Cong to name candidates next month: Channi

Tribune News Service

Ropar, November 7

The Congress is likely to release the list of its candidates for the state Assembly elections in the first week of next month. This was stated by Congress Legislature Party chief Charanjit Singh Channi.

Channi today began his second phase of “Jawani Sambhal Yatra” from Morinda, which will culminate on November 11 in Amritsar after covering 22 Assembly constituencies.

Channi criticised the state government over a protest by the family members of freedom fighters during the inauguration of Jang-e-Azadi memorial in Jalandhar yesterday. He said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal should publicly apologise for it.

PPCC senior vice-president Lal Singh, while flagging off the yatra, claimed that the Congress would eradicate drug addiction, unemployment and corruption from the state. “The state youth have suffered the most in the last 10 years. Drugs have affected every household of Punjab owing to police-politico nexus under the SAD-BJP government,” he alleged.

Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, president, Indian Youth Congress, said the youth would bring a revolution in Punjab and strengthen the Congress to form the government in 2017.

Time for Rahul to take over party reins’

• Chandigarh: Channi on Monday said Rahul Gandhi should take over the reins of the party “as has been recommended by the Congress Working Committee”. Channi said his taking over was crucial in the context of Punjab elections. The party would get a big push under his leadership, he added. TNS

Police go into overdrive, ask people to deposit weapons

Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 7

The Punjab Assembly elections are yet to be announced, but the police seem to be acting in haste. They have started asking arms licence holders to deposit weapons with them or arms dealers.

Arms licence holders are getting calls from the police to deposit their weapons.

The process has started without forming a screening committee, which is a must as per a 2009 direction of the Bombay High Court, and without increasing the limit of arms dealers, which cannot keep more than 82 weapons on their premises.

The Bombay High Court had directed all states and UTs not to issue a blanket order, asking every citizen to deposit licensed weapon with the police before the elections.

As per the EC guidelines, weapons should be deposited only after elections are announced and a ban on carrying weapons in public places is imposed under Section 144 of the CrPC.

ADGP Viresh Bhawra, nodal officer for the elections, said the process to deposit weapons started early to ensure peaceful, free and fair elections. He, however, said he would get the EC guidelines checked pertaining to the deposition of weapons.

“As The Tribune has highlighted the matter, we will examine it and act accordingly,” he said, adding that in view of the tension at the border, it would be better to keep all weapons in custody.

Ajay Sehgal, an RTI activist, called it a futile exercise. “Crime is mostly committed with unlicensed weapons. So what is the need to deploy extra force to safeguard weapons kept in police stations,” he said.

Cong MLA addresses Sangat Darshan in CM’s presence

Our Correspondent

Fatehgarh Sahib, November 7

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders and officials at the Sangat Darshan programme were taken by surprise when Congress MLA Kuljit Singh Nagra and his supporters entered the venue at the district’s Jakhwali village today.

The police tried to stop him, but Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal asked officials to let the Fatehgarh Sahib MLA come in.

Nagra took the microphone and claimed that the government function had been converted into a party function. He alleged the MLA was being ignored, whereas a so-called halqa in-charge was being promoted.

The Congress MLA asked Badal why he did not come to his constituency earlier. He demanded that like Bathinda, every big village should be given Rs 50 lakh and a small one, Rs 30 lakh.

Akali workers tried to snatch the microphone and push Nagra, but Badal stopped them. The Chief Minister asked the MLA to come to his house, assuring him of hearing him out patiently and sorting all his problems.

Later in the programme, Badal demanded the resignation of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, as “schools, colleges and industry are closed because of his inexperience. People are living in a hell-like situation”.

On the “Sarbat Khalsa”, he said some elements wanted to create communal tension in the state, so the police did not approve their plans.

Minister’s son opens sewa kendra

Arun Sharma

Tribune News Service

Anandpur Sahib, November 7

Local MLA and Cabinet minister Madan Mohan Mittal’s son Arvind Mittal, who does not hold any government or constitutional post, inaugurated a government-run sewa kendra at Agampur village yesterday.

Arvind, former Additional Advocate General of Punjab, claimed that the inauguration was done in his presence by government officials, including the local SDM, district vice-president of the Zila Parishad, Block Development Officer (BDO) and the tehsildar.

When asked that he was seen in the pictures wearing a garland and holding the scissors to cut the ribbon, he said the others had prompted him to take part in the inauguration.

Anandpur Sahib SDM Rakesh Kumar said eight sewa kendras were inaugurated yesterday. He added that he opened three sewa kendras along with Arvind and then left.

Blatant violation: AAP

• Chandigarh: AAP leaders Himmat Singh Shergill and Chander Suta Dogra on Monday asked Mittal in what capacity his son had inaugurated a govt-built facility. The AAP leaders said this was a blatant violation of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951. TNS

No SAD-BJP pact on seat swapping yet

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 7

In spite of series of informal meetings between SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and state BJP chief Vijay Sampla, the two parties have failed to reach a consensus on the exchange of seats.

The sticking point has been has been four major constituencies under consideration — Rajpura, Barnala, Mansa and Batala.

The ruling alliance will stick to last time’s ratio of 94 seats going to the Akalis and 23 to the BJP. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has intervened to work out a formula of exchange but nothing materialised, said a senior BJP functionary.

There has been no formal meeting to date. The BJP is learnt to be working on an exchange for the Rajpura seat because its leader Raj Khurana is not keeping good health.

Barnala is being demanded for Harjit Grewal, the blue-eyed lieutenant of Sampla, while BJP’s Neeraj Tayal has made a strong case for himself for the Mansa constituency.

SAD president and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has reportedly said no for the Barnala seat; the name of Trident president Rajinder Gupta is doing the rounds for SAD ticket. Gupta has kept his cards close to his chest.

As for the Mansa seat, the Chief Minister has reportedly not agreed for giving it to the BJP. And for the Batala segment, the BJP is seeking the seat on the grounds of a traditional base and a stronghold in the local bodies.

If there are chances of any seat being exchanged, it is Ludhiana (West). In the last elections, former state BJP president Rajinder Bhandari had lost by more than 23,000 votes. Sources said a strong RSS backing for Bhandari would not make even this exchange easy.

Anganwari workers gherao Majithia’s residence

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 7

The Anaganwari Employee Union today gheraoed the house of Punjab Cabinet Minister Bikramjit Singh Majithia, demanding upgraded pay scales under the 7th Pay Commission and other benefits as promised by the Chief Minister. Staging a dharna outside his house, the president of the employee union, Gurminder Kaur Majitha, said, “The workers and helpers are being treated with unfriendly intentions. We were promised that contractual workers and helpers will be made permanent and their pay scales will be fixed according to the 7th Pay Commission. But instead, the government is taking decisions against our interests by announcing admissions under pre-nursery and nursery in all government schools. Over 52,000 Anganwari workers will be affected with this decision,” she said.

She also mentioned that similar to the Haryana Government, which has implemented the 7th Pay Commission pay scales for the Anganwari employees, the union demanded implementation of similar pay scales. They also said that Rs 1 lakh ex-gratia amount be fixed for Anganwari workers and Rs 75,000 for helpers, in addition to fixed pension and gratuity amount. The work experience demanded for employment of workers should also be reduced from 10 years to three years.

“We will continue this stir and protest across Punjab and take up the issue until our demands are heard by the government,” said Kaur.

Cong to include freedom fighters’ successors demands in election manifesto, says Verka

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 7

The Congress MLA and vice-chairman of the National SC Commission, Raj Kumar Verka, today condemned the mistreatment of members of successors of the Freedom Fighters Association, who had gone to meet Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at Kartarpur during the inauguration of Jang-E-Azadi Memorial with a hope that the state government would announce to fulfil their genuine demands.

Verka said the Congress would include their demands in the party’s election manifesto for the upcoming Assembly elections. He said they would also fulfil their demands after the Congress Party comes to power. He also urged the Chief Minister to form a high-power committee to look into genuine demands of successors of freedom fighters’ within the next 15 days.

Meanwhile, members of the Punjab State Freedom Fighters’ Successor’s Organisation submitted a memorandum to Verka seeking his help and intervention today. Association president Gian Singh Saggu said the CM had assured them to fulfil their genuine demands and its subsequent announcement during the inaugural ceremony of Jang-E-Azadi Memorial. However, it did not happen as the government dragged its feet from its promises, he added.

The association had sought linking of the pension of freedom fighters with inflation index. It had demanded monthly pension at par with employees of the Central government. Association members were also demanding reviewing of the Freedom Fighter Policy formulated 45 years ago by including sons and daughters of freedom fighters’ first family in the pension facility. They also demanded free travel on Punjab Roadways buses for successors of freedom fighters, besides exemption from toll taxes.

Verka said, “It is unfortunate that successive governments have failed to review freedom fighters pension policy even after four decades. There are only 200 freedom fighters left in the state. Therefore, the Punjab government should resolve their problems on priority basis.”

He said as per a notification by the Central government the state governments would give 10-acre land to freedom fighters. Though many other states had implemented the instructions, the Punjab government was lagging far behind.

Manpreet joins residents’ protest against Improvement Trust

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, November 7

Residents of Patel Nagar, Green Avenue and Tagore Nagar today staged a protest against the Improvement Trust over the enhancement amount issue outside the Bathinda Improvement Trust office.

Congress leader Manpreet Singh Badal also joined the protest today and announced support to residents. He took away documents related to the matter and told the protesters that he would again get in touch with them over the issue after going through the documents.

Patel Nagar president Tara Singh Brar said in 1996, the land was acquired by the Trust on two different rates in Patel Nagar. Around 47.13 acres in Patel Nagar was given Rs 8 lakh compensation per acre and 2.71 acres, which was irrigated land, was given Rs 20 lakh per acre.

Later, 26.33-acre land owners out of the 47.13 acres moved the court against the differences in compensation. While hearing the complaint, the lower court announced the verdict and told the Trust to pay a compensation of Rs 20 lakh per acre to them as per the compensation given to irrigated land, after which both parties went to the high court, which also upheld the decision of the lower court, he added.

He said a total of only 28.36-acre land owners demanded enhanced compensation, but the Trust is calculating the enhancement on the total 47.13-acre land and is putting extra burden on residents.

Brar also claimed that “the Trust has fixed the enhancement amount at Rs 740 per sq yd, but the actual enhancement amount is Rs 363 per sq yard and we are ready to pay this amount.”

Tagore Nagar president HK Kapoor said the Trust had issued a notice by putting interest without any reason and Trust officials are not telling any basics of collecting the correct amount.

Green Avenue president Darshan Maur said the Trust on one hand in the Income Tax Department terms itself as a charitable trust and on the other, instead of selling the properties worth crores in three localities, is issuing notice to take the money from residents.

They also announced that “if their issue was not resolved, they would install boards in the city in which we would appeal people not to vote for the SAD-BJP, in the upcoming elections. They also demanded that the Trust should take back the issued notice at the earliest. Charanjit Singh, Sanjiv Kumar, Sukhwinder, Gulshan Puri, Gurjant Singh, Sohan, OP Kansal, Satpal Gupta, Mahavir Prashad, Pramod Gupta, Tarsem Goyal and others were among others present.

SGPC’s new chief

Election sans democracyThe Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has a new President. The General House of the SGPC went through the motions of an election, but the nature of this particular poll was clear from the fact that the name of the new President was announced after an envelope — purportedly sent by the Shiromani Akali Dal chief and Deputy Chief Minister, Sukhbir Singh Badal — was opened and his choice announced. Muted dissent was ignored and 74-year-old Kirpal Singh Badungarh was made the new President. Members to various committees and bodies were quickly elected. The 41st President of the SGPC is a man who has held the position before, and it is reasonable to expect that he will be as competent this time as he was during his previous tenure. 

The manner in which the new President of the highest body of the Sikhs has been (s)elected leaves much to be desired. Why is the SGPC not seen as a broadly representative body of the Sikhs? Why should the name of its President come in an envelope? What exactly was the process followed in his selection? Were electoral considerations not at the forefront when various nominees were selected? How is it that the contenders who do not belong to SAD find no place in the highest religious body of the Sikhs? 

Most of the Sikh leaders have been active in the SGPC before going full time into politics. We do not have to go far into history to see that they took active part in debates on important religious matters. Sarbat Khalsa discussions were held and points of view were advanced. The overall attitude was respectful of dissent and various contentious issues were sorted out. Sometimes, when necessary, the regime of the day was confronted through peaceful agitations. Today, the distinctions between the SGPC, SAD and even the Punjab Government have got blurred. They are distinct entities with diverse roles. In the SGPC elections the focus should be on the moral values of the individuals, not on political expediency. This, sadly enough, cannot be said of Kirpal Singh Badungarh’s installation.

Mixed response to AAP protest over tardy procurement

BATHINDA: Despite the Aam Admi Party (AAP) having already announced its manifesto for the farmers in Punjab, it received a lukewarm response from the farming community during its protest against tardy paddy procurement in the region on Monday.

In Mansa, party volunteers led by MLA candidate Nazar Singh Manshahiya visited the grain market and held a protest against the state government for providing poor facilities to the farmers.

While the AAP leader roamed around the grain market, most farmers didn’t join him. “I am here for the last nine days and nobody from the market committee has contacted me,” said Pragat Singh of Moosa village.

AAP volunteers said details of debt-ridden farmers are still being collected and a special counter has been set up in the mandis for the same.

In Bathinda, AAP volunteers failed to gather a crowd at the main grain market. The party’s Bathinda parliamentary zone coordinator KC Bagga, along with a handful of volunteers, spoke with farmers and enquired about payments.In Muktsar district, AAP’s Malout candidate Baldev Sing Azad could manage to gather only a handful of volunteers at the grain market.

No protest was witnessed at the Faridkot mandi. In Moga, AAP workers outnumbered the farmers. They raised anti-government slogans in front of the Moga deputy commissioner’s office. However, no official from the deputy commissioner’s office entertained them to receive their memorandum. They finally handed it over to the district food and supplies controller.

LACKLUSTRE AFFAIR IN JALANDHAR JALANDHAR: Only six prominent AAP leaders and 10 others turned up for the dharna organised by the party in the grain market to protest against Punjab government’s alleged “apathy” towards farmers.

The gathering was addressed by party candidates, Gulshan Sharma from Jalandhar North, Darshan Bhagat from Jalandhar West. Party joint secretary Major Singh and party’s observer for Jalandhar Lok Sabha seat Rajiv Chaudhary were also present.

WORKERS LAY SIEGE TO MANDIS IN AMRITSAR AMRITSAR: Accusing the state government of looting and harassing farmers, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday staged protests at grain markets in Amritsar district. During the protests, AAP candidates and volunteers raised slogans against the Punjab government. They flayed the government for meagre and untimely payments to farmers during the procurement season.

“As the farmers are not being paid their rightful dues for paddy procurement in mandis of Punjab, the AAP has staged these protests,” said AAP Amritsar labour and kisan wing in-charge Jagjot Singh, who led the protest at Rajasansi grain market and Majitha.

Govts can’t waive farmers’ bank loans: CM

Punjab wants justice as per the riparian principle on the issue of sharing of river water with Haryana. The spectre of the agrarian state turning into a desert looms large due to falling water levels. PARKASH SINGH BADAL, chief minister

FATEHGARH SAHIB: Terming the Congress’ “karza mukti” (debt waiver) drive and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal’s promise to waive farmers’ loans illogical, chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Monday said the governments have no role in waiving farm loans.

“Banks give loan and they do recover the same. If we fail to repay, they do not give another loan. How the government is a party here?” the CM questioned.

Speaking on the sidelines of a “sangat darshan” here, Badal said the AAP government in Delhi had failed on all fronts and now its leaders were trying to shift the onus of their nonperformance on others, he said, refuting charges that stubble burning in Punjab was one of the reasons for pollution in Delhi.Seeking Kejriwal’s resignation, Badal said that any CM who fails to discharge his duties has no moral right to remain in office. “Kejriwal has failed in Delhi and is now making false promises in Punjab,” he said.

SUKHBIR RIDICULES AMARINDER CHANDIGARH: Punjab Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Monday said Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh didn’t know the SAD-BJP government had already taken steps to resolve problems being faced by farmers at the hands of commission agents.

Ridiculing Amarinder for announcing that the Congress will resolve the issue of farmer loans taken from commission agents once it came to power, Sukhbir said: “You seem to be living in a gilded cage surrounded by a coterie which keeps you busy in leisurely activities so you missed the passing of the Punjab Settlement of Agricultural Indebtedness Bill, 2016, by the state assembly.” The bill, he said, “envisaged exactly what you aim to do”. “It provides a framework for assessment and settlement of non-institutional agricultural debt, which has been a major burden on debt-ridden farmers of Punjab.”

STATE OF AFFAIRS: DELHI

With memorial to riot victims, SAD eyes poll gain

Syed Ali Ahmed

The much-hyped "Wall of Truth" memorial envisaged by the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DGSMC) for the 1984 riot victims in the Capital is ready and awaits inauguration by Shiromani Akali Dal patron and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

The memorial was one of the promises made during the last elections. The significance of its timing is not lost as elections to the DGSMC and Punjab Assembly are due early next year.

Claiming credit for having met its promise, the DGSMC and the SAD hope to benefit electorally not just in the Delhi and Punjab but also in Uttar Pradesh where SAD hopes to make its presence felt.

The Punjab Assembly elections are likely to be held in January-February next. The DSGMC election is due in January but may be delayed with the the process for registration of new voters moving at a slow pace.

In Uttar Pradesh, SAD's Kuldip Singh Bhogal has been seeking compensation for the 1984 riot victims in Kanpur. He led a demonstration in Delhi recently, accusing the Samajwadi Party of not providing adequate compensation to them. The SAD-led DSGMC too staged protests at the AICC headquarters and the ITO crossing, demanding justice for the victims and punishment to the accused "roaming freely on Delhi roads even after 32 years of the riots."

The Rs 2.5-crore memorial was raised at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib after the DSGMC failed to get land in Delhi. The stone was laid down by the Punjab CM Badal in 2013.

Plan for night shelters

With winter setting in, the Delhi Government has decided to set up mohalla clinics near night shelters to provide health facilities to its occupants. To begin with, the clinics will be set up near four such shelters – Yamuna Pushta, Jama Masjid, Sarai Kale Khan and Shakur Basti. These will be run by specialists.

The night shelters are run by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB). Bipin Gupta, board member, said there were 247 night shelters spread across 11 districts of Delhi. But clinics were being opened near the four shelter homes, each of which catered to 1,000 people.

He said the board would provide blankets, quilts, soap and soup to the occupants. Already, it had made arrangements for 10,000 – 12,000 blankets. The shelters are being managed by NGOs. Of the total shelters, one is exclusively for the disabled. It is located at Asaf Ali Road near Police Bhawan. Seven are for children and 20 for women. Thirteen are family night shelters.

Miracle Box

It has become difficult to trace stolen cellphones. For, criminals in Delhi have developed a novel technique to erase the international mobile station equipment numbers with the help of a software, Miracle Box, procured from China.The criminals have changed the numbers of hundreds of cellphones, say the police. In a few cases, they have also changed the IOS operating system created and developed by Apple Inc.

Another AAP MLA arrested

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 6

Apprehending breach of peace, the Delhi Police arrested Aam Aadmi Party’s Kirari legislator Rituraj Govind ahead of Chhath Puja late on Saturday. Govind is the 15th legislator of the Arvind Kejriwal government to be arrested so far.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer) MN Tiwari said: “Rituraj was arrested last night after he violated Section 144 (prohibiting gathering of four or more persons) of the Criminal Procedure Code imposed in the ghat area, a heritage property, in view of Chhath Puja.”

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Rituraj said: “I was trying to build a ghat for Chhath Puja at Nithari Talaab, near the expressway, along the riverbank in my constituency yesterday. The police wanted me to leave the ghat. Even the local people objected to the police action. The ghat was funded by the Delhi Government.”

Sarbat Khalsa’ organisers detained

190 in preventive custody | Acting Akal Takht ‘Jathedar’ Mand arrested in Ferozepur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 6

The structure to support tents being dismantled at the ‘Sarbat Khalsa’ venue near Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda district on Sunday

The Punjab Government today denied permission for organising the second ‘Sarbat Khalsa’ at Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda on November 10.

In a related development, it intensified crackdown against the organisers by taking 190 persons in preventive custody, while detaining hundreds of others.

Those arrested include Dhian Singh Mand, who was appointed acting “Jathedar” of Akal Takht at the last ‘Sarbat Khalsa’; he was arrested from Ferozepur.

Gopal Singh Sidhu, SAD (Amritsar) general secretary and spokesperson, claimed 1,561 persons had been detained or arrested since midnight. “Almost all office-bearers of our party, apart from other supporting groups, have been put in jail,” he said.

Hardeep Singh Dhillon, DGP (Law and Order), said the number of preventive arrests was 190 till today evening. “The arrests were made to thwart any attempt of breach of peace, as the government has not given permission to organise Sarbat Khalsa.”

A government spokesperson said, “Last year, they (‘Sarbat Khalsa’ organisers) were given permission. But what was the fall out? They indulged in seditious activities. The government has denied permission this time because of the past year’s experience.”

Another reason for denying permission, he said, was that the SAD (Amritsar) claimed to the organiser of the event. “How can a political party organise the ‘Sarbat Khalsa’? It is the Sikh Sangat that calls the ‘Sarbat Khalsa’.”

Tents removed

The government removed tents and other structures at the 63-acre venue for the congregation. The ‘Sarbat Khalsa’ is scheduled at a private land near Talwandi Sabo.

Mann gives police the slip

Bathinda: Several prominent Sikh leaders, including Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) chief Simranjit Singh Mann and main organiser of the event Gurdip Singh Bathinda, managed to give police the slip; they have gone into hiding. They have reportedly shifted their base to Haryana and moved the HC, seeking permission for organising the ‘Sarbat Khalsa’. Baba Baljit Singh Daduwal has shifted base to Haryana.

DSP suspended

• The police courted controversy while trying to arrest SAD (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann near Barnala on Saturday night. Tapa Mandi DSP Raj Kapoor, who was allegedly drunk, tried to arrest Mann. The tables turned on him when Mann asked Kapoor to take him to hospital for his medical examination and that of the DSP. The video of the drama went viral on the social media. On Sunday, the DSP was suspended for dereliction of duty, said PS Umaranangal, IG (Patiala Zone).

Protest mars Jang-e-Azadi opening

Alleging insult, freedom fighters’ kin refuse to partake of meal

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Kartarpur, November 6

The much-hyped opening of the Jang-e-Azadi memorial at Kartarpur today was marred by protests by the family members of around 400 freedom fighters.

They rued that they were invited to the function with a promise of fulfilment of their demands, but no such announcement was made by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

As soon as the CM’s speech got over and the function came to an end, the freedom fighters’ relatives raised anti-Badal slogans. They said none of their demands, including pension scheme for the wards of the freedom fighters in line with the neighbouring states, bus passes and waiving toll tax, was fulfilled despite repeated requests.

The protest came as an embarrassment for the government as well as the local administration. None of the SAD-BJP leaders came to pacify the protesters who had come from all across the state.

Harinder Singh Khalsa, president, Association of Freedom Fighters, said: “There is no point in spending hundreds of crores of rupees on memorials in the name of freedom fighters when the government has completely ignored the genuine demands of their families.”

Vijay Rani from Phagwara, daughter of freedom fighter Prem Nath, said: “We had not come here just to accept shawls from Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal. We were invited and insulted by the government.”

Ravinder Kapoor from Ludhiana, son of Khairati Lal, said: “Despite bus passes issued to us by the government, we are being charged penal bus fare by the Punjab Roadways.”

Separate arrangement was made for the lunch of freedom fighters’ families, but they refused to take food. The police even tried to stop them from leaving the venue without having lunch, but they refused to budge and were finally allowed to leave.

After inaugurating the memorial, the Chief Minister honoured noted film director Shyam Benegal and architect of the project Raj Rewal.

Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal said the Punjabis suffered maximum losses during the freedom movement as compared to people from other states.

No mention of BJP in Akali hoardings

Banners put up on poles in every village of Ferozepur district, glorifying CM and his deputy

Balwant Garg

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, November 6

Hoardings and banners dot villages in the district, giving out details of funds spent and development projects undertaken in nine years of Shiromani Akali Dal’s (SAD) rule.

Interestingly, there is no mention of the BJP, SAD’s alliance partner, in the hoardings.

Glorying Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Singh Badal, the hoardings put up in every village mention new beneficiaries of welfare schemes.

The details include the number of old-age, widow and handicap pensioners, beneficiaries of atta-dal and Shagun schemes, Scheduled Caste (SC) beneficiaries of free power connections, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) beneficiaries and beneficiaries of free toilets.

Some of the schemes are Centre-sponsored, but this is not mentioned.

The installation of hoardings is part of a three-tier campaign to glorify the SAD in view of the Assembly elections.

Last month, the state government had distributed booklets, mentioning its achievements in nine years. The Election Commission (EC) had questioned the move; so the state government started preparing constituency-wise booklets.

District Development Panchayat Officer (DDPO) Arun Sharma said, “The hoardings provide information about welfare schemes and development works in every village.”

Capt writes to EC, seeks imposition of poll code

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 6

The Punjab Congress today again urged the Election Commission to impose the model code of conduct “without further delay to curb the growing criminalisation and gross misuse of official machinery by the Badal government”.

In a complaint to the Election Commission, PPCC president Capt Amarinder Singh alleged that the possibility of holding a free and fair election in the state was becoming dim by the day in view of the government’s failure to abide by the EC directives.

“Despite your explicit instructions to check the police-criminal nexus and to put an immediate stop to the misuse of official machinery to promote vested political interests, the Badal government continues to indulge in anti-people activities, negating all possibility of holding a fair and free election in the state,” said the complaint.

In his complaint, Amarinder lamented that the “reign of terror let lose by criminals and mafia working in direct nexus with the Akali Dal continues unabated”, with new incidents being uncovered every day.

The complaint also expressed serious concern over the alleged misuse of official machinery by the Badal government to promote its political interests and in this context, mentioned the launch of 100 mobile vans for the government’s health awareness campaign.

Screening panel meet tomorrow

• Chandigarh: The Congress has called a meeting of the screening committee, constituted for the Assembly elections, in Delhi on November 8. The committee is expected to discuss the strategy to distribute tickets among various communities. Ahead of the committee meeting, senior party leaders Capt Amarinder Singh, Ambika Soni and Asha Kumari held a discussion on the choice of candidates. TNS

PPCC ex-youth wing chief for sanitation, housing in manifesto

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 5

Former PPCC youth wing chief Vikramjit Singh Chaudhury has urged Capt Amarinder Singh to incorporate certain points in the proposed party’s manifesto which will have a direct bearing on the lives of citizens, particularly those living in the lower strata of society.

The document, envisaging the plans and policies of the Congress party, is being prepared by former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhatal and Manpreet Singh Badal. It is scheduled to be made public this month.

In a letter addressed to the Punjab Congress president, Chaudhury, who is also the son of sitting Jalandhar MP Santokh Singh Chaudhury, Vikramjit, has said that he had extensively toured a part of the Jalandhar parliamentary constituency before coming up with his suggestions.

He said among other things, he wants the party to prepare a policy wherein toilets would be constructed in villages and a proper sewerage system be put in place for both rural and urban areas. “There is also a need to construct dispensaries in every village to ensure that proper health care facilities are extended to residents. There is a paucity of health care centres in rural areas and the party should make up for the same,” he said.

He said people in villages were being exploited by illegal doctors, also known as quacks. To stop this exploitation properly equipped health care facilities should be made available to people in villages. Only then the scourge of quackery would be nipped in the bud.

He said old-age pension to all senior citizens, Atta-Dal Scheme and other social security benefits should be continued.

Chaudhury said efforts should be made to restart the Indira Awaas Yojna (IAY) Scheme through which villagers could get grants to construct houses.

Impose poll code without delay: Capt to EC

CHANDIGARH: Welcoming the initiatives of the Election Commission (EC) to ensure free and fair polls in the state, the Punjab Congress on Sunday again urged the commission to impose model code of conduct without any delay to curb the growing criminalisation.

In a complaint to the EC, state Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh said the possibility of holding a free and fair election in the state was becoming more and more remote in view of the government’s failure to abide by the commission directives.

“Despite your explicit instructions to check the police-criminal nexus and to put an immediate stop to the misuse of official machinery to promote vested political interests, the Badal government continues to indulge in anti-people activities, negating all possibility of holding a fair and free election in the state,” said the former chief minister in the complaint.The complaint referred to the arrest of a BJP leader from Mansa in an illicit liquor case as well as the murder of an exserviceman in Moga following an argument over illicit liquor sale. The Punjab Congress chief also highlighted the increasing “atrocities” against the Dalits to underline the importance of urgent EC intervention.

CM opens ‘Jang-e-Azadi’ memorial, freedom fighters’ kin stage protest

Demand free bus pass, 2% reservation in government jobs and waiver in toll tax

JALANDHAR: The inauguration of much-hyped Jang-e-Azadi memorial at Kartarpur gave some embarrassing moments for the government when the kin of freedom fighters started raising anti-Badal slogans minutes after they were honoured by the chief minister. Family members of more than 400 freedom fighters had been invited for the event.The protesters said the government was wasting money on memorials whereas nothing was being done for their welfare. “Badals had been scoring points by presenting shawls at such functions. They have not fulfilled our demands. On November 2, we met the CM in Chandigarh and put before him our demands, including free bus-pass for wards, 2% quota in government jobs and toll tax waiver. The CM assured that he will make an announcement in this regard at this function. But he did not do that,” said HS Khalsa, state president of freedom fighters and successors’ organisation.

As the protestors were raising slogans against the CM and the deputy CM next to the stage, many guests, including Akali leaders, were seen leaving the venue with their faces hanging.

Jalandhar deputy commissioner KK Yadav tried to calm down the protesters, however, the protesters refused to budge and boycotted the special lunch arranged by the organisers. Some even threw away the shawls presented to them. The police then cordoned off the protesters for nearly 20 minutes and did not allow them to come out of the venue till all VIPs had left.

No need to declare CM candidate: AAP

ANANDPUR SAHIB: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab convener Gurpreet Singh Waraich said onSunday that there was no need for the party to declare its chief ministerial (CM) candidate before the assembly elections in the state.

Talking to mediapersons at Anandpur Sahib, Waraich said newly elected members of the legislative assembly from the party would elect their leader after the elections, which are to take place in 2017. Replying to a query about delay in the announcement of party candidate from the Anandpur Sahib constituency, Waraich said the party’s search for a suitable candidate was on.

`10k-cr CCL lapses, paddy farmers not paid for 10 days

CHANDIGARH: Of `23,500 crores received by the Punjab government as cash credit limited (CCL) for paddy procurement, `10,000 crores lapsed on October 31. No farmer has been paid for the produce procured from him in the past 10 days.

Officials of food and civil supplies department told HT that first instalment of CCL had a validity of a month. “We have asked the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to send back the lapsed CCL and the second instalment of `4,500 crore for November,” a food department official said. Of 145-lakh tonne paddy procured by five agencies of Punjab, payment for 70,000-lakh tonne grain was pending since October 20. As on November 6, the state agencies owe farmers `13,500 crore and the paddy continues to arrive in mandis. This season the procurement is expected to tough an all-time high of 165lakh tonne. AAP TO PROTEST TODAY, SAD CALL IT FUTILE

In the wake of farmers awaiting payment for paddy procured by government agencies, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has decided to stage protests in all the main mandis of the state on Monday.Punjab co-convener of the AAP Jarnail Singh said, “For 10 days farmers have not been paid. They are suffering for no fault of theirs. We have decided to raise the voice in support of the farmers.”

President of AAP’s kisan morcha Gurbinder Singh Kang said dharnas would take place at mandis in every district.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), meanwhile, claimed the AAP’s plan to stage protests would turn out to be a futile exercise.

SAD leader Maheshinder Singh Grewal said farmers were satisfied with the procurement process. Referring to the call given by AAP Punjab convener Gurpreet Singh Waraich for a statewise protest on Monday, Grewal asked him to file an affidavit with names of farmers who had been asked to pay `100 per quintal to procure their paddy produce as claimed by him.

“If you cannot do this, you better apologise to the government functionaries whom you are defaming to score political points against the state government,” he said.

SAD-BJP politicising 1984 riots, says Youth Congress leader

LUDHIANA: All India Youth Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Sunday launched an attack on SAD-BJP combine alleging that these parties were politiciaing 1984 Sikh riots and were shying away in punishing the culprits involved in the riots.He challenged the state and central government to punish Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar and stated that both the governments could have provided proofs in the courts if they wanted.“If the SAD government was serious in punishing the accused in 1984 riots, they could have done it easily with the help of their ally, BJP that leads central government. It is the unwillingness of SAD government in not punishing the culprits of anti-Sikh riots and only playing politics with the issue,” said Warring.

Warring had come to Ludhiana to take part in a Youth Congress meeting arranged by district chief Rajiv Raja.

Talking about drugs menace in the state, Warring held state government as well as youth of the state responsible for it. “If the state government is 80 per cent responsible for the drug menace in Punjab, it is youth that is 20 per cent responsible. If the youth takes a stand against drugs, the menace could be wiped off within few days,” he said.

Alleging Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of making false promises, Warring claimed that the party would not be able to bag enough seats to make its government, “let alone 25 lakh jobs promised by AAP,” he said.

Warring claimed that only Congress party had worked for the welfare of farmers of Punjab and only the party could do away with the heavy debt on farmers.