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Parkash Singh Badal addressing a mammoth gathering at a state level Shaheedi Samagam
Dec. 25
Punjab Chief Minister Mr.Parkash Singh Badal addressing a mammoth gathering at a state level Shaheedi Samagam on the historic occasion of 305th martyrdom day of younger Sahebzadas of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Fatehgarh Sahib on 25-12-09
Deputy Chief Minister Punjab Mr.Sukhbir Singh Badal addressing a mammoth gathering at a state level Shaheedi Samagam on the historic occasion of 305th martyrdom day of younger Sahebzadas of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Fatehgarh Sahib on 25-12-09
Punjab Chief Minister Mr.Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal paying obeisance at Gurudwara Sri Fatehgarh sahib on the historic occasion of 305th martyrdom day of younger Sahebzadas of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji on 25-12-09.
Punjab Chief Minister Mr.Parkash Singh Badal alongwith Deputy Chief Minister Punjab Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal and other Senior Leaders of SAD sitting on the stage to address a mammoth gathering at a state level Shaheedi Samagam on the historic occasion of 305th martyrdom day of younger Sahebzadas of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji at Fatehgarh Sahib on 25-12-09.
BKU (RAJEWAL) GROUP CALLS ON PUNJAB CM
PUNJAB TO CONSTITUTE A COMMITTEE TO RESOLVE ALL CONTESTED CASES OF MUTATIONS IN A TIME BOUND MANNER
NO FARMER TO BE ARRESTED UNDER AGRICULTURAL, DAIRY, POULTRY AND PIGGERY LOAN CASES
CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 24:
The Punjab Government would soon constitute a committee to resolve all the contested cases of mutations in a time bound manner.
A decision to this effect was taken by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here today, while presiding over a meeting with 16-member delegation of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) led by its President Mr. Balbir Singh Rajewal.
Impressing upon the need to initiate a statewide campaign to streamline all the revenue record, the Chief Minister directed the Financial Commissioner Revenue Mrs. Romila Dubey to issue detailed guidelines to all the deputy commissioners of the state to resolve pending uncontested mutation cases with in one month and asked them to undertake registration work in the forenoon to avoid undue harassment and inconvenience to the general public.
Responding quickly to the grievances of Bharti Kisan Union with regard to the arrests of the farmers under Loan cases, Mr. Badal directed the Co-operation Department that no farmer should be arrested under the cases of non-payment of the installments of bank loans taken for agricultural, dairy, poultry and piggery sectors.
Regarding the complaints of poor supply of canal water at the tail ends, Mr. Badal asked the Principal Secretary Irrigation to mobilize the cleaning and strengthening of canal system to ensure sufficient supply of canal irrigation water at the tail ends of the canals in the state under various ongoing programmes.
The Chief Minister also assured the delegation that their all other demands would also be taken care of. He also directed the Forests department to publicize about the scheme and ownership rights of the farmers relating to the trees planted across their land and nurtured by them for continuously for the three years.
Mr. Rajewal thanked the Chief Minister for prompt redressal of their grievances and hoped for sympathetic consideration of their remaining demands too.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included, Financial Commissioner Revenue Mrs. Romilla Dubey, Principal Secretary Cooperation Dr. BC Gupta, Financial Commissioner Development Mr. NS Kang, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Principal Secretary Irrigation & Power Mr. Arun Goel, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar and former Minister Jathedar Tota Singh, besides other officers of the state administration and the office bearers of the BKU.
PUNJAB CM GREETS PEOPLE ON CHRISTMAS
CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 24:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today extended his warm greetings to all the Punjabis especially the Christian brethren on the eve of 'Merry Christmas'.
In his message, Mr. Badal said, “Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Lord Jesus Christ, is an extremely joyous occasion not only for Christians, but the people of all faiths”. He said that the gospels of peace, love, amity and compassion preached by Jesus Christ were still relevant today in the present context. He hoped that such occasions would help to strengthen the bonds of universal brotherhood and communal harmony besides inspiring the people to dedicate themselves in the services of the mankind to carve out a happy and prosperous society.
The Chief Minister called upon the people of Punjab to celebrate this festival collectively with traditional fervour and gaiety to depict their deep sense of commitment towards secularism in line with the ethos of “unity in diversity”.
SEKHWAN GREETS PUNJABIS' ON THE EVE OF CHRISTMAS
Chandigarh, December 24; Punjab Public Relations Minister Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan today extended heartiest greetings on the joyous occasion of Christmas to all the Punjabis living in India or abroad.
In his message, the Minister said that Lord Christ's message of love, compassion and forgiveness is a message of universal and timeless relevance. He called upon the people to collectively celebrate this occasion with happiness and traditional gaiety.
SUKHBIR GREETS PEOPLE ON THE EVE OF CHRISTMAS
Chandigarh, December 24; Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal today greeted the people of Punjab on the joyous occasion of Christmas which is being celebrated tomorrow through out the World with happiness and traditional gaiety.
In his message, the Deputy Chief Minister said that Christmas carries the spirit of brotherhood, peace and prosperity and called upon the people to make the celebrations meaningful. He wished that may the Christmas fill our heart with joy, happiness and hope.
Alternative system of medicine in Punjab ESIC Hospitals soon
Chandigarh, December 24:-
Prof. Laxmi Kanta Chawla, Health & Family Welfare Minister Punjab informed here today that all the seven Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) hospitals of the state would start alternative system of Medicine i.e. Ayurvedic & Homeopathic wings soon.
The Minister further said that department of Health & Family Welfare Punjab had already appointed Ayurvedic doctors and pharmacists in the ESI Hospitals and these would start functioning from Jan 2010. The procedure of selection of staff has been completed for the homeopathic wing, she added.
Under Ayurvedic wing, there will be ten beds and programmes like pachkarma would be available in each hospital. The seven hospitals where these wing would be start included were Ludhiana, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Phagwara, Gobindgarh, Jalandhar and Mohali.
CM ORDERS ALLOTMENT OF BOOTHS AND LIG & MIG DWELLING UNITS LIBERALLY TO THE GENUINE RIOT AFFECTED FAMILIES
Chandigarh, December 23
The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today assured the delegation of 1984 anti Sikh riots led by its president Mr. Surjeet Singh Dugri that the state government would liberally allot booths as well as LIG & MIG dwelling units to the eligible beneficiaries in, Mohali, Patiala Ludhiana at concessional rates in accordance with the policy guidelines of allotment approved by the state government.
An assurance to this effect was given at a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister with the delegation here this evening. He also directed the Deputy Commissioners to ensure that the entire process of allotment was completed at the earliest in a transparent manner.
Mr. Badal also reiterated his firm resolves to extend full support and cooperation the affected families. He asked the revenue department to address all the issues relating to rehabilitation of the riots affected families on priority.
It was also informed in the meeting that the state government had already written to the Government of India to extend the date to invite the applications for rehabilitation grant @ Rs. 2 Lac per Anit Sikh riots affected family from December 31, 2009 to January 31, 2010.
Prominent among other who attended the meeting included Financial Commissioner Revenue Mrs. Romila Dubey, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Chief Administrator PUDA Mr. AK Sinha, Chief Administrator GAMADA Mr. Vivek Partap Singh, Deputy Commissioner Patiala Mr. Deepinder Singh, Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana Mr. Vikas Garg,.
CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF SSS BOARD SWORN IN
CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 23:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Santa Singh Umedpur as Chairman and five others as members of Subordinate Services Selection Board (SSSB) at a simple but an impressive ceremony here at Chief Minister’s office this morning.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Chief Minister’s office said that the other members who were sworn in included Mrs. Seelam Sohi, Mr. Gurmeet Singh Daduwal, Mr. Dial Singh Kolianwali, Mr. Jiwan Dhawan and Mr. Darshan Lal Jethumajra.
Chief Secretary Mr. S.C.Agrawal conducted the proceedings of the swearing-in-ceremony of newly appointed Chairman and members of SSS Board.
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included former Deputy Speaker Lok Sabha Mr. Charanjit Singh Atwal, Member Parliament Dr. Rattan Singh Ajnala, Revenue and Rehabilitation Minister Mr. Ajit Singh Kohar, Jails,Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Mr. Hira Singh Gabria, Chairman Backward Classes Commission Prof. Kirpal Singh Badungar, Mr. Sarwan Singh Phillaur and Mr. Harish Rai Dhanda (both Chief Parliamentary Secretaries) and former MP Ludhiana Mr. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, besides MLAs, senior party leaders, officers of civil and police administration and party workers.
HARMIT AND MANJIT APPOINTED AS CHAIRMAN OF DISTRICT PLANNING COMMITTEES OF MUKTSAR AND FEROZEPUR
CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 23:The Punjab Government today appointed Mr. Harmit Singh and Mr. Manjit Singh Rai as the Chairman of the District Level Planning Committees of Muktsar and Ferozepur respectively.
BRICK KILN OWNER ASSOCIATION PUNJAB CALLS ON BADAL
CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 23:
Punjab to chalk out a plan to facilitate Brick Kiln Association to procure their share of coal direct from the Government of India to distribute it amongst the entire brick kiln industry in the state.
The direction to this effect was given by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal during a meeting with a deputation of Punjab Brick Kiln Owner Association led by Mr. Sarabjit Singh Makkar MLA from Adampur here today. The Chief Minister said that he would personally take up the matter of quantity and quality supply of coal with the government of India to overcome the problem of shortage of coal supply in the state. The President of the association Mr. Kuldip Singh Makkar apprised the Chief Minister about the problems being faced by the brick kiln industry. On the issue of royalty on bricks earth in the state, the Chief Minister ordered that no money would be charged from the bricks production above than the specifications, as presently Rs.3 per thousand bricks above a specified production were being charged in the state.
To safeguard the interests of brick kilns, Mr. Badal also directed to take stern action against those who were selling bricks without any license.
The Chief Minister also directed the Industry and Food & Supplies departments to sort out their other demands thereby abolishing Inspector Raj and imposition of lump sum royalty on Haryana pattern. Mr. Badal further assured the association that their other genuine demands would also be considered sympathetically.
Mr. Sarbjit Singh Makkar, MLA pleaded the case of brick kilns association and assured full support and cooperation to the state government.
The other members of the deputation included Mr. Arvinder Singh, President All India Brick Kiln Association and all district presidents of the association. Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Food & Supplies Minister Mr. Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Principal Secretary Industries Mr.SS Channy, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, Mr. SS Channy, Secretary cum Director Industries Mr. SS Rajput and Director Food & Supplies Mr. DS Grewal.
Kotakapura Parsad Incident
SUKHBIR TOOK STRONG NOTICE, IG ZONAL PATIALA TO HOLD ENQUIRY
Chandigarh December 23: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr.Sukhbir Singh Badal today took a strong notice of alleged incident of accepting cash along with sweets by some police officer/officials in Kotakapura town of Faridkot District from a Baba for providing security as reported in a section of media.
Describing this as unbecoming on the part of any public servant, the Deputy Chief Minister directed the Director General of Police, Punjab to initiate an enquiry and submit a detailed report in this regard. Under his directions, the DGP has ordered Inspector General of Police, Patiala Zone, Patiala to conduct an enquiry and submit his report within a week, so that required department/legal action can be taken against the erring officers/officials.
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Chandigarh 23 December:
Ms. Laxmi Kanta Chawla, Health and Family Welfare Minister Punjab disclosed here today that Punjab Government will plan to bring out a law, in order to regulate the working of Government and non Government drug-de-addiction centers in Punjab to safeguard patients against human right violations and financial exploitation.
The Minister further said that ten beds would be reserved in every Civil Hospital in Punjab for drug de addiction patients.
Ms. Chawla urged religious, social and educational associations to join the campaign against drugs and motivate communities against their use.
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Chandigarh 23 December:
An official spokesman of Punjab Government disclosed here today that in terms of rehabilitation package issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, rehabilitation grant @ Rs. 2 Lac per family was to be disbursed to the families affected by the Anit Sikh riots the year 1984.
He further said that families holding the Red Identity Cards and residing in state of Punjab which could not earlier obtain the rehabilitation grant can apply on plain paper alongwith documents to the respective Deputy Commissioners of the Districts in which they were residing for getting the rehabilitation grant upto 31-12-2009.
Such families whose application for getting, the rehabilitation grant was already pending for consideration in offices of Deputy Commissioners need not apply again. No such application would be entertained after 31-12-2009.
PUNJAB ABOLISHES ENTRY TAX ON GINNED AND UN-GINNED COTTON
CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 22:
The Punjab Government today decided to abolish the entry tax on ginned and un-ginned cotton in the state.
A decision to this effect was taken in the meeting of the Council of Ministers here. The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal presided over the meeting.
Giving details of the meeting, Chief Minister’s Media Advisor Mr. Harcharan Bains said that regarding the report of the CBI concerning the Speaker Mr. Nirmal Singh Kahlon, the Cabinet considered at length the report of the SP (CBI), the opinion of the Additional Advocate Generals and the note submitted by the Chief Secretary. On the basis of these reports, the Cabinet was of the opinion that it is not a fit case wherein sanction u/s 197 Cr P.C. should be accorded for the prosecution of Mr. Kahlon, the then Cabinet Minister for Panchayats and Rural Development. Therefore, it was decided not to approve the sanction in this regard.
The Council of Ministers gave its nod to revive the 20 posts of Dispensers in the Homeopathic Department. The meeting also approved the revival of the existing posts and creation of additional posts for the office of Punjab Public Service Commission.
The Council of Ministers also approved the creation posts of PCS (JB) and the subordinate staff as per the recommendations of Justice B.C. Patel Committee. As many as 60 posts in the category of Civil Judge-cum-Judicial Magistrate and 60 posts each in the categories of Judgment Writers (Jr. Gr.), Readers, Ahlmads, Steno typists and Peons were approved. The Council also gave ex-post facto approval to the creation of Session Divisions at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar and Muktsar.
It has been decided to frame Punjab Civil Medical group A (Dental) Service Rules.
In another decision, the Cabinet decided to provide land for setting up of Ishmeet Sangeet Ludhiana and Harpal Tiwana Natak Academy Patiala.
The Council also gave its approval for the revision of pay of the Chairman and Members of the Public Service Commission from 22,400-525-24,500 and 18,400-500-22,400 respectively to the pay band of Rs. 37,400-67,000+Rs. 12000 grade pay and pay band of Rs. 37,400-67,000+Rs. 10,000 grade pay respectively with effect from the date of issue of notification in this regard.
BRATTLE FOODS LIMITED TO INVEST RS.800 CRORE IN DAIRY, MEAT, FRUITS & VEGETABLES PROCESSING SECTORS
CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 22:
To give thrust to establish a mega food park, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here today approved the proposed investment plans of Brattle Foods Limited and gave them green signal to set up their three mega units with an investment of Rs.800 crore in the dairy, meat, fruits and vegetables processing sectors.
A decision to this effect has been taken by the Chief Minister after going through a detailed presentation by Mr. Mrinal Sinha, Co-founder Brattle Foods Ltd. and Mr. Kunal Agarwal, Director Laxman Logistics Pvt. Ltd.
It was informed in a meeting that the company would establish Rs.300 crore dairy unit, Rs.400 crore meat processing unit and Rs.100 crore fruits and vegetables processing units over a land of about 200 acre in the state over the next three to five years. Besides, the company would motivate other international companies like Jubilant Food Works Ltd., Master Franchise of Domino’s Pizza in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal for the setting up their manufacturing units of Tomato Blend and Cheese in the Punjab.
The Chief Minister directed MD Agro to facilitate the Brattle Foods Ltd. team for selecting suitable site in the districts of Gurdaspur for setting up of their units. He also gave assurance to Mr. Mrinal Sinha and Mr. Kunal Agarwal of fulsome support and cooperation by the government.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Chairman Punjab State Farmers Commission Dr.GS Kalkat, Financial Commissioner Development Mr. NS Kang and Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar.
FOCUS ON FEEDBACK – SEKHWAN URGES PR PROFESSIONAL
Chandigarh, December 22: Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Information & Public Relations Minister Punjab today advised PR Officers to focus on providing factual feedback of problems being faced by the people at the grass root level besides communicating the policies and programmes of government in simple and lucid language.
Presiding over the first ever meeting of District Officers and Media Heads of Public Relations Department after assuming the charge of Minister of the department, Mr. Sekhwan pointed out that it was imperative for each PR professional to be eyes and ears of the incumbent government regarding the effectiveness of programmes and policies launched by the government for the welfare of people. They must give a periodic feedback to the government regarding these policies, discrepancies in their implementation if any, target population's perception about the usefulness of that policy and suggestion if any to ensure that benefit of these policies percolate to the desired people. He said that SAD-BJP government has implemented a series of programmes for the welfare of downtrodden, backward and schedule classes, farmers, artisans and other section of the society. The purpose of the government is that benefit of these polices should reach to each required section. Mr. Sekhwan asked the officers to contemplate the possibility of reviving Song and Drama division besides Light and Sound programmes to communicate the policies of the government to the people in the villages in their own dialect.
Describing PR Officials as walking encyclopedia, Mr. Sekhwan said that it was imperative for all of us to assist media by providing them required information on programmes and policies of the state government timely. He also underlined the need to provide input to the electronic channels for exclusive and special coverage of prestigious projects initiated as well as completed to project the positive image of the state government.
Underlining the need for modernization of the department, filling up the vacant posts in the field as well as at head quarter, Mr. Sekhwan informed that a proposal for modernization of department has already been cleared and he would approach Finance Minister to get funds released at the earliest. He said that most of the districts were being provided new vehicles and priority would be given to those districts that were without vehicles.
Extending an open invitation to all PR Officers to come directly to him with any problem being faced by them, the Minister said that he was fully committed for the welfare of the officers/officials of the department and announced that where the hard working officers would be suitably rewarded there would be zero tolerance for any laxity on the part of any officer.
Addressing on the occasion, the Media Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. H.S. Bains asked the PR Officers to release special stories in the form of Year Enders based on various development projects completed as well as going on their respective districts. He also asked them to start their preparation with immediate effect for the coming three years completion celebrations of the present SAD-BJP government.
Mr. D.S. Guru, Principal Secretary, Information & Public Relations exhorted the PR officers to launch a spirited publicity campaign through out the state projecting various development activities of the state government. He assured them to provide best ever possible infrastructure and working environment for better results.
Mr. Gaggandeep Singh Brar, Director, Information & Public Relations urged the PR Officers to focus more on well drafted development stories besides their routine duties. He appreciates them for their good performance despite arduous nature of their job and not up to mark infrastructure.
The meeting was attended by all the field as well as headquarter based PR Officers.
PUNJAB PR OFFICERS ASSOCIATION RECONSTITUTED
‘Harjeet Singh Grewal elected as president’
Chandigarh December 22:-
The Punjab Public Relations Officers Association has been reconstituted after the dissolution of the previous Association.
The entire team headed by Mr. Harjeet Singh Grewal DPRO Rupnagar was elected unanimously for a period of two years.
Disclosing this here today, the presiding officer, Mr. Sukhdev Singh Randhawa, Deputy Director said that it was for the first time that the entire team was elected unanimously.
Mrs. Shikha Nehra PRO has been elected as Senior Vice President, Mr. Satnam Singh Chinna DPRO Tarn Taran Vice President, Mr. Ajit Kanwal Singh PRO to Chief Minister Punjab General Secretary, Mr. K.L. Rattu PRO (Production) Finance Secretary and Mr. Gurmeet Singh Dhugga DPRO Jalandhar would be the Press Secretary . All the Joint Directors and Deputy Directors of the Department would be the Patrons of the Association, he added.
He further said that an execution committee, comprising of Mr. Ishwinder Singh Grewal DPRO Patiala, Mr. Kuljit Singh DPRO Fatehgarh Sahib, Mr. Pal Singh IPRO, Mr. Dalbir Singh DPRO Kapurthala, Mr. Gopal Singh Dardi DPRO Barnala and Mr. Jai Kishan Additional DPRO Anandpur Sahib, had also been constituted instantaneously.
Speaking on the occasion, the newly elected President Mr. Harjeet Singh Grewal said that with the active support of all the officers, the long pending demands of the officers and the difficulties being faced by them, both at district levels and Head Quarters, would be taken up time to time for the consideration of the government.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Sat Narain, Mrs. Senu Duggal, Mr. Megha Singh all Joint Directors and Mr. P.S. Kalra, Mr. Anil Sharma and Mr. Sukhdev Singh Randhawa all Deputy Directors. IPROs, DPROs and APROs from all over the state were also present on the occasion.
ROTATIONAL IRRIGATION PROGRAMME FOR RABI SEASON ANNOUNCED
Chandigarh, December 22:
The Irrigation Department, Punjab has announced the Rotational Programme for irrigation for the current Rabi Season through Canal water from 26-12-2009 to 02-01-2010. The channels of Sirhind Canal System would run on the priority basis from Abohar Branch, Patiala feeder, Bathinda Branch, Bist Doab Canal and Sidhwan Branch respectively.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the irrigation department said that Ghaggar link and its off taking channels i.e. Ghaggar Branch and Patiala Minor in Group 'B' being in the first preference will run to their indent. Balance water supplies available will be utilized in direct distributaries of Bhakra Main Line in group 'A' respectively.
The spokesman further said that Abohar Branch off-taking from Sirhind Feeder and distributries in Group "B" being in the First preference will run to their ident. Balance water supplies available would be utilised in direct distributaries of Group 'A'.
The spokesman also said that the channels off taking from Upper Bari Daob Canal i.e. Kasur Branch Lower with its distributaries being in the first Preference would run to their indent .Balance water supplies available would be utilised in Sabraon Branch, Lahore Branch, Main Branch Lower with their distributaries respectively.
Chandigarh, December 22:
Punjab Government has empowered all District Development and Panchayat Officers in the State of Punjab as Collector under the provisions of clause (a) and (aa) of section 2 of the Punjab Public Premises and Land (Eviction and Rent Recovery) Act,1973 and Joint Development Commissioner (IRD) Punjab as Commissioner in respect of Jumla Mushtarka Malkan and Shamlat Land within the local limits of their respective jurisdictions.
Revealing this here today, a spokesman of Revenue and Rehabilitation Department said that a notification had been issued in this regard.