BADAL UNVEILS MAJOR HOUSING INITIATIVE
FOR RURAL POOR
NEW DELHI JUNE 11:
The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today unveiled
a major initiative for providing "Houses for All" and
offered his Government's fulsome support to the corporate sector
for a joint bid to provide every poor and needy persons in the
state a roof over his head.
The Chief Minister was addressing an interactive gathering of
major builders and real Estate Developers from all over the country
here today organized by National Real Estate Development Council
(NAREDCO). Mr. Badal called upon realtors to help the state government
evolving a long term and sustainable strategy by which the principle
goal of homes for the homeless for the poorest of the poor in
the backward and rural areas could be met without comprising on
the professional and the commercial viability of the project for
the real Estate players.
Mr. Badal announced a series of unprecedented policy initiatives
to kick start and all out war for the housing for the poor, especially
in the rural areas.
Mr. Badal also announced the creation of a separate "State
Shelter Fund" to be used exclusively for the construction
of Economically Weaker Section houses by the Punjab Urban Planning
& Development Authority (PUDA). All urban development authorities
would contribute 50% of the license fee collection to the fund.
Having an interaction with the stakeholders in coordination with
NARDECO before freezing the policy on "Affordable Housing
for All", Mr. Badal listed various path breaking measures
taken in the housing and urban development.
The Chief Minister offered facilities for building houses for
Economically Weaker Sections' (EWS) near the abadi on Panchayat
and Government land. "The land can also be obtained by exchange
or acquisition or purchase", he said, while announcing a
host of concessions and exemptions on building EWS houses. He
said that no stamp duty and registration fee would be charged
on the purchase of land and transfer of EWS houses. Also, material
used for construction of EWS houses would be exempted from VAT.
These houses he said would be allotted to the beneficiaries identified
by a competent authority. "In rural areas, the cost of construction
should be limited to Rs.1.00 lac per unit, which would be single
storied and beneficiaries wherever possible could be asked to
contribute labour component in the construction of EWS houses,
the Chief Minister said. The Chief Minister appreciated the initiative
taken by Ambuja Cement Ltd. to develop a cluster of houses for
poor in village Gaggar in Lambi block of Muktsar district. He
appealed the other realtors and builders to follow the suit.
He said that at least 10% of the area in all master plans of
the residential zone would be fixed in land use for LIG and EWS
Houses. In such areas, 50% concession would be allowed in respect
of commercial pockets. He said that in order to rationalize the
use of urban land, the policy had been oriented towards vertical
growth e.g. low rise high density and in very costly area high
rise high density.
Setting the pace of housing for poor, Mr. Badal announced the
constitution of a committee consisting Chief Administrator, PUDA;
Director, Local Govt; Director, Rural Development and Panchayat
and Chief General Manager, Punjab Infrastructure Development Board
(PIDB) to identify chunks of land which could be used for constructing
housing for the poor.
Indicating the ongoing pace of urban development in Punjab the
4th most urbanized state of India, Mr Badal pointed out that the
State had the strongest middle class base. "Habit of spending,
belief in quality of life and large NRI population implies Punjab's
highest potential for real estate in India," said the Chief
Minister.
Mr. Badal said that the Punjab Government was targeting world
class infrastructure in urban areas. Referring to the major forthcoming
projects, the Chief Minister said that roads in Mohali had been
planned wider than Chandigarh with 12 lane flow. Mohali International
Airport, Express Ways and Ring Roads were coming. The process
of preparing statutory master plans had been set in motion by
notifying local planning areas in Chandigarh periphery (Mohali,
Kharar, Mullanpur, Dera Bassi, Banur and Zirakpur), Ludhiana (Draft
notified) Jalandhar, Amritsar, Patiala, Bathinda and 30 other
towns. This process shall be completed within one year by foreign
based consultants. State government has come out with a new policy
for integrated mixed land use super mega industrial parks and
golf courses by granting various concessions and major relief
to industry, hotels, hospitals institutions and multimedia centres.
Mr. Badal said that these progressive policies had resulted
in a massive response and approval of projects in an area measuring
8000 acres during the last one year as compared to 7000 acres
cleared during the 12 years from 1995 to 2006. "The potential
of these progressive policies can also be gauged from the recent
auctions of land conducted in Punjab during the last one year
that generated revenue to the tune of Rs. 1500 crore including
Rs 465.00 crores from a single chunk at Mohali", concluded
Mr Badal.
The Chief Minister accompanied by his Media Advisor Mr. Harcharan
Bains, Principal Secretary Mr. DS Guru, Secretary Housing &
Urban Development Mr.Arun Goyal, Special Principal Secretary to
Chief Minister Mr.KJS Cheema and Principal Resident Commissioner
Punjab Bhawan Ms. Anjuly Chib Duggal.
The gathering was attended almost all the major players in the
field of housing, real estate and infrastructure building including
Chairman Ambuja Cements Ltd. SK Neotia, Mr.Puneet Saran Senior
Vice President-Corporate Relation Ambuja Cements Ltd, Parnab Saran
Vice Chairman Ansal API, Vice Chairman Rajiv Singh DLF Ltd. Mr
Pankaj Bajaj Managing Director Eldeco Infrastructure & Properties
Ltd, Chief Executive Officer Emaar MGF Land Ltd, Mr Parminder
Sehgal, Brig(Retd)RRSingh Director General NAREDCO, Mr..Rohtas
Goel CMD Omaxe Ltd, Mr Sanjiv Jain Managing Director Parsvnath
Developers Ltd, Mr Salil Kumar General Manager-Marketing Suncity
Project Pvt Ltd, Mr Ravinder taneja Managing Director Taneja Developers
& Infrastructure Ltd. Dr Ramesh Chandra Managing Director
Unitech Limited.
CENTRE ACCEDES TO PUNJAB'S PROPOSAL
TO FUND DEVELOPMENT WORKS IN 11 BORDER TOWNS
CHANDIGARH JUNE 11, 2008
Centre today agreed in principle to lend financial support to
develop as many as 11 towns in the four border districts of Amritsar,
Tarn Taran, Ferozepur and Gurdaspur under the Border Area Development
Project (BADP).
An assurance to this effect was given by the Union Home Minister
Mr Shivraj Patil to the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh
Badal during a meeting who called on him at his residence here
today.
Giving the details, Chief Minister's Media Advisor Mr. Harcharan
Bains described the Union Home Minister's response as "extremely
positive and forthcoming". Mr. Badal had raised the issue
of development of these border towns, including Jalalabad, Guru
Harsahai, Ferozepur, Khemkaran and Dera Baba Nanak which were
situated within a radius of 10-12 Kms of the International Border.
The Chief Minister sought Rs. 92.86 crore under Central Schemes
for improving civil infrastructure, including water supply and
sewerage system in these border towns. Besides, Rs.18 crore had
been utilized under BADP norms exclusively for the rural areas.
The Chief Minister also sought compensation of Rs.9.25 crore
for farmers whose lands fall beyond the border fence as they had
been facing major handicaps in the interest of the defense of
the country. The farmers will receive Rs.5000 per acre for a total
affected area measuring 18500 acre.
Mr. Badal also raised the issue of the restoration of grant for
modernization of the state police force from Rs.20 crore to Rs.64.20
crore. He also demanded one time grant of Rs.160 crore to share
the burden of the cost of construction for Kapurthala and Faridkot
prisons in addition to the share meant for state prison out of
the modernization scheme besides releasing its share of Rs.11.16
crore whereas the state government had already released its share
of Rs.3.72 for the year 2006-07.
Mr. Badal also impressed upon the Union Home Minister to immediately
release a sum of Rs.140 crore required for capital expenditure
for the proposed world class Maharaja Ranjit Singh Police University
to be set up in the state apart from recurring expenditure of
Rs.4.85 crore per annum.
Highlighting the problems being confronted by the residents of
border areas across the border fence, Mr. Badal requested the
Union Home Minister to instruct the BSF authorities to be courteous
while on patrolling duty. He also asked Mr. Patil to depute female
security guards on duty besides making use of scientific instruments
for frisking. These measures would not only instill confidence
amongst the border residents but also help them significantly
in undertaking their daily chores without any sort of inconvenience.
Mr. Badal also impressed upon the Union Home Minister to immediately
release the grant of Rs.89.02 crore for Sri Anandpur Sahib and
Rs.69.07 crore for Talwandi Sabo for the Gur-ta-Gaddi celebrations
as per the decision already taken in the National Committee on
the commemoration of Gur-ta-Gaddi celebrations under his chairmanship.
The Chief Minister accompanied by his Media Advisor Mr. Harcharan
Bains, Principal Secretary Mr. DS Guru, Special Principal Secretary
to Chief Minister Mr.KJS Cheema and Principal Resident Commissioner
Punjab Bhawan Ms. Anjuly Chib Duggal.
Unbearable
escalation in the prices of the petroleum avoidable-
the Shiromani Akali Dal General Secretary Prof. Prem
Singh Chandumajra
CHANDIGARH,
11 JUNE: Terming the unbearable escalation in the prices of the
petroleum products as "unnecessary & avoidable",
the Shiromani Akali Dal General Secretary Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra
has demanded a high level probe by a joint committee comprising
Members of Parliament and economic experts in the manipulated
figures which form the basis of the logic extended by the anti-people
UPA government to justify the hike.
Talking to the media persons here today, Prof. Chandumajra stated
that the figurer of Rs. 245000 crore as deficit of the oil companies,
mentioned by the Prime Minister, on the basis of which the prices
of Petroleum Products have been increased is in contradiction
with their annual reports depicting the hefty profits. He pointed
out that in reply to a question, the Union Government had itself
presented the data showing profit to the Oil Companies in the
Parliament in the recent past. He suggested that the experts should
also analyze the reasons due to which the refining costs per liter
in India are much higher as compared to the other countries; that
too while we invite foreign investment stressing that the labour
in India is comparatively much cheaper. It is obvious that the
Oil Companies are manipulating the figures whenever and wherever
it suits them.
The Akali leader mentioned that during 2006-07 the Union Government
earned Rs. 93,000 crores on account of sales tax on Petroleum
Products; and during 2007-08 this collection has increased to
Rs. one hundred lac crore. It is pertinent to mention here that
the total collection in the country from sale tax is 4 lacs crore
during the preceding year. Prof Chandumajra said that it is believable
that with the rising cost of the crude oil in the international
market, the profit of the Oil Companies decreased but showing
loss is implausible.
Prof. Chandumajra sharply criticized the Central Government for
its total failure to control inflation and to protect the interests
of the common man saying the abdication of this social responsibility
was against all canons of justice. He said that the Congress led
United Progressive Alliance (UPA) has no moral right to remain
in power. He said the UPA government which had itself effected
the hike had no justification to impress upon the state governments
to reduce VAT and other taxes on these products. This suggestion,
if implemented, would render the State Governments helpless in
meeting their unavoidable commitments in the field of education,
health and even the payment of salary and pensions to the employees.
Prof Chandumajra ridiculed the tantrums and dramatics of the
Congress leaders of Punjab who had rushed to present a memorandum
to the Punjab Governor to gain cheap publicity. He advised them
to proceed to Delhi instead, while urging their party leaders
running the Government at the center to reduce the prices of Petroleum
Products and save the common man.
Profits of Various Oil Companies in the Period of April 2007
to December 07
as presented in Rajya Sabha on 26 Feburary 2008
ONGC - Rs. 14755 crore
IOCL-7,377 crore
BPCL-1,522 crore
HPCL-750 crore
Gas Athourity of India -1879 crore
OIL - 10342 crore
Indian Oil Corporation has paid 55 percent dividend in the year
of 2007-08
In India total taxes on Petrol is 52 percent in comparison of
18.6 percent in USA
PUNJAB TO HOLD NATIONAL
YOUTH FESTIVAL - 2009 AT AMRITSAR
NEW DELHI JUNE 11, 2008
Punjab will host the 14th National Youth Festival at Amritsar
from January 12-16, 2009.
The decision to allot this momentous event to the state was taken
at a meeting the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal
had with Union Minister of State for Sports & Youth Affairs
(Independent charge) Dr.Manohar Singh Gill here in his office
this morning.
Chief Minister's Media Advisor Mr. Harcharan Bains told newsmen
that this prestigious festival would be organized jointly by Government
of India and the state government. Each government would spend
Rs.2 crore for this festival which would showcase the diversity
of Indian culture at its best.
Meanwhile, the Government of India today also agreed in principle
to undertake a sports promotion programme in Punjab. The programme
would be covered under the Panchayat Yuva Khel and Krirha Abhyaan
(PYKKA) and would encompass all the 12229 villages of the state.
Under this scheme each village would be provided a sum of Rs.1
lac for developing sports ground, Rs.50,000 for the purchase of
sports equipment for 5 years and Rs.10,000 annually for organizing
tournaments and sports competitions. He said 10% of all the villages
would be taken under this scheme every year. Accordingly, 1229
villages would be covered under this project during the current
fiscal year.
Dr. Gill said that Rs.2.5 crore were being sanctioned for the
construction of Youth Hostel at Tarn Taran for which the state
government had already identified a piece of land measuring 3
acres.
The Union Minister also agreed to the state government's proposal
to re-activate the six Nehru Yuvak Kendras at Mohali, Barnala,
Tarn Taran, Nawanshaher, Moga and Mansa. These have been lying
in a state of neglect for past many years. The government proposes
to re-energize youth activities in the state re-energize the dormant
potential of its youth.
The Union Sports & Youth Affairs Minister accepted the state
government's proposal to strengthening the rural sports infrastructure
in the state, especially in the disadvantaged Malwa belt. A sports
hostel for girl trainees at the Sports Authority of India's (SAI)
Training Centre and a world class swimming pool would be constructed
at village Badal.
Dr. Gill also assured the Chief Minister that his Ministry would
soon take up the issue of the reimbursement of Rs.5 crore spent
by the Punjab Government on first Indo-Pak Games – 2004.
Similarly, the existing sports infrastructure for the promotion
of hockey and football in the state would be upgraded in order
to revive the pristine glory of these games in which Punjab once
dominated at the national level.
The Chief Minister accompanied by his Media Advisor Mr. Harcharan
Bains, Principal Secretary to Sports & Youth Affairs Mr. RPS
Pawar, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru and Principal
Resident Commissioner Punjab Bhawan Ms. Anjuly Chib Duggal.
