VOICE OF EX-SERVICEMEN PUNJAB

Mr Badal rebuked

CPS appointments rightly quashedWhen the Punjab and Haryana High Court set aside the appointment of Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, it handed an unambiguous embarrassment for the SAD-BJP government in Punjab. The judgment will have ramifications in Haryana as well. The court has upheld what its counterparts have also asserted in various other states — the appointment of CPSs is unconscionable and unconstitutional. With CPSs, governments seek to circumvent the Constitution, which allows only 15 per cent of the total number of members of a State Legislative Assembly to be made ministers. The SAD-BJP government is, by no stretch of imagination, the only government that seeks to appoint CPSs. This position has a proven real-politic instrument for “adjusting” MLAs who cannot be made ministers. It would seem that being a “mere” MLA is not enough, the perks that a minister enjoys must also come the way of the ruling party legislators. 

Punjab has 18 Cabinet ministers, including the Chief Minister. However, it has 24 Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, and the ruling will affect all of them, including those who have not been mentioned in the petition. Their appointments have been invalidated. A logical query arises: Who will pay for the emoluments and perks that the CPSs have enjoyed till now? Surely, it should not be the state exchequer. Should not the political party that appointed them be held accountable for this? 

While its political opponents have been quick to pounce on the Badal government, even the slightest bit of introspection would show that they, too, are in a similar leaky boat wherever they are in power. While Punjab has been particular egregious in the manner in which supporters of the ruling party have been rewarded with posts of adviser in the ranks of Cabinet minister and minister of state,  and the institutionalisation of the ‘halka in-charge’, the political class on the whole has sought to circumvent the limits on the size of the Cabinet imposed by the Constitution. Judicial intervention seems to be the only brake to such indulgences. The decision of the High Court is to be widely and whole-heartedly hailed.

Bolaria, other protesters detained, freed; Sukhbir leaves in a huff

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 14

Rebel Akali leader Inderbir Singh Bolaria (right) and Congress leader Harjinder Singh protest against the setting up of a solid waste management project. Photo: vishal kuma

The police today detained rebel Akali leader Inderbir Singh Bolaria, Congress leader Harjinder Singh Thekedar and about 35 local residents who were protesting against the setting up of a solid waste management plant during Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal’s visit.

The protesters were taken to Chheharta police station and released in the evening.

Residents of the localities around the Bhagtanwala garbage dump yard, where the plant is to be established, are demanding that both be shifted outside the city. The site falls under Amritsar South constituency, represented by Bolaria.

The protesters, led by Bolaria and Thekedar, started marchi

ng towards the Chattiwind road, but the police stopped them at the nearby Tarn Taran road intersection. They raised anti-government slogans and stopped traffic for over an hour.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of a railway overbridge to be constructed on the Tarn Taran-Amritsar road at a cost of Rs 130 crore. He also inaugurated mechanical sweeping machines, the new building of the MC office and the solid waste management project — costing Rs 460 crore.

He said the SAD-BJP government had completed several development works in the city, including the Rs 200-crore Entrance Plaza at the Golden Temple and the renovation of the Gobindgarh fort at a cost of Rs 95 crore.

Others present at the inauguration included Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia and Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi.

Sukhbir leaves in a huff

• Sukhbir Badal was scheduled to address Akali and BJP workers, besides mediapersons, but he left the venue in a huff after he was shoved by workers trying to enter the Improvement Trust building. It is learnt that he reprimanded police officials for the poor security arrangements.

Badals more worried about CPSs than SYL: Jakhar

Abohar, August 14

State Congress vice president Sunil Jakhar on Sunday slammed Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his Deputy Sukhbir Badal for taking “exceptional pains” to challenge the High Court verdict against the appointment of Chief Parliamentary Secretaries.

Speaking at a meeting in Khuyiansarwer village, he said the Badals had not shown such interest and action to approach the Supreme Court over the Sutlej Yamuna Link Canal issue.

He said the state government had mortgaged immovable properties to pay salaries to its staff and contract/ad hoc employees awaited regularisation of services. Jakhar said scholarships to SC, ST and OBC students were yet to be distributed, poll promise of pension to widows and needy elderly persons was not fulfilled, farm workers were alleging bias over the release in compensation for damage to cotton crop but this government didn’t want to deprive its legislators of unconstitutional post of Chief Parliamentary Secretary, he said. — O

SWACHH BHARAT MISSION

Now, teachers put on toilet verification duty

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 14

Violating the instructions of Director General School Education (DGSE), thousands of teachers have been deployed to verify the process of setting up toilets in villages under the Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen.

While across the state as many as 6.5 lakh toilets were listed in a two-year old survey, in Jalandhar, 900 villages and 22,000 toilets were listed. Teachers across these villages (an average of three to four teachers/principals per village) have been deputed to carry out the task of validating the current toilet need in villages and subsequent building of these toilets. Notably, even though the DGSE, in a letter issued to all DEOs time and again had asked them not to depute any teachers on any non-teaching job, or non-educational duties, hundreds of teachers have been asked to verify the toilet beneficiaries and even send pictures of their dug-up pits to the department. They shall also submit a final report to the SDM 2 on the issue.

The DEO, Jalandhar, issued a letter to these principals and teachers on August 9 last, asking the school heads to conduct duties under the Swachh Bharat Mission.

Teachers have been asked to visit houses to verify whether the listed beneficiaries qualify for toilets under the scheme and to mobilise them to dig up pits in their homes for toilets. While the beneficiaries shall be paid for 20 days worth of daily wages under the MGNREGA for digging the pit, they will eventually be paid Rs 15,000 for building a toilet. The entire process from the verification of homes to allocation of first instalment of Rs 5,000 is being carried out by teachers/principals.

A principal of a senior secondary school said, “When the DC or SDM tells you to do something, you can’t say no. We were put on Census duties, Aadhaar- linking duties and now this. After school, we spend three to four hours daily visiting homes. Our task includes sending a picture to the administration whether a certain house has dug pits or not. Though we are not supposed to do non-educational work, when we are told to perform such duties, teachers silently obey. Neither the DC nor the DGSE ever says their teachers can’t be spared for such work. Maybe they are too busy.”

While teachers had earlier been given deadline up to August 12 for getting pits dug, now it has been extended up to August 18. The teachers were apprised of the process at meetings in respective BDPO offices.

XEN, Public Health, Jalandhar, Kuldeep Singh Saini said, “We have deputed motivators for the job, teachers will just be spreading awareness at schools etc.” He said the toilets were being made in 900 villages of the district.

Assistant Sanitation Officer Gagadeep Singh Walia said, “No teachers have been deputed this year though they were deployed last year. This time BDPOs, CDPOs, administrative officers and motivators are doing the job.”

Varinder Singh Bajwa, SDM-2 and nodal officer from Jalandhar, said, “Some teachers and some principals have been deputed for the job. We hope the scheme will work for better sanitation in villages.” DEO Jalandhar, Harinder Pal said, “It’s just a way of helping the society. This job does not interfere with school work.”

900 villages, 22,000 toilets listed in Jalandhar

• While across the state 6.5 lakh toilets were listed in a two-year old survey, in Jalandhar, 900 villages and 22,000 toilets were listed.
• Teachers across these villages (average of three to four teachers/principals per village) have been deputed to carry out the task of validating the current toilet need in villages and subsequent building of these toilets.

Now, PPCC to launch outreach at booth level

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 14

Asha Kumari (l), Punjab Congress
affairs incharge

Following their 45-day-long zonal-level meetings across the state, the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee is all set to roll out its intensive worker-level booth-level outreach programme.

Confirming the development, Punjab Congress affairs incharge Asha Kumari said today that riding on the new slogan “Ghar Ghar Congress, Har Ghar Congress”, the Congress leadership right from vice-presidents, general secretaries and district-level office-bearers would be going to booth level to take forward the campaign.

As Punjab affairs incharge, Asha Kumari has been interacting with party workers at district-level meetings to access in-house problems and issue of dissidence.

She claimed that party workers at the grass-roots level were happy with the fact that it was for the first time that a general secretary-level leader from the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) was interacting with them.

“The organisational structure in Punjab is strong, but the frustration in workers stems from not being heard. Now, the workers are happy that the party has started early this time and are being heard. Earlier, the workers were contacted after the tickets were distributed. I am also getting a feel of what a party worker wants in his area,” she said.

While holding a district-level meeting, she said different groups in a state-level unit were due to leaders and not workers. The grass-root-level worker is not undisciplined. The problem stems due to the frustration of not being heard, she asserted.

“For now on, the PPCC will keep its announcements and strategy a guarded secret as the ruling SAD-BJP is taking decisions on the issues being raised by the Congress. We will do it pre-maturely. The party will come out with its promises and announcement close to the elections,” she added.

Jagmeet’s aide rejoins Cong

• Chandigarh: Manjeet Singh Jalbuti, a close confidant of Jagmeet Singh Brar, on Sunday rejoined the Congress. He had organised the expelled Congress leader’s rally at Chappar Chiri (Mohali) in July. Though Congress leaders said Jalbuti had joined unconditionally, party sources said he was a ticket aspirant from Mansa. August 15 is the last date to apply for the party ticket. Accompanied by CLP Leader Charanjit Singh Channi, Jalbuti met PPCC president Capt Amarinder Singh and state party affairs incharge Asha Kumari here on Sunday. TNS

War widows want govt to give ‘promised’ land

Kin of war heroes hold a protest in Patiala. Tribune photo: Rajesh Sachar

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Patiala, August 14

Two war widows have been sitting on a dharna here for the past over two months. They await their “promised” land as they complete 70 days of protest on the 70th Independence Day.

Bant Kaur, who is from a daily wager’s family in Daladdi village of Nabha, lost her husband Pyara Singh in the 1965 India-Pakistan war, but the successive governments, she alleges, did nothing for her and her family except giving her the pension.

“The CM assured us earlier this week that a decision on our case would be taken in a month,” she says.

“I was around 20 years old when my husband left for duty. Just a few months after our marriage, he was killed in the line of duty on November 3, 1965, while serving The Sikh Light Infantry,” Bant recalls. Leaders of various political parties have visited them, but their struggle continues.

Bant’s son Gursewak Singh, a labourer, says he accompanies her mother when he does not get a day’s work. “I feel hurt seeing my 80-year-old mother spend days and nights under a makeshift tent.”

Surjit Kaur, widow of Jangir Singh who died in the 1962 Indo-China war, is also on dharna. “The government announced 10 acres for war widows and the year 1977 was the deadline. The announcement raised some hope but since then our application has been lying at the Sainik Welfare Office, Punjab,” she claims.

Patiala Deputy Commissioner Ram Vir Singh said the file pertaining to their case was being considered by the Chief Minister.

Rajya Sabha MP writes to Chief Secy

Perturbed over not finding his name on foundation stones of new projects

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 14

As Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal inaugurated various projects in the city today, a controversy erupted after Rajya Sabha member Shwait Malik shot a protest letter to Punjab Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal.

He was upset after he found his name missing from foundation stones and advertisements issued by the government, district administration and the Municipal Corporation.

The letter, whose copy was later made available to mediapersons, stated, “My name is mentioned nowhere on inaugural stones, newspaper and local city unipole advertisements despite being member of the Rajya Sabha and also co-chairman of the district development coordination and monitoring committee.”

Malik rued that he was not taken into confidence. He said according to the Government of India guidelines officials dealing with administration and Member of Parliament should strictly comply with instructions.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal inaugurated new complex of the Municipal Corporation building and solid waste management project, besides launching mechanical sweeping in the city today. While terming it as a disrespect shown to the Member of Parliament, Malik asked the Chief Secretary to take departmental action against the official concerned.SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PLANT AT BHAGTANWALA

Residents on warpath, want project site shifted

Police arrest 40 protesters holding peaceful dharna, release them later

Neha Saini

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 14

The members of AAP and Congress protest along with Bhagatanwala residents against the proposed solid waste management plant in Amritsar on Aug14.photo by Vishal Kumar

“Is it justified to put the health of a segment of people at risk, just to prove a bad decision right?” Sanjay Kurl, environment activist and vice-president of the Sanjhi Sangharsh Committee, Amritsar, asked the question repeatedly to the present mediapersons while he was released after a detainment for a few hours by the police. A year on, the residents of Bhagtanwala are still caught amidst a battle with the state government and the MC over the Solid Waste Management Plant (SWMP) site.

Holding a peaceful protest on the day when Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal inaugurated the Rs 108 crore mega project in the city, Sanjay Kurl and some 40 protesters were arrested by the police, including rebel SAD leader Inderbir Bolaria and other political leaders. The ambitious project was announced in 2014 and has been a bone of contention between the residents of the area and the administration ever since. The residents are demanding the shifting of the site outside the city periphery.

“There has been a gross falsification of facts and realities while planning and getting the project clearance. We have been repeatedly objecting and stating that the project will have hazardous effects on the ecology of the surrounding area. The Golden Temple is within 1.8 km distance from the site of the dump yard and poses a threat to the shrine’s architectural heritage. Also, a similar plant in Bathinda was closed down by the government due to its failure to provide desired results. So, why do they think that wasting the common man’s money on the plant in the city will work? Bhagtanwala residents had suffered health wise because of the open dumping for so many years and now, they’ll have to suffer due to the incinerator,” said Sanjay.

Among the protestors were 20 women volunteers, five over the age of 75 years. They claimed that there could be a possible solution to the problem if the government followed the proposed Vellore Model plan by noted eco-activist C Srinivasan. “He had conducted workshops on scientific disposal of solid and liquid waste without any requirement for a landfill site or waste management plant. Why cannot we implement the model rather than putting at risk the health of the citizens,” said Sanjay.

Contractual teachers hold protest, seek regular jobs

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 14

Members of the Shaheed Kiranjit Kaur Teachers Union today held a protest against the government for not accepting their long-pending demands.

Union leaders Deepak, Gurpal Singh, Manwinder Kaur, Harinder and others, flayed the government for not regularising their jobs despite repeated assurances.

They said members of their union were working in primary schools at meager salaries.

They added that many of them had been working on contract for the past 14 years.

They further said their salaries were very low and they received them after a gap of six months.

Ex-servicemen observe black day, hold march

Protest against the incident in which the Central govt used force on protesters last year

Members of the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Union, Punjab, protest in Bathinda on Sunday. Photo: vijay kumar

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 14

Members of the Bathinda unit of the Ex-Servicemen Welfare Union, Punjab, today submitted a memorandum to the tehsildar, addressed to the President of India.

They have alleged that the Punjab Government was meting step-motherly treatment to the ex-servicemen.

They have stated that they have not only guarded the border but also fought and won wars with neighbouring countries.

They said their long-pending demand for some changes in the sixth pay commission had been hanging fire while the government had implemented the recommendations of the seventh pay commission.

They have stated that on August 14 last year, when ex-servicemen were staging a protest at Jantar Mantar, the BJP-led Central government used force on the protesters, which cannot be forgoten. Various foreign countries also condemned this act of the government, they added.

Even police officials of Delhi tendered an apology but ministers of the Union government didn’t condemned the incident, they said.

In view of what happened, ex-servicemen decided to observe August 14 as black day and took out a protest march in the city.

They have demanded that the President should issue instructions to the BJP-led Central government not to use force on ex-servicemen sitting on protest in any part of the country in future.

Capt Bhagwant Singh, Joga Singh, Chota Singh, Capt Jeet Singh, Major Singh, Satpal Singh and others participated in the protest.

Demands

• They said their long-pending demand for some changes in the sixth pay commission had been hanging fire while the government had implemented the recommendations of the seventh pay commission
• They have demanded that the President should issue instructions to the Centre not to use force on ex-servicemen protesting in any part of the country in future

AAP hoarding at SAD leader’s house raises eyebrows

Mohit Khanna

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 14

A hoarding installed outside the house of senior lawyer and former SAD MLA Harish Rai Dhanda carrying pictures of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal and Aahbab Singh Grewal, AAP contestant from the Ludhiana (West) constituency, has raised many eyebrows.

Though Dhanda is downplaying the issue, the hoarding has become a talking point in party circles. It has been installed at the ancestral house of Dhanda located on a prime property near Bhai Wala Chowk.

Dhanda said: “He is my cousin and very dear to me. Aahbab has every right to use my property. His mother and my mother are sisters. I believe too much should not be read into this.”

However, the hoarding has left SAD leader and rival Congress camp in a tizzy.

The SAD leaders, though uncomfortable, could not muster courage to take up the issue with Dhanda.

Dhanda used to enjoy a lot of influence in the SAD. Off late, he has distanced himself from the party politics.

“Harish Rai Dhanda is a very senior leader of the SAD. We cannot speak to him on this issue. Let the senior leaders of the party take a call on it,” said a local Akali leader.

The alleged indirect support of Dhanda to AAP leader Aahbab has hotted up the political scene in the city. Ludhiana West is considered to be the stronghold of the Congress as Deputy Leader of Opposition Bharat Bhushan Ashu is sitting MLA from the constituency. He enjoys considerable support.

Meanwhile, Aahbab Grewa said: “Sir (Harish Rai Dhanda) is my elder brother. He is a friend, philosopher and guide to me. I am honoured that my hoarding could find a place on the wall of his house.”

ਸੁਖਬੀਰ ਸੈਨਾ ਬਣਾ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਗਈ ਹੈ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਪੁਲੀਸ

*    ਪੁਲੀਸ ਨੂੰ ਨਿੱਜੀ ਸੈਨਾ ਵਜੋਂ ਵਰਤਣ ਕਾਰਨ ਚੰਗੇ ਅਫ਼ਸਰ ਹੋਏ ਨਿਰਾਸ਼
*   ਅਪਰਾਧੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਨਸ਼ਾ ਤਸਕਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਗਹਿਰੇ ਸਿਆਸੀ ਸੰਪਰਕ ਸੀਨੀਅਰ ਪੁਲੀਸ ਅਧਿਕਾਰੀਆਂ ਲਈ ਬਣੇ ਸਿਰਦਰਦੀ
* ਥਾਣਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਹਲਕਾ ਇੰਚਾਰਜਾਂ ਦੇ ਦਖ਼ਲ ਬਾਰੇ ਡੀਜੀਪੀ ਨੇ ਧਾਰੀ ਚੁੱਪ
*   ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸੇਵਾ ਪ੍ਰਦਾਨ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਨੇੜਤਾ ਦਾ ਸਿਧਾਂਤ ਰਾਜ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋਇਆ ਗਾਇਬ

ਹਮੀਰ ਸਿੰਘ
ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ, 14 ਅਗਸਤ

ਪੁਲੀਸ ਨੂੂੰ ਪੇਸ਼ੇਵਰ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਅਤੇ ਕਾਨੂੰਨ ਦਾ ਰਾਜ ਬਹਾਲ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਬਜਾਏ ਵਧ ਰਹੀ ਸਿਆਸੀ ਦਖ਼ਲਅੰਦਾਜ਼ੀ ਕਾਰਨ ਕਈ ਵੱਕਾਰੀ ਪੁਲੀਸ ਅਧਿਕਾਰੀ ਹੁਣ ਮਹੱਤਵਪੂਰਨ ਅਹੁਦਿਆਂ ’ਤੇ ਤਾਇਨਾਤ ਹੋਣ ਤੋਂ ਨਾਂਹ-ਨੁੱਕਰ ਕਰ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ। ਸੂਤਰਾਂ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਪਿਛਲੇ ਦਿਨੀਂ ਲੁਧਿਆਣਾ ਦੇ ਡਿਪਟੀ ਕਮਿਸ਼ਨਰ ਪੁਲੀਸ ਦੇ ਅਹੁਦੇ ’ਤੇ ਤਾਇਨਾਤੀ ਦੇ ਹੁਕਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਜਾਰੀ ਹੋਣ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਹੀ ਇੱਕ ਚੰਗੇ ਅਕਸ ਵਾਲੇ ਅਧਿਕਾਰੀ ਨੇ ਜਵਾਬ ਦੇ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ। ਕਾਨੂੰਨ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਆ ਰਹੀ ਮੁਸ਼ਕਿਲ ਨੂੰ ਇਸ ਇਨਕਾਰ ਦਾ ਮੁੱਖ ਕਾਰਨ ਦੱਸਿਆ ਜਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ। ਸੱਤਾਧਾਰੀਆਂ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਮਨਮਰਜ਼ੀ ਨਾਲ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਵਾਉਣ ਦੀ ਲਾਲਸਾ ਕਾਰਨ ਹੀ ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਿਆਂ ਅੰਦਰ ਪੁਲੀਸ ਦੀ ਕਮਾਨ ਪੀਪੀਐਸ ਜਾਂ ਪੀਪੀਐਸ ਤੋਂ ਪਰੋਮੋਟ ਹੋਏ ਆਈਪੀਐਸ ਅਧਿਕਾਰੀਆਂ ਹਵਾਲੇ ਕੀਤੀ ਗਈ ਹੈ। ਇਸੇ ਕਰਕੇ ਸਿੱਧੀ ਭਰਤੀ ਵਾਲੇ ਨੌਜਵਾਨ ਆਈਪੀਐਸ ਅਫ਼ਸਰ ਬਹੁਤੇ ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਤਾਇਨਾਤ ਨਹੀਂ।
ਇੱਕ ਸੀਨੀਅਰ ਪੁਲੀਸ ਅਧਿਕਾਰੀ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਅੱਜਕੱਲ੍ਹ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਨਾ ਮੁਸ਼ਕਿਲ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ। ਅਪਰਾਧੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਨਸ਼ਾ ਤਸਕਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਿਆਸੀ ਸੰਪਰਕ ਇੰਨੇ ਗਹਿਰੇ ਹੋ ਗਏ ਹਨ ਕਿ ਬੰਦਾ ਫੜਿਆ ਪਿੱਛੋਂ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ, ਉਸ ਦੇ ਸਿਆਸੀ ਆਕਾ ਦਾ ਫੋਨ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਹ ਵੀ ਮਨਮਰਜ਼ੀ ਵਾਲਾ ਢੰਗ-ਤਰੀਕਾ ਹੀ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਖੁਫ਼ੀਆ ਵਿੰਗ ਦਾ ਮੁਖੀ ਡੀਜੀਪੀ ਰੈਂਕ ਦੇ ਅਧਿਕਾਰੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਦਰਕਿਨਾਰ ਕਰਕੇ ਆਈਜੀ ਪੱਧਰ ਦੇ ਅਧਿਕਾਰੀ ਨੂੰ ਲਾਇਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ। ਖੁਫ਼ੀਆ ਵਿੰਗ ਨੂੰ ਅਪਰਾਧੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਅਤਿਵਾਦੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਸੂਹ ਲੈਣ ਦੀ ਥਾਂ ਹੁਕਮਰਾਨ ਧਿਰ ਦੇ ਸਿਆਸੀ ਵਿਰੋਧੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਜਾਸੂਸੀ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਵਰਤਿਆ ਜਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ। ਪੁਲੀਸ ਨੂੰ ਨਿੱਜੀ ਸੈਨਾ ਦੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਇਸਤੇਮਾਲ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ। ਇਹੀ ਕਾਰਨ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਚੰਗੇ ਅਫ਼ਸਰ ਨਿਰਾਸ਼ ਹੋ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ।
ਪੁਲੀਸ ਮੁਲਾਜ਼ਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਵੱਡਾ ਹਿੱਸਾ ਵੀ ਪ੍ਰੇਸ਼ਾਨ ਹੈ, ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਲੰਮੀ ਅਤੇ ਥਕਾ ਦੇਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਡਿਊਟੀ ਤੋਂ ਇਲਾਵਾ ਸਿਆਸੀ ਆਗੂਆਂ ਦੀ ਤਾਬੇਦਾਰੀ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਲਈ ਮੁਸੀਬਤ ਬਣੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ। ਅਜਿਹਾ ਤਣਾਅ ਮੋੜਵੇਂ ਰੂਪ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੇਰੁਜ਼ਗਾਰਾਂ ਜਾਂ ਹੋਰ ਮੁਜ਼ਾਹਰਾਕਾਰੀ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਖ਼ਿਲਾਫ਼ ਗੁੱਸੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਨਿਕਲਦਾ ਹੈ।  ਹੁਕਮਰਾਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਡੰਡੇ ਨਾਲ ਹੱਕਣ ਦੀ ਸਿਆਸੀ ਪ੍ਰਵਿਰਤੀ ਕਰਕੇ ਕਈ ਅਜਿਹੇ ਵਿਵਾਦਤ ਅਫ਼ਸਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਰੇਜਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਈਜੀ ਤੱਕ ਨਿਯੁਕਤ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ ਜਿਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਚੋਣ ਕਮਿਸ਼ਨ ਦੇ ਹੁਕਮਾਂ ’ਤੇ ਵੀ ਤਬਦੀਲ ਕੀਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਸੀ। ਕਾਨੂੰਨ ਦੇ ਬਜਾਏ ਸਿਆਸੀ ਪ੍ਰਭੂਆਂ ਦੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਵਜਾਉਣ ਦਾ ਨਤੀਜਾ ਗੁਰੂ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ ਸਾਹਿਬ ਦੀ ਬੇਅਦਬੀ ਖ਼ਿਲਾਫ਼ ਰੋਸ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਾ ਰਹੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ’ਤੇ ਕੀਤੀ ਪੁਲੀਸ ਫਾਇਰਿੰਗ ਦੇ ਰੂਪ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਆਇਆ ਸੀ। ਸਰਕਾਰ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਬਣਾਏ ਜਸਟਿਸ ਜ਼ੋਰਾ ਸਿੰਘ ਕਮਿਸ਼ਨ ਨੇ ਵੀ ਆਪਣੀ ਰਿਪੋਰਟ ਵਿੱਚ ਇਸ ਦਾ ਜ਼ਿਕਰ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ। ਜਿਸ ਤਰੀਕੇ ਨਾਲ ਚੋਣਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਕੁਝ ਹੀ ਸਮਾਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਗ੍ਰਹਿ ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੁਲੀਸ ਮੁਲਾਜ਼ਮਾਂ ਦੇ ਤਬਾਦਲੇ ਕੀਤੇ ਜਾ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹ ਵਿਧਾਨ ਸਭਾ ਚੋਣਾਂ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਚੋਣ ਕਮਿਸ਼ਨ ਲਈ ਵੀ ਚੁਣੌਤੀ ਭਰਿਆ ਕੰਮ ਸਾਬਿਤ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ।
ਅਕਾਲੀ-ਭਾਜਪਾ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਥਾਣਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਕੀਤੀ ਡੀਲਿਮੀਟੇਸ਼ਨ ਲਈ ਤਰਕ ਕੋਈ ਵੀ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੋਵੇ ਪਰ ਅਸਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਇਹ ਹਲਕਾ ਇੰਚਾਰਜਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਸੱਤਾਧਾਰੀ ਧਿਰ ਦੇ ਵਿਧਾਇਕਾਂ ਮੰਤਰੀਆਂ ਦੇ ਹਵਾਲੇ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤੇ ਗਏ ਹਨ। ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਇਸ ਨਾਲ ਪ੍ਰੇਸ਼ਾਨੀ ਹੀ ਹੋਈ ਹੈ, ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਸੇਵਾ ਪ੍ਰਦਾਨ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ ਨੇੜਤਾ ਦਾ ਸਿਧਾਂਤ ਪੂਰੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਗਾਇਬ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ। ਮਿਸਾਲ ਦੇ ਤੌਰ ’ਤੇ ਸੰਗਰੂਰ ਦੇ ਨਜ਼ਦੀਕੀ ਪਿੰਡ ਬਡਰੁੱਖਾਂ ਦੇ ਲੋਕ ਹਰ ਕੰਮ ਲਈ ਸੰਗਰੂਰ ਆਉਂਦੇ ਹਨ ਪਰ ਇਹ ਪਿੰਡ ਥਾਣਾ ਲੌਂਗੋਵਾਲ ਨਾਲ ਸਬੰਧਤ ਹੈ। ਇਸੇ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਨਾਭਾ ਦੀਆਂ ਜੜ੍ਹਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਾਧਾ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਡੇਰੇ ਤੱਕ ਦੇ  ਖੇਤਰ ਨੂੰ ਥਾਣਾ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ੀਵਾਲਾ ਅਧੀਨ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ। ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ੀਵਾਲਾ ਪਟਿਆਲਾ (ਦਿਹਾਤੀ) ਖੇਤਰ ਨਾਲ ਸਬੰਧਤ ਥਾਣਾ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਇਹ ਪਟਿਆਲਾ-ਭਾਦਸੋਂ ਰੋਡ ’ਤੇ ਪੈਂਦਾ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਹੀ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਧਿਰ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਇਹ ਦੋਸ਼ ਲਾਇਆ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਥਾਣੇ ਐਸਐਚਓ ਨਹੀਂ, ਬਲਕਿ ਜਥੇਦਾਰ ਚਲਾ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ। ਇਸ ਪ੍ਰਥਾ ਕਾਰਨ ਐਸਐਸਪੀ ਤਾਂ ਦੂਰ ਡੀਜੀਪੀ ਤੱਕ ਦੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਵੀ ਤਾਕ ਉੱਤੇ ਰੱਖ ਦੇਣ ਤੋਂ ਗੁਰੇਜ਼ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੁੰਦਾ। ਡੀਜੀਪੀ ਸੁਰੇਸ਼ ਅਰੋੜਾ ਨੇ ਅਹੁਦਾ ਸੰਭਾਲਦਿਆਂ ਹੀ ਐਲਾਨ ਕੀਤਾ ਸੀ ਕਿ ਥਾਣਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਹਲਕਾ ਇੰਚਾਰਜਾਂ ਦਾ ਦਖ਼ਲ ਖਤਮ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ ਪਰ ਥੋੜੇ ਸਮੇਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੀ ਡੀਜੀਪੀ ਇਸ ਮੁੱਦੇ ’ਤੇ ਖਾਮੋਸ਼ ਹੋ ਗਏ।

ਬਾਦਲਾਂ ਦੇ ਮੰਤਰੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਨੂੰ ਰੱਜ ਕੇ ਲੁੱਟਿਆ: ਚੰਨੀ

ਟ੍ਰਿਬਿਊਨ ਨਿਊਜ਼ ਸਰਵਿਸ
ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ, 14 ਅਗਸਤ
ਪੰਜਾਬ ਵਿਧਾਨ ਸਭਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਧਿਰ ਦੇ ਆਗੂ ਚਰਨਜੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਚੰਨੀ ਨੇ ਦੋਸ਼ ਲਾਇਆ ਕਿ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੀ ਅਕਾਲੀ ਭਾਜਪਾ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਹੁਤ ਲੁੱਟਿਆ ਹੈ।
ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਇਸ ਸਬੰਧੀ ਡਾ. ਜਸਦੀਪਕ ਸਿੰਘ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਆਰਟੀਆਈ ਤਹਿਤ ਹਾਸਲ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਦਾ ਖੁਲਾਸਾ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਦੱਸਿਆ ਕਿ ਛੇ ਮੰਤਰੀਆਂ ਨੇ ਦਫਤਰ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਨਿੱਜੀ ਵਾਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ 7 ਲੱਖ ਅਤੇ 8 ਹਜ਼ਾਰ ਕਿਲੋਮੀਟਰ ਚਲਾਇਆ ਹੈ, ਜਿਸ ਨਾਲ ਖਜ਼ਾਨੇ ਨੂੰ ਇਕ ਕਰੋੜ ਤੇ 17 ਲੱਖ ਰੁਪਏ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਦਾ ਨੁਕਸਾਨ ਪਹੁੰਚਿਆ ਹੈ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੱਸਿਆ ਕਿ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਸੁਰਜੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਰੱਖੜਾ, ਗੁਲਜ਼ਾਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਰਣੀਕੇ, ਸੁਰਜੀਤ ਜਿਆਨੀ, ਜਨਮੇਜਾ ਸਿੰਘ ਸੇਖੋਂ, ਸਿਕੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਮਲੂਕਾ ਤੇ ਸੋਹਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਠੰਡਲ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਨਿੱਜੀ ਵਾਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਵੱਧ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਦੋ ਸਾਲਾਂ ਤੱਕ ਸਰਕਾਰੀ ਕੰਮਾਂ ਵਾਸਤੇ ਵਰਤਣ ਦੀ ਮਨਜ਼ੂਰੀ ਲਈ ਸੀ, ਜਿਸ ਤਹਿਤ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਮਲੂਕਾ ਨੇ 22 ਜੂਨ 2012 ਤੋਂ 30 ਸਤੰਬਰ 2015 (39 ਮਹੀਨਿਆਂ) ਤੱਕ ਆਪਣੇ ਨਿੱਜੀ ਵਾਹਨ ਦੇ ਇਸਤੇਮਾਲ ਲਈ 2,91,807 ਕਿਲੋਮੀਟਰ ਦਾ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਕੋਲ 45,36,754 ਰੁਪਏ ਦਾ ਦਾਅਵਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ। ਜਨਰਲ ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ਾਸਨ ਵਿਭਾਗ ਨੇ ਛੇ ਮੰਤਰੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਆਪਣੇ ਵਾਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ 15 ਰੁਪਏ ਜਾਂ 18 ਰੁਪਏ ਪ੍ਰਤੀ ਕਿਲੋਮੀਟਰ ਦਾ ਇਸਤੇਮਾਲ ਕਰਨ ਅਤੇ 10000 ਰੁਪਏ ਪ੍ਰਤੀ ਮਹੀਨੇ ਦੇ ਰੇਟ ’ਤੇ ਡਰਾਈਵਰ ਦੀ ਤਨਖਾਹ ਤੇ ਸੰਭਾਲ ਦਾ ਖਰਚੇ ਦੀ ਮਨਜ਼ੂਰੀ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਸੀ। ਦੂਜੇ ਮੰਤਰੀਆਂ ’ਚ ਗੁਲਜ਼ਾਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਰਣੀਕੇ ਨੇ ਸਿਰਫ 6 ਮਹੀਨਿਆਂ ’ਚ 37,44,827 ਰੁਪਏ ਦਾ ਦਾਅਵਾ ਪੇਸ਼ ਕੀਤਾ। ਮੰਤਰੀ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਜਿਆਨੀ ਨੇ 75080 ਕਿਲੋਮੀਟਰ ਦਾ ਅੱਠ ਮਹੀਨਿਆਂ (6 ਨਵੰਬਰ 2014 ਤੋਂ 30-06-15) ਤੱਕ 12,30,408 ਰੁਪਏ ਦਾ ਦਾਅਵਾ ਕੀਤਾ। ਸ੍ਰੀ ਰੱਖੜਾ ਨੇ ਨੌਂ ਮਹੀਨਿਆਂ (31 ਦਸੰਬਰ 2014 ਤੋਂ 30 ਸਤੰਬਰ 2015) ਤੱਕ 11,05,815 ਰੁਪਏ ਦਾ ਦਾਅਵਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ। ਸ੍ਰੀ ਸੇਖੋਂ ਨੇ 34,696 ਕਿਲੋਮੀਟਰ 8 ਮਹੀਨਿਆਂ (4 ਮਾਰਚ 2015 ਤੋਂ 28 ਅਕਤੂਬਰ 2015) ਤੱਕ 6,43,080 ਰੁਪਏ ਦਾ ਦਾਅਵਾ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ। ਸ੍ਰੀ ਠੰਡਲ ਨੇ 21650 ਕਿਲੋਮੀਟਰ ਦਾ ਸਿਰਫ ਤਿੰਨ ਮਹੀਨਿਆਂ (1 ਅਕਤੂਬਰ 2015 ਤੋਂ 31 ਦਸੰਬਰ 2015) ਦੌਰਾਨ 4,19,700 ਰੁਪਏ ਦਾ ਦਾਅਵਾ ਕੀਤਾ। ਮੰਤਰੀਆਂ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਤੇ ਇਸ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਹਰ ਕਰੀਬ 7 ਲੱਖ 80 ਹਜ਼ਾਰ ਕਿਲੋਮੀਟਰ ਦੇ ਦੌਰਿਆਂ ਲਈ ਇਕ ਕਰੋੜ 17 ਲੱਖ ਰੁਪਏ ਦੇ ਦਾਅਵੇ ਕੀਤੇ ਹਨ।