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Drugs devouring youth, but leaders unconcerned: Yadav
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SAD-BJP banking on Modi to buck anti-incumbency
Mustering support: Capt Amarinder Singh during a roadshow in Ajnala on Thursday; and (right) Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia shares a point with BJP leader Arun Jaitley while campaigning in Amritsar. Tribune photos
Issues that
matter
Cop ‘kills’ farmers over property dispute
Jaitley fights ‘outsider’ tag
PM won’t campaign in state
Ashwani in poll panel too More mud-slinging Man dies in mishap
Eyeing votes, PSPCL buys power despite high
cost
None wooing 75,000-strong police force
Villagers in UT’s periphery to have say in land grab case
Officials shy away from poll duty, citing household work
No electricity bill for more than one lakh Bathinda consumers
Govt seeks EC nod to announce 12% DA
PU’s technique to help identify Ajnala
martyrs
Tardy wheat procurement
angers farmers, arhtiyas
ED attaches Raja Kondola’s properties in
Ropar, Samrala
Poll pot
Over 50% rise in young voters
Cops busy, sand mafia elated Badal breaks silence on issue of opium vends Ramdev seeks votes for Vijay Sampla Undertrial escapes
HC Bar Assn poll results today
BJP arhtiya cell president’s brother held with opium
Undertrial gives police the slip
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Drugs devouring youth, but leaders unconcerned: Yadav
Patiala, April 24 As Yadav has lunch, the party’s Patiala candidate, Dr Dharamvir Gandhi, tries to brief him about the main issues concerning the constituency. But, Yadav appears to be in the know of things, appearing he has been keenly following the developments in Punjab. His stint at Panjab University, Chandigarh, for a few years in the 1990s, probably, has kept his interest in the state alive. Though he can speak Punjabi, he communicates better in English and Hindi. Attired in a light-grey ‘kurta pyajama’, the usually soft-spoken Yadav adopts a tough stance while mounting attack on the SAD-BJP government and the Congress. He takes to participatory pattern to involve the audience in the dialogue. Without naming anyone, he raises questions to seek replies from the audience: “Who is patronising the sale of drugs in Punjab? Who has hijacked the public transport? Who is minting money by selling ‘reta-bajri’ (sand and gravel) at a high premium?” Those present name some politicians in unison. Appearing charged by Yadav’s speech, the audience, including some retired IAS and IRS officers, blames certain SAD-BJP leaders for the wrongdoings. Yadav then alerts the supporters: “The ruling combine is facing huge anti-incumbency and its leadership is in panic. They will resort to all kinds of foul means on the polling day. You must remain watchful. Stay outside the polling booths from morning till late evening.” The AAP leader now raises more questions, this time targeting the SAD-BJP alliance: “Will you elect the MPs of the SAD-BJP coalition, the government which has failed to protect your children from drugs? Will you support the leaders whose parties have allowed the sale of sand and gravel in black market and permitted the sand mafia to flourish?” Punjab’s one generation has fallen victim to militancy whereas the next is being devoured by drugs, and the ruling coalition appears unconcerned, he alleges. Yadav next takes on the Congress, describing the party’s rule at the Centre as a “period of record scams”. “While the Congress is projecting its vice-president Rahul Gandhi as the country’s heir apparent, the BJP claims only Narendra Modi can guide India’s future. But in reality, both are unfit to rule our democracy. While Rahul symbolises dynastic politics, Modi is a dictator. Both believe in corporatisation. Rahul has been creating anti-BJP fear among the minorities whereas Modi is for complete domination of a particular community,” he quips. Yadav now turns to the youth, considered to be AAP’s main support base. “I have seen an astonishing shine in the eyes of the Punjabi youth. It is a signal that the broom (AAP symbol) will sweep the nation. Punjab has always remained at the forefront of various movements and the same will happen this time too,” says Yadav as he concludes his address. He dismounts from the stage, shakes hands with a few supporters. The crowd rushes towards Yadav and waves at him as he gets into his jeep again, to proceed to his next rally.
‘Response better than that in Delhi, Haryana’ Patiala/Sangrur: Claiming that miracles did happen, like the one that happened in the 2013 Delhi assembly poll where the AAP drubbed major political outfits, party leader Yogendra Yadav today said the AAP’s prospects in Punjab were better than that in neighbouring Haryana and Delhi. Yadav, who contested from Gurgaon, said given the support to AAP in Punjab, elections in Punjab would no more be bipolar between the SAD-BJP alliance and the Congress. “AAP will play a decisive role in Punjab politics,” he said. The AAP leader started his roadshow from Banur along with party’s Patiala candidate Dr Dharamvira Gandhi. After passing through the streets of Banur and Rajpura, he halted at Urban Estate, Patiala, to address a rally. He discarded the theory that AAP was only doing the work of eating into the vote share of various political parties in Punjab. In Sangrur, Yadav held a rally around 8:30 pm. He claimed that Bathinda candidate Bhagwant Mann would win by a record margin. Appeal for sting ops Chandigarh:
Alerting Aam Aadmi Party supporters about the alleged distribution of drugs, liquor and money and use of muscle-power to influence voters by powerful political parties in the state, party leader Yogendra Yadav said they should use the Delhi technique in Punjab. "We prepared teams of volunteers to resort to sting operations to gather evidence of distribution of liquor, money and drugs in New Delhi Assembly elections and politicians behind it," said Yadav.
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SAD-BJP banking on Modi to buck anti-incumbency
Amritsar, April 24 There is resentment among voters over property tax and the spiralling sand and gravel prices. Jaitley blames his Congress rival Capt Amarinder Singh for imposing the property tax during his tenure as CM. “It defies logic that someone like Jaitley is blaming me for a decision taken after six years of my demitting the Chief Minister’s office,” argues back Amarinder. Both claim to have documents to corroborate their charge. The exorbitant sand and gravel rates has had a cascading effect on various sections of voters such as the masons, carpenters and labourers.They are not getting adequate work to eke out a living. Drug addiction and unemployment among the youth is another issue dominating these elections. A section of city residents are unhappy with the basic amenities. The ruling alliance has reasons to be alarmed because sitting MP Navjot Singh Sidhu had trailed by 50,000 votes in the urban areas in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. Realising the anti-incumbency sentiment, the ruling alliance has been playing up the Modi factor in its election campaign. This is evident from the huge Modi-Jaitley hoardings in the city, with slogans like "Band hoga nashe ka karobar, aab ki baar Modi sarkar" and "Khulegi mandian, badhega vyapar, aab ki baar Modi sarkar". PM neglected Amritsar, alleges Majithia
Amritsar: Minister Bikram Majithia alleged the Amritsar constituency had the unique distinction of suffering "prime ministerial neglect". He said: "Amritsar is the hometown of the only Sikh to become PM. Will anyone in the Congress please point out a single project for which Dr Manmohan Singh will be remembered by the people here?" All set for rally today
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Issues that
matter
Abohar, April 24 The Punjab Government had sought
Rs 3,277 crore more from the central agencies to bail out scores of villages affected by waterlogging. Nevertheless, funds received under the disaster management programme were not utilised properly. On December 8, 2013, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said the state government would launch a project to address the problem. He said the state had prepared a ~3,277-crore project. On November 6, 2013, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said at Dhippanwali village near Fazilka that the government was preparing a comprehensive plan with the assistance of technical and irrigation professionals to deal with waterlogging, which was affecting farmers badly on the economic front. On September 15, 2013, the senior Badal said at Sappanwali village near Abohar that waterlogging not only damaged crops, but also turned into a wider socio-economic problem. On September 5, 2012, officers of the Drainage Department had told the Chief Minister at Wahabwala village that proposals for widening and strengthening the drainage system in Abohar and neighbouring areas had been hanging fire for five years. They minced no words in conceding that water diverted from the Lambi area through the Abulkhurana drain was to be blamed for damaging crops in the Balluana Assembly segment. A dozen villages, including Bahawalbasi, Kerakhera, Dhaba Kokrian, Jodhpur, Gaddandob, Ramgarh and Alamgarh, have been affected as the state government failed to bail them out. Former legislator Parkash Singh Bhatti laid the foundation of NABARD-funded ~1.25-crore schemes for lift pumps in Bahawalbasi village on December 17, 2006. The project was inaugurated by SAD legislator Gurtej Singh Ghuriana on February 7, 2009. But the lift pump itself remains submerged in water. Farmers told Congress nominee Sunil Jakhar during his campaign that they had been unable to grow crops for the past five to six years. Women said they have been waiting for benefits under old-age and widow pension and shagun scheme for the past five years. No official was ready to investigate into complaints about siphoning off funds earmarked under the MNREGA and other centrally sponsored schemes, they alleged. “There has been a partisan attitude in carrying out development projects. SAD workers are out to pocket money,” Jakhar alleged. He said it pained him to see that the state government preferred to blame the Centre than utilise funds received from Delhi.
Problems to the fore
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Cop ‘kills’ farmers over property dispute
Faridkot, April 24 Following the Election Commission (EC) directive to the police and the civil administration to ask the firearm licensees to deposit their weapons last month, the police started an extensive exercise to collect the weapons. As the police were facing allegations of being highly selective in asking the licensees to deposit their weapons, today’s incident landed the police in difficulty. As per the FIR lodged with the Bajakhana police, police official Avtar Singh and his two sons allegedly opened firing on Manpreet Singh and Gurtej Singh, both farmers, when they were working in a field. It is said the deceased and Avtar had a long-pending property dispute. Bajakhana police station SHO Joginder Singh said Avtar and his two sons were booked for murder. The police were yet to investigate whether or not shots were fired from the police licensed weapon, he added. On March 30, some youths owing allegiance to a senior Akali leader had allegedly killed a farmer and his nephew in Sewewala village of Faridkot. It is alleged that rivalry between two groups, owing allegiance to two senior Akali leaders in Jaitu area of Faridkot, led to the murders. The two incidents lend credence to the allegations that the police were selective in following the EC directions. As per reports, of the 12,547 licensed weapons in the district, the police collected 11,700 firearms. This means that 847 licensees have still to deposit the weapons. Most of these persons include six SGPC members, two former ministers and 122 Akali leaders. DC-cum-District Electoral Officer Mohammad Tayyab said it was police’s responsibility to adhere to the EC directive. The police authorities said “relaxation” to influential persons was allowed in view of the threat perception, but none of them moved applications to allow them exemption from the EC directive.
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Jaitley fights ‘outsider’ tag
Amritsar, April 24 The last page carries Jaitley’s development agenda for the Amritsar constituency with focus on tourism, basic infrastructure, education, healthcare, safety of women and agriculture. Among the key promises are heritage city status for Amritsar, international air connectivity, widening Bhandari Bridge and clean drinking water.
Capt says Jaitley’s
vision flawed
Capt Amarinder Singh has questioned Arun Jaitley’s “blurred vision” of Amritsar. “With Bikram Majithia, who is openly patronising drugs and criminals, being his campaign manager, how can Jaitley visualise a drug-free and crime-free Amritsar,” he asked. He observed that Jaitley seemed “blissfully ignorant” of the killing of ASI Ravinder Singh by an Akali leader in broad daylight . On Jaitley’s vision of
“a drug-free Amritsar,” Amarinder said the real threat was not from across the border but the homemade synthetic drugs. On his rival’s “development vision”, he said: “You better ask Navjot Sidhu how much he was allowed to develop Amritsar.”
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Bajwa woos Batala industrialists
Batala (Gurdaspur), April 24 Campaigning in the steel township of Batala, Bajwa assured a delegation of industrialists that he would seek a special package for the town, if voted to power. Bajwa, who had a lead of nearly 18,000 votes in the Batala Vidhan Sabha seat in 2009, is trying to consolidate this lead. On BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, Bajwa claimed that relations with neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, could be hit if a ‘divisive’ leader like Modi came into power. “The people of Punjab, especially those in the border areas, want peace. A healthy relationship with Pakistan could lead to free trade across the border. And this could boost the state’s economy with Gurdaspur being the main beneficiary,” he said. He said Batala had turned into a ghost town with several hundred industrial units closing down in the past few years because of the “apathetic” attitude of the Akali Dal-BJP Government. He said his BJP rival, Vinod Khanna, had been promising people to develop Gurdaspur and Pathankot into tourist hubs, but without coming up with a concrete proposal.
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PM won’t campaign in state
Bathinda, April 24 He accused the
SAD-BJP Government of trying to create hurdles in Rahul's rally. "It took party workers three days to get the district administration's nod for the rally venue. The workers had to try hard to even arrange tents for the rally," he said. Ahmed said: "After losing the trust of the people, the ruling alliance is relying on Modi to do some magic. Like the
Badals, Modi has also been lying all along about Gujarat being the No.1 state in the country in all fields". Ahmed called the raking up of the 1984 riots issue a "poll ploy". "It is a fact that senior BJP leaders LK Advani and Arun Jaitley lobbied to get the names of 49 RSS and BJP cadets involved in the riots removed from the
FIRs," he said.
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Eyeing votes, PSPCL buys power despite high
cost
Patiala, April 24
Sources confirmed the thermal plants in the state had failed to meet power generation targets due to coal shortage. They said PANEM, which meets 60 per cent of the coal requirements of the three thermal plants in the state, had stopped coal supply on April 10. Sources said, “The PSPCL is spending crores to purchase costly power daily to avoid power cuts and please the ruling alliance during elections.” The communication between the PSPCL and the PANEM reveal that only 3.5 lakh tonne of coal against the monthly requirement of 10.6 lakh tonne was expected to reach the thermal plants. PSPCL officials said, “At present out of the total 14 units at all the three thermal plants, eight are closed. The functioning units include three at Ropar, two at Lehra Mohabbat and one at Bathinda.” Due to the shortage, the PSPCL was purchasing 102 lakh units at Rs 4.40 per unit. However, the cost of generation at Lehra is Rs 2.20 per unit, Rs 2.50 per unit at Ropar and Rs 2.65 per unit at Bathinda. “This has been done to ensure that no cuts are imposed during elections,” sources said. During 2013-14, all the three thermal plants in the state failed to meet Central Electricity (CEA) generation targets. “In 2013-14, PANEM supplied 59 lakh tonnes of coal against the 70 lakh tonne approved for the state,” sources said. KD Chaudhri, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, PSPCL, said they were discussing the matter with the PANEM authorities to sort out the issue. “They are bound to supply seven million tonnes per annum. Once the elections are over, we will discuss the matter with the government,” he said, adding they had sufficient stock of coal.
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None wooing 75,000-strong police force
Patiala, April 24 CSR Reddy, Director General of Police (Election Cell), Punjab, says, “The policemen posted in their own constituency will be able to vote at polling stations where they are posted whereas the rest will exercise their franchise through postal ballots, to be provided to them by District Electoral Officers.” An IPS officer says though the police is a state subject, the parties should not ignore them as their work conditions are tough and those accompanying politicians and senior officers are forced to live in “slum-like conditions”. “Nobody speaks for us. Alike the Army, we too have our specific demands, including a transparent promotion policy,” an official said. They say though they seldom speak fearing backlash, “it is high time their demands are taken care of”. “During electioneering, our duty begins as early as 6 am and there is no day off for us… I am leaving for a BJP stalwart’s rally in Bathinda (on Friday) where we will have to stay overnight in the most inhuman conditions. We will stand throughout the day in the sun and then return back on Friday evening, only to head for another rally the next day,” a police officer says. Though there has been no word about policemen in the General Election manifesto of various parties, welfare schemes aimed at the force do find mention during Assembly elections. Apart from the 75,000 serving police personnel, there are over 25,000 retirees. If their family members too are included, their count runs into several lakhs and, thus, their vote can be the deciding factor in constituencies where the contest is close.
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Villagers in UT’s periphery to have say in land grab case
Chandigarh, April 24 As the case came up for a resumed hearing, the Division Bench headed by Justice Hemant Gupta asked the state government to issue a public notice for the dwellers of 12 villages, to enable them to come out with representations. For the purpose, the High Court has set May 9 as the deadline. The case will now come up for further hearing on May 15. The High Court has already made it clear to the state that it was in favour of appointing a commissioner-level officer with the powers of a collector to look into land grab cases in Chandigarh’s periphery and across Punjab. The Bench has also made it clear to the state that the two interim reports by Justice Kuldip Singh panel would be taken on record. The development is significant as it indicates the continuation of probe earlier ordered by the High Court, though by a commissioner-level officer. It also indicates that the officer would take into consideration the interim reports and proceed further on the
basis of the findings recorded by the panel. The Bench, during the course of the hearing, also referred to a three-Judge decision in Parkash Singh’s case on the powers of authorities to deal with land grab cases. The Bench had asserted the state or its delegate, exercising power under Section 42 of the East Punjab Holdings (Consolidation and Prevention of Fragmentation) Act, 1948, and other authorities under the Consolidation Act were tribunals of limited jurisdiction. About the case
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Officials shy away from poll duty, citing household work
Patiala, April 24 And to ensure that applications are not turned down, officials are exploiting their “connections”. Information gathered from various districts shows women officials want to stay away, apprehending violence, while others fear serious repercussions for any lapse on poll duty. Already short of staff to be put on election duty, the electoral officers are ensuring that strict action is initiated against the ones refusing poll duty. An official in Patiala wants to keep away from the polling day duty, citing marriage of a cousin and a severe back ache. Another official in Ludhiana wants to help his father in harvesting crop. In Amritsar, a man wants to take care of his pregnant wife, while a sportsperson in Patiala says he should be exempted as he is a former India player. Even policemen are requesting seniors to excuse them from election duty. Several senior officers, journalists and police top brass are requesting the District Electoral Officers to consider the requests for exemption of their relatives. Many other government officials are thronging the Deputy Commissioner’s office, seeking exemption on the pretext of sickness, pregnancy, marriage and old age. So far, nearly 21,800 officials in several districts have been given exemption.
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No electricity bill for more than one lakh Bathinda consumers
During the panchayat elections last year, it was alleged that candidates had paid the bills of voters to ensure their support. There are reports that certain parties may attempt to lure voters with the same bait once again. While Mansa district residents have received the power bills, those in Bathinda city, Rama Mandi and Sangat Mandi have not. Both Bathinda and Mansa are part of the Bathinda constituency where sitting MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal is fighting a tough battle against Congress-PPP-CPI candidate Manpreet
Badal. The local Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) staff claimed that they did not have enough staff for meter-reading and spot-billing. Hence, the delay in sending bills to the residents. With the election code coming into force in the first week of March, the transfer of officials had become tough, causing a further delay, sources said. Jagtar Singh Multani, SE (Billing), blamed the Bathinda staff for the delay in generating bills. He said he had sought an explanation from them. He said power bills of one lakh consumers had been delayed. Powercom officials, who did not want to be identified, said that they were not at fault. “We had apprised senior officials about the problems and were willing to put our employees on the job, despite a staff crunch. But the management would not hear of it.”
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Govt seeks EC nod to announce 12% DA
Chandigarh, April 24 A senior Congress leader said: “Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is trying to appease the disgruntled staff. Any announcement for DA now would amount to a poll stunt.” The CEO has also issued a notice to Aam Aadmi Party candidate from Bathinda and Punjabi singer Jasraj Singh Longia, alias Jassi Jasraj, for having enrolled himself as voter at two places under different names.
52 cases of paid news
The CEO has found 52 instances of paid news in favour of certain candidates. VK Singh said as many as 92 notices were handed out to different newspapers.
No liquor even at parties
Offering a clarification to yesterday’s announcement, the CEO announced that 48 hours before the polling day would be completely dry in the state. No permission will be given to sell or serve liquor even during official or personal functions from 6 am on April 28 till 6 pm on April 30. Vends in 3 km area of adjoining states would also remain shut during this period.
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PU’s technique to help identify Ajnala
martyrs
Chandigarh, April 24 After discovering the remains of the martyrs in
Ajnala, the state government constituted a six-member committee for the preservation of the bones for posterity. Special agencies have been hired to do the work. Two of the six members are Professor RK Pathak and Assistant Professor Jagminder Singh
Sehrawat, Department of Anthropology, PU. The technique uses the clavicles (collarbones) and sternum (breastbone) of the skeleton to determine the sex and the age of the deceased individual. At present, experts depend on the skull or pelvic bones to examine the remains. However, these bones are damaged easily. The PU revealed that as the clavicle and the sternum bones last for longer and have ample postmortem longevity. Therefore, these are useful in identifying the individual. Recently, the committee had visited the site and requested the government to shift the skulls and bones to a safer place to identify these.
New method
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Tardy wheat procurement
angers farmers, arhtiyas
Fazilka, April 24 Ferozepur Division Commissioner VK Sharma visited the Fazilka grain market and rural purchase centres today to monitor the procurement process. Arhtiya Association president Shriniwas Bihani and other office-bearers, including Avinash Kalra, Purshotam Sethi, Sunil Kakkar and Om Parkash Setia, apprised the Commissioner of problems being faced by them and farmers at the majority of 29 rural purchase centres falling under the Fazilka Market Committee. The commission agents alleged that the government failed to allot tenders for lifting wheat well in advance, resulting in glut in the rural markets. The wheat procurement began in the state on April 1, but the process is yet to start in rural purchase centres of Kamalwala, Dabwala Kalan, Pakka Chisti, Mahuana Bodla, Bannawala and Kandhwala Hazarkhan, sources said. The procurement, however, in the local grain market is going on smoothly. Another problem is the shortage of gunny bags at most of the focal points. The commission agents pointed out that about 25,000 quintal of wheat was stocked in the Kheowali Dhab purchase centre and about 10,000 quintal in Bandiwala village focal point for the want of gunny bags. “The issue of allotting tenders for lifting wheat has been resolved and instructions have been issued to the procurement agencies for the speedy lifting of wheat,” the Commissioner claimed.
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ED attaches Raja Kondola’s properties in
Ropar, Samrala
Chandigarh, April 24 A hotel, Roop Palace, in Ropar and a farmhouse in Samrala were taken into possession by the ED claiming that these properties were bought from the “proceeds of crime”. The registered value of the two properties is said to be over Rs 1.50 crore while the market value could be between Rs 5 crore and Rs 6 crore. This is one of the rare instances where the ED, during its investigation in an international drug racket, not only identified the proceeds of the crime but also attached properties allegedly bought with the money earned in the illicit drug trade. Besides, the above mentioned properties, the ED officials are in the process of taking possession of two other properties of Kandola in Banga and
Gurgaon. Sources said against the combined registered value of Rs 6 crore of all these four properties, the market value is estimated to be over Rs 20 crore.
Big catch The registered value of the two properties is said to be over Rs 1.50 crore while the market value could be between Rs 5 crore and Rs 6 crore
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Poll pot
Muktsar: After hectic campaigning in favour of SAD-BJP candidates across the state, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is now relaxed and confident about their victory. Badal on Thursday spent time at his fields in his native village and visited two schools. Villagers were surprised at his relaxed mood as Badal spent nearly one-and-a-half hour at his fields. He later met students at two village schools. Badal said he would receive Narendra Modi in Pathankot on Friday. He denied reports of “tussle” with Revenue Minister Bikram Singh
Majithia. Poll expenses: Notice to SAD, Cong nominees
Fatehgarh Sahib: Candidates of the two main parties, Kulwant Singh of the SAD and Sadhu Singh Dharamsot of the Congress, have been served notices for under-stating poll expenses in the accounts maintained by them. Kulwant Singh has claimed to have incurred Rs 4,84,595 whereas the shadow observation register puts the expenditure at Rs 19,42,724. His case has been referred to the district expenditure observer after he contested the shadow figures. Similarly, Dharamsot has declared to have spent Rs 4,65,832 whereas the observer’s record put the expenses at Rs 9,11,914. Interestingly, Aam Aadmi Party candidate Harinder Singh Khalsa's expenditure tallied with the official record. Flying squad
seizes Rs 12 lakh
Ropar: The flying squad of the district administration seized Rs 12 lakh from a car near Bela Chowk on Thursday. Gurnam Singh and Rupinder Singh of Chamkaur Sahib were carrying the amount in their Etios car. Station House Officer Kulbir Sidhu said the occupants could not produce any evidence regarding the source of the money. He said the money was handed over to the Income Tax Department for further action.
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Over 50% rise in young voters
Chandigarh, April 24 The number could rise further. The EC, which received 14,485 Form 6 (required for enrolment as voter) by March 16, has yet to segregate male, female and young voters. The names of fresh voters will appear in the supplementary voter lists. “The youngsters’s response to the EC campaign urging them to register themselves as voters has been overwhelming,” said Additional Chief Electoral Officer Raminder Singh. Special camps organised by the EC on March 9 witnessed a huge rush. Also, a large number of people went online to register themselves as voters. Womenfolk have displayed a keen interest too. From 97,87,456 male and : 88,05,414) female voters in 2013, their number has swelled to 1, 92,07,230 (male: 10,11,2873; female: 90,94,357) this year. The CEO, Punjab, received 2,20, 011 fresh forms (6) till March 16. If all the forms submitted are cleared by the EC, the total number of voters in Punjab will jump from 1, 92,07230 to 1,94, 27, 241.
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HC Bar Assn poll results today
Chandigarh, April 24 As one of the oldest and leading Bar Associations of the country went to poll today, a total of 2,907, out of 3,653 registered voters, exercised their right to franchise to elect the president, vice-president, secretary, joint secretary and treasurer. The polling process started at 9.30 am and continued till 5 pm. As of now, the High Court Bar has around 5,000 advocates. Five-time president Anmol Ratan Sidhu and advocate Ranjan Lakhanpal are in fray for the president’s post, while advocates Govinder Brar and Saurav Khurana are contesting for the post of
secretary. Sidhu has been soliciting votes in the name of development. He has been saying that the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association has witnessed the completion of development works, including the renovation of washrooms, during his
tenure. Lakhanpal, on the other hand, has virtually launched a “crusade” against the Bench for the “rights of advocates”. Lakhanpal has made it clear that “misbehaviour with the members by the Bench will not be tolerated”; and transfer of “uncle judges” will be sought. Lakhanpal said he would also seek transparency in the appointment of judges in the subordinate judiciary.
Grover re-elected Moga Bar Assn head Moga: Advocate Ramesh Grover was on Thursday re-elected as the president of the Moga District Bar Association for the second consecutive term. He defeated Nasib Singh Bawa by a margin of 24 votes. Grover polled 149 votes, while Bawa 125. Bawa had been the president of the district bar on 12 occasions. Joshi is Bar chief Fatehgarh Sahib: Advocate PC Joshi was elected president of the District Bar Association on Thursday. He defeated advocate VS Virk. PC Joshi polled 154 votes, while Virk 113. Kamaldeep Grewal was elected secretary, Meenu Vohra vice-president, Rajneesh Verma joint secretary and Gurpreet Singh Fateh cashier. Senior advocate BS Sodhi thanked the Bar members for electing Joshi.
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BJP arhtiya cell president’s brother held with opium
Patiala, April 24 Kuku, however, claimed he had nothing to do with the seizure as he and his brother had been living separately for the past several years. He said his brother had nothing to do with the
BJP. “As the car was stopped at a naka, the two occupants, including driver Surjit Ram, got panicky. The search led to the recovery of the opium, kept in a polythene bag. A case has been registered under the NDPS Act,” said Khanauri Station House Officer Vijay Kumar. Sources said any quantity of opium above 100 grams was suspected to be possessed for commercial purpose. “He has a political background and we are trying to ascertain if the contraband was meant to be supplied during the elections,” they said.
Connection denied BJP’s Punjab Arhtiya Cell president Ramesh Kuku has claimed he had nothing to do with the seizure as he and his brother had been living separately for the past several years.
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With the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in favour of BJP candidate Arun Jaitley here tomorrow, the SAD-BJP alliance is hoping to overcome the anti-incumbency sentiment, particularly in urban areas.
their priority.
Swathes of agricultural land in Khuyiansarwer and Abohar blocks of the district are inundated with water. With no government help, all farmers pray for is a dry spell.
The All-India Congress Committee general secretary and Punjab election in charge, Shakeel Ahmed, today said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would not be able to campaign in Punjab.
Talking to the media during a visit to the city to review preparations for Rahul Gandhi's rally here on April 28, he said: "We wanted to invite the Prime Minister here, but due to his prior commitments to campaign in Assam and other parts of the country, he will not be unable to visit Punjab".
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev claimed that his visit to the city today was to make people aware of the “Rashtra Nirman” (nation building) through his “sabha”.
Notwithstanding his claim, he sought votes for the BJP candidate from Hoshiarpur Vijay Sampla. Baba Ramdev explained in detail his political agenda to the media outside the Press Club. He claimed that Sampla was his old disciple and he had come to seek his blessings. “He is the deserving candidate to represent the constituency in Parliament,” Ramdev said.
— OC
Bathinda, April 24