CANADA TO EXPLORE INVESTING IN ENERGY, FOOD PROCESSING AND
INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS IN PUNJAB

Chandigarh, October 13, 2009

Mr. Joseph Caron, High Commissioner of Canada to India, who is on three day visit to Punjab, today called on Deputy Chief Minister ,Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Mr. Badal explained to the High Commissioner that Punjab was the food producing state of India that was contributing over 60% grain to the national kitty. He said that Canada should explore the possibility of setting up food processing units in Punjab, to give value addition to the hard working farmers in Punjab. The High Commissioner evincing great interest in the food processing sector said that he would also explore the possibility of Canadian companies investing in energy, environmental technology and infrastructure sector in Punjab. He said that with Canada having highest number of Punjabi population, it becomes his bounden duty to visit Punjab which has the roots of Punjabi populace residing in Canada. The Canadian High Commissioner, who was accompanied by his wife said that he was eagerly looking towards visiting Golden Temple on Thursday.

Mr. Badal said that he has also requested Canadian High Commissioner set up their establishment in the upcoming Diplomatic Enclave being planned in S.A.S. Nagar Mohali. He said that he was also requesting other countries having large number of Punjabi population to set up their establishment in the proposed Diplomatic Enclave. Besides facilitating large number of NRI population, this enclave would be catalytic in boosting trade relations between different countries and Punjab.

The High Commissioner also requested Deputy Chief Minister to visit Canada next year, with a focused purpose of visiting various industries like food processing energy etc. to explore the possibility of Canadian companies setting up joint ventures in Punjab. Mr. Badal presented a memento to high commissioner on this occasion.

SUKHBIR ENVISIONS MAKING PUNJAB POLICE TECHNO AND CYBER SAVVY FORCE
ALL VACANCIES IN PUNJAB POLICE TO BE FILLED

Chandigarh, October 13: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Punjab today unveiled a long term multiphase plan to modernize Punjab Police Force, equipping it with modern technology, weaponry to enable it to face the emerging high-tech crimes besides making it bold but people friendly, number one force of the Country.

Reviewing the working of Police department during his maiden visit to Punjab Police Headquarter, in a meeting attended by state DGP Mr. P.S.Gill besides AsDGP, IsG and District Police Chiefs, the Deputy Chief Minister said that Punjab Police a premier force of the country that has crushed militancy, has to maintain its preeminence by investing heavily in technology, cyber technology, training and equipping human resource. He said that Punjab being a sensitive border state can not be complacent to internal and external challenges to the unity and integrity of the Country. "Punjab Police has to envision future challenges and with strong intelligence inputs, take preventive measures to nip the crime in the bud", Mr. Badal commented.
Asking DGP to put up perspective integrated plan for modernization of force Mr. Badal said "Modern day war on crime is won by technology, strong and reliable intelligence inputs and strong determination rather them by numbers". He said that cutting edge officers of police force, i.e. SSP, DSPs and SHO in the district have to present strong, determined but polite face of the force to the public and there cannot be any compromise on people taking law in their hand.

Mr. Badal said that he was aware of the depleting strength of a force due to lack of recruitment during last few years and promised that all vacancies in the Punjab Police would be filled very soon, so that working of district Police Station does not suffer. He also asked DGP to finalize the seniority list of all the ranks and officers so that eligible persons should get their due promotions.

Asking SSPs to present themselves as Role Model to the district police force, Mr. Badal said that he would be reviewing the working of every District Police Chief, in the monthly meeting of SSPs, to be held in first week of every month and performance of SSPs would be adjudged on the basis of various parameters including performance of Police on the front of law and order, war against drug addiction, checking piracy, incidents of thefts, robbery, snatchings, number of cases solved and most importantly public perception of corruption in the police force in that respective districts. He said that each month best performing SSP would be chosen and rewarded and laggards for consecutive three months would be divested from their responsibilities.

Favouring equitable opportunity to the women in the force, Mr. Badal said that against 50 % population of women in the State, the number of women police officers /officials was quite low. He said that besides giving boost to employing women as constables, ASIs and SIs, the State would have one women police station in each district fully manned by women police officers so that women should feel free to register their complaints in such police stations.

Exhorting the Police force to launch all out drive against smuggling and illegal marketing of narcotics, the Deputy Chief Minister said no body should be spared for ruining the lives of our future generation. Mr. Badal also asked SSPs to launch a coordinated drive against adulteration of food articles, piracy and hoarding of essential commodities.
Emphasizing on strengthening internal vigilance of Punjab Police to punish corrupt police officials, Mr. Badal said that action against five out of 15000 complaints last year, reflected that this wing required to be strengthened, to take exemplary action against corrupt elements in the police force.

On the suggestion of Deputy Chief Minister, a State Police Award has been instituted from this year onward, which would be presented by Chief Minister to the Officers/Officials performing outstanding duties. This award function would be held in December every year.

Mr. Badal also suggested setting up of Special Security Groups on the pattern of NSG, which should have commandoes fully trained in modern day terror warfare and fully equipped with modern day weaponry. He expressed happiness for the fact that after manning excise nakas with IRB there has been substantial rise in tax collections.

Earlier DGP Mr. P.S. Gill, giving review of the working of Punjab Police, enlisted various welfare measures being initiated by him. Each ADGP gave a presentation regarding the performance of his wing.

In an open interactive session with the police officer, Mr. Badal was happy to receive practical suggestions from district police chief regarding different ways to tackle stray animals, police welfare measures including respectable payment to contingent paid class four employees, independent traffic authority for mega cities cutting red tapped to restore stolen property to the citizen.

Highlights:-
•This was the first visit of any State Home Minister to Police Headquarter for the purpose of reviewing the working of Police Department.
•?As the Deputy Chief Minister reached Police Headquarter dot on 10.50 A.M., top brass of Punjab Police led by State DGP welcomed Mr. Badal at the porch.
•?Mr. Badal took salute from the full contingent of PAP and inspected guard of honour.
•?It was perhaps first time that open, free and frank discussion session took place between State Home Minister, DGP, top brass of Police and District Police Chiefs.
•?Mr. Badal was very happy to receive certain novel but practical suggestions from some SSPs.
•?One SSP suggested putting collars with reflectors to all stray animals causing various traffic accidents especially during pitch dark of night.
•?Earlier SSPs were reluctant to come forth frankly, Mr. Badal asked them to think big, out of box and if their suggestion finds favour with him, it would be his responsibility to arrange funds for implementing that suggestion.
•?The meeting that was to last till 1.00 PM stretched till 2.30 PM as every District Police Chief was eager to share his suggestions with Deputy Chief Minister.
•?The problem of low payment of contingent paid over 2000 class IV employees of Punjab Police doing odd jobs of cook etc. in the Police force was also discussed in the meeting. The Deputy Chief Minister said that till any decision was taken on their regularization, the Home Secretary should fix one fixed amount to be paid to them in all districts. Earlier they were getting different payments in each districts according to the DC rate.

INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPTT. PB.
Admission Date Extended
Chandigarh: October 13

The last date for the admission to diploma courses in all affiliated institutions of the Punjab State Board of Technical Education and Industrial Training has extended to October 31, 2009.

This was disclosed by an official spokesman of the department of Technical Education and Industrial Training here today.

23.74 LAKH TONNES PADDY PROCURED IN PUNJAB

Chandigarh, October 13: Government agencies and private millers procured more than 23.74 lakh tonnes of Paddy till last evening

Out of total procurement of 2374187 tonnes of paddy in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 2287795 tonnes of paddy (96.4%) till date whereas private traders procured 86392 tonnes (3.6%) of paddy. Till October 13, PUNGRAIN had procured 606051 tonnes (26.5%) whereas MARKFED procured 466360 tonnes (20.4%). PUNSUP procured 525624 tonnes (23.0%) , PSWC procured 306238 tonnes (13.4%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 214060 tonnes (9.4 %) of paddy.

The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 169462 tonnes (7.4%).
The spokesman added that District Ferozepur with 392002 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas district Muktsar a 299407 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and District Faridkot with 233796 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.

Vimal Kumar Setia posted as Additional State Transport Commissioner
Chandigarh October 13:-

Mr. Vimal Kumar Setia, PCS is hereby posted as Additional State Transport Commissioner, Punjab relieving Mr. Ravinder Singh-1PCS of this additional charge.