PUNJAB CM GREETS PEOPLE ON THE EVE OF DIWALI

CHANDIGARH OCTOBER 27, 2008

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today extended his warm greetings to the people of Punjab on the auspicious occasion of Diwali- the festival of lights.

In a message on this occasion, Mr. Badal said that Diwali was one of the most colorful and captivating festivals of India that provided us an occasion for rejoicing and merriment. The Chief Minister said that sparkling lights of Diwali symbolized ushering in an era of peace, prosperity and bounty. "May this Diwali also further strengthen our resolve to serve our people with selfless commitment and a missionary zeal", said Mr.Badal.

Mr. Badal appealed to the people to celebrate this festival with traditional fervour and gaiety rising above the petty considerations of caste, creed and colour thereby cementing the bonds of communal harmony, national integration and universal brotherhood.

PUNJAB CM GREETS PEOPLE ON PARKASH UTSAV OF LORD VISHWAKARMA

CHANDIGARH OCTOBER 27, 2008

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today greeted the people of Punjab on the eve of Vishwakarma day.

In his message, the Chief Minister said that Lord Vishwakarama - presiding deity of all craftsmen and architects and the divine architect of the whole universe is believed to be the architect and the master of all machinery and equipments of Gods. The creations of Lord Vishwakarma that inspired India's craftsmen, artisans and workers and propagated the concept of dignity of labour amongst them for centuries and continues to give them strength and a sense of pride in their work and craftsmanship.

Mr. Badal appealed the artisans and craftsmen to imbibe the spirit of dignity of labour as propagated by Lord Vishwakarma to enhance their vocational artistic skills and accumen to secure better job opportunities created with the induction of modern technology, which he described would be a real tribute to great deity.

MAJOR RELIEF TO THE GOVERNMENT AIDED SCHOOL'S STAFF

Chandigarh, 27 October, 2008

Giving a major relief to the Government Aided School's staff, the Education Department has decided to release 95 % grant-in-aid to the aided schools without any pre audit for the first three quarters to avoid delay in disbursing their pays timely. Besides the grant-in-aid release would now be regulated at the level of Circle Education Officers instead of by the Directorate.

This was announced by Dr. Upinderjit Kaur Education and Languages Minister Punjab in a meeting with delegations of Aided Schools Staff Associations here today. The Minister asked the officers that the delay in disbursement of pays to the aided schools would not be tolerated. She announced that the grant for the first three quarters would now be released without any pre audit to avoid this delay and the fourth quarter grant during a financial year, would only be released after auditing the grants of first three quarters.

To regulate the grant-in-aid schemes efficiently and to avoid unnecessary delays in the release of grants, the Minister ordered to decentralise the work at the level of Circle Education Officers instead of at the Directorate level. Dr. Upinderjit Kaur directed the District and Block Education Officers (DEOs and BEOs) to inspect the Govt. Aided Schools periodically and submit the report to the Government so that functioning of these privately managed schools could be streamlined.

The Minister assured the delegation that the matter regarding withdrawal of cases registered by the Chandigarh Police on the aided school teachers during their agitation, would be discussed with the U.T Administration and Police. She told the delegations that their demands regarding pensions and other allowances including interim relief would be considered sympathetically in a meeting with the Finance Minister at the earliest.

The Education Minister assured the associations that the ban on the recruitment in these schools including conversion of posts would also be considered by the department. The decision regarding step up promotional scales would also be taken up after careful consultation on the award of Court, she added.

In this meeting among others Mr. K.B.S Sidhu Principal Secreatary Education, Mr. Ashok Gupta Secretary Education, Mrs. H.K. Brar D.P.I (S) and leaders of Punjab State Aided Schools and other Employees Unions and Aided Schools Progressive Front Punjab were also present.

Rs 5500 crore, to spend for sewerage, water supply, roads, street lights

Ludhiana October 26, 2008

Punjab Chief Minister, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal has asserted that Govt. had prepared a detailed plan of more than 10000 crores for the urban and rural development in the state, out of which funds amounting to Rs 5500 crore, were being spent to provide the basic amenities including sewerage, water supply, roads, street lights etc. in all the cities of the state.

Mr. Badal was addressing the well attended gatherings at Sangat Darshan Programs at five places covering eleven Municipal Wards in Ludhiana North constituency here today.

Mr. Badal said that the govt. will ensure the basic amenities to whole urban population during a period of three years of time. He said that Sangat darshan Programs were proving very effective forum for on the spot redress of the problems of people at the grass root level. The Chief Minister said that Sangat Darshan Programs had already been conducted in other three constituencies of Ludhiana city.

The Chief Minister while presiding over Sangat Darshan Programs at five places i.e. Pindi Dayal Dharamshala, Chanan Devi Govt. High School Salem Tabri, SAN Jain School Daresi, Sekhewal and Sunder Nagar covering 11 wards of Municipal Corporation had announced to sanction develop projects in the tune of 40.22 crore including roads projects of Rs. 23.78 crore , Sewerage and water supply projects of Rs. 14.49 crore and Street lights projects of Rs. 1.93 crore in the eleven wards.

Presiding over Sangat darshan at Pindi dayal Dharamshalla the Chief Minister, on the request of Mr. Harish Bedi MLA sanctioned development projects of Rs 1.95 crore for development projects for ward number 29, of Rs 3.99 crore for ward number 30 and of Rs 3.73 crore for ward number 32. Listening to the problems of the people, the Chief Minister announced grants of Rs 25 lakh for six Dharamshalas and Community Centers in three wards and also asked the Commissioner MC to immediately commissioned required numbers of new tube wells, wherever, the shortage of drinking water prevails. In the next SD Program at Channan Devi School, the Chief Minister sanctioned development projects of Rs 2.27 crore in ward number 24 and Rs 2.52 crroe in ward number 25. On this occasion, the Chief Minister sanctioned financial assistance ranging from Rs 2000 to Rs 5000 to around two dozen poor students/ needy people.

In the third SD program held at S A N Jain School Daresi Ground, t he Chief Minister sanctioned development projects of Rs 3.32 crore in ward number 33, of Rs 3.19 crore in ward number 34 and of Rs 3.53 crore in ward number 35.

Reacting on the demand of the management of the school, the Chief Minister announced a further extend the lease deed of the government land allotted to the school. He also announced that a beautiful public park will be developed at the site of old fort near Daresi Ground. The Chief Minster also sanctioned grants of Rs 40 lakhs for one dozen Dharamshalas in these wards and announced to pay the fee of a poor BCA student for three years, who prayed before the Chief Minister for financial assistance for study. The Chief Minister also sanctioned financial assistance to around three dozen needy people.

At an other SD Program held Sekhewal , the Chief Minister sanctioned grants of Rs 3.41 crore for ward number 22 and of Rs 3.37 crore for ward number 23. Mr. Badal also assured the fast repair of the roads and streets in these wards. In his fifth SD Program held at Sunder Nagar, Mr. Badal sanctioned development projects of Rs 4.34 crore in Ward Number 19, of Rs 1.42 crore for ward number 20 and of Rs 4.16 crore for ward number 21. Mr. Badal also listened to the individual problems of the people and issued on the spot directions to the concerned Officers for immediate redress. The Chief Minister also directed the departments of Food and Supply and Social Security to organize special camps to issue yellow cards and fill the pensions applications of the beneficiaries.

The Chief Minister called upon the people to extend full cooperation to the government machinery for ensuring cleanliness in all parts of the city to check the spread of seasonal diseases. He said that the government will release sufficient funds for other development projects of different departments to ensure the fast development of Ludhiana.

Mr. Harish Bedi MLA, while welcoming the Chief Minister apprised him of the urgently required development projects in these wards.

Prominent among others who accompanied the Chief Minister in SD Programs included Professor Rajinder Bhandari Prsident BJP, Mr. Hira Singh Gabria Jails Minster, Mr. Harish Rai Dhanda CPS, Mr. Madan Lal Bagga Chairman Punjab Traders Board, Mr. Sumer Singh Gurjar Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Hakam Singh Gyaspura Mayor MC, Mr. G S Ghuman Commissioner MC, Mr. Priyank Bharti ADC (D), Mr. R K Jaiswal SSP, Sr. Dy. Mayor Parveen Bansal, Mr. O P Bhardwaj District president BJP, Mr. Sanjay Kapoor District President Yuva Morcha and around two dozen Councilors

FRIENDS, NEAR & DEARS PAYS GLOWING TRIBUTES TO A.S. CHHATWAL

Chandigarh October 26:-

People from different walks of life today attended the Bhog and Antim Ardas ceremony held here at Gurudwara Sant Sar Sector- 38 west Chandigarh in the memory of late S. Avinash Singh Chhatwal IAS, Secretary Science Technology and Environment and Commissioner NRI Affairs who left for his heavenly abode on October 20, 2008.

Thousands of Dr. Chhatwal's friends, relatives, near & dears besides senior functionaries of state civil and police administration and members of judiciary, a legal fraternity, media persons besides eminent political personalities attended the bhog ceremony to pay homage to the departed soul.

Prominent amongst others who attended the Bhog and Antim Ardas ceremony included Information & Public Relations Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Finance Minister Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal, PWD Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Member Parliament and Secretary General SAD S. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Union Minister of State for Finance Mr. Pawan Bansal, Chief Secretary R. I. Singh, DGP Mr. N.P.S. Aulakh, Principal Secretary to CM Mr. D.S. Guru, Principal Secretary Information & Public Relations D.S Jaspal and Director Information & Public Relations Mr. Tejveer Singh. .