Enforcement of Act deficient

V.P. Prabhakar

Does the Badal government in Punjab perform well ? It does not seem so. The enforcement of the Drugs and Cosmetic Act is deficient in many major areas in Punjab, according to the CAG report. The CAG reported that the renewal of licenses of manufacturing/selling units was delayed in a number of cases and the inspection conducted by the drug inspectors was negligible .

Parkash Singh Badal There was a delay in sending test reports by the State drugs laboratories as well as follow-up action on the samples. The manpower available in the department was inadequate to carry out various activities effectively under the Act and no training was imparted in the state to upgrade skills of existing staff. No centralized database was maintained at headquarter level for proper monitoring.
The examination of records of SDC and Director of AYURAVEDA, Punjab, Chandigarh, showed that 282 units (manufacturing 48 and selling's 234) of the selected districts had applied for renewal of licenses in time. However, the respective licensing authorities conducted inspection and renewed the licenses with delays ranging 5 and 182 months after the expiry of these licenses. Thus, non/delayed renewal of licences facilitated the applicants (firms/dealers) to continue their activities even if some of the conditions for renewal as per the Act might not have been fulfilled.

Central forces to be deployed

Nesim Zaidi A huge number of Central paramilitary forces will be deployed at more than 14,000 polling stations during Punjab Election amidst complaints of cop-neta nexus in the state.
Chief Election Commissioner Nesim Zaidi said during his three day tour of the state that several leaders from political parties and individuals told him about influence of halqa in charge over local civil and police functionaries. Hence about 520 companies of central forces are likely functionaries.
Hence about 520 companies of central forces are likely to be deployed in Punjab at a cost of Rs. 45 crore. This is more than double the number used in 2012 when only 225 companies were deployed. Fearing use of muscle power, the Commission also wants to earmark about 70 companiesfor tackling law and order issues.
Zaidi said that the anxiety regarding use of muscle, liquor and drug power among political parties was so grave that they wanted model code of conduct to be enforced as soon as possible. Zaidi said that the Chief Secretary and the Director Central of Police had been instructed to ensure that poll machinery worked in an unbiased manner and deal strictly with officers not action in a neutral manner.
On the election date, the chief election commissioner said that it was going to be on schedule, not before a that. He said civil and police administration in Punjab needed a major overhaul.

Two new parties

Ravi Inder Singh The Akhand Akali Dal, a new political outfit comprising the Akali Dal (1920), Delhi Akali Dal, Panthic Dal and the International Akali Dal, was formed on October 25, 2016. Ravi Inder Singh who was elected president of the outfit, said they would try to form a strong fourth front to provide an alternative to the mainstream political parties.
Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, general secretary SGPC, claimed that they had the active support of various Panthic leaders including former Damdama Sahib Jathedar Gainai Balwant Singh Nanagarh
Ludhiana based independent MLA and Awaaz-e-Punjab leaders Bains brother have floated a new political outfit Lok Insaaf Party. They have started the procedure to register it with the election Commission.
As per the notice, Simranjit Singh Bains is president of the party, Ranjit Singh Ubhi is the secrectary general and Ranjit Singh Ghatories the treasure. The party headquarters will be Ludhiana.
Simranjit Singh said they had conveyed to their workers that there would been election alliance with the Congress but they would contest on their own party symbol.
Awaaz-a-Punjab is a forum not party. So all its candidates will contest under the banner of the Lok Insaaf Party. We went our independent identity. So there is no question of merger.

Supreme Court decision

Amarinder Singh The Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court on November 10, 2016, declared unconstitutional a law enacted by the Punjab government in 2004 to wriggle out of its liability of constructing the Satluj- Jamuna Link (SVL) canal and share the Ravi-Bease waters with neighboring states.
We are of the view that the Punjab Termination Agreement Act 2004 cannot be considered to be legal and valid and the state of P u n j a b c a n n o t a b s o l v e itself from it duties/ liabilities arising out of the Agreement in question, ruled a five judge constitution Bench while answering a Presidential Reference of 2004.
It, however, rejected Haryana,s oral plea for extending the status quo order passed on March 17, 2016, directing Punjab not to notify the SYL canal Land (Transfer of Proprietary Rights) Bill 2016 meant for returning about 4000 acres of land acquired for construction of part of the SYL canal falling within the state.
Haryana was free to take appropriate steps, including approaching the SC, the Bench told the state's Senior counsel Shyam Divan. In its opinion on the Presidential reference, the Bench, however, held that the proposed law was in "clear violation" of the 1981 agreement.

Sukbhir Singh Badal The SC had passed that status quo order on Haryana's application filed to be heard as part of the presidential reference. Since the reference stood answered, no further order could be passed on the plea for extending the status quo a few days as pleaded by Haryana, the Bench explained.
Capt. Amarinder Singh, PPCC chief, said: "The Akali Dal may try to foment trouble in the state. Let there be elections in December".
Deputy Chief Minister Sukbhir Singh Badal said that he would not let the Union Government take away river water from Punjab. We would not allow one to enter Punjab. We will not allow anyone to take a drop of water away from Punjab, even if it means going against law. Terming the resignation of Capt Amarinder Singh as drams, he said, "They know that they will not remain MLAs in the next term. If they are sincere, they should all resign from their party. After all, the SYL issue cropped up because of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Mr Badal said that the Chief Minister never said anything a b o u t royalty.
B J P p a r t y president V i j a y Sampla said "Our party stands with state farmers on the issue of water. The party stood with its ally SAD."
Haryana Chief Minister Manhoar Lal Kahttar said, "I welcome the Supreme Court verdict. It has brought smile on the face of every Haryanavi because the state would get its legitimate share of water from the Ravi and Beas."



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Parkash Singh Badal There was a delay in sending test reports by the State drugs laboratories as well as follow-up action on the samples. The manpower available in the department was inadequate to carry out various activities effectively under the Act and no training was imparted in the state to upgrade skills of existing staff. No centralized database was maintained at headquarter level for proper monitoring. The examination of records of SDC and Director of AYURAVEDA, Punjab, Chandigarh, showed that 282 units (manufacturing 48 and selling's 234) of the selected districts had applied for renewal of licenses in time. However, the respective licensing authorities conducted inspection and renewed the licenses with delays ranging 5 and 182 months after the expiry of these licenses. Thus, non/delayed renewal of licences facilitated the applicants (firms/dealers) to continue their activities even if some of the conditions for renewal as per the Act might not have been fulfilled. Central forces to be deployed Nesim Zaidi A huge number of Central paramilitary forces will be deployed at more than 14,000 polling stations during Punjab Election amidst complaints of cop-neta nexus in the state. Chief Election Commissioner Nesim Zaidi said during his three day tour of the state that several leaders from political parties and individuals told him about influence of halqa in charge over local civil and police functionaries. Hence about 520 companies of central forces are likely functionaries. Hence about 520 companies of central forces are likely to be deployed in Punjab at a cost of Rs. 45 crore. This is more than double the number used in 2012 when only 225 companies were deployed. Fearing use of muscle power, the Commission also wants to earmark about 70 companiesfor tackling law and order issues. Zaidi said that the anxiety regarding use of muscle, liquor and drug power among political parties was so grave that they wanted model code of conduct to be enforced as soon as possible. Zaidi said that the Chief Secretary and the Director Central of Police had been instructed to ensure that poll machinery worked in an unbiased manner and deal strictly with officers not action in a neutral manner. On the election date, the chief election commissioner said that it was going to be on schedule, not before a that. He said civil and police administration in Punjab needed a major overhaul. Two new parties Ravi Inder Singh The Akhand Akali Dal, a new political outfit comprising the Akali Dal (1920), Delhi Akali Dal, Panthic Dal and the International Akali Dal, was formed on October 25, 2016. Ravi Inder Singh who was elected president of the outfit, said they would try to form a strong fourth front to provide an alternative to the mainstream political parties. Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, general secretary SGPC, claimed that they had the active support of various Panthic leaders including former Damdama Sahib Jathedar Gainai Balwant Singh Nanagarh Ludhiana based independent MLA and Awaaz-e-Punjab leaders Bains brother have floated a new political outfit Lok Insaaf Party. They have started the procedure to register it with the election Commission. As per the notice, Simranjit Singh Bains is president of the party, Ranjit Singh Ubhi is the secrectary general and Ranjit Singh Ghatories the treasure. The party headquarters will be Ludhiana. Simranjit Singh said they had conveyed to their workers that there would been election alliance with the Congress but they would contest on their own party symbol. Awaaz-a-Punjab is a forum not party. So all its candidates will contest under the banner of the Lok Insaaf Party. We went our independent identity. So there is no question of merger. Supreme Court decision Amarinder Singh The Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court on November 10, 2016, declared unconstitutional a law enacted by the Punjab government in 2004 to wriggle out of its liability of constructing the Satluj- Jamuna Link (SVL) canal and share the Ravi-Bease waters with neighboring states. We are of the view that the Punjab Termination Agreement Act 2004 cannot be considered to be legal and valid and the state of P u n j a b c a n n o t a b s o l v e itself from it duties/ liabilities arising out of the Agreement in question, ruled a five judge constitution Bench while answering a Presidential Reference of 2004. It, however, rejected Haryana,s oral plea for extending the status quo order passed on March 17, 2016, directing Punjab not to notify the SYL canal Land (Transfer of Proprietary Rights) Bill 2016 meant for returning about 4000 acres of land acquired for construction of part of the SYL canal falling within the state. Haryana was free to take appropriate steps, including approaching the SC, the Bench told the state's Senior counsel Shyam Divan. In its opinion on the Presidential reference, the Bench, however, held that the proposed law was in "clear violation" of the 1981 agreement. Sukbhir Singh Badal The SC had passed that status quo order on Haryana's application filed to be heard as part of the presidential reference. Since the reference stood answered, no further order could be passed on the plea for extending the status quo a few days as pleaded by Haryana, the Bench explained. Capt. Amarinder Singh, PPCC chief, said: "The Akali Dal may try to foment trouble in the state. Let there be elections in December". Deputy Chief Minister Sukbhir Singh Badal said that he would not let the Union Government take away river water from Punjab. We would not allow one to enter Punjab. We will not allow anyone to take a drop of water away from Punjab, even if it means going against law. Terming the resignation of Capt Amarinder Singh as drams, he said, "They know that they will not remain MLAs in the next term. If they are sincere, they should all resign from their party. After all, the SYL issue cropped up because of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Mr Badal said that the Chief Minister never said anything a b o u t royalty. B J P p a r t y president V i j a y Sampla said "Our party stands with state farmers on the issue of water. The party stood with its ally SAD." Haryana Chief Minister Manhoar Lal Kahttar said, "I welcome the Supreme Court verdict. It has brought smile on the face of every Haryanavi because the state would get its legitimate share of water from the Ravi and Beas."