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INDIA VOTES—PUNJAB
Declare Kalianwala Khu victims martyrs: Capt
AAP aims a hung House: Former leader
Netas get airborne as poll scene hots up
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Sukhbir asks disgruntled cadre to support Ghubaya
In Bathinda, Sukhbir holds dinner meetings with traders
Bajwa has connived with Bhola to defame me: Majithia
Chandumajra asks Bhattal to apologise
Tarn Taran doctor campaigns for AAP
Parties ignore
waterlogging-hit farmers
12 Ropar panchayats invite main contestants to explain agenda
Poll panel begins probe into ‘bogus’ votes in Dera Bassi
Kejriwal to visit Amritsar on April 11
BJP leaders being ignored, alleges party magazine
Youths forced into ‘bonded labour’ in Riyadh get exit passes
Booklet in Punjabi sheds light
on Shaheed Udham Singh’s life
Villagers demand repair of Fazilka canal
The silt deposited in the Eastern Canal in Fazilka. Tribune photo
State awardee launches campaign for fair elections
Wrestlers protest Bhagwant’s remark
Studying nomination papers to ‘expose’ rivals
poll pot
British Sikhs fined over attack on fellow Sikh
HC dismisses stenos’ plea, finds no fault with govt move
Man gets 3-yr jail for rape attempt
Undertrial escapes from custody
Jewellery worth Rs
5 lakh looted
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Jaitley dares Cong for debate on FDI
Amritsar, April 8 Addressing a press conference here, Jaitley said, “While the BJP will encourage FDI in certain sectors, it is presently opposed to opening out of multi-brand retail. Unorganised retail is the largest employer after agriculture. There are four crore small retail establishments in India, which support almost one-sixth of the country’s population.” Jaitley said multi-brand retail by major international groups would displace mass retail jobs. “It will hurt our manufacturing establishments since organised international retail sources products internationally. India can ill-afford foreign-owned stores selling Chinese goods. The elimination of small retail establishments will also reduce consumer choices. Nowhere in the world have international retailer-enriched farmers or producers. The benefits of elimination of middlemen will go entirely to the multi-brand retailers,” he said. The BJP leader said the FDI in retail would also have serious repercussions on cities like Amritsar whose lifeline was trade and tourism. “In a town like Amritsar which is heavily dependent on trading, a few multi-brand retail establishments can cause havoc to the trading community. I challenge the Congress for a debate on the impact that multi-brand retailer will have on the trading community of Amritsar,” he said. For promoting tourism, Jaitley emphasised on the need to add more tourist attractions in the city to prolong the stay of tourists in the holy city. Replying to a query, he said he had been putting forth issues of public interest so as to initiate a political debate on them, adding that he would like to see the Congress rising above the “politics of making personal comments”. On Ram Temple issue figuring in the BJP manifesto, he apparently referred to his Congress rival Capt Amarinder Singh and said those who were opposed to it also visited the temples today on the occasion of Ram Navmi. He also took a jibe at Amarinder without naming him, saying, “There is always a civilised way even to convey harsh sentiments.” Bid to pacify Salaria Arun Jaitley said efforts were on to placate Swaran Salaria, the disgruntled BJP leader who was planning to contest as an Independent candidate against BJP nominee Vinod Khanna in Gurdaspur Lok Sabha seat. “Senior BJP leadership, including Shanta Kumar and Kamal Sharma, are in touch with him. We hope he will understand our position,” he added.
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Declare Kalianwala Khu victims martyrs: Capt
Amritsar, April 8
Talking to the media at Ajnala today, Amarinder said, “Since the nation has recognised 1857 as the First War of Independence, those killed in the Kalianwala Khu for participating in the uprising deserve to be granted the status of martyrs.” He said their last rites should be performed with full military honours. On construction of a memorial, he reiterated that apparently the soldiers belonged to Hindu religion and were from Uttar Pradesh as they all belonged to the 26 Native Infantry. He said a temple could be built in their memory. Addressing a public rally in Ajnala, he lashed out at the Akali-BJP alliance for “failing” all sections whether these were employees, farmers, youth or anybody else. Questioning the commitment of BJP candidate Arun Jaitley towards Amritsar, he alleged he was not even remotely concerned with the area. Earlier, Amarinder dubbed the SAD-BJP alliance as the “most unholy and opportunistic alliance”. He asked Jaitley to explain what he meant by “social alliance” between the two parties. He alleged: “Jaitley had admitted that it is an alliance between two communal parties claiming to be the sole representatives of two different communities, the Sikhs and the Hindus.” Calls SAD-BJP alliance ‘unholy’ Calling the SAD-BJP alliance as a "most unholy and opportunistic” one, Amarinder Singh asked Jaitley to explain what he meant by "social alliance" between the two parties. "Jaitley had admitted that it was an alliance between two communal parties claiming to be the sole representatives of two different communities, the Sikhs and the Hindus,” he said. Leaders celebrate Ram Navmi In an apparent attempt to woo the electorate, both Amarinder and Jaitley visited various temples in the city to take part in Ram Navmi celebrations. They offered prayers at Mata Laal Devi Mandir, Model Town, and Ram Mandir, besides attending an event to mark the occasion at Majith Mandi. Amarinder could not make it to Majith Mandi where Congress leader OP Soni was present. Jaitley also visited Mata Launga Devi Mandir.
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AAP aims a hung House: Former leader
Chandigarh, April 8 Targeting AAP at a press conference here today, Ashwini Upadhyay said, “The party was formed to fight against issues of corruption, communalism, VIP culture, dynasty politics rule, criminal and caste-based politics, but now senior party members are making compromises on these issues. Rather senior leaders of AAP are encouraging these issues”. He said in 2014 Lok Sabha elections AAP is contesting on maximum number of seats so that there is an unstable government at the Centre as it will help the party to strike a deal with single largest party. The party can be Congress or BJP, AAP has no problem with anybody, he alleged. Upadhyay also alleged that AAP had included anti-national elements in its fold. The party is getting direct and indirect funding from abroad including funding by Ford Foundation. He added that Ford foundation is providing funds to various NGO’s run by AAP leaders like Manish Sisodia, Yogendra Yadav, Meera Sanyal and Medha Patekar. Ford Foundation works for the interest of US, he alleged. Ashwini was expelled on April 5 “due to his repeated involvement in anti-party activities”.
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Netas get airborne as poll scene hots up
Chandigarh, April 8
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has hardly shown any fondness for choppers this poll season. A chopper hired by the party, though, remains at his beck and call in case he needs it. Two helicopters, one hired by the Akali Dal and the other said to be owned by Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia’s company Orbit Aviation, are reportedly at the disposal of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal. He too is said to be using them when he was too busy to travel by road. Sukhbir has flown 14 times Since the poll code came into force, Sukhbir has used a helicopter for campaign in the state 14 times. He has been using hired helicopters as the state government-owned Bell-429 helicopter has been grounded in its hangar at Chandigarh. “It is not being used following Election Commission guidelines. It is flown only for routine maintenance,” said sources in Punjab Civil Aviation Department. The norms suggest that no dignitary except the Prime Minister can use a government-owned aircraft during elections. 2 copters for Cong leaders The All India Congress Committee (AICC) is learnt to have acquired at least three-dozen helicopters for its top leaders for poll campaign across the country. Two of these five-seater Global Vectra’s B-103 helicopters have been earmarked for the Punjab Congress’ star campaigners, including PPCC chief Partap Bajwa and former Chief Ministers Capt Amarinder Singh and Rajinder Kaur Bhattal. Bajwa takes maiden flight The PPCC chief used one of these two copters for travelling from Chandigarh to Quadian for the first time on Tuesday morning after addressing a rally in support of Congress candidate from Chandigarh Pawan Kumar Bansal on Monday evening. The choppers, according to Bajwa’s media coordinator Pankaj Khanna, have been pressed into service to save on time. The two choppers, or even more of them, would be pressed into service on requirement basis, he said. High-tech campaign vans The Congress campaign has started going high-tech with Bajwa becoming the first political leader of Punjab to utilise as many as nine vans fitted with 42-inch LCDs, audio-visual aids and public address systems in his Gurdaspur constituency. He has allocated one such van for each of the nine assembly constituencies in Gurdaspur. The workers manning these vans would not only distribute hand-bills and brochures but also screen a promotional film and play specially composed songs exhorting the people as to why they should vote for the Congress and why they should shun SAD-BJP combine. Each of these vans would be covering eight to 10 villages every day, it was learnt. The Congress, party sources said, had already got permission for use of helicopters in the state from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and for screening of films and promotional songs from the Election Commission. Similarly, the SAD has obtained all requisite permissions for flying of its leaders, said Cheema. Relying on copters * The two five-seater helicopters are mostly being used by PPCC chief Partap Bajwa and former CMs Capt Amarinder Singh and Rajinder Kaur Bhattal * The Punjab Government-owned helicopter has been grounded as per EC guidelines * The Akali Dal has hired two helicopters, which are at the disposal of Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal * But Sukhbir is said to be using these only when he is too busy to travel by road Why CM not flying much The main reason behind Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s reluctance to use a helicopter is said to be the SAD strategy to send a message among the masses that the Chief Minister liked to live like an “aam adami” who preferred travelling by road rather than being air-borne.
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Sukhbir asks disgruntled cadre to support Ghubaya
Ferozepur, April 8 There were reports that a section of the SAD-BJP leaders were not supporting Ghubaya wholeheartedly due to their personal grudges with him. Sources said due to this, the party’s campaign had not picked up momentum in this area. A week ago, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, too, had tried to placate party men who were not happy with Ghubaya, including former Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sukhpal Singh Nannu and Guruharsahai halqa in charge Vardev Singh Mann. While trying to “tame” the disgruntled leaders, Sukhbir reportedly told them point blank to sink their differences and work to ensure a thumping victory for the party. Surjit Kumar Jiyani, state Health Minister; Vardev Singh Mann, halqa in charge, Guruharsahai; Gurtej Singh, MLA, Balluana; Prakash Singh Bhatti, former MLA; Shiv Lal Doda, halqa in charge, Abohar; BJP leader Vijay Luxmi Bhadu; Harpreet Singh, MLA, Malout; Kanwarjit Singh Rosy Barkandi, in charge, Muktsar; Sukhpal Singh Nannu, former MLA; besides Ghubaya were among those present in the meeting. On Sunday, supporters of Nannu had openly aired their grievances against Ghubaya during a BJP workers’ meeting at Nannu’s residence. Nannu had minced no words in ridiculing Ghubaya’s style of functioning during the past two years, following which Ghubaya apologised for all acts of “omission and commission” and exhorted Nannu to support him in the elections. Later, Nannu appealed to his men to forget past issues and support Ghubaya. Mending fissures in Ferozepur * A section of the SAD-BJP leaders was not supporting Ghubaya wholeheartedly because of personal grudges. Sources said the party’s campaign had not picked up momentum in the area due to this * A week ago, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, too, tried to placate disgruntled party men, including ex-CPS Sukhpal Singh Nannu and Guruharsahai halqa in charge Vardev Singh Mann * On Sunday, Nannu had openly aired his grievances against Ghubaya during a BJP workers’ meeting, following which Ghubaya apologised
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In Bathinda, Sukhbir holds dinner meetings with traders
Bathinda, April 8 With the SAD-BJP, Congress-PPP and AAP fielding Sikh candidates, the votes of more than 3,00,000 Hindu voters, predominantly traders in Maur, Sangat, Budhlada, Bhucho, Mansa and Bathinda mandis may prove crucial. Both SAD candidate Harsimrat and Congress-PPP candidate Manpreet Badal are hoping they will get a large chunk of rural votes.The tide seems to be against the Akalis, but Manpreet will have to count on local Congress leaders to get him the promised votes. His wife Veenu Badal is campaigning aggresively in the city. Manpreet is reportedly tring to get Surinder Singla campaign for him. Singla is credited with initiating the setting up of the Bathinda refinery and several flyovers in the city. Traditionally Congress supporters, the trading community voted for Sarup Chand Singla for the Bathinda-Urban Assembly seat in 2012. Led by Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal, Akali strategists are interacting with the local traders to know about their grievances. Sukhbir himself has organised dinner meetings with influential traders to bring them around. The lack of schemes for businessmen and taxes on marriage palaces have alienated the community. The Akalis are promising that Harsimrat will be able to bring more projects to Bathinda as the NDA was likely to form government at the Centre. The Akalis are hoping that AAP’s Jassi Jasraj, and not Manpreet, will get the anti-incumbency votes. Dinner diplomacy With the SAD-BJP, Congress-PPP and AAP fielding Sikh candidates, the votes of more than 3,00,000 Hindu voters, predominantly traders in Maur, Sangat, Budhlada, Bhucho, Mansa and Bathinda mandis may prove crucial.
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Bajwa has connived with Bhola to defame me: Majithia
Jalandhar, April 8 Majithia, who was in the city to attend a religious programme, said:“Smuggling drugs is Bajwa’s family business.” Bajwa, in a speech yesterday, had called Majithia the kingpin of the drug racket in the state. Majithia claimed that Bajwa had connived with Bhola to defame him. “Sensing imminent defeat from Gurdaspur, Bajwa declared that he would be Chief Minister in 2017, hoping this would get him votes. But the reality is that the state Congress president is heading for a defeat,” the minister said. Talking to The Tribune, BJP state president Kamal Sharma said: “It is ironical that the Lok Sabha elections are scheduled for April 30 and Bajwa is talking about the 2017 assembly elections. I am amused that Bajwa is day-dreaming.”
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Chandumajra asks Bhattal to apologise
Ropar, April 8 "Her blatant and unwarranted allegations are a demeaning attempt at character assassination with the clear intent of damaging my election campaign," he said. Bhattal had at a rally yesterday describe Chandumajra as 'Chandu daku' and 'Chandu chor'. Chandumajra, in a statement, said if Bhattal failed to tender an unconditional apology, he would sue her. He said the use of such “derogatory” language was a violation of the poll code.
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Tarn Taran doctor campaigns for AAP
Tarn Taran, April 8 He visits villages to distribute the AAP literature and spread the party’s ideology. He completed his MBBS in 2005 from the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, but did not take up a government job. He claims to raise social issues. And one among them is the bridge over the Beas river, where dolphins have been sighted several times, at Karmuwala village, 30 km from here. He has expressed resentment against the constructing the bridge as it would be a threat to dolphins. Dr Sunny believes in Surya Swami theory, according to which most of the diseases can be cured with sun rays.
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Parties ignore waterlogging-hit farmers
Gurdaspur, April 8 Leaders of the three mainline political parties of this district, sitting MP Partap Singh Bajwa (Congress), former MP Vinod Khanna (BJP) and former Minister SS Chottepur (AAP), are so busy taking potshots at each other that they have forgotten the nature’s wrath being faced by the residents of these villages. The affected area is scattered across three blocks of Dinanagar, Gurdaspur and Kahnuwan blocks. Due to the accumulation of excess water in their agricultural fields, residents can sow and reap just one crop a year — paddy. For septuagenarian Angrez Singh, an affected farmer, politicians are people who have mastered the art of “pulling wool over other’s eyes”. As such, he does not want to participate in any election. His famished limbs and skeletal fingers point towards his fields, which have been hit by waterlogging. He curses his destiny and repeatedly points towards his three-acre field. Owing to poverty and the rigid stance adopted by moneylenders, many small and marginal farmers have committed suicide. In debt, a farmer of Meelwan village recently ended his life by consuming pesticides. He had taken loans from various banks but later found failed to repay the interest, let alone the principal amount. The worst-affected villages are Pherochichi, Purana Shala, Kotli Sanian, Chak Sharif, Gunupur, Saidowal, Dala Gorian, Maan Chopra, Lamin Karal, Cheena Bet, Nanowal Jinder and Ghorewah. A majority of the villages in the affected cluster are inhabited by farmers who have small landholdings and have been caught in a vicious trap of debt and death. Another affected villager, Satnam Singh, says, “Former Punjab Chief Minister Partap Singh Kairon visited our village way back in 1962. After hearing us, he instructed the Drainage Department officials to construct eight to 10 feet sand ‘bundhs’ along the Beas, which was one big reason for waterlogging. That had helped to a great extent. But now, we are back to square one.”
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12 Ropar panchayats invite main contestants to explain agenda
Chandigarh, April 8 Sarpanch of Mahain village Sucha Singh Khatra, the brain behind the move, told The Tribune that each candidate would get two turns to explain his party’s policies and programmes. In the first turn, each candidate would be given 20 minutes to explain his party’s agenda. In the second round, the candidates would get 10 minutes each. “We have framed the rules for the discussion. Mudslinging will not be allowed. There will be no answer and question session. But a candidate would be at liberty to compare his or her party’s political programme with that of the rival parties,” explained Khatra, a retired teacher and trade union leader. “We want the voters to make an informed choice after going through the programmes of all parties,” he said. The expenditure on organising the programme would be borne by the participating panchayats. Lunch would be be offered to the participants, Khatra said. This exercise is not confined to Anandpur Sahib. The Democratic Mid-Day Meal Cook Front, Punjab, has invited all candidates of Patiala and Sangrur constituencies to elicit their views on the demands of the front. “ As many as 50,000 women cooks, daily preparing meals for lakhs of students, are being paid a meagre salary,” said Harjinder Kaur Lope, president of the front. These women belonged to poor sections and were not covered under the labour laws, she said. The International Democratic Platform( IDP), which is supporting the demands of the front, said other issues on which the candidates will be asked to speak were include MGNREGA, old-age pension, drug menace, farmers’ welfare and more powers to local bodies. Dr Pyara Lal Garg, convener, Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, Punjab, said they had decided to organise a meeting to discuss issues related to environment, water, gender discrimination, reservation, drug addition, GM (genetically modified) crops, unemployment, education, health and the unorganised sector.
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Poll panel begins probe into ‘bogus’ votes in Dera Bassi
Chandigarh, April 8 Chief Electoral Officer VK Singh has formed teams to conduct a house-to-house checking in localities where these votes have allegedly been made. Besides, the EC has devised a mechanism to ensure that nobody casts his or her vote more than once. Union Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Preneet Kaur had pointed at an “unprecedented 30,000 new voters” being enrolled in the Dera Bassi assembly constituency during the past two years. “ It has been noticed that the Dera Bassi assembly segment of the Patiala Lok Sabha constituency has registered a record increase of 30,000 in the registration of votes-20, 000 since January 01, 2012 and 10,000 since January 1,2014. “There is a feeling that a large number of bogus voters have been registered in Zirakpur and Lalru towns,” she had complained to the CEO, Punjab. The Congress alleges that most of the new voters have been shown as residents of flats (in Zirakpur) which are yet to be occupied. Preneet had sought a re-verification of votes at Zirakpur, Dera Bassi and Lalru towns by booth-level Officers. Substantiating her claim, she had referred to a few persons registered in the poll rolls under the same name, same photo and same address, but with different ID cards. “Anjana Puri, wife of Sanjiv Puri, voter ID No. YGJ0524778 and a resident of House No. 269, has also been shown to have been residing at House No. 269 FF with a different voter ID No. YGJ0426601. Another voter Vikas Chanana, son of Jugal Kishore, resident of House No. 516, has been shown bearing two voter IDs No. LGK1706100 and YGJ0425785,” Preneet had pointed out. She had alleged that a physical verification of some dwellings in Mamta Enclave had revealed that certain voters were not residents of the address that had been mentioned against their names in the voter list. When contacted, the CEO said a team has been constituted under the Deputy Commissioner, Patiala, to look into the allegations. “ Under no circumstances will anybody be allowed to cast their vote more than once. We have devised a mechanism to ensure this,” he added.
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Kejriwal to visit Amritsar on April 11
Chandigarh, April 8 The party’s convener in Punjab, Sumail Singh Sidhu, said after a roadshow in the holy city, Kejriwal would move to Batala for campaigning. He would campaign in Jalandhar the following day and then move to Banga and Khatkar Kalan to pay tributes to Shaheed Bhagat Singh. He would reach Ludhiana via Nawanshahar where he would campaign for AAP candidate Himmat Singh Shergill. Kejriwal would campaign for HS Phoolka at Ludhiana till late in the evening and after a night’s stay, would leave for Sangrur district via Ahemadgarh, Malerkotla, Sangrur and Sunam to campaign for Bhagwant Singh Mann. From Sunam, he would return to Delhi on April 13. Sidhu and Prof Manjit Singh, another AAP activist, said the repeated attacks on Kejriwal were a part of a larger conspiracy. They said it was owing to the failure of the intelligence agencies that Kejriwal was being repeatedly attacked by “agents of political forces that are against bringing about a change in the country’s political system.” Sidhu said there were forces that wanted to “alienate” Kejriwal from the masses by forcing him to take security. “Come what may, Kejriwal will not accept a security cover,” said Sidhu.
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BJP leaders being ignored, alleges party magazine
Chandigarh, April 8 The latest issue of the BJP magazine highlights how the state bureaucracy is calling the shots and treating BJP leaders and party workers with disdain. An editorial by Dr Bhai Paramjit Singh says the government seems to care only for the rich and is ignoring the common man. Hitting out at its alliance partner (SAD) when electioneering is at its peak may not be the best strategy for the BJP. This is, perhaps, for the first time that the party’s magazine has highlighted “the poor state of governance in Punjab”. The editorial says the bureaucracy in the state is not just creating roadblocks in good governance, but is also instigating people against the government. It quotes the incident of Barnala Deputy Commissioner “refusing” to entertain a request by BJP leaders. It says the district president of the BJP Yuva Morcha in Bathinda had been brutally assaulted and later detained by the police. The editorial says that the police department (The Deputy CM holds the Home portfolio) is the worst and that top police officers do not listen to party leaders. The editorial ends saying that Sukhbir could realise his ambition of ruling the state for the next 25 years only if the Akali and BJP leaders were given their due and the common man’s grievances were redressed. Punjab BJP president Kamal Sharma, when contracted, said: ‘I am busy campaigning and can comment only after I have read the editorial.”
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Youths forced into ‘bonded labour’ in Riyadh get exit passes
Hoshiarpur, April 8
As per the bailout package, the company at Riyadh had agreed to send back 22 youths who had chosen to return. The exit cards, which are required to leave Saudi Arabia, were issued to six of them and the process for the remaining boys is on. One of the youths, Jagjit Singh is from Gokul Nagar in Hoshiarpur. He boarded his flight last night and arrived in Delhi this morning. “At Delhi, his cousin received him and he was taken to his paternal uncle’s home there. In the evening, he boarded a bus to Hoshiarpur,” said Jagjit’s mother Sukhvinder Kaur. Another youth, Baljinder Singh of Gurdaspur, too, has reached India and is on his way home. Jagmit Singh of Kapurthala district was at Riyadh airport at the time of filing of this report and was to take a flight to India at 9 pm (IST). Jagmit said after The Tribune carried a news report about their sufferings, the agents who had duped them contacted them and the main agent from Mumbai came there. He contacted them and agreed to send them back to India. Jagmit said, “Now, the company has given us the balance salary and all the documents concerned. They gave us back our passports, for which they had been asking us to pay 8,000 Saudi riyals. The company has given exit passes to six boys and for rest of 17 youths, the process is on. We had demanded that all of us be sent back together but the company did not agree to it. We are being sent one by one through different flights. We are happy that finally we are coming back after experiencing five months of being in hell there. Thanks to media, especially The Tribune, who helped us.” Looking back * In all, 38 Punjabi boys were sent as drivers to in Riyadh by Jalandhar-based travel agents in November * They were forced into bonded labour in Saudi Arabia * They were not paid well and the international driving licences provided by the travel agents were declared fake and were torn away * The company impounded their passports; they were employed as garbage collectors * They were allegedly told that they had been hired for three years and would have to work irrespective of whether or not they wished .
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Booklet in Punjabi sheds light
on Shaheed Udham Singh’s life
Sangrur, April 8
Sunam resident Rakesh Kumar has penned the play. He is the Senior Section Engineer in the Indian Railways and posted in Ferozepur. “The 32-page booklet will educate the masses about the martyr’s life and ideology,” he said. The booklet was released by director, producer and actor of Punjabi plays Megh Raj Ralla. This is Kumar’s second book on Shaheed Udham Singh. His previous book on the martyr is titled “Bharat di Azadi di Shama da Parvana, Mahan Ghadri Inqulabi Shaheed Udham Singh” and was released in July 2013 in Sunam. He is a recipient of Baba Farid Award for Honesty 2011. Those present at the release function included Amar Nath Diwana, Master Kalicharan, Amarnath Goyal and Pankaj Dogra. About the martyr * Shaheed Udham Singh was born on 26 December 1899 in Shahpur Kalan village in Sunam tehsil of Sangrur district * He had assassinated Michael O’ Dwyer in March 1940 to avenge the Jallianwalla Bagh massacre * Singh had changed his name to Ram Mohammad Singh Azad, symbolising the equality of all faith and of the three major religions of India: Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism * In July 1974, Singh's remains were exhumed and repatriated to India at the request of S. Sadhu Singh Thind, an MLA from Sultanpur Lodhi
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Villagers demand repair of Fazilka canal
Fazilka, April 8 The canal and the distributaries are considered lifeline for these villages. The distributaries feed about a dozen border villages, including Beganwali, Hiranwali, Ramkot, Kabulshah, Shahtirwala, Dhaban, Bareka, Roopnagar, Muradwala, Bandiwala, Sivana, Khanpur and Kerian, for the irrigation purpose. “In the absence of proper cleanliness and repair of the distributaries since long, the villages situated on the tail end are set to loose uninterrupted water supply,” said Ravinder Kumar Siag, sarpanch of Sivana village. He said that silt had deposited on the bed of the distributaries. “This does not offer desired gradient for water to reach the tail end.” The Canal Department releases water in the Eastern Canal in the first week of May for irrigating cotton, paddy and other crops. “As of now, there is no proposal to repair the distributaries, as the department has not received funds for the purpose,” said Amarjit Sharma, Sub-Divisional Officer (Canal). The department had floated tenders for repairing the distributaries a few months ago, but the proposal was withdrawn reportedly due to financial crunch. The bridges built on the distributaries are in a shambles and the one constructed near Beganwali village has started giving in. The concrete railing on the sides of the bridge has been damaged. The villagers have demanded that the non-perennial canal should be converted into a perennial one for the uninterrupted water supply. Besides this, the repair of the canals and bridges should be carried out immediately.
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State awardee launches campaign for fair elections
Abohar, April 8 The hoardings are titled "Wake up, beware of leaders". They address voters, saying, "Would you like to use tainted tomatoes and potatoes to cook meals? If not, why should we send tainted leaders to Parliament? Check out the academic, economic and criminal record of candidates before making up your mind. You must go to the respective polling station to exercise the right to franchise. If you find none of the candidates worthwhile, press NOTA on the EVM to express 'none of the above' viewpoint." The hoarding cautions parents, stating, "Never vote the candidate who dares to influence you by distributing drugs or money. Such a leader will sell the future of your children if voted to power." A meeting organised in the school campus as part of the awareness campaign was well attended, with women outnumbering men.
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Wrestlers protest Bhagwant’s remark
Sangrur, April 8 As per Sant Attar Singh Wrestling Centre, Cheema, in-charge Jagtar Singh Golu, Mann had said that wrestlers fixed bouts. “The remark shows wrestlers in bad light. The wrestlers play fair game and bring laurels to the country. Two wresters have won medals for the country in the Olympics in the recent years,” he said. Golu said instead of leveling allegations on others, Mann should introspect himself as he had quit the People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) for personal gains. "Leveling allegations of fixing without any evidence is unfortunate and wrong.” He demanded that Mann should apologise for the remark. Mann, for his part, said his effigies were being burnt by his political opponents, as people were extending support to AAP in the elections. Mann said his opponents had been using an old video against him, in which he had given an example at a kabaddi tournament of dishonest wrestlers who fixed matches and defamed the game.
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Studying nomination papers to ‘expose’ rivals
Faridkot, April 8 In her complaint to the Election Commission, Akali leader Amarjit Kaur has alleged that while filing his nomination papers for the 2012 Assembly elections, Joginder Singh, sitting MLA and now Congress Lok Sabha candidate, had not mentioned about a case registered against him on June 14, 1981, for possessing poppy husk. Joginder Singh was awarded one-year jail term and fined Rs 1,000 by a Muktsar court on January 1, 1984, she has said. “I have submitted a report to the State Election Commission for necessary action,” said Mohammad Tayyab, Deputy Commissioner-cum District Electoral Officer, Faridkot. “On Monday, when Joginder Singh filed his nomination papers, he provided the details of the case. This was an old one case that has been closed. We have submitted a report to the State Election Commission,”Tayyab said. Naresh Sehgal, a complainant against Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal in a criminal case, has also complained to the Election Commission, accusing the latter of concealing information about a case pending against him. In a complaint to Chief Election Commissioner, New Delhi, Sehgal alleged that Sukhbir had concealed information about a case (FIR No. 93, dated June 21, 2002) for attempt to murder registered against him with the Kotkapura police station. He demanded that Sukhbir’s Vidhan Sabha membership be cancelled. Caught on the wrong foot? * Akali leader Amarjit Kaur has complained against
Congress candidate Joginder Singh for concealing that he had been convicted in a criminal case *
She has alleged that while filing his nomination papers for the 2012 Assembly elections, Joginder Singh had not mentioned about a case registered against him on June 14, 1981, for carrying poppy husk
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poll pot Sangrur: NGOs and social activists have appealed to the people to boycott candidates found distributing drugs among voters. Kamal Anand, general secretary, People for Transparency, said youths could play an active role in checking such practices by doing a sting operation and sending video clips to the Chief Electoral Officer. Sarbjit Singh Raikhy, chairman, Sahara Foundation, said they had been creating awareness among youths in this regard. Jagdeep Gujjran, president, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Foundation, too emphasised on building a mass movement against candidates luring voters with drugs. 4,000 bottles of liquor seized Bathinda: A team headed by the Assistant Returning Officer-cum-SDM, Damanjit Singh Mann, conducted a surprise raid on city liquor vends and confiscated 4,000 bottles of liquor. The raids were conducted at vends on the Power House road, those near the ICICI bank, Bibiwala Road and Bhatti Road. Returning officer Kamal Kishore Yadav said action would be taken against the vend owners.
Sangrur: Candidates often come to the office of returning officer on motor vehicles to file nomination papers to contest elections. But Harinder Kumar Sharma, a taxi driver, preferred to ride a mare to reach the District Administrative Complex here on Monday. The mare was decorated as if it was a marriage ceremony. A ‘dholi’ was also beating the drum in front of the mare to attract the attention of passersby. Bains launches public helpline Ludhiana: Independent candidate Simarjit Bains has introduced helpline numbers for public on his Facebook page. “If any government official is creating problems for you or if you are facing some (governance-related) issues, you may contact us with details on the following (helpline) numbers,” reads the message on the Facebook page of Bains. The leader said at least 200 calls were being received on the helpline numbers daily. The complaints range from inflated water and power bills, files lost in government offices to disputes with neighbours.
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British Sikhs fined over attack on fellow Sikh
London, April 8 Gurinderjit Singh, Santokh Singh Sahota and Harpreet Singh Sahota had pleaded guilty to a charge of affray at Warwickshire Crown Court in relation to the attack on Jujhar Singh Flora. Recorder Christopher Goodchild, who was hearing the case this week, ordered the trio to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and pay 500 pounds each in compensation to Flora. “It was an attack of almost animal ferocity of a mob of you against one man. No religious difference of opinion justifies that,” he said. “You hold yourselves out to be followers of a peaceful, loving religion. You brought shame on it. What happened that day, it was shameful,” he added. According to court reports from the local media in the West Midlands region, the defendants and their victim represent different strands of the Sikh faith. The defendants attended the Baba Vadbhag Singh gurdwara in Exhall, Warwickshire, about which Flora, who attended the nearby Dukh Niwaran Sahib gurdwara, had expressed some “negative views” on his Facebook page. Sahota told Flora he should remove the Facebook messages and became increasingly aggressive as he was joined by the other two men. Flora was backed up against a car and, as others joined the group, violence broke out. The CCTV footage played in court showed Flora’s turban had come off and unravelled as he tried to fight off his attackers. He was pursued and struck again after getting to his feet. His sister tried to stop the attack before a police car was flagged down and officers brought the situation under control and arrested the three defendants. — PTI The incident, and the penalty * British Sikhs — Gurinderjit Singh, Santokh Singh Sahota and Harpreet Singh Sahota — pleaded guilty to a charge of affray at Warwickshire Crown Court in relation to the attack on Jujhar Singh Flora * Recorder Christopher Goodchild, who was hearing the case this week, ordered the trio to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and pay 500 pounds each in compensation to Flora * “It was an attack of almost animal ferocity of a mob of you against one man. No religious difference of opinion justifies that,” Goodchild said
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HC dismisses stenos’ plea, finds no fault with govt move
Chandigarh, April 8 Taking up the matter, Justice Rajesh Bindal asserted: “This court cannot sit in appeal over the action of the state, which is administrative in nature, and compare the working of different departments to find out as to whether there was a need to rationalise/upgrade the staff in those departments in terms of the guidelines issued by the Third Pay Commission.” The counsel for the petitioner had earlier submitted that the Third Pay Commission had recommended “rationalisation” of the stenographers’ cadre, which provided for the upgrade of certain posts. The report was accepted and directed to be implemented. But subsequently, the matter was directed to be kept in abeyance vide communication dated December 21, 1990, on account of austerity measure. Later, the report’s recommendations were implemented in the Excise and Taxation Department vide memo dated December 16, 1992. The same process was followed in the office of Legal Remembrancer in April 1993. The petitioners added that the report was implemented on selective basis. The counsel added that the petitioner —association members — was discriminated against, as the stenographers’ cadre was rationalised with upgrade of posts in some departments, whereas it was not done in others. The state counsel, on the other hand, submitted that the Third Pay Commission in its report had specifically provided for the manner in which rationalisation or upgrade of the posts was to be carried out in different departments, considering the workload on the account of duties performed by them. After examining the departments, the guidelines were implemented wherever it was found to be fit. Dismissing the petition, Justice Bindal asserted: “The guidelines necessitated examination of workload in different departments. It is so mentioned in the reply filed by the state that on examination of the workload in different departments, the report was implemented in the office of Legal Remembrancer, Excise and Taxation Department, Agriculture, Cooperation, Rural Development and Panchayats, Fisheries, Horticulture, Colonisation, Conservator of Forests and Conservator of Soils Departments. “However, in police, secretariat administration, ayurvedic, animal husbandry, dairy development and some other departments, the report was not implemented, as the workload with them was not commensurate with the guidelines issued by the Third Pay Commission for rationalisation/upgrade of the posts.” The case details * The counsel for the petitioner — Punjab State Stenos’ Welfare Association — had submitted that the Third Pay Commission had recommended ‘rationalisation’ of the stenographers’ cadre, which provided for the upgrade of certain posts * The petitioner submitted that the report’s recommendations was implemented on a selective basis * The counsel said the petitioner was discriminated against, as the stenographers’ cadre was rationalised with upgrade of posts in some departments, whereas it was not done in others * The report's recommendations were implemented in the Excise and Taxation Department vide memo dated December 16, 1992. The same process was followed in the office of Legal Remembrancer in April 1993 State’s view "The Third Pay Commission had provided for the manner in which rationalisation or upgrade of the posts was to be carried out in different departments, considering the workload on the account of duties performed by them. After examining the departments, the guidelines were implemented wherever it was found to be fit."
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Man gets 3-yr jail for rape attempt
Abohar, April 8 The parents of the victim had alleged that Krishan, who was their neighbour, had taken their daughter to his house on November 14 last year. They said when he tried to molest her, she started weeping. Her mother reportedly heard her cries and rescued her.
The medical examination of the girl supported the allegations levelled by
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Undertrial escapes from custody
Tarn Taran, April 8 On way back to jail from a court hearing, Gurjant’s accomplice, Aman of Rayya village, riding a motorcycle, sprinkled chilly powder in a policeman’s eyes and facilitated the escape. The policeman, Nishan Singh, managed to catch hold of Rajwinder Singh Raju, another undertrail who tried to escape. The motorcycle-borne youth has been identified as Aman of Rayya village. All three have been booked under Sections 307, 353, 186, 224, 323, 120-B and 34 of
IPC.
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Jewellery worth Rs
5 lakh looted
Abohar, April 8 Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Madan Singh Burhak said the accused had covered their faces and forced entry into the workshop located on the first floor of the shop run by Subhash Soni. They pointed a pistol and a knife and threatened to kill employees Karim Malik, Hamid Malik, Samba and Santosh. After snatching valuables worth Rs 5 lakh, the miscreants used a surgical tape to shut their mouths, tied their hands, pushed them into a bathroom and bolted it before fleeing. After an hour, the workers broke open the door and informed the owner of
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6 held under NDPS Act
Abohar, April 8
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Arun Jaitley, the BJP candidate for Amritsar, today challenged the Congress for a debate on foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail while putting forth a strong case against it saying it would ruin the retail sector in the country, including Amritsar, where trade and tourism were the lifeline of the economy.
The delay in cleaning and repairing the non-perennial Eastern Canal and its distributaries has caused resentment among villagers of Fazilka district, whose land falls on the tail end of these distributaries.
The canal and the distributaries are considered lifeline for these villages.
Mare ride to file nomination