CHANDIGARH, JULY 22: The Punjab Government on Wednesday finalised the policy for giving suitable appointments in the state Class I, II, II and IV services to the dependents of the war heroes who sacrifice their lives while defending the country.According to the policy approved by the council of ministers at a meeting here on Wednesday chaired by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, the qualification needed for non-technical Class I and II posts would be graduation whereas for Class III posts, it would be matriculation. No educational qualification is required for the Class IV posts. The condition of experience prescribed for any of these posts has been relaxed for these categories. Appointees under this policy would also be exempted from the mandatory requirement of knowledge of Punjabi language or from passing Punjabi typewriting test wherever required.According to an official spokesman, the appointment to all these posts would be made on the recommendations of a high powered committee comprising the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, Defence Services Welfare, Financial Commissioner, Development, Financial Commissioner, Revenue, Principal Secretary, Finance and Secretary, Personnel. For appointment against Class IV posts, the deputy commissioner of the respective district would be competent to make recommendations at the district level.It was decided that in case of death or disability ranging from 75 to 100 per cent, an ex-gratia grant of Rs 2 lakh from the State Government would be given. In addition, a grant of Rs 5 lakh would be given for house construction. As an alternative, a residential plot would be allotted at the reserve price and for which Rs 5 lakh would be paid by the State Government and the rest of the amount by the allottee.In case of disability ranging between 50 per cent to 75 per cent, the ex-gratia would be Rs 1 lakh and in case of disability ranging between 25 per cent to 50 per cent, it would be Rs 50,000.Efforts would be made to adjust candidates in the departments of their choice after ascertaining the preferences of the bereaved families. Even if no vacancy is available in a particular department, a post of direct quota would stand created automatically over and above the present cadre strength. The relevant provisions of the Punjab Civil Service Rules would be amended to expedite the appointments under these rules.The council of ministers also approved the proposal of upper age relaxation up to a maximum of 10 years to the disabled persons for direct recruitment in class I and II services.The council of ministers granted ex-post sanction to increase the ex-gratia grant in respect of 34 victims of Dharam Yudh morcha launched by the Akali Dal from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh retrospectively with effect from August 1, 1981 as in the case of terrorist victims.The Dowry Prohibition Officers have been given police powers. It was also decided to introduce preliminary examination for the posts of deputy superintendent of police on the pattern of the Punjab Civil Service (Executive). To be conducted by the Punjab Public Service Commission, it would consist of two objective type papers, one in general studies and one subject to be chosen from the list of optional subjects. The Punjab Police Rules, 1959 would be suitably amended for this purpose.The council of ministers also granted its approval to the proposal under which landless prisoners would be given six week parole twice a year as is given to the prisoners who own land.
