Written by Mandeep Singh Bajwa

There’s a lot to be said for military discipline, organisation and spirit de corps. The resultant dedication, devotion to duty and camaraderie stays even when out of uniform. If channelised properly it can pay rich dividends. The Guardians of Governance (GOG) programme was started by the Punjab Govt in 2017 to act as the eyes and ears of the Chief Minister and monitor development works and issues of administration in the rural areas. A total of 4,300 ex-servicemen were appointed as ‘Guardians’ covering the state’s 12,700 villages. They send in their reports through a well-oiled system using the latest information technology.

A TIRELESS GENERAL  WHO IS ALWAYS RESTLESS TO ACTIVATE GOG’s ALL THE TIMES.

Lt Gen TS Shergill AVSM Senior Advisor to the CM Punjab and Sr Vice Chairman Gurdian of Goverance (GOG)., who has toured in short span of time  20 districts, 8 of them twice, meeting DCs, SSPs and my GOG(4300) who are in the field on Covid and harvest duties. and is likely to  complete all districts and start all over again. A great Motivator on ground with personal example .—

The programme as a force of disciplined, well-organised force has really come into its own as the State Govt’s response body to the current pandemic. It speaks volumes for the GOGs’ dedication that they’re all in the field handling various duties. All elderly men, their devotion to duty is exemplary. This even as policemen over 55 years of age have been withdrawn from frontline duty.

 Guardians of Governance distributing rations to the needy as part of the govt’d relief programme.

Some of the duties undertaken by them are reporting Covid cases, including linking with visitors from abroad, distribution of rations, management of migrant labour, various surveys and data-mapping and reporting the impact on essential services. In addition, various kinds of monitoring have been done by GOGs, including operations of combine harvesters. In the initial period of lockdown distribution of medicines was also their responsibility.

The dedicated cadres have enforced social distancing norms at many places including rural banks. Their service in ensuring proper marketing of the all-important wheat crop has been of the highest order. Not only have they maintained social distancing in procurement centres, with their natural military tendency to ensure justice and even-handedness, they have also been of great help to farmers. I was pleased to read a recent news report about a GOG intervening to prevent a farmer being short-changed in Sardulgarh Tehsil.

 General TS Shergill, Senior Adviser to the Punjab Chief Minister motivating GOGs on a tour of a Punjab district.

GOG Control rooms function round the clock at Chandigarh and all district and Tehsil headquarters. Their own leadership has been of the highest order. Lt General TS Shergill (retd), Senior Adviser to the Chief Minister who oversees the programme has constantly been on the move touring the state and motivating his men. The GOGs’ services will not be forgotten in a hurry say administrators.

3195 GoGs DEPUTED IN 1683 PURCHASE CENTRES TO ASSIST MANDI BOARD TO ACCOMPLISH THIS GIGANTIC TASK EFFICACIOUSLY
Chandigarh, April 23, 2020: To ensure hassle free and smooth procurement ofwheat across all the mandis in the state, the Punjab Government has deputed 3195 Guardians of Governance (GoGs) to assist the Mandi Board in its gigantic task amid curfew/lockdown due to Covid-19. Disclosing this here today, ACS Development Viswajeet Khanna said that these guardians deployed in 1683 mandis would oversee the ongoing procurement operations besides maintaining health protocol including social distancing amongst
all the stakeholders to keep the spread of corona virus under check. Apart from these, GoGs have also been mandated to regulate the safe movement of traffic in sync with staff of the market committees and Mandi Board to avoid crowd and congestion there.
Khanna further revealed that these steps initiated by the Mandi Board would go a long way in ensuring seamless procurement of farmers produce and safety of all concerned in these trying circumstances in wake of Covid-19 pandemic.
Pointing out further, ACS said that the GoGs are consistently reporting on the prevailing hygiene and sanitation conditions in the mandis besides apprising the concerned authorities about other organizational issues. They are reporting to the state headquarter in Chandigarh, through their organizational set-up comprising tehsil and district heads, which in turn are sharing their reports with the authorities of Mandi Board.
Lauding the services rendered by GoGs in this crucial phase, Khanna said that these Ex-servicemen had served the country with utmost devotion and sincerity throughout their active service and now without caring their advanced age, have once again accepted the challenge to extend a helping hand to facilitate the state
government in implementation of its preparedness plans for staggered movement of wheat due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 23

To ensure hassle-free and smooth procurement of wheat across all the ‘mandis’ in the state, the Punjab Government has deputed 3,195 Guardians of Governance (GoGs) to assist the Mandi Board in its gigantic task amid curfew and lockdown due to Coved-19.

Disclosing this here on Thursday, ACS Development Viswajeet Khanna said that these guardians deployed in 1683 ‘mandis’ would oversee the ongoing procurement operations besides maintaining health protocol including social distancing amongst all the stakeholders to keep the spread of coronavirus under check.

Apart from these, GoGs have also been mandated to regulate the safe movement of traffic in sync with the staff of the market committees and Mandi Board to avoid crowd and congestion there.

Khanna, further, revealed that these steps initiated by the Mandi Board would a long way in ensuring seamless procurement of farmers produce and safety of all concerned in this trying circumstances in wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

Pointing out, further, ACS said that Khanna, further, said that the GoGs are consistently reporting on the prevailing hygiene and sanitation conditions in the mandis besides apprising the concerned authorities about other organizational issues.

They are reporting to the state headquarters in Chandigarh, through their organizational set-up comprising tehsil and district heads, which in turn is sharing their reports with the authorities of Mandi Board.

Lauding the services rendered by GoGs in this crucial phase, Khanna said that these Ex-servicemen had served the country with utmost devotion and sincerity throughout their active service and now without caring their advanced age, have once again accepted the challenge to extend a helping hand to facilitate the state government in the implementation of its preparedness for staggered movement of wheat due to Coved-19 restrictions.

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 23

India and China have established an air bridge to bring badly required test kits, personal protection equipment (PPE) and even thermometers.

In the past two weeks, around two dozen flights arrived from five cities in China carrying nearly 400 tonnes of medical supplies, including RT-PCR test kits, rapid antibody test kits, PPE and thermometers.

• In the past two weeks, two dozen flights arrived from China carrying nearly 400 tonnes of medical supplies, including RT-PCR test kits, rapid antibody test kits, PPE and thermometers.
• Around 20 more flights are expected to bring in supplies from China in the coming days, and the procurement is likely to be stepped up considerably in the next few months.

Around 20 more flights are expected to bring supplies from China in the coming days, and this is likely to be stepped up considerably in the next few months as the procurement efforts gain momentum, said the MEA official spokesperson.

“As a result of these efforts, we have started receiving some of the equipment, and expect further supplies of test kits, PPEs, masks, etc., in the coming weeks,” said the spokesperson. As part of the government’s response to the Covid-19 situation, the MEA is playing a key role in the Empowered Group to ensure availability of essential medical equipment and supplies. This has pitch-forked Indian missions at the forefront of efforts to ensure quick implementation of procurement plans from overseas.

The MEA spokesperson also spoke about several initiatives. One significant development has been the enabling of a South Korean firm to produce 5 lakh Covid-19 rapid antibody testing kits every week in its plant in Manesar, Haryana.

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 24

In a major policy shift, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBP) has done away with deploying battalions on a rotational basis in anti-Naxal operations. Instead, battalions already deployed in the anti-Naxal role will now become a permanent fixture and personnel will be transferred in an out on an individual basis.

The rotation change over (RCO) of two battalions deployed in Chhattisgarh, which was due in May, has been cancelled, sources said. Orders to this effect were passed by the ITBP Director General SS Deswal on April 23, after a series of discussions with the force’s top brass, sources said. The tenure of a battalion in anti-Naxal operations was three years.

From now on, no ITBP battalion will be earmarked for anti-Naxal operations. The RCO of battalions was being planned and executed by the Operations Directorate at ITBP Headquarters. The task of handling individual postings has been passed on to the Personnel Directorate and is expected to be handled in the same manner as other transfers in the force across all hierarchical levels, though the tenure mandated for individuals posted to such areas will be adhered to.

The new policy has some semblance with the Army’s Rashtriya Rifles (RR) that is deployed in anti-terrorist role in Jammu and Kashmir. Unlike most regular Army battalions that move after a stipulated tenure at a station, an RR battalion has a fixed location and only the troops from different regiments to which an RR battalion is affiliated with, are rotated.

The ITBP, which is responsible for the peace-time management of the border with China, has 56  service battalions, four specialist  battalions, seven logistics  establishments and 17 training  centres. Out of the 56 service battalions, 32 are deployed for border guarding, 11 in internal security and eight in anti-Naxal operations. The remaining five are reserved for rest and recuperation. Elements of the force also provide security to sensitive installations, banks and persons at security risk.

Battalions that were deployed in anti-Naxal operations underwent a collective pre-induction training so that they were oriented for the specific task that was vastly different from border guarding duties.

The new policy will have an impact on the training methodology. The ITBP’s Training Directorate has been directed to evolve a new mechanism for imparting necessary training to personnel being transferred to battalions located in the anti-Naxal theatre. The ITBP has a structured training programme for such deployments and is conducted by its Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School.

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, April 24

The Supreme Court on Friday stayed coercive action against Republic TV Editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami for three weeks in connection with the multiple FIRs against him for his alleged remarks against Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

The remarks were made during news shows on the recent Palghar mob-lynching of three persons, including two saints in Maharashtra.

A Bench comprising Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice MR Shah, in a hearing conducted through video-conferencing, stayed all FIRs against Goswami, except the one registered at Sadar Police Station in Nagpur.

The Supreme Court transferred the FIR registered at PS Sadar, Nagpur to PS NM Joshi Marg in Mumbai and said it would be investigated along with the FIR lodged by Goswami after the attack on him two days ago.

Read also: ‘Attack’ on Arnab, two arrested

The Supreme Court gave protection from any coercive action, including arrest, to Goswami for three weeks, during which he can seek anticipatory bail either from the trial court or the Bombay High Court.

The Supreme Court also directed the Mumbai Police Commissioner to give protection to the Republic TV office and Goswami.

The top court turned down a request from senior advocate Vivek Tankha, representing Chhatisgarh Government, to restrain Goswami from making comments similar to the ones that led to the registration of the FIRs.

“There should be no restraint on the media. I am averse to imposing any restrictions on the media,” Justice DY Chandrachud said.

Acting on the Republic TV Editor-in-chief’s petition, the Supreme Court also issued notices to the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Jammu and Kashmir Administration—where multiple FIRs have been lodged against Goswami.

According to the SC order, probe into all cases, except the one lodged in Nagpur and ordered to be transferred to Mumbai, has been stayed. No probe into fresh FIRs arising out of April 21 TV show will be done. The Supreme Court gave time to Goswami to club all FIRs and complaints, bring all of them on record and make the complainants parties to his petition.

Further hearing would take place after eight weeks, said the top court. The Bench asked Arnab Goswami to co-operate with the investigation into the matter.

Mona

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 19

This is for the first time in the 30 years of their marriage that Admiral Sunil Lanba (retd) has got to spend ample time with his wife Reena. They are making the most of this time by doing household chores together, tending to their garden and catching up on reading and television.

“Lockdown was a necessity and I feel proud that we have come together as a nation to follow rules and regulations set by the government. We have been able to flatten the curve together, which is remarkable,” he said.

The day begins with watering plants, forenoon is spent on finishing household chores, evening calls for some time in the garden and the day is pleasantly spent in each other’s company. “I have been on ship for a significant amount of time. It’s only now that we have each other totally,” said Admiral Lanba, who served as the 23rd Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy.

Work keeps him occupied even during the lockdown. Being the chairman of National Maritime Foundation, he has to address seminars, which is only possible through video-conferencing. In the leisure time, he catches up on his old books and watches television. “PG Wodehouse is out of the bookshelf again. We enjoy watching serials and old Hindi movies and spend a great time with each other,” said the lively decorated Naval officer.

During the lockdown, Admiral Lanba makes sure that he stays connected to his friends and family. “Phone really comes handy here. I chat with my friends, cousins and relatives. My wife and I spend time chatting with our kids. We love to chat with our grandson, who will turn 4 this June.” Amongst the things that he misses are his morning walks and golf time with friends.

He asserted that they needed to be careful even when the restrictions were lifted. “It’s going to be a new normal because till we have vaccine and a cure in hand, the world at large cannot be back to business as earlier. We need to take cautious steps when lockdown is lifted and follow preventive measures so that the disease doesn’t reoccur in our country.”

New Delhi, April 24

Noting that it was “insensitive and inhumane” to freeze dearness allowance, the Congress on Friday said instead of “hurting” the middle-class employees and pensioners, the government should shelve bullet train and Central Vista redevelopment projects to save money for the coronavirus fight.

“It is an insensitive and inhumane decision of the government to cut DA of central employees, pensioners and jawans who are serving the public while fighting coronavirus, instead of suspending the bullet train project and the Central Vista beautification project of lakhs of crores (of rupees),” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala asked the government to curtail 30 per cent of its own expenses and shelve the Central Vista redevelopment and bullet train projects to save money to be used to fight the COVID-19 outbreak.

The government on Thursday froze inflation-linked allowance for its 1.1 crore employees and pensioners, a move states are likely to replicate, helping save a combined Rs 1.2 lakh crore that could be used to combat the coronavirus crisis.

Surjewala demanded that the government cut its own wasteful expenses by 30 per cent that could yield around Rs 2.5 lakh-crore and take back its decision of freezing the dearness allowance and relief for employees, pensioners and defence personnel.

He also accused the government of “misconceived” priorities and policies and said on one side the Prime Minister is telling states and the private sector not to cut salaries of its employees and on the other, he is himself cutting the salaries of government employees.

“Is this not an indicator to the states and private sector…If this mayhem continues, how will you put money in the hands of people,” he asked.

Surjewala said the government should shelve its Central Vista project of Rs 20,000 crore, of which the Prime Minister held a meeting even yesterday, as well as the Rs 1.10 lakh-crore bullet train project and not cut the money of common people.

“Why are you attacking the incomes of the most vulnerable sections and instead not cutting your own waste expenditure,” he asked.

The Congress has been critical of the government’s decision to freeze the dearness allowance of government employees from January 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021. PTI