Employees’
State Insurance Scheme.—This scheme is run under the Employees’ State
Insurance Act, 1948 by the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation, Chandigarh.
It was introduced in the State in 1953. It provides protection to employees
working in factories, using power and employing 10 or more persons, and
factories, establishments/shops not using power employing 20 or more persons.
Under
this scheme, medical care is provided to the workers through the Employees’
State Insurance dispensaries. For outdoor and indoor patients, hospital
facilities are available. Medical aid to the family members of the workers is
also provided.
A
number of benefits are provided to the workers under the scheme. A worker is
entitled to get cash payment for 91 days as sickness benefit in two consecutive
benefit periods in case the sickness is duly certified by the IMO/IMP to
compensate the loss of wages suffered on account of absentation from work.
Besides, the Extended Sickness Benefit is available to an insured persons in
case of long-term diseases at the rate of 25 per cent more than the sickness
benefit for 124 days or 309 days in accordance with the disease. Insured
persons undergoing rilization under the family planning programme are entitled
to cash benefit and leave upto 7 days for vasectomy and 14 days for tubectomy.
This may alsobe extended to 14 days and 21 days, respectively as sequence to
post-operative complications. The female workers are enttitled to cash payment
as maternity benefit for confinement, premature birth of child or miscarriage.
The additional maternity benefit for 30 daysis admissible on account of
sickness arising out of confinement or pregnancy. The insured person who
sustains employment injury is entitled to get cash payment at the rate of 40
per cent more than the standard sickness benefit. This benefit is available as
long as the temporary disablement lasts. Periodical cash benefit payments to
the insured persons suffering loss of earning capacity as a result of
employment injury are available under this head. Commutation of such payment is
allowed if the Permanent Disablement Benefit rate of the worker is upto Rs 1.50
per day. In the event of the death of insured person as a result of employment
injury, the dependents are entitled to periodical cash benefit payments. A sum
not exceeding Rs 500 is paid as a lump sum grant to defray the funeral expenses
of the deceased insured person. Insured persons are provided artificial limbs
in case of loss of limbs due to employment injury. Hearing aids, spectacles and
dentures are also provided to the insured persons where loss of hearing
impairment of eye-sight or loss of teeth are due to employment injury. Besides,
miscellaneous benefits have also been provided such as payment of conveyance
charges and loss of wages in certain cases and remittance of money order
without deduction of money order commission, etc. is also available to insured
persons.
This
Scheme functions under the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation which has its
Headquarters at New Delhi. It is under the administrative control of the
Director General, Employees’ State Insurance Corporation, New Delhi. The Scheme
is executed in the State through the Regional Director, Employees’ State
Insurance Corporation, Chandigarh, who inspects factories, collects
contributing and arranges payment of cash benefits.
This
Scheme has been implemented in the Patiala District at seven centres, viz.
Patiala, Nabha and Kakrala, Bahadurgarh, Rajpura, Bhankerpur, Mandi Gobindgarh
and Sirhind. By 31 March 1989, it convered 28,400 employees working in
factories/ establishments. The number of employees covered centrewise in the
district on this date are as under :
|
Name of the Centre |
Number of employees covered |
|
Patiala |
2,700 |
|
Nabha and Kakrala |
1,600 |
|
Bahadurgarh |
3,050 |
|
Rajpura |
7,650 |
|
Bhankerpur |
2,500 |
|
Mandi Gobindgarh |
10,500 |
|
Sirhind |
400 |
(Source : Regional Director,
Employees’ State Insurance Corporation, Chandigarh)
Like
other district of the State, Patiala is not a dry district. On 31 March 1989,
there were 158 country liquor vends and 50 foreign liquor vends in the
district.
The
Patiala District falls under the jurisdiction of Deputy Excise and Taxation
Commissioner, Patiala Division, Patiala. The Assistant Excise and Taxation
Commissioner, Patiala, administers the Excise and Opium Acts in the district.
He is assisted by 16 Excise and Taxation Officers, who perform various types of
jobs, i.e. Sales Tax, Passenger and Goods Tax, Excise Tax, etc. Out of these,
one Excise and Taxation Officer (Excise) has exclusively been deputed for the
implementation of Excise and Opium Acts in the district. He is assisted by 9
Excise Inspectors, 1 Assistant and 4 Clerks, besides, other miscellaneous Class
IV staff.
(b)
Advancement
of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes
To
eradicate poverty and uplift of the Scheduled Castes, and Backward Classes, the
programme for the welfare of these classes was inititated in the district in
1949 when the department of Welfare of Scheduled Castes was set up in the
erstwhile PEPSU. The department was further strengthened by formulating various
welfare schemes for these classes. The department co-ordinates and devises
schemes and programmes to improve socio-economic status and position of the
members of the Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes.
Scheduled
Castes and Backward Classes.—According to 1981 Census, the number of
Scheduled Castes persons was 3,47,102 (1,86,619 males, 1,60,483 females)
forming 22.12 per cent of the total population of the district. Out of these,
2,97,658 (1,59,981 males, 1,37,677 females) lived in rural areas and 49, 444
(26,638 males, 22,806 females) in urban areas.
A list
of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and Vimukh Jatis inhabiting the district
alongwith their main professions is given in Appendix II at the end of this
Chapter on pages 582-585.
Measures
Adopted for the betterment of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes.—From
the begginning of the First Five Year Plan (1951-56), as per the general policy
of the Government, efforts were made for improving the economic and social
conditions of the Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes.
Under Articles
330 of the Constitution of India, provision has been made for reservation of
seats for the Scheduled Castes in the Parliament and in the State Legislatures
on the basis of their population. The provision for reservation of seats was
made for a period of 10 years, from the date India became a Republic (26
January 1950). This has further been extended upto 1990, each time for a period
of 10 years. A number of seats have been reserved for these communities in the
panchayats, panchayat samitis and zila parishads. In order to provide
employment to educated boys and girls of these classes, 25 per cent vacancies
have been reserved for the Scheduled Castes and 5 per cent for the Backward
Classes in all Government departments and establishments at the time of direct
recruitment. The members of Scheduled Castes also enjoy certain relaxations
with regard to age, qualification, experience, etc. There is also a provision
for reservation in promotion-20 per cent in Class III and IV, and 14 per cent
in Class I & II for the Scheduled Castes.
The
District Welfare Officer, Patiala is responsible for the implementation of
welfare schemes for the Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes at the district
level. He is assisted by 4 Tahsil Welfare Officers, 1 Superintendent, 3 Assistants-cum-Accountants,
7 Clerks, 9 Lady Social Workers, 1 Lady Supervisor, 2 Instructors, 13
Nurses-cum-Lay Attendants, besides other Class IV staff.
The
details of various sechemes which are being implemented for ameliorating the
lot of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes are given below:
Social
Welfare Schemes
The
schemes formulated and implemented by the Welfare Department for the benefit of
Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes in the Patiala District are as under :
Subsidy
for the Construction of New Houses for Scheduled Castes and Vimukt Jatis.-Under
this scheme, subsidies are given for the construction of new houses to those
members of the Scheduled of new houses to those members of the Scheduled Castes
and Vimukt Jatis who have no dwelling places and are unable to build houses due
to their poverty.Such houses are constructed in the from of colonies. A sum of
Rs 5,000 is granted as housing subsidy
in one case. The amount of subsidy granted and number of beneficiareies under
this scheme in the district, during 1981-82 to 1988-89,
Construction
of Houses.- Most of the people belonging to Scheduled Castes Community are
engaged in unclean profession like sweeping, scavenging, scavenging, leather
tanning , flaying , etc. Under this scheme , Rs 2,000 was granted as subsidy
for the construction of a pucca house. The subsidy has now been increased from
Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 per house.
The
amount disbursed and number of beneficiaries under this scheme from
1981-82 to 1988-89 , are given below:
Construction
of Dharmshalas.—The economic condition of the Scheduled
Castes in general is poor and they are not in a position to construct their
dharmshalas for their social gathering . Keeping in view, the Government during
1969-70 introduced a scheme ‘Construction’ of dharmshalas’ in the bastis of
Scheduled Castes. Under this scheme , an amount of Rs 5,000 was granted as
subsidy for the construction of a dharmshalas. This amount was raised to Rs
7,000 during 1974-75 and still further to Rs 10,000 in 1978-79.
The amount disbursed under this
scheme and number of dharmshala constructed in the district, during 1981-82 to
1988-89, are given below:
Drinking
Water Scheme.- Under this scheme , where there is scarcity of drinking water
in the bastis of Scheduled Castes, an amount of Rs 900 for the installation of
hand-pump, Rs 4,000 for the sinking of well and Rs 1,000 for the repair of well
is provided by the Welfare Department.
The amount disbursed and the number
of hand-pumps installed and well sunk/repaired under this scheme from 1981-82
to 1988-89, are given below:
Grant
for the Purchase of Books and Stationery to Scheduled Caste Students.- This
scheme was introduced in 1976-77. Under this scheme, books and stationery are
supplied free of cost to Scheduled Caste students studying 1st to 10th
class, because they are generally financially weak and cannot afford to
purchase books , etc. for the continuance of their studies. The books are
provided to the Scheduled Caste students through District Welfare Officer, Patiala in the Government as well
as recognised schools of the district.
Under this scheme, books amounting to
Rs 23.56 lakhs were supplied to 75,000 Scheduled Caste students during 1988-89.
Special
Employment Cell.- With a view to providing due
representation in service to members of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes
and to ensure employment to the educated and suitable unemployed persons of
these castes and classes, the Punjab Government set up a Special Employment
Cell in 1970. No vacancy or post which is reserved for members of Scheduled
Castes/Backward Classes can be filled or unreserved without obtaining a
non-availability certificate from this Cell. These classes also enjoy age
relaxation concession in regard to recruitment to services.
The District Welfare Officer, Patiala
registers the names of unemployed Scheduled Caste educated persons and helps in
getting them adjusted in service.
Community
Centres.- With a view to eradicating untouchability and promoting social
intercourse , the scheme of Community Centres was started in the State in
1956-57. Harijan children and women are brought together alongwith others for
education and vocational training in community centres set up in villages which
are mainly inhabited by the Scheduled Castes. The department of Welfare of
Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes ,
Punjab, is running 9 community centres at Davali(Nabha), Tarkhan
Majra(Fatehgarh Sahib), Nagri(Samana) Chhat(Rajpura), Chalela(Fatehgarh Sahib),
Bahadurgarh(Patiala), Tafazalpura (Patiala) , Bhankarpur(Rajpura) and Nalebi
(Fatehgarh Sahib) in the Patiala District. Each community centre is manned by a
Lady Social Worker and a Lady Attendant who are usually trained in maternity
techniques and as such handle maternity cases free of charge. The programmes
are so arranged that the centre is used by the children, men and women at
different times of the day. The Children of age group’0-6’ years are taught
cleanliness, songs, games, good behaviour and good home-nursing, tailoring and
embroidry. Arrangements are also made for imparting adult education to men and
women. The Government provides a subsidy of Rs,2,000 to the village panchayat
for the construction of a community centre.
Opening
of Creshes for the Children of Working Mothers(Sweepers and Scavenger).-
Introduced in 1976- 77, the scheme aims at providing day care to the children
of Scheduled Casts who are in the age group of ‘0-6’ years and whose mothers go
out for work.These creches are under the supervision of trained Lady
Supervisors assisted by two helper. Free supplementrary diet is provided to the
children.
Scholarship
Scheme.- This scheme has been introduced to encourage education among the
Scheduled Castes. Under it, students get scholarship from 6th class
to M A classes to meet their education expenses and the students are eligible
for scholarship, whose parents income is between Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000 per
annum. This scheme is implemented at the school level by the District Education
Officer (Secondary) and at college level by the Director Public Instructions,
(Colleges) Punjab, Chandigarh.
Stenography
Training to the Members of Scheduled Castes.- This scheme was
introduced in the State in March 1980. It aims at providing adequate
representation to members of the Scheduled Castes in the cadre of Stenographers
and Steno-typists in the Punjab Civil Secretariat and other offices of the
State Government . The persons who are otherwise qualified in the trade are
given special training so that they come up to the required standard. The
scheme is implemented through the Language Department . A stipend of Rs 100 is
given during training to such Scheduled Castes persons who are unemployed.
During 1988-89, there were 15
students getting training under this scheme in the district.
Scholarship
to Brilliant Student.- This scheme has been introduced by the
Social Welfare Department to create competitive spirit among the Scheduled
Castes student. Under this scheme, Rs 25 as scholarship are granted to 3 male
and 3 female Scheduled Castes brilliant students who stand first, second and
third in 5th and 8th class examinations in each block for
3 and 2 years, respectively.
Enviromental
Improvement of Harijan Bastis.- The
Harijan bastis are generally located in unhealthy areas and are thus breeding
ground for flies, mosquitoes which result in epidemics. In order to improve
theliving conditions of the bastis, this scheme was started during 1972-73. It
includes pavement of streets, and construction of drains for avoiding the
formation of dirty ponds of stagnant water which pollute the environment of the
bastis. The amount disbursed under the scheme and number of villages, where
streets and drains have been
constructed in the district, during 1981-82 to 1988-89, are given below:
(c)
Other
Social Welfare Activities
Social
Welfare Department formulates various welfare scheme for socially and
economically weaker sections. It has been assisting institutional as well as
nonintitutional services for children, the blind, deaf and dumb and other
under-privileged and maladjusted groups, Some schemes such as old age pension
scheme, financial assistance to dependent children scheme were started. These
scheme have been decentralized from 1 November 1980 and the District Social
Welfare Officers have been appointed in all the districts under the supervision
of Deputy Commissioners. The payments to the beneficiaries are made by the
District Social Welfare Officer through banks, The important schemes,
functioning in the Patiala District are detailed below:
Old
Age Pension Scheme.- This scheme was started in the district in
January 1964. Under this scheme, aged and infirm destitute persons, above 65
years in the case of men and above 60 years in the case of women, with no means
of livelihood and earning sons, are provided monetary assitance of Rs 50 per
month, which is remitted quarterly , through bank. Persons suffering from
permanent disability are allowed relaxation of 10 years in the lower age limit.
The amount disbursed under the scheme
and the number of beneficiaries , during 1981-82 to 1988-89, are given below:
Financial
Assitance to Widows and Destitute Women.- This scheme was started
in the State in January 1968. Under this scheme , financial assistance is
provided to needy widows and destitute women below the age of 60 years, who
have been left without any means of subsistance after the demise of their
husbands, or whose husbands are physically or mentally incapable of earning
livelihood. The rate of assistance is Rs 50 per month per head.
The amount disbursed under the scheme
and the number of beneficaries in the district, during 1981-82 to 1988-89, are
given below:
Financial
Assitance to Dependant Children.- This scheme was started in the State in
March 1968. It aims to providing relief 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 incurrable disease or permanent physical
disability.
In the case of more than one
deserving children in a family, preference in the grant of financial assistance
is given to school going children, in order to encourage parents to educate
their children. The rate of financial assistance is Rs 50 per month per head.
The amount disbursed under the scheme and the number of beneficiaries in the
district, during 1981-82, are given below:
Financial
Assistance to Disabled Persons.-The Government have introduced a scheme in
which finanical assistance is provided to disabled persons whom a medical
officer not below the rank of Assistant Surgeon, certifies that the person
concerned is permanently incapacitated to earn. The disabled persons included
in this category are blind, deaf and dumb , orthopaedically handicapped, etc.
who by reason of their severe degree of disablity, have become permanently
incapacitated or are severely retarted
due to physical defect or deformity and are dependent on others. These disabled
persons may be considered eligible for financial assistance if they fulfill the
required conditions laid down by the Department.
The amount disbursed under the scheme
and the number of beneficiaries in the district, during 1981-82 to 1988-89, are
given below:
Special
Nutrition Programme.- The State Government is implementing a
Special Nutrition Scheme, under which protein diet is provided to children in
the age group of 0-6 years and
expectant and nursing mothers, living in urban slum areas of the state. In
Patiala District , two centres are functioning at Mandi Gobindarh and Amloh .
The diet is supplied to the children and expectant and nursing mothers 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.
The amount disbursed under the scheme
in the district, during 1988-89, was Rs 2,37,716.
Family
and Children Welfare Projects.- There are five projects functioning in the State, out of these one is at samana in the Patiala
District. This project caters to the needs of children (upto 5 years of age)
and women living in rural areas. Children are provided pre-school education.
They are served refreshment while in the balwadis. Camps are arragned for girls
and women in rural areas, where home craft, mother craft, poultry , dairy
keeping , etc. are taught to women.
The amount disbursed under the scheme
and the number of beneficiaries in the district , during 1981-82 to 1988-89,
are given below:
Scholarship
to the Physically Handicapped.- This scheme was started during 1970-71 .
Under it, scholarships are provided to physically handicapped students for
undergoing various educational courses and vocational training. Persons in the
age group of 6-30 years, who are orthopaedically handicapped , or are deaf and
dumb or blind and the income of whose parents/guardians is less than Rs 450 per
month are given scholarship ranging from Rs 15 per month to Rs 100 per month
each according to the standard of education/training.
The amount disbursed, under the
scheme and the number of beneficiaries in Patiala district, during 1981-82 to
1988-89 , are given below:
Supply
of Prosthetic Aids to the Handicapped.- This scheme was started by the State
Government in the year 1968-69 . It aims at providing artificial limbs to the
orthopaedically handicapped persons, to enable them to lead a normal life. The
Government pays for the cost of limbs
according to the income of the applicant.
The amount disbursed under the scheme
and the number of beneficiaries in Patiala District, during 1981-82 to 1988-89,
are given below:
Financial
Assistance to victims of Chronic Disease.- This scheme was started
in 1974-75 . It aims at providing financial assistance upto Rs 100 per month
per head to patients of chronic disease discharged from hospitals to enable
them to continue treatment and special diet at home. A person who is suffering
from a chronic disease like T B, leprosy , etc, or is mentally ill and is not
in a position to bear the cost of medicines, drugs, is eligible for the grant of financial assitance on the
recommendations of the Civil Surgeon of the district , provided the annual in
come of the family does not exceed Rs 3000 per
annum from all sources.
The amount disbursed under the scheme
and the number of beneficiaries in Patiala District, during 1981-82 to 1988-89
, are given below:
Financial
Assitance to Victims of Riots.—This scheme was started with a view to
providing financial assistance to the victims of riots for grant of pension to
widows. Financial assistance of Rs 250 per month per widows 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 1986-87 to 1988-89, are
given below:
Financial
Assistance to widows whose Husbands were Killed by Terrorists._ This scheme was introduced in August 1982.
Under this scheme , financial assistance of Rs 250 per month per widow is given.
The amount disbursed under this
scheme and the number of beneficiaries in the district, during 1986-87 to
1988-89 are given below:
(d)
Public
Trusts , Charitable Endowments and Muslim Wakfs
Voluntary or charitable organizations play an
important role in the society in various spheres such as social , religious ,
educational , etc. Public and charitable endowments fall among these categories
of organizations. The finances are either derived from contributions or
propoerties, etc. attached to them.
Muslim
Wakfs.- Besides public trusts and endowments, there are Muslim wakfs
which endeavour for the advancement of society in various fields. The number of
wakfs in Patiala District is more than 2,200 and some of them have attached
property. Prior to 1961, the administration and properties of these wakfs were
maintained by the Rehablitation Department , Government of India. It isnow
regulated under the Central Wakfs Act, 1954 by the Punjab Wakfs Board,with
headquarters at Ambala Cantonment.
The annual income from the wakf
properties in the Patiala District is Rs, 7,37,307 ,which is spent for the
development of wakfs as well as institutions run by them.
The staff of the Punjab Wakf Board,
employed to look after the muslim wakf properties in the Patiala District
consists of 3 Estate Officers, 6Rent collectors, 1legal Clerk , 2 kanungos, 22
Imans, 8 Mozzans, 6 khadims and 7 Peons.
CHAPTER
XVIII
PUBLIC
LIFE AND VOLUNTARY SOCIAL SERVICE
ORGANIZATIONS
|
v Representation of the District in the State and the Union
Legislatures |
(a)
Representation
of the District in the State and the Union Legislatures
Historical Background.- Most of
the present area of the Patiala District formed part of the Patiala State. The
ruleres of this State had always tried to keep their subjects insulated agianst
the infiltration of any political ideas through various agencies. The ruleres
always disseminated the philosphy of Divine Rights of Kings among the people.
No Attempt was ever made to provide educational facilities to the people lest
they should get enlightened and rice in revolt against their autocracy even the
few citizens of this state who occasionally purchased a daily newspaper to keep
themsleves abreast of the happenings outside the State were specially watched
by the intelligent employees of the rulers and they were considered to be
suspects and dangerous. Organization in the State did not even give an
opportunity to their subjects to manage their civic affairs, although in the
adjoining areas which were at that time under the british rule, the facility of
the local-self government had been extended to the people.
Before 1938, the people of this
district,it could be said, had been completely insulated against the spread of
any political philosophy. In 1938 , the holding of the All-India States
People’s Conference at Ludhiana , under the chairmanship of Pandit Jawahar Lal
Nehru, brought a change in the political climate in these princely District
felt encouraged to assert their political rights. An organizations under the
name of Praja Mandal joined mostly by the tenants of big landlords and some
intellectuals from amongst the practising lawyers and doctors in the princely
state, was formed and its members met at irregular intervals and too often
underground. The Political philosophy of these people was very simple and
clear. They wanted to be released from bondage of autocracy so that they could
make progress in agricultural and industrial fields . In 1948 , the Praja
Mandal was converted into a unit of the Indian National Congress . Some members
veered towards communism, Akali Dal and some patronised Jan Sangh.
Since the accession of the states
into the Indian Union after Independence, and the formation of Patiala and East
Punjab states Union (PEPSU) in 1948 and later on its merger into Punjab on 1
November 1956, many changes have taken place. People are enjoying the same
political , social and economic rights as had been enjoyed by the people in the
adjoining areas of the Indian Union. The facility of self-government has been
extended to the people and they have been brought under a responsible
government headed by their elected representatives both in the state and at the
Centre.
General
Elections held under the Constitution of India.- Under
the Government of India Act,1919 , the universal adult franchise had limited
role to play. It was 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 5,000 were entitled to vote for the Council of States. The
franchise was also bestowed for special personal qualifications such as past or
present membership of a Legislative Assembly was also based on property
qualification and varied from province to province. The payment of municipal
taxes amounting 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
assessment to land revenue for Rs 50 to 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 considerably. The women and the depressed classes were also made
eligible to become voters. In this way, about 15 per cent of the total
population of the provinces was enfranchised. It is , however , said that 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 new Constitution of India which
came into force on 26 January 1950 has made a clean sweep of the postulate of
communal electorates for all adult tuted in its place common electorate for all
adult citizens of India. Article 326 of the Constitution provides that
elections to the House of People (Lok Sabha) and to the Legislative Assembly
(Vidhan Sabha) of every state shall be on the basis of universal adult
franchise. Every Indian citizen, who is not less than 21* years of age, is
entitled tovote, if he is not , otherwise disqualified. Till 1989, nine general
elections have been held in the country. The phenomenal success of these
elections characterized by smooth progress of voting, is a proof of the spirit of the masses to adjust themselves to a
democratic way of life.
India ,under the Constitution , is a
Union of States and territories. The
Constitution lays down that the members of the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan
Sabha) of each State shall be chosen by direct election from territorial
constituencies in the State. The Constitution does not specify the actual
number of seats in a particular State Assembly . It is fixed by the Parliament
under the Representation of People’s Act, 1951.
The Punjab State had bicameral
legislature comprising Legislature
comprising Legislative Assembly (vidhan Sabha) and Legislative Council
(Vidhan Parishad) , but the latter was abolished in 1969 for effecting economy
in State expenditure. Thus, from 1969 the Punjab legislature is unicameral.
Previously , it consisted of 104 members, but its strength was raised to 117 in
1975. No person is eligible to be chosen to fill a seat in the Vidhan Sabha,
unless he is a citizen of India and not less than 25 years of age and possesses
such other qualifications as prescribed in the Representation of People’s Act,
1951 , and also does not suffer from any of the stipulated disqualifications.
First
General Elections,1951-52.- As in the rest of India , the district of
Patiala of the erstwhile PEPSU went to polls for the first time in 1951-52 when
the first general elections were held. Franchise was open to every adult not
suffering from any disqualification.
Parliamentary
Constituency
There was only one Parliamentary constituency
in the district, viz. Patiala. The
Congress candidate was declared elected from this constituency . The total
number of electors in the district was 3,67,485. The total number of valid votes polled by each contesting party is
given below: