Under the scanner

Under the scanner The scam pertaining to the procurement of textbooks for government schools,allegedly involving states Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka,has led to much embarrassment for the Punjab government. With reports of alleged misuse of Central funds,leading to the scam,reaching New Delhi,a team of officials from the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development visited Punjab. hellip;

Under the scanner

The scam pertaining to the procurement of textbooks for government schools,allegedly involving states Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka,has led to much embarrassment for the Punjab government. With reports of alleged misuse of Central funds,leading to the scam,reaching New Delhi,a team of officials from the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development visited Punjab. The judicial probe ordered by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal into the allegations is yet to begin,and all eyes are now on the Union Ministrys report.

One for peace

Too many memorials are being constructed in Punjab,but most of the news this week revolved around the proposed 1984 anti-Sikh riots memorial whose foundation stone was laid in New Delhi recently. It is a sensitive issue among the Sikhs,who are awaiting justice for the riots for over three decades now. Needless to say the ruling SAD has managed to earn several brownie points with the move. Countering it,the Congress has proposed the construction of a peace memorial for those killed during the militancy days. The SAD has rejected the proposal though its ally,the BJP,has said that the peace memorial is a good idea.

Liberal package

The state government has announced its new industrial policy. It has offered a liberal package of incentives for manufacturing sector,integrated textile units,agro and food processing sector,electronics,hardware,and information technology. The incentives include VAT and CST exemptions,besides exemptions on electricity duty,stamp duty,property tax,purchase tax,market fees,rural development fund and infrastructure development cess. The focus of the policy is to encourage setting up of new SMEs in the capital investment range of Rs 1 crore to Rs 10 crore. The policy,however,has attracted criticism from the already established industrial units who have not been given any incentive.

Sulking leaders

Infighting in the Punjab Congress has led to a competition among its leaders to make their presence felt during debates on various issues,so much so that PPCC president Pratap Singh Bajwa,Leader of Opposition Sunil Jakhar and former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh have all given separate statements on the same issue and claimed credit for highlighting it. Moreover,while Amarinders ascension as the permanent member of the Congress working committee marked his rehabilitation in the party,former MP Jagmeet Brar is feeling ignored. In a recent press conference,Brar almost challenged the states top Congress leaders to contest and win the forthcoming parliamentary polls against the SAD-BJP combine.

Chitleen K Sethi