PUNJAB TO FLOAT RS. 1000 CRORE LOAN
Chandigarh, August 20, 2008
The Punjab Government in line with the Reserve Bank of India
today proposed to float a state loan of Rs. 1000 crore to raise
part of the barrowings through auction system. It would be kept
open till August 26 2008.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the government said
that the consent of the Central Government had already been obtained
for the floatation of this loan required under Article 293 (3)
of the constitution of India. The stocks would be of 10 years
tenure and the tenure of the stock would commence on August 27,
2008. The loan would be repaid at par on August 27, 2018, he added.
The interest however, would be paid half yearly on each February
27 and August 27.
He added that the object of the loan was to the finance part
of capital expenditure of plan scheme and other development schemes
under execution in the state.
PUNJAB NOTIFIES THE ELECTIONS OF ALL GRAM
SARPANCHS
Chandigarh, August 20, 2008
The Punjab Government has notified the elections of he Sarpanchs
of various Gram Panchayats held recently in the state.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of Rural Development
and Panchayats Department Punjab said that in pursuance of the
provisions of section 13 (1) read with (2) (zg) of Punjab Panchayat
Raj Act of 1994 and all other powers enabled under this Act, the
department had issued notifications for all the districts enabling
the elected Sarpanchs and Panchs of the various Gram Sabhas in
the state to chalk out their development programmes and pursue
to ongoing developmental activities.
He added that all the field offices of the department had already
been directed to call the general meetings of Gram Panchayats
within week to hand over the charge and record books so that they
could draw their plans pertaining to their Gram Sabhas and villages.
GO FOR COMMERCIAL CROPS, FARMERS URGED
Chandigarh, August 20, 2008
Naginder Singh
Punjab Agriculture Minister S. Sucha Singh Langah today advised
farming community of the state to sow different crops recommended
by Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) and go for commercial crops
other than Wheat and Paddy.
Mr. Langah said there was a great scope for the cultivation
of edible oilseed crops as India was importing edible oils in
large quantity. Urging farmers to grow vegetables as the neighbouring
state Jammu and Kashmir and the military establishments would
be proved good marketing areas. Mr. Langah said that certain parts
of the state was very conducive for fruits and flowers cultivation,
which have a great commercial value these days.
Lauding the contribution of Scientists of Punjab Agricultural
University in bringing about the green revolution, Mr. Langah
said the farmers should sow Basmati in place of Paddy, as the
less water was needed to irrigate Basmati as compared to Paddy
and it brings more income also.
PUNJAB ALL SET TO PRODUCE POWER FROM FLOW
OF RIVER WATER
Chandigarh August 20, 2008
Punjab Government today sought two pilot projects from Union
Renewable Energy Ministry to produce power from flow of rivers
in the State. The State also sought two demonstration projects
funded by Union Ministry to harness power from waterfalls with
a head of 1-1.5mt.
Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Science Technology and Non Renewable
Energy Minister Punjab in a high level meeting with Union Minister
for New and Renewable Energy Mr. Vilas Baburao Muttemwar today
demanded assistance from Union Ministry for ushering in an era
of non-renewable energy in Punjab.
The Minister informed the Union Minister that Punjab was committed
to generate 10% of total generation capacity of the State from
non-renewable resources and Union Government should provide assistance
to make Punjab a model of Non-Renewable Energy generation in the
Country so that others states could emulate. The Union Minister
offered total support of his Ministry to translate this dream
into reality.
Mr. Majithia sought 50% subsidy on two additional projects to
generate 2 MW power from cow dung. He said that Punjab was planning
to expand existing 1 MW project at Haebowal into 2 MW and would
set up another project at another location at Ludhiana. The Union
Minister agreed to consider this proposal keeping in view the
vast potential of this project.
Giving a novel suggestion to harness abundant solar energy in
the country, Mr. Majithia suggested that subsidy of 1.25 lac per
MW presently available for government institutions, be extended
to domestic as well as individual housing buildings for setting
up Photovoltaic Power Plant and these plants be connected to the
State grid. He also suggested that Ministry should seek income
tax benefits for individuals and institutions setting up these
plants. Mr. Vilas Baburao Muttemwar appreciating the suggestion
asked his Secretary to involve Punjab in making day conceptual
paper of this proposal.
Putting up the case of farmers of Punjab strongly Mr. Majithia
demanded that subsidy of Rs. 1.80 lac on Solar Photovoltaic water
pumps for irrigation purposes be restored immediately as Punjab
farmers are lining up to install such pumps and state had 300
applications pending for such pumps. The Minister informed that
the 1800 pumps already installed have proved quite successful
and Ministry should immediately restore the subsidy. The Union
Minister promised to reconsider this proposal keeping in view
the fact that Punjab was the 'food basket' of India.
It was also agreed in the meeting to operationalize Sardar Swaran
Singh National institute for Renewable Energy at Kapurthala within
one year. It was informed in the meeting that 70% civil work of
the building was already complete.
The Union Minister asked Punjab Government to setup solar power
plants on BOT basis as Union Government was giving a grant of
Rs. 12.50 per unit for such plants. He informed that against the
propsed plants of 50 MW, the Union Government has already received
proposals from private players for 2000 MW plants.
Mr. A.S. Chattwal Secretary Science & Technology and a team
of officers from Union Ministry headed by Union Secretary non-renewable
energy participated in the meeting.
