IIT ROPAR TO HERALD TECHNOLOGY REVOLUTION
IN THE STATE - BADAL
RUPNAGAR FEBRUARY 24, 2009
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that
the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) would prove to be a milestone
in bringing about a revolution in the science, engineering and
technology and would further catapult the growth of technological
and innovative skills through its existing network of technical
education in the state.
Addressing a massive gathering here at Birla farm near village
Phul Kalan after laying the foundation stone of IIT, Ropar over
an area of 513 acres at a cost of Rs.1000 crore by Union Minister
of Human Resource Development Mr. Arjun Singh through a remote
button, Mr. Badal who presided over the function said that Punjab
had already an excellent infrastructure of technical education
in terms of buildings and faculty and now with the setting up
of this new IIT it would further give a boost to the technical
education. He said that it was the endeavour of SAD-BJP government
to impart state-of-the-art education to the students to enable
them to compete globally. He said that the government had already
got sanctioned one Central University at Bathinda and another
World Class University at Amritsar to usher in an era of quality
education to boost the prospects of human resource development.
The Union Minister asked Mr. Badal not to express any
sort of gratitude to him rather he should be thankful to the Prime
Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh who was the real architect behind
the concept of establishing 8 new IITs in 2008 by the Ministry
of Human Resource Development of which Punjab had also been allotted
one at Ropar. He said that IIT Delhi had been given the responsibility
of mentoring the IIT Ropar and the first batch of 105 students
who were admitted in IIT Ropar through JEE test in three disciplines,
Computer Science & Engineering, Electrical Engineering and
Mechanical Engineering had been functioning from there. He said
that from July 2009, IIT Ropar would start functioning at temporary
site at Government Polytechnic for Women at Ropar till its own
building was completed.
The Chief Minister pointed out that education and health were
the two core sectors for development of any state or a country.
Realizing the significance of these two key areas, the Punjab
government has laid special emphasis for its development both
in the rural and urban segments. He said that the setting up of
Adarsh Schools in the state was also a right step in this direction
to provide free and quality education to the brilliant and economically
poor with rural background students to enable them to provide
equal opportunities of education at par with their counterparts
in urban areas.
Dwelling on the path-breaking initiatives taken by the state
Government to strengthen the network of technical education, Mr.
Badal said that special efforts have been laid on the self-employment
and entrepreneurship to generate employment potential. To achieve
this objective, 30 ITIs were being upgraded as "Centres of
Excellence" in order to impart multi skill training as per
requirement of Industries and Service Sector, to students so that
they make master technicians in the concerned trade having theoretical
and practical knowledge.
Reiterating his firm commitment to develop Rupnagar as the Hub
of Information Technology, Mr. Badal said that the state government
would soon set up an other prestigious Dhirubhai Ambani Institute
of Information Technology in the vicinity of Rupnagar to make
it an ‘IT destination’ in the region in near future.
Expressing gratitude to Mr. Arjun Singh, the Chief Minister
appreciated the concern of Union Minister of Human Resources Development
who personally came all the way from Delhi despite his ill health
to grace the occasion. He assured Mr. Arjun Singh that state government
would extend full support and cooperation to accomplish the gigantic
task of the completion of IIT that would prove to be a harbinger
of technology and growth in Punjab.
In his address Mr. Arjun Singh said that IIT Ropar would soon
become a world-class institution in all respects. He said: ”IIT
Ropar campus coming on the banks of river Satluj would irrigate
the fertile minds of Punjabis with ultra-modern and world class
technology like the river Satluj that irrigates the land of the
state”. He said that the IITs were established under the
leadership of the great visionary Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru who envisioned
these institutions to provide the necessary dynamism and flexibility
to evolve along with expansion of knowledge and change in socio-economic
requirement of the ever-changing society.
The students of the first batch of IIT Ropar especially came
from New Delhi to participate in the function.
Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion included Technical
Education Minister Ch.Swarna Ram, Additional Secretary HRD GoI
Mr. Ashok Thakur, Chairman Board of Directors Prof. BS Ramamurti
and Director IIT Ropar & Delhi Prof.Surendra Prasad. Besides
PWD (B&R) Minister Mr.Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Advisor to
Chief Minister Dr.Daljit Singh Cheema, SAD District President
Ropar Tara Singh Ladal, Sant Ajit Singh, Mr.Ujjagar Singh Baddali
and Charanjit Singh Channi (all MLAs), former Minister Satwant
Kaur Sandhu, Principal Secretary Technical Education Tejender
Kaur and senior civil and police officers also attended the function.
CABINET APPROVES EXCISE POLICY FOR THE
YEAR: 2009-10
CHANDIGARH, FEBRUARY 24, 2009
The Council of Ministers in its meeting held today
under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Chief Minister Mr.Parkash
Singh Badal, approved the Excise Policy for the year 2009-10.
While talking to the media persons after the Cabinet meeting,
Mr.S.S.Brar, Financial Commissioner, Taxation (FCT) stated that
the projected revenue from State Excise during the year 2009-10
would be Rs.2000 crores, which would be Rs.272 crores more (+15.78%)
over the projected collections of Rs.1728 crores for the year
2008-09. This would be the highest increase in revenue it ever
experienced in Punjab
FCT informed that the allotment of vends will be
made through draw of lots as it was done in the last year. It
shall be done in an open & transparent manner in full public
view. The slips shall be picked up by the public and preferably
by the Media personnel and applicants.
VAT on liquor has not been increased and it will
remain the same at 12.5%. Presently, there are 4553 PML vends
and 2144 IMFL vends. These number of vends will approx remain
the same during 2009-10.
Mr.Brar stated that in order to regulate the prices
of liquor, this year, the maximum retail price of PML has been
fixed and it will not be more than Rs.10/-, Rs.6/- and Rs.3/-
per quart, pint and nip respectively from the minimum sale price
fixed for that category. Similarly, the maximum retail price of
IMFL has been fixed, but it will not more than Rs.30/-, Rs.20/-
and Rs.10/- in the case of quart, pint and nip respectively from
the minimum price fixed for that category. In addition, the Maximum
Retail Price of Beer at L-14A and L-2 vends has been fixed at
Rs.55/- per bottle of 650 ml of light beer and Rs.62/- per bottle
of 650 ml of strong beer.
The cost of application form has been fixed at
Rs.9000/- for single unit, as against Rs.6000/- in the year 2008-09.
The revenues generated out of application fee will be deposited
in exclusively dedicated fund for education in the State of Punjab.
If in any area, more than single unit is allotted on single application,
then Rs.16,000/-for group of two units, Rs.24,000/- for group
of three units, Rs.32,000/- for group of four units and Rs.40,000/-
for group of five units would be charged from the applicants.
However, in a significant departure from the previous
years, Mr.Brar stated that in order to promote greater participation
by small licensees, this year, the earnest money alongwith the
application fee has been drastically reduced from 5 percent of
license fee to Rs.1.00 lac for Corporation areas and Rs.50,000
for other areas. A successful allottee would now be required to
pay 15% of the license fee as security – Rs. 1.00 lac alongwith
the application in the shape of earnest money in Municipal Corporation
areas and Rs. 50000 in all other areas. The balance part of 5%
security in the shape of earnest money i.e. 5% minus Rs. 1.00
lac in Municipal Corporation areas and 5% minus Rs. 50000 other
areas shall be deposited on the day of draw of lots and 5% within
48 hours, balance 5% within three days of the draw of lots or
by 31st of March whichever is earlier.
In order to give a consumer more preference for
a liquor of his choice, the open quota percentage has been increased
from 30% to 40%. This will enable the licensees to pick more quota
of his choice from the distillery of his choice.
The Cabinet also approved to transfer half acre
of land to Punjab Olympic Association for the construction of
Olympic Bhawan on lease basis out of the land available at Sports
Complex, Mohali.
In an other decision the cabinet gave ex-post-facto approval of
discretionary grant of Rs. 2.50 crore in the favour of Deputy
Chief minister for the year 2008-09.
Sukhbir lay foundation stone of SUPERSPECIALTY
HOSPITAL at Mohali
Chandigarh February 24, 2009
Punjab today took further strides towards upgrading and modernizing
health infrastructure and medical facilities as the Deputy Chief
Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal laid the Foundation Stone of
the Max Super-specialty Hospital at Mohali near here. The hospital
is the second of its kind in the state the first being the one
being the super specialty cancer and cardiac hospital at Bathinda.
Speaking to newspersons, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that the
this indeed marks the beginning of the medico-revolution in the
state. “We know we have a long way to go but we are determined
not only to bring the most advanced medical facilities to the
door step of the people of the state but also to strengthen and
broad-base the primary health care infra-structure for the poor”,
said the Deputy Chief Minister.
The 200-bed hospital will come up on 3.15 acres on the premises
of District Civil Hospital. The hospital would be fully operational
by year 2011. The collocation of Superspecialty Hospital and District
Civil Hospital shall draw synergies and each would benefit from
the other, leading to the availability of superior healthcare
to the common man, declared the Deputy CM. He said that the Hospital
would also provide super-specialty healthcare services for cancer
and will be a one-stop multi-modal medical solution centre for
cancer, providing chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgical
oncology at one place.
It may be pointed out that The strategic location of the hospital
on the Mohali- Kharar highway assumes even greater significance
in the light of the alarming incidence of emergency and trauma
cases, largely due to the high incidence of accidents on the highway,
claiming a life every alternate day. Disturbingly, 71 people lost
their lives and 119 were left injured in 136 road accidents in
the first five months of 2008 in Mohali. Most accident cases are
referred from the local hospitals to the PGI in Chandigarh, resulting
in the lost of critical time for such cases. For any major accident
first few hours are the most critical, and time lost in referrals
general proves fatal for the victims. With the coming of this
hospital in Mohali, this loss would be minimized, said Mr. Badal
.
The hospital will come up in the PPP mode. The Punjab Infrastructure
Development Board (PIDB), after open bidding, selected one of
the country’s leading health care concerns, the Max Healthcare
Institute Limited to be the Concessionaire for the hospital. The
Max Healthcare Institute Limited has quoted Rs 4.735 Cr as Upfront
Consideration for the concession and has deposited 25% of that
amount with the government .
Max Limited will design, finance, construct, operate and manage
the hospital, and provide the healthcare services during the concession
period of 50 years. They would provide 5% of the gross revenue
to the state goverment in lieu of concession which is expected
to bring in about Rs 1225 Crore during the concession period.
This money would be used be used for up-gradation of public healthcare
infrastructure in the state and for financing the medical treatment
of poor patients, said Mr. Badal. At the end of the 50 years of
concession period, the state government will get the asset back
at current price, free of cost and will have the option of running
it on its own or through a private concern.
MOHALI ALL SET TO EMERGE AS MAJOR BUSINESS
CENTRE OF SOUTH EAST ASIA
SUKHBIR LAYS FOUNDATION STONES
OF BIGGEST BUSINESS CENTRE, AIR CONDITIONED BUS TERMINAL AND SUPER
SPECIALTY HOSPITAL IN MOHALI
S.A.S Nagar(Mohali), February 24, 2009
The IT City of Mohali today took a giant leap to emerge has
another Singapore of South East Asia as Deputy Chief Minister
Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today formally initiated the work on three
major project, with combined capital outlay of Rs. 10,413 crore,
giving a big impetus to development of this area. Mr. Badal today
laid the foundation stones of India’s biggest Central Business
District (Rs. 10,000 Crore) at Sector 62, state-of-art ultra modern
air conditioned Bus Terminal (Rs. 300 Crores) in Sector 57 and
a Multi Specialty Hospital (Rs. 113 Crore) on National Highway
22.
The dream project of Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, the central business
district in sector 62, would be set-up on a piece of 250 acres
plot. Planned and designed by top international city planning
agency of Singapore M/s Jurong International, this business centre
would attract an investment of Rs. 10,000 crore. Rs. 35 crores
have already been spent on construction of six lane highway giving
smooth access to the biggest business district of India. Mr. Badal
informed that this best planned business centre would be executed
by a professional agency to ensure this time bound completion.
He said that this business centre would have a business hub, shopping
malls, five star hotel, theme park, convention centre and entertainment
corner. Mr. Badal said that with the completion of central business
district in Mohali and completion of Mohali Airport in near future,
Mohali was all set to emerge on international tourist circuit.
Giving a Power Point presentation at the site of function to
the media Mr. Badal informed that this project has been built
on the principle of sustainability and offer unique life style
choices. He said that this would prove a new economic catalyst
besides strengthening old ones and its ripple effect would boost
development in surrounding areas. He said that this project unique
of its own kind would generate fresh employment of 40 Thousand
quality jobs.
Mr Badal said that Rs. 300 crore Air conditioned bus terminal
to be constructed in Sector 57 was the second major decision to
facilitate the travel of ordinary commuters. After facilitating
their travel in air conditioned buses at nearly ordinary rate
by adding 500 buses in the fleet, this air conditioned bus stand
second of its own kind to be constructed in Punjab was a gift
of Punjab government to ordinary bus commuters of the state. This
10 storied bus terminal with provision of Helipad on its top floor,
would emerge as a top commercial centre of this reason. Set to
be completed in 30 months in PPP mode, this complex was being
constructed by top realty company C & C constructions limited.
GMADA would be paid Rs. 57 crore by the company and during 90
years lease term Punjab government was all set to get Rs 3445
crore during lease term. This state of art bus terminal would
provide airport like facilities to bus commuters and would have
electronic access control buses, smart card tolling system with
escalators and elevators, he added.
He informed that the super specialty hospital to be set up in
the premises of civil Hospital Mohali was being set up by Max
Group in PPP mode at the cost of Rs. 113 crore. Equipped to provide
super specialty care in two discipline Cancer and Trauma, this
200 bedded hospital would completed by April 2011. The poor patients
of the region would benefit from this hospital as Max Group would
utilize 5 percent of its gross revenue receipts for improvement
of Hospital infrastructure and providing to poor patients.
Speaking at the site of Multi specialty hospital Health minister
Prof. Lakshmi Kant Chawla said that Punjab was committed to provide
quality heath care to the masses and this multi specialty hospital
would proved to be a great asset for the people of the region.
Mr. Mohan Lal Transport Minister Punjab speaking at air conditioned
bus terminal function said that this project proves the commitment
of Punjab government to provide quality transport services to
ordinary masses.
Capt. Kawanljit Singh Co-Operation Minister Punjab said that development
work initiated by SAD-BJP government would change the total economic
scenario of the region.
Prominent among those present on the occasion were Mr. Ujjagar
Singh Badali MLA, Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema Adviser to Chief Minister
Punjab, Mr. Harsukhinder Singh Bubby Badal, Mr. Jasjeet Singh
Bunny Chairman Punjab State Co-Operative Bank, Mr. D. S. Jaspal
Principal Secretary Transport, Mr. A. R. Talwar Principal Secretary
Health, Mr. Satish Chander Secretary Health, Mr. Arun Goel Secretary
Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, MD, PIDB,
Mr. M. S. Sandhu, MD Punjab State Health Corporation and Mr. Vivek
Partap Singh, Chief Adminstrator GMADA.
PUNJAB TO FLOAT RS. 695.000CRORE LOAN
Chandigarh, February 24, 2009
The Punjab government in consultation with Reserve Bank of India(RBI)
today floated Rs. 695.000 crore(nominal) loan to finance part
of Capital Expenditure of Plan Schemes and other development schemes
under execution.
According to an official spokesman the State government today
notified the sale of Punjab Government Stock (Securities) of 10
year tenure for a aggregate amount of Rs. 695.000 crore (Nominal).
The spokesman said that consent of Central government has already
been obtained to the floatation of this loan.
The spokesman said that the government stock would be sold through
RBI Mumbai by auction that would be conducted by them in his Mumbai
office on February 27, 2009. The application form duly filled
in with the bids should be submitted to the RBI, Mumbai on February
27, 2009 by 12.30 P.M. Result of auction would be displayed on
February 27 and successful bidders would make payment on March
2, 2009.
The spokesman added that this 10 year tenure loan would be repaid
at par March 2, 2019. He said that interest will be paid every
half yearly on September 2 and March 2 and cut off yield determined
at the auction would be the coupon rate percent per annum of the
stock sold at the auction.
CS REVIEWS PROGRESS AND IMPLEMENTATION
OF NREGA SCHEME IN PUNJAB
Chandigarh February 24
Mr.Ramesh Inder Singh, IAS, Chief Secretary, Punjab
held a meeting of Deputy Commissioners and Addl. Deputy Commissioners
in the State here today to review the implementation of NREGA
Scheme in the State. While reviewing the progress of various development
activities, including the works under National Rural Employment
Guarantee Scheme NREGA, he directed the deputy commissioners of
the state to ensure the proper and timely implementation of the
ongoing schemes under NREGA so that the central funding could
be achieved accordingly. He assured the officers that there was
no dearth of funds available at the disposal of the district officers
and asked them to release the funds to the concerned Panchyats
immediately so that 100% utilization could be ensured. He also
asked the Deputy Commissioners to ensure that the wage employment
is provided to the card holders at the earliest in proper light
and spirit of the scheme
Mr. K.S. Pannu, IAS, Special Secretary to C.M Punjab,
who has recently been honored by Government of India for successful
implementation of NREGA Scheme in district Amritsar, gave a detailed
presentation of the scheme. All the final modalities of the scheme
were discussed in detail. While appreciating the works done under
the scheme in some districts especially Amritsar, the Chief Secretary
pulled up the Deputy Commissioners who were found lacking in the
scheme implementations.. The Deputy Commissioners were directed
to utilize the funds lying with them before 31st March, 2009 by
properly ensuring the deployment of required personnel at the
earliest. The officers were directed to release the funds directly
to the Panchayat on the basis of proportionate job cards in the
villages. The Chief Secretary emphasized that village water ponds
must be taken up on priority for their cleaning and putting boundary
wall around the ponds. Officers were asked to draw innovative
plans for the implementation of the scheme.
The meeting was attended by Mr. G.S. Sandhu, IAS,
Financial Commissioner, Rural Development, Mr.G.S.Sidhu, IAS,
Director, and Rural Development besides other officers of the
department of Rural Development department Punjab.
IRRIGATION PROGRAMME FOR KHARIF SEASON ANNOUNCED
CHANDIGARH, Feb. 24, 2009
The Irrigation Department, Punjab has announced the Rotational
irrigation Programme for the Kharif Season through Canal water
from 25 Februaryrch, 2009. The channels of Sirhind Canal System
would run on priority basis from Patiala feeder, Abohar Branch,
Bist Doab Canal, Sidhwan Branch, Bhatinda Branch and respectively.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the irrigation department
said that direct distributaries of Ghaggar link and its off taking
channels i.e. Ghaggar Branch and Patiala Minor in Group 'B' being
in the Ist preference will run to their indent. Balance water
supplies available will be utilised in direct distributaries of
Bhakra main line of Group 'A'.
The spokesman further said that the Punjab channels off taking
from Harika and Ferozepur Head Works & Branches i.e. Abohar
Branch off taking from Sirhind Feeder and its distributaries of
group "B" would run on first preference to their indent.
Balance water supplies available would be utilised in direct distributaries
of Sirhind Feeder in Group "A".
The spokesman also said that the channels off taking from upper
Bari Doab Canal i.e. Sabraon Branch with its distributaries being
in first be utilised in Kasoor Branch Lower, Main Branch Lower,
Lahore Branch, and with its distributaries respectively.
PUNJAB GOVERNMENT NOMINATES CHAIRMAN AND
MEMBERS OF MARKET COMMITTEE BATHINDA
CHANDIGARH, FEBRUARY. 24, 2009
The Punjab Government today nominated Mr. Gurteg Singh as Chairman
of Market Committee Bathinda.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab Government
said that a notification under Sub Section (1) of Section 16 of
Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets Act, 1961 has been issued
here today in this regard. He further informed that the state
government had also nominated 17 members of Market Committee Bathinda.
Shiromani Akali Dal
GMADA/PUDA told to withdraw letter regarding conveyance
deed-Cabinet to decide legal remedy-Sukhbir Singh Badal
SAS Nagar Mohali/Chandigarh, February 24
Lakhs of allotees of GMADA/PUDA colonies all over the state including
SAS Nagar Mohali can heave a sigh of relief as S. Sukhbir Singh
Badal President Shiromani Akali Dal and Deputy Chief Minister
today announced that S. Parkash Singh Badal Chief Minister Punjab
has asked GMADA/PUDA to immediately withdraw letter/notification
insisting that all the allotees should get conveyance deed of
their property registered at present collector rate.
Making this announcement drawing thunderous applause from a
mammoth gathering at a rally here today, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal
said that he has personally taken up the problem being faced by
allotees who were being asked to get conveyance deed at collector
rate and not at allotment rate and the Chief Minister was very
quick to issue instructions to withdraw the letter. He said that
he would raise this issue in today’s cabinet meeting and
concerned department would be asked to suitably amend the rules
to provide long awaited relief to lakhs of allotees of GMADA/PUDA
colonies.
Mr. Badal said that SAD-BJP government was committed for initiating
a development revolution in Punjab to give relief to every section
of society to change the socio-economic scenario of whole region.
He said that farmers friendly and development oriented land acquisition
policy initiated by this government has focused on rehabilitation
of oustees besides providing them 30 percent more than market
rate for their land. Accusing Amarinder for looting innocent farmers
by forcibly acquiring of their precious land at throwaway prices
just to benefit his friend colonizers, Mr. Badal said that farmers
of the state have vowed to punish arrogant Maharaja for his misdeeds.
He said that intelligent electorate of Punjab was committed to
ensure sweeping win of SAD-BJP candidate on all 13 seats. He said
that his government has acquired 2000 Acre land at Talwandi Sabo
and 2500 Acre at Malout besides some land for Mohali Airport giving
more than market rate to the farmers.
Accusing the Congress government for grim power scenario in the
state Mr. Badal said that his government within two years has
started work on four thermal plants to make Punjab power surplus
state within three year and assured that from March 1 there would
be no power cut in the state. He said that development initiatives
of his government for SAS Nagar Mohali would bring this IT city
on the international tourist circuit.
Seeking total support for Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema SAD-BJP candidate
for Anandpur Sahib Constituency covering Mohali also S. Sukhbir
Singh Badal said that Dr. Cheema was the best suitable candidate
for this region who would ensure pace of development in this highly
educated region of Punjab. He said that Dr. Cheema besides being
advisor of Chief Minister would personally take up the issues
of local residents with concerned departments and pursue them
till those issues reach their logical conclusion.
Capt. Kanwaljeet Singh Co-Operation Minister congratulating
Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal for realizing the dream of Mohali residents
also raised the issue of conveyance deed problem being faced by
the GMADA/PUDA allotees.
SAD-BJP Candidate from Anandpur Sahib and Adviser to Chief Minister
Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema lambasted the Amarinder for neglecting
the development of Mohal, Ropar and adjoining areas and fleecing
the farmers by acquiring their land at rock bottom rates benefiting
his coterie of colonizers. Mr. Jasjeet Singh Bunny Chairman Punjab
State Corporative Bank congratulated S. Sukhbir Singh Badal for
advocating farmer friendly and development oriented land acquisition
policy. Jathedar Ujjagar Singh Badali MLA , Mr. Khushwant Rai
Giga President BJP SAS Nagar and Mr. Tarlochan Singh Mann Senior
Vice President BJP Kisan Morcha also spoke on the occasion.
PUNJAB CM URGES KAMAL NATH TO INTERVEN
TO SAVE
POTATO FARMERS IN DISTRESS
CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 24, 2009
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today urged the
Union Minister for Commerce & Industries Mr. Kamal Nath to
immediately initiate suitable steps to help restore the export
of potatoes to Pakistan.
In a letter to the Union Minister for Commerce & Industries,
Mr. Badal sought his personal intervention as the State's potato
farmers find themselves in a distressing situation.
Mr. Badal further pointed out that Punjab has had a bumper crop
of potato this year with the hard work of the farmers and favorable
weather conditions during the growing season. Unfortunately, in
the absence of a price support mechanism, the prices of the crop
have crashed, leading not only to distress sales but also the
dumping of potatoes on the State's roads at various places, as
a mark of protest by the farmers.
The Chief Minister quoted: “In an attempt to salvage the
situation we have provided freight subsidy on the movement of
Potato outside the State @ Rs. 400/- per tonne for inter-state
and Rs. 1500/- per tonne for export, besides instructing the State's
agency Markfed to undertake market intervention in a judicious
manner”.
Mr. Badal further mentioned that our analysis of the situation
also reveals that part of the problem had arisen on account of
the duty imposed by the Pakistan on potato imported from India.
This duty, at a very high rate of Rs. 4.50 per kilo, has been
imposed from early January this year probably as a retaliatory
step for the imposition of customs duty by India on cement imported
from Pakistan. We do concede the need to protect domestic industry,
but to do so at the expenses of Punjab's farmers seems to be very
unfair. As per my report, about 1500 tonnes of potato were being
exported to Pakistan from Punjab every day between October and
early January when the duty was imposed. The export has stopped
since then, and is a major reason for the glut in the Punjab Market,
added Mr. Badal.
BADAL GAVE CLARION CALL TO OUST UPA FROM
CENTRE TO
INSTAL NDA GOVERNMENT
RUPNAGAR FEBRUARY 24, 2009
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today called upon
the people of Punjab to oust Congress in order to pave a way for
the BJP led National Democratic Alliance government at Centre
for seeking justice and equity for the long pending demands of
the state be it economic, agriculture, industry, inter-state issues
etc. which had been blatantly ignored by the Congress for its
indifferent and apathetic attitude.
Addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone of Rs.8.50
crore high level bridge over Sirhind Canal and Mini by-pass to
connect the Boat Club with Ropar-Nangal road, Mr. Badal said that
the people of Punjab had lot of expectations from the UPA government
but they were completely dejected due to the step motherly treatment
meted out to our state.
The Chief Minister categorically said that the SAD-BJP government
was committed to ensure overall development and welfare of all
sections of the society in the state without any sort of discrimination
or prejudice. He lambasted at the Congress for the gross neglect
of the development of this region. He said that Congress laid
down the foundation stone of many projects at the fag end of its
tenure just to woo the voters without preparing any blue print
and making provision for the funds. He said; "I have asked
my ministers not to lay any foundation stone without obtaining
prior sanction of funds and finalization of bidding process for
the execution of development projects. Even I also never lay any
foundation stone before verifying all these facts because such
actions taken in haste not only bring disgrace to the government
but also play havoc with the sentiments of the people".
Earlier, he laid a foundation stone of 134 meter long and 40
meter wide high level bridge over Sirhind canal at a cost of Rs.8.50
crore to be completed within 18 months and also of mini by-pass
to connect the Boat Club with Ropar-Nangal road. He also handed
over a cheque of Rs.2 crore to the President of Municipal Council
Rupnagar Amarjit Singh Satyal for the execution of various development
works in the city. He also dedicated two community centers one
in Giani Zail Singh Nagar and another in Dasmesh Nagar to the
local residents by handing over the keys to the chairman of Improvement
Trust Dr.RS Parmar.
Earlier, MLA Anadpur Sabhib Sant Baba Ajit Singh also highlighted
the problems of poor conditions of link roads, power supply and
irrigation facilities and solicited government's top priority
to address these issues on priority. He also demanded a special
package for the development of the sub-mountainous area of Anandpur
Sahib and sought financial assistance for the deep tubewells.
He also demanded compensation for the shops, which had been razed
for the widening of national highway No.21 on the top priority.
He also urged Mr.Badal to confer ownership rights on the farmers
who had been tilling the land in Sri Anandpur Sahib constituency
over past many years as per the policy of the state government.
Speaking on the occasion Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema Advisor to
the Chief Minister and SAD-BJP nominee from Sri Anandpur Sahib
parliamentary seat thanked Mr. Badal for reposing faith in him
and hoped he would come up to the expectations of the people in
the general elections and solicited people's whole hearted support
and cooperation to translate their dreams into reality.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Improvement Trust Dr.RS
Parmar highlighted the problems of the city and sought a special
package for the water supply and sewerage scheme. He thanked Mr.
Badal for conceding all the major demands of the Ropar and hoped
that the historic town of Ropar would soon get a facelift with
these development initiatives.
Prominent amongst others who were attended the function included
PWD (B&R) Minister Mr.Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Deputy Commissioner
Mr.B.Prushartha, SSP Mr. LK Yadav, SAD District President Ropar
Tara Singh Ladal, President District BJP Unit Bhupinder Nath Diwan,
Mr.Ujjagar Singh Baddali and Charanjit Singh Channi (both MLAs),
Member SGPC Gurinder Singh Goggi, former Minister Satwant Kaur
Sandhu and senior leaders and party workers of SAD-BJP and members
of the SGPC.
Arjun
Singh Union Minister of Human Resource Development