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December, 2008

 

1510 PACKETS OF SUB-STANDARD PESTICIDES SEIZED


CHANDIGARH, DECEMBER 27, 2008

In order to provide better quality of pesticides and insecticides to farmers of the State, a Flying Squad has been set-up under the supervision of Mr. Gurdev Singh, Joint Director Agriculture as per the directions of S. Sucha Singh Langah, Agriculture Minister, Punjab, who conducted raids and seized 1510 packets of sub standard pesticides out of which 700 packets of sulfa-sulphron, manufactured by M/s Hydrabad Chemical Limited, from Gupta Kisan Khad Agency, Phagwara and after testing it was found that W.U.G was 71.16 percent instead of 75 percent. 200 packets of Topic medicine was also seized which was also less in specification, and found that instead of 15 percent it was only 11.88 percent.
Mr. Gurdev Singh, Said that similarly raid was conducted on Sri Ram Chemical Pvt. Ltd. of Ludhiana and 610 packets of pesticides were seized and on testing the contents were 71.41 percent instead of 75 percent. From the unauthorized godown of same company 6860 litrers of Allwin medicine was seized which do not even have licence. The medicine has been taken into possession with the permission of Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana.

Action would be taken against these firms under Fertilizer Controll Act 1985 for keeping sub-standard and unauthorized medicines, said the incharge of the flying squad.


SAD-BJP ALLIANCE TO FIGHT LOK SABHA ELECTIONS ON POLL PLANK OF DEVELOPMENT – BADAL



JAGRAON/MULLANPUR DAKHA/LATALA (LUDHIANA) DECEMBER 27, 2008

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today categorically said that SAD-BJP alliance would contest the coming Lok Sabha elections only on the poll plank of development and performance because the unprecedented overall development and progress witnessed in the state in just 21 months of Party's regime had put the Congress in the tight spot as it was bereft of any political agenda to pursue during its elections campaign.

Addressing a series of massive public rallies at Jagraon, Mullanpur Dakha and Latala as a part of his development tour which entered in the Malwa belt attracted heavy turn out of people despite inclement weather due to sever cold and dense fog, Mr. Badal slammed that the state Congress leadership for their myopic and self-centered approach restricted to personal gains and petty politics. He blamed the Congress party for its dubious role to scuttle the efforts of the SAD-BJP government to ensure overall and balanced growth in the state. He pointed out that the frustration building up in the rank and file of the Congress party day in and day out due to the over whelming response of the people to the SAD-BJP's programme "Trakki De Lehar – Pind Pind Shehar Shehar" to take governance at the door steps of the people and elicit their participation in the development process of the state thereby depicting the model of 'inclusive growth' to ensure the development and prosperity of urban and rural sector.

Mr. Badal declared an electoral war against the Congress party and asserted that nobody could deter the SAD-BJP alliance from capturing all the 13 parliamentary seats in the state because the upbeat mood of the people in favour of SAD-BJP alliance, which had also been recently acknowledged by the tremendous response given by them during his development tour. He said that Congress party had none of any significant achievement to its credit in the last tenure of full 5 years to face electorate in the Lok Sabha polls except indulging in criticism on one count and another. "We are committed to the development of the Punjab and welfare of its people because we have come to power due to their mandate and are equally confident that the people of Punjab would firmly stand by us to ensure landslide victory of all SAD-BJP candidates in order to install NDA government at Centre so that the legitimate rights of the state could be safeguarded and the aspirations of the people be cherished because the Congress government during its rule of over 45 years in Centre, since Independence had ignored the state's interests and virtually exploited the people of Punjab and in one way or the other".
Blaming the Central Government for meting out a step motherly treatment to the state governments, Mr.Badal said that the remote control was with Delhi and states had always to look upon them for justified demands and grants. He said that states had virtually no powers with them and were dependent on the Center even for petty matters. He pointed out that Centre had always betrayed Punjab on every front, be it agriculture, industry and even on the infrastructure development. He said that Central policies were inimical for the interests of Punjab and they deliberately devised stringent parameters for the eligibility criterion of the centrally sponsored schemes and grants. He cited an example how Punjab was excluded from the schemes of construction of link roads, rural electrification and even the recruitment in the Armed forces.
On the occasion, Mr. Badal disbursed Rs.6.86 crore for the various development projects in Jagraon assembly constituency, out of this Rs.3 crore had been earmarked for the development of Jagraon city and Rs.3.36 crore for the development of 80 villages in this constituency. Besides, he also announced a development grant of Rs.25 lakh each for the construction of sub-tehsil complex at Sidhwan Bet and tehsil complex at Jagraon and in addition to this he also announced a grant of Rs.7.15 crore for the repair of 114 KMs of road and Rs.2.45 crore for the construction of 17 KMs of new roads in Jagraon.

The Chief Minister also announced a development grant of Rs.45 crore for the development of Dakha constituency including Rs.24 crore for grain market, Rs.7.27 crore for water supply schemes, Rs.8 crore for repair of roads and Rs.1.70 crore for constructions of new link roads. He also laid the foundation stone of new grain and vegetable market.
Later addressing the media persons, Mr. Badal said that he didn't harbor any personal grudge against Amarinder Singh and Mrs. Rajinder Kaur Bhattal but was opposed to the Congress party's due to its anti-Punjab policies. He pointed out that Congress party during its regime be it in State or it Centre had adopted a discriminatory and apathetic treatment against the Punjab and Punjabis for the last 60 years since Independence. He categorically said that Shiromani Akali Dal could never compromise with Congress party on the contrary he ruled out of any possibility of breaking its alliance with Bhartiya Janta Party, saying there was no question of any fissures in its strong ties.

Speaking on the occasion, Local government and industries Minister Mr. Manoranjan Kalia said that SAD-BJP government was a true votary of the rights of the people of Punjab while Congress and its leaders never bothered for the development of the state and its people. He urged the people to vote and support for the SAD-BJP candidates in the forthcoming parliamentary elections to form the NDA government at Centre so that the interests of Punjab could be safeguarded in the right earnest. He said that our government had disbursed development grants worth Rs.2000 crore in just 21 months whereas Congress distributed merely Rs.1200 crore during its entire regime of five years. He also mentioned not even a single penny was given for the urban development of Jagroan assembly constituency by the Congress government while our government had given Rs.3 crore in just 21 months. Mr. Badal also presented ownership certificates to 51 SC and Vimukt Jattis families for their houses constructed on panchayati land in five villages. At Latala the Chief Minister sanctioned grants worth Rs.30 crore and disbursed cheques of Rs.5 crore amongst village panchayats for the development works in Qila Raipur constituency.

Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion included Tourism Minister Hira Singh Gabria, former President SGPC Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi, Chairman Punjab Mandi Board Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, MLA Dakha Darshan Singh Shivalik, MLA Samrala Jagjeewan Singh Khirnia, Senior Vice President SAD Gurdev Singh Badal, Member Parliament from Ludhiana Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Chairman District Planning Committee Ludhiana Bhag Singh Malha, Chairman Zila Prishad Manpreet Singh Ayali, former Ministers Jagdish Singh Garcha & Maheshinder Singh Grewal and senior Akali leader Gurcharan Singh Grewal. Senior leaders and party workers of SAD-BJP and members of SGPC also attended these rallies.



PUNJAB TO SET UP ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS COMMISSION:BADAL

Chandigarh, Dec.,27, 2008

The Punjab government has decided to set up a "State Administrative Reforms Commission" to rationalize official procedure and to simplify and speed up delivery service in government offices at the cutting edge. The move , "a major step towards revolutionizing administrative system in order to officialdom genuinely a servant of the people, would be the first endeavour of its kind in the state since independence."

In a statement here, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badalsaid that the Commission would submit its report within three months of its formation. The report would be implemented within forty five days of its receipt with the government. Once implemented, the report would put the onus of delivery on the officers or officials concerned. This was aimed at eliminating any possible excuse for delays both in meeting legitimate requirements of the public at as also in implementation of people friendly policies of the government.

The main objective of the exercise, he said, was to remove cumbersome procedural bottlenecks even in deliver of public service in key areas such as revenue records including registration land and other properties, police, transport, excise and taxation, health services, official verifications and certification of various documentations etc. He said that common people faced a lot of harassment and painful delays because of unnecessary and long-winded procedures even in day to day service areas, such as the procuring of a birth and death certificate, driving or armed license, land records (farads etc.) registration of marriages, police identification verification, poverty line or scheduled caste or scheduled tribes status, character certification etc.

The chief Minister also declared that the development package of Rs. 555 crore during the on-going "Development Wave for Better Punjab" would be completed in just 28 days and was apart from the total government plans entailing thousand of crores of projects for removing the genuine grievances of the people in their day to day living. All this, he said, in addition to the mega development projects such as the Rs. 40,000 crore initiative to set up four Thermal Plants to add 12,444 MWs addition power to the existing generation capacity or the International Airport Mohali and similar other projects aimed at putting Punjab on the global development map.

He said he was grateful to those of critics who described his current development campaign as "Lohri Festivities, because I am determined to make every day a development Lohri for the people of Punjab, with projects being showered on them day in and day out."


SUB-STANDARD PESTICIDES SEIZED BY FLYING SQUAD OF AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT

CHANDIGARH, DECEMBER 26, 2008

In order to provide better quality of pesticides and insecticides to farmers of the State, a Flying Squad has been set-up under the supervision of Mr. Gurdev Singh, Joint Director as per the directions of S. Sucha Singh Langah, Agriculture Minister, Punjab, who conducted raids and seized 700 packets of sulfa-sulphron, manufactured by M/s Hydrabad Chemical Limited, from Gupta Kisan Khad Agency, Phagwara and after testing it was found that W.U.G was 71.16 percent instead of 75 percent. 200 packets of Topic medicine was also seized which was also less in specification, and found that instead of 15 percent it was only 11.88 percent.

Mr. Gurdev Singh, Said that similarly raid was conducted on Sri Ram Chemical Pvt. Ltd. of Ludhiana and 610 packets of pesticides were seized and on testing the contents were 71.41 percent instead of 75 percent. From the unauthorized godown of same company 6860 litrers of Allwin medicine was seized which do not even have licence. The medicine has been taken into possession with the permission of Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana.

Action would be taken against these firms under Fertilizer Controll Act 1985 for keeping sub-standard and unauthorized medicines, said the incharge of the flying squad.



4 APPOINTMENTS MADE ON COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS IN PUNJAB Technical Education Department


Chandigarh December 26, 2008

Social Security and Technical Education Minister Ch. Swarna Ram heretoday handed over the appointment letter to four candidates appointed on compassionate grounds in the Technical Education & Industrial Training Department Punjab.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister said that these clerical
appointments were made as per the rules and regulations of the Punjab Government. He appealed to the newly appointees to work with dedication, devotion and sincerity.
The Minister gave directions to clear the backlog of compassionate cases at the earliest.

Prominent among others who were also present on the occasion Mr. G.Ramesh Kumar, Director Technical Education & Industrial Training and other senior officers of the department..


PUNJAB TO SET UP ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS COMMISSION BADAL's VIKAS WAVE SWEEPS DOABA


JALANDHAR / BHOGPUR DECEMBER 26:

In a major step towards revolutionizing administrative system, the Punjab government today decided to set up a "State Administrative Reforms Commission" to rationalize official procedure and to simplify and speed up delivery service in government offices at the cutting edge.

This was announced by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal while addressing massive Vikas Rallies as part of his statewide "Better Punjab" campaign. He said that the move would make administration genuinely a servant of the people. The Campaign, officially called "Tarraki di Lehar, Pind Pind Shehar Shehar, has seen the Chief Minister riding a surge of popular enthusiasm in Majha and Doaba and will move into the Malwa from tomorrow.

Mr. Badal, obviously enthused by the response of the ecstatic crowds both in Adampur (Bhogpur) and Jalandhar Cantt. Constituencies in the Doaba heartland, declared that the Commission would submit its report within three months of its formation. The report would be implemented within forty five days of its receipt with the government. Once implemented, the report would put the onus of delivery on the officers or officials concerned. This was aimed at eliminating any possible excuse for delays both in meeting legitimate requirements of the public at as also in implementation of people friendly policies of the government.

The main objective of the exercise, he said, was to remove cumbersome procedural bottlenecks even in deliver of public service in key areas such as revenue records including registration land and other properties, police, transport, excise and taxation, health services, official verifications and certification of various documentations etc. He said that common people faced a lot of harassment and painful delays because of unnecessary and long-winded procedures even in day to day service areas, such as the procuring of a birth and death certificate, driving or armed license, land records (farads etc.) registration of marriages, police identification verification, poverty line or scheduled caste or scheduled tribes status, character certification etc.
Mr. Badal's announcement drew instant accolades from the huge gathering at the Jalandhar Cantt and the atmosphere reverberated with traditional Akali slogans.

Mr. Badal also declared that the development package of Rs. 555 crore would be completed in just 28 days and was not a part of a total plan entailing thousand of crores of projects for removing the genuine grievances of the people in their day to day living. This was quite apart from the mega development projects such as the Rs. 40,000 crore initiative to set up four Thermal Plants to add 12,444 MW addition power to the existing generation capacity or the International Airport Mohali and similar other projects aimed at putting Punjab on the global development map. He said that he was grateful to those of critics who described his current development campaign as "Lohri Festivities, because I am determined to make every day a development Lohri for the people of Punjab, with projects being showered on them day in and day out.

Mr. Badal reiterated his firm resolves that development and performance would be the only poll plank during the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections because the unprecedented overall development and progress witnessed in the state in just 21 months of SAD-BJP regime had put the Congress in tight spot as it was bereft of any solid political agenda to pursue its election campaign.

Mr. Badal slammed the state Congress leadership for their myopic and self-centered approach restricted to petty politics for their personal gains. He ridiculed the Congress party for its attempts to scuttle the efforts of the SAD-BJP Government to ensure overall and balanced growth of the State. He pointed out that frustration was building up in the rank and file of the Congress due to the pro-people development initiatives taken by SAD-BJP to put the state on the fast growth trajectory.

Mr. Badal declared that the SAD-BJP alliance would capture all the 13 parliamentary seats in the state because they had a clear mandate of the people which had been recently acknowledged by the tremendous response received from them during his development tour across the state.

Mr. Badal laid the foundation stones of bus stand at a cost of Rs.1.05 crore and Sub-tehsil complex at Bhogpur. The Chief Minister also disbursed grant of Rs.1 crore each for the municipal committees of Adampur, Bhogpur and Alawalpur and Rs.2.43 crore fo the development of 140 villages in Adampur constituency. Mr. Badal also disbursed cheque Rs.2.28 crore for the development of Jalandhar Cantt assembly constituency and Rs.1 crore for Jalandhar Cantt. Cantonment Board.

Mr. Badal announced that the prestigious Punjab Medical Institute of Sciences would be made operational soon and all the modalities for its opening had been chalked out. The institute would provide medical and health care facilities to the patients on the pattern of the PGI. Apart from this he also announced to construct a flyover at a cost of Rs.20 crore at BMC Chowk. Jalandhar. He also announced a grant of Rs.20 crore for the development of industrial focal points at Jalandhar, Amritsar and Ludhiana. Mr. Badal also announced that SAD-BJP government had already abolished Octroi in Jalandhar and Ferozepur Cantonment areas.

Speaking on the occasion SAD President Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal unfolded the saga of overall development in the state saying whenever SAD-BJP government came to power in the state it brought many prestigious projects like Rs.18000 crore Bathinda Refinery, International Airport at Amritsar and now another international Airport at Mohali. Not only this, our government also introduced for the first time in the country the schemes like old age pension, shagun schemes besides free power in the farm sector and abolition of Abiayana. Likewise SAD-BJP government was also first to initiate the scheme to provide Atta & Dal at subsidized rates to the economically poor families. In the education sector we also took a lead in setting up Adarsh Schools in the all the blocks at a cost of Rs.400 crore to provide quality education to the intelligent and poor nearly 2 lakh students. On the power front SAD-BJP alliance made strides to make Punjab self reliant in power
by setting up of four mega thermal plants at Talwandi Sabo, Goindwal Sahib, Rajpura and Gidderbaha to generate an additional power capacity of 8000 MW during next three years. He said: "What Congress had done in the past need not to be over emphasized because every body knows that Amarinder Singh only came out from his palace in the last year of his tenure in a much hyped Vikas Yatra to woo the voters whereas our Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal despite the fact of his old age is regularly meeting people not only in his office and residence at Chanidgarh but also approaching people in the far flung villages, deras and dhanis of border, bet and kandi area to redress their grievances on the spot". This was a difference between the ideology of Congress and SAD-BJP government as former believes in hollow slogans and tall claims while the later believed in action, added Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal.
On the both the rallies Chief Minister Mr. Badal alongwith SAD President Mr.Sukhbir Singh Badal introduced the SAD-BJP nominee Mr.Hans Raj Hans, a noted folk singer from Jalandhar Parliamentary constituency and appealed to the people to vote and support Mr. Hans in the Lok Sabha polls.

In his address Local Government & Industries Minister Manoranjan Kalia said that the SAD-BJP government during its 21 months tenure had disbursed Rs.2000 crore for the urban development while Congress merely distributed Rs.1250 crore during its entire regime of five years. He said that the SAD-BJP government was committed for the overall development and progress of the state. He mentioned that whenever our alliance came into power we had ensured balanced growth of urban and rural areas. On the contrary Congress leaders neither focused its attention on the development of urban nor on rural segment except amassing wealth from ill-gotten means to pursue their personal agenda.

Prominent amongst other who also spoke on the occasion included Revenue Minister Ajit Singh Kohar, Mr.Swarn Singh Phillaur and Mr.Avinash Chander (both Chief Parliamentary Secretaries) Mr. Sarbjit Singh Makkar and Mr.Jagbir Singh Brar (both MLAs). Besides the senior leaders and party workers of SAD-BJP and members of SGPC also present on the occasion.


China offers cooperation to Punjab in Agriculure and Dairy farming Diplomat meets Cooperation Minister Capt. Kanwaljit Singh

Chandigarh, December 26 : China today offered its technical expertise to Punjab in the field of agriculture and dairy farming. This offer was made by Chinese Ambassador to India Mr. Zhangyan, who called on Punjab Coopertion Minister Capt. Kanwaljit Singh at his residence today.
Mr. Zhangyan further offered the Cooperation Minister to lead a delegation to China to witness the latest developments in the field of agriculture and dairy farming. so that they could mutually benefitted from each others expertise. He said that at a time when whole world of reeling under the impact of economic meltdown India and China can enhance mutual cooperation to reduce the impact on both the nations.
He said that till now Chinal was offering cooperation in the fields of power generation, Industrialisation, sciecne and technology which could be further extended to the fields of agriculture and dairy farming. He informed that at present 160 Indian Companies were operating in China successfully in different fields. Similarly 60 Chinese companies were also making a significant contribution in the economic progress of India.
Capt. Kanwaljit Singh gave a brief outline of the Punjab's agriculture economy and informed the Chinese Ambassdor that Punjab despite being a two percent geographical area of the country was making 70 percent contribution in the total foodgrains of the country and played a significant role in making the country self sufficient in the field of foodgrains.He further informed that the Punjab government was going to introduce its new Industrial policy prepared by UNIDO and besides ensuring diversification in agriculture by mobilising the resources of various cooperatives in the state as the cooperatives have a wider reach in the rural masses of the state.He said that the state was encouraging dairy farming in a big was and in ths field Milkfed was making a significant contribution as it was federation of milk societies. He informed that in order to enhance Internation Cooperation, state was setting up an Internation Airport at Mohali at cost of Rs. 300 crore.
Capt. Kanwaljit Singh expressed keen desire to import Aluminium Phosphate through Markfed which was already producing other pesticides. He also expressed desire to import paddy transplanter which could held a lot to the state farmers.
Both the leaders expressed satisfaction at the meeting and expressed willingness to continue mutual cooperation for properity of both the sides. Chinese diplomat invited Capt. Kanwaljit Singh to lead a delegation to China.
Chinese Ambassador was accompanied by his wife and officials of Chinese embassy where as Narinder Singh Executive Director Markfed, VK Singh MD Milkfed nad Dalip Sharma Regional Director PHD Chamber of commerce and Industry was also present in the meeting


PUNJAB CM PAYS GLOWING TRIBUTES TO YOUNGER SAHIBZADAS CALLS FOR CHANGE OF GUARD AT CENTRE

FATEHGARH SAHIB DECEMBER 25:

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today called for immediate ouster of Congress led UPA government at Centre in order to pave a way for installation of the BJP led National Democratic Alliance government for seeking justice and equity for the long pending demands and ensuring overall economic development of the state be it agriculture, industry, inter-state issues etc., which had been blatantly ignored by the Congress for its discriminatory and apathetic attitude towards Punjab.

Paying glowing tributes to the younger Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh of Tenth Master Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji at a Shaheedi conference organized here by the Shiromani Akali Dal in observance of their 304th martyrdom day, Mr.Badal said that Union government policies were inimical to the interests of Punjab and Centre deliberately devised stringent parameters for the eligibility of the centrally sponsored schemes and grants. He cited an example how Punjab was excluded from the schemes like construction of link roads and rural electrification. The Chief Minister further lamented the callous attitude of Government of India for not even acknowledging Punjab's record contribution in the National Food Pool.

Mr.Badal said that now it was the high time to alert Centre to shun its indifferent attitude towards Punjab's farming community and industry which had been badly hit due to its step motherly treatment. . He however said that the Centre could not befool the people anymore because they were wise enough to comprehend the ground reality. 'Had Congress serious to the core towards the farming community of Punjab they had not been pushed deep into the vicious circle of debt trap', said Mr.Badal. He said that agriculture was no more a profitable occupation due to the negligible returns on it due to non- remunerative and stagnant minimum support price for which Centre had always adopted an approach of 'negativism'. Our Government had been demanding the linking of MSP with consumer price index since long but Centre always turned down our plea without any rhyme or reason. He said that our farmer after exhausting even all its natural resources in terms of ground water and soil texture had contributed significantly towards the national food pool but what he got in return except penury, humiliation and depression which forced him into end his life by committing suicides.

Lashing at the previous Congress government, Mr. Badal said that the Congress through its autocratic style of functioning was far away from the hearts of the people because it never bothered for the welfare of the people at the grass root levels whereas SAD-BJP government was sensitize to their basic problems and could feel their pulse. Mr. Badal slammed the Congress for instigating people for disturbing peace in the state and its indulgence in divisive politics, Mr.Badal said that now the people were well aware of Congress's policy of 'divide and rule' which it has adopted not only in Centre but in the states also to pursue its political agenda. Mr. Badal bemoaned that after 61 years of freedom, Congress government during its successive terms in Centre for nearly 45 years and even in Punjab had not been able to provide the basic civic amenities to the common man. He said that poor and lower strata of the society had been completely ignored by the Congress because it was least concerned about their welfare. He said that our government was committed for the overall development of the state and its people. He said that SAD being a party of a common man sensitized to the problems of the people at the grass root level was committed to serve them in the right earnest.

Unfolding the plans of his government for the all round development and welfare, Mr. Badal asserted that each and every promise made by SAD-BJP alliance during the assembly elections with the people would be fulfilled at all costs. He said that SAD-BJP Government believed in actions rather than hollow slogans and tall claims made by the Amarinder Singh who was absolutely insensitive to the problems of the people who frittered away his entire term as Chief Minister in leisure and pleasure.

Earlier, the Chief Minister paid obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum of Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib accompanied by local MLA Didar Singh Bhatti and executive Member of SGPC Karnail Singh Panjoli, where he was presented a siropa by the Head Granthi Giani Harpal Singh.

Paying homage to the great martyrs for their unprecedented self-sacrifice in the annals of world history, SAD President Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that the Shiromani Akali Dal had a glorious past since its inception in 1920 as it had produced many valiant leaders who relentlessly fought for the cause of Sikh Panth and actively participated in many struggles for the welfare of all sections of the society.

Bashing at the former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh for completely ignoring the interests of the every section of the society, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that whenever SAD-BJP had come to power it had always accorded top priority to the agenda of overall development of the state and welfare of all sections of the society. He accused Amarinder Singh for hardly sparing five minutes for these hapless people during his tenure of five years. He said: "Whereas Mr. Parkash Singh Badal despite his old age factor never misses an opportunity to interact with the people through the medium of sangat darshan to listen to their woes in general and beleaguered down trodden in particular even in any of the remotest village, town or city.

Taking Centre to the task for showing apathetic attitude towards Punjab farmers, Mr. Sukhbir Badal pointed out that it was a cruel joke with the farmers that the Central government had fixed Rs 850 per quintal as MSP for paddy, which was even much below Rs.1000/- per quintal recommended by Commission for Agriculture Costs and Prices (CACP). He said: "Probably it is for the first time in the history of agriculture economy that the Centre had fixed the MSP of paddy below the recommendation of the CACP".

Making a strong plea for a change of guard at Centre and to ensure the acceleration of speedy development and prosperity of the state, Mr.Sukhbir Singh Badal underscored the need to install a government of like minded political parties at Centre by throwing out the UPA government in the forth coming Lok Sabha polls.

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal outlined the major initiatives in the overall development of the state and said that to make Punjab self reliant in the power sector, the SAD-BJP Government had chalked out an ambitious programme to generate additional power of more than 8000 MWs with in next two years by setting up four new thermal plants at Rajpura, Talwandi Sabo, Gidderbaha and Goindwal Sahib, out of which construction work had already begun at Talwandi Sabo and Goindwal Sahib. Apart from this a massive programme of remodeling of century old canal system had been started by SAD-BJP government at an investment of Rs.3200 crore to enhance the intake capacity of canals by 25 to 30%.

After paying homage to the younger Sahibzadas on this historic day, President SGPC Jathedar Avtar Singh mentioned that the programme of 'Nanni Chaan' initiated by the SGPC with the support of Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur had evoked an over whelming response to bring awareness amongst the people about the significance of clean environment and against the malady of female foeticide. He asked the youth to take a vow on this solemn day to give up the habit of drug addiction because its growing trend was posing a great threat to our youth.

In his address President of BJP Punjab state unit Prof. Rajinder Bhandari said that the unparalleled sacrifices of younger Sahibzadas would ever act as a source of inspiration for the future generations to imbibe the spirit of self-esteem, righteousness and morality.

While paying homage to Baba Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh Local Government Minister Manoranjan Kalia said that the unique sacrifice of these martyrs would be ever remembered by one and all. He said that SAD-BJP government during its 21 months tenure had disbursed Rs.2000 crore for the urban development while Congress merely distributed Rs.1250 crore during its regime of five years.

Speaking on the occasion, Cooperation Minister Capt. Kanwaljit Singh said that the people of Punjab had lot of expectations from the UPA government but they were completely dejected due to the step motherly treatment meted out to our state. He cited the example how Punjab was completely ignored in the Centre's debt waiver scheme of Rs.71000 crore where it could managed to get just 1% and likewise hardly 1% was allotted to the state out of Central grant of Rs.3125 crore earmarked for the development of agriculture in all the states despite our significant contributions of 60% of food grain in the national pool.

Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion included Deputy Speaker Lok Sabha Charanjit Singh Attwal, Senior Vice President SAD Gurdev Singh Badal, General Secretary SAD Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra, former MP Satwinder Kaur Dhaliwal, Ranjit Singh Libra, Rajbir Singh Padiala (both Senior Akali Leaders), Member Fatehgarh Sahib Planning Committee Amarinder Singh Libra, former MLA Balwant Singh Shahpur, President SAD Patiala Ajaib Singh Mukhmelpur, President SAD Fatehgarh Sahib Jagdeep Singh Cheema, District President Youth SAD Fatehgarh Sahib Gurpreet Singh Bhatti, former Ministers Harmail Singh Tohra and Tota Singh, Chairman District Planning Committee Patiala Surjit Singh Rakhra, Member SC/BCs classes Commission Dalip Singh Pandhi and former President SGPC Kirpal Singh Badungar.

 

 

Daily Punjab press release