BADAL SEEKS TECHNCIAL KNOW-HOW FROM VETIVER
INTERNATIONAL TO CLEAN WATER BODIES IN PUNJAB
CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 18:
In a significant move to ensure clean and pollution free environment,
the Punjab government today sought technical support and know
how from the Vetiver Network International through an NGO 'Earthizens'
committed to create awareness amongst the masses about the balanced
eco system and the cleaning of water bodies.
This move comes in the wake of a high level meeting chaired
by Punjab Chief Minister Mr.Parkash Singh Badal with the delegation
of Vetiver Network International led by its chairman Richard Grimshaw
here this morning.
Taking part in deliberations Mr.Badal asked the Secretary Environment
Science & Technology to launch a pilot project for the plantation
of vetiver grass on the experimental basis over 2 acres of water
logged land in Malwa belt, 1 KM stretch alongwith Buddha Nulla
in Ludhiana and 4 to 5 water ponds in the state. He also asked
the Forest department to grant permission for its plantation in
the state after consulting the experts of Punjab Agricultural
University Ludhiana. He however, said that if this experiment
proved to be successful it could be replicated in other parts
of the state to check the menace of river pollution caused by
the industrial effluents and soil erosion besides using this technique
for bio-engineering for the stabilization and protection of roads,
rail tracks, building sites and bridges.
Earlier, Mr. Grimshaw informed the Chief Minister that the use
of vetiver grass has been found successful world over to control
the problems related to agriculture, energy, fuel, waster and
contaminated water treatment, soil erosion and disaster management.
He said that the vetiver international through its proven technology
had successfully implement its projects in Thailand, China, Vietnam,
Australia, Kuwait, South Africa, Central America and United States.
He said that now vetiver international has commenced its operations
in India through launching its project in Kerala, Goa and some
other southern states. He urged the Chief Minister to send a team
of officers to visit these states to have first hand information
about the concept and technical viability of the project.
Meanwhile Dr. Paul Truong, Director of Vetiver International
gave a power point presentation on the plantation of vetiver grass.
He said that it could reclaim soils and increase site productivity
in places that had become unproductive previously. Apart from
this the vetiver grass could tolerate high level of toxic metals
viz. aluminum, manganese, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel,
copper, lead, mercury and zinc.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included
Forest & Medical Research Minister Tikshan Sud, Principal
Secretary Rural Development & Panchayats GS Sandhu Director
& General Secretary Village Life Improvement Foundation of
Earthizens Geetika Kalha, Consultant of Earthizens MP Singh, Secretary
Science, Technology & Environment AS Chhatwal, Executive Director
Punjab State Council for Science & Technology NS Tiwana, Chairman
Punjab Pollution Control Board Yogesh Goel and Additional Principal
Secretary to Chief Minister Ajay Mahajan.
CHIEF MINISTER OFFICE PUNJAB PUNJAB CM
CONDOLES T
HE SAD DEMISE OF TRIBHUVAN NATH
CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 18:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today expressed
profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Veteran Journalist,
Tribhuvan Nath who died at Panchkula here today.
Tribhuvan Nath, 86, is survived by his two daughters, one of
his daughter namely Tripti Nath is a Principal Correspondent with
the Tribune, the other, Preeti Nath is working as a Lecturer at
Government Collage, Panchkula.
In a condolence message Mr. Badal said that Tribhuvan Nath,
Former Special Correspondent of the Times of India had served
the Times of India for more than three decades at various news
centers, the last being in Chandigarh. The Chief Minister described
him as a seasoned and fearless journalist who would be long remembered
for his objective writings.
Mr. Badal expressed his heartfelt sympathies with the members
of the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to grant peace
to the departed soul and give strength to them to bear this irreparable
loss.
Meanwhile, Member Parliament and President Shiromani Akali Dal
Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal deeply mourned the death of Tribhuvan
Nath. Information & Public Relations Minister Mr.Bikram Singh
Majithia also shared his condolences with the bereaved family.
Media Advisor to the Chief Minister Harcharan Bains, Principal
Secretary, Information & Public Relations, DS Jaspal and Mr.
Tejveer Singh, Director, Information & Public Relations Department
also mourned the death of Tribhuvan Nath.
CHIEF MINSITER OFFICE PUNJAB BADAL INAUGURATES
RS. 3.22 CRORE COMMUNITY BASED DRINKING WATER SCHEME
Chandigarh February 18.2008
Punjab Chief Minister Mr.Parkash Singh Badal today inaugurated
the community based Reverse Osmosis Safe Drinking Water Scheme
at cost of Rs. 3.22 crore at village Kauni near Gidderbaha (Muktsar).
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Badal said that the scheme was
a part of the memorandum of understanding signed with Naandi Foundation
for supply of potable water in Gidderbaha area. He pointed out
that the Naandi Foundation was a Hyderabad based reputed Non-Government
Organization (NGO) which was already working in eight states on
public-private partership basis on issues related to poverty eradication
and community development.
Mr. Badal further said that the state government had already
inked an agreement with World Bank for Rs. 1280 crore for Punjab
Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project. The project is duly
financed by the World Bank to the extent of Rs. 751 crore. Governemnt
of Punjab Rs. 245 crore, Government of India Rs. 207 crore and
community contribution of Rs. 77 crore. The Project was aimed
at to cover 2124 "Not Covered Villages". 920 "Partially
Covered villages," improve the existing water supply schemes
in 1600 villages, provide small bore sewer in 100 villages besides
the renovation ponds in 1000 villages of the state.
The Chief Minister appealed to the village panchayats to come
forward to convince the people to contribute their respective
shares of 10% and 5% for the World Bank's drinking water and sewerage
schemes respectively.
He categorically said that the state government alone come not
implement these schemes on its own due to certain inbuilt terms
and conditions where the monetary participation of the people
was mandatory.
The Chief Minister also mentioned that quality of drinking water
in the Malwa belt was relatively very poor and causing skin disorders
and Cancer. The participation of people in these schemes of basic
civic amenities would not only improve their quality of life but
also save them from the possible deadly diseases.
Referring to the modernization and upgradation of Canal network
in the Malwa belt which was very old, Mr. Badal stated 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% -30% especially at the
tail ends in this region.
In his address Finance Minister Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal said
that Naandi Foundation was managed by corporate leaders and academicians
Dr. Kanji Reddy. Mr. Anand Mahindra, Mr. Ramalinga Raju and Dr.
Isher Judge Ahluwalia. He said that the foundation would set up
53 Reverse Osmosis (RO) Plants in district Muktsar with output
capacity of 1500/1000/500 liters per hour. It will supply water
@10 paise per liter to the domestic users. Each RO plant of 500
liter per hour would cost Rs. 5 lac and 1000 liter per hour would
cost Rs. 6 lac.
Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal hoped that the initiative of the Punjab
Government with Naandi Foundation would go a long way in improving
the quality of drinking water in Malwa belt in general and the
areas of Gidderbaha in particular.
Earlier, the Chief Minister also launched the community based
drinking water scheme at village Kot Ablu in Gidderbaha.
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included
S. Gurdas Singh Badal former MP, Sh. Amit Jain National Director
Naandi Gram Organisation, Sh. Vikas Garg Deputy Commissioner Muktsar,
Mr. R.P. Mittal DIG Ferozepur, Sh. Gurpreet Singh Gill, SSP Muktsar,
Mr. Rishi Pal Singh SDM Gidderbaha and S. Navtej Singh Kauni Member
SGPC were also present on the occasion.
