Priests may give more time to Darshan Singh
To hold meeting today
Amritsar, January 28
The Sikh high priests are likely to give some respite to Prof Darshan Singh, who was declared a tankhaiya for his controversial discourse at Rochester in the USA, allowing him more time to appear in person and explain his position during their crucial meeting to be held here on Friday.

Chandigarh, January 28
Farmers in Punjab are in danger of being charged full tariff for running their tubewells from March. The Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission (PSERC) has informed the state government that it will invoke Section 65 of the Electricity Act, 2003, in case the government does not pay the entire subsidy due to the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) by the first week of March.

The government owes the PSEB Rs 1,038 crore as of January 1 this year. Besides this the government has not paid Rs 386 crore due to the PSEB on account of excess interest paid by the board on government loans as well as interest levied on the delayed amount of subsidy for the previous years.

The PSERC in a letter to the government recently has made it clear that it will invoke Section 65 of the Electricity Act, 2003, as well as charge penal interest on the delayed amount of subsidy in case the government does not liquidate its entire liability towards subsidy payment to the board by the first week of March.

Section 65 of the Electricity Act states that in case subsidy is not paid as directed by the commission, the order of the government for giving subsidised power supply will not be operative and the commission will have to issue orders for the levy of full charge from the consumers. The section also states that in case the government wants the distributing licensee to give power at subsidised rates, the government has to pay the subsidy quotient to the licensee in advance.

The government has regularly failed to pay the subsidy amount in advance to the PSEB even though the Regulatory Commission had changed the mode of payment from quarterly instalments to monthly instalments in its last tariff order. The recent financial crunch has resulted in a huge default.

In the letter written by the PSERC secretary, it has been pointed out that the commission had determined the amount of subsidy at Rs 3,144 crore for 2009-10. It said an analysis of the payment of subsidy by the government for the years 2007-08 and 2008-09 was made and it was noted that during these years though the government had paid the amount of subsidy as determined by the commission, it had been done in a staggered manner.

The PSERC noted that the PSEB intimated that the government had paid a subsidy of Rs 1,517 crore against Rs 2,261 crore due up to December 2009 and that Rs 294 crore had become due in January this year.

Chandigarh, January 28
The SAD today announced its intention to win the next Assembly elections “come what may’ besides declaring it would now participate in elections from the level of municipal committee onwards in the states of Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan.

Unfolding his plans before a meeting of the general council of the SAD, its President, Sukhbir Singh Badal, said the twin objectives required a clear chain of command as well as discipline in the party. He announced that as a first step district observers would be appointed and that they would hold monthly meetings. “Meetings of the working committee and the general council would be held every three months”, he added.

As far as plans of becoming a regional player were concerned, Sukhbir Badal said the party would from now on participate in municipal, block samiti, zila parishad and Assembly elections in all three nieghbouring states. “In the next Assembly elections we will fight and win four to five seats in Delhi and seven to eight seats in Haryana”, he said, adding the party would also make its debut in the next Assembly elections in Rajasthan.

The SAD under Sukhbir won one seat (Kilianwali) in Haryana in the recent Assembly elections and lost the Rajauri Garden seat in Delhi by a margin of eight votes.

Earlier, reacting to demands of party workers that they were not being given due importance in governance, the Deputy CM said he had directed all deputy commissioners and SSPs to hold meetings of the district advisory committees every month and that officers who did not conduct such meetings would be taken to task.

Claiming that these and other measures would ensure the SAD-BJP combine was victorious in the next Assembly elections, the SAD President said party workers always made a crucial difference as earlier trends revealed that 65 to 70 seats were won by a margin of 5,000 to 6,000 votes.

Akali workers, while speaking at the interactive session, said they needed more time with Sukhbir and also appealed to him to give more representation to them in various party bodies. A worker also pointed out that the government might not get due benefit of the old age pension, shagun or ata-dal scheme due to widespread irregularities in the process of identification of beneficiaries by party workers. It was urged that the party President himself should be strict on this count.

Youth Akali Dal patron Bikramjit Singh Majithia said some problems were probably occurring because “we listen too much”. He said no SHO, DSP or SDM was appointed without the concurrence of the legislator concerned or constituency in charge. He said in such a situation problems of making such officers accountable did crop up.

Chandigarh, January 28
The state government today announced the Punjabi Shiromani Sahit Awards for 2009 and has selected noted writer Kartar Singh Duggal for the “Punjabi Sahit Ratan” award worth Rs 5 lakh.

It has been agreed upon by the Punjab State Language Advisory Board meeting held here today, which was presided over by state Education and Language Minister Upinderjit Kaur.

During the meeting, 17 personalities were unanimously chosen for different Shiromani awards by the board that included “Shiromani Punjabi Sahitkar” award to be conferred on Piara Singh Bhogal and “Shiromani Hindi Sahitkar” award on Ravinder Kalia while Rajinder Nath Rehbar has been selected for “Shiromani Urdu Sahitkar” award.

“Shiromani Sanskrit Sahitkar” award will be given to Prof Jagdish Prasad Semwal and “Shiromani Punjabi Kavi” award to Jaswant Deed. Rajinder Singh Bhaseen has been chosen for “Shiromani Punjabi Gyan Sahitkar/Alochik” award while Darshan Gill will be conferred with “Shiromani Punjabi Sahitkar (overseas)” award.

Besides, Mohan Kahlon has been selected for “Shiromani Punjabi Sahitkar” award (outside Punjab) and Mahinder Singh Manupuri for “Shiromani Punjabi Bal Sahitkar Lekhak” award. HS Bawa has been selected for “Shiromani Punjabi Patarkar” award, Eedu Shariff for Shiromani Ragi/Dhadi/Kavishar award and Om Puri for “Shiromani Punjabi Television/ Radio/ Theater/ Play/ Producer/Writer” award. “Shiromani Punjabi Singer/Musician” award will be given to Paramjeet Singh Sidhu (Pammi Bai) whereas newly instituted “Shiromani Punjabi Sahit Patarkarita Puraskar” would be conferred on Raghubeer Singh Sirjina.

The minister said the advisory board also decided to honour Roop Singh (SGPC) and renowned photo artist Tej Pratap Singh Sandhu with special awards along with cash prize of Rs 2 lakh each for their valuable contribution.

It has also been agreed upon at the meeting to institute a new award to honour active Punjabi journalists working overseas with “Shiromani Punjabi Parvasi Patarkar Purskar”.

She said a deputation of the board would meet the state Governor to implement Punjabi in the offices of the Union Territory.

Meanwhile, board members also mourned the death of 32 sahitkars, who had passed away in the past. 

Amritsar, January 28
The Sikh high priests are likely to give some respite to Prof Darshan Singh, who was declared a tankhaiya for his controversial discourse at Rochester in the USA, allowing him more time to appear in person and explain his position during their crucial meeting to be held here on Friday.

The high priests have to decide now whether to excommunicate Prof Darshan Singh from the Sikh Panth or not. The issue will come up for discussion among the high priests, led by Akal Takht Jathedar Gurbachan Singh at the meeting which is scheduled to start at Akal Takht around 11.30 am.

Though Giani Gurbachan Singh was silent on the agenda of the meeting and particularly about the fate of Prof Darshan Singh, sources pointed out that though the high priests were in a mood to take stern action against the former Jathedar, they were likely to give some more time to him. The time was likely to be not more than a week or so. “A decision is to be taken by the Jathedars in a collective manner,” said Giani Gurbachan Singh while talking to The Tribune.

Meanwhile, in an outburst against the Sikh clergy and the top management of the SGPC, Prof Darshan Singh made it clear that he was a follower of Guru Granth Sahib and not of the Jathedars who were equating the Dasm Granth with Guru Granth Sahib. “The welfare of the Sikh Panth can be expected from true followers of Guru Granth Sahib and not from those who were out to follow the orders of their political masters. The Panth has to decide about me. I want to propogate the Khalsa Panth,” said Prof Darshan Singh in a statement.

Jalandhar, January 28
The supply of petroleum and diesel to various parts of the region was affected following a strike by the Jalandhar Oil Tanker Union here today.

Transporters are protesting against a fine of Rs 6,000 per vehicle levied by the Indian Oil Corporation for VTS equipment for keeping track of vehicles from oil depots en route their destination. Scores of trucks could be seen parked outside the depot of the corporation at Suchi Pind till late in the evening.

Kishan Lal Sharma and Ashok Sarin, leaders of the union, said the company had deducted the money from their dues by levying charges for the equipment on their vehicles that were not functional due to some technical glitch. The authorities have so far deducted Rs 5 lakh from then and efforts were afoot to deduct Rs 30 lakh in the next instalment, they added.

What has irked the agitators is the unilateral decision of the company even when the equipment had developed a snag for no fault of theirs and that, too, after three years of its installation.

“We can understand the fine if the equipment had been stolen or was damaged by them but charging Rs 6,000 for a faulty piece was without any rationale and arbitrary,” they pointed out.

“Moreover, the company had not informed us about this clause when tenders were floated and opened. We were also not informed about how the equipment worked or what we needed to keep it functioning,” they added.

Ludhiana, January 28
Gurjinder Singh (10) heard stories about his London-based father for a decade and waited all these years to be in his lap like his counterparts. But he was destined not to see him alive.

In his innocence, he laid a wreath on his body unable to understand the death as his father, Sukhwinder Singh, a braveheart who was killed by muggers in east London a fortnight ago, was consigned to flames amidst heartrending scenes at his native Salempur village. He was born after his father left in search of greener pastures. He was to see him for the first time. But the fate did not give him a single chance.

Gurjinder’s unfortunate mother, Sandeep Kaur, fell unconscious after seeing her husband dead. The condition of Sukhwinder’s mother, Swaranjeet Kaur, was pitiable. ‘‘I wish I had not sent you abroad,” she was heard saying while crying bitterly.

Sukhwinder’s body was brought to Ludhiana last night by his father, Pakhar Singh, and kept at a gurdwara here. ‘‘I did not know I will bring him dead. I am completely shattered,” he said with emotions overpowering him.

Sukhwinder Singh, whose family now lives in Dholanwal village near Kohara, had immigrated to London 10 years. All these years, he was not able to spare money to fly back home. But he had to arrive in April. He was attacked while pursuing two muggers who had robbed a 28-year-old woman near Barking station; and when he caught them, a fight broke out and he was knifed. He was taken to Royal London Hospital but died on January 8.

Sukhwinder was cremated in the family’s ancestral land, as the family plans to construct a memorial in his memory. The Deputy Commissioner and the Ludhiana SSP also attended the cremation. The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee had been instrumental in bringing his body back. As many as 16 London- based Sikh organisations have donated £10,000 to the family. 

Amritsar, January 28
To commemorate the Sirhind victory of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur at the global level, the SGPC has not only planned to come out with gold and silver memorial coins but also decided to make a documentary on him.

It was Banda Bahadur who had marched from Nanded and reached Sirhind to defeat the Mughal army in 1710.

The SGPC has decided to celebrate his historic victory in the shape of “Fateh Divas” at Fatehgarh Sahib on May 12,13 and 14. A nagar kirtan has also been planned from Nanded to Chaparchidi.

“Baba Banda Singh Bahadur had issued coins in the name of the Guru to show his reverence to the Almighty. We are going to issue gold and silver coins to commemorate his victory. To apprise the Sikhs of the valiant deeds of Baba Banda Bahadur, who was one of the most respected Sikh generals, we are also coming out with a documentary film on his life. The SGPC has already requested the Centre to issue postal stamps of denominations of Rs 5 and Rs 10 in memory of Baba Banda Bahadur,” said SGPC chief Avtar Singh.

Patiala, January 28
To educate all children in Punjab, a campaign has been launched in slum areas to educate children under the ‘Parho Punjab Project’.

As a first step, PRATHM, an NGO, has identified children from the slum areas of Rajpura who were enrolled in schools but were not attending the school regularly due to one reason or the other. The NGO collected detailed information about their whereabouts and provided it to the Patiala district coordinator of the project.

Later, members of the NGO met parents of children at Roshan Colony, Rajpura, and briefed them about the project for the regular enrolment and attendance of their children. Trainers also introduced the parents with various techniques being used in the project.

A drawing competition was also organised on the occasion by ‘Hasdian Roohan Parivaar,’ a Rajpura-based NGO. 

Chandigarh, January 28
The Centre has given nod to the CBI for the prosecution of senior IAS officer K Siva Prasad, the former senior regional manager of Food Corporation of India (FCI) in three cases of criminal conspiracy.

The CBI had submitted the sanction of prosecution before the special CBI court, Patiala, which had summoned Prasad to appear before it on February 20.

Deputy Inspector General CBI Mahesh Aggarwal said, Prasad, a 1993 batch IAS officer, along with other officials of the FCI had misused his official position to procure sub-standard rice. Some private rice millers from Sangrur, Faridkot, Bathinda and Ferozepur were also involved in the scam.

The CBI had registered three cases in January 2006, following joint surprise checks in 2005 at various centres in these districts. During the checks, the teams had taken 451 samples of rice accepted by the FCI, out of which only 13 samples were found to be within the prescribed specifications, while the remaining 438 samples failed to meet the specification.

The test further revealed that as many as 91 samples were found to be unfit for human consumption and 347 samples were below the rejection limit.

Further investigations revealed that out of mandatory 2 per cent sample checks undertaken by Prasad, the then senior regional manager, only three out of 3566, which is just about 0.01 per cent, were detected to be below the rejection limit.

The DIG said the probe established the involvement of Prasad in the scam. 

Chandigarh, January 28
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has held the state of Punjab at fault for not responding to the “wailing pleas” of an Indian National Army (INA) soldier’s widow; and for “utter lack of sensitive approach”.

Virtually passing strictures on the Deputy Commissioner concerned while taking up a petition by Kaushalya Devi, Justice K. Kannan held: “The case presents a poignant situation of the insensitivity of the state authorities in not responding to the wailing pleas of a widow of a freedom fighter under the Swatantarta Sainik Samman Pension Scheme, 1980.

“The claim of the petitioner is that her husband had joined the Indian National Army and suffered three-year incarceration. He had been a Tamarpatra awardee....”

Justice Kannan further held: “If the state government were also to join issues by merely expressing its helplessness that it was unable to find any record, the very purpose of the scheme will be lost. Unfortunately, for the petitioner that is the attitude exhibited by the Deputy Commissioner…. The statement given by the Deputy Commissioner, Hoshiarpur, is far from satisfactory.

“The Deputy Commissioner says there was no documentary proof found and as regards the genuineness of the claim that the petitioner’s husband was a freedom fighter, he had examined the son of the petitioner and said that he had no record other than the Tamarpatra presented to his father on August 15, 1972, by the then Prime Minister of India.

“The scheme requires something more. The state government is bound to make inquiry if records are not available, it must include communication with the prison authorities where a particular person was reported to have been imprisoned and make a genuine attempt to find whether records are available or not.

“A Deputy Commissioner cannot look into just old files around his office, and report that there are no records. The reply of the Deputy Commissioner shows his lackadaisical approach to the whole situation of how the pleas for pension must be attended to with the sensitivity that the case demands.

Before parting with the orders, Justice Kannan asserted: “I direct the state government to make an appropriate effort to collect the material regarding imprisonment and if it is still unable to do, to make local enquiries, ascertain themselves about the claims made by the petitioner regarding the freedom fighter’s status and the imprisonment that she claims that her husband suffered and make an appropriate recommendation, if the case deserves, immediately to the Central Government, for it to act in that regard. The entire exercise by the state government shall be done without any further more effort of the petitioner and it shall be concluded within a period of four weeks.”