Chandigarh , January 14
Kanwaljit Singh
In order to bail out farmers from the current financial mess
and improve the condition of Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies
(PACS), Punjab government has chalked out an ambitious plan to
market consumer goods on CSD pattern in the state. This was disclosed
by Punjab Cooperation Minister, Capt. Kanwaljit Singh.
Addressing a press conference here after concluding a workshop
on "Strengthening of Cooperatives in Punjab" Cooperation
Minister said that farmers in the state were facing a serious
financial crisis and it was only cooperative movement which would
be able to bail them out. He said in order to strengthen the PACS,
Cooperative Deptt has evolved an ambitious plan in which PACS
would purchase consumer goods like TV, Fridge etc. directly from
the manufacturers and market it to its members. He said that arrangement
of purchasing would be made at State level but PACS would collect
the goods from their nearest dealers. He said that through this
method PACS would not only be able to mobilize more funds for
refinancing to its members, but the consumers would also get goods
at cheaper rates at their doorsteps.
He also announced on the occasion that Cooperative Deptt has
tied up with Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) for distribution
of its bills by the PACS in villages. He said that more than 1
crore consumers in the villages would get direct benefit of it
and in the process PACS would earn more revenue by collecting
Rs. 8 per bill. He said that out of this Rs. 5 would be paid by
the consumer and PSEB would give Rs. 3 per bill to the PACS. This
would also lead to generation of more funds for the societies.
The Minister also announced launching of its Rain Insurance
Scheme (Barish Beema Yojna) in the state. This scheme was first
implemented in Patiala Division on experimental basis which has
yielded good results. 6 thousand farmers of 350 PACS had paid
a premium of 72 lacs which would now get a more than 1 crore 25
lacs as compensation. He said that "under the scheme it is
the weather that matters and farmer gets compensation if rain
falls more or less than average".
Capt. Kanwaljit Singh informed that Punjab has gained from opposing
the recommendations of Vaidyanathan Committee as the state was
getting only 82 crores out of total 20 thousand crores which now
would get an indirect benefit of more than 500 crores as Nabard
has agreed to bear the losses of PACS. He said that Patiala District
alone would get a benefit of 19 crores which was only 92 lacs
earlier.
The Minister said that there were about 3500 PACS in the state
out of which 1100 were defaulters. He said that the above schemes
have been formulated for helping these defaulter societies to
strengthen their economic base which in turn would strengthen
farmers as these societies not only perform refinancing job for
its members but were proving multi beneficial organizations for
them.
PR DEPARTMENT PUNJAB MOURNS
DEMISE
OF S. KULWANT SINGH
Chandigarh January 14, 2008
The officers of the department of Information & Public Relations
Department Punjab today mourned the sudden demise of S. Kulwant
Singh, Deputy Director (retd.) of the department who died here
today after a brief illness. He was 73 and is survived by his
wife, a son and a daughter.
He was cremated here today and his cremation was largely attended
by people of different walks, his colleagues different walks his
colleagues and officers of the department.
No.PR-08/20
PUNJAB POLICE- IPS Probationers
calls on Punjab DGP
Chandigarh, January 14:
An 8-member team of IPS Probationers today calls on Punjab DGP
Sh. N.P.S. Aulakh here at his office and evinced keen interest
in the functioning of various wings of the force.
While addressing the young police officers, who were at present
on a four week training at PPA, Phillaur, the DGP apprised them
of the challenges ahead in the service and numerous opportunities
to serve the community in a better way in comparison of other
jobs. The DGP also gave them a brief outline of recently passed
Punjab Police Bill, proposed new Punjab Police Rules and initiatives
undertaken for an efficient functioning of the force with a thrust
on the new concept of community policing. While enquiring about
their training schedule, the DGP urged them to strictly adhere
to the training as it immensely helps an officer throughout his
career. He also assured the young probationers about the job satisfaction
in police as it was the only service which can provide an instant
justice to the suffering humanity. He wished them a bright career.
The members of the visiting team were Ms Dhanpreet Kaur, Mandeep
Singh Randhawa, Milind Dumbere, Vikram Jit Singh, Abhishek Dullar,
Ashok Kumar, Pardeep Kumar Yadav and Pushpinder Kumar, all IPS
Probationers.
Mr. S.K. Sharma, IGP Training, Mr. M.K. Tiwari IGP IRB and Ms
Anita Punj SSP Hoshiarpur were also present on the occasion.