VOICE OF EX-SERVICEMEN PUNJAB

Sukhbir blames Pak’s ISI for series of crimes in Punjab

CHANDIGARH: Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday summed up the recent series of law-and-order setbacks in the state, including last week’s attack on a senior Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) leader, as handiwork of Pakistan’s spy agency, the InterServices Intelligence (ISI).

“Their (ISI’s) plan is to target leaders, carry out sacrileges (of religious scriptures) to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in Punjab before the elections,” Sukhbir, also the state’s home minister, told a press conference here. “We (state intelligence agencies) had the entire information that we sent to the central government, and Union home minister Rajnath Singh was also apprised of it last month,” he declared, adding that “many modules have been cracked”. He refused to elaborate, saying that would hamper police investigation.

He also declared as “solved” the cases of two anti-sacrilege protesters having been killed in police firing in Faridkot’s Behbal Kalan village last year and that of burning of Quran pages at Malerkotla earlier this year, in which a Delhi MLA of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is among the accused. He said the two “high-profile cases” that remain unsolved are the attack on the RSS Punjab unit vice-president, Jagdish Gagneja in Jalandhar, and the killing of Namdhari matriarch Chand Kaur at the sect’s headquarters at Bhaini Sahib near Ludhiana.sked about the report of the Zora Singh Commission on last October’s Behbal Kalan firing, he said it was pending with the state advocate general for review “for appropriate legal action”. He brushed aside queries on further action against the then SSP Charanjit Sharma, who was suspended after the Zora panel reportedly indicted him for the firing. “I will check on that,” Sukhbir said.

Tarn Taran BJP chief, 30 office-bearers quit

TARN TARAN: Upset over the appointment of local BJP leader Sarbjit Kaur Bath as chairperson of the Tarn Taran improvement trust, 31 officebearers of the party, including district chief and six councillors, resigned on Wednesday.

After handing over his resignation to state BJP chief Vijay Sampla at Chandigarh, party’s district president Navreet Singh Shafipur said: “It’s pointless to be in a party that accommodates corrupt leaders. So, my entire team has quit.”

Shafipur said the state chief was told about the alleged “corrupt and anti-party activities” of Bath. “During the 2015 municipal council elections, she campaigned against the party candidates and supported rivals”, he alleged. Shafipur, who is considered close to Punjab local bodies minister Anil Joshi, said their meeting with the Sampla yielded no result as latter expressed his helplessness in the matter.Among those who have resigned are two general secretaries, six vice-presidents, six secretaries and five mandal presidents. Among councillors who quit is Raja Joshi, the younger brother of Anil Joshi.On her part, Bath said, “My appointment is party high command’s decision, not mine. So, every worker should respect it. Shafipur should prove the allegations he is levelling against me. I am a loyal party leader. How can I go against its interests?”

Sukhbir takes pride in Mohali roads, reality belies

Akash Ghai

Tribune News Service

Mohali, August 10

While Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal lauded the top-class condition of roads, particularly the 200-foot wide Airport Road, the ground reality is that the road in question is in poor state now.

Huge pits, broken road berms at several places, scattered pebbles on the road and naked electricity wires coming out of several electricity poles along the road in question virtually throw challenge to road users, here.

Today, the Deputy CM rated Mohali above Chandigarh and Panchkula, claiming that Mohali roads were much better than roads in neighbouring cities.

“The Deputy CM should visit the entire stretch of the Airport Road from Kharar side point to Zirakpur and the local industrial area to check the real position. The road was constructed just a year ago with public funds worth around Rs 15 crore. The condition of the road is virtually pitiable,” said Balbir Singh Sidhu, the Mohali MLA.

It is to be noted that the road’s stretch had developed a number of pits within a few months of its construction last year. Then the Punjab Vigilance Team had initiated an inquiry to check the caving in of the deteriorated Airport Road. A few months ago, the road’s stretch from the Airport roundabout up to Zirakpur-Banur highway again had a number of huge pits following which the problem was rectified by patch work.

“When the authorities have spent a whopping sum of Rs 15 crore on the stretch, why such problems have started occurring so early,” said Sidhu, demanding an inquiry in this matter.

Bathinda AAP nominee caught in a battle within

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, August 10

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate from Bathinda (Rural), Rupinder Kaur Ruby, is already in the middle of a pitched battle for the forthcoming Assembly elections. But her opponents are not from the Congress or the SAD, but disgruntled workers of her own party who allege her name did not even feature in the candidates suggested by them.

As Ruby was addressing her first press conference here today along with Romi Bhati (zone incharge) claiming that the inner party differences had been sorted out, a rival group was opposing her candidature and burning effigies at Sangat Mandi.

The youth wing of the party led by Tarsem Singh Pathrala burnt the effigies and raised slogans against Bhati and Ruby. Circle incharge Rajpal Singh did not join the protesters, but continued to oppose Ruby’s candidature. He said: “We are not revolting against our party. We only want a suitable candidate from our constituency.” Local party leaders Kuldip Sharma, Jasgir Teona and Charanjit Raike Kalan held a press conference here on Monday to express their opposition to Ruby’s candidature.

Pathrala and Rajpal said they continued to oppose the candidature of Ruby. “The matter has not been resolved yet. We have already approached state convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur and expect immediate action.”

Capt to be CM face, says Hanspal

Fatehgarh Sahib, August 10

Former PPCC president HS Hanspal today said Capt Amrinder Singh would be the party’s CM candidate. AICC president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi had made it clear during his meeting with them recently and it would be announced at an appropriate time, he said.

He said Punjab had been ruined by the SAD-BJP government, while AAP was desperate to gain power in the state to further its political interests. — TNS

AAP workers protest, party defends candidature of Ruby

OUTH WORKERS SAY THAT THE PARTY TICKET HAS BEEN GIVEN TO RUBY, WHO IS NOT A RESIDENT OF ASSEMBLY SEGMENT

BATHINDA: As the youth workers of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of Bathinda (rural) assembly segment staged a protest in Sangat against allotment of party ticket to Rupinder Kaur ‘Ruby’, the party’s Bathinda parliamentary zone central observer defended the decision on Wednesday, saying that party is standing behind the candidate and charged that those opposing the candidate were doing so at the behest of other political parties opposing AAP.AAP youth workers staged protest in Sangat by burning an effigy of Bathinda zone central observer Romi Bhatti, alleging that the party ticket has been given to ‘Ruby’ who is an outsider and not a resident of assembly segment. The protesters include Jagmeet Singh Jhumba in-charge of circle number 2 of youth wing of party in the assembly segment.

However, party leader Raj Pal Singh, who had raised objections against party candidate in a press conference on Saturday last week, didn’t take part in the protest. He said that the protest was by youth wing activists only. Gamdoor Singh, a party worker from Sangat Kalan said that party ticket has been allotted to an outsider against the wishes of party volunteers of the segment.

Bhatti, however, in a press conference along with Ruby, defended the decision saying that the 28-year-old law graduate was a resident of Bathinda and has been working in the assembly segment since she has joined the party. He said that he has talked to all circle in-charges including Raj Pal who are backing Rupinder.

However, Raj Pal said that Bhatti has met him but he hasn’t assured his support to Ruby and said they would take the decision in coming days.

Govt rains sops on urban voters, industry

Cuts stamp duty on conveyance deeds, power tariff for small and medium industry slashed by half

Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 10

The Punjab Government is now wooing the urban masses, especially the sagging industry. From allowing country homes in the lush greens of villages to the conversion policy in industrial estates and focal points; and from lowering power tariff on existing small and medium industry to 50 per cent exemption on stamp duty for conveyance deeds, the Cabinet meeting that took place under Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal tonight was clearly aimed at wooing the urban voters by its “sop culture”.     

Among the most important decisions were the go-ahead for a conversion policy allowing plot holders in industrial estates and focal points to convert the land for residential, retail and institutional use; and a new policy allowing for country homes to be built by the state’s elite amid verdant green fields. 

Under the policy, any developer having minimum 30 acres of land in rural areas can now build and sell farm houses, having a minimum area of one acre and a maximum of 2.5 acres. These farmhouses will have to be built as per the green building norms, having water harvesting structures and accommodating low density habitation (35 people to an acre). Official sources in the Housing Department, which had brought the policy for Cabinet approval today, said considering the high inventory available with realtors in Punjab and the demand for high-end farmhouses on the lines of Sainik Farms in Delhi, the new policy had been prepared. The developer will be allowed to construct swimming pools. The cap on saleable area has been kept at 65 per cent. This is the first time that licences will be granted for building farmhouses.  The government expects the concept to pick up in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Patiala.

The conversion policy was also brought in by the Housing Department. Only plots located at a distance of 100 m from “red” industries will be allowed for conversion. The conversion charges to the tune of 25 per cent of collector rate for residential use minus collector rate for industrial use, whichever is more, would be applicable in case of hotels and hospitals. 

In case of residential flats, the collector rate of residential use minus the collector rate of Industrial use would be applicable. Two-third of the collector rate of commercial use minus the collector rate for industrial use would be applicable in case of commercial use to determine the conversion charges.

One-tenth of the collector rate of residential use minus the collector rate for industrial use would be applicable in case of institutional buildings.

Key Cabinet decisions

• Power tariff for small industrial consumers reduced to Rs 4.99 per unit
• 50% exemption of stamp duty on execution of conveyance deeds in respect of affordable houses and 20% exemption on new flats
• Tenders for new phase of Bhagat Puran Singh Sehat Bima Yojana to be floated. Around 12.5 lakh more beneficiaries likely to be added
• Exemption from VAT on turmeric and rate of tax on jeera, dhania, ajwain and kali mirch reduced from 6.87% to 4.4%
• Rs 1 lakh to be given for Kailash Mansarovar yatra
• 200 free units of electricity for domestic consumers belonging to backward classes
• Construction of boundary walls, one room and drinking water facility within cemeteries and graveyards for Christian and Muslims
• Punjab Vidhan Sabha session from Sept 5- 9

AAP in league with radicals: Sukhbir

Chandigarh: Punjab Deputy Chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday accused Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal of "playing into the hands of radicals and being hand in glove with them". Sukhbir said they (the government) had enough proof of AAP and radical elements joining hands. "AAP leaders have been going and meeting these Sikh leaders on their foreign tours and have shared stage with them. The Sikh leaders such as Bhai Mokham Singh too have been defending the AAP leaders. They have a plan… but what bothers me is that a person like Kejriwal, on an important position of CM of Delhi is going along with the anti-India and anti-Punjab forces. This reveals their dangerous design," said the Deputy CM. tns

Centre should intervene: Bittu

New Delhi, August 10

Member of Parliament from Ludhiana Ravneet Singh Bittu today asked the Union Government to ensure that peace was maintained in Punjab. Speaking during the Zero Hour in Parliament, Bittu cited the repeated desecrations of Guru Granth Sahib and the Quran and the targeted attack on RSS leader Brig Jagdish Gagneja (retd) to buttress his argument on the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. The acts of violence and the attempts to fan trouble have been puzzling, the MP said, while asking for additional paramilitary forces in the state. — tns\

Capt to move garbage dump out of city

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 10

The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president, Capt Amarinder Singh, today said that once the Congress party formed government in the state, the solid waste dump yard at Bhagtanwala, which is in close vicinity of Darbar Sahib, would be shifted out of the city.

In a statement here today, Captain, who represents Amritsar in the Parliament, said, “Instead of beautifying Amritsar, Akalis have decided to set up the garbage dump in the heart of the holy city”.

He said it was shocking that the ruling Akali Dal had shown no reverence towards the city by insisting on setting up the dump in the close vicinity of the Golden Temple.

The aerial distance of the dump yard may be around one kilometre from the holy shrine, which made it easy for flies, insects and smell to pollute the environment around the shrine, he added.

The Amritsar MP expressed surprise that while Akalis were planning to move the garbage dump in Bathinda out of the city, just because Harsimrat Kaur Badal wanted it, they had shown no such respect and regard for the holy city.

“Family concerns assume precedence over the public inconvenience for Badals,” he added.

The former Chief Minister said, “I have already asked Amritsar leaders to identify alternate space for the garbage dump outside the holy city. It must be at a reasonable distance from Darbar Sahib.”

While criticising Local Bodies Minister he said Joshi was least concerned about public sentiments despite being a resident of the holy city.

Protesting ex-servicemen to halt in city on Aug 13

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 10

The Voice of Ex-Servicemen Society, formed by Junior Commissioned Officer (JCOs) and other rank officers, is going to walk from the Wagah Border to Jantar Mantar to register their protest against the discrimination with junior officers.

The ex-servicemen will reach the city on August 13. They will be received by Army veterans at the Ludhiana-Jalandhar bypass. After camping for a day in Ludhiana, they will proceed towards Delhi. Rajeev Behal, coordinator, Punjab and Member Legal Cell, said: “The One Rank One Pension (OROP) Bill introduced by the government was an eyewash as senior Army officials had been given all benefits while the lower-rung retired soldiers got nothing.”

“The OROP is nothing but a replica of the British Raj, in which the (white British officer) high-rank officials used to get all benefits while the soldiers were treated like a second-rate citizen,” he said. The march would conclude on August 25 at Jantar Mantar.

Arvind Kejriwal living in a fool’s paradise: CM

Both the AAP and the Congress would be wiped out as they had no ideology. No party matches the popularity of the SAD-BJP government because of its development-oriented policies. PARKASH SINGH BADAL, chief minister

HOSHIARPUR: Chief minister Parkash Singh Badal said here on Wednesday that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal was living in a fool’s paradise as his dream of forming a government in Punjab would never become a reality.

Talking to mediapersons, he said that in the coming elections, both the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress would be wiped out as they had no ideology.

No party matched the popularity of the SAD-BJP government because of its development-oriented policies, he said.

Ruling out any differences on the law and order situation with the alliance partner BJP, Badal said that both the parties were committed to maintain peace and communal harmony in the state.

Replying to a query related to the spurt in the incidents of gang war in the state, Badal said the state government was fully seized of this problem and strict action was being taken against criminal elements. Ensuring security of the life and property of the people was the foremost priority of the government, he added.

Responding to the issue raised by local residents to take strict action against the wine contractors running illegal liquor vends, the CM directed the SSP to check such unscrupulous practice and cancel the licences of defaulters.

He announced a development grant of `49 crore for roads, water supply, sewerage and street lighting in the city.

Meanwhile, a large number of Aam Aadmi Party volunteers were taken into custody when they were marching towards the Roshan Ground to hold a demonstration against the chief minister for 'shielding' the culprits of the multi-crore land acquisition scam.

ETT, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan teachers, pharmacists and anganwadi workers held a protest when they were not allowed to meet the CM.

They burnt copies of their memorandums and shouted slogans when the chief minister left the venue without listening to them.

Many others were also left disappointed as the sangat darshan was abruptly wound up.

The officials said the CM had to attend an urgent meeting in Chandigarh. In the polytechnic college too, the CM had left the programme midway for lunch.

On Tuesday evening, he had to leave the venue in the PRTC Jahan Khelan on account of ill health.