NHAI SETS UP REGIONAL OFFICE AT MOHALI TO EXPEDITE ROAD PROJECTS IN PUNJAB
SUKHBIR SEEKS SPECIAL ROAD SECTOR PACKAGE FOR STATE

Chandigarh, August 21: Infrastructure Development in Punjab got a major impetus today with National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) deciding to set up its Regional Office at SAS Nagar, Mohali, to expedite road projects in the state.
The decision follows a meeting which the Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal had today with Mr. Kamal Nath, Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways at New Delhi. Mr. Kamal Nath informed Deputy Chief Minister that this office would be manned by Senior Chief General Manager and all Project Directors of various on going projects in Punjab would be under him. He also informed that a specialized Office would also be set up at Ludhiana to finalize all land acquisition issues of NHAI.

Earlier the Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Badal sought a special package of Union government for revitalizing, expansion and strengthening of Road Sector of Border State Punjab besides expediting the sanction of Pathankot-Ajmer Expressway.
Accompanied by State PWD (B&R) Minister Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa and senior Punjab government officers, the Deputy Chief Minister forcefully presented the case of Punjab for time bound Special Package for the Road Sector of the State, keeping in view the strategic location of Punjab on Indo- Pak Border besides being the only transit point for the border state Jammu and Kashmir. He impressed upon the Minister that with the opening of Attari Border through road route, the majority of Cement, Vegetables, Dry fruits, Tea and Beetle leaves export and import from and to Pakistan and Middle East countries has increased manifold, putting a greater load on existing road infrastructure of Punjab. He said that it was imperative for Union government to sanction a special package for road sector of Punjab, for facilitating the exporters and importers, besides in the interest of security of the country.

Mr. Badal also sought immediate clearance of 155 Km long four laning of Patiala-Bathinda NH-64 in view of increased traffic on that route due to upcoming refinery, thermal plants and other big projects in Bathinda. He sought expeditious clearance of this project, cutting short the time of feasibility study and other formalities so that economic activity in Bathinda region does not suffer due to poor road connectivity.

The Deputy Chief Minister brought to the notice of Union Minister the pending sanction of four laning of 68 Km stretch of Kharar-Ludhiana section and 92 Km. stretch of Ludhiana- Talwandi Bhai section of National Highway -95. He said that with the increasing traffic in these sections, there were number of increasing fatal accidents. He said that Project Director, NHAI has already submitted his report recommending early four laning of these sections and Union Ministry should approve this at the earliest. Mr. Kamal Nath assured Deputy Chief Minister that he has already issued instructions to complete four laning of this project by March, 2010.

Mr. Badal also sought early approval of Union Government for four laning of National Highway-10 Malout-Dabwali Section to be taken up by State PWD. He said that proposal for four laning NH-10 on BoT basis of Design, Build, Finance, and Operate under PPP mode was already pending with the Union Ministry. He requested the Minister to approve the feasibility report at the earliest so that the work could be taken in hand.

The Deputy Chief Minister also brought to the notice of Union Minister that four laning of Dhilwan –Amritsar stretch of Jalandhar-Amritsar Highway NH-1 was nearing completion where as work has not been allotted for 20 Km stretch of Jalandhar- Dhilwan. The Union Minister assured that the contractor constructing Dhilwan-Amritsar stretch would also be allotted this 20 Km stretch so that whole Jalandhar –Amritsar stretch could be four laned in one go.

Mr. Kamal Nath assuring total support to Punjab-Centric road projects said that his ministry would not be found wanting in sanction of any project for important state like Punjab. He assured to Deputy Chief Minister that he would give due priority to the projects of Border state, as Punjab was strategically important for the security of the country. The Minister also assured that he would get the demand of special package for road sector of Punjab examined. He said that Ministry would soon examine and sanction three National Highway expansion projects at the earliest. He also assured liberal funding for road projects of the Punjab.

The Union Ministry was represented by Director General Roads, Mr. Nirmaljit Singh and Chief Engineer (P-1) Mr. S.K. Marwaha and Senior officers of NHAI. Mr. Badal was assisted by Mr. Sudhir Mittal, Principal Resident Commissioner and Mr. J.S.Sandhu, Chief Engineer (National Highways).

PUNJAB GOVT. ALLOWS EXECUTION OF CONVEYANCE DEED TO RE-ALLOTTEES AT ALLOTMENT PRICE

CHANDIGARH AUGUST 21, 2009

The Punjab government today decided to allow the holders of immovable property re-allotted through transfer by the government/semi government organizations for the execution of conveyance deed at the allotment price.

An assurance to this effect was given by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal to a Joint Action Committee of All Residents Welfare Association of SAS Nagar Mohali in a meeting held here this morning.

The Chief Minister asked the Financial Commissioner Revenue to bring a detailed agenda in this regard for approval in the next meeting of the Council of Ministers. Mr. Badal also assured the members of the Joint Action Committee that all the re-allottees would be considered at par with the original allottees for the purpose of registration of conveyance deed at the allotment price.

The government also decided that the legal heirs of the deceased original allottees of immovable property allotted by government/semi government would also be entitled to the benefits allowed to original allottees. The government also decided to extend the same benefit for the transfer of the immovable property by the original allottees to their legal heirs.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also further extended the time limit for the execution of conveyance deed till December 31, 2009.

The members of the committee thanked the Chief Minister for resolving their long pending issue in their favour and assured him that they would pursue all the allottees who had not yet got the conveyance deed registered and would impress upon them to get the same with in the stipulated time frame.

It may be recalled that the Punjab government had earlier allowed the original allottees of immovable property allotted by government/semi government organization to get their properties registered at the original allotment price by 2nd September 2009 or with in three months from the date of last regular installment.

The meeting was also attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Dr.Daljit Singh Cheema, Media Advisor Mr.Harcharan Bains, Financial Commissioner Revenue Mrs.Romila Dubey, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr.DS Guru, Secretary Revenue Mr.Jaspal Singh, Chief Administrator GAMADA Mr.Vivek Partap Singh, Deputy Commissioner Mohali Mr. PS Mand and Additional Principal Secretary Mr.Gaggandip Singh Brar.

The Punjab Government today nominated Mr. Amarjit Singh Chowhan and Mr. Sudhir Sud as the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Market Committee Hoshiarpur under Sub Section (1) of Section 16 of Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets Act, 1961.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Punjab government under Section 12 of Punjab Agriculture Produce Markets Act, 1961(Punjab Act No.23 of 1961) had also nominated 11 members of the Market Committee Hoshiarpur which included Mr. Manjit Singh, Mr. Harvinder Singh, Mr.Gurdeep Singh, Mr.Mohan Singh, Mr.Surinderpal Singh Sandhu, Mrs.Kashmir Kaur, Mr. Lashkar Singh, Mr. Karamjit Singh, Mr. Paramjit Singh, Mr. Prem Singh and Mr. Gurmit Singh as members.

The respective notifications relating to these nominations had already been issued by the State Agriculture department.

The Punjab Government has finalized the draft policy to allot land for charitable health institutions in the state.
A decision in this regard has been taken at a high level meeting held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here late last evening.

Taking part in the brain storming session Mr. Badal made it clear that these institutions must be made liable to provide free quality health service to the poor under BPL, Blue Card holders and persons earning Rs.5000/- per month or lass.
Meanwhile, a spokesman of the Chief Minister's office informed that as per the policy PUDA, development authorities, Municipal committees, Improvement Trusts, Local government and Panchayats would allot land in small cities and towns to the non profitable and charitable health institutions/trusts and companies which had been registered under society registration act 1860/trust act 1882 and company act 1956 under section 25 with minimum registration period of three years, on 99 years lease basis under approved rules and conditions. This policy would not be implemented in Mohali, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Patiala. The maximum area of 2000 sq. yards would be allotted with 10% proposed variation to the eligible institution for the construction of 100-bedded two-storied hospital with in the period of three years after the allotment.

A Screening Committee comprising Chief Executive and additional Chief Executive of land allotting authority, Deputy Commissioner or his representative, Expert (CMO level Officer) from Health department and Chief Accounts officer from PUDA/ Local Government, would give its recommendations after a thorough scrutiny of the financial status, track record and annual audit reports of the institution, said the spokesman.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Medical Education & Research Minister Mr. Tikshan Sud, Vice Chairman Punjab State Planning Board Dr. J.S. Bajaj, Chief Secretary Mr. S.C. Agrawal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. D.S. Guru, Principal Secretary Local Government Mr. D.S. Bains, Principal Secretary Industries Mr. S.S. Channi, Principal Secretary Finance Karan A. Singh, Secretary Housing Mr. Arun Goel, Secretary Medical Education Mrs. Anjali Bhawra and Chief Administrator PUDA Mr. A.K. Sinha.

DOCTORS INDULGING IN PRIVATE PRACTICES WOULD NOT BE SPARED----SUD

Chandigarh August 21, 2009

Mr. Tikshan Sud, Medical Education and Research, Forests and Wild Life Minister Punjab has asked the Principals of Medical, Dental and Nursing Colleges of the state to ensure proper implementation of administrative reforms as the state government was fully committed to bring administrative machinery on track as one of its top most priority . He also directed the senior officers of the Department to identify the erring doctors, who were habitual of indulging in illegal practices and also claiming Non Practicing Allowance , so that the necessary action could be taken against them in the larger public interest. In order to bring reforms and transparency in medical profession, Mr. Sud directed the DRME, Joint DRME and all principals of government Medical, Dental, Ayurvedic and Nursing Colleges to call the Medical Superintendents in an emergent meeting on August 24, 2009 at Chandigarh with a view to check the irregularities and project the Punjab Government in the right perspective. Steps being taken by the government to curb ragging in the medical colleges would also be reviewed in the meeting, he added.

Taking a serious view of the incidents of doctors indulging in private practices particularly in Patiala and Amritsar districts where gross irregularities have been found putting the lives of the patients in danger in the government hospitals and dispensaries, the Minister said that the number of patients in government health institutions have been decreasing day by day because the doctors prefer them treating at their residences misusing the government equipment rather than in the hospitals. Some doctors have been found issuing false medico-legal reports for their financial benefits which give way to the anti-social and criminal elements and bring a bad name to the Government as well. Similarly it has come to the notice that certain doctors also charge money for operating upon the patients in the government hospitals which goes contrary to the medical ethics. Taking serious note of doctors who further appoint doctors on their place of posting, Mr. Sud said strict disciplinary and exemplary action would be initiated against them, so that no one could dare in future to take such steps.

Adding further the Minister said that it was unfortunate that the doctors who were on administrative duties given accommodation within the premises of the institute prefer to stay outside flouting the rules and affecting the administration of the medical colleges. Giving strict instructions, Mr. Sud warned such Medical Officers to pull up their socks otherwise strict administrative action would be taken against them.

Chandigarh August 21, 2009

The Punjab Government had decided to upgrade all 50 cattle fair grounds in the state by providing more basic amenities. In the first phase four cattle fair grounds would be modernised at a cost of Rs. 15 crore during the fiscal.

Disclosing this here on Friday Mr. Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Rural Development and Panchayats Department Minister Punjab said that department has visualized a modernization plan for these cattle fair grounds in the state to attract the farmers to sell or buy quality milch animals from the cattle fairs. The main objective of the cattle fairs and shows was to bring together the cattle breeders and the buyers in direct touch to negotiate an adequate price, besides bringing handsome income to the state, he said.

He further added that during the first phase the four cattle fair grounds situated at Valla in Amritsar, Tarntarn, Killianwali (Muktsar) and Nabipur (Fathegarh Sahib) would be modernised at a cost of Rs. 15 crore. The designs for their up-gradation has been approved and facilities at the cattle fair grounds like pucca sheds, veterinary dispensaries, lodging, lighting, toilets, drinking water, fodder, parking etc would be provided under the modernisation plan, he said.
The minister disclosed that department had been organizing 750 cattle fairs at these 50 cattle fair grounds at fortnightly or monthly and fairs were being auctioned yearly. The department would fetch record collections of Rs. 24 crore approximately from Rs. 3.00 crore during the fiscal from auctioning of the cattle fairs, he added.

He said that a number of facilities to the animals, buyers and sellers at these cattle fairs and shows, were already being provided by the department as well as contractors. Besides, light arrangements including tents, sufficient quantity of fodder and drinking water were also being arranged at the site of the fair, he said.

The rural development minister said that in each district, a Cattle Fair Officer with necessary supporting staff, had also been provided to organise cattle fairs. These were generally being held near the railway stations and the main roads. The quality animals brought from these fairs fetches better prices to the farmers in the cattle fairs in other states, he added.