PUNJAB CM ADMINISTERS OATH TO 6000 PACHAYAT
MEMBERS OF
LUDHIANA DISTRICT
ASK PANCHES TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THE FELT
NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE
LUDHIANA JULY 11, 2008
The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal said here
today that strengthening of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)
was necessary to save the grass-root democracy from the challenges
it faces from dictatorial tendencies.
Addressing a massive gathering of the newly elected members
of panchayats from Ludhiana district who had assembled here to
participate in the oath taking ceremony, Mr. Badal said that the
Punjab Government would treat "Panches" and "Sarpanches"
as 'local' ministers and would empower them in order to make them
active and effective partners in development process. "The
development process needs to be progressively decentralized, both
from the Centre to the State governments and from there on to
the Panchayati Raj Institutions and Civic Bodies', said the Chief
Minister.
Mr. Badal also called for drastic recasting of planning process
in the country. " The top-down approach to planning has already
led to not only to the slowing down of development but also to
growth priorities being misplaced. Planning must be in consonance
with grass-root realities. But unfortunately most of the time,
the country has suffered because of an ivory-tower approach to
this issue, with planners deciding the destiny of villages and
city wards from air-conditioned rooms", said Mr. Badal.
The Chief Minister said that he was proud of the democratic legacy
of the country. "Dictatorship or rajwarashahi is absolutely
meaningless in the present scenario of democracy and these systems
were completely irrelevant and unsuited to the basic needs of
the people in general and overall development & growth of
a country like India in particular which has a cosmopolitan character
of unity in diversity", said Mr.Badal.
Congratulating the newly elected panches on the occasion, Mr.
Badal said that people of the state had reposed full faith in
the policies and programmes of the SAD-BJP government and now
it was obligatory on their part to serve the 70% of state's population
residing in the villages with a missionary zeal and commitment.
He asked these elected members of the panchayats to oversee the
different on going development activities in their respective
villages to ensure its quality and completion within a time bound
frame. He impressed upon them to be vigilant while undertaking
supervision of government construction works and should not adopt
a casual attitude towards such works rather be involve themselves
personally with a sense of firm commitment and dedication. He
assured the panches that the SAD-BJP government was committed
to empower the PRIs and there would be no paucity of funds for
these development projects.
Cutting across the party affiliations, the Chief Minister appealed
the panches to shun the practice of petty politics and come forward
to serve the people with utmost dedication and sincerity. He said;
"Panches are required to play a much bigger role in ascertaining
the rightful beneficiaries with in their domain, who were being
denied the benefits of different welfare schemes such as Atta-Dal,
shagun and old age pension to win over their confidence in the
PRIs". He dared them to be strict and fair enough to eliminate
the names of such bogus beneficiaries who were encroaching upon
the rights of the deserving ones. He also pointed out that panches
should also play a constructive role in inculcating civic sense
amongst the villagers to ensure clean and pollution free environment.
He also asked the MPs, MLAs and members of the PRIs to motivate
the villagers to contribute their share towards the execution
of drinking water and sewerage schemes under World Bank Project.
He said that it was all the more important for our people especially
living in rural areas to have access to the basic civic amenities
in order to stay healthy forever.
Later, Mr. Badal administered the oath of office to as many as
6000 newly elected panches from 892 panchayats of Ludhiana district
on the occasion.
Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion included Member
Parliament Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Senior Akali Leader Maheshinder
Singh Grewal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Harish Rai Dhanda,
Mr.Darshan Singh Shivalik, Mr.Harish Bedi and Mr.Jagjivan Singh
Khirania (all MLAs), Ex-MLA Bhag Singh Malha, District President
SAD Santa Singh Umaidpuri and District President BJP OP Bhardwaj.
Media Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Harcharan Bains, Director
Rural Development and Panchayats S. Gurdev Singh Sidhu, Mayor
Hakam Singh Gyaspura and Vice President Punjab Industry Board
Satish Kumar Dhanda besides the senior leaders and party workers
of SAD, BJP and members of SGPC also attended the function.
FAKIR SYED SAIFUDDIN CALLS ON CM PUNJAB
CHANDIGARH July 11, 2008
Fakir Syed Saifuddin, Director, Fakir Khana Museum (Lahore)
Pakistan & descendent of famous Fakir brothers of Maharaja
Ranjit Singh's kingdom today called on Punjab Chief Minister Mr.Parkash
Singh Badal at his esidence and apprised him of the belongings
of Sher–e– Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh in their Museum.
The rare collection of miniature paintings, ivory paintings, photos,
documents relating to 'Tabarkat' (holy relics) and many other
articles of last 187 years reflecting history of the regime of
Maharaja Ranjit Singh in connection with the Fakir Family informed
Mr. Saifuddin.
Mr. Badal appreciated the role of Mr. Saifuddin and his family
in establishing this biggest private museum in Pakistan showcasing
almost two Centuries' history of an eventful life of some of the
greatest personalities of the region and period. He also assured
him to provide full support and cooperation by the state government
to initiate some project related to Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the
state. On this occasion Mr. Badal also honored Mr. Saifuddin with
a sword and a shawl.
Mr. Saifuddin was accompanied by Dr. Shivender Singh Sandhu
and Ms. Manveen Sandhu. Besides, Principal Secretary to Chief
Minister Mr. D.S. Guru and Special Principal Secretary Mr. K.J.S
Cheema were also present on the occasion.
9 CHAGESHEETED FOR IGNORING BUILDING VIOLATIONS
AT AMRITSAR, JALANDHAR & PHAGWARA
Chandigarh, 11 July, 2008
Some buildings at Amritsar, Jalandhar & Phagwara were checked
for alleged violations in construction works and non-compoundable
violations were detected.
Disclosing this here today Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Local Government
Minister Punjab said that building at Plot No. 417, Albort Road,
Amritsar and commercial building of Deep Financiers near BSF Chowk
Jalandhar were found not constructed under building laws during
checking. The Commissioners of Amritsar, Jalandhar Corporation
have been directed to take action against the owners of these
buildings.
He said that at Phagwara to residential plot were found to be
merged in a development scheme and commercial building Vij Palace/London
Stores has been constructed without any parking provision. Orders
have been passed to IT Phagwara to initiate the process of resuming
the plots as per law.
Mr. Kalia said that two Municipal Town Planners, 2 Assistant
Town Planners, 5 Building Inspectors have been chargesheeted in
case of violations observed at Amritsar and Jalandhar. 3 Executive
Officers, 4 Assistant Trust Engineers, 4 Junior Engineers and
a Draftsman have been charge sheeted for not taking timely action
against the violations in Phagwara.
PUNJAB ADVOCATES UNIFORM WAGES UNDER MINIMUM
WAGES ACT-TIKSHAN SUD
Chandigarh July 11, 2008
The Punjab Government has requested the Union Government to
make amendments in Minimum Wages Act-1948, to provide uniform
wages for different scheduled employments, different class of
workers in the same scheduled employment, adults, adolescents,
women, children and apprentices in different localities.
Mr. Tikshan Sud, Labour Minister Punjab raised this issue in
the meeting of State Labour Ministers of Delhi, Uttar Pardesh,
Haryana and Punjab with the members of Consultative Committee
attached to the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment, held
under the chairmanship of Mr. Oscar Fernandes, Union Minister
of Labour.
Mr. Sud pointed out that Punjab was already not making any discrimination
by fixing/revising Minimum Wages because labour needs of every
human being were the same. Mr. Sud also advocated that revision
of Minimum Wages should be done after every two years instead
of present five years and revision should be made mandatory. The
Punjab Labour Minister also sought an amendment in Minimum Wages
Act 1948 to confer powers to departmental officers to recover
fine as arrears of land revenue. He pointed out that Punjab was
in process of revising Minimum Wages and two meetings have already
been held on this issue.
Stressing upon the need of accelerating the pace of labour reforms
in view of fast changing economy of the country Mr. Sud said that
Punjab has already implanted Rashtriya Savasthia Bima Yojna in
six districts including Patiala, Sangrur, Bathinda, Ferozepur,
Amritsar and Gurdaspur with effect from 1st April, 2008 through
the Punjab Health Systems Corporation. Hoshiarpur and Ludhiana
would also be adopted for this scheme soon. Under the scheme B.P.L
family has to pay only Rs. 30/- for getting health insurance.
Impressing upon the need of effective implementation of labour
laws, Mr. Sud informed that the official of the labour department
have conducted 15315 inspections under the minimum wages Act -1948
during the last year and 8055 inspections during the three months
of current year. 455 prosecutions are pending under this Act.
Similarly 126 claims under this Act were settled during the last
year. 12579 inspections were conducted under the Payment of Wages
Act during the last year and 413 claims were disposed under the
same Act during the last year. As far as implementation of Contract
Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 is concerned, 528
principal employers stand registered till April, 1499 inspections
were conducted by the officials of Labour Department during the
last year and 18 prosecutions are pending against principal employers/contractors.
Mr. Sud emphasized that State Government has included 67 employments
in the schedule of Minimum Wages Act, 1948 and every effort is
being made to add workers working in un-organized sector under
the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. He informed the committee that powers
to refer cases under 2-A of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
have been delegated by the Government to the Assistant Labour
Commissioners/Labour-cum-Conciliation officers so as to avoid
delay which occur at the state headquarters.
Mr. Oscar Fernandes, Union Minister of Labour appreciated the
work done by Punjab Labour Department. The members of consultative
committee including some MPs showed concerned towards plight of
migrant labour and growth of unregulated labour colonies in Punjab.
Mr. Sud assured the members that necessary action would be initiated
very soon.
POWER SHORTAGE IN PUNJAB - MAJITHIA ASKS
PEDA TO PROVIDE 10% RENEWABLE ENERGY
Chandigarh, July 11: Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Science, Technology,
Environment & NCES Minister today asked PEDA to take steps
to expedite various renewable energy projects in Punjab to meet
its commitments to achieve 10% renewable energy share of the total
installed capacity in the State.
Reviewing the progress of renewable energy projects being set
up / facilitated by PEDA in the biomass, hydro, cogeneration and
solar sector, Mr. Majithia said that in present time of power
shortage being faced by the State, it becomes imperative for PEDA
to expedite its project to contribute maximum power in the power
kitty.
The Chief Executive, PEDA, Sh.T.P.S.Sidhu, and other senior officers
of the PEDA gave a detailed presentation about the present status
and tentative completion dates for various renewable energy projects.
The Minister was informed that 60MW co-generation projects in
addition to 104 MW already commissioned in the month of March,
2008, would start generating power by March 2009.
The Minister also reviewed the progress of biomass power projects,
cogeneration and hydel projects taht have been allotted to various
developers. He directed PEDA officials to extend all assistance
to private developers for completing these projects in time bound
manner. PEDA Chief Executive informed that five projects of capacity
3.9MW on Sidhwan branch canal are at advance stage of completion
and will be commissioned by March 2009. He said that the work
will commence at mini hydel project Khanpur, Sadhar, Akhara, Channowal
and Gholian on Abohar branch canal during this month and these
projects of total 5.5 MW capacity will be completed by Dec.2009.
The PEDA officials assured the minister that it will provide required
assistance, clearances to the developers in a time bound manner
and will ensure the completion of the projects on time
Mr. Majithia was also given a presentation by M/s Banayan Environment
Innovations Pvt. Ltd. Hyderabad, along with PSEB officials for
providing CFL in the domestic sector through Clean Development
Mechanism. The Minister asked the PSEB officials to move fast
on energy conservation programme and work out the modalities so
that energy efficiency in the lighting sector could be achieved
by providing CFL.
Mr. A.S. Chhatwal, Secretary Science & Technology was also
present in the meeting.
PUTIA condoles demise of
Smt. Rattan Kaur
Chandigarh, July 11, 2008
Smt. Rattan Kaur, mother of Rayat & Bahra Group Vice Chairman
Sh. Gurvinder Singh Bahra passed away last week after a prolonged
illness. She was 70. She was undergoing treatment for brain hemorrhage
for the past one year. She has left behind three daughters and
two sons including Sh. Gurvinder Singh Bahra. She was cremated
in her native village Parkhowal in the presence of hundreds of
friends and relatives. Renowned people of the area also paid tributes
to the departed soul.
Punjab Unaided Technical Institutions Association (PUTIA) conducted
a condolence meeting today to pay homage to the departed soul.
Mr. Anshu Kataria, spokesman, PUTIA said that a two minute silence
was observed in the meeting as a mark of respect. It is to be
mentioned here that Smt. Rattan Kaur was a great social worker.
She was a very pious and religious lady and was the motivational
force behind success of the Rayat & Bahra Group.
