REDUCE DIESEL, PETROL PRICES BY HALF: BADAL

Chandigarh, November 19, 2008

: The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr.Parkash Singh Badal today asked the Govt.of India to proportionately reduce the prices of Petroleum products in line with the reduction in crude oil prices in the world. In a statement here, Mr. Badal said that the prices of Petroleum products including Diesel were increased in the country in direct proportion to rise in prices of crude oil prices. It would be very unfair for the Punjab farmers who had to face the specter of increased prices of petroleum products in view of the increase in international prices of crude oil. The unpopular move, coming against the backdrop of inflation, was not only cruel on the people but also against larger national interest.

2. As it happens, the State of Punjab is among the leading per capita consumers of diesel and other petroleum products. Diesel is also used in the State's agricultural operations and its high prices have only crippled the indebted farmers even further. The State Government, which is already levying among the lowest VAT rates on petroleum products in the country, further reduced the VAT rate by 50% on the quantum of increase, thereby passing on a net benefit of Rs. 70 crore to consumers. However, the oil prices which peaked at US $ 147/ per barrel earlier during the year have since registered a steep decline over the last few months and stand presently around US $ 60/ barrel.

3. In view of the substantially reduced international crude oil prices, it is imperative that the rates of diesel, petrol and LPG gas must be reduced forthwith by Government of India as relief to the people of the country. Mr. Badal said that that it was our fervent appeal to the Govt.of India to reduce the prices by at least 30% in order to provide some succor to the multitudes of the country that still struggle to eke out a respectable living. He urged the Prime Minister that the The people of Punjab look up to him to take this decision without any further delay.

PPCB Ordered Closure of 21 Leather Units of Jalandhar

Chandigarh, November 19, 2008
(Gurdarshan Singh Bahia

The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has ordered closure of 21 leather industries in Jalandhar, today.

A spokesman of the PPCB informed in a press release, here today, that these leather tanning units having wet process, operating in the non-designated area and are discharging their untreated trade effluent from dyeing/ fat lacquering of leather. He said that these industries were issued notice u/s 33-A of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act 1974 by the PPCB. Enough opportunities have also been given to these industries to provide the effluent treatment plant to contain the pollutants within the limits prescribed by the Board. Ultimately, these industries were directed to install and commission effluent treatment plant by 31/7/2008. But in spite of persuasion, these industries have failed to install the effluent treatment plant.

The spokesman informed that the Punjab State Electricity Board authorities have also been directed to disconnect the power supply available to these industrial units.

BADAL URGES PM TO FIX MSP AT RS.1500 PER QUINTAL OF WHEAT AND ADDITIONAL BONUS OF RS.250 ON PADDY

CHANDIGARH, NOVEMBER 19, 2008

The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal has urged the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to immediately announce Rs.1500 per quintal as MSP of wheat for the marketing season 2008-09 and an additional bonus of Rs.250 over and above the MSP for paddy for the current procurement season.

In letter, Mr. Badal impressed upon the Prime Minister to immediately announce the MSP for Rabi crops to motivate the farmers to invest in improving crop productivity on one hand and in the larger interest of farming community and in order to preserve national food security on the other.

Mr. Badal regretted that the MSP for Grade-A quality of paddy was fixed at Rs.880/- per quintal for the current procurement season on which a bonus of Rs.50/- per quintal has been provided recently. He pointed out that it was ironical that at a time when the Centre was trying to shore up our food grain reserves, the MSP (along with bonus) was significantly lower than the MSP recommended by Commission on Agriculture Costs and Prices (CACP) which was Rs.1030/- per quintal for Grade 'A' paddy. The State had requested for a MSP of Rs.1395/- per quintal keeping in view the cost of cultivation and also to provide a suitable margin to the farmers so as to encourage them to make investments in agriculture for improving the productivity and sustainability. "As mentioned above, the amount of bonus is too meager and I request you to undo this injustice by providing an additional bonus of Rs.250/- to the country's farmers", said the Chief Minister. He also mentioned that since the sowing of Rabi crops was presently in full swing and wheat being the major Rabi crop in the State and was likely to be sown in about 3.5 million hectares. The MSP for Rabi crops for 2008-09 marketing season has not been announced so far. The State had time and again requested for fixing of a remunerative MSP so that the livelihoods of two-third of State population were not affected and the farming was not pushed to a crisis. Since at the time of harvest markets are in a glut, the MSP normally becomes the maximum selling price for the farmers. He reiterated to fix the MSP at Rs.1500/- per quintal for wheat for the next marketing season as per the recommendations of the state government.

He also solicited Prime Minister attention towards Punjab, with only 1.5% of geographical area of the country, produces about 22% of wheat and 11% of rice and has been the main stay of national Food Security because of its contribution of about 40-45% food grains in the Central Pool. Against the backdrop of fast increasing international food grain prices, the Punjabi farmer rose to the nation's clarion call and record procurement of wheat took place earlier this year, 30 lac MTs higher than last year. Similarly, this year we have already procured around 135 lac MTs paddy and hope to cross 140 lac MTs despite floods and late monsoon rains, added Mr. Badal.

TWO AGRICULTURE OFFICIALS SUSPENDED

Chandigarh November 19, 2008
Shikha Nehra

Mr. Sucha Singh Langah, Agriculture Minister Punjab has ordered immediate suspension of two officials of the department who were found guilty of negligence and dereliction of duties.

Giving details the minister said that he along with the Secretary and the Joint Secretary conducted a surprise check on the 18th of November in the directorate and found that a lot of financial irregularities were committed by them in the ongoing renovation work in the department. The work was assigned and initiated without following the properly laid down norms and without even calling the quotations. The two employees of the department namely Karnail Singh and Bhudev placed under suspension were found directly involved in this financial irregularities . The Minister has sought a detailed report regarding this incident from the Secretary and Joint Secretary of the department within a week. During suspension the headquarters of Karnail Singh, Horticulture Officer and Bhudev, Store Keeper were fixed at Gurdaspur and Mansa respectively.

Taking a serious view of the financial discrepancies going on in the department, the Minister has asked Mr.H.S.Dhillon, Secretary and Mr. Gurwaryam Singh, Joint Secretary of the department to thoroughly look into the proper utilization of the funds released by the Government of India under various Horticulture Mission Programmes from July 1 2008 till November 18- 2008 Investigating officers have been asked to submit their report within a week .Erring officials would not be spared, warned the Minister.

GAMADA TO CONSTRUCT ROAD FROM PGI TO SISWAN

CHANDIGARH NOVEMBER 19, 2008

The fourth meeting of the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GAMADA) under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today approved the construction of 4-laned road from PGI to Siswan T- junction within the jurisdiction of Punjab territory.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab government said that the proposed road project would be executed by the GAMADA. The authority also gave approval for the execution of land for the mix land use and for the construction of the road from Kharar to Mohali. The authority also approved the land acquisition for the construction of road connecting knowledge city in Sector 81 with Kharar Banur highway.

In another significant decision the authority also approved to allot permanent booths to the shopkeepers of unauthorized Khoka Market of phase 3B-1 at the old rates.

Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, Chief Secretary RI Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister DS Guru, Principal Secretary Finance SC Aggarwal, Secretary Housing & Urban Development Arun Goel, Chief Administrative PUDA VP Singh, MD Punjab State Infrastructure Development Board Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Chief Town Planner Rajinder Gupta.

BATHINDA REFINERY TO GET OPERATIONAL BY 2011

Chandigarh November 19, 2008
Shikha

The prestigious Guru Gobind Singh Refineries Ltd (GGSRL) project of Rs 18,900-crore being commissioned at Bathinda by a HPCL-Mittal Energy Ltd JV is expected to kick-off by February 2011 instead of 2012 .This was disclosed here today by a visiting high level delegation of Guru Gobind Singh Refineries Ltd (GGSRL) headed by its CEO Prabh Das in a meeting with Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Industries Minister Punjab here today .He assured the minister that the orders for the critical equipment required for the project had already been placed with the world renowned firms. He said that the implementation of the project would be monitored by the top management periodically to ensure its completion within the stipulated time frame. The Guru Gobind Singh Refinery would be a zero bottoms, energy efficient, environmentally friendly, high distillate yielding complex refinery that would be producing clean fuels and 80 units of polypropylene by processing heavy and acidic crudes.

During the course of the meeting, the minister said that the project, which would make Bathinda one of the major petrochemical hubs in Asia, would generate adequate employment in Punjab besides, realizing massive economic and vocational synergies for the region. The refinery would also produce high value added products such as polypropylene, food - grade hexane and solvents in addition to LPG, naphtha, petrol, diesel aviation, fuel etc. The minister assured the visiting delegation that this would be kept in mind while formulating the New Industrial Policy of the state.

PB CM GIVES NOD FOR ENACTMENT OF PUNJAB SEZ ACT

CHANDIGARH NOVEMBER 19, 2008

Decks have been cleared for an enactment of Punjab Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Act with in principle approval from the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal by formulating a comprehensive SEZ policy to promote mega and super mega industrial projects in consonance with SEZ rules under the Act of GoI.

A decision to this effect was taken here today at a high level meeting chaired by Mr. Badal this morning. He directed the state Chief Secretary to thoroughly look in to the comments given by the departments of Revenue & Rehabilitation, Local Government, Housing & Urban Development and Power besides the Punjab Pollution Control Board before the finalization of state SEZ Act in the state Cabinet. Mr. Badal underscored the need to promote industrialization in the state in a big way as the states' agrarian economy had already reached at a point of saturation. The setting up of SEZs in the State would give a further fillip to the industry besides generating tremendous employment opportunities for our unemployed youth.

It was informed in the meeting that the GoI has so far given in principle approval to 8 SEZs and formal approvals to 7 besides 2 SEZs namely M/s Quarkcity India Pvt. Ltd in IT sector and another M/s Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. in Pharmaceutical sector at Mohali developed over an area of 13.75 and 32 hectares had already been notified by the Centre. These SEZs with an investment of nearly 10000 crore would generate direct employment jobs for approximately 2.75 lakh persons. Those 8 SEZs which had been give in principle approval by GoI included DLF Universal Ltd. for establishing 4 multi-products SEZs at Amritsar (440 hectares), DLF Universal Ltd. multi-products at Ludhiana (1011 hectares) Rockman projects in Textile Ludhiana (100 hectares), Malhotra Land Developers & Colonizers in Engineering at Ludhiana (121.41 hectares) and Ishan Developers Pvt. Ltd in textile at Khasa in Amritsar district (100 hectares). Likewise, the SEZs which had accorded formal approvals by the GoI included Vividha Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd in engineering at Rajpura (100 hectares), Mridul Infrastructure in textiles in Rajpura(100 hectares), Sukhmani Towers Pvt. Ltd. in Derabassi (14 hectares), Lark Projects Pvt. Ltd. in IT sector at Landran in Mohali district, Sukhm Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. in IT as SAS Nagar Mohali (11.62 hectares), ATS Estate Pvt. Ltd. in IT in Derabassi (12 hectares), Shipra Estate Ltd. in IT in Derabassi (20.24 hectares). Another SEZ to be promoted by A-Tech IT City in IT sector at Mohali over an area of 57.89 hectares worth Rs.205 crore with an employment potential of 10000 jobs was still awaiting approval from the Centre.

Mr. Badal said: "SEZs should be encouraged in the state so that Punjab could compete globally in terms of industry as well as manufacturing activities and this could only be feasible if we grant liberal incentives and concessions to the prospective SEZ developers". The Chief Minister also hoped that the new industrial policy which would come into force from January 1, 2009 would also give boost to the setting up of SEZs in the state and termed them as a catalyst of growth and development in the industrial sector.

Taking part in the deliberations, Local Government & Industry Minister Mr. Manoranjan Kalia said that the state government should make concerted efforts to identify unproductive land in sub mountainous, Kandi and bet regions to develop land bank so that this land could be viably utilized for mega industrial and housing projects.

On the occasion Director Industries VK Janjua make a presentation on the concept and status of special economic zone in Punjab.

Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal, Chairman Small Industries Development Board Inderjit Singh Pardhan, Chief Secretary RI Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister DS Guru, Financial Commissioner Revenue Romilla Dubey, Financial Commissioner Taxation SS Brar, Principal Secretary Finance SC Aggarwal, Principal Secretary Local Government DS Bains Principal Secretary Irrigation & Power Suresh Kumar, Secretary Housing & Urban Development Arun Goel, MD Punjab State Infrastructure Development Board Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Chairman Punjab Pollution Control Board Yogesh Goel, additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister AK Mahajan.

SHIROMANI AKALI DAL ALL SET TO MAKE INDELIBLE MARK ON DELHI POLL SCENE

Chandigarh November 19, 2008

Shiromani Akali Dal is all set to make its presence felt on Delhi poll scene under the young, inspiring and dynamic leadership of S. Sukhbir Singh Badal and vision of four times Chief Minister of Punjab S. Parkash Singh Badal.

Shiromani Akali Dal, an age old alliance partner of BJP fighting on four seats, Rajouri Garden, Jangpura, Adarsh Nagar and Shahadra is all set to capitalize on mounting anger against inefficiency mis-governance of Sheela Dikshit government besides riding on affinity of Punjabi population with Shiromani Akali Dal.

The vigorous and stimulating leadership of SAD President Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal has been able to inspire the predominant young voters, giving a unusual big push to BJP-SAD campaign in the Delhi Poll. BJP an old age alliance partner with SAD in Punjab that has stood the test of time, is all set to prove its worth in Delhi Poll also.

It is for the first time that Shiromani Akali Dal is contesting this election Rajouri Garden on its own symbol 'Scale' besides other three seats on the 'Lotus' symbol of BJP.

The Bhartiya Janata Party cadres are campaigning hand- in- hand with SAD cadre to ensure victory on all the seats in Delhi.

S. Sukhbir Singh Badal who is in Delhi last one week is constantly on 'padyatra' in the lanes of Delhi to seek votes for BJP-SAD alliance to change the face of Delhi and to prepare the national capital for the challenges of 21st century. S. Parkash Singh Badal is also coming to New Delhi on November 23rd for election campaigning.

S. Bikram Singh Majithia the youngest Cabinet Minister of Punjab and Punjab Chief Minister's Advisor and General Secretary and spokesman of the Party, Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, are constantly monitoring the election strategy besides Mr. Hira Singh Gabbria, S. Sucha Singh Langah Punjab Cabinet Ministers and dozens of Punjab Ministers were addressing corner meetings and seeking vote for change in Delhi. S. Avtar Singh Makkar President Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee and scores of SGPC members are fanning through out Delhi seeking votes for BJP-SAD alliance

Punjab govt. appoints Chairman of Pb. SC Land Development & Finance Corporation
Nominates Chairmen & Vice Chairmen of 18 Market Committees

CHANDIGARH NOVEMBER 19, 2008

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today appointed Mr. Pawan Kumar Teenu as Chairman Punjab Scheduled Caste Land development & Finance Corporation.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab government said that the Chief Minister asked the Secretary Welfare of SCs & BCs to issue the appointment orders.

Besides, the Punjab government had issued notifications regarding the nomination of Chairmen and Vice Chairmen in 18 Market Committees of the state:

Mr. Budh Singh and Mr. Sanjiv Jain have been nominated as Chairman and Vice Chairman of Market Committee Banga in Nawanshahar district; Mr. Balveer Singh and Mr. Balram Krishan as Chairman and Vice Chairman of Market Committee Balachaur in Nawanshahar; Mr. Karaj Singh and Mr. Shamsher Singh as Chairman and Vice Chairman of Market Committee Makhu in Ferozepur; Mr. Dildar Singh and Mr. Sham Sundar as Chairman and Vice Chairman of Market Committee Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (Nawanshahar); Mr. Kuldeep Singh and Mr. Didar Singh as Chairman and Vice Chairman of Market Committee Ajitwal in Moga; Mr. Gurjant Singh and Mr. Pritam Singh as Chairman and Vice Chairman of Market Committee Nihalsinghwala in Moga; Mr. Rattan Singh and Mr. Jagroop Singh as Chairman and Vice Chairman of Market Committee Badhni Kalan in Moga; Mr. Amarjit Singh and Mr. Sukhminder Singh as Chairman and Vice Chairman of Market Committee Moga; Mr. Sukhdev Singh and Mr. Gurlal Singh as Chairman and Vice Chairman of Market Committee Mallanwala in Ferozepur; Mr. Bachitar Singh as Chairman of Market Committee Ferozepur Cant.; Mr. Surinderpal Singh as Chairman of Market Committee Guruharshai in Ferozepur, Mr. Mukhtiar Singh as Chairman of Market Committee Talwandi Bhai in Ferozepur; Mr. Bahadur Singh as Chairman of Market Committee Zira in Ferozepur; Mr. Gurpreet Singh as Chairman of Market Committee Mamdot in Ferozepur, Mr. Davinder Singh Mann as Chairman of Market Committee Jalalabad in Ferozepur; Mr. Kuldeep Singh as Vice Chairman of Market Committee Fazilka in Ferozepur; Mr. Rajinder Singh Brar as Vice Chairman of Market Committee Abohar in Ferozepur and Mr. Mohinder Singh as Vice Chairman of Market Committee Ferozepur