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Govt may drag feet on implementing Kalkat panel’s farm sector suggestions
HC rap for state for not starting e-tender facility
Panchayats to get promised grant: CM
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Akali, BJP top guns off to Goa today
Ministers may have to face some grilling too
Exploring options for alliance: Bajwa
‘Sadda Haq’ producer slams SGPC over ban
No end to illegal mining in Valtoha
Radiotherapy unit in Sangrur
to be set up by Tata hospital
Govt medical charges up
Tarn Taran assault victim pins hopes on SC for justice
ASI’s killing: Farmer leaders in jail as death cause not known
Akali leader attacks son on court premises over family feud
Another accused held in former MLA Keetu’s murder case
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Govt may drag feet on implementing Kalkat panel’s farm sector suggestions
Chandigarh, April 6 In its agriculture policy draft submitted to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal yesterday, Dr GS Kalkat, State Farmers’ Commission chairman (who headed the committee), had recommended several steps for long-term sustainability of agriculture and allied sectors.
Another key recommendation is the constitution of a water regulatory authority to rationalise the use of water resources in the farm sector, which, again, is being opposed by the state government. As such, the Centre has refused to release grants worth Rs 240 crore to Punjab. Dwelling on the issue, the committee has pointed out that in central Punjab, the water table in 50 per cent of the area (compared to 0.4 per cent in 1973) had fallen beyond 20 metres, which was alarming. This, it said, was mainly due to the wheat-paddy cycle, which not only was putting stress on the water table, but had also overburdened the state exchequer (on account of free power supply). The wheat-paddy cultivation has also affected the soil fertility as farmers have been forced to make heavy use of fertilisers to maintain the productivity level. The high use, however, has posed a serious threat to the long-term sustainability of agriculture in the state. While the input cost is rising, the agriculture profit level has been on a constant decline, which is leading to rural distress, says the document. A ban on the burning of paddy residue, a major pollution source, is another important suggestion. The committee wants a law to check the menace. A proposal was mooted to issue a notification under the Environment Pollution Act to check it, but it also seems to be hanging fire for the past several months. The committee has also urged for regulating the lending of money by informal institutions, including money lenders and commission agents, to deal with the problem of indebtedness in the farm sector. This issue has come up for discussion several times in the past, but the government has maintained silence on it. The Kalkat Committee has also emphasised on promoting private players in the marketing of farm produce. Another committee had earlier suggested changes in the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committees Act, but the government was yet to make the amendments.
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HC rap for state for not starting e-tender facility
Chandigarh, April 6 The Bench of Chief Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri and Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain also observed that bidders were prevented from submitting tender documents. This was despite directions to the state and other respondents to accord "serious consideration" at the "highest level" to ensure cartels formed by truck or labour unions do not prevail and prevent bidders from making offers. Taking up a petition filed by Surinder Pal and other petitioners against the state of Punjab and other respondents, the Bench asserted: "We are informed that pursuant to the orders, forms are now available on the internet and can be downloaded… Therefore, in so far as obtaining the tender forms is concerned, this aspect is taken care of. However, still the facility of e-tendering has not been started and we find that still many persons are prevented from submitting tender documents physically/manually". The petitioners had earlier contended that PUNGRAIN had invited tenders for cartage of rabi and kharif seasons for 2013-14. Describing themselves as "intending bidders", the petitioners added they were prevented from obtaining forms after they found the office of district food and civil supplies officer, Barnala, surrounded by anti-social elements owing allegiance with the truck and labour unions. Taking up the matter, the Bench asserted: "We dispose of this petition with direction to PUNGRAIN to accept tender documents, if the same were submitted… We make it clear that in case bid documents are not accepted for whatever reasons, it shall be treated as contempt of the present orders of this court and a very serious view would be taken in the matter in that event". The Bench had earlier asserted: "It is the right of every eligible person to obtain and submit bids pursuant to notice inviting tenders. Evaluation of the tender may be a different matter; and on the evaluation to whom the contract is to be awarded will depend upon the comparative merit of the bidders. "However, those who want to bid cannot be denied the right of submitting the bids and their consideration which right is drawn from Article 14 of the Constitution of India…."
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Panchayats to get promised grant: CM
Sangrur, April 6 "We are already giving sufficient funds to the panchayats for development works," he added. Congress leader Rana Gurjit Singh had yesterday criticised the Badal government for not giving the promised grant of Rs 3 lakh each to 2,806 panchayats which were elected unanimously. Badal, who was here today to take part in a social function, said during the party’s "vichar manthan" in Goa, the SAD would evolve a strategy to contest the Lok Sabha elections. Besides, the SAD would also discuss issues relating to organisational affairs and working of the party, he said. On the alleged rising crime in the state, Badal said there was nothing wrong with the law and order situation. "Stray incidents are a routine affair. Such incidents take place in other parts of the country as well," he said.
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Akali, BJP top guns off to Goa today
Chandigarh, April 6 The conclave is a continuation of a move initiated by SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal in 2009 to make the party more representative and give it a modern look by holding the first such 'Vichar Sammelan' in Shimla. The Goa conclave goes a step forward from the Shimla event and is aimed at giving a pan-India identity to the SAD. Accordingly, the party is flying 150 representatives from both the SAD and the BJP, including all legislators and MPs, as well as Akali district presidents and SAD core committee members. The entire group will be holed up in two top Taj group properties, including the iconic Taj Fort Aguada with its Portuguese influences and the cottage style Taj Holiday Village resort, both located on the Candolim beach in Goa. Sources said the main agenda is "Mission 2014 - Delhi"; with Akalis realising that in case Punjab has to move forward, it must have a supportive government in Delhi. "The more MPs we have in Delhi, the more we will be heard," said Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia, who has been involved in planning the conclave. Deliberations for the forthcoming parliamentary elections could go into ways and means of "tackling" the Punjab Congress as well as "out of the box" ideas for candidates on seats where there is no clear winner. Besides, the two-day conclave will witness a presentation by the Cabinet ministers. This would include a power-point presentation or brief lectures on important decisions taken by the ministries in the last six years and also the future action for the remaining four-year tenure. Legislators will not only get a chance to make suggestions, in case they want a course correction in any department, the matter would be put to consideration to the majority view. A separate brainstorming session would mark the political part of the Vichar Manthan. This would include a discussion on social welfare schemes, free power subsidy, problems being faced by people as well as possible solutions. Sources said five senior leaders, including Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Balwinder Singh Bhundur, Prem Singh Chandumajra, Maheshinder Singh Grewal and Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, will prepare the agenda for the party for the next four years. Brainstorming on a beach! All invitees will be flying to Goa on Sunday with the two-day conclave beginning on April 8 The conclave will end on April 9 with a ferry ride in the Arabian Sea accompanied by a dinner The delegates will fly out of Goa on April 10 Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is attending the conclave, as are almost all senior SAD and BJP leaders CM's adviser and BJP state president Kamal Sharma will be the notable absentee An important BJP meeting in Delhi on April 8-9 will keep him away from the conclave Among the senior Akali leadership, PWD Minister Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, who is abroad, will also be absent
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Ministers may have to face some grilling too
Chandigarh, April 6 The issues could be policy decisions taken by them to improve the functioning of their departments and any outstanding work done since March last year when the Government was formed. Sources said committee constituted to prepare the agenda for the event had emphasised on the point that all the ministers taking part in the meeting must give presentation of the works done by them over the past one year. The question-answer session would giving an opportunity to MLAs and other leaders present there to grill the minster concerned. Sources said the agenda committee had decided not to discuss the SAD’s political agenda at Goa. It would be discussed at a two-day “only SAD leaders” camp at Anandpur Sahib on April 22-23. “It would not be proper to discuss SAD’s own political agenda in the presence of BJP leaders,” a committee member. Among other issues, which would be discussed at the conclave are steps required to be taken to enhance the cooperation between the SAD-BJP activists. The very purpose of inviting the BJP MLAs, MPs and other leaders is to discuss issues related to cooperation between the two parties,” said the member.
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Exploring options for alliance: Bajwa
Ludhiana, April 6 Addressing a party workers' conference here, Bajwa said the party was exploring the possibility of forming an alliance with secular parties in the state. He told the party workers to gear up for the panchayat, zila parishad and parliamentary elections. Bajwa said toll-free helplines for party workers would be launched after two months in Malwa and Doaba. Talking to The Tribune, Bajwa alleged: "The state government has failed on all fronts". Accusing the SAD of shielding the sand mafia, he claimed the Akali Dal had failed to fulfill its poll promises. "None of the poll promises on Shagun scheme, old-age pension, widow pension and unemployment allowance has been fulfilled. Instead, the facility of free education to girl students has been withdrawn," he added. Taking a dig at "corporate culture" in the SAD, he said there were days when the Akali Dal used to hold its "chintan shivir" at the Samundri Hall in Amritsar. Now, the party leaders were flying to Goa for the same, he said. Questioning the financial viability of the Ludhiana metro project, he charged Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal with making "false promises" with the people of Ludhiana. The issue of the party unity figured prominently in the conference, with the Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Manish Tewari saying: "No party had the power to defeat the Congress. Only the Congress can defeat itself". Exhorting the party workers to rise above their personal interests, he said the workers were the core strength of the party. Others present included MP Sukhdev Singh Libra, PPCC vice-president Charanjit Singh Channi, former minister Tej Parkash Singh and MLAs Rakesh Pandey, Surinder Dawar and Gurkirat Singh Kotli. MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu did not attend the conference, pointing towards fissures in the district Congress. He later met Bajwa at the Circuit House along with some councillors and supporters. Though Bajwa denied any rift within the district unit, DCC Ludhiana (Urban) president Pawan Dewan said: "As per the instructions of the high command, all party leaders and workers were supposed to attend it". Channi loses wallet n PPCC vice-president Charanjit Singh Channi lost his wallet during the conference. Announcing this from the stage, he said he had come to the conference carrying a substantial amount in his wallet thinking that Ludhiana was a city of the well-offs! Space crunch n Party leaders and workers were seen jostling for space. Senior leaders, including Tewari and Bajwa, had to repeatedly request the "eager audience" to stay calm Bajwa's instructions n The PPCC president told the party workers to restrict their slogans to the party, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. "Don't raise any slogans to eulogise other party leaders," he told them.
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State BJP chief skips Gurdaspur meeting
Gurdaspur, April 6 Interestingly, cine star and former Union Minister Vinod Khanna and national executive member Swaran Salaria, both contenders for the party ticket from the Gurdaspur parliamentary seat, were seen sharing the stage. "Though both did not see eye to eye with each other, the occasion demanded that they share the same space," said a senior leader. Kamal Sharma's proposed visit was seen by political observers as an attempt at rapprochement between the two leaders. BJP general secretary (organisation) Ajay Jambwal took control of the proceedings, which were held at a congested marriage palace. At one time, slogans were raised in favour of Khanna and Salaria by their respective supporters. On the intervention of some senior leaders, slogan shouting in favour of individuals was stopped. Others present included BJP state executive member Neelam Mahant, former Dinanagar MLA Sita Ram Kashyap, district unit president Rakesh Jyoti and district youth wing president Shiv Rajan Bir Singh.
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‘Sadda Haq’ producer slams SGPC over ban
Chandigarh/Amritsar, April 6 Earlier, the premiere Sikh organisation had come out in support of the filmmaker when the film ran into rough weather with the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC) last year. However, the SGPC was left embarrassed when the state government banned the movie’s screening on April 4. Sidhu will meet the Akal Takht Jathedar tomorrow to seek his support to get the ban on the film’s screening lifted. Talking to The Tribune, Sidhu said: “SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar had strongly supported us in the past. He even appreciated the movie and felicitated us stating that we've made the community proud by portraying the right picture. Now, the SGPC is hesitant to ask its own government for the film’s release. We are disappointed with this approach”. He said an SGPC panel had seen the movie, after which Makkar had said that the film didn’t pose any threat to communal harmony and law and order. He alleged those “who are getting exposed in the movie are hampering its release”. Meanwhile, the SGPC is trying to distance itself from the issue, which was evident with the SGPC Chief Avtar Singh Makkar refusing to comment on issue. Earlier, the censor board had termed 20 scenes and dialogues in the movie as “objectionable”. The film was finally approved for release on April 5 after the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal gave a green signal to it.
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No end to illegal mining in Valtoha
Valtoha (Tarn Taran), April 6 Huge pits, ranging from 20 to 30-ft deep, belie the tall claims of the state government that it has been taking stringent measures to curb the menace, which is causing damage to the environment. These pits can be found in Bahadargarh, Jodh Singh Wala and Gazal villages. Even the officials of the Mining Department expressed their helplessness in checking the activity. An official said whenever they visited these spots, they were threatened with dire consequences by contractors boasting of their political affiliations. Tractor trailers ferrying the sand carry a printed slip of ‘Majha Sand Contractors’, depicting a hand-written number of the vehicle and certain mobile numbers, which is to be used in case the vehicle is stopped. The Mining Department officials, however, feigned ignorance about any sand contractor with this name. There are 246 designated sand quarries in Punjab where excavation is allowed. Of them, 11 quarries are in Amritsar and four in Tarn Taran, which are less than five hectares in area. As per the new mining policy, environmental clearance is a must for mining on a quarry that was less than 5 hectares. Dharampal Bhagat, General Manager, Industries, said he had been apprised of the matter and that the department had filed a written complaint with the police. Bhagat, though, admitted: “No action has been taken so far due to police laxity. Whenever we seek security, they start dithering.” Moreover, he pointed out, even the police department, besides the district administration officials, including the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, had been authorised to take action on complaints of illegal mining. Senior Superintendent of Police KS Dhillon said he was on leave and would be able to comment on the issue only after resuming duty on Thursday. Deputy Commissioner Balwinder Singh said the matter had been brought to his notice. “I have summoned certain people and action will be taken,” he said.
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Radiotherapy unit in Sangrur
to be set up by Tata hospital
Sangrur, April 6 T
Ambumani, TMH project consultant, said the land for the establishment of the radiotherapy unit would be provided by the Punjab Government. The TMH would build the infrastructure and install the machinery at a cost of Rs 20 crore in a phased manner, he said. Dr Atul
Budukh, Assistant Professor and epidemiologist at the TMH, said the population-based cancer registry (registration of cancer patients) was a continuous process. He said they had already appointed staff in Sangrur and Mansa districts for the registration. Dr Budukh said the cancer registry programme would help in the documentation of cancer cases and be useful for planning cancer control activities.
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Chandigarh, April 6 The rates, hiked after more than a decade, will cover admission to hospital, registration, diagnostic facilities and surgeries and medico legal cases, besides others. However, free treatment will be there for below poverty line-category patients, government and Punjab and Haryana HC employees, ex-servicemen, freedom fighters, undertrials and accidents and natural disaster casess, the communiqué stated. — TNS
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Tarn Taran assault victim pins hopes on SC for justice
Amritsar, April 6 Talking to The Tribune, the victim’s father, Kashmir Singh, said the Supreme Court had taken a serious note of the issue and they were optimistic that justice would be finally delivered to them. He, however, made it clear that if need be, they were ready to hit the streets and wage a battle for justice, for which “they will fight till their last”. He said they were satisfied with the CRPF security cover, which they got following the intervention of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. On the other hand, Tarn Taran Deputy Commissioner Balwinder Singh, who conducted the magisterial probe into the incident, declined to share his findings while stating that the matter was sub judice. The Supreme Court had recently rejected the District Magistrate’s probe report into the incident. Earlier, two policemen, Head Constable Devinder Kumar and Constable Saraj Singh, were arrested in the case, though they were held only after the Supreme Court pulled up the Punjab Police for not acting tough against the erring officials. The duo was placed under suspension on March 4, the day the incident came to light.
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ASI’s killing: Farmer leaders in jail as death cause not known
Amritsar, April 6 Tarn Taran Civil Hospital SMO Dr Shamsher Singh and SP (D) Harvinder Singh said they were yet to receive the report of viscera, histopathology and chemical examination. On the other hand, the farmer leaders who were arrested in this connection are still in jail. Kisan Sangharsh Committee president Satnam Singh Pannu alleged the leaders were falsely implicated in the case. Pannu said they would hold a protest against their arrest outside the office of IG (Border range) on April 12. “We are seeking a judicial inquiry into the case. The government should order the same without any delay to bring out the truth,” he said.
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Akali leader attacks son on court premises over family feud
Moga, April 6 Sources said both had gone to the court to appear in a case. Mangewala along with his elder son Iqbal Singh and their supporters assaulted the other party with sticks and stones. The incident resulted in injuries to two persons, Nachhattar Singh and Gurbachan Singh. They were rushed to a local hospital where they were given first aid. The police personnel deployed at the court complex managed to nab some of the culprits. A case of wrongful confinement, threatening and causing hurt has been registered against both the groups. The police has launched a hunt to nab the alleged culprits who fled after the incident.
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Another accused held in former MLA Keetu’s murder case
Moga, April 6 The police produced him before a court in Nihalsinghwala today, which sent him to judicial custody till April 20. Keetu was murdered by his three nephews and their accomplices at his house in Bilaspur village of Moga on October 29 last year. Two of his nephews, Harpreet Singh and Gurpreet Singh, and their accomplices Harpal Singh and Kulwant Singh were arrested within couple of weeks after the incident. A .315 bore rifle used in the crime was also recovered. Keetu's third nephew Jassa, the main accused, is eluding arrest even five months after the murder. Another weapon, a .32 bore revolver used in the murder, was yet to be recovered. It was said to be in the possession of Jassa. Of the six persons accused in the case, five have already been arrested, said Jaswinder Singh Gharu, Nihalsinghwala Deputy Superintendent of Police. He said the police will soon file an application in the court to initiate proceedings of declaring Jassa a proclaimed offender.
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Calling for unity and discipline in the state Congress, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee
(PPCC) president Partap Singh Bajwa today said the party would launch a state-wide campaign against illegal mining next month.
Punjabi movie 'Sadda Haq' producer Kuljinder Singh Sidhu today slammed the SGPC over its silence regarding the ban imposed by the state government on the film, stating that the SGPC “has stabbed them in the back”.
In complete disregard of the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s ban, sand contractors, allegedly enjoying political patronage, have been illegally excavating sand from non-designated spots in the border constituency of Valtoha.
The committee said experts had blamed the government’s ‘free power to the farm sector’ policy for overexploitation of water resources in the state. “To ensure optimum use of water and power, the supply should be metered and farmers should be charged beyond a certain level of subsidy,” the draft recommended. In other words, the committee wants curbs on free power. But, the state government has time and again said a “clear no”.
The Punjab Health Systems Corporation has, in a communication to civil surgeons of the state, revised with immediate effect the fee applicable on various services provided in government-run hospitals.