Punjab News, NRI News

SAD TO APPROACH SUPREME COURT SEEKING DIRECT SUPERVISION OF ALL ’84 RIOT CASES – SUKHBIR

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister today said that Shiromani Akali Dal was exploring all legal angles and would soon approach Apex Court with a request that it should directly supervise all ongoing cases of ’84 anti Sikhs riots, as CBI under the pressure of Congress led UPA Government, was soft pedaling the cases to save Congress leaders.

Speaking to the media man after inaugurating Sarv Bharti Punjabi Conference here today, Mr. Badal said that acquittal of Tytler after the closure report submitted by CBI was blatant misuse of power by Congress party. He said that CBI director with an eye on official assignment after retirement, overruled the opinon of DIG and IG and ordered filing of closure report. He said that similarly in Sajjan Kumar case no challan has been filed in 26 years in FIR No. 67 in which he was accused of four murders. Mr. Badal said that Congress party was acting just contrary to the assurance of its Prime Minister and Home Minister in the house and instead of reopening and perusing the cases, Party was hell bent upon closing all cases relating to brutal murders of 7000 innocent Sikhs.

Questioning the dubious role played by Sikh MPs of Punjab yesterday in Parliament in disturbing and opposing the SAD plea for justice for ’84 riot victims, Mr. Badal said that in attempt to please Congress high command, these MPs have played fraud with the sentiments of the whole Sikh community. He said that these MPs are just like puppets and they have mortgaged their conscience at the door of congress high command.

When asked to comment on judgment on Apex Court in Amarinder Singh case, Mr. Badal said that in this case the legislature did, whatever it felt was right and Supreme Court did not upheld this. “We respect the judgment of the Apex Court” he quipped. Mr. Badal said that SAD never believed in politics of vendetta because we had been victim of vendetta politics overselves. He said that all these cases were started by former Chief Minister and SAD BJP Government was just focusing on development of the State.

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As part of the monitoring drive of developmental process in the state, the Punjab Chief Secretary Mr. S.C. Agrawal today visited Roop Nagar district and reviewed the progress of on going developmental projects besides taking stock of the status of the schemes to be launched in near future for the benefit of the people. He informed that the various developmental projects already launched would be completed in time bound schedule. He said that the process for filling vacant posts in different departments will be started soon.

During his visit, the Chief Secretary visited the spots of sewerage plants in Roop Nagar and Nangal, also took stock of the various schemes at Sri Anandpur Sahib and discussed the details with senior concerned officers at all these places. He asked them to speedup the work on different projects and to ensure their completion as per schedule.

Mr. Agarwal visited potable water treatment plant and sewerage treatment plant constructed at a cost of Rs. 5.53 crores at Sri Anandpur Sahib. Besides, inspecting the modern bus stand project to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 4.92 crores near Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib. He directed the officers to complete the work on this project speedily.

Accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Roop Nagar Mr. A.S. Miglani, the Chief Secretary also visited Government Industrial Training Institute constructed at a cost of Rs. 3.50 crores at Sri Anandpur Sahib. He told the PWD officers to complete the remaining components on this project so that more technical trades like fitters, welders, carpenters, plumbers and automobile can be started besides six technical trades already in progress in this institute. He assured that there will be no shortage of funds in completion of these projects. The General Manager of Ambuja Cement foundation Mr. Vishal Bhardwaj who was present on the occasion assured to contribute in this project.

The Chief Secretary also visited the prestigious project of IIT at Roop Nagar and reviewed the progress of new hostel buildings and different components of this huge project. He asked the officers present on the occasion to complete the various works within a year. He said that there will be no shortage of funds for creating efficient infrastructure for this National project.

Later the Chief Secretary held a meeting with district and Sub Divisional level officers and reviewed the projects of road network, water supply, sewerage and other schemes to improve the living standards of people. While reviewing the water supply and sewerage project at Roop Nagar being installed at a cost of Rs. 53.50 crores, the Chief Secretary said that it will improve the water supply and sewerage status in the city besides providing more water for irrigation purposes.

The Chief Secretary informed that the issue of dangerous pollutants in Satluj river being transmitted by the neibouring state of Himachal Pradesh has already been raised with the Central Pollution Control Board which will be resolved soon. He also informed that the work on Khalsa Heritage Complex has nearly been completed and the interior decoration process for displaying historical pictures and paintings is going on at fast pace.

Among senior district officers who were present on the occasion included Deputy Commissioner Roop Nagar Mr. A.S. Miglani, S.S.P Roop Nagar Mr. L.K. Yadav, A.D.C Mr. Sucha Singh Mast, Dean IIT Profesor B.K. Dhindwa, Registrar IIT Mr. A. Planivel.

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PUNJAB CM GREETS LABOUR & WORKING CLASS ON MAY DAY

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today extended his warm greetings to the labour and working class on the occasion of May Day that commemorates the historic struggle of working people throughout the world.

In a message on the eve of May Day, the Chief Minister urged the working and labour class to strive hard to create a congenial and harmonious atmosphere to usher in an era of overall development, prosperity and peace in the State. He called upon the workers to recognize and commemorate the May Day not only in its historical perspective but also as a befitting occasion to take a solemn pledge to safeguard the rights of the labour and working class.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister paid homage to all those who had sacrificed their lives for the struggle to secure genuine service conditions at Chicago in 1886.

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Government agencies and private millers procured more than 97.12 lakh tonnes of wheat till last evening as compared to 99.25 lakh tones in previous year on the day.

Out of total procurement of 97.12 lakh tonnes of wheat in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 96.76 lakh tonnes of wheat (99.6%) till date whereas private traders procured 36664 tonnes (0.4%) of wheat. Till April 29, PUNGRAIN had procured 16.08 lakh tonnes (16.6%) whereas MARKFED procured 22.57 lakh tonnes (23.2%). PUNSUP procured 21.72 lakh tonnes (22.4%), PSWC procured 10.75 lakh tonne (11.1%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 9.89 lakh tonnes (10.2%) of wheat.

The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 15.72 lakh tonnes (16.2%).

The spokesman added that District Ferozepur with 10.91lakh tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas District Sangrur with 9.03 lakh tonnes of procurement was at second slot and district Patiala with 8.09 lakh tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.

The State Government has set up 1650 procurement centers and activated its total machinery to ensure smooth procurement of wheat, the spokesman added.

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Punjab government has decided to honour the sportspersons of Punjab who had won medals in the Olympic Games, Official World Cup, Asian Games, World Cup, National Games and Handicapped Games held in the session 2009-2010 with cash prizes.

Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab Sports Department said that Gold, Silver and Bronze medal recipients in the Olympic Games would be given Rs one crore, Rs 50 lacs, Rs 25 lacs respectively. Similarly, Gold, silver and Bronze medal recipients in the Official World Cup/Championship(every four year) would be given Rs 21 lacs, Rs 11 lacs and Rs seven lacs; Asian Games/ Common Wealth Games medal holders would get Rs seven lacs, Rs five lacs and Rs three lacs; World Cup/Asian Championship(every or after two years) games medal holder would get Rs five lacs, Rs three lacs and Rs two lacs; National Games/Affro Asian Games/ Saif Games medal holders would be given Rs three lacs, Rs two lacs and Rs one lacs; Handicapped Games(in any international event) medal holders would be given Rs five lacs, Rs three lacs and Rs two lacs respectively.

The spokesman further said that in case of junior category, same medal recipients would be given half of the above mentioned amount. In case of Team event, cash prize for 2 members would be given one and half times; for 3-4 members amount would be double; for 5-10 members the amount would be three times and for 10 or above 10 members team, prize money would be five times.

The spokesman further told that the medal holders in Aquatic (Swimming. Water-polo, diving and synchronized swimming), Athletics, Archery, Badminton, Basket-Ball, Base-Ball, Biking, Knooning and Kicking, Cycling, Horse riding, Fencing, Football, Gymnastic (including Rhythmic Gymnastic), Hand-ball, Hockey, Judo, Modern pentathlon, Rowing, Sailing, Soft-Ball, Table Tennis, Giaconda, Tennis, Triathlon, Volley-Ball(including Beach Volley-Ball), Wrestling(Free style and Greco Roman), Weight Lifting and Cricket were only be considered for Cash prizes. Cash prizewinner sportspersons would have to submit an affidavit to Director Sports Punjab that they would represent Punjab State for next 5 years, the spokesman added.

The Spokesman appealed to the eligible players to send their applications along with attested copies of their certificates of achievements and two passport size photographs through the respective District Sports Officer or Punjab Olympic Association to the Director Sports Punjab at S.C.O no 116-117 Sec 34-A Chandigarh on or before 3-5-2010.