Law on contract farming proposed

Chandigarh : With shrinking land holdings making farming non-viable, the Punjab Government has decided to infuse new hope in agriculture by way of cooperative and contract farming. To ensure that cooperatives and companies do not take farmers for a ride, the state is contemplating bringing in legislation that will bind those undertaking contract farming by legislation. Contract farming has been prevalent in the region, especially after the setting up of agro-processing units. At present hundreds of acres of land is under contract farming where large companies ask farmers to grow a particular produce and promise to buy it back. In many cases, the companies do not honour their commitment if the commodity becomes available at cheaper prices elsewhere. To make contract farming popular and to facilitate optimum use of expensive equipment and implements, the Punjab Government has decided to come out with a new law on contract farming. This legislation that is still in a draft stage proposes to bind companies to honour the terms of agreement. The proposal was mooted after reports that several multinational companies and big business houses went back on their commitments after making farmers grow potatoes or tomatoes. Similarly, many farmers entered into a lease with the Punjab Agro for citrus cultivation as a means of crop diversification, but the contracts were either terminated or the farmers suffered huge losses. Under the proposed legislation, the state government will, from time to time, notify crops that would be protected under this new legislation. From around two lakh acres under contract farming at present, the government hopes to bring about 25 lakh acres under contract farming. Once the draft is completed and vetted by the legal branch of the government, the Bill could be brought for passing in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in the coming Budget Session, it is learnt. The legislation is contemplating proposing that once a company asks a farmer to grow something for the company, it will have to buy and pay the price already agreed upon, even if the produce is available at a cheaper price elsewhere. But at the same time, if the price of the produce increases, the farmers would be at liberty to demand a higher price or sell it to someone else for a higher price.

Avtar Singh Makkar, President S.G.P.C. urges PM to intervene

Amritsar : Taking serious note of the turban-frisking incident involving NRI Jaswinder Singh Dhaliwal in Italy, SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar today shot off a missive to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, urging him to take up the matter with the Italian Government on top priority. In his letter to the Prime Minister, Makkar said the entire Sikh community was deeply anguished over the humiliation of Sikhs by taking their turbans off forcibly or compelling them to hand over their turbans for thorough search at the international airports particularly in the US and Europe. He said the SGPC had been flooded with calls and representations following the recent incidents involving India's envoy to UN Hardeep Puri at Austin Texas, NRI Dhaliwal at Milan airport and Hazoori Ragi Bhai Nirmal Singh. Makkar said being himself a Sikh, the Prime Minister need not to be told the importance of turban for a Sikh. "It is not only a part of a Sikh's attire but is an integral part of their religious observance. Those who are humiliating the Sikhs by searching and taking off their turbans may not be knowing that the Sikhs are ordained to keep their hair covered with turban as per the Sikh code of conduct and hence they need to be sensitised in this regard," he said, adding that the Prime Minister could perform this sacred duty in the most convincing manner.

Lukemarm response to Manpreet's Yatra

Anandpur Sahib : After evoking a good response from Malwa region during launch of the Jago Punjab Yatra and in Maghi Mela, Manpreet Badal failed to strike a chord with people of Anandpur Sahib. The onset of second phase of the yatra here today witnessed thin attendance of supporters. Absence of former deputy speaker Bir Devinder remained conspicuous. A large number of supporters were from parts of Gidderbaha, Muktsar and Malout. There were a few numbers aof local residents of Anandpur Sahib. Sporting yellow bands and scarves, Manpreet and his supporters held the rally on a private plot near Panj Piara Park. Badal received a lukewarm response from the area, whose MLA Sant Ajit Singh had earlier supported him. “Had MLA Ajit Singh remained by Manpreet’s side, the response to yatra could have been much better,” observed the locales. It is also being said many of Manpreet’s supporters, especially those from the SAD, could not come out openly out of the fear inviting wrath of their party leaders. Manpreet justified himself for leaving the post of the Finance Minister. He drew parallels with Subhash Chander Bose and said like Bose, he renounced the ministry to remain loyal to the people of Punjab. Manpreet said his front is not third, but new front. “Third front implies that we stand on third pedestal of race, whereas we are actually heralding new era as an alternative front to the Congress and the SAD,” he added. Manpreet promised his people moon saying that the after 12 months, when he comes to power, he would suck away all corruption from Punjab

Tricolour will be hoisted at Lal Chowk : BJYM

Jallandhar : The Tricolour will be hoisted at Lal Chowk in Srinagar at any cost on Republic Day. BJYM president and BJP MP Anurag Thakur stated this while addressing a public rally at Patel Chowk here on Sunday. Thakur said efforts were being made to stop him from hoisting the flag at Lal Chowk. If he was not allowed to unfurl the National Flag at Lal Chowk, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would have no moral right to hoist it at the Lal Qila, he added. Expressing surprise, he said he failed to understand why an Indian had been stopped to hoist the flag in his country. While Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had seemingly bowed before separatists as he was issuing statements against his plan of hoisting the flag at Lal Chowk, Dr Manmohan Singh had also apparently bowed before Omar on this issue, he added. Later talking to mediapersons, he said the main motive of the yatra was to create awareness among the countrymen about the Kashmir problem. Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs were being made victims by the militants, he added. Addressing the rally, Punjab Local Bodies Minister Manoranjan Kalia said Thakur’s yatra reminded him of a similar yatra carried out by the then BJP president, Murli Manohar Joshi, and a rath yatra by the then BJP chief, LK Advani, several years ago.

Centre, ignoring state's requirement : Adesh Partap Singh Kairon

Chandigarh : Punjab Food and Supply Minister Adesh Partap Singh Kairon today condemned the Centre for sanctioning storage for only 4.5 lakh tonnes to the state against its demand for storage capacity of 50.52 lakh tonnes across the country. Addressing mediapersons at Chandigarh Press Club, Kairon said, “We want the Centre to pay attention to our storage requirement as shortage of adequate storage capacity could lead to heavy losses.” Kairon said, “Out of the total bids (for creating 50.52 lakh tonnes of additional storage capacity) submitted by the state, the Centre has approved bids to create mere 4.5 lakh tonnes and bids for 14-15 lakh tonnes have been put on counter offer and the rest is pending.” He said Punjab had received 521 bids for creation of 50.52 lakh tonnes of new storage space in the state. He said, “The centre is aware that Punjab needs 80 lakh tonnes of storage capacity but it decided to build only 70 lakh tonnes of new capacities. The Centre decided on paper that Punjab needs not 70 lakh tonnes but only 50-52 lakh tonnes. At the same time it allowed Punjab to create 4.5 lakh tonnes of additional storage.” The state is facing a shortage of storing 80 lakh tonnes of foodgrain storage capacity against the present capacity of 200 lakh tonnes of storage comprising 95 lakh tonnes of covered space and rest as Covered Area Plinth (CAP). Kairon said the state had approached the Planning Commission to review the list of BPL families in Punjab. He said only nine per cent of the total population are BPL families, which adds up to 4.62 lakh.

Manpreet Singh made blunder by leaving Shiromani Akal Dal : Cheema

patiala : Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, today launched scathing attacks on former Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal. While interacting with mediapersons after attending the bhog ceremony of Balwant Kaur, mother of SS Sekhon, OSD to the Punjab CM, Dr Cheema claimed that when Manpreet was the part of the government, he was against the subsidies but now he is advocating for giving more subsidies. He said the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is a 90-year-old political party and history speaks that whosoever has deserted the SAD, has to regret later. “Let the next Assembly election in Punjab come. Then Manpreet will realise that he made a big blunder by leaving the SAD. “The speeches being delivered by Manpreet during the rallies being addressed by him in various parts of the state clearly reflects the double standards of Manpreet,” he said.

Partap Singh Bajwa buries the hatchet with PPCC chief

Gurdaspur : Former Chief Minister and PPCC chief Amarinder Singh indulged in his favourite pastime of Akali bashing using some of the choicest of Punjabi proverbs and idioms against Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his son Sukhbir Badal at a public meeting held here today. The event assumes significance as it was Amarinder’s first rally in the Majha region ever since he took over the reigns of the PPCC. “Today’s rally is a sure indicator to the fact that the Congress will improve its tally in Majha in the next Assembly election,” remarked PPCC spokesman Fateh Jung Singh Bajwa. The rally also saw Gurdaspur MP Partap Singh Bajwa, for long considered Amarinder’s bete noire, burying the hatchet with the PPCC chief. In his brief speech Bajwa said, “Congressmen in Majha may be a divided lot. But today all factions buried their differences to ensure the success of the rally.” The MP also went to the extent of announcing Amarinder Singh as the next Chief Minister. Amarinder Singh directed most of his verbal volleys at the Punjab Chief Minister and his son, Sukhbir Badal, mocking them repeatedly. He said, “Sukhbir Badal, I promise that a day will come when I will finish you politically. You and your cohorts are compromising Punjab’s interests for your own personal gains.” Amarinder also spoke about formulating a new agriculture policy if his party came to power. “I want to take the farmers out of the vicious debt trap. This can be done only if a new agriculture policy is put in place.” The former Chief Minister also pointed out that during his previous tenure he had ensured the commitment of big industrial groups, including the Reliance Industries, to invest in farming so that the income of the farmers could be enhanced. “But this government played petty politics and cancelled all those projects,” he added. Senior Congressmen who were present included Partap Bajwa, Santosh Chowdhury, Rana Gurjit Singh, PS Bhinder, Arvind Khanna, Ashwani Sekhri, Fateh Jung Singh Bajwa, Major Amardeep Singh, Tripit Rajinder Bajwa, Sukhjinder Randhawa, Naresh Puri, Harminder Jassi, Raman Bhalla, Raman Bahl, Aruna Chowdhury, SS Chottepur, Ajay Verma, Kartik Wadhera, Salamat Masih, Joginder Chinna, Neeraj Salhotra and Anu Gandotra.

Sikh high priests divide on calendar issue Sri Akal Takhat Jathedar invites suggestion in writing

Amritsar : A day after former Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti released the “original” Nanakshahi Calendar, the Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Gurbachan Singh, today appealed to the Sikh high priests as well as former Jathedars not to create any controversy on the issue, while stating that anybody having any suggestion could submit the same in writing to Akal Takht or the SGPC. Though Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh and the Takht Patna Sahib Jathedar, Giani Iqbal Singh, hold contrasting views on the calendar and have been airing these in the media as well, the Akal Takht Jathedar stepped in to douse the flames of controversy only after Jathedar Vedanti, in an apparent act of defiance, released the “original” Nanakshahi Calendar for the New Year near the Golden Temple yesterday. Giani Gurbachan Singh today claimed that the basic character of the calendar had not been tampered with at all and no amendments had been made to it. “However, in view of some issues emerging from it, a few corrections have been made for the unity of the community. These corrections, too, have been made with the consensus of various committees formed on the issue as well as the Sant Samaj,” he said. According to him, Jathedar Vedanti’s utterances “don’t have any importance”, but added that such statements did create a dilemma in the community. However, like Jathedar Vedanti, Jathedar Nandgarh is also supporting the “original” Nanakshahi Calendar of 2003. Talking to The Tribune, Jathedar Nandgarh said,”I had warned them not to make amendments to the original calendar in haste. I had asked them to call Pal Singh Purewal, architect of the Nanakshahi Calendar, and other experts and discuss with them the changes they wanted to make, but nobody paid heed to me. I would have no problem with the amendments had they called Purewal and convinced him with their arguments.” The Nanakshahi Calendar was a symbol of the separate Sikh identity which came into being after a thorough discussion in the community and consent from all quarters, he added. On the contrary, the Takht Patna Sahib Jathedar, Giani Iqbal Singh, said the “amended” Nanakshahi Calendar had been adopted with the consent of the Jathedars of all five Takhts and those opposing it were “playing into the hands of anti-Panthic forces”. Meanwhile, politics over the issue is also hotting up. DSGMC chief Paramjit Singh Sarna and former Akali minister Manjeet Singh Calcutta have, in a joint statement, advocated the need for maintaining the “original” form of the calendar and implementing it with the consensus of the entire community. Similarly, the Dal Khalsa, a radical organisation, has praised Jathedar Vedanti and Jathedar Nandgarh for taking a stand in support of the “original” calendar

Development will be main poll plank : BJP Leaders

Chandigarh : The BJP has worked out a detailed strategy to strengthen its mass base and take on the Congress while remaining in coalition with the SAD. A meeting chaired by state BJP president Ashwani Sharma was held here today at which various party MLAs and ministers virtually negated the importance of Manpreet Badal in the changed political scenario and felt that development would be the main election plank in the 2012 elections. Held in a cordial atmosphere, the state BJP leadership felt that urban areas in the state would decide the formation of the next government. It was felt that the cities in Punjab had seen a lot of development during the last four years, which gave the BJP the edge over others. Though some MLAs reportedly told the party leadership not to take the Manpreet factor lightly, those in ministerial berths dismissed Manpreet’s “third front” as “insignificant”. Discussing various issues, Local Bodies Minister Manoranjan Kalia is reported to have told the party MLAs that the SAD-BJP coalition had already spent over Rs 500 crore in nagar council towns and municipal corporation cities on civic amenities and another Rs 1,100 core would be distributed by his department soon. This, he felt, would pay the party rich dividends in the next elections. “People are very happy with development work in the cities and they will keep this in mind while casting their vote”, he was quoted as having said. Ashwani Sharma and his party colleagues also discussed the issue of the SAD-BJP coalition. It was largely felt that the BJP had not got its due in power sharing, but they said that the coalition was strong. The BJP had fulfilled its coalition “dharma” despite being ignored at many places, it was said. But at the same time the leadership made it clear that the next elections, too, would be fought in coalition with the SAD. After the sitting MLAs of the party, including the ministers, made some pre-poll analysis, the BJP leaders said there was need to hold more training camps for party cadres to create awareness among the people about the works undertaken by the BJP in Punjab. The BJP has already held six such camps. “Just focus on the positive aspects and ignore factors like the presence of Manpreet Badal. It took the BJP 40 years to put Atal Behari Vajpayee in the Prime Minister’s chair. Don’t expect much from Manpreet”, a senior party leader told his colleagues. While some of the MLAs referred to the crowds Manpreet Badal was attracting, Ashwani Sharma supported Kalia in saying that “crowds don’t turn into votes”. All Punjab MLAs and MPs of the BJP will meet again at the BJP three-day national convention on February 8, 9 and 10 at Nagpur, where they will also take up Punjab-specific issues keeping in mind the next elections.

Pak Hindu families give representation to Deputy Commissioner Amritsar

Amritsar : Seeking Indian citizenship, 50 families hailing from Pakistan submitted a representation in this regard to the Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar, KS Pannu, today.The families say they want to escape the discrimination against minorities in Pakistan. President, All-India Hindu Shiv Sena, Surinder Kumar Billa, led the delegation. As many as 200 Pakistani Sikh and Hindu families live in the Chheharta area in Amritsar and do petty jobs to make both ends meet. Facing alleged social discrimination and economic hardships, they migrated to the border over a decade back. Now, they want to live here permanently and adopt Indian citizenship. As per norms, they would have to go back after every five years to get their visas for stay renewed. Class XII students Jaswinder Kaur and her friend Niranjeet Kaur, hailing from Peshawar in Pakistan, say their studies get affected everytime they have to go back to their country or visit their Embassy in New Delhi to get the permit for stay extended. “Life in Pakistan was hell, especially for girls. As Pakistani nationals we have go back once every five years and to our Embassy in New Delhi every two years to get our stay permit renewed. We are scared to go back because of the harassment meted out to the members of the minority communities,” they said. Naam Singh, hailing from Peshawar, says he was forced to leave their country or origin due to the prejudice against the minorities. Deputy Commissioner said several cases of Sikh and Hindu families from Pakistan and Afghanistan have been forwarded to the state Home Department after verification of records. “The cases too would be recommended to the state government after the formalities get completed,” he said

A leader in the world of cooperatives

Bathinda : Surinder Jakhar, who met with a tragic end on Monday, was well known in the world of cooperatives who made a significant contribution to accelerate agricultural and rural development. A graduate from DAV College in Abohar and alumnus of Panjab University, Jakhar was actively involved with cooperatives for about three decades. Born on April 5, 1953, in Panjkosi village, he was also a keen cricketer and was the captain of the first college cricket team when he graduated in 1974. He was elected the sarpanch of his village in 1980 and was first elected the Managing Director of the Fazilka Central Cooperative Bank in 1987. He held this position till his death. His zeal in improving the financial position of people in the rural areas, particularly farmers, and augmenting their incomes through cooperatives was lauded even by his detractors. Surinder Jakhar was the youngest Chairman of the world’s fertiliser giant, Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO). He was elected its Chairman for four terms and held the prestigious position till his death. Under his leadership, IFFCO created a new record of sales of 112 lakh MT of fertiliser in 2008-09 and also achieved a record turnover in 2008-09. IFFCO earned a net profit of Rs 360 crore in 2008-09. During his tenure, IFFCO successfully forayed into the rural telecom sector by forming IFFCO Kisan Sanchar Ltd. IFFCO Chhattisgarh Power Limited was formed to foray into the power sector and it also became the first company in India to make an SEZ for farmers, IFFCO Kisan SEZ. IFFCO also ventured abroad as a partner in Legend International, Australia, re-structured ICS Senegal, bought Baylis Generators — -a UK-based company — to help Indian farmers by introducing alternative energy lanterns and torches. He was twice elected the Director, International Cooperative Alliance, and was the founder-Chairman of IFFCO TOKIO General Insurance Company that introduced free insurance cover for the farming community. Recently, due to his efforts, IFFCO had signed global ventures for the manufacture of fertilisers, phosphates and generation of power. He also served as Director, Markfed, and KRIBHCO. A recipient of the Best Cooperator Award in 2001, Surinder Jakhar won fame as one of the best progressive farmers who used to spend quality time looking after his farms in his native village Panjkosi and Maujgarh. His elder brother, Sajjan Kumar Jakhar, was twice a member of the Punjab Cabinet. His younger brother, Sunil Jakhar, now represents Abohar in the Punjab Assembly. His son, Sandeep Jakhar, heads the district unit of the Youth Congress. Together, they contributed to making the area a family bastion, so assiduously nurtured by his father, Balram Jakhar, himself a Congress stalwart

Badal gives function for Kuka Martyrs a miss

Malerkotla : The state-level function to commemorate the death anniversary of 66 Kuka martyrs here evoked a lukewarm response due to the non-participation of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. Interestingly, the head of the martyr Kuka sect, Satguru Jagjeet Singh Ji, also failed to attend the function. Even the SAD’s probable candidate from Malerkotla, Izhar Aalam, did not come. Two ministers, state Tourism Minister Hira Singh Gabria and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Adesh Pratap Singh Kairon, who attended the function, recalled the supreme sacrifices made by the Kuka martyrs in 1872, which had laid the foundation for the freedom struggle of India. While Kairon announced a grant of Rs 25 lakh for the development of the memorial in Malerkotla, Gabria said he had granted Rs 5 crore for the development of a memorial at Bhaini Sahib in Ludhiana district. Out of this, Rs 3 crore had already been received by the authorities there, he added. Addressing a gathering, MP Balwinder Singh Bhunder thanked CM Parkash Singh Badal for getting the picture of the Kuka martyrs displayed at Parliament complex in Delhi. Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and former minister Jasbir Singh, while recalling the supreme sacrifice of the Kuka martyrs, praised the former CM and senior Congress leader, Beant Singh, for allocating grants judiciously for the development of the memorial at Malerkotla

400 vet inspectors to be recruited in Punjab soon

Patiala : Cabinet Minister for Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development, Punjab, Gulzar Singh Ranike, has said in order to ensure the availability of requisite veterinary staff in the rural areas of Punjab, the state government would soon be recruiting as many as 400 veterinary inspectors. He further said with a view to end the scarcity of the veterinary doctors in the veterinary hospitals, dispensaries and polyclinics operating from various rural areas across the state, the government has decided to recruit 100 veterinary doctors and 25 veterinary specialists. “While 100 veterinary doctors will be posed in the veterinary hospitals, the 25 veterinary specialists will take care of the veterinary polyclinics. The case for their recruitment has already been sent to the Punjab Public Service Commission,” he said, while speaking to mediapersons at the Circuit House, here yesterday. Ranike further said it was for the first time that the government had announced that people in general category, who would purchase 2-10 animals would get a subsidy of 25 per cent, whereas those in reserve category would get 33 per cent subsidy. “The Punjab Government is also in process of opening four animal mandis at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore in different parts of the state. Besides, the SAD-BJP Government will open 19 veterinary hospitals at the block level. Likewise, with an aim to provide treatment to animals with latest techniques in the state, the government has decided to open Polyclinics at the block level. Around Rs 11.25 crore will be spent on nine veterinary polyclinics, likely to come up in Punjab in near future,” he claimed.

Ramoowalia seeks national debate on corruption

Bathinda : Lok Bhalai Party president Balwant Singh Ramoowalia today accused the Congress-led UPA government of laying unhealthy traditions by targeting the constitutional institution of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), which has estimated a loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore due to the 2G Spectrum scam. Ramoowalia, who was here, also accused the UPA government of functioning like a protector of corrupt elements instead of safeguarding public money. “It was unfortunate that the Central Government is plundering public money for its own survival,” he alleged. He said the Central Government was one by one eroding the sanctity of constitutional institutions. It was also trying to protect Central Vigilance Commissioner PJ Thomas, who was accused of misuse of power in the 2G scam, he added Ramoowalia said despite allegations of corruption and misuse of power against Suresh Kalmadi during the Commonwealth Games, the Centre remained mum on the issue. He also demanded retrieving black money that was hidden in banks abroad.

Manpreet may resign before floating party

Jallandhar : Former Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal along with MLAs who supported him - Jagbir Brar and Manjinder Singh Kang - may resign before floating a new political party. During his visit here today, Manpreet said he would declare his new party on the martyrdom of Shaheed Bhagat Singh at Khatkar Kalan on March 23. However, to a query, Manpreet said he and MLAs who supported him might resign as members of the state Assembly before declaring his outfit. But he neither confirmed nor ruled out the possibility of his father Gurdass Badal’s contesting against Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal from the Lambi constituency during the forthcoming Assembly elections scheduled to be held in February next year. Manpreet said it was too early to speak about the possible alliance of his would-be political party. Manpreet, who was accompanied by Jalandhar cantonment MLA Jagbir Brar, said the first phase of his Jago Punjab Yatra had successfully completed at Muktsar on the Maghi Mela. He also reiterated that he would contest from the Gidderbaha segment. Meanwhile, Experts from diverse fields of social sciences as well as performing arts see rebel Akali Manpreet Singh Badal as a competent alternative to leaders of the Congress and SAD in the state. Eminent scholars presented these views during a seminar “Creating clean political alternative in Punjab” held under the aegis of Punjab People’s Party (PPP) at Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Hall here today. They also expressed resentment over the present corrupt political system. Presiding over the seminar, eminent agricultural economist Dr SS Johl said Punjabis should support Manpreet as he had not quit Cabinet for his personal interests like other politicians but had scarified his ministry for the cause of the masses of Punjab. Also PPP chairman, Dr Johl said instead of criticising one another like other leaders, Manpreet spoke of minimizing corruption, poverty and drug de-addiction. He extended support of the PPP to Manpreet in his endeavour of launching a new revolution in Punjab.

Balbir Bath sworn in as Cabinet Minister

Chandigarh : Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today expanded his Cabinet and filled the slot with Capt Balbir Singh Bath. Bath, a three-time MLA and a veteran Akali leader from Gurdaspur district, has filled the seat vacated by former Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal. He was administrated the oath of office and secrecy by Punjab Governor Shivraj V. Patil. On the lawns of the Punjab Raj Bhawan, the 68-year-old former infantry officer was facilitated by his former brother officers of the Jat Regiment as he took the blessings of the Chief Minister and SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal. Surprisingly, almost the entire BJP leadership was conspicuous by their absence. The only BJP faces that were visible at the oath-taking ceremony were one or two MLAs from Bath’s own area. On the Chief Minister’s advice, the Governor allocated him the portfolios of Defence Services Welfare, Legal and Legislative Affairs, NRIs Affairs, Removal of Grievances and Pensions and Welfare of the Pensioners Wing of the Finance Department. These departments generally do not find any taker as these are “low work” departments and do not command much weight in the government. Talking to the media, Bath said he would try to do his best in whatever departments were given to him. “The CM knows my capabilities and will accord me work accordingly,” he added. While the BJP did not have many leaders to participate in the event, the SAD had almost half of the Cabinet present on the occasion. But at the same time, the absence of Bathinda MP Harsimrit Badal and MLA from Majitha Bikramjit Singh raised some political questions. Bikramjit had resigned from the Punjab Cabinet to pave way for Sukhbir Badal. With the vacancy created by the expulsion of Manpreet, he was hoping to be re-inducted. The absence of the brother-sister duo is being interpreted as an expression of their resentment. By giving one more seat in the Cabinet to the Majha region, the SAD has indicated that it wants to keep people in that belt happy besides showing to them the SAD-BJP’s gratitude for giving them a good response in the last General Election. With the induction of Bath, the strength of the Badal ministry has risen to 18. Bath said his priority would be to end unemployment, provide justice to people and create a corruption-free society.

Administration fails to manage traffic

Muktsar : Thousands of devotees today took a holy dip in the sarovars and paid obeisance at various gurdwaras at Muktsar on the occasion of Maghi Mela today. The city was decorated with huge flex boards and flags welcoming the devotees for the Maghi Day celebrations. Contributing to the celebrations, a large number of social organisations voluntarily arranged langars for all devotees arriving in the city to pay obeisance. Despite this, a huge beeline was observed at the main langar hall, located inside the gurdwara premises. Meanwhile, the favourite drink of Nihangs ‘ghota’ was being prepared at various places and some of them were even selling it on the road. Giving it the true colour of a rural fair, a number of sales promotion exhibitions were organised in the city to display the agro-based tools, tractors and various other products like seeds, etc. People also enjoyed the swings and mini-circus organised there. However, visiting the city, it was observed that a majority of the crowd visiting Muktsar today was mainly interested in the political conferences. Though the police of the whole Bathinda zone that comprises six districts was deployed in the city, it failed to manage the event. Hundreds of youngsters were spotted brandishing lethal weapons at the mela. Against the tall claim of the administration to have installed CCTV cameras across the city to keep a tab on the mischievous elements, pickpockets and snatchers had a field day. Ironically, despite it being a sacred day today, all liquor vends were open as the administration did not bother to check the menace. A large number of people were witnessed enjoying liquor on the road and creating nuisance but no cop bothered about it. Moreover, the administration today completely failed in managing the vehicular traffic and all roads got blocked that held up even the VIPs, including MLAs and MPs. The situation was so chaotic that a number of politicians, a majority of them belonging to the Congress, failed to attend the conferences. Some of the MLAs were spotted wading through the sea of humanity and jostling their way to the venues. Though an SSP rank official was assigned the job to manage the traffic, hundreds of buses belonging to various parties were witnessed stranded miles away from the city. The situation could not be improved even after the political conferences had concluded. Four hours after the leaders left the stages, traffic was still choked on all the roads leading to Muktsar.

Manpreet Singh for formation of New Front

Muktsar : Former Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal today said he had to leave the Punjab Cabinet despite the fact that he had neither bargained with anyone against the interests of Punjab nor had he taken commission from any one, but the people who had got commissions were still in the Punjab Cabinet. He also asked the people to tell him what was his fault due to which he had to leave the Cabinet. He said if there was any fault on his part, it was that he had spoken about changing the destiny of Punjab by way of removing illiteracy, unemployment, poverty, etc. Manpreet was addressing his ‘Jago Punjab conference’ organised on the occasion of Maghi Mela here. In this conference, besides his supporters and followers, wearing saffron strips on their foreheads, a large number of other people also took part. Manpreet and others also paid tributes to the 40 ‘Muktas’. Manpreet also gave a clarion call to the people of Punjab to participate in his conference at Khatkar Kalan, the birth place of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, in Nawanshahr district on March 23, the martyrdom day of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, for creating a bright future for the coming generations. Regarding creation of a third front, Manpreet said, “Call it ‘new front’ instead of third front.” He said he would chalk out modalities of the ‘new front’ by March 23 to present the same at the March 23 conference at Khatkar Kalan. Earlier, his staunch supporter and former Deputy Speaker Bir Devinder Singh termed Manpreet a builder of the third front to be created in the near future. Manpreet also reiterated for the last time (in his words) that he would not betray the people of Punjab by joining the SAD again as people did not love Manpreet, but loved his principles. He also said that he had not come here to seek votes; he had come here to prepare the people for getting justice and bringing a revolution for a bright future of the state. He said today’s conference showed that Punjab’s destiny would change soon. Some resolutions were also passed by the gathering that included liberation from the pain and agony that have gripped Punjab, participation in the ‘Jago Punjab’ movement for bringing a new democratic socio-political order in Punjab. Among others who were present or spoke on the occasion included Bir Devinder Singh, former Deputy Speaker; Bharat Bhushan, a nephew of Shaheed Sukhdev; Abhey Singh Sandhu, a nephew of Shaheed Bhagat Singh; Gurdas Singh Badal, father of Manpreet Singh Badal; Manjinder Singh Kang, MLA; Jagbir Singh Brar, MLA; Kushaldeep Singh Dhillon, ex-MLA.

Former Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh hits out at Badals

Muktsar : PCC chief Amarinder Singh today lashed out at Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and said that the Badal family was engaged in a war of succession by trampling all principles of democracy. Addressing the party’s political conference at Maghi Mela here, Capt Amarinder Singh targeted Badal and his Deputy Chief Minister son Sukhbir Singh Badal. He also did not spare former Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, senior Badal’s nephew, saying they all had caused financial loss to the state. While referring to Badal’s allegation that he has been nourishing a feeling of vindictiveness towards him (Badal), Capt Amarinder Singh asked, “Why should I have a sense of vindictiveness or vendetta towards him, but certainly I will put him in the dock for all omissions and commissions.” Replying to Badal’s charge that he was threatening his officers, Capt Amarinder Singh remarked, “Why should I threaten them? They are as much my officers as they are yours and they have worked so efficiently with me for five years.” However, he added “but those officers who have victimised my 30,000 Congress workers, I tell them, I don’t nourish any sense of vendetta against them, but I tell them in straightforward words that I will hang them upside down”. Asserting that Badal was running away from his challenge of an open public debate at some neutral forum about the development he has been claiming to have effected in Punjab, Capt Amarinder Singh said he (Badal) had nothing to show when it came to public and transparent scrutiny. Having a dig at the Chief Minister’s sangat darshan programmes, the PCC president remarked, “Badal has been acting like a medieval king trying to dole out bounties among his loyal subjects.” Ridiculing the estranged nephew of Badal and former Finance Minister Manpreet, Capt Amarinder Singh said his was no fight for principles. “It is simply a war of succession. Manpreet knew that he had no future in the Akali Dal after Parkash Singh Badal passes on the baton to Sukhbir.” “Manpreet is now simply trying to search space for himself,” Capt Amarinder remarked. He asked Manpreet as to what he did during the four years when he was Finance Minister other than clamouring against the subsidies, while availing of these himself. He asked the Badals as to what had they done for the people of Punjab. Addressing the rally, leader of the opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, said, the Badals’ days were numbered now. She said the Badals only indulged in vendetta against the Congress workers and now they would have to account for each and every sin. Prominent among those present on the occasion included Lal Singh, Avtar Singh Brar, Ripjit Brar, Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu, Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi, Amarjeet Singh Samra, Sunil Jakhar, Arvind Khanna, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, Jagmohan Kang, Mahesh Inder Singh Badal and others.

Maghi Mela at Muktsar, No one is above party : Parkash Singh Badal

Muktsar : Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in a veiled attack on rebel Manpreet Singh Badal today said that the party was above any individual and placing personal opinions above the considered view of the whole party was unacceptable.Addressing a mammoth gathering, which Badal described as unprecedented in his political career, Badal, while referring to Manpreet, said, “If one has too strong an ego to abide by party discipline, he or she should never join a political party.” He pointed out that he was confronted with several compelling circumstances in his political career spanning over 50 years where he had always ignored even his family ties and personal relations in the interest of the party because he considered the party supreme. He said that enormous development had taken place in Punjab during the past four years and several other projects were in the pipeline. Accusing Capt Amarinder Singh of misleading the general public through his political manoeuvrings, Badal said that whenever the Assembly elections drew near he (Amrinder Singh) comes out of hibernation. He dared Amarinder Singh to explain where was he during the past four years and now all of a sudden he had put in a ‘guest appearance’. Badal said he was blatantly telling “lies” to woo the voters but this would not help the Congress.Badal also criticised the Congress-led UPA government for the spiralling prices of food commodities and unbridled corruption. In his address after paying homage to the 40 ‘Muktas’, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal also attacked Manpreet Badal for criticising the subsidies for poor farmers. He vehemently said that the subsidies would continue for the weaker sections of society in terms of social security pension, Shagun scheme besides free power to the farmers to compensate them for the “apathetic” attitude of the Centre by not giving them remunerative price for their crops. Sukhbir said the progressive and people- friendly policies would continue to ensure overall development and welfare of all sections of society in the state. Dwelling on the administrative reforms, Sukhbir said the state government would soon implement all the 70 citizen-centric facilities within the next three months.