CM ASKS SANKARA EYE TRUST TO SET UP MORE EYE HOSPITALS IN PUNJAB

CHANDIGARH OCTOBER 2, 2009

The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today called upon the Sankara Eye Care Institutions to open such more hi-tech no profit super speciality eye care institutions in other parts of the state to cater the needs of poor patients suffering from eye ailments.

Interacting with the Honorary Director Project “Vision 2020", Mr. C.N. Srivatsan of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Medical Trust which was running a chain of Sankara Eye Care Institutions with its mission headquarter Coimbatore, the Chief Minister hoped that the upcoming 100 bedded Sankara Eye Hospital at Ludhiana - the first project of its kind in the state would provide the best treatment to the patients with eye diseases. He urged the trust to set up such more hospitals in the state to serve the economically weaker sections of the society with the missionary zeal and firm commitment, which were deprived of health care facilities being very expensive and beyond their reach.

Briefing the Chief Minister Mr. Srivastsan said that 20000 free eye surgeries would be performed every year. He also pointed out that 80% of the beneficiaries would be the needy poor to whom the entire services would be provided free of cost, the middle income and affluent people would constitute the balance 20% of beneficiaries who would pay for their eye care. All specialties like Cataract, Glaucoma, Retinal diseases and Peadiatrict Ophthalmology would be made available in this hospital. He also informed Mr. Badal that eye surgeons and administrators would be identified from Punjab and undergo intensive training at Coimbatore and Bangalore before getting posted in Ludhiana eye hospital. Like wise, +2 passed girls from Punjab especially belonging to socio economically poor families from the Ludhiana region would be identified purely on merit and aptitude basis and would be trained at Coimbatore and Bangalore for a University certified course for a period of 18 to 24 months. After successful completion of the course, they would be absorbed as paramedics at Sankara Eye Hospital Ludhiana to serve the people of Punjab.

The goodwill Ambassador Mr. Jessie Singh from USA informed the Chief Minister that the ultimate goal was to achieve perfect visual status of vision by the year 2020 through establishing twenty such hospitals in different parts of the country. He hoped that when all the hospitals were in place by the year 2020, nearly one million people would be benefited every year, half a million through surgeries and half of though procedures.

On the occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Vipul Limited with Sankara Eye Care Institutions, India in the presence of the Chief Minister for setting up the eye care hospital in Ludhiana over land of 2 acres provided by Vipul Limited in its Vipul World Project near Ludhiana on Ferozepur road at nominal lease rent for 90 years.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the occasion included Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, Managing Director Vipul Limited Mr. Puneet Beriwala and CEO Mr. Guninder Singh.

NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR SPINNING MILLS UNDER MANDI ACT

CHANDIGARH OCTOBER 21, 2009

The Punjab Government has decided that no registration would be required in future for the spinning mills under the Punjab Agriculture Produce Markets Act, 1962 and necessary amendments would be made in the relevant Act/ Rules.
A decision to this effect was taken by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal in a meeting with a delegation of Northern India Textile Mills' Association (NITMA) led by its President Mr. S.P Oswal here at Punjab Bhawan this afternoon.

Responding to the demands put forth by the NITMA, the Chief Minister directed the Excise & Taxation Department to examine the demand to treat ginned cotton at par with un-ginned one for the purpose of entry tax. It may be recalled that no entry tax was being levied on un-ginned cotton.

The Chief Minister also asked the Mandi Board to immediately withdraw the criminal cases which have been filed against some spinning mills for not taking the licenses required under Punjab Agriculture Produce Markets Act, 1962. The Excise & Taxation department had been asked to make payment of VAT refunds to the industrialists in a time bound manner.
The Chief Minister assured the delegation that the power reforms undertaken by the PSEB would help the industrialists in getting uninterrupted quality power supply at affordable rates.

Mr. S.P. Oswal assured the Chief Minister that the Vardhman Group would soon set up an ultra modern Cancer hospital in the Malwa belt to provide the best treatment to the patients afflicted with cancer and adopt an industrial training institute (ITI) to impart technical education free of cost to the poor youth in the region to enable them to be gainfully employed in the textile industry.

Mr. Oswal informed the Chief Minister that the proposed cancer hospital would be initially started as a branch of the Ludhiana based Mohan Dai Oswal Cancer Hospital & Research Institute in the Malwa belt in view of the high incidence of cancer due to over use of pesticides in the cotton belt and subsequently the poor quality of underground water due to high level of presence of fluorides and toxicants in it.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Industries Minister Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Chief Secretary Punjab Mr. S.C. Aggarawal, Financial Commissioner
Taxation Mr. S.S. Brar, Excise and Taxation Commissioner A. Venu Parsad, Secretary Mandi Board Mr. A.S. Miglani, Chairman PSEB Mr. H.S. Brar, Director Industries Mr. V.K. Janjua and Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister

CM ASKS RANBAXY TO PREPARE A PERSPECTIVE PLAN TO PROVIDE
FREE HEALTH & MEDIAL CARE FACILITIES IN RURAL SECTOR

CHANDIGARH OCTOBER 21, 2009

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here today asked the Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. to prepare a comprehensive plan to undertake extensive research to study the root cause of the deadly diseases and suggest measures for its effective eradication to make Punjab a disease free state.

Presiding over a meeting with a delegation of Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd. led by its CEO-cum-Managing Director Mr. Atul Sobti here this morning, Mr. Badal assured the delegation that the state government would extend full support and cooperation in realizing the company’s plan to provide free health care facilities to the people in the rural area. He asked them to set up a super speciality cancer hospital in the state besides pressing into service fully equipped mobile medical & health care vans to provide free treatment to the needy in the rural segment at their doorsteps.

Showing concern over the growing trend of drug addiction amongst the youth in the state, the Chief Minister said that the state government was seriously contemplating to take certain far more stringent action to check the trafficking of narcotics in the state and for this purpose NGOs could be sensitized to play a pro-active role to bring awareness amongst the masses. He further asked the company to include this aspect in its health care perspective plan.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Ranbaxy, Mr. Atul Sobti assured Mr. Badal that the company was fully committed to honour its commitment in health care sector but being a company with foreign direct investment it had certain constraints over adopting any educational institution. He further made it clear that within a month company would work out a detailed plan to provide free health care facilities in the rural areas. He said that at present two medical mobile vans had already been pressed into service in the villages of Mohali and Ropar districts. He further committed to provide free health care facilities in all the Adarsh schools by providing free medicines. He reiterated that being one of the reputed and biggest companies in the world, Ranbaxy was committed to initiate better health care schemes in collaboration with the state government to provide free medical treatment. He also revealed that the company would also work out the modalities to establish a big hospital to cater the health care needs of rural sector.

The other members of the delegation included President & CFO Mr. Omesh Sethi, Head Global Legal Rajbeer S Sachdeva and General Manager Liaison & Administration Mr. SK Bahl. Advocate General Mr. HS Mattewal and Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema were also present.

CM UNVEILS PLAN TO CURTAIL 1850 MW POWER DEMAND
TO SAVE NEARLY RS 8000 CRORE BY 2010-11

CHANDIGARH OCTOBER 21, 2009

The Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal today unveiled an ambitious plan to ensure reduction in demand of 1850 MW Power and better reliability of supply thereby saving nearly Rs. 8000 crore by the end of next fiscal 2010-11.
Addressing the media persons during a weekly interaction here this morning at Chief Minister’s Office, Mr. Badal said that the Punjab State Electricity board (PSEB) has taken a series of low cost maintenance measures coupled with customer-friendly approach to install 1.92 Crore CFLs in 48 Lac households in the state under Bachat Lamp Yojna. The Scheme involved replacement of incandescent lamps with high quality CFL's at subsidized rate of Rs. 15 per lamp against the market price of Rs 85-90, which would be borne by the consumers. The tenders would be finalized on October 27, 2009 and the entire scheme would be completed by Dec 31 2009, which would result in net saving of 500 MW of power.
The Chief Minister further said that the Board had also introduced a scheme of High Voltage Distribution System in Agriculture Pump Sets. The scheme involved conversion of Low Voltage Distribution System to High Voltage Distribution System on 11 KV Agriculture Pump Sets (AP feeders). Around 79000 consumers have already converted to HVDS in 2007-08 and 2008-09. During 2nd phase, high loss feeders covering around 1.75 lac consumers at a cost of Rs 1100 Crore would be covered. The Scheme would reduce the demand of power by 200 MW and completed by December 31, 2010. Another Scheme of Power Factor Management to install capacitors of 2100 MV AR capacity on the system was also being implemented at a cost of Rs 24 Crore. This Scheme would result in reduction of 200 MW demand and was likely to be completed by December 31, 2012.

In order to save power on the Agriculture Tubewells, the Board had introduced a scheme to install energy efficient pumps on AP consumers. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) was undertaking a pilot project on Six 11 KV AP feeders 3 each in Taran Taran and Muktsar districts, which have already been converted to HVDS. Of these, 11 KV feeders, 2081 agriculture pump sets would be replaced with energy efficient pump sets and would save 20% power. This pilot project would be rolled out throughout the state only after the results were analyzed and cost benefit analysis was done, added the Chief Minister.

Dwelling on the Distribution Reforms undertaken by the PSEB, Mr Badal pointed out that various schemes had been worked out in the distribution organization for increasing productivity of the nearly 50,000 staff and for improving consumer service. The various initiatives included Material at Site Model, Customer Care Centre, Ghar Baithe Bijlee Connection, Electricity Call Centres, Simplification of Departmental Procedures.

Under the scheme of Customer Care Centre, consumers of all categories would be provided with the services of single window for prompt redressal of their complaints, facilities of billing, release of new connections and change of defective meters. Consumers need not to come to office and they could now lodge their complaints through single number telephone through out the state. Detailed guidelines have been issued to release new connections and replace defective meters with in 48 hours. A Customer Care Centre and Electricity Call Centre was being run at Ludhiana on trial basis which would be formally made operational in first week of November. Such centres would be subsequently opened in Amritsar, Patiala, Jalandhar and Bathinda by March 2010. The Board has launched a scheme of material at site initially from Center Stores from Patiala which would be replicated in all central stores by March 31, 2010. At present the user collected the material from the store at his own expanse and now the material would be provided on the site through out sourcing by PSEB which would save the consumers from undue harassment thereby saving his time, money and energy.

The Chief Minister stated that the Transmission & Distribution (T&D) losses for 2007-08 had been reported at 22.5% and these losses for 2012 were projected at 15%. An amount of Rs.2500 crore would be spent in three years to reduce the losses gradually and save almost 500 MWs of power.

The Board had already launched a scheme to install meters on the poles and pillar boxes outsides the premises both in rural as well as urban areas to ensure reliable power supply and proper voltage to the consumers at the tail end to the consumers. Under this scheme 32 lac consumers would be covered at cost of Rs 750 crore. This scheme would save power worth 950 MW and would be completed by December 31, 2010. The requisite funds for the implementation of the scheme had already been tied up. A pilot project under the scheme had already been implemented in 20 villages of Bathinda, Patiala, Kapurthala & Ludhiana Districts.

It may be recalled that the total demand of the power in the state was 9786 MW against the total installed capacity 6841 MW with the short fall of 2379 MW which was being overcome by initiating four new thermal power plants in the state. In last two years additional capacity of 658 MW has been created in the state. The work on the 540 MW Goindwal Sahib and 1980 MW Talwandi Sabo Thermal Plant, has been in full swing. Machinery worth Rs 1000 Crore had ordered for Talwandi Sabo Thermal Plant and the order for the same had already been placed by the GVK group for Goindwal Sahib Plant. Technical bid for 1320 MW Rajpura Power plant was being evaluated and financial bid would be opened by October 31, 2009. The State government had been vigorously pursuing the case for sanction of coal link with Union Coal Ministry for 2640 MW Giddarbaha Thermal Project. 80% of loan for 168 MW Shahpur Kandi Project had been sanctioned by the financial institutions. This national project declared by GoI would be executed by the state Irrigation Department and completed within 4-5 years. The cost of the project was estimated at 1628 crore.

SUKHBIR ORDERS FRESH STATEWIDE SURVEY OF WAKF PROPERTIES
SURVEY COMMISSIONER APPOINTED TO COMPLETE SURVEY WITHIN 3 MONTHS

Chandigarh, October 21

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Punjab has issued instructions to order statewide fresh survey of WAKF properties through out the state.

Presiding over the meeting of Home department, attended by Chief Secretary Mr. S.C. Aggrawal and Principal Secretary Home, Mr. A.R. Talwar, the Deputy Chief Minister regretted that Home department was not having proper record of WAKF properties and in the absence of proper monitoring and control, these precious properties were being illegally alienated encroached and in many cases the character of the building has been converted into commercial property.
Mr. Badal also constituted a Survey Commission to identify and map all properties of the WAKF Board in the state. Mr. Jaspal Singh, Secretary Revenue has been appointed as State Survey Commissioner. It was informed in the meeting that Survey Commissioner would be assisted in the respective districts Deputy Commissioners, who have been designated Additional Survey Commissioners. At the Tehsil level, the Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) will act as Assistant Survey Commissioners and will report directly to the State Survey Commissioner. Mr. Badal asked to complete this exercise on war footing so that un-encroached properties could be secured properly by the government.

Asking the Home department to come out with a watertight policy on WAKF Properties, Mr. Badal also asked them to frame rules under section 109 of the WAKF Act, 1995 to protect properties belonging to the WAKF board.
He regretted that there is no record so far to suggest how many properties of the WAKF Board have been illegally occupied by the people. It was informed in the meeting that according to initial estimates WAKF Board has over 24,335 properties. There is no detail available about the current status of these properties. Mr. Badal said that the survey commission will plot all the properties in Punjab, both in the rural and urban areas and indicate their current status. The government should come out with plan to rescues some of these properties after the completion of State wide survey.
The Deputy Chief Minister also issued instructions to identify all those properties that belong to the state and farmers of the state, but have been wrongly included in the list of WAKF properties.

Mr. Badal said that the survey would help in preserving and maintaining these properties in the future.

SUKHBIR PAYS GLORIOUS TRIBUTES TO POLICE MARTYRS
URGES CENTRE TO ENHANCE MODERNIZATION ALLOCATION FOR PUNJAB

Chandigarh, October 21, 2009

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister today paid glorious tributes to those Punjab Police martyrs who laid down their lives protecting the unity and integrity of the country.

Speaking at a State Level Police Commemoration Day Parade organized today at PAP complex Jalandhar, Mr. Badal said that this day gives us an opportunity to remember those martyrs who sacrificed their lives to ensure that we all could live in peace.
Commending Punjab Police for its exemplary role in wiping out decade long militancy in the State, Mr. Badal said that it was the professional approach and dedication and commitment of Punjab Police that saved the Country from the nefarious designs of inimical forces across the border.

Underlining the need to chalk out a long term plan to modernize State Police Forces, Mr. Badal said that equipping force with modern technologies, weaponry would enable them to face the challenges of emerging high-tech crimes. He said that as modern day war on crime could only be won by technology, strong and reliable intelligence inputs and strong determination rather then by numbers.

Lamenting the declining grant of Union government for modernization, the Deputy Chief Minister said that that despite increasing challenges to police forces through out the Country the Union government's total modernization budget of Rs. 1200 crore for the whole country speaks aloud about the seriousness of UPA to contain this menace. He demanded the enhancement of modernization budget for Punjab be enhanced from existing Rs. 25 crores to at least Rs. 100 crores as Punjab was a border state having hostile neighbour. He asked Punjab DGP to put up a perspective integrated plan for modernization of force besides suggesting welfare measures. He said that the State government was fully committed to make Punjab police most accomplished force in the country.

Exhorting the young police officers to learn a lesson from the dedication and sacrifice of martyrs, Mr. Badal said that it was just because of their sacrifice; Punjab was again touching the pinnacles of glory and development. He also urged the younger generations to inculcate the spirit of patriotism and nationalism amongst themselves by making these martyrs as their role models.

Earlier speaking on the occasion Mr P.S. Gill, Director General of Police, Punjab said that the State Police has always stood to the test of time proving its professional competency as well as exemplary courage to counter any challenge posed by the anti national elements. It has proved its professional mettle and commitment by successfully curbing the menace of decade long militancy that was being supported by the inimical forces across the border. He informed that while fighting the militancy the state police had sacrificed its 2 DIsG, 3 SSsP,12 DSPs, 32 Inspectors, 61 SIs, 111 ASIs, 268 Head Constables, 817 Constables, 294 PHGs and 180 SPOs. Besides this, 262 members of families of Police personnel were also killed by the militants to demoralize the force. He further said that during last year 776 Police officers and Jawans of various police and para military forces laid down their lives while performing their duties out of which 54 were of Punjab Police.

The DGP said that the state police was fully committed to redress the problems being faced by families of martyrs and assured to initiate more welfare measures for their betterment in near future.

On this occasion a Commemoration Parade was held as a mark of respect to brave police martyrs, who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. The arms were reversed and two minutes silence was observed in the honor of the departed souls. The names of police martyrs were also read out, to acknowledge with pride the supreme sacrifices made by them.
Later speaking to the media, Mr. Badal said that his endeavor was to make Punjab Police people friendly and totally professional force, that could be relied upon by civil population at the time of crisis. He said that he wants to segregate the civil duties and crime control duties of Punjab Police. He said that Punjab Police would set up Police Suvidha Kendras in all districts by March next year to handle all civil issues of the public professionally. He said that these air conditioned totally computerized Suvidha Kendras would be set up in commercial areas of the state and police men attired in civil cloths would deal with public with due courtesy and regard. They would handle all civil issues like personal and NRI verification, servant and tenant verification, arms licence verification, passport verification and others civil tasks and provide computerized receipt to the public suggesting the completion date of their tasks.

Mr. Badal said that the State police would wage a sustained war against drug trafficking, fake currency and piracy also to take these menaces to their logical end. He categorically said that nobody will be allowed to ruin the lives of Punjabi youth. He informed that he would review the working of every District Police after every two months and performance of each SSP would be graded on the basis of various parameters including performance of Police on the front of law and order, war against drug addiction, checking piracy and overall crime detection in that respective district.
Mr. Badal informed that the State police would soon set up Special Security Groups on the pattern of NSG, that would have commandos fully trained in modern day terror warfare and fully equipped with modern day weaponry.
Expressing concern over depleting strength of force especially at Police Station level, Mr. Badal said that he has ordered massive recruitment drive to fill up all vacancies besides ordering promotion in all categories after finanlization of their seniority lists.

He informed that a case for raising five Indian Reserve Battalions has already been sent to the Union government. Mr. Badal said that he was taking personal initiative to break stagnation at every level and expressed confidence that this initiative would boost the morale of the force.

SUKHBIR FOR ACCELERATING DEVELOPMENT PACE OF MOHALI

Chandigarh, October 21, 2009

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister today held a high leve meeting to review the development projects of SAS Nagar Mohali and ordered accelerating the implementation of on going projects.

In a meeting attended by Secretary Urban Development Mr. Arun Goyal Chief Administrator PUDA Mr. Vivek Partap Singh, Deputy Commissioner Mohali Mr. Prabhjot Singh Mand and Mr. N.K.Sharma, Chairman District Planning Committee Mohali, Mr. Badal said that maintaining the pace of development in this electronic city was imperative to attract multinational I.T. Companies to invest in Punjab. He said that with the completion of Mohali International Airport, this town would be gateway of Punjab for International Tourists visiting Punjab.

Focusing on development maintenance and landscaping of Roads, Parking areas and Community Parks of this satellite town, Mr. Badal said that landscaping of main roads should be got done from a professional town planning agency and whole work should be got executed from renowned firms. He said that sector level committee should be motivated to help government in maintenance of over 500 parks in the residential areas as they were the lungs of Mohali.
Mr. Badal said that as development of this town required extra attention, the government would soon create a post of Additional Chief Administrator GMADA to ensure that pace of development did not get slackened.

Reviewing the development of up coming sectors 66-80, Mr. Badal said that GMADA should launch massive drive to upgrade the roads of these sectors within 18 months. Mr. Badal asked Deputy Commissioner and Chief Administrator PUDA to submit prospective plan of the town within one month.

55.10 LAKH TONNES PADDY PROCURED IN PUNJAB

Chandigarh, October 21: Government agencies and private millers procured more than 55.10 lakh tonnes of Paddy till last evening
Out of total procurement of 5510220 tonnes of paddy in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 5364574 tonnes of paddy (97.4%) till date whereas private traders procured 145646 tonnes (2.6%) of paddy. Till October 20, PUNGRAIN had procured 1469898 tonnes (27.4%) whereas MARKFED procured 1098091 tonnes (20.5%). PUNSUP procured 1284250 tonnes (23.9%), PSWC procured 698057 tonnes (13.0%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 529322 tonnes (9.9 %) of paddy.

The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 284956 tonnes (5.3%).
The spokesman added that District Ferozepur with 732005 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas district Patiala 517652 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and District Muktsar with 476079 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.

LUCKY COUPON SCHEME WITH ATTRACTIVE PRIZES LAUNCHED----KHURANA

Chandigarh October 21: Mr. Raj Kumar Khurana, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Finance while addressing the officers of the department of Small Savings Punjab said that the net collection under various small saving schemes has recorded a tremendous increase over the last two years. With a view to increasing the revenue collection and encouraging the investors, the department has launched a lucky coupon scheme with attractive prizes including Mercedes, Swift Car and Bikes
Appreciating the concerted efforts of the officers of the department to make small savings a people-oriented movement, Mr. Khurana said that the entire revenue generated from out of these schemes was constantly being spent on the developmental and social welfare schemes especially launched for the welfare of economically weaker sections of the society. Mr. Khurana has directed all the district small saving officers to achieve the target of collecting revenue of Rs.1274 crores by March 31, 2010. He also said that during the current financial year till August, 2009, Rs.437.99 crores net collection has been done under various on going small saving schemes.

Mr. Khurana further said these schemes have always helped in improving the economic conditions of the general public besides encouraging the investors in the state.

SUKHBIR ORDERS STRICT IMPLEMENTATION OF ANTI PIRACY ACT

Chandigarh, October 20: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister has today issued instructions to ensure strict implementation of anti piracy Act in the state so that culprits caught dealing in pirated CDs do not get away easily.
Reviewing the implementation of Anti Piracy measures in the state in a meeting in which Advocate General Mr. H.S. Mattewal and Principal Secretary Home Mr. A.R. Talwar were present, the Deputy Chief Minister felt that Anti Piracy Act in the state was strict enough with piracy being non- bailable offence. The police and the prosecution authorities at the lower level have to be educated regarding the severity of piracy as a offence so that police should frame the case in a water tight manner and prosecution should pursue the case properly in the court so that culprits don't get bail easily, he added. Mr. Badal said that besides educating the implementation authorities, it was also imperative for us to educate the public so that they do not use pirated music and software and help the state in curbing this menace.
Issuing instruction to Principal Secretary, Home to activate Anti Piracy Cell and speed up raids, Mr. Badal said that Police at the cutting edge level can make this campaign a success. Mr. Badal asked Home Secretary to coordinate with prosecution branch so that prosecution officers at the district level should show seriousness in projecting the severity of the offence in the courts.

To sensitize the police regarding the provisions of Anti Piracy Act, the Police department would hold workshops at district level in which experts and Anti Piracy Act would educate the police.

49.96 LAKH TONNES PADDY PROCURED IN PUNJAB

Chandigarh, October 20: Government agencies and private millers procured more than 49.96 lakh tonnes of Paddy till last evening

Out of total procurement of 4996029 tonnes of paddy in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 4862485 tonnes of paddy (97.3%) till date whereas private traders procured 133544 tonnes (2.7%) of paddy. Till October 19, PUNGRAIN had procured 1318906 tonnes (27.1%) whereas MARKFED procured 995625 tonnes (20.5%). PUNSUP procured 1161393 tonnes (23.9%), PSWC procured 639693 tonnes (13.2%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 480705 tonnes (9.9 %) of paddy.

The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 266163 tonnes (5.5%).
The spokesman added that District Ferozepur with 700006 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas district Muktsar a 450405 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and District Patiala with 449994 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.

GOVERNOR’S CORE ADVISORY AND MONITORING COMMITTEE MEETING
GENERAL RODRIGUES CALLS FOR STRENGTHENING GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL MECHANISM FOR EX-SERVICEMEN

CHANDIGARH, OCTOBER 20: The Punjab Governor and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh, General (Retd.) Dr. S.F. Rodrigues, PVSM VSM, while presiding over the meeting of the Governor’s Core Advisory and Monitoring Committee (GCAMC) at Punjab Raj Bhavan, here today, asked the Director Sainik Welfare Punjab to strengthen the grievance redressal mechanism for Ex-servicemen and serving soldiers and take effective steps for their rehabilitation and resettlement in public and private sectors. He called for creating a Data Bank with District wise details of opportunities available and the vocational trades for equipping them with skill training, to meet the needs of industry and entrepreneurship development in that area. This system should also be equipped with information about Ex-servicemen their specialized trades, place for choice of employment and aptitude for the job.

Punjab Chief Secretary, Mr. S.C. Agrawal, Secretary to Governor, Mr. M.P. Singh, Director Sainik Welfare, Brig. (Retd.) I.S. Gakhal, Special Secretary Sainik Welfare, Shri Manjit Singh, and senior retired army officers including Lt. Gen. (Retd.) H.R.S. Mann, Major General (Retd.) R.S. Mehta, Col. (Retd.) Bhag Singh, and SGT (Retd.) Jawant Singh Kumbra and SGT (Retd.) Prabhjot Singh attended the meeting

General Rodrigues further said that the Ex-Servicemen constitute a useful task force of experienced and talented people, who can contribute to the transformation of society. He said that in the changing socio-economic scenario all over the world, the capabilities and capacities of ex-servicemen must be utilized in different fields of endeavour, by imparting them skill training in different vocations and thus channelize their energies for productive purposes.
Stressing the need for working in coordination with the Civil and Police Authorities at District Level, General Rodrigues said that the Ex-servicemen may be given exclusive time for sorting out their issues and the District Sainik Welfare may coordinate the endeavour.

Chief Secretary, Mr. S.C. Agrawal informed the meeting that the State Government has been making sincere efforts for rehabilitating the Ex-servicemen in Government jobs besides ensuring their absorption in other employment related establishments. He said that the District Administrations will be further directed to activate the institutional mechanism at the district headquarters to solve the problems of serving soldiers and ex-servicemen on priority basis.

Brig.(Retd.) I.S. Gakhal informed that Jalandhar and Amritsar District Administrations has institutionalised well structured systems for sorting out the grievances and problems of the serving soldiers and Ex-servicemen. He said that this system needs to be replicated in all districts. He further informed that all the representations of the serving soldiers and Ex-servicemen at the headquarter are handled with great responsiveness and have been sorted out on priority basis.
The representatives of the Ex-servicemen presented their views and assured that they will extend all support to the Sainik Welfare Department in implementation of various schemes launched for their serving soldiers and Ex-servicemen brethren

BIBI JAGIR KAUR DARES KHAIRA TO CHOOSE ANY SAD DISTRICT PRESIDENT FOR DEBATE ON DEVELOPMENT ISSUE


Chandigarh, October 20
Former SGPC President and Chairperson District Planning Committee Kapurthala Bibi Jagir Kaur today dared Congress debutant MLA Mr. Sukhpal Singh Khaira to choose any of the SAD district President to have open debate on the performance of SAD-BJP government on development front compared to five year dark tenure of Maharaja.

In a statement issued here today Bibi Jagir Kaur said that Sukhpal being the debutant MLA would take its own time to learn political etiquette of joining issues with political stalwarts of nine decade old Panthic Party having glorious history of sacrifices and selfless service for the greater cause of Punjab. She said that not anything better was expected from Sukhpal who belongs to a Party that has a dubious record of sabotaging the interest of State that too at critical times. She said that she pitied the frustration of Mr. Khaira as no one in the Congress Party was mature enough to teach him ABC of political decency.

Describing Mr. Khaira as a paper tiger without any mass base and credentials desperately seeking despicable publicity, that too at the cost of credibility of his party, Bibi Jagir Kaur said that time has come that Mr. Khaira accepting his total failure as MLA should do the soul searching and rectify his follies.
Questioning Mr. Khaira for his silence on Congress failure to debt of Punjab due to peculiar law and order situation waived, Bibi Jagir Kaur said that Punjab was reeling under financial crisis only because of congress failure to come to the aid of Punjab on debt waiver issue. She said that congress was perplexed due to massive development initiative launched by SAD-BJP government as they are nearing fructification. She said that Maharaja despite having congress government at Centre failed to get single public sector project for Punjab during his five year tenure. What to talk of bringing project, Capt. Amarinder Singh tried to scuttle Rs. 12000 Crore Bathinda Refinery at the bidding of some Multinational Companies.

Blaming Congress Party for power crisis in Punjab, Bibi Jagir Kaur said that Capt. who remained busy in other activities failed to generate a single unit in Punjab during his tenure and bought electricity from Pvt. Companies for Rs. 12000 Crore with a agreed consideration. The purpose of keeping Punjab devoid of power generation was at the instance of these Private players. She said that Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal besides ensuring augmentation of 6500 MW power from 4 up coming Thermal Plants, would also ensure 2000 MW power from non-renewable resources. She said that facing the reality, the Congress party was trying to distract public from their on failure by raising hue and cry on frivolous issues.
The former SGPC President said that with the completion of road network at the cost of Rs. 50000 crores in next 18 months has woken up Congress Party to the reality of spending another five years in the ignominy and Mr. Khaira by jumping the fence was trying to escape the scorching heat of blame game going on in the Congress Party.