. PUNJAB CHIEF MINISTER S. PARKASH SINGH BADAL LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF TOHANA ROAD AND BRIDGE AT MOONAK DISTRICT SANGRUR DURING A VIKAS RALLY TODAY ON 27-01-09.

PUNJAB CHIEF MINISTER S. PARKASH SINGH BADAL HANDING OVER A CHEQUE OF RS. 3 CRORE TO THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL SUNAM FOR THE EXECUTION OF DEVELOPMENT WORKS DURING A PUBLIC RALLY AT LEHRA GAGA ON 27-01-09.

DELHI PEOPLE WELCOMES SUKHBIR SINGH BADAL

Chandigarh, January 27, 2009

The senior leadership of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi state) along with a large number of SAD workers and supporters today gave a rousing welcome to Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Punjab and President SAD on his arrival at New Delhi after assuming the charge of Deputy Chief Minister.

Expressing felicitations in enthusiasm over their beloved youthful leader Mr.Sukhbir Singh Badal's elevation as Punjab's Deputy Chief Minister, hundreds of his admirers and eminent personalities from different walks of life garlanded him and presented bouquets on his maiden visit to Delhi after becoming Deputy Chief Minister. On the occasion, sweets were also distributed. Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal profusely thanked the Almighty for giving him an opportunity to serve the people of Punjab besides expressing gratitude towards people for showing exemplary love and affection for him. He said that people had lot of expectations from him and he would strive hard to satiate all sections of the society. He sought people's whole hearted cooperation and assured the people present there of all round development of the state and welfare of his people especially the poor and the downtrodden which would ever remain on the top of his agenda.

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that keeping in view the tremendous potential and unbounded energy of the Punjab Youth the Punjab Government was keen to formulate a comprehensive sports policy in the state to enable the Punjab's Youth to demonstrate their capabilities and abilities at the National and International level.

Prominent amongst others Mr.Manjeet Singh G.K., President SAD Delhi .Mr.Avtar Singh Hit, former President SAD(Delhi) Mr.Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Mr.Onkar Singh Thapar, Mr.Kuldeep Singh Bhogal, Mr. Tejinder Pal Singh, Mr Harmanjit Singh, Mr. Kaka and several other leaders and members of the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee.

RECRUITMENT COMMITTEE ASKED TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESS
OF FILLING UP OF VACANCIES

Chandigarh, January 27, 2009

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal said here today that the process of approval by the special committee on recruitment headed by the Chief Secretary would be expedited so that vacancies in different departments could be filled up soon. Mr. Badal said that different departments were being asked to submit their requirements with regard filling up of vacancies to the Recruitment Committee.

An assurance to this effect was given by Mr. Badal to the deputation of Punjab Employees Action Committee led by its convenor Mr. Ranbir Dhillon in the meeting held at Chief Minister's official residence this morning.
It may be recalled that SAD-BJP government had already recruited 14000 teachers, 100 doctors and 200 SDOs (PSEB) till date.

According to the Chief Minister's Media Advisor Mr. Harcharn Bains the chief minister responded to the various issues raised by Punjab Employees Action Committee and directed the Chief Secretary to issue detailed guidelines to all the Heads of the Departments and the Administrative Secretaries to hold the meeting of Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) twice a year. Likewise, Mr. Badal also asked Chief Secretary to explore the possibility of delegating some of powers with regard to the promotions and recruitment to the Head of the Departments to avoid unnecessary delay in this process.

The Chief Minister also informed the deputation that the state government had asked the Fifth Punjab Pay Commission to submit its report at the earliest to enable the government to implement the revised scales and allowances to its employees and pensioners w.e.f. 1.1.2006 accordingly.

Referring to other demands of the Punjab Employees Action Committee relating to the regularization of the services of employees/teachers on contract basis & daily wages and the restoration of the old pension scheme instead of 'Contributory Pension Scheme' for the employees recruited on or after 1.1.2004, besides the implementation of High Court's decision of commutation of pension, Mr. Badal also asked the Chief Secretary to examine these demands sympathetically to work out the modalities before taking a final decision. The Chief Minister also asked the representatives of the deputation to submit their views and suggestions in writing to the concerned officers in CMO with regard to the privatization and corporatrization besides the issue of handing over the schools and hospitals to Zila Prishads and Polytechnics/ITIs to the societies to enable the government to make a comprehensive policy to bring back these institutions in the government fold.

The meeting was attended by the Advisor to the Chief Minister Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Chief Minister's Media Advisor Mr. Harcharn Bains, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. D.S. Guru, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gagandeep Singh Brar, OSD/CM, Director General School Education Mr. Krishan Kumar, DPI (Secondary) Mrs. Harcharnjit Kaur Brar.

The Punjab Employees Action Committee was represented by Mr. Sucha Singh Khatra, Mr. Sukhwinder Singh, Mr. Hari Singh Tohra, Mr. Sucha Singh Ajnala and Mr. Bhupinder Singh Waraich (all convenors).
No.CMO-2009/23

Chandigarh January 27, 2009

On persuasion of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and personal intervention of Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Government of India (GoI) has decided to include the Kuka Namdhari Movement-1871 and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre-1919 as a part of the National Freedom movement.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab Government said that the Ministry of Home Affairs, GOI had already issued a notification to this effect to include both these movements in the list of freedom movements recognized for the purpose of grants and pensions under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme-1980.

It may be recalled here that to declare these two movements as Freedom Movements against the aggression of British Rule, the Punjab Government had been in constant touch with the Centre for a long time. Mr. Badal had written to the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister besides personally meeting them several times to sort out this long pending issue to give due honour and representation to the great heroes and martyrs of these two historic movements in order to acknowledge their contribution to the cause of freedom, who made supreme sacrifices against the tyranny of British.

Chandigarh, January 27, 2009

The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and the Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today deeply mourned the sad demise of former President of India Mr. R. Venkataraman, who passed away in New Delhi after a prolonged illness.

In a condolence message, Mr. Badal said that Mr. R. Venkataraman was a great statesman, scholar, trade unionist, nationalist and a great human being. Mr. Badal said that R. Venkataraman's demise is a great lost to the nation and paid glowing tributes to R. Venkataraman's commitment to politics of integrity and honesty.

The Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal also conveyed his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the member of the bereaved family. Describing R. Venkataraman as one of the greatest champion of the poor and downtrodden in post independence history of our country, he said that R. Venkataraman's services towards the uplift of the lower strata of the society would be ever remembered by one and all.

Meanwhile, the former Information & Public Relations Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia also expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of R. Venkataraman.

Chandigarh, January 27, 2009

The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today constituted a high level committee comprising Chief Secretary, Secretary Education and Director General School Education to explore the ways and means to bring the ETT teachers governed by the Zila Prishads with in the fold of State Education Department.

An assurance to this effect was given by Mr. Badal to the deputation of Punjab 'ETT teachers union' led by its president Mr. Jaswinder Singh Sidhu at a meeting held at Chief Minister's residence this morning.
The Chief Minister also assured the deputation that their other genuine demands would also be got examined sympathetically from the committee to resolve them amicably.

The meeting was attended by the Advisor to the Chief Minister Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Chief Minister's Media Advisor Mr. Harcharn Bains, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. D.S. Guru, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gagandeep Singh Brar, OSD/CM, Director General School Education Mr. Krishan Kumar, DPI (Secondary) Mrs. Harcharnjit Kaur Brar.