Jalandhar, July 24
No one represented Punjab to put across the state’s official view in the meeting held to determine guidelines for fixing tariff for the non-conventional energy. The meeting was held in Delhi on Wednesday and convened by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).

At the hearing held in this regard by the Commission, representatives of almost all states and other stakeholder presented their viewpoint with regard to the tariff determination and policy to be framed in this regard.

Obviously, the guidelines finalised by the Commission would become a benchmark for all states in near future. The regulations to be framed by the Commission will also affect the states in due course. Punjab is a state which has followed the tariff pattern determined by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. 

The Commission, in fact, had earlier circulated a draft paper in this regard to provide them opportunity to prepare their point of view. The meeting was held to hold discussion for finalising policy guidelines in this regard.

There are several sources of renewable energy such as wind power, generation of power from bio-mass plants, co-generation plant in sugar mills, solar power and mini hydro projects. The Union government has been promoting the generation of power from such sources. In fact, the State Electricity Regulatory Authorities have also been told to promote the generation of renewable energy and fix a percentage for its generation every year.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his ministers often take the Union government to task for framing policies without consulting states. In fact, the Badal government is one of the most vocal critics of the Union government’s programmes and policies and often brands them as useless and non-enforceable for states like Punjab.

However, no one represented the state when the Commission invited various states and other stakeholders for holding discussion on such an important policy matter related to energy. For all the projects to be set up by the Central government organisations in the states, the tariff determined by the Commission would be applicable. For instance, if any company of the Union government sets up renewable energy project in Punjab, it would sell the power at the rate fixed by the Commission.

Sources revealed that a retired Chief Engineer, PSEB, Padamjit Singh, who had gone there in individual capacity and some private stakeholders from Punjab were present at the hearing. Punjab has set up some mini-hydel projects. For the power generated from such projects, tariff has been fixed at Rs 3.49 per unit with effect from 2006-07 at 3 per cent escalation every year till 2011-12, it is learnt. And same tariff has been fixed for the energy to be generated from co-generation plants set up in private sectors in the state.

Chandigarh, July 24
As thousands of farmers owing allegiance to the Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta) held protests and demonstrations at all district headquarters yesterday, the SAD-BJP government finds itself in a dilemma over direct payment to farmers for their produce.

During the just-concluded Budget session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal had assured the House that the issue would be resolved soon as the centuries-old system of payment through commission agents just could not be wished away by a single stroke.

While the ruling alliance has been under tremendous pressure from the strong lobby of commission agents as well as some organisations of farmers, a majority of farmers’ organisations with Leftist leanings, however, have been insisting that the present system of sale of farm produce through commission agents should be immediately scrapped and replaced by a more transparent and comprehensive market committees network.

Talking to The Tribune over the phone, Sukhdev Singh Kokri Kalan, general secretary, BKU, said farmers were determined not to allow a turnback on its declared policy of making payment to farmers directly for their produce.

“How can the government go back on its public policy of issuing a notification of direct payment to farmers from July 1?” he quipped, alleging that of late the SAD-BJP was becoming more and more sympathetic to commission agents.

Joginder Singh Ugrahan, Jhanda Singh Jethuke, Surjit Singh Dhaban, Inderjit Singh Jhabbar and Sadhu Singh Takhatpura, all senior leaders of the BKU (Ekta), addressed rallies of protesting farmers at different district headquarters and cautioned the government from going back on its promise of making direct payment to farmers legal from July 1.

The farm leaders said the system had to stop somewhere. “Since we have suffered enough and since suicides are continuing unabated, it is high time for the government to reverse the existing system and honour its commitment of pulling farmers out of the clutches of the commission agents. They also wanted that all outstanding loans of both banks and private financiers should be waived.

In future, nationalised banks should advance loans to farmers at 4 per cent interest. The banks should also extend the ATM facility to farmers and new laws for controlling the operation of private lenders should be enacted.

The farm leaders said in case the SAD-BJP dragged its feet on the issue of direct payment to farmers, it would be responsible for the consequences, including a concerted campaign in the state.

Chandigarh, July 24
Peeved over the growing complaints of alleged luring of voters in the three Punjab bypolls by various candidates, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has issued a stern warning against violating the model code of conduct. Taking cognisance of some reports, clear directions have been issued to all returning officers to take corrective steps to ensure free and fair polls in Jalalabad, Kanuwan and Banur assembly segments.

After a review meeting today, all returning officers have been asked to highlight that any printing of posters or banners or election material with a view to promote hatred could invoke a jail term of six months or a fine. All candidates have been asked to ensure that the election material published carries the name of the printer or publisher, as the case may be, so that the cost of production can be included towards the expense incurred.

It has been emphasised that any printed material, hand-bill or other documents distributed with a view to prejudicing a candidate or a group of candidates or any placards or posters with a reference to the election would be prohibited till the completion of the electoral process. However, there is no ban on hand-bills or posters announcing the date, time and place of any election meeting.

Kusumjit Sidhu, Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, today issued instructions that prohibit use of the public address system in Banur, Jalalabad and Khanuwan during the night from 10 pm until 6 am. Any violations should immediately be reported to the nearest police station and the SHOs will be duty bound to get the loudspeakers switched off.

The Punjab government has come under fire from the opposition for using official machinery, which includes use of government equipment, official vehicles with red beacons and deployment of government employees for election work. The SAD has raised a stink over the contents in an affidavit filed by Congress nominees.

Reacting to charges that the ruling alliance has managed to get its loyalists deployed for election duty at various places, the Election Commission has issued a stern warning to officials to maintain utmost secrecy in all matters pertaining to the polls till the completion of the electoral process. The agents of the candidates have also been bound by secrecy.

Kahnuwan and Jalalabad fell vacant after the MLA from there, Partap Singh Bajwa and Sher Singh Ghubaiya got elected to the Lok Sabha, while the Banur seat fell vacant after the death of former Punjab Cooperation Minister Captain Kanwaljit Singh in a road accident in March.

Chandigarh, July 24
Senior Punjab Congress leadership seems to have virtually forsaken its candidates fighting the byelections from Jalalabad, Banur and Kahnuwan.

Congress candidate from Jalalabad Han Raj Josan, who needs support most of all as he is fighting former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, is fighting a lone battle. Party candidate Fatehjang Singh Bajwa is depending on his brother and Gurdaspur MP Partap Singh Bajwa and not the party in Kahnuwan. Banur candidate Deepinder Singh Dhillon is banking on support from Patiala MP Preneet Kaur, who was instrumental in nominating him for the party ticket.

The Congress leadership, which did nothing to build up a momentum before the bypolls, has done little since the start of campaigning. Party president Mohinder Singh Kaypee has accompanied candidates on the day they filed nominations but has not had any time to campaign on their behalf.

A close associate of Josan said a few party leaders who had come to the constituency came to show their face only. Senior leaders, including Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, are yet to campaign in Jalalabad. A Josan associate said Amarinder had conveyed that he would be available for five hours on July 30 for campaigning in the constituency. “What will a few hours do when we are fighting a Chief Minister in waiting”, he said.

Josan is virtually alone except for Ferozepur district leaders like Rana Gurmit Sodhi, Dr Mohinder Rinwa and Parminder Singh who are campaigning for him.

Kaypee and Bhattal have been missing from campaigning in Banur also. However, a statement by Bhattal here today said she would address an election rally in Banur tomorrow and also on July 27 and July 31.

Congress candidate Deepinder Dhillon said Amarinder would visit the constituency on July 29 and 30 and that Preneet would remain in the constituency from July 25 onwards. The only other senior leader campaigning in Banur is former minister Lal Singh.

In Kahnuwan, Bajwa admits he is fighting single handedly for his brother. There are reports that Amarinder may not visit Kahnuwan due to some “misunderstanding”. Kaypee and Bhattal have also not campaigned.

Banur, July 24
It is a fight for political survival. Perhaps for the first time, the Banur byelection is witnessing a direct contest between two greenhorns, whose political career is at stake.

Otherwise witness to contest between seasoned politicians, the Banur electorate is seeing a keenly contested fight between Congress candidate Deepinder Singh and SAD candidate Jasjit Singh Bunny.

While Bunny has only the political legacy of his father on his side, the Congress candidate being in charge of the Banur Assembly segments, since the last two elections, has “rich” grassroots contact with the masses, which has been otherwise enjoyed by stalwarts like Capt Kanwaljit Singh and Vinod Sharma.

Owning to profile of the constituency that has around 40 per cent Hindu vote, the Congress has been retaining the seat prior to 1985. Analysis of the polling pattern (since 1977) shows that there has been fluctuation in the votes netted by the Congress and the SAD.

Though, it was yet to be seen whether the sympathy factor weighs heavy upon the voters or the experience of Deepinder takes the edge.

Amritsar, July 24
Guru Nanak Dev (GND) University will establish a college of engineering on its campus, provided the state government grants adequate funds. This was stated by newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of the university Ajaib Singh Brar while talking to The Tribune here today.

He said he had discussed the matter with the officials concerned and the relevant steps would be taken in due course of time.

Sounding optimistic, he said the Punjab government would increase its share of allocation to universities. At present, the university receives only Rs 18 crore from the state government against its annual budget of Rs 100 crore.

The Vice-Chancellor said the university would introduce a crash course in communication and personality development for the students from rural areas on a no-profit-no-loss basis. All efforts would be put in to elevate departments of management, science, biological science and computer science to centres of excellence.

The demarcation of land and setting up of a heritage village on the university campus would commence soon as a grant of Rs 20 crore from the Ministry of Tourism through the Punjab government was to be released soon.

Appreciating infrastructure at Lucknow University, from where he resigned as VC to join here, he said the feeling to serve his own people compelled him to accept the opportunity.

Brar, who taught at IIT-Delhi for 26 years, said it would be a daydreaming to expect that the university could be elevated to the level of an IIT. He candidly told that no state university could match the standards of an IIT.

Since IIT received abundant funds. An IIT with 5,000 students had a budgetary allocation of Rs 150 crore whereas this university with 7,000 students on campus and scores of colleges attached to it had the budget of only Rs 100 crore.

Chandigarh, July 24
The state of Punjab has landed itself in trouble on the issue of a Bill to check human trafficking. Taking exception to the way the state was responding to the matter, the Bench Chief Justice Tirath Singh Thakur and Justice Kanwaljit Singh Ahluwalia imposed a cost of Rs 25,000. The amount is to be recovered from the officers concerned.

The high court had earlier taken suo motu cognizance of a news-report, “Kin of 40 youths trapped in Kuwait threaten suicide” carried in these columns on January 11, 2006. At that time, Justice SS Nijjar and Justice SS Saron of the High Court had issued notice to the states of Punjab, Haryana and UT Chandigarh.

An affidavit, earlier filed in a “cavalier fashion”, had nearly landed a senior Punjab government officer in trouble. The senior secretary-level officer had to offer an unqualified and unconditional apology to “mistake committed by him in providing wrong information to the court” on the issue of a Bill to check human-trafficking in the state.

Accepting the apology, the Bench had let off the officer after issuing a warning to him to be careful in future.The state on December 8 had sought additional time to seek instructions, whether the draft legislation on the issue of human trafficking had been approved.

In response, the state counsel filed another affidavit sworn by Dharam Pal Gupta, additional-secretary to the Punjab government, Department of Home Affairs and Justice, stating that the matter had in fact not gone to the LR, as stated in the earlier affidavit. The same was rather still pending with the secretary, Home Affairs. 

Patiala, July 24
The local CBI court today convicted six persons, five officials of the National Small Industries Corporation, Ludhiana and a cable manufacturer of Ludhiana.

The court awarded jail term of three years each to Deputy GM SP Sharma, Vikas Saha, Ranjit, Gulshan Malhotra, Dev Parsad and Ravi Talwar. In addition to the jail term, the court also levied a fine of Rs 34,000 each on all five officials of the National Small Industries Corporation and Rs 64,000 on Ravi Talwar.

According to the prosecution, Ravi Talwar was running a company by the name of AR Transmission Pvt Ltd at Ludhiana, which manufactured cable and supply to the PSEB. He had been convicted with the said officials of the National Small Industries Corporation.

In this connection, a case has been registered on August 6, 2003 at Ludhiana under Sections 120-B, 420,467, 471,468 and 13(2) R/W 13(1) (D) PC Act.

Amritsar, July 24
Gurjeet Singh and Dilbagh Singh, prime accused of the espionage racket busted by the State Special Operation Cell, were sent to police remand till July 29 today. Gurjeet, physically challenged son of Harpal Singh Bhullar, chairman of the Bhai Mardana Yaadgari Kirtan Society, was operating from Ferozepur while his accomplice Dilbagh Singh was active in Amritsar.

According to sources, Gurjeet used to operate at least eight e-mail IDs to interact and pass on sensitive military information to Pakistan’s ISI. The cell, a counter-intelligence wing of the Punjab police, was going though all e-mails.

About the modus operandi of the accused, to dodge the security and intelligence agencies, they used to save the information and graphics in the “draft” option of e-mail IDs rather than passing these through other IDs, which is later collected by ISI officials Rana and Sayyad, who knew the password and would access the information loaded by Gurjeet. Both officials had trained him in computer and surfing the Internet. Gurjeet has cleared eighth standard only.

The sources said Gurjeet was a better option to become undercover spy for the ISI as he was a physically challenged person and son of Harpal Bhullar who runs a self-styled Sikh organisation that had been regularly sending jathas to Pakistan.

The intelligence got suspicious when he visited Pakistan six times in a year while a common man could not get visa easily. The sources added they were keeping an eye on him for four months. 

Patiala, July 24
A team of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted a raid at the official residence of Income Tax Commissioner (Appeals) Sushil Kumar Aggarwal and seized a number of documents here today.

A team of the CBI officials from Delhi raided the residence of Sushil in the Income Tax Colony adjoining Chhoti Baradari. The raid started early in the morning and continued till late evening. The raiding party also searched his office and took into custody several incriminating documents.

Details of the seized documents could not be known. The team also searched a locker of the commissioner in the State Bank of Patiala’s branch here. Talking to The Tribune, Aggarwal said the officials had gone through papers pertaining to his bank accounts and taken into custody several documents details of which he could not specify. “I have been posted here for the last three years. I am not aware of any complaint lodged against me,” he added.

However, CBI sources in Delhi said the CBI had registered a case against him for amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income.

The sources said the searches had been conducted today in four states, including the cities of Mumbai, Hyderabad and Jodhpur and crores of rupees deposited by the commissioner in his own name and his family members had been unearthed.

The sources said it had been revealed during searches that the commissioner owned properties in his own name and his family members, which included five flats and one shop in Mumbai, a house in Bikaner and a plot in Jodhpur.

He is also alleged to have several bank accounts besides, holding shares and other holdings in financial institutions.