Monthly Archives: August 2018

PUNJAB XI The 15th assembly of Punjab witnessed a historic departure from the bipolar politics practised by the state since independence. For the first time, the leader of the Opposition was not from the two traditional rivals, Congress or Shiromani Akali Dal, but from the debutant Aam Aadmi Party. It’s also arguably the youngest assembly in the history of Punjab with 43% first­timers, 34 of them below the age of 45. The fresh faces reflect the demographics of a state growing younger by the year. Youngsters between 18 and 39 constituted 53% of the state’s voters in the assembly polls. Little wonder then that the poor state of education, rampant unemployment & drugs are the three concerns raised by almost every young legislator. Manraj Grewal Sharma speaks to the 11 young legislators between 25 and 36 years of age to find out how they propose to be the agents of change for a resurgent Punjab.

SANJEEV SHARMA/HTFrom left: Pirmal Singh Dhaula, Jai Krishan Singh, Gurmeet Singh Meet Haher, Rupinder Kaur Ruby, Baljinder Kaur, Kulbir Singh Zira, Inderbir Singh Bolaria, Barindermeet Singh Pahra, Dalvir Singh Goldy and Angad Singh.

The Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat releasing the ‘Compendium of Problem Statements Vol II’, in New Delhi on March 24, 2017.
CNR :94857 Photo ID :100246

General Bipin Rawat chaired a combined session of ‘the user and the provider’ attended by renowned industrialists, academicians as well as the decision making hierarchy of the Army and released the ‘Compendium of Problem Statements Vol II’, which has been prepared by Army Design Bureau (ADB) after detailed interaction with all stake holders including soldiers deployed in field.

The first volume, with 50 problem statements released on 5^th December 2016, was received with tremendous amount of enthusiasm, 28 new problem statements have now been added which will enable industry and academia to understand the ‘Felt Needs’ and come up with indigenous solutions incorporating the latest technology trends for India’s military power.

Giving feedback on the first vol, industrialists and academicians expressed keenness to step up R&D for solutions to Army’s problems and deeply appreciated Army’s efforts calling the raising of ADB as a path breaking step. Mr RS Bhatia pointed that India is probably the only great nation where Industrial might of the country is not yet reflected in its Defence Forces.

General Rawat took the opportunity to challenge the industry and academia by asking them to align the solutions to the stated problems. ‘We want to fight next war with technology on our side and not like the past’, he said. He sought efforts towards the most important need to bring in transparency of the battlefield to allow better decision making. Pointing out the drawbacks in trial equipment, he asked the industry and academia to focus on the fact that Indian Army will fight its wars in varied terrain and weather conditions seeking them to come up with robust, rugged, miniaturised yet technologically compatible solutions. He further nudged them to come up with a ‘Society for Defence Manufacture’ as the next step.

Industry leaders and the academicians who seemed greatly ‘fired up’ committed to work towards ensuring that‘Indian Army Will Win India’s Wars with Indian Solutions’.

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Col Aman Anand

PRO (Army)
(Release ID :159931)

Welfare Of Families Of Martyred Soldiers

Charanjit Singh Channi, Minister of Technical education and industrial training

Rajmeet Singh

The government will soon reduce the fee in government-run polytechnics, Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) and technical institutions.This is the agenda of Charanjit Singh Channi, Minister of Technical Education and Industrial Training. “The fee will be more affordable, while industry-driven vocational and technical courses will be introduced,” he says.His priority, the Chamkaur Sahib MLA says, will be to open a skill development university. “I have already instructed officials to revise the syllabus and make it industry-driven so that students graduating from vocational and technical institutions get jobs.”Channi is clear in what he wants to achieve. “The impetus will be more on skill development and maximum utilisation of funds given by the Centre. The syllabi will be on a par with that of Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) and other prominent institutions in the country,” he tells The Tribune.He further says the youth will be encouraged to pursue technical education. “The focus will be to improve the functioning of institutions imparting technical education. A committee will assess the requirement of infrastructure in government-run institutions.”Among the other things on his agenda are complaints about the distribution of post-matric SC scholarship funds to students enrolled in private institutes. He says he will get the complaints investigated. The Congress leader also talks about investigating into cases of polytechnics and ITIs, where the infrastructure was lying unutilised. Recently, anomalies in the purchase of desktops, laptops and machinery worth Rs 7 crore came to surface. The case has come under the scanner of the CAG.Besides, the Finance Department failed to release funds under a centrally sponsored scheme for the upgrade of ITIs, resulting in non-utilisation of Rs 40 crore.

Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh holding a meeting with DCs and SSPs in Chandigarh on Monday. PTI

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 20

With a view to bringing in transparent and quality governance in the state, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Monday issued a series of stringent directions to the district administration and police officers to crack down on corruption and ensure strict adherence to rule of law, setting a three-day deadline for filing of a chargesheet against the corrupt.

Chairing a meeting of DCs and SSPs here, Amarinder asked them to ensure that rules are followed and to work according to statutory procedures. He urged the officers to go digital in order to speed up work and monitor delays.

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Directing the officers to take quick and decisive action against the corrupt, he directed them to issue notice and chargesheet promptly, within a maximum of three days. Asking them to be fair and to hear each party, while following due process, Amarinder directed the officers to monitor the actions of their juniors and, at the same time, report their own actions to their seniors.

Observing that his government had decided, in its first cabinet meeting, to implement various measures to improve the delivery of public services and welfare of the government employees, the Chief Minister said he expected all district officers to get cracking immediately and ensure expeditious action for the welfare of the people. The impact of these changes, he said, should be visible in their public dealing.

The Chief Minister ordered a clean work culture to be imbued immediately in the seven main officers dealing with the public, namely Sub Registrar, Tehsil, Sub-Division, Transport, Food and Supplies, Police Stations and Powercom. Officers should be present in their offices from 9 am to 5 pm on all working days, with tours to be announced on website and notice board.

He said appointment hours should be fixed and appointments should be given on phone or web, and all applications should be scanned and followed up on computer. Reply should promptly be sent to the applicant on email, SMS or through post, within the RTS Act time limit.

The Chief Minister directed that all registrations should be returned the same day, with refusal, if any, to be recorded in writing.  All mutations would now have to be decided within seven days, and mutation application with full names and addresses of parties should be forwarded by Sub Registrars (SR) to Fard Kendra the same day.

In a bid to clean up the transport system, he ordered online payment of all transport taxes, with computerised recovery of arrears. All power connection applications should be made online, and pendency should be displayed on website and monitored by the DC, the Chief Minister said.

Urging the officers to give citizens due respect, the Chief Minister directed them to ensure good seating, cooling, sufficient space and drinking water. Information boards, pamphlets, kiosks, counters should be provided to the public, along with assistance in filling up forms and applications and response through SMS.

Urging them to interact politely, and to be courteous and kind to people, Amarinder asked the officers to try and understand the problems of the taxpayer even if they could not immediately resolve it.

FIRST DAY, FIRST SHOW Rana Gurjit vows to have a well­planned strategy on SYL Canal before the next hearing in Supreme Court on March 28; Navjot Singh Sidhu speaks of citizen­centric services; Razia Sultana says will ensure end to corruption and nepotism

CHANDIGARH: As they took charge on Friday, Punjab’s new ministers outlined their priorities and reiterated their promises made during the campaign.

Irrigation and power minister Rana Gurjit Singh said he would start working towards reforming tariffs besides developing a “well-planned strategy” on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal “to safeguard the rights of the state”.

Rana Gurjit took charge of his office after ardas (Sikh prayers) in the presence of advocate general Atul Nanda and several MLAs. He said his top priority would be to meet the promises made by chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh and the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) in its manifesto.

“The SAD-BJP government failed to fight a strong legal battle on SYL. I have called Atul Nanda to discuss this issue and frame a well-planned strategy to present Punjab’s case during the next hearing of the case in the Supreme Court on March 28,” he said.

On power tariff, he said that a number of industrial units from the state have shifted to others parts of the country during the last 10 years “because of mismanaged power tariff policy of the SAD-BJP government”. He said that Amarinder and the PPCC have promised in the manifesto to reform tariffs for domestic, industrial and commercial consumers. He said he has called a meeting with the power secretary and the chairman-cummanaging director (CMD) of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PPCL) to discuss the issue.

Local bodies, tourism and cultural affairs minister Navjot Singh Sidhu also assumed office. Interacting with the media, Sidhu said it is now his prime duty to live up to the expectations of the people. “Citizen-centric services will be given in transparent manner. Government will not work on vendetta politics; instead, development of the state in all spheres is our goal,” he said.

Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, minister of rural development and panchayats, water supply and sanitation; Razia Sultana minister of state (independent charge), public works,, social security and development of women and children; and Brahm Mohindra, minister of health and family Welfare, medical education and research and parliamentary affairs also took charge on Friday.

Sultana, wife of top cop Mohammad Mustafa, said she would ensure that there was no corruption and nepotism.

Mohindra said his would focus on chalking out the roadmap to keep hospitals adequately staffed. The minister said that he would soon hold talks with the Medical Council of India (MCI) to increase the number of MBBS and MD seats.

SARKARIA TO BE CHIEF PARLIAMENTARY SECY

Senior Congress leader and three-time MLA from Rajasansi segment, Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria will be appointed as chief parliamentary secretary attached with chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh in the new government of Punjab.

Talking to HT over phone, Sarkaria said, “I have been informed about this telephonically and the oath-taking will take place on Monday.”

Sarkaria said, “Whatever the government thought for me, I appreciate that.”

Capt Amarinder Singh (right) being sworn in by Governor VP Singh Badnore at the Punjab Raj Bhawan in Chandigarh on Thursday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

Newly sworn-in ministers with Governor VP Singh Badnore at the Punjab Raj Bhawan in Chandigarh on Thursday. Tribune photo: Manoj Mahajan

Pakistani journalist Aroosa Alam at the venue

Manpreet Singh Badal takes oath as Cabinet Minister

Navjot Singh Sidhu takes oath as Cabinet Minister

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 16

Congress Legislature Party leader Capt Amarinder Singh was on Thursday sworn in as the 26th Chief Minister of Punjab. He took oath as CM for a second time at a well-organised ceremony at Punjab Raj Bhawan here.Minutes before the beginning of the ceremony, security personnel had a tough time controlling Congress leaders trying to get through the security cordon at the entrance to the VVIP venue for special dignitaries.Amarinder was wearing a full-sleeve kurta and a black jacket and sported his medals.A battery of Congress leaders were present. These included former PM Manmohan Singh, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, Himachal CM Virbhadra Singh, Anand Sharma, Kapil Sibal, Rajinder Gupta, Navin Jindal, Sachin Pilot, Rajiv Shukla and Raj Babbar.Amarinder, along with seven cabinet and two ministers of state (independent charge), was administered the oath by Governor VP Singh Badnore.

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The first one to take oath after Amarinder was seniormost Congress MLA Brahm Mohindra, followed by Navjot Singh Sidhu, Manpreet Singh Badal, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, Tript Rajinder Bajwa, Rana Gurjeet, Charanjit Singh Channi and ministers of state Aruna Chaudhary and Razia Sultana.Mohindra, immediately after taking the oath, walked up to Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi to take their blessings. Other ministers followed suit. Rahul warmly greeted Charanjit Singh Channi, Navot Sidhu and Manpreet Badal.While Amarinder and Rana Gurjeet took oath in English, Aruna Chaudhary took it in Hindi and others in Punjabi.Former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and Leader of Opposition HS Phoolka were conspicuous by their absence.The cynosure of all eyes was Arusa Alam, Amarinder’s friend, who was seated in the first row of the VVIP enclosure. Most leaders made it a point to exchange pleasantries and get them photographed with her.Later, she said she hoped for peace between India and Pakistan. She said she would pray for Amarinder so that he could discharge his duties well.In the family enclosure, Preneet Kaur and Malwinder Singh, brother of Amarinder, were among those present.

Highlights

*PM Narendra Modi congratulates Amarinder on taking over as CM; wishes him the best in working for the state’s development*Order of swearing-in: Amarinder Singh, Brahm Mohindra, Navjot Sidhu, Manpreet Badal, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, Tript Rajinder Bajwa, Rana Gurjeet Singh, Charanjit Singh Channi, Aruna Chaudhary and Razia Sultana*Harinder Singh Khalsa, AAP MP, was the only leader from the Opposition to participate in the ceremony*Tripat Rajinder Bajwa gets himself clicked with Rahul Gandhi*Sadhu Singh Dharamsot also greets Rahul*Manpreet Badal seeks blessings of Amarinder before his swearing-in. Later, he meets Manmohan Singh and Rahul Gandhi*Navjot Sidhu takes blessings of Rahul and Manmohan after his swearing-in*His wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu greets him and congratulates him after he is sworn in*Navjot Sidhu forgets to shake hands with the Governor; is reminded by the secretary*Traffic jam near Punjab Governor’s house*Raj Babbar and Vir Sanghvi also present at the venue*Security personnel have a tough time manning the VVIP entrance to the venue*Ex-Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Congress leader Kapil Sibal present

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 14

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today asked the Joint Secretary (Air), Union Ministry of Defence, to appear before the Bench to explain why a joint coordination committee could not look into issues such as land acquisition for the construction of a new runway with CAT-3 facilities, resurfacing of runway and extended runway at the Chandigarh international airport. The Bench also asked MoD secretary to intervene for speeding up the process to hold the meeting.The court was also told that Delhi Metro Railway Corporation (DMRC) would start its survey within 15 days regarding the construction of an underpass to connect the Chandigarh International Airport from Panchkula side.The High Court, on February 13, was told that a joint coordination committee, comprising Secretaries, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Defence would look into all issues, including land acquisition for the construction of a new runway with CAT-III facilities, resurfacing of the runway and extended runway at the airport.As the matter came up for resumed hearing before the Bench, Assistant Solicitor General of India, Chetan Mittal, told the court that the meeting could not be held. Mittal, at the same time, apprised the Bench of his efforts and communications sent to the Defence Ministry regarding holding of the meeting.Referring to the issue of facilities at the airport, Mittal told the Bench that an ATM by the State Bank of India had been made operational. Two more ATMs by the Oriental Bank of Commerce were in the process of being installed.The Bench was informed that Wi-Fi facility at the airport had been provided. The High Court was earlier told that the air force authorities had agreed to Haryana’s demand for direct connectivity of the state with the Chandigarh International Airport. Haryana will now have an access to the airport through an underpass on the National Highway-21.The development is significant as travelling time to reach Chandigarh International Airport from Panchkula side will be reduced by around 20 minutes. Currently, the passengers from Haryana side have to go to Mohali side for reaching the airport.The Bench was told that a consensus on an underpass was reached at a joint meeting of the Indian Air Force, the Airport Authority of India and the state governments of Punjab and Haryana.

Bags 77 out of 117 seats in emphatic win after 10 years, CLP to elect Capt as its leader today
Akali­BJP combine gets worst­ever drubbing in assembly polls, manages only 18 seats; 10 of 16 ministers lose
Arvind Kejriwal outfit fails to weave Delhi magic

CHANDIGARH: Congress’ chief ministerial face Capt Amarinder Singh could not have asked for a better gift on his 75th birthday.

The Congress returned to power in Punjab on Saturday with a thumping triumph, emphatically brushing aside the challenge posed by the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the first-ever three-horse race in the border state. The party is short of a two-third majority by only one seat.

While the AAP has emerged as the runners-up, the SADBJP combine, which ruled the state for 10 years, has been routed. The spectacular success of the Congress, which has stemmed the tide of poll debacles it has been facing, is not just the first good news for the party since 2014. It has also provided a face-saver to the Congress leadership that has failed to slow down, if not halt, the Narendra Modi juggernaut in the high-stakes battle in Uttar Pradesh.

The Congress notched 77 of the 117 seats, up from 46 in the 2012 assembly elections. This is the party’s second best-ever performance in the state. Its highest tally was 87 seats in 1992 in an election boycotted by the Akalis.

Though its vote share slipped to 38.5% from 40% in the previous assembly elections, the Congress has won more seats this time in the three-horse race, tapping into the vein of widespread anger against the SAD-BJP combine. It has done well in all three regions – Malwa, Majha and Doaba – of the state.

Amarinder, who is all set to be the next CM, fought from two seats. He won Patiala, but lost to Parkash Singh Badal in Lambi. The AAP bagged 20 seats with 24% vote share with its alliance partner, Lok Insaaf Party, taking another two seats with 1.2% votes.

The hype surrounding the AAP – the new entrant that changed the bipolar polity of Punjab – fizzled out. The party had taken the state politics by storm in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, winning four seats, but then lost the momentum. But it is the Akalis who have suffered their most humiliating defeat. The SAD-BJP combine managed just 18 seats with 30% votes – their worst-ever performance in the state. While the SAD won 15 seats, the BJP got three. Both CM Parkash Singh Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Badal retained their seats. However, more than half of their ministers lost.

Congress supporters celebrate outside Amarinder Singh’s residence on Saturday. Tribune photo: Pradeep Tewari

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 11

As trends indicated the Congress party’s resounding victory in Punjab, the scene outside Captain Amarider Singh’s house transformed from quiet to festive jubilation within barely an hour. Since 10 am, as trends put Congress in the lead, supporters, armed with bouquets, poured into the Congress leader’s house amid victorious drum beats.Some police officers and bureaucrats were also present.Incidentally, Saturday marked the Congress leader’s 75th birthday.Apparently taking a lesson from assembly elections in 2012, when celebrations had to be called off after the Congress realised that results had not gone their way, Singh chose to remain in his room until 12 pm, tracking trends on television with his family and some close friends. He joined his party workers in celebration only after trends showed that the party was leading in 79 seats.Singh later left for his hometown Patiala —his own constituency — to collect his MLA certificate and personally thank voters.The house remained out-of-bounds for the media until 11 am.The Congress leader’s newly-wed grandson, Nirvan and his wife Mriganka Singh — granddaughter of senior Congress leader Karan Singh and scion of erstwhile Royal family of Jammu and Kashmir — made a public appearance to congratulate him.Punjab Congress’s Sector 15 office also witnessed celebrations.Among bureaucrats and police officers at Singh’s residence were KBS Sidhu, additional chief secretary-home secretary; Sanjeev Gupta, DGP; KAP Sinha, principal secretary (GA); SK Sharma, former IG; DP Reddy, secretary, Local Bodies; and VK Uppal, ADGP Ajay Kumar Pandey, IG.