SHIROMANI AKALI DAL LAUNCH CAMPAIGN TO STRENGTHEN PARTY AT GRASS ROOT LEVEL

• Elected representatives of PRIs and ULBs interviewed for Party posts
• workers told to establish two way communication channel with masses

Chandigarh, September 2, 2009

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, President Shiromani Akali Dal today launched first phase of the district wise drive from Bathinda to strengthen party at grass root level, with a clear message to party cadre to establish two way communication channels with the masses especially in the rural areas. As a novel experiment Mr. Badal today personally interviewed elected members of PRIs and ULBs for different party posts in SAD and also for Istri Akali Dal, SAD’s SC wing and Youth Akali Dal.
Accompanied by Mrs. Paramjit Kaur Gulshan, MP and President Istri Akali Dal, Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Member Parliament, Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Cabinet Minister Punjab, Mr. Jagdeep Singh Nakai, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Advisor to Chief Minister and Secretary SAD, Mr. Balwinder Singh Bhunder, General Secretary SAD, Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, MLA and Patron YAD and Mr. Kiranbir Singh Kang, President YAD, Mr. Badal started the one to one interaction with the elected representatives of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local bodies (ULBs) of Bathinda and Mansa districts for organisational strengthening of Istri Akali Dal, Akali Dal Scheduled Caste Wing and Youth Akali Dal by roping them as party office bearers and solicit their suggestions to expand the base of Akali Dal in the state besides taking a feedback regarding the problems being faced by the people. He said that he was personally taking this feedback especially taken from the grass root level workers so that it could be discussed threadbare in the strategy meet of the party to be held at Shimla from September 10.

While personally interviewing these active party workers , Mr. Badal exhorted them to evolve a two way communication channels with the masses, educating them regarding work being done by the SAD-BJP government for the welfare of people besides communicating people's grievances to the party for their early redressal. He said that various wings of Akali Dal were being strengthened at the grass root level by picking new talent for giving them the additional responsibility of party affairs. He said that adequate number of new office bearers for Istri Akali Dal, SAD’s SC wing and Youth Akali Dal would be nominated soon to strengthen the party at all levels.

Member Parliament Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal emphasized that we can take along people only by raising issues concerning their welfares and getting them addressed till the issue was resolved. She said that it was imperative for every party worker to become eye and ear of the party president and give an objective feedback to the party headquarters. Promising to personally oversee the welfare of party workers and empowerment of women, Mrs. Badal expressed confidence that with a fully energized, motivated and committed cadre the party would usher an era of overall development in the state.

YAD Patron Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, underlining the role of Youth Akali Dal in 2012 elections said that with 57% voters below the age of 35, the role of youth wing was most important in galvanizing the youth vote. He said that Youth Akali Dal must strengthen its base amongst the youth voters by raising the issues concerning the welfare of youth and getting them resolved by taking personal interest.

Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka, President District Planning Committee Bathinda, Mr. Amarjit Singh Sidhu, Mr. Saroop Chand Singla and Mr. Gurandita Singh (all Constituency Incharges).

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CM ORDERS ALLOTMENT OF BOOTHS AND LIG & MIG DWELLING UNITS TO THE RIOT AFFECTED FAMILIES AFTER RE-VERIFICATION OF RESIDENCE PROOF

Chandigarh, September 2, 2009

The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today assured the delegation of 1984 anti Sikh riots led by its president Mr. Surjeet Singh Dugri that the state government would allot booths as well as LIG & MIG dwelling units to the eligible beneficiaries in Ludhiana at concessional rates through lottery in accordance with the policy guidelines of allotment approved in Cabinet's meeting held on November 03, 2008.

An assurance to this effect was given at a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister to the delegation here this evening. Mr. Badal also asked the Financial Commissioner Revenue to carryout re-verification of the red card holders to ascertain the genuineness of their claims. He also directed the Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana to ensure that the entire process of allotment was completed at the earliest in a transparent manner.

Mr. Badal also reiterated his firm resolve to extend full support and cooperation the affected families. He asked the revenue department to address all the issues relating to rehabilitation of the riots affected families on priority. He also asked the Finance Department to immediately release Rs. 81 crore to the PUDA for the allotment of booths and dwelling units to the eligible beneficiaries.

Prominent among other who attended the meeting included Financial Commissioner Revenue Mrs. Romila Dubey, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. D S Guru, Chief Admistrator PUDA Mr. A.K. Sinha, Secretary Housing and Urban Development Arun Goel, Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana Vikas Garg, OSD to Chief Minister Mr. N.S. Sangha.

CM ASSURES AHRTIYA ASSOCIATION TO SAFEGUARD THEIR AND FARMERS' INTERESTS

Chandigarh September , 2009

The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today assured the Arhtiyas that the final decision relating to direct payment to farmers through cheques would be taken after in view of the interests of both Ahratiya and Farmers .
An assurance to this effect was given by Mr. Badal to the delegation of Punjab Ahrtiya Association led by its president Mr. Ravinder Singh Cheema and General Secretary Mr. Jaswinder Singh Rana in a meeting here this evening.
Mr. Badal reiterated his government's firm resolve to safe guard the interests of farmers as well as Ahrtiyas with regard to the issue of payment to farmers through cheques.

Responding to the other demands raised by the Ahrtiya Association, Mr. Badal directed the Food & Civil Supplies Department to immediately settle the pending issue of the payment of bonus on paddy of Khariff-2008 to the Ahrtiyas for which the payment has yet not been made by the private rice millers against levy rice. He also asked the department to look into the issue of making payment to the Ahrtiyas on account of deductions made by the procurement agencies for underweight and the content of moisture in the wheat procured last year. Likewise the Chief Minister also asked the Secretary Food and Supplies to examine the issue of tax deduction at source (TDS) on the payment made to the labour. The delegation demanded that the TDS should be applicable only to the contractors of the labour and not the individual labour.

The Chief Minister also agreed to another demand putforth by a delegation regarding the allotment of mandis by the procurement agencies keeping in view the hardships faced by the Ahrtiyas.
He also directed the Excise and Taxation department to sympathetically examine the demand of Ahrtiyas to exempt them from filing of the sale tax return.

Prominent among other who attended the meeting included Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. D S Guru, Secretary Food and Civil Supplies S.P. Singh, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. K.J.S Cheema, and Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandeep Singh Brar.

PUNJAB SET FOR EDUCATIONAL REVAMP 11,530 NEW TEACHERS TO BE RECRUITED;
CENTRAL AND WORLD CLASS UNIVERSITIES ON COURSE: BADAL

CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 2, 2009

All the Government schools in the State would be fully equipped with requisite staff and infrastructure in science, information technology and Commerce streams during the current fiscal.

Announcing this, the Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal said that the Government would recruit 11,530 new teachers within next three months. This will be in addition to 17,417 teachers already recruited by the Government, bringing the total number of new teachers to 28,947, a record in the State.

Inter-acting with media persons here this morning, the Chief Minister also said that 69 primary schools had been opened at a cost of Rs. 4.14 crore. Likewise, a sum of Rs. 53 crore had already been spent on the up-gradation of 589 primary schools to Middle Schools. Apart from this an amount of Rs. 27 Crore and Rs.19 crore had been spent on the construction of additional class rooms in 1068 primary schools and 764 Middle Schools respectively. Mr. Badal said that all the 18,408 schools would be provided with the facilities of toilets and drinking water during the current financial year.

He said that 351 Senior Secondary Schools had been given up-gradation in infrastructure and strengthening of the science facility. The Chief Minister also stated that 20 Adarsh Schools were being set up by the State Government to provide free education to the economically poor and brilliant students in the first phase and the progress of the project was being regularly monitored at his level.

Listing his Government’s priorities in the field of Higher Education, the Chief Minister said the classes had already been started at Central University, Bathinda and it would have courses in Bio-sciences, Environmental science and Technology, Comparative Literature and South Central Asian Studies by next month in the building arranged temporarily by the State Government. He mentioned the Vice Chancellor had already been appointed and the requisite land had been acquired for the construction of the University. Regular posts of the faculty members and other staff had been advertised.
Referring to the setting up of World Class University at Amritsar over 700 acres of land, Mr. Badal said that the Site Selection Committee headed by the Chairman UGC would visit the holy city on September 26 to finalize the site. The classes at the prestigious IIT Ropar had started in local Polytechnic College. Meanwhile, the State Government had already transferred 501 Acre of land to the IIT for the construction of its own building.

Mr. Badal further said that the state government had already secured clearance in principle for setting of an Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in the state. The IIIT would be developed as a tripartite venture in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode over an area of 100 acres with equal share of 1/3rd of GoI, Punjab Government & Private Industry.

The Chief Minister said that 13 new degree colleges would be set up at a cost of Rs.104 crore in educationally backward districts of the state as recommended by the Experts Committee of University Grants Commission in Amritsar, Bathinda, Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Mansa, Moga, Muktsar, Nawanshahar, Patiala and Sangrur.
In addition, 21 new model schools would be set up in educationally backward blocks in the state. This would entail an expenditure of Rs.63.42 crore. Similarly, Rs.5.50 crore would be spent on construction of women hostels in the 7 colleges of the state. He said that the government is arranging another Rs.11.92 crore for 21 more such hostels.

Mr. Badal said that new polytechnics are being set up at Mansa, Faridkot and Muktsar. In addition, the Punjab government has sanctioned a sum of Rs.10 lac each for up-gradation of infrastructure in Govt. Polytechnic College, Batala and Ferozepur during 2009-10. Likewise Rs.20 lac each had also been sanctioned under the scheme for construction of women’s hostels in Govt. Polytechnic Colleges for Girls, Ludhiana and Patiala.

ORDERS ON USE OF PUNJABI BE STRICTLY COMPLIED WITH - BADAL
CM SENDS A STRONG NOTE TO CS

CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 2, 2009

The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal yesterday directed the State Chief Secretary to ensure that strict action is taken against anyone in the government violating instructions on use of Punjabi language as sole medium of communication.

Disclosing this here today Chief Minister’s Media Advisor Mr. Harcharan Bains said that the Punjab government had already enacted a legislation to implement Punjabi language in the state and it was the bounden duty of all employees to discharge their official duties in the Punjabi language. The Chief Minister had taken a serious view of the conduct of officers who had been still carrying out their official work in the English language despite instructions issued by the government in this regard.

The Chief Minister categorically said that in case of any lapse on the part of erring officer/official in flouting these rules, action for non-compliance of official orders and disobedience would be taken against them. In a strongly worded note to the Chief Secretary, Mr. Badal has ordered that instructions on the use of Punjabi be strictly complied with.
The Media Advisor said that the Chief Minister himself was disposing the entire official work in Punjabi and whenever any file or official paper in a language other than Punjabi is put for his consideration, he promptly sends it back with instructions that the file or paper be resubmitted in Punjabi. The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s intent on the subject at a press conference today also.

SUKHBIR PUTS SLUM REHABILITATION PROGRAMME ON FAST TRACK

RS. 135 CRORES SANCTIONED TO CONSTRUCT 7337 HOUSES

Chandigarh, September 2

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Punjab has put the ambitious Rs. 135 Crores slum rehabilitations projects for the construction of 7337 houses, on fast track, with explicit instructions to hand over possession of these houses to the beneficiaries within 24 months.

Reviewing the development programmes of four districts yesterday night, Mr. Badal said that it was our duty to provide hygienic environment to lacs of persons living in slums of various industrial cities. He said that the Government has already approved housing projects at Amritsar, Ludhiana Jalandhar and Rajpura and it was imperative to speedup work on these projects. Mr. Badal said that under Basic Services to Urban Poor Programme, 320 dwelling units were being constructed at the cost of Rs. 5.79 crores in Amritsar to cover 3 slum clusters.

Mr. Badal said that in Ludhiana, 4 slum clusters were being covered with construction of 4832 dwelling units at the cost of Rs. 66.64 Cr. It was informed in the meeting that the construction work at Ludhiana and Amritsar was in full swing and would be completed by September, 2010.

The Deputy Chief Minister also reviewed the construction progress of 1755 dwelling units being constructed at Jalandhar at the cost of Rs. 42.40 Crores to rehabilitate the residents of 22 slum clusters. He expressed satisfaction over the progress of Rs. 20.16 Cr. Housing project for construction of 720 dwelling units for slum dwellers in Rajpura and instructed that this project be completed within 18 months.

The Deputy Chief Minister instructed that the basic physical infrastructure like water supply, sanitation, drainage, street lighting, roads and solid waste management should be integral part of these new colonies. He said that it should also be ensured that social infrastructure like community centre including Library-cum-reading room, multipurpose hall for social family functions and health centre, livelihood centre, informal market, playing space, parks and green belt should also be developed as a part of this project.

RS. 155 LAC FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF MOHALI PRINTING PRESS – GABRIA

CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 2, 2009

A sum of Rs. 155 lacs has been earmarked for the purchase of new machinery of Government press at Mohali as the Punjab Government has prepared the project for the modernization of government printing presses.

Disclosing this here today Mr. Hira Singh Gabria, Printing & Stationery, Tourism & Cultural Affairs & Jails Minister Punjab said the requisite process for the purchase of machinery has been started and would be finalized soon. During this current financial year, the requisite machinery would be got installed. With this efficiency, accuracy, quality and speed of the printing presses will increase which would reduce the quantum of out side printing from U.T. Press and private presses to a considerable extent.

He further said that Printing & Stationery Department was catering to the requirements of stationery articles, papers, forms and registers etc. of all departments, offices of Punjab Government, printing of books of language department, Punjab Government gazette notifications, voter list, ballot papers of election department besides printing works of all departments of Punjab Government.

The department have supplied the books, magazines, folders ,pamphlets, posters, D.O. letters, envelopes , registers, loose forms etc. to Vidhan Sabha, High Court, Lower Courts and different departments of Punjab Govt. during the current financial year. It also publishes all the important and time- bound works of the Information & Public Relations Department. The government press, Mohali publishes Diaries and calendars of the State Government every year.

NORTHERN INDIA INSTITUTE OF FASHION TECHNOLOGY
CENTER TO BE SET UP AT JALANDHAR SOON – KALIA

Chandigarh September 02, 2009

The establishment of Northern India Institute of Fashion Technology (NIIFT) at Jalandhar would cater to the need of trained fashion designers for the present requirement and future expansion of the industry and also assure job opportunities to the youth of backward region. Disclosing this here today Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Industry and Local Government Minister Punjab said that NIIFT will be a boon to leather/sport wear industry in and around Jalandhar and will not only enable the leather/sports industry to represent an area of strength in the export sector but will also earn a higher status in domestic market for leather garments, sportswear and high quality sports goods.

Mr. Kalia said that Jalandhar is an important industrial town. Besides, being a hub of sports goods industry it also has good number of units manufacturing leather goods, leather Jackets, Leather Shoes, Hosiery, Garments and Textiles etc. Therefore, in order to provide requisite support to the industry to diversity in fashion apparels and fashion accessories and also to generate more avenues for employment and promotion of self employment. Sports goods industry has proud antecedents which go back to more that 120 year. This industry was born out of India's age old nurtured and mastered skills and today more than 65% of India's export of Sports goods was from Jalandhar alone.

Mr. Kalia further said Jalandhar ( just 80 Km from Amritsar International Airport) is an important supplier of quality sports goods to more than 130 countries including some of the most developed nations of the world. The Jalandhar based industry is rapidly embracing new technology and adapting its products to keep up with the changing global trends so as to become the most important center for manufacture. The Jalandhar cluster is a unique example where, with the passage of time, new items like sports wears have been added and traditional items continue to have a strong hold.

Mr. Kalia said that proposed NIIFT Centre at Jalandhar is aimed to achieve objectives like conducting specialized programs on improving quality and productivity leading to better Exports as per international requirements and earning higher foreign exchange. Technical Consultancy on latest Management and Manufacturing processes and to help industry to pace fashion needs especially in sports wears and sports goods, he added.

CHIEF JUSTICE PAYS TRIBUTES PAID TO JUSTICE BALWANT RAI

Chandigarh September 02, 2009

Punjab and Haryana High Court today mourned the recent demise of Justice Balwant Rai and paid tributes to him. Full court, was held in the Punjab and Haryana High Court today to pay tributes to the departed judge who breathed his last on the 17th of August 2009 at Chandigarh . Two-minute silence was observed at the Punjab and Haryana High Court here today as a mark of respect to former Judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Mr. Justice Tirath Singh Takur, Chief Justice Punjab and Haryana High Court while expressing his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family members said that Justice Rai’s implacable honesty, integrity and commitment to the cause of justice and contribution to the development of the law has been acknowledged by every one. Justice Rai by those standards not only an outstanding Judge but a great human being who has left behind an indelible impression on the minds of all those who came in contact with him.

While mourning the demise of Justice Balwant Rai, Mr. H.S.Mattewal, Advocate General Punjab said that Justice Rai was extremely courteous and always encouraged young lawyers. He was an institution in himself, he said. The Void created with the passing away of Justice Balwant Rai would always be felt said Mr. Mattewal.

Mr. M.L.Saggar, Additional Advocate General Haryana , Mr. H.S.Brar, Secretary Bar Council ; Mr. S.S. Behal, President of the High Court Bar Association also expressed their heartfelt sympathies on the occasion.
Former judges, senior advocates were also present on the occasion.

PUNJAB STATE WOMEN COMMISSION URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO RELEASE THE FUNDS IMMEDIATELY

Chandigarh September 02, 2009

Bibi Gurdev Kaur Sangha, Chairperson of Punjab State Women Commission while reviewing the performance of the department of Social Security women & Child Development Punjab emphasized upon the Punjab Government to immediately release funds under various Central and State Schemes meant for the welfare of women during the financial year 2009-10.

The Commission took a serious notice of the report that the mentally challenged women and men are being housed in the same rooms in some observation centers run by the department. In addition to this at one place, male attendants had been assigned the task of meeting the physically needs of mentally challenged and sick women. Taking a serious note of these reports, the commission instructed that separate arrangements should be made for accommodating men and women and officers found at fault for such serious deficiencies must be imparted deterrent punishment. The commission expressed its displeasure on the fact that in many districts, the department has assigned the charge of even four to six welfare institutions to one official, which leads to gross mismanagement. The Commission felt that the present staffing pattern needs to be reviewed and changes should be made immediately wherever necessary.

The Commission also took a serious note of the fact that in some Nariniketan/Protective Homes/Rescue Homes women enjoying normal health and mentally challenged women are made live together, while the mentally challenged women are not sent for treatment or living in the notified mental asylums according to need. The Department was advised to pay its attention to this issue.

The Commission appealed to the Government that provision should be made for setting up one Nariniketan/Protective Homes/Rescue Homes /short stay home at every district for the welfare of women besides opening training cum production center to enable women in such institutions to rehabilitate themselves respectively in the society.

The meeting was attended by Member Secretary Mr. Sarvesh Kaushal IAS, Mrs. Kiranjot Kaur, Mrs. Pushpinder Kaur Majboor, Harjit Kaur Gill, Director Social Security Dharmdutt Ternach and Mr. R.S. Khatra AIG.