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E-GARM CENTRES IN 3017 PANCYHAYAT CLUSTERS TO PROVIDE 14
SERVICES TO RURAL PEOPLE OF 12800 VILLAGES – SUKHBIR
RS. 91 CRORE PROJECTS TO KICK OFF IN DECEMBER 2010
Chandigarh August 4:
All 12800 villages of Punjab are set to get all 14 citizen services under one roof from December this year, with Rs. 91 crore prestigious program of 3017 E-Gram at each Panchayat cluster becoming functional in Punjab.
Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal Deputy Chief Minister Punjab accompanied by Rural Development and Panchayat Minister, Mr. Ranjit Singh Brahmpura today reviewed the implementation of administrative reforms in the rural development department in a marathon meeting in which representatives of Union Government and all concerned departments participated. The Deputy Chief Minister said that progress of a state was futile if we are not able to peculate the benefits of administrative reforms and IT revolution to each and every village of Punjab. He said that 8 states in India including neighboring Himachal Pradesh have already setup E-gram centers in up to village level and Punjab cannot leg behind in this area.
After going through the presentation by Joint Secretary of Ministry of Rural Development and Panchayat Mr. D. K. Jain and also going through the experience cited by service providers and multinational IT companies contending for this prestigious job, Mr. Badal said that E-Gram Centers in 3017 Panchayat clusters, besides tackling and monitoring expenditure in Panchayats would provide 14 citizen services including issuance of birth and death certificates, domicile certificate, collection of power and water bills if any , collection of telephone bills, booking of tubewell etc. under one roof in a most transparent manner . He said that Punjab Government on average was releasing Rs. 500 t0 700 cores to Panchayats for executing various development programs but due to archaic accounting system, lack of monitoring mechanism, ancient audit system and lack of accountability, most of the development money was not being spent on the projects for which it was actually released. He said that E-grams have been provided with a special software that would keep a strict check on budget, daily fund release, fund received for various projects etc. and budget of every village could be monitored on-line at the HQ by the concerned authorities.
Dwelling upon the benefits of E-gram centers, Mr. Badal said that besides maintaining family register of each family in the village, these centers would act as a monitoring center for the various state and centrally sponsored rural development schemes including NAREGA, mid day meal and NHRM etc. He said that these centers would also maintain proper record of assets, income sources and employees on the pay roll of panchayats. He said that in the first phase E-gram would be set up in 397 places up to block level by December this year and would be extended to village level by March 2011 by operationalising all 3017 e-gram clusters. He said that each cluster would cover four to six villages and distance of e-gram from any village would not be more than 4 Km. He said that initially the e-gram would offer the services of birth and death certificates, ration cards, Atta in Dal Scheme card, red cards and slowly it would accept water and electricity bills, telephone bills, mobile bills, mobile recharge, tubewell booking and other citizen services availed by the rural people.
Mr. Badal said that he wants to make the life of common rural citizens easy by providing them door step services. He said that 154 Fard Kenders were already provided digital print of Fard at every tehsil level.
Appreciating the concept of e-gram Mr. Ranjit Singh Brahmpura Rural Development and Panchayat Minister emphasized the need for effective monitoring of flow of funds to panchyats and their proper usage. Mr.S.C.Aggrawal, Chief Secretary Punjab spoke about various models for implementation of e-gram scheme. He also shared the experience of many states that have already implemented this scheme.
Giving a presentation Mr. D.K.Jain Joint Secretary, Rural development emphasized that eight states have already setup e-gram upto village level and it would in the interest of Punjab if it goes ahead with this scheme in a time bound manner. He also gave information regarding various free software developed by Union Ministry that could be used by E-Grams.
The representatives of ITI, Public Sector Undertakings, Microsoft and HCL gave a presentation on E-gram centers. Prominent amongst those who present in the meeting included Mr. Jagpal Singh Sandhu, Principal Secretary Rural Development, Mr. Visvajeet Khanna, Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. K.B.S.Sidhu Principal Secretary, Finance, Mr.R.K.Verma, MD, Punjab Infotech ,Mr. Gurdev Singh Sidhu, Director Rural Development, Mr. Dalip Kumar , director IT and Mr. Manjit Singh Brar, Additional Secretary ,Reforms.
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BADAL SANCTIONS RS. 423.21 CRORE FOR DEVELOPMENT WORKS
IN ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCIES OF ROPAR, MOHALI,
GURDASPUR AND AMRITSAR DISTRICTS
CHANDIGARH AUGUST 3:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today sanctioned Rs.423.21 crore for the execution of various development schemes in the urban and rural areas of all the assembly constituencies in Roop Nagar, SAS Nagar (Mohali), Gurdaspur and Amritsar districts.
Presiding over the separate meetings of the local MLAs of these assembly constituencies held here at Chief Minister's residence to review the progress of the on-going development works, Mr. Badal approved Rs.282.14 crore for the water supply, sewerage, roads and street lights in the urban areas and Rs.141.07 crore for the repair of link roads, constructions of latrines and civil infrastructure in the government schools in the rural areas. Out of Rs.53.15 crore earmarked for the upgradation of health infrastructure, Rs.6.10 crore would be spent in Roop Nagar district, Rs.9.60 crore in SAS Nagar (Mohali), Rs.19.32 crore in Gurdaspur and Rs.18.13 crore in Amritsar district. Likewise, out of Rs.282.14 crore, Rs.123.32 crore would be spent on the provision of facilities of drinking water, sewerage, roads and street lights in Ropar, Rs.81.42 crore in Mohali, Rs.62.50 crore in Gurdaspur and Rs.14.90 crore in Amritsar. A provision of Rs.7.06 crore had been made for the upgradation of veterinary services in these constituencies of four districts. A sum of Rs.121.75 crore would be spent on the construction of the roads in these constituencies under Pardhan Mantry Gram Sadak Yojana.
The Chief Minister asked the deputy commissioners to regularly monitor the progress of these development works and ensure their completion within the stipulated time schedule. He however, also directed the MLAs to ensure the quality of construction works by personally supervising these works besides motivating the local panchayats and municipal councils to oversee these developmental activities.
It was also informed in the meeting that the Naina Devi ropeway project at cost of Rs.7 crore, to be launched in collaboration with the Punjab and Himachal Pardesh governments would be completed at the earliest and Rs.250 crore prestigious Khalsa Heritage project was likely to be inaugurated by April 2011.
The Chief Minister asked the Principal Secretary Irrigation to issue directions to Chief Engineer Canals to discharge adequate water at Gurdawara Sri Patalpuri Sahib in Kiratpur Sahib. He also asked the Secretary PWD (B&R) to immediately undertake the strengthening and widening of two roads, one from Kiratpur Sahib to Baba Gurdita ji and another from Kiratpur Sahib to Pir Baba Buddan Shah. The Chief Minister also asked the Chief Administrator GMADA to convene a meeting of all the senior officers of the various departments related to the development of Mohali on August 26 to be presided by him so that important decisions for the integrated development of Mohali could be taken on the spot.
These meetings were attended by the MLA Sri Anandpur Sahib Sant Baba Ajit Singh, Chairman District Planning Committee Ropar Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal, Chairman District Planning Committee Mohali Mr. NK Sharma, former Minister Mrs. Satwant Kaur Sandhu from Chamkaur Sahib, MLA Morinda Mr. Ujjagar Singh Badali, MLA Dera Bassi Mr. Jasjit Singh Bunny. MLA Batala Mr. Jagdish Raj Sawhney, MLA Dina Nagar Mr. Sita Ram Kashyap, Agriculture Minister and MLA Dhariwal Mr. Sucha Singh Langah, Speaker Vidhan Sabha and MLA Fatehgarh Churian Mr. Nirmal Singh Kahlon, MLA Gurdaspur Mr. Gurbachan Singh Babehali, MLA Sri Hargobindpur Mr. Balbir Singh Bath, Information & Public Relations Minister and MLA Kahnuwan Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan, MLA Narot Mehra Mr. Bishambar Das, Transport Minister and MLA Pathankot Master Mohan Lal, MLA Qadian Mr. Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal and MLA Sujanpur Mr. Dinesh Singh. Member Parliament from Amritsar Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu, MLA Ajnala Mr. Amarpal Singh Ajnala, MLA Amritsar North Mr. Anil Joshi, MLA Amritsar South Mr. Inderbir Singh Bularia, Animal Husbandry Minister and MLA Attari Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, MLA Beas Mr. Manjinder Singh Kang, MLA Jandiala Mr. Malkiat Singh Jandiala and MLA Verka Dr. Dalbir Singh. Besides, Advisor to Chief Minister Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, senior officers of the different departments and deputy commissioners of these districts were also present in these meetings.
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SOUTHERN BYE PASS OF LUDHIANA FROM DORAHA – LUDHIANA- FEROZEPUR
ROAD TO BE 4 –LANED BY JUNE 2011- SUKHBIR
RS. 416 CRORE PROJECT TO SOLVE TRAFFIC BOTTLENECKS IN LUDHIANA
Chandigarh, August 3: Four laning of Southern Bye-pass of Ludhiana from Doraha to Ludhiana-Ferozepur Road is set to be completed by June 2011, with Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal clearing all obstacles coming in the way of timely completion of this prestigious project.
Reviewing the progress of this lifeline project of Ludhiana city in which representatives of construction agency HGCL-Niraj Supreme (JV), Irrigation, PWD (B&R), Power, Local Government besides Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana participated, Mr. Badal emphasized the need for fortnightly review of this project to ensure its scheduled completion. Mr. Badal said that this 27 Km road along Sidhwan Canal would have 5 canal bridges, four flyovers, two ROBs/ RUBs , two underpasses besides involving canal lining of 25 Km. portion of the canal. Mr. Badal said that he has called this meeting to sort out all inter-departmental issues coming in the way of early completion of this project.
The Deputy Chief Minister asked Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana to personally monitor this project by fortnightly visiting the site of the project. The Principal Secretary Forest was asked to ensure early clearance of forest department for this project. The representatives of POWERCOM assured timely shifting of electric lines positively by September 15, this year. They said that they were in touch with BBMB to shift high tension lines on two spots. The Secretary Irrigation assured that they would stop the flow of water when ever requested by the construction company.
Prominent amongst those who participated in the meeting included Mr. S.C.Agrawal, Chief Secretary, Mr. Arun Goel, Principal Secretary Irrigation and Power Mr. Visvajeet Khanna, Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister, Mr.S.S.Sandhu, Secretary Urban Development, Mr. Kulbir Singh, Secretary PWD, and Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana, Mr. Rahul Bhandari.
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ATTENDANCE SCHOLARSHIP TO THE HANDICAPPED GIRLS
STUDENTS IN RURAL AREAS
CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 3: In order to uplift the status of the disabled girls belonging to the rural areas in the State, the Punjab Government has provided Rs.30.00 lacs during the current financial year.
Disclosing this here today Choudhary Swarna Ram, Social Security, Women & Child Development Minister, Punjab said that attendance scholarship would be provided upto 10th class to the rural areas handicapped girls students at the Rate of Rs.1500/- for books and Rs.1000/- for uniforms and Rs.1500/- for books/notebooks & Rs.1500/- for uniforms to the students for 10+1 and above per students per annum.
The Minister further said that this scholarship would be in addition to the scholarship already being availed under non plan scheme under which Rs.200/- is provided upto the 8th standard & Rs.300/- for 9th and onward classes per students per month.
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BADAL ATTENDS CREMATION OF JASWANT KAUR
CHANDIGARH AUGUST 3:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today attended the cremation of Smt. Jaswant Kaur widow of former Chief Minister Punjab late Mr. Beant Singh, who expired here yesterday after a brief illness.
Mr. Badal accompanied by the Local Government Minister Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Health & Family Welfare Minister Mrs. Laxmi Kanta Chawla, Transport Minister Master Mohan Lal placed wreaths on the body of Smt. Jaswant Kaur and shared their heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family.
Meanwhile, Mr. Badal also expressed his condolences with the grandson of the deceased Member Parliament from Sri Anandpur Sahib Mr. Ravneet Singh. Later in the afternoon, the mortal remains of Smt. Jaswant Kaur were consigned to the flames near the Samadhi of his husband late Beant Singh in Sector 42 with full state honour. The jawans of Punjab Armed Police reversed their arms and bugles were sounded to the last post. The deceased's son former Minister and MLA Mr.Tej Parkash Singh lit the pyre.
Eminent personalities from different walks of life including senior officers of Civil and Police Punjab of government and Chandigarh Administration, besides the leader of Opposition in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Mrs. Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, leaders & workers of the different political parties, members of the bar associations & media persons also attended the cremation.
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Ex CBI Director to address Aryans Students
Respected Sir/Madam,
S.Joginder Singh, Ex - Director, Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI) would be visiting Aryans campus on 4th August’10 (Wednesday). He would be interacting with the students on "Role of ethics in Management". S.Joginder Singh would reach Aryans Campus at 11 am and would be available up to 1 pm. The schedule of the programme is as below:-
AGENDA: An Interaction with students on "Role of Ethics in Management “by S.Joginder Singh.
VENUE: Aryans Campus, Vill. Nepra (Between Banur & Rajpura), Chandigarh-Patiala Highway, Tehsil – Rajpura, Near Chandigarh.
DATE: 4th August, 2010 (Wednesday)
TIME: 11:30 PM
You are kindly requested to depute your Reporter and Cameraman to cover the same. Kindly consider the story for the main edition. Please do publish this in today's Engagement Column of your esteemed newspaper.
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CM CONDOLES THE DEATH OF KM MATHEW, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF MALAYALA MANORAMA
CHANDIGARH, AUGUST 2:
The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the death of the Editor-in-Chief of popular Malayalam newspaper 'Malayala Manorama', Padam Bhushan awardee Mr. K.M. Mathew, , who died at Kottayam on sunday.
In a condolence message, the Chief Minister said that in the death of Mr. Mathew country had lost a stalwart journalist who gave new heights to journalism in the country. Under his stewardship, 'Malayala Manorama' embarked on a new journey of expansion and modernization, said Mr. Badal.
Mr. Badal expressed heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to give strength and courage to them to bear this irreparable loss and peace to the departed soul.
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Kashmir: Act before foreign forces land in Srinagar
The Valley today is a Kosovo-in-waiting. The government should
act now before it is too late.
By Zafarul-Islam Khan
Editor, The Milli Gazette
New Delhi (2 August 2010): For the last two months only bullets are talking in Kashmir. Dozens of lives, mostly school-going young men and women, have succumbed to the bullets fired by the security forces directly into their chests. Ten such victims have died within the last twenty four hours for pelting stones and violating curfew. The central cabinet?s security committee met last night without the attendance of even the governor, the de facto ruler, of the state. Today the dummy chief minister of the state was called for a meeting in Delhi and assured that direct central rule will not be imposed on the state.
The situation in the Valley has not deteriorated within a day or two and forces across the border alone are not responsible for the chaos seen in the length and breadth of the Valley. Today?s chaos in the Valley basically reflects the failure of the central government which despite declarations and promises to the contrary, has utterly failed to negotiate with the people who matter in Kashmir, which has thrown in the dustbin the autonomy and self-rule proposals presented by its own trusted hands in the state. Musharraf and even the current Pakistani government have been time and again offering proposals to arrive at a settlement of sorts taking into account the ground realities but visionless people in Delhi have squandered the opportunity. The army bullets once again prove what our enemies claim that India is interested only in the land of Kashmir and not in its people. Manmohan is fast becoming Jagmohan for Kashmir.
The way forward is to sack the childish government of Omar Abdullah, set free all activists and political leaders arrested during the last few weeks, withdraw the army and allied forces from all inhabited areas in the Valley, impose governor raj for a fixed and declared period of six months, accept the autonomy proposal presented by the J&K Assembly during Farooq Abdullah?s tenure in 2000, announce a general amnesty for all militants and welcome those who crossed over into POK, hold a fair election with none barred from contesting and monitored by foreign observers like Jimmy Carter and representatives from the UN, EU, OIC etc and let the real winner rule the state. Meanwhile, India must engage in a serious and purposeful dialogue with Pakistan taking into account the various proposals offered by Musharraf and the current government in Islamabad.
Failure to work on these lines will be fatal. The protests in the Valley are quickly taking the shape of an intifadah which no amount of army bullets will be able to control. Rather, these criminal bullets and their innocent victims will invite foreign intervention. Let the short-sighted strategists in Delhi realise that foreign intervention is no longer a myth. A prolonged protest, wanton wholesale murder of the civilians and children by the security forces and collapse of the dummy civil government will be enough to pass a resolution in the UN to authorise foreign military intervention and the small men in Delhi will not be able to prevent such forces from landing in Srinagar. The Valley today is a Kosovo-in-waiting. Act now before it is too late.
Zafarul-Islam Khan edits The Milli Gazette and author of several books including Wounded Valley.
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CM APPROVES NEER PROJECT FOR BUDDHA NALLAH
CHANDIGARH AUGUST 2:
As a part of environmental conservation and protection campaign, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today gave a nod to the Buddha Nallah Ecological Economical Restoration (NEER) Project to be executed by the Eco-technologist Dr. Sandeep Joshi of Shirshti Eco-Research Institute (SERI), Pune. The latest biological technology known as Green Bridge would be used for the cleaning of Buddha Nallah in Ludhiana.
A decision to this effect was taken by Mr. Badal in a meeting with the team of SERI led by Dr. Joshi here at Chief Minister's residence this evening.
Dr. Joshi made a brief presentation before the Chief Minister to apprise him about the technology to be adopted for the cleaning of Buddha Nallah on the basis of preliminary report during his 2-days visit for on the spot assessment of the entire 47.25 KMs stretch of Buddha Nallah along with the officials of Punjab Pollution Control Board.
It may be recalled that Chairman of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Dr. SP Gautam deputed Dr. Joshi to undertake the study of the Buddha Nallah to recommend an appropriate technology for its ecological restoration, when Dr. Gautam called on the Chief Minister at New Delhi last week.
Mr. Badal asked Dr. Joshi to implement the project of biological cleaning of Buddha Nallah at the earliest after the preparation of detailed project report, which he was likely to submit within 10-days to the state government as well as CPCB. The Chief Minister also directed his Principal Secretary Mr. DS Guru to inspect the Buddha Nallah along with the team of SERI tomorrow to work out the modalities for the implementation of this project. He also asked the Principal Secretary Industries & Commerce, Chairman PPCB and Chief Engineers Canals and Drainage to accompany the team so that the entire project could be discussed in a wider perspective.
The Chief Minister also asked Mr. Guru to explore the possibility of channelization and strengthening of the banks of Buddha Nallah which would ultimately help in the implementation of Green Bridge technology besides preventing the spilling over of the water of Buddha Nallah in the city especially during the monsoon.
The meeting was also attended by Chairman PPCB Mr. Rajat Aggarwal, Member Secretary Dr. Babu Ram, Chief Engineer Drainage Mr. Vinod K Chaudhary and Mr. Probir Sinha from Green Infrastructure.
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INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT PUNJAB WORLD
BREASTFEEDING WEEK TO CREATE AWARENESS
Chandigarh August 2
Ch. Swarna Ram Social Security, Welfare of Women and Child Development Minister Punjab said that The World Breast-feeding Week is being celebrated from August 01 to August 07, 2010 in the State to motivate and generate awareness among the women to promote breastfeeding. This year the theme of the week is breastfeeding just ten steps " The Baby - Friendly Way"
The Minister said that Rs. 125 crore has also been provided under the supplementary nutrition scheme during current financial year. Six services i.e vaccination, health and nutrition, importance of nutritious first milk, health care, health education, psychological development of the child would also be provided in all Anganwari Centers. Child Development Project Officers (CDPO) and district programme officers were also being trained as master trainer with the help of breastfeeding promotion network of India organization during the last year.
He said that a number of activities would be organized during the week at village, circle , block and district level. This would include workshops, slogans , writing competitions, nutrition quiz and rallies.
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PUNJAB PUNJAB TO FLOAT RS. 500 CRORE LOAN
Chandigarh, August 2:
In consultation with Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Punjab Government today floated Rs. 500 crore (nominal) loan to finance part of Capital Expenditure of Plan Schemes and other development schemes under execution.
According to an official spokesman the State government today notified the sale of Punjab Government Stock (Securities) of 10 year tenure for a aggregate amount of Rs. 500 crore (Nominal). The spokesman said that consent of Central government has already been obtained to the floatation of this loan.
The spokesman said that the government stock would be sold through RBI Mumbai by auction that would be conducted by it in its Mumbai office on August 3, 2010. The application form duly filled in with the competitive and non- competitive bids should be submitted in electronic format, on the Negotiated Dealing System (NDS) to the RBI, Mumbai on August 3, 2010 by 12.30 P.M and 11.30 AM respectively.
Result of auction would be displayed on its website on the same day and the payment should be made on August 4, 2010 by the successful bidders.
The spokesman added that this 10 year tenure loan would be repaid at par on August 4, 2020. He said that interest will be paid every half yearly on February 04 and August 04 and cut off yield determined at the auction would be the coupon rate percent per annum of the stock sold at the auction.
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GLOWING TRIBUTES PAID TO SHAHEED UDHAM SINGH
BADAL ASKS PEOPLE NOT TO BE MISLED BY FALSE PROPAGANDA OF
CONGRESS ON SGPC POLL ISSUE
SUNAM UDHAM SINGH WALA (SANGRUR) JULY 31:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today cautioned the people not to be swayed by the false propaganda of the Congress Party, which was deliberately resorting to cheap tactics to take over the control of the SGPC.
Addressing a massive gathering on the 71st martyrdom anniversary of great martyr Shaheed Udham Singh during a state level function organized here at the local grain market, Mr. Badal dared the Congress not to interfere in the religious matters of the SGPC keeping an eye on its forthcoming general elections. The Chief Minister further said that Congress was bent upon to capture the control of SGPC. He said that it was ironical that Congress, claiming to be a party with secular credentials was encroaching upon the jurisdiction of Sikh religious matters by indirectly lending support to its cronies. Mr. Badal also recalled the derogatory role of Congress government in Haryana on the issue of having a separate Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee for the state at the behest of Centre.
Paying the floral tributes to great martyr Shaheed Udham Singh of the country, Mr. Badal said that the history of Indian freedom movement was replete with saga of numerous sacrifices made by the Punjabis from time immemorial during India's freedom struggle but it was a matter of great regret that Punjab had never given its due recognition by the Central Government. Mr. Badal said that our freedom fighters and patriots laid down their lives for the betterment of our countrymen. Mr. Badal "It is a sad plight that the aspirations of our freedom fighters had not yet been cherished because they dreamt of an Independent India free from the maladies of illiteracy, unemployment and starvation".
He said that these conditions prevailed through out the country and it was extremely shocking to note that even 63 years after Independence over 40% Indians live in penury earning less than Rs.60 per day and were bereft of basic necessities of life like housing, clean drinking water , basic health and education facilities. He urged the planners of our country to be sensitized on these issues for improving the lot disadvantaged sections of the society rather recklessly making policies by sitting in the air conditioned rooms without realizing the ground realities.
The Chief Minister urged the Centre to immediately revised the norms under calamity relief fund to compensate the farmers adequately. Mr. Badal also mentioned that he had already taken up the issue with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to declare channelization of River Ghaggar as a National Project in the Punjab region at a cost of Rs.1175 crore to save the people of Patiala, Sangrur and Mansa districts from the fury of floods resulting in extensive damage caused to life, property and crops by this seasonal rivulet. The Chief Minister also said that the Congress had always been inimical to Punjab be it agriculture or industry. He asked the Centre to either link Minimum Support Price (MSP) to the price index and account for cost of production or implement the recommendations of the National Commission on Farmers headed by the noted farm economist, Dr. MS Swaminathan to calculate MSP equal to the cost of production plus 50% as profit. Referring to the farm crisis in Punjab, Mr. Badal said that Punjab's rural indebtedness was estimated to be over Rs.35,000 crore.
Mr. Badal reiterated that the SAD-BJP government was committed to fulfill the dreams of our great martyrs by ensuring overall development and prosperity in the state. He said that our government during three-and-a-half year had made spectacular achievements in the field of education, power and infrastructure besides, Rs.350 crore ambitious project for the upgradation of health infrastructure in the state.
On the occasion, Mr. Badal announced that a suitable memorial would be constructed at Sunam in the befitting memory of Shaheed Udham Singh. He also announced a grant of Rs.6 crore for the completion of sewerage in the town.
Speaking on the occasion, SAD Secretary General and Member Rajya Sabha Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa also paid glorious tributes to Shaheed Udham Singh and said that the unparalleled sacrifice of this great national hero would ever act as a source of inspiration for our youth.
Earlier, in his welcome address local MLA and PWD (B&R) Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa also paid glowing tributes to Shaheed Udham Singh and described him a great martyr.
Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion included Gobind Singh Kanjla and Gobind Singh Longowal (both ex-Ministers), MLA Dhuri Mr. Iqbal Singh Jhunda, Executive Member SGPC Sant Baba Tek Singh Dhanola, Director Administration Powercom Mr. Gurbachan Singh Bhachhi. Chairman PRTC Mr. Ranjit Singh Ballian, SAD District President Sangrur Mr. Raghbir Singh Jakhepal, President District BJP unit Mr. Prem Guglani. Senior leadership and party workers of SAD-BJP besides the members of the SGPC also attended the function.
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE, PUNJAB
Press Release
Chandigarh, July 31:
In the last few decades sex-ratio of girl child had declined as compared to boys and during the year 2001 the sex-ratio of girls was 798 for every 1000 boys. However, owing to the sustained efforts and steps taken by Health Department and with the increased support of community, the sex-ratio has improved to 896 girls against 1000 boys, presently. This was revealed here today by Prof. Laxmi Kanta Chawla, Health and Family Welfare Minister, Punjab, while reviewing the implementation of Pre conception & Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act (PC&PNDT) by the department to improve the sex-ratio in the state. While expressing satisfaction, she however added that lot more is still to be done in this direction.
Prof. Chawla stated that PC & PNDT Act is being strictly enforced to curb the menace of female foeticide. She said during the month of July, 2010 itself, 2 ultrasound centers have been sealed in district S.A.S Nagar (Mohali); show cause notice issued to 2 centers in district Gurdaspur; 2 centers suspended in SBS Nagar; show cause notice issued to 2 centers of Patiala; 1 centre sealed in Tarn Taran and 2 centers suspended and 1 center issued show cause notice in district Jalandhar. Health Minister further said that there are 1327 registered Ultrasound centers across the state and up-till now; the health department with the support of people has been able to catch 401 centers for various violations under PC&PNDT act resulting in suspension of their registrations, whereas 22 ultrasound centres have been cancelled.
Prof Chawla told that till now 109 court cases have been launched under the PC & PNDT Act, out of which 21 have already been punished by Hon’ble courts, 42 cases are still pending whereas 46 have been acquitted. She directed the officials of the department to continue the drive aggressively and appealed social organizations and community to enhance their participation for the cause of girl child.
Prof Chawla told the officers concerned to further step up the awareness drive to highlight the worth of girl child and curb the menace of foeticide in the state. She said that 83 Panchayats that achieved the sex ratio (0-6yrs) up-to 1000 or more have been honored at state level functions and given cash awards of Rs 1.5 lakh each. 50 more such Panchayats will be felicitated in the near future.
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BHARAT JYOTI AWARD TO PROF.LAXMI KANTA CHAWLA
NEW DELHI JULY 30: Prof. Laxmi Kanta Chawla, Health and Family Welfare Minister Punjab gave a call to the intellectuals of the country to break their silence and criticize to root out the wrong practices and corruption in the country and make aware general public in the national interest. She also advised to help all the needy persons to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.
Prof. Laxmi Kanta Chawla was addressing a conference on global participation in India’s economic development organized by the India International Friendship Society at Constitution Club here today late evening.
Bharat Jyoti Award was presented to her by Mr. Bisham Narayan Singh former Governor of Tamil Nadu and Mr. Joginder Singh former Director CBI and Chairman of the IIFS.
Last recipients of this award include Mother Teresa, Mr. B.D. Jatti, former President of India, Mr. G.V.G Krishna Murti, former Election Commissioner, Prof Prem Kumar Dhumal Chief Minister Himachal Pradesh, former Cricketer Mr. Sunil Gawaskar, Olympic Medalist Mr. Abhinav Bindra and former Hockey Caption Mr. Dhanraj Pillay and so many others prominent personalities.
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The festival of 'Teej' was celebrated at Scholar fields Public School
The festival of 'Teej' was celebrated at Scholar fields Public School with
extravagant fun, fervour and energy. Dressed in typical Punjabi attire the
girls knew no bounds of enjoyment and happiness. They Swinged, they danced,
they sang, they Styled and they challenged the monsoon in beauty. The high
esteemed Swings touched the sky as if they have gone to bring the rain out
of the black clouds.
Different Competitions were held on the eve of Teej. In
which best Mehendi was won by Navjit, best dressed by Simran, highest swing by Harnoor maximum bangles were of Sukhdeep and Manpreet was judged as the
Punjaban of the day. The day ended with distribution of Puras and Kheer to
all. The weather also favoured Schfites with light drizzling and black
clouds.
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