NRI businessmen hail the budget as progressive-
The major highlight is the waiver of loans to the distressed farmers
to the extent of Rs 60,000 crores.
Punjab Press News
CM DESCRIBES THE FARMERS'LOAN WAIVER AS
INADEQUATE
AN EYE-WASH BY A RALLY-RATTLLED CENTRE-BADAL
Chandigarh February 29, 2008
The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today described
the claim of complete loan waiver to farmers owning less than
five acres of land as " an inadequate decision taken under
farmer's pressure and totally insufficient to meet the burgeoning
farm crisis in the country. The decision would not benefit more
than twenty seven per cent of the farmers in Punjab and that too
lies in the realm of uncertainty." He said that this was
a mere an eye-wash by a rally-rattlled Centre.
"This is a classic case of too little, too late and done
clearly under pressure of the SAD-BJP Rally. He said that the
rally had so rattled the centre that even some Central leaders
known to be cool had used rather intemperate language against
it. This is proof enough of how the rally has worked in favour
of the farmers to the extent that the budget had to be changed
at the last minute to include the farm sector and it is loaded
against the poor farmers who have to rely on sources other than
institutional loans, like the Arhtiyas. The Centre has wasted
an opportunity to get a breakthrough in this area. They had an
excellent chance to come out with some formula to settle the loans
taken from Arhtiyas without causing any substantial loss to either
side. The Centre, he said, claimed that it was aflush with funds.
Therefore, there is no reason why it should not have found a way
to "adopt" the Arhtiya loans and refund them on staggered
payment arrangement or on a one-time settlement basis," said
the Chief Minister of the country's leading farming state.
"Further, whatever little relief that has been announced
through this budget is done under the impact of the unprecedented
and historic farmers rally organized by the SAD-BJP alliance in
New Delhi on February 26."
In his first reaction to the Union Budget, Mr. Badal wondered
"Why did the Centre have to wait for half a million farmers
from Punjab to suffer cold sweat for the Insaaf Rally held at
the Ram Leela Grounds on Tuesday before announcing this partial
relief measure? Why could they not have done this any time during
the past four years that the UPA government had been in saddle?
This is typical of the attitude of the centre towards farmers
in general and the Punjab's farmers in particular. Punjabis have
had to wage long, relentless and difficult struggles even to get
their just demands conceded. Even when our genuine demands are
met, these are done only as half measures," said Mr. Badal.
In addition, there is nothing in this Budget for the beleaguered
Punjab Industry, which will continue to suffer the paralysing
impact of the concessions given to the neigbouring states. Similarly,
the budget is totally silent on the alarming crises of unemployment
and does nothing to promote the service sector
Mr. Badal added that even the figures rolled out by the Union
Finance Minister were completely misleading. Punjab, which is
the market leader in farm production, was not likely to get more
than twelve to thirteen per cent of the total concessions announced
whereas the Prime Minister had already distributed more than 15000
crore to some other states like Kerala even without their asking
for it. These states would now get the same benefit for the second
time as a result of this budget while Punjabi farmers had to virtually
bring to standstill to force the government of India to take note
of their tragedy.
Mr Badal also assailed the Union Budget as it had completely
ignored the dalits, which constituted a sizeable chunk of Indian
population in general and 28.85% of Punjab's population, the highest
in the country in particular. Likewise, employees another important
segment of the society, which was considered as the backbone of
the administration had also been completely disillusioned by the
Budget as it had not come upto their expectations.
The Sukhbir Impact: Bains
Chandigarh February 29 – Media Advisor to the Punjab Chief
Minister Mr. harcharan Bains today described the sudden shift
in the Union budget from Nuclear Energy to the country's natural
resource, agriculture, as "clearly the magic of The Sukhbir
impact" on national politics.
In a statement here, Mr. Bains said that there was no doubt
that Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal "is the tallest champion
of the farmers' cause in the country, but it could not be denied
that Sukhbir was truly the architect of the historic Ram Leela
Ground Rally which seemed to have shaken the foundations of the
anti-farming lobby in New Delhi. Mr. Bains regretted however that
the Budget still fell far short of the farmers' expectations as
it did not speak a word about the Arhtiya loans, the MSP, the
prices of farm inputs, agri-marketing, farm labour and modernisation
of agriculture. "Only 14.9 per cent of the farmers will be
affected in different measures in case budgetary proposals are
honestly carried through because more than 50% of the loans on
29% of farmers owning less than five acres of land had come from
Arhtiyas for which the budget has evolved no formula."
Mr. Bains however complimented he Punjab government, the SAD-BJP
leadership and above all the farmers for forcing 'at least cosmetic
changes in the union budget."
SHIROMANIAKALIDAL
Rally forced change in agenda from nuclear
deal to peasantry:
budgetary promises do not scratch the surface of farmers' problems:
SUKHBIR SINGH BADAL
Chandigarh February 29 - The Shiromani Akali Dal president Mr.
Sukhbir Singh Badal today dubbed the so-called loan relief given
to about 28 % of the farmers in Punjab as "the centre's grudging
panic reaction to the historic and unprecedented Insaaf Rally
organized by the SAD-BJP alliance in New Delhi on February 26.
Mr. Sukhbir Singh congratulated the Punjab farmers for altering
the national agenda from Nuclear Deal to the peasantry. "More
than half a million farmers, who shook Delhi with their might
braving conditions of extreme cold, successfully forced the central
leaders to partially wake up from their anti-farmer slumber. Yet,
the SAD-BJP struggle for securing 'total and lasting justice for
farmers', will continue as the Union Budget has cleverly left
the issue of non-institutional farming loans completely out of
its proposals. We are not going to allow them to get away with
this cunning and craftiness," said the SAD president.
Attributing the belated change in Budgetary proposals to partially,
and possibly falsely, promise a little relief to a small segment
of peasantry to the success of the SAD-BJP rally, Mr. Badal, who
is also a Member of Parliament from Faridkot, said"The rumblings
of the Ram Leela Ground where the Insaaf Rally was held, have
clearly sent shock waves, forcing the Union Finance Minister Mr.
P.Chidambram to make last minute changes in his budget creating
a little space for the farmers.'" Said the youthful new Akali
president in a statement released here today.Mr. Badal said that
the Congress led UPA government was seeing defeat staring in the
face after the mammoth Insaaf Rally and they were trying to resort
to a slew of promises to the most significant and honesty segment
of national populace, the farmers. "The Congress was in power
for five years in Punjab and for has been in saddle for four years
in New Delhi. It is only in the throes of its death that it had
been forced to think of trying to make some promises – and
that too just promises – to the peasantry. On the contrary,
the SAD has always considered the the peasantry as it mind and
body, heart and soul and had therefore always been in the forefront
of struggle for justice to this most hard working and patriotic
section of society," said Mr. Badal
Punjab and Haryana Court this morning
to mourn the sad demise of Mr. Justice Hans Raj Khanna
Chandigarh, February 29:
A full court reference was held at Punjab and Haryana Court
this morning to mourn the sad demise of Mr. Justice Hans Raj Khanna,
who left for his heavenly abode on 25th February leaving behind
three sons and one daughter. As a mark of respect to the departed
soul two minutes silence was also observed.
Hon'ble Mr. Chief Justice Vijender Jain while addressing the
full court recalled that in his formative years as a lawyer, he
had the privilege of appearing in the court of Justice H.R. Khanna
at Delhi. He always encouraged young lawyers and had a soothing
voice filled with compassion. His judgment in ADM Jabalpur's case
has immortalized him in the annals of judicial history in this
country. His judgments were short and crisp. He had unfathomable
knowledge of law which inspired young generation of lawyers and
Judges, he added.
Hon'ble Chief Justice further added that Justice Khanna had
an unimpeachable integrity and was devoted to his work. He was
thoroughly professional and dedicated to his work.
He said that on the untimely death of Justice Khanna, the legal
fraternity have not only lost a legal luminary but a person who
dedicated his entire life to the cause of administration of justice.
Justice Khanna would always be remembered for his legal acumen,
sagacity, courtesy and firmness. The loss caused by his death
has crated a great void which would be difficult to be filled.
He prayed for peace to the departed soul and also prayed the
Almighty to give strength to the members of bereaved family to
bear this irreparable loss.
Justice Khanna was born on 3rd July, 1912 and educated at D.A.V.
High School, Amritsar, Hindu College Amritsar, Khalsa College,
Amritsar and Law College Lahore. He was enrolled as Pleader and
practiced at Amritsar till January, 1952 when he was appointed
as District and Sessions Judge, Ferozepur. As District and Session
Judge, Ambala he was appointed Commission of Inquiry in connection
with the firing at Kalka Railway Station in 1956. As Special Judge,
Justice Khanna tried the case of Ram Krishan Dalmia and others.
He remained as District and Sessions Judge, Delhi till 1962 when
he was appointed as Judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court. After
formation of Delhi High Court Justice Khanna became Judge of that
Court and held inquiry into the charges against Sh. Biju Patnaik
and other Ministers in Orisaa. Justice Khanna remained as Chief
Justice of Delhi High Court from 1969 till September, 1971. He
was elevated to the Supreme Court in September, 1971 and retired
on 12-3-1977.
On the occasion Hon'ble Judges of Punjab and Haryana High Court,
former Chief Justice and former Judges of this Court, Sh. H.S.
Hooda, advocate General, Haryana, H.S.Sidhu, Additional Advocate
General, Punjab, Sh. Jaivir Yadav, Chairman of the Bar Council,
Dr. Anmol Rattan Sidhu, President of the High Court Bar Association;
Law Officers of the States of Punjab, Haryana and Union Territory
of Chandigarh and members of the legal fraternity were also present.
IRRIGATION PROGRAMME FOR RABI SEASON ANNOUNCED
CHANDIGARH, 29 Feb.
The Irrigation Department, Punjab has announced the Rotational
Programme for irrigation for the Rabi Season through Canal water
from 2 March to 9 March, 2008. The channels of Sirhind Canal System
would run on priority basis from Bhatinda Branch, Bist Doab Canal,
Sidhwan Branch, Patiala feeder and Abohar Branch respectively.
Disclosing this here today, a spokesman of the Irrigation department
said that direct distributaries of Bhakra Main Line, in Group
'A' being in the first preference would run to their indent. Balance
water supplies would be utilised in Ghaggar link and its off taking
channels i.e. Ghaggar Branch and Patiala Minor in Group 'B' respectively.
The spokesman further said that the Punjab channels off taking
from Harika and Ferozepur Head Works & Branches i.e. all the
direct distributaries of Sirhind Feeder in-group "A"
being in the first preference would run to their indent. Balance
water supplies would be utilised in Abohar Branch off taking from
Sirhind Feeder and its distributaries/minors in-group "B".
The spokesman also said that the channels off taking from upper
Bari Doab Canal i.e. Main Branch Lower with its distributaries
being in first Preference would run to their indent. Balance Surplus
water available would be utilised in, Lahore Branch, Sabraon Branch
and Kasur Branch Lower with its distributaries.
Medical Education & Research Minister
Mr. Tikshan Sud appreciated
of the services 10,000 GAMS/BAMS doctors
Chandigarh, February 29:
Medical Education & Research Minister Mr. Tikshan Sud today
convened a meeting to consider various demands of National Integrated
Medical Association consisting of BAMS and GAMS doctors.
Reacting to there demands Mr. Sud said that the government appreciated
of the services 10,000 GAMS/BAMS doctors especially in the rural
health network. Agreeing their demands to be considered eligible
for registration purpose under PNDT/MTP Act like their allopathic
counterparts, the Minister said that BAMS doctors from recognized
university approved by CCIM New Delhi having adequate knowledge
of science would be considered this purpose under various provision
of law and other acts. He asked Secretary Medical education to
take up with health Department that Punjab Government had already
notified that these doctors are permitted for registration and
they should not be harassed.
He also asked Secretary Medical education to take up with health
department for filling the vacant posts of BAMS Doctors, grant
of NPA to them and 100% parity in pay and perks with PCMS doctors.
The Minister sought their cooperation for success of the National
Health Programmes like pulse polio, prevention of blindness. National.
Revised tuberculosis eradication programme, blood donation Camps,
Aids awareness, Reproductive & Child health Programme, Prevention
of smoking & Drug abuse etc.
Mr. Jagjit Puri, Secretary Medical Education issued instructions
to Director Ayurveda to ensure compliance of various provisions
of Act.
