23032023-TTB-01.qxd 3/23/2023 12:06 AM Page 1 13 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 143 NO. 80 | 20 PAGES | ~5.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2021-2023 ESTABLISHED IN 1881  HARYANA RUSSIAN STRIKES KILL 7 IN UKRAINE AS XI, KISHIDA END VISITS WORLD /thetribunechd IOC TO INVEST ~61K CR PM UNVEILS 6G VISION PLAN, IN PETCHEM COMPLEX SAYS ‘NET TO BE 1K TIMES AT PARADIP BUSINESS FASTER’ BACK PAGE SHAH OPENS MATA SHARDA DEVI TEMPLE NEAR LoC J&K thursday | 23 march 2023 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com Resolutions in Punjab, Haryana Amritpal’s NRI wife, mother Houses against HP water cess quizzed over foreign funding PK Jaiswar Within rights to do so, says Sukhu | Cites Uttarakhand & J&K’s example Tribune News Service Chandigarh/Shimla, March 22 The legislative Assemblies of Punjab and Haryana today unanimously passed a resolution opposing the Himachal Pradesh Government’s proposal to impose water cess on hydropower projects even as the Congress regime in the hill state defended the move saying it was “well within its rights to do so”. Moving the resolution in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Water Resources Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer said they would not pay a single paisa to Himachal. He claimed the new levy would mean an additional annual burden of Rs 1,200 crore for partner states, a major portion of which would have to be borne by Punjab. Endorsing the resolution, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the cess was a RIPARIAN LAW NOT VIOLATED: SUKHU ■ HP CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu ILLEGAL, DIVISIVE It’s illegitimate, aimed at dividing country... it’s not ‘Bharat Jodo’, but ‘Bharat Todo’ campaign. ❝ Bhagwant Mann, PUNJAB CM “major setback to the interests of Punjab and its people”. He said contrary to its POWER TO GET COSTLIER Not only infringement of Haryana’s exclusive rights over its natural resources, it will also make generation of power dear. ML Khattar, HARYANA CM ❝ said the imposition of water cess was not a political issue, and that it would not cause any loss to Punjab or Haryana. ■ “We will examine the resolutions and if need be, I will take up the issue with my Punjab and Haryana counterparts to clarify their doubts,” said Sukhu. ■ He said, “Uttarakhand and J&K have already imposed water cess and it in no way infringes on the rights of other states. The riparian law doesn’t prohibit Himachal from imposing cess on power generation.” name, Punjab (the land of five rivers) was today facing serious challenges in terms of potable water. He said the move was a fresh attack on continued on page 15 Bilkis: SCSpecial Bench to Security up, yet objects hurled hear plea against remission at Indian Mission in London New Delhi, March 22 The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to constitute a Special Bench to hear Bilkis Bano’s petition challenging the premature release of 11 men convicted of raping her and killing her family members during the 2002 Gujarat riots. “I will have a Bench constituted…,” a Bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud told Bano’s counsel Shobha Gupta after she mentioned it seeking listing of the matter. The assurance from the CJI came after Gupta complained that the matter was not getting listed for hearing. Earlier, Justice Bela M Trivedi had on January 4 recused herself from hearing petitions against the premature release of the convicts in the case. Apart from Bano’s petition, there were other petitions filed by CPM leader Subhashini Ali, journalist Revati Laul, Lucknow University’s former Vice Chancellor Roop Rekha Verma, continued on page 15 London, March 22 Around 2,000 protesters waving Khalistan flags descended upon the Indian High Commission here on Wednesday for a planned demonstration and hurled objects and chanted slogans amid a heightened security presence and barricades. The Indian High Commission countered by unfurling an additional humongous Tricolour on the roof of its building, which seemed to rile the protesters further who then hurled coloured Pro-Khalistan supporters during a protest in London. PTI flares and water bottles towards the Mission building continued on page 15 Rain for two days, more trouble for farmers To nail gangsters, Haryana passes MCOCA-type Bill Collegium repeats Brar’s name for HC judgeship NEW DELHI: In fresh trouble for Bhartesh Singh Thakur farmers of Punjab & Haryana, the Met Department has predicted more rain & hailstorm on March 23 and 24. INSIDE Tribune News Service New Delhi, March 22 Expressing concern over the Centre withholding or overlooking the candidates recommended for appointment as judges, the Supreme Court Collegium has reiterated the name of senior advocate Harpreet Singh Brar for appointment as a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. At a meeting, the threemember Collegium comprising CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice SK Kaul and Justice KM Joseph stated that the Department of Justice had returned its earlier recommendation dated July 25, 2022, for elevation of Brar after flagging certain issues. The Collegium then sought fresh inputs about Brar from the High Court Collegium, which reiterated his name on continued on page 15 IN BRIEF Nine killed in explosion at firecracker unit in TN KANCHEEPURAM: Nine workers were killed in a blast at a firecracker unit near here. CM Stalin announced ~3 lakh relief for each of nine families. INSIDE Army to reintroduce millets in rations NEW DELHI: The Army is reintroducing millet flour in the rations of soldiers to promote coarse grains. TNS Centre has made peace talks absurdity: NSCN-IM DIMAPUR: The NSCN-IM has accused Centre of not being serious on the Framework Agreement over Naga peace. PTI Chandigarh, March 22 After withdrawing it twice, the Haryana Vidhan Sabha today again passed the Haryana Control of Organised Crime Bill, 2023, despite objections by the Opposition Congress. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar informed the House that the Bill was first withdrawn in November 2020 over a provision that was already covered under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1895, and the Information Technology Act, 2000. The second version was withdrawn in August 2022 after it was found to be in conflict with the provisions of the NDPS Act, he said. Justifying the Bill, Khattar said criminals were tying up with terrorists and were moving into Haryana after com- Withdrawn twice; Oppn Cong questions ‘sweeping powers’ PROVISIONS IN BILL ■ Punishment up to life term for advocating organised crime ■ Liability of punishment if accused can’t explain possession of any property ■ Confession before SP-rank officer admissible as evidence ■ Chargesheet can be filed within 180 days against the CrPC norm of maximum 90 days mitting crime in Punjab. He said similar laws existed in Maharashtra (MCOCA), Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. Congress leaders said they were not against the Bill, but certain “draconian” provisions. 10 lakh addicts in Punjab, minister tells Vidhan Sabha Sanjeev Singh Bariana Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 22 Pointing out the gravity of the menace of drug addiction in Punjab, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh today told the Vidhan Sabha that the state had nearly 10 lakh addicts. The figure is nearly 3 per cent of the total 3.17 crore population of the state. The agenda item, “War of COMPRISE 3% OF STATE’S 3.17 CRORE POPULATION 2.62L addicts at govt rehab centres 6.12L in private centres Punjab against Drugs/Narcotics” was deferred by Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan towards the end of the session. ACTUAL FIGURE HIGHER The actual figure is far higher. Many don’t come forward due to social stigma. ❝ Dr Balbir Singh, HEALTH MINISTER He, however, asked the minister to brief the House about the seriousness of the issue for deliberations later. Dr Balbir Singh said, “Nearly 2.62 lakh addicts are undergoing treatment at government de-addiction centres, while private rehabs are home to at least 6.12 lakh addicts. However, the actual number is far higher. Many, including intravenous drug users, do not come forward due to social stigma.” The minister said most rehabilitation centres continued on page 15 Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 22 Two DSP-rank officials today visited the house of fugitive pro-Khalistan activist Amritpal Singh at Jallupur Khera village in the district and reportedly questioned his wife, a UK-based NRI, his mother and other family members. They stayed there for nearly an hour. DSP Harkrishan Singh, who was accompanying them, said the officers visited the family as part of the investigation and could not disclose much as it would hamper the probe. Sources said the police questioned Amritpal’s wife Kirandeep Kaur in connection with foreign funding allegations against him. They said the police might have asked the family to convince Amritpal to surrender in case he tried to contact them. His mother Balwinder Kaur said Amritpal was trying to wean addicted youths away from drugs and was promoting Sikhism. She alleged the security agencies were tarnishing his image. She claimed they were not in touch with Amritpal as he was in illegal custody of the Punjab Police. Meanwhile, the A flag march in Jalandhar on Wednesday. PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH KALSI’S WIFE MOVES HC FOR HIS RELEASE A police team in Darapur village, Phillaur, where the bike of fugitive Amritpal Singh was found. TRIBUNE PHOTOS: MALKIAT SINGH GURUGRAM REALTORS UNDER SCANNER ■ The arrest of Daljit Kalsi, a close aide and financier of Amritpal, has brought many top realtors of Haryana under the scanner ■ Kalsi during his stay in Gurugram was reportedly in touch with them for arranging funds for ‘Waris Punjab De’ ■ Cops suspect he had even been offering realtors to divert their funds through Punjabi movies; sources say Kalsi was using social media to influence youth in NCR, mainly from Punjab search operation to nab the separatist continued for the fourth day. The police issued a look out circular, while a local court issued non-bailable warrants against him. The police were also analysing the internet system installed at Amritpal’s house to trace as to who all he was in touch with in the past six months and to track his financial dealings. The police had sought data from a Bengaluru-based company in this connection, the sources said. Chandigarh: Daljit Kalsi’s wife Narinder Kaur filed a habeas corpus plea seeking his production from “illegal custody” at Dibrugarh. She alleged Kalsi was in custody without following the due process of law before the competent court. Taking up the petition, Justice NS Shekhawat adjourned the hearing of the case to March 28. Kalsi is alleged to be one of Amritpal’s five aides. — TNS