|
|
|
|
|
State stares at foodgrain storage crisis
Badal warns UPA against centralisation
Punjab needs to cut unplanned expenditure, says Johl
|
|
|
Anna to launch ‘Jantantra Yatra’ from Amritsar today
Akali Dal hits back at Congress, says focus on sports like never before
Khaira flays SAD, BJP over Chintan Shivir
Despite ban, SAD leader holds function on school premises
Teachers divided over merger of schools
Session over, students yet to get bicycles
Pak panel to visit state tomorrow
Some relief for former Patiala Mayor
Implement court orders without delay, officers told
Vigilance arrests two in Rs 63-lakh salary scam
2 held in Amritsar gang-rape case
|
State stares at foodgrain storage crisis
Chandigarh, March 30 With the state government agencies and the Food Corporation of India (FCI) all set to procure 140 lakh tonnes of wheat during the upcoming rabi marketing season (RMS), Punjab will be holding 270 lakh tonnes of grains by June this year when the wheat procurement season ends.
Punjab has about 103.8 lakh tonnes of wheat and 68 lakh tonnes of rice lying in the available storage space. This means with the inflow of 140 lakh tonnes of wheat this season, only 60 lakh tonnes can be stored in the available storage space and there will be no space for 80 lakh tonnes of fresh wheat arrivals. FCI officials told The Tribune they were in talks with the Punjab Government and efforts were on to utilise space in private rice shellers to store wheat. "Almost 62 per cent of the paddy stored in the rice mills has been milled, so enough storage space is available in the rice mills. We propose to utilize this space in the rice mill premises to store the new wheat crop," said a senior official of FCI. He said though the movement of foodgrain from Punjab was on, it would still not be enough to accommodate the fresh wheat this year. Approximately 8 lakh tonnes of wheat and 7.5 lakh tonnes of rice stock is being moved out of Punjab each month. The FCI is expediting the process to ensure adequate storage space for the fresh foodgrain. The government will also continue with the export of wheat stored in Punjab, which will further ease the problem. In the past five months, almost 12 lakh tonnes of wheat from Punjab has been exported. However, the officials said the main reason for the storage space constraints in Punjab were not the poor movement of foodgrain to the recipient states. "Each year, we are moving 95 lakh tonnes of wheat and 90 lakh tonnes of rice from Punjab to the recipient states. However, the food production in the past three years has been increasing manifold, causing storage space problems. In 2011-12, 108 lakh tonnes of wheat was procured, which increased to 129 lakh tonnes in 2012-13, and this year, 140 lakh tonnes of wheat is expected to be procured by government agencies," said the official.
|
|
Badal warns UPA against centralisation
Moga, March 30 Badal was speaking to the media upon his arrival in Moga on Saturday for a week-long Sangat Darshan to disburse grants for development projects, which were promised to the local people ahead of the recent assembly byelection. “The federal structure of governance will become democratically unsustainable if the Union Government fails to ensure a key role for state governments in the framing of policies and implementation of development works,” he said. Badal alleged that the centralisation of powers by the UPA government during its recent years of rule had not only led to a bias against several states governed by regional parties opposed to the Congress, but it had also led to a financial mess in these states. He said the Union Government must implement the “genuine” federal structure, which was essential to ensure balanced growth across the country. The Chief Minister claimed the governments ruling the states were well connected with people at the grassroots level, due to which they were in a better position to understand the local issues and accordingly frame policies for development works. Badal said, “It is unfortunate that state governments are virtually at the mercy of the Union Government for carrying out development works, particularly in rural areas. State governments not only have to wait for years together to get central grants, but they also have to seek permission to carry out even minor developmental tasks.” While holding Sangat Darshan at Mahesari, Kaliewala, Chotian Khurd, Chotian Kalan and Darapur villages, besides a couple of localities in Moga town, the Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to the electorate of the (Moga) assembly constituency for ensuring the victory of SAD-BJP candidate Joginder Pal Jain by a huge margin in the byelection. He claimed that the victory had further strengthened the SAD-BJP alliance. Badal disbursed grants worth Rs 75 lakh for developmental works in the villages where he held the Sangat Darshan.
|
|||
|
Punjab needs to cut unplanned expenditure, says Johl
Ropar, March 30 Johl, who was here as the chief guest on the annual convocation of IET, Bhaddal, said though the number of ministers were limited in the cabinet, the numerous parliamentary and chief parliamentary secretaries appointed by the government had put a heavy burden on the state exchequer. The grants disbursed by ministers should be small and most of the funds should be used in a planned manner to get the maximum benefit, he said. The subsidies in the state should stay but need to be rationalised. He said a mechanism should be set up so that the subsidy went directly to the beneficiary. In several instances, landlords with several hundred acres enjoyed free power that was meant to help poor farmers, said Johl. He said most of the voters were uneducated and theywere easily influenced by money and intoxicants distributed by certain politicians during elections. Earlier, the Chancellor said there was a growing divide between the rich and the poor. A mere 25 per cent of the total population had access to proper education facilities, he said.
|
|||
|
Anna to launch ‘Jantantra Yatra’ from Amritsar today
Amritsar, March 30 Addressing mediapersons here today, Anna and General VK Singh clarified that the Jantantra Morcha constituted by them only aimed at creating awareness among the people. "We will neither contest nor support any political party in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections," they said. The campaign has Jan Lokpal Bill, electoral reforms and other issues Anna has been raising in the past on its agenda. They said the "Jantantra Yatra" would be a nationwide campaign over the next one-and-a-half years. They said they would not only make people aware of voting for the right candidate but also create conducive atmosphere for honest people to come forward and contest the elections. Anna said: "The 'Jan Sansad' is supreme. It holds a higher place than the Lok Sabha or any state assembly. Our campaign will make people realise their power and know that the MPs and MLAs are their servants whom they have elected". Anna said there were no office-bearers in the Jantantra Morcha and all were volunteers committed to the cause of corruption-free India. He said none of the members of the Morcha would accept monetary donations from anybody although people could donate in the form of banners, posters and other such material. He said around 8 lakh people had joined the Morcha within a month of its launch. When asked about his "fading power" in view of desertions by the likes of Kiran Bedi and Arvind Kejriwal, he said: "Anna was a zero and is a zero. I was never powerful. It was only your impression." General VK Singh said the yatra would begin from the city tomorrow after paying obeisance at the Golden Temple and Durgiana Mandir and paying tributes to the martyrs at the Jallianwalla Bagh. The yatra would reach Jalandhar in the evening after passing through Beas and Kapurthala, he said, adding Anna would also address rallies at Amritsar, Kapurthala and Jalandhar. The Yatra The first phase of "Jantantra Yatra" will kick off from Punjab where Anna will address eight public rallies before moving on to Haryana and Uttarakhand. In these three states, the social activist is scheduled to address meetings in at least 26 cities and towns. The yatra will culminate at Haridwar on April 17. After completing the three states and a short break, Anna will then embark on the second leg of his tour, covering Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. The Inspiration Anna Hazare revealed that he chose Punjab to launch "Jantantra Yatra" as he drew inspiration from the soil of the northern state. "I fought in the Indo-Pak war at the Khemkaran Sector in 1965 in which a number of my colleagues attained martyrdom. After the battle, I decided to dedicate my life to the cause of people. It was like a rebirth for me," he said. Supporters in verbal duel Activists of Anna Hazare's Jantantra Morcha and his former aide Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party had a heated argument at the Amritsar railway station prior to Anna's arrival. The Morcha activists accused the AAP workers of trying to hijack their
programme. The two sides had virtually come to the blows but the situation was saved as soon as the Shatabdi Express chugged in. Later, the AAP workers tried to meet Anna at the Circuit House, but could not succeed.
We will neither contest nor support any political party in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections... Anna was a zero and is a zero. I was never powerful. It was only your (people’s)
impression. Anna Hazare, social activist
|
|||
Akali Dal hits back at Congress, says focus on sports like never before
Chandigarh, March 30 He said, “Bajwa owes an explanation to the people of Punjab on why the Amarinder Singh government failed to provide a single paisa to sportspersons from 2004 onwards.” He said all eligible players either became over-age or shifted to Haryana and Delhi due to lack of job opportunities in Punjab during the Congress regime. Sharma said, “Sukhbir has encouraged the youth to opt for sports as a career by providing them top administrative and police jobs and by substantially raising the award money.” He said Sukhbir also distributed Rs 1.29 crore of award money due to players under the Congress regime. He said Sukhbir had also promised to clear the backlog of 3% jobs in the sports category. He said even 55 college and university-level players were given jobs in the power corporation.
|
|||
|
Khaira flays SAD, BJP over Chintan Shivir
Chandigarh, March 30 Khaira, a former MLA from Bholath, alleged that holding such an event at a fun and frolic destination like Goa was not only in complete contrast with the Akali Dal’s panthic ideology, but it amounted to further rubbing salt on the wounds of a “financially wrecked state”.
|
|||
|
Despite ban, SAD leader holds function on school premises
Patiala, March 30 The Director-General of School Education (DGSE) had in February barred the use of premises of government schools for any private, religious or political functions. The violators, if any, were warned of stern action. The function, attended among others by District Education Officer Balbir Kaur Gill and school principal Karamjit Singh, was held at Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Sanaur, to distribute grants among village sports clubs. While Sandhu was speaking outside on a mike, students inside classrooms were struggling to concentrate on their practical examination. A student said, “It was difficult for us to give our practical examination amid the noise of the loudspeaker. Preparations for the function had started early in the morning and several speakers addressed the gathering till 11 am.” Sandhu, however, claimed he was invited by a few parents to distribute grants and that the function was not pre-planned. “I was unaware that holding such functions is against the norms,” he averred. Balbir Kaur Gill claimed that she had visited the school for inspection and not to attend the function. “Even I have no idea how the function was allowed at the school. I will seek an explanation from the principal,” she said. When contacted, the principal said, “The function was fixed two days ago. The halqa in charge wanted to address sports club members, panchayats representatives and parents of students who were scheduled to attend a meeting with teachers.” Education Minister Sikandar Singh Maluka said, “It is shocking to know that SAD leaders themselves are flouting norms and holding such functions on school premises. This is something serious and I will order a probe and take action against the guilty.” Director-General of School Education KS Pannu said he would ensure strict action against all those involved in the episode. “I will look into the matter… More glaring is the fact that the function was held at a time when an examination was in progress,” he said.
|
|
Teachers divided over merger of schools
Patiala, March 30 While some teachers believe the decision will not prove beneficial for students and will increase the dropout rate, others feel it will improve the quality of education and help the state utilise its resources better. Surjit Singh, district president of Sikhiya Vikas Manch, said while the government talked about the Right to Education and helping each child go to school, it was closing 690 schools throughout Punjab by merging them with others. Gurmeet Singh Thuhi, IDP Studies representative, said this decision was totally unjust and various teacher organisations would hold a meeting at Nehru Park tomorrow to decide their next plan of action. On the other hand, there are several teachers who feel that the decision will help maintain a uniform teacher-student ratio in all the schools. A senior functionary in the District Education Department said the services of the teachers at most of these schools weren’t utilised properly as the strength of the students was very low there. There are more than 400 vacancies for master cadre teachers and 50 for lecturers in Patiala district alone. Kahan Singh Pannu, Director General of School Education, said the move was aimed at optimum utilisation of resources to provide quality education to students. “We are cross-checking all the facts relating to the number of students and teachers in the state. We will ensure that students do not stand to lose from this decision,” he added.
|
||
|
Session over, students yet to get bicycles
Muktsar, March 30 The school had received as many as 269 bicycles about one-and-a-half-years ago. But these have been lying dumped in two classrooms of the school. Official data revealed a target of distributing 4,729 bicycles in 2011-12 was set for Muktsar district, but the authorities concerned distributed 3,380 bicycles in all four blocks of the district. These are Muktsar (304), Malout (1,245), Lambi (679) and Gidderbaha (1,152). A majority of the bicycles were distributed in rural
schools. Jagmel Singh, District Project Officer, said: "The bicycles that have been lying dumped in a senior secondary school were not ordered by the department due to lack of funds in 2011-12. The company hand sent the bicycles on its own". He said: "The bicycles will be distributed only when we get funds. A demand has been placed. We are yet to get an approval". School principal Neelam Bala said: "The bicycles have blocked two rooms of the school. The authorities are aware of the fact, but no direction has come in this regard". She said: "The girls studying in Classes XI and XII in 2011 have either passed out or are about to leave. They will not be able to avail the benefit". District Education Officer Devinder Kumar Rajouria said: "We are awaiting the state government's orders in this regard. The bicycles will be distributed only after that". Official data revealed not even a single bicycle was distributed among girl students in the urban area of Muktsar block. Students in only nine villages of the block got bicycles.
|
||
|
Pak panel to visit state tomorrow
Ludhiana, March 30 This visit is a continuation of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal’s visit to Pakistan recently. After the Deputy CM returned, a four-member delegation from the state had visited Lahore for three days on March 4. The delegation will meet officials from the Amritsar MC and Jalandhar MC. On Tuesday, the team will meet Sukhbir in Jalalabad. “The team will give officials tips on solid waste management. If time permits, they will also visit the Bio Methamisation Processing Plant and Bio Medical Waste Plant in Ludhiana,” said AS Sekhon, MC Joint Commissioner. Rakesh Kumar Verma, MC Commissioner said the solid waste management in Pakistan had impressed the Deputy CM. — TNS
|
|
Some relief for former Patiala Mayor
Patiala, March 30 The SIT held that “the victim was strangulated to death, but there was no evidence to substantiate the allegations levelled by Parampreet’s family that Pardhan was directly involved in the case”. In the challan, the police has made the victim’s husband, Harpreet Singh, as the main accused under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. Harpreet's mother Paramjeet Kaur has been made a co-accused under Section 34. In its complaint, the victim’s family alleged that till Parampreet’s death, they had been knowing Paramjeet Kaur as Pardhan’s wife and Harpreet his son. SIT head (IG, crime) Shashi Prabha Diwedi said Pardhan had not been questioned so far as he was evading arrest. “We have kept the charges against Jaspal Pardhan open and a supplementary challan will be presented in the court if we get any fresh evidence against him,” she said. While the postmortem report held strangulation as the cause of death, the SIT is yet to touch the poisoning angle. Sources said pesticide content was also found in the victim's body. “We have gone ahead with the strangulation theory as more evidence needs to be collected to establish the poisoning angle,” said Diwedi.
|
|
|
Implement court orders without delay, officers told
Faridkot, March 30 There were hundreds of cases wherein the aggrieved persons were waiting for the implementation of the decades old court orders. More than 38 years after the Ministry of Defence acquired over 1,850 acres of land in Faridkot to establish a cantonment and the court passed a decree to give compensation to the affected, a large number of farmers were still waiting for the compensation for their land. While many landowners had already died, descendents of many others were working as daily wagers as there was no other source of income for them after all their land was acquired. Advocate Baldev Raj Watts, who is contesting the case for many of the landless farmers, said though the court passed a decree in favour of the farmers, directing the Defence Ministry to pay compensation to the farmers about 30 year ago, the aggrieved farmers had not yet got the amount.
|
|
Vigilance arrests two in Rs 63-lakh salary scam
Amritsar, March 30 Naresh Kumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Vigilance, said the duo had been taken into police custody for three days. The scam had surfaced in December last year and was first detected by another employee, who had submitted a written complaint to the Civil Surgeon. Thereafter, an inquiry was ordered and Rajwinder Singh was suspended. Both the accused, Rajwinder, a clerk, and his brother Upkar, a Class IV employee, were accused of overdrawing Rs 63,19,000 from the treasury by manipulating salary bills. The money was withdrawn within 18 months. Sources said that duo had even withdrawn salaries for non-existing employees and routed it to their bank accounts. Kumar said the police was investigating whether any other employee was involved in the fraud.
|
|
|
2 held in Amritsar gang-rape case
Amritsar, March 30 Among those arrested were identified as Ajay Kumar alias Aditya, resident of Lahori Gate, and Sandeep Rana alias Rocky of Old MES Quarters. The third accused, Sanju, Ajay’s brother, was absconding, said Dr Kaustubh Sharma, Deputy Police Commissioner. He said a special investigating team headed by HS Brar, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP), Crime, arrested the accused from near Jhabal Road T-point. Sharma said forensic experts would soon examine the impounded car. Sandeep Rana works as peon at a private bank located near the bus stand while Ajay works as a safai karamchari for the Municipal Corporation. The 21-year-old victim had complained to the police that she was abducted by four youths from the bus stand and raped in a moving car on March 25 evening. A case was registered on March 26 in this regard.
|
|
| 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 | |
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has warned the Congress-led UPA government that the country could face a crisis in near future if the latter allegedly continued to usurp the powers vested with the states.
On the eve of the launch of "Jantantra Yatra", anti-corruption crusader and social activist Anna Hazare and former Army Chief General VK Singh today announced that they will call a "Jan Sansad" (people's parliament) at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi.
The ruling SAD’s ‘halqa’ (constituency) in charge for Sanaur, Tejinder Pal Singh Sandhu, was today caught on the wrong foot as he organised a function to disburse welfare grants on the premises of a government school.
The
three-member Special Investigating Team (SIT) probing the high-profile murder
case of 29-year-old Parampreet Kaur, allegedly the daughter-in-law of former
Patiala Mayor Jaspal Pardhan, today submitted a challan in a local court.
The state has a severe shortage of storage space for foodgrain. As against the storage space of 232 lakh tonnes, which includes 110 lakh tonnes of open storage and 122 lakh tonnes of covered storage, the existing stocks of rice and wheat are occupying 172 lakh tonnes of space. 
