CS INAUGURATES WATER RESERVOIR OF GURU GOBIND SINGH REFINERY
Chandigarh February 11: Mr. Ramesh Inder Singh Chief Secretary
Punjab today inaugurated the water reservoir of the Guru Gobind
Singh Refinery Project at Bathinda by letting in water from the
canal into the reservoir. The Chief Secretary visited the site
at Bathinda to review the progress of Guru Gobind Singh Refinery
Project. While reviewing the progress of the refinery he said
that an amount of Rs. 4000 crores has already been spent so far,
whereas orders for equipment machinery worth Rs. 11000 crores
have also been placed. He expressed satisfaction over the progress
of the refinery and said that it was ahead of schedule having
achieved physical progress of about 20%.
He further said that Guru Gobind Singh Refinery has finalized
all the licensors, completed the basic engineering design and
finalized all critical packages. Orders have been placed in all
the 22 critical Long Lead Items and presently construction work
has been initiated at site of Crude Distillation Units, Delayed
Coker Unit, Captive Power Plant, plus for the required infrastructure
elements.
It may be recalled that this 9 Million Metric Tones per annum
capacity grass root oil refinery at Bathinda would also have a
Captive Power Plant of about 165 MW, a 1012 long cross country
crude oil pipeline from Mundra (Gujrat) to Bathinda (Punjab) with
Single Point Mooring (SPM) and Crude Oil terminal at Mundra in
Gujrat. Work on these items was also under progress.
Mr. Singh Further said that the refinery would produce high
value petroleum products such as –LPG, Naphtha, Petrol,
Diesel, Aviation Fuel, Polypropylene, Food-grade Hexane and Pet
Coke. While the liquid products would be marketed through HPCL
marketing network the solid products like Sulphur, Coke and Polypropylene
would be sold directly by HMEL. Adding further he said that HMEL
was also exploring development of petrochemical industrial hub
in Punjab for processing Polypropylene. The hub would produce
about 400 TMT of Polypropylene which would act as mother industry
for developing several medium and small scale business and units
in and around Bathinda. It was envisaged that consumption of about
50% of the total produce would be by Punjab. The demand for Polypropylene
in Economic Supply Zone of the Refinery was expected to attract
investment of about Rs. 1200 crores and generate an additional
direct and indirect employment of the order of 4000 people.
Guru Gobind Singh Refinery through this project was also engaged
in initiatives for skill development for the youth of Punjab.
Guru Gobind Singh Refinery with NAC (National Academy of Construction
Hyderabad) was providing training in welding to candidates from
adjoining villages. Three batches of trainees each have already
been sent for training.
The Guru Gobind Singh Refinery Project was being implemented
by HPCL-Mittal Energy Limited (HMEL) which was a joint venture
between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited-a state rune mega
integrated oil refining company in India with a Navratna status
and Mittal Energy Investment Pte Ltd, Singapore-a Lakshmi N Mittal
Group Company. As per Government Approval, both the JV partners
hold a stake of 49% each in the company, the rest 2 percent being
held by Indian financial institutions.
More facilitates for farmers to get maximum yield from
kharrif crops
Chandigarh, February 11
Naginder Singh
Punjab Agriculture department has provided more facilitates
to farmers of the state so that they could get maximum yield from
Kharrif crops.
Revealing this here today Mr. Sucha Singh Langah, Agriculture
Minister Punjab said that certified seeds and latest technical
know- how was being given to the farming community. He said 200
Agricultural Service Centers were going to be set up in the state
and one third share of total expenditure would be given by the
government as financial assistance to the farmers to provide them
latest agricultural equipment and machinery. Special arrangements
has been made to impart technical training to farmers right in
their fields through agriculture experts. For this " Farm
Field Schools" would be organisd in their respective fields.
Mr. Langah further said that required machinery like Rotavator,
Zero till drill, straw reeper, Raised Bed Planter, Power tiller,
Power sprayer, Happy seeder etc. would also be provided to farmers
on subsidy. Besides this he said that fertilizers containing fertile
contents would also made available for farmers. For this 10 Kg
bag of Zinc Sulphate would be given for Rs. 150 to farmers and
20 Kg Bag for Rs. 290. similarly five KG bag of maganese Sulphate
would be given for Rs.200 to farmers, he added.
Giving more details regarding better facilities being provided
by the Agriculture Department of Punjab, Mr. Langah said 50 percent
subsidy was being given to farmers on gypsum and on seeds of green
fertilizers.
The Minister said that under seed village scheme, 20 Kg certified
seed of wheat was given to each farmer. To implement this scheme
effectively 450 villages has been identified and 60 farmers of
each village would get 20 Kg certified seed of wheat. This scheme
was launched to produce high quality seed for the next year. Special
training was also been imparted to farmers to how to preserve
the seed. Seed drums were also being provided to farmers so that
they could store the seeds. So that other farmers of the village
could also get seed from these farmers for the next year.
GURU ASKS PR FUNCTIONARIES TO SEND FEEDBACK TO
THE GOVERNMENT
CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 11
Principal Secretary Information & Public Relations Mr. DS
Guru today called upon the PR functionaries posted at the State
headquarters and in the field to evolve a mechanism to give regular
feed back to the government and play a pro-active role to disseminate
its policies and programmes at the grass root level as they act
as a bridge between the government and the masses through different
modes of communication.
Presiding over a maiden meeting of the officers of the State
Information & Public Relations Department, Mr. Guru said that
the the PR practitioners were the key functionaries of the government
for publicizing its polices, programmes and achievements. He also
underlined the need to inculcate the sense of professionalism
amongst them to discharge their duties with firm commitment, dedication
and sincerity in far more result-oriented manner. He also urged
them to maintain cordial relations and keep close liaison with
media to boost the image of the State Government in the eyes of
public in a true perspective. He also appreciated the role of
media in the changed scenario especially in the hi-tech IT enabled
set up and also impressed upon the PR men to upgrade their knowledge
and skills to deliver the goods effectively. “With the advent
of latest communication and information technology, PR is expected
to perform much more responsible and balanced role with an element
of objectivity especially in the wake of expansion of electronic
and print media”, said Mr. Guru.
Mr. Guru asked the field officers to issue development/success
stories to highlight the achievements of the government on different
aspects. The subtle message in these success stories should be
in the idiom of masses and thought provoking. He however, said
that since PR men were the eyes and ears of the government and
they must perform their assigned role with utmost responsibility.
He asked the officers to give their free and frank views about
PR and hardships faced by them in their day-to-day functioning.
He also announced to set up a committee of the senior most departmental
officers to look into their functional problems and requirements
at state headquarters and field so that a self-contained proposal
in this regard could be put up before the Deputy Chief Minister
Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal who was the Minister incharge of the department
to resolve these issues once for all on the highest priority to
ensure a congenial atmosphere to the officers and officials of
the PR department to work with renewed vigour and zeal.
Director Information & Public Relations Mr. Gagandeep Singh
Brar conducted the proceedings of the meeting and informed Mr.
Guru about the problems of the officers. He also asked the officers
to send a detailed feed back report regularly at the state headquarters
to enable the department to objectively monitor the impact of
the policies and programmes. He hoped that the recent promotions
of the officers in the department after a long gap would infuse
a new spirit amongst them. He also asked the officers to dish
out the development stories to highlight the ongoing development
activities and programmes of state government to apprise the masses
and to ensure their participation in the process of development.
Meanwhile, the officers of the department expressed their gratitude
to the Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Principal
Secretary Information & Public Relations Mr. DS Guru and Director
Information & Public Relations Mr. Gagandeep Singh Brar by
granting promotion to them in their ranks thereby conceding their
long awaited demand to end stagnation in the department.
Prominent amongst others those who attended included Additional
Director Information & Public Relations Mr. Jarnail Singh.
Ms. Kusumjit Sidhu, Chief Electoral Officer,
Punjab
Ms. Kusumjit Sidhu, Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab addressed
a meeting of the political parties on 11 February in the context
of the recently concluded revision of electoral rolls on 22.01.2009
and the summary revision of the electoral rolls under process
in parts of 4 Assembly Constituencies of Ludhiana District. It
was intimated to them that claims & objections could be filed
by 16 February and final publication would be on 25 February.
The parties were advised to ensure appointment of Booth Level
Agents by 16 February so that they could meet and interact with
Booth Level Officers on 22 and 23 February at the polling stations
to sort out pending roll related issues.
The Chief Electoral Officer informed the political parties that
the election to Nur Mahal Assembly Constituency would be on the
basis of the roll as per the old delimitation but with reference
to 1 January 2009 as the qualifying date.
The Chief Electoral Officer also stressed the need for their
active involvement in the EVMs checking which had started on 6
February 2009 in the State.
The parties were informed that they had a significant role in
creating voter awareness with reference to all aspects of the
election process. Their cooperation was solicited.
AMRINDER LOOKING FOR EXCUSES TO RUN AWAY FROM ELECTORAL BATTLE-BIKRAM
SINGH MAJITHIA
CHANDIGARH, FEBRUARY 11
Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Patron Youth Akali Dal and former
Information and Public Relations Minister today said that by raising
questions on law and order situation in a fully peaceful state,
Capt. Amarinder Singh, former Chief Minister was looking for excuses
to run away from electoral battle.
In a statement issued here today Mr. Majithia said sensing crushing
defeat in impending Lok Sabha Elections, the so called Campaign
Manager of Congress Party, Capt Amarinder Singh was raising the
bogey of law and order, to find a respectable excuse to run away
from the battle, before it starts. He said that it was Capt. Amarinder
Singh who was trying to vitiate atmosphere in the Punjab by inflaming
the passions of Congress cadre on non-issues. Mr. Majithia said
that SAD-BJP Government would not allow any body to disturb peaceful
situation in the State and would take stern action against violent
and divisive forces. He said that it was matter of great shame
that Capt. Amarinder Singh as a Chief Minister hobnobbed with
anti-national Khalistan forces and addressed them from the Khalistan
stage during his visit to Canada.
Youth Akali Dal Patron said that the people of Punjab have not
forgotten the dark five years of Captain’s misrule when
Chief Minister of a State instead of leading the state by example
was enjoying worldly passions with her Pakistani girlfriend, on
the sand dunes of Jaisalmer. He said that instead of focusing
on development of Punjab, Capt. Amarinder Singh spent the five
years tenure in opposition bashing not even sparing the leaders
of his own party by framing them in different cases. He said that
Congress leaders posing threat to the seat of Captain were framed
in false rape cases to silence them.
Warning Capt. Amarinder Singh to desist from instigating the
‘Goondas’ in Congress to spread violence in the State,
paving the way for Central intervention, Mr. Majithia said that
Punjab Government would not allow any one to disturb peaceful
situation in the State and deal with the situation firmly. He
said that SAD-BJP Government was committed to conduct fair and
free and peaceful elections in the State and would book any one
trying to hamper the peaceful conduct of polls in the State.
"Congress Vendetta Cry born of Guilt Complex,"
says Badal
Asks Congress to face poll with concrete agenda
Chandigarh February 10
The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal
said here today that the Congress leaders' "hue and cry about
vendetta in Punjab is a mere reflection of their guilt conscience
about what they had been doing to the Opposition during their
regime.
"The Congress has no political or economic
agenda for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. It is living under
the delusion that the people of Punjab may perhaps vote for them
only out of pity and sympathy. It is strange to see yesterday's
arrogant autocrats suddenly showing themselves off as poor, innocent
and defenseless victims. The people of Punjab are only going to
laugh at such pathetic antics," said the Chief Minister,
asking the Congress leaders to go to the people with some concrete
ideology for the betterment of Punjab.
Responding to media queries about allegations to
this effect levelled by some Congress leaders in New Delhi today,
Mr. Badal said that not a single Congress legislator had been
called to a police station during the SAD-BJP regime. "Not
a single Congress leader faces charges leveled by our government.
No one has accused us of treating any Congress legislator or office
bearer to any harassment or humiliation or police torture. In
sharp contrast, not only were the former Akali ministers and senior
Akali leaders arrested, harassed and subjected to third degree
methods in police stations following false cases registered against
them only on the basis of so-called "reliable sources",
but even elderly members of their families, including ladies were
not spared," said Mr. Badal, adding that the Punjab Congress
leadership had now run of ideas to face the SAD- Akali Alliance
on the plank of development and governance and was therefore resorting
to "white lies."
The Chief Minster said that the previous Congress
carried out systematic repression in Punjab in a style which was
reminiscent of the days of the Mughals. "They hounded almost
every Akali house in mid-night raids. Even minor children from
Akali families were kept in unlawful custody in police stations
and were subjected to third degree torture. Even the religious
symbols (the Five K's) of senior Akali leaders were outraged by
the police under direct orders from the then Chief Minister. The
whole world knows what went on in Punjab between 2002 and 2007.
It is strange that the perpetrators of such heinous crimes against
humanity are now talking about moving the Human Rights Commission",
said the Chief Minister.
Mr. Badal dared the Punjab Congress leaders to
give even a single example of inquiry launched or of a case registered
by the present government on its own. "The only cases that
one or two Congress leaders are facing are the logical and necessary
legal follow up of the inquiries conducted during the Congress
regime itself. These inquiries had been ordered by the previous
government and even the findings came before the SAD-BJP government
took over," said Mr. Badal
In the Ludhiana City Centre scam, for example,
an inquiry instituted by the then Chief Minister Captain Amarinder
Singh clearly spoke a Rs. 1500 crore loss to the state exchequer
in the entire deal. The then vigilance ADGP recommended further
probe in the matter during the regime of Amarinder Singh himself.
"Then why blame us? Do they want us to save them now by ignoring
our constitutional duties and keeping silent on the records of
the findings of an inquiries conducted by their own officers during
the tenure of the Congress government?" asked the Chief Minister.
ROAD NETWORK IN PUNJAB IN FOR MAJOR FILLIP
SUKHBIR UNVEILS PHAGWARA-MOHALI EXPRESSWAY
CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 10
In a bid to inject a major fillip into an economically resurgent
Punjab's road infrastructure, Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir
Singh Badal today formally show-cased the details of one of the
most prestigious state-of-the-art six-lane Expressway connecting
two of Punjab's most strategically located cities, SAS Nagar Mohali
with Phagwara, making Punjab the first state in the country to
move into the high speed closed-tolling access controlled transport
network era.
"The entire process for putting this project on the ground
has been completed. All the plan details, like alignment of the
hundred meter wide corridor, and project structure had already
been 'worked out and finalized", he declared, adding that
the land acquisition notice (section 4) for the purpose was issued
on February 6.
The six-lane expressway, with provision for subsequent expansion
to ten lanes, would cut the travel time between these two cities
from the present 2 ½ hours to just one hour, resulting
in a 150% saving on fuel and attendant running costs for vehicles.
"This is just the beginning. We are determined to modernize
Punjab, strengthen its economy and ensure progress and economic
well being its people. Punjabis love quality living and we are
committed to make it possible for them," said Mr. Badal.
Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that the expressways would act
as a multiple economic energy injector, leading to Development
of 5-kilometer Economic Corridor on both sides and this would
Agri Export Zones, SEZs, Industrial Parks, etc. The Expressway
would be developed under Public Private Partnership (PPP) format
wherein the Private Sector Player will bring and invest for the
construction and Operation & Maintenance.
A similar expressway facility would also come up along the Sidhwan
canal to begin the process of traffic modernization in the industrial
hub of the state, Ludhiana, Mr. Badal declared. This 4-lanned
partially access-controlled expressway along the left bank of
the Sidhwan Canal would start from Doraha (at NH-1) and culminates
at Ferozepur Road (NH-95) in Ludhiana City. The total length of
the expressway is 26 km. the other features of the project includes
flyovers at Malerkotla road junction, Dugri Road Junction, Pakhowal
Road Junction, BRS/Sarabha Nagar Junction; RoBs over Dhuri/Delhi
rail line & Moga/Firozpur rail line; an Underpass system at
Firozpur road junction; 100% lining of Sidhwan Canal from Manpur
Headworks to Firozpur Road; Service Road on left bank of the canal
on selected reach; Landscaping/Beautification along the both banks
of the Canal. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs 400
crores and is being shared by PIDB & GLADA. Tenders for construction
of the project are being called within 10 days and construction
will commence from May 2009. The project will be completed by
October 2010 and long pending demand of Ludhiana City would met,
Mr Badal said.
"These 'state of the art' green-field expressways would
revolutionize the concept of road transport in the country and
give a fillip to development activity in the economically resurgent
Punjab," Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal told media persons during
a 40-minute luncheon power-point presentation to unveil the project
at Punjab Bhawan this afternoon. Baddi and Lalru would also be
connected to the Mohali-Phagwara expressway to give it total length
of 180 kilometers, said Mr. Badal. This Rs. 5000 crore enterprise
would propel the state into the global speedway era, he added.
The fully access controlled traffic artery, he said, would rival
the very best anywhere in the world with the application of advanced
and most advanced traffic-control technologies, such as Intelligent
Transport System (ITS) and Highway Traffic Management System(HTMS)
for surveillance of 100% length of Expressway through CCTV &
Control Rooms and for providing prior information to commuters
through Variable Electronic Message Display Boards.
In addition, the expressway would have closed tolling system
ensuring payment of toll only once on exit for actual distance
traveled. This facility is being installed for the first time
in India.
Mr. Badal said that for the first time in the country, this expressway
would have conflict free intersections, Interchanges and grade
separators at all sensitive points to ensure safety and conflict
traffic movement.
The 'fully access controlled' (FAC) road would ensure safety of
road users and vehicles, conflict free intersections, Interchanges
and grade separators at all major intersections for conflict free
traffic movements. It would also have provision of service lanes
on either sides, agricultural vehicle underpasses and irrigation
Channel Crossings across the Expressway and would streamline connectivity
to villages and small towns along the route. With world class
wayside amenities like fully equipped service stations, petrol
pumps, restaurants, food courts, entertainment, commercial activities
and motel etc, the expressway would boast of landscaping and beautification
as per the best international standards, apart from providing
Value Added Services like Rescue Vehicles, Ambulances, Cranes,
etc., disclosed the Deputy Chief Minister.
Economic and social benefits
Mr. Badal said that the proposed expressways would not only
propel the state into the age of safety oriented, high speed surface
transport era but would also unleash immense growth energies to
bolster the economy of the state. "The new high speed, bottle-neck
free express way would have a multiplier effect on the state's
economy, with new townships coming up along the route.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that among other the major benefits,
would be an enhanced marketing opportunities through opening up
of new mandis, development of social infra structure, like health
and educational facilities, boost to food processing industry
and the agri-export opportunities, development of backward areas
because of world class connectivity, direct benefits to farmers
in the form of increased land prices after Expressway becomes
operational.
This, he said, would be in addition to the corresponding reduction
social loss because of greater road safety, leading to fewer accidents
and resultant deaths. There would also be direct benefits to the
commuters through lesser travel time, distance and fewer vehicle
operating costs.
WRITES TO PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SAYS ITS VIOLATION OF
INDIAN CONSTITUTION.
The National President of the Sehajdhari Sikh Federation Dr.P.S.Ranu
has written a letter to the President of India drawing her attention
towards certain Fanatic Organizations like Bajrang Dal and Shri
Ram Sena who are openly giving threats in the media that they will
oppose the celebrations of Valentine day with manual forces and
forcefully arrange the marriages of the couples found moving together
on the Valentine day. The Sehajdhari Federation stated that these
type of open statements issued for cheap popularity are against
the Constitution of India and are serious threats to the Sovereignty
and Integrity of India.
