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September 22, Punjab News Updated
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SAD-BJP GOVERNMENT FINALIZES STRATEGY TO GET THROUGH ALL BILLS IN COMING PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA SESSION-SUKHBIR
Elections to all cooperative bodies on schedule
Rs. 1000 crore sewerage plan for Urban Areas
Chandigarh September 22:
Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister today said that SAD-BJP Government was fully geared up to get through all legislative business and bills in the coming monsoon session of Punjab Vidhan Sahba starting on 24th September.
Answering the queries regarding Congress’s proposed plan to stall the session, Mr. Badal said that State government was duty bound to get through all bills of public welfare and development of the state in this session so that government working as well as development works do not get struck due to opposition’s disruptive role. He hoped that saner sense would prevail upon opposition and they would play a constructive role. Responding to a query regarding preparedness of SAD-BJP government for elections in various Co-operative bodies, Mr. Badal said that government does not delaying cooperative elections and elections to all these bodies would be held when ever they become due. He said that Congress was indulging in the false propaganda as it feared exposure of its zero base in co-operative electorate.
Mr. Badal said that SAD-BJP government was moving with a focused approach to build the infrastructure in rural as well as urban areas. He said that in next one year three thousand crores would be spent on strengthening civic amenities in urban areas and equal amount would be spent on rural areas. He said that Rs. 1000 crore has been earmarked to strengthen the sewerage network in urban areas including 80 mandis and big villages falling in the periphery of big cities. He said that to speedup the sewerage laying process, 50% projects were being handed over to public health department and rest of the projects would be executed by the Punjab Sewerage Board.
Mr. Badal said that Rs. 10 crore would be spent on various development works in each assembly constituency. He along with CM would visit each constituency to monitor the execution of these development projects. Deputy Commissioner of each district has been appointed Nodal Officer to get these projects completed in a time bound manner besides ensuring quality control in each development work.
Earlier, Mr. Badal met the Panches and Sarpanches of 36 Village Panchayats and councilors of local Municpal Council. He individually enquired about the development requirement of each village and ward and distributed grants for these projects. During the two day Sangat Darshan programme of the Deputy Chief Minister, grants to the tune of Rs. 8.73 crore has been handed over to 71 Panchayats and all Municipal Wards.
Prominent amongst those who were present in the Sangat Darshan Programme included Mrs. Paramjit Kaur Gulshan Member Parliament, Jathedar Tota Singh and S. Gurdev Singh Badal both ex-Ministers, S. Jagtar Singh Rajiana Sr. Akali Leader, Mahesh Inder Singh Nihalsinghwala, and S. Tarsem Singh Ratian.
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TREAT WHOLE CANAL SYSTEM OF PUNJAB
AS ONE CANAL -SUKHBIR
· SEEKS IMMEDIATE CENTRAL ASSISTANCE TO REJUVENATE 150 YEAR OLD CANAL SYSTEM
· DEMANDS DECLARING PUNJAB AS SPECIAL AGRICULTURAL ZONE
· CALLS FOR LINKING MSP WITH PRICE INDEX
Chandigarh, 22 September : Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that Punjab government has requested Union government to make the relevant amendments in the rules to treat complete canal system of Punjab as one canal besides immediately releasing central grant of Rs. 3000 crore to reach rejuvenate 150 year old canal system of the state.
Speaking after inaugurating 15 Km long minor constructed at the cost of Rs. 8.5 crore at Village Araianwala today, Mr. Badal said that in the era of water scarcity, 20% water in the Punjab Canal gets wasted due to seepage. He said that amendment in the rules for Punjab to treat whole canal systems of the State as one canal has been sought from the Union government to rejuvenate whole canal system in one go rather than in piece meal manner. The Deputy Chief Minister also demanded canalization of Ghaggar be treated as national project. He said that Punjab with mere 1.5% geographical area of the country was providing 60% food grain in the Central kitty and it was the responsibility of Union government to upgrade and maintain the canal network of the state.
Mr. Badal said that Punjab government had been pressurizing the Union government the declare Punjab as Special Agriculture Zone with all subsidies and facilities given to agriculture sector as being given to Industry in the SEZs. He said that to make agriculture a remunerative professional Union government would have to implement Swaminathan Commission report linking MSP with Whole Sale Price Index or calculating 50% profit over the total cost of agricultural inputs.
Later on inaugurating Baba Farid Rural Sports Festival at Local Nehru Stadium, Mr. Badal informed that the Punjab Cabinet had recently approved its new Sports Policy- 2010 aimed at achieving excellence in the sports giving incentives to sportspersons, who win laurels for the state at national as well as international level.
He further said that an elaborate state specific system of ranking of sportspersons in selected sports disciplines was being introduced. Under this system sportspersons in a particular discipline would be ranked every year from 1st to 100th rank and they shall be issued a ranking certificate by sports department.
He disclosed that 10 World Class Stadiums equipped with flood lights with combined cost of Rs. 65 crores for Hockey, Cricket, Kabaddi, Football, Volleyball and Handball would be developed/ upgraded at Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Faridkot, Bathinda, SAS Nagar, Sangrur, Hoshiarpur, Mansa and Gurdapsur within next 12 months. Apart from this a Centre of excellence at Jalandhar and regional Centers at Mohali and Bathinda would be established to prepare highly skilled sportsmen for national/international competitions.
Mr. Badal announced a Rs. 10 crore special grant for various development projects of Faridkot City. He revealed that in last three years Rs. 352 crores had already been spent on various development projects in Faridkot district.
Earlier Mr. Badal inaugurated a Rs. 1.5 crore water works, a Laundry plant for old age home and newly beautified Kameana chowk. He also laid the foundation stone of a hostel building for disabled children in the city.
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Bibi Paramjit Kaur Gulshan, MP, Mr. Gurdev Singh Badal ex. Minister, S. Mohinder Singh Romana, Mr. Lakhbir Singh Araianwala Chairman District Planning Committee, Mr. Kushaldeep Singh Dhillion Ex.MLA, Mr. Makhan Singh Nangal Member SGPC and Mr. Paramhans Romana, Chairman Improvement Trust and Senior officers of district administration.
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SUKHBIR OKAYS PUNJAB’S TOURISM DEVELOPMENT MASTER PLAN
· CABINET TO APPROVE TOURISM BILL SOON
· HOTEL POLICY, BYE LAWS FOR TOURISM SERVICES ,
· ECO TOURISM, FARM TOURISM TO BE PART OF TOURISM BILL
Chandigarh September 21 :
Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal Deputy Chief Minister Punjab and Mr. Hira Singh Gabaria Tourism Minister today gave in principal approval to Tourism Development Master Plan to develop tourism as well coordinated and organized industry besides putting Punjab on World Tourism Circuit.
The Deputy Chief Minister gave the approval after detailed presentation by Mr Hans Carl Jacobsen and Dr. Harsh Verma international consultants of United Nations World Tourism Organisation here yesterday night. The meeting also approved the draft tourism bill that would be enacted as legislation after approval. The tourism bill also includes a comprehensive Hotel Policy with the objective of focusing development incentives on high quality accommodation. The policy also envisages detailed bylaws and regulations for hotels and all tourism services . Detailed guidelines for establishing and promoting Bed and Breakfast & Tented schemes are also part of tourism master plan. The unique scheme of Farm Tourism is also part of the policy.
Presiding over the meeting Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal also approved the demonstration tourism project for Patiala, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Sultanpur Lodhi, Nangal and Ropar.
Patiala would be projected as unique Cultural Heritage destination with a system of Heritage Trails. As a part of this plan Medal Collection, Art Museum in the Sheesh Mahel , Moti Bagh Bir , Quila Mubarak, Quila Androon, Durbar Hall, Ran Baas, Garden Pavilions ( Jalau Khana) would be projected as main center of attraction. The old City Gates, traditional handicrafts like Phulkari, Punjabi Jutti and Pottery of Patiala region would be projected as key nodes of tourist interest.
Sultanpur Lodhi would be put on Global tourist circuit as a unique religious and cultural heritage destination as “the Birth Place of Sikhism”. As a part of this plan the Holy Kali Bein River, measures taken for green belt protection and Gurudwaras linked to Guru Nanakji’s life especially Sri Ber Sahib would be promoted as centers of religious tourism Babe Nanki Dharmshala, the old heritage cow pond Anaj Mandi of Sultanpur Lodhi would make the tourists relive the old traditional charm of this holy city. The Main Bazar of Sultanpur Lodhi would be spine of heritage trail. It is proposed to convert Quila Sarai, the old gateway into heritage resort.
Similarly in Kapurthala Jagatjit Palace , Gol Kothi , Camera Bagh, Darbar Hall, Baggi Khana Complex , Ghanta Ghar , Panch Mandir, Jalau Khana, Shalimar Bagh and Royal Tombs would give the tourists a royal experience whereas Moorish Mosque , War Memorial , Bhoot Bangla Mansion and Kanjali Wetland would be other centers of attraction in Kapurthala.
Ropar would be projected as unique natural historical as well as cultural destination with Ropar lake , wetland , Ramsar site, Five Star Eco Lodges , Health and Wellness sanctuary. Similarly in Ropar Katli Fish Farm and Leisure Retreat would give the experience of village tourism replete with edutainment, fun and fishing experiences. The Museum , the Fort and Ancient Relics besides the old British Army Trail on the Shivalik Hills would attract International Tourists to this unique destination.
The meeting also approved brand logo of Punjab heritage and tourism promotion board. It was informed in a meeting that tourism map of Amritsar has been published and of Patiala and other cities was in final stages . Mrs. Gitika Kalha , Principal Secretary Tourism informed that the response of Travel trade and all major stakeholders to the first corporate news letter of Punjab heritage tourism Board was quite encouraging and second condition would be out soon. She said that tourist guide book a comprehensive website was in the final stages.
Prominent amongst those who were participated in the meeting Mr. S.C.Agrawal Chief Secretary Punjab, Mr. D.S.Jaspal, Principal Secretary Transport , Mr. S.S.Sandhu Secretary Urban Development and other senior officers of various departments.
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PUNJAB SEEKS SPECIAL ALLOCATION FORCANCER CONTROL – SUKHBIR • RS. 10-15 CRORES TO BE SPENT ON DEVELOPMENT OF EACH CONSTITUENCY DURING NEXT SIX MONTHS
• 71 PANCHAYATS OF BAGHAPURANA GIVEN RS. 8 CRORE FOR DEVELOPMENT WORKS
Chandigarh September 21 :
The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that Punjab Government has requested Union Government to allocate special fund to Punjab from National Rural Health Mission to control the scourge of cancer afflicting Punjab especially the Malwa Belt.
Speaking to the media persons at the residence of Mr. Jagtar Singh Rajiana, a senior Akali Dal Leader after distributing grants to 17 Panchayats of Baghapurana assembly constituency, Mr. Badal said that Punjab Government was seriously concerned about the rising cases of cancer in this region. He said that he along with the Chief Minister have already met Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh requesting him to setup a AIIMS like cancer diagnostic and treatment center in the Malwa belt to ensure early detection and treatment of cancer cases. He said that Punjab Government on its own has setup special ward and diagnostic facilities at Baba Farid Medical University and a specialized cancer hospital being setup in collaboration with MAX Group was already under construction. He said that they have requested Union Health Minister to sanction special allocation to Punjab keeping in view the seriousness of the problem.
Mr. Badal said that Punjab on its own has already installed RO system in over 500 villages and all problem villages and cities of Malwa region and a belt of Majha region would be provided RO within next 12 months.
Speaking about development process at the grass root level, Mr. Badal said that it was the SAD BJP Government that was taking the fruits of development to the remote rural areas. He said that he and CM would visit each constituency to distribute Rs. 10-15 crores to each assembly constituency, to be spent on rural link roads, Public Health Works, Sanitation, Village Ponds and other Development works. He said that under this plan over Rs. 8 crores would be distributed to 71 Panchayats of Baghapurana in next two days.
When asked about threat posed to Commonwealth Games, Mr. Badal said that Punjab Police was vigilant to fail the nefarious designs of Anti-National forces and he was committed to maintain peace in the State.
Mr. Badal said that Government was committed to end the chronic 63 year old scarcity of power by commissioning four major Thermal Plants being setup at the combined cost of Rs. 36000 crores with total generation capacity of 6500 MW power. Mr. Badal said that SAD-BJP Government during last 42 months besides strengthening infrastructure sector including power has focused on upgrading Roads, Aviation, Education , Civic Amenities in Urban Areas to enable the state to face the challenges of future. The Deputy Chief Minister said that besides generating 6500 MW additional power, the Punjab was all set to generate 1000 MW power from non conventional sector. He said that our government has spent over Rs. 6000 crores on strengthening road sectors and by next 2 years all major cities of Punjab would be interconnected with four lane roads. He said that this government got completed 32 Railway over bridges during last 3 years and eight more ROBs would be operational in next 6 months.
Later Mr. Badal also laid the foundation stone of E-Health Point in the presence of Dr. Allen Hammond Chairman, Seventh in the region to provide 400 high quality medicines, 75 basic diagnostic tests and consultation through Tele Conferencing with specialists at meager cost of Rs. 40 only. Since their launch, the 6 EHP centres have already provided more than 12,500 tele-medical consultations, performed about 4,000 diagnostic investigations, and filled over 14,000 prescriptions, and are providing safe drinking water to more than 2500 families daily.
Prominent amongst those who were present on the occasion included Mrs. Paramjit Kaur Gulshan Member Parliament, Jathedar Tota Singh and S. Gurdev Singh Badal both ex-Ministers, S. Jagtar Singh Rajiana Sr. Akali Leader, Mahesh Inder Singh Nihalsinghwala, S. Nirdharak Singh Brar, S. Tarsem Singh Ratian.
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SUKHBIR OKAYS PUNJAB’S TOURISM DEVELOPMENT MASTER PLAN
· CABINET TO APPROVE TOURISM BILL SOON
· HOTEL POLICY, BYE LAWS FOR TOURISM SERVICES ,
· ECO TOURISM, FARM TOURISM TO BE PART OF TOURISM BILL
Chandigarh September 21 :
Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal Deputy Chief Minister Punjab and Mr. Hira Singh Gabaria Tourism Minister today gave in principal approval to Tourism Development Master Plan to develop tourism as well coordinated and organized industry besides putting Punjab on World Tourism Circuit.
The Deputy Chief Minister gave the approval after detailed presentation by Mr Hans Carl Jacobsen and Dr. Harsh Verma international consultants of United Nations World Tourism Organisation here yesterday night. The meeting also approved the draft tourism bill that would be enacted as legislation after approval. The tourism bill also includes a comprehensive Hotel Policy with the objective of focusing development incentives on high quality accommodation. The policy also envisages detailed bylaws and regulations for hotels and all tourism services . Detailed guidelines for establishing and promoting Bed and Breakfast & Tented schemes are also part of tourism master plan. The unique scheme of Farm Tourism is also part of the policy.
Presiding over the meeting Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal also approved the demonstration tourism project for Patiala, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Sultanpur Lodhi, Nangal and Ropar.
Patiala would be projected as unique Cultural Heritage destination with a system of Heritage Trails. As a part of this plan Medal Collection, Art Museum in the Sheesh Mahel , Moti Bagh Bir , Quila Mubarak, Quila Androon, Durbar Hall, Ran Baas, Garden Pavilions ( Jalau Khana) would be projected as main center of attraction. The old City Gates, traditional handicrafts like Phulkari, Punjabi Jutti and Pottery of Patiala region would be projected as key nodes of tourist interest.
Sultanpur Lodhi would be put on Global tourist circuit as a unique religious and cultural heritage destination as “the Birth Place of Sikhism”. As a part of this plan the Holy Kali Bein River, measures taken for green belt protection and Gurudwaras linked to Guru Nanakji’s life especially Sri Ber Sahib would be promoted as centers of religious tourism Babe Nanki Dharmshala, the old heritage cow pond Anaj Mandi of Sultanpur Lodhi would make the tourists relive the old traditional charm of this holy city. The Main Bazar of Sultanpur Lodhi would be spine of heritage trail. It is proposed to convert Quila Sarai, the old gateway into heritage resort.
Similarly in Kapurthala Jagatjit Palace , Gol Kothi , Camera Bagh, Darbar Hall, Baggi Khana Complex , Ghanta Ghar , Panch Mandir, Jalau Khana, Shalimar Bagh and Royal Tombs would give the tourists a royal experience whereas Moorish Mosque , War Memorial , Bhoot Bangla Mansion and Kanjali Wetland would be other centers of attraction in Kapurthala.
Ropar would be projected as unique natural historical as well as cultural destination with Ropar lake , wetland , Ramsar site, Five Star Eco Lodges , Health and Wellness sanctuary. Similarly in Ropar Katli Fish Farm and Leisure Retreat would give the experience of village tourism replete with edutainment, fun and fishing experiences. The Museum , the Fort and Ancient Relics besides the old British Army Trail on the Shivalik Hills would attract International Tourists to this unique destination.
The meeting also approved brand logo of Punjab heritage and tourism promotion board. It was informed in a meeting that tourism map of Amritsar has been published and of Patiala and other cities was in final stages . Mrs. Gitika Kalha , Principal Secretary Tourism informed that the response of Travel trade and all major stakeholders to the first corporate news letter of Punjab heritage tourism Board was quite encouraging and second condition would be out soon. She said that tourist guide book a comprehensive website was in the final stages.
Prominent amongst those who were participated in the meeting Mr. S.C.Agrawal Chief Secretary Punjab, Mr. D.S.Jaspal, Principal Secretary Transport , Mr. S.S.Sandhu Secretary Urban Development and other senior officers of various departments.
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CM SLASHES MARKET FEE AND RDF ON RAW COTTON FROM 2% TO 1%
CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 20: Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today approved to slash the market fee and the Rural Development Fee (RDF) on Narma and Kapas (raw cotton) from 2% to 1% with immediate effect during the cotton procurement season 2010-11 till 31.3.2011. A decision to this effect was taken by Mr. Badal in a meeting with the deputation of Punjab Cotton Factories & Ginner's Association led by its President Mr. Bhagwan Bansal here at Chief Minister's residence this evening. Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Punjab government said that this decision had been taken to safeguard the interests of both the cotton growers and cotton ginning industry. Besides, this decision would also provide a level playing field to the cotton ginners in the state who were facing unhealthy competition from the cotton industry in other states like Rajasthan, where the market fee on cotton was 0.80% and 1% each in Maharashtra and Gujarat. It may be recalled that the state government had already abolished the Punjab Infrastructure Development Cess of 2% levied on the ginning and spinning (composite) units on raw cotton recently during a meeting with the Chief Minister held on August 9, 2010. Expressing gratitude to the Chief Minister, the members of the Association assured Mr. Badal that this decision would result in quantum jump in the revenue from VAT and market fee during the current procurement season, which was expected to touch nearly Rs.125 crore on VAT and Rs.80 crore on market fee. They also apprised the Chief Minister that the bumper cotton crop this year was expected to touch nearly 20 lakh bales as compared to 12.94 lakh bales procured last year. The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Principal Secretary Mr. DS Guru and Additional Principal Secretary Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar. The deputation of Punjab Cotton Factories & Ginner's Association consisted of Mr. Vijay Nagpal (Babbu), Mr. Naresh Bansal from Abohar, Mr. Rajinder Garg from Malout, Mr. Jagdish Kamra, Mr. Janak Raj, Mr. Mohan Lal and Mr. Ashwani from Bathinda.
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PUNJAB GETS BEST PERFORMANCE AWARD UNDER NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY MISSION FOR WHEAT
CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 20:
Punjab State has been awarded the Best Performance Award under National Food Security Mission for Wheat for 2008-09 for best overall performance in terms of organization and management of various resources for implementation of Mission interventions and consequent
outcomes.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Punjab government said that the award was presented by Union Agriculture Minister Mr. Sharad Pawar during the National Conference for Rabi crops held at New Delhi on 18-19 September, 2010. The award was received by the Director Agriculture Mr. Balwinder Singh Sidhu on behalf of the state.
The spokesperson further said that ten districts of Punjab were covered
under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) -Wheat which contributed 84.15 lac tonnes of wheat during 2008-09 which was 9% more than the base year 2006-07. The productivity of NFSM districts had also increased to 4397 kg/hectare as compare to 4128 kg/hectare during the corresponding period. There has also been an impressive increase of 8% over the base year in overall
production of the State which increased to 157.33 lac MT as compared 150 lac MT during the base year.
It may be recalled that Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal had been vigorously pursuing with the Centre to include all the 20
districts of the State under NFSM-Wheat and also to include the State
under NFSM-Rice so that the contribution of the State to the Central
Pool could be further improved. This would also help the farmers of the State in
better access to the agricultural inputs and the latest technology in
production of rice and wheat, added the spokesperson.
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…RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION TO HELP THE POOR STUDENTS IN PURSUING THEIR ACADEMIC INTERESTS
Chandigarh Sept. 20: The Punjab Government College Retired Teachers’
Association Chandigarh has taken a philanthropic and charitable initiative to help the needy and the poor students in pursuing their academic interests.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the association said that all the members of the association contribute Rs. 100/- annually and the same amount was being spent for the education of the poor and the needy students.
Adding further he said that applications on prescribed forms have also been invited to awards one-time financial aid of Rs. 1000/- from needy and meritorious students of the government colleges of the state. The application forms are available with Principal R.S.Bawa # 53, Young Dweller Complex, Sector 49 Chandigarh and the duly filled up forms be sent at the same address by Sept.30,2010 so that the necessary action could be taken , he added.
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PUNJAB GETS BEST PERFORMANCE AWARD UNDER NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY MISSION FOR WHEAT
CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 20:
Punjab State has been awarded the Best Performance Award under National Food Security Mission for Wheat for 2008-09 for best overall
performance in terms of organization and management of various
resources for implementation of Mission interventions and consequent
outcomes.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Punjab government said that the award was presented by Union Agriculture Minister Mr.
Sharad Pawar during the National Conference for Rabi crops held at New
Delhi on 18-19 September, 2010. The award was received by the Director Agriculture Mr. Balwinder Singh Sidhu on behalf of the state.
The spokesperson further said that ten districts of Punjab were covered
under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) -Wheat which contributed 84.15 lac tonnes of wheat during 2008-09 which was 9% more than the base year 2006-07. The productivity of NFSM districts had also increased to 4397 kg/hectare as compare to 4128 kg/hectare during the corresponding period. There has also been an impressive increase of 8% over the base year in overall
production of the State which increased to 157.33 lac MT as compared 150 lac MT during the base year.
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal had been vigorously pursuing with the Centre to include all the 20
districts of the State under NFSM-Wheat and also to include the State
under NFSM-Rice so that the contribution of the State to the Central
Pool could be further improved. This would also help the farmers of the State in
better access to the agricultural inputs and the latest technology in
production of rice and wheat, added the spokesperson.
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CABINET APPROVES PRODUCTIVITY BONUS FOR FARMERS, DECIDES TO ACT ON CENTRAL ASSISTANCE OF Rs. 800 Cr AS PER GoI SANCTION.
CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 19:
The Punjab Cabinet in its meeting Chaired by Punjab Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal today decided that the productivity bonus would be paid to the farmers in lieu of the electricity bills paid by them for consumption of electricity for agriculture pump sets.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Punjab Govt. said that the amount equal to the bills paid by the farmers would be paid as productivity bonus to them. This decision has been taken with a view to incentives the farmers for increasing the productivity.
It may be recalled that the Cabinet Sub Committee on resource mobilization comprising Deputy Chief Minister S. Sukhbir Singh Badal and Local Government Minister Sh. Manoranjan Kalia had earlier recommended the payment of productivity bonus to the farmers.
Further on the issue of Central Assistance of Rs. 800 Cr, the Cabinet was apprised that Govt. of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure had sanctioned the said amount on account of drought during kharif- 2009 as, “ Central Assistance for additional cost incurred by Govt. of Punjab in providing power to the agriculture sector during kharif – 2009”.
The Cabinet was further informed that as per this sanction letter of Govt. of India, Rs. 800 Cr has been released to the State Govt. and this fund is to be further released to the implementing agency without any delay failing which the amount would be recovered from the State Govt. with interest. The Cabinet was therefore apprised that based on this sanction letter, this amount is required to be released to the Punjab State Electricity Board now the Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd. As per instruction of Govt. of India this amount can not be used for any other purpose.
The council of Ministers therefore decided that immediate necessary action be taken in accordance with instructions of Govt. of India.
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CABINET GIVES NOD TO SPORTS POLICY – 2010 OKAYS INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR TOURISM IN PUNJAB BY ADB
CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 19:
The Punjab Cabinet today approved the Sports Policy- 2010 aimed at achieving excellence in the sports and giving incentives to sportspersons, who win laurels for the state at national as well as international level.
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here in Punjab Bhawan this evening.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Punjab government said that this comprehensive sports policy had been formulated at the personal initiative of the Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was also holding portfolio of Sports and Youth Services.
The Sports policy was focused to make Punjab a vibrant leading edge state in the sports arena to create adequate infrastructure, promote rural gems, adopt maximum disciplines of Olympic games, broad base sports, synergies the activities of sports and educations departments, raise the standards of sports in the state and to promote the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie besides harnessing talent at the grass root level. The new policy would focus on broad basing the sports in three tier system i.e. the State, District and Village level.
The new sports policy provides for an elaborate procedure for selection of potential sportspersons out of nearly 1.5 lac through competitions held at Block, District and State level under Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) scheme. In addition every year sportspersons with requisite skills and potential would be admitted to the Sports Wings established in various schools and colleges where they would not only be imparted scientific training but would also be provided with diet money @ Rs. 120/- per day . At present, 3500 such Sportspersons in 236 educational institutions were being imparted training in different sports.
An elaborate state specific system of ranking of sportspersons in selected sports disciplines was being introduced to inculcate a sense of pride and recognition amongst sports persons. Under this system sportspersons in a particular discipline would be ranked every year from 1st to 100th rank and they shall be issued a ranking certificate by sports department. These sportspersons would also be provided with adequate financial assistance to supplement their diet requirements beyond the existing diet money.
The new sports policy has made provisions for enhancement of the cash incentives under cash award policy in case of Olympics from Rs.1 crore to Rs.2.25 crore for winning Gold, Rs.50 lac to Rs.1.01 crore for Silver and Rs.25 lac to Rs.51 lac for Bronze. Likewise, the award money of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award had been enhanced from Rs.1 lac to Rs.2 lac including a scroll and statue. This award was given to sportspersons for high level of performance spread over a period of five years. Monthly pension to eminent sports persons had also been increased Rs.1000 to Rs.5000 for Olympic and World Cup medalists.
Suitable increase was also been made for medalists of Asian Games and Common Wealth Games. Apart from sportsman the policy would also provide cash incentives for successful Coaches: Rs.10 lac for Gold,
Rs.5 lac for Silver and Rs.3 lac Bronze in case of Olympic/Official World Cup (held every 4 years). Likewise, Rs.2 lac, Rs.1 lac and Rs.50,000 would be given for Asian/Common Wealth games to the Coaches in case of Gold, Silver and Bronze respectively. A grant of Rs.51 lac for creation/upgradation of sports infrastructure would be provided to the universities of state for winning Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy; second and third position holder universities would get Rs.31
lac and Rs.21 lac respectively. An amount of Rs.25 lac per
discipline had been earmarked for conduct and prize money for organizing Punjab Gold Cup (state level sports championships for Men) by the Sports department in 10 priority games namely Athletics, Boxing, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Kabaddi, Shooting, Volleyball, Weight Lifting and Wrestling. A lump sum grant of Rs.5 lac per district per year would be provided to district sports councils for the maintenance of stadia developed by Government./semi Government.
and autonomous bodies and affiliated units of district Olympic Associations. To ensure timely and regular competitions at district level in various sports disciplines, only those District Olympic Associations would be given a grant of Rs. 2.00 lac per Olympic discipline including Kabaddi Circle Style which conducted State Level Competitions. In order to ensure fairness in sports and with due deference to the Olympic spirit, policy of anti doping test would be enforced stringently with a view to overcome the menace of performance enhancing drugs.
The sports policy further stipulated that employment would be given to the sports persons in the Govt./ semi Govt.
departments/corporations/board. Ten World Class Stadiums equipped with flood lights for Hockey, Cricket, Kabaddi, Football, Volleyball and Handball would be developed/ upgraded at Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Faridkot, Bathinda, SAS Nagar, Sangrur, Hoshiarpur, Mansa
and Gurdapsur. Apart from this a Centre of excellence at Jalandhar
and regional Centers at Mohali and Bathinda would be established to prepare highly skilled sportsmen for national/international competitions. The policy had also made it mandatory for all the schools in the states to have at least one period every day exclusively dedicated to the sports activities.
The cabinet also decided to simplify the procedure for the purchase of land for cremation grounds, cemeteries, burial grounds, electric crematorium etc. besides, the purchase of land for development and improvement of Education construction of Dharmshalas and community centers, sports activities, sports equipments and sports stadium and purchase of tents, furniture and utensils for common use.
The cabinet also gave approval to the proposed infrastructure
development investment programme for Tourism in Punjab by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) assistance. The proposed investment would be in the ratio of 70:30 sharing basis, where 70 per cent of the fund would be coming as loan from ADB and 30% would be as counterpart funding from the state government. The total investment programme cost for Punjab is 88.54 ($million where as 61.98 ($ million) (70%) would be financed by ADB in 2 tranches over a period of 10 years and State Government financing would be financing $ million 26.56 (30%).
The Cabinet also approved the release of additional amount of Rs. One crore for flooring of Parkarma of the sarovar and other works of the historical mandir at Ram Tirath, as a special case during 2010-11 by relaxing the guidelines of Punjab Nirman Programme.
In a significant decision, the cabinet also give nod to present Punjab Prevention of Human Trafficking Bill-2010 in the forth coming session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha for its enactment to curb illegal activities of people involved in organized racket of human trafficking and also to safeguard the legitimate interests of illiterate innocent persons who have been cheated by illegal activities of Travel Agents.
The cabinet also approved the conversion of the Punjab Value Added Tax (Fourth Amendment) Ordinance, 2010 (Punjab Ordinance No 7 of 2010)
and the Punjab Entertainments Duty (Amendment) Ordinance, 2010 (
Punjab Ordinance No.6 of 2010 ) into respective Acts through presentation of these bills in the coming session of Punjab Assembly.
The Cabinet also gave a green signal to introduce the bill for amending section 153-A, 295 A of Indian Penal Code and 438 of Criminal procedure Code. The underlying objective to make these sections more stringent was to ensure exemplary punishment to all those who flare up communal tension and exploit religious sentiments of the people through reportedly publications in Newspapers/Text books causing disharmony, hatred or ill will among different religious, racial, languages or regional groups or caste or communities there by vitiating the peaceful atmosphere of communal harmony and amity in the society.
The Cabinet also approved the presentation of the Punjab Prevention of Damage to Public and Private Property Bill-2010 in the coming session of the Punjab Assembly for its conversion into an act. The proposed act was aimed at regulating the matters to recover damages caused to the public and private property from miscreants. Like wise, the cabinet also gave permission to present the Punjab Special Security Group Bill, 2010 in the coming Punjab Assembly session for its enactment to constitute Armed Force for providing proximate security to the highly threatened persons and their family members.
The Cabinet also gave go ahead for amending section 19(1) and 20(1) of the Punjab Advocates Welfare Fund Act, 2002 by substituting the value of ticket from "Six Rupees" to "Eight Rupees" .
In another decision, the cabinet also gave approval for the introduction of the Chitkara University Bill, 2010 in the coming session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha to establish self financed private university known as 'Chitkara University' at village Jhansala in Tehsil Rajpura of district Patiala. The proposed multi-domain university would impart higher education and research in professional Medical, Medical, Technical and General Education.
The Cabinet also gave approval to enhance the sumptuary allowance of Chief Minister/Deputy Chief Minister/Ministers/State Ministers/Chief Parliamentary Secretaries and Parliamentary Secretaries from Rs.
5,000/- to Rs. 7500/- and house rent allowance from Rs. 30000/- to Rs.
50000/- per month respectively.
The Cabinet also Okayed to introduce a bill during the coming session of Punjab Assembly for making amendments in the provision of Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets Act, 1961 in order to create a post of Vice Chairman in Punjab Mandi Board and to extend the time limit up to for reconstitution of superseded Market Committees December 31, 2010.
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NATURAL DISASTERS STRIKE IGNORING MAN MADE GEOGRAPHICAL BOUNDARIES –HARSIMRAT• SUGGESTS INTEGRATED CALAMITY MANAGEMENT PLAN
• STRESSES PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO SAVE LIFE AND PROPERTY
Chandigarh, September 19:
Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Member Parliament today suggested trans- border integrated disaster management plan to collectively meet the challenge posed by increasing number of natural catastrophes resulting in huge loss to life and property.
Addressing at 56th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Nairobi, Kenya today on the subject “The Role of Parliamentarians in Natural Disaster Management” Mrs. Badal said that natural disasters strike ignoring the man made geographical boundaries and these boundaries should not become hindrance in preventing, managing the disasters and in rescue operations.
Suggesting integrated calamity management plan Mrs. Badal said that preventive and rescue plan should not country specific but region specific and the challenge of natural disaster has to be met rising above the manmade boundaries. She mentioned the floods in Punjab and western Punjab falling in Pakistan and said that integrated plan could had saved innumerable lives lost in these natural calamities.
Focusing on preventive measures Member Parliament said that the specific geo-climatic conditions of India had made about 60 per cent of the landmass prone to earthquakes; over 40 million hectares endangered to floods, about 8 per cent of the total area prone to the risk of cyclones besides 68 per cent of the area susceptible to drought. She said that such region specific data indicated towards the enhanced probability of an enormous loss of public, community and private assets on account of natural disasters making it imperative to build disaster mitigation across all sectors of development
Going into reasons of increasing natural calamities Mrs. Badal said that marked changes witnessed in the global socio-economic and climatic configuration have resulted in the depletion of nature’s resistance towards various hazards. She said that unabated growth in urbanization, unplanned, old and overburdened infrastructures have also increased the arena of risk, specifically in the developing and least developed countries. “All this makes the task of natural disaster management all the more gigantic and makes it emergent that the limited resources at our disposal are utilized in a scientific, planned, effective and efficient manner thus ensuring sustainable safety of the human civilization”, Mrs Badal added.
Dwelling on India’s preparedness, Mrs. Badal said that the Indian Government has formulated a comprehensive policy, plan and techno-legal framework like Disaster Management Act, 2005 and National Policy on Disaster Management. The Act provided institutional mechanism for drawing up and monitoring the implementation of the disaster management plans, ensuring measures by various wings of the Government for prevention and mitigation of the effects of disasters and prompt as well effective response to any disaster situation.
Stressing on capacity building, Mrs Badal said that in this parliamentarians can significantly contribute. She said that Parliamentary Committees could take up studies of various aspects of disasters and their management and come up with recommendations which may prove to be of help to governments in locating the areas of specific and immediate actions and ways and means of executing the same.
Stressing on infrastructure improvement she said that we should strengthen and update our standing physical infrastructure and also mobilize public opinion in favour of disaster management besides educating and sensitising our people to sustainably minimize manmade contributions towards occurrence of any natural hazard.
It may be added Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal is the lead speaker representing India in 2nd Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Conference and 56th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference at Nairobi and earlier on 14th, 15th and 17th September she has already delivered three keynote addresses on Enhancing Participation of Women in Decision making Process, Strategies to increase women representation in Parliament and The Global Water and Food Crisis.
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PUNJAB GOVT. TO SET UP COW PROTECTION CELL IN OFFICE OF DGP TO ENSURE IMPLEMENTATION OF RULES AND REGULATIONS
CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 18:
The Punjab government today ordered to establish a cow protection cell in the office of DGP Punjab, to be manned by an officer not below the rank of IG.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the cell had been exclusively entrusted with the task to insure the implementation of the act, rules and regulations already in force in this regard.
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BADAL CALLS FOR MAKING INDO-PAK BORDERS SOFT, SECURE AND PEACEFUL TO BOOST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CM URGES CENTRE TO TAKE UP ISSUE OF OPENING OF HUSSANIWALA BORDER WITH PAKISTAN
CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 18:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today urged the governments of India and Pakistan to take initiatives to make their border soft, secure and peaceful to give boost to the present relatively sluggish economic performance in the region.
Delivering his inaugural address on the one day interactive session on 'Infrastructure Linkages Between Two Punjabs" organized by the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID) here, Mr. Badal said that this move would certainly offer possibilities of opening up right upto Central Asia and Europe through land routes and therefore it was imperative that linkages, particularly infrastructural were established between two Punjabs with consent of the Government of India and Government of Pakistan. He further said that it was a high time when both the Indian Punjab and Pakistan Punjab needs to come closure for their mutual socio-economic development and prosperity as these were geographically proximate, culturally integrated and economically interdependent besides sharing common language and even dialect. Mr. Badal exhorted the eminent Economists, Academicians, Political analysts and Intellectuals to come forward for creating such atmosphere which could further boost the people-to-people contact as a confidence building exercise.
Dwelling on the unfortunate incident of partition in 1947, Mr. Badal said; "Accepting this as a historical fact, the development and strengthening of linkages is possible only if India and Pakistan jointly decide to come closer and convert the hot border into a soft border based on common understanding of peace and prosperity in the South and Central Asia. He however said that the linkages between two Punjabs should not in any way be understood as weakening the two independent sovereign countries but should be viewed as strengthening both India and Pakistan by bringing them together. Welcoming all such moves to build peace and trade with Pakistan especially via land routes, Mr. Badal assured of all help and cooperation on behalf of the state government to create infrastructure for this purpose. He revealed that the first Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari was established in 2007. As per data of Customs Department on an average 20-30 trucks cross Wagah every day. The entire north India and Punjab in particular would gain much more from expanding trade with Pakistan and beyond and the initiation of joint projects on both sides Punjab would give them enormous opportunities for expansion of trade.
He also impress upon the Centre to take up the issue with Pakistan Government for opening of Hussaniwala border like Attari boarder to accelerate the trade and commerce activities. This would certainly propel overall development espatially in Ferozpur, Amritsar, Taran Tarn and Gurdaspur districts which had suffered enormously since partition, added Mr. Badal.
The Chief Minister further said that mutual initiatives by two Punjabs have boost the process of people-to-people contact, which could further intensified with increased reciprocal visits of delegations of media, trade, industry, artists, lawyers and the legislators to boost the peace initiatives to bring social, cultural and economic transformation. It is commonly felt that people to people contact and exchange of commodities could remove many prejudices and create constituency of peace. The peace creates conditions for prosperity, which our generations of people deserve much more.
On this occasion, Mr. Badal also release a book "Economic Cooperation and Infrastructure and Linkages Between two Punjabs: Way Ahead".
Earlier, in his welcome address Director General CRRID Dr. Sucha Singh Gill said that India and Pakistan should draw lesson from the experience of European countries, which joined hands with erstwhile enemies to from European Union to reap benefits of common market, avoid expenditure on defence and involve a common strategy for inter-country projects and problems. He emphasized the need to trade directly between India and Pakistan which was now taking place via Dubai as an effort to avoid indirect costs including transport cost of trade via third country.
While proposing the vote of thanks, Executive Vice Chairman CRRID, Mr. Rashpal Malhotra said that India and Pakistan could jointly reap the benefits without losing anything. He pointed out that India was not hampering the Pakistan's business interests in the region rather it could supplement each other and jointly strengthen the infrastructure to further share and consolidate these gains.
Ambassador (Retd.) & Principal Adviser CRRID Mr. PS Sahai, Prof. Bhupinder Singh Brar and Prof. RP Bambah also spoke about the scope of infrastructural linkages between the two Punjabs to give fillip to the trade and commerce activities in the region.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Special Principal Secretary Mr. KJS Cheema. Prominent amongst those who were present on the occasion included Chairman Punjab State Farmers Commission Dr. GS Kalkat, Former Vice-Chancellor Punjabi University Dr. SS Johal, Prof. Inderjeet Singh, Prof. Lakhwinder Singh, Prof. Sukhwinder Singh, Reader Jaswinder Singh Brar, Dr. Umrao Singh, Dr. Deepak Kumar (all from Punjabi University Patiala), Prof. Kuldip Singh, Prof. Vikram Chadha, Prof. Jagrup S Sekhon, Reader Kesar Singh Bhangu, Dr. Gian Kaur (all from GNDU Asr.), Prof Subhpal Singh, Prof. MS Sidhu, Dr. RS Sidhu (all from PAU Lud.), Prof PS Rangi, Prof. Bharat Warrivvala, Col. Subash Bakshi and Joint Director & Head-South Asia FICCI New Delhi Mr.Manish Mohan.
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INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, PUNJAB
PUNJAB TO EXPLORE DIVERSIFYING IN SOYA FARMING- SUKHBIR
• MOU WITH ARGENTINA SIGNED
• SIMIRPAL SINGH FROM AMRITSAR MAKING WAVES IN ARGENTINA BY MANAGING CULTIVATION OF SOYA, GROUNDNUT AND CORN ON 30,000 HECTARES
Chandigarh, September 18: The Punjab government would soon explore the option of soya farming as diversification from regular crops, keeping in view the huge demand of soya oil in India and its dependence on its imports.
Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab was in Buenos Aires, Argentina today as a part of a delegation led by Mr.. Sharad Pawar, Union Agriculture Minister, on the invitation of Mr. Julian Andres Dominguez, Agriculture Minister of Argentina. He said that India was importing lot of edible oils including Soya oil to meet increasing domestic consumption and Punjab farmers can explore the option of going for Soya farming.
Mr. Badal said there was a huge scope of collaboration of Indian farmers and the companies working in field of agro chemicals with the farmers of Argentina. He said there was a likelihood of more investments and joint ventures of Indian companies with the Argentine companies. He hoped that the smooth trade between the two nations in the last few years would open new avenues of trade between the two nations and the state of Punjab being a major agricultural state was likely to benefit from these initiatives.
The delegation led by Mr.. Sharad Pawar, Union Agriculture Minister had bilateral talks with a delegation of Govt of Argentina headed by their Agriculture Minister. Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal also participated in the discussions. Both the Ministers after deliberation signed a MoU on Cooperation in Agriculture and allied sectors. The MoU provided for a framework for exchange of information on best practices & technologies and cooperation in research & development in the field of agriculture. It also provided for promotion of trade, investment and joint ventures.
Mr. Julian Andres Dominguez, Agriculture Minister informed that Argentina was a big grower of Groundnut and Soya and it had a major share in imports of Soya oil to India. He said that in the first seven months of this year India has imported soya oil worth USD 1.4 billion from Argentina alone. He said that Agriculture in Argentina was highly mechanized. He appreciated the efforts of Mr. Viswanat
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