27022023-TTC-01.qxd 2/27/2023 12:27 AM Page 1 13 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 143 NO. 57 | 12 PAGES | ~5.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2021-2023 ESTABLISHED IN 1881 PUTIN: WARY OF NATO’S N-POTENTIAL, BATTLING FOR SURVIVAL WORLD /thetribunechd TACKLE HEAT MANY COUNTRIES DRAWN STRESS TO SUSTAIN TO INDIA’S UPI SUCCESS: PRODUCTIVITY INFOCUS PM MODI BACK PAGE IN MUKTSAR, ‘GATKA’ DRILL BEGINS FOR COPS PUNJAB monday | 27 february 2023 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com CBI arrests Sisodia after 8 hours of questioning Dirty politics, says Kejriwal I Indulging in drama: BJP Karam Prakash Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 26 In a jolt to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, anti-graft agency CBI on Sunday arrested Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia for his alleged role in the liquor policy case. This is the second high-profile arrest involving an AAP minister in Delhi. Last May, the Enforcement Directorate had arrested Delhi Health and Power Minister Satyendar Jain for money laundering. Jain is lodged in Tihar jail. Sisodia was grilled for over eight hours before being arrested, with sleuths of the Central Bureau of Investigation justifying the need for custodial interrogation, saying the Delhi minister’s answers were not satisfactory and that he was not cooperating. The arrest has come as a big blow to the AAP government in Delhi, given Sisodia’s stature in the state Cabinet. Sisodia holds 18 portfolios, including Finance, Planning, Land and Building, Vigilance, Services, Tourism, Labour, Employment, Public Works Department, Health, Indus- Plenary ends Cong vows to fight crony capitalism, forge alliances Tribune News Service Raipur, February 26 The Congress’ 85th plenary session ended here today with the ‘Raipur Call to Action’, in which the party asserted it would fight to protect its political values against the “BJP’s authoritarian, communal and crony capitalist onslaught” and would forge alliances. Kharge: Beginning of a ‘new Congress’ The Raipur declaration stated the party was prepared to work with likeminded political parties on the basis of a common, constructive programme “to preserve and protect the Constitution in letter and spirit.” In his concluding remarks, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the end of session heralded the beginning of a “new Congress”. Three resolutions were passed today. The resolution on social justice by former LS Speaker Meira Kumar proposed quota for SCs/STs and OBCs in higher judiciary and caste census along with population census every 10 years. The resolution on the farm sector proposed making MSP a legally enforceable right and purchase of agricultural produce below MSP a punishable offence. Deputy CM Manish Sisodia outside the CBI headquarters in Delhi. PTI Punjab Govt to move SC on Budget session Rift deepens: Citing ‘derogatory’ tweets, Governor had refused permission Ruchika M Khanna Tribune News Service Chandigarh, February 26 With Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit refusing permission to the government to summon the Budget session till he had taken legal advice on the tweets and letter written by CM Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab Government will be moving the Supreme Court on Monday, seeking its intervention. Announcing the decision, Mann said, “Glimpses of the world’s largest democracy... Go to Supreme Court to make mayor despite majority in Delhi… Go to the Supreme Court to make Deputy Mayor... The Punjab RADICALS DRAWING FUNDS FROM PAK: CM CM Mann has said Khalistan supporters are getting funding from Pakistan. “Only a handful of persons are behind this, and they run their shops through funding from Pakistan and other foreign countries,” he said at a press conference in Gujarat. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann >> in Bhavnagar, Gujarat. ANI Vidhan Sabha has to go to the Supreme Court to conduct the Budget session... The search for democracy continues.” Earlier in the day, at a function in Bhavnagar, Gujarat, the CM spoke about the standoff with the Governor, alleging that Raj Bhawans were turning into BJP headquarters and that Governors acted as BJP’s star campaigners. “In a democracy, elected persons take decisions and not those selected. We (AAP) know how to fight our battles and we cannot be intimidated by the ED or CBI,” he said. On Thursday, when the AAP government held its first Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit, the Governor sent a letter to the CM, saying he would decide whether to allow the Budget session on March 3, only after he had sought legal advice on the “extremely derogatory and patently constitutional tweets and letter” written by CM Mann in response to his letter sent earlier this month. continued on page 9 60 SEATS EACH 2 N-E STATES VOTE TODAY MEGHALAYA NAGALAND 60 Seats* 60 369 Candidates 183 21L Total voters 13L 3,419 Polling stations 2,291 119 Companies deployed 305 COUNTING ON MARCH 2 HUGE SEIZURE IN MEGHALAYA ~33.24 cr drugs |~8.63 cr cash |Gold worth ~91 lakh |~2.54 cr liquor *POLLING ON 1 SEAT EACH ADJOURNED ABOUT THE EXCISE SCAM ■ CBI FIR states Sisodia & other public servants took decisions pertaining to 2021-2022 excise policy without approval of competent authority with the ‘intention to extend undue favours to licencees post tender” ■ According to the FIR, Sisodia’s ‘close associates’ were actively involved in diverting funds col- lected from liquor licencees for the accused in the case. They collected around ~4 crore to ~5 crore in two payments ■ 15 persons, including the Delhi Deputy CM, were named in the FIR related to criminal conspiracy and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The FIR was based on a reference from L-G Saxena Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann visit Dy CM’s wife tries, Power, Home, Urban Development, Irrigation and Flood Control, and Water. Sisodia is in fact the de facto CM, with Arvind Kejriwal not holding any portfolio. The arrest, which followed Sisodia’s emotional outburst before party supporters as he appeared for questioning this morning, triggered a continued on page 9 Kashmiri Pandit shot in Pulwama Arjun Sharma Jammu, February 26 A Kashmiri Pandit on his way to a local market along with his wife was shot by armed terrorists in broad daylight in Pulwama district of Kashmir today. The victim has been identified as Sanjay Sharma (40), son of Kashinath Sharma and resident of Achan village in Pulwama, where he worked WORKED AS ATM GUARD ■ Sanjay Sharma (40) worked as an ATM guard at Achan village in Pulwama district ■ He had been staying away from work for 3-4 months on the advice of police officials ■ Armed guard was deputed at the village owing to the threat to the minority population as a bank ATM guard. He was shot from point-blank range around 10.30 am. “Terrorists fired upon a civilian from minority community, Sanjay Sharma, while he was on his way to a local market. He was shifted to a hospital, where he succumbed to injuries,” said the Kashmir police in a statement. An official at the district hospital said the victim, who suffered severe blood loss, was pronounced dead on arrival. The area was cordoned off by the continued on page 9 After Bharat Jodo, party mulling east-to-west padyatra Shubhadeep Choudhury Tribune News Service Raipur, February 26 Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday likened the Adani Group to the East India Company and said the party would keep raising questions about the business conglomerate’s practices till the truth was out. He also said the party should formulate a new plan to carry forward the “tapasya” undertaken through the Bharat Jodo Yatra, indicating another such initiative. Congress leaders privately said anoth- er yatra from east to west (probably Pasighat to Porbandar) was proposed. Launching a strong attack on the government on the Adani issue, he alleged that the industrialist was working against the country by cornering its entire wealth. Addressing the 85th plenary session of the Congress here, Rahul said, “When we asked in Parliament what was the PM’s connection with Adani, our entire speech was expunged. We will ask in Parliament thousands of times until the truth of Adaniji is out, we will not stop.” Rahul likens Adani Group to East India Co Rahul Gandhi in Raipur. PTI “I want to tell Adani that his company is hurting the country and is snatching the entire infrastructure of country,” the former Congress president said. “The battle for the country’s freedom was against one company as it had taken away all wealth and ports, etc,” he said, referring to the East India Company. “History is being repeated. This is work against the country and if that happens the entire Congress party will stand against it,” he said. The former party president also questioned External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recent remarks on the Chinese economy being big vis-a-vis India’s and said the minister’s remarks mirrored “cowardice, not nationalism, and were in line with VD Savarkar’s policy of bowing before the strong”. Hammering the Adani issue, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the group, which also had interests in defencerelated industry, operated various shell companies and sent “thousands of crores to India” through these. “Why is an investigation not being carried out on this?” Rahul Gandhi asked, saying it’s a matter related to the national security. Tribune News Service Gurugram, February 26 With several villages announcing a ban on entry of cops, the Rajasthan Police have approached the Haryana Government to help them nab the suspects in the Bhiwani double murder case. A police team had to face stiff resistance while conducting raids at Baba Ludana village in Kaithal a few days ago. One of the suspects, Kalu, belongs to the village. The team was allegedly chased away, following which villagers held a panchayat and decided to bar their entry. A ‘mahapanchayat’ of 15 such villages has now been called on March 1. The police claim they have BHIWANI MURDERS:Haryana panchayats ban entry Amid rising tension, additional force deputed in Nuh. TRIBUNE PHOTO NET OFF, SECTION 144 IMPOSED IN NUH With tensions brewing in Nuh over the Bhiwani murders, the Haryana Government has suspended Internet services in the district till February 28. The local admn has imposed Section 144 , banning carrying of arms. Two days ago, thousands of people had laid siege to the Alwar-Gurugram highway. been facing a similar situation in Nuh, Manesar, Jind and Karnal. While IG Gaurav Shrivastav has appreciated the “support” of the Haryana Police, their teams have been unable to get past police stations in the state. “We are facing resistance and are being prevented from carrying out raids or investigations in these villages. The situation is tricky and we are treading cautiously, especially after a false complaint by the wife of one of the suspects. We are also facing issues while trying to detain their accomplices from other villages. We have now sought the intervention of the state government,” said a senior official. The Rajasthan Police blame it on the Manesar mahapanchayat, which had “set the tone”. During the mahapanchayat a few days ago, the Rajasthan Police were warned against entering the village. Reacting to a report of the continued on page 9 Tribune News Service Shimla, February 26 Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) and Kamala Nehru Hospital, the state hospital for mother and child healthcare, are functioning with just 40 per cent of the sanctioned clerical (ministerial) staff. Besides, the shortage of nursing and paramedical staff is also affecting services at these two premier hospitals of the state. “We have taken up the issue of staff shortage at these hospitals with the gov- Patient care hit:Purchase of essential items, surgical procedures delayed ernment. We hope the problem will be addressed shortly,” said Dr Gopal Berry, Director, Health Services. Out of the sanctioned strength of 163 clerical (ministerial) staff for these two hospitals, only 66 are filled and 97 are vacant. “These posts were sanctioned decades back and have not been revised adequately with time. Meanwhile, IndiGo flight diverted after suspected bird-hit AHMEDABAD: A Delhi-bound IndiGo flight, carrying 150 passengers, was diverted to Ahmedabad on Sunday morning after suspected birdhit soon after take-off from Surat. The flight landed safely. PTI 2020 riots: 9 acquitted of torching medical store NEW DELHI: A court here acquitted nine men in a case of setting a med- ical store on fire by a mob during the 2020 Delhi riots, saying the sole testimony of a witness was insufficient to assume their presence. PTI India’s growth appears fragile: RBI panel member NEW DELHI: India’s growth appears to be ‘very fragile’ and it may fall short of what country needs to meet aspirations of its workforce, RBI Monetary Policy Committee member JR Varma said. BACK PAGE Truck drags scooter for 2 km in UP, two killed MAHOBA: A 66-year-old man and his grandson were killed when a truck hit their scooter and dragged it for more than 2 km on Sunday. Cops recovered the bodies when the truck was stopped by locals. PTI Gurbaxpuri MOOSEWALA FM Nirmala Sitharaman with UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. ANI INDIA, UK TO EXPEDITE FTA BOOSTING TIES ■ Negotiations on FTA with UK started on Jan 13 last year with the aim to boost bilateral trade, investment ■ Bilateral trade in 2021-22 stood at USD 17.5 billion as against USD 13.2 billion in the preceding year BACK PAGE 59% clerical posts vacant at 2 top Shimla hospitals Subhash Rajta IN BRIEF 2 accused killed in clash at Goindwal Sahib jail Facing hostility, Rajasthan cops seek help Sumedha Sharma Grieving relatives of victim Sanjay Sharma in Pulwama. PTI new departments have come up at the hospitals, MBBS and PG seats have increased, the faculty has increased and number of beds has increased. In short, work has increased manifold over the years but the ministerial continued on page 9 Tarn Taran, February 26 Two gangsters, who were arrested in connection with singer Sidhu Moosewala murder case and lodged in Goindwal Sahib Central Jail in Tarn Taran district, were killed in a clash among inmates on Sunday, the police said. One inmate was critically injured in the fight. They were associated with Lawrence Bishnoi and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang. The deceased have been identified as Mandeep Singh alias Toofan of Batala and Mohna alias Manmohan Singh of Budhlada. The injured inmate is Keshav whose condition is stated to be serious. He has been referred to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, Amritsar. Sachin Bishnoi, along with several others, was also injured in the clash. They were treated in the jail hospital. Two more jail inmates — Manpreet Singh alias Bhau of Faridkot and Arshad Khan of Rajasthan — were brought to Civil Hospital, Tarn Taran, for treatment. KILLING HIT WITH IRON GRILLS ■ The clash took place around 3 pm when the inmates came out of their barracks ■ They began attacking one another and clashed for about an hour ■ The inmates had sharpened iron grills and iron strips for using those as weapons Tarn Taran police chief Gurmeet Singh Chohan said that the clash occurred at about 3 pm when the inmates came out of their barracks as per their routine. Suddenly, they began attacking one another. They clashed for about an hour. The jail administration apparently remained helpless in controlling them. The victims were brought to the Civil Hospital at 4.50 pm. According to sources in the Police Department, the two groups clashed over credit for killing Sidhu Moosewala. The SSP informed that a continued on page 9