Office of District Public Relations Officer, Rupnagar.
Voters to use EPICs during voting-Bharti

Rupnagar April 21, 2009
With a view to preventing impersonation of electors, so as to make the right of genuine electors to vote under section-62 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 more effective, the Returning Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Rupnagar has issued directions to the electorates of Anandpur Sahib Parliamentary Constituency regarding uses of electoral photo identity cards EPICS during the forth coming general elections 2009.

Stating this here today, the Returning Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Rupnagar Mr Priyank Bharti said that those who have been issued with EPIC should bring the EPIC and those who have not been issued with EPIC should bring any other document prescribed by ECI as a proof for their identification at the time of casting votes.

Giving details of the prescribed document, the Returning Officer said that in the absence of the EPIC, alternative document such as a copy of the passport, driving license, PAN cards, service identity cards issued to its employees by State/Central Government, public sector undertaking local bodies or public limited companies with photographs, pass books issued by public sectors banks/post offices and Kisan pass books with photograph updated upto 28.02.09 property documents such as pattas, Registered deeds etc. with photographs, SC/ST/OBC certificates issued by competent authority with photographs, pension documents such as ex-servicemen’s pension books/pension payment order, ex-servicemen’s Widow/ Dependent certificates, Old age pension orders, Widow pension orders, freedom fighter identity cards with photographs, Arms License issued upto 28.02.09, certificates of physical handicap with photograph issued by competent authority, job card issued under NREGA with photographs and health insurance schemes and smart cards with photographs would be required .Adding further he said that any of these documents that was available only to the head of the family might be used for identifying the other members of the family provided all members come together and are identified by the head of the family.

Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema files nomination from Anandpur Constituency on 23.04.2009.
Chandigarh Dated 21.04.2009.

In a press release issued by the Head Office of Shiromani Akali Dal at Chandigarh, it has been stated the Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema Secretary and Spokesperson, SAD will file his nomination papers as SAD candidate from Anandpur Sahib, Lok Sabha Constituency, in the Office of District Electoral Officer, Ropar on 23 April, 2009
S. Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, Panjab, Sh. Balbir Punj incharge, BJP affairs for the state of Panjab and other senior leaders of Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP will also join Dr. Cheema at the time of filing of nomination papers. All the SAD M.L.As representing different Vidhan Sabha Constituencies falling in Anandpur Sahib Lok Sabha constituency will also be present on this Occasion.
Huge SAD and BJP workers are expected to join the rally being held at Ropar on this day.

(Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema)
Secretary and Spokesperson

REVENUE DEPARTMENT ASK DCs TO SEND REPORT
ON FARM SUICIDES WITHIN 3 DAYS

CHANDIGARH APRIL 21:
The Punjab Government has issued detailed guidelines to all the Deputy Commissioners to send a detailed report regarding suicide by farmers and farm labourers due to indebtedness in their districts, within three days of the occurrence.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the State Revenue Department said that the state government was deeply concerned about the incidents of suicides by farmers and farm labourers on account of indebtedness. The department had already issued instructions to the concerned deputy commissioners to send a consolidated report regarding suicides during a month by farmers/farm labourers on account of debt in their district by 7th of next month.
It may be recalled that the state cabinet had already given in-principle approval to grant compensation relief of Rs.2 lakh to the next of the kin of the farmers/farm labourers who had committed suicides in the state. The revenue department had already sent a case to the Election Commission of India to seek its approval for the disbursement of compensation grant to such affected families in view of the model code of conduct already enforced due to the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls

ROTATIONAL IRRIGATION PROGRAMME FOR RABI SEASON ANNOUNCED

Chandigarh, April 21:

The Irrigation Department, Punjab has announced the Rotational Programme for irrigation for the Khariff Season through Canal water from 22-4-2009 to 29-4-2009. The channels of Sirhind Canal System would run on the priority basis from Bist Doab, Sidhwan Branch, Bathinda Branch, Abohar Branch and Patiala feeder, 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 channels of first preference will run to their indent and balance water supplies available will be utilized in Ghaggar Branch and its off taking channels i.e Ghaggar Branch and Patiala Minor in Group 'B' respectively.
The spokesman further said that all the direct distributaries of Sirhind Feeder in group 'A' being in the First preference will run to their indent and balance water supplies available would be utilised in Abohar Branch off-taking from Sirhind Feeder and its distributaries/Minors in Group 'B'.

The spokesman also said that the Kasur Branch Lower with its distributaries being in the channels of first Preference would run to their indent and balance water would be supplies water available in Sabraon Branch, Lahore Branch, Main Branch Lower with their distributaries respectively.

71.31 LAC TONNES WHEAT PROCURED IN PUNJAB

Chandigarh, April 21: Government agencies and private millers procured more than 7131235 tonnes of wheat till last evening

Out of total procurement of 7131235 tonnes of wheat in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 7122115 tonnes of wheat (99.9%) till date whereas private traders procured 9120 tonnes (0.1%) of wheat. Till April 20, PUNGRAIN had procured 1047200 tonnes (14.7%) whereas MARKFED procured 1652152 tonnes (23.2%). PUNSUP procured 1590039 tonnes (22.3%) , PSWC procured 939355 tonnes (13.2%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 803648 tonnes (11.3 %) of wheat.

The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 1089723 tonnes (15.3%).
The spokesman added that District Sangrur with 877581 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas District Ferozepur with 820283 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and district Patiala with 797757 tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.

The State Government has set up 1547 procurement centres and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of wheat, the spokesman added.

SAD UNVEILS MANIFESTO FOR LOK SABHA ELECTIONS

Chandigarh April 20, 2009

The Shiromani Akali Dal today called for the setting up of a genuinely federal structure and the progressive and meaningful decentralization of the planning and development process to make India a true global leader.

The party also re-iterated its commitment to continue its peaceful and democratic struggle for inclusion of Chandigarh and other Punjabi-speaking areas left out of the state back into Punjab and for getting the river water issue settled on the basis of nationally and internationally accepted Riparian Principle.

The party manifesto for the forthcoming parliamentary elections also vowed to waive agricultural loans, reduce rate of interest on new farm loans to just four per cent (4%) slash diesel price by Rs. 10 Per litre and create a Special Corpus Fund for farmers affected by natural calamities.

The manifesto further said that the government to be formed by the SAD and allies at the centre would ensure that every poor family got 35 kg of wheat every month at just Rs.2/- per kg.

Releasing the manifesto, the SAD president and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal and the Party Secretary General Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa said that residential flats would be constructed for the poor in towns and cities of Punjab at a cost of Rs 116 crore.

Laying special stress on the need for harnessing the immense potential of youth in the country, the manifesto promises to raise the upper limit for educational loans from the present Rs. four lakhs (Rs. 4 lakhs) to Rs 15 (fifteen) lakhs. The rate of interest on all educational loans would be fixed at four per cent ( 4%) instead the current commercial rates.

The SAD is the oldest regional democratic party of the country, with a glorious saga of historic and valiant struggle for the attainment and preservation of India's Independence. The unparalleled sacrifices made by its brave and selfless soldiers form the proudest chapter in the history not only of the country but of the entire human race. Inspired by the highest ideals of welfare of the entire humankind (Sarbat Da Bhalla) and fired by the examples of supreme sacrifice set by the great Gurus in the defence of the noblest human values, millions of selfless soldiers of party have striven selflessly to measure up to the glorious and proud traditions of the land of great seers, saints, mystics and visionaries.

At the national level, while remaining in the vanguard of national mainstream, the Shiromani Akali Dal has always remained committed to a dignified dispensation for Punjabis in general and the Sikhs in particular, always fighting to safeguard their political, economic, social and cultural rights.

The Shiromani Akali Dal is the oldest regional democratic party of the country, with a glorious saga of historic and valiant struggle for the attainment and preservation of India's Independence. The unparalleled sacrifices made by its brave and selfless soldiers form the proudest chapter in the history not only of the country but of the entire human race. Inspired by the highest ideals of welfare of the entire humankind (Sarbat Da Bhalla) and fired by the examples of supreme sacrifice set by the great Gurus in the defence of the noblest human values, millions of selfless soldiers of party have striven selflessly to measure up to the glorious and proud traditions of the land of great seers, saints, mystics and visionaries.

At the national level, while remaining in the vanguard of national mainstream, the Shiromani Akali Dal has always remained committed to a dignified dispensation for Punjabis in general and the Sikhs in particular, always fighting to safeguard their political, economic, social and cultural rights.

The Shiromani Akali Dal is committed to safeguard and promote the interests of the minorities in the country in a manner that enables them to play a constructive and meaningful role in the progress of our people. The party stands for a strong India, capable of playing its destined role as a global leader and is fully convinced that strengthening its constituents is the surest way of achieving that goal.

The SAD would strive hard to ensure that Centre state relations be recast in a manner that the states have full opportunities for growth and development and for promotion of their respective cultures, besides endeavouring to alter the formula for devolution of central funds favour of states so that they get 50% share out of the central taxes. Norms for all Centrally sponsored schemes would be altered to make them state specific and performance oriented, rather than population-based and backwardness oriented. Norms that punish performance and reward backwardness and poor performance would be changed to make them rational and realsitic. Central liability in states' needs would be linked to the contribution of the concerned state to the national kitty.

On the issue of fighting deadly effects of enviorment pollution, the SAD has taken inspiration from the holy Gurbani and would lauch a multi-deminsional revolutionary movement for preservation of environment. For this, all legal, constitutional and poltical steps would be taken to ensure that those who indulge in polluting the ecology of the planet are dealt with as criminals. The SAD would follow the example set in this regard by internationally celebrated environmentalist, Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal and Bibi Inderjit Kaur of Pingalwara. The initiative taken by the party's Bathinda candidate, Bibi Harsimrat Kaur Badal would be pursued to its logical conclusion by putting as a permanent and premier item on the party's socio-politco-religious agenda.

To strengthen the farming sector, the SAD would undertake land mark initatives like waiver of agricultural loans, farm loans at a rate of interest of 4%, linking MSP with price index, slashing Diesel prices by Rs. 10 per litre in conformity with the the fall in international prices of crude oil, creation of a Special Fund for Relief to farmers affected by natural calamities, norms for allocation of these funds would be in conformity with ground realities to make them state specific, introduction of an income insurance for farm sector, 50% subsidy on new warehouses in order to speed up storage and movement of fodgrain. Besides due represetation to two represetantives from Punjab on Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices, new initiatives in form of easy loans to encourage food processing and other farm related industry in Punjab, single zone system for farm products, especially foodgrains and new national policy on agriculture to make farming a lucrative profession are amongst the several bold steps to be taken for restructuring the farming to make it economically viable and profitable.

The SAD in its manifesto further mentioned few bold steps to be taken for the development of border areas including specific schemes for subsidsing agricultural along the international border, remunerative compensation for farming across the border fence, introduction of special Component Plan for development of border belt, special status for border areas to promote economic activity and infrastructure development and Centre to share costs on maintenance of internal security in border states, including Punjab.

On the socially and economically backward segments, 35 kg wheat to be given every months to each family living Below Poverty Line (BPL) at Rs. 2 per kg, norms for BPL and Yellow Card categories to be made state-specific and to be liberalsied in view of the prevaling economic relaities so that more poor could be covered under this scheme as has been done in the case of subsdised Atta-Daal Scheme. Apart from this special Schemes for the welfare and progress of Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Backward and Other Backward Classes, Dalits. Backward classes and EWS to be extended facilities similar to those given to the SCs would be introduced. Baazigar Vimukat Jaatis to be categorised as Scheduled Tribes and a special department would be created for the welfare of the Vimukat Jaatis. Liberal and easy loans would also be given for their economic upliftment.

In order to boost trade and industry in the state, the same concessions and facilities would be extended to the local industrialists and traders as given in the neighbouring states. Red tape would be eliminated and a single window system to be introduced for speedy clearances. It would also be ensured that while giving central concessions to any state, its neighbouring states do not suffer any unfair handicap.

The SAD manifesto reiterated that all promises made to the employees would be fulfilled before the assembly polls in the state. Recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission would be implemented in toto. Efforts would be made for provision of Cental assistance to states for the welfare of employees.

On the education front, more central assistance would be sought to promote technical and advanced education in Punjab and special Central grants for opening new institutions for free and quality education, both primary and advanced, for the rural and urban poor. Institutions like the Punajb Agricultural University and the GADVASU to be given liberal central grants for promotion of research and advanced studies.

The manifesto underscored the need to device norms for utilisation of central funds for health and family welfare and these funds should be made state specific. Emphasis would be made to open advanced hospitals and institutes for research and healthcare to fight deadly deseases like AIDS and Cancer in Punajb. Special Centres to fight drug addiction would be set up and a social awareness campaign would be launched.

For the welfare of ex-servicemen and Defence Personnel, the SAD would ensure one rank –one pension. Efforts would be made to ensure merit based recrutiment to be replaced with intrdouction of population based process as Punajb has been severely discriminated against under the population-based recruitment. Other bold steps would be taken for setting up a separate Pay Panel for defence services, treating Ex-servicemen and their wards as special category for employment to government services and like wise Pre-1999 Martyrs in J&K to be treated at par with Kargil martyrs. Apart from this army personnel who suffered in the wake of 1984 massacre fo Sikhs to be given same facilites as given to massacre affected civilians and personnel relieved after ten yehars of service following Indo-China conflict in 1962 to be given pensionary benefits.
To ensure welfare of the NRIs, visa centres fo countries with significant Punjabi population to be opened in Punjab. (e.g. UK, USA, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Gulf Countries, Australia and New Zealand etc.). Indian Civil Procedure Code and Punjab Revenue Acts to be amended to ensure that illegally occupied properties are restored to them in specific time frame of 60 days and special Courts to be set up devoted to NRI problems.

The SAD would ensure slashing the duties on petroleum products and diesel prices to be reduced by Rs.10 per litre. Similarly, proportionate reduction would be brought about in petrol and cooking gas prices. Besides, single permit national movement of goods carriers would be ensured.

To improve international relations and opening of trade route with Pakistan, efforts would be focused to work towards the setting up of a world order based on mutual respect rather than fear among nations and openming of trade route through road transport with Pakistan. Economic & cultural and economic exchange among neighbouring countries would be encouraged.

A system for free access to Sikh shrines would be pursued on formation of a government by SAD and allies at the centre. Visa facilites for Sikh pilgrims would be ensured at the border points.

To ensure autonomy and impartiality of CBI, concrete legal and constitutional steps would be taken to free the CBI and other key central institutions from political interference by the Central government. Besides the appointment of the Director, C.B.I., would be made by a panel comprising the Prime Minsiter, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

In order to ensure impartiality and autonomy of Election Commission, it would be made mandatory that once having been a member of the Election Commission or the Chief Election Commissioner, no one is allowed to hold any public office or any office of profit, constitutional or otherwise.

To encourage sports activities in the state, special Central Fund for creation of modern sports infrastructure in states to be started and sports quota for recruitment to central services to be created. Likewise special central fund for promotion of traditonal sports would also be created.

Faclities being given to those who made supreme sacrifices to secure freedom for the nation would be upgraded to bring these in tune with the ground realities of modern day living.

To channalise the unbounded energy of youth aimed at their overall welfare and development, a special Component Plan for Youth on the pattern of the same for the SC.s under which every government department would have a budgetary provision for programmes devoted to youth welfare. The upper limit for education loans would be raised from the exising Rs. Four lakhs to Rs. 15 lakhs and these loans would be made available at a rate of interest not exceeding 4% ( Four per cent)
Taking like-minded regional and national parties along, the SAD will continue its efforts to liberate the development processes in states from the constricting clutches of fiscal and political centralization, the manifesto added.

PUNJAB CM AND DEPUTY CM CONDOLES THE
DEMISE OF SARDARNI DALIP KAUR

CHANDIGAFRH, APRIL 20, 2009

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Sardarni Dalip Kaur mother of S.Harbans Sodhi, (Retd. News Editor, DDK) here today. She was 88 years.
They expressed his heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to give courage and strength to bear this irreparable loss and grant peace to the departed soul.

INFORMATION & PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, PUNJAB
64.37 LAC TONNES WHEAT PROCURED IN PUNJAB

Chandigarh, April 20: Government agencies and private millers procured more than 6437955 tonnes of wheat till last evening
Out of total procurement of 6437955 tonnes of wheat in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 6430859 tonnes of wheat (99.9%) till date whereas private traders procured 7098 tonnes (01%) of wheat. Till April 19, PUNGRAIN had procured 940048 tonnes (14.6%) whereas MARKFED procured 1478545 tonnes (23.0%). PUNSUP procured 1445051 tonnes (22.5%) , PSWC procured 862937 tonnes (13.4%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 740341 tonnes (11.5 %) of wheat.
The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 963937 tonnes (15.0%).
The spokesman added that District Sangrur with 837271 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas District Patiala with 781881 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and district Ferozepur a 732402 tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.
The State Government has set up 1547 procurement centres and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of wheat, the spokesman added.

FIFTH PUNJAB PAY COMMISSION SUBMITS REPORT TO
PUNJAB GOVERNMENT

CHANDIGARH APRIL 20, 2009

The Chairman of the Fifth Punjab Pay Commission Mr. SK Tuteja today submitted the report to the State Chief Secretary Mr. Ramesh Inder Singh here at latter’ s office. Mr. Tuteja was accompanied by the members of the Commission Mr. Amarjit Singh Oberoi and Prof. BS Ghuman and the Member Secretary Mr. RC Nayyar.
The highlights of the Fifth Punjab Pay Commission’s Repot are enumerated below:

• Pay Scales, Allowances and Pensions of Punjab Government employees revised. Average increase to be around 27%.
• The Retirement age for all employees to be 60.
• Implementation of the revised pay scales from January 1,2006.
• Recommendations relating to allowances to be implemented from the date of notification by the Government.
• Five distinct running pay bands with longer spans being recommended-one running band each for all categories in groups D,C and B and 2 running pay bands for Group ‘A’.
• Each post has a distinct Grade Pay attached to it. Grade pay is linked to its seniority in the hierarchy.
• Total number of Pay Scales to remain 32, spread across five distinct running pay bands.
• Several categories of employees such as Teachers, Nurses, Constabulary to get higher pay scales.
• A person stagnating at the maximum of any pay band for more than one year continuously to be placed in the immediate next higher pay band without any change in the grade pay.

IGNORANCE OF PM TO RISING ‘ATTA-DAAL’ PRICE EXPOSES THE 'CONCERN' OF CONGRESS FOR ‘AAM AADMI’ -SUKHBIR

Chandigarh, April 20, 2009

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, President, Shiromani Akali Dal and Deputy Chief Minister Punjab today flayed Prime Minister for his remark that he was not supposed to be aware of rising prices of ‘Atta and Daal’ because according to him technically inflation was touching zero level. Mr. Badal was referring to the surprising comment of Prime Minister in the media interaction with women journalists where he expressed his ignorance about rising prices of essential commodities.
In a press release issued here today, Mr. Badal said that this statement of Congress leadership exposes their so called main plank ‘Aam Aadmi ki Sarkar’. He said that it was surprising that on one hand prices of all essential commodities including pulses, sugar, and edible oil were going through the roof and so called Prime Ministerial Candidate was blissfully oblivious of common masses getting crushed by unprecedented price rise, a factor common in all Congress regimes since independence. He said that Congress party instead of taking credit for ‘zero inflation’ should know the fact that ‘zero inflation’ depicts shrinking market demand of manufactured goods, there’re by depicting large scale closure of industry, resulting in layoff of lacs of employees.

Blaming Congress led UPA of mishandling the post meltdown crises in the economy, Mr. Badal said that Manufacturing Index was at record low and more than 5 lac employees had been retrenched by the corporate sector during last 2 months alone. He said that the confidence of Foreign Institutional Investors in the strength of India economy has been evaporated with more and more multinational companies opting out of country.

Promising to enact a stringent law to check the speculation in the prices of essential commodities, Mr. Badal said that Janata Party as well as NDA government always kept a strict check on price rise benefiting the ordinary population whereas Mr. Chidambram as Finance Minister introduced Future Trading in essential commodities, allowing multinational stock companies to make a killing by artificially raising the price of commodities of common use.

Mr. Badal promised that NDA after resuming power would link the prices of patrol, diesel and LPG with the international prices of crude so that ordinary consumers should benefit from drop in price of crude in international market. He said that Congress led UPA government was allowing MNCs to make a profit of Rs. 15 per litre on petrol and Rs. 10 per litre on diesel, for a undisclosed understanding of sharing their booty. He said that this ‘Aam Aadmi ki Sarkar’ was delebrately allowing these companies to make profit at the cost of ordinary consumers and farmers.

Giving a call to people of Punjab to dump Congress party and bring back NDA to power so as to protect the interest of common people. He said that SAD-BJP combine was getting tremendous response in Punjab and people were determined to ensure the winning streak of SAD-BJP alliance on all the 13 seats in Punjab