(c) Other Source of
Revenue, State and Central
(i)
Other Sources of State Revenue
Besides
Land revenue, the other sources of State revenue are; Stamp Duty, Registration
Fee, Excise Tax, Motor Sprit Tax, Urban Immovable Property Tax, Sales Tax,
Passengers and Goods Tax, Entertainments Tax, Entertainments, Duty, Central
Sales Tax, Electricity Duty and Copying fee.
Stamp
Duty- Prior to Independence, the Indian Stamp Act
(No.II) of 1899 was in force in the erstwhile princely state of Malerkotla. It
was, however, not adopted by the other princely states of Jind and Patiala. In
Jind, state Act, 1875, and in Patiala State, the Patiala Stamp Act which was
introduced in 1868, were in force. The Indian stamp act (No.II) of 1899,
amended by the Punjab Act VIIIof 1922 and the Indian Stamp (Punjab Second
Amendment) Act (No. 34) of 1960 is applicable in the whole state.
In
Nabha Princely State, impressed non-judicial sheets of foolscap size were
issued by the State. The value of sheets being annas 1, 2, 4 and 8 and Rs 1, 2,
4, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500.
Stamp
revenue (duty) is derived from the sale of non-judicial stamps or revenue
stamps.
The
judicial or court fee stamps are sold under the Court Fee Act, 1870. This Act
requires the Collector (Deputy Commissioner) to ensure that the documents are
properly stamped according to the schedule (the schedule forms part of the
Act).
The
total income realized in the district from the sale of non-judicial stamps and
miscellaneous stamps, etc. during 1973-74 to 1977-78, is as under:
|
Year |
Miscellaneous Stamps (Rs) |
Non-Judicial Stamps (Rs) |
Total (Rs) |
|
1973-74 |
7,91,770 |
55,69,825 |
63,61,595 |
|
1974-75 |
8,30,374 |
83,79,324 |
92,09,698 |
|
1975-76 |
9,28,117 |
80,56,943 |
89,85,060 |
|
1976-77 |
8,75,897 |
93,01,449 |
1,01,77,346 |
|
1977-78 |
11,84,068 |
1,25,43,998 |
1,37,28,066 |
(Source: Treasury Officer, Sangrur)
Registration
Fee. The Indian
Registration Act, 1908, requires compulsory registration on all documents
pertaining to immovable property and provides optional registration in case of
other documents. The chief items of receipts collected by the Registration
Department are in respect of registration of document, making or granting of
copies, searching or registers powers of attorney, etc.
|
Year |
No.
of Registrations of Property
|
Aggregate value of
property Transferred (000, Rs) |
||||||||
|
No. of Registration |
Immovable
Property
|
Movable property |
Grand Total |
Immovable property |
Movable Property |
Total |
Total Receipts (000, Rs) |
|||
|
Compulsory |
Optional |
Total |
||||||||
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
|
1973-74 |
8 |
17,925 |
9 |
17,934 |
681 |
18,615 |
1,15,223 |
239 |
1,15,462 |
1,288 |
|
1974-75 |
8 |
18,104 |
5 |
18,109 |
767 |
18,876 |
1,34,394 |
1 |
1,34,295 |
1,618 |
|
1975-76 |
10 |
19,965 |
6 |
19,971 |
1,015 |
20,986 |
1,91,966 |
59 |
1,92,025 |
2,153 |
|
1976-77 |
10 |
21,299 |
2 |
21,301 |
662 |
21,963 |
1,85,495 |
277 |
1,85,722 |
1,961 |
|
1977-78 |
10 |
22,041 |
7 |
22,048 |
-- |
22,048 |
2,17,545 |
--- |
2,17,545 |
2,228 |
(Statistical Abstracts of Punjab, 1974 to
1979)
Excise
Tax. The State
and Central Excise Acts enforced in the Punjab are: The Punjab Excise Act,
1914; the Punjab Local Option Act, 1923; the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1930; the
Punjab Molasses Control Act, 1948; The Indian Power Alcohal Act, 1948 and the
Medicinal and Toilet Preparations (Excise duties) Act, 1955.
General
Sales Tax. It is
levied under the Punjab General Sales Tax Act, 1948, which replaced the Punjab
General Sales Tax Act of 1941.
Passengers
and Goods Tax. It
is levied under the Punjab Passengers and goods Tax Act, 1952, on all fares
and freights in respect of passengers carried and goods transported in motor
vehicles in the State. The rate of tax has been increased from time to time.
According to Punjab Government notification No. C.S.R. 42/ P.A. 16/52/S. 22/Amd
(14) 78, dated 6 April 1978, it was 35 per cent of the fare/freight. In the
same year, the annual rate of tax per truck was Rs 1,050 in the plains and Rs 135
per anum in the hilly areas in the Punjab. The notification No. GSR 34/P.A.
16/52/Ss. 22 and 4/Amd. (16)/82, dated 21 June 1982 effective from 1 July 1982
raised the annual rate of tax per truck in the plains from Rs 1050 to 1,100.
Entertainments
Tax It is levied
under the Punjab Entertainments Tax (Cinematograph Shows) Act, 1954, for every
show on the number of occupied seats of a cinema. According to Punjab
Government Notification No. S. O. 23/ P. A. 8/54/S. 3/78 dated 3 May 1978 the
rtax shall not exceed Rs. 150 per show in any case and shall be charged
proportionately for a fraction of 100 seats.
Entertainments
Duty. It is
levied under the Punjab Entertainments Duty Act, 1955, which repealed the
Punjab Entertainment Duty Act, 1936. The rates of duty change from time to
time. According to Punjab Government, Excise & Taxation Department
Notification No. S. O. 23/ P. A. 16/55/S. 3/78 dated 3 May 1978 the rate of
entertainments duty including that on complimentary tickets, shall be 125 per
centum of the payment for admission to any entertainment to which persons are
ordinarily admitted on payment.
Central
Sales Tax. The
Central Sales Tax Act, 1956, came into force in January 1957, enabling the
State Government of tax inter-state sales of goods. The State have been
authorized to administer this tax of behalf of the Government of India, the
entire collection being appropriated by the State.
Electricity
Duty. It is
levied under the Punjab Electricity (Duty) Act, 1958, to meet the additional
financial burden undertaken by the State on account of introduction of free
education and provincialization of local body schools. The duty is levied on
the energy supplied by the Punjab State Electricity Board to a consumer or a
licencee and it is collected by the Board along with the bills for the energy
thus supplied.
Copying
Fee. It is
charged under the Punjab Copying Fee Act, 1936, for copies or orders, etc.
supplied to the public. The charges vary for supplying copies on ordinary and
urgent basis.
The
collection from the taxes mentioned above, in the district during 1973-74 to
1977-78 are given in the following statement:
|
S. No. Tax |
1973-74
(Rs) |
1974-75 (Rs) |
1975-76 (Rs) |
1976-77 (Rs) |
1977-78 (Rs) |
|
1 Excise Tax |
2,97,17,533 |
3,55,35,820 |
4,06,00,820 |
4,07,85,455 |
5,36,97,501 |
|
2 Motor Spirit Tax |
26,74,788 |
15,29,142 |
1,402 |
|
|
|
3 Urban Immovable property Tax |
32,903 |
5,429 |
331 |
|
|
|
4 Punjab General Sales Tax |
2,15,16,173
|
2,42,31,357 |
2,25,95,688 |
3,34,49,573 |
3,04,57,604 |
|
5 Passengers and Goods Tax |
74,26,699 |
94,61,277 |
08,25,988 |
1,21,07,463 |
1,38,15,363 |
|
6 entertainment Tax |
97,381 |
1,03,338 |
1,25,607 |
1,26,698 |
1,38,634 |
|
7 Entertainments Duty |
12,15,997 |
28,56,551 |
18,27,059 |
22,08,450 |
23,16,130 |
|
8 Central Sales Tax |
45,03,059 |
41,77,236 |
43,26,728 |
28,40,613 |
37,52,134 |
|
9 Electricity Duty |
9,16,263 |
11,15,488 |
15,89,179 |
21,34,996 |
31,71,342 |
|
10 Copying Fee |
37,019 |
42,639 |
49,909 |
47,090 |
45,425 |
(Source: Assistant Excise and Taxation
Commissioner, Sangrur; Executive Engineer, Punjab State Electricity Board
Sangrur Division, Sangrur; Barnala Division, Barnala, Sunam Division, Sunam and
Malerkotla Division, Malerkotla and Deputy Commissioner, Sangrur)
(ii) Central Source of Revenue
Central
Excise Duties.
The Assistant Collector, Central Excise Division, Patiala, is the overall
incharge of the Sangrur Range with headquarters at Patiala. He is assisted by
an Inspector Central Excise, Dhuri.
The
main sources of Central Excise Duty in the Sangrur District are: iron and steel
products, khandsari, sugar, internal combustion engines, electric
motors, tobacco, chewing tabacco, power driven pumps, electric fans, electric
wires, and cables, sodium silicate, paper, asbestos, cement products, snuff,
etc.
Income
taxIt is levied under
the Income Tax Act, 1961, which replaced the Indian Income-tax Act, 1922, on 1
April 1962. The rate of income-tax varies from year to year in accordance with
the Finance Act passed by the parliament every year.
Wealth
Tax: -- It is
levied under the Wealth Tax Act, 1957, which came into force from 1 April 1957.
It is chargeable on the net wealth of an individual and Hindu Undivided Family.
Gift
Tax. The tax is
levied under the Gift Tax Act, 1958, on all gifts made after date of the
enforcement of the Act (i.e. 1 April 1958), if the total value of the Gift
(movable or immovable) exceeds the limit specified by the Finance Act passed by
the Parliament in a particular year.
Estate Duty. -- The duty is levied
under the Estate Duty Act, 1953. It is leviable on the estates of persons dying
after this date. The Sangrur District falls under the jurisdiction of Assistant
controller of Estate Duty, Patiala, for the levy this duty.
The
collections from the Central sources of revenue in the district, from 1973-74
to 1977-78 are given below:
|
Year |
Central Excise Duties (Rs) |
Income-tax (Rs) |
Wealth-Tax (Rs) |
Gift Tax (Rs) |
Estate Duty (Rs) |
|
1973-74 |
48,91,469 |
29,27,000 |
2,13,000 |
4,82,000 |
2,34,000 |
|
1974-75 |
49,16,900 |
94,16,000 |
2,57,000 |
4,54,000 |
1,31,000 |
|
1975-76 |
77,66,558 |
90,65,000 |
3,05,000 |
2,56,000 |
1,47,000 |
|
1976-77 |
68,38,018 |
93,24,000 |
4,25,000 |
2,45,000 |
1,25,000 |
|
1977-78 |
59,17,322 |
1,03,16,000 |
5,02,000 |
1,83,000 |
1,28,000 |
(Source; Income tax Officers,
Sangrur, Barnala and Malerkotla; Superintendent, Central Excise, Patiala and
Inspector Central Excise, Dhuri; and Assistant Controller of Estate Duty,
Patiala)
CHAPTER XII
|
|
Contents |
|
Ψ
|
|
|
Ψ
|
|
|
Ψ
|
|
|
Ψ
|
|
|
Ψ
|
(a) Incidence
of Crime in the District
The
people of the Sangrur District have almost the same characteristics as their
counterparts in the adjoining districts of Patiala, Ludhiana, Faridkot and
Bathinda. The crime statistics indicate that the total number of criminal cases
registered in the district has increased from 3,541 in 1974 to 4,058 in 1978.
In spite of the fact that the population of the district has increased
considerably, the incidence of murder is on the decline. As compared to 66
murders in 1974, there were 50 such cases in 1978. During the year 1978, there
was no case of dacoity, robbery, or traffic in women. There were 99 cases of
burglary in 1978 as compared to 104 in 1974. In the district, there are few
cases of rioting, cattle lifting and cheating. However, the incidence of crime
has increased under the local and special laws was 3,234 in 1978 as compared to
2,626 in 1974. A comparative study of incidence of crime reveals that on the
whole people of the district are law-abiding.
Trend
of the various crimes committed in the district during 1974 to 1978 may be
indicated from the following table:
|
Year |
Murder |
Dacoity |
Robbery |
Burglary |
Rioting |
Theft |
Cattle
lifting |
Traffic
in women |
Cheating |
Offences
under local and Special laws |
Others |
Total |
|
1974 |
66 |
--- |
3 |
104 |
3 |
164 |
3 |
--- |
15 |
2,626 |
557 |
3,541 |
|
1975 |
58 |
--- |
1 |
84 |
4 |
147 |
-- |
--- |
22 |
3,049 |
511 |
3,879 |
|
1976 |
39 |
1 |
2 |
62 |
--- |
100 |
4 |
--- |
16 |
3,409 |
363 |
3,996 |
|
1977 |
48 |
--- |
3 |
106 |
9 |
131 |
1 |
--- |
25 |
3,334 |
466 |
4,123 |
|
1978 |
50 |
--- |
--- |
99 |
-- |
120 |
6 |
--- |
24 |
3,234 |
526 |
24 |
(Source: Superintendent
of Police, Sangrur)
The
important categories of crimes are described as under:
Murder.
It is crime of
very grave nature. Many a time it is committed over minor and trifling issue.
Too often, it is accidental and is committed in a sudden outburst of anger
under an intense strain of certain powerful emotions. However, planned murders
are also not uncommon. The important motives behind a murder are usually
traditional. For instance, illicit sexual relations, domestic and blood feuds,
land disputes, lure of property, canal relations, domestic and blood feuds,
land disputes, lure of property, canal water disputes, personal enmity, and
party factions are the common causes of crime in the district. There was a
considerable fluctuation in the incidence of this crime in the district during
1974-78, i.e. the minimum being 39 in 1976 and maximum being 66 in 1974.
Dacoity.
Dacoity also
ranks among the heinous crimes. It has almost been eliminated in the district.
There was only one case of dacoity in the district in 1976.
Robbery.
Robbery may be
described as an aggravated form of theft or extortion. For the last five years,
there have been 1-3 cases of robbery a year in the district. However, there was
not a single case of this type in the district during 1978.
Burglary.
It is an act of
breaking into a house to commit theft or felony. This crime is very common both
in the urban and rural areas of the district. There was much fluctuation in the
incidence of this crime in the district during 1974-78 the minimum being 62 in
1976 and the maximum being 106 on 1977.
Rioting.
Rioting takes
placed when an unlawful assembly of persons resort to violent means which lead
to arson and looting. No case of rioting was reported to the police during 1976
and 1978 in the district.
Theft.
The incidence of
theft, on the whole is one the decrease in the Sangrur District during the last
five years, i.e. 1974-78. Most of the theft cases reported are from the urban
areas. Its incidence is relatively less in rural areas as the villagers, being
small in number in the abadi, know each other well and this acts as a deterrent
to committing theft. There were 120 cases of theft in the district in 1978.
Cattle
Lifting. The
incidence of this crime is not alarming in the district. Only 6 cases of cattle
lifting were reported in the district in 1978.
Traffic
in Women. No case
of trafficking on women was reported in the district during 1974-78.
Cheating.
Cheating means
willful misrepresentaton of a definite fact with intention to defraud. The
incidence of this crime in the district during 1974-78 has shown an upward
trend. There were 24 cases of cheating in 1978 as compared to 15 in 1974.
Offence
under Local and Special Laws. The crime, under this head include cases of public nuisance and those
under the Indian Arms Act, 1878; the Punjab Excise Act, 1914; the opium Act,
1878; the Public Gambling Act, 1867; the Essential Commodities Act, 1955; the
Indian Railways Act, 1890; and the prevention of Corporation Act, 1947. There
has been wide fluctuation in the number of crimes under this head during
1974-78, the minimum being 2,626 in 1974 and the maximum being 3,409 in 1978.
Incidence
of Motor Vehicle Accidents. With the expansion of vehicular traffic incident of road accidents in
the district has been on the increase. In 1977-78, 95 accidents took place in
which 32 persons lost their lives as against 71 accidents in 1976-77 in which
26 persons lost their lives.
Road
Traffic. Road
traffic is regulated not only under the Indian Motor Vehicle Act, 1939, but also
under certain provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1894, the Punjab Municipal
Act, 1911, and the Municipal Bye-laws; the State Carriage Act, 1861; the Police
Act, 1888, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1890; the Punjab Motor
Vehicle Act, 1925; and the Hackney Carriage Act, 1879.
The
prosecution launched in the district under the above laws, during 1974 to 1978,
are givn in the following table:
|
Name of the Act |
1974 |
1975 |
1976 |
1977 |
1978 |
|
Indian Motor Vehicles act
|
2,089 |
2,699 |
2,406 |
646 |
142 |
|
Indian penal Code |
825 |
789 |
587 |
789 |
825 |
|
Municipal Act Municipal
Bye-laws |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
|
Stage Carriage Act |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
|
Police Act |
143 |
238 |
140 |
106 |
128 |
|
Prevention to cruelty to
animals act |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
|
Punjab Motor Vehicles
Taxation Act |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
|
Hackney Carriage Act |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
(Source: Superintendent of Police, Sangrur)
(b) History and Organisation of Police
The
Present Sangrur District with the exception of some villages from Ludhiana
District, was carved out from the territories of erstwhile states of Patiala,
Nabha and Jind, collectively known as Phulkian State, and the Muslim State of
Malerkotla. Therefore, before the formation of Patiala and East Punjab Sates
Union (PEPSU) in 1948, the police system of the district was identical to that
prevailing in its component states. However, in 1948, when it was merged with
PEPSU, it came under the Patiala System of Police administration.
The
Thana has always been the unit of police administration in the district.
But formerly the thanadars possessed judicial powers also. They were
mostly illiterate men, and each had an amin under him to carry out
clerical work. There was also outposts attached to the thanas. The thanadar
was assisted by a jamadar, 8 Barqandaes, khoji (Tracer) and 2 muharrirs.
Raja Sarup Singh (A. D. 1837-1864) and Raja Raghbir Singh (A. D. 1864-1887) of
Jind State showed much enthusiasm for there formation of police system. In the
reign of Raja Sarup Singh kotwalis were established at the tahsil headquarters.
In the year A. D. 1877, Raja Raghbir Singh appointed an Inspector of Police in
each of the tahsils and placed him under the control of Sadr Superintendent at
capital. The Deputy Inspectors or thanadars were only allowed to investigate
cases in which property of less than Rs 200 in value was involved. However,
cases of greater importance were investigated by the Inspectors and Deputy
Inspectors jointly. In the year 1905, chowkidars were appointed by the State
for every village. During PEPSU period, the Superintendent of Police assisted
by 2 Assistant Superintendents of Police, Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors, Assistant
Sub-Inspectors, Head constables and Foot Constables, helped the Deputy
Commissioner in the maintenance of law and order in the district. However with
the merger of PEPSU in the Punjab in 1956, the police system of Sangrur
District became identical to that of the Punjab.
At
the time of merger of erstwhile Jind State with the PEPSU in 1948, Raja Ranbir
Singh son of Late Raja Raghbir Singh who was governing the State, had a
separate police Department under him. In the year 1948, the erstwhile Jind
State was merged with the PEPSU (Patiala and East Punjab States Union) with its
headquarters at Patiala. Sangrur became a district headquarters in the PEPSU
and the police in the district was supervised by the Superintendent of Police,
who was under the direct control of Inspector-General of Police, PEPSU, with
headquarters at Patiala. In 1956, the PEPSU was merged with the Punjab State
and Sangrur became a district headquarters in the Punjab. For Police
administration, the district was put under the control of Deputy
Inspector-General of Police, Patiala Range. At the district level, the head of
police force is the senior Superintendent of Police, Sangrur, who works under
the general guidance and supervision of the District Magistrate so far as the
maintenance of law and order in the district is concerned. He is assisted by
one Superintendent of Police, 5 Deputy Superintendents of Police, 5 Inspectors,
41 Sub-Inspectors, 75 Assistant Sub-Inspectors, 188 Head Constables and 1,413
Constables. The strength of Police in the district as on 31 March 1978, is
given in the following table:
The
number of Police Stations and Police posts in each tahsil/Sub-division as on 31
March, 1978, was as under:
|
Tahsil/subdivision |
Number of Villages |
Police Stations |
Police Posts |
|
Sangrur |
132 |
Sangrur Bhawanigarh Longowal |
Cheema |
|
Sunam |
164 |
Sunam Lehragaga Moonak Dirba |
Khanauri |
|
Barnala |
135 |
Barnala Mahal Kalan Dhanaula Sohana Bhadaur Tapa |
Hadiaya |
|
Malerkotla |
293 |
Malerkotla Dhuri Amargarh Sherpur Ahmedgarh |
Himttana Lohat Baddi Kup |
(Source: Senior
Superintendent of Police, Sangrur)
Civil
Police, -- The
Senior Superintendent of Police, Sangrur, is the head of civil police force in
the district. There are 18 police stations and 6 police posts in the district.
The Stations House Office is in-charge of each police station. He is normally
assisted by one or more Assistant Sub-Inspector, a Head Constable, a Moharrir
and a number of Constables. The duty of Stations House Office is to maintain
peace and to investigate offences committed in his circle.
Vigilance
Police. The main
function of the Vigilance Police is to make inquiries into the complaints of
corruption and other irregularities committed by government employees. It takes
speedy action where corruption and misconduct have come to notice. Besides, it
assisted the Administrative Departments to rid the administration of
anti-social, evils, As on 31 March 1978, only one Vigilance Bureau Unit was
functioning in the district of Sangrur. This unit comprised one Deputy
Superintendent of Police, one Inspector, one Sub-Inspector, one Head Constable
and 6 Constables.
Railway
Police. Railway
police is a part of the State organization, but it works under the Assistant
Inspector-General, Government Railway Police, Punjab, with its headquarters at
Patiala. It is not allotted to any district in particular. The circles of the
Railway Police are formed according to the sections of the railway lines in
which they control crime committed in railway trains and within the railway
premises.
The
main functions of the Railway Police are: to protect travelers from injury to
person or loss to property; to maintain law an order at railway stations and in
trains; to attend the arrival and departure of passengers and railway officers;
to bring to the notice of the proper authorities all offences under Railway Act
and breaches of bye-laws, and all cases of fraud, oppressions etc. on the part
of railway officials; to keep railway platforms clear of idlers and beggars and
to keep a watch over suspicious persons, smugglers, and persons travelling with
arms without licences; to search all empty carriages for property left behind
by passengers, to control the hackney carriages plying for hire at railway
stations and enforce the regulation of railway passengers entering railway stations
on occasions of fairs, festivals, etc. besides, the railway police patrols all
passengers trains and provides escorts to important night trains.
In
the Sangrur District, there are two units of the Railway Police; a Police
Stations at Sangrur and a Police outpost at Dhuri. The Total strength of
Railway Police in the district includes 1 Sub-Inspector, 1 Assistant
Sub-Inspector, 2 Head Constables, and 10 Constable.
Excise
Police Staff. It
comprises 1 Sub-Inspector, 1 Assistant Sub-Inspector, 1 Head Constable and 16
Constables, who are on deputation from the Police Department. These officials
are posted with the Assistant Excise ant Taxation Commissioner, Sangrur.
Village
Police. The
Chowkidar is at the lowest rung of the police organization. He helps the
village Sarpanch in the maintenance of law and order. The village watchman
helps in the detection of crimes. It is his duty to report the occurrence to
any crime in the village to concerned authorities.
Punjab
Home Guards. The
Punjab Home Guards Act of 1948 empowers the State Government to raise on
voluntary basis a disciplined and self-reliant force of citizens, known as Home
Guards, with a view to supplementing the police force in the maintenance of law
and order the other essential services during emergencies. Under the Act, the
Home Guards was raised in the district to company level in 1960 and the
District level in January 1973.
There
is a District Commander, Punjab Home Guards, at Sangrur, who is assisted by 3
Company Commanders, 8 Platoon Commanders, 8 Havaledar Instructors, 1 Armour
Sergeant, 7 Corporal Instructors, besides other Class III and Class IV staff.
The
Home Guards volunteers of both the wings assisted the local police in the
maintenance of law and order at the time of need. It also guards various
strategic points such as railway lines, power stations, etc. in the district,
as and when required.
With
the passage of time, the institutions of jails has undergone a lot of change.
Previously, these were known as cells for giving deterring punishment to the
criminals. No efforts were made to change the mental attitude of prisoners.
However, after the independence of the country in 1947, revolutionary changes
have taken place in the administration of prisons. Now more emphasis is given
to change the mental attitude of prisoners. As the basic function of a prison
has changed from punishment to reformation, it is now called a sudhar ghar or
reformatory, which is indeed the appropriate nomenclature.
In
the recent years, the State Government has taken effective steps to improve the
conditions of prisoners in the Sudhar Ghars. Is that effective steps are
taken to enable the prisoners to earn their livelihood and to adjust themselves
with society, on release.
There
is a District Jail (Sudhar Ghar) at the district headquarters at
Sangrur. There are two sub-jails (Up-Sudhar Ghar), one each at
Malerkotla and Barnala. Besides there are lock-ups attached to each police
stations which is controlled by the police Department.
District
Jail of Zila Sudhar Ghar, Sangrur. The foundations stone of the District Jails,
Sangrur, was laid on 29 may 1954 by Sardar Raghbir Singh, the then Chief
Minister of the erstwhile PEPSU State and it started functioning from 9 may
1957. This jail (Sudhar Ghar) is situated on the Sangrur-Barnala Road.
With the merger of PEPSU in the Punjab in 1956. It came under the
administrative control of Inspector-General of prisons, Punjab. The District
Jail, Sangrur, is under the charge of the Superintendent of Jail who is
assisted by one Deputy Superintendent, 4 assistant superintendents, 1 medical
officer, 1 Accountant, 1 Teacher, 3 Head Warders, 39 Warders and other allied
staff.
The
total admissions during the year, average daily populations, and maximum
population on any one day in year in the District Jail, Sangrur, during 1974 to
1978, are given in the following table:
|
|
Year |
||||
|
|
1974 |
1975 |
1976 |
1977 |
1978 |
|
Total admissions during the year |
1,758 |
1,890 |
1,514 |
1,654 |
2,763 |
|
Average daily population |
360 |
335 |
333 |
253 |
281 |
|
Maximum population on any day of the year |
583 |
479 |
358 |
296 |
548 |
(Source:
Superintendent, District Jail, Sangrur)
The
number of convicted prisoners released on different grounds such as
parlor/furlough, bail transfer, remission, etc. during 1974-78 is given below:
|
Year |
Number of prisoners released |
|
1974 |
772 |
|
1975 |
735 |
|
1976 |
792 |
|
1977 |
622 |
|
1978 |
629 |
(Source:
Superintendent, District
Jail, Sangrur)
Sub-Jail or Up-Sudhar Ghar, Barnala. Up-Sudhar Ghar Barnala came into
existence on 1 April 1962. It is under the control of Sub-Division Magistrate,
who is its part-time superintendent and was, in that capacity, on 31 March
1978, assisted by the supervisory staff comprising 1 Assistant Superintendent,
1 Head Warder and 13 Warders.
The
total admissions in Up-Sudhar Ghar during 1978 was 738. The average daily
population was 33.82 and the maximum population on any day was 46 during 1978.
Sub-Jail
or Up-Sudhar Ghar Malerkotla. Up-Sudhar Ghar Malerkotla came into existence in 1962. It is under the
control of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, who is its part-time Superintendent,
was assisted, on 31 March 1978, by the supervisory staff comprising 1 Assistant
Superintendent, 1 Head Warder and 11 Warders.
The
total admission in Up-Sudhar Ghar during 1978 was 527. The average daily
population was 40 and the maximum population on any day was 42 during 1978.
Educational, Recreational and
Medical Facilities
All
facilities are being provided to the prisoners for learning 3 Rs and for
improving educational qualifications up to university level, inside the
District Jail, Sangrur. There is paid J. B. T. teacher who looks after the
adult Literacy Scheme under the supervision of a Welfare Officer.
To
break the boredom of prison life, certain recreational facilities are provided
to the inmates of the jails. A radio-set with amplifier, a loud-speaker, and a
record player for playing religious music have been provided to the prisoners.
Cinema shows are frequently arranged in the prison through the District Public
Relation Officer, Sangrur.
Medical
facilities are available inside the jail premises. There is a 12-bedded
hospital with a dispensary inside the jail which is being looked after by a
whole-time Medical Officer assisted by 1 Pharmacist. The hospital is well
stocked with medicines. In case of emergency, the indoor prisoner-patients are
at once admitted to Civil Hospital Sangrur.
There
is a canteen inside the jail which started functioning in the year 1963 in
accordance with the Canteen Rules framed by the office of Inspector General of
Prisons, Punjab. It is looked after by the Welfare Officer designated as
Assistant Superintendent, Jail. The friends and relatives of the inmates
deposit cash on behalf of the prisoners upto Rs 30 per month which were
converted into coupons and handed over to the prisoners. A number of eatables,
drinks, stationery articles, shoes, chappals and a few items of general
merchandise are available at the canteen.
Panchayat System
A panchayat of the prisoners is functioning
in the District Jail, Sangrur. The members of the panchayat are elected by the
prisoners, who in turn look after the welfare of the prisoners.
Jail Industries
A
few industries are being run in the District Jail, Sangrur to enable the
prisoners to learn these trades and to supplement their incomes. This training
also proves useful after their release from the jail. The different jail
industries run in the District Jail, Sangrur, are carpentry, hemp and munj
ban tags and laces, bamboo chicks, steel pipe furniture, repair of
furniture and niwar making and poultry.
The
average number of prisoners employed in the jail industries, total production,
and gross profit during 1974 to 1978 are given below:
|
Year |
Daily average of prisoners working in the factory |
Production(Rs) |
Gross profit (Rs) |
|
1974 |
89.22 |
1,21,250 |
12,125 |
|
1975 |
81.00 |
93,916 |
9,392 |
|
1976 |
83.10 |
46,094 |
4,609 |
|
1977 |
62.79 |
1,42,542 |
67,798 |
|
1978 |
53.45 |
1,24,064 |
46,607 |
(Source: Superintendent,
District Jail, Sangrur)
Official and
Non-official Visitors
Visits
to a jail/sub-jail by the official and non-official visitors and regulated
under the Punjab Jail Munual. Their functions have clearly been defined in the
Manual. The visits of official and non-official visitors are helpful both to
the prisoners and the jail authorities. The official visitors personally take
notice of the problems of the prisoners and also see whether provisions of the
Prison Act, 1894 and all rules, regulations, orders and directions made or
issue thereunder are fully observed by the prison management or not. The visits
of the non-official visitors are also useful as they provide a community touch
to the prisoners which gives them a realization that the society has not forgotton
them.
District Probation Officer, Sangrur
The
Probation of Offenders Act, 1951, came into force in the Sangrur District in
1966 when a District probation Officer was posted there. He is under the
control of the Chief Probation Officer, Chandigarh, who supervises and directs
the work in the entire State under the overall administrative control and
guidance of the Inspector-General of Prisons, Punjab, Chandigarh.
The
Probation of Offenders Act was a reformative measure for the juvenile offenders
(below the age 21 years) and for first offenders, irrespective of their age to
save them from the confines of the jail. The Act provides for the release of
offenders on bail after entering into a bond with one surety for an amount
considered sufficient and for a period up to three years, as desired by the
court, keeping in view the degree of crime. The Act does cover those offenders
who have committed an offence for which they can be sentenced to death or life
imprisonment. Whenever, a juvenile or first offender is brought before the
court with some charges for which the benefit of Probation of offenders Act,
1958, can be given to the offender and as soon as the challan is put up by the
police in the court, the latter asks for pre-sentenced report from the District
Probation Officer. The District Probation Officer enquires about the offenders
character, antecedents, socio-economic and environmental background and other
particulars which the court directs him to enquire. Keeping in view the intensity
of the crime and the report submitted by the District Probation Officer, the
offender is released on probation with or without supervision.
Those
offenders who are released on conditional supervision are kept under the
supervision of the District Probation Officer who acts as a friend. Philosopher
and guide to all the probationers. He looks into their personal problems and
tires to solve them. He impresses upon them through personal advice, persuation
and warning, the necessity for keeping good conduct during probation. The
Probation Officer also tires to improve the behaviour, attitude, habits,
character and morale of the probationers so that they may not revert to crime.
All this is done by arranging meeting with probationers in their villages and
in the office of the Probation Officer. The Probation Officer makes enquiries
about the character and behaviour of the probationers from respectable persons
of the village like Sarpanch, member of panchaytas and lambardars, etc.
|
|
Prisoners released on probations |
|||
|
Year |
Under supervision |
Without supervision |
Under section 3 of the probation act after admonition |
Special investigation reports |
|
1973-74 |
108 |
249 |
12 |
27 |
|
1974-75 |
188 |
450 |
23 |
5 |
|
1975-76 |
206 |
417 |
25 |
5 |
|
1976-77 |
132 |
310 |
18 |
13 |
|
1977-78 |
109 |
326 |
--- |
11 |
(Source: District Probation Officer, Sangrur)
(d)
Organization of civil and Criminal Courts
As
in other districts of State, judiciary in the Sangrur District is headed b the
District and Sessions Judge, with Additional District and Sessions Judge each
at the district headquarters and at Barnala. On the criminal side, a Chief
Judicial Magistrate and, on the civil side, a Senior Subordinate Judge, work
under the superintendence of the District and Session Judge. At the District
headquarters, the civil and criminal cases are disposed by 2 judicial Officers
who are allotted the work by the Chief Judicial magistrate and the Senior
Subordinate Judge. Similarly at the tahsil level, there are judicial officers
who dispose of civil and criminal cases under the supervision and control of
the district and Session Judge. The civil cases re directly instituted in the
courts at the tahsil headquarters while in regard to criminal cases, various
police stations are allotted to different judicial officers who deal with the
cases of those police stations allotted to their jurisdiction.
Civil Justice
The
administration of civil justice in the district is controlled by the District
and Sessions Judge, Sangrur. He is assisted by two Additional District and
Sessions Judge, at Sangrur and Barnala, Senior Subordinate Judges, Sangrur, and
9 sub-Judge-cum-judicial Magistrates (2 posted at Sangrur, 3 at Barnala, 2 at
Malerkotla, 1 at Dhuri, and 1 at Sunam).
The
civil courts try all kinds of cases of civil nature up to the extent with which
each sub-judge or Senior subordinate Judge has been vested. The main functions
of different civil courts in the district are described, in brief, as under: --
District
Judge. He is the
senior most judge in the district and controls the administration of civil
justice in the district. His jurisdiction as a Civil Court is very wide. As
Civil Judge of the district, he has both types of jurisdiction, appellate and
original. The matter decided by him in exercise of his original jurisdiction
are appealable to the High Court. As Appellate Civil Court, he hears appeals
against the judgments and decrees of subordinate judges upto Rs 20,000 (raised
to Rs 5 lakhs w.e.f. 9 January 1980).
In
the administration of civil justice, he is assisted by the other Civil Judges
as mentioned above. On administrative side, he co-ordinates the work of
judicial officers in the district and is the Competent Authority for
appointments, postings, transfer etc. in respect of the ministerial staff
working in all the courts in the district. For deciding civil cases, he and the
Additional District Judge have concurrent jurisdiction. All cases, however, are
instituted first in the Court of District Judge and then he decides as to
whether a case or a category of cases is/are to be decided by him or by one of
the Additional District Judges. As co-ordinating officer of the Civil Judiciary
at district level, he is competent to transfer any case from one court to
another in the district.
Additional
District Judge, Sangrur. Additional District and Sessions Judges, Sangrur, works as Additional
District Judge on the civil side. Appeals against the judgement and decrees of
Sub-Judges upto Rs 20,000 and cases under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, and
the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, are heard by him.
Additional
District Judge, Barnala. As a Civil Court, he exercises similar powers as are exercised by the
Additional District Judge, Sangrur.
Senior
Subordinate Judge, Sangrur. The Senior Subordinate Judge hears cases of rents, succession
certificates, insolvency, guardianship, and appellate work upto a certain
limit, suits under the Torts and the Indian Contract Act, 1872.
Sub-Judge
1st Class. All Subordinate Judges have been vested with the power unlimited
jurisdiction of civil nature in their cases including rent cases, succession
certificates and others.
The
following statement shows the number of cases tried by civil courts in the
district from 1974 to 1978:
|
Year |
Pending from the previous year |
Instituted during the year |
Total for disposal |
Disposed of during the year |
Balance at the close of the year |
|
1974 |
2,951 |
4,593 |
7,544 |
4,651 |
2,893 |
|
1975 |
2,893 |
4,704 |
7,597 |
4,340 |
3,257 |
|
1976 |
3,257 |
4,626 |
7,883 |
3,973 |
3,910 |
|
1977 |
3,310 |
5,162 |
9,072 |
5,088 |
3,984 |
|
1978 |
3,984 |
5,480 |
9,464 |
5,268 |
4,196 |
(Source: Senior Sub-Judge,
Sangrur)
Criminal Justice
The
judicial officers have both civil and criminal jurisdiction. The same judicial
officer functions as a Chief when adjudicating upon civil matters and as a
Criminal Court while deciding criminal cases. The main functions of different
Criminal Court in the district are described in brief, as under:
Sessions
Judge. The
District and Sessions Judge functions as Session Judge of the district exercise
of his criminal jurisdiction. He controls the administration of criminal
justice in the district. As in civil cases, in criminal cases too, he has both
types of jurisdiction, appellate and original. The matters decided by him in
exercise of his original jurisdiction rare appealable to the High Curt. As the
appellate Criminal Court, he hears appeals against the judgement and orders of
Judicial Magistrate. On administrative side, he has the same powers as he has
in his capacity as District Judge.
The
District and Sessions Judge, Sangrur, is assisted by 2 Additional Sessions
Judges and the Chief Judicial Magistrate and 9 Judicial
Magistrate-cum-Sub-Judges (2 posted at Sangrur, 3 at Barnala, 2 at Malerkotla,
1 at Dhuri and 1 at Sunam).
Additional
Sessions Judge, Sangrur. Additional District and Sessions Judge, Sangrur, works as Additional
Sessions Judge on the criminal side. He determines appeals against the
judgments and orders of Judicial Magistrate.
Additional
Sessions Judge, Barnala. As a Criminal Court, he exercises similar powers as are exercised by the
Additional Sessions Judge, Sangrur.
Chief
Judicial Magistrate. On the criminal side, the powers exercised previously by District
Magistrate have been vested in the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sangrur. With the
separation of executive from the judiciary in the Sangrur District in 1951, the
Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sangrur, functions under the supervision and control
of the District and Sessions Judge, Sangrur.
The
Chief Judicial Magistrate and Judicial Magistrates deal with all types of
criminal cases except security cases. The Chief Judicial Magistrate is vested
with the powers of a judicial magistrate I Class, i.e., the power to try
juvenile offenders, to require delivery of letters, telegrams, etc. to issue
search warrants for documents in custody of postal or telegraph authorities; to
release persons imprisoned for failing to give security under section 106 or
Criminal Procedure, Code; to order police investigation into cognizable cases;
to entertain cases on complaints; to transfer cases to a subordinate
magistrate; and to report certain cases to High Court, etc.
Judicial
Magistrate. All
Judicial Magistrate try cases under the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Punjab
Excise Act, 1914, the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and other special Acts
relating to the police stations under their jurisdiction. They have the powers
to direct warrant to land-holders under section 78 of I. P. C.; to issue search
warrant for discovery of persons wrongfully confined; to record statements and
confessions during police investigation; to recover penalty on forfeited bond;
etc. al criminals apprehended by the police are produced before the judicial
Magistrate in whose jurisdiction the criminals may have been apprehended or in
whose jurisdiction the crime may have been committed.
After
investigation, the police put up the challans in the courts of Judicial
Magistrates who also act as Ilaka Magistrates and watch the
investigation of crime cases. The Judicial Magistrate have also been vested
with powers of Sub-Judges with varying jurisdiction.
Security
Cases. Cases of
security for Keeping peace and security for god behaviour under the Criminal
Procedure Code, are tried by the Sub Divisional Magistrates of Sangrur,
Barnala, Malerkotla and Sunam. They are also called upon to perform executive
functions in addition to the trial of above types of cases.
The
following statement shows the number of criminal cased tried by the criminal
courts in the district during 1974 to 1978 :
|
Year |
Cases
brought forward from previous year |
Cases
reported during the year |
Cases
admitted |
Cases
tried |
Cases
convicted |
Cases
untraced |
Balance
|
|
1974 |
1,537 |
10,787 |
1,420 |
7,798 |
7,223 |
575 |
3,106 |
|
1975 |
3,106 |
6,824 |
1,011 |
5,724 |
4,415 |
309 |
3,195 |
|
1976 |
3,195 |
16,809 |
2,595 |
11,234 |
10,807 |
427 |
6,265 |
|
1977 |
6,265 |
12,323 |
1,225 |
14,743 |
14,420 |
323 |
4,620 |
|
1978 |
1,099 |
2,592 |
3,691 |
2,774 |
2,659 |
|
917 |
(Source: Chief Judicial
Magistrate, Sangrur)
Prosecution
Agency. The
Prosecuting Agency was separated from the Police Department with effect from 1
of April 1974. The posts of prosecuting Deputy Superintendents of Police,
Prosecuting Inspectors and Prosecuting Sub-Inspectors in the Police Department
were abolished and directorate of Prosecution was set up in the State under the
administrative control of the Home Department.
In
the District, the Prosecuting Agency is divided in two wings, namely, District
prosecuting Agency, and Legal Advisory Agency. The head of Prosecuting Agency
in the district is the District Attorney who is assisted by Assistant district
Attorneys Grade-I, and Assistant District Attorney Grade-II, who have been
appointed as Additional Public Prosecutors, and Assistant Public Prosecutors,
respectively, under the Code of Criminal Procedure and are also appointed as
Government Pleaders under its Code of Civil Procedure. And are also appointed
as Government Pleaders under its Code of Civil Procedure. Thus, the District
Attorney, with the assistance of Assistant District Attorneys Grade I and
Assistant District Attorney Grade-II, conducts criminal and civil cases of the
State and its offices in the various courts in the district. The District
Attorney works in the courts of Sessions Judge, the Assistant District Attorney
Grade-I Works in the court of
Additional Sessions Judge, whereas the Assistant District Attorney Grade II
works as Assistant Public Prosecutors in the courts of the Magistrates. They
also advise the District Magistrate and other Heads of Offices in the District
on matters involving legal points. The District Magistrate in the district on
matters involving legal points. The District Magistrate in the district supervises
and controls the functioning of the prosecuting Agency.
The
Police Department with the abolition of the posts of prosecuting Deputy
Superintendents of Police, prosecuting Inspectors and prosecuting
Sub-Inspectors was left with no Law Offices who could guide them in legal
matters. One District Attorney is posted in the Police Department to render
legal advice to the Senior Superintendent of Police and other Police Officer in
the district. The District Attorney, incharge Legal Advisory Agency, is on the
cadre strength of the Directorate of prosecution, but is posted in the police
Department under the direct control of the Senior Superintendent of police. The
District Attorney in the Legal Agency is liable to be shifted to the
prosecuting Agency after two or three years and the vice versa.
The
District Attorney, Sangrur as incharge of the prosecution Agency, is assisted
by 4 Assistant District Attorneys Grade 1 and 2 Assistant District Attorneys
Grade II, besides allied Class III and Class IV staff at the district
Headquarters. In addition to above, 1 Assistant District Attorney Grade 1 and 2
Assistant District Attorneys Grade II at Barnala, and 1 Assistant District
Attorney Grade II each at Sunam, Dhuri and Malerkotla are working in this
Agency.