EXPRESSWAY NOW TO LINK ROPAR-NAWANSHEHAR-PHAGWARA ROAD

PROMINENT ROAD SIGNAGES, REFLECTORS ALONG ALL ROADS TO GUIDE COMMUTERS

Chandigarh, August 28, 2009

The Punjab government would soon develop the existing Ropar-Balachaur-Nawanshahr-Phagwara road into an express highway to ensure better connectivity and smooth flow of vehicular traffic.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting chaired by the Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal and attended, among others, by PWD B&R minister Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa and senior officials of the Irrigation & PWD (B&R) and PIDB here last night.

Giving details of the decisions taken in the meeting, Chief Minister’s Media Advisor Mr. Harcharan Bains said that the decision to link Mohali with Jalandhar with the world class expressway along the old alignment follows the government’s decision not to go ahead with the proposed new alignment because of against the wishes of the farmers whose lands fell enroute the proposed artery. However, the expressway along the alignment of the old state highway would have all the features which were planned for Lalru-Dera Bassi-Mohali-Phagwara new expressway.

Besides this prestigious project other state roads viz Sirhind-Morinda-Ropar with Morind-Kurali section, Batala-Mehta-Beas, Tanda-Sri Hargobindpur-Mehta-Amritsar, Muktsar-Kotkapura, Dhanaula-Bhiki-Budhlada and Boha-Rattia (upto Haryana Border) would be upgraded into world class surface transport arteries having bypasses at all major congestion points, elevated flyovers and underbridges through large towns enroute. Work on the first phase of this premier infrastructure asset would begin early next year and the whole project would be completed within two years. The Deputy Chief Minister had directed the PWD (B&R) department to carry out a feasibility report to assess the cost estimates with in two months.

Another major decision taken at the level of Deputy Chief Minister was to construct state roads along the main canals providing direct and shortened linkages between the key destinations in the state. This would be done by completely upgrading the roads including Ropar-Chamkaur Sahib-Neelon-Doraha along Sirhind Canal with Neelon-Doraha section, Doraha to Jagraon-Raikot road along Abohar Branch, Rayya on NH-1 to Khara on NH-15 along Sabhraon Branch and Nidampur-Lehra along Ghaggar Branch. The process of upgradation on all these routes would be undertaken in a phased manner. Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal also directed the PWD (B&R) department to explore the possibility for construction of a new high level bridge across the river Sutlej near Ropar Headworks as the old bridge was too narrow and in dilapidated condition. Moreover, the cost of maintenance was also too high and was not financially viable.

In another significant decision Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal also directed the PWD (B&R) department to undertake extensive plantation on both sides of the roads to make these routes more serene and eco friendly.

To ensure road safety and smooth flow of vehicular traffic in state, the government has ordered putting up prominent road signages on all roads in the state and to upgrade these to include signs for directions to every village and town along the routes. The signages, having complete information about direction, distance and location would be designed along the internationally accepted format, with white letters on green back ground. All Deputy Commissioners and Commissioners of Corporations have been asked to ensure that there is no defacement of these signages and milestones through pasting of hand bills and posters over them. Strict vigil would be kept against offenders and local authorities would be held accountable for non-compliance of government’s orders, the Deputy Chief Minister told the officers in the meeting.
The meeting was also attended by PWD (B&R) Minister Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Media Advisor Mr. Harcharan Bains, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. D.S. Guru, Principal Secretary Irrigation & Power Mr. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Visawjit Khanna, MD PIDB Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, Project Director World Bank M.S. Nijjar besides the Chief Engineers of Irrigation & PWD (B&R) departments.

SUKHBIR TO SEEK TAMIL NADU PATERN FOR EARLY COMPLETITION 45 ROBs IN PUNJAB

Chandigarh, Aug 28

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab, would soon meet Union Railway Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee and Chairman Railway Board at New Delhi, seeking integrated development of ROBs by a single construction agency as being allowed in Tamil Nadu, for their expeditious completion.

Concerned over bottlenecks and delays coming in the way of early completion of 45 ROBs in the State, Mr. Badal today held a review meeting with the PWD minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa and senior officers of PWD (B&R) and PIDB. It was explained in the meeting that completion of ROB’s gets delayed because of divided work of each ROB between Railways and Punjab government. Mr. Dhindsa explained that the bridges over railway lines portion were constructed by Railway Engineering department, whereas the approach road to the ROB on both sides were constructed by state government. He said that delay was caused due to the divided responsibility on every bridge. Often approach road get constructed but the construction of main bridge gets delayed, mostly due to tendering disputes, design finalization and clearance of estimates etc. When the bridge ultimately gets completed the approach roads often gets worn off.
Impressed by the Railways arrangement with Tamil Nadu government for integrated development of ROBs by single construction agency, Mr. Badal said that he would soon approach Union Railway Minister for replication of same model in Punjab also. He said that presently 27 ROBs were under various stages of construction and new arrangement can not be implemented in the existing projects. He said that for the newly sanctioned 18 ROB’s in the state we can enter to an agreement with Railways where total work of 60 percent ROBs including approach road and bridge structure would be completed as an integrated unit by the Punjab government and rest 40 percent could be completed by Railways on the same pattern. He said that single construction agency for one ROB would expedite the construction of these ROBs and there would not any day to day coordination problems between Railways and state government.

Mr. Badal also asked PWD department to designate one senior officer as liaison officer in Delhi who would coordinate with various Union Ministries to get the sanction and clearances of various road projects from different Union Ministries pending with them. Mr. Badal sought firm deadline for completion of every ROB in the state, to mitigate the problems being faced by the public due to their delayed construction.

Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Mr. Harcharan Bains Media Advisor to Chief Minister, Mr. D.S Guru, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Viswajit Khanna, Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister, Mr.S.S Sandhu, MD,PIDB, Mr Manvesh Singh Sidhu, Additional Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister , Mr. Gagandeep Singh Brar, DIPR and all Chief Engineers of PWD(B&R)/PIDB.

PIMS JALLANDHAR TO BE UNDER PPP MODE FUNCTIONAL BY YEAR END

Chandigarh, August 28, 2009

The Concession Agreement has been signed by the Government of Punjab, Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Society and PIMS Medical & Educational Charitable Society here today. Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, President PIMS Medical & Educational Charitable Society, Ms. Anjali Bhawra Secretary Medical Education and Research Punjab and Dr. Jai Krishan, Director Research and Medical Education Punjab signed the documents.

According to a Spokesman of the Govt., the Medical College with minimum 100 seats and 500 bedded hospital located 300 meters from Jalandhar City was nearing completion and would be managed and operationalized under PPP by PIMS Medical & Educational Charitable Society. The Hospital would be made functional within this year and the admissions to the first batch of MBBS Students would commence from next academic year i.e. in 2010. A multi specialty block with super-specialties would be setup in the second phase, said the spokesman. He further said that the Institute would provide world class research facilities and affordable medical care to the poor and needy people. The below poverty line patients would be treated free of cost.

Dr. A.S. Padda, Director PIMS, Mr. Rakesh Mahajan, Mr. Raja Sekhar, Mr. Ravi Dhaliwal and Brig. K.S.Chandpuri all members of the PIMS Medical & Educational Charitable Society and S. Charanjit Singh Dhaliwal were present on the occasion.

In a path breaking decision, the Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today directed the local government authorities to remove all the unauthorized hoardings including political bill boards, with immediate effect. He said such hoardings were not only traffic hazardous as they distracted the attention of the commuters but were a public nuisance in ordinary times. He said that as a party with long traditions of sacrifice, the SAD was opposed to the culture of flattery and self-glorification.

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal who is also the President of Shiromani Akali Dal has directed all party men, office bearers and leaders not to erect such hoardings or paste posters on the public places and the central leadership of the party would be soon conveyed this decision for its strict compliance.

The meeting was also attended by PWD (B&R) Minister Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Media Advisor Mr. Harcharan Bains, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. D.S. Guru, Principal Secretary Irrigation & Power Mr. Suresh Kumar, Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Visawjit Khanna, MD PIDB Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, Project Director World Bank M.S. Nijjar besides the Chief Engineers of Irrigation & PWD (B&R) departments.

MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES TO GET NEW SCALES

Chandigarh, August 28, 2009

Mr. Manoranjan Kalia Local Government Minister Punjab directed the Mayors, Commissioners of various Corporations and the Deputy Directors of all the Regions in Punjab to implement the revised pay scales for the employees and pensioners of all Urban Local Bodies immediately. The decision was announced in a meeting with all the Mayors and Commissioners of various Corporations and Deputy Directors of all the Regions of Punjab today at Chandigarh. Noting that the decision would put a burden on the resources of the Urban Local Bodies, the Local Government Minister exhorted the Commissioners and the Deputy Directors to make all out efforts for collecting the dues and arrears on account of house tax, water rate and other charges so that the salaries can be paid comfortably and also better civic amenities could be provided to the citizens.

To give relief to various colonies which have been set up over a long period of time, it was decided to consider them as declared colonies as per guidelines issued in 1999 and 2004. Earlier the development works in such colonies were to be carried out by the Municipal Corporation only after 75% of the total development charges are deposited by the residents/association of the colony. The Local Government Minister announced that in place of 75% where 50% of total development charges are deposited by the residents/association of the colony, the Municipal Corporation will start development works in that colony. To ensure that the Municipal Corporation does not suffer loss of development charges, it was decided that those colonies which paid all the concerned charges within the next six months would be entitled to a 10% discount. The Government may consider enhancing the development charges after February 2010.

To raise more resources for the Municipal Corporations, the issue of charging C.L.U. in non scheme areas and in such areas where schemes were proposed but could not be got approved was discussed in the meeting. It was pointed out that many schemes proposed 20-25 years could not be finalized for one reason or the other. The Mayors and the Commissioners suggested the Corporations could raise resources by bringing the all non scheme areas into the ambit of "C.L.U. instructions." It may be recalled that many commercial establishments are coming up in non scheme areas on the same road where Town Planning schemes have been declared across the road. After detailed discussion it was decided to levy "Change of Land Use" charges even in the Scheme & Non Scheme areas. It is hoped that reasonable amount of CLU charges can be collected on this score. Mayors and Commissioners have been advised to place the matter before their respective houses and for suggesting the rates of CLU in non scheme and proposed scheme areas so that these could be levied from the day of passing of resolution by the respective Houses on all the plans which are submitted after the resolutions are passed.

Most of the towns wear a shabby look due to the presence of un-planned advertisements and bill boards extolling the virtues of leaders of various political parties. After discussions it was decided that electronic bill boards be put in each town and advertisements for the same be given in national papers. The Local Government Minister desired that 10 electronic bill boards should be set up in each town. The highest bidder could also decide the location and size of each bill board. Political parties and other advertisers could also hire the services of electronic media to get a larger reach for their messages.

The Minister hoped that the decisions would be implemented in letter and spirit not only to raise resources but also to provide better civic amenities to the citizens. Mr. D.S. Bains Principal Secretary Local Government and Senior officers were also present in the meeting.

Badal calls on HRD Minister
HRD MINISTRY GIVES NOD FOR IIIT IN PUNJAB
SANCTIONS RS.63.42 CRORE FOR 21 MODEL SCHOOLS IN PUNJAB

CHANDIGARH AUGUST 27, 2009

The Ministry of Human Resources Development (HRD) gave in principle approval to the Punjab government for setting up of Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in the state.

An assurance to this effect was given by Human Resources Development Minister Mr. Kapil Sibal to the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal in a meeting held in his office at New Delhi on Wednesday. The upcoming IIIT would be developed in PPP mode over an area of 100 acres, with equal share of GoI, Punjab government & industry.
Mr. Sibal also informed the Chief Minister that the HRD Ministry had already the proposal for establishing 13 new degree colleges in educationally backward districts of the state as recommended by the Experts Committee of University Grants Commission in Amritsar, Bathinda, Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Mansa, Moga, Muktsar, Nawanshahar, Patiala and Sangrur.

Mr. Sibal also assured the Chief Minster that the Ministry of Human Resources Development would soon release Rs.63.42 crore for setting up of 21 model schools in educationally backward blocks of Punjab as the case had already been sent to Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) for its sanction. He informed Mr. Badal that the proposal sent by the state government to sanction one additional model school in village Ghudda of Block Sangat in district Bathinda would also be got examined by the Ministry.

The Human Resources Minister also apprised Mr. Badal that the Ministry had already sanctioned Rs.5.50 crore for the construction of women hostels in the 7 colleges of the state as recommended by the UGC. He said that the proposal sent by the government for releasing an amount of Rs.11.92 for 21 other such hostels was also under active consideration of the Ministry.

Mr. Badal urged the Ministry of HRD to bear the cost for acquisition of 11.3 acres of land for the construction of approach road from Sangrur to Barnala National Highway to link it with Sant Harchand Singh Lognowal Institute of Engineering & Technology (SLIET).

Referring to the issue of finalization of the site for Amritsar World Class University to be developed over an area of 700 acre near Amritsar, Mr. Sibal informed the Chief Minster that the site selection committee headed by the Chairman UGC would visit Amritsar on September 26.
Mr. Sibal also pointed out that the Ministry had already referred the proposal for the recruitment of 2337 Hindi teachers in Punjab under scheme of promotion in Hindi in non-speaking states to the EFC for its final approval. Likewise, the recruitment of 47 Urdu teachers in Malerkotla block of Sangrur district would also be cleared soon.

Referring to another issue raised by Mr. Badal to enhance the amount of mid day meal from Rs.2.08 per child per day to at least Rs.4 in view of prevalent high food costs, Mr. Sibal told the Chief Minister that GoI was fully seized of the issue and it would soon take a positive decision in this regard.

Mr. Sibal also informed the Chief Minister that Rs.6 crore had already been sanctioned for the construction of new polytechnics at Mansa, Faridkot and Muktsar. He said a sum of Rs.10 lac each had been sanctioned for the upgradation of infrastructure in Govt. Polytechnic College Batala and Ferozepur during 2009-10. Likewise Rs.20 lac each had also been sanctioned under the scheme of construction of women’s hostels in Govt. Polytechnic Colleges for Girls, Ludhiana and Patiala.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by Member Parliament from Ferozepur Mr.Sher Singh Ghubaya, apart from his Media Advisor Mr.Harcharan Bains and Additional Principal Secretary Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar. …

GREEN SIGNAL TO 3-STAR HOTEL PROJECT AT AMRITSAR PIMS TO BE HANDED OVER TO NRI ACADEMY & ASSOCIATES

CHANDIGARH AUGUST 27, 2009

The Punjab Government has approved 3-Star Hotel a joint project of M/s Blue Coast & Resorts Pvt. Ltd. and Sheraton Hotel at Amritsar. A decision to this effect has been taken by the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) in its 24th meeting held under the Chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here today.

It was also informed in the meeting that the company would pay Rs. 1,80,90,000 or the Revenue share (which ever be more) annually to the state for 66 years with the condition that annual concession fee would be enhanced @ 10% after every three years.

While reviewing the status of the projects approved earlier Mr. Badal said that state Government would extend all its help to facilitate the companies investing in the state for their ventures. He also directed the Chief Secretary to personally take up the matter with the companies delaying their projects to motivate them for timely completion of the projects, which had been delayed.

The Board has approved in principle that all the pending cases of delayed payments would be cleared on the payment of the interest for delayed period along with the agreement fee.

In another 21st meeting of the Governing Body of Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences, Society, Jalandhar (PIMS) held under the chairmanship of Mr. Badal decided to hand over the possession of the prestigious project PIMS to the M/s NRI Academy of Sciences and its associates by October 20, 2009. It was also informed in the meeting that the M/s L&T Ltd would hand over the building to the society after the complication of on going works by September 15, 2009.

The meetings were also attended by Local Government Minister Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Revenue Minister Mr. Ajit singh Kohar, Transport Minister Master Mohan Lal, PWD Minister Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Tourism & Cultural affairs Minister Mr. Hira Singh Gabria, Vice- Chairman Punjab Planning Board Dr. J.S. Bajaj, Chief Secretary Punjab Mr. SC Aggarwal, Mr. Principal Secretary to Chief Minister DS Guru, Principal Secretary, Finance Secretary Mr. Karan A. Singh, MD PIDB Mr. SS Sandhu, Secretary Medical Education & Research Mrs. Anjali Bhawara and other senior officers of the State Government.

: Sports enthusiasts of 1233 villages would cherish the National Sports Day this year, especially as they would get the gift of sports equipment worth Rs. 1.26 crore from Punjab government. Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister who is also having the charge of Sports department has issued instructions to organize functions at all district headquarters to distribute sports equipments to the Panchayats on August 29,2009, the birthday of Hockey legend Major Dhian Chand, observed as National Sports Day every year.

Mr. Badal today presiding over the meeting of Sports department gave final touches to the programmes to be organized at every district headquarters. Prizes would also be distributed to the winners of district level inter block tournaments concluding on Saturday.

It was informed in the meeting that 82 Panchayats of district Amritsar, 32 of district Bathinda, 17 of district Barnala, 12 of district Faridkot, 73 of district Ferozepur, 47 of district Fatehgarh Sahib, 125 of district Hoshiarpur, 162 of district Gurdaspur, 109 of district Jalandhar, 49 of district Kapurthala, 107 of district Ludhiana, 50 of district Moga, 26 of district Mukatsar, 25 of district Mansa, 32 of district Mohali, 43 of district Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, 85 of district Patiala, 49 of district Ropar, 55 of district Sangrur and 53 of district Tarantaran would be distributed sports equipments worth Rs. 1,26,10,000/-

Mr. Badal said that these 1233 villages have been short listed in 14 blocks under Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA)to hunt new sports talent in traditional games and for providing them basic sports infrastructure and equipment at the Panchayat as well as block level.
Mr. Badal said that sports department has been directed to implement this scheme with an aim of encouraging sports and games in rural areas through annual competitions at the block, district, state and national level besides creating much needed basic sports infrastructure to initiate grass root level sports activities. Under this scheme the 10 percent of total villages and blocks of the state would be covered every year so that the necessary sports infrastructure could be created at each village in coming ten years.

He further said that under this scheme selected villages and blocks would be provided with Rs. 1 lac and Rs. 5 lac respectively as one time grant for creating sports infrastructure, Rs. 10,000 and Rs.20,000 for purchasing sports equipments/accessories besides Rs. 12,000 and Rs. 24,000 as operational grants
He expressed confidence that this novel scheme would make a significant contribution in increasing the number of high performing sports persons and sustainable implementation of it would not only promote mass participation in sports but also help identify as well as nurture the sports talent in rural areas

Prominent amongst those who attended the meeting included Mr. Viswajeet Khanna, Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. P.S.Aujla, Secretary Sports, Mr. Manvesh Singh Sidhu, Additional Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister and Mr. Pargat Singh, Director, Sports.

Information & Public Relations Deptt. Punjab
REGISTRIES TO BE EXECUTED ON ORIGINAL SALE PRICE TILL DECEMBER 2009-KALIA

Chandigarh August 27, 2009

Punjab Government has decided that the sale deeds would be made at the original sale price and the time period of such registries has been extended to December 2009.

This was disclosed by the Local Government Minister Punjab Mr. Manoranjan Kalia in a meeting of all the Chairmen of the various Improvement Trusts and Executive Officers and Regional Deputy Directors of Local Government of Punjab here at Punjab Bhawan Chandigarh. The Chairmen of the Improvement Trusts brought to the notice of the Minister that registries of properties sold to allottees could not be executed because the Revenue Department have been insisting that the registry should be done at today's market rate after all the installments have been paid. The Minister disclosed that the Government has decided that the sale deeds would be made at the original sale price and the time period for such registries has been extended to December 2009. Noting that many allottees were being harassed on account of claims that the building which they had constructed were not built according to sanctioned plans the Local Government Minister announced that registries in all cases should be done forthwith and compoundable deviation may be allowed after making the payment by the allottee. The compoundable deviation would be allowed upto 85% subject to the condition that householders have not violated the front houseline. He assured that all registries should be done on a campaign basis in the month of September 2009. The case where violation had made which was not compoundable a reasonable period (2 months) may be given to the house owners for correcting the deviation. But at the same time the registry of such plots and houses should not be stopped after getting the full price of the plot at the time of sale.

The Chairmen brought to the notice of the Local Government Minister that there was valuable property of various Municipal Committees/ Corporations which was being encroached upon by unscrupulous elements. These small plots and properties could be transferred to the Improvement Trusts who could use them for generating revenue both for the Municipal Committees / Corporations as well as the Improvement Trusts. After detailed discussion it was proposed that such transfers may be made by the Municipal Committees/ Corporations to the Improvement Trusts at the Collector rate. In this connection, instructions would be issued soon.

The Chairmen desired that they should have been better staffing pattern and they demanded the assistance of Law Officers. The Minister assured them that these requests would be considered sympathetically. The chairmen also wanted an increase in the powers of expenditure on office establishment and the same was increased from 10,000 to 50,000 keeping in view the inflation from the time when the instructions were first issued. Similarly, the expenditure on developmental activities, administrative powers to Chairmen are upto Rs.40,000 and the same will be enhanced to Rs.2.00 lac as approved by the Minister in the meeting today.

The Local Government Minister exhorted them to provide planned and sustainable housing in the cities of Punjab. He desired that special plans be made for the welfare of the poor by providing them cheap and affordable houses. He noted that the Improvement Trusts were created by the Government as a welfare measure to look after the housing needs of those sections which could not afford to buy expensive property from private developers. Mr D. S. Bains (IAS) apprised that Amritsar Improvement Trust would be constructing 1880 houses for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Low Income Groups (LIG). Similarly Jalandhar, Bathinda, Patiala and Ludhiana improvement trusts would construct affordable EWS/LIG houses numbering 880, 1272, 340, 1110 respectively. The Minister desired that these houses to be allotted to the poorest of the poor who would then be given a chance of getting the houses by draw of lots if the number of applicants were more than the dwelling units to be constructed. The Minister further desired that the construction having best available designs be carried out within shortest possible period.

The Government of India has made a large outlay for removal of slums. After detailed discussion it was decided that those slum dwellers who have encroached upon valuable property of the Trusts, Corporations or of any other government/semi-government body should be relocated to other place by constructing multi storied flats and the land so vacated be used for some alternate purposes. The Minister told that the matter will be taken up with the Hon'ble Chief Minister so that the land belonging to other Departments so vacated from the slums would be handed over to the respective Urban Local Body's.
It was also decided to allow the Improvement Trusts to make Land Pooling Scheme Projects so that people could enter into a partnership with the Government for creating housing stock in a planned manner. In this connection a workshop will be held and the provisions of the Land Pooling Scheme of Gujarat as well as approved by the Government of Punjab would be intimated to all the Engineering staff of various Trusts.

10% SEATS FOR POOR, BACKWARD AND MERITORIOUS STUDENTS IN ALL THE PRIVATE ENGINEERING COLLEGES OF PUNJAB – SWARNA RAM

Chandigarh August 27, 2009

Keeping in view to boost the Technical Education in Punjab, the State Government has reserved 10% seats for the poor, backward and meritorious students in all the private Engineering Colleges of the State. These seats would be over and above the sanctioned strength of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The Government would bear all the expenses including the costs of hostel, transport and tuition fees etc.

Disclosing this here today Ch. Swarna Ram, Technical Education and Industrial Training Minister Punjab said that this scheme would help needy poor meritorious students with rural background to provide them opportunities to pursue technical education.

The minister further said that government has decided to introduce +2 science stream in all technical institutes, which would boost the availability of the science students in the State particularly in rural areas. The Engineering Colleges/Polytechnics have huge infrastructure in terms of land, building and other facilities which would optimally be utilized with the introduction of pre-engineering classes in these institutions.

The Minister also disclosed that in ordered to promote on line education, the technical department was in the process of establishment of EDU-SET network in government engineering/polytechnic institutions. The equipment has already been provided in these institutions. The studio for recording and delivery of live lectures has also been set up.