Despite Capt’s assurance, ‘halqa system’ prevalent,Unsuccessful Cong candidates Sekhri, Mantu calling the shots in Gurdaspur

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur, May 21

Ahead of the Gurdaspur Lok Sabha byelection, the ruling Congress has sought to strengthen its position by allowing two of its defeated candidates to act as “halqa chiefs” in Batala and Sujanpur Assembly constituencies.Of the nine Assembly seats in the parliamentary constituency, the Congress has won seven in the recently held elections. Now with Ashwani Sekhri, a three-time MLA, being given the charge of Batala and Amit Mantu, a debutant in the last elections, being asked to control the administrative affairs in Sujanpur, the Congress virtually rules the roost in all nine segments.Notwithstanding Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh’s assurance that the unconstitutional halqa incharge system has been dispensed with, it is clear that the mechanism to give power to losing candidates is very much in vogue.Mantu, who has lost to Dinesh Singh Babbu of the BJP, admits that he is looking after all transfers. “It is on my recommendations that employees are transferred, particularly in the education, police and health departments and the Ranjit Sagar Dam. If an employee goes directly to any minister, he or she is asked to get my recommendation,” he claimed.Sekhri, too, has been given unbridled powers. The public statement by Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on a recent visit to the city that “in Batala, Sekhri will be handling all affairs pertaining to the local bodies” had his followers clapping with joy.Sekhri, who lost to LS Lodhinangal of the SAD, said: “Being a loyal soldier, I will abide by my party’s orders.”The former MLA is an aspirant for the party ticket from this parliamentary seat. His new found “status” has his opponents fuming. “I have won the election fair and square. But my voice is not being heard in the corridors of power and it is Sekhri who holds the reigns,” a livid Lodhinangal retorted.

Govt to hike mining capacity

Move aimed at filling demand-supply gap to check sand prices

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 21

The state government has decided to release another 70 lakh tonnes of mining capacity to meet the demand for sand and bring its price under control.With the generation of a total capacity of 3 crore tonnes, the government is looking to fill the demand-supply gap, thus effectively decartelising the mining business and stabilising the price of sand.An official spokesperson said the mining policy was aimed at providing sand at reasonable price to the people and revenue generation for the state.With 70 lakh tonnes of additional capacity set to be released soon, the total quantity of sand in the market will go up to 3 crore tonnes, including 1 lakh tonne already available,. This would be more than sufficient to meet the current estimated demand of 2 crore tonnes.The spokesperson said the conditions of mine allotment under the new policy had built-in checks against hoarding and speculation by contractors, who were required to deposit security and advance payment by May 23. In case of failure, the earnest money deposited would be forfeited and the mine would be re-auctioned immediately, with the said contractor being blacklisted for future contracts.

Review policy: AAP

Chandigarh: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday asked the government to review its mining policy, adding that the just-concluded auction of mining sites would have disastrous consequences for the environment and cause the prices of sand and gravel to go through the roof. In a press release, AAP leader Dinesh Chadha said going by the data provided by the government, a tipper of sand and gravel would cost at least Rs 40,000 to the end consumer. He said the contractors, in a bid to avoid losses, might conduct large-scale illegal mining in the vicinity of the auctioned areas. Chadha said the common man would have to pay much more for sand and gravel under the new policy, while natural resources would be depleted due to the non-scientific methods used in illegal mining. He asked the Union Environment Ministry to intervene in the matter.

..Approaches Yogi over UP gurdwara loot

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 21

Taking cognisance of the incident in which a group of armed persons barged into a gurdwara and looted the ‘golak’ and other articles in Saharanpur (UP), SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar has approached the UP Chief Minister.“If the spiritual places are not safe, the plight of the common man can be well gauged. This instance has raised a question mark on the law and order situation over there. The culprits should have been arrested. I have asked for the intervention of CM Yogi Adityanath to take action against the accused,” he said.The SGPC has formed a committee which will visit the gurdwara and gather information about the incident. The committee comprises SGPC senior vice-president Baldev Singh Kaimpur, member Manjit Kaur and Gurdwara Kapal Mochan manager Harwinder Singh.

Of Rs 91 crore for fire services, SAD-BJP spent Rs 17 cr: Sidhu

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 21

Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu has accused the previous SAD-BJP government of not utilising the grants sanctioned by the Centre for upgrading the fire-fighting system.“Punjab was the only state in the country that failed to upgrade its fire-fighting system. All other states spent crores of rupees to strengthen their fire stations,” he told the media at Christian Medical College and Hospital here today.He visited the hospital to enquire about the health of four firefighters injured in a fire that broke out in a local textile factory on May 11.“Had they (firefighters) been provided with proper equipment and safety kits, they would have escaped unhurt,” Sidhu said. He termed firefighters “bahadur” (brave) and “jaanbaaz” (daredevil).“The Centre had issued Rs 91 crore to Punjab to upgrade its fire services. Of the first instalment of Rs 45 crore, the Department of Local Government spent only Rs 17 crore. The balance amount lapsed after March 31, 2017,” the minister said, adding that “forget about the second instalment. The previous government failed to utilise the first instalment. As a result, the fire-fighting system is ailing”.As the state government failed to produce the “utilisation certificate” regarding the usage of grant, Punjab was put in a “red zone” by the Centre, Sidhu said.“The previous government did tremendous damage to the state. The Congress government is in a damage-control mode. Give us a few months and it will produce results,” he added.Meanwhile, Sidhu said four firefighters, who were hurt in the May 11 fire incident in Ludhiana, would be honoured during the Annual Fire Service Week in April next year.“These brave firefighters will be awarded with medals for showing exemplary courage to save others’ lives. I will make sure that the Fire Department becomes one of the best in the country,” he said.

Sidhu blames it on SAD-BJP

Says failure to use Central grant has led to poor state of fire service in Punjab

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, May 21

Four firefighters suffered severe burns while they were dousing flames at a factory in the city recently. Had they been provided with proper gear, they would not have been injured. The previous SAD-BJP government did not bother about utilising the grants sanctioned by the Central Government for improving the Fire Department.Punjab is the only state in the country which has failed to update its firefighting system while all other states have spent several crores to strengthen their fire stations. As the state government has failed to produce “utilisation certificate” against the grant given by the Centre, Punjab has been put in the “red zone” by the the Central Government, which is shameful.These views were expressed by Minister for Local Bodies Navjot Singh Sidhu while speaking to the media after enquiring about the health of the firefighters at Christian Medical College and Hospital here today.Terming the firefighters as “bahadurs and jaanbaaz”, Sidhu said it was unfortunate to know that Rs 90.91 crore was sanctioned by the Central Government from the disaster management head to update the fire services in Punjab, of which Rs 45 crore was released as the first instalment. But the Department of Local Government, Punjab, could not spend more than Rs 17 crore. The balance amount of Rs 27 crore lapsed after March 31, 2017.“Forget about the next instalment of Rs 45 crore, the previous government failed to utilise the already released grant. They just had to order for equipment, that is it. But they even failed to do so and today our fire service is ailing, crying for revival,” said Sidhu.Sidhu said the Badals had done irreparable damage to the state. “I am ready to expose them wherever they want me to. If they call me to Badal village, I will go there but they should have courage to face me. They have done severe damage to the state and our Congress government is still in the damage-control mode. At least, give us a few months’ time and we will produce results as per your expectations,” he said.He also said erring officials in the Local Bodies Department would not be spared and punishment as per law will be given to them.Smart City: Just trying to understand thingsThe Central Government, which was too eager to spend Rs 3,000 crore on three cities of Punjab, Ludhiana, Amritsar and Jalandhar, under the Smart City project, today is reluctant to provide even 5 paise to the state for the simple reason that the previous government miserably failed to put the matching grant in Ludhiana Smart City Project, said Sidhu.When asked about the fate of Ludhiana Smart City, Sidhu said he felt bad as the previous government had “shattered” the dreams of the residents by diverting Smart City funds to other projects. “We are just trying to understand things and streamlining the things first,” he said.At the same time, he said under the leadership of Capt Amarinder Singh in Punjab, he would make sure that the dream of Smart Ludhiana became a reality.On being asked how the government with empty coffers will make Ludhiana a Smart City, the minister said: “There is no dearth of funds. One needs to have the will to generate funds and do something practically. Today, illegal buildings stand tall in Punjab. The violators have constructed 20-25 storeys, all in an illegal manner. We will do one-time settlement (as per the guidelines) with the violators and generate huge revenue.”

Fire Service Week

• Sidhu, in an attempt to pay respect to firefighters, said from now onwards, Annual Fire Services Week would be celebrated from April 17 to 21. “These brave firefighters will be awarded with medals for showing exemplary courage while saving others’ lives. I will make sure that in times to come, the Fire Department becomes one of the best in the country,” said Sidhu.

Mandi Board has no funds to repair roads in rural areas

Sarbjit Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 21

With no funds in its kitty, the Punjab Mandi Board is worried over the repair of rural roads. As per rules, a rural road is to be repaired every six years. But most stretches of the rural road network have not been repaired for the past eight to nine years.“At some places, the road network has ceased to exist. It has become difficult for people to commute on such roads,” said Lal Singh, chairman of the Mandi Board.“I am flooded with requests for the repair of roads in the countryside,” he said, blaming the previous government for creating a mess on this front.The task of laying roads and repairing the existing ones is divided between the Mandi Board and the PWD (Buildings and Roads). But the Mandi Board funds the entire exercise.About Rs2,900 crore is required to repair 23,000-km-long road network in villages. However, almost the entire income of the board is pledged with several banks, from which a loan of Rs550 crore has been raised for five years to complete projects.There are three types of rural roads. One, that connect a town with another via villages. Two, that connect a village with another. And third, that lead to villages from the outskirts of rural areas.Lal Singh said there was a 9,276-km network of roads which linked a town or a city with others through villages. “The first priority is to repair roads used the most by villages,” the board chairman said.Then, there is an 8,600-km road network that links two villages. “The repair of this road network will be next on the priority list,” he said.About the funds, Lal Singh said it was the most difficult question. “I will discuss the matter with Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh. One way out is to raise a loan for the repair of roads,” he said.“The board will also approach the Centre that has some funds at its command for the rural road network,” he added.

16 private varsities told to close study centres

Many pvt universities in the state have opened their study centres outside their campus without approval from UGC

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, May 21

The Higher Education Department, Punjab, has directed 16 private universities in the state to close all education programmes that they are providing through distance mode without approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC).It is alleged that many private universities in the state have opened their study centres outside their campus without approval from the UGC.In a letter to all Deputy Commissioners, the Joint Secretary, Higher Education, on Friday directed the DCs to check such illegal centres in their district and report the matter to the department.The department has named 16 private universities —

Shri Guru Granth Sahib University,

Fatehgarh Sahib,

Lovely Professional University,

Chitkara University,

Guru Kanshi University,

Chandigarh University,

Adesh University,

DAV University,

Desh Bhagat University,

Rayat Bahra University,

GNA University,

Sant Baba Bhag Singh University,

Akal University,

Surya World University,

RIMT University,

Shri Guru Ram Das University of Health Sciences and CT University.

A copy of the letter has been sent to the chancellors of these private universities.After the state Education Department declared degrees obtained by candidates from universities outside Punjab under distance education mode illegal three years ago, some private universities in the state started setting up such study centres, offering correspondence education.Any such centre opened by any university must be immediately closed. Universities/institutions are also requested to close down any study centre opened in violation of the UGC guidelines, reads the letter.Last year, the School Education Department had denied promotion to over 1,000 teachers, terming their postgraduate degrees invalid. The department had claimed that these degrees were non-recognised on the ground that the examinations for these degrees were conducted at centres outside the territorial jurisdiction of their universities. These teachers had acquired their degrees in different streams through distance education mode from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla; Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu and Madurai Kamraj University, Tamil Nadu.

SDMs to register vehicles, issue driver’s licences

ajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 21

To revamp the Transport Department, the state government has decided to authorise 78 Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) in Punjab to handle the work of registration of private vehicles and issuance of driver’s licence.There are 32 automatic driving test tracks in the state. These will now come under the direct supervision of the SDM concerned.The new procedure, aimed at ending corruption, is expected to start from next month after a formal approval to “restructure” the Transport Department by the Council of Ministers in the forthcoming Cabinet meeting. Under the plan, a decision has already been taken to scrap 22 posts of District Transport Officer (DTO), four posts of Regional Transport Authority (RTA) and eight of Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI).So far as commercial vehicles are concerned, the entire work related to the registration, paying of taxes, issuing permits for trucks and buses and fitness testing of all type of commercial vehicles will be handled by 10 offices of Regional Transport Officer (RTO). Additional staff is being sought by the department to implement the restructuring.To adjust the officers working against sanctioned posts, the higher authorities have decided that five of the RTOs will be headed by PCS officers and the remaining by departmental officers working in the rank of DTO or RTA.At present, PCS officers are posted on 19 of the 22 posts of DTO. Of the four posts of RTA in Patiala, Jalandhar, Feorzepur and Bathinda, three are with PCS officers.10 RTOs to come upThe offices of the RTO will be set up in Bathinda, Ferozepur, Patiala, Sangrur, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Mohali, Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur. The RTOs will replace four RTAs in the state (Patiala, Jalandhar, Ferozepur and Bathinda).Navdeep Asija, Traffic Adviser, Punjab, said: “The scrapping of the posts of DTO is a good step. Apart from replacing one set of people with another, the government should go for e-governance to reduce the official-public contact to end corruption. Most of the works should be done online.

 

RSS, BJP support Capt’s demand