PB
GOVT. TO SPONSOR APEEJAY SCHOOL STUDENTS' VISIT TO NASA
CHANDIGARH JUNE 12, 2008
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today assured
the 12 member team from Apeejay School, Jalandhar to sponsor their
visit for the participation in the International Space Settlement
Design Competition (ISSDC) to be held at NASA Johnson Space Center,
Houston, Texas (USA) from July 25-28, 2008.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab Government
said that the team members along with their parents and teachers
called on Mr. Badal at his residence this evening. The team had
emerged as the winner of the Asian Region Space Settlement Competition
(ARSSDC) held at Gurgaon from 9th to 13th January, 2008. Mr. Badal
appreciated the students and the management of the school for
achieving this great achievement which has not only done proud
to Punjab but also to the entire country.
In an interactive session with the Chief Minister, the team
President Mohit Thukral apprised him of the concept of their project.
He said that the team of Apeejay Space Architects was the only
team from India that was invited to compete in the ISSDC and would
compete against 15 other teams which were selected from all over
the world through preliminary competitions.
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included
Local Government Minister Manoranjan Kalia, Advisor to Chief Minister
Dr.Daljeet Singh Cheema, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief
Minister Parveen Kumar, District Shiromani Akali Dal President
Charanjit Singh Channi and the Principal Ms. Ranjan Sud.
BADAL LAY THE FOUNDATION STONE OF RGNUL
CAMPUS
PATIALA JUNE 12, 2008
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal on special invitation
by Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court Hon'ble Mr.
Justice Vijender Jain here today laid the foundation stone of
the new campus of Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL)
at Patiala-Bhadson road.
Addressing an impressive function on this occasion Mr. Badal
said that RGNUL, which would be fully equipped with modern infrastructure
to provide the best Law education of international standards,
would prove to be an asset for the state in bringing revolution
in the studies of Law. Emphasizing the need to introduce the Law
study as a compulsory subject for all students at School and College
levels, Mr. Badal said that this arrangement would certainly bring
more social awareness amongst our young generation and make them
Law-obeying good citizens.
Mr. Badal said that the law students after completing their studies
from this state-of-the-art University could play a vital role
in getting justice and protection of one's fundamental rights
because access to justice was the Constitutional obligation. Congratulating
the students and the administration of the University, Mr. Badal
urged the students to strive towards excellence and wished them
success for their life. He aggravated the students to contribute
constructively towards national development and indeed not to
forget their ethics and principles.
On the social front, Mr. Badal appreciated Chief Justice of Punjab
& Haryana High Court Mr. Justice Vijender Jain for his innovative
social reform approach that had created a congenial atmosphere
for the judiciary and lawyers to work tremendously against the
social malady of female foeticide and drug addiction in the state
in addition to their duties.
Addressing on the occasion Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Vijender
Jain congratulated the people of Punjab in general and Patiala
in particular for having state-of-the-art Law University. Appreciating
the role of the RGNUL for providing students with holistic academic
and professional environment conducive to groom prospective professionals
in the field of law, he hoped that one day this University would
become number one Law University in the country. He further said
that Law Colleges and Law Universities could play a vital role
for bringing much needed social reforms in our society.
Praising the ideal concept of Mr. Badal to establish Adersh
Schools in the state Mr. Jain said that with this, quality education
would be ensured in the rural sector. He also appreciated the
Chief Minister for showing special concern for the welfare of
the Judiciary by releasing requisite grant for the construction
of various judicial complexes and lawyers' chambers in the state.
He said Judiciary was fully committed to ensure speedy and inexpensive
access to justice for the common man in the country.
On the special request of Mr. Badal Mr. Jain who is also the
Chancellor of RGNUL has agreed allot 10% reservation for the students
of Punjab in RGNUL.
Professor Mool Chand Sharma, Vice Chairman, University Grant
Commission who was the Guest of Honour on this occasion said that
Law, Society and Development are very much interlinked. He insisted
the legal fraternity in general and Law students in particular
to discharge their duties with professional commitment, dedication
and sincerity in the larger public interest by adopting a upbeat
role to wards the society.
Earlier, Prof. Gurjeet Singh, Vice Chancellor, RGNUL welcomed
all the dignitaries and gave a brief introduction of RGNUL established
with main objective to serve the society through reforms in legal
services by way of preparing professionally competent lawyers,
dedicated researchers, efficient administrators and conscientious
judicial officers. The new campus of the University is being designed
by the renowned Architects Messrs Kothari Associates, New Delhi.
Prof. G.I.S. Sandhu, Registrar RGNUL presented the vote of thanks
on this occasion and Prof. Gurjeet Singh, Vice Chancellor presented
mementos to the dignitaries.
Prominent amongst those who attended the function included Mr.
Justice K.S. Grewal, Mr. Justice M.M. Kumar, Advocate General,
Punjab Mr. H.S. Mattewal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister
Mr. D.S. Guru, Senior SAD leaders Mr. Prem Singh Chandumajra,
Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Mr. Surjit Singh Kohli, Mr. Harmel Singh
Tohra, and Mayor of Patiala Corporation Mr. Ajitpal Singh Kohli
besides the judges, advocates and the top brass of the civil and
police administration.
IRRIGATION PROGRAMME FOR KHARIF SEASON
ANNOUNCED
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 12, 2008
The Irrigation Department, Punjab has announced the Rotational
irrigation Programme for the Kharif Season through Canal water
from 14 June to 21 June, 2008. The channels of Sirhind Canal System
would run on priority basis from Patiala feeder, Abohar Branch,
Sidhwan Branch, Bhatinda Branch and Bist Doab Canal respectively.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the irrigation department
said that direct distributaries of Ghaggar link and its off taking
channels i.e. Ghaggar Branch and Patiala Minor in Group 'B' being
in the Ist preference will run to their indent. Balance water
supplies available will be utilised in direct distributaries of
Bhakra main line of Group 'A'.
The spokesman further said that the Punjab channels off taking
from Harika and Ferozepur Head Works & Branches i.e. Abohar
Branch off taking from Sirhind Feeder and its distributaries of
group "B" would run on first preference to their indent.
Balance water supplies available would be utilised in direct distributaries
of Sirhind Feeder in Group "A".
The spokesman also said that the channels off taking from upper
Bari Doab Canal i.e. Sabraon Branch with its distributaries being
in first Preference would run to their indent. Balance Surplus
water available would be utilised in Kasur Branch Lower, Main
Branch Lower, Lahore Branch and with its distributaries respectively.
Punjab Cabinet Slashes 50% VAT on Diesel,
Petrol and LPG
Chandigarh, june 12, 2008
In a significant move to reduce the prices of the petro-products
including the LPG in the State, the Punjab Cabinet which met here
today under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash
Singh Badal today approved the reduction in the levy of VAT by
50% on the recently enhanced prices by the Centre.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab Government
said that these decisions would give a relief of Rs.75 crore per
annum to the people of Punjab. With this decision diesel in Punjab
would be available at the cheapest price than any other State
in the country including Haryana.
This decision would also give relief on the prices of petrol
which had now been reduced by 65 paisa per liter. There would
be 50% reduction on the levy of VAT also on the incremental prices
of LPG.
The spokesman further said that the matter would be referred
to the State Election Commission and the Notification in this
regard would be issued only after seeking approval from the Commission.
MSP; SUKHBIR TO MEET PM
SAD DESCRIBES CENTRE'S DECISION AS WHIMSICAL
Chandigarh June 12, 2008
: Member of Parliament and Shiromani Akali Dal President Mr.
Sukhbir Singh Badal today came down heavily against the Union
government for its whimsical decision to raise the paddy minimum
support price to just Rs.850 as against Rs.1000 recommended by
Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). Mr. Badal
would seek an appointment with the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan
Singh to put forward a case for raising MSP to Rs.1400 per quintal
for Common variety Rs.1500 for Grade 'A' variety. He said that
even this would be hardly enough to absorb the shock of the unprecedented
price rise, inflationary pressure and the demand and supply scenario
in the county.
In a statement here, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal further said that
the hike announced by the government of India in the prices of
petroleum product, apart from the escalation in the prices of
farms inputs, have already broken the back of the peasantry. The
need of the hour was to come up with some incentives for the farming
sector in the interest of ensuring food security for the nation.
The farmers were looking forward to the government announcing
an MSP conformity with market realities, keeping in view the need
for preventing a dependents on foreign countries for our food
requirements.
Mr. Badal said that the Union Finance Minister's statement about
the states demanding a lower MSP is misleading and incorrect.
"No paddy producing state has demanded a price lower than
Rs.1000", said Mr.
Badal.
CENTRE'S DECISION ON PADDY MSP UPA GOVERNMENT'S CRUEL PARTING
GIFT TO FARMERS
CHANDIGARH JUNE 12:
The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today described
the Centre's Ad-hoc decision on the Minimum Support Price (MSP)
of paddy for the current season as "unprecedented, illogical
and completely divorced from the economic realities being faced
by the farmers at the ground level in the country. It is the UPA
government's cruelest parting gift to the beleaguered peasantry
and the surest proof that the policy makers in the present regime
work from air-conditioned rooms and have no clue about the problems
of our countrymen", said Mr. Badal in a statement here this
evening. The Chief Minister said that the Union Government was
rubbing salt in the wounds of the farmers by with holding a significant
raise in the paddy MSP even after the rate of inflation in the
country was beginning to cross 9 percent. He called upon the Prime
Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh immediately correct this distortion
by announcing an additional hike of Rs.250 to Rs.350 per quintal.
Mr. Badal was reacting to the statement of the Union Finance
Minister Mr. P.Chidambaram in which the latter (Mr. Chidambaram)
had rejected the recommendations of Commission for Agricultural
Costs and Prices (CACP). The CACP had recommended the raising
of the paddy MSP to Rs.1000 per quintal for the Common variety
and Rs.1050 for Grade 'A' variety. Mr. Chidambaram instead announced
the Union Government's decision to fix the MSP at Rs. 850 and
Rs.875 per quintal for the two varieties respectively.
Mr. Badal said that there has been a steep hike in the prices
of essential commodities in the country. This included the prices
of fertilizers and other agricultural inputs. He said that the
case for a substantial raise in the paddy MSP had become extremely
strong, justified and beyond dispute after the Government of India
recently announced a back–breaking hike in the prices of
petrol and diesel.
The Chief Minister further said that there was no justification
for resorting to ad-hocism when the paddy sowing operations had
already begun.
Mr. Badal said that there was no substance in Mr. Chidambaram's
argument that there was a wide divergence of views among different
states on the subject. On the contrary, said the Punjab Chief
Minister, a vast majority of paddy producing states had demanded
an MSP well above Rs.1000 per quintal for the common variety and
substantially higher than that for the Grade 'A' variety. He said
that only state's like Himachal Pradesh which did not figure among
the major contributors to the national food kitty may have suggested
a lower MSP.
Mr. Badal reiterated his party's demand for linking MSP of agricultural
products to the overall price index or implement Dr. MS Swaminathan's
formula for giving the farmers 50% profit plus the actual cost
of production.
TIKSHAN SUD ENDORSES NARENDRA MODI'S STAND ON MORE FISCAL POWERS
TO STATES
Chandigarh, June 12: Senior BJP leader and Punjab's Medical Education
Minister Mr. Tikshan Sud today ridiculed Congress Party for demanding
trail of Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi for treason,
for questioning Union fiscal policy of uneven distribution of
tax share to the states.
In a statement issued here today Mr. Sud said that if asking
rightful share of revenue for the State, a Chief Minister of a
State can attract the charge of treason, then every development
oriented and visionary leader of this country, is guilty of this
charge. Mr. Sud said that Mr. Modi had only pointed towards biased
policy of Union Government regarding distribution of revenue to
the states out of tax collected from that particular state and
had demanded review of outdated formula. He had pointed out that
Gujarat was providing Rs. 40,000 Crores in taxes to the Union
Government where as the Centre was giving back only 2 ½
percent of it back to Gujarat.
Mr. Sud said that all progressive state governments including
Punjab had been complaining to Union Government regarding faulty
taxation policies and had been demanding review of formula discriminating
against the progressive States on the basis of their low population.
He said that Punjab had been pleading that review of this formula
was necessary to maintain a balance between Unitary and Federal
System of our democracy. He said that Mr. Badal had time and time
again asked for review of formula of sharing taxes between Union
and the States.
Calling upon Congress party to tender apology for invoking the
charge of treason against a Nationalist leader like Mr. Modi,
BJP leader wondered that it was surprising that the same Congress
Party was working to grant mercy to famous terrorist Afzal Guru
who attacked Parliament and killed scores of policemen
