Tuesday, 28 June 2016

Not Asha, Cong hopes hinge on gaining from AAP ‘overkill’

INSIDE VIEW Not all within party like new appointment, unsure if Capt will sustain 7-month campaign

CHANDIGARH: The Congress attempt to appoint “high-stature” leaders such as Ghulam Nabi Azad and Kamal Nath in election-bound states of Uttar Pradesh and Punjab might have backfired after Nath had to make a hasty exit over his alleged role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots but a few in the party believe “convicted” Asha Kumari makes a worse-off replacement for a post earlier held by Shakeel Ahmad and Gulchain Singh Charak.Like any rival party would, the ruling Akali-BJP alliance and new challenger Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have dubbed the controversial appointments as evidence of “lack of credible faces” in the Congress but never has the narrative for any election been decided by whom the party appoints as the state in-charge. “The role of the state in-charge is to ensure all state leaders work together for the party’s victory. Asha Kumari is the right choice, as she will foster unity and ensure coordination between the high command and the state unit. If the SAD (Shiromani Akali Dal) can have convicted ministers such as Tota Singh and the AAP ministers are in news for all the wrong reasons, how can they point fingers at the Congress,” says party’s senior state vice-president Lal Singh.

According to party sources, once the idea of a woman incharge was mooted, Kumari just fit the bill. “Both state party president Captain Amarinder Singh and party strategist Prashant Kishor wanted someone who could implement the campaign strategy and complement their efforts. She has practical experience of electoral politics, being a four-time MLA, and does not equal Amarinder in stature. While a heavyweight leader such as Kamal Nath could ensure unity through his stature, she will be able to do it through her amenability. She is also younger to leaders such as Sheila Dikshit. Though a leader with similar profile and no court conviction would be ideal, there were not many options,” the sources said Senior Congress leader Amarjit Singh Tikka hails Kumari as a dynamic leader who can spend enough time in Punjab, as she is from neighbouring Himachal Pradesh. “She also has a good a idea of Punjab politics, since she has been coin-charge in Haryana,” he adds. ‘PUBLICITY HUNGRY AAP LOSING GROUND’ Bitten twice, the party does not intend to be twice shy by asking Kumari to step down. Its internal assessment is that it stands to gain from the “negative publicity” against it and the “overkill” of the AAP in the recent months of s

“The fact that the AAP is using public money to fund its aggressive publicity campaign has started irritating people, in both Delhi and Punjab. AAP national convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was all over — on radio, posters, billboards and newspapers in Delhi. The AAP has realised it is proving counterproductive. The ad blitzkrieg cannot cover up for the recent controversies courted by the party. In Punjab, their campaign is showing signs of fatigue as elections approach,” sources close to Kishor said.

The SAD, too, is out with publicity vans to highlight its “achievements” and counter the AAP. But the Congress is banking on neither advertisement nor aggressive socialmedia presence but outreach programmes such as ‘Halke Vich Captain’, which would see Amarinder tour all 117 assembly constituencies to create the right buzz. “The challenge is whether Amarinder is ready for the long haul and can sustain the momentum for seven months; and whether people coming to him with their grievances go back satisfied,” said one of party’s campaign managers.However, some senior party leaders feel that like Ambika Soni, proximity to party president Sonia Gandhi is the “only qualification” that landed Asha Kumari the job. “Appointments such as this demoralise the party workers and dilute the party’s stance on corruption. How will we speak of corruption-free Punjab with convicted leaders leading our campaign,” a senior MLA said, requesting anonymity.

AAP asks Capt to apologise for ‘insulting’ NRIs

MARINDER HAD SAID HE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO CAMPAIGN IN CANADA AT PUNJAB-ORIGIN MINISTERS’ BEHEST

CHANDIGARH: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday criticised Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh for his “insulting” remarks against Punjab-based Canadian cabinet ministers, who he claimed “deliberately” scuttled his campaign in Canada on the direction of Sikh hardliners.

Addressing a joint press conference here, AAP spokesman Sukhpal Singh Khaira and party’s Punjab Dialogue head Kanwar Sandhu, said Amarinder should either produce evidence or tender and unconditional apology from the Punjabi NRIs living in North America In an interview to a national television news channel, Amarinder said he was deliberately not allowed to campaign in Canada on the directions of Punjab-origin Canadian ministers who were backed by Sikh hardliners, said Sandhu.

“Amarinder’s remarks against the Punjabi Canadian ministers were baseless only to save his own skin. The world knows how Amarinder was not welcomed by the people in California. Both Akalis and Congress leaders are facing the wrath of the Punjabi NRI community primarily due to their anti-people policies in Punjab and how they all involved in corrupt practices,” said Sandhu.

Khaira said by admitting that he would have quit the party if he was not made the Punjab Congress chief by replacing Partap Singh Bajwa, Amarinder had exposed his opportunistic character and his self-centric mentality.

Punjab govt complete failure on drugs, says Dharamvira Gandhi

PATIALA: Member of Parliament Dharamvira Gandhi on Wednesday condemned the statement of health minister Surjit Kumar Jyani who had said that the drug taint on Punjab was a deliberate attempt to tarnish the state’s image.

On the International Day Against Drug Abuse at Amritsar recently, Jyani had said, “There is a smear campaign going on against Punjab to tarnish its image.” Gandhi challenged Jyani to prove his claim that only 1.8% of the Punjab population was on drugs.

He said the survey Jyani referred to was conducted by Union ministry of social justice and empowerment in 2015 on opioid users registered in de-addiction centres in 10 districts of Punjab. Gandhi said Dr Ambekar of AIIMS, who supervised the survey, had observed that “the aim was to understand the trend ‘within the addiction circles’; and we found that 73.5% of all drug addicts fall in the 16-40 age group. That’s all. It was not about how many addicts are there out of the total population”.

Gandhi, who stands suspended from the Aam Aadmi Party, said Punjab government has criminally failed to conduct a survey on drug users, which, he said, is necessary to identify causes and then formulate policies to check the evil “The allegation of conspiracy is a cover-up to government’s failure,” he said.

He said it was a failure of the health authorities that 1,900 of 2,200 beds at various de-addiction centres in Punjab were unoccupied.

He ridiculed Jyani for his viewpoint that the low bedoccupancy was a sign of few drug users in Punjab.

Gandhi sought an inquiry into the functioning of the government and private de-addiction centres.He expressed grief at the recent death of two youths in Mansa due to drug overdose.

Clean Capt party’s face in state, says Manpreet

LUDHIANA: Congress leader and chief of party’s manifesto committee on finance Manpreet Singh Badal on Tuesday said he was fine with in the appointment of Asha Kumari as party’s state affairs in-charge.

Congress leaders Manpreet Singh Badal (left) and Rajinder Kaur Bhattal in Ludhiana on Tuesday.

Manpreet, who was in Ludhiana to interact with representatives of industry, said the party will contest the upcoming assembly elections under the leadership of Captain Amarinder Singh. “I am unaware of the facts of the case against Asha Kumari but I have no objection to her appointment. It is the clean image of Amarinder Singh that would give a thrust to the party in assembly polls,” said Manpreet Singh Badal. He said he was open to contesting from any constituency where high command would field him. I am a soldier of the party and would listen to the orders,” said Manpreet, adding that the Congress manifesto would be released by September or October. WOOING INDUSTRY During the first phase of interaction with the garment industry that has at least 12,000 units in Ludhiana, Manpreet Singh Badal along with former chief minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu and Surinder Dawar sat with the industrialists at a city hotel.Similar meetings are expected with bicycle and automobileparts makers. Industrialists pump in both money and manpower into the assembly and parliamentary election campaigns.

Darshan Dawar, president, Knitwear Club rued the lack of an exhibition ground in Ludhiana, “even as the city has thousands of industrial units”. Manpreet said his team would also discuss financial issues with former prime minister Manmohan Singh and economist Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

CAPT TELLS AAP TO ‘STOP SUPPORTING KHALISTAN’

I am surprised by the pain and hurt caused to you by my saying that some of the Canadian ministers are Khalistan supporters, which they are openly. CAPT AMARINDER SINGH, state Congress chief

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday asked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders to “stop acting as Khalistan spokespersons”.

Referring to his statement in which he had accused some Canadian ministers of being supporters of the Sikh-homeland demand in India, Amarinder asked AAP leaders: “When the Canadian MPs and ministers did not object to what I said, what makes you act as their spokespersons? Is it to keep the flow of money (from abroad)?”“I am surprised by the pain and hurt caused to you by my saying that some of the Canadian ministers are Khalistan supporters, which they are openly,” Amarinder said, reacting to the comments of AAP leaders Kanwar Sandhu and Sukhpal Singh Khaira.

Amarinder dared the AAP leaders to deny that Pannu was not working at the behest of Pakistani spy agency InterServices Intelligence (ISI) or no Canadian MP or minister had Khalistani leanings.

Some Canada ministers openly back Khalistan: Capt

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 28

Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh today reiterated that some Canadian MPs and ministers had openly supported Khalistan at some point of time or are still supporting it.

“Some of them had even signed petitions denouncing India and indulged in anti-India protests and propaganda in Canada,” Capt Amarinder said in a statement after the Aam Aadmi Party held a press conference here, demanding an apology from him for his remarks made in a TV interview.

The AAP leaders asked the Punjab Congress chief to either produce evidence or tender an apology for alleging in the interview that four Punjabi Canadian ministers had scuttled his Canada tour on directions of Sikh hardliners.

Amarinder, in a statement, “clarified” that he had remarked that only some MPs and ministers of Indian origin, but not all of them, had Khalistani leanings.

Hitting back at AAP leaders for acting as “spokespersons of Khalistan and its supporters”, Capt Amarinder said, “When the Canadian MPs and the ministers do not have any objection to what I said, what makes you to act as their spokespersons?

“I am surprised over the pain and hurt caused to you by my saying that some ministers in the Canadian government are Khalistan supporters, which they actually are as they have been openly supporting Khalistan.”

Reiterating that his Canada visit was scuttled by “anti-India” forces represented by Gurpatwant Singh Pannu-led Sikhs for Justice, and “helped by the anti-India” elements in the Canadian government, the Punjab Congress chief dared the AAP leaders to deny that he (Pannu) was not working at the behest of Pakistan’s ISI or that there were no MPs or ministers who did not have Khalistani leanings.

"I remarked that only some (Canadian) MPs and ministers of Indian origin, but not all of them, had Khalistani leanings. When they do not have any objection to what I said, what makes you (AAP leaders) act as their spokespersons?" - Capt Amarinder Singh

To end drugs, come out of denial first

S.Y. Quraishi

The long-standing problem of drug abuse in Punjab has suddenly shot into prominence as a result of censor controversy. The Central Board of Film Certification has done the country a favour (of course, unwittingly) by drawing attention to a problem that has the potential of eating into the vitals of the nation.

Whether the film had a happy ending or not, the controversy indeed did, with egg on the face of some people, that too from no less than the Mumbai High Court. The Punjab and Haryana High Court sounded the final death knell for the board’s objections.

Instead of dwelling on the censor issue, I would like to highlight the drug problem itself. I have had recurrent exposure to the problem over three decades, culminating in my tenure in the Election Commission when during the course of various elections we kept coming across distribution of alcohol and drugs.

What we saw in Punjab in the 2012 elections was enough to give us sleepless nights. We kept a tight vigil on electoral malpractices, including distribution of liquor and drugs. A strict regulatory mechanism was put in place with directions to all agencies to check infiltration of drugs into the electoral fray. The Narcotics Control Bureau was made the coordinating agency, while the BSF was asked to seal the international border to keep out heroin and other hard drugs. A central election cell with a control room was set up in the Punjab Police Headquarters under an IG.

During the course of our brief but determined battle to deliver the constitutional mandate of free and fair elections, we came across many startling facts on the range and quantum of drugs. There was hardly any psychotropic substance that was not in circulation. Our machinery seized 53.5 kg heroin, 435 kg poppy husk, besides a large quantity of medicines containing psychotropic substances in just one month (January 4-February 6). After the election I felt compelled to write a letter to the Prime Minister to bring the gravity of the problem to his notice — something the ECI rarely does after any election.

Here is an excerpt from what I wrote:

“Our feedback reinforces several media and research findings that Punjab has emerged as a hub of drug trafficking due to its proximity to the golden crescent and 40 per cent of the highly potent drugs are transiting through the state to destinations as far as Europe and North America.

“The districts of Bathinda, Mansa, Sangrur, Muktsar and Ferozepur, on the borders of Rajasthan and Haryana, are the worst affected. What is more disconcerting is that the menace is ruining the health, well-being and the future of the youth in Punjab, who fall prey to free supply of these substances as inducement during the polls. The problem has the potential to spread... to other parts of the country as well.”

It may be noted that no party was singled out in the message, as the problem touched all. Politicising the issue sidetracks the real problem. And the media joining the game also compounds the issue. It is a matter of concern that for short-term electoral and political gains, long-term national consequences are disregarded.

My exposure to the problem over three decades has convinced me that the biggest challenge is denial, which starts at home and extends as a national trait. When a friendly neighbour mentions to a parent that their child was seen in the company of a drug addict, s/he is snubbed. “My child is innocent and can never do that; you must be jealous!” There are stories galore of the ‘innocent’ child soon turning a big-time addict. And this is not just a familial response but of society as well. I learnt my lesson early.

As a nodal officer of the Ministry of Social Welfare (1983-85), our standard reply to several Parliament questions was that in India even socially acceptable habits like tobacco and alcohol are not very common. I was party to it till a chance visit to a de-addiction camp in Delhi’s GB Pant Hospital. The situation I saw was shocking; we had been fooling ourselves, and the country.

There was a calling-attention motion on the subject. The MoS, Finance, called a briefing. After all bigwigs of the enforcement agencies had parroted the same untruth, I was asked to give my version. When I asked the minister if he wanted to hear the truth, he was shocked at the audacity of a young deputy secretary. I told him that we were sitting on dynamite and must come out of the denial mode and take Parliament and the country into confidence.

It was my turn to be surprised. The minister tore off the briefing notes of others and decided to take the bull by the horns. Admitting that there was indeed a serious problem, he asked all MPs to combat the challenge collectively. We then had a de-addiction camp organised, during the Parliament session, in Kanjhawala village by Narayan Singh Manaklao of Jodhpur (later Padma Bhushan and Rajya Sabha MP), who had been running successful opium de-addiction camps in Rajasthan. All MPs and media were invited, even if they wanted to criticise.

What did we learn? Our standard answer was based on certain academic studies that even socially acceptable drugs were not common and that India was just a “transit” country between the “golden crescent” ( Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan) and the “golden triangle” (Myanmar, Thailand and Laos). We ‘innocently’ presumed that drugs entered from one door and left through the other.

The reality is that a transit country becomes a user in no time. How does it happen? The drug mafia always needs safe carriers and pedlars, and a drug addict is a natural choice. An addict without his daily dose is like fish out of water. He would do anything to get his dose. A free dose, therefore, is the best inducement to hook a potential pedlar, who starts with unsuspecting peers and graduates to bigger operations as a carrier or smuggler.

We also learnt later that militancy and terrorism were increasingly funded by drug lords. It is no surprise that the drug connection in the recent Pathankot terror attack has not been ruled out.

In the 1990s, I was posted in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. We observed that youth being curious and adventurous risk takers were the most vulnerable. On college campuses, besides the drug problem, there was the menace of HIV/AIDS, and the two were linked. Addicts soon start taking drugs by means of injection, and the sharing of needles spreads HIV.

We were able to effectively use student volunteers of the National Service Scheme (NSS) to create “drug-free campuses” and later launch an HIV awareness programme called Universities Talk AIDS. At a time when even talking about AIDS was taboo, our NSS inspired campuses were throwing up solutions. The movement was entirely youth driven, including the name. They themselves designed the communication materials, including the slogan “Darna nahin, samajhna hoga” (understanding, not fear, is the answer). It captured the essence of the problem better than experts.

India’s response to drugs and AIDS is a study in contrast. In the latter case, we came out of the denial mode well in time. Our national response was to set up the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) in 1992 (which also I headed in 2004-5). The AIDS problem had surfaced in the world in the late 1980s. In two decades, when South Africa had 23 per cent of its population HIV-affected and Botswana 38 per cent, India was only 0.5 per cent — all because of early abandoning of denial. That’s the lesson we must adopt.

The moral of the story is clear: Stop denying. Stop the blame game. Don’t politicise. Deal with the menace collectively with all your might, and save the state and the country.The writer is a former Chief Election Commissioner of India

Cong reminds Sukhbir of pending project

Kulwinder Sandhu

Tribune News Service

Badhni Kalan (Moga), June 28

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal distributed cheques amounting to Rs 6.91 crore to 41 village panchayats during a Sangat Darshan at Badhni Kalan town in Moga district today.

He also promised to spend Rs 27 crore for various development works in the Nihalsinghwala Assembly constituency.

But the foundation stone of a sewage treatment plant which was laid by Sukhbir at Badhni Kalan town two years back, just before the Lok Sabha polls, is yet to see the light of the day. Even construction has not yet started on this project.

Local leaders of the Congress staged a protest against the Deputy CM for making false promises. “We have washed the foundation stone of the sewage project with milk as it had gathered dust over the years,” said Lali Buttar, local Congress leader.

Alleging that many development projects in the area were hanging fire for the past many years, Lali Buttar said that Akali leaders were misleading the people on the financial position of the state.

“The state is bankrupt. It has no funds to complete hundreds of development works,” he said.

On the other hand, junior Badal claimed that the new projects, worth Rs 27 crore, would prove instrumental in furthering development. He also listened to the problems of the panchayats during the Sangat Darshan. He instructed the officers present to speedily resolve their problems.

Claiming Moga to be a ‘panthic area’, probably to consolidate the Sikh vote bank, he assured that no stone would be left unturned to ensure that the residents of the district get all basic amenities.

Announcing that all major cities and towns of the state would be connected by 4-6 lane roads by 2017, Sukhbir Badal said special attention has been paid to developing the road infrastructure in Moga district.

Drugs, unemployment, education key points of AAP youth manifesto

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 28

The much-hyped AAP youth manifesto to be released on July 3 at Amritsar will primarily cover three aspects concerning the youth – drug addiction, unemployment and better education facilities. Most AAP leaders are tightlipped over their manifesto.

However, a senior party leader associated with the Punjab AAP dialogue revealed that the handouts being printed for circulation would be running into nearly three pages and would cover a detailed plan on the three main issues.

“Based on the discussions that took place during Bolda Punjab events for the youth, the party will make a slew of announcements to cash in on the sentiments of the youth of Punjab. These will include creating a database of every drug addict in every corner of the state and keeping a track on him with the help of the police, administrative staff, teachers and even roping in party’s own volunteers. For the purpose, the villages will be clubbed to form clusters for which doctors or small rehabilitation centres will be set up in close proximity. A proper follow-up of each addict will be done even after treatment. The police will be given directions on not nabbing addicts but booking smugglers while keeping the focus on breaking the supply nexus”, a party insider revealed the main poll agenda.

Regarding unemployment, the party leaders are contemplating opening maximum number of job avenues for nearly 7 lakh youth, who pass out each year in Punjab.

The plan includes nearly 1.5 lakh government jobs while promoting entrepreneurship. The party intends to follow Delhi’s education model in toto for Punjab. The issues raked up in special sports session held in Phagwara too would be a part of the manifesto.

AAP youth president Harjot S Bains said, “We will be circulating handouts to nearly 20,000 youth to be present at the venue - Ranjit Avenue. The details of the manifesto will be spread around immediately via soft copies of it on social media and emails. Posters in all nooks and corners and jan sabhas for the youth will follow to spread the points mentioned in the manifesto”.

Congress toes AAP line

PPCC spokesperson Dr Navjot Dahiya on Tuesday said a crucial meeting of the election manifesto committee of the party would take place on June 30 in Jalandhar. Dr Dahiya said medicos, professionals and intellectuals would set the agenda of the upcoming Congress government in Punjab in the presence of former minister Manpreet Badal, former chief minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and ex-PIDB GM Gurpratap Mann. The committee members will also personally visit the important trade organisations to have first-hand stock of the reasons behind poor plight of the businesses and community.

Asha Kumari calls state Congress meet on July 4

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 28

The newly-appointed Congress incharge of Punjab, Asha Kumari, today called a meeting of the state party unit in Chandigarh on July 4 to discuss organisational issues and chalk out the way forward for the party as elections draw closer.

“We are sending out invitations for the PPCC meeting to everyone,” she said.

Capt Amarinder Singh is learnt to be away until July 4 when he will return to resume the remaining sessions of “Coffee with Captain” and “Halke Vich Captain” with an eye on the 2017 polls.

Campaign strategy apart, the Congress feels party needs to do a lot to involve all the state leaders and factions in the poll process. It is here that the role of Asha Kumari will be critical. She has been drafted to get everyone to participate and present a united face of an otherwise factional unit.

Asked if Partap Singh Bajwa, a known Amarinder detractor, will attend the July 4 meeting, Asha Kumari said, “We have invited all the leaders but I learn that Partap Bajwa is not around. He is travelling.” Bajwa and his MLA wife called on Asha Kumari at the AICC office yesterday after she assumed charge of her new role.

Moreover, the July 4 meeting will also be important since this will be only the second meeting of the state unit after its reconstitution. The new panel was announced when Shakeel Ahmad was Congress general secretary in charge of the state. Several other key appointments of AICC secretaries are pending and remain to be discussed although organisationally, the party has started working to streamline the poll campaign.

“The task at hand is to energise the six committees which have been formed at the level of Punjab to take the campaign forward. Each such committee is under a senior leader and each has been assigned around 25 constituencies. The state has been divided into six zones for better management and coverage. Also, we need to look at the working of the state manifesto committee which Rajinder Kaur Bhattal heads with Manpreet Badal as the convener,” a source said, ahead of the meeting which Congress campaign incharge for Punjab Ambika Soni will also attend.

Cong forms 3 cells

The PPCC on Tuesday announced the constitution of three cells — legal cell, intellectual cell and the Parwasi (migrant) cell. Maninder Patti has been appointed chairman of the legal cell, Manish Sadana of the intellectual cell and Mohamad Gulan chief of the Parwasi cell.

Youth Cong shows ‘Udta Punjab’ to drug addicts

Jalandhar, June 27

Members of the youth Congress organised a program against the drug abuse at a de-addiction center in Jalandhar. They also showed movie 'Udta Punjab' to the addicts and encouraged them to shun drugs and become a good citizen.

Kaku Ahluwalia, former Lok Sabha president of the youth Congress from Jalandhar, along with other leader interacted with the drug addicts and motivated them to stand against the drug abuse. "The main reason the Punjab's youth getting hooked to drugs is unemployment. When the youth will get employment, they will not fall in the trap of drugs. The government is doing nothing to save the youth from the drug menace," he said.—TNS

Manpreet backs Captain as CM candidate

Mohit Khanna

Tribune News Servcie

Ludhiana, June 28

A day after Captain Amarinder Singh’s confession that he had decided to quit the Congress, former finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal backed the former Chief Minister and said Captain Amarinder was the best bet as the Chief Minister of the state. Manpreet was here to meet various industrial bodies for forming a blueprint of the manifesto before the upcoming Assembly elections.

Manpreet Singh said: “Amarinder speaks from the heart. He understands the problem plaguing the state. His love for the motherland could be measured from the fact that during the 1965 war with Pakistan he had gone to Delhi to rejoin the armed forces. He is a visionary leader and a true fighter who could lead the state better than anyone else.”

Explaining the reason behind his decision to snapping ties with CM Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal, and floating his own party, Manpreet said “When you are heading the state, serving people should be the top priority. One should not abuse the power to fill their coffer. That was the reason why I left the party,” said Manpreet.

Manpreet said he would be touring the state for 45 days and meet people from all walks of life, including farmers, industrialists, labourers, artisans, jewellers, professors and doctors. While expressing concern over the dwindling industrial sector of the city, “We have to bring back the lost glory of Ludhiana,” said Manpreet.

Manpreet expressed concern over the prevailing lawlessness and said there should be a rule of law instead of state being governed by a bunch of “jatherdars.”

While avoiding to commenting on the electoral prospect of the Aam Aadmi Party he said, “May they come 100 times I am not concerned with that provided they have a vision. The Congress leadership ha

ਮੇਜਰ ਜਨਰਲ ਵਿਕਰਮ ਸਿੰਘ ਦਾ ਦੇਹਾਂਤ

Posted On June - 29 - 2016

ਊਨਾ (ਟ੍ਰਿਬਿਊਨ ਨਿਊਜ਼ ਸਰਵਿਸ): ਹਿਮਾਚਲ ਪ੍ਰਦੇਸ਼ ਦੇ ਫੌਜੀ ਨਿਗਮ ਦੇ ਸਾਬਕਾ ਸੀਐਮਡੀ ਅਤੇ ਸਾਬਕਾ ਐਮਪੀ ਮੇਜਰ ਜਨਰਲ ਵਿਕਰਮ ਸਿੰਘ (ਸੇਵਾਮੁਕਤ) ਦਾ ਅੱਜ ਸੋਲਨ (ਹਿਮਾਚਲ ਪ੍ਰਦੇਸ਼) ਵਿੱਚ ਦੇਹਾਂਤ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ। ਉਹ ਪਿਛਲੇ ਦੋ ਮਹੀਨਿਆਂ ਤੋਂ ਬਿਮਾਰ ਸਨ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਅੰਤਮ ਸਸਕਾਰ ਸਰਕਾਰੀ ਸਨਮਾਨ ਨਾਲ ਭਲਕੇ ਦੌਲਤਪੁਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ। ਉਦਯੋਗ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਮੁਕੇਸ਼ ਅਗਨੀਹੋਤਰੀ ਨੇ ਮੇਜਰ ਜਨਰਲ ਵਿਕਰਮ ਸਿੰਘ ਦੇ ਦੇਹਾਂਤ ਉੱਤੇ ਦੁਖ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਾਵਾ ਕੀਤਾ।s the mature leadership and could bring back the lost glory.”

ਸੱਤਵਾਂ ਤਨਖਾਹ ਕਮਿਸ਼ਨ: ਮੰਤਰੀ ਮੰਡਲ ਅੱਜ ਵਾਧੇ ਨਾਲ ਦੇ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ ਮਨਜ਼ੂਰੀ

Posted On June - 28 - 2016

ਨਵੀਂ ਦਿੱਲੀ, 28 ਜੂਨ
ਕੇਂਦਰੀ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਮੰਡਲ ਕੇਂਦਰੀ ਮੁਲਾਜ਼ਮਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਤਨਖਾਹਾਂ-ਭੱਤਿਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਪੈਨਸ਼ਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੋਧ ਲਈ ਸੱਤਵੇਂ ਤਨਖਾਹ ਕਮਿਸ਼ਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਿਫ਼ਾਰਸ਼ਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੁੱਝ ਹੋਰ ਵਧਾ ਕੇ ਭਲਕੇ ਮਨਜ਼ੂਰੀ ਦੇ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ। ਕਮਿਸ਼ਨ ਨੇ ਬੇਸਿਕ ਤਨਖਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਰੀਬ 15 ਫੀਸਦ ਵਾਧੇ ਦੀ ਸਿਫ਼ਾਰਸ਼ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਦੇ ਲਾਗੂ ਹੋਣ ਨਾਲ ਕੁੱਲ ਇਕ ਕਰੋੜ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਕਰਮਚਾਰੀਆਂ ਤੇ ਪੈਨਸ਼ਨਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਲਾਭ ਪੁੱਜੇਗਾ। ਤਨਖਾਹ ਕਮਿਸ਼ਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਿਫ਼ਾਰਸ਼ਾਂ ਬੀਤੇ ਸਾਲ ਨਵੰਬਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਆ ਗਈਆਂ ਸਨ। ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੇਸਿਕ ਤਨਖਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ 14.27 ਫ਼ੀਸਦ ਤੱਕ ਵਾਧੇ ਦੀ ਸਿਫ਼ਾਰਸ਼ ਕੀਤੀ ਗਈ ਹੈ। ਇਹ ਵਾਧਾ ਪਿਛਲੇ 70 ਸਾਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੱਖ ਵੱਖ ਕਮਿਸ਼ਨਾਂ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਕੀਤੀਆਂ ਸਿਫ਼ਾਰਸ਼ਾਂ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਘੱਟ ਹੈ। ਛੇਵੇਂ ਤਨਖਾਹ ਕਮਿਸ਼ਨ ਨੇ 20 ਫੀਸਦ ਦੀ ਸਿਫਾਰਸ਼ ਕੀਤੀ ਸੀ ਤੇ ਸਾਲ 2008 ਵਿੱਚ ਇਸ ਨੂੰ ਲਾਗੂ ਕਰਨ ਵੇਲੇ ਇਹ ਵਾਧਾ ਦੁੱਗਣਾ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ। ਇਕ ਅਧਿਕਾਰੀ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਇਸ ਸਾਲ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਦਾ ਹੱਥ ਤੰਗ ਹੋਣ ਕਾਰਨ ਅਜਿਹਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ ਤੇ ਇਹ ਵਾਧਾ 18 ਤੋਂ 20 ਫ਼ੀਸਦ ਤੱਕ ਹੋ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ।
-ਪੀਟੀਆਈ

ਬਾਦਲ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਧਰਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਸਨਮਾਨ ਕਾਇਮ ਰੱਖਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਫੇਲ੍ਹ: ਭੱਠਲ

Posted On June - 28 - 2016

ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਬਾਦਲ ਵਪਾਰੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਗੱਲਬਾਤ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋਏ। -ਫੋਟੋ: ਇੰਦਰਜੀਤ ਵਰਮਾ

ਗਗਨਦੀਪ ਅਰੋੜਾ
ਲੁਧਿਆਣਾ, 28 ਜੂਨ
ਕਾਂਗਰਸ ਦੀ ਵਿਧਾਨ ਸਭਾ ਚੋਣਾਂ ਦੇ ਲਈ ਮੈਨੀਫੈਸਟੋ ਟੀਮ ਲੁਧਿਆਣਾ ਪੁੱਜੀ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਇੱਥੇ ਇੱਕ ਹੋਟਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਨਅਤਕਾਰ, ਵਪਾਰੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਕਾਂਗਰਸੀ ਵਰਕਰਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਮੀਟਿੰਗ ਕੀਤੀ। ਇਸ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਕਾਂਗਰਸ ਦੀ ਸੀਨੀਅਰ ਆਗੂ ਅਤੇ ਸਾਬਕਾ ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਬੀਬੀ ਰਜਿੰਦਰ ਕੌਰ ਭੱਠਲ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਸ਼੍ਰੋਮਣੀ ਅਕਾਲੀ ਦਲ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਾਸਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਏ ਦਿਨ ਧਰਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਅਪਮਾਨ ਹੋ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ।ਧਾਰਮਿਕ ਗ੍ਰੰਥਾਂ ਦੀ ਬੇਅਦਬੀ ਹੋ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ। ਜਿਸਦੇ ਕਾਰਨ ਧਰਮ ’ਤੇ ਸਿਆਸਤ ਵੀ ਤੇਜ਼ ਹੋ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਸੂਬਾ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਸਾਰੇ ਧਰਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਸਨਮਾਨ ਕਰਵਾਉਣ ਵਿੱਚ ਫੇਲ੍ਹ ਸਾਬਤ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ। ਹੁਣ ਤੱਕ ਇਸ ਮੁੱਦੇ ’ਤੇ ਐਸਜੀਪੀਸੀ ਅਤੇ ਅਕਾਲ ਤਖਤ ਵੀ ਇਸ ਪੰਥਕ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਦੇ ਖ਼ਿਲਾਫ਼ ਬੋਲਣਾ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਹੋ ਗਏ ਹਨ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੋਸ਼ ਲਗਾਏ ਕਿ ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਘਟਨਾਵਾਂ ਦੇ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਸਰਕਾਰੀ ਏਜੰਸੀਆਂ ਹਨ। ਨੌਕਰੀ ਘੁਟਾਲੇ ਮੁੱਦੇ ’ਤੇ ਭੱਠਲ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਘੁਟਾਲੇਬਾਜ਼, ਗੈਂਗਸਟਰ ਅਤੇ ਨਸ਼ਾ ਵਪਾਰੀਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਦੀ ਦੋਸਤੀ ਹੈ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾਅਵਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਕਿ ਕਾਂਗਰਸ ਦੇ ਸੱਤਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਉਂਦਿਆਂ ਹੀ ਇੱਕ ਇੱਕ ਮਾਮਲੇ ਦੀ ਜਾਂਚ ਕਰਵਾਈ ਜਾਏਗੀ ਅਤੇ ਦੋਸ਼ੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਜ਼ਰੂਰ ਸਜਾ ਦਿਵਾਈ ਜਾਏਗੀ।
ਅੱਜ ਦੇ ਸਮਾਗਮ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਨਿਟ ਅਤੇ ਫੈਬਰੀਕੇਟ ਹੌਜ਼ਰੀ ਐਸੋਸੀਏਸ਼ਨ ਲੁਧਿਆਣਾ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਵਿਪਨ ਵਿਨਾਇਕ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਰੱਖੀ ਗਈ ਇਕੱਤਰਤਾ ’ਚ ਵੱਖ-ਵੱਖ ਵਪਾਰਕ ਇਕਾਈਆਂ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਆਪਣੀਆਂ ਮੁਸ਼ਕਲਾਂ ਸਬੰਧੀ ਜਾਣੂੰ ਕਰਵਾਇਆ ਗਿਆ। ਇਸ ਮੌਕੇ ਵਪਾਰੀਆਂ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਲਗਾਏ ਗਏ 6.5 ਫੀਸਦੀ ਟੈਕਸ ਨੂੰ 2 ਫੀਸਦੀ ਕਰਨ, ਮਿਕਸਲੈਂਡ ਯੂਸ ਸਮੱਸਿਆ, ਬਿਜਲੀ ਕੁਨੈਕਸ਼ਨ ਲੈਣ ਸਮੇਂ ਆਉਂਦੀ ਸਮੱਸਿਆ, ਲੁਧਿਆਣਾ ਦੀ ਹੌਜ਼ਰੀ ਤੋਂ ਬਣਿਆ ਮਾਲ ਬਾਹਰ ਭੇਜਣ ਲਈ ਕੋਈ ਯੋਗ ਸਾਧਨ ਨਾ ਹੋਣਾ, ਹਵਾਈ ਸੇਵਾ ਆਦਿ ਸਮੱਸਿਆਵਾਂ ਬਾਰੇ ਦੱਸਿਆ।
ਆਪਣੇ ਸੰਬੋਧਨ ਵਿਚ ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਬਾਦਲ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਅੱਜ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਹਾਲਾਤ ਬਹੁਤ ਖਰਾਬ ਨੇ, ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਜੇ ਸਾਡੇ ਸਰੀਰ ਦਾ ਕੋਈ ਅੰਗ ਦੁਖਦਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਤਾਂ ਮਤਲਬ ਸਾਡਾ ਸਰੀਰ ਠੀਕ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੈ, ਇਸੇ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਕਿਸੇ ਵਰਗ ਦੇ ਦੁਖੀ ਹੋਣ ਦਾ ਮਤਲਬ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਠੀਕ ਨਹੀਂ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਵਪਾਰੀਆਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਸਾਰੀਆਂ ਮੰਗਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਇਜ਼ ਦੱਸਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਕਾਂਗਰਸ ਪਾਰਟੀ ਦੇ ਮੈਨੀਫੈਸਟੋ ਵਿੱਚ ਸ਼ਾਮਲ ਕਰਨ ਅਤੇ ਲਾਗੂ ਕਰਨ ਦਾ ਦਾਅਵਾ ਕੀਤਾ। ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਬਾਦਲ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਦੂਜੇ ਸੂਬੇ ਤਰੱਕੀ ਕਰ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ, ਇਹ ਖੁਸ਼ੀ ਦੀ ਗੱਲ ਹੈ, ਪਰ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਜੇ ਆਪਣਾ ਆਈ ਤੇ ਆ ਗਏ, ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਜੇ ਖੁੰਦਕ ’ਚ ਆ ਗਏ ਤਾਂ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਤਾਂ ਕੀ ਪੂਰੇ ਮੁਲਕ ਦੀ ਤ੍ਰਾਸਦੀ ਨੂੰ ਖਤਮ ਕਰਨ ਦਾ ਦਮ ਰੱਖਦੇ ਹਨ। ਇਸ ਮੌਕੇ ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਬਾਦਲ ਨੇ ‘ਜਾਗ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਜਾਗ, ਤੇਰੀ ਪੱਗ ਨੂੰ ਲੱਗਾ ਦਾਗ’ ਆਦਿ ਮੁਹਾਵਰਿਆਂ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਵਪਾਰੀਆਂ ਅੰਦਰ ਜੋਸ਼ ਭਰਿਆ। ਇਸ ਮੌਕੇ ਬੀਬੀ ਭੱਠਲ ਨੇ ਵਪਾਰੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਹਰ ਮੁਸ਼ਕਿਲ ਦੇ ਹੱਲ ਦਾ ਭਰੋਸਾ ਦਿੱਤਾ।
ਇਸ ਮੌਕੇ ਮੈਂਬਰ ਪਾਰਲੀਮੈਂਟ ਲੁਧਿਆਣਾ ਰਵਨੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਬਿੱਟੂ, ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਧਿਰ ਦੇ ਉੱਪ ਨੇਤਾ ਭਾਰਤ ਭੂਸ਼ਣ ਆਸ਼ੂ, ਵਿਧਾਇਕ ਸੁਰਿੰਦਰ ਡਾਵਰ ਵਿਸ਼ੇਸ਼ ਤੌਰ ’ਤੇ ਹਾਜ਼ਰ ਹੋਏ, ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਕਾਂਗਰਸ ਦੇ ਜਨਰਲ ਸਕੱਤਰ ਵਿਕਰਮ ਬਾਜਵਾ, ਜਿਲ੍ਹਾ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਗੋਗੀ, ਹਲਕਾ ਆਤਮ ਨਗਰ ਕੁਲਵੰਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਸਿੱਧੂ ਆਦਿ ਮੌਜੂਦ ਸਨ।

EX-SERVICEMEN BURN PAK NATIONAL FLAG

Ambala, June 27

Ex-servicemen under the banner of the Ex-servicemen Welfare Committee, Ambala, today held a demonstration and burnt the national flag of Pakistan to mark their protest against the attack on a CRPF convoy in which eight security personnel were killed in Pampore.Subedar Attar Singh Multani, president of the committee, said, “For how long do we keep mourning our soldiers? We request PM Narendra Modi to take the right decision and direct the Indian forces to attack all militant camps being run in Pakistan.” — TNS