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PUNJAB BRANCH OF NFB ENDS 16 MONTHS OLD STRIKE ON CM's ASSURANCE
TO CLEAR BACKLOG OF VACANCIES FOR BLIND On the assurance of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal to clear the backlog of vacant posts reserved for blind persons in all the Departments/Boards/Corporations and Universities in the state within three months, the Punjab Branch of National Federation of the Blind (NFB) today decided to withdraw their 16 months old strike in the state with immediate effect. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting chaired by Mr.
Badal with the deputation led by its president of NFB Mr. Santosh
Kumar Rungta here at Chief Minister's residence this evening. The Chief Minister also agreed to the proposal put forth by Mr.
Rungta that the 1% backlog for the blind would be made against the
total cadre strength of department/establishment in the light of
the decision of High Court of Delhi rendered in Public Interest
Litigation (PIL) filled by NFB. Mr. Badal also asked the Chief Administrator
GAMADA to find a suitable site to NFB to open training cum production
centre where the uneducated blind persons would be given training
in different vocations to be gainfully employed with an objective
to earn their livelihood and to make them stand on their feet. Meanwhile, Mr. Rungtha thanked the Chief Minister for taking timely and positively decision with regard to implementation of recruitment of persons of visual impairment. He termed this decision as a revolutionary step for the protection of the rights of blind persons. This decision would make Punjab the first state in India to employ all the employable persons in three months, he added. The meeting was attended by Social Welfare Minister Ch. Swarna Ram, Chief Secretary Mr. S.C Agarwal, Principal Secretary Social Welfare Mandeep Singh, Principal Secretary Transport Mr. D.S. Jaspal, and Secretary Education G.S. Sandhu. The deputation consisted of other members ; Ram Murty, Secretary Sham Sunder, Sports Secretary Gurpreet Singh, General Secretary Haryana NFB Jage Ram and convener of the NFB Anmol Gupta. DELEGATION OF EMPLOYEE'S UNION CALLS ON DHINDSA Chandigarh, September 18 A delegation of the Punjab State Employees Union under the leadership of Hari Singh Tohra today met Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa PWD ( B&R) Minister Punjab and apprised him of their long pending demands in various sections of PWD (B&R), department. Mr. Dhindsa assured them that their grievances would be sympathetically considered and redressed at the earliest. The Minister also assured them that the jobs on compassionate grounds to the kin of the deceased would be given on priority basis to class III and Class IV in the department. Regarding the regularization in the service for the employees on work charge and daily wages, the Minister said that 35 work charge employees would be regularized with immediate effect. While remaining cases would be taken up shortly. Cleaners of the department would be promoted as drivers on the basis of their seniorities. All the posts of junior engineers lying vacant, would be filled on the basis of the departmental test. Class III clerks, work mechanic, workmunshi, motormate, inspector would be named as supervisors. The Minister also directed Principal Secretary Mr. Kulbir Singh and Chief Engineer Mr. G.S.Sahi, to immediately take up and solve the long pending cases of the employees of the department in a stipulated time frame. Special attention should be paid to the cases of the retired officers/employees of the department, said Mr. Dhindsa. DRIVE LAUNCHED TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF NREGA-BRAHMPURA Chandigath, September 18 A special campaign has been launched in Punjab for ensuring effective implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and to make the implementing agencies accountable in this regard. This was stated by the Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Punjab S. Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, here today. S. Brahmpura said 5.24 lakh job cards have already been issued to the families in rural areas under NREGA in the state. The Central government had made a provisional allotment of Rs 172 crore to Punjab for the current financial year, of which the first instalment of Rs 85.20 crore had been received so far. Sixty per cent of the amount would be spent on the wages of the workers and the remaining 40 per cent on material, he said. He accepted that a majority of the officials concerned and members of PRIs, who were implementing NREGA at the village level, were not fully aware of the scheme. They were being educated about the scheme by organizing special camps, seminars and workshops including films, powerpoint presentations etc. at District, Subdivision and Block level so that they could effectively implement it to produce the desired results, he said. "The main purpose of the training was to share the best practices in NREGA, identify issues and to devise strategies to improve its proper implementation. In this regard, training and capacity building was needed for all stakeholders, most importantly, for the rural labourers, small/marginal farmers, women and other weaker sections in order to prepare and equip them to derive full benefits of NREGA" said S. Brahmpura. The Rural Development Minister added that under the NREGA, the Panchayats were required to prepare perspective plans that involve extensive mapping of village resources and identifying their uses and improvement. Every year, the Panchayats were supposed to make an annual plan also to identify works that could be taken up for local resource improvement, he said. He added that this programme was primarily aimed at employment generation and infrastructure development. NREGA has resulted in increased wage employment, enhanced wage earnings, improved equity with significant benefits flowing to SC/ST and women, he said. PIDB BLACKLISTS AKRUTI CITY The Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) – the nodal agency for the development of infrastructure in Punjab has blacklisted the Mumbai based M/s Akruti City Limited from participating in tenders of the State Government projects to be floated by PIDB for a period of 5 years, on account of the malpractices adopted by them while participating in the bidding processes in respect of the development of Bus Terminals at Mohali and Bathinda on Build Operate Transfer (BOT) basis. Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Managing Director of PIDB Dr.Sukhbir Singh Sandhu after due consideration of the submissions of the company and hearing them personally, issued a well reasoned and detailed order whereby he observed that it would not be in the interest of the public to allow the M/s Akruti City Limited to participate in the tenders to be floated by PIDB. The act and conduct of M/s Akruti City Limited of first submitting their bids and subsequently withdrawing the same had caused considerable loss to the State and set back to the developmental actions of PIDB as the whole process of providing state-of-the-art bus terminals-cum-commercial complexes at Mohali and Bathinda were set back by more than eight months and the public remained deprived of availing the services of these public utility projects. Managing Director PIDB also observed that the company had not expressed any remorse for its conduct and was even unable to justify its actions due to any financial constraints or any other unwarranted circumstances that might have prevented M/s Akruti City Limited from honoring their obligations, added Mr. Sandhu. DIET ORGANIZES BLOOD DONATION CAMP IN COLLABORATION WITH GOVERNMENT
MULTI-SPECIALTY HOSPITAL SECTOR–16 CHANDIGARH According to In-charge of blood bank Dr. Saroj Aggarwal 102 units
of blood were collected in the camp. Appreciating the role of city based NGO – Sahayta Charitable Society for launching a vigorous campaign to provide free treatment and care to the poor patients inflicted with cancer, Mr. Manjit Singh also urged such similar NGOs to play a pro-active role to redeem the suffering humanity. PUNJAB CM GREETS PEOPLE ON AGRASEN JAYANTI The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today extended his warm greetings to the people of the state on the eve of auspicious occasion of ‘Agrasen Jayanti’. In a message, Mr. Badal called upon the people to draw inspiration
from the teachings of Maharaja Agrasen who spread the message of
peace, communal harmony, compassion and brotherhood. The Chief Minister
further said, “A real tribute to Maharaja Agrasen would be
to follow his teachings, still relevant in the present materialistic
society.” INDIA'S FIRST SCHEME MONITORING SYSTEM LAUNCHED IN RUPNAGAR progress of ongoing development works to be timely supervised Rupnagar September 18: To ensure effective and centralised supervision
of various development works, district administration today launched
India's first ever District Scheme Monitoring System (DSMS) in the
Rupnagar district. "In order to evaluate the progress of each work on monthly basis, the entire works would be computerized and monthly details like work location (block and village), work name, estimated cost of work, work starting date, tentative work completion date, the progress details expenditures, percentage of work completed and photographs showing actual progress of works would be stored in the system" he said. Giving details Mr Bharti added that the schemes which would be monitored through the DSMS include central as well as state sponsored schemes like Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY), Rojgar Yojna (RY), Indira Awas Yojna (IAY), NREGA, Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan(SSA), Atta-Dal scheme, Old age pensions scheme, NABARD plans, Rural and Urban development schemes etc. He informed that the district administration has got developed
the unique software for the DSMS from National Informatics Centre
(NIC) Punjab. Adding further he said that it took seven months to
develop this software. Deputy Commissioner personally gave the presentation to heads of various departments to make them aware about the finer points of the DSMS and explained the various steps to upload the required data and photographs into the software installed at his office. This system would be helpful in timely monitoring of progress of ongoing projects/schemes in remote areas by the district administration without visiting the actual sites of development works, he said. Among other Mr Manashvi Kumar Additional Deputy Commissioner (Dev.), Mrs. Anandita Mishra, Mr. APS Sandhu and Lakhmir Singh (all SDMs), Ms. Rupanjali Assistant Commissioner (UT), Mr. Kiranbir Singh Maan Assistant Commissioner and DTO, Mr. Sanjiv Garg DDPO, Mrs. Hravinder Kaur Brar AETC and other district officers were also present on the occasion. GENERAL TRANSFERS DATE EXTENDED TILL SEPTEMBER 30 CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 17 The Punjab Government has decided to extend the last date of general transfers to September 30 from the earlier date of August 31, 2009. Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Chief Minister’s Office said that a decision to this effect was taken by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal. He has directed the state Chief Secretary to issue necessary instructions in this regard.
CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 17 The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today directed the Chairman Punjab State Electricity Board to immediately provide a hot line to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar presently being run from the local Polytechnic College as a make shift arrangement to ensure congenial academic atmosphere. An assurance to this effect was given to the Director Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar Prof. MK Surappa who called on him at Chief Minister’s residence this morning. Taking up the functional problems with the Chief Minister, Prof.
Surappa urged Mr. Badal to immediately hand over the possession
of remaining 100 acres of land out of 500 acres to the institute
so that work for the construction of compound wall could be taken
up on priority. He also raised the issue of early completion of
the four laning of Ropar-Kurali Road and the flyover so that students
and faculty members could have hassle free access to the existing
IIT complex at polytechnic college. He also impressed upon the Chief
Minister to direct the PWD (B&R) department for the construction
of roads around the upcoming IIT campus to enable movement of trucks
and heavy machinery involved in the construction activity. Mr. Badal assured him that he would soon convene a special meeting of the concerned officers to resolve all these issues relating to upgradation of infrastructure and personally meet Union Railways Minister Ms.Mamata Banerjee to seek her intervention for the expansion and modernization of local railway station as it had now only one platform which caused a lot of harassment to the commuters in general and especially the students and faculty members who had to often visit Delhi and other parts of the country. The Director was accompanied by Registrar Mr. A Palanivel and Dean Academic & Research Mr.BK Dhindaw. Advisor to Chief Minister Dr.Daljit Singh Cheema and Chairman Improvement Trust Ropar Dr.RS Parmar also attended the meeting.
Launching the austerity measures in the State the Punjab Government today decided to lower the vehicle category entitlement for Officers including Chief Secretary, Principal Secretaries, Financial Commissioners, Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments keeping in view the financial position of the State. Motor Vehicle Board that met under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Mr. S.C. Agrawal, here today, decided to lower the vehicle category entitlement for officers of every level. An official spokesman giving the details of decision taken in the Board said that Chief Secretary, who was earlier entitled for Toyota Camary vehicle would now be given Toyota Corolla vehicle. Principal Secretaries/Financial Commissioners in the rank of Chief Secretary were earlier entitled for Toyota Corolla vehicle. Other officers including Principal Secretaries/Financial Commissioners not in the rank of Chief Secretary besides Administrative Secretaries were entitled for Honda City or Maruti SX4 vehicles. According to the decision taken in the Board today, all officers including Principal Secretaries, Financial Commissioners and Administrative Secretaries would now be entitled for Honda City or Maruti SX-4. The spokesman added that the Heads of the Departments who were earlier entitled for Ambassador Car would now be given choice to choose between Ambassador or Swift DeZire (diesel) or Tata Indigo (diesel). The spokesman clarified that the Petrol, Oil and Lubricant (POL) expenses on Ambassador were high because of petrol engine besides low mileage of 9 Km. per liter. He said that Swift DeZire (diesel) or Tata Indigo (diesel) besides having diesel engine would give over 15 Km mileage per liter. Prominent amongst other who attended the meeting included Mr. D.S. Guru, Principal Secretary to CM, Mr. D.S.Jaspal, Principal Secretary Transport, Mr. A.R.Talwar, Principal Secretary Home, Mr. Karan Avtar Singh, Principal Secretary Finance, Mr. M.S.Sandhu, Secretary Printing & Stationary, Mr.Anirudh Tiwari, Secretary Expenditure and Mr. R.Venkatratnam, State Transport Commissioner.
A delegation of Aarhtia Association Punjab (Regd.) led by its President Mr. Ravinder Singh Cheema today called on Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal regarding their demands. Mr. Badal gave them a patient hearing and assured them that the state government was committed to further strengthen the age old ties of Aarhtias and farmers as both were playing a significant role in the development of state. He said that he would direct Secretary, Food and Civil Supply and Secretary, Punjab Mandi Board for doing needful for the Aarhtias fraternity after looking into the issues raised by the Aarhtia Association. Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, PWD (B&R) Minister Punjab was also present on the occasion. Rs.25 crore for the up gradation of the infrastructure CHANDIGARH, SEPTEMBER 17 Punjab Government has planned to incur Rs.25 crore for the up gradation of the infrastructure of existing focal point in Punjab in this financial year. While disclosing this here today Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Industry, Commerce and Local Government Minister, Punjab said that Punjab Government was committed the development of Industrial Infrastructure which remained neglected by the previous congress government. Industry Minister said that Punjab Government now strenuous efforts were being made for the maintenance and up gradation of the infrastructure. He said that Punjab Government had already started the process of up gradation of infrastructure facilities at different focal points at Jalandhar with a total cost of Rs.12.35 crore as under so that all the four focal points in Jalandhar shall be fully renovated/upgraded. Mr. Kalia further said that work on industrial focal point old & expansion, leather complex roads, Industrial Focal point old & expansion of sewerage system and industrial focal point old and expansion, leather complex, sports & surgical goods complex for providing water & installation of tubewells. He further said that State government had been submitted the proposal for development of 22 clusters for micro, small and medium industry to Government of India for approval out which 13 had already been approved.
Chandigarh September 17 The Punjab government would set up 108 Adarsh Schools under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode to impart free and quality education to the brilliant and economically poor rural students in all the districts and has received two dozen proposals from different 11 private partners for the allotment of Adarsh School sites. Disclosing this here today Dr Upinderjit Kaur Education Minister
Punjab Said that Punjab Education Development Board (PEDB) has openly
invited applications from interested private partners to set up
Adarsh Schools in the State. In this response, 11 private partners
has applied for allotment of Adarsh School sites and PEDB has finalized
and approved 15 sites to five private partners to setup these modern
and fully equipped educational institutions in the state, she said.
Giving details she further added that Bharti Enterprises Ltd. has been allotted six sites at Chogawan and Fattubilla in Amritsar distt, Jhorran, Sherpur Kalan and Rauni in Ludhiana and Jhaneri in Sangrur distt. Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. would open four schools at Khilchian, Luharka Kalan and Bandala in Amritsar distt and Johlan Kalan in SAS Nagar distt. whereas Chief Khalsa Diwan Amritsar would open three schools at Ucha in Kapurthala, Dhandra ( Ludhiana ) and Naushehra Pannuan (Tarn Taran). Besides this, Career Launcher India Ltd. would open a school at Agampur and Educomp New Delhi at Kalewal in Rupnagar distt, Upinderjit Kaur said. "In addition the Punjab School Education Board SAS Nagar was allotted a site at village Raniwala in District Muktsar as per terms and conditions of the PEDB. Other applications under PPP mode were being processed for further necessary action", said the minister. Adding further she said that the PEDB would provide 10-15 acre land on 99 years lease basis which would be renewable thereafter with mutual consent of both the parties. She further added that the operational cost of an Adarsh School upto about 1000 students would be shared on 70:30 basis normative between the Board and private partner.
Rs.22.76 crore for the development of various tourism destinations in the state-Garbria CHANDIGARH, SEPTEMBER 17
Giving more details, the minister informed that Rs.800 lac had been sanctioned for the integrated development of pilgrim circuits. Kiratpur, Fatehgarh, Sirhind, Muktsar, Sultanpur Lodhi, Goindwal, Khadoor Sahib, Baba Bakala, Sri Hargobindpur, Dera Baba Nanak, Batala, Amritsar and for environmental upgradation of Dargah masania (Gurdaspur) and Bhandari Temple and Church complex Batala have also been included in these circuits where the work of installing signage board was going on. Rs.75 lac have been released by PWD ( B & R) Department for Sirhind and Fatehgarh Cities to promote the tourism destinations. \ He further said that Rs.361 and Rs. 331 lac had been sanctioned for integrated development of Kapurthala and Roop Nagar cities respectively as tourist destination. Ninety percent work on these destinations have been completed and remaining work would be completed by March, 2010, he added.
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