VOICE OF EX-SERVICEMEN PUNJAB

EC raps SSPs over high PO count

Tells senior police officers to arrest offenders, not to work under political pressure

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 24

Expressing concern over the high number of proclaimed offenders (POs), the Election Commission pulled up police officers of the districts, which have a large number of POs. Notably, there are more than 20,000 POs in the state.

On the second day of the three-day visit to Punjab, the Election Commission, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi, held a meeting with Senior Superintendents of of Police (SSPs) and Deputy Commissioners of different districts. The district-wise security review for the upcoming Assembly elections was done in the meeting.

According to sources, the Election Commission directed police officers to arrest POs as soon as possible. The commission also asked the police to execute non-bailable warrants.

Apart from this, the Deputy Commissioners were directed to finalise the electoral rolls.

On Sunday, various political parties during a meeting with the Election Commission had expressed concern over 20,000 POs roaming free in the state. Saying the POs might be used by the ruling alliance in the elections, the parties also expressed concern over the politicisation of police and civil administration. Speaking on the issue, the EC team asked the DCs and SSPs not to work under any political pressure.

Zaidi said voters were the main stakeholders in the election process and their effective participation in voting was essential.

Earlier, during an interaction with media persons, the Election Commission said the issue of facilitating the participation of people staying outside Punjab and NRIs in the electoral process had been referred to the Law Ministry. Zaidi also said they were looking into bringing the parties’ manifestos under a legal framework as many promises were made in these to lure the voters.

IT system launched

• Samadhan: A monitoring system for submission of information, suggestions and complaints. It will identify the level of the official to deal with the issue and immediately pass it on to him.
• Suvidha: A single window clearance for permission related to campaigning will ensure transparency in the process. All permissions to candidates and parties except for helicopters will be granted or refused within 24 hours. The permission for helicopter use will be given in 48 hours. All no-objection certificates from departments will be given online.
• Sugam: An integrated vehicle management system will facilitate generation of an online log book, online payment system, transfer of a vehicle from one district to other etc. It also provides option for lodging complaints by vehicle owners regarding payment. This will assist officials monitor the management of the vehicles.

...slugs it out with Capt on Twitter

Delhi CM alleges Cong-SAD deal, Amarinder challenges him to debate

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 24

The allegation levelled by AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal against state Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh over an understanding with the Badals has triggered a war of words on microblogging site Twitter.

In all Tweets, Kejriwal addressed Amarinder as Sir. He first tweeted: “Sir, ppl talking in Punjab that u using (Bikram Singh) Majithia’s drug money in ur campaign. Is it true? U had saved him from CBI enquiry 3 yrs back (sic)”.

Amarinder responded sharply: “When your hopes crash from 100 to 30 and still sliding, you’re bound to hallucinate and see things that don’t exist.”

Referring to the recent closure of a Vigilance case against Amarinder, Kejriwal said: “Sir, the Badals closed corruption cases against you a few months before the elections. Why? Punjab is asking what’s the deal?”

After some more tweets, Amarinder challenged the AAP convener to a debate, saying, “Now that you’ve shot your mouth, don’t scoot like you typically do! Show courage & come for an open debate. Choose the time, place & platform.”

Kejriwal suggested the names of his leaders for the debate. “I accept ur challenge sir. I suggest 4 names — HS Phoolka, Jarnail Singh, Bhagwant or Gurpreet. Speaker, date, time, place of ur choice.”

“Punjabis believe in leading from the front, not hiding behind others,” the PPCC chief replied.

Brar, Chhotepur trade barbs

Former AAP state convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur accused Kejriwal of selling tickets in Punjab. While Kejriwal did not react, Brar joined the issue questioning the credentials of Chhotepur. He called Kejriwal “a brother and an honest leader”.

Sidhu welcome to join Cong: Capt

Patiala: PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday reiterated that he had no reservations about the induction of Navjot Singh Sidhu and other Awaaz-e-Punjab leaders into the Congress. "When Sidhu left the BJP, I was the one who told him to join the Congress," he added. "Whether it's Sidhu, the Bains brothers or Pargat Singh, the doors of my party have always been open for them," said Amarinder, adding that these people had their roots in the Congress. TNS

Sukhbir lashes out at Kejriwal

Cops given ‘dummy’ posts to hoodwink EC

Shown shifted, but at same place to ‘serve’ leaders

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, October 24

A compliance report pertaining to the shifting of policemen, who have either completed their tenure or are posted in their home districts, ahead of the elections seems to be a mere eyewash.

While the report sent to the Election Commission says that all such policemen have been shifted, in reality they have been “adjusted by creating new posts as per the wish of their political bosses”.

SSP-level officers have reportedly created “dummy” posts that do not come under the ambit of the Election Commission’s guidelines, reveal documents in possession of The Tribune.

Considered close to local SAD and BJP leaders, several SHO and DSP-level officers have been asked to continue in their respective areas, but on newly created posts so as to “hoodwink” EC guidelines.

Sources say that this has been done on the verbal orders of ruling party leaders in order to allegedly misuse the official machinery during the elections. In Sangrur district, for instance, SHO-level officers who have served there for several years have been “adjusted against posts that never existed”.

Senior police officers confirmed that certain SHO-level officers, considered close to local Akali leaders, have been transferred as per the EC directions, but they are posted in Sangrur itself against posts in computer cell, cyber cell, special branch, police training school, control room, criminal tracking network system etc.

“All these posts have been created to ensure that these officers continue to work for their political bosses within the district,” alleged AAP leaders Kanwar Sandhu and Sukhpal Khaira.

“We ask the DGP to explain the role of these officers in the same district on such dummy posts,” they said. Efforts to contact Sangrur SSP Pritpal Thind proved futile. IG (Headquarters) RN Dhoke said if such postings had been made, a compliance report would be sought. "We will implement EC's directions in letter and spirit. We won't allow such postings," he said.

Says AAP leader claiming he’ll cut VAT when it is to be replaced by GST

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 24

Reacting to the industry manifesto released by AAP in Ludhiana yesterday, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal today hit out at party’s national convener Arvind Kejriwal, calling him the “biggest stupid” for promising value-added tax (VAT) reduction when it is set to be abolished in the next three months.

“I have not seen a bigger stupid than Kejriwal, who does not even know that VAT is set to be abolished and replaced by Goods and Services Tax (GST) which will be uniform across India. He is also promising cheaper power whereas it is nearly 50 per cent costlier in Delhi. The Delhi CM should first make it cheaper in Delhi,” said Sukhbir at the house of Dera Ballan point person Seth Satpal Mal, who joined the SAD today.

Reacting to Sukhbir’s statement, AAP leader Kanwar Sandhu, said, “GST is expected to come in April. But it may not even come.”

Claims more Cong leaders to join Akali Dal

Terming the joining of Satpal Mal as a “surgical strike by the Akali Dal on the Congress,” Sukhbir said more Congress leaders were set to join his party in the coming days.

‘No politics on dera’

Dera Sachkhand Ballan issued a press release today, asking political leaders and parties to refrain from using the dera’s name in the election-related developments.

AAP exploiting Dalit vote bank: Kanshi Ram’s sister

Arun Sharma

Tribune News Service

Ropar, October 24

The Kanshi Ram Charitable Foundation has decided to distance itself from the AAP. Swaran Kaur, chairman of the foundation and also the sister of BSP founder Kanshi Ram, claimed AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal had lost the faith of the common man in the state.

She alleged that Kejriwal had no love for Punjabis and his only aim was to get power by exploiting Dalit vote bank. Kejriwal had visited the birthplace of Kanshi Ram six months ago on March 5 on the invitation of Swaran Kaur. After paying tributes to Kanshi Ram, he along with his senior party leaders had a closed door meeting with her.

Kejriwal had demanded Bharat Ratna for Kanshi Ram and since then speculations were rife that Swaran Kaur or her relatives would be fielded by the AAP during the Assembly elections.

Kaur along with secretary of the foundation Lakhbir Singh said they had made it clear to Kejriwal that they would not seek any ticket from the AAP. “The party had preferred to allocate tickets to influential and well off,” she said.

She said Lal Singh, a poor man and former vice-president of the BSP, had worked hard for AAP in Punjab and became its vice-president. “The party, however, ignoring his services allocated the ticket to former MP Mohan Singh Phalianwala from Ferozepur (rural),” she added. She alleged that Kejriwal was in connivance with the BSP to get power in Punjab. She claimed that though Kejriwal needed the votes of Dalits, he had no interest in their uplift.

Dhillon deposes in Majithia’s favour

Our Legal Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 24

PWD minister Sharanjit Singh Dhillon today deposed as a witness in favour of Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia in a defamation case filed by the latter against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh.

The court of Judicial Magistrate Jagjit Singh adjourned the case for the witness’ cross-examination on November 16.

Neither Majithia nor Sanjay Singh appeared in the court. Both were represented by their lawyers.

According to Majithia’s allegations, the Aam Aadmi Party leader made a false and defamatory statement about his alleged role in the drug racket during a rally at Moga on September 9, 2015.

Traders take up issues with Kejri

Lash out at state government over poor state of industry during the visit of the Delhi CM

Gurdeep Singh Mann

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, October 24

Local traders today got a chance to lash out at the Punjab Government over the poor state of industry during the visit of national convener of the Aam Admi Party (AAP) and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The party released its manifesto for the traders, which was compiled by AAP candidate from Kharar, Kanwar Sandhu.

Accusing the state government of exploiting the businessmen and not allowing trade to flourish, the traders said the government had devised policies, which were not trader-friendly.

“It’s been more than two decades that we have been fighting for laying of sewerage pipes in the Industrial Growth Centre on the Mansa road but to no avail,” said the president of Industrial Growth Centre Owner Association, Darshan Garg.

He said he was a former municipal councillor and had raised this issue with many other members of his association but nothing was done by the Punjab Government or the previous Congress government.

“The BJP, the alliance partner of SAD at Centre, talks about Swachh Bharat, but we are either forced to dig septic tanks or release polluted water at the Industrial Growth Centre into empty plots,” the former councillor said.

He said there were 92 members of his association and the growth centre was spread over an area of nearly 400 acres.

The members also submitted a memorandum to the Delhi Chief Minister who assured to look into their problems on priority bsis “once AAP forms the government in Punjab.”

Former Congress leader Jagmeet Brar, who was with Arvind Kejriwal during the release of the manifesto, neither had his name announced from the stage nor was he allowed to speak.

Jagmeet’s supporters, local bus union members and leaders, said they came in large numbers to extend support to their leader and at least his name should have been announced from the dais.

Memorandum to Delhi Chief Minister

• Accusing the state government of exploiting the businessmen, the traders said the government had devised policies which were not trader-friendly
• Members of an association submitted a memorandum to the Delhi Chief Minister who assured of looking into their problems on priority basis “once AAP forms the government in Punjab.”
• Former Congress leader Jagmeet Brar, who was with Arvind Kejriwal during the release of the manifesto, neither had his name announced from the stage nor was he allowed to speak

Singla upbeat post Captain’s word on candidature

Accuses AAP national convener of back-stabbing his mentor

Nikhila Pant Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, October 24

On his maiden trip to the city after Captain Amarinder Singh announced to recommend his name for the Bathinda (Urban) seat, former finance minister Surinder Singla expressed his satisfaction with the kind of support that he was getting from local Congressmen.

Singla also expressed the hope that the Congress would come to power in the state under the leadership of the PPCC president.

Unfazed with the so-called Aam Aadmi Party wave sweeping across the state, Singla said AAP was slowly failing to garner the attention of the voters as its convener Arvind Kejriwal had begun indulging in dual talks.

“On the one hand, Kejriwal keeps complaining that the Central government doesn’t let him have his way and on the other hand, he claims that he has worked hard towards reducing tax burden on the public in Delhi. Kejriwal says that he will do the same in Punjab. These claims don’t hold any ground since soon the GST will be implemented,” Singla said.

The Congress leader accused Kejriwal of back-stabbing his mentor Anna Hazare to satiate his hunger for power.

Targeting the Badal family for “neglecting Bathinda”, Singla said it was a pity that despite being in power in the state and also having a family member as Cabinet Minister at the Centre, the Badal family failed in getting the smart city tag for Bathinda.

“During the past nine years, the SAD-BJP combine couldn’t solve the water-sewerage problem of the city. Garbage management and disposal is also a big problem that the city residents are facing,” he said.

Hailing Captain’s name for the Chief Minister’s post, Singla said Punjab had a primarily agriculture-based economy and if the people of the state wanted to see agricultural boom, they must bring Captain Amrinder Singh to power.

Captain will work towards strengthening the basic infrastructure for agriculture, he added.

Elaborating on his candidature for the Bathinda (Urban) seat for the upcoming Assembly elections, Singla said he had filed his papers in August and till date, more than 6,000 people have sent letters to the party high command supporting his name.

He regretted staying away from Bathinda for many years and promised to work relentlessly for the city and its residents.

Mohali SDM’s office property attached

Tribune News Service

Mohali, October 24

Leaving the local administration red-faced, the furniture and other paraphernalia of the Mohali SDM’s office was taken away by complainants in a case following orders from the District Courts here today. 

Following the orders for attaching the property of the SDM’s office, including the official car of the officer, by the court of the Mohali Additional District and Sessions Judge, the plaintiffs in the case were asked to take possession of the attached property in question. 

The plaintiffs, including Harchand Singh, Sher Singh, Mewa Singh and their kin, took possession of 10 tables, 20 chairs, four computers and six almirahs of the office in the presence of court officials. 

However, the staff of the SDM managed to “save” the official car from being taken away by the plaintiffs. 

According to sources, the land of the plaintiffs, all residents of Chilla village, was acquired in 2001 for laying a railway track for Rs 6 lakh per acre. Later, the rates were revised to nearly Rs 17 lakh per acre by the court. “The administration has to pay around Rs 20 lakh to the plaintiffs in the case,” said the sources.

The next hearing regarding the auction of the property of the SDM’s office will be held on October 29.      

Captain had Sonia’s nod to oppose CBI probe against Majithia in drug case: Kejri

BATHINDA: On the second day of his three-day Punjab tour, Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal on Monday dragged the name of Congress president Sonia Gandhi into the alleged Congress-Akali collusion in Punjab, saying Captain Amarinder took her consent for not supporting a CBI probe into Bikram Singh Majithia’s alleged role in the drug trade.“Amarinder talked to Sonia three years back and didn’t support a CBI probe into Majithia’s role in the drug case,” Kejriwal said during his interaction with traders here.Kejriwal pointed out how former Punjab Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa’s demand for the CBI probe into the case was opposed by Amarinder.

“If you vote for the scale (SAD symbol), you will vote for drugs, and if you vote for hand (Congress symbol), you will again vote for drugs,” he said, seeking the people’s mandate for the AAP if they wanted a “drug-free state”.

Kejriwal said he knew that the traders of Punjab were facing the heat of corruption and that the Badals were “looting them”. ‘WILL REVIVE PUBLIC SECTOR UNITS’

The Delhi chief minister assured the employees protesting against the closure of Bathinda thermal power plant that “no public sector thermal plant will be shut down and the sick units will be revived if AAP comes to power”.

The employees’ union of the thermal plant gave a memorandum to Kejriwal, extending their support to the AAP. “About 10,000 employees, regular or on contract, will either lose job or get displaced… and the entire machinery of the Ropar plant will go to a junkyard,” the memorandum stated.

He cited the AAP’s manifesto, promising to “review anti-Punjab power agreements” and punishing all those responsible for burdening the state.

He also assured the mini-bus operators and other small transporters that their interests will be taken care of while reviewing the transport policy in Punjab to end the monopoly of the Badals and other politicians in the business.

Now, Capt okay with Sidhu joining Cong

Everything will be clear before Diwali: AICC sources

The interests of the party are supreme. And if the party is strengthened by the joining of like-minded people, we are open to that. Whether it’s Sidhu or the Bains brothers or Pargat Singh Bhatia, my doors are always open. CAPT AMARINDER SINGH, Punjab Cong chief

PATIALA: Some new recipe seems to be cooking behind the scenes in the Congress going by the contrasting shift in party’s Punjab chief Capt Amarinder Singh’s stance over cricketer-turnedpolitician Navjot Singh Sidhu’s joining the fold.

Days after he termed Sidhu “another clown”, Captain Amarinder now says he has no objection to Sidhu and other Awaaz-e-Punjab leaders’ joining the Congress. He said he was actually the first person to invite Sidhu to join the Congress when the former cricketer had quit the BJP.

Amarinder had taken a U-turn over the issue after meeting AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi last week, indicating that talks were on between Sidhu and the party high command.Final discussions with Sidhu will take place this week and a decision is expected before Diwali, said an AICC source. He said Sidhu had sought time to decide on Awaaz-e-Punjab merger or alliance with the Congress. Party poll strategist Prashant Kishor is also privy to the ongoing parleys, said sources.

Meanwhile, Amarinder, who met ex-servicemen in Patiala on Monday, told the media that he had always maintained that every leader conforming to the Congress policies was welcome to join the party.

“I don’t know why I’m being asked this question repeatedly,” said Amarinder. “Whether it’s Sidhu or the Bains brothers or Pargat Singh Bhatia, the doors of my party have always been open to them,” said Amarinder, adding that these people had their roots in the Congress and could not possibly stayed away from the party for long.“The interests of the party are supreme. And if the party is strengthened by the joining of like-minded people, we are open to that,” he said.

Bikram Singh Majithia, 41

SAD

BY THE WAY Loves bikes and cars, adventure sports

Constituency:Education: Graduate MAJITHA Assets declared in last polls: `11.2 cr Electoral record 2012: Defeated 2007: Defeated Sukhjinder Raj Singh Lali Majithia (Cong) ‘Lali’ Majithia (Ind) by a margin of by 47,581 votes 23,008 votes ASSEMBLY Revenue minister RECORD POWER PUNCH Part of Badal’s larger clan, considered a key figure in SAD WHAT NEXT His ticket is a foregone conclusion due to family ties

HOW HE PERFORMED

Due to his powerful connections, there was no dearth of funds for his constituency. He got a number of projects, including two new bus stands and nine new power stations. He also gets credit for starting the four-laning of the Majitha-Amritsar road. Being minister for renewable energy too, Majithia introduced solar street-lighting in Majitha and around a dozen villages. He was instrumental in getting the state cabinet to give Majitha sub-division status. The SDM’s complex is soon to be inaugurated. However, opponents and detractors accuse him of highhandedness and also getting political opponents framed in false cases. Also got flak at the state level, faced allegations in major cases.

Baljit Singh Jalalusma, 42

SAD

BY THE WAY Is a regular at religious functions

Constituency: JANDIALA (SC-Reserved) Education: Class 10 Assets declared in last polls: `49 lakh Electoral record 2012: Defeated 2007: He did not Cong’s Sardul Singh contest; seat was Bandala by a margin won by SAD’s of 7,290 votes Malkiat Singh 23 ASSEMBLY Questions asked: 0 RECORD Call attention moved: POWER PUNCH First-time MLA close to Bikram Majithia; is SGPC member WHAT NEXT Due to proximity with top leaders, expected to be re-nominated

HOW HE PERFORMED

The MLA maintained constant touch with the electorate and was easily available. A newcomer, he kept focus on re-laying of link roads as the roads of Jandiala were in a depleted shape. In Jandiala town, the MLA improved the roads as well, and got the Jandiala-Tarn Taran bypass repaired. Since the railway overbridge at Gehri is a long-pending demand, he along with Akali MP Ranjit Singh Brahmpura made efforts but that is awaiting clearance so far. The MLA also got a civil hospital built at Mehta and a stadium at Butter Bahrdeo. He got Jandiala upgraded to sub-tehsil level too. During his tenure, he did not court any major controversy and maintained a low profile.

Anil Joshi, 52

BJP

BY THE WAY Strict with morning walk; loves cycling

Constituency:Education: Class AMRITSAR-NORTH12 Assets declared in last polls: `1.3 cr Electoral record 2012: Defeated 2007: Defeated Congress candidate Cong’s Jugal Karamjit Rintu by Kishore Sharma by 16,980 votes 14,095 votes ASSEMBLY Local bodies minister RECORD POWER PUNCH The firebrand leader is close to Union minister Arun Jaitley WHAT NEXT Two-time MLA and minister is sure to get ticket

HOW HE PERFORMED

Not only does he attend social functions but also misses no chance to meet people during his routine morning walk. Being the local bodies minister, he did not need many others’ nod to initiate development works in his constituency. It witnessed a lot of development and the look of a number of localities has changed. Primarily, he brought in the Durgiana Mandir beautification project and also a project for beautification of Ram Bagh. The MLA also got covered a drain flowing through his constituency. Pavements in almost all parts of his constituency were covered with inter-locking tilesm which led to some criticism. He is accused of ignoring other constituencies, and could also not get his segment cleaned under the Swachh Bharat Mission.

Raj Kumar Verka, 54

Congress

BY THE WAY Keeps fit with morning walk regimen

Constituency: AMRITSAR-WEST (SC) Education: Class 12 Assets declared in last polls: `2.3 cr Electoral record 2012: Defeated BJP 2007: OP Soni won rival Rakesh Gill this seat for Cong, by a margin of while Raj Kumar 11,591 votes Verka lost in Verka 9 ASSEMBLY Questions asked: 0 RECORD Call attention moved: POWER PUNCH Dalit leader is vice-chief of national SC panel WHAT NEXT Being an old-timer, he is likely to get the ticket this time too

HOW HE PERFORMED

He did remain available in his constituency, but as far as major development or big projects are concerned he could not do much as the state government did not provide funds. Being vice-chairman of the National Commission for SC/ST, he took up a number of cases. Though his constituency still lacks basic amenities in many pockets, the MLA has been instrumental in getting some grants from former and present Congress MPs. He claims to have brought in a sewerage project to the city through former PM Manmohan Singh. He also claimed that he got some roads repaired with whatever grants he got. He has been socially active in his constituency.