(iv) Facilities for Drinking Water. – There are no drinking water wells/hand-pumps in most of the villages inhabited by the members of Scheduled Castes and Vimukt Jatis and they have to go to far to fetch the drinking water. Where such wells/hand-pumps, etc. exist, a large number of them need repairs. To remove these difficulties and to provide facilities for fresh drinking water, new wells are sunk or hand-pumps are installed in Harijan bastis and repairs are carried out in respect of old wells/hand-pumps wherever necessary.
The amount of subsidies granted in the district for sinking of new wells land renovation of old ones and installation of hand-pumps, alongwith their number, during 1966-67 to 1971-72, are given below :
|
Year |
|
Amount disbursed as Subsidies (Rs) |
No. of wells sunk/repaired and hand-pumps installed |
|
1966-67 |
.. |
2,500 |
15 |
|
1967-68 |
.. |
4,600 |
25 |
|
1968-69 |
.. |
4,000 |
29 |
|
1969-70 |
.. |
3,500 |
18 |
|
1970-71 |
.. |
3,300 |
23 |
|
1971-72 |
.. |
19,250 |
72 |
(Source : District Welfare Officer, Gurdaspur)
(v) Community Centres. – With a view to eradicating the untouchability and promote social intercourse, Harijan children and women are brought together alongwith others for education and vocational training, respectively, in community centres set up in villages which are mainly inhabited by the Scheduled Castes. In a community centre, there are two paid Social Workers, one male and one female, with one Lady Attendant preferably Trained Dai, who handles maternity cases free of charge. The programmes are so arrange that the centre is used by the children, men and women at different times of the day. The children of pre-school going age are taught cleanliness, songs, games, good behaviour and good habits ; and women are taught social education, cooking, first-aid, home-nursing, tailoring and embroidery. Arrangements are also made for imparting adult-education to men and women.
Under the scheme, 10 community centres are functioning in the district at Dala, Nowsherah Majja Singh, Ballagan (Tahsil Gurdaspur); Dera Baba Nanak, Ranger Nangel now at Panjgirain, Vila Teja (Tahsil Batala); and Narot Jaimalsingh, Dunera, Bhanguri, Dhar Kalan now at Sailli Koliyan (Tahsil Pathankot). The Government provides a subsidy of Rs 2,000 to panchayat of a Harijan village for the construciton of a community centre.
The amount granted as subsidy and the number of Community Centres established in the district, during 1969-70 to 1971-72, are given below :
|
Year |
|
Amount allotted |
No. of Community Centres established |
Amount disbursed |
|
|
|
(Rs) |
|
(Rs) |
|
1969-70 |
.. |
2,000 |
1 |
2,000 |
|
1970-71 |
.. |
2,000 |
1 |
2,000 |
|
1971-72 |
.. |
2,000 |
1 |
2,000 |
(Source : District Welfare Officer, Gurdaspur)
(vi) Legal Assistance. - In order to protect the interests of the members of Scheduled Castes, Vimukt Jatis and other Backward Classes in criminal, civil and revenue cases and to safeguard their rights against the landlords and other exploiting classes, the scheme of legal assistance is in operation. The Deputy Commissioner arranges part-time counsels to take up all such cases on payment of suitable remuneration.
The scheme was introduced in the State in 1958-59. The amount provided in the form of legal assistance and the number of beneficiaries in the district, during 1966-67 to 1971-72, are given below :
|
Year |
|
Amount allotted (Rs) |
Amount spent (Rs) |
No. of beneficiaries |
|
1966-67 |
.. |
.. |
.. |
.. |
|
1967-68 |
.. |
300 |
300 |
10 |
|
1968-69 |
.. |
185 |
185 |
2 |
|
1969-70 |
.. |
210 |
210 |
2 |
|
1970-71 |
.. |
100 |
100 |
2 |
|
1971-72 |
.. |
63 |
63 |
1 |
(Source : District Welfare Officer, Gurdaspur)
(vii) Interest free Loans. – The persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes find it difficult, after completion of their academic or professional courses, to establish themselves in the professions of law, medicine, engineering, architecture, industry, etc. due to lack of financial resources. In order to help them, they are granted loans not exceeding Rs 2,000 each in each case. The loans are interest free and are recoverable in twenty half-yearly instalments, commencing after a lapse of four years from the date of the drawal of the loan.
The scheme was introduced in the State in 1958-59. The amount disbursed under the scheme and the number of beneficiaries in the district, during 1966-67 to 1971-72, are given below :
|
Year |
|
Amount disbursed (Rs) |
No. of beneficiaries |
|
1966-67 |
.. |
6,500 |
16 |
|
1967-68 |
.. |
1,05,180 |
101 |
|
1968-69 |
.. |
7,680 |
17 |
|
1969-70 |
.. |
7,500 |
15 |
|
1970-71 |
.. |
74,000 |
88 |
|
1971-72 |
.. |
.. |
.. |
(Source : District Welfare Officer, Gurdaspur)
(viii) Award of Scholarship and Reimbursement of Fees. – One of the important schemes, which has been in operation aiming at the improvement of the educational standard of the members of these classes, relates to the award of scholarships and reimbursement of the fees to the students belonging to them. Scholarships are awarded both at the pre-matric and post-matric stages. The ceiling on the income of the parents for eligibility of their children to receive stipends has been enhanced from Rs 1,800 per year to Rs 3,600 per year. The rate of scholarships has also been increased from Rs 6 per child at the Matriculation stage to Rs 10 per child, per month, for those who obtain first and second divisions.
(ix) Piggery Scheme. - Started in 1966-67, this scheme envisages grant of subsidy of Rs 800 to each deserving members of Scheduled Castes for the purchase of at least four pigs (one boar and three sows) at Rs 200 each, subject to the maintenance charges. Under the scheme, subsidies amounting to Rs 22,400 were given to 28 beneficiaries in the during the period from 1966-67 to 1971-72.
(x) Dharmsalas Scheme.- Harijans have to face a lot of difficulty at the time of marriages and other social gatherings for want of suitable roofed accommodation. Therefore, the State Government introduced, in 1969-70 a scheme for the construction do Dharmsalas in Harijan bastis in order to provide facilities of dignified community-life for these people.
The amount disbursed under the scheme and the number of villages benefited in the district, during 1969-70 to 1971-72, are given below:
|
Year |
|
Amount disbursed (Rs) |
No. of villages benefited |
|
1969-70 |
.. |
95000 |
19 |
|
1970-71 |
.. |
247,500 |
45 |
|
1971-72 |
.. |
368500 |
67 |
(Source : District Welfare Officer, Gurdaspur)
(II)
Industrial Training Schemes
Besides, the implementation of the above mentioned schemes, the Industrial Training Section of the Industries Department, Punjab, has sponsored several other schemes for imparting training to the members of the Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes in Various engineering and non- engineering trades. Of these schemes, the following may be mentioned: -
(i) Industrial Training Centres.- Under this schemes, technical training facilities are provided by the Director of Industries, (Industrial Training Section), Punjab, to the youth belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Vimukt Jatis and other Backward Classes, in the trade like hosiery, blacksmithy, carpentary, leather work and tailoring. While under training, each of them is given monthly stipend of Rs 45. There is one Industrial Training Centre in the district at Fatehgarh Churian which is exclusively meant for trainees belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Vimukt Jatis and other Backward Classes.
(ii) Industrial Training in Mills, Factories and Institutions.- Under this scheme, the members of the Scheduled Castes, Vimukt Jatis and other Backward Classes are given training in various trades in mills, factories and in various industrial training institutions, centres, schools, etc. The scheme is implemented by the Director of Industries (Industrial Training Section), Punjab. A monthly stipend of Rs 45 is granted to each trainee for the period.
(iii) Industrial Training Institutes.- Under this scheme, a number of industrial training institutes are functioning in the State where training is imparted in various engineering and non- engineering trades. Twenty per cent of the seats are reserved for the trainees belonging to the Schedule Castes and two per cent for those belonging to the Backward Classes. A stipend of Rs 40 per mensem is awarded to 60 per cent of the trainees belonging to these classes on povery-cum-merit basis. They are also provided other facilities like free education, free medical aid, free clothing and free hostel accommodation, subject to the availability of seats.
There are four Industrial Training Institutes in the District at Batala, Qadian, Gurdaspur, and Pathankot.
(iv) Industrial Schools for Boys and Girls.- Training is provided free to all the trainees in various vocational engineering trades in these schools. Twenty per cent of the seats are reserved for the trainees belonging to the Scheduled Classes. Stipends are awarded to a limited number of trainees on povery-cum-merit basis. There are three Government Industrial Schools for Girls in the district at Pathankot, Gurdaspur, and Fatehgarh Churian. Besides, there are two private recognised Industrial Schools for girls at Batala and Qadian.
Representative Institutions
There is no representative institution of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes in the District.
(d)
Other Social Welfare Activities
The Government have introduced a number of a schemes for the uplift and rehabilitation of the socially and economically backward sections of the society. Some important among these are describe below :
The old age position scheme was introduced in the State in 1964. As a measure of social security for the old and the infirm, old age pensions are given to those old and infirm persons who have no living sons and have no means of livelihood and there is none to look after them. In case of men, they should be above 65 years and in case of women, above 60 years. In case of disabled persons, this age-limit is, however, relaxable up to 10 years. Under this scheme, each beneficiary was previously given a pension of Rs 25 per month for life which has been raised prices of essential commodities. A sum of Rs 6,52,298 was spent on this scheme in the district during the period from 1966-67 to 1971-72. The total number of persons covered under the scheme in the district, as on March 31, 1972, was 928.
The other schemes introduced under the social welfare programme are mentioned below :
Financial assistance is provided to orphans and destitute children while they continue to stay in their own families. Socio-economic security is provided to needy windows and destitute women below the age of 60 years. Blind girls of school-going age are given education and training (in the Government Institute for the Blind Girls, Ludhiana, set up in 1968) to enable them to attain economic Independents in life. Artificial limbs are provided to the orthopaodically handicapped persons so that they may lead as normal life as possible. The Government pays for the cost of artificial limbs depending on the income of the applicant.
When discharged from hospitals, the helpless victims of chronic diseases and mental patients are provided after care services and financial assistance to enable them to continue the treatment and the special diet at home. Besides, scholarships are provided to the physcially handicapped students for undergoing various educational and vocational courses. Provision has also been made for the detention, training and rehabilitation of beggars and their dependents in a special institutions.
(e)
Public Trusts, Charitable Endowments and Muslim Wakfs
While the effectiveness of voluntary effort is limited by the inadequate finances, there are some public trusts and endowments, provided with capital of varying sizes., the income from which is earmarked for the wants and for relief of human suffering.
Bawa Lal Ji Maharaj Trust, Dhianpur, is the only trust in the district. Founded by Mahant Dwarka Das in 1969, it is doing good work for the welfare of the people.
Muslim Wakfs. – Besides, there are 2,850 Muslims Wakfs at different places in the district, with properties attached to some of them. These properties were maintained by the Custodian Department, Government of India, up to 1961, when their administration was entrusted to the Punjab Wakf Board (with headquarters at Ambala Cantt). The administration of the Wakfs is regulated by the Central Wakf Act, 1954.
The annual income from the Wakf properties in the district is about Rs 1,40,000. It is spent for the upkeep of these institutions and for various charitable purposes and promotion of education, both religious and secular, of the particular community.
The important Wakfs in the district ar Khanqah Hazart Syed Saraj-ul-Haq, Gurdaspur; Khanqah, Kot Miyan Sahib; Khanqah, Kalanaur ; Khanqah Baba Goudar Shah, Katowal ; Khanqah, Ratar Chater ; Mosque, Mohalla Rajrian, Pathankot ; and Khanqah, Dhangoo Road, Pathankot.
The staff of the Wakf Board, posted in the district, consists of one Field Inspector at Batala, and four Rent Controllers (two at Batala and one each at Gurdaspur and Pathankot).
APPENDIX
(Vide page 415)
Scheduled
Castes and Backward Classes inhabiting the Gurdaspur
District
|
Serial No. |
Name of Caste |
|
Main professions |
|
|
|
Scheduled Castes |
|||
|
1. |
Ad Dharmi |
.. |
Agricultural labour, shoe-making and leather tanning |
|
|
2. |
Bangali |
.. |
Begging |
|
|
3. |
Barar, Burar or Berar |
.. |
Manufacturing of chhaj of reeds and begging |
|
|
4. |
Betwal |
.. |
Cultivation, construction, etc. |
|
|
5. |
Balmiki, Chura or Bhangi |
.. |
Agricultural labour and stripping of skins of dead animals |
|
|
6. |
Bazigar |
.. |
Sheep and goat trade and labour |
|
|
7. |
Chamar, Ramdasi and Ravidasi |
.. |
Agricultural labour, shoe-making, tanning, household industry, etc. |
|
|
8. |
Chanal |
.. |
.. |
|
|
9. |
Dhanak |
.. |
Weaving and agriculture |
|
|
10. |
Dumna, Mahasha or Doom |
.. |
Agricultural labour, etc. |
|
|
11. |
Kabir Panthi or Julaha |
.. |
Weaving and agriculture |
|
|
12. |
Mazhabi |
.. |
Cultivation, agricultural labour, household industry, tanning and currying of hides and skins, scavenging, etc. |
|
|
13. |
Megh |
.. |
Weaving and agriculture |
|
|
14. |
Sansi, Bhedkut or Manesh |
.. |
Cultivation, agricultural labour, house-hold industry, begging, etc. |
|
|
15. |
Sarera |
.. |
.. |
|
|
|
Backward
Classes |
|||
|
1. |
Baragi |
.. |
Begging |
|
|
2. |
Bhat, Bhatra |
.. |
Begging |
|
|
3. |
Bhuhalia or Lohar |
.. |
Iron work |
|
|
4. |
Chang |
.. |
Labour, agriculture |
|
|
5. |
Chhimba |
.. |
Tailoring |
|
|
6. |
Dhobi |
.. |
Washing of clothes |
|
|
7. |
Gorkha |
.. |
Chaukidari |
|
|
8. |
Jhanngra, Brahman |
.. |
Labour |
|
|
9. |
Jogi Nath |
.. |
Labour |
|
|
10. |
Kahar |
.. |
Labour |
|
|
11. |
Kumhar |
.. |
Pottery and donkey transport |
|
|
12. |
Labana |
.. |
Agriculture |
|
|
13. |
Marasi |
.. |
Begging |
|
|
14. |
Nai or barber, Hajjam |
.. |
Barber’s job |
|
|
15. |
Soi |
.. |
Labour |
|
|
16. |
Teli |
.. |
Oil work |
|
|
17. |
Julaha |
.. |
Weaving of cloth |
|
|
18. |
Kamboj |
.. |
Agriculture |
|
|
|
Vimukt Jatis |
|||
|
1. |
Kuch bandh |
.. |
.. |
|
|
2. |
Barar |
.. |
.. |
|
|
3. |
Sansi (Bhedkut) |
|
Agricultural labour |
|
PUBLIC
LIFE AND VOLUNTARY SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION
|
(a) |
Representation of the District in the State and the Union Legislatures |
|
(b) |
|
|
(c) |
|
|
(d) |
(a)
Representation of the District in the State and the Union Legislatures
Historical Retrospect.- In laying down a federal constitution for India, the Government Act, 1935, gave the provinces a new constitutional status which was designated as the ‘Provisional Autonomy’. Under the Act, full responsible government was introduced in the provinces. In accordance with the provisions of this Act, the first General Elections were held in January1937, and the second and the last in March 1946. This long gap was due to the interruption in the normal working of the Constitution during the course of the World War-II (1939-45).
General
Elections held under the Constitution of India
The ideal of universal adult franchise was achieved in India after the inauguration of the Sovereign Democratic Republic on January 26, 1950. Article 326 of the Constitution of India provides that the elections to the House of the People (Lok Sabha) and to the Legislative Assemble (Vidhan Sabha) of every State shall be on the basis of adult franchise. Every person who is a citizen of India and is not less than twenty-one years of age is entitled to vote, if he is not otherwise disqualified. Up till 1974, five General Elections had been held in the country on the basis of adult franchise. The phenomenal success of thee elections, characterized by smooth progress of voting is a proof of the spirit of the masses to adjust themselves to a democratic way of life.
In 1975, the Punjab State had 104 members unicameral legislature–the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha). No person is eligible to be chosen to fill a seat in the State Legislature unless he is a citizen of India and not less than 25 years of age and progress such other qualifications as prescribed in the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and also does not suffer from any of the stipulated disqualifications.
First General Elections, 1951-52.- After the achievement of the Independents in 1947, the First General Elections in the Punjab, as in the rest of India, were held in 1951-52. These represented a bold experiment in democracy. Franchise was thrown open to every adult not suffering from a disqualification, even though the number of literates in the population did not exceed 12 per cent. The electoral roll prepared at the general elections of 1946 had already become out of date. The creation of the Dominions of India and Pakistan 1947 had violently wrested the entire population from their homes and thus substantially altered the composition of the roll. The extension of the franchise made nearly 50 per cent of the population eligible for registration, whereas, at 1946 election, only 13½ per cent enjoyed the right to vote. An entirely new roll had thus to be prepared. Similarly, the delimitation of the constituencies had to be done afresh. The old distinction between rural and urban constituencies was done away with. As against 1,300 polling stations in 1946, 7,000 had to be set up, and thousands of subordinate staff had to made conversan with the new and complicated election procedure.
Out of the total population of the Gurdaspur District numbering 8,51,046 (1951 Census), 4,58,619 persons were eligible to vote. According t the scale of representation laid down for the State, an Assembly seat was to allocated to the population of 1,00,079 persons or 46,571 voters. On this basis, one Parliamentary Constituency and 8 Assembly Constituencies were allocated to the Gurdaspur District. One of the Assembly Constituencies, viz. Gurdaspur was declared double-member constituency and was reserved for the Scheduled Castes.
Parliamentary
Constituency1
There was only one Parliamentary Constituency in the District, viz. Gurdaspur. The total number of electors in the constituency was 3,53,804 voted. The Congress candidate was elected from the constituency. The number of votes polled by different political parties was as follows: -
|
Name of party |
|
No. of valid votes polled |
Percentage of total valid votes polled |
|
Congress |
.. |
86,052 |
47.2 |
|
Independents |
.. |
83,548 |
45.8 |
|
Akali Dal |
.. |
12,813 |
7.0 |
|
Total |
.. |
1,82,413 |
100 |
Punjab Legislative Assembly
Constituencies2
For the Punjab Legislative Assembly, there were 8 constituencies consisting of 9 seats in the district (one constituency being double-member), viz. Dera Baba Nanak, Serah, Abatala, Srigobindpur, Rania, Gurdaspur (double-member constituency), Narot Jaimalsingh and Pathankot. From these constituencies, 8 Congress and one Independent candidates were declared elected.
1. Report on the First General Legislative, Elections on the Punjab
State held under the Constitution of India, 1951-52 (Simla, 19, 1952), pp. 71,
110-111.
2. Ibid., pp. 81-82, 210-17
The total number of votes polled by the different parties is given below: -
|
Name of party |
|
No. of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
|
Congress |
.. |
1,27,129 |
41.5 |
|
|
Independents |
.. |
7,16,598 |
23.4 |
|
|
Akali Dal |
.. |
7,11,923 |
23.3 |
|
|
Jan Sangh |
|
24,710 |
8.1 |
|
|
Socialists |
|
5,785 |
1.9 |
|
|
Forward Bloc |
|
3,814 |
1.2 |
|
|
Lal Communists |
|
1,812 |
0.6 |
|
|
Total |
.. |
3,06,101 |
100 |
|
Second General Elections, 1957.- The task of conducting the first general elections in 1951-52 was of great magnitude and complexity. The General Elections in 1957 were attended in some respects with even greater difficulty. With the merger of the erstwhile PEPSU with the Punjab on November 1, 956, the State area and the electorate involved had become much larger, while the delimitation of constituencies was effected only a few weeks before the elections leaving the minimum of time for the extensive arrangement that were necessary. Along with this, the total period for all poll in the State was reduced appreciable (i.e. February 24 to March 14, 1957). The counting of votes was also taken up in each constituency as soon as poll had been completed, instead of after polling in the entire State had been completed.
Out of the total population of 8,51,046 (1951 Census) of the district, the number of electors was 4,60,263. In accordance with the report of the Delimitation Commission, one Lok Sabha Constituency and 7 Punjab Vidhan Sabha Constituencies (including one double-member constituency) were allocated to the district.
Lok
Sabha Consitutuency3
There was only one Lok Sabha Constituency in the district, viz. the Gurdaspur Constituency. The elected candidate belonged to the Congress. The position of the contesting parties was as under:
|
Name of party |
|
No. of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
|
Congress |
.. |
100911 |
40.3 |
|
|
Independents |
.. |
69977 |
27.9 |
|
|
Jan Sangh |
|
48127 |
19.2 |
|
|
Communists |
|
31546 |
12.6 |
|
|
Total |
.. |
250561 |
100 |
|
Punjab
Vidhan Sabha Constituencies4
For the Vidhan Sabha, there were 7 constituencies consisting of 8 seats (including one seat reserved for the Scheduled Castes) and as such there was one double-member constituency. The names of these constituencies were: Srigobindpur, Batala, Fatehgarh Churian, Dera Baba Nanak, Dhariwal, Gurdaspur (double-member constituency) and Pathankot. All the 8 elected candidates from these constituencies belonged to the Congress. The number of votes polled by each contesting party is given below:
|
Name of party |
|
No. of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
|
Congress |
.. |
146762 |
40.8 |
|
|
Independents |
.. |
78215 |
21.7 |
|
|
Communists |
|
69893 |
19.4 |
|
|
Jan Sangh |
|
651880 |
18.1 |
|
|
Total |
.. |
3600580 |
100 |
|
3. Report on
General Elections in Punjab, 1975 (Chandigarh 1959), p. 94
4. Ibid, pp.
117-19
Third General Elections, 1962.- This time, major improvement in the matter of elections in
the State was in regard to the poll.
While it took nearly 19 days to complete the poll during the Second
General Elections, the poll this time was held and completed in a single day,
i.e. on February 24, 1962, throughout the State except in the snow-bound Kulu
and Seraj Constituencies where it was held towards the end of April. The Punjab was the only State which had the
distinction of having a single day poll both for the Parliamentary and Assembly
elections. Because of a single day
poll, a large number of officials had to be deputed for the purpose. In addition, the Police and Home Guards were
detailed for duty at the polling stations for the maintenance of law and
order.
As a result of the bifurcation of the double-member constituencies, 8 Assembly Constituencies were formed in the Gurdaspur District as against 7 Assembly Constituencies (the Gurdaspur Constituency being double-member constituency) during the Second General Elections of 1957. The positions regarding the Parliamentary Constituency remained unchanged.
Out of total population of 9,80,879 (1961 Census), the number of electors in the district was 5,29,133.
Lok
Sabha Constituency5
There was only one Parliamentary Constituency in the district, viz. the Gurdaspur Constituency, from which the Congress candidate was elected. The position of the votes polled by each contesting party was as under:
|
Name of party |
|
No. of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
|
Congress |
.. |
1,38,907 |
48.1 |
|
|
Akali Dal |
.. |
80,409 |
28.6 |
|
|
Jan Sangh |
|
55,442 |
19.0 |
|
|
Independents |
.. |
12,291 |
4.3 |
|
|
Total |
.. |
2,89,049 |
100 |
|
____________________________________________________________________________________
5. Report on the General Elections in Punjab, 1962 (Chandigarh, 1963), p. 61
Punjab Vidhan Sabha Constituencies6
For the Vidhan Sabha, there were 8 constituencies in the district, viz. Srigobindpur, Batala, Fatehgarh Churian, Dera Baba Nanak, Dhariwal, Narot Jaimalsingh (Scheduled Castes), Pathankot and Gurdaspur. From these constituencies, 5 Congress and 3 Akali Dal candidates were elected. The total number of valid votes polled by each contesting party is given below:
|
Name of party |
|
No. of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
|
Congress |
.. |
162361 |
48.4 |
|
|
Akali Dal |
.. |
79705 |
23.8 |
|
|
Jan Sangh |
.. |
52435 |
15.6 |
|
|
Independents |
.. |
26122 |
7.8 |
|
|
Communists |
.. |
11808 |
3.5 |
|
|
Swatantra |
.. |
2711 |
0.8 |
|
|
Ram Rajya Parishad |
.. |
220 |
0.1 |
|
|
Total |
.. |
335362 |
100 |
|
Fourth General Elections, 1967.- The general elections held in 1967 were the fourth in the country and the first in the new State of Punjab which came in to being on the re-organization on November 1, 1966. The constituencies delimited in 1956 were subjected to delimitation as notified by the Delimitation Commission in November 1966. The Gurdaspur District was divided into one Lok Sabha Constituency and other 9 Punjab Vidhan Sabha Constituencies. Out of the total population of 9,80,879 (1961 Census) of the district, the number of electors was 5,48,251. As in the last general elections, the poll in all the constituencies was held under the marking system of voting and completed in one day on February 19, 19667.
Lok
Sabha Constituencies7
There was only one Lok Sabha Constituency in the District, viz. Gurdaspur from which the Congress candidate was elected.
6. Ibid, pp. 82-83
7. Report on General Election in Punjab 1976 (Chandigarh 1968), p.
66
The total number of valid votes polled by each of the contesting parties in the district was as follows:
|
Name of party |
|
No. of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
|
Congress |
.. |
105971 |
31.7 |
|
|
Jan Sangh |
.. |
83225 |
24.9 |
|
|
Akali Dal (Sant Group) |
.. |
69029 |
20.6 |
|
|
Independents |
.. |
55763 |
16.7 |
|
|
Swatantra |
.. |
20546 |
6.1 |
|
|
Total |
.. |
334534 |
100 |
|
Punjab
Vidhan Sabha Constituencies8
There were 9 Punjab Vidhan Sabha Constituencies (including 2 reserved for members of the Scheduled Castes) in the district, viz. Fatehgarh Churian, Batala, Srigobindpur, Qadian, Dhariwal, Gurdaspur, Dinanagar (Scheduled Castes), Narot Mehra (Scheduled Castes) and Pathankot.
Out of the 9 candidates elected from the above constituencies, 7 has affiliation with the Congress Party, 1 with the Akali Dal (Sant Group) and favour of each of the parties in the district was as follows: -
|
Name of party |
|
No. of valid votes polled |
Percentage |
|
|
Congress |
.. |
145695 |
39.24 |
|
|
Jan Sangh |
|
78706 |
21.20 |
|
|
Akali Dal (Sant Group) |
.. |
68380 |
18.42 |
|
|
Independents |
.. |
54336 |
14.63 |
|
|
Akali Dal (Master Group) |
|
15575 |
4.19 |
|
|
Communists party of India |
|
6748 |
1.82 |
|
|
Swntantra |
|
1852 |
0.50 |
|
|
Total |
.. |
371292 |
100 |
|
8. Ibid., p.63