PRIVATE TECHNICAL INSTITUTIONS TO RESERVE
10% FREE SEATS FOR RURAL STUDENTS FROM CURRENT ACADEMIC SESSION
Chandigarh June 24, 2008
On the persuasion of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh
Badal, Association of Punjab State Technical Private Institutions
today agreed in principle to reserve 10% of seats in their respective
institutions free of cost exclusively for the rural students with
first division or above from the academic session 2008-09. These
institutions would impart absolute free education including the
facilities of free boarding, lodging and transportation to the
eligible beneficiaries.
An assurance to this effect was given by the members of the association
which called on Punjab Chief Minister here at his official residence
late evening.
Expressing grave concern to provide free education to the students
with rural background who were deprived of the facility of basic
education from the day one due to extreme poverty, Mr. Badal called
upon management of the private engineering colleges to come forward
for this noble cause.
The Chief Minister assured the association for the sympathetic
consideration of their genuine demands including an enactment
of Punjab State Technical Education Act and streamlining counseling
procedure for the admissions in the various technical institutions
adopted by Punjab Technical University (PTU). Mr. Badal also asked
the Principal Secretary Technical Education Mrs. Tejinder Kaur
to devise ways and means to implement the six year engineering
courses in Punjab after class 10th on the Haryana pattern. He
also asked her to work out modalities for few Government Senior
Secondary schools in the vicinity of these private engineering
and technical colleges to run
10+2 classes by the management of these institutions as these
were
well equipped with qualified staff and infrastructure as a 'pilot
project'. He said this step would certainly improve the quality
of students to be admitted in these engineering colleges and the
schools would act as a nursery for these institutions. Mr. Badal
also emphasized the need to start evening classes in the institutions
for short term courses in skill development free of cost for the
benefit of rural students. He also asked the management of these
institutions to start more engineering colleges especially at
the block level within a radius of 25 to 30 K.M to cater to the
need of technical education.
Prominent among others who attended the meeting including Principal
Secretary Technical Education-cum- Vice Chancellor Mrs. Tejinder
Kaur, Financial Commissioner Mrs. Romila Dubey, Principal Secretary
Transport Mr. D.S. Jaspal, Chairmen PSEB Y.S Ratra, Secretry Housing
& Urban Development Arun Goel, Secretary Local Government
D.S. Bains, Chief Administrator GAMADA Vivek Partap Singh besides
Chairman Satnam Singh Sandhu and President Rashpal Singh Dhaliwal
of Chandigarh Group of Colleges, Mr. Manjit Singh of Doaba Group
of Colleges, Dr. Zora Singh of Desh Bhagat Group of Colleges and
Mr. Sukhdev Singla Chairman Indo-Global Group of Colleges.
BADAL TAKES UPA GOVERNMENT TO TASK FOR
OUT OF BOUND INFLATION
INAUGURATES PICASSO ANIMATION COLLEGE AT MOHALI
CHANDIGARH JUNE 24, 2008
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today blamed the
UPA government for the unprecedented rate of inflation that had
even crossed the so far highest level of 11.05%. He attributed
Centre's least concern for the common man in its parlance 'Aam
Admi' for aggravating their woes, who had been crushed under the
unbearable burden of price rise.
Talking to the newsmen on the side lines of the inaugural function
of Picasso Animation College here at SAS Nagar Mohali –
first of its kind in the North India, Mr.. Badal said: 'Centre
is solely accountable for the exorbitant price hike and can not
shun its responsibility to control the demon of ever increasing
price rise because it was at the helm of affairs in chalking out
of the economic policies.
On the education front, Mr. Badal reiterated the government's
firm commitment to impart quality education to the students in
the rural areas. He said that the state government had chalked
out a week long district wise programme starting from June 24
to provide career counseling to the students especially who have
passed matriculation in first division to enable them to opt subject
of their choice according to their aptitude and caliber.
Asked to comment on the recent shoot out incident in which one
innocent Sikh was killed and many others injured in Mumbai, Mr.
Badal termed these happenings as tragic and most unfortunate.
In an emotional appeal, the Chief Minister urged all the sections
of society to maintain peace, communal harmony and brotherhood
at all costs. He made firm resolve to maintain peace in the state
under all circumstances and no body would be allowed to disturb
the hard earned atmosphere of peace, unity and amity in the state.
To another question about the issue of seat sharing in the forthcoming
municipal elections in the state, Mr. Badal categorically stated
that SAD-BJP alliance had already sorted out this issue amicably.
He however said that this vexed issue was obvious in such elections
and would be solved soon by taking our allies in confidence.
Earlier, Mr. Badal along with Industries Minister Manoranjan
Kalia lighted a lamp to mark the inauguration of the college and
released an animated film CD 'Chota Bhim' developed by the student
of the college. Mr. Badal hoped that this prestigious institution
in hi-end animation training would cater to the ever growing demand
for highly skilled animation professionals. He pointed out the
skills of young students from Punjab and their creative skills,
combined with their entrepreneurial drive would enable the management
of the Picasso animation to tap their potential optimally in the
diverse field of animation.
Taking part in the deliberations Director to the College Suren
Uppal said that the aim of this institution was to develop the
professional pool of skilled animators from the multifaceted land
of Punjab which was blessed with the unique culture and tradition.
He mentioned that this prestigious institute would ensure gainful
employment to the students as it had unmatched track record of
133% on campus job placements.
BADAL SHARE CONDOLENCES WITH THE VICTIMS
OF HEMKUND TRAGEDY, ANNOUNCES EX-GRATIA OF Rs. ONE LAKH FOR EACH
KILLED IN MISHAP
CHANDIGARH JUNE 24, 2008
Punjab Chief Minister Mr.Parkash Singh Badal today deeply mourned
the sad and tragic demise of 8 pilgrims who were killed on way
to Hemkund Sahib Shrine in Garhwal Himalayas and 7 others injured
in an incident of glacier sliding near Hemkund Sahib on Monday
late evening.
Mr. Badal rang up the Uttrakhand Chief Minister Mr. Bhuwan Chandra
Khanduri and urged him to intensify the rescue operations to extricate
the bodies buried under the glacier. He also asked the Mr. Khanduri
to make necessary arrangements for the transportation of the bodies
after identification to respective places in Punjab besides to
provide proper medical cure and treatment to the injured. The
entire expenditure on their treatment would be borne by the Punjab
Government. Mr. Badal also directed the State Chief Secretary
and Director General of Police to be in touch with their counterparts
in Uttrakhand to keep a close tab on the situation.
Meanwhile, Mr. Badal announced an ex-gratia grant of Rs. One
lac each for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs.50,000 and
Rs.25,000 each for mishap victim with serious and minor injuries
respectively.
Mr. Badal shared his heartfelt sympathies with the members of
the bereaved families and prayed to Almighty to give courage to
them to bear this irreparable loss and grant peace to the departed
soul.
PUNJAB RECORDS 103% ANNUAL PLAN PERFORMANCE
State to take special steps to access Central Funds
Chandigarh, June 24, 2008
The Punjab Government is reported to have registered an impressive
annual Plan performance of 103% in 2007-08. According to the data
collected by the Punjab State Planning Board, the State incurred
a Plan expenditure of Rs. 5184 crores against an original Plan
allocation of Rs. 5111 crores which was subsequently revised to
Rs. 5050 crores by the Vidhan Sabha.
Giving details, a spokesperson for the Punjab Government stated
that against the revised budgetary Plan allocation of Rs. 3050
crores, the State incurred an expenditure of Rs. 2722 crores,
which reflects an achievement of 89%. Under the non-budgetary
portion of the Plan, reflecting capital expenditure incurred by
Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB), Punjab Infrastructure Development
Board (PIDB) and Rural Development Fund (RDF), Plan expenditure
was Rs. 2462 crores against a revised allocation of Rs. 2000 crores,
an achievement of 123%.
Recently, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had conveyed
his concern about different Administrative Departments in the
State not being able to fully access and utilize their due share
of Central funds. The State Government gets funds under Centrally
Sponsored Schemes under different sharing formulae as well as
under Central Sector Schemes which are 100% Central grants. The
Chief Minister had asked the Chief Secretary to closely monitor
the performance of different Departments in accessing and utilizing
Central funds.
Chief Secretary Ramesh Inder Singh has initiated intensive review
meetings with Administrative Secretaries of the performance of
various Departments in 2007-08 as well as their likely targets
for the ensuing year. First of these meetings was held yesterday
evening in which the working of dozen-odd Departments was reviewed.
Besides the concerned Administrative Secretaries, Principal Secretary
Finance DS Kalha, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister DS Guru,
Secretary Planning Satish Chandra and Special Secretary Planning
Tejveer Singh were the officers who attended the meeting. 3 similar
meetings to cover the remaining Departments are reportedly planned
during the week ahead.
The spokesperson stated that it had been decided during the meeting
that topmost priority would be accorded towards releasing all
Central grants as well as State share for Centrally Sponsored
Schemes. Similarly, the Finance Department has been directed to
expeditiously release all grants received for NABARD and Externally
Aided Projects (such as World Bank and JBIC) along with their
matching State Share. The Chief Secretary has further directed
all Departments to ensure that their respective proposals for
seeking Central grants in the current year must reach the line
Ministries in Government of India within 15 days, he added.
The Planning Department has also examined the current year's
Union Budget proposals and circulated a Department-wise list of
relevant schemes for the benefit of the concerned Administrative
Departments to access Central funds, wherever possible, said the
spokesperson.
DEPARTMENTAL EXAMINATION FROM JULY 21
Chandigarh, June 24:
Central Committee of Examination, Punjab is organizing the next
departmental examination of certain categories of Officers/Officials
from July 21 to July 25, 2008 at local Lajpat Rai Bhawan in two
shifts i.e. from 9.00 A.M. to 12:00 noon and 2:00 to 5:00 P.M.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab Government
said that these categories includes Assistant Commissioners/ Extra
Assistant Commissioners, I.P.S officers, Civil Judges (Junior
Division), Tehsildars/ Revenue Officials, Officers of Forest Department
I.F.S., Officers of the Agriculture/ Soil Conservation Services/Horticulture
Services, Animal Husbandry & Fisheries department, Wardens/Inspectors
of Wild Life Preservation department, Officers/Officials of the
department of Jails, Excise and Taxation department, Cooperation,
Dairy Development, Block Development and Panchayat Officers, Lady
Circle Supervisors of Rural Development and Panchayat Department
and Officers of Labour & Employment Departments.
SHIROMANI AKALI DAL MUMBAI KILLING
SUKHBIR CALLS ON MAHARASHTRA'S GUV, CM
Chandigarh June 24, 2008
The Shiromani Akali Dal president Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today
urged the Maharashtra Government to take exemplary action against
those guilty of firing at innocent and unarmed Sikhs, killing
one and seriously injuring several others in Mulund area in Mumbai
last week.
Mr. Badal, who is leading a delegation of senior Akali leaders
from Punjab, also demanded liberal compensation to those affected
by the tragic incident, including a job to a member of the bereaved
family.
Mr. Harcharan Bains, Media Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Parkash
Singh Badal represented the Punjab government in the delegation.
The delegation called on the Governor and the Chief Minister
of Maharashtra, and also visited the family of Balkar Singh who
had died in that incident . The SAD president announced a grant
of Rs. Five Lakh to the family of the late Mr. Balkar Singh and
Rs. One lakh each to those injured.
Talking to media persons later, Mr. Badal called upon the Maharastra
government to take all necessary steps to ensure safety of life
and property of the minority Sikh community in the state. He said
that Sikhs are a peace-loving community and strongly disapprove
of violence of any kind. "here was a natural spontaneous
emotional reaction in the community leading to protests. Following
this, the Maharashtra police registered cases against 27 Sikhs
protesters. But considering the emotional nature of these protests,
these cases should be withdrawn and the concerned persons should
be released immediately, demanded Mr. Badal during his meetings
with the Governor and the Chief Minister.
The SAD president said that the Sikhs are a peace-loving community.
"We strongly disapprove of violence of any kind and firmly
believe in civilized approach to problems. The Sikhs have lived
here for centuries and have made Maharashtra their second home.
The Punjabis and the Marathas share a common heritage of bravery
and patriotism," said Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal.
The other members of the delegation include the SGPC president
Jathedar Avtar Singh, Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Mr. Charanjit
Singh Atwal,the SGPC Vice President Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, former
ministers Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra and
Mr. Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, the SAD Secretary, Dr. Daljit Singh
Cheema Mr. Avtar Singh Hit, Mr. Onkar Singh Thapar.