PPCC asked to bear cost of Mohali session
Jalandhar, September 13
The All-India Congress Committee( AICC), which had earlier promised to meet the expenditure on the holding of the mini Congress session at Mohali, appears to have gone back on its commitment in this regard. Sources today said the party high command had conveyed to the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) that it would have to foot the entire bill with regard to the hosting of the session.

Forest Hill Case
CBI refused sanction to prosecute KBS Sidhu
Chandigarh, September 13
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India, has refused sanction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to prosecute Punjab IAS officer KBS Sidhu.

Chandigarh, September 13
After Bhakra, the spillway gates of the Pong Dam will be opened for the first time this season tomorrow as the water level in the dam is inching towards its maximum level, even as the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) held a meeting with the partner states and got their concurrence to stop the filling of the Bhakra Dam after it developed a tilt yesterday.

The BBMB held a special meeting with the partner states of Punjab and Haryana today in which both states were apprised of the latest position vis- a-vis both the Bhakra and Pong Dams.

The partner states were informed that due to heavy rainfall the Pong Dam received unprecedented inflows of 1.80 lakh cusecs this morning and that water inflows into the dam even till the afternoon were of the magnitude of 1.55 lakh cusecs. Such heavy inflows have raised the level of the dam by 2 ft (1,392 ft) in one day itself.

Following due deliberations, it was decided to allow the Pong Dam to be filled by 5 more feet. The BBMB had earlier in league with the partner states decided to fill the dam till 1,390 ft only. With today’s decision the dam level will be allowed to rise till 1,395 ft till the end of the filling season till September 22.

BBMB Member, Irrigation, MK Gupta told TNS that the BBMB would release 15,000 cusecs from the Pong spillway gates into the Beas starting 9 am tomorrow. He said the maximum possible volume of 18,000 cusecs was already being released into the river through the power turbines.

Meanwhile, the partner states have agreed to let the level of the Bhakra be maintained at 1,680 ft. With inflows into the Bhakra also increasing to 62,000 cusecs today, the spillway gates are likely to be raised from the present 1 foot. However, the BBMB authorities have postponed this by one day at least due to increased water in the Swan and Sarsa rivulets.

Water from the rivulets, which was only 2,000 cusecs this morning, swelled to 25,000 cusecs in the afternoon affecting areas around Anandpur Sahib. The dam authorities will allow this water to run through the area before increasing the height of the Bhakra spillway gates.

Noted irrigation expert G S Dhillon, who was involved in the designing of the Bhakra reservoir, today claimed the BBMB authorities should allow water to be filled till 1,685 ft, saying the dam was designed to take water to this level. Dhillon claimed that the dam authorities were being extra cautious by citing the slight tilt in the dam to stop further filling, saying this was part of typical dam behaviour and should not be used as an excuse to stop further filling.

Hussainiwala (Ferozepur), September 13
Dispute between Punjab and Rajasthan over the sharing of river waters resurfaced today with a section of Rajasthan BJP leaders, who visited Balewala, Harike and Hussainiwala headworks, demanding their rightful share.

The leaders, including former ministers, MLAs, MPs and other elected representatives from Hanumangarh, Sriganganagar and Bikaner districts of Rajasthan, accused the Punjab Government of supplying polluted water through inter-state canals to Rajasthan. They alleged that a major share of river waters belonging to Rajasthan was being allowed to flow to Pakistan from these headworks.

The leaders said they would not allow Punjab to do injustice with them adding that a group of BJP leaders had been visiting various points in Punjab from where water enters into Rajasthan.

“We will meet Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal tomorrow and request him to supply adequate water to Rajasthan as per various agreements reached between Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan before and after Partition,” said Sriganganagar MLA and former Rajasthan Irrigation Minister Radhey Sham. He, however, refused to divulge details of their future plans.

The BJP leaders included MP Nihal Chand, Gurjant Singh, Surinder Pal Singh Titi, OP Mahindra (all former ministers), Abhishek Mantoria, Vishva Nath (MLAs), Ram Partap and Dharminder Mochi (former MLAs) and other functionaries of the state BJP unit.

Radhey Sham said while 36,000 cusecs of the Sutlej water was being released to Pakistan from this headworks, Rajasthan was being given only 1,500 cusecs against 3,100 cusecs from the Gang canal, 900 cusecs against 1,800 cusecs from the Bhakra canal and 11,000 cusecs against 14,000 cusecs from the Rajasthan feeder canal.

“Thousands of cusecs of water from the Rajasthan feeder canal is being fed into the Sirhind feeder canal by officials of the Punjab Irrigation Department by making an illegal cut in its banks,” alleged Gurjant Singh, former irrigation minister.

Surinder Pal Singh Titi said their only demand was that they should be given that water, which was being allowed to flow to Pakistan by the Punjab Government.

Meanwhile, a senior functionary of the Punjab Irrigation Department said Rajasthan was being supplied water as per its share subjected to the availability of water in the dams concerned, adding that political reasons had compelled Rajasthan leaders to level allegations against Punjab.

Jalandhar, September 13
The All-India Congress Committee( AICC), which had earlier promised to meet the expenditure on the holding of the mini Congress session at Mohali, appears to have gone back on its commitment in this regard. Sources today said the party high command had conveyed to the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) that it would have to foot the entire bill with regard to the hosting of the session.

The hosting of the session will cost nearly Rs 4 crore. Nearly 6,800 delegates from eight states in the northern region will attend the party session. The PPCC will make arrangements to provide food and other facilities to nearly 10,000 persons. Top leaders of the Congress, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,will take part in the session.

Sources said the party high command had told the PPCC that the session was allotted to the state on its (PPCC) request and hence it should bear the cost. Interestingly, the Congress high command has put the financial burden on the PPCC in spite of the fact that its coffers are reported to be full.

Party sources said all senior leaders from the state, including former Chief Ministers, former Congress Ministers, MLAs, leaders of front organisations and members of the PCC have been asked to contribute money to pay the bill for the session.

Former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has promised to contribute Rs 50 lakh, it is learnt. Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and Mohinder Singh Kaypee would, sources said, contribute Rs 10 lakh each. All MLAs have been asked to contribute Rs 1 lakh each. All former Congress Ministers have been told to pay Rs 3 lakh each and the heads of front organisations Rs 1 lakh each. Members of the PCC have been asked to pay Rs 25,000 each. Obviously, these leaders will ask their supporters to extend a helping hand in raising the amounts.

Besides, sources said, the Haryana Chief Minister would be asked to contribute Rs 1 crore, it is learnt. The Chandigarh Congress unit will also be asked to foot the bill for the stay of delegates in various hotels and guest houses. The expenditure on the stay will be about Rs 50 lakh, it is learnt. Only delegates from Uttar Pradesh and some other places are expected to stay in the hotels. Delegates from states such as Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Haryana could easily reach the venue on September 27, the day the session will be held.

Chandigarh, September 13
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India, has refused sanction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to prosecute Punjab IAS officer KBS Sidhu.

Sidhu, who is currently posted as Principal Secretary, Finance, was along with two Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers among those booked by the CBI in April 2006 for their alleged involvement in the Forest Hill Resort case of 2004. It was found that Lt-Col BS Sandhu (retd) had built a resort on forest land in Karoran village in SAS Nagar after “procuring” approvals from these officers.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the CBI to investigate the matter. The CBI submitted the report to the high court in 2008 recommending the prosecution of Sandhu, JS Samundari, IFS, then Divisional Forest Officer, Ropar; Harsh Kumar, IFS, then Deputy Conservator of Forests, Planning and Investigation, Hoshiarpur; Sidhu, then Chief Administrator, PUDA; and Rajiv Bajaj, estate officer of the resort.

The CBI had, after investigation, demanded prosecution sanction from the Punjab Government for Sidhu and the two IFS officers. Giving the go-ahead to prosecute Harsh Kumar, the state government, however, refused prosecution sanction for Sidhu and Samundari.

In 2008 the CBI also moved the DoPT for sanction to prosecute the three officers, which was allowed for Samundari and Harsh Kumar. Sitting on the request for over two years the DoPT has now refused sanction for Sidhu’s prosecution.

Confirming this Chief Secretary SC Aggarwal said the Centre had informed the state about the refusal for sanction. He added that the Centre had in its communication to Punjab stated that the department had looked into the case and did not feel the need for the grant of sanction in this case.

Amritsar, September 13
A meeting between the USA’s Department of Agriculture and Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao tomorrow to launch the India-US agriculture dialogue to address the twin challenges of hunger and under- nutrition would pave way for the second green revolution, said Under Secretary of State Robert D. Hormats, who was here today to deliver remarks on the US-Indian agricultural cooperation at Khalsa College here.

He said bilateral research in agriculture over 40 years ago, which was funded by the Rockefeller Foundation and other US organisations, resulted in the Green Revolution, adding that 
American scientist Norman Borlaug and Indian scientist MS Swaminathan were other vital members of it.

However, today once again a widespread hunger and under-nutrition were drawing the world’s attention, he said.

In this scenario, the need of a second green revolution was acute.

He cited the example of satellite technology to accurately predict weather phenomenon to curtail expenditure of farmers on irrigation, fertilisers and pesticide.

However, he added a word of caution to develop eco-friendly techniques and technologies in the second green revolution to confront issues like climate change and water table depletion.

He said over 60 per cent Indians were directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture. Last year, bilateral trade in agriculture, fish and forestry products between the two countries reached $ 2.2 billion, he added.

Principal of Khalsa College Daljit Singh honoured him with a photograph of the majestic building of the college.

Meanwhile, he visited the Golden Temple and said he enjoyed his visit there.

Pakka Kalan (Bathinda), September 13
Insensitive attitude of the district administration towards the 150-ft-wide breach that occurred in the Pakka minor of the Kotla branch canal yesterday has halted the lives of the residents of Pakka Kalan village. The gushing water after damaging hundreds of acres of standing cotton, paddy and chilly crops today entered their houses forcing them to move to safer places.

Though villagers with the help of hundreds of people from nearby villages and dozen tractors and two JCB machines managed to plug the breach in the evening, they could not find way to drain out the accumulated water till the filing of this report.

During a visit, The Tribune observed that it was a flood-like situation in the village. All streets were waterlogged and people were busy draining out water from their houses.

Accusing the administration of showing indifferent attitude towards their problem, Joginder Singh, whose house was inundated, said: “Had the administration did something yesterday, the situation could have been prevented from taking such an ugly shape.”

“When about 200 of us failed to plug the breach, we staged a dharna on the Bathinda-Dabwali road yesterday following which the administration assured us of sending ITBP jawans for help and asked us to lift the dharna, which we agreed to at 11 pm,” said villagers. “However, when the ITBP jawans reached the spot, they refused to help us saying it was not their job to plug the breach, they could just evacuate the marooned villagers if required,” they alleged.

Meanwhile, Bathinda DC Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, along with civil and police officials, reached the spot to assess the situation. However, his visit irked the villagers, who rued that, “When we were making requests on Sunday to send the administrative staff to help us to plug the breach, nobody bothered. But now when all is about to be completed, a team of bureaucrats landed here to express sympathy.”

After observing the situation, the DC ordered a special girdawari to ascertain the quantum of loss. The area in charge of the SAD for the Talwandi Sabo Assembly constituency, Amarjit Singh Sidhu, said he would inform the CM about the situation and urge him to consider the incident as a natural calamity.

On the other hand, village sarpanch Balkaran Singh said: “The administration neither provided us manpower nor any monetary help. The whole expenditure on running the tractors and JCBs is being borne by us only.”

Chandigarh, September 13
The Punjab Government may invoke the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against striking elementary teachers of the Rural Development and Panchayat Department.

According to sources here, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has held a high-level meeting with senior civil and police officials and instructed them to ensure the elementary teachers are not allowed to take the law into their own hands. The government has in another measure also decided to treat elementary teachers not reporting for duty as absent from duty with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, an official spokesman here said the ongoing agitation of teachers was illegal and irrational. The spokesman said the demand of the teachers to shift them from panchayati raj institutions (PRIs) to the Education Department was without any basis. He said the 73rd Amendment had empowered PRIs to achieve the goal of universal elementary education by exercising effective control at the grassroots level to ensure accountability and efficiency.

The spokesman said the schools under zila prishads were offering better opportunities of quality education to students due to close liaison and effective coordination with representatives of the PRIs. He said all 13,034 ETT teachers working in 5,752 schools had already been granted benefits on a par with other government school teachers in terms of the payment of DA, annual increments,opening of the CPF account, clearance of probation periods and regular payment of salaries.

The state government also made an appeal to these teachers to shun the agitational path and resume their duties in the public interest.

Ferozepur, September 13
Hundreds of activists of the All-India Jat Reservation Struggle Committee led by its state president, Karnail Singh Bhawra, staged a dharna on the Ferozepur-New Delhi railway line here to press the Punjab and Central Governments to give reservation to the Jats as per the recommendations of the Mandal Commission.

The activists raised slogans against the two governments for doing injustice to them by denying them the benefit of reservation in government jobs. They said Jats belonging to all states except Punjab, Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir had been given that benefit by the respective governments.

Bhawra said the Mandal Commission had recommended that the Jats should be given the benefit of reservation under Other Backward Castes (OBCs). He said the Central Government must also give the community that benefit and stop them from adopting the path of agitation. He condemned the killing of an activist of the committee by the police at Hisar today while they were holding a peaceful demonstration.

Khamano (Fatehgarh Sahib), September 13
Two labourers lost their lives and three went missing as roof of a newly built steam plant collapsed at Laxmi Energy and Food Limited, here last night.

Four labourers have been rescued. One of them is reported to be serious and undergoing treatment at a private hospital. Till filing of the report, the three labourers cannot be traced and are feared buried alive under the debris of the collapsed structure.

Deceased have been identified as Ram Briksh Rao, a migrant from Bihar and Sunny Paswan of Uttar Pradesh. Both of them were in their early 30’s and were working in the rice sheller for the past sometime. Those rescued have been identified as Manjit Singh, Paramjit Singh, Rajinder Singh and Jai Shankar.

Rajinder received head injuries and was still undergoing treatment. While three others, including Surinder, Hardip and Rohit were feared to be lying buried under the debris. Though the incident took place last night at around 11 pm, the police was informed after 8 am today.

“Cranes were arranged from Ludhiana and Mandi Gobindgarh to start the rescue work,” said the police officials, who reached the spot in the morning. The cranes reportedly reached the sheller at around 3 pm. Neither the mediapersons nor the relatives of the deceased and injured were allowed to enter the rice sheller premises. However, when the security personnel found some relatives of the labourers interacting with mediapersons, they were immediately ushered inside the mill premises.

Amit Kumar, son of a missing labourer, said they have been waiting since 8 am to enter the premises, but their pleas fell on deaf ears. Gurdeep Singh, brother of a missing labourer, also expressed similar views.

Fatehgarh Sahib SSP Ranbir Khattra said a DDR would be lodged in this regard and further action would be initiated after recording statements of the injured. Deputy Commissioner Yashvir Mahajan also visited the spot and enquired into the incident. He has marked an inquiry to the deputy director factories.

Khamano SHO Palwinder Singh said the sheller employees could not inform the police last night as they initiated the rescue work themselves. “The entire iron roof collapsed all of a sudden and it was also raining last night. Now, they have brought some cutting tools and missing labourers might be traced soon,” he said. Sheller owners could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

Reportedly the number of missing persons may be more than three. Some of the workers at the accident site said there were around 17 men working at the time of the accident.

Patiala, September 13
The All-India Rice Millers Association (AIRMA) has urged the Centre to lift ban on export of non-basmati rice without any delay.

According to the association leaders, the ban should be withdrawn immediately in order to ensure storage for the next crop yield. Speaking to The Tribune, president of the association Tarsem Saini said presently non-basmati rice worth Rs 3,000 crore is lying in godowns of Punjab. “It will be better to allow the export, as it will not only create storage space, but will generate revenue as well,” he asserted.

Notably in April 2008, the Centre had banned the export of non-basmati rice to check inflation. Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar had said the government would consider allowing export of some non-basmati rice varieties this year. But replying to a media query on July 27, 2010, that whether any decision was taken on allowing exports of the superior varieties of the non-basmati rice, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma had stated that ban would continue for the time being.

Even All-India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA) had been demanding the removal of the ban, stating that ban has helped Pakistan to emerge as one of the largest exporter of rice globally, thereby putting the Indian exporters at disadvantage.

Saini also said allowing the export of the non-basmati rice would be extremely beneficial from the monetary point of view. “The export will fetch good amount of money,” he said, while adding that it was unfortunate the bureaucrats, involved in framing policies with respect to rice, do not have any knowledge about the subject. “While framing any policy regarding rice, the suggestions of AIRMA must be considered by the government,” he demanded.

Meanwhile, Saini also demanded that the Union Government should clarify its position pertaining to rice manufactured out of the PAU-201 variety. “The government should give the relaxation, pertaining to the acceptance of the rice manufactured from PAU-201,” he added. Saini also said before introducing any new variety of seeds, they should ensure that the same complies with the standards fixed by the Food Corporation of India.

Chhat (Banur), September 13
Damage to a spur near boundary wall of Mahendra Chaudhary Zoological Park/Chhatbir Zoo has lead to panic of flooding in lion safari, following incessant rains during the past few days.

A portion of the spur adjoining the boundary wall of the zoo got washed away due to the gushing water from the Ghaggar and also eroded a large portion of land with it. Even sand bags installed to stop the flow of water into the zoo got washed away last week. The zoo officials said same situation cropped up on August 3, 2004, when a similar spur was damaged by speeding water and the army officials were contacted for help.

The officials, pleading anonymity, said they have been writing continuously to the district administration for the past around one month to get rid of the problem, but to no avail. With rise in the water level in the Ghaggar, the officials now fear water may damage the flora and fauna of the zoo.

“We have informed that delay in repair of the spur may lead to great damage to the lion safari and water may also affect the health of other animals in the zoo, besides damaging the boundary wall,” said a senior zoo official.

He said a team of experts of the Veterinary Department and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, visited the zoo to enquire into the effects of monsoon on health of the animals and birds.

Dera Bassi SDM Puneet Goyal said repair of spur was estimated at a cost of around Rs 2 lakh and army personnel were informed so that their help could be taken in plugging the breach near zoo’s boundary wall.

“However, after few deliberations army officials did not respond. Now the matter has been with Mohali Deputy Commissioner, who assured to start the construction in next couple of days,” he said.

Chamkaur Sahib, September 13
Incomplete theme park dedicated to elder Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh awaits funds and a plan to follow. Despite repeated claims and assurances from the Punjab Government, the park has not been able to find a better fate.

Set up to commemorate 300 years of martyrdom of Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jhujhar Singh of Sri Guru Gobind Singh in the battle of Chamkaur Sahib, the former CM inaugurated first phase of park in 2006. Thereafter, the successive SAD-BJP government promised to complete the project at the earliest. Even after three-and-a-half years of coming in power, the government preferred to do lip service only.

On April 7 this year, Tourism Minister Hira Singh Gabria visited the theme park and talked about handing over the same to the private hands. Gabria has claimed that the government earmarked Rs 2.23 crore for completion of this prestigious project and Rs 1.78 crore from which has already been released.

However, Ropar Deputy Commissioner Arunjit Singh Miglani said the administration has not received any funds for the project. He added, “The Tourism Department is looking into the entire project now.”

Making tall claims of turning this “haven of anti-social elements” into a place for shooting religious films and serials, Gabria had said the park would have well-choreographed light and sound show to acquaint younger generation with the sacrifices laid by great Sikh leaders.

Spread over an area of 10 acre and pegged at a cost of Rs 28 crore, including Rs 60,000 compensation per marla awarded to locals, the project was to be a completed within two years. Park has 40 medium sized pillars and two large pillars installed signifying Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jhujhar Singh and 40 martyrs.