Chandigarh, May 9
Levelling allegations of misuse of official machinery, the Congress today demanded a probe into the use of a government helicopter by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to tour Punjab for electioneering prior to the panchayat elections.

The issue was raised by a delegation of the Congress that met A.K. Dubey, election commissioner, Punjab. The Congress has further appealed to the Election Commission to ban the entry of the Chief Minister into Amritsar till the bypoll there is over.

The Congress has been raising stink over what it calls “the misuse of official machinery” in both panchayat polls as well as the sole assembly bypoll in the state. Four senior Congress leaders, Avtar Singh Brar, Nasib Singh Gill, Mohinder Singh Gill and Lakhwinder Singh, have conveyed the sentiments of the party and its workers to Dubey in a meeting held here today.

A member of the delegation told The Tribune that Congress workers in Faridkot and Batala had already decided to stay away from the elections where “officers on directions from their political bosses have decided the fate of the candidates even before polling”. If this happens in other parts of the state, it will be the SAD-BJP alliance that will be held responsible for “the murder of democracy”, Brar said.

Nasib Singh Gill said after meeting Dubey, the team would also meet the chief electoral officer that represents the Election Commission of India (ECI) in Punjab and apprise him of the “misdeeds” of the SAD-BJP alliance. A team of Congress leaders and workers would go to Delhi on Saturday to meet the election commissioner and appraise him of the indifferent attitude of Punjab officers towards the violation of the model code of conduct.

The team asked Dubey about the report of the observer deputed by him to look into the allegations of misuse and police atrocities in Faridkot district. They also wanted to know the status of their earlier complaint against the ADC (Development), Faridkot, and returning officer of Faridkot and Kotkapura. Dubey told them that he was yet to receive the report even though the polls are scheduled for Monday next.

In two fresh complaints, the Congress delegates have highlighted the “reign of terror created by the police in Faridkot district” and demanded immediate transfer of the DC, SSP, SHO, Sadar, Faridkot and in-charge of police posts at Golewala and Sadik.

Bathinda, May 9
The Congress campaigners for the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections in Punjab have developed cold feet as controversial Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim has not obliged them by issuing a directive to his followers to vote for their candidates.

The Congress swept the Assembly election last year, particularly in the Malwa belt, as the dera chief openly came out in support of the party. He has considerable following in this belt.

However, his silence has upset the calculations of the Congress leaders, who so far expected him to become a key factor.

A Congress MLA, who did not want to be identified, said the pro-Congress spirit among the dera followers was lacking this time. Most of them have told the Congress campaigners that they will cast their vote by taking into account the performance and reputation of the candidates.

Senior Congress leaders were disappointed over the “unexpected” attitude of the dera chief, who was facing a series of cases in the court.

A Congress leader said these elections were of local nature and as such issues pertaining to the respective areas would come to the fore.

The sources said certain emissaries of the Congress recently visited the dera to seek support of Gurmeet Ram Rahim, but they were reportedly told that it was not an opportune time to meddle in political matters.

Several incidents of the dera followers being targeted by certain Sikh groups were reported in the Malwa belt after the earlier Assembly elections. The public is not interested in precipitating things further. Another Congress leader claimed that although the dera chief has not issued any directive, his followers were participating in the Congress campaign.

The Congress was trying to take benefit of the ire of the farmers against the SAD-BJP combine on the issue of delay in lifting of wheat crop and failure of the government to eliminate commission agents from the grain procurement process.

They have also taken up the issue of frequent power cuts, particularly in the rural areas where the farmers were unable to run tube wells.

Patiala, May 9
Nihang leader Baba Santa Singh was cremated at Chauni Agamgarh here today amidst heavy deployment of police force and tension. There were apprehensions of an outbreak of violence between armed supporters of Baba’s successor Baba Balbir Singh and his rival Nihang leader Surjit Singh.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Damdami Taksal, the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Shiromani Akal Dal had thrown their weight behind the group led by Baba Balbir Singh.

An indication to this effect was loud and clear, as SAD general secretary Prem Singh Chandumajra was present and paid tributes on behalf of SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhuma, SGPC chief Avtar Singh, Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh, former Punjab ministers Brahm Mohindra and Harmel Singh Tohra were present. Deputy commissioner D.S. Grewal paid tributes to the departed soul on behalf of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Baba Santa Singh was cremated at 1 pm. His body was taken from the mortuary to Chauni Agamgarh by hundreds of Nihangs, led by Baba Balbir Singh, who was announced his successor and the 14th Jathedar of the Shiromani Panth Akali Budha Dal (Panjwan Takht) by the Baba in April 2007.

Head granthi of the Golden Temple Giani Gurbachan Singh performed the ardas. Baba’s sister Kishan Kaur was among the family members who attended the cremation.

The Patiala police had made elaborate security arrangements on the directions of SSP S.K. Asthana.

Tension started building up in the morning, when armed Nihangs, led by Joginder Singh Rakba, started converging in small groups at the Polo ground with a motive to stage a march further to the Chauni to have darshan of the body of the Baba. Fearing trouble, DIG Paramjit Singh Gill intervened and persuaded the Balbir Singh-led group to let members of the other group to have a darshan of the body in small groups.

The bhog is likely to be held on May 18 or 19, as the final date is deliberated upon by Baba Balbir Singh.

SGPC chief Avtar Singh said the SGPC recognised Balbir Singh as the head of the Budha Dal and successor of Baba Santa Singh as he was given, pagri by Baba Santa Singh in his presence and that of other five Sikh high priests. “Surjit Singh was made in charge of the Dal’s horses,” said Avtar Singh.

Patiala, May 9
Making Punjab a drug-free state, weaning the Punjabi youth away from the dominating Western culture and to bring them back into the fold of religion are the two goals set by new Budha Dal chief Baba Balbir Singh. Baba Balbir Singh, a former aide of Baba Santa Singh, was nominated by Baba Santa Singh as his successor in April 2007 and had formally taken over the reins of the Budha Dal in October. 

Frequently erupting and raging controversies over the succession of the Budha Dal had very little effect on Baba Balbir Singh, as he exhibited his usual calm amidst tension in the Dal at the aftermath of the Baba’s death. He has resolved to fulfil all dreams of Baba Santa Singh.

Besides, having a vision of a drug-free state, Baba Balbir Singh, who spoke to The Tribune at length about the future plans of the Dal, plans to increase the number of chhaunis (settlements) of Nihangs in the state like his predecessor. He also wanted to spread the message of love of the Gurus and create a violence-free society that could only usher in an era of stable prosperity in Punjab.

“We ( members of the Budha Dal), are planning to fan out in rural Punjab, where I am planning to undertake an Amrit Sanchar (partaking of amrit) movement with the help of Sikh masses. Attainment of peace will be the objective of our movement. The most daunting task lying before me is that of de-additiction of the youth. More than 60 per cent of the state’s youth, particularly those living in rural areas, have fallen to drug abuse. I want to see them driven away from the drug menace. We will go to villages and put forth the logic of how drug abuse plays foul with human life and destroys it ultimately,” said Baba Balbir Singh.

Asked about his immediate plans, Baba Balbir Singh said though he was instrumental in opening up a Budha Dal-run school at Rajpura recently, his next action plan was of setting up a school in Bathinda. Three of Budha Dal schools were already running successfully in Patiala and Samana.

“Education, I think, is a basic human need, particularly, in the contemporary world order, ” said the Baba.

Referring to his detractors and the controversy over his succession, Baba Balbir Singh said, “I don’t bother about people and I only believe in the order of the Guru. My opponents have no existence. Look, I am supported by the SGPC, Sant Samaj and the Damadami Taksal and the Sikh high priests recognise me as the head of the Dal,” said Baba Balbir Singh.

Chandigarh, May 9
Rift in the Punjab Pradesh Congress is having an adverse effect in the campaign for Amritsar (South) Assembly seat bypoll with former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh sitting it out due to a reported illness even as his supporters are going through motions so that they do not invite any disciplinary action.

This has left the onus of the entire campaign on the camp of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, who has to match wits with a much superior campaigner in Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Till now the Bhattal camp has been busy building bridges and getting everyone to go along with party candidate Navdeep Singh Goldy in direct contrast to the Akali campaign. The SAD has been in full steam since the nomination of Inderbir Singh Bularia for the seat and has recently also got a shot in the arm after the All-India Shiromani Akali Dal (AISAD) leader Satnam Singh Kanda also joined the party. With the SAD-BJP already having 11 councillors among 15 wards, they are already ahead in the popularity index.

The plight of the Bhattal camp can be witnessed from the fact that it has still been unable to ensure the active participation of Harjinder Singh Thekadar, the party’s defeated candidate from the seat in the last elections, in the campaign. The PPCC has twice announced the eminent reconciliation with Thekadar, a known Amarinder loyalist, but has been unsuccessful in making him fall in line.

Sources said even now efforts were on to make him join the election campaign in the earnest. These efforts are likely to be successful but damage to the party has already been done.

As far as the other urban leaders are concerned, the two major supporters of Amarinder in the city - legislator O.P. Soni and former legislator Jugal Kishore - are also not going overboard in working for the Congress nominee. In fact, their canvassing for the Congress candidate has been minimum since the past two days.

The Congress also put up a show of strength on May 4 by issuing letters to all legislators, former legislators, former mayors, deputy mayors and sundry leaders. Though it did result in legislators loyal to Amarinder turning up for the show, its effect was at best momentary as the leaders made it to Amritsar to satisfy the PPCC and have not involved themselves in active electioneering in the constituency.

The Bhattal camp is none too pleased with Amarinder’s decision to sit it out for both bypoll as well as the panchayat elections.

Chandigarh, May 9
The state election commission has directed the returning officers in the state to allow voters to cast their votes by taking into consideration other identification documents in case they do not have electro photo identity cards (EPIC) with them.

In a circular sent to all additional district electoral officers-cum-additional deputy commissioners, election commissioner A.K. Dubey said minor discrepancies in the entries in the EPIC cards vis a vis the voters name, or other personal details should be ignored and the voter should be allowed to cast his vote.

Dubey said even if an elector produced an EPIC card which had been issued by the electoral registration officer of another polling both, such card should be taken into account provided the name of the elector finds place in the electoral roll pertaining to the polling station where the voter has gone for voting. In such cases, the left finger of the voter can be checked thoroughly to ensure he has not cast his vote at more than one Panchayat Samiti or Zila Parishad election.

The EC has allowed establishment of identity in the case of absence of the EPIC card through passport, driving licence, ration card, service card or bank passbook besides others.

Meanwhile, Dubey disclosed that an inquiry into a complaint made by former legislator Suchha Singh Chottepur stating that agriculture minister Suchha Singh Langah’s son Lakhwinder Singh was registered as a voter in three villages had not been borne out after a due check up. He said the commission was yet to receive the report on the withdrawals made through allegedly forged signatures of Congress candidates for both Panchayat Samiti as well as Zila Parishad elections in Patti.

In a separate release, Punjab Youth Congress president Vijayinder Singla claimed that the complaints being made against the official machinery in the panchayat polls should be looked into by independent observers instead of being marked to the respective deputy commissioners. “How can we hope for any justice while submitting complaints to the election commission if the same officers who are denying justice to our workers are called upon to adjudicate on the complaints submitted by us,” he added.

Patiala, May 9
The Punjab Government College Teachers’ Association is up in arms against the state government decision to force government college lecturers, who are class-1 (group A) gazetted officers, on poll duty.

Dr Hardip Singh Teja, general secretary of the association, in a press statement said the Election Commission had given directions to the chief electoral officer, Punjab, to assign duties to government college teachers on the basis of their seniority and pay scales.

However, the state government has violated these norms,association members added.

Teja further added that the Punjab government had also urged all deputy commissioners (DCs) in the state not to force college lecturers to perform election duties, which was not commensurate, their pay and status.

He added that in spite of these instructions, college lecturers were being forced to work as presiding officers and even polling officers. Even women lecturers had not been spared and assigned duties of polling officers.

Teja stated that college lecturers should be exempted from the election duties or given other supervisory duties commensurate with their status and pay.

Gurdaspur, May 9
The state Election Commission (EC) has appointed two observers to keep a close watch on the smooth functioning of the Block Samiti and Zila Parishad elections to be held in the district on Monday.

Jagjit Puri has been given the responsibility to look after Gurdaspur, Batala and Dera Baba Nanak segments of the district, while Ravinder Singh Bains is observer for Pathankot and Dhar subdivisions. The complainants may contact Puri at the PSEB rest house at Gurdaspur and Bains in Ravi Sadan, Shahpur Kandi.

Meanwhile, Gurdaspur deputy commissioner Gurkirat Kirpal Singh claimed that the district had made elaborated arrangements for the elections. He said 7,205 employees had been deployed on 1,310 polling stations of the district. 

Moga, May 9
Unlike elections of the Vidhan Sabha, the Lok Sabha and the gram panchayat, the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections in the district seem to be a low-key affair with hardly any interest being shown by the common people.

A majority of the rural folk is ignorant about the functions of these two panchayati raj institutions and said these institutons had done nothing for them in the past. They had not even seen any of the members or the chairman after they got elected, most of the villagers said.

Bawa Singh, a 70-year old resident of Matwani village, said he had not seen any of the candidates contesting the elections. He said all he knew about the Panchayati Raj institutions was the panchayat, which comes in contact with the common people at the village level. One of his friends, 50-year old Amarjit Singh, also had similar views.

However, both of them knew about reservation/quota of seats fixed by the government for the Scheduled Castes and women. They are in favour of reservation to uplift women and weaker sections of the society, but also echoed their voice for the Jat Sikhs, who were becoming poorer day-by-day. Land holdings had shrunk in the recent past and there were hardly any jobs for the upper caste youths, said Bawa Singh.

Baldev Singh Bhatti, a former MLA and resident of Dharamkot, was of the view that three-tier system of the Panchayati Raj institutions had not been fully successful in any part of the country because neither the Zila Parishad nor the Block Samiti enjoyed administrative and financial powers to carry out development works in rural areas. Even, the NREGA scheme launched by the Centre to give 100 days of assured job to unemployed rural folk was out of the jurisdiction of these two Panchayati Raj institutions, he remarked.

Ranjit Singh, a resident of Baghapurana, was of the view that the panchayat system, which was the lowest level of democracy, should be strengthened by giving additional powers and departments under their control. He said the Zila Parishad and the Block Samiti hardly did any work at the ground level. “These are the institutions created by politicians to adjust their supporters,” he commented.

On the other hand, those affiliated with the political parties like Jaswinder Singh, a resident of Takhtuwala village, was of the view that these institutions were created with the purpose to bring democracy at the ground level, but powers to control and policies of various departments at the local level had not been granted so far due to which the interest of the common masses could not be developed in the true sense.

Gurdaspur, May 9
Justifying the highhandedness of the ruling Akali leadership, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked six Congress candidates from Kahnuwan to go ahead with the Block Samiti and Zila Parishad elections from their respective areas. Former Punjab PWD minister Pratap Singh Bajwa said the court had directed the Election Commission to consider the candidatures of six (four Block Samiti and two Zila Parishad) Congress candidates from Kahnuwan.

Bajwa also claimed that the court’s favour has also justified the protests lodged by the Congress leaders from Sujanpur, Pathankot, Dina Nagar, Narot Mehra, Gurdaspur, Kahnuwan, Dhariwal, Quadian, Batala, Shri Hargobindpur and Fatehgarh Churian constituencies.

The Congress also held a demonstration at Bhaini Main Khan village against the rejection of nomination papers of its candidates.