Punjab
Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today constituted a high
level committee comprising Rural Development & Panchayats
Minister, Finance Minister, Agriculture Minister, Revenue Minister,
Food & Supplies Minister and Technical Education Minister
along with the Chief Secretary and administrative Secretaries
of the respective departments under the chairmanship of Industries
Minister Mr. Manoranjan Kalia to finalize the draft Industrial
Policy-2009 of the State.
SHIV SENA's SAMAJWADI DELEGATION CALLS ON PUNJAB
CM
CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 3, 2009
A delegation of Shiv Sena Samajwadi led by Mr. Kamlesh Bhardwaj
today called on the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal
and presented a memorandum of their demands to him.
Mr. Badal assured the delegation that their genuine demands
would be considered sympathetically. He reiterated that the SAD-BJP
alliance government is fully committed to maintain communal harmony
in the state as it was aware of the fact that the Punjab had suffered
a lot in the past and the hard earned peace in the state would
be preserved at all costs. The state Government through its innovative
policies and programmes had initiated a pace of development to
regain the lost glory of the Punjab, added Mr. Badal.
Giving a sympathetic hearing to some of the individuals in the
delegation, Mr. Badal telephonically gave directions to the concerned
authorities for the removal of their grievances immediately.
The delegation appreciated the efforts of Mr. Badal in creating
a congenial atmosphere to flourish all sections of the society
in the state.
The delegation included the National President Shiv Sena Hindustan
Mr. Pawan Gupta, National President Hindu Suraksha Samiti Mr.
Sanjeev Hari ji, National President Shiv Sena Samajwadi Mr. Baljit
Singh Dhillon, Head UDASEEN SAMAJ Baba Sant Namdas, President
Shiv Sena Samajwadi (Chandigarh) Mr. Jai Singh, Vice President
SAD district Ludhiana Mr. Sachdev Singh Gill and representatives
of more than 20 village Panchayats.
PB CM ANNOUNCES PANEL OF MINISTERS TO BE HEADED BY KALIA TO FINALIZE
DRAFT INDUSTRIAL POLICY -2009
CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 3, 2009
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today constituted
a high level committee comprising Rural Development & Panchayats
Minister, Finance Minister, Agriculture Minister, Revenue Minister,
Food & Supplies Minister and Technical Education Minister
along with the Chief Secretary and administrative Secretaries
of the respective departments under the chairmanship of Industries
Minister Mr. Manoranjan Kalia to finalize the draft Industrial
Policy-2009 of the State. The committee will meet tomorrow.
A decision to this effect was taken by Mr. Badal at a high level
meeting to discuss the modalities before the finalization of the
draft policy. A detailed presentation on the draft industrial
policy was made by the Principal Secretary Industries & Commerce
SS Channy in which he sought the comments from the concerned departments
at the earliest and said the draft policy had been put on the
web site.
The Chief Minister said that the new industrial policy would
aim at ensuring level playing field to all the investors and entrepreneurs
being the stake holders in the process of development and growth
of state's economy. He said that the draft policy after the detailed
deliberations at the level of high level committee would also
be subsequently discussed thoroughly by the members of the infrastructure
development council, large industrial board and small industrial
board. Consequently it would be finally placed before the council
of ministers meeting for approval.
The meeting was attended by the Rural Development & Panchayat
Minister Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, Finance Minister Manpreet Singh
Badal, Agriculture Minister Sucha Singh Langha, Revenue Minister
Ajit Singh Kohar, Food & Supplies Minister Adesh Partap Singh
Kairon and Technical Education Minister Ch.Swarna Ram, Chief Secretary
RI Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister DS Guru, Principal
Secretary Finance SC Aggarwal and Director Industries VK Janjua,
besides the administrative secretaries of other departments and
captains of the industries.
PUNJAB CABINET APPROVES SUMMONING OF 6TH SESSION OF VIDHAN SABHA
FROM FEBRUARY 27, CABINET GIVES NOD TO STATE ECO-TOURISM POLICY
CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 3, 2009
The Punjab government today approved the summoning of the 6th
Session of 13th Punjab Vidhan Sabha from February 27.
A decision to this effect was taken in the meeting of the Council
of Ministers chaired by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash
Singh Badal here at Punjab bhawan.
Giving the details of the meeting, Chief Minister's Media Advisor
Mr. Harcharan Bains said that the Session would begin with Governor's
address on February 27.
The Cabinet also approved the formulation of Eco Tourism Policy
as one of the major thrust areas for the promotion of tourism
in Punjab as identified by the United Nation World Tourism Organization.
The Department of Tourism had taken the initiative to frame the
eco-tourism policy based on the inputs of Department of Forests
Wildlife Preservation, as the State had tremendous potential to
become a premier eco-destination.
In another significant decision, the Council of Ministers approved
the restructuring of Directorate of Youth Services to harness
the energy of youth on creative and constructive lines. To achieve
this objective, the posts of Director, Deputy Director and State
Liaison Officer in the Youth Services Department had been revived
by the Cabinet.
The Cabinet also approved to levy Value Added Tax (VAT) @ 4% on
mosquito repellants, toilet cleaners, wood preservatives, chemicals
for killing domestic insects, termicides, phenyle and similar
other products which are not used for agriculture purpose. This
decision would enable the government to earn revenue of Rs. 10
crore annually.
The Cabinet also approved the disposal of 17053 acre of pond
area land acquired by the irrigation department, land falling
between international border and barbed wire and land falling
between barbed wire and Hussainiwala Head Works to be allotted
to its unauthorized occupants on the basis of possession at the
rate of Rs.25000, Rs.75000 and Rs.150000 per acre in the districts
of Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Amritsar and
Gurdaspur.
The Cabinet also approved the creation of PCS (Executive branch)
and Allied Services posts to be filled by Punjab Public Service
Commission.
The Cabinet also approved Socio-Economic Criteria for identification
of Socially Advanced Persons (Creamy Layer) from the Backward
Classes in the State for their exclusion from the benefits of
reservation meant for these classes in the State Services/Posts
on the pattern of Government of India. The rule of exclusion would
apply to the sons and daughters of persons having gross annual
income of Rs. 4.5 lakh or above or possessing wealth above the
exemption limit as prescribed in the Wealth Tax Act for the period
of three consecutive years.
The Cabinet also approved the enhancement of amount to Inter-Caste
married couple from Rs. 25,000/- to 50,000/- under the Protection
of Civil Rights Act 1955 in order to eradicate untouchability
from its grass root level in the society.
The Council of Ministers also gave approval to include Circle
Style Kabbadi, a famous game of Punjab - an event similar to the
National Kabbadi game to be included in the Sports Gradation Policy.
The Cabinet also approved the inclusion of 22 villages of Sub-Division/Tehsil
of Nangal into Sub Division/Tehsil of Sri Anandpur Sahib in district
Roop Nagar.
PUNJAB GOVT. TO RESOLVE PENDING ISSUES OF NAMBARDARS – CM
CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 3, 2009
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today announced
to give due representation to the Nambardars in the district and
tehsil level grievances committees and the detailed guidelines
to the respective Deputy Commissioners would be issued in this
regard by the Revenue department within a week.
An assurance to this effect was given by Mr. Badal to the 12-member
deputation of Nambardar Union led by its President Harminder Singh
Chajjali, who also raised other demands including revision of
honorarium and appointment of their wards as Nambardar in their
place as per the Rule 5 of Revenue Act, 1909.
The Chief Minister also assured the deputation that the state
government would soon take a sympathetic view of their genuine
demands to appoint their wards as Nambardars as per their capability
and directed the Financial Commissioner Revenue Mrs. Romila Dubey
to get these demands thoroughly examined before taking a final
decision.
Mr. Badal also asked the deputy commissioners to ensure proper
sitting arrangements for the Nambardars at the district headquarters
and tehsil complexes to enable them to discharge their duties
efficiently.
The meeting was attended by Revenue Minister Ajit Singh Kohar,
OSD to Chief Minister Mr. NS Sangha besides the Secretary General
Ran Singh Mahila and senior Vice President Gurpreet Singh Lohgarh
from the Nambardar union
DY CM CALLS FOR ELECTRICAL UPGRADATION IN ALL GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS
CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 3, 2009
Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal who made his maiden
appearance in today's Cabinet meeting presided over by Punjab
Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal piloted several major proposals
which were approved by the Cabinet. One of these related to electrical
upgradation in all government hospitals and other major government
building through out the state. This he said was necessary to
prevent the recurrence of tragedies like the one that happened
in Rajendra Hospital in Patiala the other day.
At the behest of Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal the Cabinet also decided
to set up a Punjab State Museum of History & Culture at Amritsar.
The Deputy Chief Minister felt that preserving the heritage, culture
and its rich historical legacy should be given utmost importance.
He also vehemently pleaded the case for raising the upper income
limits for recruitment to civil services for OBCs from the present
2.50 lacs to 4 lacs. This would facilitate the entry of more persons
belonging to the OBCs in civil services. It was pointed out that
Punjab had been missing utilization of its full quota in government
services.
Taking a serious concern of the recent railway crossing mishap
in Ferozepur district, the Deputy Chief Minister also mooted a
proposal to take up the issue of unmanned railway crossings in
Punjab with the Ministry of Railways, GoI which had claimed several
lives in the state over past to impress upon them to depute railway
personnel on these crossings to control such accidents
In a bid to modernize the State Public Relations Department
and make it a state-of-the-art department in the country, the
deputy Chief Minister who is also incharge of Information &
Public Relations department has initiated several measures out
of which, the Cabinet approved taking out the 16 posts of Information
& Public Relations Officers from the preview of Punjab Public
Service Commission and the Department of Personnel and Administrative
Reforms had permitted to amend the Punjab Public Service Commission
(Limitation of Functions) Regulations, 1955 accordingly for the
filling up of these vacancies.
MANPREET BADAL MOURNS THE DEMISE OF BRIG. BANT SINGH AND SENIOR
ADVOCATE NARDEV SINGH DHALIWAL.
Chandigarh February 3, 2009
Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal, Finance Minister Punjab has mourned
the sad demise of Brig. (Retd.) Bant Singh AVSM of Bathinda who
died yesterday. In his condolence message, Mr. Badal said that
Brig. Bant Singh was an icon of Sikh Regiment. After retirement
from the Army he had dedicated his life to the social work and
was instrumental in transforming the evil social system from our
society. Terming the sad demise as his personal loss, the Minister
said that he had lost a very good friend and a guide who had always
stood for high socio-moral values. He was against corruption prevailing
in different sectors of our social systems. He has left his imprints
and would always be remembered for his high moral and social values
he always stood for.
Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal has also expressed grief over the sad
and untimely demise of Senior Advocate of Bathinda S. Nardev Singh
Dhaliwal to whom he termed as the doyen of his profession. The
services rendered by Advocate Dhaliwal would always be remembered
and appreciated by people in general and legal fraternity in particular,
said Mr. Badal. He was always ready to help the poor and the needy.
Finance Minister has sent his condolence messages to the members
of the bereaved families of Brig. Bant Singh and Senior Advocate
Nardev Singh Dhaliwal.
VIGILANCE NABBS ONE GO & 21 NGOs TEN CONVICTED IN GRAFT CASES
Chandigarh February 3, 2009
State Vigilance Bureau, in a drive against corruption in public
life, arrested one Gazzetted Officer (GO) and 21 Non-Gazzetted
Officers (NGOs) in eighteen different cases in last month and
was able to secure the conviction of ten accused in six vigilance
cases.
Disclosing this here today, Mr. Harcharn Singh Bhullar, SSP-cum-Joint
Director (Admn.) Vigilance Bureau Punjab, said that Bureau has
put up its best efforts to eradicate corruption amongst public
servants and others in every sphere in the State. In this direction,
the Vigilance officers have registered trap cases, disproportionate
assets cases and criminal cases and ensured that suspect did not
escape judicial punishment in the various courts in the State.
Mr. Bhullar added that during the last month of January, the
Vigilance had nabbed twenty two corrupt public servants which
included four Local Bodies Department officials, five revenue
officials and two policemen red handed accepting bribes in different
cases. During this period VB had registered two criminal cases,
one disproportionate assets case and one vigilance enquiry against
the suspect officials to probe into the allegations.
Giving details he added that the special courts have sentenced
two GOs, six NGOs and two private persons in six different vigilance
cases after finding them guilty for one year to two years imprisonment
which included Mr. Narotam Singh former president Municipal Committee
Mansa, Prithvi Lal E.O, Abhey Kumar AME and Inder Mohan Sandhu
S.O. M.C. Mansa. Besides this, Krishan Chand Sharma E.O M.C. Rampura
Phul (Bathinda) had also been convicted by Sh. J.S. Kular Special
Judge Bathinda under Prevention of Corruption Act for two and
half years imprisonment with fine of Rs. 5000/-.
Cabinet recognize Circle Style Kabaddi to give
status it deserves-Sukhbir Singh Badal
Bajakhana (Faridkot), 3 February
"To give the circle style kabaddi status it deserves the
game has given recognition by Punjab cabinet, today", said
Deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir
Singh Badal. Addressing as a chief guest on the final day of three
day 11th International Harjit Memorial Kabaddi Tournament here
today, Mr. Badal said that now circle style kabaddi players can
avail quota in government services and will be benefited with
all those facilities given by state government to sports persons.
He also announced that Rs 1 Lack will be given to 1200 villages
of the state from coming financial year to provide sports facilities.
Speaking on the occasion Deputy Chief Minister said that SAD-BJP
government focused on promoting Hockey and Kabbadi in the state
besides encouraging other sports. He said that on the lines of
IPL they were going to start World Kabaddi league which is likely
to begin by July. He said that the in the international Kabbadi
Championship which would be conducted from this year, players
from countries like US, Canada, England, Norway, and Pakistan
etc. will participate. He said that prize money for winners would
be 1 Crore, runners-up Rs.55 Lack and Rs. 25 Lack for second runners-up
so that people from all across the country become aware of Punjab's
motherly game.
SAD's Young President said that basic idea behind the World Kabaddi
League is to bring all kabaddi clubs, both Indian and foreign,
under one umbrella. He said that club officials in Canada, US
and UK shown interest in this league. He said that 8 teams from
Punjab will participate in this league and government had approached
state-based corporate houses, urging them to buy teams and the
response has been very encouraging.
Sukhbir Badal, who is also the new Sports Minister, wants Punjab
to play a pivotal role in reviving hockey. Discussing initiatives
taken by government to encourage sports in the state Mr. Badal
said that for the first time state is organizing the first-ever
Four-Nation Punjab Gold Cup Invitational Hockey Tournament. He
said that to promote hockey at grass root level the young hockey
trainees from rural areas of Punjab were brought to witness the
top world stars in action during the Punjab Gold Cup. He said
that state will soon organize a similar hockey tournament for
women. "The Punjab Government has already taken steps to
broad base sports activities at the grass root level by initiating
a Punjab Hockey League which has attracted more than 170 teams
from different schools, colleges and sports academies," said
Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal. To provide better infrastructure &
facilities astroturfs grounds would be setup at Sansarpur (Jalandhar)
& Talwandi Sabo (Bathinda) and a world class hockey stadium
& coching centre would be set up at Mohali. He said that state
government is going to adopt 8 games and every infrastructure
and facility would be made available for this purpose.
Discussing the development initiative taken at rural level to
promote sports, Mr. Badal said that government had conducted tournaments
at village, blocks, districts, zone and state level for the purpose.
He said that sports equipment worth Rs. 1.25 Crore had been distributed
to 1400 players of different districts of the state.
Mr. Badal announced a grant of Rs. 4 Lack for the development
of kabaddi stadium of village Bajakhana besides announcing approval
of other demands of the village Panchayat. Among others Chief
Parliamentary Secretary Jagdeep Singh Nakai, President Punjab
Kabaddi Assosiation Sikander Singh Maluka, SAD candidate for Lok
Sabha from Faridkot Parmjeet Kaur Gulshan and SAD's senior Vice
President Gurdev Singh Badal.
