BADAL THANKS PEOPLE FOR PEACEFUL STATEWIDE BANDH TO PROTEST 1984 SIKH CARNAGE

CHANDIGARH NOVEMBER 3:

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today thanked the people of the state for a peaceful statewide bandh, the call for which was given by some of the Sikh organizations against the 1984 Sikh carnage to mount pressure on the Centre to book the guilty who had perpetrated a heinous crime against the innocent Sikhs.

In a statement, Mr. Badal also appreciated the role of state civil and police administration in aptly handling the situation and expressed satisfaction over the law and order situation following the statewide bandh to protest against the 1984 genocide. The Chief Minister said that today’s bandh call was an outcome of the people’s resentment against Centre’s apathy towards the victims of 1984 Sikh carnage, who had been denied justice even after 25 years. He urged the Centre to be sincere and honest in providing speedy justice to the hapless victims of this gory incident by punishing the guilty to restore their faith in the judiciary and the democratic values of the world’s largest democracy.

PUNJAB ALL SET TO SURPASS PROCUREMENT TARGET OF 140 LAC MT OF PADDY
CHANDIGARH NOVEMEBR 3:

Punjab is all set to cross the procurement mark of 140 lac MT of Paddy during the current Kharif marketing season as the Government agencies and private millers had already procured 114.18 lac MT of paddy till last evening.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Paddy procurement during current Kharif season had been all smooth and hassle free so far due to the concerted efforts of the Food & Civil Supplies department and other state procurement agencies. He said that smooth procurement was evident from the fact that 114.18 lac MT of Paddy had already been procured so far over 117.79 lac MT procured during the last season despite late arrival of the crop due to adverse weather conditions and late sowing of Paddy.

Out of total procurement of 114.18 lac MT of Paddy in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 112 lac MT of Paddy (98.1%) till date whereas private traders procured 2.17 lac MT (1.9%) of Paddy. Till November 2, PUNGRAIN had procured 32.57 lac MT (29.1%) whereas MARKFED procured 23.12 lac MT (20.6%). PUNSUP procured 26.12 lac MT (23.3%), Punjab State Warehousing Corporation procured 13.87 lac MT (12.4%) whereas Punjab Agro Industries Corporation was able to procure 10.82 lac MT (9.7%) of Paddy.

The Central Government agency FCI had procured only 5.49 lac MT (4.9%). Besides, 91% of due lifting had been done and 92% of due payment to the tune of Rs.10754 crore had been made to the farmers.
The spokesman added that Patiala district with 12.19 lac MT of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas district Ludhiana with 12.10 lac MT of procurement was at second slot and district Ferozepur with 9.20 lac MT of procurement ranked at third position.

The State Government had set up nearly 1600 procurement centers and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of 140 lac MT of Paddy, the spokesman added.

ROTATIONAL IRRIGATION PROGRAMME FOR RABI SEASON ANNOUNCED

Chandigarh, November 03:

The Irrigation Department, Punjab has announced the Rotational Programme for irrigation for the current Rabi Season through Canal water from 08-11-2009 to 15-11-2009. The channels of Sirhind Canal System would run on the priority basis from Patiala feeder, Abohar Branch, Bathinda Branch ,Bist Doab Canal and Sidhwan Branch, respectively.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the irrigation department said that Ghaggar link and its off taking channels i.e. Ghaggar Branch and Patiala Minor in Group 'B' being in the first preference will run to their indent. Balance water supplies available will be utilized in direct distributaries of Bhakra Main Line in group 'A' respectively.

The spokesman further said that Abohar Branch off-taking from Sirhind Feeder and distributries in Group "B" being in the First preference will run to their ident. Balance water supplies available would be utilised in direct distributaries of Group 'A'.

The spokesman also said that the channels off taking from main branch lower with its distributaries being in the first Preference would run to their indent .Balance water supplies water available would be utilised in Lahore Branch, Sabraon Branch, Kasur Branch Lower with their distributaries respectively.