POLITICS

‘Kabza’ on State
Khaira takes Dy CM to task
Bathinda, May 12
The recent statement of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, in which he claimed that the SAD-BJP combine would not leave ‘kabza’ over Punjab for the next 25 years, gave yet another godsend to his rival Congress men to take him to task.

New Delhi, May 12
In a significant development, Punjab authorities have brought it to the notice of the central agencies and also officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs that the sudden spurt in the appearance of pro-Naxal posters in the border state is part of a growing alliance between the Naxals and people owing allegiance to the now-dormant “Khalistan movement” in the state.

Sources in the ministry confirmed that reports about a sudden spurt in the activities of the Naxals had been originating from Punjab as well as Uttarakhand. Punjab police officials have quoted examples of how meetings have taken place between a group of elements referred to as the “pro-Khalistan” lobby and the Naxal ideologues. They have ruled out the hand of the workers of any of the deras -- small spiritual groups -- that dot the rural landscape in Punjab and also the neighbouring Haryana.

Though the basic grouping between the two sides does not match due to divergence in philosophy, the use of the loosely assembled cadres of either to foment trouble could be ruled out. The Naxals have all the ammunition and arms which can be misused. Some of the dormant militants from Punjab have either migrated while a sharp eye is kept on potential “trouble-makers” here.

The Punjab police in its assessment shared with the central agencies has quoted the example of how a Punjab resident has been attending Naxal meetings in central India where gun-toting Naxalites hold entire villages under their thumb.

Another Punjab resident was arrested by the UP police in recent times. In his interrogation, he had revealed plans to target the grain bowl of the country.

A top source said that Naxal ideologue Kobad Gandhy, who is under arrest, had revealed during interrogation that Punjab was a fertile ground to “start a struggle”. Gandhy had told investigators that Punjab did not have the issues of tribal rights, use of state resources or forests. The only rallying point could be to create a divide to show that the poor landless were being crushed by the “ruling classes”.

In Punjab, most of farm labour are migrants from Bihar or Jharkhand. The same is true for workers in numerous factories in Ludhiana or the steel units at Mandi Gobindgarh.

Pro-Naxal movement posters have appeared during the past few days in various towns of Ferozepur, Mansa and Bathinda districts. The worrying point, said sources, is that unlike the 1980s or the 1990s, when the Punjab police unleashed a reign of terror on the Khalistanis, the same methods cannot be adopted at this age when the media is so powerful and the human rights groups raise issues. A senior Punjab police official said the force was skeptical of even attempting anything like that, saying “the police paid a heavy price for restoring peace in Punjab”.

Sources in the ministry said there was no support from the common people for the Naxal movement in Punjab. However, due to the sensitivity of the adjoining Indo-Pak border, a sharp watch is being maintained with clear instructions to arrest any trouble-makers.

Chandigarh, May 12
Politics can be strange. Punjab Health Minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla is discovering this only now. Till a few days back, she was the aggrieved party demanding ‘justice’. Now she is the ‘victim’ fighting tooth and nail to save her chair.

What started off as innocuous raids on three ultra sound diagnostic centres in Batala in Gurdaspur district has not only resulted in a full-fledged war between Chawla and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Jagdish Sahni, but also showcased the BJP for the divided house it is in Punjab.

The party, which is trying to come out of this controversy swiftly, ironically feels the minister is responsible for this.

The two-member committee inquiring into the issue has held that the raids conducted on diagnostic centres associated with Sahni “seemed deliberate”.

This finding alone seems to have sealed Chawla’s fate. The minister stands guilty of violating a cardinal law. You do not mess with your party or your colleagues. Chawla’s pleas that she did not have any inkling that the centres were associated with Sahni have not found favour with the party simply because she has tangled with too many of her colleagues and does not have any sympathisers in the party.

The minister seems to be realising only now that her inability to act like a politician is costing her dear. Though innovative schemes launched by her as well as her no-nonsense style of functioning have brought in discipline in the functioning of the Health Department, the party wants her to function like a politician also. After all it has to face an election in two years’ time.

The trail of events, all of which seem to go against Chawla, point out that the party is opting for a political solution to the issue. Ever since the raids, despite a virulent attack unleashed against the minister by Sahni, the party seemed in no hurry to shut him up.

In fact a strict gag order came into effect only after Chawla spoke up on the issue. The party has not moved quickly to free Chawla of the corruption charges levelled against her despite the fact that most of the issues raised by Sahni are in public domain. Similarly, Chawla seems to have been isolated in her party.

No one has come to her rescue despite defamatory utterances made by Sahni.

However, try as the BJP might, Laxmi Kanta is not likely to give up without a fight. She has the backing of the RSS and is among the few voices of morality in politics in Punjab.

Moreover, she will refuse to bow down unless she is given a clean chit as far as the allegations of corruption against her are concerned.

Rajpura/ Banur, May 12
Srihind Fateh March that started from Nanded in Maharashtra to celebrate tercentenary celebrations of Sirhind Fateh Diwas on May 13 at Fatehgarh Sahib, today entered Punjab through Shambu Barrier in Rajpura.

Thousands of devotees, SGPC members, religious bodies, Punjab CM and Deputy CM welcomed the march. It covered a distance of 2,500 km and would culminate at Fatehgarh Sahib via Chappar Chiri in Mohali.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal paid rich tributes to Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, who avenged martyrdom of younger Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh and sacked Mughal provincial capital Sirhind. He added that Punjabis were fortunate to be a part of these celebrations as the first and second centenaries fell under regime of Mughals and British Empire in India.

Deputy CM and President Shiromani Akali Dal Sukhbir Singh Badal also urged people to motivate their children to accompany them on such historic occasions so that they could also be part of a rich legacy.

Sukhbir said that Banda Bahadur was one of the first Sikh administrators to establish his authority in Punjab. He abolished zamindari system and granted proprietary rights to actual tillers of the land.

Later, CM, Deputy CM and senior leadership of the SGPC and SAD paid obeisance to Sri Guru Granth Sahib in flower-decked Palki Sahib. Sant Baba Tek Singh Dhanola offered siropas to the CM and the Deputy CM.

People offered prayers and had a glimpse of rare weapons of the Gurus brought from Sach Khand Sri Hazoor Sahib in Nanded in a separate vehicle. A cavalcade of vehicles followed the drum-beating. A roadside langar was arranged for devotees and free literature and calendars of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur were distributed.

Prominent among others who spoke on the occasion included the Jathedar, Sri Akal Takht, Giani Gurbachan Singh, the Head, Damdami Taksal and Sant Samaj, Baba Harnam Singh Dhuma.

Chandigarh, May 12
Be it babus, police officials, politicians or even a humble clerk, the attraction to retain a house in Chandigarh or Mohali overrides all considerations, even the prospect of penal rent.

Officials and politicians, however, not only believe in holding on to their houses even when posted out of the state capital or when out of power, they also do not believe in paying the penal rent levied for overstaying at these properties. This many attribute to the vague house allotment policy as well as lack of any transparent transfer policy.

Many officials do not vacate their houses because they are not sure of getting the same kind of accommodation in case they are posted back after a short period. The most important is the fact that the overstay can be condoned by the state Cabinet and many VIPs are confident they will be able to get their overstay regularised.

According to information supplied by the Punjab PWD to Bathinda RTI activist Charanjit Singh Bhullar, the department has raked up a bill of over Rs 1.30 crore against these defaulters, but seems “powerless” to collect.

The defaulters include those who are part of a committee that allots houses at the district level, including Jalandhar Divisional Commissioner SR Ladhar and Deputy Commissioners of Sangrur and Faridkot, V K Ohri and V K Meena, respectively. While Ladhar owes Rs 54,701 to penal rent, V K Ohri owes Rs 1.18 lakh and Meena owes Rs 2.48 lakh. Bathinda Additional Deputy Commissioner Upjit Brar owes Rs 1.56 lakh.

Senior police officials stand accused of overstaying the most. These include the DGP and Chairman of the State Law Commission, RK Sharma, who owes the state Rs 14.11 lakh for overstaying from March 1999 to August 2006.

Others include ADGP Rajinder Singh, who has a bill of Rs 8.09 lakh standing against him. The ADGP has contested this claim in a court saying he had been posted back and forth to Patiala when he was accused of overstaying and that he practically overstayed by only 42 days. Other senior police officials, who have been charged for overstaying, include Rohit Choudhary, IG, National Crime Record Bhawan, who has Rs 1.12 lakh outstanding against his name besides IPS officer Narinder Pal Singh, who owes Rs 6.02 lakh. SPs Sukhdev Singh Bhatti and Surinder Pal Singh owe Rs 5.86 lakh and Rs 3.42 lakh, respetively.

One legislator and four former legislators stand accused of not vacating the government accommodation allocated to them after the end of their tenure in the Assembly. These include legislator Razia Sultana who has been charged Rs 3.06 lakh and former legislators Jasbir Singh Gill, Ravinder Singh Sandhu, Ranjit Singh Talwandi and Gobind Singh Kanjla, who all owe Rs 5.30 lakh to the state exchequer for overstaying in Chandigarh.

Bathinda, May 12
The recent statement of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, in which he claimed that the SAD-BJP combine would not leave ‘kabza’ over Punjab for the next 25 years, gave yet another godsend to his rival Congress men to take him to task.

Taking cognisance of the word ‘kabza’, Congress MLA from Bholath Sukhpal Singh Khaira today lambasted Sukhbir over it.

“The word ‘kabza’ used by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal at a public meeting in Bathinda, while inaugurating a railway over bridge on Tuesday, reflected his feudal and autocratic mindset,” alleged Khaira.

Speaking in his individual capacity as well as on behalf of his party, Khaira said, “We demand the immediate resignation of the Deputy CM for making such an undemocratic and unconstitutional statement.

At the same time, we urge Sukhbir to tender an unconditional apology to the people of Punjab for hurting their sentiments.

“The Congress urges the Governor of Punjab to dismiss him from the Cabinet for violating the oath of Constitution taken by him. His utterance exposed beyond doubt that he had scant regard for democratic and constitutional functioning,” said Khaira.

He further said, “In order to fulfil his nefarious design to remain in unauthorised possession (kabza) of Punjab, the junior Badal has already taken control of all important trades like transport, cable network, sand quarrying and bulk liquor. Now, throwing all constitutional norms to winds, he is planning to remain in ‘kabza’ of Punjab with the help of the ill-gotten wealth, which we will not allow.”

On the other hand, media adviser to Chief Minister Harcharan Singh Bains said, “Congress men are just trying to gain publicity through misinterpreting the word ‘kabza’, which was said in a sense of seva (service). Actually, observing the public response, Sukhbir wanted to convey that the Congress had lost all chances to come back to power for at least the next 25 years.”

Amritsar, May 12
Irked over the decision of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board for reducing the area for installing langar stalls during the yatra, the Amarnath Sewa Mandal today threatened to hold demonstrations if the board failed to rollback the decision within a week.

In a communiqué to President Pratibha Patil, PM Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, J&K Governor NN Vohra and CM Omar Abdullah, the mandal urged them to immediately intervene in the matter.

Addressing the media, president of the mandal Suresh Sehgal said the board had reshuffled the location as well as the size of various langars from Baltal to Dumel. There were 44 langars organised by different organisations from all over the country in 4 to 5 km stretch, which had now been confined to only half km by the Jammu and Kashmir government and the board. The size of the stall had also been reduced to 40'x50' against the earlier 65'x85' for each organisation, he added.

“It is not possible to set up a langar in this very small space,” said Sehgal, adding that decision would lead to a great inconvenience to devotees, who covered a lot of distance on foot during the yatra. He said various organisations holding langars would agitate against the government if it failed to find an appropriate solution and rollback the decision.

Chandigarh, May 12
Punjab Advocate General HS Mattewal was hospitalised here this evening following a heart attack. Mattewal was rushed to the PGI at 7 pm when he complained of uneasiness. Mattewal (60) had returned from the USA yesterday and had been working without a break since then. Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal was among the first ones to reach the hospital.

Ludhiana, May 12
Nearly 5,000 employees at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) are up in arms against the state government for not getting their salaries this month with the government changing its pattern of disbursement.

The government has put the salaries of PAU employees under “plan scheme” this year, while earlier they were paid under the "non-plan scheme", the funds for which are released in the beginning of the financial year.

But the switch-over to the “plan schemes” will cause inordinate delay in disbursal of salaries, as under this scheme funds are released at irregular intervals.

The approximate expenditure on the 5,000 PAU employees was Rs 140 crore in 2009, and the state government had paid Rs 120 crore under the “non-plan scheme” while the remaining amount of Rs 20 crore was received under various grants from the Central Government under the “plan scheme”.

The PAU employees have not received their salaries for April, which has added to their apprehensions that the reversal of the scheme from the current financial year will cause regular delay in disbursal of their salaries.

PAU employees union president Lakhwinder Singh Sandhu accused the state government of "biased attitude" adding, "PAU is the first university of the state that has been brought under the ‘plan scheme’ whereas all other universities get their funds under the ‘non-plan scheme’."

Singh alleged that it was the well-planned strategy of the state government to convert the Central funds allocated for agricultural development programmes into grants forr specific schemes being carried out in PAU.

"Thereafter, these funds can be easily utilised to disburse the salaries of PAU staff and the state government can get rid of paying the grant of Rs 100 crore every year," said Lakhwinder.

At the same time, the salaries of PAU administrative officials, including the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Comptroller and Estate Officer have not been incorporated under the “plan scheme”.

Chairman of PAU Joint Forum and Punjab Agricultural University Teachers Association president Dr GS Saroha, and general secretary of PAU Employees Union Avinash Kumar Sharma said they would soon approach Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal for granting Central varsity status to PAU. "This will settle the day-to-day problem of funds in the university," said Dr Saroha.

Manauli\Bakarpur (Mohali), May 12
So you thought that the farmers who till the land are naïve and gullible, when it comes to dealing with their financial matters? Well, dispel this notion by coming to these villages where land has been acquired for the Airport City.

The ‘sweet talk’ of the slick electronics and car sales executives has failed to cut much ice with them. Nor has the smart talk by insurance agents, trying to sell them special plans.

The money, Rs 1,150 crore, disbursed by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) as land compensation to farmers for acquisitions have only made them wiser. No one wants to make any risky investments. Bank deposits, buying more agricultural land elsewhere is on top of their agenda.

Residents of seven villages - Bakarpur, Kishanpura, Matran, Chachu Majra, Naraingarh, Chatt and Manauli villages - have become wiser looking at their counterparts in other villages, whose land has been acquired. These farmers have become wiser with every acquisition that took place in Chandigarh’s periphery since 2007, the time when the Punjab Government handed down Rs 1.25 crore per acre as compensation for the land acquired for the Mohali international airport.

This time GMADA officials are handling one of the biggest acquisitions in Chandigarh periphery. So far, the authority has disbursed Rs 600 crore of the total whopping Rs 1,157 crore on acquisition of around 800 acre for a the Airport City. Last time, GMADA had spent around Rs 450 crore, including 50 per cent share contributed by Haryana, to acquire 300 acres for international airport at Jheoheri village here.

“Despite the farmers being handed down more money than the last acquisition, there is little excitement to run vehicles and gadgets. This time the farmers are keen on either buying agricultural land in Sirhind, Patiala, Khanna or investing the money back in banks”, said Pal Singh of Manauli village. He himself has bought land in Bakshiwala, Patiala.

His opinion is seconded by Jaggi of Chachu Majra village who has invested his money in HDFC Bank. A round of the villages reveals that different banks have been able to attract some investment from the beneficiaries. Kuldeep Singh, an employee of one of the banks and a resident of Manauli village, observed that after the last acquisition in 2007-2008, the land prices shot up. Many sold their land to buy luxuries in the last two years. Now, many want to invest either in land or financial institutions.

The survey revealed that despite having the largest concentration of “crorepatis”, there was complete transformation in their mindset. Avtar Singh, a resident of Chachu Majra village said many want to give better education to their children. The money has indeed changed the way they used to look at life.

A new social order has merged. “ After running after luxuries, we have now realised that there was need to be secure for the fuure - by having land bank and educating our children. Our demands and requirements have also changed,” said Manphool Singh of Barhi village.

Ludhiana, May 12
Punjab Information Commissioner has asked Commissioner Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, to issue show-cause notice to two officials for their lackadaisical approach tow- ards providing information to an RTI applicant.

Taking strong note of the “dilly-dallying” attitude adopted by SDOs Sanjay Kanwar and Harpal Singh Bhullar, Commissioner of State Information Commission, Punjab, Darbara Singh Kahlon said the officials did not bother to be present at the time of hearing of case. They had adopted delaying-tactics, which was violation of the RTI Act.

Kahlon directed the MC Commissioner to ask both officials why they did not provide information on time. He also asked the Commissioner to ensure that both officials were present before the court with all necessary documents on June 10, the next date of hearing.

It may be mentioned here that applicant Kuldeep Singh Khaira from the Vigilant Citizens’ Forum had put forward two applications on July 5, 2009 and December 22, 2009, under the RTI Act seeking information about flats being constructed for slum dwellers under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNURM), related documents on ongoing payments being made to contractors etc.

“It’s been over six months and I am yet to get the details from the LMC. We have been given the right to get the information under the RTI Act. But this is utter violation of the Act, as officials do not provide information within stipulated time,” he said.

Bikkon (Ropar), May 12
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) today shut down the clinker yard of Jaypee Cement, unit of Jai Prakash Associates, at Bikkon village today. The closure has come following reports carried in The Tribune highlighting the plight of villagers living in close vicinity of this yard that had come up without procuring any permission.

PPCB officials sealed the godown under Section 31 A of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981. They stated that it was mandatory to obtain consent to establish and operate any such yard under Section 21 of the Act.

The Tribune had highlighted how the clinker yard and its storage godown was harming the residents of the area. A special mention about a 45-day-old child, living just a few metres away from the yard, who had developed serious respiratory problems, was also made.

Taking cognizance of the matter, PPCB officials and district administration swung into action. The PPCB team visited the site and found that the yard was just 120 m away from the village boundary, while some houses were situated right next to the boundary.

As per PPCB rules, any industry setting up cement clinker yard should take adequate measures to control its dust emissions and concentration of pollutants emitted within the permissible limits. The team also found that trucks that carried the clinker posed traffic danger and congestion on Ropar-Nalagarh Road.

This particular unit at Bikkon had come up without seeking permission of any kind. No permission was sought from the forest department, PPCB, village panchayat or the district administration.

Chandigarh, May 12
The process of finalising the minimum standards required to set up and run drug de-addiction centres is now on. The process was set into motion by the Punjab and Haryan High Court today.

Taking up a case filed by Talwinder Singh, Justice Rajive Bhalla today asked the committee constituted by the court to lay down the minimum standards which will have to be maintained both by private and government drug de-addiction centres.

The committee headed by Dr SK Mattoo, in charge drug addiction treatment centre, PGI, has been asked to take into consideration the reports submitted by Punjab, Haryana and UT Chandigarh in this regard. A set of minimum standards laid down by the Union Ministry of Social Empowerment and Justice would also be considered by the committee.

Punjab’s Health Department has, through the department of social security, already placed on record a comprehensive set of rules for the consideration of the court. Among other things, the Punjab government’s report on the subject points towards the need for setting up separate centres for detoxification of the drug addicts as distinct from follow-up centres or rehabilitation centres.

The Punjab report prepared by a team headed by Dr Paramjit Singh, Professor and head, Department of Psychiatry, Amritsar Medical College, also suggests that each centre should run under the supervision of an MBBS doctor, preferably a psychiatrist. The report further advocates the use of alternative drug therapy as part of the treatment protocol to be adopted for the patient.

“Use of alternative drug therapy involves giving the drug addict controlled doses of a safer drug than what he is addicted to. Though the treatment protocol is different for every patient but, simply put, the controlled dose given to the addict is then reduced gradually till the patient is ready to kick the habit. The drugs used should be approved by the National Aids Control Organisation (NACO) and also listed by WHO as safe for drug de-addiction. This is the method being used at the drug de- addiction centres being run by AIIMS,” said Dr Rana Ranbir Singh running the drug de-addiction centre at the Civil Hospital, Tarn Taran.

The Punjab reports also lay down a set of minimum standards for private drug de-addiction centres and desirable standards for the drug de-addiction centres in the government sector. The committee is expected to meet on May 17 to finalise these norms. The next date of hearing has been fixed for May 21.