BADAL WRITES TO PRIME MINISTER & SEEKS
INQUIRY INTO ISHMEET'S DEATH
CHANDIGARH AUGUST 6, 2008
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today urged the
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to order an inquiry from an
appropriate authority into the cause of death of the Ludhiana
based budding singer youngster Ishmeet Singh who had reportedly
died by drowning in the swimming pool of a resort in Maladies
where he had gone to attend a function.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. Badal mentioned that
it had been reported in the media that many sections of public
had raised apprehensions about the cause of death. The Chief Minister
also pointed out that he also attended Ishmeet's Bhog ceremony,
where the mammoth gathering and his parents had requested him
to get an inquiry conducted into the cause of death as they feared
a foul play because of professional rivalry.
Mr. Badal reiterated that an inquiry into the cause of death
by an appropriate authority should be got conducted so that the
apprehensions and cobwebs are cleared in the minds of the public
and the parents of the deceased.
It may be mentioned that Ishmeet Singh had won the 'Voice of
India' a popular competition held by one of the Television Channels
a few months back. Thereafter, he had remained in a public domain
gaining the love and affection from a large section of the population.
The entire nation was plunged into deep shock and grief over the
death of young icon's passing away in the prime of his youth.
SHIROMANI SAHIT AWARDS TO BE PRESENTED
ON 8 AUGUST
Chandigarh August 6, 2008
Annual Shiromani Sahit Awards would be presented to the selected
personalities by the Chief Minister Punjab Mr. Parkash Singh Badal
in a function to be held at Law Auditorium Chandigarh at 4:00
PM on August 8, 2008. The Education Minister Punjab Dr, Upinderjit
Kaur would preside over the function.
Disclosing this here today Mrs. Balbir Kaur, Director Languages
Department Punjab said that 28 literary personalities from different
fields would be honoured for various 14 Shiromani Awards for the
years 2007 and 2008. The name of Punjabi Sahit Shiromani Award
has been rechristened as Punjabi Sahit Rattan. She added that
the prize money for the Punjabi Sahit Rattan Award has been doubled
from Rs. 2.5 lac to Rs. 5 lac and for other Shiromani awards,
it has been increased from Rs. 1 lac to 2.5 lac.
She added that the Punjabi Sahit Rattan Awards for the years
2007 and 2008 would be presented to novelist Mr. Jaswant Singh
Kanwal and writer Dr. Dalip Kaur Tiwana respectively.
Similarly Mr. Kartar Singh Suri and Mr. Pargat Singh Sidhu would
be honoured for Shiromani Punjabi Sahitkar Award for the year
2007 and 2008, Dr. Chander Trikha (2007) and Mrs. Virender Sandhu
(2008) for Shiromani Hindi Sahitkar Award, Mr. Prem Kumar (2007)
and Dr. Nashir Naqvi (2008) for Shiromani Urdu Sahitkar Award,
Dr. Brij Bihari Choube (2007) and Dr. Ravinder Kaur (2008) for
Shiromani Sanskrit Sahitkar Award.
She added that Dr. Harinder Singh Mehboob and Mrs. Sukhwinder
Amrit would be honoured for Shiromani Punjabi Kavi (poet) Award
for the years 2007 and 2008 respectively, Dr. Karnail Singh Thind
(2007) and Dr. Jaswinder Singh (2008) for Shiromani Punjabi Gyan
Sahitkar/Alochik Award, Mr. Parminder Sodhi (Japan) (2007) and
Janab Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan) (2008) for Shiromani Punjabi Sahitkar
(overseas) Award, Mr. S Saki (2007) and Mr. Chotu Ram Moudgil
(2008) for Shiromani Punjabi Sahitkar Award (out of Punjab), Dr.
Sukhwant Kaur Mann (2007) and Mr. Jasbir Singh Jass (2008) for
Shiromani Punjabi Bal Sahitkar Lekhak (writer) Award, Mr. G.S.
Sidhu Damdami (Punjabi Tribune) (2007) and Mr. Paramjit Singh
Sasan (Ajit) (2008) for Shiromani Punjabi Patarkar Award, Bhai
Banta Singh Ragi (2007) and Bhai Gursharn Singh Ragi (2008) for
Shiromani Ragi/Dhadi/Kavishar Award, Mrs. Gurmeet Bawa (2007)
and Mr. G.S.Sachdev (flute) (2008) for Shiromani Punjabi Singer/Musician
Award, Mr. Amrik Gill and Mr. Jatinder Brar would be honoured
for Shiromani Punjabi TV/Radio/Theater/Natak/Actor/Producer/Writer
Award for the years 2007 and 2008 respectively.
INFORMATION & PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
PUNJAB
IRRIGATION PROGRAMME FOR KHARIF SEASON ANNOUNCED
CHANDIGARH, Aug. 06, 2008
The Irrigation Department, Punjab has announced the Rotational
irrigation Programme for the Kharif Season through Canal water
from 1-8-08 to 8-8-08, The channels of Sirhind Canal System would
run on priority basis from Abohar Branch, Patiala feeder, Sidhwan
Branch, Bhatinda Branch and Bist Doab Canal respectively.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the irrigation department
said that direct distributaries of Ghaggar link and its off taking
channels i.e. Ghaggar Branch and Patiala Minor in Group 'B' being
in the Ist preference will run to their indent. Balance water
supplies available will be utilised in direct distributaries of
Bhakra main line of Group 'A'.
The spokesman further said that the Punjab channels off taking
from Harika and Ferozepur Head Works & Branches i.e. Abohar
Branch off taking from Sirhind Feeder and its distributaries of
group "B" would run on first preference to their indent.
Balance water supplies available would be utilised in direct distributaries
of Sirhind Feeder in Group "A".
The spokesman also said that the channels off taking from upper
Bari Doab Canal i.e. Kasur Branch Lower with its distributaries
being in first Preference would run to their indent. Balance Surplus
water available would be utilised in Sabraon Branch, Lahore Branch,
Main Branch Lower and with its distributaries respectively.
PEDA SIGN MOU WITH BPCL FOR SOLAR POWER
PLANT
Chandigarh,August 6: Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA)
today took an important initiative in the field of Solar energy
as it signed MoU with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited(BPCL)
to setup one M/W Solar Photovoltaic Power Plants at Lalru in Punjab.
The MoU was signed in presence of Mr. Bikramjit Singh Majithia,
Minister Science, Technology, Environment & NCES by Mr. T.P.S.Sidhu
CEO, PEDA and Mr. A.K.Bansal, Executive, Director, Corporate Affairs,
BPCL. The plant would be run on Build, Operate and Own (BOO) basis
at Lalru, Distt. Mohali.
Speaking on this occasion Mr. Majithia said that this plant
is a path braking project as it will be first of its kind project
in the country being implemented by a Petroleum Company. He said
that PEDA was in touch with other petroleum companies like HPCL,
IOC, BP to setup such plants in the state. Mr. Majithia said that
with this plant total capacity of Solar Photovoltaic Power Projects
being set up in the State will be 18 MW.
He informed that a total of 17MW capacity projects have been
allocated to the private companies viz. M/s MoserBear - 5 MW (Fazilka),
M/s PQES Incm – 5 MW (Sangrur)., M/s India Bulls–
5 MW, (Rajpura) M/s Azure Power– 2 MW (Ajnala). The Minister
said that the Government has lot of focus on development of Renewable
Energy Power Projects including Solar, Biomass and Hydro. He said
more than 800 MW capacity grids connected Renewable Energy Projects
would be completed within next 2 – 3 years.
This Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant is being set up under the
NRSE Policy-2006 of the State Government. The power generated
from this project shall be evacuated to the PSEB Grid and the
peaking tariff of Rs.8.93 (2011-12) and onwards shall be applicable
to this project. A Power Purchase Agreement for 30 years shall
be signed with PSEB.
The Minister said that in order to bridge the gap between demand
& supply of power in the State, the Renewable Energy Projects
are of great importance both for resource utilization and environment.
The Minister also informed that 68 MW capacity Cogeneration projects
in the industry are at advance stage of completion and these will
start generating power in October 2008. He also informed that
this is first time that 140 MW capacity projects using Biomass
through combustion technology and biomethanation technology with
German collaboration will be set up in the state through Public
Private Partnership Mode.
Mr..A.S.Chhatwal, Secretary, Science & Technology informed
that there is lot of interest among the Public Sector Companies
to put up Renewable Energy Projects and are coming forward to
contribute their share in this Sector.
Mr. T P S Sidhu, PCS, Chief Executive, Mr. Balour Singh, Director,
PEDA were present on this occasion.
PROBLEMS OF TRADERS TO BE REDRESSED ON
PRIORITY- KALIA
Chandigarh, August 6, 2008
Naginder Singh
While presiding over first meeting of Punjab Traders Development
Board here today Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Industries and Local Govt.
Minister Punjab said that our Government was committed to redress
the problems of the traders. He said that Punjab was the first
State, which constituted this kind of board, which would act like
a bridge between the traders and the Government. The Board should
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.
Mr. Kalia said that the problems of the traders would be redressed
at the Level of Financial commission's Taxation and if any problem
of serious nature comes, would be solved at Chief Minister Level.
Mr Narrotam Dev Ratti Chairman and Mr. Mohan Lal Bagga, Vice-Chairman
along with members discussed their problems and also gave healthy
suggestions. Mr. S.S.Brar Financial Commissioner Taxation was
also present in the meeting.
PUNJAB PROJECT TO SIMPLIFY PROCEDURES
IN DC OFFICES
Jalandhar and Patiala to be Pilot districts: Chief Secretary
Chandigarh, August 6, 2008
In a significant decision which is likely to directly impact
upon the lives of citizens, the Punjab Government decided to take
up a project to simplify existing office procedures in Deputy
Commissioner Offices through use of Information Technology and
re-engineering of existing office processes. Jalandhar and Patiala
have been selected as the two pilot districts for this landmark
initiative.
This was decided in a meeting held under the chairmanship of
Chief Secretary Ramesh Inder Singh, Chief Secretary, Punjab yesterday.
The Department of Information Technology has entrusted the entire
task of re-engineering of these office procedures and their implementation
to an external Consultant who would work with the DC office staff
for effective training and change management. The project would
also entail proper documentation and updation of office manuals/
relevant Rules and instructions to simplify office working. The
entire project is likely to take around three months.
Later briefing media persons, the Chief Secretary stated that
the State Government was committed towards improving the delivery
of better public services to citizens and this was an important
step in that direction. After the successful implementation of
the pilot, the project would be rolled-out across the other 18
districts of the State, he added.
Among the others who attended the meeting were BK Srivastava
DG MGSIPA, Suresh Kumar Principal Secretary Irrigation & Power,
Narinderjit Singh Secretary IT, RK Verma Director IT, Tejveer
Singh DIPR, Krishan Kumar DG School Education, Deputy Commissioners
of Jalandhar, Patiala and Mohali districts as well as representatives
of CHR Consultants.
30 Centre of Excellence
going to be set up- Swarna Ram
Chandigarh, August 6, 2008
Under Centre of excellence Scheme launched by Government of
India 30 Centre of Excellence were going to be set up. Centre
of Excellence situated in producoon and manufacturing sector Phagwara
was also included which was going to be inaugurated by Chowdhary
Swarna Ram, Technical Education Minister Punjab on 8-8-08 at Phagwara.
Disclosing this here today Mrs. Tejinder Kaur, Financial Commissioner,
Technical Education said that Rs. 3.50 crore would be spent on
up gradation of these centre. She said new courses which were
going to be include was Fashion Technology, readymade garments
and stiching. After doing these courses girls would be appointed
as teachers also.
PUNJAB TO IMPLEMENT RATIONALIZATION POLICY
IN THE STATE SCHOOLS-DR. UPINDERJIT KAUR
Chandigarh, August 6, 2008
The Punjab Government is all set to implement the rationalization
policy in the state schools so that the surplus teachers could
be posted in the deficient schools.
Stating this here today Dr. Upinderjit Kaur, Education Minister
Punjab said that as per the guidelines of Human Resources Department,
Government of India, the teacher-student ratio of 1:40 was being
implemented by the Punjab Government in the schools. Under the
policy total 2830 teachers have been declared as surplus in the
schools and 2010 had been posted in their own districts of postings
but due to paucity of vacancies, 820 teachers would have to be
posted out of those districts where vacancies were still existing.
While listening to the suggestions of elected representatives
of various districts here today, the Education Minister said that
the process of rationalization, promotions and transfers would
be implemented in a fair, transparent and justifiable manner.
He assured that the department would prefer to border areas, kandi
areas as well as backward areas to fill the vacancies of teaching
faculty.
The Education Minister said that the department was forced to
post out 35 surplus English teachers from Amritsar district as
there exists only five vacancies out of forty promotions. Similarly
in Gurdaspur district, eighty teachers have been promoted but
only 36 vacancies were existing, leaving 44 English teachers to
post out of the district.
Dr. Upinderjit Kaur said that department would recruit 10,000
elementary teachers, 4000 masters/mistress cadre, 4000 computer
faculty teachers at the earliest to fill the vacancies in the
schools but the process has been delayed due to a writ petition
pending in the High Court. "About 4000 promotions have also
been given to the teaching faculty in the education department",
she said.
Prominent among others who also present in the meeting included
Mr. Mohinder Kaur Josh Parliamentary Secretary (Education), Mr.
Ashok Chaudhary Secretary Education, Mr. Krishan Kumar Director
General School Education, Dr. Jagtar Singh Khatra and Mrs. Harcharnjit
Kaur Brar (both DPIs).
IRRIGATION PROGRAMME FOR KHARIF SEASON
ANNOUNCED
CHANDIGARH, Aug. 06, 2008
The Irrigation Department, Punjab has announced the Rotational
irrigation Programme for the Kharif Season through Canal water
from 1-8-08 to 8-8-08, The channels of Sirhind Canal System would
run on priority basis from Abohar Branch, Patiala feeder, Sidhwan
Branch, Bhatinda Branch and Bist Doab Canal respectively.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the irrigation department
said that direct distributaries of Ghaggar link and its off taking
channels i.e. Ghaggar Branch and Patiala Minor in Group 'B' being
in the Ist preference will run to their indent. Balance water
supplies available will be utilised in direct distributaries of
Bhakra main line of Group 'A'.
The spokesman further said that the Punjab channels off taking
from Harika and Ferozepur Head Works & Branches i.e. Abohar
Branch off taking from Sirhind Feeder and its distributaries of
group "B" would run on first preference to their indent.
Balance water supplies available would be utilised in direct distributaries
of Sirhind Feeder in Group "A".
The spokesman also said that the channels off taking from upper
Bari Doab Canal i.e. Kasur Branch Lower with its distributaries
being in first Preference would run to their indent. Balance Surplus
water available would be utilised in Sabraon Branch, Lahore Branch,
Main Branch Lower and with its distributaries respectively.
SCHEME OF MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FOR STUDENTS
BELONGING TO THE MINORITY COMMUNITIES-RANIKE
Chandigarh August 5, 2008
The Punjab Government has introduced a special scheme for students
of minority communities in which scholarship would be provided
to the students.
Disclosing this here today Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike Welfare Minister
Punjab said that department has invited applications in the prescribed
format from the students belonging to minority communities pursuing
technical or professional courses at under graduate/post graduate
level in an institution recognized by an appropriate authority
for merit-cum-means based scholarship for the year 2008-09 to
be awarded by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of
India. The list of 32 such courses under this scheme Engineering
and Technology Courses, B-Tech, M-Tech, Aeronautical, Automobile,
Agricultural, Applied Electronics and Instrumentation, Automation
and Robotics, Bio Medical, Bio-Technology, Caranic/Technology,
Chemical, Civil Computer Science, Electrical and Communication,
Environmental, Food Technology, Industrial and Management , Information
Technology, Instrumentation and Control, Leather Technology, Marin,
Materials, Science and Technology, Metallurgical, Mechanical,
Mining, Oil and Paint Technology, Polymer Science and Rubber Technology,
Printing Technology, Production, Pulp and Paper Technology, Sugar
Technology, Textile Engineering and Technology and Transportation
Engineering.
Applicatoin form and other relevant information could also be
downloaded from the web site www.minorityaffairs.gov.in and http//:punjabgovt.gov.in.
Applications of eligible students should reach to the Director,
Welfare of Schedule and Backward Class, Punjab S.C.O No. 128-129
sector 34-A, Chandigarh on or before 31-8-2008 through the head
of Institution.
PUNJAB TO FOCUS ON 100% UTILIZATION OF
NREGA FUNDS
Chandigarh August 5, 2008
The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) Scheme, already
been successfully implemented in Hoshiarpur district, would now
be extended to in all the districts of Punjab and state would
focus on 100% utilization of NREGA funds.
In a review meeting of NREGA scheme, held here today under the
chairmanship of S. Ranjeet Singh Brahmpura, Rural Development
and Panchayats Minister, Punjab directed the officers to plan
the proposals for the works in villages at the earliest so that
the central funding could be achieved timely and state could make
budgetary allocations for the participation.
The Minister said that NREGA had already been successfully launched
in district Hoshiarpur by covering the entire rural areas and
ensuring one hundred days of wage employment in a financial year
to every rural household, whose adult members are willing to do
unskilled manual labour. He added that 1328 works has been implemented
in the district generating 15.57 lacs man days by utilizing Rs.
2500.21 lacs.
He asked the officers to highlight the benefits of these centrally
sponsored developmental schemes in the rural areas so that beneficiaries
could avail the benefits of these schemes. S. Brahmpura said that
the major achievements of NREGA was that the rural idle youth
who were indulging in taking drugs have come back to work. The
rural men and women, who were engaged in development works under
NREGA, had already changed their lifestyle.
In the meeting besides reviewing progress of development works
undertaken by various departments/gram Panchayats and for further
successful implementation of the scheme, he asked the officers
to ensure proper utilization of funds by personal monitoring and
supervision of various projects to plug the leakage of funds so
that the desired target could be achieved.
Among others S. Mr. G.S Sandhu, Special Secretary Rural Development
& Panchayats, Mr. H.I.S Grewal, Joint Development Commissioner
and officers of concerned districts were also present in the meeting.
