Tampering with Punjab's
claim on Chandigarh will cause unrest : Badal warns PM
Moves fast on Chandigarh move to fill posts from UT cadre
Chandigarh March 19, 2008
The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today asked
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to intervene and stop the Chandigarh
Administration "from tampering with the existing system for
filling the top civil posts in the Union Territory on deputation
from Punjab and Haryana on a 60:40 ratio till Chandigarh is transferred
to the State of Punjab."
In a written communication to the P.M., the Chief Minister warned
that "the people of Punjab will not permit any change in
the administrative structure of the City of Chandigarh to the
detriment of the interests and claims of the State of Punjab and
Punjabis. Any such effort will cause unrest in the minds of Punjabis
within and outside the State and will deeply hurt their sentiments"
said Mr. Badal, adding that the reported move of the UT Administration
violated not only the "specific position taken by the Central
Administrative Tribunal (CAT) on the issue but also the related
provisions in the Punjab Re-organisation Act, 1966."
"I am amazed and shocked to learn that efforts are afoot
to turn Chandigarh into a perpetual Union Territory," said
Mr. Badal.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister's Media Advisor, Mr. Harcharan
Bains, disclosed today that Mr. Badal would take up the matter
with the Prime Minister at their next meeting. "He is seeking
a meeting with the P.M. to discuss what he feels "is a matter
of utmost importance and serious concern to Punjab. The UT's move
has deeply hurt Mr. Badal and he views it as an unreasonable,
unjustified and eminently avoidable step. The Chief Minister would
impress upon the Prime Minister the need to stop the Chandigarh
Administration from doing anything that had the potential to cause
unrest in the region," said Mr. Bains.
The Chief Minister's 'firm and unequivocal stand' came amidst
reports that the Union Territory was seeking to change the present
process of filling the " the posts of Principal Medical Officer-cum-Director,
Health Services and Joint Principal Medical Officer-cum-Medical
Superintendent in Chandigarh by transfer on deputation from amongst
the officers from the Punjab or Haryana State Governments. The
UT Administration reportedly was initiating a move to fill these
posts by promotion from the UT cadre officers. Ever since the
Re-organization of Punjab in 1966, these posts have been filled
from amongst the officers of Punjab and Haryana who can remain
on deputation up to a period of four years.
Mr. Badal used strong words to voice the state's position on
the issue. "The People of Punjab have never compromised on
the denial of their legitimate right and claim to the city of
Chandigarh. In order to get Chandigarh transferred to the State,
they were forced to launch mass agitations, as a result of which
thousands of Punjabis had to court arrests. The aspirations and
sentiments of all Punjabis are deeply attached to the issue of
the city right from the day the City was conceived," he wrote
in his communication to the PM.
The Chief Minister emphasized that 'the State of Punjab is absolutely
clear that Chandigarh belongs to the State of Punjab to which
it needs to be transferred immediately.' He added that the people
of Punjab expected the Prime Minister to use his good offices
to resolve the long-outstanding issue regarding the transfer of
Chandigarh to Punjab."
As per the Chandigarh Administration Medical Posts (Group 'A')
Recruitment Rules, 1983, the posts of Principal Medical Officer-cum-Director,
Health Services and Joint Principal Medical Officer-cum-Medical
Superintendent, U.T. Chandigarh are to be filled by transfer on
deputation from amongst the officers from the Punjab or Haryana
State Governments. Ever since the re-organization of Punjab in
1966, the post of Principal Medical Officer-cum-Director, Health
Services has been filled form amongst the officers of Punjab Civil
Medical Services cadre on deputation and that of the Joint Principal
Medical Officer-cum-Medical Superintendent has been filled from
amongst the officers of Haryana State Medical Services cadre.
Further, as per these rules, the Principal Medical Officer-cum-Director
Health Services can remain on deputation up to a period of four
years.
'Though, U.T. of Chandigarh was carved out in the year 1966,
the Recruitment Rules were framed by the competent authority in
the year 1983. After having experience of 17 years, the competent
authority i.e. Government of India considered it expedient to
prescribe the mode of recruitment to both these posts by way of
transfer on deputation/transfer so as to avail services of experienced
persons keeping in view that it is a solitary post in each of
the cadre. The official respondents as well as private respondents
through their written statements have submitted that the framers
of the Rules were aware of the existence of the U.T. cadre but
keeping in view the number of posts and with a view to have experienced
person and keeping in view the periodical change in the post,
said method of recruitment has been prescribed. The Recruitment
Rules have stood the test of time since 1983 and were challenged
only in the year 1995. The CAT specifically observed that there
was no dispute that the posts of Medical Superintendent as well
as that of Principal Medical Officer were solitary posts and that
the Competent Authority by taking into consideration the relevant
factors, framed the said Rules. The existing Rules have stood
the test of time since 1983 and balance has also been struck between
the States of Punjab and Haryana as the post of PMO-cum-DHS is
filled from Punjab cadre doctors and that of Medical Superintendent
is filled from Haryana Cadre doctors,' said Mr. Badal.
"There is no rationale or requirement for amendments, to
the existing rules," he said.
Further, as per the decisions taken under the Punjab Reorganization
Act, 1966, the posts of various services in the Union Territory
of Chandigarh are required to be filled up by taking officers/officials
on deputation from the State of Punjab and Haryana in the ratio
60:40 as per the policy guidelines contained in MHA's letter No.
14/1/66-CHD dated 4th November, 1966. The Supreme Court of India
has not only upheld these Government policy guidelines in the
case of Swarn Lata Versus Union of India (1980 Lab IC (NDC) 8
1979 1 Lab LJ C.A. No. 628 of 1978 dated 16th January, 1979) but
has held that these instructions issued by the Government of India
that the civil posts in the Chandigarh Administration shall be
manned by the employees by the State Governments of Punjab and
Haryana on deputation basis are supplemental, incidental and consequential
provisions for the reorganization of the States under the Reorganization
Act and are binding on all the parties covered under the reorganization,
Mr. Badal pointed out.
Ammended Version of Press
Note No. 84 (CMO) on Panchayat Elections
PUNJAB ASSEMBLY UNANIMOUSLY PASSES RESOLUTION SEEKING
POSTPONEMENT OF PANCHAYAT ELECTIONS
CHANDIGARH MARCH 19, 2008
The Punjab Assembly today unanimously passed the resolution seeking
postponement of elections to the Panchyati Raj Institutions scheduled
to be held on April 07, 2008.
Disclosing this here today, a spokesman of the Punjab Government
said that the resolution was moved by the Leader of the House
& Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal seeking postponement
of the elections in view of the forthcoming wheat harvesting season
and annual examinations of the colleges and universities. The
Leader of Opposition Mrs. Rajinder Kaur Bhattal also supported
the resolution. The spokesman further said that the Chief Secretary
of the State Government had forwarded this resolution to the State
Election Commission through the Chief Secretary by the State Government.
The elections are now likely to be held around mid of May, 2008.
BADAL GIVES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO MR.BHAG
SINGH
CHANDIGARH MARCH 19, 2008
Punjab Chief Minister Mr.Parkash Singh Badal today gave a financial
assistance of Rs.1 lac to Mr. Bhag Singh, the celebrated PR specialist
who retired from the Information & Public Relations Department
as Deputy Director (Song & Drama).
Mr. Harcharan Bains, Media Advisor to Mr.Badal presented a cheque
of Rs.1 lac on behalf of the Chief Minister. Mr.Bhag Singh has
not been keeping good health over last three years and Mr. Badal's
gesture was in recognisition of the excellent services rendered
by Mr. Bhag Singh in the field of song and drama besides Punjabi
films.
Mr. Bains said that the state government was seriously considering
honouring Mr.Bhag Singh for his outstanding role particularly
in mobilizing popular artist in support of public causes. Mr.Bains
was accompanied by Director Information & Public Relations
Mr.Tejveer Singh.
Mrs.Kamla Bhag Singh wife of Mr.Bhag Singh and his maternal
grand son Paramveer was also present on the occasion.
COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH FAIR CONCLUDES IN
PUNJAB
Chandigarh March 19, 2008
With a sole objective of promoting Ayurvedic systems of medicines
and generate awareness amongst the people of the state of Punjab
about this ancient system, a four-day long 'AROGYA MELA' organized
in unison by the health department Punjab and FICCI ,was concluded
late last evening at Amritsar. This first ever comprehensive health
fair in the state evoked extensive response not only from the
people of Punjab but also from the neighboring states.
Various new researches and on-going projects of Ayurveda were
discussed on one platform.
Speaking at the concluding day of the health fair, Prof.Lakshmi
Kanta Chawla, Health and Family Welfare Minister Punjab said that
concerted efforts were being made to create awareness among the
people about the efficacy of the AYUSH systems, its cost effectiveness
and the availability of herbs used for prevention of and treatment
of common ailments at peoples' doorsteps through various channels
including the production of audio-visual educational material
to achieve the objective of "health for all".
The Minister also said that more than 6 thousand patients have
been examined by a team of qualified and competent doctors from
both Delhi and Punjab during this four-day long health fair. Ayurvedic
and Homeopathy medicines worth Rs.60, 000 have also been distributed
amongst the patients, she said. A disciple and representative
of Swami Ramdev, Acharya Balkrishan explained at length the importance
of yogic exercises to keep human body free from any kinds of diseases.
Adding further, she said that the Punjab Health department has
started in-house manufacturing facility of Ayurvedic drugs at
Patiala Pharmacy to provide genuine and unadulterated drugs to
the patients manufactured from medicinal plants and herbs under
scientific supervision. Raw material worth Rs. 1 crore has already
been purchased for manufacturing of drugs.
She also said that an unique herbal garden was being set up in
7 acres of land in Zirakpur where all kinds of herbs and medicinal
trees would be grown. First Ayurveda University was also coming
up in Hoshiarpur, she said. Besides the Vigilance wing of the
Department has been strengthened to check the production and sale
of spurious Ayurvedic drugs in the State. Seeking the cooperation
of general public, the Minister said that they should in confidence
give information about any units manufacturing spurious drugs
in their vicinity.
29TH MEETING OF PUNJAB RAJYA SAINIK BOARD
GENERAL RODRIGUES CALLS FOR CREATING MORE AVENUES OF EMPLOYMENT
FOR OUR EX-SERVICEMEN IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR
CHANDIGARH, MARCH 19, 2008
The Punjab Governor and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh,
Gen. (Retd.) S.F. Rodrigues, PVSM VSM, while presiding over the
29th meeting of Punjab Rajya Sainik Board, here today, strongly
pleaded for strengthening the institutional mechanism, supported
by a monitoring system, for creating more avenues of employment
for our ex-servicemen in public and private sectors, to utilize
their capacities and capabilities more effectively. He said that
the Ex-servicemen constitute committed body and can play an unique
role in building the new Resurgent India.
Emphasizing the need for expanding opportunities to utilize
their potential, experience and expertise, General Rodrigues said
that they can be instruments of change for the transformation
of society. He said that in the changing socio-economic scenario
in the world, our ex-servicemen must be utilized in different
fields of endeavour by imparting them skill training in different
vocations to channelise their energies for productive purposes.
Advocating the need for forging unity among the different ranks
of Ex-servicemen, General Rodrigues reiterated that an apex body
must be established, to act as a single window and an effective
cooperative mechanism, with chapters throughout the State to ensure
all round welfare of the Ex-servicemen. He said that this single
platform must act as a facilitator and be responsive to their
needs. He emphasized that Punjab should take the lead in this
respect and should be a model for the rest of the Country to emulate.
General Rodrigues, while exhorting retired senior officers from
different forces to lead a life of dignity, self–respect
and honour, said that they should utilize their potential for
productive purposes and contribute their might for bringing about
social change. He said that our Ex-servicemen have vast experience
in tackling difficult situations and that should be utilized for
the welfare of the common man. He made it clear to the ex-servicemen
that they should be the masters of their own destiny and work
together for raising the quality of life of ex-servicemen and
their families.
Sharing his concern for the declining number of people joining
the Indian Defence Forces, General Rodrigues said that there is
a need of generating awareness among our people and to encourage
our boys and girls for opting for these challenging assignments.
He said that Punjab has a history of sending brave people to the
Armed Forces who have made sacrifices for the nation. There is
a need of reviving that tradition and the Ex-servicemen must play
a pivotal role in guiding this endeavour.
Lauding the efforts of Punjab Government in enhancing financial
assistance to the war veterans and widows who were above the age
of 65 years from Rs. 500/- to Rs. 1000/- per month and also increasing
the monthly maintenance grants for some other categories of Defence
personnel, General Rodrigues emphasized the need for launching
training programmes for their rehabilitation to improve their
chances of gainful employability after retirement.
Capt. Kanwaljit Singh, Minister Cooperation and Defence Services
Welfare, Punjab, while taking part in the discussion said that
Punjab Government has set up three training centers to train our
boys and girls and to encourage them to join defence services.
He promised more steps by the State Government in promoting the
cause of Ex-servicemen and their families.
It was informed that Sainik Sadans at Mansa, Moga, Mohali and
Nawanshehar are being constructed and a proposal to establish
Ex-servicemen, old age home is under active consideration. It
was also resolved to institute a responsive mechanism for sorting
out the property disputes of serving, personnel and ex-servicemen.
The meeting also decided to enhance the tenure of the Vice President
of Zila Sainik Board from three years to four years.
General Rodrigues also presented trophies to district Mansa,
Jalandhar and Gurdaspur for their outstanding work in collection
of Flag Day Fund for the year 2006-07.
Senior officers from Punjab Government including Mr. A.R. Talwar,
Principal Secretary Defence Welfare, Mr. M.P. Singh, Secretary
to Governor, Brig. I.S. Gakhal, Director Sainik Welfare Punjab
attended the meeting.
