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BOPARAI APPOINTED OSD TO SPEAKER Chandigarh 17 December ; MR. Daya Singh Boparai has been appointed OSD to Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha today.
He has assumed the charge of his new assignment today at Punjab Vidhan Sahba. Mr. Daya Singh retired from the post of Block Primary Education Officer, Dhianpur in district Gurdaspur. Mr. Jagdish Sahni, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Excise and Taxation was also present on the occasion. ------------------------------------------------------------- SEEKS RESIGNATION OF UNION GOVERNMENT FOR ITS FAILURE TO CURB PRICE RISE Chandigarh, December 18 Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, President, Shiromani Akali Dal and Deputy Chief Minister Punjab today sought the resignation of Union Government for its total failure to curb rising prices of all essential commodities. In a statement issued here, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal slammed Union Government for its insensitive attitude towards the misery of common man getting crushed with the spiraling prices of all essential commodities. Mr. Badal said that touching of inflation the unprecedented figure of 20%, highest ever in last 12 years, shows the total failure of economic policies of Union Government and it has no right to continue in the power. He said that Union Agriculture, Finance as well as Commerce ministries failed to have coordinated approach to tackle the problem of rising prices and their mutual failure of coordination was costing nation very dear. Calling upon people to expose the corrupt policy of Congress led Union Government, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that deliberate timing of imposing and relaxing curbs on import and export, with the design to maneuver the price of essential commodities was responsible for calculated price rise by various lobbies and Union Government must accept its failure on this front. Mr. Badal regretted that with pulses being sold at Rs. 90 plus level, Union government accepting its failure to bring the price down, was now advising people to opt for dry peas instead of protein rich cereals, denying 70% of population the only source of protein. He said that now even companies were feeling ashamed to put pulses at Rs. 90 per kg on the rate list and they had shamefully amended the rate lists, giving the rate of pulses per half kg to camouflage the 100% hike in the price of pulses during last four months. Mr. Badal said that NDA had been pressing in Parliament for adjournment motion to discuss the important issue of price rise but with Prime Minister busy in Copenhagen discussing Environment and Agriculture Minister busy in Indo-Sri Lanka One Day Series, Congress led UPA does not think that price rise was the issue of any discussion in Parliament. Mr. Badal said that NDA would soon call on President of India, requesting her to intervene to wake up Union Government from the deep slumber or dismiss the government for its failure and inability to perform its constitutional duties of protecting life of citizen of India who were dying of hunger due to extra ordinary price hike of eatables. CM CONSTITUTES 3-MEMBER COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE ROTATIONAL QUOTA SYSTEM Chandigarh, December 18: Punjab Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal today constituted a 3-member committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary and comprising Principal Secretary Home and Director General of Police to look into the issues arising out of Rotational Quota System besides suggesting any change in recruitment rules at different levels, wherever required. According to a Spokesman of Punjab Government the Committee has been directed to submit its recommendation within a stipulated time frame of one month. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ADVISOR TO CM DR. DALJIT SINGH CHEEMA BEREAVED PUNJAB CM & MIPR CONDOLES THE SAD DEMISE OF DR.DALJIT SINGH CHEEMA’S MOTHER
CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 18: Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Sardarni Kuldeep Kaur mother of his advisor Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema. Sardarni Kuldeep Kaur (85) passed away last night. Mr. Badal also shared his heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to give strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss and grant peace to the departed soul. Meanwhile, Information & Public Relations Minister Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Chief Minister’s Media Advisor Mr. Harcharan Bains, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Information & Public Relations Mr. DS Guru and Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Director Information & Public Relations Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar also shared their condolences with the members of the bereaved family. --------------------- PUNJAB EXPANDS WAGE ACT SCOPE Chandigarh December 18 The Punjab Government has enhanced the monthly minimum wages of the unskilled workers from Rs.3200 to Rs. 3398 with effect from 01-09-2009. This was disclosed here today by Mr. Tikshan Sud, Labour and Employment Minister Punjab while presiding over the meeting of the Minimum Wages Advisory Board. In order to check the exploitation of teachers, security guards, sweepers and domestic help working in private sectors or households have been brought under the ambit of the minimum wages act 1948, said Mr. Sud. Nearly 2 Lakh private security personnel, around 2.5 lakh teachers in private schools all over the state and about 5 lakh sweepers and semi skilled workers would be benefited with this expansion. Adding further, Mr. Sud said that an employer is liable to six month imprisonment or a fine of Rs. 5000 or both in case he does not pay his employee as per the minimum wages act. With a view to checking major variations between the wages fixed by the Deputy Commissioners, the Government has also decided to withdraw powers of DCs to fix the minimum wages of the employees working in boards, corporations or semi government concerns. Mr. Sud also said that the board has unanimously approved the minimum wages of the unskilled security gurards/chowkidars at Rs. 3398/- whereas the skilled security guards having been trained at the Jahankhalan training center Hoshiarpur would get Rs. 4389/-. Highly skilled head security guards and head firemen would get Rs. 4573/-. Security supervisors and security inspectors would get Rs. 5600/- and Rs. 6080/- respectively said Mr. Sud. ---------------------------------
SUKHBIR CONDOLES THE DEATH OF MATA KULDEEP KAUR Chandigarh, December 18: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today expressed profound grief at the demise of Mata Kuldeep Kaur mother of Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Advisor to Chief Minister, Punjab who expired late last night. In a condolence message, the Deputy Chief Minister said that Mata Kuldeep Kaur along with his husband late Giani Sher Singh made a significant contribution in strengthening the Akali Dal party at the grass root level. She nurtured his able son Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema with the basic philosophy of this Panthic party, who is also performing a pioneering role in strengthening the organizational setup of the Akali Dal. Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved Cheema family in this critical hour and prayed to God to give peace to the departed soul and strength to them to bear this irreparable loss. ------------------------------ SEKHWAN & KAHLON CONDOLES THE DEATH OF MATA KULDEEP KAUR Chandigarh, December 18: Punjab Public Relations Minister Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan and Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Mr. Nirmal Singh Kahlon today expressed shock at the demise of Mata Kuldeep Kaur mother of Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Advisor to Chief Minister, Punjab who passed away late last night. In a condolence message, the Ministers said that the selfless services of Mata Kuldeep Kaur along with his husband late Giani Sher Singh for strengthening of the Akali Dal party at the grass root level would always be remembered by one and all. While expressing heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family Mr. Sekhwan and Mr. Kahlon prayed to God to give peace to the departed soul and strength to them to bear this irreparable loss. ------------------------------ PNDT ACT IMPLEMENT STRICTLY -- CHAWLA Chandigarh 18 December ; Mrs. Laxmi Kanta Chawla, Health and Family Welfare Minister, Punjab stated that News items published in the newspaper entitled Punjab tops list of female feticide cases’ bases on a reply to a question in Rajya Sahba ( National Crime record bureau)” was not correct. The Minister said that the figures quoted in the newspaper were not correct and the correct figures are as under: Year PNDT Cases Conviction Upto2005 78 2006 2007 2008 2009 ---
The Minister informed that 34 cases had been discharged and 56 cases were pending. During the last 3 years, there had been 25 new cases and 7 convictions against the figure 81 and 3 quoted in newspaper. The Minister further stated that the State Government was strictly implementing PNDT act, as a result if which number of registered cases and number of conviction cases in Punjab were highest in the country. She said that it did not mean that cases of female foeticide were rising. On the contrary the survey conducted by Government of India_ Sample registration system was showing consistent improvement in child ratio which had increased from 798 (0-6yrs.) in 2001 to 838 in 2007. The large number of criminal cases in the State were the result of extra vigil mounted by the state government and not on account of increasing incidents of female foeticide, said Mrs. Chawla. Mrs. Chawla informed that the Health Department Punjab honoured 28 panchayats for their contribution to stop the menace of female foeticide. 60 more panchayats would be honoured in the month of Jan, 2010 for this noble work. L&T CHIEF URGES BADAL TO MEET PM TO ENSURE COAL SUPPLY FOR RAJPURA THERMAL PLANT
CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 17: Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) Mr. AM Naik called on Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal to apprise him about the perspective plan for the upcoming 1320 MW Rajpura Thermal Plant. Mr. Badal acceded the request of Mr. Naik to meet jointly with the Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh for his personal intervention to sort out the problems related to the short supply of coal in Punjab. Mr. Naik while sharing his experiences with Mr. Badal in different fields like education, IT, road infrastructure, health care and power generation, offered company's services to set-up technical skill trainings centres equipped with the latest equipment and techniques in the state. Taking part in the deliberations the Chief Minister assured Mr. Naik that the state government would extend its full support and cooperation for L&T's initiatives to be taken in the larger public interest. He also appreciated the commendable work done by Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) as India's largest engineering and construction company with additional interests in electrical, electronic and IT sectors. President SGPC Jathedar Avtar Singh, the Chief Secretary Mr. SC Agrawal, and Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema and Chairman PSEB Mr. HS Brar also attended the meeting. ------------------------------------------------------------ 2 CHAIRMEN, 2 VICE CHAIRMEN AND 27 MEMBERS NOMINATED IN TWO MARKET COMMITTEES OF KHEMKARAN AND BIKHIWIND CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 17: The Punjab Government today nominated two Chairmen and two Vice Chairmen of the Market Committees of Khemkaran and Bikhiwind in Tarn Taran district under Sub Section (1) of Section 16 of Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets Act, 1961. Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Punjab government today nominated Mr. Rashpal Singh as Chairman and Mr. Nachatar Singh Khalsa as Vice Chairman of Market Committee Khemkaran and Mr. Bhagwant Singh as Chairman & Mr. Krishan Pal Judge as Vice Chairman of Market Committee Bikhiwind in Tarn Taran district. He further said that under Section 12 of Punjab Agriculture Produce Markets Act, 1961 (Punjab Act No.23 of 1961) had nominated 14 members in Market Committee of Khemkaran and 13 members in Market Committee of Bikhiwind in Tarn Taran district. The respective notifications relating to these nominations had already been issued by the State Agriculture department. AYURVEDIC PRACTITIONERS FELICITATE SEKHWAN FOR GETTING AYURVEDIC UNIVERSITY APPROVED FOR PUNJAB Chandigarh, December 17: A delegation of Ayurvedic Medical Practitioners Association under the leadership of their President Dr. Satish Sharma today felicitated Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Public Relations Minister for performing a catalytic role in getting third Ayurvedic University of country approved in Punjab Assembly. The delegation while expressing gratitude to Mr. Sekhwan for this historic role, said that the Independent University for Ayurveda while giving international recognition to ancient Medical system of India would also promote much needed research and development in this field. Mr. Sekhwan while addressing the delegation called upon medical fraternity to provide cheap treatment to the poor and needy in the society exhorted them to serve the suffering humanity in the remote villages of the state. He said that this system of medical practice could supplement the government health infrastructure. Earlier the delegation felicitated Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan with a memento and a sculpture of God Dhanvantari. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PUNJAB SOUNDS INTER STATE ALERT TO TRACE MISSING MOGA GIRL Chandigarh, December 17: The Punjab Police has sounded a inter state alert to find Napinder Kaur, a 19 year girl from Moga, who is missing since December 15, 2008. In a tele fax message sent to Director General of Police of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, J& K, Rajasthan and also to Additional DGP U.T., Chandigarh, Punjab police has emphasized that Punjab and Haryana High Court has entrusted the investigation of this missing girl to ADGP (Crime) Punjab. The details of this 19 years old fair girl having missing from Moga circulated to all the states. The Punjab police have sought assistance and information from all the states in tracing this missing girl. ----------------------------------------------------- SUD PLEADS MIGRANT LABOUR NOT TO PANIC-ASSURES FULL SECURITY Chandigarh December 17: Mr.Tikshan Sud, Labour Minister Punjab today urged that Punjab is still a most peaceful State, the migrant labour from other States need not to panic and believe any rumors. Assuring full security to them, the Labour Minister said that Punjab has the history of cordial labour relations with migrant labour who had been working in the State peacefully since decades. He said that one isolated incident by mischievous elements can not snap age old ties of migrant labour from other States with Punjab. Urging them not to believe any rumors, the Labour Minister said that Punjab State was fully committed to protect the life and property of every citizen of the State and migrant labour should not think of to leave the State in which they had been working since ages and have contributed a lot in the infrastructural, industrial and cultural development of Punjab. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Main branch lower closed for 24 days Chandigarh, December 17 Punjab Government has issued a notification to close the Main Branch Lower for 24 days. Disclosing this here today a spokesman of Irrigation Department Punjab said that as per the notification Main Branch Lower and its off-taking Canals will remain closed for jacketing of bridge No. 136 upstream and Downstream on SNL-ASR section under ADEN/ASR at RD 95800/98000 of Main Branch Lower from 18.12.2009 to 10.01.2010 (both days inclusive) for 24 days. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PUNJABTO FLOAT RS. 465 CRORE LOAN Chandigarh, December 17 : The Punjab government in consultation with Reserve Bank of India(RBI) today floated Rs. 465 crore(nominal) loan to finance part of Capital Expenditure of Plan Schemes and other development schemes under execution. According to an official spokesman the State government today notified the sale of Punjab Government Stock (Securities) of 10 year tenure for a aggregate amount of Rs. 465 crore (Nominal). The spokesman said that consent of Central government has already been obtained to the floatation of this loan. The spokesman said that the government stock would be sold through RBI Mumbai by auction that would be conducted by them in his Mumbai office on December 22, 2009. The application form duly filled in with the Competitive and non- competitive bids should be submitted in electronic format, on the Negotiated Dealing System (NDS)to the RBI, Mumbai on December 22, 2009 by 12.30 P.M and 11.30 AM respectively. Result of auction would be displayed on December 23, 2009 and successful bidders would make payment on December 23, 2009. The spokesman added that this 10 year tenure loan would be repaid at par on December 23, 2019. He said that interest will be paid every half yearly on June 23 and December 23 and cut off yield determined at the auction would be the coupon rate percent per annum of the stock sold at the auction. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Punjab to register Dharmi Faujis again-Sekhwan Ex-Servicemen rally at Gurdaspur on December 26 for quick redressal of their complaints Chandigarh December 16: Punjab Defence Services Welfare Minister Mr.Sewa Singh Sekhwan today said that Punjab government has taken a major decision to register all those Dharmi Faujis (Sikhs who deserted army in wake of Operation Blue Star), who failed to get themselves registered earlier and avail any rehabilitation package. Disclosing here today, Mr.Sekhwan said that SAD-BJP government was fully committed to rehabilitate all the Dharmi Faujis who had deserted the Army in resentment against operation blue star. He appealed them to get their names registered with District Sainik Welfare Offices at the earliest so that the Defence Services Welfare department could provide them the all possible help. Reviewing the working of Directorate of Sainik Welfare, Mr.Sekhwan said that Punjab having the largest proportion of Ex-servicemen. Keeping in view the day to day problems being faced by the ex-servicemen the department has decided to hold an ex-servicemen rally at Gurdaspur on December 26 which would be presided over by the Punjab Chief Minister S.Parkash Singh Badal. He directed the Director Sainik Welfare to submit him the list of pending issues as well as the future initiatives to be undertaken with state government so that it could be get cleared from the Cabinet at the earliest. He assured the Directorate to fill the vacancies at the earliest. Earlier, Mr.Sekhwan visited the various branches of the Directorate and evinced keen interest in the various training programmes launched for the wards of ex-servicemen. On this occasion, Brig.(Retd.) I.S.Gakhal welcomes the Minister.
BADAL UNVEIL RS.1388 CRORE PROJECT FOR CLEANING OF RIVER/CANAL SYSTEM IN PUNJAB GOVT. COMMITTED TO PROVIDE CLEAN RIVER WATER WITH IN NEXT TWO YEARS CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 16: The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today unveiled a massive programme of Rs. 1388 crore for the cleaning of river Satluj (Rs.1076 crore), river Beas (Rs.222 crore) and Sirhind canal (Rs.90 crore) to provide clean water from river/canal system within next two years. Giving the details of the mammoth project of cleaning of river Satluj, Beas and Sirhind Canal in the state, during a media interaction, Mr. Badal said that out of total Rs.1388 crore, project worth Rs.676 crore had been approved and Detailed Project Reports (DPR) for Rs.717 crore were under preparation. The Chief Minister attributed that the pollution of river system was broadly because of the municipal and industrial waste falling directly into these rivers or indirectly through the drains. All the stake holders comprising Local Government department, Pollution control Board and the Industry had been taken into confidence to undertake this gigantic project within the time frame. Under the cleaning of Sirhind canal system, three municipal towns along with it namely Nangal, Anandpur Sahib and Ropar had been allotted funds to the tune of Rs.21 crore, Rs.15 crore and Rs.54 crore respectively for laying down the sewerage and installation of Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs) in these towns. The sewerage work in these three municipal towns had already began and the tenders for the installation of STPs have already been received. Likewise, the water from Kiratpur Sahib along other villages which was falling in the Sirhind canal had been stopped by excavating ponds. The Chief Minister also informed that the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) had been entrusted with the task to ensure suitable technology and insure zero discharge in the canal from Bhakra Beas Management Board, National Fertilizer Ltd., Punjab Alkalies & Chemical Ltd., Ropar Thermal Plant. This step would help in providing clean water to effected districts of Ropar, Ludhiana, Sangrur, Barnala, Bathinda, Moga, Mansa, Faridkot, Muktsar and Patiala. The PPCB had also been asked to ensure the usage of treated waste water for irrigation purposes. Mr. Badal pointed out that out of the total cost of Rs.90 crore for this project, projects worth Rs.67 crore had already been sanctioned and the remaining funds to the tune of Rs.23 crore would be soon tied up. Under the river Satluj action plan, Mr. Badal said that 14 cities were polluting the river Satluj. He said that Rs.416 crore had been sanctioned for Ludhiana, Rs.19.80 crore for Machiwara and Rs.18.84 crore for Kurali. Apart from these towns, Jalandhar (Rs.263 crore), Phagwara (Rs.41.15 crore) and Phillaur (Rs.12.07 crore) have been approved by the National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD). The NRCD had also agreed in principle to include Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (Rs.22 crore) and Banga (Rs.14.18 crore). Six Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for Hoshiarpur (Rs.124 crore), Makhu (Rs.21.48 crore), Dharmkot (Rs.18.11 crore), Zira (Rs.23.82 crore), Talwandi Bhai (Rs.15.96 crore) and Moga (Rs.64.55 crore) would be submitted to NCRD by December 31, 2009 for which the requisite funds would be provided by it. It may be recalled that the state government had submitted projects worth Rs.1076 crore to the NCRD has sanctioned and the DPRs for Rs.560 crore were under preparation. To check the menace of pollution by the Ludhiana based industry in river Satluj, Mr. Badal said that a separate common effluents treatment plant (CETP) had been set up for electro plating industry and it was running to its capacity with zero discharge. Likewise, the dying units scattered at different places at Ludhiana had been moved to the five clusters at Focal Point, Industrial Area, Tajpur road, Bahadurke road and Rahon road. Two CETPs were being set up through the special purpose vehicle formed by the dying industry. The relevant data and information had already been submitted to Central Pollution Control Board for deciding the most suitable technology. Similarly in Phagwara the Sukhjit Strach Mill, Wahid Sugar Mill and JCT had already installed their sewerage treatment plants and their discharge was within the norms. Referring to the action plan for cleaning of river beas, Mr. Badal said that as many as 11 cities caused pollution in the river beas. He further said that the state government had already sanctioned project worth Rs.93.25 crore for installation of STPs at Pathankot (Rs.62.50 crore), Kapurthala (Rs.22.17 crore) and Sultanpur Lodhi (Rs.8.58 crore). Detailed Project Reports for remaining 8 cities at a cost of Rs.129 crore were under preparation which included Mukerian (Rs.19.68 crore), Dasuya (Rs.14.75 crore), Tanda Urmur (Rs.26.68 crore), Begowal (Rs.12.06 crore), Dhilwan (Rs.14.04 crore), Raiya (Rs.18.44 crore), Bolath (Rs.16.72 crore) and Sham Chaurasi (Rs.6.66 crore). He said that these reports would be ready by January 31, 2010. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ACADEMIC SESSION OF SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB WORLD UNIVERSITY TO START FROM MARCH 2011 CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 16: The Prestigious Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University Fatehgarh Sahib would commence its academic activities from March 2011. A decision to this effect has been taken during a meeting of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Memorial Trust held here under the chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal. It was informed in the meeting by the Vice Chancellor of Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University Dr. Jasbir Singh Ahluwalia that the construction work of the buildings of the university which was being funded by the SGPC, was in full swing and about 80% of the work had been completed whereas rest would be completed by the end of March 2010. The remaining allied services work would also be completed with in 6-7 months after the completion of building construction. A committee was also tying up with certain banks to get loan which would be finalized soon. It was also informed that selected fee structure is nominal and less than the institutions imparting education in the private sector whereas syllabus of various degree courses was being sent for the approval of syndicate, added Dr.Ahluwalia. Expressing satisfaction over the quality of construction of the building in the campus after going through a video presentation, Mr. Badal suggested the members for the maximum utilization of the solar power energy in the campus. It may be recalled here that the University would focus on imparting education in most modern technologies such as Nano-technology, Bio-technology, Information Technology and Business management besides comparative study of different religions. The University would also house the faculties of the Schools of Emerging Technologies, Basic Sciences, Management, Social Sciences, Arts, Languages, Engineering, Architecture, Law and Social Justice. The university is also trying to tie up with the Manipal University to start some joint research ventures. Prominent amongst other members who attended the meeting included President SGPC Jathedar Avtar Singh, Mr. RS Mann, Mr. Didar Singh Bhatti, Mr. Sukhdev Singh Bhaur and Bibi Kiranjit Kaur. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bathinda Refinery completion ahead of schedule: Badal Chandigarh December 16 – The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today declared the prestigious Sri Guru Gobind Singh Oil Refinery at Bathinda will go in full steam x ahead of its well before scheduled time of completion. "Overall 94 per cent of Ordering and Tendering has been completed and the project looks good for completion as early April 2011'" he said. Talking to media persons here, Mr. Badal said that work on the 19000 crore project was in full swing. Out of the proposed 19000 crore outlay, Rs. 15,500 crore had already been committed for expenditure and out of that Rs.6400 crore have already been spent. In addition, orders worth 9100 crore have also been placed for timely completion of the biggest project ever to be set up in Punjab Giving details of the progress of the work at the project, the Chief Minister said that more than 54% of the task had already been completed as on 15 of September this year. More than 26,000 workers – the largest work force for any single project in the history of the state – were engaged day and night to accomplish the Herculean task. The Chief Minister further said that the economy of the stat would move into a higher orbit when the Refinery becomes fully functional. He disclosed that investments worth more than Rs. 12,00 crore were expected in the vicinity of the refinery , giving a major boost to ancillary units in Malwa and Doaba regions of the state. These units are likely to be set up Bathinda, Ludhiana and Jalandhar. In addition, transport sector would also benefit from the trade and transit activity at the site. The Chief Minister said that the industry would relieve major pressure on the unemployment front as it is likely to result in direct and indirect employment opportunities for more than one lakh persons in the state. Mr. Badal said that the power situation in the state would also be a major beneficiary from this project as power plant with a capacity of 300 MWs would be set up here. This along with the thermal plants coming in the state would boost Punjab's power production beyond twice of its present capacity of 6200 MWs, making Punjab a power surplus state for the first time in history. --------------------------------------------- SUKHBIR SEEKS AREA SPECIFIC INCENTIVE POLICIES IN THE RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR Chandigarh, December 15: International Conference on Renewable Energy- Agenda for the North today began at CII with Mr. Farooq Abdullah, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Haryana Chief Minister collectively resolving to make India a leading force in Renewable Energy Sector by the year 2020. Speaking on the occasion the Deputy Chief Minister Punjab Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that Union government should contemplate 'area specific incentive policies' in the renewable energy sector to tap the area specific strength of each region. He said that as coastal belt had a potential to tap wind energy, similarly Punjab had a great potential to tap power from Biomass, Solar and Hydro Sectors. He said that instead of dispersing the precious resources, each area should be encouraged to tap area specific resources with full central assistance. Inviting the Industry to invest in renewable power sector, he said that Punjab was the first state that has allowed open access to the renewable power producers, so that they could get maximum rate for power produce by them. Resolving to make Punjab a leading state to exploit energy from biomass sector, Mr. Badal said that Punjab being an agricultural state was producing 20 million tone paddy husk every year that has a potential to produce over 5000 MW power. He said that state was setting up 28 biomass based power plants to produce 200 MW powers which would be operational in the year 2010. He said that Punjab was aiming to setup over 200 such plants to harness energy from agricultural waste. Besides value addition to the farmers to the extent of Rs. 3000 per acre, these power plants have huge direct and indirect employment potential, he added. Mr. Badal surprised the audience by declaring that Punjab has developed a technology to generate power from the flow of the water in the rivers. He sought capital subsidies from the Union government for this innovative project that has huge potential to generate power. He said that besides producing 32 MW from Mini Hydro Power Plants, the State was aiming to double the capacity in next two years. Aiming to take the message of Renewable Energy to every home especially in the rural areas, Mr. Badal informed that Punjab was floating self-financing global tenders for 1 lakh 'gobar gas (cow dung) cooking tables for the village houses. He said that Company supplying cooking tables would get these equipment cross subsidized from the Carbon credits to be earned in the Inter-national market. The Deputy Chief Minister thanking Dr. Abdullah for sanctioning total central assistance for solar lighting and solar cooking of langar of Golden Temple and Durgiana Mandir at Amritsar, said that usage of solar power at the temporal seat of Sikhism besides Durgiana Mandir would send the message of need for harnessing solar power to lacs of pilgrims visiting these shrines daily. Mr. Badal also thanked Union Minister for acceding to the request of Punjab government for restoring enhanced subsidy on solar tubewells in Punjab. He said that with enhanced central subsidies on solar tubewells Punjab besides saving Rs. 3000 crores spent annually on diesel, Punjab would be saving lot on power, while fulfilling its obligation to contribute 60% grains to the National pool. Earlier speaking on the occasion Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that India has achieved over 15,500 MW of grid interactive installed renewable power, that was around 8% of the total installed grid capacity. He said that it was matter for great pride that India was fourth in the world in the wind energy sector with the production of 10890 MW wind Power. He said that India was fully prepared to harness 48,500 MW wind power by the year 2022. He congratulated Punjab government for commissioning first ever commercial solar power plant in the country. Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Chief Minister Haryana outlines the step taken by Haryana government in promoting renewable energy in the State. Mr. Vishwajeet Khanna, Secretary Science and Technology inviting the entrepreneurs to invest in renewable energy ventures in Punjab said that Punjab was the first state to have clear cut policy frame work for this sector. Mr. Khanna informed that even with 28 Biomass Plants being setup in the state, Punjab would be using only 1.5 million tonnes of agricultural residue, leaving an untapped potential of 18.5 million tonnes. He said that Punjab has already reached the target in biomass sector that was to be achieved in 2012. Outlining the theme of the conference, Mr. Harpal Singh, Chairman, CII Northern Region said that this conference has been organized to explore long term policy interventions, providing financing mechanisms and developing innovative technologies in the renewable energy sector to meet the future power demand of the country. -------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS FRUCTIFY PUNJAB BECOMES FIRST STATE TO START TOLL FREE PHONE SERVICE TO REDRESS RURAL WATER SUPPLY COMPLAINTS Chandigarh, December 16: The Administrative Reforms initiated by young Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, to empower citizen to monitor the quality of public services started fructifying today as he inaugurated country's first ever toll free line to register complaints regarding water supply in 12102 villages of Punjab. Speaking after formally inaugurating the service, Mr. Sukhbir Badal said that with this round the clock complaint service known as Shikayat Nivaran Kendra (SNK), the state would be able to monitor the water supply in all remote villages from a single centralized location. He said that this was a humble attempt of SAD-BJP Government to provide next generation of customer services so far unheard of anywhere in the country in the Rural Water Sector. He said that this was an endeavor to provide increased rural access to the sustainable water supply system and to ensure the actual deliverance of services in terms of good quantity, quality and reliability at consumer end. He said that under this system, a toll free number (1800-180-2468) has been provided which can be used by all consumers to lodge their complaints as well as retrieve the latest information about the status of the complaints lodged by them. Mr.Sukhbir Badal said that all the calls made to from any location in the Punjab State will land at the centralized 24x7 call center in Mohali. The call center is operated round the clock throughout the year. He said that an advanced IVR system would help the customers to easily retrieve the required information, lodge complaints and place other customer service requests at the call center. Mr. Sukhbir Badal said that the complainant would be able to speak to the operator during working hours of the SNK i.e. from 6.00 AM to 10.00 PM and after these working hours; the complainant will be able to register his complaint through IVRS system only. All the complaints registered at SNK will immediately be forwarded to the concerned Executive Engineer, Sub Divisional Engineer and Assistant/Junior Engineer in charge of water supply scheme through various means of communication such as SMS and E-Mail, who in turn will take prompt remedial action and redress the complaint. He informed that after redressing the complaint, the officer/official concerned also reports back to SNK for further updating the status to the complainant. The Deputy Chief Minister said that he would get the monthly audit of this system from International Auditing Agency to check the effectiveness of the system besides areas where maximum complaints originated for rectification of the system. He said that his dream was to replicate this consumer satisfaction model in every public service department of the state. Explaining the positive aspects of the new scheme, Mr. Sukhbir Badal said that besides checking on absenteeism among lower ranks of employees in remote villages and ensuing Time bound delivery of services it would enable him to assess the performance of the department on daily basis. Mr.Badal said that SAD-BJP Government was committed to provide potable drinking water to every home of Punjab within next two years two years and has sanctioned Rs.471 crores to augment water supply to over 2,000 villages. Later speaking to the media Mr.Badal informed that 80 Junior Engineers and 50 SDOs were being recruited in the water supply department. Earlier Mr.P.S.Aujla, Secretary Rural Water Supply gave information about the new scheme of the department. Mr. Badal went around the call centre and was given presentation of supervisory control and data acquisition system
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