Akali leaders gun for Punjab finance minister

Chandigarh, Oct 9- Within a week of linking Punjab's serious debt situation to populist policies of the ruling Akali Dal, Finance Minister Manpreet Badal is in the firing line of his partymen who are seeking "strict disciplinary action" against him.

The action, which could be either seeking his resignation, forcing him to resign or dropping him from the government, could come soon given the way the leaders of the Akali Dal have reacted to Manpreet Badal's remarks.

Senior party leader Gurdev Singh Badal told media here Saturday that he had already recommended strict action against the finance minister.

The finance minister, who is a nephew of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, is being seen by loyalists of the Badal family as someone who is challenging the leadership of Badal's son Sukhbir Singh Badal, the Akali Dal president and the state's deputy chief minister.

The controversy over the Manpreet issue Saturday saw district unit chiefs being summoned for a meeting here and they unanimously seeking action against the finance minister.

The finance minister's recent comments that the Punjab government will have to do away with subsidies and populist freebies, like free power to farmers, which is in variance to the Akali Dal policy and manifesto, has brought him in direct confrontation with Sukhbir Badal.

The finance minister said that Punjab will have to accept a conditional offer from the central government to help take the state out of a Rs.650 billion debt that it has accumulated.

Even though Manpreet, two days back, tried to down-play the controversy saying that the chief minister had given him a clean chit on the issue, he got a snub from Chief Minister Badal later who clearly said that no indiscipline, from any leader, would be tolerated.

About Manpreet Singh Badal:

• Manpreet Singh Badal, Finance Minister, neither has any security cover nor does he use red light

• He said: “I am in public life on my own choice and feel no threat to my life from any body".

• He had told the police authorities that he did not need static police guards at his residence , Chandigarh.

  • The police authorities said, the deployment of static guards there to protect the government property and not for his security”

  • He also use his own vehicle........Reported in 2008

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HARSIMRAT/Governor/President at Amritsar

HARSIMRAT VOWS TO MAKE NANHI CHHAAN AS A MASS MOVEMENT-
CM ANNOUNCES TO SET UP 24-HOUR HELPLINE AND LEGAL COUNSELING CENTRES
SCHOOLS GIRLS OF 9TH & 10TH TO BE PROVIDED BI-CYCLES - CM

AMRITSAR OCTOBER 6:

The President of India Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil today called upon the people to bring a perceptible change in the mindset for ensuring equality to the girl child thereby paving a way for a harmonious society.
Addressing a mammoth gathering of women and girls from all over the state here at Khalsa College on the national conference for the Women Empowerment organized by the Nanhi Chhaan Punjab Public Charitable Trust, Smt. Patil highly appreciated the initiative of Chairperson of the Trust and Member Parliament from Bathinda Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal for launching a campaign to ‘save the girl child and save the environment’ with a humble beginning in August 2008 which had gradually gained momentum and was now emerging a mass movement at the national level.

Citing the examples of revolutionary women from Punjab, the President of India said that Mata Kaushalya, Mata Sita, Mata Tripta, Bebe Nanaki, Bibi Bhani, Mai Bhago, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur and Amrita Pritam had played a vanguard role in the empowerment of women since time immemorial. She also revealed that out of 146 Sikh missionaries deputed by Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji to spread the tenets of Sikhism to far flung areas, 52 were women alone which depicted the spirit of respect to the women in the medieval era when they were denied their basic rights by other religions. She also commended the role of Punjabis in the growth and prosperity of the country due to their hard work and honesty in every field be it agriculture or safeguarding the borders of the country. Smt. Patil said that the role of Punjabis in the national freedom struggle could not be under estimated as majority of them laid down their lives to free our motherland from the shackles of British. She said; “Even Punjab is known as the food basket of India with almost 60% of its contribution of wheat and paddy in the national kitty’.

The President further said that with the growing trend of female feticide in Punjab does not augur well in view of its inherent characteristics of vibrancy and forward looking approach. She said that it was the high time to mentally prepare our mothers, daughters and sisters to firmly say no to female feticide and social evil of dowry, as due to the burden of which, the parents were cursing the birth of their daughters. She emphasized the need to celebrate the birth of girl child at par with the sons so that the concept of the equality should be propagated in the society. She urged the Nanhi Chhaan to spread the movement of saving the girl child and preserving the environment at the national level too.

In her welcome address, Member Parliament from Bathinda and Chairperson of the Nanhi Chhaan Punjab Public Charitable Trust Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal said that the underlying objective of ‘Nanhi Chhaan’ campaign was to highlight the intrinsic relationship between the girl child and environment, as both mother and trees nurture the families and planet respectively and therefore, it was the need of the hour to save the girl child and preserve the environment to carve out a healthy society. She apprised the President that the results of this novel campaign had been coming forth within a just short span of two-and-a-half years, which was evident from the fact that the sex ratio of girl child had witnessed a considerable improvement especially in the rural areas. Likewise, the awareness amongst the masses about the preservation of environment through plantation of trees had also got a big boost. Mrs. Badal gave a clarion call to all the religious, social and voluntary organizations to join the ‘Nanhi Chhaan’ campaign as it was committed to the social cause to save the girl child as well environment cutting across the political affiliations. She lamented that the rising trend of female feticide had consequently resulted in adverse sex-ratio over past several years, which was a blot on the face of progressive state like Punjab and brought a bad name to the entire community of Punjabis and therefore, it must be wiped out with firm commitment and sincerity.

While proposing a vote of thanks, Member Parliament from Bathinda and Chief Patron of Nanhi Chhaan Trust Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal said that this unique campaign launched from the holy city of Sri Amritsar about two-and-a-half years back, aimed at bringing awareness amongst the masses across the state against the social evil of female feticide on one hand and to save the environment from pollution on the other had proved to be a milestone. She said that ‘the benign presence of Her Excellency President of India Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil on this occasion was a matter of great rejoice and satisfaction. She also praised the social and voluntary organizations besides people at individual level who had whole heartedly involved them to make this campaign as a mass movement.

Congratulating Mrs Harsimrat Kaur Badal and everyone else associated with the movement “Nanhi Chhaan” for their vision and action plan, the Punjab Governor Mr. Shivraj V. Patil, said that women have been accorded a very high status in our society as we have been worshipping many goddesses, having different powers, be it shakti, vidya, wealth etc.

The Punjab Governor said that factual position is that in recent times, the menace of Female Feticide has been spreading its tentacles in our society and the Nani Chhaan campaign launched by Mrs. Badal aiming to save the girl child as well as promoting environmental protection by planting a saplings to celebrate the birth of girl child is a positive step in the direction to achieve the goal of empowerment of women. He also appreciated Smt. Patil who herself was a symbol of empowerment of women being the first President of the India.

Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal said that the success of Nanhi Chhaan campaign was evident from the fact that the sex ratio in 2001 census was 796 female against 1000 male which had now marginally improved by 841. He said that all of us should take a pledge on this solemn day to further improve this sex ratio by demonstrating our indomitable spirit to reverse the trend of adverse sex ratio through the active involvement of Nanhi Chhaan. He hoped that this campaign would soon usher in a revolution to save the girl child as well as environment. He further said that Shiromani Akali Dal was the votary of women rights as it has passed a resolution in favour of reservation of women in parliament and other legislatures. As a testimony to this fact, the SGPC the mini parliament of Sikhs, had already 33 women members and Bibi Jagir Kaur was also remained its President.

The Chief Minister also apprised the President that the Punjab was committed to clean all the rivers from pollution caused by industrial and municipal waste positively with in one-and-a-half year.
Mr. Badal announced that Punjab government would soon provide bi-cycles to all the girl students of government and affiliated schools studying in class 9th and 10th. Towards a step to empower the women in the state, Mr. Badal also announced to set up a 24 hours helpline to protect the women from atrocities and domestic violence besides establishing a network of legal counseling centres at all the district and sub divisional headquarters to provide the facility of counseling to the needy women on legal matters.
On the occasion, Chief Minister honoured the President by presenting a replica of Golden Temple Amrtisar. Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal along with three disabled girls offered a plant to Smt. Patil to be planted in the Rashtrapati Bhawan in remembrance of the Nanhi Chhaan.

Earlier, Smt. Patil paid obeisance at the Golden Temple and Sri Durgiana Mandir and also visited Jallianawala Bagh to offer her tributes to the martyrs.

Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Minister Mr. Bikramjit Singh Majithia, founding Trustee & Executive Vice President of Bhartiaya Yuva Shakti Trust Ms. Laxmi V Venkateshan and Dr. Devising Sekhawat. Besides the Cabinet Ministers, MLAs of SAD-BJP and Members of SGPC were also attended the function.
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8.2 LAKH TONNES PADDY PROCURED IN PUNJAB`

Chandigarh, October 06: Government agencies and private millers procured more than 851415 tonnes of Paddy till last evening

A spokesman of Punjab Govt. said here today that out of total procurement in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 826311 tonnes (97.1%) whereas private traders procured 25104 tonnes (2.9%) of paddy. Till October 05, PUNGRAIN had procured 222089 tonnes (26.9%) whereas MARKFED procured 178842 tonnes (21.6%), PUNSUP procured 211150 tonnes (25.6%), PSWC procured 123835 tonnes (15.0%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 79553 tonnes (9.6 %) of paddy.
The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 10842 tonnes (1.3%).
The spokesman added that District Tarn Taran with 146754 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas district Ferozepur with 137505 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and District Kapurthala 102074 tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.
The State Government has set up almost 1700 procurement centers and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of paddy, the spokesman added.


Punjab Constitutes ' Sainik Welfare Cell'

Chandigarh, October 6:

With a view to address the problems of retired defence personnel, the Punjab Government has decided to constitute a 'Sainik Welfare Cell' in the office of the Punjab Chief Minister. Mr. K. J. S Cheema, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Punjab who himself a defence personal will be the in-charge of the special cell.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab Government said that Chief Minister has ordered to constitute the cell immediately.

The acquittal of Badal family in the corruption cases against them have thoroughly exposed poor, ineffective and farcical criminal justice system of our country. It is a clear cut case of miscarriage and travesty of justice, due to unethical and immoral connivance of the state power, the prosecution and the so called vigilance bureau to defend corrupt politicians like the Badals.

The acquittal also sounds alarming bells that there are two sets of law, one for the poor and the ordinary citizens and the other for mighty, powerful and rich blatantly corrupt politicians like the Badals. The trial judge while delivering a judgement with his hands tied has made striking observations in his order. He says “A police officer, who agrees to make a false statement before the court merely under pressure cannot discharge the duties of the police officer in a proper manner. They cannot protect the rights of the poor and the down trodden when the same come in conflict with the rich and mighty”.

The day Mr. Badal took over as Chief Minister, he had started preparing a blue print to give a neat burial to corruption matter against himself and his family. The prosecution team was abruptly changed by misusing the office of Advocate General Sh. H.S. Mattewal. The appointment of Sh. Sumedh Saini initially as Director Vigilance and subsequently as Chief Director Vigilance was a conspiracy of you scratch my back, I will scratch your back since Sh. Saini needed the protection of the Badal Govt. in criminal cases pending against him. Under this conspiracy all material witnesses were pressurized, threatened and coerced to turn hostile, even the investigating officer Sh. S.S. Virk turned hostile.

The court itself has termed the trial as a farce “from the conspectus of the facts and circumstances of this case, one thing is crystal clear that the due misconduct on the part of some persons, the trial has been reduced to a farce”. “In criminal trial, the prosecution tries to establish the charge leveled by it against the accused, who obviously defend themselves. But this case is exceptional where in not only the complainant and the material witnesses but even the senior police officials, who investigated this case, have not supported the prosecution. Such observations by the trial judge clearly indicate that there was tremendous pressure on one and all to finish the case.

It would be interesting to watch as to how the prosecution will file an appeal against the acquittal order, will they or will they not? Or will it be again orchestrated to benefit the Badals.
The acquittal is clearly a manipulated, well planned conspiracy and against the principles of nautral justice. I support the contention of Mr Jassi Khangura, that Mr Badal may have secured a manipulated acquittal from the court but he continues to remain a culprit and a suspect of rampant corruption in the eyes of people, who will punish him severely in the ensuing 2012 elections in Punjab.

It is also saddening to state that had the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India intervened in the case and transferred it out of Punjab for a retrial on the SLP filed by Capt. Amarinder Singh, results would have been different

The acquittal has only weakened the faith of the masses in our criminal justice system, therefore the onus lies on the Chief Justice of Supreme Court and Chief Justice of High Court of Punjab and Haryana to take immediate suo moto cognizance of this will planned neat burial given to such a sensational and serious case, pertaining to corruption in high places. In case the Chief Justice fails to take corrective measures to render justice, it would be amply clear that the law of the land is definitely weak when it encounters the powerful people like the Badal clan.

(Sukhpal Singh Khaira)
MLA, Bholath, Punjab
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BADAL CONGRATULATES BINDRA FOR WINNING GOLD

CHANDIGARH OCTOBER 5: Punjab Chief Minister, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here today facilitated the Olympian Mr. Abhinav Bindra on winning first Gold Medal for the country in ten meter air rifle segment of 19th Commonwealth games at New Delhi. In a message, Mr. Badal said that Bindra's achievements had brought glory to the entire nation previously in Olympics 2008 and now in the Commonwealth games. He further said that Mr. Bindra’s performance would give a major boost in Indian sports.
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Chandigarh, October 05:

Government agencies and private millers procured more than 611424 tonnes of Paddy till last evening

A spokesman of Punjab Govt. said here today that out of total procurement in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 503395 tonnes (97.1%) whereas private traders procured 18029 tonnes (2.9%) of paddy. Till October 04, PUNGRAIN had procured 162022 tonnes (27.3%) whereas MARKFED procured 130503 tonnes (22%), PUNSUP procured 159508 tonnes (26.9%), PSWC procured 84964 tonnes (14.3%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 55731 tonnes (9.4 %) of paddy.
The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 667 tonnes (0.1%).
The spokesman added that District Tarn Taran with 113632 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas district Ferozepur with 98029 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and District Kapurthala 78950 tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.
The State Government has set up almost 1700 procurement centers and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of paddy, the spokesman added.
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SHIROMANI AKALI DAL

SAD to hold district level conferences in Haryana
One observer to be deputed at each SGPC constituency

(Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema)' Secretary & Spokesman,
Shiromani Akali Da

Chandigarh, October 5 : Shiromani Akali Dal has decided to hold district level conferences in Haryana for the coming SGPC elections and a senior party leader from Punjab would be appointed as observer in each constituency. A decision to this effect was taken at the joint meeting of the core committee of the SAD and senior leaders from different party of the Haryana. Meeting was presided over by the party President Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal which was also attended by the party Patron and Chief Minister. S. Parkash Singh Badal.
Disclosing this in a statement from the party headoffice here party Secretary and Spokesman Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said that meeting deliberated upon the issue of the coming SGPC elections and current political situation in the state of Haryana. He said that the above decisions were taken with the aim to further strengthening the party organisation in the state. Names of the observers would be announced by the party President Mr. Badal in the coming days he added.

He further added that party would hold district level conferences in Haryana after the paddy harvesting in over. Punjab Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal, party President Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, SGPC President Jathedar Avtar Singh besides other senior party leaders would address these conferences.
Meeting which lasted till late in the night was attended by Mr. Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Gurdev Singh Badal, Jathedar Tota Singh, Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra, Maheshinder Singh Grewal and Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema. Haryana unit Chief Jathedar Joginder Singh Aherawan, SGPC senior vice President Raghujit Singh Virk and other distt presidents and senior party leaders from Haryana including Sukhdev Singh Gobindgarh, Baldev Singh Kaimpur, Gurdeep Singh Bhanokheri, Charanjit Singh Rori MLA, Jasbir Singh Mallour former MLA, Amarjit Singh Mangi, Balkaur Singh Kalianwali, Surjit Singh Nidder, Bibi Kartar Kaur, Jathedar Mehar Singh Safidon, Bharpur Singh Khalsa, Sant Singh Kandhari, Sukhbir Singh Mandi, Sharanjit Singh Sotha, Bhupinder Singh Asandh, Tejinderpal Singh Dhillon, Harbhajan Singh Masana, Jarnail Singh body, Ajit Singh Sondha, Harpal Singh Rippy, Malak Singh Cheema, Bibi Amarjit Kaur Shahbad, Avtar Singh Tohana, Meharban Singh Nagla, Karambir Singh Kang, Amarjit Singh Sidhu, Jaswant Singh Doonimajra, Jaswant Singh Madaar, Pritpal Singh and Kuldip Singh Cheema besides others.

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6 LAKH TONNES PADDY PROCURED IN PUNJAB`

Chandigarh, October 05: Government agencies and private millers procured more than 611424 tonnes of Paddy till last evening

A spokesman of Punjab Govt. said here today that out of total procurement in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 503395 tonnes (97.1%) whereas private traders procured 18029 tonnes (2.9%) of paddy. Till October 04, PUNGRAIN had procured 162022 tonnes (27.3%) whereas MARKFED procured 130503 tonnes (22%), PUNSUP procured 159508 tonnes (26.9%), PSWC procured 84964 tonnes (14.3%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 55731 tonnes (9.4 %) of paddy.
The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 667 tonnes (0.1%).
The spokesman added that District Tarn Taran with 113632 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas district Ferozepur with 98029 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and District Kapurthala 78950 tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.

The State Government has set up almost 1700 procurement centers and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of paddy, the spokesman added.

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BADAL CONGRATULATES BINDRA FOR WINNING GOLD

CHANDIGARH OCTOBER 5: Punjab Chief Minister, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here today facilitated the Olympian Mr. Abhinav Bindra on winning first Gold Medal for the country in ten meter air rifle segment of 19th Commonwealth games at New Delhi. In a message, Mr. Badal said that Bindra's achievements had brought glory to the entire nation previously in Olympics 2008 and now in the Commonwealth games. He further said that Mr. Bindra’s performance would give a major boost in Indian sports.

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PRINCE OF WALES PATS PUNJAB CM FOR TAKING SPECIAL INITIATIVE FOR CLEANING OF RIVERS

CM Urges Prince of Wales to Replicate His
Trust Youth Business Model in Punjab

CHANDIGARH OCTOBER 4:
His Royal Highness (HRH) Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales today appreciated the efforts initiated by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal for the cleaning of rivers in the state to make them pollution free with in one-and-a-half year besides pioneering path breaking initiatives of skill development to tackle the problem of unemployment.

Addressing at a function organized by Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust (BYST) here at Punjab Raj Bhawan this afternoon, HRH Prince of Wales emphasized the need to establish environment friendly partnership business enterprises at the grass root level to encourage our disadvantaged youth to undertake up green sustainable initiatives. He also commended the Bank of Baroda and the Indian Bank for liberally advancing loans to the unemployed youth to set up their ventures through BYST. The Prince of Wales also lauded the role of mentors in motivating the youth to adopt eco-businesses with a thrust on environment protection, economic prosperity and social equity.

Appreciating the spectacular performance of BYST under the stewardship of founding Trustees and Executive Vice President Ms. Lakshmi V Venkatesan, Prince Charles said that this trust was set up in way back in 1992 and till today it had several success stories to its credit which has transformed the lives of millions of persons from under privileged sections of the society into successful entrepreneurs.
Realizing the enormous contribution of Sikh community towards the growth and development of the British economy, the Prince of Wales said that Punjabi Diaspora settled in UK especially the Sikhs had contributed with magnanimity for the promotion of world-wide programmes initiated by him for the welfare of the mankind. He expressed satisfaction over the performance of BYST which was the first organization to replicate the Prince's Trust Youth Business model successfully outside the UK. He also welcomed the proposal of Mr. Badal to launch skill development partnership programme in Punjab to impart training to the unemployed youth so that they could be gainfully employed.

In his address, the Punjab Governor Mr. Shivraj V Patil welcomed the Prince of Wales and appreciated his concern for helping the enterprising the young inventors and industrialists through BYST. He apprised Prince Charles that in India, the Union Government and State Governments had formulated policies and established ministries, departments and institutions to use non-conventional sources of energy and the resources of nature in such a manner that environment was not polluted and it was our bounden duty to preserve its pristine beauty and these resources.

Mr. Patil said that it was the need of the hour to jointly initiate efforts by all the individuals, non-governmental organizations, corporate world and governments of the country and the world on the basis of understanding to make this planet, more livable, loveable, comfortable and profitable to live in for all of us.
Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal sought the guidance and cooperation in supporting our unemployed youth by establishing innovative skill development partnership programme as per requirement of the British Industry, so that our trained youth could be gainfully employed in the UK. He also urged the Prince Charles to extend the activities of Prince's Trust Youth Business model to Punjab and extended an open invitation to the BYST to set up the trust's offices in Punjab and to work for supporting the youth in their enterprises. He assured of all help and cooperation to the BYST on behalf of the Punjab government as well as his personal capacity.

Outlining the priorities of his government to tackle the problem of unemployment and water pollution through cleaning of rivers, Mr. Badal said that Punjab would soon become the first ever state in the country to have clean waters flowing in its rivers the Satluj, Beas and Ghaggar. He also said that his government had taken concerted efforts to promote the skill development programme in the state to provide tremendous job opportunities to our unemployed youth especially in the rural areas.

Underlining the need to tackle the problem of unemployment on the priority, Mr. Badal pointed out that unemployment had not only affected India but had also now become a global issue. As 40% of India’s total population represented youth, which was now confronted with acute problem of unemployment due to limited scope of jobs in government public and private sector, added Mr. Badal.

Earlier, Mr. Subodh Bhargav Board member BYST and past President CII welcomed the Prince of Wales and Founding Trustee and Executive Vice President Ms. Lakshmi V Venkatesan briefly outlined the significant achievements of the BYST and its perspective plan for private sector investment in mentoring and fostering small enterprises in the informal sector through appropriate linkages.

On the occasion, Prince Charles, Mr. Shivraj V Patil and Mr. Badal honoured the enterprising entrepreneurs by awarding Regional Eco-business Ambassador Eco-preneurs Club certificates to Mr. Hitender Punyane for innovative eco-friendly cooling techniques, Mr. Amin Almel, for LED Lighting & Tyre Inflator, Mr. R.Vaidyanathan for water level controllers and Mr. G.Bhanu Murty for Soy Milk Ice Cream. Mr. Vaibhav Jaiswal and Mr. Amardeep Bardhan were honoured by Prince Charles with a cash prize of Rs.10000 for Arecanut Leaves Kitchen ware and decorative/gift items.
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion, Board Member BYST and past President CII Mr. Suresh Neotia, Chairman CII Northern Region Mr. RM Khanna, High Commissioner of UK to India Mr. Paul Grey and Punjab Chief Secretary Mr. SC Agrawal.
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PAWAR'S MEETING WITH CHIEF MINISTER AND DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER
LIFTING OF PAU 201 AND PROCUREMENT OF PADDY BY FCI DISCUSSED

Chandigarh, October 4: Mr. Sharad Pawar, Union Agriculture Minister who was in Chandigarh on a private visit, had a breakfast meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal on the invitation of Member Parliament Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal. Food Minister Mr. Adesh Partap Singh Kairon was also present in the meeting.

The Chief Minister brought to the notice of Union Agriculture Minister that Union Health Ministry had already approved PAU 201 variety of paddy and Union Food Ministry should make arrangements for lifting of stock of PAU 201 from the state, to make way for fresh paddy being procured by the government agencies. Mr. Pawar assured the Chief Minister that Union Agriculture Ministry would soon take a decision on this issue after exploring all viable alternatives.

Mr. Badal also sought the intervention of Union Agriculture Minister in expediting the procurement of paddy by Union Government agency FCI due to problem of direct payment to the farmers. Mr. Pawar assured that he would try to solve the problem so that procurement of paddy does not suffer.
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EVERY STUDENT TO BE MADE DIGITALLY LITERATE-UPINDERJIT KAUR

· 494 more new computer labs would be established
· 3,564 more computer teachers to be recruited

Chandigarh October 4: With a view to enable every student of Punjab state to become digitally literate, the Punjab Government would establish 494 more new computer labs under the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) project in Government and Govt. Aided schools in the state. Besides, 3,564 more computer teachers would also be recruited in the schools.

Disclosing this here today Education Minister Punjab Dr. Upinderjit Kaur said that under centrally sponsored ICT scheme, the Punjab ICT Education Society (PICTES) had launched this ambitious computer learning programme for 6th to 12th classes in all upper primary and secondary schools the state in a phased manner. "Computer education subject has also been made compulsory w.e.f 2009-10 and the Punjab is the only state that provided computer labs in all middle and secondary schools, she added.

The minister further added that the students had acquired a number of IT skills during the ICT education program. "Three phases of ICT were fully operational and running as planned. Under the phase-IV, the State Government would provide 136 computer labs in the remaining government schools and 358 in the Govt. aided schools to impart computer education to the students.

The Minister added that under the ICT project, 3,564 more computer teachers would be recruited for these labs which included 494 teachers for the new labs and 3070 teachers for existing government schools. "To successfully train the students, approximately 7,000 computer faculty had already been recruited in the schools", she added.

Dr. Upinderjit Kaur further said that all ICT schools have been provided with generator sets and broadband internet connections with unlimited download facility which would facilitate further during implementation of state-wide school management of information system (MIS) & geographic information systems (GIS) which was under development. Computer books had already been provided to all the students free of cost.
She added that this computer learning programme would certainly facilitate and catalyze the growth of digital economy in the state by leveraging this infrastructure and re-engineered workforce and would create job opportunities for students as well as computer teachers. "The Punjab Government would endeavour that students must get the best of IT training during their school study and compete at national for a" she added.
Education Minister further said that under this project, school teachers were also being trained in effective delivery of education by using IT tools for teaching with latest methodologies & aids. "The earlier assessment had confirmed that enrollment in the ICT schools had gone up considerably and attendance had improved. Besides this, the overall teaching/learning environments in the schools have also improved", she asserted.
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STATE LEVEL EMPOWERED COMMITTEE CONSTITUTED TO
ENSURE PROPER IMPLEMENTATION OF PUNJABI

Chandigarh October 4: The Punjab Government today announced state level empowered committee to inspect and ensure proper implementation of Punjabi language in all the offices of state government including boards, corporations, subordinate courts and all types of educational institutions under the Punjab State Language (amended) Act (PSLA)-2008 and the Punjab, Punjabi and Learning of other Languages Act-2008 in the State as well as at State headquarters.

Stating this, a spokesman of the Education and Languages department Punjab said that a state language committee comprising 16 members, have been constituted under section 8-A of the PLSA to ensure proper implementation of mother tongue as an official language and compulsory teaching as a subject upto class 10th. "From this year the Punjab Government has decided to pay Rs 1,000/- per meeting as an honorarium and travelling allowance as admissible to Group 'A' officers, to all non-official members of the committee" he added.

He informed that as per the notification issued, Dr. Upinderjit Kaur Education and Languages Minister Punjab would be the Chairperson. Media Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab or his nominated representative, Advocate General Punjab or his representative, Principal Secretaries of Higher Education and School Education and Legal Remembrancer-cum-Secretary would be its permanent members, he added.
Besides this, Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal leader of opposition and ex-Chief Minister, S. Manpreet Singh Badal Finanace and Planning Minister, S. Navjot Singh Sidhu MP and noted poet Sh Surjit Patar have been nominated as public representatives. S. Bajit Singh Brar Executive Editor Aj Di Awaj, Mr. Ritesh Lakhi Editor-in-Chief PTC News and S. Davinder Singh Kohli from Chardhikala have been inducted as media representatives. S. Gurbhajan Singh Gill President Punjabi Sahit Academy Ludhiana and Dr. Dalip Kaur Tiwana noted writer have been selected as members among the writers. Director Languages department would be the convener of this committee, he added.

He further said that the apex committee would meet at least once in six months and the term of this committee would be for one year from the date of its notification. "The state committee would inspect and review the advancement made in proper use of Punjabi in all the government offices including PSUs, Boards, Local Bodies, offices of all types of educational institutions like schools, colleges and universities in the various districts and at state headquarters. Besides this, the empowered committee could direct the respective administrative departments to penalise the offending officers/officials if found any under the Punjab Civil Service rules", he said.
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3.75 LAKH TONNES PADDY PROCURED IN PUNJAB`

Chandigarh, October 04: Government agencies and private millers procured more than 375348 tonnes of Paddy till last evening

A spokesman of Punjab Govt. said here today that out of total procurement in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 363629 tonnes (96.9%) whereas private traders procured 11502 tonnes (3.1%) of paddy. Till October 03, PUNGRAIN had procured 100983 tonnes (27.8%) whereas MARKFED procured 78684 tonnes (21.6%). PUNSUP procured 92239 tonnes (25.4%), PSWC procured 57422 tonnes (15.8%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 34301 tonnes (9.4 %) of paddy.
The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 217 tonnes (0.1%).
The spokesman added that District Tarn Taran with 71186 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas district Ferozepur with 59335 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and District Kapurthala 55161 tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.
The State Government has set up almost 1700 procurement centers and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of paddy, the spokesman added.

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EVERY STUDENT TO BE MADE DIGITALLY LITERATE-UPINDERJIT KAUR

• 494 more new computer labs would be established
• 3,564 more computer teachers to be recruited
Chandigarh October 4: With a view to enable every student of Punjab state to become digitally literate, the Punjab Government would establish 494 more new computer labs under the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) project in Government and Govt. Aided schools in the state. Besides, 3,564 more computer teachers would also be recruited in the schools.

Disclosing this here today Education Minister Punjab Dr. Upinderjit Kaur said that under centrally sponsored ICT scheme, the Punjab ICT Education Society (PICTES) had launched this ambitious computer learning programme for 6th to 12th classes in all upper primary and secondary schools the state in a phased manner. "Computer education subject has also been made compulsory w.e.f 2009-10 and the Punjab is the only state that provided computer labs in all middle and secondary schools, she added.

The minister further added that the students had acquired a number of IT skills during the ICT education program. "Three phases of ICT were fully operational and running as planned. Under the phase-IV, the State Government would provide 136 computer labs in the remaining government schools and 358 in the Govt. aided schools to impart computer education to the students.

The Minister added that under the ICT project, 3,564 more computer teachers would be recruited for these labs which included 494 teachers for the new labs and 3070 teachers for existing government schools.
"To successfully train the students, approximately 7,000 computer faculty had already been recruited in the schools", she added.

Dr. Upinderjit Kaur further said that all ICT schools have been provided with generator sets and broadband internet connections with unlimited download facility which would facilitate further during implementation of state-wide school management of information system

(MIS) & geographic information systems (GIS) which was under development. Computer books had already been provided to all the students free of cost.

She added that this computer learning programme would certainly facilitate and catalyze the growth of digital economy in the state by leveraging this infrastructure and re-engineered workforce and would create job opportunities for students as well as computer teachers.

"The Punjab Government would endeavour that students must get the best of IT training during their school study and compete at national for a" she added.

Education Minister further said that under this project, school teachers were also being trained in effective delivery of education by using IT tools for teaching with latest methodologies & aids. "The earlier assessment had confirmed that enrollment in the ICT schools had gone up considerably and attendance had improved. Besides this, the overall teaching/learning environments in the schools have also improved", she asserted.


STATE LEVEL EMPOWERED COMMITTEE CONSTITUTED TOENSURE PROPER IMPLEMENTATION

OF PUNJABIChandigarh October 4:

The Punjab Government today announced state level empowered committee to inspect and ensure proper implementation of Punjabi language in all the offices of state government including boards, corporations, subordinate courts and all types of educational institutions under the Punjab State Language (amended) Act (PSLA)-2008 and the Punjab, Punjabi and Learning of other Languages Act-2008 in the State as well as at State headquarters.Stating this, a spokesman of the Education and Languages department Punjab said that a state language committee comprising 16 members, have been constituted under section 8-A of the PLSA to ensure proper implementation of mother tongue as an official language and compulsory teaching as a subject upto class 10th. "From this year the Punjab Government has decided to pay Rs 1,000/- per meeting as an honorarium and travelling allowance as admissible to Group 'A' officers, to all non-official members of the committee" he added.He informed that as per the notification issued, Dr. Upinderjit Kaur Education and Languages Minister Punjab would be the Chairperson. Media Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab or his nominated representative, Advocate General Punjab or his representative, Principal Secretaries of Higher Education and School Education and Legal Remembrancer-cum-Secretary would be its permanent members, he added. Besides this, Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal leader of opposition and ex-Chief Minister, S. Manpreet Singh Badal Finanace and Planning Minister, S. Navjot Singh Sidhu MP and noted poet Sh Surjit Patar have been nominated as public representatives. S. Bajit Singh Brar Executive Editor Aj Di Awaj, Mr. Ritesh Lakhi Editor-in-Chief PTC News and S. Davinder Singh Kohli from Chardhikala have been inducted as media representatives. S. Gurbhajan Singh Gill President Punjabi Sahit Academy Ludhiana and Dr. Dalip Kaur Tiwana noted writer have been selected as members among the writers. Director Languages department would be the convener of this committee, he added.He further said that the apex committee would meet at least once in six months and the term of this committee would be for one year from the date of its notification. "The state committee would inspect and review the advancement made in proper use of Punjabi in all the government offices including PSUs, Boards, Local Bodies, offices of all types of educational institutions like schools, colleges and universities in the various districts and at state headquarters. Besides this, the empowered committee could direct the respective administrative departments to penalise the offending officers/officials if found any under the Punjab Civil Service rules", he said.No. PR-10/HS Grewal
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PUNJAB3.75 LAKH TONNES PADDY PROCURED IN PUNJAB`

Chandigarh, October 04: Government agencies and private millers procured more than 375348 tonnes of Paddy till last evening

A spokesman of Punjab Govt. said here today that out of total procurement in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 363629 tonnes (96.9%) whereas private traders procured 11502 tonnes (3.1%) of paddy. Till October 03, PUNGRAIN had procured 100983 tonnes (27.8%) whereas MARKFED procured 78684 tonnes (21.6%). PUNSUP procured 92239 tonnes (25.4%), PSWC procured 57422 tonnes (15.8%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 34301 tonnes (9.4 %) of paddy.
The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 217 tonnes (0.1%).
The spokesman added that District Tarn Taran with 71186 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas district Ferozepur with 59335 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and District Kapurthala 55161 tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.
The State Government has set up almost 1700 procurement centers and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of paddy, the spokesman added.

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BRING ON THE OLYMPICS!

Right lesssons from the CWG important for hosting future sports events
Watching news of the Commonwealth Games debacle with friends a few days ago, I was shocked when one of them dismissed comments by the “two Mikes” (Fennel and Hooper) as “jealousy of India”, personifying our delusional, and often jingoistic assessment of our place in the world economic order.
Simultaneously, many of us dismiss the considerable developmental progress of China as a totalitarian blip where the inherent rural-urban divide will lead to unmanageable social problems, civil strife and partition of the country!

The unfolding CWG saga, if anything, has served us a timely reminder that, perhaps, we were getting a little ahead of ourselves and that in reality we might still be a relatively poor nation, with huge contradictions, disparities and challenges, growing strongly from a low economic base.

Many lessons will, hopefully, be learnt from this sordid mess. There will be the inevitable investigations, accusations of cover-ups, proposals for new legislation, promises of a new dawn for Indian sports with enhanced funding and, possibly, an era of sports being run by sports persons and not politicians and bureaucrats. The likelihood is that, in true Indian spirit, matters may not change too much.

Timely preparation of the CWG facilities would have gained India many plaudits, greater international respect as an emerging market, and would have lead to the inevitable chant from all and sundry of “Bring on the Olympics!”
Instead, we are confronted with the uncomfortable truth that we are now more uncertain of when we shall be credibly able to bid for the Olympics.

Few Indians understand how our country is viewed abroad. We far too readily fall for political rhetoric that claims that we are returning full compliments with interest to former colonial powers. Few of us are prepared to accept that much of our supposed economic might arises from the simple fact that we are a populous country.
As Indians we know that China is racing ahead, but we remain optimistic that we can catch up and, hopefully, one day overtake China. Yet we accept that at current juncture in economic progress we are behind, although many of us somehow think that we are within touching distance of China’s progress. So how far behind are we?
China lost its 1993 bid for the 2000 Olympics to Sydney and had to wait till 2001 for the successful Beijing bid. After London in 2012 and Rio de Janeiro in 2016, the 2020 Olympics rightly belong to either Africa or Asia. South Africa’s stunning successful hosting of the football World Cup would make it a strong candidate.
Recent events make it more likely that India will not bid in 2013, with 2017 the likely date of our first bid. Assuming that we like China are successful with our second bid, possibly in 2025, India may host the Olympics in 2032, a full 24 years after China, a “sporting” assessment of how far behind China we may have fallen today.
Maybe a 24 year lag is too harsh an indictment on India. So let’s look at per capita GDP data. On a Price Purchasing Parity (PPP) basis China was at about 50% of India in 1978, rising to about 200% by 2008. If the average Chinese is twice as rich (or half as poor) as the average Indian, with our economy growing at about 8.5% today, it will take Indians at this growth rate just under 9 years to reach where the Chinese are today in per capita GDP terms.
So in terms of development lag we have two measures, one fiscal the others sporting, giving us assessments of 9 and 24 years respectively. The truth may lie somewhere in between. Growing robustly we are, tigerish we are not.
Today India can match the US $33 billion or so that China is estimated to have spent on its own Olympics. Money is not the problem; ability to deliver certainly is.
Delhi with its confusing administrative set-up was always going to be challenged to get things right. Our private sector and certainly some of our more capable Chief Ministers (in their own states) would have produced better on-time infrastructure with quality support services to match.
India does have its success stories, the Delhi metro and our gleaming new airports amongst them. The government needs to extend our Private Public Partnership (PPP) initiatives to the sports infrastructure sector.
To ensure that the lessons of the CWG fiasco are actually learnt immediately after these games the government needs to appoint a Commission for enquiry, review and recommendation to report in no more than 6 months, followed by the creation of a statutory Authority that would become responsible for India’s Olympic bid and thereafter for creating the facilities and managing the event itself.
It is a test of our political leadership as to how long it will make the nation await our own Olympics. India needs to host the Olympics sooner rather than later.

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STATE LEVEL EMPOWERED COMMITTEE CONSTITUTED TO ENSURE PROPER IMPLEMENTATION OF PUNJABI

Chandigarh October 4: The Punjab Government today announced state level empowered committee to inspect and ensure proper implementation of Punjabi language in all the offices of state government including boards, corporations, subordinate courts and all types of educational institutions under the Punjab State Language (amended) Act (PSLA)-2008 and the Punjab, Punjabi and Learning of other Languages Act-2008 in the State as well as at State headquarters.

Stating this, a spokesman of the Education and Languages department Punjab said that a state language committee comprising 16 members, have been constituted under section 8-A of the PLSA to ensure proper implementation of mother tongue as an official language and compulsory teaching as a subject upto class 10th. "From this year the Punjab Government has decided to pay Rs 1,000/- per meeting as an honorarium and travelling allowance as admissible to Group 'A' officers, to all non-official members of the committee" he added.

He informed that as per the notification issued, Dr. Upinderjit Kaur Education and Languages Minister Punjab would be the Chairperson. Media Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab or his nominated representative, Advocate General Punjab or his representative, Principal Secretaries of Higher Education and School Education and Legal Remembrancer-cum-Secretary would be its permanent members, he added.

Besides this, Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal leader of opposition and ex-Chief Minister, S. Manpreet Singh Badal Finanace and Planning Minister, S. Navjot Singh Sidhu MP and noted poet Sh Surjit Patar have been nominated as public representatives. S. Bajit Singh Brar Executive Editor Aj Di Awaj, Mr. Ritesh Lakhi Editor-in-Chief PTC News and S. Davinder Singh Kohli from Chardhikala have been inducted as media r