FULL COURT REFERENCE TO MOURN THE DEMISE OF JUSTICE H.S.RAI

Chandigarh September 25

Punjab and Haryana High Court today mourned the sad demise of Justice Harbans Singh Rai who breathed his last on the 20th of September. A Full Court Reference was held in the Punjab and Haryana High Court today to pay tributes to the departed judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh and Former Lok Pal of Punjab. He also headed Punjab State Industrial Tribunal and number of Commissions including Delhi State Backward Classes Commission.Two-minute silence was observed at the Punjab and Haryana High Court here today as a mark of respect to the departed soul
Mr. Justice Tirath Singh Thakur, Chief Justice Punjab and Haryana High Court while placing on record his heart felt condolence said that he combined in himself rare qualities of humility, wit and humour. Justice Harbans Singh Rai was a symbol of simplicity, dedication and commitment and was known for his high professional caliber. He prayed to the Almighty to give eternal peace to the departed soul and courage, strength and fortitude to the members of his family to bear this great loss.

Former Chief Justices and former Judges of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mr. S.S. Bhinder, Senior Addl. Advocate General for the State of Punjab; Mr. M.L.Saggar, Additional Advocate General for the State of Haryana; Mr. Jai Vir Yadav, Chairman, Executive Committee of Bar Council; Mr. S.S. Behl, President of the High Court Bar Association; Law Officers of the States of Punjab, Haryana and Union Territory of Chandigarh were also present.

Detection of irregularities in the allotment of plots

Chandigarh September 25. 2009

Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Local Government Minister Punjab, upon detection of irregularities in the allotment of plots under local displaced person (LDP) quota has cancelled allotment of three plots made by Improvement trust Jalandhar.
Plot Nos. 281, 282 and 244 measuring 200 sq. yds. each in 94.5 acre scheme, Guru Gobind Singh Avenue Jalaladhar had been allotted to Smt. Puneet Chopra , Smt. Preeti Chopra and Smt. Kanchan Bala by Improvement Trust Jalandhar. Sh. R.L.Bhagat, Executive Officer, Sh. Yash Pal Joshi, Superintendent. Sh. Ashok Kumar Nahar, Superintendent, Sh. Sukhdev Singh, Patwari ; Sh. Gurmeet Singh Parmar, Sr. Clerk and Sh. Surinder Kumar Sharma, Sr. Assistant were amongst the total Six defaulting official who have been ordered to be charge sheeted inquiry in the matter has been conducted by Vigilance Cell of the Department of Local Government.

PUNJAB PMET TO BE ONLINE ------TIKSHAN SUD

Chandigarh September 25

True to its commitment to streamline the systems and ensure absolute transparency at every level of education in general and professional courses in particular, the Punjab government has decided to conduct the Pre-Medical Entrance Test for the year 2010 online with a view to achieving fairness in this highly prestigious competitive examination.

The decision to this effect was taken at a high level meeting , presided over by Mr. Tikshan Sud Medical Education and Research Minister Punjab, here today with the senior officers of the department and the Principals of private as well as government Medical, Dental Ayurvedic, Homoeopathic Colleges and representatives of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot and Director Ayush Patiala.

While addressing the officers, the Minister said that the state government has sent a team of officers of the department to Manipal University Sikkim, which has already started conducting PMET online, to have a complete and first hand knowledge in this regard. The Minister said that the representatives present in the meeting gave a unanimous consent in holding of PMET 2010 immediately after 10+2 examination and the result is available not later than May 31, 2010 so that the candidates from Punjab do not run for admissions in other states. Mr. Sud further said that Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot would be the Nodal Agency for conducting PMET 2010 online. A meeting with the Vice Chancellor of the University would be held in the first week of October to give a final touches to what has been decided, said the Minister. Adding further he said that the notification in this regard would be issued in December 2009.
Mrs. Anjali Bhawara, Secretary Medical Education suggested that the basic computer knowledge should also be imparted to the students of 10 +2. Even the IELETS and TOFEL were being conducted online and the students did not find any difficulty. Many other exams like the United States Medical Licensing Examination and exams by UK, Canadian and Australian boards were also being conducted online, Said the Secretary.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Mandeep Singh Dhillon, Controller Exams PSBTE said that they had conducted the counseling online successfully where the matric students participated. Encouraged with this experience the PTU had also started online counseling for its students, he said.

Punjab Government was committed to ensure canal water at tail end, so that farmers of the far flung areas could irrigate their fields in a better way . Disclosing this here today an official spokesman of irrigation department Punjab said that a special scheme has been chalked out to clean total canal network in the State in a phased manner.

He said that in the first phase, all the Chief Engineers has been directed to send there proposals and estimates to concerned Deputy Commissioners to clean their respective canals passing through their areas. He said that canal falling under Sirhind Canal area estimate Rs. 535.33 Lakh has been sent for the cleanliness of their canals. Similarly Chief Engineer of Ferozepur Canal Area sent estimate of Rs. 1037.12 Lac, Bhakra Main Line area Patiala Rs. 531.65 Lakh, Uppar Bari Doab canal area Amritsar 273.93 Lakh , IB Canal area patiala Rs. 387.82 Lakh and for Director water cell Chandigarh Rs. 120.51 Lakh would be estimated cost to clean the canals.

The Spoksman said that total estimated proposals of Rs. 2889 Lakh have been sent to concerned Deputy Commissioners by the Chief Engineers and work would be allotted after the final approval soon. On completion of this cleanliness drive of canals water would reach at tail ends to help farmers to irrigate their field, he added.

PUNJAB CM OKAYS MEGA TOURISM DESTINATION PROJECT FOR AMRITSAR

CHANDAIGARH SEPTEMBER 24

The Punjab Government has given green signal to Rs. 26 crore Mega Tourism Project for the integrated development of Amritsar city.

A decision to this effect has been taken in a meeting by the Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here on Wednesday after a detailed Power Point presentation made by the Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department in the presence of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Mr. Hira Singh Gabria.

Principal Secretary Mrs. Geetika Kalha informed in the meeting that under this mega plan, 4 projects would be taken up that included conservation of the Historic Gates and the Town Hall along with the Heritage Trail through the Walled City and setting up of the Heritage village at Amritsar. She apprised the Chief Minister that besides conserving the Town Hall Building to act as a catalyst for future development and revitalization of the walled city, an integrated urban design in the vicinity of the Gates that included new pavements, lighting, wrought iron benches and lampposts etc. was also planned which would to be undertake by the local administration.

A museum to display the rich heritage of the Punjab in general and Amritsar in particular would also be set up to showcase artifacts from the state.

The Chief Minister directed the Amritsar Mayor Mr. Shwait Malik to extend full support and cooperation to the department for the successful completion of this Mega Project.

DISTRICT INDUSTRY CENTRE TO BE DEVELOPED
AS EXPORT AND INFORMATION HUB-KALIA

CHANDIGARH, SEPTEMBER 24, 2009

All District Industry Centres in the State would function as export and information hub in order to provide required information to the entrepreneurs besides guiding and motivating them about latest technology and working opportunities.
Disclosing this here today, Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Industry and Commerce Minister Punjab said that district centre at Ludhiana had been taken up to be development as a export & information hub in the Ist phase. He said that hi-tech computers and fully equipped infrastructure would be installed in these hubs. He said that Rs.17 crore were being provided in 11th five year plan and Rs.50 lac would be provided this financial year for this project.

Under this project, the existing obsolete infrastructure of District Industry Centres of the state would be moderninsed and computerized with a view to competing with global market and update important information to the industry sector. He said that for this purpose industry society Punjab had already been constituted.

Regarding the new Industry Policy, the Minister said that it would have a provision for providing requisite support for the growth of existing industry as well as facilitating new industrial investments in the state.

Rs.1235 CRORE FOR LINK ROADS-DHINDSA

CHANDIGARH, SEPTEMBER 24, 2009

The Punjab Government has chalked out a special plan to repair all the link roads in the State and an amount of Rs.1235 crore has been earmarked for this purpose.

Disclosing this here today PWD Minister Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, said that out of total length of 51059 kms. link roads in the state, 10920 kms long roads had been repaired at a cost of Rs.937 crore. A sum of Rs.298 crore would be spent on the construction of new link roads having length of 1779 kms.

He further said that all those link roads which had been repaired six years back would be repaired at the cost of Rs.139.02 crore. Repair work was already going on 1854.79 kms link roads which were constructed in 2000-2001. Out of these 1833.83 kms. have already been repaired at the cost of Rs.132.83 crore. The remaining work would be completed by 30th September,2009.

Similarly, the remaining repaired roads of the year 2000-01 and 2001-02 approximately 4052.65 kms would also be repaired at the cost of Rs.375.76 crore. The government has already been spent Rs.174.44 crore till date for the repairing of 2769.83 kms. long roads. This work would be completed by November, 2009 as per the target fixed. He also said 576.23 kms. long new link roads have been constructed during year 2008-09, spending Rs.71.32 crore. Quoting target, the minister said 963 kms long new link roads would be constructed till November, 2009 with the cost of 159.44.

Jobs on compassionate to be given on priority - Sekhon

CHANDIGARH, SEPTEMBER 24:

A delegation of the Punjab State Employes Union under the leadership of Sh Hari Singh Tohra today met Punjab Irrigation Minister S. Janmeja Singh Sekhon and apprised him of their long pending demands in various sections of Irrigation Department.

Mr. Sekhon assured the deputation of Punjab State Employees Union that jobs would be given on priority to next of kin on compassionate ground.

He also assured that some posts of work charge employees would be regularized and remaining posts would be filled after the required sanction from the Finance Department. He said that required budget would also be released for seasonal uniforms and GPF statements would also be issued timely.

The Minister assured the deputation that their genuine demands would be considered sympathetically and redressed at the earliest. The deputations assured the Minister that employees would work with full devotion and dedication as per his expectation

SHORTAGE OF ONE LAC SKILLED MANPOWER IN HOTEL INDUSTRY – SUKHBIR
IHM Bathinda set to make mark in hospitality education

Chandigarh, September 24

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister today inaugurated Institute of Hotel Management at Bathinda, providing an opportunity to the local youth to get prime jobs in hotel industry, after getting world class education in Hospitality and Hotel Management in Punjab.

The Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology, and Applied Nutrition, an autonomous Institute, sponsored by Department of Tourism of Punjab government and Union Tourism Ministry has been as the set up at the cost of Rs.22crore on a piece of 7 acre land on Bathinda Mansa road.

Speaking on the occasion the Deputy Chief Minister said that growth of hospitality industry in any country was indicator of GDP growth of that area. He said that with India facing crunch of trained man power in hospitality sector, there was increasing requirement for youth trained in hotel management. He said that against the shortage of one lac persons in hotel industry only 10 thousand persons were being trained every year by different hotel management institutes. He said that with the setting up of Five Star Hotels in Bathinda region after commissioning of multimillion refinery, thermal plants, and allied industry, the trained manpower by this institute would be readily absorbed by the local hotel industry.
Calling upon people to avail education facilities for their children in world class hotel management institute setup with in a record time of 12 months , Mr. Badal said that time has come that Punjabi Youth should make foray in this booming hospitality and hotel industry.

Mr. Badal said that this was the 2nd IHM in Punjab whereas students of 1st Institute in Gurdaspur have already got top class placements in the hotel and education industry.
The Deputy Chief Minister that opening up of IHM in Bathinda was aimed to provide quality education to the students of this area, as education level in Malwa was quite low. Mr. Badal said that for this institute faculty has been recruited from the top class five star hotels Taj and Hotel Oberoi.

Emphasizing on broad basing the hospitality education to in ITIs , Colleges and Schools Mr. Badal informed that 11 ITIs, 5 Colleges and 2 Schools in the State have been shortlisted to provide vocational course in hospitality and hotel management and Punjab Government has provided a grant of Rs. 2 Crore to each institute.

Mr.Badal said that in the economy of every develop country, hospitality industry was the main economic multiplier. He said that hotel and hospitality and tourism industry contribute in accelerating the economic growth as these industries besides being the largest employers play a great role in giving boost to allied service sectors.


Speaking on the occasion Tourism Minister Mr. Hira Singh Gabria , congratulated the people of the area for having another jewel in their crown in the shape of IHM. Mr. GAbria previous congress government for selling the properties of Tourism Department for peanuts and now tourism department has now prepared a blue print to put Punjab on world tourist map. Ranging from tourist train to cover all religious places, the new ventures of the department were aimed at tourist of every class.

It may be added that IHM is situated conveniently at Industrial Growth Centre, Mansa Road which is about 5 Kms from Bathinda City. The Institute is offering 18 months Diploma courses in 5 different streams related to Hospitality and Hotel Administration in its first academic session i.e. 2009-2010. The Institute will start 3 years Degree course (B.Sc.) in its 2nd Academic session i.e. 2010-2011 onwards. The Institute is affiliated to National Council for Hotel Management Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition Noida (An Apex Body under Ministry of Tourism). The Department of Tourism, Government of Punjab allotted a land of 7 acres to the institute at free of cost. The institute has already started running classes since 7th August, 2009. Earnestly hope that the Institute come up to the international standards very soon and it would be Institute of Par-Excellence in the country.

Within a very short span of time the Institute has evolved a magazine under the name and style "Bathinda Bytes".
Earlier Mr. Badal inaugurated the institute by unveiling the plaque and lighting the traditional lamp. Prominent amongst those who were present on the occasion Mrs. Geetika Kalha, Principal Secretary, Tourism ; Mr. D.P.Reddy, Director, Tourism ; Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka, Chairman, District Planning Committee ; Mr. Chiranjee Lal Garg Ex. Minister ; Mr. Baljeet Singh Bir Behman and Mr. Sarup Chand Singla and Mr. S.K.Banerjee, Principal IHM, Bathinda.

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