Regional Journal: Untold stories from the states
Delay in Saini’s Haryana
More than three days after the swearing-in of Nayab Singh Saini-led Haryana Cabinet, the ministers’ portfolios are still in the works. The grapevine has it that the allocation of the all-important Home portfolio is posing problems for the BJP high command — Saini met senior party leaders, including Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the in-charge of Haryana in Delhi on Friday. Insiders say they don’t want a repeat of tensions related to Anil Vij, a vocal minister who had held the Home portfolio during former CM Manohar Lal Khattar’s tenure, with whom both Khattar and Saini had many run-ins.
Garcetti goes to DC
US ambassador to India Eric Garcetti is travelling to the US for consultations this weekend. US presidential elections are around the corner, and Garcetti will naturally be interested in what the future has in store for him in case Democrat presidential candidate Kamala Harris wins (as he is a political appointee), but far more important at the moment is the falling Indo-US graph regarding US allegations about senior Indian officials. It is said that the US has told India that former R&AW chief Samant Goel played a key role in planning the attack on pro-Khalistani activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in which Vikash Yadav is now “wanted” by the FBI. Garcetti knows that India has not taken kindly to the US charges. He possibly wants to warn his bosses in Washington DC about the rocky patch ahead.
Sukhu’s standoff with media
Never before have security norms been so strict for journalists as was apparent during the visit of Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to Kullu to attend the International Dasehra festival. Written orders issued by the DPRO in consultation with the Kullu SP directed mediapersons to maintain “proper distance” from the CM to prevent any inconvenience to the VIP. The journalists were also asked to wear their identity cards for the CM’s public function — in fact, it was only open to accredited journalists. In fact, an FIR was recently registered against a journalist who linked the Congress defeat in Haryana with Congress guarantees in Himachal, an act which has caused much local heart-burn.
Adivasi woman’s ‘shagan’ for PM
P M Modi this week received a shagan (blessing) of Rs 100 from a tribal woman in Odisha’s Sundargarh district. The Adivasi woman handed over the currency note to BJP vice-president Baijayant Panda while he was overseeing the party’s ongoing membership drive in the remote Odisha segment. The lady brushed aside Panda’s demurrals and explanations that it wasn't necessary, but she would not take no for an answer. Modi received the “shagan” with a thank you note to “Nari Shakti”, which he said continued to bless him.
Princely increment for Punjab SPs
P roof that Punjab is almost broke was evident this week when 32 DSPs received promotion orders, after a delay of five years, to the rank of SPs this week. Instead of relief, the orders have come as a shock — they say the officers will continue to receive their previous salary of DSP, plus only Rs 200 extra.
Mobile app for gurdwaras
In a technical innovation to sow spiritual pathways, Mohali resident Narinder Singh Bhangu has developed a mobile app called ‘Historical Gurdwaras”. The app uses Google to direct pilgrims to 1,225 gurdwaras all over the country, which Bhangu has visited in the last 18 years. The app is available in English so far, but will soon be out in Punjabi and Hindi, as well.
97-year-old casts his vote
With spring in his feet and eagerness written all over his face, 97-year-old Ram Kishan Singh of Dhainthal village in Punjab’s Samana was one of the first people in his village to cast his vote in the panchayat elections. He says he always looked to voting as his right and has never missed a poll. “The sarpanch is the most important post to keep democracy alive at grassroots level,” Singh told The Tribune.
