VOICE OF EX-SERVICEMEN PUNJAB

Jaitley’s personal assets decline by Rs 2.8 crore

New Delhi, July 2

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's personal assets have declined by Rs 2.8 crore in the fiscal year ended March 2016, to Rs 69.13 crore mainly on account of drop in balance in his bank accounts.

In his annual declaration of assets and liabilities for 2015-16, Jaitley, who owns three residential properties in the national capital and one each in Haryana, Gujarat and Punjab, besides a 3,600 sq ft plot in Faridabad and 5,453 sq ft commercial property in Gurgaon, put value of his immovable properties at Rs 35.21 crore, unchanged from the previous fiscal.

However, his balance in three HDFC and one SBI Bank accounts declined to Rs 1 crore from Rs 3.52 crore at the end of March 31, 2015. Deposits in other companies, including Enpro Oils Ltd and DCM Shriram Consolidated Ltd were unchanged at Rs 17 crore.

His cash in hand dropped to Rs 65.29 lakh from Rs 95.35 lakh in March 2015. This together with PPF and other investments totalled to Rs 11 crore, down from Rs 11.24 crore.

He had showed an investment of Rs 21.70 lakh in his declaration for 2014-15 which was not there in the 2015-16 declaration.

Jaitley, who is the first Cabinet minister to declare assets for 2015-16, said quantity of gold and silver holdings with him was unchanged but the value of precious jewellery with him increased to Rs 1.86 crore at the end of March 2016, from Rs 1.76 crore in March 2015 mainly due to appreciation in gold price.

Taking into account the assets, including gold, silver, diamonds and bank and cash balance, held by his wife Sangeeta Jaitley, the total asset of the minister comes to Rs 69.13 crore at the end of March 2016. It was Rs 71.95 crore in March 2015. — PTI

Malerkotla: Police say AAP MLA ‘mastermind’

Delhi legislator Naresh Yadav denies Quran desecration charge, terms it political vendetta

Ruchika M. Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 2

Giving a new twist to the Malerkotla Quran desecration case, the Punjab Police are set to question Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Mehrauli South in Delhi, Naresh Yadav, for his alleged role in the incident.

Though Yadav has vehemently denied the charge, Punjab cops claim they have enough proof to link him with the three men arrested in the case: Vijay Kumar, Gaurav and the latter’s father Nand Kishore.

They claim the AAP MLA was the “mastermind” of the desecration of the Muslim holy book on June 25, and “had offered to pay Rs 1 crore to Vijay Kumar for doing the job”.

Yadav, when contacted, said he was unaware if he had met any person called Vijay Kumar, and denied allegations of his involvement in the crime. “Being a politician, many people come and meet me. I would have no knowledge if a person meeting me today goes and commits some heinous crime tomorrow. And I can confirm having met a person called Vijay Kumar only after I have a look at his photograph,” he said.

He claimed it to be a political conspiracy to diminish AAP’s poll prospects in the state. Incidentally, Yadav is the “seh prabhari” to Sanjay Singh, in charge of AAP’s Punjab affairs.

Sangrur SSP Prithpal Singh Thind said, “During their interrogation, Vijay Kumar and Gaurav said on June 24, a day before the sacrilege incident, they met the MLA at his residence in Delhi, where the conspiracy was given a final shape. We have also been able to establish through call records that Kumar and Yadav exchanged calls on June 18, 19 and 23.”

Police claim that the trio bought the holy book from Jama Masjid area, tore the pages and spread these in the only Muslim-dominated town of Punjab, “with the intention of creating a divide and polarising voters”.

“We have also recovered the binding of the holy book, after Vijay Kumar led the police to where he had disposed it of outside Malerkotla,” said Thind. The three, arrested on June 29, are in police custody till July 5.

While Vijay Kumar used to run an NGO in USA and later in Canada that had an anti-Muslim slant, the other two were affiliated to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).

Meanwhile, Yadav termed it a political conspiracy to defame AAP. “I am an honest and secular politician. Why would I do anything that spreads hatred when I have sworn to lead an honest life?” he said.

(With inputs from Sushil Goyal, Sangrur)

Sampla contradicts Sukhbir, says borders are well-guarded

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 2

Contradicting Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal’s claim of Centre’s failure to curb the inflow of drugs through the state’s borders, Union Minister and state BJP president Vijay Sampla today said the situation had changed drastically at the border since the BJP government took over two years ago. He said there was no need to deploy more BSF troops at the international borders in Punjab.

Addressing the media after the state BJP’s executive meeting here, Sampla said: “Our security forces no longer need permission to fire at the enemy. Steps taken by the Centre, including the recent shoot at sight orders near the border areas in Punjab, have begun showing results in curbing drug smuggling.”

On Chief Parliamentary Secretary Navjot Kaur Sidhu’s charge that drugs were being smuggled in VIP vehicles, Sampla claimed: “I spoke to her this morning and she has denied given any such statement to the media.”

Sampla, meanwhile, announced that the Airport Authority of India had approved the domestic airport proposal at Adampur and said Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had assured that the entire cost (Rs62 crore) of the project would be borne by the Centre.

Kejriwal to release 51-point youth manifesto today

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 2

Measures to wean away youth from drugs will form a significant part of the 51-point youth manifesto of the Aam Aadmi Party will be unveiled by party convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal here tomorrow.

Education and employment generation by promoting the stagnating small and large-scale industries in the state will also be part of the manifesto.

Prominent issues of women expected to be incorporated are security, friendly working environment and equal employment opportunities.

AAP media secretary Surinder Kanwal said the youth manifesto would be a commitment to the youth that if AAP won, all promises would be fulfilled.

He ditched Delhi youth: SAD

The Akali Dal in a statement issued here today asked Kejriwal what happened to the eight lakh jobs and other promises he had made with the youth of Delhi and never fulfilled.

SAD leader Daljit Cheema said: “First come out with a factual report tomorrow and explain what have you done for the Delhi youth before releasing another fake document.”

Iftaar party in Malerkotla on itinerary

• July 3: Youth manifesto launch at 4 pm in Amritsar
• July 4: Christian community meet at 10 am in Gurdaspur; SC community meet at 1 pm in Jalandhar; and Iftaar party at 6 pm in Malerkotla
• July 5: Trade and transport meet at 11 am in Ludhiana and SC community meet at 3 pm in Khanna

Won’t give govt contract to politicians’ kin: AAP

Amaninder Pal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 2

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in its youth manifesto has promised that if the party comes to power, close relatives of MPs and MLAs of any political party will not be awarded contract of any government work.

Party leaders said these include all contracts such as liquor and mining permits and even parking lots.

The promise is part of the 51-point youth manifesto, which Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal will release in Amritsar on Sunday. The youth manifesto is the first in the series of 10 major party documents, which it would release in the run up to 2017 Assembly elections, targeting 10 various administrative and social groups.

Harjot Bains, a founder member of AAP in Punjab and party’s youth wing head, said: “Political bigwigs and their relatives and friends have hegemony over all type of government contracts. There is no opportunity for small and young entrepreneurs.”

Bains said: “To curb this practice, we have promise in our youth manifesto that no such contracts would be awarded to close relatives of MPs and MLAs. The idea is to generate more opportunities for the state’s youth.”

Sources said the party had also promised to abolish recruitments on contractual basis in various departments. “We will revive the old system whereby an employee is hired first on probation and then regularised after the completion of his probation period.”

Badals ruling transport sector: Capt

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 2

Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh today accused the Badal family of acquiring two Hoshiarpur-based private transport companies. “I doubt whether there is any transport firm left in the state which does not belong to the Badals,” he said in a press release.

“The Badal family acquired Azad Hoshiarpur Express Bus Service and Rajdhani Transport Company Private Limited a few days ago. It is a clear case of conflict of interest that betrays their unbridled greed,” Amarinder added.

He said the acquisitions were being shown as normal business deals, but the Badals had created a situation where the transport operators had no option but to sell off their business.

He alleged that the Badals’ bus fleet had increased 17-fold from mere 30 in 2007 to over 500 now. “How come Punjab’s roads are flooded with buses belonging to the Dabwali Transport Company or the Orbit Transport Company, both owned by the Badal family?” he asked.

Amarinder promised that the Congress, if voted to power, would break the monopoly in the transport sector.

Jail warder hides drugs in mouth, held

Faridkot, July 2

The police have nabbed a jail warder, Inderjit Singh, for allegedly smuggling narcotics in the Central Jail here. The accused was frisked when he arrived at the jail for duty. About 25 tablets of a narcotic substance were found concealed in his mouth. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered. — OC

What happened to eight lakh jobs, SAD asks Kejriwal

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 2

A day ahead of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal’s visit to the holy city, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has asked him what happened to the eight lakh jobs he had promised to the Delhi youth.

In a statement here today, SAD secretary and spokesman, Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, asked AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal what happened to the eight lakh jobs as well as a slew of other promises he made with youth of Delhi, which he never fulfilled.

He said Kejriwal was on a mission to hoodwink youth of Punjab. He alleged that Kejriwal had deceived farmers by first promising support on the SYL canal issue and then reneging on this promise and siding with Haryana.

Dr Cheema said instead of coming out with more hollow promises Kejriwal should come out clean on what he had done for Delhi youth.

Besides jobs, Kejriwal had promised vocational training for 10 lakh youth, Wi-Fi across the national Capital, opening 500 new schools and 20 colleges and creating sports infrastructure in villages of Delhi, added Dr Cheema.

Cong alleges wheat embezzlement, seeks action against DFCS officials

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 1

Congress leaders hand over a memorandum to ADC Tejinderpal Singh Sandhu in Amritsar on Friday. A Tribune photograph

Senior leaders of the Congress Party handed over a memorandum to Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Tejinderpal Singh Sandhu here today demanding action against alleged corrupt officials of the District Food and Civil Supplies Department (DFCS). responsible for bungling of wheat meant for distribution among the poor people under state government’s Atta-Dal Scheme.

The ADC asked Sub divisional Magistrates to inquire into the allegations and submit report to him. However, while terming the allegations as baseless, the District Food and Civil Supply Controller, Dr Nirmal Singh, claimed that there was 100 per cent disbursement of wheat among beneficiaries. He said he had all records with him. Congress leaders were raking up the issue for taking political mileage only, he added.

District Congress Committee (rural) president Gurjit Singh Aujla accompanied by Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee secretary Mandeep Singh Manna handed over a memorandum to the ADC demanding action against alleged corrupt officials of the DFCS. They alleged that blue card holders had not received any food items for the last one year. They said instead of taking action against corrupt officials, the authorities of the DFCS were shielding them. Aujla alleged that ration meant for the poor people was sold in black market by senior officials of the department.

He said three trucks loaded with ration had left godown of the department at Rayya. These were to be sold in the black market. Timely intervention of Congress workers helped the police in recovering the two trucks, he added.

Aujla said at that time, food and civil supplies officials had claimed that the third truck, too, would be recovered. He alleged that in order to shield corrupt officials, the two trucks impounded by the police were freed without any action.

He said around 1,485 quintal of black gram was released for distribution in the Ajnala assembly in first three months of the year, but not even a single beneficiary had received the ration meant for them. The Congress leaders demanded complete inquiry in the case after suspension of officials concerned.

While terming the allegations as baseless, District Food and Supply Controller (DFSC), Dr Nirmal Singh, said the administration had formed vigilance committees at block levels in order to stop bungling of wheat. He said SDMs had verified distribution of grains among beneficiaries through these vigilance committees and he had all the record with him.

The three trucks, which the Congress leaders claimed to have intercepted, were actually parked on the roadside due to some rally by Congress Party, he added. He said as the people were not present at their residences, officials parked the trucks on the roadside and were waiting for distributing ration among genuine beneficiaries.

Investigations carried out by the department and the police found no truth in claims of the Congress leaders, he added.

UNEMPLOYED TEACHERS’ STIR

Manpreet meets protesters, assures Cong support

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, July 2

PPP chief-turned Congress leader Manpreet Singh Badal today visited Jai Singh Wala village in Bathinda where members of the Unemployed ETT-TET Pass Teachers Union are sitting on a protest atop a water tank for more than a month. The members are demanding jobs from the state government.

Manpreet Badal assured the protestors of fixing their meeting with election manifesto committee members of the Congress so that the provision to provide jobs to unemployed teachers is added in the manifesto of the Congress. Manpreet criticised the police action over the teachers who were demanding jobs for a long time from the government.

Members of the ETT–TET Pass Unemployed Union have been sitting on a protest atop a water tank in Jai Singh Wala village for the past 40 days. On June 18, the police cane- charged union members after they marched towards Badal village to gherao the Chief Minister’s house for not giving time for a panel meeting and for not fulfilling their demands. Following the lathi-charge, a protesting woman, Harpreet Kaur, tried to immolate herself but was rescued by her colleagues. She then received burn injuries on her arms. However, she again announced to attempt suicide on June 30 but the administration intervened and assured the union for a third time to get fixed a panel meeting. The union is demanding that the government should recruit all 6,500 ETT teachers who had cleared TET from 2011 to 2015 and for this, the government should again publish the advertisement for 6,500 posts instead for the 4,500 posts, which it advertised in November 2015.

On other hand, the TET Pass BEd Unemployed Union members are also demanding jobs for a long time while they, too, were cane-charged by the police on June 11 in Bathinda after they blocked the Bathinda-Mansa road as part of their state-level protest.

Amarjit Singh Kamboj, ETT-TET Pass Unemployed Union’s state president, said, “Manpreet Badal today visited us and assured us to get fixed a meeting with the members of the Congress election manifesto committee. He claimed that he would request and urge the members of the committee to add into manifesto the provision of providing jobs to unemployed teachers who had cleared the TET but did not get any jobs from the government. We have been agitating against the state government for the last many days and now, we would intensify our protest if the government fails to meet our demands soon.”

Trouble brews for SAD in Sanour segment

Party workers express discontentment over sudden change of constituency leadership

Manish Sirhindi

Tribune News Service

Patiala, July 2

Trouble seems to be brewing for the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in the Sanour segment of the district as hundreds of party workers and supporters owing allegiance to former halqa in-charge Tejinder Pal Singh Sandhu today announced to oppose newly appointed halqa in-charge Harinder Pal Singh Chandumajra.

Recently, HS Chandumajra, son of Prem Singh Chandumajra, MP from Anandpur Sahib, had been appointed the new halqa in-charge of the Sanour segment by replacing Tejinder Pal Singh Sandhu. He had contested the last Assembly elections from this segment against Congress stalwart Lal Singh, but lost.

Earlier, the appointment of Satbir Singh Khatra as halqa in-charge from the Patiala II constituency had also created problems for the party leadership when Harmail Singh Tohra had shown signs of dissidence against the party.

While the party is yet to sort out the difference that has erupted between Tohra and Khatra, hundreds of Akali workers and supporters today assembled at the Sandhu’s residence and expressed discontentment over the sudden change of constituency leadership.

Those assembled here spoke at length against the manner in which the party had made the recent changes alleging that they had not been taken into confidence. The party workers said they had full faith in the leadership of Badals, but the workers should not be ignored while taking such decisions.

Tejinder Pal Singh Sandhu asserted that during the last Assembly elections, he had sought ticket from the Ghanour segment, but the party had fielded him from Sanour.

“I took up the responsibility as a true solider of the Akali Dal and started working in the new constituency despite having lost the last elections,” he said.

“During my tenure as the halqa in-charge, works such as development of roads, upgrade of a school and setting up of two health care centres in the constituency were carried out. I had even met Sukhbir Badal and apprised him of all developments that came about in Sanour and he had expressed faith in me,” he said.

“However, the sudden decision to field an outsider has not gone down well with the party cadre, who gathered here today and asked me to convene their sentiments to party leadership,” Sandhu said.

He said there was no question of shifting loyalties from the Akali Dal, but the party leadership should take into consideration efforts that he had put in building up the party’s base in Sanour.

Badals trying to monopolise transport business in state: Capt

They have been doing it since the day they assumed power in 2007 and that is how their transport fleet increased 17 folds from mere 30 then to over 500 now. CAPTAIN AMARINDER SINGH, Punjab Congress chief

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh alleged that the Badal family had grabbed two more private transport companies in the state, based in Hoshiarpur and acquired the entire fleet of their 120 buses.

In a release issued here on Saturday, Amarinder said: “I doubt if there are any transport companies left in Punjab which do not belong to the Badals.”

He said the acquisitions are being shown as normal business deals, but the Badals had created a situation where the transporters had no option but to sell their business.

“They have been doing it since the day they assumed power in 2007 and that is how their transport fleet increased 17 folds from mere 30 then to over 500 now,” he added.

“Punjab roads are flooded with the buses belonging to Dabwali Transport Company or Orbit Transport Company, both owned by the Badal family. In a clear case of conflict of interest that betrays their unbridled greed, the Badal family has completely acquired two Hoshiarpur-based transport companies — Azad Hoshiarpur Express Bus Service and Rajdhani Transport Company Private Limited — a few days ago,” said Amarinder.

He said the government hiked the bus fare by 6 paise per kilometre immediately after acquiring the additional fleet of 120 buses.

ਮਾਲੇਰਕੋਟਲਾ ਕਾਂਡ ’ਚ ਦਿੱਲੀ ਦੇ ‘ਆਪ’ ਵਿਧਾਇਕ ਦਾ ਹੱਥ ਹੋਣ ਦਾ ਦੋਸ਼

Posted On July - 2 - 2016

ਦਵਿੰਦਰ ਪਾਲ
ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ, 2 ਜੁਲਾਈ

ਪੰਜਾਬ ਪੁਲੀਸ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਮਾਲੇਰਕੋਟਲਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੁਰਾਨ ਸ਼ਰੀਫ਼ ਦੀ ਬੇਅਦਬੀ ਪਿੱਛੇ ਆਮ ਆਦਮੀ ਪਾਰਟੀ (ਆਪ) ਦੇ ਮਹਿਰੋਲੀ (ਸਾਊਥ) ਤੋਂ ਵਿਧਾਇਕ ਨਰੇਸ਼ ਯਾਦਵ ਵੀ ਸ਼ਮੂਲੀਅਤ ਦੇ ਦਾਅਵੇ ਨੇ ਇਸ ਸੰਵੇਦਨਸ਼ੀਲ ਮਾਮਲੇ ਨੂੰ ਨਵਾਂ ਰੂਪ ਦੇ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ। ਸੰਗਰੂਰ ਦੇ ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਾ ਪੁਲੀਸ ਮੁਖੀ ਪ੍ਰਿਤਪਾਲ ਸਿੰਘ ਥਿੰਦ ਨੇ ‘ਆਪ’ ਵਿਧਾਇਕ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਮੂਲੀਅਤ ਦੀ ਪੁਸ਼ਟੀ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਪੁਲੀਸ ਕੋਲ ਨਰੇਸ਼ ਯਾਦਵ ਖ਼ਿਲਾਫ਼ ਪੁਖ਼ਤਾ ਸਬੂਤ ਹਨ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦਾ ਗ੍ਰਿਫ਼ਤਾਰੀ ਵਾਰੰਟ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਪੁੱਛ-ਗਿੱਛ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾਵੇਗੀ। ਐਸਐਸਪੀ ਦਾ ਦਾਅਵਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਨਰੇਸ਼ ਯਾਦਵ ਦੀ ਮਾਲੇਰਕੋਟਲਾ ਦੀ ਘਟਨਾ ਨੂੰ ਅੰਜਾਮ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਮੁੱਖ ਮੁਲਜ਼ਮ ਵਿਜੈ ਕੁਮਾਰ ਨਾਲ ਗੂੜ੍ਹੀ ਸਾਂਝ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਘਟਨਾ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਦੋਹਾਂ ਦਰਮਿਆਨ ਕਈ ਵਾਰ ਹੋਈ ਗੱਲਬਾਤ ਦੇ ਵੇਰਵੇ ਇਕੱਤਰ ਕਰ ਲਏ ਗਏ ਹਨ। ਉਧਰ ਨਰੇਸ਼ ਯਾਦਵ ਨੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਪੁਲੀਸ ਦੇ ਦਾਅਵਿਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਰੱਦ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਕਿਸੇ ਵਿਜੈ ਕੁਮਾਰ ਨਾਮ ਦੇ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਣਦੇ ਅਤੇ ਨਾ ਹੀ ਮਾਲੇਰਕੋਟਲਾ ਦੀ ਘਟਨਾ ਨਾਲ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਕੋਈ ਸਬੰਧ ਹੈ।
‘ਆਪ’ ਦੇ ਵਿਧਾਇਕ ਦਾ ਇਸ ਸੰਵੇਦਨਸ਼ੀਲ ਮਾਮਲੇ ’ਚ ਨਾਮ ਆਉਣ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਰਾਜਨੀਤੀ ਵੀ ਗਰਮਾ ਗਈ ਹੈ। ਸ਼੍ਰੋਮਣੀ ਅਕਾਲੀ ਦਲ ਨੂੰ ‘ਆਪ’ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ ਵੱਡਾ ਮੁੱਦਾ ਮਿਲ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ। ਮਹੱਤਵਪੂਰਨ ਤੱਥ ਇਹ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਦਿੱਲੀ ਦੇ ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਅਤੇ ‘ਆਪ’ ਸੁਪਰੀਮੋ ਅਰਵਿੰਦ ਕੇਜਰੀਵਾਲ ਅਗਲੇ ਹਫ਼ਤੇ ਮੁਸਲਿਮ ਭਾਈਚਾਰੇ ਦੇ ਸਮਾਗਮਾਂ ’ਚ ਸ਼ਿਰਕਤ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਮਾਲੇਰਕੋਟਲਾ ਪਹੁੰਚ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ। ਜ਼ਿਕਰਯੋਗ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਸੰਗਰੂਰ ਪੁਲੀਸ ਵੱਲੋਂ 29 ਜੂਨ ਨੂੰ ਦਾਅਵਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਸੀ ਕਿ ਮਾਲੇਰਕੋਟਲਾ ਘਟਨਾ ਦਾ ਮੁੱਖ ਮੁਲਜ਼ਮ ਵਿਜੈ ਕੁਮਾਰ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਵਿਸ਼ਵ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਪ੍ਰੀਸ਼ਦ ਨਾਲ ਸਬੰਧਤ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਜਥੇਬੰਦੀ ਦੇ ਆਗੂਆਂ ਨੇ ਵਿਜੈ ਕੁਮਾਰ ਨੂੰ ‘ਆਪਣਾ ਬੰਦਾ’ ਵੀ ਐਲਾਨਿਆ ਸੀ। ਪੁਲੀਸ ਨੇ ਵਿਜੈ ਕੁਮਾਰ ਦੇ ਨਾਲ ਗੌਰਵ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਪਿਤਾ ਨੰਦ ਕਿਸ਼ੋਰ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਗ੍ਰਿਫ਼ਤਾਰ ਕਰ ਲਿਆ ਸੀ। ਪੁਲੀਸ ਸੂਤਰਾਂ ਦਾ ਦਾਅਵਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਵਿਜੈ ਕੁਮਾਰ ਨੇ ਤਫ਼ਤੀਸ਼ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਮੰਨਿਆ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਮਾਲੇਰਕੋਟਲਾ ’ਚ ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਕੁਰਾਨ ਸ਼ਰੀਫ਼ ਦੇ ਪੱਤਰੇ ਫਾੜਨ ਦੀ ਸਾਰੀ ਸਾਜ਼ਿਸ਼ ‘ਆਪ’ ਵਿਧਾਇਕ ਨਰੇਸ਼ ਯਾਦਵ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਘੜੀ ਗਈ ਸੀ। ਪੁਲੀਸ ਮੁਤਾਬਕ 24 ਜੂਨ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਜੈ ਕੁਮਾਰ ਦਿੱਲੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਰੇਸ਼ ਯਾਦਵ ਨੂੰ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਘਰ ’ਚ ਮਿਲਿਆ ਸੀ ਅਤੇ ਕੁਰਾਨ ਸ਼ਰੀਫ਼ ਜਾਮਾ ਮਸਜਿਦ, ਨਵੀਂ ਦਿੱਲੀ ਤੋਂ ਹੀ ਖ਼ਰੀਦੀ ਗਈ ਸੀ। ਵਿਜੈ ਕੁਮਾਰ ਨੇ ਪੁਲੀਸ ਤਫ਼ਤੀਸ਼ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਕਬੂਲਿਆ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਇਸ ਕੰਮ ਲਈ ਨਰੇਸ਼ ਯਾਦਵ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਇਕ ਕਰੋੜ ਰੁਪਏ ਦੀ ਪੇਸ਼ਕਸ਼ ਕੀਤੀ ਗਈ ਸੀ।
ਪੁਲੀਸ ਦਾ ਦਾਅਵਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਵਿਜੈ ਕੁਮਾਰ ਦੇ ਫੋਨ ਦੀਆਂ ਕਾਲਾਂ ਦੀ ਡਿਟੇਲ ਕਢਵਾਈ ਗਈ ਤਾਂ ਸਮੀਖਿਆ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਪਤਾ ਲੱਗਾ ਕਿ 18, 19 ਅਤੇ 23 ਜੂਨ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਧਾਇਕ ਯਾਦਵ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦਰਮਿਆਨ ਗੱਲਬਾਤ ਹੁੰਦੀ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ। ਪੁਲੀਸ ਦਾ ਇਹ ਵੀ ਦਾਅਵਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਵਿਜੈ ਕੁਮਾਰ 14 ਸਾਲਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਵਿਸ਼ਵ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਪ੍ਰੀਸ਼ਦ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਨਾਤਾ ਤੋੜ ਚੁੱਕਾ ਹੈ। ਪੁਲੀਸ ਮੁਤਾਬਕ ਇਹ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਕਈ ਸਾਲ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਗਿਆ ਸੀ। ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੀ ਮੁਸਲਮਾਨਾਂ ਖ਼ਿਲਾਫ਼ ਨਸਲੀ ਟਿੱਪਣੀਆਂ ਕਰਨ ’ਤੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਬੰਦੀ ਬਣਾ ਲਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਸੀ। ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਵਿਜੈ ਕੁਮਾਰ ਕੈਨੇਡਾ ਚਲਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਸੀ।

ਵਿਧਾਇਕ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਦੋਸ਼ਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਇਨਕਾਰ
ਆਮ ਆਦਮੀ ਪਾਰਟੀ ਦੇ ਵਿਧਾਇਕ ਨਰੇਸ਼ ਯਾਦਵ ਨੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਪੁਲੀਸ ਦੇ ਦਾਅਵਿਆਂ ਦਾ ਖੰਡਨ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਕਿਸੇ ਸਿਆਸੀ ਬੰਦੇ ਨੂੰ ਦਿਨ ’ਚ ਕੌਣ ਮਿਲਦਾ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਦਾ ਕੋਈ ਰਿਕਾਰਡ ਨਾ ਦੇਖਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਨਾ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਨਾ ਹੀ ਕਿਸੇ ਬੰਦੇ ਦਾ ਪਿਛੋਕੜ ਪੁੱਛਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇੱਥੋਂ ਤਕ ਕਿ ਮਿਲਣ ਆਏ ਕਿਸੇ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਇਹ ਵੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਪੁੱਛਿਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਕਿ ਉਹ ਕੀ ਕਰਨ ਜਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਜਿਸ ਵਿਅਕਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਪੁਲੀਸ ਨੇ ਫੜਿਆ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਉਹ ਜ਼ਾਤੀ ਤੌਰ ’ਤੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਜਾਣਦਾ।

Flop first show for SAD publicity van

CHHANDRAN (LUDHIANA): The much-touted publicity vans of the Akali government, meant to showcase its “successful” nineyear rule in the state, attracted just 40-odd people in a flop first day first show on Friday at this village.

Most villagers were disinterested in hearing about the policies and developmental works of the government. Those who turn up were Akali supporters mostly, gathered by the party’s youth and women’s wings. The movie ‘Chaar Shahibzade’ played on an LED screen aboard the van was cut short, further dampening the enthusiasm of the children in the small audience.

The show started at 6.20pm, for an assembly of just 25. A series of government advertisements interrupted the movie. The first campaign featured former Indian hockey captain Rajpal Singh, saying he owed his achievements to the Punjab government. The adverts described insurance schemes for farmers, free bicycles for girl student, and free books and uniform for schoolchildren. In one segment, a villager was telling another if he chose the Aam Aadmi Party, the state would be deprived of water, as AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal would give it to the other states.Half an hour into the movie, the audience swelled to 41 — 16 women, 12 children, five senior citizens, and just eight youth. Observing that the movie was truncated, the children began to leave. “I have seen this movie already. Scenes have been deleted in this show. Moreover, the frequent advertisements are disturbing. I’d rather play,” said Sukhwinder Singh (12), as he walked off.

The district administration officials kept hoping the number would increase. When asked about the woman at the gathering, SAD Ludhiana rural women’s wing district president Daljiot Kaur Pawa agreed that these were Akali supporters. “But we have called other villagers, too,” she said.

‘Badal government making a mockery of unemployed educated’

Human rights lawyers addressing a press conference in Service Club in Amritsar on Saturday.

AMRITSAR: Criticising the SADBJP government for their policies in new appointments, members of human rights advocacy group ‘Lawyers For Human Rights International’ (LFHRI) on Saturday stated that the state government was making a mockery of unemployed educated youth.

“But, instead of finding solutions to this crisis, the government is exploiting them,” said Sethi.

He further said, “The Badal government had announced to create as many as 28,000 new jobs in the state. But youngsters are left without jobs and no hope in some cases. The revenue department told the government that it could not afford the salaries of employees in such a large number.”

“The miseries of jobless youngsters does not end here. When the government advertises vacancies in government departments, it demands a high fee. That is also a way to make money for them. For instance, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) charges a fee of `1,000 from each candidate. The Centre does not charge such a large amount,” added Sethi.

He also alleged that it was quite shameful that the government was fixing `10,900 as basic pay for the post of medical officer.

“As per the government’s new salary scales, the salary of post graduates is lesser than a peon. Is it not an act of mockery?” he added. Sethi was accompanied by advocates Inderpreet Singh Anand, Harmitpal Singh, Jaswinder Singh jaswal, Vishal Khanna and Shashi Vir Sharma.

GROUND PREPARATION

 BY SUB MAJOR DEVILAL

 FOR 17 JUL2016 AT JAGROAN