Newly-wed Mriganka Singh, wife of Nirvan Singh, grandson of Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh, congratulate him at his residence in Chandigarh on Saturday. Tribune photo: Pradeep Tewari

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 11

Fighting a do-or-die battle, PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh saved the Congress from sinking into oblivion in Punjab, where it had lost back-to-back Assembly elections.Learning a lesson from the 2012 shocker, Amarinder went all out to ensure that his choice of party candidates got the ticket. He was able to rein in the rebels amid major differences with senior leaders over ticket allotment and also kept at bay his detractors within the state Congress and at the central level.The strategy to reach out to a wide range of voters, including students, farmers and traders, clicked. Since he had served a term as the CM (2002-07), the electorate preferred him over the inexperienced but hyperactive Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).The tough stand taken by Amarinder on various issues, such as the SYL canal, corruption, the plunder of the state’s resources, the drug menace and the worsening economy, won him the confidence of voters.Political observers said AAP’s association with hardliners and the Maur blast a few days ahead of polling were key factors that made the urban and semi-urban voters drift towards the Congress. The entry of Manpreet Badal, Pargat Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu into the party fold gave a big boost to its campaign.Pramod Kumar, Director of the Chandigarh-based Institute for Development and Communication (IDC), said the Congress was able to regionalise its agenda and promises, while AAP harped on vendetta politics.The party’s think tank made the campaign Amarinder-centric, coming up with “Coffee with Captain”, “Punjab da Captain”, farmer loan waiver and smart phone campaigns to woo voters.

Potential ministers

With the Congress coming to power, the names of potential ministers have started doing the rounds. Though a senior leader said a formal discussion would be held tomorrow, party insiders said those in the reckoning included Manpreet Badal, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Aruna Chaudhary, Rana Gurjit Singh Sodhi, Balbir Singh Sidhu, Brahm Mohindra, Tripat Rajinder Bajwa, Rana Gurmeet Sodhi, Sukhjinder Randhawa, Vijay Inder Singla, Charanjit Singh Channi, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, Razia Sultana and Pargat Singh.

OSD to Capt appointed

• Chandigarh: With the Congress coming to power, Punjab Chief Secretary on Saturday appointed Gurinder Singh Sodhi, Assistant Commissioner, Fatehgarh Sahib, also a confidant of PPCC president Capt Amarinder Singh, as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the CM-designate. TNS

Vijay Mohan and Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 31

While the water level in the Gobind Sagar reservoir at Bhakra Dam is down to just about 14 per cent of its storage capacity, good snowfall over the Himalayas this winter is expected to offset the water deficiency. The storage at this time last year was 33 per cent.Though the water level at Bhakra (recorded at 1,523 feet today) is down 52 feet from the last year’s corresponding figure, inflow into the reservoir this month is more due to increased snowmelt because of relatively higher day temperature, according to Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) officials.With less than normal storage, the BBMB cut the water supply to its member states, including Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, by 10 per cent at the start of winter season. The sates had also reduced their demand by up to 30 per cent, sources said. The demand for irrigation also goes down during spring because of the harvest season.Relatively less snowfall and rainfall last year resulted in the water level go down to 1,656 feet compared to its maximum permissible level of 1,680 feet. Bhakra, which lies on the Sutlej, is primarily snow-fed. The BBMB policy does not permit water level to fall below 1,507 feet to ensure reserves are available to meet the demand for irrigation and drinking water. Power cannot be generated if water level falls below 1,462 feet.“The average inflow at present is 8,800 cusecs as compared to 6,750 cusecs last year,” an official said. “Over the last two years, we were monitoring inflows as per ‘dry’ pattern, the lowest of three categories. Now it is between the ‘dependable’ and ‘mean’ categories, which places us in a fairly comfortable position,” he said.Higher temperatures during spring season could be taken as an indication of a good monsoon, though the Meteorological Department was yet to issue its long-term forecast, BBMB officials said. Earlier this week, a private weather forecast agency had predicted that the monsoon could be less than normal.The level at Pong Dam is 17 per cent of its capacity, as compared to last 10 year’s average of 28 per cent. BBMB officials said low water level at Pong would enable them to carry out technical inspection of water channels.

Congress candidate from Mohali Balbir Singh Sidhu comes out of a gurdwara at Phase IV.

Kulwinder Sangha

Mohali, March 10

The three main contestants for Mohali held meetings with their party agents and workers today. They made them aware of guidelines regarding the counting process that will take place at the District Administrative Complex in Sector 76 here tomorrow.Balbir Singh Sidhu of the Congress held a meeting with 14 counting agents and party workers at his office in the Industrial Area this morning. Sidhu said he was more than confident of winning this time again. When asked whether he had booked “dholis” and ordered laddoos to celebrate his victory, he said there was no need to do this as his supporters would make such arrangements.He said he would start his day at 6 am by paying obeisance at the Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan tomorrow before going to the counting centre. Sandhu said though some  exit polls gave the party only 50 seats, he was confident of that the party would win 65 seats.Meanwhile, AAP candidate Narinder Singh Shergill said he held a meeting with counting agents and party volunteers, asking them to remain vigilant. He said his party workers were new to politics and had to be guided properly.When asked whether “dholis” had been booked by him and ladoos ordered, Shergill said this would not be done before time and all this would be managed by his volusnteers. However, he admitted that he had ordered 10 to 12 quintals of laddoos, which would be sent to the party office to celebrate the victory of AAP candidates.Shergill, who is totally opposed to exit polls, termed these as “corporate polls”. He said some TV channels were run by corporate houses and they wanted to keep some parties happy. He said they were happy as AAP was given, at least 50 seats. He , however, said AAP would get 75 to 80 seats in Punjab.While the AAP and Congress leaders were gearing up for the D-day, SAD-BJP combine candidate TPS Sidhu too held a meeting with his party agents, telling them to keep a watch on the counting process and maintain records.He too showed little faith in exit polls, stating that these were removed from the reality. Sidhu said the response from people was favourable and there was not triangular contest. He exuded confidence of winning the elections.   When TPS Sidhu was asked as to how he would spend his day, the former Deputy Commissioner said he would go to his party office instead of the counting centre.   

Before verdict, gearing up for last lap

Congress candidate from Kharar Jagmohan Singh Kang with his family members at his residence in Chandigarh.

Shashi Pal Jain

Kharar, February 1o

All three main candidates from Kharar assigned duties to their supporters for the day of counting. The counting for the Kharar constituency will be done under the supervision of SDM-cum-Returning Officer Amaninder Kaur Brar.SAD-BJP candidate Ranjit Singh Gill, a 52-year-old coloniser, went to Kiratpur Sahib in the morning and offered prayers at various gurdawars, seeking blessing of the Sikh Gurus. He hoped for winning the seat. “I am not nervous and accept people’s verdict with grace, love and affection. When ask about various exist polls, Gill said, “These are just estimates. Everything will be in front of you tomorrow. Our party will win the elections.” AAP candidate Kanwar Sandhu today met his party workers in Kharar, giving them necessary instructions. His supporters were seen hopeful of winning the elections.Meanwhile, Congress candidate Jagmohan Singh said, “A large number of people in the constituency voted this time. We are expecting a big win this time.”Speaking about his schedule today, he said, “I was just another day for me. I went to pay last respects to someone at 12 noon. After that, I headed straight to Kurali to be with my supporters and get a hang of the exit polls, which clearly indicate an edge for the Congress. I also met PPCC president Capt Amarinder Singh and extended my good wishes to him. Tomorrow is a big day for us and I went to a gurwdara to seek the Almighty’s blessings. The exit polls clearly show that the SAD would be decimated. The actual race is between the Congress and AAP. I am confident of the Congress’ victory.” The Kharar seat was won by Jagmohan Singh Kang in 2012. He had defeated Ujagar Singh Badali of the SAD by 6,779 votes.According to data, the constituency has 2,20,994 voters (1,17050 males and 1,03,940 females). Out of them, 1,59,411 voters (85,887 males and 73,524 females) cast their votes. The total percentage of the voters who exercised their franchise stood at 72.13 per cent this time. Kharar has four third-gender voters but nobody turned up at the polling booth. 

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 24

The Indian Navy has successfully conducted the maiden trial firing of newly installed surface-to-air missile system from its sea-borne aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.

During the firing carried out in the Arabian Sea, the missile—from the Barak series—was fired against a live low-flying high-speed target. The target was successfully engaged and destroyed, Indian Navy spokesperson Capt DK Sharma said on Friday.

The firing was conducted as part of the Operational Readiness Inspection of the Western Fleet by Vice-Admiral Girish Luthra, the Western Naval Commander. The missile marks a significant milestone in providing Air Interception and Defence capabilities, of the Navy’s aircraft carrier and the fleet.

RK Grewal

TNS and Agencies

New Delhi, Bhiwani March 9Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal has rejected AAP government’s decision to award a compensation of Rs 1 crore to the family of ex-serviceman Ram Kishen Grewal from a village in Bhiwani, who committed suicide in Delhi over the “One Rank, One Pension (OROP)” issue in November last year. But Grewal’s family members, who met Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal last week, said they were hopeful of receiving the monetary help by this month-end. Grewal’s son Jaswant Singh said the CM had assured him that he would award the compensation despite the L-G’s objections, “come what may, even if I have to find an alternative.” (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)Sources said: “The Lt Governor has turned down the proposal sent by the Delhi Cabinet for approval, saying it is not in line with the compensation policy to provide ex gratia to servicemen.” In his note to Kejriwal, Baijal reportedly pointed out that Grewal had consumed poison on November 1, 2016, during a protest. “This specific case does not fall within the parameters of the scheme for grant of ex gratia i.e death occurring in the discharge of official duty.“Therefore, while I fully sympathise with the family of Subedar (retd) late Ram Kishen Grewal, I’m not able to agree to the proposal for payment of ex-gratia relief in this case,” the L-G wrote. This is the first proposal of the Delhi Government shot down by Baijal after he cleared a slew of files stuck with the L-G’s office during Najeeb Jung’s tenure. Reacting to the move, Kejriwal today attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him “anti-soldiers.” In November last, Kejriwal had announced a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the family of the ex-serviceman whose suicide had sparked a political slugfest with Kejriwal and the Congress attacking the Centre for “not fulfilling the OROP demand.” Gandhi, Kejriwal and other leaders had attended Grewal’s funeral in his native village in Bhiwani. 

L-G rejects ex-gratia to former soldier’s kin who killed self

Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Tribune file photo

New Delhi, March 9

Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal has rejected the AAP government’s decision to give Rs 1 crore compensation to the family of ex-serviceman Ram Kishen Grewal who had committed suicide over the OROP issue last year.Sources said that Baijal, on March 6, rejected the decision of the Delhi Cabinet which had also granted martyr status to Grewal.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)Last year, the Army veteran had committed suicide in the national capital demanding immediate implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP).“The Lt Governor has turned down the proposal sent by the Delhi Cabinet for his approval, saying it is not in line with compensation policy to provide ex-gratia to servicemen,” sources said.In his note to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Baijal said that as mentioned in the Cabinet decision, Grewal had consumed poison on November 1, 2016 during a protest for the implementation of OROP.“This specific case does not fall within the parameters of the scheme for grant of ex-gratia payment i.e. death occurring in the discharge of official duty.“Therefore, while I fully sympathise with the family of Subedar (Retd) Late Ram Kishen Grewal, I’m not able to agree to the proposal for payment of ex-gratia relief in this case,” Baijal said in the note.He said the position was also explained to the Chief Minister during his meeting with him earlier this month.This is the first proposal of the Delhi Government shot down by Baijal after he cleared a slew of files that were stuck with the LG office during Najeeb Jung’s tenure.The move may trigger a tussle between the AAP dispensation and the LG office.Sources said the proposal was also turned down as Grewal was neither associated with any service with the Government of NCT of Delhi, nor a resident of the capital.As per the existing scheme, ex-gratia payment is made in cases of defence, paramilitary forces, the Delhi Police, Home Guard, Civil Defence, Delhi Fire Service personnel dying in discharge of bonafide official duty.“They have to be either working with the GNCT of Delhi/ Delhi Police or have their permanent address recorded at the time of joining service as Delhi in case of defence/ paramilitary personnel. The situations that qualify for ex- gratia payment are well defined in the scheme,” Baijal said.Reacting to the move, Kejriwal today attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi.“Narendra Modi is anti-soldier. Modi ji himself doesn’t not provide good food to soldiers and when we are trying to help the family of the deceased soldier, why is he stopping us?” he tweeted.In November, Kejriwal had announced a compensation of Rs one crore for Grewal’s family.His suicide had sparked political slugfest as Kejriwal and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi had attacked the Centre for “not fulfilling OROP demand” of the ex-serviceman.Both leaders had also been detained by the Delhi Police when they tried to meet Grewal’s family.Gandhi, Kejriwal and other political leaders had reached the Army veteran’s native village to attend his cremation. — PTI

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The astonishing level of coordination and alacrity in “solving” the Madhya Pradesh train blast case seemed improbably professional. But within hours of the blast, the UP Police tracked down all the alleged perpetrators and managed to gun one down in a “live” shootout in Lucknow. Skeptics drew attention to the coincidence of an all-day live encounter on the eve of the crucial last phase of voting in UP. But we owe it to ourselves not to rush to form conclusive judgements from all-too-inconclusive evidence. Our own record of dealing with past terror cases does make a case for caution and circumspection.The court’s observations while acquitting the 2005 Delhi serial blast accused punched holes in all the grand claims made by the Delhi Police then, very similar to the UP Police’s assertions now. Or take the 1998 serial blasts that took place in Delhi, UP and Haryana. The police officials who had laid out the blueprint of a trans-national conspiracy at that time were left unscathed by the collapsing of the case in all the 19 cases. The only loser was the youngster who spent most of his dozen years in solitary confinement. Despite the all-too-neat tying up of loose ends in Lucknow, security managers suggest a formless apparition as the master controller. The need to exercise greater vigilance of the Internet has never been more acute if the police’s version that the motivators are Syria-based is taken at face value. This may be because the Central Government’s aversion to accommodating Muslims in political arrangements is stark. There are bound to be counter-effects in the community, especially among the restive younger elements, being painted as the “other”. Skeptics may say the ISIS bogey provides the common ground for reopening talks with Pakistan which claims to be under attack from the same source. It could also put India on the right side of US President Donald Trump currently obsessed with rooting out the ISIS. But given the Indian investigators’ consistent inability to get to the root of the conspiracy, we should take care that we do not end up chasing shadows and incarcerating innocents.

Won’t accept traitor’s body: Saifullah’s father

Sartaj, father of Saifullah

Kanpur, March 8

The father of suspected Islamic State operative Saifullah, who was killed in an anti-terror operation in Lucknow early this morning, refused to take the body of a “traitor”. Saifullah’s father Sartaj said his son had left home around two-and-a-half months ago after being reprimanded for not doing any work. He said he had hit his son a day before he left home. Saifullah had contacted his family last Monday and told them he was going to Saudi Arabia in search of a job.“What he has done is not in national interest. We will not take the body of such a traitor. A traitor cannot be my son. We are Indians, we were born in India, our forefathers  were born in India. One who works against my country is not my son,” Sartaj said.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)His elder brother Khalid said Saifullah had told the family he was going to Mumbai to get a visa for Saudi Arabia, where he wanted to work in the leather industry.  He had taken his Aadhaar card, passport and other papers before leaving, the elder brother said, adding he did not answer calls thereafter and his mobile phone was usually switched off. He had studied accounts and was a religious youth who offered namaaz five times a day.

Ths First Cabinet meeting held has taken decisions in the Interst of Punjab and created a history of its own .rather a national Records in goverance.

The Major Decision taken are as Under

DTO’s post goes,

new transport policy on anvil,and assign the work to respective SDMs/SDOs. 

Degree colleges to be set up in each subdivision

 Experts to assess quantum of farmers’ debt

   Law to rein in drug dealers

 

No Red beacons on vehicles,

except on emergency vehicles, the vehicles of the CM, the Chief Justice and High Court

End the VIP culture

and bring in a legislation on “conflict of interest”, wherein the ministers or MLAs could be unseated on being found to have business interest in their official capacity.

Commission of Inquiry to review “false” political cases and fix accountability.

Cabinet cuts liquor quota, number of vends

No state banquets

will be held (at government expense) except in honour of President , vice-president, Prime Minister , Lok Sabha speaker, governors and foreign dignitaries.

Mohalla clinic

for every 1,000 population, both in rural and urban areas.

Stays all decisions

taken by  the previous government in the last six months of its 6 months rule

Third-party audit

of SAD-BJP govt spendings, including those of urban bodies and panchayat institutions, above ₹10 crore for a project or scheme in the last three years. 

Establish a commission of inquiry

to review all ’false’ cases and FIRs registered during the 10-year SAD-BJP government with a view to ensuring justice to innocent and fix accountability of the guilty so that such things were not repeated.

NO SALE OF FARMER LAND

. A new legislation will prohibit sale and confiscation/auction of farmers’ land by lending agencies. The department of agriculture will put up the draft bill for consideration in the next meeting.

Unemployment allowance

The cabinet also approved ₹2,500 allowance for jobless youth and setting up an employment commission to regulate functioning of employment bureaus, which will be manned by specialists in all districts for carrying out surveys.

Curbs on stone laying

To be henceforth laid only by the President, Vice-President, Lok Sabha Speaker, Union Cabinet Ministers, Chief Minister, Assembly Speaker and state Cabinet Ministers. Even for major projects to the tune of Rs100 crore or Rs 200 crore, the names of Chief Minister and ministers will not be displayed on the foundation or inauguration plaques. These will carry a line saying that the project has been executed with taxpayers’ money. 

State banquets/dinners

No state banquets will be held (at government expense) except in honour of President , vice-president, Prime Minister , Lok Sabha speaker, governors and foreign dignitaries.

Free transport, Wifi

for govt schools, free textbooks . All textbooks will be available online for free downloading.

Regulator for private schools/Colleges /universities by  to setting  up a regulatory author

ity to supervise and regulate the functioning of private schools, private colleges and private universities in the state.

Benefits for freedom fighters, media .

One house to every freedom fighter at the village or town where he ordinarily resides, allocation of 300 units of free electricity every month, one out-of-turn tubewell connection, exemption from toll tax on state highways for them and accredited media persons.

Special courts  for drug peddling, corruption, NRIs and serving soldiers. 

Real estate regulator,authority in keeping with the central legislation to ensure justice and fair treatment to the common man during sale and purchase of land and buildings.

Audit of PSPCL, in the last five years will be investigated by a third-party professional auditors.

Repeal of  of Punjab Lokpal Act,

setting up of an expenditure reforms commission, setting up of military training academies and sainik schools.

Atta-dal, free power to continue.

 

Overhaul of the political, administrative and police setup in Punjab,

End the sand mining, transport, cable and liquor “cartels”

active during the previous Parkash Singh Badal government, the Cabinet decided to introduce a slew of steps and legislations.

White Paper on various omissions and commissions by the SAD-BJP government,

 MLAs and MPs will have to declare their immovable properties

on January 1 every year and asset details of all IAS, IPS, PCS and Class-1 officers would be tabled every year in the Vidhan Sabha.

33% JOBS FOR WOMEN

in all government jobs and increase their representation in PRIs and Urban Local Bodies from 33 to 50 per cent.

NO FOREIGN TRAVEL

The Cabinet banned foreign travel by ministers, MLAs and officials for two years.

HALQA SYSTEM GOES

The system of halqa incharge and use of political clout by staff in seeking transfers and favours has been ended.

DRUG TASK FORCE

A Special Task Force headed by ADGP Harpreet Sidhu, leading anti-Maoist ops in Chhattisgarh, will implement a programme to eliminate drugs.  Confiscation of Drug Dealers Property Act.

House for Badal

CM Capt Amarinder Singh’s predecessor Parkash Singh Badal to get free government accommodation of his choice. The previous Congress government’s policy of allowing official accommodation for former CMs had been revoked by the SAD-BJP alliance.

Action plan on SYL

The government has resolved to pursue the SYL case legally and administratively to protect the state’s waters. The Irrigation Department will formulate a proposal for the canalisation of Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers and the construction of high-speed economic corridors on dhussi bundhs.

Focus on jobs

Employment Bureaus to be set up in all districts. These will be manned by qualified professionals and specialists, including employment counsellors

Cable Authority Act

No monopolisation or cartelisation would be allowed in cable TV networks. A state-level statutory cable authority will be constituted, comprising senior mediapersons and professionals.

Reforms panel

Governance Reforms Commission to be reconstituted as Governance Reforms and Ethics Commission; to be manned by professionals.

Housing reservation,

30 per cent quota for SCs in allotment of houses, residential and commercial plots

OBC quota.

,To be raised from 12 per cent to 15 per cent for govt jobs

Relief from Toll tax,

Mediapersons to be exempted from payment on state highways

NRI Property Act.

To be enacted for safeguarding property of NRIs, having provision of eviction of tenant at 90 days’ notice.

Industrial Policy,

New one to be framed to revive industrial units. The previous policy was announced in 2013.5

 

Gurmehar Kaur.

Ananya Panda

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 7The Ramjas College violence and rape threats to Lady Shri Ram College student Gurmehar Kaur rocked the Delhi Assembly today. The ruling AAP played Gurmehar’s video clip in the House in its bid to target the ABVP and the BJP-led Central government.AAP MLA Alka Lamba said the case was yet another example of how students were being targeted for speaking their mind. “Her fault was that she raised her voice against the RSS goondaism,” she said.Leader of the Opposition Vijender Gupta’s objection to the playing of the video were overruled by Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel.When asked, a senior official of the Assembly said, “The Speaker had watched the clip in advance and found nothing objectionable.” Last year, AAP minister Kapil Mishra had played an audio recording on his phone in the House about an alleged case of snooping.

Youths throw stones at security personnel after the Friday prayers in Srinagar. Tribune Photo: Amin War

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 17

Protest demonstrations and clashes between the protesters and police took place in downtown Srinagar and elsewhere after Friday prayers against the killing of a girl during an encounter between militants and security forces in Kupwara on Wednesday.The protests, in response to the joint call of separatists, began soon after the congregational Friday prayers in downtown where the main mosque, Jamia Masjid, is located at Nowhatta. Masked youths displaying Pakistani and IS flags appeared on the roads and indulged in stone-throwing on police and CRPF personnel deployed in the area in strength to control law and order situation. The police lobbed teargas shells to disperse the protesters. There were no reports of any injuries to any one in the incidents so far.Demonstrations against the killing of the girl in Kupwara and the alleged arrest spree were also held by the JKLF at Maisuma in the Lal Chowk area. The clashes also took place in Sopore town of Baramulla district in north Kashmir, where the youths took to the streets and indulged in stone-throwing on police and CRPF personnel deployed in the area.Separatist leaders, Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, were kept under house arrest to prevent them from taking out any protest march.The protests were against the killing of a six-year-old girl, Kaneez, and injuries to her brother Faisal during an encounter between militants and security forces in the Kalaroos area of Lolab in Kupwara district of north Kashmir on Wednesday. The police said the girl was hit by a stray bullet, about 100 m away from the encounter site. The incident took place a week after the death of a 15-year-old boy, Amir, during a gunfight in the Padgampora area of Pulwama district of south Kashmir.

She was hit by stray bullet, say police

• The protests were against the killing of a six-year-old girl, Kaneez, and injuries to her brother Faisal during an encounter between militants and security forces in the Kalaroos area on Wednesday. The police said the girl was hit by a stray bullet
• The protests began soon after the congregational Friday prayers in downtown where the main mosque, Jamia Masjid, is located at Nowhatta