UPJIT SINGH SACHDEVA AWARDED Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award

JAN 10, 2011

President of India Mrs Pratibha Devi Patil conferred Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to Jalandhar born Punjabi Non Resident Indian SARDAR UPJIT SINGH SACHDEVA for his outstanding contributions in Philanthropic and charitable work and Building closer links between India and overseas indian .

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The awards were presented by President Dr. Pratibha Patil on the concluding day of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.at vigyan bhawan new delhi last evening .He is the founder president of Indian Chamber of Commerce in Africa and he was pioneer in providing safety , protection and safe passage to millions of indian during civil unrest in africa in the year
1996-2003 and provide financial assistance to the displaced and distressed families to enable them to move from disturbed areas

.He is associated with various social , cultural and charitable organisations .He is chairman of Guru dwara sahib , coconut plantation Monrovia, Liberia .He also remained interim president of association of indian communities in liberia and president sachdeva bros INC california USA .

He is member of board of trustee of university of Liberia and is first Indian to ever to serve this prestigious state owned institutions of higher learning and is appointed by President of Liberia H.E .Ellen.Johnson Sirleaf.He also remained as President of Association of Indian Community in Liberia and president Liberia Woods Services corporation

He is associated with various charitable and social organisations and was awarded best philanthropist of the year award by fedration of liberia muslim scholars on 15 th march 2010.he has been honored for outstanding contribution to the township of gardnersville ,humantarian award by ministry of internal affairs Monrovia, Liberia in 2000.He was awarded with Excellence 2000 award from Charity International in Monrovia in recognisation to his assiduous efforts in promotion of Indo -Liberal relations as well as great philanthropist gestures in the year 2000.He is chairman of proposed Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Monrovia who is to built on international standard . He is a successful business and is chairman of Jeety Trading Corporations and has been declared as best business man of the year for several times for his contributions to the growth of the trade and commerce of the country Jalandhar born Punjabi Non Resident Indian SARDAR UPJIT SINGH SACHDEVA is alias Jeety is Honorary Counsel General of India in Monrovia in Liberia .
He was born in april 24,1966 in Jalandhar city in Punjab and was educated in M.G.N.Public School , Jalandhar .He passed his higher secondary examinations from khalsa higher secondary school , jalandhar and was graduated from guru nanak dev university in 1987

PUNJAB CM GREETS PEOPLE ON THE EVE OF PARKASH UTSAV OF SRI GURU GOBIND SINGH JI

CHANDIGARH JANUARY 10:

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today extended his warm greetings to the Punjabis across the globe on the Pakash Utsav of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji and called upon them to follow the noble teachings of great spiritual ambassador.

In a message on the eve of Parkash Utsav of Guru Gobind Singh ji – the great saint soldier, the Chief Minister said that Guru ji preached and practiced the gospels of love, oneness of mankind and universal brotherhood throughout his life. Mr. Badal said that the creation of Khalsa by great Guru in 1699 had a universal significance by which he raised a unifying vanguard force in the world ever ready to make supreme sacrifices for achieving the goals of justice, equality, social good and protection of fundamental rights of humanity.

Mr. Badal appealed the people to strive hard for carving out an ideal and harmonious society by following the precious legacy of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji and celebrate this auspicious occasion collectively rising above the petty considerations of caste, color, creed and religion.

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SUKHBIR GREETS PEOPLE ON THE EVE OF PARKASH UTSAV OF SRI GURU GOBIND SINGH JI

CHANDIGARH JANUARY 10: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today greeted all the Punjabis living in India and abroad on the eve of birthday of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji- the tenth Guru of the Sikhs.

In a message, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal said that by creating Khalsa Panth in 1699, the great Guru gave the Sikhs, a separate identity. Guru Gobind Singh Ji infused the spirit of both sainthood and soldier in the minds and hearts of his followers to fight oppression in order to restore justice, peace, righteousness (Dharma) and to uplift the down-trodden people in this world, he added.
Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal exhorted the people to follow the teachings of compassion, oneness of mankind and universal brotherhood as preached and practiced by the Great Guru.
He appealed the people to celebrate this sacred occasion unitedly besides renewing their resolve to carve a casteless and harmonious society as preached by Guru Ji.
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CS WARNS MISUSE OF NAME AND LOGO OF NHRC BY INDIVIDUAL/NGO

Chandigarh January 10:
Mr. S.C.Agrawal, Chief Secretary Punjab, in a statement issued here today said that no individual, NGO/ Organization is authorized to act on behalf of the National Human Rights Commission and the Commission does not have any provision for either registration or affiliation of the individuals or NGOs as such. The individuals/NGOs/organizations misusing the name and logo of the NHRC would be liable to legal action, under the Prevention of Improper Use Act, 1950, said Mr. Agrawal.

Taking cognizance of the cases where the name and logo of the NHRC has been misused with an intension of misleading the public, Mr. Agrawal said that the state government has directed the Registrar of Societies in the sate not to register any organization having similar name/logo as NHRC, India. All the Deputy Commissioners, Senior superintendents of Police have also been directed to take immediate action against such individuals, NGOs, and Organizations found misusing the name and logo of NHRC. He has also asked them to ensure the strict compliance of the government directive.
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GURDWARA ELECTION COMMISSION INVITES PARTIES FOR REGISTRATION FOR SGPC ELECTIONS
Chandigarh January 10:-

Gurdwara Election Commission, Govt. of India, Proposes to registrar parties intending to set up candidates for the forthcoming election of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of Gurdwara Election Commission said that the interested parties were therefore requested to intimate their names and address and other particulars including the particulars of their office bearers and also choice of three symbols in order of preference to the Secretary Gurdwara Election Commission, Kothi No. 23, Sector-8A, Chandigarh. List of symbols could be obtained from the office of the Gurdwara Election Commission, Chandigarh.

The application should be accompanied by a memorandum or Rules and Regulation of the Association or the party by whatever name called, the spokesman added.
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SUKHBIR GREETS PEOPLE ON THE EVE OF PARKASH UTSAV OF SRI GURU GOBIND SINGH JI
CHANDIGARH JANUARY 10:

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today greeted all the Punjabis living in India and abroad on the eve of birthday of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji- the tenth Guru of the Sikhs.

In a message, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal said that by creating Khalsa Panth in 1699, the great Guru gave the Sikhs, a separate identity. Guru Gobind Singh Ji infused the spirit of both sainthood and soldier in the minds and hearts of his followers to fight oppression in order to restore justice, peace, righteousness (Dharma) and to uplift the down-trodden people in this world, he added.

Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal exhorted the people to follow the teachings of compassion, oneness of mankind and universal brotherhood as preached and practiced by the Great Guru.
He appealed the people to celebrate this sacred occasion unitedly besides renewing their resolve to carve a casteless and harmonious society as preached by Guru Ji.
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SUKHBIR PRESENTS PUNJAB AS LAND OF OPPORTUNITIES
Urges NRIs to invest in Health and Education sectors

New Delhi, January 9:
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal today outlined the SAD-BLP government’s agenda for a global Punjab, making it land of opportunities for Indians all over the world.
Addressing a session of Pravasi Bhartiya Divas held here under the Chairmanship of Mr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission at Vigyan Bhawan, Mr Badal said that path breaking initiatives for providing Punjab with world class infrastructure, opportunities for human resource development and people to government re-orientation were set to turn international focus on State, a global destination.

Mr Badal said that the fifties and the sixties were especially tough periods as the country was still struggling to find its feet as it had emerged from centuries of slavery. At that time, many of our friends and relatives left for foreign lands in search of new opportunities and found America, Canada, UK and Europe as attractive places. He said that at that time they were the land of opportunities but now the things have changed and our own country has becomes, the land of opportunities. He further said that this fact was being acknowledged by even the Western countries that India and China were set to become economic super powers very soon. But here also, We have an advantage as our’s was the youngest nation in the world in terms of average age of its citizens, largest democracy besides large number of English speaking populace outside America and the UK thereby giving us a definite edge over our competitors in the global market. India is also the future world power in terms of human resource, apart from other things..

Giving brief outline of various initiatives of State government aimed at the welfare of NRIs, Mr Badal informed that dedicated police-stations for NRIs have already been established, exclusive and fast track courts have been set up to resolve their disputes besides setting up of a Commission for NRIs headed by a retired judge of the Hon'ble High Court to redress their grievances especially related to property matters and other legal disputes was under process.

Mr Badal said that Punjab has one of the densest per capita presences of NRIs in the country and the areas, like the Doaba, can actually be described as the NRI belt of the country. The contribution of the NRI fraternity to the prosperity of the state was immense as their villages carries the stamp of their contribution as the State government had already launched a scheme in which if an NRI contributes 25% for a development project at his native place, the Government made the remaining 75% share.
Mr Badal said that to check the any kind of harassment of common peoples as well as of NRIs, the State has set in motion the process of drastically reforming the system through a massive exercise known as Governance reforms. This will not only speed up the delivery systems in the state but would also considerably reduce the harassment that the common man has to face in government offices for getting routine things done, like securing driving licences, getting complaints registered in police stations and securing routine revenue documents like the copies of the FIRs, the fards or birth and death certificates. Besides this, the State has done away with the unnecessary but cumbersome practice of filing affidavits attestations by gazetted officers in many spheres.

Mr Badal informed that the State has taken major steps to make our state Power surplus and like the developed countries power cuts would become a thing of the past in Punjab in the next couple of years. For a state to progress, it needs power, and equally importantly, it needs connectivity, domestic as well as global.

Extending an invitation to NRIs to visit their state to see how things are changing there, Mr. Badal said that it had put in place a network of fly-overs and over-bridges and under-bridges to remove all major traffic bottlenecks. All major roads have been widened and most of them are being four-laned or six laned.
Mr Badal said that our State was a land locked state and to fight this natural disadvantage, we thought of providing excellent air connectivity to the rest of the world. Punjab will soon become the first state in the country to have three international airports. International fights from Mohali airport will begin shortly, may be by April, he added

He further said that the state was laying special emphasis on education and health services. Major steps have been taken to streamline the education system. Apart from upgrading the school education structure, Punjab has added four new universities and for world class professional education, it had secured the ISB and IIT for our state.

He informed that Punjab has declared hospitality sector as an industry as it has a tremendous potential for tourism and invited NRIs to be a part of that process. He said that the novel initiative of Adarsh Schools provides a window of opportunity for NIRs to invest in education sector that besides providing them satisfaction of giving free education to the needy poors of their own areas besides making it a commercially profitable venture also. He also invited them to join in promoting education ad health facilities in the state as these sectors have huge promise for private investors.

Mr. Vylar Ravi Union Minister for overseas Indian Affairs, Mr. Narendra Modi Chief Minister Gujarat, Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda Chief Minister Haryana, Mr. Digambar Kamat Chief Minister Goa and Mr. Sushil Modi Deputy Chief Minister Bihar also spoke on the occasion.
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SANGAT DARSHAN PROGRAMS IN BHADAUR ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCY

PUNJAB C M UNVEILS REVOLUTIONARY PROGRAMS FOR BOOSTING DEVELOPMENT OF STATE

Chandigarh, 8 January:
Punjab Chief Minister, Sardar Parkash Singh Badal while addressing largely attended Sangat Darshan Programs at Tapa and Bhadaur Assembly constituency at Barnala, said that as part of major initiative of constructing 8 District Administrative Complexes at a cost of Rs. 240 crores during current year, the work on Barnala District Administrative Complex at a cost of Rs. 25 crores will commence on January 26 this year and will be completed under time bound schedule. He said that development of Barnala District is on priority agenda of the Government with various new projects coming up including Rs. 100 crore Institute of Food Technology at Sanghera, sewerage and water supply in Tapa and Bhadaur at a cost of Rs. 27 crore, Rs. 12-crore University College Dhilwan, Rs. 7.40 crore Navodya Vidyalaya at Dhilwan. He futher said that Community Health Centres at Tapa and Mehal Kalan would be constructed at a cost of Rs. 8.50 crore and Rs. 4.50 crore respectively, besides ROB near S.D. College Barnala costing Rs. 17 crore. He said that a Krishi Vigyaan Kendra is also being setup in Barnala District on 25 acre area for giving fillip to agriculture and allied fields.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab Government has given top priority to provide water supply, sewerage and road network in the State, besides upgrading Civic amenities in rural and urban areas. He said that Rs. 2 crore has been earmarked for each assembly constituency for rural toilets. He asked the Deputy Commissioner Barnala to identify the places under this programs and a sum of Rs. 2.77 crore has been sanctioned for this purpose. He said that all roads in the municipal towns are beings remodelled under which Rs. 20 crore has been earmarked for Corporation cities, Rs. 10 crore for A class and Rs. 5 crore for B class and Rs. 3 crore for C class municipal towns. He said that all canals and drains are being cleaned through out the state.

Sardar Badal said that Sangat Darshan Programs aims to bridge the communication gap between people and the Administration and to redress the day -to- day problems and grievances of the common man on the spot. He said that 80% issues presented by the people in each such programs are sorted out and the remaining are pursued by the concerned departments and solved under time bound programs.
On the occasion, Mr. Badal released a grant of over Rs. 5 crore for the execution of various development works out of Rural Development Fund on the construction and repair of roads, street lighting, sewerage, drinking water and construction of drains in over 70 villages of the Bhadaur constituency. Besides this Rs. 6.35 crore has been spent in the last two years in this constituency under these programs.

Lashing at the previous congress government for completely ignoring the development and the growth of the state, Mr. Badal said that Congress which had ruled in the state for almost 30 years did nothing tangible as compared to our present regime of just four years, in which we had made remarkable progress in every field be it agriculture, infrastructure, civil aviation, power, education and health care. He accused the Congress party for the economic backwardness of the state especially due to its divisive and vote bank politics.

Sardar Badal further said that social sector including education, health and employment generation are the priority areas of the Government and major initiative to revamp the hospital buildings in the state has been undertaken at a cost of Rs. 346 crore. He said that on power front, ambitious programs for adding 10000 MW generation capacity has been initiated.

Ridiculing the congress government for delaying the major Bathinda Refinery project, the Chief Minister said that it was a deliberate attempt to shatter the economy of the State. He said that his government has undertaken huge effort to complete this Rs. 19000 crore project which will help in rejuvenating the Punjab’s economy besides generating employment opportunities to thousands of people.

S. Darbara Singh Guru Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and other senior officers of the District Administration were present in the Sangat Darshan Programs.
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Fajjupur Cracker Factory Fire Incident- Sukhbir orders enquiry by IG( Border Zone)

Chandigarh, January 8:

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today asked DGP Mr. P.S. Gill to order an enquiry by IG(Border Zone) into the cracker factory fire incident in village Fajjupur of district Gurdaspur that resulted in the death of eight persons besides huge property loss.

Expressing deep condolences on this unfortunate loss of life in this tragic fire incident, Mr Badal asked the DGP to direct IG(Border Zone) to submit his report at the earliest so that action could be initiated against the culprits.

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PUNBUS BEGS WINNER AWARD FOR LOWEST ACCIDENTAL RATE IN THE COUNTRY
Chandigarh January 7:-

Punjab State Bus Stand Management Company (PUNBUS) has been selected as Winner for award of Transport Ministers Trophy & Cash award for being the State Transport undertaking with lowest accidental rate in the country. The award comprises of a trophy and cash award of Rs. 1.50 lakh, which was presented by Honb’le Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Sh. Kamal Nath at a function held at Satya Sai auditorium, Lodhi road, today. The Trophy and award was received by Mr. Mandeep Singh, Managing Director, PUNBUS.

Speaking on the occasion, Managing Director PUNBUS Mr. Mandeep Singh said that PUNBUS has been in profit for last five Years and has been taking innovative measures to improve its workings besides providing latest facilities to the travelling passengers. Presently PUNBUS has a fleet of 1149 ordinary, 92 Heat Ventilated and Air Conditioned buses, 10 Integral Coach A.C. Buses and 2 Volvo buses and operates aprox. 1.20 Crores kilometers per month and approx. 6 lakh passengers travel in PUNBUS buses everyday. PUNBUS is offering free travelling and concessional facility to 14 different categories like Freedom Fighters, old women, Disabled persons and Students. Discounted travel Scheme is being offered to regular commuters at 50% fare. PUNBUS is operating and maintaining 19 bus stands in the State under private public partnership and providing modern amenities to the passengers, he added.

He furyher said that PUNBUS has introduced Electronic Ticket Machines in all its depots and has started online reservation for A.C. Buses for various routes. G.P.S system is being installed in all buses of PUNBUS with Passenger information system at bus stands. PUNBUS has entered into an agreement with Delhi International Airport Ltd. and has started operating Volvo bus service from Delhi International Airport to Jalandhar city. 10 More Volvo buses are being put on various routes shortly.
A campaign for training of Drivers was launched by PUNBUS about three years ago in which exhaustive training was given to drivers as a result of which accident rate has come down drastically . PUNBUS reaffirms its commitment to save precious human lives and will take steps to bring down the number of accidents in the coming years, he added.
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Schedule for RIMC Entrance Test announced

Chandigarh, January 07:
The entrance examination for admission to the Rashtriya Indian Military College ( RIMC ), Dehradun for January 2012 term would be conducted here at Lala Lajpat Rai Bhawan (Sector-15) on 1st & 2nd June, 2011.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Directorate Sainik Welfare, Punjab informed that only boys were eligible to apply for the admission. Candidates appearing for the test should not be born earlier than 2nd January, 1999 and not later than 1st July, 2000 . They should either be studying in Class VII or passed Class VII from any recognized school at the time of admission to the RIMC. Selected candidates will be given admission in Class-VIII. The written part of the examination would consist of three papers namely, English, Mathematics & General Knowledge. Mamimum pass marks in each paper including interview will be 50 percent and the viva-voce test would be held for only those candidates who qualify in the written exam and the date for the viva voce test has been fixed as on 6 October, 2011 (Thursday).

He informed that the copies of application forms, prospectus and set of old question papers could be obtained from the Commandant, RIMC, Dehradun on payment of Rs.250/- through demand draft in favour of Commandant, RIMC, Dehradun payable at SBI Tel Bhavan (Code No. 01576) Dehradun. Applications in duplicate in prescribed form should be accompanied by a bank draft for Rs.50/-(Rs.5/- in case of Scheduled Caste and scheduled tribe) in favour of Commandant, RIMC, Dehradun payable at SBI Tel Bhavan (Code No.01576) Dehradun alongwith three passport size photographs of the candidate. Besides this, the candidate should furnish a certificate of age in duplicate from municipal birth register.

He further said that the applications in duplicate duly completed must reach here at Directorate Sainik Welfare, Punjab before 31st March, 2011. Application received after 31-3-2011 will not be entertained.

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SAP OF SUGARCANE FIXED AT RS.230 PER QUINTAL FOR 2011-12

CHANDIGARH JANUARY 06:

The Punjab Government today fixed the State Agreed Price (SAP) of advanced, medium and late variety of Sugarcane at Rs.230, Rs.225 and Rs.220 per quintal for the crushing season of 2011-12.
A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of Sugarcane Control Board chaired by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here at Chief Minister’s residence this evening.
It may be recalled that the state government had already fixed the SAP of advanced, medium and late variety of Sugarcane at Rs.200, Rs.195 and Rs.190 per quintal for the crushing season of 2010-11.
In another significant decision, the Chief Minister also asked the private sugar mill owners to shun the mal practice of poaching sugarcane outside their reserved areas allotted to them. It was also approved unanimously in the meeting to impose a penalty of Rs.10000 per trolley on the mill owners for purchasing sugarcane outside their reserved area in order to discourage the practice of poaching. Mr. Badal also impressed upon them to act morally to ensure a level playing field to all the sugar mills in the state including the cooperative ones by adhering to the prescribed norms of the procurement of sugarcane.

The Chief Minister also agreed in principle to allow a subsidy of 25% on the purchase of cane harvesters out of Rashtri Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) to three cooperative and six private sugar mills. Initially, Mr. Badal allowed the mill owners to purchase one such cane harvester on the experimental basis, and subsequently they could go for two such harvesters in view of its success rate.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal, Chief Secretary Mr. SC Agrawal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Principal Secretary Cooperation Mr. Suresh Kumar, Financial Commissioner Development Mr. NS Kang, Principal Secretary Finance Mr. KBS Sidhu, Registrar Cooperatives Mr. Kirandeep Singh Bhullar, Chairman Sugarfed Mr. Sukhbir Singh, Director Agriculture Mr.BS Sidhu, M.D. Sugarfed Mr. NK Wadhawn, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, Cane Commissioner Dr. Mangal Singh Sonar besides MD and Director Wahid & Sangar Sugar Mills, Phagwara Mr. Jarnail Singh Wahid and Mr. Sandeep Singh Wahid, MD Indian Sucrose Limited Mukerian Mr. Deepak Yadav and Director Rana Sugar Mills Mr. Ranavir Singh and all members of the Board.

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CM CONSTITUTES CABINET SUB COMMITTEE FOR CREATION OF NEW DISTRICTS AND NEW SUB DIVISIONS

Chandigarh January 6:

To find an appropriate solution to the demand from different quarters for creation of new Districts and new Sub Divisions in the State of Punjab, Punjab Chief Minister Mr.Parkash Singh Badal has constituted a Cabinet Sub Committee including S.Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab and Mr.Manoranjan Kalia, Minister of Industries and Local Government as its members.

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EMINENT US SCIENTIST & ACADEMICIAN BHATACHARIYA KEEN TO REPLICATE HIS NOVEL EXPERIENCES IN QUALITY EDUCATION IN PUNJAB

CHANDIGARH JANUARY 06:

Strongly advocating the need for focused attention on empowerment of poor and downtrodden through the tool of quality education, Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today unveiled his proposals aiming at transforming the state education system by integrating scientific and technology-oriented programmes in its curriculum and expanding their reach to vulnerable sections of society.
In a specially convened meeting of eminent educationists of the state to provide a forum for sharing perception of Dr. Sat Bhatachariya President of Harlem Children Society and a Monocular Genetics and Cancer Research Scientist here today, Mr. Badal said that providing quality education in different streams to the under resourced people in the state was the need of the hour and to create an academic environment to enable them to move forward with faith and confidence. He emphasized that their all round development and growth must be an essential component of our planning and activity processes for giving them opportunities to be equal partners in the social change. He said that Punjab government has already laid special emphasis on self employment avenues and skilled training programme for them in different trades and extending them financial help for setting their own business ventures.

Dr. Sat Bhatachariya, while sharing his experiences and perceptions of his novel programme with the educationists said that he had launched the initiative STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) in US for preparing and retaining under resourced and under served urban and rural youth in their career for creating a workforce for meeting the requirements of 21st century. He said that he had started with only three high schools interns in his lab in 2000 which swelled into 330 young scholars in 2009. His national program in United States serves 400 students from 150 schools with 150 mentors at 150 institutions. His society's main aim is to provide a model of education that opens the world of science and technology to low income and under privileged students.

Lauding the initiative of the Dr. Bhatachariya, the Chief Minister urged him to extend his partnership with Punjab and to open a branch of his society in our state to give new impetus to the education system by introducing new practices prevalent at global level. He also requested him to visit eminent educational institutions in Patiala, Amritsar, Mohali and Malwa belt to interact with the teachers and students to avail his innovative educational strategies.

Dr. Bhatachariya appreciated the keen interest shown by the chief minister and offered all kind of help and assistance in improving the education system in Punjab by sending his professional trainers from US to education institutions in Punjab. He said that it will be a great opportunity for him to serve the land of Punjab where he and his parents have their old memories of service in different fields.

Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Member Rajya Sabha Mr. Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Media Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Harcharan Bains, Chief Secretary Mr. SC Agrawal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Principal Secretary Higher Education Mr. MS Sandhu, Principal Secretary Education Mr. C. Roul, Principal Secretary Technical Education Mr. Suresh Kumar, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, DPI of Schools and Colleges, besides Pincipals of various colleges and academicians of different universities.
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BADAL APPROVES TO APPOINT MAJ. GENERAL (RETD.) JS GHUMAN AS DIRECTOR OF SRI DASMESH ACADEMY, ANANDPUR SAHIB

CHANDIGARH JANUARY 6:

In a bid to restore the glory of Sri Dasmesh Academy, Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today approved to appoint Maj. General (Retd.) JS Ghuman, as Director of Sri Dasmesh Academy, Anandpur Sahib.

A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of Sri Dasmesh Academy Trust held under the Chairmanship of Mr. Badal here at his residence this morning.

Reiterating his firm commitment to revamp the infrastructure as well as creating an academic atmosphere of high standards in this prestigious Academy to emerge it as one of the leading educational institutions of the country, Mr. Badal said that PWD(B&R) department had already started working to rejuvenate the Academy to make it as an institution of excellence at par with renowned educational institutions not only in the country but across the globe also.

Mr. Badal also asked the management to create world class sports infrastructure in various disciplines to provide excellent sports facilities for the students.

It may be recall here that Mr. Ghuman has served as Additional Director General Army Education & Colonel Commandant of the Army Educational Corps, Chairman, Board of Governors AEC Training College & Centre, Pachmarhi, Vice Chairman Board of Governors - Autonomous College of BU University Bhopal, Member Secretary Board of Governors Military Schools New Delhi and Principal Advisor on educational matters to the Chief of Army staff, New Delhi.

Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Principal Secretary Higher Education Mr. MS Sandhu, Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, Vice-Chancellor of Guru Granth Sahib World University Fatehgarh Sahib Dr. Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia, Air Marshal (Retd.) MM Singh, Mrs. Satwinder Kaur Dhaliwal (all Trusties), Principal of Sri Dasmesh Academy Mr. AK Sharma besides Additional Advocate General Mr. Rupinder Singh Khosla.

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PUNJAB PUBLISHES PHOTO ELECTORAL ROLLS OF ALL VIDHAN SABHA CONSTITUENCIES-CEO

CHANDIGARH, JANUARY 6:

According to the new jurisdiction of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Constituencies and qualifying age based on January 01, 2011, Election Department Punjab has completed the revision work of photo electoral rolls of all vidhan sabha constituencies of the state and concerned Electoral Registration Officers has published the final lists.

Stating this here today Chief Electoral Officer Punjab Ms. Kusumjit Sidhu said that as per the revised lists there were total 16712752 voters in Punjab and out of them 16420256 voters have their photos on the photo voter lists which were about 98.25%. She informed that out of 16712752 voters, 8794054 were male and 7918698 were female voters. Number of Voters in the age group of 18-19 year have been increased from 34388 to 167179, she added.

Ms Sidhu said that every eligible voter of 18 years age should be registered in the voter list. She appealed the general public and political parties to cooperate the concerned Electoral Registration Officers for the completion of this work. She said that if any voter above the age of 18 year could not get register his/her name in the voter list, may submit form no.6 to the concerned Electoral Registration Officers for registration. For more details concerned District Electoral Registration Officer, Electoral Registration Officers, Assistant Electoral Registration Officers, Electoral Tehsildar or Booth Level Officer may be contacted, she added.
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(PUNSUP) has procured 23 lac metric tonne wheat and 30.20 lac metric tonne paddy for central pool

CHANDIGARH, JANUARY 6:

Punjab State Civil Supplies Corporation Limited (PUNSUP) has procured 23 lac metric tonne wheat and 30.20 lac metric tonne paddy for central pool under minimum support price (MSP) scheme during the financial year 2010-11.

Disclosing this here today Mr. Ajaypal Singh Mirankot Chairman, PUNSUP said that being a nodal agency for Public Distribution System (PDS) in the State of Punjab, the main purpose of the PUNSUP was to uplift the farming community on one hand by procuring their produce under MSP and on the other hand to provide essential commodities to the weaker section of the society under PDS.
He further informed that under "Atta-Dal Scheme" of the State Government, PUNSUP was distributing of Wheat @ Rs.4/- per kg. and pulses @ Rs.20/- per kg. to 14.92 lac blue card holders. For providing daily use commodities, it has a chain of eight numbers of Apna Bazars/Show Rooms in the State of Punjab, besides running LPG sales outlets stationed at eight places.

He also informed that PUNSUP had been distributing wheat and sugar amongst families having Below Power Line (BPL) & Aantodiya Ann Yojna (AAY) card through about 14280 Fair Price Shops scattered throughout the State of Punjab.
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Punjab approves Rs. 245 crore for widening and strengthening of state Road – Dhindsa

Chandigarh, January 6:

Mr Parminder Singh Dhindsa PWD minister Punjab stated here today that Rs 245 Crore has been approved under the Central Road Fund for the strengthening and widening of Roads during 2010-11

The Minister further said that Rs 42 Crore has sanctioned for the Four laneing of Badal, Ghudda, Kheowali Roads & 19 Crore for the widening and strengthening of National Highway 64 to Sulargharat via Balwarh Kalan, Gharachon and Akbarpur, Rs. 20 crore for Barnala, Mansa sirsa Road Rs. 11.6 crore for NH 64 to SH- 11 via Balian Dehkalan Bhadur Singh wala Road, Rs. 14 crore for the Garhshankar, Anandpur Sahib Road Rs. 45 crore for Phagwara Hoshiarpur Road, Rs 9 Crore for Malsia to Lohia Road. Rs. 25 crore for the strengthening of Moga Harike Road and Rs. 60 crore was sanctioned for the construction of high level bridge alongwith approaches on both sides over sutlej River crossing KotBudha Mallanwla Sabbraon Road between Ferozpur and Tarn Taran district.
The Minister instructed the concerned officers to submit the documents with detail Project Report (DPR's) with-in-two week so that work can be started at earliest.