SAD men clash at CM’s house; Faction led by Mansa MC chief ‘thrashes’ sr vice-chief

SAD men clash at CM’s house

Faction led by Mansa MC chief ‘thrashes’ sr vice-chief

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Badal (Muktsar), April 29

The factionalism in the Mansa unit of SAD came to the fore today when two factions in the SAD-led Mansa Municipal Council clashed at the CM’s residence in Badal village here this afternoon.

During the melee, the turban of Gurmel Singh, senior vice-president, Mansa Municipal Council, was allegedly tossed. Councillor from ward 21 Mandeep Gora, who is SAD’s urban wing president of Mansa, sustained a minor injury on his arm.

SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal had called both factions to his residence to settle some dispute that had arisen over the utilisation of MC funds.

The incident reportedly took place when the faction led by Gurmel Singh came out of the camp office of Sukhbir around 12.30 pm. The other faction led by Balwinder Singh ‘Kaka’, president of the Mansa Municipal Council, was that time reportedly waiting in the courtyard. Both the factions first indulged into a verbal duel and then had a clash.

Gurmel Singh claimed that his turban was tossed during the ruckus. He alleged, “Balwinder had indulged in some illegal activities and bungling the MC funds. We had raised this issue in the House meeting on April 20 and passed a no-confidence resolution against him. It was signed by 21 out of the total 27 councillors. The issue even came to the notice of Sukhbir, who had called us today for a meeting.

“We told the matter in detail to Sukhbir and also showed some documents to substantiate our claim. He marked a probe to DIG, Bathinda range, to investigate the matter and file a report by May 5.

“But when I came out of the camp office, the other faction, including Balwinder, his nephew Jaspal Singh ‘Kala’, an aide Rajiv Thekedar, Balor Singh and 10 others, thrashed me and tossed my turban.

“Mandeep Gora, a councillor from ward 21, tried to protect me. But he was attacked with a ‘kada’ and sustained an injury on his arm,” alleged Gurmel Singh.

After this alleged episode, Gurmel appeared before Sukhbir without his turban and sought action against Balwinder Singh and his accomplices. Later, he along with his supporters and councillors went to the Lambi police station and recorded his statement. However, Balwinder refuted the allegations.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Badal to sweat it out to check rivals’ campaign

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, April 28

To counter the Congress’ “Coffee with Captain” and AAP’s “Punjab Dialogue” programmes, SAD patron and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is all set to hold back-to-back sangat darshan programmes in blistering heat. In May alone, he will be holding such events for 20 days across the state.

Badal will hold sangat darshan in Muktsar town on May 1, Lambi May 2-3, Nawanshahar May 6-7, Muktsar May 10-12, Dirba May 15-17, Balluana May 20-22, Nakodar May 24-26 and again in Lambi from May 28-30.

Badal during his speeches has always termed his direct public interface sangat darshan programme as the best method to solve the problems of the commoners. “I am an elected representative and Chief Minister of the state. It is my duty to meet my people, hear their grievances and address them,” he says.

Congress’ poll strategist Prashant Kishor had recently concluded a campaign called “Coffee with Captain” wherein PCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh interacteds with youngsters over a cup of coffee. He is again set to continue with his youth interactions after returning from the US tour.

Similarly, AAP last week launched an interactive programme across the state with different sections of people “Punjab Dialogue” to help it prepare the election manifesto.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Cong, AAP want to turn state into desert: Badal; CM to open personal call centre in Chandigarh; Cong activists lodge protest, detained

Cong, AAP want to turn state into desert: Badal

Cong activists lodge protest, detained

• At least 15 activists of the Congress’ Kisan and Khet Mazdoor Cell on Wednesday lodged a protest near the CM’s sangat darshan venue on the Jalalabad road. They alleged that each empty gunny bag was being weighed 750 gm, which, however, actually weighed 450 gm. They were detained and taken to the police station. They were later released after the programme.

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Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal holds sangat darshan in Muktsar on Wednesday. Tribune photo

The police detain activists of Congress’ Kisan and Khet Mazdoor Cell in Muktsar on Wednesday. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, April 27

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today termed the river water dispute the current biggest problem of the state and asked the people to be prepared for making supreme sacrifices for it.

Badal alleged that the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) were jointly hatching a conspiracy to turn the state into a desert by snatching the state’s river waters.

“All of us will have to struggle relentlessly to ensure that not even a single drop of water is taken away from us,” said Badal on the sidelines of his sangat darshan programme in Muktsar town.

He cautioned the people in every ward not to fell prey to the “malicious” propaganda of the AAP and Congress, saying, “Both of these parties are hell bent upon ruining the state. For instance, the Congress had signed various agreements to deprive the state of its river waters.”

Criticising Delhi CM-cum-AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, he said, “The AAP is suffering from the anti-Punjab syndrome as the Congress. The fresh affidavit filed by the Delhi government in the Supreme Court on the SYL issue is just a political stunt. Kejriwal has anti-Punjab mindset and it has already been exposed in its earlier affidavit, which had termed Punjab’s stand on the issue as unconstitutional and anti-national.”

He said Kejriwal hailed from Haryana and so was naturally inclined towards safeguarding the interests of his parent state and nothing good for Punjab could be expected from him.

Meanwhile, he sanctioned huge funds for the development of the Muktsar constituency, including Rs 25 crore for upgrade and revamp of power infrastructure.

Tytler’s letter on 1984 riots

On Congress leader Jagdish Tytler’s letter to Harsimrat Kaur Badal on the CBI giving him a clean chit four times, Badal said, “Various commissions set up by the government have eye-witnesses and even the media reports pertaining to the 1984 Sikh carnage have indicted the Congress for planning a conspiracy to butcher innocent Sikhs. Every Congress leader is responsible for being associated with the party.”

Wheat procurement

Rubbishing all reports of farmers facing problems in grain markets, Badal said the procurement was going on in a smooth and hassle-free manner.

On farmer suicides

“Farming has gradually become a non-profitable profession. There Centre must provide some debt relief to farmers and take some more steps to make it a profitable business,” said Badal.

CM’s call centre

To keep tabs on the implementation of various welfare schemes launched by the state government and know about problems, if any, being faced by the beneficiaries, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has decided to open his personal call centre at his Chandigarh office next week.

Badal said the initiative was taken after a recent surprise check on the progress of the Bhagat Puran Singh Sehat Bima Yojana. “I will randomly make phone calls to the beneficiaries of various schemes. The beneficiaries too will be given a chance to call me. The tele-calling facility will be launched next week in Chandigarh,” he said.

Sources in the Chief Minister’s office said the call centre was likely to be made functional on May 4. “The action taken on the grievances will also be shared with the caller within a short time,” he said.

Courtesy: The Tribune

MALOUT DALIT WOMAN’S RAPE: Second accused held, case ‘solved’

MALOUT DALIT WOMAN’S RAPE

Second accused held, case ‘solved’

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Malout, April 24

A month after a 22-year-old Dalit woman was allegedly raped by a native of her own village, Kandukhera, on March 25, the Malout police today claimed to have nabbed the remaining second accused and solved the case. 

The car used to abduct the woman was also seized today, the police said.

Jagdeep Singh ‘Jojo’, the main accused in the case, had surrendered at a local court on Friday. He was “caught on camera” dragging the woman about 100 ft from outside her workplace (a computer centre) on Indira Road here on March 25.

Talking to The Tribune, Manwinderbir Singh, DSP, Malout, said, “During questioning, Jagdeep Jojo, who is on three-day police remand, had yesterday said that he, along with his friend Sandeep Singh ‘Seepa’, had abducted the woman and taken her to Seepa’s house in Tappa Khera village.

“We arrested Seepa from Malout town today. The car used to abduct the victim has also been seized from Kandukhera village from the location disclosed by Jojo. The case has been solved.”

The victim’s parents had lodged a complaint with the City Malout police on March 30 alleging that the woman was dragged, abducted from Malout and raped at a house in Tappa Khera village. A case under Sections 341, 342, 363, 366, 376, 34 of the IPC was registered. The accused had left the woman at Malout bus stand the same day, as per their statement.

However, no arrest had been made till about a month and that too after the complainants produced video footage of the accused allegedly dragging the woman.

A report in this regard had first appeared in The Tribune on April 20 “Despite footage, rape accused still at large”. Thereafter, the police, facing flak from various quarters, had added Sections 3, 4 of the Prevention of Atrocities (Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes) Act to the FIR and directed SP, Malout, Balraj Singh, to supervise the investigation.

Both Kandukhera and Tappa Khera villages fall in the CM’s home turf Lambi. The prime accused, Jojo, is said to be an aide of a politician of this VVIP Assembly segment. Jojo had allegedly tried to reach a compromise with the victim’s family by offering them Rs 20 lakh a few days ago.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Out on bail and on to big screen

Muktsar: The well-dressed former Director of Agriculture, Mangal Singh Sandhu, an accused in the multi-crore pesticide scam who is out on bail, is all set to join Punjabi films. “Acting has been my passion. In the coming months, you will see me in Punjabi movies. I don’t want to sit idle after retirement. I had to choose a profession and I opted for films. My objective is to serve farmers. In films, my priority will be to promote farming. As of now, I have three film offers with one from abroad,” says an excited Sandhu.

Contributed by Archit Watts
Courtesy: The Tribune

Mike ‘ritual’ before every rally

Muktsar: Few know that the Badal bahu, Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who is invariably seen attired in colourful salwaar kameez, her head covered with a dupatta and wearing Punjabi jutti, has the microphone covered with a piece of white cloth clamped with a rubber band each time she is to address a public rally (see picture). One of her security guards performs this task. Only then does she begin her speech. Check this out the next time you are at a public meeting.

Contributed by Archit Watts
Courtesy: The Tribune

MALOUT DALIT WOMAN’S RAPE: Second accused held, case ‘solved’

MALOUT DALIT WOMAN’S RAPE

Second accused held, case ‘solved’

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Malout, April 24

A month after a 22-year-old Dalit woman was allegedly raped by a native of her own village, Kandukhera, on March 25, the Malout police today claimed to have nabbed the remaining second accused and solved the case. 

The car used to abduct the woman was also seized today, the police said.

Jagdeep Singh ‘Jojo’, the main accused in the case, had surrendered at a local court on Friday. He was “caught on camera” dragging the woman about 100 ft from outside her workplace (a computer centre) on Indira Road here on March 25.

Talking to The Tribune, Manwinderbir Singh, DSP, Malout, said, “During questioning, Jagdeep Jojo, who is on three-day police remand, had yesterday said that he, along with his friend Sandeep Singh ‘Seepa’, had abducted the woman and taken her to Seepa’s house in Tappa Khera village.

“We arrested Seepa from Malout town today. The car used to abduct the victim has also been seized from Kandukhera village from the location disclosed by Jojo. The case has been solved.”

The victim’s parents had lodged a complaint with the City Malout police on March 30 alleging that the woman was dragged, abducted from Malout and raped at a house in Tappa Khera village. A case under Sections 341, 342, 363, 366, 376, 34 of the IPC was registered. The accused had left the woman at Malout bus stand the same day, as per their statement.

However, no arrest had been made till about a month and that too after the complainants produced video footage of the accused allegedly dragging the woman.

A report in this regard had first appeared in The Tribune on April 20 “Despite footage, rape accused still at large”. Thereafter, the police, facing flak from various quarters, had added Sections 3, 4 of the Prevention of Atrocities (Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes) Act to the FIR and directed SP, Malout, Balraj Singh, to supervise the investigation.

Both Kandukhera and Tappa Khera villages fall in the CM’s home turf Lambi. The prime accused, Jojo, is said to be an aide of a politician of this VVIP Assembly segment. Jojo had allegedly tried to reach a compromise with the victim’s family by offering them Rs 20 lakh a few days ago.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Caught on CCTV, rape accused surrenders; had tried to broker compromise

Caught on CCTV, rape accused surrenders

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Malout, April 23

A youth who allegedly abducted and raped a Dalit girl of his native Kandukhera village on March 25 surrendered before a local court on Friday. The accused, Jagdeep Singh (25), has been remanded in police custody for three days.

According to the FIR lodged at the Malout city police station, the 22-year-old victim was dragged by Jagdeep and another person into a Skoda car from outside the computer centre, which was also captured in a CCTV camera. She was allegedly taken to a house at Tappa Khera village and sexually assaulted there. Later, the accused dropped her at Malout.

A case under Sections 341, 342, 363, 366, 376, 34 of the IPC and 3, 4 of the SC/ST Act was registered against Jagdeep and an unidentified person on March 30.

Manwinderbir Singh, DSP, Malout, said, “Jagdeep is in our custody. He has named his accomplice as Sandeep Singh of Tappa Khera, who is yet to be arrested. The victim was taken to Sandeep’s house.”

After a news report titled “Despite footage, rape accused still at large” appeared in The Tribune on April 20, the state police directed the SP, Malout, Balraj Singh, to personally supervise the investigations.

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes and the Punjab State Scheduled Caste Commission had also sought a report from the district police over the delay in arresting the accused.

Had tried to broker compromise

The victim’s family members alleged that the accused was an associate of a “mighty” politician of the Lambi area and had offered them Rs 20 lakh to reach a compromise a few days ago. The victim has left her house and is now staying at her relative’s house in Muktsar.

Courtesy: The Tribune

5 years on, relining of canals yet to begin; Waterlogging in Punjab | Irrigation in Rajasthan hit

5 years on, relining of canals yet to begin

Waterlogging in Punjab | Irrigation in Rajasthan hit

No firms showed interest in project

• The process for the Rs 1,800 crore project had started in 2011, when its actual cost was estimated at Rs 1,441.26 crore
• The global tenders were first floated in financial year 2011-12. At that time, it was decided to complete the project in 2014-15
• However, no company showed interest and the tenders were floated again in 2014 and thereafter in 2015

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, April 21

Seepage of water from Rajasthan Feeder and Sirhind Feeder canals is major cause of waterlogging in the south western part of the state but the project of relining of these canals is yet to take off.

The seepage from Rajasthan Feeder canal is estimated to be 700 cusecs and that from Sirhind Feeder canal is 300 cusecs. Further, a team from the Centre led by Dr Mihir Shah had strongly recommended this project to deal with this problem in most parts of the state.

Even the Rajasthan government has time and again asked the state government to begin the relining work of Rajasthan canal so that it can mitigate the shortage of water for irrigation purposes.

Sources in the state Irrigation Department informed that in a meeting held on March 22 in Chandigarh, the representatives of the Rajasthan government had strongly expressed their concern on this issue. The process for the Rs 1,800 crore project had started in 2011, when its actual cost was estimated at Rs 1,441.26 crore.

The global tenders were first floated in the financial year 2011-2012 and at that time it was decided to complete the project in 2014-15. However, no company had shown interest and the tenders were floated again in 2014 and thereafter in 2015.

But the tendering work is still lingering even after some relaxations were offered to companies which had shown interest in the project.

Further, three pre-bid meetings have also been held so far in this regard with M/s L&T, M/s Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) and M/s Sadbhav Construction. The relining of both the canals has to be started from Harike headworks to Lohgarh headworks having total length of 97 km of Rajasthan Feeder canal and 100 km of Sirhind Feeder canal.

CM Parkash Singh Badal and Chief Secretary Sarvesh Kaushal are said to be personally looking into the project. KS Pannu, Secretary, Irrigation, said, “We have received three bids which are being processed. Meanwhile, the Union Ministry of Water Resources has prepared an agenda for the cabinet meeting of the Union government. As and when the final approval for funding from the Centre is received by next month,” he added.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Muktsar dist ill-equipped to meet fire exigencies

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, April 21

On an average, two or three fire incidents in fields are taking place every day in the ongoing wheat harvesting season in Muktsar district, but the fire brigade services are not sufficient.

The district has just six fire tenders and less than half of the staff that is required. Firemen said the situation was worst in Gidderbaha, where the entire sub-division was being taken care of by just one fire tender. Just 10 persons are deployed with the fire tender against the norm of 24 personnel with one fire tender to work in three shifts of eight hours each.

The situation is almost similar in Malout, where two fire tenders are functional, but just 18 persons have been deployed. “Each fire tender requires a staff of 24 people, including drivers, leading firemen, firemen, fire officer, sub-fire officer, but we are working with less than half of the required staff. Besides, more fire tenders are required to look after such a vast area,” said Narinder Bhullar, Fire Station Officer, Malout and Gidderbaha.

The situation is better in Muktsar. Here the fire fighting authorities are equipped with three big fire tenders, one small fire tender and a motorcycle. However, the staff shortage is again a problem as just 15 people, including five drivers, five firemen, one leading fireman, three sub-fire officer and one fire station officer are deployed.

Chaman Lal Sharma, Fire Station Officer, Muktsar, said, “The state government has bought new fire tenders, which are getting fabricated and will be allotted to the fire stations soon.”

Courtesy: The Tribune

Gurdas Badal hangs up his boots; Manpreet’s father opts out of active politics citing poor health

Gurdas Badal hangs up his boots

Manpreet’s father opts out of active politics citing poor health

Congress leader Manpreet Badal along with his father Gurdas Singh Badal in Bathinda. Tribune file photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Badal (Muktsar), April 20

Gurdas Singh Badal, father of PPP chief-turned-Congress leader Manpreet Singh Badal and younger brother of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, has decided to hang up his boots, saying no to active politics. He had contested the Assembly elections against his brother on the PPP ticket from Lambi in 2012.

Gurdas (85), commonly referred to as “Daas”, decided to quit, citing poor health.

“I am not even interested in politics. I never wanted to contest any election. It’s time for the younger generation to work and achieve success. Manpreet is a hard worker. I wish him good luck,” said Gurdas here today.

On January 30, Gurdas felt uneasy during his visit to Chak Badal village in Rajasthan. He was thereafter admitted to a hospital in Mohali for a few days.

On Manpreet’s possibility to contest the election on the Congress ticket against his uncle Parkash Singh Badal from Lambi, Gurdas said, “Manpreet never said he was willing to contest from Lambi. However, in reply to a query that would he contest from Lambi, Manpreet had said he would contest from anywhere the party asked.”

On being asked whether he has also joined the Congress, octogenarian Gurdas ducked the query. Earlier, Gurdas used to be the election incharge of Parkash Singh Badal.

Recalling the old days, he said, “Though I never became a minister in the Badal sahib’s government, I handled two to three departments and he never interfered in my working.”

On his last meeting with his elder brother, Gurdas said, “I don’t remember when we met last time.”

Earlier in 2014, Maheshinder Singh Badal, an estranged cousin of Parkash Singh Badal, had said he would not contest the Assembly elections anymore. Maheshinder was a Congress candidate against Badal brothers – Parkash Singh Badal (SAD) and Gurdas Singh Badal (PPP) in the 2012 polls.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Golden Temple’s picture on flour packets sparks row

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, April 19

The use of Golden Temple’s image on wheat flour packets by a Canada-based company has sparked a controversy here. The company, Smucker Foods of Canada Corp, has even named the atta “Golden Temple Atta”, further making a slogan “Make golden moments happen with Golden Temple atta.”

Terming it against the religious code, some politicians and religious people have sought a ban on it. For instance, former MLA Kotkapura Ripjit Singh Brar has tweeted, “Sikh sentiments have been hurt by this. The SGPC should take notice immediately, get this banned and punish the culprit.”

Further, speaking over the phone, Brar said, “The company should have avoided the name Golden Temple for its products. Besides, the image of Golden Temple is printed on the packets. They did not even bother that the empty packets of atta may amount to disrespect of the shrine. I demand the SGPC should initiate action against the company.”

When contacted, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said, “It is morally wrong to print the picture of Harmandar Sahib or any other religious place on the packet of any eatable product. Someone had earlier brought this matter to our notice and the company had agreed to remove the photo from the packets. Thereafter, we did not receive any complaint. I am not sure whether they have removed the photo or not.” SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar could not be contacted.

The SGPC had recently objected to the promotional trailer of an upcoming Punjabi movie, “Once Upon A Time in Amritsar”. The trailer had depicted actors pointing guns at each other inside the Golden Temple. The SGPC had then lodged an objection with the movie’s director, asking him to get the objectionable scenes of the Golden Temple removed from the film.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Youth Cong activist, advocate assaulted

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Gidderbaha/Muktsar, April 19

A YC activist from Patiala, along with his advocate, was allegedly thrashed inside Gidderbaha police station by his in-laws, some SAD leaders and a few private security guards today.

The assaulters also manhandled a SI who claimed to have even caught two of the attackers.

The victim, Karan Gaur, is vice-president of Youth Congress’ Patiala Lok Sabha unit. He is facing a domestic violence case and had gone today to the police station after getting interim bail from the district and sessions court in Muktsar.

As per Gaur’s claim, the investigating officer had called him to join the investigation today.

“When I along with my two advocates and driver reached the Gidderbaha police station, I was told to wait for a few minutes. Meanwhile, some members of my in-laws family, some SAD leaders, including a municipal councillor and a senior SAD leader’s security guards started assembling there. All of a sudden, when I was sitting in front of the ‘munshi’, a SAD leader held me by the neck and started thrashing me. Then they also grabbed my advocate and assaulted us,” he alleged.

Advocate Akshay Kapoor, said, “I was assaulted inside the police station when I was accompanying my client. I have lodged a verbal complaint with the cops and taken up this issue with the Bar Association.”

SHO Gurinderjit Singh said, “I was not present in the police station. Karan is an accused in a domestic violence case. He had come to the police station today to join investigations. An advocate was accompanying him. Gaur’s in-laws, wife had also come to the police station. Both the parties had a scuffle inside the police station, which lasted for a few seconds. If he lodges a complaint, we will register the case,” Singh added.

Meanwhile, SI Perivinkle Grewal said, “I am recording my statement under section 161 of the CrPC saying that when I was holding two attackers, their accomplices pushed me and the criminals fled. I will name them in my statement.”

Courtesy: The Tribune

CM’s cousin dies as rifle goes off

Jasbir Singh (an old photo)

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, April 19

Jasbir Singh, 69, cousin of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, was killed when a Mauser rifle went off accidentally while he was cleaning the weapon at his Badal village residence around 5.25 pm today.

Jasbir Singh, son of Parkash Singh Badal’s uncle, was alone in his bedroom when the incident occurred. His son Pawanpreet Singh “Bobby Badal” was meeting people outside at that time. Some domestic helps were also present in the house.

Sources said Jasbir was a jolly person. He was fond of pigeons and people used to call him “Jasbir Singh Kabootra Wala”. He is survived by a son, daughter (married at Ludhiana) and wife. His wife had gone to Chandigarh this morning, sources said.

Lambi police station SHO Gurpreet Singh said, “It was an accidental fire. He was cleaning his licensed 7.62 mm Mauser. The bullet pierced through the right side of his forehead, close to the eye. The police have collected samples from the spot.”

CM Parkash Singh Badal has cancelled all his engagements for tomorrow to attend the cremation, which will take place at 11 am. SAD chief-cum-Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal, his wife Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal have already reached Badal village.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Fissures to fore between alliance partners in Muktsar district

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, April 17

All is not well between the alliance partners – the SAD and the BJP – in Muktsar district, which is the home district of the ruling Badals.

For instance, BJP’s Muktsar block president Sandeep Girdhar today raised a question on the development of Muktsar town, posting on his Facebook account, “BJP Muktsar Mandal ki Akali Dal se ek hi maang humein chahe kisi karyakram mein na bulaya jaye par is pavitar nagar ka sudhar jaroor karva do (BJP Muktsar block has just one demand from the Akali Dal. We don’t mind not being invited to your programme but do something for the development of this holy town).”

Admitting the differences with SAD leaders, Girdhar said, “The BJP is following the coalition dharma, but the counterpart (SAD) is yet to follow it. This is the entire problem.”

Earlier, the BJP leaders skipped Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s three-day sangat darshan programme in h is Lambi assembly segment on April 4, 5 and 6, which had raised many an eyebrow.

That time, BJP’s Muktsar district president Rajesh Pathela ‘Gora’ had brought the matter to the notice of BJP’s then state chief Kamal Sharma.

Talking to The Tribune, Pathela had said, “None from our party attended the CM’s sangat darshan programme. Neither the district administration nor the Akali leaders informed us about it. I had informed our state chief about this development. Had they invited us, we would have definitely gone there.”

Notably, even during the SAD’s Baisakhi conference at Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda district on April 13, no BJP leader was present there.

Now, the state government is organising a function in Malout town on April 19, where Deputy CM-cum-SAD chief Sukhbir Badal is scheduled to come.

Further, the Chief Minister is likely to hold sangat darshans in Muktsar town on April 27 and 28 and the SAD leaders are trying their best to iron out the differences and present a united picture before him.

However, the BJP leaders are so far firm over their stand that they would not go if the SAD leadership did not invite them.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Tardy wheat procurement irks farmers in Muktsar district

A view of the grain market in Muktsar town. Only 30 per cent of the produce has been procured in the last two weeks. The shortage of gunny bags is said to be the main reason behind the delay. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, April 15

Two weeks have passed since the wheat procurement season officially began on April 1, but only 30 per cent of the produce that has arrived in the grain markets in Muktsar district has been purchased by the government agencies so far.

Shortage of gunny bags is said to be the main reason behind delay in wheat procurement. The figures procured from the district administration revealed that around 51,266 tonnes of wheat has arrived in Muktsar markets so far and only 15,370 tonnes of that has been purchased by the government agencies. Around 35,896 tonnes of the produce was still lying in mandis.

Only 2,645 tonnes of wheat has been lifted till date. Not even a single grain has been lifted from the grain markets of Muktsar and Bariwala. As of now, 2,445 tonnes of wheat has been lifted from Gidderbaha market. The figure is 200 tonnes in case of Malout.

Gurcharan Singh, secretary of the Muktsar Market Committee, said, “Wheat is arriving in the market, but government agencies are facing shortage of gunny bags. Because of that, the procurement and the purchase of wheat could not gain momentum so far. The moisture content is also above the permissible limit in the leftover grain.”

Farmers, however, say, “The procurement season has just started and the situation has already turned bad. One can well imaging the situation in the coming days.”

Harpal Singh, a farmer sitting in the Muktsar grain market, said, “Every year, the government makes tall claims of having made adequate arrangements for lifting wheat, but one realises that there is hardly any change in the situation when the procurement actually begins.”

Courtesy: The Tribune

POLITICAL CONFERENCES ON BAISAKHI AT TALWANDI SABO: Kejriwal out to divert state’s riverwaters, claim Akalis

POLITICAL CONFERENCES ON BAISAKHI AT TALWANDI SABO

Kejriwal out to divert state’s riverwaters, claim Akalis

BJP leaders skip rally

• It was an all-SAD affair. Not a single BJP leader, not even from the district, was present. Speaking over the phone, Tarun Chugh, national secretary, BJP, said: "We had got the invitation, but I am not aware as to why nobody went to the conference at Talwandi Sabo. Most of the leaders had gone to the road show of our new state president Vijay Sampla in Amritsar. Sampla can better comment on it." Attempts to contact Sampla proved futile.
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(From right) Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at the SAD rally in Talwandi Sabo on Wednesday. Photo: Vijay kumar

Protesting unemployed linesmen being gagged by cops.

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Talwandi Sabo, April 13

At their Baisakhi conference here today, most SAD leaders targeted the Aam Aadmi Party, more particularly its national convener and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal over a number of issues, including the SYL and demolition of a piao (water kiosk) at Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi.

However among the ruling Badals, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal slammed PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh, his deputy Sukhbir Badal spoke on Panthic issues, while Harsimrat Kaur Badal's six-minute-long speech was purely apolitical as she only talked about the religious importance of Baisakhi.

Badal appealed to people to intensify struggle against the construction of the SYL canal, terming it a "death warrant" for the state.

He termed both the Congress and AAP as the enemies of the state. He alleged both were working in tandem to deprive the state of its water by constructing the canal.

"Amarinder is misleading people by giving statements on this emotive issue. It is on record that he had welcomed the then PM Indira Gandhi to perform the ground-breaking ceremony of this canal," he claimed.

Sukhbir said: "The Panthic government will again come to power." He was quick to add that the government was of the poor people, farmers, traders, labourers and people from every community.

He compared Kejriwal with former PM Indira Gandhi, saying: "Indira Gandhi attacked the Golden Temple and Kejriwal attacked the sacred piao at Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi. These people have no sympathy for Punjab and its people. Today is the foundation day of the Khalsa Panth and people living in other countries are also celebrating Baisakhi, but Kejriwal has cancelled the holiday on this occasion."

Sukhbir also reminded the people that if the SYL canal was built, this area would turn into a desert. "These topiwallas will take the water to Haryana and Delhi, if they came to power," he claimed.

Prominent leaders present on the occasion included Daljit Singh Cheema, Sikander Singh Maluka and Janmeja Singh Sekhon. 

Protesting linemen gagged

Akali rally disrupted

Unemployed linemen along with their family members disrupted the Akali Dal's rally on several occasions. Police personnel and activists of the Youth Akali Dal overpowered them and forcibly took them away (pic). Swapan Sharma, SSP, Bathinda, said: "At least 26 protesters have been booked and taken into police custody for obstructing government officials in performing their duty and causing damage to the public property".

Empty patches at pandal

The Akali Dal leaders claimed to have utilised all their resources to make the rally a success by mobilising the maximum number of people. However, some portions of the "pandal" remained unoccupied. Unlike the Maghi Mela rally, this time even langars (community kitchen) were oragnised in the 'pandal'. Besides, the venue was located close to the Takht Damdama Sahib.

Pro-farmer slogans

The SAD leadership had installed two small hoardings on the top of the stage, with pro-farmer slogan "Ikko Naara, Kisan Pyara". Even during their speeches, Akali leaders repeatedly mentioned about the free power supply and tubewell connections to the farmers. The CM claimed the government did its best to tackle the whitefly attack on cotton crop and to address the concerns of sugarcane growers.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Day after Brar’s ouster, brother Ripjit fires salvo at Amarinder

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, April 12

A day after the expulsion of former MP Jagmeet Singh Brar from the Congress, his younger brother and former Kotkapura MLA Ripjit Singh Brar today fired a salvo at PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh, accusing him of betraying and humiliating senior leaders.

Ripjit tweeted: “Amarinder first arm-twisted Rahul, betrayed Sunil Jakhar, humiliated CLP leader Channi and suspended Bir Devinder. He hates Bhattal, Bajwa and Jagmeet.”

Further, in one of his earlier tweets in the day, he wrote: “Eight important leaders of Punjab gained everything from the Congress by just speaking against Jagmeet. Felt bad at his ouster.”

When asked whether he was planning to quit the party, Ripjit said: “Presently, I am in the Congress. The party has not served me any notice nor have I written anything to the high command regarding my brother’s ouster. But I stand with my brother and will follow his future course of action.”

Meanwhile, he preferred not to reveal the names of eight leaders who, according to him, had “gained” by speaking against Jagmeet.

Ripjit said they had started preparations for their May 21 rally at Chappar Chiri in Mohali. “A meeting of private transporters was held today in Bathinda. We are trying to arrange at least 500 buses. It will be our biggest programme and we will leave no stone unturned to make the rally a success,” he said.

Courtesy: The Tribune

Get ready for stir on SYL: Badal

CM Parkash Singh Badal at a sangat darshan programme in Lambi assembly segment on Wednesday. A Tribune photograph

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Channu (Lambi), April 6

If Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s speeches during his sangat darshan programmes are any indication, then SAD leaders have decided to go to jail to save the river water of the state in case the need arises.

During his three-day sangat darshan programme in Lambi Assembly segment that concluded today, Badal publicly appealed to the people in every village to get ready for a struggle on the Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue.

On CLP leader Charanjit Singh Channi’s demand for a special session of the Vidhan Sabha on the issue, the Chief Minister said, “There is no need for a special session as the Budget session has recently concluded. Now, we must get ready to go to jail to save the water of the state.”

He blamed the then Congress government of initiating the work of the SYL canal, saying, “Capt Amarinder Singh is now misleading the people by giving statements. It is on record that he had welcomed the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to perform the ground-breaking ceremony of this canal. However, we went to jail that time lodging our protest against it. On every step, we have opposed this canal and are still firm that its construction will not be allowed at any cost.”

Badal told AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal to clear his party’s stand on the SYL canal. “Kejriwal should tell the people of Punjab what his party’s stand is. He should tell whether his party wants this canal to be constructed or not,” said Badal.

On the procurement of wheat crop, Badal said that all arrangements had been made to ensure timely procurement of wheat. “The cash credit limit for the procurement of wheat crop will be released soon by the Centre,” he said.

He appealed to the villagers to maintain cleanliness in their villages, saying, “If PM Narendra Modi comes to our area, what will we show him? We must maintain cleanliness in our villages. I can even sanction some funds for this purpose.” The CM directed SDM Malout Vishesh Sarangal to hold camps in all villages to identify new pensioners and issue blue cards to all eligible people within two months.

In clear violation of rules, some policemen on security duty were found using a vehicle without registration number plates. Similarly, a PPS officer was using his official car without number plates.

Farm labourers protest

In some villages today, farm labourers staged a protest demanding compensation due to the cotton crop failure last year. They also blamed SAD leaders for not allowing them to meet the CM.

On this, the Chief Minister said, “The funds for this have already been sent to all districts. The delay is just because of devising a foolproof method to identify and disburse compensation among the farm labourers engaged in plucking of the cotton crop.”

Groupism to the fore again

During the sangat darshan programme, SAD activists presented a picture of divide within the party this time too. The sangat darshan was organised at two places in Karam Patti village. 

Some SAD activists had yesterday even raised objection on getting funds for village developmental works through the village panchayat in Raniwala. In Panniwala Fatta village too, a faction had pitched another tent for the sangat darshan, but the CM did not heed to their demand.

Badal said, “There is groupism in one or two villages. They compete with each other and nothing else.”

Courtesy: The Tribune

Sukhbir forced to cut short speech as Lambi crowd cheers for singer

Not here to hear speech: Audience

• As soon as Sukhbir started his speech at a cultural event in Lambi village, folk singer Labh Heera too came on the stage
• Seeing the latter, some people in the audience started saying they had come there to see the performance of singers and not to listen to a speech
• Sukhbir tried to pacify them saying that he would conclude his speech in just two minutes, but the audience did not relent

Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal addresses the gathering at Lambi village in Muktsar district on Monday night. Tribune photo

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, April 5

SAD chief-cum-Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal had to face embarrassment last night when people, who had come to enjoy a cultural programme at Lambi village, interrupted him as soon as he started his speech and raised slogans demanding a performance by folk singer Labh Heera instead.

As a result, Sukhbir had to pause and even curtail his speech. The Deputy CM had gone to the 9th Sabhyacharak Mela, organised by the Malwa Sahit Sabhyachar Society and Shaheed Baba Jiwan Singh Samaj Bhalai Sabha, as the chief guest.

As soon as he started delivering his speech, Labh Heera too came to the stage and some people in the audience started saying they had come there to see the performance of singers and not to listen to a speech.

Sukhbir then tried to pacify them saying that he would conclude his speech in just two minutes, but the audience did not relent.

Sensing the gravity of situation, some SAD leaders standing beside Sukhbir on the stage appealed to the public to calm down and only then he restarted his speech, saying, “The villages falling in Lambi assembly segment will witness an overall development in the next six months. We will soon organise a cultural programme at Badal village inviting singers to entertain you.”

When asked, Dr Gursewak Singh Lambi, president, Malwa Sahit Sabhyachar Society, said, “Sukhbir had come on our request. Before delivering his speech, he said it would be concluded within two minutes. At the same time, Labh Heera came on the stage to set his musical instruments. On seeing him, some people started demanding his performance. However, Sukhbir delivered his short speech and enjoyed the programme for about 45 minutes.”

Other singers who were part of the event were Sikander Saleem and Anmol Gagan Mann. The event organisers claimed nearly 4,000 people attended the programme.

Courtesy: The Tribune