Sanjha Morcha

e-ballot for soldiers only in 5 segments

Amaninder Pal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 6

The much-touted electronic postal ballot, which will facilitate defence and paramilitary personnel (service voters) to cast their votes electronically, will be provided only in five of the 117 Assembly segments in the state.The Election Commission of India had, in October last year, announced that for first time that the e-ballot facility would be provided to service voters during the Assembly elections. However, it didn’t reveal the exact number of segments wherein this channel of voting would remain operational.Now, the commission has decided to extend this facility to service voters of only five constituencies – Ludhiana (North), Ludhiana (East), Atam Nagar, Amritsar (North) and Jalandhar (West).Before Punjab, the option of voting through e-ballots was introduced in Pudducherry where only three service voters were registered.However, there are around 1.09 lakh soldiers registered as voters in Punjab. At present, the soldiers deputed outside states cast their vote using postal ballot.“The introduction of e-ballot system in all 117 segments requires elaborate arrangements, which is not possible at this juncture and can be possible only by 2019 general elections. We are introducing the facility only in five segments on a pilot basis,” said a senior officer.Since the delivery of postal ballot to soldiers and then back to election authorities entails a lengthy procedure, these had a low share in poll percentage. In case of Punjab, it was never more than 3-4 per cent. The facility is aimed at increasing soldiers’ share in the voting percentage.

Limited utility

  • There are around 1.09 lakh soldiers registered as voters in Punjab. But they will be able to use the e-ballot facility only in Ludhiana (North), Ludhiana (East), Atam Nagar, Amritsar (North) and Jalandhar (West) constituencies

Capt’s 21-point agenda an attempt to misguide ex-servicemen, says SAD

Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 6

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) lashed out at PPCC Chief Capt Amarinder Singh for trying to mislead ex-servicemen by announcing 21-point agenda for the so-called welfare of defence personnel in the state.In a statement issued here, SAD secretary and spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema said it was surprising that Amarinder was promising moon to every member of society and even making false, misleading and baseless promises on the issues which were outside the purview of any Chief Minister.Cheema said the 21-point agenda unveiled today by the former CM was nothing but repeat of such type of misleading promises. He questioned the PPCC chief on how could any state leader take a decision on OROP, as the defense issues were directly dealt with by the Centre. He said not one but majority of issues contained in the agenda were totally false and devoid of truth.The SAD leader also urged the former CM to specify what he had done for the ex-servicemen when he earlier served the state as Chief Minister? He said the reality was that he remained the Chief Minister for no good for the state. He said he miserably failed to formulate and implement a single policy for the welfare of the ex-servicemen.He also reminded Amarinder that it was the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narinder Modi which had taken key decisions, including the one on OROP benefitting the ex-servicemen, while the earlier Congress-led UPA government was dithering to take a decision for decades.

Capt: Will expose Badals in Nabha, Fazilka jail episodes

Capt: Will expose Badals in Nabha, Fazilka jail episodes
Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh and vice-president Sunil Jakhar discuss a point during a press meet in Chandigarh on Friday. Tribune Photo: Manoj Mahajan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 6

Comparing the facilities for criminals at the Fazilka jail with Sukhbir’s Sukhvilas, Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh today said he would “expose and punish” Badals for the Nabha jailbreak case and the Fazilka sub-jail episode.He alleged the Fazilka incident, in which 24 people there reportedly conducting a secret meeting with liquor baron and former SAD Abohar halqa incharge Shiv Lal Doda, had exposed that there was a nexus between the Badals and criminals.Congress leader Sunil Jakhar, who earlier went to submit a memorandum on the issue, to Chief Electoral Officer VK Singh, alleged the government was influencing the probe. The police were trying to “save the culprits by distorting facts and were lying the meeting was held in the superintendent’s office”, he added.Jakhar said he had requested VK Singh to send a team to ascertain how many people could fit in the superintendent’s office and added he was sure not more than six could be accommodated, while the total number of people caught attending the meeting were more than two dozen.Questioning the mode of entry of so many people in the jail, the party leaders said they had either forced their entry, amounting to criminal trespass or jail break, or they had bribed their way. “Doda’s name is not in the FIR. I have demanded that the call records of the DC and the DSP be made public to find out how many times Sukhbir had called and intervened since the raid started,” he said.

ਫ਼ਾਜ਼ਿਲਕਾ ਜੇਲ੍ਹ ਮਾਮਲਾ: ਜਾਖੜ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਕੇਂਦਰੀ ਏਜੰਸੀ ਤੋਂ ਜਾਂਚ ਦੀ ਮੰਗ

ਟ੍ਰਿਬਿਊਨ ਨਿਊਜ਼ ਸਰਵਿਸ
ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ, 6 ਜਨਵਰੀ

ਮੁੱਖ ਚੋਣ ਅਫ਼ਸਰ ਵੀ ਕੇ ਸਿੰਘ ਨੂੰ ਮੰਗ ਪੱਤਰ ਦਿੰਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਕਾਂਗਰਸ ਆਗੂ ਸੁਨੀਲ ਜਾਖੜ। -ਫੋਟੋ: ਮਨੋਜ ਮਹਾਜਨ
ਕਾਗਰਸ ਦੇ ਸੀਨੀਅਰ ਆਗੂ ਸੁਨੀਲ ਜਾਖੜ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਫ਼ਾਜ਼ਿਲਕਾ ਜੇਲ੍ਹ, ਅਪਰਾਧੀਆਂ ਲਈ ਉਪ ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਸੁਖਬੀਰ ਬਾਦਲ ਦੇ ਆਲੀਸ਼ਾਨ ਹੋਟਲ ਸੁਖਵਿਲਾਸ ਵਰਗੀ ਹੈ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਇਸ ਮਾਮਲੇ ਦੀ ਜਾਂਚ ਕੇਂਦਰੀ ਏਜੰਸੀ ਕੋਲੋਂ ਕਰਵਾਈ ਜਾਵੇ। ਇਸ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਕਾਂਗਰਸ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਧਾਨ ਕੈਪਟਨ ਅਮਰਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਨੇ  ਐਲਾਨ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਨਾਭਾ ਜੇਲ੍ਹ ਬ੍ਰੇਕ ਮਾਮਲੇ ਤੇ ਫ਼ਾਜ਼ਿਲਕਾ ਸਬ ਜੇਲ੍ਹ ਘਟਨਾ ਦੀ ਜਾਂਚ ਕਰਵਾ ਕੇ ਬਾਦਲਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਜ਼ਾ ਦਿਵਾਈ ਜਾਵੇਗੀ।
ਅੱਜ ਇੱਥੇ ਸੂਬੇ ਦੇ ਮੁੱਖ ਚੋਣ ਅਫ਼ਸਰ ਵੀ.ਕੇ. ਸਿੰਘ ਨੂੰ ਮੰਗ ਪੱਤਰ ਦੇਣ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਪੱਤਰਕਾਰਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਗੱਲਬਾਤ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਜਾਖੜ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਮੰਗ ਕੀਤੀ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਡੋਡਾ ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਣ ਗਏ 24 ਵਿਅਕਤੀਆਂ  ਬਾਰੇ ਜਾਂਚ ਐਨਆਈਏ ਕੋਲੋ ਕਰਵਾਈ ਜਾਵੇ, ਕਿਉਂਕਿ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਪੁਲੀਸ ਸੱਚਾਈ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਲਿਆ ਸਕੇਗੀ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਬਾਦਲ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਅਜੇ ਵੀ ਜਾਂਚ ਨੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਵਿਤ ਅਤੇ ਕੇਸ ਨੂੰ ਕਮਜ਼ੋਰ ਕਰ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਪੁਲੀਸ ਤੱਥਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਸ਼ਟ ਕਰਕੇ ਮੁਲਜ਼ਮਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਬਚਾਉਣ ਦੀ ਕੋਸ਼ਿਸ਼ ਕਰ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ ਤੇ ਝੂਠ ਬੋਲ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਮੀਟਿੰਗ ਜੇਲ੍ਹ ਸੁਪਰਡੈਂਟ ਦੇ ਦਫ਼ਤਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋਈ ਸੀ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਮੁੱਖ ਚੋਣ ਅਧਿਕਾਰੀ ਨੂੰ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਇਕ ਟੀਮ ਫ਼ਾਜ਼ਿਲਕਾ ਜੇਲ੍ਹ ਭੇਜੀ ਜਾਵੇ ਜੋ ਪਤਾ ਲਾਵੇ ਕਿ ਜੇਲ ਸੁਪਰਡੈਂਟ ਦੇ ਦਫ਼ਤਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਿੰਨੇ ਲੋਕ ਆ ਸਕਦੇ ਹਨ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਯਕੀਨ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਸੁਪਰਡੈਂਟ ਦੇ ਦਫ਼ਤਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਛੇ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਧ ਲੋਕ ਇਕੱਠੇ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋ ਸਕਦੇ, ਜਦੋਕਿ ਮੀਟਿੰਗ ਕਰਦੇ ਫੜੇ ਵਿਅਕਤੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਗਿਣਤੀ ਦੋ ਦਰਜਨ ਤੋਂ ਵੀ ਵੱਧ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਕੇਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਹੋਰ ਧਾਰਾਵਾਂ ਜੋੜੇ ਜਾਣ ਦੀ ਮੰਗ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਇਹ ਜੇਲ੍ਹ ਨਹੀਂ, ਸਗੋਂ ਸੁਖਬੀਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਬਾਦਲ ਦੇ ਸੁਖਵਿਲਾਸ ਦੀ ਇਕ ਬ੍ਰਾਂਚ ਹੈ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ  ਦੋਸ਼ ਲਗਾਇਆ ਕਿ ਕਤਲ ਕੇਸ ਦੇ ਮੁਲਜ਼ਮ ਅਤੇ ਉਪ ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਦੇ ਵਫ਼ਾਦਾਰ ਸ਼ਿਵ ਲਾਲ ਡੋਡਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਕੇਸ ਵਿੱਚ ਸ਼ਾਮਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਕੀਤਾ ਗਿਆ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਮੰਗ ਕੀਤੀ ਕਿ ਸਬੰਧਤ ਡੀਸੀ ਤੇ ਡੀਐਸਪੀ ਦੇ ਕਾਲ ਰਿਕਾਰਡ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਸਾਹਮਣੇ ਲਿਆਂਦੇ ਜਾਣ ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਪਤਾ ਲੱਗ ਸਕੇ ਕਿ ਛਾਪਾਮਾਰੀ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ ਹੋਣ ਤੋਂ ਬਾਅਦ ਕਿੰਨੀ ਵਾਰ ਉਪ ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਦਫ਼ਤਰ ਨੇ ਫੋਨ ਕੀਤੇ ਸਨ।

Akali MLA joins Congress

Chandigarh, January 6

Gurtej Singh Ghuriana, SAD MLA from Balluana constituency, entered the Congress fold today in the presence of PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh. Ghuriana said he had decided to join the party unconditionally in the interests of Punjab. Earlier, Amarinder welcomed into the party fold former Akali minister late Ranjit Singh Balian’s wife Rajvir Kaur and son Gurjot Singh. Meanwhile, the 1984 Sikh Katleyaam Action Committee announced its support to the Congress.Ghuriana had defeated Congress candidate Giriraj Rajora from Balluana in 2012, bagging 49,418 votes. Former Congress MLA PS Bhatti is now the Akali candidate from the constituency. Ghuriana also won as the SAD candidate in 2007 and 1997. — TNS

Atta-Dal scheme under EC scanner

Atta-Dal scheme under EC scanner
Newly issued blue cards carry the pictures of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Minister Adaish Partap Singh Kairon.

Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 6

The SAD-BJP government’s flagship Atta-Dal scheme, which played a key role in the alliance’s victory in the 2012 elections, is under the scanner of the Election Commission.The newly issued blue cards – which enable 1.41 crore holders (almost 80 per cent of the state’s population) to get wheat at Re 1 per kg – bear the photographs of CM Parkash Singh Badal and Food Minister Adaish Partap Singh Kairon. The distribution of wheat on the basis of these cards tantamounts to promotion of the Akali Dal.When these new blue cards were being printed, it only had a detachable booklet highlighting the features of the scheme, bearing only Kairon’s photograph. However, a section of the Akali Dal had raised a hue and cry over the absence of the CM’s photo. It was then that the CM’s photo stickers were pasted on the cover page or inside.Opposition leaders are alleging that wheat and dal are being distributed among the beneficiaries in the presence of a vigilance committee — which comprises persons owing allegiance to the Akali Dal.Sources in the Food and Supplies Department told The Tribune that the beneficiaries received their first six-monthly stock (April to September) in June-July 2016, while the second instalment (October to March) was currently under distribution. Almost 4,000 metric tonnes of wheat was to be distributed, but by the time the code of conduct was imposed on January 4, the department had distributed 81 percent of the wheat. Three hundred metric tonnes of urad dal was being distributed for December. Most of it had been given away before January 4, but the distribution of the rest has been stopped. The department has now sought the EC’s permission before distributing the remaining wheat.

Akali ex-sarpanch, others join Congress

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 6

The election campaign by the Congress candidate from Bathinda (Rural), Harwinder Singh Laddi, got a shot in the arm when former Akali sarpanch from Teona village, along with former panchayat members, joined the party and came out in support of Laddi.At a function organised at the residence of former sarpanch Naccattar Singh, members of more than 20 families, who had earlier pledged their allegiance to the Shiromani Akali Dal, joined the Congress stating that the ruling SAD-BJP combine had not offered any kind of redressal forum to their problems.Among those who joined the Congress were Balvir Singh, Babu Singh, Buta Singh, former panch Natha Singh, Balkaran Singh, Kaura Singh, Lili Singh, Jagdev Singh Khalsa, Mander Singh, Surjit Singh and others.Addressing the gathering, Laddi promised that the issues of the residents of rural areas would be considered.“In the rule of the Congress in the state, the public will not have to run from pillar to post to get their works done. The party will give a boost to the public redressal forum,” he said.Laddi is a former leader of the People’s Party of Punjab and is now contesting from the reserved constituency of Bathunda (Rural) on Congress ticket.He is pitted against Aam Aadmi Party candidate Rupinder Kaur Ruby and Shiromani Akali Dal’s Amit Rattan.All three will be fighting their maiden elections this time. The SAD MLA from the constituency, Darshan Sing Kotfatta, is now fielded from Malout.

10 Punjab SSPs, two IGPs shifted by EC

Chandigarh, January 6

Just two days after enforcement of the model code of conduct, the Election Commission today directed the Punjab administration to transfer Senior Superintendents of Police of 10 districts. G Nageshwara Rao and Amit Prasad have been appointed as the Amritsar Commissioner of Police and Bathinda IGP (Counter-intelligence), respectively.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)The EC  has also decided to post new IGPs of Bathinda and Patiala Zone. It has proposed the names of Nilabh Kishore and B Chandrasekhar, respectively, for these posts. However, the orders would be finalised only after the EC receives inputs from the state by tomorrow since the two were outside the panel.   The SAD-BJP government was constantly facing criticism for appointing either Punjab Police Service (PPS)-cadre or officers promoted from PPS as SSPs in many districts of the state. At least seven of the 10 officers transferred today were from PPS.DH Nimbale goes as SSP of Muktsar, Harjeet Singh to Tarn Taran, Gaurav Garg Ferozepur, S Bhoopathi to Patiala, J Elanchezihian as Amritsar (Rural) SSP and Deepak Hilori to Batala. PK Baliram goes to Fazilka, Nanak Singh Faridkot, Alka Meena Kapurthala and VS Soni to Mansa. — TNS

Amritsar Lok Sabha bypoll on February 4

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 6

It will be a twin battle in Amritsar on February 4 as voters besides electing MLAs from nine Assembly segments will also vote to choose the new Member of Parliament.The Congress, Aam Aadmi Party as well as the Akali-BJP alliance will be in the fray for the Lok Sabha bypoll. While the parties are yet to choose their candidates, the Congress is likely to allow three-time Amritsar MP Navjot Singh Sidhu have a say in its pick. Officially, both Congress and AAP leaders say their respective central election committees will decide the candidates. From the Akali-BJP alliance, the BJP will field its candidate. The name may be discussed during a meeting between leaders of both parties on Saturday evening, say sources.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)The Amritsar seat fell vacant after Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh quit as MP on November 23 on the SYL canal issue. Capt Amarinder Singh is now contesting the Assembly election from the Patiala Urban constituency.

Amarinder in Patna to attend guru anniversary celebrations

Amarinder in Patna to attend guru anniversary celebrations
Capt Amarinder Singh pays obeisance. Tribune photo

Jitendra K Shrivastava

Tribune News Service

Patna, January 3

Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday paid obeisance at Takht Sri Harmandir Ji, Patna Saheb, before reaching the Gandhi Maidan tent city.Singh also paid obeisance at Darbar Hall at Gandhi Maidan. He was accompanied by Bihar Congress state chief and state education minister Ashok Chaudhary.Singh, who reached here on Monday to attend the 350th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singh, praised the Nitish Kumar government.Singh said: “A congregation of Sikh devotees from different corners has gathered here to attend the celebrations. They are happy with the arrangements made by the state government in which the Congress is an ally. We have not seen such arrangements made by any government. We are happy as we came here solely to offer prayers to the guru. We are not here to do any politics.”After offering prayers, Singh served langar to devotees.Subendra Singh, a sevadar, said: “We serve meals to thousands of devotees. We see great enthusiasm among locals, who also support us in running the free kitchen here.”