LAW AND JUSTICE
STILL DISTANT DREAM FOR THE POOR: BADAL
Chandigarh April 19, 2008
The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today called
for "revolutionary structural changes in the country's legal
framework and political ethos to ensure speedy and in expensive
access to justice for the common man." This, he said, was
the first pre-requisite of the supremacy of the Rule of Law.
Speaking at the Conference of Chief Ministers and High Court
Chief Justices from across the country this morning at New Delhi,
Mr. Badal regretted that even sixty years after Independence,
fair, cheap and justice still remained a distant dream for millions
and millions of people in the country. He called for "drastic
measures to remove the common perception that law is a handy mistress
in the hands of the rich and the mighty, or that it resides only
in the air-conditioned chambers of the legal luminaries. Law must
come of these chambers and be easily accessible to those who desperately
seek justice but cannot buy it with hard and high cash,"
demanded the Chief Minister.
The meeting was inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan
Singh and chaired by Chief Justice of India, Mr. Justice K.G.
Balakrishanan. The Union Minister for Law and Justice, Dr. H.R.
Bhardwaj also addressed the meeting.
Punjab Advocate General Mr. Hardev Singh Mattewal, Media Advisor
to Chief Minister, Mr.Harcharan Bains and Principal Secretary
to the C.M, Mr. Darbara Singh Guru assisted Mr. Badal in the meeting.
The Chief Minister said that while independence of the judiciary
was a noble goal, it could not be the sole objective of a legal
and political system. "Independence of Judiciary loses its
meaning and relevance if the judicial system fails to inspire
confidence in the minds of the poor and the common people."
Mr. Badal referred to the 'unduly long and seemingly endless'
procedures for securing justice through courts of law and said,
"People have begun to lose faith in the fairness and efficacy
our system to provide timely and speedy delivery of justice. Cases
go on for years and even for decades without an end in sight,
and by the time a verdict is delivered, justice has already lost
its relevance and meaning, killed by inordinate delays,"
he said, adding that justice delayed was not only justice denied;
it was in fact a victory for injustice.
The Chief Minister highlighted the need for 'heavy public investments
in improving the basic conditions for the delivery of speedy justice:
infrastructure and human resource. "We need to lessen the
workload of the judge by increasing their ratio to the number
of cases they handle. They also need to be provided with adequate
infrastructure and secretarial assistance. Investment in judiciary
is an investment in justice," said Mr. Badal.
Mr. Badal referred to the neglect of the need for these investments
in judicial machinery in Punjab over the past few years, and said
that while only Rs. 43 crore were spent by the previous Congress
regime on the improvement of judicial infrastructure, the SAD-BJP
government had earmarked Rs. 35 crore for the purpose for the
past one year alone. Mr.Badal urged the Government of India to
immediately release Rs.59 crores as its share towards matching
grant due to the state government for the year 2007 -2008 and
2008-2009.
On the steps initiated by the State Government to reduce arrears,
ensure speedy trail of cases and filling of vacancies, Mr. Badal
informed that during the past one year, eight new Judges have
been appointed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court and 6 more
names have been recommended by the State Government for appointment
as Judges. Apart from this, 15 Additional District & Sessions
Judges had been appointed by promotion and 50 Civil Judges have
been newly appointed in the 2007.
The Chief Minister assured the Central Government of fulsome
support and Cooperation for the effective administration of justice
through fast track courts in the state. He pointed out that 16
out of total 18 fast track courts sanctioned in the state were
currently functioning He also mentioned that the first mobile
court in the country had been set up in Punjab at Talwara in District
Hoshiarpur with the inspiration of Chief Justice of Punjab and
Haryana High Court Justice Mr.Vijender Jain. Two Committees had
already been constituted at the first and second level headed
by Chief Secretary and Chief Minister respectively for evolving
a mechanism for implementation of resolution for past conferences,
added Mr.Badal.
PUNJAB CM
CONDOLES THE SAD DEMISE OF THE FATHER OF GURPREET NIBBER
CHANDIGARH APRIL19, 2008
Punjab Chief Minister Mr.Parkash Singh Badal today expressed
profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Sh. Santokh Singh
(72) the father of Mr. Gurpreet Singh Nibber, Principal Correspondent,
Hindustan Times, Patiala.
Mr. Badal expressed his heartfelt sympathies with the members
of the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to grant peace
to the departed soul and give strength and courage to them to
bear this irreparable loss.
Member Parliament and President Shiromani Akali Dal Mr. Sukhbir
Singh Badal also condoled the death of Sh. Santokh Singh.
Information & Public Relations Minister Mr.Bikram Singh Majithia
also shared his condolences with the bereaved family. Media Advisor,
Harcharn Bains, Mr. D.S. Jaspal Principal Secretary Information
& Public Relations Department Punjab and Mr. Tejveer Singh,
Director Information & Public Relations Department also condoled
the death of Sh. Santokh Singh.
Meanwhile, Mr. Tejveer Singh, Director Information & Public
Relations laid a wreath on the body of Sh. Santokh Singh on behalf
of Chief Minister Punjab Mr. Parkash Singh Badal. People of all
walks attended the cremation of Sh. Santokh Singh at Mohali.
Punjab Government
today announced the formation of three Industrial Development
Boards
CHANDIGARH; APRIL 19, 2008
The Punjab Government today announced the formation of three
Industrial Development Boards – one each for Large, Medium
and Small Scale entrepreneurs – for directly involving the
leading players from Industry in the decision making processes
of the government and to create the right psychological climate
for an industry-friendly future in the state.
Simultaneously, two Traders Boards - –one each for Large
Scale and Small Scale traders - have been set up for encouraging
and promoting trade activity in the state as also to involve representatives
from the world of trade of all levels in facilitating and promoting
business and trade in the State.
The Chairmen of Medium and Small Scale Industry Board will enjoy
the status of Cabinet Minister while their Vice Chairmen will
be in the rank of a Minister of State. Similarly, the Chairmen
of the two Traders Boards shall also have the status of Cabinet
Minister while their Vice Chairmen shall enjoy the status of Minister
of State.
Disclosing this, Mr. Harcharan Bains, Media Advisor to Chief
Minister, said here today that the Government has issued a notification
for the formation of these boards on April 15. This is the first
time in the history of the state, and arguably that of the country,
that business, trade and industry have been accorded such official
recognition and status.
Mr. Bains said that the decision marks the fulfillment of a major
commitment given by the SAD-BJP Alliance in their manifesto for
the February 2007 assembly poll in the state. Significantly, the
alliance virtually swept the urban Punjab, winning all but one
seat in the corporation towns, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar,
Patiala and Bathinda.
The Media Advisor said that while these boards will serve to
bridge the gap between the policy makers within the government
and the actual target group, it would also enable the captains
of industry in the state to clinch tie up with their counterparts
elsewhere in the country to set up joint ventures in Punjab. "Chief
Minister Parkash Singh Badal and the SAD president and M.P. Sukhbir
Singh Badal had invited professional and intellectual input from
the leading lights from the world of industry to prepare the stage
for a Public-Private-Participation in areas that had remained
governmental domain. We are throwing our doors open to those who
actually have stake in the promotion of trade and industry,"
said Mr. Bains, adding that the government's decision is guided
by a new philosophy and an entirely fresh perception on work ethos.
The state Industries Mr. Minister Manoranjan Kalia has played
a critical role in putting this philosophy into operation, he
said.
According to the Govt. notification, the Punjab Chief Minister
Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and Local Government, Industries and Commerce
Minister, Mr.Manoranjan Kalia will be the Chairman and Vice-Chairman
of the Large Industry Development Board, which will also include
almost all the leading industrialists of the State;
(Composition)
Large Industry Development Board
1. Shri Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Punjab. Chairman
2 . Shri Manoranjan Kalia,Local Govt.,Ind.& Commerce Minister
Vice Chairman
3. Chief Secretary, Punjab. Convener
4. Sh.Sunil Kant Munjal, M/s. Hero Group Member
5. Sh.Suresh Neotia, M/s Ambuja Cement Member
6. Sh.S.P.Oswal, M/s Vardhwman Group Member
7. Sh.Bhupinder Singh Chadha, M/s Azad Group Member of Companies.
8. Sh. Anand Mohindra, M/s Mahindra & Member Mahindra Group.
9. Sh.A.S.Mittal, M/s Sonalika Tractors Member
10. Sh.Kamal Oswal, M/s Nahar Group, Member
11. Sh.Rajinder Gupta, M/s Trident Group Member
12. Sh.Samir Thapar, M/s JCT Ltd. Member
13. Sh. Atmajit Bawa, M/s Sarup Tanneries Member (Lotus Bawa)
14. S.Onkar Singh, M/s Avon Cycle Member
15. Sh.Malwinder Mohan Singh, Member M/s Ranbaxy
16. Sh.Brij Mohan Khanna Member
M/s Khanna Paper Mills Ltd.
The terms and conditions etc. of the Large Industry Development
Board will be as follows:-
1 The term of the Board shall be initially for a period of three
years and shall be extended at the discretion of the Government.
2. The Members of the Board are absolutely at the pleasure of
the Government.
3. The Board shall interact with representatives of Industrial
Enterprises at the National /International Level as also with
the officials of the Government of India and State Government
and make its recommendations from time to time to the State Government.
Also advice on facilitating Mega Invesstment in manufacturing
sector and other related sectors so that Investment Scenario,
investment climate is catalysed and FDIs facilitated to the State
of Punjab.
4. The members of the Board shall be paid honorarium as being
paid to the Directors in the PSUs of Punjab i.e. sitting fee,
Travelling Allowances and other incidental costs etc.
6. The terms of reference of the Board can be designed by its
Members in consultation with the Government so that existing procedures
are streamlined and Industrial scenario investment climate is
facilitated.
7. The Board will meet at least once in three months.
8. Principal Secretarty Industries and Commerce, Punjab, shall
be the Coordinator of the Board and the Managing Director, Punjab
State Industrial Development Corporation shall be the Co-Coordinator.
The Secretarial Support shall be provided by PSIDC.
Medium Scale Industry Development Board.
2. The Medium Scale Industrial Development Board will have Shri
Mahinder Bhagat, # 215, JP Nagar, Jalandhar as Chairman and Shri
Satish Kumar Dhanda, M/s Sadam Industries, Focal Point, Ludhiana,
as Vice Chairman. Other Members are as under;
1. Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, PB. Convener
2. Shri Rajiv Bali, M/s Mount Shivalik Breweries Member
3.Shri Surinder Singh, M/s GS Auto Ludhiana Member
4. Sh.Dinesh Lakra, M/s Lakra Industries Ltd. Member
5. Shri Narinder Sehgal, M/s Kapson Industries Ltd. Member
GT Road, Suranussi, Jalandhar
6. Shri Rajinder Mittal, Bathinda Chemicals Ltd. Member
7. Sh.Subhash Bansal, M/s Bimal Alloys Pvt.Ltd. Member
Amloh Road, Mandi Gobindgarh(Fategarh Sahib)
8. Shri S.C.Ralhan, Chairman (NR) EEPC, Ludhiana Member
9. Sh.Surinder Garg, M/s Hansa Tube Member
10. Sh. Ram Parkash Arora, Milap Industry, 1, Milap Member
Avenue, Opp.Company Bagh, Amritsar.
11. Sh. Harmanjit Singh, D-3, Rajouri Garden, New Delhi Member
The terms and conditions etc. of the Medium Industry
Development Board will be as follows:-
1. The Chairman of the Board shall have the Status of Cabinet
Minister of Government of Punjab and Vice-Chairman shall have
the Status of Minister of State of Government of Punjab.
2. The term of the Board shall be initially for a period of three
years and shall be extended at the discretion of the Government.
3. The Members of the Board are absolutely at the pleasure of
the Government.
4. The Chairman and Vice Chairman shall be nominated by the Government
and their term shall be at the pleasure of the Government.
5. The Board shall interact with representatives of Industries,
Banks, Financial Institutions and officials of Central and State
Government and make its recommendations from time to time to the
State Government for the revival of Industrial economy aqnd rehabilitation
of the existing sick units and also advice on development of Industries,
betterment of Investment and related infrastructure to the State
Government..
6. The members of the Board shall be paid honorarium as being
paid to the Directors in the PSUs of Punjab. I
7. The terms of reference of the Board can be designed by its
Members in consultation with the Government so that existing procedures
are streamlined and Industrial scenario investment climate is
facilitated.
8. The Board will meet at least once in three months.
9. Principal Secretarty Industries and Commerce, Punjab, shall
be the Coordinator of the Board and the Managing Director, Punjab
State Industrial Development Corporation shall be the Co-Coordinator.
The Secretarial Support shall be provided by PSIDC.
Small Scale Industrial Development Board
The third 'Small Scale Industry Development Board" will
have Shri Inderjit Singh Pradhan, President Chamber of Industrial
and Commercial Undertakings, Ludhiana, as Chairman and Shri Vinod
Jain, of Ludhiana as its Vice Chairman. Other Members will be
as under;
1. Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, PB. Convener
2. Shri Sanjiv Khanna, # 5 Old Jail Road, Near Race Member Cource
Road Chowk, Amritsar.
3.Sh.Sarv Daman Bharat, M/s Bharat Packaging Industries Member
22 No: Phata, Adjacent Khoobsurat Palace, Patiala.
4. Mrs. Kamna Raj Aggarwal, Exporter, Jalandhar Member
5. Sh. Tarsem Saini, President, Rice Sheller Association, Patiala
Member
6. Sh.Gulshan Wadhawa, M/s Bhiwani Steels Member Tanda Road,
Jalandhar
7. Sh.Bal Krishan Bali, M/s Rice Sheller, Bagha Purana Member
8. Sh. Suraj Jyoti, #451-B, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, Member
Ludhiana.
9. Sh.Satish Chander Sanin, RP Engineering Company, Member
13-A, Industrial Estate, Batala
10. Sh. Raman Gupta, Indian Pharmaceutical Pvt.Ltd. Member Amritsar.
11. Sh. Babbru Vahine, Foundry, Malout. Member
The terms and conditions etc. of the Small Scale Industry
Development Board will be as follows:-
1. The Chairman of the Board shall have the Status of Cabinet
Minister of Government of Punjab and Vice-Chairman shall have
the Status of Minister of State of Government of Punjab.
2. The term of the Board shall be initially for a period of three
years and shall be extended at the discretion of the Government.
3. The Members of the Board are absolutely at the pleasure of
the Government.
4. The Chairman and Vice Chairman shall be nominated by the Government
and their term shall be at the pleasure of the Government.
5. The Board shall interact with representatives of Industries,
Banks, Financial Institutions and officials of Central and State
Government and make its recommendations from time to time to the
State Government for the revival of Industrial economy aqnd rehabilitation
of the existing sick units and also advice on development of Industries,
betterment of Investment and related infrastructure to the State
Government..
6. The members of the Board shall be paid honorarium as being
paid to the Directors in the PSUs of Punjab. I
7. The terms of reference of the Board can be designed by its
Members in consultation with the Government so that existing procedures
are streamlined and Industrial scenario investment climate is
facilitated.
8. The Board will meet at least once in three months.
9. The Manaigng Director, Punjab Financial Cor;poration shall
be the Coordinator. Director Industries and Commerce shall be
Co-Coordinotr and theSecretarial Support shall be provided by
the PFC
Traders Board
1. Sarrotam Dev Ratti, Chairman
2. Mohan Lal Bagga, Vice Chairman
3. Ravi Mahindru Member
4. Sunil Mehra Member
5. Chhajju Ram Sofat Member
6. BhupeshAggarwal Member
7. Bhagwan Singh Member
8. Surinder Sharma Member
9.. Rajinder Singh Marwaha Member
10. Yashpal Gupta Member
11. Arvind Zulka Member
12. Ravinder Singh Cheema. Member
President, Artia Association, PB
The terms and conditions etc. of the Traders Board will be as
follows:-
1 The Chairman of the Board shall have the Status of Cabinet
Minister of Government of Punjab and vice-Chairman shall have
the Status of Minister of State of Government of Punjab.
2. The term of the Board shall be initially for a period of
three years and shall be extended at the discretion of the Government.
The Members of the Board are absolutely at the pleasure of the
Government.
3. The Chairman/Vice Chairman shall be nominated by the Government
and their term shall be at the pleasure of the Government.
4. The Board shall interact with representatives of Trade, Banks/Financial
Institutions and officials of the State Government and make its
recommendations from time to time to the State Government for
the revival of the economy and betterment of Trade.
5. The members of the Board shall be paid honorarium as being
paid to the Directors in the PSUs of Punjab i.e. sitting fee,
Travelling Allowances and other incidental costs etc.
6. The terms of reference of the Board can be designed by its
Members in consultation with the Government so that existing procedures
are streamlined and Trade/Industrial scenario investment climate
is facilitated.
7. The Board will meet at least once in three months.
8. Financial Commissioner, Excise and Taxation, shall be the
convener of the Board and Excise & taxation Commissioner,
Punjab, shall be the Coordinator of the Board and the Secretarial
Support shall be provided by the Excise and Taxation Department.
Small Scale Traders Board
1. Madan lal Kapoor Chairman
President, Beopar Mandal, Bathinda
2. D.P.Chandan Vice Chairman
3. Dev Raj Chachowalia Member
4. Rajinder Singh Josh Member
General Secretary, Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal
5. Jagdish Bhateja Member
6. Pardeep Dhingra, Member
President, Distt.Karyana Merchants, Member
7. Bablesh Goyal Member
8. Prem Chand Member
9. Sunil Kumar Sharma Member
10. Swarn Singh Member
President, Chaura Bazar,Ludhiana
11. Rakesh Mahajan Member
12. Vinod Jain Member
The terms and conditions etc. of the Small Scale Traders
Board will be as follows:-
1 The Chairman of the Board shall have the Status of Cabinet
Minister of Government of Punjab and vice-Chairman shall have
the Status of Minister of State of Government of Punjab.
2. The term of the Board shall be initially for a period of
three years and shall be extended at the discretion of the Government.
The Members of the Board are absolutely at the pleasure of the
Government.
3. The Chairman/Vice Chairman shall be nominated by the Government
and their term shall be at the pleasure of the Government.
4. The Board shall interact with representatives of Trade, Banks/Financial
Institutions and officials of the State Government and make its
recommendations from time to time to the State Government for
the revival of the economy and betterment of Trade.
5. The members of the Board shall be paid honorarium as being
paid to the Directors in the PSUs of Punjab i.e. sitting fee,
Travelling Allowances and other incidental costs etc.
6. The terms of reference of the Board can be designed by its
Members in consultation with the Government so that existing procedures
are streamlined and Trade/Industrial scenario investment climate
is facilitated.
7. The Board will meet at least once in three months.
8 Financial Commissioner, Excise and Taxation, shall be the convener
of the Board and Excise & taxation Commissioner, Punjab, shall
be the Coordinator of the Board and the Secretarial Support shall
be provided by the Excise and Taxation Department.
