Apology accepted,alliance survives

After the unimpressive performance of the ruling alliance Akali Dal-BJP alliance in the recent Lok Sabha polls...

After the unimpressive performance of the ruling alliance Akali Dal-BJP alliance in the recent Lok Sabha polls,the relations between the two partners are already at a new low,with each side holding the other responsible for defeat. The ties received a further jolt recently,when Manoranjan Kalia,a senior BJP leader and the Industries Minister,alleged that S S Makkar,an Akali Dal MLA,had hurled abuses at him. BJP asked for strong disciplinary action against Makkar and threatened to approach the Speaker to move a privilege motion in the Assembly. It finally took the intervention of the CM to resolve the matter. Parkash Singh Badal personally took Makkar to Kalias house and made him apologise. His initiative worked as Kalia said that the matter was resolved. He said he was deeply touched by CMs gesture.

Tehsildar beaten up,Govt staff on stir

In an instance of total anarchy,supporters of a local Akali Dal leaders,publicly thrashed Major Retired GS Benipal,posted as Tehsildar in Ludhiana. The Akalis were miffed with Major Benipal as he had refused to listen to their directions despite having being warned on two previous occasions. The seriously injured Tehsildar was admitted to hospital where he gave names of some local leaders including a Ludhiana Councillor,Kawaljit Karwal. When eventually,Karwal arrived at the police station,the SHO on duty,was so overwhelmed that he made him sit in a special air-conditioned room and served him refreshment. The incident provoked strong reactions from far and wide. Governor S F Rodriguez called for a detailed report of the instances while revenue officials in the state struck work. Numerous civil organisations carried protests. The Chief Minister had to personally intervene again. Karwal was expelled from the party,another Councillor,S S Bains,who was named in the attack,surrendered before the police,while the SHO was suspended for having showing extraordinary hospitality to the accused.

Waiting for the rainmakers

Delay in monsoon rains has led to an unprecedented reduction in the water levels at Bhakra Dam. As per the Bhakra Beas Management Board BBMB,the water in the dams reservoirs was going down at the rate of a foot a day. The power generation has reduced by around 20 per cent. This exacerbates matters for the northern states,which are already famished for electricity in view of excruciating heat wave in the region and the start of kharif sowing season. The CMs of Punjab and Haryana have assured eight hour electricity supply to farmers to facilitate paddy plantation. With demand already outstretching the supply by a good 25-30 per cent as per figures released by state electricity boards,it remains to be seen if the commitments of the CMs can be met or not.