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Budget has nothing for state’s farm sector, say PAU experts
Farmers left dejected
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Cycle units may pedal to profit
24 bureaucrats shifted
in major admn reshuffle
Race for CLP leader’s post hots up
Budget directionless, anti-people, says SAD
Beant’s kin may seek reprieve for Balwant
Balwant Singh Rajoana
Assembly session from March 19
RS Khatra not reverted to post
High inflation plus high deficit a deadly cocktail
Small traders dismayed
Badal to meet PM over SGPC crisis
State govt turns down plea of dismissed DSPs
non-payment of dues
Solar cooking system at Golden Temple
Punjab School Education Board
Harpreet Murder Case
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Budget has nothing for state’s farm sector, say PAU experts
Ludhiana, March 16 Dr MS Sidhu, Department of Economics, PAU, said:"There is nothing much for the agriculture sector in the Budget. Punjab has got nothing. The agriculture credit has been increased to Rs 5. 75 crore from Rs 4.75 crore. This measure will help boost the income of farmers.” Economist Dr Maan Singh Toor said: "The government increases the agricultural loan limit every year, which is good for investment in agriculture but at times farmers use it for non-productive purposes like marriages of their wards". He said the government had reserved Rs 200 crore for research incentives. This would motivate researchers. Prof AS Bhullar, also from PAU, said: "There are no radical changes in the Budget, only cosmetic ones.The government has moved forward on its policy of adopting a capitalistic model of development. The relaxation in the social sector is only marginal.” Dr Bhullar said it was expected that the government would make a budgetary provision for conserving Punjab’s natural resources. Ruchika M. Khanna/TNS The state farmers and economists feel that despite being the country's main food-grain producer, the Budget had "nothing" for Punjab. SS Johl, noted agro-economist, said that though the government had increased the target for affordable credit to agriculture sector by Rs 100,000 crore, it would only create more debt-ridden farmers. “In order to meet their targets for priority sector lending, banks would force farmers to take loans, who in turn could divert these for unproductive purposes. The only silver lining is that the interest subvention on timely repayment of loans will lead to a good credit culture among the farmers,” he said. Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rajewal) president Balbir Singh slammed the budgetary provisions for the agriculture sector, saying there was nothing in it for Punjab. “By giving grants to eastern states, the government wants to finish off the MSP-based regime that has benefited the Punjab farmers. We will now be staging an indefinite dharna in Delhi from March 20 to protest against the anti-farmer policies of the Centre, especially on the issue of MSP not being in consonance with input costs,” he said.
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Farmers left dejected
Chandigarh, March 16 The state farmers and economists feel that despite being the country's main food-grain producer, the Budget had "nothing" for Punjab. SS Johl, noted agro-economist, said that though the government had increased the target for affordable credit to agriculture sector by Rs 100,000 crore, it would only create more debt-ridden farmers. "In order to meet their targets for priority sector lending, banks would force farmers to take loans, who in turn could divert these for unproductive purposes. The only silver lining is that the interest subvention on timely repayment of loans will lead to a good credit culture among the farmers," he said. Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rajewal) president Balbir Singh slammed the budgetary provisions for the agriculture sector, saying there was nothing in it for Punjab. "By giving grants to eastern states, the government wants to finish off the MSP-based regime that has benefited the Punjab farmers. We will now be staging an indefinite dharna in Delhi from March 20 to protest against the anti-farmer policies of the Centre, especially on the issue of MSP not being in consonance with input costs," he said.
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Cycle units may pedal to profit
Ludhiana, March 16 The Indian cycle industry had been facing tough competition from the cycles imported from China as they were available at lower prices. United Cycle Parts and Manufacturers Association president Gurmeet Singh said though the cycle rates would go up post-Budget, the development would prove as a breather to the local industry as the goods coming from China would sell on a par with local products. "When the rates of imported cycles and local-made cycles will be on a par with our goods, we expect cthe onsumers will choose our products. Therefore, the Ludhiana's cycle industry will get a boost. The next thing that needs to be checked is under-billing done by a few importers," he said. Punjab Small Industries Association Federation president Badish Jindal said, "We had suggested the implementation of anti-dumping duty during the pre-Budget meeting. As it was a difficult process, the hike in duty is a welcome step." Kuldeep Singh, a cycle parts manufacturer, said the local industry had almost shut down its operations due to the stiff competition from China. "Nearly 250 units engaged in the making of cycle parts have shut down due to low-cost Chinese imports. They have stopped manufacturing and were selling the China-made cycle parts. With the increase in customs duty, we are hopeful that the sick industry would once again revive." Chandigarh: The hike in excise duty on bicycles will result in their rates going up by 4.5 per cent. At present, the average cost of a bicycle is Rs 2,500 and post-Budget, the cost is expected to go up by Rs 100 to Rs 110 per unit. The cost of the high-end bicycles, which have found favour with the youth, too, will go up by Rs 1,000 per unit because of the hike in duty. In Ludhiana, several manufacturers are a disappointed lot. They were hoping that the customs duty on cycle parts and cycles would be increased to 30 per cent and 40 per cent, respectively, which would have given a major fillip to the local industry. They were also hopeful that the government would give a boost to the domestic industry by keeping the rates of excise on bicycles at 1.03 per cent and the standard excise duty at 10 per cent. However, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, while reading his Budget proposals, increased the excise duty on bicycles to 2 per cent and raised the standard excise duty from 10 per cent to 12 per cent. "This means that input costs for manufacturers will go up and, therefore, the cost of the bicycle will increase. By raising these duties, the FM has also failed to give us any benefit arising out of increasing the customs duty on cycles to 30 per cent and on cycle parts to 20 per cent," said Gurmeet Kular, United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association president in Ludhiana. — Ruchika M Khanna
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24 bureaucrats shifted
in major admn reshuffle Chandigarh, March 16 Gurinderjit Singh Sandhu is the new Financial Commissioner (development), NS Kang is the Financial Commissioner (revenue and relief and rehabilitations), AR Talwar has been posted Principal Secretary (industries and information technology), Suresh Kumar is the new Principal Secretary (local government) and Jagpal Singh Sandhu has been appointed the Financial Commissioner (animal husbandry, fisheries and dairy development). KBS Sidhu has been appointed Principal Secretary (irrigation), Satish Chandra the Principal Secretary (finance, planning and special economic package along with programme implementation). Karan Avtar Singh would be the new Principal Secretary (science technology and environment and non-conventional energy). At Delhi, Kalpana Mittal Baruah has been made Principal Secretary of the Department of Investment Promotion along with being Principal Resident Commissioner in the Capital. Vinni Mahajan is the new Principal Secretary (health and family welfare). She has been repatriated to Punjab from the Central deputation. SK Sandhu remains the Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, besides he has been made Principal Secretary (Housing and Urban Development). Vishvjit Khanna is the Principal Secretary (cooperation and civil aviation). Sanjay Kumar is the new Secretary (water and sanitation. Anjli Bhawra has been made Secretary (medical education and research). Anirudh Tiwari is the new Secretary (power, personnel and general administration) and will in addition also be Secretary (public relations). PS Aujla has been made Secretary (PWD and sports along with youth services). Raminder Singh is the new Commissioner, Ferozerpur and Faridkot divisions. Ashok Gupta is the MD, Punjab Agro, in addition to being Secretary, coordination. DS Grewal is the new Secretary (food and civil supplies) and Secretary (food processing). Himmat Singh has been made Member Secretary of the State Women's Commission. Sarvesh Kaushal is the new Secretary (freedom fighters), SS Channy the Secretary (cultural affaris, archives, archaeology and museums) and also the Principal Secretary (technical education and industrial training). BS Sudan has been shifted as Secretary (revenue) and the Survey Commissioner of WAKF.
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Race for CLP leader’s post hots up
Chandigarh, March 16 Even though hectic lobbying has begun for changing the PCC leadership, the sources said this could be put off for some time as there was no clear alternative to Amarinder Singh. Party leaders want the CLP leader’s post to be given to Hindu. This would ensure appropriate representation to the community which seems to have gone the SAD-BJP way. Hindu leaders are lobbying aggressively for the post. Senior leaders Brahm Mohindra and Sunil Jakhar have been camping in Delhi for the past few days. Ashwani Sekhri has also submitted his candidature to the high command. If seniority is the main consideration, Brahm Mohindra, a legislator from Patiala Rural, is the most formidable candidate. However, his only disadvantage is that he is also from Patiala, the hometown of PCC president Amarinder Singh. When contacted, Mohindra said as a five-time legislator, he was the seniormost candidate in the fray but then it was up to the party high command to take a decision on the matter. Abohar legislator Sunil Jakhar is the young face of the party. He has proved his mettle in the assembly through incisive arguments that have kept the Akalis on their toes. When questioned, he said: “I believe I have the support of the PCC president but then this is a decision which has to be made keeping all factors in mind”. The only disadvantage he faces is that he is from the ‘jaat’ community that has a negligible presence in Punjab. Another claimant to the post is Batala legislator Ashwani Sekhri. The MLA has staked his claim, demanding a correction in the regional imbalance in the party structure by giving the Majha region its due. Sekhri says he has put in his case but the final decision rests with the high command.
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Budget directionless, anti-people, says SAD
Chandigarh, March 16 In a statement issued here today, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said the Budget was “directionless, non-progressive and unrealistic” and had disappointed every section of the society. “By ignoring Punjab from the ambit of the Agriculture Development Fund, the Congress-led UPA Government had proved its inherent anti-Punjab bias,” he said. Sukhbir said the Budget had failed to allocate funds for agricultural research, crop diversification, development and promotion of new high-yield genetically modified seeds, besides a special package to rejuvenate the 100 years old irrigation network of the country’s granary (read Punjab). Demanding immediate rollback of the decision to impose enhanced service tax on every service except those in the negative list, Sukhbir alleged that the decision was meant to rob the pocket of every section of society. He said it appeared as if the Congress was “looking for excuses to punish the common masses who had dared to dump the party in the recent Vidhan Sabha elections in Punjab and other states”. Seeking immediate rollback of “anti-people” decisions, Sukhbir said the government that “had lost majority in the Lok Sabha had no right to impose unwarranted taxes on the general public”.
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Beant’s kin may seek reprieve for Balwant
Chandigarh, March 16 If the behind-the-scenes activities are any indication, Congress MP from Anandpur Sahib, Ravneet Singh Bittu, and his uncle and former Punjab Minister Tej Parkash Singh may issue a joint appeal to save Balwant Singh Rajoana from the gallows. “I have been in touch with them,” says Paramjit Singh Sarna, president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC). “They say they respect the Sikh sentiments and may issue an appeal that Balwant Singh Rajoana may not be hanged,” says Sarna. Efforts are also being made at other fronts to ensure the decision to hang Balwant Singh is reviewed in time. Balwant Singh has been convicted for the assassination of Beant Singh outside the Punjab Civil Secretariat. Though execution warrants have been issued, Punjab has expressed its inability to carry out the hanging on the plea that hanging warrants have been issued by a Chandigarh court. Sarna says once Beant’s family issues an appeal to convert the death sentence to life imprisonment, the execution of the hanging warrants may be reviewed.
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Assembly session from March 19
Chandigarh , March 16 The Governor would address the Vidhan Sabha on March 21 and the vote of thanks on the Governor’s Address passed on March 26, said an official spokesperson here today.
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RS Khatra not reverted to post
Patiala, March 16 Sources said that senior PPS officer RS Khatra was not reappointed as SSP Fatehgarh Sahib as the SAD top brass was not too keen to earn the wrath of its own party leaders who believed that the officer's son was the main reason behind SAD's defeat in Patiala Rural constituency in the recently held Assembly elections. Ranbir Singh Khatra, who was serving as Fatehgarh Sahib SSP, was not reverted back as his son Satbir Singh Khatra quit Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and contested as an Independent candidate from Patiala Rural after being denied the ticket. Satbir bagged 20,530 votes and became a major reason for the defeat of SAD's official candidate Kuldeep Kaur Tohra. Sources said Satbir Singh Khatra, who was actively lobbying for the SAD ticket from Patiala Rural, turned rebel and polled over 16 percent of the total vote share from the constituency. Before the elections, Ranbir Khatra had himself asked the Election Commission to shift him due to his son's election from the nearby district of Patiala and was replaced by IPS officer Babu Lal Meena. Khatra had earlier served as SSP in Patiala and Mohali. By not posting Khatra back as SSP, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who holds the home portfolio, wanted to give a strong signal to all those who worked against "This is a solid reason. Party leaders who lost the elections due to rebels would feel let down", said sources close to the Deputy Chief Minister. The other officers, who were by the Election Commission and reappointed yesterday by the government include Indermohan Singh, posted as Muktsar SSP, Surjit Singh, posted as Barnala SSP, Gurpreet Singh Gill, posted as Patiala SSP, Snehdeep Sharma, posted as Moga SSP and Sukhdev Singh as Mansa SSP. When contacted, RS Khatra refused to comment on the issue.
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High inflation plus high deficit a deadly cocktail
In his Budget speech, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee quoted a line from William Shakespeare’s seminal play, Hamlet-The Prince of Denmark. “I must be cruel only to be kind,” he said, suggesting that it is time for the government to take tough actions to ensure a better future. But his actions were in dissonance with his words.
The Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee was a strange string of announcements that made all the right noises about the problems faced by the Indian economy, but was woefully inadequate in terms of policy measures to control these problems. Unconscionable levels of inflation
Let us start with inflation. Over the past several months, almost all the top leaders of the UPA Government have admitted that the common man deserves relief from the unconscionable levels of inflation that we have seen in the past three years. But despite this, the Finance Minister increases the excise duty by 2 per cent. Not only this, he extends the scope of service tax. All these enhancements are going to be passed on to the consumer and will fuel inflation. Amidst such circumstances, the minor income tax reliefs that the Finance Minister seems to have offered appear to be a cruel joke. By not controlling inflation, the government wants the common man to struggle to eke out a living, but on its own it continues to live at unconscionably high expenditure as is shown by the humungous government debt which is close to 46 per cent of the country’s GDP. Even when saddled with this monstrosity, there is no attempt by the UPA Government to mend its ways. The fiscal deficit is in excess of 5 per cent, way beyond the permissible limit of 2 per cent. Political pusillanimity
Once you include the fiscal deficits of our profligate states, than we are staring at a figure that would reveal that India is on a precipice of a debt disaster that can have catastrophic consequences for the economy. So, basically India is facing a situation where we are saddled with the two most critical problems of a modern economy i.e. high inflation and high deficit. Add to it the political pusillanimity which has become a hallmark of the UPA Government. With such a deadly cocktail in offering, it is obvious that foreign investors are not going to savour the prospect of coming to India (leave aside the foreign institutional investors). With no investment coming in green field projects, I fail to see, how the Finance Minister can be hopeful of attaining the GDP growth level of 7.8 per cent. Such talk is nothing but political sophistry aimed at diverting attention from the government’s own inadequacies. The UPA Government seems to develop cold feet on many of the initiatives it itself had pursued with great gusto initially. The Finance Minister’s speech today was resoundingly silent on direct tax code as well as on any roadmap to implementation of the goods and services tax
(GST). Farm credit scheme
The increase in disbursal of credit to agriculture is welcome, but the government has again been found wanting in ensuring proper distribution of this credit. Independent researchers have shown the politicians have used this agriculture credit scheme to further their own objectives. Data shows, that the agriculture credit is disproportionately high in the constituencies of influential politicians and inadequate in areas where there is a dire need of funding. Small manufacturers ignored There have been no reliefs or incentives for small-scale manufacturers and even the sunrise sectors of biotech, IT, telecom and media which have largely fuelled India’s growth in the past few years. There is no incentive for capacity expansion, which means, that fewer jobs would be created but that India’s economic growth would continue to be buoyed by consumption. While consumption is an-important facet of economic growth, an overlying importance of consumption instead of investment to fuel economic growth can be problematic. Consumption-led growth
This problem is further exacerbated if the country is passing through a crisis of high inflation. Unfortunately, we are witnessing both consumption-led growth as well as high inflation. It is staggering that the government led by an eminent economist, has chosen to do nothing about it.
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Small traders dismayed
Moga, March 16 A disappointed Jagtar Singh Sandhu, president of the Government-Aided College Teachers Association of Moga district said the employees were expecting an income tax relief on up to Rs 3 lakh. A meagre hike in the income tax ceiling from Rs 1.80 lakh to Rs 2 lakh would not benefit the employees. Sapandip Singh and Yadwinder Singh working in the Food and Civil Supplies Department said there was nothing in the Budget for the employees. Manjit Kaur, librarian at the local Guru Nanak College, said the Finance Minister had disappointed the women employees as there should have been extra benefit for the women employees on the tax exemption limit. Dr Jaswinder Brar, agriculture scientist, said the reduction in the Employee Provident fund interest rate from 9.5 per cent to 8.25 per cent had come as a big shock to the employees. The budget had come as a big disappointment for the 'aam admi', particularly employees, said Rajinder Singh who works in a bank. "The proposals are not encouraging and will not promote growth. The increase in service tax will have a cascading effect. No special tax relief has been given to the industry in Punjab. And with industrialists shifting to other states, the state will see a rise in unemployment, said Ashok Bansal, who runs a finance company.
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Badal to meet PM over SGPC crisis
Amritsar, March 16 Talking to mediapersons after paying obeisance at the Golden Temple along with most of his Cabinet colleagues, Badal said, “The Congress is stretching the issue too far now without giving it a thought that how the premier Sikh body will manage its affairs without its annual budget being passed. The PM’s father himself participated in the struggle for the formation of the SGPC and at least he should understand the gravity of the situation.” Badal said he had decided to personally meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and take up the matter with him. On the new SAD-BJP government’s priorities, he said they would take a decision in this regard in the Cabinet meeting and subsequently chalk out a time-bound strategy to ensure its implementation in right earnest. Meanwhile, about a query on the rising debt and “gloomy” fiscal scenario, Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa said the situation “was not as worse as it was being projected. The Centre too is under heavy debt”. Dhindsa said he would assess the exact condition of the state finances before taking a step forward. He denied he was forced to take the finance portfolio and said in fact he took it as a challenge. About subsidies, he said his personal opinion was that they were meant for the weaker sections and there was no harm in providing them the same. On rationalisation of subsidies, he said any decision on it would be taken by the Cabinet. He, however, made it clear that he would follow the SAD policy over the issue of subsidies. Regarding the state Budget, he said it would be presented in the month of June. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal, Cabinet Ministers Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, Bikram Singh Majithia, Sikander Singh Maluka, Tota Singh, Ajit Singh Kohar, Surjeet Singh Rakhra, Sharanjeet Singh Dhillon, Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Gulzar Singh Ranike, Bhagat Chuni Lal, Madan Mohan Mittal and Anil Joshi. They also paid obeisance at Durgiana Temple, besides paying tributes to the martyrs at Jallianwalla Bagh. The CM along with his minister also partook “langar” at the Golden Temple.
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State govt turns down plea of dismissed DSPs
Chandigarh, March 16 On February 21 last year, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Augustine George Masih, on a PIL filed by advocate HC Arora, had appealed to the Punjab Government to re-instate their services. But information received by Arora from the public information officer of the Punjab Department of Home Affairs and Justice says that orders for reinstatement of the two DSPs have not been passed. The Legal Remembrancer, vide opinion dated December 2, 2011, too had said that the appeal against their dismissal order could not be entertained. The two were convicted for murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. They were reinstated after their sentence was suspended. On a PIL filed by Arora, the High Court vide order dated February 17, 2011, had observed: " A person convicted for the offence of murder under Section 302 of the IPC and sentenced to life imprisonment, notwithstanding the suspension of sentence and release of such a person on bail by the appellate court, is not entitled to remain in service. — TNS
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non-payment of dues
Patiala, March 16 Talking to The Tribune, state president of the PRTC Km-scheme Bus Owners' Union, Baljeet Singh said that a few owners of the km-scheme buses had already sold their buses and many others were also looking for suitable deals so that they could get rid of their buses due to financial crisis. "Despite repeated requests, the PRTC management is not paying any heed to our demands and failed to make payment to km-scheme bus owners for the past six to eight months. But we will not tolerate this attitude any more. If we don't receive the entire remaining amount by March 17, we will stop plying buses for three days. It will certainly cause inconvenience to people but we are helpless," he added. Sewa Singh, district president of the union, said there were around 283 buses under the kilometer-scheme of the PRTC, but the number is decreasing every month. He said, "A couple of owners have stopped plying buses on account of non-maintenance of the vehicles. Due to financial crisis, owners are not being able to get timely service done for these buses." As per the contract between the PRTC and the km-scheme bus owners, the management has to pay Rs 6.59 per km to the bus owners every fortnight, but it has been six months; the management has not made the payment. Most of the owners have purchased buses on loan from banks and have been included in the list of defaulters due to non-payment of installments. Meanwhile, the PRTC Pensioners' Association held a meeting here today to decide future course of action against the PRTC management over non-payment of monthly pensions. They said that they had not received the pension for the month of January and February whereas the number of pending DA installments, which were 34 earlier has now reached 38.
stir against poor facilities in hospitals The Rajindra Hospital Bachao Action Committee will hold a protest march here on April 2 against the deteriorating quality of health services at three government hospitals including Government Rajindra Hospital, Mata Kaushalya Hospital and TB Hospital. Vidhu Shekhar Bhardwaj, a member of the committee, said that they had been receiving complaints regarding lack of facilities in the three hospitals and even met senior authorities but to no avail. "These hospitals are the only hope for the poor who cannot afford high fee of private doctors. Therefore, we want the government to ensure good quality health services in these hospitals," he added.
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Solar cooking system at Golden Temple
Amritsar, March 16 The plan is being chalked out by the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA). A survey by Faridabad-based Max Engineering India Private Limited was carried out in this regard today. The firm’s director, Dr Gurmeet Singh, said the facility would be established in various phases. In the first phase, equipment will be installed to prepare ‘dal’. To prepare “langar” for 50,000 to 60,000 devotees daily at the Golden Temple, one tonne ‘dal’ is cooked. “By cooking ‘dal’ with the help of steam, we will save at least 25 LPG cylinders and also keep the environment pollution-free,” said Gurmeet Singh. PEDA chairman Manjeet Singh said they would bear the entire project cost. Meanwhile, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee is also planning to make Delhi gurdwaras solar-powered and ‘nagar kirtans’ plastic-free. Making this announcement, on the “Sikh Environment Day”, DSGMC chief Paramjit Singh Sarna said they would ban disposables in all the Delhi gurdwaras soon. World Sikh Environment Day
Chandigarh: Over a thousand Sikh institutions and gurdwaras all across the world celebrated “Sikh Environment Day” last Wednesday at the behest of EcoSikh, a Washington-based organisation. Guru Har Rai took over as the Seventh Sikh Guru on March 14, 1644. The Seventh Guru was instrumental in developing Kiratpur Sahib on the banks of a tributary of the Sutlej as a town of parks and gardens. He planted flowers, fruit trees and medicinal herbs for the benefit of the masses.
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Punjab School Education Board
Mohali, March 16 The Board of Directors in a meeting today gave the charge of the Controller of Examination to the board secretary, Dr Balwinder Singh. Sukhwinder Kaur had been given the additional charge only last year. She would continue to work as senior legal advisor. The decision came at a time when the board was conducting examinations for Classes X and XII through the semester system. Sources said the Board of Directors referred to certain complaints and affidavits against the controller. Board chairman Dr Dalbir Singh Dhillon said the decision to withdraw the additional charge from Sukhwinder Kaur was taken by the Board of Directors. The meeting was rescheduled due to election code of conduct. Sukhwinder Kaur said that she had not received any such orders. In September last year, the board had given her the additional charge of controller for two years. Then seven candidates had come to appear in the interview for the post of the controller of examination. However, none of the candidates was found to be fulfilling the criteria. Board secretary Dr Balwinder Singh said some of the members placed on record certain complaints against her. "The orders have been issued on the basis of the decision of the Board of Directors," he confirmed. In November, the work of controller was withdrawn from her before again being given the additional charge. It is learnt that in the orders, the chairman, while referring to the decision of the board members, reverted her to the post of senior legal adviser. She was given the charge of controller on September 14 for two years.
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Justice KS Ahluwalia shifted on his request
Chandigarh, March 16 The orders transferring him to the Calcutta High Court were received by the Punjab and Haryana High Court this morning, nearly two years after he opted for a transfer. Information available from New Delhi suggests the Supreme Court collegium accepted his request for transfer for better administration of justice. Known for his transparent style of functioning, Justice Ahluwalia is among the few judges to have opted for a transfer because their kith and kin are practising in the same court. The High Court has 10 “uncle judges”. Their list has been forwarded to the Union Ministry of Law and Justice. The ministry had asked the high courts across the country to identify and furnish the list of all such judges early last year. It is believed that some judges here not only have their sons, daughters and brothers, but even nephews and brothers-in-law practising in the same court. At least a couple of judges have their relatives working in the Advocate-General’s office. Some other have as many as four relatives appearing before the Bench in the same court. The issue of “uncle judges” in the Punjab and Haryana High Court was first raised by the then Chief Justice BK Roy during his tenure from October 14, 2002, to March 20, 2005. He had issued an administrative order barring a group of 10-12 judges from hearing any case argued by their relatives. The Punjab and Haryana High Court is suffering from an acute shortage of Judges and the problem is expected to worsen with Justice Ahluwalia’s imminent departure. As of now, the High Court has 42 judges, against the sanctioned strength of 68. Even though Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi has initiated several substantial measures to bring down the pendency of cases, including expeditious disposal of PILs, the problem persists due to the inadequate number of judges. Estimates suggest that approximately two lakh cases are pending disposal before the High Court. Lofty Gesture The Judge is among the few judges to have opted for a transfer because their kith and kin are practising in the same court Fallout: The Punjab and Haryana High Court is suffering from an acute shortage of Judges and the problem is expected to worsen with Justice Ahluwalia’s imminent departure
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Harpreet Murder Case
Patiala, March 16 After a long time, all the accused in the case appeared during the court hearing. During earlier hearings, some of the accused used to get exemption from personal appearance. Bibi Jagir Kaur, Dalwinder Kaur Dhesi, Paramjit Singh Raipur, Nishan Singh, Harminder and Satya were present in the court today. Defence counsel SS Kler said that all the accused furnished personal surety bonds of Rs 50,000 each in the court. On the other hand, CBI counsel RK Handa said, "In wake of some amendments in the Section 437-A of the CrPc, before the pronouncement of the judgment, all the accused have to furnish the personal surety bonds afresh. Henceforth, complying with the court directions, all the accused appeared before the court and furnished fresh personal surety bonds." The next date of hearing in the case has been fixed for March 30. Section 437-A of CrPc states As per the amendment in the Section 437-A of the CrPc, before the conclusion of the trial and before disposal of the appeal, the court trying the offence or the appellate court, as the case may be, shall require the accused to execute bail bonds with sureties, to appear before the higher court as and when such court issues notice in respect of any appeal or petition filed against the judgment of the respective court and such bail bonds shall be in force for six months.
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Apart from the increase in the loan limit for farmers, there is nothing much in the Union Budget for the state’s agriculture sector. Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) experts are disappointed that Punjab has been ignored by the Finance Minister.
The local cycle industry got the much needed relief in the Budget as imported cycles would now become costly. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today announced a hike in Customs duty on imported bicycles and cycle parts. While the duty on bicycles has been increased from 10 per cent to 30 per cent whereas that on cycle parts has been raised from 10 per cent to 20 per cent.
The Congress is yet to call a meeting to elect the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader even as the Punjab assembly is scheduled to meet on March 19. Party sources said the old guard had advised the high command to maintain the status quo with Capt Amarinder Singh as the PCC chief and Rajinder Kaur Bhattal the CLP leader.
Will the family of slain Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh forgive Balwant Singh Rajoana and appeal to the state not to hang him on March 31?
If the behind-the-scenes activities are any indication, Congress MP from Anandpur Sahib, Ravneet Singh
Bittu, and his uncle and former Punjab Minister Tej Parkash Singh may issue a joint appeal to save Balwant Singh Rajoana from the gallows.
In his Budget speech, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee quoted a line from William Shakespeare’s seminal play, Hamlet-The Prince of Denmark. “I must be cruel only to be kind,” he said, suggesting that it is time for the government to take tough actions to ensure a better future. But his actions were in dissonance with his words.
The Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee was a strange string of announcements that made all the right noises about the problems faced by the Indian economy, but was woefully inadequate in terms of policy measures to control these problems.
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said the Congress was “deliberately delaying” the SGPC office-bearers’ elections and that he would meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh soon to seek resolution of the crisis prevailing due to the delay.
All the accused and the co-accused in the murder case of Harpreet Kaur, daughter of former SGPC president Bibi Jagir
Kaur, today appeared in the Court of Special Judge (CBI cases), Balbir Singh. With court verdict in the case likely to come anytime, on the last date of hearing on March 9, the court had directed all the accused and co-accused to furnish fresh personal surety bonds.