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Punjab News:

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RESULT OF TEACHER ELIGIBILITY TEST DECLARED

·        CHANDIGARH, JUNE 19:

            The result of Punjab State Teacher Eligibility Test (PSTET) has been declared which could be seen on the websitewww.tetpunjab.com. It was disclosed today by an Official Spokesperson of the state government.

            He said that PSTET-1 was taken for ETT candidates whereas PSTET-2 was conducted for B.Ed. candidates. Both tests were taken on June 9 in 391 centers across the state.  

            He said that in total 60,382 candidates appeared for PSTET-1, out of which 4251 candidates (7.04 %) cleared the test. He further said that 1, 68,396 candidates were appeared for PSTET-2 and 5141 candidates (3.05%) managed to pass the test.

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CHIEF SECRETARY DIRECTS DCs TO GEAR UP FOR FLOOD PROTECTION

·         REVIEWS FLOOD PREPAREDNESS OF ALL DISTRICTS

·         DIRECTS TO INCREASE SURVEILLANCE AT VULNERABLE POINTS 24X7

·         115 NEW MINING SITES BE AUCTIONED ON 1 TO 3 JULY, 2013

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 19:

The Chief Secretary, Punjab today reviewed the flood protection measures in the state and has directed the district administration to make all the necessary arrangements well in-advance besides updating all the equipment and other technical support to tackle any kind of emergency during the coming monsoon season.

These instructions were issued by Mr. Rakesh Singh, Chief Secretary today in a high level meeting with the top-bras of the state administration and the Deputy Commissioners of districts here today. Chief Secretary said that the government has sanctioned Rs. 10 lakh grant for each district for flood relief activities.

Directing all the DCs the CS asked them to keep a close tab on the critical points in their respective jurisdictions to pre-empt any sort of eventuality arising on account of heavy rain during the current Monsoon besides, establishing a proper co-ordination with the Irrigation department, Police, Revenue and Rehabilitation & Health Departments and all other concerned sectors.

Chief Secretary asked the DCs to increase the surveillance at all the vulnerable and crucial points. He directed the DCs to get the survey conduct on the low lying areas prone to water logging falling in all the Major cities.

He said that district administration must ensure that they are in full control to tackle any kind of eventuality arising out of water logging like availability of pumps to drain out the water, adequate stock of medicine and identification of locations for camping sites. He directed DCs to fix the responsibility of the concerned XEN of irrigation and drainage department to monitor the vulnerable sites 24X7.

In the meeting the Chief Secretary also reviewed the availability of mining material in various districts. It was told that in total 46 querries below 5 hectare and 23 queries above 5 hectare are operational. The Chief Secretary said that the Punjab Government is all set to auction 115 new querry below 5 hectare of area on 1 to 3 July, 2013.

Prominent amongst those who were present in the meeting Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister Mr. PS Aujala, Financial Commissioner Revenue Mr. NS Kang, Principal Secretary Industries Mr. Karan A Singh, Principal Secretary Health Mrs. Vinni Mahajan, Principal Secretary Coordination and Water Supply Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Secretary Finance Mr. Jaspal Singh, Director Industries Mr. Vikas Partap and IG Bathinda Mr. Nirmal Singh Dhillon besides all the Deputy Commissioners.

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KOHAR DIRECTS TO ENSURE THE PLYING OF BUSES AS PER THE KILOMETERS ALLOTTED

·        EMPHASIZE THE NEED FOR PROPER MAINTENANCE OF BUSES ALONG WITH ALL FACILITIES TO THE COMMUTERS

 Chandigarh, June 19

Punjab Transport Minister Mr. Ajit Singh Kohar today directed the General Mangers of Punjab Roadways and Punjab Road Transport Corporation to ensure the plying of buses as per as the kilometers allotted to each depot so that both undertakings shouldn’t suffer any financial loss on one side and there would not be any harassment to the commuters. He also emphasized the need for proper maintenance of buses along with all facilities to the commuters.   

Presiding over a meeting of General Mangers of Punjab Roadways and PRTC at Punjab Bhawan  Mr. Kohar said that every depot should take up the challenge complete its fixed quota of kms by increasing its working capacity. He said for this purpose the general managers should work with sincerity and dedication. He categorically said that each bus should be in running condition and no bus should be parked at workshop or bus stand without any reason. He also underlined the need to rationalize the work allocation to the staff in a result oriented manner.

The Transport Minister directed to the General mangers to ensure the maintenance of buses so quality transport facilities should be provided to the commuters of the state with special focus on punctuality in the timings of the buses. He also asked them to ensure the good conduct of drivers and conductors of the buses and cautioned that in case of any complaint of misbehave strict disciplinary action would taken against erring official. He also directed to ensure that no driver should answer any call on mobile while driving.

Principle Secretary Transport Mr. Jagpal Singh, State Transport Commissioner Mr. Harjit Singh, Director Transport Mr. Sumedh Singh Gurjar besides all the general managers of Punjab Roadways and PRTC were present in the meeting. 

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STATE ELECTION COMMISSION

NOTIFICATION ISSUED FOR GRAM PANCHAYATS

·        NOMINATIONS STARTS, JUNE 22 LAST DATE TO FILE NOMINATIONS

·        VOTING AND COUNTING ON JULY 3

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 19:

The State Election Commission today issued notification for the election of Gram Panchayats in the state. With the issuance of notification Model Code of Conduct came into force which would remain in force till July 4. It was disclosed by an official spokesperson of the State Election Commission.

The election of Gram Panchayats is being conducted through wardbandi for the first time. Election of sarpanch would be held in 13080 Gram panchayats and for Panch in 81412 wards of villages. The Sarpanch would be elected through direct election.

            He said that the process of filing of nomination has started from today i.e. from June 19 and would last till June 22. Scrutiny of the papers would be done on June 24 and papers could be withdrawn up to June 25. Voting would be conducted on July 3. He further said that voting would start at 8 a.m. and continue till 4 p.m. and the counting of votes would be started on the same day after the polling completes. Election process would be completed on July 4.

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STATE ELECTION COMMISSION

SEC DIRECTS TO IMPLEMENT MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT STRICTLY

·          MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT WOULD BE OPERATIONAL WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE GRAM PANCHAYATS

 CHANDIGARH, JUNE 19:

          The State Election Commission (SEC) has issued strict directions for the compliance of model code of conduct which has come into force today with the issuance of notification for the election of Gram Panchayats.

An Official spokesman of the State Election Commissionclarified that Model Code of Conduct comes into effect immediately within the jurisdiction of the Gram Panchayats and be operative till the completion of election.

SEC said that during the election process Ministers shall not ombine their official visit with electioneering work and shall not make use of official machinery and personnel or other Government resources including government vehicle for furtherance of interests of any candidate. Official telephones including mobiles, fax etc. shall not be used for electioneering purposes. The Ministers and other authorities shall not sanction grants/payment out of their discretionary funds from the time elections are announced by the Commission. Further they shall not announce any financial grant in any form or promises thereof or make any promise of constructions of road, provision of drinking water facility etc. or make any adhoc appointment in government public undertaking etc. which may have the effect of influencing the voters in favour of the party in power. They shall not sanction any new scheme or make any announcement of any new scheme. Laying of foundation stone etc. of a project or a scheme of any kind shall not be done during the period of election.

An Official Spokesman further said that use of rest houses, circuit houses and other government accommodation should be permitted to all the candidates and the political parties on the same terms and conditions on which it is permissible for the party in power. However, no candidate or party shall be allowed to use such accommodations (including premises apartments thereto) as a campaign office or for holding any public meeting for the purpose of election propaganda.

An Official Spokesman further said that a public servant shall not participate or accompany a Minister in any programme, organized at an individual’s house for which the Minister has accepted the invitation during his election tour. The loud speakers shall be used only between 07.00 A.M. to 10.00 P.M. No party or candidate shall hold public meeting or processions without obtaining necessary permission from the competent Local Authority(s). Places of worship such as temples, mosques, churches etc. shall not be used as forum for election propaganda.

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PUNJAB PREPARES COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO PROMOTE TOURISM

SIX HERITAGE CITIES TO BE LINKED UNDER MEGA DARBAR CIRCUIT

TENDERS FLOATED FOR THE CONSULTANCY SERVICES

 Chandigarh, June 19:

Punjab government has prepared a comprehensive tourism development plan to encourage tourism in the state.

Disclosing this here today official spokesperson of the Punjab government said that under the Mega Darbar Circuit project six historical cities Amritsar, Sangrur, Kapurthala, Nabha, fardikot & Malerkotla would be linked.

Spokesperson said that Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board aims to develop the Circuit by preparing a Comprehensive Conservation and Tourist infrastructure and Reuse Plan of cultural assets and also create tourist facilities at various sites for tourists.

He further said that Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB) have invited tenders for comprehensive development of mega darbar circuit in Punjab from consultants. Detailed RFP and Terms and Conditions can be obtained from the office of PHTPB.  He added that information regarding this is also available at website www.punjabtourism.gov.in. The Consultants are required to submit a Technical and Financial Proposal to Additional Chief Executive Officer, Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board, Plot No. 3, Sector 38-A, Chandigarh before 3 pm on 8th July, 2013 .

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15-MEMBER CONCEPT COMMITTEE CONSTITUTED

CHANDIGARH: June 19,

            Punjab Government has constituted a 15-member concept committee for preparing concept papers of Baba Moti Ram Mehra Memorial in Fathegarh Sahib.

            Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab Government said that S. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Minister, Tourism & Cultural Affairs, Punjab, S. Prem Singh Chandumajra, S. Hira Singh Gabria, S. Sewa Singh Sekhwan, S. Jaspal Singh Vice Chancellor Punjabi University Patiala, Prof. Kirpal Singh Badungar, Dr. Kirpal Singh, Dr. J.S.Grewal, Prof Indu Banga Punjabi University, Prof Prithipal Singh Kapoor, Mr. Manmohan Singh Bhagowalia, Mr. Nirmal Singh and president Moti Ram Mehra Trust would be members of the committee whereas Principal Secretary and Director Cultural Affairs would be convener and co-convener of the committee respectively.

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2 PPS OFFICERS TRANSFERRED

Chandigarh, June 19:

The Punjab Government has issued posting and transfer order of two PPS officer with immediate effect.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that Mr. Mohan Lal SP has been posted as SP Crime-II, Chandigarh and Mr. Jagdeep Singh Hundal, SP posted as SP (H) Batala.

PUNJAB PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY TO PLOT HOLDERS TO REGULARIZE TELECOMMUNICATION TOWERS

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 19:

            The Punjab government has provided a golden opportunity to the allottees of industrial plots, sheds and commercial/institutional sites falling in different focal points developed by PSIEC in the state to regularize telecommunication towers. 

            Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab government said that it has been found that a sizeable number of plot holders of different focal points have installed telecommunication tower, allied equipment and exchange, without obtaining prior permission from PSIEC. Now the department of industries and commerce has approved the policy guidelines and fee with regard to installation of telecommunication tower, allied equipment and exchange in the industrial plots, sheds, and commercial/institution sites allotted by PSIEC in different focal points in the state.

He said that roof tower/high rise telecommunication tower, allied equipment and exchange should be got regularized by corporation upon charging lump sum fee of Rs. 1 lac per tower from the plot holders. The permission should be initially granted for a period of one year and renewable thereafter by charging fee of Rs. 50,000 per year, He said that in case telecommunication tower is shared by any other company/companies, additional annual fee of Rs. 50,000/ per Telecom Company shall also be charged.

            He further said that in those cases where roof tower/high rise telecommunication tower, allied equipment and exchange have already been installed on the plots, the recovery of arrears of dues should be made by corporation in lump sum as per fee structure given above, chargeable from the date of installation of tower, as per the case may be. After allowing permission in such cases, the application fee should be charged from the plots holders on yearly bases.

            The spokesman further said that in those cases where PSIEC have already allowed permission for installation of telecommunication tower to the plot holders, the fee should be charged from these plot holders as per the fee structure given above, after the expiry of currency of the existing permissible period. In those cases, where plot holders do not take steps for getting regularization of telecommunication towers in accordance with the fee structure, corporation should resort to cancellation of such allotment of plots after serving show cause notice to the defaulters as the case may be.

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 EDUCATION DEPARTMENT DISPOSES OF 44 CASES OUT OF 110 IN PUBLIC HEARING

 CHANDIGARH, June 19: 

The Legal Cell of Education Department, Punjab disposed off 44 cases out of 110 in public hearing here today.

                        The Spokesman of the Education Department said that the Legal Cell of the Education Department has conducted a ‘Public Hearing’ on 17-06-2013 chaired by Mrs. Anjali Bhawra IAS, Principal Secretary School Education, in which Mr. Harbans Singh, Special Executive Officer (Litigation), Mr. Gurdip Singh Special Secretary (School Education) and all District Education Officers (secondary and elementary) were also present.

The spokesman said that total 110 cases were considered in public hearing program out of which 44 has been disposed off on the spot and orders have been issued to officers to dispose of pending cases. He said that 15 employees of the department has also submitted their grievances/representations regarding their service issues in Public Hearing and the panel has directed concerned officers to sort out these cases on priority basis. He said that details regarding the cases/issues, which would be considered in the next public hearings on June 28, 2013.

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 PUNJAB GOVERNMENT HIRES A PRIVATE HELICOPTER TO EVACUATE SRI HEMKUND SAHIB PILGRIMS

4-MEMBER OFFICIAL TEAM REACHES UTTRAKHAND TO MONITOR AND COORDINATE PILGRIMS’ RESCUE OPS

CHANDIGARH JUNE 19

The Punjab Government has hired a private Helicopter to airlift the pilgrims stuck at Sri Hemkund Sahib and its surrounding areas.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s office said that on the directions of the Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal the Punjab Government had also constituted a 4-member team of senior officers that has already left for Dehradun to monitor the entire ongoing rescue operation to ensure the safe return of the Sikh pilgrims who had been trapped at Sri Hemkund Sahib due to inclement weather followed by flash floods causing road blockades at several places. This team would further visit Joshimath and Sri Hemkund Sahib to minutely observe and coordinate the rescue operations. Punjab Chief Secretary Mr. Rakesh Singh along with his officers is keeping constant liaison with the Uttrakhand administration to provid all types of help and support for this massive rescue operation at war footing.

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PUNJAB ALLOWS MECHANICAL ENGINEERING COURSE IN JALANDHAR

CHANDIGARH, JUNE, 19:

The Punjab government has allowed CT Institute of Engineering Management and Technology, Shahpur-Udopur, Jalandhar to start a new course of Mechanical engineering (M.Tech.).

Disclosing this here today an official spokesman of the department of Technical Education said that notification has been issued in this regard. Now the institute would be able to intake 18 M. Tech students from this session. He said that the seats have been allotted to this institute as it fulfilled conditions imposed by AICTE and the state government.

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PUNJAB GOVERNMENT TO MAKE ALL SERVICES ONLINE

AIM IS TO REDUCE PAPER WORK, BRING MORE TRANSPARENCY, PREVENT DELAY

PSPCL LAUNCHES ONLINE PROCESS OF GETTING NEW POWER CONNECTIONS

APPLICANT WILL BE GIVEN A UNIQUE NUMBER TO CHECK THE STATUS

Chandigarh, June 19:

The Punjab government is all set to make the process of making all departments working online easy and hassle free. This would not only save time and efforts in getting clearances but the service will benefit applicants as they will no longer be required to submit applications and track the progress manually. Disclosing this official spokesperson of the government said that implementing government’s new initiative PSPCL has launched online process of getting new power connections. With the launch of new system the applications will ensure that Applicants can submit applications online sitting at their homes or offices which will save their valuable time and efforts.

Spokesperson said that the service will immensely benefit applicants as the extra efforts to submit applications at various levels and their follow up will not be necessary. On online submission of application, each applicant will be given a unique number which can be used for checking the status of their application anytime.

He said that recently under their chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, a meeting was held with the PSPCL officials to make their system consumer friendly and time saving. He said that State Power Corporation Limited has started a consumer friendly service of accepting online applications for No Objection Certificate and approval of electrical schemes of residential colonies, building complexes, shopping malls, commercial complexes under single window system and their disposal in time bound manner.

Spokesperson said that government’s aim is to reduce paper work, bring more transparency, prevent delay caused due to shifting of files from one office to other and prompt issue of NOC and approval to the electrical schemes.

The applications can be submitted on PSPCL website www.pspcl.in  along with requisite documents which will be checked by the officials concerned. A final approval will be given by the chief engineer. The entire process will be online. The software developed for the purpose would also send automated SMS/e-mail to the consumers on the status of their applications.

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PUNJAB GOVERNMENT ISSUES WARNING TO UN-REGISTERED DOCTORS

STRICT ACTION AGAINST UNREGISTERED DOCTORS: MITTAL

Chandigarh, June 19: Punjab Government has issued a warning to the unregistered doctors practicing in the state. Presiding over a high level meeting with the Health department officials Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal Minster for Health & Family Welfare took a serious note of such malpractices by the private doctors. He warned such unregistered doctors and said that such practices won’t be tolerated and no one would be allowed to play with the health of the people.

Minister said that it’s mandatory for private practitioners to get registered with the government and anyone not doing so should be ready to face strict action.

Minister instructed the officials should regularly keep a check on such doctors at district and block level. He added that if the concerned official does not report cases of unregistered doctors knowingly then action would be taken against such officials.

Minister said that innocent people have to face consequences of non professional doctors and sometimes people have to even lose their lives due to such malpractices.  

Health Minster appealed to the people to cooperate with government to take action against such doctors. He said that people should avail medical facilities from government hospitals as government provides Health facilities to the people on very low affordable prices for common man.  

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KOHAR DIRECTS TO THE DTOS TO COLLECT THE TAXES WITH SINCERELY

·       24% INCREASE IN THE COLLECTION OF TAXES IN FIRST TWO MONTHS COMPARED TO THE LAST YEAR

·       ENSURE THE CHECKING OF SCHOOL BUSES- KOHAR ASKS DTOS

Chandigarh, June 18-

While showing the satisfaction about the collection of taxes compared to the last financial year 2012, the Punjab Transport Minister Mr. Ajit Singh Kohar has directed to the district transport officers to work with utmost sincerity and dedication for the collection of taxes so that fixed target should be achieved.

Presiding over the meeting of district transport officers at Punjab Bhawan here today Mr. Kohar asked the DTOs to activate the entire machinery to ensure the collection of all the taxes including tax fee, fines, Challans ect. It was informed in the meeting that in the first two months of current financial year tax collection reached to 19135.83 lacs. compare to 15491.68 lacs of same period of last financial year 2012. While showing satisfaction over the increase of 24% in the tax collection Mr. Kohar asked the officers to improve their performance so that all the taxes should be collected accordingly.  

Mr. Ajit Singh Kohar has asked the DTOs to insure the checking of all the school buses and to implement road safety rules strictly for ensuring the safety of school children. Mr. Kohar also suggested school managements should carefully select the bus drivers after thorough verification of their driving experience besides vital documents like bus permit and Registration. He said that anyone flouting these norms would be liable to face severe departmental action. He directed to the officers to implement these rules strictly.

He also asked the DTOs to initiate strictest possible action against the trucks/ trolleys over loaded with chaff and sugarcane. He directed the transport department to curb the illegal practice of transporting passengers in trucks and other commercial vehicles. Mr. Kohar also instructed the transport department to take harsh action against the drivers of trolleys loaded with sand within the cities from 9 am to 7 pm.

Prominent amongst other who were present in the meeting including Principal Secretary Transport Mr. Jagpal Singh, State Transport Commissioner Mr. Harjeet Singh, Director Transport Mr. Sumedh Singh Gurjar, additional transport commissioner Mr. Harmel Singh and all the DTOs.

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PUNJAB CONSTITUTES CONCEPT COMMITTEE TO ENVISAGE THE MEMORIAL OF BABA JEEVAN SINGH

·        6 MEMBER HISTORIAN COMMITTEE TO CONCEPTUALIZE PRESTIGIOUS MEMORIAL WITHIN MONTH

 CHANDIGARH, JUNE 18:

The Concept committee of historian has been set up to envisage the memorial of Baba Jeevan Singh (Bhai Jaita Ji) at Sri Anandpur Sahib to show case the holy services of Baba Ji.

It was disclosed by Jathedar Avtar Singh, President, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) while presiding over the meeting of the Sikh historians here. He was accompanied by Dr. Charanjit Singh Atwal, Speaker, Punjab Legislative Assembly and Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Cabinet Ministe, Punjab.

He said that Dr. Jaspal Singh, VC, Punjabi University, Patiala has been appointed as the Chairman while Prof. Kirpal Singh Badunger, Former President, SGPC appointed as the Coordinator of the committee. He further said Dr. J.S. Grewal, Prof. Kirpal Singh, Prof. Indu Baga and Prof. Pirthipal Singh Kapoor, all historians, incorporated as members of the committee. Jathedar Avtar Singh said that this committee would visit several historic places to seek vital inputs to conceptualize prestigious memorial within month to show case the life, sacrifice, holy services and martyrdom of Baba Jeevan Singh Ji.

Dr. Jaspal Singh, VC, Punjabi University, Patiala, Prof. Indu Baga and Prof. Pirthipal Singh Kapoor (both historians) were present in the meeting.


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 PUNJAB PROVIDES MAJOR RELIEF TO INDUSTRIAL PLOT HOLDERS

ALLOW TO UTILIZE PREMISES UP TO 10 PERCENT OF THEIR PLOTS

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 18:

          The Punjab government gives a major relief to industrial plot holders of Focal Point/growth centers with allowing them to utilize their premises up to 10% of their plots area.

          Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab government said that allottees of industrial plots of different focal point/ growth centers have been allowed to utilize their premises up to 10% of their plot area to display their own products/items. He said that they have also been allowed to open factory sale outlet provided construction of building is made in accordance with the applicable zoning and buildings bye laws/rules. PSIEC should allow this permission to its allottees without payment of CLU charges.

          He further said that industrial plot holders have also been allowed to open entry gates in their premises equivalent to the additional number of units permitted by department of industries in the particular plot as per their rules by making payment of Rs. 10,000 as per fee for each additional gate.

          The spokesman further said that the Punjab government has already announced special package of incentives allowed to the industrial plot holders of focal points Jalandhar (extension) by giving them interim relief in making payment of enhanced land cost.

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PUNJAB INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROVIDERS

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 18:

The Punjab government has invited applications for the registration of vocational training providers (VTPS) to train the students under the skill development initiative scheme.

 Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab government said that interested VTPS could send their complete documents in a prescribed Performa to directorate of technical education, Punjab till June 28.

He said that selected VTPS would be responsible for counseling, vocational guidance, quality training and assist the trainees to get employment to the trainees. He further said that interested VTPS could download the registration form, registration process, bank guarantee, Qualification and other information from the website www.dtepunjab.gov.in  link SDI/PSSDS/MESS. 

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PUNJAB GOVERNMENT IMPLEMENTS MeDLEaPR SOFTWARE FOR DOCTORS

MANDATORY TO USE THE MeDLEaPR SOFTWARE FOR DOCTORS: MITTAL

Chandigarh, June 18:

 Punjab government has implemented Medico-Legal Reports software for all the Doctors working in Government or Private Hospitals to prepare Medico-legal Report (Assault, Road Side Accidents, etc.).

Disclosing this here today Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal Minster for Health & Family Welfare, Punjab said that it has been made mandatory for private and government doctors to use the MedLEaPR software. He said that all the doctors who conduct MLRs may get the password issued for access to the software from the appropriate authority.

Giving information about the software Mrs. Vinni Mahajan Principal Secretary, Health & Family welfaresaid that all private institutions are supposed to share the site of MedLEaPR generated. She said that to implement this software one state nodal officers Dr. Surinder Ghanga and additional state nodal officer Dr. Parminder Singh Bhatti has been appointed. Any doctor facing any difficulty in using this software could contact these nodal officers.

She said that Punjab Medlar Society is constituted for training, compliance & monitoring of implementation of this software. To obtain username and Password the concerned doctor has to fill the complete Biodata on the prescribed proforma and send the same through the Head of the Institute where he is working to the Director Health Services, Punjab, Parivar Kalyan Bhavan, Sector 34-A,  Chandigarh (dhspunjab@gmail.com). The concerned doctor can also contact the respective IMA, President of the district.             

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Punjab to launch an investment campaign to woo global investors in October

·       Punjab appoints committee to supervise the selection of knowledge partner

 CHANDIGARH, JUNE 18: The Punjab government has decided to launch an intensive investment campaign to woo global investors in pursuance of approval of fiscal incentives for industrial promotion 2013.

                    According to an official spokesman a global investment conference is being organized in the month of October. The Punjab government today constituted a high level committee to chalk out the programme for global investors conference and to engage knowledge partner for investment campaign.

                   He informed that to supervise the process of selection of the knowledge partner a selection committee has been appointed. MD Punjab Infrastructure Development Board has been appointed as the Chairman of this committee. MD/Punjab Energy Development Authority, MD/Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation, Chief Administrator Greater Mohali Area Development Authority and MD/Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Ltd have been appointed as members of the said committee. MD/Punjab Infotech Corporation Ltd has been appointed as member secretary.

          He said that the committee shall finalize the Terms & Conditions of the knowledge partner. It will oversee the bid process including the pre-bid conference and pre-qualification of bidders. The committee shall recommend the selected bidder to the Government.

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PUNJAB ISSUES DISABILITY CERTIFICATES TO 12458 STUDENTS OF GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS

56 STUDENTS SUFFERING FROM THALESEMIA GET FREE OF COST TREATMENT

Chandigarh, June 18: The Punjab Education department has played a significant role in getting disability certificates issued to 12458 students of various government schools throughout the State in collaboration with state Health department.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of State education department said the  the office of Director General School Education had  initiated a campaign with special emphasis on identifying the students with special needs for further providing them quality and free of cost medical treatment besides ensuring the benefits of other social welfare schemes. He said that under this initiative special medical checkup camps were organized at school level where doctors after thorough examination identified the students with special needs besides those suffering from chronic illnesses. He added that 12458 students were got issued disability certificates by the health department.

Giving the district wise details of the students, the spokesman revealed that maximum number of such certificates was issued in district Mohali (1970). Similarly, the number of beneficiaries of other districts as follows; Patiala (1587), Ferozepur (968), Fazilka (996), Amritsar (412), Bathinda (122), Faridkot (209), Fatehgarh Sahib (235), Gurdaspur (351), Hoshiarpur (602), Jalandhar (139), Kapurthala (1120), Ludhiana (181), Moga (748), Mukatsar (98), Pathankot (177), Ropar (788), Sangrur (966) and Tarn Taran ( 789).

The spokesman further informed that 56 students suffering from Thalesemia received free treatment during last one year and there was no pendency of thalesemia patients awaiting treatment in any of the government school.

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FOUR HIGH LEVEL BRIDGES BE READY BY FEBRUARY WITH THE COST OF RS 266.14 CRORE: DHILLON

·        BRIDGE  WITH THE COST OF 11.44 CRORE ON SIRHIND CANAL AT ROOPNAGAR BYPASS COMPLETED

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 18:

Punjab would soon witness the four state of the art ultra modern high level brides. The Construction work is in full swing and it would be completed by February, 2014 by all means. The total expenditure on these bridges would be Rs 266.14 crore. These bridges would be opened for the Public in February, said Mr. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon Public Welfare Minister, Punjab here today.

Reviewing the progress of this project Mr. Dhillon said that the bridge at Ludhiana-Rahon raod near village matewara on Satluj River is being constructed with the cost of 62.58 crore,  bridge near Abadgarh-Meerthal- Patran on Chaki River with the cost of 61.45 crore, bridge at Jhanda-Lubana-Dhonoa-Mukerian road on  Beas river near Dhanoa Patan with the cost of 56.50 crore and bridge at Roopnagar bypass on Satluj river with the cost of 79.61 crore. He said that the 60% construction work on these Bridges has been completed whereas the remaining work would be completed by February, 2014.

Mr. Dhillon said that bridge on Srihind Canal with the cost of 11.44 crore at Roopnagar bypass has been completed which would soon be opened for public.

The Minister said that the Punjab Government  has decieded to upgrade the road infrastructure to de-escalate the traffic problems in the state. He said that with thius motive in mind the high level brigdes are being built. He said that Punjab government has constructed 6 high level bridges with the cost of 153.01 crore during the last five years.

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BADAL DEPUTES CHIEF SECRETARY TO MONITOR RESCUE OPERATION OF SRI HEMKUND SAHIB PILGRIMS

CHANDIGARH JUNE 17

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today directed the Punjab Chief Secretary to extend all help and support to the Uttrakhand Government in launching a massive operation to rescue the victims who had been stuck on the way to Sri Hemkund Sahib due to heavy rain causing road blockades at several places

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s office said that the chief Minister also directed the state government to take immediate necessary measures to ensuring the safe home coming of the Sikh pilgrims. Thousands of pilgrims had been trapped as Sri Hemkund Sahib had been cut off from rest of the state due to bad weather followed by floods. The spokesperson informed that the Chief Secretary Punjab Mr. Rakesh Singh and MLA Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema were in continues touch with Uttrakhand government. The Punjab government was providing all type of assistance to the Uttrakhand where rescue operation was going on at war footing, added the spokesperson.

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E-AUCTION OF MINES IN THE STATE FROM JULY1

 CHANDIGARH, JUNE 17:

Punjab Government has decided e-Auction of mineral & stone mines of less than 5 hectare area from first July. An Official spokesperson said that this decision has been taken to bring transparency in auction of sand & stone mines. He said that this process would facilitate the bidders as now they could take part in the bids through e-bidding from their homes.

This auction process would take place in 19 districts of the state under Punjab Mineral rules-2013. This E- auction would be held from first July to third July for total 115 mines.

According to official spokesman e-auction in Faridkot for 11 mines, Moga for 3 mines, Barnala for 2 mines, Sangrur for 4 mines, Ferozpur for 18 mines and Mansa for 2 mines would be held on first July. On second July auction for 3 mines in SBS Nagar,  7 in Jalandhar, 3 in Bathinda, 8 in Roopnagar, 2 in Hoshiarpur, 6 in Fazilka, 2 in Ajitgarh and 7 in Amritsar would be held. Official spokesperson said that auction in Tarn Taran for 2 mines, Gurdaspur for 14, Ludhiana for 12 mines, Pathankot for 7 mines and Kapurthala for 2 mines would be held on third July.

The spokesman said that detailed information regarding E-auction could be downloaded from official website www.pbindustries.gov.in and anyone could avail this information from concerned General Manager cum Mining Official at district Industrial Centre. He said that interested bidders could register at Punjab government's official website www.etender.punjabgovt.gov.in.

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RS. 333.90 CRORE SCHEMES FOR THE UTILIZATION OF THE TREATED EFFLUENT FOR IRRIGATION: CHAIRMAN POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD

·          CLEANING OF MAJOR RIVERS SUTLEJ, BEAS & GHAGGAR PROJECT PUT ON FAST TRACK

·        SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS WORK IN 37 TOWNS OF RIVER SATLUJ AND BEAS IN PROGRESS

·          19 SEWAGE TREATMENTS PLANTS IN VARIOUS CITIES INSTALLED

 Chandigarh, June 17- The Punjab Government has put on fast track the ambitious project of cleaning of rivers of Punjab 3 major rivers Sutlej, Beas & Ghaggar.

Disclosing this Mr. Ravinder Singh, Chairman Punjab Pollution Control Board said that the Chief Minister Punjab was weekly monitoring the progress of this project and Punjab Pollution Control Board was taking all steps to complete this project within timeline. He said that to control domestic pollution, 45 towns located on /near the banks of these rivers have been selected for the installation of Sewage Treatments Plants to stop the discharge of untreated effluent into these Rivers.

He said that the work in 37 the towns of river Satluj and Beas has already been started and some of the Sewage Treatments Plants have already been commissioned and are in operation. He added that 19 Sewage Treatments Plants in various cities have already been installed, in the State.

The Chairman said that in order to stop the discharge of treated domestic sewage from these STPs into Rivers, the Department of Soil Conservation and Irrigation have prepared irrigation schemes at the cost of Rs. 333.90 crores to utilize the treated effluent for irrigation in the command area available.

He said that in some of the cities, like Anandpur Sahib, this project has already been implemented and whole of the treated effluent from the city is being utilized for irrigation purposes in nearby fields. Thus, no effluent from this city is being discharged into river Sutlej now

Mr. Ravinder Singh said that for the control of industrial pollution in these rivers all the industries located on the catchments area of River Sutlej have been persuaded successfully to install their individual treatment plants.

He added that Punjab Pollution Control Board was receiving major complaints against two major industries of Naya Nangal i.e. M/s NFL & PACL who were discharging effluents directly in the river Sutlej that was adversely affecting the fish population. He said that they had been persuaded to change over to ZLD technology, resulting in no discharge of trade effluent from these industries into river Sutlej after that no incident of fish killing due to discharge of industrial effluents in river Sutlej is reported in last two years.

Mr. Singh said that Treatment plants have been provided for industrial and domestic effluent of GGSTP (Thermal Plant Ropar) and authorities are successfully persuaded to re-utilize treated effluents within plant and for plantation purposes. 

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 NEGLIGENCE IN DUTY-TWO EXECUTIVE ENGINEERS, SUB DIVISIONAL ENGINEER AND JUNIOR ENGINEER OF PWD SUSPENDED

·        NO LAXITY WOULD BE TOLERATED-PWD MINISTER

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 17:

            The Punjab Government today placed the services of two Executive Engineers, one Sub Divisional Engineer and a Junior Engineer of Public Works Department (PWD), under suspension on the charge of dereliction in duty.

            Disclosing this here today, Mr. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, PWD Minister informed that Manjeet Singh, Adesh Gupta, both Executive Engineers, Kimat Lal, Sub Divisional Engineer and Nishu Bansal, Junior Engineer have been suspended. He said that these officers have been suspended since a panel of a RUB inaugurated at Bathinda in September last year, which was constructed under the supervision of these official has collapsed due to heavy rain.

            Mr. Dhillon said that falling of the panel shows dereliction in performance of their duty, which would not be tolerated at any cost. He said that during suspension period the suspended officers will remain attach with the office of Chief Engineer (HQ) at Patiala.

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5 IAS AND 2 PCS OFFICERS TRANSFERRED

Chandigarh, June 17:

The Punjab Government has issued posting and transfer order of Five IAS and Two PCS officer with immediate effect.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that Mr. Sanjay Kumar, IAS has been posted as Principal Secretary, Coordination and in addition Principal Secretary, Printing and Stationary, Mr. Manashvi Kumar, IAS, posted as Chief Executive Officer, PEDA and in addition Special Secretary, Science Technology and Environment, Special Secretary,            Non- Conventional Energy,  Special Secretary, Power and in addition Director, Mining, Mr. Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal, IAS posted as Deputy Commissioner Tarn Taran, Mr. Gurlovleen Singh Sidhu, IAS posted as Special Secretary, School Education, Mr. Supreet Singh Gulati, IAS posted as Additional Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Patiala.

The spokesman further said that in PCS officers Mr. Shivdular Singh Dhillon has been posted as Director, sports and Youth Services in addition Special Secretary Local Government and Mr. Vinay Bublani posted as Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar, Chief Executive Officer, Jung-E-Azadi Memorial Foundation, Jalandhar and in addition Chief Administrator, Jalandhar Development Authority, Jalandhar and in addition Chairman Improvement Trust, Jalandhar

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FRESH POLARIZATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES AFTER LOK SABHA POLLS TO CONSTITUTE NDA GOVERNMENT AT CENTRE- BADAL TERMS ELEVATION OF MODI AS INTERNAL MATTER OF BJP NITISH WAS AT LIBERTY TO EXPRESS HIS VIEWS PAYS TRIBUTE TO LORD PARSHURAM JI SUITABLE MEMORIAL OF BHAI SATI DASS, BHAI MATI DASS AND BHAI DYALA TO BE ONSTRUCTED AT SRI ANANDPUR SAHIB

 Khatti (Phagwara), June 16- Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that new polarization of the political parties would take place after the results of ensuing general elections for constituting the NDA government at the centre.

Talking to the media persons at the residence of Chairman of MARKFED Mr. Jarnail Singh Wahid here today, the Chief Minister said that an anti-Congress wave was prevailing across the country as the people were fed from its anti-people policies. He said that none of the countrymen would ever vote for the Congress party which has made the life of every section of the society miserable by rampant corruption and exorbitant Price rise. Therefore Mr. Badal said that every vote against the Congress party would pave way for the formation of the NDA government, as it was the only viable alternative before the people.

 Terming the recent appointment of Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi as the Head of the campaign committee of the BJP, an internal matter of the party, the Chief Minister categorically said that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) was committed to support the BJP in every situation. He said that neither the BJP nor the SAD has ever interfered in each other’s internal matter, which has further cemented the alliance between the both the parties. When asked to comment on the ongoing rift between Janta Dal (U) and BJP besides its implications on the prospects of NDA, Mr. Badal said that Bihar Chief Minister Mr. Nitish Kumar was a very wise politician and was at liberty to express his opinion freely.   

Replying to another query regarding the coming Panchayat Elections in the state, the Chief Minister said that the state government was committed to ensure free and fair Panchayats polls in the state for strengthening the democracy at the grass root level. He said that as the Congress has been time and again rejected by the wise voters of the state, so they were making a hoarse cry regarding the use of the official machinery by the state government whereas it was on record that every election held during the SAD-BJP regime were not only fair but had also remained largely peaceful.

Later on addressing the mammoth gathering during a function organized by the Shri Brahmin Sabha Punjab to mark the birth anniversary of the Bhagwan Parshuram Ji, the Chief Minister exhorted the people to imbibe the ideals propagated by Bhagwan Parshuram ji, so that justice and equality could be ensured in the society.  Paying rich tributes to Lord Parshuram Ji, he said that Bhagwan Parshuram ji stood for protecting the basic tenets of religion, truth, universal love, compassion and righteousness adding that the life and philosophy of Bhagwan Parshuram ji teaches us that irrespective of our caste, religion and profession, we should fight injustice with all our might.

Recalling the age old ties between the Hindus and Sikhs, he said that both the communities have made great sacrifices to protect each other on one hand and to preserve the unity and integrity of the country on the other. Mr. Badal also said that in order to pay befitting tribute to Bhai Mati Dass, Bhai Sati Dass and Bhai Dyala a memorial would be soon constructed a Sri Anandpur Sahib.

Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Som Parkash, State BJP Chief Mr. Kamal Sharma, MLA Mr. Daljeet Singh Cheema, former Cabinet Minister Mr. Tikshan Sud, Deputy Commissioner Mr. DS Mangat, Commissioner Municipal Corporation Phagwara Mr. Kuldeep Singh and President of Brahmin Sabha Punjab Mr. Devi Dayal Prashar.     

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BADAL FOR UNIFORMITY IN ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES OF ALL UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE STATE

CM ASKS EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO PREPARE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO IMPART HIGHER EDUCATION ENTIRELY FREE FOR THE BRILLIANT RURAL POOR STUDENTS

APPROVES TO SETUP FOUR COMMUNITY COLLEGES AS PILOT PROJECT

PUNJAB TO BEEF UP HUMAN RESOURCE BANK

CHANDIGARH 16 JUNE, 2013

In a bid to strengthen and streamline the college education in the state, Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal directed all the three Universities of Punjab to work in coordination with the state government’s higher education development programme to bring uniformity in their academic activities across the state.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s office said that Mr. Badal was presiding over a high level meeting with the Vice-Chancellors (VCs) of the three Universities and the senior officers of the Education department at Chief Minister’s residence late last evening. The Education Minister Mr. Sikandar Singh Malooka besides the Vice Chancellors Dr. Jaspal Singh of Punjabi University, Dr. Ajaib Singh Brar of Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar’ and Prof. Arun Kumar Grover of Punjab University Chandigarh were present in the meeting.

On the occasion, Mr. Badal asked the Universities to adopt a uniform pattern of Semester System, Curriculum and Choice based credit system along with similar admission procedures in all the varsities that would facilitate the students in case they migrate from one University to another. He also asked the VCs for completely adopting on-line admission and fee deposit system to avoid undue harassment to the students seeking admission in particular college or university.

With a view to bring a revolution in the higher education, Mr. Badal directed the Principal Secretary Higher Education to chalk out a comprehensive plan in coordination with all the Universities for imparting free higher education including hostel and other facilities for the intelligent but poor students of the state with rural background.

Expressing concern over the acute shortage of Human Resource Bank, Mr. Badal said that to ensure overall development, growth and prosperity in Punjab, their government had made concerted efforts to strengthen educational infrastructure but it would be redundant until we improve our human resource development through imparting quality education to our youth at school, college and university levels especially to the students of the poor section of the society. Mr.

Badal asked the VCs to prepare a list of all the interested retired professors in various subjects and circulate it to all the Colleges so that they could utilize their expertise optimally as gust faculty.

To boost the skill development activities in the state, Mr. Badal said, “Skill development through vocational training is the only solution that would enrich our ‘Human Resource Bank’ on one hand and tackle the issue of unemployment on the other”. He further directed all the Vice Chancellors to identify the key areas to enabled our youth for getting successful employment after the completion of their vocational training.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister approved to setup ‘Community Colleges’ in the state to impart skill-oriented education of Diploma level with multiple futuristic opportunities for preserving and upgrading traditional skills. He also approved the proposal to setup four such Colleges on Pilot bases under this unique program at Govt.

Mohindra College Patiala, SDC Govt. College Ludhiana, Mehar Chand Polytechnic Jalandhar and Govt. Polytechnic College Bathinda from this new session to be started in July.

All the Vice Chancellors assured Mr. Badal that they would soon chalk out all the modalities in accordance with the Higher Education Department to make Community College System flexible so that the interested students could be further adjusted in regular degree courses as per their abilities after the completion of diploma training courses.

Prominent amongst those who were present in the meeting included Education Minister Mr. Sikandar Singh Malooka, Advisor to the CM on National Affairs & Media Mr. Harcharn Bains, Principal Secretary to CM Mr. SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Education Mrs. Ravneet Kaur, Special Principal Secretary to CM Mr. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, Special Secretary Higher Education Mr. Chander Gaind, DPI Colleges Mr. Tarsem Dhaliwal and Dy. Dir. Higher Education Mr. Jagdeep Singh.

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CABINET OKAYS REGULARIZATION OF UNAUTHORIZED COLONIES W.E.F. FROM APRIL 1, 2013 AS CUT OFF DATE

POLICY TO BE APPLICABLE FOR CURRENT FISCAL TO ENSURE INTEGRATED PLANNED DEVELOPMENT

GREEN SIGNAL FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF PROPERTY TAX

PUNJAB COMPULSORY REGISTRATION MARRIAGE RULES 2013, APPROVED

Chandigarh, June 15,2013

In a significant step aimed at providing basic civic amenities to majority of residents of unauthorized colonies,  the Punjab Cabinet today okayed the Policy for Compounding/ Regularization of Unauthorized Colonies/ Buildings under the Punjab Laws (Special Provisions) Act-2013.

A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of the Cabinet held under the Chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here at Punjab Bhawan this morning.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that this would be a big relief to about 5000 colonies and 2 lakh individuals plot holders/ building owners' across the state.The policy focuses on bringing all the unauthorized colonies/ buildings into the planning framework and to regularize the development, which would further facilitate the smooth implementation of the master plans across the state to ensure the entire urban development in a holistic manner. Apart from this, another aim of the policy was to provide the basic civic amenities to the residents of these areas and improve the circulation pattern of the streets/ roads thereby checking the trend of haphazard growth. The said policy would stipulate provisions to compound offences made under the Punjab Regional and Town Planning and Development Act 1995, the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act 1995, the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act 1976, the Punjab Town Improvement Act 1922 and the Punjab Municipal Act 1911.  

The policy would be applicable for a period of one year i.e. from April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014 in the entire state. Only those unapproved colonies or the buildings constructed before the April 1, 2013 would be considered under this policy.  This would be one time opportunity given by the Government to the colonizers and plot holders to get their offence compounded and regularized and to improve the amenities in these areas. This entire process would be completed by March 31, 2014. After the scrutiny of applications the Colonizers/ plot owners would be issued regularization certificates. But any colony constructed over the land belonging to state/ Central government/ public undertakings/ Panchayat lands/ Waqf Board/ Land under Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) and others would not be covered under this policy.

Under this policy the plot owners were required to submit applications to the Chief Administrator of the concerned authority for outside the Municipal limits areas and to the Commissioner/ Regional Deputy Director of Local Government for areas within the Municipal limits within 60 days from the date of the notification of this policy.

The colonizers were required to pay composition fee for compounding their offences, under this policy. The fee would vary from area to area for the colonies developed before and after August 2007. The approximate rates of composition fee vary from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 15 lakh per acre. Similarly the individual plot/ building owners could come forward for regularization of their plots/ buildings by paying regularization charges which vary from Rs 50 per to Rs 500 per square yard. The money so collected would be used for providing basic amenities in these colonies.

If any colonizer does not apply within 60 days then legal proceedings through registration of FIR would be initiated. Similarly for these colonies if the individual plot/ building owners do not apply under this scheme then the registration of their plots would be ceased and Power, Water Supply, Sewerage connections would be disconnected. 25% of the composition fee and regularisation charges were required to be deposited with the application and remaining 25% in three equal six monthly instalments. 10% discount would be given to those applicants who deposited the fee and charges lump sump.

The Cabinet also gave green signal to amend the Punjab Municipal Act 1911 and the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act 1976, in accordance with the recommendations of the Cabinet Sub Committee regarding the imposition of Property tax in the state besides securing Revenue for the urban local bodies. Accruing a major relief to the residents, the Cabinet also approved to do away with the Zone Wise Unit Value Based Property Tax.  The Cabinet not only decided to revert back to the old Annual Value System but also has given a slew of major concessions in that.

From the earlier house tax of 15% of the Annual Rental Value for the Commercial Rented Property, the rates have been drastically reduced to 10% and for Rental  Residential Property Tax rates have been brought down from earlier 10% to 7.5% annually .

Similarly, for non- rented Commercial Property the rates have been reduced from earlier 15% to 3% of the Annual Value.  For self occupied houses upto  50 Sq. Yards  a consolidated Rs. 50 per year would be charged and  for  houses between 50 to 100 Sq. Yards the annual consolidated tax of  Rs.150/- would be charged.

For self occupied house having area between 100 to 500 square yards, the property tax @ 0.5% of the Annual Value and for Self Occupied Residential above 500 square yards, a tax @ 1% of the Annual Value would be charged. For vacant plots and un-utilized buildings and plots the Property tax would be @ 0.20% of the Annual Value.

Besides, all religious institutions, Gau Shallas, Care Centre for Stray Animals and Charitable Institutions besides Freedom Fighters and people  living  below the poverty line have been totally  exempted from property tax.

Still more, widows and the differently abled persons have been given a rebate  upto Rs.5000/- from Property Tax. Meaning thereby that if a widow/differentally abled person was to pay Rs.6000/-  as Property Tax, she/he would be liable to pay only  Rs.1000/- after rebate of Rs.5000/-.  To promote education in the state, all educational Institutions which were not  even covered under Charitable  Institutions have now been provided 50% rebate  on the Property Tax .  

In order to give further impetus to the all-round and inclusive development of the state, the Cabinet also gave nod to the amendment in the Land Pooling Policy to enable the land owners to become partners in development process. Under this amendment a fixed sum of the value of land would be ensured to the land owners.  

In yet another path breaking decision, the Council of Ministers gave go-ahead to the Punjab Compulsory Registration Marriage Rules 2013 for registering the marriages of the residents of Punjab. All marriages were required to be now compulsorily registered under these rules within 90 days of the solemnization of the marriages.

The Cabinet also approved the creation of posts for the new session divisions at Pathankot and Barnala along with the requisite staff to ensure speedy dispensation of justice to the residents of these districts.

The Cabinet also decided to amend the Punjab Minister’s Travelling Allowance Rules 1953 and the Chief Parliamentary Secretary/ Parliamentary Secretary Travelling Allowance Rules 2006 to enhance the mileage from Rs 12 to Rs 15 per kilometer on the usage of their private vehicles in lieu of official cars.

The Cabinet also gave approval for amending the Punjab Mechanical Vehicles (Bridges and Roads Tolls) Act 1998 to rationalize the levy and collection of toll.

To avoid mis-utilization of the Punjab Good Conduct Prisoner’s (Temporary Release), Rules 1963 the Cabinet has decided to amend Sub Rule (3) of Rule 3 in the Act by enhancing the amount of surety bond from Rs 20000 to minimum Rs 50000 and maximum of Rs 2 lakh. 

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BADAL DIRECTS CO-OPERATION DEPARTMENT TO RELEASE ARREARS OF CANE GROWERSWITHIN A WEEK

 Chandigarh, June 15-

In a major relief to the cane growers across the state, the Punjab Government has decided to release the pending arrears of Rs 100 crore to them within a week.

A decision to this effect was taken by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here today.

According to a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office this decision had been taken to clear the long pending payments of the cane growers, who had supplied Sugarcane to the Co-operative Sugar Mills. Mr. Badal reiterated that the state government was committed to ensure the welfare of the farmers at all costs. He also directed the Co-operation department to ensure the timely payment of arrears to the farmers. The Chief Minister categorically said that no laxity on part of any government officials would be tolerated and each farmer who had supplied sugarcane to the cooperative mills should get his each penny in a week's time.    

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PEDA ALL SET TO ALLOCATE 250 MW SOLAR PV POWER PROJECTS

TO RENOWNED COMPANIES AND YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS-MAJITHIA

·        PROJECTS TO BE COMPLETED BY DECEMBER 2014

·        RS. 2000 CRORE INVESTMENT ALONG WITH MORE THAN 500 JOBS

·        A PATH BREAKING NEW NRSE POLICY-2012 ATTRACTING MAJOR INVESTMENTS IN SOLAR & BIOMASS ENERGY SECTORS

Chandigarh, June 15: Punjab is all set to take major strides in harnessing solar energy with PEDA finalizing the allocation of 250 MW Solar PV power projects to world renowned major companies and young entrepreneurs.

      Disclosing this here today the Punjab Non Conventional Energy Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia said that projects of total capacity 250MW would be allocated very shortly to the 27 companies whose financial bids have been opened yesterday under the Reverse Tariff based bidding carried out by PEDA for the 300MW Solar PV Power Projects competitive bidding. He informed that major companies like Lanco Solar, Punj Loyd, Asopus, Azure would set up large capacity solar power projects ranging from 10 to 30MW. Besides this, the smaller companies / young entrepreneurs have also being allocated a total capacity of 50MW projects in the range of 1-4MW capacities per project, he added.

Mr. Majithia further said that the tariff quoted for these projects ranges from Rs. 7.20 to Rs. 8.71 for smaller category of 1 to 4 MW capacity projects and Rs. 7.56 to Rs. 8.74 for higher projects of capacity ranging from 5.30MW. These project developers would be facilitated and provided every possible help by PEDA and long term Power Purchase Agreement for 25 years would be signed with PSPCL at the tariff quoted by the companies. He categorically said that these projects would be completed and commissioned by December 31, 2014. Mr. Majithia revealed that these projects would bring joint investment of Rs. 2000 crore and were estimated to contribute 375 million units of Green Power to the state grid besides providing direct employment to 500 persons.

He said that the State has major potential in the area of Solar and Biomass Power generation and the State Government was fully committed to promote and develop these green power generation sources and technologies. He said that the State had already declared a new NRSE Policy-2012 to provide major incentives for setting up Renewable Energy Projects. Under the new policy Solar Power Generation target has been fixed at 1000MW. Second phase of project allocations would be taken up towards the end of current year. He informed that the State government has also chalked out an ambitious plan for Rooftop PV programme for generation of power from the setting up of PV projects on the rooftops in government buildings, private, institutional, commercial and residential buildings. The concept of sale of power from the rooftops, the utility and net metering programmes would be launched very soon. Besides this, the State would also provide all incentives for setting up of manufacturing units of Renewable Energy equipment and devices to various developers/ companies.

 

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PAKISTAN TO DECLARE PANJA SAHIB A HOLI CITY

 PAK-INDO FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION INVITES BADAL TO ATTEND THIS HISTORIC FUNCTION

CHANDIGARH, 14 JUNE

   The Pakistan Government has decided to declare ‘Panja Sahib’ a holi city and a function would be organized by Pak-Indo Friendship Association to mark this historic occasion.

This was disclosed by the President of Pak-Indo Friendship Association and Legal Consulate Ministry of Interior Government of Pakistan Mr. Arif Chaudhry, who called on Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here late last evening at the latter’s residence. Mr. Arif invited the Chief Minister to Pakistan to grace the occasion for which schedule would be finalized as per convenience of Mr. Badal.

Appreciating the benevolent gesture of Pakistan Government as well as the concerted efforts of the association, Mr. Badal said that he had always championed the cause for further strengthening the bilateral ties between India and Pakistan through opening the Hussainiwal and Fazilka border that would give far more impetus to boost trade & business activity in the sub-continent. He also mentioned that SAD-BJP government had successfully created a peaceful atmosphere in which the Industrial and Commercial activities were flourishing in the state. The communal harmony, amity and brotherhood amongst people of different religions were at par excellence in Punjab, said Mr. Badal. He hoped that with the formation of the new government in Pakistan the bilateral relations would further improve and new business and cultural exchange avenues would be worked out through promoting people to people contact programmers.

Mr. Arif also apprised the Chief Minister that Pak-Indo Friendship Association was jointly founded in 2003 foster a sense of friendship and amity amongst the people of both the Countries. He recalled the Association’s initiative to arrange a visit of India Lawyers’ deputation to Pak Jails for a meeting with Late Mr. Sarabjit Singh. He further said that forum would also ensure to sort out all the issues related to the Welfare of Sikhs living at Panja Sahibe besides the development of Punja Sahib in a planned manner. 

Mr. Arif was accompanied by Indian Counterpart and President Punjab & Haryana High Court Bar Senior Advocate Dr. Anmol Rattan Sidhu and Advocate Narinder Kumar Suneja. Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. S.K. Sandhu was also present on the occasion.

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SUKHBIR APPROVES REVISED MASTER PLAN OF AMRITSAR

  • ORDERS IMPLEMENTATION OF COMPREHENSIVE ROAD IMPROVEMENT PLAN 
  • AMRITSAR TO HAVE 100% COVERAGE OF SEWERAGE AND WATER NETWORK IN NEXT TWO YEARS 
  • PROMISES TOTAL FACELIFT OF AMRITSAR 
  • MAKES SITE INSEPCTION OF ALL ONGOING DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS 
  • TO VISIT AMRITSAR EVERY MONTH TO REVIEW PROGRESS OF PROJECTS

 AMRITSAR, JUNE 14: The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today approved the revised Master Plan for holy city Amritsar that would put this city at par with any international city.

             The day long visit of Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal along with Principal Secretaries of all Development related departments today kept the local administration on toes with Sukhbir making it a point to personally visit every possible site of the project to plan future expansion of the roads besides reviewing the ongoing construction of the projects. He made a detailed review of all projects after detailed presentations given by PWD, Municipal Corporation, Water Supply and Sanitation, Local Government, Tourism regarding the progress of their projects and various problems being faced by them in timely execution of these projects.

           Concerned about the overlapping of functions of Municipal Corporation, Improvement Trust, Development Authority, Mr. Badal said that no development work would be executed without clearance from nodal agency. He aghast to learn that without realizing that under Japan project sewerage line has been laid, Improvement Trust and Municipal Corporation on their own laid parallel sewerage lines wasting crore of rupees. He said that we are accountable for every single penny being spent from taxpayers money and we have to make officers accountable for such lax approach.

           Mr. Badal also asked for centralized control room for operation and maintenance of all tube wells and asked Municipal Corporation to go for Chandigarh Municipal Corporation system. He also expressed concern over 40 over head reservoir lying unused and 383 tube wells instead of 80 directly pumping drinking water to the houses. He said that MC should make optimum usage of tube wells and criminal wastage of electricity on four fold increase in tube wells can not be justified.

             Mr. Badal said that he was committed for facelift of Amritsar and adjoining areas with the completion of all development projects to be executed at the cost of Rs. 1668 crore in next two years. Reviewing the progress of all ongoing projects and he asked all departments to work in total tandem to avoid any cost and time overrun of the projects. He said that he would personally review the timeline of every project and it was imperative for all officials to stick to the timeline. He reviewed the progress of Rs. 160.60 crore sewerage work of North Zone and asked the department to stick to the timeline of completion of the project by July 2015 and asked the authorities to float tenders for providing 100% water, sewerage network besides relaying the road network in that region. He said that the tender should include condition of providing mandatory connection to every residence and its upkeep and maintenance for next 15 years.   The authorities were asked to coordinate with railways for seeking NOC for laying sewerage under railway track at Chehharta. Mr. Badal also expressed concern over tardy execution of Sewerage Treatment Plant in North-South area and asked for immediate steps to complete the projects. He said that he would not tolerate sewerage system to be directed towards open drains.

           Laying the foundation stone of covering of Ganda Nullah near Lahori Gate, Mr. Badal said that earlier three phases of covering of ganda nullah has provided great relief to citizens of Amritsar.

                      Mr. Badal along with senior officers visited the spot especially where construction of 4 lane Flyover at Kitchlu Chock was to be done at the cost of Rs. 18 crore. He also visited GT Road from Bhandari Bridge to Gateway, Road outside District Courts to Hartej Hospital, Lawrence Road, Rego Bridge, Road from Vijay Chowk to Pul Porian, Road from Hall Gate to Darbar Sahib, Inner Circular Road from Chattiwind Gate to Sultanwind Road, Tarn Taran Road, Ajnala Road, Chabaal Road, Majitha Road, Fatehgarh Churian Road, Mehta Road, Chheharta Main Bazaar and Batala Road to see the possibility of their expansion, rehabilitation for ensuring free flow of traffic. He also reviewed the beautification of Durgiana Mandir at the cost of Rs. 22 crore, construction of sports complex at Ranjit Avenue at the cost of Rs. 17 crore. Stressing the need for improvement of Road Infrastructure in the interior of city, Mr. Badal asked different department to finetune Rs. 188 crore plan to widen main roads of Amritsar city along with provisions of storm water sewer including shifting of services. He said that plan should ensure dislocation of minimum population.

           Expressing concern over delay in operationlisation of Heritage Village in GNDU village Amritsar, Mr. Badal asked PIDB to seek bids for management of the project as construction work was already completed more than 85%. The Tourism Department informed that they would conduct the soft opening of Gobindgarh Fort in the month of October by completing the first phase of the project.

           The authorities were asked to complete the planning of multi level parking at Wagah/Attari and start the work by August 2013.

                 Mr. Badal also gave final touches to comprehensive mobility plan prepared by Consulting Engineers Services India in association with SYSTRA MVA Consulting India. The Authorities were asked to speed up construction of flats for slum dwellers and hand over 80 flats constructed till date to the beneficiaries.

           Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Mr. P.S. Aujla, Principal Secretary to Deputy CM and Secretary PWD, Mr. Ashok Gupta, Secretary Local Government heads of various departments, Mr. Ram Singh, Commissioner of Police Commissioners Municipal Corporation Mr. Bhupinder Singh, Mr. Sandeep Rishi, CEO Improvement Trust and Mr. Jasbir Singh, ADC.

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SUKHBIR REVIEWS THE WORK OF PLAZA OF GOLDEN TEMPLE-ORDERS IT’s COMPLETION BY DIWALI

 AMRITSAR, JUNE 14: The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today reviewed progress of construction of Rs. 78 crore prestigious project of Plaza of Golden Temple and asked the authorities to ensure its completion by Diwali this year.  He said that this Diwali should be Special Diwali at Golden Temple with total Plaza lit up and dedicated to devotees coming to pay obeisance from all over the world.

  Mr. Badal was here along with his wife and Bathinda Member Parliament Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal  to pay obeisance at Golden Temple. After praying for the accelerated development of Punjab, communal harmony and welfare of all Punjabis, Mr. Badal, after reviewing the progress with the construction agencies and planners told  the   media persons, said that Golden Temple would witness the completion of its prestigious project of Underground Plaza by the Diwali this year as the work was on full swing. He said that within few months finishing touches would be given to the project.  He said that this unique project would prove a boon for thousands of daily tourists from across the world as there would have audio-video information system depicting history and rich Sikh heritage besides number of world class auditoriums.

           Asking the construction agency and planners to realign the façade of the project with the intrinsic theme of Sri Harimandir Sahib architecture, Mr. Badal said that Plaza without disturbing the holy glow of Golden Temple should merge in it, further adding beauty to whole view. He also went around to the roads leading from Hall Bazaar to Golden Temple and it was decided that façade of all shops and houses located on this road should also be realigned to give whole street a new look.

          Focusing on providing world class facilities to the pilgrims, Mr. Badal said that opening lobby of Plaza should have Pilgrims Facilitiation Center, Internet Café, Railway and Air Ticket Booking Counters, a Kiosk of Punjab Tourism, a Medical, Healthcare and First Aid counter to provide emergency medical care to the devotees besides religious literature counter to provide free religious literature. Mr. Badal said that the focus of Plaza should be on convenience of the pilgrims while maintaining the religious sanctity of Golden Temple. A separate meeting has also been called to give final touches to the interior artwork of the basement.

           Directing the department to finalise the Art Director for the basement of the Plaza, Mr. Badal said that the artwork in the basement should be in line with Heritage Complex and murals on the wall should give the chronological educative lesson to the pilgrims regarding ancient Sikh history. Mr. Badal said that he was looking towards this project to associate younger generation with Sikh Panth by organizing audio-visual show in the basement on Sikh history.

           Asking to use best available marble for the construction of Plaza, Mr. Badal constituted two teams to scout for best marble in Makrana and surrounding areas.

           Earlier Mr. P.S. Aujla, Secretary PWD gave a presentation on the project and it was decided to hire landscaping experts to decide about greening the Plaza.

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NDA SET TO SWEEP LOK SABHA POLLS-SUKHBIR

·        ANTI CONGRESS WAVE WOULD ENSURE DECIMATION OF UPA

·        WOULD GO BY NDA ON CHOICE OF PM

·        TERMS UTTERENCES OF JD (U) AS INTERNAL MATTER OF NDA

·        CONGRESS RUNNING AWAY FROM BATTLE IN PANCHAYATS POLLS

 AMRITSAR, JUNE 14: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab, who is also president of Shiromani Akali Dal today declared that National Democratic Alliance is all set to sweep the ensuing Lok Sabha polls and ensure freedom of country from the clutches of corrupt Congress Party.

          Talking to media persons after laying the foundation stone of Rs. 24 crore new state-of-the-art building of Municipal Corporation Amritsar here today, Mr. Badal said that writing on the wall was clear that anti-Congress wave was sweeping all over the country as people were itching to push most corrupt Congress Party in the pages of history. He said that it is a hard fact that NDA would form next Government in the center and rubbished all talk of third front as an imaginary exercise. When asked about likely elevation of Mr. Narendra Modi as next Prime Minister, Mr. Badal pointed out that Shiromani Akali Dal as a responsible constituent of NDA had always maintained that we would go with the NDA as far as the choice of PM was concerned. He described the so called different with JD (U) as internal matter of NDA and said that NDA would unitedly fight these elections with the singular aim to defeat Congress Party.

          Mr. Badal declared that Delhi Unit of Shiromani Akali Dal was fully geared up for Vidhan Sabha elections in Delhi and these elections would be fought in alliance with its traditional partner BJP. On the question of seats, Mr. Badal said that we have not yet talked on this issue and these issues would be mutually worked out. Mr. Badal congratulated the Sikhs of National Capital for ousting Sarna’s, who were acting as proxy group of Congress Party, from the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and said that these elections were trailer for Delhi Vidhan Sabha elections. He said that DSGMC has already initiated series of measure to promote Sikhism by providing free education to baptized Sikhs in schools run by it. Similarly, many measures free treatment to baptized Sikhs in hospitals were in offing.

          When asked about Panchayats Elections scheduled for July 3, Mr. Badal said that our cadre was always ready to fight the elections. He said that it was PPCC Chief Mr. Partap Singh Bajwa that was running away from the electoral battle. He said that after suffering humiliating defeat, even in his own constituency, Mr. Bajwa was knocking at the door of Punjab and Haryana High Court to scuttle these elections in order to save his presidency. He clarified that these Panchayats elections were always fought on local issues and SAD would not fight these elections on its symbol.

          Mr. Badal described proposed Food Bill of UPA Government as Election Bill that was being brought to befool the public on the eve of Lok Sabha elections. He said that Punjab has already implemented the Food Bill since last six years with Atta-Dal scheme by providing 35 kg Atta at Rs. 4 per kg and 4 kg of pulses at Rs. 20 per kg to more than 16 lakh families without any break. He said that UPA has tried to copy the Atta-Dal scheme of Punjab terming it as a ‘Sonia’s Idea’ without giving its credit to Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, who was instrumental of this scheme to give relief to poor people from unprecedented hike in the prices of food items during corrupt rule of UPA Government. 

          Answering a query regarding swapping of Amritsar seat with BJP, Mr. Badal said that there was no such proposal and termed it as media creation.

          On being asked about the Central teams send by UPA to investigate ‘Book Scam’, Mr. Badal said that our Government was always ready with any kind of probe and Congress Party was pressuring the Union Government to misuse their authority by sending the team. He said that our Government has nothing to hide and Congress cannot survive on the temporary dose of media coverage on these issues.  

          The Deputy Chief Minister also informed that construction of New Municipal Complex would have 10000 Sq meter cover area and it would have basement, ground and three storey structure. The complex to be constructed on a piece of 2 acres of land at the cost of Rs. 24 crore would have state-of-the-art facilities and it was designed by architects of GNDU.

          Prominent amongst those were present in the press conference included Mr. Chuni Lal Bhagat, Local Bodies Minister, Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Tourism and Jails Minister, Mr. Inderbir Singh Bolaria, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Mayor Bakshi Ram Arora, Mr. Tarun Chugh, BJP leader and  councillors of Amritsar Municipal Corporation.

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PRESERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES IS IMPERATIVE FOR MANKIND: RAKHRA ·        PEASANTRY IN PUNJAB TO GAIN A LOT FROM THE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME CHANDIGARH, JUNE 14:       

    Raising a clarion call to preserve the national resources Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra today urged the masses to use the natural resources with utmost care and precision. He said that this is high time to realize the importance of god given treasure of natural resources and make their use judiciously in order to save the earth and the mankind. Mr, Rakhra expressed these views while taking part in a regional review meeting of Northern States for integrated watershed management programme of water conservation department under ministry of   rural development, GOI. Besides Punjab States of Haryane, himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarkhand participated in this meeting.           Mr. Rakhra assured the meeting that the Punjab is fully committed to implement the integrated watershed management programme. He said that this project is a very crucial for Punjab as it is a mainly agrarian state with estimated 80 % of its land under cultivation. He said that the ground water in Punjab is fast depleting and the land is becoming in fertile. He said that this project would be beneficial foe the conservation of ground water soil & forest. Mr. B B Srivastva, Secretary soil conservation Department GOI, Dr, Savita Anand, joint Director Soil conservation department GOI, Mr, M S Sandhu, FCRD, Dr. S. Karuna Raju, Director rural development & Panchyat, Punjab Bureaucrats from different states were present in the meeting. CM APPROVES RS 20 CRORE FOR MODERNIZATION OF JAILS ASKS DEPARTMENT TO BEEF UP SECURITY IN THE JAILS GIVES NOD FOR RECRUITMENT OF 573 EX-SERVICEMEN OF PESCO FOR DEPLOYMENT IN JAILS EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER RISING INDISCIPLINE IN JAILS BATS FOR MAKING CUMBERSOME PROCESS OF PRISONERS’ RELEASE A SIMPLER AFFAIR Chandigarh, June 13 In a step aimed at providing fool proof security system in the jails, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal has approved Rs 20 crore for the modernization and the upgradation of the jails across the state. A decision to this effect was taken by the Chief Minister in a high level meeting of the Jail department held at his residence on Wednesday late evening. Taking part in deliberations, the Chief Minister laid thrust on modernization of Jails on scientific lines by providing intact security system in them. Approving a comprehensive plan submitted by the Jail department to upgrade the entire security system in the jails, Mr. Badal sanctioned Rs 20 crore for installing the high powered Jammers, door metal detectors and other equipments besides vehicles for the department to update the security system in the jails. He asked the Jail department to execute the whole work in a phased manner so as to bring more efficiency in the work. Underlining the need to strictly check the supply of drugs in the jails, the Chief Minister also directed the Department to take every step to curb this illegal practice, which was posing a serious threat to the life of the inmates. Mr. Badal also gave nod for recruiting 573 trained ex-servicemen from the Punjab Ex-servicemen Corporation (PESCO) for deployment in jails to aid the Police in keeping strict vigil over the visitors. He said that security of the Jails was the prime concern of the state government and no compromise could be made in this regard. Expressing deep concern over the rising incidents of indiscipline amongst the jail inmates, the Chief Minister further asked the department to discourage this trend by taking the appropriate remedial measures. He said that the accountability of the concerned officers of the department must be fixed in such cases. Mr. Badal said that negligence of the government officers in such cases would not be tolerated at any cost. Dwelling on another issue, the Chief Minister asked the Principal Secretary Home Mr. DS Bains to explore all the possibilities of making the process for the release of prisoners, who have completed their term of conviction, much simpler there by curtailing the cumbersome procedure of unwarranted hierarchical clearances. Mr. Badal suggested that ‘single file’ system should be introduced to expedite the clearances in such cases rather than sending the file from one office to another.

          Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Cabinet Minister, Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Balbir Singh Ghunas, Principal Secretary (Home) Mr DS Bains, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Secretary (Home) Mrs. Raji P Srivastava, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, ADGP (Prisons) Mr. RP Meena and IG (Prisons) Mr. Jagjit Singh. 

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PUNJAB GOVERNMENT INVITES AXIS BANK TO INVEST IN AGRICULTURE RURAL LANDING

·       MD AXIS BANK CALLS ON ADAISH PARTAP SINGH KAIRON

 CHANDIGARH, JUNE 13:

The Punjab Government today invited the Axis Bank, which has been playing a crucial rule for making online payments to farmers, to invest in the sector of ‘Agriculture Rural Landing’ in the state.

The request was made in a special meeting of Mr. Adaish Partap Singh Kairon, Food & Civil Supply Minister of Punjab with Mrs. Shikha Sharma, Managing Director of Axis Bank at Punjab Bhawan. Mrs Sharma was called on Mr. Kairon in connection with the opening of the 2000th branch of the bank at Mandi Ahmedgarh (District Sangrur)

During the meeting Mr. Kairon appraised the bank about revolutionary steps taken by the Punjab Government to sustain and boost the rural agriculture economy in the state.  Mr. Kairon said that Punjab is first state in the country which has initiated a special project to make online payment to the Artiyas through ‘ruPay Debit Card’ within 48 hours of the procurement. The Minister eulogized the efforts the Axis Bank for installing ‘SWIPE’ machines across the state to facilitate the farmers drawing payment through debit card.

Mr. Kairon also conveyed his regard to the Axis Bank for choosing Punjab for the opening up of their 2000th branch in the state. Prominent among other present in the meeting included Mr. M.S. Sarang, Director Finance, Mr. R.K. Bammi, Executive Director and Mr. Amarjit Singh, Vice president and Circle Head Punjab of Axis Bank.

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Oath to  Permanent Judges of the Punjab & Haryana High Court

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 13:

Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court Mr. Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul today administered the oath of office to Mr. Justice Paramjeet Singh, Mr. Justice Naresh Kumar Sanghi and Mr. Justice Rameshwar Singh Malik as permanent judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court at Chandigarh.

The swearing-in-ceremony took place in Court Room No.1 of the Chief Justice of Punjab & Haryana High Court. The above Judges were earlier working as Additional Judges of Punjab & Haryana High Court.  After taking oath, they will now perform their duties as Permanent Judges of the Punjab & Haryana High Court.

Chief Justice also administered oath of office to Mr. Justice Bharat Bhushan Parsoon as Additional Judge of this Court. Dr. Bharat Bhushan Parsoon, who was earlier posted as District & Session Judge, Gurgaon was administered oath as Additional Judge of the Punjab & Haryana High Court by the Chief Justice.  Now, the strength of the Judges in Punjab & Haryana High Court has risen 42.

Oath ceremony was attended by Hon’ble Sitting and Retired Judges, Sr. Advocates, Family Members of the Judges and other distinguished guests.

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PUNJAB TO ORGANIZE GLOBAL INVESTOR’S CONFERENCE TO ATTRACT INVESTMENT

COMMITTEE CONSTITUTED TO ENGAGE KNOWLEDGE PARTNER FOR INVESTMENT COMPAIGN

Chandigarh, June 13:

The Punjab government has chalked out a comprehensive plan to attract investment in all sectors of the Punjab economy. In this direction a global investor’s conference has been scheduled to be organized on the month of October, 2013.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesman of the Industries and Commerce Department said that this decision has been taken in pursuant to the approval of the fiscal incentives for industrial promotion 2013 by the Punjab government. He said that the department has decided to engage a knowledge partner for the investment campaign as well as for the global investor’s conference. He said that a high level committee has been constituted to supervise the process of the selection of the knowledge partner. Divulging the detail of configuration of the committee, he said that MD Punjab Infrastructure Development Board has been made the chairperson whereas MD Punjab Energy Development Authority, MD Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation, Chief Administrator Greater Mohali Area Development Authority and MD Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Ltd have been conducted in the committee as members. MD Punjab InfoTech Corporation Ltd. would serves as the member secretary of the committee.

He said that this committee would finalize the terms and conditions of the knowledge partners. It would also oversee the bid process including pre bid conference and pre qualification of bidders. The committee would recommend the selector bidder to the government.

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PUNJAB SANCTIONS 135 POSTS OF SERVICE PROVIDING TRAINERS IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 13:

 The Punjab Government has initiated a massive exercise to strengthen Department of technical education and industrial training by given its nod to recruit 135 highly trained professionals on service providing trainer's posts.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that these posts would be on contract basis for 3 years at a consolidated salary of Rs.30313 per month. The service of the incumbents would be regularized as per government policy on completion of 3 years service on contract basis.

He said that out of the total 135 posts, 47 posts for fabrication sector, 17 for automobile sector, 15 for refrigerator and air-conditioning sector, 12 for food processing sector and 12 for agriculture mechanic sector, 9 for production and manufacturing sector, 8 for electrical sector, 6 for construction sector, 6 for textile sector and 3 for information technology sector.

The Spokesperson further said that the candidates could apply online only for which they could log on to department’s website www.spt.applyforexam.com. He said that the applications through any other mean would not be accepted. Last date for submission of application is July 1, 2013.

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 AVINASH CHANDER DIRECTS EDUCATION INSTITUTES TO IMPLEMENT POST MATRIC SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME IN TRUE SPIRIT

Chandigarh, 13 June:

          Mr. Avinash Chander, Chief Parliamentary Secretary today directed all the Government, Private and Government aided colleges to implement the post matric scholarship scheme in true spirit.

          Presiding over a meeting here today, Mr. Avinash Chander said that though this scheme had been implemented in 2007 but it could not produce desired results in the past years. He categorically said that strict action would be initiated against all those institutions, which were not implementing this scheme strictly in accordance with rules. He said that now concerned institutions would be responsible for the timely filling up of the required performas’ of the students.

          Issuing strict warning to the institutions ignoring the post-matric scholarship scheme, he said that every institution should play pro active role to help the students for getting the scholarships so that poor and needy students could get the benefit of this scheme. He said that Punjab Government was committed to provide the quality education to poor and intelligent students so that they can compete for various competitive exams.

          Mr. Chander Gaind, Special Secretary Education and Mr. Tarsem  Dhaliwal DPI Colleges were also present in the meeting

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 CM FOR OPTIMUM UTILIZATION OF RS 776 CRORE TO IMPART QUALITY EDUCATION TO STUDENTS

TERMS SCHOOL EDUCATION AS A BASE TO ENABLE THE STUDENTS TO COMPETE GLOBALLY

LAYS THRUST ON MORE ACCOUNTABILITY OF TEACHING FACULTY IN ENHANCING LEVEL OF SCHOOL EDUCATION

Chandigarh, June 12-

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today asked the Education department to make the optimum utilization of Rs 776 crore earmarked for the state under the Sarv Sikhyaa Abhiyaan (SSA) to impart quality education to the school going children.

Presiding over a high level review meeting of the Education department today here at his residence, the Chief Minister categorically said that all out efforts should be made to further upgrade the infra structure in the schools especially in the rural areas so that quality education could be delivered to the students. Mr. Badal said that in the current age of competition the school education was very essential for the all-round development of the students as it was a stepping stone for them to excel in the future. So he said that judicious use of the funds under the SSA should be ensured by the department to provide best education facilities to the students.

The Chief Minister also asked the Education department to submit a list regarding the requirement of upgradation and strengthening of infra structure in each and every school across the state within a month, so that a comprehensive strategy for the development of the schools could be evolved. He said that the state government was committed for providing quality and value based education to the students at every cost for which no stone would be left unturned. Mr. Badal also said that the Education department must lay special thrust on providing the education to the students of the Kandi and Border areas of the state.

The Chief Minister called upon the School education department to evolve a mechanism of making Principals and teaching faculty accountable for the execution of developmental works relating to upgradation of infrastructure besides enhancing the standards of education to enable the students to compete with their counterparts in private and convent schools. He also asked the department to streamline the work of construction in the schools by optimally utilizing the available land for constructing spacious and airy class rooms to facilitate the students.  

Meanwhile the Education Minister Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka assured the Chief Minister that the self sustainable mechanism for ensuring the accountability of the teachers and Principals would be in place shortly to ensure transparency and equity in the deliverance of education in all the schools across the state.

Listing out the priority wise allocation of these funds, the Director General School Education Mr. Kahan Singh Pannu said that besides upgrading the infra structure of the schools these funds would be utilized for opening 15 new Primary and 23 Middle schools across the state besides strengthening the infra structure in five residential hostels across the state. He said that the fund would also be spent on distributing free books and uniforms to the students besides imparting training to the teachers to upgrade their expertise.

Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included MP Rajya Sabha Mr. Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Principal Secretary School Education Mrs Anjali Bhanwra, Principal Secretary Expenditure Mr. Jaspal Singh and Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Gurkirat Kirpal Singh.  

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SUKHBIR SANCTIONS 280 NEW TUBE WELLS FOR KANDI AREA

•           140 TUBE WELLS TO BE OPERATIONAL BY 30TH SEPTEMBER AND OTHER 140 BY MARCH 31ST

•           Rs. 108 CRORE PROJECT TO MEET TOTAL IRRIGATION REQUIREMENT OF KANDI AREA

•           ORDERS STRICT QUALITY CONTROL IN EXECUTION OF THIS PROJECT

 CHANDIGARH, JUNE 12: The Kandi and Sub-Mountain area of Punjab today got a major gift with Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal according his sanction for 280 new tube wells at the cost of Rs. 108 crore for that area, to tackle the perennial Irrigation water shortage problems in these pockets.

             Presiding over a meeting of irrigation department, Mr. Badal said that our government was fully committed to develop agriculture and encourage diversification in the Kandi area to bring the development of this area at par with developed areas of the state. He said that he had got a comprehensive study done on irrigation requirement of the area and as per findings of that study 280 spots were identified, where there was an immediate requirement of digging deep tube wells. Brooking no delay, Mr. Badal instructed the Irrigation Department to immediate tender out digging of  280 tube wells and as per availability of digging rigs in the market, it was decided that 140 deep tube wells be handed over to farmer community by September 30 and remaining 140 would be operational by March 31st, 2014.

             Approving relining of all minors in the state, Mr. Badal said that 65 years old minor irrigation network needs immediate revitalization to ensure water to the farmers at the tail ends. He said that since last sixty five years Union Government has not sanctioned a single penny for rehabilitation and maintenance of Canal network. Mr. Badal said that due to lack of maintenance of Canal network, the whole system has become silted and choked with weeds, reducing the capacity of canal less than 50%. Mr. Badal said that Punjab Chief Minister had been pleading the Union Government to sanction a special package for rehabilitation of 100 years old Canal system of the state as viability of this system directly proportionate to food security of the country but Union Government has not paid any heed to our repeated pleas.

            Mr. Badal said that in future Irrigation Department while tendering these projects should make the construction agency accountable for maintaining that system for next 15 years. He asked the Secretary Irrigation to redraft the tender documents incorporating this clause, in which construction agency would conduct annual maintenance of  the canal system, desilting besides deweeding the whole system. He said that tender should also incorporate the clause making construction agency accountable for ensuring supply of water at tail end of the system besides monitoring the usage of Canal Water at different points.

          The department was also asked to put up a comprehensive plan for total canal system. 

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SUKHBIR ORDERS COMPREHENSIVE MASTER PLAN FOR JALANDHAR AND ADJOINING AREAS 

·       FOCUS FOR MEETING DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES OF NEXT 25 YEARS

 

JALANDHAR, JUNE 12: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab today ordered the preparation of a comprehensive, inclusive and futuristic Master Plan for Jalandhar and surrounding areas keeping in view the challenges of next 25 years.

            Presiding over a meeting to review the projects of Jalandhar and Doaba region, Mr. Badal said that we must have a inclusive Master Plan that would include rehabilitation of sewerage network, water supply network, providing metered connections to every inhabitation, series of sewerage treatment plants and solid waste treatment plants, redesigning and widening of interior and arterial roads of the city, conceptualizing new road engineering to ensure smooth flow of traffic, installation of CCTV cameras all over the cities and most importantly controlling the execution of Master Plan with a singular nodal agency. 

            Laying the future roadmap for heartland of Doaba, Mr. Badal said that though Jalandhar known as sports city of India and with the sizable presence of leather processing industries, the city has not been able to cope up with increasing pressure on civic amenities. He said that the plan must include 100% coverage for sewerage and water supply network, rehabilitating the old sewerage network, laying the storm water drains along all the roads, water recharging facilities to meet future demands and providing mandatorily sewerage and water connections to all inhabitant units. He said that Municipal Corporation should also draw up a plan to provide energy efficient LED street lights, construction of sufficient numbers of bus queue shelters and plantation of saplings along the roads, wherever feasible. 

            Emphasizing on up gradation of existing road network besides planning new roads to streamline the traffic problem in the city, Mr. Badal asked PWD to put a comprehensive proposal in this regard. He said that while expanding the existing roads, care should be taken that there was minimum displacement of population in this operation. He said that PWD should also explore the possibility of laying concrete roads instead of premix bitumen roads where the pressure of traffic on the road was quiet high.

             Asking the traffic department to put up traffic lights on busy intersections, the Deputy Chief Minister asked them to enforce No Parking regulation strictly. He asked the Corporation to float the tenders for bidding out outdoor advertising panels for advertising; he asked to launch a campaign against illegal hoardings, dotting various roads. 

            Expressing concern over slow execution of Solid Waste collection project in Jalandhar City, Mr. Badal asked the Commissioner to replicate Lahore model in Jalandhar and engage the services of Turkish company managing Lahore services as consultant for the success of this project. He asked the Commissioner to visit Lahore if it was necessary to study the project. 

            The Deputy Chief Minister also constituted a sub-committee including Mr. Manvesh Singh Sidhu, Special Principal Secretary to Deputy CM and Chief Administrator , PUDA, Mr. Supreet Singh Gulati, CA JDA , Mr. Vinay Bublani Comissioner Jalandhar MC to put up suggestive plan after taking feedback from various opinion leaders including elected representatives of the area.

             Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Bhagat Chuni Lal, Local Bodies Minister, Mr. Krishan Dev Bhandari, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Mr. Pargat Singh, both MLAs, Mayor Sunil Jyoti, Senior Deputy Mayor, Mr. Supreet Singh Gulati, Chief Administrator, JDA, Mr. Vinay Bublani, Commissioner Jalandhar Municipal Corporation and other senior officers of concerned department. 

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THREE IPS AND 15 PPS OFFICERS TRANSFERRED

Chandigarh June 12:-

             The Punjab Government today issued the transfer/posting orders of three IPS and 15 PPS Officers with immediate effect.

            According to an official spokesman Mr. Kuldeep Singh IPS, Mr. Navin Singla IPS and Mr. Swapan Sharma IPS have been posted as SP/ Special Protection Unit (CM Security) Punjab after their promotions from the posts of ASPs.  Besides this, fifteen PPS Officers have also got new postings/additional charges.  Mr. Jaspal Singh has been posted as SP Vigilance, Chandigarh, Mr. Daljinder Singh Dhillon as SP (D) Kapurthala, Mr. Gursharan Singh Bedi as SP Traffic Mohali, Ms. Sunita Rani as Assistant Commandant 82nd Battalion PAP Chandigarh, Mr. Gaganajit Singh as  SP (D) Nawanshahar, Mr. Satpal Singh as SP (H) Nawanshahar, Mr. Balbir Singh as SP (H) Amritsar Rural, Mr. Anil Sharma as AIG Police/ Investigation Crime Punjab, Chandigarh, Mr. Jatinder Singh as Staff Officer/DGP Punjab Chandigarh and in addition SP/Special Protection Unit Punjab, Chandigarh, Mr. Jatinder Singh Assistant Commandant 4th  Battalion, SAS Nagar and in addition AIG/Administration, Special Protection Unit Punjab Chandigarh, Mr. Navin Saini as Assistant General of Police/ PPCR Chandigarh, Mr. Tarsem Lal as SP/ PPCR Chandigarh, Mr. Mohinder Singh Teji as SP/ Punjab Powercom Patiala, Mr. Chaman Lal  and Mr. Ranbir Singh have been transferred and posted as Assistant Commandants 27th  Battalion, PAP Jalandhar.

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PUNJAB APPROVES FOUR LANING OF ROPAR-NAWAN SHAHAR-BANGA-PHAGWARA ROAD: SHARANJIT DHILLON

·       1100 CRORES TO BE SPENT ON CONSTRUCTING THE ROAD

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 12: 

The Punjab government has approved the 4 laning of Ropar-Nawan Shahar-Banga-Phagwara Road with the cost of Rs 1100 crore.

          Disclosing this here today Mr. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, PWD Minister, Punjab said that the Government has given its in principal approval to Ropar-Nawan Shahar-Banga-Phagwara Road. He said that the construction on this ambitious project would be started soon and the whole work would be completed by October, 2016.

           The Minister informed that four major four lane projects are also under construction in the state including 55 kilometer long Ropar-Chamkaur Sahib-Neelon-Doraha (along Sirhind Canal), 30 kilometer long Morinda-Kurali-Siswan-Baddi(upto State Border), 30 kilometer long Kot Kapura-Sri Muktsar Sahib and 36 kilometer long Batala-Mehta-Beas. He said that these projects would also 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.

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.

 

BADAL VISITS BHABHA ATOMIC RESEARCH CENTRE

  •  CALLS UPON THE NUCLEAR SCIENTISTS TO EXPLORE A NEW ECO-FRIENDLY AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY FOR ERADICATING HEAVY METALS FROM GROUND WATER
  •  LAUDS THE ENORMOUS CONTRIBUTION OF BARC IN COUNTRY’S DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SUSTAIN PEACEFUL APPLICATIONS OF NUCLEAR ENERGY
  •  OFFERS LAND TO BARC FOR ESTABLISHING SUB-CENTRE IN PUNJAB

  TROMBAY, (MUMBAI), JUNE 10:-

          Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today envisaged technical support from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to explore an eco-friendly and time tested technology for the eradication of heavy metals like uranium completely from the ground water in the state.

The Chief Minister led a team of eminent experts and senior officers of the state administration which called on the top brass of the BARC, here this morning.

Mr. Badal during marathon discussions with the scientists of BARC asked them to intensify their research work by making optimum utilization of their unbounded talent and vast experience to serve the ailing humanity through their recommendations to the state government for adopting an advanced, viable and eco-friendly technology for extraction of uranium content present in the ground water efficaciously. He offered to initiate a joint programme in this regard so as to tackle the menace of contaminated ground water effectively.

Lauding the role of BARC in the development of the Country through sustained peaceful applications of nuclear energy, the Chief Minister said that the need of the hour was to step up the nuclear research to strengthen the core sectors of health and agriculture, with a special focus to address the grave issue of unhygienic ground water, which had become hazardous to the very health of the inhabitants in southern Punjab as the majority of them were inflicted with the deadly diseases like Cancer.

On the occasion, the Punjab Water Supply and Sanitation Department through a power point presentation highlighted the present scenario of the polluted ground water in the state besides the unique initiatives taken by the state government to combat this serious problem. It was informed that the state government had installed as many as 1811 big RO systems especially in the affected rural areas to provide potable water to the public at an affordable cost of 10 paisa per litre. Extraction of heavy metals like uranium needed far more advanced, economical and eco-friendly technologies with waste water management facility as the reject water (residue) of ROs was again absorbed into the earth thereby keeping the situation of  contaminated water unchanged and therefore a permanent and sustainable solution to this problem was warranted on the priority.

It may be recalled that the state government had also established a prestigious Regional Advanced Water Testing Laboratory at a cost Rs. 5 crore in Mohali with the technical support of BARC and it would be soon made operational. This was the country’s second such laboratory after Mumbai, which would cater to the needs of water sample testing of the northern region.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister sought co-operation and technical support from BARC to run and maintain the Mohali based Water Testing Laboratory with their proven track of expertise and rich experience. Mr. Badal evinced keen interest in various sections of the BARC multi-disciplinary nuclear research centre- equipped with an extensive infrastructure for advanced research and development in the field of nuclear science, health care, power generation, engineering and other related sectors.

Meanwhile, the scientists of BARC apprised the Chief Minister about the core mandate of the centre for sustaining the peaceful applications of nuclear energy, primarily for power generation. It was also informed that the entire research of BARC was focused on the development of industrial, agricultural and medicine sectors. Presently, the BARC operates a number of ‘Research Reactors’ across the country. They also briefed Mr. Badal about different aspects of nuclear power generation and the utility of isotopes.

Mr. Badal also shared his concern for the depleting ground water table due to excessive sowing of paddy, in the state which was a water intensive crop and now made the situation of ground water far more deplorable. The Chief Minister added that their government had prepared a comprehensive crop diversification plan to check the water depletion effectively on one hand and strengthen the agro-economy of the state on the other. He solicited BARC’s enormous support to help the state in suggesting ways and means in this regard and offered fulsome co-operation to establish a Sub-station in Punjab to provide vital inputs and logistic support to the state in this regard. He said that the state government would provide the requisite land for the centre to be set up as a joint venture. 

Assuring technical support and co-operation to the Chief Minister in pursuing his initiatives for the supply of potable drinking water, checking the contamination of ground water and recharging the falling water table, the BARC Director Dr. Sekhar Basu said that his team would soon chalk out a comprehensive and time bound action plan in this regard for which he would soon send a team of scientists to visit Punjab for the collection of relevant data on the basis of which the centre would give its recommendations for the early resolution of these vexed issues relating to the health of the human beings besides putting the state’s Agricultural economy on strong pedestal.  

The Chief Minister was accompanied by Advisor on Health and Medical Education & Research Dr. KK Talwar, Principal Secretary Health and Medical Education Mrs. Vini Mahajan, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, Chief Technical Coordinator, Department of Water supply and Sanitation Mr. SR Aggarwal and Chief Engineer Water supply and Sanitation Mr. AK Soni. The scientists of BARC who participated in discussions included Dr. SK Apte, Mr. Manjit Singh, Dr. N Ramamoorthy, Dr. Gursharan Singh, Dr. SS Bajaj and Dr. PK Tewari besides, Joint Secretary (BS) DAE New Delhi Mr. KAP Sinha

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 SUKHBIR DIRECTS DCs TO PERSONALLY MONITOR AVAILABILITY OF MINING MATERIAL TO GENERAL PUBLIC

  •  ·          ALL CONTRACTORS NOT OPERATING THEIR MINES TO FACE IMMEDIATE CANCELLATION
  • ·            NO ONE WOULD BE ALLOWED TO CREATE ARTIFICIAL SCARCITY
  •  ·          ORDERS IMMEDIATE AUCTION OF 100 MINES BELOW 50 ACRES
  •  ·          DCs ASKED TO IDENTIFY AT LEAST 100 RIVER BEDS WHERE DREDGING WAS LEGALLY PERMISSIBLE
  •  ·          TAKES SERIOUS NOTE OF NON-AUCTION OF 4.57 LAKH TONNES MINING MATERIAL
  •  ·          TO WEEKLY REVIEW THE AVAILABILITY OF MINING MATERIAL

 CHANDIGARH, JUNE 10: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today gave clear and explicit directions to all Deputy Commissioners to personally ensure availability of sand and gravel and other mining material to the common public at reasonable price and ensure the working of all auctioned mines at their full capacity. 

           Reviewing the availability of mining material to the common public in a meeting of Deputy Commissioners from all over the state, Deputy Chief Minister said that the duty of DCs to ensure that no body was allowed to create artificial scarcity of mining material by non operating the mines or under operating the mines just for profiteering. He said that it was imperative for district authorities to monitor the dispatch of excavated mining material everyday and send the report to Central Control Room daily. He asked Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. S.K. Sandhu to coordinate with all Deputy Commissioners, Mining Department and Pollution Control Department to remove inter-departmental impediments delaying the auction of mines. 

           Ordering the immediate auction of 100 mines below 50 hectares, Mr. Badal said that auction process should be accelerated to increase the supplies in the market and bring the price at reasonable level.

           Focusing on river bed dredging to excavate sand, Mr. Badal asked Deputy Commissioners to identify at least 100 such spots, where dredging of river was legally allowed. He said that time has come that we should adopt most scientific dredging techniques to excavate sand from the river beds without harming the environment. He said that surface mining, if possible, should be avoided as we should not destroy the cultivable land just for mining.

           Taking serious note of 4.57 lakh tonnes of Mining material lying in two districts, awaiting the procedural clearance for auction, Mr. Badal asked the concerned department to immediately auction this mining material, which could fulfill the requirement of whole Punjab for at least 4 months. He also asked the Irrigation Department to conduct statewide river bed mapping to identify suitable spots for the dredging of sand. He said that Punjab has 800 kilometer long Canal network and there was huge possibility of dredging sand scientifically from the river bed. He asked the Industry Department to delegate the power to SDMs/Tehsildars/Naib Tehsildars for excavating soil for construction purpose. 

          Asking the Deputy Commissioners to cancel all those contracts of mines, who have not started their operations, Mr. Badal said that no body would be allowed to monopolized trade to create scarcity of the construction material. Mr. Badal also asked the Deputy Commissioners to ensure proper working of newly setup sale points of mining material.

           Mr. Badal said that he would personally monitor the availability of mining material to the general public and review the position in the weekly meeting of DCs.

           Besides DCs from all over the state the senior officials of Mining, Industry, Irrigation and Pollution Control Departments were present in the meeting.

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PUNJAB TO LAUNCH CAMPAIGN TO CLEAN SEWERAGE SYSTEM OF ALL CITIES

  •  LOCAL BODIES DEPARTMENT ASKED TO WORK OUT THE PLAN
  • TO ENSURE METERED WATER CONNECTION TO EVERY RESIDENCE BESIDES A LEGAL SEWERAGE CONNECTION

·         CHANDIGARH, JUNE 10: The Punjab Government would soon launch a campaign to clean sewerage system of all cities and de-clog for optimum utilization.

           Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today gave these directions while reviewing the development works of all cities in a high level meeting here today. He said that age old sewerage system in the cities was facing the frequent problem of clogging and overflow, creating unsanitary conditions in various localities. He said that Local Government Department should work out a statewide comprehensive plan to de-clog the sewerage system in one go and handover its operation and maintenance to a private company. He said that department should identify the scientific machinery for mapping the sewerage network, vacuum suction pumps to clean the system without involving the manual cleaning and float a tender for this whole cleaning operation.

           Asking the department to ensure metered potable water supply to every inhabited unit in all 142 cities, Mr. Badal said that it was the primary duty of Local Bodied Department to provide clean potable water to every citizen of the state. He asked the department to work out a plan to provide legal sewerage connection to every house in the cities as under utilization of sewerage network was creating more problems. Mr. Badal asked the department to work out a centralized payment system and collection of bills through online process. It was decided in the meeting that every upcoming colony or locality would have sewerage and water supply system as a part of plan.

           Prominent amongst those present in the meeting including Mr. P.S. Aujla, Principal Secretary to Deputy CM,  Ashok Gupta, Secretary Local Government,  Mr. Manvesh Singh Sidhu and Mr. Ajay Mahajan, both Special Principal Secretaries to Deputy CM and Deputy Commissioners of various districts.

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AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER ASKS PUNJAB FARMERS TO ADOPT BASMATI AS AN ALTERNATE TO PADDY UNDER CROP DIVERSIFICATION PLAN

  •  ·        PLAN TO DOUBLE AREA UNDER  BASMATI FROM 5 TO 10 LAC HECTARES WITHIN NEXT THREE YEARS

Chandigarh, June 10, 2013

          To give a major boost to the much needed agriculture diversification program across the state, the Punjab Government has decided to bring five lac hectares of additional area under Basmati cultivation over a period next three years.

          Disclosing this here today State Agriculture Commissioner Mr. Balwinder Singh Sidhu said that under the ambitious program of crop diversification due emphasis had been laid to double the cultivable area from five to ten lac hectares under Basmati during next three years besides focusing on cash crops of oilseeds , pulses, Maize, Sugarcane, fruits and vegetables. The spokesperson further said that the move behind the promotion of less water intensive basmati crop was to prevent the further depleting ground water table, which had alarmingly gone down due excessive sowing of paddy.

          Highlighting a slew of incentives recently announced by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal for the promotion of basmati exports from the state to various countries across the globe, Mr. Sidhu said that exemption of 2% RDF, 3% of Punjab Infrastructure Development Fund and 2% of Market Fee would entail an extra expenditure to the tune of Rs. 200 crore annually on the state exchequer.

           Seeking wholehearted support and cooperation from the farmers of the state for achieving the target of five lac hectares under basmati cultivation, Mr. Sidhu said it would not only help the state to promote basmati as an alternate crop to paddy for giving impetus to the push towards second green revolution in the terms of agriculture diversification but also ensure remunerative returns to the farmers.    

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FINANCE DEPARTMENT ALL SET FOR SMOOTH CHANGE OVER TO ONLINE SYSTEM

  • ·         TO RECEIVE FUND PROPOSALS ONLINE ONLY FROM JULY 1ST

 Chandigarh, June 10:

Finance department of Punjab government is all set to run paperless administration in releasing the funds to various departments in the entire state.

A spokesman of the Punjab government today said that as the training process to all concerned officials/ employees has been completed so it has been decided to receive the all proposals for release of funds online only from July 1st, 2013.

He said that as part of the e-sarkar project a CM Plan schemes monitoring system has been implemented on IWDMS under which the facility have been given to all departments to submit all cases for release of funds online to the department of Finance. The spokesman further said that now it has been decided that the Finance Department would receive fund release proposals online only and no physical files would be required to be submitted.

To assist the departments in this regard TCS has also deputed their personnel in the administrative department to implement this procedure successfully, he added. Besides that the system has also inbuilt facility for uploading scanned copy of any required documents. He further said that all concerned department officers have been told to ensure smooth change over to the new procedure. In case of any assistance was required the departments may call the toll free no.1800-41 90737/Varun Jain 98158-60444 or Rohit Kaushal. 88727-94929, he said.

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OFFICERS/EMPLOYEES ASKED TO DEPOSIT COPIES OF PAN CARD

CHANDIGARH, JUNE, 10

The Punjab Government today asked all its Officers/Employees posted at Punjab Civil Secretariat to deposit their PAN card copies with the account branches.

A Spokesperson of the Punjab Government today said that all officers and employees should deposit their PAN card copies in person as soon as possible, so that the income tax could be deducted from their salaries regularly.

 “MASTER-STROKE AND KNOCK OUT PUNCH AGAINST UPA”: BADAL ON MODI AS BJP CAMPAIGN SPEARHEAD                        

Chandigarh June 9 – The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today hailed the elevation of the Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi as the Chairman of the Bhartiya Janata Party’s  Election Campaign Committee for the forthcoming Lok Sabha election, scheduled for  2014. Mr. Badal described Mr.Modi’s elevation as “a master-strokeand a  knock out punch against a staggering UPA government and  Congress party. This has already sent shock-waves in the UPA and completely demoralized it, as is borne out by their nervous reactions of their leaders,” said the Punjab CM, in a statement here this afternoon. Mr. Badal added that the political climate in the country clearly pointed towards a strong anti-Congress and anti-UPA wave.      .

        Mr. Badal who arrived in Mumbai on a four day official visit this afternoon spoke to Mr. Modi over the phone to personally congratulate him immediately after the news of the Gujarat Chief Minister’s appointment as the campaign spearhead of the BJP’s Election Campaign Committee poured in.

    The Punjab Chief Minister also spoke to the BJP President Mr. Rajnath Singh on the phone soon after an announcement on the BJP’s choice came, and congratulated him on the decision. The Chief Minister described the development as “a master-stroke” and said that Mr. Modi’s  proven hold over the popular imagination combined with the sober and experienced leadership of Mr. Rajnath Singh himself would prove  to be a deadly combination, too hot for the Congress to handle. “Mr. Modi’s proven appeal to the poor and the middle classes and Mr. Rajnath Singh’s stature as a leader of masses, especially of the peasants, are factors that even their opponents can not contest. We are heading towards a landslide win  in 2014 ,” said the CM

    Mr. Badal  conveyed his best wishes to Mr. Modi for leading his party and allies to an resounding victory in the Lok Sabha polls. ‘You have assumed charge at a time when the country is looking to deliver the clinching blow to the scam-tainted and already  staggering United Progressive Alliance led by the Congress party. Mr. Badal expressed the confidence that Mr.Modi’s long experience in managing highly successful election campaigns against the Congress in Gujarat would be an asset to the BJP and allies in the forthcoming poll. “Mr. Modi’s stature as a mass-leader with a strong hold over the grass-root politics, and his long record and  reputation as an outstandingly capable administrator would be more than an effective counter to the inept, corruption-laden and confused UPA government at the center. His clarity of ideas on development and governance and his highly impressive record as a mass-mobiliser and crowd-puller are great assets for the BJP and allies” said Mr. Badal in a statement here.  

  Commenting on the political climate in the country, Mr. Badal said, “ The UPA has already overstayed its welcome. People desperately want change.  This is the beginning of the end of the scam-tainted UPA govt at the center. Mr. Modi’s elevation gives a headstart to the BJP and allies in the run up to the elections,” said the five-time Chief Minister of Punjab, who is himself  a veteran of many a successful elections campaigns against the Congress and the undisputed and the tallest leader of the BJP’s  longest-standing and most reliable alliance partner, the SAD.  

    Mr. Badal said that the UPA had let the country down badly on every front. “Rocked by countless corruption and other scandals and unprecedented failures on all fronts including  internal and external security , development, price control and peace and communal harmony, the UPA  government is like house collapsing under the weight of its own misdeeds and contradictions. All it needs is a little push and it will come crashing down. Mr. Modi’s appointment as campaign spearhead of the BJP will provide that push,” said the Punjab Chief Minister.

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BADAL PLEDGES ALL SUPPORT FOR THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESS OF CHANDIGARH

·         OFFERS LAND FOR THE EXPANSION OF PGIMER CHANDIGARH

·         SUGGESTS UT ADMINISTRATOR TO LEAD JOINT DELEGATION OF PUNJAB & HARYANA CM FOR EARLY RESOLUTION OF PENDING ISSUES RELATING TO CHANDIGARH  METRO AND AN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

·         JUSTIFIES HIS STAND ON RENAMING MULLANPUR AS NEW CHANDIGARH

·         PATIL LAUDS PUNJAB CM FOR GIVING SUBSIDY OF 30% ON SOLAR PUMPS

CHANDIGARH, June 9:-

            Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today pledged all support and cooperation to the Chandigarh administration for the overall development and progress of Chandigarh, the capital of Punjab & Haryana as one of the country’s best planned city well equipped with ultra modern facilities and civic amenities for its inhabitants.

            Sharing his vision to develop Chandigarh on modern lines as an integral part of tri-city during an event ‘Chandigarh back to future’ to chart city’s future organized by Times of India on its commemoration of 175th anniversary here at JW Marriot, the Chief Minister assured the Punjab Governor and Administrator Union Territory of Chandigarh Mr. Shivraj V Patil to extend all possible assistance and cooperation  for the expansion of PGIMER, early completion of the metro rail project and international airport on the top priority. He said the PGIMER was the pioneer medical and research institute committed to provide the best health care facilities not only to the patient of tri-city at affordable rates but also to the people coming from far flung areas of Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. The Chief Minister offered land for the expansion of PGIMER so as to enable it to function in a far more meaningful and result oriented manner. He also urged Mr. Patil to lead a delegation including him and his Haryana counterpart  to impress upon the Centre to take up the issues of expansion of PGIMER and early completion of Chandigarh Metro Rail project and an international airport without any further delay as these were of paramount importance for the over development of the tri-city. He thanked the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare GoI for opening an extension center of PGIMER at Sangrur to provide better health facilities to the people in the Malwa belt. He also asked the U.T. Administrator to use his good offices in prevailing upon the GoI to further extend the metro rail project which was originally upto Zirakpur in one direction and Mullanpur on the other Kharar, Kurali and Ropar on one side and Banur, Rajpura and Patiala on the other so that the people of these towns could be immensely benefitted due to this comfortable transport facility as a viable alternate to the road journey.

            Highlighting the initiatives taken by his government to ensure planned development growth in the region adjoining to Chandigarh, the Chief Minister said the GMADA had already finalize a master plan of Mullanpur, Kurali, Kharar, Zirakpur, Derabassi, Banur to ensure urban development in a holistic manner with the focus on the best road network infrastructure coupled with latest housing facilities and civic amenities of lighting, sewerage and drinking water.

            Justifying the recent decision of the state government to rename Mullanpur as new Chandigarh, Mr. Badal said Chandigarh was the brand name of planned development in the tri-city and what was the harm in giving a name “New Chandigarh” to Mullanpur, which was coming up in a big way with a focus on the latest health and educational facilities. He said Edu-city and Medi-city were being developed in New Chandigarh to attract the World class players in the field of medical and health to set up their state-of-the-art hospitals to provide the best healthcare and diagnostic facilities to the people besides schools, colleges and universities to enable our youth to compete globally.

            Highly appreciating the acumen and unmatched administrative capacities and capabilities of Mr. Patil, Mr. Badal said that he had no doubts at all that the tri-city especially the Chandigarh would make progress by leaps and bounds under his able stewardship and guidance.  He also welcomed the suggestion put forth by Mr. Patil for the expansion of Panjab University, Chandigarh which was one of the premier institutes of higher learning in the country. He also conceded the proposal of Mr. Patil to popularize the concept of solar energy in the upcoming urban development projects as the energy saved from other sources such as hydro and thermal equated to energy generated. 

            Earlier, the Governor of Punjab and UT Administrator lauded the path breaking initiative taken by Mr. Badal for giving 30% subsidy on solar pumps to the farmers in addition to the subsidy provided by GoI. He urged Mr.Badal and the Chief Minister Haryana Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda, as major stake holders to ensure urban development under their states’ jurisdiction especially in Mohali and Punchkula to ensure synergy in the integrated and planned development of tri-city. Mr. Patil said that the master plan of Chandigarh was being finalized in the light of emerging needs and requirements of the citizens in the changed scenario, which would be published soon and suggestions thereof from the public invited. Adding he said meaningful and positive suggestions would incorporated in the master plan while the insignificant ones would be rejected. 

            Meanwhile, the Resident Editor of Times of India Mr. Raja Bose conducted the proceedings of the event on Chandigarh back to future.

            The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Advisor on National Affairs and Media Mr. Harcharn Bains and Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. S.K. Sandhu.

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ALL SET TO DEDICATE RAJPURA THERMAL PLANT TO STATE ON 8TH DECEMBER- SUKHBIR

  • REVIEWS THE PROGRESS OF PLANT
  • COAL LINKAGE DEAL SIGNED WITH COAL INDIA
  • ALL TRANSFORMERS INSTALLED
  • WORK OF WIDENING 31 KILOMETERS OF THE WATER DISTRIBUTRY TO THE PLANT COMPLETED

CHANDIGARH, June 09: The Rajpura Thermal Plant is all set to go to steam on December 8 2013, the birthday of Punjab Chief Minster Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, fulfilling his cherished dream of making Punjab power surplus in 2013. The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today expressed satisfaction after reviewing the construction & overall progress report of 1400 MW capacity Rajpura Thermal Plant being constructed with the cost of Rs 9000 Crores in high level meeting with the PSPCl & NPL officials.

Mr. Badal said that he was happy by the commitment shown by the by L&T officials, the company constructing  Rajpura Thermal Plant  to inaugurate the first Unit of Plant on 8th  December and 2nd unit on Baisakhi 2014.

Officials of Nabha Thermal plant briefed the Deputy CM  that the work of thermal plant would be completed before schedule time as 90 % work of 700 MW one unit is complete and work for second unit is almost 80% complete; Railway linkage from Sarai Bajara Station to plant is almost complete.

Officials said that coal supply deal has already been signed with Coal India. All Transformers are completely installed, cooling tower completed, Reservoirs for water storage of water for 21 days having capacity of storing 24 lac Quebec meters completed, Turbine set up work for Ist unit completed. Boiler has been hydro-tested.

Officials further said that Chimney, Pile Foundations, Switch yard foundations, Control Room Building, STG Building, Raw Water reservoir excavation/embankment works of the plant have been fully completed whereas the construction of Ash Dyke, Ash Silo, Coal Handling Plant, Railway Siding, Boiler erection, Clarified Water pipes laying, Bunkers, Plant Roads, RCC water system, Service Building, DCT, Mill bay, Electrostatic Precipitator was under advanced stage of completion

Officials told that work of laying electricity line of 400 KV for one unit is completed for second unit work is ongoing at full speed. 

Irrigation officials present in the meeting said that work for widening 31 Kilometers area of the water distributry from Bhakra Canal to the Plant has been completed.

Officials of Nabha Thermal plant briefed the Deputy CM that that 400KV Rajpura-Nakodar, 400KV Kanodar-Dhuri, 400KV Rajpura-Dhuri Transmission lines for evacuation of power are being erected by Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited.

Speaking about the expansion plan of the project the GM informed that the Company has already signed a MoU with the Government for setting up an additional 700 MW capacity plant at the cost of Rs. 3800 crore. He said that with the expansion of plant, this plant would produce 2100 MW power.

Mr. Badal said that “Without entering into arguments with critics I believe in delivering, as my work speaks louder than words. Mr. Badal said that despite of many hindrances created by the Union government our projects would be big success in making Punjab Electricity Surplus”. He said that in single Rajpura Thermal Power Project which is setup in the area of 1100 acres at present more than 8000 workers are working and this number would increase twice or thrice which is big boost for employment generation in the state and overall development of the area is visible.

Others prominent present were Power Secretary Mr. Anirudh Tiwari and Chairman Powercom Mr. K.D. Chaudhary, and senior officials of the Nabha Termal Plant and L&T.

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PADDY CULTIVATION COMMENCES TODAY

PUNJAB GOVERNMENT COMPLETES ALL         ARRANGMENT

  • ·     RS.1600 CRORE INCURRED FOR ENSURING 8 HOURS ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO THE FARMERS

Chandigarh,June 9:

 The Punjab Government has completed all arrangement for the Paddy Cultivation in the state, which is going to start on June 10.The government has made special efforts to ensure non stop 8 hour electricity supply to the farmers as well as the arrangement of desirable pesticides and fertilizers have also been made.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that keeping in view the paddy cultivation Rs. 1600 crore has been incurred to purchase the electricity for the paddy season. He said farmers would daily get electricity supply for 8 hours w.e.f. June 10.He said that the Punjab state at present has managed to generated 3600 MW electricity from all its resources whereas there is demand of 8900 MW electricity during the current season of cultivation of paddy. He said that the Punjab State Power Corporation (PSPCL) has been purchasing the surplus power required for paddy cultivation by incurring Rs.1600 crore. He said that out of the total procurement of power, 1950 MW electricity is being purchased for shorter time period whereas 3350 MW electricity would be procured for longer time period.

         He said that instructions have been issued to the Executive Engineers and SDOs to ensure the smooth electricity supply. He said the Canal Department has also completed all arrangement for the irrigation purpose.

The spokesman further said that the Punjab Government in order the check the depletion of ground water and considering the unpredictability of Monsoons have fixed June 10 as the date for the commencement of Paddy Cultivation whereas the saplings for paddy cultivation are prepared from May 1 .He said that during the current season 27.50 lakh hectare areas would be covered under paddy cultivation, this area was 28.18 lakh hectare during the last season.

He said that in a bid to promote the crop diversification the Punjab Government has been persuading the farmers to cultivate other profitable crops like sugarcane, maize, cotton etc. He said due to the efforts of the Punjab Government an area of 68 thousand hectare has been pulled out of the paddy cultivation in one year whereas the areas under direct paddy cultivation has been increased by two and half fold in one year. He said that last year direct paddy cultivation was done on an area of 20 thousand hectare and this year this areas has been fixed at 50 thousand hectare.

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PUNJAB TO SPENT RS 1900 CRORE UNDER GREENING PUNJAB MISSION: JAYANI

·        40 CRORE SAPLINGS TO BE PLANTED IN NEXT SEVEN YEARS

CHANDIGARH, JUNE, 9: The Punjab government has chalked out an ambitious plan worth Rs.1900 crore for the implementation of the “Greening Punjab Mission" with the target to increase the forest area from 7 to 15 % in next 7 years across the state.  Under this ambitious mission 40 crore saplings to be planted on various places across the state.

Disclosing this here today Mr. Surjit Kumar Jayani, Forest and Wildlife Preservation Minister, Punjab said that under the “Greening Punjab Mission" 40 crore saplings would be planted in all available vacant Government, Institutional and farm lands in the State. He said that Chief Minister had launched “Greening Punjab Mission" last year which aims to enhance the forest and tree cover from the existing 7% to 15% of the geographical area of the State.

He said that The National Forest Policy envisages 33% of the country’s area under Forest/Tree cover for safeguarding the environment and ecology of the Nation. Punjab being a predominantly agricultural State has less than 7% of its area under Forest/Tree cover, resulting in severe environmental and ecological degradation and also leads to rapidly rising pollution levels in the air, water and soil of the State, he added.

The minister further said that a unique feature of the “Greening Punjab Mission” is that the Forest Department which was earlier only responsible for protection and raising plantations in government forest areas is now significantly extending its activities to cover all non-forest lands in the State. He said that the forest Beats in the State have been re-organized and all villages in the State were also included in the sphere of responsibilities of the respective Beat Forest Guards. Detailed surveys for the identification of vacant land for plantation in  all villages has also been completed by the Forest Department with the consultation of village Panchayats, he added.

He informed that to ensure the implementation of GREEN MISSION at the bottom level successfully , 431 Forest Guards have been freshly appointed and trained by the Forest Department.

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AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR 200 POSTS

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 9,

        Punjab State Agricultural Development Bank Ltd. has invited online applications for the post of clerk cum data entry operator (100 posts) and field officer (100 posts). Out of the total vacancies 25% posts are reserved for retrenched employees of cooperative sugar mills and cooperative spinning mills.  Application can be sent online only. For details, educational qualifications, experiences, fee etc. can be seen on website www.recruit.nitttrchd.ac.in from June 10, 2013.

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EASTERN FREIGHT CORRIDOR TO PLAY SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN PUNJAB ‘S ENDEAVOUR FOR INDUSTRIALIZATION-MAJITHIA

v CONGRESS LED UPA DELIBERATELY DELAYED THIS PROJECT FOR 9 YEARS TO CONTINUE ITS BIAS TOWARDS PUNJAB

v UPA’s PAPER APPROVAL TO BE IMPLEMENTED BY NEXT NDA REGIME

v WITH INSTALLATION OF SHARIF GOVERNMENT IN PAK , BILATERAL TRADE ACTIVITIES ALL SET TO GET MAJOR BOOST

v MINISTERS AND MLAs FROM MAJHA REGION EXPRESS GRATITUDE TO CM AND DEPUTY CM FOR THEIR CONCERTED EFFORTS FOR GETTING THIS PROJECT IMPLEMENTED

 Chandigarh, June 8: Welcoming the approval of Eastern Freight Corridor between Amritsar and Kolkatta, Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia & Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike (both Cabinet Ministers), Mr. Inderbir Singh Bolaria, Mr. Harmit Singh Sandhu and Mr. Virsa Singh Valtoha (all Chief Parliamentary Secretaries) and Mr. Manjit Singh Mianwind and Mr. Baljit Singh Jalal Usman ( both MLAs ) today said that it would complement the SAD-BJP government’s endeavour for rapid industrialization and boosting trade activities in the border region of the state.

 In a joint press release, all these leaders representing the different constituencies of Majha expressed their gratitude to Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal for their concerted efforts for getting this project implemented. They said that besides repeated written requests by the State government, the Punjab Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister made number of visits to Prime Minister and various Union Ministries for early implementation of this prestigious project. Lambasting the congress led UPA for its un-necessary and long delay for more than 9 years in approving this major project, they pointed out that SAD-BJP government was relentlessly pursuing it but the Union government continued its bias against Punjab especially the Majha region. They equally blamed the State Congress leadership for its criminal silence on the grave injustice being done to Punjab by Congress led UPA for the last nine years before giving paper approval just at the fag end of its 2nd tenure. They said that the Congress led UPA government has realized its continuous step motherly treatment with Punjab but it was too late. They said that it had now tried to balance the things on the eve of ensuing Lok Sabha election through this paper approval but the intelligent electorates of the country have already made their mind to bundle out this most corrupt and in-efficient government of the country since independence. They expressed confidence that with installation of NDA government after ensuing Lok Sabha elections, this project would be implemented in a record time.  

 They further said that now when the state government has recently announced its path breaking new Industrial Policy, the implementation of this project would play a significant role in attracting big industrial houses to border areas to set up their industries thereby paving the way for accelerated development in the whole border region.

 They said now when with installation of Mian Nawaz Sharif led government in Pakistan, all eyes were on early resumption of trade activities between our immediate neighbour country and all other Middle East Countries, this corridor have the potential to re-write the business priorities of the country besides changing the economic fortune of the whole region as well as creating scores of direct and indirect employment opportunities.

 They again thanked the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister for getting through the implementation of this much awaited project along with special concessions for setting up of industries in border areas to fast pace the development of the region

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UNESCO TEAM CALLS ON BADAL

  •   UNESCO TO COME UP WITH PUNJAB STATE CULTURAL HERITAGE POLICY BY MAY 31, 2014
  •  BADAL LAUDS UNESCO’S ENDEAVOUR TO SHOWCASE STATE’S RICH CULTURAL LEGACY AMONGST PUNJABI DIASPORA ACROSS THE GOBLE 

CHANDIGARH JUNE 7:

            In a bid to showcase the rich legacy and cultural heritage of Punjab across the globe especially amongst the Punjabi Diaspora, the state government has entrusted the task of formulating its Cultural Heritage Policy to the UNESCO which was likely to be finalized by the May 31, 2014.

A high level delegation of Delhi based UNESCO monitoring panel team led by its Co-chairpersons Dr. Richard Engelhardt and Mrs. Sudha Pillai today called on the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal to update him about the status of the project.

Focusing on the mandate of UNESCO team, Mr. Engelhardt informed the Chief Minister that the underlying objective of the cultural policy was to protect and promote natural and cultural heritage, tangible and intangible, moveable and immoveable while enhancing international mutual understanding among nations and people. He said the UNESCO would give technical assistance to the state to develop its Cultural Heritage Policy and strategic frameworks, as well as the implementation strategy for protection and conservation of its cultural resources. He hoped that this joint initiative of the state government and UNESCO would serve as a pilot project to cover the varied fields of Craft forms, built heritage, archives, museums and intangible cultural heritage. Mr. Engelhardt appreciated the Chief Minister for taking a decision to impose cess of 1% on the upcoming infrastructure development projects for raising funds for the cultural heritage monuments and memorials thereby making Punjab as the country’s first state for taking this unique initiative.

          Mr. Badal assured the delegation that the state government would offer all help and support to UNESCO team for the formulation of this much needed policy. He said after the success of few heritage projects like Khalsa Heritage Complex at Sri Anandpur sahib, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur war Memorial at Chaparchiri at Mohali, Wadda Ghalughara at Kuprahiran  in Sangrur District and Chhota  Ghalughara at Chamb Kahnuwan in district Gurdaspur and now the state government had planned to set up a state-of- the-art Jang-e-Azadi memorial at Kapurthala to highlight the enormous contribution of Punjabis in the national freedom struggle, besides several other monuments were coming up in different parts of the state to showcase the rich cultural legacy of the state. Mr.Badal further said that such initiatives for the promotion of Art & Culture would act as a link between the Punjab’s glorious heritage past and the future generations.

Meanwhile, Principal Secretary Cultural Affairs, Archaeology & Museum  Mr. S.S.Channy apprised the Chief Minister that an MoU and fund interest agreement was signed between the state government and the UNESCO, New Delhi on February 2010. He said the cultural affairs department had already constituted a panel of cultural experts and an eminent art personalities who were well versed with different aspects of state’s glorious cultural heritage to approve and vet the document from ntime to time.

Taking part in the deliberations, the Director Cultural Resource Conservation Initiative (CRCI) Ltd.  Miss Gurmeet Rai said that in accordance with the vision statement the team would make endeavour to set- forth a coherent long term policy strategy and plan of action to safeguard cultural heritage through the revitalization of the potential of culture to drive both social and economic development within in the multicultural context of India, the specific history, language and traditions of Punjab which have created a rich and complex fabric of Punjabiyat.

Co-Chairperson of UNESCO Mrs. Sudha Pillai told the Chief Minister that the state government should pose a comprehensive state’s action plan for the conservation and promotion of Punjab Heritage to the 14th Finance Commission for seeking funds for the implementation of its cultural heritage policy in the right earnest.

Prominent among others who were present in the meeting included Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. S.K. Sandhu, Director Cultural Affairs Mr. Navjot Pal Singh Randhawa, Besides other members of the UNESCO team included Ms. Aruna Bagchee, Ms. Sudha Gopalakrishnan and Cultural Specialist of UNESCO Miss Moe Chiba.

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HARSIMRAT BADAL SEEKS COOPERATION FROM AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT FOR SAFE GUARDING INERTESTS OF PUNJABI DIASPORA

Chandigarh June 7:

          SAD Member Parliament from Bathinda Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal envisaged full support and cooperation from the Australian Government to safe guard the interests of Indians specially the Punjabi Diaspora. She sought reciprocal visits of experts from the two countries with a focus on Punjab and Punjabi Diaspora.   

          Mrs. Badal, who was part of the Indian Parliamentary delegation during a visit to Australia from May 29 to June 7, held detailed discussions on a host of issues ranging from Energy, Food Security and Water, Uranium Supplies, Climate Change and mutual cooperation in the field of agriculture, food and water management. She appreciated the enormous contribution of Punjabis in the overall development and prosperity of India.

          Seeking expertise and technical assistance for recharging the water table which was depleting at an alarming rate in the State, Mrs. Badal said that Punjab being the leading agricultural zone and country’s food basket was striving hard to conserve its natural resources in form of water and land. She also deliberated on bilateral relations with Australian counterparts on education, health, energy security, maritime security vis-à-vis the Indian Ocean at roundtable on the Australian Indian Institute and also met the Governor of Victoria, Mr. Alex Chernov. She called for joint collaboration in the field of education both at school and college level with emphasizes on university education besides in technical education for the skill development of our youth to enable them to compete globally.

          Mrs. Harsimrat Badal also had parleys with Prof. Hector and his team on Water resources management, Australian and Indian Water policy and management, rural and urban water and climate changes and sought a time tested and viable technology for the cleaning of ponds in villages across the state, which was hazardous to the very life of the people living in the rural areas.

Mrs. Badal urged the Australian Government to mobilize local entrepreneurs and investors to make huge investments in Punjab which was now being looked at as the most preferred destination in the wake of recent package of incentives adding, she said there was tremendous scope for agro processing, small scale and manufacturing industry in Punjab.``

          She also visited the Australian House of Representative in Canberra and the Lady Speaker Ms. Anna Burke was pleased to meet her and both struck quite a rapport.  She was hosted lunch meeting with Australian Members of Parliament and also met Julie Bishop MP, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

          Mrs. Badal also a series of discussions at Australian National University, University of New South Wales Sydney, Melbourne University, and the Lowy Institute and met a number of Indian students and had first-hand view of the situation of Indian students and also took issues with the Australian Government including with Julie Bishop MP the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

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AREA UNDER DIRECT PLANTATION OF PADDY INCRESES MORE THAN DOUBLE-DR. SANDHU

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 7:

The efforts of Punjab Governments Agricultural Department to save the underground water by encouraging direct plantation of paddy has registered a impressive success as the area under the direct plantation has increased more than double during the ongoing season. Now the area under direct paddy increased from 50 thousand acre to 1.25 lakh acre.

Mr Mangal Singh Sidhu Director, Agriculture Department of Punjab, today said that the area under direct paddy increased from 50 thousand acre to 1.25 lakh acre. He said that Punjab Government was started a campaign to aware the farmers about the benefits of direct paddy plantation. Apart from that Government was also providing financial benefits to farmers under ATMA and National Food Security Mission for direct paddy plantation.

Mr Sandhu also said that with this method of plantation more than 25 to 30 % water could be saved for the rice production as well as increasing the per acre production by 7%. He also appealed the farmers to plant paddy only after June 10.

Mr. Sandhu further asked the agriculture department officials to ensure the implementation of paddy plantation deadline across the state.

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PUNJAB GOVT. INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR 1192 POSTS OF CLERKS

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 7,

          Punjab Government has invited online applications for the post of clerk in various departments. Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of Subordinate Service Selection Board, Punjab said that total no. of posts are 1192. He said that applicant should be a Graduate with matric level Punjabi passed and possesses at least one hundred and twenty hours course with hands on experience in the use of personal computer on information technology in office productivity applications or desktop publishing applications from government recognized institution or a reputed institution or ‘O’ level certificate.

          He said that applications can be sent online onwww.punjabsssb.gov.in from June 11, 2013 to July 1, 2013 till 5 p.m.Terms and conditions, educational qualifications, age etc. can be seen on website www.punjabsssb.gov.in from June 11, 2013 also, he added. 

RAIL GALLERY NEW ATTRACTION IN SCIENCE CITY

CHANDIGARH, June 7

Pushpa Gujral Science City, Kapurthala today opened the much awaited Rail Gallery for public which would provide an interesting combination of information on Indian Railways coupled with dioramas on some of the world renowned railway lines. The gallery was inaugurated by Director General, Science City Dr. R. S. Khandpur.

            Dr. Khandpur said that Indian Railway is one of the world's largest railway network, mainly involving management of movement of trains, signaling and communication system and railway crossings spread throughout the length and breadth of the country. The Rail Gallery shows the functions of some of the key personnel of the railway system.

He said that dioramas have been set up on those rail lines which are technological challenging and visually inspiring. They include Kalka-Shimla Railway track, Jammu- Srinagar railway link, the Bullet Train of Japan, Delhi Metro and principle of levitation used in high speed trains.

A model of Magnetic levitation train has also been set up. This is a wheel-less train that only requires a magnetic rail track on the ground. This technique is increasingly being used in high speed trains.

The famous Bullet Train of Japan is shown with an interesting landscape in the background. The maximum operating speed of the train is 320 Km per hour.

There are separate dioramas showing the functioning of the Station Master, the Guard, the ticket collector, and the Pointsman.The most interesting part of the railway gallery is the diesel Engine SimulatorThis type of simulator was used to train engine drivers. Sitting on the driver’s seat in the simulator, the visitor can feel and enjoy the movement of the train on the track. 

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PUNJAB GOVERNMENT APPROVES REVISED GUIDELINES FOR REIMBURSEMENT

GOVT. EMPLOYEES ENTITLED TO CLAIM MEDICAL EXPENDITURE FROM BOTH INSURANCE AGENCIES AND GOVERNMENT

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 7:

The Punjab Government has decided that the Punjab Government employees/Pensioners and their dependents would be eligible to claim reimbursement of medical expenditure from both the insurance agencies and Government.

A spokesman of the Punjab Government today said that  such reimbursements shall be subject to the condition that the concerned employee/pensioner/dependent will first claim insurance from the insurance company and thereafter submit the medical bills to the Government, which may reimburse only the differential amount between the total amount of the bills and the payment made by the insurance company, with the condition that the payment allowed by the Government may not exceed the admissible amount as per Government reimbursement rates.

The Spokesman further said that this revised policy has been framed, keeping in mind the interest of lakhs of employees, who have in addition, subscribed to Medical Insurance Policies at their level on their own expenditure.

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  Punjab Government initiates ONLINE REGISTRATION in schools

Chandigarh, June 7:

          In a significant decision the Punjab government has initiated online registration in the schools of the state affiliated to Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) from the current academic session disclosing this here today.

          Punjab education Minister Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka said that all the registration in this session has been done only through on line process and it will be free of cost.

          Minister said that the password and use IDS had already sent to the School for the online registration of students and the respective school would be responsible. He also said that around 7 lac students of nine thousands school would be benefited with it. This facility will also help save time and earlier it used to take more than three months for a student to get registered. Registration will be discordances free.

          Minister further said that it will also be easier to track students who might migrate or shift to other boards/schools or vice versa. Notably about 17500 students shifted from the CBSE board to the PSEB last year. Minister further said that very soon the fee collection would be online through banks. These will be hardly any result late case due to fee.

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 PUNJAB GOVERNMENT INITIATES ONLINE REGISTRATION IN SCHOOLS

 Chandigarh, June 7:

Taking a significant decision, the Punjab government has initiated online registration in the schools of the state affiliated to Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) from the current academic session. Disclosing this here today, the Punjab Education Minister Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka said that all the registrations in this session would on line and that too free of cost.

The Minister said that the password and user IDs had already been sent to the schools for the online registration of students and now it would be the responsibility of the concerned school. He also said that around 7 lac students studying in more than nine thousands schools would be benefited with this new initiative. It would also help in saving time as earlier it used to take more than three months for a student to get registered.

The Minister further said that with this online registration, those students who migrated or shifted to other boards/schools or vice versa could also be tracked easily. Notably 17,500 students shifted from the CBSE board to the PSEB last year. The Minister further said that soon the fee collection would also be started online through banks.

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Sukhbir asked the Government of India to stop passing the buck for its failure to seal the border against drugs

Chandigarh June 6, 2013

The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal asked the Government of India to stop passing the buck for its failure to seal the border against drugs and  arms dealers  and  instead to appreciate the efforts of Punjab Government in successfully battling the fall out of the weakness of the central forces in effectively checking the threats to our peace and stability from across the border.

“It is the duty of the central forces to ensure that no danger spills over from across the border into our soil and to anticipate and checkmate those trying to pose a threat to our peace from foreign soil. Massive recoveries of drugs and arms and successful busting of terror modules by the Punjab police clearly shows that more needs to be done by the central forces for ensuring that our borders are impregnable and not porous.

          He said that the state government was “on top of the law and order situation and there was complete peace and communal harmony in the state. “We have maintained utmost vigilance in this regard and as a result, there has been no incident of militancy related violence in the past three years in the state. “By breaking the nexus between terrorism, money laundering and drug smuggling, the Government of Punjab has been able to break the sinister designs to disturb peace in the state. This is reflected in the figures of arrests and the seizure of vast cache of weapons, explosives and drugs by the police,” he said, adding that peace and communal harmony were the top priority of the SAD-BJP government.

          The Deputy Chief Minister said that while the state government is in full control of the situation within the state and was determined to maintain peace and communal harmony at all costs, it was worried about the magnitude of recoveries made in the state of smuggled stuff like hard drugs and Fake Indian National Currency. This needs to be plugged at the border, he said.

          The Deputy CM urged the center to invest on modernising our police and other security personnel through up gradation skills and technology.  “These days, wars and terror are all about technology, he said

          Underlining the new forms of challenges to peace, Mr. Badal said that modern technology has changed even the concept of boundaries and strategic locations. The concept of international borders too has undergone change. Now, even America shares its borders with Afghanistan in a virtual though not in a geographical sense. For Punjab too, its “virtual” though not ‘geographical’ boundaries have been pushed deep inwards in our North and South, with states like J and K and Rajsthan themselves being on the international radar for violent infiltration as well as nodal points on the narco-terrorist route, which reveals a real threat of terror based physical threat to our nation” he said

Mr. Badal asked the center to take proactive steps to to strengthen and streamline its intelligence and operational and combative mechanism. He said that central agencies and forces need to step up their efforts to thwart attempts from across the border to disturb peace, plug the inflow of funds and narcotics and Fake Indian National Currency from across the border.

          He asked the center to help the state with liberal funds to enhance the capacity and capability of Punjab Police.

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OFFICES TOLD TO INSTALL ENERGY EFFICIENT ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 6:

The Punjab Government today issued instruction to procure only energy efficient electrical appliances in the government offices, while making new purchases, with an aim to reduce the consumption of energy.

A spokesman of the Punjab Government today said that efficient use of energy and its conservation has a great importance as it was the most critical element for economic development. He said that the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BBE) has recommended to install  threshold star rating appliances on the basis of life cycle cost analysis.  He further said that the Punjab Government after careful consideration has decided to implement Bureau of Energy Efficiency recommendations in this regard.

He said that now split Air Conditioners should have 5 star BBE rating under normal conditions where annual usages were expected to be more than 1000 hrs, whereas 3 star BBE rating AC has been recommended where usages was limited. Ceiling fans and Water Heaters must have 5 star BBE rating and in the case of Frost Free Refrigerators it should have 4 star BBE rating.

The spokesman said that all heads of departments, Divisional Commissioners, Registrar Punjab and Haryana High Court, District and Session Judges and Deputy Commissioners has been asked to adopt these threshold stars rating of these appliances while procuring it. He also said that PEDA has been asked to ensure the availability of adequate number of manufactures/models of the prescribed star rating to enable competitive procurement. 

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 MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEANLINESS IN MEDICAL COLLEGES & HOSPITALS

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 6:

The Punjab Government has directed his officials to ensure proper cleanliness in Government Medical Colleges and Hospitals. Disclosing this here today Mr. Chunni Lal Bhagat, Minister for Medical Education and Research, said that responsibilities of Medical Superintendent have been fixed.

While presiding over a meeting here today to review the conditions of hospitals, The Minister said that standards of service should be raised. He told that cleanliness work of Hospitals is being done by `Sulab Internationals'. The Minister instructed the officials to review the work of cleanliness strictly so that patients should be treated in clean environment.

The Minister also said it should be ensured that toilets are properly cleaned. He added that it would be the sole responsibility of Superintendents to ensure proper cleanliness in hospitals. He further said that SAD-BJP Government is committed to provide best health facilities to citizens.

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PUNJAB COMPLETES ARRANGEMENTS FOR TEACHER ELIGIBILITY TEST SLATED ON JUNE 9: MALUKA

·        MORE THAN 2 LAC CANDIDATES TO APPEAR AT 391 CENTRES

Chandigarh, June 6; The Punjab Education department has made comprehensive arrangements for Punjab State Teacher Eligibility Test (PSTET) slated for June 9, in which more than 2 lac candidates would appear at 391 centers set up throughout the state.

Disclosing this here today, the Punjab Education Minister Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka informed that the responsibility for conducting this test has been entrusted to SCERT and 36 nodal centers have been set up at district as well as at some subdivisions level to facilitate the candidates. He said that total 2, 07,214 candidates would appear for these tests

He said that the timings for the first and second tests would be from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm and 2.00 pm to 4.30 pm respectively. The differently abled students would get an additional time of 20 minutes for each paper. A special center has been set up for such candidates at each nodal center.

The Education Minister further informed that the department was committed to conduct this test in a total transparent manner and adequate number of flying squads has also been constituted. Besides this, the Deputy Commissioners have also been asked to monitor this whole exercises. He has already directed for videography of each center. He cautioned the Circle and District Education officers against any complacency and asked them to ensure required facilities for the candidates.

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CRIME SHOWS MUST GENERATE AWARENESS

AND PROMOTE NATIONALISM----PHILLAUR

·        CRIME SERIAL VARDAAT LAUNCHED

Chandigarh June 6: Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Punjab today emphasized on the need of generating more awareness amongst the masses about the increasing crime in the society and inculcating a true spirit of Nationalism in them so that a healthy, friendly and crime free society could be evolved.

            Addressing a gathering at the launch of a new Punjabi TV serial Vardaat , produced by Rajpoot Film Productions for Jhanjar TV Channel in Canada and India, at Chandigarh Press Club, the Minister said that Crime serials must be produced with the motive of not only generating awareness but should be educative. He said that Punjab, a land of saints and seers, is the most peaceful state in India but still such shows would strengthen the deteriorating human values. He has also called upon the youth of Punjab to stay away from drugs and other social aberrations and involve them in maintaining the glory and ethos of this rich state. Expressing concern over the failing human values in society, Mr. Phillaur said that the existing education system needs a radical change by introducing moral education right from the beginning aiming at shaping the tender minds of youth towards the betterment of the country.      Appreciating the role of both electronic and print media in exposing the crime and punishing the criminals, Mr. Phillaur said that media should play a positive role in reducing the degree of crime. He also said that with the active involvement of the media, crime has been exposed and necessary actions have been taken against the criminals creating a fear in their minds.

            Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Gurbax Singh Malhi, Former Member Parliament from Canada said that crime was a cause of concern world over and needs to be immediately controlled in the larger public interest. He suggested that international websites on curbing the crime should be accessed by the governments so that the same procedure could be adopted in punishing the culprits setting an example for others. He urged the people to extend full cooperation in registering or reporting the criminal activities so that adequate and prompt action could be taken by the authorities.

            Prominent amongst others who were present included Mr. Gurpreet Sekhon, Editor G.Asia, Mr. Shakti Rajpoot, Director Vardaat and William Rajpoot Editor Vardaat.

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PUNJAB INTRODUCES ‘JOINT ACTION PLAN’ TO INCREASE GREEN COVER IN THE STATE

·        FOREST AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND PANCHAYAT DEPARTMENTS TO IMPLEMENT THE PLAN

·       SETS TARGET TO INCREASE FOREST COVERS UP TO 15%-JIYANI

·       MORE THAN 90 LAKH SAPLINGS TO BE PLANTED IN RURAL BELTS-RAKHRA

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 6:

The Punjab Government today introduced a ‘Joint Action Plan’ with a view to increase green cover in the state besides fixing a target to enhance the forest cover up to 15 percent. The Forest and Rural Development and Panchayats Departments have prepared this action plan, which would be implemented with mutual cooperation of field officers of the duo departments.

            This was disclosed today by Mr. Surjit Singh Jiyani, Forest Minister and Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Rural Development and Panchayat Minister, Punjab jointly while presiding over a high level meeting to implement ‘Punjab Haryali Campaign’, an initiative of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh, across the state. The duo minister said that all the field staff of both departments has been informed in this regard and to make this initiative a success.

            Giving details of action plan, Mr. Jiyani said that the field staff would work with mutual understanding and cooperation to execute the plan in true spirit by planting saplings of various kinds. He said that Rural Development and Panchayats Department would implement the project of sapling plants through MGNREGS while the Forest Department would extend all the requisite technical support. He said that preliminary the field staff would ensure the plantation of saplings of Banyan, Neem, Mangoes and peeple trees. He said that the Forest Department has conducted the survey in this regard in more than 9000 villages and chalked out a plan to plant more than 90 saplings in these villages. He also informed that 247 nurseries of the department has prepared more than 490 lakh saplings, three fold increased as compare to previous season.  

            Mr. Rakhra informed that under this action plan at least four families of each village would get the employment under MGNREGS and they would ensure the proper nurturing of the planted saplings. He said that Additional Deputy Commissioners (Development) and Divisional Forest Officers would ensure the plantation of more than 90 lakh saplings within the stipulated time frame.

            Prominent amongst those were present in the meeting included Mr. Mandeep Singh Sandhu, Financial Commissioner Rural Development, Director Rural Development Mr. S. Karuna Raju, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. H Gujral and Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dr. Kuldeep Kumar and Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. Dharendra Kumar.

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PUNJAB STRONGLY OPPOSES NCTC-DESCRIBES IT A BACKROOM MANOEUVRE TO ERODE THE AUTHORITY OF THE STATES

·          OPERATION BY CENTRAL FORCES IN STATES WOULD CREATE MORE PROBLEMS FOR STATES

·        SUKHBIR LASHES AT CENTRE FOR COMPROMISING SECURITY OF NATION BY DRASTICALLY REDUCING MODERNISATION FUNDS

·        TERMS ANNUAL MEETING ON INTERNAL SECURITY A FAÇADE

•        SEEKS SPECIAL SECURITY PACKAGE

•        STRESSES FOR TWO PRONGED STRATEGY TO OVERCOME CHALLENGES TO PEACE AND SECURITY

NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH, JUNE 5: The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today strongly rejected the proposed National Counter Terrorism Centre terming it as a direct interference in the federal structure of the country besides giving a power to Centre to tactically intervene in the internal affairs of the states.

Vehemently opposing the NCTC in the meeting of Chief Minister on Internal Security held under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh here today, Mr. Badal regretted that Union Government has reduced the annual meeting of Chief Ministers on Internal Security as an annual ritual with not a single proposal or suggestion by Chief Ministers getting materialised during last four years. He said that we should not take states for a ride on the name of security as Punjab has singularly fought the decade long terrorism without NCTC and he doesn’t understand why NCTC was required now? He said that Central forces if allowed operations under NCTC would descend in the state without assessing the sensitivity, launch an operation and move out leaving the consequences of the operations to be tackled by the States alone. He said that how Central forces act in isolation without taking local situation in account can be gauged from the fact that Operation Blue Star was launched by the Central Forces on the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, when a large number of devotees were inside the Golden Temple resulting in the large number of causalities of innocent pilgrims. He said that this gross insensitivity by Central forces instead of tackling the situation further complicates it for the states.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that instead of NCTC the system of sharing of intelligence by Ministry of Home Affairs was effectively working. He said that instead of frittering away energy and resources the new body not acceptable to any state,. The Union Government should provide full backing to the State Governments in their modernisations plans and capacity building.

          Questioning the basic purpose of annual meeting on Internal Security without any substantial result, Mr. Badal said tha instead of All India Meeting the Union Home Minister should convene State Specific meeting individually and tackle the problem of that state understanding the ground reality position in that specific state. He said that this meeting has become an annual ritual with Chief Ministers delivering five minutes speech and Union Government not accepting their a single suggestion.

          Requesting the Prime Minister to pay special intention to Border States and problems being created by cross border insurgency, narco-terrorism and counterfeit currency being pushed in the country, Mr. Badal questioned the wisdom o Union Government to focus on problem when it blows on your face. He said that today after Naxal attack total energy of the Union Government was on anti-naxal operations and we would wait other problems till they blow on our face. He said that the problem of Naxal was more than two decade old and failure to tackle that problem till now suggests that we were adopting the wrong strategy in controlling that. He said that Prime Minister should also convene a special meeting of Border States as being done in the Naxal affected states.

           Raising the issue of increased inflow of drugs, counterfeit currency from across the border, Mr. Badal said that the record seizure of drugs by Punjab Police during last few years underlines the fact that the BSF directly under the control of Union Home Ministry was failing to seal the border effectively. He said that Punjab was paying dearly this social cost of increased drug flow with Union Government being the mute spectator.

 Emphasising the need for investing heavily in the modernisation and technological upgradation of security forces, Mr. Badal rued that on one hand Union Government was spending 91000 crore on Food Security Bill and 33000 crore on MGNREGS, the budget of modernisation of security forces was 1000 crore in 2000 has been brought down to meagre 300 crore with Punjab getting only paltry share of Rs. 30 crore after attachment of many strings and conditions. He said that this meeting looks a façade if we see the “importance” being given to the modernisation of forces. Mr. Badal said that in contrast the budget of Punjab Police has been enhanced five folds in five years to meet the increased challenges on the law and order front. “We should learn from USA that has invested heavily to tackle the problem of terrorism especially after 9/11. I don’t expect that we should have modernisation budget equivalent to America but our Prime Minister can make a beginning with minimum Rs. 10000 crore allocation that could be doubled next year to modernise and technologically upgrade state forces,” he added. Mr. Badal said that no state was asking funds for roads or infrastructure but they were asking funds for national security that has been reduced from Rs. 1000 crore to Rs. 300 crore despite spectre of militancy assuming unimaginable proportion. He said that we have to fight this battle collectively and it was the duty of Centre Government to liberally helps the states in technological upgradation of security forces.

Reiterating the resolve of Punjab Government to maintain peace and tranquillity in the state, Mr. Badal congratulated the Punjab Police in taking primitive steps in busting two militant modules with large quantity of RDX before they could create any problem in the state. He said that Centre must support Punjab in its battle against Counter Border Terrorism, Smuggling of Drugs, Counterfeit Currency and Web Based Militant Propaganda.

 Demanding a Security Package for the border state of Punjab, Mr. Badal said that though we have been able to eliminate militancy from the state but efforts were on from forces across the border to foment trouble in the state. He said that we should invest early rather than waiting for investing on fire fighting operations after the problem assumes dangerous proportion. 

Ruing Centre’s apathy towards Punjab that has fought nation’s war against militancy, Mr. Badal said that what to call off ‘Special Package’ the state was burdened with Special Term loan of Rs. 5800 crore provided by Centre during trouble time that grew to Rs. 7723 crore with interest component. Mr. Badal said that The State of Punjab paid a heavy price to successfully fight the nation’s war against a violent secessionist movement. He said that the cost in terms of loss of innocent lives, including civilians, members of security forces and family members of the police personnel cannot be calculated. Mr. Badal said that the cost of rebuilding a battle scarred society and economy, in all its dimensions, cannot be quantified. “It is an irony that instead of willing and ready financial and other assistance from the GOI, the State had to pay Rs.2694 Crores for the nation’s war” Mr Badal said.

Informing about Punjab’s efforts to strengthen police force, Mr. Badal said that during last three years alone 16000 police personnel including 2800 women constable taking the strength of force to 75600. The five training centres have been upgraded.

Emphasising the need for protecting the women, Mr. Badal said that Punjab has taken unique measure to prevent crime against women and to ensure speedier trials. He said that Punjab has constituted Mobile Women Commando Squads and Quick Reaction Teams for speedier police response. The percentage of conviction in such cases has gone up and 7 Fast Track Courts have already been setup and 13 in the process of establishment.

Focusing on community policing, Mr. Badal informed about the SAANJH project initiated by Punjab Police to bridge disconnect between community and police. He said that SAANJH kendras are successfully working in 114 Sub Divisions and 363 police stations.

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CM SANCTIONS RS. 1433 CRORE FOR COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT OF SIX BORDER DISTRICTS OF THE STATE

  • ASKS MLAs TO ENSURE TIMELY AND QUALITY COMPLETION OF THE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THESE DISTRICTS 
  • DERAS AND DHANIS OF BORDER AREAS TO GET 24-HOUR POWER SUPPLY ON URBAN PATTERN WITHIN THIS YEAR

Chandigarh, June 5-

To give further impetus to the overall development and prosperity in the 18 blocks of six border districts of Amritsar, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Tarn Taran, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today approved a comprehensive development package of nearly Rs 1433.97 crore for 2013-14 to ensure better quality of life to the inhabitants of these difficult areas besides percolating the fruits of welfare schemes for them through inclusive development at the grass roots level. 

            Presiding over a high level meeting with the MLAs and party leaders of SAD-BJP alliance representing 14 assembly constituencies in these districts here at Punjab Bhawan this morning, Mr. Badal asked the representatives of these assembly segments to mobilize the local Panchayats, Municipal Committees and other local bodies to elicit their huge participation in the development works in a result oriented manner to ensure timely and quality completion of these projects under their direct supervision.  

Laying thrust on the need to get these development works done according to the felt needs of the people, the Chief Minister said that the elements of probity, accountability and transparency should be adhered to at all costs so that these funds meant for the welfare of the residents of the Border areas must be spent judiciously to provide the basic civic amenities to the people living in these difficult areas.  Mr. Badal categorically said that the funds allotted for these works from tax payer’s hard earned money must be utilized in the right earnest. Outlining the broad contours of the package, the Chief Minister apprised the MLAs to spend these funds on the construction and repair of roads including link roads through PWD (B&R) and Mandi Board, implementation of potable water and sanitation schemes, strengthening and revamping of canals, water courses, channels and distributaries, upgradation of health care facilities, animal husbandry besides revamping the school and college infrastructure. 

The Chief Minister directed the Chief Engineer canals to visit these areas personally and finalize the plan for de-silting and revamping of the canals, watercourses, channels and distributaries in consultation with the concerned MLAs so that the priority could be fixed for the execution of these works. Mr. Badal reiterated the state government’s commitment to ensure 24- hour domestic power supply on the urban pattern in all the Deras and Dhanis of Border and Kandi areas with a cluster of three or more households within this year at a cost of Rs 200 crore and the remaining Dhanis/ Deras across the state would also be covered under this program within two years.   

The Chief Minister sanctioned grant of Rs. 83.15 crore for Ajnala, Rs. 57.35 crore for Chogawan and Rs. 51.67 crore for Attari block in Amritsar district.  Mr. Badal also sanctioned Rs. 214.13 crore for Ferozepur city, Rs. 108.82 for Ferozepur Rural and Rs 62.48 crore for Guru Har Sahai in Ferozepur district. Likewise he also sanctioned Rs 104.93 for Fazilka, Rs 186.12 for Jalalabad and Rs 224.96 crore for Khuian Sarver in Fazilka district.

The Chief Minister also approved Rs 55.11 crore for Kalanaur, Rs 5.19 crore for Gurdaspur Block of Dera Baba Nanak assembly segment and Rs 48.98 crore and Rs 36.72 crore for Dinanagar and Dorangla Block respectively of Dina Nagar assembly constituency of Gurdaspur district. Similarly he sanctioned Rs 54.75 crore for Bamial and Rs 8.55 crore for Narot Jaimal Singh Block in Boha assembly segment of Pathankot district. The Chief Minister also sanctioned Rs 78.07 crore for Bhikiwind and Rs 24.42 crore for Valtoha block of Khemkaran assembly segment in Tarn Taran district besides Rs 28.57 fcrore for Gandiwind block of Tarn Taran assembly segment.

            Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Forests Minister and MLA Fazilka Mr. Surjit Kumar Jiyani, Cabinet Minister and MLA Attari Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Chief Parliamentary Secretary and MLA Gurdaspur Mr. Gurbachan Singh Babbehali, Chief Parliamentary Secretary and MLA Khemkaran Mr. Virsa Singh Valtoha, Chief Parliamentary Secretary and MLA Ajnala Mr. Amarpal Singh Ajnala, MLA Boha Mrs. Seema Kumari and former Cabinet Minister Mr. Sucha Singh Langah,   Apart from these Principal Secretary Rural Development and Panchayat Mr. Mandeep Singh Sandhu, Principal Secretary Education Mrs. Ravneet Kaur, Managing Director Punjab Health System Corporation Mr. Hussan Lal, Special Principal Secretaries to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, Director National Rural Health Mission Mr. Raj Kamal Chaudhary, Chairman PSPCL Mr. KD Chaudhary besides Chief Engineer Canals Mr. AS Dulat and Chief Engineer Drainage Mr. Vinod Chaudhary were also present in the meeting.

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Punjab provides treatment facilities to 18658 students.

119 students suffering from cancer were also treated.

 Chandigarh- June 5:

       The Punjab Govt. has provided treatment facilities to 18658 students studying in government and aided schools across the state.

        Disclosing this here today Education Minister Punjab Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka said that Government of Punjab provides positive interventions in the lives of children with special needs and those suffering from chronic illness. He said that last year the education department with the collaboration of health department of Punjab and Non Government Organizations (NGOs) has started a campaign which focused on providing health and social welfare interventions, besides quality education to children with special needs and those suffering from chronic illnesses, studying in government and aided schools of the state. he said that Under this campaign, 244 children with cleft lip/ palette were identified in the state, out of which 235 were provided corrective surgeries,

          He further said that 470 children suffering from polio, cerebral palsy and congenital deformities were successfully operated under the surgical correction project initiated under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. Besides this 5280 children with orthopedic impairments/ cerebral palsy were provided physiotherapy treatment, All the 6555 special needs children prescribed assistive devices by doctors were provided mobility aids like wheelchairs, tricycles, crutches, artificial limbs, braces and calipers etc. at camps organized for this purpose in April 2013, he added. 

       The minister said that Out of 383 children with low vision prescribed surgical correction, 72 children have been operated successfully. Out of 314 identified students suffering from Rheumatic/Congenital heart disease (RHD/CHD) who were awaiting treatment, 278 students have been operated successfully during the last year at various renowned hospitals like PGI Chandigarh, CMC and DMC Ludhiana and Fortis Hospital Mohali. Besides that 119 students suffering from Cancer were identified during the past year, who have been treated at PGI Chandigarh and Mohan Dai Oswal Cancer Hospital Ludhiana. There is no pendency of cancer patients awaiting treatment.

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BADAL REITERATES TO LAUNCH VIGOROUS CAMPAIGN TO TRANSFER TUBE WELL CONNECTIONS TO LEGAL HEIRS FREE OF COST

  • DIRECTS PSPCL TO ABOLISH ACD
  • ASSURES ADEQUATE POWER SUPPLY TO FARMERS IN COMING PADDY AND COTTON SEASON
  • ASKS DGP AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT TO ALLOW MINING OF EARTH FOR PERSONAL USE OF FARMERS

Chandigarh, June 4, 2013

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today directed the PSPCL to immediately do away with the condition of seeking test report from the eligible legal heir of a deceased for the transfer of tube well connections in their name free of cost even without charging Advance Consumption Deposits (ACD). 

A decision to this effect was taken by Mr. Badal in a meeting with the delegation of Bharti Kisan Union (Sidhupur), Punjab led by its President Mr. Pishora Singh Sidhu here at Chief Minister’s residence this afternoon. The Chief Minister asked the PSPCL authorities to follow the same procedure prevalent earlier, for the transfer of connection in the name of legal heir of the deceased on the basis of succession certificate duly attested by the Nambardar or the Sarpanch of the village. He also reiterated that special camps should be organized on campaign basis for transferring tube well connections in the name of bonafide legal heirs on the priority basis in all the villages across the state.

Responding to another demand regarding the 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 asked the Chairman PSPCL to take up the issue with the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission for its timely resolution. To another demand for ensuring uninterrupted power supply for 12 hours duration during the ensuing paddy and Cotton season, he said that all out efforts should be made to provide adequate power supply to the farmers during these operations.

Referring to another demand raised by the delegation regarding the allotment of tube well connections to the applicants whose applications were pending since long, Mr. Badal said that the state government had already framed a new tube well policy for the year 2013-14 to release 25000 Tube well connections in a fair and transparent manner on the basis of seniority. The policy further stipulated that 9000 AP connections would be allotted to the applicants comprising small farmers having land holding upto 2.5 acre and without any tube well connection as on January 1, 1998, 3000 connections for marginal farmers having land holding of more than 2.5 acre and upto 5 acre as on January 1, 1996 whereas the remaining 3000 connections for big farmers having land holding more than 5 acre as on January 1, 1992. Likewise, the Chief Minister also gave directions to the PSPCL for the release of connections to the applicants under the Accelerated Release of Tube well connections (ARTC) Scheme on the priority.  

On the plea of delegation to waive off the condition of installation of four star rated company motors under the guidelines of Bureau of Energy Enterprises (BEE) which were too expensive, the Chief Minister asked the PSPCL authorities to make these motors readily available to the farmers on affordable rates in the market.  Conceding another demand Mr. Badal directed the PSPCL to immediately constitute a committee to sympathetically examine the case of withdrawing penalties on the farmers who had misused the tube well connections originally sought on priority for drip irrigation/ micro sprinkler system and also look into the revival of disconnected Power Connections in case they revert back to drip irrigation/ micro sprinkler system.

On the issue of restoring the facility of OYT connection to the farmers for shifting the tube well connection from one site to another, the Chief Minister asked the PSPCL to only charge the actual cost of the material and supervisory charges from the consumers in such cases. Mr. Badal also constituted a committee with a representative each from the PSPCL, PAU and Bharti Kisan Union (Sidhupur), Punjab for exploring possibilities to enhance the power consumption of Motors from 1.5 to 2.5 amperes per BHP as these motors were taking extra load due to the depleting water table.

The Chief Minister also okayed the demand of delegation to cover all the Deras/Dhanis having three or more households under urban pattern power supply for 24 hours as already decided in the case of difficult areas of Border/Kandi. He asked the PSPCL to submit a comprehensive proposal in this regard to the state government at the earliest. Mr. Badal also directed the Chairman PSPCL to supply electricity bills to the domestic consumers on the monthly basis within next six months in the villages. This move would save the farmers from undue harassment for making payment of their bills through Banks drafts/ cheques in case the bill amount was over Rs 5000.

In another significant decision the Chief Minister directed the Director General of Police and 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. He asked the DGP to issue detailed instructions in this regard to all the SSPs in the state for its strict compliance.

Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Secretary Power Mr. Anirudh Tiwari, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar and Chairman PSPCL Mr. KD Chaudhary.    

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Mittal hands over appointment letters to newly appointed Unani Medical Officers 

·        Process completed to recruit 29 Ayuarvedic officers & Upp Vaids, Baba Farid University to conduct written test

Chandigarh, June 04:    

In an effort to strengthen Indian Medical Science Punjab Government recruits four Unani Medical officers. While handing over appointment letters to newly appointed Unani Medical officers here today Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal Minister for Health & Family Welfare said that these officers have been posted in Primary Health Centres of the state. He said that it is a step towards strengthening ages old Indian Medical Science as this system does not have any side effects and people would benefit more from this system.

At a simple function organised to congratulate these newly appointed Unani Medical officers Mr. Mittal said that it is for the first time that Unani Medical officers are appointed in the state. He added that the Punjab Government is focusing on to develop Indian Medical Science in the state and more recruitment would be done soon. Minister said that for this Ayuarvedic department has recruited 200 Ayuarvedic Officers and 182 Upp Vaids earlier.

Mr. Mittal further said that under National Rural Health Mission department has completed the process to recruit 29 Ayuarvedic officers & 34 Upp Vaids. He said that Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot is soon going to conduct written test for these posts and within one and half month new doctors would be appointed. 

Doctors who got appointment letters today are Dr. Mohamad Hamid, Dr. Ayesha, Mohamad Akmal and Dr. Mohamad Awesh, they have been posted at Primary Healths centre at Palheri, District Mohali, Lalaru, District Mohali, Shermajra District Sangrur and Chanarthal District Fatehgarh Sahib respectively.

Others prominent present at the occasion were Mr. Raj Kamal Chaudhary Managing Director cum Commissioner NHRM, Punjab, Dr. Rakesh Sharma Director Ayuarvedic Department Punjab, Dr. Bakshish Singh Joint Director and Dr. Ramesh Sharda Head Homeopathic Department, Punjab.

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KOHAR APPEALS THE STRIKING ROADWAYS AND PUNBUS EMPLOYEES TO RESUME DUTIES IN LARGER PUBLIC INTEREST

PROMISES TO TAKE UP THE MATTER WITH CM FOR POSITIVE OUTCOME

SHUN AGITATIONAL PATH TO PAVE A WAY FOR CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE

Chandigarh, June 4-

Punjab Transport Minister Mr. Ajit Singh Kohar today assured the striking employees of Punjab Roadways and PUNBUS to look into their demands sympathetically and appealed to them for withdrawal of their strike in the larger public interest.

This assurance was given by Mr. Kohar to a deputation of striking employees who called on the Minister in his office this afternoon.

The Minister said, during the deliberations, that the state government had always safeguarded the interests of its employees and government was equally concerned about their demands as it was seriously making all out efforts to resolve this issue. Mr. Kohar said that he would soon take up this matter with the Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal for a positive outcome.

The Minister envisaged the co-operation and support of employees to find an amicable solution to this problem through mutual dialogue peacefully and urged them to shun the path of agitation. He said that the strike had not only incurred losses to the Roadways and PUNBUS but the employees themselves had to suffer a lot. Mr. Kohar said that keeping in view the lot of inconvenience caused to the general public due to the strike, the employees should resort to the work so that a congenial atmosphere for a permanent solution could be created on one hand and hardships of the people could be mitigated on the other.

Prominent amongst other who attended the meeting included Secretary Transport Mr.  Jagpal Singh Sandhu and Director Transport Mr. Sumedh Singh Gurjar.     

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ADMISSION IN 2ND YEAR OF DIPLOMA COURSES THROUGH LATERAL ENTRY TILL JUNE 24

CHANDIGARH, JUNE,4: 

The Punjab State Board of Technical Education & Industrial Training has fixed 24th June 2013 as the last date for submission of Admission Application Forms for direct admission to 2nd year Diploma in three year diploma engineering Courses through Lateral Entry. 

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab government said that The prospectuses-cum- Admission Application Form are available on the Board's website www.punjabteched.com and www.punjabteched.net.

He further said that 1st round of Online counseling schedule would be started from 29th June to 3rd July and 2nd round would be started from 11th to 14th July, 2013. The details of the counseling schedule have been available on the Board’s website.

He said that More than 20,000 seats in 137 polytechnic colleges are available for direct admission to 2nd year diploma course through lateral Entry.  Candidates who have cleared 10+2 Vocational / two years ITI courses are also eligible for admission to 2nd year Diploma Courses.  Even the candidates who have qualified 10+2 Non-medical or one year ITI have also been eligible for admissions for vacant seats if any.  For further details candidates can visit the Board’s websites.

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JOSHI ORDERS TO MAINTAIN STRICT DISCIPLINE IN ITIs

Chandigarh, June 4

Technical Education and Industrial Minister of Punjab Mr Anil Joshi has ordered to maintain strict discipline in ITIs in the state.

 In a press release issued here today Mr Joshi said that he has received some complaints that the officials/employees were not attending their institutions on time, leading to the disadvantage to trainees.  He said that to maintain the discipline in ITI, now it has been decided that all Principals would have to send an email to Head office regarding the presence of officials/employees in their institution at 9.15 AM daily. 

The Minister has also asked the higher officials of the department to fix the responsibility of ITI principals to maintain the discipline in their respective institutions, failing to result in strict departmental action. He also made it clear that if any employee failed to reach at their duty place on time, he/she would face the heat.

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Shiromani Akali Dal today lashed out at the Congress

Chandigarh  June 4:

The Shiromani Akali Dal  today lashed out at the  Congress response to the new Industrial and Investment  Policy, describing its criticism as "a hollow and   ugly , and deplorable  attempt  to hurt and harm the pro-Punjab business and investment sentiment which  the policy has  already created. “

          “The new policy formulated and announced by Deputy Chief Minister          S. Sukhbir Singh Badal yesterday,  will lead not only to industrial resurgence  but also to overall economic prosperity and well being of the state and its people,” said the SAD General Secretary and Adviser to Chief Minister Mr. Mahesh Singh Grewal in a statement here.

“Business and  industry both existing and potential investors have responded most positively and encouragingly to the new policy and this should be an eye opener to  the Congress which has done nothing during its tenure bringing any industrial unit to the state. “Any good news for Punjab un-nerves the Congress”.

          Referring to the statements of the Congress leaders like Mr. Sunil Jakhar,Mr. Grewal said that these statements were  “utterly ill-informed, misguided and showing total lack of understanding of the key fundamentals of  economics. They don’t even know that the policy applies equally to both existing and new units of industry in the state. They don’t want industry to expand here and they don’t want to see new investments coming. In fact, the industrial flight which started and grew during the Congress regime was the result of  the failure of the Congress governments to make and announced any industrial policy to encourage existing and new units. That is why the drift and flight continued even after the militancy period was over,” said Mr. Grewal.

          On the contrary Sukhbir Singh Badal has been working hard in consultation with leaders of business and industry and studied the whole situation thoroughly and then came up with this comprehensive pr-industry and pro-investment policy. “The Congress just can not appreciate anything that brings development, progress and economic resurgence to Punjab

            The SAD leader further said that Punjab never got any substantial or large scale industrial project during all those long years of Congress rule in the state and the center. “The only big industrial project that came to Punjab in recent decades was the Rs 21000 crore Bathinda Oil Refinery  and that was the result of the personal efforts of the Chief Minister Sardar Parkash Singh Badal and the pro-Punjab attitude of the NDA government headed by Mr.Atal Behari Vajpayee. The only contribution of the Congress to the industry in Punjab was to stop work on this industry forfull five years during Captain Amarinder Singh regime.

 

CABINET OKAYS FISCAL INCENTIVES FOR INDUSTRIAL PROMOTION-2013 TO BOOST INDUSTRIALIZATION  

  • APPROVES PILOT PROJECT TO PROMOTE MAIZE CULTIVATION ON 40000 HECTARES UNDER CROP DIVERSIFICATION PROGRAM IN PPP MODE

  • GO AHEAD FOR RECRUITMENT OF 180 POSTS IN WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION DEPARTMENT
  • GREEN SIGNAL FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF e-TRIP/e-GOVERNANCE

CHANDIGARH JUNE 03:

            In a bid to give impetus to the industrialisation across the state, the Punjab Cabinet today gave green signal to a slew of liberal financial incentives for industrial promotion-2013 in manufacturing sector, integrated textile units, agro & food processing sector besides electronics, hardware and information technology.

A decision to this effect was taken in a Cabinet meeting Chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here at CMO this morning.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the CMO said that the incentive package had been framed after detailed discussions with all stakeholders, viz. Industrial associations, entrepreneurs and concerned government departments.  The Package of incentives included retention of VAT and CST, exemption from Electricity Duty, exemption from Stamp Duty and Property Tax, waiver off Mandi Fee, Rural Development Fund (RDF) and Infrastructure Development (ID) Cess.   The VAT and CST incentives up to 80% of the amount payable are being offered for the first time to the Manufacturing sector including Textiles, Agro and Food Processing while this exemption for Electronics Hardware and IT sector goes up to 100%.  In the spirit of state government’s commitment to offer congenial and investor friendly environment to the entrepreneurs besides showcasing Punjab as the most preferred investment destination across the globe, the Cabinet also approved incentives like exemption of electricity duty, stamp duty and property tax to be offered to all sectors across the board.   Likewise, incentives of Mandi Fee, RDF and ID cess would be available to integrated textile and Agro processing units.  In a path breaking initiative the state government for the first time had offered several incentives including VAT/CST, Electricity Duty, Stamp Duty and Property Tax to small and medium Enterprise (SME) units having investment from Rs.1 crore to Rs.10 crore set up in the approved industrial parks/industrial focal points.  Different zones have been established to offer incentives in less industrially developed districts with higher incentives as compared to relatively more developed districts. Higher incentives to the approved Industrial Parks, Industrial Estates and Industrial Focal Points would also be given to further boost industrial activities.   

The Cabinet also decided to constitute a special committee under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary to examine the issues viz. purchase tax on wheat, milk and cotton produced and processed within the state, food retailing, declaring of factory premises as Mandi yards, wheeling charges on import of power for entire industry and supply of un-interrupted power to IT industry.  The committee had been asked to submit its report within 15 days to the Cabinet.  The Cabinet also decided to reduce the domestic distant marketing subsidies from 500 KM to 230 KM for fruits, vegetables and flowers, so that these commodities could avail various subsides from Punjab Agro-Industries Corporation for marketing these commodities in Delhi market.  

The following sectors had been given fiscal incentives under the industrial package:

Manufacturing Sector:

For all kind of manufacturing units including textiles

·         VAT and CST incentives

·         Electricity Duty, Stamp Duty, Property Tax exemptions

·         Eligibility period up to 13 years depending upon Fixed Capital Investment

·         Higher incentives to industrially backward areas, border districts, kandi areas and approved industrial parks/ industrial focal points

·         Special incentives to Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) set up in approved industrial parks/ industrial focal points

Integrated Textile Units:

For units with Fixed Capital Investment Rs.250 crore and above

·         VAT and CST incentives

·         Electricity Duty, Stamp Duty, Property Tax exemptions

·         Mandi fee, RDF, ID Cess exemptions

·         Eligibility period up to 13 years depending upon Fixed Capital Incentive

·         Higher incentives to industrially backward districts and approved industrial parks/ industrial focal points.

Agro and Food Processing Sector:

For units with value-addition to agri produce, high-tech agriculture etc.

·         VAT and CST incentives (no VAT on branded atta/suji/maida/ dalia on wheat purchased within the State)

·         Electricity Duty, Stamp Duty, Property Tax exemptions

·         Mandi fee, RDF, ID Cess exemptions

Electronic Hardware and IT Sector:

For IT/ IT enabled services, Electronic Hardware units, Wafer Fab enterprises

·         VAT incentive

·         Electricity Duty, Stamp Duty, Property Tax exemptions

Highlights

·         The incentives, until and unless specifically stated, are applicable to new units only.

·         Quantum of incentives linked to quantum of Fixed Capital Investment

·         All incentives are valid only during the eligible period, as specified in the package. Thus, an entrepreneur completing his project early shall enjoy incentives for longer duration.

·         Higher investment shall bring in higher quantum of incentives.

In another significant decision to boost the much needed Agriculture Diversification program, the Cabinet also gave approval to a pilot project for the promotion of Maize cultivation in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.  The project was aimed at achieving enhancement of area under Maize cultivation by 40,000 hectares in 56 identified blocks.  The proposed varieties of maize hybrid seeds would be cultivated, produced and harvested within 120 days from June 1, 2013. 

To bring far more efficiency and sustainability of the rural drinking water supply schemes for ensuring supply of potable water in all 15170 habitations across the state, the Cabinet also okayed the recruitment of various 180 posts including 30 Sub Divisional Engineers (SDEs), 120 Junior Engineers (JEs) and 30 Junior Draftsmen in the Water Supply & Sanitation department.  The recruitment of SDEs would be carried by Punjab Public Service Commission while the JEs and Junior draftsmen would be recruited through an independent reputed agency.   It was also approved that suitable recruitment would be made every year.

The Cabinet gave ex-post facto approval in terms of clause 2.3 of Excise Policy for the year 2013-14 for 100% allotment of liquor vends already achieved during allotments of liquor vends for the current fiscal. 

            The Cabinet gave go ahead for implementing e-Trip/e-Governance to prevent leakage of revenue besides framing new rules 64-A, 64-B and 64-C.  The implementation of e-Trip/e-Governance would result in additional revenue to the tune of Rs.200-300 crore annually.

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SUKHBIR UNVEILS NEW GAME CHANGER ‘INDUSTRIAL POLICY’ FOR THE STATE

  • PUNJAB SET TO ATTRACT INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT OF Rs. 2 LAKH CRORE WITHIN 3 YEARS
  • FIRST INNOVATIVE ‘EARN YOUR INCENTIVES’ POLICY INTRODUCED BY ANY STATE
  • PUNJAB OFFERS VAT AND CST RETENTION UP TO 80%, ELECTRICITY AND STAMP DUTY,  PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION IN THE NEW POLICY
  • AGRO BASED UNIT TO ALLOWED MANDI FEE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT FUND, INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT CESS INCENTIVES

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 3:

The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today unveiled the new policy for Fiscal Incentives for Industrial Promotion in Punjab and described it as aggressive, incentive based policy that besides changing the paradigm of Industrial Development would facilitate the investment in the state.

      Giving the presentation of New Industrial Policy that was passed by the cabinet under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal earlier in the day Mr. Badal thanked Industry and Commerce Minister Mr. Anil Joshi, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. N.K. Sharma and the core group of Industrialists that gave a feed back on the requirements of Industry for 4 month long intensive brainstorming exercise that enabled Punjab to come out with one of its own kind ‘Earn Your Incentive’ Policy. He said that Punjab suffered to attract industry being the landlocked state that had tax haven hilly states as neigbourers. He said that Punjab has taken a proactive step to facilitate the investment in the state by offering maximum incentives than any states, ensuring surplus power besides 24 hour power to IT industry, world class infrastructure, regulation free regime and on the top of it self attested proposals without any site verification. Mr. Badal said that New Industrial Policy focused on three points Incentives, Simplifying Procedures and facilitation. He said that all earlier steps of screening committee and empowered committee have been eliminated with Punjab becoming the first state to provide online approvals in most transparent manner.

      Giving the details of the incentives, Mr. Badal said that for manufacturing sector, Punjab has been divided into two zones with zone I including Fazilka, Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Sangrur, Barnala, Mansa, Bathinda, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Faridkot and all approved industrial parks, focal points, industrial estates in any part of the state. Zone II would include Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ludhiana, Moga, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar and Ajitgarh (Mohali). Mr. Badal said that for the first time substantial incentives have been given to small and medium industry, which were not given in any policy.

      Describing the incentives for zone I Mr. Badal said that manufacturing units Fixed Capital Investment (FCI) from 1 to 10 crore would be eligible for 50% of VAT plus 75% of CST retention for 7 years and for units having FCI 10 crore to 25 crore these benefits would be for 8 years. Units having FCI from 25 crore to 100 crore would be eligible for 60% of VAT plus 75% of CST  retention with maximum of 60% of FCI for 10 years and units with FCI from 100 crore to 500 crore, VAT incentives would be 70% plus 75% of CST retention with maximum of 70% of FCI for 11 years. A new category of units with FCI above 500 crore has been created that would enjoy 80% of VAT incentive plus 75% of CST retention with maximum limit of 80% of FCI for 13 years. In addition these units would have 100% exemption in Electricty Duty, Stamp Duty and Property Tax.

      For Industry in Zone II units with FCI of 10 to 25 crore would enjoy 25% VAT plus 50% of CST retention for 8 years, units with FCI of 25 to 100 crore would have 30% of VAT and 50 % of FCI for 10 years, units with FCI 100 to 500 crore would have 35% of VAT and 50% of CST retention for 11 years and units with FCI above 500 crore would enjoy 40% of VAT and 50% of CST retention for 13 years besides 50% exemption in electricity duty, stamp duty and property tax.

      Details of retention of VAT, CST, Electricity Duty, Stamp Duty and Property Tax Incentives have been separately notified.

      Giving a new boost to Agro/Food Processing industry, such units anywhere in the state besides enjoying all benefits of zone I of manufacturing sector would also have Mandi Fee, Rural Development Fee, Infrastructure Development Cess incentives besides purchase tax incentives on wheat and milk. It has been decided that no purchase tax would be levied on wheat and milk purchased and processed in the state. It has also been decided that no VAT/Entry Tax will be charged on farm equipments.

      In a major step to make SAS Nagar Mohali and Amritsar as IT hub of the state, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today announced a plethora of incentives including VAT incentives, ensuring 24 hour power, Stamp Duty, Property Tax exemption and exemption from Punjab Pollution Control Board, exemption from all labour laws, PAPRA besides incentives related to housing and urban development sector. For the Hardware sector similar incentives have been offered besides offering them preferential market access and special incentives for Semi Conductor Wafer FAB. Mr. Badal said that IT industry would be offered subsidised or cost to cost land.

      Promising to revolutionarise the investment pattern in Punjab, Mr. Badal said that he has getting queries from industrial houses, who were keenly looking towards the industrial policy of the state and Punjab would soon hold a ‘Investment Summit’ and ‘Road Shows in different parts of the country. He said that besides offering 24 hour power supply to IT industry, billing charges have also been relooked. Mr. Badal said that with the setting up of STPI node at Amritsar, the IT industry in the border sector would get a flip. He said that new industrial policy would be applicable to all new units and New Expansions in the existing units. Mr. Badal said that PSIEC has already identified 5000 hectares of land for creating a land bank for the industrial sector.

      Giving the details of facilitation measures, Mr. Badal said that Punjab is the first state that has simplified the all procedures and documents, ensured transparent workflow, online application and approval, self-attestation of documents, third party certification of building plans, stability and safety etc, and payment gateway for online payments. Mr. Badal said that Punjab Pollution Control Board has already made the procedure online.

      The Deputy Chief Minister said that he was looking for investment in Sunrise Sectors like biosciences, consumer electronics, micro biotech, export promotion units, agro based units and textile sector that have maximum employment potential.

      Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Anil Joshi, Industries Minister, Punjab said that it was the most comprehensive policy notified by any state of the country and would give big boost to investment climate in the state.

      Mr. N.K. Sharma, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Industries, Mr. Rajinder Gupta, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Mr. Kamal Oswal, Industrial Advisor were also present on the occasion.

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CHECK ILLEGAL MINING AND STABILIZE PRICES: SUKHBIR BADAL

        SUKHBIR BADAL CALLS FOR CRUSADE AGAINST UNLAWFUL MINING

Chandigarh June 3:

The Deputy Chief Minister Punjab, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal has directed the Deputy Commissioners of the state to take immediate effective measures to check illegal mining and stabilize the prices of sand and gravel in Punjab. He has called upon the officers to initiate a crusade against unlawful mining in the state.

Presiding over a meeting of the Chief Secretary, Financial Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and the IGs, Mr. Badal asked them to ensure smooth hassle free sand mining in Punjab. Referring to the recent news items regarding illegal mining, Mr. Badal said thata campaign should be launched  and has asked the DCs along with senior police officers to visit the authorized Kandas in order to check any pilferage in the process of sand mining and determine the actual prices including the transportation cost fixed by the government and the prices charged. Giving them a free hand, Mr. Badal said that strict action would be taken against anybody found involved in illegal mining.

Adding further, the Deputy CM said that modalities were being worked out to declare the whole river area as the new mining areas in Punjab. Besides this he has asked all the DCs especially of Ludhiana, Nawan Sehar, Ropar, Ferozepur, Kapurthala, Moga, Jallandhar and Amritsar to identify 10 new mining sites each within a week and report to the Director Industries so that the process of setting up of new mining sites could be completed at the earliest. The DCs would also give a detailed report about the loading of trucks, prices, transportation etc in their respective jurisdiction to the headquarters. Mandis would be created in all the district headquarters and an authorized officer from Mandi Board would be deputed to ensure that legal mines are functional in Punjab.

        The Deputy CM also said that Site Appraisal Committees under the Chairmanship of SDMs would be constituted and District level Environment Management Cells would be strengthened to ensure smooth functioning of the mines.

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PUNJAB ALL SET FOR 4TH EDITION OF WORLD CUP KABADDI IN NOVEMBER-SUKHBIR

  • FOUR NATION HOCKEY TOURNAMENT PLANNED IN SEPTEMBER
  • 11 WORLD CLASS FLOODLIT SPORTS STADIUMS READY AT THE COST OF Rs. 96 CRORE
  • 9 MORE STADIUMS COSTING Rs. 46 CRORE TO BE COMPLETED BY DECEMBER
  • TWO OLYMPIC STANDARD SYNTHETIC TRACKS TO BE DEDICATED TO PEOPLE 

 CHANDIGARH, JUNE 2: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab today cleared the decks for holding 4th edition of World Cup Kabaddi in the second half of November 2013, in which 25 nations would vie for record prize money in a fortnight long sports extravaganza. Both boys and Girls teams from 25 countries would participate in this World Cup.

            Reviewing the progress of ongoing sports complexes throughout the state and giving final touches to the Sports Calendar for the year 2013-14 in a meeting held here today, Mr. Badal said that strict NADA anti doping guidelines would be implemented in the tournament and Punjab would seek more participation of countries from Europe, Africa, USA, Australia and other non representative sub-continents to give Kabaddi world class status. He said that the Government was already taking up this issue with International Olympic Committee for making efforts to include this game in 2020 Olympics besides ensuring the continuation of traditional game wrestling also.

            Finalising the Sports Calendar, Mr. Badal asked Mr. Ashok Gupta, Secretary Sports to have consultation with Hockey India and International Hockey Federation to fix the itinerary of four nation hockey tournament as all the 20 stadiums including hockey stadiums would be inaugurated by this international hockey tournament.

             Emphasizing the need for world-class sports infrastructure Mr. Badal said that 11 World Class Stadiums have already been completed at the cost of Rs. 96 crore and 9 more stadiums would be dedicated to the nation by December this year. He said that 8 of these stadiums have been floodlit and Sports Stadium at Ghudda and village Badal would have synthetic track costing Rs. 5 crore for each stadium. It was informed in the meeting that 11 stadiums that are set to be completed included Bathinda, Sangrur, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Mohali, Faridkot, PAU Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Ghudda. Eight stadiums have floodlit facilities and most of the stadiums have Astroturf. The 9 stadiums that would be completed by December included Mansa, Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur, GNDU Amritsar, Hockey Stadium Bathinda, Hockey Stadium village Badal, Synthetic track at village Badal, multipurpose stadium at Jalalabad and at Fazilka. Mr. Badal said that SAD-BJP Government was laying special emphasis on Sports Infrastructure as during 2007-12, Rs. 200 Crore were spent on Sports infrastructure that included setting up 6 Astroturf stadiums, 7 Multipurpose stadiums and sports complex at Mohali. Mr. Badal said that to percolate the sports culture in the villages, the SAD-BJP Government distributed 5000 rural gyms and 9000 sports kits to village youth at the cost of Rs. 22 crore and Rs. 9.81 crore-prize money was distributed to players excelling in international events. He said that to make the sports attractive for Punjabi youth 3% Sports quota was introduced in the Government jobs and 10 eminent sports personality were given category A jobs.

            Promising to inculcate Sports Culture in the state, Mr. Badal said that a record provision of Rs. 91 crore has been made in the current budget and Rs. 13 crore has been set aside for developing play grounds in 1233 villages. He said that 2200 sportspersons would be graded and would get monthly scholarship of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 per month. He said that Punjab Government has already finalized the plan to establish Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Center of Excellence in Sports at Mohali with 4 regional campuses at Bathinda, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Amritsar at the cost of Rs. 100 crore, in which 2000 budding sportspersons would be selected for training. 

            Prominent amongst those who participated in the meeting included Mr. Ashok Gupta, Secretary Sports, Mr. Manvesh Singh Sidhu, Mr. Ajay Mahajan and Mr. Ashwani Kumar Sharma, all Special Principal Secretaries to Deputy CM, Mr. Shiv Dular Singh, Director Sports and representatives of construction companies executing sports projects. 

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OWNERS TO SELF IDENTIFY MINES IN THEIR LAND

PUNJAB INVITES APPLICATIONS FROM INTERESTED LAND OWNERS TILL JUNE 25

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 2:

The Punjab government, in a bold decision to provide sand, gravel and bolder to common man on very nominal rates, has offered an opportunity to land owners for self identification of mines in their land across the State.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Industry Department said that under clause 6 of the Punjab Miner Mineral Rules, 2013, Punjab government has provided this facility to land owners that would prove to be a major boon for farmer community as well as the state and construction industry. He said that the land, in which these natural resources generally found, had very limited crop production, resulted in a loss to the farmer and state. He further said that under new rules applications   has been invited from interested land owners till June 25, 2013, who owned the land packed with natural resources. Interested owners could apply under prescribed Performa to concerned SDM cum Sub Divisional Mining Officer or General Manager cum Mining Officer, Department of Industries and Commerce office with relevant documents.  The spokesman has made it clear that the identify area should be outside the buffer zone declared by forest department as Mining was strictly banned in buffer zone.

He further said that department of Industry and Commerce would select the mining area on the basis of received applications as per the guidelines of the government. The owners of selected mines would have to obtain the environment management clearance certificate issued from district level committees. The contractor itself would arrange scales and e-slips at mining places, he added.

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CM approves terms of reference of enquiry into the purchase/supply of library books, Science kits and Map Masters in government schools    enquiry to be complited within three months

                                                        
CHANDIGARH June 1:

          Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today approved the 'terms of reference' of enquiry entrusted to justice A N Jindal (Retd.) of Punjab & Haryana High Court to probe into the allegations relating to purchase and supply of Library books for Primary and Upper Primary School through a private supplier and Language department, Science kits and map masters in the Education Department

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said that the scope of the 'terms of reference' would be to enquire into the purchase/supply of library books for Primary and Upper-primary schools of the Punjab Government by the private supplier and the language department, the purchase/supply of Science Kits to the Government Schools, to examine into the purchase /supply of map masters in the Government School.
The ambit of enquiry would include the role of any person in these purchases/supply and the enquiry in this regard was to be completed within three months, added the spokesperson.

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Congress workers from Ropar laid seize of house of Maluka
Chandigarh, June 1-
Continuing protest against Punjab Education minister Mr.Sikandar Singh Maluka for his involvement in infamous book scam, the Congress workers led by former MLA and PPCC Vice President Rana K.P Singh today laid seize of  residence of Mr.Maluka in Kansal village near here. Congress workers raised slogans against Mr.Maluka and SAD-BJP government and demanded to sack him.
Rana K.P.Singh while addressing the protestors demanded CBI probe into the book scam and flayed the Chief Minister Mr.Parkash Singh Badal for shielding the disgraced minister. He said that what Mr.Maluka has done is not only a financial scam; it was an immoral act to supply books with vulgar content to the primary school children. He said that Mr.Maluka had hatched conspiracy to loot Rs.46 crores of Sarv Sikhya Abhiyan sent by center government. He said that PPCC President Mr.Partap Singh Bajwa had already taken the center government the issue of misuse of central funds.
Mr.Singh said that the probe ordered by Chief Minister by a retired judge Justice A.K.Jindal was sham. Justice Jindal had family links with Mr.Maluka and he is married in Rampura Phool, the home constituency of Mr.Maluka. He said that it would have been better if Maluka himself offered to resign on moral grounds. He said that financial irregularities were made in library books, practical note books, science kits and map masters.
Earlier, the Congress workers led by Mr.Jagmohan Singh Kang had held dharna outside residence of Mr.Maluka. Tomorrow the members of National Students Union would stage dharna and all frontal organizations of Congress will continue the protest, a party spokes person said.

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PUNJAB APPROVES BLUE PRINTS OF VARIOUS AGRICULTURAL SCHEMES AT A COST ABOUT RS.217 CRORE

 BADAL FOR DIRECT PROCUREMENT OF FERTILIZERS, PESTICIDES, INSECTICIDES AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR FARMERS AT CHEAPER RATES

 CONSTITUTES COMMITTEE TO IDENTIFY HIGH YIELDING MAIZE VERITIES

COMPLETE REVAMP OF THE VETERINARY NETWORK ON CARDS

 CHANDIGARH MAY 31:

            In a bid to fund its agriculture diversification program across the state, the Punjab government has chalked out a blue print for the implementation of various schemes and projects at a cost of nearly Rs.217 crore under the Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Yojana (RKVY). 

            A decision to this effect to was taken by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal in a meeting here at Chief Minister Residence with the senior functionaries of the Agriculture, Soil conservation, Animal Husbandry, Dairy, Fisheries and Horticulture departments, this morning.  The Chief Minister asked these departments to chalk out a detailed strategy to ensure supply of agriculture inputs through primary agriculture societies not only to its members but also to the farmers based in the villages.  He constituted a committee under the Chairmanship of Financial Commissioner Development (FCD) with Director Agriculture and MD Markfed as its members to find out ways and means for purchase of fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides etc. directly from the companies and make it available to the farmers at affordable rates. 

In the meeting Mr. Badal also approved to constitute a committee headed by Chairman Punjab Farmer’s Commission including Financial Commissioner Development and Vice Chancellor Punjab Agricultural University to identify high yielding varieties of Maize initially to be sown over an area of 50,000 hectares under the much needed crop diversification program.  Mr. Badal also impressed upon the need to set up Farmers’ Training Schools at district headquarters for effective implementation of the diversification program besides a state-of-the-art water management center would also be set up to explore all the possibilities  of ground water conservation as well as modern techniques to get maximum yield of crops with less water intake. 

The Chief Minister underlined the need to give adequate Financial assistance to the GADVASU and PAU Ludhiana to take off state’s ambitious diversification program through extensive research and development of new varieties of disease resistant seeds to have bumper crop. He also asked the top brass of the Agriculture, Soil conservation, Animal Husbandry, Dairy, Fisheries and Horticulture departments to evolve a multi pronged strategy to have better synergy amongst these departments for the promotion of allied farming in a big way, which was the only way to bail out the beleaguered farming community from the rut of conventional crops.

Mr. Badal pleaded for the cultivation of Maize, sugarcane, oilseeds, pulses, cotton, fruits and vegetables on a high scale to give impetus to the diversification plan on one hand and ensure remunerative prices to them on the other thereby to put the sagging agrarian economy on a strong platter. It may be recalled that the state government had already posed a comprehensive diversification plan to the GoI and it was expected that the centre was likely to sanction Rs 209 crore to fund this ambitious project.

In order to provide the best veterinary services to the Dairy farmers the Chief Minister asked the Financial Commissioner Animal Husbandry to prepare a time bound action plan for ensuring atleast a veterinary hospital in each block. He also underscored the need for strengthening the existing infra structure in the veterinary hospitals besides sanctioning requisite veterinary and para- medical staff in the veterinary polyclinics across the state.    

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting including Chairman Punjab Farmers’ Commission Mr. GS Kalkat,  Financial Commissioner Development Mr. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry Mr. G. Vajralingam, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, Adviser to FCD Dr. Balwinder Singh Sidhu, Director Agriculture Mr. Mangal Singh, Director Horticulture Dr. Lajwinder Singh Brar, Director Dairies Mr. Inderjit Singh, Director Fisheries Mr. BK Sood.

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SAP OF SUGARCANE FIXED AT RS 290 PER QUINTAL FOR 2013-14

Chandigarh, May 31-

The Punjab Government today fixed the State Agreed Price (SAP) of advanced, medium and late variety of Sugarcane at Rs 290, Rs 280 and Rs 275 per quintal respectively for the crushing season of 2013-14.

A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of Sugarcane Control Board chaired by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here at Chief Minister’s residence this morning. It may be recalled that the state government had already fixed the SAP of advanced, medium and late variety of Sugarcane at Rs 250, Rs 240 and Rs 235 per quintal respectively for the crushing season of 2012-13.

On the pressing demand of the farmers, the Chief Minister asked the Financial Commissioner Development (FCD) to chalk out a plan to upgrade the Co-operative Sugar Mill Bhogpur by enhancing its crushing capacity.  He also mentioned that the state government would make budgetary provisions in future to overcome the situation arising out of gap payments. Mr. Badal further assured that to facilitate the farmers Primary Agricultural societies (PASs) would provide sugarcane harvesting machinery to them at nominal rates for which the government had already initiated a plan to provide all type of agricultural equipments at subsidized rates to the entire PASs.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr GS Babbehali, Financial Commissioner Development Mr. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Finance Mr. DP Reddy, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, Registrar Co-operative Societies Mr. AS Miglani, Chairman MARKFED Mr. Jarnail Singh Wahid, MD SUGARFED Mr. MP Arora, Director Agriculture Mr. Mangal Singh Sandhu, Cane Commissioner Mr Ranjit Singh and Director Research PAU Dr SS Gosal besides farmers members of the board from across the state.   

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PUNJAB ORDERS JUDICIAL INQUIRY INTO THE KILLING OF TARN TARAN ASI

·        C.R. GOEL, RETIRED SESSION JUDGE TO SUBMIT REPORT WITHIN 3 MONTHS

 CHANDIGARH, MAY 31: The Punjab Government today ordered Judicial probe into the death of Assistant Sub Inspector Kulbir Singh, who died after being kidnapped by protesting farmers in village Jeobala of  district Tarn Taran.

           According to an official spokesman Mr. C.R. Goel, a retired District and Session Judge of Haryana would conduct the judicial inquiry and submit the report within three months to the Chief Minister.

          It may be recalled on this issue, different farmers and labourer bodies had a detailed meeting with Chief Secretary on April 26 and a three member committed consisting of Advocate General Punjab, Chief Secretary Punjab and Principal Secretary Home was constituted to look into their demand. On the recommendations of three member committed the decision to initiate Judicial Inquiry into the incident was taken and Chief Minister Punjab has approved the name of Mr. C.R. Goel, retired Session Judge Haryana to conduct the judicial probe.   

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PUNJAB ASKS OFFICES TO STOP MISUSE OF ELECTRIC EQUIPMENTS

CHANDIGARH, MAY 31:

The Punjab government today issued instructions to all the heads of departments to make sure that there was no misuse of electric equipments in the offices of the state including Punjab Civil Secretariat and Mini Secretariat.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab government said that it has been noticed that electricity equipments like ACs, Computers, Tube lights, Bulbs and Fans remains switched on in the offices of Ministers/Officers without their presence in the offices. Now according to the instructions all branch Superintendent/Officers incharge would have to ensure that these are switch off immediately as the Ministers/officers had left the office. Besides that that would also have to ensure that no equipment should remains switch on after the office time. 

The spokesman further made it clear that lights could be used in office corridors during night for security reasons. He said that in the case of failure to implement these orders in true spirit and manner, the concerned officer/employee would have to face strict action.

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INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING TAKING BOARD/CORPORATION EMPLOYEES IN STATE ON DEPUTATION ISSUED

 Chandigarh, May 31: The Punjab government today issued detailed guidelines for taking the officials/officers of board/corporations/ Public sector undertakings/semi-government commissions/councils on deputation in state government.

According to an official spokesman, only regular employees working in such undertakings after completion of their probation period could apply for deputation. The concerned employee should also fulfill all eligibility condition for the said post and his salary and post would be equivalent to that of his parent department.

The spokesman said that according to instructions there should not be any departmental or criminal enquiry against such employee and the deputation period would be three years that would not exceed five years. He would have to join his parent department one year before his date of retirement.

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DEPARTMENTS ASK TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES FOR TWO DAY REGIONAL WORKSHOP

CHANDIGARH, MAY 31:

The Punjab Government issued instructions to all the concerned departments to send names of the representative of their department for two day regional workshop for awareness about the disability affairs at Dehradun.

            Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the social security, women and child development department, Punjab said that 25 participants from different departments of social security, health, education, transport, industry, IT, local bodies, NGOs etc. will attend the workshop on disability affairs in fourth week of June, 2013 at Dehradun. Regarding this, instructions have been issued to the concerned HODs.  He further said that Department of Disability Affairs has decided that with the active participation of the State Governments, officers from the concerned departments of the State Governments and the representatives of the NGOs working for persons with disabilities, preferably the heads of such organizations will participate in the workshop.

The workshop for the states/UTs of the Northern Region namely Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Chandigarh, UP, Uttarakhand will be held in the fourth week of June 2013. He said that the exact dates and venue of the workshop will be intimated shortly.

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VIKAS PRATAP GETS ADDITIONAL CHARGE

Chandigah May 31:-

            Mr. Vikas Pratap IAS Director-Cum-Secretary Industries and Commerce and in addition MD PSIDC will also hold the additional charge of Managing Director, Punjab Financial Corporation.

This was disclosed by the spokesman of the Punjab Government

 

 

 

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