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CM ASKS PUDA TO CONSTRUCT DACs IN REMAINING 8 DISTRICTS AT A COST OF RS. 210 CRORE WITHIN 18 MONTHS CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 The Punjab government today decided to construct the District Administrative Complexes (DACs) in eight districts of Amritsar, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Bathinda, Kapurthala Tarn Taran, Barnala and SAS Nagar (Mohali) at a cost of Rs.210 crore with in one-and-a-half year. A decision to this effect was taken at a high level meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal in his office here today. The Chief Minister directed the Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) to immediately undertake the process of finalization of the site selections and approval of site plan so that the construction of these DACs could be completed within a time frame. He asked the PUDA to construct the DACs at Amritsar, Ferozepur and Gurdaspur besides undertaking expansion work at Bathinda in the first phase and the remaining ones at Kapurthala Tarn Taran, Barnala and SAS Nagar (Mohali) in the subsequent phase. He also directed the Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) to coordinate with PUDA to ensure quality and timely completion of these complexes. He said that the upcoming DACs would also house the judicial complexes and offices of district police to enable the residents of the area to have easy accessibility to the district administration, law & order machinery and judiciary. It may be recalled that the state government had already constructed the DACs at 12 district headquarters out of 20 in Ropar, Patiala, Nawanshahar, Hoshiarpur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ludhiana, Faridkot, Jalandhar, Sangrur, Moga, Muktsar and Mansa. Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Financial Commissioner Revenue Mrs.Romila Dubey, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr.DS Guru, MD PIDB Dr.SS Sandhu, Chief Administrator PUDA Mr.AK Sinha and Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr.Gaggandip Singh Brar.
CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 Taking a serious view of poor quality of printing and delayed distribution of text books in the government schools of the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal asked the Chairman of Punjab School Education Board to ensure quality production and timely supply of these books in its depots. These directions were issued at a meeting chaired by Mr. Badal here in his office this morning. The Chief Minister warned that there should be no compromise with the quality and timely distribution of the text books and said in case of any lapse the Chairman of the board would be held accountable personally. Meanwhile, the Education Minister Dr. Upinderjit Kaur informed in the meeting that about 1.5 lac scheduled castes students had not yet been provided textbooks by the Board due to its faulty distribution network. While interacting on the issue, Minister of Welfare of SCs & BCs Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike agreed to give a last chance to the PSEB to rectify its inadequacies otherwise the Social Welfare Department would be entrusted with the entire task of printing and distribution of the textbooks in future for the scheduled castes and backward class students. Mr. D.S. Dhillon, Chairman PSEB assured that the short comings both in the production and distribution in the text books would be removed and he would personally monitor the entire exercise right from production of the text books to its distribution in the schools of the state. He also pointed out that he would personally get all the samples of these books approved from both Education Minister and Minister of Welfare of SCs & BCs well in advance at least a month before the distribution of these books to ensure its quality and presentation. Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr.DS Guru, Secretary SCs & BCs Mr.TR Sarangal, Secretary School Education Mr.GS Grewal and Director General School Education Krishan Kumar. Ghuman Committee Report on MSP PUNJAB FARMERS SUFFER RS.62000 CRORE LOSS DUE TO NON-LINKING OF MSP OF WHEAT AND PADDY WITH WPI CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 A Committee on Minimum Support Price (MSP) & Price Index headed
by an eminent economist Mr. Ranjit Singh Ghuman today submitted
its report to the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal
here today this morning in his office. The committee was however, of the considered opinion that the agrarian crisis and the farmers’ distress cannot solely be addressed with the instrument of MSP because in view of the larger interest of the other stake holders and the economy, MSP may not be raised beyond certain limits. The solution to the farmers’ distress and agrarian crisis would have to be looked beyond the MSP. In other words, the farmers, the state and the policy makers must also look into non-price solutions to address the crisis. That, however, does not mean that the farmers should not be given remunerative prices of their produce. They certainly deserve remunerative prices for their produce and a much better treatment and environment as they were the backbone of food security and that of Indian economy. It was evident that Punjab had been a major contributor in the central pool of food grains during the last four decades. The share of Punjab’s Wheat in the central pool was as high as 79 percent in 1968-69 and 74 percent 1969-70. It varied between 53 per cent and 63 percent during 1970s. During the next decade, it oscillated between 54 percent and 72 percent. In 1990s, it varied between 51 percent and 71 percent, with a few exceptions. During 2001-02 and 2006-07 it remained between 52 percent and 75 percent. Likewise, states’ share of Rice in national food bowl increased from 7.36 percent in 1967-68 and 16.42 percent in 1970-71. It increased to 45.13 percent in 1977-78. Thereafter, it remained between 37 percent and 60 percent upto 1990-91. It, however, varied between 33 percent and 43 percent during the decade of 1990s. Thereafter, it hovered between 29 percent and 38 percent. The Committee revealed in the entire process India became a food sufficient country and Punjab suffered a huge loss in terms of serious erosion of its soil fertility, depletion of sub-soil water and deteriorating ecological balance. Consequently, the Punjab farmers were now beleaguered in a serious socio-economic crisis. The Chairman of the Committee Dr.Ranjit Singh Ghuman was accompanied by two other members Senior Economist & Consultant Punjab State Farmers Commission Dr.PS Rangi and Senior Economist (Marketing) from PAU Dr.MS Sidhu. Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr.DS Guru and Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr.Gaggandip Singh Brar was also present on the occasion.
CHANDIGARH, SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Local Government, Industry and Commerce Minister, Punjab directed all the Executive Officers of Municipal Committees of the State to set up a 'Grievances Redressal Cell' in their respective offices where citizens could send their requests by fax/e-mail. The Minister further said that computerization of all the Municipal
Committees should be done mandatory so that modern technology could
be used to provide better services to the citizens. Laying special
emphasize to redress the grievances, Mr. Kalia directed all Executive
Officers and staff of the Municipalities to fix one working day
of the week to redress grievances of the citizens. He called upon
the Executive Officers to ensure that all grievances should be redressed
within fifteen days. Mr. Kalia issued strict guidelines to all officers
of Municipal Committees including Municipal Engineers and Overseers
to make a round of the ward once in fifteen days to get the better
understanding of the problems being faced by the citizens. To make state green and environment friendly, Mr. Kalia requested the industrialists and big business houses of the state to come up with proposal to maintain the parks and cities in each Municipal Corporation for which would be given advertisements rights. WORLD KABADDI LEAGUE WITH RS.1.75 CRORE PRIZE MONEY IN FEBRUARY-SUKHBIR Speaking after distributing prizes to the winners of four day long historic village wrestling tournament called Chhinj organized every year at Babehali in District Gurdaspur by local MLA Gurbachan Singh Babehali, Mr. Badal said that it was unfortunate that traditional games like Kabaddi, Wrestling, Hockey and Football remained neglected, with electronic media giving too much prominence to cricket and tennis. He said that SAD-BJP Government since last 2 years has decided to encourage traditional games and nurture our players to enable them to compete in international meets. He said that last year a five match series of Indo-Pak Kabaddi match was organized in Punjab. Similarly a four nation International Hockey tournament was organized in Chandigarh in which world's top class Hockey teams from Holland and Germany, played in Punjab after 3 decades. Giving the details of Kabaddi league, in which worlds top teams have been invited to compete, Mr. Badal said that the prize money of Rs.1 crore was the highest prize money ever offered in the game of Kabaddi. He said that the purpose of giving highest ever prize money was to attract world's best talent for this tournament, so that our player could get the feel of International competition. Emphasizing on long term policy to promote sports culture in the State, Mr. Badal said that the proposed Sports policy would concentrate on developing sports infrastructure in the villages, maintaining the existing infrastructure and improving district level infrastructure to international level. He regretted that sports infrastructure in Punjab had not kept pace with the new development in sports arena and players due to outdated training could not give their best at International as well as National level meets. He said that new sports policy would work out a programme to revamp the sports wings programme, so that players being produced by these wings could become a proud asset of the country. Reiterating the commitment of SAD-BJP government to provide world-class
facilities to the Medal prospects of every sports, Mr. Badal said
that, if required, the services of foreign coaches would also be
availed in the interest of players. He further said that under this scheme selected villages and blocks would be provided with Rs. 1 lac and Rs. 5 lac respectively as one time grant for creating sports infrastructure, Rs. 10,000 and Rs.20,000 for purchasing sports equipments/accessories besides Rs. 12,000 and Rs. 24,000 as operational grants He expressed confidence that this novel scheme would make a significant contribution in increasing the number of high performing sports persons and sustainable implementation of it would not only promote mass participation in sports but also help identify as well as nurture the sports talent in rural areas. Earlier speaking to media Mr Badal said that SAD-BJP Government
has achieved the revenue growth in one year that congress could
achieve in five years. He said that VAT collection that has touched
Rs 5000 crores would achieve the target of Rs 10000 crores in next
two years. He said that Punjab's position on revenue front that
declined to 20th position in the country has reached 3rd position
now. He accused previous Congress Chief Minister of doing nothing
for the state except being busy in merrymaking. ALL GRAM PANCHAYATS TO BE CONNECTED THROUGH ePRI SCHEME-BRAHMPURA • Service kiosks providing various facilities would be set
up in Panchayat Ghars Chandigarh August 31 Aiming at strengthening three-tier Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the state, the functioning of Gram Panchayats in Punjab will be strengthened through computerization under ePRI scheme of National e-Gram Panchayats. Mr. Ranjit Singh Brahmpura Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Punjab expressed this here today. He said that an ambitious scheme to connect all Gram Panchayats (GPs) with national e-Governance would be launched in all the districts and 90% cost would be borne by the Center and balance by the state. The Punjab Government is committed to adopting ePRI scheme on priority basis with a view to putting this plan into practice and detailed project report had already been submitted for the national panchayat portal, he said. Adding further he said that 73rd amendment of the Constitution of India had already entrusted PRIs with funds and programmes of various kinds of 23 departments with assured participation of rural people especially women folk and weaker sections of society. Now a new chapter of strengthening rural Gram Sabhas would be added through e-PRI, a centrally sponsored scheme for e-Governance in PRIs, he added. The Minister added that the proposed scheme would bring about improved governance and service delivery through GPs and enable greater accountability of PRIs to the community and other authorities. This would further facilitate better implementation and monitoring of schemes, efficient and transparent utilisation of funds, and enable rural people to access the external world of knowledge and markets, he said. Keeping in view the strategic importance of computerization at
the GP level, the Minister said that common service centers (kiosks)
would be set up in Panchayat Ghars or any other place available
within the Panchayat area. There are 12809 GPs and 141 Block Samites
(BSs) and 20 Zila Parishads under the preview of the department.
All GPs and BSs would be provided with ICT infrastructure (Computer,
Printer, UPS and Web Camera) with broadband connectivity, he said. STEPS TO MODERNIZE CANAL NETWORK IN THE STATE – SEKHON Chandigarh 31 August The Punjab Government has taken various steps to modernize the canal network in the State, to ensure water supply for irrigation at the tail ends. Giving this information here today Mr. Janmeja Sigh Sekhon, Irrigation Minister Punjab said that the 14500 Kilometer canal network of the state was the oldest in the country which has outlived its life. For this a project of Rs. 3469 crore have been prepared and submitted for the approval to the ministry of water resources, Government of India and central water Commission. He said the aim of this project was to optimum utilization of the surface water resources and to minimize the loss of livelihood and lives on account of floods and water logging. Mr. Sekhon said that a proposal to the tune of Rs. 546 crore has been made to strengthen the existing canal network. Under this programme Rs. 109 crore for command area development and water management programme, Rs. 30 crore for extension of phase II of kandi canal from Hoshiarpur to Balachaur and Rs. 40 crore for rehabilitation of channel of first Patiala Feeder and Kotla Branch. Besides this Rs. 111 crore would be spent on anti water logging and flood control works involving embankments and widening of river Ghaggar and canalization of Sakki/Kiran Nallah, he added. NABARD APPROVES 19121.55 LAC FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS AND BRIDGES - DHINDSA Chandigarh 31 August, 2009 A project of Rs. 19121.55 lacs have been approved by NABARD for Amrtisar , Bathinda, Barnala and Fatehgarh Sahib districts. Disclosing this here today Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa PWD Minister Punjab said, under Rural Infrastructure Development fund ( RIDF ) about 15 scheme which have 56 plan roads having length 573.43 Kms and 7 Bridges would be completed. Out of which 33 roads having length 359.14 Kms have been completed with an expenditure of Rs. 10645.87 Lac. While giving district wise details Mr. Dhindsa said Road Project is one of the largest Projects in the on going projects. Rs. 7487.94 Lac were sanctioned by NABARD under RIDF Scheme for Amritsar district, whihc has 22 road works having length 260.97 Kms and Four Bridges. Out of which 222.13 Kms long roads were being completed with a sum of Rs. 5256.43 Lac. A project of Rs. 5847.41 Lac of 150.91 Kms length of 16 roads and one bridge was sanctioned by NABARD for Bathinda district. Out of which Rs. 2688.34 Lac have been spent on 9 roads of 7856 kms long. He further added, ten roads having length of 92.10 Kms and two bridges with a cost of Rs. 3942 .24 have been approved for Barnala district. Similarly Rs. 1843. 96 Lac have also been sanctioned for the construction of 69.45 Kms length roads and 8 bridges in Fatehgarh Sahib district. Rs. 1362.36 Lac have been spent to complete seven roads of 58.45 km length. SOCIAL SECURITY DEPARTMENT INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR Chandigarh August 31, 2009 The Punjab Government has invited applications from physically handicapped employer, sportspersons and institution who contributed for the welfare of handicapped to honour them with State Awards. Disclosing this here today Ch. Swarna Ram Social Security and Welfare of Women and Child Development Minister Punjab said that the applications should reach to the Director Social Security Department; Punjab duly recommended by the Deputy Commissioner on prescribed Performa alongwith full bio-data on or before September 30, 2009. The applications received after 30.9.2009 would not be entertained. Minister also said that these awards were given every year on
December 3rd on World Disabled Day.
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