Snow being cleared from a road at Lahaul on Friday. Photo: Jai Kumar

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, February 10

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has sped up the snow clearing work in Lahaul-Spiti, where roads have been blocked since January 25.A BRO official said it would be a challenging task as there was heavy snow from Manali up to Lahaul.The BRO has engaged its workforce and machinery to speed up the work on internal roads of Lahaul to provide relief to area residents, who have been without power supply and road connectivity.BRO Commander AK Awasthi said: “We have engaged six dozers, four excavators, four JCB machines, one wheel loader and other machinery at different points between Stingri-Tandi, Udaipur-Tandi and Kelar- Sansari roads, which are under 8 feet snow at present.”“However Stingri and Keylong have been opened, it will take time to restore them completely,” he said.The BRO has deployed around 250 labourers for snow clearing in Lahaul. The pace of work will depend on the weather.“Efforts are on to open roads on time. Let’s hope the weather remains good. This year, the area received heavy snowfall and it will be a challenging task for the BRO to clear the roads in view of an avalanche threat,” said Awasthi.The harsh weather has crippled life in Lahaul-Spiti, where there is no power and water. Taps and pipes have frozen.Seventeen villages of Miyar and Tindi are still under darkness, where electricity lines have been damaged. The area is inaccessible for most part of the year. Officials of the Electricity Department could not reach the area due to snow. They said they were waiting for the weather to improve so that the roads could be opened.Superintending Engineer of Himachal Pradesh Electricity Department, Kullu, Rajiv Sood said the power supply had been restored in most of the areas, while Miyar and Tindi were still inaccessible due to heavy damage to the electricity lines.

Says proper mechanism for grievance redress exists in the system

Manohar Parrikar, Defence minister

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 7

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today made it clear that troops of the armed forces using social media platforms to air their grievances were “violating discipline” and asked them to report matters through “proper channel” — euphuism for reporting matter only through their immediate superiors in hierarchy.Replying to questions in the Rajya Sabha on quality of food being served to troops and the use of social media to highlight matters, Parrikar said: “If someone goes to the social media, I think, it is basically a violation of the discipline of the Army”.He cited the Army Act saying it has a provision for a redress mechanism. This could be followed. If still there is a problem, I think, the Chief of Army Staff has already provided a mechanism for redress at his level also. If the issue is still not resolved, there is a provision to even come to me, but raising it on the social media does not resolve the issue. It only highlights the issue, he said.“We insist that they should come through the proper channel. We will address them, and, I don’t think there is much of a big complaint about food”.The matter was raised during the question hour on the issue of a BSF jawan who had complained of diet in a social media post. One of the members asked Parrikar that though BSF fell under the Home Ministry, how he would view if Army jawans, too, aired their problems through the social media.Parrikar said there were dietary provisions for soldiers and there had been increase in the scale of meat, chicken for JCOs and authorisation of chilled, frozen meat as basic ration.He said the extension of special ration available for those posted at Siachen Glacier to troops across the country anywhere above 12,000 feet had also been undertaken. 

Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh shows strawberries he has planted at his home in Chandigarh on Sunday. Tribune Photo: Pradeep Tewari

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 5

The polling is over in Punjab, but not for state Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh. He is scheduled to visit poll-bound Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh to campaign for the party.A day after the hard-fought poll battle in the state, the scion of erstwhile Patiala royal estate did not let the poll fatigue get to him. “I will be visiting Uttarakhand before moving to Uttar Pradesh,” Capt Amarinder said today.He spent the morning with his grandchildren and relatives in Patiala before leaving for Chandigarh around 10.30am.At his bungalow here, he got down to reading the final draft of his book on the battle of Saragarhi. It is slated for release next month. “I carried the draft with me during campaigning. But due to hectic schedule, I was unable to read it. At the end of the day, I was too tired to go through it,” said the CM face of the Congress.“Post polling, there’s nothing to do. I am in a different mindset, focusing on the job at hand,” he said, relaxing in the lobby on the first floor, where he has planted strawberries. As plants have bore fruit, he relishes these and offers them to his guests.In the afternoon, he hosted a lunch for the IPAC team, which he said did a “good job”. “I am politely turning down requests from visitors to go downstairs to pose for selfies because it gets exhausting after a long schedule of campaigning.”Confident, he glanced through several survey reports on his mobile phone that hint towards the Congress forming the government. The conversation was interrupted by calls from candidates, who seemed to share their feedback on polling trends in their constituencies.“We are expecting 34 seats in Malwa, 19 in Majha and 14 in Doaba. My boys are confidant of performing well. We may not do well on one or two seats in Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar districts,” he added.

Preneet back to household chores

• Patiala: Former Union Minister Preneet Kaur said she was relieved partially as the canvassing was over. “I woke up early in the morning as I had to meet supporters. I have to attend a bhog and a birthday party of a supporter,” she said on Sunday. Now, her focus is home. “Relatives had come over to assist us in campaigning. Since they have left, I will be spending the next two days on household chores,” Preneet added.

Raninder has no time to relax

• Capt Amarinder Singh’s son Raninder Singh, who managed his father’s campaign in Lambi, said he had a tough month. He hosted a lunch for his supporters in Lambi on Sunday. As he reached New Moti Bagh Palace in the evening, he was surrounded by Congress supporters waiting for him to give feedback of the election process. “I will wake up late on Monday. I have not been able to do that for long. I will leave for Delhi as we are hosting the shooting World Cup there. So, I have no time to relax,” he added. Raninder is the president of the National Rifle Association of India. — Aman sood

Maj Gen (retd) Satbir Singh, chairman of the Union Front of Ex-servicemen of India, in Dehradun on Saturday. Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, February 4

The Union Front of Ex-servicemen of India, which has been staging a dharna at Jantar Mantar in Delhi for One Rank One Pension (OROP), has extended support to the Congress in Uttarakhand.Union’s chairman Maj Gen (retd) Satbir Singh, while addressing a press conference in Dehradun today, said their organisation had full faith in the leadership of Harish Rawat.He sought a promise from the Congress government that it would sincerely work for the betterment of ex-servicemen in the state if it is re-elected.He said the state government had promised that all vacancies for ex-servicemen in state government jobs would be filled at the earliest.Maj Gen Satbir Singh accused the Narendra Modi government at the Centre of failing to implement OROP. “The OROP being provided to us is mere eyewash and not the OROP demanded by the ex-servicemen,” he alleged.Ex-servicemen could no longer be neglected in the country and it was the very reason that they had decided to intervene politically and support the Congress in the Assembly poll taking place in five states, he said.Responding to queries, Maj Gen Satbir Singh said in the 2014 parliamentary elections, they had supported the BJP but the party ditched them and so they were now supporting the Congress.State Congress president Kishore Upadhyay expressed gratitude to the Union Front of Ex-servicemen of India for supporting the Congress. People of Uttarakhand had close links with defence forces and the Congress was expected to make major gains with ex-servicemen’s support, he added.

Commissioned in June 1963 into the 2 Sikh, the Punjab Congress chief underwent the battalion’s baptism by serving as an ordinary soldier

Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh was no chocolate soldier. I first learnt of his military career from my father’s batman, Shinghara Singh, in 1972. Shinghara was part of Amarinder’s platoon, accompanying him on long-range patrols, while serving in the inhospitable terrain along the Himachal-Tibet border after the 1962 war.

Earlier, Amarinder had undergone a gruelling course at the National Defence Academy (NDA). His instructor, General KMKS Baraich, noticed him travelling by bus along his fellow cadets rather than using the American car placed at his disposal. Commissioned in June 1963 into the 2 Sikh, he underwent battalion’s baptism by serving as an ordinary soldier. Along other subalterns, he removed his pips and lived with jawans in bunkers eating in the company langar. From being an assistant machine gunner, machine gunner, section second-in-command to section commander, he proved his worth to command a platoon and enter the officers’ mess.

In November 1964, he was selected by General Harbaksh to be his aidede-camp in Western Command. Contrary to general perception, ADC’s job is to relieve a commander of all administrative tedium. He coordinates his commander’s mobile tactical headquarters, keeping him in communication with his troops and the HQ. By mid-1965, he had left the army to look after his family’s affairs in the absence of his father who had become India’s ambassador to Italy. After the balloon went up in Kashmir later that year, Amarinder sought to accompany his battalion into battle. General Harbaksh told me that he wanted him attached with himself, arguing that he will learn more. This experience stood the young Amarinder in good stead, making him blossom out in later life as a military historian.

Amarinder has all qualities desirable in a commander – clarity, strategic vision, decisiveness, clear thinking, concern for subordinates, humility and flexibility. One saw evidence of his determination to protect interests of Punjab in the night vigil he undertook in the winter of 1986 on the periphery of Kandu Khera in Muktsar.

SUBEDAR MAJOR SANGWAN

Ilam Singh Sangwan from Meerut is Subedar Major of the Western Command Hospital, Chandimandir. A nursing technician with a three-year diploma, he provides logistic support for inpatients’ treatment. Also, he controls the enlisted nursing staff. And like subedar majors, he acts as the commandant’s eyes and ears. Sangwan had served with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force on the Golan Heights while attached with the Poona Horse.

Sangwan made good use of the Army’s excellent in-house higher education system to turn his sons into professionals. Aditya did his MBBS from the Army College of Medical Sciences, Delhi Cantonment, and works with Ivy Hospital, Panchkula. Abhishek, a computer engineer from the Army Institute of Technology, Pune, works with MavenHive Technologies, Bengaluru. The Chief of Army Staff awarded Subedar Major Sangwan his commendation card this year as did the Eastern Army Commander in 2007. It’s men like him who keep the wheels of busy military hospitals moving.

A NASTY GUST BLEW MY COVER. I WAS CAUGHT PANTS DOWN. HAVALDAR NATHU WITH A BEEDI BETWEEN HIS LIPS HAD A STRICKEN LOOK. THE JAWANS STOOD LIKE ZOMBIES IN ‘SAVDHAAN’

I wistfully recall my early years in the Indian Army. Life was tough but wholesome.

Since the past four years, the armed forces have been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Sparring generals, the age rigmarole, murky defence deals and more. The one rank one pension (OROP) disquiet was beginning to settle when the 7th central pay commission raised hackles again and then, the unseemly controversy regarding the selection of the army chief. There was a time when the army did its job quietly, and then retreated into its cocoon, the cantonments where it trained and honed its skills unobtrusively for the next kill. No political capital surgically milked the outcome of such operations.

Some years ago, a routine training move by a parachute and a mechanised infantry battalion had the then beleaguered government seeing ghosts where none existed. As if this was not comic enough, an artillery regiment in Nyoma, Ladakh, also ran amok. Reason: A woman bathing in a tent got exposed. I’m certain by accident not design. Such accidents have occurred earlier also, but we dismissed these as minor hazards of military service.

In 1979, I was posted to a unit in Nagrota, which was in tents. Tucked in one corner was the Officers Mess, I was billeted in a tent. An attached smaller tent served as a toilet. The place was given to stormy weather. Often nights were spent retrieving tents and equipment blown away by the wind. By daybreak it was business as usual.

The soldier’s routine from reveille to retreat was tough. It’s during small interludes that one takes life easy. After early lunch, army units are broken up into small groups. Each group is allotted a task for general maintenance of the unit. These tasks are often repetitive and sometimes allotted to keep the jawans busy and out of mischief. One such group under the command of a havaldar used to be sent to the Officers Mess. Its task was to repair the fencing, prune the hedges, and shear the grass.

Officers broke off for lunch around 2pm. After a quick bite I would head towards my tent. The havaldar in charge on seeing me would adopt a suitably industrious demeanor. He would bark ‘savdhaan (attention)’ to the group flailing scythes to cut non-existent grass. I would mutter ‘at ease’ and disappear inside the tent. The jawans outside thought this was Lt Sahib’s siesta time. The only instructions I ever heard the diligent havaldar whisper to the men under his command was ‘talk softly, if sahib hears us we will have it’. Inside the tent I would tiptoe to the toilet and squat on the pot from where I could hear their hushed banter. The earthy humour regaled me. Often officers were the butt of their jokes, but with no malice or disrespect.

One fateful afternoon, a nasty gust blew my cover. I was caught pants down. Havaldar Nathu with a beedi between his lips had a stricken look. The jawans stood like zombies in ‘savdhaan’. I look back in amusement and thank my stars that it was a different age. Today’s evolved jawan, besides a soldier’s paraphernalia, also carries a telltale smart phone. No prizes for guessing that it is one clip that would certainly have gone viral.

STRAIGHT TALK Gen Bipin Rawat says India will play along if Pak chooses peace

NEW DELHI: India would carry out more precision strikes on militant bases across the Line of Control if Islamabad rejected New Delhi’s peace overtures, army chief General Bipin Rawat said on Friday.

Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Rawat said India had made an offer of “peace and tranquility” to Pakistan but if Islamabad did not reciprocate, “this method of execution of operations will continue”.

“As far as surgical strikes are concerned, the aim was to ensure peace and tranquility. We are trying to ensure there is no requirement to conduct such strikes. If you (Pakistan) accept peace, we will go along,” Rawat said at a customary press conference ahead of Army Day on January 15.

Rawat stressed as far as the Pakistani response was concerned, India would have to adopt a “wait and watch” policy.

“We have told the adversary to accept peace and in case that offer is not reciprocated, then this method of execution of operations (surgical strikes) shall continue,” he said.

The army’s special forces conducted “surgical strikes” against militant pads in Pakistanoccupied Kashmir across the Line of Control last September, the first direct military response to the Uri attack that left 19 soldiers dead that month.

The strikes saw bilateral relations nosedive and resumption in border hostilities with daily firings and casualties on both sides

Pakistan denied the “surgical strikes” as India moved to isolate Islamabad diplomatically.

Rawat said the credit for the strikes, authorised by the government, should go only to people who executed the operations. The strikes had triggered a domestic political clamour with opposition parties alleging the BJP was trying to gain electoral mileage out of the army operation.A day after taking over as chief on December 31, he had said the army’s role was to ensure peace along the borders but it would not hesitate to use force if needed.

Promises `10,000-cr annual bonanza for voters, but probity in govt; no VIP culture, CM to be brought under lokpal ambit

The Congress believes it lost the 2012 Punjab elections to the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal’s populism. So this time round, the party manifesto for the February 4 elections promises the moon to voters, leaving no “section” untouched from cows to chowkidars (watchmen).

AJAY AGGARWAL/HT PHOTOFormer PM Manmohan Singh (R) and Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh release the party manifesto for Punjab assembly polls, in New Delhi on Monday.

The manifesto was released on Monday by former prime minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi along with state party chief Captain Amarinder Singh and simultaneously in Chandigarh by manifesto committee convener Manpreet Badal, who said the bonanza will cost the state exchequer `10,000 crore annually.

While the Congress gave fiscal prudence the go-by, it promised probity in the government. The party said it would loosen its purse strings for the needy but check government expenses.

There will be a two-year ban on foreign trips of MLAs and bureaucrats, 90% cut in the number of securitymen guarding VIPs, no red beacon on government vehicles except emergency services and no helicopter rides for the chief minister except during emergency situations. It announced a ban on dinners and banquets at state expense.

The manifesto also promises to bring the chief minister under the ambit of the lokpal. The fight against corruption would include vetting of all government contracts/tenders above `50 crore by an ethics committee.

It said the party will end the “politician-police nexus promoted by the system of halqa in-charges of SAD” and set up fast-track courts for drug cases and confiscation of property of drug dealers.

The 120-page document with pictures of Manmohan, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, vice-president Rahul Gandhi, Amarinder and the Congress symbol ‘hand’, has left no section untouched. Cows may not be voters but they can make a vote bank. The Congress manifesto tries to steal the BJP’s thunder and vote bank by promising to open one ‘gaushala (cow shelter)’ in every block and provide help in running them to NGOs at the rate of `30 per cow, per day. For chowkidars, it has declared an increase in remuneration to `2,000 a month.

SUBSIDISED TAXIS, TRACTORS

After rolling out schemes to register youth for 50 lakh smart phones with one year free data and one job, per family, the manifesto promises to give 1 lakh taxis and commercial vehicles to youth every year at subsidised rates under the ‘Apni Gaadi, Apna Rozgar’ scheme. After registering farmers for debt waiver under ‘Karza-Khurki Khatam’ scheme, the party manifesto also offers them 25,000 tractors and other agricultural implements at subsidised rates. The state government will stand guarantee for the loans, which they will have to repay in 5 years.

The poll doles don’t end here. The party promises to bear expenses of 200 meritorious poor and Scheduled Caste students every year at universities abroad under a scheme named after late chief minister Partap Singh Kairon who, Manpreet said, had studied at Michigan university and was the architect of modern Punjab. For the “less meritorious” students from all sections, it has promised free textbooks.

Taking inspiration from late Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa’s ‘Amma’ canteens, the Congress promises a “decent meal” for Rs 5 in state canteens. From the Aam Aadmi Party, it has borrowed the idea of setting up mohalla clinics and from West Bengal, the “Community Medical Srevice” comprising trained health volunteers. To outwit neighbouring Haryana, it has announced a jump of Rs 2 crore in prize money for Olympic gold and silver medalists from the state.

QUOTA POLITICS

The manifesto promises 33% quota to women in government jobs and educational institutions and increase in quota for other backward classes (OBCs) from 12 to 15 percent in jobs and 5 to 10 percent in educational institutes. It has come up with another 3% reservation in government jobs and 5% in educational institutions for those living within 30 km of the international border.

For SCs, there are free homes or 5 marla plots, 30% quota in government residential and commercial plots and free education up to graduation, including free board and lodging in professional colleges. To woo industry, the party promises to freeze power tariffs at Rs 5 per unit for five years and a “no jail clause” under a new industrial policy. The document, which starts with the party’s vision for Punjab, also includes a 10-page chargesheet on the ruling SADBJP government titled, ‘Its a SAD Bad Show here’.

 

MANPREET RAINS SOPS,

CHANDIGARH: He parted ways with not just the government but also his party and family over sops, mainly free power to farmers. But as a Congressman, former finance minister Manpreet Badal, the chief minister’s estranged nephew, is raining freebies.

DALJEET KAUR SANDHU/HT

While releasing the Congress manifesto at Chandigarh here on Monday, Manpreet said it had a “strong imprint” of his People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) — which merged into the Congress last January — but it was a “new wine, in new bottle”.

The Congress had failed to promise sops in the 2012 polls as then union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee wanted the manifesto to be “workable”. But after the “vanilla” manifesto pitched on idealism, both Manpreet and the Congress have got a taste of realpolitik. They did not have to look far for inspiration. The party’s rival, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), had rained sops in the 2012 manifesto and romped home, even though most of what it promised remains unfulfilled. After two back-to-back poll drubbings, the Congress also needs to outwit the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), a formidable challenger, which is releasing a series of manifestos to woo all sections of voters.

No wonder, Manpreet justified the poll doles as the “need of the hour”. The manifesto begins by saying: “The Congress is committed to end despair and insecurity among people of Punjab and restore the state’s honour.” It is another matter that not very long ago as the state’s finance minister, Manpreet had invoked state’s honour to give up freebies so that the “state does not have to go with a begging bowl to the government at the Centre, seeking a bailout”.

The manifesto had few surprises. Party’s poll strategist Prashant Kishor was already putting the manifesto in action through the many campaigns that are creating a database of voters, such as Coffee with Captain, Halke Vich Captain, debt waiver, free smartphones and one job per family. The 11-member manifesto committee of the party led by former CM Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and Manpreet came up with few more promises by meeting various sections of voters for a wishlist.

“The manifesto is a result of labour of six months. We met every section of society, from traders to industry, women to youth. The youth want jobs and the industry wants lower power tariffs. The choice is between letting industry flee to other states or making it stay by offering incentives. In the long run, it will create more jobs and more taxes,” Manpreet told HT after the manifesto release.

The former FM has done his math to explain the annual outgo of ₹10,000 crore on the sops. “We will spend big on welfare schemes by reining in government expenditure and mafias that deprive the state of its revenue. One way would be to trim bureaucratic flab and political appointees.

There are 100 commissions, boards, improvement and other trusts in Punjab that are a drain on its resources. Each runs an annual bill of about ₹5 crore. There are also many unnecessary posts such as district transport officers (DTOs) and divisional commissioners. We can simply do away with them,” Manpreet said. Interestingly, Punjab Congress chief Captain Amarinder Singh has promised to “reward” rebels vying for party tickets in the many boards and corporations.

The party believes it could unlock another few thousand crores by bringing the end to “mafia raj” of the present SADBJP government.

“The sand mafia collects goonda tax. The liquor mafia, cable mafia, land mafia and transport mafia have all robbed state government departments of their money to ensure the businesses of the ruling family flourished. We will end it all. And ₹3,000 crore a year revenue will come to the state once this is done,” Manpreet said.

The Congress has also factored in the goods and services tax (GST) to back its profligacy. “I believe Punjab will be a net gainer up to the tune of ₹5,000 crore annually under the GST regime. So we will ensure a welfare government by mopping up more revenue and reducing government expenditure,” he said. Denying that he had quit the SAD over free power, the former FM said, “The farmers are already in such a bad state. We cannot burden them with power bills.”

Congress releases manifesto, to revive city’s sports industry

The party has promised a skill development centre, a new focal point exclusively for sports industry, modernisation of equipments and a research base

JALANDHAR: In its much hyped manifesto that was simultaneously released by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Delhi and by local PPCC wing in Jalandhar, the Congress has promised to revive the depleting sports industry of Jalandhar.

PARDEEP PANDIT/HTCongress leaders releasing the party manifesto at the Congress Bhawan in Jalandhar on Monday.

The manifesto was released in Jalandhar by Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) vice-president Amar Singh, district Congress president Rajinder Beri and PPCC spokesperson Dr Navjot Dahiya.

The party has included the demand to set-up a new focal point at Jalandhar exclusively for the goods of sports industry.

The party has also promised to set up a skill development centre where labours will be trained with the latest technique exclusively for the sports industry to overcome the problem of shortage of skilled labour.

The party has also promised to open a research and development centre exclusively for the sports industry.

Notably, the party has included all the issues raised in the demand charter submitted by the sports manufacturing leaders to Manpreet Badal led manifesto drafting committee.

The Congress has also set up a district level industrial grievances committees.

“These boards have become an eyewash to appease a few of SAD-BJP office bearers,” reads the manifesto.

A full page in the manifesto has been dedicated to cover the issues of sports goods industry.

Over the issues raised by the bat manufacturing units regarding the tough availability of Kashmir willow clefts in Jalandhar, the party has promised to take up the matter with the Jammu and Kashmir government.

“Not only this, our government will also take effective steps to modernize the manufacturing of sports items,” reads the manifesto.

As per the manifesto, “The policy will be formulated to replace the imported sports items by manufacturing these in Jalandhar .

SPORTS INDUSTRY WELCOMES THE MOVE

Ravinder Dhir, president of Jalandhar Sports Manufacturers Association, who had submitted the demand charter before the drafting committee of the manifesto, has welcomed the move .

“We are happy that demands of Jalandhar’s sports industry have been given a prominent space,” he said

“However, the Congress has to win our confidence in promising that they will deliver it in a time bound manner,” the president of Jalandhar Sports Manufacturers Association said.

“Mere inclusion of these issues wont help us. The Congress should discuss the issues with us and show us how these issues will be resolved in case Congress comes to power,” said another sports manufacturer Karan Sachdeva. “

Keeping in view the past records of the Congress governments, it’s tough to believe on these promises,” said the sports manufacturer.

PATIALA: With the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) fielding former army chief Gen JJ Singh (retd) against Punjab Congress chief Capt Amarinder Singh from Patiala in the state polls to be held on February 4, the ex-servicemen stand divided in the constituency.

While some are accusing Gen Singh of “lowering the prestige of the post of an army general”, there are many who are set to join his campaign.

The All India Ex-Servicemen Joint Action Front (Sanjha Morcha) on Sunday lambasted Gen Singh, also for his comments against Amarinder.

“The general has not only downgraded the status of a former chief of army staff (COAS) but also disgraced the high office of governor (a post he held in Arunachal Pradesh),” said retired Lt Generals JS Dhaliwal, SS Brar and KS Dogra; and Maj Gen SPS Grewal (retd).

“If at all he wanted to contest polls, he should have done that for the Amritsar Lok Sabha seat, instead of downgrading himself to the level of assembly elections,” said Dhaliwal.

Brig Devinder Singh Grewal (retd) went further: “When he was made army chief, the media underlined that he was the first Sikh to hold the post. But Gen JJ Singh said, ‘I am Maratha’, as his regiment was Maratha Light Infantry. Why has he come to Punjab to contest polls? He should go to Maharashtra. He has no connection with Patiala. Amarinder is here and often meets ex-servicemen.”

Gen Singh, who has cited family connections and childhood days in Patiala for a local connect, hit back, saying, “Some ex-servicemen with vested interests, and motivated by Capt Amarinder, are hitting below the belt. They are afraid of my popularity.”

“Does having held the rank of COAS stop you from serving the nation through politics?,” he asked, and added, “Amarinder never faced a bullet in his three years in the army, while I led from the front in all important operations.”

Many of his ex-colleagues have started coming to Patiala to campaign. Lt Gen Jagdish Singh Dhillon (retd), under whom JJ Singh once served, said, “I will certainly campaign in Patiala as JJ remained my junior in the army. I am here to support him.”

“There can’t be double standards. Another former army chief, Gen VK Singh (retd), also contested elections. Why the objection against Gen Singh? It’s his personal choice,” he said.

Brig Ramesh Bhatia (retd), a batchmate, is among those who has come to native Punjab from Dehradun to support Gen Singh. “Many of my colleagues are coming to give a befitting reply to Amarinder in the polls,” said Gen Singh.

Ex-servicemen matter not only in terms of population but also perception in Patiala, which has a cantonment with nearly 5,000 votes. Add to that, around 6,500 votes of serving soldiers and ex-servicemen, who have been known to vote for Amarinder and his clan in the past. Patiala in all has 1.5 lakh votes.

PUNJAB DIARY

Congress had the ‘upper hand’

PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh and his supporters at the party headquarters in Chandigarh. Tribune photo

Chandigarh: At the Punjab Congress headquarters in Chandigarh, it was an unusual scene at the joining of AAP leaders from Gidderbaha last week. A number of Congress supporters who had come with Gidderbaha candidate Amrinder Singh Raja Warring were made to sport AAP caps reading ‘Mai Aam Aadmi’. For a moment, those wearing AAP caps outnumbered those wearing Congress robe. A few minutes later, AAP caps were in the air before landing in the feet of those assembled there. The Congress had the upper hand over AAP, at least at the event.

FASCINATING FACEOFF

Brig vs Major in Balachaur

AAP candidate Brig Raj Kumar campaign with their supporters in Balachaur on Sunday. Tribune Photo: Sarabjit Singh

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Balachaur, January 8

If it’s a Captain (Amarinder Singh) versus a General (JJ Singh) from Patiala Urban, a retired Brigadier is taking on a Major from Balachaur. While the Aam Aadmi Party picked Brig Raj Kumar (60), party worker Major Jarnail Singh (49) turned rebel and recently became a nominee of the Aapna Punjab Party (APP).Raj Kumar is a Gujjar, just like two other contestants — four-time MLA Ch Nand Lal (SAD) and Darshan Manguwal of the Congress. Jarnail, a Jat Sikh, claims that he is in the fray to bring justice to non-Gujjar communities as the Gujjars, having remained in power here, have enjoyed most of the benefits. Gujjars comprise about 30 per cent of the population in the constituency.Campaigning at Saroya village, Raj Kumar terms Jarnail a “party-hopper”, having switched over from the Congress to AAP and then to APP, while the latter terms the former an “outsider”.There are about 1,100 ex-servicemen and 2,200-odd serving Army personnel in Balachaur; both leaders are claiming their support. While Raj Kumar served the Army for 36 years, Jarnail took premature retirement in 2007 after 20 years of service.Talking about his family, Raj Kumar says, “My daughter, Neha Chaudhary, is a commercial pilot in New Delhi, while my son, Capt Arjun Chaudhary, is posted in Leh. Both can’t come for campaigning because of their jobs.”“Me and my wife were putting up with our daughter in Delhi when I observed AAP’sworking. Iwas impressed. Having retired two years ago, I felt that this party could provide me a platform to work in my native place,” he adds.“Then, we moved here. I was born in a village near Garhshankar. My schooling up to Class IV was in a government school at Balachaur, after which I went to Sainik School, Kapurthala. My father, Dhyan Chand, served as a patwari in Balachaur. This constituency is so backward that some villages don’t even have water supply. Women have to fetch it from neighbouring areas.”Jarnail’s wife is a lecturer at Fatehgarh Sahib, while his daughters are studying at Panjab University and DPS School in Chandigarh. “My family is too busy to do canvassing,” he says.The two officers have a common take on the two kinds of battles. “You have to strategise in both cases. You can somewhat predict the enemy’s next move from across the border, but not in a political contest. It was a regimented life for us in the Army, but here things are chaotic — but more interesting. The meal times, in particular, have become erratic.”

Manmohan to unveil Congress manifesto today

Manmohan Singh

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 8

Former PM Manmohan Singh will unveil the Congress manifesto for Punjab at the party headquarters here tomorrow in the presence of state leaders, including PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh.The manifesto, which Congress leaders are describing as unique, will promise sops for several sections, mainly farmers, the poor and the homeless, girl students, youth and Scheduled Castes.A major promise will be houses for the homeless across rural and urban sections. A job for one person per household is another tall promise the Congress is likely to make. Also on cards is tuition and hostel fee waiver right up to the doctorate level for girls from economically weaker sections.For farmers, the manifesto will hold a greater promise given party vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s involvement on the issue of loan waiver and revised MSP for farm produce.With Punjab farmers’ dues running into some Rs60,000 crore, the Congress is expected to promise a loan waiver.Speaking to The Tribune today, chairperson of the Congress manifesto panel Rajinder Kaur Bhattal said: “The manifesto will not be a routine text of promises. We have explained therein how we will fulfill these promises. In fact, the finer points of the manifesto were earlier discussed with Dr Manmohan Singh and we explained to him the details of financial inflows and outflows. Our manifesto is a genuine document of the party’s intent.”Screening panel meets againThe Congress screening committee, headed by Ashok Gehlot, met again in Delhi today to discuss 40 pending seats. The Tribune has learnt 18 seats have been sealed and discussions on the remaining will continue ahead of the central election committee’s meeting on January 10.

Mann Ki Baat: I want to be CM

AAP MP Bhagwant Mann

Chandigarh/Jalandhar: The tug of war between AAP leaders for the CM’s post has come out in the open. One of the main contenders, Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann, has started campaigning for the post. During a rally in Jagraon on Friday, Mann asked the audience to raise their hands if they wanted him as the Chief Minister. He repeated this exercise at other rallies. However, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal had said recently that only the elected candidates would take a call on picking the CM. When asked about the matter, party’s political affairs incharge Sanjay Singh quipped in Jalandhar on Sunday, “Mann has said that if the party makes him the CM, he will be happy. No person will ever say that he will be unhappy to be CM.”  TNSEC scissors threaten AAP filmChandigarh: When a party has actors Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi and Bhagwant Mann in its ranks, reaching out to the masses through films is an obvious choice. The Aam Aadmi Party has made a film highlighting issues such as the drug menace, sacrilege, lack of development, and family rule in Punjab. AAP wants to show the movie during its rallies, besides posting it on social media. But the party will have to wait .The Election Commission has asked for 10 cuts. “We have appealed against the cuts. There is nothing objectionable in the film. It is based on our manifesto,” said a party spokesperson. TNSSGPC member Gora joins Congress Muktsar: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member and SAD leader Gurpal Singh Gora, along with his supporters and some sarpanches, joined the Congress in the presence of PPCC vice-president Manpreet Singh Badal, Indian Youth Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and Congress candidate from Malout Ajaib Singh Bhatti in Gidderbaha on Sunday. Gora told the gathering that he was upset with the SAD after the desecration incidents. TNSCong MLA’s brother, nephew join APP Gurdaspur: Dera Baba Nanak Congress MLA Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa’s brother Inderjit Singh and nephew Deepinder Singh Randhawa joined the Sucha Singh Chhotepur-led Aapna Punjab Party (APP) here on Sunday. Soon after joining the party, Chhotepur announced that Deepinder Randhawa would be the party candidate from the Dera Baba Nanak seat. He will be engaged in a four-cornered contest with Sukhjinder, GS Khushalpur (AAP) and former minister Sucha Singh Langah (SAD). TNS

 

Party vows to depoliticise police force

Sarbjit Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 8

The Congress manifesto will focus on “complete elimination” of the VIP culture, besides laying down a code of conduct for the party’s elected representatives, including MLAs.Sources said the manifesto would promise to make the police functioning immune to political interference, besides implementing the Parkash Singh committee report regarding police reforms in letter and spirit. For the past few years, political interference allegedly by halqa chiefs in the police functioning remained a burning issue in the state.The Congress would promise to rid the department of that sort of political culture. The eight-hour duty norm will be implemented for police personnel. Security cover would be provided only on merit.There would be a list of dos and don’ts for the elected representatives. Promise would be made to enact new laws to tackle existing problems such as monopoly of cable network. All officers will have to declare their assets and the Lok Pal will be strengthened.The manifesto would announce to protect Punjab’s right over riverwaters and to restore the primacy of the state at the national level. There is likely to be a special package for border belt. Other major focus would be on women empowerment and gender equality.

SAD nominee faces tough questions

Sacrilege, police firing incidents haunt Akalis in Faridkot segment

Suba Singh Badal

Balwant Garg

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, January 8

Akali Dal’s candidate from Jaito Suba Singh Badal faced a volley of tough questions from the son of Krishan Bhagwan Singh, one of the two persons killed in police firing while they were protesting the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib at Behbal Kalan village on October 14 last year.During campaigning at Niamiwala village today, the Akali leader was listing out “achievements” of the government when Sukhraj Singh, son of the deceased, questioned him why the government and Akali leaders had been ignoring Niamiwala and other villages in the area for the past 10 years.“Where were you in the past 10 years? You never came before. Why now?” Sukhraj asked Suba Singh.The village sarpanch, Jagdev Singh, tried to put up a defence by saying that Sukhraj Singh was a first-timer. He claimed that once elected, Suba Singh would develop villages. The nominee soon left after that.Not only in Niamiwala, the SAD candidate is facing a tough time in Bargari, Sarawan, Burj Jawahar Singh Wala and Behbal Kalan villages as well. These villages were the centre of the agitation for more than three months in the light of sacrilege incidents.Though the government has laid the foundation stones of community centres in the memory of two persons killed in police firing — one in Niamiwala village and the other in Sarawan village — the government has been unable to pacify villagers.Congress’ candidate Mohammad Sadique and AAP’s Master Baldev Singh, meanwhile, are focusing on these villages. The two candidates are promising to arrest those responsible for the sacrilege incidents and prosecute policemen who had killed protesters in Behbal Kalan.Sadique began campaigning by visiting gurdwaras at Bargari and Burj Jawahar Singh Wala villages. He says the Justice Zora Singh Commission report on sacrilege incidents is a cover-up. “The CBI is not making any headway after more than six months of investigation.”

In the line of fire

• While campaigning at Niamiwala village, the Akali leader was listing out ‘achievements’ of the government when he was interrupted by Sukhraj Singh — son of Krishan Bhagwan Singh who was killed in police firing while he was protesting a desecration incident on October 14. Sukhraj questioned him, “Where were you in the past 10 years? You never came before. Why now?”

Stones hurled at Sukhbir convoy in Jalalabad, 4 hurt

FAZILKA: Four persons were injured and a police vehicle damaged when stones were hurled at the convoy of deputy chief minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal by a group of protesters at a village in his constituency, Jalalabad, in Fazilka district on Sunday.

HT PHOTOAfter the incident, cops deployed at Kandhwala Hajar Khan village near Jalalabad in Fazilka district on Sunday.

THE SAD LATER BLAMED AAP, WHICH DENIED ANY INVOLVEMENT, THOUGH A VIDEO OF THE INCIDENT WAS SHARED BY AAP ON ITS SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS

The SAD later blamed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which denied any involvement, though a video of the incident was shared by the AAP on its social media accounts.

Sukhbir was unhurt as his car had already gone past the dozen-odd protesters, who were reportedly miffed at not getting a chance to talk to him about an issue with public toilets. This was Sukhbir’s first visit to the segment — where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fielded its firebrand leader Bhagwant Mann — after officially being declared the party candidate.

It occurred around 6pm, when Sukhbir was moving towards Fazilka after a public gathering at Kandhwala Hajar Khan, 20 km from the district headquarters. Ketan Baliram Patil, senior superintendent of police (SSP), Fazilka, acknowledged that the vehicle of SP Amarjeet Singh, who was deployed for Sukhbir’s security, was among some vehicles damaged. “A probe is on and very soon the culprits will be taken to task as per law,” he said.

After the incident, a large number of policemen, besides a battery of officials, reached at the spot. Among those injured were Akali leader Palwinder Singh, who is a former sarpanch, and Manpreet Singh. They were taken to the Fazilka civil hospital but the injuries were not reported to be serious. Village sarpanch Harjinder Singh Bhullar alleged, “This was the handiwork of AAP workers who cannot digest the eventuality of an Akali Dal victory.” But AAP’s Mann refuted it. “Our party does not believe in violence. Rather, this is the outburst of the common man against 10 years of misrule by the Akalis.”Before Kandhwala Hajar Khan, Sukhbir had addressed gatherings at three other villages.

Balbir Sidhu’s wife campaigns in Mohali

Balbir Sidhu’s wife Daljit Kaur interacts with residents at Phase I in Mohali on Sunday. Tribune photo: Vicky Gharu

Mohali, January 8

Daljit Kaur Sidhu, wife of Balbir Sidhu, Congress candidate from Mohali Assembly seat today carried out an extensive campaign for her husband at Sector 70 and Phase 1 here today.Accompanied by Mahila Congress leaders and workers, Sidhu sought vote for development. Talking to residents during campaigning, Daljit Sidhu said that after Congress came to power in Punjab, the self-employment process for women would be strengthened and special women training centers would also be opened to help women make both ends meet.—OC