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SEPTEMBER, 2008

 

PUNJAB FORUM FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE, CHANDIGARH

Convener Secretary
Dr. Manmohan Singh Prof. J.S. Sidhu
I.A.S. (Retd.) Former Secretary,
Former Secretary, Higher Education Pb. Punjab School Edu. Board.
Former D.P.1. (Colleges) Pb.& Tel. No. 0172 - 2212339
Former Director Technical Educational Pb.

We are extremely happy to learn that Punjab Govt. have withdrawn its letter of consent for changing the status of Panjab University to that of a Central University . We thank Punjab Govt. for hearing the voice of educationists and other Punjabis and taking timely corrective action.

We express our deep gratitude to all educationists intellectuals, writers, politicians, bureaucrats and all other Punjabis spread all over the globe who have responded positively to the voice of veteran educationists and prevailed upon Punjab Govt. to review its decision. We are grately thankful to the media, particularly the Punjabi media, which has played a stellar role in this matter.

We appeal to the Central Govt. to accept the latest recommendation of the Punjab Govt. in this matter. We also appeal to the Central and State Govts. to find ways and means to remove the financial difficulties of universities, colleges, schools and other educational institutions of the State. We also urge the Central and State Govts to raise the retirement age of all teachers – from Primary School to University level – to 65 years in view of enhanced life expectancy and nationwide shortage of competent teachers.

Dr. J.S. Puar, Former Vice Chancellor
Punjabi University , Patiala .
Dr. Manmohan Singh
I.A.S. (Retd.)
Former Secretary, Higher Education Pb.
Former D.P.1. (Colleges) Pb. & Former Director Technical Education Pb.

Dr. Bhagat Singh,Former Vice Chancellor
Punjabi University , Patiala . & Former D.P.1. (Colleges) Pb.

Prof. Harbux Singh, Former D.P.1. (Colleges) Pb. & Former Chairman Punjab School Education Board.

Dr. K.S. Aulakh , Former vice Chancellor Punjab Agricultural University Ludhaina.

Prof. Sarwan Singh, Former Chairman Punjab School Edu. Board.

Principal Har Narinder Singh, Former Chairman Punjab School Edu. Board.

Dr. S. P. Singh, Former Vice-Chancellor
Guru Nanak Dev University , Amritsar
Prof. Pirthi Pal Singh Kapoor
Former Pro-Vice Chancellor
Guru Nanak Dev University , Amritsar

Shri Mukhtiar Singh, Former Chairman Punjab School Edu. Board.

Shri K.S. Gil, Former D.P.I. (Colleges) Pb.


VEDANTA GROUP CHAIRMAN MEETS PUNJAB CM
Evinces interest in investment in Punjab

Chandigarh, September 1, 2008

The Chairman of the Vedanta Group Mr. Anil Aggarwal today called on the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal on the eve of the foundation stone laying ceremony of the State's biggest 1980 MW Talwandi Sabo Super Critical Thermal Plant. The Plant is being set up by Sterlite Energy limited, a company of the multi-billion dollar Vedanta Group.

According to Chief Minister's Media Advisor Mr. Harcharan Bains, the Group Chairman evinced keen interest in making greater investment in Punjab given its potential and investor-friendly climate. He assured the Chief Minister that the Group would take all necessary steps to ensure the early completion of the Talwandi Sabo Plant.

Earlier, Mr. Aggarwal also met Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Member Parliament and President, Shiromani Akali Dal and congratulated him on the strong steps being taken by the State Government on the power generation front to make Punjab energy-wise self-reliant.

Others who attended the meeting, which was followed by dinner, were Local Government Minister Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Cooperation Minister Capt. Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal, Food & Civil Supplies & IT Minister Mr. Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, Chairman PSEB Mr. Y.S Ratra, PSCM Mr. D.S Guru, Principal Secretary Power Mr. Suresh Kumar and PSEB Member (Finance) Mr. Anurag Aggarwal.


 

PUNJAB ALL SET TO PRODUCE 300 MW FROM BIOMASS -MAJITHIA

Chandigarh, September 1, 2008

Punjab is all set to produce 300 MW Power from Biomass power generation with five projects with installed capacity of 68 MW getting commissioned by year end.

Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Science & Technology Minister today after reviewing the progress of ongoing projects said that the 5 projects with total 68 MW capacity are at advanced stage of completion and would be commissioned by December 2008. He said that 140 MW capacity Biomass projects of a multinational company M/s Green Planet Energy Pvt. Ltd., would be completed by February 2010. He said that the projects would be set up in the districts of Moga, Jalandhar, Faridkot, Hoshiarpur and Kaputhala and the company has already signed land lease agreement for these projects.

Emphasising on the need of accelerated completion of these projects, Majithia said that another multinational company M/s. Turbo Atom TPS Projects Pvt. Ltd. is setting up three projects with combined installed capacity 40 MW at Patti, Malerkotla and Ferozepur and the company has already started work on these projects.

Mr. Majithia reiterated that PEDA was committed to provide 10% power to Punjab from renewable sources and progress of all these projects was already ahead of scheduled.


 

CENTRAL UNIVERSITY STATUS- PUNJAB GOVERNMENT WITHDRAWS RECOMMENDATION
Badal writes to PM, HRD Minister

Chandigarh, September 1, 2008

The Punjab Govt. today asked the Union Government not to a go ahead with the proposal to grant the Central University Status to the Punjab University, Chandigarh. .

Disclosing this Mr.Harcharan Bains, Media Advisor to Chief Minister, Mr.Parkash Singh Badal said that the Punjab Government's decision was communicated through separate letters to the Prime Minister, Dr.Manmohan Singh and the Union Minister for Human Resource Development Minister, Mr. Arjan Singh.

In these letters, Mr. Badal said that the Punjab Government's communication to the concerned Union Ministry in this regard be treated as withdrawn and "the Punjab University should not be given the status of the Central University",.

Mr.Bains said that the decision was taken after consultations with Legislators, people's representatives, and cabinet colleagues in the light of the misgivings in the minds of a section of the Punjabi intelligentsia. Mr. Bains further said that the Chief Minister was fully committed to the improvement of educational standards at all levels in the State and would continue his efforts in this direction. "The Punjab Government's proposal for two Central Universities in the State, including a World Class University at Amritsar, would also continue to be pursued with the Government of India," said Mr. Bains.


CHIEF MINISTER OFFICE PUNJAB BADAL DEDICATES MINAR-E-INONKAR TO THE NATION & LAYS FOUNDATION STONE OF SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB WORLD UNIVERSITY

FATEHGARH SAHIB SEPTEMBER 1, 2008

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today declared that the upcoming Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University would be a unique institution of higher learning across the globe to disseminate the philosophy and ideology of great holy-scripture to bring awareness amongst the mankind about the universal message of love, peace and oneness.

After dedicating the Minar-E-Ikonkar to the nation and laying the foundation stone of the campus of university, Mr. Badal said that this university would not only undertake the research on different aspects of Sri Guru Granth Sahib but also carry out comparative study of other religions to enable the students, researchers and theologians to have better understanding of all the religions. He said: "It is imperative for our preachers and missionaries to have thorough knowledge of all the religions in the world so that they could spread the message of universal brotherhood, peace and amity without any ambiguity because all the religions preach the same moral values based on the welfare of the humanity".

The Chief Minister lauded the role of Shriomani Gurdwara Parbanbhak Committee for the conceptualization of this great project which would certainly prove to be a light house to propagate the ethics and values based on the divinity by discarding materialism that ultimately resulted in pangs of sufferings and agony in the society. He said that this project was conceived way back on September 1, 2004 on the 400th year of the Installation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in Sri Harimandir Sahib Amritsar. He pointed out that today it was a historic moment coincided with 404th year of the occasion to lay the foundation stone of this prestigious Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University. He said: "To me today is the red letter day in the history of Punjab's when the dream to establish this World class University by the SGPC had come true thereby cherishing the aspirations of Panth Rattan Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra".

The Chief Minister also mentioned that our SAD-BJP government enacted a special legislation to pave a way for the creation of this university. The SGPC had already transferred 84 acres of land to the trust for the execution of this project and a renowned architect from Bangalore had prepared and submitted a site plan and the first phase of the project was likely to be completed by September 1 next to begin the classes from the next academic session.

Speaking on the occasion President Shiromani Akali Dal Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that education was the core sector which ultimately led to the overall development and progress in any society, state or a nation. In view of this crucial factor of human resource development, the SAD-BJP government had laid special emphasis on the quality education in terms of setting up of Adarsh Schools, to provide free education to the economically poor and bright students with rural background besides 10% seats had been reserved in the private technical institutions to enable the poor students to compete globally with their convent/public schools educated students in urban areas. He said that major thrust was being given to the Information technology, Bio-technology, Nano-technology and Business management studies. He said that first Indian Institution of Technology (IIT) in Ropar had been set up besides another hi-tech Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information Technology was in pipeline near Roapr. He said that Indian School of Business was also being set up in the knowledge park at Mohali.

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal hoped that this world university would also provide education in other fields of study /research/teaching in the areas of world religions, cultures and civilizations, and other courses under the general heads of the Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Pure Sciences and Applied Sciences, equal stress, on the other hand, would be laid on the emerging technologies such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, information technology, as well as emerging disciplines like ecology, human rights, feminism, empowerment of the down-trodden, etc.

President SGPC Jathedar Avtar Singh proposed a vote of thanks and said that this university would prove to be a mile stone for creating new benchmark in the standards of higher learning apart from other educational institution of repute set up by SGPC. He said that Rs.450 crore World University would be one of the state-of-the-art premier institutions of the country.

On the sidelines of the function, Mr. Badal talking to the media persons on the issue of the status of Central University to the Panjab University Chandigarh, the Chief Minister said that he had already written a letter both to the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjan Singh not to accord Central status to the Panjab University. He pointed out that the Centre had already agreed in principle to set up two Central Universities in the State, one a world class university at Amritsar and another at Bathinda. Besides, the state government had already planned to set up a Police University at Phillaur.

To another question regarding the revisions of norms for flood relief in wake of leader of Opposition Mrs.Rajinder Kaur Bhattal's letter to him, Mr. Badal said that he had already taken up this issue with the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister Shivraj V Patil to immediately revise these norms to enable the state government to disburse the relief under Calamity Relief Fund of Rs.1647 crore laying with the state. He said that it was the congress regime headed by Capt. Amarinder Singh that recommended these norms which were now become a hurdle in the way of SAD-BJP government to disburse the relief in order to compensate them fully.

To another question about deleting the word Sikh from the said University, Mr. Badal said that since this university had been now named as Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University instead of earlier proposed World Sikh University makes now better sense because the entire philosophy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib preached the message of oneness of mankind. In this context naming this university as Sikh University was totally redundant and meaningless.

Meanwhile Secretary Shiromani Akali Dal and Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema conducted the proceedings to the stage.

Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion included Deputy Speaker Lok Sabha Charanjit Singh Atwal, President BJP Punjab Unit Prof. Rajinder Bhandari, Local Govt. Minister Manoranjan Kalia, Jathedar Akal Takhat Sri Amritsar Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh, Jathedar Sri Keshgarh Sahib Giani Tarlochan Singh, Secretary General SAD & MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Mr.Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Prof.Prem Singh Chandumajra and Mr.Rameshinder Singh Grewal (all General Secretaries of SAD) , MLA Sirhind Didar Singh Bhatti and District President Fatehgarh Sahib Jagdeep Singh Cheema besides the senior leadership of SAD, SGPC and the party workers of SAD-BJP. Those who also attended the function included Information & Public Relations Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Tourism Minister Punjab Mr. Hira Singh Gabaria, Education Minister Dr. Upinderjit Kaur, former SGPC President Kirpal Singh Badhungar, Youth Akali Dal President Kiranbir Singh Kang, S. Harmail Singh Tohra, Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpuri, Sarbjit Singh Makkar, Jagjivan Singh Khirnia, Darshan Singh Shivalik all MLAs.


BADAL DEDICATES MINAR-E-INONKAR TO THE NATION & LAYS FOUNDATION STONE OF SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB WORLD UNIVERSITY

FATEHGARH SAHIB SEPTEMBER 1, 2008

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today declared that the upcoming Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University would be a unique institution of higher learning across the globe to disseminate the philosophy and ideology of great holy-scripture to bring awareness amongst the mankind about the universal message of love, peace and oneness.

After dedicating the Minar-E-Ikonkar to the nation and laying the foundation stone of the campus of university, Mr. Badal said that this university would not only undertake the research on different aspects of Sri Guru Granth Sahib but also carry out comparative study of other religions to enable the students, researchers and theologians to have better understanding of all the religions. He said: "It is imperative for our preachers and missionaries to have thorough knowledge of all the religions in the world so that they could spread the message of universal brotherhood, peace and amity without any ambiguity because all the religions preach the same moral values based on the welfare of the humanity".

The Chief Minister lauded the role of Shriomani Gurdwara Parbanbhak Committee for the conceptualization of this great project which would certainly prove to be a light house to propagate the ethics and values based on the divinity by discarding materialism that ultimately resulted in pangs of sufferings and agony in the society. He said that this project was conceived way back on September 1, 2004 on the 400th year of the Installation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in Sri Harimandir Sahib Amritsar. He pointed out that today it was a historic moment coincided with 404th year of the occasion to lay the foundation stone of this prestigious Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University. He said: "To me today is the red letter day in the history of Punjab's when the dream to establish this World class University by the SGPC had come true thereby cherishing the aspirations of Panth Rattan Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra".

The Chief Minister also mentioned that our SAD-BJP government enacted a special legislation to pave a way for the creation of this university. The SGPC had already transferred 84 acres of land to the trust for the execution of this project and a renowned architect from Bangalore had prepared and submitted a site plan and the first phase of the project was likely to be completed by September 1 next to begin the classes from the next academic session.

Speaking on the occasion President Shiromani Akali Dal Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that education was the core sector which ultimately led to the overall development and progress in any society, state or a nation. In view of this crucial factor of human resource development, the SAD-BJP government had laid special emphasis on the quality education in terms of setting up of Adarsh Schools, to provide free education to the economically poor and bright students with rural background besides 10% seats had been reserved in the private technical institutions to enable the poor students to compete globally with their convent/public schools educated students in urban areas. He said that major thrust was being given to the Information technology, Bio-technology, Nano-technology and Business management studies. He said that first Indian Institution of Technology (IIT) in Ropar had been set up besides another hi-tech Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information Technology was in pipeline near Roapr. He said that Indian School of Business was also being set up in the knowledge park at Mohali.

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal hoped that this world university would also provide education in other fields of study /research/teaching in the areas of world religions, cultures and civilizations, and other courses under the general heads of the Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Pure Sciences and Applied Sciences, equal stress, on the other hand, would be laid on the emerging technologies such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, information technology, as well as emerging disciplines like ecology, human rights, feminism, empowerment of the down-trodden, etc.

President SGPC Jathedar Avtar Singh proposed a vote of thanks and said that this university would prove to be a mile stone for creating new benchmark in the standards of higher learning apart from other educational institution of repute set up by SGPC. He said that Rs.450 crore World University would be one of the state-of-the-art premier institutions of the country.

On the sidelines of the function, Mr. Badal talking to the media persons on the issue of the status of Central University to the Panjab University Chandigarh, the Chief Minister said that he had already written a letter both to the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjan Singh not to accord Central status to the Panjab University. He pointed out that the Centre had already agreed in principle to set up two Central Universities in the State, one a world class university at Amritsar and another at Bathinda. Besides, the state government had already planned to set up a Police University at Phillaur.

To another question regarding the revisions of norms for flood relief in wake of leader of Opposition Mrs.Rajinder Kaur Bhattal's letter to him, Mr. Badal said that he had already taken up this issue with the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister Shivraj V Patil to immediately revise these norms to enable the state government to disburse the relief under Calamity Relief Fund of Rs.1647 crore laying with the state. He said that it was the congress regime headed by Capt. Amarinder Singh that recommended these norms which were now become a hurdle in the way of SAD-BJP government to disburse the relief in order to compensate them fully.

To another question about deleting the word Sikh from the said University, Mr. Badal said that since this university had been now named as Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University instead of earlier proposed World Sikh University makes now better sense because the entire philosophy of Sri Guru Granth Sahib preached the message of oneness of mankind. In this context naming this university as Sikh University was totally redundant and meaningless.

Meanwhile Secretary Shiromani Akali Dal and Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema conducted the proceedings to the stage.

Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion included Deputy Speaker Lok Sabha Charanjit Singh Atwal, President BJP Punjab Unit Prof. Rajinder Bhandari, Local Govt. Minister Manoranjan Kalia, Jathedar Akal Takhat Sri Amritsar Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh, Jathedar Sri Keshgarh Sahib Giani Tarlochan Singh, Secretary General SAD & MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Mr.Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Prof.Prem Singh Chandumajra and Mr.Rameshinder Singh Grewal (all General Secretaries of SAD) , MLA Sirhind Didar Singh Bhatti and District President Fatehgarh Sahib Jagdeep Singh Cheema besides the senior leadership of SAD, SGPC and the party workers of SAD-BJP. Those who also attended the function included Information & Public Relations Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Tourism Minister Punjab Mr. Hira Singh Gabaria, Education Minister Dr. Upinderjit Kaur, former SGPC President Kirpal Singh Badhungar, Youth Akali Dal President Kiranbir Singh Kang, S. Harmail Singh Tohra, Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpuri, Sarbjit Singh Makkar, Jagjivan Singh Khirnia, Darshan Singh Shivalik all MLAs.


CM EXHORTS MEDIA TO DISCHARGE DUTIES WITH PROFESSIONAL COMMITMENT ASSURES TO CONCEDE DEMANDS OF CPUJ

LUDHIANA AUGUST 31, 2008

The Punjab Chief Minster Parkash Singh Badal today called upon the Journalists to discharge their duties with a sense of utmost responsibility, professional commitment and sincerity because the major segment of the society reposed full faith and confidence in their news reports.

Presiding over the 6th Annual Meet of Chandigarh-Punjab Union of Journalists (CPUJ) here at Punjab Agricultural University after releasing the Insurance policy for its members amounting to Rs.28.10 crore, Mr. Badal said that it was the bounden duty on the part of journalists to carry out balanced and fair reporting with an element of objectivity. He however, cautioned the journalist fraternity that the unfair and biased reporting was not only detrimental to the society but also eroded the very confidence of the trustworthy readers.

Reiterating his firm resolves to preserve the freedom of the Press, Mr. Badal said that the SAD-BJP government sincerely respected its right to act as the Fourth Estate of the country's democratic polity. He also mentioned the role of Shiromani Akali Dal for the protection of people's rights and the freedom of press during the dark days of emergency. He sought whole-hearted cooperation from the media to usher in an era of over all development and prosperity to fulfill the aspirations of people of the State.

Responding to the demands put forth by the CPUJ, Mr. Badal assured the members of the union of fulsome support and cooperation on behalf of the State Government. He asked the Information & Public Relations Minister to examine all the demands raised by the CPUJ with regard to allotment of land for Housing Societies, setting up of Institute of Mass Communication at Mohali, pension scheme and welfare fund for journalists besides enhancing the limit of free bus facility from existing Rs.1200 per annum to Rs.2500 per annum to cover all accredited/desk and veteran journalists. He also announced a grant of Rs.11 lac for CPUJ to undertake various welfare activities for the media persons. He also invited the executive members of CPUJ at Chandigarh to hold detailed discussions on the issues raised by them with the officers of the concerned departments.

Speaking on the occasion, Information & Public Relations Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia asked the media to abide by the code of ethics to ensure the spirit of professionalism in true spirit because they were expected of to play a pivotal role in the society as opinion makers. He stressed on the need to have a holistic view on all the subject matters involved in the reporting in general but the sensitive one in particular. "People still hold journalists in high esteem due to their unflinching trust and confidence reposed in them and ensure that they were not betraying their trust by undermining the role of press. Media should strive hard to live up to their expectations", said Mr. Majithia. He stated that the Punjab government would soon announce a comprehensive media policy to resolve all the issues and demands relating to the welfare of the media persons.

On the occasion, Mr.Majithia released a souvenir of CPUJ and presented mementos to the members of the Union. Earlier, the Chief Minister also lighted a lamp to mark the inaugural of the function.

In his keynote address President Indian Journalist Union (IJU) Suresh Akhori briefly highlighted the activities of IJU that was associated with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). The IJU had a special significance amongst the journalists at the international level as one of its senior functionary Ms Sabina Inderjit, represented the whole of Asia in the IFJ.

In his welcome address, President of CPUJ, Mr. Vinod Kohli said that the CPUJ had emerged as the biggest representative body of newspersons in the region. With its presence even in smaller towns of Punjab over a strengthen of 1000, it takes care of the interest of journalists of both print and electronic media. He appreciated the role of Chief Minister's Media Advisor Harcharan Bains for making this function a grand success and hoped of this support and cooperation in future also.

Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Tourism Minister Hira Singh Gabharia, Media Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Harcharan Bains, Member, Press Council of India SN Sinha, Secretary IJU Madan Singh, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Harish Rai Dhanda. The members of the media both electronic and print from all over the state attended the meeting.

 

 

 

 

Daily Punjab press release