Saturday, 29 October 2016

Beas dera chief’s kin is adviser to Badal

Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 28

Ahead of the Assembly poll in Punjab, the SAD-BJP government has appointed the brother-in-law of Baba Gurinder Singh Dhillon, head of the Radha Soami Dera, Beas, as Adviser to CM Parkash Singh Badal. He has been accorded the status of minister.

Parminder Singh Sekhon, the fifth adviser to the CM, is the brother of Dera chief’s wife. He is married to the daughter of former Advocate General HS Mattewal, Badal’s one-time aide. Sekhon’s appointment at the fag-end of the government tenure is significant. The Beas dera has a massive following, with devotees across the state.

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The Dera, which has never come out in support of a political party, has had a pro-Congress tilt with several Congress men among Dera chief’s circle of friends. Hence, the importance of a kin of the Dera chief being allotted a prominent position in the government cannot be ignored. Sources in the SAD say the move to have Sekhon as the CM’s adviser was orchestrated by Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia.The latter has been engaging with the Dera leadership over the past few years.

A management expert, Sekhon has had the experience of working with corporate entities in India and abroad. Also, he has been involved in the welfare of Sikhs in Singapore through the Khalsa Club Association.

SAD to fall back on Panthic agenda

Ruchika M. Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 28

The Akali Dal, will be dishing out a heady cocktail of its core Panthic agenda with pride for Punjabiyat, as it readies itself for the poll battle.

The party is all set to launch a pre-election campaign beginning next week. The events in the next two months, which will be just abutting the imposition of the model code of conduct, were discussed in detail by senior party leaders at a meeting held today.

The CM and chief patron of the party, Parkash Singh Badal, chaired a meeting of ministers, party MLAs and former MLAs and discussed the path that the party would take to contest the election. It clearly indicated that they are once again falling back on its “time-tested” Panthic agenda, rather than the “development agenda” that party president Sukhbir Singh Badal has been stressing on.

Usually, Sukhbir chairs the party meetings. Sources say both CM and his deputy asked all those present, including some members of the party’s core committee, to ensure that all major events being rolled out by the party in the coming weeks, get maximum gathering.

Over the past few months, the party has slowly been realising that it has to consolidate its core Panthic vote base, especially in wake of the incidents of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib. It thus started working towards it. With elections knocking at the door, the party was quick to open the refurbished precincts of the Golden Temple. It has also been done days before the Gurpurb (November 14) when thousands of devotees throng the Golden Temple.

The idea is to wipe out the negativity that had cropped up against the party.

The party will be celebrating the Punjabi Suba diwas in Amritsar on a grand scale on November 1. This will be followed by the inauguration of Jang-e-Azadi memorial being built in Kartarpur on Novembver 6, and the start of the 350th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh at Anandpur Sahib on November 27. A rally is also being planned in Moga on December 8, Badal’s birthday, where the focus will be on projecting him as the true political head of the Sikh community. The party will also be inaugurating the Ram Tirath temple in Amritsar, in order to woo the 32 percent Dalit vote base in the state.

PPCC chief ‘chides’ Bajwa for Sidhu rant

Says Rajya Sabha MP’s remarks adding to confusion

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 28

Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh today said party’s Rajya Sabha MP Partap Singh Bajwa was only adding to the confusion by issuing statements regarding the possible induction of Navjot Singh Sidhu into the party.

Advising the former PPCC chief to desist from issuing such statements, Amarinder said those in the party’s organisation structure were not aware of any such talks. The stand adopted by Amarinder and party’s Punjab affairs incharge Asha Kumari is contrary to the Bajwa’s statements.

Amarinder said even the general secretary of the party did not know who was talking to Sidhu. “If there are indeed any negotiations, the matter will be discussed with us. Otherwise, he (Sidhu) is welcome to join unconditionally,” he said.

For the last few days, Bajwa, while batting for the inclusion of the former cricketer into the party, had been stating that the matter was under the high command’s consideration. He had even hinted that Sidhu might join the party before or on Diwali.

Amarinder said Bajwa should refrain from issuing statements as it was the prerogative of those in the organisation structure. “Bajwa may have talked in good faith. But it is just adding to the confusion. I believe he should not issue any such statement,” he said.

The development has activated the anti-Amarinder factions. The involvement of certain senior leaders of anti-Amarinder camp in the “talks” with Sidhu gives credence to the reports that by roping in the ex-cricketer, these factions want to create a parallel centre of power.

Forgotten ‘champion’ of Punjabi Suba movement

Varinder Singh

Tribune News Service

Jaitu (Bathinda), October 28

The “Punjabi Suba” celebrations held no meaning for the family of Seth Ram Nath, a well known freedom fighter and former Punjab minister who was the “champion” of the Punjabi Suba movement.

Nath was perhaps the lone Congress leader who had broken the party lines by supporting the Punjabi Suba movement of the Akalis in early 60s and who kept persuading the then Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, to go in for creation of a language-based state of Punjab where the Sikhs were in a majority.

He also acted as one of the two emissaries (the other being Sardar Harcharan Singh) of Sant Fateh Singh, the main architect of the Punjab Suba movement. It was through these two emissaries that Nehru had appealed Sant Fateh Singh to give up his fast unto death for carving out of the Punjabi Suba movement in 1961.

Interestingly, the role of the two emissaries and Nehru sending a letter to Fateh Singh was duly and regularly highlighted by The Tribune in its issues of January 5, 6 and 7, 1961.

“What has pained us the most is that both Congress and the Akali Dal have forgotten the contribution of Seth Ram Nath towards the movement. It was he who was successful in persuading Nehru to create Punjabi Suba on linguistic basis at a time when almost every Congress leader was opposed to the idea,” said Advocate Ashok Seth (64) and Avinash Goyal (60), two of three sons of late Seth Ram Nath. His third son Amar Kant Goyal was a labour commissioner based in Chandigarh.

The successive state governments, led by both Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal, almost did nothing to perpetuate the memory of Nath except for naming the sub-divisional civil hospital after him in 1988.

Nath had breathed his last on November 6, 1986. “No memorial has been raised in his memory. We have no vested interests. But, why is this discrimination with an all-acceptable personality like Nath, we can’t understand,” rued Ashok Seth.

Intriguingly, though Nath enjoyed a close relationship with Fateh Singh, but no member of his family was invited to participate in the birth anniversary celebrations of Fateh Singh at his native Badiala village in the district on Thursday.

Cong forms screening committee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 28

Congress president Sonia Gandhi today approved the screening committee for 2017 Punjab Assembly elections.

The committee, which sifts candidates for the elections and recommends panels of finalists to the central election committee of the Congress, will be headed by former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and will comprise AICC incharge of Punjab Asha Kumari, state president Capt Amarinder Singh, Congress Legislature Party leader in Punjab Charanjit Singh Channi, sitting Lok Sabha MP from Maharashtra Rajeev Satav and former MP Meenakshi Natarajan.

Sonia approved the committee this afternoon indicating the party’s decision to move fast on nominations. Amarinder has already been batting for an early declaration of candidates.

Ferozepur memorials in a state of neglect

Anirudh Gupta

Ferozepur, October 28

Even as the state government is busy setting up memorials, the existing ones remain in a sorry state.

The move has not gone down well with the Congress party that alleged that notwithstanding empty coffers, the SAD was trying to play memorial card with an eye on the upcoming Assembly polls.

“Instead of focusing on the upkeep of the existing ones, the government is on a memorial-expansion spree despite its poor fiscal condition which casts aspersion on its real intentions,” said Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, Congress MLA.

“On the other hand, despite promises the government has failed to develop various historical sites in this border town, including National Martyrs Memorial, Hussainiwala, Anglo-Sikh War Memorial and Bhagat Singh’’s hideout,” he added.

Earlier, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had announced to release Rs 13.50 crore for the development of the Hussainiwala memorial, which included the construction of an auditorium, installation of light and sound system besides provision of other amenities. However, the project is stuck in red tape, besides the desired funds are awaited.

Even the historic Anglo-Sikh War Museum constructed in memory of valiant Sikh soldiers, who died during the Anglo-Sikh Wars of 1845-46 continues to remain neglected in the absence of adequate manpower and resources. This memorial is located on the banks of twin canals on the NH-95, where the two Anglo-Sikh wars were fought in nearby villages of Sabraon, Mudki and Ferozeshah. Union Minister Maneka Gandhi during her visit to this border town a few months ago had expressed resentment over the poor upkeep of this memorial which was dedicated to the nation by her late husband Sanjay Gandhi in 1976.

The process to develop the secret hideout of Bhagat Singh and his revolutionary comrades situated in the city into a museum has still not gained momentum despite a public interest litigation filed by advocate HC Arora. The condition of other Anglo-Sikh war memorials in Mudki, Ferozeshah, Mishriwala and Sabraon also suffer from negligence. “So many war memorials and museums are fighting a battle for survival, but the government is upbeat only about the new projects,” said Parminder Singh Pinki, Congress legislator.

Punjab vs Haryana: Who’s the poor cousin now?

Haryana overtakes Punjab in finances

Nineteen years after the catastrophic partition of Punjab between India and Pakistan at the altar of religion, the border state’s map was redrawn again on November 1, 1966 — this time, on the basis of language. Out of the second split emerged a new state of Haryana, shrinking the parent state’s size to the Jalandhar division of pre-1947 Punjab.

The two neighbours have since been locked in intractable politico-legal fights over the sharing of river waters and territorial disputes centered on Chandigarh, their joint capital.

While the jury is still out on this contentious corollary, a potentially ticking time bomb, a fierce sibling rivalry of sorts between the two has played out in another arena – this one on the development front.

As both states celebrate their golden anniversary next week, it’s an apt occasion to track their growth trajectory in the last 50 years and raise the oft-asked question: Who is ahead, in what and why? Beginning today, Hindustan Times will answer this in its multi-part series on gains and gaps in the two state’s rollercoaster journey.

And, the verdict on this contest is loud and clear: Haryana, once dubbed a poor cousin of Punjab, has surged ahead of the senior state on key economic parameters such as average growth rate, per capita income, industrial boom, fiscal buoyancy, foreign direct investment and even sports.

Ironically, Punjab’s golden era began soon after its tumultuous trifurcation, powered by the Green Revolution that in turn was nurtured by the Bhakra dam, the newly-built Punjab Agricultural University and consolidation of lands.Incredible as it may sound today, the Partition-wracked state clocked a phenomenal growth rate of 8% — rivalling the Californian economy — much through the ’60s and ’70s, while India was still stuck in the growth rate of 2%.

The dream run lasted until 1984, the year when the state was revenue surplus – in contrast to the `1.24-lakh-crore debt that it’s now saddled with. Thereafter, it’s been a sorry tale of a historic headstart turning into a tailspin, accelerated during the lost decade of the violent ’80s.

Paradoxically, Punjab’s loss of economic dynamism overlaps with the ground-breaking economic reforms of the ’90s that scripted India’s growth story. While the frontline state missed the bus on virtually every “revolution” – IT, automobile manufacturing, biotechnology, and retail – Haryana, in contrast, made the most of the new wave of opportunities in its rapid-fire growth.

Yet, Punjab can boast of a few bright spots – the biggest contribution to the national food kitty, surplus power, and an infra boom, besides an impressive rebound on education and health.

Haryana’s trailblazing success is not without a dark underbelly manifested in the worst girl child sex ratio in India and an unequitable growth — a critical marker of human development.

Half a century on, the key takeaway for both states is that the quality of governance is the biggest differentiator in making a leader or a laggard. It’s a lesson their rulers would do well to learn as they turn the page to the next 50 years.

Service sector drives state’s growth

Efforts are on to boost agriculture and manufacturing. We are focusing on resource mobilisation and job creation P RAGHAVENDRA RAO, addl chief secy, finance

CHANDIGARH: When 1956-batch IAS officer SK Mishra was handed the Haryana cadre after the state was formed in 1966, his colleagues who remained in Punjabjoked that if he doesn’t get his salary, he can count on them.

PARVEEN KUMAR/HT FILEINDUSTRIAL CONCERN: The Maruti Suzuki plant in the Industrial Model Township (IMT), Manesar, in Gurgaon district after labour unrest in 2012. Haryana’s manufacturing sector needs a boost to help the state on the growth trajectory.

“There was no optimism. No one was sure Haryana would be a viable state,” says the retired bureaucrat, who was awarded the Padma Bhushan for distinguished civil service.

But Haryana, underdeveloped in agriculture, industry, and infrastructure as compared to Punjab, made good progress. RAPID GROWTH

Bolstered by improvements in agriculture and manufacturing, the state saw an upturn in the service sector.

While Haryana had a gross state domestic product (GSDP) of Rs 332 crore at constant prices in 1967-68, it rose to Rs 3,96,642 crore in 2015-16.

Haryana grew faster than most states with a decadal average growth rate higher than the national gross domestic product (GDP) for most of this period. It had an annual average growth rate of GSDP of 4.06% from 1970-71 and 1979-80 as compared to the GDP growth rate of 3.13% during the corresponding period.In the next decade, its GSDP growth rate was 7.01%, while the GDP growth rate was 5.89%.

Barring a dip from 1990-91 and from 1999-2000, the trend continued.

The state saw an average growth of 8.5% between 2005-06 and 201415 with only Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Bihar and Tamil Nadu performing better.

“The demand for a separate state was raised because areas that became Haryana were neglected and most of the development was taking place in Punjab. Visionary leadership and a motivated bureaucracy worked,” says Mishra.

The per capita income (PCI) was higher than the national average in the past 10 years. Revenue collections, particularly value-added tax (VAT), were robust. CHALLENGES AHEAD

But there are concerns. The tertiary or service sector is doing well, while the primary (agriculture and allied) and secondary (industry) sectors have not been consistent in growth.

There are regional disparities in income levels and development. Most of the PCI comes from six of the 22 districts.

A revenue-surplus state till a decade ago, Haryana today has a huge revenue deficit.

Additional chief secretary, finance, P Raghavendra Rao, however, says the fundamentals are strong and economy robust. “The contribution of the service sector is growing. Efforts are on to boost agriculture and manufacturing. We are focusing on resource mobilisation and job creation. The state is poised for growth,” he says.

Drug, money use: Sukhbir dubs EC concern as routine

The frustrated leaders of the Congress and AAP have given fictitious feedback to EC. Both the Congress and AAP have started fearing defeat in upcoming assembly polls. SUKHBIR BADAL, deputy CM

BATHINDA: The deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has termed concerns of Election Commission of India regarding use of drugs and money distribution in the upcoming 2017 state assembly elections as a routine matter.

On the sidelines of inauguration of railway overbridge on Bathinda-Malout road, Sukhbir said ECI is doing its job, while state government has been focusing on their own activities.

It may be mentioned here that during his recent visit to Punjab, chief election commissioner Naseem Zaidi on the basis of feedback of the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), had issued instructions to the police authorities.

The instructions were regarding the preparation of a robust strategy by November 15 to check the drug menace. “The frustrated leaders of the Congress and AAP have given fictitious feedback to ECI,” said the deputy chief minister (CM).

“Both the Congress and AAP have started fearing defeat in coming assembly elections,” deputy CM said.

He added the apprehension among both the opposition parties can be gauged from the fact that their leaders are approaching ECI on every issue.

Meanwhile, Sukhbir said the AAP will face the fate of People’s Party of Punjab as the people of Punjab will end AAP’s political journey.

Addressing the gathering, Sukhbir said railway overbridge on Bathinda-Malout-Muktsar road worth `72.40 crore will prove boon for the commuters.

Meanwhile, Sukhbir also inaugurated revamped Bhai Ghaniya Chowk on the occasion.

Prominent among those presented on the occasion were SAD MLA Saroop Chand Singla, Darshan Singh Kotfatta and mayor Balwant Rai Nath.

Meanwhile, Sukhbir’s visit created traffic chaos as heavy traffic jam was witnessed on Rose Garden road after police blocked the traffic to clear way for deputy CM’s cavalcade.

Moreover, Gurmeet Singh, superintendent of police in deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal’s security misbehaved with media persons when they tried to talk to Sukhbir on the occasion.

Misgovernance, militancy setbacks

PUNJAB

Uneducated leaders with limited political horizon, who fought for Punjabi Suba, ruined Punjab AJIT SINGH CHATHA, former chief secyCHANDIGARH: Resilience is Punjab’s strength.

KESHAV SINGH/HT FILE

ROAD TO RECOVERY: The flyover at Zirakpur town on the Chandigarh-Ambala highway is a sign of growing infrastructure in Punjab. The pace of progress has been slow but the state is hopeful of finding its way out of its fiscal woes.

As celebrations to mark 50 years of being a Punjabi Suba (state) begin, bouncing back to its prime slot as India’s growth engine is the challenge the border state faces. Geographically, the Punjabi Suba is roughly equal to what was once the Jalandhar division of post-Partition Punjab before the reorganisation of 1966.

When the Congress government led by Giani Gurmukh Singh Mussafir took oath on November 1, 1966, Punjab opened its account with a Rs 1.5-crore deficit.

“Opening with a cash balance of Rs 4.39 crore (Rs 6.39 lakh revised figures),” finance minister Baldev Prakash announced on March 28, 1967, while presenting the budget for 1967-68.PROUD PAST

During the first two decades, Punjab was the highest per-capita income state in the country and clocked the fastest growth rate.

After 1994, the debt rose to 40% of the GSDP and revenue deficit kept rising due to high interest payments. The revenue deficit increased from Rs 244 crore in 1988-89 to Rs 2,336 crore in 2000-01.

This year, Punjab will pay Rs 10,788 crore as interest payments.

With 15,000 small-scale units, Punjab accounted for 15% of the nation’s smallscale industry. Backed by rapid growth in agriculture, the state was revenue surplus until 1985-86.

LOST ITS MOJO

The 1971 war with Pakistan, decadelong militancy in the 1980s and aftermath of Operation Bluestar took a toll on the state’s economy. Once a fast-growing state, it slipped into the category of slow-growing ones. Former chief secretary KR Lakhanpal says, “Punjab’s plight is entirely due to misgovernance in the past 25 years. Punjab has lost its mojo. It will take a heroic leadership and Herculean effort to revive it.”

Such is the misgovernance that Punjab ministers are exempt from paying tax and known for spending lakhs a month on fuel for official vehicles.

Punjab remained under President’s rule for eight years and five months on six occasions. The Congress ruled the state for 19 years and the Shiromani Akali Dal for 22 years.

A former chief secretary (1992-95) Ajit Singh Chatha blames the culture of freebies for the fiscal woes. “Uneducated leaders with limited political vision, who fought for Punjabi Suba, ruined Punjab,” says Chatha, who was deputy commissioner of Lahaul and Spiti when Punjab was trifurcated. “Punjab’s history offers a glimmer of hope…it will find a way out of the current morass,” says Lakhanpal.

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