SAD:17 workers killed in 7-month Cong rule

Ever since the Congress assumed power in the state, 17 Akalis have been murdered and several others injured, the SAD has claimed. Members of the Congress are allegedly involved in all incidents. Two of the SAD workers were beaten to death. Others were shot dead. The spate of violence against political persons took off during the previous SAD-BJP government. Then, many of the incidents were the “handiwork” of Akali workers. Now, the alleged perpetrators are Congress workers with Akalis at the receiving end. The SAD is maintaining a daily register of violent incidents against its members. The first incident took place on March 13, within 48 hours of the Congress winning the Assembly elections. Two Akali workers were shot dead by a group of alleged Congress-affiliated truck union. The next day in Gurdaspur, SAD leader Gurbachan Singh Khalsa (80) was killed allegedly by a person considered close to a Congress leader. In May, Akali workers Gurwinder Singh Lali in Chet Singh Wala (Amritsar) and Bikramjit Singh in Fatehgarh Churian (Gurdaspur) were beaten to death. Daljit Singh Cheema, SAD general secretary, alleged: “The Congress has unleashed terror on our party workers. We don’t hope for justice. The police have not done a fair probe in any of the cases.” The Congress, however, accused the Akalis of cooking up charges. State party president Sunil Jakhar said the Congress disapproved any kind of violence, but the Akalis were wrongly attributing clashes or individual cases as incidents of political vendetta. “The Akalis have given political colour to incidents arising out of personal rivalries. In some cases, the victims turned out to be Congress workers,” he said. A senior police official said, “The police act as per the complaint and statement of the victim, besides the circumstantial evidence. If political rivalry is a motive behind a murder, it is mentioned so. But data on political murders is unavailable.”

Gurpurb: HC allows crackers

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today allowed bursting crackers from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm on the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev (November 4).

The direction by the Division Bench of Justice AK Mittal and Justice Amit Rawal, on the Diwali pattern, came during the hearing of a suo motu case for controlling air/noise pollution caused by crackers.

As the case came up for resumed hearing this morning, the Bench made it clear that crackers could not be burst before and after November 4 till the next date of hearing. It also specified that firecrackers could be sold by 20 per cent of the vendors issued temporary licences for Diwali celebrations earlier. The case will now come up for further hearing on November 15.

Ranji Trophy 2017, Round 3: Victories for Jharkhand, Karnataka, Punjab

New Delhi: Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh defeated their respective opponents to clinch victories on Day-4 of the Ranji Trophy cricket tournament on Friday.

In Group B, Jharkhand rode on brilliant unbeaten knocks from openers Ishan Kishan (46 not out) and Nazim Siddiqui (24 not out) to chase down a narrow target of 81 runs against Haryana, helping their side clinch victory by 10-wickets at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.

Earlier in the day, Haryana were bundled to 269 runs in the second innings.

Meanwhile, Kerala rode on fine bowling from off-spinner Sijomon Joseph (5-84) to bundle out Rajasthan for 211 runs in Group B, sealing the match by 131 runs at the St Xavier`s College Ground in Thiruvananthapuram.

In Group A, Maharashtra leg-spinner Chirag Khurana returned figures of 6-131 to dismiss Uttar Pradesh to 292 runs, helping his side clinch victory by 31 runs at the Ekana International Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

In another tie from the group, Karnataka spinning duo Shreyas Gopal (4/91) and Krishnappa Gowtham (3-93) bagged seven wickets in unison to dismiss Hyderabad to 320 runs, winning the match by 59 runs at the KSCA Navule Stadium in Shimoga.

In Group D, Punjab bowlers Raghu Sharma and Vinay Choudhary bagged three-wicket each to dismiss Goa to 256, winning the match by 133 runs at the Goa Cricket Association Academy Ground in Porvorim.

In another tie from the group, Himachal Pradesh rode on brilliant bowling from off-spinner Gurvinder Singh (6-52) to restrict Services to 228, winning the match by 97 runs at the Palam A Stadium here.

Sidhu attacks Majithia, says he must pay for ‘misdeeds’

Senior Congress leaders, including Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu and Dera Baba Nanak MLA Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, today launched a crusade against SAD general secretary and MLA Bikram Singh Majithia on his home turf.
The assembly of Congress leaders is being seen as an attempt to mount pressure on Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, who has often been accused of going “soft” against Akalis, particularly Majithia in the multi-crore drugs case.
Though the CM has constituted a special task force (STF) to take on the drug menace, it could hardly come out with any concrete action plan. Capt Amarinder has also declared that his government “will not indulge in vendetta politics”.

Congress workers termed today’s assembly as a thanksgiving gesture of the leaders for the party’s splendid win in the Gurdaspur bypoll, but sources said it appeared irrelevant to hold such an assembly in the Majitha constituency.
With the exception of Ajnala MLA Harpartap Singh Ajnala or Gurdaspur MLA Barinderjit Singh Pahra, none of the Amritsar MLAs, including OP Soni, Suni Dutti, Inderbir Bolaria and Raj Kumar Verka, was present.
Justifying Majitha as an appropriate venue for the occasion, Sidhu said: “Majitha was made infamous as the den of all evils by the previous regime. There could be no other place better than this to challenge Majithia.”

On the absence of several local MLAs, Sidhu said earlier a meeting was held by 10-12 MLAs here recently and all were invited by Lalli Majithia and Randhawa.
“I came here on an invitation. It’s a joint forum of over 50 MLAs who want to convey people’s voice to Captain saab (CM), who is our undisputed leader and supreme. It is not an offence. Majithia must face action for his wrongdoings in the past 10 years. We ought to live up to people’s expectations,” he added.

Punjab: I-T raids at all outlets of Gopal Sweets

Several teams of the Income Tax (IT) department Wednesday conducted raids at different outlets of Gopal Sweets in Chandigarh, Panchkula, Mohali and Patiala besides residences of the owners. The searches started around 9.45am and were still continuing till the filing of this report. “Searches were conducted at 19 places including the outlets and residences of the three owners of the sweet shop. The outlets, which were searched, including three in Chandigarh, three in Patiala, two in Mohali and one in Panchkula and Ambala each. The searches were conducted in the connection of unaccounted income,” said sources in IT department.

Sources further maintained that the sale of different outlets, which were made during the recent festival season, is also being scrutinised. Meanwhile, IT officials have not allowed any kind of commercial activities in the outlets and have shut down the shutters after they raided the outlets. The IT department has also sought the assistance of police authorities. A senior IT department officer said, “The searches were conducted for ascertaining the total sale of outlets which will be tallied with the Income Tax Return (ITR) of the owners of Gopal’s Sweets, which were annually filed by them. Though we have seized several things including cash books, cards etc, but we cannot make any comment on the conclusion of searches.”

One of the officials, who was the part of a search team in Patiala, said that the raid was conducted on the directions of Additional Director Income Tax (investigations) Manish Sareen. The residences of owners at Chandigarh and Patiala were also searched. In Ludhiana, the raid ended by evening and the outlet was open for public late evening.

Punjab government imposes tax for keeping pets like dog and cat

In a first in India, people in urban areas of Punjab will now have to pay tax for keeping domestic animals, according to the latest notice issued by the state government.

According to a notification issued by the Department of Local Administration headed by state minister Navjot Singh Siddhu, all pet animals will now be taxed, including cats, dogs, horses, pigs, buffaloes and cows.

As per order, residents in Punjab will have to pay tax of Rs 250 per year for keeping domestic animals like dog, cat, pig, sheep, deer etc and Rs 500 per year for buffalo, bull, camel, horse, cow, elephant etc.

"Branding code", identification mark or number will also be given to each animal on code branding or microchip installed on the animal, the order government said.

From now on, a pet owner in Punjab will also have to take licence from the authority, which will be renewed after every year.

This may create a lot of resentment in Punjab, which — along with Goa and Kerala — is among the most urbanised states in India.

CM: Canadian Sikh leader trying to disrupt peace

Canada’s NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has created a political storm of sorts in Punjab. His statement that self-determination is a basic right in places like Punjab has evoked sharp reactions from across the political spectrum.

While former state BJP president Kamal Sharma has strongly condemned the statement, saying that it was meant to disrupt peace in Punjab, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh said he (Jagmeet Singh) was totally disconnected from the ground realities in India, where Sikhs hold a place of pride with their excellent achievements in every field.

Accusing Jagmeet of trying to destabilise Punjab by creating strife with his “ill-conceived and confrontational remarks”, Amarinder said the Canadian authorities should take serious note of such disruptive elements who were using their soil to spread discord in India. He said his government would not allow any such attempt to succeed at any cost.

Amarinder said Sikhs were known for their extraordinary accomplishments and for bringing accolades not only to India but to countries they were settled in.

The CM said Jagmeet’s comments amounted to anti-India conspiracy and hoped the Canadian government would take cognisance of the same. He urged Canadian PM Justin Trudeau to ensure that his country’s soil is “not used for such treacherous assaults on India’s integrity.

Punjab restores pension for widows of employees killed by extremists

Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday announced the restoration of the special family pension for widows of government employees killed by extremists.

The 'Special Pension Scheme' was revoked by the erstwhile Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP government in 2016.

Amarinder announced that the pension under the scheme would be made available to the widow till her death as against the earlier provision of it being provided until her remarriage.
Acceding to a request from the families of the police martyrs, the Chief Minister assured them that they would also get the Red Cards, so far being issued only to civilian victims of terrorism, with immediate effect.

Noting that the Punjab Police had a history of gallantry and sacrifice, Amarinder recalled that Punjab had witnessed a tough phase during militancy and peace was restored after great sacrifices.

The Chief Minister also promised the martyrs' families that their demand for the posting of their children, recruited in the armed police, near their home districts would be sympathetically considered by the government.

He made the announcements on the eve of the Martyrs Day at the Punjab Police Headquarters here.

Amarinder offered tributes to the martyrs of the police force and, for the first time in Punjab police history, lit the eternal flame, besides interacting with families of martyrs.

Pointing out that the state had a total of 1,600 martyrs, including SPOs (special police officers) and Home Guards, the Chief Minister reiterated his government's commitment to the welfare of the force and their families, including the families of the martyred police personnel.

"The Special Family Pension, for which necessary directions had already been issued to the DGP, will be given to widow or mother of the deceased government employee killed by or during action against extremists," he said.

The pension amount will be equal to the last pay drawn at the time of the death of the personnel, he said.

Observing that police personnel work in extremely tough conditions, at times working 24 hours at a stretch and spending prolonged periods away from their families, Amarinder Singh lamented that they lacked even basic facilities.

"Families of police personnel killed in action often live a life of poverty and destitution," he said.

Pointing out that his government had already given ex-gratia compensation and jobs to children of some of the policemen killed by extremists and will continue to do so, the Chief Minister further assured the police personnel and their families that more welfare initiatives for them would be announced over the next few months.

The Martyrs Memorial, built at the entrance of Punjab Police Headquarters, is a tribute by the Punjab Police to the memory of its martyrs.

Director General of Police Suresh Arora said he got the idea to install the Martyrs Flame with the names of martyrs on the wall during a visit to NYPD Headquarters in New York.

Punjab Police have over 70,000 personnel on its rolls.

Punjab govt fixes industrial power tariff at Rs5 per unit for 5 years

New Delhi: In an attempt to attract investments, Capt Amarinder Singh-led Punjab government on Monday announced industrial power tariff at Rs5 per unit.

The announcement, as part of Punjab’s new industrial policy, comes at a time when the centre and states are working for electricity tariff slab rationalization to make them uniform across the country. This will help in reduction of cross-subsidies borne by the industry, and make tariffs more competitive for businesses thereby pushing the government’s “Make in India” drive.

“In order to boost industrialization and revive economic activity in the state, the Punjab Cabinet today approved the new Industrial and Business Development Policy-2017, paving the way for fixing of industrial power tariff at Rs 5 per unit w.e.f (with effect from) November 1,” Punjab chief minister’s office said in a statement on Monday evening.

Electricity has been used as a sweetener by various state governments to kickstart industrial activity. For instance, subsidized electricity is being offered as part of the industrial policy announced by Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government in July allowing electricity duty exemption.

“A Cabinet meeting, chaired by chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh, put its stamp of approval on various important salient features of the policy, including provision of fixed tariff for five years to the existing and new industries,” the statement added.

The Punjab government’s move comes in the backdrop of India’s clean energy tariffs reaching a record low. While wind power tariff fell to Rs2.64 per unit in an auction conducted by state-run Solar Energy Corp. of India earlier this month, India has also witnessed record low solar tariffs of Rs2.44 per unit in May which firmed up to Rs2.65per kWh in an auction conducted by the Gujarat government last month.

Experts lauded the initiative.

“This has been contemplated for some time in Punjab with a view to attract industry and provide tariff predictability and stability,” said Anish De, partner at infrastructure and government practice at consulting firm KPMG in India.

The other highlights of the new Industrial and Business Development Policy are a one-time settlement of industrial loans taken from the Punjab State Industrial Development Corp., the Punjab Financial Corp. and the Punjab Agro Industries Corp. Ltd and a Rs100 crore fund to promote start-ups.

“While the manufacturing thrust sectors include e-vehicle, medical equipment, apparel, footwear, electronics, food processing industries, aerospace and defence, and biotechnology, among others, the service industry thrust sectors identified by the government are IT and ITES, life sciences, skill development centers, healthcare, tourism and hospitality, media and entertainment, as well as logistics,” the statement added.

After coming to power in March, Amarinder Singh has been trying to attract investors from India and overseas. China’s Zhuhai Yinlong New Energy Ltd plans to set up an electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Punjab, Mint reported on 5 July.

CBI thinks Sikh radicals behind killings in Punjab

NEW DELHI: Investigators are piecing together the details of what they believe could be a series of political killings in Punjab since last year – the same lethal weapons used, an identical modus operandi and a broadly similar profile of the victims belonging to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and other organisations opposed to Sikh radicals.

The same 9 mm pistol and 32 bore pistol were used by the assailants in the six murders and two The same 9 mm pistol and 32 bore pistol were used by the assailants in the six murders and two other attacks, the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Chandigarh has told the Central Bureau of Investigation in a detailed forensic report, accessed exclusively by ET.

The CBI had handed over to the laboratory for examination 35 bullets used in the attacks on the members of the RSS, the Shiv Sena and Sri Hindu Takht, besides a pastor and two followers of Dera Sacha Sauda, between January 2016 and July 2017.

Besides, the CBI noticed, all the attacks took place on a Saturday. “Inquiries have revealed that Sikh radicals consider Saturday to be a significant day for carrying out their operations,” said a senior official, who did not wish to be identified.

Yet another common thread, officials said, was that the assailants came on a motorcycle with their faces covered and shot at the victims at close range. This is a throwback to the insurgency in Punjab, they said, when terrorists came with their faces covered and targeted mainly Hindus in an attempt at polarisation.

“The fact that the same weapons have been used in all the crimes, that the crimes occurred on a Saturday and, most important, that the victims were proponents of RSS, Shiv Sena and other Hindu groups cannot be a mere coincidence,” the official said.

Another senior Punjab Police officer said, “That Hindus, a pastor and those supposedly opposed to their ideology stand targeted appears to be a handiwork of Sikh radicals.”

The investigators have not found anything else common among the victims, officials said.

A controversial Sikh leader in Punjab, who enjoys political patronage from across the political spectrum, is under the scanner for his possible role in the murders, they said, and that the failure of the Punjab Police to make any headway in the cases has raised eyebrows.

In school in Punjab village with dismal sex ratio, lone girl says she has no one to skip rope with

The Class IV girl stands next to the blackboard and recites, “P O T…pot, H O T…hot”. The boys in the classroom repeat in chorus. At first glance, nothing seems unusual in this classroom of the government primary school at Moda village in Punjab’s Mansa district. But a closer look shows the grim picture of the village’s child sex ratio. Seema, 8, is the only girl in her school.
The village, located on Punjab-Haryana border and dominated by Jatt zamindar community, is among villages with critically low child sex ratio — only 389 girls per 1,000 boys as per the latest village-wise survey of children in the 0-6 years age group. Mansa district is under surveillance since ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ programme was launched. But as per latest figures, the child sex ratio (by birth) has dropped 31 points — from 925 last year to 894.

Seema, whose parents are labourers, has reasons to complain for being the only girl in school. “Boys talk to me. We play together. But more girls would be much better. I have to go to washroom alone. A girl can help me with the skipping rope. Boys don’t show much interest in skipping rope.”
Inderjit Singh, head teacher at the school, said, “Of the 11 students in the school, 10 are boys. Since I joined in 2012, there have been only eight girl students in five years. Seema tries to mingle with the boys, but I can see she feels uncomfortable sometimes.” Balwinder Singh (41), a resident of the village who has two daughters, aged 16 and 14 and a son aged 7, says “with increasing expenditure and smaller land holdings, it is difficult to raise a girl here”.

“I went for a third child after two daughters because I wanted a son. We need at least Rs 20 lakh for dowry if a girl has to be married. Even getting a girl educated here is difficult. They have to go Mansa for higher education,” he said, adding, “Who will carry forward our vansh if there is no son?”
Another village resident Bintu Singh said, “A secondary school for girls has started this year in Fatehpur, 2 km from here. A private one is in Jhunir, 10 km away. For college, girls have to go to district headquarters Mansa, 35 km away. And there is no bus service. So, hardly any girl went out to study after Class V.”

“No one in our village goes for a child after a boy, but keep trying for a boy if a girl is born. It’s not that people here hate daughters, but everyone definitely wants a son,” added Bintu. Rani Kaur, 70, a caretaker at the village anganwadi has four daughters. “If I had a son, I would not be slogging at this age,” she said.

Village sarpanch Sandeep and his two brothers had four daughters in all before they had a son each. He blames “nature” for the skewed sex ratio in the village. “Recently, more boys have been born in our village. Otherwise, there is nothing wrong with our people. We are a small village with just 70 households,” said Sandeep, who has studied till Class VIII.

The district administration has prepared a list of reasons for low child sex ratio in Mansa. These include age-old preference for male child, dowry, pyre lighting by male child, mindset that girls are ‘paraaya dhan’, patrilineal inheritance, increasing expenditure on girl’s marriage and sex-determination tests.

Deputy commissioner Dharampal Gupta says, “Lack of awareness is the only reason for the low child sex ratio in Mansa. Change is happening and soon it will be visible in numbers. We have intensified the Beti Bachao campaign here.”

Bursting of firecrackers restricted

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday restricted bursting of firecrackers on Diwali in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh to three hours– from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. The court also issued guidelines for granting temporary licences to firecracker sellers.
The High Court on Thursday had taken suo moto cognizance of the deteriorating air quality in the region and sought information on the licences granted to traders in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.
The division bench of Justice Ajay Kumar Mittal and Justice Amit Rawal on Friday directed the police to ensure adequate PCR vans are deployed for compliance of the High Court directions. The Deputy Commissioners and the Superintendents of Police have also been directed to ensure the orders are followed strictly.
The division bench restricted the authorities from issuing any permanent licenses without the permission of court and also limited the number of temporary licenses to be issued to the traders. As Punjab’s air quality deteriorates, state pollution board issues instructions for ‘green Diwali’

Private schools observe black day

Teachers and principals of private schools here observed a black day on a call given by the National Independent Schools Alliance (NISA), the largest association of budget private schools in India, and Private Unaided Schools Management Association (PUSMA), here today. Wearing black badges, they organised a protest march to flay the Central government for directing the managements to follow the dictates in letter and spirit. They said the government had indicated that teachers as well as principals would face criminal cases for mishaps now onwards. The managements would be asked to get police verification of their staff. Such dictatorial directions would not be accepted, the protesters warned.

Appointment of Beant’s grandson as DSP challenged

Twentytwo years after Punjab’s then Chief Minister Beant Singh was assassinated, his grandson Guriqbal Singh’s appointment as Deputy Superintendent of Punjab Police on compassionate grounds after allegedly bending the rules today came under judicial scanner. Acting on a petition alleging that Guriqbal was not even eligible for appointment, Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain of the High Court fixed December 5 as the next date of hearing in the matter. Seeking the setting aside of his appointment, Praveen Kumar of Tarn Taran claimed that in any case his family did not require compassionate appointment as their financial and political status was “sky scrapping” Describing himself as a member of the Khalra Mission organisation formed in 1995, the petitioner claimed he was working for the welfare of anti-Sikh riots victims. He added Guriqbal was younger brother of Ludhiana MP Ravneet Bittu and cousin of Khanna MLA Gurkirat Kotli. He added government jobs had been offered to the families of slain police officers in the past, but never to kin of Chief Minister assassinated while in office. Quoting sources in the state Chief Minister’s office, the petitioner claimed that proposal for his appointment came from Captain Amarinder Singh himself. “It was on the Chief Minister’s nod that the department concerned sought an application from Guriqbal. The government has bent the rules and law to recruite his grandson as DSP on compassionate grounds. “What makes him ineligible is the fact that he has crossed the maximum age of 28 for direct recruitment as DSP in Punjab. He added that an objection had also been made by the Finance Department that the appointment could not be legally valid. The objective of compassionate appointment was to give succour to the family which suddenly plunged into penury due to the untimely death of its sole breadwinner. But in the Guriqbal case, his family was having high political status as almost all of the members were in politics as MP and MLAs.

Gurdaspur byelection today, over to voters

The police districts of Batala, Pathankot and Gurdaspur have made tight security arrangements to ensure peaceful polling tomorrow in the Lok Sabha byelection. Following an Election Commission directive, several politicians who were camping in the constituency for the past few days have left. There were reports that some senior Congress leaders refused to leave. However, Returning Officer GS Sidhu claimed that no “outsider” was present. “Only the contesting candidates and the state heads of the parties have been allowed to stay,” he said. Paramilitary forces have been deployed in all polling stations which have been declared sensitive or hypersensitive. Gurdaspur will become the first parliamentary constituency in the country where all polling stations will have Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines. This device gives the voter using an EVM confirmation about his vote. Security personnel have been stationed at every 20 yards and vehicles are being checked randomly. Checking was intensified here today after reports that crates of liquor were being transported to villages from the city , despite the prohibition order.

ECI allows alternative IDs

Chandigarh: The ECI has allowed voters to use alternative identity cards as proof of identity. A spokesman said those who did not have the elector photo identity card (EPIC, also called voter ID card) could exercise their franchise using documents such as the Aadhaar card, passport, driving licence or service ID cards (with photo) issued by central/state governments or public sector undertakings.  The EC has also allowed the use of bank or post office passbooks with photos, PAN card, MGNREGA job card, health insurance smart card, pension documents and authenticated voter slips for the purpose. — TNS

Chhotepur incommunicado

Chandigarh: A section of Aapna Punjab Party (APP) leaders has questioned party chief Sucha Singh Chhotepur’s silence on two leaders’ decision to back the BJP nominee. Chhotepur, who had on Saturday remained non-committal on supporting any candidate, has gone incommunicado. A senior APP leader said: “Our president’s conduct in the past two days has aroused suspicion. He is not only inaccessible, but has also not reacted to HS Kingra and RR Bhardwaj’s announcement in favour of the BJP candidate. It shows that he has made a pact with the saffron party.” — TNS+

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Dominance in Majha at stake Chandigarh: The Gurdaspur byelection has underlined the fierce rivalry between Congress and Akali leaders in Majha. The result, to be declared on October 15, will tell who gets to boast about “Majhe da sardari”. Congress leaders Navjot Singh Sidhu and Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa have thrown their weight behind party candidate Sunil Jakhar, while prominent  Akali leaders — party president Sukhbir Singh Badal and former minister Bikram Singh Majithia are backing BJP’s Swaran Salaria. Majithia, who earned the sobriquet “Majhe da jarnail” during the SAD-BJP’s 10-year rule, finds himself on a sticky wicket after the Congress made deep inroads into the border region in this year’s Assembly elections. The Sucha Singh Langah episode has been another spoiler for the Akali Dal. Sidhu, who switched over from the BJP to the Congress in the run-up to the Assembly polls, and Randhawa have emerged as powerful leaders for the ruling party in Majha. Both are known for never missing any opportunity to target the SAD. Who will bag the bragging rights in a region with a predominantly feudal mindset? We will know the answer on Sunday. — Ruchika M Khanna

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Govt work comes to standstill Chandigarh: The Punjab Civil Secretariat wore a deserted look on Tuesday, with all Cabinet Ministers yet to return after two weeks of campaigning in Gurdaspur. “Tired of hectic canvassing, the ministers, other MLAs and political appointees need rest. Work is likely to resume after polling on Wednesday,” a senior party leader said. A Secretary-rank officer in the secretariat said no major decision had been taken in recent days as the ministers concerned were away. Another officer argued that no decision could be taken without the Election Commission’s nod in view of the model code of conduct. TNS Courts closed today Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday declared a holiday in Gurdaspur and Pathankot district and sessions courts on Wednesday in view of the byelection. The order was issued by the High Court Chief Justice, Justice Shiavax Jal Vazifdar. TNS

Main candidates

Seven of the nine Vidhan Sabha seats under the parliamentary constituency are held by the Congress — Gurdaspur (Barindermeet Singh Pahra), Pathankot (Amit Vij), Bhoa (Joginder Pal), Dinanagar (Aruna Chaudhary), Dera Baba Nanak (Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa), Fatehgarh Churian (Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa) and Qadian (Fateh Jung Bajwa). Dinesh Singh Babbu (BJP) and Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal (SAD) represent Sujanpur and Batala, respectively. Main candidates

• Congress: Sunil Jakhar, PPCC chief and three-time former MLA
• BJP: Swaran Salaria, business magnate; making electoral debut 
• AAP: Maj Gen Suresh Khajuria (retd), another first-timer

Key issues

• Batala’s industrial units, a majority of which have shut down following tax rebates given to adjoining sates of J&K and HP.
• Pathankot’s seven railway crossings on Jogindernagar-Pathankot narrow gauge railway line. These crossings are closed simultaneously at least seven times a day, restricting traffic movement.
• Waterlogging in several villages of Dinanagar Assembly seat renders fields unfit for paddy and wheat cultivation.
• The lake of the Ranjit Sagar dam yet to be developed as a tourist spot and water sports hub despite repeated promises by politicians over the years

TV show: High Court rejects petition against Navjot Sidhu

More than a month after the Kapil Sharma show went off-air, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today dismissed as infructuous a PIL against Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu’s participation in the show. The High Court made it clear that it was not deciding the writ petition on merit.

Raising the matter of propriety involving a Cabinet Minister’s constitutional post, HC Arora — in his petition — had maintained he (Sidhu) should not participate in the TV show. 

Arora also cited a full bench judgment of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, wherein the Bench had observed that a Chief Minister should not act in a film. The Bench had further cautioned that acting in films by a Cabinet Minister may also amount to abuse of his office. Acting in a comedy show was apparently more serious than acting in a film, Arora had asserted.

He had further argued that such conduct on Sidhu’s part, by the virtue of him being the Minister for Local Bodies and Cultural Affairs, would give rise to “conflict of interest”.

Besides, the minister was bound to enforce Rule 15 of the Punjab Government Employees Conduct Rules, 1966, according to which a government employee cannot engage himself in a private business. “How can Sidhu expect the government staff to avoid doing private business, when he himself was doing it?” the petitioner had argued.

Calendar row: Gurpurb celebrated twice in 3 days

The birth anniversary of Guru Ram Das was celebrated again today — two days after the SGPC commemorated the occasion. This was the result of a controversy over Nanakshahi calendar. Sikh outfits, including the Panthic Talmel Sangathan, Akal Purakh Ki Fauj, Shabad Kirtani Jatha and gatka parties, claimed they celebrated Gurpurb in accordance with the original Nanakshahi calendar endorsed by Akal Takht in 2003. Then, the Kirpal-Singh-Badungar-led SGPC had adopted Nanakshahi calendar authored by Paul Singh Purewal. Fourteen years later, the SGPC — with Badungar at the helm — has been acknowledging the amended version of the calendar, christened Bikrami calendar in 2010, leading to confusion among the Sikh community about the dates of Gurpurbs. Badungar said if Sikh organisations and the “sangat” wanted the original Nanakshahi calendar to be implemented, they should approach Akal Takht. “The matter under question comes under the jurisdiction of Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh. The SGPC has to follow directions of Akal Takht,” he said. Takht Damdama Sahib ex-Jathedar Kewal Singh and Akal Purakh Ki Fauj director Jaswinder Singh said, “Call it political pressure, the original calendar was amended through the Sant Samaj. It was a pity that the SGPC followed it. We appeal to the SGPC president to get the original calendar implemented so that there is no confusion about the dates of Gurpurbs.”