CAPT BATH FOR BETTER FACILITIES FOR THE EX-SERVICEMEN

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 23: Capt Balbir Singh Bath, Defence Welfare Minister, Punjab has asked the team of retired officers to visit PPS Nabha and Sainik School Kaputhala to motivate the students to joint defence forces as the share in recruitment was dwindling day by day.. He has asked the officers of the department of Sainik Welfare to ensure timely disbursement of arrears and pension to the pensioners, besides improving the standards of the sainik rest houses in the state. He would be staying in the Sainik Rest Houses during his tours as a part of the surprise checks.

          This was stated by Capt Bath while presiding over a second preliminary meeting of the Governor's Core Advisory and Monitoring Committee held here today. The Committee reviewed the progress of issues raised in the previous Governor's Core Advisory and Monitoring Committee held on 4th August, 2010 under the chairmanship of Governor Punjab.

          During the meeting various issues including grant of family pension after the death of husband, difficulties faced by ex-servicemen in payment of arrears of 6th Pay Commission and their entitlement of monthly pension, abolition of VAT on CSD items, ceiling limit for marriage grant, grant of improved pension to war widows/widows and reservists, reservation of recruitment of ex-servicemen in Punjab Government, grant in lieu of 10 acre land to the war widows to the government of Punjab       and issue of tube well connection on priority to ESM and its implementation by electricity department were discussed.

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CHIEF MINISTER’S OFFICE PUNJAB CM CALLS ON JAIRAM RAMESH FOR EARLY CLEARANCE OF PROJECTS UNDER NRCD UNION MINISTER ASSURES CM OF A POSITIVE RESPONSE

 NEW DELHI, JUNE 23

          Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal called on the Union Minister of State for Environment & Forests Mr. Jairam Ramesh at his office late last evening and sought his personal intervention for early clearance of all pending projects under National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD) in the state.

          Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Chief Minister’s office said that in an hour long meeting the Chief Minister apprised the Union Minister regarding the Detailed Project Reports (DPR) of Rs 237.16 crore for Jalandhar Satluj and Rs 104.75 crore for Rajpura, Patran, Khanuari, Lehragaga and Moonak (Ghagger) project under the NRCD, that had already been submitted to the Government of India (GoI). Mr. Badal also requested the Union Minister for expediting the process of giving sanction to these projects to enable the state to initiate the works at the earliest, with the state share in anticipation of sanction by GoI, added the spokesman.

          It may be recalled here that other pending projects under NRCD worth Rs 401 crore for which state is awaiting approval from GoI includes project worth Rs 117.67 crore for Zira, Makhu, Talwandi Bhai, Dharmkot and Ferozepur, Rs 70.33 crore for Begowal, Sham Churasi, Dhilwan, Rayya and Kapurthala, Rs 213.60 crore for Sirhind-Fathegarh Sahib, Nabha, Banur, Sanaur, Bassi Pathana, Mandi Gobindgarh and Dera Bassi.

According to the spokesperson Mr Badal also asked the Union Minister to release the 2nd installment of Rs 78.50 crore against the sanctioned projects for 10 towns including Philaur, Nawanshahar, Banga, Phagwara, Hoshiarpur, Moga, Mukerian, Tanda, Dasuya and Bhulath under the NRCP.

          Mr Badal also thanked the Union Minister for clearing the issue of diversion of 9.36 hectare of forest land for the Four laning of Mullanpur-Kurali-Siswan T-Junction, for which the state government had already provided 15.6 hectare of land for compensatory forestation. The Chief Minister also urged the Union Minister to amend the guidelines to allow use of funds of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) for agro-forestry/farm forestry as it would add to the forest cover in the state, added the spokesperson.

Mr. Jairam Ramesh assured the Punjab Chief Minister that the GoI would expedite the work of giving sanctions to the projects under NRCD.

On this occasion the Chief Minister was accompanied by his Principal Secretary Mr DS Guru, Principal Secretary Home Mr DS Bains, Special Secretary to Chief Minister Mr Gagan Deep Singh Brar and Chairman Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) Mr KS Pannu. The meeting was also attended by Joint Secretary Union Environment and Forest ministry Mr Rajiv Gauba besides other senior officers of the department.   

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GOSIAN LAUDS HISTORIC APPROVAL OF METRO PROJECT

• SAD-BJP FULLFILED LONG PENDING DEMAND OF LUDHIANA

Chandigarh,  june 23

Mr. Satpal Gosain, Health Minister, today said that by the historic decision of approving Metro project, the SAD-BJP government has fulfilled the long pending demand of Ludhiana.

Mr Gosain said that Ludhiana was known as the Manchester of India and was fast becoming a metropolitan city. The Minister said that with the number of vehicles increasing everyday , which created  severe traffic problem in the city, this Metro project would be a blessing for the people of Ludhiana. He said that commuter faced lot of problem due to the heavy traffic load. He said that the people of the city had  been demanding Metro Rail Project for the city since long.

          He said that  Punjab government after assuming charge initiated action  for making this Metro Rail Project a reality . He said that the Punjab government had approached the company responsible for Delhi Metro Rail Project and entrusted upon it to access the possibilities for such a project in Ludhiana .He said that  Ludhiana Metro Rail Project  would serve the commoners and the industrialists alike.

          He said that two routes had been formulated for Ludhiana . He said these routes would interlink whole of city . Mr Gosian said that now Punjab government would  ensure that this project  competes in time . He said that the Punjab government in its 4 years term  had initiated multi dimensional projects . He said that by the efforts of Deputy Chief Minister Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal  domestic airport at Sahnewal  had had become a reality . , which empower the industrialist of the region to have easy access to the another  part of the country .

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Rs. 4 CRORE TO BE SPENT ON CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR OF DHARAMSHALAS - RANIKE

Chandigarh, June 23:

          Punjab Government has earmarked Rs.4 crore during the financial year 2011-12 for the construction of new Dharamshalas and repair of old Dharamshalas for Scheduled Caste in the state.

          Disclosing this here today Punjab Welfare of Scheduled Caste and Backward Classes Minister Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike said that grant of Rs.one lakh for the construction of new Dharamshalas and Rs.50, 000 for the repair of old Dharamshal would be spent.  He said that Punjab Government was committed to provide better facilities to the scheduled Caste in the state. These Dharamshalas have been specially planned for organizing social get-together at the time of their ceremonial functions such as marriages or community gatherings, he added.

NAME IN ELECTORAL ROLL TO BE TREATED AS PROOF OF RESIDENCE

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 23:

          The Punjab Government today issued instructions to all District Transport Officers to recognize name in electoral roll as proof of Residence and age for the purpose of Issuing Driving Licence and Vehcile Registration Certificate.

          According to an official spokesman these instructions have been issued after the recommendation of Punjab Governance Reforms Commission that pointed out that citizens not having passport, driving licence or ration card as residence proof were being harassed a lot. This was particularly in the case of migrant population or tenants frequently changing their place of residence.

          As per new instructions, the Spokesman pointed out that this provision was already in existence under Rule 4 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 at Sr. No.2. He said that in respect of proof of residence, every applicant was entitled to produce electoral roll as evidence to be used for proof of residence and age along with the application for the issue of driving licenses and registration certificates.

COLLEGES TOLD TO MOTIVATE NEW ADMISSIONS FOR GETTING ENROLLED AS VOTERS

 Chandigarh June 23 :

          The Chief Electoral Officer Punjab has written a communiqué to Education, Technical Education and Medical Education Departments to suitably give directions to all Government and Private Education Institutes including medical, nursing,  Engineering and Polytechnic Colleges to motivate the eligible youth to get themselves enrolled as voters.

Disclosing this here today Ms. Kusumjit Sidhu Chief Electoral Officer Punjab said that Election Commission of India (ECI) was taking all steps to motivate all citizens who have attained the age of 18 to get themselves enrolled as voters, so that they can participate in the voting process. She said that instructions have already been issued to Electoral Registration Officers (ERO), Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AERO) and Booth Level Officers to supply sufficient numbers of blank Voter Enrollment Forms to all education institutes who can get these forms filled from the eligible students at the time of admission itself.

The Chief Electoral Officer said that EROs and AEROs have also been instructed to have regular meetings with the heads of all such educational institutions to facilitate enrolment.

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1.50 CRORE SAPLINGS TO BE PLANTED IN GOVERNEMENT SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES DURING MONSOON SEASON-SEKHWAN

·        UNIQUE PLANTATION DRIVE FROM JULY 10

·        INCENTIVE FOR STUDENTS NURTURING  PLANTS

SAS Nagar ( Mohali), June 23: A ambitious project to plant 1.50 crore saplings during coming monsoon season in all government schools and colleges through out the state is all set to be launched from July 10.

Disclosing this here today, Punjab Education Minister Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan said the  unique aspect of this project was that students being given the responsibility to nurture the plants and an incentive would given in the form of three marks out of total 30 marks of internal assessment.

Presiding over a high level meeting attended by DGSE, DPIs, CEOs and DEOs here at PSEB committee room, the Education Minister informed that Ajit Group of Publications and Bhagat Puran Singh Pingalwara Society have offered 1 crore and 50 lac saplings respectively for this purpose and all arrangements have already been completed to make this novel project a grand success serving the dual purpose of saving environment besides creating awareness amongst youngsters. Mr. Sekhwan said that saplings of different types including fruit plants, herbal plants and shady trees would be planted according to the demand and suitability of climate in a particular region. He said that the Mr. Barjinder Singh Hamdard, Chief Editor, Ajit Group of Publication would formally inaugurate this campaign on July 10 from Government Senior Secondary School, Nanowal Jindarh ( Gurdaspur) after the onset of Monsoon in the region.

He revealed that during his recent tour of state under Education Reforms Campaign, he had interacted number of people’s representatives on this issue and all of them offered full support for this important initiative. He described the project an effort to revive the age-old culture of saving trees for providing pollution free environment to coming generations.  

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PUNJAB TO ENACT LIBRARY ACT SOON-SEKHWAN

·       DRAFT ACT TO BE SENT TO UNIVERSITIES AND LITERARY BODIES FOR SUGGESTIONS

Chandigarh, June 23: The Punjab government has decided to enact Punjab Library Act to inculcate the interest for reading quality literature amongst youngsters besides encouraging the writers to continue their passion for writing.

Disclosing this here today, Punjab Education Minister Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan that with the implementation of new act, each village would have a library equipped with internet connected computer to facilitate the youngsters in getting latest information. The Minister said that it was noticed that after emergence of electronic media and internet, there was a sharp decline in young readers. He expressed confidence that after implementation of Library Act, the creation of literature would get much needed impetus as there would be huge demand for quality books from the new libraries.

Mr. Sekhwan informed that the draft of proposed act had already been prepared and it would be sent to all prominent literary bodies, NGOs working in the field of education and Vice- Chancellors of Universities for their suggestion for incorporation in it. He appealed all the writers and intellectuals to express their views and suggestions frankly for making this act meaningful thereby helping a long way in reviving the literature reading habits amongst youngsters.

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CENTRE REQUESTED TO LIFT UNILATERAL BAN ON COTTON EXPORT: LANGAH

Chandigarh, June 23:

The Agriculture Minister Punjab Mr. Sucha Singh Langah today appealed to the Union Government to immediately lift the unilateral ban on cotton export so that cotton farmers could get good price in international market.

        In a statement issued here today the Agriculture Minister said that on one hand Punjab government had made every effort for bail out the debt ridden farming community by providing congenial and beneficial atmosphere through its farmer friendly polices but on other hand non responsive and hostile behavior of Union Government created the resentment among farming community. He said that the land under cotton crop cultivation has increased upto 5.50 lac hectare in this financial year, which was 4.83 lac hectares in the previous year. He said in the current financial year, estimated yield of cotton would be 22.50 lac bales which is 22 per cent more than the last year.

        He said that in the current financial year Punjab Government had established 25 ultra modern cotton mandis. He said these mandis would be equipped with modern "Pucca Pharas", fire extinguisher, hi-tech weighing machines. He said the roads leading to these mandis, and the roads within the mandis had already been recarpetted. He added that, these mandis had the provision of 24 hour power transmission and water supply.

        Mr. Langah said that efforts of Punjab government could not be successful until and unless the Union government has not changed its anti farmer strategies and do not come forward for the betterment of farming community. He asked Central Government to lift the ban on the cotton export and to increase the cotton export through its "Cotton Corporation of India". He said that, had the Central Government failed in lifting the unilateral ban on cotton export, already debt ridden farming community would be dashed.

        He said that the subsidiary occupations relating to cotton were facing the downtrends. Citing one such example, he said that the thread mills had been forced to cut the production due to non-lifting of their production.

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Services of Contractual Instructors would be regularized -Jiyani

Letter for permanent appointments would be given on June 29

Chandigarh, June 23:

       The Services of Instructors, working in the technical education and industrial training department on contractual basis from the last three years would be regularized. This was announced by Mr. Surjit Kumar Jiyani Transport and Technical Education and Industrial training Minister, Punjab in the meeting with the ITI Instructor Union Punjab, here today.

       Mr. Jiyani said that Instructors who completed three years service on 1.4.2011 would be regularized and appointment letters would be given to them on June 29, 2011 at 10 AM at Kissan Bhawan, Chandigarh.

       Mr. Jarnail Singh Patti, Mr. Navjot Dhoot, Mr Pushpinder Singh, Lakhwinder Singh, Parampal Singh, Yadwinder Singh, Kulwant Singh, Dinesh Kumar Saini (Leader of ITI Instructor Union, Punjab) were present in the meeting.

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Congress warns CM of financially wrecking the Public Sector Undertakings in the name of Atta-Dal

(Sukhpal Singh Khaira)

MLA Bholath

 23.06.2011

Congress condemns the lackadaisical and casual approach of the Chief Minister to keep afloat its populist Atta-Dal scheme.  As we are aware, the SAD-BJP Govt. started the Atta-Dal scheme in 2007 but even after four years, it has failed to make appropriate planned budgetary allocation for the scheme.

 The entire financial burden has been put on four of Punjab’s profit making Public Sector Undertakings namely, Punsup, Markfed, Warehousing Corporation and Punjab Agro.  As a result of poor financial planning these PSU’s have now come under a debt burden of over Rs. 1100 crores, which the Punjab Govt. owes to them.

 As reported not only central funds have often been diverted for the said scheme, even banks have refused to release any more funds to these PSU’s for the Atta-Dal scheme.

 Sensing imminent defeat at the hands of  congress Party, the Chief minister is willfully and purposely not only financially wrecking these PSU’s but is further Squandering the public exchequer to leave complete empty coffers for the next government.  The fiscal situation of Punjab is already critical with a massive debt burden of over Rs. 70,000 crores and an additional burden of over Rs. 50,000 crores of these mismanaged PSU’s.

 Even the figures of approx. 15 lac families or one crore population as beneficiaries contradicts the oft repeated claims of both the Badals of Punjab being a very prosperous state.  Going by the figures, presently one-third of Punjab’s 2.75 crore population is living in poverty or BPL.  (Families having an annual income below Rs. 30,000).

 Therefore, the Congress urges the Governor Punjab to intervene and save the public exchequer of the state from being devastated for its electoral gains by the SAD-BJP Govt.

 Congress also castigates the Govt. for failing to allocate funds in the annual plan of the state and burdening profit making PSU’s. 

 Therefore, we demand that the Govt. immediately make the Rs. 1100 crore payment to these four PSU’s and in future  bring this scheme in its budget.

 Bittu Staging Political Dramas : Dr. Cheema

Questions his idea while having funds in his pocket

Chandigarh, June 23 : Shiromani Akali Dal Secretary and Spokesman Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema has termed the begging by Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu at SYL canal as a mere political drama and advised him that instead of staging dramas of begging he should apologize to the people of the state on behalf of Congress party for ditching them by digging this unneeded canal. He said that Congress party had not only tried to deprive the state of its waters and convert it in a desert but also had wasted thousands of acres of fertile land of the farmers of the state with  digging of the canal.

            He said that Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal had ordered building of a bridge on the canal on Kharar-Bajheri-Gharanga route during a sangat darshan held at Gharuan almost three months ago. Releasing copies of the orders regarding construction of the bridge, he said that after completion of the survey Chief Minister had approved a grant of Rs. 50 lac 11 thousand for construction of the bridge and administrative orders in this regard have also been issued.

            SAD Secretary said that Bittu has enacted this drama of begging only after confirming the fact that  construction of the bridge has got approved and work was about to start shortly. He said that if Bittu has a hobby of begging it was different issue but when he had a grant of Rs. 5 crore of MP funds in his pocket it does not suit him to perform this drama. If he was so much concerned about the issue he should have released the required funds from his MP quota much earlier.

            Dr. Cheema assured that the works would start immediately and  the bridge would be completed by the end of July itself.