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Sukhbir hardsells development
EC won’t seize cash meant for weddings
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Candidates flock to Dera Sacha Sauda
Bathinda/Muktsar, January 16 With a few days left for polling in the state, more than 100 candidates belonging to the SAD, the Congress, the Sanjha Morcha and others visited Dera Sacha Sauda in Sirsa last evening to seek blessings of its controversial chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh whose sect has considerable following in Punjab, particularly in the Malwa belt. 1,080 candidates left in fray
Development a far cry
Lack of roads, employment facilities bane of residents
Residents want all-round development
Park’s name, statue of SAD leader go under cover
SAD’s Bassi Pathana council chief, three councillors join Cong
Spouses step in to help candidates
Shahi Imam announces support for Congress
Health bodies allege neglect by political parties
Nitty-gritty under scanner
Akali leader’s son booked in Rs 18-crore paddy scam
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STATE OF PARTIES
The party has begun to give sleepless nights to the Congress and the SAD-BJP alliance in several assembly segments. Reports from the field indicate that PPP candidates, contesting under the umbrella of the Sanjha Morcha, a coalition of four parties, have started gaining ground in various constituencies. The SAD and the Congress are a worried lot as the parties are yet to figure out as to which party will be affected the most with the PPP gaining ground among the voters. While the SAD leadership has been claiming that the Congress will be affected most, the latter maintains that the PPP will eat into the SAD-BJP vote bank. It is too early to say what the performance of the PPP and its allies (CPI, the CPM and the SAD-Longowal) will be in the coming assembly elections, but one can say with certainty that the PPP will determine the outcome of the elections. The party has caught the imagination of the youth. The PPP chief, Manpreet Badal, who has single-handedly raised the party from next to nothing, has infused hope in them. Manpreet has provided a new political idiom and to some extent a new meaning to the state’s politics. He has played a vital role in making politics issue-based. Credit goes to him for bringing state’s ailing economy to the centre stage. He has made several socio-economic issues a part of his public discourse. On the way to building the party, Manpreet saw some of his close associates lured away by the Congress and the SAD. The biggest jolt came when his two lieutenants, Jagbir Singh Brar and Kushaldeep Singh Dhillon, deserted him. His opponents started questioning his ability to raise a party. They ridiculed him for failing to keep his flock together with some saying he was arrogant. But Manpreet always held that his party’s main stake- holders were the people themselves, yearning for change and freedom from an exploitative system. Among the PPP’s frontline leaders now are Bhagwant Mann, Gurpreet Singh Bhatti, Kuldeep Singh Dhose and Harnek Singh Gharuan. Manpreet’s main adviser is Dr SS Johl. Bir Devinder Singh is back with him. Of the 117 seats, Sanjha Morcha has put up candidates on 115 seats-the PPP has fielded 91 candidates, the CPI 14, the CPM 8 and the SAD-Longowal 2. The Sanja Morcha has not put up any candidate in Abohar and Dera Baba Nanak. Among the PPP candidates are doctors, advocates, technocrats, artistes, sportspersons and progressive farmers. At least 85 of them are fresh faces. The average age of the PPP candidates is 50. Manpreet says his party has caught the people’s fancy like no party in the past. “There were certain persons who were not committed to a struggle and they quit the PPP. It is not uncommon for people to lose nerve on the way and opt out,” he explains. “We are gaining ground everyday. People listen to our candidates attentively. They are impressed by our programme and the first 100 days’ agenda. We will perform far better than our opponents expect and in some segments, our candidates’ performance will surprise political observers,” he claims. “Our biggest asset is the younger generation, which will decide the state’s tomorrow,” claims Manpreet, who has travelled about 1,90,000 km since October 2010, when he was thrown out of the Shiromani Akali Dal. “During the past 13 months, we organised three big political conferences-at the Maghi Mela in Muktsar last year,at Khatkar Kalan on March 27, 2011, to announce the formation of the PPP, and one at Moga to mobilise the cadres. “Besides, I have addressed more than 1,000 political meetings in rural and urban areas during this period,” he says, adding that the party has a membership of 18 lakh and has 4,500 office-bearers.
Untiring Crusader
frontline leaders
Bhagwant Mann, Gurpreet Singh Bhatti, Kuldeep Singh Dhose, Harnek Singh Gharuan and Bir Devinder Singh Manpreet’s main adviser is
Dr SS Johl
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Sukhbir hardsells development
Jalalabad, January 16 At least 15 vehicles move along winding roads amid lush green wheat fields towards the village. On spotting the luxury cars, children playing in the fields signal to the elders that Sukhbir has arrived. Waiting anxiously for their leader at a village meeting point, the sleepy crowd turns attentive. Rustic jokes pave way for a hushed silence. The cavalcade stops. Sukhbir, surrounded by his security personnel, alights from his Toyota Fortuner to a thunderous applause. Wasting no time, he seeks blessings from the elderly and accepts a 'siropa' from a youth. He makes a brief speech, mainly highlighting development works initiated by him in the constituency and how he has nurtured it over the past over two years. The crowds applaud as he tells them how he has got roads built, ensured sewerage, got reverse osmosis plants installed and most importantly, public toilets built. "We will continue with our development agenda. So, vote for us and for your own development," he signs off, stepping back into his SUV but not before accepting a few applications from the villagers. Sukhbir hits the road again, takes a deep breath and discusses with his poll managers the works that have been done or initiated in the next village where he is to address another gathering. In fact, the "CM-in-waiting", as his supporters call him, has been literally on the roads for the past about a fortnight, campaigning aggressively for the party's candidates, traveling across the length and breadth of Punjab. His day starts early and after offering prayers and having a homemade breakfast of 'pranthas' and curd, Sukhbir starts canvassing around 9.30 am. The inclement weather is no deterrent for him. "I try and schedule all my public meetings during the day and travel during the night," he tells The Tribune. Travelling an average 100 km to 150 km in one district a day, he covers three to four assembly segments. "We are sure of a clean sweep and we are seeking votes on development agenda. The Opposition has no agenda. The issue of corruption will see the Congress failing at the hustings. We will win about 75 seats. While the Congress has no vision for Punjab, we will come out with an economic vision for the state and also implement it," he says. Sukhbir shrugs off any question regarding his taking over the reins of the state if the SAD-BJP alliance is voted back to power. "Our aim is to get the people's mandate and all our energies are concentrated on this at the moment. Never before has Punjab seen such development on the infrastructure front as during our rule," he adds.
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EC won’t seize cash meant for weddings
Chandigarh, January 16 This was stated here today by Special CEO Usha R. Sharma, who said the ECI had issued fresh guidelines regarding the standard operating system (SOP) for flying squad and surveillance teams. A person carrying cash from his business place to the bank for depositing it can submit documents like PAN card/business registration certificate and bank passbook/statement or copy of the cash book to show regular cash deposits and save his money from being seized. She said any person carrying cash for purpose of medical treatment would also be exempted, if he provided declaration along with the proof of medical admission/treatment. She said in case of seizure by the SST or Income-Tax Department, the appellate authority whom the person can appeal for the redressal of grievance would be the SDM/ADM of the district and the Joint Director of Income-Tax, respectively.
Explanation sought
The CEO has sought a report from the returning officers of Kartarpur regarding the use of loudspeaker without permission in election
campaign by Congress candidate Jagjit Singh.
Transferred
Shamsher Singh, electronic instructor, Industrial Training Centre, Rajpura, has been tranfered to Industrial Traning Centre, Bassi
Pathana.
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Candidates flock to Dera Sacha Sauda
Irrespective of party affiliations, the dera chief met the candidates on a single platform and did not oblige them with a separate audience. The candidates had to cool their heels till the dera chief decided to address them together at around 7.30 pm. He advised the candidates to be good human beings and strive to end female foeticide and drug abuse. Keeping in mind the backlash that the dera followers faced in Malwa after the 2007 assembly elections when the SAD was virtually wiped out in the belt, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh did not meet the candidates
individually. The Left parties have always shunned Dera politics, but former CPI legislator Hardev Arshi, who is contesting from Mansa, chose to visit the dera this time. Among the SAD candidates who sought the dera chief’s blessings were Saroop Chand Singla, Mantar Brar, former DGP PS Gill, Surjit Kohli, Surjeet Rakhra, Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpur, Amarjeet Singh Sidhu, Darshan Kotfatta and Deep Malhotra. Singla is pitched against Harminder Singh Jassi (Congress), whose daughter is married to dera chief’s son. Congress leaders Sunil Jakhar, Amarinder Singh Warring “Raja”, Ripjit Singh Brar, Avtar Brar, Jassi Khangura, Lal Singh, Gurpreet Kaur, Kewal Dhillon, Surinder Pal Singh Sibia and Isher Singh Meharban met the dera chief as did BJP’s Raj Khurana and Vijay Luxmi Bhadoo. Mohan Singh Phallianwala of the BSP and Hans Raj Josan, an Independent, were also present there. PCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh and PPP president Manpreet Singh Badal have already paid a visit to the dera. Talking over the phone, Ram Singh, member, political wing, Dera Sacha Sauda, said: “Nearly 100 candidates of various political parties met the dera chief in the evening, but no formal announcement has been made so far as extending support to a particular party is concerned”. Ram Singh added, “The decision in this regard will definitely come, but it will take few more days. We have asked our members in all districts and blocks to send us suggestions so that a consensus can be evolved and an announcement made accordingly.”
SAD candidates: Saroop Chand Singla, Mantar Brar, former DGP PS Gill, Surjit Kohli, Surjeet Rakhra, Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpur, Amarjeet Singh Sidhu, Darshan Kotfatta and Deep Malhotra Congress candidates: Sunil Jakhar, Amarinder Singh Warring “Raja”, Ripjit Singh Brar, Avtar Brar, Jassi Khangura, Lal Singh, Gurpreet Kaur, Kewal Dhillon, Surinder Pal Singh Sibia and Isher Singh Meharban. BJP candidates: Raj Khurana and Vijay Luxmi Bhadoo BSP candidates: Mohan S Phallianwala Ex-CPI MLA: Hardev Arshi Independent: Hans Raj Josan
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1,080 candidates left in fray
Chandigarh, January 16 These elections will see 37 candidates more
than the 2007 polls when 1,043 candidates were in the fray. Former SGPC
chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, SAD candidate from Bholath, will be contesting
against seven candidates, including Congress’ Sukhpal Khaira. Raninder
Singh, Congress candidate from Samana, will face seven opponents.
— Inputs by Dharmendra Joshi, Archit Watts, SP Sharma, Umesh Dewan and Mahesh Sharma
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Development a far cry
Famous for assembling the illegal “Peter rehras”, Sardulgarh failed to get attention of the political leaders and has remained a neglected constituency. After losing to Mofar in the previous assembly elections, veteran SAD leader and MP Balwinder Singh Bhunder has now fielded his son Dilraj Singh Bhunder. Dilraj is among the young faces the SAD has fielded this year. Projects: While Mofar claims to have initiated various projects like new roads, upgrading of government schools and laying sewerage during the previous Congress regime, Bhunder harps on the construction of the Mansa-Sardulgarh road and installation of RO systems and streetlights. Mofar said in the past five years, the government had not allotted any funds for this area. “The SAD-BJP government only talks of development, which is all farce,” he said. VOX POPULI: Area residents say they feel cheated as no development activity has taken place in Sardulgarh in the past several years. The residents also complain of non-functional RO systems at many places. LOOKING BACK: While in the 2007 assembly elections, Congress leader Ajitinder Singh Mofar defeated SAD’s Balwinder Singh Bhunder, in 2002, it was the other way round. In 1997, Congress’ Sukhwinder Singh won.
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Lack of roads, employment facilities bane of residents
Projects: Kashyap admits that he was unable to bring in even a single industrial unit in the last nearly five years owing to certain constrains beyond his control. However, he is quick to highlight other achievements like getting link roads constructed following which 60 villages have now been interlinked. “Six primary schools have been upgraded to middle level with each school given infrastructure worth Rs 8 to 10 lakh. Four middle schools have been given the status of high schools with each school getting Rs 30 to Rs 40 lakh for improving infrastructure, particularly libraries and laboratories. We have also got six high schools upgraded to senior secondary level and each school cost us Rs 50 lakh,” he says. The MLA said half of the funds for the purpose were provided by the state government while the other half came under the Border Area Development Programme. However, the residents are unhappy. Says Deepak Bhalla, a member of Dinanagar Block Congress Committee, “Agreed, the MLA did bring in funds to interconnect 60 villages. But just go and look at the roads. They are full of potholes. Long stretches are totally unfit for driving. Also have a look at main GT road passing through the city. Despite protests by residents on numerous occasions, the MLA refuses to talk to the authorities concerned to get the roads repaired. The broken road only adds to the traffic chaos prevailing in the town.” The MLA also speaks of marginalising the infamous Sansi tribe for selling illicit liquor and other drugs. “I have ordered the police to crackdown on this tribe at least once a week to ensure that the youth are not caught in the grip of drugs.” However, his detractors say that the sale of drugs has not stopped and the tribe is being given political patronage because of the sizeable number of votes it has. VOX POPULI: The overall perception among residents is that the MLA will have to pull up his socks if he has to win in the forthcoming elections. “He will have to do a lot of explaining before he gets votes this time,” remarked a BJP leader. LOOKING BACK: In the 2007 elections, Sita Ram Kashyap of the BJP beat Aruna Chowdhury of the Congress by 842 votes. In 2002, Aruna beat Sita Ram Kashyan by 2,340 votes while in 1997, Roop Rani of the BJP beat KK Kaushal of the Congress by 2,450 votes. In 1992, KK Kaushal beat Tilak Raj of the BJP by 2,700 votes.
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Residents want all-round development
Both Tinu and Kainth are not from the constituency and are facing some dissidence from within their respective parties. Both have declared development as their main poll plank. To some extent, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal managed to persuade dissidents, including SAD Adampur unit president Gurdial Singh Kalra, Adampur Market Committee chairman Darshan Singh Karwal and Adampur Nagar Council chief Harbans Singh Bolina, to support Tinu. Surjit Singh Duhre, a Dalit Congress activist, and former Excise and Taxation officer, and Kittu Grewal, another Congress leader, continue to oppose party candidate and former MP Satnam Kainth. The constituency is represented by SAD leader Sarbjit Singh Makkar, who defeated two-time Congress MLA Kanwaljit Lally by 10,240 votes in 2007. After the delimitation process, the constituency is reserved for the SC candidate and Makkar has to shift to neighbouring Kapurthala assembly segment where he is pitted against Congress candidate Rana Gurjit Singh. Projects: In pre-poll days in 2007, the SAD leadership had promised to provide better job avenues for youngsters, better road network, infrastructure and good education facilities for the people of this constituency. People feel that though the area MLA managed to fetch grants and funds for development of the constituency, but these were spent in certain pockets and the segment has not seen any remarkable all-round development. VOX POPULI: By and large voters are not far from being satisfied with the performance of the SAD-BJP combine. They feel that more positive changes could have been brought as Makkar was a young MLA and he was close to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Promise to develop Adampur town has remained unfulfilled. The same is the case with rural areas, which are crying for attention. Perennial traffic problem at the bus stand at the Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur T-point and occasionally overflowing sewage system are the two major issues for the voters. They feel that the town, known as the original Khadi cloth weaving center, could not get its due status in spite of its location and having the Indian Air Force's second largest base in the country here. Almost no effort has been made to wean the youths away from drugs by the SAD. Though, there are some good private educational institutions, but people from rural areas have to go to Jalandhar or Hoshiarpur in pursuit of higher education. The constituency: The Adharmi community, with over 53,000 of the total 1,43,247 votes, dominates the assembly segment. Jat Sikhs also have a strong and decisive presence with more than 33,000 votes.
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Park’s name, statue of SAD leader go under cover
Amritsar, January 16 Late Raminder Singh Bolaria is the father of SAD candidate Inderbir Singh Bolaria, who is representing the party from this constituency in the ensuing Assembly elections. Barring the foundation stone, which was unveiled on December 12 by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, the district electoral staff got the name of the park 'Raminder Singh Memorial Park' written on top of its main entrance as well as the statue installed inside the park covered it with black polythene sheets as these were violating the election code of conduct, enforced since December 24. On the other hand, the posters of Inderbir Bolaria, pasted on the boundary wall of another park situated near this park, escaped the attention of the election authorities. The Election Commission guidelines demand that no political poster or hoarding can find place on the public property. This park, originally known as 'Sakattri Bagh' had also raised controversy when the SAD leadership, got it renovated after spending Rs 5 crore and dedicated it to the party's senior leader posthumously. “Action has been taken because it violated the poll code of conduct. The foundation stone in the park is not objectionable, that's why it was left as it is,”said Rajat Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Electoral Officer.
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SAD’s Bassi Pathana council chief, three councillors join Cong
Fatehgarh Sahib, January 16 Shamsher Singh Dullo, former president of the PPCC, his wife and Congress candidate Harbans Kaur Dullo welcomed them into the party fold. SAD leaders tried their best to prevent the defection, but it was too late as the council president and councillors had already decided to join the Congress. However, the local SAD leadership said that he was removed from the party few months ago, as he opposed the official party candidate in the SGPC elections. Talking to mediapersons, Babla said that he remained loyal to the party for almost 30 years, his wife also remained president of the council twice, but from the past few years he was feeling suffocated as there was no one to redress grievances of the town and the local SAD leadership not only harassed them, but also got cases registered against him and his supporters. Efforts were made to remove him from the Council president's post, but councillors stood by him. He said he brought the matter to the notice of the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister, but of no use. He said so he along with his supporters decided to join the Congress unconditionally.
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Spouses step in to help candidates
Patiala, January 16 Canvassing door-to-door along with her husband Brahm Mohindra, Congress candidate from Patiala Rural assembly constituency, Harpreet Mohindra is taking care of the women folk by patiently listening to the problems faced by them. Acknowledging the contribution of her wife in electioneering, Brahm said, "Harpreet is my strength and her campaigning would definitely bring desired result." Patiala Municipal Councillor Sarita Gera, who recently resigned from the BJP, is currently canvassing for her husband Mohan Gera, who is contesting as an Independent candidate from Patiala Rural constituency. "With more than a decade in active politics, election campaign is not new to me. Moreover, one gets to interact with more people, especially women folk, who generally do not prefer to share their issues in front of the men folk. Therefore, we act as a catalyst between the female voters and the candidates," she adds. Anupinder Kaur Sandhu, wife of Dr TP Sandhu, SAD candidate from Sanaur; Amarjeet Kaur, wife of Congress candidate Madan Lal Jalalpur from Ghanour and Hamir Kaur, wife of Nirmal Singh from Shutrana (SC) are also campaigning for their spouses vigorously. Meanwhile, apart from the canvassing, spouses and siblings of women candidates, are playing a vital role, as far as chalking out election strategies and campaigns are concerned. Harmail Singh Tohra, husband of SAD-BJP candidate from Patiala Rural Kuldeep Kaur Tohra, has been actively involved in the election campaign of his wife ever since she has been allotted the party ticket. His son Harinderpal Singh Tohra and son-in-law Malwinder Singh Goldy are also working hard managing her electioneering. Likewise, Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpur is accompanying his wife Harpreet Kaur Mukhmailpur, along with
his son Harry Mukhmailpur and brother Faujinder Singh Mukhmailpur to ensure her victory.
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Shahi Imam announces support for Congress
Ludhiana, January 16 Addressing mediapersons here, Habib accused the ruling regime of betrayal and claimed the SAD-BJP coalition government had failed to fulfill its promises made to the Muslim community. The Imam said the decision to extend support to the Congress had been taken after consultation with the representatives of around 20 lakh Punjabi and migrant Muslim population in the state. Mohammed Usman Rahmani Ludhianvi, Shahi Imam’s son and SAD joint secretary, also announced his resignation from the Akali Dal and support for the Congress.
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Health bodies allege neglect by political parties
Ludhiana, January 16 Dr Manoj Sobti, president-elect for 2013 of the Indian Medical Association, Punjab, said, "The state is lagging behind in health facilities, especially for the poor and marginalised. Earlier, there used to be "Bhai Kanhayya Scheme" for yellow card holders, through which they used to get 50% concession on treatment. This scheme was started by the Congress government, but it was stopped about six months ago." He said that none takes care of increasing drug addiction in the state, which has become a major problem. Dr Hardeep Singh, president, PCMA Association, said, "None of the governments have ever allocate adequate budget for the health sector. We always face problem in receiving required quantity of medicines for the needy people. Many posts of doctors and para-medical staff are also lying vacant. I personally feel that health sector is never taken
seriously." — TNS
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3 teachers booked for sloganeering
Faridkot: The Faridkot police has booked three teachers for raising slogans against election officials after district electorate officer (DEO) filed a complaint against them. Ravi Bhagat, DEO, said the behaviour of the government employees was “highly objectionable” as they had instigated several other government employees to say “no” to election duty. The employees raised slogans and disrupted the rehearsal for the polling day, said the DEO.
— TNS
SAD poll material seized in Lambi
Lambi (Muktsar): The election authorities on Monday seized a vehicle loaded with publicity material of the ruling SAD in Chief Minister’s constituency Lambi. As per information, the occupants of the vehicle failed to produce the required permit to carry the material when asked to do so by flying squad head Gurmeet Singh.
— Archit Watts
Guru will be given berth: Badal
Patiala: Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today appealed to the Bhadaur voters to vote for DS Guru, promising that he would be given a berth in the Cabinet if the SAD was voted to power. Badal said Guru had played a crucial role in bagging numerous grants for Dhanula, Tapa and Bhadaur. "He is a trusted soldier and we will surely induct him in the Cabinet," he said. Addressing a rally in Bhadaur, the Chief Minister alleged that what the Congress could not achieve during 50 years in power at the Centre, the SAD-BJP government had done in five years. "Ensure that you vote for a person who does not just make promises but delivers too," he said. Badal said despite a PM from Punjab, the state's farm sector was losing sheen and Punjab was under debt of Rs 30,000 crore.
— Aman Sood
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Nitty-gritty under scanner
The expenditure would be reflected in their shadow registers. Following the instructions of the Election Commission, deputy commissioners of all districts have handed over a similar list to all the candidates after conducting a survey in the market in their respective district. All the items being used by the candidates during canvassing such as chairs, tables, loudspeakers, amplifiers, buntings, flags, hoardings, food packets, water tubs and the like have a price tag on them that will be reflected in their expenditure account. As the prices vary from district to district, candidates in Ludhiana have to show Rs 1,000 for using a car everyday and Rs 300 for payment to the driver. In Tarn Taran, the candidates have to show an expenditure of Rs 800 on a car everyday. Similarly, for a mini-bus and a large bus, a candidate has to show Rs 2,500 and Rs 4,000, respectively, in their expenditure register. “We have a list of 22 commonly used items during canvassing. We were asked by the CEO to prepare a list and notify it. We surveyed the market, prepared the list and notified it after inviting objections from candidates,” said Rahul Tewari, Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana. With the EC keeping a close watch, the candidates, too, are not taking any chances and keeping a register on each and every penny spent by them. Several of them have hired chartered accountants to keep tabs on their expenditure.
Shadow register
A sofa for Rs 300, a table for Rs 15, a table cloth for Rs 8 and a chair for Rs 15!
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Akali leader’s son booked in Rs 18-crore paddy scam
Moga, January 16 An FIR under various sections of the IPC and the Essential Commodities Act was registered against Mandeep Singh Brar, owner of Avtar Rice Mill, Baghapurana, former Markfed DM Amarjit Singh Sandhu, branch manager Kamal Kumar and custodian Sham Lal at the Baghapurana police station. SHO Gurpreet Singh said that the accused were yet to be arrested. Mandeep Brar is the son of senior Akali leader Jagtar Singh Rajeana, who was an aspirant for the SAD ticket from the Baghapurana assembly constituency, while Mandeep's grandfather Sadhu Singh Rajeana was elected to the state assembly twice from the Baghapurana assembly constituency. According to information, as many as 338 wagons of paddy went missing from the mill in the past several months. The total loss has initially been estimated at Rs 17.40 crore, but this could exceed due to fluctuations in the prevailing market rates. Markfed District Manager HS Dhaliwal said that a team of senior officials of the department inspected the rice mill on January 14 and found that the paddy procured by the agency during 2010-2011 and given for milling was missing from the mill. Earlier, when the rice mill did not hand over the milled rice to the Markfed on time, it raised doubts in the minds of authorities. Inquiries made by the local unit smelled a scam. Dhaliwal wrote a letter to the Markfed MD on January 11, which led to on the spot inspection by senior authorities from the head office. Meanwhile, the Markfed authorities are assessing the exact loss so that recovery process could be initiated against the mill.
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Chandigarh, January 16
Bathinda/Muktsar, January 16
The second time Sardulgarh sitting MLA of the Congress, Ajit Inder Singh Mofar, has an edge over his rivals since he enjoys the unanimous support of his party men in the constituency.
Mofar has, however, no development work to highlight while SAD leaders in area are riding high on the development projects initiated by the state government.
Dinanagar Vidhan Sabha seat, having a 45,000 strong Scheduled Caste and Backward Class electorate, is a reserved seat and is best known for broken roads, lack of industry with residents blaming successive MLAs for not improving drinking water facilities in a majority of the 211 villages falling in the assembly segment. Sita Ram Kashyap, the sitting BJP legislator who won this seat in 2007 by a mere 842 votes, has been denied the ticket and in his place the party has fielded BS Dhuppar.
Voters in this Dalit-dominated and newly reserved constituency in the Doaba heartland have given tough time to both the Congress and the SAD.
This time, the constituency is witnessing a triangular contest between Congress candidate Satnam Kainth, SAD's Pawan Kumar Tinu and BSP's Sukhwinder Singh Kotli. People's Party of Punjab (PPP) Jagdish Kumar Jassal is also in the fray.
Chandigarh, January 16