Chief Justice inaugurates Rs 8 crore
Sub-divisional Judicial complex at Budhladha

Budhladha( Mansa), July 25: Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Mr Justice T.S.Thakur today called upon the judicial fraternity and lawyers to help in providing meaningful and speedy justice to the litigants keeping in view the ethical values and principles.

Addressing a gathering here after the inauguration of the Sub-divisional judicial courts complex constructed at a cost of Rs 8 crore in an area of 9 acres, Justice Thakur said that the new complex would enhance the efficiency of the Judicial Officers and would facilitate them in a big way. He urged the Bar Association to cooperate with the Judicial Officers in order to strengthen the judicial system. He said that delivering speedy justice to the people was essential to sustain the credibility of the judiciary and added that the judges and advocates should ensure that people were delivered justice at their door steps by spending lesser amount.

He pointed out that more than 12 lakh criminal and civil cases were pending in Punjab and Haryana courts and described the lack of required infrastructure and shortage of Judicial officers a main shortcoming in speedy delivery of justice. He mentioned that in comparison of developed countries we were lagging far behind in number of courts per 10 lac people as they have 112 courts and we have just 12 and now the Hon’ble Supreme court of India has directed to increase the ratio of courts to at least 50 per 10 lac population.

He further informed that the Punjab Government has provided funds to the tune of Rs 38 crores for construction of various court complexes for the year 2009-10.

Earlier speaking on the occasion, Mr Justice L.N.Mittal, Administrative Judge session's division mansa informed that at present the new complex has a provision of one court but within one year the construction of second court would be completed. He said that the new court complex has been completed in a record 16 months time. He further said that the new complex has a provision for construction of 90 chambers.

Mr Justice Mehtab Singh Gill, Chairman of Building Committee also spoke on the occasion and gave a brief account of all the judicial complexes already completed and to be completed in near future.
While speaking on the occasion, Shri Umarinder Singh Chahal, President, Bar Association, Budhladha welcomed the Chief Justice and assured full co-operation in the delivery of justice.

S. Bhupinder Singh, District and Sessions Judge, Mansa proposed the vote of thanks.
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion includes Mr Justice A.K.Mittal, Mr Justice TPS Mann, Mr Justice Ajay Tewari, Mr Kumar Rahul, Deputy Commissioner and Mr Manminder Singh , SSP, Mansa .

SUKHBIR DESCRIBES ANNOUNCEMENT OF ADDITIONAL 100 mw POWER AND 50 % DIESEL SUBSIDY AS AN EYEWASH

Chandigarh, July 25

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, President Shiromani Akali Dal and SAD nominee for Jalalabad Assembly by-election today described the belated announcement of 100 mw additional power and 50 % diesel subsidy for Punjab as ‘too little and too late’.

In a statement issued here, Mr. Badal said that the SAD-BJP MPs from Punjab had been knocking at every door of Union Agricultural Ministry since last 20 days to shakeup the ministry from deep slumber. He said that Ministry was not ready to recognize the kind of damage deficient rain was doing to paddy crop. He said that he had been demanding minimum additional power of 1000 mw free of cost and diesel at highly subsidised rate so that farmers could save the already transplanted paddy crop with supplementary irrigation. He said that the belated eyewash announcement of 100 mw has been done when majority of paddy crop has already suffered damage.

Warning Congress party of playing petty politics with the sentiments of Punjab peasantry, Mr. Badal said that Congress led UPA was deliberately delaying announcement of draught because most of the states affected from deficient rain were opposition ruled. He said that the Union Food Ministry deliberately kept its eyes shut and delayed token announcement would not bring any relief to all ready starved farmers of Punjab.

Demanding MSP of Rs. 1400 per quintal for paddy, Mr. Badal said that in changed circumstances of deficient rain, Rs. 1400 would hardly cover the increased input cost for the farmers. He said that if Union government declares MSP below Rs. 1400 it would further push farmers in debt trap. He expressed surprise over the silence of state Congress on these crucial issues and wondered their absence from the state when peasantry of Punjab was facing one of the worst crises of 21st centaury.

BEAR FULL DIESEL SUBSIDY FOR FARM SECTOR: BADAL TO PM
SLASH DIESEL PRICES TO RS. 20 PER LITER FOR AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

CHANDIGARH JULY 25, 2009

The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today strongly decried the Centre's move to ask the states to bear 50% subsidy on Diesel for Agriculture purposes.

In a statement here, Mr. Badal said that 95 % of the Paddy produced in Punjab goes to Central Pool to ensure National Food Security. In view of this the Centre should bear the total cost on subsidizing Diesel for this purpose, specially now when the Monsoons have let the farmers down. He demanded Diesel prices for farm operations should be brought down to Rs. 20 per liter. Mr. Badal said that the Centre had always exploited the Punjabi farmers on one pretext or another due to its anti-farmer policies. He said that the Centre should have shown magnanimity by doling out special incentives in recognition of Punjab's immense contribution in the national food security mission, especially in this hour of crises when the state was already grappling with the drought like conditions.

Meanwhile, Mr. Badal has written to the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, urging him to provide immediate relief either by way of reducing the prices of diesel to Rs.20 per liter for agricultural operations or alternatively the agriculture community be provided a 30 % subsidy on the Diesel purchased by them. He also demanded the compensation of Rs.2000/- per acre to the distressed farmers who had to incur substantial additional expenditure to sow and nurture their crops due to scanty rainfall across the state during the current monsoon season.

Releasing the contents of the letter Chief Minister's Media Advisor Mr. Harcharn Bains said that the Chief Minister would take up this matter with the Union Government during his next meeting with Prime Minister. In his letter Mr. Badal said due to this increase in the cost of irrigation, the farmers were likely to incur an additional expenditure of Rs.2000-2500 per acre to raise the paddy crop, depending upon the rainfall in the coming months. Mr. Badal said that this initiative would also help us in sustaining the cherished goal of national food security and assured the Prime Minister that Punjab would not let the nation down in this sacred task.

The Chief Minister pointed out that Punjab had created a large irrigation infrastructure out of its own resources for providing irrigation facilities to the farmers, thereby making its agriculture comparatively immune to calamities such as drought. Even though the rainfall during the Kharif season had been scanty (70% less than normal during May and June, and about 50% in July), the entire targeted area under paddy, maize and cotton had been sown by the hardworking farmers who had irrigated their fields by using diesel engines and generators. Moreover, the water levels of Bhakra and Pong reservoirs as on today were much below the corresponding levels last year, affecting both irrigation and generation. The State had to purchase power worth Rs.1200 crore only to ensure 8-hour electric supply to the farmers. The increase in price of diesel by Rs.2 per liter recently had put an additional annual burden of about Rs.190 crore on the State’s farmers. The truant monsoon had created a drought-like situation in the State, but the farmers were not likely to get any relief from the Natural Calamities Fund as the definition of drought as the based on 'loss in yield' rather than 'deficiency in rainfall'.
It may be recalled that agriculture is the backbone of Punjab’s economy and about two-third of the population in the State depends upon it for their livelihood. The State produced about 16.72 million MT of paddy and about 15.73 million MT of wheat during 2008-09, and has been contributing 35-40% of paddy and 45-50% of wheat in the Central Pool for the last three decades.

In the process of making the country self-sufficient in food-grains, the State’s farmers have been cultivating rice and wheat, which had led to depletion and degradation of its natural resources i.e. soil and water. This cropping system had also contributed to increased indebtedness in rural areas as Minimum Support Price of the food grain crops was almost frozen by the Centre, whereas the price of inputs such as diesel, fertilizers, pesticides, machinery etc. continued to increase. The increasing indebtedness had started manifesting itself in farmers’ suicides in the State, added Mr. Badal.

AGRICULTURE COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES TO COLLECT POWER BILLS

Chandigarh, July 24:

Punjab State Electricity Board has tied up an arrangement with Cooperative Department under which Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) in various villages have been approved as collection agents of electricity bills of PSEB.
According to an official spokesman, in mutually beneficial programme and with the objective of helping the villagers to deposit electricity bill at their doorstep, PACS in various designated villages have been authorized to collect electricity bill on behalf of PSEB and for this service Rs. 5 and 4 would be charged as service charges from the consumer and the board respectively. He said that initially as a pilot project this scheme has been introduced in fifty cooperative societies in the first phase and would be replicated in the others in near future.

He said that the primary objective of the new plan was to improve the efficiency of operating and delivery systems of these societies besides providing wide range of services to the members thereby creating lot of opportunities for the rural youth and expressed confidence that these societies would become a engine of socio-economic transformation in the village communities of the state.

It may be added that Punjab Government has already chalked out a special plan to bring in major reforms in the working of Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS) and all other cooperative societies at village level by decentralization of powers and strengthening them by increasing their sources of income and this was a major step in this direction.

PUNJAB MULAZAM SANGARSH COMMITTEE CALLS ON CM
CM FORMS PANEL UNDER CS TO LOOK INTO EMPLOYEES’ ISSUES

CHANDIGARH JULY 24:

A delegation of Punjab Mulazam Sangarsh Committee led by its convener Mr. Ranbir Dhillon today called on the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal this morning and urged him to expedite the issuance of notification relating to the admissible allowances as per the recommendations of the Punjab Fifth Pay Commission.
The delegation also raised the issue of increasing the rate of increment, cash payment of revised pay arrears, notification for revised pension to the pensioners regularization of work charged, daily wagers and adhoc employees, third party insurance of government vehicles, hike in medical allowance besides upward revision of rural, border area, conveyance, project and traveling allowance etc.

The Chief Minister constituted a panel comprising Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Principal Secretary Finance, Secretary Personnel and the Secretary of the concerned departments under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary to look into these issues and hear the committee before taking a final decision. Mr. Badal reiterated that the state government was committed to safeguard the interests of its employees at all cost as they were the backbone of the state administration. He also said that the government was ready to resolve all pending employees' issues with an open mind and positive approach.
Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Principal Secretary Finance Mr. Karan Avtar Singh, Secretary Personnel Mr. Iqbal Singh Sidhu besides other senior Officers of the state administration.

Punjab Mulazam Sangarsh Committee was represented by its other Conveners Sucha Singh Khatra, Sukhwinder Singh, Hari Singh Tohra and Bhupinder Singh Waraich

PUNJAB CM ASSURES BEST MEDICAL TREATMENT TO THE AILING INDIAN HOCKEY GOALKEEPER

New Delhi July 23, 2009

The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today deputed his Additional Resident Commissioner Punjab Bhawan, New Delhi Mr. K. Siva Prasad to enquire the well being of Indian Hockey Team Goalkeeper Mr. Baljit Singh, under going treatment at the Rajindra Prasad Eye Center of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) and wished him a speedy recovery.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Chief Minister's Office said that Mr. Prasad visited the renowned goalkeeper at the hospital this evening and assured that the Punjab Government would extend all possible help for the best available treatment in country. He also presented a bouquet to Mr. Baljit Singh on the behalf of the Chief Minister. Mr. Prasad also met his father Sarbjit Singh who urged the Chief Minister for the rehabilitation of his son whose promising career was at the stake due to the fetal eye injury. Mr. Baljit Singh thanked the Chief Minister for this gesture and said, 'this has given him enough strength and moral support in this hour of crises.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also enquired his well being on telephone later this evening and said no efforts would be spared to give him the best medical care and pray to almighty for his full recovery.

PUNJAB GOVERNMENT NOMINATES 2 MEMBERS OF DISTRICT PLANNING COMMITTEES OF FATEHGARH SAHIB AND BARNALA

CHANDIGARH JULY 23, 2009
The Punjab Government today nominated two members of the District Level Planning Committees of Fatehgarh Sahib and Barnala.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Chief Minister’s office said that Mr. Lal Chand Jindal and Mr. Dheeraj Kumar had been nominated as the members of the District Level Planning Committee of Fatehgarh Sahib and Barnala.

PUNJAB GOVERNMENT TO LAUNCH IPM PROJECT IN COLLABORATION WITH SIR RATTAN TATA TRUST IN BASMATI GROWING BELT

CHANDIGARH JULY 23, 2009

Replicating the success story of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Technology in Cotton which resulted in high yield and reduction in the pesticide use in the cotton belt of the state, the Punjab government has now decided to launch a similar project in the Basmati growing areas of Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur districts covering 150 villages at a cost of Rs.1.06 crore in collaboration with Sir Rattan Tata Trust for the year 2009-10.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Chief Minister’s Office said that as per an agreement between the state government and Sir Rattan Tata Trust, the entire cost of the project would be borne out by both in the ratio of 50:50. The Punjab government had already released its 50% share of Rs.50 lac from the Rural Development Fund and likewise, Sir Rattan Tata Trust would also contribute its share. One trained scout in each adopted village would be deputed to disseminate the technical message of the agriculture experts to enable the farmers to use pesticides and insecticides as per their recommendations. These efforts would not only improve the quality of Basmati for the international market but also result in cutting the cost of production and increase in the income levels of the farmers. The increase in the area under Basmati would also help the state in conserving the ground water resources and lead to bio-diversity in the agriculture production system.

It may be recalled that the state government had already implemented this programme in 745 villages of Bathinda, Muktsar, Mansa and Ferozepur districts of the cotton belt aimed at imparting specialized training and know-how to the cotton growers through scouts so as to improve the cotton yield on the modern lines both quantitatively and qualitatively.

RS. 270 CRORE TO BE SPENT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ROADS AND BRIDGES IN FOUR PHASES -DHINDSA

Chandigarh July 23, 2009

PWD (B&R) Minister Punjab Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa said that the State and Centre government are trying their best efforts to complete the several development projects in stipulated time. In the ongoing projects Rs. 173.20 crore had been spent out of Rs. 270 crore during four phases.

Giving more details about phase wise Mr. Dhindsa said that in the 5th phase Rs 61 crore had been allotted for 12 development works out of which Rs. 51.85 crore already been spent on the 11 development works, whereas 1 work is under progress.

In the 6th phase Rs. 47 crore had been allotted for 6 development works which were completed with Rs. 43.08 crores. In the 7th and 8th Phase the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway had been allotted Rs. 162 crore for the 20 development works, out of which Rs. 78.27 crore had already been spent on these projects, the remaining works would be completed at end of this year. 75% of the contribution to strengthen and widen 1100KM long roads in the state is being provided by the World Bank and similar grants had been also allotted by the NABARD for the basic frame work of roads. In the dynamic leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal many polices and schemes were framed for each group. So the people should make themselves aware with these policies and schemes and get maximum benefit.
The progress of state of Punjab, serving the people and direct communication with the public are the basic duties of the state government. The Government is committed to the development works and to uplift the living standard of the people of Punjab within the means available to it, said Mr. Dhindsa.

DGP EMPOWERS RANGE DIsG TO SANCTION LOCAL RANK TO POLICE OFFICIALS ON RETIREMENT

Chandigarh, July 23, 2009

Punjab Director General of Police Mr. P.S. Gill has issued orders to delegate the powers to Range DIsG of granting local rank from the rank of Constable to Sub Inspector (SI), three months before their retirement on superannuation/ voluntary retirement.

According to an official spokesman of police department, it came to the notice of DGP that the present system of granting local rank three months before retirement was quite tedious which denied local rank to most of the retiring employees. According to the old procedure the local rank proposal initiated three months before the retirement of the employees, was routed through respective IGs/Addl. DGsP and was finalized by DGP.

The spokesman said that DGP felt that this delay deprived the beneficiary enjoying higher rank for few months before retirement and therefore range DIsG should be authorized to grant local rank at their own level, if the employee fulfilled the conditions. This delegation of powers would give relief to thousand of such employees of Police department, the spokesman added.

According to the instructions issued in this regard the DIsG before granting local rank would ensure that service record of the concerned employee was good and his integrity was not doubtful during last 8 years. He would also ensure that no departmental inquiry/criminal case and vigilance enquiry was pending against him and Police personnel already holding local rank/adhoc rank/ ORP would not be granted such rank.

Giving a major relief to officials seeking voluntary retirement after putting in 20 years of service, it has been decided to give rank to such officials also too.

RURAL PUNJAB ALL SET TO GET RS. 2 CRORE SPORTS EQUIPMENTS –PARGAT SINGH

Chandigarh, July 23, 2009

The rural players of Punjab have a reason to cheer as Punjab Sports Department has now placed an order to purchase sports equipments, kits and other infrastructure worth Rs. 2 crore that would be distributed in the villages.

Disclosing this here today Mr. Pargat Singh, Director, Sports said that the department has floated the biggest ever tender for purchase of sports equipments for next two years. He said that effort was being made to procure BIS certified or reputed companies sports goods for the benefit of rural players. He said that Sports equipments for Athletics, Boxing, Badminton, Basketball, handball, football, hockey, Gymnastic, Cricket, Judo, weight lifting, volleyball, swimming, wrestling, table tennis, lawn tennis and kho-kho was being procured for the players of rural areas of Punjab.

Mr. Singh said that Punjab Sports department had already finalized the list of 1233 villages and 14 blocks to be covered in year 2009-10 under Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA)to nurture raw sports talent in traditional and other games besides providing them basic sports infrastructure and equipment at the Panchayat as well as block level.
Giving the details of the PYKKA, the Sports Director said that this scheme was aimed at encouraging sports and games in rural areas through annual competitions at the block, district, state and national level besides creating much needed basic sports infrastructure to initiate grass root level sports activities. Under this scheme the 10 percent of total villages and blocks of the state were being covered every year so that the necessary sports infrastructure could be created at each village in coming ten years. He said that this major initiative to procure quality sports equipments goods boost the moral of budding rural players besides equipping them for national as well as international competition.

PUNJAB INVITES APPLICATIONS OF POST METRIC SCHOLARSHIP TO THE MINORITY COMMUNITIES STUDENTS

Chandigarh July 23, 2009

With a view to enable the meritorious students belonging to economically weaker section of minority communities to pursing higher education from class XI to Ph.D and technically/vocational courses of class XI to XII; the department of welfare of Schedule Caste and Backward Class, Punjab has invited applications for post metric scholarship under the Government of India (GoI) Scheme.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of Punjab Government said that the scholarship under this scheme would be provided to those students who have not less than 50% marks in the previous final examination and the annual income of their parents should not exceeded Rs. 2 lac. 30% scholarships have been earmarked for girl students and it will not be given to more than two students in a family. The scholarship would be awarded for studies in India only, spokesman added.
The spokesman further said that eligible applicants may send their application on prescribed format for grant of scholarship to the Directorate of Welfare of SCs and BCs, Punjab through the head of school/collage/institute of the student latest by 15-09-2009. Application forms and other relevant information can be downloaded from the web site

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