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Fateh Burj dedicated to people
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No support from Cong, SAD, it’s a lonely fight for traders
Faridkot, November 30 Fearing an immediate loss of employment in the small and unorganised retail trade and myriad small suppliers, 25 small-scale trade unions in Punjab are strongly opposing the FDI in the retail trade sector. They have given a call to observe a complete bandh on December 1.
Anand Marriage Act
Notice to state on PIL over acquisition
Bhullar not overaged, free to contest YC poll
Akalis earn backing of ex-servicemen
Kartarpur Sahib Corridor
Folk singer Manak dead
College employees demand pension, gratuity
‘Pak Sikh university stone to be laid next year’
Jet captain told to remove turban at Milan airport
Special clubs to spread AIDS awareness
47th BSF Day
Officers’ properties on UT’s periphery
SGPC House: All eyes on HC verdict tomorrow
HC to hear cases about tainted cops on December 14
Spurned lover ends life at girl’s house
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Fateh Burj dedicated to people
Chappar Chiri (Mohali), November 30 Amidst confetti and fireworks, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, led by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, dedicated the 328 ft-tall victory tower (Fateh Burj), the tallest monument in the country, to the people. The monument was a tribute to the valour and sacrifices made by the Sikh warriors for the sake of humanity, the Chief Minister said. All through the ceremony as the Nihangs, referred to as ‘Guru ki fauj’ , displayed their martial skills, the CM, accompanied by Giani Gurbachan Singh, Sri Keshgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Tarlochan Singh and Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa, took the distinguished dignitaries on a round of the 21 acre war memorial complex in open Gypsies. The Chief Minister unveiled the statues of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur, Bhai Fateh Singh, Bhai Ram Singh, Bhai Aali Singh and Bhai Maali Singh, who scripted the victory of Chappar Chiri against the Mughals, amid the beating of drums by the Nihangs. Prominent among those present on the occasion were Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, Local Bodies Minister Tikshan Sud, Tourism Minister Hira Singh Gabria, Member of Parliament Sher Singh Ghubaya, former MP Tarlochan Singh, former Canadian MP Ruby Dhalla and first Sikh policeman in Canada Baljit Singh Dhillon.
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No support from Cong, SAD, it’s a lonely fight for traders
Faridkot, November 30 As it is the Congress-led UPA’s decision to allow foreign equity in retail, the Congress leaders in Punjab prefer not to comment on FDI. But as the SAD has also supported the Centre’s move, saying the initiative would offer big benefits to the farmers and the PPP is still weighing the “pros and cons” of FDI in multi-brand retail, it is only the SAD’s alliance partner BJP and PPP’s alliance partner, the Left parties in Punjab that are advocating protectionism. But BJP’s protectionism is at a low pitch. Though the BJP local leaders are supporting small traders and retailers, but they are avoiding vocal criticism of the SAD or the Congress. On Tuesday, when the Chamber of Commerce and Industries, a union based on 25 small scale traders, in Kotkapura town of Faridkot convened a meeting and gave a bandh call for December 1 for all trades, the BJP leaders supported the move. They were non-committal on the stand taken by the SAD. Parveen Gupta, the Faridkot District BJP President said the party will leave no stone unturned to make the December 1 bandh a complete success. About the SAD supporting the FDI, Gupta said there could be points of difference of opinion among alliance partners. In the absence of strong political support, the traders feel they have no option but to observe a bandh to register their protest. “The SAD is supporting the FDI under the belief that it would benefit the farmers but the party leaders are oblivious to the fact that international sourcing capabilities would be able to exploit the economies in procurement, storage, and distribution”, said Onkar Goyal, president the Punjab Chamber of Commerce and Industries and the Punjab Karyana Retail Association. “The Akalis have a misplaced impression about FDI in retail and think that the farmers would fetch remunerative prices. In the absence of small and retail traders, the marginal farmers will be crushed. He will not only face difficulty in selling his small-quantity produce to big companies but there would be no one to offer him the daily-need goods without hard cash in his pocket”, said KC Bansal, general secretary, Punjab Karyana Retail Association.
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Farmers stand to gain from FDI, says US envoy
Chandigarh, November 30 Badal said the coalition government had not only provided good governance but effectively achieved higher economic growth and improved the fiscal situation of the state, besides initiating the process to establish new power plants to overcome the acute shortage of power supply in the state. The Chief Minister honoured the envoy with a siropa, a sword and a plaque as a token of love and affection on behalf of the Punjabis. Yesterday Burleigh had delivered a talk organised by the Rotary Club at Panjab University. He said India should go for the foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail as it’s in the interest of the farmers and consumers. He said the Union Government’s move to allow the FDI would certainly help the farmers to get a better deal. He said further said the FDI would certainly help in stabilising the prices and reform the whole structure of trade. “There are many other countries that have already introduced FDI and it’s running successfully. India should study the case of other countries those has been benefited by this move,” Burleigh said. On the former President and renowned scientist Dr APJ Abdul Kalam recently going through a double security check at the JFK Airport in New York, Burleigh said there were 700 persons on the Indian list who should be exempted from security checks while the US has only five persons. “We are negotiating with the Indian Government if there could be lesser people on the list provided to us. Moreover, Dr Kalam didn’t have any objection to going through the security checks”, he said.
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Anand Marriage Act
The amendment in the Anand Marriage Act in 2008 allowed for a separate register to record Sikh marriages. However, there was criticism that the Anand Marriage Act continued to be part of the Hindu Marriage Act:1955 and should be made a separate Act. Salman Khurshid said: “We have proposed a Central Act providing for registration of births, deaths and marriages. Under this, certificates submitted under the Anand Marriage Act could be registered. Alternatively, the provision for separate registration could be provided under the Anand Marriage Act itself.” The Law Minister said that both the proposals had been forwarded to the Home Ministry for
consultation. The ministry was expected to elicit the opinion of various ministers as well as Punjab leaders in Punjab. “Once this is done, the matter will be forwarded to the Cabinet for a decision”, he explained. The Anand Marriage Act came into being in 1909 following a proposal by Maharaja Ripudaman Singh of Nabha. Later, the Act became part of the Hindu Marriage Act that grouped Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism as offshoots of Hinduism. Hardeep Singh, SGPC member, said the amendment in 2008 was a mere eyewash . He said even Pakistan and Bangladesh had separate Anand Marriage Acts and that India should follow suit. However,Rajya Sabha nember Tarlochan Singh said amending the Hindu Marriage Act would be difficult and that the present amendment met the aspirations of the Sikhs and should be retained as such.
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Notice to state on PIL over acquisition
Chandigarh, November 30 In their petition before the High Court, Jarnail Singh and three other residents of Mandi Khurd village in Bathinda demanded an inquiry into the alleged scam hovering around the acquisition of land for engineered sanitary landfill facility. Directions have also been sought to shift the project to some other place. The petitioners alleged that the decision was taken to acquire 36.81 acres in Mundi Khurd village for setting up the project after a land survey was conducted on February 10. On February 25, a report was sent to Principal Secretary stating the land was appropriate for the purpose. The petitioner said the letter stated that Bhatinda MC has 36 acres, but the project required at least 40 acres. The same letter recommended acquisition of 36.81 acres. In the meantime, most of the land was purchased by Yadwinder Singh and two other politically influential families for Rs 1.59 crore. A compensation of about Rs 8.67crore was paid to acquire the land. The petitioner placed reliance on news-report stating Yadvinder Singh was District President of Ludhiana Youth Akali Dal and a close associate of Bikram Singh Majithia. The Bench has fixed January 6, 2011, as the next date of hearing.
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Bhullar not overaged, free to contest YC poll
Gurdaspur, November 30 Bhullar, along with Sukhwinder Singh Danny, Guri Bhattal and Vikram Chowdhury, is in the race for the president’s post. His friend-turned-foe Vikram Chowdhury, son of former minister Chowdhury Santokh, had claimed that Bhullar was overaged and ineligible for contesting the elections scheduled for December 15 and 16. While Bhullar maintained he was born in 1978 and, hence, eligible to run for the post of president (under 35), Chowdhury had contended that he was born in 1975. The complaint against Bhullar was sent to the FAME office in New Delhi and the NGO, run under the supervision of former Chief Election Commissioner JM Lyngdoh, deputed Lalit Mohan to investigate the complaint. Bhullar produced his matriculation certificate, driving licence and passport as proof of his date of birth. Lalit Mohan, after going through the documents, accepted Bhullar’s plea and dismissed Chowdhury’s objections.
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Amarinder lashes out at Badals
Fatehgarh Sahib, November 30 The BJP is opposing both the issues, where as the Akalis are supporting it. The only thing common between the two alliance partners is corruption, said Capt. Amarinder Singh, president PPCC, while addressing party workers from Fatehgarh Sahib, Bassi Pathana and Amloh assembly constituencies as part of the Congress “Punjab Bachao Yatra" at the grain market in Sirhind today. The ticket seekers from all the three assembly seats could be seen jostling to catch the eye of the PPCC chief. He said that four ministers of the BJP were removed for corruption, Most of the Akalis, starting from the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal right up to the circle jathedars was neck-deep in corruption. Amarinder chose to target the Badal family rather than the state government. He repeatedly stressed that the Badal family, which had only 80 acres of land a few decades back, now has hotels worth Rs 2,000 crore, bus companies and television channels. He asked Badal to list a single achievement during his four tenures as a chief minister, other than having accumulated wealth worth thousands of crores. He said Akali leadership is intellectually bankrupt and due to lack of vision they have brought the state to the verge of ruins as the debts have increased to over Rs.1.72 lakh crore. He said that he wanted to see a prosperous and progressive Punjab free of drugs and unemployment. He said that 47 lakh youths in the state are unemployed and the Akali-BJP government had not thought anything about them. The Congress would set up a massive network of industry which would lead to the creation of jobs. He said that agriculture had to be made more remunerative by way of diversification and sowing of cash-rich crops. He told the workers that the crucial phase had begun and said: “All of you have to take this task to its logical conclusion.” He declared that the workers’ dignity and honour will be restored. He said, all the people found responsible for victimising and intimidating the Congress workers will be dealt lawfully when Congress comes to power. Addressing the rally, the party in charge Gulchain Singh Charak congratulated the party workers for the massive show of strength.
Capt to oppose Bir Devinder's return to Cong
Fatehgarh Sahib: “I would strongly oppose the re-entry of Bir Devinder Singh, former Deputy Speaker and senior Congress leader into the Congress party,” said Captain Amarinder Singh, president PPCC. He was talking exclusively to The Tribune here today. He had come to address the Congress rally for the three assembly constituencies falling in Fatehgarh Sahib district. Answering a query about the willingness of Bir Devinder Singh to return to the Congress fold and to contest the assembly election from Fatehgarh Sahib, Amarinder replied that Bir Devinder Singh has not yet applied to the party in this regard and he had read about it in the media only. Answering a query as to whether the party would consider his case or not if he applies, Amarinder reacted sharply and said he is personally opposed and would not recommend his re-entry into Congress.
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Akalis earn backing of ex-servicemen
Chappar Chiri, November 30 Though the function was apolitical, it certainly had political overtones. A Sikh academician told TNS: “Badal sahab has showcased Sikh heritage, but like an astute politician has timed it well (assembly poll round the corner) to have the maximum effect on the masses”. The public function after the inauguration of the war memorial saw Gen JJ Singh and his wife flanked by senior Akali and BJP leaders. The Arunachal Governor praised the CM and his team for establishing the monument. Former BJP president Rajnath Singh said the “Badal family has achieved immortality and the people of the state will never forget the family’s contribution to raising memorials, bringing alive Sikh history and culture.” The senior BJP leader said Hinduism had been saved owing to the sacrifices of the Khalsa Panth. He said this fact should be reflected in school textbooks and that he was willing to approach the PM along with the Akali leadership on the issue. The CM, striking an emotional chord with the voters, said “whatever has been achieved is because of the blessings of the Almighty. I am only an instrument.” Badal even indicated it was Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s loss that he could not inaugurate the Anandpur Sahib museum complex. Major-Gen (retd) Gaganjit Singh said Sikh history had been revived and that this was a source of pride. Air Marshall (retd) Randhir Singh the state had for once revived the forgotten past. Param Vir Chakra awardee Capt (retd) Bana Singh said the monument was a befitting tribute to the Sikhs’ spirit of sacrifice for a cause. Among others who spoke were Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal, Uttarakhand CM Major-Gen (retd) BC Khanduri, Akal Takht Jathdear Giani Gurbachan Singh and Budha Dal chief Baba Balbir Singh. Anxious moments Sant Samaj leader and Damdami Taksal head Harnam Singh Dhumma created a stir by urging that a memorial should be constructed to honour 'amar shaheed' Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale killed during Operation Bluestar. Dhumma also demanded that Sikh detainees in different jails be released. However, not a single speaker reacted to Dhumma's speech. In Lighter vein Arunachal Governor General (retd) JJ Singh related two jokes. Claiming that Punjabi culture was all-pervasive, he said a junior commissioned officer sent to Chennai to learn Tamil before the intervention in Sri Lanka came back without learning a single word of Tamil after a three-month stay. "When we asked him why this was so, the JCO said everyone had learnt Punjabi now."
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Kartarpur Sahib Corridor
Amritsar, November 30 American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (AGPC) coordinator Pritpal Singh has urged the Pakistan Government to create a corridor to Kartarpur Sahib to boost bilateral ties. He said he would send a fresh proposal to Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on behalf of the US Sikhs. He also urged the Sikh bodies to pressurise Indian and Pakistan Governments to implement the corridor plan. He said the AGPC would also take up the matter with the US State Department. DSGMC chief Paramjit Singh Sarna has also shot off missives to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram and the Pakistan PM. In his letter to Chidambaram, Sarna said: “We had requested that the issue of Kartarpur Sahib corridor be included on the agenda during the last secretary-level bilateral talks, but no concrete decision has been taken so far.” He urged Chidambaram to take up the matter with his counterpart in Pakistan.
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Folk singer Manak dead
The singer is survived by his wife, son Yudhvir Manak and daughter Shakti. The last rites of the singer will be performed at Jalal village in Bathinda on December 2. Manak's life, as those close to him say, had an unusual mix of faith, tradition and legacy that was capped by a streak of unconventionality. Born as Latif Mohammad in a Mirasi family, he "inherited" his interest in music from his father Nikka Khan, who was a singer. Manak traced his ancestry to ‘hazoori raagis’ that performed at the durbar of the king of Nabha. Often called the "King of Kaliyan" (Kali is a genre of Punjabi folk music), Manak, through his songs, captured the popular imagination for more than four decades. At the age of 19, he had recorded his first song that was a duet with Seema, a popular artiste at that time. Later, he shifted from Bathinda to Ludhiana to pursue his career in music. Receptivity to new ideas was his forte and he did not shy away from tuning his music to social issues. About 22 years ago, in one of his songs he celebrated the birth of the girl child. During his initial days, it was his trademark instrument “toombi” that gave him his popular appeal, yet he did not mind shifting to Spanish guitar and the mandolin to keep in step with the changing times. Offering his condolences on Manak's death, Gurbhajan Gill, president, Punjabi Sahit Akademi, said his death was a big loss to the Punjabi music industry. "Manak's transformation from Manka (his nickname) to Kuldeep Manak was courtesy his musical talent. We regret that he would not be there to receive the best Punjabi singer award that was to be conferred on him by the Languages Department," he added. Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and PCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh also expressed grief at the singer’s death. JS Jassowal, founder president, Mohan Singh Memorial Foundation, and renowned singer Jazy B said the death was a big loss to the Punjabi culture.
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College employees demand pension, gratuity
Patiala, November 30 The protestors said pension was the right of every employee so the government should grant pension and gratuity to all employees of government-aided colleges too. Notably, these employees have been protesting for the past few months for the fulfillment of various demands, including implementation of the pension and gratuity scheme, pay fixation of non-teaching staff in new pay scales with effect from 1.1.2006, arrears of teaching and non-teaching staff of new Pay Commission with effect from 1.1.2006, lifting the ban on the recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff in aided colleges, implementation of the Provident Fund Scheme on the gross salary, instead of basic pay and in time release of full 95 per cent grant in aid. The government alleged that while the government had granted new pay scales to all the non-teaching government employees from 1.1.2006, the same should be implemented for the government-aided non-teaching employees. "This is sheer discrimination and the government must give us our due share. While on one hand the government is not releasing our dues, it is not even lifting the ban from fresh appointments as a result of which a large number of students are suffering. Numerous seats are vacant in various colleges but the government is not paying any heed to it as a result of which the colleges are compelled to appoint ad hoc teachers," added Ajay Kumar Gupta, secretary, Non-Teaching Union, Punjabi University, Patiala wing.
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‘Pak Sikh university stone to be laid next year’
Masood, who was here to attend the inauguration ceremony of Baba Banda Singh war memorial here, said the stone of the Guru Nanak Dev University, which would be spread over 700 murabas, would be laid next year. Pakistan Evacuee Trust Property Board, which looks after the affairs related to Sikh and Hindu communities in Pakistan, has been entrusted with the job to set up the international university. Masood, too, is attached with the Guru Nanak Dev University project. The governing council members of the university, said he, may also comprise Indians, particularly Sikhs. The university would be an autonomous body running on the income generated from various gurdwaras in Pakistan. The estimated cost of the Guru Nanak Dev University would be Rs 300 crore and the Pakistan Government had already contributed Rs 54 crore.
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Jet captain told to remove turban at Milan airport
Chandigarh, November 30 He was taken to a separate room and told to remove his turban, put it in a tray and wait till his headgear passed through the X-ray machine. After the check, he was asked to wear his “hat” again and continue with his duty of flying the aircraft back home. “I felt humiliated,” he told Manohar Singh Gill, Congress MP from Punjab, saying that the security staff did not even know the difference between a “turban” and a “hat”. Though the Ministry of External Affairs has been claiming from time to time that the issue has been taken up not only with the European Union but also its member states but cases of harassment of turbaned Sikhs continue to be reported. Talking to The Tribune over the phone, Manohar Singh Gill said that it was not only in Italy but also in Warsaw (Poland) that security personnel at international airports were picking turbaned Sikh passengers at random and asking them to remove their turbans as part of the security drill.
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Special clubs to spread AIDS awareness
Bathinda, November 30 A brainchild of the Punjab State AIDS Control Society, the clubs would be set up in 34 colleges in Bathinda district while the remaining clubs would be set up in the colleges of Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala, Mansa, Faridkot, Moga, Ferozepur, Fazilka and Muktsar districts of the Malwa region. The Red Ribbon Club is an on-campus programme for the students. Red, a sign of warning, suggests that the symptoms of HIV/AIDS should not be taken lightly. Assistant Director, Youth Services, Bathinda, Dr Kamaljit Singh Sidhu said the Punjab State AIDS Control Society would give Rs 2,500 as financial assistance to each club.
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47th BSF Day
The Punjab Frontier has forwarded a proposal in this regard to the BSF headquarters, Delhi and if things go as per plan, the international border would soon be equipped with hi-tech surveillance cameras. This was disclosed by the newly appointed Inspector General of BSF, Punjab Frontier Aditya Mishra on the occasion of the 47th BSF Day, which falls on December 1. Addressing the media, IG Mishra said the installation of the cameras was a pilot project, which was launched at Jammu Frontier and the Indo-Pak frontier. “This project is in the initial stages and we are looking forward to its implementation as it will facilitate round-the-clock vigil on the international border,” he said. Further talking about the rising cases of seizure of heroin from across the border, the IG said the bulk production of heroin in Afghanistan was a major factor in the increase of such cases. “The demand is high, and so is the supply. This, in turn, increases the risk-taking capacity of the smugglers and hence the attempts of cross-border supply. Even this year, we seized 63.550 kg heroin from the border”, he added. On smuggling bids, the IG said, “Around 21 kilometre of the 553-km stretch of the border has riverine gaps, which is a potent threat. At four places, the fence was damaged due to floods in the past.”
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Officers’ properties on UT’s periphery
Chandigarh, November 30 As the case came up for hearing, State counsel said the case was pending since 2007 and handing it over to a tribunal would further delay the proceedings. Seeking additional time for the completion of the probe, an affidavit by Punjab Chief Secretary SC Aggarwal was placed before the High Court. The affidavit said during a meeting held on November 28, it was felt a further period of two months was required. The State has already informed the High Court that as many as 36 IAS officers and four IPS officers may soon find themselves explaining the discrepancies in the information on their properties in Chandigarh’s periphery. The case pertains to the acquisition of properties by the high-ups in Chandigarh’s periphery. As it came up for hearing this morning, the Bench heard: “The inquiry officer vide letter dated November 14 reported that out of 2,734 officers, information regarding 115 officers, which include 36 IAS officers, 17 PCS officers, four IPS officers, 38 PPS officers, four IFS officers, six IRS officers, two IA&AS officers, four excise and taxation officers, three doctors and one civil officer, does not tally”. Elaborating, it was said they have either “not disclosed their properties in the prescribed performa issued by the inquiry officer or in the annual property returns made available to their administrative departments concerned”.
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SGPC House: All eyes on HC verdict tomorrow
Amritsar, November 30 Talking to The Tribune, noted lawyer HS Phoolka said the chances of the HC granting a stay on the meeting were bleak and, therefore, the process for the constitution of the new SGPC House in all likelihood would not be affected. Former chairman of the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission KS Patti said Dhanaula ‘s plea had been referred to the same bench of the High Court, which is hearing the case of voting rights for Sehajdhari Sikhs. — TNS
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HC to hear cases about tainted cops on December 14
Chandigarh, November 30 The Division Bench of Justice MM Kumar and Justice RN Raina today put off the hearing of the cases in pursuance of Supreme Court orders on two SLPs filed by the State of Punjab against the interim orders issued by the High Court. Both the SLPs filed by the State of Punjab were dismissed by the Supreme Court on November 25. But the SC Bench headed by Justice DK Jain had noted down the assurance of the state counsel that directions issued by the High Court shall be complied with by the state government within two weeks and requested the Bench to adjourn the hearing of the cases. The SC Bench had, on a third SLP filed by the state against petitioner-cum-advocate HC Arora, vacated the interim order issued by the High Court vide which the Punjab DGP’s circular recommending lenient treatment of convicted police officials with less than three years’ sentence was stayed. But the Supreme Court had given the liberty to the High Court to proceed with this PIL and to decide it on merit, notwithstanding the pendency of the SLP.
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Car hits auto, 2 school kids seriously injured
Patiala, November 30 The injured students, identified as Chetan (9) and Susan Dhillon (6), were rushed to the nearby Columbia Asia Hospital. According to the doctors treating the injured, the condition of both the students was critical. As per the information, the students were on the way back home when the mishap occurred. Giving further details, the police officials stated that the accident occurred at about 2.25 pm. They said that a Swift car bearing the registration number (PB 11 AQ 1901) hit the autorickshaw. However, eyewitnesses told the TNS that the car was being driven by an underage person. No FIR had been registered till the filing of the report.
— TNS
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Spurned lover ends life at girl’s house
Phagwara, November 30 Rawalpindi SHO Shivkamal Dev said the deceased first attempted to kill the girl, her mother and sister but when he missed the aim, he shot himself in the head. The girl and her mother sustained minor bruises. A case was registered and the deceased’s body was handed over to his relatives after a post-mortem examination.
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Chandigarh, November 30
Ludhiana, November 30
Chappar Chiri (Mohali), November 30
Jalandhar, November 30