DGP INAUGURATES COOPERATIVE CONSUMER GOOD STORE FOR POLICE PERSONNEL

Chandigarh

Mr. P.S. Gill, Director General of Police today formally inaugurated a Police Cooperative consumer good store and self help centre at 82 Battalion Headquarter behind Punjab Civil Secretariat. This store has been equipped to provide domestic goods at subsidized rates to the Police personnel.

Speaking on the occasion the DGP said that immediately after assuming charge as the Chief of the State Police, he has awarded top priority to the welfare of the Police personnel. He said that he had ordered establishment of Police Personnel Welfare Cooperatives Directorate under the leadership of Mr. Rajinder Singh, Additional Director General of Police, Rules. The DGP said that he was happy that the said Directorate has started its functioning and the Cooperative Societies were being formed and registered with Registrar, Cooperative Department, Punjab for all major Police establishments and Districts in order to cover all the Police personnel in the State.

Mr. Rajinder Singh informed the DGP that all necessary formalities with regard to supply of goods from direct source, payment of Value Added Tax and arrangements for fixing of rates of the goods on regular and constant basis keeping in view the market prices, has been completed. He said that attempts were afoot to offer goods at the subsidized rates, 25%-30% lesser than the market rate. He said that all districts and other Police units have been asked to organize their own cooperative societies for provision of such services on cooperative and no profit no loss basis. A state-level mechanism has also been evolved for monitoring, supervision and guidance of such cooperatives all over the State, he added.

Elaborating on the scope of Cooperative movement, he informed that these Cooperatives have been formed with the broad objectives including establishment of Cooperative Goods Store, namely ‘Self Help Centre’ for the provision of domestic use goods including electronic items, small and medium vehicles, motor bikes etc., at considerably lesser price than that of the market. It would also provide thrift and credit services for the urgent necessities of the Police personnel making provision of small loans at a nominal rate of interest. The cooperative would also provide facilities for academic and vocational education to the wards of Police personnel. Mr. Singh said that cooperative would also augment and galvanize the existing Police Public Schools in all the districts. Giving the broad scope of cooperatives, it would also provide health services by way of creating health establishments or availing services from private existing health establishments.
Mr. Singh informed that the department was also organizing Group Housing Schemes for making available residential units at affordable rates and attempts were being made for providing insurance cover for serving police personnel.

He said that such venture was being pursued on experimental basis. On achieving reasonable success, even other sets of employees of the government can also be considered for inclusion in the list of beneficiaries.

PUNJAB SECURITY GUARDS TO PROVIDE SECURITY IN COMMONWEALTH GAMES
PUNJAB TO SET UP SECOND GUARDS TRAINING INSTITUTE TO MEET GROWING DEMAND -SUKHBIR

Hoshiarpur, November 13: With Commonwealth games on the horizon, 33 Managing Directors of National and International Security Agencies today descended in the sleepy town of Hoshiarpur to pick up Punjab Police trained Security Guards from Punjab Security Training Institute located at Jahankhelan five kilometers from here.

As Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal was taking the salute from 312 newly trained security guards in the passing out parade, the prying and eagles’ eyes of private security managers were short listing the prospective candidates for ensuing mega event of commonwealth games. With security agencies facing the shortage of quality trained security guards and Jahankhelan institute being the only institute in the country providing training to the security guards at par with Punjab Police Commandos, each passing out candidate was carrying minimum four offer letters from security agencies.

Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister said that in the post 26/11 scenario, the importance of employing skilled and weapon trained security guards have been understood by every employer. With state police having limited resources, unable to handle the security of every building, the security agencies’ task to scout for trained security guards becoming increasingly tiring. Mr. Badal expressed happiness that dream of his father Parkash Singh Badal Chief Minister, Punjab to set up training institute for private security guards has materialized with small investment of Rs. 10 crore and dedication of committed team of Punjab Police.

Emphasizing on expanding and upgrading the training infrastructure at Jahankhelan institute, Mr. Badal announced that besides expanding the training capacity of this institute to 10000 for 2010 and 15000 for 2011, Punjab Police would soon set up another institute in the state with same capacity. He said that with demand of five lac trained guards in the country every year and equivalent demand in US, UK and South Asian Countries, Punjab was all set to become major training ground for security guards. Mr. Badal said that these institutes would also start specialized courses for security managers, armed guards, private commandos and a special course for girl guards to meet the demand of various sections of society.
Stressing the need for focusing on training our youths as security guards for other countries, Mr. Badal said that our youth would be made proficient in English, Arabic, Spanish and French languages besides providing them security training to make them employable in other countries. He expressed satisfaction over the fact that the newly trained security guards were fully capable to perform arduous security guards related duties.

Mr. Badal said that quality youth was not getting attracted towards the job of security guards in the agencies as their wages were too low being treated equivalent to unskilled labour. Mr. Badal said that he has requested the labour department to consider them as a special category while fixing their minimum wages as physical hazards of this job should also be taken into account.

Speaking about good placement record of Jahankhelan Institute, Mr. Badal said that the institute successfully arranged placement of all the trained youths in good reputed companies i.e. Group-4 Security Services(India) Pvt.Ltd.New Delhi, Terra Force Security Services Pvt. Ltd., Gurgaon, Checkmate Industrial Services Pvt.Ltd. Pune, Pyrex Integrated Security Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Mohali, Sledge Hammer Security Agency, Mohali, Walsons Building Faith Securities, Gurgaon, Lion Detective & Security (P) Ltd., Checkmate Security Services (Broda), 24 Secure Security Services, Group 7 Securities, D Security & Detective Pvt. Ltd., Rajindra Security Services (Regd.), A.P. Security Services (P) Ltd., and Group One Five Security Services.

Earlier the candidates gave practical demonstration of Access control/frisking, Anti sabotage checking, Cordoning and sealing, Evacuation, Surveillance, Chasing, overpowering and immobilization of mobster/suspect, Identification of I.E.Ds. and explosive/narcotic material, Body search, premises search and area search, Defensive driving, Working of anti sabotage checking gadgetry, First aid, Handling a mob-attack, Handling and operation of Wireless and Musketry handling of personal weapons.

On this occasion Mr. Badal presented awards to the best performing security guards. Parade Commander Khushleen Singh was adjudged all over first and Sandeep Singh all over second. Similarly Hazar Singh and Khushleen Singh were selected first in Indoor and Outdoor subjects respectively.

Later Mr. Badal inaugurated the newly constructed complex of Punjab Security Training Institute consisting of eight new buildings which include one boys’ and one girls’ hostel, indoor training block, multi-media hall, out-door training block, multi-purpose training laboratory, administrative block and a faculty guest house.

Earlier Mr. Kuwar Vikram Singh, Chairman CAPSI appreciated the initiative of young visionary Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal for organizing world class training for security guards in Punjab. He said that 33 Security Agencies from Punjab , Haryana, Himachal, NCR, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerla, Uttrakhand, UP , Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan came to attend this function to select quality security guards for their companies.

Prominent amongst those who were present on the occasion included Mr. Tikshan Sood, Cabinet Minister, Punjab,Mr Harcharan Bains,Media Advisor to Chief Minister, Mr. Des Raj Dhugga, Smt. Mohinder Kaur Josh, Mr. Harish Rai Dhanda and Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal (All Chief Parliamentary Secretaries), Mr. S.S. Makkar MLA and Mr. Swaran Salaria.

TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT DISTRICT ROAD SAFETY COMMITTEES SET UP IN PUNJAB

Chandigarh, 13th November, 2009 :

With a view to implement road safety measures at the district level, the Punjab Government today issued a notification establishing District Road Safety Committees at the District Level.

The Chief Minister Punjab, who has expressed concern at the increasing fatality rate of road accidents in Punjab, issued directions for the constitution of the road safety committees at the district level.

Nearly 3300 people die in road accidents every year. Apart from the mental trauma suffered by the families of the victims, it is estimated that each death costs Rs 1 crore in economic terms.

Transport Minister, Master Mohan Lal stated that Punjab is the first State in the country which has taken the step with a view to check the road accidents in the State.

The District Road Safety Committees, which will be headed by the Deputy Commissioner, will include the Senior Superintendent of Police, Additional Deputy Commissioner (G), Chief Medical Officer, Superintending Engineer, PWD (B&R), District Education Officer, One Principal of Local College to be nominated by DC.
Two representatives of two NGOs and five eminent persons having interest in Road Safety will also be nominated by the Government.

The District Transport Officer will be the Member Secretary of the Committee.
The District Road Safety Committee will prepare Annual District Plan for Road Safety, Implement Special Schemes pertaining to Road Safety and coordinate departmental efforts in this regard.

The Committee will also identify accident prone areas and involve citizens to draw up specific programmes for Road Safety for Schools, Colleges and Universities, apart from organizing special workshops, seminars.
Principal Secretary Transport, D.S. Jaspal stated that the District Road Safety Committees will meet once in a quarter to prepare action plan for Road Safety and review their implementation.

The Punjab State Road Safety Council will monitor the functioning of the District Road Safety Committees.

CM DIRECTS IMPROVEMENT TRUST LUDHIANA TO TRANSFER LAND FOR ISHMEET SANGEET ACADEMY

Chandigarh, November 13: Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today directed the Chairman Improvement Trust Ludhiana to immediately transfer the land to the State Cultural Affairs department for setting up of Ishmeet Sangeet Academy at Ludhiana in the memory of legendary Punjabi singer Ishmeet Singh who died in prime his youth.

Presiding over a high level meeting here Mr. Badal said that the state government was fully committed to establish the State- of-the-art Ishmeet Sangeet Academy at Ludhiana and Harpal Tiwana Centre of performing Arts at Patiala. He further said that it was the bounden duty of the state government to build such memorial to perpetuate the legacy of great Punjabi artists He also directed to include two members from the families of Ishmeet Singh and Harpal Tiwana as lifetime members in the Management Committees of both Institutes respectively.

It may be recalled here that the state government had already allotted 1.5 acres of land in Patiala for Harpal Tiwana Centre for performing Arts, besides earmarked a sum of Rs. 20 crore for the completion of these two prestigious projects.
Prominent amongst those who were present in the meeting included Local Government and Industry Minister Mr.Manoranjan Kalia, Chief Secretary Mr. S.C. Aggrawal, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. D.S. Guru, Principal Secretary Tourism and Cultural Affairs Mrs. Geetika Kalha, Principal Secretary Housing Mr. Arun Goel, Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. K.J.S. Cheema, Mr. Manpal Tiwana son of late Mr. Harpal Tiwana and Dr. CharanKanwal Singh uncle of late Ishmeet Singh.

CM ASKS MOSHE SAFDI TO SUGGEST PLANS FOR UP COMING SIKH MEMORIALS

CHANDIGARH, NOVEMBER 13:

The Punjab Government would soon set up memorials in the memory of martyrs of ‘Chota Ghalugara’ at village Khanuwan in district Gurdaspur, ‘Wadha Ghalugara’ in village Kuppa Raheera in district Sangrur to propagate the rich legacy of Sikhism especially amongst our future generations.

Disclosing this here today the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal asked world-renowned Architect Mr. Moshe Safdi to visit the sites and prepare a plan in this regard. Mr. Safdi, who had successfully accomplished the most prestigious project of Punjab the 'Khalsa Heritage Centre' (KHC), called on Punjab Chief Minister today along with his wife Mrs. Michal and son Mr. Oren.

While reviewing the progress of Khalsa Heritage Centre, Mr. Badal asked Mr. Safdi also to suggest a development plan for the surrounding areas of the Khalsa Heritage Complex at Sri Anandpur Sahib to add ambience and scenic beauty to the Center. Mr. Badal also directed the Tourist and Cultural Affair department to complete whole project till November 2010 to open it for the general public. It was informed in the meeting that 98% construction work of KHC is completed at a cost of Rs. 150.11 crore.

Prominent amongst those who were present in the meeting included Finance Minister Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal, Chief Secretary Mr. S.C. Aggrawal, Principal Secretary Tourism and Cultural Affairs Mrs. Geetika Kalha, Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. K.J.S. Cheema, Executive Director PIDB Mr. S.S. Sandhu, Chief Engineer Project Mr. T.S. Gill, Associate Architect Mr. Ashok Dhawan and Executive Engineer Jagmohan Singh.

INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, PUNJAB
PUNJAB GOVERNOR ADMINISTERS OATH OF OFFICE TO MS JASPAL KAUR AS A MEMBER OF THE STATE INFORMATION COMMISSION

CHANDIGARH, NOVEMBER 13: The Punjab Governor, General (Retd.) Dr. S.F. Rodrigues, PVSM VSM administered the oath of office to Ms Jaspal Kaur as a member of the State Information Commission, Punjab, at a brief but impressive ceremony at Punjab Raj Bhavan, here today.

Earlier, the Chief Secretary, Mr. S.C. Agrawal sought the permission of the Governor to start the swearing in ceremony. Soon after being sworn in Ms Jaspal Kaur, signed the oath, counter signed by the Governor.

Chief Minister of Punjab, Sardar Parkash Singh Badal, Mrs. Surinder Kaur Badal, wife of Chief Minister, Mr. Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, Cabinet Minister, Shri Surinder Singla, former Finance Minister, Punjab, Shri Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, former Union Minister, Shri Ramesh Inder Singh, Chief Information Commissioner and State Information Commissioners including Mrs. Rupan Deol Bajaj, Lt. Gen. Promod Kumar Grover (Retd.), Mr. PPS Gill and Mrs Ravi Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr. D.S. Guru, Financial Commissioner Excise and Taxation, Mr. Shivinder Singh Brar, Secretary to Governor, Mr. M.P. Singh, Secretary Information Technology, Mr. Narinderjit Singh, Shri Balwinder Singh Bhunder, former Minister, Punjab were present on the occasion. The family members, friends and well wishers of Ms Jaspal Kaur also attended the ceremony.

FACILITY OF TREATMENT FROM JANUARY 2010 UNDER BHAI GHANHYA SEHAT SEWA SCHEME

CHANDIGARH, NOVEMBER 13:

To ensure better medical treatment and health facilities at affordable rates, the Punjab Government had decided to re-launch Bhai Ghanya Sehat Scheme under the aegis of Co-operative Department from January, 2010.
Giving the details of the scheme Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Cooperation Mr. Jagdish Singh Nakai said that under the scheme cashless and quality treatment would be provided to the members/employees of the Cooperative Societies/Organizations/Co-operative Department/ office of Registrar Co-operative Societies, officials of Bhai Ghanya Trust and their dependents. This treatment would be cashless in private recognized hospitals where as reimbursement of expenses of treatment of government hospitals.
Mr. Nakai said that under the scheme the limit of treatment would be Rs.1.50 lakh per family. New born child upto 6 months of female beneficiary would be automatically become the beneficiary under this scheme. Besides a sum of Rs.2100 would also be given to every new born female child.
He said that every beneficiary would have to pay Rs.1999 per + service tax for this service. The scheme would be run under the agreement with ICICI Lombard. He appealed the members of the Cooperatives/societies/ organizations to come forward for its membership to avail this facility.

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR MINORITIES VISIT PUNJAB ON NOVEMBER 16

CHANDIGARH, NOVEMBER 13:

The National Commission for Minorities team consists of Shri H.S.Hanspal and Smt. Splazes Angmo are visiting Punjab and Union Territory on November 16,2009.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of Punjab Government said that team of the National Commission for Minorities would meet the representatives of Sikh, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian and Parsi communities at Punjab Bhavan, Sector:3, Chandigarh at 12.30 AM to 2.00 PM. They will also meet the H.E.the Governor of Punjab and Chief Minister Punjab. Members of Commission will also address the media persons at 6.30 pm on November 16, the spokesman added.

134.32 LAKH TONNES PADDY PROCURED IN PUNJAB

Chandigarh, November 13:
Government agencies and private millers procured more than 134.32 lakh tonnes of Paddy till last evening as compared to 129.32 lakh tones upto November 12,2008.

Out of total procurement of 134.32 lakh tonnes of paddy in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 131.59 lakh tonnes of paddy (98.0%) till date whereas private traders procured 2.72 lakh tonnes (2.0%) of paddy. Till November 12, PUNGRAIN had procured 38.92 lakh tonnes (29.6%) whereas MARKFED procured 27.17 lakh tonnes (20.6%). PUNSUP procured 30.34 lakh tonnes (23.1%), PSWC procured 16.12 lakh tonnes (12.3%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 12.56 lakh tonnes (9.6 %) of paddy whereas the Central Government agency FCI had procured 6.47 lakh tonnes (4.9%).

The spokesman added that District Ludhiana with 15.83 lakh tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas district Sangrur with 15.69 lakh tonnes of procurement was at second slot and District Patiala 13.09 lakh tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.
The State Government has set up 1600 procurement centres and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of paddy, the spokesman added.

PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA WINTER SESSION FROM DECEMBER 7

Chandigarh November 13:

13th Punjab Vidhan Sabha Winter Session would commence from December 7, 2009 in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Hall, Vidhan Bhavan, Chandigarh and will continue till December 11, 2009.
This was disclosed here today by S. Nirmal Singh Kalhon, Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS FOR NET HOUSES

Chandigarh, November 12:
Punjab Government was committed to uplift the economic standard of the farmers of the state. For this purpose, a special scheme has been launched to provide financial assistance to farming community to erect net houses for the cultivation of vegetables.

Giving this information Director, Horticulture, Mr. Baldev Singh said that Punjab Government has decided to provide financial assistance of Rs.40,000 to each farmer for erecting Net House in one kanal (500 square meter) land, to sow vegetables. He said vegetables sown in these net houses were safe in large extend from fungicide etc. Therefore, they need to use minimum pesticides. Farmers would get more yields with less cost, which would help in raising their income. He said farming should sow late or advance varieties of vegetables in these net houses.

He said, farmers who were interested in getting financial assistance could contact Deputy Director or Assistant Director of their respective districts immediately. To get more information they could call on 0172-2707806, 2706534, he added.

ZONAL LIVESTOCK FAIRS IN PUNJAB
FROM NOVEMBER 15 TO DECEMBER 16

Chandigarh, November 12:

With a view to encourage the dairy farmers of the state, Animal Husbandry Department Punjab in collaboration with Rural Development and Panchayats Department is going to organize Zonal Livestock Fairs and Milk Yield Competitions from November 15 to December 16, 2009.
Disclosing this here today Animal Husbandry Minister Punjab Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike said that these fairs were being organized at TaranTarn, Fatehgarh Sahib, Bathinda and Cattle Market Chirrik in district Moga. He said that competition of different racial of horses, Cows, Buffalos, Goats, Sheep and Hens would be held in these fairs. Besides competition of Milk yield of Buffalos, Cows and Goats would also be organized. Race Competition of Dogs and Horses would be an added feature of these fairs.
Mr. Ranike further said that free health service, boarding and loading would also be provided to the participants as well as to the animals. Prizes to the tune of 60 Lac would also be given to the best livestock owners, he added.
No.PR.2009/

CBI To Inquire Polytechnic, 2nd Shift Scam

Senior BJP Leader and Punjab BJP Investor Cell Chief, Advocate Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal today unfolded a major racket by Private Polytechnic Colleges in Punjab. .........Read More