PUNJAB TO FLOAT RS. 143.050 CRORE LOAN

Chandigarh, March 20: The Punjab government in consultation with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) today floated Rs. 143.050 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. 143.050 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 March 24, 2009. The application form duly filled in with the bids should be submitted to the RBI, Mumbai on March 24, 2009 by 12.30 P.M. Result of auction would be displayed on March 24 and successful bidders would make payment on March 25, 2009.

The spokesman added that this 10 year tenure loan would be repaid at par on March 25, 2019. He said that interest will be paid every half yearly on September 25 and March 25 and cut off yield determined at the auction would be the coupon rate percent per annum of the stock sold at the auction.

Chandigarh, March 20:

The outstanding balance of 12.25 percent Punjab State Development Loan 2009 issued in terms of the State government vide notification no.1/7/99-2FB11/4991 dated 21.4.1999 would be repaid on 21.4.2009 with interest due upto including 20.4.2009.

Disclosing this here today, a spokesman of the Punjab Government said that in the event of a holiday being declared on the aforesaid date by State Government under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, the loan would be repaid by the paying offices on the previous working day. No interest would accrue on the loan from and after 21.4.2009, he added.
He also said that to facilitate repayment on the due date, holders of 12.25 percent Punjab State Development Loan, 2009 should tender their securities at the Public Debt Office 20 days in advance.

It should be particularly noted, said the spokesman, that at places where the treasury work was done by a branch of the State Bank of India or any of its associate banks, the securities, if they were in the form of Stock Certificates, should be tendered at the branch of the bank concerned and not at the Treasury or Sub-Treasury.

SCHEDULE FOR QUARTERLY LOK ADALTS ANNOUNCED

CHANDIGARH, MARCH 25:

Punjab Legal Services Authority has issued schedule of Quarterly Lok Adalats to be held in all over Punjab for the period from April to June, 2009.

Stating this here today, a spokesman of the Punjab Legal Services Authority said that Lok Adalats would be held at Ropar, Mohali, Anandpur Sahib, Kharar, Dera Bassi on 11.4.2009; Labour Court, Bathinda on 17.4.2009; Mansa, Sardulgarh, Budhlada, Bathinda, Talwandi Sabo, Rampura Phul on 18.4.2009; Sangrur, Moonak, Barnala, Malerkotla, Dhuri, Sunam on 2.5.2009; Labour Court, Gurdaspur on 8.5.2009; Gurdaspur, Batala, Pathankot, Ferozepur, Abohar, Fazilka, Zira, Jalalabad West, Fatehgarh Sahib, Amloh on 9.5.2009; Labour Court, Amritsar on 15.5.2009; Kapurthala, Sultanpur Lodhia, Phagwara, Hoshiarpur, Garshankar, Dasuya, Amritsar, Patti, Ajnala, Baba Bakala, Tarn Taran on 16.5.2009; Labour Court, Ludhiana on 22.5.2009; Ludhiana, Jagraon, Khanna, Samrala, Faridkot, Moga, Muktsar, Malout, Gidderbaha on 23.5.2009; Labour Court, Patiala on 29.5.2009; Patiala, Rajpura, Nabha, Samana on 30.5.2009, Labour Court, Jalandhar on 5.6.2009 and Jalandhar, Nawanshahar, Nakodar, Phillaur, Balachaur on 6.6.2009.

The Spokesman further said that the main objective of the Lok Adalats was to dispose of litigation on the spot and make it hassle free. It also saved the precious time and money spent on the litigating by public

BHATINDA BRANCH REMAIN CLOSED FOR 15 DAYS

Chandigarh, March 24:
Keeping in view the crops and weather conditions, Irrigation Department Punjab has issued a notification to close the Bhatinda Branch from 7.4.2009 to 21.4.2009( both days inclusive ) for 15 days for the construction of HL bridge 5 span 8.28 meters each over Bhatinda branch canal at RD 202 500 crossing link road Thikrawala to Hathoor RD 22.50 Km. and reconstruction of bridge on Sangrur to Malerkotla road enclosure of Bhatinda Branch

ROTATIONAL IRRIGATION PROGRAMME FOR RABI SEASON ANNOUNCED

Chandigarh 20 march, 2009

The Irrigation Department, Punjab has announced the Rotational Programme for irrigation for the current Rabi Season through Canal water from 6-4-09 to 13-4-09. The channels of Sirhind Canal System would run on priority basis from Sidhwan Branch, Bhatinda Branch, Bist Doab Canal, Patiala feeder and Abohar Branch respectively.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the irrigation department said that direct distributaries of Bhakra Main Line in group 'A' being in the first preference will run to their indent. Balance water supplies available will be utilized in Ghaggar link and its off taking channels i.e. Ghaggar Branch and Patiala Minor in Group 'B' respectively.

The spokesman further said that the Punjab channels off taking from Harika and Ferozepur Head Works & Branches i.e. Sarhind Feeder being in Group 'A' will run to their indent. Balance water supplies available would be utilised in Abohar Brnach off taking from Sirhind Feeder and distributries in Group "B".

The spokesman also said that the channels off taking from Upper Bari Doab Canal i.e. Kashore Branch Lower with its distributaries being in first Preference would run to their indent, Balance Surplus water available would be utilised in Sabraon Branch, Lahore Branch, Main Branch Lower and with their distributaries respectively.

PUNJAB CM AND DEPUTY CM MOURNS THE DEATH OF MR. DIL

CHANDIGARH, MARCH 20:
The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today paid rich tribute to the noted Punjabi writer and scholar Mr. Balbir Singh Dil who died here on Thursday after a prolonged illness.
In a condolence message Mr. Parkash Singh Badal recalled the outstanding services of Mr. Dil towards the promotion of Punjabi language, literature and culture. He said a void has been created in the literary circles with his death, which was difficult to be filled.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal also condoled the passing away of Mr. Dil. He said "Mr. Dil set a new bench mark for the promotion of Punjabi literature and language through his rare literary acumen both in poetry and fiction".