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Punjab News: 2011

 

EMPOWERED COMMITTEE ON MEGA PROJECTS APPROVES WORTH RS.6350 CRORE

 POLICY FOR INTEGRATED SUGAR COMPLEX AND TEXTILE PARKS FINALIZED

CHANDIGARH JUNE 22

            The Empowered Committee on mega projects today gave in principle approval to the mega projects worth Rs 6350 crore for the state besides clearing two different policies for developing Integrated Sugar Complexes and Textile Parks in the state.

            A decision to this effect was taken by the empowered committee chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here at Punjab Bhawan this morning.

Disclosing this a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's office said as per the approved policy an Integrated Sugar Complex with minimum Fixed Capital investment of Rs 200 crore having minimum capacity of 3000 TCD, Power generation unit of minimum 15 MW, a Distillery of 30 KL whereas second Distillery, Brewery or Grain-based Ethanol unit would get the incentives admissible to the Mega Projects i.e. stamp duty exemption on purchase of land and exemption from electricity duty up to 5% for five years along with the special incentives for the complexes to be set up in Border districts like 100% exemption from Electricity Duty on export of Power from the Power Generation Unit for a period of 10 year from the date of production, PML quota of 150% (instead of normal quota of 100%) would be given to the Distillery and allocation of villages within the radius of 7.5 KMs as a catchment areas.   A similar package to these complexes outside the border area with the modification that the concessions of electricity duty on export of power would be limited to 50% of the applicable duty whereas other terms and conditions would remain the same, added the spokesperson. 

Policy further stipulated that Sugar Complexes having a sugar mill with minimum capacity of 5000 TCD and Fixed Capital investment of not less then Rs 400 crore to be set up in Border areas would get in addition to the incentives admissible to the Mega projects, which include stamp duty exemption on purchase of land and exemption from electricity duty up to 5% for five years, 100% exemption from electricity duty on export of power from Power generation unit for a period of 10 years from date of production. Likewise, PML quota for distilleries/ bottling plants to the extent of 200% instead of normal quota of 100% would be given. According to the policy guaranteed buy-back of power by PSPCL for five years or wheeling with charges to independent purchasers in case PSPCL price was less than the exchange traded price, in addition to the allocation of villages within radius of 7.5 KMs.

Under the policy a similar package to such complexes outside the border areas has been extended with the modification that the concession of electricity duty on export of power would be limited to 50% of the applicable duty whereas the other terms and conditions would remain the same.

On the strong recommendations of Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal it was also approved by the committee that the policy approved for the border areas would also be extended to the Kandi areas of the state for ensuring industrial development in it.  

            Similarly the high powered committee also approved the policy for development of the textile parks having textile processing units from cotton to garment, set up with minimum fixed capital investment of Rs 250 crore in Districts of Bathinda, Mansa, Faridkot, Ferozepur, Muktsar, Sangrur and Barnala. According to the policy concessions would be provided to the mills after the successful completion of all the phases of setting up of the mill including ginning, spinning, fabric making and garment making. The Committee also gave its nod for granting concessions to the developers of such parks which included 50% exemption from market fee, RDF and ID cess for 5 years or up to 50% of fixed capital investment, allowing 10% of total land acquired by the promoter for commercial use without payment of any CLU, EDC and license fee charges, 100% power at doorstep with facility of power grid at cost of the unit, allowing setting up of their own power plant for self consumption, water at doorstep without department charges of irrigation department subject to availability of water, introduction of courses for skills required by park at nearest industrial training institute and allowing of clubbing of investments in unit setup at multiple locations not more then two on minimum 50 acres. These incentives would be in addition to those admissible under textile policy of state government.

            Meanwhile, the empowered committee also approved the mega projects worth Rs. 6350 crore for the state which included manufacturing industrial units involving an investment of Rs. 5453 crore and agro based industries with an outlay of Rs.897 crore.  The mega projects approved under manufacturing category included M/s Tube Investment of India which proposes to set green field plant to manufacture precision ERW and CDW tubes at village Tepla (Patiala) at cost of Rs. 170 crore, M/s Longowalia Yarns limited which propose to set up unit for manufacturing synthetic and P/C yarn at village Bishanpura (Ludhiana) at cost of Rs. 164.42 crore, M/s Saber Papers limited which proposes to set up New Kraft paper manufacturing unit at village Gonsupur Hambran (Ludhiana) at cost of Rs. 343.59 crore, M/s Om Sons marketing private limited which proposes to set up Distillery  and Brewery unit, 10 MW power plant, Malt spirit plant and cattle feed plant at village Sangat (Bathinda) worth Rs. 125 crore, M/s Ganga Acrowools limited which proposes to set up manufacturing unit of acrylic/ wool yarn/ fancy yarn at villages Kot Sekhon, Asgripur, Raipur and Khanna (Ludhiana) worth Rs. 145 crore, M/s Nector Life Sciences limited which proposes to set up unit for manufacturing of drugs and medicines at village Nimbua (Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar) worth Rs. 530 crore, M/s Trident Corporation limited which proposes to set up installation of units for terry towel and sheeting unit at village Dhaula (Barnala) worth Rs. 2358 crore and M/s Trident limited which proposes to expand its unit of manufacturing TPA of 100% cotton at village Sanghera (Barnala) worth Rs 1117 crore.

Similarly, the empowered committee also approved the project of Piccadily Hotels private limited for constructing Hotel at Ludhiana worth Rs 155 crore, Industrial Park project of M/s Pratham Estates Private Limited at villages Nogiari, Mannakpur Kallar on Banur Road worth Rs 210 crore and Multiplex project of M/s SMT infra Structure on National Highway at Mandi Gobind Garh worth Rs 135 crore.

The mega projects approved under agro based Industry included that of M/s SR Spirits limited which propose to set up of a grain based distillery unit at village Basti Mohar Singh Wali (Ferozepur) at a cost of Rs 107 crore, M/s Ganga Spintex limited to set up spinning mill at village Gagowal (Mansa) worth Rs 38 crore, M/S GC Thread Private Limited to set up cotton yarn manufacturing unit at Samana worth Rs 28.40 crore, M/s International Fresh Farm products to set a Cold Chain facilities at village Chano (Sangrur) worth Rs 29.12 crore, M/s Soma New Towns Private limited to set up an agri-godowns for PUNGRAIN at four different locations in the state worth Rs 170 crore, M/s Soma New Towns Private limited also set up three rice mills with power co-generation facilities at different locations in Punjab at a cost of Rs 145.48 crore, M/s LT Food Limited Gurgoan to set up a Modren Rice Mill with power generation facility at Hoshiarpur at a cost of Rs 53.30 crore, M/S Mansi Bijlee & Rice Mills to be set up a 10 modern Rice mills with power generation at 10 different locations in state at a cost of Rs 485 crore, M/s Shiv Shakti Spintex Limited for setting up of cotton yarn manufacturing unit at Samana worth Rs 30 crore and M/s Gupta Threads limited for setting up of cotton yarn unit at Samana worth Rs 43.60 crore.  

The empowered committee also approved two Housing Mega Projects one of 125 acres with an investment of Rs. 679.40 crore in sector 94-95, Mohali by Janta Land Promoters Ltd. Mohali  and another of Rs. 425 crore project over 205.54 acres by M/s Bajwa Developers Ltd.  

            Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Local Government Minister Mr Tikshan Sud, Finance Minister Dr Upinderjeet Kaur, Food & Civil Supplies Minister Mr Adesh Pratap Singh Kairon, Revenue Minister Mr Ajit Singh Kohar, Agriculture Minister Mr Sucha Singh Langah, Tourism Minister Mr Hira Singh Gabria, Forest Minister Mr Arunesh Shakir, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Inderbir Singh Bolaria, Chief Secretary Mr. SC Agrawal, Financial Commissioner Taxation Mr. SS Brar, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr DS Guru, Financial Commissioner Development Mr. NS Kang, Principal Secretary Cooperation Mr. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary Finance Mr. KBS Sidhu, Principal Secretary Industries Mr. SS Channy, Secretary Science & Technology Mr. Viswajeet Khanna, Secretary PWD (B&R) Mr. SK Sandhu, Secretary Food & Supply Mr. DS Grewal, Secretary Medical Education & Research Ms. Anjali Bhawra, Secretary Local Govt. Mr. SS Rajput, Chairman PPCB Mr. KS Pannu, CA GMADA Mr. Sarbjit Singh and Secretary Industries SS Bains.

CABINET OKAYS DPR FOR LUDHIANA METRO RAIL PROJECT

PUNJAB STATE COMMISSION FOR NRIS TO BE SET UP AT CHANDIGARH

CHANDIGARH JUNE 22:

The Punjab Cabinet today approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Ludhiana Metro Rail Project prepared by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation besides giving nod for the execution of this prestigious project in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) or Build Operate Transfer (BOT) model.

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 to set up the Punjab State Commission for NRIs at Chandigarh to safe guard the interests of the NRIs in the state besides recommending remedial measures to the state government.

The Cabinet also gave approval to amend the Punjab Police Rules, 1934 to enable the department to appoint Sub Inspectors directly up to 50% of vacancies of Sub Inspectors, out of which 3% of posts may be filled by the outstanding sports persons to be recruited as per the department policy. 

The Cabinet also gave nod to keep 3% posts reserved for promotion for the disabled employees on the same pattern as the benefit of 3% reservation was already being given to the eligible incumbents at the time of direct recruitment.

The Cabinet also gave approval to convert the Punjab Tax on Entry of Goods into Local Areas Ordinance 2011 (Punjab ordinance No.5 of 2011) into an Act in the forthcoming session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.  Apart from this the Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval for the allotment of unsold licensing units under Excise Policy 2011-12 after reducing its license fee. 

The Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval to rescind the Notification in pursuance of the provisions of Section 3-A of the Punjab Tax on Entry of Goods into Local Areas Act, 2000 (Punjab Act No.9 of 2000) to abolish entry tax on the imported sugar in the state.  

The Cabinet also gave approval to implement the Resource Description Framework (RDF) document to enhance the capacity building of the officers in order to ensure responsive, accountable and transparent administration to the masses. 

 The Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval to the tripartite agreement entered on November 19, 2010 between the Punjab government, management of two successor companies of erstwhile PSEB namely Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd. (PSPCL), Punjab State Transmission Corporation Ltd. (PSTCL) and all the unions and associations of PSPCL and PSTCL represented by their office bearers.   

The Cabinet also gave approval to create 14 posts of District Judges along with supporting staff for the establishment of 14 Family Courts in addition to already approved two such courts at Amritsar and Ludhiana by the state government.   

The Cabinet also gave go ahead for the recruitment of 110 Judges for the Subordinate Judicial Services during the current financial year.  Question papers for the written test and the evaluation would be conducted by the Punjab & Haryana High Court while the entire exercise from inviting applications for the said post to conduct of interviews and finally the declaration of result would be undertaken by the Punjab Public Services Commission. 

The Cabinet also accorded ex-post facto approval to open private veterinary colleges with the intake capacity of 60 seats subject to the fulfillment of the necessary prescribed conditions laid down by the Veterinary Council of India and Guru Angand Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University.

The Cabinet also approved to amend Punjab State Commission for Scheduled Castes Act, 2004 thereby substituting the clause 3 (2) by ‘not more than four non official members from amongst the members of the scheduled castes, who may be appointed by the government from amongst the persons of ability, integrity and standing, who have served for the welfare and uplift of the scheduled castes, provided that out of the four members one shall be a woman’.

The Cabinet also approved the draft policy for ‘premature release of life convicts’ under article 161 of the Constitution of India and Section 432, 433 and 433-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, 1973.

The Cabinet also approved to recruit 95 personnel on contract basis in the department of disaster management.   Of these 50 young rescue workers would be trained for State Disaster Response Force.  Besides a media manager, 44 GIS and disaster management professionals would be recruited to impart training and building GEO-Spatial databases in disaster statics to be posted in 10 different districts and at headquarters.  

 

A STEP TO CHECK STAGNATION  PUNJAB ENHANCES PROMOTION QUOTA FOR JUNIOR ENGINEERS

  •      25 YEAR OLD DEMAND MET

 CHANDIGARH, JUNE 22: The Punjab government has enhanced the promotion quota for Junior Engineers working in Irrigation, Public Works Department (B&R, PH and Electrical) to the ratio of 50:50, enhancing it from earlier 40:60.

        According to an official spokesman, the Junior Engineers (JEs) have been crying to increase their promotion quota ratio for two and half decades to check stagnation in cadre. He said that after resolving the issue of JEs, the state government has issued notification in this regard. The spokesman said that now besides direct recruitment of 50% posts remaining 50% vacancies would be filled with a fixation of 33% quota for Diploma Holders, 15% for Degree Holders and 2% for Draftsmen.

        He said that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had announced the enhancement in quota ratio to 50:50 on October 24, 2009 during the Centenary function of Council of Junior Engineers of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh at Chandigarh, and this decision was taken in last Cabinet Meeting.

        It is to mention here that during the previous regime of SAD-BJP government of 1997-2002, in the year 2000 the then Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal had increased the quota to the ratio of 40:60 from 35:65. 

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AGE PROOF MADE MANDATORY FOR ENROLMENT OF VOTERS OF AGE BETWEEN 18 TO 21- KUSUMJIT SIDHU

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 22: The Election Commission of India has issued fresh guidelines for the voters to be enrolled who are between the age of 18 and 21 years and said that such voters would have to produce documentary proof of age at the time of enrolment as voter.

          Disclosing this here today Ms. Kusumjit Sidhu, Chief Electoral Officer said that the citizens would have to show birth proof/certificates issued by Municipal Authorities or district office of the Registrar of Births and Deaths or Baptism certificate at the time of enrolment. She said that the voters could also give proof of age by producing birth certificates from the school it may be government or recognized, mark sheet of class 10th, 8th and 5th if contained date of birth. She said that if the applicant was not educated up to class 10th and both the parents were not alive, he/she could submit certificate of his/her age given by Sarpanch of concerned Gram Panchayat, Municipal Councillor and member of Municipal Committee.

          Ms. Sidhu said that a personal declaration by the applicants or by their parents would also be accepted in those cases where applicant was not educated up to class 10th and where parental declaration was submitted as proof of age. In such cases the electors would have to appear personally for verification before the Booth Level Officer and Electoral Registration Officer. She said that no document of proof of age was required in the cases where age of applicant was more than 21. She said that in these cases self  declaration of voter’s age will be taken as proof of age.

She said that for the purpose of residence proof documents including Bank/Kisan/Post Office Current passbooks, Ration Card, Passport, Driving License, Income Tax Return filed or Assessment Order, latest Water, Telephone, Electricity, Gas Connection Bill for that address either in the name of the applicant or that of his/her immediate relation like parents etc and posts received from Postal Department delivered in the name of applicant at the given address would be accepted as Proof.

Mrs. Sidhu said that in case of homeless voters, the BLOs would visit the address given by the voter at night to ascertain that the homeless persons actually slept at the place, which was given as their address. He said that the BLOs were able to verify that the homeless person actually slept at that place and officials must visit for more than one night to verify the presence of voter. He said that for correction of wrong photograph, the applicant may write ‘My Photograph’ in the specific part in application for this purpose and the voter could also fix or attach his/her recent passport size coloured photograph with application.

          She said that applicants attaining age of 18 on the first day of January could include their names by submitting form-6 with his/her full details, which would be verified by the Electoral Registration Officers. She said that the fresh guidelines have been brought to the notice of all concerned officials for strict compliance.

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 SEKHWAN ASSURES TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT FUNDS FOR TEXT BOOK BOARD REVIVAL AND FILLING UP OF VACANT POSTS

Chandigarh, June 22: The Punjab Government has decided to provide sufficient funds besides filling up of vacant posts to strengthen the Punjab State University Text Book Board.

        A decision in this regard was taken here today in the Governing Body meeting of Text Book Board held under the Chairmanship of Punjab Education Minister Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan. It was decided in the meeting that to ensure the publication of quality text books detailed proposals would be sent to the Union as well as State government for allocation of required funds for both publication and administrative purposes.

The Education Minister assured to get sanctioned the filling up of vacant posts. He also directed to arrange suitable accommodation for Text Book Board office as after a Court order, it was shifted to language Department Office in Patiala . The problems being faced by the employees were also discussed in the meeting and the Minister directed the Director to sort out the issues sympathetically.

        The meeting was attended by Mr.Roshan Sankaria, Secretary Higher Education, Mrs. Balbir Kaur, Director, Language Department and Chairperson Text Book Board besides representatives of Vice Chancellors of GNDU, Amritsar and Punjabi University Patiala.

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NEGLIGENCE IN DUTY: EMPLOYEE OF CHATTBIR ZOO SUSPENDED

  • ·         SHOW CAUSE NOTICES TO THREE OFFICERS

 

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 22: The Forest and Wild Life Protection Minister Mr. Arunesh Shakar today issued a show cause notices to three officers of Chattbir Zoo besides suspending a class four employee on the charge of negligence in duty.

 

          According to an official spokesman, the action has been taken after publication of a photograph where some unidentified youth were seen making drink liquid substance mixed with cold drink to Jaguar lodged in Chattbir Zoo. He said that the Minister has designated Gurbaz Singh Chief Wild Life Warden to hold  an enquiry into the issue while Zoo Keeper Dharampal has been suspended. He said that show cause notices have been issued to Range Officer Ravinder Singh, Block Officer Harpal Singh and Wild Life Guard Malkit Singh for negligence in duty.

 He said that police has been working on war footing to identify the accused, who gave cold drink to Jaguar.

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SURPRISE RAIDS IN HEALTH CENTERS

STRICT ACTION ORDERED AGAINST ERRING OFFICIALS

·         TASK FORCES CONDUCTS SURPRISE RAIDS IN 6 DISTRICT CIVIL HOSPITALS

 

Chandigarh, June 22: The Punjab Health Minister Mr. Satpal Gosain today ordered strict action against erring officials charged with dereliction in duty by the surprise raids conducted by task force in various health centers of the state.

The task force of health department conducted surprise raids in Taran Taran, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala, Mansa and Barnala and submitted a report to Health Minister.

He said that during the raids in Mansa a doctor was found absent, baby corner in the labor room was not in place and the record was not up to date for the financial aid provided under ‘JANANI SURAKHIYA YOZNA’.

The Minister said that during the similar raid conducted in civil hospital, Taran tarn it was found that Birth registration was not maintained properly and blood unit centre at CHC Sarhali was not operational. The Minister said that strict action against the erring officials.

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2 TEHSILDARS AND 4 NAIB TEHSILDARS TRASFERRED

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 22:

          Punjab Government has transferred six Tehsildars/Naib Tehsildars in Revenue Department with immediate effect.

          Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Revenue Department said that Mr.Hardeep Singh Dhaliwal Tehsildar has been transferred to Baghapurana whereas Mr. Varinder Singh Tehsildar has been transferred to Jaiton.

Similarly, Naib Tehsildars Mr. Harkaram Singh Randhawa has been transferred to Tanda, Mr. Satwinderjit Singh to Bhogpur, Mr. Sukhdev Kumar to Ajnala and Mr. Balkar Singh to Baba Bakala.

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ROTATIONAL IRRIGATION PROGRAMME FOR KHARIF SEASON    ANNOUNCED

Chandigarh, June 22:

          The Irrigation Department, Punjab has announced the Rotational Programme for irrigation for the current Khriff Season through Canal water from 23-6-2011 to 30-6-2011. The channels of Sirhind Canal System would run on the priority basis from Abohar Branch, Patiala feeder, Sidhwan Branch, Bathinda Branch and Bist Doab Canal respectively.

          Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the irrigation department said that Ghaggar link and its off taking channels i.e. Ghaggar Branch and Patiala Minor in Group 'B'  being in the first preference will run to their indent. Balance water supplies available will be utilized in direct distributaries of Bhakra Main Line in group 'A'  respectively.

          The spokesman further said that Abohar Branch off-taking from Sirhind Feeder and distributries  in Group "B" being in the First preference will run to their ident. Balance water supplies available would be utilised in direct distributaries of Group 'A'.

            The spokesman also said that the channels off taking from upper Bari Doab Canal i.e. Sabraon Branch with its distributaries being in the first preference would run to their indent .Balance water supplies available would be utilised in Kasur Branch Lower, Main Branch Lower, Lahore Branch,  with their distributaries respectively.

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State government misusing central funds


Chandigarh:

Barnala MLA and PPCC vice-president Kewal Singh Dhillon

Reiterating the Congress stand that the SAD-BJP government has messed up with the state economy, Barnala MLA and PPCC vice-president Kewal Singh Dhillon today criticized the government for diverting Central funds to finance its populist ‘atta-dal’ scheme.

He said the fact that the state government owns Rs 1,100 crore to just four of its cash-strapped public sector undertakings proved beyond doubt that the government was in the red. He added that diversion of Central funds also proved beyond doubt that the state government's criticism of the Union government, claiming to have been discriminated against, was hollow diatribe without any reasoning.

He said diversion of central funds to fund populist measures was gross violations of set norms and it would harm the state in the long run. He said the state government had been trying its best to missutilize central finds to meet its own political goals. "Inclusion of five lakh more families under the atta-dal scheme just before the polls and without any funds to sponsor it is nothing but politics," he said.

Dhillon also lambasted the government for forcibly acquiring land from villagers in Mansa district for a thermal plant. He said the government had been boasting of offering very liberal compensation for land, whereas there is still strong resistance against acquisition of private land for mega projects as the government has time and again failed to meet its promises to the affected people.

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From

(Sukhpal Singh Khaira)

MLA Bholath

 Dated: 22.06.2011

Cc: Chief Electoral officer,   Punjab

To                                                            

The Chief Election Commissioner

Nirvachan Sadan

New Delhi.

Subject : Complaint against Chief Minister Punjab for misusing Social Welfare schemes in the State for electoral gains.

Sir,

I wish to draw your attention towards gross misuse of few Social Welfare Schemes, which are centrally funded, for cheap electoral gains by the head of the state in Punjab.

The Chief Minister through unwritten instructions has got his personal photographs affixed on these schemes, alongwith a slogan painted in blue and yellow colour, the official colour of Shiromini Akali Dal party flag.  By doing so, the Chief Minister is trying to influence the beneficiaries of these schemes in favour of his own party, the Shiromini Akali Dal for the ensuing 2012 elections in Punjab.  Following are few social welfare schemes which have been given political colour with ulterior motives.

  1.    Photographs of CM and party colour slogan on cards given to beneficiaries of Atta-Dal Scheme in the state.Copy of Atta - Dal Card attached). 

According to the Atta-Dal scheme approx.  14 lac beneficiaries were given blue cards with a photograph of the Chief Minister to avail ration at subsidized rates from govt. shops.  The wheat for the said Atta-Dal scheme is being provided by Govt. of India at highly subsidized rates to the state govt.  The SAD-BJP is passing on this subsidized centrally funded wheat to approx. 14 lac families i.e. 70 lac voters at an average of five per family.  By affixing his photograph and giving party colour to the beneficiary card the CM is directly influencing voters in favour of his party.

2.     Photographs of CM with party colour on the recently launched dial 108 Ambulance services across the state(Photo of Ambulance attached).

         According to this scheme Ambulance services have been launched in Punjab, where a needy person can dial 108 number to call the ambulance for emergency services. This scheme is also centrally funded through Rural Health Mission a flag ship programme of the UPA Govt.  The Chief Minister in order to influence voters has got his photograph affixed on these Ambulances in party colour.

3.     Provision of bicycles for girl students in the state.

The SAD-BJP is going to provide bicycles to lacs of girl students of Govt. schools of Punjab from 15th August this year.  According to reports the CM has instructed the Education department that his photograph with party colour be affixed atop these bicycles.  Funds for this scheme too are to be made available from ‘Sarb Sikhiya Abhiyaan’ (SSA) scheme of the UPA Govt.  If allowed this step of the govt. would also amount to influencing voters in favour of Akali Dal.

As we are aware all schemes formulated and implemented by any government are eventually funded by the Public Exchequer.  Chief Minister’s and governments keep changing.  Therefore allowing any individual to reap political or electoral gains at the cost of public exchequer is unfair.  By indulging in such political gimmickry for electoral gains the Chief Minister Punjab is violating the principles of democratic functioning.

Therefore in order to ensure a free and fair elections to the Vidhan Sabha Punjab in 2012, it is highly imperative that the Election Commission of India intervene in the matter and have photographs of the Chief Minister removed from these social welfare schemes without any further delay.  Even the colour of Shiromini Akali Dal given to these schemes be erased and all those Govt officials who carried out these illegitimate, illegal and unconstitutional orders be brought to the book.

CAPTAIN’S OPPOSITION TO TRANSPARENT MINING POLICY REFLECT HIS PANIC- TIKSHAN SUD

Chandigarh, June 21: Mr. Tikshan Sud, Local Government and Industries Minister Punjab today ridiculed the statement of PPCC President Capt. Amarinder Singh that “new Sand Mining Policy of Punjab lacked transparency and was aimed at continuing the monopoly of sand mafia”.

            In a statement issued here today the Industry Minister said that the fact is that the sand mining policy and e-auction of sand mines announced by the Punjab government was the most transparent policy announced by any State government and many states were seeking queries from Punjab government to replicate this policy in their own states.  He said that firstly PPCC President should explain to the State that how e -auction of sand mines could be monopolised by any party in which any person sitting all over the globe can bid for sand mines. He ridiculed the claim of Captain that state income would  be drastically reduced saying that Captain would have to come out clearly whether he was in favour of profit of the state government or for was opposing availability of sand to the common people at a fixed price. He said that the dichotomy of in the statement of Capt. Amarinder Singh reflected his panic over the success of most transparent and public friendly mining policy. He said that people have appreciated this policy and farmers were happy as they would get double profit.

            Mr. Tikshan Sud said that Punjab government was committed to provide sand to the common people at a reasonable price and Captain was trying to promote old opaque system by which Congress mafia looted the state for five long years in his tenure. He said that whole mining policy was within the stipulation of environment protection and High Court guidelines and Captain was trying to create a controversy to harass the common masses who were constructing their buildings.

            The Industry Minister said that Capt. Amarinder Singh must have hallucinations of hoodwinking transparent e auction process as he did himself in the INTRANET scam.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 PUNJAB TO PROVIDE FREE EDUCATION TO GIRL STUDENTS UPTO CLASS 12 FROM JULY 1 -SUKHBIR

·        1.46 LAC GIRL STUDENTS OF  CLASS 11 AND 12 TO GET FREE BICYCLES

·        FURNITURE FOR 4000 SCHOOLS

·        A MAJOR STEP FOR EMPOWERMENT OF GIRL CHILD

 Chandigarh, June 21:  Punjab is all set to launch an ambitious scheme to empower the girl child by providing her free education upto class 12 from July 1 this year.

          Disclosing this here today Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr.Sukhbir Singh Badal said that Punjab has taken this step to encourage the poor families to educate their girl child without feeling any financial burden. He said that this free education to the girl child upto class 12 besides checking the drop out rate is set to empower her.      

          The Deputy Chief Minister said that July 1 all government and government aided school would provide free education to the girl child upto class 12. He said that school would not even charge local funds from the girls. The Deputy Chief Minister said that under this scheme funds like admission fee, re-admission fee, amalgamated funds, PTA funds, sports funds etc. would not be charged from girl child upto class 12 and she would be entitled to totally free education as her right. Mr. Badal said that Punjab government has set aside Rs. 26 crores for this scheme.

          Reviewing the working of Education department, Mr. Badal said that 1.46 lac class 11 and class 12 girl students would get free bicycle on 15th August from Punjab government.  He said that bicycles besides improving the mobility of girl students for going to schools are all set to motivate her with new feeling of proud and empowerment. Mr. Badal said that Rs. 75 crores have been set aside for this scheme.

          More than 4000 Primary School in the state are set to be equipped with proper furniture with Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal approving Rs. 60 crores for all those primary schools where children are forced to sit on mat. He said that SAD-BJP government would ensure that no student studying in the government school sits on the floor and would provide proper furniture for every school.  He said that more than 11.92 lac primary school students would get relief from this scheme.

          The Deputy Chief Minister also approved Rs. 9 crores to provide utensils to 17.20 lac students getting mid day meal.  This arrangement was being made to sort out the problem of utensils as some times the little kids forget to bring the utensils from their home. Under this scheme, a plate along with a spoon will be arranged for 17.20 lac students. 

PUNJAB MOOTS ACT FOR MAINTENANCE OF COMMON INFRASTRUCTURE IN INDUSTRIAL AREAS

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 21:

          The Punjab government has mooted a ‘Punjab Common Infrastructure in Industrial Area (Regulation and Maintenance Act) to maintain basic infrastructure in Industrial Areas and Focal Points by SPVs formed by stake holders and allottees. It would be a novel step of collaborative management and maintenance of Industrial areas by involving stake holders in it.      

                                 Disclosing this here Local Bodies and Industries Minister Mr. Tikshan Sud said It was long pending demand of industrialists and residents of industrial areas and Focal Points to facilitate such areas with proper maintenance of ‘Common Infrastructure’. The industrialists had raised the issue before Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal demanding their active inclusion to maintain roads, parks, street lights, water supply and sewerage system. Mr. Badal, after holding a meeting with industrialists and residents of industrial areas, issued directions to the industry department to finalise the draft by constituting ‘Special Purpose Vehicle’ (SPV) to redress the problem of such areas.

Minister said that after implementation of ‘Punjab Common Infrastructure in Industrial Area (Regulation and Maintenance Act), the maintenance of ‘Common Infrastructure’ including Roads, Parks, Street Lights, Water Supply, Sewerage System, Garbage Processing, Common Research and Development Center, Drainage Water Sewerage Treatment Plant, Common Effluent Treatment Plant and other common facility would be maintained through government authorised ‘Special Purpose Vehicle’ (SPV).He said that this act would empowerd common man to solve their problems regarding infrastructure and they can spend money on their common requirements.

Mr. Sud said that SPV would be a legal body constituted under this act and comprising of all allottees of the industrial area for which it has been constituted. He said that the SPV shall form an Executive Committee in accordance with its by-laws to maintain the common and basic amenities in according to local circumstances. He said that besides members from allottees, the committee would have representatives from the developers, government and local Municipal Corporations and Committees.

The Minister said that each SPV would create an ‘Infrastructure Maintenance Fund’, where this amount would be kept for ‘Infrastructure Maintenance’ and committee would spend the fund to upgrade the infrastructure. He said that SPV would also be facilitated with the public grants, from the state and union government.

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FOUR ULTRA MODERN CATTLE MANDIS

FOR PUNJAB-RANIKE

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 21:

          The State Government has decided to establish four ultra modern cattle mandis in Amritsar, Jagraon (Ludhiana) and Subhanpur (Kapurthala) on the pattern of France.

Revealing this here today Punjab Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, Fisheries and Welfare of Scheduled Caste & Backward Classes Minister Punjab Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike said that Killianwali (Muktsar) Mandi had been completed and with the budgetary allocation of Rs.7.59 crore. He said these mandis would provide modern facilities including veterinary hospital, provision of stay of cattle owners, parking and sheds etc.

          The Punjab Government had already released 106 crore to set up 19 tehsil level veterinary hospitals and district level polyclinics. He said that various projects of the costing of Rs.100 crore were under progress. The work of improving the bread of milch animals was going on which would increase the milk production.

          The minister said that the efforts were on to create second white revolution in Punjab. By increasing milk production and the subsidiary products. Punjab could earn more revenue and also the farmers could be provided with extra income, he said.