OCTOBER 13

LIBERAL PACKAGE FOR GOVT. EMPLOYEES & PENSIONERS DA HIKED BY 10% FROM JULY 1, 2010 CHANDIGARH

OCTOBER 13:
On the personal intervention of the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal the State Finance Department today came out this evening with a bonanza for its employees and pensioners. It hiked the dearness allowance by 10% from July 1, 2010 besides, enhancing the amount of Conveyance Allowance to PCMS doctors, Local Travelling Allowance-cum-Maintenance Allowance to Group 'D' employees, Rural Area Allowance besides Design Allowance to certain categories of engineering personnel, Kit Maintenance Allowance for police personnel and Training Allowance admissible to the government employees on deputation with training institutes as faculty members, Secretariat allowance, special allowance to chowkidars and conveyance allowance to various categories of employees working in Punjab Civil Secretariat, in pursuance with the implementation of the recommendations of the Fifth Punjab Pay Commission.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said that the State Government had announced to increase 10% DA for its employees and pensioners from July 1, 2010. Previously, the DA was 35% of the basic pay which had been increased to 45%. The DA would be paid in cash to the serving employees along with the salary of October payable in November, 2010. The arrears would be credited to their respective GPF accounts. The pensioners would however, receive the entire amount along with the pension received in the month of November. The state exchequer would entail an additional expenditure of Rs. 495 crore annually on account of the revision of DA.

The spokesman further said that the PCMS doctors would be now entitled for Rs.1800 as Conveyance Allowance for Car and Rs.720 per month for other vehicles for official use w.e.f. 1 st October 2010. Likewise, the Local Travelling Allowance-Cum-Miscellaneous Allowance admissible to Group "D' employees had been revised from the existing Rs.75 to Rs.150 per month w.e.f. 1st October, 2010. This allowance would be admissible to only those employees to whom local travelling allowance at flat rate was not admissible and this enhanced rate of local travelling allowance-cum- miscellaneous allowance was inclusive of the cycle allowance earlier admissible to Group 'D' employees. The monthly Design Allowance admissible to certain categories of engineering personnel performing design work had also been revised w.e.f. 1st October, 2010, resultantly, the Chief Engineer would now be entitled for Rs.1800, Superintending Engineer Rs. 1400, Executive Engineer Rs. 1000, Sub-Divisional Engineer/Assistant Engineer Rs.800 and Junior Engineer Rs.600 per month.

The spokesperson further said that with the upward revision of monthly Kit Maintenance Allowance for the various categories of police personnel, now the Deputy Superintendent of Police would now get Rs.160, Inspector Rs.120, Assistant Sub Inspector/Sub Inspector Rs.80 and Constable/Head Constable Rs.50 per month w.e.f. 1st October, 2010. As an incentive, the Finance Department had also revised the Training Allowance admissible to the government employees on deputation with training institutes as Faculty members at the rate of 30% of the revised Basic Pay under the Punjab Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2009. In a bid to motivate the government staff posted in the rural areas (i.e. in villages and not in the cities/towns/NACs/Nagar Panchayats), the State Govt. has also decided to revise the Rural Area Allowance @ 6% of the revised Basic Pay w.e.f. 1st April, 2011.

The Finance Department had also revised the monthly secretariat allowance of certain categories of employees and besides the conveyance allowance to Rs. 800 per month for Deputy Secretary, Under Secretary, Senior Law Officer, Secretary/Minister, Special Secretary/ Minister, Superintendent Grade-1, Private Secretary and Personal Assistant working in the Punjab Civil Secretariat. This decision would also be applicable to the similar categories of employees working in the offices of Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Financial Commissioner Secretariat, Punjab Raj Bhawan, Legal Remembrancer and Punjab Public Service Commission with effect from October 1, 2010. Apart from this, the special allowance admissible to chowkidars had also been revised from Rs. 200 to Rs. 400 per month with effect from October 1, 2010.
In a benevolent gesture towards its employees and pensioners, the State Government also decided to grant the ex-gratia payment at the rate of Rs.1 lac only in case of an employee's death in harness or is permanently disabled and rendered unfit for further service on the uniform basis. Where death occurs in harness due to causes attributable to service i.e for reasons which are directly or substantially connected with the performance of official duties and was clearly relatable to performance of such duties, the payment of ex-gratia would be equal to 24 times the revised basic pay of the employee on the dates his/her death, with a minimum of Rs.2 lac and Rs.4 lac. In case the death occurs in performance of duty such as dealing with riots, terrorist attack or enemy action, ex-gratia would be paid @ Rs.10 lac on a uniform basis. These instructions would come into force retrospectively w.e.f. from January 1, 2006.
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MANPREET DROPPED FROM CABINET

CHANDIGARH OCTOBER 13:
Consequent upon the decision of the disciplinary committee of the Shiromani Akali Dal to suspend Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal from the primary membership of the party following his persistent acts of indiscipline and opposing the publicly endorsed pro-people policies of the party and the government, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today dropped Mr. Manpreet Singh from the Punjab Cabinet.
Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said here this afternoon that after his suspension from the party, Mr. Manpreet Singh's continuance as a member of the Council of Ministers had become constitutionally, morally and politically untenable. "The Chief Minister took this decision to honour the wishes and unanimous decision of the party", said the spokesperson.
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SUKHBIR CONGRATULATES INDIAN HOCKEY TEAM FOR THRILLING VICTORY AGAINST ENGLAND

Chandigarh, October 13: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Sports Minister today congratulated Indian Hockey Team for defeating England in Semi-final in a nail biting match.
Congratulating the team, captained by Punjab’s Rajpal Singh, Mr Badal said that team deserved all praise as all the players played as a well-knit team. He said that the thrilling victory against England in the semi-final played at the Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium has raised eight-time Olympic champions India’s hope of winning the first hockey gold in Commonwealth Games introduced in 1998 in Kuala Lumpur.

“It was a do-or-die battle for India who won by 8-7 in tie-breaker after a 3-3 draw in regulation period, said Mr Sukhbir Singh whose efforts is to make Punjab once again the strong sports arm of India.
Mr. Badal wished the Indian team best of luck in their title clash with Australia tomorrow.
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SUKHBIR BADAL PATS INDIAN CRICKET TEAM FOR CLINCHING TEST SERIES

CHANDIGARH, OCT 13
The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Sports Minister, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, congratulated the Indian cricket team for clinching test series against Australia 2-0.

“The Indian cricketers deserve full praise for their outstanding performance against Ricky Ponting-led Australian team as the hosts won the Two-Test series by winning the first Test in Mohali (Punjab) by a thrilling one-wicket verdict and today handing out a seven-wicket canning to the visitors at Bangalore. Besides, winning the Gavaskar-Border Trophy, Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar achieved yet another milestone of completing 14,000 runs. It is a personal and unique feat by the master of willow,” said Sukbir Singh Badal who is instrumental in framing a result-oriented new sports policy which lays stress on providing scientific training, world class infrastructure, fabulous cash incentives and jobs to outstanding sportspersons in Government Departments, Boards and Corporations.
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SUKHBIR CONGRATULATES PUNJAB MEDAL WINNERS IN CWG ANNOUNCES PRIZE MONEY OF RS.7 LAC, RS. 5 LAC AND RS. 3 LAC TO GOLD, SILVER AND BRONZE MEDAL WINNERS RESPECTIVELY

CHANDIGARH, OCT 13: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Bdal,Deputy Chief Minister ,Punjab today congratulated the Commonwealth Games medal winners from Punjab and announced cash award for them.
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who also holds the sports portfolio, said “the State Government would suitably honour the Punjab medal winners in the Commonwealth Games. The winner will get a cash prize of Rs 7 lakh, runner-up Rs 5 lakh and bronze medalist Rs 3 lakh.”he said that these incentives are part of the New Sports Policy framed by us to promote sports among youth of the state in a big way. “We wish create a sports culture and transform Punjab into number one sports in the country,” said Punjab Deputy Chief Minister .

He said that the Indian 4x400 metres women relay team made history by winning the first ever gold medal for women in track events of the ongoing Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. Manjeet Kaur ran the first leg and Mandeep Kaur the last to give India first position. Manjeet and Mandeep Kaur belong to Punjab.
Mr. Badal also congratulated the Indian quartet comprising Manjeet Kaur, Sini Jose, Ashwini Akkunji and Mandeep Kaur for claiming gold in the 4x400 metres relay. “They deserve full praise for their outstanding performance and helping India win the gold. Thrower Harwant Kaur, walker Harminder, boxer Amardep, shooters Heena Singh and Manavjit Singh Sandhu are among those who have brought laurels to the country and state for their podium finish.

Punjab players have so far claimed four gold, six silver and two bronze medal and the Indian hockey team is assured of podium finish. India have set up a submit clash with three-time Commonwealth Games champions Australia.

Five Punjab players (Rajpal Singh, Sarwanjit Singh, Ravipal Singh, Shivender Singh and Gurbaj Singh) are in the Indian hockey team.

Punjab medal winners in Indian team: Athletics: Harwant Kaur (discus ,silver), Mandeep Kaur and Manjit Kaur (4x400 m relay, gold). Boxing: Amandeep Singh (bronze). Shooting: Abhinav Bindra (Air Rifle 10 m Pair, gold, Air Rifle 10 m single, silver), Ronjan Sodhi (double trap single and pair, silver), Manavjit Sandhu (trap individual, bronze, trap pair, silver), Mansher Singh (trap pair, silver) and Heena Sidhu (10 m Pistol Pair, gold).
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28.19 LAKH TONNES PADDY PROCURED IN PUNJAB`

Chandigarh, October 13: Government agencies and private millers procured more than 2819901 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 2736318 tonnes (97.0%) whereas private traders procured 83583 tonnes (3.0%) of paddy. Till October 12, PUNGRAIN had procured 735708 tonnes (26.9%) whereas MARKFED procured 577772 tonnes (21.1%), PUNSUP procured 677130 tonnes (24.7%), PSWC procured 364203 tonnes (13.3%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 240528 tonnes (8.8 %) of paddy.
The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 140977 tonnes (5.2%).
The spokesman added that District Ferozepur with 486829 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas district Tarn Taran with 302718 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and District Jalandhar 289960 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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"KHEDO PUNJAB PROGRAMME"-UPINDERJIT KAUR CALLS FOR
CONCERETED EFFORTS FOR SPORTS AT SCHOOL LEVEL

Chandigarh October 13: Furthering the "Khedo Punjab" programme launched by the state education department, Dr Upinderjit Kaur has asked the officers to effectively utilize the services of physical teachers by setting apart at least one period every day for physical education and sports in schools.

While presiding over a high powered committee meeting convened especially to develop sports in the schools, she directed that at least one period a day should be compulsorily set apart in school curriculum for physical activities, right from the elementary level. She stressed that the health and well being of each child admitted in the schools is my utmost concern leading to healthy society.

To ensure proper participation of students, the Minister directed that each school must send atleast one team in the block level tournament. "The performance of physical teachers would be evaluated on the basis of achievements of the players produced by them to be monitored by the concerned District Assistant Education Officer", she added.

With a view to promote sports and games in the schools, Dr Upinderjit Kaur asked the local authorities to adequately maintain school playgrounds. She directed the school heads to ramp up their games infrastructure and physical education teachers must be equipped with the latest information trough refresher courses to train the budding players.

To harness, available and potential sporting talent among students, she emphasized that a well designed competition structure from the block level be planned by the education department in consultation with experts in the field including higher academic institutions for providing optimum exposure to youngsters.
The Minister said that the sports is a common cultural phenomenon shared by the whole of mankind, responds to man's inherent desire for physical and mental activity. Besides, it imparts a sense of fulfillment and richness to human life. "It also contributes to the national economy and promotes mutual harmony, friendship, co-existence leading to better international understanding. It is therefore of the greatest significance that people should engage in sports throughout their lives,' she added.

To make Punjab a vibrant leading edge state in the sports arena, Dr Upinderjit Kaur advised to exploit talent at the grass root level, synergies the activities of Sports and Education Department and nurture the probable sportspersons to achieve excellence at National and International level in the sports.
She informed that diet money of the school athletes has also been enhanced for camps and competitions. Besides this, summer coaching camps would also be made a regular feature during the vocations. To promote and popularise traditional sports especially Gatka, a martial art sport, she directed all the educational institutes to organize competitions at different levels.

Among others Mr C. Roul Principal Secretary School Education, Mr Krishan Kumar DGSE, Mr Devinder Singh DPI (SE), Mrs Amarjit Kaur Deputy Director (School Sports), Dr Kanwaljit Singh Director Sports GNDU Amritsar, Dr Charnjit Singh Grewal Director Sports Panjab University Chandigarh and Dr Bhupinder Singh Joint Director Sports Punjabi University Patiala were also present in the meeting.

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LIBERAL PACKAGE FOR GOVT. EMPLOYEES & PENSIONERS DA HIKED BY 10% FROM JULY 1,

2010 CHANDIGARH OCTOBER 13:
On the personal intervention of the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal the State Finance Department today came out this evening with a bonanza for its employees and pensioners. It hiked the dearness allowance by 10% from July 1, 2010 besides, enhancing the amount of Conveyance Allowance to PCMS doctors, Local Travelling Allowance-cum-Maintenance Allowance to Group 'D' employees, Rural Area Allowance besides Design Allowance to certain categories of engineering personnel, Kit Maintenance Allowance for police personnel and Training Allowance admissible to the government employees on deputation with training institutes as faculty members, Secretariat allowance, special allowance to chowkidars and conveyance allowance to various categories of employees working in Punjab Civil Secretariat, in pursuance with the implementation of the recommendations of the Fifth Punjab Pay Commission.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's Office said that the State Government had announced to increase 10% DA for its employees and pensioners from July 1, 2010. Previously, the DA was 35% of the basic pay which had been increased to 45%. The DA would be paid in cash to the serving employees along with the salary of October payable in November, 2010. The arrears would be credited to their respective GPF accounts. The pensioners would however, receive the entire amount along with the pension received in the month of November. The state exchequer would entail an additional expenditure of Rs. 495 crore annually on account of the revision of DA.

The spokesman further said that the PCMS doctors would be now entitled for Rs.1800 as Conveyance Allowance for Car and Rs.720 per month for other vehicles for official use w.e.f. 1 st October 2010.
Likewise, the Local Travelling Allowance-Cum-Miscellaneous Allowance admissible to Group "D' employees had been revised from the existing

Rs.75 to Rs.150 per month w.e.f. 1st October, 2010. This allowance would be admissible to only those employees to whom local travelling allowance at flat rate was not admissible and this enhanced rate of local travelling allowance-cum- miscellaneous allowance was inclusive of the cycle allowance earlier admissible to Group 'D' employees. The monthly Design Allowance admissible to certain categories of engineering personnel performing design work had also been revised w.e.f. 1st October, 2010, resultantly, the Chief Engineer would now be entitled for Rs.1800, Superintending Engineer Rs. 1400, Executive Engineer Rs. 1000, Sub-Divisional Engineer/Assistant Engineer Rs.800 and Junior Engineer Rs.600 per month.
The spokesperson further said that with the upward revision of monthly Kit Maintenance Allowance for the various categories of police personnel, now the Deputy Superintendent of Police would now get Rs.160, Inspector Rs.120, Assistant Sub Inspector/Sub Inspector Rs.80 and Constable/Head Constable Rs.50 per month w.e.f. 1st October, 2010.

As an incentive, the Finance Department had also revised the Training Allowance admissible to the government employees on deputation with training institutes as Faculty members at the rate of 30% of the revised Basic Pay under the Punjab Civil Services (Revised

Pay) Rules, 2009. In a bid to motivate the government staff posted in the rural areas (i.e. in villages and not in the cities/towns/NACs/Nagar Panchayats), the State Govt. has also decided to revise the Rural Area Allowance @ 6% of the revised Basic Pay w.e.f. 1st April, 2011.

The Finance Department had also revised the monthly secretariat allowance of certain categories of employees and besides the conveyance allowance to Rs. 800 per month for Deputy Secretary, Under Secretary, Senior Law Officer, Secretary/Minister, Special Secretary/ Minister, Superintendent Grade-1, Private Secretary and Personal Assistant working in the Punjab Civil Secretariat. This decision would also be applicable to the similar categories of employees working in the offices of Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Financial Commissioner Secretariat, Punjab Raj Bhawan, Legal Remembrancer and Punjab Public Service Commission with effect from October 1, 2010. Apart from this, the special allowance admissible to chowkidars had also been revised from Rs. 200 to Rs. 400 per month with effect from October 1, 2010.
In a benevolent gesture towards its employees and pensioners, the State Government also decided to grant the ex-gratia payment at the rate of Rs.1 lac only in case of an employee's death in harness or is permanently disabled and rendered unfit for further service on the uniform basis. Where death occurs in harness due to causes attributable to service i.e for reasons which are directly or substantially connected with the performance of official duties and was clearly relatable to performance of such duties, the payment of ex-gratia would be equal to 24 times the revised basic pay of the employee on the dates his/her death, with a minimum of Rs.2 lac and
Rs.4 lac. In case the death occurs in performance of duty such as dealing with riots, terrorist attack or enemy action, ex-gratia would
be paid @ Rs.10 lac on a uniform basis. These instructions would
come into force retrospectively w.e.f. from January 1, 2006.

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PARTY IS SUPREME NOT ANY INDIVIDUAL-SUKHBIR
· SUKHBIR INAUGURATES RS. 17 CRORE RUB AT BATHINDA

Bathinda, October 13:
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today categorically said that Party was supreme not any individual. He affirmed that in a democratic set up, it is the party that runs the show.
Talking to media persons after inaugurating Railway Under Bridge here today Mr. Badal said that the suspension of Manpreet Singh Badal from SAD was based on the recommendations of Disciplinary Action Committee. He said that nobody was above the Party as it was party that makes a leader.

When asked about loan waiver The Deputy Chief Minister said that Shiromani Akali Dal from the very beginning was of the view that Centre must write off the debt without any condition as it was the result of long innings of President’s rule during militancy coupled with heavy tax concessions to the adjoining hill states resulting in flight of capital from the State. Mr. Badal said that SAD was regularly impressing upon Centre governments that the huge debt of the State was the result of firstly due to its fight against militancy for more than a decade and then relentless efforts of its farmers making country self reliant on food grain front. He said that Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and he himself was continuously writing and meeting Prime Minister, Finance Minister and Planning Commission for debt waiver. Besides this, Member Parliament Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal was also forcefully raising this issue in Parliament. He said that Punjab had fought the Nation’s war against inimical forces and now feeding the whole country by bleeding its only source of ground water resulting in major future challenge of ground water scarcity. He pointed out that if there was any loan waiver offer, and then it should be between Union and State governments and without any concrete proposal discussion on it was superfluous.

He asked that if Congress led UPA government was sincere towards Punjab then it should unconditionally waive off total debt of the State so that instead of servicing debt and its interest with its revenue, Punjab Government could concentrate on putting Punjab’s developments back on track. Earlier he inaugurated Rs. 17 crore Railway under Bridge (RUB) here connecting Paras Ram Nagar and Partap Nagar to Bathinda City.
Earlier addressing the gathering, Mr. Badal said that the Bathinda city had already been put on higher orbit of overall development with world class civic infrastructure. He announced that in coming 18 months each household in the city would have access to safe drinking water besides sewerage connection. He said that the four lanining of two major road links of Bathinda to Patiala and Bathinda to Amritsar would be completed within next two years. The Deputy Chief Minister disclosed that the State government was constructing/upgrading 14 flood lit sports stadiums of International standards including 8 multipurpose stadiums, 5 hockey stadiums, Punjab Institute of Sports and Punjab School of Sports at the cost of Rs. 123 crores by 15th August, 2011.He informed the setting up of Punjab Institute of Sports at Bathinda at Rs. 40 crores with the facilities of Astroturf, Synthetic tracks, and separate residential hostels for boys and girls, school building with teaching facilities from class IV to class XII and a separate college for the students.
Mr. Badal said that they would go to the people to seek blessings and support for another term on the basis of its solid performance on fulfilling development agenda of Punjab. Mr. Badal said that right from five Thermal Plants being constructed at the cost of Rs 49000 crore, construction of 32 ROBs at the cost of Rs 806 crore and four/ six laining of all vital road at the cost of Rs 6669 crore, construction of 125 Adarsh School one in each block, Rs 1000 plan for sewerage network, Rs 1200 crore for water supply network and Rs 3000 crore for urban renewal, the SAD- BJP government has fulfilled the aspiration of the people on the development front.

Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Mr. Sher Singh Ghubaya, MP, mr. Jagdeep singh Nakai, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka, Chairman, District Planning Committee, Mr. Baljit Singh Bir Brahman, Mayor, Mr Madan Lal Kapoor, Chairman Small Scale Traders Board, Mr. Sarup Chand Singla and BJP Leader Mr Sham Lal Gupta.