Chandigarh, July 8
Punjab Congress legislators today staged a walkout in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha during zero hour after Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon rejected the party’s demand for an adjournment motion to discuss important issues, including law and order situation and rising political violence.

Initially, raising the demand for an adjournment motion, Congress legislator Sukhpal Singh Khaira pointed out that there was an urgent need to discuss important issues concerning the state as the state was moving towards “lawlessness”. He said there was need to debate many things, including resolutions passed by the BJP accusing its alliance partner, the SAD, of corruption and scandal in sand mining and the stamp paper scam, etc.

Leader of Opposition Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, too, took over and said Punjab was showing signs of unrest and these must be curtailed through a dialogue before it becomes too late. She sought time to debate the issues staring the state in the face.

But, the Speaker rejected the resolution on the grounds that the matter could be discussed in the course of the debate on the annual Budget in the next few days. He said there would be enough time at a later stage and there was no need to discuss them at this juncture.

Bhattal told the Speaker that he had neither accepted her demand for extension of the session by a few days yesterday nor was he agreeing to her request to discuss public issues today. Expressing dissatisfaction and disappointment, the Opposition started raising slogans against the government and marched out of the House. They returned back after a few moments.

Later in the day, the Vidhan Sabha passed a resolution condemning the racial attacks on Indian students in Australia. After a detailed discussion, the House asked the Indian government to take up the issue of safety and security of Punjabi students studying there with the Australian government.

Initially, the treasury benches and the Opposition had a difference of opinion over the efforts made in this regard by the UPA government. But, after both sides appreciated the role of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in highlighting the nation’s concern with his Australian counterpart, the resolution was passed unanimously.

The resolution was moved by Virsa Singh Valtoha of the SAD saying, “The House recommends to the state government to raise the utmost serious matter with the Central government regarding the racial attacks on Punjabi children studying abroad so that the central government may find an immediate solution to this by discussing the matter with the Australia and other countries”.

Amritsar, July 8
The Sikh high priests met at Akal Takht secretariat here today and announced that the Sikh shrine in the vicinity of the Rajasansi airport would not be shifted to another place as suggested by airport authorities.

The meeting, presided over by Jathedar, Akal Takht, Giani Gurbachan Singh, said the gurdwara being a historic one, would remain at its original place.

The Rajasansi international airport is perhaps the only airport in the world where one can cross the operational area, runway included, to pay obeisance at a Sikh shrine in its vicinity, posing a serious security threat. Earlier, keeping in view the security concerns, the Airports Authority of India (AII) had stopped bookings for akhand path at Gurdwara Santsar situated in the airport complex. The ban on cooking and distribution of langar inside the gurdwara premises had annoyed devotees.

The airport also has a dubious distinction of hosting five planes after their being hijacked. At least three lakh passengers arrive at this airport every year.

The government agencies are baffled over checking the coming of sangat to the shrine in the airport's vicinity, especially during every sangrand or anniversary of Baba, when more than one lakh devotees throng the gurdwara.

The shrine was set up 59 years ago when the airport was under the control of the Indian Air Force.

Meanwhile, the Sikh clergy said they would take a final decision on the Kalgi of Guru Gobind Singh after the report of SGPC’s sub-committee formed to determine the authenticity of the relic.

Also the Sikh high priests decided to incorporate amendments in the Nanakshahi calendar on the basis of the suggestions to make the calendar acceptable to the entire Sikh community.

Meanwhile, Sant BS Sehora of Gurdwara Mastuana, who was summoned by the Jathedar, Akal Takht, did not turn up to explain his position for carrying out kar sewa of the gurdwara sarovar. The meeting said he could explain his position in the next meeting.

The high priests also took a serious note of change in the ardas by a gurdwara in Finland and sought explanation from the management in this regard. The gurdwara of Finland had decided to replace the first line of the ardas from “Pritham Bhaugauti simar ke…” to “Akal Purakh simar ke…”. Moreover, the gurdwara had added to the ardas the mention of the 35 Bhagtas whose holy verses are included in Guru Granth Sahib.

The meeting also took notice of violation of the hukamnama pronounced from Akal Takht directing the Sikh Sangat to partake langar by sitting on the floor by a section of Canada Sikhs.

Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh, Jathedar, Takht Damdama Sahib, sought the summoning of Giani Iqbal Singh, Jathedar, Patna Sahib, for challenging the supremacy of Akal Takht. Jathedar Nandgarh said he would not allow Giani Iqbal Singh in the meetings of the Sikh clergy till he apologised.

Chandigarh, July 8
Punjab Vidhan Sabha members are convinced that citizens of the state give traffic rules the go-by while commuting in Punjab, but observe the same after entering the territorial limits of this city. Most of the members are ready to visit Australia to study its traffic management system to implement the same in Punjab.

A call attention motion by Congress legislator Ajitinder Singh Mofar on the issue led to an interesting discussion with Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal questioning the logic of sending a delegation of the House to Australia. “Everything is available on the Internet for study,” he said, adding that delegations had been going abroad since decades, but they either did not submit their reports or the same were not studied by anyone.

Earlier, interceding on Mofar’s call-attention motion, Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon suggested that an assembly delegation visit a foreign country to understand the dynamics of traffic management. Transport Minister Master Mohan Lal immediately recommended a visit to Australia and suggested that the Chief Minister give his nod on the issue.

The Chief Minister did give his nod but after Manpreet’s interjection, he rose up to ask how many countries the delegation would visit and even hinted at fixing the period of the trip, saying that it should not happen that the delegation remained abroad for as long as three months.

Most speakers while giving their suggestions on the motion supported the foreign trip, but Congress legislator Sunil Jakhar made a persuasive argument that rather than going to Australia, efforts should be made to enforce traffic rules strictly. “If the same people remember to put on their seat belts instinctively in Chandigarh, why do they not have the same reflex action while driving in Punjab?”

Mofar also tried to pin down the government into taking action on the issue. He demanded that that Chief Minister give powers to the police to act strictly on traffic violations following which the Chief Minister assured that he would hold a meeting of police officers on the issue. Congress legislator Rana KP Singh, while speaking on the issue, demanded that the magistracy also be requested to act decisively on traffic related offences.

Earlier, the Transport Minister disclosed that two driving training institutes were being established in Muktsar and Kapurthala and that a proposal was under consideration to establish driving institutes with the help of big companies in each district in the state.

Answering a similar question by Congress legislator Sukhpal Singh Khaira during question hour, Master Mohan Lal said speed governors were now compulsory in heavy and integral coach buses.

Chandigarh, July 8
The SAD-BJP government seems to be pinning its future on power and the ability to make the state power surplus by allocating power sector Rs 2,593 crore, which constitutes the biggest chunk of money to any one sector in the state Budget.

The proposed outlay, which constitutes 30 per cent of the Plan size, aims to make Punjab a power surplus state by 2012.

Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal said under the Plan to establish three thermal power plants, the 1,980-MW Talwandi Sabo thermal plant project had already been allotted and work on it was under progress. He said land for the 2,640-MW Gidderbaha thermal power project had been identified and would be acquired after the finalisation of coal linkages. The minister said all procedural formalities had been completed for the 540-MW Goindwal Sahib thermal project and that the 1320-MW Rajpura thermal project would undergo fresh bidding. The plan lays down Rs 1,925 crore for transmission and distribution, Rs 468 crore for generation and Rs 200 crore for maintenance and strengthening of other schemes.

Speaking about the social security sector in his Budget speech, Manpreet said Rs 657 crore had been earmarked for disadvantaged groups. He said Rs 468 crore would be spent on old-age and other pensions alone from the dedicated Social Security Fund.

The outlay for nutrition had been increased from Rs 55 crore to Rs 100 crore. He said 6,487 more anganwadi centres would be operationalised in the current year in addition to 20,169 functional centres. The state government would also increase diet money for over 14 lakh children and mothers from Rs 2.25 to Rs 4 per child and from Rs 2.50 to Rs 7 per for mothers. The honorarium for anganwadi workers and helpers had been increased from Rs 1,400 to Rs 2,100 and from Rs 700 to Rs 1,050, respectively.

Sangrur, July 8
Farmers, led by the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan), today started the gherao of the office of the SDO of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB), Moonak, 60 km from here, from noon in protest against only five-hour power supply to tube wells (against eight hours promised) and not changing burnt transformers on old rate of load fee as Rs 1,200 per British Horse Power (BHP).

SDO, Moonak, KC Garg said this evening he and Banga subdivision SDO Pritam Singh, along with some employees, were even now in office as they had been gheraoed by farmers. He said higher authorities had been informed and they were coming to Moonak to resolve the issue.

He said there was a circular of the PSEB to change the transformer at load fee of Rs 3,800 per BHP, while the farmers were insisting on Rs 1,200 per (BHP).

President, Lehragaga block of the BKU (U), Balbir Singh Jhaloor said this evening there were five burnt transformers (one each at Hamirgarh, Phulad, Bhatua and two at Moonak) which were not being changed by the PSEB at fee of Rs 1,200 per BHP as PSEB officials had told them to deposit Rs 3,800 per BHP as load fee for getting the transformers changed.

Ludhiana, July 8
A fortnight after the tehsildar, Major GS Benipal (retd), appealed to his colleagues to call off strike stating that he was happy the way his case was being taken up, the revenue official said today that he was not satisfied with the investigations and was preparing to move the High Court.

Talking to The Tribune today, Major Benipal said he had no faith in the state government to get justice as even after three weeks of an assault on him, the police could not do anything after the arrest of prime accused. Moreover, it could not find any important lead in the stamp paper scam.

“The police could not recover my licensed arm, my watch, my clothes and not even my turban. The turban is my honour. They should have at least recovered it and restored it to me. But, it is shocking that even after so many days of police remand of main accused, the police could not recover anything,” said Major Benipal.

He alleged that SAD councillors Simarjit Singh Bains and Kamaljit Singh Karwal were being extended VIP treatment in the Central Jail, Ludhiana. I am dismayed to learn that special barracks have been set up for providing comforts to both accused, he added.

Stating that he was waiting for his fractured leg to recover, Major Benipal said he would definitely move the High Court. “I have been wronged to such an extent that I have to get justice for it. I may be killed for not letting the case die down. But, I have to fight it out. No matter what the consequences are.”

Reacting to the allegations of special treatment given to the prime accused, Jails Minister Hira Singh Gabria said he received similar reports a few days ago. He had directed the jail authorities to follow the rules in letter and in spirit. “I told them to follow the jail manual to know what kind of treatment should be given to a ruling party leader. For reform houses, everyone is equal and should be treated like this,” said Gabria.

Bathinda, July 8
The Central University, Punjab (CUP), today assumed control of the premises of the Bathinda Integrated Cooperative Spinning Mills Limited (Bacospin) after signing a lease to use it as transit campus for initial five years.

According to the deed of the agreement, to use the abandoned building of the mill (under liquidation) on the Mansa road, the university will pay monthly rent of Rs 1,35,800 to the authorities of Bacospin. The lease was signed by Vice-Chancellor Jai Rup Singh on behalf of the university and Anil Sharma on behalf of Bacospin.

The building and surrounding areas of the spinning mill were deserted for a decade and required repair. Since there is no electricity and water connection in Bacospin and it is unfurnished and closed for several years, therefore, the university will arrange power and water connections.

Getting approval from the Ministry of Human Resource Development and the UGC the CPWD, Chandigarh, has been renovating the building of the mill by inviting tenders.

The Vice-Chancellor said the Central University would start functioning in the transit campus soon and teaching was expected to start by September this year.

At the time of the signing of the agreement, Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, Rahul Tewari was also present in the Tehsil office, Bathinda.

The actual university complex will be set at Bathinda’s Ghudda village, ancestral village of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, where 500 acres has been acquired for the purpose.

Tewari added that a chunk of 15 acres had also been acquired to provide a wide approach road to the university complex.

Chandigarh, July 8
Director-General Police PS Gill today called upon senior police officers to lead the force from the front and set an example in leadership .

In his first interaction with Zonal IGs and Range DIGs here today, the DGP said the district police authorities must create a mechanism to anticipate incidents of violence and minimise damage due to violence by pre-emptive steps. To meet exigencies of violence, every district was asked to keep one equipped reserve company for the purpose.

Stressing the need of developing metropolitan style of policing with focus on greater community participation and public-friendly measures, the DGP asked them to depute a police officer as community officer in one model police station in every district as a pilot project and its success be replicated in other parts of the state.

Stressing on expediting investigation of old cases and cracking blind cases by making special investigation teams, the DGP said high-tech gadgets, including cyber surveillance, be used to nab the culprits.

Focusing on redressal of grievances, the DGP said every SSP must remain available in the office for half day daily to deal with complaints of visitors. Asking the district officers to adopt hands-on approach, the DGP said balanced allocation of work and regular rotation be ensured to check development of vested interests.

Patiala, July 8
Even as the national-level political parties as well as regional parties are busy in their introspection for their debacle in the recent Lok Sabha elections, the Rashtirya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) has come out with an agenda to broaden its base amongst the Sikh masses.

The Rashtriya Sikh Sangat, a front organisation of the RSS, has planned a three-day religious congregation in Bhopal under the auspicious occasion of 300 years of Gurta Gaddi Diwas.

President of Rashtriya Sikh Sangat (Punjab), Rulda Singh, has sent a salvo under the garb of a request letter to Avtar Singh Makkar, the president of the Shri Gurdwara Prabhandak Committiee (SGPC), for seeking certain favours for the religious congregation at Bhopal.

Though Rulda Singh has termed this letter to Makkar as a simple request letter by a devoted Sikh for removing the differences, if any, prevalent in the mind of Makkar, between the lines it smacks that the RSS has a hidden agenda to prevail upon the Sikhs being alienated from the SAD and SGPC to a large extent.

This is also a systematic move not only to win the Sikhs living all over the world but also a consistent foresighted move to unmask the SGPC and SAD from their double faces regarding the Sikhs.

The copy of RSS letter which has been released to the media contains a request to Makkar that he should make further request to the jathedar Akal Takhat, other jathedars of the four Takhts, the SAD, including the Chief Minister, and his Cabinet, besides MLA’s to participate in the conclave for interaction and exchange of views of both the sides.

It also says for the sale and free use of all sorts of religious publications and symbols of the Sikh religion at the venue in a big way for the benefit of masses. Rulda Singh also said the RSS believed and worshipped Guru Granth Sahib as Makkar does.

A senior SAD leader when asked about his reaction, said, on the condition of anonymity that definitely this is a double-edged weapon of the RSS against the SAD through the SGPC. Therefore, neither the SGPC can accede to the request of RSS nor it can openly deny these demands.

Patiala, July 8
Unflinching faith and a deep-rooted sense of reverence among descendants of the “Patiala Royals” and people have preserved for generations the sacred fire (Dhuna) started by a saint, “Jhiri Wale Baba”, in 1752, at the Patiala-based “Quila Mubarak” fort.

The Dhuna has become an integral part of Patiala residents to such a great extent that they have been starting their day after paying their obescience to it. The Department of Culture too has been contributing its bit to keep the sacred fire going on after the control of the fort had landed with it in 1970s.

As the history goes, the sacred “Dhuna” was started by much revered saint “Baba Jhiri Wale”. Before leaving the place and before even starting of construction of the fort in 1763-64, the Baba was said to have blessed Baba Ala Singh, the founder of the erstwhile Patiala state, with name and fame and had even predicted that he and his generations would be ruling a vast chunk of area - then under the control of the Muslims.

Baba Ala Singh’s father had already attained the blessings of Guru Hargobind and Guru Gobind Singh as he along with his brother Tirlok Singh had helped the Gurus in waging their wars against the tyrannical authorities of the time. Both the Gurus had rewarded the duo with as many as 24 weapons, including, a “Khanda Do Dhara”, a sword akin to “Khukhri”, and an arrow used by Guru Gobind Singh himself in the battles of Chamkaur Sahib. These weapons were still lying either in the fort museum or were in the possession of the “Royal Family” of Patiala. The faith of the family was so strong that its members have been visiting the place without any break for decades.

The sacred “Dhuna” was fuelled by wood of “Dhak” tree. “We have been trying our best to keep the Dhuna alive. For this, we have to use four to five quintals of dhak wood every month and the wood cost is borne by the department,” informed Jagjit Singh “Kiledar”, who has been looking after the fort along with the department’s employees. They say the royal family of Patiala would keep attaining fame till the “Dhuna” was going on or was “alive.”

Ferozepur, July 8
Supply of sub-standard milk, containing less fat, to jawans from the military dairy farm has come to light in the Golden Arrow Infantry Division in the cantonment here.

The division has ordered a probe by a board of senior officials. An FIR has also been lodged in the cantonment police station by the Army in this regard.

The police recovered 150 kg of milk cream from Bhag Singh and Hardip Singh , servants of Gulshan Uppal who runs a private dairy in the town.

The police said the two persons were taken into custody from outside the military dairy farm along with two drums containing 150 kg of milk cream. “We have registered an FIR under Sections 420, 379 and 411, IPC, against them and produced them before a magistrate who remanded them in judicial custody,” the police said.

Both accused were reportedly suffering from heart diseases. Army authorities alleged that the milk cream was stolen from the military dairy farm, the police said a parallel inquiry was also being conducted by the Army.

Army sources said the military dairy farm had one cream extraction machine. Senior Army officials were looking into whether the milk cream recovered by the police was extracted in this machine and taken out from the farm for sale to a private dairy in the town.

It was learnt Gulshan Uppal, owner of the private milk dairy, whose employees had been arrested, enjoys good relations with a few senior leaders of the Congress and there was pressure on the police not to implicate him.