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Quebec Legislature
No early Assembly elections, says SAD
Welfare Dept to stop ‘helping’ Manjit Singh
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More board trains to beat hike in bus fares
(From left) Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal, Anushka Sharma, Akshay Kumar and BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhu at the premiere of a film in Patiala on Thursday. Tribune photo: Rajesh Sachar
Badal: Party to decide on Sukhbir as CM
It’s attempt to keep Cong men together, says Majithia
PSPCL inks pact to set up thermal plant
Nambardars hold rally in Lambi
Ropar to have four subdivisional census officers
Ropar Bypass
Couple held for soldier’s murder
51 villages to get awards
GND varsity’s no to
lecture session
Make black list public, Sukhbir to Centre
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Quebec Legislature Perneet Singh Tribune News Service
Amritsar, February 10
“Canada has a huge Sikh population and there are even Sikh representatives in its Parliament and Assembly. If Sikhs are not getting religious liberty there, where they will be safe?” he wondered. Former Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities Tarlochan Singh said, “The Quebec legislature should not have resorted to such a drastic step. They should have called a meeting and held a discussion before taking a decision over the issue. Sikhs have been living in Canada for almost 100 years and have got maximum support there to the extent that Punjabi is now second language there. A baptised Sikh is even a member of Parliament there.” DSGMC chief Paramjeet Singh Sarna also said the decision didn’t augur well for Sikhs and Quebec province should review the move to ban kirpan. SGPC member Bibi Kiranjot Kaur said Quebec was basically a French-speaking province of Canada which is already fighting for separation from the country and they, too, have a mindset like France where religious symbols are banned. The Quebec legislature’s move has evoked a sharp reaction among Sikh organisations in Canada as well. “The vote represents a turn away from the values of tolerance and multiculturalism,” Balpreet Singh, World Sikh Organization legal counsel, was quoted saying in the media. Interestingly, in 2006, the Supreme Court of Canada had ruled that the kirpan was not a weapon but a religious symbol, like a crucifix.
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No early Assembly elections, says SAD
Jalandhar, February 10 Asked in this regard, Daljit Singh
Cheema, Adviser to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, said there was no question of holding the elections earlier than in the due month, which was February next year. Having a dig at the Congress, Cheema said there was every possibility of the holding of the parliamentary elections in six months because the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre could collapse any day owing to an increasing load of scandals on it. “The way scandals are coming out on a day-to-day basis from the closet of the
UPA, its fall appears to be matter of days,” said Cheema. “I believe the Congress in Punjab should be more worried about the Lok Sabha elections than that the Assembly elections,” he said. A lot of speculation is going on in the political circles regarding Assembly elections. The Congress thinks that the SAD will not like to give much time to Manpreet Singh Badal to set up his party structure in the state and will go for the Assembly elections early. Manpreet willl announce his party next month. Obviously, he will require six-seven months to raise the structure of the party from the grassroots to the apex level. However, the SAD has the impression that Manpreet’s rise in the state will cause more political harm to the Congress than the SAD. On the other hand, political watchers say that the
SAD-BJP combine was not in a position to get the elections advanced. “Most of the high-profile projects initiated by the
SAD-BJP government will either reach near completion or will become noticeable by the end of this year. Projects such as the thermal plants and the oil refinery will enable the
SAD-BJP to hog the limelight. As this year is very crucial for the SAD-BJP coalition from the development projects angle, the coalition will like to complete the full term and hold the elections on the due date,” said a senior political analyst. In fact, the BJP has sought Rs 1,130 crore from the state government for taking up some important small projects in urban areas. With that money, the BJP would like to take up only those projects which could be completed by the last week of December when the election code of conduct is likely to be enforced by the Election. Commission in the state to hold the Assembly elections “After spending Rs 1,130 crore, the BJP will be at least in a position to flaunt something solid before the urban voters,” said the analyst.
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Welfare Dept to stop ‘helping’ Manjit Singh
Chandigarh, February 10 The Tribune had highlighted recently that the office of the Director, Welfare, had upon a memo written by the Secretary, Welfare, recommended that this more than two-year period be treated as leave in kind due. This would have ensured benefits, including no break in service, no change in seniority and no effect on the officer’s pension. Secretary, Welfare, R Venkat Ratnam, said the case would be treated as per rules only, adding “if he (Manjit Singh) has not done duty for a certain period, how can he be given benefits for that time ”. This effectively puts an end to attempts within the government to get this period regularised to completely rehabilitate the former minister’s son. The note sent to the Director, Welfare, to take a decision on the period Manjit was absent from duty was in itself an extraordinary move to give relief to him. The Welfare Department is, however, still not clear as to how the two charge sheets issued to Manjit for remaining absent from work and giving wrong recommendations for release of grants to ‘dharamshalas’ have been dropped. The Welfare Department has regularised the period from January 9, 1999, to January 15, 2003, when Manjit was suspended as duty period based on the fact that the charge sheets against him have been dropped by the government. It was on the verge of giving relief to Manjit for the more than two-year absence from duty also on the same ground. Both actions would not have been possible if the charge sheets had not been dropped. According to the Punjab Government rules, a charge sheet can be dropped only after a due inquiry which involves appointment of an inquiry officer, giving a chance to the accused to present his case and then delivery of a final verdict. The Secretary, Welfare, when questioned on how the charge sheets had been dropped without an inquiry and as to who had dropped them, said, “I will have to see”. He said since this happened some time back, he would have to find out about the case.
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More board trains to beat hike in bus fares
Jalandhar, February 10
Sources said sudden increase in the passenger inflow had been witnessed on major train routes in the state immediately after the state government hiked bus fares by 66 paise per km. Trains on the Amritsar-Ambala, Bathinda-Patiala and Ferozepur-Jalandhar, Ferozepur-Bathinda and Jalandhar-Pathankot routes have become a lifeline for the commuters. A substantial difference between the bus and rail fares is the reason for the commuters turning to trains. The cost of travelling in trains is as low as one-sixth of the bus
fares.
The busiest route is the Amritsar- Jalandhar-Ludhiana- Ambala route. Although the journey time is almost equal, one has to spend Rs 60 by bus but only Rs 19 if travelling in train from Amristar to Jalandhar. Similarly, on the Ludhiana-Jalandhar route, the bus fare is Rs 48 against the train fare of only Rs 11. While travel by road costs around Rs 115 from Patiala to Jalandhar, a good number of passengers travel by bus from Patiala to Sirhind at Rs 23 from where they board a train to Jalandhar that costs only Rs 19. In doing so, they save Rs 73. “On the Patiala-Ludhiana-Jalandhar route, most of the daily passengers opt to board a train either for Sirhind or Rajpura and then a connecting train from Rajpura to Patiala,” said Harbans Singh Bhangu, posted in a survey conducting agency, who commutes everyday on the Amritsar-Patiala route. “As most of the stations located at this line, including Jalandhar, Jalandhar Cantt, Phagwara, Phillaur, Ludhiana, Sirhind and Rajpura are junctions, all the stations witness a substantial number of commuters on working days,” a railway employee said. Similarly, rail travel costs only Rs 22 from Bathinda to Patiala as against Rs 112 by bus. Rail travel on the Bathinda-Delhi route costs just Rs 35 against Rs 235 being charged by the state roadways. Rail fare from Patiala to Ambala is only Rs 9 while the bus fare is Rs 43. The Bathinda-Barnala-Patiala line is an important railway route passing through a major part of the Malwa belt. This brings added respite to passengers commuting at Barnala-Dhuri-Patiala-train route as the bus service on the Barnala-Dhuri-Patiala route is not adequate.
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Akshay to make film in Punjabi
Patiala, February 10 Accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab, Sukhbir Singh Badal, the stars won over the hearts of Patialivis. Bowled over by the hospitality of the people of Patiala, Akshay Kumar promised to produce and act in a Punjabi film soon. Addressing mediapersons in Punjabi, Akshay said, “It was indeed an honour that the movie was being released in Patiala as the title of the movie gelled well with the city. Patiala means ‘wadda’ (big) and I pray that the film strikes the right chord with everyone.” He denied offers from Canada, England and even Chandigarh to hold the premiere show of the film. Dressed in a black formal coat, Akshay promised that after being convinced by Sukhbir Singh Badal, he is planning another movie based on sports in Punjabi. “I was born in Punjab and believe me that ‘Patiala House’ is special because it is the story of a Sikh boy who chases his dream to be a cricketer for England, despite his father initially opposing him,” he said. “A movie on sports would be my dream project,” he said. Akshay Kumar said though his movie is based on cricket in which he represents England, in real life he was an ardent fan of the Indian team. “I and all my family members wish that India lifts the World Cup,” he said. Draped in a cream white dress on the occasion Anushka Sharma said her debut film “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi” was also based on Punjabi culture was a grand success at the box office. She hoped that Punjabis all over the globe would shower their love and affection on this film also. Later Akshay visited all the three screens and promoted the film, claiming that it was a home production and it was his father’s dream. “Irrespective that the film is a hit or a flop, it would always be close to me,” he said, in an informal interaction with the fans. Wrapping up the evening Sukhbir Badal said bringing the premiere to Patiala he has proved who is “wadde dil
wala” (big hearted).
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Badal: Party to decide on Sukhbir as CM
Jalandhar, February 10 With less than a year to go for the Assembly elections, there was a sense of urgency among Sukhbir loyalists that he takes over the mantle from his father and leads the party in the elections, which, in all likelihood, will be a fierce contest. The Chief Minister said that this was not a promotion issue of an official on which he has to take a call. Rather, any decision in this context would be the party’s collective verdict. In political terms, this statement is being viewed as reluctance on the part of Badal to hand over the reins of the party to his son, especially at a time when the SAD is being buffeted by discontent and the ouster of former Finance Minister Manpreet Badal. On a query whether he would like to have Manpreet back in the party fold, he said he had not told the latter to go. It was the former Finance Minister’s decision, he quipped. Earlier, while addressing the gathering, he announced that errant babus would be taken to task by bringing the Right to Service Act in the next session of the Assembly. The bureaucrats would be bound to provide time-bound services to the people and those who did not do so within the stipulated time would be penalised, he warned. When implemented, the Act would not only act as a deterrent for callous civil servants but would also increase the efficiency of all government departments, he pointed out. Badal said a foolproof system was required for providing a healthy share to all states from the Central taxes. “Due to a bias against Punjab in this context, our share is very less as compared to some other states,” he added.
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Amarinder’s talk of early poll Umesh Dewan Tribune News Service
Patiala, February 10 Majithia further said Amarinder was trying to lure Congress leaders into his fold by promising them ticket to contest the state Assembly elections. “The ISRO scam, the 2G scam and the Adarsh Society scam proves that each minister in the Congress-led UPA government is trying to secure future of his next generations,” he alleged. Having a dig at Punjab Youth Congress president Ravneet Singh Bittu for his threat to gherao the Vidhan Sabha on March 4, Majithia said let Bittu first gheroa Sonia Gandhi to get justice for the victims of the 1984 riots, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the price rise and Capt Amarinder Singh for “anti-Punjab conspiracies”. About the social agenda of the Youth Akali Dal, he said each youth Akali Dal worker would arrange education for five poor children besides organising blood donation/medical camps in villages. SAD general secretary Prem Singh Chandumajra; Patiala District Planning Committee chairman Surjit Singh Rakhra, chairman of the Youth Development Board Gurpreet Singh Raju Khanna, Punseed chairman Surjit Singh Ablowal, Youth Akali Dal (Urban) president Ajitpal Singh Kohli, Youth Akali Dal (Rural) president Jaswinder Singh Jassi and Market Committee, Patiala, chairman Harvinder Singh Harpalpur wer present on the occasion.
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Four-hour traffic jam brings Amritsar to a halt
Amritsar, February 10 This worst-ever traffic jam was witnessed between 11.30 am and 3.30 pm right from the road opposite the Inter-State Bus Stand (ISBT), the main entrance of the city, as the elevated road, the only lifeline of the city, was blocked to facilitate the activists of Bhagwan Valmiki Ashram Dhuna Sahib Trust, to carry out their protest rally. After closing the roads for over an hour, they submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner to rename Ram Tirath as Valmiki Tirath, construction of temple at Valmiki Tirath etc and assured to put off their protest. Astonishingly, the protest rally was called off after three more hours elapsed. In the absence of any proper traffic diversion plans, all the major roads of the city remained chocked for these hours. To top it all, the whole lot of police personnel was deputed on the Bhandari bridge in anticipation to deal with the protesting crowd, if it gets violent, yet the scant surveillance on the other roads led to disobedience of traffic norms and fight among the commuters. The officials justified their position by saying the protesters earlier assured to hold a rally on one side, without disturbing the common passersby but later they got agitated and blocked the road. Meanwhile, stuck up in traffic Ajaibir Singh was a worried lot as he had to pick up his daughter from her school, but he had no way to go at least for more than an hour. “The administration should identify such a venue, may be on the outskirts of the city, and this venue should be fully dedicated to any political party or organisation to lodge their protests. Why should a common man pay the price,” he said. Varun Sharma, who could not reach his office on time, echoed similar views. Police Commissioner PPS Sidhu: The traffic diversion plan cannot be executed in the city because of its old and obsolete road infrastructure. But definitely, the situation would be reviewed and more manpower would be deputed to regulate the traffic in future. Deputy Commissioner KS Pannu: It is very unfortunate to put the public to such an inconvenience. Even I had to go there twice to convince them not to linger on their agitation. More corrective measures would be taken in future to deal with such situations.
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PSPCL inks pact to set up thermal plant
Patiala, February 10 Director/Generation, PSPCL, Gurbachan Singh Chhabra and Director, M/s Lanco Infratech Limited, Hyderabad, Ravi Shankar, signed the memorandum at the PSPCL headquarters in Patiala yesterday. PSPCL chairman-cum-Managing Director KD Chaudhri said the plant would be set up in 1200 acres of land and will receive water from
Phul distributory of the Bhatinda branch of the Sirhind Canal. Chaudhri said supercritical technology will
also be used in the plant, which is super efficient and low emission. “The chimneys will be of 270-meters height, so as to minimise pollution. Coal for the plant will also be arranged by the developer. The first unit of 660-MW capacity is likely to start functioning within 40 months while the
second unit of a capacity of 660-MW will be operational in 44 months,”
he added. CMD said the Punjab Government has framed good power generation policy, under which more and more developers are ready to invest in Punjab. “On one hand, the power generation policy will generate employment and will also make Punjab a power surplus state,” he said. From 2012, the new generation plants in the state
will start generating power, he added.
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Nambardars hold rally in Lambi
Lambi (Muktsar), February 10 State general secretary of the union Mohinder Singh Jahangir told this reporter that they had been called to Chandigarh to meet the Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal at 12 noon tomorrow in connection with their demands. The union leaders also said that the SAD, during the previous Assembly elections in its election manifesto, had promised to them to enhance their monthly honorarium, but even after four years of the formation of the Badal government, nothing had been done in this regard. The demands of the nambardars include enhancement in the monthly honorarium from Rs 500 to Rs 1000, 10 per cent share from the cess on canal water, no to proposed amendment in the rules relating to the appointment of a nambardar, honour and respect to nambardars at the Independence Day and Republic Day functions.
— TNS
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Ropar to have four subdivisional census officers
Ropar, February 10 Four subdivisional census officers have also been appointed, which include Ropar SDM Anindita Mitra, Nangal SDM Lakhmir Singh, Anandpur Sahib SDM APS Sandhu and Chamkaur Sahib SDM SC Sabharwal. Two special charge officers, nine charge officers and three city census officers have also been appointed under these officers. Besides these two special charge officers including senior executive engineer at Nuhon thermal plant, Harnek Singh and at Naya Nangal HR Paddhe have been appointed for the personnel of paramilitary forces. The government has also appointed 201 supervisors and 1,185 counting officers for the exercise. These officers have been given material required for census exercise. Miglani has also appealed to the people to be a part of the exercise. — TNS
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Shampur farmers to get Rs 1.5 crore per acre as compensation
Tribune News Service
Ropar, February 10 Also the land of Shampur village would be acquired at Rs 1.5 crore and further at Rs 60 lakh and Rs 45 lakh per acre. While the land would be acquired at Rs 60 lakh per acre at Paprala, the land at Chhoti Railon and Rasulpur village would be acquired at Rs 56 lakh per acre, the land of villages Badi Railon-Abheypur and of Beli-Araji Ropar would be acquired at Rs 40 lakh. She said the market rate of the vacant land or fields is Rs 27.88 lakh, while that of buildings is Rs 1.60 crore. She said Rs 55,000 would be awarded to those whose fruit bearing trees are included for acquisition and Rs 5.49 lakh would be given for non-fruit bearing trees.
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Couple held for soldier’s murder
Nurpur Bedi, February 10 According to the police, Gurpreet and Balwinder were in a relationship before her marriage. Gurmukh Singh allegedly asked his wife Gurpreet to call Balwinder to meet her on the outskirts of the village. The accused Gurmukh wanted to teach the victim a lesson after he came to know about the affair, the police added. Balwinder had come to his native village on leave. He met Gurpreet at a wedding where she asked him to meet her. As Gurpreet engaged Balwinder in a conversation, Gurmukh allegedly attacked him from the back using a sickle. Balwinder was hit several times on the head, face, chest and arms, according to the police. The couple fled after committing crime. DSP Anandpur Sahib Sant Singh Dhaliwal said Gurpreet Kaur claims to be four-month pregnant. “Her medical examination would be conducted tomorrow,” Dhaliwal said. The victim was posted at Leh Ladakh and was supposed to return to duty on February 7.
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51 villages to get awards
Amritsar, February 10 As many as 17 villages each falling in the districts of Amritsar and Bathinda have been declared “Nirmal Gram” after being chosen for the award money ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh per village depending upon the population. These villages with complete sanitation facilities, including 100 per cent provision of toilets in every house.
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GND varsity’s no to
lecture session
Amritsar, February 10 While a delegation representing Manpreet, which met Vice-Chancellor AS Brar for seeking permission, termed the denial a political bias and an unprofessional working environment of such a leading university, the VC maintained that the university could not be allowed to be used as a platform to discuss any political agenda. Manpreet wanted to hold a lecture session on “Punjab financial crisis: Effects of corruption and money laundering on public finances”. “Unfortunately, the university refused the proposal that could have been an excellent platform to discuss such relevant issues and inviting participation from students and the faculty,” said Amanpreet Singh Chhina, an associate of Manpreet. However, the VC said there were many places in Amritsar where political functions or lectures could be conducted .“No political face can be allowed to use the university’s dais, be it anybody”, he said.
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Make black list public, Sukhbir to Centre
Jalandhar, February 10 “Last year, it had sent us a list which had 70 per cent names and addresses of blacklisted Sikhs either wrong or incorrect. We told the Centre to send us a correct one. However, we have got no response from it so far,” said Sukhbir. The Deputy CM said the Ministry of Home Affairs should make the black list public. “It should also put the names of those facing serious charges on its official website,” he said. Sukhbir was here to inaugurate a wrestling competition.
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Patiala, February 10
Talking to The Tribune, SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar termed it an attack on religious freedom. He said they had time and again drawn the attention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the problems Sikhs were facing relating to their identity and religious symbols in different countries, but the government had turned a blind eye to these. 