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- - SUB GROUP OF CMs HEADED BY BADAL BATS FOR REORIENTING AND STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF THE STATE SKILL DEVELOPMENT MISSIONS SUBMITS REPORT TO PM ADVOCATES THREE-TIER STRUCTURE OF THE SSDM AT THE STATE, DISTRICT AND BLOCK LEVEL STATES TO EXPLORE ENACTING A LEGISLATION ON RIGHT OF YOUTH TO SKILL DEVELOPMENT LOCAL BODY FUNCTIONARIES TO HELP IN CREATING DATABASE OF YOUTH FOR SKILL TRAINING RECOMMENDS EARMARKING HALF OF THE 2 PERCENT CSR EXCLUSIVELY TOWARDS SKILL DEVELOPMENT Chandigarh, October 3- The Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on Skill Development of NITI Aayog headed by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal had underscored the need for reorienting and strengthening the role of the State Skill Development Missions (SSDMs) so that the skill initiatives could be taken down upto the district and block level and improve the outreach of skill development. In its report submitted to the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi recently, the sub group had proposed that a three-tier structure of the SSDM at the state, district and block level should be constituted to facilitate the outreach. The Report has also recommended pooling of resources at the state level and prioritizing on the skills including traditional skills relevant to the states. Focus was laid on strengthening industry coordination with SSDMs through the involvement of Sector Skill Councils and industry conglomerates operating in the states. The states have been impressed upon to explore enacting a legislation on Right of Youth to Skill Development as was done by the Government of Chhattisgarh. To address the shortage of trainers in the skill space the Report recommends involving retired defence/government personnel, para military personnel, teachers etc. in providing skill training. Besides, the infrastructure available with Railways, educational institutions could be used for providing skill training in the rural and remote areas. The private sector should be encouraged to make available their shop floor as well as manpower for skill training. To extend the outreach of skill training to women the report has recommended developing flexible timing in modular training programmes to facilitate women who could not afford longer training particularly in the rural areas. Training programmes in non-conventional trades, such as plumbing, electrician, etc as well as in life skills to be provided to encourage women to enter the labour market. The Report has recommended local body functionaries to help in creating database of youth for skill training. The functionaries could be assigned additional duty of door to door campaign, parents counseling and listing of unemployed youth for skilling. A mechanism should be devised whereby success stories / innovative measures taken by different states were documented, shared, and up-scaled and replicated on a regular basis by local bodies/NGOs. The sub group had advocated that to spread awareness free to air skill and employment related channels should be started. Local T.V. channels could run scrolls about vocational training providers and schemes while showing films etc. Railway stations, bus services including bus stations, public institutions could be used as advertising venues for skilling and job-related advertisements. Magazines and newspapers for skilling and employment related opportunities may be published periodically. Free SMS services to inform job aspirants regarding job and skilling opportunities. To generate resources for skilling, re-skilling and up-skilling the 50 crore plus labour force by 2022 the Report recommends a series of measures such as earmarking half of the 2 percent CSR exclusively towards skill development. The cess collected under the Building and other Construction Workers Cess Act, 1996 was presently lying under-utilized which could be used for skill development of underprivileged youth irrespective of whether or not they were wards of construction workers. Among the other alternatives recommended by the Report for raising resources include making Public Training Institutions revenue generating, using the funds under MPLADs/MLALADs for creating infrastructure for skill development, funds generated under education cess could be used for introducing vocational education from secondary school onwards. The Report also recommends that the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship should make a budget provision for all states to set up Skill Universities or convert one of their existing Universities as a Skill University under PPP mode. It may be recalled that the sub group was constituted in pursuance of the first meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog held on February 8, 2015 by the Prime Minister. The Sub-Group which was notified on March 24 consisted of Chief Ministers of Assam, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Odisha, Punjab, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and Tripura with Chief Minister of Punjab as the Convener of the Sub Group. The Group had five meetings including a meeting of the Central Ministries implementing skill development schemes, regional consultation at Shillong involving the North Eastern & Eastern States, and a consultation at Raipur involving the other States including non-members. ------ PUNJAB GOVERNMENT COMMITTED TO BUY EVERY SINGLE GRAIN FROM THE FARMERS Ø LAUNCHES HELPLINE NUMBERS FOR ONGOING KHARIF SEASON 2015-16 Ø ENTIRE PROCESS BEING MONITORED ONLINE Ø SPECIAL GRIEVANCES CELL SET UP Chandigarh October 3: The Punjab government was determined to purchase and lift every grain of paddy from markets across the state. The state government machinery was fully geared up for the smooth operation. Payments would be made to the farmers within the time schedule fixed by the government of India. Stating this here today an official spokesman of the government said that in order to facilitate farmers during the ongoing Kharif Season 2015-16, the Punjab government has also launched a helpline in the directorate of Food and Civil Supplies here in Chandigarh. He said that the helpline has been set up aiming at providing instant relief to the farmers if facing any difficulty during the procurement season. The helpline would be functional from morning 8 till 11 at night and anybody including the farmers, commission agent, Sheller owner, transporter, labour or even amongst public could contact and register their grievances and suggestion regarding the paddy procurement process on this helpline. Giving details of contact numbers and email ids, he said that the phone number 0172-2702120, 0172-2703535 and 0172 -2702356 would be remained functional while e-mails could be sent onhelplinefoodsupply.pb@gmail.com. Besides this all the 22 districts would also be having District Food and supplies Controllers as the Nodal Officers. According to the spokesman the entire procurement process was being monitored online. A special grievances cell has also been set up which would look into the grievances of the people relating to the paddy procurement and resolve the issues instantaneously. Issuing fresh guidelines to the farmers bringing their produce in the market, the Punjab government has advised them to bring dry and clean grains in order to avoid moisture content which tends to increase when the crop is wet. ---------------------- FINANCE MINISTER ALONG WITH HIGH POWERED COMMITTEE VISITS NEW SOUTH WALES - CALLS ON PREMIER MIKE BEARD, GATHERED INFORMATION ON GST Chandigarh October 3: The high powered committee comprising of the Finance Ministers of various states including Punjab today visited New South Wales and Sydney. The High Powered Committee along with Fianance Minister Punjab Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa was visiting Australia to study the Tax system of that country. They also called on the Premier Mike Beard and gathered detailed information on the GST system enforced in Australia. Disclosing this here today an official spokesman of the government said that the Indian government was contemplating to implement GST after minutely studying the pros and cons of this system. The information gathered by the visiting delegation was considered to be vital in this connection, he added. Meanwhile the visiting delegation also visited the Parliament of New South Wales along with the Premier Mike Beard and his cabinet colleagues. Later they also visited Canberra. It may be recalled that this delegation was on an official visit to Australia to study VAT and GST systems implemented in Australia and would submit a complete report regarding this to Government of India. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
CM ANNOUNCES RS 600 CRORE AS COMPENSATION TO COTTON CULTIVATORS IN THE STATE COMPENSATION TO BE GRANTED FOR THE VICTIMS OF ‘WHITE FLY’ ATTACK REITERATES COMMITMENT FOR WELFARE OF THE FARMERS LASHES OUT AT CONGRESS FOR ITS ANTI-PUNJAB STANCE PEOPLE OF PUNJAB ESPECIALLY THE SIKHS WON’T SPARE CONGRESS FOR ITS SINS AGAINST THEM VOWS TO CONTINUE STRUGGLE AGAINST INJUSTICE METED OUT TO STATE PUNJAB IMMENSELY BENEFITTED FROM NDA RULE AKALI DAL WOULD NEVER PART WAYS WITH BJP PUNJAB WAS NOT HAVING A SINGLE DROP OF WATER FOR ANY STATE POLITICAL CONFERENCE AT CHAPAR Chapar (Ludhiana), September 25- Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to safeguard the interests of farming community, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today announced to disburse Rs 600 crore as compensation to the farmers affected by 'white fly' attack in the cotton belt of the state. Addressing the gathering during political conference at Chapar Mela here today, the Chief Minister said that he was well aware about the agony faced by the farming community due to whopping loss suffered by them on account of pest attack for which he had asked the officers last midnight to disburse Rs 600 crore so that farmers could be bailed out during this hour of crisis. He said that a gigantic operation would be launched by the state government to distribute this relief amongst the affected farmers. "We are firmly behind the hard working and resilient farmers of the state to help them in this hour of crisis" added Mr. Badal. The Chief Minister said that it was on record that whenever our farmers had faced any sort of problem the SAD-BJP alliance government has came to their rescue. Citing the examples he said that during the last more than eight years the state government has provided free power to farmers worth Rs 28000 crore otherwise their problems would have accentuated manifold on account of tube well bills. Likewise, Mr. Badal said that when the wheat crop of the farmers was damaged due to untimely rains in April 2015 the state government ensured that every grain was lifted. In the same, he said that the state government took every step to resolve the impending sugarcane crisis by ensuring the payment of arrears to the farmers from private and cooperative sugar mills. Lashing out at the Congress party for the plight of Farmer's across the country, the Chief Minister said that the successive Congress governments at the centre had broken the backbone of the peasantry. Mr. Badal said that due to the regressive policies of these governments the farmers were reeling under a whopping debt of Rs 32000 crore. He said that the Congress party was not only anti- farmer but it was totally anti-poor and anti-Punjab which has been proved time and again. “They have done nothing tangible to help the farmers but have always shed crocodile tears over their issues” added Mr. Badal. The Chief Minister said that the Punjabis in general and Sikh community in particular could never forgive the Congress party for its anti-Punjab stance. He said that the Congress has always irrelevantly meddled in the social, economic, political and even the religious affairs of the state. Mr. Badal said that the Sikh community would never pardon the Congress for its sins like Operation Blue Star and 1984 anti-Sikh carnage in which several innocents Sikhs were brutally murdered at the behest of Congress leaders. The Chief Minister said that the Congress governments at the centre had deliberately denied the state of Punjabi speaking areas, its capital Chandigarh and even its legitimate share in river waters. He said that every Punjabi was very much concerned with these emotive issues of the state, which have been till now hanging in fire due to the discriminatory attitude of the successive Congress governments at the centre. He said that the SAD had always remained a votary of giving the Punjabi speaking areas, legitimate share of river waters and Chandigarh back to Punjab and in future also this struggle would be ever continued. The Chief Minister said that though one year’s period was very less to evaluate the performance of any government but then also Punjab had been immensely benefitted from the NDA’s rule at centre. He said that within a year of the formation of the NDA government at centre the state has got key projects like AIIMS, IIM, Post Graduate Institute of Horticulture Research and HRIDAY status for holy city of Amritsar, which would ensure massive inflow of funds for development of the holy city. Later on interacting with the media persons, the Chief Minister said that the the SAD-BJP alliance was everlasting and firm. He said that alliance with BJP was very strong and Akali Dal could not even think of breaking it. “We are very clear on this issue that Akali Dal will never part ways from BJP at any cost” Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that Punjab was not having a single drop of surplus water for any state. He said that there was hardly any question of giving water to some other state to cater its needs. Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Cabinet Minister Mr. Sharanjeet Singh Dhillon, Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, MLAs Mr Manpreet Singh Aiyaali, Mr Darshan Singh Shivalik, Mr SR Kler, Mr Ranjit Singh Dhillon and Mr Iqbal Singh Jhunda, former Ministers Jathedar Hira Singh Gabria and Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha, former MLAs Mr Ranjit Singh Talwandi, Mr. Bhag Singh Malla, Mr Jagjiwan Singh Khirnia and Mr Bikram Singh Khalsa, former MP Mr Amrik Singh Aliwal, Chairman Punjab State Subordinate Services Selection Board Jathedar Santa Singh Umedpuri, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Dr S Karunaraju and Deputy Commissioner Mr Rajat Aggarwal. - artyr Bhagat Singh's Village Khatkar Kalan after inclusion on Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, to be included in Shayama Prasad Mukherji Urban Mission-Chaudhary Birender Singh · Majithia reiterates Punjab's demand to name Mohali International Airport on the name of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh · Seeks incorporation of Basmati Trade Corporation · Youth Akali Dal pays glowing tributes to Martyr Bhagat Singh in a mammoth rally Khatkar Kalan, September 28: Union Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh today said that martyrs' like Shaheed-e-Bhagat Singh and iconic historic figures like Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar were national treasures to be nurtured for future generations and nation is proud to relax all conditions to include Khatkar Kalan, the ancestral village of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singha and Dr. Ambedkar's village relaxing all conditions as a tribute to them. Speaking at a mamooth rally in the ancestral village of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, the Union Minister said that if the state government forms a cluster of area around this historic village, the Union Government would include it under Shayama Prasad Mukherjee Urban Mission under which Rs. 50 to 55 crore would be spent to make this area world class. Laying the foundation stone of 24 hour water supply scheme and paying obeisance at the ancestral home of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Chaudhary Birender Singh said that martyr Bhagat Singh made unparralled and supreme sacrfice for the freedom of our country and he was feeling proud to be part of development of this village. Emphathisinig with Punjab and Haryana farmers, who lost their crops, the Rural Development Minister said that Union Government was all set to extend helping hand to the state after they submit the details of loss. Lashing at Congress for ruining the economy of farmers, he said that NDA government scuttled the conspiracy of Congress Party to grab the cultivable land for MNCs under Special Economic Zones and it was Mr. Modi, who took the revolutionary decision to stand to protect the interests of farmers. Remembering Sir Sunder Singh Majithia, the great grand father of Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia and his maternal grand father Sir Chotu Ram, who as ministers in British Government took momentous steps for the welfare of farmers, he said that Sir Sunder Singh Majithia assured irrigation up to tail end, whereas Sir Chotu Ram got freed 17 lakh hectare farmers' land that was grabbed by money lenders. Paying tributes to Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Punjab Revenue Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia said that martydom for the motherland was in the DNA of Punjabis. He said that 80 to 90 percent Punjabis were proud to be hanged for the motherland during freedom struggle and even in the Port Blair Jail 90 percent inmates in the jail were from Punjab. He requested Union Minister to request Union Governemt to acede to the request of Punjab Government to name newly operational Mohali International Airport in the name of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, as a lasting gratitude to the supreme sacrifice of Martyr. Urging Chaudhary Birender Singh to lead another movement for the farmers, he said that Punjab and Haryana collectively contribute 73 percent grains in the national kitty and now time has come that Sir Chotu Ram's grandson should lead a movement to improve the eonomy of farmers. Lashing at Aam Aadmi Party and People's Party of Punjab for exploiting the martydom of Shaheed Bhagat Singh for their political lust, Mr. Majithia said that whereas PPP backstabbed the farmers and AAP government in New Delhi has already become notorious with one minister in jail under the offence of fake degree another MLA absconding after being charged with domestic violence while people of Delhi were ruining after Delhi has emerged as unique state with highest VAT and Tax rates. Mr. Majithia said that SAD-BJP Government always worked for the welfare of farmers and Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister of Punjab has sealed the lips of opposition party by announcing highest ever compensation of Rs. 6000 crore for the cotton farmers of the state.
Member Parliament Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra thanking the Minister for relaxing conditions said that with his efforts this village would be the best village in the country with world class infrastructure, solar power and international stadium. Cultural Affairs Minister Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal also spoke on the occasion. - "MANGAL SINGH PASSING THE BUCK TO ESCAPE RESPONSIBILITY" AGRICULTURE MINISTER CHIEF MINISTER NEVER INVOLVED IN DEPARTMENTAL MATTERS AGRICULTURE MINISTER REFUTES REPORT QUOTING HIM ON THE ISSUE DIRECTOR HAD TO FOLLOW PROCEDURES IN PURCHASE OF INSECTICIDE Chandigarh, September 28: The Agriculture Minister denied having made any statement to any newspaper to the effect that the decisions were taken on the directions of the Chief Minister. He said that all the ministers are directly responsible for the decisions taken in their departments and the Chief Minister's involvement is sought only on matters of policy and inter-departmental concerns. Therefore, there was no ground for involving the Chief Minister in the present case. Taking strong exception to irresponsible utterances of Dr. Mangal Singh Sandhu in a section of press, the Agriculture Minister Mr. Tota Singh said that it was incumbent on the part of the officer to follow laid down procedure for the procurement of pesticides. In a statement, Mr. Tota Singh said that Dr Mangal Singh was now indulging in blame-game thereby shifting the onus from one person to another indiscreetly which was unbecoming of an officer of the stature of Head of the Department. The Agriculture Minister further bemoaned that the officer showed scant respect for the official decorum and botched up the bare facts related to purchase of pesticides just to save his skin. The Agriculture Minister advised the officer concerned to discharge his duties within his defined domain that too within the ambit of moral decency and ethics of public conduct. - 7-KILOMETRE LONG ROPAR BYPASS CONSTRUCTED WITH COST OF RS 180 CRORE READY * TWO HIGH-LEVEL BRIDGES CONSTRUCTED ON SUTLEJ & SIRHAND CANAL * CHIEF MINISTER & DEPUTY CM TO INAUGURATE THESE PROJECTS ONOCTOBER 2 * THESE PROJECTS WOULD HELP IN CHECKING TRAFFIC PROBLEM OF ROPAR- DR CHEEMA ------------ Chandigarh, September 28: Reiterating its commitment of providing world class infrastructure, the seven kilometre long bypass on Chandigarh-Jalandhar Road has been constructed. This bypass has been constructed with a cost of Rs 180 crore and would be inaugurated by Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy CM Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal onOctober 2. PWD Minister Mr Janmeja Singh Sekhon would also attend this function. On this 7-kilometre long bypass, two high level bridges have been constructed on Sutlej and Sirhand canal. The road of bypass has been constructed with a cost of Rs 78.72 crore and Rs 10.24 crore have been spent on the approach road connecting the bypass with Ropar city. An amount of Rs 79.61 crore has been spent on constriction of high level bridge on Sutlej river and Rs 11.44 crore on construction of high level bridge on Sirhand canal. With the construction of this bypass, the distance between Chandigarh and Jalandhar would reduce by 5 kilometres and the traffic would not have to pass through Ropar city. Ropar MLA and Punjab Education Minister Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said that this bypass would be a gift for the residents of Ropar city. He said that when this bypass is opened for vehicular traffic, the problem of traffic congestion in Ropar would be automatically solved as the traffic would not pass through the city. Dr Cheema further said that the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janta Party government in Punjab has reiterated its commitment for providing world class infrastructure to Punjabis. He said all districts of the the state have been connected with six lane roads, besides new Rail Over Bridges, Underbridges, High Level bridges have been constructed in different parts of the state. --- PUNJAB ISSUES STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR APPOINTMENT OF NON-OFFICIAL CHAIRPERSON, VICE CHAIRPERSONS/MEMBERS Chandigarh, September 28: The Punjab Governments has issued standard term and conditions for the appointment of non-official Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Member of the Public Sector Undertakings/Boards/Apex Cooperative Institutions and Commissions. An Official spokesman of the Punjab Government said that the concerned departments have been directed to especially mention whether appointment of Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Member was on full time or part-time basis. He said that where it was not mentioned it would be presumed that the appointment was on full-time basis. He further said that these instructions would be applicable in all such cases where there was no provision in the governing statute (Act and/or rules/regulations passed under the Act) on the matters covered in instructions. Where such provisions exist, the same shall over-ride these instructions to be prescribed. The Administrative Department would ensure that terms and conditions were fixed in accordance with the relevant rules only. He said that where such rules have not been framed, the Administrative Departments have been asked to frame such rules immediately. No cases would be referred to Finance Department except for framing/amendment in relevant rules. Divulging more he said that the Government has now decided to modify and revise these terms and conditions, in which there was no fixed tenure of the appointment of non-official Chairpersons. A person appointed as Chairperson could be removed at any time and he could also resign on his own.
PUNJAB FACILITATES RARE READING MATERIAL TO ALL DEPARTMENTS Chandigarh, September 28 : The Punjab Government has facilitated large collection of rare reading material to all departments of State through Punjab Library, in which key information’s and books of various subjects has been provided to readers and departments. An official spokesman of the Government said that Punjab library is placed at Haryana, Civil Secretariat and library offered reading materials such as old and rare publications, Census of India/Punjab Gazette, Rare Reports, maps, Budget Documents, Punjab Civil Services Rules, Punjab Financial Rules, Punjab Local Acts and Rules, Bare Acts (Government of India and Punjab) Autobiographies/Biographies, World history, geography, travel, history of India and Punjab. He further said that apart from that library has also provided books and novels of various subjects in Punjabi, Hindi, English, and Urdu. ----- - TALWANDI's CONTRIBUTION FOR PANTH, PUNJAB & PUNJABIAT ENORMOUS- PARKASH SINGH BADAL Raikot (Ludhiana), August 30: The first 'Barsi Samagam' of Senior Akali leader and former president of Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee was organised at Gurudwara Tahliana Sahib, here today which was attended by Punjab CM Mr Parkash Singh Badal and a large number of personalities from different walks of life. While speaking on the occasion, CM Mr Parkash Singh Badal praised Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi for his enormous contribution towards Panth, Punjab and Punjabiat. Mr. Badal said that the life and struggle of Jathedar Talwandi would ever act as a lighthouse for the coming generations to serve the state and the Panth with utmost zeal, sincerity and commitment. He said that probably Jathedar Talwandi was the only political leader who had served the state socially, politically and even religiously by being the President of Shiromani Akali Dal and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee besides being a Member of Parliament and MLA of the state assembly. Badal said that with the death of Jathedar Talwandi a void has been created which would be difficult to fill in the near future. Recalling the outstanding services rendered by Jathedar Talwandi during the landmark agitations like Punjabi Suba, Emergency, Dharam Yudh and others, the Chief Minister said that the Jathedar Talwandi was a fearless leader who never comprised with the interests of the state and Panth. Describing Jathedar Talwandi as a decisive leader, Mr. Badal said that he never hesitated to take any bold decision if it was in the interest of Punjab and its people. He said that even in the troublesome periods Jathedar Talwandi led the party from the front to safeguard the interests of the people. While speaking to media persons, the Chief Minister said that in the memory of Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi, a Skill Development Centre would be set up in Bassian Kothi Memorial, which has come up in the memory of Maharaja Dalip Singh. Reacting to a question related to the suspension of two MP's of Aam Aadmi Party Mr Harinder Singh Khalsa and Mr Dharamvir Gandhi, Mr Badal said that it is an internal matter of the AAP and that he would not comment on it. Replying to another question, Mr Parkash Singh Badal said that a committee formed to find solution to the issues related to Sugar Mill Owners and producers, would submit its report in next few days and the matter would be resolved. He also appealed to the centre government to start crop insurance scheme in the benefit of farmers who suffer losses due to natural calamities every year. Jathedar Talwandi's elder son and former MLA Jathedar Ranjit Singh Talwandi thanked all those who attended the first Barsi Samagam and assured everyone that the Talwandi family would continue to serve the Panth and State. Prominent among those present on the occasion included SGPC president Jathedar Avtar Singh, Sri Akal Takhat Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, Union Minister Mr Vijay Sampla, Punjab Vidhan Sabha speaker Dr Charanjit Singh Atwal, Rajya Sabha member Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Lok Sabha member Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, Cabinet Ministers Mr Tota Singh, Mr Ajit Singh Kohar and Mr Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, former union minister Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board Mr Santa Singh Umedpuri, MLA's Mr Manpreet Singh Ayali, Mr S R Kler, Mr Darshan Singh Shivalik, Istri Akali Dal president Bibi Jagir Kaur, Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi's wife Bibi Mahinder Kaur, younger son Jathedar Jagjit Singh Talwandi, DIG AK Mittal, DC Rajat Agarwal, former Nagar Council Raikot president Amandeep Singh Gill, former Punjabi Sahit Akademi president Prof Gurbhajan Singh Gill, besides several others. Later, the Chief Minister attended a function organised by the Aggarwal community at Aggar Nagar, Ludhiana. While addressing the gathering, the CM said that the Aggarwal community has contributed a lot for the development of Punjab as well as our country. He also urged the Aggarwal community to hold their next national level convention in Punjab. The rays of ‘Solar Punjab’ are so bright that in the third phase bidding for solar projects held on August 26, Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) has received 18 bids with cumulative capacity 1650 MW against offered capacity of 500 MW. The bidding has over subscribed by more than three times which is highest as compared to other bigger states that has carried bidding recently for similar capacity solar projects. These 500 MW projects will bring investment of Rs 3500 Cr in addition to Rs. 4000 Cr already invested on 540 MW solar projects in the state. Disclosing this here today, Punjab New and Renewable Energy Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia said all leading national and international companies namely, Sun Edison, First Solar and Sky Power from US, Solar Pack Corporation Spain, Emami Power, Sun Pharma, Acme, Hero Group, Welspun and Azure Power had participated in the bidding process. He informed that the allocation process will be completed by the end of next month. Mr. Majithia said the overwhelming response from international solar power players had once again confirmed that the State’s renewable energy policy was the best in the country. "It is to the credit of Punjab that it had succeeded in its Go Solar mission despite constraints of land. We do not have any wastelands or deserts, yet Punjab is the most preferred state for investors as compared to other states which are 5 to 7 times larger in area. We have backed up our solar mission with a 25 year power purchase agreement with our electricity utility – the PSPCL. The fact that PSPCL has got a good credit rating of A+ has also boosted investor confidence”, said the Minister. Mr. Majithia also credits the vision of the Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, Sukhbir Singh Badal, for establishing a potent ease of doing business climate in the State. "With the astute understanding and visionary approach of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, Punjab today is in the throes of being a potent business destination. For the first time in India, a unified one-stop regulatory system for fiscal incentive approvals, clearances, applications, submissions and more has been set up envisaging the need of the industry by the Deputy Chief Minister", he added. Mr. Majithia said that Punjab leads the nation on many frontiers and provides a progressive investment ecosystem. "As on date, Punjab has one of the finest air and road connectivity, strongest labour markets with a multilingual work force, peaceful labour relations, no union divide, no strikes and availability of highly skilled & specialized manpower. Moreover, hassle free land acquisition and land lease policies, pro-business policies, incentives, infrastructure, power provision, and ease of doing business make Punjab an attractive investment destination for companies", he added. Sharing his future plans, Mr. Majithia said Punjab had been enhancing its renewable energy share, especially solar energy, at a very fast pace. “In the current five year plan, the capacity addition in solar has increased from 9 mw to more than 500 mw. The target has been set to generate solar power capacity upto 1500 MW by December 2016”, he added. It may be added that Punjab has taken steady strides towards achieving power self -sufficiency and further to be a power surplus State, with due consideration to the use of clean & green energy. State Government initiatives have aimed at providing a platform and a hospitable environment for the facilitation of renewable energy production within Punjab.
The Punjab Government today issued exhaustive directions to all the officials/officers enjoying government accommodation to properly maintain gardens and green area adjoining accommodation otherwise they are liable for punitive action by their respective Heads of the Departments (HODs). According to an official spokesperson, where the garden attached to Government residential buildings has been laid out, and hedges, trees, shrubs and vegetation of a lasting character have been planted; the Government like any other landlord was entitled to see that these amenities were properly maintained. He said that tenants of Government residences would be required for the proper up-keep up of the grounds as a condition of their tenancy. In the case of default, the Head of the Department was empowered to call upon the occupant to bring the grounds up to a proper standard of up keep and, if necessary, to authorize the entertainment of establishment and incurring of expenditure to that end, charging the same to the tenant as an addition to the rent. The spokesman said that all trees whether planted by tenant or not, in the compound of Government residence, are the property of Government. He said that no standing trees should be felled nor may dead or fallen trees be appropriated by the tenant for any use whatever, without the sanction of the authority competent. Divulging more information, the spokesperson said that the share of responsibilities between in-going and out-going incumbents for any expenditure incurred in compliance with the above orders would be determined according to the circumstances, the Head of the Department being arbiter in the case of a dispute. The spokesperson further said that the tenant of a Government residential building is entitled to the value of the fruit, flowers, and vegetables, grass of crops sown or raised by him and which may be disposed of by him during the actual period of his tenancy. He said that a tenant was not entitled to hire out or lease any portion of his compound for the growing of crops though there was no objection to his employing outside agency to cultivate the area and realizing the value of produce so raised during his tenancy. He said that where a residence and an office were situated in the same compound a reasonable area, subject to a maximum of 1.2 hectares would be fixed and demarcated under the orders of the Head of the Department as attached to the residence, the rest area being considered attached to the office. Clarifying further he said that in the case of a compound containing residential quarters only, the whole area of compound would be considered as attached to the residence. He said that the tenants, however, would be required to be maintained properly an area up to and not exceeding 1.2 hectares only in accordance with the rules.
While interacting with media persons during her visit to the various places in the city, where she listened to the people’s problems and resolved them, the Union Minister said that AAP had woven in image around simplicity and austerity and it was the same party whose every leader is embroiled in a controversy. She said that the AAP leaders have lost their base in masses and parties like it are opportunists. Prominent among others accompanying her included Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr Sarup Chand Singla, Deputy Commissioner Dr Basant Garg, OSD to deputy CM Mr Mohnish Kumar and Mr Harinder Singh Sra, SSP Mr Inder Mohan Singh Bhatti, assistant media advisor to deputy CM Mr Harjinder Sidhu, SDM Bathinda Mr Damanjit Singh Maan, SAD press secretary Mr Om Prakash Sharma and others. -- BADAL MEETS GADKARI CM REQUESTS GADKARI TO DECLARE 1786 KMs OF GURU GOBIND MARG LINKING SRI ANANDPUR SAHIB-TALWANDI SABO-NANDED AS NATIONAL HIGHWAY New Delhi, August 27 The Chief Minister raised this issue with Mr. Gadkari during a meeting here at latter’s official residence this evening. On the national map, the road stretches from Sri Anandpur Sahib to Takhat Sri Dam Dama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo) in Punjab and then on to Takhat Sri Hazur Sahib (Nanded) in Maharastra having a total length of 3080 Kms. Of which, a portion of 605 Kms of this route falls in Punjab, 1123 Kms in Rajasthan, 164 Kms falls in Haryana, 630 Kms in Madhya Pradesh, 363 Kms in Maharashtra, 18 Kms in Delhi and 177 Kms of this rout falls in Uttar Pardesh. The Chief Minister informed Mr. Gadkari that 1294.35 Kms of this route had already been declared as National Highway and thus requested him to declare the remaining portion of 1786.12 Kms as National Highway. Likewise, 1305 Kms of this route was already four lanned and the balance portion of 1775 Kms of the road was required to be four lanned. The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Special Principal Secretary Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, Additional Chief Secretary PWD (B&R) Mr. NS Kalsi and Member National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Mr. Satish Chandra. - New Delhi, August 27 Mr. Badal called on the Union Water Resources Minister here in her office here at Shram Shakti Bhawan on Wednesday evening. - Chandigarh, August 27 - In pursuance of his agenda to accelerate industrial growth in the state, the Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal is leading a high level State delegation to Korea tomorrow to impress upon the top honchos of Korean to invest in the state. During his five days visit to South Korea, the Deputy Chief Minister, accompanied by a delegation of top state officers, would showcase Punjab as the most suitable investment destination for investment. He will also present the strides achieved by the State vis a vis ease of doing business and also the new innovative fiscal incentives available for new investors. Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal would also meet key business organizations of South Korea like Samsung electronics to call upon them for invest in Punjab. During a meeting with a Korean delegation in the presence of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy CM here last week, Vice President Samsung Electronics Kyoung Soo Kim had evinced keen interest in biometric technology and offered to explore smart city and biometrics project collaboration in the state. On August 31, Deputy CM would also visit Maeil Dairies factory and Integrated Operation Center at Songdo Smart City. Likewise he would attend business seminars and meetings with industry giants besides visiting Samsung electronics the next day. Similarly on September 2 he would visit KDI Sejong and hold meetings at Seoul. The Deputy CM said there was tremendous potential of business tie up between Korea and Punjab adding that focus of his visit would be to ensure that more and more investment was firmed up for the state. Recalling the age old ties between Punjab and South Korea, Mr. Badal said that thousands of years ago a Korean king had married an Indian princess due to which Koreans accord high esteem to Indians especially Punjabis. Mr Badal said this string between both Seoul and Punjab needed to be revived through people to people contact and promotion of trade and commerce. ----------- PUNJAB GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS DIRECTED TO SEND REPORT ON THE BACKLOG OF RESERVATION QUOTA FOR THE BLIND IN GOVERNMENT JOBS Chandigarh August 27: The Punjab government has issued instructions to all departments to send a complete report regarding the backlog of reservation quota for the blind in government jobs within one month to the Welfare of persons with Disabilities wing of the Social Security Department Punjab. Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the government said that the decision to this effect was taken at a high level meeting presided over by the Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal. The departments were asked to ensure 3% quota to visually impaired persons as per Apex Court directive in all A, B, C and D category posts. The Punjab government had earlier also asked all the heads of the departments to furnish details regarding the filling up of the posts of visually impaired according to the 3% reservation. According to a spokesperson of the government, instructions to this effect have been issued to all the heads of the departments, Divisional Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Registrar Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Sessions Judge, Chairman Punjab Public Service Commission, Chairmen Boards and Corporations and Registrar all the Universities and educational institutions to ensure immediate compliance of the Supreme Court directive in this regard through their respective departments. Spokesman further said that the departments would maintain the total number of vacancies which have arisen in case of Category A, B, C and D, vacancies filled up through the process of direct recruitment since 1995. He also said that the backlog of vacancies would be covered especially for the persons with disabilities. Chandigarh, August 27: He said that all the female government employees have been cordially invited to the function. The spokesman informed that a special exhibition would be organised on the occasion to exhibit the products made by the self help groups. PUNJAB INSTRUCTS TO OFFICERS/EMPLOYEES TO SUBMIT COMPLETE APPRAISAL REPORTS handigarh, August 27: The Punjab Government has issued orders all heads of departments to issue directions to all officers and employees to submit their complete annual progress appraisal report of year 2014-15. An official spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that reviewing officers who have not forwarded the appraisal reports to higher authorities for approval by 15 August 2015 should send the complete reports by 28 August 2015. - CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 27: Presiding over a meeting of Career guidance and counselling cell here today, Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema education Minister said that in this era of modern technology and fast changing economic environment the students need updated knowledge regarding new career opportunity and cannot afford to adopt herd mentality of opting for medical or engineering courses. He said that the new economy and global environment has opened new vistas of opportunities for students in which students can opt according to their talent and choice. Dr. Cheema said that each counselling units would be fully equipped with advanced modern technology besides a fully qualified counsellor and resource person who has been assigned the job of assessing strength and weakness of each student of provide career guidance according to the strength and aptitude. Elaborating this Mrs. Shruti Shukla said that one cluster guidance resource person has been appointed for 10 to 13 schools in the entire state of Punjab. The prime duty of designated cluster guidance resource person would be to ensure that all the students studying in class 9th to 12th are given proper guidance for career progression. She said that interactive website will not only have elaborate details about the resources available in the state but will also provide a platform to the students regarding any kind of query pertaining to career courses and employment. In the end Dr. Cheema expressed his satisfaction over the new steps being taken to strengthen the project of guidance and counselling in the state of Punjab. He further stated that the day is not far when Punjab will take a lead in the field of skill development and guidance and counselling very shortly.
PUNJAB FIRST STATE TO OFFER 66% SUBSIDY TO SCHEDULED CASTES ON SOLAR INVERTERS
- CHANDIGARH / MOHALI, AUGUST 28: The Vigilance Bureau has today nabbed Fire Safety Officer of Mohali, Sham Lal Kamboj red handed while accepting bribe of Rs. 50,000. Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the Vigilance Bureau said that Fire Safety Officer OF Mohali Sham Lal Kamboj was nabbed on the complaint of Depak Sharma resident of West Sarangpur Delhi. In his complaint Depak Sharma has alleged that Sham Lal Kamboj was demanding Rs. 1 lakh as bribe in lieu of issuing no objection certificate to his farm and he agreed to bribe in two installments. ----------------------------------------- Bathinda, August 27 The Union Minister was here today to give boota Prasad and insurance schemes to 208 girls and women under the Pradhan Mantri Bima Suraksha Yojana (PMBSY) for a period of 10 years as Rakshabandhan gift. As an elder sister Mrs Badal has paid the premium of all these beneficiaries, who are associated with Nanhi Chhan Punjab Public Charitable Trust project, from her salary enabling them to live a secure life. Interacting with media persons, the Union Minister said that the Ministry of Textile Industries, Government of India has passed the projects of setting up of skill development centers in Bathinda and Mansa wherein around 8000 youngsters will be imparted job-oriented training. “From cotton to garments, everything would be brought under one-roof at these two parks,” she said. Earlier, while addressing the gathering, Mrs Badal said that on the occasion of Rakshabandhan every brother should gift a life insurance to policy to his sister. “Under PMBSY at an annual premium of Rs 12, people between 18 to 70 years of age group get insurance cover of Rs 2 lacss in case of accidental death and Rs 1 lac in case of partial disability,” she said. Meanwhile at Mansa the Union Minister distributed insurance policies to 211 women associated with Nanhi Chhan wherein she would pay for their premium for next 10 years from her own income. She also distributed cycles to 680 students of the Mansa Government Senior Secondary School under Mai Bhago Scheme. She also distributed aides to 1206 handicapped people including tricycles, hearing machines, artificial limbs etc. ------------------------------------------- BADAL SEEKS EARLY CLEARANCE OF QUALITY WATER PROJECT WORTH Rs. 226.82 CRORE New Delhi, August 26 Flagging up the issue in a meeting with Union Minister here in his office at Krishi Bhawan this afternoon, Mr. Badal informed him that the state government had already submitted a detailed proposal envisaging special allocation to tackle water quality affected habitations due to presence of uranium and other heavy metals as the majority of rural water schemes had been severely affected due to these heavy metals. Taking part in the deliberations, Mr. Badal said that a comprehensive project of Rs. 226.82 crore for installation of 1829 water treatment plants in 1971 habitations was submitted to GoI in October, 2014. He requested Ch. Birender Singh to immediately sanction and release requisite funds so that the people of the state could be saved from the curse of deadly water born diseases such as cancer and osteoporosis. Mr. Badal also urged the Ministry to hike the MGNREGA wage rate from existing Rs. 201 to Rs. 300 per day in wake of higher prevailing market wage rate in Punjab. Under Indra Awaas Yojna, the Chief Minister demanded to enhance the assistance from existing Rs. 70,000 to Rs. 2 lac as the amount allocated to the beneficiaries under the scheme was insufficient to construct their houses due to the higher rates of construction material. Responding to the issues raised by Mr. Badal, the Union Rural Development Minister agreed to release funds promptly to tackle the problem of quality affected water due to the presence of uranium, arsenic, lead and other heavy metals as brought into his notice. He also asked the officers to visit the villages having the problem of disposal of sulage and ponds in the state as indicated by Mr. Badal, to take stock of the situation and suggest remedial measures to overcome it. He also asked the Ministry to revise the existing norms under NRDWP to enable the state like Punjab for seeking special allocation for launching safe drinking water schemes especially in the quality affected areas of Kandi and water logged. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema, Additional Chief Secretary PWD (B&R) Mr. NS Kalsi, Principal Secretary Rural Development & Panchatays Dr. Roshan Sunkaria and Secretary Water Supply & Sanitation Mr. Ajoy Sharma. New Delhi, August 26 Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today forcefully pleaded with the Government of India to continue RKVY as a Central Sector Scheme with 100% funding and the existing sharing pattern of other flagships schemes viz. National Health Mission, National Food Security Mission should also be retained. These views were expressed by Mr. Badal during a meeting with the Union Agriculture Minister Mr. Radha Mohan Singh here at his office in Krishi Bhawan this afternoon. Mr. Badal apprised the Union Agriculture Minister that the 14th Finance Commission recommended devolution of 40% of the share of tax. The GoI while accepting this recommendation also identified 20 important centrally sponsored schemes including RKVY, which would now be implemented on sharing basis. Accordingly, the sharing pattern of RKVY was proposed to be changed to 50:50 from 100% centrally funded earlier. The Chief Minister pointed out that Punjab has been tentatively allocated Rs. 168.27 crore under RKVY including 75 crore under Crop Diversification Program (CDP) during this year, the state would now have to contribute Rs. 168.27 crore as its own share. Such a contribution by the state government may not be possible and as a result, not only many of the ongoing projects and initiatives under the schemes would have to be aborted but taking up new projects would also be adversely affected. He said that this retrograde step could be detrimental for agriculture growth in the state. Flagging up another issue to convert Crop Diversification program to Agriculture Diversification, the Chief Minister impressed upon Mr. Radha Mohan Singh that the state should be allowed to implement Agriculture Diversification program as per their requirements. Now under the prescribed activities and interventions in terms of stipulated norms, 60% funds were meant for demonstration, 23% for machinery, 17% for site specific activities and 2% for contingency and thus allowing states to exercise 20% change from one component to other. Henceforth, Mr. Badal requested the Agriculture Ministry to strengthen and expand this program to cover not only crop diversification but also allied and subsidiary occupations such as Dairy, Fisheries, Piggery, Goatry, Fruit & Vegetables cultivation and Bee-keeping. Referring to the issue for delay in setting up Borlaug Institute of South Asia (BISA) at Ladhowal, (Ludhiana), the Chief Minister sought Mr. Singh’s immediately intervention to ensure adequate flow of funds from ICAR so that the project could be completed at the earliest without any further delay. He told the Union Agriculture Minister that the state government already provided 200 hectares of prime land free of cost for this purpose and the ICAR had agreed to provide Rs. 96 crore meaning there by Rs. 24 crore each for four years. Only one installment of Rs. 24 crore has been released till date. In a bid to promote fish culture in Punjab, the Chief Minister urged Mr. Singh to expedite the proposal for setting up of Regional Research Centre (RRC) at village Jodhpur Romana in Bathinda district at a cost of Rs. 21.10 crore under the auspices of Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Bhubaneshwar. He also requested the Ministry to immediately provide funds to CIFA for the execution of these funds. Likewise, he also impressed upon Mr. Singh to immediately sanction the ‘Mission mode project for saline affected and waterlogged area of south-western districts of Punjab’ amounting to Rs. 110 crore which has already been submitted to GoI besides releasing first installment of Rs. 33 crore to enable the state to implement this project thereby improving the economy and livelihood of the people in the water logged areas. The Chief Minister also requested for early clearance of Kamdhenu project at a cost of Rs. 27 crore for the development of Indigenous breeds of cows like Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Tharparker, Gir etc as 80 acres of land had already been identified near Patiala for this project. The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema, Financial Commissioner Animal Husbandry Mr. G. Vajralingam and Agriculture Commissioner Dr. BS Sidhu.
New Delhi, August 26 Mr. Badal called on the Union Finance Minister in his office here at Shastri Bhawan this morning and apprised the latter that the current capacity of NFL unit which was now five lac tons was to be enhanced to 15 lac tons, as all the requisite infrastructure was in place for the said expansion. Moreover, the Ministry of Fertilizers has already granted approval to undertake the expansion of this unit as it would not only generate tremendous employment potential in the region but also meet the ever mounting demand of urea in the state. He also impressed upon Mr. Jaitley to get the one time grant of Rs. 1300 crore released expeditiously so that the expansion of this project could be undertaken in fast mode. Taking up the issue of extension, renovation and modernization of canals from River Satluj (Sirhind Canal and Bist Doab Canal), the Chief Minister requested Mr. Jaitley to sanction and release special funds amounting to Rs. 18 crore for this prestigious project which was the lifeline of the farmers. He informed Mr. Jaitley the total cost of this project was estimated at Rs. 734.46 crore at 2009 price index and was also accorded investment clearance by the then Planning Commission of India (PCI) in February, 2011 but its execution could not be started due to non-release of funds under AIBP. Thereafter, on the advice of PCI (now NITI Aayog), the revised project involving a cost of Rs. 918.25 crore has been appraised by Central Water Commission and the requisite financial concurrence has already been given by the State Government. The Chief Minister by his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema and Resident Commissioner Punjab Bhawan New Delhi Mr. K Shiva Prasad. Chandigarh, August 25 – Punjab, which has already garnered an investment of Rs 15000 crore, today witnessed a Rs 365 crore investment, adjacent to the international border, with Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal handing over Letters of allotment and pre-feasible clearances to Kansai Nerolac Paints and Indian Oil Corporation (IoC) for setting up their plants here. India’s second largest paint company M/s Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited has been allotted 35 acres of industrial land in Goindwal Industrial Complex for setting up of water based and powder coating paints with the project cost of around Rs. 250 crores. Likewise, the state government has also allotted 30 acres of land at Goindwal Industrial Complex to M/s Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. for setting up of LPG bottling plant with an investment of Rs. 115 crores. Answering a query on the occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister said the international airport at Mohali would change the look and feel of industry in Punjab by joining the state globally. “I rate the establishment of this airport as my second big achievement after making Punjab a power surplus state. Now our thrust is to provide a world class road network in the state” he added. Likewise, Mr. Badal said in order to facilitate prospective investors the state government had already created a bank of 600 pre-cleared sites to offer them for setting up their ventures. He said that big industrial giants like ITC, Cargill, Amul, Infosys, DSM, Vardhman, Tube Investment and Azure Power were already setting up their units in the state. Earlier, welcoming the dignitaries the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Invest Punjab Mr. Anirudh Tiwari listed the achievements made by the state government in wooing the investments in the last one year. Mr. Tewari said Punjab have cleared 216 projects with investment of Rs 15000 crore. He said out of these 216 projects 39% were from Agro and food processing sector whereas 30% were from manufacturing sector. Mr. Tewari said ITC was setting up a foodpark near Kapurthala with a massive investment of Rs 900 crore, which was the largest plant of the company in India. He said apart from encouraging new industry the state government was also incentivizing the existing industry and the expansion projects launched by Sonalika, Nahar and Ultra Tech cement were a part of this initiative. CHEEMA ASKS CORPORATE TO BECOME PART OF EDUCATE INDIA MISSION The Punjab Education Minister Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema today gave a call to honchos of corporate world to become equal partner in mission educate India to ensure golden and literate future for our country. SC COMMISSION DIRECTS GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE EXPEDITIOUS DELIVERY SC CERTIFICATES Chandigarh, August 26: The Punjab Scheduled Castes Commission today issued strict directions to Punjab Government to work out modalities for a transparent, expeditious and economical process for issuance of Scheduled Castes certificates to the citizens. - 1 PPS Officers TRANSFERRED CHANDIGARH AUGUST 24: The Punjab Government today issued transfer orders of 11 DSP with immediate effect. Disclosing this here today an official spokesman said that Gurpreet Kaur posted as ACP Gill Ludhiana. Vikas Sabharwal at DSP HQ Khanna, William Jeji at DSP Investigation Khanna, Gurpreet Singh at DSP Malerkotla, Gurmail Singh at DSP Dharmkot, Gurdeep Singh at DSP Fetahgarh Sahib, Balwinder Singh at DSP Investigation Ludhiana Rural, Jaskeerat Singh Ahir at DSP HQ Ludhiana Rural, Lakhbir Singh at DSP, 3rd IRB Ludhiana, Tejbir Singh at ACP Sahnewal Ludhiana and Akashdeep Singh Aulakh posted at DSP Moonak. -------- DISTRICT PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE, LUDHIANA BADAL APPEALS TO CENTRE GOVERNMENT TO FIND SUITABLE SOLUTION TO AGRARIAN CRISIS * TECHNICAL EDUCATION MOST IMPORTANT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF COUNTRY- CHIEF MINISTER * CONGRESS ALWAYS USED DIVIDE & RULE POLICY * LAYS FOUNDATION STONE OF SHAHEED BABA MAHARAJ SINGH ITI AT MALAUD
Malaud (Ludhiana), August 24: Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal has appealed to the centre government for finding a suitable solution to the agrarian crisis and said that immediate steps need to be taken in this regard. He said this would help in checking the farmer suicides and agriculture would become a profitable venture. He said this while speaking to media persons after laying the foundation stone of Shaheed Baba Maharaj Singh ITI, here today. While replying to a question related to the Punjab government's role in finding a solution to the agrarian crisis, Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal said that agriculture used to be a state subject but due to wrong policies of successive Congress government's in centre, it has now become a centre subject. He said that right from fixing the MSP, to prices of diesel, pesticides, insecticides, and other such agriculture inputs, their prices are now fixed by the centre government. He said that the state only controls electricity supply for tubewells, for which Punjab government is already paying more than Rs 6,000 crore in subsidy. To a question asked about using the Swaminathan formula for fixing price of agricultural produce, the Chief Minister said that he has been demanding the same for a long time and has always advocated this formula, but its the centre government which has to take the final call in this regard. While addressing a massive gathering at Grain Market, Malaud, Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal said that Technical Education is very important for the overall development of a country. He said that sadly, the previous UPA government did not work in this field and after Mr Narendra Modi took over as Prime Minister, he formed a 10-member sub group on technical education. He said that he is the convenor of the sub group, which has been formed with a sole motive of giving much needed boost to technical education in the country. The Chief Minister further said that in India, only around 12 percent people are technically educated, whereas in South Korea its 96 percent, in Japan 80 percent and in Germany, its 75 percent. He said that for making India most developed country of the world, technical education is the most important. He said that this would not only lead to development, but would also help in keeping a check on the problem of unemployment. Mr Parkash Singh Badal said that the Punjab government has taken several steps for promoting technical education in the state. He said that with an investment of Rs 50 crore, five new ITI's are being set up in the state, which would be located in Malaud, Manakpur Sharif (Mohali), Adampur (Jalandhar), Niari (Pathankot) and Singhpura (Ropar). Besides this, the Punjab government has set up several Skill Development Centres in different parts of the state. For lifting the standard of education, the CM said that six schools for Meritorious students have been started in the state, where quality education is provided to students scoring more than 80 percent marks in class tenth. He said that the students in these schools are provided education totally free of cost, along with free hostel facility. He also announced to open four more such schools in the state. Taking an aim at the Congress party, Mr Parkash Singh Badal said that it has always used the divide and rule policy. He said that on the other hand, the Shiromani Akali Dal and Bharatiya Janta Party has always worked for maintaining communal harmony in the state. He said that successive Congress governments at centre have always meted step motherly treatment towards Punjab, but after the formation of NDA government at Centre now, Punjab has now got AIIMS, IIM, Horticulture Institute, besides other such projects. Besides this, Sri Amritsar Sahib has been given the status of a heritage city due to which it would now be developed with grants worth crores of rupees. While paying tribute to Shaheed Baba Maharaj Singh, Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal said that he was the first shaheed of Jang-E-Azaadi. He said that although Punjabi's are just 2 percent in India, but still 80 percent martyrs of our country are from our state. While speaking on the occasion, Punjab Vidhan Sabha speaker Dr Charanjit Singh Atwal stressed on strengthening Primary Education. He said that good quality primary education acts as a strong and stable foundation for a child. He also thanked the Chief Minister for allotting an ITI, a judicial complex and several other development projects for Malaud area. ------------ CHEEMA EMPHASISE ON PRACTICAL TRAINING TO VOCATIONAL STUDENTS · INSTRUCTS OFFICIALS TO IMMEDIATELY START PROCESS TO FILL VACANT POSTS OF TEACHERS · SCHOOLS GIVEN RECOGNITION ONCE NEED NOT TO APPLY AGAIN CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 24: Punjab Education Minister Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema has stressed on providing practical training to vocational students. Presiding over a meeting of senior officials of the education department today at Punjab civil Secretariat said that motive of vocational is achieved only if students are able to get jobs or start their own business. The Minister asked the officials to ensure practical training to the vocational students under the direct supervision of the instructors. Dr. Cheema also announced to setup ultra modern labs with latest equipments in the 400 schools providing vocational education. He instructed the officials to send students for training in renowned institutions and Industry. Dr. Cheema directed the officials to start a recruitment process of teachers on priority and get them placed against the vacant posts. He also asked to prepare the data regarding up gradation of schools keeping in view various aspects to be adopted for this process. He said that while making this data most needy areas should be kept in view and priority should be given to such schools. Dr. Cheema after consultations with the Punjab School Education Board Chairperson Mrs Tejinder Kaur Dhaliwal and Principal Secretary of the Department Mr. C. Raul announced to give a big relief to the schools who have taken reorganisation once need not to take reorganisation again. He said that schools who have got recognition once will not have to apply again for recognition. Prominent among other who were present in the meeting included DGSE Mr. Pardeep Aggarwal, Special Secretary Mr. Gurdeep Singh, DPI (Secondary Education) Mr. Balbir Singh Dhol, DPI (Elementary Education) Mr. Harbans Singh Sandhu, and Director SCERT Mr. Sukhdev Singh Kahlon. --------- INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT PUNJABSANJEEV GOYAL NOMINATED AS MEMBER GOVERNING BODY OF RASHTRIYA AYURVEDA VIDYAPEETH Chandigarh August 24: Dr. Sanjeev Goyal, Registrar Board of Ayurveda Punjab and Vice President Akhil Bhartiya Ayurveda Maha Sammelan has been nominated as Member Governing Body of Rashtriya Vidyapeeth(RAV) by the department of Ayush, Government of India. Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the government said that the term of Dr. Goyal as member would be for 5 years. The governing body would promote the ‘Guru Shishya Parampara’ besides holding seminars, workshops, training programmesand maintaining Nodal Centres meant for implementing the Continuing Medical Education scheme across the country. Assuming new assignment, Dr. Goyal said that he would work towards promoted and strengthening Ayurveda especially in Northern Region. Qualified Ayurveda practitioners would be identified and given adequate platform to impart highly expertise training to Ayurveda graduates from this region. He also said that the tradition of “Guru Shishya” would also be encouraged as the ayurveda was the growing need of an hour. - ----------- Punjab Government constitutes first Board of Governors of Maharaja Ranjit Singh State Technical University Chandigarh, August 24: Punjab Government has constitute first Board of Governor of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh State Technical University, Bathinda. Disclosing this here an official spokesman of Punjab Government said that Chief Secretary would be Chairman and the Principal Secretary to Government of Punjab, Department of Technical Education and Industrial Training would be Vice-Chairman of the Governing Council. The spokesman said Vice Chancellor,Maharaja Ranjit Singh State Technical University, Bathinda, Vice Chancellor, I.K.Gujral Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar Secretary Finance, Director, Technical Education and Industrial Training, Punjab, Chairman of the North-West Committee, All India Council for Technical Education, Chandigarh, President of the Confederation of Indian industry or his nominee, and Director of Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar would be Ex-Officio Members of the Board of Governors. He added that Sh. Rajinder Gupta, Managing Director, Trident Group of Industries, Barnala Sangrur, Sh. Rajinder Kumar Mittal, Chairman & Managing Director, M/s. BCL, Industries and Infrastructures Ltd, Bathinda, Two eminent technologists, Dr. S.K. Salwan, Former Vice Chancellor, I.K.Gujral Punjab Technical University & Chairman, Armament Research Board, New Delhi., Sh. Chandra Mohan, Formerly Vice-Chairman & MD, Punjab Tractors & Swaraj Group, ) One principal of the college by rotation Dr. J.S.Hundal, Campus Director, Giani Zail Singh, PTU Campus, Bathinda and One head of the department by rotation from amongst the heads of the departments of the university Will be nominated after the establishment of the departments of the University. This Board of Governors would govern for next three year. -------- RAKHI BUMPER FOR PUNJAB EMPLOYEES AND PENSIONERS DHINDSA ANNOUNCES 6 PERCENT HIKE IN DA - CASH PAYMENT WITH AUGUST SALARY - SEVEN MONTH ARREAR IN OCTOBER SALARY Chandigarh, August 24: The Punjab employees and pensioners are all set for Rakhi Bonanza with Punjab Government today announcing 6 percent hike in Dearness Allowance that was due from 1 January 2015. According to an official spokesman the Punjab Finance Department today issued a communiqué under which 6 percent hike in DA that was due from 1 January 2015 would be paid to employees in cash with the salary/pension of August 2015. Finance Minister Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa said that with this rise of 6 percent the rate of DA would enhance to 113 percent of basic pay/pension from earlier rate of 107 percent. Giving details about the arrears, he said that arrears of 6 percent enhancement due from 1-01-2015 to 31-07-2015 would be paid with the salary of October 2015. In-service Training Programme for Civil Services Officers of Punjab Chandigarh, August 21: Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration, Punjab (MGSIPA), Chandigarh, today organised a training programme for IAS, PCS, IFS & PSS officers. Over 60 officers from all over the State attended this programme. Mr Ishwar Singh, IPS, Director, State Narcotics Control Bureau, Ludhiana in his talk on “War against Drugs in Punjab”, spoke in detail about various kinds of drugs in existence such as – poppy plant derivatives, cannabis derivatives, etc. Mr Ishwar Singh offered the prescription that the issue of drug addiction should be treated like a medical and social problem and the administrators must undertake required action with that perspective. The police needs the support of civil officers and society at large, in its crackdown against drugs. He mentioned that India’s geographical location i.e. being sandwiched between the Golden Triangle (Myanmar, Laos and Thailand) and the Golden Crescent (Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan) makes it highly vulnerable to drug trafficking. He shared that Punjab’s strategy to counter the problem is multi- prolonged and included supply reduction – strict enforcement; demand reduction – de- addiction, rehabilitation; toll free helplines; institutional arrangements and educational and awareness programmes. Mr Singh advised field officers to deal with problem in multidimensional ways. He also discussed the legal provisions connected with the issue. Later, Dr Rainuka Dagar, Director (Research), Gender Studies Unit at Institute of Development and Communication, Chandigarh, while speaking on “Female De-selection: issues and challenges”, mentioned that human rights proponents promote the concept of gender equality in terms of all the rights like jobs, healthcare, and education etc. whereas gender justice respects the different biological and cultural identities of males and females. Dr Dagar said that Punjab and Haryana are the worst performers as far as the skewed sex ratio is concerned. The form of gender discrimination varies in different societies and one has to see the historical perspective to understand the origin of discrimination. While sharing a case study from Punjab, she noted that the low number of girls is a matter of concern, because Punjab is an affluent state and progressive in all aspects but that of the female. A panel discussion on “Civil Services and Media Interface” was conducted in which Mrs Ruchika Khanna, Special Correspondent, The Tribune; Mr Herkawaljit Singh, Bureau Chief, Daily Ajit; and Mr Pawan Sharma, Chief of Bureau, Hindustan Times, participated. The panel discussed on issues such as relationship between civil services and the media; how to project Government activities in the media, right to information and ethics in media. A session on New Public Management (NPM): theories and practices was conducted by Prof B S Ghuman, He dwelt upon major theories of new public management, the origin and evolution of NPM. Prof Ghuman threw light on ReGo (Reinventing Government) which was based on the best practices of public sector/governments and compiled into a theory by David Osborne. Later, he talked of how the synthesis of the best practices of both private and government sectors, have been put to use in bringing out some bold administrative reforms by the developed countries like UK, New Zealand and later, even by Singapore and India. He cited downsizing and reorganisation as examples. Mr Harsimran Singh Sethi, Additional Advocate General, Punjab discussed landmark judgements on service matters. Mr Sethi spoke on various service laws that are relevant to the officers in the matters related to direct recruitment, promotion, reservation and preparation of seniority list and specifically mentioned the judgements on the matter of reservation in seniority while promoting officials. ---------- ONE IPS AND THREE PPS OFFICERS TRANSFER Chandigarh August 21: The Punjab Government has issued transfer orders of One IPS and 3 PPS Officers with immediate effect. Disclosing this here today an official spokesman said that Smt. Nilambari Jagdale Vijay, I.P.S. has posted as Assistant Inspector General of Police, Crime Wing, Punjab. Three P.P.S Mr. Harbhajan singh as Assistant Inspector General Police/ Law and order-2, Punjab Chandigarh, Mr. Gurmail singh as Assistant commandant 27th Bn, PAP Jalandhar and Mr. Gurmeet singh as Superintendent of Police / Special Protection Unit has transferred on administrative ground. - 10 TEHSILDARS, 3 NAIB TEHSILDARS AND 1 REVENUE OFFICER TRANSFERRED Chandigarh, August 21: The Punjab government today issued transfer/posting orders of ten Tehsildars, three Naib Tehsildarsand one District Revenue Officer with immediate effect. According to an official spokesman,Tehsildar, Jarnail Singh has been posted at Fareedkot, Vipan Bhandari at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar,Amrit Lal at Phagwara,Harsimran Singh at Ferozpur,Bhupinder Singh-2 at Nihal Singh Wala,Tarsem Singh at Dasua,Lakhwinder Singh at Nakodar,Sukhbir Singh Brar at Giddarbaha,R.K. Jain at Bhulath and Jaswant Rai at Jaiton. Besides this, in Patiala Division, Arjan Singh Grewal has been posted as Naib tehsildar Agrarian Mohali, Parveen Kumar Singla at SYL Rajpura and Hargobind Singh at Powercom Patiala with additional charge of SBS Nagar. He further said that Sh. Avtar Singh Makkar, District Revenue officer, Fazilka has transferred at Bathinda. - CHEEMA EMPHASIZES ON FORMING EDUCATION POLICY IN LINE WITH GROUND REALITIES · MAIN THRUST AREAS TO BE PRIMARY EDUCATION AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 21: Punjab Education Minister Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema while expressing his views during the 5th World Education Summit at New Delhi emphasized on the need of forming Education Policies in tune with the ground realities and quality education. Referring to the RTE Act 2009 formed to streamline the education system; he said that there were a few flaws like not to fail the student till 8th class and Board examination for 5th and 8th classes left at the time of shaping up this Act which would be rectified after making required changes as per the voice raised by all states. Categorically laying stress on strengthening the primary and vocational education, Dr. Cheema said that the Primary education was the basic foundation on which the student’s entire academic career was based on. He expressed concern over the child’s getting admission in government school at the age of 6 where as the private schools admit the student at the age of 3. He said that the pattern of admissions all over should be uniformed in the interest of the child. Dr. Cheema also suggested that in order to ensure quality education and eliminating unemployment, the vocational and job oriented coursed should be introduced so as to provide education as per the Industrial needs. The Minister called upon the policy makers, planners in the field of education, teachers and parents to work jointly in strengthening the existing education system in the country. Speaking on the occasion, Principal Secretary C Roul highlighted the new initiatives taken by the Punjab government in promoting the quality and affordable education in the state. - CM CONSTITUTES 3-MEMBER PANEL FOR PUTTING BABA MOTI RAM MEHRA MEMORIAL ON FAST TRACK · ASKS COMMITTEE TO COMPLETE ALL FORMALITIES WITHIN 45 DAYS Chandigarh, August 21: To put the setting of Baba Moti Ram Mehra memorial at Fatehgarh Sahib on the fast track, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today constituted a 3-memeber committee comprising former SGPC Chief Prof. Kirpal Singh Badungar & Chairman Punjab State Backward Classes commission, Vice Chancellor Punjabi University Patiala Dr. Jaspal Singh and former cabinet Minister Mr. Hira Singh Gabria. Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s office said that the committee has been mandated to identify the five acre land for the construction of upcoming memorial. The chief Minister also entrusted the task of designing of the site plan of the memorial to the state Chief Architect on the lines of Guru Virja Nand and Bhai Mardana ji Memorial. The Chief Minister also asked the Principal Secretary Culture Affairs to get the entire work related to the selection of the site and designing of site plan by all means within one and a half month. Taking part in the deliberations, the Cultural and Tourism Minister Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal assured the Chief Minister that all the requisite formalities would be completed within the stipulated time frame to ensure timely completion of this prestigious project. It may be recalled that the legendary Baba Moti Ram Mehra is highly revered in the Sikh history for his supreme sacrifice, who was martyred by the then Mughal Governor of Sirhind Wazir Khan for providing milk to the younger Sahibzadas of tenth master of Sikhs Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji, who were exiled along with their grandmother Mata Gujri ji in the ‘ Thanda Burj’ for defying the edicts of the then tyrannical Mughal empire. Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included former SGPC Chief Prof. Kirpal Singh Badungar & Chairman Punjab State Backward Classes commission, Vice Chancellor Punjabi University Patiala Dr. Jaspal Singh, former cabinet Minister Mr. Hira Singh Gabria, noted sikh scholar and historian Dr. Kirpal Singh and Director Cultural Affairs Mr. Navjot pal Singh Randhawa. -------- Punjab offers plug and play industrial park to South Korean investors (Deputy CM proposes fixed power rates for a ten year period) (600 pre-cleared sites in offing for foreign investors) (CM solicits support of South Korea for development of smart cities and skill development centres) (Electronic giant Samsung evinces keen interest in investing in the state) (Korean Ambassador describes Badal as living legend) Chandigarh, August 21-Punjab today offered a plug and play industrial park adjoining the international airport, Mohali exclusively to prospective South Korean investors for setting up their ventures in the state. Announcing this here today during a high level interaction with a South Korean delegation which was presided over by Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal also offered South Korean investors fixed power rates for a ten year period. He also assured that Punjab would provide the cheapest power among all states in the country, to new investors for which a policy was being firmed up. Making an impressive power point presentation before the delegation, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal asked the heads of the Korean companies to take advantage of the huge incentives being offered by the state government to entrepreneurs. He also assured pre-cleared sites to the Korean investors, saying 600 such sites had already been finalized. Meanwhile impressed by the presentation of the Deputy Chief Minister the electronic giant Samsung evinced keen interest in investing in the state after which the Deputy Chief Minister asked the Principal Secretary Industries Mr. Anirudh Tewari to take the proposal forward. Batting for strong strategic ties between South Korea and Punjab, Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today sought the cooperation of South Korea in the fields of education and skill training besides other varied fields of trade, commerce and information and technology. Addressing the members of delegation of South Korea here at Punjab Bhawan, the Chief Minister said India could benefit from the rich experience of South Korea in imparting skill training to the youth of the country. He said that while only 3% of Indians were equipped with technical training the track record of Koreans in this regard was marvellous at 98 percent. Mr. Badal said it was the need of hour to provide quality education to the youth of the state for which Koreans could play a leading role. Terming Punjab as the most attractive investment destination in these and many other areas, the Chief Minister said that the state desired to focus investment in Manufacturing, Infrastructure, Automobile, IT and Consumer electronics sectors. He also enlisted the support of South Korea for development of smart cities in the state. Presenting detailed accounts of business opportunities in the state through a presentation Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal said Punjab had the best infrastructure, industrial, agricultural and work culture index, best agro economy, higher per capita income, higher consumer index, human resource and was the best state for ease of doing business. He emphasised that Punjab was power surplus, had the best Power T&D infrastructure besides highest density of roads with major 4/6 lane road network, best air connectivity and provisioning of online public services and amenities to the citizens. Briefing the various incentive packages to the new ventures Mr. Badal said State had already setup first of its kind one stop clearance mechanism by establishing Punjab Bureau of Investment Promotion to provide approvals of 23 departments in 38 days which would come to 30 days within next two months. He urged the delegation to become a part of growth story of Punjab. In his address, the Ambassador of South Korea Mr. Joon Gyu Lee described the Chief Minister as a living legend who had taken Punjab to new heights of progress and prosperity. He said Korea was particularly keen to forge business ties, joint ventures (JVs), partnerships, mergers and develop other inter-trade mechanisms like appointing dealerships and distributor channels with the industrialists from Northern India, especially Chandigarh and Punjab region. On the occasion Vice President Samsung Electronics Kyoung Soo Kim evinced keen interest to invest in biometric technology and offered to explore electronic production unit in the state. Speaking on occasion former Ambassador Skand R Tayal Vice president India-Republic of Korea friendship society announced to open branch office of society in Punjab. Sharing his business experiences during the discussions Tarnjit Singh MD Sigma Corporation Ltd. lauded the efforts of State government for industry friendly policies and offered to attract the German investors to Punjab due to its congenial atmosphere for industries and ease of doing business as compared to other states. Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Rajya Sabha MP Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Cabinet Ministers Mr. Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal and Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Media Advisor to Deputy CM Principal Mr Jangveer Singh, Chief Secretary Mr. Sravesh Kaushal, Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister Mr PS Aujla, Secretary Technical Education Mr. MP Singh, Principal Secretary Industries Mr. Anirudh Tiwari, Secretary Local Government Mr. Ashok Gupta, Secretary Technical Education Mr. RK Verma, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, Special Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Manvesh Singh Sidhu, Director Technical Training B Purusartha and Additional Director Information and Public Relations Mr. Puneet Goyal. The Korean delegation was represented by Ambassador Mr. Joon Gyu Lee besides key members of several Korean companies. ------ CM GIVES NOD FOR 50 PERCENT STATE’S SHARE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF CHECK DAMS IN KANDI AREA · SRI ANANDPUR SAHIB BE PROJECTED ON THE GLOBAL TOURISM MAP · CONSTRUCTION OF 3 STAR HOTEL AND SETTING UP OF AMUSEMENT PARK, RURAL HUTS & TOURIST’S INFORMATION CENTRE TO BOOST TOURISM IN HOLY CITY · GMADA ASKED TO WORK OUT TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL MODALITIES FOR SETTING UP RECREATION CENTRES IN THE PARKS OF SAS NAGAR CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 21: In a bid to tame the Swan Nadi (Rivulet) which caused huge devastation and damage to the life and property during heavy rains in the Kandi region, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today gave approval to release state’s share of 50 percent amounting to Rs. 140 crore for the channelization of the Swan Nadi (Rivulet) by constructing several small chek dams over it at a cost of Rs. 280 crore. The remaining 50 percent share for this ambitious project would be contributed by the Government of India. A decision to this effect was taken in a high level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister at Punjab Bhawan this morning. This meeting was convened to discuss the various issues related to the development of Kandi Belt comprising Hoshiarpur, Ropar and SAS Nagar (Mohali) districts. Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that at the onset of the meeting Mr. Prem Singh Chandumajra, Member Parliament from Sri Anandpur Sahib flagged off various crucial issue and problems pertaining to the Kandi Belt of the state. He pointed out that earlier for the construction of the Chak Dams, Government of India was providing the subsidy in the ratio of 90:10% i.e. 90 percent share from GoI and 10 percent share of State Government. He said that although the neighbouring state of Himachal Pradesh has built Chak Dams under the previous scheme but now the construction of Chak Dams in Kandi Belt has hit a major roadblock as the GoI has now amended its earlier policy of funding and making it 50:50%(GoI and State government to share equally). The Chief Minister made it clear that the construction of the Chak Dams in the Kandi Belt for the water conservation and irrigation purposes was very crucial and the state government would generate all its resources to manage the funds for this project. Mr. Badal also approved to release 50 percent state’s share and asked the officers to submit a comprehensive proposal to the GoI in this regard. The Chief Minister mentioned that the Kandi Canal, once completed would usher in economic growth and prosperity in the region. He was apprised that the work on this project was undergoing on war footing. He said the prestigious Kandi Canal project envisaged by SAD-BJP government would be completed and made operational positively by the end of March 2016. Another major issue discussed in the meeting was the showcasing of holy city of Sri Anandpur Sahib as one of India’s most sought after tourist place at global level. He said that the construction of 3-star hotel in the vicinity of Sri Anandpur Sahib was the top most agenda of the state government. Besides this state-of-the-art tourist information centre would also soon come up at Sri Anandpur Sahib- the birthplace of the Khalsa. On the request of Mr. Chandumajra, Chief Minister directed the Deputy Commissioner, Ropar to undertake a survey in the village Agampur and other neighbouring villages to identify the available Shamlat land so that tourist’s Huts and amusement parks could be set up over this land to offer an opportunity to the tourists to have serenity of natural aura in the rural background. The Chief Minister asked the Chief Administrator GMADA to conduct a detailed study on the technical and financial aspects for setting up recreation centres in the parks of SAS Nagar (Mohali). Prominent amongst other who were present in the meeting included Member Parliament from Sri Anandpur Sahib Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal, Principal Secretary Housing & Urban Development Mr. Vishwajit Khanna, Principal Secretary Tourism and Cultural Affairs Ms. Anjali Bhawra, Secretary Irrigation Mr. Kahan Singh Pannu, Deputy Commissioner, SAS Nagar Mr. TPS Shidu, Deputy Commissioner Ropar Ms. Tanu Kashyap and Deputy Commissioner Hoshiarpur Ms. Anandita Mishra. ----------- CM KEPT ON WAITING TO RECEIVE CONGRESS LEADER’S DELEGATION OUTSIDE HIS RESIDENCE SAYS HE WAS EVEREADY TO RECEIVE THE OPPOSITION LEADERS WITH OPEN HEART IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FAR BETTER IF THE CONGRESS LEADERS HAD JOINED ME OVER A CUP OF TEA ON THE ISSUE STATE HAS ALREADY RELEASED RS 240 CRORE TO THE SUGARCANE GROWERS Chandigarh, August 21: Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that he was ready to accord warm welcome to the former Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh and his party colleagues who were to organize a sit-in (dharna) here in front of his official residence, on the issue of payment of Sugarcane arrears, but they didn’t turn up on the scheduled time. Talking to the media persons outside his official residence where the opposition was to stage a dharna, the Chief Minister said he came to receive them at sharp 11.00 am but to his utter surprise they didn’t reach till 11.20 am as they were supposed to assemble here at 11.00 am. Mr. Badal said that he waited for them till 11.20 and then left for Punjab Bhawan to attend the high level meeting with Korean delegation led by its envoy Mr. Lee . He said he was ever punctual in every public function or meeting by nature and thus could not afford to miss or reach late especially on such pre scheduled meetings or engagements. Mr. Badal categorically said that he would again come to meet them after this meeting and it would have been much better had they come inside to discuss this issue over a cup of tea in a cordial manner. Referring to the issue of payment of sugarcane arrears to the cane growers, the Chief Minister said that the total outstanding arrears towards cooperative sugar mills was Rs.540 crore, of which Rs.210 crore and Rs.240 crore has been paid by the cooperative sugar mills and government respectively. The balance amount of Rs.90 crore would be made by the state government next month. Likewise, he also pointed out that the total amount of outstanding arrears towards the private sugar mills was Rs.1123 crore, out of which payment to the tune of Rs.900 crore has been made and the remainder Rs.223 crore was still to be paid to the farmers. Mr. Badal said that the case regarding the payment of sugarcane arrears was pending in the Punjab & Haryana High Court and the next date of hearing was fixed on September 10, 2015 in this case. Asked to comment on whether the state government would seek one time bailout package from Centre for the survival of sugar industry, the Chief Minister said the Punjab government has already taken up this matter with the Government of India so as to ensure a level playing field to all the stakeholders of sugar industry including sugarcane growers, private mill owners and cooperative sugar mills. He said that State Agriculture Minister Mr. Tota Singh has already shot off a letter to the Union Agriculture Minister Mr. Radha Mohan Singh in this behalf. The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Advisor on National Affairs and Media Mr. Harcharan Bains and Special Principal Secretary Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar. -------- SPECIAL GUIDELINES ISSUED FOR NAMING EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AFTER EMINENT PERSONALITIES · NAME OF THE SCHOOL WOULD NOT BE CHANGED ON THE BASIS OF FINANCIAL DONATIONS CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 21: The Education Department, Punjab, has issued new guidelines regarding the naming of educational institutions after eminent personalities. The Department has made it clear that the name of a school would not be changed on the mere basis of financial donations. The school would be named after prominent people excelling in various fields and earning top most honors in States or the Country. Before naming the school after a famous personality, his/her life and achievements would be minutely analyzed. Stating this here today, a spokesperson of the Education Department said that if a person makes a donation concerning some limited projects e.g. construction of a room, library, laboratory or shed then the name of that person would be engraved on the plaque outside the project. The spokesperson further said that the schools would be named only after freedom fighters belonging to the State, persons contributing in the historical and cultural spheres, gallantry award winners of military and civil operations, state or national level award winners in arts, sports, literary and public life The spokesperson elaborated that a state level committee would scrutinize the case of changing the name of an educational institution before sending it over to the State Government. The Director General, School Education would be the Chairman of the committee while the Secretary, Punjab School Education Board, a representative of the Secretary of the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department, Deputy Commissioner of the concerned district, D.P.I. (Secondary Education), D.P.I. (Elementary Education) and 2 academicians would be the members of the committee. ----------- PUNJAB GETS 198 PROPOSALS WITH PROPOSED INVESTMENT OF RS. 13458 CRORES. 96 PROJECTS GRANTED REGULATORY CLEARANCES IN RECORD TIME Chandigarh, August 21: The Punjab Government have been received record 198 proposals with proposed investment of Rs. 13458 crores during last one year after Investment Summit. Besides the key proposals of M/s ITC, M/s Cargill India, M/s Amul, M/s Mahindra Agro, M/s Sonalika Tractors the newly constituted Bureau of Investment Promotion under one roof has granted all regulatory clearances to 96 of the said projects. Disclosing this here an official spokesman of department said that Punjab has emerged one of the most developed States in India in all spheres: agriculture, industry and services that has the best infrastructure in the country and also some of the best people, who are hard working, educated and disciplined. He said that all these factors make Punjab an excellent place for investment. He said to overcome the global recessionary trend and to establish a congenial industrial atmosphere in the State, the State Government has implemented Fiscal Incentives for Industrial Promotion 2013 and established the Punjab Bureau of Investment Promotion (PBIP), The Policy offers attractive opportunities to invest in the State the package provides incentives of VAT & CST, Stamp Duty, Property Tax and Electricity Duty Exemptions, besides additional incentives for specific sectors such as food processing, textiles and information technology. “The Government of Punjab has launched Progressive Punjab Investment Campaign in 2013. It organized “The Progressive Punjab Investors Summit” on 9th & 10th December, 2013 at the Indian School of Business, Mohali, as part of this investment campaign. The Summit was a successful event in terms of the MOUs signed envisaging investments in the State in the coming years.” He said. The spokesman said that the focus areas of investment are Manufacturing (including Textiles and Engineering), Information Technology (including Electronic systems and IT-enabled services), Agro and Food Processing, Tourism, Health, Bio-sciences, Infrastructure and Skill development. He Said the main objective of the Government is to create jobs in all these Sectors. The Punjab Government has planned to hold the next Progressive Punjab Investment Summit in the month of October, 2015.
CAPTAIN HAS BEEN REJECTED BY THE PEOPLE TIME AND AGAIN- CM SLAMS FORMER CM FOR MISLEADING THE PEOPLE CAPTAIN DREAMING ABOUT DESERTION OF AKALI MLAs TO CONGRESS SEEKS CENTRE’S INTERVENTION FOR SOLVING ROW BETWEEN SUGAR CULTIVATORS AND MILL OWNERS TERMS PROTEST BY SIDHU AS UNWARRANTED AND UNDESIRABLE ALLIANCE WITH BJP STRONG AND EVERLASTING REFUTES ANY NEED FOR CENTRAL PROBE IN DINA NAGAR TERROR ATTACK PAYS TRIBUTE TO SHAHEED KARNAIL SINGH ISSRU ANNOUNCES TO PROVIDE 24-HOUR UNINTERRUPTED DOMESTIC POWER SUPPLY TO EVEN SINGLE HOUSEHOLD IN DERAS/DHANIS Issru (Ludhiana), August 15- Slamming the former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh for misleading the people, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that Captain has been rejected by the people time and again as his party has lost two elections under his leadership. Interacting with the media persons after paying tribute to Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru here today, the Chief Minister said that political class must observe decency but unfortunately Amarinder was completely lacking it. He said that the misleading and baseless statements of Captain hardly have any impact on the people. Mr. Badal said that Congress has lost two successive elections just because of wrong style of politics pursued by Captain Amarinder Singh. Taking strong exception on the misleading statement of Captain Amarinder Singh regarding possibility of some Akali MLAs shifting to Congress, the Chief Minister said that this statement was nothing more than a figment of imagination of the former Chief Minister. He quipped that Captain had been making such claims since long but no one from SAD had ever joined the Congress. “Captain is habitual of making such false claims so there is hardly any need to pay heed towards it” added Mr. Badal. Seeking the intervention of Government of India for resolving the issue between sugar growers and Mill owners, the Chief Minister said that state governments have limited resources at their disposal due to which centre's support was necessary in such issues. Mr. Badal said that he had asked his Principal Secretary to solve this issue and consequently he had held meetings with the farmers and Mill owners. “I am hopeful that the issue will be resolved soon by finding an amicable solution”, he added. Asked to comment on the protest by Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mrs. Navjot Kaur Sidhu, the Chief Minister said that it was unfortunate that she had chosen the sacred day of Independence for this motive. He said that Dr. Sidhu was like her daughter and he had already liberally allocated funds for the development of her constituency. But, Mr. Badal said that the step taken the Chief Secretary Parliamentary on this august occasion, when the entire country was paying tribute to its freedom fighters, was totally undesirable and unwarranted. On the statement of Dr Sidhu regarding ties of SAD-BJP alliance, the Chief Minister said that the alliance was everlasting and firm. He said that it was the leadership of BJP to decide about the statements of Dr Sidhu. “Our alliance with BJP is very strong as it has been cemented with mutual trust and confidence” added Mr. Badal. Clearly refuting the possibility of any central investigation in Dina Nagar terror attack, the Chief Minister categorically said that there was no need for it as the Punjab Police was fully capable of doing this work. He said that by successfully thwarting the attack Punjab Police had already proved its mettle. Mr. Badal said that even the valour and dedication of our Police force was duly recognized by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Mr. Rajnath Singh who patted Punjab Police for its bravery. Earlier addressing an impressive gathering during the state level function to mark the observance of martyrdom day of great revolutionary Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru, who laid down his life during the liberation of Goa from Portuguese regime here today at his native village, the Chief Minister said that the Punjabis inherited the spirit of sacrifice from the great Sikh Gurus who made supreme sacrifices against the tyranny, oppression and injustice. Mr. Badal said that this legacy of sacrifice perpetuated from one generation to other and was one of the major factors reflective of Punjab’s enormous contribution in the national freedom struggle. The Chief Minister said that it was on record that Punjabis despite having two percent of country’s total population had made huge sacrifices in terms of life imprisonment, capital punishment and even exile in captivity (Kalepaani). He said that several watershed movements associated with the Indian freedom struggle were spearheaded from Punjab by the valiant patriots and freedom fighters. Mr. Badal said that the enormous contribution of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Udham Singh, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Lala Rajpat Rai and several others would continue to inspire our younger generations to imbibe the spirit of patriotism amongst them. On the occasion, the Chief Minister announced to provide 24-hour uninterrupted domestic power supply to even single household in Deras/Dhanis of the state. He said that earlier atleast three or more households falling in Deras and Dhanis of the villages were covered under this scheme but now for the convenience of people every single household in deras/ dhanis would be supplied power supply on urban pattern by the state government. The Chief Minister also listed the revolutionary steps taken by state government in field of Education, Healthcare and preservation of cultural heritage. He also announced that Rs 1700 crore would be spent for strengthening road infra structure in rural areas. Likewise, Mr. Badal said that major steps have been taken by the state government to provide basic civic amenities in urban and rural areas of the state. Earlier, the Chief Minister paid tribute to Shaheed Karnail Singh Issru and felicitated his family members. Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Cabinet Minister Jathedar Tota Singh, Lok Sabha MP Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra, former Union Minister Mr. Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, former MLA Mr. Ranjit Singh Talwandi, Chairman Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board Jathedar Santa Singh Umedpuri and President BKU Mr Balbir Singh Rajewal. ------- BADAL URGES PM TO REVIEW UNENDING STORY OF DISCRIMINATION AND SHEER INJUSTICE METED OUT TO PUNJAB BY CENTRE SINCE INDEPENDENCE ENORMOUS CONTRIBUTION MADE BY PUNJABIS IN COUNTRY’S DEFENCE AND FOOD SECURITY NOT YET BEEN DULY RECOGNIZED ASKS MODI TO TAKE IMMEDIATE CALL ON CURRENT AGRARIAN CRISIS FOR FORMULATING PRO-FARMER POLICIES TO BOOST FARMERS’ MORALE PATS PUNJAB POLICE FOR COMBATING DINANAGAR TERROR ATTACK VALIANTLY PUNJABIS EVER SEEK INSPIRATION FROM SIKH GURUS FOR MAKING SUPREME SACRIFICES AVOWS TO MAKE PUNJAB FREE FROM DRUG ADDICTION, FEMALE FOETICIDE AND POLLUTION ANNOUNCES 24X7 POWER SUPPLY ON URBAN DOMESTIC PATTERN TO SINGLE HOUSE DHANIS EACH HOUSE IN ALL VILLAGES ACROSS THE STATE TO HAVE TOILETS UNDER 100% RURAL SANITATION PROGRAM RE-LAUNCHES ‘MAI BHAGO VIDYA SCHEME’ 1.52 LAKH CYCLES AT A COST OF RS.40 CRORE TO BE DISTRIBUTED AMONGST GIRL STUDENTS OF 11TH AND 12TH CLASS IN ALL GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS 38 EMINENT PERSONALITIES FROM DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE HONOURED WITH STATE AWARDS NANAK CHAND AND SATNAM SINGH BHAMRA AMONGST THE PROMINENT RECIPIENTS FOR THEIR RARE FEAT SAS Nagar (Mohali), August 15: Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today appealed the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi to review the unending saga of discrimination and sheer injustice meted out to Punjab by successive Governments at Centre after independence, despite its enormous contribution in the country’s freedom struggle, safeguarding its security & sovereignty and making it self-reliant in food production. Addressing the public gathering after unfurling the national tricolour during a state level function to commemorate the 69th Independence Day here at Government College, Mr. Badal lamented that the supreme sacrifices made by brave Punjabis in the pre and post independence era has not yet been duly recognized by these governments adding he said, “At the same time we are proud of the stellar role of our valiant soldiers to ensure the safety and security of our countrymen from the external as well as internal aggression besides the rare feat of the hard working farmers towards the food bowl of India.” Mr. Badal recalled how our state was deliberately deprived from justice on the legitimate territorial issues including the transfer of Chandigarh and Punjabi speaking areas to Punjab and sharing of river waters on the basis of universally accepted riparian principles. Apart from these, Mr. Badal also pointed out how the state’s industry was ruined gradually after granting liberal concessions and incentives to the industry in the neighborly states. He impressed upon the Government of India to bail out the distressed peasantry in this hour of crisis as it was now feeling totally dejected and thus called for tangible solution to end their woes immediately and make agriculture far more profitable and economically viable occupation to sustain their livelihood. He said, “What to talk of rewarding the hapless farmers for their hard work and sincerity in attaining national food security, rather the poor peasantry has been blatantly ignored by the Central Governments at helm of affairs one after another since independence and none bothered to secure their interests.” Seeking direct and personal intervention of the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister urged Mr. Modi to immediately take a call on these issues to end an era of despair and agony confronted by the beleaguered peasantry thereby formulating pro-farmer policies to boost their morale. Mr. Badal further said that Punjabis have played a vanguard role to free our country from the shackles of British imperialism. Over 80% of freedom fighters, patriots and martyrs who laid down their lives for their motherland belonged to Punjab despite the fact the Punjabis merely constituted just two and a half percent of country’s total population. Paying glorious tributes to the valiant Punjabis, Mr. Badal referred to the most unfortunate and unforgettable event of partition in 1947 during which nearly five lakh people lost their lives and over 1.5 crore migrated leaving behind their property and belongings. He said the Punjabis have inherited the spirit of sacrifice from the great Sikh Gurus - Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji and Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji who laid down their lives for the sake of religious freedom. Even the first Sikh Guru Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji preached the mankind not to bow before the tyrannical forces and openly raised a banner of revolt against the Mughal emperor Babar for unleashing repression. Lauding the efforts for keeping the traditions of bravery and patriotism alive, Mr. Badal said that the valiant Punjabis in general and especially the Punjab Police once again displayed their unparalleled courage and commitment during the call of their duty to foil the nefarious designs of inimical forces from the across the border during a recent terror attack at Dinanagar. On the solemn occasion, the Chief Minister exhorted the people to rededicate themselves to make Punjab an ideal state free from the social maladies like drug addiction, female foeticide and environmental pollution. Complimenting the valiant Punjabis across the state for maintaining peace and communal harmony despite its geographical boundaries in close proximity with Indo-Pak border on one side and Jammu & Kashmir on the other where, violent activities were the order of the day, the Chief Minister said that Punjab was the most peaceful state in the country where the peace loving people always strongly believed in the ethos of communal harmony, brotherhood, amity and national integration. To ensure un-interrupted 24X7 power supply in a single house Dhani (Cluster), Mr. Badal announced to provide such electricity connection to the people living in these far flung Dhanis across the state on the urban pattern domestic supply. Likewise, the Chief Minister also announced to provide toilet in each house of all the villages in the state to achieve the target of 100% rural sanitation. During the function, the Chief Minister re-launched the ‘Mai Bhago Vidya Scheme’ to distribute 1.52 lakh cycles amongst the girls studying in Class 11th and 12th of Government Schools at a cost of Rs.40 crore. Earlier, the Chief Minister, accompanied by DGP Mr. Sumedh Singh and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Tejinder Pal Singh Sidhu, inspected the parade led by Parade Commander DSP Mr. Rajpal Singh and took a salute during an impressive march past by the contingents of Punjab Armed Police, Punjab Police, Punjab Home Guards, NCC, Scouts and Guides besides the Punjab Armed Police band. A colorful variety program including Bhangra, Gidha and group dance presented by the students of various local schools regaled the audience. On the occasion, the Chief Minister honored the freedom fighters and next of their kin, in recognition with their superb contribution in the country’s freedom struggle, with a shawl. During the function, the Chief Minister also honored 38 eminent personalities from different walks of life for making outstanding contribution in different fields with a citation, medal and cash award. Amongst the prominent recipients who were honoured with state awards included Nanak Chand, the Punjab Roadways bus driver who saved the lives of several passengers by his exemplary courage and alertness during Dinanagar terror attack and Satnam Singh Bhamara- the son of the soil for making the state proud by becoming the first Indian basketball player to be drafted in USA’s prestigious NBA League with his sheer hard work and dedication. Likewise, Gurpreet Singh Gill, IPS, Harjinder Singh, PPS, Yashpal Rai, Sukhdeep Singh, Bhupinder Singh Sandhu, Sunil Kumar Jain, Navjit Kaur Dhillon, Gurwinder Singh, Simrat Kaur, Dr. Amarjit Singh, Shruti Shukla, Pavitar Kaur, Dr. Sandeep Bhola, Dr. Anju Singla, Dr. Rajinder Gulati, Dr. Asha Rani, Raman Lal alias Raman Mittal, Dr. Balwinder Singh, Er. Sanjeev Suri, Satish Kumar, Savita Kumari, Palwinder Singh, Amarjit Singh, Rajpal Singh Gandhi, Gurjeet Singh, Davinder Pal Singh, Rajmohan Singh Kaleka, Ravinder Singh Brar, Pawan Kumar, Sukhjinder Singh Ghuman, Sukhdev Singh, Gursimran Singh Sidhu, Dr. Neera Sharma, Ajay Sood and Satnam Singh Bhamra were also honoured with the state awards. Meanwhile, a representative of Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, Sukhjit Singh received the award on his behalf besides Sanjeev Singh Chauhan and Rajinder Singh Chauhan were jointly honoured on the occasion. British Deputy High Commissioner, Chandigarh Mr. David Lelliout was a special invitee on the state level Independence Day function. Apart from this, the Chief Minister also honored seven Police officers/officials with Community Policing Awards for rendering superb services. Prominent amongst other who were present on the occasion included Member Parliament Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra, Senior Akali Leader Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, Chief Secretary Mr. Sarvesh Kaushal, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister-cum-Divisional Commissioner Rupnagar Dr. S. Karuna Raju, Director, Information & Public Relations Mr. Rahul Tewari, Deputy Commissioner Mohali Mr. Tejinder Pal Singh Sidhu, IG Patiala Zone Mr. Paramjit Singh Gill, DIG Rupnagar Range Mr. RK Jaiswal, SSP Mohali Mr. Gurpreet Singh Bhullar and Additional Chief Administrator GMADA Mr. Sukhjit Pal Singh. The function was enthusiastically attended by the senior officers of district civil and police administration besides prominent personalities from different walks of the life. -------
Punjab not a den of drugs-Sukhbir Badal (Dope test conducted on 5000 youth by Indian Army at Bathinda-not a single case of addiction come to fore) (Captain backstabbed Punjab, Punjabis, Party, Patiala and Amritsar residents) (Some sitting Congress MLAs vying to join Shiromani Akali Dal) Bathinda, August 15: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today reiterating his resolve to take Punjab to new heights of development and prosperity even as he castigated the Punjab Congress for dubbing Punjabis as drug addicts as part of a defamation campaign against Punjab and Punjabis. Interacting with media persons after hoisting tricolour here on 69thIndependence Day, Mr Badal said the nefarious designs of the Congress had been exposed during an army recruitment rally in Bathinda recently. He said not even one youth out of the 5,500 who has attended the recruitment drive has tested positive for drugs during the mandatory dope test conducted on the spot. Mr Badal said even Union Defence Minister Mr. Manohar Parrikar had extended appreciation and lauded Punjab for providing strong, fit and brave Punjabi youth to the armed forces. The Deputy CM said the malafide intentions of the Congress had been exposed and now the party owed an apology to the Punjabis. On the issue of strengthening of borders Mr. Badal said he had written to Union Home Minister Mr. Rajnath Singh to deploy Border Security Forces on the pattern of Jammu and Kashmir. He also commended the Punjab Police for the courage and valour shown during the Dina Nagar operation and said the Punjab Police was fully ready to give a befitting reply to any anti-state and anti-national activities. When asked about any apprehension of terror strike, Mr. Badal said that there was no internal threat and that is why the centre was taking up the issue of strengthening of borders with Centre to avoid any infiltration or unfortunate incident. On the issue of Member Parliament from Amritsar Captain Amarinder Singh’s absence from Parliament and infighting in the Congress Party, Mr. Badal said Captain was trying to contest next assembly polls on his own. He said Amarinder was mulling over the prospect of creating his own political outfit for this purpose and he had given a threat to quit the party. He said in nutshell Captain was a betrayer, who backstabbed Punjab and Punjabis. He said that after Patiala, now Amarinder was backstabbing the people of Amritsar by crushing their aspirations. Answering a query regarding protest of Congress Party in Parliament, Mr. Badal said this act of congress had proved that they have throttled the democracy by sabotaging the session. On being asked about the protest started by CPS Mrs. Navjot Kaur Sidhu and issue of Bhagtanwala Dump in Amritsar raised by Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Inderbir Singh Bolaria, Mr. Badal categorically said that the SAD-BJP alliance was everlasting and it was an unflinching bond. He said that Mr. Bolaria was only raising the public issue of his own assembly constituency, which was right of every citizen and elected representative. Mr. Badal also said that some sitting MLAs of Congress Party were vying to join Shiromani Akali Dal and he would personally get them to join the party soon. When asked about the recent statement of Mr. Jagmeet Brar stating that he would contest the next polls against Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister said Mr. Brar was most welcome to do this. "However he must keep in mind that he will lose his security deposit". Talking about Punjab’s current development scene, Mr. Badal said the congress party was misleading the people by giving wrong information and facts. He said Punjab had witnessed massive and unprecedented development in the last 8 years and the days were not far when it would become country’s one of the most developed and prosperous state since 90 percent of work promised by SAD-BJP combine were on the advanced stage of completion. Mr. Badal also announced that Punjab Government was going to launch a massive recruitment drive in the state under which thousands of job avenues will be provided to unemployed youth. Fleet of New 40 PRTC Buses Flagged Off Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal accompanied by Chairman PRTC Mr. Avtar Singh Brar, Vice Chairman Mr. Winnerjit Singh Goldy, member Board of Directors Mr. Gurdev Singh Lally also flagged off a fleet of 40 new PRTC Buses from here. Mr. Badal said that PRTC is all set to get a big boost as they have got fleet of 157 buses till date. He said in coming days it will get another fleet of 50 HVAC buses out of which 12 would be Volvo buses. He also informed that the PRTC will also get a new fleet of 100 buses under kilometer scheme very soon. Mr. Badal said that the public transport sector has strengthened in the state and this process would remain continue. --------- Sukhbir Badal recalls sacrifices of Punjabis in freedom struggle (Hoists tricolour at Bathinda) Says entire Punjab to have 100 percent civic amenities in one and half year (Rs. 6000 crore under Rural Mission and Rs. 800 crore for construction and strengthening of distributaries) (Issue of Bathinda Shatabadi to be taken up with Railways Ministry soon) (Announces holiday in Bathinda schools on Monday and Rs. 2 lakh grant for participating schools) Bathinda, August 15: Recalling the maximum contribution of Punjabis in independence movement, the Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today gave a call to the people of Punjab to become active partner in ongoing unprecedented development of state besides wiping out the social menaces to make Punjab a complete progressive and prosper state. Addressing the mammoth gathering after unfurling the National Flag at the state level function to mark 69th Independence Day here at Multipurpose Sports Stadium, the Deputy Chief Minister recalled the maximum and supreme sacrifices made by Punjabis in the freedom struggle. He said that we all should tread the path shown by our martyrs and freedom fighters to turn their dreams into reality. Mr. Badal said that we were facing severe challenges and problems due to a border state but Punjabis always gave a befitting reply to anti-state or anti-national forces. Reiterating his commitment of unprecedented development in Punjab, Mr. Badal said that within one and half year the entire state will have a cover of 100 percent civic amenities. He said that after becoming Power surplus state, now the Punjab was marching towards to have country’s one of the finest road network as the work of 4/6 laning in entire state was on full swing. He said that the action plan to provide water supply, sewerage, sewerage treatment plants, concrete roads, street lights, renovation of ponds etc. has been finalized and the work on some projects has been started. Announcing that Rs. 6000 crore has been set aside to provide all basic amenities in the rural areas under rural mission, Mr. Badal said that they have sanctioned Rs. 800 crore for strengthening and construction of Khalaas’ (distributaries) in all the malwa region. He said that the sole motive of Punjab government was to make Punjab one of the best states in the country by providing all needful facilities to its citizen. Mr. Badal also made it clear that there was no shift or closure of Bathinda-New Delhi Shatabadi Express. He said that Union Food Processing Industries Minister Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal will take up this issue with authorities concerned of railway ministry soon. Announcing holiday on Monday in Bathinda schools, Mr. Badal also announced a grant of Rs. 2 lakh for schools participated in Independence Day function. He also gave away 150 bicycles to girls students of Government Senior Secondary School of Mall Road Bathinda while distributing 26 tricycles to physically challenged persons whereas 28 sewing machines to needy. He also honoured 125 eminent personalities of various fields besides two panchayats of district namely Dhan Singh Khanna and Fatta Balu for their exemplary work under Swachh Punjab Mission. Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Mr. Darshan Singh Kot Fatta, local MLA, Bibi Paramjit Kaur Gulshan, former MP, Mr. Jagdeep Singh Nakai, former MLA and senior officers of different departments. --------- MAJITHIA REITERATES PUNJAB GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT FOR MAINTAINING PEACE AND COMMUNAL HARMONY Ø PATS PUNJAB POLICE FOR THWARTING THE NEFARIOUS DESIGNS OF INIMICAL FORCES Ø UNFURLS NATIONAL FLAG AT INDEPENDENCE DAY FUNCTION AT AMRITSAR Ø DISTRIBUTES 200 CYCLE TO GIRL STUDENTS UNDER MAI BHAGO SCHEME Amritsar, August 15: Punjab Revenue & Public Relations Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia today reiterated the SAD-BJP government’s commitment to thwart the nefarious designs of inimical forces across the border to create communal tension in this border state thereby keeping intact the hard earned peace as well as maintaining communal harmony. Mr. Majithia was addressing an impressive gathering after unfurling the National flag on the occasion of 69th Independence Day function held here. Congratulating the people, Mr. Majithia said that this day gave us an opportunity to show that world’s largest and most successful democracy has potential to emerge as next economic power of the globe. Mr. Majithia pointed out that few days ago our hostile neighbor orchestrated a “fidayeen attack” in Dinanagar. The brave hearts of Punjab police led by SP Baljit Singh, who attained martyrdom during the action, deserve the pat for their professional and dedicated strategy adopted in combating and neutralizing the foreign terrorists who unleashed that attack with long term plan to hurt the economic growth and prosperity of our state. He said that Punjabis for centuries had been on the forefront to safeguard the frontiers of our country and to protect the unity and integrity of our motherland. “It is because of the sacrifice of the Punjabis that we are breathing in the free country. We must proud of the fact that despite being just 2 percent of population, 80% of freedom fighters who were martyred in 100 year long freedom struggle, were Punjabis. Whole nation is indebted to people of Punjab for its most significant role in the freedom struggle”, he added. Dedicating this historic occasion to those great souls who pioneered our country’s Independence movement, Mr. Majithia mentioned the role of all those different movements namely Gadar Lehar, Kuka Lehar, Gurdwara Sudhar Lehar, Babbar Akali Lehar, Pagri Sambhal Lehar and Quit India Movement, which gave momentum to our freedom struggle. He said that Punjab has the proud of being native land of great martyrs namely Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Madan Lal Dhingra, Lala Lajpat Rai and Udham Singh etc. who made supreme sacrifice to lay the foundation for independence of our motherland. He said that the last 8 years were witness of the fact that development program unleashed by SAD-BJP government under the leadership of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and vision of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal are unprecedented and were never witnessed in any state of the country. The development index of state has witnessed a steep growth despite anti-Punjab policies imposed by previous UPA government and financial constraints of the state. The participatory growth in which every citizen industrialists and traders, farmers has been made equal partner is a unique example of inclusive growth experimented by not any other state, he added. Describing Amritsar, a centre point of communal harmony and patriotism, Mr. Majithia underlined the need to enhance international trade between Middle East countries through Attari border besides strengthening the Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji International Airport as these initiatives have the potential to change the business priorities of the whole region. Mr. Majithia revealed that with operationalization of 164 computerized Farad Kendras covering 12958 out of total 13001 villages, now the people were getting farad copies in less than 15 minutes. Besides this, the Revenue department has took a path breaking initiative to bring transparency and information on land records on the finger tips of every individual around the globe by launching a most comprehensive 24x7 helpline(1800-1800-168). He said that our government has also started a unique e-stamping project to end people harassment and also make revenue transactions safe and secure. Mr. Majithia, who also have the charge of New & Renewable Ministry, revealed that in a short span of three years of time, Solar power generation has touched 514 MW from a meager 9 MW in Punjab and roof top projects of 65 MW generation capacity are also being installed in coming few months. Till now Rs 4000 Crores have been invested in state. The Punjab Government has also finalized two projects of 500 MW capacities; in which at one side, leading companies will be allotted projects of at least 50 MW and on the other side farmers will be given mini projects from 1 to 2.5 MW capacities, he added. Briefly outlining the unique governance reforms Mr. Majithia said that under the dynamic leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Punjab has become the first state, which had abolished affidavits. Besides this, as many as 2174 Sewa Kendras are being established in rural as well as urban areas at a cost of Rs. 450 crore to deliver 206 notified citizen centric services under single roof and single window system, he added. On this occasion, Mr. Majithia handed over 200 bi-cycles to girl students of the district under Mai Bhago Vidya scheme, in which 1,55,000 girl students are being given bi-cycles of worth Rs. 41 crore. Earlier, after inspecting the parade, Mr. Majithia took salute from an impressive march past led by parade commander ACP Dr. BK Singla. A colorful variety programme including choreographies of patriotic songs, PT show , martial art , bhangra & gidha was also presented by the large number of students. Prominent amongst those who were present on the occasion includes; Mr. Virsa Singh Valtoha, CPS, Mr. Veer Singh Lopoke, President District Planning Committee, Mr. Upkar Singh Sandhu, Chairman, PEDA, Mr. Gurvir Singh,District Sessions Judge, Mr. Ravi Bhagat, Deputy Commissioner and Mr. Jatinder Singh Aulakh, Commissioner Police.
- 7 TEHSILDARS AND 6 NAIB TEHSILDARS TRANSFERRED Chandigarh, August 11: The Punjab government today issued transfer/posting orders of seven Tehsildars and six Naib Tehsildars with immediate effect. According to an official spokesman, Lakhvinder Singh Tehsildars has been posted at Dasuya, Tarsem Singh at Zira, Kanwar Narinder Singh at Payal, Sukhpinder Kaur at Dera Bassi, Ramesh Kumar at Dharamkot, Amarjit Singh at Patti and Harphool Singh Gill at Vigilance Bureau, Punjab, Chandigarh. Besides this, in Patiala Division, Maninder Singh Sidhu has been posted as Naib tehsildar Recovery, Garhshankar with additional charge of Rajpura and Gurmit Singh Michra as Naib Tehsildar Banjartod, Patiala. Similarly in, Jalandhar Division, Swapandeep Kaur Naib Tehsildar has been posted at Bhogpur, Rajinder Singh at Harike, Manohar Lal at Dasuya and Satwinderjit Singh Dhatt at Goindwal Sahib with additional charge of Chohla Sahib. The spokesman further said that Gurpreet Singh Gill, Naib Tehsildar, Jalandhar-2 has been given additional charge as Nodal Officer, Call Centre, o/o Director, Land Records,Kapurthala road, Jalandhar. - HEALTH DEPARTMENT HOLDS FUNCTION TO GIVE AWAY APPOINTMENT LETTERS TO 167 REGULAR MBBS DOCTORS. S.A.S. Nagar/Chandigarh, 11th August : Department of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab held a function to hand over appointment letters to 167 new regular MBBS doctors selected by Public Public Service Commission (PPSC). The event took place in State Institute of Health & Family Welfare, Phase VI, SAS Nagar. Sh. Surjeet Kumar Jyani, Health and Family Welfare Minister Punjab inaugurated the ceremony and handed over the appointment letters to the medical officers along with Ms. Vini Mahajan, Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Punjab. Sh. Surjeet Kumar Jyani while addressing these newly appointed doctors, exhorted them to serve the community with compassion and dedication with the aim of keeping the the people of Punjab healthy and fit. He encouraged the newly appointed doctors to serve the people in a selfless manner as they have been entrusted with the most important duty of the mankind. He emphasized that a positive behaviour of the doctors towards their patients can help a lot in treating them fast. He reiterated that the Punjab government is committed towards the better health of its people. During the event Ms. Vini Mahajan shared the various initiatives taken by the Government to further improve the health facilities in last some years. Growth and improvement can be witnessed in many areas of Govt health sector which includes better buildings of hospitals, free medicines and large number of recruitment. All this would further facilitate the new doctors to a great extent during the process of serving the people. She added that the Government is committed to provide better health care facilities for the people and a special emphasis is being laid upon grass-root level health services. Ms. Mahajan stated that even in the recent past, mass level recruitment have been made by the department to fill the requisite number of posts of doctors and para-medical staff as per the requirement in different govt. hospitals of the state. -
· PILOT PROJECT ALREADY LAUNCHED IN 2 BLOCKS OF DISTRICT SBS NAGAR. · BASED ON RESULTS, PROJECT WILL FURTHER BE LAUNCHED ALL OVER PUNJAB Chandigarh, 11th August: The ambitious Universal Health Coverage (UHC) project that has been launched by Government of Punjab in two blocks Mukandpur and Balachaur of District SBS Nagar (Nawanshahr) on pilot basis has the potential to revolutionize the health care delivery system in the state. Based on the results of UHC Pilot, the project will further be launched in all over Punjab. This was stated here today by Ms. Vini Mahajan, Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Punjab. As part of the UHC project, health workers are conducting the mass screening for diseases like Hypertension, Diabetes, Asthma, Nutrition, Anaemia, Substance Abuse, Cancer (Breast, Cervical, Oral) of each and every member of household for the early detection in these two selected blocks of Punjab. Ms Mahajan informed that Universal Health Coverage is an effort to ensure that people must get the health services they need, without suffering financial hardship. To fulfill this effort, a very strong, efficient, well-run health system, well-trained and motivated health workers along with essential medicines and technologies are required. She added that all health workers in the concerned blocks have been trained and equipped with diagnostics devices for this process. Talking about the progress under the project that was rolled-out on pilot basis in February 2015, she said that at present health workers have completed mass screening in 8000 households out of 20,000 in block Mukandpur and 1000 households out of 25,000 in block Balachaur. By June 2016, whole district mass screening will be completed. Government of Punjab in collaboration with Reliance-Jio Infocomm Ltd., Mumbai has designed an IT application for the medical and paramedical staff. “The application has been customized to fulfill the requirements under Universal Health Coverage and is based on Aadhaar database. Each ANM has been equipped with software loaded Tablet and health facility staffs have been provided desktops and laptops for record keeping of patients. A ‘Family Health Card’ has been designed in collaboration with PGIMER Chandigarh for the identification of families which will be provided to each family to capture the detail of every member of household on the basis of basic health parameters and family’s medical history. The treatment of the identified patients is provided free or either at affordable cost at the nearby Primary Health Center”. Ms Vini Mahajan informed that to take stock of the progress of the scheme at ground zero, she herself accompanied by Dr. Rajesh Kumar, HoD School of Public Health, PGIMER Chandigarh and other senior officers reviewed the ongoing activities and progress under the project and all of them recently visited District SBS Nagar. At the Primary Health Centre ‘Aur’ falling under block Mukandpur she met medical, paramedical staff and patients to take feedback regarding the availability of medicines and patient load. At village Nangal Jattan, she observed health workers performing mass screening of the population. She also visited few households and met the families to obtain feedback about the screening and medicines availability. - STATE TO FOCUS ON IMPROVEMENT OF PRODUCTIVITY OF AGRICULTURE AND ALLIED SECTORS
· PUNJAB AGRICULTURE UNIVERSITY AND GADVASU TO GIVE BIG THRUST TO RESEARCH BASED PROJECTS TO IMPROVE FARM PRODUCTIVITY · AGRICULTURE AND ALLIED PROJECTS PROPOSALS WORTH RS. 353 CONSIDERED UNDER RASHTRYA KRISHI VIKAS YOJANA (RKVY) CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 11 To give a big thrust to improve the farm productivity in the State, the State has given its clear mandate to Punjab Agriculture University, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) and other premier educational institute to focus on research based projects. This was discussed in StateLevel Sanctioning Committee meeting of Rashtrya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) chaired by Mr. Sarvesh Kaushal, Chief Secretary, Punjab. The main objectives of this scheme are to incentivize the State so as to increase the public investment in agriculture and allied sectors; to provide flexibility and autonomies to the States in the process of planning and executing agriculture and allied sector scheme. The main components of the scheme include production growth and Infrastructure assets developments. During the review meeting, agriculture and allied sector projects worth Rs. 353 crore related to agriculture and allied sector were discussed in detail. It was informed that for the financial year 2014-15, Rs. 284.35 crore has already been released to the nodal departments and implementing agencies for the implementation of approved projects under RKVY and its sub-schemes. The physical progress of the projects was reviewed in detail by the Chief Secretary. Chief Secretary instructed officials of Agriculture department to immediately send utilization certificates of previous years to Government of India to avoid any hindrance to the funds meant for next financial year. The project proposal namely “establishment of infrastructural facilities in new College of Veterinary Sciences at Rampura Phull Bathinda” was approved with revised outlay of Rs. 92.14 crore. Chief Secretary stressed that the ongoing schemes should be given preference under this scheme so that the projects of the previous years may be completed on time. While discussing the projects of Agriculture Department, Chief Secretary emphasized to provide quality seeds to the farmers. For this purpose seeds already certified by the seed certification authorities of the state will again be tested by Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana to the tune of 1% of the sample already tested. He also stressed on targeted research for the minor crops namely pulses and oilseeds to replace the area from paddy crop to these minor crops. Vice Chancellor, Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana was asked to submit a proposal for providing scholarship to PhD Students pursuing this targeted research on oilseed and pulses. Department of Agriculture was asked to release the funds to the Agriculture and other Universities on priority. The Department of Agriculture was asked to include projects focusing on organic farming under this scheme so that organic farming can be given big thrust in the State. The key projects of Agriculture department which were considered included project for improving wheat crop productivity, efficient distribution of fertilizers in the State, efficient use of irrigation water, efficient utilization of nitrogenous fertilizers, technology to check straw burning etc. Chief Secretary stressed that State must improve the usage of bio fertilizers among the farmers to prevent any long term health hazards to the people. Projects worth Rs. 19.23 crore were also approved for Punjab Agriculture University by the Committee. The key projects included development of modern seed storage facilities, mechanization of sugar harvesting, breeding for high performance hybrids of maize, establishment of tissue culture unit etc. Chief Secretary assured VC, PAU that funds for these projects shall be provided on priority and PAU should effectively utilize the funds for improvement of overall Agriculture and allied sectors of the State. Further the projects worth Rs. 8.27 crore were considered for GADVASU for various projects focusing on milk production, improvement in reproductive performance, novel preservation methods for eggs and meat,nutiritional strategies for livestock etc. In the end Chief Secretary asked the Department of Agriculture to immediately prioritize the projects considered during the meeting and send the updated proposal to Government of India so that funds can be received on time. The officers present in the meeting included Mr. G Vajralingam, Financial Commissioner Development, Mr. S K Sandhu, Financial Commissioner Cooperation, Mr. Viswajit Khanna, Financial Commissioner Forests, Mr. K S Pannu, Secretary Irrigation, Mr. Atul Patne, Director National Horticulture Mission, Govt of India, Mr. B S Dhillon, VC PAU and other officials from the concerned departments. ------- CASE REGISTERED AFTER INTERVENTION OF PUNJAB SCHEDULED CASTES COMMISSION
· RAJINDER SINGH OF JALALABAD BOOKED FOR FRAUDULENT SALE OF HARIJAN SOCIETY LAND Chandigarh, August 11: The Chairman of Punjab Scheduled Castes Commission Mr. Rajesh Bagha today said that a case has been registered against Rajinder Pal Singh S/o Kartar Singh, R/o Jalalabad for the fraudulent sale of the land belonging to ‘The Ferozepore Schedule Caste Co-operative Society Limited, Ferozepore’, at Village Marar Kalan Mandi Bariwalaa near railway crossing in Sri Muktsar Sahib. Mr. Bagha said that a person Ashok Mahindra R/o Sri Muktsar Sahib, had lodged a complaint with the commission alleging that a land measuring 52 kanals 18 marlas -3 kanal 18 marla totaling 49 Kanal is under the ownership of ‘The Ferozepore Schedule Caste Co-operative Society Limited, Ferozepore’ at Village Marar Kalan Mandi Bariwalaa, near railway crossing, Tehsil and District Sri Muktsar Sahib. The said that was being cultivated by Raj Rani and her husband Kartar Singh members of Harijan Society. Both are now deceased. But the land was now being sold by their son Rajinder Pal Singh through Agreement and Saledeed. He has until now sold 25-30 acres of land. Mr. Bagha further said that a case was recommended to be registered against Rajinder Pal Singh after conducting a thorough enquiry. A case was subsequently registered against RajinderPal Singh u/s 420/465/467/468/471/120 B and further inquiry is under process. - AHUJA APPOINTED AS ADDITIONAL DISTRICT & SESSIONS JUDGE CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 11: On the recommendation of Hon'ble Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Punjab Government has absorbed/appointed Sh. Roshan Lal Ahuja S/o Sh. Sohan Lal Ahuja in the regular cadre of Additional District & Sessions Judges against the vacancy of direct quota. A notification regarding this has been issued by the department of home affairs and justice (Judicial-1 Branch). A Spokesman said that under Rule 7(3) (c) of Punjab Superior Judicial Services Rules 2007, Sh. Ahuja has been appointed with immediate effect. - PUNJAB NOMINATES PROGRESSIVE FARMERS/INVITEES ON TASK FORCE ON AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT Chandigarh Aug 11:The Punjab government has nominated Progressive Farmers/Invitees from Agriculture, Horticulture and livestock sector on the Task Force on Agriculture Development for recommending the strategies to re-invigorate and reform agriculture with innovations and technology diffusion. Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that Sh. Kuldeep Singh Brar (Faridkot), Sh. Kulwant Singh, (Hoshiarpur), Sh. Vikram Ahuja( Fazilka) ,Sh. Sandeep Randhawa( Batala ), Sh.P.K.Uppal Advisor Animal Husbandary, fisheries and Dairy Development, Sh. Chander Mohan chairman Gian Jyoti Member School of TQM and Entrepreneurship Mohali 7, and Sh. Swarn Singh Retired GM WIMCO are nominated as members of task force on agriculture development. - Punjab to upgrade the PUNSEED processing plants- TOTA SINGH · the seed testing laboratory at Faridkot TO start SOON · seed producing farmers TO be provided Pre-cleaner machines at subsidized rates
Chandigarh August 11: The government of Punjab will upgrade the PUNSEED processing plants so as to produce three lac quintal seed as against the present capacity of 1-1.5 lac quintal and the Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana ( pau ) and Agriculture Department will ensure adequate and timely supply of wheat seeds to farmers during the Rabi season 2015-16. Issuing directions for the same, Jathedar Tota Singh Agriculture Minister Punjab informed that PAU will submit a detailed report regarding the rates of the seeds and the arrangements done for its distribution by government seed agencies like PUNSEED, IFFCO, KRIBHCO, National Seed Corporation (NSC) and PAU the Rabi season. Besides, PAU will print adequate literature in the form of pamphlets, leaflets etc to highlight the best practices in wheat cultivation including usage of drill machines, the most productive qualities of seed, prevention of deceases etc. Extension Services Wing of PAU will educate the farmers about the timely schedule of sowing wheat during the coming Rabi season on one hand and would make them aware of the latest farm practices to enhance the yield both qualitatively and quantitatively. He said that Agriculture department will encourage the farmers to grow quality seed of high yield varieties and identify few villages to be named as ‘seed villages’ in the state. The farmers desirous of sowing seeds would be given proper training and technical know-how to produce the best quality seed in the state. Minister said that a total of 35 lakh hectares area would be sown during ensuing rabi season 2015-16 and thus 35 lakh quintal Quality Wheat seed was required. He said that the State Agriculture Department and PAU will be fully geared up and the farmers of the state would be provided with requisite quantity of quality wheat seed well in advance before the onset of Rabi season. He said that the varieties like HD-3086, HD-2967 and WH-1105 was best suited for Punjab and Haryana conditions. The seed of these varieties will be procured for the farmers of the state. He said that air conditioned storage facilities for preserving the germplasm, nucleus, seed and breeder seed to ensure high quality multiplication of seeds would be constructed at PAU. Moreover the seed producing farmers will be provided Pre-cleaner machines at subsidized rates to clean the wheat. Minister also stressed on the need to propagate Zero tillage and incorporation of crop residue in the field to maintain the quality of grains and added that there was need to maintain varietal diversity so as to avoid any epidemics of insect/pest/disease or loss due to inclement weather. He said that the seeds producing farmers will be registered by PUNSEED and they would be given Rs.400/- per quintal premium over and above the rate of wheat fixed by the government. This would be done under the supervision of Seed Certification authority of Agriculture department. He added that very soon the seed testing laboratory at Faridkot would be started and directions have been issued for the same. - PUNJAB PLANS SPECIAL REVIEW OF CLASS-5 AND 8 STUDENTS LEARNING OUTCOME REVIEW TO IDENTIFY STUDENTS REQUIRING SPECIAL ATTENTION: CHEEMA · REVIEW TO ALSO IDENTIFY STRENGTHS OF EACH STUDENT · ORDERS REVIEW OF RESULTS OF ALL TEACHERS WITHIN ONE MONTH · ACR OF TEACHERS AS PER THEIR PERFORMANCE SAS NAGAR (MOHALI)/CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 10: The Punjab Government has decided to conduct special review of class-5 and class-8 students to identify strengths and weaknesses of each student so as to guide him on future career path according to his strength. Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Education Minister, Punjab, while chairing the meeting of the department felt that initial career review of each student was imperative and asked SCERT to work out a programme to review each student so that academically weaker students could be provided specialised attention and coaching. Focussing on scientific review, the Education Minister said that all famous educationists should be involved in this exercise in this review process so that a comprehensive learning outcome review of each student could be conducted in an objective manner. Underlining the need for retraining the teachers who have been consistently showing poor results, Dr. Cheema asked Education Secretary to issue instructions to all teachers in the state to upload their results of last 5 years on the portal of education department within 1 month. He said that he would personally evaluate the result of each teacher and those teachers providing poor results consistently would be sent on specialised training course to improve their teaching skills. He said that ACR of each teacher would be as per his performance in the results. Prominent among others who were present in the function included Mr. C. Roul, Principal Secretary, Mr. Pardeep Aggarwal, DGSE, Mr. Gurdeep Singh, Special Secretary, Mr. Balbir Singh Dhol, DPI (Secondary Education), Mr. Harbans Singh Sandhu, DPI (Elementary Education), Mr. Sukhdev Singh Kahlon, Director, SCERT, Dr. Ginni Duggal, Deputy Director and Ms Amrita Gill, Director (Academic), PSEB --------------
Sukhbir Badal calls on union minister Piyush Goyal-Gets approval for Rs.800 crore for Punjab under DDUGJY
(GoI gives nod to release full capacity coal linkage to Thermal Plants) (Assures to make Punjab’s coal mine at Jharkhand very soon operational) (Also agrees to enhance coal supply from 01 million tonnes to 1.5 million tonnes) New Delhi/Chandigarh, August 10: Union Minister of Power, Coal and Renewal Energy Mr. Piyush Goyal today gave his nod to release Rs. 800 crore for Punjab under Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) with a view to modernize and upgrade rural power sector besides assuring Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal to examine sale of surplus power from Punjab in coming months. This decision was taken by Mr. Goyal when Mr. Badal on Monday called on him here and urged to resolve the pending power issues of state power utilities. The Union Minister said that the proposal under DDUGJY submitted by Punjab was considered and Rs. 800 crore would be released under this very soon. He said Punjab, which was already a forerunner on power production front in the country, would get another boost after getting the project under DDUGJY to modernize and upgrade its transmission and distribution power system in rural areas. He said this project would witness complete separation of agriculture and non-agriculture feeders facilitating judicious power supply to agri and non-agri consumers in rural areas with improvement in hours of power supply. On the request of Mr. Badal regarding sale of surplus power from Punjab, the Union Minister said that center would examine this proposal very soon. The Minister asked the state Powercom to submit a detailed proposal in this regard so that the possible modalities could be looked into. The Union Minister also gave his nod to provide full capacity coal linkage and supply to Punjab thermal plants as per the agreement in future and there would be no shortage in this regard. Mr. Goyal also assured Mr. Badal that the clearance to Pachwara coal mine allotted to Punjab in Jharkhand would also be given in the coming days. He has issued directions to the authorities concerned to make this site operational as soon as possible. Deputy Chief Minister also highlighted the issue of coal quality besides initiating the sampling and coal analysis at loading end. The Union Minister after hearing this issue assured Mr. Badal to introduce third party sampling and analysis before loading of coal to maintain the quality of coal. Mr. Goyal has also agreed to enhance supply of 1.00 million tonne coal of Central Coalfields Ltd to 1.50 million tonnes. Mr. Badal also thanked Mr. Goyal for fulfilling the major power demands of Punjab, which will further give a big push to power reforms in the state. Among other present in the meeting included Secretary power Anurag Aggarwal, Additional Resident Commissioner Rahul Bhandari, CMD Powercom K.D. Chaudhary and Additional Principal Secretary to Deputy CM Rahul Tiwari. EOM - STATE TO TAKE UP DELIVERY OF 59 CITIZEN SERVICES ONLINE Chandigarh: August 10, 2015 State of Punjab is at advanced stage to start the delivery of 59 citizen services online on Punjab State portal. All the preparatory activities like issuance of Government Orders by the concerned Departments, hardware, connectivity, software issues were discussed in detail during review meeting of Punjab State Service Delivery Gateway (SSDG) project under the chairmanship of Mr. Sarvesh Kaushal. Chief Secretary instructed the administrative secretaries of the concerned departments to resolve the issues in next 3 days so that the online delivery of all services can be started. During the review meeting, officials from Department of Governance Reforms made a detailed presentation on the current status of launch of online delivery of 59 citizen services. Chief Secretary was apprised that 20 services including SC/OBC caste certificate, pensions related to old age, disabled persons, widow, destitute women, Birth/Death certificate related services, disability certificate are already operational and citizen can visit Punjab State Portalwww.punjab.gov.in to apply for the services online. For the services related to Department of Welfare, it was decided that all the services of Welfare department including Shagun Scheme, Term loans, Post Matric scholarship should be made available on Punjab State portal for the citizens to apply online. The backend of the State portal shall be connected with the software application of the concerned department to provide end to end online citizen service delivery. Department of Governance Reforms was asked to integrate the State portal with application developed by NIC Punjab unit. For the services related to Department of Home like Registration of marriage under Punjab Compulsory Registration of Marriage act, Registration of marriage under Special Marriage act, the Department of Home was asked to release the Government Orders in next 7 days so that the services can be launched by25.8.2015. The issues related to remaining services including delivery of hardware, connectivity, training, user acceptance testing, and software development were discussed in detail. The concerned departments were asked to immediately provide the business requirement for development and testing of the software application. The System Integrator of the project M/s HP was asked to complete the activities including software in next 1 months so that all the 59 services are available to the citizens to apply online. Further to provide services of Birth/Death certificate in a hassle free and time bound manner , the detailed review of data digitization of historic records was also done. It was informed that out of 69, 00000 historic records related to Birth/Death certificates, 35,00000 records have already been scanned. Principal Secretary, Health was asked to complete the proof reading of the records in next 2 months so that all the historic records can be verified online. The System Integrator of the project, M/s HP was also asked to complete the scanning and data digitization of the remaining records in next 2 months. Once the data digitization is completed, citizens shall be able to get Birth/Death certificates across the counter from the suwidha centers. The officers who attended the meeting included Mr. Jagpal Singh Sandhu, Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Mrs. Vini Mahajan, Principal Secretary, Health, Mr. Rakesh Verma, Secretary Governance Reforms, Mr J Balamurgan, Secretary Local Government, Mr. Vikas Pratap Singh, Secretary Personnel and other senior officials of Department of Governance Reforms. - · MOU SIGNED BETWEEN PRTC AND INDIAN OIL CORPORATION CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 10: In a step that could be termed as financially beneficial to the P.R.T.C., the Indian Oil Corporation has given exemption of .25 paisa per litre to P.R.T.C. Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Transport Department said that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed in this regard. The spokesman further said that Mr. R.S.Nanda, Prem Kumar, Mr. P.K. Dass & Mr. Harvinder Singh Kainth of Indian Oil Corporation and M.D. Mr. Manjit Singh Narang, Mr. R.K. Behal & Mr. Mohan Singh of PRTC have signed the MoU. He further said that MOU has been signed for three years and PRTC would save Rs.2.10 crore during the next three years. The spokesman further said that due to signing of this MoU, the P.R.T.C could save Rs.19000 per day, Rs.6 lac per month and Rs.70 lac annually. It is mentioned here that PRTC is purchasing diesel from Indian Oil Corporation. PRTC Buses are covering 2.5 lac kilometre area with the consumption of 75 thousand litre diesel daily. - ----- PUNJAB TO REPAY OUTSTANDING BALANCE OF 6.20% PSDL 2015 ON AUG 25 - NO INTEREST TO PAY AFTER AUG 25 CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 10: The outstanding balance of 6.20% Punjab State Development Loan (PSDL) 2015 issued in terms of the Government of Punjab, Finance Department Notification No.7/1/2003-2FBII/6940 dated August 20, 2003, will be repaid at par on August 25, 2015 with interest due up to and including August 24, 2015. No interest will accrue on the loan from and after August 25, 2015. A spokesman of Finance Department said in a Press Communiqué that as per sub-regulation 24(2) and 24(3) of Government Securities Regulations, 2007 payment of maturity proceeds to the registered holder of Government Security held in the form of Subsidiary General Ledger or Constituent Subsidiary General Ledger account or Stock Certificate shall be made by a pay order incorporating the relevant particulars of his bank account or by credit to the account of the holder in any bank having facility of receipt of funds through electronic means. For the purpose of making payment in respect of the securities, the original subscriber or the subsequent holders of such a Government Securities, as the case may be, shall submit to the Bank or Treasury and Sub Treasury or branch of State Bank of India, or its subsidiary banks where they are enfaced/registered for payment of interest, as the case may be, the relevant particulars of their bank account. He further said that it should be particularly noted that at places where the treasury work is done by a branch of the State Bank of India or any of its associate banks, the securities, if they are in the form of Stock Certificates, should be tendered at the branch of the bank concerned and not at the Treasury or Sub-Treasury. Spokesman said that the holders who wish to receive payment at places other than those where the securities have been enfaced for payment should send them duly discharged to the Public Debt Office concerned by Registered and Insured Post. He said that the Public Debt Office will make payment by issuing a draft payable at any Treasury/Sub-Treasury or branch of State Bank of India or its associate banks conducting Government Treasury work in the State of Punjab. - PUNJAB LAUNCHES SPECIAL DRIVE TO UNITE MISSING CHILDREN WITH THE FAMILIES---JAYANI Ø DISTRICT CHILD PROTECTION UNITS SET UP IN 18 DISTRICTS Ø 90 MISSING CHILDREN SUCCESSFULLY SENT TO THEIR BIOLOGICAL PARENTS Chandigarh August 10: The Punjab government has launched a special campaign to unite missing children with their respective families. Disclosing this here today Social Security Minister Mr. Surjit Kumar Jayani said that the Punjab Government has decided to upgrade district Child Protection Units to provide quality care to the children being kept under protection. As many as 18 child protection units have been set up in 18 districts under Integrated Child Protection Scheme. He said that remaining four districts i.e. Tarantaran, Fazilka, Pathankot and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar were also in the process of setting up such units. He further said that till date 90 missing children in the state have been successfully sent to their biological parents. Approximately 140 children have been kept in government managed homes and other recognized child care units. The Minister said that these children have been kept under constant supervision and were being provided safe and secure environment ensuring all round physical and emotional growth. The government has also been providing special attention to the children who are confined to the homes under Juvenile Justice Act 2000 and National Pan of Action. The government was also providing all the necessary assistance to rehabilitate such children, said Mr. Jayani. Referring to the proper implementation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, the Minister said that special initiatives have been taken to help the abandoned children under this Act. In order to save the girl child and to encourage parents to accept the girl’s birth, District Child Protection Unit Patiala has been a pioneer to take the initiative to give ‘Badhai Patras’ duly signed by the deputy commissioner to all the parents who gave birth to girl child in government hospitals. The Minister also said that this initiative has been followed by district Muktasar where besides this a Crisis Centre for victims under POSCO Act has been set up. The Non Government Organizations (NGOs) were being roped in to work jointly with the state government to identify abandoned children and also provide required protection under protection of Children from Sexual Offence (POSCO). Emphasizing on the need of covering slum dwellers under various child welfare schemes, the Minister said that the Punjab government was conducting surveys for special children living in slums so that they could also be provided with available facilities. Bathinda took the lead in helping children to make their Adhaar cards of about 476 children. - THREE MEDICAL OFFICERS PROMOTED AS DEPUTY DIRECTORS FOUR SENIOR MEDICAL OFFICERS TRANSFERRED Chandigarh August 10: The Punjab government has promoted three Medical officers as Deputy Directors in the health department with immediate effect. Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the government said that Dr. Purshotam Goyal, Dr. Vinod Kumar and Dr. Vimla Aggarwal have been promoted as Deputy Directors. They would be on one years’ probation, he said. Meanwhile, as per another order, four Senior Medical Officers, Dr. Devinder Kumar, Dr. Ramesh Kumari, Dr. Harish Malhotra and Dr. Sushil Dogra have been posted as Zonal Malaria Officer Jallandhar, ACS Kapurthala, ACS Patiala,and SMO Bungal Badhani and Senior Consultant in District Hospital Pathankot respectively against vacant posts. - NO RESERVATIONS AT PUNJAB BHAWAN, NEW DELHI FROM 14THTO 16TH AUGUST PEST CONTROL EXERCISE TO BE UNDERTAKEN Chandigarh, August 10: The Punjab Government has issued a communiqué to all the Heads of the Departments and Divisional Commissioners that no reservation would be made in ‘A’ and ‘B’ blocks of the Punjab Bhawan, New Delhi from 14th August (Afternoon) till 16th August (Forenoon) in view of the pest control exercise. - CM SLAMS CAPTAIN FROM ‘STOOPING TOO LOW’ FOR THE SAKE OF CHEAP PUBLICITY ASKS AMARINDER TO REFRAIN FROM MISLEADING THE PEOPLE THROUGH HIS IRRATIONAL AND BASELESS STATEMENTS TERMS THAT CAPTAIN ‘LACKS SUBSTANCE’ AND WAS HABITUAL OF ISSUING FALSE STATEMENTS LAW WOULD TAKE ITS OWN COURSE IN CASE AGAINST AIDES OF STATE BJP CHIEF PUNJAB ONLY STATE TO HOLD SANGAT DARSHAN AS MOST OF THE OTHER CMS PREFER TO ENJOY LIFE IN THEIR COZY OFFICES AND HOUSES EXHORTS PEOPLE TO NOT GET SWAYED AWAY BY THE HOLLOW SLOGANS OF NEW POLITICAL PARTIES SANGAT DARSHAN IN BABA BAKALA ASSEMBLY SEGMENT Raiyya (Amritsar), August 8- Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today asked the former Chief Minister and Congress leader Captain Amarinder Singh to desist from ‘stooping too low’ just for the sake of cheap publicity. Interacting with the media persons here on the sidelines of Sangat Darshan program in Baba Bakala assembly segment, the Chief Minister, while asking Lok Sabha MP to refrain from misleading the people through his irrational and baseless statements, said that Amarinder ‘lacks substance’ and was habitual of issuing false statements just to score brownie points before the media. Refuting all the allegations leveled by former Chief Minister regarding misuse of power, he said that Amarinder had been leveling such allegations since long but not even his single charge has proved correct despite of his all efforts. However, Mr. Badal said that former Chief Minister has not learnt any lesson from the past and was trying to befool the people by relentlessly issuing irrelevant statements. The Chief Minister said that the political leaders must refrain from malicious campaign against each other just for the sake of their vested political interests. Mr. Badal said that throughout his political career spanning over more than six decades he had been a votary of morality in politics. “I avoid mudslinging against even my bitter political foes as it is against my ethics” he added. Asked to comment on the allegations of drug trade against aides of state BJP Chief Mr. Kamal Sharma, the Chief Minister said that law would take its own course in this case. He said that enquiry was going on in this matter and it was not correct to make any comment on this issue at this stage. Earlier addressing the gatherings during Sangat Darshan in village Jullupur Kheda, Pheruman, Umranangal and Beas besides Raiyya city, the Chief Minister slammed the former Congress Chief Ministers for completing ignoring the interest of the state and its people. Mr. Badal said that while he was moving from village to village for solving the problems faced by people his predecessor Captain Amarinder Singh didn’t bothered to meet the people during his stint as Chief Minister from 2002-2007. He categorically said that Amarinder had never bothered to visit the villages in the state or interact with the people. On the other hand, the Chief Minister said that the SAD-BJP government has started a flagship program of Sangat Darshan to redress the grievances of the people in a time bound manner. Mr. Badal it was a unique program that was being carried only in the state with the sole motive of ensuring overall development of the state and welfare of its people. He said that most of the other Chief Ministers in the country prefer to enjoy life in their cozy offices and houses rather than carrying such pro-people initiative aimed at the welfare of the masses. “One CM had tried to replicate it by holding ‘Janta Durbar’ but preferred to quit by terming it as an onerous task”, quipped Mr. Badal. Exhorting the people to not get swayed away by the hollow slogans of fledging political parties, the Chief Minister said that such parties just mislead the people by showing them green pastures. He said that it was a well known fact that whenever people had given these parties any chance they have failed miserably. Mr. Badal said that anyone could entertain the people by catchy slogans but only the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) was committed to serve the people and safeguard the interests of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiat. The Chief Minister was accompanied by MLA Mr. Manjeet Singh Mianwind, his Special Principal Secretary Mr. Ajoy Kumar Sharma, Deputy Inspector General of Police Kunwar Vijay Partap, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Ravi Bhagat and Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Jasdeep Singh. ----------- Kerala and Tamil Nadu investors keen to invest in agro processing and IT (Sukhbir Badal discloses Invest Punjab has cleared 210 projects with an investment of Rs 1500 crore) Thiruvanathapuram/Chandigarh, August 8 – Punjab is all set to attract investment in agro processing, information technology and Ayurveda besides other sectors with owners and CEOs of top companies of Kerala and Tamil Nadu evincing interest in setting up shop in the State after meeting Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal here today. Besides one to one meetings with top industrialists, Mr Sukhbir Badal also addressed a meeting of the CII Southern Regional Council. During an interaction with the Deputy chief minister, Blue Star Executive Director B Thyagarajan suggested CII could partner with Punjab through the Centre for Agriculture Excellence to provide marketing knowledge to farmers. "We are keen to build forward and backward linkages to ensure farmers can market their produce profitably", he said. Mr Thyagarajan said his company was also keen to invest in the green park coming up at Ludhiana. IBS Software Executive Chairman V K Marhews said his company was looking for avenues to expand in the Northern Region and Mohali with its assurance of quality resources and superb social infrastructure was a good bet. He said he would himself lead a company team to Chandigarh to take this proposal forward. He displayed keen interest in visiting the IT park in Mohali where Infosys is coming up with a 25,000 seat strong facility. Later Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal made a detailed presentation at the CII meeting. He detailed how the SAD - BJP government had worked with a mission to make the State power surplus besides improving connectivity by establishing two international and four domestic airports. He said within one year every village in the State would be 4 G connected. Mr Badal said due to these efforts as well as establishing a single point clearance in the Invest Punjab office, the State had been successful in clearing 210 projects with an investment of Rs 1500 crore in the last one and a half year. He said all necessary clearances to set up new units would be given in 30 days time. Mr Badal said the system had succeeded with no investor needing to meet him, any other minister or the chief minister. "All you have to do is visit the office of Invest Punjab where you have to deal with one person only", he added. During a question answer session, industrialist Anuradha Sriram from Puducherry succinctly expressed the mood of the gathering by saying "your presentation has put Punjab in all our minds". Among the questions Mahesh Desai wanted to know if the incentive of VAT retention was applicable to small and medium enterprises also. The Deputy CM informed that all incentives were applicable to investments above Rs one crore. He also told another prospective investor that hoteliers could retain both VAT and luxury tax. Mr Badal also assured investors that all incentives announced by the State would continue to be given even after introduction of GST. Rajshree Pathy, Chairman Rajshree Sugars and Chemicals, welcomed the Deputy CM on behalf of CII Southern Regional Council. Punjab Industry minister Madan Mohan Mittal also chaired meetings with prospective investors separately. Others present included CPS Mr. N K Sharma, Mr Jangveer Singh, Media Advisor to the Deputy CM, Mr Karan Avtar Singh, Principal Secretary Investment Promotion, Mr Anirudh Tewari, CEO Invest Punjab, Mr Rahul Tewari, special principal secretary to Deputy CM and Mr Amit Dhaka, MD, PSIEC. EOM - Why can’t you see your own brother: Randhawa questions Harsimrat Chandigarh: 8.8.2015 Reacting sharply to the statement of Union Minister for Food Processing and wife of Punjab’s Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who had demanded that Punjab BJP chief Kamal Sharma should resign from his post since his personal assistant had been named in a corruption case, S. Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, MLA Dera Baba Nanak questioned her that before seeking resignation from Sharma, she should seek resignation from her own brother, Bikram Singh Majithia. Randhawa said that name of Majithia has cropped up many times and Jagdish Bhola had personally named him. How can you deny close association of your brother with Jagdish Bhola, Satta, Jagjit Chahal and Bittu Aulakh who are main accused in the drug racket? Randhawa said that just because Majithia is your brother, you are going to all extent to shield him including in the probe of ED. He also reminded Harsimrat Badal that Smt Navjot Kaur Sidhu had levelled very serious allegations on Majithia. She has termed Majithia as the “Master Mind of Gangsters”. Why dint you seek resignation from your brother after such grave allegations levied by your alliance partner leader, Randhawa questioned. Randhawa said that this is a classic example of Political hypocrisy and Acute Selective Blindness. Dridhrashtra was so much blinded by the love for his son that he got his empire destroyed. The Dera Baba Nanak MLA questioned the Union Minister that what has she done for Punjab? As per the Assocham report, investments into Punjab have decreased by 93% in last 8 years. This is a matter of concern. Shouldn’t you also quit on moral grounds for having failed to bring any investment into Punjab? Randhawa also expressed deep sympathies to S. Parkash Singh Badal who is unable to take any decision on political matters. He is just passing his time by doing fruitless Sangat Darshans he said. Randhawa said that the decade of terrorism period was a dark period in the History of Punjab. But he said that when history will be written after few decades, the current rule of Badal will be recorded as the darkest period in which an entire generation was wiped out due to drugs, rule of mafia, shattered economy, farmers committing suicides. - Bajwa demands CBI investigation in to the involvement of senior leaders of BJP in drug smuggling Chandigarh, August 7: The Punjab Congress President Mr Partap Singh Bajwa today demanded investigation of senior leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party by CBI who are allegedly involved in the drug smuggling. He asked Sh. Narender Modi Prime Minister of India to come up to his commitment of eradicating the drug menace from Punjab. He also advised Mr. Modi not to do “Mann Ki Baat” only but listen to the Punjab’s “Mann Ki Baat” also. Mr. Bajwa said that I have been seeking a CBI probe in to the drug racket and my stand is vindicated by these revelations. Today not only the SAD Badal but their alliance partner BJP is also involved in the drug racket. Already senior leaders of BJP and their accomplices have been named in the drug racket. Even FIR has also has been registered against some of them. Bajwa reiterated his demand for comprehensive probe by the CBI to unearth this deep rooted scam as the ruling combine was playing with the future of the state. The PPCC chief said Punjab had been turned into drug haven with the direct involvement of the leaders from the ruling Akali Dal-BJP alliance thereby ruining the youth of the state. “This alliance is for hurting the future of Punjab and leading the state towards total ruination rather its being a non-political relationship as claimed by the Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal. I too now agree that it is not just a political alliance. It is an alliance of the mafia as the names of Akali ministers have already surfaced with one of them having been forced to resign while efforts are on to protect others. With the involvement of BJP leaders too, it is now amply clear as to why efforts are being made to stonewall all investigations, including by the Enforcement Directorate”, he asserted. Mr Bajwa made it clear that the Congress would build public pressure besides taking other recourse for probe by independent agency like CBI in the mafia operations in Punjab. - Bajwa Thanks Smt Sonia Gandhi and Sh Rahul Gandhi for revoking the suspension of S Jagmeet Singh Brar Chandigarh: 07-08-15 S. Partap Singh Bajwa, President Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee today thanked the All India Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi and the Vice President Sh. Rahul Gandhi for revoking the suspension of senior congress leader and Former Member of Congress Working Committee S. Jagmeet Singh Brar. Welcoming the move, Bajwa said Jagmeet Brar has been soldier of the party and this would further strengthen the party in Punjab in the coming Vidhan Sabha polls. He also expected that S. Brar will work for the betterment of the party in Punjab. - CHEEMA RELEASE BOOK ‘SADDA PUNJAB’ CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 7: The book ‘Sadda Punjab’ written by Mr. Munish Jindal was released by Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Education Minister of Punjab in the presence of S. H.S. Sohi (Director Investigation Punjab) and S. Surjit Singh Rajput (IAS retired) and Sh. K.G. Dhawan (Joint Commissioner C &CE Ludhiana) at the Department of Evening studies Punjab University Chandigarh. Dr. Cheema while speaking on the occasion said that this book is the dire need of today to connect young generation to their rich cultural heritage. It will inculcate the feeling of passion and proud amongst them to be Punjabis. So he emphasized that everyone should once go through the book in order to have in depth knowledge of Punjab-its culture and rich heritage. He said that this book is well designed to cater the needs of civil services aspirants as well as ardent learners. Book spans well through state profile and related statistics, Prehistoric Punjab, its medieval history and various socio-cultural reform movements initiated time to time. Text of the book is so comprehensive that completely explains geography, soil structure, agriculture, its economy and much more. ------- Infosys to start construction of its Mohali facility within one month (Infosys assures Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal that first stage of facility will be completed in 18 months) (Volvo evinces interest in PPP in BRTS and in setting up car manufacturing facility in Punjab) Bangalore/Chandigarh, August 7 - Infosys today announced it would start construction of its 25,000 seat Mohali facility within one month and complete the first stage of the project within 18 months. Infosys Executive Vice President Ramadas Kamath gave this commitment to Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal during an interaction held here as part of the build up to the Invest Punjab summit being held in Mohali in October. Besides Infosys, the Deputy chief minister also held meetings with other industrial groups during the course of which multinational Volvo said it was keen to enter into a PPP with the Punjab government for the Bus Rapid Transport system in Amritsar besides considering setting up a manufacturing facility for Volvo cars in Punjab. During his interaction with the Invest Punjab team including Industry minister Madan Mohal Mittal and CPS N K Sharna, the Infosys EVP complimented Punjab for having the best single window system in the country. While addressing the Deputy CM, Mr Kamath said "we are attracted to you because you are a dashing leader. We were attracted to Chander Babu Naidu because of the same reason". The Infosys EVP said the new facility at Mohali would be a win win situation for both the company and Punjab. "We have more than 2,500 employees of Punjabi origin who are keen to shift to Mohali", he said adding once the facility started it would give a boost to the economy of the entire area. Meanwhile Volvo India Managing Director Kamal Bali and Volvo buses MD VRV Sriprasad during their interaction with Mr Badal and his team said there was a huge scope for cooperation in city bus and bus rapid transport systems. Mr Sriprasad said Volvo was the only company which was manufacturing BRTS buses following which the Deputy CM said Punjab was ready for a joint venture with Volvo for BRTS. Mr Bali said Volvo was seriously considering Punjab as a destination for setting up a car manufacturing plant and would send its team to make an on ground assessment. Mr Badal while detailing the prevailing incentives, said Punjab would walk the extra mile to make a Volvo manufacturing plant a reality in Punjab. In another major development, Nextwealth Entrepreneurs gave a presentation on how investors could be attracted to establish BPOs in tier two and tier three towns. Nextwealth Founder and MD Dr Sridhar Mitta said it had expertise in creating jobs for youth in small towns by coming out with small workable business models. Detailing how his model worked, Dr Mitta said small entrepreneurs with an investment of Rs one crore over two years were employing 250 to 300 rural youth in such projects in Salem and that they could be easily replicated in Punjab. Mr Badal offered Nextwealth to generate Punjabi entrepreneurs who could be funded by cooperative banks. He also offered that these projects could be run in new women colleges which were coming up in the State or even in skill development centres. There are also fruitful meetings with Strand Lifesciences and Puravankara group. Strand Lifesciences proposed to establish a smart laboratory in Punjab offering personalised medicine for cancer and other life threatening diseases. In another meeting Toyota Vice President Vikram Kirloskar offered to set up an ITI in Punjab to give training in automotive repair and maintenance. The Deputy CM said the State could even enter into a joint venture with Toyota for establishing this facility. Punjab CEO Anirudh Tewari extended an invitation to all dignitaries to attend the Invest Punjab summit on October 28- 29. Others present on the occasion included Mr Jangveer Singh, Media Advisor to the Deputy CM, Mr Karan Avtar Singh, Principal Secretary Investment Promotion, Mr Rahul Tewari, special principal secretary to Deputy CM and Mr Amit Dhaka, MD, PSIEC. EOM -------------- CM ANNOUNCES TO GIVE MONETARY BENEFITS UNDER SHAGUN SCHEME ONE MONTH PRIOR TO MARRIAGE MOVE AIMED AT EXTENDING HELPING HAND TO UNDERPRIVILEGED SECTIONS DURING THE MARRIAGE OF THEIR DAUGHTERS URGES CENTRE TO ALLOT FUNDS GENEROUSLY TO BORDER STATES FOR MODERNIZATION OF POLICE FORCE FOR COMBATING TERRORISM BATS FOR EFFECTIVE SEALING OF BORDERS NO ONE EXCEPT JAITLEY GOT IIM FOR AMRITSAR REITERATES THAT NAVJOT KAUR SIDHU IS LIKE HIS DAUGHTER SANGAT DARSHAN IN BABA BAKALA ASSEMBLY SEGMENT Sathiala (Amritsar), August 7- In another pro - poor initiative aimed at extending helping hand to underprivileged sections of the society during the marriage of their daughters, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today announced that the state government would provide monetary assistance to the girls under Shagun scheme one month prior to their marriage. Interacting with the media persons here on the second day of Sangat Darshan program here today, the Chief Minister said that in order to facilitate the people on the solemn occasion of their daughter's marriage the state government has now decided to advance the time of this financial assistance, which was earlier given on the date of marriage. He said that the entire modalities in this regard have been worked out and people would be getting this facility soon, which would immensely help the poor sections of the society. "Its part of our endeavor to ensure the welfare of the poorest of the poor in the state", added Mr. Badal. Urging the Union government to help the states especially those along with international border like Punjab to combat the menace of terrorism efficaciously, the Chief Minister said that Centre must generously allot funds to Border States for modernization of Police force. Mr. Badal said that it was the high time that Union and state government must formulate a combined action plan to tackle this grave national problem. Batting for effective sealing of borders to check infiltration from across it, he said that the Union government must take necessary action in this regard. Appreciating the Punjab Police for showing exemplary courage to defend unity and integrity of the country, the Chief Minister said even the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister had lauded the state Police for this heroic deed. He said that every countryman today admires the state Police for its valiant action. Replying to another query, the Chief Minister categorically said that allegations pertaining to shifting of IIM at Amritsar were completely baseless and unwarranted. Mr. Badal said that it was a fact that neither he nor Cabinet Minister Mr. Anil Joshi had brought IIM to holy city but it was Union Finance Minister Mr. Arun Jaitley, who gave this project to the city in his budgetary speech along with Post Graduate Institute of Horticulture research. However, he said these projects would give a big boost to development of the state. Asked to comment on the outburst of Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mrs. Navjot Kaur Sidhu against the SAD-BJP alliance, the Chief Minister said that alliance was everlasting and firm. Reiterating that Mrs. Sidhu was like his daughter, Mr. Badal said that he was a votary of morality in politics and would not like to comment on this issue. "Throughout my political career I had refrained from making any personal attack on somebody, as my conscience does not allow it" he added. Addressing the gatherings during the Sangat Darshan in village Baba Bakala Sahib, Wadala Kalan, Sathiala and Butala, the Chief Minister said that Sangat Darshan was the flagship program of his government, which was aimed at mitigating the woes of the people by bringing all the organs of the state government on a single platform. He said that this program has proved to be a boon for the residents of the state as it has helped in solving their problems within few minutes. Mr. Badal further said that Punjab was the only state which has successfully carried on this pro-people program from last several years. The Chief Minister further said that the state government was fully committed to provide the best civic amenities to the people both in the urban and rural areas. Mr. Badal asked the people to prioritize the development works in their villages to ensure optimum utilization of tax payer’s money on one hand and giving fillip to the development of the state on the other. He said that the state government would leave no stone unturned for the development of villages by providing them ultra modern civic amenities at par with the urban areas. The Chief Minister was accompanied by MLA Mr. Manjeet Singh Mianwind, Chairman Mr. Gurwinder Singh Ruby, his Special Principal Secretary Mr. Ajoy Kumar Sharma and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Ravi Bhagat. ------ FOUR ERRING MEDICAL OFFICERS DISMISSED Chandigarh August 7: The Punjab government has notified the dismissal of four erring Medical Officers with immediate effect. The dismissal orders have been sent to the Punjab Public Service Commission for further action. Disclosing this here today, an official spokesman of the government said that Dr. Jagdeep Singh, Merit No.125(SC)/98, Dr. Vikas Gupta, Merit No.61(GC)/98, Dr. Geetika Verma, Merit No.14(GC)/98 and Dr. Jagpal Singh, Merit No. 22(SC)/98 have been dismissed from service on charges of long absenteeism, insubordination and leaving station without permission of the authorities concerned. They have betrayed the state government by not obeying to the laid down service rules. The decision to this effect was taken after receiving the reports from the four different committees constituted by the government under the chairmanship of retired IAS officers, Mr. G.C. Aggarwal, Mr. K.C. Saini, Mr. J.P.S.Puri and Mr. Manmohan Huria. The health department initiated the departmental probe against the erring Medical Officers and found the allegations leveled against them to be in line with the findings of the investigating officers. According to the spokesman, all the four medical officers were given time to put forth their version which they failed to do and did not appear before the committee in spite of repeated reminders sent to them.
PUNJAB TO ORGANIZE STATE LEVEL FUNCTION TO MARK 150TH BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY OF LALA LAJPAT RAI · HIGH POWERED STATE LEVEL COMMITTEE CONSTITUTED UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF CM PUNJAB TO DEVISE BLUEPRINT · CENTENARY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS OF BHISHAM SAHNI IN NOVEMBER AT KHALSA COLLEGE AMRITSAR CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 7: The Punjab Government would celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of freedom fighter and great martyr of Indian Independence movement “Punjab Kesari Lala Lajpat Rai” on a massive scale. The 150th birthday anniversary celebrations of the ‘son of the soil Lala Lajpat Rai ji’ would be commenced from the native village of Lala Ji, village Dhudike in district Moga in the month of August, 2015, where a state level function would be organised by the Punjab Government. The state government has constituted a state level committee to chalk out the blueprint of the anniversary celebrations under the chairmanship of Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister. A Spokesman of Cultural Affairs Department said that besides Chief Minister this state level committee would be comprised of Mr. Chunni Lal Bhagat, Forest and Wildlife Minister, Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal, Industry Minister, Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Finance Minister, Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal, Cultural Affairs Minister, Mr. Sunil Jakhar,Leader Opposition Party, Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Principal Secretary, Higher Education, Director, Information and Public Relations and Deputy Commissioner, Moga. A notification regarding the committee has been issued by the Cultural Affairs Department, Punjab. He said that this state level committee would also devise strategy to observe the centenary birthday anniversary of legendary playwright Bhisham Sahni. Function in this regard is slated to be organised at Khalsa College, Amritsar in the November this year. - KOT SUKHIYA TRANSFERS INTO MARKET COMMITTEE KOT KAPURA Chandigarh August 7: The Punjab Government has issued notification to transfer village Kot Sukhiya into market committee Kot kapura from market committee Faridkot under Punjab Agriculture Produce Mandi Act 1961. An official spokesperson of the Punjab Government said that Punjab Mandi Board has not received any objection from any party regarding the transfer of village so that decision has been implemented. Disclosing this here today spokesperson said that a decision was taken to facilitate farmers to sell that agri produce in the yards/mandis, storage and control under the market committee Kot kapura. --------- Punjab Government reconstitutes of State Level Monitoring Committee to review the 20 Point Programme Chandigarh, August 7: Punjab Government has reconstituted of State Level Monitoring Committee to review the 20 Point Programme-06. Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab Government said that Minister for Finance, Planning and Programme Implementation would be Chairman of the Committee. The spokesperson said that Rural Development & Panchayats, Housing and Urban Development, Food, Civil Supplies& Consumer Affairs, Water Supply & Sanitation, Health & Family Welfare, Welfare of Scheduled Castes & Backward Classes and Public Works Ministers would be members of the committee. He further said that two Lok Sabha MPs and four MLAs of the State would also be nominated as members of the committee. Elaborating more the spokesperson said that Administrative Secretaries of Departments which are implementing schemes covered under TPP-2006 would also be members of the committee. Two representatives of Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) would also be nominated as members by the ministry. According to the spokesperson, The Chairman, Society for the service to volunteer agencies (north) Chandigarh and Chairman, Advancement of Rural People and Natural Resources of Roopnagar would be its members from category of two Non Government Organisations of social sector. The spokesperson further said that Dr. B.S.Ghuman, Former Dean, Faculty of Arts, Deptt. of Public Administration and Dr. Piara lal Garg, Executive Dirctor, State Health Systems, Resource Centre, Mohali would be its members from the category of two eminent persons of social sector. The Secretary-in-charge of 20 point programme would be Member Secretary of the Committee. The spokesperson said that the meeting of the committee would be held twice a year. ------- PUNJAB APPOINTS MR. GOEL AS PAJCL Chandigarh Aug 7: The Punjab Government has appointed Sh. Bhushan Goel as Director on the Board of Directors of Punjab Agro Juices Corporation Limited, Chandigarh in place of Sh. Subash Kumar Rana with immediate effect. An official spokesperson of the Punjab Agro disclosed this here today. ----- OPTION SOUGHT FROM EMPLOYEES OF PUNJAB CIVIL SECRETARIAT POST OF PRIVATE SECRETARY TO FILLED IN RAJ BHAWAN PUNJAB Chandigarh, August 7: The Punjab Government has invited applications to fill the post of Private Secretary in Punjab Raj Bhawan on deputation. For this purpose, a panel of Private Secretaries is to be sent to the Raj Bhawan. Disclosing this, an official spokesperson said that in view of the above development, option is sought from all the Private Secretaries serving in the Punjab Civil Secretariat. Interested candidates can send their applications in 2 forms to the Secretariat Administration (Establishment-2 Branch) within 1 week. --------- PUNJAB TRANSFERS FOUR PPS OFFICER CHANDIGARH, August 7: The Punjab government today issued transfer/posting orders of four PPS officers with immediate effect. According to an official spokesman, Mr. Mandeep Singh Sidhu has been posted as Commandant 2nd/IRB, Ladha Kothi, Sangrur, Mr. Raghubir Singh as SSP Mansa, Mr. PritPal Singh as SSP Sangrur and Mr. Dilbagh Singh has been posted as Commandant 5th/IRB, Amritsar. - Punjab to provide jobs to eligible wards of cops who died in harness-Sukhbir Badal (Police equipped with sophisticated weapons to challenge any contingency) (Jarnail Wahad to be incharge of Nawashahr assembly constituency) (Dy CM shares his heartfelt sympathy with family of deceased SP Baljit Singh) Kapurthala August 5 : Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal today announced that Punjab government will examine the genuine cases of eligible wards of policemen who died in harness to provide them jobs at the earliest. Instructions in this regard have been issued to the home department and state police chief. After sharing his grief and heartfelt sympathy with the grief stricken family of SP Baljit SIngh who have laid his life during recent terrorist attack on Dinanagar Police Station Mr Badal while interacting with media said Punjab Police have played a commendable role to maintain law and order in the state. Police officers and officials have sacrificed their lives for the integrity of country in the past, he added. Mr Badal assured that Punjab government would provide jobs to eligible wards of each cop who died while performing his duty and such pending cases to be examined on priority. Regarding voluntary closure of private sugar mills in the state Deputy CM said he has already fixed a meeting with the mill owners in the next week. Asked about the declaration of SBS Nagar constituency incharge he asserted that chairman Markfed Jarnail Singh Wahad would represent the Shiromani Akali Dal as Halqa incharge to redress the grievances of public. Mr Badal solacing the family of deceased SP Baljit SIngh as his family members assured that state government would take care of the family. Among others present on the occasion included DGP Sumed Singh Saini, Media Advisor to Dy CM Jangveer Singh, IG Lok Nath Angra, DIG Kunwar Vijay Partap and DC Daljit Singh Mangat. EOM - CM GIVES NOD FOR TRANSFERRING 31 SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS INCLUDING EIGHT SSPs Chandigarh, August 5- In a major Police administrative shake up, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today approved the transfers and postings of 31 senior Police Officers including eight Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) on administrative grounds. Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Mr. Badal cleared the file in this regard this morning. The approved postings and transfers of the Police officers are as under.
- Sukhbir Badal forgoes security to interact with farmers across the barbed fence (Suggests installation of CCTV cameras and sensors to guard against smuggling and terrorist activities) BOP 132 Khalra Sector (Tarn Taran) - Punjab Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today interacted with farmers across the barbed wire fence besides addressing a public meeting near here in which he assured the people that the State was equipped to take any Pak sponsored terrorist activity head on. The Deputy chief minister decided to forgo his security as well as his bullet proof vehicle during the trip. He was driven to the barbed wire fence by DGP Sumedh Singh Saini and soon crossed it to interact with farmers ploughing their fields adjacent to Pakistan territory. He also interacted with BSF personnel. The Deputy CM was briefed about the security arrangements at the border by BSF IG M.F. Farooqi. The officer disclosed that Pak soldiers and smugglers often came up to the fence to throw contraband material or even dig tunnels to smuggle drugs into Punjab. Mr Badal said he understood the BSF was stretched as one guard had to look after an area of 300 meters each. He suggested that CCTV cameras and sensors should be installed adjoining the barbed fencing to guard against smuggling and terrorist activity. Earlier while addressing people near the barbed fence, the Deputy CM said he had not come to talk politics. "I am here to assure you that the Punjab government is committed to maintaining peace on the border. Any attempt to destabilise this hard won peace will not be tolerated", he added. Mr Badal also disclosed that the government had taken a decision to increase the police force in the border areas. Speaking on the occasion, DGP Saini disclosed how Mr Badal had personally monitored the entire Dina Nagar operation. "The Deputy CM even asked whether the men engaged in the fire fight with terrorists were being supplied food or not", he added. Mr Saini also said that the idea of increasing security presence in the border belt was not aimed at providing security bit also aimed at giving a sense of security to the people. Among others present on the occasion included Prof. Virsa Singh Valtoha and Mr Harmit Singh Sandu (both chief parliamentary secretaries), DGP Sumedh Singh Saini and Mr. Jangveer Singh, Media Advisor to the Deputy CM and Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal Deputy Commissioner. EOM ---------- Sukhbir Badal visits and interacts with police personnel of Dina Nagar police station (Announces promotions for personnel who took part in neutralising the Pak terrorists) (Announces Rapid Rural Response system launch in September and formation of exclusive SWAT team for border area) Dina Nagar, August 5 - Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today ordered promotions for all personnel of this police station who recently played an active role in pinning down and neutralising the Pak terrorists during the fidayeen strike in this town on July 27. The Deputy CM, who stood up to address the seated jawans who displayed exemplary courage and valour during the operation against the Pakistani terrorists, said "it is a matter of record that you did not care for your personal safety and went after the terrorists with whatever was at your command. I feel proud that I am home minister of a State and a force which is individually capable of taking any terrorist activity head on". Assuring the police personnel that they would be honoured for the exemplary courage shown by them, he said it was not an easy task to neutralise such highly trained terrorists. He said besides promotions for all personnel who participated in the operation, all home guards who were part of the operation would be inducted into the main force. He also congratulated DGP Sumedh Singh Saini for leading from the front on the occasion as well as the fast response of the Punjab Police in dealing with the situation. The DGP took Mr Badal on a round of the police station as well as the spot where the terrorists were holed up besides explaining the whole operation. The Deputy CM also interacted with the police personnel on the occasion. Later while talking to newsmen, Mr. Sukhbir Badal announced that a Rapid Rural Response force would be launched in September. He said this force would respond to any call emanating from any village in the State within ten minutes as was the case in the cities presently. He said 220 vehicles had been ordered for this purpose. Ha also said Punjab would also setup a training institute near Derabassi at a cost of Rs. 50 crore to impart specialized training to the police force. Mr Badal also announced that an exclusive SWAT team would be established in addition to the present team for the border areas. He said the new team would be based in the border region to deal with any exigency. He said Rs 50 crore had been allocated for the Special Security Group and that foreign tie ups had also been finalised to impart specialised training to the teams. "We will have the world's best available SWAT team in Punjab", he added. Besides this Mr Badal when questioned said additional surveillance was needed at the border. He said more CCTV cameras and surveillance equipment needed to be installed. He said for this the army and the BSF would have to upgrade their security apparatus. The Deputy CM said as far as the State was concerned, CCTV cameras would be installed along all major highways as well as in all corporation towns. The Deputy CM was accompanied by Mr. Gurbachan Singh Babbehali and Mr. Des Raj Dhugga, both Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, DGP Sumedh Singh Saini and Mr. Jangveer Singh, Media Advisor to the Deputy CM. EOM ----- S.R. LADHAR APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR Chandigarh, August 5: The Punjab Government has appointed Mr. S.R. Ladhar, I.A.S. Director-cum-Secretary, Industries and Commerce as Director on the Board of Directors of Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation Limited, Chandigarh. Stating this, an official spokesperson said that Mr. Ladhar has been appointed in place of Mr. Raminder Singh, I.A.S. since retired. ------ RAJPAL CHAUHAN ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PSIEC Chandigarh, August 5: The Punjab Government has appointed Mr. Rajpal Chauhan, as Director on the Board of Directors of Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation Limited, Chandigarh with immediate effect. ------- PUNJAB STATE SOCIAL WELFARE BOARD APPOINTS NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS Chandigarh August 5: The Punjab government in consultation with the Central Social Welfare Board has appointed non-official members of the Punjab State Social Welfare Board. According to an official spokesman of the government, Ms. Neelam Choudery of Dinanagar district Gurdaspur, Ms. Rajwinder Kaur Raju of Village Nangal Shama, PO Ladhewali, District Jalandhar, Ms. Shashi Narang,of Phagwara, District Kapurthala, Ms. Gurminderpal Kaur Dhillon of Bathinda and Mr. Rajinder Kumar of Abohar, Distt. Fazilka have been appointed as non-official members He further said that the term of the members would be co-terminus with the term of the Chairperson of the Board. The other conditions would be applicable as per Rules of the State Social Welfare Boards issued. ------ NGOs TO PARTNER IN ALL ROUND DEVELOPMENT OF PUNJAB
Chandigarh, August 5: The Punjab Government has reconstituted the District Level Coordination Committees for promoting the role of Non-government organisations (NGOs) for the development of state. A notification regarding this has been issued by the welfare branch. Divulging the details a spokesman said that Deputy Commissioner would be the Chairman of this committee while ADC (D) and Deputy Economic & Statistical advisor would be Member Secretary and Additional Secretary respectively. He said that CMO, DDPO, DSO, DWO and DEO (S) of the concerned districts would be the members of the District Level Coordination Committee. He said that District Level Coordination Committee would synchronize with representatives of NGOs in various poverty alleviation and development programmes. Besides this some other important development oriented works are also in the pipeline which would be taken to their logical conclusion by the District Level Coordination Committees in cohesion with NGOs. ---------- DR. DALJIT SINGH CHEEMA CONDUCTS SURPRISE CHECK ON 2 SCHOOLS IN BANUR SCIENCE STUDENTS TO BE GIVEN FREE COACHING FOR COMPETITIVE EXAMS Banur (Mohali)/Chandigarh, August 5: The Education Minister, Punjab, Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema today visited the 2 schools of Banur sector as part of an exercise to get acquainted with the problems faced by Government schools and to establish a rapport with the students. During his visit to Government Senior Secondary School Banur and Government High School Dharamgarh, Dr. Cheema fulfilled the long pending demand of the students on the spot regarding providing free coaching for preparation of competitive exams. Dr. Cheema assured the students of Banur school that free coaching would be provided by Government to the students of Government schools at clusteror block level in order to mitigate the circumstances of students who take expensive coaching. He said that this would materialize at the end of current session. Dr. Cheema further said that the science lecturers of Government schools would give coaching to the students. He said that more than 1600 students had availed the free coaching facility provided at District level in a first of its kind experiment. Divulging more Dr. Cheema said that because of the long duration and cumbersome study process in becoming a doctor, lesser number of students are opting for Medical stream. He also listed lack of interest in Biology also as the reason for lack of interest in Medical discipline. He also said that the students getting 80 percent or more marks in 10th standard would be given free education in meritorious schools or scholarships. Inspecting the science and computer labs, Dr. Cheema asked questions from the students and also made a personal inspection of career guidance cells. He also expressed satisfaction at the intake of more than 1000 students at Banur School. Dr. Cheema also inspected the EDUSAT system at Dharamgarh school and expressed happiness at the progress of the students. ---------------- PTU's OPEN & DISTANCE LEARNING CENTRES GET UGC NOD * MINISTER MADAN MOHAN MITTAL MAKES OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT IN THIS REGARD TODAY * ATTENDS A FUNCTION ORGANISED BY FICCI FLO IN CITY TODAY * THESE CENTRES TO BENEFIT MORE THAN 50,000 STUDENTS & GENERATE EMPLOYMENT FOR MORE THAN 5,000 PEOPLE- MADAN MOHAN MITTAL Chandigarh, August 5: Punjab Industries and Technical Education Minister Mr Madan Mohan Mittal today announced that the UGC has given its nod for the functioning of Open and Distance Learning Centres of LK Gujral Punjab Technical University. He said that these centres would start functioning from now on and would benefit more than 50,000 youth and would generate employment for more than 5,000 youth. Mr Mittal was in the city to attend a function on women empowerment being organised by FICCI FLO at a hotel, here today. While speaking to media persons, the Punjab Industries and Technical Education Minister said that these Open and Distance Learning Centres were not operating for the last around 30 months. He said that now that the University Grants Commission (UGC) has given its nod, thousands of youth which cannot afford college education would be benefitted in a large manner. He said that ever since these centres were closed down, the Punjab government was in talks with the UGC and had taken up this matter seriously. He informed that the letter of approval has come today. He said that there are around 200 such centres in the state, which were non functional till now. Mr Mittal said that the owners of the Open and Distance Learning Centres of LK Gujral Punjab Technical University have been informed about this welcome development and they would soon start their operations. The minister said that to make sure our youth, especially from rural areas, have better understanding of the subjects related to technical education, the textbooks would be translated and published in Punjabi language. He said that the UGC approval in this regard has also been received. While delivering his lecture at the function on Women Empowerment by FICCI FLO, the minister stressed on not only empowering women, but also on their education and protection. He said that for the commission of Punjabi women in armed forces, the Punjab government has started Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preperstory Institute at Mohali where girl students will be enrolled every year. He informed that the students taking admission in this institute will get free of cost education of graduation, besides they would be trained for commission in the armed forces. "They would be trained to become an officer," he said amidst applaud by the gathering. He said that the Punjab government as well as the BJP led NDA government at centre has already started several schemes for the welfare of women and many other are in the pipeline. On behalf of the Punjab government, he assured members of FICCI FLO all possible help. - CM MOURNS DEATH OF CHAUDHARY JAGJIT SINGH Chandigarh, August 4:
- STUDENTS TO BE SENSITISED ABOUT ENVIRONMENT AND WILD LIFE PROTECTION: CHEEMA
- MAJITHIA CONDOLES CHAUDHARY JAGJIT SINGH’S DEMISE - STAMP VENDORS DEPUTATION CALLS ON REVENUE MINISTER · MINISTER ASSURES TO CONSIDER THEIR DEMANDS SYMPATHETICALLY Chandigarh, August 3: A deputation of stamp vendors from district Mohali led by Mr. Jagmohan Singh Kang, MLA & former minister today called on Punjab Revenue Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia regarding their demand to enhance their stamp paper sale limit here today. The Minister after giving them a patient hearing explained the growing need for e-stamping to facilitate people. He said that throughout the country, most of the states had already implemented e-stamping. He said that this system has brought in efficiency in the working of the Revenue department and proven a great help in online reconciliation of its transactions on a daily basis. He assured the members of deputation to consider their demand sympathetically. Mr. Karan A. Singh, Financial Commissioner Revenue was also present on the occasion. - CABINET CONDOLES DEATH OF ‘PEOPLE’S PRESIDENT’ KALAM PASSES RESOLUTIONS TO CONDEMN TERROR ATTACK AT DINA NAGAR EXPRESSES DEEP ANGUISH AND SORROW OVER MANIKARAN BUS TRAGEDY PAYS RESPECTS TO BRAVE HEARTS MARTYRED AND INJURED IN DINA NAGAR TERROR ATTACK CLEARS POST OF DSP FOR SON OF MARTYR SP AS A SPECIAL CASE SANCTIONS RS 25 LAKH TO THE LEGAL HEIRS OF MARTYRED SP AND RS 10 LAKH EACH TO THE FAMILY OF THREE JAWANS OF THE PUNJAB HOME GUARDS RS 3 LAKH WOULD BE GIVEN TO THE OFFICIALS OF THE PUNJAB POLICE AND PUNJAB HOME GUARDS INJURED IN THE TERROR ATTACK GIVES NOD FOR OTS POLICY 2015’ FOR SETTLEMENT OF DUES OF PSIDC, PFC, PAIC AND ITS SUBSIDIARY CORPORATIONS AND COMPANIES GIVES CONCURRENCE TO PROMULGATE THE PUNJAB PROTECTION OF INTERESTS OF DEPOSITORS (IN FINANCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS), ORDINANCE, 2015 TOXICOLOGY DIVISION-2 TO COME UP IN THE FORENSIC SCIENCE LABORATORY, MOHALI GREEN SIGNAL TO INTRODUCE BRTS in AMRITSAR NOD FOR AMENDING THE PUNJAB STATE COMMISSION FOR NRIS ACT, 2011 APPROVES TO REVIVE AND FILL UP THE 29 VACANT POSTS OF ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT JAILS NOD FOR AMENDING PUNJAB GOOD CONDUCT PRISONERS (TEMPORARY RELEASE) ACT, 1962 “PUNJAB SCHOOL TEACHERS SERVICE EXTENSION ORDINANCE, 2015” APPROVED FOR DISRUPTION FREE ACADEMIC SESSION Chandigarh, August 3- At the very onset, the Punjab Cabinet today observed two minutes silence praying to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, victims of Dina Nagar terror attack and of the Manikaran Bus Tragedy. Adopting unanimous resolution to mourn the sad demise of Dr. Kalam, the Cabinet expressed profound grief and sorrow over his sad demise. The resolution described Dr. Kalam as the ‘people’s president’ and a towering and multifaceted personality being a true statesman, an eminent academician, a noted nuclear scientist and above all a fine human being. Dr. Kalam would be ever remembered by one and all for his remarkable services rendered for the well being of underprivileged and poor on one hand and inspiring the youth for inculcating a scientific temper amongst them on the other. Strongly condemning Pakistan for clandestinely perpetrating a terror attack in India by targeting Dina Nagar, the Cabinet eulogised the commendable role of Gurdaspur SP Baljit Singh and three Home Guards in counter insurgency operation. The Cabinet also deeply mourned the killing of three civilians, who lost their lives in this operation and highly appreciated the exemplary valour and presence of mind shown by the Punjab Roadways driver Nanak Chand, thus saving several precious lives. Apart from this the Cabinet also lauded the alertness on the part of two Railway employees to avert any major tragedy. Likewise, the Cabinet in another resolution expressed deep anguish and sorrow over the tragic bus accident near Manikaran Sahib in Himachal Pradesh on July 23 in which 12 persons were killed, 23 injured and 34 feared to be drowned, whose bodies have not yet been recovered. As a mark of respect to the exemplary courage shown by Gurdaspur SP (D) late Baljit Singh during counter insurgency operation in Dina Nagar on July 27, the Punjab Cabinet today gave approval for appointing his son as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). A decision to this effect was taken in the meeting of the Council of Ministers held under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal at his office, this morning. Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Cabinet also gave nod to give ex-gratia grant worth Rs 25 lakh to the legal heirs of martyred SP and Rs 10 lakh each to the family of three martyred jawans of the Punjab Home Guards, who sacrificed their lives during the terrorist attack at Dina Nagar, while performing their duty. In the same manner, Rs 3 lakh would be given to the officials of the Punjab Police and Punjab Home Guards injured in the terror attack besides giving them the best medical treatment, free of cost. The Cabinet also decided that state government would suitably honour all those officials who discharged their duties valiantly during the operation. The Cabinet alos approved to give job to the next of kin of the Punjab Home Guard Jawans, who laid down their lives besides absorbing the injured Home Guards in the Punjab Police. The injured Policemen would be promoted and Rs 1 crore would be given to Dina Nagar Police station. All the families of the deceased Police officials would get salary till the date of their retirement. Similarly on civilian and Railway official, who spotted the live bomb on the Railway track, would be awarded cash prize of Rs 2 lakh. The Cabinet also gave approval to relax the existing relief norms under its policy thereby giving Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of dead civilians and Rs 3 lakh to the injured civilians besides the state government bearing the entire expenditure on the treatment of the injured civilians in both the government and private hospitals. Punjab Roadways driver Nanak Chand would be given a cash award of Rs 3 lakh besides to be honored with state award on Independence Day function. His name would also be recommended to Government of India (GoI) for honoring him with national bravery award. The Cabinet also decided to regularize the services of both the driver and conductor of the bus. With a view revive the existing Punjab’s industry, the Cabinet also gave approval to bring another liberal ‘One Time Settlement (OTS) Policy 2015’ for settlement of dues of Punjab State Industries Development Corporation (PSIDC), Punjab Financial Corporation (PFC), Punjab Agro Industries Corporation (PAIC) and its subsidiary corporations and companies. Those who opted for previous 2009 policy and became defaulters would also be eligible under the new OTS. Under the said policy, in equity investment cases, OTS settlement shall be at “Amount invested plus simple interest @10% plus expenses less already paid”. In the loan cases, OTS amount shall be calculated based on outstanding (principal plus interest) amount to be frozen as on date of default plus 10% simple interest (on frozen amount) upto date of option plus expenses less already paid and in loss assets cases, OTS settlement shall be at outstanding Principal amount plus expenses only. Under this policy besides hundreds of those Small Scale Industrial units Financed by PFC, settling their accounts and getting revived another around 70 large and medium scale industrial projects of PSIDC, besides around 15 industrial projects of PAIC were likely to be revived and PFC, PSIDC and PAIC were expected to affect recovery to the tune of Rs 50 crore, Rs 200 crore and Rs 25 crore respectively. While affording this unique and last opportunity to the entrepreneurs of the state to settle their dues it has also been decided that those financial collaborators/ borrowers who do not opt for OTS under the policy, there assets would be transferred to an Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC) or a Financial Institution (FI) as deemed appropriate by the government. Apart from this all the particulars/ details of such units not opting for OTS under the policy shall be intimates to RBI for notifying them as defaulters and would not be eligible for further funding by any bank or financial institutions. In order to safeguard the interests of the general public against frauds by the financial establishments, the Cabinet also gave its concurrence to promulgate the Punjab Protection of Interests of Depositors (in Financial Establishments), Ordinance, 2015. The Cabinet also approved the transfer of one acre of land without any cost to the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST) to construct its own building in Knowledge City, Sector-81, SAS Nagar (Mohali). This would ensure better coordination and monitoring for the timely completion of the upcoming Biotechnology Park, which in turn would provide technical know-how and guidance to the biotechnology industries and common facilities in the park. To make the State Intelligence Wing independent and to enable it to recruit its own employees, the Cabinet also gave go ahead to the Punjab Intelligence Cadre (Group C) Service Rules, 2015 for the employees of Punjab Police (Intelligence Wing). In order to overcome the pendency of testing NDPS samples in the state, the Cabinet also gave approval to establish Toxicology Division-2 in the Forensic Science Laboratory, Mohali besides sanctioning 15 posts to further strengthen it. The Cabinet also gave green signal to introduce “Bus Rapid Transit Service (BRTS)” within the limits of Municipal Corporation Amritsar for the convenience of general public and reduce the unnecessary congestion of motor vehicles and vehicles pollution. This BRTS would be operated on a different Track and route which would be closed corridor, on which only BRTS would be operated. The State Transport Commissioner, Punjab would grant the stage carriage permits for this BRTS. In first phase, BRTS would be started on India gate-Daburji bye pass, India gate- Verka Canal and Daburji bye pass to Verka Canal route. As many as 93 buses would ply on these new sanctioned routes for this purpose. The Cabinet also approved amending the Punjab State Commission for NRIs Act, 2011, which stipulates that NRIs who have acquired foreign citizenship, but were Indians belonging to Punjab could be appointed as honorary member of Punjab State Commission for NRIs as per Punjab state Commission for NRIs Act, 2011. In order to ensure better security in the jails for preventing any sort of untoward incident besides running the administration effectively, the Cabinet also gave approval to revive and fill up the 29 vacant posts of Assistant Superintendent Jails in the Department of Home (Jails). In a bid to upgrade the level of higher education besides opening new vistas of employment for the youth of state, the Cabinet also gave approval for setting up of RIMT Self Financed Private University at Mandi Gobindgarh run by Om Parkash Bansal Education and Social Welfare Trust, under the Punjab Private Universities Policy 2010. In a move aimed at rejuvenation of the canals in the state, the Cabinet also gave nod for transferring 15.23 acre of the surplus land of Dashmesh Canal falling in the industrial zone to Industries and Commerce department for selling industrial plots whereas 104.86 acre land would be transferred to GMADA for residential plots. The Cabinet also amended the policy for the allotment of plots to the IT, ITES, Biotechnology (Non-Polluting Branches) and Technology based Non-Polluting/Research & Development facilities. The Policy has been amended in view of the request of mass applicants by relaxing the eligibility conditions. Giving more period of completion of buildings etc. In order to enable a member of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha to be elected as Chairperson of the Punjab Waqf Board, the Cabinet also gave nod for amending clause (e) of section 2 of the Punjab State Legislature (Prevention of Disqualifications) Act, 1952. In a move aimed at facilitating the people besides ensuring fast development of the area, the Cabinet also gave nod for creation of new block Maloud in Ludhiana district. The Cabinet also gave green signal for amending rule 6 of “The Punjab Privately Managed Recognised (Security of Service) Rule 1981” for bringing the qualification and experience of the aspiring teachers at par with their counter parts working in the Government schools, so as to fill the vacant posts in the Punjab Government Aided schools. This move would help in saving the loss of studies to the students due to inadequate staff in such schools. The Cabinet also gave a go ahead for regularisation of the services of 56 teachers of Adarsh School run by the Punjab School Education Board, after the completion of three years of their service with parity of other teachers recruited on the contract basis in Education department, by relaxing Punjab Government Instructions No. 1/40-A/ 2011 dated November 17, 2011. In order to ensure disruption free academic session in the schools, the Cabinet also gave nod to enact “Punjab School Teachers Service Extension Ordinance, 2015” which stipulates that all the teachers who would otherwise have retired from service on completing 58 years of their age on any day falling between first of April of a year and the last day of month of February the succeeding year, would, except in the case of their otherwise voluntary option, continue in service and would be deemed to be on extension in service after the date of superannuation upto the 31 day of the following month of March. However, as per the condition there would neither be any increment nor any promotion during the period of extension granted to the specific teacher. It may be recalled that the studies of the students were adversely impacted due to mid-session retirement of the teachers in the government schools. In a bid to avoid undue delay in administrative works in the Private Aided Colleges across the state on one hand and open new vistas of employment for the youth on the other, the Cabinet also gave approval for filling up 342 vacant posts of the non-teaching staff in these colleges within three years. In another significant decision, the Cabinet also enhanced the amount given for tent/ Utensils/ Furniture and other things for SC Dharamshalas and other poor people from existing Rs 50,000 to as per the needs of the villagers under the Plan Scheme RDO (S)-3 (CD-2.32) of the Rural Development and Panchayats Department for strengthening of infrastructure and institutional works. This amount could be given only once in five years. The Cabinet also gave nod for revival of 30 posts of Junior Engineers in the department of Rural Development and Panchayats besides taking these posts out of the preview of Punjab Public Service Commission/ Subordinate Services Selection Board to enable the department to fill the said posts through conducting a test by engaging the services of Punjab University, Chandigarh. The Cabinet also gave approval for amending Punjab State Women Commission Act, 2001 and amendment Act 2014 to increase its existing strength of its member from 5 to 10. Likewise, the Cabinet also gave nod to appoint an additional member in VAT Tribunal besides enhancing the strength of SC Commission to total 10 including Vice Chairman and Right to Service Commission also to 10. To ensure proper maintenance of several heritage memorials, Projects and commemorative plaques constructed for preserving the rich heritage of the state, the Cabinet also gave concurrence to incur this amount from cultural cess by inserting clause “and operation, maintenance of heritage memorial/ projects and memorials” in sub section B section 7 of Punjab Ancient, Historical Monuments, Archaeological Sites and Cultural Heritage Maintenance Board Act, 2013. In order to streamline the process of granting parole to prisoners in the jails of the state, the Cabinet also gave nod for amending Punjab Good Conduct Prisoners (Temporary Release) Act, 1962. Apart from bringing uniformity in the cases of prisoners this move would also improve the facility of parole granted to prisoners on different occasions. The Cabinet also approved the purchase of 60 acres of land by PUDA for handing over to the state government for the IIM at Amritsar at a cost of Rs 75 crore. The Cabinet also gave approval for the Punjab Physiotherapy Council Act 2015 and setting-up of Physiotherapy council in the state. The Director, Research & Medical Education, Punjab would be the ex-officio President of the Council. The other ex-officio members of the Physiotherapy council would include President Punjab Medical Council or his nominee, Director Health Services, Punjab, Professor and HoD of Orthopedics/Physiotherapy of the State Medical Colleges of Punjab. Besides these, Non –official members would include 6 members from Physiotherapists to be elected from the registered practitioners, 2 members to be nominated by the Punjab Government from the registered practitioners enrolled in the register of Physiotherapists. The Physiotherapy Council would be responsible for the registration/ allowing practice etc. for the students of various colleges of Punjab who have done Diploma, Bachelor, Master courses in Physiotherapy as per the provisions of the Punjab Physiotherapy Council Act 2015. All colleges in Punjab, which were providing Physiotherapy courses would be affiliated with the Punjab Physiotherapy Council which would issue Registration Certificates to the students studying in Physiotherapy courses in these colleges. Once registered, these students would be able to take jobs or could practice in and outside Punjab. -------------- CHIEF SECRETARY REVIEWS BACKEND PENDENCY OF CITIZEN SERVICES UNDER PUNJAB RIGHT TO SERVICE ACT - 31, 27,447 CITIZEN APPLICATIONS RECEIVED IN JUNE 2015 FOR 206 SERVICES NOTIFIED UNDER PUNJAB RIGHT TO SERVICE ACT Chandigarh, August 3: To provide time-bound and hassle free services to the citizens of the State, Mr. Sarvesh Kaushal, Chief Secretary Punjab today reviewed the backend pendency of 206 services being delivered under Punjab Right to Service Act with senior officials of Department of Governance Reforms. Stating this, an official spokesperson said that the Chief Secretary was apprised that in the Month of June, 2015, 31,27,447 citizen service applications were received and out of these 30,90,583 citizen service applications were delivered within stipulated timelines as per Punjab Right to Service Act. Only 1.15% citizen service applications received in the month of June are pending. The Punjab Right to Service Act-2011 was enacted by Punjab Government with the sole objective of providing an effective frame work for time bound delivery of services being provided by various government departments in order to promote transparency and accountability. The spokesperson further said that apart from backend pendency data pertaining to all 22 districts, the data pertaining to Deemed Districts was also reviewed. The Deemed districts have been notified for departments/agencies like Punjab State Power Corporation Limited, Punjab Urban Development Authority, Mandi Board etc which do not fall under direct administrative control of Deputy Commissioners and citizen services are also delivered at State Level. The backend pendency of 10 deemed districts was only 56 i.e. only 0.02 percent of the total 2, 26,478 citizen service applications received during June 2015. Chief Secretary was further apprised that District Faridkot has 0.1% backend pendency, District Fazilka has 0.2%, District SAS Nagar and District Patiala has 0% backend pendency of 206 services delivered in the State under Punjab Right to Service Act. Divulging more, the spokesperson said that the Chief Secretary appreciated the efforts being made by field officials to deliver the citizen services in time bound manner and instructed all the Deputy Commissioners to bring the pendency to near zero levels. Further the real time pendency reports related to Web Suwidha project and other eGovernance projects of Housing & Urban Development projects were also reviewed. The backend pendency of Suwidha centers across the State and also of various urban development authorities under Department of Housing and Urban Development was less than 0.3%. The spokesperson further said that with the regular monitoring of backend pendency by the office of Chief Secretary Punjab, the pendency which was 8.49% of total 18, 34,131 applications received in June 2014 has come down drastically to nearly 1% in the last 12 months. All the administrative secretaries have been further asked to bring the pendency to near zero levels. The reduction in the pendency has become possible with the close monitoring at the level of Chief Secretary, Punjab through Video Conferences/Meetings with all the Deputy Commissioners. The real-time authentic MIS reports from Web Suwidha Software are being used for review with the Deputy Commissioners. With this effective monitoring at State level, all the Deputy Commissioners have also started weekly/daily reviews of the back-end pendency with District field officials. To further improve the citizen services delivery across the State and also to improve the productivity of Government officials, Department of Governance Reforms is in process of implementation of various eGovernance projects like eDistrict, State Service Delivery Gateway, eOffice etc. Under eDistrict Project, Punjab Government is all set to launch the online delivery of 43 citizen centric services soon. Under eDistrict project, the complete process of service delivery has been made online and digitally signed certificates will be delivered to the citizens. Under State Service Delivery Gateway project, the citizens shall be able to apply 26 services while sitting in their homes on the Punjab State website www.punjab.gov.in. --------------------------------------------- PUNJAB TRANSFERS 2 DROs, 15 TEHSILDARS AND 37 NAIB TEHSILDARS Chandigarh, August 3: The Punjab government today issued transfer orders of Two District Revenue Officers, 15 Tehsildars and 37 Naib Tehsildars with immediate effect. Besides this, a Naib Tehsildar has been reinstated pending enquiry. According to an official spokesman, DROs namely Paramjit Singh Sahota and Avtar Singh has been posted Jalandhar and Fazilka respectively. The spokesman further said that Ramesh Kumar, Tehsildar has been posted at Bholath. Besides this 14 more Tehsildars are also transferred which includes Kuldeep Singh at Bassi Pathana, Sukhjinder Singh Tiwana at Khamano, Harbans Singh at Fatehgarh Sahib, Hari Lal at Banga, Darshan Singh at Patiala, Sukhpinder Pal Kaur at Jaito, Harbans Singh Sekhon at Khanna, Subhash Chander Bhardwaj at Malerkotla, Kanwar Narinder at Dera Bassi, Gurvaryam Singh at Tarn Taran, Arvind Parkash Verma at Ajnala, Gurjit Singh at Dhar Kalan, Lakhwinder Singh at Bathinda and Iqbal Singh at Moga. Naib Tehsildar Sukhdev Bangar has been reinstated pending enquiry. The Spokesman further said that in Faridkot Division Ramesh Kumar, Naib Tehsildar has been posted at Joga, Rajinder Pal at Jhunir and Hiravanti at Faridkot agrarian. In Division Patiala Gurdarshan Singh, Naib Tehsildar has been posted at Malerkotla, Rajesh Kumar Nehra at Patiala, Karamjit Singh at Samana, Harinder Kumar at Tapa, Rupinder Manku at Chamkaur Sahib, Arjan Singh Grewal at Raikot, Hargobind Singh at SYL Rajpura with additional charge of SBS Nagar, Joginder Singh at Ludhiana West, Kamaljit Kaur at Dera Bassi, Harpreet Kaur at Mandi Gobindgarh, Parveen Kumar Singla at Mohali (agrarian), Satwinderpal Singh Ranike at Kharar and Tarsem Mittal as LAO GMADA Mohali. Similarly, in Ferozepur division Narinder Kumar, Naib Tehsildar has been posted at Ferozepur, Balwant Singh at Bariwala, Gursewak Singh at Mamdot, Neeraj Kumar Sharma at Sito Gunno, Jagdish Rai at Sri Muktsar Sahib and Jaswant Singh at Fazilka. Besides this, Lakhwinder Pal Singh Gill presently Naib Tehsildar at Mahilpur has been posted to Dhar Kalan. In Jalandhar Division, Lachhman Singh, Naib Tehsildar has been posted at Kapurthala, Ram Chand at Mahilpur, Mukhtiar Singh at Goraya, Swapandeep Kaur at Talwandi Chaudrian, Sukhdev Kumar Bangar at Tarsikka (Amritsar), Nirjeet Singh at Garhshankar, Joginder Lal at Hajipur, Surinder Kumar Gupta at Talwara (under training), Ram Anand at Sri Hargobindpur, Navpreet Singh Shergill as Nodal Officer in Call Centre at FCR Office, Chandigarh, Sanjay Sharma at Mukerian, Manohar Lal at Bamiyal, Jagsir Singh at Ajnala, Narinderpal Singh at Ramdas and Harwinder Singh Gill at Khadur Sahib. - PUNJAB INSTRUCTS DISTRICTS ADMINISTRATION TO MOVE WITH COORDINATED APPROACH TO TACKLE GASTROENTERITIS Ø HEALTH , WATER SUPPLY AND MUNICIPAL TEAMS TOLD TO FAN OUT TO VULNERABLE AREAS Ø HEALTH OFFICIALS TOLD TO DESTROY CUT FRUIT AND OTHER INFECTED ITEMS Ø CHLORINE TABLETS TO BE DISTRIBUTED IN AFFECTED AREAS Ø PEOPLE ADVISED TO BOIL WATER FOR DRINKING Ø DOOR TO DOOR INSPECTION TO BE CARRIED OUT BY HEALTH OFFICIALS Ø CMO TOLD TO MAKE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUSPECTED GASTRO PATIENTS Chandigarh August 3: The Punjab government has issued directions to all district administrations to move with a coordinated approach to tackle the outbreak of gastroenteritis in the state. In a statement issued here today Principal Secretary Health Ms. Vini Mahajan said that the departments of Health, Water Supply along with Municipal teams have been asked to fan out to vulnerable areas in the state and take every precaution while handling affected people. The officials of the department of Water supply have been especially told to ensure safe drinking water to the habitats. Ms. Mahajan said that besides keeping its staff on an alert, the health authorities were also asked to be regularly in touch with the officials of the Municipal Corporation (MC), water supply and sewerage board and some others departments concerned regarding the prevention of the outbreak of diseases and also to ensure hygiene in the residential areas, parks and other green belts in the areas under their control. Meanwhile, Ms. Mahajan has asked the health officials to destroy the uncovered cut fruits and other food items not fit for human consumption being sold especially in and around thickly populated areas. She has also asked the health officials in districts to ensure the supply of chlorine tablets in the affected areas. Surveillance teams have also been asked to carry out door to door inspection and also educate people about health and hygiene. Ms. Mahajan has also directed all the civil surgeons to make special arrangements for the suspected gastro cases and ensure that they have been given treatment free of cost. She also said that Medical camps were being held in the affected areas. ---------------- Schedule for RIMC Entrance Test announced Chandigarh, August 03: The entrance examination for admission to the Rashtriya Indian Military College ( RIMC ), Dehradun for July, 2016 term would be conducted here at Lala Lajpat Rai Bhawan (Sector-15) on 1st(Tuesday)& 2nd (Wednesday) December, 2015. Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Directorate Sainik Welfare, Punjab informed that only boys were eligible to apply for the admission. Candidates appearing for the test should not be born earlier than 2nd July, 2003 and not later than 1st January, 2005 . They should either be studying in Class VII or passed Class VII from any recognized school at the time of admission to the RIMC. Selected candidates will be given admission in Class-VIII. The written part of the examination would consist of three papers namely, English, Mathematics & General Knowledge and the viva-voce test would be held for only those candidates who qualify in the written exam and the date for the viva voce test has been fixed as on April 05, 2016. He informed that the copies of application forms, prospectus and set of old question papers could be obtained from the Commandant, RIMC, Dehradun on payment of Rs.430/- for registered post or Rs.480/- for speed post for General candidates and Rs.385/- for registered post or Rs.435/- for speed post for SC/ST candidates through demand draft in favour of Commandant, RIMC, Dehradun payable at SBI Tel Bhavan (Code No.01576) Dehradun alongwith three passport size photographs of the candidate. Besides this, the candidate should furnish a certificate of age in duplicate from municipal birth register. He further said that the applications in duplicate duly completed must reach here at Directorate Sainik Welfare, Punjab on before 30 September, 2015. Application received after 30-09-2015 will not be entertained. -
- STATIONS WOULD BE ALLOTTED AFTER THE TRAINING Chandigarh, August 3: Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fishery Minister Punjab today handed over appointment letter to 33 newly recruited Veterinary Inspectors at a function held at Circuit House. Disclosing this official spokesperson said that the Minister exhorted the newly appointed inspectors to work with sincerity and dedication. He also announced that the Punjab Government has also given go ahead to make further recruitment in the Animal Husbandry Department to fill the vacant posts of Veterinary Doctors and Inspectors. He said the process for recruitment would soon be initiated. He said that the station to these Vat Inspectors would be allotted after they complete 40 days departmental training. Dr. H.S. Sandha, Director, Animal Husbandry Department welcomed the Veterinary Inspectors into the Department. He expressed hope that live stock farmers would be immensely benefited with the technological and professional excellence of these Veterinary Inspectors. - --------------- FOOT SOLDIERS TO TAKE THE MESSAGE OF SANITATION TO EVERY VILLAGE OF PUNJAB: RAKHRA · PUNJAB WORKS OUT COORDINATED PLAN WITH NGOS TO MAKE 100 PERCENT USAGE OF TOILETS-A REALITY IN STATE · STATE AND NGOS TO COLLECTIVELY WORK TO CHANGE MINDSET OF PEOPLE REGARDING SANITATION CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 3: The Punjab Government has worked out a novel scheme under which foot soldiers of state and NGOs would take the message of Swach Bharat to over 13057 villages of the state to make the dream of making Punjab first open defection free state of the country by the year October 2016. Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Water Supply and Sanitation Minister today unveiled this novel plan in which NGOs and state government would work hand in hand for next two years to bring a attitudinal change in the minds of public regarding sanitation and to motivate people for usage of toilets. A motivational program would be launched throughout the state to motivate people to become part of this state level movement to have toilets every household of the state. A meeting between District Water Supply and Sanitation officers and World Bank Mission members was held with NGOs and other social organizations to discuss water supply and sanitation programmes being taken up in Punjab, to seek their association in the implementation of World Bank funded Rs 2200 crore project. The project is aiming to achieve household toilets & water connections for all households in rural areas of Punjab state. Under this project, household toilets will be provided to 6.25 lakh houses whereas 6.50 lakh households will be provided independent water connections. Addressing the workshop Mr. Rakhra informed the delegates about the resolve of State to provide water supply and sanitation facilities to each household in close partnership between DWSS and NGOs. Thereafter, Mr. Suresh Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary, Water Supply and Sanitation, in his opening remarks gave a brief about the project components and assured all possible help to NGOs and social organizations for working in partnership with DWSS. To achieve these objectives, Punjab Government invited participation of the NGOs and social organizations to ensure people’s participation in the programme and help in improved service delivery of water supply and sanitation facilities created under this project on sustainable basis. More than 30 NGOs and social organizations participated in the 1 day workshop and also gave presentations of their areas of expertise and assured the department of their support. The workshop was attended by all the Chief Engineers, Superintending Engineers and District Sanitation Nodal Officers. Mr. Ajoy Sharma, Secretary cum Head of Department specifically mentioned about the role of NGOs and civil society organizations in the project and conveyed his best wishes for the successful implementation of the project in partnership with NGOs. ------------ VIGILANCE NABS SDO PSPCL OF LUDHIANA IN GRAFT CASE CHANDIGARH, August 3: Vigilance Bureau today nabbed a SDO PSPCL Harvinder Singh posted in Sidhwan Bet Ludhiana red handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 50,000. Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the Vigilance Bureau said that SDO was nabbed on the complaint of Jaswant Lal of Ludhiana. The complainant has alleged that SDO Harvinder Singh was demanding bribe of Rs. 75000 for installing electricity connection at his Pig Farm at Sheikh Kutba at Hambra Road Ludhiana. On the tip off provided by the complainant SDO was nabbed red handed while accepting bribe of first installment of Rs. 50,000 from the complainant.
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