HEAVY RAINS IN PUNJAB - PUNJAB CM REVIEWS
SITUATION
Special Girdwari and immediate relief to displaced persons ordered
Chandigarh, August 13, 2008
The Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today issued directions
to all Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police
to remain fully prepared to meet any eventuality arising on account
of heavy rains in the State in the last 48 hours.
A spokesperson for the Government stated that the Chief Minister
issued the directions in a meeting held today to review the situation
in the State. Romila Dubey Financial Commissioner Revenue, DS
Guru Principal Secretary to CM, Suresh Kumar Principal Secretary
Irrigation and Power, Jaspreet Talwar Special Secretary Finance
and other senior State Government officials attended the meeting.
He further stated that, in addition to the funds for flood protection
works available with the Irrigation Department, the Chief Minister
ordered the Revenue Department to immediately release funds from
the Calamity Relief Fund to all districts in order to provide
prompt relief to any displaced persons. He also directed the Deputy
Commissioners to undertake a Special Girdawari in order to assess
the damage caused to crops in the State on this account. The Irrigation
Department was directed to immediately plug any breaches that
may have occurred due to heavy rains in any drains or canals of
the State, he added.
The spokesperson stated that the Chief Minister telephonically
spoke to the Deputy Commissioners to personally take stock of
the situation and asked the entire team of district administration
to proactively work towards tackling local problems and to immediately
attend to affected people's grievances. Later during the evening,
the Revenue Department released Rs. 10.71 crore from the Calamity
Relief Fund to all Deputy Commissioners, he added.
MOHINDER KAUR JOSH TO HOIST NATIONAL FLAG
AT MOGA INSTEAD OF SAT PAL GOSAIN
Chandigarh August 13, 2008
Shikha Nehra
In a slight modification in the existing National Flag hoisting
schedule in the state on the occasion of Independence Day, Mrs.
Mohinder Kaur Josh Chief Parliamentary Secretary Health would
now unfurl the National Flag at Moga in place of Mr. Sat Pal Gosain
Dy. Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha who has expressed his inability
to attend the celebrations due to urgent and unavoidable circumstances.Acoording
to a spokesman of the Punjab Government, national flag at Dasuya
in place of Mrs. Josh would be unfurled by the SDM Dasuya.
HEALTH MINISTER TO FLAG OFF MOBILE MEDICAL VANS ON AUG.15
Chandigarh August 13, 2008
Prof. Lakshmi Kanta Chawla, Health and Family Welfare Minister
Punjab would formally flag off fully equipped mobile vans on the
occasion of 62nd Independence Day from District Fatehgarh Sahib
where she would be hoisting the national flag on 15th of August.
Stating this here today a spokesman of the government said that
to initiate this scheme one such van has already been sent to
District Mansa while remaining districts would be given the Mobile
Medical vans on the Independence Day. This scheme had been launched
in the state to enable the people of Punjab to have an access
to healthcare facilities at their door steps and equitable distribution
of heath services in the state. Besides this the Health department
would hold medical camps for the slum dwellers and poor people
living in other colonies at various places on 15th of August.
On August 14 camps would be held for the school students' at all
140 community health centres in the state. Every student turning
up for the medical examination would be offered refreshments,
fruit and sweets free of cost. The prime objective of holding
such camps would be to evolve a healthy, disease free society,
said the Spokesman.
UNIDO TEAM SUBMITS REPORT ON 'PUNJAB INDUSTRIAL
REVIEW'
New Industrial Policy to be operative from January 1, 2009
Chandigarh August 13, 2008
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today constituted
a core group under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Mr. RI
Singh to study the report on 'Punjab Industrial Review' submitted
by the 3-member team led by Consultant United Nation Industry
Development Organization (UNIDO) Dr. (Mrs.) Isher Judge Ahluwalia
to evolve consensus as to what should be the New Industrial Policy
of the state that was likely to be come in force from 1st January,
2009.
Taking part in the deliberations during a presentation made by
the UNIDO team leader Mrs. Ahluwalia on the Punjab Industrial
Review, Mr. Badal asked the core group to submit its report by
15th October, 2008. The document of the core group would be thoroughly
deliberated upon by the members of infrastructure Council, large
industrial board, medium industrial board and small industrial
board and thus it would be referred to Group of Ministers (GoM)
headed by Local Govt., Industries & Commerce Minister Manoranjan
Kalia with other members being Finance & Planning Minister,
Agriculture Minister (Agro-industries) and Housing & Urban
Development Minister or their representatives. The final recommendations
of the GoM on the new industrial policy would be brought to the
consideration of Council of Ministers latest by 31st December,
2008 so that the new industrial policy is operative from 1st January,
2009.
The Chief Minister mentioned that the industry in Punjab had
been passing through a difficult time due to locational disadvantage,
discriminatory policies of Government of India providing concessions
to neighbouring states and global competition. "We intend
to revive the sick industry, existing industry to grow and invite
fresh investments in the state" said Mr. Badal. To achieve
this end we had sought the services of UNIDO that has the exposure
to global scenario in the process of industrial policy formulation.
Mr. Badal reiterated his firm commitment for the infrastructure
development in the light of the recommendations made by the UNIDO's
team and added that the role of the state government in the process
of industrial development would be that of a facilitator.
Mrs. Ahluwalia briefly outlined the proposed industrial strategy
identifying new thrust areas, bidding skills, industrializing
border district areas, building Special Economic Zones and assuring
power availability at competitive price. The document also carried
SWOT analysis i.e. Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunity and Threat.
She prioritized the setting up of industry in agro-based, cotton
& textiles, petro-chemical, automotive & bicycles components,
light engineering, machine tools & Hand tools, leather &
Sports good, pharmaceuticals, information technology and bio-technology
to put the state on the high growth trajectory in the field of
industrialization.
Interacting with the members of the UNIDO team, Industries &
Commerce Minister Manoranjan Kalia said that the state government
was committed to strengthen the 'Udyog Shahak' as an effective
single window system for industrial approval under the Industrial
Facilitation Act. He said that it was a high time to formulate
a new industrial policy as the previous policy of 2003 had become
almost redundant with the radical economic changes on the national
and global scenario in view of the globalization and liberalization.
He said that the state government would introduce a system of
deemed approvals after a specified lapse of time to minimize the
hardships faced by the prospective investors and entrepreneurs.
He was also of the view for setting up of high empowered administrative
reforms commission to suggest radical reforms in administration
so as to make significant improvement in the investment climate.
The Industries department would soon introduce online information
and the composite forms for seeking approvals from different departments
for setting up industrial units to the advantage of the prospective
entrepreneurs.
Specifying his observations, Finance Minister Manpreet Singh
Badal said that land was a major constraint in Punjab and therefore,
we would ensure proper utilization of available land for industrial
development. He said that as recommended in the report we would
focus on developing the potential of dairy industry and textile
industry in the state. He hoped that UNIDO would continue to support
the initiatives of state government in industrial development
in future too.
Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Media
Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Harcharan Bains, Principal Secretary
to Chief Minister Mr.DS Guru, Secretary Industries SS Channy,
Additional Principal Secretary AK Mahajan besides the senior functionaries
of the state government. The other two members of the UNIDO team
Mr. Saumitra Chaudhuri and Mr.Samrat Sidhu also participated in
the discussions.
Upinderjit Kaur would unfurl
the National Flag at Mohali
and Sarwan Singh Phillaur at Ferozepur
Chandigarh August 13, 2008
The Punjab Government today made minor change in the programme
for unfurling the National Flag on the eve of Independence Day
the 15th August, 2008.
Disclosing this here today, a spokesman of the State government
said that Dr. Upinderjit Kaur, Education, Civil Aviation, Vigilance
and Justice Minister, Punjab would now unfurl the National Flag
at SAS Nagar Mohali instead of Ferozepur and S. Sarwan Singh Phillaur
Chief Parliamentary Secretary Housing & Urban Development
& Panchayats would now unfurl the National Flag at Ferozepur
instead of Phillour.
He added that the SDM Phillour would unfurl the National Flag
at Phillour on that day.
BADAL RELEASES BOOK ON PUNJAB VAT ACT
Chandigarh August 13, 2008
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today released
a book on 'Punjab VAT Act' co-authored by Taxation & Business
Consultants Vinod Vashisht and WC Vashisht here at Chief Minister's
Office.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Badal appreciated the concerted
efforts of the authors in bringing out this book for the benefit
of Tax Authorities, Legal & Account Professionals and Business
& Industry. He said: "This book would surely prove to
be a milestone in bringing much needed awareness amongst the tax
payers and consultants to ensure a transparent tax system in the
society". Mr. Badal emphasized the need to make the provisions
of law which the citizens of society were expected to abide and
control their day-to-day life and activities must be made easily
accessible to them through such publications.
Briefing the Chief Minister, Mr. Vinod Vashisht said that this
book featured section-wise commentary along with notifications
and case laws. Contained in the book are VAT Rules, VAT Forms,
Incentive Conditions for Industries, VAT in Chandigarh, Constitutional
Provisions and Central Sales Tax Act. In its 'Chronological Perspective'
chapter, author has given the transition of VAT from the earlier
Sales Tax regime and advent of VAT in India and its implementation
in Punjab with a historical perspective. This book offers some
useful side information too such as how is the VAT environment
in neighboring States of Punjab and levy provisions of other allied
taxation acts applicable in Punjab.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Media Advisor Mr.
Harcharan Bains and Principal Secretary DS Guru.
BADAL CONDEMNS UT POLICE ACTION AGAINST
BJP LEADERS & WORKERS
Chandigarh august 13, 2008
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today strongly
condemned the coercive action by the UT Police of Chandigarh administration
against the peacefully protesting BJP leaders and workers from
Punjab in the city.
In a statement here, Mr. Badal said that the Chandigarh Administration
ran against the basic norms of democratic functioning. He called
upon the Administrator of UT Administration General (Retd.) S.F.Rodrigues
to immediately convene a meeting of civil and police officers
to direct them to exercise restraint while dealing such peaceful
demonstrations. Mr. Badal reiterated that to lodge a peaceful
protest was the right of every citizen in a democratic setup and
law enforcing agencies should aptly handle the situation.
BADAL GIVES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO BHAG
SINGH
CHANDIGARH AUGUST 12, 2008
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today gave a financial
assistance of Rs.50,000/- to Mr. Bhag Singh, the celebrated dramatist
and Punjabi film artist.
Director Information & Public Relations Mr. Tejveer Singh
presented a cheque to his wife Mrs. Kamla Bhag Singh on behalf
of the Punjab Chief Minister. Mr. Bhag Singh has not been keeping
good health over last few years and Mr. Badal's gesture was in
recognisition of the excellent services rendered by Mr. Bhag Singh
in the field of Punjabi theatre and films.
It may be recalled that the Chief Minister's Media Advisor Mr.
Harcharan Bains personally presented a cheque of Rs.1 lakh on
behalf of the Chief Minister to Mr. Bhag Singh in March last for
his medical treatment
