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Ist List of Candidates of PPP for Assembly Election - 2012

S. No.	Name	Constituency	Contact Nos.
	Gurdas Singh Badal	Lambi	9417231378
	Manpreet Singh Badal	Gidderbaha	9915200049, 9814100400
	Gurpreet Singh Bhatti	Khanna	9915970708

 ...................................................................READ MORE

ELIGIBLE PERSONS CAN GET THEMSELVES REGISTERED AS VOTERS ON JAN 2 TO 4--------KUSUMJIT SIDHU

Chandigarh December 31:  To ensure maximum participation of the youth in the coming elections in the state, Chief Electoral Officer Punjab, Ms. Kusumjit Sidhu today appealed the public in general and youth in particular to get enrolled as a voter after the final publication of Voter List on the 2nd of January 2012. Those attaining the age of 18 years and above on Jan.1, 2012 can get themselves as voters on the January 2 to January 4, 2012
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In a statement issued here today, she said that the total population of Punjab, as per the Census 2011, is, 2, 77, 04, 236.  During the period of summary revision, 733832 numbers of new applications were received for being entered as voter; of these, 723424 were accepted.

After taking into account, newly accepted applications, deletions, and modifications, the total electorate strength at present is 1, 74 33, 332.  Public is informed that after the Final Voter List is to be published throughout the State on 2nd January, 2012, those eligible persons whose name is not present in the voter list will be entitled to get themselves entered as voter after the publication. They may contact their local Booth Level Officer, or the office of the Electoral Registration Officer, under whose jurisdiction their area of residence falls. Details are available on website www.ceopunjab.nic. in She also said that BLOs have been appointed by the departments of Education, Medical as well as Technical Education in the educational institutions as per the guidelines of the ECI ensuring the enrollment of students as voters.  The hostlers, she said, could also get themselves enrolled as voters in that district only through their educational institutions.
For resolving the poll related grievances, or queries from voters, a Complaint-cum-Call Centre has been set up in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer.  Toll-free number 1950 has been obtained.  This centre have become operational 24 X 7.  Similarly, Help Lines have been set up at all District Headquarters and the offices of the Returning Officers.
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In New Year wish Capt Amarinder tells Punjabis, worst is over, best is to come

CHANDIGARH, December 31:

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh today extended warm greetings to the people of Punjab on the occasion of Guru Parab of Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj and the eve of the New Year. He prayed for the peace, prosperity and progress of Punjab in the coming year.
Greeting people, Capt Amarinder hoped that the New Year brings new change in Punjab and the Punjabis get rid off of the most corrupt, most incompetent and most vindictive Akali-BJP government which betrayed their trust.
Promising a new future, he said, the New Year will usher in the Congress government in the state so that people will heave a sigh of relief from a government which only resorted to loot and robbery of the state resources and the victimization of its political opponents.
“Today when I look forward to year 2012 I hope that Punjab will be back on the track of economic recovery, that there will be no victimization of innocent people just because they belong to some other political party, that there will be no unemployed youth, that there will be no addicts, that our children get best education and the needy get best medical care and treatment”, he said in his New Year message to the people of Punjab, while remarking, “the worst is over and the best is to come”.
The PCC President hoped and prayed that the people of Punjab, having suffered the five years of Akali-BJP regime, gave a chance to the Congress and felt the difference themselves. “You have seen their five years and you have seen our five years prior to that and you are the best judge to compare the two and make your choice”, he appealed to the people of Punjab while seeking their support for the Congress to form the government in the state by voting for it in the ensuing assembly elections.

ECI ENHANCES LIMIT OF CARRYING CASH TO 2.50 LAKHS

CASE REGISTERED FOR ATTACKING THE POLL OFFICIALS

ECI DEFFERS AUCTION OF PROPERTY AND LOT OF DRAWS OF PLOTS

Chandigarh December 30: 

The Election Commission of India has enhanced the limit of carrying cash from the current Rs. 1 Lakh to 2.50 Lakhs during the period when model code of conduct is in force. Disclosing this here today, Mrs. Usha Sharma, Special Chief Electoral Officer Punjab said that the intentions of the ECI were clear that black money should not be used during the Assembly Elections in the state. She made it clear that the persons will have to carry the relevant documents disclosing the source and use of the money they were carrying. Adding further, she said that the ECI has asked for a panel of Police officers to replace the Police Commissioner Ludhiana.
          Meanwhile the ECI has deferred the auction of property and lot of draw of plots and holding the interviews for the post of member of State Commission and district forum of State Consumer Disputes.
          Referring to the recently transferred ROs in different districts, Mrs. Sharma said that the Commission would take strict action against those ROs who have not yet joined their respective places of postings. After the clear instructions given to Secretary Transport, the photographs of Chief Minister have been removed from 170 state Transport Buses out of 200 running in the state. The Commission has also cancelled the transfer orders of one S.E., of Local Bodies Department posted at Mohali, who was given additional charge of Patiala. Executive Officer (EO) of Kapurthala has also been ordered to be transferred on a complaint. Mrs. Sharma also said that a case has been registered against the miscreants who attacked the election officials in Village Channu District Bathinda when they went to check the reported complaint of violation of Model Code of Conduct. She said that the Commission is committed to hold free and fair and peaceful elections in the state and would provide adequate security to the poll related officials.
          Regarding the complaints against the PTC and Fastway channels, she said that Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has referred the matter to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India for further action.     
          She also said that the Commission has received 203 complaints regarding the violation of Model Code of Conduct out of which 46 complaints have been resolved so far.

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TRANSFERS OF CIVIL SURGEONS APPROVED

Chandigarh December 30: 

According to the official spokesman of the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer Punjab, the state Election Department today approved the transfers’ of Dr. Avtar Singh Civil Surgeon Amritsar as Civil Surgeon Jallandhar and Dr. Manjit Singh Randhawa Dy. Director Hqrs. as Civil Surgeon Amritsar by the department of Health and Family Welfare Punjab.
NO-PR/

ECI ALLOWS DISBURSEMENT OF RELIEF FUNDS AND COMPENSATION TO FARMERS

Chandigarh December 29:

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has allowed the disbursement of relief funds, which was earlier deferred; the Commission has also allowed giving compensation to the farmers whose land was earlier acquired by the Government. The ECI has conveyed that the same be disbursed only by the officers and not by any political leader. 

 Disclosing this here today, Ms. Kusumjit Sidhu, Chief Electoral Officer Punjab said that reports received on distributing Ration Cards/ Blue cards with the pictures of Chief Minister Punjab in district Bathinda were ordered to be stopped immediately.
                   Adding further, she said that a few sewing machines were also taken into custody in Chamkaur Sahib where they were allegedly being distributed. She also said that 11 ROs in Punjab were also being shifted on personal as well as administrative grounds. She also said that the state static surveillance teams were fully geared up for their work. After the model code of conduct, unaccounted money worth Rs. 5 crores has been seized so far and Rs. 47 Lakhs have been seized today itself. Quoting an incident of Guru Harsahai , she said that Rs. 23 lakhs were returned to a farmer after verifying the authentic documents at the time of checking. She also said that all the seizures were being video graphed.

                   Addressing the media, Mrs. Usha R. Sharma, Special Chief Electoral Officer Punjab said that Election Department Punjab has received 129 complaints till date out of which 21 have been resolved. She further said that more than 8000 hoardings have been removed across the state and 79 notices have been issued regarding the violation of Model Code of Conduct.

 
ECI ISSUES INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING USE OF OFFICIAL VEHICLES

Chandigarh, December 29:

 The Election Commission of India has issued detailed instruction and directions regarding the use of official vehicles.   
       According to an official spokesman for the purpose of these instructions vehicles means and shall include any vehicles used or capable of being used for the purposes of transport, whether propelled by mechanical power or otherwise  and will include  trucks, lorries, tempos, jeeps, cars, auto-rickshaws, buses, belonging to the Central Government, State Government, Public undertaking of the Central and State government, Joint Sector undertakings  of Central and State government, Local Bodies, Municipal  Corporations, Municipalities , Marketing Boards, whatever  name known, Cooperative societies, Autonomous  district  councils or any other body in which public funds have been invested.
       The spokesman said that there shall be a total and absolute ban on the use of official vehicles for campaigning, electioneering or election related travel during elections. There shall be a total prohibition on the use of any vehicles such as helicopters, aircraft, (except as regulated by the Commission’s order on the subject) cars, jeeps, in automobiles, boat, hovercrafts , etc, belonging to the Central Government , State government, Public undertakings of the Central and State government, Joint sector undertaking Central and State government, Local bodies, Marketing boards , Cooperative societies, Autonomous district councils or any other body in which public funds, however, portion of the total, are invested for any purpose connected with the elections, by any political party, candidate or any other person connected with election.
       He said that the use of such vehicles belonging to any of these authorities by anyone including Ministers of the Central or a State Government, even on payment, for campaigning or on tours connected with elections but with the alleged had bogusly certified purpose of election work in their capacity as Ministers is totally prohibited. The only exception from the prohibition will be the Prime Minister and other political personalities, who might, in view of extremist and terrorist activites and threat to their lives, require security of a high order and whose security requirements are governed by any statutory provisions made by Parliament or the State Legislature in this behalf. The above restriction shall also not apply in the case of President and Vice President of India, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha and Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha and such dignitaries visiting the state from other states. In the case of Speaker, Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha and Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha these restrictions will be applicable at the time of General Elections to the Lok Sabha. It is, however, clarified that such exceptions shall not be made in respect of any Ministers of the Union or any state government. 
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SAD EXPELS BAINS BROTHERS FROM THE PARTY

     Chandigarh, December 29 :

The Shiromani Akali Dal  took a strong decision to expel Mr. Balwinder Singh Bains the party candidate from Ludhiana south constituency  and his brother Mr. Simarjit Singh Bains from the primary membership of the party.
  This decision was taken by the SAD President Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal in consultation with the disciplinary committee Chairman Mr. Ranjit Singh Brahmpura and its members S. Sukhdev Singh dhindsa, Jathedar Tota Singh, S. Gurdev Singh Badal and Mr. Balwinder Singh Bhunder today evening.

      It may be recalled that Mr. Simarjit Singh Bains has declared himself as an independent candidate against the party nominee Mr. Heera Singh Gabria in Atam Nagar constituency from Ludhiana. Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal had summoned both the Bains brothers and warned them to withdraw Atam Nagar constituency  which they failed to do till today. Taking serious note of this act of indiscipline the party President discussed the issue in detail with the party disciplinary committee and on the recommendation of the latter the SAD Chief expelled both Bains brothers from the party.
          In a statement released from party head office party Secretary and Spokesman Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema informed that the party ticket given to Mr. Balwinder Singh Bains from Ludhiana South assembly  constituency stands withdrawn and party will soon announce a new candidate in near future. Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal also warned all those leaders and workers who are opposing the party nominees and said that nobody violating the party discipline will be spared.
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PUNJAB GOVT. DECLARES 2nd HALF HOLIDAY IN PUNJAB

                The Punjab Government Offices, Boards, Corporations and Educational Institutions will remain closed in the Punjab State for the second half on Thursday i.e. December 30, 2011 to enable its employees to participate in the Nagar Kirtan on the occasion of Guru Gobind Singh Ji Parkash Utsav.

            According to a Punjab Government spokesman half-day holiday for the second half was observed today (December 29,2011) in Punjab Government Offices, Boards, Corporations and Educational Institutions situated in Chandigarh and Mohali for the same.

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PUNJAB GOVT. DECLARES HOLIDAY ON THE EVEN OF GURU GOBIND SINGH JI PARKASH UTSAV

CHANDIGARH, DECEMBER 29:

The Punjab Government Offices, Boards, Corporations and Educational Institutions will remain closed in the Punjab State on December 31, 2011 on the occasion of Guru Gobind Singh Ji Parkash Utsav.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab Government said that this holiday would be under Negotiable Instrument under section of 25 of Act 1881.
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2 IAS AND 12 PCS Officers TRANSFERRED

Chandigarh, December 29:

The Punjab Government today issued postings and transfer orders of 2 IAS and  12 PCS officers with immediate effect.
Mr.Amit Dhakha, IAS, has been transferred and posted ADC (Dev.) Amritsar, Mr. Rambir IAS , has been posted as SDM Roopnagar.
According to the spokesman of Punjab Government  Mr. Chander Gaind PCS,  has been posted as ADC (General) Moga, Smt. Ritu Aggarwal PCS, has been posted as Additional commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Amritsar,  Mr. Kuldeep Singh PCS has been posted as ADC (Dev.) Sri Muktsar Sahib, Mr. Gurpreet Singh Khaira has been posted as SDM Bagha Purana, Mr. Puneet Goyal has been posted as SDM Gidderbaha, Mr. Harjeet Singh Kandhola has been posted as SDM Bathinda,  Mr. Gurpal Singh Chahal PCS has been posted as SDM Malout, Mrs. Amandeep Kaur PCS has been posted as ADC (General) Patiala. Mr. Sandeep Rishi PCS has been posted as District Transport Officer,  Sri Muktsar Sahib , Smt. Hargunjeet Kaur PCS posted as SDM Anandpur Sahib, Mr. Rishi Pal Singh PCS posted as District Transport Officer, Patiala and Mrs. Daljeet Kaur PCS posted as Joint Commissioner Municpal Corporation, Ludhiana.
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SAD WOULD NOT ALLOW CONGRESS TO SIDETRACK DEVELOPMENT AGENDA WITH NEGATIVE PROPAGANDA--CHEEMA

            Chandigarh, December 29 : The Shiromani Akali Dal challenged the Congress party to have an open debate on the performance of SAD-BJP government on development front vis- a- vis zero development during the tenure of Amarinder Singh government.
            In a statement issued from party headoffice here today party Secretary and Spokesman Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said that SAD would not allow Congress party to sidetrack the issue development with malicious, libellous and  negative propaganda initiated by Congress party. He said that Congress bereft of any development vision was trying to distract the public but SAD would keep its focus on the plank of development. He said that the Congress party sensing the imminent defeat in ensuing 2012 assembly elections has resorted to cheap gimmicks despite reprimand from Election Commission of India (ECI).  He said that our unprecedented development speaks for itself and we don’t need gimmickry of the Congress party to convey our message to the masses.
            Speaking about un-parliamentary and foul language used by Congress leaders Dr. Cheema  said that increasing shrill of abusive language was sign of desperation on the part of Congress leaders who have seen writing on the wall regarding decimation of the Congress party.  He said that Congress party was taking so much time to finalize the candidates as every leader worth its name was shying away from the elections sensing SAD-BJP wave in Punjab.
            Dr. Cheema said that people of Punjab have already made up their mind to continue development agenda of SAD-BJP government by giving another chance to incumbent government and Congress party should now remain prepared for humiliating defeat.

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PUNJAB GOVT. DECLARES HOLIDAY ON THE OCCASION OF SHRI GURU GOBIND SINGH JI PARKASH UTSAV
CHANDIGARH, DECEMBER 29:
The Punjab Government Offices, Boards, Corporations and Educational Institutions will remain closed in Punjab State on December 31, 2011 on the occasion of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Parkash Utsav.

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Shiromani Akali Dal require action against Capt. Amrinder Singh for issuing advertisements in violation of Model Code of Conduct

Bikram Singh Majithia 
MLA Majitha & President,
Youth Wing, Shiromani Akali Dal

Date : 28/12/2011

No. 429  SAD/2011                              

The Chief Election Commissioner,
Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road,
New Delhi – 110001

Subject  :        For taking action against Capt. Amrinder Singh President of Punjab Pardesh Congress Committee for issuing advertisements in violation of Model Code of Conduct and further issuance of necessary directions for stopping further publication and removal of such advertisements from Uni-Polls having content violating Model Code of Conduct.  

Respected Sir,

                                                General Elections to the State Legislative Assembly of Punjab are taking place and Model Code of Conduct has been enforced. One of the pre-requisite of General Conduct for the political parties is to confine its criticism of other political parties to their polices and programmes, past record and work. Parties and Candidates shall refrain form criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion.
                       
                                                The Punjab Pardesh Congress Committee has issued advertisements in various news papers carrying remarks against the President of Shiromani Akali Dal and attributed Mafia Rule (Mafia Raj) to him in complete violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Such imputations are not only defamatory but are down- write abusive and derogatory which are based upon audacious distortion. Similar content is displayed on various Uni-Polls in various cities of Punjab. The cuttings of the advertisements of various newspapers and photographs of Uni-Polls are annexed here with for your kind perusal.   

                                                It seems sensing his imminent defeat, Capt Amrinder Singh is acting out of sheer frustration and he has no constructive issue, policy, program, past record or work to counter the development work undertaken by Shiromani Akali Dal except such acts of defamatory fiction. Capt. Amrinder Singh is habitual of violating Model Code of Conduct with complete disregard for truth and political morality, all premised on complete falsehood and steeped in malice. There is  systematic  patron  aimed at   creating disharmony and ill-will between different classes of people. His sole agenda is to exhort his party men to teach Akali’s a lesson and take revenge. Every time he makes revengeful rhetoric and his false & reckless utterances are full of wild allegation, sly-insinuations, self serving innuendos. In every public gathering organized by the Congress Party, he is presented with a heavy wooden stick (Khunda) to beat and scare the workers of the Shiromani Akali Dal. Capt. Amrinder Singh brandishes the Khunda and exhort his party men to beat up the opponents and scare them away out of Punjab. The C.D containing such exhortations by Capt. Amrinder Singh is annexed here with for your kind perusal.     
           
Time has come to discipline Captain Amrinder Singh in Order to preserve public tranquility during the period of elections. Keeping in view the above mentioned facts and repeated violations by Capt. Amrinder Singh during past elections, immediate steps are required to put him on notice, I once again request your good self to personally look into the matter and supervise the public conduct and demeanor of Capt. Amrinder Singh to ensure that he would desist form making such inflammatory remarks against a class of people in the interest of public order and peaceful elections. It is further prayed  that necessary directions be issued for stopping further publication of such advertisements in newspapers and their removal from Uni-Polls from various cities in Punjab having content violating Model Code of Conduct. 
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NRI Khangura Announces 24 Hr Constituency Office

Jassi Khangura, MLA for Qila Raipur, today announced that his office was now functioning 24 hours a day thanks to the launch of his call centre.  He said “In order to cater to my supporters and contacts in Punjab and worldwide, I took this step to enable them to be in contact with me at their convenience.”

Khangura, always a leader in communicating with his constituents and supporters, has again taken the initiative with this step.  He said “I have been training my team for some time, and we have spent a while testing this to ensure we are providing something useful.  We are.  The focus of this exercise is to allow people to communicate at their convenience, not ours.  And the response is excellent!”

Khangura said “my core office operations have been providing extended coverage for some time, with my key staff on shifts to ensure maximum accessibility and coverage.  This has now been extended to provide this 24 hour call centre.”  He added “this facility enables better communication paths with many of my supporters.  People here in my constituency are no longer restricted by 9-6 office hours and can call at their convenience.  And overseas in the NRI community, especially in North America, it will be much more convenient.”

NRI’s can contact the call centre on +91 161 2771999 or they can request a call back by sending an email to jk @jassikhangura.com stating their name, phone number and location.

Renowned for being one of the better connected MLAs in the country, let alone Punjab, Khangura already has over 22,000 “likes” on his Facebook page which is a record for any single Assembly Constituency politician in India.  He also set the standard with his website which he first launched in 2003 and then re-vamped in 2011 to reflect the impact of delimitation on his constituency.
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Capt Amarinder hails passage of Lokpal Bill in Parliament

CHANDIGARH, December 28:

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh today welcomed the passage of the Lokpal Bill in the Parliament yesterday saying it was a historic legislation that will go a long way in eliminating corruption from the country.
In a statement issued here today, Capt Amarinder congratulated the Congress President Ms Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh for the passage of the Lokpal Bill in the winter session of the parliament itself.
The PCC President said, the bill should also silence those critics and skeptics who have always tried to derive political mileage out of the issue. He said, the Lokpal bill should also set to rest all the speculations about the uncertainties attached to it.
The former Chief Minister hoped that better sense prevails among the opposition parties who have so far been trying to exploit the issue for their partisan purposes. “I hope they see the reason and rise above their partisan considerations and stop petty politicking on the issue”, he said.
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Congress seeks ECI intervention in cable network manipulation;
Highlights misuse of Gurudwaras by Akali Dal

CHANDIGARH, December 28:

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh today sought the intervention of the Chief Election Commissioner of India to look in to the manipulation of the cable network in Punjab and urged him to ensure that there is a level playing field in decimation of information through the cable television network.
The party also brought to the notice of the commission the misuse of religion, particularly the Gurudwaras by the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal. It also sought transfer of DCP Ludhiana, SSP and DC Bathinda besides, several other officials who were partisan towards the ruling Akali Dal.

A memorandum submitted to the CEC, on behalf of the PCC President, by a delegation led by Karanpal Sekhon, the OSD to the PCC President, said, “we are satisfied with the effective and concrete steps taken by the Commission so far for ensuring the level playing field for all the political parties and curbing the electoral malpractices”.
 The other members in the delegation included Nirmal Sharma, Surjit Singh Swaich, KS Punia and Gagandeep Singh Bhall.
The PCC, however, apprehended large scale violence, intimidation and other electoral malpractices by the ruling SAD-BJP alliance in their desperation to cling to power citing the example of recent past events and history.
The party sought a ban on PTC TV channel which is a mouth piece of the SAD-BJP alliance and urged the commission to issue directions to the Fastway Cable network not to block certain television channels at the behest of the government.

It said, the Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who is also the president of Shiromani Akali Dal has completely monopolized the cable network in the State in the name of Fastway and his family members have taken over proprietorship and control of PTC TV Channel.
Maintaining that just 200 companies of the central security forces will be inadequate, the party sought deployment of adequate para-military forces as it apprehended violence at the hands of the ruling Akali Dal as it had indulged in during the panchayat and local bodies elections. “To ensure free and fair election it is most essential to deploy adequate number of Central paramilitary forces (Central Police Forces and State Armed Police drawn from other States) in every polling booth in all the constituencies in the entire State”, it said, while adding, “the presence of the said force should be visible in every polling booth and the said force should not be kept deployed only in the outer security ring”.
Seeking disqualification of P.S. Gill who recently retired as Director General of Police Punjab and was reappointed as Adviser to the Chief Minister and held the said key post till the official announcement of his candidature from Moga Constituency on SAD-BJP ticket, the memorandum said, he has taken a number of decisions regarding the postings, transfers and new recruitments in the recent past with an eye on the coming elections and his own candidature on the ruling party ticket.
Similarly, it added, Darbara Singh Guru held the key post of Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and he also took important decisions while holding the said post, paid a number of visits to Bhaduar Constituency, distributed crores of rupees from the State exchequer in the said area during the past six months, made posting and transfers of number of government official with an eye on the elections and his own candidature from Bhadaur and now he has become a candidate on SAD-BJP ruling alliance from the said constituency.
The party sought immediate transfer of several officials for their partisan role. They include AshishChadhary, DCP, Ludhiana, K.K. Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, Bathinda, Sukhchain Singh Gill, SSP Bathinda, Surinderpal Singh XEN MADKAR BOARD + SE BDA + XEN,Ludhiana,Harbir Singh Sidhu SE PSPL, Bathinda, Avtar Singh Makkar, Tehsildar Rev. Bathinda, H.S. Sidhu, DEO (S) Bathinda, Gurjeet Singh Romana Police Inspector, Gulbhar Singh DFSO Bathida, Himanshu Kakkar            A.F.S.O. Fazilka, posted there for the last five years, Sanjeev Setia  S.H.O. Fazilka City, Amrik Singh Sidhu D.D.P.O. ( a close relative of Vardev Singh Mann SAD-BJP Candidate from Guruharshai), Mukhtiar Singh S.H.O. Guruharshai, Pardeep Kumar S.H.O. Behram, Daljeet Singh (Panchayat Secretary Tale wala Block Guruharshai), Harpal Singh Bedi (MHC, Police Statiion Guruharshai) and Balwinder Singh Bhikhi  Deputy Superintendent of Police, Zira.
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SAD PROTESTS AGAINST DECISION TO WITHHOLD OCTROI ABOLITION BY ELECTION COMMISSION
·         RAISES ISSUE OF UNNECESSARY HARASSEMENT OF COMMON MAN ON RECOVERY  OF RS. 1 LAKH
Chandigarh, December 28 : The Shiromani AKali Dal on Wednesday lodged a strong protest with the Election Commission of India on decision to withhold the abolition of octroi  on petrol and diesel and raised the issue of harassment of common man on recovery of Rs. 1 lakh cash by the police and other machinery at the behest of the Election Commission. The delegation also raised the issue of appointment of Mr. HS Kandola as returing officer of Lambi alleging that the officer is related to leader closely associated with state Congress Chief and demanded his immediate transfer to which CEC agreed.
            The delegation of the party comprising party General Secretary Mr. Maheshinder Singh Grewal and Secretary and spokesman Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema which met the Chief Election Commissioner Mr. SY Quraishi told the ECI that decision of the election commission to withhold the abolition of octroi was gross injustice to only the common man but also to thousands of petrol pump dealers of the state. The delegation also brought to the notice of the commission unnecessary harassment of common man particularly shopkeerper,  traders and businessmen over recovery of cash to the tune of Rs. 1 lakh and more. It said that as Rs. 1 lakh was too small amount for traders and businessmen  for their routine affairs, they are the worst sufferers of this action of the commsion. The deputation informed the commission the frequent checking on the on the highways has created a sense of terror in the minds of public and it  gives the impression as if emergency has been imposed in the state.
             The delegation also resented on the transfers of the officials alleging that several actions of the Election Commission with regard to the administrative decisions of the Punjab Government are giving a clear impression of the Commission acting with a preconceived , premeditated biased against the SAD-BJP alliance.  It said that  the transfers of several impartial, honest and upright  officers ordered by the Election Commission in the name of holding free and fair elections are in reality an action to demoralise the honest officers. The perception goes to the people that the EC is working with a perverse and biased mind against the SAD-BJP alliance. People of Punjab would like to know what were the compulsions because of which such actions were taken.
            It demanded that the well-settled principle of law be adopted which demands that fair play and justice can only be delivered if the concerned parties are heard before the EC reaches any conclusion on such sensitive matters. The action taken by the EC without making public their bases for such action smells of partisan attitude which is unfair and partial.
            Quoting several media reports on the biased attitude  it brought to the notice of ECI a report “Cong plans Bollywood-style makeover poll ‘star’ Amarinder” about which the election commission has failed to take cognizance of the huge expenditure involved for engaging this high-profile company for election campaigning during the assembly elections in the State of Punjab. It said that this report makes it ample clear that Capt. Amrinder Singh President PPCC  has been openly challenging the ruling party leaders by asking the party workers to take them head on.
            The delegation lamented that the illegal actions, threat of violence and merciless use of money power by the Congress leadership is not taken note of by the EC . It also raised the indulgence by the Congress party in malpractices, such as threat of violence, malicious propaganda about the SAD leaders quoting news reports regarding yesterday’s Jor Mela conference of the Congress party.
            The SAD also raised the issue of violation of election code of conduct by the Congress party with sending of bulk SMSs to malign the personality of the SAD leaders/candidates for the State Assembly Elections and quoted a special report with regard to Bholath constituency where  SMSs are being sent by the Congress party urging the voters to “oppose murder accused Jagir Kaur” and said that this an attempt for character assassination of the SAD candidate contesting election to the State Assembly from Bholath constituency.
It also brought to the notice of the commission the ads got inserted by Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee in the vernacular papers which are a shameful attempt to tarnish the images of the ruling party leaders and stated that such ads are likely to instigate the people against the ruling party. Insertion of such ads may vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in the State of Punjab.
            The delegation also reminded the commission about its previous memos in which it had urged the commission to take steps for simplification of procedures for seeking permission from the authorities to conduct election meetings and arranging processions during election campaigning, to check the menace of paid news and to the entry of non-serious and dummy candidates in the elections and  hoped that commission would take a positive step on these issued.
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SAD TO FILE CONTEMPT OF COURT AND DEFAMATION PLEA AGAINST CONGRESS PARTY AND AMARINDER

Chandigarh, December 28 : The Shiromani AKali Dal has decided to file contempt of court plea against Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee and its president Capt. Amarinder Singh for deliberately denigrating the honourable high court thorough its malicious advertising campaign. The SAD would also file a criminal defamation plea against the party for character assassination of its party leaders.

            In a statement issued here today Mr. Harpreet Singh Brar Incharge of Legal Cell of SAD said that Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal had already got a clean chit from the Punjab and Haryana High Court that has dismissed a PIL against the transport policy of the Punjab government and high court found no substance in the allegations against Badal family. He said that now Congress party by its malicious campaign on transport policy was denigrating the honourable high court that has passed its judgement on this issue.

            He said that the SAD would request the Punjab and Haryana High Court to initiate contempt of court proceedings against Capt. Amarinder Singh President of Punjab Pradesh Congress party who is the brain behind this malicious advertising campaing. Mr. Brar said that Congress party was lowering the image of Punjab and Haryana High Court by its advertising campaign and no body could be allowed to target judiciary in petty political battle.

            Mr. Brar said that the party has also decided to file a defamation plea in the appropriate court for character assassination of its party leaders in the advertising campaign. He said that the party has already requested Chief Election Commissioner Mr. SY Quraishi to take cognizance of defamatory advertising campaign launched by Congress party against the Badal family. He said that they had requested election commission to pre scrutinize various advertisements being put by various political parties and ensure that there was no direct or indirect defamatory or libellous, slanderous content in it. The legal head said that Congress bereft of any positive issue was stooping so low in desperation that it has crossed all limits of political decency and it should remain prepared for legal and criminal prosecution.

DISTILLERIES TO BE UNDER CONSTANT SCAN OF ELECTION COMMISSION

Chandigarh December 27: On the directions of the Election Commission of India (ECI), 4 DCs and 5 SSPs have been ordered to be transferred in Punjab. Besides that one IAS and 8 PCS officers have also been transferred in the state.

            Stating this here today,  Ms. Kusumjit Sidhu, Chief Electoral Officer Punjab said that Mr. C.S.Talwar has been posted as DC Mansa, B. Purusharth DC Moga, V.Zade DC Barnala and Paramjit Singh DC Kapurthala. She further said that H.K.Bansal has been posted as SSP Muktsar, Dhanpreet Kaur SSP Barnala, Dinesh Partap Singh SSP Patiala, Inderbir Singh SSP Moga and Pradeep Kumar Yadav SSP Mansa. Besides that Gautam Singhal has been posted as SP (H) Patiala.
 Mr. Parveen Kumar IAS has been posted as ADC Dev. Amritsar with immediate effect. Mr. P.S. Shergill has been posted as Additional Commissioner Municipal Corporation Amritsar, G.S. Ghuman SDM Abohar, Harjit Singh Khandola DTO Muktsar, Amandeep Kaur Assistant Commissioner (General) Muktsar, Uma Shankar SDM Dasuya, Parminder Pal Singh SDM Sardulgarh, Hargunjeet Kaur SDM Baghapurana and Daljit Kaur SDM Kotkapura. Regarding the Octroi Abolition, She said that the ECI has rejected the decision of Octroi abolition.
            Mrs. Usha. R. Sharma, Special Chief Electoral Officer Punjab said that all the distilleries across the state would be on constant surveillance of the state Election department. Micro Observers have also been posted in all the distilleries. CCTV Cameras with 7 day recording would be installed in the distilleries.  Meanwhile the state Static Surveillance Teams have confiscated unaccounted cash amounting to Rs. 59 Lakhs from various places in the state. Adding further she said that 4 Trucks of liquor, 127 bottles of liquor and 6 Bags of Bhukki have been seized from Hoshiarpur and Jallandhar. Meanwhile the Commission has received 52 complaints regarding the violation of Model Code of Conduct. Thousands of hoardings violating the Code of Conduct have been removed at various places in Punjab. 
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2 DAY REGIONAL CONSULTATION MEETING ON CENTRE-STATE AND INTER-STATE RELATIONS BEGINS

• ISSUES OF REGIONAL DISPARITIES, TARGETTING OF FUNDS, DECLINE IN STATUTORY GRANTS AND RATIONALIZATION OF SUBSIDIES DISCUSSED

CHANDIGARH, DECEMBER 27: A two day Regional Consultation meeting on Centre-State and Inter-State relations being organized by Inter-State Council Secretariat (ISCS), Ministry of Home Affairs in collaboration with Government of Punjab began here today with participating states emphasizing redefining center-state relations with greater fiscal powers to the states.

Welcoming the participating delegates, Punjab Chief Secretary Mr. SC Agrawal said that Punjab always remained the votary of greater autonomy especially in financial matters as the different states having different ground realities need separate planning that too according to the local needs. Describing Punjab as a strategically important state, Mr. Agrawal pointed out that this border state was equally important for international relations also. He also underlined the need to provide level playing field to those states, which were far flung from ports and natural resources. He also advocated the need to initiate coordinated efforts for overall development of adjoining areas as was the case of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh. At the onset of the meeting, Mr. Agrawal asked the participating delegates to not to touch long pending and contentious issues rather make suggestions to redress the small but important inter- state issues.
Delivering his keynote address, Dr. Pramod Kumar, Director, IDC and former Chairman, Governance Reforms Commission, Punjab said that after the emergence of coalition government politics some states were getting more than their due while others were suffering at their cost and resultantly states were getting lesser statutory grants. Describing this new trend as ‘bargaining’ federalism, Dr. Kumar pointed out that preferential treatment and liberal funding to certain states was also a major impediment in smooth relations between Centre and states. He said that each central scheme couldn’t be tailor made for all states as every state has its own ground realities e.g. NREGA though a very good scheme but not suitable to the needs of labour deficit states like Punjab. Underling the need for effective fiscal management, he said that each state should be given funds under different centrally sponsored schemes but the states should be given liberty to choose the schemes and alter them to needs of particular area or region. He also lamented that often the Centre passes the buck of failure of its schemes to the states and criticizes the state subsidies while the benefit of its own much touted Rs. 70,000 crore debt waiver scheme couldn’t reach the targeted and suffering peasantry.

On this occasion Mr. P.G. Dhar Chakrabarti, Additional Secretary, ISCS outlined the purpose of the regional meeting.
Later in the afternoon session various presentations were made by the ISCS, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Chandigarh UT.
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SHIROMANI AKALI DAL
 SAD RELEASES SECOND LIST OF 15 CANDIDATES
SUKHBIR SINGH BADAL TO CONTEST FROM JALALABAD

Chandigarh, December 27 :

Shiromani Akali Dal President and Deputy Chief Minister S. Sukhbir Singh Badal and SAD Patron and Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal today announced the 15 more candidates in the second list of the party for the ensuring assembly elections of the state.

          As per the list party President Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal will contest from his seat Jalalabad whereas former Union Minister Mr. Balwant Singh Ramoowalia  from Mohali and Former Deputy Speaker of lok Sabha Mr. Charanjit Singh Atwal will contest from Payal (reserve) seat.
         
Detailed list is as under :

1. Jalalabad                            S. Sukhbir Singh Badal
2. Garhshankar                      S. Surinder Singh Bhullewal rathan
3. Mohali                               S. Balwant Singh Ramoowalia
4. Khanna                               S. Ranjit Singh Talwandi
5. Payal (SC)                         S. Charanjit Singh Atwal
6. Raikot (SC)                       S. Bikramjit Singh Khalsa
7. Nihalsinghwala (SC)        Bibi Rajwinder Kaur
8. Balluana (SC)                    S. Gurtej Singh Ghudiana
9. Dirba (SC)                         Sant Balbir Singh Ghunas
10. Mehalkalan (SC)             S. Gobind Singh Kanjhla
11. Dhuri                                S. Gobind Singh Longowal
12. Adampur (SC)                 Mr. Pawan Kumar Tinu
13. Chamkour Sahib (SC)    Bibi Jagmeet Kaur Sandhu
14. Bhucomandi (SC)           S. Pritam Singh Kotbhai
15. Amargarh                         S. Iqbal Singh Jhunda

          Party Secretary and Spokesman Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema disclosed that after today’s list party has now announced  a total of 63 candidates. He said that today’s list included five sitting MLAs, 3 former MLAs, 2 former MPs and 2 women. He said that the first list had 6 women candidates.

• Chandigarh, December 23: SAD ANNOUNCES FIRST LIST OF 48 CANDIDATES FOR ASSEMBLY ELECTION -2012

Assembly Constituencies in Punjab

The Punjab government today released a list of 33 holidays for 2012.

CHANDIGARH, DECEMBER 26:

            The Punjab government today released a list of 33 holidays for 2012. The government will also observe 20 restricted holidays from which each employee can choose two days to observe as holidays.

            Public Offices will  remain closed for Republic Day (January 26);  Basant Panchmi and Satguru Ram Singh’s birthday (January 28); Sri Guru Ravidas’s birthday (February 07); Maha Shivaratri (February 28); Holi (March 08); Shahidi Divas of Bhagat Singh (March 23); Ram Navami (April 01); Mahavir Jayanti (April 05); Good Friday (April 06); Baisakhi (April 13); Dr. B.R.Ambedkar’s Birthday (April 14) ;May Day (May 1); Guru Arjun Dev’s Martyrdom day (May 25); Kabir Jayanti (June 04); Shahid Udham Singh’s martyrdom day (July 31); Janamashtami (August 10); Independence Day (August 15); Id-ul-Fitr (August 20); Sri Guru Granth Sahib Prakash Utsav ( September 01) Baba Sri Chand’s birthday (September 24); Birthday of S. Bhagat Singh Ji (September 28); Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday (October 2);  Birthday of Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji (October 9); Agarsain Jayanti ( October 16); Dussehra (October 24); Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) (October 27);  Maharish Valmiki’s birthday (October 29); Diwali (November 13); Vishwakarma day (November 14); Guru Teg Bahadur’s martyrdom day (November 24); Guru Nanak Dev’s birthday (November 28);  and Christmas (December 25).

            Restricted Holidays: New Year Day (January 1); Lohri (January 13); Nirwan Diwas of Bhagwan Adinath Ji (January 22); Janan Divas Mohamad Sahib (February 05); International Women Day (March 8); Hola Mohalla (March 10); Buddh Purnima (May 06); Nirjala Ekadashi (June 01); Death Anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji (June 29); Birthday of Baba Jiwan Singh Ji (September 5); Anant Chaturdashi (September 29); Birthday of Baba Banda Singh Ji Bahadur (October 16); Birthday of Sant Nam Dev Ji (October 26); New Punjab Day (November 1); Karva Chauth (November 02); Goverdhan Pooja (November 14) Muharram (November 25) and Jor Mela Fatehgarh Sahib (December 25,26 and 27) are restricted holidays in the Calendary, 2012.

            Public Holidays in the State of Punjab during the Calendar year 2012 within the meaning of Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 are Republic Day (January 26); Birthday of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji (February 07); Holi (March 08); Bank Holiday/ Ram Naumi (April 1); Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji (May 25); Janmashtami (August 10); Independence Day (August 15);  Idu'I Fitr (August 20); Bank Holiday (September 30); Birthday of Mahatma Gandhi Ji (October 2); Dussehra (October 24); Birthday of Maharishi Valmiki Ji (October 29); Diwali (November 13); Dirthday of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji (November 28) and Christmas day (December 25).
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ECI TO VISIT PUNJAB ON DECEMBER 27

Chandigarh December 26: The Election Commission of India comprising of Dr.S.Y.Quraishi, CEC, Mr. V.S.Sampath, ECI, Mr. H.S.Brahma, EC, Dr. Alok Shukla, DEC, Mr. Parveen Kumar, CEO, Mr. P.K..Dash and Mr. Akshay Rout both DGs would visit the State on 27th of December.

Disclosing this here today, a spokesman of the office of the Chief Electoral Officer Punjab said that the ECI would meet the representatives of the Political Parties on 28th of December. The ECI would also hold meetings with the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary Home, Director General Police, DCs, SSPs, IGs, Divisional Commissioners and other senior officers of the State with a view to taking stock of the ongoing arrangements of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Elections.
The Spokesman further said that on the guidelines of the ECI, unaccounted money worth Rs.40 Lakhs was confiscated from various places in District Patiala. Besides this currency notes worth Rs. 4.5 Lakh seized from Bathinda and 40 Lakh from Jagraon while 35 cases of liquor were confiscated from Faridkot.

Adding further, he said that the Commission has identified 30 Punjab Assembly constituencies out of 117 namely Kadian, Batala, Fatehgarh Churian and Derababa Nanak in district Gurdaspur, Ajnala and Majitha in district Amritsar, Taran taran, Bhulath in Kapurthala, Jalandhar Cantt, SAS Nagar and Derabassi, Ludhiana South, Moga, Dharamkot, Zira, Jalalabad, Fazilka, Lambi, Gidderbaha, Muktsar, Faridkot, Kotkapura, Rampura Phul, Talwandi Sabo, Mansa, Bhadaur, Barnala, Rajpura and Patiala as sensitive constituencies besides that 19 constituencies namely Ajnala, Rajasansi, Majitha, Amritsar North, Attari, Roopnagar, Chamkaur Sahib, Fathengarh Sahib, Ludhiana East, Ludiana South, Bagha Purana, Moga, Dharamkot, Lambi, Gidderbaha, Faridkot , Rampura Phul, Bathinda Urban and Patiala were declared as expenditure sensitive constituencies of Punjab.

The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for polls to the Vidhan Sabha
Date of Poll is 30th January 2012.  Date of counting is 4th March, 2012.

Chandigarh,  December 24:

       The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for polls to the Vidhan Sabha, which is as follows.  Date of Poll is 30th January 2012.  Date of counting is 4th March, 2012.

       The total population of Punjab, as per the Census 2011, is 2,77,04,236.  During the period of summary revision, 733832 number of new applications were received for being entered as voter; of these, 723424 were accepted.  After taking into account, newly accepted applications, deletions, and modifications, the total electorate strength at present is 1,74,33,332.  Public is informed that after the Final Voter List is to be published throughout the State on 2nd January, 2012, those eligible persons whose name is not present in the voter list will be entitled to get themselves entered as voter after the publication. They may contact their local Booth Level Officer, or the office of the Electoral Registration Officer, under whose jurisdiction their area of residence falls.  Details are available on website www.ceopunjab.nic.in . During Vidhan Sabha Elections 2007, total voters turnout was 76% During Lok Sabha Elections 2009, total voters turnout was 70% Election Commission of India has taken some strict steps to ensure free and fair polls, and has put into place detailed expenditure monitoring guidelines. Upon the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, static and mobile surveillance teams will be set up across the State which will ensure random checking of vehicles and remedial action in case of complaints pertaining to expenditure.  The teams will be authorized to search the vehicles for cash, liquor or drugs, if any, upon suspicion or specific information.

 Passenger as well as Goods vehicles will be liable to be searched.

In case any cash/jewellery of value above Rs. 1 Lakh is found and the person is unable to explain it’s source, it is liable to be seized and handed over to the Income Tax authorities.  Banks have also been instructed to report all suspicious cash transactions above Rs.1 Lakh from any account, and these shall be monitored by the Election Department as well as the Income Tax Department. Therefore, all citizens are advised to carry proof of source of all such cash or jewellery with them while travelling.  In case of cash, the source from which it has been obtained as well as documentary proof of the use to which it shall be put must be carried in the vehicle, failing which it shall be liable to be seized.

       All persons travelling by Chartered helicopters and Planes are advised that their baggage shall be checked before take-off, as per existing aviation rules.  This shall apply to both take-off from airports or from private areas in the State. Further, the helicopters or planes would be subject to check and inspection at the place of disembarkation.
       For the redressal of grievances, or queries from voters, a Complaint-cum-Call Centre has been set up in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer.  Toll-free number 1950 has been obtained.  This centre shall become operational 24 X 7.  Similarly, Help Lines have been set up at all District Headquarters and the offices of the Returning Officers.

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•  Khangura Welcomes Model Code of Conduct – says Signals Unshackling of Aam Admi As the Election Commission announced the schedule for our Vidhan Sabha elections, Qila Raipur MLA Jassi Khangura said “I’m relieved.  Now the Model Code of Conduct is in place, it will bring relief for us all from intimidation and incessant SAD
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• Capt Amarinder welcomes Jan 30 elections; festive mood among Congress workers
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From minister to loner? Aides desert Manpreet Badal (Punjab Newsletter)

By Jaideep Sarin

Chandigarh, Dec 24

Just over a year ago, former Punjab finance minister Manpreet Badal was expelled from the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal owing to ideological differences with the top leadership. Now, as the state gets into the assembly poll mode, Manpreet is facing a situation of his closest aides deserting him and his People's Party of Punjab (PPP).

Two founder members of the PPP, Jagbir Singh Brar and Kushaldeep Dhillon, left the PPP last week and joined the Congress ahead of the state's assembly polls likely to be held in February next year.

Manpreet, clearly shaken by these founder leaders of the PPP leaving him, termed them "backstabbers". The leaders, in turn, accused him of turning the PPP into "a family-run business" on the lines of the Akali Dal and also levelled serious charges of financial misappropriation.

They managed to get Manpreet out of the Akali Dal but couldn't "get the 'Badal' out of Manpreet", Brar and Dhillon said. Despite floating a new party, Manpreet had a soft corner for his uncle, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, they said, adding that they would not be surprised if he returned to the Akali Dal.

Manpreet, who is trying to put up a third front in Punjab with smaller parties, including the Left, to challenge the Akali Dal and the Congress, seems like a loner within his own party. Those who joined him when he left the Akali Dal with high hopes in October last year, have left him one by one.

Besides the two founding leaders of the PPP, others who have left him include sitting legislators Ajit Singh, Manjinder Kang and Charanjit Channi and former assembly deputy speaker Bir Devinder Singh.

After leaving the Akali Dal, headed by his first cousin Sukhbir Singh Badal, and the government headed by his uncle, Manpreet had promised to chart his own political course with a new and fresh look at Punjab's vendetta-filled politics.

While leaving, Manpreet had cited ideological differences with the chief minister and the Punjab deputy chief minister, Sukhbir Singh Badal, on issues like subsidies to various categories and the need to manage the state's finances better. It is another matter, political analysts feel, that Manpreet was feeling suffocated in the Badal clan and the Akali Dal after the chief minister started promoting his son Sukhbir in the party and the government.

"Manpreet was earlier largely seen as the political heir to Parkash Singh Badal. But in the last four-five years, equations changed in the Akali Dal and Sukhbir now controls the party and the government," a senior Akali Dal leader told IANS, requesting anonymity.

Shaken by senior leaders deserting the PPP even before the party goes into its first election, Manpreet has said that those leaving the PPP were "traitors".

"The doors of the party (PPP) are permanently closed (for them). Even if they want to come back now, we will not take them," he said.
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SAD president and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr.  Sukhbir Singh Badal said that he and is party were “totally jubilant’’over the announcement of the poll schedule for Punjab.

Chandigarh December 24 – SAD president and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr.  Sukhbir Singh Badal said that he and is party were “totally jubilant’’over the announcement of the poll schedule for Punjab. We have been in a state of full reparedness and have already hit the ground running. I can already see panic in Congress camp which
has not even sorted out its own mess yet.    Mr. Badal said that as a responsible political party, the SAD will go to  the people “with a definite, positive and constructive agenda and we will confidently place our balance sheet before the people. The SAD-BJP has never had it so good in history.”

    “The time for the Congress and its cheap theatricals  in Punjab is up. This is their last elections in Punjab and after this will be packed off like they were in UP and Bihar. They can no longer hide behind false bravado and have to face the reality now,” he said in a statement within minutes of the poll announcement here  .

    “I am  especially excited over the news as this gives us an opportunity to teach a lesson to those in the Opposition who  talked the language of violence. “Its curtains for Captain Amarinder Singh who has been  conducting himself as a Mohalla leader and using gang-idiom.  I dare Captain Amarinder Singh to come to the poll arena with his Khoonda now. It will be Khoonda versus Agenda, and  people will now snatch his own Khoonda to implement our agenda, for pro-people and pro-development thrust. Let him talk like Mohalla leader now and people will tell him what they want from a responsible leader. We will go to the polls with a definite, positive and constructive and futuristic agenda”
       Mr. Badal said that the poll announcement has been received with unprecedented enthusiasm and gusto by the SAD-BJP cadre all over the state. I could sense the mood already at Jalandhar even in
anticipation of the announcement.    “Within minutes of the
announcement, I have been flooded with phone calls, emails and congratulatory  sms  messages , hailing the opportunity to demonstrate our grass-root strength.

      The Deputy Chief Minister gave call to the SAD-BJP cadre  not to rest with just a clear victory for a simple majority  but turn it into an unprecedented landslide. We are set to form the government anyway, but we will not settle for anything less than three fourths poised for a two thirds majority, and will do even better than the 1997 outcome when the alliance had won 93 seats.”
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SPECIAL FEATURE ON SPORTS IN PUNJAB 2011
PUNJAB EXCELLED IN SPORTS IN 2011

• NINE PLAYERS INCLUDING CAPTAIN RAJPAL BECAME INTEGRAL PART OF INDIAN HOCKEY TEAM
• YUVRAJ AND HARBHAJAN MADE INDIA CRICKET WORLD CUP CHAMPION
• MOHALI BECAME WITNESS OF INDIA-PAKISTAN SEMIFINAL IN CRICKET
• RESTORATION OF PRIDE IN HOCKEY AND KABADDI
• PUNJAB ORGANISED SECOND WORLD CUP KABADDI WITH THE HIGHEST PRIZE MONEY OF Rs 2 CRORES
• BEGINNING OF FIRST WOMEN WORLD CUP KABADDI
• MULTI CRORE SHAHEED-E-AZAM BHAGAT SINGH PUNJAB GAMES CAME INTO EXISTENCE FIRST TIME
•  MODERN INFRASTRUCTURE CAME INTO FORE IN THE SHAPE OF WORLD CLASS SPORTS STADIUMS
• CONSTRUCTED WORLD CLASS SPORTS STADIUM WORTH Rs 150 CRORES
• REPLENSHMENT OF 3 PERCENT BACKLOG OF SPORTS QUOTA
• 10 PLAYERS APPOINTED AS DSPs, KABADDI PLAYERS GOT JOBS TOO
• SPORTS DEPARTMENT GOT PERMANENT DIRECTOR IN THE PERSON OF PARGAT SINGH

CHANDIGARH, DECEMBER 22: The year 2011 proved to be the Golden Time for the sports in Punjab since where revolutionary steps were taken in the field of sports, the players of Punjab brought laurels to the state by bringing name and fame on International and National maps of sports. The Sports Department of the state remained fully enthusiastic for the conductiing of sports events and created a befitting environment for the promotion of sports.

        The credit of all these peerless achievements both to the sportspersons, who got an acclamation in sports, and to the Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal and Mr. Pargat Singh, Director Sports Punjab as they inspired, motivated and also instilled the spirit of sportsmanship in them. The keen interest in sports of Punjab Government has yielded fruit because now Punjab has stood at par with the best sports city in the world by constructing world class floodlit sports stadium worth Rs 150 crores, Astroturf hockey stadiums, successfully hosted 2nd World Cup Kabaddi besides appointing 10 players in the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.
               According to an official spokesperson the year 2011 may be said as one of the best years for sports in Punjab as Mr. Ronjon Sodhi emerged as World Champion in Shooting and also remained on top in world ranking besides Shooters Manavjit Sandhu, Harveen Sarao and Amandeep Singh have also clinched medals in international events. Punjabi lad Rajpal Singh took over as Captain of Indian Hockey team while Punjabi players namely Gurbaz Singh, Ravi Pal Singh, Swaranjit Singh and Gurwinder Singh Chandi and other Punjabi players brought credit to the fair name of India. While in Cricket Yuvraj Singh was declared the ‘Man of the Match’ in world cup final as he was the prime mover of the match. Spinner Harbhajan Singh also brought laurels for the nation in the Cricket World Cup.

               The Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was looking for the portfolio of sports, has fully transformed the image of sports in Punjab and it was the result of his restless efforts that Punjab acclaimed number of revolutionary achievements in sports during last four and half years. Mr. Badal also uplifted the standard of mother games Hockey and Kabaddi on the map of sports while it was also a matter of Pride for Punjab that it has become the first state in the country having perfect sports policy.  The Punjab Government after discussing the First World Cup Kabaddi, which was hosted last year in Punjab, with the neighbouring countries also conducted successfully 2nd World Cup Kabaddi in 2011, in which 14 nations participated including Germany, Australia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, England etc. The champion team of host nation awarded with cash prize of Rs 2 crore while the first runners-up Canada got Rs 1 Crores and the second runners-up Pakistan has been awarded with Rs 50 lakh.

               It also added a new feather to the cap of Punjab’s mother sports Kabaddi that Punjab witnessed first ever Women World Cup Kabaddi, in which four nations including India, England, USA and Turkmenistan took active part. The champion team got cash award of Rs 25 lakh while the first losers received Rs 15 lakh. In the men section the best raider and stopper have been honoured with tractors.

               The bollywood icons Shahrukh Khan and Akshay Kumar also graced the inaugural and concluding ceremonies of World Cup Kabaddi at Bathinda and Ludhiana respectively. The Punjab Government has also decided to secure jobs for the men and women kabaddi teams. The credit of first ever conduction of circle style Kabaddi Championship at Tabrez in Afghanistan also goes to Punjab Government as it was the result of state government’s endeavours. The Punjab Government has also provided jobs to the Kabaddi players in Punjab Mandi Board, who won the first ever World Cup Kabaddi. During the 2nd World Cup Kabaddi the players fought for the title in newly constructed floodlit stadiums at Jalandhar, Amritsar, Bathinda and Gurdaspur.
               It is pertinent to mention here that the upgradation of Kabaddi beyond Indian territories has also strengthened the claim of Punjab Government to include Kabaddi not only in Asian Games but also in Brazil Olympic 2016.
               The Deputy Chief Minister paying special attention for the restoration of pride for Hockey, has constructed world class Astroturf hockey stadiums besides six dimensional hockey stadiums, which have imparted new impetus amongst the budding players resulting into induction of 9 Punjabi players into the Indian Hockey Squad. Mr. Badal has also decided to establish a state-of-the-art Sports School in each district of Punjab.

               As per its commitment with the sportspersons, the Punjab Government has given a status of DSP to the 10 players of different games namely Manjit Kaur and Harwant Kaur (Athletics), Avneet Kaur Sidhu, Ronjan Sodhi, Harveen Sarao, and Manavjeet Sandhu (Shooting), Rajpal Singh, Gurbaz Singh and Amandeep Kaur (Hockey) and Palwinder Singh Cheema in wrestling, who earned glory and dignity at International level in their respective games. Punjab government has also fulfilled its words by giving regular status to the 55 sportspersons of Powercom besides reserving 3 percent recruitment quota for players and Mr. Badal has directed all the departments and corporations to complete the backlog of 3 percent.

               The Punjab Government had awarded Mr. Abhinav Bindra for bagging Gold medal in 2008 Beijing Olympics with cash prize of Rs 1 crore, which has been doubled for the next winner of Gold Medal in ensuing Olympic games. The Punjab Government has also awarded the winners of Commonwealth Games and Guangzoo Asian Games with the cash prizes of Rs 7 crore besides Rs 25-25 lakh for each of the Asian Champions of Hockey Trophy and Asian Kabaddi Championship winning teams.

               Introducing ‘Perfect Sports Policy’, the Punjab has become the first state in the country having complete sports policy with no lacuna. The Punjab Government has also appointed Mr. Pargat Singh as the Permanent Director of Sports, who would monitor the proper implementation of Sports Policy besides bringing expedition in the activities of Sports Department.
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CM OKAYS SLASHING VAT FROM 12% TO 5% ON MATERIAL/EQUIPMENT PURCHASED BY POWERCOM AND TRANSCO

CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 22:

            Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today gave a nod to slash the VAT from 12% to 5% on the material/equipment purchased by the Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd. (POWERCOM) and Punjab State Transmission Corporation Ltd. (TRANSCO) for power generation, transmission and distribution.

            Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the surcharge @ 10% on the VAT levied on the purchase of material/equipment by these two Corporations would be charged as earlier. 
It may be recalled that this facility had also been given to the erstwhile Punjab State Electricity Board prior to its unbundling into POWERCOM and TRANSCO under the Punjab VAT Act.   
The spokesperson further said that the Chief Minister had taken this decision to safeguard the interests of the local industry.  This decision would not only boost the financial viability of these corporations but also immensely benefit all categories of consumers across the state by ensuring far better efficiency in the system of power generation, transmission and distribution, the spokesperson added. 
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3 PCS OFFICERS PROMOTED AS SPECIAL SECRETARIES

Chandigarh, December 22;

Punjab Government has today promoted 3 PCS officers as Special Secretaries.
According to an official spokesman said that 3 PCS officers namely Mr. Sukhwinder Singh Gill, Mr. Harikrishan Nagpal and Mr. Mohinder Pal have been promoted as Special secretaries as they have completed 18 years’ of service.

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3 PPS TRANSFERRED

Chandigarh, December 22: The Punjab government has today issued the transfer orders of 3 PPS officers on administrative ground with immediate effect.

       According to a spokesman of Punjab government, Mr.  Lakhbir Singh, PPS, TP/81 has been posted as SP/Detective, Faridkot, Mr. Jaspal Singh, PPS, TP/85 as SP/Headquarter, Gurdaspur,  Mr. Satpal Singh, PPS 71/PAP as SP/Headquarter, Moga and Mr. Barjinder Singh, PPS have been posted as Assistant Commandant  3rd IRB, Ludhiana respectively.
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INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, PUNJAB
10 DPROs AND 4 APROs TRANSFERRED

Chandigarh, December 22:

As per the direction of Election Commissioner of Government of India the Punjab Government today issued postings and transfer orders of 10 District Public Relations Officers (DPROs) and 4 Assistant Public Relations Officers.

Mr. Subhash Chander Gupta, DPRO has been transferred and posted as DPRO Patiala, Mr. Ishwinder Singh posted as DPRO, Sri Fathegarh Sahib, Sh. Kuljeet Singh DPRO posted as DPRO Nawanshahar, Mr. Satnam Singh Chhina DPRO posted as DPRO Freozpur, Mr. Shwinder Singh DPRO posted as DPRO Jalandhar, Mr. Gurmeet Singh posted as DPRO Ludhiana, Mr. Amrik Singh posted as DPRO Tarantaran, Mrs. Ruchi Kalra posted as DPRO Gurdaspur, Mr. BS Balli posted as DPRO Ropar against vacant post and Mr. Daljeet Singh posted as DPRO Faridkot.

Mr. Amandeep Singh, APRO has been transferred and posted as APRO Ludhiana. Mr. Gurpartap Singh APRO posted as APRO Jalandhar, Mr. Narinder Pal Singh, APRO posted as APRO Moga and Mr. Teja Singh APRO posted as APRO Patiala.
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6 PPS TRANSFERRED

Chandigarh, December 22:
The Punjab government has today issued the transfer orders of 6 PPS officers on administrative ground with immediate effect.
According to a spokesman of Punjab government, Mr. Ranvir Singh, PPS, TP/46 has been posted as SP/Local Barnala ; Mr. Paramjit Singh Grewal, PPS, as Assistant Commandant/ Ist IRB, Patiala, Mr. Pushkar Sandal, PPS, TP/51 as SP/Local, Kapurthala,Mr. Gurmeet Singh Randhawa, PPS as AIG/investigation Crime Punjab, Chandigarh, Mr. Bhupinder Jit Singh Virk, PPS,  as AIG/ Information Technology Punjab, Chandigarh and Mr. Naresh Kumar, PPS, 249/FR as SP/Local Sri Muktsar Sahib and addition as SP/Detective Sri Muktsar Sahib

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Sehajdhari verdict should be lesson for Akalis not to divide Sikh religion: Capt Amarinder

DHARAMKOTE (MOGA), December 21:

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh today hoped that yesterday’s High Court verdict restoring the voting rights of the Sehajdhari Sikhs for the SGPC elections should open up the eyes of Akalis that they should stop practicing sectarian politics of dividing people for their own narrow ends. He said, earlier they divided Punjab purely for the sectarian reasons to get power and now they tried to divide the Sikh community itself.

Addressing a huge public rally organised by the local SGPC Member Sukhjit Singh ‘Kaka’ Lohgarh, who recently joined the Congress, here today, Capt Amarinder said, earlier through Punjabi suba movement they divided Punjab and turned out Hindus so that they could form a government here. “Now they tried to exclude more than half of the Sikh population to ensure that they retained control over the SGPC”, he said, while pointing out, Akalis don’t mind resorting to divisive politics even if it meant dividing their own religion as long as it suits their vested interests.

The former Chief Minister said, it was so unfortunate on part of Mr Parkash Singh Badal to make the government of India intervene into the Sikh religion by getting a notification issued barring Sehajdharis from voting in the SGPC elections in 2003. “As a self proclaimed guardian of the panth he (Mr Badal) should have resisted the government interference into the Sikh religion, but Badal got it done at his own behest for his own vested interests to retain control over the SGPC”, he observed.

The former Chief Minister said, the Akalis had never cared about Punjab and had only exploited the sentiments of people and in the process got thousands of young men killed. He pointed out, they were best at setting up morchas and then retiring to the safe havens of the government guest houses by stage managing their arrests while people would get killed outside. He said, if they had the will to do they could do it using constitutional means like he did when he as the Chief Minister repealed all the Water Sharing Treaties with other states to save waters of Punjab.  
Ridiculing Mr Badal for seeking another five years, Capt Amarinder said, it was high time that he retired from politics. “He is already too old to even stand up of his own and needs support left and right for moving around and still he is asking for five more years”, he remarked while asking, “how can anybody trust you with Punjab for five years more when you can’t even stand up of your own?”

The PCC President lashed out at the Badals for their five years of misrule which only included loot and robbery besides victimization of the political opponents. He also referred to the reign of terror let lose by the Akalis during the panchayat, municipal and recently the SGPC elections when they did not let the opponents either to contest or to win. He congratulated Kaka Lohgarh for winning against all odds and defeating the Akalis with huge margin in the SGPC elections.
Welcoming Kaka Lohgarh into along with over twenty-five thousand supporters who had come to attend today’s rally, the PCC President said, the party will get further strengthened in the area. He thanked Kaka Lohgarh for reposing faith in the Congress.
Speaking on the occasion, Kaka Lohgarh said, he and his family had a long association of about five decades with the Akali Dal. “However, at the end of the day Mr Badal let me down”, he said, adding he had no other option but to contest independently in the SGPC elections. He thanked his supporters for reposing faith in him and standing by him not only during the SGPC elections but also in his decision to join the Congress.
Punjab Mahilla Congress president Dr Malti Thapar, DCC Moga president Ms Jagdarshan Kaur, MLAs Joginder Pal Jain, Darshan Singh Brar, Naresh Kataria, Kushaldeep ‘Kikki’ Dhillon, Joginder Punjgraian and Inderjeet Zira also spoke on the occasion.
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SHIROMANI AKALI DAL

CONGRESS WOULD LOSE DEPOSIT ON ALL SEATS OF PATIALA DISTRICT: SUKHBIR
·      CAPTAIN KNOWS ABOUT EVERY STREET OF LAHORE BUT NOT OF SANAUR OR GHANOUR
·      SEEKS VOTE FOR PARKASH SINGH BADAL FOR CONTINUITY OF ACCELERATED DEVELOPMENT
·      UPA FORCED TO APE ATTA-DAAL AND RIGHT TO SERVICE ACT OF SAD-BJP GOVERNMENT
·      DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN GOOD OR EVIL BEFORE CASTING YOUR VOTES

SAMANA/PATIALA, DECEMBER 21:

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, President Shiromani Akali Dal and Deputy Chief Minister Punjab, today said that resurgent cadre of Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP would ensure that Congress party loses deposit on each and every seat of Patiala district and Captain Amarinder Singh is forced to confine himself to the four walls of Moti Mahal.

Addressing over a lakh of Akali Dal workers, in one of the biggest rally of Patiala district, the SAD President enthused by the overwhelming response, said that Patiala district is all set to create a history by ensuring that each and every candidate fighting on the ticket of Congress party was decimated from electoral scene. He said that people of Patiala are committed to reject ‘Maharaja’, who knows more about the streets of Lahore than of neighbouring townships Sanour and Ghanour. He said that nobody would vote for ‘Maharaja’, who remains away from people for four and half year after getting elected to power.

Mr. Badal said that Captain backstabbed farming community by denying them free power for four years, played joke with the youth of the state by banning recruitment in the very first month of his rule and denying development to the state by scuttling Rs 19,000 crore Bathinda Refinery for full five years. He said that a person, who remains busy in extracurricular activities and had no development mission of the state, has no right to seek votes from the people of Punjab.

Exhorting the people to exercise their franchise judiciously, Mr. Badal said that history rarely gives you an opportunity to decide the fate of the state. He said that 2012 Vidhan Sabha polls are going to be historic elections in the history of Punjab when people of Punjab would be creating history by reelecting a government for five more years, putting a stamp of approval on the development agenda of SAD-BJP government. He said that while casting your vote, one should distinguish between good and evil and should not hesitate to vanquish evil from the society for the long term development of the state.
Mr. Badal said that people of Punjab have already enjoyed the fruits of unprecedented development during last five years. Listing out the development initiatives, Mr. Badal said that besides making Punjab power surplus by investing more than Rs. 95,000 crores in power sector, the SAD-BJP has provided jobs to 1.17 lakh youth totally on merit in the most transparent online recruitment method. He said that youth of Punjab was committed not to bring back the Congress Party that has not done a single recruitment during their five year tenure, making the eligible youth overage, waiting for jobs. He said that besides 14,000 crore investment in road sector, linking all major cities with 4/6 lane roads, the 42 ROBs constructed during SAD-BJP regime were highest in the country. The SAD President said that it was the SAD-BJP that has empowered citizens by enacting Right to Service Act promising time bound delivery of citizen services.

       Mocking at Citizen Charter cleared by Union Cabinet yesterday, Mr. Badal said that Congress led UPA government has shamelessly aped Right to Service Act of Punjab Government without giving credit to us. He said that similarly Food Security Act was nothing but a carbon copy of Atta-Daal scheme envisioned by Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal. Mr. Badal said that Food Security Act proposed by Union Government would not be beneficial to the people of Punjab till they include all Atta-Daal beneficiaries in the BPL list. Similarly without the provision of Daal (Pulses) the Food Security Act was a mockery with the poor families, who would be forced to buy Daal at Rs 100 per Kg. Mr. Badal said that the Punjab Government is yet to see the details of  Food Security Act and its likely fiscal impact on the state.

       Seeking vote for S. Parkash Singh Badal, the statesman Chief Minister with six decade political life, SAD President said that it becomes our bounden duty to honour such a spotless statesman with the repeat term, so that he could complete his development vision for Punjab.

Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, in-charge Samana constituency, Mr. Surjit Singh Ablowal, Chairman Punseed, Mr. Randhir Singh Rakhra, Chairman Foodgrain, Mr. Harjit Singh Adaltiwala, Vice Chairman Commission for Backward Classes,  Tejinder Pal Singh Sandhu, former Chairman SSS Board, Mr. Kuldip Singh Nassupur and Mr. Nirmal Singh Hariao (Both SGPC members),Charanjit Singh Rakhra.
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Capt Amarinder condemns move to ban Bhagvad Gita in Russia

CHANDIGARH, December 21:

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh today condemned the move by a Russian court to ban the holy book, Bhagvad Gita in that country. He said, such a move deserve to be condemned in the strongest terms.
Appreciating the steps taken by the government of India and the foreign affairs ministry by raising the issue with the Russian government, Capt Amarinder hoped that better sense prevails among those people who were behind this sectarian move aimed at hurting the sentiments of a vast majority of people living in different parts of the world.

The PCC President pointed out, the move will not only hurt over one billion Hindus living across the world, but all those who have gained from the divine knowledge of the holy book. He said, the holy books like Bhagvad Gita do not belong to any particular religion as these belong to the entire human race as everybody gets benefitted from the knowledge and wisdom these carry and contain.
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1 IAS AND 1 PCS TRANSFERRED

Chandigarh, December 21:

The Punjab Government today issued postings and transfer orders of 1 IAS and 1 PCS officers.
Mr. Anurag Verma, IAS, has been transferred and posted as Commissioner Jalandhar Division and in addition Commissioner Appeals Jalandhar against a vacant post..
Mr. Gurdip Singh, PCS has been transferred and posted as Sub Divisional Magistrate, Anandpur Sahib against vacant post.

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BADAL CALLS UPON THE PEOPLE TO LISTEN THE VOICE OF THEIR CONSCIOUS BEFORE CASTING THEIR VOTE IN FAVOUR OF ANY POLITICAL PARTY

CM INAUGURATES NEW BLOCKS AT MAHANT RAM PARKASH DASS
COLLEGE AT A COST OF RS 12.56 CRORE

TALWARA DECEMBER 21:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today asked the people to exercise their franchise in the coming assembly polls only in the favour of that political party, which had ensured overall development and welfare of all sections of the society after taking a conscientious decision besides giving due weightage to the achievements and people-oriented policies initiated by the SAD-BJP government during its present regime in comparison with the previous term of Congress. 
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the new administrative and science block of the Mahant Ram Parkash Dass Government College here, Mr. Badal said that our government had made spectacular developments in the field of the education be it at the level of school, college, university besides technical education.  He said that during the present regime of SAD-BJP alliance 17 new degree colleges besides 6 universities have been established to revolutionize the present education system in the state.  He announced that three more universities would be soon opened to further provide better avenues of higher education to our youth enabling them to compete at the global level. 

Slamming the Congress for rampant corruption and faulty economic policies, Mr. Badal lamented that India was amongst the richest countries of the world but due to the lack of stable economic policies and social maladies like mass poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and starvation were the order of the day.  Mr. Badal categorically said that the Congress led UPA government was exploiting the poorest of the poor under the guise of its pro-poor agenda and hollow slogans like ‘Congress Ka Hath Aam Adami Ke Sath’ to enrich its vote bank.  Mr. Badal said that Congress had no morel right to rule the nation as it had miserably failed to control the inflation.  He said that Congress was hand in globs with the multi-national companies to ensure maximization of their profits at the cost of the poor.

Recalling the role of Punjab in the national security and the food production, Mr. Badal said that it had not been properly rewarded by the Centre due to its myopic outlook.  He pointed out that the apathetic attitude of the Centre was amply clear from its deliberate approach by not allotting any mega public sector project in the state which could ensure employment to our youth besides strengthening the state’s economic and financial position. 
Blaming the Centre for neck deep in corruption and for its dubious role in multi-crore scams like 2G scam, Adarsh Housing and Common Wealth Games, Mr. Badal said that the Congress led UPA government deserved its entry in the gunnies book of World Record as it had surpassed all records of corruption in the world. 

Highlighting the pro-people initiatives of the SAD-BJP alliance, Mr. Badal said that the distribution of cycles to the girl students under Mai Bhago Vidya Scheme, Shagun scheme, atta-dal, free 5-marla plots to homeless SC/BC families and scholarship to the SC students and minorities reflected its commitment to uplift the lower strata of the society.  He promised the people, if SAD-BJP alliance is voted back to power then it would accomplish its unfinished agenda which would certainly put our state on the high growth trajectory. 

Earlier, the MLA Dasuya and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Amarjit Singh Shahi welcomed the Chie Minister and highlighted the local issues of the area.
Later talking to the media persons, the Chief Minister said that Manpreet Badal was an opportunist which had been deftly proved by his co-founders Mr. Kushaldeep Singh Dhillon and Mr. Jagbir Singh Brar who have ditched the PPP and put the stack of PPP in Sanjha Morcha at peril. 
Asked to comment on the seat sharing arrangements in SAD and its alliance partner BJP, Mr. Badal said that the senior leadership of the both these parties would amicably settle this issue at an appropriate time. 
Earlier, the Chief Minister visited the residence of senior leader of SAD and former Chairman Warehousing Mr. Sampuran Singh Cheema to share his condolences and heart felt sympathies with the bereaved members of the family, who passed away on Monday last. 
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included former Minister Ch. Balbir Singh Miani, District President of SAD Hoshiarpur Mr. Surinder Singh Bhulewalrath, besides deputy commissioner Hoshiarpur Mr. Deepinder Singh and SSP Mr. Balkar Singh Sidhu. 

…

PSIEC ALLOTTED 145 INDUSTRIAL PLOTS

Chandigarh, December 21:  

                        PSIEC today conducted draw of allotment of Industrial Plots UNDER GENERAL SCHEME in focal points Bathinda, Amritsar, Mandi Gobindgarh, Chanalon, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, DeraBassi, Tanda, TaranTaran & Sangrur at Kissan Bhawan in Chandigarh in full public view with the objective of providing quick availability of land at the affordable price. 145 plots of different sizes have been allotted to the applicants for setting up their enterprises.
                        The draw of plots was conducted under the supervision of Committee headed by Shri S.S.Channy, IAS Principal Secretary Industries & Commerce Government  of Punjab in a fair and transparent manner duly videographed. Shri Rajinder Mohan Singh Chinna Chairman PSIEC, Shri Sukhwinder Singh Grewal, Vice Chairman PSIEC & Shri M.P. Arora IAS MD PSIEC were also present.
                        Shri Channy expressed that after closing of scheme during October 2011, Punjab Govt/PSIEC have successfully finalized the process of allotment and accomplished the task within a span of 2 months. He further informed that allotment letters to the successful applicants would be issued shortly. The successful applicants are required to deposit 30% price of plot within 30 days of the allotment and balance 60% in 6 half yearly installments along with interest as per policy.
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INFORMATION & PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, PUNJAB
3 IPS AND 38 PPS TRANSFERRED

Chandigarh, December 21: The Punjab government has today issued the transfer orders of 3 IPS and 38 PPS officers on administrative ground with immediate effect.

According to a spokesman of Punjab government, Mr. Kanwaljit Singh Pannu, IPS has been posted as IGP/IT, Punjab,Chandigarh. Similarly, Mr. Devinder Singh, IPS and Mr. PK Yadav have been posted as SP/Railways, Punjab, Jalandhar and Commandant 75th Bn, PAP, Jalandhar respectively.

The spokesman added that Mr. Daljinder Singh, PPS, TP/99 has been posted as ADCP/Special Branch, Jalandhar ; Mr. Harkamalpreet Singh Khakh, PPS, TP/100 as ADCP/Crime, Jalandhar, Mr. Rajinder Singh, PPS, 52/J as SP/Operation, Jalandhar ( Rural), Mr. Kulwinder Singh, PPS/PAP/3 as ADCP-3, Ludhiana, Mr. Pushkar Sandal, PPS, TP/51 as Assistant Commandant, 7th Bn , PAP, Jalandhar, Mr. Joginder Singh,PPS, 57/FR as SP/VB, Punjab, Mr. Swarndeep Singh, PPS, TP/62 as SP/D, Khanna, Mr. Balwinder Singh, PPS, TP/62 as Assistant Commandant, 13th Bn, PAP, Chandigarh, Mr. Amrik Singh, PPS, 18/PR as SP/HQRS, Ludhiana(Rural) and Mr. Balwinder Singh, PPS, 785/PAP as Assistant Commandant, 75th Bn, PAP, Jalandhar.

Similarly, Mr. Gurpreet Singh Toor, PPS   has been posted as Commandant-cum-Deputy Director (Admn.) MRSPPA, Phillaur, Mr. Amrik Singh, PPS as Commandant, 5th IRB, Amritsar, Mr. Surinder Pal Singh, PPS as Commandant, 80th Bn, PAP, Jalandhar, Mr. Rupinder Pal Singh Bajwa, PPS, PR/176 as SP/ISTC, Kapurthala, Mr. Paramjit Singh, PPS, FR/22 as SP/Sports Secretary, Punjab Police, Jalandhar, Mr. Charnjit Singh,PPS as Commandant, 9th Bn, PAP, Amritsar, Mr. Sawinder Singh, PPS, J.R.T/56 as Commandant , 7th IRB, Kapurthala, Mr. Charnjit Kumar, PPS as Commandant, 36th Bn,PAP, Bahadurgarh, Patiala, Mr. Baljot Singh Rathore, PPS as AIG/Armament, Punjab, Chandigarh, Mr. Rajpal Singh,, PPS, TP/31 as Commandant, 5th Commando Bn, Bahadurgarh, Mr. Gurinder Singh Dhillon, PPS as Commandant, Commando Training Center, Bahadurgarh, Patiala, Mr. Bhupinderjit Singh Virk, PPS,TP/23 as AIG/Investigation, Crime, Punjab, Chandigarh, Mr. Jaspreet Singh Sidhu, PPS as Commandant, 1st IRB, Patiala and additional charge as SP/Excise & Taxation, Patiala, Mr. Gurmit Singh Randhawa, PPS as AIG/IT, Punjab, Mr. Gurmel singh, PPs as SP/Hqrs, Batala, Mr. Bhula Singh as SP/IVC, Punjab, Chandigarh, Mr. Jhilmin Singh, PPS as Assistant Commandant, 7th IRB, Kapurthala, Mr. Kulwant Singh, PPS as SP/Hqrs , Kapurthala , Mr. Sarwan Singh, PPS, PAP/97 as Assistant Commandant, 75th Bn, PAP, Jalandhar, Mr. Balraj Singh, PPS, TP/49 as SP/D, Barnala and Mr. Paramjit Singh, PPS, 234/PR as SP/Hqrs , Barnala, the spokesman added.

       Besides this Mr. Balbir Singh PPS has been posted as  SP/HQRS, Fazilka, Mr. Vipan Chaudhary PPS has SP/CM Security Punjab, Mr. Rupinder Singh PPS as Commandant cum Deputy Director (outdoor) PPA Phillaur, Mr. Narinderpal Singh PPS as SP/D Moga , Mr. Arun Saini PPS as AIG Intelligence Punjab to work as Staff Officer to DGP Punjab and Mr. Sinder Singh as Assistant Commandant 27th Bn PAP Jalandhar.

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Opposition mounts to Amitabh's plea on anti-sikh riots 

A move by Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan to get a clean chit from the Sikh clergy after his name was dragged into the 1984 anti-Sikh riots is facing opposition from sections of the community. Bachchan's plea to the Jathedar of the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikh religion. Gurbachan Singh, through a letter dates Nov 28, in which he pleaded his innocence in the anti-Sikh riots, is likely to be considered for discussion by the five Sikh high priests at a meeting here Dec 22.

In his letter, Bachchan wrote: "I am addressing this letter to you with a most pained heart. Wild, irresponsible and most unfounded allegations, by certain sections of the Sikh community, about my involvement in the inciting of violence against them during the most unfortunate Sikh riots of 1984, soon after the death of Shrimati Indira Gandhi, the then prime minister of India, has caused me acute agony.
 
"These vicious allegations have caused me deep hurt, particularly when they were levelled at a time when I had accepted the invitation from the Punjab government to attend the inaugural ceremony of the historical Khalsa Heritage Complex at Sri Anandpur Sahib, the birthplace of the Khalsa Panth. I was indeed looking forward to attending this sacred ceremony and sharing the immense pleasure and divine bliss with the Sikh Sangat, but declined because I did not want to be the cause for any embarrassment at this historical function.

 "Now that the ceremony is over, I wish to take this opportunity to vehemently and categorically deny these allegations against me which are completely baseless, false and untrue. The Nehru-Gandhi family and our family have old ties from our city of origin, Allahabad. We have been together in each other's hour of grief and joy, but to allege that I was a part of the crowd that incited them to raise anti-Sikh slogans is a preposterous and blatant lie. Quite contrarily, I have always propagated the soothing of injured feelings and the maintenance of serenity. The unfortunate incidents of the riots of 1984 against the Sikhs shall always remain a blot and a dark phase in the history of our country, a country that prides itself in its secular credentials."
Bachchan even attached a copy of a photograph of his maternal grandparents, who were from a Sikh family. He pointed out that his maternal grandfather, Khazan Singh Suri, was a bar-at-law from England and that his mother, Teji Bachchan, came from a Sikh family.
Akal Takht head Gurbachan Singh, while acknowledging that he had got the letter, said: "The matter is linked to Sikh sentiments. The five Singh Sahibaan (Sikh high priests) will consider his letter and discuss the matter at their meeting. Whatever they decide, the next action will be taken accordingly."
Bachchan pointed out that he had come to the holiest of Sikh shrines, Harmandar Sahib (popularly known as the Golden Temple), here in December 2007 for prayers after the passing away of his mother.
However, Sikh organisations and independent witnesses have now come forward claiming that Bachchan, then close to the Gandhi family, had come out of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi Oct 31, 1984, and instigated crowds. A California-based Sikh, Manjit Singh, who lived in the Kalu Sarai area of Delhi then, said in an affidavit to Akal Takht that he himself saw Bachchan instigating people. Bachchan later became an MP for three years representing the Congress party.
The All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF), in a statement, alleged that Bachchan's slogans were broadcast in 1984 by the state-owned Doordarshan Television and All India Radio (AIR). The AISSF said independent witnesses like Jagdish Kaur, Babu Singh Dukhiya and others who watched the relay on Doordarshan and saw Bachchan inciting violence are ready to testify in this matter before the Akal Takht.
AISSF said the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal, which controlled the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), was trying to give a clean chit to Bachchan.
Nearly 7,000 Sikhs were killed in the November 1984 anti-Sikh riots in various parts of the country following the assassination of Indira Gandhi by her two Sikh bodyguards in New Delhi Oct 31, 1984.
Over 3,000 were killed in Delhi alone.

Poor show of Moga rally has shown the unpopularity of Akali Dal,
         Rally did not even matched with political status of Capt Amarinder Singh - Arvind Khanna 

December 20, 2011
Report ceonfirmed by tel. to Prof. Sarchand Singh

Arvind Khanna, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary and on of close confident of PPCC President Capt Amarinder Singh has described the Akali Dal’s Moga rally as flop show and said the rally has shown the unpopularity of Akali Dal. Khanna added that the projection of Parkash Singh Badal as next Chief Minister by the party also shows that Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh not looks near anywhere around PPCC president Capt Amarinder Singh.

         Arvind further said that appeal of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for granting more five years for party also shows that party did not make any justice for people during its previous tenure. The government machinery been misused as well as party has adopted ever possible ways to get more gathering but the empty chairs had raised Akali’s worries, he added. Khanna said Akalis are claiming that there was a gathering of 10 lakh people but in fact there were only their own relatives and daily wedgers but now Akalis cannot make people fool any more. The state government has been proved fail on each front. He said that the absence of common people from rally shows that people of Punjab are disappointed with anti-people and dictator policies of SAD-BJP led state government. Khanna further said that according to newspapers and media, chief minister Parkash Singh Badal had addressed only empty chairs and Akali Dal is trying to fight the lost battle.
         Reacting in shayri mood on Moga rally, Sh. Khanna said “Banda Aukat to Vad Ke Show Karda e – Diva Bujhan to pahle ik bar lo karda e” (a person shows over his status – as the lamp lights before blow-out). Khanna told that same kind of rally was organized by Akali Dal in 1996 at Moga and it had also ended the party’s existence at that time and now this rally will also be enough for the same. He added that it was first time PTC news channel did not got chance to show its camera skills and only forced on the stage besides showing empty chairs and most of the leaders present on the stage also seemed disappointed.
            Khanna further alleged that Akali-BJP had maltreated people of Punjab whenever unemployed youths, farmers, employees, teachers and other had demanded their demands. He said women been also not spared from lathi charge of police. He added that today youths of Punjab is been forced to commit suicide. Khanna also alleged that Akali Dal is sailing government property to their nearer and dearer on very low prices and filling own pockets. Today Punjab state is suffering from great financial fiscal and depending on debt for even its primary needs. But still Badal government is still trying to divert the public intentions from their failure by distributing grants. He further alleged that state government has also not survived the public welfare schemes like shagun, Atta-Dal, cycle etc. He also showed worry about uncontrolled law-and-order situation of state.
         Saying on the joining of PPP leaders, Jabir Singh Brar, Kushaldeep Singh Dhillon in Congress party, Sh. Khanna said these joining indicate that these parities do not have proper agenda and aim. He said now people are joining Congress party and want to hand over Punjab leadership in the hand of Capt Amarinder Singh. Sh. Khanna also welcomed the decision of center government for forming joint committee for investigating the suicides cases.  

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Opposition mounts to Amitabh's plea on anti-Sikh Genocide

New York, Dec. 20, 2011
Sikhs For Justice

 A move by Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan to get a clean chit from the Sikh clergy after his name was dragged into the 1984 anti-Sikh riots is facing opposition from sections of the community. Bachchan's plea to the Jathedar of the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikh religion. Gurbachan Singh, through a letter dates Nov 28, in which he pleaded his innocence in the anti-Sikh riots, is likely to be considered for discussion by the five Sikh high priests at a meeting here Dec 22.

In his letter, Bachchan wrote: "I am addressing this letter to you with a most pained heart. Wild, irresponsible and most unfounded allegations, by certain sections of the Sikh community, about my involvement in the inciting of violence against them during the most unfortunate Sikh riots of 1984, soon after the death of Shrimati Indira Gandhi, the then prime minister of India, has caused me acute agony.
 
"These vicious allegations have caused me deep hurt, particularly when they were levelled at a time when I had accepted the invitation from the Punjab government to attend the inaugural ceremony of the historical Khalsa Heritage Complex at Sri Anandpur Sahib, the birthplace of the Khalsa Panth. I was indeed looking forward to attending this sacred ceremony and sharing the immense pleasure and divine bliss with the Sikh Sangat, but declined because I did not want to be the cause for any embarrassment at this historical function.

 "Now that the ceremony is over, I wish to take this opportunity to vehemently and categorically deny these allegations against me which are completely baseless, false and untrue. The Nehru-Gandhi family and our family have old ties from our city of origin, Allahabad. We have been together in each other's hour of grief and joy, but to allege that I was a part of the crowd that incited them to raise anti-Sikh slogans is a preposterous and blatant lie. Quite contrarily, I have always propagated the soothing of injured feelings and the maintenance of serenity. The unfortunate incidents of the riots of 1984 against the Sikhs shall always remain a blot and a dark phase in the history of our country, a country that prides itself in its secular credentials."

Bachchan even attached a copy of a photograph of his maternal grandparents, who were from a Sikh family. He pointed out that his maternal grandfather, Khazan Singh Suri, was a bar-at-law from England and that his mother, Teji Bachchan, came from a Sikh family.

Akal Takht head Gurbachan Singh, while acknowledging that he had got the letter, said: "The matter is linked to Sikh sentiments. The five Singh Sahibaan (Sikh high priests) will consider his letter and discuss the matter at their meeting. Whatever they decide, the next action will be taken accordingly."

Bachchan pointed out that he had come to the holiest of Sikh shrines, Harmandar Sahib (popularly known as the Golden Temple), here in December 2007 for prayers after the passing away of his mother.

However, Sikh organisations and independent witnesses have now come forward claiming that Bachchan, then close to the Gandhi family, had come out of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi Oct 31, 1984, and instigated crowds. A California-based Sikh, Manjit Singh, who lived in the Kalu Sarai area of Delhi then, said in an affidavit to Akal Takht that he himself saw Bachchan instigating people. Bachchan later became an MP for three years representing the Congress party.

The All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF), in a statement, alleged that Bachchan's slogans were broadcast in 1984 by the state-owned Doordarshan Television and All India Radio (AIR). The AISSF said independent witnesses like Jagdish Kaur, Babu Singh Dukhiya and others who watched the relay on Doordarshan and saw Bachchan inciting violence are ready to testify in this matter before the Akal Takht.
AISSF said the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal, which controlled the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), was trying to give a clean chit to Bachchan.

Nearly 7,000 Sikhs were killed in the November 1984 anti-Sikh riots in various parts of the country following the assassination of Indira Gandhi by her two Sikh bodyguards in New Delhi Oct 31, 1984. Over 3,000 were killed in Delhi alone.

The letter was delivered to the Akal Takht head by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member from Mumbai, Gurinder Singh Bawa. The letter from the actor came after he was invited by the Punjab government for the inauguration of the Khalsa Heritage Complex's Virasat-e-Khalsa monument at Anandpur Sahib last month but he did not come after sections of the Sikh community objected.
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MAJOR REPRIEVE TO THE DEFAULTERS WHO FAILED TO REPAY LOAN TAKEN FROM COOPERATIVE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
OTS INTRODUCED TO BAIL THEM OUT

CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 20:

The Punjab Government today announced One Time Settlement Scheme (OTS) to provide a major relief to the tune of Rs.68.55 crore to the nearly 95000 defaulters, who have failed to repay the loans taken from Punjab State Co-operative Banks/Central Co-operative Banks, Punjab State Co-operative Agricultural Development Banks/Primary Co-operative Agricultural Development Banks and HOUSEFED/Housing Construction Co-operative Societies.     

          Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today approved this scheme thereby bailing out these hapless defaulters.  The Punjab State Co-operative Bank and Punjab State Co-operative Agricultural Development Bank has introduced two schemes viz. Providing Buy Back facility to Owners of Land decreed in favour of Punjab Agricultural Development Banks and One Time Settlement Scheme-2011. Meanwhile, the HOUSEFED has also floated two schemes viz. Loan Agreement Relief Scheme-2011 and Flood Debt Agreement Scheme-2011 as a major reprieve to those beneficiaries, who had taken loan from it.

      The scheme initiated by the PADBs would be applicable to those defaulters, whose repayment time has been lapsed by June 30, 2011. Under this scheme, the defaulters would now have to make the 20% payment of the outstanding loan within a month and the remaining 80% to be paid in two equal six monthly installments @ 9% interest. If any defaulters deposited the entire loan within two months, then he would be entitled for a rebate of 10%.  This scheme would give a benefit to the tune of Rs. 9.17 crore to nearly 72000 farmers across the state, added the spokesperson.

      According to the scheme introduced by the HOUSEFED,  10811 defaulters who have failed to repay the loan by March 31, 2011 would be given relief from the interest and penal interest worth Rs. 57.25 crore. This scheme would be open till September 30, 2012 thereby facilitating as many as 168 defaulters who would get back their land and house property mortgaged with the banks as security against the loans advanced to them.  These defaulters would now have to repay their outstanding loans to the HOUSEFED at a simple interest @ 12% without any penal interest. 

          Under the Flood Debt Agreement Relief Scheme 2011, only 25% of the outstanding amount of loan would be recovered from 11359 defaulters, who had taken loan in 1988 to cope up with the situation in the wake of floods.  As per records the total outstanding amount to the tune of Rs.23.18 crore was to be repaid by these defaulters as on March 31, 2011.  This scheme would be open till September 30, 2012 to bail out these defaulters.
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3 MEMBERS OF DALIT BHALAI BOARD, 2 MEMBERS OF PUNJAB SAFAI KARAMCHARI BHALAI BOARD, ONE MEMBER EACH OF THE PUNJAB STATE BACKWARD CLASSES COMMISSION & PUNJAB STATE MINORITIES COMMISSION, FIVE MEMBERS OF THE STATE COMMISSION FOR PROTECTION OF CHILD RIGHTS NOMINATED

CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 20:

The Punjab government today appointed three members of Dalit Bhalai Board, two members of Punjab Safai Karamchari Bhalai Board, one member each of the Punjab State Backward Classes Commission and Punjab State Minorities Commission besides five members of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights with immediate effect.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Mr. Gurmail Singh Jhim, Mr. Sunil Dutt Boby and Mr. Vijay Attwal have been appointed as the members of the Dalit Bhalai Board, whereas Mr. Deepak Kumar Telu & Mr. Hira Lal of the Punjab Safai Karamchari  Bhalai Board.  Mr. Gurmit Singh Jaura and Mr. Albert Dua have been nominated as the member of the Punjab state Backward Classes Commission and Punjab State Minorities Commission.

Meanwhile, the Punjab government also nominated Dr. Jaswinder Singh, Mrs. Meena Tarnaich, Mrs.Amanjot Gupta, Mr. Rajinder Kumar and Mr.Sukesh Kalia as the members of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
The Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today cleared the file with regard to these appointment and the formal orders in this regard would be issued shortly.
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‘IT CAN BE USED AS VEHICLE FOR IMPROVED GOVERNANCE AND SERVICE’
·         TWO DAY TRAINING ON E-GOVERNANCE CONCLUDES

Chandigarh,   December 20:   

Information Technology can be used as a vehicle for improved governance and service delivery to the citizens.
            This view emerged in two day training on e-Governance Project Lifecycle (eGLC) under the Specialized Training on e-Governance Program (STeP) that concluded today. The participants comprised of policy and execution levels officials from various departments of Government of Punjab.

            The said program has been conducted under the ageis of the National Institute for Smart Government (NISG), Hyderabad. NISG, in coordination with the Department of Information Technology, is taking up various initiatives of Capacity Building on behalf of Department of Information Technology, Government of Punjab.

            Mr. Piyush Gupta, Sr. General Manager, NISG conducted the program and the need-based training in the field of eGovernance.  Prof. Subhash Bhatnagar, former Professor at IIM-Ahmedabad and Advisor to NISG, discussed at length regarding e-Governance and the need for implementation of the same in creating a transparent Government procedure, thereby catering to the citizen-centric needs of the state in a better way.  The Speaker faculty for the program comprised of eminent experts in the domain such as Mr. R. Sumanthra, Technical Advisor, Department of Information Technology, Government of Haryana.

            The Department hopes to conduct further trainings under the subject, to increase the awareness on e-Governance amongst the State officials.
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PUNJAB CM & DY. CM CONDOLES THE SAD DEMISE OF THE FATHER OF MR. KIRANBIR SINGH KANG
 
CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 20:

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Mr. Dharam Singh, the father of Mr. Kiranbir Singh Kang, Senior Vice President SAD and Member Political Affairs Committee, who passed away at his residence in Mohali this morning after a massive heart attack.  He was 90 and is survived by his wife and two sons.

Mr. Badal also shared his heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to give strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss and grant peace to the departed soul.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal also deeply condoled the death of Mr. Dharam Singh. 
Chief Minister’s Media Advisor Mr. Harcharan Bains also mourned the passing away of Mr. Dharam Singh. 
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NEW CHAIRMEN FOR MARKET COMMITTEE FARIDKOT AND PATTI (TARN TARAN) NOMINATED

Chandigarh December 19:

The Punjab Government today nominated Mr Kulbushan Rai and Mr. Gurdeep Singh as the Chairman of Market Committee Faridkot and Market Committee Patti in district Tarn Taran, respectively. 
           Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office, said that Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal cleared the file to this effect and orders regarding the nomination of both the Chairmen would be issued shortly. 
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5 IAS AND 1 PCS TRANSFERRED

Chandigarh, December 19: The Punjab Government today issued postings and transfer orders of 5 IAS and 1 PCS officers.

Mrs. Kalpana Mittal Baruah, IAS, has been transferred and posted as Resident Commissioner, New Delhi for Coordinating Schemes of Rural Development. Mr. R. Venkat Ratnam, IAS, has been posted at  Secretary, Welfare of S.C.’s and B.C.’s and in addition Secratry, Elections, Punjab. Mr. Mandeep Singh, IAS, Director State Transport and in addition Commissioner, Gurdwara Elections, Punjab would also look after the work of Secreatry, Transport.
Mr.Raminder Singh, IAS, Secretary,Local Government and in addition Commissioner Ferozpur Division, Ferozpur and in addition Commissionor Faridkot Division, Faridkot and in addition Secretary Parliamentary affairs,Punjab would also look after the work of Chairman,Punjab Pollution Control Board,Patiala. Mr.Kahan Singh Pannu,IAS,Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and in addition Joint Development Commissioner, Integrated Rural Development and addition Commissioner, NREGA would also look after the work of Chief Administrator, Greater Ludhiana Development Authority, Ludhiana.

The services of Mr. Shivdular Singh Dhillon, PCS have been placed at the disposal of the Department of Finance for appointment as Additional Managing Director, Punjab Infrastructure Development Board, Chandigarh.
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 EDUCATION DEPARTMENT APPROVES RECORD 4342 PROMOTIONS IN A SINGLE DAY– SEKHWAN

• 3822 from Master Cadre promoted as lecturers, 208 lecturers  as principals and 312 from Master Cadre as Head Masters
• 463 Head Masters are all set to be promoted as Principals  

Chandigarh,  December 19:

 Punjab Education Minister Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan today approved the record number of 4342 promotions varying from Master cadre to lecturer, Lecturer to Principal and Master cadre to Head Master after they were duly cleared by the different departmental promotion committees constituted for this purpose, continuing the commitment to bring more efficiency in the working of Education Department especially in the field. 
Disclosing this here today Mr. Sekhwan informed that to check the stagnation in teaching staff, 3822 from Master Cadre including Science, Math and Social Studies Masters have been promoted as Lecturers after their cases were found fit for promotion by the DPC. Similarly, 208 Lecturers and 312 from Master Cadre have been promoted as Principals and Head Masters respectively. He said that another DPC meeting was being called in day or two to clear the cases for 463 promotions of Principals from Head Masters. The Minister categorically said that the newly promoted lecturers, Head Masters and Principals would be allotted their new places of postings in coming days.
He said that the State Education Department had already promoted and posted 842 Head Masters from Master Cadre and 252 Principals from lecturers. The Minister pointed out that with these promotions a new record of promotions had already been created as within last three months 5901 promotions have been done. Reiterating his commitment to make Punjab as number one state on Education front in the country, The Minister revealed that the present SAD-BJP Government in the State had already recruited more than 71000 teachers that too by ensuring total transparency and merit. He appealed the newly promoted ones to work diligently and with commitment to shape the destiny of younger generations.  

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UNION GOVERNMENT MAIN HINDERANCE IN ACCELERATING DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN PUNJAB: SUKHBIR

• COMPLETION OF Rs 416 CRORE SIDHWAN CANAL ROAD PROJECT HAD MADE IMPOSSIBLE PROJECT, POSSIBLE
• CONGRESS SCUTTLING DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS OF PUNJAB
• SUKHBIR QUESTIONES UNDUE DELAY IN SANCTIONING LUDHIANA METRO
• SAD-BJP MOVED WITH THE FOCUSED AGENDA OF DEVELOPMENT DURING LAST FIVE YEARS
• SEEKS REPEAT MANDATE FOR CONTINUTION OF DEVELOPMENT AGENDA
• LUDHIANA GETS WORLD CLASS CITY BUS SERVICE 

LUDHIANA, DECEMBER 17: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Punjab, today accused the Union Government for unnecessarily delaying sanction of development projects of the state and suspected the hand of PPCC President Captain Amarinder Singh in these irrational delays.

            Speaking to media persons after dedicating to the people of Punjab Rs 416 crore Sidhwan Canal four lane road to bye pass Ludhiana besides launching Rs 65 crore City Bus Service, Mr. Badal said that undue delays created by various Union Ministries including Forest Ministry were resulting in cost escalation of these projects besides causing inconvenience to general public. He said that this Sidhwan Canal project would have been fully operational if Union Forest Ministry had not withheld the forest clearance. Similarly, the file of Chandigarh-Bathinda six lane project was awaiting the clearance of Union Surface Transport Minister since last 15 months but Captain Amarinder Singh was putting pressure on Union Minister not to clear any fresh project for Punjab.  He said that Congress led UPA government was suffering from ‘policy paralysis’ and every policy decision was in cold storage. He said that they only show alacrity and promptness when they have to rob the pocket of common man by raising the price of Petrol, Diesel, LPG and Fertilisers. He said that lakhs of Punjabi Potato and Basmati farmers were suffering due to glut of their produce in the market but Union Government despite SOS reminders from Punjab Government was not allowing their export through land route.

            The Deputy Chief Minister said that when they initiated work on Sidhwan Canal Road project the local Congress MP mocked at us describing it as a impossible project but our determination and dedication has made impossible project a possible and now the Congress party should apologise the people of Ludhiana for under- estimating the will power of SAD-BJP Government.

            Mr. Badal said that SAD-BJP government was moving with the constructive development agenda whereas Captain Amarinder Singh has only destructive and vindictive agenda. Mr. Badal said that besides Rs 19,000 crore refinery giving employment to 37,000 youth, Rs 15,00 crore Textile Park providing employment to 10,000 youth, the Punjab Government has provided regular employment to 1.17 lakh youth including 20,000 in police and 70,000 in education department. He said that SAD-BJP government has empowered the citizens by enacting historic Right To Service Act including 67 services that forced Congress led Haryana Government to ape this act with 32 truncated services. Mr. Badal said that his only mission was development coupled with transparency in the civil services and making civil servants accountable to the people.

            Seeking the repeat mandate from people of Punjab, the Deputy Chief Minister said that if people of Punjab want continuation of accelerated development, they should vote to SAD-BJP Government for next five years so that they could complete the unfinished task of development besides continuing the development agenda for Punjab.
 Demanding enhanced share in the Central Taxes, Mr. Badal said that archaic Godbole formula for sharing a central taxes based on population and backward index of the state was helping only slow moving of economy of UP and Bihar, whereas Punjab was getting the least share of 1.3% in the central taxes. He said that Union Government must return 50% of central taxes to Punjab and they would not allow cross subsidisation of poor states from the central taxes collected from Punjab.

            Blaming Union Government for delaying sanctioning of Ludhiana Metro, Mr. Badal said that by delaying to sanction Viable Gap Funding for Ludhiana metro the Union government was playing with the sentiments of people of Punjab.

            Earlier, Mr. Badal also flagged off Rs. 65 crore Ludhiana City Bus service by putting a first fleet of 10 buses on road and announced that the remaining buses including 50 AC buses would be operational within next 4 months. He said that this project was set to launch one year ago, but due to non-availability of buses with Tata Motors, it could not materialise. He said that the City Bus Service would prove to be a boon for city commuters and from neigibouring towns like Phillaur, Sahnewal and Mullanpur etc. The Deputy Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone of Rs 5 crore block of Excise and Taxation Department Office and inspected the Rs 22 Crore multi-storey parking being constructed in Mini Secretariat.

            Prominent amongst others present on the occasion included Mr. Hira Singh Gabria, Cabinet Minister, Mr. Darshan Singh Shivalik, MLA, Prof. Rajinder Bhandari, Vice Chairman Punjab State Planning Board, Mr. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Mr. Gurcharan Singh Galib and Mr. Amrik Singh Aaliwal (all former MPs), Mr. Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal and Mr. Jagdish Singh Garcha (both former ministers).              
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CABINET APPROVES TO ALLOT 5 MARLA PLOTS TO ALL OTHER CATEGORIES INCLUDING BACKWARD CLASSES ON THE PATTERN OF SC BENEFICIARIES

CABINET OKAYS REGULARIZATION OF 132 LECTURERS IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION
FOUR COOPERATIVE SUGAR MILLS AT PATIALA, TARN TARAN
AND ZIRA TO BE REVIVED

OLD AGE ALLOWANCE FOR PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS ENHANCED

CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 17:

The Punjab Cabinet today gave approval to extend the scheme of allotting 5 marla plots free of cost to the houseless and landless persons belonging to all other categories including backward classes on the pattern of scheduled castes beneficiaries in the rural areas.

A decision to this effect was taken here at a meeting of the Cabinet chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal this morning. Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Punjab government said that the Cabinet also approved the regularization of the services of 132 lecturers, librarians and Workshop Superintendents working on the contract basis for the last three years or above in the Technical Education Department. Likewise, the Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval to regularize the services of 8951 employees including Clerks, Drivers, Pump Operators, Sanitary Workers/Sewer men and sanitation workers under Mohalla Sanitation Committees etc. working in 141 Local Bodies on contract basis for past several years.  This decision would entail a financial liability of Rs.180.57 crore.
In another significant decision, the Cabinet gave approval to revive the closed cooperative sugar mills at Patiala, Tarn Taran and Zira on the basis of Built, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) through invitation of open tenders by the Punjab Sugarfed.  The payment received thereafter on leasing out these mills through open tenders would be deposited in the government treasury.
The Cabinet also approved the enhancement of old age allowance to the pensioners/family pensioners over and above the recommendations of the Fifth Punjab Pay Commission.  With this decision, the pensioners/family pensioners on attaining the age of 70, 75, 80, 85, 90 and 95 years would now get a higher old age allowance @ 10%, 15%, 25%, 35%, 45%, and 55% of their basic pension.  A new stage for the enhancement of the old age allowance at the age of 70 years had been introduced for the first time.
The Cabinet also decided that in case of the death of an employee, enhanced family pension will now be payable for 15 years or till the deceased employee would have attained the age of 65 years, whichever is less.
 The Cabinet also gave approval to change the name of Directorate of Disinvestment as Directorate of Public Enterprises and Disinvestment in view of the various functions assigned to it relating to disinvestment of state government equity from PSUs and its subsidiaries, implementation of the decisions on the recommendations of disinvestment commission on the modalities of disinvestment etc.
The Cabinet also approved to extend the last date i.e. December 31, 2011 by another five years till December 31, 2016 to avail of the facility of 5% reservation to the riot/terrorist affected families for the allotment of plots/houses in the Urban Estates/Improvement Trusts/Pepsu Township Development Board etc. without granting any concession in the rates of the plots/houses in the state.
The Cabinet also approved to bestow ownership rights of the land in six villages of Bathinda district viz. Virk Kalan, Goniana Khurd, Jeedha, Khemuana, Harraipur and Jandwala to the proprietors who had been cultivating and paying the land revenue as well as the land in question was never utilized for common purposes or by the Gram Panchayat for any such purposes at any point of time.  The proprietors are in its possession in accordance with their share prior to 26.1.1950 and have partitioned the same and are even creating encumbrances on the said land.

The Cabinet also gave approval to exempt the Rail Coach Factory Kapurthala from the payment of motor vehicles tax on the vehicles owned by it in the larger public interest as it has been providing employment to the youth of Punjab.
       The Cabinet also gave approval to sanction an annual grant of Rs.10 crore for the maintenance and upkeep of the Virasat-e-Khalsa Complex at Sri Anandpur Sahib besides meeting out its operational charges.
       The Cabinet also approved to streamline the cumbersome procedure for obtaining various permissions/clearances for the mega housing projects including change of land use etc.
       The Cabinet also approved to upgrade Nushera Pannuan and Harike as sub-tehsils in Tarn Taran district besides village Balianwali in Bathinda district as Sub-Tehsil and also gave nod for the creation of requisite staff in the newly created sub-tehsils.
The Cabinet also gave approval to transfer 13 villages of Sub Tehsil Jhunir in Sub Division/Tehsil Sardulgarh of Mansa district and similarly 12 villages of Sub Division/Tehsil Sardulgarh in Sub Tehsil Jhunir and one village of Sardulgarh in Sub Division/Tehsil Mansa in the larger public interest.
       The Cabinet also approved to allot land measuring 6500 sq. yards to the occupants in the new grain market Pattran on the market price to be determined by the Deputy Commissioner Patiala.
The Cabinet also gave nod to extend the One Time Settlement (OTS) policy- 2009 by one month for the Ex-servicemen to settle their outstanding dues against the loan advanced to them by the Punjab Financial Corporation under SEMFEX scheme, which was introduced in 1987-88 to provide to gainful self employment opportunity.
       The Cabinet also approved the exemption of stamp duty to be levied on transfer of 3.65 acre of land on Nabha road and 1.67 acre of land on Rajpura road in Patiala district belonging to PRTC to Punjab Urban Development Authority/Patiala Development Authority.
       The Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval for regularizing the services of computer teaches recruited by Punjab Information and Communication Technology Education Society (PICTES) from July 1, 2011.
…

STATE GOVERNMENT ENHANCES CASUAL LEAVES OF SSA TEACHERS FROM 10 TO 15

MATTER OF REGULARIZATION OF TEACHERS TO BE RAISED WITH THE UNION GOVERNMENT

CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 17:

             In order to give reprieve to 13,500 teachers working under the Sarv Sikhya Abhyaan (SSA) and Rashtriya Maadhmik Sikhya Abhyaan (RMSA) across the state, the Punjab government today decided to increase the number of their annual casual leaves from 10 to 15.
A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of the Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal with a delegation of the Sarv Sikhya Abhyaan/ Rashtriya Maadhmik Sikhya Abhyaan Teacher Union, held at Chief Minister's residence here today. The delegation led by President Mr Didar Singh and General Secretary Mr Ram Bhajan apprised the Chief Minister about the problems faced by the teachers due to scant casual
leaves. Subsequently Mr Badal decided that the number of casual leaves of these teachers would be enhanced from 10 at present to 15. On another demand of the Union regarding the regularization of services of these teachers, the Chief Minister told the delegation that the process of regularization is to be undertaken by the Union government. However he assured the delegation that on its part the Punjab government would pursue the case of these teachers with the Union government for which a Detailed Project Report (DPR) would be sent to the centre government so that budgetary allocation could be made for it.
Regarding the demand of delegation of giving the SSA teachers an option for posting at the nearest station, the Chief Minister said that it would be given due consideration during the annual general transfers of the education department to be held in coming year.
   Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr DS Guru, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr Kahan Singh Pannu, Secretary Education Mr Hussan Lal and Director General SSA, Punjab Mr B Purshartha.
…

NOW PUBLIC CAN TRACK THE MOVEMENT OF PDS FOOD GRAINS ON WEB: KAIRON

After transparency in kerosene distribution, now the turn of PDS food grains

CHANDIGARH, DECEMBER 17: Mr. Adaish Pratap Singh Kairon, Food and Civil Supplies and Information Technology Minister today said that the Food & Civil Supplies department has initiated a new scheme to ensure transparency in the State’s unique Atta-Dal scheme by involving citizens in pubic distribution system. Now people can track the movement of PDS food grain on web from storage points to wholesale distribution points in a transparent manner.

            Speaking about the new initiative, Mr. Kairon said that now any citizen of the country would be able to track the movement of vehicles carrying PDS and other grains right from storage point to the Public Distribution Wholesale Points. He said that each grain truck has been put on GPS (Global Positioning System) enabled devices that can track the movement of truck right from storage facility to the dealer, so that any attempt of pilferage could be detected by general public. He said that any deviation from sanctioned route could be tracked on GPS inviting punishment. He said anybody can access the website www.trackmaster.in and feed the user name ‘attadal’ and password ‘transparency’ and for kerosene the user name would be ‘Kerosene’ and password would be ‘transparency’ to track the movement of vehicle.
            Mr. Kairon said that department has been providing atta-dal to the 16 lakh beneficiaries throughout the state, who were getting 35kg grain and 4kg protein rich dal and it is the largest ever distribution network of PDS that was working successfully since last five years. Mr. Kairon said that it is our moral duty to provide PDS food grains to the concerned people without any hassle.
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Election Commission Must Treat PTC Broadcasts Overseas as Election Expenditure
Jassi Khangura MLA letter to Chief Election Commissioner

I wish to bring to your attention that it has recently been proven that Sukhbir Singh Badal and his wife, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, are the owners of PTC TV station and its associated channels which are owned via Orbit Resorts Pvt Ltd and its subsidiary Gurbaz Media Pvt Ltd.  PTC has significantly benefitted from Punjab Government funds, as admitted by Sukhbir Badal, to the tune of around Rs70 lakhs.  However, the actual figure is likely to be significantly higher if other departments and agencies are included.

Under the Election Commission rules on party expenditure during elections I hope that the Badal’s personal ownership of this TV station will be taken into account and that the use of this channel for spreading SAD propaganda will be curtailed.  The continual broadcast of advertising for the SAD and the Badal leadership must be stopped or added to SAD election expenditure in this campaign.  Additionally, general SAD propaganda programming masquerading as factual must also be taken into account as advertising and noted against election expenditure accordingly.

This channel broadcasts in India and to the Punjabi Diaspora worldwide including in, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA.  PTC has, for many of the almost 5 million Punjabis overseas, become a significant channel for its Punjabi language content.  Unfortunately much of the programming of PTC is propaganda for the SAD and, especially, the leadership of S. Prakash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Badal.

I request that costs of use of this channel for SAD promotional programming and advertising, including overseas, be apportioned to the SAD and its candidates during the upcoming campaign.  In the event that this is done judiciously many, if not all, SAD candidates would effectively be disqualified.

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‘NEW CHANDIGARH’ GETS A KICK START AS SUKHBIR LAYS THE FOUNDATION STONE OF CRITICAL RS. 325 CRORES CHANDIGARH- SISWAN ROAD

• NEW CHANDIGARH TO BE THE GAME CHANGER FOR WHOLE NORTH INDIA
• MOGA RALLY WOULD SCRIPT NEW HISTORY
• GIVES AWAY RS. 1.60 CRORE FOR DEVELOPMENT WORKS OF KURALI

Chandigarh, December 16:

The New Chandigarh Mega City project today got a kick start with Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal laying the foundation stone of Rs. 325 crore Chandigarh-Siswan road, that besides shortening the distance to Baddi in Himachal Pradesh would emerges critical road for the evolving this new city.

          Addressing a rally after laying the foundation stone, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that the new Chandigarh would provide quality housing besides developing world class institutional area including IT City, MediCity and world class aviation maintenance and training institute. He said that the New Chandigarh City was all set to propel the overall development of this area thereby making it a worth living place near Chandigarh with world class infrastructure. He said that this 200 feet wide Chandigarh to Siswan T-junction road (8 Kms.) would be constructed 6 lane in first phase and would have three 8 lane bridges. He said that this project has been undertaken by the Omaxe Infrastructure and Construction Ltd., a world renowned infrastructure development company and it would be completed by next 16th months.
          Earlier after laying the foundation stone of Rs. 2.5 crore 66 KVA Grid Station at Village Seonk, the Deputy Chief Minister addressed a rally at Mullanpur Garibdas and announced 100 per cent drinking water and sewerage coverage of this historical town and assured to upgrade its total infrastructure at par with SAS Nagar city.
Reiterating the SAD-BJP government’s commitment to upgrade the total civic infrastructure in all major cities and towns, Mr. Badal pointed out that thousands of crores rupees were being spent on ensuring 100% coverage of safe drinking water and sewerage besides constructing quality roads and street lights. He said that Punjab has witnessed development and growth on every front during last five years including 6669 crore investment in road sector, Rs 420 crore on construction of 42 ROBs and flyovers, Rs 19000 crore Bathinda Refinery giving employment to 37,000 youth, Rs 3715 crore on improvement of irrigation network, Rs 418 crore relining of minors and the previous regime of congress led by Captain Amarinder Singh has nil report to showcase. He said that against recruitment of few hundred those too contractual temporary employees, our government has recruited 1.17 lakh out of which 70,000 and 20,000 were alone in education and police departments respectively. He said that the recruitment during SAD-BJP government was online, totally on merit and done in a most transparent way.
   Appreciating the services of local MLA Mr. Ujjagar Singh Badali for making concerted efforts for the development of the area, the Deputy Chief Minister handed over him a cheque of Rs. 1.60 crore for the various development works of Kurali city.
Mr. Badal expressed confidence that the people of state were wise enough to continue the pace of development by giving their repeat mandate to the SAD-BJP combine and promised to make Punjab the best state in the country.
On this occasion Mr. Ujjagar Singh Badali MLA proposed a vote of thanks.
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SUKHBIR APPEALS TO VOTE FOR BJP-SAD CANDIDATES IN CHANDIGARH MC ELECTIONS

Chandigarh, December 16 :

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, President Shiromani Akali Dal today appealed to the residents of Chandigarh to wholeheartedly vote for Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP candidates to script a new chapter of development and growth in the city beautiful.
            In an appeal issued on the eve of Municipal Corporation elections scheduled tomorrow, the SAD President said that history has given an opportunity to the electorate of Chandigarh to punish Congress party that was neck deep in corruption and has inflicted unprecedented price rise, disturbing the household budget of every family.
He said that Congress party during its five year tenure ignored the development of City and remained busy in infighting. He said that no sensible citizen can vote a party whose Member of Parliament has openly criticized Gandhian Anna Hazare, made mockery of 1984 anti Sikh riots in the Parliament and had never cared to raise the issue of development of Chandigarh in the Parliament.
            He said that time has come that electorate of Chandigarh should give a chance to BJP-SAD combine in Municipal Corporation so that Chandigarh could live up to its brand name ‘City Beautiful’

NAMES INVITED FOR 2 VACANT POSTS OF MEMBERS of PUNJAB PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

CHANDIGARH, December 16: The committee constituted by Punjab Chief Minister for selection of members of Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) has invited the names of eminent persons of impeccable integrity, caliber and administrative experience from all walks of life, to be considered for one official and one non-official members of the commission.

        According to an official spokesman any person can either forward his name or recommend any other person’s name, who besides this fulfils the constitutional eligibility and age criteria for these constitutional posts. He said that while preparing the panel of such persons it would be specifically elicited from the candidates about the pendency of any court litigation, civil or criminal, conviction or otherwise in criminal court or civil court decree or any other proceedings that may have bearing on the integrity and character of the candidate.

        The spokesman said that to widen the scope for search from all quarters, this press note has been issued for the information of general public so that eminent persons of impeccable integrity, caliber and administrative experience could be considered for appointment.

        The spokesman said that the names with the biodata and complete details could be sent to the committees for consideration that should reach Secretary Personnel, Government of Punjab, Room No 6, 6th Floor, Punjab Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh latest by 23 December, 2011.

        It may be added that these committees were constituted in view of directions and procedure laid down by Hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High Court, dated 17, August 2011 passed in CWP 11846 of 2001 as well as directions and guidelines laid down by Hon’ble Supreme Court in case titled Centre for PIL versus Union of India (2011) 4 SCC1 and decided that Committees would consider all names that come to its notice or are forwarded by any person(s) or sent by aspirants himself. The Committees would prepare panel of suitable candidates equal to three times of number of vacancies.

        The spokesman said that the Punjab Chief Minister had constituted a committee including Mr. S.C. Aggarwal, Chief Secretary, Mr. D.S. Bains, Principal Secretary Home and Lt. Gen B.S. Dhaliwal (Retd), Technical Advisor to CM was constituted for selection of candidates as members of PPSC.

        It may be added that PPSC has authorized streangth of ten of which eight posts or already filled up. As per conistitutional provisions as nearly as may be, half the posts are to be filled up from official candidates. Of the eight serving members, four are official and four are non –official and thus out of two vacancies one have to be filled from official and one from non-official.
        The Punjab Government has circulated the communiqué to all department of state government, universities of state, to Director General Resettlement, Army Headquarters and also to Rajya Sainik Board besides uploading the communiqué on the websites of Punjab Government and PPSC.
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Textile Park gets a mega beginning
SUKHBIR LAYS THE FOUNDATION STONE OF RS. 1500 CRORE SELS   GREENFIELD MEGA INTEGRATED TEXTILE PARK

• ONE LAKH YOUTH, MOSTLY WOMEN TO GET EMPLOYMENT IN TEXTILE SECTOR

Chandigarh December 16:the Textile park envisioned by SAD BJP Government today got the mega beginning as Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today laid the foundation stone of Rs. 1500 crore SEL Group’s Greenfield Mega Integrated Textile Park, putting the Punjab State in an higher orbit of development. 

Speaking after laying the foundation stone and Bhoomi Pujan of the project, Mr. Badal said that Congress Government neglected the Malwa area and as they failed to provide value addition to Cotton farmers besides adding any fresh spindle capacity in the area. He said that Punjab Government came out with the new textile policy to setup a textile park in the Malwa area to invite multinational companies to invest in setting up their units. He said that once all units in textile park get operationalized, the textile park in Malwa would provide employment to one lakh youth, mostly girls. He said that textile was the most labour intensive industry and with small capital it can generate massive avenues for employment.
Mr. Badal said that with the growing world trade in textiles and clothing, India and Malwa area of Punjab have immense opportunities as it has presence in complete textile value chain and also advantages on account of availability of low cost skilled manpower, increasing cotton production and fast growing synthetic fibre industry. He said that he planned for textile park in Malwa area as China, India and Pakistan account for major part of the world fiber consumption. Mr. Badal said that over the years, the size of spinning mills is increasing all over the country but Punjab lagged behind. He said that we should understand that greater investment and FDI opportunities were available in the textile sector which   is bound to increase the competitiveness of the Indian textile sector especially against major competitors like China. The Deputy Chief Minister said that though China has been ahead of India in the textile exports, yet this is indicative that India has ample opportunities for future growth and keeping this in view the State Government envisioned this textile park.
Speaking about the textile industry scenario Mr. Badal said that  on the domestic front, there is an ever increasing domestic demand because of growing population and increasing income levels. He said that India is also emerging as a preferred sourcing destination for consumers across the world. Mr. Badal said that it was matter of great satisfaction that the textile Industry’s committed efforts to harness its fundamental strengths was visible from the growing investments, leading to capacity augmentation with ultra modern technologies. He hoped that SEL with its expansion initiatives would not only catalyze industrial activity in Punjab but also contribute to India’s standing in the textile sector of the world.
 The state-of-the-art Greenfield Mega Integrated Textile Park being set-up by SEL Textiles Limited at Village Panjava, Tehsil Malout in District Muktsar at an investment of about Rs. 1500 crore. Through the said scheme, the Government seeks greenfield investments in textile sector with the objective of setting up world class infrastructure for the textile industry.
SEL is setting up the project with the state-of-the-art technology having capacities of 188,160 spindles in ring spinning, 40 million metres per annum in denim fabric and 8 million pieces of denim garments per annum. The estimated outlay for the project is nearly Rs. 1500 crore. The project is targeted to be operational in the next fiscal year. The flagship company of SEL group viz. SEL Manufacturing Company Limited had earlier commissioned the first phase of its 4 lac. spindlage plant at Village Mehatwara in District Sehore of Madhya Pradesh in a record time and established a new bench mark in project implementation.
 The major raw material for the project i.e. cotton shall be procured mainly from the northern belt consisting of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, hence creating value-addition for the textile sector in the region. The textile park will generate direct employment opportunities for 8,000-10,000 people and indirect employment opportunities for over 40,000 people. The project will also contribute significantly to the State Exchequer
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REVOLUTIONARY STEPS TAKEN BY SAD-BJP GOVERNMENT FOR THE WELFARE OF DEFENCE PERSONNEL AND EX- SERVICEMEN 
CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 16:

            The Punjab government has taken path breaking initiatives to ensure the overall welfare of the serving defence personnel and ex-servicemen in recognition of their outstanding services to protect nation’s integrity by safeguarding its borders from external aggression.

            Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the department of Defence Welfare has implemented several decisions on the direction of the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal for the well being of the defence personnel and Ex-servicemen.
The state government has decided to grant the benefit of service rendered by the short service commissioned officers in armed forces at the time of entry into government service on the pattern of the benefit already extended to the ex-servicemen, which will benefit hundreds of families.  The Dharmi Fauji who were affected by terrorism, their Monthly Grant (MMG) has been doubled from Rs.2500/- to 5000/-. At present this benefit was being taken by 118 Dharmi Fauji.
The spokesman further mentioned that the budget for monthly annuity to the Gallantry Awardees’, such as Paramvir Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra and other Gallantry Awardees, was earlier enhanced by 40% and now the Cabinet has in its recent meeting further increased it by 10%. At present 1849 beneficiaries were getting this benefit. Strenuous efforts were afoot for the exemption of the toll tax for Ex-Servicemen. It may be recalled that the Defence Services Welfare Minister Punjab Captain Balbir Singh Bath had already approached the Union Road and Transport Minister Dr. CP Joshi and Union Defence Minister Mr AK Antony, in this regard.
In another significant decision, the Defence Services Welfare Department had amended its Departmental Rules by which the condition for retirement age of regular officers of the Department, which was earlier 10 years or on the completion of 58 years of age, whichever is earlier, has now been abolished and the superannuation would be on the completion of 58 years of age.
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RTE TO FOCUS ON BRINING ‘SPECIAL CHILDREN’ IN MAINSTREAM EDUCATION
·       Punjab enrolls 99853 special children for inclusive education
·       Workshop to train teachers for special children begins in Chandigarh

Chandigarh, December 16: The Right to Education is laying a special focus on bringing Children with special needs in the mainstream education and Punjab has already taken the lead by enrolling such 99853 students for inclusive education.
In a regional workshop held here to train the teachers Mr. Husan Lal Secretary School Education said that the Punjab Government was fully committed to provide inclusive education to children with special needs (CWSN) in the general school set-up, provided their condition allows them to attend a general school and the remaining CWSN were being covered through alternative models such as EGS/AIE, Resource Rooms, Home-based Education etc., as per the child's specific requirements available under SSA and as envisaged under Right to Education 2009. He informed that a total number of 125828 children with special needs have been identified, out of which 99853 children have been enrolled in mainstream schools where they were being provided remedial teaching as per need to retain them in the school system, 10716 were being provided resource support through teaching in Resource Rooms set-up in the general schools and 8676 children with severe and profound forms of disabilities were being covered under the Home Based Education program. Thus, a total of 119245 CWSN have been covered under various interventions till date, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. B.Purushartha, Director General School Education emphasised the need to bring attitudinal change towards children with special needs so that they never feel neglected besides encouraging them to take the challenges of life. He said that attitudinal barriers were being removed with the help of awareness generation programs, inclusive sports and cultural programs & by conducting teacher training seminars. He informed that to provide appropriate educational services to children with special needs in the most suitable environment in neighbourhood schools, the focus has been on strengthening the general school system to address and meet the diverse needs of CWSN in an inclusive set-up and this was being achieved through increased emphasis on infrastructure & manpower development, improvement in access by removing physical barriers, awareness generation to remove attitudinal barriers, and provision of adequate support services to the CWSN.

He said that the RTE Act 2009 entitles all children in the 6-14 years age group to a right to free and compulsory elementary education in a neighbourhood school. Children with special needs also would have to be enrolled and retained in neighbourhood schools. The key objective of RTE & SSA was Universalization of Elementary Education (UEE). Three important aspects of UEE are access, enrolment and retention of all children in the 6-14 years age group.
On this occasion, Dr. Anupriya Chadha, Chief Consultant, Inclusive Education and Ms. Sushma Sharma, Deputy State Project Director briefly outlined the purpose of this regional workshop. Ms. Salony Kaur informed that this workshop was being attended by representatives of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab , Haryana and Chandgarh.

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JATINDER SINGH PANNU AND KULDIP SINGH APPOINTED AS NON OFFICIAL DIRECTORS OF PUNGRAIN
 
Chandigarh, December 16: The Punjab Government today appointed Mr. Jatinder Singh Pannu and Mr. Kuldip Singh as a non- official Directors on the Board of Punjab State Grain Procurement  Corporation Limited.
          A spokesman of the Punjab Government today said that the terms and conditions of these appointments shall be determined by the government separately.

caption- photo of s. Jatinder singh pannu