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.
