Ropar, April 25
A team of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) collected eight water samples from four different points in and around the Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Power Plant at Ghanauli village.

Team members collected two samples each from type IV drainage in the thermal plant, Ghanauli drain, head waterworks, Ropar, and the point where water from the drain falls into the Sutlej.

Environmental engineer of the PPCB Karunesh Garg said the oil content in the water was definitely more than usual. “The spillage will have only localised effect, as the thermal plant employees managed to collect a large amount of heavy density furnace oil by obstructing its flow into the river,” he added.

He said the lab results of the samples would come in a week’s time. The Board might recommend to the Ropar thermal plant authorities to construct a guard tank and collect effluents in it before discharging them into the Ghanauli drain.

“In cases of emergency like this, undesirable effluents can be collected in this tank and removed or directed somewhere else, before being emptied into the drain,” he added.

Meanwhile, traces of the oil were found at various places in the Sirhind canal as well. Employees of the Ropar thermal plant today directed its employees to remove the traces of the oil found in the water body in order to minimise its effects. The Board has suffered losses to the tune of Rs 5 to 6 lakh.

The plant receives furnace oil from the Mathura refinery. Tonnes of heavy density furnace oil spilled on Friday, when a pipe carrying it burst in unit III of the thermal power plant. The spillage further entered into the nearby Sutlej and the Ropar international wetland. 

Indo-Pak border (Ferozepur), April 25
Fenced in is the state of existence of thousands of villagers of this border constituency, who are yet to taste freedom 62 years after Independence. Thanks to barbed cobra wiring, they don’t get enough time to tend to their fields along the Line of Control even as a bridgeless Sutlej cuts off the area from the rest of India during monsoon.

On the international border, Dalip Singh of Nihalawala says he can never get enough time to tend to his fields across the fence. “I barely get seven working hours in a day and in winters this gets reduced further in case there is heavy fog”. Dalip and others like him have to contend with one off day of the ‘kisan’ guard to man the gates along the fence as well as no work on national holidays.

There are other problems too. “Our women cannot tend to the fields with us because the BSF does not have women constables,” says Malkit Singh of Tiddiwala village. The BSF does not allow migrant labour to go beyond the fence and farmers have to pay more for hiring local labour.

At places Indian fields extend as much as 1 km beyond the fencing. The contractors laid the double fence with barbed cobra coils in a straight line while the border is zigzag.

BSF sources say the Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier mooted a proposal to relay the fencing, but a survey in this regard was still to be completed. As regards unbridled entry of farmers beyond the fence, the sources said there had been cases of farmers being involved in drug smuggling due to which there is additional vigil on the border.

Besides problems beyond the fence, farmers also have to contend with a raging Sutlej during the monsoon months when they are completely trapped in their homes. There are only two pontoon bridges in the area at Old Mohammadiwala and Kasoke village, but even these are dismantled during the monsoon season. BSF VII Battalion Commandant Vimal Sathyarthi says this is done to ensure safety of the structures.

Karan Singh Dhaliwal of Dona Telumal says there are some villages, including his and Gandhukilche Uttar and Gandhukilche Hittar, which are completely inaccessible.

“We have to pay combine harvester owners Rs 1,100 per acre while the normal rate is Rs 700 per acre because the harvester has to be ferried across the Sutlej”, says Karan Dhaliwal. Balbir Singh of Kalluwala village says villagers see politicians only during the elections. “For the rest of the time we remain disconnected from India”, he adds.

Moga, April 25
Former Chief Minister of Punjab Amarinder Singh, with his management skills and crowd-pulling ability, has emerged a star campaigner for the Congress in Punjab. He has been touring the state for the past few weeks.

Although his wife Preneet Kaur and son Raninder Singh are contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Patiala and Bathinda constituencies, respectively, instead of giving more attention to these seats he has distributed his time for the whole state. He almost accompanied all candidates to file their nominations.

In public rallies and road shows he talks in a lighter entertaining tone highlighting major issues in a simple way, sensing the mood of people. He avoids direct attack on CM Prakash Singh Badal and his son SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal, but misses no opportunity to criticise their policies and programmes.

Taking a dig at the Badal family, he often comments, “These days the senior Badal is passing his time reading newspapers as his son has snatched all powers from him and taken the task of running the affairs of both the party as well as the government”.

With regard to Sukhbir he often comments, “Oh te haale balungara hai, aje usne bahut kuj sikhna hai” (he is just a kitten and he has a lot to learn).

At a rally at Faridkot recently, he said, “We have sensed the mood of people is against the SAD-BJP government in the state, particularly with regard to the poll rigging and atrocities on thousands of people done by their leaders in panchayat and local bodies elections”.

Amarinder said the confidence the common man had when he was the CM was no more under the rule of Badal family. The common man was rethinking about voting for the SAD-BJP, and under these circumstances the Congress would reap benefits of public disenchantment with the SAD-BJP rule.

He does not miss to touch important issues of the state and its people like environmental degradation, problem of clean water, depleting soil fertility, shifting of industries from the state, power crisis, declining social values, rising drug-addiction among the youth, unemployment and increasing atrocities on Dalits and women etc. 

Bathinda, April 25
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today asked the Congress leadership to shed arrogance and attitude of big brother towards regional parties as its allies had already left it.

Badal was commenting on remarks of Delhi Chief Minster Sheila Dikshit calling the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) a small regional party.

Badal said this attitude of the Congress party was responsible for the collapse of the UPA, as the Congress, after ruling the country for 40 years, had not reconciled to work with regional parties as coalition. He said in the changed political scenario, the base of the Congress in the public had eroded and regional parties, knowing the pulse of the people, had emerged stronger in every state.

Badal said sacrifices of the SAD cadre in the freedom struggle were maximum, but after Independence, the Congress used the struggle for political benefit.

Badal described the Congress a “sinking ship” and its honest and dedicated leaders were saying good-bye to the party which was being governed by money power rather than ideology.

Calling Raninder a “kid”, Badal said, “I have no personal fight against any leader but let the ‘Rajkumar’ first pass the nursery examination of politics”.

Meanwhile, Bathinda District Congress Committee vice-president Sewa Singh today joined the SAD, along with supporters, in the presence of Parkash Singh Badal. Another vice-president Choudhary Ashok Mittal and general secretary Krishan Singh have already joined the SAD.

Gurdaspur, April 25
Putting at rest the misgivings of SAD-BJP infighting harming sitting MP and SAD-BJP candidate from Gurdaspur Vinod Khanna’s chances, the two parties put up a show to support him at a rally here yesterday.

While addressing the rally after filing his nomination papers, the Bollywood star, who remained MP from the area thrice, alleged that he was offered crores by the Congress to vote for them during the confidence vote in Parliament last year.

“You must be careful while casting your vote. Do not sell your vote to anyone,” he cautioned a gathering of almost 10,000 supporters here.

Countering the Congress allegations that Khanna was an “outsider”, state BJP spokesman Balbir Punj said, “If he is an outsider then maybe Sonia Gandhi is an insider of the Bajwa household, whom they sent to Italy.”

BJP and SAD MLAs from the area vowed to bring the BJP to power at the Centre and end the “rubber stamp” rule of the Congress.

Addressing the gathering, the SAD-BJP leaders alleged that the Congress leaders at the Centre had stacked crores in foreign accounts that they did not want to reveal, pointing out that Khanna was an honest man.

“Future BJP Prime Minister Advani will bring this money back from these accounts and distribute it across villages in India,” said a speaker.

“Bajwa claims that his father sacrificed his life for the state. Everyone knows how his father died. Look at newspapers of those days and you will find what Pratap Singh Bajwa was doing in a hotel in Gujarat. His brother Fateh was also booked and every child in Gurdaspur knows about his main business,” said BJP MLA from Batala Jagdish Sahwney.

Bringing back memories of his stardom days, Vinod Khanna said, “Koi maai ka laal Vinod Khanna ko hara nahin sakta. A 100 such Bajwas cannot match me.”

Jalandhar, April 25
Punjab Technical University (PTU) today put off the examinations of all its regular classes for 10 days. The exams that were scheduled to commence from May 8 will now begin on May 18.

Even as officials claim that the examination could not be conducted in time because of the forthcoming Lok Sabha poll, principals of most of the colleges said it was simply a cover-up statement. They said the university had failed to deliver the results of most of the courses, including BBA, BCA, MBA, B Pharma, hotel management and I and III semester of B Tech in time. “The results of some of the streams of B Tech semester V, including computer engineering, is also pending, though the examination was over by mid-January,” they lamented.

The results that have been out include those of MCA, MBA (international business), M Pharma, B Tech semester VII and some parts of semester V. The college authorities said due to the late results of the odd semesters, the university could not conduct even the semester examinations timely.

“Students are still not clear whether they will have to reappear for any subject. If examinations are held as per schedule, they are left with less than a minimum stipulated period of 15 days to fill up forms and prepare for their reappear,” they explained.

They also blamed internal politics, mushrooming of colleges, increased student strength, understaffing and contractual system of employment for this inefficiency and poor examination system.

However, deputy registrar Jaspal Singh said, “The staff of our five government colleges is put on poll duty, and they are also to conduct the examination of their own colleges.” He denied any delay in the results. “We were told to compile all results by April 30 and we should be able to do that,” he claimed.

An official note by registrar Sarojini Gautam Sharda read that the revised schedule for the examination was available on the official website of PTU, www.ptu.ac.in. 

Chandigarh, April 25
Punjab police chief’s approval is now mandatory for holding second, or subsequent inquiries, in criminal cases registered by it.

A formal communiqué in this regard has been issued by additional director-general of police (crime) on the director-general of police’s behalf. It says the investigating agencies are directed not to hold more than one inquiry at their level. If the circumstances warrant re-inquiry, the state DGP’s permission was requisite.

A copy of the communiqué was annexed along with a petition filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court during the hearing of a petition, alleging police inaction filed by two Patiala district residents, Mandeep Kaur and Mohinder Kaur.

Taking up the matter, Justice Mohinder Pal observed: “Counsel for the petitioner has submitted that as per the instructions of the police department, second inquiry cannot be initiated without the permission of the DGP”.

Issuing notice of motion, Justice Pal asserted: “In this case, second inquiry has been initiated with the instructions of the IGP, Patiala….”

The matter of multiple inquiries was first taken up by Justice Kanwaljit Singh Ahluwalia. In an order passed in July last year, Justice Ahluwalia had asked the police chief to inform the court why previous directions on the issue of multiple inquiries were not being complied with.

Taking a serious view of the violation, Justice Ahluwalia had also asked the DGP to “file an affidavit as to why directions given by him are not being adhered to by his subordinates”.

The practice of holding multiple inquiries in criminal and other cases is quite rampant in Punjab; and has been going on since long. More often than not, a party manages to get a favourable inquiry conducted by the officer of its choice simply by moving an application.

Reluctant to concede defeat, the rival party succeeds in getting a second inquiry ordered by its hand-picked officer. In the process, the case not only turns murkier and hard to disentangle, but also results in inordinate delay.

Chandigarh, April 25
A Punjab police official has paid dearly for his involvement in an illegal detention case.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has awarded Rs 25,000 compensation to the detainee. The development is significant as Justice Kanwaljit Singh Ahluwalia has added a new dimension to the habeas corpus petitions, which usually ends just with the detainee’s release.

The amount is to be deposited by inspector Gurmeet Singh, station house officer (SHO) of a Jagraon police station, in a magistrate’s court for disbursement to the detainee.

In a petition filed before the high court, one Dhanna Singh and another petitioner had sought directions for the release of detainee Jeeto.

After recording the presence of state counsel Mehardeep Singh, Justice Ahluwalia observed: “In the present writ petition for habeas corpus, notice of motion was issued and a warrant officer was appointed. The officer, acting as a limb of this court, went to the police station on April 10 at 9.05 pm. The MHC (munshi) refused to hand over the daily diary register.

“Meanwhile, the SHO arrived and stated that the register be given. Apparently, as submitted by the counsel for the petitioner, delay was caused. Meanwhile, petitioner found Jeeto detained in the police station.

“At that time, according to the warrant officer, the MHC was making entry of the arrest in the adjoining room. This court had taken a strong notice of the conduct of the MHC and the SHO.

Justice Ahluwalia asserted: “The inspector, Gurmeet Singh, has tendered unconditional apology and has assured that no such re-occurrence of lapse on his part will happen in future.

He has stated that he is ready to compensate the petitioners. Accordingly, cost of Rs 25,000 is awarded in favour of the petitioner….” 

Amritsar, April 25
High Commissioner of the Republic of Zambia Keli Walubita gave credit to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi for inspiring a peaceful, non-violent Independence struggle, equality and religious tolerance.

He was here on the invitation of president, Chief Khalsa Diwan, Charanjit Singh Chadha here today.

Talking to The Tribune, he said these principles became the foundation of his nation after becoming free from British control in 1964. “The founding leaders of Zambia had attained education in India and, hence, it was natural for them to come to know about the philosophy of the Mahatma. First President of his country Keneth Kaunda was a firm believer in the teachings of the Mahatma,” he said. “Hence, you can find church, mosque and temple coexisting and sharing walls in Zambia,” he added.

He said perhaps it had been the reason behind the successful electoral democracy in his country, though a number of neighbouring countries had been mired in internecine feuds and coups for attaining power.

Citing his own example, he said, “I was drubbed by a youth in my constituency in 2001 elections, despite the fact that I won the elections from the same constituency twice and was minister for external affairs of the country for the second term.” He candidly accepted that the youth had worked tirelessly in the constituency, as he had been engaged in making foreign trips for cementing ties with other countries in the world.

About the relations between India and Zambia, he said both nations had a longstanding, warm and cordial relationship. He said the countries cooperated closely in Commonwealth, Non-Align Movement and recently in the South-to-South cooperation.

He said, “Out of 13 million Zambians, one million are from India and the Indian community has given quality ministers like commerce minister Deepak Patel and agriculture minister Ashok Desai.”

He also paid obeisance at the Golden Temple, visited the CKD-run Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School and viewed the Retreat ceremony at Attari border in the evening.

Chandigarh April 25
The Election Commission (EC) today allowed an increase in dearness allowance (DA) at the rate of 10 per cent on the central pattern for Punjab government staff from January 1, 2009.

A spokesman of the state Chief Electoral Officer’s office said the EC had also approved placing of the Fifth Punjab Pay Commission report with the implementation committee’s recommendations before the Council of Ministers for decision. The commission also allowed promotion of Anil Kaushik, ADGP of Punjab Police, to the rank of DGP.

Meanwhile, the EC has also issued instructions prohibiting the appointment of minister/ MP/MLA as election/polling/counting agent. The decision of the commission communicated to the electoral officer here says, such persons or any other provided security cover would not be allowed to act as election, polling and counting agents on behalf of any candidate.

Amritsar, April 25
The Ontario Gurdwara Committee, led by Amarjit Singh Mann, deciding to stay away from the nagar kirtan, proposed to be taken from Better Living Centre, Toronto, tomorrow has put Jathedar, Akal Takht, Giani Gurbachan Singh, on tour in Canada, in a difficult situation.

The committee took this decision under the pretext that tomorrow’s nagar kirtan to mark the Khalsa Foundation Day was being celebrated in violation of the edict, issued by then Jathedar, Akal Takht, Bhai Ranjit Singh on March 16, 1998, banning the Sikh clergy from conducting of Anand Karaj in marriage places or hotels.

Talking to The Tribune from Canada, Mann alleged that the proposed nagar kirtan would start from Better Living Centre where cocktail parties or exhibitions were held. So taking Guru Granth Sahib would amount to violation and the present Jathedar, Akal Takht, would be party to that.

Another spokesman of the committee Parminder Singh said the Sikh Sangat had taken up the matter with the Jathedar, Akal Takht, and SGPC president Avtar Singh on telephone, but they did not give a positive response. He said during his visits to Canada, the then Jathedar, Akal Takht, abstained from participating in controversial nagar kirtans.

The committee has decided to arrange nagar kirtan on May 3, said Mann. However, he rued that the Jathedar, Akal Takht, did not give representatives of the committee time to present their viewpoint.

The committee has also sent press clippings of Canadian newspapers showing Better Living Centre has been a place for functions, including exhibitions and cocktail parties.

However, on telephone, the Jathedar told The Tribune he would not take any step which would amount to violation of the edict, issued by Akal Takht.

The Jathedar, Akal Takht, is in Canada on the invitation of the Ontario Sikh Gurdwara Sikh Council, led by Gurwinder Singh Randhawa.

The sources said visit of Jathedar Gurbachan Singh is likely to increase hostility between the two Sikh groups there. Earlier, Sikhs in Canada were divided following the edict, issued by Bhai Ranjit Singh, directing the Sikh Sangat to partake of langar while sitting on the floor. Some gurdwaras had defied the edict and continued to serve langar on tables and chairs. So clashes were witnessed in various gurdwaras the world over.