CHAPTER XVIII
PUBLIC LIFE AND
VOLUNTARY SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANISATIONS
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Contents |
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Representation of the District in the State and the Union
Legislatures |
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(a)
Representation of the District in the State and the Union Legislatures
Till
July 1948, the present area of the Sangrur District formed chiefly parts of the
princely states of Jind, Malerkotla, Nabha and Patiala. The rulers of these has
always tried to keep their subjects insulated against the infiltration of any
political ideas through various agencies. No attempt was every made to provide
educational facilities to the people least they should get enlightened and rise
in revolt against their autocracy. Even the few citizens of these states who
occasionally purchased a outside the states were specially watched by the intelligence
employees of the rulers and they were considered to be suspects and dangerous
persons. Not to speak on any political organization when the setting up of a
social and religious organization in the areas of these states was banned. The
princely rulers of these states did not give any opportunity to their subjects
to manage their civic affairs, although, in the adjoining areas which were at
that time under the rule of the British, the facility of the local-self
government had been extended to the people.
Before, 1939, 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 states and the people of the area now forming Sangrur District felt
encouraged to assert their political rights. An Organization under the name of
Praja Mandal, joined mostly by the tenants of big landlords and some
intellectuals from amongst the practicing lawyers and doctors in the princely
states, 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
made progress in agricultural and industrial fields.
Since the
accession of these State 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, great changes have taken place, and
people are now 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 the self-government has been extended to the people and they have
now been brought under the responsible government headed by their elected by
the 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 n 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 or legislature. The franchise of 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 house, which could yield an annual rent of Rs 180 or
assessment to income tax on a 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 constituencies for the Muslim and Sikhs etc. Under
the Act of 1935, the right to vote was extended 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 1935 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 the India which came into force on 26 January 1950 has made a
clean sweep of the postulate of communal electorates and has substituted in its
place common electorate for the all adult citizens of India. Article 326 of the
Constitution provides that elections to the Hose 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 to vote, if he is not otherwise disqualified. Till 1980,
seven 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 of adjust themselves to the 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 director 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 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
in unicameral. Previously it consisted of 104 members, but its strength has
been raised to 117[P1], from 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 Sangrur 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.
There were two
Parliamentary Constituencies in the Sangrur District, namely, Sangrur and Mohindergarh[P2]. These
constituencies consisted of the area relating mostly to the then Patiala.
Fatehgarh Sahib, Barnala and Mohindergarh (now in Haryana) districts. The
Sangrur Constituency included Sangrur District (excluding Jind Tahsil and
Kalayat Quanungo Circle in Narwana Tahsil now in Haryana), Nabha Tahsil of
Patiala District, Amloh Sub-Tahsil and Payal and Jarg Quanungo Circles in the
Sirhind Tahsil of the then Fatehgarh Sahib District, and Dhanaula and Tapa
Quanungo Circles in Barnala Tahsil of the then Barnala District. The
Mohindergarh Constituency comprised areas of Mohindergarh District (now in
Haryana), and Jind Tahsil and Kalayat Quanungo Circle in Narwana Tahsil (now in
Haryana) of Sangrur District. From the Sangrur Constituency, an Independent
candidate was elected, and from the Mohindergarh Constituency, a Congress
candidate. The total number of valid votes polled by each contesting party in
the district was as under:
|
Name
of the party |
Valid votes polled
|
|
|
Number |
Percentage |
|
|
Independents
|
2,37,206 |
60.47 |
|
Congress
|
1,14,041 |
29.07 |
|
Red
communist |
41,030 |
10.46 |
|
Total |
3,92,277 |
100 |
(Source: Election Commission of India, New Delhi)
PEPSU (Patiala
and East Punjab States Union) Vidhan Sabha Constituencies
For
the Vidhan Sabha, there were 9 constituencies consisting of 11 seats (two being
double-member constituencies) in the district, viz. Sangrur, Bhawanigarh,
Sunam, Lehra (double-member). Narwana-Kalayat (double-member), Uchana, Jind,
Safidon and Julana (now in Haryana). From these constituencies 6 Congress, 3
Akali, 1 Lal Communist and 1 Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party candidates were elected.
The total number of valid votes polled by each contesting party is given below:
|
Name
of the party |
Valid
votes polled
|
|
|
Number |
Percentage |
|
|
Congress
|
85,844 |
32.99 |
|
Akali
|
44,294 |
17.03 |
|
Independents
|
75,445 |
28.99 |
|
Scheduled
Castes Federation |
1,790 |
0.68 |
|
Lal
Communists |
14,967 |
5.76 |
|
Communists
|
4,699 |
1.80 |
|
Kisan
Mazdoor Praja Party |
5,460 |
2.09 |
|
Krishikar |
15,103 |
5.80 |
|
Jan
Singh |
12,156 |
4.68 |
|
Socialist |
442 |
0.18 |
|
Total |
2,60,200 |
100.00 |
(Source: Election Commission of India, New
Delhi)
By-Election
to the Mohindergarh (now in Haryana) Lok-Sabha Constituency, 1955-56. —In 1955-56, by-election to the
Mohindergarh Lok Sabha Constituency was held. The total number of electors in
the constituency was held. The total number of electors in the constituency was
3,33,436. The Congress candidate won the seat. The total number of valid votes
polled in favour of each of the contesting parties in the constituency was as
follows:
|
Name of the party |
Valid votes
polled
|
|
|
Number |
Percentage |
|
|
Congress |
77,672 |
60.9 |
|
Independent |
49,890 |
39.1 |
|
Total |
1,27,562 |
100.00 |
(Source:
Election Commission of India, New Delhi)
Mid-term to the PEPSU Legislative
Assembly, 1954. – The first general elections to the PEPSU Legislative
Assembly were held in 1951-52. Normally, the Assembly should have had a term of
five years in accordance with the provisions of Article 172(1) of the Constitutions.
However, on 4 March 1953, the President of India issued a proclamation under
the Article 356 of the Constitution by which the Legislative Assembly of the
PEPSU was dissolved, and the President assumed to himself all functions of the
Government and powers vested in or exercisable by the Rajpramukh of the State.
Para (c) (iv) of the proclamation announced that 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’s order containing the delimitation of constituencies
in the PEPSU was published on 15 September 1953, and the general elections to
the Vidhan Sabha of the erstwhile PEPSU were held in February 1954.
There
were constituencies to elect 11 members from the district (two being
double-member constituencies); the constituencies were Bhawanigarh, Sangrur,
Sunam, Lehra (double-member), Narwana (double-member), Kalayat, Jind, Safidon,
and Julana (now in Haryana). From these constituencies, 6 congress, 2 Akali
(Master Tara Singh Group) and 3 Independents candidates were declared elected.
The total number of votes polled by each of the contesting parties is given
below:
|
Name
of the party |
Valid votes polled
|
|
|
Number |
Percentage |
|
|
Congress
|
1,15,264 |
39.26 |
|
Akali
(Master Tara Singh Group) |
52,272 |
17.80 |
|
Akali
(Raman Group) |
7,658 |
2.69 |
|
Communist
|
23,797 |
8.10 |
|
Independents
|
93,748 |
31.87 |
|
Jan
Sangh |
454 |
0.14 |
|
Praja
Socialist |
420 |
0.14 |
|
Total |
2,93,613 |
100.00 |
(Source: Election Commission
of India, New Delhi)
Second
General Elections, 1957. —By virtue of the State Re-organization Act, 1956, the erstwhile States
of Punjab and PEPSU were merged into one and the new State of Punjab (after
merger) came of the Vidhan Sabhas of Punjab and PEPSU State resulted in the
amalgamation of the Vidhan Sabhas of Punjab and PEPSU States and the strength
of the Vidhan Sabha of the new State was fixed at 154 as against 126 for the
erstwhile Punjab and 60 for the erstwhile PEPSU. This necessitated fresh
delimitation of constituencies which was effected under the “Delimitation of
Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order, 1956”, in December 1956. The
sitting members of the respective Vidhan Sabhas became members of the New
Vidhan Sabha of the new State till the delimitation of constituencies was
completed. The task of conducting the general elections in 1957, therefore, was
of greater magnitude and complexity than that in the 1951-52 elections. The
delimitation of constituencies was completed. The task of conducting the general
elections in 1957, therefore, was of greater magnitude and complexity than that
in the 1951-52 elections. The delimitation of constituencies was effected only
a few weeks before the elections, and left much less time for the extensive
arrangements that had to be made. Besides, the total period for the poll in the
State was reduced appreciably (i.e. 24 February to 24 March 1957). Voting for
the Assembly Constituencies was completed in the single day, or in a very few
cases, in two days, instead of being spread over a number of days, as in
1951-52. The counting of votes was also taken up in each constituency as soon
as the polling had been completed instead of counting after the polling in the
entire State had been completed. Thus, with reduction of total period for
polling in each constituency, it became inevitable to deploy a much larger
number of polling staff as well as police in the second general elections.
In
accordance with report of the Delimitation Commission, five Punjab Vidhan Sabha
Constituencies comprising 7 seats (two seats reserved for the members of
Scheduled Castes) were allocated to the district.
Lok Sabha Constituency
There
was no Lok Sabha Constituency in the district. Its area was attached to
Kaithal, Rohtak and other neighbouring constituencies.
Punjab Vidhan Sabha Constituencies [P3]
For
the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, here were constituencies comprising 7 seats in the
district—Malerkotla, Dhuri (double-member), Barnala, Sangrur and Sunam
(double-member). From these constituencies 5 Congress, 1 Communist and 1
Independent candidates were elected. The total number of valid votes polled by
different parties is given below:
|
Name of the party |
Valid votes polled
|
|
|
Number |
Percentage |
|
|
Congress |
1,57,257 |
42.68 |
|
Independents |
1,09,538 |
29.73 |
|
Communists |
99,007 |
26.87 |
|
Jan Sangh |
2,646 |
0.72 |
|
Total |
3,68,448 |
100.00 |
Third
General Elections, 1962. – A major improvement in the matter of elections in the State this time
was in regard to the period of polling. While it too nearly 19 days to complete
the poll during the second general elections, the poll this time was held and
completed on the single day, i.e. on 24 February 1962, throughout the State
except in Kulu and Seraj constituencies where on account of the areas being
inaccessible due to snowfall, the poll was deferred and held later on towards
the end of April. Punjab was, thus, the only State which had the distinction of
having a single-day poll both for the Parliament and Assembly elections. The
balloting system of voting adopted during the last general elections was
retained only in the remote and inaccessible Kulu and Seraj constituencies; in
all other constituencies of the State the marking system of voting was
adopted.
In
1961, the Parliament decided to abolish the double-member constituencies for
the Legislative Assemblies as well as for the House of the People and as such
passed the Two-member Constituencies (Abolition) Act (1 of 1961) for this
purpose. Under the Act, the Election Commission was empowered to divide even
double-member constituencies into single-member constituencies, delimit the
extent, decide in which of them the seat shall be reserved for Scheduled
Castes/Scheduled Tribes. As a result of this, one parliamentary Constituency
and 7 Assembly Constituencies were formed in the district.
Out
of the total population of 11,83,694 (1961 Census) of the district, the number
of electors was 7,12,892.
Lok Sabha Constituency [P4]
Sangrur
was the only Lok Sabha Constituency in the district in the third general
elections from where Congress candidate was declared elected. The remaining
area relating to Narwana, Jind, Safidon, etc. of the district was clubbed with
the Kaithal and Rohtak Parliamentary contintuencies. The number of valid votes
polled by each contesting party is given below:
|
Name of the party |
Valid votes polled |
|
|
Number |
Percentage |
|
|
Congress |
133018 |
39.40 |
|
Independents |
154325 |
45.70 |
|
Jan Sangh |
50332 |
14.90 |
|
Total |
337675 |
100.00 |
4. Report on the General Elections in
Punjab, 1962(Chandigarh 1963) pp 88 to 89
Punjab Vidhan Sabha
Constitutencies
There
were 7 constituencies (including 2 reserved for scheduled castes) for the
Punjab Vidhan Sabha in the district namely Malerkotla, Mahal Kalan, Barnala,
Dhuri (Scheduled Caste), Sangrur, Synam and Lehra (Scheduled Caste). From these
constituencies, 3 Congress, 3 Communists and 1 Akali, candidates were declared
elected. The total number of valid votes polled by each of the contesting party
is given below:
|
Name of the party |
Valid votes polled |
|
|
Number |
Percentage |
|
|
Congress |
158168 |
48.00 |
|
Communists |
66275 |
20.00 |
|
Independents |
12513 |
3.80 |
|
Akali |
70143 |
21.30 |
|
Republican |
17690 |
5.40 |
|
Other |
4976 |
1.50 |
|
Total |
329765 |
100.00 |
5. Report on the General Elections in
Punjab, 1962(Chandigarh 1963) pp 87 to 108.
The
Fourth General Elections, 1967- The general elections held in 1967 were the ourth in the country and the
first in the new State of Punjab which came into being after the reorganization
on 1 November, 1966. Consequently, the constitutencies delimited in 1965 were
subjected to fresh delimitation, as notified by the Delimitation Commission in
Novermber 1966. By this order, the district was divided into one Parliamentary
Constituency and 9 Vidhan Sabha Constituencies.
As
at the time of the third general elections 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 the total population of 1183694 ( 1961 Census) of the district the number of
electors was 536553.
Lok Sabha Constituency
There
was one Lok Sabha Constituency viz. Sangrur in the district from which the
Akali Dal (Sant Group) candidate was elected. The area of Raikot and Nihal
Singh Wala Assembly segments o this constituency was otherwise in Ludhian and
Faridkot districts, respectively. The remaining area of the district i.e.
Dhuri, Sunam, Lehra etc. was attached to Rupnagar and Patiala Parliamentary
constitutencies. The number of valid votes polled by each contesting party is given
below:
|
Name of the party |
Valid votes polled |
|
|
Number |
Percentage |
|
|
Akali Dal (Sant Group) |
174371 |
54.60 |
|
Congress |
76159 |
24.00 |
|
Jan Sangh |
30932 |
9.40 |
|
Independents |
24870 |
8.00 |
|
Akali Dal (Master Group) |
12459 |
4.00 |
|
Total |
318791 |
100.00 |
(Source: Chief Electoral fficer, Punjab,
Chandigarh)
For
the Vidhan Sabha, there were 9 constituencies in the district namely Dhuri,
Malerkotla, Sherpur, (Scheduled Caste), Barnala, Bhadaur constituencies, 3
Congress 4 Akali Dal, 1 Communist and 1 Communist (Marxist) candidates were
elected. The number of valid votes polled by each contesting party is given
below:
|
Name of the party |
Valid
votes polled
|
|
|
Number |
Percentage |
|
|
Congress |
1,27,656 |
35.68 |
|
Akali Dal |
97,328 |
27.20 |
|
Akali Dal (M) |
6920 |
1.93 |
|
Jan Sangh |
17,023 |
4.76 |
|
Communists |
21,134 |
5.91 |
|
Communists (M) |
38,178 |
10.67 |
|
Swatantra |
3,466 |
0.97 |
|
Others |
46,088 |
12.88 |
|
Total |
3,57,793 |
100.00 |
Mid-term
Poll, 1969. – The
first meeting of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, constituted on the basis of the
fourth general elections, was have lasted for five years, i.e. upto 19 march
1972 as provided in Article 172 of the Constitution of India. The party
position, after the said elections, was such that no single political party had
absolute majority in the Vidhan Sabha of 104 members. Some of the political
parties, namely, Akali Dal (Sant Group), the Jan Sangh, the Republican Party
and the Communists joined together to form the United Front, which staked its
claim to form the Government. The United Front Government assumed office on 8
March 1967. After some time, a game of defections started and the Government
became unstable. Some members of the ruling United Front left the Front formed
a new group, and also a new Government on 25 November 1967 with support of the
Congress Legislative Party and some independents. The relationship between the
Ministry and the Congress Legislative Party, its main supporter did not,
however, remain smooth for long and ultimately the Congress Party withdraw its
support from the new Ministry which had, then, to resign. As a result, a
situation was created in which no single party or workable alliance of parties
could provide a stable government. In the circumstances, on the recommendation
of the Governor, Punjab, the President’s Rule was proclaimed in the State
Governor, Punjab, the President’s Rule was proclaimed in the State from 23
August 1968. Thus, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha constituted in 1967 stood dissolved,
necessitating a mid-term general elections to constitute a new Vidhan Sabha.
The
mid-term poll throughout the State was held on a single day on 9 February 1969.
Out of the total population of 11,83,694 (1961 Census) of the district, the
number of electors was 5,61,389.
There
were 9 Vidhan Sabha Constituencies in the district, namely, Dhuri, Malerkotla,
Sherpur (Scheduled Caste), Barnala, Bhadaur (Scheduled Caste), Dhanaula,
Sangrur, Sunam and Lehra. From these constituencies, 3 Congress, 5 Akali Dal
and 1 a Communist (Marxist) candidates were elected. The total number of valid
votes polled by each contesting party is given below:
|
Name of the party |
Valid
votes polled
|
|
|
Number |
Percentage |
|
|
Congress |
1,65,493 |
42.63 |
|
Akali Dal |
1,58,826 |
40.91 |
|
Communists |
7,170 |
1.85 |
|
Communists (Marxists) |
39,163 |
10.09 |
|
Others |
17,562 |
4.52 |
|
Total |
3,88,214 |
100.00 |
By-Election
to the Lehra Vidhan Sabha Constituency, 1970. – This bye-election was necessitated after the
Punjab and Haryana High Court declared void the election of the sitting Akali
candidate. The bye-election was held on 22 February 1970. The Shiromani Akali
Dal won the seat. The total number of electors in the constituency was 65,168.
The total number of valid votes polled by each contesting party in the
constituency was as under:
|
Name
of the party |
Valid votes
polled
|
|
|
Number |
Percentage |
|
|
Shiromani Akali Dal |
28,755 |
82.01 |
|
Independents |
6,307 |
17.99 |
|
Total |
35,062 |
100.00 |
(Source: Chief Electoral
Officer Punjab, Chandigarh)
Fifth
General Elections to the Lok Sabha, 1971. – The fifth general elections to the Lok Sabha
Constituency, Sangrur Constituency Sangrur, in the district from where the
candidate belonging to Communist Party of India was declared elected. The total
number of electors in the district was 5,09,910. The total number of valid
votes polled in favour of each contesting party in the district was as
follows:
|
Name of the party |
Valid
votes polled
|
|
|
Number |
Percentage |
|
|
Communist Party of India |
1,15,708 |
37.97 |
|
Akali Dal |
1,15,498 |
37.98 |
|
Independents |
35,923 |
11.80 |
|
Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
37,344 |
12.28 |
|
Total |
3,04,473 |
100.00 |
(Source: Chief Electoral Officer,
Punjab, Chandigarh)
Fifth
General Elections to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, 1972[P5]. – The general elections were necessitated due to
the premature dissolution of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Constituted in March 1969.
It was the second time after the reorganization of the Punjab in 1966 that the
resident’s rule was imposed on the State. In the wake of the president’s Rule,
emergency was declared due to Indo-Pakistan conflict in 1971. The preparation
for the conduct of fresh general elections had, therefore, to be made under the
shadow of emergency. The poll throughout the State was held on a single day on
11 Marc 1972 and counting was completed on 13 March. The election was held
under the marking system of voting. A new design of ballot paper, with a
counterfoil, was also used in this election.
There
were 9 Punjab Vidhan Sabha constituencies in the district – Dhuri, Malerkotla,
Sherpur (Scheduled Castes), Barnala, Bhadaur (Scheduled Castes), Dhanaula,
Sangrur, Sunam and Lehra. Out of the total population of 11,46,650 (1971
Census) of the district, the total number of electors in district was 6,01,876.
From these constituencies 3 Congress 3 Akali Dal, 1 Communist, 1 Communist
(Marxist) and 1 Independent candidates were elected. The total number of valid
votes in favour of each contesting party is given below:
|
Name of the party |
Valid
votes polled
|
|
|
Number |
Percentage |
|
|
Congress |
1,56,928 |
35,86 |
|
Akali |
1,54,572 |
35.30 |
|
Communist |
23,165 |
5.29 |
|
Communist (Marxist) |
40,286 |
9.20 |
|
Akali (G) |
1,474 |
0.35 |
|
Congress (O) |
669 |
0.15 |
|
Independents |
60,760 |
13.85 |
|
Total |
4,37,854 |
100.00 |
Sixth
General Elections to the Lok Sabha, 1977. – The sixth general elections to the Lok Sabha
were held in March 1977. For power at the national level and a new party, the
Janata Party, formed the first non-Congress Government at New Delhi. The Janata
Party was formed out of combination of four former opposition parties – the
Organisation Congress, the Bharatiya Lok Dal, the Jan Sangh, and the Socialist
Party. The Janata Party was voted into office by an overwhelming majority of
electorate in the northern states.
There
was only one Lok Sabha constituency in the district, viz., Sangrur. The total
number of electors in the district was 6,22,238. The Shiromani Akali Dal
candidate won the seat. The total number of valid votes polled in favour of
each contesting party in the district was under:
|
Name of the party |
Valid
votes polled
|
|
|
Number |
Percentage |
|
|
Shiromani Akali Dal |
2,91,371 |
64.55 |
|
Independents |
1,60,020 |
35.45 |
|
Total |
4,51,391 |
100.00 |
Source: Chief
Electoral Officer, Punjab, Chandigarh)
Sixth
General Elections to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, 1977. – The Lok Sabha elections of 1977
were not accompanied by elections to the State Assemblies, whose terms of
office in most cases were due to expire in 1978. The Janata Government decided
to call early elections in a number of States on the plea that a climate of
uncertainty had come to prevail in the states in the wake of the virtual
rejection in the Lok Sabha elections of the Congress candidates in several
states. Consequently, the Vidhan Sabha elections in some states, including
Punjab, had to take place. In Punjab, these elections were held on 12 June 1977
and completed on the same day. In the elections were held on 12 June 1977 and
completed on the same day. In the elections to the Vidhan Sabha, the Akali Dal
and the Janata Party obtained majority of votes defeating the Congress.
Consequently, on 20 June 1977, the Akali-Janata combine formed a coalition
Government in the Punjab.
There
were 10 Vidhan Sabha constituencies in the district, viz., Sangrur Dhuri
Malerkotla Sherpur (Scheduled Castes), Barnala, Bhadaur (Scheduled Castes),
Dhanaula, Dirba, Sunam and Lehra. The total number of electors in the district
was 7,15,901. Form these constituencies, 6 Shiromani Akali Dal, 2 Communist
Party of India (Marxist), 1 Janata and 1 Independent, candidates were elected.
The total number of valid votes polled by each contesting party in given below:
|
Name of the party |
Valid
votes polled
|
|
|
Number |
Percentage |
|
|
Shiromani Akali Dal |
1,68,653 |
35.12 |
|
Congress |
1,57,944 |
32.83 |
|
Janata |
34,781 |
7.34 |
|
Independents |
44,660 |
9.39 |
|
Communist Party of India |
21,081 |
4.14 |
|
Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
53,125 |
11.18 |
|
Total |
4,80,244 |
100.00 |
(Source: Chief Electoral
Officer, Punjab, Chandigarh.)
Seventh
(Mid-term) Lok Sabha Elections, 1980. – The Janata Government formed in 1977 did not
remain stable. As the party had been formed with the merger of four major
political parties, its members reverted to their previous loyalties. This led
to differences within the Janata Party resulting in defection by many M. Ps.
who formed a new group which ultimately led to the fall of Janata Government in
New Delhi. The group of M. Ps. who had defected from the Janata Party was able
to form, with the support of Congress (I), a new government. However, the
relationship between the new government and the Congress (I) did not remain
smooth for long, with the result that the Congress (I) withdrew its support and
the Government fell without facing the parliament even once. The Lok Sabha was
dissolved by the President under the sub-clause (b) of clause (2) of Article 85
of the Constitution on 22 August 1979, but the Government was allowed to
continue as Caretaker Government till the elections were held for constituting the
new Parliament.
The
Seventh (mid-term) General Elections were held in the country on 3 January
1980. Sangrur was the only Lok Sabha constituency in the district in these
elections. The constituency had 7,25,026 voters in all, out of whom 4,91,564
cast their votes. The Congress (I) candidate was declared elected from the
constituency. The total number of valid votes polled by each contesting party
was as under:
|
Name of the party |
Valid
votes polled
|
|
|
Number |
Percentage |
|
|
Congress (I) |
2,34,264 |
48.72 |
|
Shiromani Akali Dal |
2,26,649 |
47.15 |
|
Republican Party of India |
2,264 |
0.17 |
|
Janata Party |
1,932 |
0.41 |
|
Independents |
15,662 |
3.25 |
|
Total |
4,80,771 |
100 |
Source: Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, Chandigarh)
Seventh
(Mid-Term) Elections to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, 1980. – The term of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha
constituted on 12 June 1977 was due to expire in 1982. However, after the Lok
Sabha elections held in January 1980 which resulted in the change of Government
at the Central level, it was felt that a climate of uncertainty had come to
prevail in the States which were not ruled by the Congress (I). The Congress
(I) Government at the Centre decided to go for fresh elections in such States, including
Punjab. Accordingly, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha was dissolved by the President
under Article 356 of the Constitution on 17 February 1980. The elections to the
Vidhan Sabha were held on 31 May 1980 and completed on the same day. The
Congress (I) won majority of seats defeating the Akali Dal and other contesting
parties and formed its Government in the State.
For
these elections to Punjab Vidhan Sabha, there were 10 Assembly constituencies
in the district—Dhuri, Malerkotla, Sherpur (SC), Barnala, Bhadaur (SC) Dhanula,
Sangrur, Dirba, Sunam and Lehra. The total number of electors in the district
was 8,18,399, out of which 5,61,867 voted. From these constituencies, 6
Shiromani Akali Dal, 1 Communist Party of India (Marxist), 2 Congress (I) and 1
Communist Party of India candidates were elected. The number of valid votes
polled by each contesting party is given below:
|
Name of the party |
Valid
votes polled
|
|
|
Number |
Percentage |
|
|
Congress (I) |
2,31,424 |
41.86 |
|
Shiromani Akali Dal |
1,94,105 |
35.12 |
|
Independents |
31,292 |
5.66 |
|
Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
54,758 |
9.92 |
|
Congress (U) |
7,899 |
1.43 |
|
Bhartiya Janata Party |
992 |
0.18 |
|
Janata Party (JP) |
908 |
0.16 |
|
Janata Party (SC) |
5,954 |
1.09 |
|
Total |
552745 |
100.00 |
Source: Chief Electoral Officers, Punjab, Chandigarh)
(b)
Political Parties and Organisations
Political
Parties play an important role in the working or modern democratic governments.
They render a very useful service to the cause of governments, formulate, mould
and organize public opinion, clarify various issue facing the people, offer
clear-cut solutions to social and economic and political problems. They fight
elections and establish a link between the government and the people. They also
clothe the dry bones of the mechanism of the government with flesh and impart
energy and driving force to it.
In
India, political parties have been in existence for quite sometime, even though
they were not well organized. The adoption of parliamentary form of government
after Independence was, however, a step to promote the organizations of party
system on sound footing. There existed no political party before 1947 in the
princely states of which the present district of Sangrur has been a part.
A
brief description of political parties, which have their branches in the
Sangrur District, is given below:
All India Parties
Indian
National Congress. – The
Indian National Congress was founded in 1885, though it came into existence in
the Sangrur District only after the independence. The Praja Mandals, the
political counterparts of the Indian National Congress, in the erstwhile
princely states and which had policies and performance similar to it, merged
with it and started functioning as its units in these areas.
Since
attainment of Independence up to March 1977, when the sixth general elections
were held, the Congress party remained in power at the Centre and in most of
the States. In the Punjab, the party ruled upto 1966-76, and, again from April
1972 to March 1977 and thereafter it assumed power in June 1980.
Communist
Party of India. – The
Communist Party of India is an old party which in alliance with the Praja
Mandals of the erstwhile princely states waged a relentless struggle against
the princely order in the district. It enjoys influence among the labourers and
small peasants. It once captured to Lok Sabha seat in 1971. But in Punjab
Vidhan Sabha elections since 1957, it captured only one seat upto 1972 in all
the general elections, except in 1962 when it won three seats, in the district.
In 1980 too, one to its candidates was elected from the district.
Communist
Party of India (Marxist). – The party emanated from the Communist Party of India. Till 1980, it has
never won the Lok Sabha seat in the district, but it captured one Vidhan Sabha
seat in the fourth and fifth general elections, two in the sixth general
elections held in 1977, and one in the seventh general elections held in
1980.
Republican
Party of India. – Founded
by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, this party is a reorganized form of the Scheduled Castes
Federation to form an opposition to the Congress and the caste Hindus. It aims
at safeguarding the interests of Scheduled Castes and the Backward Classes. The
party has been participating in the elections since 1962, but it has not been
able to capture any seat so far (upto to 7th general elections of
1980) in the district for the Lok Sabha or the Vidhan Sabha.
Swatantra
Party. – Founded in
1959 to fight against the tendencies towards abolition of private property and
towards collectivism, it is a rightist party in the sense that it is directly
opposed to socialism in the believes in fostering spiritual values and
preserving the heritage of India culture. The party in the district has been
taking part in elections since the third general elections in 1962. It won two
Assembly seats in 1962 from the area of Jind Subdivision (now in Haryana
State). However, thereafter it could never win any seat in the district –
neither for the parliament nor Vidhan Sabha till the seventh general elections,
in 1980.
Janata
Party. —The party
came into being on 1 May 1977 on the merger of major opposition parties, the
Organisation Congress, the Jan Sangh, the Bharatiya Lok Dal, and the Socialist.
During the sixth general elections in March 1977, the party proclaimed the
election to be a ‘choice between freedom and slavery, between democracy and
dictatorship’.
Though
the party won the sixth general elections to the Lok Sabha and gained absolute
majority, yet it could not capture any seat in the district. For the Punjab
Vidhan Sabha, the party captured only one seat (Sangrur constituency) in the
district in the sixth general elections in 1977.
State Parties
Shiromani
Akali Dal. – It was
founded towards the end of 1920 as the representative body of the Sikhs. During
the Gurdwara Reforms Movement 1920-25, it played significant role in bringing
about major reforms in the management of Sikhs shrines and bringing them under
the control of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee. It actively
participated in the national freedom struggle in collaboration with the Indian
National Congress and emerged as a vanguard of the non-cooperation movement in
the Punjab during 1931-32. It emerged as a full fledged political party in the
State during 1936-37 elections, held under the Government of India Act, 1935.
The party continues of function as religious and social organization.
The
Lok Sabha constituency falling entirely in the district came into being in 1962
by the Delimitation of parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order, 1961.
The Akali Dal captured the seat in the fourth and sixth general elections in
1967 and 1977. For Vidhan Sabha, the party won 3 out of 11 seats in the
District in the first general elections in 1952. In the mid-term elections held
in 1962, it won 1 seat out of 7, and in 1969, in the mid-term elections, it
captured 5 Vidhan Sabha seats out of 9 in the district. Likewise in the fourth
and fifth general elections to the Vidhan Sabha, in 1967 and 1972, it won 4 and
3 seats respectively, out of 3 seats. In sixth and seventh general elections
held in 1977 and 1980, it captured 6 seats out of 10 in each election.
The
position of different parties in the Lok Sabha and in the Pepsu/Punjab Vidhan
Sabha in the district, on the basis of General elections held from time to time
is detailed in the following statement:
|
Name
of party |
Lok Sabha
|
PEPSU
Vidhan Sabha |
|||||||
|
|
No. of seats
won |
||||||||
|
|
First
general Elections 1961-52 |
Bye-elections
1955-56 |
Third
General Elections 1962 |
Fourth
General Elections 1967 |
Fifth
General Elections 1971 |
Sixth
General Elections 1977 |
Seventh
General Elections 1980 |
First
General elections 1951-52 |
Mid-term
Elections 1954 |
|
All
India Parties |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indian
National Congress |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
--- |
--- |
1 |
6 |
6 |
|
Communist
Party of India |
--- |
--- |
-- |
--- |
1 |
-- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
|
Communist
Party of India (Marxist) |
-- |
-- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
-- |
-- |
|
Praja
Socialist party |
-- |
-- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
|
Republican
Party |
--- |
--- |
--- |
-- |
--- |
--- |
-- |
--- |
--- |
|
Bhartiya
Jan Sangh |
|
-- |
--- |
--- |
-- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
|
Janata
Party |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
|
State
Parties |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Akali
Dal |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
-- |
1 |
--- |
3 |
2 |
|
K.
M. P. P. |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
1 |
--- |
|
Lal
Communist |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
-- |
--- |
1 |
--- |
|
Independents
including recognized parties |
1 |
-- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
3 |
|
Total
No. of Seats in the district |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
11 |
11 |
|
Name
of Party |
Punjab Vidhan Sabha
|
|||||||
|
|
Number of Seats won |
|
||||||
|
Second
General Elections 1957 |
Third
General Elections 1962 |
Fourth
General Elections 1967 |
Mid-term
Elections 1969 |
Bye-Elections
1972 |
Fifth
General Elections 1972 |
Sixth
General Elections 1977 |
Seventh
General Elections 1980 |
|
|
All
India Parties |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indian
National Congress |
5 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
-- |
3 |
-- |
2 |
|
Communist
party of India |
1 |
3 |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
-- |
1 |
|
Communist
Party of India (Marxist) |
--- |
--- |
1 |
1 |
--- |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
Praja
Socialist Party |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
Republican
party |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
|
Bhartiya
Jan Sangh |
-- |
--- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
Janata
Party |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
1 |
--- |
|
States
Parties |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Akali
Dal |
--- |
1 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
3 |
6 |
6 |
|
M.
M. P. P. |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
Lal
Communist |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
Independence
Including recognized parties |
1 |
--- |
-- |
--- |
--- |
1 |
1 |
-- |
|
Total
No. seats in the district |
7 |
7 |
9 |
9 |
1 |
9 |
10 |
10 |
(Source: Chief Electoral Officer,
Chandigarh and his publications entitled Reports on General Elections,
Punjab, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1969, 1972 and Election Commission of India, New
Delhi)
(c)
Newspapers and Periodicals
Periodicals
del with news items and current affairs besides reflecting popular opinion to a
large extent. Some of these also contain information on science, history,
morality, nature study, etc. Periodicals published in the district in Punjabi,
Hindi, Urdu, etc. have not made much progress. There is, at present, no daily
newspaper published from this district. The other periodicals such as weekly, monthly,
etc. have also relatively less circulation the district compared to that in
other district.
The
particulars in respect of the periodicals publishes in the Sangrur District are
as follows:
Periodicals publishes in Sangrur
District as on 31 March 1978
|
S. No. |
Name of Periodical |
Place of Publication |
Year when started |
Language |
Circulation |
|
|
|
WEEKLIES
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
Civil News |
Sangrur |
1974 |
Punjabi |
|
|
2 |
Navjiwan |
Sangrur |
1973 |
Punjabi English |
1500+300 |
|
3 |
Lady Raj |
Malerkotla |
--- |
Punjabi Urdu |
--- |
|
4 |
Sadai Ahla Punjab |
Do |
--- |
Urdu |
--- |
|
5 |
Hindi Rah |
Barnala |
--- |
Hindi |
--- |
|
|
|
Monthlies |
|
|
|
|
6 |
Preet Pattari |
Barnala |
1971 |
Punjabi |
N. S. |
|
7 |
Sapanna |
Barnala |
1970 |
Punjabi |
N. S. |
|
8 |
Indian Doctor |
Barnala |
1955 |
Punjabi English Hindi |
1991 |
|
NON-INCLUDED
CATEGORY PAPERS QUARTERLIES |
|||||
|
9 |
Muhandra |
Barnala |
1968 |
Multilingual |
--- |
|
|
|
HALF-YEARLIES
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
Stream |
Barnala |
1960 |
English Hindi and Punjabi |
520 |
|
11 |
Ranbir |
Sangrur |
1945 |
English Hindi Punjabi and Sanskrit |
2,000` |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12 |
Manogya |
Barnala |
1973 |
Hindi Punjabi and English |
|
|
13 |
Udham Jyoti |
Sunam |
1971 |
Punjabi, Hindi, and English |
500 |
(Source: Press in
India, 1976, 20th Annual Report of the Registrar of Newspapers
for India Under the Press and Registration of Books Act, Part II (New Delhi, 1976)
pp. 389—417; and District Public Relations Officer, Sangrur)
The following newspapers and
periodicals, published outside the district, are in fairly large circulation in
the district:
|
S. No. |
Name of newspaper/
periodical |
Place of publication |
Language |
Periodicity |
||
|
|
|
NEWSPAPERS
|
|
|
||
|
1 |
The Tribune |
Chandigarh |
English |
Daily |
||
|
2 |
Indian Express |
,, |
English |
,, |
||
|
3 |
The Hindustan Times |
New Delhi |
English |
Daily |
||
|
4 |
The Times of India |
,, |
,, |
,, |
||
|
5 |
The Statesman |
,, |
,, |
,, |
||
|
6 |
The National Herald |
,, |
,, |
,, |
||
|
7 |
Ajit
|
Jalandhar |
Punjabi |
,, |
||
|
8 |
Akali Patrika
|
,, |
,, |
,, |
||
|
9 |
Nawan Zamana
|
,, |
,, |
,, |
||
|
10 |
Hindi Milap
|
,, |
Hindi |
,, |
||
|
11 |
Panjab Kesri
|
,, |
,, |
,, |
||
|
12 |
Vir Pratap
|
,, |
,, |
,, |
||
|
13 |
Dainik Tribune
|
Chandigarh |
,, |
,, |
||
|
14 |
Hind Samachar
|
Jalandhar |
Urdu |
,, |
||
|
15 |
Nav Bharat Times
|
Delhi |
Hindi |
,, |
||
|
16 |
Milap
|
Jalandhar |
Urdu |
,, |
||
|
17 |
Ranjit
|
Patiala |
Punjabi |
,, |
||
|
18 |
Pratap
|
Jalandhar |
Urdu |
,, |
||
|
19 |
Lok Lehr
|
,, |
Punjabi |
,, |
||
|
20 |
Jagbani
|
,, |
,, |
,, |
||
|
21 |
Chardikala
|
Patiala |
,, |
,, |
||
|
22 |
Punjab Truibune
|
Chandigarh |
,, |
,, |
||
|
PERIODICALS |
||||||
|
1 |
Illustrated Weekly of India
|
Bombay |
English |
Weekly |
||
|
2 |
Filmfare
|
Bombay |
English |
Fortnightly |
||
|
3 |
Femina
|
,, |
,, |
,, |
||
|
4 |
Dharmyug
|
,, |
Hindi |
Weekly |
||
|
5 |
Sarita
|
New Delhi |
Hindi |
Fortnightly |
||
|
6 |
Sushma
|
New Delhi |
Hindi |
,, |
||
|
7 |
Preet Lari
|
Prit Nagar |
Punjabi |
Monthly |
||
|
8 |
Tasvir
|
Jalandhar |
,, |
,, |
||
|
9 |
Shama
|
New Delhi |
Urdu |
,, |
||
|
10 |
Blitz
|
Bombay |
English |
Weekly |
||
|
11 |
Mirror
|
,, |
,, |
Monthly |
||
|
12 |
Link
|
New Delhi |
,, |
Weekly |
||
|
13 |
Lot pot
|
,, |
Hindi |
,, |
||
|
14 |
Mayapuri
|
,, |
,, |
,, |
||
|
15 |
Chandamama
|
Madras |
Hindi Punjabi etc. |
Monthly |
||
|
16 |
The Competition Master
|
Chandigarh |
English |
Monthly |
||
|
17 |
Nandan
|
New Delhi |
Hindi |
,, |
||
|
18 |
Employment News |
New Delhi |
English |
Weekly |
|||
|
19 |
Sunday |
Calcutta |
,, |
,, |
|||
|
20 |
Sports Week |
Bombay |
English |
,, |
|||
|
21 |
Bhawani Journal |
,, |
,, |
Fortnightly |
|||
|
22 |
Caravan |
Delhi |
,, |
,, |
|||
|
23 |
India To-day |
,, |
,, |
,, |
|||
|
24 |
Art of Living |
Amritsar |
English |
Monthly |
|||
|
25 |
Reader’s Digest |
Bombay |
English |
,, |
|||
|
26 |
Competition Success
Review |
Delhi |
,, |
,, |
|||
|
27 |
Current Topics |
Ambala Cantt. |
,, |
,, |
|||
|
28 |
Science To-day |
Bombay |
,, |
,, |
|||
|
29 |
Science Reporter |
Delhi |
English |
Monthly |
|||
|
30 |
Surya |
New Delhi |
English |
Monthly |
|||
|
31 |
Vivekanand Kendra Patrika |
Madras |
,, |
Bi-annually |
|||
|
32 |
Punjabi Dunian |
Patiala |
Punjabi |
Monthly |
|||
|
33 |
Aarsi |
Delhi |
Punjabi |
Monthly |
|||
|
34 |
Bal Sandesh |
Prit Nagar (District
Amritsar |
,, |
,, |
|||
|
35 |
Akkis
|
Delhi |
,, |
,, |
|||
|
36 |
Sachitre-Quami Eketa |
,, |
,, |
,, |
|||
|
37 |
Jan Sahit
|
Patiala |
Punjabi |
,, |
|||
|
38 |
Jagriti |
Chandigarh |
,, |
,, |
|||
|
39 |
Neelmani |
Delhi |
,, |
,, |
|||
|
40 |
Sahit Samachar |
Ludhiana |
,, |
,, |
|||
|
41 |
Changi Kheti |
Ludhiana (P.A.U.) |
,, |
,, |
|||
|
42 |
Inderjall Komics
|
Bombay |
Hindi |
Weekly |
|||
|
43 |
Sarika |
,, |
,, |
Fortnightly |
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Champit
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Manorama |
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Beesvin Sadi |
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Sikh Review |
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(d) Voluntary Social Service Organizations
The
voluntary social service organizations are helpful where the State is unable to
meet demands of the individual. There are a number of voluntary social service
organizations in the district serving social needs of the people in a variety
of ways. These organizations play an important role in the educational, social
and cultural development of the community. They also provide welfare activities
for children, women, the aged, the infirm, the handicapped, and other deserving
sections of the society. A brief account of the important organizations
functioning in the district is given below:
Bharat Sevak Samaj, Sangrur. – This
association is affiliated to the Punjab State Bharat Sevak Samaj, Chandigarh,
and subscribes to the ideals, functions and activities of the parent body. The
Sangrur District Branch was opened at Sangrur in 1957-58. The Samaj organizes
social service camps in rural areas and renders help in rural development
programmes, family planning programmes and setting up of balwadis for children
and craft centers for women.
Bharatiya Mahavir Dal. – It was formed
at Barnala in 1948 to render various types of social service to the society.
Its volunteers render assistance in making arrangements for water at the fairs
and festivals held at different places in the district. The volunteers of the
organization also help the authorities to maintain discipline and to guide the
people at congregations. Besides, it renders, it renders help to the people in
free eye camps.
Shri Sanatan Dharam Mahabir Dal,
Sangrur.
– With its headquarters at Chandigarh, this organisation is registered with
Shri Sanatan Dharam Mahabir Dal, Punjab. Established in Shri Sanatan Dharam
Mahabir Dal, Sangrur, has been rendering voluntary services in religious,
social, and cultural fields. It has about 250 volunteers and branches at
Sangrur, Dhuri, Bhawanigarh, Sunam, Barnala, Tapa, Bhadaur, Malerkotla,
Ahmedgarh, etc. The volunteers of Dal assist the authorities in the maintenance
of law and order at different fairs and festivals; they also render help during
natural calamities and war.
Adh Shakti Dal, Barnala. – This
organization has been functioning in the district since 1976. It sends
volunteers for making arrangements for drinking water at the religious fairs
are held at different places in the district. Besides, it also arranged a free
camp in 1978.
Physical Development Centre, Branala. – Established
in 1976, it arranges physical exercises for children to make their body healthy
and mind sound. It also arranged a free eye camp in 1978.
Shri Sohan Lal Seva Samiti, Barnala. – It has been
functioning in the district since 1942. It sends volunteers for making
arrangements for drinking water at religious fairs besides rendering help in
providing other service. It arranges a free eye camp every year.
There
are a number of organizations or national or international repute, which are
established elsewhere but have their branches in the district. Some of such
organizations are described below:
The Indian Red Cross Society,
District Branch, Sangrur. –
The
Sangrur District branch of the Indian Red Cross Society was constituted on 2
January 1957 under the Indian Red Cross Society Act XIV of 1920. The Branch is
now headed by the Deputy Commissioner as its President and its day-today work
is carried on with the sanction and approval of the Executive Committee, which
has official and non-officials at its members. The Civil Surgeon, Sangrur, is
its Honorary Vice-President. The General Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner
is its Honorary Secretary.
Among the
important activities of the Branch are institutional services; aid to poor,
needy and widows; provision of artificial limbs, tricycles and prostheses to
the handicapped persons. Besides assistance to students, help is rendered to
the affected people, when the district is visited by floods or other natural
calamities. Its Hospital Welfare Section provides amenities and medicines to
indoor patients besides giving equipment as gift for hospitals for the
hospitals for the benefit of patients. It also trans persons in first-aid and
home-nursing and forms Ambulance and Nursing Divisions to render Collective
service at public gatherings, functions, etc.
The main sources
of income of the society are: collection from Lucky Bag Draws, District Relief
Fund, membership subscriptions, contributions, donations, etc. Some of the
services rendered by the District Red Cross Society are detailed below:
It runs 7 trained
dai centers on which it spends about Rs 28,000 annually for their maintenance.
A building for dispensary at village Gidderiani has been constructed by the
Society at a cost of Rs 50,000. With the assistance of Government of India and
State Government, it is setting 25-bedded hospitals at villages Thikriwala,
Chhappa, Dhilwan and Mandvi, besides two other 25 bedded hospitals, at Kothala
and Cheema. It also proposed to build hospitals for working women at Sangrur
and Malerkotla. At the Training Centre for Destitute Women at Malerkotla, the
branch gave training to 50 needy women in two training courses, each of 6
months duration. They were taught sewing, knitting cutting, etc. for their
rehabilitation. Financial assistance of Rs 50 and a sewing machine was given to
each of the trainees. It also helps the authorities in blood donation
motivational programmes. During 1979, it helped in collecting 65,400 c.c. of
blood.
The Sangrur
Branch gave financial assistance for organizing 4 free eye camps with
co-ordination of Charanji Lal Memorial Welfare Society. At these camps, 500
operations were performed and medical care was given to 1,300 patients. A
medical check-up camps was held at village Gidderiani. Medicines were given
free of cost to deserving patients. At Sangrur, an immunization camp was held
chiefly for the benefit of children in 1979.
In 1978, the
Branch contributed Rs 10,000 for cyclone-affected people of Andhra Pradesh, Rs
2,500 for relief work in Punjab, besides a large number of linen and clothes.
During the last 2 years (1978 and 1979) it spent Rs 1,50,000 in helping other
Organisations doing welfare work and for welfare on needy persons, students,
leprosy patients, handicapped persons, widow etc. Ceiling fans were given by
the Branch as gift to schools.
The branch
trained more than 11,500 persons in first-aid and home-nursing during 1978 and
1979. It maintains 5 active Ambulance Division, which render aid to fairs and
public gatherings. Thirty-eight first aid posts are maintained mostly in rulers
areas of the district and one ambulance car for transporting patients operates
from Sangrur. In 1978, it secured 2nd position both in first-aid and
home-nursing training in the State.
Rotary Clubs at Malerkotla and
Barnala.
– With its headquarters in the U. S. A., the Rotary Club is an international
organization, whose motto is ‘Service above Self’. It is a type of brotherhood
to serve the humanity station, country and above al, the world.
There are Rotary
Clubs at Marlerkotla and Barnala, the activities of each of which are described
below:
The Rotary Club,
Malerkotla was established in 1970. It renders useful service to the town in
the form of eye camps. It arranged two eye operation camps upto 31 March 1978
and an amount of Rs 8,000 was spent on these camps. Every year, it donates a
sum of Rs 12,000 to the Home for Blind and Disabled, Malerkotla.
The Rotary Club,
Barnala and Behno Club, Barnala were established in 1975. These clubs arrange
free camps of immunization of children against polio.
Lions Club, Sangrur. – It was
established on 2 April 1977 with 39 members. It has now 41 members. It is an
international organisation whose aim is the uplift and welfare of the needy and
the down-trodden. It has, for this purpose, undertaken certain projects for the
benefit of the less fortunate, the lowly, and the lost. It makes arrangement,
for a free cold-water rehri at the Sangrur Bus Stand, which benefits
more than 5 lakh people in summer; ice for this purpose is supplied free of
cost by some members of the club throughout the summer season.
Besides, it
organizes blood donation camps to donate blood to the District Red Cross Blood
Bank Society and visits the local lepers colony to distribute some funds for
the cyclone-affected people.
The
Lions Clubs is inspired by the Integrated Rural Development Programme. It has
proposed to move to the rural sector as well. The nearest focal point, the
village Bhindra, has been adopted for extending its activities in all the
villages of this focal point. Such activities include sight and conservation
programme, child health care, distribution of books and stationery to poor
students of all school, in all the villages. One poorest child in every school
in every village has been adopted as a sward either by the club or by its
members, and he is provided with schools fees, books and stationery, clothes
etc.
Lions Club, Melerkotla