BAINS ASSURES OF COOPERATION TO MEDIA PERSONS

PATIALA SEPTEMBER 29, 2008

Punjab Chief Minster's Media Advisor Mr. Harcharan Bains today asked the media persons & district public relations Office to form a joint panel of the representatives from print as well as electronic media to sort their genuine day-to-day problems with the district administration far better liaison between the media and administration.

During an interaction with the media persons to redress their grievances relating to their profession, Mr. Bains said that he could realize their professional hardships faced by them while discharging their duties as he himself worked as a journalist. He however said that a balance will have to be maintained between the media's right to report and the imperatives of security considerations. He assured the media persons that he would personally take up the matter with the district civil and police administration to sort out the issue regarding the special identity cards issued by the district administration. He also asked the media to discharge their duties objectively and fearlessly and assured that all other demands raised by them would be amicably settled.

Mr. Bains stated that with the Special efforts of Information & Public Relations Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, the department would soon fill 16 posts of Information & Public Relations Officers and 23 Assistant Public Relations Officers through a Department selection committee in a transparent manner. He also mentioned that all the promotions to the various posts would be done through the departmental selection committee with in a month. He said that the state government had decided in principle to extend the facility to exempt the payment of toll tax to the accredited and recognized journalists in the state and would be soon brought before the Cabinet for final decision.

PUNJAB GOVERNMENT TO SET UP BACKWARD CLASSES WELFARE BOARD

PATIALA SEPTEMBER 29, 2008

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today announced to set up a board for the welfare of all the backward classes under his chairmanship and vice chairmanship of President Backward Classes Wing of Shiromani Akali Dal and Cabinet Minister Hira Singh Gabria to ensure justice and level playing to these classes in the government jobs besides implementing different schemes aimed at the welfare and uplift of these classes for their overall socio-economic development.

Addressing a massive state level public rally of the backward classes organized by the Backward Classes Wing of Shiromani Akali Dal here at new grain market, Mr. Badal said that the newly set up board would also ensure that the backlog of the posts reserved for backward classes over the past many years would be filled up amongst the eligible beneficiaries of this category within a time bound frame.

In another significant decision, Mr. Badal also declared that all the different communities belonging to backward classes would be soon conferred upon the rights of ownership of 40000 acres of government land on which they had been continuously tilling over the past 10 to 15 years. Mr. Badal also pointed out that a comprehensive survey would be soon conducted by the state revenue department under the guidelines of Financial Commissioner Revenue to ascertain the modalities for these ownership rights. It may be recalled that the state government had already bestowed these ownership rights on the members of bazigar community. Likewise, Mr. Badal also extended the benefit of conferring ownership rights upon the members of the backward classes, who had constructed houses on the panchayati land fairly since long. He said that government would soon bring both these proposals in the Cabinet for taking a final decision in this regard.

The Chief Minister also announced that the state government would soon recommend the case of 'Gadria' community to the government of India to declare it scheduled caste on the pattern of 'Rai Sikhs' community which had been recently brought within the ambit of scheduled castes category. To facilitate the comfortable stay of the members of backward classes who had to often visit district headquarters in connection their works, the Chief Minister announced to set up Bhawans at these places to provide them the facility of boarding and lodging at economical rates. He urged the interested organizations/associations of backward classes to procure a plot from PUDA which was available at nominal rates and the entire expenditure on its construction ranging from Rs.50 lac to 1 crore would be spent by the state government as per the design/plan of the building.

Mr.Badal lashed at the Congress for instigating people for disturbing peace in the state and its indulgence in divisive politics, Mr.Badal said that the people had already realized that Congress's policy of 'divide and rule' which it had adopted not
only in Centre but in the states to pursue its political agenda.

Mr. Badal lamented that after 61 years of Independence , Congress government during its successive terms in Centre and even in Punjab for almost 50 years had not been able to provide the basic civic amenities to the common man. He said that poor and lower strata of the society had been completely ignored by the Congress because it was least concerned about their welfare. He said that our government was committed for the overall development of the state and its people. He said that SAD being a party of a common man was sensitized to the problems of the people at the grass root level and was committed to serve them in the right earnest.

Taking a strong exception to the callous attitude of the Congress for exploiting the scheduled castes and backward classes as its secured vote bank, Mr. Badal asked the congress what tangible it had done for their welfare except showing apathy towards them thereby blatantly ignoring this important segment of the society for their own vested and political interests, best known to them. He reiterated his firm resolves that SAD-BJP government was committed for the welfare of the backward classes at all costs. He said that SAD-BJP government did not believe in tall claims and hollow slogans but actually in actions. He said that merely seeking votes from a particular community by exploiting their emotions was against the moral values and political ethics.

Later talking to the media persons, Mr.. Badal said that the Punjab government would ink a Memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Railways on October 1 to start a luxury train which would cover all the important religious, tourist and cultural destination in Punjab to showcase the untapped tourism potential of the state.

Asked to comment on the intention behind Sangat Darshan programme in Patiala, Mr. Badal ruled out any political motive and said that it was a routine programme which he had been carrying out in different parts of the state to sort out the grievances of the people on the spot because there was hardly any other fool proof method to redress the public grievances promptly to the advantage of the people. He clarified that the tremendous response which he got from the general public during sangat darshan in Patiala was a testimony that Amarinder Singh had pay no heed to the development of the city and the problems of the residents.

Addressing on the occasion, President Shiromani Akali Dal Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal asked the members of the backward classes to organize themselves in the form of committees with a membership of 20 to 30 representatives from different communities in each block and district across the state to strengthen the backward classes wing of the party. He said that these committees could regularly interact either with him or Mr. Gabria and we would jointly pursue their cases on the relevant issues and demands relating to the welfare of backward classes with the Chief Minister from time to time. Bashing at the former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh for completely ignoring the interests of the backward classes by adopting a discriminatory approach against them, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that whenever SAD-BJP had come to power it had always accorded top priority to the agenda of lower strata of the society. He accused Amarinder Singh for hardly sparing five minutes for these hapless people during his tenure of five years. He said: "Whereas Mr. Parkash Singh Badal despite his old age factor never misses an opportunity to interact with the people through the medium of sangat darshan to listen to their woes in general and beleaguered down trodden in particular even in any of the remotest village, town or city.

Taking Centre to the task for showing apathetic attitude towards Punjab farmers, Mr. Sukhbir Badal pointed out that it was a cruel joke with the farmers that the Central government had fixed Rs 850 per quintal as MSP for paddy, which was even much below Rs.1000/- per quintal recommended by Commission for Agriculture Costs and Prices (CACP). He said: "Probably it is for the first time in the history of agriculture economy that the Centre had fixed the MSP of paddy below the recommendation of the CACP".

Making a strong plea for a change of guard at Centre and to ensure the acceleration of speedy development and prosperity of the state, Mr. Sukhbir Badal underscored the need to install a government of like minded political parties at Centre by throwing out the UPA government in the coming Parliamentary elections.

In his address President of the Backward classes wing of the SAD Hira Singh Gabira said that the party in consonance with the state government would soon chalk out a joint strategy to devise schemes for the welfare of these classes with a focus on the employment generation, socio-economic uplift and filling of the backlog on the priority.

On the occasion, SAD General Secretary Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra said that backward classes was the backbone of the party and it was all due to their unstinting support and inspiration, Capt. Amarinder Singh was defeated in Parliament election of 1998.

Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion included Cooperation Minister Capt. Kanwaljit Singh, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Ch.Nand Lal, former President SGPC Kirpal Singh Badungar, President NRI wing of SAD Surjit Singh Rakhra, former Minister Harmail Singh Tohra, District President SAD Rural Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpur, Sukhbir Singh Ablowal from Bazigar community, Harjit Singh Adaltiwala Kamobj community, Ram Partap Mehra from Mehra community, Labh Singh Devinagar, Khem Raj Kartarpur Gadria community and Ajmer Pasiana of Gujar community.

PUNJAB PROCUREMENT OF PADDY BEGINS IN PUNJAB

Chandigarh, September 29, 2008
Six official procurement agencies today initiated the procurement of paddy in 1622 procurement centres setup throughout the state.

According to an official spokesman the procurement for the Kharif season 2008-09 that begin today would continue upto December 31, 2008.

The spokesman said that Punjab aims to procure 125 lac metric tonnes has fixed the procurement target of six official procurement agencies for the Kharif season 2008-09.

According to the target Pungrain would procure 37.50 lac metric tonnes (30%) of paddy whereas FCI has been given target of 12.50 lac metric tonnes (10%). Similarly Markfed and Punsup would procure 25 lac metric tonnes each (20%). Whereas Punjab Warehousing Corporation would procure 15 lac metric tonnes (12%) and Punjab Agro has been given target of 10 lac metric tonnes (8%).

The spokesman said that farmers would get Rs. 880/- MSP for A grade paddy and Rs. 850/- for common variety of paddy as per the guidelines of Government of India.

The spokesman said that the requisite staff has already been deputed in all procurement centres of the state. The time of bid in each procurement centre has been fixed from 10:00AM to 6:00PM and bids would be done in the presence of representatives of procurement agencies and concerned markets.

All district Food & Supply Controllers and district mandi officers have been issued instructions to make requisite arrangement of power, sheds for the farmers, portable water supply and equipment to monitor the quality of paddy in each procurement centre. They have been instructed to ensure the supply of wooden crates, bardana, polytheen covers in sufficient quantity in each centre. Each district controller has would ensure that each agency has requisite storage capacity for procured paddy.

A grievances committee has been constituted by each Deputy Commissioner with representatives of procurement agencies, mandi board, traders, rice millers and farmers to sort out any complaint.

IRRIGATION PROGRAMME FOR KHARIF SEASON ANNOUNCED

CHANDIGARH, September 29, 2008

The Irrigation Department, Punjab has announced the Rotational irrigation Programme for the Kharif Season through Canal water from 26 September to 3 October, 2008. The channels of Sirhind Canal System would run on priority basis from Sidhwan Branch, Bhatinda Branch, Bist Doab Canal, Patiala feeder and Abohar Branch respectively.
Disclosing this here today, a spokesman of the Irrigation department said that direct distributaries of Bhakra Main Line, in Group 'A' being in the first preference would run to their indent. Balance water supplies would be utilised in Ghaggar link and its off taking channels i.e. Ghaggar Branch and Patiala Minor in Group 'B' respectively.

The spokesman further said that the Punjab channels off taking from Harika and Ferozepur Head Works & Branches i.e. all the direct distributaries of Sirhind Feeder in-group "A" being in the first preference would run to their indent. Balance water supplies would be utilised in Abohar Branch off taking from Sirhind Feeder and its distributaries/minors in-group "B".
The spokesman also said that the channels off taking from upper Bari Doab Canal i.e. Lahore Branch with its distributaries being in first Preference would run to their indent. Balance Surplus water available would be utilised in Main Branch Lower, Kasur Branch Lower and Sabraon Branch with its distributaries.

PUNJAB PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA PROROGUED

Chandigarh, September 29, 2008

The Fifth Session of the Thirteenth Punjab Vidhan Sabha, which was adjourned sine-die at the conclusion of its sitting held on the 10th September, 2008 has been prorogued by an Order of the Governor of Punjab, dated the 26th September, 2008.

This was disclosed by Mr. Madan Mohan, Secretary Punjab Vidhan Sabha here today.

PUNJAB PROVIDE CLEAN ENVIRONMENT TO CITIZENS- KALIA

Chandigarh, September 29, 2008

Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Local government Minister Punjab today presided over a high level meeting of Urban Local Bodies in which all the Municipal commissioners, Deputy Directors and Executive Officers were present to take account of Solid waste managements. Mr. Kalia gave strict guide lines to all teh concerned officers that it's primary and most important duty of all the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) to provide clean environment and better sanitation services to the people of the state. The Executive Officers (EO's) should develop requisite sensitivity in this matter. He said traffic problem, particularly parking of vehicles outside on the roads in front of Hotels, Shopping Malls and Hospitals should be controlled effectively. For this, he said traffic regulating agency should be provided by the Urban Local Bodies, which should be outsourced and recovery vans should be deployed to remove such vehicles and expenditure on evacuation should be charged from the owner of the vehicle.

Giving strict instructions Mr. Kalia said all the EO's should inspect their respective towns twice in a day to ensure proper sanitation and cleanliness of their respective towns. He said that debris of buildings which were under construction should be removed through tippers and expenditure on it showed be charged from the owner.

Keeping in view to implement Advertisement Policy of the Government effectivity, Strict Checking of advertisements should be made on regular basis so that income of the authority should be increased.

Earlier Mr. S. Baskaran Senior Manger of Infrastructure Development Corporation gave power point presentation at length on solid waste management.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included, Mr. D.S. Bains, Principal Secretary Local Government, Mr. Sumeer Kumar, Director Local Government, Mr. A.K. Parbhakar C.V.O. and Mr. Rubinder Singh, Vice president ,Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited.

PUNJAB 174 COACHES TO BE APPOINTED SOON –RANIKE

Chandigarh, September 29, 2008

Keeping in view to provide better coaching at grass root level to young players, the Punjab Government was going to appoint 174 coaches in near future in Sports Department, Punjab.

Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Sports Minister Punjab stressing upon the importance of Sports said that the proper coaching would provide an opportunity to the players to exhibit. Their acumen Talents to enable them to compete at the national as well as international level. He said that Punjab government was committed to provide better sports facilities at village and block level to improve the standard of sports in the state.

The Minister further said that sports not only develop one's overall personality but also inculcate the sense of sportsmanship and self discipline.

PUNJAB FREE ENTRY TO CHHATBIR DURING WILD LIFE WEEK

Chandigarh, September 29, 2008

: The Punjab government has decided to waive off entry fee to Mohindra Chaudhary Zoological Park, Chhatbir, Deer Park & Bir Moti Bagh Patiala and Deer Park and Bir, Bathinda, for the visitors from October 3 to October 8, 2008 on account of Wild Life Week.

According to an official spokesman Mohindra Chaudhary Zoological Park, Chhatbir, Deer Park & Bir Moti Bagh Patiala and Deer Park and Bir, Bathinda would remain closed on October 2, 2008 on account of National Holiday on that day.

PUNJAB PUNJAB STAYS RECOVERIES FROM RICE MILLS

Chandigarh, September 29., 2008

: The Punjab Government has stayed recoveries to be made from the rice millers on account of differential cost of custom milled and levy rice bags for the years 1997-98 to 2000-01 on the request of rice mills.

According to an official spokesman instructions have been issued to the district controllers that till final decisions were received from the Government of India, the millers would be required to deposit

Rs.2.25 per quintal on account of the differential between 1% acquisition cost of one quintal of paddy and 1% of MSP. He said that the agencies would retain Rs. 6.75 per quintal allowed by the Government of India and a benefit of 1 Kg. paddy per quintal would be passed on to the mil