CM RELEASES BOOK ON BIBI SURINDER KAUR BADAL ON HER 73rd BIRTH ANNIVERSARY

CHANDIGARH JUNE 27:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal released a book ‘Aduthi Sakhshiyat’ (unique personality) in Punjabi on the life of his late wife Mrs. Surinder Kaur Badal on her 73rd birth anniversary here at Chief Minister’s residence late last evening. The book is written by the Malout based resident Mr. Billu Sharma.
According to the author Mr. Billu Sharma, the book on Mrs Badal depicted her multifaceted personality who was a source of inspiration behind Mr. Parkash Singh Badal’s successful political career who steered the state as Chief Minister for four terms. Mrs. Badal was a classic example of womanhood who strived hard for the empowerment of women and played a significant role in championing the cause of women, especially in the rural sector. She also motivated the people to organize community kitchen (Langar) at Sri Darbar Sahib and Kirtan Darbars in Punjab and other parts of country to propagate the basic tenets of Sikhism
amongst them especially the common masses.

15 PCS OFFICERS TRANSFERS IN PUNJAB

Chandigarh June 27:-
The Punjab Government today transferred and posted 15 PCS officers with immediate effect. Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab Government said that the services of Mr. Rajinder Pal Singh PCS has been placed at the disposal of Local Government Department for posting as a Deputy Director Urban Local Bodies Ludhiana. Mr. T.N. Passi PCS has been posted as SDM Shahpur, Mr. Pradeep Kumar PCS has been posted as ADC (General) Gurdaspur, Mr. Mukand Singh Sandhu PCS posted as District Transport Officer Moga and in addition SDM Moga and Mr. Tej Kumar Goyal PCS has been posted as SDM Bholath.
According to a spokesman of the Punjab Government Mrs. Ranjit Kaur PCS has been posted as Assistant Commissioner (General) Hoshiarpur and Assistant Commissioner (Grievances) Hoshiarpur, Mr. Bhupinder Singh II PCS has been posted as District Transport Officer Bathinda, Mr. Upkar Singh PCS has been posted as SDM Chamkaur Sahib, Mr. Amandeep Bansal PCS has been posted as SDM Sangrur, Mr. Iqbal Singh Sandhu PCS has been posted as Land Acquisition Collector, PWD (B&R) Jalandhar and in addition SDM Jalandhar 1, Mr. Tejinder pal Singh PCS has been posted as SDM Sultanpur Lodhi, Mr. Sukhdev Singh PCS has been posted as SDM Rampuraphul, Mr.Bhupinder Mohan Singh PCS has been posted as SDM Malerkotla and Mr. Ajmer Singh PCS has been posted as SDM Baghapurana.

CM APPROVES TO SET UP THREE CENTRES FOR MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN BADAL TO URGE GOI TO ENHANCE FUNDING FOR FOOD IN ANGANWARIS CENTRES

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 27
Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal today, approved to set up three new centres for mentally retarded children at Amritsar, Ludhiana and Rajpura at the cost of Rs 1 crore.
An approval to this effect was given at a meeting of Social Security department held under his Chairmanship at Chief Minister's residence here today. On the issue raised by Social Security Minister Professor Laxmi Kanta Chawla, the Chief Minister also approved to improve the existing infra structure of 25 Observation, Children and Special Homes under the department in the state. Mr Badal asked the department to chalk out a comprehensive plan soon to assess its total cost so that required funds for it could be arranged in a stipulated time period.
It was also decided in the meeting that Mr Badal would impress upon the Government of India (GoI) to enhance their ratio of funds for providing food to pregnant ladies and children at the Anganwaris centres across the state. Pertinently at present the food worth Rs 4 is given to a normal child that of Rs 5 is given to pregnant ladies and worth Rs 6 is given to physically weaker children for which state government and GoI contribute 50% share each. According to the guidelines of Food Nutrition Board of GoI, a new nutrition chart has been prepared by the state government to keep the nutrition value of the food up to the mark but owing to inflation it was difficult for the state government to meet the expenses.
With a view to ensure regular and timely payments of the pensions to the beneficiaries under the various schemes of the social welfare department it was also decided in the meeting that in future the department would be given one time annual sanction to disburse pensions instead of taking sanctions on monthly basis.
The Chief Minister also asked PUDA to expedite the process of setting up of Social Security department complex over 7.5 acres land at Jalandhar. Mr Badal also gave nod to spend Rs 10 crores to construct 250 Anagrwari centres in the state.
Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Social Security Minister Professor Laxmi Kanta Chawla, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr DS Guru, Principal Secretary Social Security and Development of Women and Children Department Mr TR Sarangal, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr Gaggandip Singh Brar and Director Secretary Social Security and Development of Women and Children, Department Mr Gurkirat Kirpal Singh.

PUNJAB EXEMPTS VAT ON THE INCREASED AMOUNT OF DIESEL AND LPG APATHETIC ATTITUDE OF CENTRE TOWARDS FARMERS- A MOCKERY OF DEMOCRATIC VALUES AND SO CALLED FEDERAL STRUCTURE SAYS BADAL

CHANDIGARH JUNE 27:
Realizing the plight of Punjabi farmers and consumers who had been badly hit by the Centre’s recent hike in the prices of diesel, kerosene and domestic LPG, the Punjab government today decided to provide much needed relief to the people of the State by not charging Value Added Tax (VAT) on the recently increased amount of diesel and LPG.
A decision to this effect was taken by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here this morning. Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Punjab government said that with the exemption of VAT on the recently increased amount, the diesel would become cheaper by approximately 25 paise per litre and LPG by Rs.2.50 per cylinder. To offset the price hike, the state government had given these concessions from its own resources benefiting the farmers, transporters and general consumers. With these concessions, the State government would lose about Rs.75 crore of revenue per annum.
The Chief Minister slammed the Congress led UPA government for arbitrarily increasing the prices of petroleum products time and again without taking states into confidence which was ‘nothing but a sheer mockery of democratic values and so called federal structure’. Mr. Badal pointed out that the Centre had steeply increased the prices of diesel from Rs.32.65 per litre in February 2010 to Rs.40.85 in June 2011 thereby hiking it to Rs.8.20 per litre. On the contrary, the Centre did not bother to recommend an adequate and remunerative MSP for food grains rather increased it marginally thereby adding to the woes of the beleaguered peasantry. He reiterated his stand to compensate the farmers of the state by immediately announcing a bonus of at least Rs.100 per quintal on paddy during the current kharif marketing season 2011 as the recent hike in the prices of diesel had been effected deliberately by the centre after the finalization of current MSP for paddy.
It may be recalled that Government of India had recently increased the prices of diesel by Rs.3/- per litre and Rs.50/- per cylinder of LPG. This hike would result in the burden of Rs.800 crore to the total consumers of the State. Out of this, Rs.330 crore would be the burden on the farmers itself and about Rs.300 crore on the transport sector

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CM APPROVES RS. 78.37 CRORE PLAN APO UNDER CAMPA

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 27
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today approved Rs. 78.37 crore draft of Annual Plan of Operation (APO) under CAMPA project 2011-12 of the Forest department of the state.
Decision to this effect was taken in a high level meeting of the officers of the Forest Department held under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister here at his residence today. In the meeting Mr Badal also gave nod to initiate the process of recruitment of 188 Forest Guards in the department to ensure strict vigil for protection of trees and wildlife in the forest area of the state.
Emphasizing the need for strengthening the infrastructure of the Forest department the Chief Minister asked the officers to make sure that complete plantation must be grown effectively and conserved in proper shape. Mr Badal also directed the department that to enhance the green cover in the state especially in the rural areas, the department should plant more and more trees at common village land with the proper co-ordination of the village panchayats.
Keeping in view the futuristic needs Mr Badal impressed upon the officers to get the technical know how for introducing new digging and lifting machines for re-plantation of big trees from one place to another.
It was informed in the meeting that as per the approved APO Rs 13.21 crores would be spent of Biodiversity conservation and management under which development of sanctuaries, zoological parks and deer safari would be undertaken in the state. Similarly Rs 10.80 crores would be spent on Chain link fencing which would cover 85 kilometres of forest area.
In the same manner Rs 30.30 crores would be spent on plantations in the forests, Rs 4.41 crores would be spent on Soil and Moisture conservation works which include the forest area in the Shivalik Hills where 60% of the area falls under Kandi area. Likewise in the meeting Rs 12.43 crore was also approved for infrastructure development by introducing machinery, IT infra structure, tankers and new buildings.
Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Forests Minister Mr Arunesh Shakir, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr DS Guru, Principal Secretary Forests Mr DS Bains and Principal Chief Conservator Forests Mr BC Bala.

PUNJAB GOVT ENCOURAGE STING OPERATIONS TO EXPOSE FEMALE FOETICIDE

Chandigarh, June 26
Worried by adverse sex ratio in state, Punjab health Minister Mr. Satpal Gosain today announced a noble policy to give award to any journalist/ non-journalist to expose the case of female foeticide through sting operations.
The health minister said that in order to eradicate this social evil of female foeticide from Punjab region and to increase sex ratio, it was imperative to seek the co-operation of fourth pillar of the society. Health department has initiated a special scheme "Save Girl Child" for this purpose. According to this scheme any journalist or commoner, who will initiate a sting operation would be awarded with the amount of Rs 50,000/- The health minister said that there is lack of awareness amongt the people regarding this social menace. He said that instructions had been issued to the health department in order to carry forward the scheme of “Save Girl Child”. Minister further added that common man should be made aware of this social evil and they should be encouraged to disclose cases of female foeticide without any fear.

TAKE UP THE MATTER OF MISSING 40 PUNJABI YOUTH WITH GOVERNMENT OF MURTANIA -BADAL WRITES TO PM

Chandigarh June 25
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today sought the personal intervention of the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to immediately take up the matter of missing 40 young boys from Punjab with the Government of Murtania. He urged the PM to use all the diplomatic channels to trace these boys who were reportedly missing enroute to Spain since 2004.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. Badal informed Dr.
Manmohan Singh that about 40 young boys who had been allured by travel agents that they would be sent to Spain for earning their livelihood, were reported to be missing. The chief minister pointed out that the parents of these boys had approached and explained him that these boys were not still traceable. According to the news reports in a prominent Punjabi Daily, these boys were in illegal custody of some mischievous travel agents in Murtania. As the matter of about 40 youths missing from Punjab was quite serious and the State Government had already taken all possible legal action in this regard.
Mr. Badal further requested the Prime Minister to trace these boys and bring them to the State through the diplomatic channels by taking up this issue with the Government of Murtania to reduce themiseries of the parents.

Punjab youth congress membership drive crosses 9 lacs: Bittu Its landmark in the history of membership drives: Bittu

Chandigarh:25-06-11
Punjab youth congress has achieved a land mark by crossing over 9 lacs members in the ongoing membership drive which finished yesterday 24-06-11 at 8 pm. Last time it was around 3 lacs members when many senior congress leaders participated in the membership drive but this time it is just because of the working of the youth congress that it has achieved remarkable figure. Giving approximate figure about the drive S Ravnit Bittu MP( Sri Anandpur Saahib) and former president youth congress Punjab said that the drive has created history and it has been proven that people and specially the youth has kept faith in the policies of Sh Rahul Gandhi. The drive which lasted for 28 days has raised the eyebrows of ruling shiromani akali dal badal which does not have youth body till date. The people have reposed their faith in the programs which were initiated by youth congress punjab like the padyatra against drug addiction and female foeticide, hunger strike against drug prevention board etc.
Bittu said that after the scrutiny of the forms submitted may be around 50000 are cancelled because they do not fulfil the criteria of the age or other required documents. Still the kind of enthusiasm people have shown for the membership drive has been extra ordinary and a trendsetter. According to the last inputs from the respective LRO”s this is the aprrox compilation of the thirteen parliamentary constituencies:
1. Amritsar 92000
2. Hoshiarpur 49000
3. Gurdaspur 90000
4. Sangrur 80000
5. Anandpur sahib 73000
6. Jalandhar 60000
7. Ludhaina 50000
8. Patiala 129000
9. Faridkot 62000
10. Ferozpur 70000
11. Fatehgarh sahib 90000
12. Bhatinda 83000
13. Khadoor sahib 70000
Grand total 958000
Bittu said that these are approximate figure which have been collected from the LRO” s but exact counting will be done in coming few weeks. Bittu thanked all his party leadership for the support they gave in making the drive succesfull.

SAD DEMANDS ROLLBACK OF DIESEL, KEROSENE AND LPG PRICE HIKE QUESTIONS HASTY STEP OF RISE DESPITE CRASH IN INTERNATIONAL CRUDE PRICES

Chandigarh, June 25: Shiromani Akali Dal today slammed Congress led UPA government for effecting hefty and unwarranted rise in the price of Diesel, Kerosene oil and LPG crushing the common masses already reeling under unprecedented price hike.
In a statement issued here today SAD President and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that it was matter of great surprise that NYMEX crude in the international market has crashed to all time low of $92 level and Congress led UPA government in a blind race to fill the coffers of multinational oil companies took this decision, even before the meeting of EGOM, that was scheduled in mid July. The SAD President said that Congress led UPA government deliberately hastened the oil price hike as it feared that crashing crude price every day would leave no justification for diesel, kerosene and LPG price hike.
Mr. Badal said that diesel price hike would have direct bearing of economy of farmers and transporters, who were already neck deep in ever mounting debt. He said that diesel price would have a cascading effect on the inflation that was refusing to come down from double digit figure. The SAD President said that this Aam Adami ki Sarkar has already exposed its 'people friendly face' by effecting 40% hike in the price of Petrol and now in LPG and diesel he questioned the loss figures being projected by oil companies and said that a joint parliamentary committee should be constituted to bring out the actual truth in this projected loss.
Mr. Badal said that Shiromani Akali Dal had been demanding again and again a transparent oil price fixation formula in consideration with all people party but Congress led UPA government was out to crush common people ignoring the voice of people.
Raising a question mark on the economic policies of Congress led UPA government to curb inflation, Mr. Badal said that RBI during last five months has raised the Repo Rates ten times that has raised the interest of loans by 2.75% , but inflation during last five months instead of coming down has a risen from 8% to 10.07%. He said that this was having a over all negative effect on the economic growth as higher interest rates besides hurting the SSI were also crushing the common man.
Mr. Badal demanded an immediate rollback in the price of Diesel, Kerosene oil and LPG and said that he along with Chief Minister would soon call on Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh demanding this rollback.

A DELEGATION OF BHARTI KISAN UNION (BKU) CALLS ON CM PUNJAB ENHANCES REVOLVING CASH CREDIT FOR FARMERS

CHANDIGARH JUNE 25:
The Punjab Government has enhanced the cash credit limit for farmers under the 'Revolving Cash Credit Scheme' from Rs. 1 lac to Rs. 1.5 lac per acre along with maximum limit from Rs. 6 lac to Rs. 8 lac in the Cooperative Banks of Punjab.
An announcement to this effect was made by Punjab Chief Minister Mr.
Parkash Singh Badal in a meeting with 25-member delegation of the Bharti Kisan Union Punjab (BKU) led by its President Mr. Ajmer Singh Lakhowal here at Chief Minister's residence this morning.
Mr. Badal said that this 'Revolving Cash Credit Scheme' had been initiated by the Government to facilitate the peasantry in state which was under heavy debt of loans taken by them from the non institutionalized sources to overcome their losses due to the sharp increase in cost of agriculture inputs as compared to price of their produce.
Mr. Badal gave a patience hearing to all the demands of the BKU and gave on the spot directions to the concerned officers for quick redressal.
On the strong demand of the delegation for ensuring adequate returns to the Farmers from the land they had given for cultivation on contract basis as per the prevailing market rate, the Chief Minister announced to constitute a committee comprising Financial Commissioner Development, Advocate General, representative of Revenue department and BKU President Mr.Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, to explore the possibilities for introducing any new ordinance or making amendments in the section 12 of the existing Punjab Security of Land Tenures Act 1953.
Expressing concern over the 33168 pending General category cases for tubewell connections up to December 31, 1991, Mr. Badal directed the concern department to sanction 66 per cent out of this year's fifty thousands tubewell connections to these pending applicants and rest to the other reserve categories.
Taking part in the deliberations Mr. Badal directed the local government and Animal Husbandry department for taking effective measure to sort out the issue of stray cows and dogs causing a great threat to human lives. It was also informed in the meeting the state government had calked out a comprehensive plan for fencing the sensitive forest areas in Ropar, Patiala and Hoshiarpur districts to prevent heavy crop losses by the wild animals.
Referring to the issue raised by the delegation about the recharging of Ground Water Mr. Badal said that Government was fully aware about this issue and had started 66 schemes out of which eight schemes had been completed. Regarding the issue to provide irrigation facilities in Kandi area Mr. Badal said that Government would install 230 deep tubewells in these areas.
On this occasion Education Minister Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan informed that the Punjab Government was fully committed to fill up all the vacant posts in all the government schools and soon all the posts of lecturers in the schools would be filled, 75 per cent through promotions and 25 per cent through direct recruitment system about which the process was already been expedited.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meetings included, Revenue Minister Mr. Ajit Singh Kohar, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Sukhpal Singh Nannu, Financial Commissioner Development Mr. NS Kang, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Principal Secretary Cooperation Mr. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary Irrigation Dr. G. Vajralingum, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, Secretary Revenue Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Secretary Health and Family Welfare Mr. Satish Chandra, Chairman PPCB Mr. KS Pannu and MD & Chairman Power Com KD Chaudhary, besides other officers of the state administration and the office bearers of the BKU.