CHAPTER XIII

 

 

OTHER DEPARTMENTS

 

 In the recent years the role of the public administration has increased manifold in order to meet the modern day requirements of human life. Being a welfare State, the Government has undertaken so much diverse activities that, many new departments have came into existence, which play a key role in the development and functional activities of Government.

            A brief account of organisational set up of the departments, which have not been mentioned elsewhere in this Gazetteer, functioning in the Fatehgarh Sahib District is presented below:

 

(a)                                                   Public Works Department

 

The functions of this department may be mainly divided into construction of buildings, drainage, public health, irrigation, etc. While each circle is under the charge of a Superintending Engineer the divisions and sub divisions are under the charge of Executive Engineers and Sub Divisional Engineers, respectively. The jurisdiction of the circle/division of this department is not necessarily confined to one district, it may extend to more than one district. The Building and Roads and Public Health are the two wings of Public Works Department located in the district. The divisions and Sub divisions which have jurisdiction over the Fatehgarh Sahib District are briefly mentioned below :

 

 Executive Engineer, Construction Division, PWD (B&R) Sirhind.- This division was established on 27 May 1977. The Executive Engineer functions under the administrative control of Superintending Engineer, Construction Circle, PWD (B&R), Patiala. He is assisted by 1 Superintendent, 1 Divisional Accounts Officer Grade-II, 1 Head Draftsman, 2 Draftsman, 1 Junior Draftsman, 2 Senior Assistants, 1 Steno Typist, 4 Senior Clerks, 3 Clerks besides other Class-III and miscellaneous Class-IV staff. This division has three subdivisions viz. Construction Subdivision, PWD (B&R) Sirhind, Construction Sub division No.1 PWD (B&R) Bassi Pathana and Construction Subdivision No.2, PWD (B&R), Bassi Pathana.

Each subdivision is under the charge of a Sub Divisional Engineer, who is assisted in each subdivision by 4 Junior Enginers (except construction subdivision No.1 Bassi Pathiana which has 5 Junior Engineers), 1 Sub Divisional clerk land miscellaneous class-III and class IV staff. 

              

Sub Divisional Engineer, Provincial Subdivision PWD (B&R), Sirhind.-This Subdivision was established during 1993-94. The Sub Divisional Engineer, functions under the administrative control of Executive Engineer Construction Division No.2, PWD (B&R) SAS Nagar (Mohali) who in turn is under the administrative control of Superintending Engineer, Construction Circle No.2, PWD (B&R), Patiala. The Sub Divisional Engineer  is assisted by 3 Junior Engineers, 1 Sub Divisional Clerk, 1 Assistant Sub Divisional Clerk, 1 Work Munshi besides other miscellaneous class III and Class IV staff.

            The main functions of the department are to construct/repair the buildings and roads falling lin lthke district.

 

 Executive Engineer, Public Health (Rural Water Supply), Fatehgarh Sahib.- This division was set up on 4 July 2002. The division is under the administrative control of Superintending Engineer, Public Health, Circle Patiala. The Executive Engineer is assisted by 1 Superintendent, 1 Divisional Accountant, 3 Senior Assistants, 1 Head Draftsman, 2 Junior Draftsman, 3 Junior Assistants, 1 Steno typist, 2 Clerks, besides other class III and miscellaneous Class IV staff. This division has 3 Subdivisions viz Public Health (RWS) Sub division, Fatehgarh Sahib; Public Health (RWS) Sub division, Amloh and Public Health (RWS) Subdivision, Nabha.

            Out of above mentioned 3 Sub divisions, two subdivisions are functioning in the Fatehgarh Sahib District while the subdivision at Nabha is functioning in Patiala District.

            Each subdivision is under the charge of a Sub Divisional Engineer. The Sub Divisional Engineer, Public Health (RWS) Subdivision Fatehgarh Sahib, is assisted by 2 Assistant Engineers, 3 Junior Engineers,1 Junior Assistant and 1 Clerk besides other miscellaneous Class IV staff. The Sub Divisional Engineer, Public Health (RWS) Subdivision, Amloh is assisted by 1 Assistant Engineer, 3 Junior Engineers,1 Junior Assistant and 1 Clerk besides miscellaneous class IV staff.

 Sub Divisional Engineer, Public Health (Government Works) Sub Division No.1, Fatehgarh Sahib.- This Subdivision was established on 1 April 1992. Sub Divisional Engineer, Fatehgarh Sahib is under the administrative control of Executive Engineer, Public Health (Government Works) Division No.3, S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali) which in turn  is under the control of Superintending Engineer Public Health (Government Works) Circle, Chandigarh.

            The Sub Divisional Engineer  is assisted by 2 Assistant Engineers, 2 Junior Engineers, 1 Sub-Divisional Clerk, 1 Junior Assistant besides other miscellaneous Class IV staff.

 

 Sub Divisional Engineer, Public Health (Government Works) Sub Division No.2, Fatehgarh Sahib.- This Subdivision was established on 16 June 1992 is headed by a Sub Divisional Engineer who also functions under the administrative control of Executive Engineer, Public Health (Government Works) Division No.3, S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali).

            The Sub Divisional Engineer, is assisted by 3 Assistant Engineers, 1 Junior Engineer, 1 Sub Divisional Clerk, 1 Junior Assistant besides other miscellaneous Class IV staff.

            The main functions of the Public Health Department are to provide water, sewerage and other civic amenities to the Government buildings, government institutions and religious places in the district. Apart from this the department is also implementing Integrated Rural Development Programme of Punjab Government  in the district. Under this programme, civic amenities of cities and towns are provided in the selected villages. It has also initiated the Central Government’s ‘Sway Jal Dhara’ Scheme in the district under which drinking water is supplied to the villages. 

 

(b)                           Cooperative Department

 

       Cooperation in its infinity varying forms offers a vast field for economic development. It is also considered to be the best form for achieving the establishment of socialistic pattern of society. Punjab has the privilage of being pioneer in cooperative movement in the country. Cooperatives have been playing a vital role in the economic upliftment of people, particularly for the weaker sections in the rural areas during the last about hundred years. The different types of cooperatives in the State serve the people in diverse economic activities. Its growth in Punjab State has been so specutator that at present, there is particularly no major sphere of economic actitivity of the people which has not been touched by it.

The Deputy Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Fatehgarh Sahib is the  head of the department at the district level. At the tahsil level an Assistant Registrar, Cooperative Societies, supervises the activities pertaining to the cooperative institutions functioning under its jurisdiction. The office of Deputy Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Fatehgarh Sahib was established on 30 October 1992. He functions under the administrative control of Registrar Cooperative Societies, Punjab, Chandigarh. He is assisted by 4 Assistant Registrar, 1 Superintendents, 4 Clerks,1 Junior Scale Stenographer, Inspectors 1 Senior Assistant, 1 Personal Assistant and miscellaneous Class IV Staff.

            The Deputy Registrar Cooperative Societies deals with the organisation, registration, supervision and working of the various types of cooperative societies operating in the districts and their liquidation in addition to attending to administrative and statutory functions. He ensures that agriculturalists receive adequate and timely supply of short, medium and long term credit through central cooperative banks, land development banks and Cooperative Service Societies. He also arranges through cooperative marketing societies the supply of chemical fertilizers improved seeds, insecticides and pesticides.

The office of the Assistant Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Sirhind was established on 5 August 1970. He is assisted by  11 inspectors, 1 superintendent, 1statistical assistant, 1 steno and 3 clerks besides miscellaneous class IV staff.

The office Assistant Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Bassi Pathana was set up in April 2001. 1 senior assistant, 1statistical assistant, 6 inspectors and 1 clerk besides class IV staff assist him.

The office of Assistant Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Amloh was established in April 2001. He is assisted by 1senior assistant, 1 statistical assistant, 7 inspectors, 2 clerks besides class IV staff.

The office of Assistant Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Khamano was also established in April 2001. 1senior assistant, 1 statistical assistant, 6 inspectors and 3 clerks, besides class IV staff, assist him.

The main functions of the Cooperative Department are to supervise the primary Cooperative Societies; to attend to the court work under Cooperative Societies Act, exercising some judicial powers; distribution of fertilizers, its management, recovery and advancement; to hold elections of the Cooperative Societies; to arrange financial assistance to the Cooperative Societies; to arrange distribution of essential commodities through societies, etc.

 

 

(c) Public Relations Department

 

The District Public Relations Office, at Fatehgarh Sahib came into existence on 16 April 1992. At the district level, the Department of Public Relations is represented by the District Public Relations Officer, Fatehgarh Sahib who is under the administrative control of Director, Public Relations, Punjab, Chandigarh. He is assisted by 2 Assistant Public Relation Officers, 1 Accountant, 1 Stenotypist, 1 Radio Mechanic besides miscellaneous Class III and  class IV staff.

The department is mainly responsible for collection and circulatation of the official information and news. It helps the press and electronics media and their correspondents by way of furnishing them necessary information. At the district level, the District Public Relation Officer maintains good relations with public and acts as liaison between the Government and public. He gives wide publicity to the programmes, policies and achievements of the Government about various programmes and policies formulated by the Government and the development made in different fields. He keeps the Government informed of public reactions to its plans and policies and convey the public grievances to the district and state authorities. The office also runs an information centre at the district headquarters.

 

(d) Food and Supplies Department

 

The Department of Food and Supplies is represented at the district level by the District Food and Supplies Controller, Fatehgarh Sahib. He functions under the administrative control of Director, Food and Supplies, Punjab, Chandigarh. The office of District Food and Supplies Controller was established on 13 April 1992. In the discharge of his official duties he is assisted by 3 Food and Supplies Officers  (one each at Amloh, Khamano and Fatehgarh Sahib), 4 Assistant Food and Supplies Officers(one each at Amloh, Khamano, Fatehgarh Sahib and Bassi Pathana), 1 Superintendent, 1 Accounts Officer 1 Senior Auditor, 2 Accountants, 10 Auditors, 10 Clerks, 20 Inspectors Grade-I, 12 Inspectors Grade-II  besides Class IV staff.

The District Food and Supplies Controller is primarily responsible for the procurement of food grains in the district. He also looks after the proper storage of the stocks of food grains kept in the provided reserves and arrangement for their distributions, distribution of sugar, Kerosene oil, vegetable ghee, etc. to the people belonging to below poverty line and above poverty line under different schemes. The distribution of food grain and other essential commodities is regulated through a network of fair price shops in the district. A new scheme namely Antodya Scheme has been launched by the Government of India. Under this scheme in the Fatehgarh Sahib District 1011 below poverty line (BPL) families has been getting 35 kg wheat per month at the rate of Rs 4.27 per kg. The District Food and Supplies Controller is also responsible to issue/renewal of brick kilns and firewood licences and checking of licences of food grains and rice shelters, besides, the checking of petrol pumps and cooking gas agencies. The department also maintains its own godowns for the storage of food grains.

As on 29 February 2004, there were 290 fair price shops (220 rural and 70 urban) functioning in the district. The total number of  BPL families in the district was  12,890.

 

(e)   Finance Department

 

            The department is represented in the district by the District Treasury officer. Fatehgarh Sahib, who is incharge of the District Treasury. This office was established in April 1992. As  on 31 March 2004, the District Treasury Officer, Fatehgarh Sahib,  was assisted by 3 Treasury Officers, 1 Superintendent, 4 Senior Assistant, 3 JuniorAssistants, 1 District Treasurer, 2 Assistant Treasurers, 1 Steno, 6 Clerk,  besides Class IV staff.

            The main functions of District Treasury Officer are, to make receipts and payments on behalf of Government; to maintain the accounts of Government and storage of stamps, valuables, etc. The District Treasury Officer is responsible to the Accountant General Punjab for the regular submission of monthly accounts and allied returns, etc.

 

(f) Planning Department

 

            The Deputy Economic and Statistical Adviser, Fatehgarh Sahib, represent the department at the district level, whose office was established on 13 April 1992. The Deputy economic and Statistical Adviser is assisted by 1 District Statistics Officer, 2 Assistant Research Officers, 1 Statistical Assistant, 2 Investigators 1 Data Entry Operator besides other ministerial class III and miscellaneous Class IV staff.

            The main functions of the office of the Deputy Economic and Statistical Adviser are; to coordinate the statistical activities of various offices at the district level and to publish statistical data; to improve the quality of statistical work done at the district level; to collect weekly retail prices and to act as data bank for government institutions and interested public. Besides, Deputy Economic and Statistical Adviser also acts as Additional Secretary to District Planning and Development Board. His main function is to call the meetings of the board. In these meetings, funds are released to different departments sanctioned under various schemes

 

(g) Language Department

 

            The Language Department in Fatehgarh Sahib  District is represented by District Language Officer, Fatehgarh Sahib, who is assisted by 1 Instructer, 1 Junior Assistant besides other miscellaneous Class IV staff.

            The main functions of the District Language Officer are; to inspect, help and guide the district officers regarding the introduction of official language i.e. Punjabi; to hold classes for Punjabi, Hindi to government employees; to impart training in Punjabi typewriting and shorthand; to hold examinations in Punjabi and Hindi at district level; to assist the government offices in translating pamphlets/books in Punjabi; to organise literary seminars, dramas and kavi-darbars (poetic symposia etc. This office also functions as a sales depot  for the books published by the Language Department, Punjab.

 

(h) Sainik Welfare Department

           

            The Directorate of Sainik Welfare, Chandigarh, exclusively looks after the welfare of ex-servicemen. At the district level the Department of Sainik Welfare is represented by the District Sainik Welfare Officer, Fatehgarh Sahib, who is assisted by 1 Superintendent, 2 Junior Assistants, 1 Steno, 1 Clerk, 2 Bhalai Karamchari, besides other miscellaneous Class IV staff. His office was established on 16 April 1992 in the district.

            The main functions of the department are: to disseminate information to the general public regarding armed forces in the country; to keep watch over the welfare of families of servicemen and of ex-servicemen by assisting them in representing their cases to the authorities; to give information to the general public regarding conditions of service in the armed forces; to investigate applications for relief from various military and civil charitable funds and to grant financial relief to the ex-servicemen and their dependents from the funds at their disposal.

            The main welfare activities of the department are: to settle the financial problems such as pension and other retirement/release benefits/dues to ex-servicemen; to maintain close liaison with pension disbursing authorities/agencies in the district; to provide assistance for settlement of land and other disputes; to render assistance to the families of the serving personnel in regard to their safety/security during the absence of the serving personnel; to maintain sainik welfare measures such as rest–houses for ex-servicemen, old age pensioner’s homes, vocational and other training facilities, etc. to provide medical assistance for medical treatment in military/civil hospitals and to maintain liaison with other welfare organizations and to procure additional funds for the welfare measures. The department organizes Flag Day and rallies for ex-servicemen. It also maintains a list of senior retired officers. It ensures proper maintenance of war memorials in the district.

 

(i) Soil And Water Conservation Department

 

               The department is represnted in the district by the Assistant Soil Conservation Officer, Fatehgarh Sahib, who is working under the administrative control of Divisonal Soil Conservation Officer, Patiala Divison, Patiala. Established as Soil Survey office at Fatehgarh Sahib it was upgraded as subdivison on 20 December 1995. He is under the administrative control of Divisonal Soil Conservation Officer, Patiala Divison, Patiala. He is assited by 1 Draftsman, 1 Junior Draftsman, 2 Clerks/Steno Typists, 4 Agriculture Inspectors/Junior Engineers, 12 Surveyors/ Agriculture Sub Inspectors, 4 Beldars besides other miscellaneous Class IV staff.

            The main functions of the department in are: to provide technical assistance to the cultivators for arresting soil erosion, to lay underground water drains to construct pakka water channels, to instal drip and sprinkle irrigation system, etc.

 

 

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