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Amid the ongoing protests by electricity employees against privatisation of Chandigarh’s power sector, the private firm selected for the takeover, has claimed it will serve the city using advanced technologies, while also assuring to safeguard employees’ interests. Eminent Electricity Distribution Limited (EEDL), a 100% subsidiary of the Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC) under Kolkata-based RP-Sanjiv Goenka (RPSG) Group, has been awarded the contract for privatisation of the UT electricity department. The UT administration is set to transfer assets to the discom by December 31. Issuing a statement on Wednesday, PR Kumar, president, power distribution, RPSG, said, “We are embarking on a new chapter to deliver reliable, efficient and innovative power solutions to the residents of Chandigarh. We also assure the employees of the Chandigarh electricity department that their welfare, including service conditions and retirement benefits, will be fully safeguarded in line with the agreement. The RPSG Group, with a workforce of over 50,000 employees, remains committed to serving the people of Chandigarh with the highest level of dedication and care.” Addressing employees’ concerns, Kumar added, “Rumours claiming that EEDL lacks expertise in power distribution are entirely baseless. As a 100% subsidiary of CESC Limited, EEDL benefits from decades of operational excellence and a proven track record in delivering reliable, efficient and customer-focused power solutions across the country.” Put privatisation on hold: Bansal Former Union minister and four-time Chandigarh MP Pawan Kumar Bansal has urged UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria to put the privatisation process on hold. He called for comprehensive consultations with the UT Powermen Union, resident welfare associations (RWAs), the Administrator’s Advisory Council, and civil society before making any final decision. Bansal cited the Supreme Court judgment in the case of BCPP Mazdoor Sangh vs NTPC and Others, which held that the government or its instrumentalities cannot alter the terms and conditions of service of employees to their detriment, nor can employees be transferred to a private organisation without their explicit consent. Further, Bansal pointed out public apprehensions regarding privatisation. “The electricity department is functioning efficiently and profitably. There seems to be no justification for handing it over to a private party at a cost far below the department’s current asset value,” he said. The UT Powermen Union and residents shared concerns that privatisation could compromise the department’s efficiency and affordability for the public, he added.
By nominating the feckless Matt Gaetz as attorney general, Donald Trump wanted to show how far he’s willing to go in blowing up the federal government. How fitting that cynical ploy blew up in his face. Was Gaetz fit for the job? No way! He only practiced law for two years. He accomplished nothing in Congress except to lead the mutiny against Kevin McCarthy. He was under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for having sex with a 17-year-old one day and then nominated for attorney general the next (details of his pay-for-sex parties have already leaked out). And he pledged to weaponize the Justice Department to go after the “deep state” and Trump’s political opponents. The Gaetz nomination was met with immediate shock and outrage — by fellow Republicans. He’s a “terrible pick,” said Washington Times political correspondent Byron York. The conservative Bible, the National Review, slammed his nomination as “foolish” and “futile.” Conservative commentator Ben Domenech called Gaetz “vile” and “abhorrent,” adding, “If you vote for him to be attorney general of the United States, you don’t just need your head examined, you need to be committed to a mental institution.” And John Bolton — who, remember, was Donald Trump’s national security adviser — called Gaetz “the worst Cabinet appointment in American history.” Facing the prospect of an ugly and ultimately unsuccessful confirmation hearing, Gaetz withdrew his nomination. The wheels are already starting to fall off the Trump wagon. Now, what about the rest of Trump’s insane Cabinet nominations? My answer — hold onto your hats — confirm them all! Let the beast loose! If Gaetz was not qualified for the job, neither are Trump’s three other controversial picks: former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as director of National Intelligence; Fox News host Pete Hegseth as secretary of Defense; and anti-vaxxer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of Health and Human Services. In fact, they are singularly unqualified. Gabbard has never worked in the intelligence world or served on a congressional intelligence committee. Two years ago, she was accused by fellow Republicans, including Adam Kinzinger and Mitt Romney, of spreading Russian propaganda. Hegseth has no senior military or national security experience. Accused of sexual assault at a Republican Party conference in California in 2017, he denied the claim, but still paid the woman to keep quiet. Kennedy has no formal scientific or medical credentials, other than his self-described role as “poster child for the anti-vax movement.” Nevertheless, Republican senators should still confirm all three. Why? Two reasons. First, because that’s what the American people voted for. Unlike 2016, when, one could argue, Americans were lulled into voting for Trump because they didn’t really know him, this time was no accident. They knew what they were getting in Donald Trump: an egomaniac, serial adulterer, pathological liar, racist, misogynist, twice-impeached, four times indicted convicted felon who vowed a second term built on revenge against his political enemies, carried out by spineless sycophants loyal to nothing or nobody but Donald Trump. That’s what Trump promised at every campaign rally. That’s what half of Americans voted for. That’s what they wanted, and that’s what they got. Now let them own it. Elections have consequences. And this is one of them. Second reason. I hate to say it, but those who voted for Donald Trump deserve the worst. Again, they knew how unfit he is to be president. They knew he would surround himself with an equally unfit band of dangerous extremists. But they ignored the warning of former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly, who called Trump a “fascist.” They dismissed the alarm expressed by former Republican Vice President Dick Cheney: “In our nation’s 248-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump.” They voted for Trump, anyway. Chaos will result. Under Gabbard, our allies will no longer share intelligence with the United States, making us more vulnerable to foreign and domestic attacks. Under Hegseth, the Pentagon’s top generals will be sent packing and troops will be patrolling American cities, rounding up 12 million people here illegally, breaking up their families, and throwing them out of the country. Under Kennedy, the world’s best scientists and doctors at CDC will be fired and, without vaccines, we could well face a deadly measles attack. It’s going to be painful. People will get hurt. But here’s the good part: The worse it gets, the sooner Trump voters will realize their mistake, and the stronger the Resistance will grow. Let the reckoning begin. Bill Press’ column is distributed by Tribune Content Agency.None
The connections are clear between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers, longtime NFC South rivals. The teams get together for a meeting on Sunday in Charlotte and showed recent signs they can play with any team. "It's an NFC South battle," Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said. "All of them are going to be hard, none of them (are) going to be easy. ... They're playing pretty good football. They missed some games here and there, but they're playing very good football. It's going to be a tough battle." Few introductions are needed on Sunday, as first-year Panthers coach Dave Canales came to Carolina after serving as Buccaneers offensive coordinator a season ago. Canales' prized pupil last season, Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield was with the Panthers for part of the 2022 campaign. "There's some familiarity," Canales said of his connection to the Buccaneers. "Knowing coach Bowles, he's got a really sophisticated system and he attacks each team with a specific game plan. There's some principles that carry over. I know that he's going to have some things up his sleeve." The Buccaneers (5-6) playing a division opponent for the first time since an Oct. 27 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The goal will be notching back-to-back wins for the first time since the first two weeks of the season. Four different ball-carriers, including Mayfield, found the end zone on the ground during a 30-7 drubbing of the New York Giants last Sunday. Mayfield also completed 24 of 30 passes for 294 yards. "For me, the biggest thing was blocking and tackling," Bowles said of what his team did well last weekend. "We cleaned up the fundamental and technique part of it." Star wideout Mike Evans was back in action for Tampa Bay following a three-game absence due to a hamstring injury. He finished with five receptions for 68 yards against the Giants and now gets a crack at a Carolina team allowing a league-high 30.9 points per game this season. However, the Panthers have tightened up their play as of late, winning two games in a row before hanging with the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in a 30-27 setback last Sunday. The outing against Kansas City may have been the most efficient performance of Panthers quarterback Bryce Young's two-year career. Young completed 21 of 35 passes for 263 yards and one score without throwing a pick. "It's not all Bryce, it's the whole unit," Canales said. "It's a collective effort, but he certainly needs to be the voice and driver of that." Wide receiver Jalen Coker (quadriceps), tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (neck) and safety Lonnie Johnson (personal) were all missing from practice on Wednesday for Carolina. Defensive end LaBryan Ray is dealing with a hand issue and was among those limited. Safety Jordan Whitehead (pectoral) was one of four Buccaneers to miss practice on Wednesday. Evans practiced in full. Carolina and Tampa Bay might as well get used to each other, as the two teams will collide again in Week 17. --Field Level MediaHillenbrand Declares First Quarter Dividend of $0.225 Per Share