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Punjab
June, 2008

 

GENERAL RODRIGUES CONDOLES THE DEATH OF DR. KEWAL KRISHAN

CHANDIGARH, JULY 1, 2008

The Punjab Governor and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh, Gen. (Retd.) S.F. Rodrigues, PVSM VSM has expressed his grief and sorrow over the sad demise of former Speaker of Punjab Assembly and Ex-Cabinet Minister, Dr. Kewal Krishan.

Describing Dr. Kewal Krishan as a seasoned Parliamentarian, an able Administrator, a committed political figure and above all a good human being, General Rodrigues said that his long contribution in different facets of national life and selfless service to society will always be remembered.

He conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the members of the bereaved family


CM, KALIA, SUKHBIR AND MAJITHIA MOURN DR. KEWAL KRISHAN'S SAD DEMISE

Punjab Government Declares holiday for tomorrow as a mark of respect for tomorrow

Chandigarh June 30, 2008

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today condoled the sad demise of former Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Dr. Kewal Krishan who passed away this evening after a massive heart attack while he was being rushed to Jalandhar from his native town Mukerian for medical treatment.

In a condolence message, Mr. Badal described Dr. Kewal Krishan as a multifaceted personality as he was a true statesman, a great patriot and above all a fine human being. His outstanding services as a social activist to uplift the downtrodden and disadvantaged sections of the society would be ever remembered by one and all.

Mr. Badal also expressed his heart felt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family and prayed to Almighty to give strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss and grant peace to the departed soul.

Meanwhile, as a mark of respect to Dr. Kewal Krishan, the Punjab Government tonight declared a holiday and ordered all the Govt. offices, state undertakings, corporations and educational institutions throughout the state to remain closed on Tuesday.

Local Government, Industry and Commerce Minister Mr. Manoranjan Kalia also shared his heartfelt sympathies on the death of Dr. Kewal Krishan and said he was a great visionary and nationalist to the core.

Member Parliament and SAD president Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal also mourned the death of Dr. Kewal Krishan and said; "He was an institution in himself as he propagated the value based politics and served the people of Punjab with missionary zeal".

Information & Public Relations Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia also shared his condolences on the passing away of Dr. Kewal Krishan and said he was a man with rare qualities of head and heart and a harbinger of peace, brotherhood and communal harmony.


State Election Commission Punjab

 

Chandigarh June 30, 2008

The general elections to the 94 Municipal Councils/Nagar Panchayats were held today in the state and overall polling was 78% approximately. The polling was almost peaceful, free and fair despite some minor scuffles and disturbances to the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at some polling booths.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the State Election Commission Punjab said that the polling was held in a peaceful manner as the Commission had already made elaborate arrangements for these elections. The results were declared by the Returning Officers in the wards in the late evening. He added that a few complaints were received by the Commission as some groups have entered into at some polling booths and overpowered the EVMs, resulting in disturbing the smooth conduct of voting process at the booth.

He added that it was reported that smooth conduct of polls were disturbed at about sixteen polling booths where re-polling could be ordered which includes Banur (1), Sanour (1), Samana (1), Fazilka (4), Pathankot (3), Kadian (3), Malout (2) and Sunam (1). He said that final decision of re-polling would be taken by the Election Commission after receiving the factual reports of the concerned Returning Officers.

 


CM thanks Punjabis for peaceful poll
"A MANDATE FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE:"BADAL

Chandigarh June 30, 2008

The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today thanked the people of the Punjab for the peaceful conduct of the elections to the 95 Municipal councils of the state and landslide victory of the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP alliance in these elections.

In a statement here, Mr. Badal said that despite the vast magnitude of the electoral exercise, the people of the State and the administrative machinery joined hands to ensure smooth conduct of the poll. This had thoroughly belied the propaganda of the Congress leaders that the total rout of their party was the result of any foul play. The polling remained totally peaceful, free and fair and this was a "victory for grass-root democracy in the urban and semi segment". Punjabis voted with enthusiasm and utmost responsibility to set an example for the rest for the country in dignified democratic conduct.

Mr. Badal also thanked the State Election Commission for ensuring a free and fair poll, as truly reflected in the result. "The State Elections Commission's role thoroughly exposed the vicious and misleading propaganda of our rivals about the fairness of the poll. I am grateful for all the foolproof arrangements made by the Commission to prevent any electoral malpractice from taking place during the entire Municipal councils electioneering process".

Mr. Badal asked the Congress party to accept the basic tenet of democracy in which the voice of the people is the voice of God. "We hope that, at least this time, the Congress party and its leadership should show democratic grace and dignity to accept the verdict of the people in the true spirit of democracy. He said that the Congress leadership had been totally frustrated, having to face one poll debacle after another from Corporation elections to Zila Parishad, Panchayat Samities, Amritsar South by-poll and now the Municipal elections.

Meanwhile, the Local Government, Industry and Commerce Minister Mr. Manoranjan Kalia also joined the Chief Minister in thanking the people of the State for reposing faith in the SAD-BJP alliance through a decisive mandate


SAD-BJP VICTORY MARCH UNSTOPPABLE: SUKHBIR
"CONG BREAST-BEATING A PRE-FABRICATED RESPONSE"

Chandigarh June 30 - The Shiromani Akali Dal president Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today trashed the Congress protestations after their worst ever poll debacle as an "enactment of a well-rehearsed stage show in breast-beating and fake anger."

"The Congress leaders have issued pre-fabricated press notes on the outcome of the Municipal Poll results. In fact, so obvious is the hollowness of their claims that Mrs. Rajinder Kaur Bhathal offered advance justification for her party's defeat in her statement yesterday. How mechanical, hollow and predictable are their words and actions is obvious from the fact that one of their main leaders , Mr. Braham Mohindra stages dharnas regardless of who controls the reigns of the government, the SAD-BJP alliance or his own Congress party," said Mr. Badal in a statement issued after the results of the MC elections showed Congress routed almost everywhere in the state. Mr. Mohindra, who staged a dharna against the ruling alliance today, had done the same when his own party was in power in Punjab.

The SAD chief said that while Mrs. Bhathal would go to her party's High Command and complain against her own party leaders for the defeat of the Congress, in Punjab she would be blaming it on the unfair role of the ruling alliance. "This is enough to expose the false-hood and duplicity of Congress protestations over their defeat," said the Akali chief. He said that the ruling alliance had gone into the poll for a mandate on the performance of the government headed by Sardar Parkash Singh Badal and "we swept the poll despite the Congress attempts at brow-beating the electorate and the polling officials."

Referring to the outcome of various elections held since the Assembly poll in Punjab, Mr. Badal said that the victory march of the SAD-BJP combine was totally unstoppable. "We routed them in the Zila Parishad, Panchayat Samities Elections, Gram Panchayat elections, Bathinda Municipal Corporation elections followed by the present Municipal Council elections and this was testimony to the fact that the people of the State were firmly behind the SAD-BJP Government.

He expressed gratitude to all the voters as well as the leaders and cadres of both SAD and BJP whose untiring efforts had made this victory possible. He said that the Punjab Government would work in close collaboration with the elected local bodies and provide all financial and administrative support for the development of the State's towns.


PUNJAB GOVERNMENT COMMITTED TO SAFEGUARD THE INTERESTS OF NRIs – MATTEWAL

London/Chandigarh: June 30

Advocate General Punjab Mr Hardev Singh Mattewal stated that the Punjab Government was committed to safeguard the rights of the Non Resident Indians (NRIs).

This was disclosed by Mr. Mattewal while talking to media persons during his private visit to London. He said the Punjab Government was making all out efforts to resolve the issues pertaining to NRIs. He urged the NRIs to make huge investments in the states' development programmes. He pointed out that during his visit to London he called upon the NRIs to come forward to invest in Punjab in a big way. He also met various deputations of NRIs there and assured them of state government's fulsome support and cooperation.

Appreciating the historic decisions taken by the Badal Government for the welfare of NRIs during the NRIs Sammelan held in Punjab, Mr. Mattewal termed it as a 'step in the right direction to win over the confidence of NRIs'. A high level committee was also constituted during this Sammelan which had so far resolved many vexed issues relating to the problems of the NRIs, said Mr. Mattewal.

Mr. Mattewal said that Punjab was making rapid strides under the stewardship of Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal. He hoped Punjab would soon emerge as the most preferred investment destination and a Commercial Centre as the diverse sectors of Industry, Real Estate, Education and Health Services in Punjab had recently witnessed huge expansion in these fields..

Replying to a query raised by the media persons, Mr. Mattewal said that he was here on the private visit and not on official one. He said he had come here to participate in a religious function organized by the London based Gurdwara where he was honored by the local Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee.

To another question Mr. Mattewal said that Mr. Badal had already setup special Police Stations for the NRIs in the state to redress their complaints and grievances on the priority. He said he was given war welcome by the NRIs settled in London and would ever cherish these memorable moments throughout his life. "I have personally realized the hardships being faced by the NRIs here and would soon take up this matter with the Punjab Government for their immediate and solution on the top priority, said Mr. Mattewal.


BADAL, OTHERS PAY TRIBUTE TO MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH

Chandigarh, June 29

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today paid glowing tributes to Sher-e-Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh on his 169th Death Anniversary. Remembering the great ruler on the occasion, Chief Minister Badal said that the four decade long rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Punjab had become an ideal for all Governments to emulate.

Local Bodies, Industry and Commerce Minister Manoranjan Kalia also joined the Chief Minister in remembering the indelible contribution of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the history of Punjab.

Information and Public Relations Minister Bikram Singh Majithia remembered Maharaja Ranjit Singh as a liberal and multi-faceted ruler whose life and achievements would continue to inspire generations of people in Punjab and the country.

SAD President and Lok Sabha MP Sukhbir Singh Badal while paying tribute to Punjab's great hero said that Maharaja Ranjit Singh was a "great icon" in Punjab's history and his contribution to the development of modern Punjab and India must be disseminated throughout the country.



 

 

 

 

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