PIMS LIKELY TO START FUNCTIONING BY DIWALI

First session of MBBS Classes to begin from 2010

CHANDIGARH MARCH 4

A 10-member delegation led by Chief Executive Officer of St. Joseph’s Healthcare System Inc, New Jersey USA Mr. William A. McDonald today called on Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal to apprise him that the hospital of Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) at Jalandhar would be made functional by Diwali this year and the first session of the MBBS classes at the institute would commence from July 2010. The hospital would also undertake the Cardiac by-pass and knee transplant surgeries immediately after being operational.

Taking part in the deliberations, Mr. Badal asked Mr. McDonald to press in service the mobile medical vans in the rural areas of Punjab to detect common ailments and bring awareness about healthcare & personal hygiene amongst the poor people. The Chief Minister assured the visiting delegation that the state government would offer all support and cooperation to the consortium for running this prestigious institution.

Mr. McDonald assured the Chief Minister that PIMS would not only be one of the best medical institutions in the country but in world also with medical infrastructure of international standards. He said that there would be a frequent exchange of faculty and students aimed at developing expertise and upgradation of knowledge in the filed of medical technology, equipment and practice. He also informed the chief minister that the consortium would soon launch a dental college, a nursing college and a pharmacy college in the PIMS.

It may be recalled that the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) and Department of Medical Education & Research (DMER) invited Private sector participants for development and running of PIMS with medical, dental and paramedical education including auditorium/ convention facilities, housing facilities for staff & students accommodation for visitors and either allied facilities. Feedback ventures private Ltd. is assisting PIDB & DMER in project development under PPP format. Total land area for the project is 56 acres. Scope of work includes, completion of construction and services of institute & ancillary facilities/ units, procurement and installation of necessary medical and diagnostic equipments and infrastructure for running the institute, deployment of adequate trained staff/ faculty for operation of the institute, undertaking recurring expenditure and all necessary activities to run and maintain the hospitals, educational institute and ancillary facilities, to provide quality healthcare at affordable price to the patients. Estimated cost of the project is Rs. 250 crore.
According to the Managing Director PIDB Mr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu the projects had been awarded to M/s NRI Academy of Sciences; St. Joseph's Healthcare System Inc; EDS Technologies Pvt Ltd; Group of Physicians led by Apparao Mukkamala; Group of Business people led by Rakesh Mahajan and Group of Business people led by Shrikant Mehta – Consortium-the successful bidder at their quoted upfront bid amount of Rs. 13 crore. Over the lease period of 99 years revenue of Rs. 11,600 crore (approx.) is likely to be generated.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Vice Chairman Punjab State Planning Board Dr. J S Bajaj, Managing Director PIDB Mr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu besides the members of delegation including Mrs.Johinie McDonald, CFO St. Joseph’s Healthcare System USA Mr.Jack Robinson, CEO Ranal Inc., Michigan USA Mr. Rakesh Mahajan, President NRI Academy of Sciences Dr.AppaRao Mukkamala, Head Cardiology St. Joseph’s Healthcare System USA Dr.Mahesh Bikkina, Director Cancer Center Lapeer General Hospital Michigan, USA Dr.Ramesh Bikkina, Mr.Rajasekhar Kothapalli and Brig.Kuldip Singh Chandpuri both Directors of PIMS Medical & Education Charitable Society.

PAWAR ASSURES BADAL OF SMOOTH LIFTING OF WHEAT AND SUPPLY OF GUNNY BAGS

Chandigarh/New Delhi March

The Union Agriculture Minister Mr. Shard Pawar today assured the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal that every grain of wheat would be lifted from the Punjab Mandis during the forth coming procurement season.

The assurance came at the end of 30 minutes long meeting which Mr. Badal had with Mr. Pawar at the latter’s office in New Delhi this afternoon. Mr. Badal had called on The Union Agriculture Minister Mr. Shard Pawar on the wake of reports that the state was heading towards the record bumper yield of wheat this season. The Punjab is likely to exceed its target of contributing 117 lac MT of wheat to the Central pool.

Mr. Badal also pointed out that the state had already a stock overflow amounting to 50 lac Metric Tons of wheat procured by the State Procuring Agencies last year. He sought Mr. Pawar’s personal intervention for urgent and speedy movement of wheat stock from Punjab to ease out storage pressure in view of the fresh arrival of Wheat in the forthcoming procurement season.

Mr. Pawar also assured the Chief Minister that adequate supply of gunny bags would be made available to the state to ensure smooth lifting of the wheat.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Food and Supply Minister Mr. Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, Principal resident commission Punjab Bhawan New Delhi Mrs. Anjuli Chib Duggal and Mr. D.S. Guru and Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gagandeep Singh Brar.

Sukhbir condoles the death of 7 persons in Scorpio-Truck accident near Khamano

Chandigarh, March 4, 2009

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab today expressed profound grief at the tragic death of 7 members of a family in an accident on Khamano-Samrala road. It may be added that a Scorpio with 8 members of a family going to attend a wedding, ran into steel bars loaded stationery truck resulting in death of 7 persons and serious injury to eighth passenger.

In a condolence message the Deputy Chief Minister besides asking full report from Fatehgarh Sahib Police regarding accident, has also asked district administration to provide full logistic support to the bereaved family in this critical hour.
Mr. Badal expressed heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family and prayed to God to give peace to the departed souls and strength to the family to bear this irreparable loss.