Current Events :
Dehradun, June 1
Army Education Corps (AEC) celebrated its 97th Raising Day at the IMA here today. IMA Commandant Lt-Gen SK Upadhya conveyed his best wishes to all ranks and families of AEC and lauded the role of corps towards strengthing academic aspect at the academy. Brig Rajveer Singh, head of the Academic Department, IMA, extended his best wishes to the personnel of AEC and asked all ranks of the corps to re-dedicate themselves to the cause of education in the Army. — TNS
It will not be binding on students. They will have the option of studying in either Punjabi or English medium. ARUNA CHAUDHARY, Punjab education minister
CHANDIGARH : To improve educational standards in government schools, the Punjab government is planning to introduce English medium in 400 of its primary schools across the state.
Announcing this, state education minister Aruna Chaudhary on Thursday said the government was seriously considering introducing English as medium of instruction from Class 1 in primary schools to bring government schools on par with the private ones where the parents prefer to send their wards given their craze for the language. “However, it will not be binding on students. They will have the option of studying in either Punjabi or English medium. Those interested in Punjabi as medium of instruction can continue with it,” she said.
Chaudhary, who was speaking at a two-day workshop of northern states on innovation and best practices here, said the education department had sent a proposal to the finance department for funds for its introduction and was awaiting its response. Chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh has also recently expressed his view in favour introduction of English from Class 1 in the state-run schools. The state has 13,000 primary schools.
The workshop, being organised by the Union ministry of human resource development in collaboration with the Punjab government to promote and learn novel strategies in school education, was inaugurated by Union minister of state for human resource development Upendra Kushwaha. Besides Punjab, officials of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh are taking part in the workshop.
Chaudhary, who spoke during the inaugural session, said the state government would focus on revamp of school infrastructure, quality education and assistance to students from economically weaker sections. “These workshops are a golden opportunity for the states to learn and imbibe the best and novel practices from each other in the sphere of school education, as it is the best method to evolve school education on a national plane,” she said.
Kushwaha, who also addressed the gathering, said the drive to ensure uplifting of school education sector was a continuous journey with refinements at every interval. “There is an urgent need to spread awareness regarding the most unique and out of the box practices being followed in the sphere of school education,” said the minister. He also dwelt on the mechanism to make books available in the schools as per need.
Union school education and literacy secretary Anil Swarup, joint secretary, HRD ministry, Ajay Tirkey, director, RMSA, Nigar Fatima, additional chief secretary, school education, Punjab, G Vajralingam, director general, school education, Pradeep Sabharwal, additional state project director-cum-nodal officer of conference Ginni Duggal were also present.
CM ALSO WARNS PARTY LEGISLATORS AGAINST POLITICAL INTERFERENCE IN GOVERNANCE
CHANDIGARH: Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday directed deputy commissioners (DCs) and administrative secretaries to address all issues raised by MLAs about the problems of the common man and apprise them of the action.
Amarinder, however, made it clear during his meetings with officials that political interference of any kind would not be tolerated in matters of governance.
The CM’s diktat comes after resentment among Congress MLAs, who had met Amarinder and Congress state chief Sunil Jakhar over the last week, complaining that administrative secretaries and DCs were not according them “due respect and still taking orders from Akali leaders”. Jakhar was also present at the meeting as Amarinder told officers that MLAs needed to be heard and given respect as elected representatives of people. The Congress MLAs from Ludhiana district had earlier complained against then Ludhiana police chief Kunwar Pratap Singh leading to his transfer.
Amarinder’s bid to keep political interference to the minimum in running the administration by reposing his faith on top officers in his government, is leading to heartburn among the party MLAs, who claim the bureaucracy had “cold-shouldered” them even during the 10 years of the SAD-BJP rule.
Taking cognisance of the 30,000 pending service-related cases against government employees, Amarinder directed scrapping of all frivolous cases to restore the confidence of the employees and enable them to function in a free and fair manner.
He also ordered Rs 10 meals to be made available under the government’s Sanjhi Rasoi scheme in all districts by July 1, 2017. He set a deadline of July 31 for the completion of joint verification of beneficiaries for pension and atta-dal schemes, with DCs to act as nodal officers.
Stressing the need for the government to be prepared for GST implementation from July 1, the CM asked the administrative secretaries to formulate schemes and programmes to take forward the government agenda, with year-wise targets clearly defined.
Addressing the administrative officers, Amarinder called for better coordination between the irrigation and agriculture departments to ensure adequate supply of clean canal water for crops, especially cotton.
He also ordered for taking the cases registered against those responsible for distribution and sale of spurious insecticides and pesticides during the previous regime, to a logical end.
The story of cooks who cooked the goose
THE COLD CUCUMBER SOUP GOT TO HIM WHEN HE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF SCANNING THE UNIT’S INSPECTION BROCHURE. THE FIRST SIP AND THE NEXT, AND THE BROCHURE WAS FORGOTTEN
Acook is in the eye of a sand storm in Punjab. But the row may eventually cook the goose of his political master.
This reminds me of an incident during the ’80s when I was a young captain. We had skilled tradesmen in our unit. The carpenter, Hriday Ram, was a magician with his trade. He could see a picture and produce a replica in hours.
Ruldu, our barber, could put today’s ‘head masters’ to shame with his skill with the mane. Our cooks in the officers’ mess, Garu Ram and Krishnaiyya, were par excellence.
The headquarters was well informed of these assets in a unit under their command and thus would not miss an opportunity to avail of their services. We often war-gamed on how to keep our prized assets confined to the unit rather than for VIP duties. Ironically, a day’s borrow would extend to days, weeks and months at times.
The new general officer commanding (GOC) was to visit the formation and its units.
He was put up at the inspection bungalow and a dedicated mess detachment, comprising a cook, a masalchi (kitchen help) and a waiter, was to be provided, obviously by our unit, as part of the administrative arrangements for the boss.
Since it was the first visit of the tiger to the brigade, the brigade commander cautioned our commanding officer (CO), “The old man is a stickler and would like everything tickety-boo.”
The commanding officer , who by now was quite frustrated with his best guys having become public property of sorts, decided to rock the boat. He selected a raw cook, Sowar Shiv Lal, with barely three months of service to head the mess contingent for the boss.
The second-in-command and all of us, though steadfast in moral support of ‘enough is enough’, were quite convinced that our CO will cook his chips in the bargain.
The day arrived and this young untested cook was briefed by the second-in-command. “Shiv Lal, aapki koi shiqayat nahin aani chahiye (Ensure there is no complaint).” Shiv Lal saluted smartly, “Jai Hind saab”.
The GOC was not much of a party man and preferred a quiet dinner in his suite. He requested for cucumber soup as an appetizer. Shiv Lal got into the act with the second-in-command’s briefing clearly at the back of his mind.
He took his time, making the boss restless. The cold cucumber soup got to him when he was in the middle of scanning the unit’s inspection brochure.
The first sip and the next, and the brochure was forgotten. He demanded the cook be summoned before him pronto. A sheepish Shiv, escorted by Risaldar Mani Ram, the liaison officer, stood in rapt attention holding their breath as if just before being pronounced guilty.
The general got up from his study and hugged Shiv Lal, “Beta, aisa cucumber soup humne aaj tak nahin chakhaa (Son, I’ve never had such tasty soup).”
The next day, the unit was told that Shiv Lal will be accompanying the GOC to the flag staff house. The CO was personally complimented for excellent administrative arrangements. During his address, the GOC said, “A unit that has sound administrative skills will come out victorious in war.”
The CO was aghast. Yet another loss despite best efforts to the contrary! Shiv Lal returned after the GOC retired three years later.
In his interview with our second-in-command, now the commanding officer, the following transpired,” Shiv Lal, general saab ke saath reh kar aap kafi pakwaan banana seek gaye honge (You would’ve learnt to cook many dishes at the general’s place)?” Shiv Lal replied, “Saab, mujhe fauj se barkhaast kijiye taaki Hardoi mein cucumber soup ka apna kaarobar khol sakoon (Please relieve me from the army so that I can open my business of making cucumber soup in my hometown of Hardoi).”
Roadways buses ply on BRTS lane
Track earmarked for Metro buses; officials say won’t allow anyone to use it
Charanjit Singh Teja
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, June 1
Buses under the Pendu Bus Service have also started using the Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) lane in the city. Earlier, it was specifically earmarked for Metro buses.The BRTS project is yet to be made fully functional and only eight Metro buses are plying on the railway station to India Gate route, the drivers of Pendu Bus Service have started using the corridor without any authority.These buses were spotted using the BRTS lane on the GT Road. However, the authorities of the Metro Bus Service have claimed that they will not allow anyone to use the BRTS track.Harbans Singh, in-charge, Metro Bus Service, said, “No one is authorised to use the BRTS track except Metro buses. Residents often use the track in the absence of proper check by the traffic police. If any driver of government-owned bus violates the rule, we will initiate action. I will investigate the matter and issue strict instructions to roadways drivers to stay away from the BRTS track.”As the government failed to run the required number of buses on the BRTS track, a large number of residents can be seen using the lane designated for the metro buses.To curb the practice, the metro authorities have deployed security guards at every bus stop but they seem to be unable to stop the practice.“The guards stop the commuters from using the BRTS lane but they often argue with them. We have asked the police to keep a check on those who use the lane without any authority”, said Harbans Singh.Meanwhile, the guards deployed at the BRTS stations stated that residents often argue with them to use the track. “They can be stopped by starting rapid bus service,” said a guard.Avtar Singh, a city resident, said, “The BRTS lane lies vacant whole day so commuters prefer the lane. It also leads to traffic congestion on main roads.”
Wheat scam:14 food inspectors suspended
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, June 1
The government has suspended 14 inspectors of the Food and Civil Supplies Department after an inquiry in the Rs 10 crore disbursement scam under the Atta-Dal scheme in Amritsar district.The action has been taken after a report by the vigilance wing of the department relating to the sale of 45, 000 quintals of subsidised wheat in the open market. Chargesheets are being issued against the accused.The complaint was lodged against the food inspectors of Rayya and Mehta centre in Amritsar, a government spokesperson said.The accused are Inspectors Bikram Singh, Gursewak Singh, Prabhjot Singh, Varun Thakur, Davinder Singh, Harmandeep Singh, Gursangat Singh, Amritpreet Kaur, Simarjeet Singh, Ajay Kumar, Sandeep Kumar, Amit Sareen, Aarti Sharma and Sandeep Bansal.The probe found that officials fabricated documents showing the wheat to have been distributed amongst the beneficiaries by preparing bogus receipts and manipulating thumb impressions of the beneficiaries.
Jalandhar DC stays transfer of property, further sale
Deepkamal Kaur
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, June 1
Even as the SAD is out of power, its leaders still seem to exercise influence.In one such case, Paramjit Singh, brother of former Akali MLA Sarabjit Makkar, managed to get transferred 19 kanal and 17 marla of Centre’s land in Basti Sheikh area of the city for just Rs 35,100. The land, which has a market value of Rs 40 crore, has been allotted on the orders of Tehsildar (Sales) Navdeep Singh on the basis of its possession with Makkar’s father as sub-lessee.Even as the Claims Commissioner had dismissed Paramjit’s petition in 2011 and the Financial Commissioner Revenue (FCR) dismissed the appeal last year, the Tehsildar passed the orders in favour of Paramjit on May 8. A sales certificate was issued. It was registered in the sub-registrar’s office on May 22, the day the Tehsildar relinquished his charge. On the same day, ‘intkal’ was done too.Paramjit had been seeking transfer of the land in favour of his father late Roshan Singh, son of Sant Singh (lessee), under the Displaced Persons (Compensation and Rehabilitation) Act 1954. He claimed that on May 11, 1965, the Settlement Officer (urban lands) agreed to transfer the land to Roshan Singh at Rs 550 per kanal for a total amount of Rs 10,922. He was asked to deposit 20 per cent of the amount by September 1969, which he did after which a dispute arose and the remaining amount of Rs 8,738 was not paid.Roshan Singh passed away in 2005. His son submitted the application for transfer of land in 2011.The case was referred to the Claims Commissioner who dismissed it saying that the allotment order was passed by the Regional Settlement Commissioner whereas the application was submitted 40 years later and was not maintainable citing an apex court judgment in the case of Union of India v/s Hardyal.Paramjit’s appeal was dismissed by FCR KBS Sidhu on July 13 last year.Even as Sarabjit Makkar has allegedly been closely following up the matter with the officials, he feigned ignorance today. “I have no information about this case,” he said. Paramjit Makkar said, “We have rather been victims in this case and the land has been transferred too late.”Tehsildar Navdeep Singh said, “I have committed no illegality. The land was already in the possession of Makkars. It is just that dues were to be recovered.”Jalandhar DC Varinder Kumar Sharma said, “The urban land in no case could be transferred like this under the Act. The Tehsildar has committed grave errors. I have recommended action against him with the FCR. I have also imposed a stay on the orders as well as a stay on the further sale of the property.”
Ruchika M Khanna
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, June 1
Capt Amarinder Singh’s Council of Ministers does not seem to be on the same page with regards to the proposed debt waiver and debt relief for more than 31 lakh farmers.At least three ministers voiced their opinion against the proposed scheme during the meeting of the Cabinet held earlier this week.These ministers were reportedly of the opinion that the proposed debt relief would serve little purpose, as the agriculture advances disbursed each year in Punjab were to the tune of Rs14,000 crore. Thus, by the end of the Congress government’s five-year tenure, the farm debt would again stand at Rs70,000 crore, and the party would be unable to reap political benefit out of the scheme.One of the ministers said that if debt was waived, farmers would keep on availing loans, which incidentally was being given rather “large-heartedly” by private banks — which had enhanced the limits of the small and marginal farmers manifold to fulfil their priority sector lending targets.Sources said that during the discussions, at least two ministers also expressed their apprehension regarding the delay and reported “dilution” of the debt waiver scheme, which now appears to be more likely a debt relief.One of the ministers reportedly said that the watered-down version of the debt relief — one of the major poll promises that helped the party get a major chunk of the rural votes — would draw more flak for the government, especially now that it had been caught in the controversy regarding the e-auction of sand mines.Sources said Capt Amarinder listened to his ministers, but said he was awaiting the final report from an expert committee before a decision was taken.Interestingly, though a reference to Congressmen getting mired in the sand mining controversy was made, no one is reported to have discussed the matter regarding senior Cabinet minister Rana Gurjit Singh.Sources said the expert committee headed by Dr T Haque on dealing with farm loan waiver is likely to come up with two suggestions — either the government gives a relief of Rs1 lakh each to small and marginal farmers or waives loan of up to Rs5 lakh of small and marginal farmers.
Will raise debt issue in Parliament: Akali MPNew Delhi: The SAD will highlight the plight of Punjab farmers, including their alleged betrayal by the Congress government, in Parliament during its forthcoming session. SAD chief whip in Lok Sabha and Anandpur Sahib MP Prem Singh Chandumajra alleged that Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh was showing a lack of sincerity on his poll promise to waive farmers’ loans. Asking the CM to explain the government’s stand on the issue, he said: “Amarinder cannot be allowed to turn his back on the farmers.” TNS
Kurki ban misleading, say farmers Chandigarh: Days after the state Cabinet announced to abolish Section 67(A) of the Punjab Cooperative Societies Act, 1961, paving way for discontinuation of the practice of kurki, farmer unions claimed that the move would serve no purpose as the section has been practically redundant for the past over three decades. Farmer leaders claim that the scope of kurki (term used in local parlance to attach loan defaulter’s property) was still there as government did not abolish Section 63(C), which provided for recovery of loan by attaching and auctioning the defaulter’s property. TNS
Tribune News service
Chandigarh, June 1
Giving a clear signal to the bureaucracy to fall in line with MLAs, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has said there was need for having a rapport between the legislature and the executive.The culture of ‘you’ and ‘me’ needs to be replaced with ‘us,’ he stressed.But in the same breath he also said no interference will be brooked but the MLAs must be apprised of the action taken on issues raised by them in common interest at a meeting of senior officers here today.The CM’s statement comes almost a month after he had said that no political interference in the functioning of the police and the civil administration would be tolerated.With PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar by his side, it was clear signal to the bureaucrats that the party has an important role in play in governance.While good governance was his priority, there was also need to ensure coordination with the elected representatives, the CM added.A PPCC leader said, “What the CM actually means is that nothing illegal or unauthorised would be allowed. Otherwise, the police/ civil servants are answerable and accountable to the public representatives.”
Cook’s company gave loan of Rs 50 lakh to Rana Gurjit
Balance sheet shows Punjab Power Minister’s dealings
Vijay C Roy
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, June 1
Punjab Irrigation and Power Minister Rana Gurjit Singh has denied any links with Amit Bahadur, his Rs 26-crore sand mine successful-bidder cook, but documents show that he, his family-owned company and brother received a loan of Rs 5.79 crore in 2015-16 from a company in which Amit Bahadur was shown as a director.As per the records with The Tribune, the Minister received a loan of Rs 50 lakh, the family-owned company Rana Polycot Ltd received a loan of Rs 3.84 crore and his brother Rana Ranjit Singh (co-founder of Rana Group) received Rs 1.45 crore as loan from Flawless Traders (P) Ltd. The loan was given by the company in 2015-16 for “business purposes”. Bahadur was director of Flawless Traders till March 21, 2017.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) According to the 2015-16 balance sheet of the company filed with the Registrar of Companies, Flawless Traders through its cash reserves raised through “inter-corporate interest-free loans” also invested around Rs 22.48 crore by purchasing shares in the family-owned companies of the Minister — Rana Polycot Ltd Rs 15.28 crore, Lakshmiji Sugar Mills Co Ltd Rs 7.09 crore, and Rana Sugars Ltd Rs 10.55 lakh.Surprisingly, the company did not transact any business during the year, as per the company directors’ report to the shareholders.According to the 2014-15 and 2015-16 balance sheets, the company stated zero income and claimed it did not transact any business during the year. Even with zero income, Flawless Traders had total long-term liabilities of Rs 51.84 crore, which is an un-secured interest-free loan as on March 31, 2016. The 2014-15 and 2015-16 filing does not show the sources from where the money was raised.According to the Registrar of Companies (RoC) records, the total paid-up capital of Flawless Traders was Rs 1 lakh as on March 31, 2016. Paid-up capital is the amount of money received from shareholders or promoters in exchange for shares of stock.The shareholders — PV Mohan and Ajay Inder Majithia — each are having 50 per cent stake in the company. Each was having 5,000 shares, with a share valued at Rs 10. According to the RoC filing, as on March 31, 2016, the registered address of PV Mohan was shown as 5809, Sector 38 (West) in Chandigarh and Majithia’s as 89, Sector 28-A.While PV Mohan sold the house around three years back, Majithia vacated the house around four years ago, neighbours told The Tribune.
IT was an act of savagery. The lynching of a police officer outside Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta in Srinagar by a mob on “Shab-e-Qadr” (night of prayers) in the holy month of Ramadan has pushed further the boundaries of brutalisation in Kashmir. The victim was Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohammad Yusuf Pandith from the security wing of the state police supervising security arrangements at the grand mosque from where the chief cleric, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, delivers his sermons. The officers and men from this wing do not wear uniform. Soon after he was lynched, the officer was given a tag of being from an intelligence agency — and that too, a non-Muslim — as if such barbarism against the non-Muslim intelligence men should be an acceptable norm. The lynching is a blot on the fair name of Kashmir that prides itself on the human values following the path of peace and love as obligated by the Islamic scriptures. That policemen should be targets of terrorists is a well-known strategy, but the people joining the lynching of someone on one of the holiest days in the Islamic calendar is self-speaking evidence how far the dehumanisation of Kashmir has proceeded. This is the time for all the conscience-keepers of Kashmir, particularly the separatist leaders and clerics among them, to stem this rot that threatens to tear apart an already overstrained social culture of tolerance. The hand of agents provocateur in inciting the mob on Thursday night is all too evident. The unholy puppeteers could care less for the Ramadan’s religious pieties; their objective is to keep the streets boiling and the LoC/borders sizzling till Prime Minister Modi finishes his US visit. And, if the Indian armed forces over-react, the terror-strategists would have reason to feel sadistically rewarded, irrespective of the brutalisation of the Kashmiri society. The Shab-e-Qadr mob attack is as much a challenge to the Indian security establishment as to all those who value deeply Kashmiri sensitivity and sensibility.
None had record of being Khalistan sympathisers; one a minor, another ex-DEO’s son
Chandigarh, May 30
The Punjab Police today busted an alleged terror module involving nine persons, including a woman alleged to be a drug smuggler, a retired District Education Officer’s son and a 17-year-old boy, allegedly radicalised through the Internet.A police spokesperson said they had formed a group, “Khalistan Zindabad”, and were planning to raise a new militant outfit, “Jatha Veer Khalsa”, on the anniversary of Operation Bluestar. They planned to kill senior leaders, including Congress’ Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar, both accused in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)The outfit was to act as a front for banned terror group Babbar Khalsa International, and was allegedly being financed by Khalistan sympathisers in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UK. The police have recovered 25 letterheads of the BKI and four weapons. The module points towards the emergence of narco-terrorism in the state, wherein Pakistan’s ISI is using drug smugglers or addicts for terror activities.While Amritpal Kaur and Harbarinder Singh were the key members, the minor from Barnala would source weapons from Bihar. “All nine had no previous record of being sympathisers of Khalistan,”said a police official. While two were arrested from Mohali yesterday, two more were arrested from Ludhiana and Gurdaspur today. The remaining five were captured on May 26 in the Bathinda region.Harbarinder of Amritsar, currently living in Sector 44, Chandigarh, was arrested from the Mohali bus stand. He is the son of a retired DEO. Amritpal Kaur, alias Amrit, of Salem Tabri, Ludhiana, was also arrested from the Mohali bus stand.Jarnail Singh of Gurdaspur had visited Saudi Arabia several times and was allegedly in touch with handlers in Pakistan. Randeep Singh of Gurdaspur was arrested from Ludhiana.Apart from the minor, the other four were Tarsem Singh Khalistani of Rampura Phul, Bathinda; Manjit Singh of Barnala; Jaswant Singh of Bathinda; and Jasbir Singh of Bathinda.
CONGRESS LEADERS JAGDISH TYTLER, SAJJAN KUMAR WERE ON THE MODULE’S HITLIST, SAY COPS
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Police on Tuesday busted a terror module that allegedly had Congress leaders Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar on its hit-list.
Four persons, including a woman, have been arrested, who according to the police, were planning to carry out targeted killings under the banner – ‘Khalistan Zindabad’.
They have been identified as Harbarinder Singh of Amritsar, Amritpal Kaur of Ludhiana, and Jarnail Singh and Randeep Singh of Gurdaspur. Two pistols (4 magazines and 5 live rounds) were seized from them.
Police had arrested five other members of the group on May 26 from Bathinda district.
On the radar of these “highly radicalised youth” were Congress leaders Tytler and Kumar, as well as those they considered responsible for incidents of sacrilege or desecration, said a police spokesperson. Tytler and Kumar have faced allegations related to their role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi. The youths had formed a group – ‘Khalistan Zindabad’ – after having been radicalised over Facebook and other social media platforms by certain individuals based in Pakistan, various middle-eastern countries and the UK, the spokesman said.
Working with their handlers and associates in India and abroad, the accused were in the process of arranging funds, procuring weapons and arranging training for their members, said police. Mohali police swooped down on them in an operation spread over May 29 and 30.
The accused were booked under various sections of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, Arms Act, and the IPC. They were remanded in police custody for a week. Those arrested in Bathinda earlier were identified as Tarsem Singh Khalistani, Mohkam Singh Babbar, Manjit Singh, Jaswant Singh, and Jasbir Singh.
AAP MLA Parmal Singh’s Turban Taken Off In Punjab AssemblyThe lady APP MLA giving communal colour to the self removed turban and spreading his hairs.
Former CM Prakash Singh Badal Visits AAP MLAs In Hospital / SAD Condemn Speaker For Using Force/sympathetic’ tears for the AAP legislators
The MLA’s Themselves are not trained for Vidhyan Sabha procedure and they alleged that they were forced from the house by untrained staff. Does this mean that they should had been taken on chairs while singing “He is a Jolly Good fellow” . MLA;’s have to behave nad come on the Assembly floor and discuss the issues worth diverting attention of the govt not for criticism only.
Col CJS KheraGen SecySanjha Morcha
ASSEMBLY IN SESSION
“AAP MLAs and the Akalis are conspiring to disrupt proceedings of the House. Action should be taken against all legislators who have been breaking Assembly rules and throwing papers at the Speaker, besides creating a ruckus over non-issuesCapt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister
If elected representatives are treated like this, imagine how the ruling party will behave with the commoners. Turbans of MLAs came off… it’s an insult to the Sikh communitySukhbir Singh Badal, Akali Dal president
Any effort to disrupt the House proceedings for petty political interests would not be tolerated. Anarchist activities (by Opposition MLAs) are against the sanctity of the august HouseRana KP Singh, Vidhan Sabha Speaker
Marshals attacked AAP leaders on the Speaker’s directions. They removed turbans of five MLAs and misbehaved with women legislators. I thank the SAD and SGPC for showing support and concernHS Phoolka, Leader of opposition
Badal has forgotten how his party legislators had, in June 1986, dragged the then Speaker Surjit Singh Minhas from his chair. In the melee, Minhas’ turban had come off. Badal never apologised for that. Now, he is shedding crocodile tears… the entire drama was enacted by the SAD and AAPSunil Jakhar, PPCC president
I have never seen such a brazen display of brutality unleashed against elected representatives, and that too in the temple of democracyBir Devinder Singh, former Deputy Speaker
Turban is the pride of a Sikh. It is unfortunate that turbans are tossed at a place from where the elected members enact laws and take vital decisions for the state. The incident is condemnable. I demand stern action against the marshals involved in the actGiani Gurbachan Singh, Akal Takht jathedar
OTHER HAPPENINGS
Nagra vs MajithiaA heated exchange took place between former Revenue Minister and Majitha MLA Bikram Singh Majithia and Congress legislator Kuljit Singh Nagra. Majithia wondered what level of studies Nagra had pursued for 12 years at Panjab University. The latter retorted, “I have five degrees and you don’t even have a diploma. In fact, you have nothing except your brother-in-law Sukhbir Badal. Í am proud to be a self-made man”. Not impressed by his claims, Majithia repeatedly asked the Congress leader to spell “proud”. TNSProbe into land scamThe CM ordered an inquiry into the alleged multi-crore rural land scam in Fatehgarh Sahib by the Gram Panchayat, Jheurheri. He was intervening on a call attention notice raised by Mohali MLA Balbir Singh Sidhu regarding the purchase of land at almost double the prevailing market rate. Sidhu informed the House that officials did not seek sanction from the competent authority before purchasing the land. Crores withdrawn were spent only on paper instead of being utilized for actual development works. Thus, a VB should be ordered, he demanded. TNSSports kit distribution to be investigatedChief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has promised a thorough probe into alleged irregularities in the distribution of sports kits among the youth clubs under the then SAD-BJP rule. The assurance came from the Chief Minister in the Vidhan Sabha on Thursday in response to a question asked by Congress MLA Rajinder Beri during question hour. TNSTight security in placeAdditional security was deployed at the Vidhan Sabha. Specialised police teams, such as SWAT, were present inside the House. A posse of cops was deployed at the entrance for MLAs. The watch and ward staff, right after they had thrown out the AAP MLAs, were seen flocking Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, touching his feet for blessings. TNS
Marshals injured too
Major Gogoi’s decision to use Dar as a “human shield” is not about “a stand contrary to that of the majority”, as Amarinder Singh points out. (Illustration by -C R Sasikumar)
On April 9, the day of the election to the vacant Srinagar parliamentary seat, a cornered paramilitary unit in Budgam district called the army for assistance to secure a polling booth they were afraid would be run over by a mob. The army unit that responded to this call reached the spot and decided to grab Farooq Ahmed Dar, a civilian who had incidentally voted in the same election that morning. The unit marched him at gunpoint through the mob, using him as a human shield, securing the booth, after which they moved Dar out — again, at gunpoint.
When the army’s Major Nitin Leetul Gogoi saw the operational “success” of this “manoeuvre”, he ordered for Dar to be tied to a jeep in his column of vehicles and paraded him through at least nine different villages — dehumanising him as a toy, exhibiting him as a “lesson” for stone-pelters, as the blaring loudspeaker kept reminding locals.
Once the video of Dar, tied to the jeep and being paraded through one particular village, surfaced on social media, the justifications started pouring in. The all too familiar bandwagon of muscular, unquestionable, unaccountable nationalism condoned the assault on Dar’s dignity and person with remarkable aplomb and alacrity, commending Major Gogoi for the “dynamic call” he took “to save lives”.
The first presumption that has been blindly accepted is that Dar was a “stone-pelter” who — hence automatically — deserved what he got. According to Dar — and local reports validate this claim — he was a voter who had cast his vote the same morning before this incident, that too in an election that saw an unprecedentedly low turnout. Secondly, even if he had been a stone-pelter, the army resorting to using an Indian citizen as a human shield is a moral and legal question that needs to be answered in congruence with the fundamental rights enshrined in our constitution, our laws and the principles we have vowed to protect as a democratic nation, both internally and at
international fora.
Did Major Gogoi have the right to pronounce the judgment and carry out the punitive action that he did? Were Dar’s rights — to liberty, dignity and constitutional remedy — tossed out of the window for the “greater good” — as perceived by Major Gogoi?
The second argument is that this rather unusual action by the army helped save lives and avoided what looked like an imminent bloodbath in that area. I agree that Kashmir is not an ideal operational atmosphere for the army and the army shouldn’t be used to contain and manage internal situations such as these. I agree that this is a complex situation and at times, there are no simple answers. I, however, shudder in horror at the carte blanche this argument provides to the security forces in all such future situations of dealing with agitations and protestors in Kashmir.
Sadly, looking at the failure of the incumbent government, the political vacuum perpetuated by the Central government and the very nature of the unresolved issue, there will be plenty of such situations in the future. Have we set a precedent that allows an individual officer to take the law into his own hands and use an Indian citizen as a human shield as and when he deems it appropriate and necessary — to “save lives”?
The rank whataboutery and the usual comparisons that are being summoned to justify Major Gogoi’s decision — the violation of the military code and the Geneva Convention — are half-baked, deeply prejudiced and often muscular arguments, based on the now-popular notion that daring to hold the institutions of the state to the standards enshrined in our constitution is somehow treacherous and earns one a one-way ticket to Pakistan. “What about the stone-pelters?” is the instinctive question. My humble counter-question is, will we and should we, hold our army to the standards set by stone-pelters and agitating mobs now? Is that the indication of this inference? God help us if that’s the way we are headed.
The most dangerous out of the current slew of arguments endorsing Major Gogoi’s decision is the good old maxim that tough times call for tough measures — how the major responded to an extraordinary situation with an extraordinary solution and should be hence rewarded and commended. In a column for The Indian Express (‘I applaud Major Gogoi’, IE, May 20), the honourable Chief Minister of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh, has gone to the extent of recommending Major Gogoi for the coveted Distinguished Services’ Medal while appreciating his “remarkable presence of mind” and the “timely action” of using an Indian citizen as a human shield. Needless to say,
I strongly disagree with Captain saheb.
Quoting from his piece — “Tough situations warrant tough reactions, and dangerous situations often, if not always, merit daring actions. When Major Nitin Gogoi decided (and, mind you, it could not have been anything other than a split-second decision) to use a civilian as a “human shield” to protect his men from a stone-pelting mob, he was simply reacting to a tough situation in a dangerous environment”.
The “use of a civilian as a ‘human shield’ to protect his men from a stone-pelting mob” is astounding. Since when is our army allowed to subvert the fundamental rights of our citizens to save itself in extraordinary situations? To reiterate — the construct, that tying Farooq Ahmed Dar to the bonnet of the jeep was an extraordinary act that resulted in the prevention of violence and the consequent loss of lives, is at best a hypothesis in foresight and, at worst, outright blackmail, trying to disarm the moral and legal quotient in the counter-argument. For who can oppose something, however strange, inhumane and illegal, that results in lives being saved?
Second, the last time I checked, the army is duty-bound to protect the citizens of this country and their fundamental rights — not only its own men and certainly not at the cost of civilians and their rights, in any given situation, ideal or not. And Farooq Ahmed Dar — voter or not, “stone-pelter” or not — was a citizen of India who should not have been used as a human shield, regardless of circumstances. Period.
Major Gogoi’s decision to use Dar as a “human shield” is not about “a stand contrary to that of the majority”, as Amarinder Singh points out. It’s a violation of the Geneva Convention, a violation of the Constitution of India and a violation of the military code. The majority condoning or condemning this action is irrelevant so long as we are still governed by the constitution and the law of the land, and not majoritarianism. Pertinently and most recently, the Geneva Convention was invoked in the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav, and rightly so. Can we morally afford to mock the same convention in Kashmir, which clearly and unequivocally categorises the use of human shields as a “war crime”— no ifs or buts?
Captain Singh is of the opinion that Major Gogoi tying Dar to the army jeep was allegedly and “possibly the only sane and logical course of action available to him, in the circumstances”. Have the fundamental rights of our citizens become so variable and open to interpretation that a “possible” and apparent logical merit of subverting these rights can be a valid justification for using a citizen as a human shield? Who gets to decide which specific rights are open to subversion in given circumstances, and which rights are absolute, regardless of the circumstances? Who gets to dispense with the “heart and soul” of our constitution for the variably perceived “greater good”? Who gets to decide what the “greater good” is and what costs the people of Kashmir should bear to uphold one particular definition of “national interest”?
A jawan’s life, in no shape, way or measure is or should be a “dispensable commodity”. I strongly agree with Singh here. Our jawans have rendered innumerable and unimaginable sacrifices in Kashmir; of that, there can be no doubt. I would hope that he too agrees with me that the life of an Indian citizen — his right to dignity and the due process of law — is not a “dispensable” matter either, to be rightly projected as the glory of our democracy when we criticise Pakistan, and to be put into abeyance when we deem such a call to be a “remarkable presence of mind”.
What of Farooq Ahmed Dar and his rights? The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has highlighted hisalarming state of mental health. Doctors who have seen him vouch that he is traumatised — perhaps beyond repair. Come to think of it, he was a precious part of the paltry seven-odd per cent who chose to come out and vote against all odds on that fateful day. In a conflict-ridden state, with millions of horrifying tales of extra-judicial excesses and atrocities by non-state actors as well, how many more Farooq Ahmed Dars can we afford to create and what is the cumulative effect on the youth of the state?
To somehow portray that such actions would strengthen the writ of the government in J&K is ironic. An elected government is sworn to protect the rights of its citizens — voters, non-voters, agitators, pacifists alike. A subversion of fundamental rights and a violation of the Constitution of India, validated by no less an authority but the Union defence minister and the army chief, calls into question the very legitimacy of the government in J&K, not to speak of its non-existent writ. Our chief minister condemned the act of using Dar as a human shield — if she cannot ensure that her own alliance partner supports her on the basic premise of upholding the civil liberties of her people, her government loses the moral right to govern.
I am astounded by Amarinder Singh’s subtle endorsement of “a tooth for a tooth and a nail for a nail” response, especially given how he has rightly acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue by endorsing how Jammu and Kashmir remains “volatile”. From the unprecedented rise in the number of local boys joining militant ranks and how, for the first time since the eruption of the turmoil, local militants far outnumber foreign militants, the fundamental question in Kashmir is that of alienation — to presume this surge in alienation can be dealt with, and reversed, by using an “iron fist” is a tried, tested and failed response. It hasn’t worked for the last 30 years. It is not going to work now.
The greatness of great nations lies in holding their institutions to the highest possible standards of law, humanity and constitutional propriety. In fighting armed militancy or any form of internal conflict, the state cannot abdicate its responsibility to uphold the fundamental rights of its citizens by holding its army accountable. In an allegedly binary choice, between protecting the morale of the armed forces on one end and risking the faith and trust of the people of Kashmir on the other end, I earnestly hoped we would succeed in striking the balance of justice and fairness. Quoting from Romans 12:21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”.
The test of the “idea of India” lies in the ability of the state and its institutions to be good in Kashmir — regardless of the circumstances. Sadly, however, following the defence minister’s cue on Friday and other significant voices of support in the establishment, the army chief has announced a commendation for Major Gogoi while we still await the verdict of the army’s court of inquiry into the Budgam incident. We have been told the commendation is a “general” reward and appreciation of Major Gogoi’s service in counterinsurgency operations and not specific to what happened in Budgam. The message however is loud and clear; the army chief’s commendation is the state thumbing its nose at the inquiry, making a grand mockery of the “investigation”. The officer has not only been exonerated in advance but also rewarded for an act that warranted penalisation and disciplinary action. What court of inquiry will dare go against the implied will of the defence minister and the army chief?
The window for such “dynamic calls” has been opened in Kashmir. The consequences could be disastrous. The use of human shields is now officially fair and justified in a Kashmir that stands more alienated than ever before. That’s the long and short of it.
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, June 22
An unidentified militant was killed in a gunfight as Army on Thursday claimed to have foiled infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in frontier district of Kupwara.The militant was killed in Keran sector, over 150 km from Srinagar, when militants were intercepted by Army in the forest area late Wednesday.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)Srinagar-based defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said operation in the Keran sector was going on.“Infiltration bid has been foiled in Keran sector. One terrorist has been killed so far and one weapon was recovered. The operation is in progress,” the spokesman said Earlier this month, Army foiled multiple infiltration attempts from Uri, Nowgam, Machil and Gurez sector along the LoC in Kashmir region and killed at least 13 militants who were trying to sneak into the Valley
Photo for representational purpose only. PTI/file
Jerusalem, May 22
Israel will supply advanced long-range air and missile defence systems to four Indian Navy ships under a $630 million deal to be jointly executed with Bharat Electronics Limited, state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries said.
The announcement of the deal came ahead of a possible visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel in July.
Israel last month bagged a $2 billion deal — its largest ever — to supply the Indian Army and Navy with missile defence systems, with the IAI taking the lion’s share of it worth $1.6 billion.
The IAI on Sunday said the latest contract was for supplying Long-Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM) systems.
The LRSAM is a joint development by the IAI and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It comprises several state-of-the-art elements, advanced phased-array radar, command-and-control system, launchers and missiles with advanced radio-frequency (RF) seekers.
The system provides the ultimate protection against a variety of aerial, naval and air-borne threats. It is currently operational with the Indian Air Force, the Indian Navy and the Israel Defence Forces. The Indian Army is also likely to deploy it soon.
The LRSAM was last week successfully tested in India as part of an operational interception trial aboard an Indian Navy ship “demonstrating again the system’s operational capabilities in a representative scenario with genuine target”, a statement from IAI said.
“All components of the weapon system have successfully met the goals set to them”, the company said.
The contract will be carried out, for the first time, with the Indian government-owned BEL which will serve as the main contractor in the project as part of the ‘Make-in-India’ policy.
“The new contract adds to other deals signed in the last decade by IAI with India’s defence forces, reinforcing IAI’s global leadership position in air and missile defence systems.
“The inclusion of the Indian governmental company BEL for the first time is a step up in our relationship with the Indian industry as part of the ‘Make-in-India’ policy,” IAI’s president and CEO, Joseph Weiss, said.
“This unique project represents the close collaboration between India’s DRDO, IAI and the defence forces of both countries. We will proceed to implementing it with joint efforts,” Weiss added.
“We take pride, along with our partners in India, in the great results of the trial conducted last week, which reestablishes the System’s reliability and quality as well as its advanced technological capabilities,” Boaz Levi, IAI’s executive vice president and general manager of systems, Missiles and Space Group, said. — PTI
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PUNJAB NEWS::20 MAY 2017
Sahnewal airport to start flights under UDAN scheme from next month, says MP Ravneet Singh Bittu
