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Flying school, cricket stadium, SEZ planned
Bathinda, July 6 Unfolding the development agenda for the town, acting president of the SAD Sukhbir Singh Badal said here today that a four-lane ring road, flyover on the railway level crossing and a modern jail on 50 acres would be constructed here. Sukhbir, who visited various spots in the town to identify the sites for these projects, said the government would soon set up a Bathinda Development Authority (BDA), which would be headed by a bureaucrat. The government was hopeful of getting huge funds from the Central Urban Renewal Funds for initiating development in around 40 cities of the state, including Bathinda. A master plan for the town would be prepared and it would be implemented within three years’ time. The entire town would be provided with sewerage, potable water supply, roads and green belts and local transportation system. Sukhbir said for certain projects, the Centre had given approval while the process to get approval for the other projects was on. The cricket stadium and academy would be set up by the BCCI on 25 acres. The SEZ for textile would be set up on 250 acres and the state government would provide 24-hour power supply to the units set up in the zone. The government had initiated the process to set up power plants at Mansa, Abohar, Rajpura and Goindwal to add about 7,000 MW of power to the existing generation capacity of the state. A corporation would be set up at a cost of Rs 4,000 crore for revamping the irrigation system, he added. MOGA: Officiating president of the SAD Sukhbir Singh Badal said here on Thursday that the coalition government of the SAD-BJP would spend nearly Rs 4,000 crore on remodeling of canals in the state. He was here to attend a marriage reception on Thursday night. Talking to The Tribune on the sidelines of the function, he said under a pilot project four villages each from Majha, Doaba and Malwa regions would be picked to clean ponds at a cost of Rs 80
crore.
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Japanese investment sought
Chandigarh, July 6 Badal made this plea to a delegation of the JBIC that called upon him to discuss the investment plans of the bank for Punjab late last evening. The Japanese delegation responded positively, a spokesman for the SAD said in a press note here today.
— TNS
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SLP in Chahal case The Order
Justice Uma Nath Singh pronounced in
the open court that advocate-general, Punjab, H.S. Mattewal, K.K.
Khurana, additional advocate-general, Punjab and Rita Kohli,
additional advocate-general, Punjab, tender an unconditional apology
over the use of intemperate language in the SLP filed against the
order of this court. Their apologies are accepted. Also, Kanwaljit
Singh, SP, Punjab Vigilance Bureau, who has sworn an affidavit to
support the SLP, tenders unconditional apology. His apology is
accepted. Accordingly, the matter is closed.
Chandigarh, July 6 The proceedings before the single Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court began on a tempestuous note with Justice Uma Nath Singh expressing displeasure over the contents of an affidavit, filed with the SLP, by the Vigilance SP, Kanwaljit Singh. The judge announced that a contempt notice be issued to AG, the Vigilance SP (officer-in charge) and other advocates, who were involved in the drafting of the SLP. The SLP was filed by Punjab before the apex court against the June 1 order by Justice Singh whereby Chahal was granted relief against arrest till July 4. The judge’s ire remained unabated when advocate-general H.S. Mattewal pleaded for leniency. The SP, Vigilance Bureau, bore the maximum brunt for his affidavit with the judge saying that a criminal contempt against the SP could seriously jeopardise his service. It was due to some dexterous handling by Mattewal that the situation was salvaged. Mattewal assured the judge that it was never his or his team’s intention to belittle the court. Justice Nath Singh also took umbrage to the absence of KK Khurana, an AAG based in Delhi, and remarked that the HC was not supposed to wait for anyone. Mattewal pleaded that the AAG had been informed of the court’s order and would be in the court soon. The scene charged up again when Khurana came to the court with the judge asking him as to who had drafted the SLP full of intemperate language. Khurana submitted that his junior had drafted the SLP and he owned up the responsibility for the same. Khurana said the error was due to the fact that the advocate who had drafted the SLP did not have a good command over English language.
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Badal visits flood-hit villages
Muktsar, July 6 Badal, who undertook a tour of about 15 flood-affected villages of this district, said special girdawari had been ordered to assess the loss to various crops caused by the rains in the region. The affected farmers would be compensated suitably,
he added. TARN TARAN (OC): Crop on thousands of acres in around 18 villages of the mand area, situated on the banks of the Beas, has been destroyed due to floods. Tehsildar and in charge of the flood-control committee Jagdeep Singh Momi said here on Thursday that the crop on 89 acres at Gharka, Karmuwala, Chamba Kalan and Kambo Dhaiwala villages had been destroyed while high water level of the Beas had forced the farmers to leave 2,363 acres unsown. The situation in Jalalabad, Bodal Kirri, Verowal, Goindwal, Dhunda, Manakdeke, Bhail, Kaler, Johal Dhai Wala, Munda Pind, Gujarpura, Harike and Sabhra villages had been deteriorating
day by day. Leader of the Zamhori Kisan Sabha Pargat Singh Jamarai said there had been extensive damage to the sugarcane crop
the area.
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Empowerment of MLAs
Chandigarh, July 6 Tikshan Sud, a BJP minister, who also holds the portfolio of parliamentary affairs, will be a member of the ministers’ committee. Sources said Sukhbir Badal had given broad outlines to the government authorities with regard to the facilities which could be extended to the MLAs. Political analysts are of the view that Sukhbir Badal is preparing for a “ bigger responsibility” and his letter for further empowering of the MLAs should be seen in a larger political context. The sources said the facilities would be extended to all MLAs, including those belonging to the Congress. The question is whether these will be used by the opposition MLAs or not. A meeting in this regard is expected to be held among leader of the house in the Punjab assembly Parkash Singh Badal, leader of the opposition Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon and Sud. The sources said that a lounge for the MLAs would be set up in a room opposite the press room on the second floor of the Punjab civil secretariat.
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Uttarakhand-cadre IAS officer to join government
Dehra Dun, July 6 Known for his professional approach, he had earlier served as commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, during the previous tenure of the Badal government. Though an Akali Cabinet minister is trying to utilise Sandhu’s services in the Industry Department but as per Punjab government sources, he will join as secretary to Punjab Chief Minister and is most likely to be given an important assignment of infrastructure development. As MC commissioner, he is credited with conceptualising and executing a number of projects, including Leisure Valley, elevated road, flyovers at Dhuri railway crossing and Dhandari Kalan areas, division of Ludhiana city into four zones for better management and computerisation of municipal records. The ambitious project of laying metalled roads on both sides of Budda Nullah with twin aims of facilitating its cleaning and decongesting the traffic was also his baby. But work on it came to a standstill as his tenure was cut short. In Uttarakhand he has served as secretary, housing, urban development, PWD, industry and tourism. He did a lot to restore the old charm of Mussoorie during his tenure as vice-chairman, Mussoorie-Dehra Dun Development Authority.
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CM can appoint patrons to NRI Sabha: AG
Chandigarh, July 6 According to the legal opinion given by the AG, a copy of which is in the possession of The Tribune, the term of the patrons of the sabha is co-terminus with the term of the chief minister, who is the chief patron of the sabha. Since the two existing patrons, Avtar Henry and Amarjit Singh Samra, had been nominated by the former chief minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, whose term has expired, the term of these two patrons should also be “deemed to have expired” and hence there is no need to remove them, the AG recommends. Importantly, the constitution of the NRI Sabha is silent about the term of the patrons. “The current chief patron (chief minister) can now appoint one or more patrons at an early date,” the AG further recommends. Referring to the amendments in the constitution of the NRI Sabha, the AG opines that since the amended clause 6 of the constitution has not been sought to be quashed, the amendments were absolutely legal and valid. According to the said amended clause 6, the chief minister (earlier patron and now designated as chief patron of the sabha) can nominate one or more vice-patrons (now designated as patrons) to the sabha but there was no mention of the term of the said appointees. On the basis of the said amendment, the chief patron had appointed the two patrons, Avtar Henry and Amarjit Singh Samra. Their appointment was challenged by Pritam Singh and others in the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2006 where it was also pleaded that the directions be issued to ensure proper and fair elections to the NRI Sabha. While the matter was pending in the high court, the NRI Sabha had unanimously elected Giani Resham Singh Hayre as its president on February 3, 2006. The high court then issued verbal instructions that the president of the sabha should not take any further action. The AG also suggested that steps should be taken to ensure fair elections to the sabha and provisions of its constitution should be followed in letter and in spirit. Also, the general meeting of the sabha should be held annually as stipulated.
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SAD sheds confrontation policy
Bathinda, July 6 “We don’t want any clash with the Centre as we want to make a huge development in Punjab with its cooperation,” said acting president of the SAD Sukhbir Singh Badal here today. He went to the extent of saying that he would not make any comment when asked whether the SAD still felt that the Centre was meting out step-motherly treatment to Punjab. “The Centre and the Punjab government are not acting like India and Pakistan and hence there should not be any clash between the two”, He added. Sukhbir, who held a meeting with party workers of various districts of the Malwa region here today, showered praise on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for extending cooperation to the Punjab government in initiating various development projects. When asked what was the yardstick adopted by the SAD to measure the response of the Centre towards the Punjab government, he said any comment in that context could be made only after few months. However, he said, so far the response of the Centre was positive.
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SAD leaders abusing SGPC workers: Panjoli Patiala, July 6 In a press note here yesterday, he alleged that 250 workers of the committee were currently working as personal attendants at the houses of SAD leaders. They were working as drivers, cooks and gunmen to SAD leaders, he alleged. He alleged that most workers were gaining entry into the SGPC through their services to such members. Unplanned and unnecessary recruitment into the SGPC was financially weakening the organisation, he added. “Once the employees start retiring from the organisation, it would be forced to pay their dues.” He also condemned the decision of the SGPC to form directorates. The SGPC was planning to appoint additional secretary and four directors. Retired IAS officers who were close to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal were planning to seek appointments on plum posts, he alleged. “Due to political appointments, the SGPC was turning into bureaucratic organisation, serving its political masters. It is not being able to carry out its primary task of promoting the ethos of Sikh religion,” he alleged. He said SGPC members who were not party to the decision would resort to legal measures to stop the formation of directorates that would put additional financial burden on the religious organisation.
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SGPC president’s term
Amritsar, July 6 The proposed deputation comprising senior SGPC and SAD leaders would also urge expediting the CBI case against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. The joint deputation will also urge the union home minister to get back the rare manuscripts and books taken from the Sikh Reference Library of Golden Temple after Operation Bluestar. Ranjit Singh Nanda, a retired CBI inspector, had made a statement that the rare manuscripts, hukamnamas, books and invaluable material of the Sikh Reference Library was taken in gunny bags and big trunks to an unknown place after Operation Bluestar. The joint deputation would also seek permission to co-opt foreign-based Sikhs in the SGPC.
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Round-up
Chandigarh, July 6 Meanwhile, the government’s move to usher in contract farming in the state got a boost this week with 5,500 farmers opting for the scheme in just six days. The government today approved a blue print for setting up a network of agri-processing infrastructure on a scale capable of eventually turning the state into the biggest producer and exporter of processed fruit and vegetable products in the world. Citrus would serve as the prime mover in the new initiative. Over the next four years, the government plans to bring four lakh acres under the fruit and vegetable cultivation. A network of cold store chain and processing units would be set up throughout the state. “Punjab has the potential of bringing 75 per cent of its 10.5 lakh acres under a horticulture programme and this could dramatically change the income patterns of the Punjab farmers. The average gross annual income could shoot from the present Rs 30,000 per acre to anything between Rs 1. 20 lakh and Rs 1.50 lakh per acre. The go-ahead has been given to a proposal for expanding number of fruit and vegetable juice plants. “Under the scheme, farmers who lease out their land for setting up fruit orchids, would get a lease amount of Rs 8,000-12,000 per acre with a 2 per cent hike every year. The owners of the land and the horticulture development council will have a 50-50 profits and risks sharing arrangement after five years. The land, with an established orchard, will be handed over to the farmer after 12 years. The orchid will have a life span of 30 years.”
The Punjab state lotteries department has earned a record income of Rs 170 crore during the financial year ending March, 2007, said chief parliamentary secretary, finance, Raj Khurana while giving away prizes to the winners of Punjab state new year Lohri Bumper 2007 and monthly lotteries of December, 2006, and January to April, 2007, at a state-level function organised by the department here on Friday. Two lucky winners of first prize of Rs 1 crore each of Lohri Bumper 2007 Piara Singh, jointly with his wife Prem Kaur of Kapurthala, and Lachman Singh of Dera Bassi received the drafts of prize money from Khurana.
Aid to women
The government has made arrangements to provide financial assistance to needy women, who are facing divorce proceedings in a foreign country. Minister for social security Swarna Ram has said there are certain eligibility conditions to get the aid. The scheme would not be available to a woman facing criminal charges or having a criminal case decided against her. The domicile of the woman is not relevant for getting the benefit. The assistance would be limited to $ 1,000
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US lawmakers’ advice to
Sikhs, Asians
Amritsar, July 6 Stating this in an e-mail to The Tribune here today, chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE) Rajwant Singh, who has been organising an event at Capitol Hill in the US, said the Congressmen had praised the American-Sikhs for their contribution in the field of civil rights in the US and also creating a harmonious atmosphere there. He said Congressman Mike Honda, while urging the community to participate in the political and social activities in the US, have warned that if they (Asians and Sikhs in particular) failed to do so they would allow others to speak for them and make laws affecting their lives and the future of the
community. The council honoured Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana for his role in reducing the threat of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons to
the world.
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Minister fails to furnish property details
Ludhiana, July 6 Vigilance Bureau (VB) officials stated that he did not produce personal details of income tax returns and property transactions and that of members of his family for the past five years, as required by the VB. A questionnaire had been handed over to Ch Jagjit Singh on May 22 when he had appeared for the first time before the bureau here in this case. Ch Jagjit singh described his two-hour stay in the VB office today as cordial and claimed that he had fully cooperated with the However, the VB officials described his attitude as non-cooperative and evasive. The VB has summoned Ch Jagjit Singh once again on July 13.
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Computer system at excise centres functional
Mohali, July 6 A hardware snag on Wednesday had paralysed the computer system for almost 40 hours. Employees manning the 36 centres across the state had switched to manual collection of information of all inbound and outbound trade traffic, leading to traffic jams at many places. “The back-up system was activated. But, since the back-up server has to be configured, it took 24 hours to put it in use. We are still running on the back-up and the routine system will be revived by tonight”, said deputy excise and taxation commissioner (computers), Punjab, H.M.S. Rosha. The 36 centres are networked on-line with over 800 simultaneous users. No other state in the country has a computerised system of trade data collection. “The problem was finally sorted out by the department’s technology wing last night,” said excise and taxation commissioner, Punjab, Venu Prasad, adding that no loss of excise had been incurred due to the problem. “Manual collection of information and issuing of VAT 36 forms take five times more than what it takes while using computers,” said assistant excise and taxation commissioner and in charge of the export ICC on the Banur barrier L.K. Jain.
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3-year-old boy dies of gastroenteritis
Sangrur, July 6 Talking to The Tribune this evening, Sarpanch of Badrukhan village Bikar Singh confirmed the death of Sunny due to gastroenteritis. Sunny was suffering from gastroenteritis for the past about 36 hours, but last night his condition became serious. His family decided to get him treated today at the local civil hospital, but he died on the way to the hospital. Earlier about a week ago, gastroenteritis/diarrhoea had broken out in Badrukhan village and the diseases had affected nearly 250 villagers. About 75 patients were admitted to the local civil hospital for treatment. At that time there were reports that four persons had died in Badrukhan village due to diarrhoea, but the Sangrur civil surgeon, Dr S.K. Bansal, had stated that they had died due to other diseases. Meanwhile, five local persons, suffering from gastroenteritis, were today admitted to the local civil hospital for treatment. The SMO, Dr H.S. Bali, said there were now about 15 patients, suffering from gastroenteritis, in the hospital here.
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Stray dogs killing wild animals
Patiala, July 6 Honorary wildlife warden, Nawanshahr, Harjit Singh Gill has reported that a local wildlife conservation society recently rescued many wild animals that were injured badly by stray dogs. Wild dogs, staying around a religious dera in Nawanshahr, are reported to be killing at least one wild animal per week. Honorary wildlife wardens Sukhdeep Singh Bajwa and Jagdeep Singh and wildlife inspector Darshan Singh have also reported killing of wild animals by the stray dogs. A meeting of wildlife officials was also held recently to take measures to stop killing of wild animals by stray dogs. Wildlife officials say stray dogs generally used to feed on remains of domestic animals dumped at specific places in rural areas. However, with the trend of dumping the carcases on the decline, stray dogs, in the areas adjoining forests, have started to killing
wild animals. The other theory that is being put forward is that the many people have released their hunting dogs that are generally gray hounds in forest areas. Pushed to the brinks, the dogs have formed herds and have taken to hunting on their own. The wild animals coming to the fields during night due to scarcity of food in the forest make the task of stray dogs easier. The officials maintain that the maximum damage could be caused during monsoon which is the breeding season for wild animals. The cubs of wild animals are easy targets for stray dogs.
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MC gets Rs 8-cr grant
Amritsar, July 6 Addressing newspersons, Navjot Singh Sidhu said the corporation had been working with meagre funds for the past so many months. To give a filip to the corporation’s working, the government had decided to provide it with liberal financial help. Sidhu said a major project had been undertaken for removal of garbage from the city adding hi-tech equipment like a chain roller worth Rs 60 lakh would be purchased on priority. He said work to lay sewerage at Rs 1.19 crore had been sanctioned for the sinking Batala road. The project would be executed on a time-bound basis. Rs 80 lakh had also been earmarked for repairing 33 tubewells. Sidhu said a special road was being planned for the Verka level crossing in view of the heavy flow of traffic on the road. A stretch of 7 km would be constructed at a cost of Rs 1 crore. He said he had already earmarked Rs 5 crore for different Assembly segments of the city to accelerate development works according to the demands of the MLAs of the respective areas. Rs 7 lakh each had been allocated to 16 municipal wards, which would be spent according to the requirements of
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Pak youth arrested
Amritsar, July 6 V.K. Mahajan, assistant commissioner, Customs, in a statement to the press said 16-year-old-boy Rashid Ahmed of Gazimal (Pakistan) was found hiding in an empty bogie of a goods train which arrived from across the border. He said the boy was found by the staff of Customs (R and I) during a search of the bogies. The boy was handed over to the GRP authorities, Attari, for further investigation, he added.
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Cops go to Virk’s house to paste chargesheet
Chandigarh, July 6 Sources said the home department had asked the Punjab police to paste the chargesheet outside Virk’s known residence in that sector. A team of the police went to his residence to paste the chargesheet today, but officials refused to confirm if the process was completed or not. A visit to the sector 27 house of Virk added to the mystery. No chargesheet was found to have been pasted there. The house was locked and a watchman was around, who expressed ignorance about everything.
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NTAS honours thespian Gakhar Patiala, July 6 The Bhagat Munshi Ram Natya Award of Honour, a memento and gifts were conferred on Gian Gakhar in recognition of his outstanding services to the Punjabi theatre. Jan Hit Society president B.S. Saini, State Bank of Patiala chief manager Dharam Pal Sharma and others appreciated Gakhar’s contribution to theatre. Gakhar has staged over 400 shows of his 36 plays in Hindi and Punjabi in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and Rajasthan, besides Punjab. He has taught over 800 pupils in theatre workshops, including film actor Girija Shankar. Gian Gakhar paid tributes to Bhagat Munshi Ram and expressed his gratitude to the NTAS. He said he had had great passion for theatre since childhood and had always been inspired by thespians like Harpal Tiwana, Neena Tiwana, etc.
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Farmers get loans worth
Rs 6.60 cr
Sangrur, July 6 According to the Lehragaga branch manager Parveen Sood six more branches of the bank, Moonak, Mandvi, Chhajli, Lehal Kalan, Jakhepal and Dharamgarh also participated in the loan mela.
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20 BEd colleges face disaffiliation
Patiala, July 6 Sources here said vice-chancellor Swaran Singh Boparai got conducted a surprise inspection of the colleges amidst reports of inadequate staff and infrastructure. There were complaints that a few of the colleges were even running from rented buildings. According to rules, all B Ed colleges functioning under the university should have at least one regular principal and four regular lecturers. The colleges have been allowed to recruit three lecturers on ad hoc basis. However, in the surprise checking of colleges by the committee it was found that the 20 colleges in question did not have regular teaching staff or principals. They also did not have laboratories. The colleges that were found short of staff or infrastructure have been issued notice. If they fail to meet the minimum basic requirement for teaching staff or infrastructure, they might not be allowed to conduct admissions by the university this year. The sources also said that the surprise checking by the university had ruffled a few VIPs who were running the colleges through the back door. One such powerful person is said to have approached the VC after a fine of Rs 2 lakh was imposed on Ambika B Ed College for running the institute from a rented premises. The spokesperson for the university, B.S. Sandhu admitted that 20 B Ed colleges had been issued notices.
— TNS
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