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

Ex-agri chief meets CM, ‘seeks reinstatement’

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, April 5

Suspended Agriculture Director Mangal Singh Sandhu, an accused in the pesticide scam that rocked the state last year, today met Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at Kolianwali village in the district.

Sandhu was present at the residence of SAD’s Muktsar district president Dyal Singh Kolianwali much before the Chief Minister was to arrive there for lunch during his Sangat Darshan programme in the area.

Later, Sandhu held a closed-door meeting with the CM. Sandhu, who got two-year extension after his retirement in 2014, continues to be under suspension. His term will expire on April 30. He is a native of Pakki Tibbi village falling in the CM’s Lambi Assembly segment.

Sources said Sandhu had come to “apologise” to Badal and seek his reinstatement. When asked, Sandhu first declined having met the CM. When reminded about his presence at Kolianwali’s residence, he said: “I met the CM today regarding some development works in my village.”

On the case against him regarding the pesticide scam, Sandhu said: “I am out on bail and the police are yet to present challan in the court.”

Courtesy: The Tribune

The diet that must include Coke

The diet that must include Coke

SAD leaders enjoying Diet Coke

Muktsar: Known to have a special liking for Diet Coke, SAD chief-cum-Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has without realising it become its brand ambassador, with the result that even rural folk in this hinterland feel pride in having a sip of Diet Coke. Following in the footsteps of their boss, majority of the SAD activists even carry Diet Coke cans in their cars. In Sukhbir’s programmes, you can perhaps miss something else in the menu, but not the Diet Coke cans.

Contribued by Archit Watts
Courtesy: The Tribune