PUNJAB CM ASKS MEDIA TO DISCHARGE THEIR DUTIES WITH PROFESSIONAL COMMITMENT

CHANDIGARH JULY 11, 2009

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today called upon the media persons to discharge their duties with a sense of utmost professional commitment, dedication, sincerity and honesty because they owe a high moral and social responsibility in the nation building on one hand and promoting national integration, peace and communal harmony on the other.

Addressing a galaxy of media persons from print and electronic media after inaugurating the two-day media conclave of Indian Media Centre (IMC) here at English Auditorium in Panjab University, Mr. Badal said: "Our democracy is our biggest strength. Our media has been an important healer of our democracy and I sincerely hope it will continue to play a constructive role in nation building, reinforcing the knowledge of our society and the confidence of our people".
The Chief Minister said that it was the bounden duty on the part of journalists to carry out balanced and fair reporting with an element of objectivity without any sort of conjectures and surmises. He however, cautioned the journalist fraternity that the unfair and biased reporting was not only detrimental to the society but also eroded the very confidence of the trustworthy readers.

Reiterating his firm resolves to preserve the freedom of the press, Mr. Badal said that the SAD-BJP government sincerely respected its right to act as the Fourth Estate of the country's democratic polity. He also mentioned the role of Shiromani Akali Dal for the protection

of people's rights and the freedom of press during the dark days of emergency. He sought whole-hearted cooperation from the media to usher in an era of over all development and prosperity to fulfill the aspirations of people of the State. He stressed the need to have a holistic view on the all the subject matter involved in the reporting in general but the sensitive ones in particular. "People still hold journalists in high esteem due to their unflinching trust and confidence reposed in them and ensure that they were not betraying their trust by undermining the role of press. Media should strive hard to live up to their expectations", added Mr. Badal.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister announced a grant of Rs.5 lac to IMC.
In his address, Chairman of IMC Dr.Chandan Mitra said that media had forgotten its primarily role of bringing social awakening amongst the masses in the society rather it had indulged in the blatant commercialization. He hoped the role of IMC in imparting training to the budding journalists to carry out their professional duties in the right earnest would go a long way to strengthen the ethos and value system in the society.

Speaking on the occasion President of IMC Mr. Shyam Khosla said Media had to exercise its freedom of expression within the ambit of restrictions protecting the sovereignty and integrity of India. He bemoaned that objectivity, once known as the greatest virtue of journalism, had now become the biggest journalistic causality in the modern market of the corporate world driven-journalism.

Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion included former Vice Chancellor and Chairman of Chandigarh Chapter of IMC Prof. KN Pathak, National Vice Chairman of IMC Mr. PC Dogra and Veteran Journalist Ashok Malik.

PUNJAB CM ASSURES ALL HELP TO DALBIR KAUR SISTER OF SARBJIT SINGH

CHANDIGARH, JULY 11, 2009

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today assured of all help and cooperation to Ms Dalbir Kaur Sister of Indian National Sarbjit Singh , who has been facing death sentence in Pakistan due to mistaken identity.

Ms Dalbir Kaur met the Chief Minister this morning at his residence to seek his personal intervention to secure the release of his brother who had been languishing in Pakistan jail for many years. Mr. Badal assured her that he would again take up this matter with the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for using all diplomatic channels for the release of Sarbjit Singh at the earliest.

Meanwhile the Chief Minister also telephoned the Chairman of the SAD Parliamentary Board in the Lok Sabha Dr. Rattan Singh Ajnala to move a resolution in the ongoing session in the Lok Sabha to mount pressure on the Centre for securing the release of Sarbjit Singh. The Chief Minister also gave financial assistance of Rs.50,000 to Ms Dabir Kaur for engaging the services of an eminent lawyer to defend Sarbjit Singh.

BAINS BEREAVED RUSHES TO LONDON FOLLOWING BROTHERS DEMISE


Chandigarh, July 10, 2009

Mr. Harcharan Bains, Media Advisor to the Punjab Chief Minister today suffered a major blow as his lone surviving brother, Mr. Parbodh Singh Bains left for his heavenly abode in London this morning.

Mr. Parbodh Singh Bains, widely perceived to be the inspiration and strength behind the Media Advisor, is survived by his wife and two sons, both settled in the U.K. He suffered a cardiac arrest in sleep at his residence.
Mr. Harcharan Bains is rushing to London to attend the last rites of his brother there.

PUNJAB CM CONDOLES THE SAD DEMISE OF MEDIA ADVISOR’S BROTHER

CHANDIGARH JULY 10, 2009

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Mr. Parbodh Singh Bains, the lone surviving brother of Media Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Harcharan Bains, who was settled in UK.

Sharing his condolences with Mr. Harcharan Bains, the Chief Minister expressed his heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and give strength and courage to them to bear this irreparable loss.

EDUCATION MINISTER UPINDERJIT KAUR CONDOLES THE DEATH OF TERA SINGH CHANN

Chandigarh, July 10, 2009

The Education and Languages Minister Punjab Dr. Upinderjit Kaur today expressed profound grief and sorrow at the sad demise of noted Punjabi writer and novelist Dr Tera Singh Chann.

In a condolence message Dr. Upinderjit Kaur condoled that in the death of Dr Chann, who was also president of the Punjab IPTA, the Punjab as well as literary world has lost a prolific writer and novelist, whose writings gave it a new identity and a social purpose. Describing Dr Tera Singh Chann as a pillar of Punjabi literature, the minister said that he had contributed a lot to the Punjabi language and literature with his literary books and novels and would be ever remembered by one and all.

She added that former president of Kendri Punjabi Lekhak Sabha Dr Chann, was endowed with a vision, impulse and living amidst realties of a commoner’s life and he communicated what he observed with an explicable urge giving a fresh dimension to the Punjabi literature.

The Education Minister expressed heartfelt sympathy with the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to give strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss and grant peace to the departed soul.

PSEB GRANTED ANOTHER EXTENSION TILL SEPTEMBER 15 TO CARRY OUT RE-ORGANIZATION

CHANDIGARH JULY 9, 2009
The Ministry of Power, Government of India had agreed to the proposal of the Punjab Government to grant further extension to the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) till September 15, 2009 to enable it to undertake the process of re-organization under Central Electricity Act-2003.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab Government said that the state government had urged the Center to give another extension to PSEB till 31st December, 2009 to carryout the re-organization process

NEW DGP'S MESSAGE TO POLICE OFFICERS

Chandigarh July 8, 2009

Punjab DGP Sh. P.S.Gill today called upon the Senior Police officers to lead the force from the front, setting an example of leadership, sincerity and dedication before them.

In a maiden interaction with the Zonal IGs and Range DIGs at Police Headquarters here today, the new DGP said that "true leaders knows the way, goes the way and shows the way". He said that district police authorities must create a mechanism to anticipate any probable incident of violence and minimize the possible damage due to the violence by ensuring preemptive measures. To meet the exigencies of any possible incident of violence, each district was asked to keep one fully equipped reserve company for this purpose.

Exhorting them to utilize the network of constabulary at ground level in appropriate manner by keeping their morale high as well as upgrading their social status, the DGP said that a fully motivated constabulary besides acting as eyes and ears of police force can also bring the positive change in the functioning of police at the cutting edge level.
Emphasizing on the need to develop metropolitan style of policing, with a focus on greater community participation and public friendly measures, the DGP asked them to depute a police officer as a community officer in one model police station in each district as a pilot project and its success would be replicated in other parts of the State.
Appreciating the role of Punjab Police in curbing militancy in state, the new DGP said that it becomes our bounden duty to look after the families of those police martyrs who laid down the lives in decade long battle. He asked the district police chiefs to ensure that one designated officer must regularly visit these families and take every measure to sort out their problems, if any noticed during their visit.

Asking the Punjab police not to keep its guards down in the era of normalcy, the DGP said that Punjab being the border State has to remain alive to challenges being posed by new militant module. Punjab police has to keep close vigil on old modules getting revived and also keep an eagle eye on all kinds of modules joining hands, he added.
Stressing the need for expediting the investigation in old cases and cracking the blind cases by making special investigation teams, the DGP said that the Punjab Police must utilized the latest high-tech gadgets including cyber surveillance to nab the culprits.

Focusing on an early redressal of the grievances, the DGP said that each SSP must remain available in the office for half day daily to deal with the complaints of visitors. Asking the district officers to adopt hands on approach, the DGP said that balanced allocation of work and regular rotation should be ensured to check the development of any vested interest.
The meeting was attended by all the ADGsP, Zonal IGsP and Range DIGs.

PUNJAB CM SEEKS UNION DEFENCE MINISTER’S INTERVENTION TO START INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT OPERATIONS FROM CHANDIGARH

Chandigarh, July 8, 2009

The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today urged the Ministry of Defence, Government of India to direct the Air Force authorities to extend the Air Traffic Control (ATC) watch hours of Chandigarh up to 0100 hrs IST for International flight operations from Chandigarh at the earliest.

Mr. Badal in a letter to the Union Defence Minister Mr. A.K.Antony said that the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India had already granted approval to the Chandigarh Airport as an International point of call to the designated airlines of UAE (Dubai) to commence International flight operations.

The Chief Minister also pointed out that the Fly Dubai airline, intends to start international operations from Chandigarh Airport from the 3rd week of July, 2009. But, the Fly Dubai authorities have been denied permission by the Indian Air Force authorities because the present ATC watch hours at Chandigarh are up to 2000 hrs irrespective of the sunset timings whereas the Fly Dubai’s aircraft intends landing at Chandigarh at 2330 hrs and departing from Chandigarh at 0030 hrs. IST.
The Ministry of External Affairs had acknowledged the same to the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates. The extension of ATC hours would fulfill the long pending demand of the state and the area for the commencement of International flights from Chandigarh, added the Chief Minister.

ROTATIONAL IRRIGATION PROGRAMME FOR KHARIF SEASON ANNOUNCED

Chandigarh, July 8, 2009

The Irrigation Department, Punjab has announced the Rotational Programme for irrigation for the Khariff Season through Canal water from 11-7-2009 to 18-7-2009. The channels of Sirhind Canal System would run on the priority basis from Sidhwan Branch, Bathinda Branch, Bist Doab, 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 channels of first preference will run to their indent and balance water supplies available will be utilized in Ghaggar Branch and its off taking channels i.e Ghaggar Branch and Patiala Minor in Group 'B' respectively.
The spokesman further said that all the direct distributaries of Sirhind Feeder in group 'A' being in the First preference will run to their indent and balance water supplies available would be utilised in Abohar Branch off-taking from Sirhind Feeder and its distributaries/Minors in Group 'B'.

The spokesman also said that the Uppar Bari Doab Canal with its distributaries being in the channels of first Preference would run to their indent and balance water would be supplies water available in Kasur Branch Lower, Main Branch Lower , Lahore Branch and Sabraon Branch, with their distributaries respectively.

Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, PWD Minister Punjab while welcoming the budget of Punjab

Chandigarh 8 July :

Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, PWD Minister Punjab while welcoming the budget of Punjab said that Punjab Govt. has set an example by planning 17 railways over bridge to be constructed in one year. He said the road sector plan with the allocation of Rs. 477 crore has been given a new dimension for the roads in Punjab. He said that under Prime Minister Gramin Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) scheme for the up gradation of rural roads at a cost of Rs. 600 crore would be spent, Rs. 17 crore would be spent on the construction of bridges. He thanked the state government for special intension for rural roads.
He also criticized central budget which has no dimensions.

CH. SWARNA RAM HAILS PUNJAB BUDGET

Chandigarh July 8:-

Ch. Swarna Ram Technical Education & Industrial Training and Social Security Minister Punjab hailed the Budget 2009-10 of Punjab and said that Punjab Government has provided Rs. 75 crore for the Technical Institutions and Industrial Tranining Centers. He further said that Rs. 40 crore for upgrading technical institutions into multipurpose academics. Rs. 12 crore for up gradation of government polytechnic and ITIs.

He thanks Finance Minister Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal and Chief Minister Punjab Mr. Parkash Singh Badal for allotting 657 crore for the weaker and disadvantage group. Rs. 468 crore would be spent on old age and other pension from dedicated social security fund. He said that state government would also increase the nutrition diet funds for over 14 lac children and mothers.
He criticized central budget which has no dimensions.

Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab

Chandigarh: 8th July, 2009

The following programme has been announced by the Election Commission of India for holding bye-elections to 05-Kahnuwan, 70-Banur and 93-Jalalabad Assembly Constituencies in the State of Punjab :-

1. Date of issue of notification
: 09.07.2009 ( Thursday)
2. Last date for making nominations
: 16.07.2009 (Thursday)
3. Date of scrutiny of nominations
: 17.07.2009 (Friday)
4. Last date for withdrawal of candidature : 20.07.2009 (Monday)
5. Date of poll
: 03.08.2009 (Monday)
6. Date of counting of votes
: 06.08.2009 (Thursday)
7. Date before which the election process shall be completed : 08.08.2009 (Saturday)

2. Hours of poll will be from 7.00 A.M. to 5.00 P.M.

3. Nomination papers are to be filed with the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Gurdaspur for 05-Kahnuwan, the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Dera Bassi for 70-Banur and the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Jalalabad for 93-Jalalabad Assembly Constituencies, who are the Returning Officers for these Constituencies, between the hours of 11 O’clock in the forenoon and 3 O’clock in the afternoon on any day other than a public holiday from 9th July, 2009 to 16th July, 2009.

4. The nomination papers are to be filed in form 2B. Blank forms are available with the District Election Officers/Returning Officers. Typed nomination papers will also be accepted provided they are in the prescribed format.

5. In order to qualify for a Legislative Assembly seat, a candidate should be registered as an elector for any Assembly Constituency in Punjab. To satisfy the concerned Returning Officer on this point, candidates should produce a certified copy of the relevant entry of the electoral roll in force.

6. A candidate is also required to make and subscribe to an oath or affirmation in the prescribed form before the concerned Returning Officer or any other person so authorized by the Election Commission of India. The oath/affirmation should be taken/made by a candidate after his nomination paper has been filed and before the date fixed for the scrutiny of nominations.

7. 11th July, 2009, being a Saturday, is not a holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881; therefore, nomination papers can be presented to the Returning Officer on that day.

8. 12th July, 2009, being a Sunday, is a holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881; therefore, nomination papers cannot be presented to the Returning Officer on that day.

9. 18th July, 2009, being a Saturday, is not a holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881; therefore, candidatures can be withdrawn on that day.

10. 19th July, 2009, being a Sunday, is a holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881; therefore, candidatures can not be withdrawn on that day.

11. The Model Code of Conduct has come into force in the Districts of Gurdaspur, SAS Nagar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala and Firozepur from the date of announcement of elections (29th June, 2009) by the Election Commission of India and shall remain in force till the completion of the election process.


Kusumjit Sidhu,
Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab

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