PUNJAB CM CONDOLES THE SAD DEMISE OF VETERAN JOURNALIST MOHINDER SINGH

CHANDIGARH APRIL 22:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of veteran journalist of Akali Patrika Mr. Mohinder Singh who passed away at his residence in Amritsar last night following a massive heart attack. He was 65 and is survived by his wife and two sons.
In a condolence message, Mr. Badal said that Mr. Mohinder Singh was an Institution in himself and would be remembered by one and all for his outstanding services towards panthic journalism as his master piece publication ‘Dharam Yudh’ was widely aclaimed in the literary circles. He was credited with aptly covering all the historic Akali movements during his journlistic career spaning over 40 years. In his death a void has been created in the journalist fraternity which was difficult to be filled.
Mr. Badal shared his heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to give strength and courage to them to bear this irreparable loss and grant peace to the departed soul.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal also mourned the sad demise of Mr. Mohinder Singh and described him as a outstanding journalist with the qualities of head and heart who performed his professional duties with utmost dedication, commitment and sincerity.

Chandigarh, April 22

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, President Shiromani Akali Dal and Deputy Chief Minister Punjab today flayed Congress for opposing the decision of SAD-BJP government for proposing to provide Rs. 2 lac relief to the unfortunate families of those farmers who were driven to suicide due to farm indebtedness.

In a statement issued here, Mr. Badal blamed anti farmers policies of Congress led UPA government for the problem of farm indebtedness plaguing the agriculture sector, resulting in unfortunate suicides by debt ridden farmers.
Mr. Badal was reacting to the criticism by Bibi Rajinder Kaur Bhattal leader of Congress Legislature Party of SAD-BJP government decision of giving the succor of Rs. 2 lakh to the families of those farmers of the state who had to resort to this extreme act. He said that Congress never bothered about making farm sector remunerative for the farmers and did not bother to accept the proposal of Shiromani Akali Dal to link MSP of agriculture produce with Wholesale Price Index (WPI). He said that every decision of Congress led UPA government was aimed at benefiting multinational companies at the cost of agriculture sector. He said that these companies were given free hand to raise the price of agriculture inputs including seeds, fertilizers, insecticide and pesticides where as meager raise in MSP further pushed farmers deeper in the vicious debt trap forcing the proud 'sons of the soil' to commit suicides. He said that during last three years, Congress led UPA government; due to undeclared understanding with multinational oil companies reduced the rate of diesel only by 10% where as crude fell in international market by 70%, there by allowing the companies to make a profit of 60% at the cost of poor farmers and transport operators.

Flaying Amarinder for failing to solve the problem of farm indebtedness, Mr. Badal said that throughout his tenure Captain remained busy with his "friend" and never bothered to go deep into this problem of agricultural sector. He said that our party immediately on assuming power, requested the experts in PAU to conduct thorough study of whole problem and submit a detailed report. He said that on the basis of report Punjab government has decided to give immediate relief of Rs. 2 lac to the unfortunate families of those farmers who have committed suicide and we are awaiting the nod of Election Commission of India for disbursing this relief.
Expressing surprise over Congress of opposing this disbursal of relief Mr. Badal said that Congress should desist from playing politics over the death of unfortunate farmers. Mr. Badal invited all right-minded parties to raise voice against farm discriminatory policies of Union government to give lasting relief to the farmers.

The Deputy Chief Minister promised that the NDA on assuming power would link MSP with wholesale price index besides giving diesel to the farmers at Rs. 10 per liter.

PAY IMPLEMENTATION PANEL ASKED TO SUBMIT REPORT
WITHIN 2 WEEKS

CHANDIGARH APRIL 22:

The Punjab Government today constituted a 7-member Implementation Committee for the implementation of the recommendations of the 5th Punjab Pay Commission under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Mr. Ramesh Inder Singh and directed it to submit its report with in 2 weeks.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab government said that the other members of the committee would comprise Financial Commissioner Revenue Mrs. Romilla Dubey, Financial Commissioner Taxation Mr. SS Brar, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Financial Commissioner Development Mr. NS Kang and Secretary Personnel Mr. Iqbal Singh Sidhu. Principal Secretary Finance Mr. SC Aggarwal would be the member secretary of the committee.
The implementation committee would initially go into the general recommendations of the 5th Punjab Pay Commission. The proposals with the views of the committee shall be put up by the department of Finance to the Council of Ministers’ Meeting (CMM) for final decision. While considering the recommendations concerning specific department, the administrative secretaries and heads of the department would be associated by the committee. The proposals in respect of individual departments with the views of the committee would be processed and a consolidated memorandum placed before the CMM by the Finance department. The quorum of the meetings of the committee would be three but it should be necessary that the Chairman and the Finance Secretary were present in the meeting.

It may be recalled that the Chairman of the Fifth Punjab Pay Commission Mr. SK Tuteja submitted the report to the Punjab government on April 20. The Cabinet had already given in-principle approval for the implementation of the recommendations of the pay commission.

PB GOVT. SEEK EC’S NOD FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF PAY REPORT

CHANDIGARH APRIL 22, 2009

The Punjab government has sought the permission of Election Commission of India to place the report of the 5th Punjab Pay Commission along with the recommendations of the implementation committee before the Council of ministers for final decision so that the benefits are passed to the employees.

In a letter to the Election Commission of India, the State Chief Secretary Mr. Ramesh Inder Singh mentioned that since the Pay Commission has submitted its report and the same is under process/examination.
Meanwhile, the state government has constituted an implementation committee to process the recommendations and thereafter, place the report of the Commission alongwith recommendations of the implementation committee before the Council of Ministers for its final approval and implementation of the decision thereafter.

CHANDIGARH, APRIL 22:

Keeping in view of the wheather permitting and having due regard to the status of the crops, Kotla Branch off-taking from Patiala Feeder No.1 now will remain closed for side lining from RD 122119-215000 for 28 days from 1-5-2009 to 28-5-2009 (Both days inclusive).
This was disclosed by an official spokesman of the Irrigation Department, Punjab here today.

77.29 LAC TONNES WHEAT PROCURED IN PUNJAB

Chandigarh, April 22: Government agencies and private millers procured more than 7729707 tonnes of wheat till last evening
Out of total procurement of 7729707 tonnes of wheat in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 7719124 tonnes of wheat (99.9%) till date whereas private traders procured 10583 tonnes (0.1%) of wheat. Till April 21, PUNGRAIN had procured 1135734 tonnes (14.7%) whereas MARKFED procured 1777453 tonnes (23%). PUNSUP procured 1717720 tonnes (22.3%), PSWC procured 1025545 tonnes (13.3%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 875172 tonnes (11.3 %) of wheat.
The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 1187500 tonnes (15.4%).
The spokesman added that District Sangrur with 907458 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas District Ferozepur with 894915 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and district Patiala with 803732 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.