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Rs.592 CRORE SANCTIONED FOR 100% SUPPLY OF DRINKING WATER, SEWERAGE AND ROADS IN 19 TOWNS OF LUDHIANA, JALANDHAR AND MOHALI DISTRICTS

 
CHANDIGARH APRIL 8:

In a significant decision, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today gave in principle approval to sanction Rs.592 crore for providing facilities of 100% drinking water supply, sewerage including installation of sewage treatment plants, roads and street lighting in 19 towns of Ludhiana, Jalandhar and SAS Nagar (Mohali) districts. 

Chairing a meeting here at Chief Minister’s residence this morning, Mr. Badal reiterated that the SAD-BJP government was committed to provide basic civic amenities to the people in the urban areas on one hand and to ensure planned and integrated development of these towns on the other.

It was informed in the meeting that out of 19 towns, these development works would be executed by the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) in 10 towns of Ludhiana district namely Machiwara, Doraha, Jagraon, Khanna, Maloud, Mullanpur Dakha, Payal, Raikot, Samrala and 3 towns of Jalandhar district namely Phillaur, Goraya and Nurmahal at a cost of Rs. 382 crore. Besides, development projects worth Rs.210 crore would be carried out by Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) in six towns of SAS Nagar, Kharar, Zirakpur, Banur, Derbasi and Kurali in SAS Nagar (Mohali) district.

The Chief Minister directed both the Chief Administrators of GLADA and GMADA to get these development projects completed on priority within 18 months.   He asked them to regularly monitor the progress of the projects with the other agencies such as Local Government, PSEB, local municipal committees and Punjab Water Supply & Sewerage Board to have better coordination and synergy for the completion of entire project in a holistic manner.    

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Principal Secretary Local Government Mr. C.Roul, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister-cum-Secretary Housing & Urban Development Mr. SS Sandhu, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, CA GMADA Mr. Vivek Partap Singh, CA GLADA Mr. AK Sinha and OSD to Chief Minister Mr. NS Sangha. 

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PUNJAB BEATS GLOBAL RECESSION –RECORDS

HIGHEST VAT GROWTH IN COUNTRY

VAT COLLECTION ALL SET TO TOUCH TEN THOUSAND CRORE: SUKHBIR

SERVICES OF CONTRATUAL PCS OFFICERS NOT TO BE DISPENSED WITH

KABBADI LEAVES BEHIND IPL IN TRP RATINGS

Chandigarh, April 8 :

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal Deputy Chief Minister today said that resurgent Punjab has beaten the worldwide recession by recording highest ever VAT collection growth in the country.

Speaking to the media men after paying tributes to Late Sardar Jasdev Singh Sandhu, former Akali Minister at village Kauli 50 kms from here, on his 10th death anniversary, Mr. Badal said that progressive policies of SAD-BJP has maintained the tempo of economic growth of the state despite the global recession. He said that VAT collection that could hardly reach the magical figure of Rs. 5000 crore in last 60 years of independence, jumped to Rs. 8150 crore, registering average Rs. 1000 increase every year, during the last three years. He said that economy of Punjab reclaimed its second position in the country which touched the bottom recording 24th position nationally during Congress rule.

Answering a query regarding contractual 26 PCS officers, Mr. Badal said that they had been taken on contract keeping in view acute shortage of PCS officers in the state and their services would not be dispensed with the retention of retirement age at 58 years.

Attacking the Congress led UPA government for its inaction to tackle unprecedented price rise of essential commodities, Mr. Badal said that common citizen was paying dearly for the follies of union government that deliberately allowed prices to rise exceptionally. He said that state government was totally helpless as far as the issue of price rise was concerned as all tools to control price rise were with Union Government. He wondered that why Union Government took so much time to tackle the crisis of price rise.

Expressing satisfaction over the conduct of World Cup Kabaddi Tournament, Mr. Badal said that unexpectedly massive response to this tournament reflected the pent up love for this traditional game that has burst into open with this tournament.

He said that according to the latest TRP survey by the international agencies, world cup Kabaddi has left much behind the much touted IPL, forcing the international broadcasters to rethink their communication strategy.

Mr. Badal refused to comment on proposed PSEB unbundling giving the reason that the issue was with the Chief Minister.

Mr. Badal said that Punjab has declared a decisive war against drug addiction and sought the cooperation of general public in eradicating this menace from the sacred soil of Punjab. The Deputy Chief Minister said that unstinted efforts of Punjab police against drug smuggling and paddling during last six months has resulted in record seizures of narcotics and arrest of number of smugglers.

He said that the size of the problem could be estimated from the fact that out of Rs. 1500 Crore seizures in the country last year, 60 percent seizures were from Punjab alone. He said that Punjab would not allow ruining the lives of the youth with drug addiction and was committed to check this problem with iron hands. Mr. Badal informed that Punjab police was seeking the permission of court to seize the properties and other assets of absconding smugglers and putting them to auction.

The Deputy Chief Minister assured strict action against guilty that were held responsible in the enquiry held by Deputy Commissioner Patiala for showing negligence in providing medical help to the injured players in World Cup Kabaddi opening match.

Talking about the power situation, the Deputy Chief Minister said that all states were facing unprecedented power crisis due to early onset of summer season and state government was taking all possible measures to provide power to the citizens. He said that PSEB was buying power from national grid to the tune of 11000 crores to meet the sudden spurt in demand for power.

Paying glowing tributes to S. Jasdev Singh Sandhu Mr. Badal described S. Jasdev Singh as the towering personality of the panth who sailed through Akali Dal during many crises. The Deputy Chief Minister said that his father Mr. Parkash Singh Badal totally relied upon the deep knowledge of S. Jasdev Singh Sandhu on the history and evolution of 90 year old party. He said that he would be remembered for his missionary zeal for the public service rising above the personal interest.

Earlier Deputy. Chief Minister honoured  Padamshri Baba Sewa Singh, Mr. Pammi Bai, Mr. Tejpartap Singh Sandhu and Roop Singh Kahlon for services rendered by them in various fields. 

Earlier SGPC Chief Avtar Singh. Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa MP, Baba Harnam Singh Dhuma Chief Damdami Taksal, Mr. Tejinderpal Singh Sandhu son of the deceased, Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra, Mr. Jaspal Singh VC Punjabi University, Jathedar Tota Singh former Minister, Mr. Raj Khurana, Baba Lakha Singh of Nanaksar,  paid glorious tributes on this occasion. Prominent amongst who were present on the occasion former Deputy Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Mr. Bir Devinder Singh, Prof. Kirpal Singh Badungar, Mr. Ajaib Singh Mukhmailpur, Mr. Gurpreet Singh Raju Khanna, Mr. Surjit Singh Kohli , Mr. Indermohan Bajaj, Mr. Surjit Singh Garhi, Mr. Harwinder Singh Harpalpur, Mr. Maninder Manni, Mr. Harinderpal Tohra, Mr. Chaju Ram Sobat, Mr. Mohinder Singh Lalwa,Mr. Randhir Singh Rakhra, Mr. Jaspal Singh Kalyan, Jathedar Sukdarshan Singh Mehon. Mrs. Anupinder Kaur Sandhu proposed vote of thanks.

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 78241 TONNES WHEAT PROCURED IN PUNJAB

Chandigarh, April 8:

Government agencies and private millers procured more than 78241  tonnes of wheat  till last evening

Out of total procurement of 78241 tonnes of wheat in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 77358 tonnes of wheat (98.9%) till date whereas private traders procured 883 tonnes (1.1%) of wheat. Till April 7, PUNGRAIN had procured 7015 tonnes (9.1%) whereas MARKFED procured 17619 tonnes (22.8%). PUNSUP procured 25074 tonnes (32.4%), PSWC procured 5380 tonnes (7.0%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 13559 tonnes (17.5 %) of wheat.

The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 8711 tonnes (11.3%). 

The spokesman added that District Patiala with 69452 tonnes of procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas District Sangrur  with 3914 tonnes of procurement was at second slot and district Ludhiana with 2445  tonnes of procurement ranked at third position.   

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ROTATIONAL IRRIGATION PROGRAMME FOR RABI SEASON    ANNOUNCED

Chandigarh, April 8:

        The Irrigation Department, Punjab has announced the Rotational Programme for irrigation for the Rabi Season through Canal water from      9-4-2010 to 16-4-2010. The channels of Sirhind Canal System would run on the priority basis from Bathinda Branch, Bist Doab, Sidhwan Branch, Abohar Branch and Patiala feeder, respectively.

        Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the irrigation department said that direct distributaries of Bhakra Main Line in group 'A' being in the channels of first preference will run to their indent and  balance water supplies available will be utilized in Ghaggar Branch and its off taking channels i.e Ghaggar Branch and Patiala Minor in Group 'B'  respectively.

        The spokesman further said that all the direct distributaries of Sirhind Feeder in group 'A'  being in the First preference will run to their indent and balance water supplies available would be utilised in Abohar Branch off-taking from Sirhind Feeder and its distributaries/Minors in  Group 'B'.

          The spokesman also said that the channels off taking from upper Bari Doab Canal i.e. Lahore Branch with its distributaries being in the channels of first Preference would run to their indent and balance water would be supplies water available in Main Branch Lower, Kasur Branch Lower, Sabraon Branch with their distributaries respectively.

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MANPREET BADAL MOURNS THE DEMISE OF PRAN SETH

Chandigarh April 7:

Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal, Finance Minister Punjab has mourned the sudden demise of octogenarian journalist and founder editor of Advance, a Punjab Government publication, Mr. Pran Seth, who died here today after a brief illness. He was a renowned writer and former Deputy Director General of Tourism.

          In his condolence message, Mr. Badal described Mr. Seth as a man of principles who had virtually seen the pre and post independence Scenario. He had been covering Mahatma Gandhi’s prayer meetings as a reporter and had seen Gandhi’s assassination. He was an eye-witness to the Pakistan’s attack on Kashmir in 1947 and the making of Punjab Chandigarh and many such historic events.

          Recalling his Autobiography “Lahore to Delhi- Rising from the ashes”, Mr. Badal said that the book unfolds many aspects on personal history blending with the history of modern India. He had also authored the first tourism text book for Indian students entitled “Successful Tourism Management”.

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HARSIMRAT CHARGES UPA OF DISCRIMINATING AGAINST PUNJAB IN DRAFT FOOD SECURITY BILL

Chandigarh, April 8

Member Parliament from Bathinda constituency Mrs. Harsimrat Kaur Badal today charged that Congress led UPA government has deliberately tailor-made the draft Food Security Bill in such a way so as to keep most of the poor  and Scheduled Caste population of Punjab out of its preview.

          In a statement issued here today Mrs. Badal said that by confining the benefits of Food Security Bill to centrally defined BPL families only, was a deliberate ploy to keep 99.9% poor population of Punjab out of its beneficiary net. She said that it was surprising that Punjab having maximum concentration of Schedule Caste population in the country, was suffering in every centrally sponsored schemes, for anti Punjab bias of Congress led UPA government.

          Demanding comprehensive revision of eligibility norms in the proposed draft of Food Security Bill, Mrs. Badal said that norms should be modified in such a way so as to include 14.5 Lakh beneficiary families of Atta-dal Scheme besides 35 percent schedule caste population of Punjab.

          She said that Punjab having the unique distinction of highest concentration of Schedule Caste and Backward class in its population deserved 100 percent centrally sponsored Special Component Plan for the welfare of oppressed classes. She said that Punjab had already pleaded Union Planning Commission to change the norms of all centrally sponsored schemes for the state of Punjab, keeping in the view highest concentration of SC population in the State. She said that it was surprising that despite Planning Commission’s affirmative response to our demand, the Food Security Bill has again been deliberately drafted to deny rightful due to the poor people of Punjab.

          Mrs. Badal said that it was matter of great regret that all policies of Congress led UPA government were engineered in such a way to keep Punjab out of its ambit. She said that in much touted debt waiver scheme out of Rs. 71000 crores debt waived by the Union government, farmers of Punjab got a meager benefit of Rs. 986.09 Crores. She said that it was ironical that Punjabi farmers contributing 75 percent grains to the National Kitty, were allowed only 1 percent benefit in this scheme.

          Demanding immediate revision of formula for sharing central taxes with the state, Mrs. Badal said that Punjab would continue to struggle till the share of Punjab in central taxes was raised from existing 1.35 percent to minimum 50 percent.

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