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Buoyant BJP aims at bigger pie in state
Akali, BJP top leaders ‘patch up’ after poll bickering
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Govt fails to achieve revenue targets
Air Force Chief exhorts youth to join armed forces to serve nation
10 injured as buses collide
Diwali bonanza for farmers as basmati prices soar
Khalsa meets Akal Takht Jathedar
In Haryana, it’s ‘clean clan’ verdict, says ex-MP Sidhu
Action panel asks police to submit report on Oct 29
Return SIEL land to farmers: Gandhi
IMA wing wants time-bound promotions for teachers
Tarlochan Singh gets ‘Sikh lifetime award’
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Buoyant BJP aims at bigger pie in state
Chandigarh, October 19 A senior BJP leader said: “Akalis have been ignoring us for long even as we have been willingly playing the role of a younger brother in the state. The Akalis have earlier fought from seats in BJP’s pocket borough by taking us into confidence, but they chose to campaign against us in Haryana this time. We will not take things for granted now.” Another leader said they had no major issues with the Akalis so far but they were not taking the BJP along on important decisions. “The Akalis under the leadership of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal have been humble and respectful. But several decisions such as property tax and free power to farmers were taken without our consent. Besides, Badal went to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi for seeking a financial package for the state without taking us into confidence. This is not acceptable.” Another leader said it was strange that an Akali MLA who had won with the BJP’s support from a constituency in Punjab spoke against the party in Haryana. “Such activities are bound to affect the alliance,” he said. There were celebrations at the party’s state headquarters in Chandigarh. BJP workers congratulated each other and distributed sweets and burst firecrackers. Party general secretary (organisation) Ajay Jamwal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Vineet Joshi, Punjab Infotech Chairman Manjit Singh Rai, Vice-Chairman Khushwat Rai Gigga, Kisan Morcha state president Jatinder Singh Atwal and Mohali BJP president Sukhminder Singh Goldy were present. Jamwal and Joshi said the people of Haryana had voted for development. “This is a clear mandate for the Modi government in the Centre. People have voted for its policies and working in the past four months,” they said.
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Akali, BJP top leaders ‘patch up’ after poll bickering
Kartarpur (Jalandhar), October 19 Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his deputy and SAD president Sukhbir Badal, BJP state chief Kamal Sharma and party’s Punjab affairs in charge Shanta Kumar, Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Sunil Jakhar and Chhattisgarh Governor Balramji Dass Tandon were among those present. The Chief Minister appealed to the leaders cutting across party lines to work in unison to ensure Punjab’s development. He called upon the state people to strive towards making the country as well as Punjab famous globally. He said only then would the souls of the martyrs, who laid down their lives for the country’s freedom, rest in peace. Badal said it were the Punjabis who made 80 per cent of the sacrifices during the freedom struggle even though they comprised just 2 per cent of the national population. Sukhbir said, “Jang-e-Azadi is a unique initiative of the government to showcase the rich legacy and enormous contribution of the Punjabis in freedom movement.” The Chhattisgarh Governor said the memorial would act as a guiding light for the coming generations. He said it would also become a tourist destination not only in the country, but globally. The Leader of Opposition said the spirit of bravery and sacrifice was imbibed in the blood of Punjabis. The BJP state chief called for concerted efforts to tackle the drug menace, though he did not attack the Akalis on the issue. He said, “We must take a pledge today that every possible effort will be made to end narco-terrorism, which is destroying our youth.” Shanta Kumar said, “Punjab seems to have bowed before the drug menace. There is need to save the youth from getting hooked on to drugs.” After the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP leaders had indirectly targeted the Akalis saying “the drug trade cannot flourish without political patronage and people want big fish behind bars”. Badal and Sukhbir preferred not to speak on the issue. The function started with a cultural function held by students of different institutions. Badal felicitated eminent scholars and historians, including Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor Jaspal Singh, Prithipal Singh Kapoor and Harish Sharma, besides film director Shyam Benegal, with a replica of the upcoming memorial. About the memorial
On the sidelines
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Govt fails to achieve revenue targets
Chandigarh, October 19 The revenue expenditure till July this year is Rs 11,065.57 crore while the revenue receipts are Rs 10,018.83 crore. The revenue expenditure is up by 9.09 per cent over last year, which means deficit till July is Rs 611.21 crore. The state’s own tax revenue, earned through imposition of sales tax/value added tax, excise collections, stamp duty, tax on vehicles, electricity duty, entertainment tax, etc, has shown a growth of just 9.8 per cent, against a targeted growth of 16 per cent. This year, Punjab expects to earn Rs 28,480 crore as its own tax revenue. Till the month of July (audited figures are till July), the state earned Rs 8,311.50 crore as its own tax revenue (rise of 9.8 per cent). Sources say the growth in VAT is 11.92 per cent (Rs 5,498.45 crore as against Rs 4,912.65 crore last year), though the government had targeted a growth of 15 per cent. The excise collections have seen a 12 per cent increase in revenue from Rs 1,285 crore till July last year to Rs 1,440 crore till July this year. The taxes on vehicles (up by 14.52 per cent), land revenue (up by 13.25 per cent) and entertainment tax (up by 11.25 per cent) have shown a good increase, but the sharp decline in electricity duty has added to the decline in the state’s revenue growth trajectory. The electricity duty in the state is down by 51.77 per cent, from Rs 7.63 crore till July last year to Rs 3.68 crore till July this year. On an average each month, the state faces a revenue deficit of around Rs 500 crore to Rs 600 crore. This year, Punjab was hoping to bridge the gap in revenue collections through a higher revenue receipts, relying mainly on increase in its own tax revenues. But with the economic slowdown hitting VAT collections and slump in real estate pulling down the stamp duty collections (which are down by almost six per cent —- Rs 877.15 crore against Rs 930.39 crore), it seems the revenue deficit will not be bridged. The state also has a liability of Rs 1,500 crore on its head, which has to be cleared when employees who were given a two-year extension retire. This could mean the state’s revenue deficit would be higher than the projected Rs 4,252.63 crore. It is thus that the state has already borrowed Rs 5,283.92 crore (gross borrowing), of which Rs 2,060.14 crore is net borrowing. The good news is that the state’s own non-tax revenue has shown an increase of over 50 per cent till July — Rs 688.89 crore as against Rs 456.86 crore last year.
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Air Force Chief exhorts youth to join armed forces to serve nation
Patiala, October 19 He said the Indian armed forces were ready to face any challenge as they were the best in terms of technological power. The Air Chief Marshall conferred the Roll of Honour award on Prof Jagmohan Raju, a PPS alumnus who is at present serving as senior marketing professor at Wharton School of Business. The head boy of the school accepted the award on his behalf. KPK Tandon, who served the school for more than three decades was honoured with the lifetime achievement award. Meritorious students were given prizes. Senior Sutlej House was adjudged the best boarding house of the senior school. The chief guest visited various exhibitions and inaugurated a new convergence lab for students. Lt Gen TK Sapru (retd), Hardial Singh Mann, Senior Superintendent of Police, Patiala, and Amarbir Kaur Bhullar, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Nabha, were also present.
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10 injured as buses collide
Patiala, October 19 The injured were rushed to hospital by passersby and the police. Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Palwinder Singh from Pasiana said the schoolbus driver had broken his begs and was admitted to Rajindra Hospital. The Station House Officer said the police had taken the belongings of the injured into possession.
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Diwali bonanza for farmers as basmati prices soar
Fazilka/Faridkot, Oct 19 Piara Singh of Abohar subdivision said: "I had brought my produce to the grain market here two days ago, but since the prices are witnessing an upward trend, I have decided not to sell my produce till Diwali in anticipation of getting a more remunerative price." Private traders, rice mill owners and exporters are thronging the local grain market to purchase the aromatic 1121 basmati variety, which is substantially grown in this border belt. Dina Nath Sachdeva, President Pakka Arhtiya Association, said: "The best of this variety, which is sown as per instructions of Punjab Agricultural University, will start arriving after Diwali. More exporters will enter the market by the end of this month. So there is likelihood of a further hike in the basmati prices." The 1121 variety had fetched a maximum of Rs 4,200 per quintal last year. "The farmers are expecting the prices to go above Rs 4,000 per quintal this year too," said Chand Singh and Bagga Singh of Banwala Hanuwanta village. About 1,000 quintal of paddy arrived at the local grain market today. The arrival is likely to pick up in the coming days. Delayed payments play spoilsport
Farmers in Faridkot district are sore over the non-payment of paddy even two weeks after the procurement of their produce. Besides farmers, there is resentment among field labour and commission agents, who allege the authorities are out to ruin their festival season. Farmers are supposed to get payment within 24 hours of procurement. Even as the state government is relying upon the online payment system to commission agents for speedy remittances, it has failed to release payments on time. Procurement officials blame the delay on the controversy over the packaging of paddy bags. In a departure from the earlier practice of filling 35 kg paddy in each bag, the Union Government had announced to fill 40 kg in each bag this season. The commission agents had opposed the decision, saying it was not possible to fill 40 kg grain in the same bag. Following this, the Centre reduced the filling capacity to 37.5 kg. "We could not update the change in filling capacity of the bags till written orders were received,” said a Markfed official. JS Kahlon, Food and Civil Supplies Controller, said the payment would be released in two days.
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Khalsa meets Akal Takht Jathedar
Amritsar, October 19 Accompanied by his supporters, Khalsa appealed to the Jathedar to expedite the proceedings for the release of the Sikh detainees who had completed their jail term. He said he was answerable to the Sikh community over the culmination of his protest. "I am a dedicated Sikh and was bound to honour the edict of Akal Takht. It was only after an assurance from Giani Gurbachan Singh on getting Sikh detainees released that I had ended my fast. But he has so far not kept his promise. I have handed over a list of Sikh prisoners to the Jathedar," he said. The Jathedar assured him that steps were being initiated for the release of Sikh prisoners. "I will take up the matter with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to avoid further delay," Giani Gurbachan Singh said. Khalsa appealed to the Sikh youth to support their call for Punjab bandh on November 1.
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In Haryana, it’s ‘clean clan’ verdict, says ex-MP Sidhu
Amritsar, October 19 Talking to The Tribune, Sidhu said, “The people of Haryana have sent out their message loud and clear. They have rejected those who were neck-deep in corruption in the past and have opted for the politics of development. The people don't want any dilemma or regionalism to dominate the state's politics. They have decisively expressed their faith in those with clean image, integrity and faith.” He said the people could no more be taken for a ride and they knew who could usher in an era of development in the state. He hit out at the Akali Dal's alliance with the INLD. “What sort of alliance it was? There was neither coalition dharma nor rashtra dharma in it. It was merely forged on the basis of vested interests,” he said. The cricketer-turned-politician asserted that he did not say anything wrong while campaigning for the BJP in Haryana. “Everybody knows that the Akali Dal-led government in Punjab is running with our support while in Haryana they wrestled with us in alliance with the INLD." Asked whether the SAD did any wrong by allying with the INLD, he said he would not comment on it but added that the Akali Dal “certainly needed to do a lot of soul-searching”. He said the people of Haryana had exposed the real face of the INLD-SAD alliance. He reiterated his charge that the Akali Dal had allegedly backstabbed the BJP in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections in Punjab. On whether the BJP should go it alone in Punjab after its triumph in Haryana, he said he was nobody to comment on this and it was for the party high command to decide. His wife and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu sounded ecstatic, saying Diwali had arrived for the BJP three days in advance. She alleged the people of Haryana had punished the corrupt who looted them. “They have woken up and given mandate for good governance, rising above the religious and caste lines. It has come as a hope for the future of the country. Without public support, no political party can do anything," she said.
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Action panel asks police to submit report on Oct 29
Ludhiana, October 19 The committee members, including parliamentarian Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) spokesperson Sukhpal Singh Khaira, CPM leader Jatinder Singh and former MLA Tersem Jodhan, met at a local banquet hall on the Ferozepur road today. Leaders of the SAD (Amritsar) and the PPP also attended the meeting. “Earlier, the police was scheduled to file the probe report by October 17, but the date was extended till October 29. I have spoken to the ADGP (Crime) VK Bhawra in this context. The AGDP said four persons, including SAD leader Gurjeet Singh, have been arrested so far while efforts were on to arrest constable Sukhbir Singh, personal gunman of the then Machhiwara SHO Manjinder Singh,” Mann said. Mann said even if the two brothers were hardened criminals, it did not give a licence to the SAD leader to shoot them. “If extra judicial killing was the way to govern, why we spent crores on safeguarding dreaded terrorist like Ajmal Kasab who killed hundreds of innocent people,” he added. He said the action committee headed by ex-MLA Tersem Jodhan was also conducting a parallel probe in the case. “Once the police report is out, we will also submit our report,” he added. The committee demanded that the police should provide them with a copy of the FIR. Committee members also expressed their intention to meet Harpreet Kaur, alias Simran, owner of the house where the two brothers were killed. Simran is perhaps the only eyewitness to the double murder. Sukhpal Khaira said the committee members would meet Jagraon SSP Ravcharan Brar tomorrow to know the status of investigation.
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Return SIEL land to farmers: Gandhi
Patiala, October 19 As many as 1,119 acres of land was acquired in Bhadak, Sardargarh, Pabri, Khaduli, Damanheri, Kheri Gandian, Jakhran, and Badhouli Gujran villages. They demanded that the government reclaim the un-utilised land as the firm had failed to fulfil the terms and conditions stated in the memorandum of understanding (MoU). Blocking the Patiala-Rajpura road, Dr Gandhi said the firm had failed to fulfil its promise of developing the acquired area in 10 years. He said the government had forcibly acquired 1,119 acres at a low rate of Rs 1.45 lakh per acre. Prem Singh Bhangu, president of the All India Kissan Federation (AIKF), said as per the MoU signed between the state government and the company in 1993, the company promised to establish an industrial estate and set up a thermal plant that would provide 40,000 jobs to residents. He said none of the promises had been fulfilled. Bhangu said as per the MoU, if the company failed to utilise the land in 10 years, then the government would resume it without compensation. “Though the government de-notified the acquisition of 488 acres later, around 533 acres was still lying vacant. The firm has utilised only 98 acres,” he said. They lifted the dharna after submitting a memorandum to the district authorities.
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IMA wing wants time-bound promotions for teachers
Chandigarh, October 19 Dr DS Bhullar, chairman of the wing, has urged the Chief Minister and the Medical Education Minister to take up the issue. He said, “We have already sent several representations to the government, but to no avail. This has demoralised the junior faculty in these colleges.” All private and government medical colleges are carrying out time-bound promotions except institutes in Patiala and Amritsar, he said. Bhullar said this had resulted in “gross disparity” among teachers. Bhullar said promotions should be carried out as per the guidelines of Medical Council of India. He said an assistant professor after three years of teaching should be promoted to associate professor and the associate professor after five years should be designated as professor.
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Tarlochan Singh gets ‘Sikh lifetime award’
London, October 19 Describing 81-year-old Tarlochan Singh as a “walking encyclopaedia on Sikhism, sports, Indian politics and Punjab”, the citation read out at the Sikh Awards-2014 at Westminster Park Plaza last night said: “He is an able parliamentarian, sports administrator par excellence, well-read columnist, successful communicator and proven administrator.” It said Tarlochan Singh was the only Sikh to hold the post of the Chairman of National Minorities Commission. He was also a member of the National Human Rights Commission, the Population Commission and the Rajya Sabha. Tarlochan Singh said, “I feel honoured to receive the award as it is a positive step to promote Sikhism internationally. I cherish it all the more because the honour has come from my own community.” He wanted Navdeep Singh, founder of the Sikh Directory Limited who instituted the Sikh awards, to consider setting up a Sikh research centre or Sikh information centre in London. Baldeep Singh, better known as the “Renaissance Man” of Punjab for rendering the vintage etiquettes of Gurbani kirtan, won the Sikhs in Entertainment Award. Malvinder Mohan Singh, executive chairman of Fortis Healthcare, got the Sikhs in Business Award. Navtej Singh of India, one of the world’s first Sikh bodybuilders, won the Sikhs in Sports Award. Other award recipients were the Sikh Helpline, UK, founded by Giani Sukha Singh (Sikhs in Charity); Gursharan Kaur Kandra (Canada), founder of the Canadian Intercultural Association of Students (Sikhs in Education); Sangat Television, UK (Sikhs in Media); Swaran Singh Gharial, Kenya (Sikhs in Seva); Pardeep Singh Bahra, UK (Sikh People’s Choice); Amrit Singh, Global Head of South Asian Clients with EFG Bank AG, Singapore (Sikhs in Profession); Parminder Kaur, Netherlands (Sikhs in Business-Business Woman); and Sukhi Singh Ghuman, UK (Sikhs in Business-Entrepreneur). — PTI About the man
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The top leaders of the Akali Dal and the Punjab BJP today shared dais a few days after canvassing against each other in the Assembly elections in neighbouring Haryana.
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Patiala, October 19
Amritsar, October 19
Patiala, October 19
Former Chairman of India’s National Minorities Commission Tarlochan Singh has been conferred with the Sikh Lifetime Achievement Award-2014 for his contribution to Sikhism and other walks of life.
Describing 81-year-old Tarlochan Singh as a “walking encyclopaedia on Sikhism, sports, Indian politics and Punjab”, the citation read out at the Sikh Awards-2014 at Westminster Park Plaza last night said: “He is an able parliamentarian, sports administrator par excellence, well-read columnist, successful communicator and proven administrator.”
