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Chandigarh, August 12 Hundreds of Party workers thronged the Shiromani Akali Dal head office on the first day of 3 to 5 PM daily open session initiated by visionary young face of Akali Dal. The party workers were thrilled to explain their points to Mr. Badal and SAD President noted their issues and useful suggestions for strengthening the party. Mr. Badal exerted the workers to take to the people of the state, the performance of SAD-BJP government in last 28 months and give an objective feed back regarding the success of various policies like Atta Dal scheme, Shagun Scheme etc. He said that he would also like to have suggestions of party workers on proposed administrative reforms. The proposed program of meeting workers that was to continue up
to 5 PM, lasted late evening till last worker was able to interact
with SAD President. PUNJAB TO OPEN 87 ADARSH SCHOOLS UNDER PPP MODE Disclosing this here today a spokesman of Education Department Punjab said that these Adarsh schools would impart study from pre-nursery to 10+2 classes and to be equipped with the necessary infrastructure where no fee and funds etc. whatsoever, would be charged from the rural students. The department had already been running 9 Adarsh schools in the state. The Punjab government’s emphasis was to impart quality school education for the poor meritorious and brilliant students, he said. He added that the Adarsh Schools, to be setup by the Punjab Education
Development Board (PEDB), would to provide free and quality education
to the brilliant and economically poor with rural background students
to enable them to provide equal opportunities of education at par
with their counterparts in urban areas. He further added that the operational cost of an Adarsh School
upto about 1000 students would be shared on 70:30 basis normative
between the Board and private partner. The expressions of interests
from eligible private partners including business groups and educational
managements have been invited for the opening of such Adarsh Schools
in the state.
Reviewing the working of Water Supply and Sanitation department here today, the Deputy Chief Minister said that he was committed to eliminate the menace of open defecation from the progressive state of Punjab and this project has to be implemented as a mission. He directed the Secretary, Water Supply and Sanitation to tie up the loose ends of this scheme and go for national bidding to select a company with a track record of executing mega rural projects of this dimension. He said that the quality control has to be touch stone of this project and a nodal officer for this project be appointed immediately to regularly monitor the quality of work being executed in the rural areas. Mr. Badal said that open defecation in a civilized society was a curse and we would strive to provide ultra modern flush toilets to the villagers to give them a sense of dignity and honor. He said that department would also take care to setup sewerage treatment plant in the villages to treat the sewage. Focusing on timely implementation of projects and balanced allocation
of funds, the Deputy Chief Minister asked the secretary to submit
monthly demand of funds for every project so that there was no delay
in the project due to late release of funds. He said that late execution
of projects result in rise in project cost disturbing the whole
execution plan. SUKHBIR DEMANDS SPECIAL DISPENSATION, PREFERENTIAL ALLOTMENT OF
COAL BLOCK FOR LANDLOCKED STATES : Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab today demanded that Union Government should give a preferential dispensation to landlocked states like Punjab, Haryana and Delhi in allotment of power, coal blocks and also exempting these states from the condition of 30% mandatory import of coal. Reviewing the progress of Goindwal, Talwandi Sabo, Rajpura and
Gidderbaha Thermal plants here today the Deputy Chief Minister said
that he would take up this matter with Union Government that these
states have a peculiar locational disadvantage, putting them at
receiving end, especially in peak power season. He said that due
to their location away from ports, and also from coal mines, these
states have to generate electricity after paying carriage charges
of coal as well as gas. Similar would be the position if these states
would be asked to import 30% their coal requirements. Reviewing the progress for upcoming Thermal Plants the Deputy Chief Minister asked Principal Secretary Power and Chairman PSEB to appoint Member (Finance), PSEB as the Nodal Officer for supervision of all the four Thermal plants to constantly monitor the progress at every stage, maintaining the construction schedule and ensuring deadlines in all these projects. He said that he would be personally meeting the MDs of the companies constructing these plants in Delhi next week to secure a firm commitment from them regarding the date of completion of these projects. He said that he would also pursue with power as well as coal ministry for expeditious allotment of a coal block for Gidderbaha plant. Asking PSEB to enter into short, middle and long term power purchase
agreements for next two years till the completion of Four Thermal
Plants so that there was enough power for next three years, he said
that PSEB must anticipate and enter into power purchase agreements
well in advance as spot purchase of power was costing PSEB very
heavily. Prominent amongst those who were present in the meeting included Chief Secretary Mr. S.C. Agrawal; Mr. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary Irrigation & Power; Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Viswajeet Khanna; Mr. H.S. Brar, Chairman PSEB; Mr. Manvesh Sidhu, Additional Secretary to Deputy CM; Mr. G.S. Sra, Member Generation PSEB and Mr. S.C. Sabharwal, Member Transmission PSEB. 7663 FISHERY UNITS ESTABLISHED IN PUNJAB—RANIKE CHANDIGARH, AUG 12, 2009 In order to bring 'Blue Revolution' in the state, Fisheries Department of Punjab has established 7663 Fishery units in Punjab, out of which 2242 units have been established in private lands and 5421 village ponds have been brought under fish culture. Disclosing this here today Mr Gulzar Singh Ranike, Animal Husbandry,
Fisheries and Dairy Development Minister Punjab Said that the state
has achieved 6560 kg. per hectare fish production which was highest
in the country. He said under the able guidance and dynamic efforts
of Punjab Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal more that 10,000
hectare area has been brought under fish culture in the state. With
this 50,000 people get direct or indirect employment in fish farming.
Chandigarh August 1, 2009 Punjab PWD Minister Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa in a high level meeting held here today to inspect the ongoing development works of the roads in the state and finish the works in a stipulated time. He also said to maintain and update road data register in all respects. Mr. Dhindsa directed the concerned to inspect the ongoing works
of the roads in the state and maintain the road data register updated
in all respects. Mr. Dhindsa also said that the inspecting officer must give detailed comments after inspecting works under execution of road on regular basis. Completion certificates for any road work be given only then, the road should be inspected by the next superior authority. Defect Liability Period (DLP) of minimum must be provided in all contracts so the concerned Superintendent Engineer must check the road prior to the date of DLP and list out all the defects in the road. He directed the officers that realistic time period for the completion of work must be fixed in the contract agreement. While implementing all the directions and points in letter and spirit there would be definite improvement in the quality of the road works and a reduction in time and cost overruns. OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, AMRITSAR AMRITSAR, AUGUST 11, 2009 Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab today said that his agenda for the next three years is to make the life of common citizen of Punjab easier by getting him rid of red tapism in all Government Departments. Speaking to Media after paying obeisance at Sri Harmindar Sahib after being sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Badal said that he has come to seek blessings from Waheguru to give him strength and courage to implement his agenda for the welfare of people of Punjab. He said that there is corruption and red tapism at the cutting edge level, the common citizen becomes the victim and it reflects poorly on the image of the whole Government. He said that his prime task was to initiate series of administrative reforms in all public dealing departments so that the procedures could be simplified and the door step service could be offered to the citizens of Punjab. He said that simplification of driving license, arms license, land and property transfer and approval of building plan procedures were some of the areas in which he would like to bring drastic reforms. Focusing on accountability and target oriented implementation of plans, Mr. Badal said that he would ensure that the “Chalta Hai Attitude” becomes history in Punjab Administration. He would be fixing targets for the implementation of various projects and would make concerned officer accountable for failure, if any. The Deputy Chief Minister said that he would make public servants accountable to public. Besides catering to public interest, Mr. Badal today made his intentions of rejuvenating various defunct Government Departments with the revelation that Information and Public Relations Department, Punjab would be equipped with the latest technology. He also informed that the comprehensive Media Policy for Punjab would be prepared soon in consensus with the demands of the Media community. Reiterating his resolve to make Punjab power plus, Mr. Badal said that he would review the status of four Thermal Plants in the State and after upgrading himself regarding various hurdles if any, he would personally talk to concerned parties to iron out the impediments for timely implementation of these projects. He acknowledged that in his earlier five months stint he could not monitor the progress of these projects because of various elections and added that he would now focus on translating all the promises in SAD-BJP Manifesto into reality. Replying to a query on separate Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee for Haryana, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that he as the President of Shiromani Akali Dal Badal would make all out efforts within the constitutional framework to ensure that no such initiative is taken. Haryana Government should keep away from the religious affairs of Sikh Community, said he. Mr. Badal said that public opinion would be built on this issue and it would be ensured that this unjustified proposal is ended once for all. ` Later, Mr. Badal visited the historic Jallianwala Bagh and paid floral tributes to the martyrs. He also paid obeisance at Sri Durgiana Tirath, Amritsar. The newly appointed Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab was accompanied by Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Cabinet Minister,Punjab, Mr. Hardev Singh Mattewal, Advocate General,Punjab, Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan, the newly elected MLA from Kahnuwan Assembly constituency, Mr. Inderbir Singh Bularia, Mr. Amarpal Singh Bony, Mr. Malkit Singh A.R(All MLAs), Mr. Shwait Malik, Mayor and Mr. Vir Singh Lopoke, Ex-MLA and Chairman, District Planning Committee, during his visit to Amritsar. PUNJAB DRAFTS BUDGETARY ESTIMATES OF RS. 1123 CRORE UNDER NREGA Toll-free helpline to be launched soon-Brahmpura Chandigarh August 11, 2009 The Punjab Government has drafted budgetary estimates of Rs. 1123 crore for various projects to be completed in the state under National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) scheme. A toll-free helpline for NREGA would be launched very soon. This was disclosed by Mr. Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Rural Development
and Panchayats Minister Punjab while presiding over a meeting of
Punjab State Employment Guarantee Council here today. He said that
all the Deputy Commissioners and Additional Deputy Commissioners
(D) had earlier been asked to prepare estimated projects for various
development works to be covered under the NREGA scheme. The Rural
Development Department has prepared budgetary estimates of Rs. 1123
crore under NREGA to be submitted to the Government of India (GoI)
for release of funds to the state. Mr. Brahmpura further added that to implement total sanitation
in the villages, the state government has asked the GoI to include
construction of sanitation units (Toilets) for the BPL families
under NREGA scheme. The state government has proposed to construct
more than 10 lac toilets for the beneficiaries in the state. The meeting was attended by Mr. Jagpal Singh Sandhu Financial Commissioner Rural Development and Panchayats, Dr. S. Karuna Raju Joint Development Commissioner NREGA & Special Secretary, Mr. Raminder Singh Labour Commissioner and officers of various departments including council members. SUKHBIR ORDERS CENSUS OF NRIs IN PUNJAB Chandigarh, August 11, 2009 Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal who is also having charge of NRI's affairs today ordered comprehensive census of NRIs in Punjab so that schemes for their welfare could be initiated in well coordinated manner. Mr. Badal issued these instructions while interacting with renowned philanthropist NRI Lord Rana, Honorary Consul of India, Northern Ireland & Executive Vice President, GOPIO International. The Deputy Chief Minister asked Mr. Gagandeep Singh Brar, Commissioner NRI Affairs to issue a communiqué to all the Deputy Commissioners in the State to start door to door survey in every village, town and city of Punjab for compiling most detailed data bank of all the NRIs hailing from Punjab in their respective districts. He said that revenue officials and officials of other departments including Patwaris in the rural areas could be asked to compile data and this responsibility could be assigned to Municipal Corporations/Councils and Nagar Panchayats in urban areas. He said that this unique data bank has a great significance as more than 20 lac Punjabis were living in different parts of the world and it would further supplement the UID project launched recently by the Union Government and also Union Government's data for Parvasi Bharati Schemes. Mr. Badal said that he recognized the importance of this data especially when Punjabi studying and serving in Australia became victims of racist attacks and Punjab government was finding it difficult to contact their families in Punjab due to lack of any updated data. Mr. Badal said that once fully compiled, this data would be put on a website which could be accessed by NRIs living abroad and could be updated constantly. Mr. Badal sought the help of Lord Rana in this ambitious venture and said that he should also contact other NRI bodies to become partner in this novel project of Punjab government. Lord Rana offered to set up world class University in Ucha Pind (Sanghol) and sought Punjab government's assistance in the culmination of this project. He informed the Deputy Chief Minister about vocational courses and various skilled vocation courses to be offered by the University. Lord Rana said that Punjab can excel in export by concentrating on quality control of products being manufactured by Industry. He also suggested to start Made in Punjab Certification mandatory for every protect being manufactured in the state and offered Gopio Lord Rana Award for Excellence in Quality Standards besides offering full sponsorship for this purpose. He also emphasized on the need on investing in their employees by the employers for ensuring their better and latest training. Besides this, Lord Rana also offered to set up an Organic Farming Institute by NRIs to promote as well as coordinate an efficient system of Organic Farming practices including procurement and Marketing Strategy Planning by using NRI contacts abroad. The Deputy Chief Minister thanked the visiting NRI for taking initiatives in the field of Education and Agriculture and assured him of every possible help for his initiatives. Describing the NRIs an important link for the over all development of their respective native places, Mr. Badal said that the state government was fully committed to provide backup support to the various development initiatives being undertaken by the NRIs. Prominent amongst others present on the occasion included Mr. H.S. Mattewal, Advocate General Punjab, Mr. D.S. Guru, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Mr. Gaggandeep Singh Brar, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Commissioner NRI Affairs. DGP RELEASES PUNJAB POLICE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER Chandigarh, August 11: Punjab DGP Mr. P.S. Gill today released the inaugural edition of Punjab Police monthly newsletter here in his office. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Gill said that this newsletter has
been restarted with a view to establish a close direct link between
the Punjab Police Headquarters and the cutting edge level of force
i.e. Constabulary.He informed that this newsletter would comprise
of important Government instructions, instructions issued and important
decisions taken by various wings of Punjab Police, various welfare
measures, technological initiatives, photographs and articles on
achievements of policemen rewarded for their good work. Excerpts
of important court judgments having a bearing on police working
including investigations and personnel management would also be
published in it, he added. . All the Additional DGsP and other senior officers posted at Police
Headquarters were present on the occasion.
The Irrigation Department, Punjab has announced the Rotational
Programme for irrigation for the Khariff Season through Canal water
from 12-8-2009 to 19-8-2009. The channels of Sirhind Canal System
would run on the priority basis from Bathinda Branch, Bist Doab,
Sidhwan Branch, Patiala feeder and Abohar Branch respectively. The spokesman also said that the Sabraon Branch with its distributaries being in the channels of first Preference would run to their indent and balance water would be supplies water available in Kasur Branch Lower, Main Branch Lower, Lahore Branch, with their distributaries respectively.
PUNJAB GOVERNMENT APPROVES 336 MEGA PROJECTS Chandigarh, August 11, 2009 Punjab Government has approved 336 Mega Projects with the private investment of Rs.97.163 crore which would provide employment to more than 12 lakh persons. Disclosing this here today Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Industry, Commerce and Local Government Minister Punjab said that four Textile Parks, Foundry and Machine tolls cluster at Batala had been approved by Government of India. He said that 20 clusters for micro, small and medium enterprises were proposed to be set up in the state. Industry Minister further said that two centres of Northern India
Institute of Fashion Technology (NIIFT) had been opened at Ludhiana
and Jalandhar. The State government is actively considering to enact
a SEZ Act and to formulate new industry policy. Mr. Kalia said that
the up gradation of existing industrial focal points was a matter
that requires immediate attention. Punjab Government would earmark
Rs.25 crore for this purpose, against the allocation of Rs.20 crore
last year. RS. 1 CRORE DISTRIBUTED FOR THE WELFARE OF INDUSTRIAL LABOUR-SUD Chandigarh
August 11 , 2009 A sum of Rs. 1 Crore has been spent for the welfare of family members of the Industrial Labourers. Sewing machines, computers, cycles, televisions have been given to the families of the Industrial workers. Disclosing this here today, Mr. Tikshan Sud Labour Minister Punjab said that tomorrow another welfare fund distribution camp is going to be organized at Nehru Sidhant Kendra, Bhaiwala Chowk Ludhiana. Mr. P. Ram, Principal Secretary Labour would preside over the function. Mr. Sud appealed to the Labour class to attend the function, so that they could come to know about the welfare schemes especially envisaged by the state government for them. The Minister further said that Punjab Labour welfare Board was constituted in 1974, which comprises of total 18 members. In which six members each from officials, administrative and Labourers were included. The main aim of the Board was to launch welfare schemes for the upliftment of families of labour class. The Minister said a special contributry scheme has also been initiated in which every labourer contributes Re. one per month and administration would contribute Rs. 2 per month with this about Rs. 1.50 crore would be collected and deposited in the welfare fund. Mr. Sud reiterated Punjab Government's resolve to provide all basic facilities to the industrial workers in the state RS. 67 CRORE FOR UP GRADATION AND EXPANSION OF 20 ITI'S – SWARNA RAM Chandigarh August 11, 2009 The Punjab Government has taken effective steps for the up gradation and expansion of 20 Industrial Training Institutes (ITI's) of the State. A proposal to the tune of Rs.67 crore has been sent to Government of India for approval. Disclosing this here today Ch. Swarna Ram, Technical Education and Industrial Training Minister Punjab said that Eleven ITI s would be upgraded and expanded in Border areas and Nine new ITI s would be set up in unrepresented Blocks of border areas. On completion of this project training would be imparted to 3800 students, he added. The Minister said that short term courses have also been started in 52 Government ITIs for school dropout, Industrial workers and persons working in informal sector. He said the entire fee of the pass out trainees would be reimbursed under this special scheme on which Rs. 36 crore were being spent. Minister further said that free training in Driver cum Mechanic trade was being provide to the scheduled caste candidates in seven ITI s and a stipend of Rs. 1000/- per month per trainee was also being paid to these students, 1600 trainees were being benefited under this scheme. Keeping in view to raise the living standard of scheduled caste and to generate more avenues of employment the Driver – cum – Mechanic course has been granted to 13 new ITI s which would benefit 520 more trainees and a sum of Rs. 10 crore would also be spent to provide free training to 6000 scheduled caste candidates, he added. RS. 1 CRORE DISTRIBUTED FOR THE WELFARE OF INDUSTRIAL LABOUR-SUD Chandigarh August 11, 2009 A sum of Rs. 1 Crore has been spent for the welfare of family members of the Industrial Labourers. Sewing machines, computers, cycles, televisions have been given to the families of the Industrial workers. Disclosing this here today, Mr. Tikshan Sud Labour Minister Punjab said that tomorrow another welfare fund distribution camp is going to be organized at Nehru Sidhant Kendra, Bhaiwala Chowk Ludhiana. Mr. P. Ram, Principal Secretary Labour would preside over the function. Mr. Sud appealed to the Labour class to attend the function, so that they could come to know about the welfare schemes especially envisaged by the state government for them. The Minister further said that Punjab Labour welfare Board was
constituted in 1974, which comprises of total 18 members. In which
six members each from officials, administrative and Labourers were
included. The main aim of the Board was to launch welfare schemes
for the upliftment of families of labour class. The Minister said
a special contributry scheme has also been initiated in which every
labourer contributes Re. one per month and administration would
contribute Rs. 2 per month with this about Rs. 1.50 crore would
be collected and deposited in the welfare fund. Mr. Sud reiterated
Punjab Government's resolve to provide all basic facilities to the
industrial workers in the state
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