BADAL APPEALS TO FARMERS AND FARMER ASSOCIATIONS TO CALL OF RAIL ROKO PROGRAMME

CCI Agrees to Withdraw Conditions Imposed on Cotton Procurement

CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 25, 2008

Punjab Chief Minster Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today appealed to the farmers and different farmers associations of the state to call off their proposed 'Rail Roko' programme as the Centre had agreed in principle to remove all the bottlenecks coming in the way of the procurement of cotton on his persuasion and strenuous efforts of SAD President Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Disclosing this here today Chief Minister's Media Advisor Mr. Harcharan Bains said that Mr. Badal had raised the issue with the Prime Minister for doing away with all the un-necessary conditions imposed by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) for the procurement of the cotton which were causing great inconvenience and hardships to the farmers on account of these stringent instructions of CCI that the farmers should bring a copy of the fard-jamabandi at the time of bringing their cotton to the mandis. He also took up the matter with the Union Textile Minister.

It may be recalled that the Member Parliament & President SAD Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal had also taken up this issue with Union Agriculture Minister for doing away with these conditions.

AAccording to Mr. Bains, the concerted efforts of Punjab Chief Minister and Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal had persuaded the Chief Managing Director of CCI who had conveyed telephonically last night to the Chief Minster that the CCI would not take any document including fard-jamabandi from the farmers for sale of their cotton and would purchase cotton without asking for any such document. Likewise, the specifications for cotton for full MSP of Rs. 2800/- would be as Staple length between 27.5 mm and 28.0 mm, Micronnaire (Softness/roughness) between 3.8 and 4.8 and Moisture contents 8%. The CMD of CCI assured of full MSP to the farmers for meeting the above cited specifications.

In view of the above decisions taken by the CCI, Mr. Badal had appealed the farmers and various farmers associations to immediately withdraw their proposed 'Rail Roko' programme

STATE LEVEL ENERGY CONSERVATION DAY TO BE CELEBRATED ON DECEMBER 27

CHANDIGARH, December 24: Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) would celebrate State level Energy Conservation Day on December 27,2008 at Amritsar.

Disclosing this here today Mr. T.P.S Sidhu Chief Executive Officer, Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) said that this day would be utilized to showcase energy conservation/ efficiency initiatives taken by PEDA in association with various Punjab government departments viz. PSEB, PWD(B&R), Public Health, Local Government Department and industry. Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Minister Science, Technology, Environment and Non-conventional Energy Sources, would be the Chief Guest of the function.

Mr. Sidhu said that Punjab was doing pioneering work in the field of energy conservation and has got national award by the Union government recently. He said that in the function among other things presentations by PEDA/PSEB and industry will be given. The function will start at 11 AM and will be followed by lunch at 1.00 PM

BADAL GREETS PEOPLE ON MARRY X-MAS

CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 24, 2008

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today warmly greeted all the Punjabis especially the Christian community on the eve of 'Marry Christmas'.

In his message, Mr. Badal said, "Christmas, which commemorates the birth of Lord Jesus Christ, is an extremely joyous occasion not only for Christians, but the people of all faiths". He said that the gospels of peace, love, amity and compassion preached by Jesus Christ were far more relevant in the present society. He said that such festive occasions were aimed at strengthening the bonds of universal brotherhood and communal harmony besides inspiring the people to dedicate themselves in the service of mankind to carve out a happy and prosperous society.
The Chief Minister called upon the people of Punjab to celebrate this festival collectively with traditional fervour and gaiety to depict their deep sense of commitment towards secularism in line with the ethos of "unity in diversity".

STATE LEVEL ENERGY CONSERVATION DAY TO BE CELEBRATED ON DECEMBER 27

CHANDIGARH, December 24

Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) would celebrate State level Energy Conservation Day on December 27,2008 at Amritsar.

Disclosing this here today Mr. T.P.S Sidhu Chief Executive Officer, Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) said that this day would be utilized to showcase energy conservation/ efficiency initiatives taken by PEDA in association with various Punjab government departments viz. PSEB, PWD(B&R), Public Health, Local Government Department and industry. Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Minister Science, Technology, Environment and Non-conventional Energy Sources, would be the Chief Guest of the function.

Mr. Sidhu said that Punjab was doing pioneering work in the field of energy conservation and has got national award by the Union government recently. He said that in the function among other things presentations by PEDA/PSEB and industry will be given. The function will start at 11 AM and will be followed by lunch at 1.00 PM