| Connecting
over 25 millions NRIs worldwide |
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PARTICULARS |
UNITS |
RMS 2012-13 (Estimated) |
RMS 2007-08 |
Wheat Procurement |
LMT |
129.00 |
79.11 |
Payment to Farmers |
Rs. in Crores |
16576.50 |
6724.35 |
Payment of Taxes |
|||
Market Fee |
Rs. in Crores |
331.53 |
118.67 |
R.D.F |
Rs. in Crores |
331.53 |
118.67 |
I.D. Cess |
Rs. in Crores |
497.30 |
59.33 |
Purchase Tax |
Rs. in Crores |
861.98 |
245.64 |
TOTAL |
|
2022.33 |
542.30 |
Payment to Artia’s |
Rs. in Crores |
414.41 |
148.33 |
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CHIEF MINISTER’S OFFICE, PUNJAB
CM MADE SURPRISE CHECK AND FOUND SEVERAL OFFICERS AND MINISTERS ABSENT
Chandigarh, May 29
In a bid to inculcate a sense of punctuality amongst the public servants, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today conducted a surprise check at 9.30 A.M. in the offices of some Ministers, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries and Senior Officers on the sixth and eighth floor of the Punjab Civil Secretariat and found most of them and their personal staff absent.
Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister Office said that the Chief Secretary was on leave for the first half and several officers including Principal Secretary Home, Principal Secretary Finance, Secretary Personnel, Secretary Coordination, Secretary Home and other officers along with their staff were found absent in their offices.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister asked the Chief Secretary to reiterate the government instructions asking officers/officials to observe punctuality in the offices and should ensure their availability from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. The Chief Minister warned in case any officer or official is found absent in future, disciplinary action would be taken against them for dereliction of duty.
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2040 WITHDRAWN POLICE PERSONNEL TO BE DEPLOYED FOR POLICING AFTER 3 MONTHS INTENSIVE COMMANDO TRAINING: SUKHBIR
· 109 security vehicles withdrawn
· All corporation towns to be under eagle eye of intensive CCTV surveillance
· Sukhbir okays Rs. 100 crores for CCTV project
· Vehicles using unauthorized Red Light would be impounded after 10th June
· Wrong parked vehicles to be towed away
· Punjab becomes first state to have women commandos
Chandigarh, May 29: The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal reiterated his commitment to improve the policing, traffic management in the state and said that 2040 security guards withdrawn from the protectees’ after new guidelines would be given intensive 3 months commando training before inducted in general policing especially in the remote areas.
Addressing the media after having a look at 109 vehicles withdrawn from the Ministers, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, MLAs, MPs, Civil Officers, Judicial Officers, Serving and Retired Police Officers, Mr. Badal said that on his instructions a broad review of security was taken and for the first time systematic categorization of protectees’ was done and norms were set for providing security cover to the protectees’. He said that after the finalization of norms excess security personnel and vehicles were withdrawn as he felt that it was becoming more of a ‘status symbol’ rather than genuine threat perception.
Terming it as a initiation of reforms in the Police Department Mr. Badal said that number of protectees’ after broad review have come down from 2750 to 2500 and 2040 excess security personnel were withdrawn. 109 withdrawn security vehicle include 49 Gypsies, 1 BP Car, 2 Ambassador cars, 20 Tavera, Bolera, Sumo, Scorpio, Qualis, Marshal Getway, 1 Verna, 1 Ritz, 5 SX4 and 30 Motorcycles.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that earlier over 10000 police personnel were on security duty which has come down to 7900 and now individual threat perception of 2500 odd protectees’ was being studied and he hoped that number of protectees’ would further come down.
Giving the details of due norms, Mr. Badal said that no officer, howsoever, high he may be would not be provided pilot vehicle and officers above the rank of ADGP would be given escort vehicle. He said that he personally felt that police job was basically policing and police should focus on that. He said that the withdrawn police personnel were equal to 25 companies that Punjab use to summon at the time of any crisis.
Giving strict warning on misuse of Red light Mr. Badal said that clear rules were being framed for entitlement of Red light and entitled persons would be given new stickers by 10th June and after 10th June any vehicle using Red light unauthorizedly would be impounded. Similarly, vehicle using Black films would also be impounded after 10th June. He said that enforcement officers like SDMs and DSPs could use Blue lights.
Mr. Badal said that withdrawn vehicles and personnel would be sent to the remotest areas to improve the general policing.
Mr. Badal said that he has issued directions to the DGP to strictly enforce traffic by laws in the state especially in the corporate towns. He said that he has approved Rs.100 crores to put all corporation towns and highways under intensive surveillance of CCTV cameras. He warned that all wrongly parked vehicles would be towed away.
Lauding the Punjab Police for taking preventive measures by arresting terrorists and recovering RDX, Mr. Badal said that Punjab is the first state that has trained 61 women commandos for their inclusion in Special Security Group.
Mr. Sumedh Singh Saini, DGP, Punjab and Mr. Hardeep Singh Dhillon, Additional DGP, Intelligence and Security were present on the occasion.
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PUNJAB GOVERNMENT ACCEDS TO THE DEMANDS OF AIDED SCHOOL TEACHERS
- DELEGATION OF AIDED SCHOOL TEACHERS CALLED ON CHUNNI LAL BHAGAT AND SIKANDER MALUKE
- MINISTERS ASSURED TO TAKE UP THE ISSUE OF REMAINING DEMANDS WITH CM AND FINANCE DEPARTMENT
Chandigarh, May 29
The Punjab Government today acceded to all the major demands of aided school teachers. During a meeting with the delegation of Punjab State Aided Schools Teachers and Employees Union, Punjab Local Bodies Minister Mr. Chuni Lal Bhagat and Education Minister Mr. Sikander Sing Maluka assured them to consider all their pending demands sympathetically.
The delegation of the teachers called on Mr. Chuni Lal Bhagat at his residence. The ministers acceded to the major demands, which included pay fixation of primary wings employees in accordance with fifth pay commission, to invite annual pay claim of primary wing collectively like secondary wing at DPI (Elementary) office and demand of equal period of aided schools teachers in comparison with Government schools teachers had also been acceded in principle.
The ministers assured the delegation to consider all their pending demands with open heart and to take up the matter with Chief Minister and Finance Department personally. Prominent among others present in the meeting included Secretary Education Mr. S.S.Channi and senior officers of education department.
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CM ASKS EMPLOYEES NOT TO APPROACH HIM FOR THEIR TRANSFERES
ALSO ASKS PEOPLE NOT TO APPROACH HIM FOR JOBS AND RELEASE OF TUBE WELL CONNECTION ON PRIORITY
Chandigarh, May 29:-
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today asked the state government employees desirous of seeking transfers to route their application through proper channel to the concerned authorities.
This decision was taken by Mr.Badal while meeting the with general public here at Punjab Bhawan Chandigarh this evening.
Disclosing this here today The spokesperson of the Chief Minister's office said that the State Government employees interested for transfers should not submit their application directly to the Chief Minister either at his office or official residence, rather they should move their applications to their respective Heads of the Department.
Likewise, the Chief Minister also asked the people not to approach him regarding the recruitment against any post rather they should apply for the post as per the advertisement in the newspaper directly to the concerned offices.
The Chief Minister also asked the people not to approach him for the release of tube well connections on priority, as the state government had already issued detailed guidelines for not releasing any such connections.
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BADAL MEET GENERAL PUBLIC AT CM RESIDENCE
Chandigarh, May 29
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal in future would meet the general public on every Tuesday and Wednesday here at his Official Residence, Sector-2 from 4 to 6 pm instead of Punjab Bhawan.
Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Mr. Badal would be meeting the MLAs, MPs and senior party leaders as usual on every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thrusday at 11 to 12.30 pm at CMO
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MEMORIALS TO BE OPENED FOR PUBLIC FROM 10 AM
TO 8 PM DAILY EXCEPT
MONDAY AND NATIONAL HOLIDAY
CHANDIGARH MAY 29:
Memorials of Virasat-e-Khalsa at Sri Anandpur Sahib, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur War Memorial at Chapparchiri, Wadda Ghallughara at Kup Rohira and Chhota Ghallughara at Kahnuwan would now remain open for general public from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm during six days a week except Monday and other national holidays.
This decision was taken by Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal in a meeting to review the current status of these memorials here at CMO this morning.
The Chief Minister asked the Cultural Affairs department to provide the best facilities for guidance to the visitors about the historical importance of these monuments besides ensuring upkeep and maintenance of these memorials. Mr. Badal also asked the GMADA to execute the left over works at Chapparchiri Memorial regarding the installation of lift up to 35 meters, acoustic system in domes for immersive experience and completion of the landscaping of the open space in the memorial on the priority. Mr. Badal also gave his nod to constitute committees for each memorial comprising representatives of GMADA,
Cultural Affairs and the local administration for smooth functioning of these memorials. He also gave go ahead for setting up of information centers in all these memorials to provide basic
information from the historical and cultural perspective.
The Chief Minister also asked the officers to get the remaining work at Chhota and Wadda Ghallugharas expedited from the executing agency -L&T so that these could be handed over to the PWD positively by July 31. Mr. Badal also asked the Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs to work out the modalities relating to maintenance of Bhai Randhir Singh Memorial at Narangwal district Ludhiana after its completion by the
state government. Regarding the completion of Basian Kothi Memorial at Raikot, Mr. Badal asked the GLADA to immediately release Rs.73 lac so that the first phase of the project could be accomplished. Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs Mr. SS Channy, Principal Secretary Irrigation Mr. KBS Sidhu, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, CA GMADA Mr. Sarvjit Singh, Chief Engineer PWD Mr. AK Singla besides the deputy commissioner of Patiala, Mohali, Ludhiana, Gurdaspur, Sangrur and representative of L&T and INTACH.
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MAJITHIA WRITES A LETTER TO CHIEF MINISTER REGARDING THE
INSTALLATION OF SOLAR WATER HEATING SYSTEM
Chandigarh, May 29
Punjab Revenue and Non Conventional Energy Minister Mr. Bikram Singh
Majithia today wrote a letter to Chief Minister of Punjab Mr. Parkash Singh Badal,
urging him to issue his directive to all Government departments regarding the
implementation of Solar Water Heating System across the state.
Disclosing this here today, Mr. Majithia said that Union Government was
providing 30 percent subsidy to install any solar water heating system under the Jawahar
Lal Nehru National Solar Mission. He said that electricity up to 15 thousand units in a
year would be saved by a solar water heating system having capacity of 1000 litres. He
said that keeping its utility in view, it has already been made mandatory to install solar
water heating system on every 500 yards house, Schools, Colleges, Technical institutions,
universities, Tourist complexes, Industries, Hotels, Motels, Hostels, Hospitals, Nursing
homes, Jails, Canteens and all Government buildings by the Department of Non
Conventional Energy. He said that notification has also been issued in this regard by the
Government of Punjab. He expressed concern that till date many Departments have not
made required changes in this regard.
Mr. Majithia suggested that it should be made necessary that while making the
building plan concerned department should ensure the installation of solar water heating
system. He said that Local bodies department should provide the electricity, water and
sewerage connection only after countercheck the installation of solar water heating
system. Besides that similar procedure should also be adopted by the Public works
department regarding the government buildings, said Mr. Majithia.
Mr. Majithia urged the chief minister to issue strict orders for the effective
implementation of the directive in both letter and spirit so that the much needed and
expensive electricity could be saved in the larger public interest.
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MALUKA CALLS ON KAPIL SIBAL
- DEMANDS IMMIDIATE RELEASE OF CENTRAL FUNDS
Chandigarh, May 29:
Education Minister of Punjab Mr Sikander Singh Maluka calls on Union Minister of Human Resources Mr Kapil Sibal at New Delhi and demands the immediate release of Central Funds for the upliftment of education sector in the state of Punjab.
In the meeting Mr Maluka said that Union Government has not released the funds for schemes like RAMSA, SSA and CSS to the Punjab Government. He said that Rs 53.73 crore for the Year of 2010-11 and Rs 256.53 crore for the year of 2011-12 under RMSA and Rs 175 crore under SSA for the year of 2011-12 has not been released . Besides that Rs.72.29 crores under RCT Scheme and Rs.12.59 crores under the incentive to Girls for secondary education scheme has also not been released to Punjab government till now. Mr. Maluka also demanded that the conditions regarding the upgradation of Schools under RMSA scheme must be amended.
Mr. Sibal assured full cooperation to Punjab Government on all these issues and said that all these demands would be fulfilled within 15 days.
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Maluka orders inquiry into allegations of wrong promotion of lecturers
CHANDIGARH, MAY 29:
The Punjab Education Minister Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka today ordered a high level inquiry into the allegations of promotion of ineligible and junior teachers as lecturers in recent over 2900 promotions made by Education Department.
He has asked Mr. S.S. Channi, Principal Secretary, Education to inquiry to whole matter and submit the report within stipulated time to fix the accountability for wrong doing, if any. The Education Minister said that he was committed to provide transparent and clean administration and any employee found colluding in any unfair method, would not be spared.
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NRI COMMISSION ORDERS COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AMRITSAR TO ENQUIRE AGAINST IMPOSTER NRI HUSBAND
Chandigarh, May 29-
NRI commission today orderd the Commissioner of Police, Amritsar to thoroughly enquire into the complaint of Parminder Kaur against her NRI husband Alamjeet singh.
A spokesperson of the NRI commission today said that in the complaint she has alleged that Alamjeet Singh who’s display name on the passport “Singh Alamjeet” is holder of passport no. “F5499347”. She said that her marriage was performed with Alamjeet Singh on October 9 , 2011. She said that His parents started torturing her and demanding dowry from her parents. Her husband assured that he would apply for spouse visa, But he didn’t send it and now asking for divorce. She said that a case has also been registered against his husband at Amritsar. She alleged that police has not taken any action as they are under financial influence of her in-laws.
Spokesperson further said that the NRI Commission ordered the Commissioner of Police, Amritsar to look into the allegations contained in the complaint and to see the fair investigation be conducted in this case. He said that IG NRI Affairs has been appointed to supervise the progress of the investigation. He said that One set of complaint, documents and order has also been sent to Passport Officer, Jalandhar, and for an appropriate action.
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12850470 TONNES WHEAT PROCURED IN PUNJAB
Chandigarh, May 29:
Government agencies and private millers procured more than 12850470 tonnes of wheat till last evening. The State Government has set up more than 1750 procurement centres and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of wheat.
The spokesman of the government said that Out of total procurement of 12850470 tonnes of wheat in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 12751849 tonnes of wheat till date whereas private traders procured 2141 tonnes of wheat. Till May 28, PUNSUP procured 2901481 tonnes (22.98%), MARKFED procured 2824120 tonnes (21.98%). whereas PUNGRAIN had procured 2192561 tonnes (17.06%) PSWC procured 1458699 tonnes (11.35%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 1450240 tonnes (11.29 %) of wheat.The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 1924748 tonnes (14.98%).
The spokesman added that District Sangrur with 1220670 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas District Ludhiana with 1042678 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and district Patiala with 1028020 tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.
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ISHKARAN MANGAT OF CHANDIGARH BAGS TOP POSITION IN JET
CHANDIGARH, MAY 29:
The Punjab State Board of Technical Education today
declared the result of JET 2012..
A spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that Ishkarn Mangat of Chandigarh bagged the top position. Besides that Simranpreet Kaur from Ludhiana secured second position followed by Sachin Goyal from Mansa3rd , Sumit Goyal from Bathinda 4th and Alisha Mahajan from Gurdaspur secured fifth position.
He said that on the basis this exam the admission to three year diploma courses would be made for about 60,000 seats in more than 130 polytechnic colleges located in Punjab and Chandigarh.He said that the counseling for admission would be started from June 18.
The spokesman further said that the Prospectus-cum-Admission forms has been available in designated branches of Punjab National Bank, Suvidha Centres in D.C. offices,
District Education Office, Affiliated polytechnic colleges and Board’s office. He said that the students would be able to submit their completed form till June 15, 2012. The admission forms can also be downloaded from the Board’s website www.punjabteched.com; andwww.punjabteched.net.
The online counseling of the students who apply for admission to seats under Fee Waiver Scheme would be started from June 18 and General counseling would be from July 4, details of which has been available in the Prospectus. He further said that under the Fee Waiver Schemestudents whose family income was less than Rs. 4.5 lakh were eligible to seek admission against 2800 seats under this category. Under the Fee Waiver Scheme tuition fee of Rs. 22,000/- out of Total annual fee of Rs. 27,625/- was exempted and the student has to pay only Rs. 5,625/- per year when admitted against this scheme.
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Capt Amarinder rejects Pawan Dewan's resignation
CHANDIGARH/LUDHIANA, May 28:
Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh today said that he had rejected the resignation of the Ludhiana District Congress Committee president Pawan Dewan. He said, he had received his resignation a few days back wherein Dewan had raised certain issues in the interest of the party which will be taken care of.
The PCC President had called Dewan for a meeting to Chandigarh today where he rejected his resignation saying all the issues raised by him will be properly addressed. He said, he appreciated the concern of the district president for the party workers.
He maintained that Dewan was a senior and committed party leader and had a long association with him. He asked Dewan to ensure that the party won the corporation elections in Ludhiana. He also asked him to prepare the tour programme for his (PCC President's) visit to Ludhiana.
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UPA SHOULD COME OUT WITH TRANSPARENT FORMULA FOR PETRO-PRICE FIXATION: SUKHBIR
· PUNJAB TO CREATE WORLD CLASS SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE TO GROOM BUDDING PLAYERS
· PUNJAB CONSTRUCTS/UPGRADES 6 HOCKEY AND 8 MULTIPURPOSE STADIUMS COSTING 150 CRORES WITHIN A RECORD TIME OF 9 MONTHS
· PRESIDES OVER THE 21ST SUB-JUNIOR NATIONAL HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZE DISTRIBUTION CEREMONY
BASSI PATHANA (SRI FATEHGARH SAHIB), MAY 28: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab today called for a transparent formula for fixation of price of petroleum products as it was repeatedly and arbitrarily raising the price of petrol, diesel and LPG, with a sole motive of benefiting Multi National Oil Marketing Companies.
Responding to a query of media persons before giving away prizes to the winners of National Sub Junior Under 14 Girls Hockey Championship, that concluded here today, Mr. Badal said that NDA had been demanding since long that price fixation formula of petroleum products should be transparent so that normal public should be able to know that how much profit MNCs were making at the cost of common man and how Congress led UPA Government was becoming a willing partner in mass-fleecing exercise. He said that it was matter of surprise that when international prices were touching record low due to Euro crisis, India is the only country that has made steepest hike in the price of petrol.
Questioning the free pricing formula, Mr. Badal said that why multi-national companies failed to lower the price, whenever crude price falls in the international market. He said that the price of Crude was $ 108 in 2011 on May 22 and it was same on May 22 in 2012. He said that the price of petrol in 2011 was Rs. 52 per liter, which has been now raised to Rs. 75 per liter. He said that public has right to know that who was pocketing Rs. 23 per liter extra charged from the public.
When asked about the report of Regulatory Commission on power tariff hike Mr. Badal said that Punjab Government has not yet received that report and Power Ministry would take appropriate decision on receipt of report.
Earlier presiding over the 21st Sub-Junior National Hockey Championship prize distribution ceremony here at ITI Ground today, the Punjab Deputy Chief Minister said that SAD-BJP Government has created world class infrastructure for sports in the state so that budding talent could be groomed for international championships. He said that he has already issued directions to fill the backlog of 3 % quota of sportspersons in all the departments and they have been asked to send the compliance report within one month. He said that sports persons have been given maximum benefit by the Punjab Government and he was committed to promote sports as a mission in the state. He said that the state government had taken a major initiative in sports infrastructure development with construction/upgradation of 6 international level hockey stadiums and 8 multi-purpose sports stadiums with the joint cost of more than Rs.200 crores. He said that the state had already set up a sports school at village Ghudda and has chalked out an ambitious plan to set up such sports school at each district headquarter besides a stadium each at every block. He said that Punjab was the first state in the country having its comprehensive sports policy with special focus on the creation of sports infrastructure and picking up the sports talent at the earlier stage to further groom it. He informed that the state sports department had also installed more than 5000 gymnasiums besides distributing more than 10000 sports kits to the youngsters to encourage them to opt for sports.
He congratulated Mehar Baba Charitable Trust, Indian Hockey Federation, PEPSU, Women Hockey Association, District Women Hockey Association and District Administration for the successful conduct of this championship and distributed prizes to the winners. Haryana girls outshined Chandigarh in the final by a margin of 1-0 goal to won this prestigious sub-junior Hockey Championship while Mizzoram got 3rd place. Teams from 19 states took part in this championship. The Deputy Chief Minister expressed confidence that this championship would be proved an ideal platform for hundreds of young hockey players belonging to different states to choose this sport more enthusiastically. He also announced to grant polytechnic status to the local ITI to provide much needed quality technical education to the students of this region.
Earlier Prof. H.S. Mejie, Chairman Mehar Baba Charitable Trust and Justice Nirmal Singh (Retd.) MLA welcomed the Deputy Chief Minister and apprised him about the problems being faced by the people of Bassi Pathana region.
Prominent amongst other who were present on the occasion included Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka, Education Minister, Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra, General Secretary SAD, Mr. Randhir Singh Cheema, Ex-Minister and Mr. Jagdeep Singh Cheema, District President SAD.
On this occasion the former international hockey stalwarts Ajit Pal Singh, Balbir Singh senior, Rajinder Singh, Narinder Singh Sodhi, Surinder Singh Sodhi, Inderjit Singh Chadha, Rani Rampal, Jasjeet Kaur, Coach Baldev Singh, Hans Raj Chabbra, Jatinder Pal Singh Sidhu, Ajit Singh and Arun Rishi were presented Dr. Thakar Singh Ikolaha Award of Excellence for their unique contribution in the field of promotion of Hockey.
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TARN TARAN DC REFUTES CHARGES OF WRONG REJECTION OF PAPERS IN MC ELECTIONS
· PAPERS REJECTED AS PER EC GUIDELINES
CHANDIGARH MAY 28:
The Deputy Commissioner of Tarn Taran strongly refuted the charges of wrong rejection of nomination papers in the MC elections and said that only those papers that have not fulfilled the guidelines of State Election Commission, have been rejected after giving them due opportunity.
In a statement issued here today, the Deputy Commissioner has stated that after the verification of inquiry report received from Sub Divisional Magistrate, Patti cum Returning Officer, it was clear that the nomination papers of 11 candidates were rejected due to certain short comings in their nomination papers.
Disclosing the details, the Deputy Commissioner said that in the election, due to be held in 13 wards, for which 54 nominations had been received, 11 nominations have been rejected after giving them due opportunity to rectify the errors in their papers. He said that nomination papers of Mr. Jagtar Singh and Mr. Nirmal Singh of ward no. 1 and 10, respectively, were rejected due to non-submission of nomination fee. Papers of Venus and Mr. Balkar Singh of ward no. 5 and 13, respectively were rejected due to their failure to attach SC certificate along with the papers. In the case of Mr. Palwinder Singh of ward no. 6, the papers were rejected due to his failure to attach BC certificate. Similarly, in the case of Mr. Harbhajan Singh of ward no. 4 the papers were rejected due to absence of his complete name in the voter list, whereas the nomination papers of Mr. Sukhbir Singh, Mrs. Malkeet Kaur, Mr. Mangat Ram, Mr. Vijay Kumar and Mr. Harpal Singh of ward no. 6, 12 and 9, were rejected due to their failure to attach No Dues Certificate (NOC) issued by Municipal Council. He said that the Returning Officer after scrutiny of nomination papers 0n 26.5.12 at 11 am even asked the concerned candidates to furnish the required papers lacking in their nominations, but the candidates failed to submit the papers till 3 pm, subsequently their papers were rejected.
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STATE GOVERNMENT TO SOON LAUNCH A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR PROVIDING TECHNICAL EDUCATION TO YOUTH- CM
TECHNICAL TRAINING KEY TO SUCCESS IN TODAY’S ERA OF INDUSTRIAL ADVANCEMENT- BADAL
Badal (Sri Muktsar Sahib), May 28-
Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal today said that in order to create self employment opportunities for the unemployed youth of the state, the SAD-BJP government would soon launch a comprehensive plan for providing technical education to them.
Presiding over a meeting of the Heads of Technical Institutes here today, the Chief Minister said that the state government was committed for the expansion and promotion oftechnical education in Punjab besides encouraging the students towards the professional studies. Mr Badal said that in today’s era of industrial advancement technical education was the key to success for any individual so need of the hour was to adopt professional studies to counter the menace of unemployment.
Taking part in the deliberations, the Chief Minister further said that though the numbers of job opportunities in government were limited but there was vast potential in the industrial sector and through self employment for which skilled training was basically required. However he lamented that as the youth of the state were not getting the skilled training so they were not able to reap the benefit of these opportunities. Mr Badal said that keeping in view these aspects the state government has decided to launch a special awareness campaign to make the youth aware about the merits of technical education. Likewise he said that in order to impart skill training to the youth the state government would also focus on establishing more reputed technical institutes across the state.
Addressing a group of students present in the meeting, the Chief Minister exhorted them to get technical education for earning their livelihood in a better manner. He said that the state government had already taken path breaking initiatives in the field of technical education for which they have established seven polytechnic colleges and three Dairy Training Centers in the region. Mr Badal said that apart from it technical education and skilled training was also being imparted from Integrated Farmers Training Centre and Construction Skills Training Institute Abul Khurana, State Institute of Automotive and Driving Skills, Mahuana, C-PIET Centre and Training Centre of GADVASU at Kaljharani. The Chief Minister further said that apart from it a course of Gardening and Garden supervisor was also been conducted at Krishi Vigyan Kendar at Bathinda adding that the state government has also set an institute for imparting training of Hotel Management to the students.
The Chief Minister said that several students who have got training from these institutes have got placement in leading companies across the globe. Mr Badal said that out of the total 824 students of State Institute of Automotive and Driving Skills Mahuana, 580 have already got jobs in good companies. Likewise he said that 90% of the students of Construction Skill Training Institute Abul Khurana have got good placements in several leading companies. Mr Badal said that in the state the students getting training in these institutes were also getting the facility of reimbursement of fee under NCTV scheme.
The Chief Minister further said that the students and the youth from agriculture background could earn huge profits by getting the training of Dairy farming and Fish farming, which was far more profitable then any government job. He said that in order to promote Dairy farming the state government was already giving subsidies to general category and SC community @ of 25% and 33% respectively. Mr Badal said that in its bid to encourage fish farming in the waterlogged areas of the state the government was providing subsidy of Rs 70,000 per hectare to the farmers.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Special Principal Secretary Mr KJS Cheema, SGPC Member Jathedar Dayal Singh Kolianwali besides several officers of district and Police administration.
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· BADAL ASKS MARKFED TO OBTAIN INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION OF ITS SOHNA BRAND TO COMPETE INTERNATIONALLY
· REVIEWS FUNCTIONING OF MARKFED, MILKFED, SUGERFED AND HOUSEFED
Chandigarh May 28:-
In a bid to compete in the World market, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today asked the Markfed to intensify its efforts for obtaining international registration of its SOHNA brand.
This decision was taken by Mr. Badal in a high level meeting with the Senior Officers of the Markfed to review its functioning here at Chief Minister’s official residence on Sunday.
Taking part in the deliberations, Mr. Badal also directed Managing Director Markfed to expedite the modernising of Canneries at Jalandhar, besides initiating vigorous efforts to expand into the domestic and International market. Mr. Badal also gave in principal approval for the recruitment of technical and marketing staff in Markfed.
Later, monitoring the functioning of Milkfed, Sugerfed and Housefed, Mr. Badal directed the state Chief Secretary to follow up with the Government of India related to the issue of recovery of nearly Rs. 15000 crore on account of Foodgrain handling by various procurement agencies of the State.
In order to improve the economic condition of the farmers, the Chief Minister directed the Managing Director Milkfed to make concerted efforts to boost the dairy sector in Punjab. Taking stock of MILKFED's plan to enhance the capacity of milk plant at Mohali to 5 Lac Litres per day at a cost of Rs.39 crores, Mr. Badal directed that a comprehensive program should be prepared to carry out modernization and capacity enhancement of other milk plants being run by Milkfed. He also desired that the action plan for improving the milk procurement by strengthening milk procurement infrastructure should be implemented quickly. He also asked MILKFED to prepare a time bound plan to diversify its products range by developing new products besides chalking out a complete marketing strategy for its sale. He also gave nod to the recruitment of technical and marketing staff in Milkfed also.
The Chief Minister also directed Markfed and Milkfed to improve the Cattle feed product profile to include the products like High Energy, Protein Bypass, Fat Bypass in consultation with GADVASU or some other organisations of national repute.
It was also decided in the meeting to strengthen the Semen Bank at Bhattian by purchasing new bulls and procuring high quality semen, from abroad if necessary, for improving the productivity of available breed of cows and buffaloes.
Mr. Badal also directed the MD Housefed to ensure that all the three under-construction projects of Housefed at Banur, Mohali and Kapurthala were completed as per schedule and a punitive action should be initiated against the Executing Agency in case of any delay as per the terms of the Contract.
The Chief Minister also directed the MD Sugarfed to expedite the process of reviving the sugar mills in co-operative sector at Tarn Taran, Zira and Patiala on built, Operate, Own and Transfer (BOOT) basis as per the Cabinet decision taken earlier. Co-generation projects at various sugar mills be also got completed expeditiously, added Mr. Badal.
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PUNJAB CM CONDOLES SAD DEMISE OF HARSHPAL KAUR MALHOTRA MOTHER OF JASDEEP SINGH MALHOTRA
CHANDIGARH, MAY 28-
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Mrs. Harshpal Kaur Malhotra, mother of Jalandhar based Bureau Chief of Hindustan Times Mr. Jasdeep Singh Malhotra, who passed away at Jalandhar today morning after brief illness. She was 73 and is survived by two sons and a daughter.
Sharing his heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family Mr Badal prayed to the Almighty to give them strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss and grant peace to the departed soul.
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SUKHBIR CONDOLES THE DEMISE OF HARSHPAL KAUR MALHOTRA MOTHER OF HT CORRESPONDENT JASDEEP MALHOTRA
CHANDIGARH, MAY 28: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today expressed profound grief at the demise of Mrs. Harshpal Kaur Malhotra (73) mother of Mr. Jasdeep Singh Malhotra, Jalandhar Bureau Chief of Hindustan Times. Mrs. Harshpal Kaur expired at Jalandhar today in the morning after a brief illness. The cremation ceremony would be held on Tuesday at Basti Sheikh, cremation ground at 9 am.
In a condolence message Mr. Badal said that the outstanding services of Mrs. Harshpal Kaur in the health department would be remembered by all.
He prayed to Almighty to give peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.
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MAJITHIA CONDOLES THE DEMISE OF HARSHPAL KAUR MALHOTRA MOTHER OF HT CORRESPONDENT JASDEEP MALHOTRA
CHANDIGARH, MAY 28:
Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Information and Public Relations and Revenue Minister of Punjab today expressed deep grief on the demise of Mrs. Harshpal Kaur Malhotra (73), mother of Mr. Jasdeep Singh Malhotra, Bureau Chief of Hindustan Times at Jalandhar. Mrs Harshpal Kaur Malhotra expired at Jalandhar today in the morning.
Mr. Majithia prayed to Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.
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PUNJAB GOVERNMENT ORDERED NOT TO GRANT LEAVE TO ALL OFFICERS DURING BUDGET SESSION
Chandigarh, May 28
Punjab Government today issued orderes not to grant leave to all officers (group A and B) during ensuing budget session of 14th Punjab Vidhan Sabha.
An official spokesman said that to ensure smooth working of budget session, the Punjab Government has issued written instructions to all department heads, Commissioners of Divisions, Deputy Commissioners and Registrar of Punjab and Haryana High Court not to grant leave to officers during budget session.
The official spokesman said it has come to the notice that the functioning of Vidhan Sabha affects due to officers on leave so the Punjab Government has decide not to grant leave to the officers during the budget session. He said that the department head can allow leave to officer in case of emergency by appointing substitute of the officer on leave.
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INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT PUT ON FAST TRACK- 101 CATEGORY A AND B POSTS TO BE FILLED SOON-ANIL JOSHI
CHANDIGARH, MAY 28: The Punjab Industry and Commerce Minister Mr. Anil Joshi today gave his approval to fill 101 category A and B posts in the department on priority basis to put the working of department on fast track.
Disclosing this here today Mr. Anil Joshi said that Punjab is committed to attract Rs. 1 lakh crore investments in Industrial sector in next three years that could be possible by expediting the sanction process and strengthening the industry department. He said that he has given his approval to fill 101 posts including those of mining officers, geologists, functional managers and law officers. He said that Punjab Public Service Commission has been requested to expedite the recruitment process.
He said that similarly, Punjab Subordinate Selection Board has been requested to expedite the selection of clerks, stenos, field investigators for the industry department.
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SUMMER VACATIONS FROM JUNE 1 TO JULY 1 IN PUNJAB SCHOOLS
CHANDIGARH, MAY 28: The Punjab Government today extended the duration of summer vacations in all the Government, Private, Aided and Recognised Schools in the state. An official spokesman said that now the schools in the state would remain closed from June 1 to July 1, 2012.
No.PR-12/282
INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, PUNJAB
INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED TO ROUTE FILES THROUGH CHIEF PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIES
CHANDIGARH, MAY 28: The Punjab Government has issued instructions to route all files being put up to Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and other Ministers through concerned Chief Parliamentary Secretaries.
Instructions in this regard were issued to all Financial Commissioners, Principal Secretaries, Administrative Secretaries to Government of Punjab.
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SATINDER PAL SINGH AND PARVEEN KUMAR SWORN IN AS INFORMATION COMMISSIONERS
Chandigarh, May 28:
Mr. Satinder Pal Singh and Mr. Parveen Kumar, both former IAS Officers were today sworn in as Information Commissioners. Mr. Ramesh Inder Singh, Chief Information Commissioner administered the oath of Office in a simple function held at Punjab Bhawan today.
Earlier Mr. Anirudh Tiwari, Secretary Personnel sought the permission of Chief Information Commissioner to start the ceremony. Firstly, Mr. Satinder Pal Singh was administered the oath of office by Mr. Ramesh Inder Singh and later Mr. Parveen Kumar was administered oath. Immediately after taking oath both Mr. S.P. Singh and Mr. Parveen Kumar signed the oath papers which were countersigned by Mr. R.I. Singh.
Mr. Adaish Partap Singh Kairon, Food, Civil Supplies and Information Technology Minister who was present on the occasion was first to congratulate both the newly sworn in Information Commissioners. Information Commissioners, Members of Right to Service Commission, Senior Civil and Police officers, friends and relatives of both Information Commissioners were also present on the occasion.
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JET 2012 RESULT TO BE DECLARED ON MAY 29
Chandigarh, May 28
The result of JET would be declared by The Punjab State Board Of Technical Education on May 29.
A spokesperson of the Punjab Government today said that the result would be uploaded on the Board’s website www.punjabteched.com and www.punjabteched.net at 5.00 pm. He said that The admission for three-year diploma course in Polytechnics of Punjab and Chandigarh would be done on the basis of this test for which Prospectus-cum- Admission forms are available in Punjab National Banks, Suvidha Centres, District Education Office, Affiliated polytechnic colleges and on the Board’s website. He said that the students would be able to submit their completed form till June 15.
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PREPARATIONS ON FOR SMOOTH CONDUCT OF BUDGET SESSION
CHANDIGARH, MAY 28: The Punjab Government has issued series of instructions to all the departments to ensure smooth conduct of second session of 14th Punjab Vidhan Sabha i.e. budget session.
The Parliamentary affairs branch has issued instructions to all Financial Commissioners, Principal Secretaries and Administrative Secretaries to make all preparations to assist their concerned ministers for ensuing budget session. It has directed that keeping in view the collective responsibility of Council of Ministers, it was imperative for all officers to make preparations to provide full information to their respective ministers regarding the Legislative Business of that department in the session.
Issuing directions to ensure attendance of concerned officers in the officers gallery compulsory especially those, whose bills were expected to be presented or discussed in the house or whose questions, call attention motion, adjournment motion or any other motion has to be taken up by the house that day. He said that it was imperative for the Administrative Secretaries to provide complete background information to the Ministers for matters likely to be raised in the house. They have been asked to give one additional copy of information dossier to Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Secretary Parliamentary Affairs for information and record.
The departments have been asked to provide name and telephone numbers of Nodal Officer and Head of Department to Secretary, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Chief Minister Secretariat and Civil Control Room besides to Parliamentary Affairs branch.
Administrative Secretaries have been directed to present those bills in the Assembly, which have been issued as ordinance. The Administrative Secretaries have also been asked to send an advance copy of reply of ‘Call Attention Motion’ to the Speaker Office for the information of Honourable Speaker.
Reiterating the instructions, it has been said that reply of concerned departments to the starred and unstarred questions should reach Vidhan Sabha 48 hours before the listed time so that this could be sent to the member timely.
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12836465 TONNES WHEAT PROCURED IN PUNJAB
Chandigarh, May 28:
Government agencies and private millers procured more than 12836465 tonnes of wheat till last evening. The State Government has set up more than 1750 procurement centres and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of wheat.
The spokesman of the government said that Out of total procurement of 12836465 tonnes of wheat in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 12737844 tonnes of wheat till date whereas private traders procured 2141 tonnes of wheat. Till May 27, PUNSUP procured 2899016 tonnes (22.58%), MARKFED procured 2821724 tonnes (21.98%). whereas PUNGRAIN had procured 2187397 tonnes (17.04%) PSWC procured 1457968 tonnes (11.36%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 1448778 tonnes (11.29 %) of wheat.The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 1922961 tonnes (14.98%).
The spokesman added that District Sangrur with 1220532 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas District Ludhiana with 1042298 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and district Patiala with 1027306 tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.
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NEW INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPARISON OF ACCOUNTS’ STATISTICS
· MONTHLY ACCOUNTS BE FURNISHED TO ACCOUNTANT GENERAL UP TILL 20TH OF EVERY MONTH
CHANDIGARH MAY 28:
The Punjab Government has instructed all the departments to furnish the monthly accounts’ statistics to the office of Accountant General, Punjab up till 20th of every month.
Disclosing this here today, an official spokesman of Finance Department said that now onwards, Departmental Heads and Accountant General, Punjab would be held equally responsible for rectification of comparison of statistics and misclassification. He said that the office of Accountant General had apprised that most of the Controlling Officers had not compared the debit and credit expenditures’ statistics of their departments as yet. He said that all the departments have now been instructed to compare the monthly statistics with the office of Accountant General through their officer deputed for this task. The spokesman said that failing to compare the statistics, departmental action would be taken against the erring officers.
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BUDGET ESTIMATES BE FURNISHED THOUGH NEW ONLINE SYSTEM
CHANDIGARH MAY 28:
The Punjab Government has instructed all the departmental heads to furnish the budget estimates for 2012-13 through new IFMS (Integrated Financial Management System) and submit it online to the expenditure branch of concerned department.
In a notification issued by the Finance Department, all the Departmental Heads, Divisional Commissioners, Registrar, Punjab and Haryana High Court. Deputy Commissioners and District Sessions Judges have been asked to upload the details of Plan Budget Estimates though new online IFMS system. Template for Plan 2012-13 can be downloaded from the website www.punjabgovt.gov.in. Failing to submit the budget estimate through prescribed online system, the concerned departmental head would be held responsible.
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NEW COLUMN IN A.P.A.R. PERFORMA TO SPECIFY PROPERTY RETURN DATE
· FILING OF PROPERTY RETURN FOR GRADE-A AND B OFFICERS MADE MANDATORY
CHANDIGARH MAY 28:
The Punjab Government has made it mandatory for all the Group-A and B officers to specify the property return date. For this purpose a new column would be introduced in the A.P.A.R. Performa.
In a notification issued by the Personnel Department, all the Departmental Heads, Divisional Commissioners, Registrar, Punjab and Haryana High Court. Deputy Commissioners, District Sessions Judges and Sub Divisional Officers (Civil) have been instructed to introduce the new column in the A.P.A.R. Performa. Besides furnishing the details of property return, all the Group-A and B employees would also specify the date of filing of property return.
It has also been mentioned that failing to furnish the relevant information, confidential report of employee concerned would be considered incomplete, which could effect his departmental promotion.
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INDUSTRIAL GIANTS JOIN HANDS TO PUT PUNJAB ON FAST TRACK OF INDUSTRIALIZATION
- SUKHBIR MEETS TOP INDUSTRIALISTS SEEKING THEIR INVESTMENT IN PUNJAB
- TARGETING TO ATTRACT RS. 1 LAKH CRORE INVESTMENT IN THE STATE
- PUNJAB TO GO FOR INDUSTRIAL CLUSTERS
- EDUCITY AND MEDICITY FINALIZED IN GREATER MOHALI AREA
- TWO NEW TOWNSHIPS AND ONE SMART CITY PLANNED IN PUNJAB
- JOINT COMMITTEES OF OFFICERS AND INDUSTRIALS TO CHALK THE ROAD MAP OF INDUSTRIALISATION
New Delhi/ Chandigarh, May 26:
The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today at a marathon meeting with major industrial houses of the country with the focus to attract investment in Punjab by offering qualitative initiatives to achieve the target of Rs. 1 lakh crore in a three years, putting Punjab on accelerated track of Industrial growth.
In a interactive meeting with Industrial giants at Kapurthala House, New Delhi including, Mr. Malwinder Singh of Fortis Healthcare, Mr. Sunil Kant Munjal of Hero Group, Mr. Gautam Thapar of Ballarpur Group, Mr. Kamal Oswal of Nahar Group, Mr. Rajiv Singh and Mr. Mohit Gujral of DLF Group, Mr. Atul Punj of Punj Llyods, Mr. Rakesh Bharti Mittal of Bharti Airtel Group, Mr. Neeraj Saluja of SEL Manufacturing, Mr. Manoj Gaur of Jay Pee Group, Mr. Rajinder Gupta of Trident Group and Mr. Ashok Nambiar representing Raunak Enterprises, in which Member Rajya Sabha Mr. Naresh Gujral, Chief Secretary Mr. Rakesh Singh, Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister Mr. P.S. Aujla and Mrs. Kalpana Mittal Baruah, Principal Secretary Investment Promotion also participated, Mr. Badal, who is also holding the charge of Investment Promotion said that after making qualitative improvement in governance, his focus was to make Industrialization of Punjab as engine of growth to provide employment to the youth besides giving a fillip to economic growth of the state.
The meeting today decided to come out with a detailed plan for setting-up a industrial clusters, setting-up two modern townships, putting Amritsar on international tourist map, taking major initiatives for skill development of the youth to make them employable in the industry and setting-up a ‘Smart City’ in Punjab, setting up of Medicity and Educity in Greater Mohali Area.
The meeting also constituted a Steering Committee for improving civic infrastructure of Corporation Towns that would have three members each from Government as well as industry side. Besides this four sub-committees on infrastructure, industry, medical and on Skill Development and IT were also constituted, which would give their suggestions by the next meeting.
Mr. Badal said that Punjab is on the driving seat with initiating historic reforms in Local Government, Revenue, Transport, Excise and Taxation, Power, Police, Education and Health by making systems transparent, civil servants accountable to the public. He said that it was only state in the country that has put timelines for 67 citizen services failure of adhering to which would attract punishment to the guilty. He said that now he was focusing on ushering in plethora of reforms in Industry Department to make the working of this department transparent and investor friendly.
It was also decided in the meeting that Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal would lead delegation of entrepreneurs to Pakistan in the month of August to explore the chances of improving bilateral trade ties with the neigbouring country.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the Punjab Government after focusing on strengthening infrastructure, initiating the power projects to make Punjab power surplus besides putting administrative reforms on track and now as these initiatives were near fructification, the time has come to put Punjab on fast track of industrial development. Mr. Badal said that he was seeking investment from major industrial houses and Punjab would offer all total support to them to set-up their manufacturing base in Punjab.
Mr. Badal said that he has proposed to give broadband connectivity to all 12000 plus villages of Punjab, encourage telemedicine in the remote villages besides making all towns wi-fi in next three years.
Mr. Badal said that Punjab Government has already made preparation to acquire substantial land to create a land bank for upcoming industry. He also said that next cabinet meeting would come out with a ordinance on constitution Special Purpose Vehicle for upkeep and maintenance of existing Industrial Areas.
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BADAL OKAYS MASSIVE RECRUITMENT DRIVE IN COOPERATION DEPARTMENT
· 300 Inspectors, 50 Managers, 350 Clerk-cum-Data Entry Operators, 21 Assistant System Analysts to be recruited
· Approves to raise RCC Limit from Rs. 8 lac to Rs. 15 lac
CHANDIGARH, MAY 26
In a bid to strengthen the Cooperation Department, Punjab Chief Minister gave the go ahead signal to immediately recruit 300 Inspectors and 50 clerks in the Department besides, 50 Managers, 300 Clerk-cum-Data Entry Operators, 21 Assistant System Analysts in the Cooperatives Banks of the State.
A decision to this effect was taken by Mr. Badal today during a high level review meeting with the senior officers of the Cooperation Department and different Cooperative Institutions like Punjab State Cooperative Bank, Punjab State Cooperative Agricultural Development Bank etc. here at his official residence. Taking part in the deliberations, Mr. Badal said that he was fully aware with the fact that department was facing acute shortage of manpower especially at field level and in order to streamline the working he directed the department to immediately launch recurrent drive.
To make Punjab Cooperative Banks professionally more viable through creating customer friendly atmosphere, Mr. Badal asked the department to renovate 100 branches on the modern lines during this current financial year, whereas rest would be covered within next three years.
Mr. Badal said that the Core Banking Solution (CBS) in all the branches of cooperative banks in the State would be rolled out as per schedule i.e. by the end of the year. He further directed the department to insure the installation of sufficient ATMs immediately after implementation of CBS, to bring the services of the Cooperative Banks at par with the Commercial Banks.
Mr. Badal also approved to raise Revolving Cash Credit (RCC) Limit for the farmers from Rs. 8 lac to Rs. 15 lac in 5 Central Cooperatives Banks having a deposit base of more than Rs. 700 crore and directed the Managing Director of the PSCB to review the RCC scheme in other Central Cooperative Banks for upward revision as per their financial position. He also directed to make suitable changes in other loans schemes in accordance with the needs of the people.
To put democratically elected Board of Directors in place, He directed that elections should be conducted in all those Central Cooperative Banks where election was due.
The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of Dairy Sector in the State and issued directions to the Cooperative Banks to make special efforts to provide benefits of various schemes relating to Dairy Farming the people.
While reviewing the functioning of the Punjab State Cooperation Agricultural Development Bank, he gave approval in principle for need based for need based recruitment of officials at various level like Assistant System Analysts, Assistant Managers, Field Officers and Clerks.
In order to help farmers in reducing their cost of cultivation, he directed that Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) should start Agro Services Centers. The Chief Minister also issued directions that suitable PACS should be indentified for starting Consumer Diesel Pump in order to provide diesel to farmers at their door steps and strengthen the financial position of the PACS.
While reviewing Mai Bhago Istri Shakti Scheme, the functionaries of the department were asked to bring more women under the ambit of this scheme.
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Rape of Democracy as 9 of 13 nominations rejected in Voltoha alone: Capt Amarinder
CHANDIGARH, May 26: With the Akali government getting the papers in 9 of the 13 wards rejected arbitrarily in Voltoha Nagar Panchayat, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh today said that this amounted to rape of democracy and announced that the party will be moving the court on Monday.
Referring to the arbitrary rejection of the nomination papers of the Congress supporters across the state, Capt Amarinder also warned the officials responsible for conducting the elections against any unlawful acts lest they have to account for it. He said, the officials must not buckle under the Akalis' pressure and must do their duty strictly according to the law and rules.
The Punjab Congress President said that it is highly unacceptable and the party will not tolerate it. He said, while the matter will be taken up in the court of law, the party will also hold public protests and demonstrations wherever there are any such wrong doings.
He said, besides Voltoha, the Akalis have got rejected the papers of Congress supporters in Faridkot, Kotkapura and other places also. He maintained that this only showed that the Akalis did not have confidence in themselves and hence they were resorting to arbitrary and undemocratic methods.
BADAL SEEKS BEST TECHNOLOGY TO TREAT UNDERGROUND WATER FOR DRINKING FROM AEC
· SINHA ASSURES FULSOME SUPPORT TO PUNJAB FOR ITS MISSION TO PROVIDE SAFE DRINKING WATER
CHANDIGARH MAY 25
To ensure safe drinking water to the people across the state especially in the rural areas, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today sought personal intervention of the Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy Dr. Ratan Kumar Sinha to bail out the State with some latest and proven technology to effectively treat the underground water infected with uranium and other heavy metals.
Taking part in the deliberations, the Chief Minister in a meeting with Mr. Sinha at New Delhi this morning apprised him that recently out of the 8500 tubewells based drinking water schemes, 1000 samples were taken and tested. Consequently these samples were found with uranium levels in excess of WHO standard, which was a matter of grave concern for all of us. Mr. Badal urged Mr. Sinha to immediately establish a Water Testing laboratory in the state and suggest the best available technology to treat the underground water for making it fit for drinking purpose.
Summing up the discussion, Mr. Sinha highly appreciated the Chief Minister for showing deep concern for the poor quality of drinking water due to the presence of uranium and other heavy metals which was subsequently responsible for the growing the trend of cancer in the rural areas especially in the Malwa belt. Mr. Sinha assured the Chief Minister that he would soon dispatch a team of senior officers and Hydrologists to assess the ground realities related to the problems of under ground water and also suggest effective remedial measures through the best available technology for the treatment of the infected water to make it fit for human consumption. He also lauded the role of Mr. Badal for the cleaning of Rivers which would help the state to achieve the goal to provide potable drinking water to its entire population in the near future and impressed upon other states to follow the suit. Mr. Sinha reiterated that he wanted Punjab to lead the entire country in its mission to provide safe drinking water to its population and the Department of Atomic Energy would extend all possible help and support for this noble venture.
The Chief Minister was accompanied his Special Principal Secretary Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar and Principal Secretary Health Mrs. Vini Mahajan.
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PCC President rules out changes in MC candidates' lists; warns rebels
CHANDIGARH, May 25: Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh today ruled out any changes in the list of candidates finalised for election to four Municipal Corporations.
At the same time he warned against indiscipline and said strict action will be taken against all those indulging in anti-party activities no matter how senior they may be.
Responding to the reports of possible change of candidates, he clarified that the decision of the screening committees for all the four corporations is final and irrevocable as the lists have been finalised after thorough consultations with all the concerned.
The PCC President warned against any defiance and said anybody indulging in any sort of indiscipline will instantly be expelled from the party for six years.
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RESERVATION POLICY WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED STRICTLY: MR. RANIKE
· SPECIAL CHECKING TEAMS CONSTITUTES TO CHECK THE ROASTER.
· DEPT. HEAD WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE INCASE OF IRREGULARITY.
· SC OFFICER INCLUDED IN SPL.CHECKING TEAMS.
CHANDIGARH, MAY 25:
Mr. Gulzar singh ranike, Sc/Bc welfare minister punjab today said that the punjab govt. would strictly implement the reservation policy during the promotion process in all its departments in true spirit.
In a statement issued here minister said that it has come to fore that the roasters was not properly implemented during the promotion process and the state govt. has issued strict directions to all the departments, for implementation of roaster in true spirit. He said that on receiving complaints on this regard the state govt. has constituted5 teams of punjab govt. officers including officers belong to scheduled caste to check the roaster register.
The Minister informed that these special checking tams would ensurely checking of roaster register once in a week and would also submit their reports with secretary welfare by every Monday. He also said that the heads of all concerned depts. would bounden to extend necessary co-operation to the checking teams. The minister also said that head of departments would be held responsible if found any irregularity in the roaster register.
Mr. Ranike also said that teams also procure the particulars regarding seniority, backlog, direct recruitment, quota or promotion quota against adjustment of employees belonging to general category.
the minister informed that officer Mr. Jai kishan- director research & medical education punjab, Mr. Gurdev singh gill deptt. director education depptt., Mr. Kishan lal rattu deputy director information & public relations deptt., Mr. Karamjit singh brar- supertendent reservation welfare deptt. would be the members of first team while Mr. R K luna ifs, Mr Gurmej kainth deputy state project director ssa punjab, Mr narinder singh deputy director tourism, Mrs Jasveer kaur supdt. Establishment welfare deptt. , Mr. D V ratna kumar ifs, Dr A. S. thind,joint director, researech and medical education, punjab, Mr. Rupinder singh sadhrao, deputy director, technology and industrial training deptt, punjab, Mr. Baldev ram, supdtt., schemes welfare deptt., punjab, Mr. Avtar singh, d.p.i.,primary education, Mr Tarsem chand, deputy director, technologyand industrial training deptt, Mr. Malkeet singh, joint director, employmentgeneration and training punjab and Mr. Karamjeet singh brar, supdtt.,reservation welfare deptt., Mr. Tushar Kanti Baheda i.f.s, Mr Charanjeet singh maan deputy director, social security and women children welfare deptt., Mr. Sukhdev singh deputy director, lotteries and Mrs Jasveer kaur supdtt., establishmentwelfare deptt., punjab would be the members of rest of the special teams.
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SAD ANNOUNCES TWO MORE CANDIDATES FOR LUDHIANA MC ELECTION
Chandigarh, May 25 : The Shiromani Akali Dal President Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal has announced two candidates for Ludhiana Municipal Corporation Elections.
As per announcement Mr. Baljinder Singh Gogi has been fielded from ward no 1 and Pal Singh Grewal would contest from ward no 10 as SAD candidates.
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SAD RELEASES SECOND LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR LUDHIANA MC ELECTIONS
Chandigarh, May 25 : The Shiromani Akali Dal President Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal has announced 12 more candidates for Ludhiana Municipal Corporation Election.
As per the announcement S. Baljinder Singh Gogi from ward No 1, S. Pal Singh Grewal from Ward No 10, Mrs Savinder Kaur Neena Grewal has been fielded from ward no 11 and Mrs. Surjit Kaur Dung w/o Harbhajan Singh Dung has been fielded from ward no 47, Bhupinder Singh Bhinda from ward no 56, Jaswinder Singh Bhola from ward no 60, Rakhwinder Singh Gabria from ward no 61 (this seat was earlier allotted to Harbhajan Singh Dang), Jagbir Singh Sokhi from ward no 63, Pritpal Singh Khural from ward no 65, Manjit Kaur w/o Ranjit Singh from ward no 66, Ranjit Singh Ubhi from ward no 67 (this seat was earlier allotted to Inderjit Singh Gill) and Sarabjit Singh Garcha has been fielded from ward no 75.
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DEPOT HOLDERS SUSPENDED THEIR STRIKE FOR THREE MONTHS
CHANDIGARH, MAY 25
Depot holders in Punjab today suspended their strike for three months, which was started against the decision of UPA Governmentsto reduce the Kerosine quota of Punjab.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that decision in this regard has been taken by the association of Depot holders after a meeting with the Food and Civil Supplies Minister of Punjab Mr Adesh Partap Singh Kairon .
He said that it has been decided in the meeting that the demands of Depot Holders would be taken up by Punjab Government at the level of Union Government. He said that after that Chairman of Depot Holders Action Committee Mr Gurjinder Singh Sidhu and Vice Chairman Mr Jaswinder Singh has announced to suspend their strike with immediate effect for three months.
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PUNJAB CONSTITUTES SPOT TEAMS TO MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF \RESERVATION POLICY SCs STRICTLY: RANIKE
- SPECIAL CHECKING TEAMS TO CHECK THE ROASTER IN EACH DEPARTMENT
- DEPARTMENT HEAD WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE INCASE OF IRREGULARITY.
- SC OFFICER INCLUDED IN SPOT CHECKING TEAMS.
CHANDIGARH, MAY 25:
Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Welfare of SC & BC Minister Punjab today said that the Punjab Government has constituted spot teams to check the implementation of reservation policy for the Scheduled Caste employees as per the true spirit of Constitution of India in recruitment as well in promotion in all departments of the Punjab government.
The Minister said that it has come to his notice that the roasters was not being properly implemented during the promotion process and the state government has issued strict directions to all the departments, for implementation of roaster in true spirit. He said that on receiving complaints on this regard the state government has constituted 5 teams of Punjab government officers including officers belong to Scheduled Caste to check the roaster registers.
The Minister informed that these special checking tams would ensure checking of roaster register once in a week and would also submit their reports with Secretary Welfare by every Monday. He also said that the Heads of all concerned departments would be duty bound to extend necessary co-operation to the checking teams. The Minister also said that Head of Departments would be held responsible if found any irregularity in the roaster register.
Mr. Ranike also said that teams also procure the particulars regarding seniority, backlog, direct recruitment, quota or promotion quota against adjustment of employees belonging to general category.
The minister informed that officer Mr. Jai Kishan- Director Research & Medical Education Punjab, Mr. Gurdev Singh Gill Director Education Department Punjab, Mr. Kishan Lal Rattu Deputy Director Information & Public Relations Department, Mr. Karamjit Singh Brar- Superintendent Reservation Welfare Department would be the members of first team while Mr. R K Luna IFS, Mr Gurmej Kainth Deputy State Project Director SSA Punjab, Mr Narinder Singh Deputy Director Tourism, Mrs. Jasveer Kaur Superintendent Establishment Welfare Department , Mr. D V Ratna Kumar IFS, Dr A. S. Thind, Joint Director, Medical Education & Research, Punjab, Mr. Rupinder singh Sadhrao, Deputy Director, Technology and Industrial Training Department Punjab, Mr. Baldev Ram, Superintendent, Schemes Welfare Department Punjab, Mr. Avtar Singh, DPI Primary Education, Mr Tarsem Chand, Deputy Director, Technology and Industrial Training Department, Mr. Malkeet Singh, Joint Director, Employment Generation and Training Punjab and Mr. Karamjeet Singh Brar, Superintendent., Reservation Welfare Department., Mr. Tushar Kanti Baheda IFS, Mr Charanjeet Singh Maan Deputy Director, Social Security and Women Children Welfare Department., Mr. Sukhdev Singh Deputy Director, Lotteries and Mrs Jasveer Kaur Superintendent Establishment Welfare Department., Punjab would be the members of rest of the special teams.
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PROJECTS TO CONTROL FLOOD NEAR COMPLETION: JANMEJA SINGH SEKHON
· REVIEWED PROGESS AND INSTRUCTED OFFICERS TO COMPLETE THE REMAINING WORK WITHIN STIPULATED TIME
· WORK ON CENTRE APPROVED PROJECTS WORTH RS.2175 STALLED MIDWAY
DUE TO NON-RECEIPT OF FULL INSTALLMENT
· SEKHON TO MEET UNION MINISTER FOR GETTING BALANCE AMOUNT OF
CENTRE APPROVED PROJECTS
CHANDIGARH, MAY 25:
The Projects started to control the fury of floods in Punjab
are near completion. The work of de-clogging, de-silting, cleansing of
canals and drains is continuing on war footing, whereas the
fortification of embankments of canals and rivers is also about to
complete. We will ensure that there is no loss of life and property by
the prospective floods in case of heavy rain. The remaining work of
these projects would be accomplished within stipulated timeframe. It
was disclosed by Irrigation Minister, Punjab Mr. Janmeja Singh Sekhon,
while presiding over a review meeting of the senior officers of the
Irrigation Department here today. He said that the work on centre
approved projects worth Rs.2175 crore stalled midway due to the
fractured release of grant by the Centre Government.
Mr. Sekhon inspected the progress of various projects and
instructed the officer of Canals, Drainage, Punjab Water Resource
Management and Development Corporation Limited and Kandi
Administration (all the wings of Irrigation Department), to achieve
the target within set time period. He said that no laxity would be
tolerated in this regard.
Reviewing the work of centre approved irrigation and flood
control projects in the state, Mr. Sekhon remarked that although the
centre had approved projects worth Rs.2175 crore, but we had not even
get the full first installment, which resulted in, the work on these
projects stalled midway. He said that he would personally call on the
Union Minister and urge him to release the grant immediately.
Replying to the point of scarcity of staff raised by Chief
Engineer (Canals), Mr. Sekhon said that the all the vacant post would
be filled at the earliest after pursuing the directions of Chief
Minister, Punjab Mr. Parkash Singh Badal. He instructed Principal
Secretary, Irrigation to initiate the process in this regard. He said
that Punjab had a reserved quota in the Bhakhra Bias Management Board
(BBMB), but the employees of other states were working against
Punjab’s quota in the board. He said that henceforth Punjab would
recruit its specialized officers and would send them to the BBMB.
Prominent amongst other present in the meeting included, Mr.
Sohan Singh Thandal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Irrigation, Mr.
K.B.S. Sidhu, Principal Secretary, Mr. B.S. Dhaliwal, Technical
Advisor to CM, Mr. A.S. Dullat, Chief Engineer (Canals), Mr. Vinod
Chaudhary, Chief Engineer (Drainage), Mr. Harwinder Singh, Chief
Engineer (Kandi) and Superintending Engineers and XENs of the
department.
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PUNSUP LEADS IN WHEAT PROCUREMENT IN PUNJAB
· 12803331 TONNES WHEAT PROCURED IN STATE
· DISTRICT SANGRUR BAGS FIRST POSITION WITH 1220532 WHEAT PROCUREMENT
Chandigarh, May 25:
Wheat Procurement is on full swing in Punjab. State procurement agency PUNSUP achieved first position in wheat procurement. PUNSUP procured 2892591, the 22.59 per cent of the total procurement of the state, till May 24.
Government agencies and private millers procured more than 12803331 tonnes of wheat till last evening
Out of total procurement of 12803331 tonnes of wheat in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 12704710 tonnes of wheat till date, whereas private traders procured 2141 tonnes of wheat, Till May 24, PUNGRAIN had procured 2180589 tonnes (17.03%) whereas MARKFED procured 2814480 tonnes (21.98%), PSWC procured 1456036 tonnes (11.37%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 1442253 tonnes (11.26 %) of wheat.
The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 1918761 tonnes (14.99%).
The spokesman added that District Sangrur with 1220532 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations, whereas District Ludhiana with 1041577 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and district Patiala with 1026076 tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.
The State Government has set up more than 1750 procurement centres and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of wheat, the spokesman added.
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SAD TO SUPPORT THE BHARAT BANDH ON MAY 31 – BADAL
UPA GOVERNMENT PREFERS TO SAFEGUARD INTERESTS OF OIL COMPANIES RATHER COMMON MAN
CHANDIGARH 24 MAY:- Expressing solidarity with the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) call for a nationwide bandh on May 31 in protest against the recent hike of Rs.7.50 a litre in petrol prices and escalating prices of other essential commodities, the patron of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Parkash Singh Badal today said that SAD would support the Bharat Bandh in order to mount pressure on the Congress led UPA government for immediate roll back of this hike, as it was absolutely un acceptable to the SAD-BJP alliance government in Punjab.
In a statement, Sardar Badal said it was deplorable on the part of Congress government to hike the prices of petrol 16 times during the last three years thereby crushing the back bone of the common man (Aam Admi) due to spiraling prices contrary to its tall claims being the sole votary to safeguard the rights of the common man. He said it was amply clear that the people of country would not tolerate such irrational decisions taken by the Centre unilaterally at the behest of Oil Companies anymore.
Sardar Badal further said the Congress was running from its moral duty to bear the burden of slashing the subsidy on the petroleum products on the pretext to check the trend of constant devaluation of India rupee thereby passing the buck on the states through this ever steepest hike in the petrol prices. He said Centre was duty bound to check the prices of essential commodities but it has miserably failed on this count. Sardar Badal categorically said the common man was made to suffer terribly due to the illogical policies of the UPA government coupled with uncontrollable prices further making it extremely difficult especially for the middle and lower middle class to make their both ends meet. Sardar Badal hoped the un-ending saga of woes of common man would further accentuate with the likely increase in the prices of diesel and LPG immediately once the Presidential elections were over. He ridiculed the Centre for pursuing the interest of pro-rich and multinational companies at the cost of poor and disadvantaged sections of the society but Sardar Badal however, reminded the UPA government that its days were numbered and the people had already made up their mind to show it door during the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2014.
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SUKHBIR CALLS UPON PEOPLE TO FOLLOW THE PATH SHOWN BY SRI GURU ARJAN DEV JI
Chandigarh, May 24: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today called upon people to follow the path shown by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the 5th Sikh Guru, who laid down his life for preserving the rich traditions of humanism and secularism.
In a message issued here today on the eve of Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the unparallel and supreme sacrifice made by Guru ji for preserving the supreme values of humanism and secularism would continue to guide the humanity in times to come. He said that monumental compilation of Adi Granth Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji by Guru Arjan Dev ji by collecting the sacred Bani of different Gurus, Saints and Sages has provided beacon of light to society. Guru ji's message of equality of humankind in 'Sri Sukhmani Sahib' and prayer for universal peace and motivating the people to do good deeds irrespective of results was his biggest contribution.
Mr. Badal called upon the people to observe Martyrdom day of Guru Ji with traditional devotion, dedication by renewing our resolve to create the society based on cardinal principles of peace progress and prosperity.
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12786965 TONNES WHEAT PROCURED IN PUNJAB
Chandigarh, May 24:
Government agencies and private millers procured more than 12786965 tonnes of wheat till last evening. The State Government has set up more than 1750 procurement centers and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of wheat.
The spokesman of the government said that Out of total procurement of 12786965 tonnes of wheat in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 12688414 tonnes of wheat till date whereas private traders procured 2141 tonnes of wheat. Till May 23, PUNSUP procured 2889715 tonnes (22.60%), MARKFED procured 2809442 tonnes (21.97%). whereas PUNGRAIN had procured 2176133 tonnes (17.02%) PSWC procured 1455165 tonnes (11.38%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 1440242 tonnes (11.26 %) of wheat.The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 1917717 tonnes (15.00%).
The spokesman added that District Sangrur with 1219964 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas District Ludhiana with 1041264 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and district Patiala with 1025857 tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.
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FOLLOW THE PATH OF GURU ARJAN DEV JI : CHUNNI LAL BHAGAT & SURJIT SINGH RAKHRA
CHANDIGARH MAY 24:
Punjab Local Bodies and Medical Education and Research Minister Mr. Chuni Lal Bhagat and Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra today called upon the people to follow the noble path of Sri Guru Arjun Dev ji who sacrificed his life to uphold the rich legacy of humanism, secularism and universal brotherhood.
In a message on the martyrdom day of Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji, Mr. Chuni Lal Bhagat and Mr. Rakhra said that Guru ji laid down his life for the sake of humanity. The Ministers said that, Guru ji has also edited the great Guru Granth Sahib ji and enriched it with the Bani of Gurus, Bhats, Bhagats of different sects which gives the message of welfare of humanity
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PROJECTS TO CONTROL FLOOD NEAR COMPLETION: JANMEJA SINGH SEKHON
· REVIEWED PROGESS AND INSTRUCTED OFFICERS TO COMPLETE THE REMAINING WORK WITHIN STIPULATED TIME
· WORK ON CENTRE APPROVED PROJECTS WORTH RS.2175 STALLED MIDWAY DUE TO NON-RECEIPT OF FULL INSTALLMENT
· SEKHON TO MEET UNION MINISTER FOR GETTING BALANCE AMOUNT OF CENTRE APPROVED PROJECTS
CHANDIGARH, MAY 24:
The Projects started to control the fury of floods in Punjab are near completion. The work of de-clogging, de-silting, cleansing of canals and drains is continuing on war footing, whereas the fortification of embankments of canals and rivers is also about to complete. We will ensure that there is no loss of life and property by the prospective floods in case of heavy rain. The remaining work of these projects would be accomplished within stipulated timeframe. It was disclosed by Irrigation Minister, Punjab Mr. Janmeja Singh Sekhon, while presiding over a review meeting of the senior officers of the Irrigation Department here today. He said that the work on centre approved projects worth Rs.2175 crore stalled midway due to the fractured release of grant by the Centre Government.
Mr. Sekhon inspected the progress of various projects and instructed the officer of Canals, Drainage, Punjab Water Resource Management and Development Corporation Limited and Kandi Administration (all the wings of Irrigation Department), to achieve the target within set time period. He said that no laxity would be tolerated in this regard.
Reviewing the work of centre approved irrigation and flood control projects in the state, Mr. Sekhon remarked that although the centre had approved projects worth Rs.2175 crore, but we had not even get the full first installment, which resulted in, the work on these projects stalled midway. He said that he would personally call on the Union Minister and urge him to release the grant immediately.
Replying to the point of scarcity of staff raised by Chief Engineer (Canals), Mr. Sekhon said that the all the vacant post would be filled at the earliest after pursuing the directions of Chief Minister, Punjab Mr. Parkash Singh Badal. He instructed Principal Secretary, Irrigation to initiate the process in this regard. He said that Punjab had a reserved quota in the Bhakhra Bias Management Board (BBMB), but the employees of other states were working against Punjab’s quota in the board. He said that henceforth Punjab would recruit its specialized officers and would send them to the BBMB.
Prominent amongst other present in the meeting included, Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Irrigation, Mr. K.B.S. Sidhu, Principal Secretary, Mr. B.S. Dhaliwal, Technical Advisor to CM, Mr. A.S. Dullat, Chief Engineer (Canals), Mr. Vinod Chaudhary, Chief Engineer (Drainage), Mr. Harwinder Singh, Chief Engineer (Kandi) and Superintending Engineers and XENs of the department.
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The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today asked the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to take necessary steps to revisit and liberalise provisions of the proposed trade
Chandigarh May 24 – The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today asked the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to take necessary steps to revisit and liberalise provisions of the proposed trade and visa protocol between India and Pakistan to enable moregenuine visitors from both sides to be a part of the people-to-people contact between the two countries and give trade relations between the two countries a new fillip.
The Deputy Chief Minister, who has been pitching strongly for securing for Punjab its “natural and traditional position as an important trade hub for the entire South Asia” and beyond, also called for liberalizing norms for trade visa to make it more pragmatic. This he said would benefit business and trade on both sides and set off a new creative and developmental impulse in the region.
In a letter to the Prime Minister last evening, ahead of the Home-Secretary level talks between India and Pakistan to finalise the trade/visa protocol between the two countries, Mr. Badal said that “the highly unrealistic and counter productive age-restrictions of 12
years and 65 years imposed in the proposed protocol “are restrictive and defeat the spirit of the purpose for which the exercise is being undertaken.” He said that there was a strong case for enlarging the eligible category by keeping the lower and upper age limit at 18 and 40 years respectively. This, he said, would not only be consistent with security concerns but, more importantly, would also enlarge “the constituency of peace, whose most active votaries are those that fall in the age-group that has been specifically kept out of the ambit of the proposed provisions.”
On provisions relating to norms for trade visa, Mr.Badal took strong exception to the clauses of the trade protocol which he said “appeared to be tailored to suit only the big business houses on either side of the border. Limiting multiple entry visas to business houses with a high annual turnover is discriminatory, as this would deny small entrepreneurs, traders, farmers etc. the opportunity of benefitting from the opening up of the liberalized trade regime.” He called for a major downscaling of the turn-over limits” to enable small and medium businessmen and traders to make use of the improved ties between the two countries.”
In addition, said Mr. Badal in his letter to the PM, ‘there is an urgent need to move beyond the purely commercial and religious areas for improving mutually beneficially interaction among the people of the two countries. “In our obsession with trade promotion only, the humanitarian aspect appears to have been missed.”
He urged the Prime Minister to to consider liberal visa-on-arrival facility for the pilgrims, seriously sick, patients with special ailments and their dependents, the disabled, “special-needs” category persons, and make the protocol truly liberal in letter and spirit so that larger number of people, particularly youth on either side of the border, are encouraged to exchange visits.
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PRIVATE SCHOOLS BE PENALIZED FOR NOT IMPLEMENTING RTE: MALUKA
· AFFILIATION OF ALL THE ERRING PRIVATE SCHOOL BE CANCELLED WITH A SLAPPING OF ONE LAKH FINE
CHANDIGARH, MAY 24:
The Punjab Government has decided in principle to initiate punitive measures against all those private schools, which had not filled 25 per cent seat with the poor student under Right to Education Act (RTE). Affiliation of all these private schools would be cancelled with the slapping of one lakh fine.
It was disclosed by Education Minister, Punjab Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka, here today. He said that record of all private schools, specifically mentioning the seats filled with poor students under RTE, has been sought from District Education Officers. Mr. Maluka said that Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal has personally instructed all the departments of Punjab Government to ensure the implementation of policies structured for upliftment of the downtrodden and poor families. He said that RTE has been implemented by Punjab and state government is committed for the over all development of the poor and marginalized section of the society. He said that Education Department is providing furniture to all the Primary Schools of the state and vacant post of the teacher would be filled on priority to improve the education standards.
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Capt Amarinder hails HC orders on video-graphing MC elections in Punjab
CHANDIGARH, May 24:
Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh today hailed the directive of the Punjab and Haryana High Court allowing the video-graphing of the polling booths on the election days for Municipal Corporations and other local bodies scheduled to be held on June 7 and 10.
The court on Thursday allowed the video-graphing in a Public Interest Litigation filed by Punjab Congress Committee member Mr KK Sharma seeking directions to the Punjab government that video-graphing be allowed at each of the polling booths at the candidate’s cost across Punjab.
Capt Amarinder, while hailing the orders, pointed out that the state government had objected to the video-graphing for the obvious reasons which the court rejected. He said, the court orders will go a long way in ensuring smooth, peaceful and fair elections to the Municipal corporations and other local bodies.
The PCC President said that the presence of the central security forces during the elections will also ensure impartial elections and will also restore the confidence of the people. The PIL had also sought deployment of the central forces during the elections. However, the Punjab government had objected to video-graphing of the booths only.
Capt Amarinder said, with measures like these there is absolutely no doubt now that the Congress will sweep all the four Municipal Corporations and maximum number of local bodies in the ensuing elections.
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INFLATION AND HIKE IN PETROL PRICES WOULD BE THE LAST NAIL IN THECOFFIN OF UPA IN 2014: MAJITHIA
Chandigarh May 24: Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Revenue and Public Relations Minister Punjab has expressed his anguish and displeasure over the insolent and tyrannical behavior of the Congress led UPA Government. Mr. Majithia compared the “Delhi Darbar” with the Britishers and Mughals, who had not only ruled over the country for many years but ruined it with their dictatorial attitude. He said that following their footsteps Sonia’s Congress was engrossed in destroying the common man and the country beyond repair.
Reacting sharply to the recent petrol rise in the country, Mr. Majithia termed it a cruel bluster on people who are already suffering from severe price rise. Criticizing the anti people policies of the Congress Party, Mr. Majithia said that petrol hike decision was unilateral made without even keeping the Parliament in the confidence. Holding the Central government singularly responsible for the fiasco created in the country as well as in the states, Mr. Majithia apprehended that the gross mismanagement of food and general economy by the UPA government has led to the decline of the rupee as well as the rise in prices of petroleum products. Government's move was “completely unethical and undemocratic” as the hike was effected “even before a day had passed after the Budget Session of Parliament, said Mr. Majithia.
Supporting the bandh, announced by National Democratic Alliance on May 31 to register protest against the failure of UPA government to control the inflation and safeguarding the rights of Aam Aadmi, Mr. Majithia said that the Youth Akali Dal has already chalked out a program to register protest in Punjab and in Delhi against this unacceptable increase in petrol price. Mr. Majithia said that votary of the country should come forward to show the doors to the UPA Government by raising voice against its anti-people policies. He said that the UPA Government was duty bound to check the prices of essential commodities but it has badly failed on such fronts and it would have to pay for these anti-people acts in 2014 polls. He said that the UPA Government has increased the petrol prices more than 15 times in few years, which shows that it was behind the interests of pro-rich and multinational companies killing the interest of poor and poverty stricken sections of the society.
He made a forceful appeal to the people in general and all the political parties, cutting across their party affiliations, to come forward and join hands against the shameful anti-people and anti poor policies of the UPA led government, galvanize on one platform against the autocratic rule of the Congress and decide the further course of action before it is “too late”. He has called upon the non-congress governments and like minded political parties all over the country to immediately launch “powerful” protest actions all over the country. Reiterating further he warned that the country and its people were not safe in the hands of Sonia Gandhi, ‘a trusted foreign element’.
Slamming at Congress led UPA Government for unbearable inflation and rise in petrol price said that it was perhaps the only government in world that raises the price of fuel products when crude prices were fallen in International Market, Mr. Majithia said that this hike would crush farming community, transport sector besides having its cascading effects on the inflation. He said that the picture of Congress in Punjab and on national level was same as out of 65 years after the independence, the Congress Party ruled Punjab and India for nearly five decades and Chairperson of UPA Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh were answerable to the nation that what Congress did for the country. He said that the UPA Government has remained badly failed to govern as the alliance was buffeted by a slew of crisis including massive corruption scams and excessive inflation.
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FOLLOW THE LEGACY OF GURU ARJAN DEV JI - BADAL
CHANDIGARH MAY 24:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today called upon the people to follow the noble teachings of Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji, the fifth master of the Sikhs, who sacrificed his life to uphold the rich legacy of humanism, secularism and universal brotherhood.
In a message on the martyrdom day of Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji, Mr. Badal said that Guru ji laid down his life for the sake of humanity as a savior of dhrama (righteousness) besides to reinforce the faith of masses to demonstrate valour against the tyrannical forces unleashed by the Mughal empire. Guru ji’s supreme and unparalleled selfless sacrifice would ever remain a source of inspiration for one and all. The real homage to the great Guru would be to follow his high ideals in the right earnest and strive hard to safeguard the interests of oppressed and disadvantaged sections of the society.
"We must remember the underlying spirit and message associated with Sri Guru Arjan Dev ji’s unprecedented sacrifice”, said Mr. Badal.
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SAD RELEASES SECOND LIST OF 6 CANDIDATES FOR PATIALA MC ELECTION
Chandigarh, May 24 : The Shiromani Akali Dal President Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today announced 6 more candidates for the Patiala Municipal Corporation Elections.
As per the list Mrs Gurcharan Kaur w/o Balwant Singh has been fielded from ward no 3, Ranjit Kaur w/o Harwinder Singh Babbu from ward no 6, Sandeep Singh Sandhu s/o Hardit Singh from ward no 9, Ajit Singh s/o Kartar Singh from ward no 35, Prabhjit Singh Dixcy MC from ward no 46 and Balbir Singh Kharoud s/o Amar Singh has been fielded from ward no 48 in these elections.
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YAD TO LAUNCH DISTRICT LEVEL PROTEST CAMPAIGN AGAINST STEEP HIKE IN PETROL PRICE- MAJITHIA
• WOULD REGISTER MASSIVE PROTEST AGAINST UPA GOVERNMENT AT DELHI IN CASE OF NO ROLL BACK
• ANOTHER BURDEN ON COMMON MAN ALREADY REELING UNDER RECORD INFLATION
CHANDIGARH, MAY 23:
The Punjab Revenue, Public Relations Minister and Youth Akali Dal President Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia today slammed the Congress led UPA Government pointing out that the prices of petrol had never been hiked in such a steep way and warned the Union Government that the Youth Akali Dal would not sit silently against such anti-people decisions.
Mr. Majithia said that the Youth Akali Dal would launch district level protests against this painful decision across the state within two-three days and if the Union Government did not roll back the price hike, the YAD would register a massive protest at Delhi.
Terming the decision of UPA Government a mischievous act, Mr. Majithia said that the increase of Rs. 7.50 per liter would be a new burden on the common man, who was already reeling under the unprecedented inflation. He said that instead of taking steps to decrease the inflation to provide a sigh of relief to common man, the Congress led UPA Government crushed the back bone aam aadmi. He also called it mismanagement of Union Government as the prices of crude in international market were going down.
Mr. Majithia said that on one side the Chairperson of UPA Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was producing the report card of UPA government while on another front they were imposing such a bigger burden on the people by allowing such a sharpest hike in petrol prices.
Demanding immediate roll back of hike in petrol price, Mr. Majithia said that when the Congress led UPA started its second inning the prices of petrol were around Rs 40.62 and Rs. 30.86 of diesel while now the prices has gone nearly doubled besides the sky rocketing prices of essential commodities. He said that it was tough for common people to survive under such a high inflation.
Mr. Majithia said that if this anti-people decision would not be withdrawn by Union Government without any delay, the YAD would be forced to launch state wide protest besides a massive protest at Delhi.
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BADAL DEMANDS IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL OF UNBEARABLE PETROL HIKE
CM FLAYS UPA FOR ANTI COMMON MAN DECISION
CHANDIGARH MAY 23:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today slammed the Congress led UPA government at Centre over what he described as “a crushing and totally unjustified hike of Rs 7.50P per liter in the price of petrol”.
In a statement here, Mr. Badal said that the hike would unleash fresh inflationary trends, further jack up prices of all essential commodities and break the back of the common back. Mr. Badal demanded immediate withdrawal of the unbearable hike, seventh time in quick succession during one-and-a-half year. The hike, he said, would retard the pace of economic growth which is already in rough weather. Mr. Badal said that the petrol price in India was already amongst the highest in the world despite alarming poverty amongst the masses. Mr. Badal lamented that inflation had already touched double digit and was beyond the control of UPA government despite its tall claims to check it but in reality it had failed miserably to tackle the whopping price hike.
The Chief Minister pointed out that the price of petrol had been hiked by Rs.7.50P liter at a time when the country was reeling under food inflation which had remained untamed during its entire regime of UPA-1 and even remained unabated in UPA-2 till today. He said that the hefty hike in the prices of Petrol has exposed the anti poor face of the Congress party which claims to be the votary of common man (Aam Adami).
Mr. Badal emphasized the need to evolve a transparent system to decide the prices of petroleum products in consultation with all the political parties rather playing into the hands of oil companies.
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Capt Amarinder hails Parliament approval to Anand Marriage Act
CHANDIGARH, May 23: Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh today hailed the passing of the Anand Marriage Act by the both houses of the Parliament. He said, this was a long pending demand of the Sikh community and will go a long way in addressing their community concerns.
In a statement issued here today, Capt Amarinder appreciated the respect shown by the Congress led United Progressive Alliance government for the Sikh sentiments. He in particular thanked the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the Union Home Minister Mr P Chidambaram and the Union Law Minister Mr Salman Khurshied for fulfilling the long pending demand of the Singh community.
The PCC President said that he had personally met the Prime Minister and the Home and Law Ministers, who all took the matter on priority, for the introduction of the Anand Marriage Act, which has now finally been passed by the both houses of the Parliament to become the law.
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SAD RELEASES LIST OF 21 CANDIDATES FOR AMRITSAR MC ELECTIONS
Chandigarh May 23
: The Shiromani Akali Dal President and Deputy Chief Minister Punjab Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today announced 21 candidates for Amritsar Municipal Corporation elections.
As per the list released by the party head office here today, Bibi Nagwant Kaur m/o. Lavkiran Singh Monu has been fielded from ward no. 2, Amarpreet Singh Ammu Gumtala from ward no.4, Bibi Ramandeep Kaur w/o. Baljinder Singh Billa Mirankot from ward no. 5, Rachhpal Singh from ward no.13, Bibi Sukhwant Kaur w/o. Gora Singh from ward no. 17, Bibi Darshan Kaur w/o. Jatinderpal Singh Ghuman from ward no. 18, Avtar Singh Trakkanwala from ward no. 29, Bibi Gian Kaur from ward no. 30, Bibi Ranjit Kaur from ward no. 31, Amrik Singh Lalli from ward no. 33, Surinder Singh Sultanwind from ward no. 35, Bibi Geetinder Kaur Bolaria w/o.Inderbir Singh Bolaria from ward no. 36, Rajeshwar Malhotra from ward no. 37, Bibi Harminder Kaur Sham w/o. Jasbir Singh Sham from ward no. 38, Dalbir Singh Mammanke from ward no. 39, Amarbir Singh Dhot s/o. Kulwant Singh Dhot from ward no. 40, Surinder Kumar Vicky from ward no. 56, Pawan Kumar Pamma from ward no. 58, JagChanan Singh from ward no. 59, Sukhbir Singh from ward no.60 and Om Parkash Gabbar has been fielded from ward no. 62.
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PUNJAB TO FORMULATE FULL GROW POLICY FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF HISTORICAL PLACES AND MONUMENTS--PHILLAUR
Chandigarh May 23:
The Punjab Government would formulate a full-grown policy aimed at maintaining and up keeping of the historical places and monuments in the state. An engineering wing comprising of qualified persons from the civil engineering within the Punjab Heritage and Tourism Board would also be constituted for this purpose.
This was revealed here today by Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Punjab while addressing a joint meeting of the officers of the departments of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Punjab. Reviewing the progress of the completed and ongoing projects of Tourism department, the Minister said that the projects of Ferozeshah Museum, Ferozeshah Memorial, Misriwal, Sabroan, Jaitto Thana and Shambhu Sarai have been completed and were being handed over to the Cultural Affairs department for further up keep and maintenance. He has asked the officers to accomplish the remaining tasks within a stipulated time frame. He also said that the restoration work of ancestral houses of Lala Lajpat Rai at Jagraon and Shaheed Udham Singh in Sunam has already been taken up by the department on priority.
Regarding the completion of prestigious Heritage Village at Amritsar, the Minister said that 65 % construction work has been completed and the remaining work along with the inner decor would be completed by December this year.
Mrs. Geetika Kalha,Principal Secretary Tourism, Mr. S.S.Channi, Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs , Mr. Karamjit Singh Sara, Director Tourism and Cultural Affairs along with senior officers of both the departments were present in the meeting.
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ROTATIONAL IRRIGATION PROGRAMME FOR KHARIF SEASON ANNOUNCED
CHANDIGARH, MAY 23:
The Irrigation Department, Punjab has announced the Rotational Programme for irrigation for the Kharif Season through Canal water from 24-5-2012 to 31-5-2012. The channels of Sirhind Canal System would run on the priority basis from Patiala Feeder, Abohar Branch, 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. Ghagar Branch and Patiala Minor in Group ‘B’ being in the first preference would run to their indent. Balance water supplies available would be utilized in direct distributaries of Group ‘A’, respectively.
The spokesman further said that Abohar Branch off-taking from Sirhind Feeder and its distributaries in Group ‘B’ in the first preference would run to their indent. Balance water supplies available would be utilized in direct distributaries of Sirhind Feeder in Group ‘A’.
The spokesman also said that the Lahore Branch with its distributaries being in the 1st preference would run to their indent. Balance water available would be utilized in Main Branch Lower, Kasur Branch Lower and Sabhraon Branch with their distributaries, respectively.
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12760643 TONNES WHEAT PROCURED IN PUNJAB
Chandigarh, May 23:
Government agencies and private millers procured more than 12760643 tonnes of wheat till last evening. The State Government has set up more than 1750 procurement centers and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of wheat.
The spokesman of the government said that Out of total procurement of 12760643 tonnes of wheat in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 12662578 tonnes of wheat till date whereas private traders procured 2141 tonnes of wheat. Till May 22, PUNSUP procured 2882161 tonnes (22.59%), MARKFED procured 2805189 tonnes (21.98%). whereas PUNGRAIN had procured 2170567 tonnes (17.06%) PSWC procured 1452939 tonnes (11.39%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 1437504 tonnes (11.27 %) of wheat.The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 1914218 tonnes (15.00%).
The spokesman added that District Sangrur with 1219687 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas District Ludhiana with 1040810 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and district Patiala with 1025139 tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.
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SUKHBIR FOR REVOLUTIONARY REFORMS IN INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT TO MAKE PUNJAB MOST FAVOURED INVESTMENT DESTINATION
- TO SET UP NEW INDUSTRY CLUSTER NEAR LALRU
CONSTITUTES A COMMITTEE UNDER CHIEF SECRETARY TO MAKE INVESTMENT SCENARIO IN PUNJAB ENTERPRENEUR FRIENDLY
- ASKED TO SUBMIT REPORT BY JUNE 15TH
INDUSTRY SECRETARY TOLD TO TAKE PUNITIVE MEASURES AGAINST OFFICERS DELAYING SANCTIONS
CHANDIGARH, MAY 22: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Punjab today called for initiating ‘Revolutionary Reforms’ in the Punjab Industry Department, to streamline the sanction of projects, to adopt the projects by the state government till its fructification besides to bring systematic attitudinal changes in bureaucracy creating hurdles for the entrepreneurs.
Accompanied by Industry and Commerce Minister Mr. Anil Joshi, Mr. N.K. Sharma, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Industries, Mr. Badal had a three hour long meeting with over two dozens industrial magnets, who have evinced great interest to set-up Textile Units in the state, under Textile Park policy announced by the Punjab Government. More than 24 industrial houses showed their keen interest to put a combined investment of Rs. 50,000 in setting up their textile units in the proposed textile park and sought the intervention of Deputy Chief Minister to simplify the sanctioning process and make the system investor friendly.
They said that Textile Industry being the labour intensive industry had a potential to generate over one lakh direct and over 5 lakh indirect job avenues within next three years besides giving a remunerative price to the cotton farmers of Malwa belt.
Assuring world class infrastructure, quality power supply availability of canal water, the Deputy Chief Minister said that it was his personal commitment to make Malwa region a Textile Hub, which would export quality denim clothes to all multi-national companies in the world. He said that textile park was his personal dream project and he would ensure that no entrepreneur have to face any problem in setting up their units in industrial parks.
Reacting to the problems posed by some industrial houses, Mr. Badal constituted a high-level committee under Chief Secretary Mr. Rakesh Singh that would study the process of sanctioning of mega projects in details besides going into the problems faced by the investors and come out with an Onilne, Transparent, Investor Friendly, Fast Track Project Sanction Process by June 15th positively.
Mr. Badal also asked the Industry Department to explore the process of setting-up new ‘Industry Cluster’ near Lalru by providing proper infrastructure for industrial growth on the pattern of Manesar and Gurgaon in Haryana.
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BADAL NOT TO MEET MPs, MLAs AND GENERAL PUBLIC ON WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY
CHANDIGARH MAY 22:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal would not be available for next two days viz. Wednesday and Thursday at CMO in Punjab Civil Secretariat due to some pressing and unforeseen engagements.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Mr Badal would not attend his office these days to meet the MPs, MLAs and the senior party leaders from 11am to 1pm as per schedule. Likewise, the Chief Minister would also be unavailable to the general public on May 23 (Wednesday) from 4 to 6 pm at his residence. Inconvenience caused to MPs, MLAs besides general public was highly regretted, the spokesperson added.
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SMUGGLING OF DRUGS IN JAILS TO BE FORCEFULLY CHECKED--PHILLAUR
Chandigarh May 22: The Punjab government would intensify its efforts to check the smuggling of drugs and cell phones reportedly used by the prisoners in the jails. The activities of the staff posted in the jails and the under trial would also be closely monitored. There are about 19000 prisoners in the jails of Punjab. To curb the growing habit of drug addiction amongst the jail inmates; the state government had already taken a decision to set up well equipped drug de-addiction centers in all the central jails
This was stated here today by Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Jail Minister Punjab in a state level meeting of the Jail officers. Addressing the officers, the Minister said that modalities have already been worked out to engage the prisoners in some sustainable and economically viable projects within the premises of Jails through the participation of local industry so that they could become a part of the mainstream after their release. A few Industrial houses have been approached by the department, said the Minister.
On security issues, the Minister said that Jammers in high security jails of Nabha and Sangrur would be installed mainly to check the use of cell phones. Videoconferencing facility to simplify the cumbersome process of appearance of under trials in the courts would also be extended. To discourage prisoners from drug addiction, the government has initiated "Prisoners' Olympics" to promote physical fitness among jail inmates through sports. The first "Prisoners' Olympics" was held in Patiala recently and the next would be held in February 2013 at Ludhiana, said the Minister.
Mr. D. S. Bains, Principal Secretary, Home, Mr. Jagjit Singh IG Prisons were also present in the meeting.
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PUNJAB IS ALL SET TO BECOME THE FIRST STATE TO IMPLEMENT ARMS INFORMATION SOFTWARE
CHANDIGARH, May 22
Punjab is all set to become a first state in the country to have an Arms Information Software in all the districts and Police Commissionerate within one year.
Revealing this here today, Mr Molay Sangal Under Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs in a workshop of Police personals from Punjab, Haryana and UT Chandigarh, said that the main aim behind this project was to computerize the whole record of Arms licensing system in the country and Punjab was the first state to implement this project. He said that the Ministry of Home Affairs has made it mandatory for all state police departments to make all record available online while issuing new licenses. Besides that old record of arms would be made available online in next three years.
Addressing the workshop Mr Sameer Kumar Home secretary Government of Punjab said that with the implementation of this software Punjab is going to have computerized and centralized data base in respect of all arms licenses issues in the state. He said that Punjab would be able to made the whole system fully transparent regarding issuance of arms licenses. He said that after the completion of this project it would be easy to trace the crime cases as well as to eliminate the corruption. Mr S.P.Sharma Director Technical NIC has also addressed the workshop. Police personals from Punjab, Haryana and UT Chandigarh were present in the workshop.
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12729975 TONNES WHEAT PROCURED IN PUNJAB
Chandigarh, May 22:
Government agencies and private millers procured more than 12729975 tonnes of wheat till last evening. The State Government has set up more than 1750 procurement centers and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of wheat.
The spokesman of the government said that Out of total procurement of 12729975 tonnes of wheat in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 12631910 tonnes of wheat till date whereas private traders procured 2141 tonnes of wheat. Till May 21, PUNSUP procured 2873016 tonnes (22.57%), MARKFED procured 2798029 tonnes (21.98%). whereas PUNGRAIN had procured 2164537 tonnes (17.00%) PSWC procured 1450449 tonnes (11.39%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 1434254 tonnes (11.27 %) of wheat.The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 1911625 tonnes (15.02%).
The spokesman added that District Sangrur with 1218496 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas District Ludhiana with 1038355 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and district Patiala with 1024469 tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.
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SUKHBIR EXORTS SAD CADRE TO PULL UP SLEEVES FOR CIVIC ELECTIONS
Chandigarh, May 21
Harmeet Singh Dhillon
Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal President Shiromani Akali Dal and Deputy Chief Minister Punjab today exhorted the party leaders to launch an impressive campaign to gain the historic victory of SAD-BJP alliance in the coming Municipal corporations and Municipal Committee elections.
Addressing the meetings of Party office Bearers, Working Committee Members, Political Advisors and General Council Members in Party Head office, Mr. Badal congratulated the party cadre for historic victory of alliance in the Vidhan Sabha elections and exhorted them to keep the tempo. He said that Shiromani Akali Dal would contest the municipal elections on the development agenda. Mr. Badal said that SAD-BJP alliance was committed to boost up the ongoing development initiative for outstanding development of all the cities and towns of the state within three years. He said that cutting edge leaders must revitalize the cadre at the grassroots level to disseminate this message effectively. He said that mobilization of party cadre at the ground level was imperative to strengthen the party to face various challenges.
Earlier the party meeting passed a resolution thanking the people of the state for reposing their faith in the policies of alliance and electing the SAD-BJP government under the able leadership of Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal. The resolution also thanked the Party Patron Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, Party President Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal and party cadre for their tireless efforts to ensure historic victory of the party. The resolution also appealed the voters to vote for alliance to ensure the speedy urban development. The resolution also demanded for special economic package from the Centre government besides complete waiver of state debt for overall development of the state.
Later replying to media queries, Mr. Badal said that as per seat sharing agreement of SAD-BJP alliance the both parties would contest on the same number of seats. He said that all the party candidates would contest on the party symbol. He reiterated the SAD-BJP government commitment of conducting free and fair elections in the state.
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SAD TERMS WHITE PAPER ON BLACK MONEY AS ‘WHITE WASHING’ EXERCISE BY CONGRESS LED UPA
· WHITE PAPER FUTILE TILL MONEY STASHED IN SWISS BANKS IS BROUGHT BACK
Chandigarh, May 21 : The Shiromani Akali Dal today rejected the white paper on black money submitted by Union Finance Minister Mr. Pranab Mukherjee in Lok Sabha and termed it as a ‘white washing’ exercise to conceal the inaction of Congress led UPA government to punish the guilty of multi lakh crore scams.
In a statement issued here today the SAD President Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that it was matter of great regret that white paper has failed to outline any strategy by Congress led UPA government to bring back $ 1456 billons stashed by ‘high and mighty’ of this Government in Swiss banks and termed this exercise to distract the attention of common masses from the multi lakh crore scams during UPA regime. He said that latest report on Swiss bank accounts suggested that illegal deposit of Indians in the Swiss bank rose three times from $ 500 billon to $ 1456 billon only in UPA regime which could be termed as the most corrupt regime that the world had ever witnessed. He said that it was matter of great shame that India’s illegal deposit was maximum in the Swiss bank as the report suggested that Russia was having $ 470 billon, UK $ 390 billon, Ukraine $ 100 billon and China $ 96 billon.
Mr. Badal said that the NDA including SAD had been demanding attachment of illegal money stashed by corrupt Indians in the Swiss banks and utilize that money for the development of the country but Congress led UPA government was dragging its feet on this critical issue affecting every Indian. He said that despite Apex court strictures the UPA was not making public the list of Swiss bank account holders leaked by a website.
He questioned that why UPA was reluctant to bring bank ill gotten money in the financial system of the country when countries like USA have already taken deterrent steps of attaching ill-gotten money deposited in Swiss banks. He said that reluctance of UPA to act firmly against corrupt suggested collusion of ‘highest and mighty’ of UPA in this whole racket.
Mr. Badal said that National Democratic Alliance (NDA) including SAD had been vociferously seeking exemplary and deterrent punishment to all the ministers of UPA involved in the multi lakh crore scams but UPA did its best to save the skin of guilty till Apex court took these cases in its hand and started monitoring all these cases.
Rejecting the white paper Mr. Badal said that people of country have already seen through the games of UPA government and punished it severely in the Vidhan Sabha elections held in five states. He said that laying of white paper on black money on the third anniversary of UPA II was symbolic representation of Congress party’s involvement in multi lakh crore scams.
He said that this white paper was exercise in futility by the corrupt Congress led UPA government as count down has already begun for dumping the most corrupt government of independent India in oblivion
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PUNJAB GOVERNMENT INTRODUCES NEW PERFORMA
TO GET NOC FOR PASSPORTS
Chandigarh May 21: With a view to streamlining and checking the undue delay in the process of renewal and fresh issuance of Passports to the government employees, the Punjab government has introduced a new Performa to obtain NOC from their respective departments in this regard. The required instructions have also been sent to the officers concerned for immediate and vigorous implementation of the new guidelines.
In a press release issued here today, a spokesperson of the government said that all central and state government employees, employees of statutory bodies and public sector undertakings, their spouses, children up to the age of 18 years are required to submit an identity certificate, as mentioned in Annexure B, at the time of applying for the passports and similarly a laid down Performa on Annexture M available on the website www.passportindia.gov.in is also to be filled. The officer authorized to issue NOC should sign with name and stamp and must provide contact details for verification by Passport Authority. NOC would be valid for six months from date of issue, besides this he said that all the other formalities would remain the same, said the spokesperson.
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SENIOR ASSISTANT IN DPI OFFICE SUSPENDED
· MALUKA VOWS TO INTENSIFY DRIVE AGAINST CORRUPT ELEMENTS IN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
CHANDIGARH, MAY 21: The Punjab Government today place the services of Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Senior Assistant working in the office of DPI under suspension with immediate effect on the charge of derilliction in duty and irresponsible behaviour. The headquarter of Mr. Rakesh Kumar during suspension would be in the office of DPI Senior Secondary.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka today vowed to wage a war against corrupt elements in education department and warned that no corrupt employee would be spared. He said that Punjab Government was fully committed for the welfare of employees but would not tolerate corruption and redtapism
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DCs TO MONITOR DE-SILTING OF DRAINS AND CANALS’ EMBANKMENT STRENGTHENING: THANDAL
· MLAS TO CROSS CHECK THE PACE OF WORK
· STRENGTHENING OF CANALS’ EMBANKMENT AND DE-CLOGGING OF DRAINS TO COMPLETE BEFORE ONSLAUGHT OF MONSOON
CHANDIGARH, MAY 21:
Deputy Commissioners have been made responsible for ensuring the de-silting of drains and strengthening of canals’ embankment in stipulated timeframe. Pursuing the direction of Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and Irrigation Minister Mr. Janmeja Singh Sekhon, all the MLAs have been entrusted the responsibility of cross checking the progress in their respective constituency. Special committees have been constituted under the chairmanship of DCs concerned, which would held responsible for the implementation this project before the onslaught of Monsoon.
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VIGILANCE CONDUCTS LATE NIGHT SURPRISE CHECKING AT 12 CIVIL HOSPITALS
"PURPOSE WAS TO ENSURE EFFICIENT DELIVERY OF SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC"-ARORA
Chandigarh May 21-The ensure better medical emergency services at civil hospitals the state Vigilance Bureau (VB) conducted surprise checking of emergency services at different Civil Hospitals last night all over the State.
Disclosing this Chief Director Vigilance Bureau Punjab Mr Suresh Arora DGP, VB Punjab said that after receiving complaints about emergency medical services at various civil hospitals, the Bureau has constituted 12 special checking teams under the supervision of Joint Director, AIG/Flying Squad and Senior Superintendent of Police Vigilance Bureau along with Medical Officers.
The special teams conducted surprise checking of emergency services at Civil Hospitals of Dera Bassi, Bassi Pathana, Samana, Sangrur, Mansa, Samrala, Abohar, Fetehgarh Sahib and Community Health Center Ajnala, Chamkaur Sahib, Kartarpur and Tanda.
Mr Arora further said that during the surprise checkings, some irregularities were found like as call registers were not properly maintained and in more than one emergency OPD, expired medicines were found in the emergency trays at many places. Besides, ECG machines were not in working condition, life saving equipments was out of order in several ambulance vans and there was shortage of diesel. He added that it was also noticed at Bathinda that the Medical Officer in an emergency OPD attended a patient who was having multiple injuries but in the Medico Legal Report, only one injury was recorded.
He said that the purpose behind the surprise checking was to check the emergency OPD services of the Hospitals/Community Health Centers including duty registers, availability of doctors/staff on duty, physical verifications of essential equipments, authenticity of entries made in emergency OPD register, availability of emergency medicines and check stock position, any difficulty being faced by the patients, validity of the medicines, call registers and the punctuality to attend the emergency calls, referral registers, minor O.T. register, police information register and the records pertaining to the ambulance services. "It was also aimed to make recommendations to the government regarding deficiencies or shortage of medicines, medical equipments etc. found in the emergencies OPDs during the inspections, he added.
Vigilance Chief informed that the detailed inspections reports from the various district VB SSPs regarding the checking were still awaited. "On receipt of the preliminary findings, a consolidated report along with the recommendations would be sent to the appropriate authorities", he added.
He categorically said that in future the Vigilance Bureau officers would also conduct such surprise checking in different departments with the sole purpose to ensure efficient delivery of services to the common public.
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PUNJAB TO SET UP ADVISORY BODY FOR REVOLUTIONARY REVENUE REFORMS- MAJITHIA
• REVENUE INCREASE, WELFARE OF SOCIETY AND MAINTAINENCE OF LAND RECORDS ON TARGET
• NEW RECUITMENT OF VASIKA NAVEES WOULD BE MADE SOON
CHANDIGARH May 20:
The Punjab Government has decided to set up an advisory body with a view to bringing revolutionary changes in the functioning of Revenue department. Decision to this effect has been taken by Revenue
Minister, Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia in a high level meeting of revenue department today.
Disclosing this here, Mr. Majithia said that the Advisory body would include the senior level officers of the department besides revenue experts which would work in cohesion to find out the ways to increase redresse the disputes of NRIs. The department will be modernized and the working be improved as per the needs and requirements of the general public so that they are not harassed.Total transparency in the maintenance of the land records and deeds would be ensured to weed out corruption. A feedback system will be evolved to redress the grievances of the people. The Minister also said that the review meeting of advisory body would be held after every month. He said that the principle of checks and balances would be adopted within the department and the coordination between patwaris, Kannugos, Naib Tehsildars and Tehsildars would be strengthened. To improve the quality of services, refresher courses has been made mandatory for all revenue officials and any official who fails to get trained, would not be posted on the public dealing posts, said Mr. Majithia.
Taking a serious note of the negligence in maintaining land records, Mr. Majithia said that the district land record centers and head office of land record at Jalandhar would be upgraded and modernized. He said that the project regarding the computerization of Fird Kendras would be completed within next six months as out of 163 fird Kendras
155 have been already computerized.
The Minister said that to eliminate corruption within the revenue department, terms of all posts would be fixed and each and every official would be shifted after the completion of term. He said that the Divisional checking teams would be set up to check the registries besides a 24 hours toll free number where people can register their complaints for the spot redressal.
He said that annual confidential reports (ACR) of every employee must be written and meeting of department promotional committees (DPC) would be held annually.
Mr. Majithia said that the vacant posts of 'Vasika Navees' would be filled in next six months aiming at improving the functioning of department at the lowest level.
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Special Training Programme for out of School Children -Maluka
Chandigarh, may:- 20
Punjab government has chalked out a special programme to impart special Training to out of school children in the age group of 6 to 14 years.
Disclosing this here today, Punjab Education Minister, Mr Sikandar Singh Maluka said that a total number of 30,939 out of school children were identified and approved for coverage in school under this scheme.
Giving more details Mr Maluka said that 20720 children in the age group of 6 to 7 years were admitted directly in formal schools. He said 6706 out of school children in the age group of 7 to 8 years were covered through school Readiness programme while 7119 out of school children of same age group were directly admitted in the schools.
The minister further said that 22456 out of school children in age group of 8 to 14 years were covered under 1894 non residential special training centers while 11236 were admitted directly under this category. He said students who were prepared under this special training programme would be brought in mainstream in the regular schools.
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TARGET TO MAKE PUNJAB E-PANCHAYAT STATE TILL DECEMBER: RAKHRA
· Punjab first state to launch department’s website in regional language (Punjabi)
· Panchayats of historical importance and associated with famous
· Personalities are given special preference
· Panchayat minister directs officials to put data of all Panchayats on website without any delay
· Zila parishds and blocjk samities websites are completed
· 186 officals and 367 data entry operators working on e-panchayat project
Chandigarh, May 20:
Punjab will become e-panchayat state till the end of this year by putting all the data of panchayts on website.
Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra disclosing this said that all Zila parishds and Blocjk samities websites are completed and work of panchayat website is going on. Minister said that our target is to put data of all 12776 panchayats of state on website. He said that websites of Panchayats, Zila Parishids and Block Samities are inter connected with each other so that they could be updated from one place.
The Minister said that Punjab has become country’s first state to launch department’s website in regional language (Punjabi). He added that no other state is able to develop its website in any one of the 17 regional languages.
Mr. Rakhra told that 20 Zila parishds and 135 Blocj samities websites are completed and website of some panchayats is also started working. The Minister said that village panchayats associated with famous personalities, popular and historical importance are given special preference for web development. He said that 186 officals and 367 Data entry operators working on e-panchayat project to complete this project till the end of this year.
The Minister said that panchayat department is putting all data of panchayats such as contact number, educational qualification and other personal information on its official website. Website also includes information about distance of village from main cities and main roads, overall information about village, schools, colleges, hospitals, community centres, central and state sponsored schemes going on in villages. He added that besides this all official day to day administrative decisions, orders and transfer will also be available on department’s website.
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90 PER CENT NATIONAL HIGHWAYS IN PUNJAB TO BE FOUR/SIX-LANED IN FIVE YEAR: DHILLON
· NATIONAL HIGHWAY-15 SRI AMRITSAR-SRI GANGA NAGAR BE FOURLANED BY OCTOBER 2016
· ESTIMATED RS.3,000 CRORE TO BE INCURRED ON THIS VENTURE
CHANDIGARH, MAY 20:
The Punjab Government has decided to complete the four/six lining of 90 per cent of National Highways in the state in five year. National Highways-15, Sri Amritsar-Sri Ganganagar would be four laned in four years.
Disclosing this here today, PWD Minister, Punjab Mr. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon said that the Punjab Government was committed to strengthen the infrastructure in stipulated time frame. He said that estimated Rs.3,000 crore would be incurred on the four lining of National Highway-15 Sri Amritsar-Sri Ganganagar. He said that work on this project would be commenced on October 2013 and complete till 2016.
Mr. Dhillon said that the survey and other formalities relating to this project has been completed. He further said that under this project the highway leading from Sri Amritsar to Bathinda would be four-laned, whereas highway leading from Bathinda to Rajasthan border would be made two lane wide, but in the major cities between Bathinde to Rajasthan highway would be made four lane wide.
While talking about the widening of road from Doraha (on the embankment of Sidhwan Canal) to National Highway-95 Ludhiana- Ferozpur with the cost of 400 crore, Minister said that the work was continuing and the road would complete till October 2012. He said that under this project from Ludhiana-Dhuri and Ludhiana-Ferozpur road 2 railways over bridge (ROB) and 3 flyovers were being constructed. He further said that NH-64 Zirakpur-Patiala would be made four-lane wide with the incurring of 501 crore. Mr. Dhillon said that the work on this project would commence on September, 2012. He said that for this project approval of Forest Department has obtained and the work for cutting trees would start shortly. He expressed hope that this road would complete till October 2014.
He said that NH-64 Patiala-Bathinda would be made four laned wide with the cost of Rs.2007 crore. He said that for getting clearance for this project, case has been submitted before Environment Department, New Delhi. Minister said that this project would initiate on September, 2012 and possibly be completed till April, 2015. He said that on this 217 Km Stretch from Zirakpur-Patiala and Patiala-Bathinda project, 3 Over Bridges and 11 Under Bridge would be constructed. Mr. Dhillon said that no compromise would be made considering the quality and sustainability of these projects
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JOSHI ISSUES STRICT INSTRUCTIONS TO PREVENT RAGGING IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION INSTITUTES
Chandigarh, May 20:
Mr. Anil Joshi, Technical Education Minister issued strict instructions to all the government and private technical education institutes including Engineering Colleges, Polytechnics and ITI's to take all preventive steps to in their respective institutions to ensure that students being admitted by them in fresh batches were not subjected to any harassment and ragging by the seniors.
Mr. Joshi has asked Technical Education Department to issue instructions to all Punjab Technical University, other deemed universities, Technical Educational Institutions, Polytechnics and ITI's to follow the Supreme Court guidelines in this regard. He said that strict action would be taken against the institution found violating the norms.
Mr. Joshi had also asked the authorities of the educational institutions to take written undertaking from the students and their parents that they would not to take part in any kind of ragging activity. He said that parents should be made aware of the condition that involvement of their wards in any form of ragging would invite expulsion from the Institute including criminal case.
Mr. Joshi had also appealed to all the student fraternity not to indulge in ragging instead they should focus on their studies. The Minister also said that the aggrieved students could lodge their complaint before the college authority. All institutions have been ordered to set up a helpline for the ragging victims.
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PUNJAB GEARS UP FOR ONLINE DISBURSAL OF WELFARE FUNDS DIRECT IN BENEFICIARIES ACCOUNTS-MITTAL
- TO ADOPT EBT SYSTEM FOR ALL WELFARE SCHEMES
- TO CHECK RED TAPISM AND DELAYS
Chandigarh, May 18: The Punjab Government has issued instructions to directly credit the amounts of cash benefits in the bank accounts of benefficiaries under various welfare schemes of the government through the Electronic Benefit Transfer progressively to check delays and redtapism.
Disclosing this here today Social Security and Health Minister Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal said that the SAD-BJP Government in consultation with Reserve Bank of India has adopted the EBT model under which cash benefits to be disbursed to the beneficiaries would be directly transferred in their accounts. He said that Social Security Department had been giving cash benefits under various schemes like Shagun Scheme, Old Age Pension, Bebe Nanki Kanya Scheme and other financial assistance and it was felt that beneficiaries were facing problems due to late disbursal of amounts, cheques issued on wrong names or cheques issued after expiry of cheque. He said that Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal has directed that late disbursal of financial assistance loses its very purpose and therefore Finance and Institutional Finance Departments were asked to coordinate with RBI and other banks for online credit of financial assistance.
Mr. Mittal said that EBT system has been adopted under the Financial Inclusion Scheme of RBI. He said that Punjab Government has adopted single bank and single bank account for disbursal of benefits to the beneficiaries. Mr. Mittal said that department was gearing up to implement this scheme progressively. The Department had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Banks in concerned district and designated nodal department for coordination at district level. Business Correspondent would enroll all beneficiaries, open bank accounts and issued Smart Cards. Nodal Department would provide files electronically containing details of each beneficiary each month and crediting the required amount into the saving bank account. Lead bank will confirm credit to the nodal department. The Minister further stated that under the financial inclusion plan, advised by Reserve Bank of India, the designated Bank in the concerned district would appoint business correspondent to disburse the payment to the beneficiaries living in remote areas or villages having no banks nearer to their areas
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12673393 TONNES WHEAT PROCURED IN PUNJAB
Chandigarh, May 20:
Government agencies and private millers procured more than 12673393 tones of wheat till last evening. The State Government has set up more than 1750 procurement centers and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of wheat.
The spokesman of the government said that Out of total procurement of 12673393 tonnes of wheat in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 12575548 tonnes of wheat till date whereas private traders procured 2141 tonnes of wheat. Till May 19, PUNSUP procured 2858696 tonnes (22.56%), MARKFED procured 2785834 tonnes (21.98%). whereas PUNGRAIN had procured 2154091 tonnes (17.00%) PSWC procured 1446313 tonnes (11.41%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 1428030 tonnes (11.27 %) of wheat.The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 1902584 tonnes (15.01%).
The spokesman added that District Sangrur with 1215495 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas District Ludhiana with 1037668 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and district Patiala with 1023165 tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.
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2 DRO , 5 TEHSILDAR AND 85 NAIB TEHSILDAR TRANSFERRED
CHANDIGARH, May 18
The Punjab Government today transferred 2 District Revenue Officers, 5 Tehsildars and 85 Naib Tehsildars in the state.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Punjab Government today said that Darbara Singh has been posted as DRO Jalandhar and Rajiv Kumar Verma has been posted as Principal State Patwar school Jalandhar having an additional charge as Tehsildar Shahkot.
Besides that Darshan Singh has been posted as Tehsildar Patiala, Parkash Singh Mahal Khadoor Sahib, Ramesh Kumar jain Giddarbaha, Kuldeep Singh Bathinda and Gurmel Singh Rampura Phool and an additional charge of Talwandi Sabo.
He said that 85 Naib Tehsidars has also been transferred. Gurwaryam Singh has been posted at Majitha, Parveen Kumar Chibbar Jalandhar -1, Kirandeep singh Bhullar Chohla Sahib, Amarjit Singh Lohian, Indeerjit Singh Kadian, Ajit Singh Gill Batala an additional charge of Naushera Majja Singh, Harwinder Singh Gill Phagwara, Navtej Singh Sodhi Ramdas, Gurpreet Singh Tarsikka, Kuldeep Singh Bath Jhabbal, Barinder Bhatia Bhikhiwind, Bhakhseesh Singh Bamial, Balkar Singh Goindwal, Pardeep Kumar Shahkot, Prem Chand Gurdaspur, Surinder pal singh Dera Baba Nanak an additional charge of Dhariwal, Mohan Lal Gurdaspur, Nirjit Singh Nakodar, Kulwant Singh Nurmahal,Manjit Singh Kalanaur, Satwinderjit Singh Bhogpur, Rajinder Singh Dhillwan , Sukhdev Bhangar Talwara, Manjit Singh Fatehgarh Churrian, Arvind Salwan Hoshiarpur, Lakhwinder Singh Dasuya, Nirmal Singh Gardihwala, Gursevak Chand Mahilpur, Nav preet Singh Naib Tehsildar Recovery Garhshankar, Ranjit Singh Jalandhar -2, Dharminder Kumar Phillaur, Bawa Singh Kartarpur, Lakhwinder Singh Adampur, Sukhvir Kaur Gurayan, Amarnath Sultanpur Lodhi, Lakhwinder Singh LAO Jalandhar, Mahinder Singh Recovery Amritsar, Jaspal Singh Rajpura, Jasvir Singh Walia Colonization Ferozpur, Johri Ram Patran, Gurpartap Singh Walia Colonization Sangrur, Gurmeet Singh Michra Bhadson, Kamalpreet Kaur Morinda, Ruldu Singh Sunam and an additional charge of Chima Mandi, Satpal Payal, Gurmeet Singh Khanna, Balwinder Singh-2 SYL Patiala, Bahadur Singh Naib Tehsildar Agrarian Patiala, Bhupinder Singh LAO PSEB Patiala, Nirmal Singh SYL Rajpura, Rajpal Singh Sekhon MLA Ferozpur and an additional charge of Mandi Gobindgarh, Harinder Kumar Ludhiana East, Harminder Singh Ludhiana, Parminder Singh Ludhiana North and an Additional Charge Dehlon, Rajesh Kumar Nehra Samrala, Sukhdev Singh Lehragaga, Gurnam Singh Bhawanigarh, Harpal Singh Barnala, , Rajesh Kumar Garg Ludhiana Central, Kamal preet Puri Mullanpur Dhakha and an additional charge Sidhawan Bet, Manmohan Singh Sangrur, Sadhu Singh Nangal, Hari Singh Tapa, Paramjit Singh Malerkotla, Jaspal Kaur Ahmadgarh, Paramjit Singh Agrerian Barnala, Varinder pal Singh Dhutt Dholwaha Dam and an additional charge of Dera Bassi, Vivek Nirmohi Mohali, Harpreet Kaur Khamano, Sukhpinder Kaur Sri Mukatsar Sahib, Narinder Kumar Talwani Bhai, Gurmail Singh Zira, Bachitar Singh Sito Gunno, Beant Singh Mammdot, Jagmail Singh Bariwala, Barjinder Singh Khueain Sarver, Jaspal Singh Brar Malout, Surindewr Pal Singh Lakhewali, Gurmail Singh Giddarbaha and an additional Charge of Doda, Niral Kumar Agrerian Ferozpur, Gurmeet Singh Kot Ese Khan, Darshan Singh Agrerian Faridkot, Baljinder pal Kaur Bhagta Bhai ka, Subhash Mittal Sangat Mandi , Gurtej Singh Maur and an additional charge of Ballianwali.
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DISTRIBUTION OF ATTA-DAL SCHEME ASSIGNED TO CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES
Chandigarh, May 18
In view of the ongoing strike by the depot holders across the state, the Punjab Government has decided to undertake distribution of Wheat and Dal under its flagship Atta dal Scheme through the Primary Agricultural Co-operative Societies (PACSs) with immediate effect.
Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of Chief Minister’s Office said that the detailed instruction had already been issued to the Secretary Food & Civil Supplies and Financial Commissioner (Co-operation) to ensure smooth and hassle free supply of Wheat and Dal to the eligible beneficiaries through a network of nearly 3500 PACSs in the state.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson also appealed to the depot holders to call off their strike immediately in the larger public interest as a state government was committed to ensure the distribution of Atta Dal Scheme to the needy at the earlier.
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Punjab Government has issued a fresh grant of Rs 6.00 Crore under the State Mata Kaushalaya Kalyan Scheme
Chandigarh, May 18:
Punjab Government has issued a fresh grant of Rs 6.00 Crore under the State Mata Kaushalaya Kalyan Scheme to boost the institutional deliveries in the state.. This was stated here today by Sh Madan Mohan Mittal, Health and FW Minister, Punjab. He said under the scheme, the pregnant women are given a financial aid of Rs 1000/- upon delivery in government hospitals in the state. This has been done with the objective to provide better health facilities for the mothers and children so that the Maternal and Infant Mortality rates could be brought down further, in Punjab.
This grant has been disseminated to the civil surgeons with the instruction to pass the same to entitled pregnant women after the delivery. Sh Mittal revealed that owing to the concerted efforts of the department, the MMR in the state has declined to 172 from the earlier 192 points. Similarly the IMR has also declined to 34 points. He said that our aim is to bring down these indicators to 107 and 22 points, respectively by the year 2015.
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1 IPS AND 5 PPS OFFICERS TRANSFERRED
CHANDIGARH, MAY 18:
Punjab Government today transferred 1 IPS and 5 PPS officers with immediate effect.
The Official Spokesman said that Bikrampal singh bhatti, IPS posted as SP/counter intelligenc, jalandhar, S. Sarbjit singh, SP posted as D.C.P/Jalandhar, S. Tulsi Ram, SP posted as Comndt,4th I.R,B/Jalandhar Camp at Kapurthla, S. kulwant singh, SP posted as SP(H), Kapurthla and S. Pushkar Sandal, SP/ CM, Security and S. Raminder Singh, SP posted as SP (D) Ropar.
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DGSE conducted surprise raid in 141 schools in Ludhiana
· Action initiated against absentees
Chandigarh, May 18:
Punjab Government has taken strict measures for improving the education standard in the schools of Punjab. Pursuing the instructions of Education Minister Punjab S. Sikander Singh Maluka, Director General School Education (DGSE) has specially conducted surprise raids in 141 schools of Ludhiana District. He also found during the checking 18 teachers were absent, 62 teachers were late and 27 teachers were on long leave. He has ordered official inquiry and action against the erring school teachers found absent in the school during the raid. Total 107 teachers has been show-cause notice in this regard.
Disclosing this here today DGSE said that education department Punjab had already instructed all the District Education Officer to ensure the attendance of the teachers in their respective schools of the area. He also said that Punjab Government is committed to improve the education standards in Punjab many fold. He said that no laxity would be tolerated and all the erring officials would be dealt severely.
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Punjab to vacate encroached land of forest Department –Jayani
Chandigarh, May 18:
Punjab Government has decided to launch a vigorous campaign to vacate the encroached land of forest department by public.
Disclosing this here today Mr. Surjit Kumar Jayani Forest Minister Punjab said here today that in light of verdict given by the honorable court the department had initiated the action to vacate the unauthorized occupied land of the forest department. He further said that the instructions regarding this has been issued to all district forest officers and they were asked to report with in a week period after implementing these orders in letter and spirit. He also said that 50 acre land of village Fatehpur and Bhagala of District Roopnagar which was occupied illegally had already been vacated by the District Forest officer Roopnagar. No laxity would be tolerated at any level, added minister.
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TWO SUSPENDED FOR CONCEALING INFORMATION FOR A CONSIDERATION
· MALUKA VOWS TO ERADICATE CORRUPTION FROM EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
CHANDIGARH, MAY 18: The Punjab Government today place the services of Mr. Harbans Lal, Junior Assistant posted in the office of District Education Office, and Mr. Rajinderpal Singh, clerk posted in the office of District Education Office, Mansa under suspension for deliberately concealing the information regarding vacant stations available in the districts.
Disclosing this here today Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka, said that the Education Deprtment has sought information from all the districts regarding vacant stations where postings of newly promoted lecturers could be made. He said that these two employees, who were dealing assistants, did not disclose this information and demanded Rs. 20000 to 25000 from the lecturers for giving information regarding vacant stations. He said that he has ordered an enquiry against the DEO of both districts and erring staff colluding in this so that deterrent punishment could be meted out to them.
Resolving to eradicate corrupt practices from the Education Department, Mr. Maluka said that he would not spare any employee indulging in malpractices.
The headquarters of the duo suspended employees would be at Government Senior Secondary School in Bhai Rupa and DIET, Budhlada respectively.
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2928 PROMOTED AS LECTURERS IN PUNJAB- MALUKA
Chandigarh, May 18:
The Punjab government today ordered the promotion of 2928 teachers as lecturers with immediate effect.
Disclosing this here today Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka, Education Minister said that 178 biology teachers, 186 chemistry teachers, 345 commerce teachers, 140 economics teachers, 203 english teachers, 5 fine arts teachers, 41 geography teachers, 32 hindi teachers, 463 history teachers, 215 mathematics teachers, 15 music teachers, 118 physics teachers, 102 physical education teachers, 499 political science teachers, 381 punjabi teachers, 3 sanskrit teachers and 2 sociology teachers have been promoted as lecturers with immediate effect.
He said that he has personally taken up this exercise of promoting eligible employees timely to check the stagnation besides to boost the morale of employees. He said that postings of all these newly promoted lecturers would be made in a transparent manner.
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ROTATIONAL IRRIGATION PROGRAMME FOR KHARIF SEASON ANNOUNCED
CHANDIGARH, MAY 18:
The Irrigation Department, Punjab has announced the Rotational Programme for irrigation for the Kharif Season through Canal water from 24-5-2012 to 31-5-2012. The channels of Sirhind Canal System would run on the priority basis from Patiala Feeder, Abohar Branch, 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. Ghagar Branch and Patiala Minor in Group ‘B’ being in the first preference would run to their indent. Balance water supplies available would be utilized in direct distributaries of Group ‘A’, respectively.
The spokesman further said that Abohar Branch off-taking from Sirhind Feeder and its distributaries in Group ‘B’ in the first preference would run to their indent. Balance water supplies available would be utilized in direct distributaries of Sirhind Feeder in Group ‘A’.
The spokesman also said that the Lahore Branch with its distributaries being in the 1st preference would run to their indent. Balance water available would be utilized in Main Branch Lower, Kasur Branch Lower and Sabhraon Branch with their distributaries, respectively.
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12585758 TONNES WHEAT PROCURED IN PUNJAB
Chandigarh, May 18:
Government agencies and private millers procured more than 12585758 tonnes of wheat till last evening. The State Government has set up more than 1750 procurement centers and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of wheat.
The spokesman of the government said that Out of total procurement of 12585758 tonnes of wheat in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 12489570 tonnes of wheat till date whereas private traders procured 2141 tonnes of wheat. Till May 17, PUNSUP procured 2846239 tonnes (22.61%), MARKFED procured 2762329 tonnes (21.95%). whereas PUNGRAIN had procured 2143407 tonnes (17.03%) PSWC procured 1428733 tonnes (11.35%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 1421035 tonnes (11.29 %) of wheat.The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 1887827 tonnes (15.00%).
The spokesman added that District Sangrur with 1211565 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas District Ludhiana with 1035962 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and district Patiala with 1021858 tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.
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PUNJAB EDUCATION DEPARTMENT REVERT BACK 4000 TEACHERS WORKING AS DPCs, DRPs, MMTs, EMTs, BMTs, CMTs, DMCs AND EPDCs
Chandigarh, May 17:
In a major decision the education department has reverted back more than 4000 teachers working as District Project Coordinators, District Resource Persons, Math Master Trainers, English Master Trainers, Block Master Trainers Parho Punjab, Cluster Master Trainers Parho Punjab, District Maths Coordinators, English Project District Coordinators, Parho Punjab Coordinators, Assistant Parho Punjab Coordinators, ICT Coordinators and EDUSAT Coordinators to their parent schools.
Disclosing this here today, Punjab Education Minister Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka said that this decision was aimed to ensure impartation of quality education in government schools as he had observed that the teachers working on various other assignments rather involving in direct teaching were not fulfilling the sole purpose of imparting education. Underlining the need to restructure the District and Block Level Education Offices, the Minister pointed out that he was informed that the number of teachers working in the field were much more than those required against sanctioned posts. Besides this, these field officers were being paid approximately Rs.7 crore remuneration annually. He said that as per the guidelines issued by Ministry of Human Resource Development, every state have to deploy subject specific block resource persons because their job profile be speaks about their function as BRPs and they would act as block resource group at Block Level and in totality as District Resource Group. He categorically said that the state government has decided to recruit BRPs in accordance with the posts sanctioned by Ministry of Human Resource Development in future. He said that with deployment of BRPs as per actual sanctioned post the annual remuneration expenditure would be cut drastically.
The Education Minister revealed that the department would soon shortlist efficient, experienced and hard working teachers for assigning the job of BRP at block level and DRP at district level
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NO EXTENSION OR REEMPLOYMENT TO ANY RETIRING EMPLOYEE
· DEPARTMENTS TOLD TO STRICTLY RETIRE EMPLOYEES ON THEIR RETIREMENT DATE
· ERRING DEPARTMENTS TO FACE STRICT ACTION
CHANDIGARH, MAY 17: The Punjab Government today issued fresh and strict directions to all the departments directing them not to order extension or offer reemployment to any employee, after his date of retirement. The extension to the Punjab Civil Services officers would however be given in view of administrative necessities.
An official spokesman today said that despite directions of Punjab Government in this regards, some cases of reemployment of officers/employees in some department has come to the notice of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, who after taking the issue seriously, ordered not to provide reemployment/extension to any officer/employee after the due date of retirement. He also directed that except PCS officers, other officers/employees of Punjab Government would be retired on the due date.
The spokesman said that Chief Minister has also issued directions to take stern action against the erring department, who would provide reemployment to the retired officers/employees. He said that reemployment and extension to the existing retiring employees besides marring the promotional avenues of juniors also block the recruitment of fresh staff.. He said that the abolition of reemployment would prove a boon for unemployed youth of Punjab. He said that in future no department would reemploy its any officer/employee either by extension or providing them same status on contractual basis.
The spokesman said that the Administrative Secretaries of the erring departmen would be held responsible for any for any violation in this regard
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CM SEEKS DETAILED REPORT ON PUNJAB CABINET'S PENDING DECISION
CHANDIGARH, MAY 17: The Punjab Government today directed all the departments for immediate implementation of decisions taken by the Punjab Cabinet besides immediate issuance of notifications within two weeks. He said that the Chie Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal has sought a detailed report in this regard.
According to an official spokesman, it has come to notice of the government that some departments has been unnecessary delaying the implementation of decisions taken by the Punjab Cabinet. He said that according to the fresh directions of the state government now the departments would have to issue the notifications within 15 days. He also said that the Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal has ordered to take necessary actions against such departments, who have been failed to implement the decision of Punjab Cabinet.
The Spokesman said that Chief Minster has also sought a detailed report on the pendency of decisions, reasons behind the pending decisions and pendency of notifications, to ensure the proper implementation of Punjab Cabinet decisions
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FIVE IAS AND TWO PCS OFFICERS TRANSFERRED
Chandigarh May 17, 2012
The Punjab Government today transferred 5 IAS and 2 PCS officers in the state with immediate effect.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab Government said that Mr. Sarvjit Singh IAS has been posted as Chief Administrator, GMADA and in addition ex-officio Director, Town and Country planning .
The services of Mr. Kirandeep Singh Bhullar has been placed at the agriculture department for posting him as MD Punjab Agro industries Corporation Chandigarh in addition Commissioner Roopnagar Division, Roopnagar.
Mr. Ashok Kumar Gupta has been transferred and posted as Secretary Co-ordination and in addition Secretary General Administration,
Mr. Arunjit Singh Miglani has been transferred and posted as Registrar Co-operative Societies, Punjab Chandigarh.
Mr. Adapa Karthik, Additional Secretary Technical Education and Industrial Training would also hold the charge of the post of Additional Secretary Local Government in addition to his present assignment.
Likewise, Mr. Manvesh Singh Sidhu, PCS Special Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister Punjab would also hold the charge of Chief Administrator PUDA, SAS Nagar.
The services of Mr.Manjit Singh Brar have been placed at the disposal of the Department of Housing and Urban Development for posting as ACA, GMADA, SAS Nagar
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PUNSUP LEADS IN WHEAT PROCUREMENT IN PUNJAB
· 12534422 TONNES WHEAT PROCURED IN STATE
· DISTRICT SANGRUR BAGS FIRST POSITION WITH 1209585 WHEAT PROCUREMENT
Chandigarh, May 17:
Wheat Procurement is on full swing in Punjab. State procurement agency PUNSUP achieved first position in wheat procurement. PUNSUP procured 2834589, the 22.61 per cent of the total procurement of the state, till May 12.
Government agencies and private millers procured more than 12534422 tonnes of wheat till last evening
Out of total procurement of 12534422 tonnes of wheat in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 12439038 tonnes of wheat till date, whereas private traders procured 2141 tonnes of wheat, Till May 16, PUNGRAIN had procured 2132077 tonnes (17.01%) whereas MARKFED procured 2754613 tonnes (21.98%), PSWC procured 1421951 tonnes (11.34%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 1414072 tonnes (11.38 %) of wheat.
The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 1881736 tonnes (15.01%).
The spokesman added that District Sangrur with 1209585 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations, whereas District Ludhiana with 1033141 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and district Patiala with 1021107 tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.
The State Government has set up more than 1750 procurement centres and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of wheat, the spokesman added
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROMOTION OF SENIOR ASSISTANT OF PUNJAB CIVIL SECRETARIAT
CHANDIGARH, MAY 17:
The Punjab Government has issued new instructions for filling the vacant posts of Senior Assistants by promoting Junior Assistant.
Disclosing this here today, an official spokesman of Punjab Government said that any Junior Assistant/Senior Clerk of Punjab Civil Secretariat having the desired five year experience could apply for his/her promotion. He said these applications could be moved through the head of concerned branch and must reach establishment branch-1 within 15 days.
He said that those employees who didn’t want promotion must also submit their request in this regard to the administrative branch. He said that those Junior Assistant/Senior Clerk/Clerk, who had been debarred for promotion and who have completed two years of this period, must also submit their request to avail the benefit of promotion or not, to the administrative branch within 15 days.
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR PB BHAWAN AND CICRUIT HOUSE BOOKING
CHANDIGARH, MAY 17:
The Punjab Government has issued new instructions for the booking in Block-A of Punjab Bhawan, New Delhi and Circuit House, Ludhiana. In a notification issued by Punjab Government has issued new instructions for ensuring booking to eligible personalities in Block-A, Punjab Bhawan, New Delhi.
According to the new instructions, booking of any official/dignitary could not be made in Block-A, Punjab Bhawan, New Delhi, who was not covered under that Category. Besides this, the family members of any eligible official/dignitary would not be considered for reservation in this block, as this may deny reservation to eligible categories
The official spokesman said that due to the renovation work of Circuit House, Ludhiana the booking would not be made. He said that the renovation work could complete in a week or two, hence after the booking would be made after completion of renovation work.
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MOGA CONSTITUTED AS NEW SESSIONS DIVISION
Chandigarh, 16 May-
To reduce the growing workload and speedy disposal of cases, a new sessions division Moga has been constituted. Notification in this regard has been issued by the state governments Department of Home Affairs and Justice.
All the present tehsils of district moga will come under the jurisdiction of full-fledged sessions division Moga. According to the notification issued by the state government's Department of Home Affairs and Justice now District Judge Moga to be the District Judge of Moga District.
It may be mentioned that the Moga Sessions division has been carved out of the Faridkot sessions division.
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PUNJAB GOVERNMENT STARTS PROCESS FOR SINGLE FILE SYSTEM
Chandigarh, 16 May- The Punjab government has decided to start single file system in all departments. Acting on the directions of the Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal various departments has been asked to submit their suggestions regarding implementation of single file system.
According to the spokesperson of the Administrative Reforms Department, Punjab has instructed the various departments to send their suggestions regarding this within a week by all means.
The Spokesperson further said that government has taken this important step to remove all unnecessary hindrances and time wastage in the way of file clearance process. In the present scenario people in a traditional way submits different files in various departments for single work. Due to this people get harassed and frustrated due to wastage of time. He added that single file system will help in bringing efficiency in file clearances.
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PUNJAB TO GENERATE 1000 MW POWER THROUGH NON CONVENTIONAL ENERGY: MAJITHIA
• SPECIAL INCENTIVES FOR NON CONVENTIONAL ENERGY PROJECTS UNDER
NRSE SCHEME 2012
• LANGAR TO BE PREPARED AT GOLDEN TEMPLE THROUGH SOLAR ENERGY
• TASK TO INSTALL SOLAR ENERGY PLANTS ON ALL PUBLIC BUILDINGS BY MAY 2017
CHANDIGARH, MAY 17: The Punjab Government has fixed a target to
generate 1000 MW through Non Conventional Energy resources. This was
decided in a high level meeting presided over by the Renewal Energy
and Revenue Minister of Punjab ,Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia here today.
Reviewing the status of ongoing Non Conventional Energy
programs in the state, Mr. Majithia said that the Punjab Government
has introduced special incentives for such program under NRSC (New and
Renewal Source of Energy) scheme 2012 so that the investors could
invest in these projects in a big way. He said that the Renewal Energy
Department of the state government has invited investors to invest by
offering exemption on VAT, Stamp Duty besides abolishing CLU charges
and Power tariffs.
Mr. Majithia said that by March 2017 all Punjab Government
buildings would be equipped with Solar Energy Plants including
schools, hospitals, district administrative complexes, tehsils, courts
etc. Mr. Majithia said that the necessary directions in this regard
have been issued to the all authorities concerned. He informed that
the state would easily achieve this objective and total 1572
government buildings have been identified for this purpose out of
which 448 were in border areas.
Emphasizing on the need to promote solar energy program in
the border belts of Punjab, Mr. Majithia said that he along with the
officers of renewal energy department would soon meet Union Renewal
Energy Minster, Mr. Farooq Abdullah for the sanctioning of solar
plants in border regions under Border Area Development Program. The
Minister also informed that the state government would incur Rs. 9.5
crores to give the state of Solar City to Amritsar on the pattern of
Chandigarh. He also informed that more than half of the work of Solar
Stream Cooking progam at Golden Temple, Amritsar has been completed
with a combine cost of Rs. 1.50 crore while this project would be
fully operational by May 2013 and the preparation of langar would be
done through the solar energy, he added.
Mr. Majithia also asked the department to identify the
requisite land for construction of a ‘Solar Park’ in the state on the
pattern of Gujarat. He directed the officers to come prepared with a
plan for Solar Park in next meeting so he could take up the issue with
the Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal. He also informed that the
department has identified 56 tehsils to install the Biomass Plants,
which would be proved a boon for the farmers of the state.
Prominent amongst those were present in the meeting included
Mr. Karan A Singh, Principal Secretary, Non Conventional Energy
Department, Punjab and Mr. Jatinder Singh Lalli Bajwa, Chairman Punjab
Gen Co.
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MALUKA ISSUES INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETION OF WORK WITHIN STIPULATED TIME FRAME
CHANDIGARH, MAY 17:
The Education Minister, Punjab Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka today issued instructions for all the employees of the department to complete work within stipulated time period. He also exhorted the employees to work with full diligence, dedication and devotion.
In a communiqué to the press, He said that it has been noticed that officers keep the work in abeyance without any justifiable reason, which resulted in the harassment to the concerned person. Mr. Maluka has also instructed that all the officers must mention date and time on the file, before putting up his/her signature on the file. He said that any officer found guilty for the delay of official work, would be severely dealt with.
Mr. Maluka said that the capacity buildings workshops of the officers and employees have been conducted in order to increase the pace and swiftness of official work. He has also ordered the officers to be objective, just and transparent in their dealing with the public, so that democratic ethics and tradition could be strengthened.
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ALL DEPARTMENTS WARNED AGAINST OVER EXPENDITURE
· INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL THE DEPARTMENTS TO COMPARE THE MONTHELY ACCOUNTS AND TO CHECK THE IRREGULARITIES IN STATISTICS
CHANDIGARH, MAY 17:
The Finance and planning Department, Punjab has issued new instructions to all the departments to curb any practice of over expenditure and to check all the financial irregularities in the statistics of accounts of 2011-12.
Disclosing this here today, an official spokesman said that it has been noticed that the districts treasury offices didn’t furnish the monthly accounts in time and most of the time the account submitted by them were incomplete. He said that in addition to this, most of treasury offices didn’t furnish the details/vouchers of the expenditure, which enforce us to book expenditure under Treasury/O.B. Suspense account. Spokesman further said that controlling officers didn’t compare the expenditure statistics in time. He said that the new instructions were issued specially for the irregularities committed in the monthly accounts ranging from November 2011 to January 2012. He said that the concerned offices have also been instructed to incorporate the desired adjustments till 25th May, 2012, so that the closure of accounts might not be delayed.
The spokesman said that the accounts for 2011-12 would be closed upto 15th June, 2012. He said that it has been made mandatory to complete the employees’ Provident Fund/G.P.F’s interest adjustment before the closing of the annual account and comparison of accounts must be completed till March.
He said that it has been found that most of the offices incurred more expenditure than the sanctioned budget. Departments have also been instructed to carry out investigation for any irregularity in account and over expenditure. All the CCOs, COs and DDOs have been instructed to strictly follow the Punjab Government/Finance Department’s norms to monitor any expenditure.
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BADAL FOR SHIFT TOWARDS DAIRY FARMING TO HERALD WHITE REVOLUTION IN PUNJAB
NDDB CHIEF CALLS ON BADAL TO APPRISE ABOUT NATIONAL DAIRY PLAN
CHANDIGARH MAY 17:
To herald a white revolution in the state, Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today emphasized the need to make a shift from the traditional agriculture to the dairy farming.
Reviewing the National Dairy Plan (NDP) in a meeting with the Managing Director National Dairy Development Board Mr. Dilip Rath and the senior officers of the animal husbandry here at Punjab Bhawan this morning, Mr. Badal said that it was the need of the hour to bring diversification of agriculture in Punjab by switching over from the Wheat-Paddy rotation towards the dairy farming as an alternative to the conventional agriculture which was no longer remunerative to the farmers due to the squeezed margins of profit.
Mr. Badal underscored the need for the implementation of NDP in the right earnest so that our farmers especially the small and marginal could be immensely benefitted. He assured Mr. Rath that the state government would extend all support and cooperation in this mission of GoI so that much needed impetus could be given to the state’s rural economy. He told Mr. Rath that all the requisite conditions for the implementation of NDP had already been complied with by the state.
Taking part in the deliberations, Mr. Rath apprised the Chief Minister that the basic objective of the NDP was to enhance the productivity of milch animals thereby increasing the milk production besides providing rural milk producers with greater access to organize milk processing sector. He said that the project was aimed at covering about 2.7 million milch animals in 40000 villages spread out in 14 major milk producing states including Punjab, contribution 90% of the milk production.
Mr. Rath said that the NDP Phase 1 would be implemented with a total investment of about Rs.2242 crore comprising Rs. 584 crore as international development association credit, Rs.171 crore GoI share, Rs.282 crore as share of End Implementing Agencies (EIA) participating in the states and Rs.200 crore by the NDDB and its subsidiaries. In case of Punjab EIAs would be Punjab livestock Development Board, Punjab Dairy Development Board, Milkfed, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University Ludhiana and Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana. Referring to the pattern of funding, Mr. Rath informed 100% grant-i-aid for nutrition and breeding activities, 25% of project cost of capital expenditure in case of new semen stations would be shared by EIA, 50% of the project cost of capital expenditure in case of village milk besides the procurement agencies will be shared by EIA.
Mr. Badal asked the animal husbandry department to work out their proposals in conformity with the NDP for upgradation its entire network of milk and cattle feed plants run by Milkfed besides strengthening the marketing network for the sale of milk and milk products not within the state but also across the country and even abroad.
Mr. Badal stressed on the need for considerably improving the quality of cows and buffalos bread to increase the milk production in the state through novel techniques of artificial insemination. The Chief Minister also mentioned that the state government would soon notify its new animal breeding policy. He pointed out that the milk production of buffalos has drastically reduced as compared to Neeli and Murrah breeds which gave milk on an average of 20 to 22 kg. He underlined the need to produce better quality of milch cattle and asked the state Animal Husbandry Department to tie up with Guru Angad Dev University of Veterinary Sciences to undertake extensive research in this field. He said that Punjab had a tremendous potential to increase the milk production which must be taped to supply the milk to the processing plants in the cooperative and private sectors to ensure better prices to the milk producers. He also asked the Milkfed to upgrade their milk plants on the modern lines to cope with the enhanced milk handling capacity, which would ultimately result in heavy profits from processing of milk and milk products.
Meanwhile, few progressive dairy farmers also put forth their free and frank views in the meeting for the promotion of dairy sector in a big way. They demanded common service centers to be set up in every block of the districts with heavy concentration of dairy units especially in Moga, Ludhiana and Fatehgarh Sahib from where they could utilize the services of machinery for milking and silage cutting on the custom higher basis.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Chairman Punjab State Farmers’ Commission Dr. GS Kalkat, Financial Commissioner Animal Husbandry Mr.Jagpal Singh Sandhu, Principal Secretary Cooperation Mr. Viswajit Khanna, Mr. KJS Cheema and Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar both Special Principal Secretaries to Chief Minister, Vice Chancellor GADVASU Dr. VK Taneja, Vice Chancellor PAU Dr. BS Dhillon, Director Animal Husbandry Mr. HS Sandha, MD Milkfed Mr. BS Sidhu, Director Dairy Mr. Inderjit Singh and President BKU Mr. Balbir Singh Rajewal.
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BEBE NANKI LAADLI BETI KALYAN SCHEME LAUNCHED TO UPLIFT THE GIRLS OF WEAKER SECTIONS-MITTAL
Chandigarh May 17:-
In a bid to uplift the social and educational status of girls and to improve the declining sex ratio along with the school drop out rate among girls a special program has been chalked out.
Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal social security, Women and Child Development Minister Punjab disclosed here today that the girl child born on or after 1-4-2011, of those families who had adopted the two child norms and family planning method and whose income is below 30,000/- per annum would be eligible for the scheme. Mr. Mittal further informed that the department would invest Rs. 20,000/- per beneficiaries with life insurance corporation of India as premium. On birth of newly born girl child, the department would give Rs. 1100/-, after attaining the age of 1 & 2 years (after immunization), the female child would get Rs. 1200/- each, on third years she would be entitled for Rs. 1500/- and on her admission to 1st class, the department would deposit Rs. 1100/- in her bank account. On admission to classes 6th, 9th, 11th Rs. 2100/- each would be deposited by the department. On attaining adulthood, she would be entitled to get Rs. 21000/- as scholarship for furtherance of higher studies. Besides this, Mr. Mittal added that department would provide scholarship from class 1 to 6th Rs. 100/- per month amounting to 7200 and from class 7th to 12th the scholarship would be doubled i.e. Rs. 200/- P.M amounting to Rs. 14,400/- in six years.
The Minister further said that Rs. 15000/- would be given from 13th finance commission grants and Rs. 5000/- would be borne by the Government of Punjab. The target is to cover 34500 beneficiaries, Rs. 1.75 crore has been earmarked for various publicity schemes under information, Education and communication activities.
He explained that each youth club would be given a grant of Rs. 5000/- under the scheme for youth centre. An expenditure of Rs. 2.50 crore would be earmarked. To provide higher education orphan girls in the state, Rs. 2 crore would be provided for this purpose.
He added that Rs. 1 crore has been earmarked for giving grants to 15 NGOs (Rs. 2 lac per NGO) for generating awareness regarding PNDT act and for their efforts to improve sex ratio in the state.
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MANDATORY TRAINING FOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
Chandigarh May 17:-
In order to bring perfection in the government offices of the state and to acquaint the officials with the latest technical know how, the Punjab Government has made office training mandatory for the Clerks, Junior Assistants and Senior Assistants of the State Government Departments. An order in this regard had been issued here today.
Disclosing this here today, a spokesman of the Punjab Government said that it would also be mandatory for every official to attend 80% lectures during training period. The spokesman urged all the departments to send a lists of employees to the General Administration Department so that training arrangement could be made well in time. Those officials who have already been imparted training could also join the training programme to make their knowledge advanced.
The spokesman further said that strict administrative action would be taken against those officials who would be hesitate to attend the training programmes.
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NRI COMMISION ISSUES NOTICE TO COMMISSIONER OF POLICE JALANDHAR
· SEEKS A REPORT WITHIN 3 WEEKS AGAINST NRI IMPOSTER HUSBAND
Chandigarh , 16 May, 2012
Punjab NRI Commission today issued notice to the Commissioner of Police, Jalandhar and sought a report within three weeks on the complaint filed by Nileshni Reddy, an NRI wife against her imposter husband Ravi Sidhu alias Amarjit Singh Sidhu resident of Village Chotta Saipur at NRI Police Station, Jalandhar
A spokesperson of the Commission said that in her complaint she has alleged that they met each other through the website and got married in August 2011 in a Temple in the presence of Ravi’s father. They stayed in a hotel after marriage and then she went to New Zealand for visa extension and returned India in January this year. Since January, they were staying in a hotel and her husband took her to his house only once. However, Ravi Sidhu, her husband went missing on April 26, 2012 when they were in a hotel at New Delhi. She then contacted the family of his husband and were told that they had already snapped all ties with him. Resultantly, she filed a complaint against her husband at NRI Police Station, Jalandhar.
The spokesperson said that the commission TOOK suo-moto notice on a news published in a English Daily and issued notice to Commissioner of Police, Jalandhar to apprise the Commission about the action taken on the complaint of the said NRI wife and to submit status report on or before 3 weeks. He said that IG NRI Affairs has been asked to supervise the progress of the investigation in the matter.
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KANDI CANAL PHASE-II SET TO COMPLETE THIS YEAR: SOHAN SINGH THANDAL
· PB GOVT. APPROVES PLAN OF RS.100 CRORE FOR DIGGING DEEP TUBE WELLS IN KANDI AREAS
· LAUDS CENTRAL TEAM FOR WATER LOGGED AREA, SEEKS IMMEDIATE COMPENSATION
CHANDIGARH, MAY 16:
The second phase of Kandi Canal will be completed and the canal will be made operational this year by feeding the areas of Garhshankar Sub-Division.
It was disclosed by Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Irrigation, here today. He said that considering the long pending demands of natives of Kandi Areas, sympathetically, Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal has approved special package for the area, which included the completion of the canal, digging deep tube wells and providing better irrigation facilities to the farmers of the area.
In a communiqué to the press, Mr. Thandal said that it was the genuine grudge of the natives of the Kandi Area that due to the scarcity of better irrigation facilities that area was lagging behind in the development of agriculture sector. He said that Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal has instructed the authorities to expedite the work on war-footing and complete the second phase of Kandi Canal this year by all means. He said that the Punjab Government has also approved a special plan for the all round development of Kandi Area. Mr. Thandal said that Rs.100 crore will be incurred on the digging of deep tube wells in the area. He said that these tube wells would irrigate 25,000 acre barren land.
Mr. Thandal welcomed the decision of Planning Commission of India to constituting and dispatching of a special team for evaluating and solving the problem of water logging in Punjab. Minister Thandal sought special package from the Centre Government for the farming community reeling under the problem of water logging. He said that the farmer of Punjab has been philanthropist in its approach and pursuing the principle of betterment of mankind. He said that pursuing this policy the farmer of Punjab has been feeding the Central grain pool by producing more and more food grains through the excessive use of ground water, which ultimately disturbed the water level of the state. He said that the presence of poisonous chemical elements in the ground water of some areas of Punjab rendered the ground water unable for human consumption. He said that on the other hand, the border districts of Punjab become defenseless due to the problem of water logging. He said that the Centre had not paid any heed to the genuine demands of Punjab, but it is a welcome step of the Planning Commission that he had understood the gravity of the problem of Punjab and decided to constitute and dispatch a team to evaluate and to solve the crisis of water logging.
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728 TEACHERS PROMOTED AS LECTURERS
TOTAL 1833 LECTURERS PROMOTED IN LAST TWO DAYS
Chandigarh, May 16: The State government today promoted 728 more teachers of various subjects as Lecturers with immediate effect taking the total lecturers promoted in last two days to 1833.
Disclosing this here today Education Minister S. Sikander Singh Maluka said that 500 teachers of Political Science, 140 of Economics, 32 of Hindi, 41 of Geography and 15 of Music have been promoted as Lecturers. The list of promoted teachers had been uploaded on the official website of the department www.ssapunjab.org. The Minister said that he was committed to clear all promotions in the department to boost the morale of teachers and postings of new teachers would be in a total transparent manner. The Education Minister further said that 1105 teachers had already been promoted yesterday out of which 350 teachers were of Political Science, 400 of Commerce, 186 of Chemistry, 118 of Physics, 5 of Fine Arts, 41 of Geography, 2 of Sociology and 3 of Sanskrit. He informed that 3400 teachers of various subjects would be promoted as Lecturers in next two days
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PUNJAB TO CREATE PRODUCT SPECIFIC INDUSTRIAL ZONES-SUKHBIR
v World class infrastructure coupled with surplus quality power would automatically attract investment in Punjab
v N.K.Sharma assumes charge in the presence of Deputy CM
Chandigarh, May 16: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that Punjab government has finalized a plan to create product specific industrial zones for giving a boost to industrialization in the state.
Speaking to media persons after installing Mr. N.K. Sharma as Chief Parliamentary Secretary attached to Industry & Commerce Minister at Udyog Bhawan today, Mr. Badal said that Bathinda area would be developed as a textile zone whereas IT industry would be promoted in SAS Nagar, Mohali and Rajpura. Kapurthala would be new hub of hand tools whereas leather industry would be promoted in Jalandhar-Kapurthala area. He said that with the completion of Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat Singh International Airport at Mohali, Industry in Punjab is set to get a big boost.
When asked about steps taken to promote foreign investments in the state Mr. Badal said that he had meetings with various industrial houses who are keen to invest in the state and in next few weeks you would see materialization of such proposals. He said that world class infrastructure coupled with quality power was automatically attracting investment in the state and various industrial houses were showing keen interest to set up their manufacturing base in Punjab.
Congratulating Mr. N.K. Sharma on assuming new charge Mr. Badal said that he was sure that Mr. Sharma would prove a useful asset in promotion of industrial investments in the state.
Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Mr. Anil Joshi, Industrial & Commerce Minister and Mr. A.R. Talwar, Principal Secretary Industry & Commerce.
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SUKHBIR MOOTS SELF CERTIFICATION AND SELF APPROVAL FOR INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS
· INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT TOLD TO PUT UP PROPOSAL WITH IN THREE MONTHS
· 7 DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED WITH INDUSTRIAL PROJECT APPROVAL TO BE MADE ONLINE AND NETWORKED FOR ONLINE APPROVAL OF PROJECTS
· PUNJAB TO DEVELOP NEW FOCAL POINTS AT LUDHIANA, DERABASSI, ROPAR AND NANGAL
· INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT TOLD TO CREATE LAND BANK OF 4000 ACRES IN SIX MONTHS
· ORDINANCE FOR SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLE EMPOWERING INDUSTRY TO MAINTAIN FOCAL POINTS THEMSELVES SOON- 220 CRORES EARMARKED FOR MAINTENANCE OF 22 FOCAL POINTS
Chandigarh, May 16:
The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today mooted a proposal of self certification and self approval of industrial projects where entrepreneur would start the industrial project after giving a certificate that he has complied with the conditions laid down by Industry department instead of seeking NOCs from various departments.
Accompanied by Industry & Commerce Minister Mr. Anil Joshi and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. N.K. Sharma, Mr. Badal reviewed the progress of Mega Projects and also listened to the problems being faced by existing Mega Project holders. Asking the Industry department to adopt pro-active approach instead of reactive approach, Mr. Badal said that we have to promote industrialization in Punjab as a mission and whole industry department would have to act unitedly to achieve this mission. He said that instead of asking Industry to seek approval from 7 departments as a pre requisite to set up a unit, we should give a check list of requirements to the entrepreneurs who after fulfilling the requirements, would themselves give a certificate and start the venture. He said that we should believe in the declaration of the entrepreneur as a statement of truth and make random checking of few cases. He said that anybody giving false declaration would face punitive clauses.
Making the plea for online sanction of industrial proposals Mr. Badal regretted that single window service by the industry department has not been able to fulfill its purpose as entrepreneurs have to knock at many doors to get his project sanctioned. He said that he was envisioning paperless office with total online work in all the concerned departments related with sanction of industrial projects including Power, PWD, Environment, Forests besides interconnectivity between these departments for online approval of industrial plans.
Asking the Industry department to finalize the plan of setting up of industrial focal points at Ludhiana, Derabassi, Ropar and Nangal, Mr. Badal said that these focal points were imperative for decongesting Ludhiana besides giving space to new entrepreneurs.
Stressing upon the need for providing land to the industry off the shelf, Mr. Badal said that industry department must create a land bank after acquiring the land and in the first phase more than 4000 acres should be acquired with in six months so that any industrial house desires of setting up a unit in Punjab would be readily offered space by the industry department.
Mr. Anil Joshi Industry & Commerce Minister informed the Deputy Chief Minister that keeping in view the poor up keep and maintenance of existing focal points, the Industry department was coming out with a draft of ordinance in next cabinet meeting to create a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in which industry and government departments would collectively maintain the focal points. He said that Rs.220 crore, Rs.10 crore each for 22 focal points would be disbursed to them for maintenance. He said that under the SPV, entrepreneurs would themselves collect the taxes from the industry and spend the taxes on the development and maintenance of industrial area.
Mr. N.K. Sharma, Chief Parliamentary Secretary speaking on the occasion said that Industry department would computerize all District Industry Centers within six months and ensure that all projects below Rs.5 crore were sanctioned with in 15 days of submission.
Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Mr. Rakesh Singh, Chief Secretary, Mr. S.K. Sandhu, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr. P.S. Aujla, Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. A.R. Talwar, Principal Secretary Industries, Mr. R.C. Nayyar, Principal Secretary Labour, Mr. Anirudh Tiwari, Secretary Power and Mr. Manvesh Sidhu, Special Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister.
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11 POLICE OFFICERS TRANSFERREDChandigarh, May 16
The Punjab Government today issued the transfer/posting orders of 11 police officers.
A spokesperson of the Punjab Government today said that IPS Babul Lal Meena has been posted as commandant 7th Btl. PAP Jalandhar. Besides that Shavinder singh has been posted as commandant 7th IRB Kapurthala, Rajinder singh SP(D) Jalandhar Rural, Jaspal singh AIG/CI/Patiala, Gurmeet Singh SP/CM/security, Sarabjit singh SP (D) Ropar, Satvir singh Atwal ADCP/Traffic Ludhaina, Gurdeep singh Pannu Commandant CTC Bahadurgarh, Harjit singh ADCP (Crime) Amritsar, Joginder singh ADCP-3 Ludhiana and Baljit singh has been posted as assistant coomandent 6th IRB, Ladda Kothi, Sangrur.
Spokesperson further said that the posting order of Baljit singh PPS, Jaspal singh PPS and Sarabjit Singh PPS issued vide no 1/1/2012-3 H (1) 2014-21 dated 15-05-2012 has been cancelled. Khushi Mohamad SP would continue to work as SP crime / Zonal Bathinda.
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PUNJAB TO SIGN MOU WITH
ANIMAL WELFARE BOARD OF INDIA TO CURB THE MENACE OF STRAY DOGS
CHANDIGARH MAY 16: -
In a bid to effectively tackle the menace of stray dogs and animals in the state, the Punjab Government would soon sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to train its Veterinary doctors and paramedics.
A decision to this effect was taken here today by Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal in a meeting with the Chairman AWBI Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Dr. RM Kharb and the senior officers of state government this afternoon.
Dr. Kharb informed that AWBI was a statutory and advisory body to the Government of India (GoI) working under the aegis of Ministry of Environment and Forests. It was decided in the meeting that from mid June the AWBI would impart training to the veterinary teams comprising two doctors and five paramedics from Punjab in different batches, for catching and managing the stray dogs. Each team would be deputed in every city after the completion of its formal training to undertake these operations.
Taking part in the deliberations, Mr. Badal emphasized the need for joint efforts of the Local Government and Animal Husbandry Department to effectively check the ever increasing cases of dog bites, which had posed a grave threat to human lives, besides resulting in several road accidents. He also asked the officers to prepare an action plan in tandem with the organizers of Gau-Shalas at district levels for the proper management and care of abandoned cows in urban and rural areas.
Earlier, in a meeting with a farmers’ delegation of Bhartiya Kissan Union (Rajewal Group), Mr. Badal said that he was well aware of the major challenge posed to the very life of the human beings and enormous damage caused to the standing crops by the wild animals and stray dogs. He assured that the state government was seriously contemplating to soon chalk out a detailed action plan to get rid of the nuisance caused by the canines and wild animals.
Prominent amongst those who attended the meeting included Chief Parliamentary Secretary Animal Husbandry Mr. Des Raj Dhugga, Financial Commissioner Animal Husbandry Mr. Jagpal Singh Sandhu, Principal Secretary Local Government Mr. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. S.K. Sandhu, Principal Secretary Health Mrs. Vini Mahajan, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh besides Commissioners of the Municipal Corporation Amritsar, Patiala, Ludhiana, Bathinda and the Chairman Gau Sewa Board (GSB) Punjab Mr. Kimati Bhagat, Vice Chairman GSB Devi Dayal Prashar and Member (Co-opted) Animal Welfare Board of India Dr. Sandeep Kumar Jain
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PUNJAB GOVT. TO WORK OUT PENSION SCHEME FOR FARMERS
BADAL FOR TIMELY SETTLEMENT OF PARTITION OF JOINT PROPERTIES on CAMPAIGN BASIS
CHANDIGARH MAY 16:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today asked the Chief Secretary to work out a viable proposal to introduce a pension scheme for the farmers across the state to instill a sense of security amongst them and enable them to lead a quality life with dignity in the evening of their life.
Presiding over a meeting of the high powered delegation of Bharti Kisan Union led by its President Mr. Balbir Singh Rajewal here at CMO this morning, Mr. Badal said that scheme could be on the lines of the National Pension Scheme in which a fixed amount could be paid by the farmers and an equal amount contributed by the state government for paying monthly pension to them at some fixed retirement age of 60 or 65 years to be mutually agreed upon.
Responding to another demand of the union regarding the timely settlement of partition of joint properties, Mr. Badal informed them that he had already directed the Financial Commissioner Revenue to further instruct all the deputy commissioners in the state to ensure amicable settlement of such cases on the basis of a vigorous campaign at the earliest. Mr. Badal gave a target that atleast 50% of the joint land holdings be partitioned within a period of one year and also asked the revenue department to ensure that routine cases of mutation henceforth, except contested ones to be disposed off within 15 days from the date of registration of sale deed.
The Chief Minister also asked both the Chief Engineers Drainage and Canals to ensure the cleaning of canals, distributaries, drains with in a stipulated time frame. Mr. Badal also directed the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) to take effective remedial steps to check the unhealthy practice of flowing industrial effluents and untreated chemicals and wastes into the canals and drains especially in Ludhiana and Nawanshehar areas. He also asked the Principal Secretary Environment, Science & Technology to constitute joint teams comprising representatives of the BKU and official of PPCB to conduct raids on the industrial units which were grossly violating the pollution norms.
Referring to another issue raised by the BKU regarding the payment of the outstanding arrears to the cane growers by the cooperative and the private sugar mills, Mr. Badal asked the Financial Commissioner Development to immediately settle the issue amicably with the cane growers and the concerned owners of the private sugar mills and the management of the cooperative mills.
The Chief Minister also asked the Secretary Mandi Board to set up a state-of-the-art timber market at Hoshiarpur to enable the farmers of the Doaba region to ensure marketing facilities for the sale and purchase of the timber. He also asked the FCD to finalize modalities for setting up an ultra-modern fish market at Ludhiana to boost the prospects of fish marketing in the state.
To another issue to do a way the system of PAN as demanded by the banks for transaction of Rs.50000 or above, Mr. Badal said that the farmers could make use of Form 60 in lieu of PAN as the state government could not directly intervene in the matter because the issue broadly falls within the ambit of Income Tax Act which was under the jurisdiction of the GoI.
Regarding the payment of balance amount of Rs.150 crore to the farmers on account of drought relief in 2010, Mr. Badal assured the delegation that the said payment would be disbursed to the farmers in due course immediately on receipt of funds from GoI on the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission.
Referring to another issue related to the payment of productivity bonus to the farmers in lieu of electricity bills of tubewels, Mr. Badal said that Rs.94.31 crore had already been disbursed to the concerned beneficiaries and the remaining Rs.2.58 crore would be released shortly.
On the issue of processing of fruits and vegetables, Mr. Badal asked the Financial Commissioner Development to make optimum utilization of the kinnow juicing plants in Abohar and Hoshiarpur through leasing them out to a private player to ensure remunerative price to the kinnow growers. He also asked the Punjab Agro to explore the possibility of setting up a tomato paste plant in and around Ludhiana to enable the farmers to get handsome price of their produce besides opening a perishable cargo terminal at Amritsar to facilitate the veggie & fruit growers to export their produce.
Prominent amongst who attended the meeting included the Chief Secretary Mr. Rakesh Singh, Financial Commissioner Development Mr. GS Sandhu, Financial Commissioner Revenue Mr. NS Kang, Financial Commissioner Animal Husbandry Mr. Jagpal Singh Sandhu, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Cooperation Mr. Viswajit Khanna, Principal Secretary Environment, Science & Technology Mr. Karan Avtar Singh, Secretary Mandi Board Mr. Mohinder Singh Kainth, Secretary Home Mr. Sameer Kumar, Registrar Cooperative Societies Mr. Kirandeep Singh Bhullar, MD Sugarfed Mr. MP Arora, Commissioner NRI Affairs Mr. Ramesh K Ganta and Director Horticulture Mr. LS Brar.
Members of BKU delegation comprising General Secretary Mr. Onkar Singh, Mr. Parminder Singh Chalaki both General Secretaries, Mr. Nek Singh Senior Vice President and Treasure Mr. Gulzar Singh Ghanaur were also present in the meeting.
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PHYSICAL WORK ON FOUR LANING OF ZIRAKPUR-BATHINDA ROAD TO BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2012
· SUKHBIR TERMS IT A LIFELINE PROJECT OF MALWA REGION
· Rs. 2508 CRORE PROJECT WOULD HAVE 3 ROBs AND 11 UNDER PASSES
CHANDIGARH, MAY 16: The physical work on lifeline project of Malwa region i.e four laning of Zirakpur-Patiala and Patiala-Bathinda roads would begin on September 15, 2012 as Concessionaires of both the projects assured the Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, in this regard.
Mr.R.K. Singh, Chief Operating Officer, IVRCL, concessionaire of Patiala-Bathinda section and Mr. Dilip Dhadiwal, Director Rohan-Rajdeep Tollways Ltd, concessionaire of Zirakpur-Patiala section today assured Deputy Chief Minister to live up to their expectation and complete the project as per deadline given by the Punjab Government. They said that they were privileged to be selected for such a prestigious project that was set to change the face of Punjab. They informed the Deputy Chief Minister that 217.145 km long Chandigarh-Bathinda road would have 14 grade separators and flyovers at Kharar-Banur, Tepla crossing, Liberty Chowk Rajpura, at the merging point of Patiala-Sangrur Dhanaula Byepass, Junction of Samana-Nabha Road, T-Junction with NH 71 at Barnala, Handiyaya Chowk, Bhucho Mandi Chowk, Bibi Wala Chowk and Rose Garden Chowk at Bathinda. It would have three ROBs one at Rajpura byepass and two at Sangrur Byepass and Rampura Phul. They said that Chandigarh-Bathinda Road would have 11 vehicluar under passes, one in Banur Town, 5 on Patiala Bye-pass, 3 on Sangrur Bye-pass, Sunam Junction, Military Area near Army Camping Ground and it would have 21 pedestrian under passes, 17 on Patiala Bye-pass, Village Channo, Gurdwara Mastuana Sahib, Military Area in front of KV School. They also informed that this road would have a major high-level bridge on Bhakra main line on Patiala bye-pass besides service roads in Zirakpur, Banur, Rajpura Town, Bhawanigarh, Mastuana Sahib, Dhanaula, Barnala, Tapa, Rampura Phul, Lehra Mohabbat through Bathinda City.
It was also informed in the meeting that capital cost of the Patiala-Bathinda road was Rs. 2007 crore whereas of Zirakpur-Patiala road was 501 crore.
It was also informed that the land for the four laning of Zirakpur-Bathinda Road has already been acquired and forest and wild life clearance and environmental clearances have already been received.
Asking them to maintain the strict quality of the project, Mr. Badal offered them full support for the timely completion of this project.
Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Mr. Anirudh Tiwari, Secretary Power, Mr. Anurag Aggarwal, MD PIDB, Mr. K.D. Chaudhary, MD PSPCL, Mr. P.S. Aujla, Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister and Secretary PWD, Mr. Gagandeep Singh Brar, Special Principal Secretary to CM, Mr. Manvesh Sidhu, Special Principal Secretary to Deputy CM and Mr. R.P. Singh, Chief Engineer PWD.
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NAMBARDAR UNION CLASS ON KOHAR
Chandigarh May 16:-
Mr. Ajit Singh Kohar, Transport Minister Punjab has assured the delegation of Punjab Nambardar union calls on him today that the facility of free bus service to be rendered to them on Haryana pattern would be sympathetically considered.
Speaking to the delegation Mr. Kohar said that all other demands raised by them would be redressed on priority. The delegation also urged that the toll plaza be exempted. They presented a memorandum to the Minister in this regard.
The other members of the delegation present on the occasion included President Gurpal Singh Samra, General Secretary Mohinder Singh Jahangir, Surjeet singh Nenhera, Pargat Singh Jalandhar, Gurnam Singh Ropar, Balwant Singh and Kimti Lal.
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12464918 TONNES WHEAT PROCURED IN PUNJAB
Chandigarh, May 16:
Government agencies and private millers procured more than 12464918 tonnes of wheat till last evening. The State Government has set up more than 1750 procurement centres and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of wheat.
The spokesman of the government said that Out of total procurement of 12464918 tonnes of wheat in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 12379681 tonnes of wheat till date whereas private traders procured 2141 tonnes of wheat. Till May 15, PUNSUP procured 2819994 tonnes (22.62%), MARKFED procured 2743719 tonnes (22.01%). whereas PUNGRAIN had procured 2119904 tonnes (17.01%) PSWC procured 1414944 tonnes (11.35%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 1408201 tonnes (11.30 %) of wheat.The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 1872919 tonnes (15.03%).
The spokesman added that District Sangrur with 1205915 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas District Ludhiana with 1029383 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and district Patiala with 1019884 tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.
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PUNJAB AMBITIOUS PLAN FOR HEALTH REFORMS APPROVED BY GoI - MITTAL
Chandigarh, May 16:
Government of India appreciated the performance of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) Punjab for the year 2011-12, especially owing to good achievements in the areas of Reproductive & Child Health including programmes like Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (A cashless delivery services to Pregnant Women), Maternal Death Review, Emergency Response Services, Maternal & Child Tracking System, Infrastructure Upgradation and Immunization in particular.
A meeting of National Programme Coordination Committee (NPCC) was held under the Chairpersonship of Ms. Anuradha Gupta, Union Additional Secretary, Health & Mission Director, NRHM, Government of India to approve State Programme Implementation Plan of NRHM, Punjab for the year 2012-13, wherein an ambitious plan of Rs. 454.14 Crore was approved under NRHM Punjab.
Giving Information in this regard, Mr. Madan Mohal Mittal, Health and Family Welfare Minister, Punjab stated that as part of the ambitious & innovative strategy devised by NRHM, Punjab now special emphasis will be laid on the management of anaemia among pregnant women. All pregnant women whose Haemoglobin (HB) is found less than 7 gms at the time of first Ante Natal Check-up (ANC-1) shall be followed by health workers with the objective that the Haemoglobin is brought to level of 9 gms by the time of delivery. If this objective is met special incentive will be given to the concerned ASHA. In an another new initiative towards better mother & child health, children whose weight at birth is less than 2.25 kg, would now be followed by health workers with the objective that during the next three months baby achieves normal weight. ASHA will be incentivized for this.
Sh. Mittal further added that owing to the number of Cancer cases in the State, a special scheme for regular screening of Cervical Cancer & Breast Cancer has been approved. To enable early detection of Cancer, now the health workers would be incentivized for bringing such cases to the fore. The Health Minister further stated that since the menace of drug abuse has reached alarming proportions in the State, a special scheme has been introduced for identification and motivating the addicts for rehabilitation. As it has been evident that chances of such addicts again taking to drugs had been high, therefore now a regular follow up and completion of treatment will be attempted by the health workers for which they will be provided incentives.
Government of India has appreciated the out of box thinking and these new initiatives proposed by the State taking into consideration the local Public Health requirements. The officers of GOI also expressed their keenness to replicate these innovative schemes in other States also.
Delegates of Health and Family Welfare Department, Punjab led by Ms. Vini Mahajan, Principal Secretary and Sh. S.K. Sharma, Mission Director, NRHM, Punjab along with Ms. Raji P. Srivastava, Managing Director, Punjab Health Systems Corporation besides the Director Health & Family Welfare, Punjab and Director, Research & Medical Education, Punjab attended the NPCC meeting.
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PUNJAB GOVERNMENT COMMITTED TO ERADICATE CANCER DISEASE FROM ITS
ROOTS: BHAGAT CHUNNI LAL
• Cancer will be treated on low cost at Subsidy Cancer Centre, Amritsar
• Ultra Modern Machines installed at Amritsar and Patiala to treat Cancer
• Baba Farid University surveyed 60 thousand people
• Doctors to study new techniques in America to treat Cancer
Chandigarh, 16 May:
Punjab Government is fully committed to eradicate cancer disease from
its roots regarding this concrete steps are taken from time to time.
Medical education and Research Minister Bhagat Chunni Lal giving
information about this said that super specialty centre to treat
cancer on subsidy is being set up at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital,
Amritsar.
He said that to set up this centre ultra modern cobalt machine is
purchased to treat cancer patients on very low cost. He said that to
treat cancer patients at Rajindera Hospital, Patiala traditional
radiotherapy Simulator and 3D-Treatment planning system is purchased.
The Minster said that to study the reasons of cancer survey on 60
thousand people of Malwa region of state is done by Baba Farid
University of Medical and Health Sciences, Faridkot. He added that
this would help in finding the deep root reasons of this disease. He
said that this study will also help in curing the disease. Minster
said that three cancer curing machines are big relief for the cancer
patients of Malwa region.
The Minister said that Punjab government is also sincerely working
hard not only for better treatment of cancer patients but also trying
to find roots for the cause of cancer so that this disease is
eradicated forever.
To study how to treat cancer with the help of ultra modern treatment
techniques 12 Doctors from Medical Colleges of the state are being
sent to America's Clone Cattering Training Centre situated in New York
City, added Minister.
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5 PROMOTED AS IGs , ONE IG TRANSFERRED AND 4 GET SENIOR TIME SCALE
Chandigarh, May 16, 2012:
The Punjab Government today promoted Dr Naresh Kumar IPS, Ram Singh
IPS and S.S.Srivastava IPS as Inspector General of Police in the pay
band -4 of 37400-67000+ grade pay 10000 with effect from 01.01.2012.
Meanwhile 1994 batch IPS officers on central deputation namely Parveen
kumar Sinha , B.Chandra Shekhar, Amardeep Singh Rai, Nirja Varuvaru
and Anita Punj have been granted performa in the rank of Inspector
General of Police with effect from 01.01.2012 .
Besides that The Punjab Government has posted Mr Jatinder Jain IPS as
IGP/intelligence and counter intelligence, Bathinda.
In a separate orders S.Bhupati, Nilambri Jagadale vijay , Bikrampal
Singh Bhatti and Rahul S (all IPS) have also been promoted in the
senior time scale pay band-3 (15600-39100+6600 Grade pay) by the The
Punjab Government
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Capt Amarinder warns Akali-BJP against mischief, misadventure during MC elections
CHANDIGARH, May 16: Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Capt Amarinder Singh today warned the ruling Akali-BJP alliance in the state against any mischief or misadventure during the municipal corporation elections scheduled to be held next month. He said, the government will be responsible for any untoward situation and the Congress workers were prepared and ready to take on the Akali-BJP in whatever manner they wanted.
In an informal conversation with reporters after presiding over the meetings of the Screening Committee for the MC Elections and the Manifesto Committee, Capt Amarinder asserted that the Congress was in a strong and powerful position to win all the four Municipal Corporations of Ludhiana, Patiala, Jallandhar and Amritsar. He apprehended that there was a strong possibility of Akali-BJP trying to intimidate Congress workers and supporters as they know if they allow free and fair elections they are going to bite the dust.
The PCC President clarified that the Congress will not allow the repeat of 2007 MC elections when the Akalis and the BJP ran amuck and did not allow the Congress supporters to even cast their votes. He said, everything will be video-recorded and hoped that media will also play a watchful role.
Citing the instances of intimidation of the workers particularly in view of the MC elections, he said, recently a councillor in Ludhiana who is a strong candidate for the elections this time was being falsely implicated in a criminal case. He said, there was a similar case reported from Amritsar. He also appealed to the police officials to play an impartial role and remain sincere towards their duty.
More recently, he pointed out, the president of the Municipal Committee of Malerkotla, Mohd Sardar Dara was manhandled and humiliated in front of the local bodies’ minister when he had gone to collect the cheque for the committee at the invitation of the minister. He said, these were simply the signs of frustration and there was every possibility that these might be repeated during the MC elections also.
Replying to a question, he said, the winnability will be the main criterion for choosing the candidates for the MC elections. At the same time, he added, discipline and loyalty towards the party will also be an important factor. He said, the tickets will be finalised in the coming few days and the manifesto will also be released very soon.
Among those present in today’s meeting included Congress Legislative Party leader Sunil Jakhar, Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Mr Laal Singh, Rana KP, Ashwani Sekhri, Dr Malti Thapar, Amarjit Singh Samra, Chaudhary Jagjit, Prof Darbari Lal, OP Soni, Rana Gurjeet, Rajneesh Sahota, Kewal Krishen Puri, Sanjiv Bittu, Sruinder Dawer, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Gobind Khatra, Vikram Chaudhary, Ms Aruna Chuahdary, Chiranjee Lal Garg, Major Amardeep, Manoj Arora, Sukh Sarkaria, Tarlochan Sund, Raman Kumar and Karanpal Sekhon.
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TALWANDI SABO THERMAL PLANT TO BE COMMISSIONED BY NOVEMBER 30-CHAIRMAN TALWANDI SABO POWER LIMITED ASSURES SUKHBIR
· SUKHBIR OFFERS FULL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT TO THE COMPANY
CHANDIGARH, MAY 15:
Mr. S.K. Roongta, Chairman, Talwandi Sabo Power Ltd called on Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, here today and assured that work on the construction of Talwandi Sabo Thermal Plant project was going ahead on full stream and they would commission this plant on schedule i.e November 30, 2012.
Mr. Roongta, along with his team of directors assured the Deputy Chief Minister that he was personally monitoring the construction of this project and having weekly meetings with the contractors and sub-contractor parties at the highest level with the sole aim of sticking to his promise to commission this project by the scheduled date. He said that he was micro-analyzing the situation to ensure that all milestones laid out for every section were met and there was no delay in any section.
He said that he was also having constant liaison with Union Coal Ministry and Prime Minister Office to ensure that Fuel Supply Agreement, with Coal India Ltd was signed much before the scheduled date of opening.
Offering full support of Punjab Government to project executing company, Mr. Badal said that Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal had already written to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for expediting the signing of Fuel Supply Agreement with the Talwandi Sabo and Rajpura Thermal Plants. He said that, if required, he and Chief Minister would personally meet Prime Minister and Union Coal Minister in this regard. He said that Punjab Government would fully support the company and now it was the duty of the company to complete the project on schedule.
Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Mr. Anirudh Tiwari, Secretary Power, Mr. Anurag Aggarwal, MD PIDB, Mr. K.D. Chaudhary, MD PSPCL, Mr. Gagandeep Singh Brar, Special Principal Secretary to CM, Mr. Manvesh Sidhu, Special Principal Secretary to Deputy CM.
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PUNJAB GOVERNMENT TO GIVE SUBSIDY FOR DAIRY DEVELOPMENT UPTO 40 PERCENT UNDER VARIOUS SCHEMES: RANIKE
- GENERAL AND SC/ST CATEGORIES TO BENEFIT FROM THESE SCHEMES
- MINISTER CALLS UPON OFFICIALS TO AWARE PEOPLE AT GROUND LEVEL ABOUT VARIOUS BENEFICIARY SCHEMES
CHANDIGARH, 15 MAY:
The Punjab Government has launched various subsidiary schemes for General and SC/ST categories for increasing milk production and dairy development in the state.
Giving more information about these schemes, Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Dairy Development and Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes, Punjab said that General and SC/ST categories will get subsidy up to 40 percent for Dairy Development under these schemes. He said that the Punjab Government is committed to maintain top position in Milk and Dairy production in the country and take this to another level.
Minister said that under this scheme for setting up Dairy Units of 2-10 Milk Producing Animals (maximum cost five lacks) subsidy for General category is 1.25 lacks and for SC/ST is 1.67 Lacks. For setting up Calves unit up to 10 Cattles (maximum cost 4.80 lacks) subsidy for General category is 1.20 lacks and for SC/ST is 1.60 Lacks. For setting up Vermin Compost Production (maximum cost 20 thousand) subsidy for General category is 5 thousand and for SC/ST is 6 thousand 7 hundred. Milking Machine Bulk Miller Cooler Scheme (maximum cost 18 lacks) subsidy for General category is 4.50 lacks and for SC/ST is 6 lacks. Dairy Processing Unit (maximum cost 12 lacks) subsidy for General category is 3 lacks and for SC/ST is 4 lacks. Milk Production, Transportation and Cold Storage Scheme (maximum cost 24 lacks) subsidy for General category is 6.80 and for SC/ST is 8 lacks. Milk and Milk Products cold storage scheme (maximum cost 30 lacks) subsidy for General category is 7.50 and for SC/ST is 10 lacks. Dairy Marketing Outlets/ Dairy Parlour Scheme (maximum cost 56 thousand) subsidy for General category is 14 thousand and for SC/ST is 18 thousand 6 hundred.
Mr. Ranike instructed officials of the department to aware people about various ongoing and upcoming beneficiary schemes at ground level so that common people could benefit more and more from these schemes. He added that people could contact District Deputy Directors, Dairy Managers etc. for any kind of information regarding these schemes and can also call at helpline numbers 0172-2700228, 2700055, 5025242 regarding any query about these schemes.
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5 IPS AND 30 PPS OFFICERS TRANSFERRED
CHANDIGARH, MAY 15, 2012
Punjab Government today transferred 5 IPS and 30 PPS officers. The Official Spokesman said that Smt. Neeraja, IPS posted as DIG of police vigilance bureau (economic offences wing), S. Bhupati, IPS posted as AIG/SSOC, Amritsar with additional charge of AIG/CI, Amritsar, Rahul S. , IPS posted as AIG, SB-1/Intelligence, Punjab, Nilambri Jagadale, IPS posted as SP/Detective Khanna and Bikrampal Singh Bhatti, IPS posted as Deputy Director, (Outdoor), MRS, PPA, Phillaur.
The Official Spokesman said that Mangal Singh, PPS posted as SP/SSG, Punjab, Manjinder Singh, PPS posted as SP/Int. Wing Punjab, Navjot Singh, PPS posted as ADCP/Hqrs and Security Jalandhar, Shivdev Singh, PPS posted as Comdt. 27th Bn. PAP Jalandhar, Kanwar Bahadur Singh, PPS posted as AIG, Transport, Punjab, Mohinderpal Singh, PPS posted as AC, 27th Bn. PAP Jalandhar, Gurmail Singh, PPS posted as AC, 27th Bn. PAP Jalandhar, Mander Singh, PPS posted as AIG/IVC, Punjab, Rajinder Singh, PPS posted as AC, 75th Bn. PAP Jalandhar, Bahadur Singh, PPS posted as AC, 7th Bn. PAP Jalandhar, Jatinder Singh, PPS posted as AIG/Int. Punjab with additional charge of staff officer to DGP, Pujab, Arun Saini, PPS posted as AIG/Counter Intelligence, operation Punjab, Ravinder Kumar Bakshi, PPS posted as Comdt. PRTC, Jahan Khelan, Bhupinder Singh, PPS posted as AC, 2nd CDO Bn. BHG, Amandeep Kaur, PPS posted as AC, 3rd IRB,Ldh, Hitender Singh Ghai, PPS posted as AIG, Counter Intellegence, Bathinda, Rachhpal Singh, PPS posted as AC, 5th IRB, Asr, Jasdev Singh, PPS posted as AC, 2nd IRB, Ladda Kothi, Sangrur, Baljit Singh, PPS posted as Zonal SP/Crime Bathinda, Jaspal Singh, PPS posted as AIG/Law and Order, Punjab, Balwinder Singh, PPS posted as SP/Det, SAS Nagar, Naresh Kumar, PPS posted as ADCP, Crime Jalandhar, Lakhwinder Singh, PPS posted as SP/Hqrs,SBS Nagar, Jagtar Singh, PPS posted as AC 7th Bn. PAP Jalandhar, Sarabjit Singh, PPS posted as AIG/PPCR, Chandigarh with additional charge of AIG/Principal, CID, Training School Punjab, Darshan Singh, PPS posted as Zonal AIG, CID Bathinda, Ajay Maluja, PPS posted as AIG/C.i. Fzr, Rachhpal Singh, PPS posted as Zonal AIG, CID Amritsar, Gursharan Singh, PPS posted as Deputy Director (Indoor), MRS,PPA Phillaur and Sanjeev Kumar Rampal, PPS posted as SP/CM Security Punjab, New Delhi with additional charge of SP/CID, Unit, New Delhi
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TALWANDI SABO THERMAL PLANT TO BE COMMISSIONED BY NOVEMBER 30-CHAIRMAN TALWANDI SABO POWER LIMITED ASSURES SUKHBIR
· SUKHBIR OFFERS FULL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT TO THE COMPANY
CHANDIGARH, MAY 15:
Mr. S.K. Roongta, Chairman, Talwandi Sabo Power Ltd called on Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, here today and assured that work on the construction of Talwandi Sabo Thermal Plant project was going ahead on full stream and they would commission this plant on schedule i.e November 30, 2012.
Mr. Roongta, along with his team of directors assured the Deputy Chief Minister that he was personally monitoring the construction of this project and having weekly meetings with the contractors and sub-contractor parties at the highest level with the sole aim of sticking to his promise to commission this project by the scheduled date. He said that he was micro-analyzing the situation to ensure that all milestones laid out for every section were met and there was no delay in any section.
He said that he was also having constant liaison with Union Coal Ministry and Prime Minister Office to ensure that Fuel Supply Agreement, with Coal India Ltd was signed much before the scheduled date of opening.
Offering full support of Punjab Government to project executing company, Mr. Badal said that Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal had already written to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh for expediting the signing of Fuel Supply Agreement with the Talwandi Sabo and Rajpura Thermal Plants. He said that, if required, he and Chief Minister would personally meet Prime Minister and Union Coal Minister in this regard. He said that Punjab Government would fully support the company and now it was the duty of the company to complete the project on schedule.
Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Mr. Anirudh Tiwari, Secretary Power, Mr. Anurag Aggarwal, MD PIDB, Mr. K.D. Chaudhary, MD PSPCL, Mr. Gagandeep Singh Brar, Special Principal Secretary to CM, Mr. Manvesh Sidhu, Special Principal Secretary to Deputy CM.
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1105 MASTERS PROMOTED AS LECTURARS
DATE TO SUBMIT APPLICATION FOR STATE AWARDS EXTENDED TILL MAY 25
SUMMAR HOLIDAYS FROM 1st JUNE TO 30 JUNE
Chandigarh, May 15
The Punjab Government has promoted 1105 teachers of various subjects as lecturers with immediate effect. A decision to this effect was taken by the Education Minister Punjab Mr. Sikandar Singh Maluka in a high level meeting of Education Department.
Disclosing this here today the Education Minister said that it was a long pending demand of master cadre and with this move Punjab Government would be able to fullfill the vacant posts of lecturers in the schools across the state. He said that the list of promoted masters has been uploaded on the official website of education department. He said that those posts which would be fall vacant due to these promotions, would be filled soon and orders had been issued to all District Education Officers (DEOs) to send the list of vacant posts in their districts to DPI and DGSE within a week.
The Minister said that the Punjab Government has also decided to extend the date to submit applications for state awards. He said that now teachers would be able to submit their applications till May 25.
The Minister said that with a view to educate those students who has left the school it has also been decided to call back all the 1400 special trainers after the completion of their training. He said that the remaining 494 special trainers would report to District education officers. Summer vacations in the schools would be started from June 1st to 30th, Mr Maluka added. In an other important decision it has also been decided to give minimum 36 periods to a school lecturers.
Prominent among other who were present in the meeting included Principal Secretary Education Mr. S.S.Channy, DGSE Mr. Ashok Kumar Singla and DPI (S) Mr. Kamal Garg.
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SUKHBIR FOR STRENGTHENING OF TOWN AND COUNTRY DEPARTMENT
· SEEKS UNIFORM BUILDING NORMS FOR WHOLE STATE
· SANCTIONS 190 POSTS FOR THE DEPARTMENT
· ORDERS STATEWIDE SURVEY OF ILLEGAL COLONIES
CHANDIGARH, MAY 15:
The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today issued instructions for restructuring and strengthening Town and Country Planning Department to make it an effective instrument to translate Urban Development Policies of Punjab Government in its true spirit.
Presiding over a meeting of housing and urban development department in which Finance Minister Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal also participated, Mr. Badal said that haphazard planning, mushroom colonies in the peripheries of the cities, unlicensed colonies and differential planning norms for different cities were bane of urban development in Punjab. He said that to streamline the urban development in the state, we would have to strengthen town and country planning department besides giving it a enforcement and punitive powers.
Seeking uniform planning norms for whole state, Mr. Badal said that differential planning for different parts of the state, lax enforcement has resulted in mushroom growth in urban areas and it was imperative for us to regulate the growth and ensure uniform planning. He said that he has already issued instructions to segregate residential and commercial areas, strictly enforce Change of Land Use norms, and encourage planning of building as per norms and streamline the process of sanction of building plans.
Sanctioning 190 posts of Town and Country Planning Officers for the department, Mr. Badal said that all these recruitment should be purely on merit and recruitment process should be completed positively within 3 months.
Ordering statewide survey of illegal colonies, Mr. Badal said that we should strictly check the growth of illegal colonies and taken punitive actions against colonizers duping innocent people. He asked the department to take strict punitive measures against promoters such illegal colonies.
Prominent amongst those, who participated in the meeting included Mr. Rakesh Singh, Chief Secretary Punjab, Mr. S.K. Sandhu, Principal Secretary to CM and Secretary Housing, Punjab, Mr. N.S. Kang, Financial Commissioner Revenue, Mr. P.S. Aujla, Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Sarbjeet Singh, Chief Administrator GMADA and Mr. Gagandeep Singh Brar, Special Principal Secretary to CM.
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DISTRICT PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, S.A.S.NAGAR
7200 EWS HOUSES IN MOHALI TO BE READY IN NEXT TWO YEARS: SUKHBIR
· AIMING TO PROVIDE SHELTER FOR EVERY POOR BY 2020
· Rs. 288 CRORE HOUSING PROJECTS TO GIVE MAJOR RELIEF TO POOR
S.A.S. Nagar , MAY 15: The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today gave his nod to an ambitious program of providing houses to over 7200 Economically Weaker Sections families in the command area of Greater Mohali Area Development Authority.
In a meeting held here in which Finance and Planning Minister MR. Parminder Singh Dhindsa and Health and Family Welfare Minister Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal besides senior officers of all concerned departments participated, it was decided that GMADA would strictly enforce the clause of providing housing to Economically Weaker Sections in all sanctioned mega projects under its command.
Mr. Badal said that it was a bounden duty of SAD-BJP Government to provide shelter to every poor family by 2020 and directed GMADA authorities to complete the construction of 7200 houses within next two years. He said that these houses to be constructed at the cost of Rs. 288 crore must be allotted to eligible EWS families as per stipulated norms and any diversion from the norms would not be tolerated at any cost.
Focusing on development of SAS Nagar Mohali as future IT destination, Mr. Badal said that GMADA should make all efforts to complete the ongoing infrastructure projects timely besides ensuring total quality control in the execution of projects. He directed that all future contracts for construction of roads should have in built clause of five year maintenance of that road. He asked GMADA to ensure proper up-keep of parks and coordinate with MC regarding uniform maintenance of all the roads in the Mohali. He said that we have to showcase Mohali as future IT destination and there should not be any compromise in execution of infrastructure projects.
Prominent amongst those, who participated in the meeting included Mr. Rakesh Singh, Chief Secretary Punjab, Mr. S.K. Sandhu, Principal Secretary to CM and Secretary Housing, Punjab, Mr. N.S. Kang, Financial Commissioner Revenue, Mr. P.S. Aujla, Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Sarbjeet Singh, Chief Administrator GMADA and Mr. Gagandeep Singh Brar, Special Principal Secretary to CM.
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VIRSA SINGH VALTOHA FOR EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF SAINIK WELFARE SCHEMES
Chandigarh 15 May 2012
Punjab Government was committed to the welfare of Ex-servicemen and every possible facility would be provided to Ex-servicemen,their families and dependents.
This was disclosed here today Prof. Virsa Singh Valtoha, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Defence Services Welfare Punjab while presiding over the first meeting of officers of Directorate and all District Sainik Welfare Officers at Chandigarh.
Prof. Valtoha directed the officers of the department to discharge their duties with honesty and sincerity. He emphasized that the benefits of welfare schemes run by the department for the welfare of Ex-Servicemen, should reach to the eligible persons and for this beneficiaries should not face any type of harassment. He specially mentioned about the maintenance of Sainik Rest Houses of Districts.
. Mr C.Raul, Principal Secretary Defence Services Welfare Punjab briefed the Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Punjab about the on going work of the Department, the welfare schemes run by Punjab/Centre Govt. for the welfare of Ex-servicemen, their dependents and other works of the Department. He also highlighted the work/progress of Sainik Vocational training Centers and Pre-recruitment training centers run at Directorate as well as District level.
Earlier the meeting, Brig (Retd) Manjit Singh, Director Sainik Welfare, Punjab welcomed the Prof Valtoha and introduced him to all the District Sainik Welfare Officers.
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PUNJAB TO BE BROUGHT ON THE WORLD TOURISM MAP
DRUG MENACE TO BE CONTROLLED ON PRIORITY—GHUNAS
ASSUMES CHARGE AS CPS IN TOURISM, CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND JAIL DEPARTMENTS
Chandigarh, May 15: The Punjab Government would maintain old monuments of religious importance in order to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the state and intensify its efforts to bring Punjab on the world tourism map. Promotion of Eco- Tourism and religious tourism would be on the top priorities of the CPS.
This was disclosed by Sant Balbir Singh Ghunas, while assuming charge as Chief Parliamentary Secretary in the department of Tourism, Cultural Affairs and Jails Punjab in the presence of S. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Tourism, Cultural Affairs and Jails Minister, S.Sikandar Singh Malluka, Education Minister, S.Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Finance Minister and many of his supporters, leaders of different political parties. He also said that as per the directive of the Chief Minister, S. Parkash Singh Badal, the efforts would be made to check the drug menace in Punjab particularly in jails.
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ALL PANCHAYAT ACCOUNTS TO GO ONLINE IN THE STATE: SURJIT RAKHRA
- 4668 PANCHAYAT ACCOUNTS ALREADY ONLINED, REMAINING WILL SOON BE ONLINED
- ONLINE OF PANCHAYAT ACCOUNTS WILL BRING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
CHANDIGARH, MAY 15
Process to online panchayat accounts is a big step to bring transparency and accountability in working of panchayats and the department. Disclosing this here today Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra said that soon all panchayat accounts will be onlined and work in this regard is going on at great speed.
The Minister said that this step was the need of the hour to bring transparency in funds allotted to panchayats and where these are spent.
To make accounts online work is in progress in 20 Zila Parishads and 142 Block Samities, said Rakhra. He added that out of Punjab's 12776 village's accounts of 4668 villages are already onlined. He said that remaining accounts will soon be onlined and officials are directed to complete this work on top priority so that we are able to achieve 100 percent target.
The Minister said that as 63 percent of population of Punjab lives in villages so to make Punjab a happier state it's very essential to change the face of villages. He also appealed to all the panchayats to spend all grants fairly in a transparent manner for the overall development of villages. He also assured that Punjab Government will give grants for the development of villages to all panchayats without any discrimination.
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A 15-MEMBER DELEGATION OF NATIONAL PASMANDA
SIKH FOUNDATION CALLS ON PHILLAUR
Chandigarh May 15:
A 15-member delegation of National Pasmanda Sikh Foundation and Dalit Hitaishi Group of Intelligentsia headed by S. Attar Singh Dhur, Member Working Committee and President of the Foundation today called on Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Tourism, Cultural Affairs and Jail Minister Punjab and apprised him of the their demands in uplifting the social, educational and economic status of the underprivileged, oppressed and dalit sections of the society and also the problems being faced by them both in government and other sectors.
The National Pasmanda Sikh Foundation, comprising of the intellectuals and senior retired government officers, submitted a memorandum to the Minister highlighting the plight of the downtrodden and neglected sections of the society and demanded that the reservation policy formulated to benefit the dalits/ backward classes in getting the jobs in the government must be enforced in true letter and spirit.
Assuring the delegation of extending all possible help, Mr. Phillaur said that the Punjab government was committed to safeguard the interests of downtrodden and underprivileged sections of the society and has formulated a number of policies to uplift their social, economic and educational status. He further said that the government has seized of the matter and the vital issues raised by the delegation would be discussed at the level of the Chief Minister and the minister concerned before redressing their grievances.
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ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS DIRECTED TO PURCHASE FROM KHADI BOARD UNITS
CHANDIGARH, MAY 15:
The Punjab Government Today issued instructions to all the departments, boards and corporations to purchase their requirements on priorties from khadi board outlets besides khadi bhandar, director general stores and disposal and super bazaars outlets.
Issuing these instructions Mr. Anil Joshi industry and commerce minister said that it was the bounded duties of government to support khadi industry and all governments should ensure to purchase these goods from such units. He said that khadi industry in Punjab was giving direct and indirect employment to lakhs of people and was backbone of village economy.
He said that khadi industry were maintaining super quality control to compete with organized sector and SAD-BJP government was fully committed to support such units.
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12383482 TONNES WHEAT PROCURED IN PUNJAB
Chandigarh, May 15:
Government agencies and private millers procured more than 12383482 tonnes of wheat till last evening. The State Government has set up more than 1750 procurement centres and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of wheat.
The spokesman of the government said that Out of total procurement of 12383482 tonnes of wheat in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 12299242 tonnes of wheat till date whereas private traders procured 2048 tonnes of wheat. Till May 14, PUNSUP procured 2802191 tonnes (22.63%), MARKFED procured 2728987 tonnes (22.04%). whereas PUNGRAIN had procured 2106955 tonnes (17.01%) PSWC procured 1402477 tonnes (11.33%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 1397030 tonnes (11.28 %) of wheat.The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 1861602 tonnes (15.03%).
The spokesman added that District Sangrur with 1200802 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas District Ludhiana with 1024253 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and district Patiala with 1017340 tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.
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PUNJAB CM CONDOLES SAD DEMISE OF PM’S SISTER-IN-LAW
CHANDIGARH MAY 15:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today mourned the sad demise of Smt. Thanantar Kaur, the eldest sister-in-law of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh who passed away due to liver cancer in a private hospital at Ludhiana on Monday. Smt. Thanantar Kaur 85 is survived by two daughters and a son.
In his condolence message, Mr. Badal shared his heartfelt sympathies with the Prime Minister and his wife Mrs. Gursharan Kaur besides the members of the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to give strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss in this hour of crisis and grant peace to the departed soul.
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PUNJAB SC COMMISSION COMES TO THE AIDE OF PUNJABIS STRUCK HOLLAND
- Writes a letter to National SC Commission to intervene in all such cases
CHANDIGARH, MAY 15:
The Punjab State Commission for Scheduled Castes has taken the cause of Indian, especially Punjabis, struck abroad with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes.
Taking up a case of district Jalandhar based Mr. Amarjit Singh, who went Holland for the livelihood of his family, but couldn’t return, the State Commission urged to the National Commission to intervene and facilitate the easy arrival of all such Punjabis, who incidentally struck abroad.
Mr. Rajesh Bagha, Chairman, Punjab State Commission for Scheduled Castes said that after receiving a complaint of Mrs Inderdeep Kaur W/O Mr. Amarjit Singh, Village Chachowal, P.O. Daduwal, Jalandhar, they have forwarded it to the National Commission for necessary action and to have dialogue with Holland Government. He said that according to plaint Mr. Amarjit Singh has gone Holland in the search of employment in 2002. His Passport and other necessary documents misplaced somewhere, lack of these now he is unable to return. Mr. Bagha said that we had written to National Commission for Scheduled Castes for pressurize Indian Government to developing communication with its counterpart Holland Government for the safe arrival of Mr. Amarjit Singh and others.
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Punjab Government committed to the well being of physically challenged – Mittal
Chandigarh, May 15:
Social Security, Women and Child development Minister Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal said here today that Punjab Government has chalked out a Master Plan to provide adequate facilities to physically challenged persons so that they could lead their lives in a better way.
Mr. Mittal informed that three vocational rehabilitation centers for handicapped persons were being run by the Social Security, Women and Child Development Department Punjab, at Ludhiana, Bathinda and Hoshiarpur where training in different types of trades like tailoring, cutting, embroidery, typing, stenography and canning was imparted to the disabled men and women from the age groups of 18 to 40 years. He also said that Rs. 500 as stipend has been given to each students of these centers.
The Minister further said that a budged provision of Rs. 60,77,000 lac had been made under this scheme for the year 2011-12 and amount of 58,82,589 lac had been spent to cover 36 beneficiaries up to March, 2012.
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