BADAL VOWS TO GET WAIVER OF AGRICULTURE
DEBT FROM CENTRE CALLS UPON FARMERS & INDUSTRIALISTS TO PARTICIPATE
IN INSAAF RALLY
BHAI ROOPA (BATHINDA) FEBRUARY 13:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr.Parkash Singh Badal today gave a clarion
call to the farmers and industrialists of the state to converge
at Ram Leela Ground, New Delhi in the proposed 'Insaaf Rally'
organized by the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bhartiya Janta Party to wake
up the Centre from deep slumber for the acceptance of the long
pending genuine demands of the state's peasantry and the industry.
Addressing a mammoth public gathering here, Mr.Badal said that
now it was the high time to alert Centre to shun its indifferent
and apathetic attitude towards Punjab 's farming community and
industry which has badly hit due to its step motherly treatment.
Mr.Badal rued that government of India had recently announced
a package of Rs.15000 crore for the beleaguered farmers of Maharashtra
and asked why it could not be replicated in the case of Punjab
? He said that the mounting agriculture debt of Rs.26000 crore
was the contribution of the Congress Government that grossly ignored
the interest of farmers. 'Had Congress serious to the core the
farming community of Punjab 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 none remunerative and stagnated 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.
Mr.Badal also pleaded that the indifferent attitude of Centre
had forced the domestic industry to shift its base from Punjab
to the neighbouring states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand and
J&K which had lured our industry for better incentives and
concessions being provided by GoI. "We had been demanding
the same since long but centre always turned a deaf ear to our
genuine requests on one pretext on another which has ultimately
ruined our industry and resulted in its flight from here to the
neighbouring states", said Mr.Badal. He said that the proposed
Insaf Rally would mount pressure on the Centre to immediately
announce an attractive package both for agriculture and industry
to save our economy which was already at the brink of disaster.
Unfolding the plans for over all development and progress in
the state, Mr. Badal said that Punjab would be transformed from
a power deficit to power surplus state within next four years.
He mentioned that three new thermal plants at Rajpura, Talwandi
Saboo and Baluanna would be set up in the state to overcome the
shortage of power supply in the state. He hoped that the day was
not very far off when Punjab would be selling extra Power to the
other states. He said that as on today our State was short of
30% of power and would soon augment the power supply in a phased
manner. He said Once Punjab becomes self reliant in power consequently
it would kick of industrialization at a quicker pace. Mr. Badal
categorically said that industrialization was the only answer
to get rid of state's stagnated economy because agriculture had
already reached a point of Saturation.
Dwelling upon the aspect of quality education, Mr. Badal said
that the rural education was being accorded the top priority on
our agenda and to pursue this goal our government was committed
to set up one Adarsh school in each block of the state to ensure
quality education to the economically poor but intelligent students.
Besides, the state government had also embarked upon an ambitious
programme for the upgradation 3 existing schools in every constituency.
The government would make its endeavour to upgrade the existing
infrastructure in the schools. Skill upgradation centres were
also being setup to impart technical and vocational training to
our employed youth to enable them to be gainfully employed.
Mr.Badal also announced that the state Irrigation and Drainage
Department had undertaken a massive programme at a cost of Rs.3250
crore for the de-silting and lining of the canals and water courses
to enhance the intake capacity of water for irrigation purposes
by atleast 25% especially at the tail ends in the Malwa region.
He also asked the village panchayats to convince the people to
contribute their respective shares of 10% and 5% for the World
Bank's drinking water and sewerage schemes respectively. "State
government alone could not implement these schemes on its own
due to certain inbuilt terms and conditions where the monetary
participation of the people is mandatory" said Mr. Badal.
He mentioned that the quality of drinking water in the Malwa belt
was relatively very poor and resulted in causing skin diseases
and cancer.
In his address Member Parliament and President of the Shiromani
Akali Dal Mr.Sukhbir Singh Badal also asked the farmers and industrialists
to reach at New Delhi to participate in the 'Insaaf Rally' on
26th of this month. He asked them to reach Delhi in advance to
avoid traffic congestion etc. He said that the expected turn out
of more than 1 lakh farmers from all over Punjab would certainly
bow down the Centre to accept their genuine demand in the larger
public interest. He said that SAD-BJP government was a true votary
of the common man and always committed for their welfare and prosperity
besides safeguarding their rights. On the contrary 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.
He said that within next four years Punjab would be self-reliant
in the power sector as it was the core sector to boost industrialization
in the state too.
Earlier , Mr. Badal inaugurated 66 K.V. sub grid sub station
Maluka , laid the foundation stone of another 66 kv sub station
and an Adarsh School at Dialpura Bhai ka , Rs 2 crore Sub -Tehsil
building at Bhagta . Beside, he also laid the foundation stones
for the widening and strengthening of link roads at Bhai Roopa
and Maluka. Mr.Badal also inaugurated a SGPC School at Maluka.
Amongst those who spoke on the occasion included Gen. Secy.
SAD Mr. Balwinder Singh Bhundar , Member Parliament Bibi Parmjit
Kaur Gulshan Senior Akali leaders and former Ministers Mr. Sikander
Singh Maluka and Jathedar Tota Singh. Beside, Advisor to Chief
Minister Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema , Chief Parliamentary Secretary
Mr. Sital Singh and many SAD , BJP leaders were present on the
occasion.
PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA SUMMONED ON FEBRUARY
29.
Chandigarh, February 13:
The Punjab Governor has summoned the Thirteenth Punjab Vidhan
Sabha to meet for its Fourth Session of Friday, the 29th February,
2008 at 2.00 P.M. in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Hall, Vidhan Bhavan,
Chandigarh.
PUNJAB ANNOUNCES MAJOR RELAXATION FOR
EXISTING WOOD BASED INDUSTRIES –TIKSHAN SUD
Chandigarh, February 13: The Punjab Government today exempted
the existing wood based industries from the condition of NOC from
District Magistrates, benefiting 6000 wood based units in the
State.
Disclosing this here today Mr. Tikshan Sud, Forest Minister
said that Punjab government with lot of efforts has already obtained
permission for licensing these 6000 wood based units from Central
Empowered Committee (CEC)constituted by Supreme Court of India.
He said that all such units were facing lot of problems in getting
NOC from District Magistrates that was pre-requisite for issuing
of licence under existing procedures.
The Punjab Forest Department therefore has decided to withdraw
this condition in public interest with the concurrence of the
CEC, finding this condition being vague, unspecific and impracticable,
the Minister added. He said that all District Forest Officers
have been directed to issue licences to existing Wood Based Units
(approved by CEC) without insisting NOC from District Magistrates.
The Minister said that besides providing huge relief to these
6000 units, this decision would give a boost to employment generation
in these units and also help the state in generation of extra
revenue through taxes that had diminished due to closure of this
industry.
The Forest Minister said that Punjab Government was committed
to promote wood based industry in the state to help farmers in
getting good return for their farm grown wood in their fields
and advancement of crops diversification.
INFORMATION & PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, PUNJAB
IRRIGATION PROGRAMME FOR RABI SEASON ANNOUNCED
CHANDIGARH, 13 Feb.
The Irrigation Department, Punjab has announced the Rotational
Programme for irrigation of the Rabi crops through Canal water
from 15 Feb. to 22 Feb., 2008 The channels of Sirhind Canal System
would run on priority basis from Bist Doab Canal, Sidhwan Branch,
Bhatinda Branch, Abohar Branch and Patiala feeder respectively.
Disclosing this here today, a spokesman of the Irrigation department
said that direct distributaries of Bhakra Main Line, in Group
'A' being in the first preference would run to their indent. Balance
water supplies would be utilised in Ghaggar link and its off taking
channels i.e. Ghaggar Branch and Patiala Minor in Group 'B' respectively.
The spokesman further said that the Punjab channels off taking
from Harika and Ferozepur Head Works & Branches i.e. all the
direct distributaries of Sirhind Feeder in-group "A"
being in the first preference would run to their indent. Balance
water supplies would be utilised in Abohar Branch off taking from
Sirhind Feeder and its distributaries/minors in-group "B".
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
and Main Branch Lower with its distributaries.
PEACE & COMMUNAL HARMONY TOP PRIORITY
Badal reacts to Phagwara incident
Chandigarh February 13: Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh
Badal today appealed to the people of Punjab not to allow miscreants
and enemies of peace to disturb communal harmony in the state.
Referring to the unfortunate incident of desecration of the image
of Sri Guru Ravi Dass ji at Phagwara yesterday, Mr Badal said
that the great and holy spiritual ambassador was an icon of the
greatest virtues and values to the entire mankind. The Chief Minister
said that he has already directed the concerned authorities to
go deep into the causes of incident. He said that the government
will ensure that no one is allowed to take law into his own hands
and hurt the religious sentiments of any community.
Mr Badal further said that the holy verses of Sri Guru Ravi
Dass ji are enshrined in Sri Guru Granth Sahib and no one should
lose sight of this fact while dealing with any issue involving
the great spiritual icon.
FM MANPREET BADAL LAUNCHES LOTTERIES WEBSITE
Chandigarh, 12th February 2008
Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal launched the website of
Directorate of Lotteries at a simple function held in Punjab Bhawan
today. The Directorate of Lotteries, which is a part of Department
of Finance, has prepared an interactive website www.punjabstatelotteries.gov.in
with assistance from Punjab INFOTECH for disseminating information
about the Directorate.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Manpreet Badal stated that State
Lotteries played an important role in the development of the State
and were contributing annual revenues of around Rs. 170 cr to
the State exchequer. He was optimistic that the State would surpass
its last year's collection of Rs. 168 cr this year and in the
coming year the Government would aim to net a collection of Rs.
200 cr from State Lotteries. In order to facilitate the sale of
lottery tickets to the general public, the State Government had
introduced their through Post Offices and was now also experimenting
by selling them through Suwidha Centres in the districts and sub-divisions,
he added.
The Finance Minister also exhorted the Stockists and Agents to
work towards increasing the sale of genuine lottery tickets in
thee State and to assist the Government in curbing illegal gambling
and satta, which adversely impacted upon Government revenues.
He announced that the Directorate would offer special prizes as
incentives to motivate the retailers of monthly and bumper lotteries
in addition to the existing prizes under the schemes.
Giving details of the website, Principal Secretary, Finance DS
Kalha stated that the special feature of the user-friendly website
was that it was bilingual, in English and Punjabi, and allowed
any person to check up results of weekly, monthly and bumper lottery
draws. It also provided comprehensive details about the Government's
schemes, circulars and notifications, lists of retailers, agents
and stockists along with general information about the Directorate.
Later, Mr. Manpreet Badal and Mr. Raj Khurana, Chief Parliamentary
Secretary (Finance & Planning) gave away prizes to winners
of Maa Lakshmi Diwali Pooja Bumper 2007 and first prize winners
of monthly draws for September, October and November 2007. Cheques
were presented to Mohammad Shakeel of Malerkotla and Rajinder
Singh of Faridkot winners of Rs. 1 cr each in the Diwali Bumper
2007 and to other winners. Among those present on the occasion
included Director Lotteries Jaspreet Talwar, Director IT-cum-MD
INFOTECH Rakesh Verma and officers of the Finance Department and
Punjab INFOTECH.
CM CALLS UPON INTELLECTUALS AND EDUCATIONISTS TO WORK FOR THE
PROMOTION OF PUNJAB LANGUAGE
Chandigarh February 12: -
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today called upon
the intellectuals and educationists to come forward to suggest
the ways and means for the promotion of Punjab Language. Mr. Badal
was addressing a book release function organized by Global Folkloar
Institute at Punjab Bhawan here today.
While releasing the books titled "Computer Operating System:
Concepts and Handling" and Lok Dhara Adhar Te Passar authored
by Mr. Jaiteg Singh and Dr. Santripat Kaur, Mr. Badal emphasized
that now the time had changed considerably because of globalization
and English language was playing a significant role as a link
language but this should not hamper the development and promotion
of Punjab language. He however said that we were not against the
English language at the same time it should not be promoted at
the cost of Punjab language. He further said that the state government
would soon formulate a strategy to bridge up the gaps between
rural students and urban students by providing them a complete
Punjabi translated version of various books related to Information
Technology. He appreciated the efforts of both the authors for
bringing out these books.
Amongst other who spoke on the occasion included Senior Akali
Leader Mr. Prem Singh Chandumajra, Chief Parliamentary Secretary
Mr. Raj Khurana and Dr. Mohinder Singh Khaira, Dr. Jagdish Singh
and Prof. Jagjit Singh. Besides, the function was attended by
many scholars, academicians and students of various Universities
of the state.
Chandigarh, February 12:
The Punjab Government in line with the Reserve Bank of India
has proposed to float a state loan of Rs. 500 crore to raise part
of the barrowings through auction system.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the government said
that the consent of the Central Government has already been obtained
to 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 February
18, 2008. The loan would be repaid at par on February 18, 2018,
he added. The interest however, would be paid every half yearly
on August 18 and February 18.
GoI APPROVES CENTRAL UNIVERSITY FOR PUNJAB - BADAL
LUDHIANA FEBRUARY 12:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr.Parkash Singh Badal today announced
that the Government of India has agreed in principle to set up
a Central University in the State to impart state-of-the-art multi-disciplinary
education to the students to enable them to compete at the global
level.
Presiding over a Centenary Celebrations of Khalsa Dewan here
at Khalsa College for Women, Mr.Badal said that the persistent
efforts of our Government had fructified by way of establishing
this prestigious University that would go a long way in setting
up a new benchmark in the pursuit of higher learning.
Outlining the significant of education in the socio-economic
development of any state or nation, the Chief Minister said that
the targets set by the Centre and state governments for a particular
growth rate could not be achieved unless we make concerted efforts
to promote education especially amongst the rural students. Mr.Badal
said that our government has envisaged an ambitious programme
to revamp the entire education system in the state by upgrading
three Government Senior Secondary Schools in each constituency
at a cost of Rs.50 lakh each besides opening a series of Adarsh
Schools in each block of the state to provide quality education
to the poor and meritorious students with rural background free
of cost. Each such school would involve an expenditure of Rs.4
crore and would be set up in collaboration with the eminent industrial
houses. The basic objective of the entire programme was to boost
the prospects of the education especially in the rural area to
provide better educational facilities to the students at par with
their brethren in the urban areas.
Showing deep concern over the poor turn out of rural students
at the University level, Mr.Badal said; 'it is nothing unusual
rather a piquant situation when our poor students who could not
get proper basic education at school level, how could they compete
at the higher institutions of learning with the students who had
studied in public and convent schools'. He said that this gulf
between the privileged and unprivileged sections of society in
terms of education must be bridged up at the earliest otherwise
it could lead to an alarming situation of unrest in the society
which could be beyond anyone's control later on.
Mr.Badal urged the Centre and the state governments for a conscientious
thought process in this regard and asked them to play a pro-active
role for the promotion of education that too had many societal
implications, if grossly ignored by them.
The Chief Minister appreciated the remarkable efforts and milestones
achieved by the Khalsa Dewan during its path of 100 years in the
services of mankind by establishing premier institutions of education
at Ludhiana. He also lauded the initiative of Khalsa Dewan for
making outstanding contribution for promoting the cause of education
for women and empowering them. He urged the management of the
Khalsa Dewan to upgrade the existing college to a level of university
since it was capable of doing so due to its vast experience and
proven track of expertise in the field of education.
On the occasion, Mr.Badal honoured the ex-faculty members of
the college who had put in almost more than three decades towards
building the careers of numerous students. He also released a
souvenir on the completion of 100 years of Khalsa Dewan (1907-2007)
and announced a grant of Rs.20 lakh for the development of the
college.
In his welcome address, treasurer of Khalsa Dewan Mr.Gurdish
Singh Grewal outlined the brief history of Khalsa Dewan spanning
over 100 years (1907-2007). He mentioned how the Khalsa Dewan
with a humble beginning in 1907 with the establishment of two
primary school for boys and girls emerged into a lofty empire
of education running five premier educational institutions in
Ludhiana.
Earlier, Principal of the college Varinder Kaur Thind gave a
brief account of the academic activities and extra curricular
achievements of the college.
Later, President of the Khalsha Dewan Pritpal Singh Grewal proposed
a vote of thanks on the occasion. Vice President of Khalsa Dewan
Dr.SS Grewal and Secretary Sudarshan Singh Deol honoured the Chief
Minister with a momento.
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included
Chief Parliamentary Secretary Harish Rai Dhanda, MLA Ludhiana
Harish Bedi, former President SGPC Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi,
Mayor Ludhiana Hakam Singh Giaspura and Special Principal Secretary
to Chief Minister KJS Cheema.
Punjab Cooperation Minister leads high
level
delegation to New Zealand and Australia
Chandigarh, February 12 : Punjab Cooperation Minister Capt.
Kanwaljit Singh today left for New Zealand and Australia leading
a
high level delegation to study the Cooperative Movement in these
countries. The delegation included Financial Commissioner Cooperation
Ms. Kusumjit Sidhu, Registrar Cooperative Societies Sh. Vishwajeet
Khanna and MD Punjab State Cooperative Agri. Dev. Bank Ltd,Chandigarh,Sh.
Gurbir Singh.
The Minister is visiting these countries from 13th to 20th February
at the invitation of the Department of Cooperation of the New
Zealand and Australian governments.
To further the resolve of the Punjab Cooperative Department to
become a main motivator in improving the financial condition of
the farmers as well as cooperators and contribute towards resolving
the
agricultural crisis in the state, the Minister and the delegation
will study the dairy techniques in the world's largest dairy nations
which can be replicated in Punjab by Milkfed as an effort to usher
in the White Revolution in the state.
The Delegation will also study the role and participation of members
in the management of cooperatives, how cooperatives are capitalized,
the relations of cooperatives with the government, regulatory
arrangements for the cooperatives, social responsibility and community
development role of the Cooperatives. It will also examine how
Cooperatives in India, particularly Punjab, can benefit from the
model in these countries.
