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PAC fears threat to Badal's life
Chandigarh, December 30 The PAC decided to send a delegation of five senior leaders of the SAD to take up the issue of the security of Mr Badal to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh. Almost all speakers at the meeting expressed concern for not beefing up the security of Mr Badal even after 48 hours of declaring the Assembly elections in Punjab. Mr Badal, who is entitled to Z-plus security cover, moves without a car fitted with jammers, a sort of transmitter used to make ineffective bombs through remote control. In 1996, Mr Badal's security was beefed up four months before the Assembly elections, it is learnt. Mr Badal said today the CBI should probe the recovery of RDX from certain persons by the Jalandhar police. He said the RDX was linked to a political conspiracy and only an agency like the CBI could reveal it. Without naming Mr Jasbir Singh Rode, the SAD leader said the " kingpin" of the conspiracy had been released by the police. Arrests made in the RDX case were correct, he added. Mr Rode was an associate of an Akali leader who was at dagger's drawn with him (Mr Badal). Mr Rode was also very close to the people who run the state, he added. Mr Badal said the conspiracy was planned against him. Mr Badal was suggested by his close associates to engage private security. However, he has declined to do so. He said that he had full faith in state's bureaucracy and police officers. Meanwhile, Mr Badal said the traders and shopkeepers’ rally would be held as scheduled at Ludhiana.
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Patti to step down as gurdwara panel chief, eyes LS
Amritsar, December 30 Talking exclusively to The Tribune in his office here today, Mr Patti said that his “near and dear friends” in the Congress and Akalis had suggested him to “serve” the people by rejoining the political mainstream. He said he also wanted to take up the issue of rampant corruption allegedly prevailing in the SGPC to the “people's court” by contesting the forthcoming Lok Sabha by-election from Amritsar on the Congress ticket. The SGJC President said that he had already spoken to Ms Perneet Kaur, a Congress MP, in this regard and would meet the Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, in coming days. Mr Patti also held a closed door meeting with Mr Subodh Kant
Sahai, Union State Minister for Food and Processing, during his visit to Amritsar yesterday. Mr Buta Singh, a former union Home Minister, is among the senior Congress leaders who had been lobbying to secure a party ticket for Mr Patti in the forthcoming Lok Sabha poll. Earlier, Mr Patti had unsuccessfully contested byelection from the Patti constituency on Akali Dal ticket in February 1964 against Congress candidate in 1964. He was a member of the Amritsar Zila Parishad from 1975 to 1983 . After remaining the sarpanch of his village for about 35 years , apart from serving as a member of the District Development Board from 1985 to 1989 he joined the SGJC in 1989. He was appointed as a member of the SGJC during the President's rule by the then Governor, Mr S.S. Ray, in 1989 and later he became the President of the commission. He admitted that being President of the SGJC ,he had certain limitations and it was practically difficult to “weed out corruption” from the Sikh shrines due to professional limitations. He referred to the ever-increasing cases pertaining to the misappropriation of gurdwara funds in the SGJC which could not be decided for the last about one year due to hurdles being created by vested interests. Hence, he said,
his conscious did not allow him to continue to hold this post for a long time. Giving a long list of pending cases, he said at least 22 cases against the high-ups in shiromani committee, including against Mr Avtar Singh, SGPC chief, and his predecessors Bibi Jagir Kaur and Mr Kirpal Singh Badungar could not be decided despite his sincere and earnest efforts. He, however, refused to comment when asked whether he had taken the decision to resign as his two colleagues were not endorsing his decisions in the SGJC for a long time . Born on August 1, 1930, Mr Patti was enrolled as an advocate in 1962 and contested many high-profile cases, including that of Bhai Ranjit Singh when he was arrested in connection with the assassination of Baba Gurbachan Singh, chief Nirankari Mission. He acted as a senior lawyer to conduct the case under Sections 409 and 420 registered against the former Chief Minister Giani Zail Singh in the FIR lodged in Ajnala police station during the Janata Dal regime.
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Democracy in peril if judiciary fails people: CJ
Bathinda, December 30 Addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone of the district court complex, the Chief Justice said the construction of new court complexes in the state were aimed at dispensing speedy justice at people’s doorsteps. Our effort is to ensure that people get justice not only in upper courts but also in lower courts set up at sub-divisional level. he added. On rising litigations, he said as more and more people get enlightened about their rights they would take legal recourse to settle their matters and consequently cases will pile up in the courts. He said, “In such a scenario it is our utmost duty that the people don’t lose their confidence in judiciary.” He also expressed concern over social evils like female foeticide, drug addiction and illiteracy. He warned that if female foeticide was not curbed it would have pernicious consequences for the society. He stressed on the need to tighten the noose around those aiding and indulging in this heinous crime. He said a check on rising drug addiction was also the need of the hour, as the nation could not afford to lose its young generation to drug menace. Earlier, he said the new court complex being built in the city would have all amenities for common people. He thanked the state government for giving its consent to make the court complex centrally air-conditioned. He also had a word of advice for the District Bar Association. He said the association should set up a well-stocked library and install computers to equip its members with latest information regarding law and judiciary. Mr Justice J. S. Narang urged people to settle their trivial matters among themselves instead of resorting to legal route, as it would help reduce the burden on courts. Mr Justice A. K. Mittal said the existing court complex in the city was in a dilapidated condition and it was difficult for people as well as staff to enter into its premises during monsoon. He said the new complex would have three blocks and it would come up in two years time at the cost of Rs 17.73 crore. A galaxy of legal luminaries, including judges from the high court attended the function. Mr Justice Kailash Gambhir from Delhi High Court, Finance Minister Mr Surinder Singla, Faridkot division Commissioner Mr V. K. Janjua, Deputy Commissioner Mr Rahul Bhandari, District Session Judge Mr K.C. Puri and District Bar Association chief Mr Jasbir Singh were also
present.
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Share revenue with local bodies, says panel
Chandigarh, December 30 He presented the final report of the commission to the Punjab Governor, Gen S. F. Rodrigues (retd), at the Punjab Raj Bhavan here on Thursday. The third Punjab Finance Commission was set up by the Government of Punjab to enquire into the financial position of local government institutions, evaluate their financial and technical capability to deliver their functions, assess whether their tax base was rational and conduct a sort of macro-level performance audit. The report said 16 per cent of the excise duty on IMLF and beer and 10 per cent of the auction money from liquor vends should be given to local bodies and
PRIs. It has suggested mobilising Rs 400 crore per year through municipal development fund. Funds from the Village Development Fund, Punjab Nirman Fund and the World Bank-assisted water supply and sanitation project were considered adequate for the rural areas. The other recommendations of the third Finance Commission included improving data collection and maintenance, improvements in the property tax regime, levy of user charges, levy of consumption based tax in lieu of octroi and levy of profession tax.
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Mohali’s district status reduced Ropar’s importance
Tribune News Service
Ropar, December 30 The locals perceived it a setback as the government decision had reduced the importance of Ropar district. They opined that despite being in the limelight for historical and religious importance and other events, Ropar continued to be ignored as far as development was concerned. The district - which is regarded as backward compared to some other affluent districts of the state - this year saw the inauguration of the first phase of the Khalsa heritage project which is to be built at a cost of around Rs 350 crore with state and central government aid. The foundation stone was also laid to build a bridge near Bunga Sahib. The other works included a memorial dedicated to the sons of Guru Govind Singh and other martyrs at Chamkaur Sahib and other development works at Nangal, Chamkaur Sahib, Anandpur Sahib and Morinda. Another highlight of the year was Nangal getting sub-divisional status. Chamkaur Sahib, as announced earlier, also officially got the status of a sub-division this year. The year saw the police remaining busy as they arrested persons having alliance with militant organisations from the district. For the first time three young officers - Deputy Commissioner Alok Shekhar, Additional Deputy Commissioner Bhavna Garg and SSP Kapil Dev - were posted here together in April. After the Apex court order this month, and after nearly two years the Ropar district court again came into the limelight as the high profile corruption case against SAD chief Parkash Singh Badal and SAD general secretary Sukhbir Badal and others resumed in the special court on December 23. This year witnessed much agitation on various local issues by residents. They formed a Zila Bacho Sangharsh committee and initially demanded withdrawal of the decision of separating Mohali from Ropar. Later, they demanded addition of more sub-divisions to the district as compensation as well as divisional headquarter status and setting up of industries. While Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh assured them that after the delimitation committee’s report Ropar district would be compensated. Disappointed from non-fulfilment of their demands, the Chairman of the Sangharsh committee, Dr R. S. Parmar, joined Akali Dal this month. The truckers of Ropar too observed over three months of protest in support of their demands. Finally, they won the battle when after elections many of their members got elected to the Ropar truck transport union. The founder of BSP, Kanshi Ram, who belonged to Ropar district passed away this year. Truckers of Nangal got into a fracas with truckers of Himachal over the setting up of an office in the hilly state. One trucker of Nangal was killed while several others were injured in the scuffle between truckers of Nangal and Bilaspur. Flood scare continued to remain in the low-lying areas of the district during the rainy season as much of areas in the Sutlej and season rivulets were encroached upon. But, thankfully, the water level of Bhakra did not cross the danger mark.
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Dullo firm on no ticket to ‘outsiders’
Ludhiana December 30 He said while the winning factor would be the main criterion for choosing the candidates, his or her commitment and association with the party would also be an important factor while deciding the candidature. He also announced his intentions of contesting the elections, obviously with an aim of becoming the Chief Minister of the state. Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Dullo agreed that the selection of candidates would be quite important as far as the final outcome of the elections was concerned. He said the opinion of the local workers of a particular constituency would also be of paramount importance while deciding the candidates. On the issue of those wanting to join the Congress at this stage and keen to contest on the party ticket, he
remarked: "Let them stand in the queue and wait for their turn". He asserted that the Congress was not a rehabilitation centre for those who felt aggrieved in other parties. He said it was a war and the commander must command the confidence of his soldiers . "Only then we can hope to win this war", he remarked.
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Cong leaders try to secure ticket for sons
Gurdaspur/Mukerian December 30 Both veteran leaders of the Congress are trying to get the party ticket for their political heirs. Mr Khushal Behl wants party ticket for his son, Mr Raman Behl, who is at present president of the Gurdaspur Municipal Council. Mr Kewal Krishan also wants Congress ticket for his son, Mr Rajneesh Kumar Babi, a government employee. The posters highlighting the political heirs of these leaders can be seen in the constituencies. However, the heirs are facing stiff competition from other leaders of the area. In Gurdaspur, Mr Gurbachan Singh Babaehali, Chairman of the Milkfed, has already declared himself a serious candidate for the Congress ticket from Gurdaspur. He has the support of a group of political leaders from the area Mr Raman Behl is supported by the Union Minister of State for Industry, Mr Ashwani Kumar. Both Mr Gurbachan Singh and Mr Raman Behl have organised rallies in respective areas to stake their claim. Ms Susheel Mahajan, Chairperson of the Punjab State Board of Technical Education and Industrial Training, has also declared her political ambitions from the area. Some of the supporters of the late Rajya Sabha member and five times MP from area, Ms Sukhbans Kaur, are speculating that someone from her family could contest from Gurdaspur. They have already demanded Rajya Sabha seat for Mr P S Bhinder, husband of the late MP. In Mukerain, Mr S.S. Randhawa, former sewerage board chairman, and Mr Ramesh Chander have declared that they are serious candidates for party ticket in case Mr Kewal Krishan decides against contesting. They have openly maintained that they can support Mr Kewal Krishan but not his son as the party candidate from Mukerian. The demise of Sukhbans Kaur Bhinder is also likely to change political equations as she had a strong group of supporters in both constituencies.
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Akali game of ticket revolves around sons, close relations
Chandigarh, December 30 Bikram Singh Majithia, who is the SAD candidate from Majitha, is a close relation of the SAD leader, Sukhbir Singh Badal. Mr Adesh Partap Singh Kairon is also close relation of Sukhbir and Parkash Singh Badal. Jagbir Singh Brar, the SAD candidate from Jalandhar is close relation of Manpreet Singh Badal, who is a son of Gurdas Badal, brother of Parkash Singh Badal. Harpreet Singh Kot Bhai from Malout is son of late Sajan Singh, former SAD minister. Inder Iqbal Singh Atwal, SAD candidate from Kum Kalan, is son of the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Charanjit Singh Atwal, a senior Akali leader. Harmel Singh Tohra, SAD candidate from Dakala, is the son-in-law of late Gurcharan Singh Tohra. Gaganjit Singh Barnala, candidate from Dhuri, is the son of Surjit Singh Barnala, a former Akali Chief minister. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, candidate from Sunam, is son of Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, former Akali Union Minister. Amarpal Singh Boni, candidate from Ajnala, is the son of Dr Rattan Singh Ajnala, Akali MP from Tarn Taran. Ranjit Singh Talwandi, candidate from Raikot, is the son of Jagdev Singh Talwandi, former president of the SGPC. Mantar Singh Brar, SAD candidate from Kot Kapura, is son of late Jaswinder Singh Brar. Jagjivan Singh Khirnia, candidate form Sarmrala, is son late Kirpal Singh Khirnia. There are many more Akali leaders lobbying hard for party tickets on the strength of their close relations and wards. Some Akali candidates nominated today are facing vigilance cases.
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BSM to chalk out poll strategy on Jan 2
Hoshiarpur, December 30 The Congress, SAD and the BJP candidates would have to face tough contest in these elections, he added. However, he ruled out possibility of third front’s formation. While referring to the on-going tussle among BSP leaders, Mr Kainth said this was due to the dictatorial attitude of the party’s state president.
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Retd Commissioner offered ticket?
Amritsar, December 30 The enthusiastic and impromptu public adulations on the retirement of Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Mr K. S. Kang, had already led to the speculation of his joining the political fray for the elections. Two senior local Congress leaders, Mr Jugal Kishore Sharma, Chairman Amritsar Improvement Trust and Mr Rajkumar Verka, Parliamentary
Secretary, Education, today sought his opinion on his political ambitions. However, talking to The Tribune, Mr Kang neither denied the rumours nor made any firm commitment to join the poll arena at present.
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Deputy Mayor stakes claim on Verka seat
Amritsar, December 30 He, however, clarified that in case the party high command insisted to field Rajkumar from the Verka seat, he would opt out of the race and would whole heartedly support his candidature. Talking to mediapersons, he claimed that he enjoyed the full support of the PPCC chief, Mr Shamsher Singh Dullo, and said that he would prove his strength and would romp home with great margin against any rival from that area.
— OC
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Ex-envoy in SAD panel
Chandigarh, December 30 He has remained the general secretary of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and also Chairman of Guru Har Kishan Public
School, Delhi. He was honoured with the prestigious award of ‘Nashane-e Khalsa’ at Anandpur Sahib in 1999.
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Plot to defame me, says Rode
Amritsar, December 30 He sought the intervention of the Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, to constitute a commission of inquiry to be headed by retired judges to look into the charges levelled by Mr Badal and to determine the veracity of the allegations. Clarifying his position in the episode wherein some arms and ammunition were purportedly recovered from his close associates, Mr Rode alleged that the police had hatched a conspiracy to defame him and his party by concocting a false story. He alleged that Mr Badal was trying to raise the spectre of threat to his family from him (Mr Rode) and spreading the canard of militancy to achieve his narrow political goals.
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Power bills: Police complex defaulter
Abohar, December 30 A PSEB flying squad had reportedly found that the corporation owed Rs 12 lakh to it. There are 122 residential quarters in this complex. Last year, the flying squad had detected that only 42 residents had proper meters installed in their quarters. Others were using power through ‘kundi’ connections. A few original consumers had shifted to other districts without paying the electricity bills. The board then installed a meter for group supply to residents and procured application forms from them. However, detailed billing of each customer had been made available to the then DSP with a request that the amount be deducted from his or her (actual user) salary through cheques. The subdivisional police officials had then assured that debts would be cleared in four instalments but only two instalments were paid, sources in PSEB regretted. The PSEB sources said, police officials had promised to pay the dues but the amount continued to rise. However, the PSEB restored the electricity supply yesterday after receiving fresh assurance from those residing in the complex, the sources said. Action against a few major defaulters was expected to be taken on the New Year eve, PSEB officials indicated.
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Task force to suggest steps for food safety
Abohar, December 30 Mr
M. Jayaraman, Under Secretary in the ministry, said the task force would suggest steps for the identification, development and propagation of processable varieties of agricultural commodities, assess raw material’s availability for processing, status of various food processing industries, identify key reasons for underdevelopment of this sector, evolve strategies for campaigns/marketing to promote consumption of processed foods. The task force will also suggest steps for food safety, standard testing facilities, establish linkage of technology institutes/research organisations with the industry, evaluate current state of infrastructure for entrepreneurs, define role of financial institutions/ NGOs, farmers organisation and cooperatives. The term of the task force will be of two years. It will hold quarterly meetings and draw an action plan and submit periodic reports to the Central Government. Mr Mangat Rai Chayal, Mr Rajiv Kawatra, Mr Satish Karkara Patiala, Mr Gurraj Singh Rupana, Mr Harpal Singh Sherpur Bet, Mr Subhash Kataria, Mr R.S. Arneja, Mr Parminder Singh Gill, Mr Narinder K. Singla, Mr Malvinder Singh Doraha, Mr Kirpal Singh Aujla and Mr B.L. Malhotra, Mr Jagjit Singh Kapoor, Mr Avtar Singh Sandhu Gurdaspur, Mr Amarjit Singh Tikka and Mr Raj K.Singh, were the non-officials members.
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CPM burns Bush’s effigy
Amritsar, December 30 The CPM activists today burned the effigy of US President George W Bush and earlier took out a mock funeral procession from its office opposite the railway station to Hall Gate. Talking to mediapersons, Mr Jagtar Singh Karampura, a CPM leader, said Saddam was killed under a well planned political conspiracy. Meanwhile, Alami Punjabi Virasat, All India Human Rights Association and several other organisations have also condemned the hanging.
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Rights panel serves notice on principal secy
Bathinda, December 30 Ms Paramjeet Kaur of the Ek Noor Welfare Society said today that various NGOs had raised their voice against the failure of the police to produce challan against Sham Lal Thukral, Talwandi Sabo SMO. Attempts were also made to give him clean chit in a female foeticide case. She said these NGOs would produce documents relating to other female foeticide cases before the commission on January 16.
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Poll code puts cotton ginners in tight spot
Bathinda, December 30 The ginners, who were expecting the code of conduct to come into force in the first week of January, have been take aback by the sudden announcement of poll dates in the state. Earlier, they were building pressure on the state government to withdraw 1 per cent Punjab Infrastructure Development Cess and were hoping that it would concede to their demand in its last Cabinet meeting. However, the ginners would now have to chalk out their future course of action, as now the state government can not take any policy decision. Sources said the ginners were likely to call off their strike, as they would not gain anything by continuing it. Meanwhile, market watchers here felt that it would have been logical for the ginners if they had called off their strike immediately after the poll code came into effect. It is now for the new government to decide on withdrawal of cess and in such a scenario there is no reason for delay in calling off the strike, they added. On the other hand, the poll code augured well for the farming community, as disruption in the ginners stir for a couple of months would virtually see this cotton season off.
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Bajwa re-appointed wildlife warden
Hoshiarpur December 30 Mr Bajwa was earlier declined extension as the wildlife warden due to the strong opposition of the state’s bureaucracy a member of which was caught poaching by him. Mr Bajwa has been re-appointed especially on the orders of the Chief
Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh.
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Youth kidnapped, shot dead
Abohar, December 30 Preliminary investigation revealed that .312 revolver was used to kill Raju, an empty cartridge was found lying near the body. The mobile phone that continued ringing under the shrubs helped the police in identifying the victim. The caller, a woman, gave vital information about the victim. The investigation indicated that Raju, who was going on his Tata Suma (HR 35 C 6176) way waylaid and kidnapped last night. The culprits took away the vehicle after killing him. The SSP said all roads linking this subdivision with neighbouring Rajasthan and Haryana had been sealed. The list of those who called on his mobile phone was being prepared, he added.
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Newly set up colleges without regular principals: Assn
Chandigarh, December 30 Mr Jaipal Singh, president of the association, said here on Thursday that the government had even borrowed teachers and non-teaching staff for the newly opened colleges from other such institutions. He said among the newly set up colleges, five were degree
colleges, one college of education and another college of physical education. Two of these colleges were in the Moonak Assembly constituency of the Deputy Chief Minster, Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal. Following the issue raised by the association, the Punjab Council of Ministers had approved the restoration of nine frozen posts of Principal of colleges and also created seven new posts for the newly opened colleges. However, till date no appointment of regular principals had been made. Mr Jaipal Singh said because of the failure of the government to promote senior-most college lecturers as principals, two such lecturers retired a few days ago without getting the benefit of promotion. He said nothing could be more frustrating for a lecturer who had to retire without a single promotion even after putting in 30 years or more service as a lecturer. He said the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) at its meeting in October had recommended the names of 10 senior lecturers for promotion as principals. But DPCs recommendation had not been implemented.
“The DPC’s recommendation will lapse on December 31”, he added.
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