Gram Panchayats to be strengthened through e-Panchayats plan-BrahmpuraAnnual income from shamlat lands increases by 25 percent

Chandigarh November 11: Aiming at strengthening three-tier Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the state, the functioning of Gram Panchayats in Punjab will be strengthened through computerization under e-Panchayats scheme and PRIA-Soft of National e-Gram Panchayats programme. Mr. Ranjit Singh Brahmpura Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Punjab expressed this here today in a review meeting with senior officer of the department.

He said that an ambitious scheme to connect all Gram Panchayats (GPs) with national e-Governance would be launched in all the districts. "The Punjab Government is committed to adopting ePRI scheme on priority basis with a view to putting this plan into practice and detailed project report had already been submitted for the national panchayat portal", he said.

The Minister added that the proposed scheme would bring about improved governance and service delivery through GPs and enable greater accountability of PRIs to the community and other authorities. "This would further facilitate better implementation and monitoring of schemes, efficient and transparent utilisation of funds, and enable rural people to access the external world of knowledge and markets", he said.
Mr. Brahmpura further said working in all 141 community development blocks have been computerized in the State. Besides this, 119 such blocks and 18 district offices have been interconnected with Punjab State Wide Area Network (PAWAN). "Now a new chapter of strengthening rural Gram Sabhas would be added through e-Panchayats, a centrally sponsored scheme for e-Governance in PRIs", he added.
Mr. Brahmpura also directed the officers to regularly inspect the progress of ETT teachers deployed in the PRIs and ensure their presence in the schools so that the rural and poor students could be provided with best teaching practices. Besides this, the officers have also been asked to personally visit the rural dispensaries under PRIs to ensure proper supply of veterinary and general medicines by the veterinary doctors and rural medical officers.

The Minister further disclosed that the department has increased annual income from shamlat lands from Rs. 79.24 crore in the year 2006-07 to Rs. 186.74 crore in the year 2010-11 which was about 25 percent increase i.e Rs. 149.81 from the last year. Adding further, he said that out of total 1,71,801 acre shamlat lands, about 1,48,386 acre lands have been auctioned during this year by increasing about 4,713 acre land from the previous year. "Approximately 23,515 acre land was under litigation in various courts", he said.

To generate more revenue from annual auctions for agricultural purposes of village Shamlats, Mr Jagpal Singh Sandhu Financial Commissioner Rural Development and Panchayats has directed the development officers to prepare cases for restoration of such unutilized common lands to the concerned village panchayats so that they could fetch revenues for the village development. He asked all the panchayats officers to dispose off all pending cases more than three months old relating to panchayats or shamlat lands within one month.

Mr. Gurdev Singh Sidhu, Director, Rural Development and Panchayats said that out of total 7,78,071 job cards issued to the beneficiaries under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guaranty Scheme (MGNREGS), about 1,67,855 job card holders have been provided employment for hundred days by generating 34.53 mandays on approximately 12,097 development works in the State. He further added that the department had for the first time launched a social audit of panchayats works and funds under MGNREGA to ensure transparency and participation of NGOs. "Out of total 12,847 Gram Panchayats, social audit of 12,295 panchayats have been completed," he said.
"Under MGNREGA, Hoshiarpur District tops in utilization of funds to the tune of Rs. 1092.12 lacs whereas Kapurthala lagging lowest in the list by utilizing only Rs. 101.46 lac on various development works in the villages", the director adds.
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PROMISE TO FARMERS FULFILLED -- SUKHBIR
· LAND RECORDS OF WHOLE SANGRUR DISTRICT ON WEB
· TOTAL COMPUTERIZATION OF LAND RECORDS OF STATE BY 31ST MARCH 2011

Sangrur November 11 :
The SAD BJP Government today achieved major landmark by computerizing the land records of total Sangrur District and putting it on web as Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal termed it as a revolutionary step as part of administrative reforms to eradicate corruption from the public dealing seats. As Mr. Badal clicked the mouse, Sangrur got the proud distinction of becoming first district in the India having 100% computerized land records.

As the Deputy Chief Minster Mr. Badal inaugurated the Fard Kender at Sunam , it marked the accomplishment of 3 ½ years effort of computerizing lacs of land records and empowering the farmers constituting 70% population of Punjab, to get a copy of their land records at the click of the mouse, sitting at home and without the intervention of “most powerful Patwari”. Mr. Badal said that it was his vision to put all land records on computer so that revenue authorities could not fiddle with the record besides saving farmers form the hassles of revenue officials. He said that by 31st March 2011 land records of complete state would be computerized fulfilling his long cherished mission.

Giving the progress of computerization of land records Mr. Badal said that Punjab revenue department has already completed the data entry of over three crore land records and validation of records by revenue authorities would be completed by 31st December 2010 and total state would be on the web by 31st March 2011. He said that Punjab would be the first state in the country to have proud distinction with 100% computerized land records. He informed that Fard would be given to the farmers across the counter within 15 minutes whereas Intkal (Transfer of Property) would be mandatorily completed with in 15 days.

Vowing to transform the revenue administration Mr. Badal said that SAD BJP Government has initiated a revolutionary step to simplify and amend archaic revenue laws under which the level of appeals have been reduced from 15 to 5, shortening the legal redressal method. He said that with the proposed amendments revenue cases would be decided in a time bound manner and generations would not have to fight revenue cases.

Appreciating the Sangrur district authorities working day and night to complete this gigantic task Mr. Badal said that completing the work of 13 Tehsils, including 611 villages, 234 Patwar Circles and 27 Kanugos Circles with in record time, was really appreciable .

Later Mr. Badal inaugurated Suwidha Kender at Sangrur Tehsil to provide single window service to the people to provide 33 services like Pension for old age , disabled , arms licenses, dependent certificates, nationality Certificate, affidavits, various permissions, indemnity and surety bonds , ration card, NOC/NEC, fitness certificate ,Birth and Death Certificates, water and power bills, DTO offices services and public related services. The DC informed that following the single window services concept one Executive Magistrate sits in the Suwidha Kender from 9 to 5 and has been authorized to do all the works of a Tehsildar also. He said that Photostat and Lamination facilities were also available for the applicants and one doctor for Suwidha related services has also been stationed here. The Deputy Commissioner informed the Deputy Chief Minister that time lines have been given for all services and in the case of any anticipated delay, the applicant was informed through SMS and mobile so that he should not have to come again and again for his work. He said that coordinators at Suwidha Kender help the illiterate population to fill the form and get the work done. The Deputy Commissioner informed that within one year Suwidha Kender would be financially self sufficient. He said that such Suwidha Kenders have also been started at in all the Six Tehsils of the district and also four sub-tehsils to provide these services nearer to the home to all the villagers.
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2 CHAIRMEN, 3 VICE CHAIRMEN AND 10 MEMBERS NOMINATED IN MARKET COMMITTEES OF NAROT JAIMAL SINGH, BHADAUR, GIDDERBAHA AND FEROZEPUR

CHANDIGARH NOVEMBER 11: The Punjab Government today nominated two Chairmen, three Vice Chairman and ten members in the Market Committees of Narot Jaimal Singh, Bhadaur, Gidderbaha and Ferozepur Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Punjab government had nominated Mr. Bahadur Singh as Chairman and Thakur Manjit Singh as Vice Chairman of the Market Committee Narot Jaimal Singh in Gurdaspur district, Mr. Lakhwinder Singh as Chairman of the Market Committee Ferozepur, besides Mr. Banarasi Dass and Mr. Satish Singla as Vice Chairmen of the Market Committees Gidderbaha in Muktsar district and Bhadaur 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 AgricultureProduce Markets Act, 1961 (Punjab Act No.23 of 1961) had also nominated 10 members of Narot Jaimal Singh Market Committee

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WE HAVE SAVED PUNJAB – SUKHBIR · CONGRESS LEFT THE STATE WITH EMPTY COFFERS· PERPLEXED WITH RAPID DEVELOPMENT, CONGRESS USING DIVERSIONARY TACTICS

· PUNJAB RECORDS 33% GROWTH IN REVENUE, HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY
· SAD BJP GOVERNMENT WORKING FOR THE WELFARE OF AAM ADMI, FOLLOWING THE FOOT STEPS OF MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH

Sangrur November 11 :

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that SAD BJP Government has saved the Punjab as previous Congress government had left us with empty coffers.

Interacting with media before addressing the people at a rally a Badrukhan, the native village of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Mr. Badal said that Congress and certain people at the instance of Congress were using the non-issue of debt trap to distract the public from the accomplishment of last three years. He said that Congress left the state with VAT collection of Rs. 5000 crore that is also set to touch 11000 crore where as Excise collection was registering average 1000 crore hike every against total Rs. 128 crore hike registered during five year Congress rule. He said that Congress was trying to brush the issue of rapid development and completion of development projects under the carpet by distracting the public from the real issues.

Promising to return to power on the basis of rapid development in the State, Mr. Badal said that Congress party foreseeing the dark future for next 25 years was in disarray and they were blaming SAD BJP Government for every ill of the state. He said that Congress that was confined to the cocoon for 3 ½ years , has suddenly woken from deep slumber and was protesting for non issues.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that SAD BJP Government has always followed the footsteps of Maharaja Ranjit Singh , giving priority to pro poor and pro people policies. He said that despite vicious propaganda by certain individuals, the SAD BJP Government was committed to fulfill all promises made in the manifesto. He said that this government is by the people , for the people and of the people and would day and night to serve the people who have given them a chance to serve them.
Giving away a cash grant of Rs. 20 Lac for Badrukhan village , Mr. Badal said that Bronze statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh would be soon installed as tenders have already been floated for the same.

Mr. Badal dedicated to the people over a dozen projects with combined cost of Rs. 50 crores including RUB at Sunam , Fard Kender and Tehsil at Sunam , Suwidha Kender , Police Pubic School at Sangrur , Tehsil Complex , PUDA colony and Government college at Amargarh.

Prominent amongst those who spoke on the occasion included S. Parminder Singh Dhindsa , PWD Minister , Mr. Iqbal Singh Jhunda , MLA ; Mr. Gobind Singh Kanjhla , Mr. Gobind Singh Longowal, Mr. Nusrat Ikram Khan all former Ministers. Mr. Parkash Chand Bhawanigarh, Mr. Gurbachan Singh Bachi Administrative Member PSEB and Mr. Prem Gugnani.
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Summery revision of Electoral Rolls Starts Tomorrow – Sidhu

Chandigarh November 11:
Chief Electoral Officer Punjab Ms. Kusumjit Sidhu disclosed here today that as per the instructions of Election Commission of India, the special summary revision of Electoral rolls would be started from tomorrow. As per programme, the draft publication of Electoral Rolls would be published on 12-11-2010 and claims and objections could be filed from 12-11-2010 to 27-11-2010. Apart from that, BLOs would be present on polling stations for receiving of claims and objections on 14-11-2010 and 20-11-2010. November 13 and November 20 have been fixed for reading of relevant part/ section of photo electoral rolls in Gram Sabha/Local Bodies and Resident Welfare Associations (RWA) meetings etc. and verification names, Ms. Sidhu said.

All citizens whose age is 18 years or above as on 01-01-2011 and who fulfill the condition to be registered as voters can submit Form No. 6 to the EROs/BLOs and Form No. 8 for correction and Form No. 7 for objections, She added.
All the eligible citizens are also requested to submit Form NO. 001- A affixed with passport size photo along with Form No. 6 to the BLO for enrollment as voter and to get EPIC.

Ms. Sidhu appealed to the general public and all the political parties to assist the concerned officers so that all eligible voters can be registered.
For more information please contact the District Election Officers, the Electoral Registration Officers, Assistant Electoral Registration Officers, Election Tehsildars and BLOs concerned, she added.
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PUNJAB CHIEF MINISTER SH PRAKASH SINGH BADAL TO HONOUR U K BASED ROKO CANCER CHAIRMAN SH A.P.S.CHAWLA/

CHANDIGARH NOVEMBER 12,2010

PUNJAB CHIEF MINISTER SH PRAKASH SINGH BADAL WILL HONOUR LONDON BASED ROKO CANCER CHAIRMAN SH A.P.S. CHAWLA in 63rd Sarab Hind Sikh Vidiyak Conference AT CHANDIGARH ON 14 TH NOVEMBER 2010 FOR HIS OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION IN RAISE AWARENESS AGAINST CANCER IN RURAL AREAS OF PUNJAB .

ROKO CANCER CHAIRMAN SH A.P.S. CHAWLA has been conferred with British Community Honors Award at the House of Lords by Rt. Honorable Dominic Grieves for his Services to British Muslim Community during September while he has recently been awarded with "The Pakistan India & UK Friendship Forum Award "in London for his initiative and charitable work in the awareness and early detection of cancer in India .
Sh A.P.S .Chawla Chairman Roko Cancer was also presented "India International Award" by Mr Nalin Surie Indian High Commissioner of Britain.for his work with the asian community and Roko Cancer Trust was awarded the Indian Organisation of the year award 2009 at India International Foundation function in london in september 2010.
The MKC Roko Cancer Trust is working in eight Indian states which include Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh,
Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa .
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Eventful Month at Doaba Group of Colleges, Campus-I Kharar,

11th Nov Oct 2010


The first session of academic year 2010 has been full of frenetic academic activities interspersed with technical and cultural events, placement drives, sports, star events, seminars, felicitations and socially useful activities. The Month of October was full of activities.

About eighty meritorious students who achieved academic distinction, were felicitated, and offered fees waiver for higher studies at Wolverhampton University as a sequel to the MOU signed between DGC and Wolverhampton University UK..

The students of DGC organised Literacy Drive -“Each One Teach One”.

The Freshers’ Party was organised on 1st October 2010 with lot of fanfare and vigorous song and dance display by young technocrats. The event showcased the regional cultural diversity of the students of DGC.

DGC organised a blood donation camp in collaboration with the govt.
Multi Speciality Hospital Sector- 16 Chandigarh, where students donated 150 units of Blood. Such camps are organised twice a year.

“Esperanza”, a mega techno- cultural festival was organised on 29th and 30th October 2010. The Tech-Fest was a huge roaring success with
43 different technical, cultural and language related competitions. In all 37 colleges and Universities, from Himachal, Punjab and Haryana participated in the festival. The icing on the cake was the blast of the rock bands and the extravagant pomp and show of the fashion show by the elegant boys and girls. A Seminar on Breast Cancer and de-addiction, was organised in collaboration with an NGO “SAHAYATA”.
DGC Participated in PTU inter College Tournaments.

DGC has been actively working for placements throughout the year.
Joint campus placement drives are being regularly organised in which companies , IBM Technologies, Infosys Technologies Limited, TCS, Infosys Technologies Limited, Swaraj Mazda, Wipro have visited this month. In the placement drives more than Ten thousand students participated from the region and about nine hundred were offered jobs.

The short break for Diwali celebration was preceded by a star event on 1st November, where the Punjabi folk singer and film Actor, Harbajan Maan mesmerised the audience in his inimitable style. He developed a wonderful rapport with audience and gave a spell bound performance for close to four hours.
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BADAL ANNOUNCES TO PAY ARREARS TO GOVT. EMPLOYEES IN THREE EQUAL INSTALLMENTS IN THREE FINANCIAL YEARS FIRST INSTALLMENT TO BE PAID IN MARCH 2011 ASKS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY SCHOOLS TO WITHDRAW ORDER FOR INCREASING GOVT. SCHOOL

TIMINGS CHANDIGARH NOVEMBER 10: Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today announced to pay the arrears to the state government employees on account of recommendation of the 5th Punjab Pay Commission in three equal installments during the three financial years.A decision to this effect was taken by Mr. Badal in a meeting with the delegation of Mulazam Dal Punjab led by its President Mr. Hari Singh Tohra and Patron Mr. Nachhatar Singh Jahangir here at Chief Minister's residence this evening. Conceding the major demand of the Mulazam Dal regarding the payment of arrears of the employees, Mr.Badal announced that the first installment of pay arrears would be paid in cash along with the salary of the month of February paid in March 2011, 50% of which would be deposited in the respective GPF accounts of the employees. The remaining two installments would be paid similarly in the next two financial years. He also directed the Chief Secretary to coordinate with Finance and Personnel Departments to examine the long pending demand of the employee association relating to the regularization of the adhoc and work charged employees with in the parameters of the laid down guidelines of the Supreme Court. On the demand of the various government school teachers' associations the Chief Minister directed the Principal Secretary School Education Mr. C Roul to immediately withdraw the orders to increase the working hours of the government schools. He also asked the Finance Department to immediately issue instructions to delegate the powers of withdrawal of GPF of teachers to the District Education Officers instead of DPI schools. Likewise Mr. Badal also asked to implement this decision in other departments also at the district level officers. He also asked the Personal department to rationalize the procedure for the sanction of the Ex-India leave to all categories of employees and specifically ordered the Principal Secretary School education to immidiately delegate the powers for sanctioning ex-India leave to the District Education Officer upto the period of six months. The Chief Minister also asked the Chief Secretary to re-look into the issue of the Assured Career Progression (ACP) scheme of 4-9-14 in consultation with the Mulazim Dal before bringing it in the next cabinet meeting.The Chief Minister reiterated his firm commitment to safeguard the interests of its employees at all costs as they were the backbone of the state administration. He also said that the government was ready to resolve all pending employees' issues with an open mind and positive approach and asked the Chief Secretary to resolve all their pending issues on the priority.Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Chief Secretary Mr. S.C Agrawal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Principal Secretary Finance Mr. Mr. K.B.S Sidhu, Financial Commissioner Forests Mr. R.C. Nayyar, Secretary Personnel Mr. Iqbal Singh Sidhu besides other senior Officers of the state administration. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

State on an upward economic swing: Punjab FM Debt increase ratio down from 62% ( Congress regime) to just 19 % (SAD-
BJP)

Revenue generation up from Rs. 5100 crore to over s. 9000 crore

“Amarinder on familiar a familiar lying trip: needs elementary
lessons in economics “: Bibi Upinderjit Kaur

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Finance Minister Dr. Upinderjit Kaur on the way to dramatic economic
recovery

CHANDIGARH NOVEMBER 10:

The Punjab Finance Minister Dr. Upinderjit Kaur said here
today that the state was firmly on the way to dramatic economic
recovery, phenomenal turn around on the key twin-parameters of growth
- debt-to-GSDP ratio as well as revenue generation. She accused the
former the former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh of resorting
to “blatant lies and deliberate distortion facts” on the fiscal health
of the state during the Congress and the SAD-BJP governments’ tenures.

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“The debt burden against the state went up from Rs.32,496 crore in
2002 when Amarinder assumed office to Rs. 52,923 crore when he
relinquished it, a shocking and phenomenal increase of over 62
%.(approx.) During the SAD-BJP tenure since March 2007, it has
increased to 62000 crore ( at the start of the current fiscal) at a
relatively meager rate of just 19 % ( approx)”, said the FM.

She asked Amarinder to compare 62% rise in debt during his
regime to just 19 % during the SAD-BJP tenure, also reminding Captain
Singh that all this loan had been incurred and increased during the
Congress governments, both at the centre and in the state. The fiscal
health of the state went to pieces during this period and it has
needed an Herculean effort on the part of the present government to
pull the state out of it. We have not only increased the state’s
revenue generation from 5100 crore in March 2007
to 8200 crore at the start of this fiscal. It has already crossed Rs.
900 crore and we are all set to take it past the Rs. 10,000 crore
barrier by the end of next fiscal.” This represents an increase of
nearly 100%, never heard of in the history of the state. She
challenged Captain Amarinder to contradict these facts.

“And we have jumped from the 17th position in the country to third in
terms of rate of growth in revenue. And we have achieved this even
while keeping a hectic pace of development and giving government
assistance and subsidies to all the needy sectors which the Congress
and our opponents have always opposed.” said the Finance Minister. .
The former C.M., she said was up to his favorite pastime of
“repeating a lie a hundred times over so that the people begin to
believe in it as a truth. “Or else, he needs elementary lessons in
economics,” said Bibi Upinderjit Kaur. “Further,” said the FM, “when
Congress took over the reins of the government the debt to GSDP ratio,
which is key denominator of fiscal position, had touched an all time
high of 48%. We have brought it down dramatically to just 32. 85
percent, an unheard of improvement by 33%.
Dr. Upinderjit Kaur pointed out although there had been steady
increase in the debt but this was at a rate much lower than the growth
of the state's GSDP. Actually as a proportion the GSDP, the debt had
come down from 36.67% in 2007-08 to Rs.32.85% by the end of the
current fiscal. “So, on internationally reliable parameters of growth,
the debt to GSDP ratio as well as revenue generation, the state has
been pulled out of disaster by the present government. She also
pointed out that the state had to contend with major fall in central
excise collections to the tune of Rs 8963 crore, which bled the state
of its share in these. Successive Finance Commissions have worked to
the disadvantages of the State. The GoI collects all the revenue from
important sources like Income Tax, Central Excise & Customs, and
Corporate Tax etc. Approximately 66-67% of these collections are
retained by the GoI & balanced is devolved to the States. In 1974-75,
Punjab got 2.450 % of these devolved taxes.

Now its share has been decreased to 1.389%. She said that the
issue involved centre-state fiscal relations. “All the states in the
country today are demanding that these relations be based the federal
principle. Our Chief Minister has repeatedly held that the Centre
must stop acting like a blood sucking money lender. It is using
finances to extract every pound of flesh from the states, virtually
pushing them to the brink of death or suicide.” Bibi Upinder jit
Kaur., adding that the principle of devolution of funds must be recast
in favour of states.
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PUNJAB IN FOR MAJOR RECRUITMENT DRIVE IN POLICE – SUKHBIR

POLICE-POPULATION RATIO REVISED TO PROVIDE MORE POLICE FORCE FOR GENERAL POLICING

RS. 50 CRORE PROJECT BONANZA FOR BAGHAPURANA AND DHARAMKOT TOWNSHIPS
RO SYSTEM IN EVERY WARD OF MALWA TOWNS BY MARCH 2011SUBSIDIES FOR POOR TO CONTINUESUKHBIR BLAMES CENTRAL GOVERNMENT FOR DISCRIMINATING AGAINST PUNJABPUNJAB ALL SET TO BECOME DEVELOPMENT HUB OF NORTH INDIA

Baghapurana (Moga) November 10:

The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that Punjab police was in for major image changeover with massive recruitment drive planned by the state government to provide more force for general policing.

Talking to media after kick starting Rs. 45.73 crore projects for 100% sewerage and Water supply coverage of Baghapurana and Dharamkot besides inaugurating vet poly clinic and Tehsil Complex here today Mr. Badal said that ratio of police according to the population and threat perception of border state Punjab was quite low and that ratio has been revised to induct over 5000 fresh police persons including lady police force to provide more force at Thana Level for general policing. He said that over 2000 more police personal were being recruited exclusively for community policing to improve the interaction of police with the general public. The Deputy Chief Minister said that with the new weaponry, increased vehicular fleet, advanced computerized training and foreign trained commandoes , the Punjab Police was all set to emerge as most professional police force in the country.

Blaming Congress for financial ills of the state Mr. Badal said that Congress did nothing to improve the financial position of the state. He said that during President’s rule in the state it was like a Jungle Raj in the State with government not charging a single penny as tax and doing expenditure by raising loans every month. He said that due to peculiar position of the State Punjab had to pay for the salary and POL expenditure of central forces deployed during Presidents rule. He said that as Punjab was fighting nation’s battle, it was the duty of Union Government to foot the bill of expenditure incurred during those ten years. He said that Punjabis should not be punished for fighting nation battle and central government should take the responsibility of neutralizing those loans.

The twin townships of Baghapurana and Dharamkot got Rs. 50 crore bonanza as the Deputy Chief Minister paved the way for 100% water supply and sewerage coverage of these two towns at the cost of Rs. 47 crore. The Gill village of Baghapurana was felling proud to have Rs. 2.5 crore state of art vet poly clinic with latest diagnostic gazettes to provide treatment to live stocks of adjoining villages. Mr. Badal also started the work on Tehsil complex in RO plant at Baghapurana to be constructed at the cost of Rs. 3.30 crores.

Vowing to continue subsidies for the poor Mr. Badal said that despite vicious propaganda of certain individuals at the instance of congress party, the SAD BJP Government was committed to fulfill all pro people promises made in the manifesto. He regretted that during the five year congress rule not a single project was initiated by then government in Faridkot Lok Sabha Constituency. He said that as MP of this region I had nurtured this constituency and I still love to nurture my parent constituency. He said that all project initiated today would be completed by October 2011 and he would personally inaugurate all these projects.

Mr. Badal said that after providing RO system in all difficult villages of Malwa and Majha region, all wards of cities following in these regions would have RO system by March 2011.
Promising to make Punjab development hub of North India Mr. Badal said that with surplus power, world class road and air connectivity with three International and two domestic airports, investor friendly regime, single window clearance of projects, Punjab was all set to become development hub of North India. He said that we are committed to achieve this despite adverse central tax regime due to concessions to neighboring hill states.

Prominent amongst those who were present on the occasion included Mrs. Paramjit Kaur Gulshan, MP ; Mr. Total Singh former Minister, Mr. Jagtar Singh Rajayana , Mr. Mahesh Inder Singh Nehal Singh Wala and scores of prominent leader of Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP.
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SUKHBIR CONDOLES THE DEATH OF GAJINDER SINGH'S MOTHER

Chandigarh, November 9: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the demise of Mrs. Swarn Kaur, mother of Mr. Gajinder Singh Bureau Chief The Telegraph, who expired in Calcutta today after prolonged illness.
Expressing his heartfelt sympathies with members of bereaved family, the Deputy Chief Minister prayed to almighty to grant peace to departed soul and strength to them to bear this irreparable loss.
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INVEST IN TECHNOLOGY- SUKHBIR'S MANTRA TO PUNJAB POLICE

· DISTRIBUTES PRIZES TO THE WINNERS OF INTER DISTRICT AND INTER BATTALION COMPETITIONS OF PUNJAB POLICE

Chandigarh, November 9: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today gave the mantra of investing in technological up-gradation of Police Infrastructure to keep ahead of techno-savvy criminals.

Speaking after distributing the prizes for inter district and inter battalion competitions held by Punjab Police, the Deputy Chief Minister said that with criminals becoming techno savvy it was imperative to equip the force with ultra modern technology and weaponry to out smart the modern day criminals. He said that Punjab government was committed to make the state police as number one force of the country and fully open to the idea of getting trained its men from international security agencies by sending them there.

Mr. Badal exhorted the Police Officer to make a significant contribution in changing the inter face of Public and Police dealing by making it people friendly. Describing Community Policing the aim of state government the Deputy Chief Minister urged them to ensure that the proposed police Suvidha Kendra should start functioning in an efficient manner by March 31, 2011.
The Deputy Chief Minister appreciated the initiative of State Police Chief Mr. P.S. Gill to recognize the services of cutting edge level Officers/Officials of Punjab Police by organizing and inter district and inter battalion competitions aimed to improve the professional competency of force. He asked the DGP that from next year this function should be state level and be organized in a grand manner to boost the morale of field officers/officials besides inculcating the spirit of competition as well as excellence amongst them.

Earlier, the Punjab DGP Mr. P.S. Gill briefly outlined the purpose of such competitions and described it an attempt to create competition amongst various police districts and battalions to enhance their professional competency. He said that while adjudging the best performing districts and Battalions various para meters had been analyzed and similarly individual categories the overall performance of each official had been evaluated by specially constituted teams for this purpose.
It may be mentioned here that in best district category, the Roopnagar district was adjudged best followed by Faridkot and Moga districts. Similarly in best Battalion category 7th IRB /Kapurthala was adjudged best followed by 1st IRB/Patiala and 82 Battalion, PAP Chandigarh. In best Police Station Category, the Police Station of Noorpur Bedi, Sultanpur Lodhi and Sarabha Nagar (Ludhiana) got the first three positions. In best SHO category Insp. Manvir Singh, SHO Anandpur Sahib, SI Kikkar Singh, SHO Baghapurana and Insp. Sulakhan Singh, SHO Mansa city were adjudged at first three positions. In best investigator category ASI Paramjit Singh, Ropar, Insp. Jassa Singh, Incharge CIA district Patiala and ASI Satnam Singh Incharge Police Post Mattewara, Ludhiana were selected on first three positions. In best Police Station Munshi category first three positions were gone to HC Balbir Chand, No. 203/PR , HC Jaspal Singh No. 841/ Moga and HC Harkesh Kumar No. 49 /Ludhaina . In best reserve Insp. category Insp. Gurjant Singh No. 275/PAP (Sangrur), Insp. Jaspal Singh No. 452/PAP (Amritsar Rural) and Insp. Mahinder Kumar (Faridkot) got first three positions. In best MTO category SI Mangal Singh (Kapurthala), ASI Hardip Singh (Muktsar) and ASI Prem Masih, in best line officer category SI Hargopal (Sangrur) SI Raghbir Singh (Kapurthala) SI Surjeet Singh Gurdaspur, in best Armourer category HC Raman Kumar, Kapurthala, HC Bhagwan Singh, Ferozepur and HC Gurmail Singh, Barnala and in highest drug haul category Insp. Manvir Singh, SHO Anandpur Sahib, Insp. Jassa Singh CIA staff Patiala and SI Nirmal Singh, SHO Valtoha got first three positions.

Besides this in armed Battalions competition Ct. Gurmail Singh (7th IRB/KPT), HC Jatinder Kumar (36th BN/PAP/BGH) and SI Dharm Singh of 82nd BN/PAP/CHD got first three positions in best quarter guard category. In best Drill Instructor category HC Ranjit Singh, Insp. Gian Singh, 502 PAP of 82nd Battalion and HC Kamaljit Singh of 7th BN/IRB , in best Battalion in Drill category 7th IRB/KPT, 5th Commando BN/BGH and 13th BN/PAP, in best Marksman category SI Kulwant Singh, 7th BN/IRB, HC Suresh Chander, 1st CDO/BN and HC Sucha Singh 36th BN/PAP , in best MTO category ASI Netar Dass, 1st CDO/BN, SI Amrit Lal, 3rd CDO /BN and ASI Dev Singh 1st IRB/Patiala, in best LO Category SI Baldev Singh, 36th Battalion/PAP , SI Dharam Singh, 82nd BN/PAP and SI Manjit Singh, 7th BN/PAP and in best Armourer category HC Rampal, 2nd CDO/ BN, HC Satpal Singh 4th CDO/BN and HC Ramesh Chand 1st IRB/Patiala got first three positions.
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SHAHEED-E-AZAM BHAGAT SINGH PUNJAB GAMES TO PROVIDE CASH BONANZA FOR WINNERS OF TEN DISCIPLINES – SUKHBIR
PLAYERS OF TEN GAMES TO VIE FOR 21 LAC EACH PRIZE MONEY GAMES TO BE HELD FROM DECEMBER 04 TO 12 TO TELECAST LIVE

Chandigarh November 9:
The Punjab Government has decided to organize Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat Singh Punjab Games from December 04 to 12, 2010 in 10 sports disciplines having a Prize Money of Rs.21.00 lac per discipline.

Announcing this here today Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal Deputy Chief Minister who is also Sports Minister of the State said that basic idea for introduction of these State Level Games is to provide the sportspersons a unique platform where they can test their skills, inculcate a higher level of competitive spirit and develop killing instinct to make earnest efforts for victory. He said that this endeavor would surely prepare them to withstand the pressures of competition at National and International levels. Mr. Badal announced that the winners of these state level games would take away a whopping prize money of Rs. 210.00 lac. The first, second and third position holder teams would take away a Cash Prize of Rs. 9.00 lac, Rs. 7.00 lac and Rs. 5.00 lac respectively. He said that these games would be held in the disciplines Athletics, Basketball , football, Hockey, Kabaddi, Shooting, Volleyball, Boxing , Weight Lifting and Wrestling.

Mr. Badal said that to popularize further these priority sports disciplines amongst the youth, the matches would be played in flood lights and telecast live from Semi Final stage onwards, including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. These state level games would not only wean away the youth from drugs, but will also encourage the youth to leave sedentary way of life and encourage them to join sports as a movement.


Mr. Badal said that these Games would be held at four different venues i.e. Ludhiana, Patiala, Mohali and Jalandhar from 4th December to 12th December, 2010. The Opening Ceremony is scheduled on 4th December, 2010 at Ludhiana and the Closing Ceremony at Jalandhar on 12th December, 2010. Ludhiana besides holding the Opening Ceremony, will play host to Athletics, Basketball, Football and Kabaddi. The Shooting event will be held at SAS Nagar, Mohali. Boxing, Volleyball, Weight Lifting and Wrestling shall be held at Patiala. Jalandhar will play host Hockey besides Closing Ceremony.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that with a view to transforming Punjab, once known as the sports arm of India, as the leading sports state of the country, the Punjab Government, headed by S. Parkash Singh Badal formulated and implemented a comprehensive Sports Policy.

He said that under the new Sports policy, the cash incentives for the Olympic, Asian, Commonwealth and other international competitions have been enhanced steeply. Recently in the meeting of council of ministers, the govt. has further enhanced the cash incentives for medalists of Commonwealth Games to bring them to a level higher than any other state in the country. It has enhanced the cash award for Commonwealth Games Gold Medal from 7.00 lac to 16.00 lac, Silver Medal from Rs. 5.00 lac to 11.00 lac and Bronze Medal from Rs. 3.00 lac to Rs. 6.00 lac. Similarly, the Cash Award for Asian Games Gold Medal has been enhanced from Rs. 7.00 lac to Rs. 26.00 lac, Silver from Rs. 5.00 lac to Rs. 16.00 lac and Bronze from Rs. 3.00 lac to Rs. 11.00 lac. In addition to this, 10 posts of Group-A have been created to accommodate Olympic, Asian and Commonwealth Games Medalists.

The State Govt. is making a serious endeavor to promote these 10 sports disciplines in a manner that sufficient number of sportspersons for these disciplines are selected at a young age. About 3500 talented sportspersons are being trained in 350 established sports wings in schools and colleges and around 50,000 players are being trained by the Kridashrees in rural areas.

For the first time in the state, the sportspersons in these 10 priority disciplines shall be ranked from 1st to 100th on the basis of their performance in the Games and all of them would be awarded merit/ ranking certificates well recognizing the level of their performance/ standing.

Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat Singh Punjab Games would become an Annual Feature in sports calendar of the state. This would be the highest level of competitions at the state level carrying huge prize money. On the basis of performance of sportspersons in these Games, they would be ranked every year. Therefore, no serious sportsman would like to miss participation in this prestigious Tournament. Over the period of years, these Games would gain tremendous popularity and take the sports to a level of a mass movement ensuring the health and well being of youth of the state.

The District Teams for these prestigious Games would be selected through open trials in a fair and transparent manner. The Selection Committees would include the District Sports Officer, President/ Secretary of concerned District Sports Association and three prominent sportspersons of the districts belonging relevant sports discipline.

Every district would be provided a sports kit of specific colour and design which shall be unique to each district. The students would have option to represent either the District of their birth place or from the district where they are studying. The employee sportspersons would have the option to either represent their District of birth or their District of residence but they must be residing in that particular district for the last four years. The employees of different departments belonging to other states who represent the state of Punjab, would be allowed to represent their district of posting. This is being done to provide a balance in various district teams and also to enhance the goodwill and respect for sportspersons.
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LAND ALLOTMENT TO ALL ADARSH SCHOOLS BY 25TH NOVEMBER 2010 --SUKHBIR

· CONSTRUCTION OF ALL ADARSH SCHOOLS BY YEAR END POSITIVELY

· 117 ADARSH SCHOOLS SET TO PROVIDE QUALITY EDUCATION TO THE POOR FREE OF COST

Chandigarh, November 9:

All private partners who have opted to setup Adarsh Schools in the State would be allotted land by 25th of this month and construction of these Adarsh Schools would be started by the end of this year.

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Punjab today asked Chief Secretary Mr. S.C.Agrawal to authorize every Deputy Commissioner of the state to allot land to the private partners by 25th positively and in the case of any legal problem with any particular site, take decision himself to shift the site to other un-represented village.

Accompanied by Education Minister Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan to review the problems being faced by various districts regarding some sites of Adarsh Schools, the Deputy Chief Minister said that Deputy Commissioner of every districts would be Nodal Officer for this project and he would ensure allotment of land to Punjab Education Department by 25th November, 2010 and further Education Department after entering into lease deeds with the respective private partners would further allot them land by first week of December. All Institutions have been mandated to start construction of Adarsh Schools by December and ensure its completion with in one year so that academic session in each school could start by February 2012.

In the meeting Chief Secretary listed out the problems being faced in certain districts regarding allotment of land and certain private partners sought change of site to most educationally backward districts of the state. The Deputy Commissioners of various districts projected the local Panchayat levels problems in allotment of land.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that it is the vision of S. Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister to have one Adarsh School in each assembly segment that would be located in the most educationally backward village of the district so that poor students could be provided quality education free of cost. He said that SAD-BJP government was committed to realize this vision within one year positively.

It may be added that 12 Private partners including M/s Bharti Enterprise, M/s Educomp Soultions Ltd., M/s Chandigarh Overseas Pvt. Ltd., M/s New Horizons India Limited, Sanatan Dharam Parcharak Sabha, Chief Khalsa Diwan, Baba Ishar Singh Educational Society, Balaji Educational Trust, SAS Educational Society , Makeaster Engineering ltd., FCS Software Solutions Ltd. have been giving responsibility set up Adarsh School in 117 Assembly segments of the state.
Besides Deputy Commissioner of each district, Mr. Krishan Kumar, Director General Education was also present in the meeting.
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117.46 LAKH TONNES PADDY PROCURED IN PUNJAB`

Chandigarh, November 09: Government agencies and private millers procured more than 11746891 tonnes of Paddy till last evening.
A spokesman of Punjab Govt. said here today that out of total procurement in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 11582072 tonnes (98.6%) whereas private traders procured 164819 tonnes (1.4%) of paddy. Till October 08, PUNGRAIN had procured 3599111 tonnes (31.1%) whereas MARKFED procured 2429634 tonnes (21.0%), PUNSUP procured 2721760 tonnes (23.5%), PSWC procured 1356525 tonnes (11.7%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 1007175 tonnes (8.7 %) of paddy.

The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 467867 tonnes (4.0%).
The spokesman added that District Ludhiana with 1359372 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas district Sangrur with 1214536 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and District Patiala 1123196 tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.

The State Government has set up almost 1700 procurement centers and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of paddy, the spokesman added.
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ROTATIONAL IRRIGATION PROGRAMME FOR RABI SEASON ANNOUNCED

Chandigarh, November 09:
The Irrigation Department, Punjab has announced the Rotational Programme for irrigation for the Rabi Season through Canal water from 19-11-2010 to 26-11-2010. The channels of Sirhind Canal System would run on the priority basis from Bist Doab, Sidhwan Branch, Bathinda Branch, Abohar Branch and Patiala feeder respectively.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the irrigation department said that direct distributaries of Bhakra Main Line in group 'A' being in the channels of first preference will run to their indent and balance water supplies available will be utilized in Ghaggar Branch and its off taking channels i.e Ghaggar Branch and Patiala Minor in Group 'B' respectively.

The spokesman further said that all the direct distributaries of Sirhind Feeder in group 'A' being in the First preference will run to their indent and balance water supplies available would be utilised in Abohar Branch off-taking from Sirhind Feeder and its distributaries/Minors in Group 'B'.
The spokesman also said that the channels off taking from upper Bari Doab Canal i.e. Kasur Branch Lower with its distributaries being in the channels of first Preference would run to their indent and balance water would be supplies water available in Sabraon Branch, Lahore Branch, Main Branch Lower with their distributaries respectively.
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SHIROMANI AKALI DAL

Chandigarh 09 November :
The Adarsh Housing Society flats scandal in which the flats meant for widows of Kargil heroes have been grabbed by many VVIPs including two former Army Chieves and a former Navy Chief besides politicians and bureaucrats. Engineer Gurjinder Singh Sidhu President Ex-Servicemen Wing of Shiromani Akali Dal has condemned this episode and has expressed that this is a crime against the nation and also against those who laid down their lives for the protection of the motherland. He has sought an enquiry in the matter by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court or by the CBI to identify the guilty and give them exemplary punishment. The scam has tarnished the glorious image of armed forces. The Defence Ministry should probe into the matter to reach some logical conclusions so that such things may not happen in the future.

Mr. Sidhu further stated that Justice will prevail only if the flats allotted to the ineligible allottees are taken back and are allotted to the deserving families of the Kargil heroes. Ex-servicemen Wing of Shiromani Akali Dal will continue its campaign against this big scandal till the guilty are punished and the actual beneficiaries are rewarded