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BADAL ANNOUNCES BURIAL GROUND ACROSS THE STATE FOR CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIM COMMUNITY

ASKS PEOPLE TO DESIST NEFARIOUS DESIGNS OF ANTI SOCIAL ELEMENTS TO MAINTAIN PEACE AND HARMONY

 CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 23:

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today announced that the Punjab government would provide land for burial ground for the Christian and Muslim communities in all the towns and villages of the state. 

            Presiding over a state level function of Merry Christmas here at the Circus Ground, Mr. Badal categorically stated that the state government would provide land for burial ground to both these communities either from the panchayat land or in case of non availability of such land it would even purchase for this social cause.  The Chief Minister also asked the Chairman of the Punjab state Minorities Commission Mr. Munawar Masih, who earlier presented a memorandum of demands on behalf of the Christian community to him, to immediately provide the list of such towns and villages to the state government where there were no cemeteries to enable the state government to take a prompt action in this regard.

            The Chief Minister also announced to allot a suitable site of 4 kanal for the construction of church and a community hall at Mohali and directed the Chief Administrator GMADA to immediately initiate requisite formalities for the allotment of said plot to the Christian community.

            Extending his heartiest felicitations to all the Punjabis especially the Christian brethren on the auspicious occasion, Mr. Badal said that the gospels of peace, love, amity and compassion preached by Lord Jesus Christ were as relevant today as was in his time.  He urged the people to follow these teachings in true spirit and asked the members of the Christian community to work for the welfare of their brethren who were socially and financially weak.  He hoped that such joyous occasions would help to strengthen the bonds of universal brotherhood and communal harmony besides inspiring the people to dedicate themselves in the services of the mankind to carve out a happy and harmonious society.  

The Chief Minister said the SAD-BJP government was committed for the welfare of the downtrodden and oppressed sections of the society and many initiatives had been taken by it and the establishment of Punjab State Minorities Commission was also a step in this direction to safeguard the rights of the minority communities.   He also impressed upon the members of the all communities of Punjab to participate collectively in the sacred occasions like Eid, Christmas, Gurpurab and Hindu festivals etc. with enthusiasm and fervour rising above the petty considerations of caste, colour, creed and religion. The Chief Minister appreciated Mr. Masih for organizing this well attended function and said such functions should be commemorated in the same spirit in future also.

            Sounding a note of caution, Mr. Badal appealed the
people of Punjab to maintain peace and communal harmony in the state at all costs as none of any nation or state could ever make progress and development in the wake of communal frenzy.  The Chief Minister said that no one would be allowed to disturb the hard earned atmosphere of peace and communal harmony and hurt the sentiments of any community.  He cautioned the people to beware of such anti-social and divisive forces which were bent upon to disturb peace and harmony in the state.   He sought blessings from Jesus Christ for the maintenance of peace, love and communal harmony in the state to usher an era of overall growth and development of the state. 

           Making a scathing attack on the Congress led UPA government, Mr. Badal said that it had miserably failed on all fronts and had become a centre stage of major scandals and scams of corruption instead of having claimed to provide efficient and clean governance to the people.  The UPA government had shown complete insensitivity towards the ever rising inflation thereby making the life of a common man hell who was finding it extremely difficult to meet his both ends.   The price of onion Rs.70 to Rs.90 per Kg was just a tip of ice berg depicting its complete inefficiency to control spiraling prices of the essential commodities.  He lamented that the common man which was 'Aam Adami' in the parlance of congress was still targeted for its apathy and was made a salve   economically.  He called for a crusade for get rid of him from this economic slavery.  

            Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion included Agriculture Minister Mr. Sucha Singh Langha, Education Minister Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Bishop of Jalandhar Church Father Anil Kuto, Father Prema Nand, Member Minority Commission Mr. Abdul Shakur Mangat, Father Thomas and Pastor Mr. SS Sadiq from Ambala. 

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34 Public Holidays in 2011 by Punjab Government

Notification--The  22nd  December,2010  

 No.6/29/2010-6PP-III/1721       It is hereby notified that the holidays enumerated in the schedule below shall be observed as Public Holidays in the public offices under the Punjab Government during the calendar year 2011: -

SCHEDULE

 

Sr.

No.

Name of the Holiday(s)

Date on which they fall

Day of the week

1

2

3

4

 

All Saturdays

 

 

 

All Sundays

 

 

 

 

Other Holidays

 

 

1.       

Birthday of  Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji

11th January

Tuesday

2.       

Republic Day

26th January

Wednesday

3.       

Basant Panchmi/ Birthday of Satguru Ram Singh Ji

8th February

Tuesday

4.       

Birthday of Sri Guru Ravidass Ji

18th February

Friday

5.       

Maha Shivaratri 

2nd March

Wednesday

6.       

Holi

20th March

Sunday

7.       

Shahidi Divas S. Bhagat Singh Ji

23rd March

Wednesday

8.       

Ram Navami

12th April

Tuesday

9.       

Vaisakhi

14th April

Thursday

10.   

Birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

14th April

Thursday

11.   

Mahavir Jayanti

16th April

Saturday

12.   

Good Friday

22nd  April

Friday

13.   

May Day

1st May

Sunday

14.   

Lord Parshuram Jayanti 

6th May

Friday

15.   

Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Arjun Dev Ji

5th June

Sunday

16.   

Kabir Jayanti

15th June

Wednesday

17.   

Martyrdom Day of Shahid Udham Singh

31st July

Sunday

18.   

Independence day 

15th August

Monday

19.   

Janmashtami

22nd August

Monday

20.   

Idu’l  Fitr

31st August

Wednesday

21.   

Parkash Utsav Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

1st September

Thursday

22.   

Birthday of  Baba Sri Chand Ji

6th September

Tuesday

23.   

Birthday of  S. Bhagat Singh Ji

28th September

Wednesday

24.   

Agarsain Jayanti

28th September

Wednesday

25.   

Birthday of Mahatma Gandhi Ji

2nd October

Sunday

26.   

Dussehra

6th October

Thursday

27.   

Birthday of Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji

9th October

Sunday

28.   

Birthday of Maharishi Valmiki Ji

11th October

Tuesday

29.   

Diwali

26th October

Wednesday

30.   

Vishwakarma Day

27th October

Thursday

31.   

Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid)

7th November

Monday

32.   

Birthday of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji

10th November

Thursday

33.   

Martyrdom Day of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Ji                              

24th November

Thursday

34.   

Christmas day

25th December

Sunday

 

Note: 1:           Besides the above holidays, each employee will also be permitted to avail himself/herself any two (2) holidays to be chosen by him/her out of the Restricted Holidays below during the Calendar Year, 2011:-

 

Sr.

No.

Name of the Holiday(s)

Date on which they fall

Day of the week

 

1

2

3

4

 

  1.  

New Year Day

1st January

Saturday

  1.  

Lohri

13th January

Thursday

  1.  

Nirwan Diwas of Bhagwan Adinath Ji

1st February

Tuesday

  1.  

Birthday of Prophet Mohammad Sahib (Milad-un-Nabi or Id-e-Milad)

16th February

Wednesday

  1.  

International Women Day

8th March

Tuesday

  1.  

Hola Mohalla

20th March

Sunday

  1.  

Buddh Purnima

17th May

Tuesday

Nirjala Ekadashi

12th June

Sunday

  1.  

Death Anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Ji

29th June

Wednesday

  1.  

Birthday of Baba Jiwan Singh Ji 

5th September

Monday

  1.  

Anant Chaturdashi

11th September

Sunday

  1.  

Karva Chauth

15th October

Saturday

  1.  

Birthday of Baba Banda Singh Ji Bahadur

16th October

Sunday

  1.  

Birthday of Sant Nam Dev ji

26th October

Wednesday

  1.  

Goverdhan Pooja

27th October

Thursday

  1.  

New Punjab Day

1st November

Tuesday

  1.  

Muharram

6th December

Tuesday

  1.  

Jor Mela Fatehgarh Sahib

26th, 27th & 28th December

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday

 

Note 2:            The festival of ‘Raksha Bandhan’ falls on 13th  August 2011  (Saturday). As such Punjab Government offices/ Institutions

working on Saturday will open at 11:00 AM on that day.

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CONGRESS SHYING AWAY FROM JPC TO PROTECT THE IDENTITY OF "REAL BENEFICIARY" OF 2G BOOTY -SEKHWAN

·       CONGRESS AND SCAMS ARE SYNONYMOUS

·       TRIPLING THE PRICE OF  ONIONS IN THREE DAYS SMELLS OF A MULTI BILLION SCAM

Chandigarh, December 22:   Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Member Political Affairs Committee and Spokesperson of Shiromani Akali Dal today said that Congress Party was shying away from the Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into Rs. 1.76 lac crores 2G scam to protect identity of real beneficiaries of this booty as it fears that this probe may not unveil its deep rooted connections to 10 Janpath.

          In a statement issued here today Mr. Sekhwan said that Congress was insisting on CBI probe as they have converted this agency into Congress Bureau of Investigation to fix political opponents and utilize its services to give clean chits to Tytlers, Sajjans and Rathores. He said that common public has lost faith in CBI and moreover CBI can only investigate into criminal angle of scam and can not unravel the hidden hand and real beneficiaries of this largest ever scam of the World.  He said that PM's offer to appear before Public Accounts Committee was travesty of jurisprudence as no accused can decide about the choice of the bench that would hear its case.

          Calling Congress as synonymous of scams, Mr. Sekhwan said that Congress rule always witnessed scams and every scam tried to outdo the magnanimity of its earlier scam to create a new bench mark. He said that Congress party has institutionalized corruption and no organ of the Congress led UPA government has escaped its infection.

          He said that the simultaneous tripling of rate of onions in three days through out the country shows the level of organized price manipulation in the prices of essential commodities that can not be possible without the collusion and connivance of Union government. He said that this price rise of onions smells of a multibillion scam and Congress was trying to brush this under the carpet terming it as due to "un-seasonal rains in October". He said that Congress led UPA that had made Dal out of reach of common people was bent upon denying 'Chuttany' by making onions dearer then apples.

          Mr. Sekhwan said that time has come that Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh should come clear on all these scams and agree to JPC probe in 2G scam to protect  his hard earned credibility and respect.  

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PUNJAB PROVIDES PLACEMENTS TO 5036 TRAINEES-

SWARNA RAM Chandigarh December 22

      To provide jobs to the professional diploma holders, the Punjab Government has provided jobs to 5036 trainee's entrepreneurs in to different private establishments. Disclosing this here today Ch.

Swarna Ram, Technical Education and Industrial Training Minister Punjab, said that the state government has committed to provides jobs to the trainees and professions being trained in various polytechnics, Information Technology Institutions and industrial trainings

institutions(ITIs) in the state. The academic and training institutions have been asked to shape their courses and training at per the need and skill based requirements to different trades.

      The Minister emphasis that Industrial Training department had organized an employment fair at Ludhiana during which 33 firms/companies have proposed 4018 vacancies for 32 trades for the entrepreneurs. During this mega job fair about 4000 trainees/students have participate out of which 1342 job seekers were selected by the companies and 1470 professionals were short listed for future placements.

      The Minister further added that the department has focused their attention to provide jobs to the trainees. In furtherance of this initiative the department has established 20 Training Career Counseling and Placement Cells (TCPC) in all the ITI's to provide jobs to the students a their doorstep. It was earnest desire of the SAD-BJP government to provide employment to the youth to channelise the youth energy for the overall development of the state.

      He further added that during the year in the last sixth months these TCPC's have conducted 37 campus interviews and was able to provide placements to 3694 trainees.

      He also said that the department officers and the technical institutes have been directed to pay their attention to the placements for the trainees in the state.

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BROADEN THE COMPOSITION OF DISTRICT PLANNING COMMITTEES-FM

STRESSES INTEGRATED & EFFECTIVE PLANNING AT GRASS ROOT LEVEL

Chandigarh December 21: To make District Planning Committees (DPCs) more effective and result oriented, the State Finance and Planning Minister Dr Upinderjit Kaur emphasised to broaden the composition of committees so that there should be an integrated and effective planning at the grass root level for inclusive growth. She was presiding over a planning and pre-budget meet with chairpersons of various DPCs, Planning and Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration Punjab (MGSIPAP) here today.

The Finance Minister stressed that effective planning at the lower level in the districts would ensure proper convergence and utilizations of funds for the overall development of villages and towns as envisioned by the SAD-BJP Government. "There must be a participatory planning and involvement of community for successful implementation of various development plans based on specific endowments and needs of the area", she added.

            Dr. Upinderjit Kaur asked for the effective during utilization of various funds and grants used for development works by the various institutions or departments in a transparent manner for proper use of funds in the state. The Minister stressed that the effective planning and with monitoring arrangement at village/town level could unleash the era of inclusive growth and development.

In this meeting Mr Rajinder Bhandari Vice Chairman Punjab State Planning Board, Chairpersons of various DPCs included Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Bibi Jagir Kaur, Mr Surjit Singh Rakhra, Mr Gobind Singh Longowal, Mr Resham Singh Thiara, Mr Vir Singh Lopoke, Mr Harmit Singh Sandhu, Tarsem Singh Ratia, Mr Manjit Singh Raipur, Mr Bhag Singh Mallah, Mr Amarjit Singh Sahi and Mr. B.K. Srivastva Director General MGSIPAP, Director Mr Kirpa Shankar Saroj also spoke on the occasion. Among others Mr. Parveen Kumar Deputy Commissioner SAS Nagar and all Additional Deputy Commissioners (Development) were also present in the meeting.

HS Grewal

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BADAL CALLS PEOPLE TO  VISIT FATEHGARH SAHIB TO PAY GLORIOUS TRIBUTES BABA ZORAWAR SINGH, BABA FATEH SINGH AND MATA GUJRI JI THIS YEAR

CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 21:

            Punjab Chief Minister Mr.Parkash Singh Badal today called upon the people from allover the World to visit Fatehgarh Sahib to pay tributes to younger Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh ji, Baba Fateh Singh ji and Mata Gujri Ji on the historic occasion of 306th martyrdom day during Shaheedi Samagam being organized from December 26 to 28, 2010.

          Mr. Badal was presiding over a meeting here to review the arrangements of Shaheedi Jormel in which MLAs and party leaders from four districts of Mohali, Patiala, Ropar and  Fatehgarh Sahib also participated.

           Reminding of glorious saga of rich heritage Mr. Badal urged the Sikh Sangat (devotees) to pay their obeisance at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib on this historic occasion.

It may be recalled here that under the leadership of Mr. Badal the state Government is setting up three historic memorials at Chapparchiri (SAS Nagar), Kup Ruhira (Malerkotla) and Chhamb Kahnuwan (Gurdaspur) at a cost of Rs.44 crore to commemorate the victory of Sirhind by Baba Banda Singh Bhadur and in the memory of Chotta and Wadda Ghallughara martyrs respectively.

            Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included President SGPC Jathedar Avtar Singh, Former Deputy Speaker Lok Sabha S. Charanjit Singh Atwal, Advisor to Chief Minister Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, President SAD (NRI Wing) S. Surjit Singh Rakhara, General Sectary SAD Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra,  Chairman Punjab State Backward Classes Commission Prof. Kirpal Singh Badungar, Former Minister S. Harmel Sing Tohra, S. Jasjit Singh Bunny MLA Banur, S. Ujagar Singh Badali MLA Morinda besides the senior leaders of the SAD, members of SGPC

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AMARINDER STRUCK WITH BADAL PHOBIA -MAJITHIA

Muktsar/Faridkot, December 21:  Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Patron Youth Akali Dal today said that Amarinder was struck with Badal phobia and he can not offer anything else except vendetta politics against Akalis.

        Addressing a Youth Akali Dal workers rally, Mr. Majithia said that Amarinder was a closed minded, visionless and destructive individual who cannot offer any development for the people of Punjab. Majithia described Amarinder as an old style politician with vendettas and pride-driven politics that are undermining Punjab’s accomplishments over the past 4 years. He said that the former Chief Minister was moving with a single track agenda of destroying achievements made by Punjab and by doing so he has put aside the welfare of the people of the state for his petty political ambitions.

Majithia pointed out senior congress leaders who have spoken in favor of the vision and policies of Sadar Parkash Singh Badal and Sadar Sukhbir Singh Badal. Majithia said that Haryana CM Bhupinder Hooda recently recommended in a report to a center committee on development that the center should better compensate the farmer via higher MSP to help stimulate greater growth, something Sadar Badal has been fighting for over 40 years. Hooda was accompanied by senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa in saying that a growth of power generation will help grow the economies of the state, something Sadar Sukhbir Singh Badal has shown great leadership in by commissioning 4 new thermal plants in the state

Taking on Amarinder on the Power supply situation in the state Mr. Majithia said that Captain was in no position to speak about power issue at all. Majithia asked why Captain was unable to increase the power generation by even a single unit in his five year tenure and also was unable to lobby his center Congress for any new thermal plants in the state. Majithia said that Amarinder is rudderless leader who needs to get his facts straight in relation with the Bhatinda Refinery; he said Amarinders propaganda is fuelled by misleading information which only hurts the people of the state.

 Majithia said Captain is in no position to discuss the injustices endured by the farmers of the state as he failed to protest a so called agricultural debt waiver tabled by the Congress led UPA government on the eve of Parliamentary elections, in which Punjab farmers were offered 1% of the total farmers aid package for the entire country. Majithia said this was beyond laughable as Punjab comprises over 50% of the agriculture yield of the entire country and received a debt waiver of only 1%.

Majithia said that criminal silence of the Punjab Congress leadership on keeping 99% farmers of Punjab out of its ambit shows their real concern for the farming community of Punjab and Majithia discussed the current inflation issues plaguing the state and the fact that farmers are not realizing any higher income from the fiscal imbalance created by the corrupt Congress regime.

Majithia lashed out at the Congress led center government for price fixing and playing politics which have benefited congress party backed hoarders in the country. Majithia said that the record increase of price of onions from a 28Rs price to that of more than 70Rs per kilo has crippled the poor and has only benefitted the hoarders who have once again taken advantage of a corrupt Congress government. The country was victimized earlier this year by sugar prices being manipulated to benefit the same group of price fixers. Majithia attacked the Congress in that they lacked good governance on this issue and did not act quickly enough to help the poor who can’t afford these prices and helped benefit a few by price fixing.

         Ridiculing the statement of Sonia for fast track courts on corruption cases, Mr. Majithia said that the Congress Party that could not provide justice to the families of 3000 Sikhs butchered by Congress leaders in one of the worst ethnic cleansing in history, has no hope of justice for the impoverished people of the state who lost out the most. Majithia added that till the country can be done with the Gandhi family the country can never be free from corruption.

        In closing, Majithia took a shot at the SAD deserter Manpreet Badal and revelations that his group of supporters was never united in any cause but rather a group of opportunistic politicians looking to fool the people of the state. Majithia attacked Manpreet for asking MLA Charnjit Channi to support his opportunistic agenda until Amarinder was to become the congress chief.

        Majithia went on to label Manpreet’s yatra as “MAMA JAGO YATRA” as the only supporters he had left were relatives of his. Majithia attacked Manpreet for being a hypocrite as he has been out being a master of double speak with respect to not having family ties among political leaders, something Majithia added was a double standard as all Manpreet is left with are those who are in a circumstance of supporting due to blood lines.

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MAJOR DHILLON APPOINTED AS POLITICAL SECRETARY TO CHIEF MINISTER

Chandigarh, December 21:

                   The Punjab Government has appointed Major Bhupinder Singh Dhillon as Political Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal in the rank of minister of state with immediate effect.

                   Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's office said that Major Dhillon had also served earlier in the same capacity during the last tenure of SAD-BJP government from 1997 to 2002.

          Born to S. Gurraj Singh Dhillon, Ex-Member Parliament on 20th July 1948 at village Badal in Muktsar district, Major Dhillon after completing his education at Lawrence School Sanawar did his training at National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun and was commissioned as 2nd Lieut on 21st December, 1969.

Major Dhillon took part in Indo- Pak war in 1971. He also served as  ADC to the then Punjab Governor  Mr. Jaisukhlal Hathi from 1978 to 1982. He sought premature retirement in 1983.

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GURU AND THREE OTHER IAS OFFICERS PROMOTED TO THE
CHIEF SECRETARY GRADE


CHANDIGARH December 20:

       Punjab Government today promoted four IAS Officers including Ms.
Kusumjit Sidhu (1979 batch), Mr. A.R.Talwar, Sardar Himmat Singh and
Sardar D.S.Guru (1980 batch) to the Chief Secretary grade in the pay
scale of Rs.80,000/- (fixed) with immediate effect.
       Presently Ms. Kusumjit Sidhu is posted as Chief Electoral Officer,
Mr. A.R. Talwar is Principal Secretary Home Affairs & Justice and
Sardar D.S. Guru is Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Punjab and
Principal Secretary Information & Public Relations Department Punjab.
Sardar Himmat Singh, IAS who is at present, on Leave will be entitled
only to the notional benefit of promotion in the term of increment(s)
and the actual benefit of promotion would be admissible to him when he
actually joins his duty on return from leave.

BADAL REVIEWS CLEANING OF RIVERS PROJECT

ASKS WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE BOARD TO COMPLETE ENTIRE PROJECTS POSITIVELY BY NOVEMBER 30, 2011

 

CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 20:

          Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today reviewed progress of the cleaning of rivers and the status of Water Supply and Sewerage projects under execution in various towns of the State and directed the Managing Director of the State Water Supply and Sewerage Board to complete entire work positively by November 30, 2011.

          Presiding over a high level meeting of the senior officers to finalize the modalities for the funding of these projects here at Chief Minister's Residence this morning, Mr. Badal was apprised by the Managing Director Water Supply and Sewerage  Board that the work on these projects was being carried out on war footing in Nangal, Anandpur Sahib, Roopnagar, Kurali, Phillaur, Machhiwara and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Banga and Phagwara. Secretary, Local Government, Mr. S S Rajput informed the Chief Minister that funds to the tune of Rs.150 crore as a loan from HUDCO had been tied up for the execution of water  Supply and Sewerage  Projects in Ludhiana. Likewise, these works in Jalandhar would be executed through a loan of Rs.50 crore from the State Bank of India.

          Meanwhile Mr. Badal also requested the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India Mr. Montek Singh Ahlluwalia on telephone to immediately release the balance funds under Additional Central Assistance (ACA). Mr. Badal also convened a separate meeting of the concerned MLAs, Chairmen and officers of Municipal Corporations/Improvement Trust of Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Moga, Hoshiarpur and  Pathankot on December 23,2010 to tie  up the funds in order to ensure timely completion of these projects. He also directed his Principal Secretary Mr. D S Guru to regularly monitor the progress of these projects and keep him update on the status of these projects.

          It was also informed in the meeting that Rs.1597.69 crore would be spent on these projects, of which RS.318.56 crore had already been released and the balance Rs.1279.13 crore would be released shortly as per the requirement by the agencies like Government of India, Punjab Government, Municipal Corporations, GLADA, GMADA, PIDB, Punjab Pollution Control Board, Improvement Trust Ropar and Jalandhar Development Authority. It may be recalled that Sewerage Projects were being executed in the towns of Phagwara, Moga, Mukerian, Tanda Urmur, Dasuya, Phillaur, Nawanshahr, Banga, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and  Bholath under the National River Conservation Project of Government of India.

          Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Principal Secretary Industries and Commerce Mr. S.S.Channi, Principal Secretary Finance Mr. KBS Sidhu, Secretary Housing and Urban Develpoment Mr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, Chairman Punjab Pollution Control Board Mr. Rajat Aaggarwal and Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Gagandip Singh Brar


HEAD CONSTABLE RETURNS PURSE HAVING

RS. 12,000 TO REAL OWNER

 

Chandigarh, December 20: A Head Constable of Intelligence Wing of Punjab Police displayed a rare gesture of honesty by returning a purse having more than Rs. 12,000/- and other important documents to its real owner.

       According to a spokesman of Punjab Police, HC Amrik Singh presently posted in the office of ADGP Intelligence yesterday found an unattended purse at Balachaur Bus Stand having the above said money and documents. Taking a clue from the documents found in the purse, the HC contacted the owner of the purse, Mr. Rajinder Singh, who was a driver in Chandigarh depot of P.R.T.C. and after verifying his credentials returned his purse today here at Punjab Police headquarters.

       Commending the honesty of HC Amrik Singh, the ADGP Intelligence Mr. Suresh Arora has awarded him a Commendation Certificate Class-1 along with a cash award of Rs One thousand

 

MASSIVE RESPONSE TO PUNJAB POLICE'S RECRUITMENT DRIVE

· Highly qualified candidates making beeline for 5293 posts of male constables and 485 posts of female Constables

· Rush increasing with last date of application 28th December getting nearer

 

Chandigarh, December 20:  The Punjab Police's recruitment  drive  for 5293 constables in the District Police Cadre  and  485 lady constables on the direction of Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal is getting a massive response with highly qualified candidates also making a beeline to join the state Police, which is considered one of the best Police forces in the country .   

          According to an official spokesman, the Punjab Police has authorized every office of Commissioner Police and SSP in all districts to provide forms to the applicant in view of increasing rush of candidates with last date of application 28th December getting nearer. Special counter have been opened in every district to meet the demand of increasing rush of candidates. Besides this these application forms could also be downloaded from www.punjabpoliceindia.org.  The candidates have been advised to apply well before closing date to avoid inconvenience.

The spokesman added that the posts of male Constables will be filled by the District Recruitment Boards specially constituted for this purpose while the posts of female constables will be filled by the Central Recruitment Board.  Giving the District wise details of the posts of constables available, the spokesman informed that  Bathinda have 407, Muktsar  359, Mansa 276, Ferozepur 258, Moga 276, Faridkot 222, Patiala 257, Fatehgarh Sahib 95, Barnala 186, SAS  Nagar 139, Sangrur 139, Ludhiana (Rural) 95, Khanna 99, Ropar 100, Jalandhar (Rural) 407, SBS Nagar 102, Hoshiarpur 135, Kapurthala 99, Amritsar (Rural) 95, Tarntaran 87, Batala 95, Gurdaspur 102, Amritsar Commissionerate Police  319, Jalandhar Commissionerate Police  449 and Ludhiana Commissionerate Police  496 posts of male constables.  

The application forms for the posts of male candidates complete in all aspects must reach to the Chairman, District Recruitment Board of their respective districts. Similarly the application forms for the post of female constables completely filled in all aspects must reach to the Chairman, Central Recruitment Board for female constables 2010, Bathinda, the spokesman added.

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Debt Swap Scheme to help the debt ridden farmers

Farmers can get an advance of Rs. 50,000/- from any bank

Rupnagar, 20 December-To save the Punjab farmers from the clutches of the private moneylenders who charges exorbitant rates of interest, Reserve Bank of India have formulated a Debt Swap Scheme (DSS) to help the debt ridden farmers of the State. As per this guidelines issued to all the banks under this scheme, a land owner or cultivator of land, who had taken loan from any moneylender could get an advance of Rs. 50,000/- from any bank by submitting simple declaration or undertaking that he has to return the amount to the moneylender which he has raised for farming purposes.

Stating this, a spokesman of State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) district coordinator from Punjab & Sindh Bank Rupnagar said that banks could sanction loan worth Rs. 50,000/- per farmer after getting execution of formal documents of the bank for three years on prime landing rates to be recovered by half yearly installments. He further added that this scheme has been approved by the RBI after persistent persuasion by the Punjab Government to the Center Govt. to save the debt ridden farmers of the state from moneylenders.

Adding further he said that it was also resolved in the SLBC meeting to recommend the enhancement of the upper limit of this loan to Rs. 1,00,000/- under DSS to RBI for approval. "This scheme is very much beneficial for the farmers to save them from inflated rates of interest being charged by private moneylenders", he adds.

H. S. Grewal

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BADAL REVIEWS CLEANING OF RIVERS PROJECT

 

ASKS WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE BOARD TO COMPLETE ENTIRE PROJECTS POSITIVELY BY NOVEMBER 30, 2011

 

CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 20:

            Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today reviewed progress of the cleaning of rivers and the status of Water Supply and Sewerage projects under execution in various towns of the State and directed the Managing Director of the State Water Supply and Sewerage Board to complete entire work positively by November 30, 2011.

            Presiding over a high level meeting of the senior officers to finalize the modalities for the funding of these projects here at Chief Minister's Residence this morning, Mr. Badal was apprised by the Managing Director Water Supply and Sewerage  Board that the work on these projects was being carried out on war footing in Nangal, Anandpur Sahib, Roopnagar, Kurali, Phillaur, Machhiwara and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Banga and Phagwara. Secretary, Local Government, Mr. S S Rajput informed the Chief Minister that funds to the tune of Rs.150 crore as a loan from HUDCO had been tied up for the execution of water  Supply and Sewerage  Projects in Ludhiana. Likewise, these works in Jalandhar would be executed through a loan of Rs.50 crore from the State Bank of India.

            Meanwhile Mr. Badal also requested the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India Mr. Montek Singh Ahlluwalia on telephone to immediately release the balance funds under Additional Central Assistance (ACA). Mr. Badal also convened a separate meeting of the concerned MLAs, Chairmen and officers of Municipal Corporations/Improvement Trust of Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Moga, Hoshiarpur and  Pathankot on December 23,2010 to tie  up the funds in order to ensure timely completion of these projects. He also directed his Principal Secretary Mr. D S Guru to regularly monitor the progress of these projects and keep him update on the status of these projects.

            It was also informed in the meeting that Rs.1597.69 crore would be spent on these projects, of which RS.318.56 crore had already been released and the balance Rs.1279.13 crore would be released shortly as per the requirement by the agencies like Government of India, Punjab Government, Municipal Corporations, GLADA, GMADA, PIDB, Punjab Pollution Control Board, Improvement Trust Ropar and Jalandhar Development Authority. It may be recalled that Sewerage Projects were being executed in the towns of Phagwara, Moga, Mukerian, Tanda Urmur, Dasuya, Phillaur, Nawanshahr, Banga, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and  Bholath under the National River Conservation Project of Government of India.

            Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Principal Secretary Industries and Commerce Mr. S.S.Channi, Principal Secretary Finance Mr. KBS Sidhu, Secretary Housing and Urban Develpoment Mr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, Chairman Punjab Pollution Control Board Mr. Rajat Aaggarwal and Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar.

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Welfare department invite applications from the minority students for scholarships till 25th December, 2010

 

Chandigarh, December 19:

            The Welfare Department Punjab has invited applications from the eligible students of minority sections for the schemes under Pre-Metric, Post Metric and Metric-cum-means based scholarship up to 25 December.

            Disclosing this here today Mr. T.R. Sarangal, Principal Secretary Welfare Department Punjab said that a sum of Rs. 60 Crore had been earmarked for this purpose and nearly 3 lacs eligible students would be entitled for the scholarships under these schemes. He further pointed out that the minimum annual income limit of the parents for these scholarship had been fixed as Rs. 1 lac, 2 and  two and half lacs respectively and no affidavit from the parents was required as proof to their income but they would have to summit self certified undertaking only. He further said that almost all the students would get scholarships under these schemes.

            Mr. Sarangal lamented that the department had received few applications from the students belonging to minorities studying in schools, colleges and professional educational institutions due to the lack of interest of the heads of these institutions. He appealed to the heads of these educational institutions to ensure that the applications complete in all respect must reach the Welfare department positively by 25 December, 2010 to enable the students to get scholarships in time.

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ROTATIONAL IRRIGATION PROGRAMME FOR RABI SEASON    ANNOUNCED

Chandigarh, December 19:

The Irrigation Department, Punjab has announced the Rotational Programme for irrigation for the Rabi Season through Canal water from 21-12-2010 to 28-11-2010. The channels of Sirhind Canal System would run on the priority basis from Sidhwan Branch, Bathinda Branch, Bist Doab, Abohar Branch and Patiala feeder respectively.

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

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

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

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RAHUL FULFILLING VATICAN AGENDA – TIKSHAN SUD

 Tikshan Sood

Chandigarh December 18: Senior Punjab BJP Leader and Punjab Medical Education and Forest Minister Mr. Tikshan Sud today described Rahul Gandhi’s statement to US Ambassador ‘terming Hindu fanaticism a greater danger than Lashkar’ as a anti -national statement, meant to weaken the ongoing court cases of the Government against Pak sponsored terrorists.

 

In a statement issued here today Mr. Tikshan Sud said that Rahul as well as whole Congress were moving with the single point of agenda to provide a relief to Kasab, the mastermind of 26/11, to appease Muslim vote bank and this statement was calculated policy for that. He said that Congress Party has always ditched majority Hindu population with an eye on Muslim vote bank and killing of thousands of Hindus in 26/11 and other blasts in the country by Muslim terrorists cannot be condoned by the single statement of “Yuvraj”.

Accusing Sonia – Rahul duo of implementing Vatican agenda to finish of majority Hindu population from India, Mr. Sud said that this statement by terming Hindus as terrorists was  a signal to other countries to impose restrictions on Hindus so that they should not economically prosper in other countries. He said that Rahul deliberately made a statement US Ambassador as Muslims were envious of success of Gujarati Patels in US & UK and Rahul wanted US to target them.

Giving a call to Hindus to boycott anti Hindu Congress party, Mr. Sud said that no self respecting Hindu should vote Congress party that was out to make them international terrorists.  He said that the time has come that majority population of Hindus should teach them lifetime lesson.

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DSW ASKS FOR SUBMISSION OF LIVE CERTIFICATE

Chandigarh, December 17: The Directorate of Sainik Welfare, Punjab has asked all Ex-servicemen/widows drawing benefits from the Punjab government, Flag Day Fund and the Punjab Amalgamated Fund to submit their live certificates in time.

       According to a spokesman of the department that the above said beneficiaries have to submit live certificates in their parent District Sainik Welfare Office from April 1 to 30, every year. In case of non receipt of live certificate by April 30, the release of benefits payment will cease, he added.

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GUJRAT TO SEND ASIATIC LIONS TO PUNJAB----SUD

Chandigarh December 17:  Mr. Tikshan Sud Forests Minister Punjab has urged the Chief Minister of Gujrat Mr. Narender Modi to expedite the departure of a pair of Asiatic Lions from Gujrat to Punjab. Mr. Sud met the Chief Minister after participating in a two-day conference on Medical Tourism in Ahemedabad. The Conference was aimed at promoting medical tourism in the states of India.

        Adding further Mr. Sud said that it was a matter of grave concern that the number of lions in Chattbir Zoo is fast declining and the remaining lions have become very old. Keeping this situation in view the sate government has asked the Gujrat Government to spare a pair of Asiatic Lions in lieu of a few good species of other wild animals which have got the necessary approval from the Central Zoo Authorityof India. The Minister emphasized on the need of protecting the wildlife in general and especially saving the tigers and lions in particular. Mr. Narender Modi Chief Minister of Gujrat has appreciated the concern of Mr. Sud and has assured him to formally hand over the pair of Asiatic Lions from Gujrat to Punjab at the earliest.

 

PROF.RAJINDER BHANDARI GIVEN THE CABINET RANK

 

Chandigarh December 17: The Punjab Government has given the Cabinet Rank to Prof. Rajinder Bhandari, Vice Chairman of  Punjab State Planning Board after  amending the terms and conditions of his appointment.

          According to a spokesman of the Punjab Government that Prof. Bhandari would be entitled to all the pay allowances and facilities admissible to a cabinet minister. The government would not meet his Income Tax liabilities as being done in respect of a Cabinet Minister. Adding further he said that he would also not be entitled to any discretionary grant as being given to a cabinet minister.

 

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DSW ASKS FOR SUBMISSION OF LIVE CERTIFICATE

 

Chandigarh, December 17: The Directorate of Sainik Welfare, Punjab has asked all Ex-servicemen/widows drawing benefits from the Punjab government, Flag Day Fund and the Punjab Amalgamated Fund to submit their live certificates in time.

       According to a spokesman of the department that the above said beneficiaries have to submit live certificates in their parent District Sainik Welfare Office from April 1 to 30, every year. In case of non receipt of live certificate by April 30, the release of benefits payment will cease, he added.

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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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PUNJAB EC decides to celebrate January 25 as 'National Voter Day'.

Chandigarh, December 16:

      Addressing a Press Conference here today Chief Electoral Officer Punjab Ms Kusumjit Sidhu disclosed that Election Commission of India has decided to celebrate 25th January as “National Voter Day” every year. In this regard the function is being celebrated on 25.01.2011 from  Booth Level to the state level. On that day the voter’s pledge will be given  in beginning to those new voters who are enrolled as voters with reference to  01.01.2011 as qualifying date, and voter

identity cards will be issued/distributed among them.   We have

received about 70,000 applications of 18 years olds.

She further said that as per the programme approved by the Election Commission of India, draft publication of the electoral rolls was done on 12.11.2010. At that time there were 1,63,56,581 voter in the State.

The wide publicity was done by the Election  Department, Punjab for the awareness of voters, resulted in 4,34,238 claims and 61,037 objections being received. The Electors Registration Officers(EROs) concerned are doing an extensive exercise for the disposal of these claims and objections. However this still means that 17% of the eligible population is not registered of voters.  In Punjab, for the first time the electoral rolls are being prepared through Electoral Roll Management System (ERMS).

She appealed to the general public that if any person who has attained the age  of 18 years or above as on 01.01.2011, he could submit his Form No. 6 alongwith two passport size photographs to the concerned ERO to enrol himself as voter in the electoral roll during the continuous updation of the electoral roll which would be commence from 06.01.2011.  She also appealed to accord their  full cooperation to this department for preparing clean electoral rolls and to celebrate “National Voters Day” on 25/01/2011. 

 

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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Chief Electoral Officer Punjab Ms. Kusumjit Sidhu addressing a Press Conference at Chandigarh on 16-12-2010.

 


 

 


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