MAJITHIA FOR MAKING ENERGY CONSERVATION A PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT- WRITES TO SARPANCHES TO MAKE IT A SUCCESS

CHANDIGARH , JANUARY 7, 2009

:The Punjab Government today took a novel lead to involve elected representatives at the grass root level i.e. Sarpanches in the energy conservation drive to make it people's movement.

Science, Technology, Environment and Non-Conventional Energy Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia today wrote a personal letter to the Sarpanches of 12500 villages requesting them to motivate the villagers to adopt energy conservation means including CFLs, Solar Geysers and energy efficiency motors in their houses and farms to save precious power. Mr. Majithia exhorted the Sarpanches that to face the global energy crises it becomes the duty of every citizen to save and conserve every unit of power. He said that though Punjab Government has launched ambitious programme including setting up of four mega thermal plants to augment power keeping in view the future needs of the state, It was imperative for all of us to become conscious of need to save power.

Appealing to the Sarpanches to motivate the villagers to use CFL bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs at their homes as well as in farms,Mr. Majithia said that use of CFL bulbs can reduce their electricity bill by over 80 percent. More over CFL bulbs though slightly costly last for 4-5 years against the normal bulb life of 6 months. He said that PSEB has been organizing camps in the villages where CFL bulbs are being provided at concessional rate to the users. Mr. Majithia said that PEDA was ready to provide solar street lights in the villages at subsidized rates if concerned panchayats guarantee the safety of street light equipments.

Exhorting the villagers to make full utilization of solar energy Mr. Majithia said that villagers should replace their electric geysers with solar geysers on for which Punjab Government was also providing subsidy. These zero power consuming solar geysers recover their cost within two years with the saving of electricity bill. Similarly solar cookers save the money on LPG usage. Mr. Majithia also urged the Sarpanches to motivate the farmers to replace the electric motor of their tubewells with energy saving motors.

The Minister said that it was our duty to save power as every one unit of power saved is equal to 2 unit of power generated. He said at present, power is generated by using fossil fuels including coal, oil or natural gas and with every passing day the reserves of fossil fuels were getting depleted, posing a bleak scenario for the future. He said that being a responsible citizen, it was imperative for all of us to save power so that our future generation do not suffer.

INFORMATION & PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, PUNJAB MAIN BRANCH LOWER REMAIN CLOSE FOR 32 DAYS

Chandigarh, January 7, 2009

Keeping in view the state of crops and whether conditions, Irrigations Department Punjab has issued a notification to close Main Branch Lower (UBDC) and its all off-taking canals to construct a bridge on RD 105800 of Main Branch Lower for 32 days upto 25-1-2009.

INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPTT. PUNJAB VIGILANCE NABBED 2 GOs & 13 NGOs

TWO CONVICTED IN GRAFT CASES

Chandigarh January 7, 2009

State Vigilance Bureau, in a drive against corruption in public life, arrested two Gazzetted Officers (GOs) and thirteen Non-Gazzetted Officers (NGOs) in fourteen different cases in last month and was able to secure the conviction of two accused in two 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 December the Vigilance had nabbed fifteen corrupt public servants which includes three Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) officials, two revenue officials and three health department employees red handed accepting bribes in different cases. During this period VB had registered three criminal cases and two vigilance enquiries against the suspect officials to probe into the allegations during the month of December 2008.

Giving details he added that the special courts have sentenced two NGOs in two different vigilance cases after finding them guilty for one year to two years imprisonment.

Chandigarh January 7: Capt. Kanwaljit Singh, Cooperation and Defence Services Welfare Minister Punjab while addressing the 28th meeting of Kendrya Saink Board held here today in Vigyan Bhawan raised the various welfare issues for the Defense services welfare like One Rank one Pension, anomalies in Pay Commission Employment opportunities, Exemption of Toll Tax, Central Funding for ESM, increase the quota for recruitment for Punjab in Defence forces etc. in the National level meeting presided over by Mr.A.K.Antony. Union Defence Minister.

He demanded the immediate implementation of the announcement made by Mr.George Fernades the then Union Defence Minister in April 1999 at Anandpur Sahib for one rank one pension to the Ex-Servicemen. He said that this issue has been agreed in principle by the NDA Government but has not been implemented apapropriately.While the cost of living is constantly raising. He also demanded to remove the anomalies immediately in the 6th Pay Commission for the Defence Services and also Ex-Servicemen. He said that a repeated effort to down grade the status of the soldier was being made. It is the responsibility of the Government to protect the interest of the soldiers. However it transpires that anomalies and misrepresentation of provisions of 4th Pay Commission regarding Soldiers are yet to be addressed. The full benefit of the 'Rank Pay' for the Armed Forces as approved by the Cabinet is yet to be passed on to the soldiers. This resulted in the wrong fixation of Pay & Pension and disadvantages the Soldiers in the Inter-Services relatively.

Stressing on the need of firm policy for the employment opportunities for the Ex-Servicemen. He said that it will improve the manpower profile of these forces and save training costs and provide lateral induction to Ex-Servicemen. ESM Ecological and Disaster Management Forces could be centrally created to combating disaster situations and reviving ecological balance. The 26/11 Bombay events have shown the necessity for such forces/organization at State level.

Capt. Singh also demanded the exemption of Toll Tax for Ex-Servicemen. The National Highway Authority should incorporate this exemption in all MOU's being signed and same be followed up by the States.

He also requested for central funding for the Department of Saink Welfare, presently the 50% funding of Department of Sainik Welfare by the Centre needs to be reviewed. He said that Punjab have 5865World War II Veterans who are receiving monthly pension. Once central funding for Salaries/Establishment costs is available it will be possible to provide realistic monthly pensions to these Veterans.

He also urged the Union Defence Minister to increase in the quota of recruitment for Punjab in Defence Forces, as on date recruitment quota of Punjab in Defence Forces was 2% only which was very meager and the same was required to be enhanced. Punjab the erstwhile 'Sword Arm of India'needs to get additional quota. Union Defence Minister has assured for active consideration to raise the quota for Punjab.

Capt. Singh further said that Punjab was committed to welfare ESM and Serving Soldiers as the Punjab has set up a grievance redressal mechanism for serving soldiers where District Sainik Welfare Officer is the Nodal Agency. The Centre and State must come together toward this noble cause, he added.