M A I N   N E W S

Case against Bhattal to stay, says CM
Tribune News Service

Mohali, January 7
The Punjab Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, today said that the corruption case against Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal would not be taken back nor would she be given any additional portfolio following her appointment as Deputy Chief Minister of the state.

The Chief Minister further announced that induction into the State Council of Ministers and allocation of portfolios in the proposed new-look Punjab Cabinet would depend on the performance of the Congress legislators in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing media persons following a public function at Government College Mohali today, the Chief Minister said that though the Deputy Chief Minister was facing corruption charges, a person was not guilty till proved otherwise. “Charges will be framed in the case before the court but till proved guilty, things will carry on much the same and she should not be prejudged,” he said. He said that as a party colleague he was willing to extend help to Mrs Bhattal, though he expressed his inability to interfere in the ongoing judicial process.

Captain Amarinder Singh said that the Cabinet reshuffle would take place shortly and changes would be done keeping in view the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. Without giving any details, he hinted that the Cabinet would be expanded to include as many MLAs as possible.

“Obviously I cannot make every MLA a minister” he said, adding that once the anti-defection Bill and the constitutional amendment restricting the size of the Council of Ministers came into force, Cabinet berths would be based on the election performance of the MLAs.

Responding to questions relating to changes in the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, Captain Amarinder Singh said that though it was the prerogative of the Congress high command, he was personally not in favour of changing horses on the eve of the Lok Sabha elections. He dismissed the projection of Mr R.L. Bhatia, MP, as President of the party in the state as mere speculation.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the Congress in Punjab was united once again and the focus was now on the Lok Sabha elections “We have to win all the seats,” he said, adding that the Akalis had not gained in any way from the differences within his party.

“Receipts” to go to Vigilance

Captain Amarinder Singh announced that the Punjab Vigilance Bureau would handle the “receipts” pertaining to the disputed Rs 20-lakh grant allegedly withdrawn by Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal that had been “found” in the CM Office. “The Vigilance will verify the authenticity of the receipts and tell what these pertain to,” he said.

Expansion despite law on Cabinet strength?
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 7
The Congress, which fully supported the passing of the Bill in Parliament regarding limiting the size of Council of Ministers at the Centre and states, will be the first one to act against the spirit of the Act.

The Congress high command has allowed its Government in Punjab headed by Capt Amarinder Singh to expand his Council of Ministers, which, besides the Chief Minister, has 16 Cabinet Ministers, eight Ministers of State and five Parliamentary Secretaries. However, as per the Bill passed by Parliament, the number should only be 17.

The President has already given his assent to the Bill, but it would become operational after six months because the state governments concerned have been given time to make political adjustments.

“ It is a fact that the Act would be operative after six months but with which moral conviction the Congress high command has allowed the expansion of Council of Ministers in Punjab once the President has given assent to the Bill”, asked Mr Ikattar Singh Zida, an advocate.

He said as per his understanding of the law, this Act was to be operative after six months in case of existing Council of Ministers but there could be no fresh addition in the existing councils in states.

As per indications about seven ministers will be added to the existing Council of Ministers in Punjab, besides upgrading the status of a number of them.

Among those expected to be included in the Council of Ministers are Mr Raj Khuarana, Mr Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, Mr Malkiat Singh Dakha, Mr Amrik Singh Dhillon and Mrs Razia Sultana. They all belong to the dissident ranks.

Cabinet meeting on Jan 13
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 7
Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has fixed a meeting of his Council of Ministers for January 13. It will be the first meeting after the intervention of Mrs Sonia Gandhi, President of the AICC, to resolve the crisis in the ruling party in the state.

Whether the dissident ministers, who are camping in Delhi, will attend the meeting, is not clear. They had boycotted the last meeting held on January 3. There are indications that the January 13 meeting may be put off by a few days in the light of Mrs Sonia Gandhi’s proposed visit to Bathinda on January 15.