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Assembly
Annual Plan may be pegged at Rs 9,000 cr
Question Hour |
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Bhattal demands White Paper on central grants
Race for 5 RS seats begins
Moga Sex Scandal
Farm workers, farmers join hands for struggle
Toddler’s Death in Oz
30-yr-old immolates self
Docs’ recruitment: PCMS assn hails probe order
House demolition: Residents block Chd-Banur road
‘Keeping OCIs off sports discouraging’
Youth dept denies info under RTI
High Court
BJP leader’s murder: 3 more accused held
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Assembly Jangveer Singh Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, March 9 There is also speculation on Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal’s future with Congressmen terming his sitting on the Chief Minister’s chair as a dress rehearsal for the final takeover. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has been advised at least two weeks’ rest after he was detected to be suffering from herpes and acute back and leg pain. Sukhbir, on his part, tried to fit into his father’s boots by reacting with sagacity on all issues even when provoked. He effectively detailed his role when it was alleged that he had not spoken out against the accused in the 1984 riots during his 10-year stint in Parliament. He will speak on the the Governor’s Address tomorrow. The ruling dispensation relied on Bikramjit Majithia to present the points raised in the Governor’s Address yesterday and he made a long case in favour of the SAD-BJP combine. However, Sunil Jakhar from the Congress punched enough holes in the argument to make out a case of “all is not well”. Using the theme song of Aamir Khan starrer “Three Idiots” effectively, Jakhar said nothing seemed to be moving in the state and that the state was virtually dependent on central grants for all development work. The effects of the “all is well” claim were felt in the proceedings today also with Congress members needling the ruling dispensation on this score by talking about the lack of power and the deteriorating law and order situation. They also took on Bikramjit who fell to the bait and let out an outburst against Sukhpal Khaira, which was expunged by the Speaker. Khaira also demanded a CBI inquiry into the allocation of the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences project in Jalandhar to a consortium headed by an Akali leader. Independent legislator Ajit Singh Shant also targeted Bikramjit’s couplet saying “nazaren badlo, sitara badal jayenge”, saying it was applicable to the SAD legislators who were now speaking about the implementation of the Rajiv-Longowal accord even though they had opposed it earlier. Similarly, he said, the SAD-BJP government now wanted nuclear plants in the state even though they had opposed the nuclear deal. Earlier the SAD’s Virsa Singh Valtoha said a case was registered against Sajjan Kumar only after his party raised the issue in Parliament, adding nothing was done to assuage the hurt feelings of the Sikh community.
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Annual Plan may be pegged at Rs 9,000 cr
Jalandhar, March 9 Earlier, a discussion in this connection was held with the Planning Commission a few weeks ago. The plan draft had been finalised. It is learnt that direct liability of the plan on the state treasury will be of Rs 2,200 crore. Of the Rs 9,000 crore, Rs 4,500 crore will be provided from the state Budget. It would also include about Rs 1,100 crore to be raised from financial institutions such as the World Bank and NABARD. Besides it, Rs 1,200 crore would come from the Central Government under an assistance plan for various Central and other schemes. The remaining Rs 4,500 crore would be spent by the PSEB, Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) and the Rural Development Board on projects related to these departments figuring in the Annual Plan. For the current fiscal year, the Annual Plan was of Rs 8,400 crore. However, it was revised recently to bring it down to Rs 7,450 crore because of the dropping of one express road project by the PIDB. As for as the current plan is concerned, the state government is confident of achieving 100 per cent implementation of the revised plan. Meanwhile, the 13th Finance Commission has approved Rs 250 crore to take measures to improve the adverse sex ratio in the state. The state government would get Rs 250 crore in the next five years. The commission has also approved Rs 250 crore for the development of the Kandi area and an equal amount for maintenance of infrastructure in the areas along the Indo-Pak border. The state government had requested the commission that assistance to upgrade power, road connectivity and health infrastructure was required in the border belt. Besides it, funds were also sought to improve water supply and sanitation in that area. For supporting and strengthening the irrigation infrastructure, the commission has provided Rs 200 crore. The government has also got Rs 200 crore to upgrade training facilities for police personnel and Rs 100 crore for the protection and maintenance of historical monuments and archaeological sites. In all, the commission has approved Rs 1,250 crore for taking special development projects. The money will be available in equal instalments in 5 years. The last Finance Commission has recommended Rs 1,104 crore for special development projects. The money will be separate from the allocation made to the state from the divisible pool of Central taxes and for some other projects such as environment. The commission’s report was recently tabled in Parliament. On basis of recommendations made by the commission, the Central Government allocates funds to the states from the divisible pool and other reserve funds.
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Sex ratio looks up in state
Naveen S Garewal Tribune News service
Chandigarh, March 9 In a reply to a question by Makhan Singh of the Congress, who wanted to know if funds received by the government under the National Rural Health Mission had remained unutilised and other steps taken by the government to improve sex ratio in the state, the minister said sex ratio in the state was looking up and more and more panchayats were now competing to get this award. She further said the government had initiated a scheme to set up sting operations against medical clinics indulging in pre-natal sex determination. The minister said whosoever undertook a string operation and provided a video take / CD as evidence for launching prosecution against the erring pre-natal sex determination would be paid Rs 25,000 immediately and another Rs 25,000 after the individual or agency gave evidence in the court of law. She further said there was a provision for awarding informers a sum of Rs 20,000 and another Rs 10,000 to decoy patients. As a result of this campaign, the minister said there was a marked improvement in the sex ratio in the state as per data available. In the age group of 0-4 years, sex ratio in 2006-07 had increased by 42 points to 838 from 796 in 2001. According to data of deliveries at government health institutions during 2009, the sex ratio at birth had come to 894, which signified a considerable improvement in sex ratio that was 787 as per the 2001 census, the minister added. Again Makhan Singh wanted to know if the Sant Harchand Singh Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology had been entrusted to the Union Human Resource and Development Ministry. He said the state government had given 451 acres of land for this institute at Longowal for free. However, Technical Education Minister Swarna Ram replied in negative. At this stage, Makhan Singh told the minister that he had been misled by the bureaucrat who had supplied the information. Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon asked the minister to make serious inquiry and provide information. Legislator Ishar Singh wanted to know if the government had fixed any menu for midday meal and if any district-level committees had been constituted to check the quality of food under the scheme. Education Minister Upinderjit Kaur replied in the affirmative and said in all districts, a steering committee had been constituted under the DCs with other senior district-level officials, including civil surgeon as its members.
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Bhattal demands White Paper on central grants
Chandigarh, March 9 The CLP leader, while replying to the Governor’s Address, also called for a White Paper on the central grants received by the state, adding the government should detail the total grants received, the amount that had lapsed and that which had been “misused”. She claimed all development works being touted as achievements of the SAD-BJP regime were made possible by central grants. Bhattal, while dealing with the demands laid down in the Governor’s Address, said the SAD was responsible for the division of the state that was a direct result of the Punjabi morcha. “She said similarly the Akalis did not take up the issue of transfer of Chandigarh when they were part of the NDA government at the Centre”. The CLP leader also praised former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh while talking about the issue of riparian rights. She said Amarinder Singh had brought in a bill to protect the rights of Punjab even as this issue was never taken up by the Akalis. She said similarly concessions were given to the hill states by the NDA government adversely affecting the state’s industry. Bhattal gave an assurance that the state Congress was ready to take up all issues with the Centre, including that of extension of concessions given to hill states to Punjab. “We are also for giving more rights to the states but did you take up this issue during NDA rule?” she asked. The CLP leader also castigated the SAD for not raising a voice in favour of the innocent persons who died during the turbulent phase of militancy in the state. She claimed people should know who was responsible for instigating trouble in Punjab. Claiming that the government was lying when it talked about following a policy of political reconciliation, she alleged a policy of political elimination was being followed in Punjab. “Have you ever called for an all-party meeting?” she asked.
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Race for 5 RS seats begins
Chandigarh, March 9 How many of the retiring MPs are able to win back their nominations will be known either by end of this week or early next week as March 16 has been fixed as last date of filing nominations. Those retiring on April 9 are Ashwani Kumar and Dharam Pal (Congress) and Naresh Gujral (Shiromani Akali Dal). Other two to retire are Union Minister of Sports Manohar Singh Gill (Congress) and Varinder Singh (SAD). Based on the present strength of the treasury benches and the Opposition benches, three of these five seats can go to the SAD-BJP combine and the remaining two to the Congress. Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Kusumjit Sidhu said nominations could be filed up to March 16 and scrutiny would be held on March 17. Last date for withdrawals is March 19 and polling would be held on March 26. The secretary Punjab Vidhan Sabha has been appointed returning officer for the poll, she added. Though filing of nominations started today, but no papers were filed. Besides Manohar Singh Gill, also in the run for the Congress ticket are former Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Shamsher Singh Dullo, outgoing members Ashwani Kumar and Dharam Pal Sabharwal and a few others. While the final choice of SAD candidates is likely to be left to father-son Badal duo, those pressing claims for nomination include former Deputy Speaker Charanjit Singh Athwal, former Union Chemicals Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and general secretary of the Dal Balwinder Singh Bhunder. Both Varinder Singh and Naresh Gujral, too, are in the run for re-nomination. Names of JS Bajaj and advocate-general Hardev Singh Mattewal are also doing rounds in the Akali circles. BJP could rightfully claim one of these three seats. Immediate past president of the Punjab unit Rajinder Bhandari and former Industries Minister Balramji Dass Tandon are the strong contenders for the lone BJP seat. Even the name of the present chief of the Punjab BJP is also in circulation. Other strong contender has been former Lok Sabha member Avinash Khanna, who could not contest last general election from Hoshiarpur because of delimitation.
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Moga Sex Scandal Kulwinder Sandhu/Tribune News Service
Moga, March 9 The CBI has already filed a chargesheet against former Moga SSP DS Garcha having residences at Jalandhar and Chandigarh; former Moga SP Paramdip Singh Sandhu (PPS) having residence at Chandigarh; two former SHOs of Moga, Amarjit Singh of Jhabbal (Amritsar) and Raman Kumar having two residences at Butar Kalan village in Amritsar district and Dashmesh Nagar, Moga; Barjinder Singh Brar, alias, Makhan, son of former education minister Jathedar Tota Singh, having residences at Chandigarh and Moga; Manjit Kaur of Ferozepur district; Manpreet Kaur of Jagraon police district; Sukhraj Singh and Karamjit Singh, both residents of Moga and Ranbir Singh, alias Ranu, of Moga. A criminal case under Sections 120-B, 182, 195, 211, 384 of the IPC and section-7, 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 was registered against them, which is at present pending before the court of the Special Judge of the CBI at Patiala. The CBI has prosecuted all alleged accused in the case except the PPS officer whose sanction for prosecution has not been given the state government yet. Earlier, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had referred the case to the CBI for investigations. The state had challenged the jurisdiction of the High Court in referring this case to the CBI and on this pretext had not given sanction to prosecute the PPS officer. But a Constitution Bench of five judges of the Supreme Court on February 17 this year has ruled that high courts would no longer be bound to take the consent of the state governments in handing over investigations to the CBI. Experts say this decision will affect the ongoing process of trial in the sex scandal.
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Farm workers, farmers join hands for struggle
Chandigarh, March 9 It is for the first time that Leftist mass organisations, barring the Lakhowal and Rajewal factions of the Bharti Kisan Union, have come on one platform to pose an open challenge to the “callous, adamant and anti-people” stance of the government. Prem Singh Bhangu, president, and Lakhwinder Singh Buani, general secretary of the Kirti Kisan Sabha, said the Akali Dal government was virtually running away from the promises it had made in its election manifesto three years ago by implementing the anti-people recommendations of the Sukhbir-Kalia Committee. The recommendations had burdened the people of Punjab by Rs 4,000 crore in order to appease the “anti-farmer” Bharatiya Janata Party. The Akalis had deceived the people of Punjab as their government was acting in tune with the Centre for accelerating the so-called economic reforms by withdrawing all subsidies available to agriculture. This action of the government would prove detrimental to the interests of farmers in particular who were already reeling under a heavy debt burden and were committing suicides, said Prem Singh. The major demands of the united front include the withdrawal of the Sukhbir-Kalia committee recommendations like abiana of Rs 150 per acre and withdrawal of the hike in bus fare, diesel and petrol prices so as to control the prices of essential commodities. The other demands include the scrapping of the Electricity Act 2003 and doing away with the unbundling of the Punjab State Electricity Board, implementing NREGA and giving 10 marla residential plots to landless agricultural workers besides strengthening of the public distribution system. The organisations which will join the “lalkar rally” are the Bharti Kisan Union Ekta (Ugrahan), Kirti Kisan Union, Bharti Kisan Union Ekta (Dakaunda), Punjab Kisan Sabha, Kirti Kisan Sabha Punjab, Punjab Kisan Union, Kisan Sangharsh Committee (Kanwalpreet Pannu), Jamhoori Kisan Sabha, Bharti Kisan Union (Krantikari), Bharti Kisan Union Ekta (Sidhupur), Khetibari Kisan and Vikas Front, Kisan Sangharsh Committee (Satnam Pannu), Punjab Kisan Sabha, Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, Pendu Mazdoor Union Punjab, Mazdoor Mukti Morcha, Pendu Mazdoor Union (Mashaal), Krantikari Pendu Mazdoor Union, Dihati Mazdoor Sabha, Krantikari Dihati Mazdoor Sabha, All-India Khet Mazdoor Union and Punjab Khet Mazdoor Sabha.
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Toddler’s Death in Oz
Moga, March 9 Darshan Singh, uncle of Harjit, said he has not been able to talk to his nephew, but his wife has spoken to her parents living at Guru Har Sahai in Ferozepur district last night. She told her parents that they wished to cremate her son at their native town at Kotkapura. She has informed that the Australian police was likely to hand over the body to them by Friday and the very next day they would come back home. —
TNS
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30-yr-old immolates self
Ludhiana, March 9 He was reportedly living alone in Dharampura and was taken care of by his elder sister. The police said the incident took place at around 7 pm. People heard the cries and saw smoke coming out of the room, following which they broke open the door and found Amit engulfed in flames. People rushed him to hospital, but he succumbed to burn injuries midway. The police has registered a case in this regard.
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Docs’ recruitment: PCMS assn hails probe order
Hoshiarpur, March 9
In a joint press release issued here this evening, president and press secretary of the PCMS association Hardeep Singh and Ajay Bagga, respectively, stated that no eyebrows were raised over the selection of doctors by the department committee under the NRHM during last years. But whenever selections were made through PPSC, doubts were raised. While finalising the terms of reference of probe by the Punjab chief secretary in the selection of doctors, PPSC should be asked to explain the reason of not holding the screening test in spite of the fact that the number of applicants were 20 times the number of advertised posts. —
OC
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House demolition: Residents block Chd-Banur road
Banur, March 9 “The accused were carrying pistols, sharp edged weapons and iron rods. They got the house vacated forcefully,” Kuldip Singh, district president of Dalit Chetna Manch, said. He alleged that the victims were even harassed by the police immediately after the incident. One of the family members, Gurdev Singh, said the accused entered the house forcefully and did not even spare women members. Parkasho, Mamta and Babli received injuries and were taken to a local hospital, he added. The family members said despite the fact that their house was located just a stone’s throw away from the police station, no cop turned up to inquire about the matter. Gudev Singh said gold and cash was also missing. Banur SHO Jagpal Singh could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.
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‘Keeping OCIs off sports discouraging’
Chandigarh, March 9 The association also made clear its stand of supporting international shooter Sohrab Singh Gill by asserting it has no objection to his representing the country at international shooting competitions. Son of Punjab Director-General of Police Sohrab Singh Gill is seeking the quashing of a communiqué holding the OCIs ineligible to represent the country as a part of the national team. In his petition through counsel Pavit Singh Mattewal, Gill has raised a vital question of law: “Can an overseas citizen of India represent the country in sports events as a part of the national team?” Replying to the concerns raised in the petition, the association made it clear that the issues have larger ramifications than allowing just one player to participate in an event. The association said the Centre had not taken any “clear and unambiguous” stand on the issue of OCIs. But, “it would be in the interest of Indian shooting to allow the OCIs to represent the country, who have already represented India and brought laurels to the nation”. Describing Gill as “established international shooter from India”, the association said it might not be proper to ruin his career by disallowing him, “since he could not play for any other country as per the international Olympic charter, which governed the sport of shooting”. “Any other approach may, in fact, discourage the shooters and may have an adverse effect on the development of the sport, besides harming the morale of the bonafide sportsmen”. The Centre has already asserted even though dual citizenship “in terms of overseas citizens of India” was recognised in 2005, their rights are yet to be notified. “The rights of an OCI were subject to the issuance of a notification by the Centre, in exercise of powers under Section 7-B of the Citizens’ Act, 1955; and that no notification has yet been issued by the Central government”. The reply by under secretary with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Shankar Lal added the notification had not been issued under which the writ petitioner could claim any right to represent India in sports.
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Youth dept denies info under RTI
Ropar, March 9 In his application to the directorate of youth services, advocate Dinesh Chadha from Barwa Ropar village had demanded information regarding the formulation of the youth board, number of office bearers, its motive, expenses incurred on the functioning of board and its works so far. “I have got a response letter from the directorate that has provided me with a list of its office bearers. There is no constitution of this board and even information provided about its working is vague,” Chadha said. A copy of the reply from department mentions that board aims at developing youth but is silent on ways and methodologies adopted. The departmental letter has denied information regarding works undertaken by the board, terming it not within the ambit of the RTI Act. The department has even failed to respond on the funds and budget spent on the members of this board. “By and large, the department does not have answers to meaningful queries on working and money. This simply proves that the board is meant just to make some political adjustments as its chairman enjoys the status of minister of state, Government of Punjab and hence qualifies to enjoy all the facilities that come with the position,” Chadha pointed out.
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High Court
Chandigarh, March 9 The SGPC, through assistant-secretary Avtar Singh, had sought directions to stay the information commission orders. It was challenged on the ground it was without jurisdiction and against the norms governing its minority education institution status. Justice Kannan also issued notices for July 19 to Punjab Chief secretary and state information commission.
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BJP leader’s murder: 3 more accused held
Phagwara, March 9 The SSP said after the arrest of the three main accused - UK-based NRI Jatinder Kumar, alias Bobby, of Phagwara, Canada-based NRI Ajay Joshi, alias Binda Pehalwan, of Hadibad, and Sukhdev Singh, alias Sukha, of Kahlwan village - from Delhi, the other three accused were also arrested by different teams from various places late last night. They have been identified as Manjit Singh of Nawanshahr, Maninder Singh, alias Manna, of Jhughar Nagar, Kharar police station, and Mohit, alias Goga, of Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar, Nawanshahr. The three main accused arrested from Delhi were produced before the Judicial Magistrate, Phagwara, this evening, who sent them in police custody till March 13. The SSP said 7.65-mm pistol, four revolvers, including one of Dhillon that was snatched by the alleged accused, 16 live cartridges and sharp-edged weapons had also been seized. One black Scorpio with a fake number MH-04BQ-0910 that was used during the crime had also been impounded. The SSP said old enmity between Dhillon and Bobby was said to be the cause behind the killing. He added that criminal cases were already registered against the duo a few years ago. Meanwhile, the police also succeeded to solve the mysteries of attacks and attempts to murder of BJP leader Arun Khosla on January 15 and property dealer Sat Paul Puri, as two arrested accused, Sukha and Binda, were involved in these two incidents. Giving details of the incident, the SSP said Bobby was staying in Nawanshahr and was in touch with his accomplices. All five accused, excluding Goga, went to Phagwara on March 5 in the wee hours and chased Dhillon, who was going from his residence in his car. They stopped his car and allegedly attacked him. After committing the crime, they left for Nawanshahr. Sukha also sustained injuries on his arm during the attack on Dhillon. All the accused then left for Chandigarh after staying for one hour in Nawanshahr. They went to Cheema Hospital, Mohali, for dressing of Sukha and from there they went to the house of a girlfriend of Bobby in Chandigarh. The same night, Bobby, Sukha and Binda left for Delhi as Bobby had to take flight for the UK. However, he could not fly back due to technical mistake in some documents. ACP, Delhi Police, Meghna played an important role in the arrest of these three accused and the police succeeded to nab the other three accused from Nawanshahr, Kharar and Chandigarh. The SSP said some police officials would be rewarded for their appreciable hard work to crack the murder case. Meanwhile, tension prevailed at JCT Guest House after the press conference when a police party was taking the arrested accused in a vehicle and one of them allegedly abused a BJP worker. Party activists also used an abusive language in return in the presence of police officials.
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