SACK PATIL FOR COMPARING AFZAL GURU WITH
SARABJIT- TIKSHAN SUD
Chandigarh, May 22, 2008
Tikshan Sud
Senior BJP leader and Medical Education Minister Mr. Tikshan
Sud today urged President Mrs. Pratibha Patil to immediately dismiss
Union Home Minister Mr. Shiv Raj Patil for his failure to adhere
to the oath of Minister to uphold the Constitution of India and
for his utter failure to ensure protection to the ordinary citizens
of India.
Taking a serious note of Union Home Minister of the largest democracy
of the World of ensuring protection from gallows to Afzal Guru
preempting the decision on mercy petition to be taken by President
of India, Mr. Sud said that by doing so he is not only committed
the breach of privilege of Parliament but also denigrated the
august office of President of India.
He said that by comparing dreaded terrorist Afzal Guru with innocent
Punjabi citizen Sarabjit, languishing in Pakistan Jail, Mr. Patil
had not only hurt the feelings of Crores of Punjabis but his foolhardy
statement unilaterally branding an innocent citizen a terrorist
has put an question mark on his safe release from Pakistan jail.
He said that if Sarabjit is hanged by Pakistan Government in future,
no one else but Mr. Shiv Raj Patil would be responsible for it.
Taking a dig on Union Home Minister for making India a safe haven
for terrorists, Mr. Sud said that appeasement policy of U.P.A
Government has given a fillip to terrorist attacks in the country.
He said that when Union Home Minister can think of pardoning a
dreaded terrorist, who dared to attack temple of democracy, i.e.
Parliament with a view to eliminate all elected representatives
of the country, he cannot guarantee the right of life to the citizens
of country and should be immediately sacked by the President.
Mr. Sud said that if this trend of pardoning terrorist continued,
day is far off when Dawood Ibrahim responsible for Mumbai blasts
would be respectfully extradited to India, guaranteeing him pardon
from gallows as it had already been done in the case of Salim
while extraditing him from Portugal.
The BJP leader questioned that can one think of President of
USA pardoning Osama Bin Laden? He said Afzal Guru, Dawood Ibrahim
and Salim are Osamas of India and no government has any right
to pardon them.
Seeking his dismissal from Union Cabinet with immediate effect,
Mr. Sud also asked Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to seek apology
from nation for purposedely delaying the execution of Afzal Guru.
ELECTIONS TO 6 PANCHAYATS POSTPONED -6
ROs REMOVED
Chandigarh May 22, 2008
The State Election Commission, Punjab today postponed
the general elections to six Gram Panchayats in four districts,
which were scheduled to be held on 26th May in the state. Besides
this, three election officers has been removed.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the State Election
Commission, Punjab said that the polls to six Gram Panchayats
namely Gram Panchayat Nidhanwala and Gram Panchayat Loppon in
district Moga, Gram Panchayat Bappiana district Mansa, Gram Panchayat
Dharonki district Patiala, Gram Panchayat Chaura Bajwa and Gram
Panchayat Nikka The-Therke both in district Gurdaspur have been
postponed and fresh election schedule would be communicated separately.
He added that the Commission has also ordered the District Electoral
Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner, Patiala to appoint new Returning
Officer in block Nabha immediately and initiate disciplinary action
for imposition of major penalty against the erring Returning Officer
of Block Nabha, who had committed the gross irregularity by rejecting
the nomination papers candidates of Panchayat Dharonki. Thus the
election process has been vitiated by the conduct of the Returning
Officer.
The Commission has directed the District Electoral Officer-cum-Deputy
Commissioner, Moga to remove Returning Officer Block Nihal Singh
Wala who has acted in a wrongful and negligent manner and thus
eroded the sanctity of election and the election process has been
vitiated by the conduct of the Returning Officer. The Returning
Officer Block Nihal Singh Wala would be immediately suspended
and disciplinary action for imposition of major punishment Wala
would be taken against him.
In another case the Commission has also directed the District
Electoral Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner, Moga to remove Assistant
Registrar Cooperative Societies, who was Returning Officer Block
Nihal Singh Wala. He would be immediately suspended and disciplinary
action for imposition of major punishment would be taken against
him. He has malafide in rejection of large numbers of nomination
papers of village Panchayat Nidhanwala candidates without any
legal basis.
The Commission while considering the report of the Executive
Officer and the District Electoral Officer, Gurdaspur found that
Returning Officer Manjit Singh Naib Teshsildar-cum-Returning Officer
Dera Baba Nanak was the custodian of the nomination papers of
Panchayat Choura Bajwa candidates and therefore any substitution
by replacement could not take place without his connivance or
consent. His conduct was extremely suspicion and smacks of malafide
intent. The Commission directed the District Electoral Officer,
Gurdaspur that he would be immediately placed under suspension
and disciplinary proceedings for imposition of major punishment
initiated against him. The Commission has come to the conclusion
that the election process has been vitiated by the conduct of
the Returning Officer.
The Commission on the report of the District Electoral Officer
and the Executive Magistrate, Gurdaspur found that the conduct
of the Returning Officer Shri Raj Kumar Bajwa, SDO, UBDC Sub-Division
Gurdaspur was highly suspected. His conduct has derailed electoral
process to Gram Panchayat Village Nikka The-Therke and vitiated
the election proceedings. He would be placed under suspension
immediately and disciplinary proceedings for imposition of major
punishment be initiated against him.
After due consideration of the report of the District Electoral
Officer Mansa, the Commission has come to the conclusion that
the election process has been vitiated by the conduct of Returning
Officer (BPEO), Bhiki in the manner of wrongful rejection of nomination
forms of the complainants of Panchayat Bappiana Block Bhikhi.
Even if the corruption charges against the Returning Officer do
not stand proved yet he was guilty of negligence, malafide and
non-compliance and defiance of the instructions of the Commission
that nomination papers accompanied by the affidavit would not
be rejected and therefore, disciplinary action for imposition
of major punishment would be taken against him.
PIDB EYES A Rs 50,000 CRORE 'NEW PUNJAB
' VISION
PATHANKOT TO BE LINKED WITH AJMER VIA JALANDHAR
CHANDIGARH MAY 22, 2008
An eight-lane super-express highway connecting Pathankot with
Ajmer via Jalandhar, a luxury train encircling the entire religious
artery of the State and covering Mohali, Patiala, Amritsar, Kangra
and Anandpur Sahib, sprawling eight-lane ring-roads around Ludhiana,
Amritsar and Jalandhar, an IT Tower at Mohali to turn Punjab into
the World's new Silicon valley, radio cabs in all major cities
and a super express way connecting the Mohali International Airport
with Amritsar, by-passing Phagwara and Jalandhar on the way --
these are some of the new landmark projects cleared at the 22nd
meeting of the Punjab Infra-structure Development Board (PIDB)
here today. The meeting was chaired by the Chief Minister, Mr.
Parkash Singh Badal
In all, projects worth Rs. 20,000 crore got the Board's approval
to take Punjab into " the Brave New World" of dream
infrastructure facility. In addition, the Board approved in principle
an infra-structure transformation outlay of additional Rs. 35000
crore that would radically alter the way the world looks at Punjab
today. Most of these projects were a part of the 'Vision Punjab
2010' released by MP Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal just ahead of the
assembly elections in February last year. The PIDB Managing Director,
Mr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu had been specially drafted into Punjab
to translate this vision into reality.
Releasing the details of the meeting, Mr. Harcharan Bains, Media
Advisor to Chief Minister said that the massive investments approved
in today's meeting of the PIDB would put the state in an altogether
new and higher orbit of growth. He said that the Board also decided
to undertake a special survey of the Kandi area to take it along
the new trajectory of development. The Chief Minister was of the
view that for the new thrust of the infrastructure development
to be sustainable, it had to be inclusive and even distributed
over the state. The Chief Minister pressed for the inclusion of
the Kandi belt in the new vision of development, said Mr. Bains.
Significantly, Doaba and Majha, the two regions that gave an overwhelming
mandate in favour of the new regime, are seen to be at the core
of the new development projects approved today.
Among the other prominent features of this new vision that found
the approval of the Board are an expressway linking the International
Airport with the Golden temple and a Nature Walk at Moga.
Similarly, Punjab will now boast of a globally structured Habitat
Centre at Mohali. In sheer magnitude and architectural conception,
this Habitat Centre is set to mark a new development signature
in infrastructure history, possibly surpassing the one in New
Delhi .
In a decision of far-reaching implications, the Board gave its
approval for engaging the services of two infrastructure developments
consultancy concerns - one of international repute to conceive
infrastructure projects of world class quality and its implementation
in time bound manner and another to increase the revenue of PIDB
besides generating resources to make its functioning far more
viable and result oriented.
The Punjab Finance Minister and Vice Chairman of PIDB Mr. Manpreet
Singh Badal, pointed out at the meeting that Punjab needed an
additional investment of at least Rs.30,000 to 35000 crore in
terms of global infrastructure projects over next three years
besides these projects of Rs.20000 crore
The Board also approved the Lalru-Baddi, Mohali-Phagwara express-way
including a link to the Mohali International Airport , with a
possible detour to Amritsar from the outskirts of Phagwara. A
pre-feasibility study is likely to be undertaken to examine the
possibility of by-passing Jalandhar en route Amritsar .
Punjab is also set to move into the era of radio-cabs with the
board approving the introduction of this service in the five major
towns of the state. A new feature that would distinguish this
modern facility from the one even at Chandigarh is that its radius
would be extended up to forty kilometers. The Board also approved
the introduction of the city bus service at Amritsar , Jalandhar
and Ludhiana .
Sanction was accorded to the setting up of one Institute of
Hotel Management at village Boothgarh near Mohali and another
at Sirhind adjacent to the Floating Restaurant, , modern Bus terminals
at Mohali, Bathinda, Patiala and Hoshiarpur, high level bridge
at Chaki Nadi near Pathankot, Computerized Integrated Check Post,
Multi-specialty hospital at Mohali and Bathinda, five star hotel
& parking-cum-commercial complex at Bathinda.
Among the other projects reviewed by the Board were pilot training
institutes at Ludhiana and Amritsar, up-gradation and beautification
of urban roads of five major cities namely Amritsar, Bathinda,
Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Mohali, , sports cum-commercial complex
at Mohali, Amritsar Airport Expressway, Nature Walk Moga, Polytechnics
at Rahon and Nanowal, Fruit and Vegetable market at Mohali, upgradation
operation and maintenance of Neem Chameli Tourist Complex at Attari-Wagah
border Amritsar, Pincassia Tourist Complex & Water Lilly Resorts,
Ropar, opening of fast food counters at Khatkarkalan, Kurali and
Morinda, development of hotel Amaltas Ludhiana and construction
of high level bridges at Makhu, Chola sahib and Sarai Ka Pattan.
The meeting was attended by Local Government Minister Mr. Manoranjan
Kalia, Medical Education & Research Minister Mr. Tikshan Sood,
Education Minister Bibi Upinderjit Kaur, Tourism Minister Jathedar
Hira Singh Gabria, Transport Minister Master Mohan Lal, PWD (B&R)
Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Chief Secretary RI Singh, Principal
Secretary Finance and Member Secretary PIDB DS Kalha, Principal
Secretary to Chief Minister DS Guru and Managing Director PIDB
Sukhbir Singh Sandhu.
Regarding Gram Panchayat General Elections
2008.
Hon'ble Punjab and Haryana High Court in CWP No.8448 of 2008
and other connected Civil Writ Petitions has directed that the
petitioner(s) shall approach the State Election Commission, Punjab
who shall decide the matter by 24th May, 2008. The question raised
in the writ petition is whether the nomination paper of the petitioner(s)
has been validly entertained or rejected or otherwise and other
issues related to Gram Panchayat elections. The decision(s) taken
by the Returning Officer under section 41 of the Punjab State
Election Commission Act, 1994 at the time of filing/ scrutiny
of nomination papers have been disputed. It is relevant that the
record is also available with the field officers spread all over
Punjab. There are number of writ petitions of a similar nature
in respect of places all over the State. The directions by the
Hon'ble Punjab and Haryana High Court for deciding the matter
by 24th May, 2008 shall be very difficult to implement, if all
the relevant records are summoned by the State Election Commission
because these Officers are currently engaged in the conduct of
Gram Panchayat elections scheduled to be held on 26th May, 2008
and therefore, summoning them to the State Election Commission
with the relevant record and ensuring their presence at State
headquarters shall definitely adversely impact the conduct of
elections.
The Deputy Commissioners and the Additional Deputy Commissioners
(Dev.) are concurrently District Electoral Officers and the Additional
District Electoral Officers respectively, therefore, it shall
be appropriate and feasible to direct the District Electoral Officers
to summon the relevant record from the Returning Officer and conduct
a summary enquiry and decide upon the issues raised in the representation/
Civil Writ Petition by the petitioner(s). It shall be open for
the District Electoral Officer to obtain report from the Additional
District Electoral Officer or Additional Deputy Commissioner (General),
or Sub Divisional Magistrate-cum-Sub Divisional Electoral Officer
or Tehsildar-cum-Additional Sub Divisional Electoral Officers.
After perusal of the record and the District Electoral Officer
shall decide the matter.
Since the District Electoral Officers shall be very busy with
the conduct of Gram Panchayat Elections scheduled for 26.05.2008
and the number of writ petitions of this nature may be large in
a district, therefore, it shall be permissible for him to direct
the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Dev.) or the Additional Deputy
Commissioner (Gen) to enquire into the matter as mentioned above
and decide on the lines indicated above. For immediate action,
this order shall also be sent by FAX to the concerned Deputy Commissioner
and copy given to the petitioner for approaching the Deputy Commissioner
and the petitioner can also directly approach the concerned Deputy
Commissioner alongwith the order and Civil Writ Petition of the
Hon'ble High Court. In case the District Electoral Officer or
the Officer so nominated by him, concludes that the purity and
sanctity of the election process has been vitiated or violated,
he shall have the authority to countermand the poll. The State
Election Commission shall accord ex-part-facto approval since
the paucity of time and the imperative of implementation of the
decision of the Hon'ble High Court, does not permit all such cases
to be decided by the Commission directly. This order issues in
exercise of the powers vested with the State Election Commission
under section 3 of the Punjab State Election Commission Act, 1994
and Article 243k and 243N of Constitution of India.
( A. K. Dubey )
State Election Commissioner, Pb.
PUNJAB TO ISSUE ORDINACE ON ANDHRA PATTERN
TO PROTECT
DOCTORS AND NURSING HOMES
CHANDIGARH MAY 22, 2008
The Punjab Government today decided to introduce legislation
on Andhra Pradesh pattern to provide protection to the doctors
and nursing homes in the state.
According to Media Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Harcharan Bains
an ordinance to the effect would be issued within few days. The
measure comes in the wake of growing incidents of attacks on doctors
and nursing homes by unruly kin of the patients at several places.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bains appealed to the medical fraternity to withdraw
their stir in the larger public interest and resume their work
to serve the ailing humanity. He however, said that the state
government was committed for the welfare of the doctors and paramedics
and would ensure congenial atmosphere to them to discharge their
duties with professional commitment, dedication and sincerity.
GOVERNMENT OF JAPAN TO FUND THE PROJECT
FOR CLEANING OF PUNJAB RIVERS
CHANDIGARH MAY 22, 2008
Ms. Kamata Hiroko, Project formulation Advisor, Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA) called on Punjab Chief Minister Mr.
Parkash Singh Badal this afternoon at his residence and put forth
a detailed proposal to set up a joint implementation committee
consisting of officers of Punjab government, Punjab Pollution
Control Board and Experts of JICA to implement a project to monitor
and clean the rivers of Punjab infested with pollution.
Disclosing this here today Media Advisor to Chief Minister Harcharan
Bains said that the project would be funded by the government
of Japan and completed within three years commencing from April
2009.
It may be recalled that this is the first project of its kind
to be started by JICA in any state of the country. The Chief Minister
appreciated the initiative of JICA and the Japan government and
termed it as a 'well timed, significant and corrective strategy'
to combat the menace of polluted river waters at this critical
juncture, said the Media Advisor.
Showing deep concern over the poor quality of water in the state,
Mr. Badal said that the state government had already made concerted
efforts to ensure 'safe drinking water for all' through proper
monitoring of rural water supply schemes by application of Reverse
Osmosis (RO), Silver Ionization and Ultra Violet techniques depending
on the quality of water through its own resources. He hoped that
with the participation of JICA and Japan government the problem
of river pollution would be effectively addressed for all times
to come which was posing a great threat to the health of the people
of the state besides its soil texture.
The meeting was also attended by Chief Secretary RI Singh, Principal
Secretary to Chief Minister DS Guru and Secretary Science &
Technology AS Chhatwal.
BADAL WRITES TO MUKHERJI FOR ALLOWING
CORRIDOR FROM DERA
BABA NANAK TO KARTARPUR
CHANDIGARH MAY 22
Punjab Chief Minister Mr.Parkash Singh Badal today urged the
Union External Affairs Minister Mr. Pranab Mukherji to take up
the issue immediately with Government of Pakistan for allowing
a religious corridor from Dera Baba Nanak in district Gurdaspur
to Kartarpur on Pakistan side.
In a letter to Mr. Mukherji, the Chief Minister pointed out
that he had already discussed this issue with the Prime Minister
Dr.Manmohan Singh who had asked him to take it up formally with
the Ministry of External Affairs. He mentioned that Kartarpur
Sahib was one of the most religious places for Sikhs, as the founder
of the Sikh religion, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, had spent major part
of his life at this place. It lies around 3 kilometers westwards
from Dera Baba Nanak in district Gurdaspur on Pakistan side.
Mr. Badal said that the singular desire of every living Sikh
is to visit and pay obeisance at this holy shrine atleast once
during his lifetime. To that an effect, if a corridor is constructed
from Dera Baba Nanak side to the site of Gurdwara at Kaprtapur
(Pakistan side) it would go a long way in fulfilling this religious
wish of the entire Sikh community worldwide, added Mr. Badal.
NATIONAL ARCHIVES TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR DEVELOPING
LIBRARIES
Chandigarh May 22, 2008
National archives of India has launched scheme of financial
assistance to State Government/union territory Archival Repositories,
Government libraries and museums for development activities and
for preservation of public records/manuscripts and rare books.
According to an official spokesman the maximum limit of grant
given is upto Rs. 10 lakhs per year in the ratio of 75:25 (i.e.
Central Government share 75% and state government share 25%).
Under the scheme, Financial Assistance is provided for preservation,
Repair of Public Records/Manuscripts and Rare books, Publication,
Listing, Cataloguing and Compilation of Guide to Records, Manuscripts
and rare books, Microfilming, Purchase of Reprographic/Conservation
Equipment/ Material and Computers for preparation of Automated
finding Aids, Air-conditioning of Muniment room and construction,
addition/renovation of existing buildings.
The spokesman said that the government institutions engaged
in preservation of documentary heritage of Nation and other deserving
institutions desirous of availing financial grant under the scheme
can apply to the national archives alongwith specific recommendation
in a prescribed Performa with an assurance to provide 25% matching
share to the National Archives of India on or before June 15,
2008.
Chandigarh, May 22:, 2008
To enable employees working in the shop and commercial establishments,
in the State of Punjab and all other persons connected with the
shops and commercial establishment to exercise their franchise
in the punchayat elections to be held on 26th May, 2008, the Punjab
Government has declared that 26th May, 2008 (Monday) shall be
'closed day' for all shops and commercial establishment where
"Monday is not a close day, in lieu of close day falling
on any day between 25-5-2008 and 1-6-2008.
Chandigarh, May 22:
To enable the workmen working in the factories situated within
the state to exercise their franchise in the general elections
of Gram Panchayats to be held on 26th May, 2008, the Punjab Government
has declared that 26th May, 2008 (Monday) shall be the weekly
paid holiday for all factories where 'Monday' is not close day
within the state in lieu of their normal weekly holiday.