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BADAL RELEASES PUNJABI POETRY BOOK ‘GWACHE WARQ’ Chandigarh, August 17 Chandigarh, August 17 HEALTH DEPARTMENT RECRUITS 101 STAFF NURSES FROM WAITING LIST -- CM AND DY. CM MOURNS DEATH OF 10 PEOPLE IN ROAD ACCIDENT · ANNOUNCED ONE LAC EX-GRATIA Chandigarh, August 16- Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and the Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today expressed deep shock and anguish over the tragic accident in which ten people were killed after a truck carrying devotees from Mairi Shrine to Tarn Taran (Punjab), in two decks skidded off the road in Mairi village of Amb Sub- Division in Una District of Himachal Pradesh. Expressing profound grief and sorrow over this disastrous accident, the Chief Minister shared his heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved families and prayed to the Almighty to give them courage to bear this irreparable loss in the hour of crisis and grant peace to the departed souls. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also announced an Ex Gratia grant of Rs. 1 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased. -- CM RELEASES BOOK ON GHADAR MOVEMENT COMPILED AND EDITED BY THREE EMINENT HISTORIANS GHADAR MOVEMENT BACKGROUND, IDEOLOGY, ACTION AND LEGACY PRESENTS DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE MOVEMENT Chandigarh, August 16- Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal released the book "Ghadar Movement background, Ideology, Action and Legacy" on Thursday late evening. Releasing the book compiled and edited by eminent historians Prof. JS Grewal, Prof. Harish K Puri and Prof. Indu Banga, the Chief Minister congratulated the editorial board for presenting a detailed account of this watershed movement of Indian freedom struggle besides spotting light on the entire national independence movement initiated for throwing away the yoke of British imperialism from our motherland. He said that apart from it this book would also showcase the role of Punjabis in various movements of freedom struggle spearheaded from within the country and abroad. Mr. Badal said that it was a matter of great pride for us that despite of being only two percent of the total population of the country, the Punjabis have made 80% of the sacrifices in the altar of freedom struggle. The Chief Minister also extended warm wishes to the Vice Chancellor of Punjabi University Patiala Dr. Jaspal Singh for making concerted efforts to publish this book. He said that this book would prove very helpful to the Historians and students for acquiring knowledge about the Indian history. Earlier apprising the Chief Minister about the book, the Vice Chancellor of Punjabi University Patiala Dr. Jaspal Singh said that this book was related with the Ghadar movement, in which this movement has been analyzed in a new form. He said that this book was the compilation of various essays by the writers who have described this movement in full detail. Likewise VC said that this book has been published in English and it would be translated in Punjabi by next year. Dr. Jaspal Singh also said that this book has already been released in United States of America in a function to commemorate 100 years of foundation of Ghadar movement. Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included former VC Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) Dr. JS Grewal, former Pro-VC GNDU Dr. Prithipal Singh Kapoor, Prof. Indu Banga, Dean Research Punjabi University Dr. Jaswinder Singh, Director Publication Bureau Punjabi University Dr. Dhanwant Kaur and Head of Punjabi Department Dr. Jasbir Kaur. - SENIOR OFFICERS AUTHORIZED TWO MOBILE CONNECTIONS CHANDIGARH, AUGUST, 16: The Punjab government has authorized all Financial Commissioner, Principal Secretaries and Administrative Secretaries to have two official connections. Disclosing this here today an official spokesman said that this decision has been taken in a meeting of ‘State Telephone Board’. He said that these officers have been authorized for more than one mobile with the condition that expenditure must not exceed the sanctioned limit and the mobile connections must be on the name of the concerned officer. He said that written instructions have been issued in this regard. - CEO IMPARTS TRAINING UNDER Systematic Voters’ Education Electoral Participating Chandigarh August 16: Keeping in view the ensuing Parliament elections in the state, the chief electoral officer Punjab Mr. Raminder Singh has directed all the additional district electoral officers and other concerned officers to ensure proper implementation of the guidelines issued by the Chief Election Commission with regard to Systematic Voters’ Education Electoral Participating (SVEEP) and the revision of voters’ list as per the cut out date of 1-1-2014. Stating this here today, a spokesman of the CEO Punjab said that a full training programme was also conducted for the officers concerned about the activities of SVEEP to ensure the proper revision of voters’ lists according to the guidelines of the CEC so that more and more eligible voters could be registered during the revision of the voters’ lists to begin on September 6, 2013. Special attention was being paid to register the youth in the age group of 18 years or above as voters. With a view to generating more awareness amongst the youth of the state, the CEO has directed the officers to launch a special awareness campaign in the universities, colleges and other educational institutions under Systematic Voters’ Education Electoral Participating programmes. Besides this eligible women, service voters and remaining voters would also be encouraged to get themselves registered as voters. The NRIs who have not yet been registered could also get themselves registered as per the guidelines of the Chief Election Commission of India, said the spokesman. - INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED REGARDING HANDICAP CONVEYANCE ALLOWANCE CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 16: The Punjab Government has decided to give disability conveyance allowance to all the handicapped and blind employees irrespective of their category in which they were recruited. Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that as per the new instructions handicapped and blind employees would be entitled for the special allowance. He said that while considering a case of any such employee for the case of allowance the mode and category of recruitment would not be taken into account. He further said that the allowance would be given as per the previous term and condition. In this regard Social Security and Women and Child Welfare department issued instruction to all department heads, Commissioners of divisions, Deputy Commissioners of districts, Registrar of Punjab & Haryana High Court and District and Session Courts. ---------- PUNJAB PROVIDES FREE TEXT BOOKS OF WORTH RS. 16 CRORE IN UPPER PRIMARY SCHOOLS- MALUKA Chandigarh August 16: The Punjab Government has provided free text books of worth Rs. 16 crore to 7,96,393 non scheduled castes students studying in the primary & upper primary classes in the government and aided schools in the state. The Punjab Education Minister Mr. Sikandar Singh Maluka said the state government was committed to impart quality education to the students studying in government and aided schools. He said that the government had already distributed the books to the 7, 38,414 students and rest of the students get the free books soon. The Minister further said that the Punjab Government has also provided free text books of worth Rs. 30 crore to 14.5 lac students belongs to Scheduled castes and backward classes studying in class 1st to 10th in the government and aided schools in the state. He said that efforts were on to provide required infrastructure in all the government schools and vacant posts of the teachers would be filled on priority. --------
Chandigarh, August 16-sympathy Punjab Transport Minister Mr. Ajit Singh Kohar today assured the Mini Bus Operators that the state government would sympathetically consider their genuine demands and try to solve them. An assurance to this regard was given by Mr. Kohar to a delegation of the Mini Bus Operators association which called on him at his office here at Punjab Civil Secretariat. The delegation led by President of the Association Mr. Jaswinder Singh Grewal apprised the Minister that due to the increase in taxes the business of Mini buses was adversely affected due to which they were facing difficulties in carrying out the operations. Apart from the taxes the delegation also raised several issues regarding the business of Mini buses. After listening to the demands of the delegation, the Minister assured them that the state government would sympathetically consider their genuine demands. Mr. Kohar also assured the delegation that he would soon take up this matter with the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister for solving the problems faced by the Mini Bus Operators. -- PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPTT. PB. · Programme to rehabilitate stray cattle initiated · One Crore to Be Spent ---- Ranike CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 16: Taking stringent steps to control the menace of stray cattle in the state, the Punjab government has chalked out an extensive plan to overcome the problem and also to rehabilitate the stray cattle. Stating this here today, Mr. Gulzar Singh ranike, Animal Husbandry Minister Punjab said that stray cattle were a constant source of problems to the society and their population was rising day by day. Sometimes fatal accidents were caused due to their unmanaged presence on the roads. At present, there were about one lac stray cattle in Punjab. Expressing concern over the problem, the Minister said that they feed themselves on the standing crops and thereby damaging the valuable crops of the farmers besides causing traffic hazards. The Minister said that the state government would spend an amount of one crore during the year 2013-14 to suitably rehabilitate the stray cattle especially the cows providing them home to these vagabond cattle i.e. maintenance ration, a minimum level of health cover and the home care. Under this rehabilitation scheme, the department would also assist Gau Sewa Board, Punjab/NGOs/Animal Welfare Board of Punjab for strengthening of Gaushalas/animal shelters. The Minister also said that the newly launched scheme would not only ensure the clean and hygienic environment which was threatened with cow dung spread all over especially on roads. For want of adequate attention, the stray cattle sometimes suffered badly due to starvation, accidents and unkind behaviour of the people. Keeping all the facts in mind and providing appropriate place for the stray cattle, the Punjab government launched such scheme in the larger public interest.
PHARMACIST PREM BANSAL POSTED AT CIVIL SURGEON OFFICE ROPAR DISMISSED · ACCUSED OF STEALING MEDICINES FROM GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL ROOPNAGAR · STOLE GOVERNMENT MEDICINES TO SELL THEM TO THE PRIVATE HOSPITAL Chandigarh, August 16: Punjab Health & Family Welfare department has dismissed the services of a pharmacist Mr. Prem Sharn Bansal posted at office of Civil Surgeon Roopnagar accused of stealing medicines from the Civil Hospital Roopnagar and selling them to the private hospital. Health Department took the decision to immediately suspend the culprit after the Vigilance Department registered a case against arrested him on 26th July, 2013 and recovered the stolen medicines from his house in Kurali. Health & Family Welfare Minister Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal took this matter seriously and instructed officials of the health department take strict action. Earlier after the arrest of Mr. Prem Sharn Bansal department suspended him and more strict action has been taken to dismiss his services keeping in view of the seriousness of the matter. Health Minister has directed the officials to ensure that such things do not happen in the future and keep a vigil on any such activity. He also said that department would not hesitate to take strict actions against anyone found indulged in any such activity. 51 PPS OFFICERS TRANSFERS IN PUNJAB Chandigarh August 16:
The Punjab Government has issued the transfer and posting orders of 51 PPS in the state. Disclosing this here the official spokesman of the Punjab Government said that Mr. Harpreet Singh has been posted as SP/NRI Wing Punjab, Mr. Baljit Singh Dhillon posted as Additional DCP/SPL Br. Jalandhar, Amarjit Singh, Mr. Bikramjit Singh, Mukand Singh, Ashwani Kumar, Sareen Kumar and Barjinder Pal Sngh posted as AIG/Int. Wing Punjab, Pardeep Kumar as SP/Vig. Bureau Punjab Chandigarh, Naveen as AIG/Crime Wing, Amarpreet Singh & Amarjit Singh as AIG/Crime Wing Pb, Tejinder Singh, Amirt Singh, Randeep Singh and Jagjit Singh as SP/Spl. Protection Unit (SSG/CM SEcutiry, Punjab, Chandigarh, Surjit Singh as A.C. 2nd IRB Ladda Kothi Sangrur, Amrit Singh as A.C. 3rd IRB Ludhiana, Tarsem Singh as A.C. 4th IRB Kapurthala, Surinder Singh, Baljit Singh, Salwinder Singh as A.C. 6th IRB Ladda Kothi Sangrur. Baljit Singh as A.C. 2nd IRB Ladda Kothi Sangrur, Salwinder Singh as A.C. 4th CDO Bn., SAS Nagar, Gurbaksh Singh as A.C. 1st IRB Patiala, Gursewak Singh as Addl. DCP/Traffic Ludhiana, Swaran Singh as SP/Det., Barnala, Kulwant Singh as SP/Det., Pathankot, Paramjit Singh as Addl. DCP/Crime Ludhiana, Gurchain Singh DSP/Excise & Taxation Patiala, Davinder Singh & Gurdeep Singh as Comandant –Cum,-Dy. Director (outdoor) MRS, PPA Phillaur, Tarsem Lal as A.C. 36th Bn. PAP Bahadurgarh, Rajinder Kumar as AIG/Law & Order Wingh Punjab, Jaipal Singh as AIG/Security Wing Punjab, Vinod Kumar as ATT. With IGP/Int. & Counter Int. Bathinda, Sheilendra Singh as A.C. 2nd CDO Bn. Bahadurgarh, Gurmeet Singh as A.C.1st CDO Bn., Bahadurgarh Patiala, Dharamvir Singh as A.C.5th CDO Bn., Bahadurgarh Patiala, Pushkar Sandal as A.C. 4th IRB Kapurthala, Harkanwal Preet as SP/Spl. Protection Unit (SSG/CM Security) Punjab Chandigarh, Bhupinder Singh, and Pritpal Singh as A.C. 7th IRB Kapurthala, Parampal Singh as Addl. DCP-1 Amritsar, Harmeet Singh as SP (H) Ropar, Rakesh Kumar as SP (D) Mansa, Rajwinder Singh as SP (D) Khanna, Balraj Singh as SP Malout, Jasvir Singh as SP (HQ) Bathinda, Jaskiranjit Singh as SP (D) Patiala, Des Raj as SP/City Bathinda, Gurshran Singh Bedi as SP (HQ) Patiala and Amarjit Singh as A.C. 36th Bn. PAP Bahadurgarh.
BRIG MANJIT SINGH, GETS -PUNJAB PARMAN PATRA-2013 Chandigarh August 16: Brig Manjit Singh, Director Defence Services Welfare was honoured with the award of ' Punjab Parman Patra 2013' by Punjab Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal on the occasion of State level function of Independence Day organized at Ludhiana on 15th Aug, 2013. Disclosing this here today, a spokesman of the government said that Brig Manjit Singh was the first Director for having been honored with this award for his dedication and unrelenting devotion towards the well being and welfare of Ex-servicemen since the time he was appointed Director Defence Services Welfare, Punjab in the year Dec, 2011. All the projects launched during his tenure were completed well in time. Brig. Singh said that State Award conferred on him was the result of a dedicated team work of his officers and staff and the good wishes of Ex-servicemen community. - MGSIPA INKS MOU WITH INDIAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS FOR PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE · Agreement was signed in the presence of Chief Secretary, Punjab CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 16: The Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration, Punjab today signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian School of Business to work on the areas of professional excellence. The MoU was signed in the presence of Mr. Rakesh Singh, Chief Secretary Punjab. Disclosing this here today an official spokesman of the Punjab Government said that Mr. Kripa Shankar Saroj, IAS, Director, MGSIPA and Mr. Pradeep Singh, CEO , ISB, Mohali Campus & Deputy Dean from ISB has signed the MoU. Mr. Rakesh Singh Chief Secretary Punjab appreciated the MGSIPA's efforts for starting a new chapter by signing MoU with ISB – a professional organization. He said that Indian School of Business is the premier management institute in the country and co ordination with it would help the officers of Punjab to acquire new skills which would further enhance their professional capacity and capabilities. Speaking on the occasion Mr. C. Roul, IAS, Director General, Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration said that the objectives of signing of MoU is exchange of faculty, research scholars and graduate students; Hosting of visiting delegations; Joint research activities; Participation in seminars and academic meetings ; Exchange of relevant publications and Reciprocal use of each other infrastructural facilities. Mr. Ajit Rangnekar, Dean, ISB has informed that as per the MoU signed with Punjab Government, they have the mandate to conduct 100 man days Executive Development Programmes for the selected Punjab Government officers. Signing MoU with MGSIPA would give a platform to government officials to utilize their expertise in a very professional manner. Mr. D.N.V. Kumara Guru, Director (External Relations) and Mr. Madanjit Randhawa, Manager (Administration) from ISB and Dr. R.K.Sharma, Incharge (Trg) Dr. P.V.Rao, Librarian, Mr. Vinod Kumar Sharma, Ad.O all from MGSIPA were also present during the event.
BADAL GIVES NOD FOR SEWERAGE SYSTEM UNDER NBA IN 142 VILLAGES AT A COST OF Rs. 1215 CRORE Chandigarh, August 13 BADAL CALLS UPON BANKS TO PLAY A LEADING ROLE IN THE PROMOTION OF AGRICULTURE DIVERSIFICATION PROGRAM IN PUNJAB Chandigarh, August 13 Presiding over a 125th meeting of State Level Bankers Committee (Punjab) convened here by the Punjab National Bank at Hotel Shivalik View, Mr. Badal emphasized the need to enhance the credit flow to agriculture sector for giving impetus to the much needed crop diversification program. He bemoaned that direct agriculture advances have declined from 20.08% to 17.81% and this trend must be reversed without any further delay to encourage the farmers towards diversification. BADAL OFFERS US DOCTORS TO SET UP CANCER RESEARCH CENTRE IN PUNJAB The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today offered all support and cooperation to the Indian origin US Cancer experts Dr. Inderbir Gill and Dr. Parkash Gill for setting up a research centre for ‘New Cancer Drug Development and Manufacture’ facility in the state. An assurance to this effect was given by Mr. Badal to the visiting doctors accompanied by the Cabinet Minister Mr. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, who called on him here at Chief Minister’s residence this morning. Taking part in the deliberations, the doctors assured the Chief Minister that they were committed to build World best ‘Cancer Drug Development and Genetic Testing’ facility in Punjab as they had a long experience in this field. They said their proven track of expertise and experience in the field of cancer research would help them to create new Genetic Testing for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer in the state, probably the first of its kind in the country. The Chief Minister apprised them about the laudable steps taken by the state government in curbing the deadly menace of cancer by setting up of Super Specialty Cancer Hospitals at Bathinda and Faridkot besides upgrading the government hospitals to provide the best health care facilities to the cancer patients. He also said that the Chief Minister’s Cancer Fund has been created for the timely treatment of cancer patients adding he said a world class Tata Cancer Research Centre & Hospital was coming up at Mullanpur. Mr. Badal asked them to send a detailed proposal of their project to the Principal Secretary Health & Family Welfare Mrs. Vinni Mahajan and Health Advisor to the state government Dr. KK Talwar so that a final decision could be taken at the earliest. He also suggested them to set up their proposed Cancer Research Centre at the upcoming Medicity in Mullanpur and offered all support to them. SUKHBIR FINALISES CONTOURS OF THIRD PARTY AUDIT OF PANCHAYATS · PUNJAB TO BE DIVIDED INTO 5 ZONES CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 13: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today gave the final shape to contours of Third Party External Audit on audit of money spent by 13047 Panchayats on the various development works of villages. It may be mentioned that Punjab would be the first state in the country that would conduct the third party financial and performance audit of village works. PUNJAB APPOINTs SUPERVISORS FOR EVALUATION OF ITIs --------- PUNJAB EXTENDS JURISDICTION OF EDUCATIONAL TRIBUNAL Chandigarh, August 13: The Punjab government has extended the jurisdiction of Educational Tribunal Punjab to enable it to hear and decide the cases regarding disputes between the management committee of all educational institutions and their employees. Mr. Chunni Lal Bhagat, Local Bodies Minister, Punjab today directed officers of the department to fast track the proceedings to get the 60 crore loan from HUDCO sanctioned immediately. CM CONDEMNS ATTACK ON THAKUR UDAI SINGH Chandigarh, August 11- Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today condemned the attack on the Head of the Namdhari sect Thakur Udai Singh, who was assaulted at Leicester Gurdwara in United Kingdom, today morning. In a statement Mr. Badal said that such attack on Thakur Udai Singh, the Head of Namdhari sect, who always preached the lesson of peace, love and brotherhood must be condemned by one and all. The Chief Minister prayed to the Almighty for his early recovery and well being. --- BADAL GIVES NOD FOR SETTING UP ‘SPORTS INSTITUTE OF JALANDHAR’ · TO BE DEVELOPED ON LINES OF SPORTS SCHOOL GHUDDA THIS INSTITUTE TO GROOM BUDDING PLAYERS OF REGION · EXPERTS OF NIS TO BE ROPED IN FOR ACCOMPLISHING THIS TASK Chandigarh, August 11- In order to give a complete facelift to the existing Sports School and College at Jalandhar, Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal has asked the Sports Department to develop these institutes as ‘Sports Institute of Jalandhar’ for grooming the budding players of the region to compete in national and international sporting events. Presiding over a high level meeting of the Sports and Education departments to develop ‘Integrated Education and Sports Hub’ on nearly 40 acres of land at Kapurthala Road in Jalandhar, on Saturday at Chief Minister’s residence, the Chief Minister said that this ‘Sports Institute of Jalandhar’ would be completely different from the Centre of Sports Excellence to be developed in the city. Expressing concern over the dilapidated infra structure in Sports School and College, Mr. Badal said that these institutes were established to produce word class players from the region but with the passage of time they have lost their sheen. He said that the need of the hour was to develop both the Sports School and College on the lines of newly set up Sports School at Ghudda near Bathinda to provide ultra modern sports facilities to the young players. Laying thrust on the complete overhaul of these premier Sports institutes, the Chief Minister asked the officers of the Sports Department to rope in the experts from National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala to advise them for this herculean task. He said that apart from athletic track and grounds for football, volleyball, basketball, hockey and other games the students should be provided an ultra modern gymnasium for the sporting activities. Likewise Mr. Badal also said that existing Swimming Pool in this institute must be converted into a world-class all weather one so that it could be used throughout the year. The Chief Minister also said that the existing boarding and lodging facilities in both the School and colleges should be expanded so that more and more sportsperson could avail this facility. He also underscored the need for providing separate hostel facility for the school and college students so as to ensure their overall development. ‘The sole motive is to develop the ‘Sports Institute of Jalandhar’ as a nursery from where world class players can be produced’ added Mr. Badal. Deliberating upon the issue of setting up a special school for the meritorious students securing 80% or more marks in the Government schools on six acres land along with Sports School and College, the Chief Minister said that all these three institutions should have separate entities with Sports school and college acting as catalyst of promoting sports while the Special school giving thrust to professional education to the bright students. He said that the boarding and lodging facilities besides the campus of these institutes must be completely separated from each other to fulfill the basic motive behind setting up these institutes. Mr. Badal asked the Education and Sports Department to co-ordinate with the Town Planning department and PUDA for ensuring judicious use of every inch of land available with them to promote sports and education in region. Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Cabinet Minister Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka, Principal Secretary Education Mrs. Anjali Bhawra, Secretary Sports Mr. Ashok Gupta, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar Mrs. Shruti Singh, Director Sports Mr. Shiv Dular Singh and Chief Architect Mrs. Swapna. -- WOULD NOT ALLOW MILITANCY TO RAISE ITS UGLY HEAD AGAIN-SUKHBIR PAYS OBEISANCE AT GOLDEN TEMPLE ALONG BATHINDAMEMBER PARLIAMENT Mrs. HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL
AMRITSAR, AUGUST 11: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today assured the people of Punjab that Punjab Government would not allow militancy to raise its ugly head again in the state. Mr. Badal, who was here along with his wife and Bathinda Member Parliament Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal to pay obeisance at Golden Temple, was responding to a media query regarding letters purportedly written by militants being received by certain section of people and said that Punjab Government was keeping an eye on all such elements and during last five years the Punjab Police had busted three major militant modules and prevented major militant strikes. He said that it was unfortunate that Union Government was not performing its duty in raising the modernisation grant of Punjab Police, with Punjab being a border state. Mr. Badal said that it was our fundamental duty to protect the lives of the citizens and would not allow anyone to fiddle with hard earned peace of the state. On a question regarding development projects of the Amritsar district, Mr. Badal said that he has already approved a comprehensive plan for this Holy City and on completion of this plan, you would not be able to recognise Amritsar city. He said that his aim was to put Holy City Amritsar on International Tourist Circuit as it was emerging as a hub of Development of South-East Asia. Mr. Badal said that he has already reviewed the execution of projects and set aside requisite funds for each project. Reviewing the progress of Golden Temple Plaza, Mr. Badal said that he has conducted the review of this project to ensure that it could be dedicated to the world community on schedule. He said that Golden Temple would witness the completion of its prestigious project of Underground Plaza by the end of this year as the work was on full swing and it would be on the advanced stage of completion within few months. He said that this unique project would prove a boon for thousands of daily tourists from across the world as there would be audio-video information system to know the history and rich Sikh heritage besides a world class auditorium. Answering a query regarding proposed welfare schemes of state government, Mr. Badal said that Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal has finalised various schemes for the welfare and betterment of poverty stricken families of Punjab. He said that in few days the CM would unveil the Cashless Insurance Scheme for Atta Daal beneficiaries, under which these families would get cashless treatment up to Rs. 30,000 in various top private hospital earmarked by government. He said that for this process was in full swing soon the beneficiaries would get the unique card to avail the scheme. He said that state government has also decided to bring more needy families under the ambit of Atta Daal Scheme and the number of beneficiaries families would be doubled from 15 lakh to 30 lakh in coming days. The Deputy Chief Minister also said that Punjab is going to start Rs. 30000 scholarship for the meritorious students of poor families with a view to get their studies continued. He said that after passing their matriculation exams the students scoring above 80 percent marks would get the scholarship for two years. He also said that Punjab would also provide an insurance cover to all natives of Punjab worth Rs. 1 lakh each. When asked about mechanism to check and monitor of development in villages, Mr. Badal said that Punjab is the first state, which is going to computerise its all more than 13000 Panchayats under E-Panchayat project. He said that under this more than 80% works have been completed and now the state government has decided to conduct six monthly external audits by engaging top private audit companies. Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Inderbir Singh Bolaria, Mr. Rajat Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner and Mr. Ram Singh, Police Commissioner were also present. - DEPARTMENTS TOLD TO FILE STATUS REPORTS OF COURT CASES THREE DAY PRIOR TO THE DATE OF HEARING CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 11: The Punjab Government has directed all the departments to file written statements and status reports of court cases at least three day prior to the date of hearing. Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the Home Affairs and Justice Department of Punjab Government said that the department have also been instructed to make provision on their respective websites for the people to express and send their grievances so that the Government may respond adequately and promptly. He said that it has been noticed that the departments are not particular about written statements and status reports due to be filed in the court of law. He said that taking strong exception of such practices these instructions have been issued. - TOTAL FACELIFT OF AMRITSAR AND PATIALA MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSTELS SOON - BHAGAT · Rs. 10 CRORE SETS ASIDE FOR COMPLETE REVAMP · SAD-BJP GOVERNMENT WOULD CREATE HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT BY ENSURING ALL AMENITIES CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 11: The Hostels of Medical Colleges at Amritsar and Patiala would witness a complete facelift within few months as Rs. 10 crore has been sanctioned for the renovation of hostels of these prestigious institutions. Mr. Chuni Lal Bhagat, Medical Education and Research Minister, Punjab stating this here today informed that the process of revamping both hostels has been started while the physical construction work would very soon as all the formalities have been completed. He said that it was the long pending demand of students due to poor conditions of hostels and now the Government has set aside Rs. 10 crore from the Punjab Ledger Account, 5 crore each for both hostels, to fulfil this demand. Divulging the details of facilities to be provided in the hostels, Mr. Bhagat said that both hostles would be made world class by equipping ultra modern facilities with a quality work. He said that after renovation these hostels would have state-of-the-art student rooms, Reading Rooms, Common Rooms with entertainment facilities, washrooms, parking facilities besides having green belts around the buildings and upgrading the infrastructure from the current session. The Minister said that the construction and renovation work would be completed under the supervision of Punjab Health System Corporation. He said that renovated hostels would be dedicated to the students soon after the completion of work within stipulated deadline. Reiterating the resolve of SAD-BJP Government to provide healthy and congenial environment to the students in their respective institutions, Mr. Bhagat said that Punjab would further strengthen the infrastructure in the educational institutions in coming time. - HIEF MINISTER’S OFFICE, PUNJAB CABINET OKAYS SIMPLIFIED REGULARIZATION PROCESS OF UNAUTHORIZED COLONIES · GREEN SIGNAL TO PUNJAB PREVENTION OF HUMAN SMUGGLING RULES, 2013 · CABINET SUB-COMMITTEE UNDER DEPUTY CM CONSTITUTED FOR RESTRUCTURING OF PWSSB · NOD TO AMEND PUNJAB COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES ACT, 1961 TO BRING IN MORE PROFESSIONALISM IN COOPERATIVES BANKS · SHAHEED KARNAIL SINGH ISSRU’S ANCESTRAL HOME TO BE REFURBISHED · ECO SENSITIVE ZONE FOR ALL THE SANCTUARIES OF PUNJAB REDUCED FROM 10 KM TO 100 METERS · GOVERNMENT COLLEGE FOR GIRLS AT JALALABAD AND GOVERNMENT COLLEGE AT AMARGARH TO START FROM CURRENT ACADEMIC SESSION · GO AHEAD FOR RATIONALIZED INDUCTION AND PROMOTION POLICY FOR OUTSTANDING SPORTS PERSONS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT Chandigarh, August 9 The Punjab Cabinet today gave nod for the revised policy for regularization of unauthorized colonies with an emphasis on simplified procedure and reduction in the rates of composition and regularization fees. A decision to this effect was taken in a Cabinet meeting chaired by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here at Punjab Bhawan this evening. Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that now under the revised policy of regularization of unauthorized colonies, the composition fee for regularization of such colonies has been linked with collector rate to remove the ambiguity among different zones. Now 0.5% of the collector rate (as on April 1, 2013) would be charged for compounding of colonies established before 2007 with the minimum cap of Rs. 25000/- per acre and maximum Rs. 1.00 lac per acre and 2% of the collector rate would be charged for colonies established after 2007 with the minimum cap of Rs. 1.00 lac per acre and maximum cap of Rs. 5.00 lac per acre. However, the charges for colonies having area above 20 acres, the composition fee would be 5% of the collector rate for colonies established after August 17, 2007. The residential plots measuring up to 50 sq. yards in all the residential colonies and plots up to 100 sq. yards in slum areas shall be exempted under this policy. Separate rates have been fixed for regularization of industrial and commercial colonies and plots/buildings. The regularization charges for plots/buildings have also been reduced. To establish the percentage of sale of plots, the sale deed as well as the registered full and final payment agreement shall be considered. By linking the composition fee with collector rates the ambiguity created by establishing different zones in the earlier policy had also been removed. Overlapping of two zones would not be any problem in this policy. Under the revised policy, a provision of easy payment in installments has been made. Now the colonizer does not have to pay 25% of the total charges along with application and he can deposit 10% of the total charges along with application and rest 15% charges shall be paid within 30 days from the date of application submitted by him. The composition fee for regularization of unauthorized colonies falling under category A-III has been reduced from 25% of the total composition fee to 10% keeping in view the fact that in this case the colonizer has to pay CLU, EDC, SIF charges etc. as per present rates to get license for the colony. The provision for self-certification and simplified procedure has also been made with which the plot holders/building owners in unauthorized colonies could get their plots/buildings regularized by paying charges fixed under this policy even if the offence of the Colonizer has not been compounded so far. The last date for submission of applications would be within 45 days from the date of notification of this policy. In another landmark decision the Cabinet also approved Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Rules, 2013 for regulating the trade of travel agencies and consultants. These rules envisaged that a person desirous of undertaking the profession of travel agent or consultant or who was already in this profession on the date of commencement of the act would have to seek a license from the state government by depositing the requisite documents along with the prescribed fee. The license valid for five years would be renewed after the submission of fee of renewable fee. To ensure the development of infrastructure in the state, the Cabinet also gave go ahead to PUDA for mobilizing funds to the tune of Rs. 1000 crore from banks/financial institutions against OUVGL properties. These funds would give further fillip to development works in the state. The Cabinet also approved to constitute a cabinet sub-committee for re-structuring Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board (PWSSB) under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal. This step is being taken in view of the massive sewerage works being undertaken in the cities of the state. In order to bring in far more professionalism in the Cooperative Banks, the Cabinet also approved amending section 26 (2) (a) of the Punjab Cooperative Societies Act, 1961 to vest the power with Govt. for appointing Managing Directors of the Central Cooperative Banks also from amongst the experts in the field of banking, management and finance. It may be recalled that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Central Cooperatives Banks are presently elected by the respective Board of Directors (BoDs). Similarly, the Managing Directors are also elected by the BoDs. Since the Reserve Bank of India has now laid down stringent procedure for granting a license to the Central Cooperative Banks, deviance or non-compliance would adversely affect the refinance from NABARD. Hence it had become imperative to bring efficiency in the management of these Banks. The Cabinet also decided to rationalize the collection of water rates by charging the existing water cess @ Rs. 150 per acre per year from the actual users from canal water only to the extent of their actual irrigated area; and further to notify that the charges of all type of crops should be recoverable in two equal installments of Rs. 75 per acre payable by 31st May and 30th November respectively every year and that the above should continue to be applicable to other means of irrigation on which the water rates were presently applicable. The Cabinet also decided to impose a uniform forfeiture of fixed 10% of the total amount of the consideration money in case of resumption proceedings. It may be recalled that as per provision of section 45 (3) of the Punjab Regional and Town Planning and Development Act, 1995 in the event of non-depositing the dues of property in time by the allottees, allotment could be cancelled and 10% of the total deposits be forfeited. The Estate Officers of the various Urban Development Authorities forfeited the amount which varies from 1% to 10% of the consideration money, and was not in uniformity and resulted in undue litigation. As a befitting tribute to the great martyr of Goa Liberation Movement Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru, the Cabinet also approved to undertake upgradation of road leading to Issru village, adding more rooms to the existing school and also sanctioned required money for repair of the ancestral home of Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru at village Issru in district Ludhiana. The Cabinet also gave nod to keep only 100 meter Eco Sensitive Zone for all the sanctuaries of Punjab. It may be recalled at present restrictions regarding Eco sensitive zone was up to 10 KM from boundaries of sanctuaries which results that all cases of establishment of industries, construction of roads etc. were sent to GoI for sanction. By restricting Eco Sensitive Zone up to 100 meter, cases pertaining to all departments need GoI’s sanction within this limit. The Cabinet also gave approval to amend the toll notification issued by the PWD (B&R) No. S.O. II/P.A. 13/1998/S.R. 2,3 & 4/2004 dated July 8, 2004 under provisions of the Punjab Mechanical Vehicles (Bridges & Roads Tolls) Act, 1998 regarding determining the toll rates to be levied and collection from certain users of Highways, Byepasses, Bridges and ROBs/RUBs (as constructed and operated and maintained through concessionaire). The existing toll policy (notification) was issued by the state government more than eight years back. Now, there was a dire need to issue new notification in order to ensure the best industry practices being followed by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRT&H), GoI and various other state governments are put in place in the Punjab state also. The toll notification required a re-visit to rationalize the prevailing toll charges and also to bring it on lines with policies followed by MoRT&H and other states for ensuring effective and smooth implementation for development of toll roads projects on BOT basis. The cabinet also approved the scheme for accelerated upgradation of state roads by raising funds to the tune of Rs. 1000 crore from financial institutions through Punjab Road and Bridges Development Board to improve the crust thickness and riding quality of the roads. The roads would be executed with long term maintenance liabilities. After completion of upgradation, the roads would be put to tolling contracts and the revenue thus received through toll system would be utilized in re-payment of loan to financial institution/banks. The cabinet also gave green signal to start Government College for Girls at Jalalabad (district Fazilka) and Government College at Amargarh (district Sangrur) from the current academic session to uplift the standard of higher education in Punjab. Both Fazilka and Sangrur were educationally backward districts with the very low gross enrollment ratio. With the opening of these colleges, the long standing demand of the residents of the areas would be fulfilled one hand and the students of SC, BC and other poor communities would get more opportunities of receiving higher education at affordable fee on the other. The Cabinet also okayed the Punjab Agricultural (Group-A) Services Rules, 2013. It may be recalled that the Punjab Agricultural (Group-A) Service is presently governed 1975 Rules and thereafter new posts have been created in different wings of Agriculture Department and names and designated of many posts have also changed. The new rules now provide for segregation of the cadres and provide for a clear line of promotion on the basis of seniority-cum-merit. The Cabinet also gave green signal to transfer 83 acres of land of Punjab State Industries Export Corporation (PSIEC) to the Jail department for the construction of District Jail over this land at Goindwal Sahib in Taran Tarn district. In lieu of this land, the Jail department would transfer 78 acres out of 278 acres of its land in Open Jail Nabha to the PSIEC for the construction of Industrial Focal Point. From the remaining 200 acres land the Jail department would transfer 100 acres of land to Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA). The Cabinet also approved a rationalized induction and promotion policy for outstanding sports persons in the Police department. Any sportsperson winning Gold, Silver, Bronze medal in Asian, Commonwealth, World Cup and Olympics would be offered Class-1 post in the State Police department. Any policeman earning medals in the National Police Games or other National level Games would earn points which would enable him to earn accelerated promotion. - NEED TO OVERHAUL INDIAN POLITICAL SYSTEM-YOUTH CAN REVIVE WRECKED SYSTEM OF COUNTRY-HARSIMRAT
- Chandigarh August 9: Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Member Parliament from Bathinda today said that it is call of the day to overhaul the wrecked system of Great India and our young, energetic, hi-tech generation can make this dream true with their vital contribution in making India a ‘strong nation’. Presiding over a function here today, Mrs. Badal appreciating the initiative of the media group in bringing achievers on a common platform to discuss future scenario said that it was matter of great pride for us that our youngsters have brought revolutions in different sectors including Information Technology, Medical, Engineering, Automobiles etc in the world. She said that our young generation and the achievers can change our ‘conservative’ system by playing a vital role in the development and progress of our nation. She said that holding of constructive and conclusive discussions for young generations would also further the cause. Giving a call to the achievers and youth to give back to society, Mrs. Badal said that it should be top priority of those youngsters, who have achieved their goals, to pay back to the society for building up a strong nation. She said that this kind act of established youth would give an inspiration to younger generation paving a way to make our nation, a great nation. Mrs. Badal mentioned that in recent moves against ill-practices of our system and social evils, young generation has played a big role in educating and making the masses aware of the facts. She said that youth should not hesitate to take a stand against social evils and corrupt practices as their small resistance can eliminate these indelible scars from our country’s face. She said that the Punjab Government has created a helpline for the facilitation of people to register their plaints against such practices and to safeguard the dignity and security of women. Expressing concern over the primary desire of youngsters in our country, Mrs. Badal said that majority of the surveys have reflected that job with its complete security was the major need of our youngsters. She said that Governments should create more and more job opportunities for the welfare of youth. Lauding the role of Punjab Government in this area by providing jobs to more than 1.5 lakh youth in few years, Mrs. Badal said that Punjab has taken phenomenal strides in this sector by providing jobs to youth with attractive salaries in transparent manner and on the basis of pure merit. Mrs. Badal also gave a clarion call and exhorted the youth of country to refurbish the corrupt and wrecked political structure by ousting ‘lotus eaters’ from the political scene of country in coming elections. She said such leaders of Indian polity should also understand the fact that the electorates have become wise enough and now they wants action and fulfillment of promises made to them before elections. She said that Punjab, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh were the clear examples, where electorates reposed their faith repeating the incumbent governments due to their massive development initiatives. - BAJWA IS IN REALY PITIABLE CONDITION-SUKHBIR · NEITHER HIGH COMMAND NOR PUNJAB UNIT CARES ABOUT HIM · CONGRESS MLAs PETITIONING SANGAT DARSHAN REFLECTS EFFECTIVENESS OF PROGRAMS · WITH ALL WICKETS GONE PPP NON EXISTENT IN STATE MALOUT, AUGUST 9: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab today said that Mr. Partap Singh Bajwa was in a really pitiable condition with neither Congress High Command nor Punjab Congress Unit owning him. Mr. Badal, after administering oath of office to 269 Sarpanches and 2029 Panches of Muktsar district, was replying to a query with regarding Bajwa mocking at Durga Shakti Nagpal, Punjab Cadre IAS officer, posted in UP and said that Congress has lost its moral right to make an issue of Sand Mining as yesterday alone in a neigbouring Congress ruled Himachal Pradesh sand mining mafia had trying to kill SDM Nalagarh Younis Khan, a batch mate of Durga Shakti. He said that Congress always flourished with Scams and sand mining crisis all over the country are result of deliberate policy of scarcity created by Environment Ministry of Congress led UPA government. He said that mining lobby whether in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand or Punjab or it may be Balery in Karnatka has direct patronage of Congress politicians, who have been directly controlling the strings of supply and demand of mining products to keep their prices artificially high. He said that let Mr. Bajwa stage a Dharna before Environment Ministry and perform his duty as Member Parliament to get all pending clearances cleared to ease the situation in the state. When questioned about repeated barging of Congress MLAs in CMs Sangat Darshans, Mr. Badal repeated petitioning of Congress MLAs in a novel program of Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, Sangat Darshan shows effectiveness at the ground level. He said that no body in Delhi or in Congress High Command recognized Congress MLAs and they know that if they raise an issue before Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal regarding their constituency, it would be effectively solved. He said that CM welcomes every citizen of Punjab, irrespective of their party affiliation and it was imperative for Congress MLAs to get pending projects in various Union Ministeries sanctioned expeditiously. He said that every one was welcome in the Sangat Darshan if he was not coming to disrupt it to create media hype. Lauding the role of Mr. Manjit Singh GK, President Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, Mr. Badal said that GK effectively resisted the Airport Authority of Italy, the birth place of Sonia Gandhi, and said that Congress led UPA Government has failed to protect the interests of Sikh community all over the world. He said that if instead of reacting to crisis in Italy, the Union Government had sensitized all countries regarding importance of turban, the situation would not have risen. On being asked about the existence of People’s Party of Punjab, Mr. Badal said that this proxy group of Congress Party has non existent in Punjab as all wickets of it have fallen. Answering a query regarding return of Manpreet in Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr. Badal said that it would be decided by the Party whether to bring him back or not. Earlier Mr. Badal addressing the gathering of Sarpanches, Panches and SAD-BJP workers of Muktsar district in Grain Market Malout said that all the villages of Punjab would witness the holistic development as the Punjab Government has constructed a special fund of Rs. 10000 crore for this purpose. He said that to make Panchayats more prompt and effective, the E-panchayats project started by Punjab Government would be completed soon as the 80 percent works have been completed. He said that all the Panchayats would be computerized after completion of this project and Punjab will become the No. 1 state in the country having E-Panchayats. He said that Punjab has already released Rs. 1700 crore for the repair of village link roads and construction of new link roads in villages, where needed. He exhorted newly elected Sarpanches and Panches to come forward for the overall development of their respective villages leaving behind the petty politics to make Punjab a No.1 State in the country. Earlier Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Rural Development and Panchayats Minister, Mr. Sher Singh Ghubaya, Member Parliament and Mr. Harpreet Singh MLA, Malout spoke about the development initiatives of Punjab Government. Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Mr. Manjit Singh Barkandi, District President SAD, Mr. Dayal Singh Kolianwali, SGPC Member, Mr. Hardeep Singh Dimpi Dhillon Constituency Incharge, Mr. Kanwarjit Singh Rozy Barkandi, Constituency Incharge Muktsar and Mr. Tejinder Singh Middu Khera, Chairman Co-operative Society. - MALERKOTLA TO BE DEVELOPED AS ‘MODEL CITY’ PUNJAB URDU ACADEMY TO BE RECOGNIZED BY STATE GOVERNMENT MUSLIM BRETHREN TO GET DUE REPRESENTATION IN BOARDS AND CORPORATIONS OF STATE GOVERNMENT Malerkotla (Sangrur), August 9- In a major Eid bonanza to the Muslim brethren of the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today announced development works worth Rs 25.30 crore in the historic town of Malerkotla. Addressing a massive gathering here after offering prayers at the local Eid Gah, the Chief Minister congratulated the people on this sacred festival which symbolizes universal brotherhood, peace and amity. Mr. Badal further said that the state government was duty bound to develop the historic town of Malerkotla and it would be spruced up as ‘Model Town’. The Chief Minister further said that no stone would be left unturned to ensure a comprehensive and all-round development of this city for which a roadmap has been already prepared. He further said that the city would be equipped with the ultra modern infra structure and basic civic amenities for which the efforts were on foot. Announcing a series of bonanzas for the city, the Chief Minister said that while Rs 10 crore each would be spent on the development of two blocks of Malerkotla I and Malerkotla II, another sum of Rs 5 crore would be spent on providing the sewerage facilities to the wards of city. Likewise he said that Rs 25 lakh would be spent on the construction of Haj Centre in the Eid Gah whereas Rs 5 lakh would be utilized for the construction of a beautiful park near the local Mosque. Mr. Badal said that besides this a number of other initiatives were being taken by the state government to develop this town of historical and cultural importance. The Chief Minister also said that in order to promote Urdu literature and language in the state, Punjab Urdu Academy, Malerkotla would be soon accorded recognition by the state government. The Chief Minister categorically said that a member of the Muslim brethren would be soon handed over a coveted responsibility in the Punjab Minority Commission. Likewise he said that the community would also be given due representation in the Boards and Corporations of the state government. ‘We are highly indebted to the Muslim community for rallying solidly behind SAD-BJP in turbulent times’ added Mr. Badal. The Chief Minister said that the state government was laying special emphasis for imparting quality education to the youngsters of Malerkotla for which concerted efforts were being made. He also said that in a significant decision our government has also extended the facility of Shagun scheme to the Muslim daughters too. Mr. Badal also said that in the same manner the state government has also ensured that land was provided for the burial grounds of the Muslim community across the state. Recalling the age old ties between the Muslims and Sikhs, the Chief Minister said that the fact that the foundation stone of Sri Harmandir Sahib, the most revered place of Sikhs, was laid down by Sain Mian Meer exhibited the strong bond of unity and brotherhood amongst both the communities. He said that Sikhs could never repay the noble gesture made by the Nawab of Malerkotla by raising voice against the execution of ‘Chotta Sahibzadas’ at Sirhind. Mr. Badal said that every demand made by the people of this city was a ‘divine order’ for them and the state government would leave no stone unturned to fulfill it. Exhorting the Muslim Community to play a proactive role in fighting the maladies like drug addiction, the Chief Minister said that it was the need of hour to save the future of our younger generations. Mr. Badal also called upon the Muslim brethren to safeguard the ethos of communal harmony, universal brotherhood and peace in the state. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Rajya Sabha MP Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mrs. Farzana Aalam, Chairman Punjab Waqf Board Janaab Mohammed Izhaar Aalam, MLA Mr. Iqbal Singh Jhunda, former Minister Janaab Nusrat Ikraam Khan Bagge, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, Inspector General of Police (Patiala Range) Mr. Ishwar Singh, Deputy Commissioner Sangrur Mr. Kumar Rahul and Senior Suprintendent of Police Mr. MS Sidhu. -- SUKHBIR LASHES AT CONGRESS LED UPA GOVERNMENT FOR FAILING TO PROTECT PUNJABIs IN PHILLIPINES -- · BAJWA REALY IN PITIABLE CONDITION · NEITHER HIGH COMMAND NOR PUNJAB UNIT CARES ABOUT HIM · CONGRESS MLAs PETITIONING SANGAT DARSHAN REFLECTS EFFECTIVENESS OF PROGRAMS · ADMINISTERS OATH TO 344 SARPANCHES AND 2457 PANCHES OF MOGA DISTRICT MOGA, AUGUST 9: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab today lashed at Congress led UPA Government for failing to discharge its duty to protect the lives of Punjabis residing in Philippines. Speaking to media persons after administering oath of office to newly elected 344 Sarpanches and 2457 Panches of Moga district here today Mr. Badal said that it was unfortunate that every third day, a Punjabi was being murdered in Manila and Union Government has failed to seriously address the issue. He said that it was matter of great shame that what to call of protesting against killings of Indian citizens, the Indian Government has not even written a single letter to Philippine government against this. He said that it was matter of great regret that with Minister of State for External Affairs being a Punjabi, Punjabis are not safe in any country. He said that Mr. Partap Singh Bajwa was in a really pitiable condition with neither Congress High Command nor Punjab Congress Unit owning him. Replying to a query with regarding Bajwa mocking at Durga Shakti Nagpal, Punjab Cadre IAS officer, posted in UP and said that Congress has lost its moral right to make an issue of Sand Mining as yesterday alone in a neigbouring Congress ruled Himachal Pradesh sand mining mafia had trying to kill SDM Nalagarh Younis Khan, a batch mate of Durga Shakti. He said that Congress always flourished with Scams and sand mining crisis all over the country was result of deliberate policy of scarcity created by Environment Ministry of Congress led UPA government. He said that mining lobby whether in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand or Punjab or it may be Balery in Karnatka has direct patronage of Congress politicians, who have been directly controlling the strings of supply and demand of mining products to keep their prices artificially high. He said that let Mr. Bajwa stage a Dharna before Environment Ministry and perform his duty as Member Parliament to get all pending clearances cleared to ease the situation in the state. When questioned about repeated barging of Congress MLAs in CMs Sangat Darshans, Mr. Badal repeated petitioning of Congress MLAs in a novel program of Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, Sangat Darshan shows its effectiveness at the ground level. He said that no body in Delhi or in Congress High Command recognized Congress MLAs and they know that if they raise an issue before Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal regarding their constituency, it would be effectively solved. He said that CM welcomes every citizen of Punjab, irrespective of their party affiliation and it was imperative for Congress MLAs to get pending projects in various Union Ministries sanctioned expeditiously. He said that every one was welcome in the Sangat Darshan if he was not coming to disrupt it to create media hype. Lauding the role of Mr. Manjit Singh GK, President Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, Mr. Badal said that GK effectively resisted the Airport Authority of Italy, the birth place of Sonia Gandhi, and said that Congress led UPA Government has failed to protect the interests of Sikh community all over the world. He said that if instead of reacting to crisis in Italy, if the Union Government had sensitized all countries regarding importance of turban, the situation would not have risen. On being asked about the existence of People’s Party of Punjab, Mr. Badal said that this proxy group of Congress Party has non existent in Punjab as all wickets of it have fallen. Answering a query regarding return of Manpreet in Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr. Badal said that it would be decided by the Party whether to bring him back or not. Earlier Mr. Badal addressing the gathering of Sarpanches, Panches and SAD-BJP workers of Moga said that all the villages of Punjab would witness the holistic development as the Punjab Government has constructed a special fund of Rs. 10000 crore for this purpose. He said that to make Panchayats more prompt and effective, the E-panchayats project started by Punjab Government would be completed soon as the 80 percent works have been completed. He said that all the Panchayats would be computerized after completion of this project and Punjab will become the No. 1 state in the country having E-Panchayats. He said that Punjab has already released Rs. 1700 crore for the repair of village link roads and construction of new link roads in villages, where needed. He exhorted newly elected Sarpanches and Panches to come forward for the overall development of their respective villages leaving behind the petty politics to make Punjab a No.1 State in the country. Earlier Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Rural Development and Panchayats Minister and Mr. Tota Singh, MLA Dharamkot and Former Minister also spoke on the occasion about the development initiatives taken by Punjab Government besides welfare schemes introduced recently. . Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Mrs. Rajwinder Kaur, MLA Nihal Singh Wala, Mr. Mahesh Inder Singh, MLA Bagha Purana, Mr. Joginder Pal Jain, MLA Moga and Bibi Paramjit Kaur Gulshan, Member Parliament, Former DGP Mr Paramdeep Singh Gill, Distt. President SAD Mr. Tirath Singh Mahla and Distt. BJP President Mr. Rakesh Sharma also present on the occasion. --------- PUNJAB TO CARVE OUT BURIAL GROUNDS FOR MUSLIMS FROM PANCHAYATI LANDS-SUKHBIR · ALSO ANNOUNCES TO CONSTRUCT HOUSES FOR POOR MUSLIM FAMILIES ON 18 ACRES OF LAND AT BATHINDA · PARTICIPATES IN CEREMONIES OF ID-UL-FITAR BATHINDA, AUGUST 9: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister today said that Punjab Government would soon bring a proposal to carve out burial grounds on Panchayati lands in villages, where Muslims have dense population and this proposal would be finalized within a short span of time with a view to eliminate hurdles of Muslim Community while performing last rites for departed souls. Congratulating Muslim Community on the pious occasion of ID-UL-Fitar while participating in the ceremony in Idgah at Bathinda, Mr. Badal said that the survey to identify villages having Muslim population besides identification of Panchayati lands in their respective villages was on advanced stage of completion and after its completion, the Government would bring the policy, which would be approved within no time. Mr. Badal said that Punjab Government has enough Panchayati lands in Muslim populated villages and the process of carving out burial ground would also be immediately started after completion of remaining formalities. Divulging details of welfare scheme launched by SAD-BJP Government for the betterment of Minorities in the state, Mr. Badal said that Punjab was providing in-toto free educations the minority students under ambitious Ashirwad Scheme up to level of Universities. He said that Minority students can apply online to take benefits of this scheme and contact the concerned district offices for any assistance, if needed. He said that till July this year more than 48000 students had applied under this scheme and it was expected that the number of students will be crossed to 1.5 lakh in current session. He said that Punjab Government is also coming with an ambitious program of health insurance for all poor families in the state, under which cashless treatment of Rs. 30000 would be provided to needy families. He said that for this purpose special insurance cards would be distributed among such families and this process would also be completed within next two-three months. Fulfilling the long pending demands of Muslim Community, Mr. Badal announced that Punjab Government would construct houses for poor Muslim families at Bathinda. He said that the houses would be made on 18 acres of land besides construction of a state-of-the-art school for the children of Muslim families. He also announced a grant of Rs. 10 lakh for cleaning of Idgah Ground and Rs. 2 lakh for construction of Main Gate of Idgah. Mr. Badal on the spot directed district administration to prepare estimates for other remaining works of Idgah and sent directly to them for early execution of estimated works. Felicitating the people of country especially Muslim Community on the eve of holy festival, Mr. Badal said that Eid-Ul-Fitr brings joy and glory to the people on the culmination of the month of holy Ramadan. Meanwhile, Mr. Badal also released a book ‘Malwa Aaeene Islam’ published by Muslim Human Welfare Society. The members of society also honoured Mr. Badal and Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Sarup Chand Singla.
HEALTH OFFICIALS INSTRUCTED TO CONDUCT REGULAR FILED CHECKING TO ENSURE QUALITY HEALTHY SERVICES TO THE PEOPLE: MITTAL · SPECIAL HEALTH CAMPS TO BE ORGANIZED IN PRISONS · OFFICIALS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE NECESSARY STEPS TO START EVENING OPD · CIVIL SURGEONS BRIEFED ABOUT NEW E-DRUG PURCHASE POLICY · INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED FOR PROPER UTILIZATION OF FUNDS & SEND UTILIZATION CERTIFICATES TIMELY · STATE LEVEL CIVIL SURGEONS CONFERENCE ORGANIZED AT FAMILY WELFARE BHAWAN Chandigarh, August 09: All Civil Surgeons & Medical Officers should regularly make surprise visits to the hospitals and in the field. Presiding over a state level conference of civil surgeons Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal Health & Family Welfare Minister, Punjab issued these instructions to ensure quality health services to the people in the state. He also announced to organize special Health camps in prisons for inmates. Health Minister reviewing the progress report of the department instructed the senior officials to take necessary steps to start evening OPD in government hospitals. Expressing satisfaction on the overall projects under taken by the department under National Rural Health Mission Mr. Mittal said that as positive results are seen and faith of people is increasing in government hospital services but he said that more steps should be taken to make health facilities available to the people in backward and underprivileged rural areas. Mrs. Vini Mahajan Principal Secretary, Health directed the officials for timely utilization of funds and send utilization certificates on time. She asked the district officials to start special campaign against drugs with the help of Police department and other social organizations and also advised to use new communication mediums to spread ill effects of drugs. She added that awareness campaigns to stop spreading of other diseases should also be carried out on time to time. Slide show regarding new E-drug purchase policy was also presented in the meeting to aware officials about the implementation of this policy. Problems of the field were also discussed in the meeting and steps were also taken to solve them. The progress report of all the districts was also discussed and suggestions were also presented by the civil surgeons to improve health services in the state. Others prominent present in the meeting were Mrs. Vinni Mahajan Prinicpal Sectary Health, Mr. Husan Lal Director NRHM & Punjab Health Systems Corporation, Dr. Ashok Nayer Director Health, Dr. Kiranjit Singh Director Family Welfare, Dr. Bali Director Health Services (SB) and all the civil surgeons, State Level programme officers and Deputy Medical Commissioner. - CONGRESS SHOULD APOLOGIES TO ARMED FORCES FOR DENIGRATING THEM-SUKHBIR FAZILKA, AUGUST 8: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today lashed at Union Defence Minister Mr. A.K. Antony for denigrating the martyrdom of five brave soldiers of Indian Army, who laid down their lives protecting the frontiers of our country. Speaking to Media persons after administering oath of office to ,,,,, Mr. Badal said that it was unfortunate that Defence Minister of India, who is father figure of our defence forces instead of saluting the martyrdom of our brave soldiers was busy in acting as Defence Minisster of Pakistan. He said that Defence Minister by not protecting the interests of Indian Soldiers and indirectly defending the action of Pakistan Army has breached the oath of elegance to the constitution and no moral right to remain on that seat. He said that Congress Party owes an apology to our armed forces for denigrating the martyrdom of five brave soldiers. Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Mr. Kamal Sharma State President B.J.P. Punjab, S. Sher Singh Ghubaya M.P., Cabinet Minister S. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Cabinet Minister Ch. Surjit Kumar Jiani, S.Mantar Singh Barar CPS, S. Gurtej Singh Ghuriana MLA, S. Satinderjit Singh Manta, S.Charanjit Singh Barar, S. Vardev Singh Maan, ADC S. Charan Dev Singh Maan, Sh. Vipul Ujjval ADC(D) and senior leadership of SAD-BJP were also present. FARIDKOT, AUGUST 8: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today lauded the stand taken by Mr. Manjit Singh GK, President Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee for not allowing Italian Airport authorities to remove his turban and said that his defiant gesture has conveyed to the whole community that Sikhs would not allow anyone to meddle in their internal religious affairs. Talking to media persons after administering oath of office to 213 Sarpanches and 1477 Panches of the district, Mr. Badal said that turban was an intricate part of Sikh personality and nobody in the world has any right to denigrate the pious symbol of their Sikh identity. He said it was unfortunate that various democracies of US, Canada and European countries were adopting parochial and racial approach towards Sikh community, specifically targeting them at the international airport taking the plea of security. He said that Congress led UPA government owes and apology to the Sikh community for failing to give a firm message to all countries not to harass Sikh community at various airports. He said that it was double whammy for the Sikh community that they were being targeted when they are having Sikh Prime Minister in the country. Expressing concern over repeated incidents of targeting of Sikhs especially in Italy Mr. Badal said that there seems to be underlying conspiracy of Congress leadership in this. Decrying Congress led UPA government for fiddling with the martyrdom of five brave soldiers, Mr. Badal said that the country which does not honours its martyrs is destined to fail. He said that it was unfortunate that our Defence Minister instead of saluting their martyrdom, was concentrating all its energy to save the skin of Pakistan. Giving details about the expansion of ongoing welfare schemes and development projects of Punjab Government, Mr. Badal said that with the visionary guidance of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, state government has prepared a plan for complete facelift of the state and the execution of this ambitious project has been started. Mr. Badal said that Punjab would soon double the beneficiary of Atta Daal scheme from 15 lakh families to 30 lakh families besides launching of Scholarship scheme for meritorious students of Rs. 30000, employability allowance of Rs. 1000 to unemployed graduate youth, Rs. 30,000 cashless insurance to all 30 lakh Atta Daal families. He said that state would also provide a health cover to all citizens of Punjab and Special Insurance Cards to be provided to both the beneficiaries of Rs. 30000 insurance scheme and general insurance beneficiaries. He said that Punjab Government has also finalized the proposal of 100 percent sewerage and potable drinking water for Faridkot, Kotkapura and Jaito town and the work on this project would be started soon. He said that a plan under which Rs. 1700 crore would be expended for the repair of village link roads has also been initiated by state government for the facilitation of commuters besides linking of all cities and town with 4/6 lane roads with a project worth Rs. 40000 crore. · HARSIMRAT QUESTIONS THE SOFT APPROACH OF GOVT. TOWARDS HARASSMENT OF SIKHS IN FOREIGN LANDS New Delhi /Chandigarh, August 8: Questioning the soft approach of government towards harassment of Sikhs in foreign lands, Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Member Parliament, gave a notice for suspension of Question Hour over the issue, on the fourth day of Monsoon Session of Parliament, here today. Describing the turban as an integral part of the ‘Sikh Identity’, the Member Parliament said that the Union Government must mount pressure on governments of foreign countries to stop the practice of removal of turban on name of ‘Security Check’ at International Airports. She said that removal of turban on the name of security check in the foreign countries was a direct assault on the Sikh Identity and thus badly tormented their psyche. Adding on she said that the grave disrespect to the Sikh Identity consciousness in any form was intolerable. Condemning centre for failure in safeguarding the interests of Sikh community Mrs. Badal said that in order to check this practice the Ministry of foreign affairs through its embassies in various countries must ensure the respective national governments that they must accord due respect to the Turban by desisting from such practices, which hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs.
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that ridiculous statement of Union Defence Minister Mr. AK Antony on the killing of five Army Jawans in Poonch Sector of Jammu and Kashmir, reflected the non-seriousness of the Congress led UPA government in dealing with the sensitive matters. - PUNJAB CM EXTENDS WARM GREETINGS TO PEOPLE ON ID-UL-FITR CHANDIGARH AUGUST 8: Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today felicitated the people of Punjab especially the Muslim brethren on the eve of Id-ul-Fitr. CHANDIGARH AUGUST 8: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today facilitated the people of Punjab especially the Muslim community on the eve of Id-ul-Fitr. In his message, Mr. Badal said that this festival gives the message of brotherhood, compassion and spirit of sharing besides marking the culmination of the holy month of Ramzan. Calling upon the people to celebrate the festival collectively, Mr Badal said that may this festival spread peace, harmony in Punjab. - MAJITHIA GREETS PEOPLE ON THE EVE OF EID-UL-FITR Chandigarh, August 8: Punjab Revenue & Public Relations Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia today felicitated the people on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr. - Chandigarh, August 8: The Punjab government has restored the facility of Leave Travel Concession (LTC) for its employees with effect from 1 September, 2013. It may be added that Leave Travel Concession facility for the block 2010-13 was suspended temporarily on 29th August, 2012, as an austerity measure. A spokesman of the Punjab government today said that with an aim to reduce the government expenditure the Punjab government has suspended the LTC facility from 1 September, 2012 to 31st August, 2013. He further said that now the officers/employees would be able to avail the LTC facility from 1 September, 2013. - Disclosing this here today, a spokesman of the government said that the main function would be held at Red Fort Delhi consisting of the presentation of a Guard of Honour by the Armed Forces and the Delhi Police to the Prime Minister, unfurling of the National Flag followed by the National Anthem and firing of 21 gun salute, speech by the Prime Minister. The school children and NCC Cadets would sing the National Anthem and finally the tri-colored balloons would be released. Chandigarh, August 08: To provide Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation of the Persons with Disabilities the Act related to Persons with disabilities should be strictly implemented in the states. PUNJAB TO CONSTRUCT 3 NEW RAILWAY OVER BRIDGES: DHILLON · ROB’S AT MALERKOTLA, GOBINDGARH AND NORTHERN BYPASS PATIALA APPROVED CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 8: The Punjab Government has approved the construction of three new Railway Over Bridges (ROBs) that would start in the month of October this year. = SAD TO TAKE UP THE CASE OF GUJARAT FARMERS WITH MODI-SUKHBIR
PATHANKOT, AUGUST 5: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that Shiromani Akali Dal would take up the issue of Gujarat farmers with Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and would also provide them total legal support in their ongoing case in the Apex Court. Talking to media persons to after administrating oath to 407 Sarpanches and 2333 panches here today, Mr. Badal blamed Congress Party’s divisive policies for crisis being faced by Gujarat farmers. He said that in 1973 the then Congress Chief Minister in Gujarat issued a circular specifying that if any agriculturist from outside Gujarat purchased land in Gujarat he would be declared non-agriculturist. He said that that circular was made basis to freeze the agriculture holding of Punjabi Farmers in Gujarat putting them in this vicious legal tangle. He said that Congress leaders, who were crying hoarse on this issue should first apologise to the nation for sowing the procule and divisive seeds of regionalism, putting Punjabis farmers in a difficult situation. Promising to provide total legal and political support to Punjabi Farmers facing eviction from Gujarat due to Congress imposed act, Mr. Badal said that he had already issued instructions to Advocate General PUnjab in this regared. Blaming Congress for agrarian crisis being faced by the country, Mr. Badal said that due to pro-multinational policies imposed by Congress led UPA Government like linking the price of petrol and diesel with international crude prices, giving freedom to the multinational fertilizer companies to hike the price of urea and DAP, freeing the rates of insecticides and pesticides besides nominal hike in MSP were pushing farmers in the debt trap. He said that Oxford Economist run government was framing daily new proposals to finish the agriculture sector like wealth tax on agriculture and all these decisions were being made with the singular focus of discouraging farmers from the farming profession. Mr. Badal said that SAD has always fought for the rights of farmers and would not allow Congress led UPA Government to mortgage the economy to the MNCs. Predicting clean sweep for NDA in ensuing Lok Sabha elections, Mr.Badal said that writing on the wall was clear that people of this country have already made up their mind to decimate the congress in the pages of history and bring back NDA to the power with a record margin. He said that all opinion polls have already clearly predicted return of NDA and Congress in desperation was looking for all avenues to loot the remaining treasury of the government. Announcing Health INsurance for all citizens of PUnjab, Mr. Badal said that Punjab would be the first state in the country that has announced this scheme. He also announced free health insurance of Rs. 30000 for 30 lakh atta daal families. Mr. Badals said that Health Department was tying up with all hospitals to provide cashless treatment to all citizens. He said that 108 ambulance service was performing outstanding work as it was reaching even remotest villages within 20 minutes and shifting the patients to the nearest hospitals. Announcing a development bonanza for Pathankot district, Mr. Badal said that he has already fulfilled the demand of residents of this area for carving out new district and said that district Administrative Complex of this new district would be completed within one year, for which he has already sanctioned the funds. He also announced construction of World Class floodlit stadium for Pathankot in which world cup Kabaddi matches would be organized next year. Unveiling a development plan of the state, Mr. Badal said that the SAD-BJP Government has already sanctioned Rs. 17000 crore for linking all cities with 4/6 lane express roads within next two years. He said that Amritsar-Pathankot Road would be 6 laned within one year and work was in the final stage on Pathankot-Jalandhar national highways. He said that new industrial policy gives special concessions to those industries which would be put up in sub-mountain areas and kandi areas of Pathankot district. Mr. Badal said that by December this year Punjab would be the first state in the country that would be Power surplus as three thermal plants with combined investment of Rs. 40000 crore would become operational in next six months. Prominent amongst present on the occasion included Mr Dinesh Babbu, Deputy Speaker Punjab vidhan Sabha, MLA Ashwani Kumar and Sima Devi, Former Minister Mr Sucha Singh langah, Former MP Vinod Khanna, BJP leader Swaran Slaria. --------- BADAL BLAMES CONGRESS FOR CRISIS FACED BY PUNJABI FARMERS IN GUJARAT ASSAILS CONGRESS LEADERSHIP FOR SHEDDING CROCODILE TEARS ON THE ISSUE SAD TO FIGHT POLITICAL AND LEGAL BATTLE TO SAFEGUARD INTERESTS OF PUNJABI FARMERS IN GUJARAT BLAMES CENTRE FOR SCUTTLING AGRICULTURAL DIVERSIFICATION PROGRAM IN STATE Sangrur, August 5- Squarely blaming the Congress for the crisis faced by the Punjabi farmers in Gujarat, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that despite of the fact that the then Congress government had issued a circular regarding it way back in 1973, its leaders were now shamelessly shedding ‘crocodile tears’ on the issue. Talking to the media persons here after administering oath to the newly elected Sarpanchs and Panchs of Sangrur district there today, the Chief Minister categorically said that ever since the inception Congress have always remained anti-farmers in general and anti-Punjab in particular. He said that in 1973 a Congress government of Gujarat had issued a circular that if any agriculturist from outside Gujarat purchases agricultural land in that state, he was declared a non-agriculturist. Mr. Badal said that the decision to freeze agricultural lands of Punjabi farmers was totally based on this circular issued by the Congress government but ironically instead of making any effort to save the farmers of Gujarat, the Congress leadership was making hoarse cry over this matter. The Chief Minister said that it was on record that only Congress could formulate such anti-farmers laws whereas the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has always fought vehemently for safeguarding the interests of the farmers. Citing the example of Wealth Tax, he said that owing to the crusade of SAD against this barbaric tax imposed by the Congress led UPA government; the Centre was forced to roll it back. Mr. Badal in the context of Gujarat farmers also the SAD would fight the political and legal for preserving the interest of Punjabi farmers of Gujarat from the forefront. Earlier addressing the mammoth gathering during the function, the Chief Minister slammed the Congress led UPA government for ruing the farmers of the state. He said that the Punjabi farmers through their sheer hard work had played a vanguard role in making the country self reliant in food production but the wrong policies of the centre government have now brought them on crossroads. Mr. Badal said that due to massive hike in agriculture inputs and lack of remunerative MSP, farming was no longer a profitable venture. The Chief Minister said that though the framers of the state had over exploited their precious resources to feed the nation but the Union government has made them difficult to survive. He said that as now the centre has dragged its feet from purchasing the paddy in future so diversification was the need of the hour. However Mr. Badal said that instead of bailing the farmers out of this mess by crop diversification through a package of Rs 5100 crore as demanded by the state government, the Union government has allocated a minuscule amount of Rs 200 crore, which was a cruel joke with the Punjabi farmers. He said that though on its part the state government was encouraging the farmers to adopt crop diversification but by denying the MSP to Maize and Price support mechanism to Basmati, the Union government was scuttling the efforts of Punjab government. The Chief Minister further said that the state government was laying special thrust on ensuring clean and green Punjab especially in the rural areas for which a major program has been embarked at cost of Rs 400 crore for cleaning of Ponds in the villages. Likewise he said that keeping in view the health and hygiene of people in the rural areas the state government was mulling to shift the sites of dumping the garbage and cow dung from the interior of the villages to specially earmarked vacant Panchayst lands. Mr. Badal said that the decision to this would be taken soon in the upcoming meeting of the Cabinet schedule to take place this week. The Chief Minister said that in order to provide 70 litres potable drinking waste to every resident of village per day the Government has also initiated a major project under which RO systems were being installed in the villages. Likewise he said that efforts were afoot to provide basic civic amenities to the villages at par with the urban areas. Mr. Badal reiterated that the state government was committed to check the trend of migration of population from the villages to cities. The Chief Minister also said that special thrust was being laid by the state government to impart world class education to the meritorious rural students. He said that six special schools were being opened across the state at the cost of Rs 150 crore to provide world class education to the bright rural students after matriculation. Likewise Mr. Badal said that the all the students studying in government schools but securing more than 80% marks in matriculation would also be entitled for Dr Hargobind Khurana post matric scholarship scheme under which Rs 30000 per annum would be given to them by the state government.Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Rajya Sabha MP Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Cabinet Ministers Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Babu Parkash Chand Garg, Sant Balbir Singh Ghunas and Mrs. Farzana Aalam and Chairman Punjab Waqf Board Mr. Mohammed Izhar Aalam. ----------- COMMON INTERACTIVE WEB PORTAL FOR ALL THE ITIs SOON: JOSHI STUDENTS TO GET INFORMATION OF THE TRADES AND FACULTY ON PORTAL CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 5: The Punjab government is all set to have a common interactive web portal for all the industrial technical institutes (it is) in the state. This web portal would provide every kind of information like the new trades, availability of facilities and faculty in each ITI. Stating this here today Mr. Anil Joshi, Technical Education and Industrial Training Minister, Punjab said that the students would be able to get every kind of information regarding ITIs sitting in their homes by the click of mouse. He said that the students would also evaluate their performance in training by using the special designed format of this web site. He said that any students looking forward to get admission in ITI would get every information on this portal including the availability of trades and facility members for that trade. The Minister said that this website would also enable the technical education department to monitor the day to day activities of the ITIs across the State. He said that this common website portal is as per the approved format of DGE&T, National Council of Vocational Training and is being designed by National Informatics Centre, (NIC) Punjab. -------- OVER 1.5 LAC GIRL STUDENTS ALL SET TO HAVE BICYCLES · UNDER MAI BHAGGO VIDDYA SCHEME Rs. 47 CRORE TO BE SPENT THIS YEAR CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 5: Over 1.5 lac girl students of Punjab are all set to ride on new bicycles to their school with Punjab government finalizing the plan to distribute these bicycles with in 3 months. The state government has already set aside Rs.47 crore for Mai Bhaggo Scheme under which all girl students of government schools of Class 9th to 12th would be gifted bicycles by the Punjab government. The Punjab Government has already distributed over 1 lakh 11 thousand and 49 bi-cycles to the girl students studying in class 11th and 12th with the cost of Rs. 30 crore last year. Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of Punjab government said that Mai Bhaggo Viddya Scheme is the dream project of Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal. He said that this project was envisaged specially to promote education among the girls and to diminish the school dropout rate among girl students of the state. He said that this scheme has been successful as the school dropout rate among the girl child has considerably decreased. He said that the Punjab Government has decided to continue this scheme and the girls studding in class 9th to 12th would be covered. He said that to provide the bi-cycles to the girls from 9th to 12th Budget of Rs. 47 crore has been earmarked by the Punjab government for this financial year. He said that instructions have been issued to the district education officers to prepare the lists of the girls students from class 9th to 12th so that bi-cycles to the remaining could be provided as the earliest. He said that the Punjab government has also rolled out several other welfare schemes for the overall development of the students studding in the government schools. He said that pre matric, post matric scholarships also been extended to the needy and meritorious students. ---------------- NOTED JOURNALIST JANGVEER SINGH APPOINTED AS MEDIA ADVISOR TO DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER Chandigarh, August 02 SARVESH KAUSHAL IS THE NEW PRINCIPAL SECRETARY IRRIGATION Chandigarh, 02 August Kapurthala, August 2- BADAL ASKS OFFICERS TO PREPARE MASTERPLAN FOR ‘INTEGRATED EDUCATION HUB’ AT JALANDHAR P.S.E.B invites applications for the various 61 posts on contract basis CHIEF JUSTICE VISITS ADVOCATE GENERAL’s OFFICE CM ANNOUNCES TO DOUBLE THE BENEFICIARIES OF ATTA-DAL SCHEME FROM EXISTING 15 LAKH TO 30 LAKH ADMINISTERS OATH TO NEWLY ELECTED PANCHES AND SARPANCHS AT AMRISTAR PUNJAB TO BE POWER SURPLUS STATE SOON STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTED TO PROTECT INTEREST OF PUNJABI FARMERS INFO GUJARAT ASSAILS UNION GOVERNMENT FOR FAILURE TO CHECK DRUG TRAFFICKING DEMAND FOR NEW STATES DUE TO DISCRIMINATION OF CENTRE MAJITHIA CONGRATULATES CM AND DEPUTY CM FOR FREE AND FAIR PANCHAYAT POLLS DEMANDS EQUAL SHARE OF DEVELOPMENT FUNDS FOR EVERY STATE Amritsar, August 1- Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that the state government would soon widen the ambit of Atta-Dal scheme by doubling the number of beneficiaries of this scheme from current 15 lakh to 30 lakh people. Addressing a mammoth gathering at a function organized to administer the oath to newly elected Panchs and Sarpanchs here today, the Chief Minister, while reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to ensure the well being of the weaker and downtrodden sections of the society, said that this decision has been taken for facilitating more and more number of people to get subsidized food grains. He said that even in future the state government would provide Atta-Dal to the beneficiaries at much more cheaper rates than the existing Rs 4 and Rs 20 for per kilogram of Atta and Dal respectively. Mr. Badal categorically said that the sole aim of extending this scheme was to ensure that not even a single person should starve in the state. Congratulating the newly elected Panchs and Sarpanchs of the villages, the Chief Minister said that by electing them people of villages have entrusted them a huge responsibility of ushering in an era of unparalleled development in the state. He said that the Panches and Sarpanches should join hands with the state government for this herculean task by effectively monitoring the ongoing development works in the rural areas of the state. “On this solemn occasion every one of us should take the pledge to take the state on the zenith of development process by ensuring sustainable development in every sector”, Mr. Badal added. The Chief Minster further said that owing to the stupendous efforts of the state government Punjab would soon become a Power Surplus state. Likewise he said that all the villages of the state would be soon provided the potable drinking water adding that 1507 RO System would be soon installed in the villages. In the same manner Mr. Badal said that Rs 349 crore would be spent on the cleaning of Ponds in the villages. The Chief Minister called upon the farmers to adopt crop diversification for preventing the further depletion of precious resources of state on one hand and to supplement their income on the other. He said that due the escalating costs of agriculture inputs and declining margins of profit, farming was no longer a profitable venture. Moreover Mr. Badal said that with the Union government drawing its foot back from purchasing the paddy, it was the need of the hour that Punjab farmers should adopt crop diversification. The Chief Minister said that with the stupendous hike in the Price of petrol and diesel along with other farming inputs, the beleaguered peasantry of the state was reeling under a heavy debt of Rs 32000 crore. He said that in this crucial hour it was the moral duty of the state government to bail them out by giving them free power. Mr. Badal said that though the state was incurring an additional burden Rs 5000 crore per year for giving free power to the farmers but it was nothing before the valuable contribution made by the peasantry in making the country self reliant in food production. Earlier in his address the Revenue and Information & Public Relation Minister, Punjab, Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia congratulated the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal for strengthening the democracy at the grass root level by conducting free and fair Panchayat polls in the state. Mr. Majithia said that it was on record that every initiative aimed at welfare of the people, whether it was starting of Atta-Dal, Pension or Shagun scheme, had been taken only during the regime of Mr. Badal. He said that even the food security ordinance which has been brought by the Union government was a copied act of SAD-BJP government, which had started this scheme about seven years ago. Batting for the enactment of comprehensive need based scheme for the states, Mr, Majithia said that only such a formula could ensure balanced regional development in the country. He said that it was the need of hour that every state was given equal share of funds for development without any political considerations. The Minister while congratulating the newly elected Sarpanches and Panches called upon them to work whole heartedly for the development of the rural areas. Later on talking to the media persons, the Chief Minister said that he would take up the matter of displacement of Punjabi farmers in the Kutch region of Gujarat, with the Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi. Mr. Badal further said that the state government would take every possible step to protect the interests of the Punjabis living in Gujarat. Lashing out at the centre for its failure to check the supply of drugs from Pakistan border, the Chief Minister said that despite of the fact that he had taken this issue at the highest level in the Government of India (GoI), the centre has miserably failed to act on it. He said that the worst thing was that the Union government was not also banning open sale of poppy husk in Rajasthan, which was proving bane for Punjab. When asked about the rising demand of formation of new states in the country, the Chief Minister said that the main reason for surge in this demand was the discrimination of centre in ensuring the development of states. Mr. Badal said that formation of Telangana state was a welcome step adding that centre should also consider the demands of smaller states sympathetically. He further said that with the centralization of powers by the union government the Federal structure of country has turned into unitary one due to which the state governments have virtually became beggars. Reiterating that only Punjab has legitimate right over capital city of Chandigarh, the Chief Minister said that the Congress has done grave injustice with the state by depriving it from capital despite of the fact that the parent state has the first and foremost right over capital. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Cabinet Ministers Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra and Mr. Anil Joshi, Lok Sabha MP Dr. Rattan Singh Ajnala, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Mr. IS Bularia and Mr. Amarpal Singh Bonny, MLAs Mr. Manjeet Singh Manna and Mr. Baljeet Singh Jalal Usma, Special Principal Secreatry to Chief Minister Mr. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh and Director Rural Development Mr. Raj Kamal Chaudhary. --- PUNJAB GOVERNMENT ISSUES TRANSFERS POLICY Chandigarh, August 01: The Punjab Government today issued guidelines for the general postings and transfers of officers and officials of the government in the state during 2013-14 Disclosing this here today, a spokesman of the Punjab Government said that the transfers would be done from 1st August, 2013 to 31st August, 2013. Giving details of the broad guidelines to be adopted for the transfers the spokesman said that as per the policy of the state government transfers would be kept to the barest minimum and would be made against vacant post except where the transfers were justified on administrative or compassionate grounds. He also said the employees whether gazetted or non-gazetted due to retire within next two years, would be allowed to continue in the same district or at the same station of postings till retirement as far as possible. Referring to the transfer policy for couple cases, he said that when husband and wife both were serving the Government it was desirable to keep them at one station for a period of not more than five years, thereafter they would be transferred as per the policy. Even in the cases where the wife was in government service and the husband was working in private under taking, the same attitude would be adopted. However, efforts would be made to post unmarried girls and widows at stations suitable to them as far as possible. The spokesman explained that unmarried girls and widows would be given preference over couple cases in the matter of posting and transfers at stations convenient to them. The spokesman further said that to mitigate the suffering of the handicapped and the blind employees, the state government would be considerate in posting and transferring them. Sympathetic attitude would be adopted while posting or transferring a government employee or officers whose child was mentally challenged and efforts would be made to post them at the place of their choice. Adding further, he said that a stay of three years and five years would be treated respectively as the minimum and maximum period at a particular place. Similarly for employees transferable within the state particularly Group 'A' and Group 'B' officers, no employee would be allowed to serve in one district beyond a period of 7 years in his center service, within particular office, seats having sensitive nature of work such as extensive public dealings, establishment, monetary sanctions etc. would be clearly defined and maximum stay would be kept at 2 years. Premature transfers i.e. transfer of any employee before he has completed minimum three years would not be ordered except under rare circumstances of punishment or clearly spelt out administrative reasons, the spokesman clarified. The employees or officers who were posted in the border areas, bet areas and Kandi areas would remain there for a minimum period of 2 years, he added. FIVE ITIs OF THE STATE SELECTED FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING Rs. 1.5 CRORE WOULD BE GIVEN AS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO AUGMENT ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES CHANDIGARH. AUGUST 1: The Union Government today selected Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) of Punjab for additional funding of Rs. 1.5 crore each, keeping in view their top class performance on every parameter. Disclosing this here today, Mr. Anil Joshi, Minister for Technical Education and Industrial Training, said that It was a matter of great pride for the technical education department of Punjab that five ITIs have been selected by Director General Employment and Training (DGE&T) of GOI for additional funds of Rs 1.5 crore each. He said that the ITIs which have been selected for Rs 1.5 crore additional grant included government Industrial Training Institute for Women, Amritsar, government Industrial Training Institute for women, Jalandhar, government Industrial Training Institute for women, Kheowali, district Mukutsar, government Industrial Training Institute, Samrala and government Industrial Training Institute, Kadiyan. He said that DGE&T has upgraded 26 ITIs in the state under vocational training improvement project (VTIP) with the assistance of World Bank. He said that the five new ITIs which have been selected are those institutions which excelled in providing better education in fashion technology. Mr. Joshi further said that accordingly action plan has been sent to GOI for release of funds to start new Trades like Architectural Assistant, Interior Decoration & Designing, Hair and Skin Care, Dental Lab Technician and Medical Lab Transcription etc. in selected ITIs. PUNJAB ASKS ALL DEPARTMENTS TO EXPEDITE SANCTION FOR PROSECUTION TO VIGILANCE
CHANDIGAH, AUGUST 1: The Punjab Government has issued directions to all departments to expedite sanctions for prosecutions sought by Vigilance Department in various cases and ensure the compliance of this order within 20 days. The Departments have been also directed not to launch parallel administrative enquiries wherever the enquiry of vigilance was on as per the direction of Supreme Court. A spokesman of the Punjab Government said that Under Secretary Vigilance has reiterated the instructions under which Vigilance Bureau has to complete the enquiry within 3 months and send the reports to concerned administrative departments seeking grant of sanction for prosecution. The competitive authority is supposed to take a decision on sanction for prosecution relying on the record available with the investigating officer. The Departments are supposed to place the matter before respective committee wherever there was delay for granting sanction and Vigilance Bureau was supposed to monitor the delay. The government has also brought to the notice of various departments the directions of Supreme Court on the practice of parallel enquiries launched by various departments just to deny sanction for prosecution. The spokesman said that Supreme Court had clearly directed that grant of sanction was only administrative function where the evidence collected during the investigation has to be placed before competent authority which is then to prima facie satisfy itself as to whether or not the relevant facts constitutes an offence. He said that Apex Court has observed that in view of the matter there is no occasion for launching of parallel departmental enquiries or for granting personal hearing before the competent authority reaches its conclusion. He said that the Supreme Court had directed that such practices needed to be dispensed with in order to ensure early decision on cases where sanction for prosecution has been sought by the vigilance bureau.
The Spokesman said that directions have been issued to all departments to ensure grant of sanction for prosecution in all pending cases as per the directions of the Supreme Court. PUT CLU, TP AND MAP PENDING CASES ON FAST TRACK; CHUNNI LAL BHAGAT DIRECTS OFFICERS CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 1: Adopting a strict stance on the lackluster approach of the officers for cases of Change of Land Use (CLU), Town Planning (TP), and Map passing in urban areas Mr. Chunni Lal Bhagat, Minister for Local Bodies, Punjab, today issued strict instruction to the officers to put all these pending cases on fast track and clearance within two days. Mr. Bhagat also directed the officers to send compliance report with remarks that no case is pending in this regard. He was presiding over a high level review meeting of the department in which these instructions were issued. The Minister said that concerned officer would be held responsible for any delay in the clearance of all these cases. "Strict instruction would be taken against the erring officers", said Mr. Bhagat. He said that the SAD-BJP government is committed for the over all development of the cities by providing world class infrastructure and better road connectivity in the urban areas to decongest the traffic. Mr. Bhagat also directed the officers to prepare the case for all those officers and other employees, the promotion of which is due. He said that the promotions of the employees would be done on priority bases. Prominent among other who were present in the meeting included Mr. Ashok Gupta, Secretary Local Bodies, Mr. Priyank Bharti, Director, Mr. M.S. Aujala, Director Town Planning and Mr. B.S.Brar, State Town Planning. ----------- TRAINING FOR DAIRY FARMERS COMMENCES ON AUGUST 26 CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 01 : The Punjab government, in order to equip the dairy farmers with the latest technology in the field and initiate various schemes to impart hi-tech training to them. The next batch of training would commence from August 26. Disclosing this here today Animal Husbandry Minister Punjab S. Gulzar Singh Ranike said that the training programmes would be initiated in dairy training centres Bija, Tarntarn, Phagwara, Chatamali, Gill, Sardulgarh, Abul Khurana and Verka. He said that for the selection of candidates interview session would be held on each training centre on August 16 at 11a.m. The Minister said that the interested farmers between the age of 18 to 45 and possessing dairy farms not less than five milch animals may apply for the 45 days training. He said that the prospectus for the training could be get by paying Rs. 100 which is available at the office of Deputy Director/Dairy development officer of the respective district and at each training centre. The fee for general candidate is Rs. 3500/- and Rs. 3000/- for SC candiates. The fee would have to be deposited immediatly after the selection. The hostle facility would also be available . ---------------- FOUR LANING OF PATHANKOT-AMRITSAR AND BHOGPUR-MUKERIAN 80% COMPLETE: SHARANJIT DHILLON CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 1: The Project of four laning of Pathankot-Amritsar and Bhogpur-Mukerian is 80% complete and the remaining work would be completed by December, 2013. Disclosing this here today Mr. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, PWD Minister, Punjab said that the four laning of 102.43 km long stretch of Pathankot-Amritsar road was being done with the cost of 800 crore whereas Rs. 300 crore would be spent on the four laning of 44 km long road from Bhogpur to Mukerian.
The Minister informed that four major four lane projects are also under construction in the state including Ropar-Chamkaur Sahib-Neelon-Doraha, Morinda-Kurali-Siswan, Kotkapura-Sri Muktsar Sahib and Batala-Mehta-Beas. He said that these projects would be completed by December, 2014, which would provide a big sigh of relief to daily commuters from traffic congestions besides saving their precious time and energy. The expenditure on these four projects covering 149.80 km stretch of road would be Rs. 454 crore. Divulging the details of the four laning projects that have already been completed Mr. Dhillon said that Dhilwan-Amritsar, Amritsar-Wagha Border, Jalandhar-Bhogpur, Mukerian-Pathankot, Kurali-Kiratpur Sahib and Zirakpur-Ambala Road have been four laned with the cost of 1466 crore. He said that these six projects cover 230 km long stretch of roads. Mr. Dhillon said that SAD-BJP government has also chalked out a plan to construct bridges, widening and strengthening of roads and construction of flyovers, where needed, in the state since the department was working on this plan at ground level. He said that a special emphasis was paying by the Punjab Government in this regard to further bring improvement in the road network besides connecting all parts of the state with upgraded roads.
PUNJAB PROMOTES 1300 POLICE OFFICERS/OFFICIALS TO HIGHER RANK SUKHBIR PIPPS NEWLY PROMOTED POLICE PERSONNEL v ANNOUNCES SEPARATE NRI AND SAANJH KENDRA PERSONNEL CADRE JALANDHAR, JULY 29: More than 1300 officers/officials of Punjab Police today got lifetime gift from the Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal as he decorated and pipped with stars offering them out of turn promotion, motivating them to excel in professional policing. This was the second mass promotion order issued by Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal during last three years as in September 2011 he had at the same venue promoted 5199 police personnel. Presiding over a special function organized here at PAP Complex, Mr. Badal congratulated the Punjab Police force for working in the most professional manner. He said that the Punjab police during last 3 years has done exemplary job especially on the front of seizure of narcotic, busting militant modules and tackling law and order situation. He said that when we took reign of the government, the Home Department was most neglected department in the government. He said that resultantly the Punjab Police force was most demoralized due to depletion in the cadre strength, stagnation of Police force especially at constabulary rank, and with no investment on modernization of police force, the force seem to be fighting a losing battle. He said that he was surprised that Punjab police force that was known as most professional force in the country that had been able to tackle decade long militancy in the state was finding itself helpless due to the callous attitude of previous governments. He said that during last 3 years he has taken series of steps including record recruitment of more than 20000 at different levels in police force, record promotions at every level besides initiating a series of welfare and housing steps especially for constabulary. Mr. Badal said that for the first time that during last 65 years that service rules of each category were drafted and finalized that could tackle most of the legal tangles being faced by the force in various course resulting in stagnation. He said that he was proud of the fact that Punjab Police jawan was highest paid in the country and as per comparative data compiled by me our jawans were drawing even more pay than inspectors of other states. He said that the Punjab government has taken a number of steps to expand, re-organize, and modernize the Punjab Police so that it could met the multifarious challenges of militancy, smuggling, drug-peddling, cyber crime, street crime etc. The Punjab government has also launched a number of people-friendly schemes and Community Policing initiatives, such as the Night Policing Scheme, Saanjh Suvidha Kendras, Women Helpline, Women Armed Special Protection Squads (WASPS), Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART), Women Police Stations, NRI Police Stations, etc., he added. He said that DGP Mr. Sumedh Singh deserve congratulations for unique distinction for evolving a procedure for fastest promotions in any police force in the country. Stressing the need for humane face of Punjab Police, Mr. Badal said that he was envisioning for a force that was thorough professional, people friendly, stern and effective besides used most scientific techniques of investigation and general policing. He said that with the same he has introduced Community Policing under which 153 SAANJH Kendras were working and he had sanctioned 300 more SAANJH Kendras in next two years at the cost of Rs. 87 crore. He said that he has already okayed a separate cadre for SAANJH Kendras and personnel working in these kendras would be cyber savvy and would get special training in public etiquettes. Mr. Badal said that the state police has already recruited more than 20000 police personnel at different levels and out of which 2000 were lady constables. He said that he was targeting to have 15 percent in the force as lady police for better gender sensitization. Announcing separate wing for NRI Policing, Mr. Badal said that the cabinet would soon take a decision for this special wing that would be under ADGP or IGP (NRI Affairs) with a dedicated NRI Police Force directly reporting to them under their direct command. He expressed satisfaction at working of Night Policing and said that many states were sending queries to Punjab as they want to replicate this model in their respective states. He said that the state government has also planned to roll-out many more new initiatives including the Rural Rapid Police Response System (RRPRS)under which police assistance would be made available in the villages and remotest rural areas within less than 20 minutes. Besides this, Safe City Project in Ludhiana and Amritsar, Senior Citizen Helpline, NRI Helpline are some other measures, which are likely to be implemented state-wide soon. Mr. Badal pointed out that when in September 2011, he took the bold step of ordering mass promotion of 5199 constables and head constables in a single day, a message went to the police force that there was a government to take care of their interests. He said that he had announced series of welfare steps including raising of ex-gratia to Rs. 5 lakh, house rent for all constables, wards of gallantry police personnel to be recruited as SIs, Rs. 1 lakh grant at the marriage of daughter of those police personnel, who died on active duty. Earlier welcoming the Deputy Chief Minister, the Punjab DGP Mr. Sumedh Singh thanked him for path breaking decision for motivating the police force. He promised that Punjab Police force would work day and night to translate the dream projects of Deputy Chief Minister into reality. Later the Deputy Chief Minister symbolically pipped one each newly promoted SP, DSP, Inspector, Sub Inspector and ASI. It may be mentioned here that today 39 DSPs were promoted as SPs, 136 inspectors as DSPs, 246 Sub Inspectors as Inspectors, 305 ASIs as Sub Inspectors and 271 Head Constables as ASIs. The Deputy Chief Minister also announced the promotion of 300 more Head Constables as ASIs in next two days. Prominent amongst others include Mr. Chuni Lal Bhagat, Local Bodies Minister, Mr. Avinash Chander, Mr. K.D. Bhandari and Mr. Pawan Tinu, all CPS, Mr. Pargat Singh and Mr. Gurpartap Singh Wadala, both MLAs, Mr. D.S. Bains, Principal Secretary Home besides the top brass of Punjab Police. Later talking to media persons, Mr. Badal said that all decisions of the State Government including law to regularize illegal colonies or introducing e-tripping to bring transparency in the revenue collection were collective decision of council of ministers. -- SUKHBIR BATS FOR CENTRAL SUPPORT FOR DIVERSIFICATION AS Rs.848 CRORE TEXTILE PARK DEDICATED TO THE STATE • UNION TEXTILE MINISTER SUPPORTS SUKHBIR’S DEMAND FOR SUBSTANTIAL HIKE IN MSP OF AGRICULTURE PRODUCE • SUKHBIR SEEKS 3 MORE TEXTILE PARKS AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT CENTERS FOR THE STATE • APPARREL TEXTILE AND DESIGN CENTER ANNOUNCED FOR BARNALA • SUKHBIR SEEKS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER FOR THE STATE BARNALA, JULY 29: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today strongly batted for total support of Union Government to encourage diversification in the state to save Punjab from the future agrarian crisis due to fast depleting ground water level. Mr. Badal raised this critical issue at the inaugural ceremony of Lotus Integrated Texpark, a Rs. 848 crore project, promoted under PPP mode by the Trident Group under integrated Textile Park Policy of the Government. Speaking after the formal inauguration by Dr. K.S. Rao, Union Textile Minister, Mr. Badal said that Punjab with 2 percent geographical area had been feeding the country with 50-60 percent contribution in the national food kitty and in the process it has bled itself with ground level water touching the 600 feet mark. He said that Punjab was out to promote diversification of agriculture sector with more focus of less water consuming crops including cotton and centre must come out with a package to support the just cause of Punjab. Mr. Badal said that this Malwa belt was the textile hub of the state and this was need to promote good quality cotton crop for which center should explore the possibility of sanctioning special Research and Development Center for Malwa Region. He said that with cotton yield in China and Israel of 10 time that of India there was urgent need for promoting research in this area to increase the yield. Seeking substantial hike in Minimum Support Price(MSP) of Agriculture Produce including Cotton, Mr. Badal said that time has come that Union Government must implement the recommendations of Swaminathan Commission to link MSP with wholesale price index. He said that his government had been drawing the attention of Union Government towards this critical issue and due to un-remunerative more and more farmers were getting stuck deep into the debt trap. Seeking three more Textile Parks for the state, Mr. Badal said that the new industrial policy of Punjab Government has special emphasis on Textile sector and said that Punjab Government would ensure a special package for Textile sector if Union Government sanctions three more Textile Parks. He also sought Rs. 10crore additional investment as envisaged by the Union Government policy in the existing Lotus Park. Demanding a Special Skill Development Center for the state, Mr. Badal said that there was urgent need to introduce compulsory vocational education after class 10 to encourage entrepreneurial skills of the youth. Speaking after inaugurating the Textile Park Union Textile Minister Dr. K.S. Rao said that he always supported the demand of farmers raised by Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal for substantial hike of MSP of agriculture produce. He said that he had been raising this issue in the Parliament as hike in MSP was imperative for the growth of agriculture sector on which total economy was dependent. Dr. Rao also announced the setting up of Apparel Textile Design Park in Barnala and ensure to look into the demands of Research and Development Center for Cotton. Mr. Rajinder Gupta Chairman Trident Group said that this park set up under the Scheme for Integrated Textile Park (SITP) with an investment outlay of Rs. 850 Crores has seven participating units that have commenced production. He said that it is the First Park in North India to have completed all the planned units under the SITP scheme. He said that the park is envisaged to have a total of 10 units, of which 7 have been approved under SITP. The units comprise of 4 for Terry Towel, Bathrobe, Fabric Dyeing and Cut, Stitch & Packing respectively and 2 other Textile units for Melange Yarn Spinning and Fibre dyeing . All the units provide world-class infrastructure facilities and meet all international environmental and social standards. He informed that the state of the art textile park has generated direct employment to 1500 persons and indirect employment to 2000 persons with more than 25% female strength. The employment opportunities would increase significantly once other units also become operational. Smt. Panabaaka Lakshmi, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India; Vijay Inder Singla, Hon’ble Member Lok Sabha, Ms Sunaina Tomar, IAS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Govt of India were also present at the inauguration Ceremony as Guests of Honor. About Lotus Integrated Texpark Limited Lotus Integrated Texpark Limited (LITL) is an SPV promoted by Trident Limited to develop a Textile Park for providing infrastructure, R& D, training and workshop facilities for textiles and home furnishing products. The facility is located in Barnala, Punjab adjoining to the Trident Complex. The park has been setup under the guidelines of the Ministry of Textiles (MOT), Govt. of India, under SITP Scheme. The customers include global retail brands across the globe, including Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein , JC Penney, Target, Wal-Mart, Macy's, Kohl's, Sears, Sam's Club , Marks & Spencers and many more.= MARKFED ALL SET TO LAUNCH MINERAL WATER THROUGH ITS PREMIUM BRAND 'SOHNA' · HYGIENICALLY TESTED DRINKING WATER TO BE BOTTLED AT JALANDHAR · CM OKAYS ACTION PLAN OF MARKFED TO BOOST SALES OF ITS QUALITY PRODUCTS IN THE NATIONAL AND GLOBAL MARKET Chandigarh, July 29 After popularizing the mouth watering dishes like Saag and Rajmah which were having huge demand in the European and Arab countries, Punjab MARKFED, the largest Cooperative of Asia, is now all set to capture the bottled drinking water market in India as well as in abroad by launching the hygienically tested water under its premium ‘Sohna’ brand. Showcasing the 'Sohna' brand of drinking water was a part of integrated marketing strategy in view of huge demand of MARKFED products accepted globally. MARKFED has made foray into the mineral water market in Indian and international level, realizing its brand patronage and it was exploring all the possibilities to take this unique initiative to give a major fillip to the economy of the state's prestigious marketing cooperative. MARKFED, the public sector undertaking of the Punjab Government, has left an impeccable imprint in market with the quality food products like Ghee, Refined Oils, Sauces and Basmati Rice etc. but now with the ever increasing demand of the bottled water in the state, it was all set to introduce the Sohna packaged drinking water in the near future. Pertinently, India was one of the leading countries in the consumption of the packaged drinking water across the world. Likewise, Punjab also leads the country in the consumption of bottled water; resultantly MARKFED has geared up its all out efforts for this ambitious project. The production unit of this packaged drinking water was likely to commence at village Chuharwali in Jalandhar district, which would be made operational by January 2014. The entire matter relating to the launch of 'Sohna' drinking water was thoroughly discussed with the top brass of the Cooperation department in a high level meeting presided over by Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and the decisions taken in this meeting was crystallized in a series of meetings convened by Principal Secretary Cooperation Mr. SK Sandhu, who further asked the Managing Director MARKFED Mr. KS Sra to prepare a comprehensive blueprint for the launch of mineral water. Subsequently the Chief Minister approved the action plan submitted by MARKFED and asked its MD to further explore possibilities for popularizing the existing and new range of products manufactured by MARKFED. Since, the ‘Sohna’- a trusted household name known for its reliable products enjoy the confidence of millions of people thus it had vast potential for its growth. Therefore it was observed that MARKFED must make endeavor for developing an efficient marketing network to facilitate the sale of its premium products at country's leading malls, stores, outlets and mega markets besides tapping the unexplored potential of exports. The marketing team of MARKFED has already pulled up their socks to launch this ambitious project which might turn the fortunes of this PSU to reach zenith in marketing its wide range of time-tested and quality products. - DR. HARGOBIND KHURANA SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME FOR BRILLIANT STUDENTS TO BE LAUNCHED FROM AUGUST 1, 2013-MALUKA · PUNJAB EARMARKED RS. 8 CRORE FOR THE YEAR 2013-14 · ELIGIBLE STUDENTS TO GET RS. 30,000/- PER ANNUM Chandigarh July 29:- The Punjab Government would launch Dr. Hargobind Khurana scholarship from August 1, 2013 for the meritorious students of government and Adarsh Schools who secured 80% or above in matriculation examination. Education Minister Mr. Sikandar Singh Maluka said that this scheme is named after eminent scientist Dr. Hargobind Khurana who won the Noble Prize in 1968 for medicine. Mr. Maluka said that approximately 3362 students studying in government and Adarsh schools run by the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) would get the scholarship. He said government would spend Rs. 15 crore on this scheme in two years, and an amount of Rs. 8 crore would be spend on this scholarship scheme during the current year. He further said that the scholarship amounting Rs. 30,000/- per annum would be disbursed to the students for two year i.e. class 11th and 12th through e-transfer in their accounts. Each student would receive a scholarship of Rs. 2500/- every month. He said that there would be no income limit under this scheme. All students who secured 80% or more would be entitled to this scholarship upto senior secondary level. Mr. Maluka has directed all the concerned District Education Officers to ensure the opening the bank accounts of the eligible and identified students for the purpose of directly crediting the scholarship amount in their bank accounts. -------------- UGC LAUNCH HELPLINE FOR VICTIMS OF RAGGING UGC TOLD TO TAKE NECESSARY STEPS AGAINST RAGGING CHANDIGARH, JULY 29: To rein in the scourge of Ragging in educational institutions, UGC has launched a helpline for the victims of Ragging. Disclosing this here today an official spokesman said that the Punjab Government was committed to eradicate the scourge of Ragging from the universities/colleges/ technical educational institutes. He said that instruction had been issued to the technical education and education department to take strict action against the Raggers. The spokesman said that the victims of Ragging could now dial a toll free number 1800-180-5522 and register their complaint or contact M/s Syrex Infoservices India Pvt.Ltd., J-1, Udyog Nagar, near DD Motors, Rohtak Road, Peera Garhi, New Delhi-110041 and website;www.antiragging.in. He said that it had also made mandatory for the educational institutes to depute a nodal person, to whom the victims could contact for help. As per the instructions from UGC the educational institutes would now had to constitute a committee to check the menace of Ragging. He said that this committee would ensure that the recommendations of Supreme Court of India and Justice Ragwan Committee was duly adhered to. He said that as per the instruction from UGC the entrants and their parents would now have to submit a self declaration mentioning in writing that they were against the Ragging. The heads of the educational institutions had also been empowered to initiate any action the Raggers. He said that in case any educational institute found guilty of not implementing the guidelines, strict action would be taken against it. - PATIALA-BHADSON ROAD TO BE WIDENED TO 33 FEET: DHILLON · WORK TO BEGIN FROM NOVEMBER 2013 CHANDIGARH, JULY 29: To de congest the traffic on Patiala-Bhadson road, the Punjab government has decided to widen the road up to 33 feet. Work on this would be commenced on November 2013. Disclosing this here today, Mr. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Public Works Department Minister, said that the state government has given approval for the widening of this 4 kilometer stretch from present 18 feet to 33 feet. Mr. Dhillon said that this project would be completed with the cost of 6.40 crore. He said that the government is specially focusing on providing better road network in the urban area by diverting the roads in a strategic way, so as to de congest the traffic in urban areas. Mr Dhillon further informed that under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Mr Parkash singh Badal and visionary guidance of Deputy Chief Minister Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, Punjab is all set to become the state, having best road connectivity in the country. He said that 175 KM road from Sambhu Border–Jalandhar with the cost of Rs 1500 crore, 44 KM from Bhogpur-Mukerian with Rs 300 crore, 102 KM from Pathankot to Amritsar with Rs 800 crore and 78 KM from Ludhiana to Talwandi worth Rs 479 crore have also been under construction. ----------------- CLAIMS INVITED BY THE CLAIM COMMISSION TO COMPENSATE THE DAMAGE CHANDIGARH, JULY 29: The claim commission constituted by the Punjab Government has invited the claims to compensate the damage caused by the violent mob in the aftermath of Vienna incident, in which Saint Ramanand of Dera SachKhand Ballan, was assassinated in the capital of Austria. Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state government said that the affected persons belonging to district; Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Sri Muktsar Sahib and SBS Nagar must submit their claims directly to the under secretary, Claim Commission, Home Affairs and Justice Department. 8th floor, Punjab civil secretariat Chandigarh. He said that the claims must be supported by the affidavit and copy of FIR and must reach through registered post to the above said office within 15 days. - MEHAKAN PHULL PATTIYAN---A PUNJABI POETRY BOOK RELEASED Chandigarh July29: Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Punjab released a poetry book titled: Mehakan Phull Pattiyan written by S. Kewal Singh Nirdosh and published by Chetna Publishers Ludhiana, here today. Appreciating the poetic sensibility of the writer vividly expressed in his works, the Minister said that this was the 21st book of the great scholar and a learned author, S. Kewal Singh Nirdosh who is based in Canada. - BADAL RAPS CONGRESS LEADERS FOR ‘ONE COULD EAT WELL AT RS 5’ REMARK CONGRESS LEADERS OWE AN EXPLANATION TO PEOPLE OVER SUCH IRRATIONAL STATEMENTS CASTIGATES THE UNION GOVERNMENT FOR ACCENTUATING THE WOES OF COMMON MAN PUNJAB TO BE POWER SURPLUS STATE AFTER SIX MONTHS Ludhiana, July 28- Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today rapped the Congress leaders for making the mockery of poor by issuing baseless statements that one could eat well at Rs 5. Talking to the media persons here today the Chief Minister said that on the one hand the Congress led UPA government has broken the back bone of the common man by massive hike in the prices of essential commodities and on the other hand its leaders were rubbing salt into the wounds of the poor by issuing such irrational statements. He said that these leaders owe an explanation to the people that how a poor person could get meal only at Rs 5 at a time when the cost of food items were already sky rocketing. Coming down heavily on the Union government Mr. Badal said that this anti-people government has made it difficult for the common man to survive. The Chief Minister categorically said that once again it has been proved that the Congress led UPA government, which claims to be votary of common man, was in reality totally insensitive towards the problems faced by them. He said that such baseless statements were issued by the Congress leaders while sitting in their Air Conditioned offices without examining the ground reality, which further accentuate the woes of the poor people. Mr. Badal said that owing to uncontrollable inflation that has been witnessed in the regime of the UPA government it has became difficult for anybody to manage their household and at this time such statements of Congress leaders seems to be a joke with the common man. The Chief Minister also said that it was unfortunate that earlier the Planning Commission had claimed that anyone with a daily consumption expenditure of Rs. 28.35 and Rs. 22.42 in urban and rural areas respectively was above the poverty line. Mr. Badal said that there was hardly any justification for this blunder according to which people earning more than minuscule figure of Rs 28 in rural areas were rich in the country. Terming the Food Security Ordinance of the UPA government as a copied act of the state government, the Chief Minister said that the SAD-BJP government has been providing the food security to the poor people of the state through the Atta-Dal scheme from last many years. Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that the process of e-tripping has been adopted to rationalize and streamline the tax system in the state by plugging the loopholes. He said that by this system no new tax has been imposed but the traders have been asked to simply give the details of their transaction above Rs 50, 000. Earlier addressing a mammoth gathering of the Aggarwal community, the Chief Minister exhorted them to play a proactive role in the formation of the NDA government at the centre by ensuring the win of SAD-BJP alliance on all the 13 Lok Sabha seats of the state. Making a scathing attack on the Congress led UPA government, Mr. Badal said that at the time of independence the rate of Dollar was at par with Rupee but now due to the ill conceived policies of union government today the rate of rupee was much less than dollar. He further said that due to the wrong policies of the Union government the middle and poor class of the country has been ruined. Listing the endeavors of the state government for promoting trade and commerce in Punjab, Mr. Badal said that realizing well that Power was engine of growth, the state government was coming up with new thermal power plants for generation power in the state. He said that all these three power plants with a capacity of 3920 MW would be commissioned within six months after which Punjab would emerge as a Power Surplus state. The Chief Minister further said that today Punjab was the most peaceful state in the country and the various reports of the Union government also indicates that the taxes in the state were very low in comparison to other states of the country. Likewise the Chief Minister said that due to the stupendous efforts of the state government, Punjab was leading the nation in the fields of Health and Education. Mr. Badal also said that a massive development plan of the cities has been embarked by the state government under which all the cities and towns would get the basic civic amenities in the coming two years. On the occasion he also lauded the role played by Aggarwal community in the social, religious and economic field particularly in the Health and Education sector. Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Cabinet Minister Mr. Sharanjeet Singh Dhillon, Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Mahesh Inder Singh Gewal, MLA Mr. SR Kaler, Chairman Punjab State Subordinate Services Selection Board Jathedar Santa Singh Umedpuri, President SGPC Jathedar Avtar Singh, National President of Akhil Bharti Aggarwal Sangathan Mr. Pardeep Mittal and President of Punjab state Mr. Amrit Lal Aggarwal. - NDA TO FORM NEXT GOVERNMENT AT CENTRE- BADAL UPA HAS MADE THE LIFE OF PEOPLE MISERABLE FOOD SECURITY ORDINANCE A COPIED ACT REITERATES LEGITIMATE RIGHT ON CHANDIGARH CM PAYS TRIBUTE TO MANHERA Kharar (SAS Nagar), July 28- Squarely blaming the Congress led UPA government for the pity condition of the country, Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that it was a writing on the wall that after the coming general elections, the BJP led NDA alliance would form the next government at the centre. Talking to the media persons after attending a function to mark the death anniversary of messiah of downtrodden and disadvantaged Mr. Maan Singh Manhera here today, the Chief Minister said that the current political scenario of the country was a clear cut indication about the routing of UPA Government at the centre, as fed up from its anti-people policies the countrymen were eagerly waiting to show it a door. He said that NDA, of which Shiromani Akali Dal was a key ally, would emerge as the ultimate choice of electorate after the Lok Sabha polls. Rapping the Congress for its lack luster performance, Mr. Badal said that during the tenure of UPA-I and UPA-II the pangs of the common man has increased manifolds adding that the rampant corruption coupled with the exorbitant hike in costs of essential commodities have made the life of people miserable. The Chief Minister said that the Congress party which had ruled the country for the majority of times after independence has never bothered about the issues related to the common man. He said that owing the ill conceived policies of the Congress the country was confronting a number of social maladies like poverty, illiteracy, corruption and others. Terming the Food Security Ordinance of the UPA government as a copied act of the state government, the Chief Minister said that the SAD-BJP government has been providing the food security to the poor people of the state through the Atta-Dal scheme from last many years. However he categorically said that the state government would not hesitate to implement any scheme which was in the larger interests of the poor. Replying to another query regarding the claim made by Haryana Chief Minister Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Chandigarh, the Chief Minister reiterated that only Punjab has the legitimate right over the capital city. He said that history was a proof to the fact that only the parental state has claim over the Capital and any state which had been carved out from the parent state has to built its own capital. Likewise Mr. Badal said that the Haryana Chief Minister must desist from making frivolous statements about Chandigarh. Earlier paying rich tributes to Mr. Maan Singh Manhera, the Chief Minister recalled his services for upliftment of the poor, depressed and weaker sections of the society. He said that Mr. Manhera had played a pivotal role in raising the issues concerning this stratum of society at local, state or national level. Mr. Badal said that the outstanding services rendered by Mr. Manhera for the well-being of the poor and weaker sections would be ever remembered by one and all. Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included former MLA Mr. Ujagar Singh, MD Cooperative Bank Patiala Mr. Harinder Pal Singh and Mrs. Satbeer Kaur. - EMPANELLED HOSPITALS INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CANCER TREATMENT DRUGS AT SUBSIDIZED RATES: MITTAL
· SUBSIDY ON 81 CANCER TREATMENT DRUGS, 59 MORE DRUGS TO BE ADDED SOON · GOVERNMENT RATES 70% TO 80% LESSER THAN THE MRP · EMPANELLED HOSPITALS BOUND TO PROVIDE THE CANCER TREATMENT DRUGS ON SUBSIDISED RATES · LIST OF SUBSIDISED DRUGS SHOULD BE DISPLAYED AT THE OPD Chandigarh, July 28: The Punjab Government empanelled hospitals for Cancer Treatment under Mukhmantri Cancer Rahat Kosh have been instructed to purchase Cancer Treatment drugs on the Rate Contract finalised by the department for the treatment of patients getting assistance under Mukhmantri Cancer Rahat Kosh. For the patients who are not covered under the Mukhmanri Cancer Rahat Kosh or who have already availed assistance under the scheme and now getting treatment at their own expenses, these drugs will be made available on subsidized rates at Jan Aushadhi Stores. Divulging this here today Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal Minister for Health & Family Welfare said that this has been done to ensure availability of Cancer Treatment Drugs to the patients at subsidized rates since these drugs are very expensive. He said that Punjab Government is providing Cancer treatment drugs at very low cost to the patients as it has been observed that for most of the cancer treatment drugs there is a huge difference between market rates and rates approved in Rate Contract. He added that Punjab Government is providing most of the cancer treatment drugs at 70% to 80% lesser than the MRP. Mr. Mittal said that all the empanelled hospitals are bound to provide the Cancer treatment drugs on subsidised rates timely to the patients otherwise action would be taken against them. He also added that lists of all subsidised drugs should be displayed at the OPD’s and drug stores of the empanelled hospitals. Minister said that list of medicines for cancer treatment was finalised by a committee of experts/oncologists from PGIMER, Chandigarh, GGS Medical College, Faridkot, GMC, Patiala and Amritsar. The experts had finalised a list of 140 cancer treatment drugs for which Rate Contract tenders were floated by the PHSC and rate contracts for 81 Cancer Treatment drugs have been finalised so far. Mr. Mittal said that for remaining cancer treatment drugs the TMC, Mumbai has been requested to take up the matter with the suppliers who are supplying these items to them (TMC Mumbai) and rates for such items are also likely to be finalised shortly. Minister said that Punjab Government has empanelled GMC Chandigarh, PGIMER Chandigarh, Grecian Super Speciality Hospital Ajitgarh, lndus Super Speciality Hospital, Ajitgarh, Behgal Hospital, Ajitgarh, Max Health Care, Ajitgarh, Patel Hospital, Jalandhar, GMC, Amritsar, Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Amritsar, 0swal Hospital, Ludhiana, Max Hospital, Bathinda, Adesh Charitable Cancer Hospital, Mukatsar, Govt. Medical College, Patiala, CMC Ludhiana, GGSGMC Faridkot, AIIMS New Delhi, Acharya Tulsi Dass, Bikaner to provide treatment to Cancer affected patients under Mukh Mantri Punjab Cancer Rahaat Kosh Scheme. ------------ OVER 5 CRORE SAPLINGS PRODUCED IN FOREST NURSERIES-PUNJAB CREATES NEW RECORD CHANDIGARH, JULY 28: The Punjab Forest Department has created a new record by producing more than 5 crore seedlings in the various forest nurseries of the state. The seedlings are ready for plantation, which would help the state to fructify its target to enhance forest cover from existing 7% to 15% of the geographical area of the state. Disclosing this here today Mr. Surjeet Kumar Jayani, Forest and Wild Life Preservation Minister, Punjab said that the state Forest Department which raised only 150 to 170 lac seedlings annually has ramped up its activities and close to 5 crore seedlings are now ready in 247 Nurseries of the department for plantation and supply/distribution in the ongoing monsoon season. He said that 60 lac seedlings have been planting in vacant places at villages across the state and remaining plants have also been planting at government institutions, departments, Non governmental institutions and saplings have been distributing to farmers for agro forestry across the state. Mr. Jayani further said that the state government had launched ‘Greening Punjab Mission’ last year. Under this project 40 crore saplings would be planted within next 7 years. The state government has set the target to increase the forest area from existing 7 % to 15 %. He said that to achieve the target the department has produced good quality saplings at major level. - DEPARTMENTS TOLD TO SUBMIT GRANT UTILIZATION CERTIFICATES WITHIN TIME CHANDIGARH, JULY 28: The Punjab Government has issued strict directions to all departments to submit Grant Utilisation Certificates within stipulated time. A spokesman of the Punjab Government today said that it has been found that some departments were not submitting grant utilization certificates in given timeframe, which leads to delay in release of more grants creating hindrances in the development projects. He further said that all Administrative Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and Financial Commissioners have been asked to ensure the submission of grant utilization certificates of their respective departments well in time.
NABARD OKAYS Rs. 120 CRORE FOR POTABLE DRINKING WATER IN RURAL AREAS AND UPGRADATION OF MILK PLANTS · PROJECTS OF UPGRADATION OF RURAL ROADS WORTH Rs 68.99 CRORE LIKELY TO BE CLEARED IN NEXT NABARD MEETING · CM CONSTITUTES COMMITTEE OF OFFICERS FROM VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS TO ASSIST NABARD FOR PILOT PROJECT Chandigarh, July 27- The National Agriculture Rural Development Bank (NABARD) has sanctioned projects worth Rs 120 crore for supplying potable drinking water and up gradation of milk plants in the state. A team of the NABARD led by Chief Managing Director NABARD Mr. Naresh Gupta and General Manager NABARD Punjab Mr. DD Mishra, which called on the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here at his residence this morning, apprised him about the decision. During the deliberations the team informed the Chief Minister that the agency had sanctioned Rs. 120 crore which include Rs 75 crore for the project of installation of RO system in 17 districts of Punjab to provide safe and potable drinking water to the residents of the state besides Rs 45 crore for up gradation of three Milk plants at Mohali, Jalandhar and Amritsar. The team also assured the Chief Minister that the top brass of the agency was also likely to give nod to projects worth Rs. 68.99 crore for strengthening and upgradation of 101 roads in the state, the work of which would be executed by the Punjab Mandi Board. The team informed Mr. Badal that the approval regarding it was expected in the meeting of project selection committee slated to be held on August 5. The team reiterated their commitment to ensure rural development of the state in an integrated manner thereby adopting one Development block of the state as pilot project under Holistic Rural Development Plan. Assuring fulsome support and cooperation to the NABARD for this plan, the Chief Minister said that the Punjab Government would form a committee of representatives of Forest, Rural Development, Water Sanitation and other concerned departments to assist the NABARD for this purpose. Lauding the efforts of NABARD for its dedicated service as apex institution in addressing credit and other developmental needs in the field of agriculture and rural development, Mr. Badal said that concerted efforts made by agency in ensuring all-round rural and agricultural progress besides prosperity of people living in villages across the state hardly need to be overemphasized. He also appreciated NABARD for constantly striving hard to accomplish the mandate assigned to it. Prominent amongst those present in the meeting Registrar Cooperative Societies Mr. AS Miglani, Secretary Finance Mr. Jaspal Singh and Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh. The team of NABARD also included GM Mr. A. Rayburmon, Assistant General Managers (AGMs) Mr. RR Badyal, Mr. R Bishwas, Mr. Raymond Dsouza and Mr. S Gosh. - SHIFTING OF ‘ROAD ACCIDENT CASHLESS TREATMENT SCHEME’ AGAIN EXPOSES ANTI PUNJAB FACE OF UPA-HARSIMRAT · DESCRIBES IT A GAMBIT OF CONGRESS PARTY DUE TO ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS IN RAJASTHAN · DESPITE HIGHEST ROAD ACCIDENT MORTALITY RATE CONGRESS LED UPA GOVERNMENT PREFERS TO IGNORE PUNJAB · CONGRESS’ EFFORTS OF RESILIENT WOULD BE PROVED FUTILE · UPA’S COMPLETE DECIMATION INEVITABLE CHANDIGARH, JULY 27: Bathinda Member Parliament Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal today accused the Congress led UPA Government for sticking to its ‘post independence anti-Punjab resolve’ by shifting ‘Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme’, a pilot project, from Punjab to Rajasthan and said that this discriminatory act of Congress led UPA Government has again exposed its anti-Punjab face. In a sharp reaction over the shifting of this scheme to Rajasthan, Mrs. Badal said that this decision of Congress led UPA Government was shocking that earlier it had chosen Punjab for country’s first-ever cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims but shifted to other state without any consultation. Mrs. Badal said that Union Surface Transport Ministry had also given its nod for the launch of project on the ‘Amritsar-Pathankot National Highway’ (NH-15) and the Ministry had also taken a final meeting in this regard at Amritsar last year. Lashing out at Congress Party for sabotaging the interests of Punjab, Mrs. Badal described this shifting as a political gambit of Union Government in view of ensuing Vidhan Sabha elections in Rajasthan. She said that in coming Vidhan Sabha elections in various states and in General Election countrymen will show the door to the Congress Party. She said that the SAD MPs would rake up this anti-Punjab decision in the coming Monsoon Session exposing the anti-Punjab strategies of Congress Party on the floor of the house. Revealing the facts that Punjab having highest road accident mortality rate in the country, the Member Parliament said that Punjab has lost more than 4500 lives in over 6400 accident cases in 2012 across the state. She said that whereas Punjab has touched an alarming around 80% mortality in road accidents, the Rajasthan had its half. She said that despite holding survey on the sensitive road route on Amritsar-Pathankot National Highways and alarming figures of road accident fatality in Punjab, the Union Government deliberately impose embargo on Punjab and shifted the scheme to Congress ruling Rajasthan. The Member Parliament also said that it was the old practice of Congress Party to launch such programs in states on the edge of witnessing Vidhan Sabha elections but well informed electorates of the country would prove such vote gambits totally futile. She said that Congress Party should be ready to face its complete decimation in the ensuing General Elections. Challenging PPCC President Mr. Partap Singh Bajawa to put pressure on his party high command in this regard, Mrs. Badal said that if Mr. Bajwa was actually concerned about the people and interests of Punjab, he should bring back the scheme to the state otherwise he should avoid misguiding people of Punjab during his ongoing ‘Mass Contact Program’ by presenting ‘self created’ ‘constructive’ image of Congress led UPA Government. She said that Bajwa should not conceal the fact that Congress led UPA-II was the most corrupt government in the world as it has given birth to multi thousand crore scams, which have broken all the records of corruption.
PUNJAB ALL SET FOR TOTAL COMPUTERIZATION OF DISTRICT OFFICES BY DECEMBER THIS YEAR-SUKHBIR
- CHANDIGARH, JULY 26: The Punjab is all set to computerise all district offices by the end of this year after successful results of pilot project e-district projects in Kapurthala and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar. The project would entail total backend computerisation of District and Tehsil level offices to ensure electronic delivery of high volume 47 citizen centric services. Reviewing the implementation of e-district plan in a meeting of Governance Reforms Department held here, the Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today issued instructions to link all services to Central Data Server for proper integration of all services. Expressing satisfaction over effective results shown in two districts, Mr. Badal said that this e-district project has covered total 47 high-volume citizen services that were earlier delivered manually through SUWIDHA Center (Urban Front end service delivery channels). He said that compared to the earlier manual system, the e-District Project has ensured, faster, simplified, cost effective, timely, and convenient over the counter delivery of services. Issuing directions for online application of 47 services, Mr. Badal said that by November this year every citizen in the state should be able to apply these services from their homes. The services that citizens can avail under e-district project included 4 Services related to Ration Card, 4 Services related to Birth/Death registration, 5 Services related to Pensions, 15 Services related to Arms Licenses, 4 Services related to Marriage, Certificates like Residence, Caste, Rural Area etc, Revenue Department services like Revenue Courts, Government Dues and Recoveries etc. Stressing upon the need for total transparent system, Mr. Badal asked Secretary Governance Reforms to incorporate SMS services as a part of software, under which every applicant on submission of application would get an SMS indicating the date of his/her service would be delivered. If the service of the citizen was ready before the said date, the SMS should inform the applicant about that. He said that Aadhaar numbers of citizens availing these services should be taken while application submission which would help in building effective beneficiary authentication mechanism in future. Reviewing the success of Pilot Project in two districts, it was informed in the meeting that Punjab is the first state to implement highest number of 47 services among all the States which were selected to implement this project in the Pilot phase. It was informed that more than 75000 citizen service requests have been processed electronically and in order to deliver these services efficiently, more than 200 offices across the 2 districts have been connected with Punjab Wide Area Network. More than 300 Digital signatures have been issued to designated officials for approval of certificates/Outputs Stressing on the transparency in the working of administration and empowering the citizens, Mr. Badal said that the citizens would be the ultimate beneficiaries of the e-District project. He said that he got the feedback from the people that most of the citizens felt that the computerized system under e-District project has been substantially beneficial as the application process to issue certificates, Ration Cards, Sanctioning Pensions and other services has become hassle free. Reiterating his commitment to provide hassle free services to the citizens, Mr. Badal said that Government Process Re-engineering in services like Pensions, Health etc which has reduced the number of trips of citizen to Government Offices. He said that with the building of Digital repositories of Birth/Death Certificates in eDistrict, multiple copies of Birth/Death certificates can be given Across the Counters to citizens in less than 2 minutes. Mr. C. Roul, Secretary Governance Reforms, giving the details of the project said that the new system has raised the level of transparency and quality of governance and Service delivery has improved. He said that all the output certificates are Digitally Signed by competent Authorities and the new automated system under e-District project has improved the status-tracking system from the District administration end. Citizens also can track online the progress of their applications. Appreciating the effective monitoring of delivery of citizen services Mr. Badal said that MIS reports to the last level of service delivery should be made available. i.e. the pendency of applications could be tracked till last level of service delivery like Patwaris (Revenue Dept), CDPO (Pensions), Food Inspectors ( Ration Card Services) etc. MIS reports related to Compliance to Right to Service Act Punjab should also be developed in E-District Project. More than 1500 District and Block level offices will be connected with Punjab Wide Area Network (PAWAN) under this project. Funds to the tune of Rs. 53.34 Crore have already been approved for implementation of eDistrict project in remaining 20 Districts of Punjab. -------- DESIST FROM UNNECESSARILY RAISING THIS CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE- CM TO HOODA BADAL RAPS UPA OVER FOOD SECURITY ORDINANCE UNIVERSITY STATUS LIKELY FOR GIANI ZAIL SINGH PUNJAB TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY CAMPUS Bathinda, July 26- Reacting sharply to the unwarranted hype created by the Haryana Chief Minister Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda over the claim of Chandigarh as its capital, Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that before claiming any stake on Chandigarh, Mr. Hooda must realize that Punjab being the parent state has the first and foremost legitimate right over the city as its capital. Talking to the media persons after laying the foundation stone of Student Centre and Boys Hostel here today at Giani Zail Singh Punjab Technical University Campus, the Chief Minister categorically said that before unnecessarily raking up this contentious issue time and again just to score brownie points and demonstrating one-upmanship, Mr. Hooda must remember that even Haryana had been carved out from Punjab after reorganization on November 1, 1966 so there was hardly any substance in his claim over Chandigarh. Mr. Badal said that the Haryana Chief Minister should desist from making such hollow statements just to gain cheap popularity in media adding he unequivocally said, “Chandigarh is an integral part of Punjab and none other except it could stake claim over it as capital”. Taking a dig at Mr. Hooda, he said the way Haryana Chief Minister had blown this issue out of proportion could easily lay its claim over Punjab in future but he must understand that sheer claims without any legal sanctity does not hold any ground. When asked to comment on the Food Security Ordinance introduced by the Congress led UPA Government at the Centre, the Chief Minister said that it was the irony of fate that the Union government has never made any effort to preserve and store the golden grains produced by the farmers after hard labour. Citing the example of Punjab, Mr. Badal said that the Union government has never fulfilled its duty of preserving the rich harvest of the hard working and resilient farmers of the state. He said that the Centre was meting out step motherly treatment to the state by deliberately lingering on the proposals regarding extending scientific storage facilities in state despite of the fact that he had personally taken up this matter with the top brass of the Union government, but of no avail. Replying to a query regarding issue of misuse of funds in the Punjab Technical University, the Chief Minister said that the law would take its own course in this matter. Earlier while responding to the demand regarding bestowing the status of University to Giani Zail Singh Punjab Technical University Campus, the Chief Minister in his address, asked the College authorities to prepare a case regarding the matter and send it to the state government. He said that the state government would enact an act regarding it and would grant the status of University to the Giani Zail Singh Punjab Technical University Campus in the next session of the state legislative assembly. Terming Education as a catalyst for the state’s all-round development, the Chief Minister said that the state government was making all out efforts for spreading Education in the state. He said that the state government has already allotted 500 acres of land free of cost for the Central University at Bathinda. Likewise Mr. Badal said that Mega Educity was coming up at Mullanpur near Chandigarh where various Educational institutes of national and international repute would come up. The Chief Minister also said that Amritsar and SAS Nagar (Mohali) were also being developed as knowledge hubs in the region which would further give fillip to the education in the state. He said that in another major initiative the Punjab Government has decided to launch Dr. Hargobind Khurana post-Matric Scholarship scheme for the meritorious students of the Government and Adarsh schools securing 80% or more marks in the matriculation exams, from the coming August. Later on after inaugurating the Natural Farming and Environment Festival- 2013, the Chief Minister in his address said that the state government was ready to promote organic farming in the state but thorough deliberations were required on the issue. He said that the experts of this field must draft a proposal regarding it and send it to the state government which could be examined by it. Reiterating the state government’s commitment for a green and pollution free Punjab, Mr. Badal said that they were ready to extend fulsome support and cooperation to the Kheti Virasat Mission for this noble cause. Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Sarup Chand Singla, MLA Mr. Darshan Singh Kotfatta, State BJP President Mr Kamal Sharma, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, Deputy Commissioner Mr. KK Yadav and Press Secretary of Shiromani Akali Dal Dr. Om Parkash Sharma. ------------ CHIEF SECRETARY TO HEAD SINGLE WINDOW COMMITTEE CONSTITUTED FOR POWER PROJECTS IN SUGAR INDUSTRIES Chandigarh July 26: The Punjab government has constituted a 6 member Single Window Committee under the chairmanship of the chief secretary Punjab for giving clearance for co-generation of Power in Sugar Industries. Disclosing this here today, a spokesman of the government said that, the Secretary Science and Technology, Chairman Punjab State Pollution Control Board, Chairman Punjab State Electricity Board, Managing Director Sugarfed and Mr.Jarnail Singh Wahid of Wahid Sandhar Sugars Ltd, Phagwara would be the members of the newly constituted committee. Chief Executive PEDA would be the convener, he added. He also said that the committee would consider the necessary and applicable approvals/clearances required for setting up of co-generation projects in sugar industries within a stipulated time frame of 60 days from the date of submission of complete applications. PUNJAB NOTIFIES COMMITTEE UNDER CS TO REDUCE EXPENDITURE · TO LOOK INTO THE EXPENDITURE INCURRED BY VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS FOR LAST 5 YEARS CHANDIGARH, JULY 26 The Punjab Government has notified a committee under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary of Punjab to reduce the expenditure of various departments especially non plan expenditures to bring more transparency in financial work of departments. A spokesman of the Punjab Government today said that the committee would look into the expenditure incurred by the various departments, especially on the Non Plan side for the last 5 years. The Committee would work under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary of Punjab, whereas Vice Chairman of State Planning Board has been incorporated as Special invitee. He further said that Principal Secretary Finance, Secretary Planning and Special Secretary to Chief Minister of Punjab (Mr Gagandeep Singh Brar) have been included as members. Secretary expenditure would work as a convener, he added. The Spokesman has also said that the committee may invite any other Administrative Secretary/officers to the meeting as per requirement. ----------- · BENEFICIARIES CAN APPLY ON-LINE BY AUGUST 31-RANIKE CHANDIGARH, JULY 26: The Punjab Government has extended the date of online applications for the renewal of Post Matric scholarships for the department of Scheduled Caste and Backward Classes Welfare by August31, 2013. Stating this here today S. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Scheduled Caste and Backward Classes Welfare Minister, Punjab said that earlier the last date for courses related to DPI (Colleges) and DPI (Secondary Education) was July, 31and for DRME and Technical Education was August 31. Now the students could submit the duly filled online forms by August 31, 2013 for all courses, added the Minister.
- BADAL CONSTITUTES AN EIGHT-MEMBER COMMITTEE TO REGULATE SUPPLY OF HIGH QUALITY FERTILIZERS AND AGRO-CHEMICALS TO FARMERS
DIRECTOR AGRICULTURE & REGISTRAR COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES TO ASSESS THE DEMAND
MARKFED TO PROCURE FERTILIZERS AND AGRO-CHEMICALS THROUGH NATIONAL & MULTI-NATIONAL REPUTED COMPANIES THROUGH BIDDING ON COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS
CHANDIGARH JULY 25: To ensure and regulate the supply of high quality fertilizers, agro-chemicals and pesticides of reputed national and multi-national companies to the farmers through the village cooperative societies across the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash today constituted an eight-member committee under the chairmanship of financial commissioner development. Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s office said that the others members of the committee would include chairman punjab state farmers’ commission Dr.GS Kalkat, financial commissioner cooperation, vice chancellor Punjab agricultural university Ludhiana, secretary expenditure, MD markfed and director agriculture, besides registrar cooperative societies as a member convener of the committee. Apart from these members, the committee has also been authorized to co-opt any expert member, if required as special invitee. The aforesaid committee after assessing the demand of farmers with regard to fertilizers and agro-chemicals, the committee has been mandated to give its recommendations to the Chief Minister for his approval, relating to the supply of best quality of agro-chemicals and pesticides to the farmers through cooperative societies. It may be recalled that the director agriculture and registrar cooperative societies would assess the total demand of fertilizers and agro-chemicals of farmers and forward the entire demand after assessment to the committee besides preparing a comparative statement of the rates quoted by the various national and multi-national companies on the basis of the bids/offers and open tenders invited by the Markfed for the procurement of these fertilizers and agro-chemicals. ...
PUNJAB STATE COMMISSION FOR NRIs FRAUD BY UK CITIZENS WITH STUDENT NRI COMMISSION ASKS IG NRI AFFAIRS TO TAKE ACTION · SEEKS REPORT BY SEPTEMBER 10 Chandigarh, July 25: The NRI Commission of Punjab has asked IG/NRI Affairs to take an appropriate action on the complaint of a girl student submitted against UK citizens for affixing fake visa on her passport, fraud, cheating and breach of trust besides duping her of Rs. 8 lac. A spokesman of the Commission today said that Harpreet Goraya, who hails from Village Goraya, District Gurdaspur alleged in her complaint that on 16.09.2010 she went to UK on student VISA for 1 ½ years and studied at University of Sunderland. Her visa was due to expire on 31.1.12 and this fact was known to Surinderjit Singh & Joginder Kaur, the owner of Glamour Eyes and Brows Black, where she was working. They tempted her that they would get her visa extended for further two years, if she pays Rs.8 lac. She submitted in her complaint that 26.1.12, she paid 4672 UK pounds from her saving account and remaining amount was agreed to be paid in India. They took her passport. The said persons got affixed a fake visa on her passport on 24.1.12 and handed over the passport to her just at the time of her flight on 30.1.12. She came to India on her previous visa on 31.1.12. On reaching India, she received a call from Surinderjit Singh to make the remaining payment to their relative Dr. Gurdev Singh Randhawa & his wife, resident of Shashtri Nagar Batala for extending visa and air ticket. On 16.2.12 she along with her mother Manjinderpal Kaur, uncle Kulwant Singh & family friend Kanwal Singh went to Batala and met Dr. Gurdev Singh & his wife and paid Rs.3,36,000/- in cash to them. She said that on 19.2.12 when she went to Airport for going to UK where she was shocked to know that the visa on her passport was fake. She immediately called Joginder Kaur, who threatened her to not to bring this fact in the notice of inquiry officer. She said that her passport has been placed in black list due to fake visa. The spokesman said that keeping in view the seriousness of this matter, the complaint has been sent to IG/NRI Affairs to look into the matter to take an appropriate action and to intimate the Commission on or before 10.9.13 about the action taken in this matter. --------------------- BADAL OKAYS PROPOSAL FOR SETTING UP OF GRAIN MARKET AT BHUCHO
CHANDIGARH JULY 25: Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today gave nod for the construction of new grain market at Bhucho in Bathinda district over an area of nearly 35 acre. Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Mr. Badal has cleared the file to this effect this morning. The Chief Minister also gave approval for the issuance of notification by the Directorate of Colonization under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act for paving a way for the establishment of the new grain market at Bhucho. ... · DEVELOPMENT WORK INITIATED Chandigarh July 25: The Punjab government has planned a major eco-tourism initiative and would cultivate the land to be brought under eco-tourism plan by working out modalities with the Forest and Wild Life Department. Stating this here today Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Tourism Minister Punjab said that the focus would be on conservation of natural resources through awareness building, diversification of tourism activities and destinations, and local community participation and synergy with general development of tourism sector. The eco-tourism Policy was aimed at informing and sensitizing the general public and related government departments towards ecotourism and laying down the framework for its growth in the State in an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable manner. He also said that sites to be brought under eco-tourism have been identified and developmental works of creating environment parks, setting up interpretation centres, creating infrastructure, accommodation, facilitation centres, chalking out trekking routes, adventure sports, procuring equipment like boats, vehicles have been initiated at various destinations. Some of the sites identified by Department of Forest and Wildlife Preservation, Punjab would also be cultivated. The Tourism Minister further said that the state government was developing Keshopur, wetland known for attracting migratory birds from Siberia and central Asia, spread over an area of 850 acres, as a tourism destination under eco-tourism plans by providing better infrastructure facilities, bird sanctuary, Interpretation Centre and other visitor facilities.Other unexplored areas of the state would also be explored to boost eco tourism, he added. Highlighting more on Keshopur wetland, the Minister said that the key interventions include, development of visitor-cum-site interpretation Centre, including parking and toilet amenities, signage, development of embankment for storage of water, creating bird watch towers, plantation in 15 hectare of the wetland area along proposed facilities would be maintained by the Eco group formed by the local community under Forest and district administration. The mobilization, skill development and capacity building for the communities of 5 participating villages have also been kept as an important component of this project. Execution commenced in April-2013 through Forest Department and is likely to be completed by mid-2016, said Mr. Phillaur.
- RS.15 CRORE TO BE SPENT ON CONSTRUCTION OF VETERNIRY HOSPITALS- RANIKE CHANDIGARH July 25: To provide better health care and breeding facilities to the indigenous and exotic animals being reared by the farmers of the state, the Punjab Government has decided to construct the buildings at tehsil and block level veterinary hospitals in the state. The project, approved by NABARD at a total cost of 3663.47 lac and an outlay of Rs. 15.00 crore has been provided in the Annual plan 2013-14, for up gradation of these institutions. Disclosing this here today, Animal Husbandry Minister, Punjab S Gulzar Singh Ranike said that the department has a well-knit network of 1367 veterinary hospitals out of which 585 have been transferred to Zila Parishads. Presently the buildings of many of these hospitals are in a dilapidated condition and few of them are on the verge of collapse. The minister further said that new buildings of 19 veterinary hospitals have been completed under RIDF XIII project and new buildings of 14 tehsil level and 34 block level veterinary hospitals are under construction in keeping with the latest building plans to provide better services to the livestock farmers at village levels. He said that besides this, the services of sero-monitoring and diagnosis are also being given to the livestock owners for saving the precious livestock wealth from many infectious diseases.
ELECTION FOR CHAIRMEN & VICE CHAIRMEN OF PANCHAYAT SAMITIS FROM JULY 27: RAKHRA
· DEPUTY COMMISSIONERS INSTRUCTED TO COMPLETE ELECTION PROCESS BY AUGUST 5
CHANDIGARH, JULY 25: Elected members of Panchayat Samitis would elect their Chairmen and Vice Chairmen from July 27. Disclosing this here today Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Rural Development and Panchayat Minister, said that department has instructed all Deputy Commissioners to complete this process from July 27 to August 5, 2013. He said that Chairmen' & Vice Chairmen' for 146 Panchayat Samitis would be elected during this process. Mr. Rakhra said that this election would be completed by Deputy Commissioners or the officer who should not be below the rank of the Assistant Commissioner. The Minister said that this election would be done according to the reservation notification whose copy has been sent by the department to Deputy Commissioners. The Minister further said that department has directed the deputy commissioners to complete the whole election process by August 5 and send the names of elected Chairmen and Vice Chairmen to the department specific Performa so that their names could be notified. He said that after the completion of this election process election for Zila Parishad Chairmen and Vice Chairmen would be held as Samiti Chairmen has the right to vote as member of Zila Parishid. -
PUNJAB GOVT. RELEASES RS. 13.96 CRORE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF 40 GOVT COLLEGES IN THE STATE- MALUKA Chandigarh July 25:- The Punjab Government has released an amount of Rs. 13.96 crore for the maintenance of 40 government colleges situated in 17 districts of the state. Disclosing this here today, Education Minister Punjab Mr. Sikandar Singh Maluka said that these grants have been provided to ensure the basic amenities including the drinking water, electric works, computer rooms, class rooms, laboratories and canteen are maintained good and congenial. He said that state govt. was committed to provide quality higher education in govt. degree colleges and the special emphasis on the creation of requisite infrastructure in these institutions. Giving details, Mr. Maluka said that Rs. 32.12 lac for Govt. College (women) Amritsar, Rs. 61 lac for the two Govt. Colleges of Bathinda District, Rs. 71.46 lac for three Govt. College of District Faridkot, Rs. 9.52 lac for Govt. College Mandi Gobindgarh District Fatehgarh Sahib, Rs. 68.55 lac for two govt. colleges of District Fazilka, Rs. 41.54 lac for two govt. colleges of District Gurdaspur, Rs. 90.14 lac for two govt. colleges of District Hoshiarpur, Rs. 107.53 lac for four govt. colleges of District Jalandhar, Rs. 177.16 lac for five govt. colleges of District Ludhiana, Rs. 35.79 lac for Govt. College Mansa, Rs. 54.73 lac for for two govt. colleges of District Moga, Rs. 94.8 lac for two govt. colleges of District Ajitgarh, Rs. 25.95 lac for Govt. College Sri Mukatsar Sahib, Rs. 21.39 lac for Govt college SBS Nagar, Rs. 278.61 lac for six govt colleges of Patiala district, Rs. 94.51 lac for two govt. colleges of District Roopnagar and Rs. 131.62 lac for three Govt. College of District Sangrur. Mr. Maluka said that cheques of respective grants for each college would be directly send to the concerned Principal. He also informed that 7 more such govt. degree colleges were being set up in five districts shortly with a view to ensure provision of higher education in remote rural areas too.
-- CM GIVES NOD TO SET UP 'TEACHERS RECRUITMENT BOARD' FOR THE SELECTION OF SCHOOL TEACHERS MODEL SCHOOLS FOR BRILLIANT RURAL STUDENTS TO COME UP AT AMRITSAR, JALANDHAR, LUDHIANA, PATIALA, BATHINDA AND MOHALI BADAL FOR DEDICATED RURAL UNIVERSITY TO IMPART QUALITY EDUCATION TO RURAL STUDENTS AFTER MATRICULATION ON ANDHRA PATTERN Chandigarh, July 24- To cope up with the shortage of teachers and maintain the standards of quality education in the government schools across the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal has decided to establish 'Teachers Recruitment Board' for the selection of teachers in Model, Adarsh and Rashtiya Madhamik Sikhya Ahbyaan (RAMSA) schools. A decision to this effect was taken by the Chief Minister in a meeting with the senior officers of the School Education Department here at CMO this morning. The Chief Minister also gave nod for the Teachers Selection Recruitment Board to appoint them in these existing schools besides upcoming Models Schools to be established in due course of time. The board would be headed by the Principal Secretary School Education whereas Vice Chancelllors of Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar and Punjabi University Patiala , Director General School Education and Chairperson of the Punjab School Education Board would be its members and DPI Schools would be its convener. Underscoring the need for imparting quality education to the students, the Chief Minister said that for this purpose the selection of professional teachers with an impeccable commitment and dedication was necessary. He said that thus the sole criteria for the recruitment of the teachers would be strictly based on the merit of the candidates. He said that the Board must complete the entire recruitment process of the Model, Adarsh and RAMSA Schools by the month of September this year adding that until the recruitment process was not completed alternative arrangements must be made for providing education to the students so that their studies must not suffer. Assuring the proposal of setting up new model schools for the students of the rural areas securing 80% of more marks from the Government schools in the Matric class, the Chief Minister said that these schools would be established at Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Bathinda and Mohali so that the meritorious students of nearby districts could also be benefitted from these state of the art institutions. He said that every Model School would be established over an area of 10 acre and Rs 10 crore would be spent to equip these schools with the ultra modern facilities like Computer labs, Laboratories, Libraries, classes besides playgrounds and residential complexes for the teachers and the students. Mr. Badal asked the Principal Secretary Education to get the civil work on these schools commenced at the earliest so that the classes could be started from the next academic session. The Chief Minister categorically said that by there would be no shortage of teaching faculty and infra structure in these schools from the next academic session. He also asked the Principal Secretary School Education to constitute a committee of experts to monitor the ongoing civil works in these schools to ensure quality control and proper specification of building material. The Chief Minister desired that an exclusive Rural University should be set up on the pattern of Andhra Pradesh to ensure quality education to the students belonging to Rural areas after matriculation. He also directed the officers of the School Education department to study the Andhra Model so that it could also be replicated in the state with any modifications if required. Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Principal Secretary School Education Mrs. Anjali Bhawra, Special Principal Secretaries of the Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema and Mr. KJS Cheema. - CM TO LAY FOUNDATION STONE OF RS 115 CRORE RAM TIRATH TEMPLE ON VALMIKI JYANTI WORLD-CLASS HISTORICAL MONUMENT CUM TEMPLE TO PROPAGATE THE PHILOSOPHY AND LEGACY OF BHAGWAN VALMIKI MAHARAJ JI CM FOR DEVELOPING THIS HISTORIC MONUMENT WITH AN AURA OF DIVINITY AND SERENITY BADAL FOR FOOLPROOF MECHANISM TO ENSURE EFFICIENCY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF TEMPLE AFFAIRS Chandigarh, July 24- In order to perpetuate the rich legacy of Bhagwan Vailmiki Maharaj Ji, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal would lay down the foundation stone of the civil works of the world class historical monument cum Temple with inbuilt Museum and Panorama at Sri Valmiki Ashram (Ram Tirath) near Amritsar on the auspicious occasion of Bhagwan Valmiki Jayanti on October 18, this year. A decision to this effect was taken by the Chief Minister in a high level meeting of Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Vikas Board constituted for the development of Sri Valmiki Ashram (Ram Tirath) under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Minister Mr Gulzar Singh Ranike. Taking part in the deliberations, the Chief Minister said that the new Temple to be constructed at Sri Valmiki Ashram (Ram Tirath), at a cost of Rs 115 crore, would be an engineering marvel spruced with rare architecture, landscaping besides aesthetically designed. Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to undertake renovation and beautification of this sacred place from its historical and religious perspective, he asked the Architecture department of the Guru Nanak Dev University to design and supervise the construction of this worldclass temple besides providing the structural designs of this project within two months. Mr. Badal also approved a corpus of Rs 10 crore to be kept at the disposal of the Board for managing the routine expenditure. The Chief Minister said that it was a matter of great pride and honor for the state government to offer humble tributes to Bhagwan Vailmki Maharaj Ji by developing this site, where the 'Maharishi' had propagated the concept of egalitarian society by composing the legendary epic ‘Ramyana'. Emphasizing on the need for developing this site as a world class heritage, he said that the devotees who visit this sacred place from every nook and corner of the world should experience an aura of divinity and serenity. Mr. Badal categorically said that this Temple would be unique in the sense that it would not only help in disseminating the philosophy of Bhagwan Valmiki Maharaj Ji for carving out a harmonious society in the state but would also act as a lighthouse to guide the destiny of our youth through the great ethical and moral values preached by him. The Chief Minister said that the museum and the panorama to be constructed at Sri Valmiki Ashram would showcase the teachings of Bhagwan Valmiki Ji, which propagated the ethos of equality and spirituality globally in line with the Principles of how an ideal man, ideal ruler and ideal people should ought to be for the formation of an ideal state or society. He further said that the work would be executed in a phased manner and during the first phase the construction of Temple and Multi Storey Bus/car parking would be undertaken followed by construction of Langar Hall, Sangat Hall and Museum in the second, third and fourth phase respectively. Underscoring the need to evolve a foolproof mechanism to ensure efficiency and transparency for the management and regulation of the temple affairs, the Chief Minister said that a statutory body must be entrusted this job. He also asked the Deputy Commissioner Amritsar, in the capacity of Member Secretary of the Board to study the different proposals regarding the matter so that better management of the temple could be ensured. The Deputy Commissioner apprised Mr. Badal that the model of Mansa Devi Temple Shrine Board could also be replicated here. Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Cabinet Minister Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Financial Commissioner Development Mr. NS Kang, Principal Secretary Tourism and Cultural Affairs Mr. SS Channy, Secretary (Expenditure) Mr. Jaspal Singh, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, Director Welfare Mr. Prithi Chand, Deputy Commissioner Amritsar Mr. Rajat Aggarwal and Joint Director Rural Development Mr. Jaspal Singh besides Prof. Sarvjeet Singh Behl from Architecture Department GNDU Amritsar, who also made a power point presentation on the concept and design of the upcoming temple in the meeting. ----------- BARC TO SET UP THREE MULTI-PRODUCT RADIATION PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION PLANTS TO PROMOTE CROP DIVERSIFICATION IN STATE ISOTOPE HYDROLOGY LABORATORY TO COME UP AT MOHALI FOR DETECTION OF URANIUM IN GROUNDWATER BADAL ASKS BARC TO ESTABLISH ITS SUB-CENTRE IN PUNJAB ASSURES ALL POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE TO BARC FOR UPGRADATION OF R&D Chandigarh, July 24- In a major boost to the state government's initiative of Crop diversification, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has agreed to establish three Multi-product Radiation Processing Technology Demonstration Plants to process the high yielding varieties of Basmati, Potatoes, Maize, Sugarcane and other alternate crops in the state. A high level team of the BARC which visited the state from July 22-24, called on the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal at his residence here today this morning and apprised him about the development. The team comprising Associate Director (RC & I) Group and Head Isotope Applications and Radiopharmaceuticals Division Dr. Gursharan Singh, Head Food Technology Division Dr AK Sharma and Head Desalination Division Dr PK Tiwari, informed the Chief Minister that the BARC would provide technology and engineering support for setting up of these plants which would also process Onions, Wheat, Suji, Maida, Spices and other commodities. The team also apprised Mr. Badal that the institute would also provide the High Yielding Varieties of Sugarcane, Pulses including Arhar, Soyabean, Moong besides Groundnuts to the Punjab Agriculture University (PAU) for its trials, which would be subsequently recommended to the farmers for sowing. Apart from this team also agreed to suggest the technology for storage of potatoes in the state on scientific lines. In another significant development, the BARC would set up an Isotope Hydrology Laboratory for carrying the groundwater investigations at SAS Nagar (Mohali). The Laboratory would be instrumental for detection of Uranium, Arsenic, Phosphorous etc. in ground water and its migration to determine the interconnectivity between aquifers and their recharge, age of water and water table assessment. The visiting team from BARC also assured the Chief Minister to assist the state by providing training to the staff and technical knowhow for running this high-tech laboratory. Meanwhile the BARC team would also assist PAU in submitting its research proposals of different identified crop improvement areas viz. Mutation breeding, Soil health improvement, crop nutrition management etc. to the Board of Research and Nuclear Science (BRNS). A detailed project for enhancing the shelf life/ improvement of Kinnow, Litichi, Guava, Pear and Mushrooms would also be submitted to BRNS. BARC also agreed to assist the state in long term field testing and demonstration of membrane based water purification technologies for domestic water purification, cycle mounted water purification and community size water purifications. On the demonstration basis, the BARC agreed to install this technology on a tube well in Ludhiana city and in one of the Government Schools in Sri Muktsar Sahib district. To ensure efficient Liquid and Solid waste management of Hospitals, the state government would submit a status report to BARC detailing the volume, type of contamination and present practices of disposals of liquid and solid waste generated in the Health sector. The BARC team assured the Chief Minister of recommending a financially viable and eco-friendly time tested technology to effectively combat the menace caused due to liquid and solid waste, after studying the status report. Assuring fulsome support and cooperation to the BARC for this ambitious project, the Chief Minister said that the state would make all out efforts for completing these plants. Seeking the whole hearted assistance of the premier scientific research institute in the key sectors of Agriculture, Health and Water supply, Mr. Badal also envisaged a proven technology for the cleaning of villages Ponds across the state which had posed a big challenge to the Health of the residents there and assured of all possible assistance to BARC in this regard. He also sought the expertise the BARC to treat the sludge in urban and rural areas through ultra modern Sewerage Treatment Plants (STP) so that it could be used for the non-drinking purposes especially for irrigation. The Chief Minister also mooted a proposal to the BARC for adopting five villages of the state to synergize the efforts of state for ensuring the best health and hygiene services to the people by launching integrated programs with the participation of local Panchayats adding he said the state government would incur the entire expenditure on this unique project. The Chief Minister also demanded a Sub Centre of BARC in Punjab so as to effectively tackle the issues relating to the environment and pollution in a holistic manner besides upgrading the Research and Development (R&D) in Agriculture and its allied activities like Fishery, Animal Husbandry, Bee Keeping, Piggery and Goatary etc. with an objective to give impetus to the state's ambitious program of agriculture diversification. Prominent amongst those present in the meeting Financial Commissioner Development Mr. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Balwinder Singh Sidhu and Chief Technical Coordinator Water and Sanitation Mr. Sita Ram Aggarwal. ---------- CHIEF MINISTER AND DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER WILL ADMINISTER OATH TO SARPANCHES AND PANCHES: RAKHRA
· WOULD ADMINISTER OATH TO 13047 SARPANCHES AND 81109 PANCHES · DISTRICT LEVEL FUNCTIONS TO BE HELD FROM AUGUST 1 TO 10 CHANDIGARH, JULY 24: Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal will administer the oath of office and secrecy to the newly elected village Sarpanches and Panches in district level functions. Disclosing this here today, Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Rural Development and Panchayats Minister, Punjab said that functions in this regard will be held in all 22 districts from August 1 to August 10, in which Chief Minister would administer the oath to newly elected rural representatives from August 1 to 5 in 10 districts while the Deputy CM would preside over functions from August 5 to 10 in remaining districts. The Minister said that oath would be administered to 13047 Sarpanches and 81109 Panches in these functions. Giving details about the functions to be held, Mr. Rakhra said that Chief Minister would preside over the function on August 1 at Amritsar and Tarn Taran, on August 2 at Jalandhar and Kapurthala while in Bathinda and Mansa functions would be held on August 3, on August 4 at Patiala and Ludhiana and on August 5 CM would administer the oath to the Sarpanches and Panches of Sangrur and Barnala. He said that the Deputy CM would administer the oath to Sarpanches and Panches of districts Pathankot and Gurdaspur on August 5, at Nawan Shahr and Hoshiarpur on August 6, Roopnagar, Fatehgarh Sahib and Mohali on August 7, Sri Muktsar Sahib and Fazilka on August 8, Faridkot and Moga on August 9 and on August 10 the oath would be administered at Ferozepur. Mr. Rakhra said that the first oath ceremony function would be held at 11am while the second function at 3pm whereas the functions on August 7 would take place at 11am, 2pm and 4pm respectively. -------- 1600 FLATS BE GIVEN TO SLUM DWELLERS IN LUDHIANA BEFORE 15 AUGUST: CHUNI LAL BHAGAT CHANDIGARH, JULY 24: The Punjab Government would hand over the keys of newly constructed 1600 flats/dwelling units to slum dwellers in Ludhiana before August 15 and the possession of another lot of more than 3200 under construction flats would be given to slum dwellers by March 31, 2014. Disclosing this here today Mr. Chuni Lal Bhagat, Local Bodies Minister, Punjab said that the all the necessary formalities for allotting these flats have been completed and the keys would be handed to them before August 15. He said that Punjab Government was constructing a total 4832 new slum units in Ludhiana out of which 1600 are ready for living while the construction of remaining 3232 units were on the advanced stage of completion. He said that this project would be completed with the cost of Rs. 113.53 crore. Reviewing the status of ongoing construction of these dwelling units, Mr. Bhagat asked the Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana to expedite the remaining construction works so the possession to the needy people could be provided before the given deadline. The Minister also asked the MC to ensure the quality work by using the quality material. The Minister also directed the officials of MC, Ludhiana to launch a repair drive, where needed, in old slum units for the facilitation of residents. Giving details about these flats, the Minister said that the single flat would be equipped with a state-of-the-art bedroom, living room, kitchen, toilet and bathroom. He said that 25.64 square meter area has been covered under this project. Commissioner Ludhiana MC Mr. Rakesh Verma informed the Minister that out of 4832 slum units 2496 were constructed at Giaspura and 1200 at Mundian Kalan and 1136 at Dhandari Kalan. - GOVERNMENT SANCTIONS RS 300 CRORE FOR SETTING UP CANCER UNITS: MITTAL · CANCER UNITS TO BE SET UP AT GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS ARITSAR, FARIDKOT AND PATIALA · ANOTHER CANCER UNIT TO BE SET UP AT CIVIL HOSPITAL SANGRUR IN COLLABORATION WITH TMC · ATOMIC ENERGY REGULATORY BOARD GIVES NOD TO SET UP RADIOTHERAPY BUNKERS Chandigarh, July 24: Punjab Government has launched a special drive to build new ultra modern infrastructure to treat cancer patients in government hospitals. Rs 300 Crore has been sanctioned by the state government for setting up cancer units in the three government hospitals at Aritsar, Faridkot and Patiala. Divulging this here today Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal said that Government to set up another cancer unit at Civil Hospital Sangrur in collaboration with Tata Memorial Centre Mumbai with the cost of Rs. 5 Crore. He said that Government has taken this step keeping in view the increasing number of cancer patients in Punjab. Minister said that alongwith creating infrastructure department would also soon recruit cancer specialist doctors and department is also in the process of identifying doctors and nurses that can be trained for assisting in cancer treatment. Mr. Mittal said that best equipment would be set up at cancer treatment units. He added that Government had decided to take services of TMC to place orders to purchase required equipment needed in radiotherapy units and laboratories required for radiotherapy units. He said that specialists from TMC and PGI, Chandigarh, have given their consent to train our doctors and other medical staff in treating cancer patients.
She said that a team of oncologists from TMC recently visited Punjab and assessed the facilities available here. They have also performed live surgeries and had discussions with the doctors about the latest advancements in the field of cancer. ------------ MALUKA directs education officers to ensure basic infrastructure in all the government schools Chandigarh July 24: The Punjab Government has directed the District Education officer to ensure complete infrastructure in all the Government Schools of the Punjab. In a statement issued here today the Punjab Education Minister Mr. Sikandar Singh Maluka said that state Government was committed to provide basic amenities together with quality education in all the government schools. He has also asked the authorities concerned to identify all dilapidated and unsafe class rooms and buildings so that it could be repaired or demolished as per the norm laid down to avoid any untoward incident. He has sought a report of such buildings within 15 days so that necessary action could be taken in this regard. Minister further said that required funds would be released for the construction of new class rooms or separate toilets for the girls in all the school at the earliest. Adding asked the officers to follow the guidelines in both later and spirit. Any negligence on the part of officers concerned would not be tolerated and strict action would be initiated against the erring officers. --- MALUKA RECIEVES 3 LAKH FOR UTTRAKHAND DISASTER
Chandigarh July 24: Mr. Sikandar Singh Maluka, Education Minister Punjab received a draft amounting to Rs. 3 Lakh from the President of the Punjab School Lecturer Union Mr. Hakam Singh towards Chief Minister's relief fund for Uttrakhand disaster. Speaking on the occasion the Minister appreciated the efforts of the school fraternity for having contributed generously towards CM relief fund. He said that the gesture was absolutely in line with the true spirit of the Punjabis in general particularly of Punjab. Every Punjabi has felt the pain of the tragedy, he added. The Minister also ensured the union leaders that the amount donated would be sent to Uttrakhand victims for rehabilitating them. Mr. Pradeep Kumar General Secretary and Mr. Sukhdev Singh Rana (retd.) along with the senior officers of the department were present on the occasion. SUKHBIR APPROVES GRANT OF CHARGE AND NEXT HIGHER RANK TO 865 POLICE PERSONNEL Chandigarh, July 23: The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal has, in one stroke, today approved the grant of charge and next higher ranks to 865 police personnel of various ranks, i.e. 40 SPs, 125 DSPs, 200 Inspectors, 250 Sub-Inspectors, and 250 ASIs. He would personally preside over the formal Pipping Ceremony to be organized for these police officers and officials, at PAP Headquarters, Jalandhar shortly. Disclosing this here today an official spokesman said that over the last few years, the Punjab government has taken a number of steps to expand, re-organize, and modernize the Punjab Police so that it could met the multifarious challenges of militancy, smuggling, drug-peddling, cyber crime, street crime etc. The Punjab government has also launched a number of people-friendly schemes and Community Policing initiatives, such as the Night Policing Scheme, Saanjh Suvidha Kendras, Women Helpline, Women Armed Special Protection Squads(WASPS), Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART), Women Police Stations, NRI Police Stations, etc. He further said that the government has also planned to roll-out many more new initiatives including the Rural Rapid Police Response System (RRPRS)under which police assistance would be made available in the villages and remotest rural areas within less than 20 minutes. Safe City Project in Ludhiana and Amritsar, Senior Citizen Helpline, NRI Helpline are some other measures, which are likely to be implemented state-wide soon. He said that improvement in the speed and quality of police response, and bringing the police closer to the people it is supposed to serve, has been the underlying theme and endeavor of most of these initiatives. For the successful implementation of these schemes, and to achieve these objectives, Punjab Police went through a recruitment drive, and about 17000 additional constables were put on the ground on a 24/7 basis during the last few years. He said that it was felt that Speedier ranks to police officers would go a long way in motivating and encouraging the police officers who have delivered under all kinds of emergencies and difficult circumstances, such as the relief and rehabilitation measures during the recent Uttarakhand tragedy or the elections in the State or major protests movements over various socio-religious and economic issues. Keeping in mind the officer oriented nature of most of these initiatives, and the need to ensure a higher quality of service to citizens of the State through a motivated and dedicated police force, these promotions have been granted. - DR. HARGOBIND KHURANA POST MATRIC SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME TO BE LAUNCHED FROMAUGUST THIS YEAR · NO INCOME BAR FOR THE ENTITLEMENT OF SCHOLARSHIP · MERITORIOUS STUDENTS OF GOVERNMENT AND ADARSH SCHOOLS WITH 80% OR ABOVE MARKS ELIGIBLE FOR THIS SCHEME · RS 30,000 SCHOLARSHIP PER ANNUM TO BE DISBURSED THROUGH E-TRANSFER DIRECTLY IN THE BANK ACCOUNT OF STUDENTS · CABINET AMENDS PROHIBITION OF COW SLAUGHTER ACT, 1955 TO MAKE IT FAR MORE STRINGENT · SBS NAGAR TO BE NOW A PART OF RUPNAGAR DIVISION · PANEL HEADED BY CS TO EXAMINE RATIONALIZATION OF VAT ON PETROLEUM PRODUCTS · 461 INSPECTORS TO BE RECRUITED IN FOOD AND CIVIL SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT THROUGH DIRECT RECRUITMENT · TRANSPORT MINISTER AUTHORIZED TO RESTRUCTURE TAX PATTERN · SC SUB PLAN TO BE EQUIVALENT TO SC POPULATION IN THE STATE Chandigarh, July 23- The Punjab Cabinet today approved the launching of Dr. Hargobind Khurana Post-Matric Scholarship scheme for the meritorious students of the Government and Adarsh schools securing 80% or more marks in the matriculation exams, from the month of August this year. A decision to this effect was taken in the meeting of the Cabinet held under the Chairmanship of the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here today at Punjab Bhawan. Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the scheme would be applicable to all those Government and Adarsh schools run by the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB). This scholarship amounting to Rs 30, 000 per annum would be disbursed to the students through e-transfer in their bank accounts @ of Rs 2500 per month. The students eligible for this scholarship would be sent appreciation letters from the Chief Minister, which would serve as a documentary proof for opening their bank accounts. There would be no cap of income under this scheme and all those brilliant students who secured 80% or more marks would be entitled for this scholarship up to senior secondary level. This scholarship would put an additional burden of Rs 15 crore on the state exchequer during this fiscal. It may be recalled that fulfilling its poll promise, the state government had already announced this scheme in the budget 2013-14. The Cabinet also gave approval to issue notification by amending 'The Punjab Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955' thus accrediting the Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RDDL) Jalandhar to test the meat, since there was no statutory laboratory for testing meat or identifying the kind of slaughtered/killed animals. This would help in identifying the source animal of the tested meat and would immensely help in preventing cow slaughter in the state. The Cabinet also gave green signals to include Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (Nawanshahr) district from Jalandhar to newly created Rupnagar division. The decision would not only provide a great relief to the people of this area in getting their routine work done but also enhance the coordination between various administrative departments of the state government. Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar was already part of Ropar Police Range. The Cabinet also approved filling 461 posts of Inspectors in the Food and Civil Supplies Department after having taken them out from the purview of Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board (PSSSB). The direct recruitment to these posts would be conducted through Panjab University, Chandigarh on the basis of written test at the earliest to enable the department for ensuring smooth procurement and streamlining the public distribution system. The Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval for the recruitment of 120 Clerks (SDCs) of direct recruitment quota in the Public Works Department (B&R) through PSSSB. The Cabinet approved the proposals of the Transport department for restructuring tax pattern in the department and authorized the Transport Minister to take decision in this regard after taking into account the relevant factors. The Cabinet also approved to honour three students belonging to Punjab with a cash award of Rs.5 lakh each, who had successfully scaled Mount Everest. This would help in promoting adventure sports amongst the youth. The recipients of these awards were Prithvi Singh Chahal, Fateh Singh Brar and Haqikat Singh Grewal. The Cabinet also gave go ahead to the Home department to induct 300 serving or retired para-military personnel of various ranks into the Special Protection Unit of the Punjab Police, over a period of time, who fulfill the criteria of being served for at least five years tenure in the Special Protection Group, should not be more than 40 years with high level of medical fitness. The Cabinet decided to earmark funds equal to the percentage of the SC population of the state out of the total annual plan under the Schedule Castes Sub Plan (SCSP) and vest the control of beneficiary oriented schemes included in budgeted SCSP to the Welfare department. A sub-committee of Ministers would finalize the procedure for monitoring. The Welfare department would be the nodal department for formulation and implementation of the SCSP and these funds would neither be divertible nor lapsable. However, if needed the diversion of SCSP funds would be done only after the approval of Welfare department. The Cabinet also decided to allow the Anandpur Sahib Foundation to utilize Rs 20 crore out of its Corpus fund to carry out the development works relating to the Phase I and II of the Virasat-e-Khalsa, Anandpur Sahib. The Cabinet also gave nod to constitute a committee under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary with Financial Commissioner Revenue, Principal Secretary Finance, Principal Secretary Transport, Financial Commissioner Excise & Taxation and Taxation Commissioner Punjab as members to recommend rationalization of rates of VAT on Petroleum products and Automobiles. The Cabinet also gave nod to amend section 66 of the Punjab Regional and Town Planning and Development Act 1955 through an ordinance namely ‘The Punjab Regional and Town Planning and Development Ordinance, 2013 in the larger public interest thereby giving boost to the effective implementation of the Regional Plan prepared for Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) region. The Cabinet also approved to amend section 3 (1) (c) of the Punjab Laws (Special provisions) Act 2013 by bringing an Ordinance to bring the unauthorized Colonies and buildings in the fold of the planning framework and thus provide the basic facilities to the residents of the unauthorized colonies, where either FIR has been lodged or the case was pending in any competent court of law. But now provision has been made to compound the offences of all unauthorized colonies, where either FIR was lodged or the case was pending in the court. In a bid to promote tourism in the state and benefit the general public, the Cabinet also gave nod to relax the conditions for setting up new hospitals, hotels and multimedia centres according to which now the minimum areas required for setting up of these would be 1000 square meters. The provision of professional management tie up or franchise for hospital or hotel with any national/ international chain has been removed, while all other conditions remained unchanged. The Cabinet also decided to remove the anomaly in the pay scales of research assistants (Group A) of the Irrigation department by making their pay scales better than the pay scales of the feeding cadre of research assistant (Group B). The Cabinet also decided to include the newly built up reservoirs at Siswan and Mirzapur dam in SAS Nagar (Mohali) in the notified waters of Punjab Fisheries Rules, 1985. It may be recalled there are 10 reservoirs, which have been included in notified waters and the department of Fisheries lease out the fishing rights of the rivers and reservoirs through an open auction. The Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval for sanction of four posts of Data Entry Operators and three posts of Peons (on outsource basis) for effective implementation of New Pension scheme applicable to Punjab government employees who entered into service on or after April 1, 2004. .... PUNJAB TAKES GIANT LEAP IN RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR SUKHBIR SINGH BADAL HANDS OVER LETTER OF AWARD FOR 250 MW SOLAR POWER PROJECTS TO RENOWNED DEVELOPERS · PROJECTS HAVING Rs. 2500-3000 CRORE INVESTMENT TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT TO MORE THAN 2000 YOUTH · PUNJAB’S BIDDING PROCESS ATTRACTS TOP PLAYERS LIKE LANCO, PUNJ LLYOD, MOSERBAER, ESSEL, INDIA BULLS AND AZURE GROUPS · 1000 MW POWER TO BE GENERATED WITH RENEWABLE POWER RESOURCES IN NEXT FOUR YEARS · ALSO TO EXPLORE POSSIBILITIES OF SETTING UP OF A MEGA SOLAR POWER PARK · PUNJAB ALL SET FOR GENERATING 60 MW POWER FROM SOLAR ROOF TOPS-MAJITHIA CHANDIGARH, JULY 23: Punjab today took a giant leap in harnessing renewable sources of energy as Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal handed over Letter of Awards to 26 developers for 250 MW Solar Power Projects having joint investment of Rs. 2500-3000 crore and more than 2000 job opportunities in next 15 months. The success of Punjab’s bidding process could be gauged from the fact that top Solar Power Developers namely Lanco Solar Energy, Punj Lloyd Infrastructure, Moser Baer Clean Energy, Essel Infra Projects, Asopus Infrastructure (India Bulls), Welspun Solar Punjab , Azure Urja and Solairedirect Energy have preferred Punjab after considering the conducive investment opportunities being provided by the State. Presiding over a function organized by Punjab Energy Development Authority, the Deputy Chief Minister pointed out that we have set a target to generate at least 1000 MW power from renewable resources of energy like solar, biomass, co-generation, mini-hydel and solar roof tops in next four years. He said that after awarding these 250MW Solar Power Projects, the state was all set to award 300 MW Biomass Power Plants shortly. He said that with the availability of abundant agri-residue in the form of paddy straw and cotton stalks, the state has a great potential for setting up of Biomass Power Plants having dual benefit of additional income to farmers besides saving the ecology of the state. Mr. Badal said that Punjab was also exploring the possibility of setting up of a mega Solar Park to promote clean and green energy in a big way. Extending an open invitation to all the investors/project developers, Mr. Badal said that the state has one of the best infrastructures whether it was road connectivity, air connectivity or availability of Power. He said that with completion of three thermal power projects having joint generation capacity of 3920MW power, the state was all set to become the first Power Surplus State in the country. Besides this, with two international and five domestic airports in the state, any investor can have access to any part of the state within one hour journey. He said that all the major cities and towns of the state would have 4/6 lane expressways connectivity in coming three years. He said that the new Industrial Policy announced by the Punjab Government has attracted all the major industrial houses of the country as the heads of all TATA Companies recently visited Punjab to explore maximum investment avenues and expressed confidence that the state would soon emerge as No. 1 investment destination in the Country. Earlier, addressing the solar power developers, Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Non Conventional Energy Minister Punjab said that the state was committed to draw full advantage of solar boom and would make concerted efforts to harness maximum resources in renewable energy sector. Mr. Majithia revealed that Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh had started bidding process simultaneously. Punjab allocates solar power projects to the tune of 250 MW after completing the bidding process for 300 MW solar power, while Rajasthan allocates 75 MW, Tamil Nadu 200 MWand Andhra Pradesh 200 MW against the bidding process of 100, 1000 and 1000 MW respectively. He said that at present country has 1000MW installed capacity of Solar Power Projects and with companies like Lanco Solar Energy, Punj Lloyd Infrastructure, Moser Baer Clean Energy, Essel Infra Projects, Asopus Infrastructure (India Bulls), Welspun Solar Punjab , Azure Urja and Solairedirect Energy, who were the major players for these projects throughout the country, have now preferred Punjab for investment keeping in view the unique incentives offered in NRSE Policy 2012. Mr. Majithia said that till date the state has harnessed 569MW in the Renewable Energy Sector out of which 134MW in Small / Mini Hydel, 62.5MW in Biomass Power (IPP), 362 MW in Co-generation and 10.5MW in Solar Photovoltaic Power sectors. He informed that under the NRSE Policy-2012, the targets for installed capacity generation of Solar Power has been fixed at 1000MW by 2022. He said that biomass Power Generation projects of 600MW and Co-generation Power Project of 500MW were intended to be set up gainfully to utilize the abundant agriculture residues. A total of 400MW small/mini/micro hydel & 50MW of Waste to Energy power projects have been planned to be setup under NRSE Policy 2012. He said that fiscal and financial incentives were being provided by the State under the NRSE Policy to encourage private sector participation in this area noticeably in terms of assured buy back of power by state utility. With a view to give a thrust to roof top solar power generation, a survey of Government Buildings, Institutions in various Districts in the State, has been completed; and as per which roof capacity of 60MW was immediately available to be harnessed, he added. Mr. Anirudh Tiwari, Secretary Power and Non Conventional Energy Sources, said that the allocation of 250 MW Solar Power Projects was a step towards sustainable development. He said that the state has already approached the IIT, Ropar and other technical institutions of the region to develop a viable technology for usage of Paddy straw for generating power or ethanol. He said that the solar power projects have been awarded in two categories of 1-4 MW and 5-30 MW. In small category of 1-4 MW total 18 companies were awarded power projects to the tune of 50 MW while in 5-30 MW categories 11 renowned companies have been awarded projects for 200 MW solar power. Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Mr. Manasavi Kumar, CEO PEDA and Mr. Balour Singh, Director PEDA. It may be mentioned here that in category II i.e. 5-30 MW capacity the companies including Azure Urja Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi (two projects one each of 15 MW, Solairedirect Energy India Private Limited, Pune (20 MW), Welspun Solar Punjab Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai (two projects one 20 MW and one 10 MW), Punj Lloyd Infrastructure Limited (20 MW), Moserbaer Clean Energy Limited, New Delhi (two projects one each of 15 MW), Asopus Infrastructure Limited (two projects one 20 MW and one 10 MW), EsselInfraprojects Ltd., Mumbai (two projects of 20 and 10 MW capacity) and Lanco Solar Energy Private Limited, Gurgaon (10 MW) have been awarded projects. While in category I i.e. 1-4 MW capacity the following 18 companies namely WAA Solar Pvt. Ltd, T R Energy & Agro Private Limited, International Switchgears Pvt. Ltd, Aditya Media Sales Ltd., Mumbai, Shan Solar Pvt. Ltd, Supreme Infrastructre India Ltd., Gurgaon, Azure Urja Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, SAR Capital Pvt. Ltd, Focal Energy Wind India Pvt. Ltd, Focal Energy Wind India Pvt. Ltd, Atma Powers Private Limited, Muktsar, Allianz Group LLC, Ludhiana, NexgenSolex Pvt. Ltd., I K Energy Pvt. Ltd, Asopus Infrastructure Limited, Abundant Ventures LLC, USA, Welspun Solar Punjab Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, Mokia Green Energy Pvt. Ltd and Earth Solar Pvt. Ltd. have got projects. ----------- PHILLAUR RE-LAUNCHES WEBSITE OF PUNJAB TOURISM Ø WEBSITE PORTRAYS REAL PICTURE OF MINI PUNJAB Chandigarh July 23: Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Tourism Minister Punjab has re-launched a new official website aimed at portraying a real picture of Punjab. The new website has been designed keeping in view the requirement of online visitors. It has been divided into three sections namely Travel, Trade and Media. Travel section holds information for interested tourists and visitors who would be able to plan their trip based on information on various site for eco-tourism, pilgrimage, heritage, Archaeological themes, handicraft shopping and other information. Trade section includes information which would be helpful to trade partners like travel agents and tour operators in order to promote Punjab. Information on tenders, trade exhibitions, development projects, new schemes, on-going projects can also be found in this section. Media section includes all the latest information relating to tourism offices and information Centre across state, information on upcoming events, statistics and surveys, e-magazine, e-brochures and other information. Speaking on the occasion the Minister said that the website with altogether new features has been designed in an attractive and colorful manner. The videos depicting the vibrant Punjab have also been uploaded besides detailed description of all the tourist destinations in the state. Terming it more of a travelogue, the Minister said that district wise pictorial information describing each district about its historical and religious background together with the accommodations available and tours conducted, cuisine, restaurants and other attractions recommend by Punjab tourism was also attributed in the website. While congratulating the entire Punjab Tourism Team for reviving and re-launching of tourism website, he said that website is an integral part of any tourism organization globally. Search engine optimization would be next step which would enable Tourism website to be more visible in search criteria through specific keywords. This would be very helpful tool in marketing state tourism to domestic and international tourists. He also asked the officers concerned with the website to keep updating on regular basis to with a view to ensuring the latest information of the users in the field of their interest. Principal Secretary Tourism, Secretary Tourism, Director Tourism and Executive Director Punjab Heritage and Tourism promotion Board (PHTPB) and other officials of PHTPB were present on the occasion. The website www. punjabtourism.gov.in is ready for the users. ------------ INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT PUNJAB ONLINE APPLICATIONS SOUGHT FOR MERIT CUM MEANS SCHOLARSHIP Chandigarh July 23: The Punjab Government has sought online applications for merit cum means scholarships from students belonging to minority communities in the state. Disclosing this here today Punjab Schedule Castes and Backward Classes Minister S. Gulzar Singh Ranike said that students belonging to minority communities i.e.Sikhs, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists & Parsis pursuing technical or professional courses at graduate/post graduate levels in the Punjab state approved institutions under Merit-cum-Means Based Scholarship Scheme for the Session 2013-14 can apply for the scholarships.Describing the eligibility conditions of the scholarship, the minister said that the annual income of the parent/ guardian of the beneficiary should not exceed Rs.2.50 lacs from all sources and scholarship is awarded to the students who have secured not less than 50% marks or equivalent grade in the previous final examination. A scholarship holder under this scheme would not avail any other scholarship/stipend for pursuing the course. He said that renewal of scholarship depends on successful completion of the course during the preceding year and securing not less than 50% marks. He further said that Aadhar Number is mandatory for the residents of Gurdaspur, SBS Nagar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Jalandhar and Barnala districts to apply online and the Bank Account Number of the student should be Aadhar enabled. The minister said that a student residing in Punjab state is entitled for scholarship under the quota of the State irrespective of his place of study. He said that income certificate should be on self-certification basis by way of an affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper for self-employed parents/guardian and from employer for employed parents/guardian. The minister further said that maintenance allowance from the date of admission (for 10 months only) of Rs. 10000 per annum (Rs.1000/-per month) for the hosteler and of Rs. 5000 per annum (Rs.500/-per month) for the day-scholars. Similarly course fee of Rs. 20000 per annum or actual whichever is less would be given to hostelers and day-scholars and full course fee would be reimbursed for National Level Institutions like IITs and IIMs etc. Regarding time lines for fresh/renewal applications, the minister said that last date for submission of online applications to the institutions for fresh scholarships by students is 30thSeptember, 2013 and hard copies to Welfare department by the institutes is 20thOctober, 2013. Similarly for renewal scholarships, the last date for students is 31st December, 2013 and for the institutes is 15thJanuary, 2014, he added. ------- Ex-Principal convicted by Patiala Court for misuse of Funds Chandigarh, July 23: Patiala Court has convicted Ex-Head of the government senior school of Village Harpalpur of Tehsil Rajpura for misusing DDO powers & fraud in funds. He has been sentenced two years of imprisonment and fined Rs. Ten Thousand. Disclosing this information Vigilance Bureau Punjab spokesman said that Vigilance police registered a case against the convicted principal under corruption prevention Act under 13(1) D, 13 (2) 88 and 409 and 120 B of 9 PC in the year 2008. He said that Patiala Court special Judge Mr. NPS Gill gave this judgment. He said that Amarjit Singh as principal of Government School drew Rs. 3 lac from GPF on 13-3-2002 misusing his DDO powers. He added that Principal again after making alteration on the earlier permission allotted to with draw GPF again drew Rs 3 lac by making fake bill and committed a fraud with government. After that vigilance Patiala verified all the matter and registered the case. - 1.15 CRORE AVAILED THE SERVICES OF RTS ACT-SUKHBIR
CHANDIGARH, JULY 22: The noble initiative of Punjab Government to empower the citizens to take the delivery of Citizen Services as a matter of right has achieved tremendous success, with 1.5 crore citizen availing the services under Right To Services Act during its first year alone. Reviewing the implementation of RTS Act in a meeting with the Chairman Right to Service Commission Mr. S.C.Aggarwal, the Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that the basic purpose of empowering the citizens has been partially fulfilled with only pendency of 0.93 % civil services and 4.66 percent pendency of police services as per latest data. Stressing upon the micro analysis of individual services, Mr. Badal said that we should not get complacent with statistical data to do micro analysis right from desk level. He felt that in the critical services like Demarcation of land, Police Verification, Sanction of Building Plan, NOC from various departments and some Municipal Services, the achievement was not more than 50 to 60 percent. He said that this shows that either our timelines were unrealistic or something was wrong at the delivery end. He asked the Chief Secretary to conduct a thorough study of this problem to achieve satisfaction level of 99 percent and above. Approving new software for micro management, Mr. Badal said that by the new software the moment a citizen apply for a service he would give his mobile number and he would immediately get SMS informing about his request for the service, specific dates on which that service would be delivered and would give him a unique identity number. He said that the citizen by entering that Unique Identity Number on the web portal of the department would be able to track the progress of his application online and on completion of the process of his service an SMS would go to the citizen informing him about the successful completion of his service. Requesting RTS commission to play more proactive role, Mr. Badal said that by online live monitoring the delivery of services by various departments they should suo motto take cognizance of delay happening at any level and instead of waiting for people to appeal, the Commission penalize the erring employ, besides putting a warning in his record. He said that Commission should also launch a multimedia campaign to educate the masses regarding Right to Service Act so that more and more people should come forward to exercise their right in the act. Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Dr. Parmod Kumar, Chairman Governance Reforms Commission, Mr. S.C. Aggarwal, Chairman Right To Service Commission, Mr. Rakesh Singh, Chief Secretary, Punjab, Mr. C. Roul, Secretary Governance Reforms and Principal Secretaries of all concerned departments. -------------
PUNJAB ALL SET FOR SECOND GENERATION GOVERNANCE REFORMS-SUKHBIR
CHANDIGARH, JULY 22: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today set in motion the Second Generation Governance Reforms, integrating all governance reforms, citizen services under one umbrella body. Reviewing the implementation of Reform in various departments including police, revenue, local bodies, transport etc, Mr. Badal said that after stabilizing the system of Governance Reforms in various departments, time has come for integrating of these services under one umbrella body, so that all citizen services whether rural or urban were accessible to the common citizens from a single computer terminal. He said that backend database of all services would be made compatible with each other, integrated and put on a central server. Mr. Badal said that presently various departments were working separately to implement the Governance Reforms and provide citizen services to the people. The Revenue Department has setup Fard Kendras, District Administrations have set up Suwidha Kendras and Police Department has setup SAANJH Kendras and there was no integration in the services of these departments. He said that Punjab Government has decided to setup ‘Cyber Kiosks’ in every Urban Ward and every Village that would be directly connected to centralized server. He said that a citizen approaching that cyber kiosk all services urban or rural from the single terminal would be provided. Asking the Revenue Department to put the project of Online Registrations of Urban Properties on fast track, Mr. Badal said that his purpose was to provide world class services to the buyer of properties. He was informed that 161 Fard Kendras out of 167 have been operationlised and copy of record is given to the applicant on the spot. He said that 12683 villages out of 13001 have been made live through Fard Kendras, Mr. Badal said that he would like to have third party audit of services being provided by the Fard Kendras and other reforms department to check the authenticity claims being made by the various departments. Sanctioning 300 more SAANJH Kendras of police department, Mr. Badal said that presently 280 Police SAANJH Kendras were working and he asked the police department to opertionalise 300 more SAANJH Kendras within six months. He said that the experiment of SAANJH Kendras has attracted the worldwide attraction and different states were approaching Punjab to replicate this example in their states. He asked the Police Department to have a separate cadre of staff working in SAANJH Kendras so that they should have their distinct identity, different from the police. Expressing satisfaction over implementation of Governance Reforms, Mr. Badal said that we have to launch a multimedia campaign to educate them regarding timelines of various services so that they should take these services in time bound matter as a matter of right. Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Dr. Parmod Kumar, Chairman Governance Reforms Commission, Mr. S.C. Aggarwal, Chairman Right To Service Commission, Mr. Rakesh Singh, Chief Secretary, Punjab, Mr. C.S Roul, Secretary Governance Reforms and Principal Secretaries of all concerned departments. -------------- CHIEF MINISTER’S OFFICE, PUNJAB CM CALLS FOR REVOLUTIONIZING EDUCATION SYSTEM OF THE STATE TO BENEFIT THE POOR · ASKS UNIVERSITIES TO EVOLVE SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR TRAINING THE POOREST OF POOR RURAL STUDENTS AFTER MATRIC · SPECIAL SCHOOLS TO COME UP AT MOHALI, JALANDHAR, LUDHIANA, PATIALA, AMRITSAR AND BATHINDA · BATS FOR CAREER GUIDANCE SCHEMES FOR THE RURAL STUDENTS · FORMS COMMITTEE TO PROMOTE RESEARCH IN THE STATE Chandigarh, July 22- Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today called for a “revolutionary” upgradation of the school education in the state to facilitate the poorest of poor but brilliant rural students, for having access to the quality education. Presiding over a high level meeting of the Vice Chancellors of the Universities, Principals of the prestigious Government Model Senior Secondary Schools of UT Chandigarh and other educational experts of the state, the Chief Minister asked them to play a pro-active role in complete transformation of school education in the state. “We just can’t afford to let our poor meritorious students to suffer due to lack of infrastructure and proper counseling. The poor meritorious students thus deserve special attention for shaping their destiny”. Laying thrust on the need for providing quality education to the poor students securing more than 80% of marks at metric level at Government schools in rural areas, the Chief Minister said that the universities must evolve a mechanism through which these bright students could be groomed from 10 plus one and two classes by imparting the quality education in professional courses. He said that the Universities must initiate the program under ‘University Colleges of Professional Studies for Rural students’ under which they must develop a centre/ school in the major cities under their jurisdiction where the students could be delivered quality education free cost along with boarding and lodging facilities. Mr. Badal said that this would not only help in providing better employment facilities to students but would also go a long way in exploring the vast untapped potential of the brilliants students in the rural areas of the state. Unfolding his dream project to ensure congenial atmosphere to the meritorious poor students of rural areas securing above 80% marks, the Chief Minister asked the Principal Secretary School Education to depute the state’s Chief Architect to visit the premises of local Sector 16 Government Model Senior Secondary School before finalizing the building lay out plan. Mr. Badal desired that these upcoming School buildings with hostel facilities should be double storeyed. Chairman PSEB apprised the Chief Minister that nearly 3200 such brilliant students had been identified by them who have secured more than 80% marks in matriculation while studying in the rural schools during the academic year 2012-13. Keeping in view the tremendous potential of the rural school children, majority of whom had been bereft of the basic infrastructure and quality education, would now be given level playing field to compete with their counterparts in convent and private schools. This concept, Mr. Badal said would also ensure far better results due to the factor of homogeneity as all the students admitted in such schools must possess 80% marks as a ‘benchmark’. He asked the Education department to prepare an action plan to set up such schools at major cities like Mohali, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Amritsar and Bathinda, which would functional from the next academic session. The Chief Minister said that such effort of the universities with the help of the state government would also be beneficial in bridging the ever widening gap between the haves and have-nots in the field of education. Assuring fulsome support and cooperation to the universities for this noble cause, Mr. Badal said that the state government would leave no stone unturned for it. He also said that the system must be consistently updated and fine tuned to ensure that children who lag behind were also given the requisite attention to help them attain employability and vocational skills. Underscoring the need for giving career guidance to the meritorious students, the Chief Minister said that due to the lack of this facility the rural students were unable to opt the right stream of studies in their life, which ultimately hampered their future. He said that it was a known fact that the parents of most of the rural students were uneducated due to which they were not able to give any advice to their wards in such matters. Therefore Mr. Badal said that the universities must make endeavors to make the students aware about their career prospects by organizing special camps for them. He also asked the Education department of the state to publish small booklets for this purpose to be distributed amongst the students. Emphasizing on the need for more research in the various fields, the Chief Minister also constituted a committee of the Vice Chancellors and educational experts to finalize the proposals regarding the research to be undertaken by them in various fields. He asked the committee to examine the various aspects of the Research to be undertaken by them so that overlapping could be avoided. Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Education Minister Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka, Advisor to Chief Minister on Media and National Affairs Mr. Harcharan Singh Bains, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Higher Education Mrs. Ravneet Kaur, Principal Secretary School Education Mrs. Anjali Bhanwra, Secretary Science & Technology Mr. Anirudh Tiwari and Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh. ------------ PUNJAB GOVERNMENT EXTENDS LAST DATE TO PAY OUTSTANDING BILLS OF HOUSE TAX, WATER AND SEWERAGE · NO INTEREST & PENALTY BE IMPOSED ON PAYMENT UP TILL AUGUST 31: BHAGAT CHANDIGARH, JULY 22: In a big relief to the urban population of the state the Punjab Government today extended the last date of payment of outstanding bills of house tax, water and sewerage. The date now has been fixed as August 31 which was earlier May 31. It was disclosed by Mr. Chunni Lal Bhagat, Minister for Local Bodies, in a press communiqué here today. He said that the consumers in order to avail this benefit have to deposit the actual bills up to August 31, 2013. He said that by extending the last date the department has also decided to waive off the interest money and other penalties imposed on the outstanding bills of house tax, water and sewerage up till August 31. He further said that written instruction in this regard has already been dispatched to all the commissioner of the Municipal Corporations, Regional Deputy Directors of the Local Urban Bodies and Executive Officers of the all Nagar Councils and Panchayats. “The officers have also been told to sensitize the public about the initiative of the Government, so that more and more people can avail this opportunity”, the Minister added. ------ PUNJAB ANNOUNCES 1% QUOTA FOR CANCER AND AIDS VICTIM STUDENTS IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS · MUST HAVE TO PRODUCE THE MEDICAL DOCUMENTS REGARDING CANCER AND AIDS Chandigarh, July 22: The Punjab government has announced to provide 1% reservation to all Cancer and AIDS victims students in admissions at the Technical Education institutions across the state. This decision would be implemented from the current academic session. Mr. Anil Joshi, Technical Education and industrial Minister, Punjab today said that the Punjab government has taken this decision to provide the equal opportunities to Cancer and AIDS victim students in study as well as to escape them from inferiority complex. He said that with this decision the students affected by Cancer and AIDS would be able to get 1% reservation at the time of admission in all the engineering colleges, polytechnics and ITIs. To get the benefit of reservation, candidates must have to produce the Cancer and AIDS related medical documents at the time of admission. He said that private technical institutions have been urged to come forward to the help of victims of AIDS and cancer. He said that the students suffering from these deadly diseases must be given equal opportunity to pursue their studies and the institutions should protect their fundamental rights in this regard. He said that any case of discrimination with the patients of these diseases in any institution would not be tolerated.
NOMINATIONS INVITED FOR NATIONAL AWARDSIN E-GOVERNANCE Chandigarh July 22: The department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances has invited nominations from all the Departments, Boards, Corporations and Authorities of Punjab Government for the National Awards to be conferred for e-Governance for the year 2013-14. While giving this information here today, a spokesman of the Department said that these awards were conferred by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances in collaboration with Department of Information Technology, Government of India in recognition to promoting excellence in implementation of e-Governance initiatives. He said that these awards would be presented in categories of Excellence in Government Process Re-engineering, Exemplary Re-use of ICT-based solutions, Outstanding Performance in Citizen-Centric Service Delivery, Innovative use of Technology in e-Governance, Innovative use of ICT by PSUs for Customer’s Benefits, Best Government Portal and Specific Sectoral Award for the current year would be given on Health care programmes. He said that nominations of deserving initiatives could send to the Department by July 31, 2013. The awards would be presented during the 17th National Conference on e-Governance to be held in January 2014. More information could be obtained from website of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, on www. darpg.nic.in, he added.
Punjab Government issues fresh guidelines on GP fund accounts of Group D employees Chandigarh, July 22: The Punjab Government has issued fresh guidelines to maintain the General Provident Fund (GPF) of Class IV employees (now group D) in the state. Disclosing this here today a official spokesman of the Punjab government said that a new pension scheme was implemented for the employees recruited after January 1, 2004 on which the deduction for GPF was not applicable. The GPF accounts of Group D Employees were not maintained properly. He further said that earlier GPF account were maintained by the Heads of the respective department but now the same for Group A, B and C would be maintained by account maintaining officer. He also said that the GPF account for Group D would also be maintained at district wise or Category wise. Where GPF with nomination was available would be kept in the safe custody under the supervision of the concerned officers. Referring to the sanctioned amount of refundable of non-refundable advance, he said that concerned accounts officer should be intimated in time.
pannu posted as Secretary Agriculture Chandigarh, July 22: Mr. Kahan Singh pannu, IAS has been posted as Secretary, Agriculture relieving Sh V.K Sharma IAS of this charge. This was disclosed here today by a spokesman of the Punjab Government.
PUNJAB APPROVES 9 NEW ROAD PROJECTS: DHILLON · RS 1400 CRORE TO BE SPENT ON 460 KM ROADS CHANDIGARH, JULY 21: The Punjab Government has given approval to 9 new Road Projects which would cost Rs 1400 Crore. Disclosing this here today, Mr. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Public Works Department Minister, said that Punjab Government conducted special survey in the State under which these nine road projects were identified. He said that the new road projects include 70.67 km Barnala-Mansa-Sardulgarh-Sirsa Road(Up to Haryana Border), 33.75 km Ratiya- Boha- Budhlada- Bhikhi Road, 24.05 km Mukerian-Gurdaspur road, 59.16 km Dharamkot- Zira- Ferozepur Road, 33.50 km Phillaur- Naggar-Rahon Road, 87.70 km Kapurthala-Tarn Taran- Chhabal- Attari Road, 56.57 km Chandigarh-Landran- Chunni- Sirhind road, 52.50 km Rampura-Maur-Talwandi Sabo-Raman Mandi and 33.60 km Shri Mukatsar sahib-Malout Road. Mr. Dhillon said that detailed report for this project is prepared and all primary formalities for this project would be completed within coming three months. Mr Dhillon further said that under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Mr Parkash singh Badal and visionary guidance of Deputy Chief Minister Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, Punjab is all set to become the state, having best road connectivity in the country. He added that during tenure of the SAD-BJP Government Rs 624 Crore were spent on upgrading 520 KM Roads and 33 Railway Over bridges were built with the cost of 564 Crore. - SMO’S AND CIVIL SURGEON’S SHOULD STAY 24X7 AT THE PLACE OF POSTING: MITTAL · MINISTER COMPLETES TOUR OF 13 DISTRICTS TO REVIEWS HEALTH SERVICES IN THE · PEOPLE SHOULD AVAIL FREE MEDICINE FACILITY AT DRUG STORES OF THE GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS · NEW RACKS TO BE INSTALLED AT GOVERNMENT DRUG STORES · DIRECTS OFFICIALS TO SOLVE ISSUES RELATED TO GENERATOR SETS, MORTUARY FREEZERS, CLEANLINESS ON PRIORITY Chandigarh, July 21: All Senior Medical Officer’s and Civil Surgeon’s should stay 24X7 at the place of their posting and no one would leave the station without prior permission from the concerned officer. Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Punjab issuing instructions regarding this has also instructed that Senior Medical Officer’s and Civil Surgeon’s should ensure proper attendance of supporting staff in the hospitals. Health Minister held a high level meeting with senior officials of the department after touring 13 districts of the state to review the health services in the state. He stated that Punjab Government is committed to provide 24X7 quality Health Services to the people of the state and no laxity would be tolerated at any level. Expressing his satisfaction over the overall health services in the government hospitals, he said that due to historic initiatives of the Punjab Government especially all free medicines are made available in sufficient number at drug stores of the government hospitals all over the state. Mr. Mittal said that during his tour some issues came to his notice and he has directed Senior Health Officials to solve them on priority such as generator sets at government hospitals are not being properly utilised whereas there is no such issue at the higher department level and all funds related to this are being provided timely to the hospitals. He directed that responsibility of the Civil Surgeon/SMO should be fixed if there is any complaint regarding Generator sets not being utilised in the hospitals. Minister also directed the officials to ensure that mortuary freezers are working properly. Minister also directed that fire fighting units should be made operational as they could be easily used when need arises and cleanliness of hospitals and hospital compounds should be maintained properly. He also asked the officials to make new racks for storage of Medicines in the drug stores of the government hospitals. Others prominent present in the meeting were Mr. Vini Mahajan Principal Secretary Health & Family Welfare, Mr. Husan Lal MD Punjab Health Systems Corporation, Dr. Ashok Nayer Director Health Services, Punjab and Dr. Rajesh Sharma Joint Director PHSC. - PUNJAB GOVERNMENT CONSTITUTES THREE DEVELOPMENT BOARDS FOR MAIZE, COTTON AND LITCHI PANELS TO BE HEADED BY CM TO SUGGEST STRENGTHENING OF R&D FOR IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY AND PROCESSING OF THESE CROPS Chandigarh, July 21- In a bid to promote the cultivation of Maize and Cotton as alternate crops besides the plantation of Litchi fruit in a big way under the state's ambitious Agriculture diversification program, the Punjab Government has constituted three development boards for motivating the farmers to grow these crops and fruit. Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said that the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal has given nod to set up these boards under his Chairmanship with Agriculture Minister as Vice Chairman besides 12 members of Maize Development Board, 11 members of Cotton Development Board and eight members of Litchi Development Board. The Maize development Board would consist of Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Agriculture, Financial Commissioner Development (FCD), Chairman Punjab State Farmers' Commission, Vice chancellor Punjab Agriculture University Ludhiana, Secretary Food and Civil Supplies, Secretary Punjab Mandi Board, Managing Director Markfed, Managing Director Punjab Agro Industries Corporation (PAIC), Commissioner Agriculture, Director Dairy Development as members besides Director Agriculture as the Convener. Likewise, the Cotton Development Board would comprise Industries and Commerce Minister, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Agriculture, Financial Commissioner Development, Chairman Punjab State Farmers' Commission, Vice chancellor Punjab Agriculture University Ludhiana, Secretary Industries and Commerce, Managing Director Markfed, Commissioner Agriculture, General Manager Cotton Corporation of India, Bathinda and Director Agriculture as members while the Secretary Punjab Mandi Board would be the Convener of the Board. Similarly, the Litchi Development Board would have Chief Parliamentary Secretary Agriculture, Financial Commissioner Development, Chairman Punjab State Farmers' Commission, Vice Chancellor Punjab Agriculture University Ludhiana, Managing Director Markfed, Managing Director Punjab Agro Industries Corporation and Commissioner Agriculture as members whereas Director Horticulture would be its convener. The Maize and Cotton Development Boards would have 10 progressive farmers and 3 representatives of processing industry each in the state to be nominated by FCD as members for a term of three years while in the case of the Litchi Development Board 10 progressive Litchi growers would be nominated as members for same term. The Board may invite any eminent agriculture scientist and outstanding Maize consumer/ processor, outstanding entrepreneur associated with Cotton processing or outstanding entrepreneur associated with Food Processing as special invitees to the meetings. Maize and Cotton Development Boards would meet from time to time but atleast once in six months but Litchi Board would meet once in three months. Nine and seven members would be quorum for any meeting of the Maize/ Cotton and Litchi Board respectively. These board members would not be entitled to receive any remuneration for the performance of their duty except such daily and travelling allowance as may be prescribed. The Boards had been mandated to examine and review the status of cultivation of Cotton/ Maize crops and Litchi fruit in the state and to suggest measures for their development; to coordinate the activities the Research and Development for improving their productivity and production and upgrade their quality through propagation of appropriate crop production technology; to evaluate the existing storage and processing practices and suggest measures for improving their processing and up-gradation of processing industry; to act as a professional platform amongst the Maize/ Cotton/ Litchi growers, industry and state government for interaction regarding their development, creation of brand through organization and participation in national and international exhibitions in case of Litchi and resolution of issue, if any; and to arrange studies and research to help plan, evaluate and suggest medium and long term strategies for development of Maize/ Cotton besides Litchi in view of World Trade Organization (WTO) and its Agreement on Agriculture (AoA). All these Boards had been asked to device their own procedures to regulate their functioning. - BADAL ASKS PSPCL TO RELEASE TUBEWELL CONNECTION UNDER ARTC SCHEME WITHIN THREE MONTHS · CANAL WATER CHARGES TO BE RATIONALIZED AS PER OLD SYSTEM · FARMERS ALLOWED TO UTILIZE EARTH FROM THEIR FIELDS FOR PERSONAL PURPOSES Chandigarh, July 20 The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal directed the PSPCL to release the tubewell connection to the farmers under ARTC scheme within three months positively after the submission of test report by them. A decision to this effect was taken by Mr. Badal in a meeting with the delegation of BKU led by its President Mr. Balbir Singh Rajewal here at Chief Minister’s residence this evening. Mr. Badal asked the Chairman PSPCL to issue detailed guidelines to the officers in this regard to ensure its strict compliance. On the issue of Voluntary Disclosure Scheme (VDS) to slash the rate from Rs 4500 to Rs 1000 per BHP for enhancing the load capacity of the motors in view of depleting water table, the Chief Minister apprised the delegation that the Chairman PSPCL had already taken up this issue with the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission so that the matter could be resolved amicably at the earliest. To another demand for ensuring uninterrupted power supply for eight hours for the ongoing paddy season, Mr. Badal asked the Chairman PSPCL to intensify efforts to provide adequate power supply to the farmers during these operations. Mr. Badal also asked the Chief Engineer Canals to revert back the old system of levying Abiana so that water charges on canal water used by the farmers could be rationalized to their advantage. Responding to another issue regarding the mistakes in the computerized land records, Mr. Badal asked the Financial Commissioner Revenue to ensure correct entries by the Patwaris in the land record and in case of any mistakes, occurring inadvertently should be rectified forthwith after brought into the notice of concerned revenue officials. To this, FCR informed Mr. Badal that the number of mistakes in these land records had been drastically brought down from 10,000 to 32, 00 following strict vigil by the revenue officers. The Chief Minister also approved the Forest department’s scheme of barbed fencing around the sanctuaries namely Bir Moti Bagh, Gurdialpura, Dosanjh, Bhadson and Bhunnarheri to protect the crops from severe damage caused by the wild animals and stray cattle. He agreed to include this proposal of Rs. 13.67 crore in the RKVY. The Chief Minister also assured the delegation that the unscrupulous dealers of fertilizers and pesticides caught red-handed by the Agriculture department, involved in the for the sale of adulterated fertilizers would not be spared at any cost and asked the FCD to immediately initiate stern action against them for cheating the innocent farmers. In another significant decision the Chief Minister directed the Principal Secretary Industries to allow the farmers for mining of the earth (Mitti) from their fields for personal/domestic use as now they were unduly harassed by the Police under the pretext of mining provisions. Meanwhile, the Principal Secretary Industries apprised Mr. Badal that the SIT headed by IG Bathinda by the state government on the issue of mining in compliance with the directions of Punjab & Haryana High Court has categorically asked all the DCs and SSPs to allow the farmers to utilize earth dug from their fields for purpose of personal use either for leveling of fields or courtyards in their houses. On the issue of releasing arrears worth Rs.150 crore on account of paddy bonus during drought, Mr. Badal asked the FCD to take up the issue with Finance department for the release of payment at the earliest. Prominent amongst others who were attended the meeting FCR Mr. NS Kang, FCD Mr. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary Forest Mr. DS Bains, Principal Secretary Industry & Commerce Mr. Karn Avtar Singh, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Commissioner Agriculture Mr. BS Sidhu, Chairman PSPCL Mr. KD Chaudary and Chief Engineer Canals Mr. AS Dulat. - ONE LAC YOUTH TO BE TRAINED THROUGH STATE PROGRAM ON SELF-EMPLOYMENT IN AGRICULTURE AND ALLIED ACTIVITIES
· BADAL GIVES NOD TO SET UP STATE BEE-BOARD FOR THE PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF BEE-KEEPING APPROVES Rs. 21.30 CRORE FOR POST HARVEST MANAGEMENT · GoI RELEASES FIRST INSTALLMENT OF Rs. 30 CRORE UNDER NHM FOR 2013-14 · CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR TREATMENT OF BRACKISH WATER TO COME UP AT BATHINDA Chandigarh, July 20 In a significant initiative to train nearly one lac youth of the state as a part of its ambitious agriculture diversification program, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today okayed the state program for training of youth for self-employment in agriculture and allied activities. This decision was taken by Mr. Badal while presiding over a meeting of the senior officers of the Horticulture and Agriculture department here at Chief Minister’s residence this morning. The Chief Minister asked the Financial Commissioner Development (FCD) to work out the modalities for imparting training to the youth for enabling them to take up agriculture and allied activities like dairy, fisheries, mushroom, piggery, goatry, bee-keeping etc. as self-employed ventures. Mr. Badal also asked the FCD to look into the ways and means for establishing the State board for promotion and development of bee-keeping in a mission mode and appoint a senior officer not below the rank of Joint/Additional Director of the Horticulture department as its mission director. The bee-keeping board as desired by CM would explore possibilities for the production, processing and marketing of the honey not only in the domestic market but also in the country and abroad. Mr. Badal directed the FCD to seek vital inputs from the National Bee Board (NBB) for the constitution of state board in this regard and invite one of their members as technical expert to it. He also asked the horticulture department to prepare a directory of all the bee-keepers in the state so as to provide them training for the production and preservation of honey on scientific lines adding he said the data collected thus in the form of the directory could be utilized to extend support to the existing bee-keepers. The Director horticulture apprised Mr. Badal in the meeting that there were nearly 33,000 bee-keepers in the state at present, who had adopted bee-keeping as business adding the Chief Minister said that more bee-keepers should be encouraged to take up bee-keeping as an allied agriculture vocation and we should at least fix a target of one lac persons to be engaged in bee-keeping. This would motivate the persons to take up bee-keeping as gainful occupation but also strengthen the dwindling base of agriculture in the state. Mr. Badal also asked the horticulture department to tie up with the Markfed-Asia’s largest Cooperative network to provide assured marketing facilities to the bee-keepers under its premium brand ‘Sohna’. The Chief Minister also gave nod to the action plan of Horticulture department of Rs. 75 crore for the year 2013-14 under National Horticulture Mission (NHM) as the state had already got Rs. 30 crore as first installment from GoI. Under the approved State program of horticulture, new orchards of high yielding varieties of fruits would be established besides setting up of three hi-tech nurseries, of two would be of kinnow and one of guava to provide the best quality and disease resistant plants of these fruits to the farmers. He also gave nod to establish Centre of excellence for treatment of Brackish Water at Bathinda at the cost of nearly Rs. Seven crore which would suggest remedies to the farmers for the treatment of brackish water especially in the waterlogged areas. The Chief Minister asked the Director Horticulture to ensure the maintenance of orchards through keeping close supervision by the experts of department and PAU. He also underscored the need to focus on the post-harvest management and approved Rs. 21.30 crore for pack-houses, cold storages, refer vans and ripening chambers etc. The FCD assured Mr. Badal that horticulture would be soon become a major thrust area after agriculture as the farmers have already realized the higher margin of profits in the cultivation of fruits, vegetables and flowers as compare to traditional crops even on small holding. Prominent amongst others who were attended in the meeting FCD Mr. Suresh Kumar, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, Director Horticulture Mr. Lajwinder Singh Brar, Director Agriculture Dr. Mangal Singh Sandhu besides senior officers of the Mandi Board.
SUKHBIR ADMINISTERS OATH TO 2731 NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS OF 146 PANCHAYAT SAMITIS
LUDHIANA, JULY 19: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab today called upon grass root rural representatives to become active partners in the progress to percolate the gains of development to the remote villages of the state so that every village of the state could become an engine of growth. Announcing Rs. 10000 crore development plan after administering oath of office to newly elected 2731 members of 146 Panchayat Samitis and 331 members of 22 Zila Parishads, Mr. Badal said that now electorates have become mature and they are not bothered about anti incumbency factor. Mr. Badal said that it was reflection of mature democracy that electorates of Punjab have decided to elect the performers and reject the non-performers. Mr. Badal said that all of you have been given sacred responsibility by the people of your village and now it is imperative for you to live up to the promises made to the electorate during your elections. Mr. Badal said that Punjab Government has finalized a massive development plan of Rs. 10000 crore for 13047 villages of the state and in next four years as per the phased plan drawn out by the Rural Development Department, all villages would see a total facelift. Mr. Badal said that he envisioned villages as engine of rural growth that would translate into overall growth of the state. He said that keeping this thing in mind he has finalized over Rs. 10000 crore development plan for all village under which in a phased manner total development of the village chosen for that phase would be undertaken in one go. He said that development plan of villages would envisage concrete sub lanes, 100% water and sewerage connectivity, sewerage disposal and solid waste disposal plans besides relining of ponds of the villages. He said that to ensure optimum utilization of massive development plan, he has ordered e-tendering of all development works besides total computerization of village records and accounts. He said that India has entered into cyber age and he envisions to make every village of Punjab a cyber hub. He said that he was also planning 13000 cyber suwidha kiosks to be setup in each village under which incharge of Cyber Kiosks would deliver 13 services including electricity and water bills, telephone and mobile bills, mobile recharge, complaints about water supply, sewerage and power and any disruption in tubewell water or canal water under one roof on the spot. He also lauded the role of revenue department for total computerization of land records under which now every villager can get village records on the spot without any hassle. He said that even Finance Commission, Planning Commission had requested the Punjab Government to provide details of this computerization model so that it could be successfully implemented in other states. He said that under 12th Finance Commission Rs.66.75 crore were released for providing drinking water facility to the villages and under 13th Finance Commission the amount was raised to Rs. 72.80 crore. He said that it was for the first time that rural toilets were constructed in all the villages. Calling upon village representatives as agents of change, Mr. Badal said that you are fortunate that people of your villages have given you the enormous responsibility to accomplished the development works of your villages and serve the rural population. He said that this rare opportunity would hone your talent and prepare you to face the future challenges. Congratulating the newly elected rural representatives, Mr. Badal said that Punjab has set an example before whole country by successfully and peacefully completing the elections to all the three tiers of Panchayati Raj System giving a rebuff to false propaganda of opposition parties. He said it was a matter of great appreciation that besides Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads, 81190 Panches were elected in the Panchayat elections of 13047 villages and it was for the first time that Punjab has successfully strengthened the grass root democracy at the village level, giving powers to the villagers to accomplished the development works in their villages. Mr. Badal said that Punjab has successfully implemented 73rd amendment of the Constitution by conducting the election through ward system in the most transparent, objective and peaceful manner. He said it was matter of great satisfaction that rural population of Punjab has risen above petty factionalism by electing record 1920 Panchayats unanimously by consensus. Announcing fresh survey to include remaining eligible beneficiaries in Atta-Daal scheme, Mr. Badal said that Punjab was the first state that had addressed the problem of necessity of food security in the era of ever rising prices. He said that the survey had become necessary after receiving lot of representations from poor people, who were left out of original list of blue card holders. He described the drama of Food Security Bill as copycat of Atta-Daal scheme. Promising to fulfill all promises made in the manifesto and first budget of SAD-BJP Government, Mr. Badal said that within 2 months the process of fulfilling most of the promises including providing computer tablets to students, cycles to girl students, Rs. 30000 scholarship to meritorious students, shagun to the poor at the time of marriage, old age pension would be set in motion. Giving a call for optimum utilization of village common lands, Mr. Badal said that our villages were sitting over a kitty of 1.57 lakh acres of cultivable village common lands and due to effective auction the income from these lands saw an increase of Rs.20 crore this year to Rs. 240 crore from earlier Rs. 221 crore. Earlier speaking on the occasion, Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Rural Development and Panchayats Minister, said that within next two years the SAD-BJP Government would fulfill the promise of providing toilet to every rural household. He said that for the first time identity cards have been issued to all newly elected members of Zila Parishads and Block Samitis enabling them to have free access to Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and all ministers. He said that Department would work out similar exercise for all Sarpanch. He said that accessibility of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to the poorest of the poor was the hallmark of this government whereas Congress CM was not even accessible to his own ministers. Local Bodies Minister Mr. Chuni Lal Bhagat said that with the blessings of people SAD-BJP Government would clinch all the 13 seats of Lok Sabha in Punjab on the basis of its performance. He said that peaceful and transparent polling in Zila Parishads and Panchayats elections have sealed the lips of Congress Party that was crying hoarse regarding possibility of rigging. Mr. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, PWD Minister, Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Finance Minister and Mr. Ajit Singh Kohar, Transport Minister, Chaudhary Nand Lal, Mrs. Mohinder Kaur Josh, Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal (all CPS), Mr. Manpreet Singh Iyali, Mr. S.R. Kaler, Mr. Balwinder Singh Bains, Bibi Jagir Kaur (all MLAs), Mr. Maheshinder Singh Grewal, Advisor to Chief Minister and Mr. Santa Singh Umaidpuri, Chairman, Punjab Services Selection Board were present on the occasion. -- AD TO FIELD ITS CANDIDATES IN DELHI VIDHAN SABHA ELECTIONS
LUDHIANA, JULY 19: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab today made it clear that Shiromani Akali Dal would field its candidates for ensuing Vidhan Sabha elections in Delhi and they would fight these elections in alliance with BJP. Answering the questions of media persons after oath administering function here today, Mr. Badal said that after its sterling performance in Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee Elections, the SAD has consolidated its vote bank outside Punjab and was ready to expand its area of activity beyond Punjab. He said that Akali Dal may also field its candidates for Lok Sabha polls from Haryana and Delhi but no final decision has been taken at Party level regarding Lok Sabha elections. He said that going by the eroding credibility of Congress led UPA Government there was possibility of general elections before December. When asked about Manpreet Badal’s pronouncement regarding joining hands with Congress, Mr. Badal said that it was forgone conclusion regarding his collusion with them the moment he resigned from SAD. He described his announcement as inconsequential as ‘zero plus zero’ would always remain zero. When asked about cuts being imposed on industrial sector, Mr. Badal said that he has issued clear directions that there should not be any cuts on domestic sector. He said that industry would have to be cuts for few days as central grid was not allowing Punjab to purchase power more than 5300 MW, keeping in view last year’s grid failure and promised that after December every sector in Punjab would have 24X7 power with generation capacity of Punjab touching 13000 MW against present capacity of 6200 MW. The Deputy CM when apprised about frequent disruption of traffic due to dharnas, he said that he has already issued directions to all Deputy Commissioners to identify separate dharna sites at each district headquarter so that people could exercise their democratic right without causing harassment to general public. On the question of FDI, Mr. Badal said that FDI should be allowed keeping in view the requirement of each sector and there should not be blanket permission for opening the floodgates of FDI. He described Food Security Bill as copycat phenomena as Punjab Government has already implemented this scheme since last six years. Mr. Badal said it is for the first time that all company heads of 11 TATA companies came to our state to explore the possibilities of expansion. He said that he expected massive investment from TATA companies as they were impressed by the vision of Punjab CM Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and Industrial Policy of the state, reform measures and development initiatives of the state government. Mr. Badal said that within one month you would see a massive change in the investment scenario of the state. Mr. Badal said that TATA group was finalising the massive initiative in the skill development area under which 2 lakh youth would be imparted vocational training. On the question of illegal colonies, Mr. Badal clarified that in future no illegal colony would be allowed and our pro people policy was envisaged to help the people to get their old illegal colonies regularised. He clarified that Punjab Government would not give any extension for regularisation of illegal colony and this was the last chance for the people to get their irregularity compounded after nominal fee. He said that to address certain apprehensions of people he has constituted four members committee, where everybody can put forward their views but there would be no extension in the date of application for regularisation of illegal colonies. On a query regarding report in IAS Mr. Kahan Singh Pannu assault case, Mr. Badal said that SIT has not yet submitted its report. In the case of Education Minister Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka, Mr. Badal said that a commission under Justice Jindal was already looking into it and he was not aware about any report prepared by HRD Minister. - VIGILANCE DEPARTMENT ASKS CVOs TO KEEP HAWK'S EYE OVER THE CORRUPT OFFICERS CVOs TO ACT AS LIAISON OFFICERS BETWEEN THEIR RESPECTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND VIGILANCE DEPARTMENT INCLUDING VB CVOs ASKED TO DISCHARGE THEIR DUTIES IN RIGHT EARNEST TO ENSURE TRANSPARENT AND GOOD GOVERNANCE Chandigarh, July 19- In a bid to achieve its objective of zero tolerance towards corruption for bringing far more transparency and efficiency in the state administration, the Punjab Government has issued detailed guidelines to all the Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs) designated in various departments to curb corruption thereby keeping a close tab on the activities of the corrupt officers in their respective departments. Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said that the CVOs have been asked to comply with these instructions meticulously to ensure good governance, keeping in view the larger public interest. The guidelines issued by the State Vigilance department called upon the officers to help the state government in detection of corruption and corrupt officers in their departments, to prepare lists of corrupt officers who enjoyed bad reputation and to ensure effective supervision on them and to so regulate their posting that they do not have scope to indulge in corruption. The CVOs had been asked to pass on information to the Secretary Vigilance regarding such officers so that they could also keep a strict vigil over them besides ensuring prompt and effective departmental actions/ prosecution in courts of corrupt officers when evidence was available, keeping watch over proceedings against the defaulters so that delay did not allow the defaulters to escape punishment. It was also mandatory on the part of the CVOs to check and review the procedures adopted in the department, if necessary, with the Assistance of the Vigilance department to plug loopholes whenever existing which facilitates corruption apart from providing assistance regarding departmental rules and procedures to the investigation officer of the Vigilance department. The CVOs had also been instructed to refer difficult and complicated cases to the Vigilance department for investigation besides scrutinizing cases of compulsory retirement of the corrupt officers at the age of 55 years, to check up cases of compulsory retirement of corrupt government servants even earlier, if permitted by law and rules. It would also be bounden duty on the part of CVOs to scrutinize property returns of the government servants to detect corruption or unreasonable accumulation of property. They have also been authorized to scrutinize reports and have the items included in them investigated, which appear to involve an element of corruption. The CVOs by virtue of these instructions would also act as a liaison officers between their own department and the Vigilance department, including the Vigilance Bureau. The CVOs had also been directed to monitor progress with regard to grant of prosecution sanctioned in the cases referred to their department under advice to the Secretary Vigilance. They have also been asked to ensure that any information, date, advice, record etc. asked for by the Vigilance department/ Vigilance Bureau was made available without any loss of time. The spokesman further said that it has been often observed that the CVOs were not discharging their duties in the right earnest and therefore they have been now asked for strict adherence to these instructions. - MITTAL CALLS ON SANTOSH CHAUDHARY FOR EARLY RELEASE OF PENDING GRANTS
Chandigarh, July 19: Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal, Health & Family Welfare Minister, Punjab called upon Mrs. Santosh Chaudhry, Union Minister of State, Health on Thursday at New Delhi to press upon the Government for the immediate release of the outstanding grants to the Punjab. Divulging this, Mr. Mittal said that the meeting was a just a courtesy call; however it remained quite fruitful as discussions were held on many key issues related to strengthening of Health Services in Punjab. He said that Mrs. Chaudhry agreed on almost all proposals, especially the ones pertaining to strengthening of Ayurveda & Homeopathy Medical Services in the state. The Health Minister brought to the notice of Union State Minister, that funds under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes of AYUSH programme haven't been released by Government of India as yet. This included the supply of essential drugs worth Rs. 1 lac per each of the 524 Ayurvedic dispensaries, release of funds for drugs/diet worth Rs 2.50 lacs per annum for each of the 7 ISM (Indian System of Medicine) wings at Amritsar, Bathinda, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, and Sangrur. Mr. Mittal further emphasized for the early release of funds to the tune of Rs. 2302 lacs for establishing new ISM wings at Mansa, Patiala, Kapurthala, Moga, Muktsar, Faridkot & Fatehgarh Sahib. He further reminded her regarding the proposal given for establishment of 121 specialty clinics in Primary Health Centers for which the second installment of Rs 605 lacs was still pending at the level of Government of India. The state has also proposed an Arogya Mela during 2013-14 at a cost of Rs 35 lacs. Discussions were also held regarding the Punjab State's proposal for upgrading 524 Ayurvedic dispensaries at a cost of Rs. 52 crores. Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal further revealed that under the Homeopathy component, the state has requested for release of Rs 25 crore for establishing AYUSH OPD clinics in Community Health Centers, Sub Divisional Hospitals & District Hospital. Another proposal has been sent for setting up AYUSH wings at a cost of Rs. 5 crore in district Allopathic Hospitals. The state has also demanded Rs 221 lacs for upgradation of Homeopathic dispensaries. Further, for streamlining the supply of essential Homeopathic drugs a proposal of Rs. 134 lacs has been submitted to Government of India. Minister said that the response of Union Minister was very warm and positive and the meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere. He said that he was hopeful for a positive outcome soon as Mrs. Chaudhry agreed on all the issues. Punjab's Health Minister said that Mrs. Santosh Chaudhary has shown keen interest for establishment of that 2 ISM wings (Indian System of Medicine) and Yoga & Naturopathy Centers should be established in Hoshiarpur and to organize the Arogya Mela at Hoshiarpur. Dr. Rakesh Sharma, Director Ayurveda, Punjab and Dr. Ramesh Sharda, Director Homeopathic, Punjab also accompanied the Punjab Health Minister to the meeting. -- Chandigarh, July 19: with a view to ensuring the complete security and safety to the school children the Punjab government has directed the authorized transport companies plying school buses to make sure the enforcement of safety guidelines issued by the state government while plying school buses. Any kind of laxity while handling the school children would not be tolerated. Strict action would be initiated against the driver as well as the transport company. The offence would attract cancellation of their licenses’. Stating this here today a spokesman of the government said that it was unfortunate that due to accidents and negligence in driving every year 4 thousand persons lose their lives in Punjab. Taking serious note of the fatal incidents, the Punjab government has also directed the Transport Authorities to ensure the fitness of the vehicles and directed them to be strict in keeping a vigil on the regulation of speed of the vehicles on roads. The divers should be fully trained and carrying the complete papers while moving out. The spokesman further said that the government has also directed the buses and auto rickshaw owners not to take school students’ beyond the allowed capacity of the vehicle. The erring owners would have to face severe action even the cancellation of their work permit, he added. -- PUNJAB SEEKS SPECIAL PACKAGE FROM CENTRE FOR INDUSTRIAL GROWTH
Chandigarh, July 19:
The Punjab government has sought special package from the union government for the growth of industry in the state. In a written communication to Mr. Anand Sharma, Union Industry & Commerce Minister, Mr. Anil Joshi, Industry and commerce Minister, Punjab has made a fervent appeal to UPA government to immediately grant an economic package to provide a much needed impetus to the stagnant industrial sector in Punjab. Mr Joshi also sought time from Mr. Sharma for a personal meeting to apprise him the gloomy industrial scenario in Punjab for want of financial assistance from union government and it’s apathy towards the long pending demands of Punjab. He said that disbanding of freight equalisation policy non setting up of major public sector industrial projects and its coastal dislocation are the major bottlenecks in the path of industrial growth in Punjab. Mr Joshi reiterated that the union Government's tax concessions for the neighbouring states has led to an unwarranted flight of industry from Punjab to these states. He said that the Punjab is the victim of the circumstances as the long stretch of militancy in the state has adversely effected the overall growth of the state. The communication further mentions that the Punjab being a land locked state sharing international border with the hostile neighbour and practically having no access to the international markets. -- Chandigarh July 19: State Vigilance Bureau today nabbed Secretary Market Committee red handed accepting bribe of Rs. 5,000. Disclosing this here today, Mr. Suresh Arora, Chief Director-cum-DGP Vigilance Bureau Punjab said that Bureau caught Dalbir Singh Secretary Market Committee posted at village Dhoodhan Sadha in district Patiala demanding and accepting bribe of Rs. 5,000 from complainant Harbans Singh a commission agent of grain market Devigarh in district Patiala for relaxation some fees in auction process. He added that the complainant approached the Bureau and alleged that Dalbir Singh was demanding bribe from him. After finding the veracity of facts a vigilance team led by Mr Birbal Singh, DSP vigilance laid a trap and the accused was nabbed red handed in the presence of two government officials as witnesses. In this regard a vigilance case FIR No. 21 under u/s 7, 13 read with 13 (2) of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 at Vigilance Bureau Police Station Patiala and further investigation was under progress. - CM DEPUTES SUKHBIR BADAL TO ADMINISTER OATH OF OFFICE TO NEWLY ELECTED ZP AND BLOCK SAMITI MEMBERS BADAL NOT TO ATTEND SWEARING IN CEREMONY AS ADVISED BY DOCTORS Chandigarh, July 18- Punjab chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal has deputed Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal to administer the oath of office to the newly elected members of the Zila Parishad and Block Samitis elected recently at a state level function in Ludhiana tomorrow. Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Mr. Badal has taken this decision as advised by the Doctors attending on him to avoid travelling for couple of next days as he was speedily recovering from the illness. It may be recalled that earlier Mr. Badal was to preside over this function of swearing in ceremony in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister. - TATA GROUP PROMISES MASSIVE INVESTMENT IN PUNJAB · FOR THE FIRST TIME ALL TATA COMPANIES COLLECTIVELY COME TO A STATE · EVINCE INTEREST IN INFRASTRUCTURE, HOUSING, BRTS AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS CHANDIGARH, JULY 18: Punjab is all set to achieve a major breakthrough in Industrialization, Urban Development, Power infrastructure development with nine leading companies of TATA Group promising to make massive investment in the state after working out the ‘details and economics’ of various projects short listed after marathon discussions with Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal. TATA Group Companies represented by Mr. Ravikant, Vice Chairman TATA Motors, Mr. Anil Sardana, MD TATA Power, Mr. Ashish Mathur, MD JUSCO, Mr. Madhu Kanan, Head (Business Development) Tata Sons, Mr. Sanjay Ubale, MD TRIL, Suma Venkatesh, Head Business Development IHCL, Shashi Kumar, Head (Business Development) Tata Housing, Rahul Shah, Head (Business Development) TATA Power, Tanmoy Chakraborty, Head (Business Development) TCS, D.K. Sunder, Head Fertilisers Marketing TATA Chemicals, Vemon Noronha, Head Government Sales TML and Govinder Singh CFO TATA Housing today had a detailed discussion with Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Industry and Commerce Minister Mr. Anil Joshi, Revenue Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia and Finance Minister Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa. The discussion followed detailed deliberations in five sub groups, where individual companies shared their notes with Principal Secretaries of concerned departments. The marathon meetings of sub groups that started at 10 am in the Punjab Civil Secretariat lasted up to 2 pm. These group meetings were followed by an impressive presentation by Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal. Mr. Ravikant, Vice Chairman TATA Motors while initiating the discussion said that it is for the first time that all TATA Group companies have collectively come to a State to have discussion with a state government in contrast to earlier practice of individual companies having deliberations with states. He said that this was possible because new chairman of TATA Group Mr. Cyrus Mistry was impressed with the Statesmanship and mature leadership qualities of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and also shared the vision of Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal of holistic and futuristic development rather than handling ‘nuts and bolts’. He said that the group was impressed by the futuristic visualization of Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal and after the impressive presentation of Deputy CM, “we seemed to be on same wavelength.” Inviting TATA group to become partner in the progress of the state, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that Punjab has come out with a one of its own kind of industrial policy, which offers incentives to the investors as per their efficiency and productivity. He said that the new VAT and CST retention model, one of its own kinds, in the country would allow the upcoming companies to retain up to 80% VAT and CST collected by them rather than to look towards government for reimbursement. Mr. Badal inviting TATA Group companies for infrastructure development projects called them to invest in holistic development of one or two cities to be mutually worked out for ensuring 100% water, sewerage connectivity, power distribution, road development, solid waste management, street lighting with 24X7 help desks. Mr. Badal said that he has chalked out a multi thousand crores plan to be completed in next two years for holistic development of 147 cities that offered mega investment opportunities for TATA group stakeholders. He said that TATA motors can also work out a BRTS system for metro cities of Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Bathinda besides helping the state in the Solar City Project. Inviting the TATA Group companies to invest in power transmission and power audit sector, Mr. Badal said that Punjab would be the first state to be Power surplus by December this year and with quality infrastructure, best air and road connectivity Punjab would be the best bet for TATA’s for making future investments. He said that after becoming Power surplus, state was focusing on strengthening power transmission network besides power audit and sought their investment in this sector. The TATA group companies also evinced their great interest in City Level Services, BRTS Projects, Ropar-Phagwara Expressway, Water City Ludhiana and other infrastructure projects of Rs. 500 crore and above IT Campus with high rise concept at Mohali, Solar City Complex, Roof Top Solar Projects, Power Projects, Housing Projects, Downtown at Mohali and Ludhiana renewable energy sector including Biomass and Mini hydels. Mr. Ashish Mathur, MD JUSCO said that their company after successful implementation of City Services Project in Mysore and Kolkata, could work out modalities for two three big cities of Punjab after detailed study of these cities. He said that TATA with great experience in BRTS system could present a model to tackle the traffic problems of Ludhiana and other big cities. Mr. Badal asked TATA to study BRTS model of Istanbul and replicate the same in Ludhiana. Seeking the cooperation of TCS in making Punjab offices paperless, Mr. Badal said that after making Punjab Secretariat paperless by December this year, they should draw up a project for whole state. The TATA Group Companies evinced great interest to set up TATA Skill University in the state besides investing eco-city and medi-city in new Chandigarh. They also evinced great interests in ambitious projects like ‘Downtown Mohali’ and ‘Downtown Ludhiana’ and city center Mohali. The TATA Group also expressed their desire to setup series of budget hotels in different cities of Punjab besides making a major foray in group housing sector. Appreciating the vision of Deputy Chief Minister, the group leader Mr. Ravikant said that, “we have plate full of projects and now it is our responsibility to work out details and economics of each project to put these projects in implementation mode.” He said that we will get back to Punjab Government after finalizing the details within one month. Impressed by futuristic vision of Deputy CM, Mr. Anil Sardana, MD TATA Power commented that, “you have put us on back foot by your aggressive and time bound approach to achieve the results.” Mr. Ravikant said that we have made tangible progress today and this could be possible because our thinking was in confluence. Offering them single point access, Punjab Deputy CM Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal appointed Mr. Karan Avtar Singh, Principal Secretary Industries and Commerce, as Nodal Officer for any project of TATA Group and he would ensure escort service to the TATA Group officials in the state. ---------------- CM MOURNS DEATH OF FORMER MP CHARANJEET SINGH WALIA Chandigarh, July 18- Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of former MP Mr. Charanjeet Singh Walia (78), who passed away at Patiala this afternoon after a protracted illness. In a condolence message, the Chief Minister described Mr. Walia as a gentle politician, who always played a proactive role in safeguarding the interests of the employees. His outstanding services as an employee leader would ever be remembered by employees’ fraternity. Sharing his heartfelt condolences with the bereaved family, friends and relatives, the Chief Minister prayed to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give courage to bear this irreparable loss in this hour of grief. --- NO CAP ON FUNDS FOR THE ‘DREAM PROJECT’ OF JANG-E-AZAADI MEMORIAL- BADAL · NOTED FILM MAKER SHYAM BENEGAL TO PRODUCE FOUR FILMS FOR SHOWCASING PUNJAB’S CONTRIBUTION IN INDIA’S FREEDOM STRUGGLE · BENEGAL LAUDS PUNJAB GOVERNMENT’S UNIQUE ENDEAVOR TO REVISIT INDIAN INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT Chandigarh, July 18- Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today reviewed the progress of the prestigious ‘Jang-e-Azaadi’ memorial at Kartarpur in Jalandhar district and assured the foundation that there would be no cap on the funds required for the completion of this world class ‘dream project’. The Chief Minister was updated about the developments of the projects so far by the Member Secretary of the Jang-e-Azaadi Foundation Dr Barjinder Singh Hamdard here in its 3rd meeting at the Chief Minister’s residence this afternoon. Mr. Badal envisioned this project to be a lighthouse for inspiring the younger generations on one hand and acquaint them about our rich legacy of patriotism and nationalism thereby showcasing the superb contribution of Punjabis in the national freedom struggle on the other. The Chief Minister categorically said, “Such projects of paramount national importance and emotional values cannot be merely restricted within the framework of fixed funds”. The Chief Minister reiterated his firm resolves to complete this gigantic project in Punjab, which spearheaded many watershed movements and revolutions like Bhai Maharaj Singh, Kuka, Arya Samaj, Kisan Jagriti, Ghadar, Gurdwara Reforms, Babbar Akali, Kamagata Maru episode and many others. Mr. Badal underscored the need to develop this project as an attractive tourist destination so that it should be a part of the itinerary of every tourist visiting Amritsar from India and abroad. He also asked the foundation to entrust the civil works of the memorial to one of the country’s renowned construction companies so that this memorial could also be developed as an ‘Architectural Marvel’. The Chief Minister gave approval to the foundation for engaging the services of eminent Film Maker of international repute Mr. Shyam Benegal for production of four films of one hour duration each in Punjabi, Hindi and English depicting the historic freedom movements covering the period from 1840 to 1948. These films were meant for showing to the people visiting the memorial so that they could ‘enliven the saga’ of freedom struggle during which countless Punjabis were subjected to the tyranny unleashed by the British Raj. The basic concept of these films and the proposed Laser Show was to infuse a spirit of patriotism and nationalism amongst the people especially the younger generations who had been deprived of their glorious heritage of valor and unparalleled sacrifices due to lack of knowledge. Dr. Hamdard apprised the Chief Minister that Mr. Benegal, while expressing his keenness to associate with this prestigious project, has highly appreciated the unique concept of the state government to erect this state of the art memorial which would a befitting tribute to the supreme sacrifices of several unsung heroes besides serving as a bridge between the Freedom struggle to free our motherland from yoke of foreign imperialism and the younger generations, majority of which were unaware about it. The Chief Minister gave nod to the various proposals put forth by Dr. Hamdard including the appointment of Price Water House Coppers (PWC) as project consultant, which would help the foundation in the selection of Architect, modalities related to laser shows and other aspects related to the Jang-e-Azaadi memorial besides allowing three members of executive committee namely former MP Mr. Tarlochan Singh, MLA Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema and State BJP President Mr. Kamal Sharma to attend the meetings of the foundation from time to time as Special Invitees to enable them to give their vital inputs. The Chief Minister also gave a go ahead to constitute a committee under Chairmanship of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur with Financial Commissioner Revenue, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs, Secretary Punjab Mandi Board and Deputy Commissioner for ammicable resolution of issue related to 15 acres land of Punjab Mandi Board adjoining the memorial site. Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Cabinet Minister Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Som Parkash, MP Rajya Sabha Mr. Balwinder Singh Bhunder, former Ministers Jathedar Ranjit Singh Brahampura, Jathedar Sewa Singh Sekhwan and senior BJP leader Mr. Balram Ji Dass Tandon, former MP Tarlochan Singh, State BJP President Mr. Kamal Sharma, Financial Commissioner Revenue Mr. NS Kang, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu and Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs Mr SS Channy. ---- MALUKA DIRECTS AUTHORITIES TO ENSURE HYGIENIC MIDDAY MEAL · NO LAXITY WOULD BE TOLERATED CHANDIGARH, JULY 18: Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka, Education Minister, Punjab today issued directions to all authorities concerned to ensure maintenance of total hygiene in serving the mid day meal and said that all Principals and heads of the school would be personally accountable for this. Presiding over a meeting of all District Education Officers, Mr. Maluka asked all the officers to ensure the smooth flow of Mid Day meal besides proper monitoring of scheme following the directions issued by the department. He also warned the officers that strict action will be taken in case of any laxity or negligence on the part of school heads or principals. The Education Minister said that principals and school heads would ensure the daily cleanliness of kitchen and store, where food was cooked and raw material including pulses, flour was stored. He also said that the cook and the helpers should also pair their nails before cooking or serving the food besides tying up their hairs properly. He said that cooks would also have to ensure washing of their hands before cooking procedures. Asking the officers to procure the cooking materials including flour and rice from Punsup of high quality, Mr. Maluka said that only high quality pulses and fresh vegetables should be cooked and served among students. He also asked to use sealed refined oil of a reputed company besides iodine salt. Mr. Maluka said that a checking campaign has also been launched in this regard. Principal Secretary School Education Smt. Anjali Bhawra, DPI (Senior Secondary) Mr. Kamal Garg, DPI (Elementary) Sudarshan Kaur and Additional State Project Director Parampal Kaur were also present in the meeting. --- DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER TO ADMINISTER OATH TO NEWLY ELECTED ZILA PARISHAD AND BLOCK SAMITI MEMBERS Chandigarh, July 18: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab would administer oath of office and secrecy to the newly elected representatives of Zila Parishads and Block Samitis on 19th July at Ludhiana. Stating this here today a spokesman of the Punjab government said that the Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Mr.Sukhbir Singh Badal would be the Chief Guest at the swearing in ceremony. The function is being organized at Grain Market, Ludhiana on July 19th. Rural Development Minister S. Surjit Singh Rakhra would be the Guest of Honour. ----------- WALK-IN INTERVIEW FOR RECRUITMENT OF 392 DOCTORS ACROSS 13 SPECIALTIES: DIRECTOR HEALTH Chandigarh, July18 : The Department of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab will hold walk-in interview for 392 posts across 13 specialties on 22nd July, 2013 at Auditorium, State Institute of Health & Family Welfare Complex, Near Civil Hospital, Phase-VI, Ajitgarh, (Mohali). Giving information in this regard, Dr Ashok Nayyar, Director Health & Family Welfare, Punjab said that the selection of specialist doctors is done by a committee chaired by Dr. K.K. Talwar, Former Chairman, MCI, and is based on objective criteria which among others includes the marks obtained in MBBS & MD along with number of attempts made by the candidate to clear final MBBS and MD. Further, certain weightage is also given to experience, articles authored or co-authored in International and National journals and certificate of merit/gold medal if any in PG examination. Dr. Nayar said that this walk-in interview is a part of simplified recruitment for specialists which has been initiated since September 2012 by the Department. He added that the department is hopeful that this transparent & objective recruitment procedure would encourage post graduates with requisite specialty to join the Department of Health & Family welfare and offer their services to the people of the state. The details regarding eligibility criteria, category-wise and specialty-wise vacant post are available on the public notice uploaded onwww.pbhealth.gov.in. and Eligible candidates may fill the online application form available on www.pbhealth.gov.in. The selected specialists shall serve on a pay scale of 15600-39100+ 5400 G.P + NPA Admissible + PG Allowance . ------------- · 19th Livestock Census (Breed Survey) in the state · Ranike Appeals livestock owners to provide complete and accurate information Chandigarh: 18th July To provide better services to the livestock of the state, the Punjab Government is Conducting 19th Livestock Census (Breed Survey). The Breed Survey will be conducted in 15% of the villages of all the districts of the State. Speaking on the subject today, Animal Husbandry Minister Sardar Gulzar Singh Ranike said that The main objective of this Census is multipurpose development of livestock and to initiate the livestock owners to keep elite breeds of domestic animals so that their income may be raised. He further elaborated that formulation of future schemes for the development of dairy, piggery, sheep/goat and poultry mainly depends upon the Breed Survey Census. He appealed to livestock owners to provide the correct information regarding their domestic animals to the authorized enumerator of the department so that this information may be useful for the developmental works of the livestock. The Minister informed that for this purpose the livestock owners can get detailed information from Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry of their district or they can contact Joint Director, Animal Husbandry O/o Director Animal Husbandry, Punjab Chandigarh. ------------------- FOUR LANING OF MORINDA-KURALI-SISWAN ROAD COMMENCES: DHILLON CHANDIGARH, JULY 18: The work on four laning project of Morinda-Kurali-Siswan road has been commenced and would be completed by December, 2014. Disclosing this here today Mr. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, PWD Minister said that Rs. 79 crore would be incurred on this project. He said that this four lane project would facilitate thousands of daily commuters besides saving both their time and money. He said that the construction on this total 30 km long stretch up to State Border would be instrumental in the development of kandi area. Talking about the advantages of this four lane road, Mr. Dhillon said that with the completion of Morinda-Siswan project traffic congestion on Kharar-Chandigarh road would reduce besides saving precious time of daily commuters. Reiterating the commitment of SAD-BJP Government to provide best road network in the state, Mr. Dhillon said that the Government has upgraded 328 KM long roads in 2011-12 besides constructing 18 bridges. --------------------- OFFICER BEARERS OF PUNJAB KABBADI ASSOCIATION ELECTED: MALUKA CHANDIGARH, JULY 18: The Punjab Kabbadi association has unanimously elected 81 Officer Bearers including patron and President. This new committee has been elected for four years from 2013-2017. Disclosing this here today President of the Association and Education Minister, Punjab Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka said that this newly elected committee would work for four years. He said that Punjab Kabbadi association is the sole sports body having affiliation with Olympic Association. He said that the Punjab Kabbadi association has two votes in each district. Mr. Maluka further said that the Members have been elected unanimously in which Mr. Dalmegh Singh has be chosen as Patron and he himself (Sikander Singh Maluka) has been elected as President of the Kabbadi association. He said that Kewal Singh Takhar would be the chairman whereas Kamaljit Singh would serve the Punjab Kabbadi association as Treasurer. He said that four senior vice Presidents, six vice Presidents, one General Secretary, three secretaries, and six joint secretaries have also been elected. He said that members for technical committee, Jury Appeal Committee, Selection Committee-National Style (Boys), Selection Committee-Circle Style (Boys), Selection Committee-National Style (Girls) and Selection Committee-Circle Style (Girls) have also been elected. Speaking about the forthcoming 4th world kabbadi Cup in November, 2013, Mr. Maluka said that 17 International teams are participated the tournament. He said that 10 male and 7 women teams have confirmed their participation. He said that more International teams are willing to participate in the tournament but their entry in the 4th world kabbadi Cup would be decided by the four member committee. ----------------- PUNJAB APPOINTS ADMINISTRATORS FOR 75 MUNICIPAL COUNCILS/PANCHAYATS Chandigarh, July 18: The Punjab government has issued a notification to appoint Administrators for 75 Municipal Councils/Panchayats, which had completed their term. A spokesman of the Punjab government today said that the Administrators would look after the work of Municipal Councils/Panchayats till the new President to be elected after elections. He said that there were 75 Municipal Councils/Panchayats, whose tenure would be completed between July 16th and July 31st. He also made it clear that SDMs have been appointed as Administrators of 73 Municipal Councils/Panchayats besides appointing ADC Development Ferozepur as Administrator of Guru Harsahai Municipal Council and ADC Development Fazilka as Administrator of Fazilka Municipal Council.
--- GoI OKAYS STATE HORTICULTURE ACTION PLAN OF RS 75 CRORE UNDER NHM · CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES TO COME UP AT HOSHIARPUR AND JALANDHAR · EXPANSION OF GUAVA AND LITCHI ESTATES ON CARDS · TWO SUB CENTRES OF CITRUS ESTATES LIKELY TO BE SET UP AT MAUR AND KOTKAPURA Chandigarh, July 17- Approving an action plan of the State Horticulture department under the National Horticulture Mission (NHM), the Union Agriculture Ministry, GoI has sanctioned Rs. 75 crore for Punjab in current fiscal to give further impetus to the state government’s ambitious ‘Agriculture Diversification’ program. Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that under this plan funds would be provided for setting up and maintenance of orchards, floriculture, Bee-keeping besides installation of community water tanks, Green House, Cold Stores and packs houses. The approval of the action plan was seen a major shot in arm of the state government which was making persistent efforts for motivating the farmers to shift their major cultivable area under paddy to other less water intensive alternate crops like maize, soyabean, pulses, flowers, fruits and vegetables besides by providing the required machinery/ farm equipment to the cultivators. Moreover, these efforts would further propel a revolution in horticulture and floriculture across the state. Concerted efforts were afoot to strengthen the infra structure for the preservation of the fruits and vegetables which includes establishing two Centres of Excellence in the state including Centre of Excellence for Citrus at Khanaura in Hoshiarpur district at a cost of Rs 10.30 crore and Centre of Excellence for Vegetables at Kartarpur in Jalandhar district at a cost of Rs 9.73 crore. Both these centres were being developed by the Punjab Mandi Board in sync with the Indo-Israel agreement. In the current financial year plastic crates were being provided to the cultivators at a cost of Rs 150 lakh under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) to enhance the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Besides National Vegetable Initiative (NVI), a subsidiary scheme of RKVY, has also been implemented in the five districts of the state viz. Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Sangrur, Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib, under which the Centre has approved Rs six crore in the current fiscal. Likewise to give big boost to the horticulture in the state by undertaking extensive research and extension services, a concrete proposal for the expansion of Litchi and Guava estates was on anvil. Two proposals have been sent under the RKVY for establishing two sub centers of the Citrus estates at Maur (Bathinda) and Kotkapura (Faridkot). These centers would be provided all the facilities extended to the Citrus estates. To encourage the production of the fruits, the Horticulture department has supplied 12 lakh saplings to the farmers from the registered nurseries. Similarly nearly 13000 people were being imparted training at the Fruit Processing Laboratories of the department across the state. In a bid to ensure value addition of the Fruits and vegetables and better remunerative returns to the growers, as many as 82810 kilograms of Fruits and vegetables had been processed in Fruit Processing Laboratories. Pertinently 2060 hectares land was currently under the commercial floriculture out of which 1300 hectares area in the state, was being utilized to produce 10054 Metric ton of fresh and cut flowers. Likewise 760 hectare land was being utilized to produce 65 metric ton of flower seed. In the same manner currently 1.92 lakh hectare land in the state was under vegetable cultivation with total production of 37.34 metric ton whereas 0.71 lakh hectare land was under Fruit cultivation with production of 14.20 lakh metric ton. As a part of state Agriculture department’s endeavor to ensure production of disease resistant and high yielding varieties of potato and vegetables seeds to the farmers, 28823 quintal seeds have been produced at its farms. As many as 41500 units of scientifically tested Mushroom seeds have been processed in the Departmental Mushroom Laboratories at Patiala, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Sangrur. Further to encourage Sericulture in the state, 31109 kilos of Cocoon have been produced in foothill districts of Roopnagar, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur. --- Punjab emphasizes on conservation of water resources ADVOCATES DIVERSIFICATION Chandigarh, July17: To tackle the alarming situation of depleting water resources in the Punjab, the state government has emphasized on the need of conserving of water and enhancing its resources. Stating this here today a spokesman of the government said that water played an important role in human lives. So in view of declining water resources and increased water pollution, World Water Conservation day was being observed every year since 1993 with a view to generating awareness amongst the people regarding this startling situation. According to the spokesman, the Punjab Government has initiated many schemes to embark upon the dilapidated of ground water table and the water resources in a better way. The state has formulated an extensive plan to clean up the three rivers namely Satluj, Beas and Ghaggar at a cost of Rs.2332 Crore. Ensuring 100% cleanliness could not be possible because of the polluted industrial waste being released by the neighboring states of Haryana and Himachal in these rivers. However, this matter has often been raised by the chief minister Punjab with the centre so that these states could be dissuaded to release the waste material in the rivers thereby polluting it. The government has also taken adequate steps to save the ground water advocating and executing the diversification plan in the state. The state government has increased the area under cultivation of Basmati from 5 lakh hectare to 10 lakh hectare and has announced a number of subsidies to woo the farmers. Likewise the government has announced 75% subsidy in all the districts of the state to cultivate Maize so that the farmers could be attracted towards other crops. --- CASES OF WEAKER SECTION OF SOCIETY BE DISPOSED OFF ON PRIORITY: CHIEF JUSTICE · CJ HELD VIDEO CONFERENCE WITH ALL DISTRICT SESSION & SENIOR JUDGES OF PUNJAB Chandigarh, July 17: Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court Mr.Sanjay Kishan Kaul held a video conference with all 18 districts & Session courts of Punjab and Chandigarh District Court. All Session Judges, Additional Session Judges, Civil Judges (Senior Division), Chief Judicial Magistrates and other senior officers participated in the video conference. Justice Kaul asked the courts to be proactive for speedy and time bound clearance of all pending cases. He asked the legal luminaries to sensitize the public for availing the services of Lok Adalts for getting quick and timely justice. Mr. justice kaul call upon the judges to clear all the cases based on the domestic violence & atrocities on the women on priority bases beside the cases related to children, senior citizen and differently abled also be dispose off on priority. He said that most of the cases could be disposed off by mutual consent of both the parties thus relieving the courts from the burden of pending cases. Justice kaul said that a seminar was recently organized in Chandigarh to highlight the importance of mediation to solve the cases with mutual consent of both parties. He said that at most of the places dedicated centers are being operated where cases are disposed off with mediation. He said that the ambit of this practice would be enhanced in future. Mr. Justice kaul also asked the district judges to list out the problems being faced by them. He assured them to redress all the problems in near future. -------- JAIL AUTHORITIES TO PREPARE MEDICAL FILE OF THE CONVICT ARRESTED ADGP TO MONITOR PRESENCE OF DOCTORS IN JAILS Chandigarh July 17: Taking a serious view of the inadequate health facilities in the Punjab prisons, Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Jail Minister Punjab has asked the Principal Secretary health to immediately ensure adequate health amenities and the attendance of medical and paramedical staff deputed in the Jails. In a statement issued here today, the Minister expressed serious concern over the unfortunate medical conditions prevailing in the jails especially in Faridkot jail where 11 inmates died since January this year. The Minister said that the government has already initiated Magisterial/ Judicial inquiry over these deaths. He however said that two of the convicts committed suicide while three of them were reportedly serious drug addicts who were arrested recently died in the Faridkot hospital. Detailed reports from the forensic laboratory determining the presence of drugs in the system of the deceased in this regard were awaited, he said. He has also asked the health department not to shift the deputed doctors and other staff without a proper replacement that too with prior intimation to the Jail authorities. He has also asked the Superintendents of Jails to thoroughly examine the arrested convict and prepare a complete medical file at the time of arrest. The family of the arrested person would also be consulted in case he is suffering from some chronic ailment at the time of arrest. The Principal Secretary Health has assured the Minister that the department of Health would ensure the presence of adequate medical staff in the Jails through some rotational system and would make sure the presence of adequate medical staff in the Jails with required medical equipment ensuring the proper medical care to the prisoners. The Minister has also asked the ADGP Prisons, Mr. R.P. Meena to monitor the presence of the medical and paramedical staff in all the 25 jails in the state on daily basis. He has also directed the jail authorities to send the daily report regarding the presence of the doctors and other staff to the ADGP everyday by evening through e-mail. He has asked them to ensure the proper compliance of the government’s directive. Suitable departmental action would be initiated against the erring officers, said Mr. Phillaur. --------- RGNUL STARTS 8TH ACADEMIC SESSION FROM ITS NEWLY SET UP SIDHUWAL CAMPUS v INTRODUCES ONE YEAR LL.M COURSE WITH INTAKE OF 40 STUDENTS v PUNJAB GOVERNMENT PROVIDES RS. 27.87 CRORE FOR THE CURRENT YEAR Chandigarh, July 17: Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Punjab has started its 8th academic session from its newly set campus at village Sidhuwal (Patiala). Besides this, one year Master of Laws (LL.M) course is all set to be launched from the current session with intake of 40 students per year. Disclosing this here today, an official spokesman said that the University was running a B.A.LL.B. (Hons.) five year course with an intake of 120 students per year. From the present Session the University has also started LL.M. as one year course with intake of 40 students per session. The admission to B.A,LL.B. (Hons.) and LL.M. Courses were being made through Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) at the National Level. The University was fully residential with all the students residing in the university hostels. The University also registers Researchers to Ph.D. Programme on the basis of entrance test every year. At present about 25 Researchers are pursuing their Doctoral Research. The spokesman further said that in addition the University has established Centre for Advanced Studies in Criminal Law (CASCL); Centre for Consumer Protection Law and Advocacy (CCPLA); Centre for Advanced Studies in International Humanitarian Law (CASH); Centre for Advanced Studies in Human Rights (CASIHR); School of Agriculture Law and Economics (SALE); Centre for Advanced Studies in Labour Welfare Law (CASLW); and School of Social sciences and Inter-Disciplinary Studies (SSSIS); in addition to RGNUL Legal Aid Clinic. From this session the RGNUL has also started coaching classes for competitive examination. The University would start Post-Graduate Diploma and Certificate Courses in Cyber Laws; Taxation Laws and Intellectual Property Rights from August 2013 as evening courses. The spokesman clarified that the University would run the Competitive Examination Coaching Classes and Diploma/Certificate Courses from its City Campus. The spokesman informed that the University was receiving grants from Punjab Government on the capital side and for maintenance too. The Punjab government has made a provision of 27.87 crores for the financial year 2013-14, where as Rs. 39.20 crore was provided during the year 2012-13. Meanwhile, an orientation week for the new batch has already been started at the commencement of the 8th Academic Session at the new Sidhuwal Campus. On this occasion Professor Ranbir Singh, Vice‑Chancellor, National Law University, Delhi and Member RGNUL Academic Planning Board addressed the students along with Professor (Mrs.) Nishtha Jaswal, Chairperson, Department of Laws, Panjab University, Chandigarh and Professor (Dr.) Paramjit S. Jaswal, Vice‑Chancellor, RGNUL. Professor (Dr.) G.I.S. Sandhu, Registrar, RGNUL delivered vote of thanks. The first day of the Orientation Week was also attended by the parents of the students. The objective of observing Orientation Week was to make the students familiar with Law in general and the Social Science subject through special lectures by experts from different faculties. It may be mentioned here that the Government of Punjab has established Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab at Patiala in 2006 by enacting the Punjab Act No. 12 of 2006. The University had started its academic activities from the Mohindra Kothi, Mall Road, Patiala in 2006. The Village Panchayat of Sidhuwal donated 50 Acres of land to the University. The University has completed the construction work of Hostels and the Academic Block. -- PUNJAB TO IMPART FREE COMPUTER TRAINING TO GRADUATE SCHEDULE CASTE YOUTH Chandigarh, July 17: Punjab Government has decided to impart one year free basic computer training along with Punjabi and English stenography to the graduate youth in the state belonging to scheduled castes. Disclosing this here today Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes Welfare Minister S. Gulzar Singh Ranike said that this training would be imparted at Mohali, Amritsar, Ferozepur and Patiala for 2013-14 sessions. The Minister said that the age of the applicant should not be above 30 years and educational qualification certificate in all respect complete may be sent to the concerned District Welfare Officer. The Minister further said that this benefit would be given to the BPL scheduled castes families on priority basis. In case of vacant seats, those families whose annual income was above one lac would also be considered but they would not be entitled for scholarship during the training, he said. The Minister further said that Written Test/Interview would be held on July 30, 2013 and selection committee would select the candidates. He further said that selected candidates would be given Rs.750/- scholarship during the training. -- TWO PCS OFFICERS TRANSFERRED Chandigarh, July 17: The Punjab government has issued new posting/transfer orders of Two PCS officers in the state with immediate effect. According to an official spokesman, Mr. DPS Kharbanda has been posted as Commissioner Municipal Corporation, Amritsar. Likewise Mr. Bhupinder Singh –I has been posted as MD, PRTC, Patiala --------- ADMISSION FOR ART AND CRAFT TEACHER TRAINING AND PUNJABI STENOGRAPHY STARTS FROM JULY 23 CHANDIGARH, JULY 17: Admissions for the Art and Craft Teacher Training Courses/Punjabi Stenography in the industrial training institute of the state would commence July 23. Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Technical Education Department said that admissions would continue till September 19. He said that the admissions would be done by the committee constituted under the chairmanship of Sub Divisional Magistrate of the area concerned. He further said that the first counseling for the admissions in Government Industrial Institutes session-2013, would last from 23 to July 30, whereas second counseling would commence on August 12 would last till August 20. Similarly, the third counseling would be conducted from 13 to 19th September. He said that the courses for which the counseling would be conducted included Center of Excellence in Government Industrial Institutes, National Council for Vocational Training Courses and State Council for Vocational Training (Art and Craft Teacher Training Course/Punjabi Stenography Courses). He said that to avail concession in non-refundable/tuition fee, candidates belonging to reserve categories, whose parents/guardians annual income was less than 2.5 lac, should bring self declaration from their guardians. He said that prospectus could get with the payment of Rs.75 from the respective institutions. -- BADAL WRITES TO PM FOR RESTORATION OF 80% SUBSIDY ON SOLAR AGRICULTURE PUMPS SETS · ENVISIONS THIS MOVE TOWARDS OPTIMUM UTILIZATION OF SOLAR ENERGY Chandigarh, July 16 The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal urged the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh seeking his personal intervention to direct the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government Of India (GoI), to review the program of Solar Pump for Agriculture and restore the subsidy component to the original 80% with a 10% contribution by the state and the balance 10% by the beneficiary. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. Badal apprised him that during the period 2000-01 to 2003-04, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, GoI was providing subsidy for solar water pumps up to 80% of the total cost and Punjab then achieved the highest target by installing 1850 solar pumps. However, since 2004-05, the GoI has reduced the subsidy for solar pumps to 30% of the installation cost and the farmer has to meet the balance 70% cost, which was very high. The Chief Minister further informed Dr. Manmohan Singh that Punjab had more than a million agriculture pump sets and the power requirement for this sector was almost 25% of the total consumption in Punjab. The decentralized generation and utilization of solar energy in the agriculture sector for water pumping was the best option to promote the use of renewable energy which has long term benefits in terms of energy utilization and sustainable development. The average size of an agriculture pump set in Punjab required about 5 KW capacity Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) array and the farmer would have the option to use DC motors or the existing AC motor by adding inverter. Mr. Badal further pointed out that the farmer could also meet partial load of the farm house when there was no demand for irrigation. The approximate cost for this system was Rs.4.5 lac and with the present level of 30% subsidy, the farmer was unable to meet the balance 70% cost, which was more than Rs. 3 lac and hence it was not a viable preposition and discouraged him its installation. Mr. Badal also mentioned that the optimum utilization of solar energy would not only boost the usage of renewable but also lead to far more efficient use of precious ground water adding he said this program had huge potential through which the solar energy could be harnessed in a decentralized manner for powering agricultural pumps. It may be recalled that Mr. Badal had already taken up this issue with the Union New Renewable Energy Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah, when the latter called on the Chief Minister few days back.- BADAL MOURNS UNTIMELY PASSING AWAY OF ADGP NARINDER SHARMA CHANDIGARH, JULY 16: The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the untimely demise of Additional Director General of Police Mr. Narinder Sharma, IPS, who breathed his last here on Monday night after prolonged illness. In his condolence message, Mr. Badal described Mr. Sharma as “a distinguished officer, who always discharged his duties with utmost dedication, sincerity and professional commitment throughout his career.” Sharing his heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family, the Chief Minister prayed to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and give strength to the family members, friends and relatives to bear this huge loss in this hour of grief. - SUKHBIR, MAJITHIA CONDOLE DEMISE OF ADGP NARINDER SHARMA CHANDIGARH, JULY 16: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab today expressed deep grief over the untimely demise of Additional Director General of Police Mr. Narinder Sharma, IPS, who passed away here last night after prolonged illness. Meanwhile, Punjab Public Relations Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia has also condoled demise of ADGP Mr. Narinder Sharma. Sharing heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family, Mr. Badal and Mr. Majithia prayed to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and strength to the family members to bear this irreparable loss. The cremation ceremony would take place in the cremation ground of Sector 25, on July 16, 2013 at 2:00pm. ********* MALUKA ISSUES STRICT INSTRUCTIONS TO STOP RAGGING IN COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES Chandigarh July 16: Education Minister Punjab, Mr. Sikandar Singh Maluka today issued strict instructions to all the government and Private Colleges and Universities to take adequate steps to in their respective institutions to stop ragging of freshers in their respective institutions. . Mr. Maluka asked them to issue instructions to all the Higher Educational Institutions to follow the Supreme Court guidelines in this regard. He said that strict action would be taken against the institutions found violating the norms. All the colleges and Universities have been ordered to set up a help line for the ragging victims. He has also asked the authorities to take written undertaking from the students and their parents, not to take part in any kind of ragging activity. The Minister also said that the aggrieved students could lodge their complaint before the college authorities and appropriate action would be initiated accordingly. The Minister said that the heads of educational institutions should immediately inform the police in case of any incident of ragging came in their notice. He also said that principal and staff must watch the attitude of new comers and any sign of depression noticed in new student should be probed deeply. - ALLIED SECTORS UPLIFT THE ECONOMIC FACE OF VILLAGES: RANIKE PUNJAB NUMBER ONE IN PER CAPITA MILK PRODUCTION Chandigarh, July 16: Punjab Governments has chalked out a plan to attract unemployed Youth towards allied sectors for job opportunities. Punjab Dairy Development has decided to start awareness campaign for Goat & Pig Farming & other such areas in all the districts of the state. Disclosing this here today Mr. Gulzar Sing Ranike said that the department is going to start a programme to train Milk Producers about the new technique to increase milk production. He said that for 45 day professional training would be given to make milk producers to make them friendly with the new techniques in the field of Dairy Farming. He added that under this training programme farmers would also be trained about production of various milk products. Minister said that last year training to 21, 812 farmers for one day block level, 5745 educated unemployed youth 15 day and 1208 Dairy Farmers 45 day training was given by the department. Minster said that committed to bring white revolution in the state and to attract more and more farmers towards dairy farming 25% financial aid is being provided to General Category and 33 % to SC category to purchase milk producing animals. he added that subsidy is also being provided for setting up units for preparing Milk products. He said that last year Rs 9 Crore was distributed as financial aid under this scheme and this year target of Rs 20 crore has been fixed for this purpose. Minister said that Punjab is included in list of 14 states which are chosen under National Dairy plan programme for doubling milk production and for implementation of this programme Rs. 6. 73 Crore has been released. He said that semen bank at Nabha would be renewed under this programme. Minister said that department at present is providing 85 % Cows and 45 % buffalos for fabricated pregnancy service to animal nourishers snd this would be increased in the coming year to produce better breeds. Mr. Ranike said that Punjab produces 9 % of total production of Milk in the country and milk availability in Punjab is 961 grams per person which is highest in the country. He added that being an allied sector of Farming Dairy farming is capable of uplifting the economic face of Rural Areas as its contributing 5.9 % in total domestic production of the country. - PUNJAB RELEASES STATE RAKHI BUMPER- 2013 · FIRST PRIZE TO BE GIVEN OUT OF SOLD TICKETS ONLY Chandigarh, July 16: Punjab Government has launched Rakhi Bumper-2013. Disclosing this here today a Spokesperson said that bumper and monthly lotteries are getting big response from the people. Spokesperson said that two 1st prizes for Rakhi Bumper 2013 are Rs 1 crore each will be given out of sold tickets only. 2nd prize five of Rs 10 lakh each and 3rd prize five of Rs 5 lakh each. He said that the draw will be held on 23rd August - 2013. The price of a single ticket of State Rakhi Bumper 2013 is Rs 100/. Spokesperson said that Punjab State Bumpers and Monthly lotteries are popular not only in the state but all over India due to its transparent system. Spokesperson has appealed to the ticket buyers to verify the Punjab Government’s logo on the ticket before buying. - PUNJAB NOTIFIES POLICY FOR PTP IN SKILL DEVELOPMENT Chandigarh, July 16: The Punjab government has notified a policy for involvement of established and leading private training providers (PTP) in the field of skill development in the department of Technical Education and Industrial Training. Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab government said that the policy is aimed at developing the skills of the youth of the Punjab on latest courses/technologies of skill development through private training providers in the industrial training institutes of the state. He further said that the prospective private training provider (PTP) are invited to submit their proposal on prescribed format to start training Programmes in the government industrial training institutes (ITIs) in Punjab. He said that the eligibility criteria and guidelines of policy can be seen on department’s website www.dtepunjab.gov.in/web/circulars_ITI/circulars_ITI.htm. - Rs.3080 CRORE SET ASIDE FOR 4/6 LANNING OF 400 KM HIGHWAYS CHANDIGARH, JULY 16 The Punjab Government has set aside Rs. 3080 crore to convert all highways in the state into 4/6 lanes till January 2016 that would add another cap in the feather of the to make it first state in the country with all national and state highways with 4/6 lanes. This unique distinction of word class connectivity would help Punjab to attract more investment and to clock the target of one lac crore in next two years. Stating this here today a spokesman of the Punjab Government said that work on nearly 398.9 KM long stretch was in full swing which would be completed till January 2016. He further said 230 kilometer national highways have been six laned in last 5 years with the cost of Rs 1460 crore. Calling the National Highways and State Highways as the life line of the state, the spokesman said that the Punjab government has taken up the matter with National Highways Authority of India for the timely completion of work on NH-1, 15, 64 and 71. He said that NH-1 from Shambhu Border to Jalandhar, NH-1A from Bhogpur to Mukerian, NH-15 from Pathankot to Amritsar and NH-95 from Ludhiana to Talwandi would be 6 laned in next three years. Besides that proposal to construct 101 KM new highways has been finalized worth Rs 700 crore. He said that 4 laning of NH-1 from Dhilwan to Amritsar at the cost of Rs. 263 crore, NH-1 from Amritsar to Wagah Border with Rs. 206 crore, Jalandhar to Bhogpur with Rs. 90 crore, Mukerian to Pathankot with Rs. 300 crore have already been completed. The spokesman further informed that the remaining stretch from Jalandhar to Dhillwan on NH-1 has been approved to convert into 6 lane which would give a big push to trade activities between Doaba and Majha region. Besides that 6 laning of three major links namely 4/6 laning of NH-95 from Kharar to Ludhiana, 4 laning of NH-21 from Kharar to Kurali has also been sanctioned, estimated to be completed by December 2015, he added. -- HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO SET UP ONLINE INVENTORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: MITTAL • HEALTH DEPARTMENT SIGNS MOU WITH C-DAC, NOIDA • SYSTEM WOULD BE HELPFUL IN ONLINE TRACKING OF DRUG INVENTORY AT VARIOUS LEVELS • NEW SYSTEM WOULD BRING TRANSPARENCY IN THE PROCUREMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF DRUGS • THREE REGIONAL WAREHOUSES ARE BEING CONSTRUCTED FOR STORAGE OF DRUGS & MEDICINES
Chandigarh, July 16: The Department of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab has decided to set up scientifically designed Warehouses for storage and distribution of medicines and putting in place an online inventory management system for ensuring effective online management and monitoring of drugs storage and distribution at various warehouses and Govt health facilities across the state of Punjab. The MoU for setting up of Online Inventory Management Systems was signed here between the C-DAC, Noida and Department of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab in the august presence of Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal, Health and Family Welfare Minister, Punjab. Mr. Mittal divulging about new system said that three regional warehouses are being constructed at Amritsar, Bathinda and Kharar (Mohali) as per the designs of warehouses of Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC). Construction of these three Regional Warehouses is expected to be completed by 31st Oct, 2013. Health Minister said that for online inventory management, the matter was taken up with C-DAC who has developed Online Inventory Management Systems for Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation Ltd, Rajasthan for developing the implementing the similar systems in the State of Punjab. He added that the online inventory management system is expected to be operational soon. He said that the online inventory management system will bring more transparency in the procurement and distribution of drugs and consumables and establish online link between State Headquarter, Regional warehouses and hospitals. Minister added that the new system would enable assessment of requirements of drugs as per the past consumption pattern, deciding reordering levels, identify fast and slow moving drugs, Monitor testing of drugs by generating secret codes, monitor value of drugs drawn from the stores by the hospitals vis-a-vis performance/ norm/ workload/ entitlement of the hospitals. Present on the occasion Mrs Vini Mahajn Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare informed that each and every batch of drugs will be easily locatable, Online tracking of drug inventory at various health institutions in the state, supplier wise track record to provide a profile of suppliers, tracking of supplies from the manufacturing premises of the suppliers to the Regional Warehouses. Mr. Husan Lal MD Punjab Health Services Corporation briefing about the Online Inventory Management System said that this system is expected to streamline the supply chain management of medicines and consumables at various Government Health Institutions across the State of Punjab. Others prominent present on the occasion were Dr. Ashok Nayar, Director Health Punjab and Dr. Rajesh Sharma Joint Director PHSC. - GoI OKAYS COAL SUPPLY OF ONE LAC TONNE FOR FIRST UNIT OF 700 MW RAJPURA TPP · MoP NOTIFIES 2ND UNIT OF RAJPURA AND 2ND & 3RD UNITS OF TALWANDI SABO FOR 2014-15 · LANDMARK DECISION BELIES OPPOSITION’s CANARD AGAINST STATE GOVERNMENT’s FIRM RESOLVE TO MAKE PUNJAB POWER SURPLUS Chandigarh, July 15 Affirming the readiness of the L&T Thermal Power Plant (TPP) at Rajpura to commence power generation, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), GoI has confirmed the supply of one lac tonne of coal for the trial run of its first unit (700 MW), slated to be made operational during January, 2014. Some time back a similar confirmation of readiness had been made by CEA for the trial run of the first unit (660 MW) of the Sterlite group's power plant near Talwandi Sabo, to be made operational in September 2013. Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Chief Engineer, Operation Monitoring Division of CEA has asked the Coal India Limited (CIL) to supply the aforesaid quantity of coal to the Rajpura and Talwandi Sabo TPPs in order to carry out the pre-commissioning/synchronization activities, coal for carpeting, trial run etc. It was also informed that, on the personal intervention of the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, the Ministry of Power, GoI has also acceded to his request by issuing a notification asking Coal India Ltd. to sign Fuel Supply Agreements (FSA) to include the Unit-1 of Talwandi Sabo TPP and Unit-1 of Rajpura TPP for 2013-14 besides Talwandi Sabo TPP unit 2&3 and Rajpura TPP Unit 2 for 2014-15. Earlier, the Ministry of Power (CEA) had not included fuel linkage and signing of FSA (Fuel Supply Agreement) for Talwandi Sabo Unit 2&3 and Rajpura unit 2 in the year 2014-15 and had pushed them to 2015-16. This landmark decision assumes paramount significance at this crucial juncture especially in the wake of ever increasing demand of power in the state. To tide over the gulf between the demand and supply of power, the GoI’s directive to the CIL for assured supply of coal to these plants would not only pave a way for the timely power generation to augment its supply on one hand and also silence the opposition for spreading malicious propaganda against the state government’s concerted efforts to make Punjab, self-reliant in the power sector. With the assured supply of coal to the upcoming thermal plants in Punjab, the state government was zeroing in to achieve its ultimate goal of generating additional power of 3920 MW, spokesperson added. - PUNJAB TO FORMULATE SPECIALIZED POLICY TO PRESERVE RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE Chandigarh July 15: Putting a Rs. 100 crore culture Preservation plan on fast track, the Punjab government had signed an MoU (memorandum of understanding) with UNESCO to prepare a appropriate and specialized policy for preservation of heritage and culture of Punjab. Stating this here today a spokesman of the department of Cultural Affairs Punjab said that Punjab was the first state in the country that had chosen professional model to preserve oldest cultural heritage of the state. He said Punjab was rich in tangible and intangible cultural heritage ranging from archaeological remains of the 5,000 year old Indus civilization right up to the planning and construction of Chandigarh. He said that this heritage of the state displayed rich evidence of being a thriving and much sought about gateway to the subcontinent and a key stop along important trade routes such as the linkages to the Silk road and later the Grand Trunk Road; encompassing not only tangible assets of archaeology and architecture, but a rich philosophy, poetry, spirituality, crafts, artistry, music, cuisine and multifold traditions. Department of Culture, Archaeology and Museum had taken a unique and visionary initiative to develop a State Cultural Heritage Policy in order to guide the use of Rs 100 crore funds in all fields with relevance to the cultural heritage and helping to improve institutional, legal and other frameworks to better preserve, manage and sustainably use its cultural heritage. - PUNJAB SETS TARGET TO PLANT 4.75 CRORE SAPLINGS: JAYANI CHANDIGARH, JULY 15: Punjab Government has set a target to plant 4.75 crore saplings in the year 2013-14 through the Forest Department. Divulging this here today Mr. Surjit kumar Jayani, Forest Minister said that the Department has already launched a special tree plantation campaign for the ongoing monsoon season. The Minister said that vacant government land suitable for plantation has been identified to increase area under forests. He added that department would also facilitate people who want to plant saplings personally in their lands to make Punjab Greener. Mr. Jayani has also appealed the people to plant more and more plants to save our planet and make lives healthy. He called upon them to celebrate their special occasions by tree plantation. Minister further said that Punjab Government has also chalked out a plan to buy land to increase area under forests. He added that Punjab Government has also launched a 'Greening Punjab Mission' to double the area under forests from 7 % to 15% in the coming seven years. --------------- PROCESS FOR 6 LANING OF KHARAR-LUDHIANA ROAD STARTS: DHILLON · WORK TO BEGIN FROM MARCH 2014 CHANDIGARH, JULY 15: The Punjab Government has initiates the process for 6 laning of Kharar-Ludhiana road which would prove to be a big push to strengthen the infrastructure in the state. Disclosing this here today, Mr. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Public Works Department Minister, said that necessary file work has been started to get all kind of approvals for this 1000 crore ambitious projects and construction work to be started on March 2014. Stating this road as a life line of the entire Malwa region, Mr Dhillon said that this project would include 68 kilometer stretch from Sector-38 Chandigarh to Ludhiana via Kharar, which would be converted into 6 lane. Mr Dhillon further informed that under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Mr Parkash singh Badal and visionary guidance of Deputy Chief Minister Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, Punjab is all set to become the state, having best road connectivity in the country. He said that 175 KM road from Sambhu Border–Jalandhar with the cost of Rs 1500 crore, 44 KM from Bhogpur-Mukerian with Rs 300 crore, 102 KM from Pathankot to Amritsar with Rs 800 crore and 78 KM from Ludhiana to Talwandi worth Rs 479 crore have also been under construction. The Minister informed that four major four lane projects were under construction in the state including 56 kilometer long Ropar-Chamkaur Sahib-Neelon-Doraha (along Sirhind Canal), 30 kilometer long Morinda-Kurali-Siswan-Baddi, 30 kilometer long Kot Kapura-Sri Muktsar Sahib and 36 kilometer long Batala-Mehta-Beas. He said that these projects would also be completed soon, which would provide a big sigh of relief to daily commuters from traffic congestions besides saving their precious time and energy. Mr. Dhillon said that SAD-BJP Government was committed for the overall development of the state and in future more road construction projects would be started for the public convenience. -----------------
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