Interview with Shri Ravneet Singh Bittu, M.P. & President, Punjab Youth Congress

January 01, 2010, IST 0010
Amandeep Singh/Gary Sing from LA


Question no.1) What did the year 2010 mean to you?

Answer- The year 2010 was full of struggle for me and the members of the Punjab Youth Congress. The year saw us on the streets of Punjab taking up the social issues plaguing Punjab, issues such as the menace of drug addiction among the youth of Punjab, ..........Read More

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2011 WOULD BE THE YEAR OF FRUCTIFICATION -- SUKHBIR

TIME FOR PUNJABIS TO ENJOY FRUITS OF DEVELOPMENT AND GOVERNANCE REFORMS

Chandigarh December 31:

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal Deputy Chief Minister Punjab today said that the year 2011 is very significant year for the SAD-BJP Government as this would herald fructification of ambitious infrastructure and other projects launched by it putting Punjab on the higher orbit of accelerated development.

Wishing a happy and prosperous year to every Punjabi on the eve of New Year, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the coming year would showcase the development projects initiated by the Government during last four years so that people of the State could enjoy the fruits of development and governance reforms. He said that on one hand Congress party always utilized the 5th year of their tenure in laying foundation stones of imaginary projects that never saw the light of the day besides trying to befool the electorate by rolling out free power, in the contrast the SAD- BJP Government is all set to dedicate the projects initiated during last four years to the public also fulfilling all promises made to the people in the manifestos of the alliance.

Expressing personal satisfaction over achievement of milestone mission of initiating governance reforms in all departments making the interaction of public with the government a pleasant experience, Mr. Badal said that he would be the happiest person over completion of total computerization of land records that could not be completed by any government during last 63 years. He said that till date 79 Fard Kenders have been fully computerized and by 31st March 2011 land records in all 154 Fard Kenders would be put on web. The Deputy Chief Minister said that establishment of Outreach Centers at each Police Station, Suwidha Centers in Urban Areas, 154 computerized Fard Kenders at Sub Tehsil level, 3116 E-Grams at village level , Public friendly amendments in archaic Revenue Acts besides computerization of DTO offices was set to change perception of public regarding working of government offices.

Mr. Badal said that year 2011 would witness the completion of Rs. 20000 crore Bathinda Refinery besides dedication of Five Thermal Plants with combined cost of Rs. 62000 crore that would put Punjab State on higher pedestal of growth besides opening new vistas of employment for Punjabi youth. He said that this year would also witness linking of every important city with 4/6 lane roads besides completion of 33 ROBs / RUBs initiated at the cost of Rs. 7073 crore.

Promising to continue the development agenda for the state of Punjab, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that he believes in focusing on development rather then on petty politics of destructive thinking, regressive opposition to every development project and hoped that SAD BJP Government would be successful in making every Punjabi living in Punjab or abroad as a equal partner in over all development of the State.
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BADAL GREETS PEOPLE ON NEW YEAR DAY

CHANDIGARH, DECEMBER 31:

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today felicitated the people of Punjab on the eve of New Year Day and wished all the Punjabis in India and abroad a very happy and prosperous New Year–2011.

In a message on this joyous occasion, Mr. Badal said that the Almighty may shower His blessings on them and their families and bestowed on all of us the strength and determination to fulfill our dreams and realize our goals for the welfare of the humanity.

The Chief Minister said that the unprecedented development in the state had scripted a new chapter in the history of state's overall economic growth and prosperity with concerted efforts and renewed commitment of the state government.

Seeking people's whole hearted support and cooperation in an endeavour to emerge Punjab as a front runner state in the country, Mr. Badal reiterated his firm commitment to cherish the aspirations of the people as well as to honour the poll promises made with them at all costs.

He asked the people of the State to actively participate in the development programs and policies of the government, aimed at the welfare of all sections of the society in order to lead a life of dignity and self-respect.
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HEALTH MINISTER ILLUSTRATES HIGHLIGHTS- ACHIEVEMENTS OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT DURING 2010

Chandigarh, 31st Dec:
Punjab’s Health & Family Welfare Minister, Prof Laxmi Kanta Chawla here today highlighted some of the major achievements of the health department during the present year 2010. The Minister expressed satisfaction on the progress under different programmes and reiterated that Punjab Govt will continue all efforts to provide good health care to the people of the state.

AWARDS TO PUNJAB STATE

· Punjab attained 1st position amongst the big states under Full Immunization as per Coverage Evaluation Survey (CES) conducted in 2009.
· 2nd Position in NSV-Family Planning (as per 2008-09 Survey).
· Punjab also bagged 6 different awards from GoI under AIDS Control Programme- RRE including an award of Secretary level for maximum awareness.
· State also performed well under Integrated Disease Surveillance Project and attained 3rd position in the country.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICE (e.g DIAL 108)

Prof Chawla told that people may now look forward in the New Year 2011, the implementation of Emergency Response Services for better management of trauma and other medical emergencies for which an agreement has already been signed with Ziquitza Health Care for providing and operating 240 state-of-the-art life saving ambulances. 90 of these ambulances will be pressed into service by March 2011. The cost of 90 ambulances will be Rs 11.20 Crores whereas one time capital cost is Rs. 5.21 Crore. The monthly recurring cost of each ambulance will come to Rs 1.18 Lakh. First few ambulances will start reaching in the month of January itself. The average response time of these ambulances is envisaged as 20-25 minutes.

FILLING OF KEY MEDICAL & PARA-MEDICAL POSTS
She further informed that to meet the shortage of staff in the hospitals, especially in malwa belt, 100 regular specialist doctors have been recruited. Posts of 214 medical officers (Gen), 34 Medical Officers (Dental) and 37 drugs inspectors would be filled shortly. She added that sanction has also been taken from the Govt. for creation and filling of various other positions in the new districts. Hundreds of contractual posts have been filled under National Rural Health Mission to bridge the shortage of staff.
35% INCREASE IN INSTITUTIONAL DELIVERIES & UPGRADED INFRASTRUCTURE IN HOSPITALS

Labour rooms in the hospitals have been equipped with better equipment and skilled staff, owing to which the no. of institutional deliveries rose more than 35% this year. She said that the service of deliveries is being given free of cost in Punjab govt. hospitals w.e.f. December 2008 onwards and also a cash incentive of up-to 700/- under Janani Suraksha Yojna scheme is being disseminated to BPL and SC/BC families at the time of delivery. Prof Chawla appealed people to take full benefit of these free services given in govt. hospitals.

SAVE THE GIRL CHILD (ENFORCEMENT OF PNDT ACT)

The Minister further reiterated her commitment for strict enforcement of PNDT Act to save the girl child and said that during the year 2010 a total no. of 3070 Ultrasound Centers were checked. Under section 20 Show cause notices issued to 111 centers; suspension of 83 centers; cancellation of 5 licences. Alone during the December 2010 month, 392 ultrasound centers were checked by the department, out of which 13 have been suspended, 32 show cause notices issued and 13 ultrasound machines have been sealed. Health Minister informed that owing to the strict enforcement the sex ratio in the state has risen to 838 in November 2010. Already 83 panchayats of Punjab that have attained a sex-ratio of 1000 and above have been rewarded with Rs 1.5 Lakh each. In the coming 25th January, more such panchayats will be rewarded.
DRIVE AGAINST HABIT-FORMING-DRUGS
Similarly she lauded that efforts of the Drug Control wing of the department and said during the present tenure of the SAD-BJP govt illegal habit-forming drugs valuing nearly Rs 11 Crore have been seized. During the December month alone drugs worth 2.5 Crore had been seized across the state. The Minister stated that total seizures of such drugs in the complete 5 years tenure of previous Congress Govt. was just only 58 Lakhs.
CAMPAIGN AGAINST FOOD ADULTERATION
To ensure sale of hygienic eatables in the state, 7309 samples of eatables including milk and milk products like khoa, cheese, curd etc were taken in the year 2010. Reports of 5289 samples have been received from laboratory and 789 samples were found adulterated, against which legal action has been pursued. 550 court cases have been launched and 656 are already lying pending for prosecution. The department is dealing sternly with the violators of food adulteration.
PROMOTION OF AYUSH & AROGYA MELAS
To promote the Indian System of Medicine and streams of AYUSH- Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Sidha & Homeopathy, Punjab is the first state to hold 4 Arogya melas, which provided a prominent platform to showcase and promote Ayurveda and related products. These melas were held at Amritsar (2008), Ludiana (2009), Bathinda (2009) and Amritsar (2010) which drew a very warm response from the public.

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SHIVRAJ V. PATIL GREETS PEOPLE ON NEW YEAR EVE

CHANDIGARH, DECEMBER 31: The Punjab Governor and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh, Mr. Shivraj V. Patil extended greetings to the people of Punjab and Chandigarh on New Year Eve.
The Governor, in his greetings, said that the dawn of New Year is always welcomed with renew hope, which can only be fulfilled by working together with resolve and dedication.
Mr Patil, hoped that the year 2011 would bring with it a better future for everyone. He also wished that New Year would bring peace and prosperity to the country.
On this happy occasion, “let us resolve to build a strong, peaceful and united India and rededicate ourselves to work for its progress and prosperity.'' He extended his heartiest greetings and best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year.