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PUNJAB GOVT. TO SOON SET UP PUNJABI LANGUAGE TRIBUNAL

CHANDIGARH NOVEMBER 30:

The Punjab government would soon set up the Punjabi Language Tribunal to ensure implementation of Punjabi language in all the offices boards/ corporations, educational institutions and subordinate courts in the state under Punjab State Language Act, 1967 and Punjab Learning of Punjabi and Other Languages Act 2008.

n assurance to this effect was given by Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal to the delegation of Punjab Sahit Academy led by its president Dr. Dalip Kaur Tiwana in a meeting held here at Punjab Bhawan late last evening.


Taking part in the deliberations, Mr. Badal said that the tribunal would suggest punitive measures for strict implementation of the Act and would also give legal opinion on the different issues relating to the Act. He directed the Chief Secretary to finalize the modalities for the setting up of this tribunal so that the said Act could be implemented in letter and spirit.

Expressing gratitude to the Chief Minister, Dr. Dalip Kaur Tiwana said that the constitution of tribunal would certainly prove to be a milestone for the implementation of this historic legislation which had given due respect and recognition to the Punjabi language. She assured the state government of fulsome support and cooperation on behalf of the Punjab sahit academy for the promotion and enrichment of the Punjabi language. She also thanked the Education & Language Minister Dr. Upinderjit Kaur for moving the case of Punjabi language tribunal which would further strengthen the cause of promotion of Punjabi in a result-oriented manner.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister gave a cheque of Rs.10 lakh to the Sahit Academy and promised to pay the balance of Rs.15 lakh in the next financial year. He also supported the move of academy for establishing a book bazaar at Ludhiana which would have 9 shops, 6 for Punjabi one each for English, Hindi and Urdu to promote the habit of reading amongst the public. He said that this unique initiative of academy would not inculcate the habit of reading amongst the masses but also make the ‘sahit academy self sustaining and economically viable’.

Prominent amongst others where were present in the meeting including Media Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Harcharan Bains, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Addititional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, OSD to Chief Minister Mr. Sandip Hans besides general secretary Punjabi Sahit Academy Dr.Sukhdev Singh Sirsa, Vice Preisent Sukhjit Singh, Ex-President Punjabi Sahit Academy Dr.Sujit Singh Patar and National General Secretary Youth Akali Dal Rupinder Singh Mundi.

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CM APPROVES RECRUITMENT POLICY OF PRTC

CHANDIGARH NOVEMBER 30:

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal approved the recruitment and regularization policy of Pepsu Roadways Transport Corporation (PRTC) and also asked the Punjab Roadways to follow the same.

Presiding over a meeting with the deputation of the employees of the PRTC and Punjab Roadways here at Punjab Bhawan late last evening, the Chief Minister asked the Principal Secretary Transport to implement this policy to ensure recruitment and regularization of the staff both in PRTC and Punjab Roadways. The Chief Minister was apprised that this policy was aimed at recruiting drivers, conductors and workshop staff initially on contract basis which would be later on regularized in a phased manner keeping in view their performance.

The Chief Minister also constituted a committee under the chairmanship of State Chief Secretary for the reimbursement of excess payment made by PRTC on account of taxes to the government. He also gave in principle approval for the implementation of enhanced scales to the staff of PRTC on the recommendations of fifth Punjab Pay Commission.

The Chief Minister also agreed to the proposal of Punjab Roadways to emerge the fleet of 360 buses of PUNBUS into the Punjab Roadways. He also categorically said that the practice of recruitment through out sourcing must be stopped forth with both in PRTC as well as Punjab Roadways. He also directed the Principal Secretary Transport to immediately initiate the process of giving companionate appointments to the next of the kin of the employees who died in harness to clear the backlog of such appointments. Likewise, he also asked the Principal Secretary and Director of the Transport Department to immediately finalize the modalities to effect promotions to the various categories of employees through constituting departmental promotion committees with immediate effect. He also asked them to regularize the employees of construction wing of the Punjab Roadways and directed the transport department to find ways and means to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the drivers involved the accident cases instead of making recovery from their salaries for accidental claims.

Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Transport Minister Master Mohan Lal, Principal Secretary Transport Mr. DS Jaspal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, Director Transport Mandeep Singh, State Transport Commissioner Mr.R.Venktaratnam and MD PRTC Mr. Manvesh Singh Sidhu.
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CM ACCORDS APPROVAL FOR RECRUITMENT OF NEARLY
2500 VACANT POSTS

CHANDIGARH NOVEMBER 30:

In a major thrust towards the recruitment drive in the critical departments of Food & Supplies, Local Government and the Mandi Board, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today gave a nod to fill up nearly 2500 vacant posts in these departments on the top priority to ensure its efficient and result-oriented functioning.

A decision to this effect was taken by Mr. Badal in the separate meetings with the Ministers and Officers of these departments to finalize the modalities of the recruitment process in a time bound manner.

Mr. Badal approved 54 posts of Secretaries and 12 of Assistant Secretaries in the Mandi Board besides 14 posts of Sub-Divisional Officers (Civil), 14 posts of Junior Engineers besides 30 posts each of clerks and steno typists to be recruited soon. Likewise, he also approved 4 new posts of the Executive Engineers along with the supporting staff including 28 Junior Engineers and 9 draftsmen in the engineering wing of the Mandi Board. The Chief Minister also asked the Chief Secretary to constitute a committee to undertake the recruitment process in a transparent manner. The Chief Minister also gave approval to appoint three district Mandi Officers along with the supporting staff of newly created districts of Tarn Taran, Mohali and Barnala. He asked the Chief Secretary to place in the newly appointed officers and officials positively before the onset of procurement of wheat during Rabi marketing season-2010.
To overcome the acute shortage of staff in the Food & Supplies which had been hampering the procurement operations in the state for last two years, Mr. Badal also gave approval to fill 1970 vacant posts through direct ecruitment/promotions in two phases in March and September, 2010. These vacant posts mainly included of Assistant Directors, Junior Auditors and Inspectors Grade-I & II. He directed the Secretary Food & Supplies department to immediate initiate the process for the recruitment of these officers/officials so that they could be posted before the start of the next wheat procurement operation. He also permitted the department to fill up the existing class IV vacancies through out sourcing as per the guidelines of the state government. It was informed in the meeting that the six vacant posts of district food & Supplies Officers would be recruited soon through Punjab Public Service Commission, as the process for the direct recruitment was already on. The Chief Minister also gave approval to the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation to recruit the requisite staff for the smooth procurement operation.

The Chief Minister also gave green signal to the process of direct recruitment in the department of local government. He asked the department to immediate initiate the process for filling fill up of 54 vacant posts of executive officers in the Municipal Councils, 88 posts of inspectors, 25 posts of clerks and 15 posts of sanitation inspectors besides 25 posts of SDOs and 54 posts of JEs, in the Water Supplies & Sewerage wing of the department.

These meetings were attended by the Local Government Minister Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Food & Supplies Minister Mr. Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, Agriculture Minister Mr. Sucha Singh Langha, Finance Minister Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal, Chief Secretary Mr. SC Agrawal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Principal Secretary Local Government Mr. DS Bains, Principal Secretary Finance Mr. Karan Avtar Singh, Secretary Food & Supplies Mr. SP Singh, Secretary Personnel Mr. Iqbal Singh Sandhu, Secretary Mandi Board Mr. AS Miglani, Director Local Government Mr. SK Sharma, Director Food & Supplies Mr. DS Grewal, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar and MD Water Supplies Mr. Sat Pal
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PUNJAB TO LAUNCH MASSIVE TRAINING PROGRAMME TO ENHANCE

CAPACITY BUILDING OF PRIs REPRESENTATIVES-BRAHMPURATraining in emerging trends like information, communication and technology (ICT) would also be provided

Chandigarh November 30: With a view to successfully implement various ongoing rural development schemes and to create awareness among the representatives of three tier Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) about their role and responsibility for the people, the Punjab Government has taken up a massive training programme to enhance their skills and capacity. The Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Punjab S. Ranjit Singh Brahmpura disclosed this here on Monday.

In a press release he said that the State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD) Mohali, an apex training institute under the aegis of Rural Development and Panchayats Department, have devised and formulated the diverse training programmes for PRIs to bring improvement in the functions of village Panchayats, Block Samities and Zila Parishad members. "As elected representatives of PRIs are now directly involved in the planning process and majority of them are ignorant about their role and responsibility, the department has initiated an efficient, effective and reliable capacity building programmes for them to develop the human resource base", he said.

The Panchayats Minister further said that about 28150 PRI representatives, functionaries and other department officials across the state had been provided training in 480 camps organized for two days each in respective blocks and district headquarters with active cooperation from NGOs. In the first phase, the PRI members have been educated to perform their roles, functions and responsibilities effectively in local governance. The training modules included rural development programme, social welfare in other line departments, transparency, financial management and accountability, he added.

S. Brahmpura added that considering the need for community participation in the development process, those representatives would be trained in skills and capacity building in the next two months who were unable to attend the previous training camps. Training in the field of emerging trends like information, communication and technology (ICT) would also be provided to the PRI representatives, functionaries and other department officials, he said.
He informed that a special campaign displaying nukkar nataks, jago marchs, film shows and group meetings would also be launched in the next three months to educate rural members in planning, supervision and auditing of village level plans. The training campaign would certainly enhance the capacity of PRI leaders to manage and administer the programmes of their own. The learning from the initiative would also help the State Government as well, he affirmed.
He emphasized that imparting adequate and appropriate awareness, knowledge and motivation to the elected representatives of the PRIs was crucial to their becoming effective not only in operationalizing the decentralized governance but also in taking full advantage of various schemes and programmes aimed at the improvement in the quality of the social, economic and cultural life of the rural masses.
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CHANDIGARH: World AIDS Day
is being observed throughout the Punjab on 1st December 2009. The necessary instructions have already been circulated to all the Civil Surgeons in the State. The state level function will be organized at Qadian, District Gurdaspur. Hon’ble Health & Family Welfare Minister, Punjab Prof. Luxmi Kanta Chawla will be the Chief Guest, Shri Satish Chandra IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Punjab and Dr. S.P.S Sohal, Director Health Services, Punjab will be present in this programme alongwith the Deputy Commissioner of District Gurdaspur. The main theme of this programme is “Universal Access & Human Rights, Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise” by UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS. This theme is to emphasise that access for all to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support is a critical part of human rights.

It is now more than 28 years since AIDS was first detected. At that time, in 1981, no one could have anticipated that this infection would become a global problem of extraordinary scope and unprecedented ramifications. Even till a decade ago, HIV and AIDS were regarded as primarily a serious health crisis. Today, it is clear that AIDS has become a developmental disaster and there is now compelling evidence to show that the trend, if not stopped, will erode the development gains achieved so far.

The AIDS epidemic continues to outstrip global and National efforts to contain it. The number of people living with HIV globally estimated total 33.4 million; nearly half of them are women. Close to 2.7 million people were newly infected globally with HIV in 2008 alone and over half of them were young people aged 15-24 years. More than 2 million people died of AIDS related illness in 2008, including 2.8 lacs children under the age of 15.

HIV infection today affects about 2.47 million Indians, with no state free from the virus. HIV/AIDS continues to be one of India’s most complex epidemics- a challenge that goes beyond public health, raising fundamental issues of human rights and is threatening developmental achievements in many areas. The epidemic is unfolding rapidly, with heterosexual transmission playing the predominant role. HIV infection is no longer confined to high risk behaviour population in India but is spreading from population with high risk behaviour, to the general population, and is now moving from urban to rural area. The need to prevent further spread of the epidemic and to provide care and support for those infected or affected by HIV/AIDS calls for a joint effort from all sections of the society.

In Punjab the situation is not worst, since the majority of population is uninfected. The infection prevalence in Punjab is 0.11% against the total prevalence in India of 0.36%. In Punjab the reported HIV cases are 17820, and AIDS cases on ART are 7567 and reported deaths are 786. Many direct or indirect factors are behind the accumulation of HIV transmission in Punjab. Majority of these factors are linked with socio-cultural and economic aspects of life.

The major problem emerging in Punjab is injectable drug users (IDU). The latest mapping study and surveillance data has indicated the increasing trend of HIV positivity among injectable drug users (IDUs) in Punjab. HIV is highly transmissible through sharing of needles and other injecting equipment. At present, we are targeting injectable drug users through 15 Targetted Intervention (TI) Projects. But we have to strengthen our existing legal and regulating authorities, educating school children, youth and common community regarding this menace. It is important to address the problems of injectable drug users in the State urgently in order to prevent the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS infection among them and also to address the health and social consequences relating to injectable drug users.

In our State, the Drug Controlling Authority has been strengthened. A crusade against drug dependence has been led by none other than but our dynamic Hon’ble Health & Family Welfare Minister, Punjab, Prof. Luxmi Kanta Chawla.
The Punjab State AIDS Control Society has released the grant to all the districts of Punjab with the instructions to observe this day in order to disseminate the theme of World AIDS Day so that new infection in the State of Punjab could be stopped and care and support could be provided to the people living with HIV/AIDS without any discrimination. Relevant data of the State is also enclosed.

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SUKHBIR VOWS TO PROTECT EVERY DROP OF PUNJAB'S WATER· Proposal of increasing retirement age still under consideration

Chandigarh, November 28

Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal Deputy Chief Minister today vowed to take every 'legal and political' step to protect the share of Punjab in the river waters, according to the internationally recognised Riparian principles.

Answering the queries of media men regarding Haryana pressurising Union Government to complete SYL Canal and J&K's claim on water from Thein Dam, the Deputy Chief Minister said that Shiromani Akali Dal had launched a sustained struggle, against the evil mechanisations of Congress party, to rob Punjab of its due share in river water and right from Kapoori Morcha his party had been taking every legal as well as political step to fail the nefarious designs of Congress party. Mr. Badal said that according to Riparian principles neither Haryana nor any other state, has any legal right on Punjab's water. Moreover, Punjab has not a single drop to spare for other states, in the view of increasing requirements of its own agricultural sector.

When asked about the proposal of increasing retirement age of State employees from 58 to 60 years, Mr Badal replied that it was still under consideration of State government and no final decision has been taken in this regard.
To a question posed regarding increasing pollution by burning paddy stubbles by the farmers, the Depuuty Chief Minister said that newly introduced machines like ‘Happy Seeder’ would tackle the problem of paddy residue. Moreover, with the construction of 28 Baggass based power plants throughout the state, the farmers would prefer to sell the agricultural residue to these plants, rather than burning them.

Earlier speaking in the cultural program organised by language department to celebrate Punjabi language month, Mr. Badal said that it was matter of great pride for us that SAD-BJP government has taken the revolutionary step to give due status to Punjabi language by making it mandatory every office of the state. He said that Punjab government would provide full assistance to Language department to effectively implement this directive. He said that Punjabi University Patiala was already working on developing search engines like Google in Punjabi language. Moreover all websites of the state government and state boards and Corporations would be bilingual, after development of technology in this regard
On the occasion giving details of the activities organized by Language department to mark ‘Punjabi Mah’ Dr. Upinderjit Kaur, Education and Language Minister Punjab informed that the activities to promote Punjabi language and Culture under this program were initiated from holy city of Sultanpur Lodhi. She said that besides organizing various activities in different cities of the state to aware people about the importance of mother tongue, valuable discussion had been conducted at Bhasha Bhawan Patiala, where prominent language experts articulated their opinion to promote Punjabi Language.

Mr. Badal also released the special edition of book Punjabi dunia with title ‘Sri Guru Granth Sahib Vishesh Ank’ published by Language Department. A number of prominent personalities including Mr. Jaswant Singh Kanwal, Prof. Brahmjagdish Singh, Prof. Sadhu Singh Faridkot, Mr. Gulzar Singh Jaito, Prof. Surjit Kumar, Dr. Harnek Singh Komal and Dr. Gurcharan Singh were honored during the function for their contribution to the Punjabi language.

Prominent amongst others Mr. Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Irrigation Minister, Mr. Gurtej Singh Ghuriana, MLA, Mr. Surjit Kumar Jiani, MLA, Mr. Hari Singh Jeera, fromer Minister, Mr. Kushaldeep Singh Dhilloan, former MLA and Mr. Makhan Singh Nangal, Member SGPC were present on the occasion.

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BADAL FELICITATES PEOPLE ON ID-UL-ZUHA

CHANDIGARH NOVEMBER 27: Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today greeted the Punjabis especially the Muslim brethren on the eve of Id-ul-Zuha.

In his message, Mr. Badal said “Id-ul-Zuha evokes feeling of brotherhood, charity and empathy for the needy and the underprivileged. Let us, reaffirm our resolve to further strengthen the spirit of brotherhood, unity of cultural bonds and national integration”.

Mr. Badal appealed the people to celebrate the festival collectively by rising above petty considerations of caste, colour, creed and religion.
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SUKHBIR GREETS PEOPLE ON THE EVE OF ID-UL-JUHA(BAKRID)
Chandigarh, November 27: Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today greeted the people of Punjab on the eve of Bakrid.
In his message, Mr.Badal said that Bakrid is a festival of sacrifice of worldly things for the will of the God. Extending heartily greetings to all Muslim brethren on this occasion, Mr. Badal said that on this auspicious day of commemorative sacrifice, we should all rededicate ourselves to uphold the principles of love, compassion and understanding and avow to live in fellowship as brothers and sisters, in the true.
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SEKHWAN FELICITATES MUSLIM BRETHREN
ON THE EVE OF ID-UL-JUHA(BAKRID)

Chandigarh, November 27: Punjab Public Relations Minister Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan today felicitated the Muslim brethren in the state on the eve of Bakrid and urged them to celebrate this festive occasion with religious fervor and mutual brotherhood.
In his message, Mr. Sekhwan said that this day gives us an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to uphold the principles of love, compassion and understanding and follow the path shown by Prophet Mohammad in its letter and spirit.
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SPEAKER GREETS PEOPLE ON ID-UL-ZUHA

Chandigarh November 27:-
Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Mr. Nirmal Singh Kahlon today felicitated the people of Punjab especially the Muslim Community on the auspicious occasion of Id-ul-Zuha.
In his message Mr. Kahlon said the Id-ul-Zuha was a festival which preached us the spirit of brotherhood, compassion and sympathy for the oppressed sections of the society. He called upon the people to celebrate this festival collectively by rising above parochial consideration of caste, colour, creed and religion.

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