Tribune Impact
FCI team arrives in Moga to collect rice samples
Moga, February 5
Reacting to a news item published in these columns on January 4, the top brass of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) had dispatched a technical team of experts to Moga and Ferozepur districts for collecting samples of rice from the storehouses of the corporation.

Ropar, February 5
Ropar has become the first district of the country to launch the district monitoring system scheme, where in even a common man can monitor progress of government schemes and projects by logging on to Ropar district website.

Ropar Deputy Commissioner Priyank Bharti said this would be the first time when even a common man would have access to the information about the government schemes.

Addressing a meeting of district officials here today, Bharti said all officials should ensure that information of their respective departments was updated on the website.

The website would not only enable a common man to access the information, but would also have special features, where in one could send complaints and suggestions pertaining to different schemes.

He added that of 756 developmental projects initiated in the district, 647 had been added to the district monitoring system software and the rest would be added soon.

The departments, which are yet to submit details and photographs of their projects, were directed to provide the same for completing the software.

He directed that for government dispensaries and hospitals, medicines should be bought from generic drug stores. These generic drug stores have 280 types of medicines being sold on no profit, no loss basis.

He said the waste disposal treatment plant would be installed in Ropar, Morinda, Anandpur Sahib and Nangal to deal with the garbage problem.

The executive officers of these municipal councils were directed to send a proposal of setting up plants after getting clearance from the house at the earliest.

Officials were directed to submit the report under 20 points programme of the government on fifth of every month. He ordered rationalisation of the staff in government primary schools.

SDM Ropar Anindita Mitra, SDM Chamkaur Sahib and Nangal Lakhmir Singh, IAS trainee Rupanjali, ADC (G) and DTO Pushpinder Singh Kele, revenue officer Paramjit Singh, DDPO Sanjiv Garg and others were also present.

Ferozepur, February 5
Surinder Singh, head constable, who is working as Naib Court in the district courts here, was arrested this evening by a team of the CIA police station while he was trying to dispose of heroin, stolen by him from the Judicial Malkhana.

Police sources said about 830 gm of heroin, worth about Rs 4.5 crore in the international market, was recovered from Surinder Singh when a police team led by SHO Sarbjit Singh searched him. Joginder Singh, DSP, was also present when the accused was arrested.

Surinder Singh managed to steal heroin from the Judicial Malkhana despite the fact that it was being guarded by policemen round the clock.

Sarbjit Singh, SHO, CIA police station, said Surinder Singh was arrested on secret information when he was in search of a customer to sell off the narcotics stolen by him. Surinder Singh was arrested from a point near Sher Shah Wali Chowk in the cantonment area of the town.

He added that during the preliminary investigation, the accused had confessed that he had been indulging in such activities for the past about two years. He added that the quantity of heroin and other narcotics, lying in the Judicial Malkhana, stolen and subsequently sold off by Surinder Singh in the past about two years would be known only after a thorough investigation.

The SHO said Surinder Singh would be sent to the Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC), Amritsar, to know more about his modus operandi and other illegal activities. He said it was being verified whether Surinder Singh was involved in such activities individually or whether he had been taking the help of other persons also. He said a large quantity of narcotics was lying in the Judicial Malkhana.

He said a case under section 21 of the NDPS Act had been registered against Surinder Singh at police station, cantonment. The accused would be produced in the court of judicial magistrate for seeking his remand in police custody.

Moga, February 5
The Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) today took a notice of a news item, “A cop or an extortionist?” published in these columns and sought a report from Moga SSP Ashok Bath on the issue.

Talking to The Tribune over the phone, Justice RS Mongia, Chairman of the PSHRC, said the SSP had been asked to submit the report by March 29, the next date of hearing in this case.

Many instances were coming to the fore that Inspector Satnam Singh of the Moga CIA staff , who was suspended for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 9 lakh from a chemist, used to extort money from chemists by threatening to slap cases against them under the NDPS Act.

The chemists’ association had alleged that Satnam devised the method of “recovery of mysterious powder” to register criminal cases against them. Interestingly, in a couple of chemical reports of the powder conducted by the state forensic laboratory, nothing serious was found except the composition of chemicals used in manufactured drugs, which are normally sold to patients on the prescription of doctors.

Two such FIRs registered under the NDPS Act against Gopal Kishan of Kaura Medical Store, Dharamkot, and Anil Kumar, an employee of the New Sargam Medicos, Ajitwal, had been quashed by the High Court during the past few weeks. Despite this fact, the police continued to arrest chemists under the NDPS Act and many of them were still in judicial custody.

One more instance has come out against Satnam in which one Gurmeet Singh of Moga in a complaint filed before the Moga SSP on December 12 alleged that Satnam, along with one Sukhwinder Singh, purchased a used Scorpio from a local dealer by just paying Rs 500 and assured him that he would pay the amount Rs 3.40 lakh soon. “I gave his surety, but he did not pay the said amount even after taking away the car”, he stated in his complaint. The SSP has also marked an inquiry into this complaint.

Chandigarh, February 5
Punjab Pradesh Congress president Mohinder Singh Kaypee today called for the establishment of a free zone for the purpose of tax concessions covering Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir so that such concessions were available to all.

In a statement here, Kaypee said he had taken up the issue with the Prime Minister and the UPA Chairperson so that the interests of Punjab were taken care of in the wake of recommendations relating to the extension of tax concessions beyond March 2010 to both Himachal and Uttarakhand. Kaypee said the state’s industrial sector would suffer huge losses in case the Union Government accepted the recommendation for the extension of tax concessions to Himachal and Uttarakhand only. Party general secretary Parminder Singh said in the past six years Himachal had been successful in attracting outside investment of more than Rs 40,000 crore.

The GDP rate of Punjab was already below the national average of 8.49 per cent and its per capita income, which was more than Haryana in 2000, was now 30 per cent below Haryana.

Parminder Singh said no big industrial project had come to Punjab in the past three years due to the bad policies of the SAD government, which could not even provide adequate electricity to any sector not to speak of industry and the sops provided to Himachal, J&K and Uttarakhand. 

Ludhiana, February 5
The world food prices have skyrocketed due to rise in population and fall in foodgrains production. India also needs to raise its food production in order to meet the needs of a rising population. These observations were made by Dr GS Khush, renowned agricultural scientist of the world.

In an exclusive interview with The Tribune here today, Dr Khush said the prices of foodgrains had gone up from $300 per tonne in 2002 to $1,000 per tonne in 2008-09. The rise in the prices of foodgrains took place as there was a demand for maize from all over the world for making ethynol.

This resulted in the diversion in the area from wheat to maize and rice prices also doubled during this period. “Moreover countries like Vietnam and Thailand started hoarding stocks of rice. The third factor was that India, which was exporting rice to various countries from 2002 to 2006, also stopped export of rice in order to preserve stocks as food security. After the withdrawal of India and hoarding by two countries, prices of rice started rising to $1,000 per tonne,” said Dr Khush.

Dr Khush, who is also known as paddy daddy in the world for his contribution to the research in rice and development of more than 300 paddy varieties, said as the prices started rising, the poor in the world were the biggest sufferers. As much as 50 per cent to 60 per cent of their earnings went to the buying of foodgrains and this led to riots in 12 countries, mostly African.

Dr Khush explained that the food production was not less and it was the price rise which led to the increase in the food prices.

Dr Khush said there was great concern over the food deficit in the world and the governments were trying to see if the food production could be increased. The Gates Foundation was extending a lot of aid to the African countries and the organisations that were engaged in research in agriculture.

Regarding the Indian problems of meeting the food shortage, Dr Khush said India was facing the same problem. “Our food production has not risen and this is the reason food prices are going up in this country. Global warming is also affecting food production. This year, there was a serious drought and rice production would be less by 10 million tonnes than last year’s production. Because of the late rains, the farmers could not plant rice.”

Dr Khush sounded a note of caution to the Government of India and said the investment in agriculture research to develop the technology for raising the food production must be adequate. He also laid stress on water management and said that water must be conserved.

Dr Khush will participate in the annual alumni meet of the college of agriculture of PAU on February 11.

Bathinda, February 5
A controversy today erupted over the issue of the new chief of Dera Roomi Wala of Bhucho Kalan village, as two sides declared two separate persons of their choice as the new chief of the dera on the day of antim ardas of former chief of Dera Rumi Wala, Sant Baba Khem Singh (105), who had recently died following a heart attack in New Delhi.

The antim ardas was today held on the premises of Dera Roomi Wala at Bhucho Kalan village, about 15 km from here. Besides several religious personalities, thousands of persons from the area and other parts of the state took part in the antim ardas of the late Sant Baba Khem Singh. Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala and former MP Jagmit Singh Brar also attended the Shardhanjli samaroh.

It is learnt that the controversy erupted when one side declared Sewadar Harbans Singh as the new head of the dera while another side declared Baba Sukhdev Singh as the new head of the dera.

Sources said Baba Sukhdev Singh had been declared new chief of the dera by the leaders of the Sant Samaj and Sikh bodies while members of the management committee of the dera and some members of the village panchayat declared Sewadar Harbans Singh as the new chief of the dera.

Sources further said it had been stated that the dera management committee’s side had a writing of the Sant Baba Khem Singh in its possession, in which Sant Baba Khem Singh had mentioned about Sewadar Harbans Singh.

It is also learnt that no decision, acceptable to all, with regard to the appointment of the new chief of the dera could be taken till this evening.

Jalandhar, February 5
The two-day centenary celebrations of the local Lyallpur Khalsa College today started with much fanfare and religious fervour. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal will grace the occasion tomorrow while renowned Punjabi singers - Malkit Singh and Sarbjeet Cheema - alumnae of the college - will entertain the audience in the evening.

The celebrations started this morning with prayers to the Almighty. Shabad kirtan was recited by Bhai Balwinder Singh Rangeela and Bhai Nirmal Singh. The congregation comprising students and the college staff was enlightened with ‘Gurmat Vichar’ by Singh Sahib Gyani Jaswinder Singh, Head Granthi of Sri Harmandar Sahib.

The evening function was marked with an alumni meet. President of the College, Governing Council, Balbir Kaur welcomed students on the occasion.

The college was a product of the Indian Renaissance of the 19th century, which further blossomed out through the Singh Sabha Movement in Punjab. Sant Attar Singh of Mastuana had laid the foundation stone of Khalsa High School, Lyallpur (now Faislabad) in Pakistan in 1908. However, at the same place now stands Government Municipal Degree College, Faislabad. The school was converted into a college in 1924. College Principal Dr Jaspal Singh Randhawa said during its 100 years journey, the college has stood up to its motto of providing quality education with a blend of tradition and modernism. “The institution has emerged as promoter of Punjabi culture,” he added.

Anandpur Sahib, February 5
In order to maintain transparency in recruitment of vacancies at Punjab Mandi Board, Panjab University has been roped in to conduct the procedure.

Mandi board chairman Ajmer Singh Lakhowal said this while talking to mediapersons during a visit to installation ceremony of mandi board official here. Lakhowal added that the university would conduct this exam wherein list would be prepared and candidates will be appointed on merit basis.

Punjab cabinet has given approval to posts of SDO, JE, secretary and others. “We want to ensure no political interference in the recruitment procedure and in order to rule out corruption at any level it was decided to ask PU to conduct the procedure. The varsity has been conferred with rights to conduct examination,” he added.

He claimed that in last three years, the income of mandi board has almost doubled. “In the year 2006-07, mandi board earned Rs 345.39 crore, in 2007-08 it earned Rs 398.73 crore, in 2008-09 it earned Rs 572.99 crore and its income till January 15 this year is Rs 641.09 crore,” he added.

Talking about Punjab’s farmers’ rights he said under Bharatiya Kisan Union, farmers would hold a massive rally at Delhi on March 9 in support of their long-pending demands. In order to sensitise farmers over the issue, district-level meetings are being held.

He demanded that farmers be given loan on zero per cent rate of interest and special rules be floated to bundle up loans pending. “We also demand that our produce be calculated as per recommendations of Swaminathan committee,” he said.

Chandigarh, February 5
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today made it clear that the trial courts had not been restrained from proceeding further in cases registered by the state Vigilance Bureau. The directions will have a direct bearing on cases against Punjab’s former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, ex-Director-General of Police SS Virk and other bigwigs.

The directions came during the hearing of a case accusing the Vigilance Bureau of registering cases without the prior approval of an administrative committee, as mandated by the rules. The high court had earlier directed the summoning of records in the case, following which the state had asserted the orders amounted to stay on proceedings.

As the state’s revision petition came up, the Bench of Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal and Justice Jasbir Singh asserted: “There is substance in the plea of the respondents that summoning of record, in fact, tantamounts to stay of proceedings…. Since the order of stay in the Prevention of Corruption Act cases is clearly forbidden by the Supreme Court, and this court has not granted any stay, it is evident and we make it clear that the trial courts are not restrained from proceeding further, notwithstanding the pendency of this writ petition in this court”.

The Bench also directed the return of the records, but asked the state of Punjab to “prepare the photostat copies of the records of the cases which are subject matter of the writ petition and file their copies certified as true and correct copies, along with an affidavit. If the record in any case has been sent to this court, it will be sent back as per the directions to the court concerned”. The Bench asserted: “The issues involved in the writ petition can be adequately considered by us by the examination of the certified copies of the record of the proceedings, if necessary”. State Advocate-General Hardev Singh Mattewal had earlier added "notice had been issued on the question of stay on November 30, 2009”. As such, the summoning of records amounted to ex parte stay on proceedings in a public interest litigation. If the court in the main case eventually comes to the conclusion that the guidelines are mandatory in nature, the Vigilance Bureau may find itself toothless and the trials continuing against Capt Amarinder Singh and others may be rendered “bad in law” in the absence of proper procedure. The main case will now come up on April 20.

Chandigarh, February 5
The jail committee constituted by the state of Punjab on July 29 last was yet to be provided with necessary infrastructure, the Punjab and Haryana High Court heard today. In an interim status report submitted by the committee headed by Justice Amar Dutt before Division Bench of Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal and Justice Jasbir Singh, it was asserted that even transport facility had not been provided.

The assertion came during the resumed hearing on the PIL filed by Akali leader Simranjit Singh Mann. The committee has former financial commissioner Gur Pratap Singh and retired IPS officer Mohammed Izhar Alam as members.