Amarinder expands Cong manifesto, promises cheaper petrol, LPG

Jalandhar, January 22

In a series of announcements, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh on Sunday promised cheaper petrol and LPG besides 10 per cent reduction in electricity duty throughout the state.

Additionally, ex-servicemen, police and paramilitary force personnel will also be able to avail the free travel facility on state transport buses, he added.

Though the manifesto was a comprehensive document, addressing the concerns of every section of Punjab's populace, the need to bring in some more welfare measures was strongly felt in party circles, he said, explaining the rationale behind these announcements.

Elaborating on the promise to bring about parity in petrol and LPG prices with Chandigarh and neighbouring states, he said, "It was not fair that the people of Punjab had to pay more for the same amenity for which others were paying less."

In order to cut down on the cost, he said, taxes for petrol pumps will be rationalised to make them on par with others.

This, he claimed, will help bring down the petrol price by about Rs 3 per litre.

Additionally, he said, LPG price would come down to Rs 15 per cylinder through the initiative.

Amarinder said the decision on reduction of petrol and LPG prices was based on the feedback received from the people, particularly industrialists who said the higher rates of these commodities were impacting their business in Punjab.

Transport and freight charges would be significantly reduced as a result of this initiative, thus giving a boost to the industry and further propelling the Congress efforts to revive the industry in the state after it comes to power in the state, he added.

Reiterating his commitment to providing subsidised power to the industry and household consumers, along with free power for agricultural development, Amarinder said it was felt necessary to further extend the benefit of cheaper power through additional measures.

Referring to transportation which was allegedly under "Badal family mafia control" since the past 10 years, the Congress state unit chief said he was committed to easing the people's burden on this count and the move to provide free travel to senior citizens and students was a step in this direction. — PTI

Send back AAP volunteers from outside Punjab, Amarinder to EC

Jalandhar, January 22

Citing law and order problem, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh on Sunday asked the Election Commission to send back AAP volunteers from outside the state.

He said he had written to EC to take cognisance of the fact that the AAP had inducted more than 27,000 Punjabi-origin people settled elsewhere, including foreign nationals, and 40,000 volunteers from other states to campaign for their candidates during February 4 Assembly polls.

Apprehending serious trouble, including a “Punjab versus Outsiders” divide, Singh alleged they were going door-to-door with “all kinds of falsehood and misleading propaganda” and holding rallies against the Election Commission’s norms.

As per the ECI guidelines, outsiders cannot stay in Punjab for elections on the appointed dates and are supposed to leave the state 48 hours before the polling, he said in his letter.

Singh further claimed that there was resentment among the local youths who were likely to confront these outsiders, which may lead to violent clashes before and during the polls.

He alleged these people were active in Majha, Doaba and Malwa regions of the state under three AAP leaders — Durgesh Pathak, Sanjay Singh, and Jarnail Singh respectively.

Some of these foreign nationals were assuring the youth to take them abroad for jobs, he claimed.

In ensuring peaceful elections, Singh urged the EC that these outsiders be identified and moved out immediately, or “it will create a law and order situation”.

Attacking Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, Singh said he had shown that he had neither time nor interest in looking after the people of Punjab and their welfare.

Claiming that AAP had absolutely no-connect with this state he said the party was only trying to exploit the poll opportunity to promote its vested interests.

Meanwhile, attacking the Badal family for the corrupt and anti-people policies, he alleged they had looted the people through multitude of mafias, including liquor, transport, sand, cable etc.

Sand, for instance, was a Rs 6000-crore business while the state was earning a meagre revenue of Rs 35 crore, it clearly indicates a nexus between the sand mafia and the ruling Akalis, he alleged.

He also slammed Badals for allegedly failing to protect the water rights of Punjab, bringing the state, particularly the southern region of Malwa, to the brink of aridity.

Singh also hit out at SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal for allegedly copying Congress’ promise of farm debt waiver, saying what he had been doing for the past 10 years and why the Akali government had not taken care of farmers’ interest? — PTI

Now, Sukhbir promises to waive farmers’ loans

Says will hike social welfare pension to Rs 2,000

Our Correspondent

Tarn Taran, January 21

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal today said if the SAD-BJP alliance was elected for the third time, it would waive off small farmers’ loans.

Addressing a rally in support of Akali candidate from Tarn Taran Harmeet Singh Sandhu, he promised to provide tubewells to all farmers on demand, irrespective of their land holdings.

Stating that the SAD- BJP alliance would shortly announce a package for each and every section of society, Sukhbir said: “We are pro-Punjab and pro-Punjabi.”

Besides, he said the SAD-BJP alliance would give bonus of Rs 100 per quintal on foodgrain and Rs 2 lakh agricultural crop loan to all farmers. He also assured of Rs 2 lakh interest-free agricultural crop loan to every small farmer every year.

The SAD president said the alliance was also committed to protecting the interests of farm labourers. He said the government would ensure 10 per cent calamity relief was distributed to farm labourers in case of any damage to farm crops.

He said all welfare facilities would come to an end if people took a wrong decision. “Our track record is before you. We have always delivered what we promised,” he said.

In another election rally in support of SAD candidate Dr Dalbir Singh at Jandiala, Sukhbir said all welfare pensions would be hiked.

Radicals try to disrupt rally

Tarn Taran: Four workers of radical Sikh organisations reportedly tried to disrupt an election rally being addressed by SAD president Sukhbir Badal at Chabal on Saturday. The activists shouted slogans against the state government for failing to take action against the accused responsible for sacrilege incidents. The activists were taken away from the rally site by the police. oc

Notices to Gurpreet Ghuggi, Sekhri for violating poll code

Batala, January 22

The Election Commission has issued notices to three candidates of Batala assembly constituency for allegedly violating the model code of conduct.

Returning Officer Prithi Singh on Sunday said notices were sent Congress candidate Ashwani Sekhri, AAP candidate Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi and Apna Punjab Party candidate Inder Sekhri for allegedly violating the model code of conduct.

He said the notice was served on them for paid news, bringing more than five persons during filing nominations and organising public meeting without informing the election commission.

Punjab Assembly elections will be held on February 4. — PTI

To defeat Badals, let’s unite: Sidhu to rebels

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 21

Navjot Singh Sidhu today appealed to all Congress dissidents to come on one platform to defeat the SAD-BJP alliance.

Sidhu emphasised that no other party could beat the Congress in Punjab, if its workers were united. “No one can beat the Congress unless the Congress defeats itself. I appeal to all workers to bury their differences in the interest of Punjab and contribute unitedly in this ‘dharam yudh’. If we all join hands, no one can beat us,” he said.

Accusing the Badals of “looting” Punjab during their decade-long regime, he said the state had suffered due to their unending greed. He said: “You have seen their ‘sewa’ (service) which is 10 per cent service and 90 per cent ‘mewa’ (self-centered).” In his aggressive style, he equated Badals with a “handpump” which is dug deep and repeatedly called Sukhbir as “Sukha”. Sidhu’s call had a little impact. Out of three Congress rebels, only one chose to take a step back.

Rival’s appeal dismissed

Amritsar: Returning Officer (RO) Iqbaljit Singh on Saturday dismissed a plea filed against Navjot Singh Sidhu by his opponent from Amritsar East Rajesh Honey (BJP). Honey had asked the RO to cancel Sidhu’s candidature, alleging that the former MP had given a false declaration about his educational qualification and the details of the road rage case pending against him. The RO said, “Any objection was to be submitted by noon on January 19. But the objection was filed on Saturday, so it was not maintainable.” tns

Will avenge Dalit atrocities: Amarinder

Sanjay Bumbroo & Surinder Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Mandi Gobindgarh, January 21

PPCC president Capt Amarinder Singh, while answering a question regarding allegations of Navjot Singh Sidhu on promotion of transport companies and setting up of hotels and other properties by Badals, today said he would form a Special Investigation team to look into the matter.

Addressing a rally by Congress candidates Gurpreet Singh GP and Randeep Singh at Bassi Pathana and Mandi Gobindgarh, respectively, Amarinder termed Badals as “dusht” (wicked) and vowed to give a massive defeat to Parkash Singh Badal in Lambi to punish him for the “atrocities” he had committed against Dalits and other sections of society during the last 10 years of his rule. He said atrocities against Dalits had gone up manifold, increasing from 651 in 2007 to 12,834 by 2015. Promising to bring Dalits back into the mainstream of the society with welfare schemes as promised in the party manifesto, Amarinder said he would ensure that all those found guilty of any crime against Dalits are given exemplary punishment.

Badal aide joins Cong

Rajesh Pal Singh, alias Lali Bhaji, a confidant of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's family, along with Parminder Singh Salh, president of the Bassi Pathana Municipal Council Bassi, three councillors and 20 sarpanches and former sarpanches today joined the Congress in the presence of Capt Amarinder Singh. He claimed that there was a wave in favour of the party.

500 AAP volunteers quit across state

Jalandhar, January 21

About 500 AAP volunteers today tendered their resignations across the state, alleging that the party was being run unconstitutionally.

They accused AAP national organisation building incharge Durgesh Pathak and state affairs incharge Sanjay Singh of weakening the party in Punjab.

Addressing a press conference here, AAP founder member and state executive member Himanshu Pathak claimed that Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal had hired a Delhi-based private detective firm to spy on volunteers.

Releasing a “poll khol” document, the volunteers alleged that the ticket allotment to Paramjit Singh Sachdeva (Hoshiarpur), Amarjit Singh (Rupnagar), Dev Mann (Nabha) and Sarwan Singh Hayer (Nakodar), among others, was against the party’s vision document.

Pathak said, “While a party has to operate as per its csonstitution submitted with the Election Commision, AAP has not being doing so since the 2014 elections. All appointments, including that of state party convener Gurpreet Singh Waraich, are illegal and invalid. Constitutionally, only state and national executive bodies of a party can make key decisions such as ticket allotment.”

Other party office-bearers, including RS Pandher, Kamal Sharma and Narinder Kumar Bitta, were present on the occasion. Pathak and Sanjay could not be contacted despite repeated attempts. — TNS

Captain says ready to face SC wrath on SYL

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 22

In spite of the Supreme Court directing Punjab to re-construct the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh today said he would not get the canal re-constructed at any cost on coming to power.

“I am ready to face the wrath of the Supreme Court and go behind bars for this. But if Punjab gives me two-thirds majority (so that I do not need to depend on less-trustworthy Akalis and AAP) so that a suitable constitutional amendment can be made, I will overcome the crisis legally, thus not violating any law,” he said during his visit to the city after addressing an ex-servicemen rally in Jalandhar Cantt.

Punjab has been unable to present a logical picture on water sharing with Haryana, he said, adding that during reorganisation of states, Punjab got 60 per cent of land but only 40 per cent of water. “We will take up the matter constitutionally again to save 10 lakh acres from going dry.”

He asked Congress rebels to sit back or campaign for the Congress otherwise they would be expelled from the party for life.

Evades query on CM face

Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh avoided a query about being named the CM candidate. There are reports that party vice-president Rahul Gandhi could announce Amarinder as the CM candidate during his Punjab tour. "There is nothing like that. All that I know is that the Congress vice-president is finalising his tour in a day or so," Amainder said.

Sidhu surprise for early risers

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 22

Regular visitors to the Company Bagh were taken for a surprise this morning on finding cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu among them.

Accompanied by Congress Lok Sabha bypoll contender Gurjit Singh Aujla and Amritsar (North) Assembly candidate Sunil Dutti, Sidhu chose to kick-start his first public interaction from the city’s favourite place for morning walkers.

As Sidhu entered the park at around 7.30 am, he found himself surrounded by hundreds of residents. The otherwise media savvy, Sidhu refused to oblige journalists and instead devoted his time only to listen and observe how the public reacts to his presence.

Sidhu spent more than one-and-a-half hours with the locals and shared with them his vision for Amritsar and Punjab. People were busy taking selfies with him. He also played cricket and volleyball with them. Later, he held a short talking session at famous Giani Tea Stall near Crystal Chowk before carrying on with his day’s engagements.

WOOING WAYS

Daughters lend helping hand

In Patiala, Seherinder and Urvashi charm voters with their humility

Aman Sood

Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 22

Two women associated with the fashion industry — one from a royal family and the other from an Army background — are doing their bit for their families in the Patiala Urban Assembly segment. They make no political statements and “urge voters with folded hands”. Humbleness is their forte.

Back from Tamil Nadu after completing her American High School, 21-year-old Seherinder Kaur is the granddaughter of Capt Amarinder Singh and daughter Raninder Singh. She landed in Patiala a few days ago; she has been making rounds the city as part of her door-to-door campaigning since. “I am yet to vote in Patiala. This is my first brush with politics. I am seeking votes for dadaji, who is busy touring the state,” says Seher.

Draped in a “phulkari” that covers her white suit, Seher traverses lanes with her grandmother Preneet Kaur — meeting people with folded hands. “Please vote for Capt Amarinder and ensure that the Congress forms the next government in the state,” she says in Punjabi interspersed with some Hindi words. Seher is eager to leave for the US to make a career in the fashion industry. But for now, she is getting groomed in politics from her grandmother, a three-time MP.

“Wherever I go, I feel people’s warmth for my grandparents. It feels nice. Campaigning is tough, but I am enjoying meeting people. I can feel the connect and so can they,” she says.

“I have not made any speeches, but I have talked to youths, elders and shopkeepers. I tell them that dadaji will address their problems,” she says, as she recalls how her grandfather skipped important events to be with her in Delhi to attend her birthday.

In another lane, another proud daughter speaks. “My father General Joginder Jaswant Singh served the country by heading the Army. Later, he served the people of Arunachal Pradesh by being a Governor. And now, he will serve Patiala after being elected as the MLA,” says Urvashi Kaur, a fashion designer in Delhi. “People’s affection for my father gives me the confidence that he will.”

Covering her coloured hair strands, she talks about her father’s quality of facing every situation bravely. “One thing I have learnt from him is to never give up. He is working hard. I am sure people of the city will honour his commitment,” she adds.

Urban voters to play crucial role in Kharar constituency

Contest likely to be triangular between Congress, AAP, SAD-BJP

Shashi Pal Jain

Kharar, January 22

Around 1.30 lakh urban voters in Kharar are likely to play a cruicial role in the state assembly elections.

The constituency has a total of 2,18,443 voters, including 1,15,706 males and 1,02,734 females.

Keeping this in mind and with the polling date less than a fortnight away, electioneering has also gained momentum in this segment, which has always been considered significant due to its proximity to Chandigarh.

The administration has identified 249 polling booths spread over the vast geographical area, which shares border with the City Beautiful. This time, even as candidates of four major political parties are in fray, it’s mainly a triangular contest between the new outfit Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the ruling SAD-BJP combine and the Congress. However, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is also in the fray.

While AAP has fielded veteran journalist Kanwar Sandhu, the SAD-BJP combine has nominated leading realtor Ranjit Singh Gill. The Congress has reposed faith in sitting MLA old warhorse Jagmohan Singh Kang. from this seat, the BSP has given ticket to Harbhajan Singh Bajheri.

The constituency inlcudes urban areas of Kharar, Kurali, Majri, Nayagaon, Kansal and Mullanpur Garibdas. It is unique in the sense that it also shares boundaries with Haryana and Himachal Pradesh besides Chandigarh.

Kharar itself will determine the fate of the candidates as it has 75,000 voters. Similarly, Kurali has 25,000 vioters. The Nayagaon-Karoran belt has about 30,000 votes.

Owing to its proximity to Chandigarh, a lot of colonies and residential townships had come up in the area during the recent past but the constituency still lacks basic amenities. The issues of sanitation, drinking water, street lights, bad roads and unemployment have been left unresolved by the successive state governments.

Meanwhile, the electioneering is gaining steam day by day and the voters here not only seem to be confused but are also silent. “Nothing can be said at this moment on who will win but one thing is sure that the battle of ballot is very tough and the winning margin will be very less,” a political analyst said.

Poll stats

The constituency has a total of 2,18,443 voters, including 1,15,706 males and 1,02,734 females. Around 1.30 lakh voters live in urban areas.
The constituency inlcudes urban areas of Kharar, Kurali, Majri, Nayagaon, Kansal and Mullanpur Garibdas.
Kharar itself will determine the fate of the candidates as it has 75,000 voters. Similarly, Kurali has 25,000 vioters. The Nayagaon-Karoran belt has about 30,000 votes.

Akali-BJP govt destroyed Punjab: Preneet

Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 22

Patiala MLA Preneet Kaur has accused the Akali-BJP government of destroying Punjab and leaving its people struggling with all kinds of problems.

Addressing an election meeting organised by Congress workers, Preneet said people in every village and city of Punjab were struggling to survive as a result of anti-people-policies of the Badal government, which had become synonymous with corruption.

Preneet said thousands of industrial units had closed or migrated to other states due to the wrong policies of the Akali government. She said unemployment had left the youth in a lurch, making them easy prey for the drug mafia.

Preneet said the figures of the development presented by the Akali government were fudged and far from reality.

“People from every section of society are completely disillusioned with the present government and only want to see Punjab on the path of progress again under Capt Amarinder Singh-led Congress government,” Preneet Kaur told the gathering.

MLAspeak

Thousands of industrial units have closed or migrated to other states due to the wrong policies of the Akali government. Unemployment has left youths in the lurch, making them easy preyto the drug mafia. — Preneet Kaur, Patiala MLA5

PUNJAB POLLS: FAMILY MATTERS

My joint family is my biggest support, says Aujla

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 21

Living in a joint family has its own benefits and who knows better than Gurjit Aujla, Congress Lok Sabha candidate from Amritsar.

While he has a vast area of the Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency (comprising nine Assembly constituencies) to cover for canvassing, his family members are a perfect support for him.

His younger brother Sukhjinder Singh, popularly known as Sukha Aujla, manages his campaigns while his better half Undleep and two children, daughter Nighat Aujla and son Baabar Singh Aujla, has taken over the command of his door-to-door campaigning. His mother-in-law Jagir Kaur Boparai, who herself was a Communist leader and a good speaker, was also campaigning for him. Not only this, his NRI friends, around 40-50 in number, have also arrived to support and help him in canvassing.

“Aujla has worked hard in his political career and we want him to succeed not only for himself but for those people who had loved and showed faith in him. As the president of the District Congress Committee (rural), he worked for people and raised issues concerning residents living in the rural and border belts,” said Undleep, who runs a coaching centre.

“I want my father to make this holy city an education hub by opening more and more government schools and colleges, especially in the rural belt, so that the youth could get more opportunities and plan their future in a better way rather than ruining their lives to drug abuse,” said his daughter Nighat Kaur, an undergraduate student.

The day starts at 7 am for Gurjit Aujla as he meets people gathered at his house to extend his support and at 9 am he leaves home for his election meetings and campaigns in various parts of the city.

“My family is my support. I have a joint family and this has helped me a lot,” Aujla said while leaving for his campaign.

Aujla’s father Sarabjit Singh reaches his election office in the morning where he attends people, besides managing his expenditure during the campaigns. The family then meets in the night to share their experience and plan for the next day.

With a clean image, Laddi aims to eliminate drug trade, shed vendetta politics in Shahkot

Logo: Know your candidate

Gagandeep Singh

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 21

The Congress candidate from the Shahkot constituency, Hardev Singh Laddi (49), belongs to a family that has been active in politics for decades.

Hardev Singh is nephew of late Darbara Singh, former Governor of Rajasthan.

A potato grower by profession, Hardev Singh is a resident of Shala Nagar village near Shahkot. He has been reaching out to voters with his and his family’s clean image.

“Despite the fact that I belong to a family that has been into politics for decades, no one can point a finger at our family for any misdeed. My uncle Darbara Singh had a very clean image. Similarly, I have been trying to maintain the same image. Consequently, the people in the constituency have been giving us a very warm welcome,” he added.

Speaking on the agenda of this election, he said the present government had completely failed to solve problems of people. People belonging to the ruling party in the constituency have earned a bad name for drug trade, alleged illegal sand mining and land mafia. “I will try to rid my constituency of these problems,” he said, adding, “I will ensure that I do not engage in vendetta politics, but serve the people equally.”

Laddi said since the leader of the party Captain Amrinder Singh had already pledged on issues, including getting rid of drugs, getting false cases registered against Congress workers cancelled, he would also make efforts on the same.

He said the development of Shahkot had suffered since the SAD-BJP alliance government had been ruling the state, therefore bringing overall development would his prime agenda.

“Five members of my family, including my wife, two sons and daughter, have jumped into the election fray to campaign for me. My son has come from Canada for the purpose, whereas my daughter, who is pursuing MBBS from DMC Ludhiana, has taken leave for campaigning,” he added.

Know your candidate

Hardev Singh Laddi
Party: Congress
Constituency: Shahkot
Qualification: Matriculation
Poll record: First-timer
Prime Focus: Development of constituency, shedding vendetta politics and getting rid of drug trade

When Capt Amarinder referred to Satwinder Bitti as his daughter

Minna Zutshi &

Lovleen Bains

Tribune News Service

Sahnewal/Ludhiana, Jan 22

For the singer-turned politician Satwinder Bitti, the 2017 Assembly elections are nothing less than university examination.

“We want to secure 99.9 per cent marks,” she told the audience today during a public rally at Sahnewal Assembly constituency. Captain Amarinder Singh addressed the rally.

While Captain referred to Bitti as “his daughter”, Bitti said it was Captain who had encouraged her to join the Congress party. She said earlier there was an “anti-Bitti campaign” in the party. But Captain supported her completely. She was grateful to him for his unstinted support and encouragement, she said.

Bitti, whose songs retain their popularity in Punjab, invoked history to criticize her opponents. “Aurangzeb is still alive,” she said, referring to SAD supremo Parkash Singh Badal. Her criticism of the AAP was laced with sarcasm on “Jharoo” (broom), the party symbol.

She said empowering women would be her priority. She alleged that Sahnewal was lagging behind in development on all fronts. “Roads, sanitation, sewerage – all require attention in this constituency that has been neglected,” she claimed.

SAD leader joins cong

Meanwhile, SAD leader Inder Mohan Kadian joined the Congress today. Political observers say with the Akali Dal candidate Sharanjit Singh Dhillon and AAP candidate Harjot Bains putting up a determined fight, the going does not promise to be easy for Bitti. However, there seemed to be some ostensible relief when Jasminder Singh Sandhu, Sukhjit Singh Hara, Sukhwant Singh Sidhupur, Swaran Singh Sandhu – the ticket aspirants who were miffed when the party allotted ticket to Bitti – attended the rally. Among those present were District Congress Committee Rural Chief Gurdev Singh Lapran, PPCC general secretary KK Bawa and Amrik Singh Aliwal.

कांग्रेस का वादा-चंडीगढ़ के बराबर सस्ता होगा पेट्रोल

जालंधर, 22 जनवरी (एजेंसियां)

जालंधर में रविवार को एक रैली के दौरान मेजर जनरल सतबीर सिंह से बातचीत करते पंजाब कांग्रेस के प्रधान कैप्टन अमरेंद्र सिंह। -सरबजीत सिंह

पंजाब में विधानसभा चुनावों के लिए प्रचार के दौरान विभिन्न राजनीतिक दलों के वादों के बीच प्रदेश कांग्रेस ने आज यहां कहा कि अगर राज्य में उनकी सरकार बनती है तो राज्य में वह बिजली, पेट्रोलियम तथा एलपीजी को सस्ता कर इसे चंडीगढ़ और अन्य राज्यों के समानांतर लाया जाएगा।
विभिन्न क्षेत्रों में चुनाव प्रचार के लिए जाने के दौरान जालंधर और फगवाड़ा में ठहरे प्रदेश कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष कैप्टन अमरेंद्र सिंह ने संवाददाता सम्मेलन में कहा, ‘सभी वर्गों को ध्यान में रख कर तैयार किये गए घोषणापत्र में कुछ जरूरी और कल्याणकारी योजनाओं को जोड़ कर उसे और विस्तार देने की जरुरत उन्होंने समझी है और इसी क्रम में यह प्रदेश कांग्रेस ने यह ताजा वादा किया है ।’ उन्होंने कहा, ‘राज्य में कांग्रेस की सरकार बनने पर बिजली की ड्यूटी में दस फीसदी की कमी कर औद्योगिक एवं घरेलू उपभोक्ताओं को रियायत दर पर मुहैया करवायी जाएगी । इसके अलावा कृषि के विकास के लिए नि:शुल्क और नियमित बिजली की व्यवस्था की जाएगी।ऐसा उद्योगपतियों सहित अन्य लोगों की सुझाव पर करने का निर्णय किया गया है। अमरेंद्र ने जालंधर में पूर्व सैनिकों को भी संबोधित किया और कहा कि पंजाब के पास फालतू पानी नहीं है।
वरिष्ठ नागरिकों को मुफ्त बस यात्रा : कैप्टन ने कहा, ‘इसके अलावा कांग्रेस की सरकार बनने पर सरकारी बसों में वरिष्ठ नागरिकों, विद्यार्थियों, पुलिस, अर्द्धसैनिक बलों तथा पूर्व सैनिक मुफ्त बस यात्रा की सुविधा हासिल कर सकेंगे।’
आप के बाहरी लोग वापस भेजे चुनाव आयोग
प्रदेश कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष ने यह भी बताया कि उन्होंने निर्वाचन आयोग को पत्र लिख कर कहा है कि आम आदमी पार्टी ने ‘बाहरी लोगों’ की पूरी फौज पंजाब में खड़ी कर दी है और इन्हें वापस भेजा जाना चाहिए क्योंकि चुनाव के दौरान हिंसा हो सकती है और इससे पंजाब की शांति को खतरा हो सकता है। कैप्टन ने बताया, ‘कैप्टन ने पत्र लिख कर इस बात पर गंभीर संज्ञान लेने का आग्रह आयोग से किया है कि आप ने अपने उम्मीदवारों के प्रचार के लिए दूसरे राज्यों से 40 हजार कार्यकर्ताओं को यहां लेकर आये हैं। इसके अलावा पंजाबी मूल के 27 हजार से अधिक लोग हैं जो प्रदेश से बाहर सेटल हैं और इनमें विदेशी नागरिक भी शामिल हैं।’ कांग्रेस नेता ने लिखा है, ‘ये लोग झूठ और गलत प्रोपगैंडा के साथ लोगों के घरों तक पहुंच रहे हैं और निर्वाचन आयोग के निर्देशों के खिलाफ जा कर रैलियां कर रहे हैं।’ उन्होंने बताया कि ऐसे भी आयोग के नियमों के मुताबिक राज्य में चुनाव के दौरान बाहरी लोग नहीं रह सकते हैं और मतदान से 48 घंटे पहले उन्हें राज्य छोड़ देना होता है।

Naming CM nominee Cong leadership’s prerogative: Sharma

CHANDIGARH: Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Anand Sharma said naming the chief ministerial (CM) candidate in Punjab was the party leadership’s prerogative and it was not a cause of concern.

Replying to a query at a press conference here on Sunday, Sharma, who is among the Congress’ star campaigners for Punjab polls, said: “Let this decision be taken by the Congress. Have patience.”

State Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh is leading the party’s campaign in the state for the February 4 polls, but so far he has not been declared as a CM candidate.

Expressing confidence that Punjab would not be as unfortunate as Delhi in terms of governance, Sharma said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government led by Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi was the most corrupt and was being run from the Tihar jail.

Alleging that the AAP had failed to fulfil even a single promise made to the people of Delhi, Sharma said Kejriwal was bringing people from outside to mange his party’s poll campaign in Punjab clearly showed that he doesn’t trust the people of the state. Sharma also urged the party rebels to opt out of the race in favour of Congress candidates and put up a united front to defeat the Akali-BJP combine and the AAP.

QUESTIONS AAP’S ‘FOREIGN FUNDS’

Charging the AAP with receiving funds from abroad in the run-up to the Punjab polls, Sharma asked Kejriwal to explain the source of such funds.

Now, Amarinder promises cheaper petrol, LPG, power

JALANDHAR : Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday promised cheaper petrol and LPG besides 10% reduction in electricity duty throughout the state if the party is voted to power in the state.

Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh meeting voters during a rally in Jalandhar on Sunday.

During a brief stopover while campaigning in the region for the coming assembly elections, Amarinder said free travel for senior citizens and students on state transport buses would also be incorporated in the party’s poll manifesto. Besides, ex-servicemen, police and paramilitary force personnel will also be able to avail the free travel facility on state transport buses, he said.

Though the manifesto was a comprehensive document, addressing the concerns of every section of Punjab’s populace, the need to bring in some more welfare measures was strongly felt in party circles, he said, explaining the rationale behind these announcements.Explaining the rationale behind bringing parity in petrol and cooking gas prices with Chandigarh and neighbouring states, he said: “It was not fair that the people of Punjab had to pay more for the same amenity for which others were paying less.”

He said taxes for petrol pumps would be rationalised to make them on a par with others. This will help bring down the petrol price by about Rs 3 per litre, he said, adding the cooking gas price would come down to Rs 15 per cylinder through the initiative.

‘READY TO GO TO JAIL TO SAVE STATE WATER’

The state Congress chief also said he was ready to go to jail in defiance of the court orders on the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal dispute. “I will defy any orders against the state to save its water. I urge people to help the Congress gain two-third majority so that it can take tough decisions in the interest of the state,” he said.

If the canal is constructed, around 10 lakh acres in southern Punjab would go dry. If the Congress gets two-third majority, it will prevent this by bringing in tough legislation against construction of SYL canal in the assembly, he said.

‘AAP VOLUNTEERS FROM OUTSIDE MUST LEAVE’

Citing law and order problem, Amarinder asked the Election Commission (EC) to send back AAP volunteers from outside the state.

He said he had written to the EC to take cognisance of the fact that AAP had inducted more than 27,000 Punjabi-origin people settled elsewhere, including foreign nationals, and 40,000 volunteers from other states to campaign for their candidates for assembly polls.

As per the Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines, outsiders cannot stay in Punjab for elections on the appointed dates and are supposed to leave the state 48 hours before the polling, he said in his letter