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15TH ALL INDIA WHIPS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN CHANDIGARH
Chandigarh December 30: The 15th All India Whips Conference would be held in Chandigarh on the 10th and 11th of February 2010. This was disclosed here today by Mr. Tikshan Sud Parliamentary Affairs Minister Punjab while presiding over a preliminary meeting of the officers concerned and the representatives of the government of India. The meeting was especially convened to work out the modalities of holding the Conference at Chandigarh.
The Minister also said that the Chief Minister Punjab S. Parkash Singh Badal responded generously to the communiqué of Mr. Pawan Kumar Bansal Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs proposing to hold the Conference at Chandigarh. Around 180 to 200 delegates are expected to attend the conference apart from the officers/ officials from the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Government of India and all the States of the Country. He further said that the Union Ministers, Parliamentary Affair Ministers of all the states, Chief Whips and Whips of all the major political Parties of both the houses of Parliament i.e. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and State Assemblies of all the states would also attend the conference. The Secretary Parliamentary Affairs Punjab would be the coordinator of the 15th All India Whips Conference, said Mr. Sud.
Dr. Nirmal Kumar Azad IPS, Director Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs , Government of India, the DCs and SSPs of Mohali , Ropar and Chandigarh attended the meeting,
RAM CHARAN YADAV APPOINTED AS CHAIRMANOF PUNJAB PARVASI BHALAE BOARD
CHANDIGARH, DECEMBER 30:
The Punjab Government has appointed Mr. Ram Charan Yadav as the Chairman of the newly constituted ‘Punjab Parvasi Bhalae Board’ with immediate effect.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Chief Minister’s office said that the 7-member Punjab Parvasi Bhalae Board had been constituted to safeguard the interests of the migrants from the other states. The other members of the board would be appointed in due course of time. The term of the Board would be initially for a period of three years and may be extended at the discretion of the government. The board would meet once in three months and the Principal Secretary Home would be the coordinator of the board.
The spokesman further said that the board would examine the working of various safeguards provided in the constitution and in the laws passed by the Central and State Legislature for the protection of the migrants from other states and make recommendations with a view to insuring effective implementation and enforcement of all the safeguards. The board would also look into specific complaints regarding deprivation of rights and safeguards of migrants from the other States and take up such matter with the appropriate authorities.
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2 CHAIRMEN, 2 VICE CHAIRMEN AND 28 MEMBERS NOMINATED IN MARKET COMMITTEES OF BARNALA AND MAHALKALAN
CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 30: The Punjab Government today nominated 2 Chairmen, 2 Vice Chairmen and 28 members in the Market Committees of Barnala and Mahalkakan in Barnala district. Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Punjab government had nominated Mr. Karnail Singh as Chairman and Mr. Som Nath as Vice Chairman of the Market Committee Barnala and Mr. Ajit Singh as Chairman and Jathedar Malkit Singh as Vice Chairman of the Market Committee Mahalkalan in Barnala district under Sub Section (1) of Section 16 of Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets Act, 1961.. Likewise, the Punjab government under Section 12 of Punjab Agriculture Produce Markets Act, 1961 (Punjab Act No.23 of 1961) had also nominated 28 members in these Market Committees. The respective notifications relating to these nominations would be issued soon by the State Agriculture department. No.CMO-09/ 411
PUNJAB INDUSTRY TO GET NEW BOOST IN COMING TWO YEARS --KALIA
Chandigarh December 30: The Punjab Government has formulated a massive action plan to rejuvenate the existing industry and generate a conducive climate through infrastructure creation in the coming two years. Stating this here today Mr. Manoranjan Kalia , Industries Minister Punjab said that a dedicated fund of Rs.150 crore per annum was being planned for the creation and up gradation of Industrial Infrastructure and for contribution of State’s share in Government of India’s Schemes like Cluster Development, Common Facility Centres, R&D Marketing etc. Adding further he said that Punjab government would ensure the effective implementation of Hotel and Health Tourism Projects, which have been given the status of industry under new policy. He said that treatment was very costly in foreign countries and there are better medical facilities and infrastructure with latest equipment with modern technology was available in Punjab’s hospitals. He said that now foreigners particularly NRIs would prefer their treatment in Punjab.
While highlighting the state’s programmes and policies vis-à-vis industrial development and achievements during the current year, the minister said that Special Package of Incentives had been given to IT / / Bio-technology units and Agro based industries. Besides, the Government had taken initiatives to develop IT & IT Enabled Services Industry in Punjab. Identified Government land would be provided at highly concessional rates to these units. Uninterrupted round the clock power would also be supplied to such units to promote employment & investment boosting the economy of the State.
Mr. Kalia also said that 13 Special Economic Zone Projects have been approved by the Government of India for the State of Punjab, 2 SEZs have already been notified. One more SEZ has been recommended to Government of India for approval SEZ Act, 2009 has been enacted which will facilitate the development of Special Economic Zones in Punjab. The government has also provided exemption from all State taxes, duties, levies or cess
In order to provide relief to loanees of PFC & PSIDC, OTS Policy was notified on 2nd March, 2009. 362 loanees of PFC have approached the Corporation under this Scheme and out of these 243 loanees have deposited Rs.755 lacs as 15% initial amount. The Corporation is likely to get an amount of Rs.45 crore under this Policy. Similarly, PSIDC has so far received Rs.16.06 crore from 54 loanees and is likely to get total amount of Rs.110.27 crore under this Policy. Since all loanees could not avail the relief in time, the OTS Policy was extended up to 31.8.2009. For wider coverage, the Policy has been amended and further extended up to 31.12.2009 to cover more loanees of PFC and PSIDC, said the Minister.
To ensure simplification and transparency in the Mega Projects, the Minister said that the procedure for approval of mega projects has been made simpler and transparent. 15 mega projects with proposed investment of Rs.1970.47 crore have been approved during the year. The Government has decided to set up a self-contained Integrated Information Technology and Knowledge Industry Park spread over 1,276 acres at Rajpura.
Referring to the Guru Gobind Singh Oil Refinery at Bathinda, he said that Government took initiative to implement the Guru Gobind Singh Oil Refinery which remained abandoned for many years. To increase the pace of work and to remove the bottlenecks the concerned departments were directed to sort out the issues in a time bound manner. During the current year, the pace of work at site has been improved and the project which was earlier scheduled to be completed within 48 months has now been put on fast track implementation. Rs.6420 crore has already been invested in this project and total amount of over Rs.15,910 crore has been committed. The project would now be implemented by May 2011 with total investment of Rs.18,919 crore. Further, the configuration of Refinery has also been changed. The Refinery would also produce Polypropylene promoting downstream Petroleum / Polypropylene based industries. A Petroleum Chemicals & Petro-Chemical Investment Region (PCPIR) would be developed in Bathinda which would provide employment opportunities to the youth in that Region.
Giving details of the on going projects of Government of India in Punjab, Mr. Kalia said that State Government has got approved Foundry and Machine Tool Cluster at Batala with project cost of Rs.80 crore from Government of India under IIUS Scheme. Proposal for development of Hand Tool Cluster for Jalandhar with project cost of Rs.90 crore has also been sent to Government of India for approval under IIUS Scheme. Project for setting up of Common Effluent Treatment Plant at Jalandhar with cost of Rs.18 crore has been approved by Government of India under ASIDE Scheme and is under implementation. Proposal for development of 4 Clusters for Micro, Small and Medium Industry have been approved by Government of India under Micro Cluster Development Scheme. These are Machine Tools Cluster at Ludhaina, Oil Expeller & Parts Cluster at Ludhiana, Foundry Cluster at Ludhiana, Agriculture Implements & Machine Tools Cluster at Sangrur. 7 projects aimed at raising the competitiveness of Bicycle & Bicycle Parts Industry, Machine Tools Industry, Hand Tools Industry and other Industry in the State under UNIDO Country Programme being implemented by Government of India. Projects for Secure Land Fill System at cost of Rs.13.50 crore at Jalandhar and Solid Waste Management System with project cost of Rs.12 crore at Jalandhar have been approved by Government of India under Up gradation / Installation of Infrastructure for Environment Protection in Leather Sector.
MAJOR FINANCIAL SCAM UNERTHED IN MUNICIPAL CORPORATION LUDHIANA--- 11 OFFICIALS SUSPENDED
Chandigarh December 30: Mr. Manoranjan Kalia Local Bodies Minister Punjab has immediately suspended 11 senior officials of the Municipal Corporation Ludhiana and ordered a strict administrative departmental action against them for their involvement in one of the major financial frauds in the department. Three contractors in connivance with these officers have taken Rs. 75 Lakhs more and in addition to this fake bill amounting to Crores of Rs. were also got prepared. The suspended officers are Arun Sharma SE Civil, Karamjit Singh, H.S.Khosa, P.K. Chadha all Executive Engineers, Rahul Gagneja, Rakesh Sharma, Deepak Kochar all Assistant Municipal Engineers, Harjit Singh, Rakesh Singla both Junior Engineers, S.K.Gupta and Jaspal Anand both Dy. Controller Finance and Accounts.
While reiterating the Punjab Government’s commitment to provide free, fair and transparent administration, Mr. Kalia said that it was a matter of shame for these senior officers to have brought a bad name to the department. The have committed such a crime that they should not be spared. The Minister further said that Vijay Khanna, D. Controller Local Audit and S.S.Brar Asstt. Controller Local Audit in connivance with the contractors have committed blunders in the re Audit Scheme. The Minister has ordered their suspension and initiated action against them
Mr. Kalia has warned all the officers/officials of the department to discharge their duties with honest and dedication. Any kind of negligence on the part of the officers would be dealt with firmly, he said. A special Vigilance team has been constituted who would check the entire record of Municipal Corporation Ludhiana and submit the detailed report about the Ludhiana scam within a month.
PUNJAB GOVERNMENT COMMITTED TO IMPROVE THE STATUS OF ECONOMICALLY WEAKER SECTIONS OF SOCIETY –SWARNA RAM
CHANDIGARH, DECEMBER 30:
The Punjab Government was fully committed to the amelioration of girl child and women and has initiated various centrally sponsored schemes and also ensured their effective implementation with a view to providing financial assistance to the various age groups of the economically backward sections of the society throughout the state.
Revealing this here today, Ch. Swarna Ram , Social Security, Women & Child Development Minister, Punjab said that during the current year, 5267 Aganwari Centres , 1220 Mini Aganwari Centres and six new offices for the Child Development Project Officers were opened. The Minister further said that Punjab Government recruited had 5267 Aganwadi workers, 5267 Aganwadi Helpers and 1220 Mini Aganwadi Workers for the smooth working of newly opened centres.
The Minister further said that under the supplementary Nutrition Programme, government has increased the rates to the tune of Rs.4 per day for the age group of 3-6 year children, Rs. 5 per day for pregnant women & lactating mothers and adolescent girls and Rs. 6 per day for the Mal nutrition Children from six months to six years have been given Rs.6 per day per child. A provision has been made to provide snacks to 3-6 years age group children in the morning.
He said that with a view to improve the girl Child ratio, Centrally sponsored 'Dhan Luxmi Scheme' had been implemented in district Fatehgarh Sahib under which girls born on 19-11-2008 or thereafter will be provided financial assistance.The 'Rajiv Gandhi Scheme' for empowerment of adolescent girls would be implemented in all the 154 blocks of the state. Under this scheme, girls between the age of 11-18 years would be covered. Mahila Bhawans would be constructed in 8 blocks under the Swamsidha scheme.
RAVI KARAN SINGH KAHLON IS CHAIRMAN OF THE PUNJAB WATER
RESOURCES AND MANAGEMENT CORPORATION LTD.
Chandigarh Decemebr 30:
The Punjab Government appointed Ravi Karan Singh Kahlon, Son of Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha S. Nirmal Singh Kahlon, as Chairman of the Punjab Water Resources and Management Corporation Ltd.
Engineer by profession , Mr. Ravi Karan Singh remained General Secretary Youth Akali Dal from 1996 and due to his meritorious services towards party he was again elected Senior Vice President of Youth Akali Dal in 2003. Presently he is Managing Director of Central – Cooperative Bank Gurdaspur.
Mr. Ravi Karan Singh Kahlon thanked Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister & President Shiromani Akali Dal S. Sukhbir Singh Badal for his appointment as Chairman. He said that he would work with dedication and devotion as per the expectation of the people.
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Chandigarh December 30:
The 8th Session of the 13th Punjab Vidhan Sabha, which was adjourned sine-die at the conclusion of its sitting held on the 11th December, 2009, has been prorogued by an order of the Governor of Punjab, dated the 29th December, 2009.
This was disclosed by Secretary Punjab Vidhan Sabha here today.
PUNJAB 2009 : A YEAR OF UNPRECEDENTED DEVELOPMENMT
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS TOUCH UNPRECEDENTED
OVER Rs. 2 LAKH CRORE MARK
2010 TO BE A YEAR OF GOVERNANCE REFORMS : CM
Chandigarh, December 30: One Central University and another World University, two Greenfield Airports, Punjab's first ever IIT, and Indian School of Business, an unprecedented recruitment of over 29,000 school teachers in a single year, putting the Bathinda Oil Refinery back on track, pushing four new Power Plants towards completion and taking up of a comprehensive revamp of the canal irrigation network in Punjab-these are only some of the landmark achievements of SAD-BJP government during the year ending today.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal declared here today that his government would make 2010 a "Year of Governance Reforms". " Administrative reforms are long overdue to steer the state out of the legacy of the colonial mindset and make government machinery fully accountable and responsive to the needs of the common man," said Mr. Badal.
" Never in the history of post-Independence, Punjab has the state seen such path-breaking and ambitious development activity as during this year. Things which many could not even dream of have been put on the ground. Projects over Rs. 2 lakh crore are already at various stages of completion, many of these on or even before schedule, like Oil Refinery at Bathinda. Critical areas which were lying " in a state of neglect", like Canal rejuvenation, fighting water, soil and air pollution and international aviation have been put firmly on the agenda Theses areas saw material progress during the year, " in a year end appraisal of the governments thrust on development.
"For the first time since Independence a concrete initiative has been taken for administrative reforms to make day-to-day governance more responsive, accountable and transparent. The reforms, an initiative of Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal would seek to eliminate the various grounds because of which people have to face harassment in Government offices. These include simple but critical task like the issuance or renewal of certificates for birth, death, marriage, driving and arms licenses, registration of property, availability of revenue records like "Fards", property sale and purchase documents etc. The offices of the revenue officials, like Patwari and Tehsildar as well as other points of public delivery like the offices of the Deputy Commissioners , S.D.Ms, D.T.Os etc. would be made totally people-friendly and accessible with automatic and in-built time frames for every work and grievance redress," said Mr. Badal..
People have to face harassment in government offices because of the existence of outdated law and cumbersome procedures even in simple things like getting ration cards, pensionary benefits and availing of other welfare schemes. This has to stop," said the Chief Minister.
Unfolding the year ender-2009 which had several spectacular achievements to the credit of SAD-BJP government, included an ambitious 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.
On the power front, the state government had embarked upon a massive programme to ensure reduction in demand of 1850 MW Power and better reliability of supply thereby saving nearly Rs. 8000 crore by the end of next fiscal 2010-11. The Scheme involved replacement of incandescent lamps with high quality CFL's at subsidized rate of Rs. 15 per lamp against the market price of Rs 85-90 in 48 lac households in the state at a cost of Rs. 1.92 crore under Bachat Lamp Yojna to be borne by the consumers. This scheme would result in net saving of 500 MW of power.
The total demand of the power in the state was 9786 MW against the total installed capacity 6841 MW with the short fall of 2379 MW which was being overcome by initiating four new thermal power plants in the state. In last two years additional capacity of 658 MW has been created in the state. The work on the 540 MW Goindwal Sahib and 1980 MW Talwandi Sabo Thermal Plant, has been in full swing. Machinery worth Rs 1000 Crore had ordered for Talwandi Sabo Thermal Plant and the order for the same had already been placed by the GVK group for Goindwal Sahib Plant. 1320 MW Rajpura Power plant had been awarded to the L&T group and the State government had been vigorously pursuing the case for sanction of coal link with Union Coal Ministry for 2640 MW Giddarbaha Thermal Project. In addition to it, the financial institutions had sanctioned 80% of loan for 168 MW Shahpur Kandi Project. This national project declared by GoI would be executed by the state Irrigation Department and completed within 4-5 years. The cost of the project was estimated at Rs.1628 crore.
In a bid to inject a major fillip into an economically resurgent Punjab's road infrastructure, the state government had planned to invest more than Rs 25,000 crore into a slew of projects aimed at improving the efficiency of road transport network. Under this ambitious programme the state government had chalked out infrastructure revamp in Punjab, covering over 13,000 kilometers and involving major four-laning, six-laning, widening and up-gradation of all key transport arteries in the state.
Among the more significant arteries, Six laning of Shambu border to Jalandhar (6-laning) and Amritsar–Attari Border, Kurali–Kiratpur Sahib, Ludhiana-Malerkotla, Kharar-Banur, Zirakpur–Patiala, Patiala–Bathinda, Kharar–Ludhiana, Ludhiana–Talwandi, Jalandhar–Dhilwan section, Amritsar–Pathankot, Morinda–Kurali–Siswan T.Junction, Siswan-T.Junction to Mullanpur Garibdass, Ropar–Phagwara (All 4-laning). The four-laning of projects alone would entail an expenditure of Rs. 5000 crore and cover a length of more than 800 kilometers in the state. In addition, the state has also undertaken works to upgrade 36 roads in the border districts, covering a length of 500 kilometers at an overall expenditure of Rs. 235 crore.
The SAD-BJP government successfully achieved another milestone in the field of Civil Aviation with the setting up of a Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport at Mohali and Rs. 17000 crore Greenfield Airport to be setup near Ludhiana. Likewise, the upgradation of Amritsar International Airport was being undertaken on war footing and expansion of Sahnewal domestic Airport was near completion. A domestic Civil terminal at Bathinda being setup besides New Flying Academies to be set up at Faridkot and Talwandi Sabo.
The Punjab government has implemented its New Industrial Policy (included agro and IT) to ensure level playing field to the prospective entrepreneurs and investors. Special Boards for promotion of trade and industry set up. Capital subsidy of Rs. 350 crore capital subsidy had been disbursed to industrialists. International Trade Centre for Export Promotion would soon come up at Attari border. Major concessions to the tune of Rs.300 crore had been given under VAT and Turnover Tax to State's trade and industry. One Time Settlement scheme for loanees of PSIDC, PFC and Punjab Agro introduced and Punjab SEZ Act notified to facilitate development of special economic zones. Rs. 18991 crore Guru Gobind Refinery Limited re-launched in collaboration with LN Mittal to develop India's major Petro Chemical Hub and was expected to start commercial production by March, 2011 before schedule.
On fiscal management, the Revenue Collection increased under VAT and CST from Rs. 5871 crore to Rs. 7043 crore in the year 2008-09. These collections are likely to touch nearly Rs. 8000 crore during the current fiscal showing revival of the State's economy. System of E-filling and E-payment had been introduced to facilitate traders.
As a major initiative to revamp the century old canal network in the state, the SAD-BJP Government has undertaken a massive Irrigation Infrastructure Development Programme at a cost of Rs. 3469 crore for rehabilitating/strengthening of main canal system/minors & distributaries, construction of minors/distributaries. A project for Canalization of Sakki/Kiran Nallah in Amritsar and Gurdaspur Districts at a cost of Rs. 118 crore had already been initiated by the Government besides another project of strengthening and embankment of river Ghaggar at a cost of Rs.138 crore to save the life and property of the people from the fury of floods.
To give a boost to the Medical education and Research the state government has laid special emphasis for the modernization and upgradation of infrastructure in this sector. A project for up-gradation of Amritsar Medical College with an outlay of Rs. 183 crore is under way and Rs. 68 crore would be spent on for the upgradation Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot and its associated Guru Gobind Singh Medical College/Hospital. Ninety super specialty Doctors and 200 odd Medical officers had been recruited and in positioned. Super -Specialty Cancer Treatment Hospitals being setup at Bathinda and Mohali in collaboration with MAX Health Care Ltd. at Rs. 300 crore besides another Cancer Treatment Center at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, Faridkot.
On the education front, the Punjab government had recruited approximately 29000 teachers in the schools and Rs.400 crore scheme for setting up Adarsh Schools to provide quality education to poor and meritorious children free of cost was being implemented successfully. Rs.141 crore had been spent for upgradation of infrastructure in 351 Government Senior Secondary and High Schools in every constituency of the State. Rs.634 crore had also been spent on the upgradation of infrastructure in elementary schools to provide safe drinking water and toilet facilities in 18969 schools. Punjab pioneered the EDUSAT in the country. New Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar has already started classes in the local government polytechnic college. Indian Institute of Information & Technology (IIIT) would be setup soon. World Class Indian School of Business (ISB) was setting up its second India campus at SAS Nagar (Mohali) as part of Knowledge City. Central University set up at Bathinda and World-Class University to come up at Amritsar. Rs. 104 crore to be spent on 13 new degree colleges in educationally backward areas Project for imparting security training to youth initiated in Police Recruitment & Training Center Jahankhelan (Hoshiarpur). Skill Development programme launched in collaboration with renowned L&T, Tata Motors and Bharti Walmart..
On the pro-poor initiatives, Punjab is probably the first state in the country to launch Atta-Dal Scheme to provide Wheat at Rs.4 per kg and Dal at Rs.20 per kg to approximately 13.5 lac families at a cost of Rs.400 per annum. The government has also enhanced the amount of Shagun Scheme from Rs.5100 to Rs.15000 given as a financial grant to Scheduled Castes/Christian girls at the time of their marriage.
Punjab has scripted a golden chapter in the History of state's development and prosperity with visionary approach coupled with sincerity and dedication. "Punjab which was relegated to 7th slot in terms of progress and performance amongst the state on all India basis would soon emerge as a front runner state with people's unstinted support and cooperation- it is not only our endeavour but a solid commitment which would be honoured at all costs" asserted Mr. Badal.
Bajaj Submits Report of Review Committee on Health Care Institutions
CM ASKS PHSC TO ADOPT TAMIL NADU PATTERN FOR PROCUREMENT OF HIGH QUALITY MEDICINES AND EQUIPMENT
CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 29:
Vice Chairman Punjab State Planning Board and Chairman of the Review Committee constituted to undertake an extensive appraisal of the structural organization and operation framework of the health care institutions functioning under the Punjab State Health System Corporation (PHSC) today submitted its report to the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal.
Divulging the details of the report of the review committee, Prof. JS Bajaj said that the committee was assigned the work of empirical assessment of PHSC’s health care facilities to National Institute of Health & Family Welfare (NIHFW), New Delhi. The NIHFW carried out a detailed study of health institutions in the 10 districts of the state. The review committee has based its finding and recommendations on the inference and outcomes of the empirical study carried out by the institute. The review committee also examined the working of the Punjab Health System Corporation. Certain institutional issues and short-comings that emerged during the course of the study have been delineated. The main objective was to enhance the quality of health care at the secondary level so as to provide effective referral and linkage with primary health care institutions and service providers.
The Committee had focused on issues related to manpower and human resource development, issues related to infrastructure, management and support facilities, ways and means to improve emergency care in hospitals. It has made certain recommendations of systematic improvements using a well designed health management information system.
It may be recalled that this review committee was constituted by the Chief Minister in 2007 to conduct an objective critique of the working of the PHSC and operational framework of the health care institutions established or strengthened as a result of the World Bank Project and presently functioning under PHSC. The core members of the committee included Director PGIMER, Chandigarh Dr.KK Talwar, former Director AIIMs, New Delhi Dr.PK Dave, Director National Institute of Health &Family Welfare Dr.Deoki Nandan, Medical Superintendent AIIMS Dr. Shakti Gupta, besides Director Health Services Punjab and Director Health & Family Welfare.
Appreciating some startling revelation pointed out in the report, the Chief Minister asked the Principal Secretary Health to implement the recommendations of the review committee in a time bound manner and submit an action taken report on some of the important recommendations with in two months. Mr. Badal also asked the Punjab Health System Corporation to examine the feasibility of adapting the Tamil Nadu Government model which has come to be recognized at the national level as a successful and sustainable model as recommended by the review committee.
It was revealed in the report that the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation Ltd. (TNMSCL) supports the government by arranging timely high quality drugs, medicines, surgical and suture items for around 11000 institutions, which include all medical teaching institutions, secondary level hospitals, primary health institutions, ESI hospitals, panchayat union dispensaries, prisons, maternity institutions and local body medical facilities. Besides, the committee also observed that there was a need for monitoring the upkeep and maintainace of equipment & infrastructure and its utilization in a result oriented manner. The committee was of the view that the PHSC may like to consider the need to provide essential medicines free of cost to all BPL patients.
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Media Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Harcharan Bains, Principal Secretary Health Mr. Satish Chandra, Managing Director PHSC Mrs. Raji P.Srivastva, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, Director Family Welfare Dr.JP Singh and Manager F&A PHSC Mr. Vipin Sharma.
SCHEDULE FOR QUARTERLY LOK ADALTS ANNOUNCED
CHANDIGARH, DECEMBER 29:
Punjab Legal Services Authority has issued schedule of Quarterly Lok Adalats to be held in all over Punjab for the period from January, 2010 to March, 2010.
Stating this here today, a spokesman of the Punjab Legal Services Authority said that Lok Adalats would be held at Labour Court, Amritsar on 15.01.2010; Amritsar, Patti, Ajnala, Baba Bakala, Tarn Taran on 16.01.2010; Labour Court, Gurdaspur on 22.01.2010; Gurdaspur, Batala, Pathankot on 23.01.2010; Labour Court, Ludhiana on 29.01.2010; Ludhiana, Jagraon, Khanna, Samrala on 06.02.2010; Fatehgarh Sahib, Amloh on 13.02.2010; Labour Court, Jalandhar on 19.02.2010; Jalandhar, Nawanshahar, Nakodar, Phillaur, Balachaur on 20.02.2010; Labour Court Bathinda on 26.02.2010; Bathinda, Talwandi Sabo, Rampura Phul on 27.02.2010; Labour Court Patiala on 05.03.2010; Patiala, Rajpura, Nabha, Samana, Kapurthala, Sultanpur Lodhi, Phagwara on 06-03-2010; Sangrur, Moonak, Barnala, Malerkotla, Dhuri, Sunam, Hoshiarpur, Garshankar, Dasuya on 13-03-2010; Faridkot, Moga, Muktsar, Malout, Gidderbaha, Ferozepur, Abohar, Fazilka, Zira, Jalalabad West on 20-3-2010 and Mansa, Sardulgarh, Budhlada, Ropar, Mohali, Anandpur Sahib, Kharar, Dera Bassi on 27-03-2010.
The Spokesman further said that the main objective of the Lok Adalats was to dispose of litigation on the spot and make it hassle free. It also saved the precious time and money spent on the litigating by public.
PUNJAB INVITES BIDS FOR 10 MINI HYDEL PROJECTS TO GENERATE 85 MW POWER
Chandigarh, December 29: The Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) has invited bids from companies, promoters, developers for development of Mini Hydel Projects on Upper Bari Doab Canal System (UBDC) on Build, Operate and Own (BOO) basis under NRSE Policy -2006 of the state government.
According to an official spokesman bids have been invited for 7 Mini Hydel Plants to be set up on Sabraon Branch Canal and three projects on Main Branch upper with collective generation capacity of 84.25 MW.
The spokesman said that sites offered for Sabraon Branch Canal include Sathiali, Tugalwala, Harchowal, Sukhwal, Ladha Munda Attwal, Buttar and Ghaggar Bhana. The sites offered on Main Branch Uppar include Dhariwal, Kunjar and Aliwal.
The spokesman said that Punjab government aims to generate 200 MW Power from the Mini Hydel Sector in next financial year. He said that Punjab Government has also developed a technology to produce Power from the flow of the rivers and sought a special package of capital subsidy from Union Government for this sector.
13 CHAIRMEN, 13 VICE CHAIRMEN AND 182 MEMBERS NOMINATED IN MARKET COMMITTEES OF SUNAM, CHEEMA, SULAR GHARAT, MALERKOTLA, SANGRUR, BHAWANIGARH, AMARGARH, DHURI, AHMEDGARH, MOONAK, KHANAURI, LEHRA AND SHERPUR
CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 29:
The Punjab Government today nominated 13 Chairmen, 13 Vice Chairmen and 182 members in the Market Committees of Sunam, Cheema, Sular Gharat, Malerkotla, Sangrur, Bhawanigarh, Amargarh, Dhuri, Ahmedgarh, Moonak, Khanauri, Lehra and Sherpur in Sangrur district.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Punjab government had nominated Mr. Pritpal Singh, Mr. Jeet Singh, Mr. Bhupinder Singh, Mr. Hardip Singh, Mr. Harmanpreet Singh Jeji, Mr. Rupinder Singh Randhawa, Mr. Megh Singh Guara, Mr. Balwant Singh Mimsa, Mr. Amrik Singh, Mr. Gurdip Singh, Mr. Pal Singh, Mr. Gursant Singh and Mr.Inderjit Singh Khanauri as Chairmen and Mr. Diwan Goyal, Mr. Shankar Das, Mr. Jagpal Mittal, Mr. Karam Singh, Mr. Manoj Kumar, Mr. Jagdish, Mr. Harbans Singh, Mr. Jatinder Singh, Mr. Kuldip Singh Karwal, Mr. Kewal Singla, Mr. Ram Niwas, Mr. Dalip Chand and Mr. Ranjit Singh Randhawa as Vice Chairmen of the Market Committees of Sunam, Cheema, Sular Gharat, Malerkotla, Sangrur, Bhawanigarh, Amargarh, Dhuri, Ahmedgarh, Moonak, Khanauri, Lehra and Sherpur in Sangrur district respectively under Sub Section (1) of Section 16 of Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets Act, 1961..
Likewise, the Punjab government under Section 12 of Punjab Agriculture Produce Markets Act, 1961 (Punjab Act No.23 of 1961) had also nominated 182 members in these Market Committees of Sangrur district.
The respective notifications relating to these nominations had already been issued by the State Agriculture department.
PUNJAB TO COMMEMORATE BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF
BABA MOTI RAM MEHRA
Chandigarh, December 29: The Punjab government has decided to organize a state level function in second week of February, 2010, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Baba Moti Ram Mehra, a relatively unknown servant in the Hindu kitchen of Sirhind Faujdar, who sacrificed his whole family to serve milk to the Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri during their imprisonment.
Disclosing this here today Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Information & Public Relations Minister said that whole humanity was indebted to Baba Moti Ram Mehra, his wife Bibi Bholi ji and his mother who despite the diktat of Wazir Khan, warning the residents of Sirhind, not to serve any type of food to sons of tenth Guru, dared to sneak in the prison chamber, to serve fresh water and milk to hungry Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri ji for three nights. The Minister said that when this came to the notice of Sirhind Faujdar, after the martyrdom of Sahibzadas, the whole family of Baba Moti Ram Mehra including his mother, wife and seven year old son were done to death by squeezing them in Kohlu (oil press).
The Minister said that Sikh history was replete with such innumerable examples of unparalleled sacrifices by unknown disciples of Gurus and Punjab government would organize functions to educate the present generation regarding the importance of their sacrifices in protecting the secular fabric of our country. The Minister said that Punjab government would publish literature on the life and history of Baba Moti Ram Mehra and distribute it through out the state.
2009 – A YEAR OF RARE SUCCESSES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
FOR PR DEPARTMENT
CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 29:
The department of Information & Public Relations had witnessed the year 2009 full of rare achievements and successes from every angle so far in its chequered history of over five decades. Despite limitation of acute shortage of staff and infrastructure, the process for recruitment was initiated besides promoting 65 officers and officials in different categories.
Disclosing this here today Director, Information & Public Relations Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar said that all the 23 Assistant Public Relations Officers have been promoted as Information & Public Relations Officers and one artist from the cadre of Song & Drama Division had also been promoted as Public Relations Officer (Song & Drama). Likewise, a Joint Director has been promoted in the highest rank of the department i.e. Additional Director and three Deputy Directors had been promoted as Joint Directors and five Information & Public Relations Officers have been promoted as Deputy Directors. Apart from these, eight officials have been promoted as Assistant Public Relations Officers, five Superintendents, three Senior Scale Stenographers, six Junior Scale Stenographers, six Assistants and one Personal Assistant amongst the different categories of employees.
Besides the record promotions ever in the history of Public Relations, the department had also initiated a recruitment drive to fill 11 vacant posts of Information & Public Relations Officers, 21 posts of Assistant Public Relations Officers and 83 posts of supporting staff. As many as 11 new vehicles have also been purchased for the field staff in various district offices.
Mr. Brar further said that a massive scheme of Rs.2.50 crore for the modernization and upgradation of infrastructure at head office and field offices had been chalked out to provide a congenial atmosphere to enable the officers to function in an efficient and professional manner.
Conceding the long pending demand of the journalist fraternity, the department had recently implemented a new broad-based accreditation policy to replace 27 years old rules & regulations in this regard and more such welfare schemes were being implemented to provide better facilities to the journalists. About 80% of information relating to the department had been put up on the website of the Punjab government for the purpose of Right to Information. Approximately 80% of the departmental work had been computerized, Mr. Brar added.
The officers have been fully geared up to highlight the achievements and development programmes and policies of the state government with full zeal and dedication through print and electronic media. Even the officers had successfully disseminated the message of communal harmony, peace and amity at the grass root level along with the propagation of pro-people policies and programmes from time to time.
Referring to the future perspective of the department, Mr. Brar said that the department of Information & Public Relations would be strengthened and modernized within a year and all the short comings and functional problems would be addressed soon to ensure its smooth functioning.
PUNJAB GOVT. TO ESTABLISH IT PARK AT RAJPURA OVER 1276 ACRES
CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 28:
In a major decision, the Punjab government has decided to establish a self-contained Integrated Information Technology and Knowledge Industry Park spread over an area of 1276 acres at Rajpura.
A decision to this effect was taken at a high level meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here today this morning.
Mr. Badal gave in principle approval for acquisition of common land in contiguity of six villages in Sehra, Pabra, Sehri, Takhtu Majra, Akri and Akar in one go for the setting up of the prestigious industrial park for IT/IT enabled services industry.
It was informed in the meeting that the upcoming industrial park would house the companies operating in Business Process Outsourcing, Knowledge Process Outsourcing, Legal Process Outsourcing and Engineering Process Outsourcing. Besides software companies, software testing companies etc., hardware manufacturing companies, multimedia, graphic, animation and gaming industry, eAdvertising, eMarketing and ePublishing houses, consultancy firms and education & training institutions etc would also come up in the IT park.
The Chief Minister asked the Punjab Information & Communication Technology Corporation Ltd. which was the nodal agency to implement this project to engage the services of some renowned international consultant for designing and developing the project and suggested to invite a global tender for seeking expression of interest from the interested consultants .
Briefing the Chief Minister about the prospects of the IT park, Principal Secretary Industries & Commerce Mr. SS Channy informed the project would be developed in a phased manner with residential and social infrastructure facilities such as healthcare, recreation, health clubs and hotels. He said that efficient and reliable power, water, waste management and technology facilities would be provided to the prospective entrepreneurs. A comprehensive network of logistic system encompassing road, rail and air linkages would be ensured besides adequate focus on security and disaster management systems. It had also been proposed to install internet tower with satellite connectivity for direct software export and communication and Wi-max technology for high speed wireless connectivity in SEZ. Exhibition centers including IT-BPO and international trade facilitation centre would also be set up there.
The Chief Secretary Mr. SC Agrawal informed the Chief Minister that this project would involve a huge investment and be developed through a special purpose vehicle to ensure its expeditious implementation as discussed in the IT infrastructure task force under his chairmanship.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Local Government & Industries Minister Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Finance Mr. Raj Khurana, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr.DS Guru, Principal Secretary Housing & Urban Development Mr. SS Sandhu, Director Industries and Commerce Mr. SS Bains and Senior officers of Punjab INFOTECH.
