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Chandigarh Congress councillor files complaint against Gadkari

CHANDIGARH, December 16: A criminal defamation complaint was filed against the Bhartiya Janata Party president Nitink Gadkari in the court of First Class Judicial Magistrate Chandigarh Mr Barjinderpal Singh. January 9, 2011 has been fixed the date for recording the preliminary evidence.
The complaint has been filed against Mr Gadkari by local Congress councillor Chandermukhi Sharma for his remarks against the Congress that the convicted and condemned terrorist Afzal Guru was the son in law of the Congress.

The complaint has been filed under section 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code.
It is learnt that a similar criminal complaint was filed against Mr Gadkari in Chennai also. The move is reportedly aimed at countering his criminal defamation case filed against the Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari.

The party high command is learnt to have asked the Pradesh Congress Committees to examine all the statements and cases where it amounts to criminal defamation.
Similarly the party is learnt to be now vigorously pursuing the cases against former RSS Chief K Sudershan for his remarks and wild allegations against the party president Ms Sonia Gandhi.
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Congress urges Governor Punjab to immediately dismiss Sukhbir Badal Dy. CM from Council of Ministers, for exercising extra constitutional authority, thus working as De-Facto CM.

S. Parkash Singh Badal has wilfully and purposely abdicated his authority as Chief Minister Punjab, in order to facilitate and fulfill the nefarious designs of his over ambitious son. The Chief Minister has also broken the oath of office promising to uphold constitution in the state. He has not only appointed Sukhbir Badal as Dy. Chief Minister, while there is no provision in the rules of business but is unavailable to conduct and govern the state, due to his intermittently long absence from Punjab.

As we are all aware the senior Badal has not only promoted his son out of turn in Akali hierarchy but is trying to unconstitutionally impose Sukhbir Badal on the people of Punjab. Sukhbir Badal is illegitimately chairing cabinet meetings, making policy statements, summoning officers from Deputy Commissioners to Chief Secretary where as he is merely a Minister incharge of Home portfolio besides being a Sports Minister.

There is complete breakdown of law and order machinery in the state due to unconstitutional working of Sukhbir Badal usurping the duties and responsibilities of the Chief Minister. S. Parkash Singh Badal has also misused the mandate given by the people of Punjab for collective governance to the SAD-BJP govt. by running away from Punjab without duly authorizing any of his Cabinet colleagues.

Therefore, the congress party calls upon the Governor of Punjab to take immediate cognizance of extra constitutional authority being exercised by Sukhbir Badal virtually working as De-Facto Chief Minister. The Governor must intervene in the matter to uphold the constitutional working in Punjab and immediately dismiss the Dy. Chief Minister from the council of Ministers.


Sukhpal Singh Khaira,
MLA, Bholath
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DGCA ORDERS ENQUIRY INTO PAWAN HANS HELICOPTER ACCIDENT

Chandigarh December 16:

The Pawan Hans Helicopter on lease with Punjab Government today met with an accident as it started up for taxing at Chandigarh Airport in the morning.

According to a spokesman of Punjab Government the pilots Mr. SPS Brar and Mr. MS Brar walked away from the wreckage and suffered minor scratches. They were provided first aid on the spot. They were taken to Command Hospital and Doctors in the Hospital declared them absolutely fine.
The spokesman added that Punjab Government immediately informed Pawan Hans authorities and DGCA about the incident. The DGCA has ordered an enquiry into the accident and dispatched a team to Chandigarh. The spokesman termed it as a simple accident.
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Punjab Government issues ordinance omitting section 19 in Punjab Panchayati Raj Act 1994

PANCHES WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PASS 'NO CONFIDENCE MOTION' AGAINST VILLAGE SARPANCH

Chandigarh, December 15:

The Punjab Government, through an Ordinance issued yesterday, omitted section 19 in the Punjab Panchayati Raj act 1994, paving way for more harmonious functioning in the Panchayati Raj institutions and giving a boost to the developmental process in the rural areas. With this amendment, now the Panches in the Gram Panchayats will not be able to remove the Sarpanch through ' no confidence motion' and also can not hold any meeting with such motive.
An official spokesman of the Panchayati Raj department said that the Government has contemplated this step in the larger public interest as the right granted under section 19 was misused in some Gram Sabhas.

It may be recalled that section 19 of the Punjab Panchayati Raj act
1994 extended the right to Panches in the Gram Panchayats to remove the Sarpanch through no confidence motion after 2 years of Panchayat Elections. This practice had led to groupism in villages, besides creating hurdles in the completion of development works.
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Punjab Government issues ordinance omitting section 19 in Punjab Panchayati Raj Act 1994

PANCHES WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PASS 'NO CONFIDENCE MOTION' AGAINST VILLAGE SARPANCH


Chandigarh, December 15:

The Punjab Government, through an Ordinance issued yesterday, omitted section 19 in the Punjab Panchayati Raj act 1994, paving way for more harmonious functioning in the Panchayati Raj institutions and giving a boost to the developmental process in the rural areas. With this amendment, now the Panches in the Gram Panchayats will not be able remove the Sarpanch through ' no confidence motion' and also can not hold any meeting with such motive.

An official spokesman of the Panchayati Raj department said that the Government has contemplated this step in the larger public interest as the right granted under section 19 was misused in some Gram Sabhas.

It may be recalled that section 19 of the Punjab Panchayati Raj act
1994 extended the right to Panches in the Gram Panchayats to remove the Sarpanch through no confidence motion after 2 years of Panchayat Elections. This practice had led to groupism in villages, besides creating hurdles in the completion of development works.
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PUNJAB YOUTH CONGRESS PLEDGES TO MAKE PUNJAB NO 1 STATE
NAV INQUILAB YATRA CONCLUDES AT SHRI NANAKSAR SAAHIB GURUDWARA
DATED: 15-12-12


Punjab youth congress will evaluate the problems faced by the poor people of the state and come up with a new agenda and vision for “ new punjab”. Youth congress workers pledged to take punjab to the no 1 state in India. This was stated by S Ravnit Bittu, MP, and president punjab youth congress at the concluding day of his NAV INQUILAB YATRA at shri Nanaksar Saahib gurudwara near Jagraon. The yatra travelled across punjab for 45 days starting from Mohali from 1Nov and ending at sri Nanaksar Saahib today covering around 1300 kms on foot. Bittu said that we will engage the experts in every sector and ask them to give a blue print according to the complaints receieved by us during this 45 days yatra. We have received around 15000 compalints from all over the state. This blue print will be implemented when ever the congress government comes to power in the state. Even the election manifesto of the party for the forth coming vidhansabha elections will be made on the basis of the feed back given by youth congress to the Punjab pradesh congress.

Bittu thanked the people of Punjab for overwhelming response given to the NAV INQUILAB YATRA. He said that it is because of the moral support of the people and their warmth we were able to travel for 45 days on foot inspite of many hurdles. “I had lost around 9 kgs of weight by walking for 1300 kms in 45 days and because of us most of the politicians of the state are now on yatras. They have understood that this was the most effective way of people to people contact”. Bittu thanked the whole team of his yatris who made this big event possible for the first time in state. He also thanked his party leadership who gave full support to make this yatra a big success specially to Mr Rahul Gandhi who has special love for Punjab.

S RAVNIT BITTU MP
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KALIA FOR SCIENTIFIC STORAGE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR FOODGRAINS IN PUNJAB

CHANDIGARH, DECEMBER 15:
Local Government Minister Punjab Mr. Manoranjan Kalia called upon the Centre to create adequate foodgrains handling and storage infrastructure in a scientific manner in the state.
Mr. Kalia was taking part in the meeting of Working Group on Agriculture Production constituted by the Government of India today at New Delhi as representative of Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal who is away to USA owing to his wife's illness. The meeting was presided over by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.

Expressing deep concern over the present inadequate handling and storage capacity of the foodgrains in Punjab, Mr. Kalia said that Punjab had played a vital role for ensuring national food security by contributing about 60 to 65% of foodgrains towards the Central Pool.
He impressed upon the Central government for creating sufficient space for food storage as tones of food was damaged every year for the want of proper space. The foodgrains stored in open were subject to the vagaries of nature like rain dust etc. which rendered it unfit for human consumption over a period of time, he said. Mr. Kalia said that Centre should help the state in building storage capacity on scientific lines.

The Minister also emphasized the need to ensure easy availability of agricultural credit at 4% rate of interest to the farmers in order to meet their cash requirements for the purchase of the most modern agricultural equipments, in view of agriculture being a highly capital intensive now-a-days.
Pleading for implementation of the recommendations of Dr.
M.S. Swaminathan, the Local Government Minister said the MSP must be fixed by providing a margin of 50% over the cost of production to encourage the farmers to invest in high cost production technology.

He further said that the increase in prices of the agricultural produce must keep pace with the increase in the agriculture inputs prices. Mr. Kalia suggested that to improve the financial conditions of the majority of the poor farmers in the less developed areas of the state, the GoI must chalk out some comprehensive plans to boost Agro-Industries in these areas.

On this occasion the Chairman of the Working Group on Agriculture Production and Chief Minister Haryna Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda presented a report to the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included the Union Agriculture Minister Mr. Sharad Pawa and Punjab Agriculture Minister Sucha Singh Langah.
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National Energy Conservation Award for PEDA

Chandigarh, December 15:

In appreciation of the achievements in Energy Conservation in the State Designated Agency Sector for the year 2010, the Government of India, Ministry of Power, awarded the second prize to Punjab Energy Development Agency.

This award has been received by Sh.Balour Singh, Director, PEDA and Sh.Balkar Singh, Sr.Manager, PEDA, from Hon’be Union Minister, Power, Sh.Sushilkumar Shinde, on 14th December, 2010 during the National Energy Conservation day celebrations at New Delhi.

Sh.T.P.S.Sidhu, Chief Executive, PEDA told that PEDA has initiated many energy efficiency demonstration projects in the Municipal street lightings, government buildings and industry to promote energy efficiency in the State. Decentralized Renewable Energy projects and energy efficiency together could provide energy services at least cost, said Director, PEDA.
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SHIROMANI AKALI DAL
SUKHBIR LODGES PROTEST WITH US AMBASSADOR ON HUMILIATION OF SIKHS AT US AIRPORTS- SEEKS SENSITIZING US OFFICIALS ON TURBAN ISSUE


Chandigarh, December 15: The President Shiromani Akali Dal and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal has lodged a strong protest to US Ambassador Mr. Timothy J. Roemer at US Embassy at New Delhi today regarding the discriminatory instructions of US administration to pat the turbans of Sikhs at US airports.

In a memorandum submitted to the ambassador by the leaders of Shiromani Akali Dal on behalf of President it was impressed that while Sikhs appreciate US Government’s decision to step up security at airports, but they do not intend to belittle US administration’s concerns to step up security. The memorandum pointed out that in the name of security at airports; Indians were simply being subjected to humiliation and harassment. It added that US administration security at airports was highly insensitive particularly to Sikhs and they were humiliating Indian Ministers, Diplomats and particularly those belonging to Sikh community.

Protesting the humiliation of Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mr. Hardeep Singh Puri, who was asked by the airport security staff at Houston to remove his turban, the memorandum pointed out that when Mr. Puri refused to do so he was pulled out of the queue and made to wait for half an hour in a separate ‘holding room’.

Mr. Badal stressed that the US government should make their airport security aware through special sensitization exercises that a turban was an inseparable part of a Sikh and no body is allowed to touch turban of the Sikh or ask the Sikh to remove his turban. He emphasized that while dealing with Sikhs, US government should take special care. US government should devise Do’s and Don’ts while frisking Sikhs at airports or elsewhere.
It was emphasized the memorandum that removing the turban of a Sikh was considered an outrageous act against the entire the Sikh community. He explained that unlike other head coverings it is an inextricable part of the Sikh identity and is worn by Sikhs at all times to cover their unshorn hair, a mandatory article of their faith.

Mr. Badal said that Turban to a Sikh was a declaration whether he was a Sikh or a non-Sikh. Seeking the use of modern technology Mr. Badal said that today US has many advanced technologies and security frisking gadgets which easily could find out without the use of physical personal frisking whether anyone carrying any object inimical to the US security and were easily identifiable by x-ray machines etc.

Mr. Badal said that US administration should understand that turban was not a cap or any other headgear but the turban is unshakeable commitment of Sikhs to the mission given to all Sikhs by the Gurus – to stand firm against tyranny and protecting the downtrodden. He said that Turban was part of our being. “You may take off my head but not my turban” has been the reaction of Sikhs who were subjected to the tyrannical rules and they happily gave supreme sacrifices than to give up their turban.
Mr. Badal said that asking a Sikh to remove his turban is an act of great injustice and cruelty and violation of human rights, and mutual respect of other religions. He said that US Ambassador would appreciate that keeping in view the fact that turban was a part of our being and they should not be asked to remove turbans or allow touching of their turbans at any US airports. Mr. Badal said US Administration should device do’s and don’ts while handling frisking of Sikhs at us airports so that Sikhs were not asked to remove their turbans.
The memorandum on behalf of Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal was submitted by Manjit Singh G.K. President SAD (DELHI WING), Avtar Singh Hit,National General Secretary, Onkar Singh Thapar, National Vice

President, Kuldip Singh Bhogal, Member DSGMC, Manjinder Singh
Sirsa,President, Youth Wing and Rajinder Singh, Secretary, Delhi Wing.
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PUNJAB TO HAVE ' RIGHT TO SERVICE ACT' SOON -SUKHBIR

· ACT NATURAL EXTENSION OF SUVIDHA KENDRAS AND SAANJH CENTRES
· ATTACKS UNION GOVERNMENT FOR HEFTY RISE OF PETROL PRICE
· BLAMES UNION GOVERNMENT FOR UNPRECEDENTED PRICE HIKE


Jalalabad (Ferozepur), December 15

The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today disclosed that Punjab would soon have 'Right to Service Act' to empower citizens to rightfully claim citizen services as their right, with a provision to penalize concerned government authority for denying or delaying the delivery of the concerned citizen service to the citizens.

Talking to media after laying the foundation stones of development projects worth Rs 6.17 Crore and Municipal office building worth Rs 1.5 Crore here today, Mr. Badal said that Right to Service act was the natural extension of reform process initiated by the SAD-BJP government to provide hassle free citizen services under one roof to rural as well as urban citizens of the state in E-grams, Fard Kender, Suvidha Kendras and Saanjh Centres. He said that citizen services to be covered by the Act were being identified by the government and soon Punjab government would come out with the draft notification of the Act.
He said that Governance Reforms Commission had given some useful suggestions and 3112 e-sewa Kendra, 154 Fard Kendra, 330 Suvidha Kendras and 182 Saanjh Centres would be operational by June, 2011 giving door step services to the citizens. He said that after the implementation of the act the citizens would be able to get these services as a matter of right.
Attacking the Congress led UPA government for playing in the hands of oil companies by drastically increasing the rate of petrol last night, Mr. Badal said that it was unfortunate that after deregulation of petro prices by the central government, the oil companies have raised the price of petrol and diesel six times and never reduced to the rate when crude price fell in the international market. Mr. Badal demanded immediate rollback of petrol price hike and demanded that all party meeting should be called to deliberate the proposed hike in diesel has it would crush the economy of farmers, transporters besides having propelling effect on inflation.
Blaming the Union government for crushing the common masses with unprecedented price hike of essential commodities Mr. Badal said that since last two years Prime Minister, Agriculture Minister and Finance Minister were giving different deadlines that prices would come down and instead coming down, prices are going beyond the reach of common masses. He said that SAD-BJP government was trying to help poor by providing subsidized Atta and Dal to 17 lac poor families of the state.
Later addressing the representatives of different wards of Jalalabad during Sangat Darshan program, Mr. Badal announced Rs 15 Crore grant for development of road network, Rs 20 Lakh for Fire Brigade, 5 Lakhs for Dharamshala besides construction of 2 power grids, 4 ultra RO systems in slum areas and a suwidha kendar for the constituency. Deputy CM said that he had fulfilled his promises made during elections by opening Girls College at the cost of Rs 13 Crore, laying sewerage and water treatment plant worth Rs 18 Crore and building ultra moderen building of judicial comlex worth Rs 14 Crore. He said that SAD-BJP had already spent Rs 1 Crore for installing 2 water supply tanks besides 4 tube wells in Jalalabad town.
Prominent amongst others Mr. Sher Singh Ghubaya, MP, Mr. Gurtej Singh Guriana, MLA, Mr. Tota Singh, former Education Minister, Mr. Parmjit Singh Sandu, former MLA, Mr. Sukhpal Singh Nannu, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Mrs. Minakshi Verma, President Nagar Council Jalalabad, Mr. Rohit Vohra, Chairman District Cooperative Bank Ferozepur and Dr. Ashwani Midda, District Vice President BJP were also present on the occasion.
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Khangura asks transport minister to reveal names

Qila Raipur MLA Jassi Khangura today asked the Transport Minister Master Mohan Lal to reveal the names of the powerful and influential people who had manipulated the transport business in the state and had walked away with the plum profit making routes.

Reacting to the statement of the minister that the transport business had been manipulated by a few powerful people in the state, Khangura welcomed his frank admissions and urged the minister to go a step further and reveal the names of those who have been manipulating the business.
The Qila Raipur MLA agreed with the Minister that the transport business was being held as a monopoly by a select few powerful people of the state that had led to huge losses to the Punjab Road Transport Corporation.

Khangura told the minister, “I am sure, like me and everybody else in Punjab you know it too well as who has manipulated and monopolized the transport business in the state it would be better if you bring everything on record”.

Reiterating his demand that transport sector should be liberalized and the system of route permits should be done away with, Khangura said, this will help in improving the services besides ending corruption in the transport department as also ending the privileged monopoly of a few.

However, the Qila Raipur MLA expressed full sympathies with the minister, saying, given the clout of the powerful people he (the minister) is referring to, it is practically impossible at this state to cleanse the system. “The least he could do is to tell people who among the powerful people owns how many buses in the state, just for the record as otherwise everybody knows everything about the issue”, he remarked.
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FOCUS ON CRIME PREVENTION - SUKHBIR DIRECTS DISTRICT POLICE CHIEFS

· CONDUCT SURPRISE RAIDS ON THANAS
· SUKHBIR FOR CAMPAIGN TO ARREST 18000 POS
· 50% POS SHOULD BE BEHIND BARS WITHIN 6 MONTHS
· STREAMLINE TRAFFIC IN CITIES WITHIN 15 DAYS



Chandigarh, December 14: Prevention of crime and changing the face of police were the two 'mool mantras' offered by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal to District Police Chiefs in their monthly performance review meeting held here today.

Presiding over the meeting attended by DGP Mr. P.S. Gill and top brass of the police force here today Mr. Badal said that as the Home Minister he has tried to provide all facilities, promotional channels to the Punjab Police besides world class infrastructure support and he would not accept any laxity by any District Police Chief in maintaining law and order in his respective districts. He said that Punjab Police would have to focus on prevention of petty crimes like snatchings, thefts and burglaries besides checking forcible illegal possession of properties. He said that any police official/officer giving tacit support to any party indulging in illegal possession of property or found guilty of registering concocted cases would be given severest possible punishment. He said that rather than beating the bush after occurrence of crime, the focus should be on prevention of crime. He said that crime could be prevented by identifying and busting gangs, keeping surveillance of habitual offenders, using latest technology to track them and by strengthening intelligence gathering network.

Expressing concern over 18,000 plus proclaimed offenders in a small state of Punjab, Mr. Badal said that Punjab Police should launch a special drive to nab proclaimed offenders and within six months 50% POs should be behind the bars. He also asked them to categorize POs as A,B and C categories and focus should be on nabbing POs charged with heinous crime. He also took strong note of traffic indiscipline in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Patiala and asked the Commissioners/SSPs to coordinate with civil administration and streamline the traffic within 15 days.

Mr. Badal said that while ascertaining the performance of SSPs, focus would be on perception of public regarding corruption in Police in that district, petty crimes, seizure of drugs, major crime detection, arrest of POs, conviction rate and the performance of SSPs would reflect in their annual appraisal reports. He said that, similarly the performance of DIGs/ Range and Zonal IGs would be judged by crime situation in their areas.
Asking the IGs/DIGs and SSPs to conduct surprise raids on Thanas and Nakas to check irregularities, Mr. Badal said that he expected leaders to be on move rather than remaining confined in "air-conditioned offices".
Focusing on drastic reduction in crime, Mr. Badal said that Police besides showing its presence by sustained patrolling, has to involve community by winning their confidence. He asked SSPs to regularly renew the list of bad characters in their areas and keep an eye on any stranger in their respective areas.
Taking a strong note of SSPs taking their "favourite" SHOs along with them, where ever they are posted, Mr. Badal asked DGP to break this nexus and post such "favourite" SHOs in the IRBs.
Seeking the cooperation of District Police Chiefs in making the Saanjh Progamme, a success, Mr. Badal said that it was his vision to provide community out reach centres with each 419 Thanas and 91 Saanjh outlets at Tehsil level would be operational in the first week of April. He said that it was imperative for all district police to make this programme a success by taking personal interest in it.
Announcing major recruitment drive in Punjab Police Force, Mr. Badal said that he has sanctioned recruitment of 6500 constables including 500 lady constables to strengthen the depleting strength of constabulary at Thana level. He said that computer literate Jawans would be encouraged and posted in Saanjh outlets.
Earlier Punjab DGP Mr. P.S. Gill welcomed the Deputy Chief Minister and gave a brief outline of various initiatives being taken for prevention and detection of crime in the state.
On this occasion the Deputy Chief Minister presented Police Commendation Discs to Station House Officers of three Police Stations namely police station Sadar Ludhiana, Samrala and Bhikhiwind, that were adjudged as the three best Police stations of the state in a recent visitor week organized through out the State. Mr. A.R. Talwar, Principal Secretary Home and Mr. Viswajeet Khanna, Prinicpal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister were also present in the meeting.

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MAJOR RELIEF TO PUNJAB EMPLOYEESFIRST INSTALLMENT OF ARREARS ENHANCED FROM 33% TO 40%

Chandigarh, December 14: The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal has directed the enhancement of the first installment of arrears to the state government employees from earlier stipulated level of 33% to 40 % and first installment of arrears would be paid to the employees with the salary of April, 2011. The employees and pensioners are to get arrears due to hike in pay w.e.f. 1-1-2006 to 31-7-2009 as per the recommendations of 5th Pay Commission amounting to over Rs. 7200 crores. A formal decision to this effect was taken in a meeting with representative of Mulazam Front Punjab headed by Mr. Surinder Singh Pehalwan, Chairman Punjab Mulazam Bhalai Board late last night. According to the decision the arrears would be paid in three installments of 40%, 30% and 30% payable in May, 2011, May 2012 and May, 2013 respectively. 50% of each installment would be credited in GP fund accounts of employees while the remaining 50% would be paid in cash. Mr. Badal said that it was SAD-BJP Government that has constituted and implemented all the five Pay Commissions in the State. He said that SAD-BJP government was fully alive to the demands of employees and sorting them out on priority. He also directed the Chief Secretary to collect details from all departments regarding number of adhoc employees in each department and coordinate with Finance and Personnel Departments to examine the long pending demand of the employees relating to the regularization of the adhoc and work charged employees as per latest rulings of Apex Court. Expressing concern over stagnation of teachers and headmasters, Mr. Badal asked Secretary, School Education to finalize the seniority list of all employees of education department by January 2011 and effect the promotions in a time-bound amnner. Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Chief Secretary Mr. S.C Agrawal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. D.S Guru, Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Viswajit Khanna , Principal Secretary Finance Mr. Mr. K.B.S Sidhu, Financial Commissioner Development Mr. N.S. Kang, Financial Commissioner Animal Husbandry Mr. G.S. Sandhu, Principal Secretary Home & Health Mr. A.R. Talwar, Financial Commissioner Rural Development Mr. Jagpal Singh Sandhu, Secretary Personnel Mr. B.S. Sudan, besides other senior Officers of the state administration. Employee associations were represened by Mr. Surinder Singh Pehlwan, Chairman Punjab Mulazam Bhalai Board, Mr. Gurpreet Singh Raju Khanna, Chairman Youth Vikas Board Punjab, Mr. Harpal Singh Teja, Secretary General Mulazam Front Punjab, Mr. Karamjit Singh Bhagrana , Mr. Hardev Singh Jawandha, Mr. Jagtar Singh Dhurkot, Ms. Paramjit Kaur Hundal, Mr. Manjit Singh Chahal, Mr. B.S. Sekhon, Mr. Jagtar Singh Pandher, Mr. Gurdeep Singh Dhillon, Mr. Gurdeep Singh Dhingi, Mr. Sukhbir Moga, Mr. Jagtar Jhabbar, Mr. Amrinder, Mr. Tejinder Sanghreri, Mr. Gurwail Balpuria, Mr. Gaurcharan Kauli, Mr. Kudeep Pandhori, Mr. Jarnail Singh.
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SHIROMANI AKALI DAL
CONGRESS’S OPPOSITION TO REFINERY A DEEP ROOTED CONSPIRACY-SAD
AMARINDER TRYING TO CREATE SCARE AMONGST INVESTORS IN PUNJAB-DR. CHEEMA


Chandigarh, December 14 : Shiromani Akali Dal on Tuesday said that the stand of the Punjab congress party against the Bathinda refinery was a deep rooted conspiracy against the Punjab by the national party and former Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh was trying to create scare amongst the investors in Punjab whose silence on stalling refinery work for five years of his rule has exposed his collusion with the anti refinery lobby.

In a statement released from the party head office here today SAD Secretary and Spokesman Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said that Punjab congress was opposing the refinery project in a deep rooted conspiracy as on one hand successive congress governments at the Centre had given incentives and tax holiday to Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and other states which had caused immense loss to the state and now state body of the congress was opposing major projects of the state which clears shows that aim and objective of the congress was to make the state industrially backward.

Making a scathing attack on former Chief Minister Dr. Cheema said that he should first make assessment of the loss Punjab has suffered due to tax holidays given to the hilly states which resulted in migration of Industry of the Punjab to these states. He said that this migration led to huge loss of revenue of the state for which only congress alone is responsible.

Terming him as anti Punjab leader Dr. Cheema said that SAD-BJP government has worked hard in last four years to create an atmosphere to woo the investors to invest in Punjab with establishment of world class infrastructure but congress leader with his statements was all out to create scare amongst the investors against making investment for big projects in the state.

SAD leader asked the Punjab congress Chief to make public the reasons for which work on the refinery project was stalled during the tenure of congress government. He said that congress was still in the dilemma as whether it should claim credit for the establishment of the refinery project or oppose the project which was all set to contribute huge revenue to the state.

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Revised Statement by Harsimrat Kaur Badal on incident involving Indian diplomat Hardeep Puri
Shiromani Akali Dal Bathinda M.P. Harsimrat Kaur Badal today called upon the Government of India to undertake a comprehensive diplomatic initiative to put a decisive end to cases of assaults on Sikh symbols in several parts of the world.


Ms. Badal was reacting to the incident involving Indian diplomat Hardeep Singh Puri who was asked by the US airport security officials to remove his turban as part of frisking. She described the incident as “an outrage not just against Sikh religious sentiments but against all civilized norms of conduct. She lauded the action of Mr. Puri in resisting this attack on his religious identity.

In a statement here, Ms. Badal urged Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to issue strict instructions to the Ministry for External Affairs to circulate an advisory to all Indian High Commissions, embassies and diplomatic missions abroad for taking special steps to stop such incidents in future in their respective countries . She said that the government of India must insist not only an unqualified apology form the offending countries but also fool proof guarantees against the recurrence of such ugly incidents. She regretted that the Government of India was soft paddling the issue of ban on wearing of turbans in schools in France. “I have an uncomfortable feeling that our government did not press that matter hard enough with the visiting French President Nicolos Sarcozy. This must count as a diplomatic failure of a high order as the issue concerned not only the religious sentiments of the Sikhs but also the wider issue of freedom of conscience and religious tolerance which both India and France swear by,” said Ms. Badal who had been in the fore-front of the move to help the Sikhs in France against this interference in their sensitive religious affairs.

The SAD MP further said that her party along with other constituents of the NDA and all opposition parties would put pressure on the government of India for taking a pro-active stand on the issue.
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Demands for extra incentives for refinery are disingenuous: Manpreet

Former Finance Minister, Manpreet Badal, came out strongly against the idea of giving fresh incentives to the Bathinda refinery. Manpreet, who as finance minister was leading the the high level committee set up by the Punjab government in 2007 to talk to the refinery authorities said, “Our committee had numerous meetings with the the refinery authorities. Letters were exchanged between the government and Mr LN Mittal. But at no point, could they give us a convincing argument as to why these extra concessions should be given.” He added that the argument given by the refinery authorities that more concessions need to be given in view of global downturn post autumn of 2008 was disingenuous. “The demand for concessions was in fact articulated to me in a letter by Arun Balakrishnan, Chairman of the Guru Gobind Singh Refineries Limited. The letter dates Oct 17, 2007.”

The incentives asked by the refinery authorities include an interest subsidy for a period of 15 years, funding of 100 per cent interest cost for investment made in Petrochemical units and a soft loan of Rs 1000 crores. “If we quantify these benefits, they amount to Rs 5000 crore, which is four times the amount of benefits that have already been given to this refinery. Such exorbitant incentives will put a great strain on state’s finances. This will also lead to significant tax loss to state in future.”

He added that he is not against refinery and Punjab should in fact aggressively pursue investment in agriculture, industry and services. “However, we cannot set a bad precedent by changing the terms of contract just to appease a particular investor. The MOU and the associated contracts were signed by the Punjab government and the GGS Refinery limited which is a joint venture between HPCL and Mittal Energy. At that time, they were fully aware of the conditions and entered into the contract with their eyes open. It is surprising that shortly after signing of contract they started demanding extra concessions."
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MAJOR RELIEF TO PUNJAB EMPLOYEES
FIRST INSTALLMENT OF ARREARS ENHANCED FROM 33% TO 40%


Chandigarh, December 14: The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal has directed the enhancement of the first installment of arrears to the state government employees from earlier stipulated level of 33% to 40 % and first installment of arrears would be paid to the employees with the salary of April, 2011. The employees and pensioners are to get arrears due to hike in pay w.e.f. 1-1-2006 to 31-7-2009 as per the recommendations of 5th Pay Commission amounting to over Rs. 7200 crores.
A formal decision to this effect was taken in a meeting with representative of Mulazam Front Punjab headed by Mr. Surinder Singh Pehalwan, Chairman Punjab Mulazam Bhalai Board late last night.
According to the decision the arrears would be paid in three installments of 40%, 30% and 30% payable in May, 2011, May 2012 and May, 2013 respectively. 50% of each installment would be credited in GP fund accounts of employees while the remaining 50% would be paid in cash.

Mr. Badal said that it was SAD-BJP Government that has constituted and implemented all the five Pay Commissions in the State. He said that SAD-BJP government was fully alive to the demands of employees and sorting them out on priority.

He also directed the Chief Secretary to collect details from all departments regarding number of adhoc employees in each department and coordinate with Finance and Personnel Departments to examine the long pending demand of the employees relating to the regularization of the adhoc and work charged employees as per latest rulings of Apex Court.

Expressing concern over stagnation of teachers and headmasters, Mr. Badal asked Secretary, School Education to finalize the seniority list of all employees of education department by January 2011 and effect the promotions in a time-bound amnner.

Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Chief Secretary Mr. S.C Agrawal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. D.S Guru, Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Viswajit Khanna , Principal Secretary Finance Mr. Mr. K.B.S Sidhu, Financial Commissioner Development Mr. N.S. Kang, Financial Commissioner Animal Husbandry Mr. G.S. Sandhu, Principal Secretary Home & Health Mr. A.R. Talwar, Financial Commissioner Rural Development Mr. Jagpal Singh Sandhu, Secretary Personnel Mr. B.S. Sudan, besides other senior Officers of the state administration.

Employee associations were represened by Mr. Surinder Singh Pehlwan, Chairman Punjab Mulazam Bhalai Board, Mr. Gurpreet Singh Raju Khanna, Chairman Youth Vikas Board Punjab, Mr. Harpal Singh Teja, Secretary General Mulazam Front Punjab, Mr. Karamjit Singh Bhagrana , Mr. Hardev Singh Jawandha, Mr. Jagtar Singh Dhurkot, Ms. Paramjit Kaur Hundal, Mr. Manjit Singh Chahal, Mr. B.S. Sekhon, Mr. Jagtar Singh Pandher, Mr. Gurdeep Singh Dhillon, Mr. Gurdeep Singh Dhingi, Mr. Sukhbir Moga, Mr. Jagtar Jhabbar, Mr. Amrinder, Mr. Tejinder Sanghreri, Mr. Gurwail Balpuria, Mr. Gaurcharan Kauli, Mr. Kudeep Pandhori, Mr. Jarnail Singh.
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Major Reforms in revenue acts approved to make them people friendly

• Cabinet decreases VAT on PULSES from 4% to 1%

• Bus Fare Hike of 10 paisa per kilometer approved to off set diesel
price and wage hike

Chandigarh, December 13: The Council of Ministers under the
Chairmanship of Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal
today took a series of decisions approving amendment in various archaic revenue acts to give relief to the people as per recommendations of Governance Reforms Commission. The Cabinet also approved lowering of VAT on pulses from 4% to 1% to give relief to people reeling under raising prices.
Bowing to market compulsions following massive increase in Diesel Price by Government of India and hefty hike in wage bill of both the Punjab Roadways and PRTC, the Punjab Council of Ministers was forced to hike bus fare by 10 paisa per kilometer.
The Council of Ministers met under the Chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal as Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh
Badal is away to USA. The meeting also approved reduction of VAT from
4% to 1% and levy of VAT @ 1% on unbranded Basen. The meeting also approved the amendment in schedule A, B and C of Punjab VAT act 2005 to rationalize it. However, VAT in the case of RCC pipe has been reduced from 12.5% to 5%, in the case of spectacles, goggles /sunglasses to 8%. The Rice husk, De Oiled brand, Phack, Kinki and Nakku have been made tax free.
The Cabinet also approved creation of 656 posts and revival of 336 posts in Health and Family Welfare department to strengthen health infrastructure. 87 posts have been approved for Civil Surgeon Offices whereas 488 posts have been approved from new equipment Centre.
Twenty Seven for Food Inspector have been approved to strengthen anti food adulteration campaign.
The meeting also approved creation of new Sub-Tehsil at Sahnewal in district Ludhiana that would have 1 Kanugo Circle, 13 Patwar Circle and 39 Revenue villages.
The meeting also approved amendment in schedule A, B, D and E of Punjab Value added Tax Act 2005. With these amendments Punjabi Jutti, would be now tax free. The meeting also approved VAT on Transmission towers, Plastic granules @8% (+10 percent surcharge), on pre owned cars @5% (+10 percent surcharge), the rate of C.S.T has been increased
from 1 % to 2% on the interstate sale of papers. The Cabinet also
approved amendments in Punjab Security of Land Tenures Act 1953, Pepsu Tenancy and Agricultural Land Act 1955, Punjab Land Revenue Act 1887 as per recommendations of Punjab Governance Reforms Commission, primarily reduce the level of appeals, simplifying the revenue acts and make them people friendly.

The amendments after approval would be presented to Vidhan Sabha for amendment in the concerned Acts. The Cabinet also approved the constitutions of Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Fund and approved the draft of ordinance for the same. The Cabinet also simplified the Old Age Pension and other Financial Assistance Schemes Rules 1996 keeping in view the difficulty faced by the public.
The Punjab Cabinet today also decided to increase bus fares by 10 paise per kilometer. This increase was announced due to heavy increases in the price of diesel by Union Government since January, 2010. The Central government has increased the price of diesel by 16%

(Rs.4.83) since January,2010. In addition to this the Wage Bill of Punjab Roadways and PRTC have increased by almost 40% on account of increase in salary due to the acceptance of the recommendations of 5th Punjab Pay Commission, increase in D.A. from 27% to 45% since January, 2010, increase in the price of spare parts by 10%, increase in price of tyres / tubes by 46% and increase due to annual increment and toll revision. The price of diesel has risen 281.98% from 1998-1999 to 26-6-2010. The Wage Bill of Punjab Roadways has gone up from Rs. 136 crores to 186 crores on account of these increases in Pay of the employees. Due to these increases in operating costs, the Punjab Roadways has been suffering heavy losses. The Punjab Roadways losses during 2009-10 were Rs. 83.00 crores which are likely to rise to Rs. 92 crores. Similarly the PRTC has been incurring heavy losses and on account of these losses it has not been able to pay retrial benefits to its ex- employees which now have risen to 19 crores. In a recent judgment passed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the salary and vehicles of officers of PRTC have been stopped for its failure to pay retrial benefits. The Bus fares in the adjoining states i.e. Haryana, Himachal and Uttrakhand are already higher than Punjab. The ordinary bus fare in Haryana, Himachal and Uttrakhand are 62.05 paise, 71.12 paise and 63 paise respectively whereas the same is 56 paise in Punjab. Even with this increase of 10 paise, the Punjab Roadways would not be able to wipe out its entire losses which is further likely to increase if any further increase in diesel price is announced by the Central Government. The major factor for increase in operating costs of Transport Sector has been the consistent and substantial increase in the prices of diesel, increase in the salary of employees on account of 5th Punjab Pay Commission on the lines of 6th Pay Commission of Government of India and D.A. increase announced by the Government of India which is followed by the State Govt. These substantial increases are beyond the control of Government of Punjab.

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BITTU CRITICISES CABINET DECISION TO HIKE IN BUS FARE BY 10 PAISE PER KM

Cabinet approval of hiking of bus fares by 10paise per kilometer shows the double standards of the ruling shiromani akali dal – BJP, which says the alliance is working for the common man of the state. This was stated by S Ravnit Bittu, member of parliament from Anandpur saahib. Bittu said that the government claims of being the government of poor is exposed by putting the common man more under pressure by increasing the bus fares by 10paise per kilometer.

This increase would directly benefit the big transporters like the badals, who already have captured transport, sand mining and cable business in the state too. Who travels by these buses is the common poor people of the state. Instead of increasing the fares the government should have gone for some other alternative. Bittu said the youth congress criticices this move of the cabinet. Deputy chief minister should immediately roll back this decision in the favour of the people of punjab.

S RAVNEET BITTU MP
ANANDPUR SAAHIB
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Former Finance Minister and MLA from Gidderbaha, Manpreet Badal, today said that he is filing an application under the Right To Information Act (RTI) to get information on the expenditures made by Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Council of Ministers and the myriad chairpersons in the government under the heads of travelling allowance, daily allowance, medical bills and foreign trips. “Since the government has not responded to my call of issuing a white paper on this expenditure, I have decided to go for RTI. Once the information is out in the public domain, people can themselves see the real situation.”

He said that there was a deliberate attempt by certain people in the government to divert attention from Punjab’s miserable financial condition. “A recent report in a prominent newspaper showed, that the information that certain RTI activists claimed to have extracted against me, was in fact, provided to them by certain petty people in government. These people are making some baseless allegations against me to divert attentions from their own excesses. I am sure that information under RTI will preempt their attempts to shift focus from the ongoing debate on Punjab’s fiscal situation. Also, people can see, how the alleged expenditure made by me, compares the huge bills these people have accumulated.”
The former Finance Minister said that public should not allow any such thing. “We cannot let the debate die down. Punjab cannot afford to be callous about its finances. I only hope that the concerned departments give the information quickly, which in turn will facilitate an intense debate as well as show the extent of wasteful expenditure being done by some people at the cost of exchequer.” He added that as a Finance Minister he was privy to certain information about the unjustified colossal expenditures made by certain people in the government, but decide to procure the information anyways through the RTI. “I don’t think, getting selective news plants in media under the guise of RTI is the correct thing to do. As a finance minister I was privy to a lot of information, but it would be inappropriate for me to use that advantage. This is why I have filed an RTI, which is my right as a citizen of India.”
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Major Reforms in revenue acts approved to make them people friendly

· Cabinet decreases VAT on PULSES from 4% to 1%

· Bus Fare Hike of 10 paisa per kilometer approved to off set diesel price and wage hike

Chandigarh, December 13: The Council of Ministers under the Chairmanship of Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today took a series of decisions approving amendment in various archaic revenue acts to give relief to the people as per recommendations of Governance Reforms Commission. The Cabinet also approved lowering of VAT on pulses from 4% to 1% to give relief to people reeling under raising prices.

Bowing to market compulsions following massive increase in Diesel Price by Government of India and hefty hike in wage bill of both the Punjab Roadways and PRTC, the Punjab Council of Ministers was forced to hike bus fare by 10 paisa per kilometer.

The Council of Ministers met under the Chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal as Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal is away to USA. The meeting also approved reduction of VAT from 4% to 1% and levy of VAT @ 1% on unbranded Basen. The meeting also approved the amendment in schedule A, B and C of Punjab VAT act 2005 to rationalize it. However, VAT in the case of RCC pipe has been reduced from 12.5% to 5%, in the case of spectacles, goggles /sunglasses to 8%. The Rice husk, De Oiled brand, Phack, Kinki and Nakku have been made tax free.
The Cabinet also approved creation of 656 posts and revival of 336 posts in Health and Family Welfare department to strengthen health infrastructure. 87 posts have been approved for Civil Surgeon Offices whereas 488 posts have been approved from new equipment Centre. Twenty Seven for Food Inspector have been approved to strengthen anti food adulteration campaign.

The meeting also approved creation of new Sub-Tehsil at Sahnewal in district Ludhiana that would have 1 Kanugo Circle, 13 Patwar Circle and 39 Revenue villages.

The meeting also approved amendment in schedule A, B, D and E of Punjab Value added Tax Act 2005. With these amendments Punjabi Jutti, would be now tax free. The meeting also approved VAT on Transmission towers, Plastic granules @8% (+10 percent surcharge), on pre owned cars @5% (+10 percent surcharge), the rate of C.S.T has been increased from 1 % to 2% on the interstate sale of papers. The Cabinet also approved amendments in Punjab Security of Land Tenures Act 1953, Pepsu Tenancy and Agricultural Land Act 1955, Punjab Land Revenue Act 1887 as per recommendations of Punjab Governance Reforms Commission, primarily reduce the level of appeals, simplifying the revenue acts and make them people friendly.

The amendments after approval would be presented to Vidhan Sabha for amendment in the concerned Acts. The Cabinet also approved the constitutions of Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Fund and approved the draft of ordinance for the same. The Cabinet also simplified the Old Age Pension and other Financial Assistance Schemes Rules 1996 keeping in view the difficulty faced by the public.
The Punjab Cabinet today also decided to increase bus fares by 10 paise per kilometer. This increase was announced due to heavy increases in the price of diesel by Union Government since January, 2010. The Central government has increased the price of diesel by 16% (Rs.4.83) since January,2010. In addition to this the Wage Bill of Punjab Roadways and PRTC have increased by almost 40% on account of increase in salary due to the acceptance of the recommendations of 5th Punjab Pay Commission, increase in D.A. from 27% to 45% since January, 2010, increase in the price of spare parts by 10%, increase in price of tyres / tubes by 46% and increase due to annual increment and toll revision. The price of diesel has risen 281.98% from 1998-1999 to 26-6-2010. The Wage Bill of Punjab Roadways has gone up from Rs. 136 crores to 186 crores on account of these increases in Pay of the employees. Due to these increases in operating costs, the Punjab Roadways has been suffering heavy losses. The Punjab Roadways losses during 2009-10 were Rs. 83.00 crores which are likely to rise to Rs. 92 crores. Similarly the PRTC has been incurring heavy losses and on account of these losses it has not been able to pay retrial benefits to its ex- employees which now have risen to 19 crores. In a recent judgment passed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the salary and vehicles of officers of PRTC have been stopped for its failure to pay retrial benefits. The Bus fares in the adjoining states i.e. Haryana, Himachal and Uttrakhand are already higher than Punjab. The ordinary bus fare in Haryana, Himachal and Uttrakhand are 62.05 paise, 71.12 paise and 63 paise respectively whereas the same is 56 paise in Punjab. Even with this increase of 10 paise, the Punjab Roadways would not be able to wipe out its entire losses which is further likely to increase if any further increase in diesel price is announced by the Central Government. The major factor for increase in operating costs of Transport Sector has been the consistent and substantial increase in the prices of diesel, increase in the salary of employees on account of 5th Punjab Pay Commission on the lines of 6th Pay Commission of Government of India and D.A. increase announced by the Government of India which is followed by the State Govt. These substantial increases are beyond the control of Government of Punjab.
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AMRITSAR TO HAVE PERMANENT EXPO CENTRE: SUKHBIR SINGH BADAL

Trade inquiries worth more than 250 Crores reported
Amritsar, 12 December 2010
“PHD Chamber has organized Punjab International Trade Expo successfully for the past three years now. Looking at the increase in trade and commerce in the region, the government, in collaboration with PHD Chamber, shall set up a permanent convention centre like pragati maiden, here in Amritsar so that each year such temporary arrangements do not have to be made for trade expo”, said S. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab. He was speaking at the valedictory ceremony of the five day Punjab International Trade Expo PITEX 2010 organised by PHD Chamber. Senior officials of Punjab Government, captains of trade and industry from the region, delegates from Ethiopia, UK, Thailand, Pakistan, Canada, were also present on the occasion.

The ever increasing participation in PITEX shows the keen interest of masses, traders and industry alike, he said.

Badal said that trade in Punjab is growing year on year which is an indicator of the economic growth of Punjab. This is why, he said, the state government is planning two trade expo centres in Punjab, one here at Amritsar and the other at Mohali. The work on trade expo center in Amritsar shall start in 2011, and it shall be completed in next two years. As of now, he said that the state government and PHD chamber organize just one expo in a year. With the setting up of a permanent trade expo center, expos shall become a routine affair.

Badal said that such trade expos not only showcase various products at a single platform, they boost the region’s economy as well. He shared the examples of Frankfurt and Dubai, which did not have any industry or trade of their own but thrive on trade expo centres only and are a hub of economic activity.
He said that Punjab was already on growth trajectory. A refinery with an investment of 20,000 Crores has been set up at Bathinda. New international airports, expressways and power projects are in the offing. Punjab is set to be a power surplus state in next two years. Sharing that international hotel chains like Taj, Sheraton, Best Western are opening hotels in Punjab, he said that Punjab is in for a drastic change in infrastructure since infrastructure only is the key to growth of any economy.

Rajiv Bali, Chairman, Punjab Committee, PHD Chamber said that with international air connectivity in place and the upcoming expressways, Amritsar has a lot of potential to be the Exim hub. A permanent exhibition site and a convention centre are the need of the hour.

“Such trade center would give a fillip to the industry of Amritsar. The idea is to enhance the micro and small industry of the region”, added Bali.

R S Sachdeva, Co-chairman, Punjab Committee, PHD Chamber informed that trade inquiries worth more than 250 Crores have been reported. However, at the time of filing the release, there was lot of rush and the traders were hopeful that they would be receiving lot more trade queries.

“Such expos provide business communities of the participating countries to set up common markets and work with each other to uplift the trade in future. They also provide a common platform to the businessmen, traders, entrepreneurs and industrialists to showcase their offerings and network with the best”, said Dalip Sharma, Regional Director, PHD Chamber.

Sharma said, "The State Government of Punjab has to play the pivotal role of facilitator in inviting private sector participation/investments and encouraging the creation of long term partnerships for filling in the gaps existing in the system".

PITEX 2010 is north India's first truly international show with more than 30% exhibitors from foreign countries and balance 70% exhibitors comprising of leading trade and industries from India and her south Asian neighbors, added Dalip Sharma.
PITEX 10 witnessed huge rush of visitors. More than 2 lakh visitors visited the fair over the five days of the vibrant show. PITEX2010 evinced keen interest from Indian manufacturing industry, trade bodies an


 

 


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