CAPT AMARINDER FLAYS SUKHBIR OVER POLITICALLY MOTIVATED ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HIM, GANDHIS IN AMRITSAR GRENADE ATTACK CASE

Chandigarh, November 20, 2018: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has lashed out at Sukhbir Singh Badal for his totally unwarranted and politically motivated allegations against him on the Amritsar grenade attack incident, and has accused the SAD president of playing with the religious sentiments of the people for promoting vested interests.
Reacting sharply to Sukhbir’s blatantly false and unsubstantiated accusation that he (Captain Amarinder Singh) was responsible for the grenade attack, the Chief Minister said the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief, in his desperate bid to divert attention from the SIT probe against him in the Bargari sacrilege case, was resorting to cheap and petty politicking.
Pointing out that Bargari was the creation of the Badals-led SAD, Captain Amarinder Singh said his government was trying to clean up the mess and the SIT formed by it was investigating the matter thoroughly. Clearly cornered by these investigations, Sukhbir was indulging in frivolous political games, said the Chief Minister, lambasting the Akali president for his thoughtless and frivolous statements on a serious issue, which had the potential of once again plunging Punjab into the dark days of terrorism.
Captain Amarinder Singh expressed shock at the repeated attempts of the Badals to exploit religion to divide the people of the state, unmindful of the devastating effects this could have in the long term. While his government was going all out to fight radical and extremist elements, which were trying to destabilize the state at the behest of ISI-backed Khalistani and Kashmiri terrorist groups, the Akalis were indulging in politics over the serious issue, he lamented.
It was typical of the Badals, said the Chief Minister, to use religion to further their personal and political ambitions. And this trait had assumed grave proportions since they were unceremoniously ousted from power by the people of Punjab, who had seen through their deceitful games and voted en masse against them, he added.
Captain Amarinder Singh also came down heavily on Sukhbir for targetting the Gandhi family and seeking to hold them responsible for the recent incidents involving terrorist forces in Punjab. It was ridiculous to even contemplate that the Gandhis, who had been the worst victims of terrorism in the country, could think of promoting or encouraging radical forces in any way, said the Chief Minister. Sukhbir’s allegations against the Gandhis smacked of sheer desperation and frustration at the complete alienation of the Badals, not just at the hands of the people but also by senior Akali leaders, he added.
The Chief Minister warned Sukhbir against playing with fire by undermining the growing threat of revival of terrorism backed by cross-border forces. This was not the time for any political party or leader to play politics over the issue but to join hands with the government in fighting the menace and protecting Punjab from the renewed threat of revival of terrorism, he stressed.

DISPLAY BOARDS DEPICTING FEE FOR REGISTRATION OF DOCUMENTS AT TEHSILS AND SUB-TEHSILS
Chandigarh: To further streamline and increase efficiency in the working of the Revenue Department, Mr. Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, the Revenue Minister, today held a high-level review meeting with the Additional Chief Secretary-cum-FCR Mr. MP Singh and other officers at Punjab Bhawan here. He directed the officers to install boards depicting fee for the drafting and Registration of Documents outside the offices of Deed-Writers in all Tehsils and Sub-Tehsils.
During the meeting Mr. Sarkaria stressed on the need of updation of the Punjab Stamp Manual and Punjab Registration Manual. Putting the people’s convenience and transparency high on the agenda, he directed the revenue officers to go out into the field and resolve the difficulties faced by the people. He said inspection would be held in field offices and he would also hold meetings with the revenue officers at the Divisional level very soon.
Revenue Minister reviewed the Revenue Court Management System (RCMS), which had been implemented in the Revenue Courts of Fatehgarh Sahib District as a pilot project. The possibilities to implement it across the state were also discussed. Mr. Sarkaria emphasized the use of the Electronic Total Station (ETS) machines for accurate demarcation of the land. The minister also sought a report to establish and repair the Sehadas and Boundary Pillars.
The Director Land Records-cum-IGR, Punjab Mr. Basant Garg, OSD to Revenue Minister Mr. SS Khara, MEO Mr. Pardeep Singh Bains and Under Secretary Revenue Mr. Baljit Singh Kang were also present in the meeting.

NAVJOT SINGH SIDHU HANDS OVER JOB APPOINTMENT LETTERS TO 5 KIN OF DECEASED EMPLOYEES OF LUDHIANA FIRE TRAGEDY
Chandigarh: The Local Government Minister, Punjab, Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu here today at the Punjab Municipal Bhawan handed over job appointment letters to 5 kin of the deceased fire brigade employees killed in the chemical blast after fire in a private factory at Ludhiana.
The minister said that those given appointment letters today included Sahil Gill S/o Mr. Samaoun Gill (Sub Fire Officer), Tushar Sharma S/o Mr. Rajinder Kumar Sharma (Sub Fire Officer), Parminder Singh S/o Mr. Raj Kumar (Sub Fire Officer), Bhupinder Singh S/o Mr. Puran Singh (Leading Fireman) and Rekha Rani W/o Mr. Rajan (Fireman). The minister further said that the process to give jobs to the kin of rest of the 4 deceased employees is on and the appointment letters would be given soon.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sidhu said that during the fire tragedy that took place during the previous year at Ludhiana, the brave staff of the fire brigade didn’t care for their lives and performed their duty with extreme dedication and 9 officers/employees were martyred in the tragedy. He also said that inspite of the limited resources the services rendered by the fire personnel were exceptional. He also divulged that the kin of the martyred employees were given the financial assistance of Rs. 10 lakh and all their dues have also been given promptly. The victim families were also given the family pension on the priority basis.
Disclosing more, Mr. Sidhu said that the as per the directives of the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, works are going on war footing to ensure the rehabilitation of the victims of the recent rail tragedy at Amritsar. Whereas on one hand, the compensation amount has been disbursed to the victims, the jobs would also be given soon enough to the vicim families.
Mr. Sidhu further said that not only this, the 7 victim families who are not eligible for any job, would be given Rs. 8000 per month for the entire life from his own pocket.
Among others present on the occasion included MLAs Mr. Surinder Dabar and Amit Vij, Mayor Municipal Corporation Ludhiana Mr. Balkar Singh and Principal Secretary, Local Government, Punjab, Mr. A, Venu Prasad.

MINOR RESHUFFLE IN PUNJAB SONI GETS FOOD PROCESSING; CAPT RETAINS ENVIRONMENT
Chandigarh: In a minor cabinet reshuffle, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has taken over the Environment portfolio in a step towards further facilitating industrial development in the state.
The portfolio was earlier held by OP Soni, who has now been allocated the Food Processing department, according to an official spokesperson.
Soni will also continue to hold the School Education portfolio, said the spokesperson, adding that the Chief Minister announced his decision late this evening.

PUNJAB CM WELCOMES 1ST DEATH CONVICTION IN 1984 RIOTS CASE AS `LONG OVERDUE’
Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has welcomed the first death conviction by a Delhi court in the 1984 riots case as long overdue.
Justice has finally been meted out to the perpetrators of the heinous crimes, he said, reacting to the conviction of two men, one with death sentence, found guilty by a Delhi court of killing two persons in South Delhi’s Mahipalur during the riots.
It has taken more than 30 years for the court to deliver justice in this case, the Chief Minister noted, adding that he hoped that the other cases would also soon be settled by the judiciary.
The riot cases, which left a deep scar on the national consciousness, need to be expedited and taken to their logical conclusion at the earliest, said Captain Amarinder, who had personally visited the refugee camps to help the victims in the aftermath of the unprecedented riots, which left thousands dead and lakhs homeless.
The Chief Minister has expressed the hope that others involved in the attacks would also soon be brought to book for their horrendous and inhuman acts.