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Punjab News: 2010
FEBRUARY 25:

Punjab Govt. Declares Holiday on March 1, 2010

CHANDIGARH, February 25:

The Punjab Government today declared public holiday on March 1, 2010 on the eve of Holi.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab Government said that Punjab Government partially amended its first notification and declared public holiday (Holi) on March 1, 2010 instead of February 28, 2010.

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BADAL APPEALS TO UNEMPLOYED ETT TEACHERS TO ESCHEW CONFRONTATIONAL APPROACH

  • CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 25:

    Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal made an impassioned appeal to the unemployed ETT teachers to shun the agitational path as the state government was seriously contemplating to initiate the process to fill up vacant posts at the earliest.

    Presiding over a high level meeting to review the situation here late last evening, the Chief Minister asked the unemployed ETT teachers that confrontational approach would not help them in any way in addressing this issue. He said that the state government was ready to redress their grievances aired by them in the various meetings held with the senior officers of the state from time to time with open mind.

    The Chief Minister asked the Chief Secretary to work out the modalities with the Principal Secretary Education for filling the vacant posts strictly on the merit in a fair and transparent manner. Mr. Badal assured that merit would be the sole criterion for the selection of ETT teachers as laid down by the National Council of Teacher Education (NCTE).

    Taking part in the deliberations, the Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal directed the Chief Secretary to meticulously draw a detailed procedure for filling up of these vacant posts in a transparent manner to ensure the selections of meritorious students. He also asked these ETT teachers to resolve the issue through a mutual dialogue rather mounting pressure on the government at the behest of unscrupulous elements, who were emotionally exploiting the unemployed youth through instigation to meet their vested interests.

    Meanwhile, the Education Minister Mrs. Upinderjit Kaur assured the Chief Minister that Education department would soon bring a detailed proposal for filling up these vacancies in accordance with strict merit to ensure fairness and equity in the selection procedure without any prejudice to seek his approval.

    Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Rural Development & Panchayats Minister Mr. Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Advocate General Mr. HS Mattewal, Chief Secretary Mr. SC Agrawal, Director General of Police Mr. PS Gill, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Principal Secretary Education Mr. Mandeep Singh Sandhu, Principal Secretary Finance Mr. Karan Avtar Singh, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, Director General School Education Mr. Krishan Kumar, Special Secretary School Education Mr. RL Mehta, OSD to Chief Minister Mr. NS Sangha and DPI Elementary Dr. Sadhu Singh Randhawa.

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Kang appointed Adl. PRO of U.P. Election Authority

 

CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 25:

Senior congress leader, Former Punjab Minister and Member AICC , Mr. Jagmohan Singh Kang has been appointed by the Congress High Command as Member of Pradesh Election Authority for the UPCC organizational elections-2010 for very important/prominent state of U.P. As per AICC communique, Mr. Kang would be acting as APRO (Additional Pradesh Returning Officer) for the Uttar Pradesh Elections. The pradesh election authority consists of Sh. Paban Singh Ghatowar, MP, Former Union Minister (Assam) Chairman/PRO and Sh. J.D. Seelam MP (Andhra Pradesh), Sh. Jagmohan Singh Kang (Punjab), Sh. Suraj Khatri, General Secretary, Rajasthan PCC and Smt. Nirmala Sawant Prabhalwalkar, Ex-Mayor Mumbai (Maharashtra). The state election authority has been constituted by the Congress High Command/Central Election Authority of AICC to ensure free and fair organizational elections of the party in U.P.

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ADB CLEARS LOAN OF RS.300 CRORE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF UNWTO’S MASTER PLAN IN PUNJAB
 

CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 25:

Director Development Assistance Department of United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Dr Harsh Varma called on Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal to apprise him about the status of implementation of the strategic master plan prepared by UNWTO for Punjab and in addition the demonstration projects of heritage cities of Kapurthala, Sultanpur Lodhi and Patiala.

Taking part in the deliberations, Mr. Varma informed the Chief Minister that the Asian Development Bank team had already sanctioned loan approximately Rs. 300 crore for the implementation of the recommendations made by the UNWTO in their project appraisal report. In the first phase the funding was coming for Amritsar, Sultanpur Lodhi and Keshopur wetlands. Mr. Varma said that the Secretary General of UNWTO Mr. Taleb Rifai would also visit Punjab to oversee the implementation of strategic master plan by its mission team in April this.

It may be recalled that the State government had engaged the services of UNWTO to prepare a Strategic Master Plan for developing the tourism sector in the state. In their mandate, UNWTO was also required to prepare three Demonstration Projects. With regard to these, it was decided and a detailed Demonstration Project reports were prepared for developing Kapurthala-Sultanpur Lodhi and Patiala as Heritage destinations and Ropar as an eco-tourism destination. The UNWTO submitted their recommendations of the Master Plan on 7th November 2008 to the Steering Committee headed by the Chief Secretary. Thereafter an implementation contract was signed between the State government on UNWTO on 21st January, 2009 to implement these projects.

The implementation team of UNWTO is carrying out the second stage of the plan. In the second stage a new marketing strategy has been devised to promote the state to the potential tourists. Local level committees have been constituted at each of the Demo project site to oversee the progress. These committees in turn are headed by Education Minister (Kapurthala-Sultanpur Lodhi) and Minister for Tourism (Patiala Demo Project).

The Chief Minister appreciated the strategic master plan for developing tourism sector in Punjab at par with international standards. He also asked Mr. Varma to depute his team to suggest improvements in the designs of the Wada Ghalugara (Holocaust) Memorial at Khanuwan in district Gurdaspur. He also asked the UNWTO team to give their expert advice on the proposed plan for the Gobindgarh Fort, which had a rich cultural legacy to attract the tourists who visit the Golden Temple, Durgiana Temple and Jalianwala Bagh at Amritsar from different parts of the world.

Dr. Varam was accompanied by Chief Technical Adviser & Teach Leader Roger Goodarcre, Architect Planner Han Carl Jacobsen and National Project Coordinator Ms.Nagina Bains. Principal Secretary Tourism Mrs. Geetika Kalha and Manager Project Punjab Heritage & Tourism Promotion Board Ms. Simran Sekhon and also attended the meeting.

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PUNJAB TO PROVIDE ONLINE LAND RECORDS TO NRIS SOON - SUKHBIR

PUNJAB TO COMPLETE RS. 115 CRORES LAND RECORD COMPUTERIZATION PROGRAMME BY DECEMBER –SUKHBIR

Bhawanigarh( Sangrur), February 25:

 

Punjab is all set to computerise Land Records in 153 Tehsils and sub-Tehsils by December this year and would interconnect them on wide area network to provide on line access to the record, on the click of mouse.

Interacting with the media after inaugurating Computerised Fard Kendra ( computerised land record kiosk) here today Mr. Badal said that Rs. 115 crores programme to computerize land records in all 153 Tehsils and Sub-Tehsils and putting them on net would be completed by the end of this year. He said that Punjab government was committed to improve delivery system of all government services by providing door step services after the implementation of all recommendations of Administrative Reforms Commission.

Appreciating the Revenue department in achieving the gigantic task of computerizing more than three crore land records and counter checking them in a record time, Mr. Badal regretted that farmers since ages had been suffering at the hands of some corrupt revenue officials due to lack of transparency in the land records. He said that this opaqueness in records was reason for many frauds and he was committed to bring transparency in the administration. He said that he started the computerisation of land records as a mission to free farmers from the clutches of bureaucratic hassles and empowers them by bringing land record information on the website. He said that this was a gigantic task and had inherent opposition from some quarters but we had been enabled to complete 75 percent of this work and total land record would be on the web by December 2010.

Mr. Badal said that administrative reform commission report would be implemented by 31st December this year. He said that he would ask the commission to also explore the difficulties being faced by NRIs especially in power of attorney issues. Mr. Badal said that next year people of Punjab would witness a sea change in the working of all public dealing departments as focus would be on providing hassle free services to the people. The Deputy Chief Minister said that besides this new Air-conditioned Suvidha Kendra for a cluster of every six village and in urban areas would provide easy access to 22 services to citizens in a single window within six months.

Prominent amongst those who were present on the occasion included S. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa Secretary General Shiromani Akali Dal, S.Parminder Singh Dhindsa, PWD (B&R) Minister ; S. Gobind Singh Kanjhla , S. Gobind Singh Longowal both former Ministers, Mr. Parkash Chand Garg. Mr. Harkesh Singh Sidhu, Deputy Commissioner and Mr. H.S.Bhullar, SSP Sangur.

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Hola Mohalla is being celebrated at Sri Anandpur Sahib (Ropar) from 27.2.2010 to 01.3.2010.

 

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, MPs, MLAs and other prominent religious and social leaders will address a public conference on this occasion at 28.2.2010 at Sri Anandpur Sahib (Ropar) on 11:00AM.

A press party is also being organized from Chandigarh to cover this event. Press party will leave Chandigarh on 28.2.2010 at 10:00AM from Kiran Theater Sector-22, Chandigarh. Interested media persons who want to accompany the press party are requested to inform on Telephone No. 0172-2740787 or upto February 26, 2010 before 6:00PM or on mobile no. 9780036137 upto February 27, 2010 before 2:00PM. So that necessary arrangement can be made well in time.

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ADB CLEARS LOAN OF RS.300 CRORE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF UNWTO’S MASTER PLAN IN PUNJAB

CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 25:

Director Development Assistance Department of United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Dr Harsh Varma called on Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal to apprise him about the status of implementation of the strategic master plan prepared by UNWTO for Punjab and in addition the demonstration projects of heritage cities of Kapurthala, Sultanpur Lodhi and Patiala.

Taking part in the deliberations, Mr. Varma informed the Chief Minister that the Asian Development Bank team had already sanctioned loan approximately Rs. 300 crore for the implementation of the recommendations made by the UNWTO in their project appraisal report. In the first phase the funding was coming for Amritsar, Sultanpur Lodhi and Keshopur wetlands. Mr. Varma said that the Secretary General of UNWTO Mr. Taleb Rifai would also visit Punjab to oversee the implementation of strategic master plan by its mission team in April this.

It may be recalled that the State government had engaged the services of UNWTO to prepare a Strategic Master Plan for developing the tourism sector in the state. In their mandate, UNWTO was also required to prepare three Demonstration Projects. With regard to these, it was decided and a detailed Demonstration Project reports were prepared for developing Kapurthala-Sultanpur Lodhi and Patiala as Heritage destinations and Ropar as an eco-tourism destination. The UNWTO submitted their recommendations of the Master Plan on 7th November 2008 to the Steering Committee headed by the Chief Secretary. Thereafter an implementation contract was signed between the State government on UNWTO on 21st January, 2009 to implement these projects.

The implementation team of UNWTO is carrying out the second stage of the plan. In the second stage a new marketing strategy has been devised to promote the state to the potential tourists. Local level committees have been constituted at each of the Demo project site to oversee the progress. These committees in turn are headed by Education Minister (Kapurthala-Sultanpur Lodhi) and Minister for Tourism (Patiala Demo Project).

The Chief Minister appreciated the strategic master plan for developing tourism sector in Punjab at par with international standards. He also asked Mr. Varma to depute his team to suggest improvements in the designs of the Wada Ghalugara (Holocaust) Memorial at Khanuwan in district Gurdaspur. He also asked the UNWTO team to give their expert advice on the proposed plan for the Gobindgarh Fort, which had a rich cultural legacy to attract the tourists who visit the Golden Temple, Durgiana Temple and Jalianwala Bagh at Amritsar from different parts of the world.

Dr. Varam was accompanied by Chief Technical Adviser & Teach Leader Roger Goodarcre, Architect Planner Han Carl Jacobsen and National Project CoordinatorMs.Nagina Bains. Principal Secretary Tourism Mrs. Geetika Kalha and Manager Project Punjab Heritage & Tourism Promotion Board Ms. Simran Sekhon and also attended the meeting.

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BADAL APPEALS TO UNEMPLOYED ETT TEACHERS TO ESCHEW CONFRONTATIONAL APPROACH

CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 25:

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal made an impassioned appeal to the unemployed ETT teachers to shun the agitational path as the state government was seriously contemplating to initiate the process to fill up vacant posts at the earliest.

Presiding over a high level meeting to review the situation here late last evening, the Chief Minister asked the unemployed ETT teachers that confrontational approach would not help them in any way in addressing this issue. He said that the state government was ready to redress their grievances aired by them in the various meetings held with the senior officers of the state from time to time with open mind.

The Chief Minister asked the Chief Secretary to work out the modalities with the Principal Secretary Education for filling the vacant posts strictly on the merit in a fair and transparent manner. Mr. Badal assured that merit would be the sole criterion for the selection of ETT teachers as laid down by the National Council of Teacher Education (NCTE).

Taking part in the deliberations, the Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal directed the Chief Secretary to meticulously draw a detailed procedure for filling up of these vacant posts in a transparent manner to ensure the selections of meritorious students. He also asked these ETT teachers to resolve the issue through a mutual dialogue rather mounting pressure on the government at the behest of unscrupulous elements, who were emotionally exploiting the unemployed youth through instigation to meet their vested interests.

Meanwhile, the Education Minister Mrs. Upinderjit Kaur assured the Chief Minister that Education department would soon bring a detailed proposal for filling up these vacancies in accordance with strict merit to ensure fairness and equity in the selection procedure without any prejudice to seek his approval.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Rural Development & Panchayats Minister Mr. Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Advocate General Mr. HS Mattewal, Chief Secretary Mr. SC Agrawal, Director General of Police Mr. PS Gill, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Principal Secretary Education Mr. Mandeep Singh Sandhu, Principal Secretary Finance Mr. Karan Avtar Singh, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, Director General School Education Mr. Krishan Kumar, Special Secretary School Education Mr. RL Mehta, OSD to Chief Minister Mr. NS Sangha and DPI Elementary Dr. Sadhu Singh Randhawa

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MAMTA’S BENGAL – BIHAR CENTRIC RAIL BUDGET HITS PUNJAB, THE MOST - SUKHBIR

 

Chandigarh, February 25

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Punjab today lashed out at rail budget terming it a “ State Rail Budget of West Bengal” presented in Parliament with an eye on ensuing Vidhan Sabha Elections in that State.

Talking to the media at Bhawanigarh after inaugurating computerised land record center , Mr. Badal said it was unfortunate for Indian polity that all the rail ministers since independence except Lal Bahadur Shastri were either from Bihar or West Bengal and all these Ministers have focused their attention to expand rail network in their respective states. He said that a Union Minister must understand the fact that he was representing the whole country and not one state and the Union Budget should take a balanced view of total country.

Regretting the neglect of Punjab in providing rail network since independence, Mr. Badal said that Punjab being a land locked state has locational disadvantage when compared to costal states. He said that expansion of rail network for land locked states like Punjab was imperative for its economic as well as industrial growth but Union Railway Minister has refused to see beyond West Bengal.

Lashing at UPA for not fulfilling the long pending demand of extending rail freight corridor upto Amritsar, Mr.Badal said that despite Punjab contributing maximum to the national grain pool, the Union Government was failing to recognise Punjab’s contribution to make country self reliant at food security front.

Promising to make Punjab Police accountable to the people Mr. Badal said that every district would organise a function every three months to return the recovered stolen property to the original owners. He said that this was an humble attempt to change the perception of people regarding police.

Expressing happiness over expeditious completion of power projects including 29 mini power plants, Mr. Badal said that the dream making Punjab power surplus would be realized in next 24 months when four Thermal Plants with combined capacity of 6500 MW and 29 Bio-Mass Power Plants would be operational.

Prominent amongst those who were present on the occasion included S. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa Secretary General Shiromani Akali Dal, S.Parminder Singh Dhindsa, PWD (B&R) Minister ; S. Gobind Singh Kanjhla , S. Gobind Singh Longowal both former Ministers, Mr. Parkash Chand Garg. Mr. Harkesh Singh Sidhu, Deputy Commissioner and Mr. H.S.Bhullar, SSP Sangur

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BADAL TERMS RAILWAY BUDGET AS ILLUSIONARY AND DISCRIMINATORY

 

Chandigarh, February 24

The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today flayed the Union Railway Budget for 2010-11 describing it as ‘another instance of sheer discrimination and gross injustice meted out to Punjab by the Congress led UPA Government.

In a statement, Mr. Badal said that the Railway Budget presented by Union Railways Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee shows complete insensitivity towards the economic needs of the Border State. He said that this had dashed the hopes of industry and agriculture sectors in the State. The Chief Minister said that in the past 63 years no Congress Government has allotted even an inch of additional Railway line to Punjab. He said that even the progress on the Chandigarh-Ludhiana link sanctioned by Mr. I. K. Gujral Government had not been mentioned in the budget despite state government’s repeated reminders to Centre for early completion of this project. Mr. Badal also pointed out that even the common man of the state had been eluded as the budget had made not any specific provision for new trains in Punjab.

The budget had also ignored the numerous requests made by the state government at different forums for the extension of the already sanctioned Kolkota-Ludhiana Eastern dedicated Rail freight corridor to Amritsar. Likewise the budget had also not taken care of the state's pending demand to sanction another Western freight dedicated Rail Corridor Mumbai – Delhi to Amritsar via Ludhiana to give fillip to the industrial sector in general and the agro based in particular.

Mr. Badal further said that the lot of promises and commitments having been made in the budget would not be translated into reality and would ultimately proved to be an ‘illusion’ because these were not inconformity with the aspirations of a ‘common man’.

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BADAL WRITES TO PM FOR SETTING UP ‘BORLAUG INSITUTE FOR SOUTH ASIA’ AT LADHOWAL Offers to Provide Free Land at Ladhowal

 

Chandigarh, February 24

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today urged the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to set up the proposed ‘Borlaug Institute for South Asia’ at Ladhowal in the Ludhiana district.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. Badal said that the Nobel laureate and father of the Green Revolution Dr. Norman E. Borlaug was intimately associated with Punjab especially the Punjab Agricultural University and many people of our state still remember him with respect and affection. Apart from the connection with Dr. Borlaug, Punjab is at the forefront of foodgrain production in the country and therefore, it would be appropriate if the proposed institute in the memory of Dr. Borlaug was established at Ladhowal in the vicinity of Ludhiana city and in close proximity to the Punjab Agricultural University for this purpose. Mr. Badal also pointed out that the state government had already responded to GoI by giving its willingness to provide free land at Ladhowal for the establishment of this institute.

Mr. Badal further said that soon after the death of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug last year, he had written to the Union Agriculture Minister Mr. Sharad Pawar seeking the establishment of a Wheat Research Center in his name in the state. “We have now received a response from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) that the Ministry of Agriculture had approved a proposal submitted by CIMMYT (International Maize & Wheat Improvement Center to establish a Borlaug Institute for South Asia in the country and the various states had been asked for their interest in facilitating the establishment of this institute”, added Mr. Badal.

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17,795 HOUSES CONSTRUCTED FOR RURAL POOR FAMILIES-BRAHMPURA • 51.83 lacs mandays generated under MGNREGS • 50 cattle fair grounds to be modernized

 

Chandigarh, February 24

To provide dwelling houses to the rural poor families, the Punjab Government has constructed 17,795 houses at a cost of 11085.98 lacs under Indira Awas Yojna during the current financial year. Besides, the State government able to generate 51.83 lacs mandays under Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Guarantee Scheme (sMGNREGS) providing wages amounting to Rs. 13176.81 lac to the job card holders during this fiscal.

This was disclosed by Sh. Ranjit Singh Brahmpura Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Punjab in a State Advisory Committee of Rural Development and Panchayats Department meeting held here today. He said more than six lakh job cards have already been issued to the beneficiary families in rural areas under MGNREGS in the state.

He also informed that State Government would ensure convergence of MGNREGS with other schemes that were already being implemented in Punjab. "We will strive for providing 100 days of employment under MGNREGS and to ensure timely payment of wages to rural job card holders, and also address the issue of uneven performances of various districts", said Mr. Brahmpura.

He added that MGNREGS in the State is giving women the opportunity to earn. While men prefer higher wages in nearby towns, the scheme has proved to be a breather for the women in a state. The Deputy Commissioners had already been directed to fully implement the MGNREGS to initiate development works vigorously in the villages, he said.

He further added that the State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD) Mohali, an apex training institute under the aegis of Rural Development and Panchayats Department, have devised and formulated the diverse training programmes for PRIs to bring improvement in the functions of village Panchayats, Block Samities and Zila Parishad members. "As elected representatives of PRIs are now directly involved in the planning process and majority of them are ignorant about their role and responsibility, the department has initiated an efficient, effective and reliable capacity building programmes for them to develop the human resource base", he said.

The Panchayats Minister further said that about 27,973 PRI representatives, functionaries and other department officials across the state had been provided training in 473 camps organized for two days each in respective blocks and district headquarters with active cooperation from NGOs. In the first phase, the PRI members have been educated to perform their roles, functions and responsibilities effectively in local governance. The training modules included rural development programme, social welfare in other line departments, transparency, financial management and accountability, he added.

The Minister said that the department had decided to upgrade all 50 cattle fair grounds in the state by providing more basic amenities. In the first phase four cattle fair grounds would be modernised at a cost of Rs. 15 crore during the fiscal. He further added that during the first phase the four cattle fair grounds situated at Valla in Amritsar, Tarntarn, Killianwali (Muktsar) and Nabipur (Fathegarh Sahib) would be modernised.

Among others Mr. Brahm Mohindra, Ch. Mohan Lal, Mr. Harmohinder Singh Raikot, Mr. Amarpal Singh Bonny, Lov Kumar Goldi (all MLAs), Ms. Kusumjit Sidhu, Chief Electoral Officer, Mr. Jagpal Singh Sandhu Financial Commissioner Rural Development and Panchayts, Mr. Gurdev Singh Sidhu Director Rural Development and Panchayts, Dr. S. Karuna Raju Joint Development Commissioner and other senior officers were also present in the meeting.

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PUNJAB TO SPEND RS.27 CRORE FOR THE WELFARE OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS-SUD

 

Chandigarh, February 24

CHANDIGARH, FEBRUARY 24: Mr. Tikshan Sud, Labour Minister, Punjab said that in order to raise funds for the uninterrupted implementation of various welfare schemes initiated for the construction workers' registered with the Construction Workers' Welfare Board, 1% cess has been levied on all building and other construction works in the state. The Board has collected more than Rs.27 crores as cess which would be spent for the welfare of the construction workers.

While presiding over a seminar held here today to educate the representatives of the building and other construction workers, employers and NGOs of the state about the provision of the Building and other Construction Workers Act, the Minister reiterated that the Punjab Government was committed towards the welfare of the workers and labour class. With a view to mitigating their sufferings and raise their social and financial status, 'Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna' scheme was initiated in which the beneficiary and his family members would get free medical treatment worth Rs.30,000 per annum. The workers would be covered under 'Janshree Bima Yojna' in which Rs.75,000 would be paid in case of accidental death or total disability of construction workers, Rs.37500 in case of partial disability and Rs.30,000 in case of natural death, said Mr. Sud.

Adding further Mr. Sud said that the department has also initiated a 'Shagun Scheme' in which Rs.5100 would be paid to worker's daughter on the occasion of her marriage and in addition Rs.30,000 would also be given as interest free loan at that time. To encourage the children of the construction workers to pursue their academic interests, scholarship scheme for them has also been initiated.

The Minister has urged the construction workers to become members of the Punjab Construction Workers Welfare Board and avail maximum benefits of these schemes. Mr. Sud also said that a State Advisory Committee has been constituted to look into the affairs of the labour class. NREGA workers would also be covered under this category, said Mr. Sud. Strict action would be taken against the employers or construction companies, establishments failing to register its labour or employees with the Welfare Board. He has asked the officers concerned of the department to ensure the cess collection so that it could be spent for the welfare of the workers.

State Labour Commissioner Mr. N.K.Wadhawan and other officers of the department, leaders of the various trade unions, NGOs, members of the construction companies and employers also expressed their views in the seminar.

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SEMINAR AT FEMALE FEOTICIDE AT ABOHAR

 

Chandigarh, February 24

A state level seminar on female foeticide would be held in Abohar in district Ferozepur organised by Punjab state social welfare board on the 8th of March coinciding the international women day.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the government said that the chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal would be the Chief Guest.

Adding further he said that this seminar would be highly beneficial especially for the rural women to educate them about the importance of the girl child and ill effects of female foeticide affecting our sex ratio.

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GURPARTAP SINGH APPOINTED VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE PUNJAB AGRO INDUSTRIES CORPORATION Ltd.

 

Chandigarh, February 24

The Punjab Government appointed Mr. Gurpartap Singh Tikka, Son of Naunihal Singh as Vice Chairman on the Board of Directors of Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Ltd, Chandigarh.

This was disclosed by a spokesman of the Punjab Government here today.

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PUNJAB GOVERNMENT ISSUES DIRECTIONS TO ENSURE FULL COURTESY TOWARDS GUESTS IN GOVERNMENT GUEST HOUSES

 

Chandigarh, February 24

The Punjab Government has issued instructions to the concerned officials of the Punjab Bhawan, New Delhi, Cedar Circuit House Shimla, State Guest Houses and Circuit Houses of the State to ensure full courtesy towards all the guests including visiting Judges of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Senior Officers and Public Representatives during their stay.

A letter in this regard has been issued by S. Jasbir Singh Bir Secretary General Administration Punjab here today to all the Commissioners of the Divisions, Deputy Commissioners, Sub-Divisional Commissioners and Principal Resident Commissioner Punjab Bhawan New Delhi. According to the letter officials had been directed to provide all appropriate facilities to the Hon’ble guests during their stay in the guest houses. He clarified that extension due to one reason or the other could only be made with the prior approval of the Political Branch-1 of the Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh to avoid any harassment to the respectable guests.

Any officer/official violating these guidelines would be liable to strict disciplinary action under Punjab Civil Services Rules 1970, Mr. Bir added.

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MANPREET WANTS YOUTH TO WATCH SUKHMANI

 

Chandigarh, February 24

In response to the written communication by the Finance Minister Punjab, Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal, the Punjab Education Department would organize shows of the latest Punjabi film ‘Sukhmani’ for all the school students and youth of Punjab.

Stating this here today, a spokesman of the government said that the film ‘Sukhmani’ is based on Patriotism and Army which would encourage the youth of our state to inculcate in them the spirit of Patriotism and love for Indian Army.

Mr. Badal felt the need to highlight the issues taken up in the film because today’s youth was going astray and deviated from their goal.

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Come summers -- Sukhbir Flags off 5 Air Conditioned HVAC buses of PRTC

5th Pay Commission for PRTC Employees from 1st April 2010

Contractual Employees of PRTC to be regularised soon

 

Chandigarh, February 24

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that 50 % fleet of PRTC Buses would consist of air-conditioned buses with Punjab Government replacing over 2500 old buses with air conditioned, to realise the dream of ordinary persons to travel in air conditioned buses with mere 10% extra fair then ordinary bus fair.

Speaking after flagging off five of 35 air conditioned HVAC buses, Mr. Badal said that SAD- BJP Government has already replaced 501 buses during last two years against 241 replaced by Congress Government in 5 years. He said that after bringing PRTC out of red, focus was on making it self sustaining Corporation.

Mr. Badal announced that keeping in view improved financial position of PRTC , it’s employees would get 5th Pay Commission Scales from 1st April 2010. He said that contractual employees of PRTC would also be regularised soon. Mr. Badal said that Punjab Government has also provided Bank Guarantee of Rs. 50 crores to PRTC to ensure replacement of 300 old buses.

Later talking to the media, Mr. Badal said that his Government has got approved from NHAI, an ambitious project of 6 lanning of Shambhu Barrier – Jalandhar stretch to be constructed at the cost of Rs. 3800 crores. He said that this would be super expressway with two additional service lanes, access control with over bridges and under bridges. Besides this four lanning of Chandigarh – Patiala – Bathinda , Chandigarh – Ludhiana – Moga – Ferozepur , Amritsar – Pathankot and Jalandhar – Pathankot roads would be completed within next 18 months.

Speaking on the occasion Master Mohan Lal thanked Deputy Chief Minister for taking bold initiatives to bring PRTC out of red. Mr. Raj Khurana Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Daljit Cheema Advisor to Chief Minister, Mr. D.S.Jaspal, Principal Secretary Transport and Mr. Manvesh Singh Sidhu, MD PRTC, Mr.Yashvir Mahajan, Deputy Commissioner Patiala, Mr. Prem Singh Chandumajra Gen. Secy. SAD, Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra Chairman District Planning Committee, Mr. Ajitpal Singh Kohli Mayor Patiala, were also present on the occasion.

Later on way to Chandigarh at Rajpura, Mr. Badal accompanied by Dr. Cheema and District Administration officers inspected the arrangements for the State Level Rally and Foundation Stone laying ceremony of Rajpura Thermal Plant, to mark the completion of three years of SAD BJP Government in office.

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STOLEN PROPERTY WORTH RS. 4.51 CRORES INCLUDING 2.2 CRORE CASH RETURNED TO OWNERS IN 90 DAYS – THANKS TO INITIATIVE OF SUKHBIR

 

Chandigarh, February 24

Tears started rolling and his voice got chocked as Patran Business man Mr. Parkash Chand was handed over Rs.40 Lakh cash by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukbir Singh Badal, that too within 15 days of lodging FIR of cheating with police. He was not an isolated case as scores of residents of Patiala region were publicly restored their stolen property worth Rs. 4.51 crores including 2.2 crore cash. Interestingly, most of the property was recovered and restored to the original owner within 90 days of theft incident.

The stolen property including Rs. 2.19 crore in cash, gold jewellery worth Rs. 1.21 crores , 6 trucks including one rice loaded truck worth Rs. 31 Lakhs , 29 cars including luxury SUV’s worth Rs. 71 Lakhs , 59 motor cycles and two wheelers worth Rs. 19.25 Lakh , electronic gadgets including Laptops , Computer, LCDs’ , Cameras , Mobile Phones , AC’s worth Rs. 9 Lakhs was restored to their original owners, by Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, in an impressive and first of its own kind function, ever organised by the police at Patiala today.

Speaking on this occasion Mr. Badal said in first ever review meeting of police after assuming the charge of Home Minister, he directed the police to focus on those areas that affect general public the most. He said that according to the age old practice, stolen property recovered by the police kept on rotting in Malkhana’s with owners moving from pillar to post, to get the physical possession of recovered property. He said that he directed the police to get permission of the court for release of stolen property and organise a public function to restore the property to the owners. He said that every district would organise such functions, once in three months, to restore the property recovered in last quarter. He said that with such measures the confidence of people in the working of police would increase and there would be a gradual change in public perception about the working of the Punjab Police.

Congratulating the police force for solving the theft, abduction , murder and other crime case with in record time and also averting terrorist strikes at sensitive installations by preempting their ulterior moves and arresting hard core terrorists Mr. Badal said that he was fully committed to look after the interests of Punjab police especially at lower and cutting edge level. He said that he took the initiative to accelerate the promotion process pending since long and during last two month alone 1500 promotions in the police has been ordered at every level. Besides this free insurance for every policemen, new comfortable dress code, weekly off were certain measures that could boost the morale of force.

Later speaking to media Mr. Badal assured that Punjab police would not allow terrorism to be revived in the state again. Commenting regarding certain threats by hard core elements, Mr. Badal assured that Law and Order would be maintained at every cost and no body would be allowed to disturb hard earned peace in the state. He complemented the police for taking preventive measures to avert terrorist strikes. He said that intelligence machinery has been beefed up to preempt any disturbance by nefarious elements. Mr. Badal said that he has envisioned Punjab police as most modern force of the country and SSG on the pattern of NSG was being raised in Punjab with most modern weaponry. He said that all vacant posts in the Punjab police would be filled and fresh blood at various levels up to inspectors would enthuse the police working. Talking about the reform measures Mr. Badal said that Punjab would soon have system of On-line FIR and people sitting at home would be able to view the status of their FIR.

Mr. Badal said that Union Government should not extend tax holiday and concessions to industries of hill States else Punjab should be brought at par with these states, to save the industry of Punjab. Mr. Badal said that economy of this region would get a boost with Thermal plant and Rail coach factory at Rajpura. Commenting on unfortunate beheading of two Sikhs by Taliban Mr. Badal said that Shiromani Akali Dal has requested the Prime Minister to raise this issue at every International forum to pressurise Pakistan to act against culprits.

Prominent amongst other who spoke on the occasion included Master Mohan Lal Transport Minister , Mr. Raj Khurana, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema Advisor/ CM, Mr. Prem Singh Chandumajra Gen. Secy. SAD, Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra Chairman District Planning Committee, Mr. Ajitpal Singh Kohli Mayor Patiala, Mr. P.S.Gill, IG Zonal Patiala and Mr. R.S.Khattra SSP Patiala.

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SEMINAR AT FEMALE FEOTICIDE AT ABOHAR

 

Chandigarh, February 24

A state level seminar on female foeticide would be held in Abohar in district Ferozepur organised by Punjab state social welfare board on the 8th of March coinciding the international women day.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the government said that the chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal would be the Chief Guest.

Adding further he said that this seminar would be highly beneficial especially for the rural women to educate them about the importance of the girl child and ill effects of female foeticide affecting our sex ratio.

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