Gurmeet Singh Khudian expresses anguish over farmer’s death at Khanauri border.
Chandigarh, February 21:
Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian on Wednesday strongly condemned the death of a young farmer at the Khanauri border, allegedly due to brutal action by the Haryana police against protestors. S. Khudian stated that such violence against own citizens is unacceptable and called upon the Union Government to intervene immediately to stop the atrocities.
“The Union Government must step in and end Haryana police brutality against our ‘Annadata’,” the Agriculture Minister urged. “These farmers, citizens of the world’s largest democracy, are peacefully demanding their rights. Haryana’s treatment of them is deplorable”, he added.
“These farmers, peacefully voicing their legitimate demands, deserve respect and protection. As residents of the world’s largest democratic country, they should not face brutality while exercising their rights”, he stated.
“The glaring double standards exacerbate the situation. While the Union Agriculture Minister extends an olive branch to the protesting farmers, the BJP-led Haryana Government unleashes its police force upon them. This contradictory approach threatens the hard-earned peace of the region and undermines the spirit of dialogue in a democracy”, said S. Khudian.
S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian extended deepest condolences to the family of the deceased farmer, Shubhkaran Singh of Bathinda district, and pledged every possible support from the Punjab Government. “Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and our administration remain unwavering in our commitment to farmers welfare. It is our foremost priority”, said S. Khudian.
——–
Punjab government strongly refutes allegations pertaining to deteriorating law and order situation in the state
Punjab CS writes letter to Union Home Secretary
Chandigarh, February 21-
Asserting that the ongoing agitation of farmers has been handled in a very apt and diligent manner in the state, the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Mr Bhagwant Singh Mann has strongly refuted the allegations that the law and order position in the State has deteriorated.
On the directions of Chief Minister S Bhagwant Singh Mann, Chief Secretary Mr. Anurag Verma has written a letter to the Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs Government of India, saying that it is incorrect to state that the Government of Punjab has allowed a gathering of a large number of persons at the borders of Shambhu and Dhabi-Gujran as the groups of farmers which had set off for Delhi in order to hold a protest, were restrained and stopped from crossing over to Haryana, by use of force, by the State police of Haryana.
The Chief Secretary said that due to this restriction placed upon the movement of the groups of farmers the crowds have assembled at two places at the border between the State of Punjab and Haryana. However, he said that it must be stated that the gathering of farmers in the jurisdiction of Punjab has remained largely peaceful and no untoward incident of much relevance has been reported. Mr. Anurag Verma said that this is apart from the injuries which have been sustained by about 160 persons owing to the heavy use of riot control measures by the Haryana Police including teargas shells, rubber bullets, physical force and drones.
The Chief Secretary said that despite these incidents, the Government of Punjab has been able to manage the crowds gathered in an orderly fashion. He said that regular parleys are on between the State Officials and the Farm Leaders for dispersal of crowds at the border. He said that there is no specific information of miscreants/law breakers in the guise of protestors which is available with the police in a definite form.
However, the Chief Secretary said that internal reports are being gathered in respect of such elements to take suitable and proper action as and where required. He said that it is pertinent to point out here that all the demands in respect of which the protest was being planned by the Farm Unions are in respect of measures to be taken by the Government of India. He said that the Government of India in its effort to have negotiations with the Farm Unions has held four meetings in which the Union Ministers along with officials were present.
The Chief Secretary said that these meetings have not only been facilitated by the State of Punjab but on three occasions, the Chief Minister has attended the meetings in person along with the officials. He said that on one occasion, when the Chief Minister could not be present at one of the meetings, a Cabinet Minister of Punjab along with high ranking officials of the concerned Departments was deputed to attend and assist the Union Ministers in the meeting.
Mr Anurag Verma requested the Government of India to consider the demands of farm unions more sympathetically so that the issue has been resolved amicably.
The Chief Secretary said that it is a fact that the Farm Unions that are actually protesting are clear from the fact that they have been invited and have held meetings with the Union Ministers in the presence of the State Government representative to defuse the situation arising from the protest. He said that the State of Punjab being a Border State has sensitive law and order issues and the same cannot be ignored while handling a protest of such a magnitude. He said that the entire police force has been sensitized to the situation and as of now the situation is under control.
The Chief Secretary said that the reliance placed upon Media Reports is thus misplaced as an adequate police force with DIG rank I.P.S. and P.P.S. Officers alongwith 2,000 strong police personnel have been deputed to keep the situation peaceful and under control. The situation is being constantly reviewed at the highest level and stringent action when required will be taken to curb any disrupting activity, he added.
————
VB nabs Assistant Bank Manager for taking Rs 20,000 bribe
Chandigarh February 21 –
Aiming to curb the menace of corruption in the state the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has arrested Jashandeep Singh, Assistant Manager (Field Officer) State Bank of India, Nurpurbedi, Rupnagar district for taking bribe of Rs. 20,000.
Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above mentioned accused has been arrested on a complaint lodged by Nand Lal, a resident of village Bungri, Tehsil Nurpurbedi.
He further informed that the complainant has approached the VB and informed that said accused Jashandeep Singh has been demanding a bribe of Rs. 40,000 in lieu of issuing him no objection certificate (NOC) against the loan already fully paid by him.
Giving details he added that the complainant had taken a loan from SBI, Nurpurbedi but could not repay the same on time upon which SBI Nurpurbedi filed a court case against him in the court of Sri Anandpur Sahib. The Lok Adalat ordered the complainant to deposit Rs. 7 lakhs with the said bank which were deposited by the complainant. Later, in order to get the NOC with regard to the said loan, the said Assistant Manager has demanded Rs. 50,000 in this regard. The complainant informed the VB that the deal has been struck at Rs. 40,000.
The spokesperson informed that after preliminary investigation of this complaint a VB team laid the trap and arrested the accused Jashandeep Singh while receiving half of the bribe amount Rs. 20,000 from complainant in the presence of two official witnesses. In this regard an under prevention of corruption act has been registered at police station VB Range Ludhiana. Further investigation into this case was under progress, he said.
—–
Transparency hallmark of Ghar Ghar Muft Ration Scheme: Lal Chand Kataruchak
· Another 2000 E-PoS machines procured to speed up pace of distribution
· Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister conducts review
Chandigarh, February 21:
Transparency is the hallmark of the Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and this is reflected in the recently launched Ghar Ghar Muft Ration Scheme. Under the scheme, packaged wheat/atta is being delivered to the beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act, 2013 through Model Fair Price Shops at the doorsteps of the people with transparent mechanism.
This was emphasized by the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak in a meeting held here at the Anaj Bhawan to review the progress of the scheme. He further said that no discrepancy would be tolerated in this regard and stressed upon the importance of feedback from the ground level to ensure the success of the scheme. On the occasion, the Minister was apprised that a total of 627 Model Fair Price Shops are operative throughout the State and as of now, the beneficiary families linked with these shops exceed 6.36 Lakh. The Minister was also informed that at present, Jalandhar District is leading in the distribution work.
In order to accelerate the pace of wheat distribution, 2000 more E-PoS machines have been procured by the department and the target is to complete the distribution of wheat by March 31st this year.
Among others present included the Director of the department Puneet Goyal and Additional Director Dr. Anjuman Bhaskar.
——
VB arrests private person for taking Rs 30,000 bribe for MC officials
Chandigarh February 21 –
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state has arrested Amardeep Singh Bangar, resident of Amarpura, Ludhiana city and running his office at Jagjit Nagar, Ludhiana for accepting bribe money of Rs 30,000 in the name of officials of Municipal Corporation (MC) Ludhiana.
Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above mentioned accused has been arrested on an online complaint lodged at the Chief Minister Anti Corruption Action Line by Naresh Kumar, a resident of Preet Nagar, Shimlapuri, Ludhiana.
He further added that the complainant has alleged in his complaint that said accused Amardeep Singh Bangar had obtained bribe money of Rs 30,000 for getting issued no objection certificate (NOC) from Municipal Corporation Ludhiana.
The spokesperson informed that during verification of this complaint it was found that Madan Lal, father of the complainant, had purchased house in the year 2022 and he needed a NOC for further sale of said house.
The complainant has further alleged that Amardeep Singh Bangar has claimed himself to be working in Patwarkhana (Revenue office) at Gill village and he could get issued NOC soon by paying bribe of Rs 30,000 as he is acquainted with the officers/officials of MC Ludhiana. On his assurance the complainant had paid Rs.30,000 to Amardeep Singh Bangar in his office in the presence of his friend Om Prakash. After failing to provide NOC then accused Amardeep Singh Bangar gave cheque of Rs. 40,000 to the complainant and told him to pay him back Rs 10,000 after withdrawing the said amount of Rs 40,000. But this cheque could not be passed due to mis-matching of signatures.
The spokesperson further added that during investigation the allegations made by the complainant against Amardeep Singh Bangar have been proved as true and correct. In this regard a case under 7-A of prevention of corruption act and section 420 of IPC has been registered at police station VB Range Ludhiana against Amardeep Singh Banger and he has been arrested. Further investigation into this case was under progress and role of MC officials would also be verified, he said.
—-
VB nabs ASI for taking Rs 10,000 bribe
Chandigarh February 21 – The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state has apprehended Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Chattar Singh, posted at police station Longowal, Sangrur district while accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000.
Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above mentioned police official has been arrested on a complaint lodged by Binder Singh, a resident of village Jharon, Sangrur district.
He further informed that the complainant has approached the VB range Patiala and alleged that said ASI was demanding bribe of Rs 10,000 as his relative Ranjit Singh, a resident of village Jharon, Sunam, district Sangrur was nominated in a police case at police station Longowal. The complainant added that said police official has also confiscated a vehicle (Ertiga car) from house the house of Ranjit Singh which has been registered in the name his wife. The complainant further alleged that the accused ASI was threatening Ranjit Singh to pay the bribe otherwise he would also nominate his wife in this case.
The spokesperson informed that after preliminary investigation of this complaint, a VB team from Patiala range laid a trap in which ASI Chattar Singh was nabbed red handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 from Binder Singh in the presence of two official witnesses. In this regard a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered at VB police station Patiala range and further investigation was under progress, he said.
——–
CM condemns BJP leaders for questioning the patriotism of Sikh Police officer in WB
Says callous and discriminatory attitude of BJP leaders intolerable
Seeks apology from the BJP leadership
Chandigarh, February 21:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday condemned the BJP leaders for questioning the patriotism of Sikh Police officer in West Bengal.
In a statement issued here today, the Chief Minister said that it is unfortunate that the leaders of saffron party are raising questions on the credentials of the community that is known for its patriotism and nationalism. He said that the BJP leaders have forgotten that the Punjabis in general and Sikh community in particular have made countless sacrifices for the sake of freedom of the country. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the enormous contribution of the Sikh farmers in making the country self reliant in food production can also not be ignored.
Similarly, the Chief Minister said that the valiant sons of Punjab are making supreme sacrifices for safeguarding the borders of the country. However, he said that it is unfortunate that BJP leaders are branding a Sikh officer performing his duty meticulously as anti-national. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is a grave insult of the Punjabis in general and the Sikh community in particular.
The Chief Minister said that the great Sikh Gurus have taught us to fight against tyranny, injustice and oppression adding that this humiliation will not be tolerated at any cost. He said that the BJP leadership should tender apologies for the irresponsible, callous and discriminatory attitude of their leaders. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the entire Punjab is solidly with the valiant Sikh officer who had left no stone unturned to perform his duty well.
