The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Badal does the balancing act
Takes leaders representing various regions and communities in his Cabinet
Naveen S Garewal/TNS

Chandigarh, March 14
The Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has done a fine balancing act in representing Malwa, Majha and Doaba in his Cabinet based on the number of constituencies in each of these regions. With Majha having 25 seats and the Doaba 23, eight ministers are from these two regions. The Malwa belt with 69 assembly segments post-delimitation is represented by 10 ministers, including the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister.

The Cabinet represents all the three regions of Punjab ae well as communities.The message at today’s swearing-in was clear — that the government wants to give a lot of importance to the Dalits. Bhagat Chunni Lal, a Dalit face in the Cabinet, is number three in the Badal government.

In 2007, Dalit leader Swaran Singh Phillaur’s name was dropped from the list of ministers at the last minute. This time he is ranked number 4 in the Cabinet. Gulzar Singh Ranike also represents a reserved segment (Attari).

Political compulsions have forced the Chief Minister to induct Jagir Kaur (the only women) into the Cabinet even while she is facing trial in a murder case. However, she has been pushed down to the number 12 position.

Others like Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, a former MP from Ludhiana, has got a place in the Cabinet because of three reasons — his proximity to Sukhbir Badal, because there is no other claimant from Ludhiana district and last because he was denied the ticket for the parliamentary poll in 2009 on the promise that he would be allotted the party ticket for the assembly elections and made minister if he won.

SS Rakhra is a two-time MLA who defeated Raninder Singh in Samana. The SAD has no other leader in Patiala whose stature matches that of Rakhra.

Rakhra will help the SAD consolidate the party position in the 2014 parliamentary elections.

Bikram Majithia has earned his position in the Cabinet by leading the youth wing to a successful innings. Out of the 14 Akali youth wing candidates in the poll, 11 were victorious. Majithia was a minister in the last government but had to resign to pave the way for induction of Sukhbir Badal into the Cabinet. Tota Singh, a former minister, represents the core Malwa region. He is close to the Chief Minister. Sikandar Singh Maluka is close to Sukhbir. He played a key role in holding the Kabaddi World Cup.

Though the portfolios are yet to be announced, sources say the BJP has told Chief Minister Badal that it wants Bhagat Chunni Lal to be given Health and Local Government, Anil Joshi Techinical Education and Industries, MM Mittal Forests and Labour and Surjit KumarJyani Social Welfare.

Sea of blue and saffron at swearing-in
Jangveer Singh/TNS

Crowds at the historic Chappar Chiri wait for the VIPs to arrive. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

Chappar Chiri, March 14
It was all about the colour blue tinged with saffron today at the historic battlefield made famous by the rout of Sirhind Governor Wazir Khan at the hands of Guru Gobind Singh's disciple Banda Singh Bahadur. The swearing-in ceremony was conducted from a huge flower-decked stage, with the base wrapped in blue (representing the Akalis) and the top in saffron (representing the BJP).

Most of SAD minister designates turned up in smart suits. These included Parkash Singh Badal, Adeish Partap Singh Kairon, Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Sikander Singh Maluka, Bikram Majithia, Sarwan Singh Phillaur and Surjit Singh Rakhra. It was left to SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and Jathedar Tota Singh Ajit Singh Kohar and Sharanjit Singh Dhillon to uphold the favourite attire of politicians, the mandatory white kurta pyjama with a half jacket. Gulzar Singh Ranike was attired in a safari suit.

Except for the VVIPs many of whom were flown in by helicopters, it was a tough task getting to the venue with traffic jams all along the route. Even Youth Akali Dal president Bikram Majithia who was travelling in a bus with his family members to the venue was caught in a traffic jam. He had to borrow a motorcycle from two youths to reach the venue in time to be sworn in.

While NDA representatives were present in full force, the most-awaited guest was Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi who reached the venue in a helicopter when the ceremony was in progress at 11.30 am. After the ceremony, Badal took him to show the memorial in a golf cart. Modi termed the SAD-BJP victory as historic. He said the victory was made possible due to the "intense development" that took place in the state during the last five years.

The entire top BJP leadership was in attendance at the ceremony. These included senior leader LK Advani, who was accompanied by his daughter Pratibha, party president Nitin Gadkari, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, his son Anurag Thakur, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vijayraje Scindia, Rajnath Singh, Shanta Kumar, Vijay Goel and JP Nadda. Others included trusted friends of the Badal family, including INLD chief Om Prakash Chautala and his sons Abhay and Ajay Chautala.

Those who attended the ceremony representing their respective governments and parties were Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda, Union Minister for Heavy Industry Praful Patel, Karnataka PWD Minister CM Udasi, Delhi Minister Padam Singh, Tamil Nadu MPs Thambi Durai and Dr Maitre, Bihar Rural Development Minister Dr Bhim Singh and West Bengal Minister Rashpal Singh. Also present were JD (U) president Sharad Yadav, Punjab MPs Naresh Gujral, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Balwinder Singh Bhunder and former Canadian MP Ruby Dhalla.

Earlier, the Chief Minister negotiated the steps to the stage effortlessly despite his age and for BJP legislature party leader Bhagat Chunni Lal who is five years younger to Badal at 80 years, it was quite a climb. There was an enthusiastic response from supporters for new entrants into the Cabinet, including Anil Joshi, Sikander Singh Maluka and Surjit Singh Rakhra. Elsewhere, despite efforts to ensure proper seating arrangement, Jalandhar Cantonment legislator Pargat Singh was left without a chair. So was the case with BJP legislator KD Bhandari.

The exodus following the ceremony resulted in even more severe traffic jams on both Chappar Chiri-Mohali and Chappar Chiri-Kharar-Mohali roads with many stuck for more than one hour.

Power dressing

Most of SAD minister designates turned up in smart suits. These included Parkash Singh Badal, Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Parminder Singh Dhindsa

Traffic mess

Except for VVIPs many of whom were flown in by helicopters, it was a tough task getting to the venue with traffic jams all along the route. After the ceremony, thousands of vehicles stuck in long traffic jams on all roads leading to the village

Effortless climb

Parkash Singh Badal negotiated the steps to the stage effortlessly despite his age and for BJP legislature party leader Bhagat Chunni Lal who is five years younger to Badal at 80 years, it was quite a climb

New entrants

There was an enthusiastic response from supporters for new entrants into the Cabinet, including Anil Joshi, Sikander Singh Maluka and Surjit Singh Rakhra

No chair for Pargat

Despite efforts to ensure proper seating arrangement, Jalandhar Cantonment legislator Pargat Singh was left without a chair. Similar was the case with BJP legislator KD Bhandari

Chaos after ceremony; mob break barricades
Akash Ghai
Tribune News Service

Mohali, March 14
It was almost a "free-for-all" session as soon as the swearing-in ceremony of Parkash Singh Badal's newly-formed Cabinet came to an end at Banda Bahadur Memorial at Chappar Chiri village here this afternoon.

A large number of people climbed up the dais and started clicking photographs while sitting on the chairs put up for Pakash Singh Badal and Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil. Several persons were even seen collecting bouquets, flower sticks and other decoration material from the dais.

"I will put these flowers in my drawing room," said Rajinder Singh from Chunni village while Surbans Singh from a nearby village said he would give these to his grandchildren.

The police personnel present there seemed to have had orders of "do not say anything to anyone" as they were watching the "proceedings" as mute spectators.

To meet and greet their leaders, visitors did not hesitate in smashing the barricades and tearing off the tents to reach near the "pandal". The scene at the section where arrangement for food was made was also chaotic.

Besides collecting food packets and mineral water bottles, some people were seen laying their hands on utensils including plates, glasses and spoons.

"It's really shameful but how can we control such a huge crowd," said an official on duty after seeing people making way with utensils.

Similar was the case traffic. After the ceremony, thousands of vehicles stuck in long traffic jams on all roads leading to the village. Cops were seen having tough time while handling the huge rush of vehicles.

"Since the roads are very narrow and all are in a hurry to leave. The traffic flow is bound to suffer," said Sukhwinder Singh, a constable.

Cong leaders, Manpreet stay away
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 14
Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Amarinder Singh and senior leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal today stayed away from the swearing-in ceremony.

Sources said on March 11, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal had contacted Amarinder Singh on the phone to wish him on his birthday as well as invite him to the function.

Until a few years ago, it had been a convention that Opposition leaders attended the swearing-in ceremony. of the new Cabinet. The sources said the state Congress leaders developed cold feet after the Congress high command reportedly told West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee not to attend Badal’s oath-taking ceremony.

Mamata and Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda were invited to the function but did not show up. Parkash Singh Badal’s brother Gurdas and nephew Manpreet also did not attend the function despite being.invited.

A senior official in Muktsar had delivered the invitation cards to Gurdas at Badal village.

Ceremony sidelights
Visitors vie for eatables

Visitors reach out for snacks before the oath-taking ceremony. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu

Chappar Chiri: Hundreds of people, who could not enter the Baba Banda Singh Memorial here after it got jam-packed, jostled with each other outside the complex to catch a grab of the eatables being served to them. Not waiting for the ceremony to be over, visitors from far-flung areas of Punjab literally gate-crashed into the pandal while looking for samosas, pakoras and other eatables, resulting in a complete chaos.

At several places, barricades put up to regulate the visitors were broken in the melee. "Overjoyed" on seeing an array of eatables, many were seen grabbing something of everything placed on the tables. Those who had travelled long distances were seen collecting food stock for their return journey. "We did not expect such a huge rush of visitors to suddenly converge at the food stalls. The crowd is unmanageable. We are helpless," said an officer supervising the hospitality wing. "Why are they stopping us for entering the venue. Parkash Singh Badal has invited us," said Ujagar Singh, as he was left the venue with a packet full of eatables for his fellow villagers. — Rajmeet Singh

Schoolgirls have fun

Girls of Government Elementary School watch the crowds. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu

Not used to sound and sight of choppers and VIP cavalcades, the hectic activity at the Chappar Chiri memorial today was a treat to the eyes of students of Government Elementary School here, who remained glued to the windows of their classrooms throughout the day.

The students were seen counting on the colour and number of choppers flying in and out. "Parkash Singh Badal has come to our village," this was all that most of the children knew. — TNS

Bikers ‘rescue’ Majithia in jam

Joshi's driver beaten up

Minister Anil Joshi’s driver Rana Singh at the Civil Hospital in Mohali. A Tribune photograph

A high drama was witnessed at Chappar Chiri immediately after the culmination of the swearing-in ceremony when some supporters of the newly formed minister Anil Joshi allegedly beat up latter's official driver Rana Singh.Rana claimed that his name was entered in the official register of the Transport Department as the driver of the minister's official Toyota Camry car.

"After the ceremony, Joshi asked me to handover the car keys to his personal driver. I was reluctant since I was responsible for the car. When I wanted to explain my position to the minister, his supporters started beating me up and snatched the keys," he alleged.He also alleged that he went to the Balongi police station to register his complaint, but was "shooed away" by cops.

Bhupinder Singh, SHO, refuted the charges, saying that no such person had come to the police station. Rana later also went to the Civil Hospital in Phase 6 for a medical check-up. In a similar incident, Kulwinder Singh, official driver of Gulzar Singh Ranike's car, also alleged that Ranike's son forcibly took away the car keys from him in the evening at Chandigarh. Both drivers claimed that they have brought the matter to the notice of the authorities and the Punjab Civil Secretariat Drivers Union. Union president Yadvinder Singh said, "We are contemplating to take a legal action". Both Joshi and Ranike could not be contacted. — Akash Ghai

Punjab gets Parikarma Express, no ‘Adarsh’ railway station
Anirudh Gupta

Ferozepur, March 14
The Railway Budget has brought cheer to some, but disappointed others. While people are glad over the introduction of some new express trains in this division, they complain that their long-pending demands, including a new train to Haridwar and Delhi, have not been met.

The new express trains introduced are the Ferozepur-Sri Ganganagar Express via Fazilka and Abohar (daily), Guru Parikarma (Amritsar-Hazur Sahib, Nanded) Express, Kanpur-Amritsar Express via Farrukhabad, Bareilly (weekly) and the Delhi Sarai Rohilla-Udhampur AC Express (tri-weekly) via Ambala and Jalandhar.

Another DEMU from Hoshiarpur to Ferozepur (daily) has also been approved.

However, the 12037/12038 New Delhi-Ludhiana Shatabdi Express has been extended only up to Moga, leaving local traders diasppointed. The Railway Ministry has also sanctioned a survey for electrifying the Hisar-Jakhal-Ludhiana line.

While the Ferozepur-Patti line project has been sent to the Planning Commission for approval, the ministry has approved three line projects to be completed in 2012-13, including the Khamano-Sahnewal line project. The list of 84 railway stations to be upgraded as “Adarsh” does not include any of the stations from the state.

Vishwesh Chowbey, DRM, Ferozepur Division, said several new projects had been sanctioned for the division. He said all unmanned level crossings would be eliminated within the next three years for which a corporation had been set up.

Punjab has the highest incidence of accidents at unmanned crossings.

Sukhbir Singh Badal The rail fare hike is anti-people and anti-poor. We demand a rollback of the hike. The long-pending demand for introducing the Bathinda-Delhi Shatabdi has not been accepted by the Railway Ministry and ROBs have not been sanctioned for Punjab. This will hamper infrastructure growth
— Sukhbir Singh Badal, SAD president

The dedicated freight corridor connecting Ludhiana to Dankuni and Dadri to Jawaharlal Nehru Port is an important infrastructure project for Punjab. It will give impetus to the industry for transportation of raw material and finished goods. There is also a positive sign for initiation of the eastern and western dedicated freight corridor.
— Deepak Mittal, chairman, CII, Punjab State Council

A lower tariff structure will reduce the cost for companies that supply food grains, fertiliser, iron ore, coal, petroleum, lubricants and cement. The move bodes well for Punjab, though we expected that the dedicated freight corridor to Ludhiana should have been extended to Amritsar to provide onwards rail connectivity to Pakistan.
— Suneet Kochhar, director, Khanna Paper Mills, Amritsar

Saini is new DGP, Rakesh Singh Chief Secy
Naveen S Garewal
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 14
In the first administrative reshuffle after the Punjab Cabinet was sworn-in, Sumedh Singh Saini was appointed Director-General of Police. An IPS officer of the 1982 batch, he replaces Anil Kaushik. Rakesh Singh is the new Chief Secretary. SC Agrawal has been appointed Chairman of the Right to Services Commission.

Saini was till recently heading the Punjab Vigilance Bureau. An honest officer, he has courted controversy several times on account of his style of functioning. He was active in the war on terror in Punjab and escaped a muderous attack on him in Sector 17, Chandigarh, in the nineties.

His appointment has not gone down well in certain quarters as he has cases of extra-judicial killings pending against him. He has been SSP of six districts, including Bathinda, Hoshiarpur and Ludhiana (twice) besides SSP, Chandigarh.

Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, who took a vow at Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib to launch a concerted drive against drug peddlers had said that Saini would be instrumental in this task.

New Chief Secretary Rakesh Singh is a 1978-batch Punjab cadre IAS officer. He is expected to help implement governance reforms. He has worked as Deputy Commissioner, Ferozepur, MD CITCO, Finance and Home Secretary, Chandigarh, Secretary, Housing,Punjab, Principle Secretary, Medical Education and is at present working as Additional Secretary, Government of India, Ministry of Finance.

Outgoing Chief Secretary Agrawal, has been appointed Chief Commissioner, Right to Service Commission, to effectively monitor the implementation of the Right to Service Act.

POLITICS

Now Ripjit attacks Amarinder
Jangveer Singh/TNS

Chandigarh, March 14
After Gurdaspur MP Partap Singh Bajwa, Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Jagmeet Brar’s brother Ripjit Brar today took on the State Congress leadership, saying it had failed to utilise the money meant for the party campaign.

Ripjit, who lost the elections from Kotkapura, accused Capt Amarinder Singh of failing to persuade rebel party candidates to fall in line. He even alleged that at some places efforts were made to encourage rebels to mar the chances of official candidates. A prominent rebel Upinder Sharma was in the fray from Kotkapura.

Ripjit claimed when a senior leader like Oscar Fernandes was deputed to hold talks with the rebels, the PCC chief was reluctant to accompany him to meet the rebels. The PCC chief, he said, sent his secretarial staff to tackle the rebels.

Ripjit said in constituencies where rebel Congressmen were in the fray, an impression was given that they enjoyed the patronage of the state leadership. He alleged this was the proverbial last straw for the Congress candidates.

In contrast, Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Singh Badal spent five hours at an Akali dissident’s house and finally succeeded in making him withdraw his papers.

Ripjit attributed the Congress debacle to the lack of coordination between Congress workers and the leadership. He said the people were forced to compare the functioning of both Parkash Singh Badal and Capt Amarinder Singh. The party lost despite an anti-incumbancy sentiment in the state.