Amritsar, March 6
The five-year-old Shiromani Akali Dal (Longowal), headed by former Akali minister Inderjit Singh Zira, is likely to merge into ruling Shiromani Akali Dal before the forthcoming Parliament elections.

The preliminary negotiations between Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister and SAD supremo, and Zira took place in a closed-door meeting at the residence of the former at Chandigarh on March 4 in which pre-conditions were worked out. 

However, it is learnt that Zira has already informed Sukhbir that he was not interested in contesting the forthcoming Lok Sabha election. However, the Deputy CM assured Zira that the rank and file of the SAD (Longowal) would be properly adjusted in the ruling Akali Dal. Zira confirmed that meeting with Sukhbir was held. However, he parried a direct question about the time and place of the merger of both SADs.

However, Gurwinder Singh Shampura, an SGPC member and close confidant of Zira, denied that he would join the ruling party.

In yet another significant movement, Amrik Singh Aliwal, a former Akali MP from Ludhiana, also held a separate meeting with the Deputy CM at Chandigarh. Talking to The Tribune Aliwal also confirmed that he met the Deputy CM. However, he said the final decision to rejoin the parent Akali Dal could be taken only after concrete assurance. 

Aliwal said he and his close relative, Harnirpal Singh Kukku, a former Akali MLA from Muktsar, would take joint decision regarding joining of any party. Kukku however denied that he had yet taken any decision to join the ruling Akali Dal so far.

The SAD (Longowal) was formed during the previous LS elections with Prem Singh Chandumajra its founder president. However, when Chandumajra re-joined the ruling Akali Dal, Zira became its president. 

Zira has been Akali minister twice. His father Gurdip Singh remained member of the SGPC for about 25 years. His grandfather Ujjagar Singh was jailed during Jaiton Morcha.

Zira had resigned as cabinet minister alongwith four other ministers during tug-of -war between Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and the then SGPC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra. 

However, the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, floated by Tohra, merged into the ruling Akali Dal and he (Tohra) was again made president of SGPC as part of merger formula. 

Chandigarh, March 6
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today initiated a move to end the deadlock with the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) by making an appeal to Congress MLAs to return to the Vidhan Sabha. The CLP has announced a boycott of the entire session of “budget session” on Wednesday. Badal also appealed to the Speaker to use his good offices to persuade the Congress legislators to return.

In zero hour, Transport Minister Master Mohan Lal raised the issue and asked the Speaker to initiate a move to ask the Congress to give up their boycott. Soon afterwards, Badal himself got up to make a statement.

“It is perhaps for the first time in the history of the Vidhan Sabha or perhaps even Parliament that the opposition has announced a boycott of the entire remaining period of the House. 

Speaker sahib, I have already asked you to contact the Congress and make an appeal to return. I also appeal to them through the media to come back and participate in the debate on the Governor’s address”.

Badal further pointed out that in the absence of the Opposition, the assembly had become very dull. “There is no fun in talking to empty Opposition benches,” he said. At this, Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon said: “I, too, appeal to the Congress to return.” He assured Badal that he would send a message to the CLP and work a way out of the deadlock.

The CLP had announced a boycott of the assembly over Badal’s comments aimed at Bholath MLA Sukpal Singh Khaira.

Meanwhile, Khaira said: “I personally have no ego and will respond to the appeal positively, but the matter will finally be decided by the CLP because it is was their decision to boycott the House. The CLP stood by me for Badal’s attempt to insult me, but the Congress leadership is more hurt about the abusive and unparliamentary language used by the treasury benches as we walked out of the House. Had we not shown restraint, legislators on the treasury benches would have got physical”.

He said the CLP would discuss the matter with the Speaker after he invites them. “If we get a assurance from the Speaker that we will be allowed to conduct ourselves freely and fairly, we have no objection in coming back”.

If the Congress decided to come back, it will have only one Monday afternoon session to attend as the Speaker has cancelled the Monday morning session. After that the House will be adjourned sine die.

Amritsar, March 6
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) today decided to ban the shooting of feature films or TV serials in the Golden Temple complex here. Taking exception to the shooting of a TV serial, “Lado”, in the Golden Temple, SGPC President Avtar Singh said the TV crew violated the Maryada (Sikh code of conduct) as the actress was applying lipstick while the makeup man was holding a mirror, in front of the Golden Temple. 

He said the secretary, SGPC, Dalmegh Singh, had been deputed to conduct a probe into the violation of the Maryada. The erring officials would be placed under suspension immediately. He claimed that no permission was granted to shoot the TV serial. However, he hastened to add that only such films which would project Sikhism in the true sense would be allowed shooting after screening the script or story.

However, according to sources, the TV crew procured had the written permission from one of the secretaries of the SGPC. An additional secretary was deputed to accompany the TV team. Following the past practice, the Information Office of the SGPC was kept in the dark at the time of granting the permission.

Gurbachan Singh, information officer, claimed that shooting was done from the“Charan Ganga,” the main entrance of the Golden Temple.

Earlier, on March 25 last year, the SGPC received flak from all over the world when film actors Rekha and Rishi Kapoor, who were shooting for a Hindi feature film, “Sadiyaan,” at the Golden Temple, put “kadah prasad” in each other’s mouth. 

A worried SGPC official was seen requesting the director of the film, Raj Kanwar, that the shot be deleted as the Darbar Sahib was not a picnic spot.

However, it is yet to be seen whether the “highly objectionable scene” filmed in gross violation of the Sikh Maryada will be deleted from the TV serial.

Meanwhile, devotees continue to face a lot of inconvenience due to frequent shootings inside the complex. 

Patiala, March 6
Sounding the election bugle, sitting Patiala member of Parliament Preneet Kaur said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was running the state as a family enterprise.

Launching her election campaign at Harpalpur village, near here, where the Congress managed to rope in SGPC member Gurdev Kaur into its fold, Preneet alleged that the Akali-BJP government had totally politicised the police which was registering false and fabricated criminal cases against Congress workers. She assured the Congress workers that she would stand by them at all times.

Preneet was presented a siropa at the historic Manji Sahib Gurdwara built there to commemorate the visit of Guru Teg Bahadur at Harpalpur village.

Besides Gurdev Kaur, many prominent Akali Dal activists of Harpalpur and adjoining area led by circle Jathedar Avtar Singh Harpalpur also joined the Congress. Preneet welcomed them into the Congress fold and honoured them with siropas.

Describing the Dr Manmohan Singh-led UPA government as farmer-friendly, she said with an aim to provide relief to the indebted farmers “the PM in one stroke waived their loan to the extent of Rs 71,000 crore. 

The farmers have for the first time been provided remunerative price for their produce.” Many more schemes have also been introduced to help people, particularly destitute women, she added.

Preneet urged people to vote and support the Congress for a stable and strong government at the Centre.

Earlier severely criticising the Akali government, former minister Jasjit Singh Randhawa said the government had failed on all fronts. Complete lawlessness prevailed in the state and people were feeling insecure. He also recounted various achievements of the UPA government like nuclear deal with the USA.

Preneet also addressed another rally at Aakar village. This village, alongwith other villages, incuding Sehri, Sehra,Tehalpura, Bathli and Akkri, have been transferred from the Amloh constituency to the Ghanaur Assembly segment following the recent delimitation process. 

Those who spoke at the rally included Sadhu Singh Dharamsot MLA, Brij Lal Goyal, Hardev Singh Rosha, Tarsem Chand Bansal, president, District Congress Committee, Patiala, besides former minister Jasjit Singh Randhawa.

Chandigarh, March 6
Legislators of the SAD-BJP combine today stressed the difference in the style of the functioning of former Chief Minister Amarinder and incumbent Parkash Singh Badal.

Participating in a debate on the Governor’s address, which was a one-sided affair due to the boycott of the assembly by the Congress members, both SAD and BJP members made the inaccessibility of Amarinder as well as his alleged short working hours an issue. 

BJP member Jagdish Sahni, who delivered a forceful speech, said while Badal worked from 5 am to 11 pm, Amarinder worked from 11 in the forenoon to 5 in the evening.

Sahni claimed this was because of the different mindsets of both personalities. He said while Amarinder still considered himself part of the feudal set-up, Badal followed the concept of “raj nahi sewa”.

Another BJP legislator Bishambar Dutt said during the previous government, even legislators had to wait on Amarinder’s door and virtually beg an audience with him. He said Badal was always available to the elected representatives and had also given them ample funds for the development of their areas, without any reservation.

SAD legislator Des Raj Dugga also claimed that Amarinder was embroiled in court cases now because he had discriminated against the people of Punjab for his selfish ends. 

He accused the former Chief Minister of even threatening legislators in the House. SAD legislator Sarabjit Singh Makkar, while speaking on similar lines, stressed the unavailability of Amarinder vis a vis Badal.

Chandigarh, March 6
Punjab, according to legislators of the ruling SAD-BJP alliance, is facing a stray dog menace with an average of six persons losing their lives due to dog bites each month. The issue was raised on the floor of the House by Health Minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla, seeking an immediate intervention to rid Punjab of stray dogs and Amritsar city in particular of dog and rats.

“The entire sewerage system is collapsing and food is being contaminated. Please do something about it as I see it as a threat to human life. Even as I am opposed to killing an animal, I don’t want more deaths from dog bites,” she told the House, appealing that the matter be redressed on priority. “We rooted out terrorism, but today Punjab is facing another form of terrorism, from stray dogs and rats,” she said.

Chief Parliamentary Secretary Jagdish Raj Sawhney sought a ban on carrying mobile phones to schools by children and teachers. But, Education Minister Upinderjit Kaur said students and teacher had already been barred through a circular from using mobile phones during school hours on the campus. “There is need to implement the circular rather than bring any other measure,” she said

Earlier, during zero hour, Charanjit Singh Channi raised the question about difficulty being faced by legislators in getting their fuel, telephone and medical bills cleared. Sahni said his medical bills to the tune of Rs 3 lakh were yet to be cleared and he had given up pursuing them owing to the difficult process involved.

Finance Minister Manpreet Badal, however, said precious time of the House couldn’t be used to discuss the problems of legislators. Besides, he said, reimbursements were made after following a set procedure of checks and balances and bills of legislators could not be passed without scrutiny.

Chawla announced that Punjab had launched “Balri Rakshak Yojna”, a state-funded scheme, for the promotion of the cause of girl child. An incentive is paid for adopting terminal method of sterilisation after the birth of one or two girl children at the rate of Rs 500 and Rs 700, respectively. She said 212 beneficiaries had already been registered under this scheme.

The minister said there are 1,356 registered ultrasound genetic centres in the state.

Chandigarh, March 6
The Punjab assembly yesterday passed resolutions recommending the protection and re-digging of village ponds and a ban on the use of polythene bags as well as the burning of wheat and paddy stubbles in the state.

The House included the recommendation to ban polythene bags in the very last minute of discussion on the interjection of BJP minister Tikshan Sood.

It seemed the treasury benches were elongating the debate on the resolution. However, no concrete suggestions of a definite model to be adopted for this purpose could emerge despite the debate taking an extremely long time.

The resolution on village ponds was introduced by Sohan Singh Thandal, who also spoke about how village ponds, which were earlier a centre of village life, had become polluted and in many cases had disappeared altogether. He called for using modern technology to clean and maintain the ponds.

Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal claimed that solutions must be found to the problem of duckweed infestation in ponds and other issues. Balbir Singh Ghunas said the government should give funds to panchayats to clean ponds while Virsa Singh Valtoha claimed the Rural Development Department was not taking appropriate interest in shifting of village ponds where necessary.

Dr Dalbir Singh Verka urged that old ponds near villages should be shifted outside but BJP legisator Jagdish Sahni objected to this.

BJP legislator Anil Joshi recommended the government make appropriate legislation to check the burning of straw, wheat chaff and rice husk as well as grass alongside canals.

Sangrur, March 6
Terming confrontation between Sikhs and followers of Dera Sacha Sauda as “unfortunate” for society, general secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) Jeet Singh Alloarkh today held the Congress and the SAD responsible for it to achieve petty political gains.

Alloarkh said it seemed that both parties, the Congress and the SAD, were doing politics to gain votes of followers of Dera Sacha Sauda in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, due to which the Congress was extending support to the followers of the Dera, and the SAD was softening its stand towards the Dera also to gain the votes.

Alloarkh said the SAD, led by the Badals, should clear its stand on the issue in the larger interests of the Sikh Panth as well as of Punjab. He said Jathedar, Akal Takht, should also put pressure on the Badals and the SAD to implement the hukamnama (edict), issued in May 2007 at Talwandi Sabo by the then Jathedar, Akal Takht, with regard to not allowing the holding of naam charcha in the state as the Dera chief had indulged in “anti-Sikh Panth” activities by presenting himself like Guru Gobind Singh.

Alloarkh also condemned the police lathi-charge on Sikhs, who wanted to oppose the naam charcha by dera followers, at Bugra village (near Dhuri) a couple of days ago. He said a four-member fact-finding committee of his party, comprising Baba Amarjit Singh Kila Hakima, Bahadur Singh Bhasaur, Master Karnail Singh Narike and Alloarkh, today visited the village and met people there in the gurdwara. He said there was resentment among the people as the naam charcha had to be held at Bugra village under the police administration.

Alloarkh said the committee also found that the peaceful Sikh sangat had been injured by the police, not by any follower of the dera. It showed that the state government was behind the organisation of naam charcha programmes in the state. 

Bathinda, March 6
Noted Punjabi artiste Harbhajan Mann assured support to the Badal family in the coming Lok Sabha elections when Harsimrat Kaur Badal, wife of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, visited his home at Khemuwana village in Goniana, near here, today.

Although Harsimrat’s candidature has not been officially declared so far by the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) for the Bathinda seat, she campaigned in several villages of Goniana during her visit there. She would address meetings here tomorrow.

The SAD has already announced the candidature of the leading Punjabi singer Hans Raj Hans for the Jalandhar LS seat. Harbhajan clarified that he had not joined the SAD and would continue to enrich Punjabi culture.

Harsimrat said Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir were taking keen interest in the development of the area where a number of projects had been taken in hand.