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House Potpourri
Joshi clears Rs 2,692-cr projects
Will not remove Gosain’s pictures: Mittal
SGPC may get reprieve
Fearing vendetta, ex-MLA moves HC
Anti-Capt rebellion refuses to die down
PIL in court to save Rajoana
Death warrant that is keenly awaited by Patiala jail staff
Forest Department facing acute staff shortage
Phillaur, Pathankot municipal councils to face the heat
Punjab CS told to look into issues of teachers
Now, industrialists oppose third power utility in Punjab
Badal to inaugurate cancer therapy machine
Paddy seed selling like hot cakes
Farmers urge govt to amend Food Act
Moga MC all set to become corporation
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Benefits promised, now ensure funds
The success of social welfare schemes for the poor, including the Dalits, were seen as a major factor in the victory of the SAD-BJP alliance in the recent Assembly elections. The benefits, however, have been a major drain on the exchequer, and also drew criticism from various quarters. The challenge during the second term would be to continue with dole and subsidies, without upsetting the balance sheet beyond redemption.
SOCIAL WELFARE The SAD-BJP combine earned much popular favour from widening the scope of its "shagun", scholarship and housing schemes to include the economically weaker sections, besides Dalits, among the beneficiaries during its last regime. Towards the fag end of the last term, however, the SAD-BJP government had to face increasing discontentment as the Department of Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes was not able to provide grants to all those eligible because of lack of funds. The Central government had refused to release funds under many schemes funded by it, as the state government had failed to utilise the previous year's grants. The government did earn accolades for making the data on beneficiaries digital, and identified 72,000 of them under the Shagun Scheme. However, subsequently it was found a large number of the recipients of the grant existed only on paper, and the huge sums were siphoned off. As the government goes full throttle in implementing the schemes, it has to ensure this time that no money ends up with undeserving people. The ruling party in its manifesto has claimed it would continue the popular atta-dal scheme, free gas connections to BPL families, free 5-marla plots to all landless poor, medical cover to blue-card holders besides other schemes.
One social sector that needs attention is the ever growing number of senior citizens without a family support system. As Dr Harjinder Pal Singh Walia, chairman of Global Punjab Foundation, said: "Our children are getting busier by the day; they do not have the time to look after ageing parents. As society is changing fast and becoming insensitive to the needs of the elderly, the responsibility of providing them comfort in the twilight of their life rests with the state." SURVIVAL FOR THE GIRL child The state carries the tag of "kudi-maar" (girl killer) owing to its skewed sex ratio of 893 females per 1,000 males. This is where any initiative for girls, or women, has to begin. Punjab faces the daunting task of firming up its initiatives towards checking female foeticide. It is a subject for which deep-embedded social mores will have to be taken on. During the last stint the government did manage to add 17 girls to the sex ratio that existed 10 years ago. But it cannot rest on past laurels, and the road ahead is still long. Over the next five years, the target should be a near-balanced ratio. For this, it will have to tighten the noose on those indulging in female foeticide, by enforcing the PNDT Act in letter and spirit. Women, overall, need emancipation through welfare schemes specifically designed for them. In this, ensuring all girls get education so as to qualify for the job market is the biggest challenge. Just allowing them free education in schools would not suffice. They have to be got to school.
The government also has to have a zero-tolerance approach towards crime against women. They have to feel safe in the environment they live. During the past five years, crimes against women witnessed an upsurge. To correct it will require sensitising the entire law and order machinery, as not only domestic violence has to be checked, but also exploitation of women by NRIs and honour killings. Often ignored in many families, women's health is another issue that needs special attention. Creating job opportunities specifically for women should also be a priority area, as that would mean real empowerment.
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Govt for stronger federal set-up
Chandigarh, March 21 Emphasising the need for adopting a more stringent federal set up, Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil described it as the only way ahead for making the states prosperous and self-reliant. Conveying the sentiments of the state government while addressing the newly constituted Vidhan Sabha here today, the Governor demanded that the inter-state disputes should be resolved on a priority. The main issues, he said, were the transfer of Chandigarh and other Punjabi-speaking areas to Punjab, 50 per cent share in revenue collected from the state, resolving water disputes on the well-established Riparian principle and exemplary punishment to those responsible for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He said the government was committed to a “genuinely” federal structure and firmly believed that strong states meant a strong nation. “Unfortunately, the progressive erosion of powers given to the state has reduced them to mere beggars at the doors of the
Centre”. Highlighting what the government perceives discrimination against Punjab, the Governor demanded compensation to the state for the flight of capital from here due to grant of tax incentives to neighbouring states. “Grant similar concessions to Punjab, which being a border state is most eligible for receiving such concessions from the
Centre”. However, besides highlighting various issues of perceived discrimination, the Governor conveyed that Punjab was not seeking doles from the
Centre; it was demanding what was rightfully due to it. At the same time, the Governor spelt out achievements of the
SAD-BJP alliance during the last five years, specifically pointing landmark decision like introducing the Right to Services Act 2011 that promises time-bound delivery of services. Going through a 54-page speech, the Governor drew attention to the blue print of development proposed by the
SAD-BJP alliance. He said there was an urgent need to focus on issues like the existing farm debt of over
Rs 35,000 crore. The state, he said, was the food bowl of the nation, but in return for feeding the millions, it demanded that recommendation of the MS Swaminathan Committee ensuring 50 per cent profits to the farmers over their input costs must be ensured. The Governor disclosed that Punjab was headed towards a revolution in the power sector with three thermal plants coming up and reaching advanced stages of completion. These efforts have brought the state to the doorstep of not just self-sufficiency in meeting its power requirements but of actually making Punjab a power-surplus state, capable of selling power to other states. It was an atmosphere with a difference on the Opposition benches. Normally, the Opposition either boycotts the Governor’s address or sometimes reads a parallel speech. Today, the Congress benches were silent. Its leaders listened patiently to the two-hour-long Governor’s address. Perhaps, it was an outcome of a promise by CLP leader Sunil Jhakhar to act as a constructive and cooperative Opposition. The Governor also opposed the decision of the Government of India to set up a National Counter Terrorism Centre
(NCTC), with over-riding powers given to Central agencies. “This decision is a violation of the federal principle and will further weaken the states. In addition, it will also create unnecessary complications, hampering smooth relations between the Centre and the states.” He demanded an immediate review of this decision. He remarked that there had been a definite turnaround in the economy of the state during 2007-12, with state’s own revenues going up from Rs 8,989 crore annually in 2005-06 to Rs 16,828 crore in 2011-12 and was estimated to touch Rs 20,408 crore this fiscal”. Similarly, the health infrastructure in Punjab was rated as “excellent” by the Central Review Mission of the Union Health Ministry.
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CM’s Serious act Photo session Showing Disregard Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal inside the Assembly
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Joshi clears Rs 2,692-cr projects
Chandigarh, March 21 Addressing officers at Udyog Bhawan in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, the minister said the department would have to work to give an impetus to industrialisation to accelerate growth on the pattern of Gujarat. The other Letter of Intents for mega projects approved in the meeting are of firms: Nectar Life Sciences in Mohali district (Rs 200 crore), Vardhman Special Steel in Ludhiana (Rs.134.97 crore), SEL Textile in Muktsar (Rs 1,485 crore), Sportking in Bathinda (Rs 303 crore), Supreme Tex Mart in Ludhiana (Rs 103.25 crore), Satluj Spintex in Mansa (Rs 121 crore) and Sharmanji Textile in Ludhiana (Rs 144.82 crore). Joshi said the establishment of such big industrial projects would mark the return of industry to Punjab. He said the state was establishing a model for the industrial sector on the pattern of Gujarat. Joshi exhorted department officials to whole-heartedly work for the development and promotion of industry and trade in the state.
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Will not remove Gosain’s pictures: Mittal
Chandigarh, March 21 He refused to comment when asked whether he would say no even if the department replaced Gosain's pictures with his on it own. "I do not want to say anything further on this issue," he said. Gosain had created quite a flutter in June last year when he had asked his department to replace the pictures of his predecessor Laxmi Kanta Chalwa with his after taking over as the Health Minister during the fag end of previous government's regime. Earlier, the ambulances carried the pictures of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Laxmi Kanta Chawla, but Gosain wanted his pictures instead of Chawla. Badal had expressed his displeasure, but Gosain had his way and his pictures finally appeared on the ambulances. Later, Chief Election Officer Kusumjit Sidhu ordered the removal of pictures of politicians on ambulances, bicycles distributed under Mai Bhago Scheme etc. While the Health minister sounds resolute, it remains to be seen whether vanity overpowers him or not in the days to come.
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SC hearing on petition today
Amritsar, March 21 He expressed hope that the SGPC would get a reprieve from the court tomorrow. He said once the SC paved the way for the office-bearers' elections, they would get the new SGPC team elected as well as its annual budget passed before March 31. He,
however, didn't elaborate as to how they will do it, as a notice period of 21 days is required for call-ing the budget session
of the SGPC. Makkar said the SGPC didn't delay the measures required to facilitate the office-bearers' elections. "We had sent a copy of the Supreme Court judgment to the Centre on the very next day on February 18, following which we have been regularly writing to them to expedite the process. However, they kept sitting on the case for over a month," he alleged. He said they also took up the matter of getting a law enacted barring sehajdhari Sikhs from voting in the SGPC elections with the PM. "He has asked us to prepare and forward the case to him while assuring that he will look into the matter," Makkar claimed.
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Fearing vendetta, ex-MLA moves HC
Chandigarh, March 21 In a petition before Justice AK Mittal, Khangura sought directions to the State of Punjab and other respondents to issue four working days’ clear notice before arresting him and his two relatives in any case to be registered against them anywhere in the state. Khangura through his counsel Himmat Singh Shergill asserted that on March 14, the swearing-in day of the government, Amandeep Kaur Khangura, who manages his political office, received a phone call at 8.56 am from “unknown/blocked” mobile number. Amandeep was asked why Jassi had requested for CCTV footage of storage of EVMs. The caller told her that the hands of their government would be very strong and Jassi along with other male members of his family would be behind bars shortly. He added: “On March 7, Jassi wrote a letter to the EC that on the counting day his election agent objected to the election observer that the gap in the door of the strong room was wider”. Jassi had alleged that the EVMs had been tampered with to transfer his votes to the SAD candidate. Taking up the plea, Justice Mittal issued a notice to the State of Punjab for April 3.
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Anti-Capt rebellion refuses to die down
Chandigarh, March 21 Kataria said the “five-star culture” prevalent among certain senior leaders of the party was the reason behind the defeat. “Such leaders failed to meet political challenges. The leadership committed to the cause of the people can only revive the fortunes of the state Congress,” said Kataria. The former PCC chief said threatening speeches by party leadership during the electioneering alienated the voters. Change was need of the hour if the Congress wanted to be back in the reckoning, he said. In a separate statement, Ved Parkash Gupta, former general secretary of the PCC said it was unfortunate that the Congress had been pushed to edges by regional parties in various parts of the country. There was a need to take corrective measures. A core group should be formed to go into the causes of its poor performance and to find out what went wrong, he added. Meanwhile, Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary, president of the Punjab Youth Congress, said the executive of the youth body would meet here tomorrow to discuss what led to the party’s defeat in the elections. He said there was no need to be demoralised and all should work hard to make the party win the forthcoming local bodies’ elections. Youth Congress meeting today Jalandhar: The entire Punjab Youth Congress top brass, including 117 assembly constituency presidents, 13 Lok Sabha segment chiefs and 18 state committee members, would sit together to introspect and find out the factors that worked against the Congress in the Assembly elections. The meeting would be held in Chandigarh on Thursday. — TNS
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PIL in court to save Rajoana
Chandigarh, March 21 Lawyers For Human Rights International, through counsel Navkiran Singh, today filed a petition in public interest in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking a stay on the hanging. In the PIL, Lawyers For Human Rights International president Tejinder Singh Sudan has argued that the judgment, vide which death sentence of Balwant Singh was confirmed, has been challenged and the appeal is pending before the Supreme Court. The petitioner also stated it would be great injustice; and the judicial system would not be able to justify the hurried action in executing Balwant Singh. The action would result in loss that could not be reversed, he said. The case was listed for hearing before the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Mahesh Grover today. The Bench ordered the case to be listed for hearing before another bench on Thursday.
Panthic outfits want govt to intervene Amritsar: Various Panthic organisations have urged the Akal Takht to issue directions to the state government to pass a resolution in the Punjab Assembly to save Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar and Balwant Singh Rajoana the same way as the Tamil Nadu Assembly did to save the conspirators of former PM Rajiv Gandhi's assassination. The representatives of these outfits assembled at Bhai Gurdas Hall and handed over a memorandum to the Akal Takht Jathedar after holding parleys on the Rajoana case. They passed a resolution in the meeting in which they vowed to "wage a decisive battle led by the Akal
Takht" to get the death sentence to Rajoana reversed. — TNS
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Death warrant that is keenly awaited by Patiala jail staff
Patiala, March 21 The development has the entire jail staff in a tizzy as despite trying their best to avoid former Chief Minister Beant Singh's assassin Rajoana's hanging, the ball is again in its court. Sources said the Jail Department wanted to receive the letter at the earliest so that it could get ample time to take legal help to delaying the hanging. The Court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Shalini Nagpal in Chandigarh yesterday sent the execution warrants back to Patiala jail to hang Balwant on March 31 at 9 am. The orders were sent to the court on March 10 on the plea that the Jail Department was unable to hang the assassin as he was convicted by the Chandigarh court. The jail staff said there was a lot of pressure and some senior officers could even offer to resign in the coming days if the death sentence was executed.
DGP (Jails) Shashi Kant said, "I cannot comment as the matter is
sub-judice. But, we are eager to read the contents of the court order."
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Forest Department facing acute staff shortage
Muktsar, March 21 As per the official records, 28 of the total 67 sanctioned posts of forest guard in Faridkot forest division are lying vacant. Similarly, five of the seven sanctioned posts of forest ranger lie unfilled. The department officials said that due to staff shortage, they were unable to keep a watch on the entire area. Forest range officer Baljeet Singh said, “We are short numbered and grappling with two major problems. One is the grazing of plants by stray animals and the other is burning of stubble in the fields, which also damages the forests.” Besides, he said, even the locals were non-cooperative. “In most of the incidents of illegal felling, the people avoid informing us about the losses. The people should understand that saving trees means saving environment.” Faridkot division district forest officer Dalbir Singh Brar said, “We try our best to manage the things but the staff shortage is definitely affecting the working. We don’t have any particular patch of forestland here. The entire forests are alongside canals and roads. So, it is tough to guard the plants and trees with skeletal staff.”
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Non-compliance with PPCB norms
Patiala, March 21 The decision was taken during the quarterly board meeting held here today. The meeting was attended by board chairman Ravinder Singh, member secretary Dr Babu Ram, renowned environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal and all the board members. An official of the board said that the Phillaur Municipal Council was not complying with the provisions of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and was discharging the sewerage waste in an unscientific manner. In Pathankot, the Municipal Council was indulging in illegal dumping of the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). As per the law, in case of non-compliance of the board instructions for the enforcement of the pollution control norms, the PPCB can file a complaint against the erring municipal bodies in the court. Board member secretary Dr Babu Ram confirmed that the PPCB had unanimously resolved to file the complaint for the prosecution of the Phillaur and Pathankot municipal councils. Giving details of the proceedings of the meeting, he said, "The PPCB has issued instructions to the Mandi Gobindgarh Municipal Council to ensure the setting up of the Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) in a time-bound manner to compliance with the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. Apart from this, the board has also instructed the Mandi Gobindgarh Municipal Council to make sure that the violations pertaining to the dumping of the MSW are stopped, failing which suitable action would be initiated." Board chairman Ravinder Singh said, "The board authorities have been directed to regularly monitor whether the municipal bodies all across the state are complying with the pollution control norms or not. Whosoever will violate the pollution control laws, have to face action."
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Government-aided privately managed schools
Chandigarh, March 21 The significance of the directions can be gauged from the fact that Justice Surya Kant, vide the order for convening a meeting, has disposed of a bunch of four petitions filed against the State of Punjab by Dharam Pal Angrish and other petitioners. One of the petitions was filed 18 years ago. The petitioners were also seeking parity with government teachers "in the matter of" ACP on completion of eight and 18 years of the service and old age pension. As the case came up for hearing, the respondents came up with a plea that "parity under the Act/Rules was confined to the grant of pay scale and dearness allowance only, which has been granted to the teachers working in the government aided schools at par with their counterparts in the government schools". After hearing the arguments, Justice Surya Kant ordered: "The writ petitions are disposed of with a direction to the Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab, to convene a meeting to be attended by the Principal Secretary, Finance Department, Principal Secretary, Education Department, DPI Colleges; DPI Schools; and three authorised representatives of the Association formed by the managements of the government aided privately managed schools in Punjab and if there is no association, the president/secretary of the societies/trusts, who are running the maximum government aided private institutions in the state". Justice Surya Kant added: "Punjab Advocate-General shall also nominate a senior law officer from his office to provide legal in-put with reference to several judgments cited by both the parties to facilitate the committee to arrive at a just and fair conclusion." "The petitioners shall, meanwhile, be at liberty to submit a representation to the Principal Secretary, Education Department, along with copies of the court decisions relied upon by them." "The committee shall deliberate upon the principal and related issues and give its recommendations, which may be finally approved by the Council of Ministers, if so required under the Rules of Business. If there arises a necessity to amend the Act/Rules, that may also be considered. Let the needful be done within a period of six months from the date a certified copy of this order is received."
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Now, industrialists oppose third power utility in Punjab
Patiala, March 21 Asserting that the proposal, if implemented, would further deteriorate the fiscal health of the Power Corporation, majority of the industrialists are of the view that the state government must not take any such decision. President of the Induction Furnaces Association, Mandi Gobindgarh, Mahinder Gupta said even unbundling of the Punjab State Electricity Board was not the wise decision. He said, "Already there is lack of coordination between the two power utilities — PSPCL and the Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited." Naresh Gupta, president of the Patiala Industries Association, said that rather than carving out separate power generation company, the state government should pay attention towards streamlining the functioning of the PSPCL and the PSTCL. "It is important to first set the house in order. Unless the functioning of the two power utilities comes on track and the Punjab Government takes steps to bail out the Power Corporation from the debt, the creation of generation company is not going to make any positive impact," he added. President, Apex Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Punjab, PD Sharma said that it would be ridiculous to create another power utility at a time when the Power Corporation was on the verge of bankruptcy. General secretary, Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings (CICU), Avtar Singh said that majority of the industrialists were not in favour of creation of the power generation company. "Instead of power generation company, the state government should focus on ensuring that the skilled staff at the disposal of the two power utilities discharge their duties in a diligent manner. Besides, emphasis should be on cutting down the expenses," he opined.
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Badal to inaugurate cancer therapy machine
Patiala, March 21 Sources said following a series of media reports regarding deteriorating quality of health services, the Chief Minister has also decided to take a round of the hospital to find out the ground realities. He will take detailed report of the requirements of the hospital from the Medical Education and Research Department of Punjab and the hospital authorities. "Though money worth crores has been sanctioned for the upgradation of the hospital, many projects are still pending due to non-release of funds," said a source. The hospital has been in the limelight for the past couple of months due to various problems being faced by patients. Moreover, there is a dearth of super specialists in the hospital due to which patients sometimes have to be shifted to PGI, Chandigarh for treatment. Also, there is a shortage of other staff, including staff nurses and Class IV employees, which often lead to numerous problems. Secretary of the Medical Education and Health Department, Anjali Bhawra had already visited the hospital to supervise the preparations before Chief Minister's visit. College principal Dr KD Singh said, "All he knows is that the CM will be here at 3 pm on March 24 and take a round of the hospital. I don't have any idea about the reason of his visit." Meanwhile, members of the Rajindra Hospital Bachao Action Committee have decided to meet the CM to apprise him about the problems being faced by patients due to shortage of super specialists and lack of proper infrastructure and other facilities.
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Kisan and Pashu Palan Melas
Ludhiana, March 21 The PAU claims that PR 118 is high yielding, resistant to all bacterial leaf blight and better than Pusa 44 variety of the paddy. The university is celebrating its Golden Jubilee year and emphasising on natural resource conservation. The PAU authorities said that the objective of the Mela was to address the social and economic concerns of the rural masses. Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, Vice Chancellor, PAU advised the farmers to adopt new techniques like tensiometer, leaf colour meter, laser land leveller and happy seeder innovated by the university. Tensiometer is a low cost simple device used in paddy fields for water saving. Leaf colour meter is used to ensure judicious use of fertiliser. Inaugurating the Mela, chief guest Dr GS Kalkat, chairman of the Punjab State Farmers' Commission, expressed his concern over the depleting underground water table in Punjab. Stating that the situation can worsen if not paid immediate attention, he called upon the farmers to sow crops other than paddy to check the water depletion. Dr Kalkat emphasised on paying attention to the plight of small farmers in view of their decreasing per capita income. Voicing concern over the increasing consumption of drugs and alcohol among rural youths and farmers' suicide due to increasing indebtedness, Dr Kalkat urged the gathering to refrain from superfluous expenditure and develop a sense of social responsibility.
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Farmers urge govt to amend Food Act
Ludhiana, March 21 Farmers said that the Food Act and the Feed Act needed to be amended to provide relief to the dairy farmers. Jatinder Singh, a dairy farmer from Channuwala village in Moga district, said that the Act was too old, which needed to be amended for the benefit of the farming community. "We sell milk to milk plants. The Act says that percentage of fat in milk should be 4 per cent. But now days, the fat content is not more than 3.5 per cent and due to which we can not sell milk in the open market," he said. GADVASU Vice Chancellor Dr VK Teneja said that the varsity was making the best efforts to increase the milk production. “On an average, cows of GADVASU give 5,400 liters of milk in a single lactation period. This is possible due to the latest techniques, imported doses of artificial semen, proper vaccination of animals,” Dr Teneja said.
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Moga MC all set to become corporation
Chandigarh, March 21 The petitioner had thrown a challenge to the State of Punjab's decision to convert the council into a corporation. Taking up the petition, the High Court had stayed the conversion on October 18 last year, and had reserved orders on the petition. The High Court had also stayed the operation of notifications declaring Pathankot and Phagwara larger urban areas and creating municipal corporations after dissolving the municipal councils. The orders came on petitions filed by former councillor of Moga Surinder Singh and others. The petitioners had claimed the status of municipal corporation to the council, through notification issued on July 26, was arbitrary, illegal and without application of mind. He added it was a political decision taken by the ruling party on instructions from its party member and former state Education Minister Tota Singh. The decision was taken by the state "without considering the fact that Moga has population of just around 1.5 lakh and there are only 90,000 voters".
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The success of social welfare schemes for the poor, including the Dalits, were seen as a major factor in the victory of the
SAD-BJP alliance in the recent Assembly elections.
To encourage the acceptance of a girl child, the ruling alliance has promised Rs 5,000 for parents on the birth of a girl and a Rs 15,000 fixed deposit to be made when she reaches Class 5 and then Class 10. A good promise, but the need now will be to ensure the funds, empty coffers notwithstanding.
capt Amarinder absent
Attire draws attention
Talking to the Tribune today, Mittal said he did not want to create any controversy by asking his department to put his pictures. "I am not in love with my face. I just believe in work and I will not ask anybody to remove the pictures of our senior leader and former Health Minister Satpal Gosain to put up mine as he is like my elder brother," he said.
Talking to mediapersons at Teja Singh Samundari Hall here today, SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar said: "We moved the petition yesterday only after the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister attributed the delay in the office-bearers' polls to the legal tangle over the Sehajdhari row. They told us that the Supreme Court order dated February 17 is ambiguous and the government will approach the court for a clarification. However, we too were prepared for the same and hence we didn't waste any time in moving the Supreme Court".
For instance, in Faridkot division, which comprises the districts of Faridkot, Muktsar and Moga, nearly half of the sanctioned posts of forest guard are lying vacant. As a result, the department is suffering huge losses due to illegal axing of trees and unabated grazing of plants by stray animals.