no doubt that we will reach the target considering the interest. I have been especially surprised at the number of elderly persons who have showed interest in the programme. Many of them have relatives in the US and want to stay in touch with them through the Net."
The company has been buoyed by the interest shown by some corporates. Torrent alone has made 200 registrations for its employees outside Gujarat and it expected to add another 200 in the state. There are a number of other corporates, who would like a large number of their employees to become computer literate, but Sanghani says he will disclose their names only after receiving confirmations.
As the largest NIIT franchisee in the state, he says corporates are showing interest as they would be like to be called computer literate company.
News Source : The Times of India [India's best Newspaper]
