Monthly Archives: August 2018

Existing accounts must be linked with unique­identity details

NEW DELHI: Permanent account numbers (PAN) not linked to Aadhaar cards will likely become invalid after December 31, a government source said on Thursday, as the Centre pushes to widen the use of the 12-digit biometric identity project.

Currently, all taxpayers need to have a PAN number to file income tax return but others, such as students outside the tax bracket, also use the card as a proof of identity.

The government says many of these PAN cards are fraudulently obtained, a practice that can be checked by a unique identification number.

The official — who refused to be quoted because he isn’t authorised to talk to media — said the government had arrived at the tentative cutoff date of December 31 as it believed the Aadhaar enrollment process will be complete by the end of the year.

“Considering that 98% of the adult population is Aadhaar card holders, a timeframe till the end of the year is more than adequate for linking PAN with Aadhaar,” said State Bank of India group’s chief economic adviser Soumya Kanti Ghosh.

More than 1.08 billion Indians have the unique identification number that was aimed at plugging leaks in the distribution of government entitlements and benefits. Over the past few years, the Centre has linked Aadhaar to a growing list of subsidies and schemes, such as the mid-day meal.

On Wednesday, the Lok Sabha passed a controversial bill that made Aadhaar mandatory for filing income tax returns or applying for a PAN card.

According to the amendments in the finance bill, taxpayers can’t file income tax returns from July 1 if they fail to quote the Aadhaar number or show proof of having applied for the document.

At present, there are 250 million PAN cards that are mandatory for cash transactions of hotel or travel bills exceeding ~50,000. It is also mandatory to quote the number for purchase of jewellery above ~2 lakh either in cash or by plastic money, and while making large deposits in banks.

But the government says many of those PAN cards are duplicates or obtained through fraud. “The government has proposed quoting the Aadhaar number mandatory for filing (IT) returns to eliminate discrepancies …many individuals hold multiple PANs and filing returns multiple times; once quoting of Aadhaar becomes binding, this problem will not be there,” revenue secretary Hasmukh Adhia told HT. People with existing PAN cards will either have to link them to Aadhaar or show proof of having applied for the 12-digit ID by December 31, the source added. The recent push to expand the usage of Aadhaar has triggered a torrent of criticism but the government has remained undaunted.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley indicated on Wednesday that Aadhaar would be made mandatory for all income-tax related issues to weed out fraud and duplicates.

Barring three MPs, most VIPs who’ve lost extra cover belong to Akali Dal and BJP

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 22

The Punjab Police have started pruning the security cover of VVIPs beginning with MPs and MLAs and their special officers even as a report by the committee formed for the purpose is to be submitted on March 24.In the first list of downsizing of security, the state police withdrew security men from 46 MPs, MLAs and their aides.

Barring parliamentarians — Bhagwant Mann (Aam Aadmi Party) Ambika Soni (Congress) and Chaudhary Santokh Singh (Congress) — all other VIPs who have lost extra security cover belong to either the Akali Dal or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The personnel thus relieved have been told to report to their battalions concerned for redeployment.Additional vehicles given to the VIPs have also been withdrawn. The government has, however, retained two bulletproof Land Cruisers with former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.It has been revealed that most leaders were availing more security than the prescribed norm of two to six guards as per the position of the leader concerned.

Some were even allocated seven to eight times more security personnel than the prescribed limit.Former Akali Minister Sikander Singh Maluka tops the list. There were 31 guards in his security. Twenty five of them have now been withdrawn. One of the two vehicles given to him has also been taken back.Former Akali Ministers Janmeja Singh Sekhon and Gulzar Singh Ranike have lost 16 out of the 18 guards each at their disposal.

The security vehicles given to them too have been withdrawn.BJP leaders and former ministers Bhagat Chunni Lal and Surjit Kumar Jyani and Akali Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra had 17 guards each. They are now left with two guards each.

AAP parliamentarian Bhagwant Mann had six Punjab Police guards and a vehicle. He is left with four guards.BJP’s Rajya Sabha member from Amritsar Shwait Malik had 14 gunmen with him.

Ten of them have been withdrawn. Congress parliamentarians Ambika Soni and Chaudhary Santokh Singh had eight gunmen each. Both now have four each.Two gunmen out of six each guarding Akali parliamentarians Ranjit Singh Brahmpura and Prem Singh Chanudmajra have also been called back.

Patiala: Tarsem Saini has resigned as chairman of the Saini Welfare Board on Friday. He was appointed as the chairman just three months ago by the previous Akali-BJP led government. Saini is also the president of the Punjab Rice Millers Association. He said “Though I am not associated with any political party or front, the Akali-BJP alliance appointed me for the job. So it is my moral responsibility to step down.” Meanwhile, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, Cabinet Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes, said “We have not demanded any resignation from anybody. After assuming the charge, we will appoint the new chairman. Our first priority is to serve people and fulfil all our promises made before the elections.”— OC

Sarbjit Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 16

The Capt Amarinder Singh government will set up a commission of inquiry to look into cases of alleged vendetta by the SAD-BJP government against its political opponents. Sources said a proposal in this regard was being drafted in consultation with legal experts. It was not clear whether it would be a one-man commission. In the run-up to the elections, Capt Amarinder had received several complaints about “false cases” having been slapped on Congress leaders and supporters at the instance of SAD-appointed halqa chiefs in connivance with low-rung police officials.Under the rules, an inquiry commission can be given the powers of a civil court and summon the accused. Besides, it can accept affidavits as evidence. Sources said the government wanted to take the legal route to deal with all cases of political vendetta — an issue that was repeatedly raised by Congress workers at various fora, including the Vidhan Sabha.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)“Congress workers and supporters walked the extra mile to ensure a resounding victory in these elections. Therefore, Capt Amarinder is keen to free them from the ‘troubles’ they faced during the SAD-BJP government,” said a party functionary. The commission would help gather sound evidence against errant officials.Meanwhile, Capt Amarinder has instructed the police to launch a drive against drug dealers. The transfer of senior officials immediately after assuming charge is part of the roadmap to deal with the menace. He has reportedly told DGP Suresh Arora to improve law and order and wants officers to rein in gangsters.

During the initial gunfight, a policeman was injured. PTI file

Srinagar, March 15

Three militants and a minor girl were killed on Wednesday in an encounter between the ultras and security forces in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, police said.

The girl’s brother and a policeman were also injured in the encounter that started this morning.

Security forces launched a cordon and search operation (CASO) in Kalaroos village of the district on Wednesday afternoon following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in the area, a policeman said.

He said as the forces were conducting the operation, the hiding militants fired upon them, triggering an encounter.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

“Three militants have been killed in the encounter,” the officer said, adding the three bodies and three weapons have also been recovered from the encounter site.

The slain militants have yet to be identified.

During the gunfight, the official said, a minor girl Kaniza (12) was hit by a “stray bullet” and died on the spot, while her brother Faisal was injured and has been rushed to a hospital for treatment.

He said a policeman was also injured in the initial gunfight.

Meanwhile, a police spokesman said the three militants killed in the encounter belonged to the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and their identity is being ascertained.

He said police constable Danish Ahmad was injured in the encounter.

The spokesman said stray bullets hit the minors more than 100 meters away from the encounter site.

The boy has been referred to a hospital here and his condition has been stated as stable, the spokesman said.

Deceased GS Khalsa, Accused Col Pherochichi (retd)

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur, March 14

Col Surjit Singh Pherochichi (retd), who had contested the 2012 Assembly elections from Qadian on the PPP ticket, allegedly shot dead 80-year-old Gurbachan Singh Khalsa, vice-president of SAD’s Gurdaspur unit, at his native village of Pherochichi in the Qadian Assembly segment late last evening.The 65-year-old retired officer’s son, Sumeet Singh, is an advocate and his daughter a serving judge. Sumeet reportedly  assaulted Khalsa with a hockey stick before his father pulled out a .9 mm pistol and shot him in the neck. The two are absconding. They have been booked under Section 302 (murder) of the IPC on a complaint filed at the Bhaini Mina Khan police station. Jasdeep Singh, SSP, said an accomplice of the accused, Sajjan Singh, had been detained.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Khalsa was jailed along with former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Ujjagar Singh Sekhwan, father of former Akali minister SS Sekhwan, during the Akali Dharam Yudh Morcha in the late Seventies. Enjoying immense respect in the area, district Akali leaders would often turn to him for advice on political matters.  Sources said for the past few days, Col Surjit Singh, who was considered close to a Congress leader, had been spitting venom against the Akalis. Khalsa had complained to the police about it.“Ever since the election results on March 11, he had been issuing threats to Akali leaders and supporters. Standing on the roof of his house, a loudspeaker in hand, he would hurl abuses at the Sekhwan family and other leaders. On a few occasions, he had even used the village gurdwara’s public address system to target the Akalis,” said a village elder.  A bleeding Khalsa was taken to the Gurdaspur Civil Hospital where he was declared “brought dead”. His death sparked angry protests by SAD and AAP workers. The police had a tough time controlling the crowd at the hospital. Alarmed, the SSP sent a SWAT team and 200 police personnel to Gurdaspur.Khalsa’s last rites were performed at Pherochichi village on the SSP’s assurance that the accused would be arrested within 48 hours.Col Pherochichi (retd) had reportedly backed Congress’ Fatehjung Bajwa,  elected MLA from Qadian in the just-concluded polls. The latter, however, claimed he had nothing to do with his campaign. “Not even a primary member of the Congress, he is a known Akali loyalist. I have nothing to do with him. Rumours in this regard are being spread by vested interests,” he said.Pherochichi shot into limelight in 2012 when he was allotted the PPP ticket from Qadian and contested against bigwigs Charanjit Kaur Bajwa (Congress), SS Sekhwan (SAD) and Sucha Singh Chhotepur, then in the fray as an Independent.Pherochichi polled just 1,800 votes. He dumped the PPP for the SAD after enlisting Sekhwan’s support and was given a post in the party’s backward classes cell. In 2015, he was honoured with a ‘siropa’ by PS Badal, then CM. Owing to his ties with the SAD, he got his wife elected as the village sarpanch. Later, he severed ties with the SAD and joined the Congress.

Congress MLA Vijay Inder Singla meeting with PPCC president Amarinder singh at Moti Bagh Palace in Patiala on Sunday. PTI

Chandigarh/Patiala, March 12

Congress Chief Minister-designate Capt Amarinder Singh on Sunday met Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore to stake claim to form the government a day after his party recorded a resounding victory with 77 of 117 seats in the state Assembly.

TWEETS

1. Just met with the #Punjab Governor to formally stake claim for govt formation, will take oath as Chief Minister at 10 am on Thursday.

2. Immensely grateful to Sonia Gandhi ji and Rahul Gandhi ji for reposing faith in me, with their guidance will work hard for a better

Amarinder will take oath of office as the new Chief Minister on March 16.He, however, refused to say who his ministers would be, nor how many he would have in his Cabinet.Amarinder also asserted that his government will form a ‘special task force’ to curb the drug menace in Punjab, while making the state more investor-friendly.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him full cooperation for the development of the state.

Winning 77 of the 117 state Assembly seats, the Amarinder Singh-led Congress on Saturday stormed to power in Punjab riding a strong anti-incumbency wave against the ruling SAD-BJP combine and warding off a spirited challenge by newcomer AAP.On the vexed issue of the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, Amarinder said it was important to see the quantum of water available with Punjab.“When Punjab does not have enough water, the question of giving it to other states does not arise,” he said.

He said Punjab has 60 per cent of agrarian land with just eight MAF (million acre-feet) water, while Haryana with 40 per cent of agriculture land has 12 MAF water.The Congress’ chief ministerial candidate said he was committed to fulfil all the promises made by the party in its election manifesto.“The Congress-led state government will create an investor-friendly environment in the state. We will make the state’s industrial policy more liberal,” he asserted, adding many top industrialists were in touch with him to set up their units in Punjab.He said a Special Task Force (STF) will be set up to tackle the state’s drug problem.Amarinder maintained that there was a new wave in favour of Congress in the country.

Commenting on newcomer AAP’s showing in the state polls, the senior Congress leader said, “AAP’s bubble has burst”.“There was no wave of the AAP in Punjab. The party’s hype was only on social media,” he said.The senior Congress leader also pointed out the “absence of a regional figure in the AAP”, adding that it was the reason behind its drubbing in the state polls.Calling for a “bigger role for regional leaders in states”, Amarinder said it was vital to project a regional face who could identify with the people.On being asked whether his party would indulge in political vendetta against the Badals, he said, “We will not work with political vendetta against opponents. ” Amarinder also promised to bring reforms in the state police department.“There is a financial problem in Punjab, but we are not afraid…we will ensure that poll promises are fulfilled. We will work day and night to bring Punjab back on track,” he said.On being quizzed about the party’s ‘poor’ performance in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, Amarinder said that he spoke to Priyanka Gandhi last night and that they discussed how Congress had the chance of a comeback in the politically-crucial state, just as it did in Punjab.

He said Congress’ winning performance in three of the five states that went to polls showed that the “party’s overall standing had improved.”On the ‘Captain Smart Connect’ programme launched ahead of the Punjab Assembly polls, he said global tenders would soon be floated to procure smartphones as promised under the scheme.Amarinder along with his newly elected MLAs will hold a meeting at Chandigrah later in the day, following which he will meet Governor VP Singh Badnore to stake claim to form the government in the state.Amarinder will leave for Delhi on March 14 for a meeting with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi to shortlist names for his Cabinet.Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday submitted his resignation to Governor V P Singh Badnore following his party’s defeat in the assembly polls.

The senior Akali leader said that he will support the Congress government for the development of Punjab.Lok Insaf Party (LIP) members Simarjeet Singh Bains and Balwinder Singh Bains also announced their support to the Congress for the development of the state. — TNS/ PTI

Congress senior leader Sunil Kumar Jakhar lost to political greenhorn Arun Narang of the BJP. File photo

Chandigarh, March 11

Some cabinet ministers were among the several top leaders of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal and its ally BJP who lost the assembly polls in Punjab where the Congress returned to power but not before a few of its senior leaders had a taste of defeat.While the Congress got a thumping win, rookie Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) emerged a second, relegating the ruling SAD-BJP alliance to a poor third at the hustings.The Congress win was accompanied by a bitter experience as a few of its towering leaders failed to emerge victorious.Congress senior leader Sunil Kumar Jakhar lost to political greenhorn Arun Narang of the BJP from his pocket borough of Abohar.Another party veteran Mohinder Singh Kaypee failed to secure victory from the Adampur seat where he was defeated by Pawan Kumar Tinu of SAD.Businessman-turned-politician Kewal Dhillon of the Congress lost his traditional Barnala seat to Gurmeet Singh Meet of AAP.       Singer-turned-politician Mohammad Sadiq of the Congress lost from his bastion Jaitu to Baldev Singh of AAP.Another strong Congressman Jagmohan Singh Kang bit the dust after losing his traditional Kharar seat to journalist-turned-politician Kanwar Sandhu of AAP.State Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh failed to beat Akali heavyweight and five-time Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal from Lambi, a pocket borough of the Badal family.Amarinder, the chief ministerial face of the grand old party, had contested from Patiala as well as Lambi.Former chief minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal of the Congress lost out on luck in her traditional seat Lehragaga to SAD’s Parminder Singh Dhindsa.Former chief minister Harcharan Singh Brar’s daughter-in-law Karan Kaur of the Congress lost to Kanwarjit Singh of SAD.Congress firebrand leader Ajit Inder Singh Mofar lost to Dilraj Singh of SAD from Sardulgarh.The results were a shock for heavyweights of the SAD, including majority of the ministers, who failed to find favour with the electors.Cabinet minister Gulzar Singh Ranike of the SAD lost from Attari to Tarsem Singh of the Congress.Other cabinet ministers who failed to win included Tota Singh (Dharamkot), Janmeja Singh Sekhon (Maur), Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, a relative of Badal from Patti, Sikander Singh Maluka (Rampura Phul), Surjit Singh Rakhra (Samana) and Sohan Singh Thandal (Chhabewal).Other SAD senior leaders who turned unlucky included Yuvraj Bhupinder Singh, son-in-law of former SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur (Bholath), Sucha Singh Langah (Dera Baba Nanak), Ravinder Singh Brahmpura, son of SAD MP Ranjeet Singh Brahmpura (Khadoor Sahib), Virsa Singh Valtoha (Khemkaran), Ajit Singh Shant (Mehal Kalan), Sewa Singh (Qadian) and Upinderjit Kaur (Sultanpur Lodhi).The BJP failed to provide the much-needed support to its ally SAD at the hustings as the party’s many top guns missing the shot at victory.BJP national secretary Tarun Chugh lost from Amritsar central to Congress stalwart OP Soni.Badal’s political adviser Tikshan Sud lost from Hoshiarpur to Sunder Sham Arora of Congress.BJP senior leader Arunesh Kumar lost his traditional Mukerian seat, while former Punjab BJP chief Ashwini Kumar lost to Amit of the Congress from his traditional seat Pathankot.

Several of the rookie Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) top guns also lost as the party ended a distant second in the assembly polls won by the Congress.

AAP finished second with 20 seats, but managed to relegate SAD-BJP alliance to third spot.

AAP’s campaign committee in-charge and party MP Bhagwant Mann, party convener Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi, journalist-turned- politician Jarnail Singh, legal cell in-charge Himmat Singh Shergill and Dr Balbir Singh lost in the polls.

Mann lost to Shiromani Akali Dal supremo and deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal from Jalalabad while Shergill lost to Bikram Singh Majithia from Majithia.

Incidentally, Jarnail Singh had quit as an MLA from Rajouri Garden assembly seat in Delhi to contest against Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and Amarinder Singh from Lambi.

Senior lawyer HS Phoolka, who has been fighting for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots victims, AAP spokesman Sukhpal Singh Khaira, a former Congressman, journalist-turned-politician Kanwar Sandhu, trader cell incharge Aman Arora, Harpal Singh Cheema, Manjit Singh and Prof Baljinder Singh were among those who won their seats.

Taking everybody by surprise in 2014 Lok Sabha polls, AAP won four seats in the state. Later, the party suspended two of its MPs.

BSP, Left parties CPI and CPI (M), Apna Punjab Party and Trinamool Congress (TMC) failed to open their account.

Prominent winners

Amarinder Singh (Congress, Patiala Urban) Parkash Singh Badal (Shiromani Akali Dal, Lambi) Sukhbir Singh Badal (SAD, Jalalabad)

Navjot Singh Sidhu (Congress, Amritsar East) Harvinder Singh Phoolka (AAP, Dakha)

Manpreet Badal (Congress, Bathinda)

Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, (Congress, Gidderbaha) Pargat Singh  (Congress, Jalandhar Cantt) Sukhpal Singh Khaira (Aam Aadmi Party, Bholath)

Prominent losers

Bhagwant Mann (AAP, Jalalabad)

Ravneet Singh Bittu (Congress, Jalalabad) Sunil Jakhar (Congress, Abohar)

Rajinder Kaur Bhattal (Congress, Lehra)

Amarinder Singh (Congress, Lambi)

Kewal Dhillon, Industrialist (Congress, Barnala) Adarsh Pratap Singh Kairon (SAD, Patti)

Tota Singh, (SAD, Dharamkot)

Gen. J.J. Singh (retd) (SAD, Patiala) —  Agencies

AMRITSAR: On the eve of Punjab assembly election results, Congress candidate from Amritsar East and party’s star campaigner Navjot Singh Sidhu said that “it’s time for the Badals to fade away as new sunrise awaits the state”, pointing towards dark clouds in the sky as he landed at the Sree Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport on Friday.

GURPREET SINGH/HTCongress candidate Navjot Singh Sidhu coming out of the Amritsar airport on Friday.

SIDHU, WHO JOINED THE CONGRESS JUST BEFORE POLLS, IS LIKELY TO GET AN IMPORTANT ROLE IF THE CONGRESS FORMS THE GOVERNMENT IN STATE

When questioned on exit polls, the cricketer-turned-politician said: “Janta ka faisla hai, aap jaan jaoge kal (you will know the people’s mandate tomorrow).”

From the airport, Sidhu headed towards his residence where he took feedback from party workers.

Sidhu is likely to get an important role if the Congress forms the government in the state.

The three-time former MP left the BJP after issues with the Shiromani Akali Dal and joined the Congress just before the elections.

Keeping everyone guessing, Sidhu was given party ticket from Amritsar East, the constituency which was earlier represented by his wife Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu.

Lucknow, March 9

The police today arrested a former IAF employee who they believe is the “mastermind” of a terror module that included Saifullah, a suspected terrorist killed in an encounter yesterday.Mohd Ghaus Khan was picked up from Kanpur by the Anti-Terrorist Squad, and revealed vital information during questioning, said Additional Director General of UP Police Daljit Chaudhary.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)He said another suspect, identified only as Azhar, was also arrested by the ATS. Khan “is a technical man and a hardcore member of the module,” Chaudhary said, adding he was the “main accused and mastermind” of the module.He said Azhar, the second suspect, was the main supplier of arms to the module. He did not say where he was arrested from, or in what capacity Khan worked in the Air Force. The UP police claimed that with these two arrests, all the main members of what they alleged was an ISIS influenced module are in custody. The latest arrests raised to five the number of people in the UP police custody in connection with the blast on the Bhopal-Ujjain train in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday. — TNS/PTINaidu flays Digvijay’s ‘injustice’ remark
Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday alleged that Congress leader Digvijay Singh’s remarks that “injustice to Indian Muslims makes terror outfits attractive to them” were a more serious threat than IS to the unity and integrity of the country. Demanding an apology from both Singh and the Congress, Naidu said “his comments were an insult to minorities and he must apologise”. Referring to the blast on Bhopal-Ujjain train allegedly carried out by an IS-influenced module on Tuesday, Singh had said “injustice” to Muslims was making terrorist outfits attractive to them.