|
GERMAN ENVOY MR. THOMAS MATUSSEK CALLS ON CM
OFFERS EXPERTISE
IN SOLAR ENERGY &TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTIONS
CHANDIGARH, JULY 19, 2010:
Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany Mr. Thomas Matussek today called on Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and evinced keen interest in setting up joint ventures in Solar Energy, Transport Infrastructure and agro-processing, agriculture besides skill development and vocational training.
Taking part in the deliberations, the visiting envoy of Germany apprised Mr. Badal about his country’s vast experience and technological expertise in the field of solar energy as it had already setup numerous such projects successfully in China. Mr. Thomas Matussek said that the Germany had a proven technology in the field of thermal power which it was ready to share with Punjab for setting up such thermal power plants either in joint collaboration or on the basis of transfer clean coal technology which was pollution free and environment friendly. He also offered to send German language experts under teacher exchange programme in Punjab to impart education in German language to its students. He also said that there were bright prospects for export of agriculture commodities such as rice, wheat, sugar, vegetables and fruits etc. from Punjab to Germany.
Mr. Badal informed the Germany envoy that Punjab had a diversified agricultural economy as it was the major producer of food grains contributing more than 60% in the national food pool besides producing quality vegetables, fruits and flowers. He hoped that our economy could be immensely benefited through Germany in the field of hydro-power generation, water management technology and agro-processing. The Chief Minister looked forward for forging an alliance with the major Germany industrial units to add value addition to agriculture produce to ensure better returns to our farmers.
The Chief Minister assured Mr. Matussek of full some support and cooperation for setting up joint ventures in the state, as Punjab was fast emerging as an investment destination and our industrial policy has a special dispensation for mega and super mega projects.
The Chief Minister agreed to Mr. Matussek's proposal to visit Germany in near future to forge better bi-lateral ties for the promotion of trade and commerce activities between Germany and Punjab.
On the request of Mr. Matussek, the Chief Minister asked his Principal Secretary to tie up with the German experts in the field of solar energy and water management technology to make optimum use of treated or re-cycled water for drinking and irrigation purposes, who would soon visit Punjab on the recommendation of visiting German Envoy. He also asked the Mr. Matussek to direct his team of experts to find out a viable solution to check the water pollution effectively.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Principal Secretary Mr. D.S. Guru and his Special Principal Secretary Mr. K.J.S. Cheema.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DECLARE RIVER GHAGGAR AS A NATIONAL
PROJECT: BADAL WRITES TO PM
CHANDIGARH JULY 19:
To check the recurrence of floods in future and save the people from the fury of Ghaggar on permanent basis, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today urged the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to seek his intervention to declare the taming of river Ghaggar as a 'national project' in view of its importance being inter-state issue.
In a communiqué address to the Prime Minister Dr.Singh, the Chief Minister apprised him that about 60% of flood water in the river, as it crosses Punjab, is contributed by catchment area of Haryana. The river caused havoc in Punjab and Haryana during the recent rains from 5 to 8 July, 2010. Based on the experience of recent floods, it is necessary to channelize the river in order to increase its capacity to 50000 cusec.
The cost for this in Punjab would be approximately Rs.1175 crore and would require construction of embankments, other flood protection works and remodeling of cross drainage works across river Ghaggar in Punjab and Haryana. It would also be necessary to construct check dams on River Ghaggar & its tributaries mainly Markanda and Tangri. The water so stored in the proposed reservoirs could be utilized for irrigation and drinking purposes in adjoining cities like Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula. The project when completed would not help in mitigating floods but also bring in numerous other benefits.
Mr.Badal further pointed out that this was without prejudice to the litigation between Punjab and Haryana regarding Hansi Butana Canal constructed by Haryana against the natural contours, which was the main culprit behind the recent floods in Punjab.
It may be recalled that the recent floods in Punjab and Haryana have been caused due to heavy rains in the catchment of river Ghaggar and its tributaries. River Ghaggar is non-perennial inter-state river originating from Himachal Pradesh and terminating in Rajasthan after crossing Haryana and Punjab.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BADAL WRITES PM DEMANDING IMMEDIATE REVISION OF
COMPENSATION UNDER CRF
Seeks Minimum Relief of Rs.10,000/- Per Acre in Case of 50% Crop Loss
CHANDIGARH JULY 19:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today sought immediate revision of the rates of compensation under Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) and demanded a minimum relief of Rs.10,000/- from Centre where the loss to the crop was more than 50% on account of natural calamity in terms of recent floods.
In a letter to the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Chief Minister apprised him that Punjab had suffered nearly 100% crop loss during recent floods and moreover the sowing season for Kharif was already over. Mr. Badal urged the Prime Minister to immediately take a decision on the issue, so as to provide requisite relief to the farmers.
The Chief Minister informed Dr. Manmohan Singh that the heavy floods have created havoc in many districts of Punjab, as he had personally toured the flood affected areas and seen that besides the damage caused to the infrastructure, there had been a 100% crop loss in an area of nearly 3.0 lac acres. The damage had been sustained by all Kharif crops such as Paddy, Cotton etc.
The contents of the letter further read, 'As per the norms of Calamity Relief Fund, Government of India gives a compensation of Rs.1600/- per acre where the crop damage is more than 50%. These rates are as per the old norms which have not been revised for a long time. It is within your kind knowledge that cost of inputs such as diesel, fertilizers, pesticides have increased manifold over the last few years. Even the labour cost has gone up considerably. It is therefore, of paramount importance that the rates of compensation under CRF be revised with immediate effect'.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PUNJAB GOVERNMENT TO SOON LAUNCH MOBILE HOSPITAL SERVICE
IN BORDER AND KANDI AREAS – BADAL
CM FOR HEALTH AUDIT OF PEOPLE ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS
SAS NAGAR (MOHALI) JULY 19:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today directed the health department to immediately launch mobile hospital service for the people of the Border and Kandi areas to provide basic health care and medical facilities to them at their doorsteps as majority of them were deprived of these medical services in these difficult and far flung areas.
Addressing a gathering after flagging off 39 ambulances here at state Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Mr. Badal said that these mobile hospitals would be equipped with adequate medical and paramedical staff, diagnostic equipment and medicines. He also emphasized the need for health audit of the people especially living in rural areas about personal health and hygiene in order to save them from the ill effects of deadly diseases like Cancer, AIDS and heart ailments. He asked the health department to prepare a comprehensive scheme to issue health cards to the persons living in the rural areas after regularly monitoring their blood pressure, body weight and blood group. This data would help the doctors to easily diagnose the disease and cure them instantly.
The Chief Minister further said that a massive project worth Rs.346 crore had been prepared for the upgradation of Health Infrastructure. The Hospitals Services Consultancy Corporation, a Government of India undertaking had been engaged for the preparation of the concept design and detail estimate of the health institutions which were proposed to be constructed under this project. Under this project new blocks would to be added to the existing hospitals besides new districts and sub divisional hospitals and community health centers for construction. He said that 746 doctors, medical specialists and dentists had been recruited and with this the shortage of medical staff had been taken care off especially in the rural segment.
Underlining the significance of health and education as core sectors of the development, Mr. Badal assured the health & family welfare department that there would be no shortage of funds for the upgradation of medical infrastructure in the government hospitals and dispensaries across the state to ensure the best health care delivery system. He also pointed out that our government had opened two universities one Central University at Bathinda and another World Class University was coming up at Amritsar besides 13 degree colleges and 8 polytechnic colleges to provide state-of-the-art education to our youth.
Speaking on the occasion, Health & Family Welfare Minister Prof. Laxmi Kanta Chawla said that out of 50 ambulances 39 had been flagged off today and remaining 11 would be pressed into service within a fortnight. These ambulances were referral ambulances which would be used for transferring of emergency patients from rural areas to community health centers and from community health centers to district/ sub-divisional hospitals and also for shifting of emergency cases to medical colleges.
Prof. Chawla further said that the health department would soon introduce the emergency response service and briefly outlined the successful implementation of the concept of institutional deliveries, drug de-addiction, school health programme besides special efforts initiated to control cancer by setting up a population based cancer registry in Govt. Medical College Patiala.
In his welcome address, Chairman Punjab System Health Corporation Mr. Jasjit Singh Thiara said that the health department had witnessed a spectacular growth and development in terms of modern medical equipment, upgradation of primary and community health centers and staff in just three-and-a-half years under the regime of SAD-BJP.
Earlier, the Chief Minister along with Prof. Laxmi Kanta Chawla flagged off 39 ambulances to be positioned in the community health centers to cater to the needs of the people in the rural areas.
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, MLA Morinda Mr. Ujjagar Singh Badalli, Chairman District Planning Committee Mohali Mr. NK Sharma, Advisor to Chief Minister Dr. DS Cheema, Member SGPC Mr. Hardip Singh, Member Working Committee SAD Jathedar Amrik Singh, Principal Secretary Health & Family Welfare Mr. Satish Chadra, Managing Director Punjab System Health Corporation Mrs.Raji P Srivastva besides senior officers of the civil and police administration.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bhagat takes over as Ist chairman of “ Punjab Gau Sewa Board”
Chandigarh, July 19: Mr.Kimti Lal Bhagat took over as Ist chairman of newly set up “Punjab Gau Sewa Board” on Monday. Speaking on the occasion Mr.Bhagat said he would contribute maximum for achieving the mandate which has been given to the Board and try to do full justice to this important responsibility, which had been given by Punjab Chief Minister, Mr.Parkash Singh Badal to him. He said that the Board will suggest new schemes to the State Govt. for development of Gaushalas and would also ensure that old and abandoned repeater cows are taken care of properly with the proactive role of NGOs. He further said that the Board will co-ordinate with Veterinary and Agricultural Universities and other Research Organizations, so as to ensure the use of scientific methods in the management of cows and fodder by the Gaushalas.
Meanwhile, Mr.Devi Dyal Prasher also took over as Vice Chairman of the Board today. Mr.Prasher said that he would do his utmost to come upto expectations of SAD-BJP Govt. and also help in implementation of “Punjab Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955” and “Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960” effectively.
No.PR-10/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bhanu Partap Agnihotri to represent Punjab in VOI-Chote Ustad
(Do Deshon Ke Ek Awaz)
One day he told his father,” I can sing a song”. Then he sang it and his parents realized his singing talent at the age of 8 yrs. He was taken to the local teacher namely Dipin Adiwal, inAmritsar, but it was not enough. There after he took sangeet shikhsha from the gurus at Jallandhar from Sant Satnam Singh Ji, Kapurthala from Naresh Dhiman, and Hoshiarpur from Aman Ji, a lecturer. There after he won many prizes in different competitions. He performed in Madan Mohan night, Rafi night and Sangam Kala group besides Hari Vallab sammelan. He won last year national talent hunt held in Delhi and got first prize from Sonu Nigam and Yash Chopra ji in sub junior group. He was also selected for the wildcard entry in SA RE GA PA …li’l champ 2009, and sang a song there which was appreciated a lot. He has also performed several songs in a TV show ‘Hoonhar’- (Hum Honge Kal Ke Star).
From the very beginning he heard good Indian music and he started imitating the singing Icons. He is from the family of lawyers and judges. But he chose a different line different from the family clan. In his family besides his father his Bua and grand mother also sing well. His father Mr Sanjay Agnihotri, a Judicial Officer, was a very good artist of Music and dance during his college and university times. Now he wants to adopt music as his career and wants to become an actor and a singer. In his singing field he is known to give expressions and emotions according to the demand of the song. All this he has learnt from his guru Naresh Dhiman.
He has an extra ability of playing Key Board (organ) which he learnt for himself, without having guidance from any body. Any song he can play on the Key Board with correct Cords and tuning within 10 minutes. He plays Harmonium and does riaaz (practice) daily for hours. It took three years had labour and tapasaya to reach this height without sacrificing his studies. He is always a topper in mathematics and computers and also good in other subjects, besides sports. He loves cricket. He is a good swimmer and participated in district level Gymnastics competition at Gurdaspur. Swimming helps him in singing. His favorite singers are Shankar Mahadevan, Sonu Nigam, Rahat Fateh Ali and KK. He also likes bobby Mc ferrin American vocalist and conductor. Who is best known for his 1988 hit song "Don't Worry, Be Happy".
Now Bhanu has been selected amongst the 10 Indian children in VOI ‘Chote Ustad’ [Do Desho Ki Ek Aawaz] a TV reality show which is going to be telecasted from 24th of July, 2010 at 9:00 pm at STAR PLUS. Amongst the competitors of the age of 14 yrs… he made his entry at the age of 12 years and is promising singer from Punjab. This program is to promote friendship between the two countries. The Judges of the Program are Sonu Nigam ji and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan Sahab.
|
-->Click
