(3) Financial Assistance to the Depending Children.—Initiated in March 1968, the scheme aims at providing to orphan and destitute children under the age of 16 years, who have either lost their parents or whose parents are unable to maintain them due to some incurable disease or permanent physical disability. In the case of more than one deserving child in a family, preference in the grant of financial assistance, is given to school-going children. The initial financial assistance of Rs 20 per month per child was raised to Rs 50 per month with effect from 1 March 1974.

The amount disbursed under the scheme and the number of beneficiaries in the district during 1977-78 to 1988-89, are given below :

1. Year	Amount disbursed (Rs)	Number of beneficiaries
1977-78	--	15
1978-79	--	17
1979-80	--	26
1980-81	69,355	204
1981-82	1,37,346	256
1982-83	1,37,260	197
1983-84	1,74,687	201
1984-85	1,61,605	181
1985-86	2,29,923	338
1986-87	2,31,848	311
1987-88	2,78,500	382
1988-89	2,59,850	363

(Source : Director, Social Welfare, Punjab and District Social Welfare Officer, Bathinda).

(4) Special Nutrition Programme.—Under this programme, protein diet is provided to children in the age of 0-6 yars and to expectant and nursing mothers living in urban slum areas of the State. The diet is supplied for 300 days in a year. The rate of diet is 35 paise for children and 60 paise for mothers per day. Ten paise per day per beneficiary for administration is also included in the rate. In Bathinda District, the scheme has been functioning in village Nathana since 1978.

(5) Financial Assistance to Victims of Chronic Disease.—This scheme was introduced in the State in 1974-75 and was extended to Bathinda District on 2 October 1981. It aims at providing financial assistance up to Rs 100 per month per head to patients of chronic diseases, who have been discharged from hospitals, to enable them to continue treatment and special diet at home. A person who is suffering from chronic diseases like tuberculosis, leprosy, etc. or is mentally ill and is not in a position to bear the cost of medicines is also eligible for the grant of financial assistance on the recommended of the Civil Surgeon of the district provided the annual income of the family does not exceed Rs 3,000 per annum from all sources. A sum of Rs 1,70,000 was provided as financial assistance to 126 beneficiaries in the district during 1988-89.

(6) Institution under the East Punjab Children Act.—The implementation of he East Punjab Children Act was taken up by the Social Welfare Department in 1969. Under this scheme, destitute, delinquent and the school drop outs, who due to immaturity commit some crime between the age of 8 to 16 years, are treated and provided congenial atmosphere for their physical and mental development and normalisation in the institutins functioning under this Act. Inmates are provided free board, lodging, clothing, medical assistance, education and vocational training to help them to become normal and law-abiding citizens. One Reception-cum-Observation Home at Bathinda is functioning in the district.

(7) Financial Assistance to Victims of Riots.—This scheme was started in 1985 with a view to providing the financial assistance to the victims of riots for grant of pension to widows. Financial assistance of Rs 250 per month per widow is provided to the widows whose husbands were killed during the riots following the assassination of former Prime Minister Mrs Indira Gandhi on 31 October 1984.

The amount disbursed under the scheme and the number of beneficiaries in the district during 1985-86 to 1988-89 are given below :

2. Year	Amount disbursed (Rs)	Number of beneficiaries
1985-86	8,500	2
1986-87	11,700	3
1987-88	5,000	2
1988-89	6,000	2

(Source : Director, Social Welfare, Punjab, Chandigarh)

(8) Financial Assistance to Widows whose husbands were killed by Terrorists.—This scheme was introduced in the State in August 1982. Under this scheme, financial assistance of Rs 250 per month per widow is given.

The amount disbursed under he scheme and the number of beneficiaries in the district during 1986-87 to 1988-89 are given below :

3. Year	Amount disbursed (Rs)	Number of beneficiaries
1986-87	48,500	7
1987-88	16,000	4
1988-89	12,600	7

(e) Public Trusts, Charitable Endownments and Muslim Waklfs.

In every society, there are certain voluntary organizations which endeavour for bringing about improvement in the society in various spheres, such as social, religious, education, etc. Public and charitable endownments fall among these categories of organizations. Many educational institutions, hospitals, dharamshalas and other social welfare organizations are either run or materially aided by these endownments. There are certain philanthrophists who make liberal contribution to the funds of these organizations.

A brief description of the public trusts, charitable endownments and Muslim Wakfs which are functioning in the district is given below :

(1) Kundan Lal Jain Ashram Trust, Bathinda.—It was founded by Shri Kundan Lal in 1974. It was 3 members. It also manages the affairs of the dharamshalas constructed for the stay of the travellers and visitors to the city.

(2) Seth Bhana mal Trust, Bathinda.—It was founded by Bhana Mal in 1974. It has also 3 members. It has one dharamshalas for the stay of the travellers and visitors and is maintained by its devotees.

(3) Shri Ramji Dass Education and Charitable Trust, Bathinda.—It was founded by Sarvshri Sohan Lal, Raj Kumar and Pawan Kumar in 1968. It grants scholarship to the brilliant and poor students. Besides, some medicines are provided by it to the people free of cost.

(3) Chaudhri Roshan Singh Charitable Trust, Bathinda.—It was founded by Chaudhry Partap Singh in 1982. It was four members. It runs a charitable maternity hospital at Bathinda.

Muslims Wakfs.—Besides, there are 569 Muslim Wakf at different places in the district with properties attached to some of them. These properties were maintained by the Rehabilitation Department, Government of India up to 1961, when their administration was entrusted to the Punjab Wakf Board, with headquarters at Ambala Cantonment. The administration of wakfs is regulated by the Central Government’s Wakfs Act, 1954.

The annual income from the wakf properties in the district is spent for the upkeeping of these institutions as well as for various charitable purposes and promotion of education.

The staff of the Punjab Wakf Board posted in the district consists of 4 Aukaf Officers at Bathinda and 2 Rent Collectors, one each at Bathinda and Mansa.

APPENDIX I

LIST OF TRADE UNIONS IN THE BATHINDA DISTRICT

Sr.No.	Name of the Union	Year/Date of
1	Kalan Wals Iron and Steel Merchant’s Association Raman Mandi	1964
2	Bathinda Central Co-operative Bank Employees Union, Bathinda	1966
3	Municipal Sweeper Union, Bathinda	13 January 1966
4	Bhupindra Floor Mill, Labour Union, Bathinda	27 August 1967
5	Punjab Sate Market Committee and Board Employees’ Union, Bathinda	5 October 1967
6	Wholesale Cloth Employees’ Union, Bathinda	9 July 1968
7	Punjab Market Committee Secretaries’ Union, Bathinda	19 November 1968
8	Cinema Workers’ Union, Bathinda	12 March 1970
9	Batha Mazdoor Union Bathinda	20 November 1971
10	Bathinda Eastern Central Co-operative Bank Employees’ Union, Bathinda	16 March 1972
11	Thermal Work Charge Staff Union, Bathinda	19 September 1972
12	Imarti Laour Union, Rampura Phul, Bathinda	7 October 1972
13	Punjab Bijli Karmchari Sectional Officers Association, Bathinda	1973
14	District Advocates’ Clerk Union, Bathinda	8 September 1974
15	Imarti Labour Union, Bathinda	27 January 1975
16	Punjab State Warehousing Corporation Field Employees’ Union, Bathinda	10 November 1976
17	F.I.L. Employees’ Association, Bathinda	31 May 1977
18	Retail Cloth Employees’ Union, Bathinda	9 September 1977
19	Rickshaw Workers’ Union, Bathinda	23 September 1977
20	Garwali Mazdoor Union, Bathinda	1978
21	Bathinda Ammunition Depot, Janta Karmchari Sangh, Bathinda	21 February 1978
22	Punsup Employees’ Union, Punjab Bathinda	27 April 1978
23	Chungi Karmchari Union, Nagar Palika, Bathinda	24 July 1978
24	National Fertilizer Officers’ Association, Bathinda	19 January 1979
25	National Fertilizer Employees’ Union, Bathinda	31 May 1979
26	Thermal Technical Employees’ Union, Bathinda	4 May 1979
27	Bhagwanti Oil Mill Worker’s Union, Bhucho Mandi	21 August 1979
28	Thermal Employees’ Federation, Bathinda	25 September 1979
29	Class IV Employees’ Union, PSEB Thermal Unit, Bathinda	25 September 1979
30	Bhagwati Oil Mill Mazdoor Sangh, Bhucho Mandi.	15 October 1979
31	Northern India Cotton Brokers’ Association (Punjab Haryana and Sri Ganganagar), Bathinda	27 March 1980
32	PRTC Drivers’ Union, Bathinda	9 July 1980
33	Safai Sewak Union, Guru Nanak Thermal Plant, Bathinda	31 December 1980
34	Western Command, M.E.S. Civillian Drivers’ Association, Bathinda	31March 1981
35	Cotton Mill Workers’ Union, Bathinda	26 February 1981
36	Hathreri Union, Bathinda	--
37	State Bank of Patiala Employees’ National Union, Mansa	--
38	Warehouse Corporation Workers’ Union, Bathinda	--
39	Lal Jhanda NFL Mazdoor Union, Bathinda	25 July 1984
40	Loading and Unloading Workers’ Union, Bathinda	3 August 1984
41	Punjab Ceremic Workers’ Union, Bathinda	1985
42	Auto Workers’ Union, Bathinda	1985
43	Moonak Chemical Employees’ Union, Bathinda	26 July 1985
44	Employees’ Union Jindal & Company, Bathinda	26 December 1985
45	Tonga Rehra Mazdoor Union, Bhagta Bhai Ka, Bathinda	28 April 1986
46	Gadda Labour Union, Bareta Mandi	15 May 1986
47	Ussari Mazdoor Union, Gol Chakkar, Budhalada	28 May 1986
48	Punjab Spinning Karamchari Dal, Bathinda	8 August 1986
49	Punjab Ceramic Karamchari Dal, Bathinda	6 September 186
50	Sarv Punjab Palledar Union, Bathinda	12 September 1986
51	Bathinda Operators Workers’ Union, Bathinda	3 October 1986
52	Hindustan Bhawan Ussari Labour Union, Bathinda	25 November 1986
53	Rubicon Steel Worker’s Union, Bucho Mandi	29 December 1986
54	Naveen Punjab Palledar Union, Bathinda	11 January 1987
55	Budhlada Ghada Rehri Mazdoor Union, Bathinda	18 February 1987
56	Rampura Phul Truck Operators’ Union, Bathinda	3 March 1987
57	Rama Truck Operators Workers’ Union, Bathinda	17 March 1987
58	Chemical and Oil Karamchari Sangh, Bathinda	7 July 1987
59	Sabzi Mandi Fari Mazdoor Union, Bathinda	12 October 1987
60	Stelco Workers’ Union, Rampura Phul	21 April 1988
61	Ginning Factories Workers’ Union, Rampura Phul	9 May 1988
62	Multi Melt Steel Workers’ Union, Rampura Phul	10 June 1988
63	Dukan Karamchari Sangh, Rampura Phul	27 June 1938
64	Raj Mazdoor Union, Rampura Phul	7 November 1988
65	Arra Mills Mazdoor Union, Bathinda	12 December 1988
66	Rickshaw Chalak Mazdoor Union, Bathinda	11 November 1988
67	Sewerage Workers’ Union, Bathinda	1989
68	Ussari Mazdoor Union, Mansa	7 February 1989
69	Forest Department Field Workers’ Union, Bathinda	8 February 1989

i. (Source : Labour Commissioner, Punjab, Chandigarh)

APPENDIX II

Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and Vimukt Jtis
Inhabiting the Bathinda District

Sr. No.	Name of Caste		Main Professionals
			Scheduled Castes
1	Ad-dharmi		Shoe-making, labour, weaving, animal husbandry, etc.
2	Ramdasi		Shoe-making, service, animal husbandry, agriculture and labour etc.
3	Mazhabi		Agriculture, agricultural labour, animal husbandry, shop-keeping and labour, etc.
4	Balmiki		Scavenging, service and labour, etc.
5	Dhanak		Labour in factories.
6	Rehgar-Raigar		Shoe-making, leather tanning, labour, animal husbandry, etc.
7	Sirkiband		Making sirkis, labour and rope-making, etc.
8	Bazigar		Labour and animal husbandry, etc.
			Backward Classes
1	Chhimba		Tailoring
2	Lohar		Blacksmithy, making of agricultural implements, etc.
3	Khaty		House Building and wood-works
4	Rai Sikh		Agriculture
5	Goldsmith		Making of golden ornaments and shop-keeping
6	Dacot		Labour and begging
7	Thori		Begging
8	Nayak		Growing and selling vegetables
9	Lubanas		Agriculture and labour
10	Nai		Hair cutting, shaving, labour and agriculture
11	Dhobi		Washing and ironing of clothes
12	Kumhar		Pottery and labour
		Vimukt Jatis
1	Sansi		Labour
2	Deha		Cleaning of ears, making of winnowing baskets
3	Borea		Agriculture and labour
4	Sapela		Snake-charming of begging
5	Singikat		Shoe-polishing and Singian

(Source : District Welfare Officer, Bathinda)

CHAPTER XVIII

PUBLIC LIFE AND VOLUNTARY SOCIAL SERIVCE ORGANIZATIONS

(a)	Representation of the District in the State and the Union Legislatures
(b)	Political Parties and Organizations
(c)	Newspapers and Periodicals
(d)	Voluntary Social Service Organizations

(a) Representation of the District in the State and the Union Legislature

Historical Retrospect.—Bathinda, formerly a tahsil of the princely State of Patiala, was constituted as a district with the formation of Paiala and the East Punjab States Union (PEPSU) in 1948. The territory of the present Bathinda District comprises parts of the erstwhile princely states of Patiala, Nabha, Faridkot, Jind and some portions of the British territory, then forming part of Firozpur District. Prior to the formation of PEPSU, the princes never countenanced political awakening among their subjects and put down any agitation in the political field with iron hand. The British rulers gave them all support in doing so. But still the patriots in these feudal pockets did raise their heads and contributed their mite in the national struggle for Independence. Many movements were launched under different names, such as Jaitu Morcha, Namdhari Agitation, etc. and scores of patriots laid down their lives in the process of bringing and encouraging political awakening. For this purpose, they organized Praja Mandals whose ideology was the same as that of the Indian National Congress in these princely states.

Under the Government of India Act, 1919, the franchise of the Council of State was very limited, based on a high property qualification. Persons having either an annual income of not less than Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 or paying land revenue of Rs 750 to Rs 5000 were entitled to vote for the Council of State. The franchise was also bestowed for special personal qualifications such as past or present membership of a university senate or legislature. The franchise of Legislative Assembly was also based on property qualification and varied from province to province. The payment of municipal taxes which amounted to not less than Rs 15 to Rs 20 per annum or occupation or ownership of a house, which could yield an annual rent of Rs 180 or assessment to income tax on an annual income of not less than Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 or the assessment of land revenue for Rs 150 per annum varying from province to province, could entitle a person to be a voter for the Assembly. The Government of India Act, 1919 did sow the seeds of communal representation in the country by earmarking constituencies for the Muslims, Sikhs, etc.

Under the Government of India Act, 1935, the right to was much more extended. The women and the depressed classes were also made eligible to become voters. In this way, around 15 per cent of the total population of the provinces was enfranchised. The Act not only retained the separate electorates for the Muslims, but also extended them to the Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians and Europeans. The first general elections of India under the Act were held in January and the second and last in March 1946.

After the general elections in March 1946, a Constituent Assembly was elected by the members of the Provincial Legislative Assemblies and the same was entrusted with the task of framing of a constitution for the country. The Draft Constitution of India was completed by February 1948. It was approved in November 1949, and enforced with effect from 26 January 1950. The new Constitution made a clean sweep of the postulate of communal electorates and submitted in its place common electorate for all the citizens of India. Under Article 326 of the Constitution, elections to the House of People (Lok Sabha) and to the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) of every State shall be on the basis of adult franchise. Every Indian who is not less than 21 years* of age, is entitled to vote if he is not otherwise disqualified.

The Punjab Vidhan Sabha has 117 seats. An Indian citizen not less than 25 years of age and possessing such other qualifications as prescribed in the Representation of the People’s Act, 1951, is eligible to be chosen as a member of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.

On the attainment of Independence, the Praja Mandals of the princely states merged with the Indian National Congress and became its local units. Other political parties have also entered the district and like the Indian National Congress Party established their branches in the district and fought elections enthusiastically, both for the State Assembly and the Parliament.

*Age has not been lowered down to 18 years.

Till 1985*, 8 general elections have been successfully conducted in the Bathinda District along with that of the country. A brief account of all these elections is given hereunder :

First General Elections, 1951-52.—As in the rest of India, the district of Bathinda of the erstwhile PEPSU went to the polls for the first time when the first general elections were held in 1951-52. Franchise was thrown open to every adult not suffering from any disqualification, otherwise.

Parliamentary Constituency¹

There was 1 (double-member) constituency in the Bathinda District, viz. Kapurthala-Bathinda. It was created to elect one member from amongst the general and the other from reserved category of candidates. The area of Kapurthala District was also clubbed with it. Both the seats of this constituency were captured by the Akali candidates. The total number of valid votes polled by each of the contesting party was as under :

Name of the party	Total number of valid votes polled	Percentage
Akali Dal	3,96,690	45.94
Congress	2,74,815	31.75
Socialist	38,222	4.47
Jan Sangh	37,345	4.37
Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party	33,613	3.85
Forward Block	31,081	3.65
Independents	51,507	5.97
ii. Total	8,63,273	100.00

*The ninth general elections for the Lok Sabha have been held in November 1989.

¹Report on the First General Elections in India, 1951-52, pp 108-109.

Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU)

Vidhan Sabha Constituencies²

There were 9 Vidhan Sabha Constituencies consisting of 11 seats in the district, viz. Faridkot, Kot Kanpura-Jaitu (double-member), Bathinda Sadr, Nahianwala, Raman, Maur, Mansa (double-member), Sardulgarh and Budhlada-Bareta. From these constituencies, 6 Akali, 3 Contress and 2 Independent candidates were declared elected. The total number of valid votes by each contesting party was as under :

Name of the party	Total number of valid votes polled	Percentage
Akali Dal	84,892	31.42
Congress	62,541	23.15
Communist	24,115	8.92
Forward Block (Marxist)	4,975	1.84
Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party	3,939	1.46
Socialist	3,191	1.18
Jan Sangh	3,025	1.12
S.C. Federation	1,494	0.55
Independents	82,042	30.36
Total	2,70,214	100.00

²Report on the First General Elections in India, 1951-52, pp 636-639.

Mid-term Elections to the PEPSU Legislative Assembly, 1954.—The first general elections to the Legislative Assembly of the Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU) were held in 1951-52, as in the rest of India. Normally, the Assembly should have had a term of five years in accordance with the provisions of Article 172 (1) of the Constitution. It was, however, dissolved by the President under Article 356 of the Constitution prematurely by issuing a proclamation on 4 March 1953. The President assumed to himself all functions of the government and all powers vested in or exercisable by the Rajpramukh of the State. Para (c) (iv) of the Proclamation announced that the general elections for constituting a new Legislative Assembly for the State would be held as soon as possible after the Delimitation Commission had finally delimited the constituencies for elections to the Legislative Assembly of the State. The Delimitation Commission took up the work of delimitation of constituencies in the State with all possible expedition. The number of seats to which PEPSU was entitled in the House of People on the basis of the population figure of the 1951 Census remained the same, namely 5 seats. The number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of the State also remained at the existing figure of 60 (36 single member and 12 two-member) constituencies which was the minimum. The two-member constituencies were formed to provide representation to the Scheduled Castes. The legal framework for these elections was more or less the same as for the first general elections held in 1951-52. The period fixed for holding poll in the State was for 1 February to 28 February 1954.

Out of the total population of the Bathinda District numbering 7,86,889 (1951 Census), the number of electors was 5,73,128.

PEPSU Legislative Assembly Constituencies¹

There were 9 constituencies consisting of 11 seats in the Bathinda District (two constituencies being double-member), viz. Faridkot, Kot Kanpura, Jaitu, Nahianwala-Raman (double-member), Bathinda, Maur, Mansa, Sardulgarh and Budhilada (double-member). From these constituencies, 5 Congress, 3 Akali (Master Tara Singh Group), 2 Communist and 1 Independent candidates were declared elected. The total number of valid votes polled by each of the contesting parties was as under :

¹Report on the Second General Elections to the PEPSU and Travancore-Cochin Legislative Assemblies (New Delhi, 1955), pp 3,5,7, 44-47.

Name of the party	Total number of valid votes polled	Percentage
Indian National Congress	1,09,772	33.98
Akali Dal (Master Group)	93,475	28.92
Akali Dal (Raman Group)	60,439	18.70
Communist Party of India	25,518	7.90
Jan Sangh	492	0.15
Independents	33,446	10.35
Total	3,23,142	100.00

Second General Elections, 1957.—By virtue of the States Re-organization Act, 1956, the arstwhile State of Punjab and PEPSU were merged together and the new State of Punjab came into existence on 1 NovemBer 1956. The Legislative Assembly functioing in Punjab immediately before the merger was elected on the basis of the constituencies delimited in 1951 and that functioning in PEPSU, on the basis of 1953 constituencies, and general elections to the former Assembly were held in 1952 and to the later in 1954. These Legislative Assemblies had 126 and 60 seats in erstwhile Punjab and PEPSU, respectively. On the amalgamation or the Vidhan Sabhas of the erstwhile States, all the erstwhile members of the sitting sabhas became the members of the Vidhan Sabha of the new State. As against that number (186), the seats allocated to the Legislative Assembly of the new State were 154. Consequent upon the change in the number of seats, fresh delimitation became necessary. A Delimitation Commission was accordingly constituted by the Government of India.

Notifications by the President and the Governor of Punjab, under Sections 14 and 15, respectively of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, calling upon the constituencies of the Lok Sabha and the Punjab Vidhan Sabha to elect members were issued on 19 January 1957. In terms of Section 30 of the said Act, the Election Commission notified the dates from 24 February 1957 to 14 March 1957 for the conduct of the elections. The Election Commission desired that the policy to be followed in regard to the programme of polling should be different from that in 1951-52. In those election, polling extended over 27 days and most of the constituencies went to poll on a number of days, covering each constituency in piece-meal. This time the Commission considered that the total period of polling, inclusive of the time required for the movement of the polling parties from one constituency to another and from one part of the constituency to another, should not exceed 16 days from 25 February 1957 to 12 March 1957. Moreover, one constituency went preferably to complete the poll in one day instead of polling being spread over to two or more days. The counting of polled votes in the constituency was started from the next day of polling.

Out of the total population of 7,86,889 (1951 Census) out the Bathinda District, the number of electors was 4,55,037. According to the Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order, 1956, Lok Sabha constituency consisting of 2 seats (one reserved for the members of the Scheduled Castes) and 6 Punjab Vidhan Sabha constituencies consisting of 8 seats (2 reserved for the members of the Scheduled Castes) were allocated to the district.

Lok Sabha Constituency¹

There was one Lok Sabha Constituency in the district and it consisted of 2 seats (one reserved for the members of Scheduled Castes). The extent of the constituency was beyond the revenue jurisdiction of the district and some area of Sangrur and Firozpur districts was also included in it. The Delimitation Commission endeavoured that as far as possible, the Assembly Constituencies should fall wholly in one or the other of the two States. But due to the peculiar geographical formation of PEPSU State, this principle could not be followed, and to make a compact constituency, some area of Punjab territory was also included in it. From this constituency, 2 candidates were declared elected. Both the seats were captured by the Congress Party. The total number of valid votes polled in favour of each contesting party is given below :

¹Report on General Elections in Punjab, 1957 (Chandigarh, 1959), p. 95).

Name of the party	Total number of valid votes polled	Percentage
Congress	4,76,434	51.93
Communist	3,30,806	36.07
Jan Sangh	1,10,157	12.00
Total	9,17,397	100.00

Punjab Vidhan Sabha¹

There were 6 constituencies consisting of 8 seats (including 2 couble-member constituencies) for the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in the district, viz. Phul, Faridkot, Jaitu, Bathinda, pakka Kalan (one reserved for the members of the Scheduled Castes) and Mansa (also one reserved for the members of the Scheduled Castes). From these constituencies, 7 Congress and 1 Independent candidates were elected. The total number of valid votes polled by each contesting party is as under :

Name of the party	Total number of valid votes polled	Percentage
Indian National Congress	2,10, 067	54.40
Communist Party of India	1,11,856	28.96
Praja Socialist Party	1,479	0.38
Independents	62,815	18.26
Total	3,86,217	100.00

¹Report on General Elections in Punjab, 1957 (Chandigarh, 1959, pp 127-128

Third General Elections, 1962.—A major improvement in the matter of elections in the State this time was with regard to the period of poll. While it took nearly 19 days to complete the poll during the second general elections, the poll this time was held and completed on a single day, i.e. on 24 February 1962, throughout the State except in Kulu and Seraj (now in Himachal Pradesh) constituencies where on account of the areas being snow-bound and inaccessible, the poll was deferred and held later towards the end of April. Punjab was the only State which had the distinction of having a single day poll both for the parliamentary and Assembly elections.

The second general elections were held on the balloting system of voting in completely closed compartments, one for the Parliamentary election and another for Assembly election, and an array of ballot boxes in each of them equal to the number of contesting candidates. This old balloting system was retained only in the remote and inaccessible Kulu and Seraj (now in Himachal Pradesh) constituencies. In all other constituencies in the State, the ‘Marking System of Voting’ was adopted.

The Parliament passed the Two-member Constituencies (Abolition) Act I of 1961 and abolished tow member constituencies for the Legislative Assemblies as well as the House of People. The Election Commission was empowered to divide double-member constituencies into single-member constituencies, delimit the extent, besides reserving seats for the members of he Scheduled Castes.

As a result of the bifurcation of the two-member constituencies, 22 Parliamentary constituencies and 154 Assembly constituencies were formed as against 17 Parliamentary (12 single-member and 5 two-member) and 121 Assembly (88 single-member and 33 two-member) constituencies. The delimitation of the constituencies, effected under the above Act resulted in the carving out of one Parliamentary and 8 Assembly constituencies, including 2 reserved for the members of Scheduled Castes in the Bathinda District. The stupendous task of holding simultaneous general elections, 1962, was completed throughout the State successfully and strictly according to schedule. The counting of votes with respect to 152 constituencies was started on 25 February and completed on 28 February 1962.

Out of a total population of 10,55,177 (1961 Census) of he district, the number of electors was 5,57,187.

Loc Sabha Constituencies¹

There was only one Lok Sabha Constituency in the district, viz. Bathinda, which was reserved for the members of the Scheduled Castes. From this constituency, Akali candidate was declared elected. The number of valid votes polled in favour of each contesting party is as under :

Name of the party	Total number of valid votes polled	Percentage
Akali Dal	1,64,155	52.78
Congress	1,96,134	34.12
Jan Sangh	40,755	13.10
Total	3,11,044	100.00

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Constituencies²

There were 8 constituencies (including 2 reserved constituencies) for the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in the district. The constituencies were Pakka Kalan (SC), Talwandi Sabo, Mansa, Budhlads (SC), Phul, Bathinda, Jaitu and Faridkot. From these constituencies, 3 Akali, 3 Congress and 2 Communist candidates were declared elected. The number of valid votes polled in favour of each contesting party was as under :

Name of the party	Total number of valid votes polled	Percentage
Congress	1,40,929	39.12
Akali Dal	96,141	26.70
Communist	71,469	19.84
Swatantra	22,485	6.24
Jan Sangh	19,073	5.30
Independents	10,116	2.80
Total	3,60,213	100.00

¹Report on General Elections in Punjab, 1962 (Chandigarh, 1963), p. 60

² Ibid, pp 74-75

Fourth General Elections, 1967.—The general elections held in 1967 were fourth in the country and first in the new Sate of Punjab which came into being after reorganization of Punjab on 1 November 1966. The delimitation of constituencies was done by the Delimitation Commission of India immediately after the formation of the present State of Punjab. For the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, 104 seats were provided under the Punjab Reorganization Act, 1966 and equal number of constituencies were delimited. According to the Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order, 1966, Bathinda was the only Lok Sabha Constituency in the district. The names of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha constituencies were Sardulgarh, Budhlada, Mansa, Talwandi Sabo, pakka Kalan, Bathinda, Phul, Nathana (SC), Kot Kanpura and Faridkot (SC).

The poll throughout the State was held on a single day on 19 February 1967. The counting was started on 21 February and completed on 24 February.

Out of a total population of 10,55,177 of the district, the number of electors was 6,09,527.

Lok Sabha Constituency¹

There was only one Lok Sabha Constituency in the district, viz. Bathinda. From this constituency, Akali Dal (Sant) candidate was declared elected. The number of valid votes polled in favour of each contesting party was as under :

¹ Report on General Elections in Punjab, 1967 (Chandigarh, 1963), p. 60

Name of the party	Total number of valid votes polled	Percentage
Akali Dal (Sant)	1,50,415	47.07
Indian National Congress	88,783	27.79
Jan Sangh	23,179	7.25
Akali Dal (Master)	22,576	7.07
Independents	34,598	10.82
Total	3,19,550	100.00

¹ Ibid, p. 63

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Constituencies¹

There were 10 Punjab Vidhan Sabha Constituencies (including 2 reserved for the members of the Scheduled Castes) in the district, viz. Sardulgarh, Budhlada, Mansa, Talwandi Sabo, Pakka Kalan, Bathinda, Phul, Nathana (Scheduled Castes), Kot Kapura and Faridkot (Scheduled Castes). From these constituencies, 6 Akali Dal, 2 Congress, 1 Communist Party and 1 Independent candidates were declared elected. The total number of valid votes polled in favour of each of the contesting parties in the district was as follows :-

Name of the party	Total number of valid votes polled	Percentage
Congress	1,45,824	36.57
Akali Dal (Sant)	1,41,501	35.48
Communist Party of India	32,391	8.12
Jan Sangh	13,666	3.43
Akali Dal (Master)	9,598	2.41
Swatantra	473	0.12
Independents including unrecognized parties	55,310	13.87
Total	3,98,763	100.00

¹ Ibid, p. 63

Mid-Term Poll 1969¹.—In the normal course, the tenure of the constituted Punjab Vidhan Sabha would have been for five years, i.e. upto 19 March 1972, as provided in Article 172 of the Constitution of India. The party position after the Fourth General Elections, 1967, was such that no single political party had absolute majority in the Vidhan Sabha of 104 members. The political parties, viz. the Akali Dal (Sant Group), the Jan Sangh, the Republican Party of India and the Right Communists joined together to form People’s United Front, which formed its Ministr on 8 March 1967. After some time, the game of defections started and the then Education Minister, defected alongwith a few other MLAs of the Akali Dal, and formed his ministry on 25 November 1967, with the support of some Independents and the Congress Legislative Party. The relationship between the Ministry and the Congress Party — its main supporter did not, however, continue to be smooth for long and ultimately, the Congress Party withdrew its support from the Ministry. This led to the tendering of resignation by the Chief Minister. As a result, a situation was created in which no single party or workable alliance of parties could provide a stable government. In these circumstances, under the recommendation of the Governor, Punjab, the President of India issued a proclamation on 23 August 1968, under Article 356 of the Constitution of India placing the State of Punjab under the President’s rule. Thus, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha constituted in 1967 stood dissolved necessitating a mid-term general elections so as to constitute a new Vidhan Sabha.

The poll throughout the State was held on a single day (9 Febryary 1969). The counting was started on 10 February and completed on 11 February. Out of the total popultion of 10,55,177 (1961 Census) of the district, the number of electors was 6,34,709.

¹ Report on the Mid-term General Elections to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, 1969 (Chandigarh, 1971), pp. 1, 46, 52-53

During the mid-term elections also, there were 10 Vidhan Sabha Constituencies in the district, viz. Sardulgarh, Budhlada, Mansa, Talwandi Sabo, Pakka Kalan, Bathinda, Phul, Nathana (SC), Kot Kapura, and Faridkot (SC). From these constituencies, 4 Congress, 5 Akali and 1 Communist candidates were elected. The total number of valid votes polled by each contesting party was as under :

Name of the party	Total number of valid votes polled	Percentage
Congress	1,92,189	42.66
Akali Dal	1,79,868	39.92
Communist Party of India	43,016	9.55
Independents	35,461	7.87
Total	4,50,534	100.00

Fifth General Elections to the Lok 1971¹—The fifth general elections to the House of the People in India were held in March 1971. There was only one Lok Sabha Constituency in the district, viz. Bathinda, from where candidate belonging to Communist Party of India was declared elected. The total population of the district was 10,55,177 (Census 1961), and the number of electors was 5,31,021. Out of these, 2,75,026 electors cast their votes. The total number of valid votes polled in favour of each contesting party in the district was as under :

Name of the party	Total number of valid votes polled	Percentage
Communist Party of India	1,38,092	51.46
Shiromani Akali Dal	1,19,769	44.63
Independents	10,501	3.91
Total	2,68,362	100.00

¹ Report on the Fifth General Elections to the House of People in India (Delhi, 1973, pp 366, 469

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