|
|
|
|
|
Mandate 2012: punjab
First Vidhan Sabha session on March 19
BJP: We did not demand Dy CM’s post
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
'Oust Capt clamour' gets louder
‘Wrong ticket allotment to blame’
Soon, legal clinics at block level
Villagers hold protest against chemical firm
|
Mandate 2012: punjab
What are the factors that resulted in this historic win for your party in Punjab?
This time there was nothing anybody could say against us because our agenda was mainly on two things. One is complete communal harmony and peace and the other is development in the State. Everybody knows that communal harmony in Punjab is excellent. Besides, every sector has seen development. I told everybody to see our records, what we have done; we do not simply give statements. To meet the shortage of power, the thermal plants are moving ahead with great speed. We are spending money on health, education and roads and everybody saw the development. They believe that what we are doing is right. What was your strategy to win the elections?
Well we focussed on the role of Congress and the misrule of Congress in the country, where India is not safe from external aggression or internal law and order problems. What the Congress has done to remove poverty. Also, I am in politics since the last 60 years, I know the pulse of the people. One thing is there that they believe me that what I say, I stick to that. And secondly, people know my life, my struggle. I have great regard for Sardar Amarinder Singh. I am not in favour of vendetta politics and blame game or like that. But people do not like that a leader’s personal life to be in such a bad way. Did the split in your family have any impact? Everybody said Badal is facing a great challenge from his brothers. I have great respect for my two brothers. But see the results — Gurdas forfeited his security. And the other lost by a big margin. Sonia Gandhi says it was the Manpreet factor that was responsible for the loss of the Congress… No, I don’t agree. They are saying it just to blame somebody rather than themselves — they lost because of the Congress policies. The very day Manpreet announced his decision to break away, I told him he was committing a Himalayan political blunder and suicide. What was the role Sukhbir played in winning the elections? His performance was exceptional. Now the elections are different. Now we talk of election planning and management. It is more important than giving speeches. Sukhbir worked so hard in planning and management.
His critics say it was money power that worked? That’s propaganda. The Congress spent more money than we did. But, it didn’t work for them. In Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav is to be the Chief Minister. Why doesn’t your party make Sukhbir the Chief Minister? It is the party that has decided to make me the CM. Actually, I have no hunger to be the CM. It is the party's decision as I was not even keen to fight the elections. Because I have seen so much in my life, so I thought now I should give a chance to someone else. But both the parties, the SAD and BJP, with full force said that we want to fight this election under your leadership. The party is my priority — whatever it wants I will do. This is going to be your fifth term as Chief Minister — no one has done that before in Punjab — would you want to stay your full term? One is not sure of the next day… So it is God’s will. I always depend on almighty God. I do not want to comment on this. I am always loyal to the party. What kind of look would you like your cabinet to have? I would give the best look for the cabinet. I have two criteria for choosing. I always go on merit and for those who can deliver. What would be the focus in your fifth term? All-round development in every field. I know the problems that Punjab is facing. The only thing is that the Centre is not cooperating with us. Keeping in view the fact that Punjab is a border state, they should have helped us. (But) They are not giving us justice. As for our industries, it is not really our fault; in other states like J&K, Himachal they have given so many concessions that we could not keep our industries here. What would be the new things you want to do in your new term? One is general development, you can say infrastructure development, power, roads, education and health...in cities people need sewerage, water supply, roads, electricity and other facilities and in rural areas there are separate problems. I have got a blueprint to solve the problems of the State. Do you see the rise of the third front and the possibility of a mid-term poll coming and any possibility of the Congress not completing the full term at the Centre? The present day scenario has made things difficult for the Congress. Its leaders are demoralised, frustrated; they are not sure to get the help of their colleagues. Whether they will be able to manage these things or not it is something that remains to be seen.
Would you push for a third front? Whatever the BJP wants, we will do. I do not want to change horses now. We would see the return of the regional parties. The main reason is because despite having a federal system, the Central government has usurped power and made it a unitary form (of government). We want independence — but not to make an independent country. We want independence in terms of planning and expenditure. The Centre dictates from Delhi — do this or we will remove your grant or take away your money. They should give priority to the states. Do you think this is the beginning of the end for the UPA? I think so. It had depended on Rahul Gandhi but he has failed miserably in Uttar Pradesh. What next? Whenever the Congress faces defeat, its leaders always fight with each other.
|
|
All-round development on
people’s mind
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
First Vidhan Sabha session on March 19
Chandigarh, March 10 It has already been announced that Parkash Singh Badal will take oath as Chief Minister on March 14 at Chappar Chiri. Following this, oath will be administered to cabinet ministers. In 2007, Badal had designated all ministers as cabinet ministers and no one was made minister of state or deputy minister. It was a single-tier cabinet. He is likely to follow the same pattern this time too. The Punjab Governor will address the House on March 21. He would present the philosophy of the SAD-BJP government before the state people. What will be the agenda of the government for the next five years will be revealed in the address. Following this, there will be a debate on the address and the Chief Minister will reply to the points raised in the debate on March 26. Sources said each department had been told to prepare a note keeping in view the promises made in the election manifesto. In the Governor’s address, the government’s plan to fulfill the promises would be revealed. Chief Secretary SC Aggarwal has briefed all secretaries in this regard. Villagers to attend Badal’s swearing-in Muktsar: Apart from VIPs like West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and National Democratic Alliance senior leadership, there would be a number of residents from SAD patron Parkash Singh Badal’s native village who would be attending his swearing-in at Chhapar Chiri on March 14. On the occasion when Badal would become the CM for the fifth time, a large number of residents of Badal village would be taken to the venue in private vehicles. “We have invited all our supporters for ceremony. We have also made transport arrangements for those who do not own a car,” said Tejinder Singh Middukhera, a Badal aide.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
BJP: We did not demand Dy CM’s post
Jalandhar, March 10 Interacting with mediapersons here, Lal, who received a hero's welcome on his return to the city after being elected to the post, said the decision of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on the issue was supreme and acceptable to everybody in the party. Meanwhile, the BJP would hold a central committee meeting on March 13, a day before the formal swearing-in of the new cabinet.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
'Oust Capt clamour' gets louder
Chandigarh, March 10 Among those present at the meeting were Darshan Brar, Harminder Singh Jassi (both lost in the recent elections) and Ajit Inder Singh Mofar, who won from Sardulgarh. Gurdaspur MP Partap Singh Bajwa, likely frontrunner for the Pradesh Congress Committee president's post in case Amarinder steps down, was also present. About the meeting, Avtar Brar said the leaders were keen to brief Congress president Sonia Gandhi about the reasons behind their defeat and that an informal discussion was held in this regard. He said the leaders also expressed their anguish at the "hosting of a Holi party by Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjit Singh at a time when the party workers were in a mourning following a self-inflicted defeat". He said it was “unfortunate” that the celebrations were organised opposite the residence of former Chief Minister the late HS Brar whose son KS Brar 'Sunny' died recently. Besides, former Bholath MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira has upped the attack against the PCC chief. He said the latter had done "nothing" to protect the Congress workers from the “wrath” of the Akalis. He was reacting to Amarinder's statement that he would support the around 50,000 Congress workers against whom "false" cases had been registered. In a statement today, Khaira asked the PCC chief to disclose whether he had ever approached the Human Rights Commission, any court of law or even protested at the ground level for these workers. Amid all this clamour, there is another group within the party that has been working to defend Amarinder. They gathered at Rana Gurjit Singh's residence today for a breakfast meeting. They resolved to project Capt Amarinder as the “best option” to head the state unit. Rana Gurjit urged the leaders to appeal to Amarinder not to resign from the PCC chief's post. Among those who attended the meeting were Banga legislator Tarlochan Singh Soondh, senior leader Amarjit Singh Samra, Dalit leaders Chaudhary Jagjit Singh and Chaudhary Santokh Singh, former Garhshankar MLA Luv Kumar Goldy and party's Phagwara candidate Raja Sodhi. Meanwhile, sources said Rajinder Kaur Bhattal was behind the distribution of ticket to around 10 candidates, including that to her son-in-law who lost. Of these 10 seats, only Bhattal and Rakesh Pandey were able to win.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
‘Wrong ticket allotment to blame’
Amritsar, March 10 The Congress leader said the party also didn’t make any effort to forge an alliance either with the Left parties or the
BSP. “We had a tie-up with Left parties on previous occasions and roping them in would have helped the party garner crucial support.” He claimed that the SAD played its cards well and managed to ensure that the BSP fought elections on all the seats.
|
|
Soon, legal clinics at block level
Mohali, March 10 After laying the foundation stone of the new building of the Punjab State Legal Services Authority (PSLSA) at Sector 69 here, Justice Kabir said the delivery of justice by the state legal services authority had shown encouraging results in Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. He also interacted with the girl students of Jyoti Sarup Kanya Asra Society and Bal Sansar, both NGOs. Supreme Court Justice TS Thakur and Justice SS Nijjar, Punjab and High Court Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice MM Kumar were present on the occasion. After completion of the building, the office of the PSLSA would be shifted from the rental accommodation in Sector 22 of Chandigarh. The new complex would have a legal aid clinic, a conference room, a permanent Lok Adalat and a mediation centre. Justice MM Kumar, chairman of the PSLSA, said that there were many schemes for the welfare of marginalised sections of society, including spreading legal literacy, free and competent legal services, legal aid clinic, paralegal volunteers, legal literacy clubs, schemes for labourers, mentally challenged women and children.
|
|
|
Villagers hold protest against chemical firm
Patiala, March 10 On the call of Ujara Roko Sangharsh Committee, villagers led by Kirti Kissan Sabha (KKS), Punjab, marched on the unutilised land shouting slogans against the firm and the government. KKS president PS Bhangu said the firm had failed to fulfill its promise of developing the acquired area within 10 years. Prem Singh Nanwa, a central committee member of the MCPI, said, "The firm was to generate 40,000 jobs for village residents, but it has failed to do so."— TNS
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
The
SAD-BJP combine made history by winning the Assembly polls beating the anti-incumbency sentiment that prevailed in the state. Now, Parkash Singh Badal is all set to be sworn in for a historic fifth term as Chief Minister. In Chandigarh, Badal spoke exclusively to
Raj Chengappa, Editor-in-Chief, The Tribune Group of
Newspapers, on the reasons for the victory and his plans for the state. 
Nothing appears to be going his way after Capt Amarinder Singh headed the Congress for a debacle in the assembly elections.
Those opposed to him within the party met at former minister Avtar Singh Brar's residence here yesterday. The Congress leaders, including a few MLAs and senior members, are learnt to have resolved to give "real" feedback to the high command on the party's defeat.
The National Legal Service Authority is going full steam ahead to institutionalise the system of delivery of services by the state legal services authority. This was being done by streamlining the mechanism of 'delivery of justice' at the doorstep of needy and poor.
The
SAD-BJP alliance should first complete the ongoing projects
before initiating any other work.
A
majority of farmers are under heavy debt. The government must
give relief to the farmers in this regard. The farming community
is expecting a number of facilities as both SAD and the BJP had
promised to work for betterment of the farmers during
campaigning.
The
public has given its mandate to the SAD-BJP alliance for its
development agenda. Now the leaders must live up to the people's
expectations. The government must also give concessions in taxes
to the hotel industry which is going through a rough phase
Teachers
in Muktsar have not received their salaries for the past few
months. Most of government departments are facing a staff
shortage. The government must do something in this regard
Even
as Muktsar got the district status, it lags behind in
development. Since the district has been mostly represented by
an MLA belonging to an opposition party, it always got
step-motherly treatment. I hope this does not happen anymore
The
government should come up with a concrete policy on sustainable
agricultural practices, particularly crop diversification. The
subsidy on promoting drip/sprinkling irrigation system,
polyhouse/greenhouse etc should be increased from 50 per cent to
75 per cent and should be directly given to the farmers
Stress
should be on improving the standard of education. Stress should
be on English language and computer education so that those
aspiring to go abroad could easily clear the required tests
The
Right to Service Act should be implemented effectively. The
government should construct new judicial complexes, modern
chambers for lawyers and residences for the judiciary 
More
job avenues should be created. Those adopting agriculture as a
career should be provided financial help for adopting new
technologies and diversification of crops. Allied agricultural
practices should be given a boost
A
legal framework should be made to protect the degrading
environment of the state, check the misuse of pesticides,
fertilisers and other chemicals used in irrigation. Cancer
hospitals should be set up in all district headquarters in the
Malwa belt
All-round
development is need of the hour. The government must ensure that
the benefits of its welfare schemes reach the poor. Social
schemes like subsidised foodgrains and power must be extended to
the lower middle class families
The
government must launch its tirade against female foeticide.
Stringent measures are needed to rein in those violating the
PNDT Act. A massive campaign should be launched to spread
awareness among the people 
Uninterrupted
eight-hour power supply must be ensured for the agriculture
sector. The government must ensure that farmers do not have to
suffer on this account. Secondly, the government must take up
the matter of higher MSP for wheat and paddy with the Centre
The
government should immediately bring down state taxes on fuel so
that the common man gets some relief from price rise. A sincere
and honest effort should be made to upgrade the civil
infrastructure, flyovers and roads.
The
ailing industry of the state needs a special package. It is of
utmost importance that SEZs are set up in various parts of the
state. The government must pressurise the Centre to announce
some package for the Punjab industry. The power tariff for the
industry should not be increased further
Besides
free education for girl students, the government must ensure
that young professionals get employment. Giving unemployment
allowance is not a solution to the problem of unemployment. The
government must frame a comprehensive policy on generating
employment opportunities for the state youth
The
SAD-BJP government should immediately release the salaries of lab technicians engaged by the Education Department. It is very important for the alliance to bring out a white paper on the financial health of the state
The
condition of link roads in villages is in bad shape. To
encourage the farm sector, the government should ensure regular
supply of power. Besides, farmers should be given subsidy to buy
new motors so that they get more output 
The
alliance should take steps to channelise the youth power as
unemployment is driving them to drugs and crime. There is a need
to curb the drug menace which has assumed alarming proportions
The
CM should take up the issue of one rank, one pension with the
Centre. Besides monthly pension, welfare schemes should be
formulated for hundreds of retired army personnel
The
faith reposed by the voters in the ruling alliance should
reflect in its action. Development works should continue.
Promises made by the SAD-BJP in election manifesto should be
implemented with sincerity
It
is seen that when a new party is elected, the previous
development works come to a halt. Now, when the SAD-BJP alliance
has been re-elected it should mean that development works would
continue