Chandigarh, April 21
Various government employee associations today condemned the Fifth Pay Commission recommendations pointing out that the Punjab government employee will now be paid lower than his Central government counterpart.

A press note issued by the Punjab Civil Secretariat Staff Association stated that in the 5,000-8,100 pay scale, the grade pay according to the unrevised scale was Rs 4,200, while the pay panel had recommended a grade pay of Rs 3,200.

“Similarly, in the 5,800-9,200 scale, the grade pay recommended by the state panel was Rs 3,800, while it was Rs 4,200 for Central government employees in the same pay scale,” said Paramdeep Singh Pabhat, press secretary of the association.

The employees added that the Centre was giving its employees a conveyance allowance which was missing in Punjab. “Similarly, the Central commission has recommended payment of Rs 1,000 as education allowance for children. This is Rs 500 for Punjab,” said Pabhat.

Members of the Punjab Health and Medical Directorate Employees Union opposed the increase in retirement age from 58 to 60 years. “This was not a part of any union’s demand and we did not want it. This will delay promotions and close openings for newcomers,” said Surjit Singh of the association.

Former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said, “I have been told that the employees are not happy with the recommendations as in several cases the Punjab employee will be earning less than his Central government counterpart. In such cases recommendations should have been reviewed before giving blanket statements that the report will be implemented”.

He added that the government does not even have the money to implement the report. “When are they going to implement the pay package is the big question. For paying the last set of salaries, the government borrowed Rs 500 crore. Where will they get the 2,700 crore?” he asked.

Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, today said the Cabinet had already resolved to accept in principle the recommendations. He said it was the SAD-BJP government that implemented the recommendations of Fourth Punjab Pay Commission and now they had the privilege to implement the recommendations of Fifth Pay Commission. 

Amritsar, April 21
President of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) Paramjit Singh Sarna today admitted that he had arranged secret parleys of the representatives of Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda and Sant Samaj at his New Delhi residence to amicably resolve the Dera-Sikh issue.

Talking to The Tribune here today, Sarna said he had taken the initiative in the larger interests of the Sikh Panth when he was approached by Harminder Singh Jassi, former Punjab minister and close relative of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, through a common friend in June, 2007.

He claimed that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal evinced personal interest in resolving the matter because he was desperate for the amicable solution to the ticklish problem.

The DSGMC president said the president of the Sant Samaj had deputed three religious persons, including former Jathedar of Akal Takht, to hold secret talks at his (Sarna’s) residence. However, he alleged that despite his best efforts, some vested interests derailed the peace process.

The million-dollar question is whether such secret meetings could be held with dera representatives when the Sikh clergy had directed the Sikh Panth to snap all ties with Dera Sacha Sauda.

Spilling the beans, Sarna said he visited the residence of a district police chief of Punjab who had been facilitating the talks. SGPC chief Avtar Singh, too, visited the official residence of the SSP to receive the draft of the apology brought at the behest of the DSGMC. The draft was finalised after a marathon meeting of the representatives of Dera Sacha Sauda and Sant Samaj.

However, the then Jathedar of Akal Takht went abroad and some vested interests in the ruling SAD and the SGPC torpedoed the efforts, he alleged.

Dr Aditya Insan, spokesman for the dera, claimed that the draft prepared on behalf of the dera chief had been briefed to at least two Jathedars and the Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, SGPC chief Avtar Singh told reporters that the dera chief should not set any precondition of prior negotiated settlement among the two sides before tendering the apology. On the other hand, Kanwar Pal Singh, spokesperson for the Dal Khalsa, said an apology was no balm for the insult to the Sikh Guru and the murder of 3 Sikhs, Kamaljit Singh, Harmandar Singh and Balkar Singh (Mumbai).

The radical body has urged to Akal Takht to take stern action against Gurcharan Singh Galib, Sher Singh Gobaya, Raninder Singh, candidates from Ludhiana, Ferozepur and Bathinda, respectively, for personally meeting with the dera chief to seek his “political” blessings.

Jalandhar, April 21
Rice millers have urged the state government to direct Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and the Director, Agriculture, to discourage farmers from sowing a high-yield variety of paddy as rice yield from this variety has high percentage of damaged grain. Paddy transplantation season will start from June 15, but nursery for transplantation of paddy will be grown in May.

The rice millers have made it clear to Punjab Food and Supplies Minister Adesh Partap Singh that they will neither procure nor shell the PR-201 variety of paddy next year because the percentage of damage in the rice yield from it ranges from 4 to 8 whereas the Food Corporation of India (FCI) does not accept the damage in rice grains beyond 3.5 per cent. The PAU had released the variety last year.

This year the area under this variety may go up to 15 per cent compared to 5 per cent last year because there is a huge demand for its seed. The Rice Millers Association, headed by Tarsem Saini, has held a meeting in this connection with the minister.

Earlier in January, Saini had told the PAU authorities to improve the variety further to bring down the grain damage.

The PAU insists that there is nothing wrong with the variety as far as its food value is concerned. It claims that its food value is better than the other varieties distributed through the PDS system. In fact, the PAU claim has also been substantiated by the Central Rice Research Institute, Hyderabad, where a sample of this variety was got tested by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research, following a request from the Punjab Agriculture Department.

However, the rice millers, who give the rice to the central pool after shelling it in their plants, say grain damage percentage is brought within the limit fixed by the FCI, they will be prepared to accept the variety for milling.

President, BKU, Balbir Singh Rajewal said the state government should made it clear that whether it would procure this variety in October-November.

“The government should make its stand clear on this issue before the transplantation of paddy to avoid any trouble to farmers at the later stage,” said Rajewal. He said the variety should be got tested from established labs.

Jalandhar, April 21
Singing is certainly a paying proposition and this is reflected in the personal worth of noted Sufi singer Hans Raj Hans, SAD candidate from Jalandhar (reserved). A perusal of an affidavit filed before the district electoral officer reveals that he lives in a 3 kanal mansion on Link Road that is estimated to be over Rs 3 crore. 

Hans is also the owner of a flat in U S Nagar that is worth Rs 35 lakh. He has declared a bank balance of nearly Rs 10 lakh.

Hans also owns a over 4-kanal house in Rajinder Nagar that is worth over Rs 4.5 crore. Besides, he has agricultural land in Hussainpur village whose current market value is Rs 1.57 crore. 

Another 9 kanals in Kot village are worth over Rs 60 lakh. Similarly, 14 kanals in Narli village in Hoshiarpur are worth Rs 5.5 lakh. His movable assets are worth Rs 27.86 lakh, including an Innova, a Gypsy, a Corolla and a Camry car. The Raj Gayak of Punjab owns gold ornaments worth Rs 12.86 lakh.

Hoshiarpur, April 21
Congress nominee Santosh Chaudhary, accompanied by chairman of Congress campaign committee Amarinder Singh and local leaders, filed her nomination papers from the Hoshiarpur (reserved) constituency before district returning officer NK Wadhawan here today.

BSP candidate Sukhwinder Singh Sukhi, along with national general secretary of the party Narender Kashyap, party chief Punjab unit Avtar Singh Karimpuri, filed his nomination papers. Namita Chaudhary, daughter of Santosh Chaudhary, and Ram Krishan, father of Sukhwinder Singh Sukhi, also filed their nomination papers as covering candidates.

Cavalcades of Congress and BSP candidates led to traffic jams between the district jail chowk and mini-secretariat.

Meanwhile, Santosh Chaudhary, in her affidavit submitted to the district election officer, has stated that she has Rs 26,000 cash and Rs 1,818,608 in banks and financial institutions while her husband has Rs 1,560,289 in banks and financial institutions.

Her family has jewellery totalling 231 gm worth Rs 3.35 lakh, capital investment in M/s Numdeepmala Enterprises, Chandigarh, Rs 23 lakh, two Tata Safari cars and one Swift car, 62 kanals 10 marlas agriculture land at Billa village, Panchkula (Haryana), 3 bighas 7 biswa in Barotiwala village, Solan district (Himachal Pradesh), 2 acres 6 kanals 19 marlas in Kachwa village, Karnal district (Haryana), 3 kanals 6 marlas in Khuda Ali Sher village, Chandigarh, and 1 bigha 5 biswas in Ghumarara village, Solan district. 

Besides, the family has a plot (No. 20) in sector 7, Panchkula, having an area of 2 kanals with some construction; a 12-marla house (No. 52) in Chhoti Baradari, Jalandhar, worth Rs 50 lakh and a booth (No. 79) in Sector 16-D, Chandigarh. The family also has house and apartments at Sanawar village in Solan district.

Tarn Taran, April 21
On the third day of filing nomination papers for the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituency three candidates filed their nomination papers here today. The candidates include one of the Bharti Gaon Taj Dal (BGTD) and two as Independent candidates.

Deputy Commissioner-cum-Returning Officer Khushi Ram said Baba Balkar Singh of Kukka village for the BGTD, while Rajinder Singh of Arrafke village (Ferozpore) and Bhupinder Singh of a village of the town filed as Independent candidates.

Gurdaspur: Congress nominee from Gurdaspur Partap Singh Bajwa, accompanied by Capt Amarinder Singh, former Chief Minister, lawyer Harpreet Sandhu and thousands of supporters, filed his nomination papers here today. Bajwa’s wife Charanjit Kaur also filed nomination papers as a covering candidate. SDM Vimal Setia received the papers on behalf of District Election Officer Nilkanth Ahwad.

He has a little over Rs 41.41 lakh in various saving banks, mutual funds. He also owns two cars Esteem, and Honda Accord. Even though the Congress candidate has declared immovable assets worth Rs 6.59 crore, he did not own any house either in his or spouse’s name.

Congress candidate from Anandpur seat Ravneet Singh Bittu with his aunt Gurkawal Kaur after filing nomination papers from Ropar on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu

Assets and educational qualification

l Cash Rs 1.40 lakh
l Car: Maruti Esteem only
l Bank deposit: 2.94 lakh
l LIC policy: Rs 3.13 lakh
l Silver utensils: 500 grams worth Rs 10, 000
l Pistol worth: Rs 20, 000
l Mobile phone set worth Rs 11, 000
l Agriculture land in village Kotla Afgana: 13 acre at market value Rs 1.30 crore
l 4 kanal land at Kotla Afgana village
l House at Manimajra: Worth Rs 65.15 lakh
l Loan from Ludhiana Central Co-operative Bank:
Rs 3 lakh
l Matriculate from Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) in March 1991; Senior Secondary from Chandigarh in 1993 

Anandpur Sahib, April 21
The government has appointed three observers for Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha constituency number 06. Priyank Bharti, Deputy Commissioner, Ropar-cum-returning officer, said for the Vidhan Sabha constituency Garhshankar, Banga and Nawanshahr, Adhar Sinha had been appointed as the election observer.

For Vidhan Sabha constituency Balachaur, Anandpur Sahib and Ropar, Ananth Ramu has been appointed as the observer. For the Vidhan Sabha constituency Chamkaur Sahib, Kharar and Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali), Mohan BN had been appointed as the observer.

Adhar Sinha can be reached at PSEB guest house in Nawanshahr or at 01883-220545 and 94652-23964, Ananth Ramu at Canal rest house in Ropar or at 01881-222104 and 9465223966 and Mohan BN can be reached at Canal rest house, Chamkaur Sahib, or at 01881-260132 and 9465223966.

Jalandhar, April 21
Conceding to the pressure exerted by the BJP on the Anandpur Sahib resolution, the Akalis have put the issue on the back burner during the polls.

Ironically, the resolution also does not figure in the party manifesto that was released yesterday and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, too, gave it a miss in his public address after filing the nomination papers of noted singer Hans Raj Hans, the SAD candidate from Jalandhar (reserved) constituency here today.

This issue had been raised by the Akalis before the elections but following strong opposition from their alliance partner, they seem to have developed cold feet. Hence, the CM sidestepped queries by media persons in this context even though the manifesto talks about more autonomy to states.

He also did not have a satisfactory reply as to when the SAD would scrap Section 5 of the Termination of River Waters Act that envisages stopping the existing flow of river waters to other states. The manifesto is also silent on this particular aspect but there is a point about getting the water problems solved as per riparian laws.

Interestingly, he said a point on this issue could have been omitted on account of some oversight.

Badal also ignored questions on Dera Sacha Sauda’s chief fresh offer to apologise to the Sikhs.

Later addressing a gathering at Nakodar Chowk, he reiterated that NDA would be voted to power since the people were fed up with the poor performance of the UPA. The Congress was a sinking ship and has been proved by the desertion by its allies, he pointed out.

Batala, April 21
The Archeological Survey of India (ASI), displaying an apathetic attitude, has converted some portions of a protected national monument of Akbar’s time in this historical town into a dwelling unit for its employees, who have been deputed caretakers.

The tomb of Shamsher Khan, an administrator (karori) of Batala during the reign of Akbar, and Jal Mahal, were taken over by the ASI for repairing the outer walls of these two monuments.

The hoarding put up by ASI reads: “Shamsher Khan, a eunuch and karori of Batala, was buried in this monument during Akbar’s time. He was a Faujdar of Manikpur”.

The ASI notice further says: “This monument has been declared to be of national importance under the ancient Monuments and Archeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958. Whosoever destroys, removes, injures, alters, defaces, imperils or misuses this monument, will be punished with imprisonment and fine”.

Flouting its own rules, the ASI has damaged priceless frescoes of the heritage buildings while carrying out renovation work.

Other heritage buildings relating to Maharaja Sher Singh also cry for attention as plaster from their walls has peeled off at many places. A heritage building in Baring Union Christian College also needs repair.

Batala was once home to nearly 14 monuments of religious and historical importance. Of these, five were mosques, two temples and two gurdwaras. Besides, three monuments were connected with Sikh history and two with the Mughal period.

The palaces of Maharaja Sher Singh and Jal Mahal were built during the reign of Maharaja Sher Singh (1780-1839). The water reservoir was built by Shamsher Khan, while the beautiful Baradari in the centre of the tank was constructed by Maharaja Sher Singh.

In an endeavour to beautify the tomb, the local municipal corporation has laid a park around it. The corporation has put up a notice disallowing eatables in the garden but many visitors are seen ignoring the instruction. 

Hoshiarpur, April 21
People of Punjab should be ready to bear the burden of new taxes to be imposed by the SAD-BJP government soon after the LS elections.

Apprehending the imposition of new taxes by the SAD-BJP government, former Chief Minister and chairman of the Congress campaign committee Amarinder Singh said here today, “I have sounded an alarming bell.

Now, people have to decide to whom they support either a party whose ambition was development of the country or those who were ruling by corrupt means and interested in promoting family rule.”

The state exchequer was already empty and with the acceptance of the recommendations of the Fifth Punjab Pay Commission for 27 per cent increase in the salaries of state government employees, there was no other option for the SAD-BJP government except to impose new taxes on the public.

The acceptance of 27 per cent increase in the salaries of its employees, deemed effective from January 1, 2006, was only to please the staff ahead of the elections. The state government had no adequate funds and it had to pay arrears of about Rs 3,450 crore for serving employees and Rs 1,350 crore for its pensioners. 

Besides, there would be an additional expenditure of Rs 2,050 crore annually for serving employees and Rs 650 crore for the pensioners.

Referring to the manifesto of the SAD in which it was promised to give autonomy and independence to the CBI as well as the Election Commission of India, Capt Amarinder Singh said it was a joke with the people of the state as both the agencies were already enjoying the status of autonomy and independence.

Jalandhar, April 21
Reacting strongly to the manifesto released by the ruling SAD, the All-India Motor Transport Congress, a body that represents 50 lakh truckers across the country, said today that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had not honoured his commitment of addressing issues related to truckers in it.

President of the Congress Charan Singh Lohara said Badal had promised that chairman of the SAD manifesto committee Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa would hold a meeting with the representatives of the congress to deal with the issues related to them figuring in the manifesto. “But, no such meeting was convened by Dhindsa though already the manifesto has been released,” said Lohara.

Claiming that there was a big scandal in determining the tax structure in the Transport Department, Lohara said super deluxe air-conditioned buses, which were also known as integral coaches, had been given heavy concessions in the motor vehicle tax and additional burden had been put on the truck operators to make up for the revenue loss. Air-conditioned buses were owned by big transporters having political clout in the state, he added.

Lohara said tax on trucks had been jacked up to Rs 15,000 per truck from Rs 4,750 whereas integral coach air-conditioned buses, which ply on regular routes, got about 80 per cent concession in tax compared to ordinary buses.

Lohara said while ordinary buses have to pay Rs 2.25 per km per day as tax, the integral coaches, which charge 75 per cent more fare than ordinary buses, pay only 0.50 paise per km per day as tax. Besides, the ordinary buses have to give tax for 315 days in a year and integral coaches pay tax only for 185 days per year.

The fare of ordinary buses could come down significantly if tax is charged on them on the pattern of concessional rates applicable for integral coaches.

Lohara said this tax issue, which had been discussed by the truckers with Badal, had been ignored in the manifesto. Besides, there was the issue of toll tax, quota fixed for district transport officers to collect fine from truckers, harassment at the hands of traffic police, etc.

No assurance had been given to them on these issues, he added. 

Chandigarh, April 21
More than 250 special trains will be specially moved to lift the procured wheat from mandis across the state. Out of the total wheat arrivals of over 72 lakh metric tonnes, almost 35 lakh metric tonnes is stocked up in mandis waiting to be lifted.

Secretary, Public Relations, Punjab, DS Guru who has been visiting mandis, said government agencies and private millers had procured more than 71.3 lakh tonnes of wheat till last evening.

“Market arrivals till last evening were over 72 lakh metric tonnes, out of which over 71 lakh tonnes has been procured. Most of this has been done by state agencies as the procurement by private players is just around 9,120 tonnes,” he said.

“As much as 99 per cent procurement by state agencies is a record in itself,” said Guru. He added that Sangrur district with 8,77,581 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations, whereas Ferozepur district with 8.2 tonnes of procurement was at the second slot and Patiala district with 7.9 lakh tonnes of procurement ranked at the third position.

Guru added that there were absolutely no problems vis-a-vis procurement and payment to farmers. “For the lifting of wheat we are making special arrangements. On peak arrivals days, over 7 lakh tonnes of wheat arrived in a day, while lifting of only 5.5 lakh tonnes is possible. Due to this there is a backlog. But wheat lifting is not of direct concern to the farmer,” he said.

He said the special trains for rice had been postponed so that all labour could be utilised for lifting wheat. “Special trains are being moved and this time the FCI is lifting paddy directly from mandis instead of stocking places,” said Guru.

He added that there was no dearth of storage space for the procured wheat. “We have created additional space for over 10 lakh tonnes which is available to us since April 1,” he said.

Chandigarh, April 21
The Punjab government has issued guidelines to all Deputy Commissioners to send a detailed report regarding suicide by farmers and farm labourers due to indebtedness in their districts, within three days of the occurrence.

Disclosing this here today, a spokesman for the Revenue Department said the state government was deeply concerned about the incidents of suicide by farmers and farm labourers on account of indebtedness.

The department had already issued instructions to the concerned deputy commissioners to send a consolidated report regarding suicides during a month by farmers/farm labourers on account of debt in their district by May 7.

It may be recalled that the state cabinet had already given in-principle approval to grant compensation relief of Rs 2 lakh to the next of the kin of the farmers/farm labourers who had committed suicides in the state.

The revenue department had already sent a case to the Election Commission of India to seek its approval for the disbursement of compensation grant to such affected families.

Chandigarh, April 21
The Punjab Agriculture Department today suspended the licence of Technico Agri Sciences which has been accused of supplying defective potato seed, besides stopping company sales and issuing it a show-cause notice for storing seed in an unauthorised manner.

The action has been taken following an ongoing agitation by the Confederation of Potato Seed Farmers. The farmers have accused the company of supplying defective seed to confederation president Sukhjit Singh Bhatti.

They have complained that cracks were appearing in potato tubers due to which they were unworthy of marketing. It has also been alleged that according to an inspection by the Central Potato Research Station, problems being experienced by farmers were related to tissue culture of the mother plant.

State Agriculture Director BS Sidhu disclosed that Technico had been issued licence to market only varieties approved by Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, or varieties notified by the Union government under Section 5 of the Seed Act for cultivation in the state.

He said the company was, however, found to be marketing different varieties, which were neither notified by PAU or Central government.

The Director said the licence was premises specific. While the company had procured a licence to store potato seed at the Kripa cold store, Sidhwan, it had stored the seed at 10 other stores also in an unauthorised manner, adding, “We have issued a notice to the company to explain this and also directed it to stop sale of all potato seed”.

Technico has stored around 3 lakh bags of 50 kg each at different cold storages, besides 37,000 bags at the Kripa cold store.

Meanwhile, the department has also taken samples of the Kufri Jyoti seed, which is being accused of being defective for analysis.

A Technico company spokesman said while Bhatti had purchased 3.24 lakh techi tuber seed from them in 2003, the complaint of it being defective was being made in 2009. The spokesman also said till 2003, the company had planted 69 lakh techni tuber seeds in the state and that Bhatti had purchased only 5 per cent of the this amount.

The company is also likely to contest the decision to suspend its licence with its spokesman saying this action is taken unilaterally without even going through the process of inquiry. 

Sangrur, April 21
President, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), Simranjit Singh Mann today rejected the manifesto of the SAD by terming it as a “bunch of false promises” made for people by the SAD.

He said by making a “false” promise with people below poverty line (BPL) that they would be given wheat at just Rs 2 per kg, the SAD had made an unsuccessful attempt to mislead them.

Mann also said if people of Sangrur elected him in the current Lok Sabha (LS) elections, he would provide a bicycle from his MPLAD funds to every rural girl student of this constituency for going to high school in a radius of 5 km from her village.

Mann also said the SAD manifesto had also failed to mention about the Anandpur Sahib Resolution, jazia (tax) by Taliban on Sikhs in the Swat valley of Pakistan and ban on turban in France.