NRI punjab news- 2013

Punjab News:

PUNJAB ALL SET FOR SMOOTH CONDUCT OF GENERAL ELECTIONS TO LOK SABHA-2014

CAMPAIGNING CAME TO END, NOW CANDIDATES CAN GO FOR DOOR TO DOOR CAMPAIGNING
1.95 CRORE VOTERS TO DECIDE THE FATE OF 253 CANDIDATES IN THE STATE
POLICE OFFICIALS HAVING EDCs CAN ENTER IN POLLING BOOTHS
RECOMMENDS TRANSFER OF THREE OFFICIALS BESIDES SUSPENSION OF AN ASSISTANT ENGINEER
APPEALS PEOPLE TO COME OUT FOR VOTING IN LARGE NUMBERS TO STRENGTHEN THE INSTITUTE OF DEMOCRACY
WITH IMPOSITION OF DRY DAY, THE LIQUOR VENDS OF HARYANA, HIMACHAL PARDESH, CHANDIGARH, J&K AND RAJASTHAN IN 3KMS RADIUS OF PUNJAB BORDERS TO REMAIN SHUT TILL THE END OF POLLING ON APRIL 30

Chandigarh, April 28: With poll campaigning coming to end in Punjab today at 6:00 PM i.e. 48 hours before the completion of polling, the state is all set for smooth conduct of General Elections to Lok Sabha-2014. 1.95 crore voters of the state would decide the fate of 253 candidates representing various political parties in 13 Parliamentary Constituencies.

Interacting with media persons here today, Mr. V.K. Singh, Chief Electoral Officer said that comprehensive arrangements have been made to ensure free, fair and transparent Lok Sabha Elections in the state in which around 1 lakh each civil as well as security officials would be on polling duty. He said that with active campaigning coming to end, the candidates or their supporters could go for door to door campaigning but they shouldn’t be more than 5 in numbers. He said that with the end of campaigning, the dry day has been started in the state and now the liquor vends of Haryana, Himachal Pardesh, Chandigarh, J&K and Rajasthan in 3kms radius of Punjab borders to remain shut till the end of polling on April 30.

He said that they have recommended the out of district transfers of three officials including ASI Pritam Singh, Chauki Incharge, Lopo, PS Badhani (Moga), Faljeet Singh, JE Powercom (Sangrur) and Mr. Malwinder Singh Mali, Teacher, GHS, Gardala (Roopnagar). Besides this, the suspension and charge sheet for major penalty for Mr. Balwant Singh, Assistant Engineer Drainage, Moga has been recommended for dereliction of election duty. He appealed the electors to participate in large numbers in election process by using their right to franchise to strengthen the institute of democracy. He also appealed the media to motivate more and more people for casting their votes. He said that the special emphasis was being given to 20 purely urban assembly constituencies, where the urban apathy of voters towards casting their votes was noticed during previous elections. He said that an SMS service was being launched there so that the voters could get an idea of queue length at a particular time.

The CEO said that keeping in view the possibility of heavy turnout in the state, the ECI has fixed 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM polling time on April 30 but he clarified that the 6:00 PM means any elector at that time standing in queue would get the right to poll his vote and there was no time limit for this. He appealed the candidates to ensure that their polling agents should reach polling stations in time on day of polling so that after mock polling, the regular polling could be started by the 7:00 AM.

The CEO said that it was always a challenge for election staff on poll duty to get exercised their franchise and the ECI has issued elaborate instructions to facilitate the voting by this staff. He said that there were two options as the staff doing poll duty within same parliamentary constituency was given Election Duty Certificates while the staff outside the constituency could cast their votes through Postal Ballots. He said that the ongoing elections, approximately 33000 polling staff has been issued EDC and 6000 have been issued Postal Ballot. Similarly, approximately 12000 security personnel have been issued EDC and 1300 have been given postal ballots. The election staff including security personnel holding EDC shall be casting their vote at the polling station where they are on duty instead of the polling station where they are registered as voters. The polling staff who have EDCs has been instructed to cast ballot early in the day rather than postponing it in the day. Since police personnel are also staff on Election Duty and about 12000 of them have got the EDCs issued, there should not be any surprise how to find them voting in uniform on the day of poll, he added.

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ECI RESTRICTS BIKRAM SINGH MAJITHIA MLA’S MOVEMENT

· TRANSFERS SSP AMRITSAR (RURAL)

Chandigarh, April 28: The Election Commission of India has restricted the movement of Sh. Bikram Singh Majithia, MLA of 13-Majitha AC, Amritsar to his polling station area from where he is an elector after campaign period is over.

Disclosing this here today, Mr. V.K. Singh, CEO said that according to a communiqué received from ECI, Mr. Majithia would not visit any other part of any assembly segment of the 02-Amritsar Parliamentary Constituency (including 13-Majitha AC). The Commission has also directed to keep his movements under surveillance and video-graphed with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, the ECI has also directed that Mr. Gurpreet Singh Gill, SSP Amritsar (Rural) should be asked to report to Police Headquarters at Chandigarh and Mr. Balkar Singh, IPS, DIG Crime, Headquarters should supervise his work up to completion of poll on April 30.

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Sukhbir Badal says The Tribune Trust has been hijacked by Capt Amarinder Singh

(Says chums of Amarinder inducted as Trustees over a period of time)

(Terms Kanwar Sandhu's appointment as a conspiracy aimed at striking at the Badal family)

Chandigarh, April 29 - Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today said it was condemnable that The Tribune newspaper, a public trust which called itself the 'voice of the people', had allowed itself to be hijacked by Punjab Congress leader Capt Amarinder Singh for his selfish political interests.

In a statement here, the SAD president said it was unfortunate that the 131 year old newspaper, which had been founded by noted philanthropist Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia to educate the masses and was always known for its accuracy and objectivity, had slipped into Congress hands over the years and had now become a mouthpiece of the Congress party.

"The Tribune Trust has in the past always been run by men of integrity. I am constrained to say this is no longer the case with the paper openly taking the side of the Congress in the run up to various elections to consistently damage the prospects of the SAD-BJP combine".

Mr Badal said the Congressisation of The Tribune was part of a deliberate conspiracy and that now The Tribune trust was controlled by a group of chums of Capt Amarinder Singh. Mr Badal said it was this group of chums who had brought in a known "Badal - baiter" - Kanwar Sandhu as Executive Editor of the newspaper in October last year with the aim of striking at the Badal family".

The SAD president said Mr Kanwar Sandhu, who had a controversial past and was responsible for a number of scams involving his family members, was being allowed to run the newspaper as his fiefdom by the paper's Trust. "It is Mr Sandhu who has formed his own personal team outside of the newspaper which has come out with recent stories aimed at hitting the Badal family on the eve of the parliamentary elections. We reject the stories for the contempt they deserve. The people of Punjab know the truth. Even in the run up to the last assembly elections The Tribune ran a motivated campaign to put us down but the people of the State defeated their nefarious designs by bestowing their mandate on us. We trust this will happen again now", the SAD president added.

Mr Badal said he also wanted to make it clear that Mr Kanwar Sandhu was leading a motivated campaign in The Tribune against the Badal family because he had a personal grudge against it. "Mr Sandhu holds us responsible for the closure of Day and Night news channel which he was heading earlier even though this allegation is far from the truth. Day and Night folded up under its own weight because of Mr Sandhu's incompetence. I also feel Mr Sandhu should behave like a professional journalist and not use pseudonyms to attack the Badal family. It would have been appropriate if he had taken credit for the malicious pieces he has personally written as well as disclose to the readers of the newspapers the details of his personal "dirty tricks" team which has been part of this collaborative effort which was approved by The Tribune Trust under pressure from Capt Amarinder Singh", the SAD President said.

Speaking about his own personal assets as well as that of the Badal family, the SAD president said each and every penny was accounted for. "All my businesses are in public domain and I have listed the same in my books and affidavits before the Election Commission. This is unlike Capt Amarinder Singh who is yet to explain his foreign accounts and properties". He said it was strange that The Tribune was targeting the Badal family by presenting the old allegations levelled by Capt Singh in a new avatar despite the fact that each and every allegation was investigated during the earlier Congress government and nothing incriminating was revealed. " However The Tribune is not investigating Capt Amarinder who still has corruption cases running against him and is yet to explain the acquisition of his properties and foreign banks accounts", Mr Badal added. EOM

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EVMs WILL WORK AS ‘CHOPPING MACHINES’ TO CUT ‘CONGRESS GRASS’ FROM ROOTS-SUKHBIR

· CONGRESS CANNOT DUPE PEOPLE ON PROPERTY TAX AND SAND-GRAVEL ISSUES

· NDA GOVERNMENT WILL ROLL BACK ALL THE ANTI-PEOPLE DECISIONS OF CONGRESS LED UPA

Kurali, April 28

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, President Shiromani Akali Dal and Deputy Chief Minister Punjab today said that on 30th April EVMs would work as chopping machines to cut ‘Congress Grass’ from the roots as he had witnessed a strong resentment in the people of Punjab against Congress led UPA government while campaigning for the SAD-BJP candidates.

Addressing the impressive gathering here in favour of SAD-BJP candidate from Anandpur Sahib Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra, Mr. Badal said that people of Punjab were all set to teach an historic lesson to Punjab Congress for playing with their sentiments by blaming state government for the misdeeds of its party led UPA government. He said that Congress party through its negative campaign has done its best to camouflage its misdeeds by holding SAD-BJP government responsible for the issue like costlier sand-gravel and property tax but people of the state were well aware of the fact that these were the outcomes of anti-people policies of Congress led UPA government.

Lashing at Congress party for misleading people of Punjab, Mr. Badal said that it was than Chief Minister Captain Amrinder Singh who signed the decision of levying property tax at the instance of Congress led UPA government. He said that Punjab government had been resisting the union government’s pressure to impose property tax but the Congress-led UPA government withheld grants sanctioned under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). He said that instead of supporting Punjab government in safeguarding interests of Punjabis leadership from Punjab Congress has forced its party led Centre government to withhold Rs 2000 crore under various JNNURM projects till property tax had been imposed in Punjab.

Opening a frontal attack on the Congress led UPA government for creating artificial crises of shortage of sand and gravel by issuing wrong EIA (environment impact assessment) notification 2006, Mr. Badal said that UPA amended this policy partially only when SAD-BJP government forced it to do so by passing a resolution in the Punjab Assembly. He said that Punjab Congress could not make fool of people of Punjab through misleading campaign and asked PPCC leaders that why they did not approach their high command seeking revocation of the tax imposed and relaxation in norms of sand minning.

Mr. Badal said that he has discussed these issues with NDA’s prime ministerial candidate Mr. Narinder Modi who has promised that NDA would immediately roll back all the anti-people and anti-Punjab decisions of Congress led UPA government.

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra appealed to reject the misleading campaign of Congress party and vote for Shiromani Akali Dal as their votes would form a strong NDA government at the centre. He appealed for his record victory to enable him to strongly put the issues and problems of the area in front of NDA government. He promised that once he has been elected as member parliament people of the constituency would feel proud of their decision as he would turn every stone to bring a number of projects from centre for the area.

Prominent amongst others, Mr. Ujagar Singh Wadali, district President SAD Mohali, former minister Ms. Satwant Kaur Sandhu and Ms. Paramjit Kaur Wadali also addressed the gathering

SAD REJECTS MEAGER RS.50 HIKE IN MSP OF RICE AND COTTON- MAJITHIA

· SEEKS MINIMUM 50% HIKE IN MSP

· ANNOUNCEMENT OF MSP COUPLED WITH FAILURE OF MONSOON SHOWS UNION GOVERNMENT’S DISCONNECT WITH REALITY

· FRUSTRATED BY IMPENDING CRUSHING DEFEAT CONGRESS LED UPA GOVERNMENT BACKSTABBING FARMING COMMUNITY

· NDA TO REVISE MSP ON ASSUMING POWER

Amritsar, April 26: Shiromani Akali Dal today out rightly rejected the proposed Rs.50 hike in the MSP of Rice and Cotton and said that unfortunate meager hike on the day Indian Meteorological Department announcing failure of impending monsoon reflects the total disconnect of Congress led UPA government with the reality on the ground.

Addressing various rallies in Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency in favour of SAD-BJP Candidate Mr. Arun Jaitely, Youth Akali Dal President Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia said that Congress led UPA government by announcing MSP affecting 80% population of the country during the last 20 days of misrule, has tried to backstab the farming community for voting it out. He said that it was surprising that on one hand the meteorological department of India was announcing that monsoon this time would be 35% below normal and 95% of the country would face deficient monsoon on other hand the Union government has procured the cabinet nod to increase MSP by meager Rs.50. He said that denial of remunerative price to the farmers was a conspiracy by Congress led UPA government to finish the farmers and push them deeper in debt trap. He said that during last paddy season also Punjab farmers spent Rs.30,000 crore more on diesel pump sets and Punjab government purchased power in the open market by paying Rs.55,000 more to provide power to farmers free of cost due to deficient rains but Union government failed to compensate a single penny to Punjabis for fulfilling their national duty of making country self sufficient on food security front.

He said that Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP in its manifesto had already sought implementation of recommendation of Swaminathan Commission that had recommended linking MSP with Price Index or providing 50% profit on the input costs of the farmers. He said that for last 65 years Congress had been befooling the farming community and farmers of this country have now woken up for their rights. He said that NDA on assuming power would review the decision of Congress led UPA government on the critical issue of MSP and provide remunerative price to the farmers.

Giving a call to decimate the Congress from the political scene of the country, Mr. Majithia said that this last anti farmer decision of Congress party has exposed its real killer face and time has come to give befitting punishment to Congress party.

NO QUESTION OF REVEALING OF SECRECY OF EMPLOYEES USING POSTAL BALLOTS: CEO

Chandigarh, April 26: The Punjab CEO Mr. VK Singh today rubbished a rumour that in Postal Ballot for employee, the secrecy of voting can be revealed and Government Employees were apprehensive of their safety.

Describing a complaint regarding this totally baseless, Mr Singh said that Postal Ballot was a facility given to service voters and the staff on election duty who were unable to vote because they were serving in the Election duty. He said that in a Parliament election most of the staff was deployed on election duty within the same Parliamentary Constituency albeit they go for duty outside their home assembly Constituency. Thus majority of the staff who were working in the same Parliamentary Constituency get the Election Duty Certificates (EDC) through which they cast vote on the polling booth on which they are on election duty on the Polling day itself.

He further said that, however, a limited number of staff on election duty outside the Parliament constituency were issued Postal Ballot on their request in the prescribed form. They can either cast their ballot through PB Facilitation Centres established by District Electoral Officers at the training venues or by post. The date and time of such facilitation centre was informed to the Political candidates and arrangements were made so that they or their agents could witness the whole process. He said that the Postal ballot was marked in a secret compartment and sealed in an envelope. This envelop has no mark of identification of the employee. Thereafter a declaration by the elector was to be got signed from the Magistrate for which facility was made at the venue. Then both the declaration and sealed envelope containing postal ballot were further sealed in 2nd envelope before dropping it in the Box. At the end the box was opened and all the envelopes (which further contain a declaration and sealed envelope containing postal ballot) were segregated in presence of political parties / candidates, he added.

He informed that all postal ballots pertaining to a particular constituency were again sealed in a packet and sent to returning officer through special messenger. Alternatively one can send his/her postal ballot through post. They could mark their preference on postal ballot and seal it in an envelope. Then put this envelope along with declaration in another envelope and send to the returning officer through Post. The returning officer makes special arrangement with the POST department to deliver the postal ballots at 3 pm every day. He informs such time to candidates to remain present everyday. The postal ballots were put in post box kept in his office. Then he takes out all the envelopes in front of all candidates and makes entries in daily registers, obtains signature of candidates or their agents present in the register. He keeps all such postal ballots received in a special strong room. These postal ballots were taken to the counting centre on the day of counting from such strong room. All the postal ballots received till the time of counting shall be counted.

He further said that on the counting day, all the outer envelopes are opened first, and then the declarations scrutinized. Inner envelope containing postal ballot was not opened at this stage. If it was in order then declarations were kept separately and the inner envelopes (containing postal ballot paper) were kept separately, so that identity of elector was not compromised. Once all declarations were disposed off they were kept in a separate envelope, then only inner envelopes were opened. He clarified that there was no identity mark on the postal ballot or its envelope so that the secrecy of voting was not disturbed at any stage. Political parties or candidates were associated with all these processes. The whole process was robust and transparent. Hence no body should have any misgivings about it, he added.

CEO DIRECTS DEOs TO ENHANCE VIGIL DURING LAST 48 HOURS BEFORE POLL

· Underlines the need for extensive checking through nakas, flying squads and SSTs

· Asks to be more proactive for achieving the target of 80 percent polling

· DEOs to ensure proper food arrangements for polling staff besides facilitating female staff

· Centre Paramilitary forces should be used for polling and patrolling duty

· Malkhanas to be sealed 48 hours before the polling and all police officers to remain mobile

Chandigarh, April 26: The Punjab CEO Mr. V.K. Singh today directed all the DEOs and District Police Chiefs to enhance vigil in last 48 crucial hours before the poll by laying sufficient nakas besides making more proactive the flying squads and static surveillance teams to respond immediately in case of any complaint to ensure free, fair and transparent elections in Punjab.

Presiding over a meeting through video conferencing Mr. Singh pointed out that it was a litmus test for state election machinery especially the Field Officers to conduct smooth elections as with completion of 2/3rd polling in the country, the national as well as international media was set to throng Punjab keeping in view the high political stakes on certain parliamentary constituencies.

He said that as per the directions of the ECI, the district police chiefs should ensure that all central paramilitary forces should be put on election duty be it on polling stations or on patrolling and it should not be kept in reserve. He said that with almost 2 lakh employees out of which approximately one each lakh from civil and security forces on polling duty, it becomes imperative to ensure the maximum voting of all eligible employees through postal ballots or election duty certificates. He said that ECI has categorically said that the major focus should be on maximum polling and the state election machinery has already committed the target of 80% polling. He said that the DEOs should take keen interest in ensuring good percentage of polling on 20 purely urban assembly constituencies and a unique SMS service has already been launched for these to check the length of line of voters on the polling booths of these constituencies. He said that wherever any body finds offering liquor/money to voters, a FIR should be registered immediately. He said that the DEOs should ask the candidates to ensure departure of their supporters from outside the constituency besides getting checked the hotels, guest houses and inns.

He said that the DEOs should ensure that on every polling booth, the mock poll should be conducted on time and the presiding officers must be sensitized to ensure erasing data to avoid any complication. He said that private security guards could be put on duties like manning queues or on gates of the polling stations but they shouldn’t be put on law and order duty. He cautioned them to be more alert to check any paid news and asked to make more proactive the media certification and monitoring committees. He said that DEOs should also take care of food arrangements for polling staff so that they shouldn’t face any difficulty in discharging their duties diligently.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. C.S.R Reddy, Additional DGP (Elections) briefed the field police officers to use central paramilitary forces strictly for polling/patrolling duty besides ensuring the sealing of malkhanas 48 hours well before the polling. He said that the police personnel accompanying polling parties after reaching the destination should put nakas nearby roads to check any unscrupulous elements. He said that to ensure the immediate response the police reserves should be placed strategically. He asked all field police offices right from the Chauki in charge to district police chief to remain mobile. He also said that all the 135 interstate points have been identified and would be sealed thoroughly with the help of neighboring states’ police. He said that a company of central paramilitary forces comprises 91 personnel and the district police shouldn’t accept in any case a company less than 81 persons. He said that all the field officers must have public address system in their vehicles.

Mr. Raminder Singh, Mr. B. Purushartha and Mr. Supreet Singh Gulati, all Additional CEOs, Mr. Arpit Shukla, IGP (Elections), Mr. Shivdular Singh Dhillon, Additional ETC and Mr. Amit Talwar, Joint CEO were also present in the video conferencing.

Modi presents 5 F formula for prosperity of cotton farmers.

(SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal says wave in favour of Parkash Singh Badal and Narendra Modi in Punjab)......CLICK HERE

Bathinda, April 25 - NDA prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi today laid out a 5 F formula for bringing prosperity to farmers in the Malwa region which envisages creating linkages from production to export of the farm product.

Addressing a mammoth gathering at the Dada Poti ground here, Mr Modi said his 5 F formula which envisaged turning cotton at the farm to fibre to fabric to fashion and foreign was the only way farmers would get a remunerative price for their product.

"It is a matter of shame for the UPA government that it did not think of this earlier. Even countries like Bangladesh and Cambodia are known as leaders in ready made garments manufacture".

Mr Modi said all policies of the UPA government were flawed. "More farmers were dying by committing suicide than the ''jawans' killed in various wars. The UPA government's agriculture policy including a ban on cotton export has led to a Rs 7,000 crore loss to the Gujarat farmers alone".

Speaking about his vision for 2022, Mr Modi said he envisioned a house for each citizen in the country. He said such a measure would give jobs to the youth and energise the economy. He said besides this he felt all necessary facilities needed by a citizen should be available to him at his door step.

Speaking about the UPA government which he termed as "maa beti ki government', the BJP leader said " the situation is such that the mother thinks the State can go to hell but my son should sit on the prime minister's chair".

Speaking about Punjab, Mr Modi said the SAD - BJP government had been voted back to power in 2012 because the people of the State were happy with its report card. "The same was the case in Gujarat", he said adding the UPA government was yet to present its report card to the people.

Speaking on the occasion, chief minister Parkash Singh Badal detailed how agriculture sector had suffered in UPA rule and how the industry had migrated to other States due to flawed central policies. He said Punjab had faced repeated discrimination despite its contribution to the country. "Our capital was taken away from us. So were our river waters and Punjabi speaking areas", he added.

Mr Badal said as far as Bathinda was concerned Harsimrat Badal had not only initiated lot of work on the constituency but also represented it properly in parliament. Speaking about the PPP- Congress candidate he said Manpreet Badal had betrayed the SAD which was like his mother in collusion with the Congress. He said one needed to stand on principles and Manpreet had proved he had none. "Now he is in your court. He should lose by at least 2.25 lakh votes", he added.

Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal while speaking on the occasion, said " there is a wave in favour of Badal Sahab along with one in favour of Modi Sahab". He said once a NDA government was formed there would be colonies for the poor in both urban and rural areas. He said farmers would get full crop insurance and farmers would get a msp based upon the cost of inputs and a fifty per cent profit. The Deputy CM said the NDA government would also come out with a special package for the industrial sector.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Bathinda mp Harsimrat Badal, Mr Baldev Singh Bhundur and Mr Sikander Singh Maluka.

Mr Modi also blessed candidates standing from various parliamentary constituencies including Harsimrat Badal, Paramjit Kaur Gulshan (Faridkot), Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa (Sangrur), Deepinder Dhillon (Patiala).

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CEO ORDERS TO SHIFT THREE OFFICIALS

· RECORD SEIZURE OF DRUGS- INTERNATIONAL MARKET VALUE FIGURE TOUCHES TO 732.35 CRORE

Chandigarh, April 25:

The Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab Mr. V.K.Singh today ordered to shift the three officials included an XEN of Punjab Mandi Board, District Excise Officer and XEN PUDA with immediate effect.

While addressing the media persons here, Joint CEO Mr. Amit Talwar said that Surinder Pal Singh XEN Punjab Mandi Board and Acting SE GAMADA has been transferred and posted at the office of Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab on the complaint of Congress candidate Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal from Bathinda Lok Sabha constituency whereas District Excise Officer, Ludhiana has also been transferred. He further said that Mr. Yuvraj Bindra, XEN (PWD) has been transferred out of district Fatehgarh Sahib on a complaint of Model Code of Conduct violation.

Vowing to check the flow of liquor and narcotics in the election process Mr. Talwar said that for the first time 637 check points have been established all over the state and due to intensive campaign drugs with international value of Rs.732.35 crore have been seized after March 5, 2014. Giving the breakup of seizures Mr. Talwar said that 16090 Kg poppy husk, 91 kg opium, 145.47 Kg Heroine, 21 Kg charas and 49 Kg Ganja was seized in different districts. He said that intensive campaigning against flow of liquor resulted in seizure of 2.68 lakh liter illicit liquor and 6.11 lakh bottles of country made liquor besides 1.91 lakh Kg Lahan (raw material to make illicit liquor). He said that to keep an eye on suspected elements, 9425 non-bailable warrants have been executed. Mr. Talwar said that till date 3088 FIRs have been lodged and 752 complaints out of 920 received have been disposed off. He said that Punjab is all set to go for poll and more than 22022 polling stations have been set up and 24298 EVMs have been dispatched to all the districts.

CONGRESS DECEIVING PEOPLE ON THE PROPERTY TAX ISSUE-SUKHBIR SINGH BADAL

· CHALLENGES PUNJAB CONGRESS TO COME CLEAN ON THE ISSUE

· CONGRESS LED UPA ARM TWISTED STATES TO TAKE THIS DECISION

· NDA WILL AMEND ANTI PEOPLE POLICIES OF UPA ON PRIORITY

Chandigarh, April 25

Mr. sukhbir Singh Badal, President Shiromani Akali Dal today lashed at Punjab Congress leaders for deceiving people of Punjab on the property tax issue and hit back at Congress led UPA for "arm twisting" the States into taking the decision. He questioned that why Punjab Congress leadership did not supported Punjab government in putting pressure on its party led Centre government to revoke all these riders it has imposed on the urban development grants?

In a statement issued here, Mr. Badal challenged Punjab Congress to come clean on the issue. He said that Congress party was trying to camouflage its misdeeds by misleading people of the state. He said that it was Congress led Union government that has imposed riders, including a property tax on the State government for seeking urban development grants. “The Punjab government had been resisting the union government’s pressure to impose property tax but the Congress-led UPA government withheld grants sanctioned under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), as we had not imposed taxes the Centre had sought. To meet its narrow political interests leadership from Punjab Congress has forced its party led Centre government to withhold Rs 2000 crore under various JNNURM projects till property tax was imposed in Punjab”, he added.

Hitting back at Congress, Mr. Badal asked PPCC leaders that why they did not approach their high command seeking revocation of the tax imposed by the Centre. Mr. Badal said that if Punjab Congress has any love for the state it had appealed its high command to refrain from thrusting anti-people policies on the states rather than politicising the issue. "We are left with no other alternative than succumbing to the pressure of the Center and resorting to these taxes unwillingly," he added.

Mr. Badal said that not only Punjab but this tax has been implemented in the entire country on the directions of the Union government. He said that Punjab congress could not make fool of the people of the state by issuing such misleading statements. He said that Punjab Congress leadership missed an opportunity to regain the confidence of people of state by staging a dharna before 10 Janpath and Prime Minister's Office against arm-twisting the states to impose this tax rather than remaining busy in the party infighting.

Mr. Badal promised that once NDA elected to power at centre it would amend all such anti people policies of Congress led UPA government on priority basis.

ELECTION COMMISSION HEIGHTENS SURVEILLANCE AS POLL PROCESS IN PUNJAB ENTERS FINAL PHASE

· STATIC SURVEILLANCE TEAMS TOLD TO INTENSIFY CHECKING AT VULNERABLE POINTS

· DIRECTIONS ISSUED TO STRICTLY CHECK THE FLOW OF LIQUOR AND MONEY TO LURE VOTERS

· SERVING OF LIQUOR EVEN IN PRIVATE PARTIES BARRED DURING DRY DAYS OF ELECTIONS

· 82 ISSUED NOTICES OF PAID NEWS-MAXIMUM 26 NOTICES IN SBS NAGAR

Chandigarh, April 24: With the culmination of polling in 2/3rd of the country today evening, the focus of Election Commission today shifted to Punjab as it heightened its surveillance with poll campaign reaching its crescendo.

Briefing the media persons, Mr. V.K. Singh, CEO Punjab today said that a comprehensive plan was chalked out to keep maximum alertness during 48 hours before polls to check any flow of liquor or money to woo voters. He said that flying squads and static surveillance teams have been asked to be more proactive with clear instructions to district Police Chiefs to ensure availability of sufficient force during that period. He said that today a meeting of representatives of all parties was convened to sensitize them about the dos and don’ts during that period. He said that during that period door to door campaign could be done that to with the local persons as no outsider except an elected representative, candidate or election agent could stay after the campaign ends 48 hours before the final polling time. He said that DEOs have been directed to get checked the hotels, inns and guest houses so that there should not be any outsider staying there. He said that these 48 hours would be the dry days hence the liquor could not be served even in private functions. He said that the liquor vends in 3Kms of area of adjoining states like Haryana, J&K, Himachal and Rajasthan would remain shut in those 48 hours.

He said that all political parties have been asked to ensure the presence of their polling agents at 6:00AM on polling booths to participate in mock poll so that the polling should be started by 7:00AM sharp. He said that the party booths of size 10X10 could be erected 200 meters far away from polling booths. He said that white slips with name and number of voter could be issued but it shouldn’t have any election symbol printed on it. He said that the polling agents should also note down the number of EVMs. He cautioned them against any allurement of voters and said that the erring persons would be prosecuted according to the law.

He informed that total 82 notices have been issued for suspected paid news and the expenditure was booked in 58 cases.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. B. Purushartha, Additional CEO said that everyone has access to real time poll percentage from assembly segment wise and parliamentary constituency wise through Punjab CEO’s website http://ceopunjab.nic.in. He said that this information would be collected through SMS based poll day monitoring system developed with the help of NIC, Punjab Unit. He said that the Presiding Officers, Assistant Presiding Officers, Booth Level Officers and Sector Magistrates have been trained to send the message for the events occurred inside the polling stations from time to time like mock poll, start of polling and number of agents and number of votes polled.

He said that voters of 20 purely urban assembly constituencies would be able to get information regarding queue status by sending an SMS to +919211728082 in the format of ceopjb <space> qs <space> acno <space> partno or ceopjb <space> EPIC No. and the system would send the information of the polling station location as well as the number of voters standing in the queue. He said that for ensuring free and fair polls 20 sensitive polling stations of each district (total 440) would be monitored through web casting. He said that all the polling stations in the state have been designated as model polling booths and the volunteers would ensure priority voting for blind/infirm/old voters and pregnant and lactating mothers. He said that efforts were being made to set up super model polling stations and the DEOs were already on job with new initiatives there.

Mr. Raminder Singh and Mr. Supreet Singh, Additional CEOs and Mr. Amit Talwar, Joint CEO was also present on the occasion.

NO OUTSIDER CAN STAY IN ANY CONSTITUENCY ON POLL DAY-CEO

· SHORTLISTS 20 URBAN ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCIES FOR UNIQUE SMS SERVICE REGARDING QUEUE STATUS

Chandigarh, April 23: The Punjab CEO Mr. VK Singh today categorically said that any outsider or political functionary, who was not enrolled as a voter in a parliamentary constituency can’t stay there on day of polling but the candidates have been exempted for this purpose.

Interacting with media persons here today, Mr. Singh said that the state government has decided to suspend procurement operations for one day on April 30 i.e poll day to facilitate people especially rural populace to use their franchise. He said that due to inclement weather in last few days, the procurement operations have been little delayed and amidst possibility of prolonged procurement in state, this decision has been taken.

The CEO informed that after thorough analysis 20 purely urban assembly constituencies have been identified, where poll percentage was around 20 percent less in comparison of remaining state in last assembly constituencies. He said that these constituencies include Amritsar North, Amritsar West, Amritsar Central, Amritsar East and Amritsar South, Jalandhar West , Jalandhar Central, Jalandhar North and Jalandhar Cantt, SAS Nagar, Ludhiana East, Atam Nagar, Gill, Ludhiana South, Ludhiana Central, Ludhiana West, Ludhiana North , Ferozepur Urban, Bathinda Urban and Patiala. He said that a unique sms service ‘ Voter Queue Information Service” was being launched to inform voters about the queue status and this was aimed to check the trend of urban apathy. He said that each of total 22022 polling booths would be covered by either micro observer or web casting or videography/still photography or para military forces.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. B. Purushartha, Additional CEO said revealed that first time in the history of Punjab, the Elector Population Ration has touched projections of population in Census-2011. He said that projected population above 18 years of age was 1,95,16,688 and the final number of electors was 1,95,27,114 . He said that the credit goes to DEOs and Election machinery. He said that we have around 50 lac unique mobile phone numbers and each number would get three sms on poll day and specially mentioned that all big mobile operators have come forward to provide this service free of cost. The Additional CEO informed that till date 652 complaints have been received out of which 614 have been verified and 38 were pending. He said that 2948 FIRs have already been registered.

ECI EMPHASIS THE NEED TO BE MORE ALERT DURING LAST 48 HOURS BEFORE THE POLL

Ø ASKS TO IDENTIFY EXPENDITURE SENSITIVE CANDIDATES AND FOLLOW THEM WITH VIDEO-GRAPHY TEAMS

Ø PEOPLE HOSTING FUNCTIONS JUST BEFORE POLLING TO INFORM CONCERNED RO/ARO

Ø UNDERLINES THE NEED TO BE MORE PROACTIVE AGAINST SUSPECTED PAID NEWS

Ø URGES DEOs TO TAKE PERSONAL INTEREST IN INCREASING POLL PERCENTAGE

Chandigarh, April 23: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has emphasized the need to be more alert during last 48 hours before the polling in Punjab impending chances of distribution of cash/drugs/liquor to woo voters as with large scale mobilization of state police and paramilitary forces for polling stations during said period, creates a vulnerable situation.

Presiding over a meeting with Punjab CEO Mr. VK Singh and his team of officers, IGP/Elections, Commissioners of Police, DEOs, Expenditure observers and SSPs through video-conferencing, Mr. PK Dash , Director General, ECI pointed out that keeping in view the tough electoral battle ahead in Punjab, it becomes imperative to deploy police force led by senior field officers strategically with twin purpose to check any last minute maneuvering and instilling a sense of security amongst common people also. He said that district level control rooms should be more strengthened during that period. He said that the Election machinery should also keep close vigil on any attempt to entertain voters under the garb of any family function by throwing lavish party. He clarified that if anybody was hosting such function during that period, he should bring it in the notice of concerned RO/ARO in advance to avoid any harassment. CEO Mr. VK Singh said that Administration has been asked to prepare special arrangements to handle last 48 hours before poll. DEOs have been asked to keep surprise nakas and flying squads operational even during this time. He asked SSPs to make available sufficient force for this purpose.

Directing Expenditure observers to be more proactive, Mr. Dash said that they should in consultation with DEO/RO identify expenditure sensitive candidates and follow them with video-graphy teams wherever they go and if need arises then put special teams right before their residences to check any suspicious activity. He asked them to facilitate the candidates in keeping their expenditure registers by guiding or imparting required training too. He also asked them to keep close eye on those candidates, who were showing negligible expenditure.

On this occasion, Mr. Akshay Rout, Director General briefly outlined the steps to be taken check the trend of paid news and urged the DEOs to take more interest in Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) affairs to have collective action of mind. Appreciating the unique initiatives of Punjab on Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) front, Mr. Rout underlined the need for starting polling by 7.00 am sharp and continuity of dialogue with voters’ throughout the day to achieve the target of 10 percent increase in polling.

At the onset of video-conferencing, Punjab CEO Mr. VK Singh briefly outlined the preparedness of state for general elections to Lok Sabha-2014. He informed that till date the cash seizure in state was Rs. 21.85 crore, seizure of drugs of worth Rs. 731 crore besides 7.50 lac litres/kgs of illicit liquor, country made liquor and lahan. He said that 841 Village/Ward awareness groups have been set up to report any illegal activity in ongoing poll process and encourage people for ethical voting to strengthen the institution of democracy.

Earlier in a preliminary meeting with DEOs, Mr. VK Singh categorically said that women employees on poll duty should be given special attention and poll staff should not face any harassment while issuing poll material and later submission of such material after completion of polling.

Mr. B. Purushartha, Additional CEO said that as per the revised guidelines of ECI, every polling booth would be model booth and if the DEOs ensure more facilities on any booth, it could be called super model booth.

Mr. Raminder Singh and Mr. Supreet Singh Gulati, both Additional CEOs, Mr. Arpit Shukla, IGP/Elections, Mr. Shivdular Singh Dhillon, Additional ETC, Mr. Sanjeev Kaushal, Joint Director/Investigation, Income Tax and Mr. Amit Talwar, Joint CEO were also present during the video-conferencing.

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AMRINDER, AN OUTSIDER FOR PATIALA TOO-SUKHBIR…. Harmeet Singh Dhillon

· Parneet did nothing except touring foreign countries

· Both King and Queen would face humiliating defeat

Patiala, April 18

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, President Shiromani Akali Dal and Deputy Chief Minister today said that Captain Amrinder Singh being a part time politician was an outsider for his Patiala assembly constituency too. He said that people of Amritsar and Patiala constituency were well aware of this fact and thus they were determined to give humiliating defeat to both king and his queen with a margin of more than 1 lakh votes.

Replying to media queries after addressing a rally in favour of SAD-BJP candidate from Patiala Mr. Deepinder Singh Dhillon, Mr. Badal said that the days of Royal Politics were over and now people vote for the party whose leaders were accessible to them. He said that it was no longer a secret for anyone that Captain Amrinder Singh has never spared a moment to visit any street or Mohalla of his assembly constituency to hear the grievances of his voters. Mr. Badal questioned that how the people of a Lok Sabha constituency could expect that Amrinder would raise their issues in the parliament as he seldom attended the Punjab Assembly sessions. He described Captain Amrinder Singh as a seasonal politician.

In reply to another query, Mr. Badal said that people of Patiala constituency have made their mind to vote for young and dynamic Mr. Deepinder Singh Dhillon as Mrs. Parneet Kaur never responded effectively to the grievances being faced by them during last one decade. He said that Mrs. Parneet Kaur even failed to solve the problem of Ghaggar during decade long rule of her party led UPA government. “Mrs. Parneet Kaur being minister in the UPA government did nothing except touring the foreign countries. There are a number of problems that only centre government can solve but Mrs. Parneet Kaur never bothered to use her influence for the betterment of the area”, he added.

Describing NDA government as one solution for all problems being faced by Punjab, Mr. Badal said that Punjab government has requested Congress led UPA time and again to strengthen the vigilance on the drug smuggling through Indo-Pak border but it too no concrete steps in this direction. He said that Punjab Police has no access to the border so it could not create check the flow of drugs into state but it did its best to capture the drug peddlers. He promised that once NDA government elected into power at centre the Punjab border along with Pakistan would be put under strict surveillance to completely shut the inflow of drugs. He also promised that NDA government would solve the problem of Ghaggar within six months of taking charge.

Mr. Badal further said that SAD-BJP was all set to register record victories on all the 13 seats. He said that Mr. Arun Kumar Jaitly and Mr. Deepinder Singh Dhillon would win their seats with a margin more than 1 lakh.

Earlier addressing the rally, Mr. Badal appealed the voters of the area to vote in favour of Mr. Deepinder Singh Dhillon to have say of the area in the NDA government. He said that SAD-BJP government has done its best using limited resources of state and promised that people of area would witness a sea change in the constituency by voting for this change.

Prominent amongst others Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra and Mr. Deepinder Singh Dhillon also addressed the rally. They pealed the voters of area to vote for development agenda of the SAD-BJP alliance and promised that they would turn every stone for the area once NDA elected into power.

CEO SEEKS DAILY REPORT ON PERFORMANCE OF FLYING SQUADS AND SSTs FROM DEOs

ü DIRECTS TO ENSURE SURPRISE CHECKS AT IMPORTANT PLACES

ü 77 COs. OF PAP TO ASSIST IN LAW AND ORDER MAINTENANCE

ü ASKS POLICE OFFICIALS TO ORGANIZE SPECIAL MEETINGS WITH OTHER STATE COUNTERPARTS

Chandigarh, April 17

The Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Mr. V.K. Singh today directed the DEOs to submit daily report about the performance of Flying Squads (FSs) and Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) so that flow of money and liquor could be stopped in an effective manner.

Holding a video conference with all District Electoral Officers (DEOs) and SSPs, Mr. Singh said that the 350 flying squads (3 each in all assembly constituencies) were operational in state. These should be deployed at various places at random including information collection centers set up by the Excise and Taxation Department at inter-state borders. Mr. Singh said that Para Military forces deployed for election duty should be used for conducting surprise checks at the important places like bus stands and Railway stations etc.

Interacting on the occasion with district Police Chiefs, Mr. C.S.R. Reddy ADGP/IT & T and Elections Cell asked them to organize special meetings with their counterparts in adjoining states at the level of IGs, DIGs, and SSPs to check the flow of drugs, illicit liquor, and money through inter-state borders in an effective manner. He said that 135 locations have been identified for special Nakas on the inter-state borders. Besides this, the Punjab Police would provide 77 companies of PAP to all districts for law and order maintenance during the polls. To ensure peaceful elections, he emphasized the need to speed up the execution of non-bailable warrants in the state. He further directed them to collect information about the non deposited of licensed arms and made it clear that if any licensed arms found used in any violence during polls then the concerned SSPs would be held responsible for that.

Mr. Raminder Singh, Additional Chief Electoral Officer said that 3.5 lakh new EPICs have been issued by the SLA after the implementation of Model Code of Conduct which would be distributed to the voters soon. Mr. B. Purushartha, Additional CEO said that the ECI while issuing a new direction has also clarified that where sector officers/police officials have not found any expenditure sensitive area for the formation of Village and Ward Level Committees, he/she would have to submit a certificate in this regard. He said that at the later stage, if the given information was found incorrect then the concerned officers would be held responsible.

Besides this, the ECI has also made it clear that the telecast of films and commercial advertisement involving film actors, who were contesting elections, would not be restrained on TV channels or Cinema theaters. However, telecast of such feature films (other than Commercial advt.) would not be allowed on Doordarshan during the period of the enforcement of Model Code of Conduct, considering that Doordarshan was run on public funds.

Mr. Supreet Singh Gulati, Additional CEO and Mr. Amit Talwar, Joint CEO and Mr. Shiv Dular Singh Dhillon Additional ETC were also present on the occasion.

PUNJAB DECLARES PAID HOLIDAY ON APRIL 30 IN FACTORIES, SHOPS AND COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS

CHANDIGARH, APRIL 17:

As per two different notifications of Labour Department Punjab, April 30 would be a weekly paid holiday in the state.

Disclosing this here a spokesperson of the department said that to enable the workers working in factories and shops & commercial establishments situated in Punjab to exercise their democratic right in the general elections of lok sabha 2014, to be held on April 30, Labour Department Punjab has declared that April 30, 2014 (Wednesday) would be the weekly paid holiday for all factories, shops and commercial establishments where Wednesday is not observed as weekly off within the state in lieu of their normal weekly holiday.

PUNJAB CEO LAUNCHES UNIQUE ANDROID APPLICATION “ivote”

· “ivote” TO PROVIDE EPIC DETAILS, FINDING POLLING BOOTHS , ACCESS TO CANDIDATES’ AFFIDAVITS, MCC AND EASY COMPLAINT MECHANISM

· ECI CONTEMPLATING TO REPLICATE “ivote” THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY

· EPIC RATIO IN PUNJAB TOUCHES CENSUS RATIO

· RECORD 9 LAC ENROLLMENT OF NEW VOTERS AFTER MARCH 5

· DRUGS WORTH RS. 687 CRORE SEIZED AFTER MCC

Chandigarh, April 16: The Punjab CEO Mr. VK Singh today launched a unique android application “ivote” designed with an aim to provide complete voting solutions in mobile. “ivote” a user friendly application, which could be downloaded from ‘google play store’ would provide various election related utility features like searching EPIC details, finding directions to the one’s polling booth, information about affidavits submitted by contesting candidates, a comprehensive model code of conduct for ready reference and an easy complaint submission mechanism.

Interacting with media persons, Mr. Singh pointed out that before launching it a full bench of ECI had approved after having its detailed presentation. He said that keeping in view the rapid increase in mobile internet users, it becomes imperative to take such techno friendly initiative for the electors especially for encouraging young/first time voters. He said that this application has been developed under the SVEEP programme and with the concerted efforts of two young IAS officers Ms. Sonali Giri, ADC (D), Bathinda and Mr. Vipul Ujjwal, Municipal Commissioner, Bathinda. Giving a presentation about the functioning of the app, Ms. Giri said after downloading this app, one has to enter his EPIC number for getting details regarding Voter slip, map to booth, candidate affidavit, MCC and complaints and it could be easily run on a 2G mobile internet connection. She said that experts were working on developing it more to make it compatible for ios, java and windows besides sending daily reminders to electors regarding polling day and further trends on the day of counting.

Mr. B. Purushartha, Additional CEO, while complimenting media for publicizing initiatives taken under SVEEP programme announced that Punjab became the first state in country to touch EPIC ratio at par with Census ratio as till date 1,95,26,796 total voters have got this in comparison of 1,95,60,688 projected eligible voters on the basis of census 2011. He said that the next target was to ensure at least 10 percent increase in voting against the 70 percent in General elections to Lok Sabha-2009. He pointed out that 9 lac new voters have been enrolled since imposition of MCC on March 5.

He further revealed that till date narcotic drugs including liquor Rs.694 crore have been recovered in the state after MCC and majority of it includes huge haul of heroin at Indo-Pak border. He said that Poppy husk ( 14823 Kg ), Opiun (76.2 Kg), Heroin (136 Kg), Ganja (47 Kg), Illicit liquor (2,15,569 Ltrs), Country liquor (2,73,480 bottles) and Lahan (51,623 kg) has been recovered. Besides this, 2309 FIRs have also been registered.

Mr. Raminder Singh and Mr. Supreet Singh Gulati, both Additional CEOs, Mr. Amit Talwar, Joint CEO were also present on the occasion.

CONGRESS LED UPA RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING ARTIFICIAL SHORTAGE OF SAND AND GRAVEL-SUKHBIR

· NDA will amend Congress framed loot policies

· Punjab Congress cannot mislead the people on the issue

Morinda, April 16

The Shiromani Akali Dal President and Deputy Chief Minister Punjab Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today lashed at Congress led UPA government for creating artificial crises of shortage of sand and gravel by issuing wrong EIA (environment impact assessment) notification 2006. He said that UPA amended this policy partially only when SAD-BJP government forced it to do so by passing a resolution in the Punjab Assembly. He promised that NDA would amend all the policies Congress led UPA framed policies aimed at the loot of natural resources of the nation as soon as it voted to power.

Mr. Badal was interacting with media while campaigning for Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra. He said that whole nation was facing the scarcity of sand and gravel as congress led UPA intentional put the sand mining in legal complications. He said that wrong EIA notification made it difficult for a common person to build his home besides causing collapse of the construction industry in the country.”UPA government has amended many misdeeds in the last days of its rule to camouflage the loot it has done during a decade long rule. The congress high command made many laws to leave the natural resources at the mercy of private players and shared the booty”, he added.

Lambasting at Punjab Congress for trying to mislead the people of state on this issue, Mr. Badal said that the leaders of Punjab congress should apologies to the people of state as they opted to misguided them by issuing politically motivated statements and never dared to raise their voice against the policy of their party led UPA government. He said that it was only Shiromani Akali Dal which had time and again raised the issue of this faulty notification. He said that the Congress had no agenda to put forth before the electorate so it was indulging in politics of misleading people. “Now, Punjab Congress cannot make fool of the people as amendment made by UPA in its last days has made it clear to all that it was centre government and not the state government which was responsible for the crunch of sand and gravel in the country”, said Mr. Badal.

Akali President further added that the single point agenda of the Congress was to loot the country and its resources. He said that UPA regime has ruined the country and its ministers had heavily indulged in corrupt practices. He promised that once elected to power NDA would immediately roll back all those policies and decisions of Congress led UPA government, which were designed to loot the natural resources of the country besides creating heavy inflation. Describing congress candidates including Capt. Amrinder Singh and Mrs. Ambika Soni as no match to SAD-BJP candidates, Mr. Badal reiterated that combine was all set to register record victories on all the 13 seats.

Earlier addressing a rally, Mr. Badal appealed the voters of the Anandpur Sahib constituency to vote for Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra. He said that economics scholar Prof. Chandumajra would effectively raise the issues of the area in the parliament besides getting required grants and projects for the area from the NDA government as he has strong ties with the senior leadership of BJP too. He said that casting a vote for Congress candidate would not make any difference as party was already on the verge of extinction. He said that Congress vice president Mr. Rahul Gandhi would soon issue an advertisement regarding the schedule of performing last rites of the party. He appealed the electorate to defeat the corruption-laden Congress to save the country.

Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra also opened frontal attack on his opponents while addressing the rally. He said that Mr. Ravneet Singh Bittu had run away from the constituency after witnessing the strong anti congress wave in the constituency and now Mrs. Ambika Soni was forced to face the ire of the people. He said that people of the area would never forgot that it was Mrs. Ambika Soni who pressurized the Gandhi family to stop Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh from visiting Sri Anandpur Sahib when he was invited by Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal on inauguration ceremony of Virasat-e-Khalsa. He said that Mrs. Soni could not spell even a single project she has brought in the area being minister at centre. He promised that once elected as MP, he would left any stone unturned to ensure the overall development of the area.

Prominent amongst others Baba Harnam Singh Dhuma, Chief Damdami Taksal, Jath. Jasbir Singh Rode, Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Mr. Ujagar Singh Wadali and Mrs. Satwant kaur were also present on this occasion.

CEO ADMINSTERS OATH TO EMPLOYEES FOR VOTE CASTING AND ETHICAL VOTING

Chandigarh, April 15: The Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Mr. VK Singh today administered oath to election office employees for vote casting and ethical voting. It may be mentioned here that today at 11.00 AM all government / semi government employees were administered compulsory oath for voting and ethical voting on April 30, when the General Elections to Lok Sabha-2014 were being conducted in the state.

Mr. VK Singh pointed out that ensuring vote casting by government employees was a huge managerial as well as motivational challenge and the Election Commission of India has already underlined the need to ensure more and more electors’ participation to strengthen the institute of democracy in the country.

The CEO office employees took a pledge that “ We, the citizen of India, having abiding faith in democracy, hereby pledge to uphold the democratic traditions of our country and the dignity of free, fair and peaceful elections, and to vote in every election fearlessly and without being influenced by considerations of religion, race, caste, community, language or any inducement”.

Mr. Raminder Singh, Additional CEO, Mr. CSR Reddy, ADGP/ IT & T, Punjab and Mr. Arpit Shukla, IGP/Hqrs were also present on the occasion.

DEOs DIRECTED TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE CHECKING AT INTER-STATE BORDERS THROUGH PARA MILITARY FORCES

v 19 OFFICERS/OFFICIALS INDICTED FOR MCC VIOLATIONS TRANSFERRED

Chandigarh, April 15: The Punjab Chief Electoral Officer has directed the District Election Officers (DEOs) to review the deployment of para military forces and utilize their services to check the flow of liquor/drugs at inter-state borders. Besides this, 19 officers/officials of different departments have been transferred and a SDE of PWD department has been suspended.

Interacting with media persons, Mr. Supreet Singh Gulati, Additional CEO today said that there were telephonic complaints of inter-state liquor smuggling and the CEO taking serious note of it has asked the DEOs to rope in para military forces for effective checking of all types of vehicles at inter-state borders. He said that Punjab has been sanctioned 182 companies of Para military forces and 35 have already reported and remaining 137 were expected to reach the state by April 26.

Mr. Gulati informed that the CEO has ordered transfers of 19 officers/officials of different departments after finding them violating MCC. He said that these officers/officials include Surinder Kaur, Head Mistress, GHS (B), village Gill (Ludhiana), Paramjit Kaur, DEO(S), Ludhiana, Ranjit Singh, DEO(E), Ludhiana, Gurbhej Singh, A.G.E, POWERCOM, Rajiv Kumar Verma, SDM, Patti, Ms. Arina Duggal, SDM, Khamano, Rajwant Singh, Inspector/Food & Civil Supply, Balwinder Singh, Lineman, Karamjit Singh, Secretary, Market Committee, Faridkot, Gurpreet Singh, Assistant Registrar, Cooperative Society , Dasuya, Vishal Wadhawan, Superintendent, MC, Amritsar, Sohan Singh, DSP, Ajnala, Surjit Singh, Assistant Lineman, Tangra (Amritsar), Ashok Chadha, Deputy Registrar, Agricultural Multi-purpose Services Society Ltd, Sukhjinder Singh Tiwana, Tehsildar, Dera Baba Nanak, Tarsem Singh ASI, Prem Singh, MHC and Sukhdev Singh, Panchayat Officer, Kahnuwan. Besides this, Mr. karan Singh, DTO, Ropar has been directed to not to leave headquarters without the approval of concerned DEO as his wife was representing Shutrana Assembly constituency.

The Additional CEO further said that besides ordering transfer of the DSP Ajnala Mr. Sohan Singh, an enquiry by Executive Magistrate has been recommended. He said that Punjab DGP has been asked to post Mr. Ketan Patil, IPS as ASP Ajnala.

FINANCE DEPARTMENT DENIES ANY STOPPAGE OF OVERDRAFT TO STATE BY RBI

CHANDIGARH, APRIL 11:

A news report has appeared in some newspapers on 11th April 2014 that the Reserve Bank of India has stopped providing further overdraft to Punjab Government.

A spokesman of the Finance Department described the report as unfounded and baseless. He said that no such communication has been received from RBI. He said that the Punjab Government has not defaulted on the terms of agreements entered into with the Reserve Bank of India for the purpose of drawing Ways and Means advances or the overdraft and therefore there was no question of Reserve Bank of India stopping Ways and Means advances or overdraft facility to Punjab Government.

The spokesman said that the Government has been regularly disbursing salaries to its employees and a total amount of Rs 17,650 crore was disbursed on this account during 2013-14 out of which Rs. 1,747 crore was disbursed in March 2014 alone.

CEO ASKS REGIONAL NEWS CHANNELS TO ENSURE IMPARTIAL ELECTION COVERAGE

Chandigarh, April 11: The Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Mr. VK Singh today asked the heads/representatives of regional news channels to play an impartial role in ensuring equal coverage without any bias towards any political party or candidate in ongoing general elections to Lok Sabha-2014.

Presiding over a meeting with leading regional news channels’ representatives, the CEO said that the recent phenomenon of “Paid News”was assuming alarming proportion as a serious electoral malpractice and it has been cause of concern for ECI in the context of conduct of free and fair elections. He said that the ECI has categorically directed to halt such malpractice which puts undue influence on the free will of voters, encourages the role of money power in a covert manner and disturbs level playing field in elections. The practice of paid news is adopted to circumvent those provisions of RP Act 1951 which prescribe accounting and ceiling of election expenses. He said that in case of suspected paid news, the MCMC on receiving a complaint or suo moto may issue notice to the concerned party/candidate ask the concerned channel to explain its position. After verifying the facts/evidence could declare such news a paid news thereby adding the advertisement expenditure in account of candidate or the concerned political party as the case may be. The person aggrieved by the decision of state MCMC can file appeal before ECI, within in 48 hours.

Seeking full cooperation from regional news channels for conduct of smooth elections, the CEO asked them to play a proactive role in strengthening the democracy by ensuring transparent and balanced news coverage also encouraging the more and more people not only for voting but also for ethical voting.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Raminder Singh and Mr. B. Purushartha, both Additional CEOs, Mr. Amit Talwar, Joint CEO, Mr. Rabindra Narayan, President, PTC, Mr. Vishal Angrish (Zee News), Mr. Naval Kapoor (Fastway News , Chandigarh) and Mr. HS Nagpal(TV 24).

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Ambika Soni rank opportunist, liar and a looser: Chandumajra

Chandigarh, April 11: Shiromani Akali Dal General Secretary and party’s Anandpur Sahib candidate Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra today dubbed his opponent from the Congress Ambika Soni as rank liar and opportunist who had been trying to mislead the people on the fact that she had lost her security deposit earlier in two Lok Sabha elections which she had contested under different banner.

In a statement issued here today, he said she came into limelight due to her proximity to the family of Indira Gandhi but deserted her mentor and entered the electoral fray from Chandigarh in the 1980 Lok Sabha election on the Indian National Congress (U) ticket to finish at number four and forfeited her security deposit.

He said however, she did not lose heart and left Chandigarh behind in search of greener pastures. Her next stop was Meerut and her choice this time was the Janata Party. She contested the 1984 Lok Sabha election from there but failed to improve her rank which continued to be number four, getting just 13,972 out of a total polled votes of 4,63,376, thereby once again losing her security deposits.

After her such misadventures, she preferred to return to her mother party to earn her place through cunning political manoeuvring. Finally, she managed to enter Rajya Sabha and rose to be the General Secretary of the Party, including the President of the Punjab Congress for a brief period.

Chandumajra said all along, she had tried to hide this fact from the people that she had never won in the Lok Sabha election despite trying her luck twice or that she had been playing politics of opportunism to the hilt. Here was a person who was committed only to her self- interest, neither to the party nor to the people.

“How can the people trust Ambika Soni who is adept in ditching those who have been her mentors and has always looked for new spaces where her personal interests could flourish”, he added.

He reiterated that she was against taking any risk of entering the electoral fray for the third time as her earlier two misadventures haunted her. Her, she tried to maintain a brave face but now she stood totally exposed.

“The people of Punjab in general and Anandpur Sahib in particular would send her packing back to Delhi after making her forfeit her security deposit for the record third time, perhaps unmatchable by any other senior leader of her party”, he asserted.

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Congress, Akali, BJP leaders taking up non-issues: Kainth

Leaders harping on stale, irrelevant issues: Kainth, The Chamar Mahan Sabha

Chandigarh, April 11.

In the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections leaders of the mainstream political parties are not talking about the real issues confronting the nation. Instead they are trading charges and counter-charges on issues that are over 30 years old. For example the fight between Capt. Amarinder Singh, the Congress candidate from Amritsar and BJP's Arun Jaitely has been reduced to a friendly duel over the 1984 Operation Bluestar. They are forgetting the issue of development.

"Then there are issues such as inflation, slowing down of economy, recession, joblessness, dwindling public health infrastructure, the dehumanising contractual job system and many others that require attention. But out of fear of losing, insecurity and uncertainty political leaders are losing their cool and hitting out left,right and centre. They are hitting each other below the belt. They are abusing each other and using parliamentary language like never before in the history of the world's largest democracy," said Sabha president Paramjit Singh Kainth,

The Chamar Mahan Sabha, which has taken up the cause of the Scheduled Castes which constitute over 40 per cent in Punjab, is taking a serious view of the fact that most political parties are not addressing the real issues. The Sabha resents the fact that the Akali Dal-BJP combine has not allowed an SC leadership to emerge. The Congress too is part of this conspiracy to crush SC leadership.

" The Sabha in its last five years of struggle for the implementation of various welfare schemes for the SC community has registered a certain amount of success in getting the backlog cleared. For example the ongoing struggle has helped in getting Rs 340 crore released for the Post Matric Scholarship scheme for SC students.The biggest achievement is that the Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan has been implemented.The Sabha is fighting the reservation-within-reservation issue in court. It has been decided that the Budget allocation for the SCs will be done on the basis of the percentage of population. The Sabha has decided that it would offer unconditional support to that party that will promote the genuine issues of Punjab and the welfare of the Scheduled Castes," said Kainth."This decision would be taken within a week," added Kainth.

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STAUNCH LOYALIST JAGJIWANPAL SINGH GILL, 5 OTHERS JOIN SAD

• PEOPLE OF MALWA HAD DEFEATED AMARINDER’ SON, NOW MAJHAILS WOULD SENT

HIM PACKING : BADAL

• NDA WILL FORM THE NEXT GOVERNMENT UNDER MODI

Chandigarh, April 10 : The Congress party and its leader Capt.

Amarinder Singh today suffered a big blow when one of its staunch supporter Mr. Jagjiwanpal Singh Gill along with five other senior leaders quit the party and joined the Shiromani Akali Dal in the presence of the SAD Patron and Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal.

Mr. Gill and others announced their decision at the residence of Mr.

Bhagwan Singh (Gurmail medical) in Ludhiana today in the presence of Mr. Parkash Singh Badal. Apart from him Mr. Kulwant Singh Vice Chairman Block Samiti Doraha, Mr. Bharpur Singh Buani Director Sugar Mill Budhewal, Mr. Davinder Singh Timbowal and Beerbalraj Singh Maksoodra also joined the SAD.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Gill said that Congress party is constantly ignoring the hard working and honest workers. He said that he has felt that it was the SAD which is working for welfare of all the sections of the society with its positive agenda and working for development of the state. He said that the SAD-BJP government led by S. Badal is doing good job and hence he has decided to join the SAD.

Welcoming these leaders to the party fold Mr. Badal said that Congress leaders are disheartened with its leadership. Its leaders are busy in ensuring defeat of each other, so the right thinking people are joining the SAD.

Responding to a query Mr. Badal said that Capt. Amarinder Singh behaving like a gambler who sensing his imminent defeat has started making hue and cry. He said that as he has no issue against the SAD-BJP combine he is resorting to raising issues like attack on Darbar Sahib and others only to divert the attention of the public.

Talking about the Amritsar contest Mr. Badal said the earlier people of Malwa had defeated his son Raninder Singh and now people of Majha would send him packing to Patiala with a crushing and humiliating defeat. He exuded confidence that these election would see formation of the NDA government at centre.

On the issue of recovery of drugs the Chief Minister said that the Punjab police is inquiring into the whole matter and who so ever is found guilty will be punished according to the law.

Others prominent present on the occasion included Mr. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon Cabinet Minister Punjab, Mr. Santa Singh Umaidpuri Chairman and President District unit of SAD rural, Mr. Hira Singh Gabria former minister and President of SAD local unit, Mr. Maan Singh Garch MD Cooperative Bank Ludhiana, Mr. Harjinder Singh Bobby, Baba Jagroop Singh Chairman Market Committee Sahnewal, Mr. Harjiwan Singh Gill and Dr. Tejinderpal Singh Vice President of the SAD besides others.

25 MORE NOMINATIONS ON 3RDDAY OF NOMINATIONS IN PUNJAB

· ECI BANS EXIT AND OPINION POLLS

· RECORD RECOVERY OF DRUGS/SYNTHETIC DRUGS/LIQUOR OF WORTH RS.345 CRORE

· AROS AUTHORIZED FOR SINGLE WINDOW CLEARANCES

Chandigarh, April 4: On the 3rd day of nominations for General Elections to Lok Sabha-2014, a total 25 nominations were filed in different parliamentary constituencies in Punjab. With these the figure of nominations till date has touched 45. Prominent amongst candidates who filed their nominations today includes Capt. Amarinder Singh, Mr. Partap Singh Bajwa, Mr. Vijay Inder Singla and Mr. Manpreet Singh (all from INC), Mr. Pawan Kumar Tinu (SAD-BJP) and Mr. Kuldeep Singh (BSP).

In a joint press briefing of Mr. Raminder Singh, Mr. B. Purushartha (both additional CEOs) and Mr. Amit Talwar, Joint CEO, it was informed that from Jalandhar, Mr. Pawan Kumar Tinu (SAD-BJP) has filed his nominations. Similarly, from Amritsar Capt. Amarinder Singh (INC) and Rana Gurjit Singh (INC) as his covering candidate and Mr. Bhagwant Singh (Independent), from Gurdaspur Mr. Partap Singh Bajwa (INC) and Mrs. Charanjit Kaur (INC) as his covering candidate, Mr. Peter Masih and Ms. Mamta (Independent), from Sangrur Mr. Vijay Inder Singla (INC) and Deep Singla (INC) as his covering candidate and Harpal Singh (Independent), from Bathinda Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal (INC), Mr. Swaran Singh, Mr. Kuldeep Singh and Ms. Kamaldeep Kaur (all Independents), from Anandpur Sahib Mr. Kuldeep Singh (BSP) and Mr. Rashpal Singh as his covering candidate, from Hoshiarpur Mr. Lakhvir Singh (Independent), from Khadoor Sahib Mr. Jasvir Singh (Independent) and from Ludhiana Mr. Raj Kumar Atwal and Mr. Kulwinder Pal Singh (both Independent) have filed their nominations.

They said that as per the directions of ECI, there shall be restriction on conduct of any exit poll and publication and dissemination of result of such exit poll from April 7 (7:00 AM) to May 12 (6:00 PM). Besides this, the opinion polls have also been banned in Punjab before 48 hours from the time of voting on April 30. The ECI has also authorized the Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) in addition to District Magistrates/District Election Officers/Returning Officers to grant permissions under the single window system for public meetings/rallies/processions, use of loud speakers and use of vehicles for election campaigning as well as use of non-commercial/remote/uncontrolled airports/helipads.

They further said that the ECI has also ordered for prohibition on sale of liquor etc. in 3 Kms strip of adjoining areas of Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts of Rajasthan in Punjab from 6:00 PM on April 15 to 6:00 PM on April 17. Besides this, to check the smuggling of liquor, cash and arms the Punjab border adjoining should also be sealed before 48 hours from the time of completion of voting in Rajasthan on April 17.

They said that to ensure the smooth election process some vacant posts have been filled by posting Mr. Adappa Karthik, IAS as ADC, Gurdaspur, Mr. V.K. Sharma, IAS as ADC, Amritsar, Mr. Vinay Bublani as ADC Tarn Taran, Mr. Parminder Pal Singh as SDM, Phagwara and Mr. Amandeep Singh Bhatti as SDM, Patti. They informed that the ECI has made renowned film star Aamir Khan its additional icon so that more and more people should be motivated for ethical voting. They said that all the flying clubs in the state were being tied up to air drop pamphlets regarding not only encouraging voters for voting but also for ethical voting. He said that on April 14 at 11:00 AM, all the employees of government and semi-government offices would pledge for voting.

They said that after the imposition of code of conduct, a record seizure of drugs including synthetic drugs and liquor of worth Rs.345 crore has been seized in the state. These includes 12693 Kgs of Poppy Husk (Rs.2.53 crore), 68.35 Kg heroine (Rs.340.17 crore), 109.82 Kgs of Opium (Rs.50 Lakh) and 1540 gms Smack (Rs.10.78 lakh). It was also informed that the flying squad/SSTs have check cash of Rs. 2.55 crore out of which Rs.4.48 lakh have been seized. Besides this, till date 2,21,991 licensed arms have been got deposited and 1530 FIRs have been registered regarding violation of Model Code of Conduct and other crimes in the state.

HOLIDAY IN PUNJAB OFFICES IN CHANDIGARH ON APRIL 10 AND 30 DUE TO POLLS

APRIL 30 DECLARED PUBLIC HOLIDAY IN PUNJAB AND ALSO UNDER NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENT ACT

CHANDIGARH, APRIL 4:

The Punjab Government today notified public holiday on April 10, 2014 (Thursday) in all government offices/Boards/Corporations and educational institutions of Punjab Government located in Chandigarh only on account of General Elections of the Lok Sabha in Union Territory.

According to information the employees, who were voters of Chandigarh (U.T.)/ Haryana State and working in the offices/Boards/Corporations and educational institutions of government of Punjab located in Punjab and other than Chandigarh may be allowed special leave on 10th April upon production of their voter card to the competent authority. This leave would not be deducted from the leave account of employees.

In a separate order the Punjab Government also declared a Public Holiday on April 30, 2014 in Punjab. The order said this Public Holiday would be applicable to all government offices in state of Punjab located in Punjab and Chandigarh, all offices/boards/corporations of Government of Punjab located in Punjab and at Chandigarh and all educational institutions within the state of Punjab.

The order said that April 30th would be also holiday within the meaning of section 25 of the Negotiable Instrument Act 1881 within the state of Punjab.

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SURESH ARORA ASSUMES THE CHARGE AS PUNJAB DGP

Chandigarh, April 4: Mr. Suresh Arora, IPS today assumed the charge as Director General of Police of Punjab. Mr. Arora belongs to 1982 batch of Indian Police Service.

Immediately after assuming the charge, Mr. Arora held an informal meeting with the senior officers from the various Wings of the State police to review the police preparedness for General elections to Lok Sabha-2014.

CURRICULUM VITAE

PERSONAL DETAILS:-

NAME

Suresh Arora

EDUCATION QUALIFICATION:-

Degree and Institution

LLM (Master of Laws) School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, London.

L.L. B. (Bachelor of Laws) Law Department Panjab University, Chandigarh.

DETAILS OF POSTING:-

DGP-cum-Chief Director, Vigilance Bureau, Punjab, Chandigarh.

Additional Director General of Police, Intelligence, Punjab, Chandigarh.

Inspector General of Police, Administration, Punjab, Chandigarh.

Additional charges:-

· Inspector General of Police, Community Policing and Non-Resident Indian affairs.

· Inspector General of Police, Litigation.

Inspector General of Police, Litigation, Punjab, Chandigarh.

Inspector General of Police-cum-Director, Vigilance Bureau, Punjab, Chandigarh.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Jalandhar Range, Jalandhar and Ludhiana Range, Ludhiana.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Chief Minister Security, Punjab.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Economic Offences Wing, Vigilance Bureau, Punjab, Chandigarh.

Senior Supdt. of Police, Chandigarh, Patiala, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Hoshiarpur.

AWARDS & TRAINING:-

i) Police Medal for Gallantry for conducting the ‘Operation Black Thunder’ in Golden Temple as Distt. Police Chief of Amritsar.

ii) Prakaram Medal for being wounded in saving the life of an innocent person caught in communal clash between two communities.

iii) Special Duty Police Medal for serving in Disturbed and conflict Area.

iv) Police Medal for Meritorious Services in the year 1998.

v) President Police Medal for Distinguished Services in the year 2006.

vi) DG’s Commendation Disc 2011 for outstanding policing achievements.

vii) Attended a VIP Security Course conducted by U.S. department of State Bureau of Diplomatic Security in Anti terrorism Assistance Training Programme, Dignitary Protections at Federal Enforcement Centre, Glynco, Georgia, USA.

MANPREET COMMITTED ELECTORAL FRAUD WITH PEOPLE OF PUNJAB : SAD HE IS FIRST PRESIDENT OF A POLITICAL PARTY TO CONTEST ON SYMBOL OF OTHER PARTY : DR. CHEEMA

Chandigarh, April 4 : The Shiromani Akali Dal lashed out at the People's Party of Punjab President Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal for filing his nomination papers on the symbol of 'hand' of the Congress party and said that he has committed an Electoral fraud. The SAD asked Mr.

Manpreet Singh Badal to clarify has he merged his party with the Congress party or not ? As per the law without a proper merger of two parties how can the President of a political party get the membership of the other party which is a pre-requisite to get a symbol of a particular party.

In a statement released from the party head office here today, the SAD Secretary and Spokesman Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said that that his decision to contest on the Congress symbol 'hand' has not come as a surprise for the people it was very clear from the day one that he had hatched a conspiracy in connivance with the Congress party against the SAD and he was only a 'B' team of the Congress party. He said that it was amusing to see him committing an electoral fraud with the people of the state particularly of Bathinda by accepting the membership of the Congress party without disbanding his own outfit 'PPP' of which he happens to be the President.

Dr. Cheema said that it was first time in the history when the President of any political party is contesting election on symbol of the other political party. Asking him to specify what the status of his party was as the law is clear that no person can get the symbol of other party unless he accepts the membership of that party and no person can become member of two political parties at one time.

The SAD leader wondered why he took too long to decide to go in the Congress party and abandon his own 'PPP' as his bonhomie with the anti Punjab Congress party was clear from the day he took oath at Khatkar Kalan.

ECI ISSUES NOTICE TO SAD FOR ORGANIZING RALLY ON HOLA MOHALLA WITHOUT PERMISSION

6 CANDIDATES FILE NOMINATIONS FOR LOK SABHA ELECTIONS -2014 ON INAUGURAL DAY IN PUNJAB

Chandigarh, April 2: The Election Commission of India today issued notice to Shiromani Akali Dal for organizing conference at Sri Anandpur Sahib on the occasion of Hola Mohalla despite denial of permission by ECI.

Giving this information Mr. Supreet Singh Gulati, Additional CEO said that in a notice sent to Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema, Secretary Shiromani Akali Dal ECI sought comments from SAD that why it organized a political rally at Sri Anandpur Sahib when permission to hold the same was denied by Election Commission of India.

The Additional CEO said that on the first day of nominations 6 candidates, one from CPI (M) and 5 independents filed their nominations from six out of 13 constituencies. He said that CPI (M) candidate Mr. Balbir Singh has filed two sets of nominations and Mr. Raghunath Singh as his covering candidate from Anandpur Sahib Parliamentary constituency. Besides this, Mr. Badal Singh, an Independent candidate has filed nomination from Faridkot, Mr. Manpreet Singh s/o Gurdev Singh, an Independent candidate from Bathinda, Mr. Manoj Kumar, an Independent candidate from Sangrur, Mr. Rajinder Singh Pawar, an Independent candidate from Patiala and Democratic Bhartiya Samaj candidate Mr. Sukhchain Chand from Khadoor Sahib filed their nominations on the first day of nominations.

Giving the details of record recovery of narcotics, Mr. B. Purushartha, Additional CEO said that Jalandhar police has recovered 30 quintal of poppy-husk that was coming from Indore. He said that two people have been arrested by the Jalandhar police and investigations were on. He said that total 31.62 quintals poppy-husk has been seized by Punjab Police after the implementation of model code of conduct.

Mr. Gulati said that in order to facilitate political parties and candidates for certification of advertisement of political nature on electronic media, the commission in relaxation of para 10 has decided that apart from adopting existing procedure the political parties/candidates may follow the alternative procedures by first submitting the transcript of the proposed advertisements for certification and once the transcript was approved/vetted by the commission the party/candidate would submit the final product in electronic form another time for final certification.

EIGHT SENIOR IAS OFFICERS DEPUTED TO MONITOR WHEAT PROCUREMENT IN THE STATE

OFFICERS ASKED TO VISIT THE MANDIS FOR SUPERVISING THE PROCUREMENT EFFECTIVELY

Chandigarh, April 2-

In order to supervise the smooth procurement of wheat across the state in an effective manner, the Punjab government has deputed eight senior IAS officers to monitor the entire procurement process.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Chief Minister’s Office said that as per the orders issued by the state Chief Secretary Mr. Rakesh Singh here today, Mr. A Venuprasad IAS has been allotted Jalandhar, Kapurthala and Ludhiana districts, Mr. Hussan Lal IAS has been allotted Sri Muktsar Sahib and Faridkot districts, Mr. Ajit Singh Pannu IAS has been allotted Patiala, Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib and Barnala districts, Mr. Ashok Gupta IAS has been allotted SAS Nagar and Rupnagar districts, Mr. VK Sharma IAS has been allotted Ferozepur, Fazilka and Moga districts, Mr. DK Tiwari IAS has been allotted Bathinda and Mansa districts, Mr. R. Venkatratnam IAS has been allotted Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Pathankot districts whereas Mr. Vikas Partap IAS, has been allotted SBS Nagar and Hoshiarpur districts.

The spokesman further said that the state government had directed these officers to personally visit the grain markets of the different districts allotted to them for monitoring the progress of ongoing wheat procurement in these districts on the daily basis so that this gigantic task could be accomplished in a hassle free, quick and smooth manner. These officers have been asked to make all out efforts to ensure smooth and prompt procurement of Wheat on one hand and facilitate the farmers in getting timely payment of their produce on the other, so that they do not face any inconvenience for the sale of their produce in the mandis.

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