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CABINET GIVES GREEN SIGNAL TO NEW POWER GENERATION POLICY 2010
SNATCHING BECOMES NON-BAILABLE OFFENCE
CABINET GIVES NOD FOR CONCESSIONS IN CLU, EDC & LICENSE FEE
CHANDIGARH JUNE 17:
The Cabinet today approved the Power Generation Policy, 2010 to transform the state from power deficit to power surplus state besides ensuring quality supply of power to all consumers at affordable prices.
A decision to this effect was taken here at a meeting of the Cabinet chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal this evening.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Punjab government said that the new Power Generation Policy would also strive to bring down the cost of power, to encourage setting up of power stations by private developers besides to promote and support ancillary industry related to power plants. The policy would be applicable to new power projects to be located in the state and also to pit head/coastal thermal power plants with an installed capacity of 250 MW or more at single location. Captive power and co-generation power plants would not be covered under the scope of this policy. Likewise, the policy would not be applicable to the power projects which were covered under NRSE policy being implemented by Punjab Energy Development Agency and power projects set up in Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the state.
In another significant decision, the Cabinet also gave approval for amending Section 379 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 and to insert Section 379-A and 379-B in the Indian Penal Code and Section 379-B in the table of crime in Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 in order to make stringent provisions of law to curb the crime of snatching. The amended provisions would make this crime as cognizable, punishable/ non-bailable and triable by the Court of Session. Whoever commits snatching shall be punished with an imprisonment which shall not be less than five years, but which may extend to ten years and shall also be liable to fine of Rs.10000 or with both.
The Cabinet approved the concessions in external development charges, permission/license fee, Change of Land Use (CLU) charges and relief to promoters/developers in the state.
To cope up with the situation arising out of acute shortage of specialist doctors in the department of Health & Family Welfare, the Cabinet gave a nod to the department to re-employ retired specialist doctors against clinical posts. The vacant posts of specialist doctors in the department would be advertised/ placed on website every month. In case no doctor is willing to join against these posts than the vacant post would be offered to retired specialist doctors. The application of the retired doctors would be examined by a committee comprising Managing Director Punjab Health System Corporation and Director Health Services. The doctors would be selected and posted keeping in view their service record and seniority.
The Cabinet also approved the establishment of evening courts in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Jaladhar-1, Ludhiana and Patiala. The working hours of these courts would be 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm and would dispose off cases pertaining to Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, Punjab Shops & Commercial Establishments Act 1958 and Factories Act 1948. An officer of the level of Chief Judicial Magistrate would function in these evening courts and amount of 25% of the basic pay as honorarium would be paid to the staff which would entail a burden on the state exchequer to the tune of Rs.9.50 lakh annually.
The Cabinet also gave approval to take out 128 posts of Medical Officer (Specialists), 214 Medical Officer (General), 34 Medical Officer (Dental), 36 Drugs Inspectors and 133 Ayurvedic Medical Officers from the purview of Punjab Public Service Commission. A selection committee comprising of Retired Head of Department PGI as its chairman and VC Baba Farid University of Health Sciences Faridkot, Secretary Health & Family Welfare, Secretary Personnel, Secretary Welfare, Secretary Defence, Secretary Sports, Commissioner of Welfare of Handicapped as members and Director Health & Family Welfare as member secretary and concerned speciality expert from PGI as special invitee would supervise the written test, conduct interview and submit final result to the government. Recruitment of medical officer (specialist) would be made through interview and recruitment to remaining four categories would be made through written test and through interview as per the criterion lay down by the committee.
The Cabinet also gave in principle approval to allot 32 acres of vacant land at Central Jail Ludhiana at Tajpur road to the M/s Punjab Dyers Association Ludhiana for setting up a Central Effluent Treatment Plant for 33 years on lease basis at the rate of 6% per annum which amounts to Rs.1.44 crore. It may be recalled that the market price of this land has been calculated as Rs.24 crore.
The Cabinet also approved the regularization of 23 panchayat secretaries working on contract basis and withdrawal of their termination orders dated December 10, 2002.
The Cabinet also decided to bring the connection fee of all schemes implemented by department of water supply and sewerage at par with the connection fee fixed for the world bank funded schemes i.e. Rs.500 per connection fee from general public and Rs.250 from BPL/SC families in order to encourage the consumers to take maximum number of private water connections and make the O&M scheme self sustainable.
The Cabinet also gave approval to issue sports gradation certificates the students (sportsmen/women) studying in Punjab Region Schools representing affiliated units of School Games Federation of India such as Indian Public School Council (IPSC)/ Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Vidya Bharti in the Sports gradation policy.
The Cabinet gave ex-post facto approval for regularization of the services of 353 constables who were recruited during the ban period in relaxation of government instructions dated May 13, 2002.
The Cabinet approved to grant exemption on VAT on sale of goods and liquor to the serving Border Security Force personnel directly on purchases made from within Punjab by BSF canteen, Jalandhar.
The Cabinet also approved to increase VAT from 12.5% to 20% on Cigarette and Cigar.
The Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval for the reduction in the permit/renewal fee of the buses from Rs.5000 to Rs.10000 per annum.
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Arvind Julka takes over as Chairman PUNCOFED
Chandigarh, June 17: The newly appointed Chairman of Punjab State Co-operative Development Federation Ltd.( PUNCOFED) Mr. Arvind Mohan Julka today assumed his charge in the presence of Senior Cabinet Ministers Master Mohan lal, Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Rajya Sabha Member Mr. Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Adviser to Chief Minister and Mr. Sukhbir Singh Wahla, Chairman, Sugarfed.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Julka promised to up-grade the present facilities for Cooperative education and training to members, Managing Committee members, salesmen, secretaries/managers of Primary Cooperatives besides guiding and assisting the people in their efforts to build up and expand the Cooperative sector to further serve as an exponent of cooperative opinion. He also announced to launch a comprehensive publicity campaign to disseminate the achievements, policies and programmes of Cooperatives through the production & publication of Audio-visual Aids and literature on cooperation besides using various other mediums for creating the favorable atmosphere for the development of the Cooperative Movement in State as it was the backbone of the economy of Punjab peasantry.
Earlier congratulating Mr. Julka on his taking over as chairman of PUNCOFED, Punjab Information & Public Relations Minister Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan expressed gratitude to Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash singh Badal and Shiromani Akali Dal President and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal for appointing a sincere Akali worker Mr Julka as Chairman thereby recognizing his selfless services towards party.
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included, Mr. Muneshwar Chander, MD, PUNCOFED, Mr Chhajju Ram Sofat, SAD Working Committee Member, Mr Darshan Lal Jethumajra, Member, SSS Board, Mr Manmohan Singh Randhawa, Chairman, ADB, Dera Baba Nanak, Mr Kamalpreet Singh Kaki, Chairman , Block Samiti , Kahnuwan, Mr Karnail Singh Tatle, MD, Coop. Bank, Gurdaspur, Mr Sarabjit Singh Bajwa, Baba Gurdial Singh and Mr. Paramjit Singh Sohal.
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BADAL INAUGURATES OLD AGE HOME AT RATWARA SAHIB
DEFENDS PUNJAB’S RIGHT TO CHARGE ROYALTY ON RIVER WATERS
RATWARA SAHIB (SAS NAGAR)
JUNE 17:
The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today called upon the younger generation to give due respect to their parents, as they owe a moral responsibility to ensure their security and care especially in the evening of their life.
Addressing a religious congregation here at Gurdwara Ishar Parkash Ratwara Sahib after inaugurating an Old Age Home, Mr. Badal appreciated the personal initiative of Director (Corporate) & Financial Advisor, Indian Express Group Mr. Harcharan Singh for setting up this noble venture at an investment of Rs.2 crore.
The Chief Minister said that the Punjab was amongst few states to adopt the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 to ensure social security to the senior citizens who had been neglected by their children in the old age. He said the rules and regulations under the act were being finalized and would be notified shortly. He said that the government would ensure that the act was enforced strictly but however, it was the bounden duty of the children to take care of their parents especially in the old age. He said that a feeling of neglect which was now brewing amongst the elders must be replaced with a sense of belongingness.
Mr. Badal also revealed that the state government was seriously contemplating to setup a State Senior Citizens Council to ensure social security and safeguard the rights of elderly persons to enable them to lead a life with self esteem and dignity.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister announced a grant of Rs.5 lakh for the old age home and also said that the persons staying over here would be entitled for an old age pension as per state government norms.
Speaking on the occasion Director (Corporate) & Financial Advisor, Indian Express Group Mr. Harcharan Singh said that he got inspiration to construct a old age home from the founder of Pingalwara Amritsar Bhagat Puran Singh and founder of the Vishaw Gurmat Ruhani Mission Charitable Trust Sant Baba Warayam Singh. He said that he was also highly impressed by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal who had also established a state-of-the-art old age home at his native village Badal, which he visited earlier before finalizing the construction plan of old age home. He said that the management of this old age home would be governed by Akal Trust Delhi and would soon finalize the norms for the registration of old age persons.
Earlier, the Chief Minister along with Chairperson Vishaw Gurmat Ruhani Mission Charitable Trust Sant Mata Biji Ranjit Kaur, Chairperson Pingalwara Amritsar Dr. Inderjit Kaur and Baba Harpal Singh Ratwara Sahib Wale inaugurated the old age home.
Later talking to the media persons on the issue of demanding royalty on river waters, Mr. Badal said that the world wide riparian principles had established a fact that the ownership of river waters vested in those states or areas where these rivers actually flow. Therefore, water was a natural resource for Punjab like other states of Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand which had coal mines, Rajasthan has abundant natural resource of marble and several others states had iron ores which were charging royalty for mining these natural resources. Mr. Badal said; “If these states were permitted to charge royalty for mining of their natural resources then why Punjab was being denied its right of royalty in case of water for which the state had been actually mining it for past several years for the sake of producing food grains for the entire country in order to feed millions of people to save them from starvation”. Mr. Badal rejected the plea of his Haryana counterpart Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda on this issue saying “It would be better for him to react on this issue objectively after giving due consideration rather issuing vague statements undermining the interests of the agrarian state like Punjab”.
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Member Rajya Sabha Mr. Balwainder Singh Bhunder, MLA Morinda Ujjagar Singh Wadali, MLA Chamkaur Sahib Mr. Charanjit Singh Channi, Advisor to Chief Minster Dr. DS Cheema and Chairman District Planning Committee Mr. NK Sharma, Resident Editor Indian Express Mr. Vipin Pubby, Chairman Akal Trust Mr. Rajinder Singh, Chairman-cum-Managing Director Punjab & Sind Bank Mr. GS Bedi, former Chairman Vijaya Bank Mr. MS Kapur, besides senior officers of the civil and police administration of Mohali district. .
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BADAL RELEASES 'KRORAN DI KABADDI'
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 17:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal released a book titled 'Karoran Di Kabaddi' of jointly penned by Dr. Sukhdarshan Singh Chahal and Sukhwinder Singh Grewal depicting the various aspects of the first World Kabaddi Cup Tournament held in the state during the April, 2010.
Appreciating the commendable efforts of these two young authors Mr. Badal said that it was very important for every great event that it must be preserved in a book form. He also mentioned that this book would certainly act as a source of inspiration for budding young Kabaddi players in the state.
On this occasion the President, Punjab Kabaddi Association Mr. Sikander Singh Malooka thanked the Chief Minister for all the help and cooperation extended by the State Government in organizing Mega Kabaddi event for the first time in the history of the country to promote Kabaddi World over. He also lauded the unique work of Dr. Chahal and Mr. Grewal.
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PUNJAB TO OPEN NEIGHBOURHOOD SCHOOLS
TO ENSURE INCLUSIVE EDUCATION-DR UPINDERJIT KAUR
- A State act would be drafted to open schools under RTE act
Chandigarh June 15: The Punjab Government, by implementing the Right to Education (RTE) Act, would ensure that within three years, every child aged 6 to 14 years would have a school in the neighbourhood to be setup by the State. Besides, a State act was also being drafted to open model schools under the act.
This was disclosed by Dr Upinderjit Kaur Education Minister Punjab here today while presiding over a State Advisory Council for proper implementation of RTE Act in the State. Describing the RTE Act a revolutionary legislation, she said that the education department was finalizing the infrastructural and financial requirements for proper implementation of the Right to Education (RTE) Act in government schools. In this regard a State act was also being drafted to open model schools under the act. "We will place our financial requirements before the state government. That exercise is on and it will be finalized in a month," said Upinderjit Kaur.
Adding further she said that by implementing the RTE Act, department would ensure that within three years, every child aged 6 to 14 years would have a school in the neighbourhood. Besides, additional infrastructure including buildings, teachers and finance would be required in implementing the RTE for which the Center must to share a major part to help the state.
To implement RTE Act in true spirit, she demanded that the Centre should bear all the expenses as states were not be able to incur its share of burden in the ambitious project aimed at providing free education to children because huge amount would be required for its execution.
The minister further said that out of 66,000 children out of school, the department has been able to rope in to admit about 33,000 children into the schools from this academic year. “The remaining children who were not able to attend the schools due their domestic compulsions would be persuaded to take admissions in the remedial centers being run by the Sarv Sikhsha Abhiyan”, she said.
The Education Minister added that under the RTE act all private and unaided schools would have to reserve 25 per cent seats for disadvantaged children from SCs, STs, minorities and disabled categories. In return, they would get the per child expenditure, which states incur.
The Minister further said that School Management Committees would also be set up with representatives from parents, teachers and local authorities under the Act to monitor the working of schools. "If a school does not have adequate infrastructure, then it will have to develop it within three years. Else, its recognition will be cancelled”, she added.
Making it clear the Minister said that each privately run school, however small it may be, would be required to obtain a certificate of recognition from a certifying authority of State Government. "Such schools would have to meet the minimum infrastructure and teacher-student ratio specified in the RTE Act, and the teacher qualification requirements, in order to be considered for recognition by the certifying authority, she added.
The Minister stressed that the Punjab Government was fully committed to make revolutionary changes in imparting quality education, state-of-the-art teaching methods and facilities to the teaching faculty so that Punjabi students could complete at national as well as international level. In this regard various developments were being made and more were under active consideration.
Talking about the role of teachers, the education minister said quality of education depends on the ability of teachers and 'the right to education is no exception'. Calling upon teaching faculty to become partners in this effort, she said teachers must teach with dignity and help students give full expression to their talent and creativity.
Among others Mr. Mandip Singh Sandu Principal Secretary Education, Mr Krishan Kumar Director General School Education, Mr Sadhu Singh Randhawa DPI (Elementary Education), Dr Kehar Singh former Chairman Punjab School Education Board were also present in the meeting.
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SUKHBIR AND SEKHWAN CALLED UPON THE PEOPLE TO FOLLOW THE TEACHINGS OF GURU ARJAN DEV JI
CHANDIGARH JUNE 15:
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today called upon the people to follow the teachings of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the fifth Guru of the Sikhs, who by making supreme sacrifice showed us the way to accept the will of God.
In a message on the eve of martyrdom day of Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the Deputy Chief Minister said that Guru Ji became the first Sikh martyr after five days of unrelenting torture at the hands of 17th century fundamentalist Muslim rulers. Guru Arjan Dev's martyrdom set an inspiring example of selflessness and steadfast courage in the face of overwhelming oppression, he added.
Mr. Badal said that Guru Arjan Sahib done a great and monumental work by collecting the hymns of first four Guru Sahibs and several other Bhagats and compiled Guru Granth Sahib. Guru Sahib himself contributed about 2000 verses for it and installed it at Sri Harmandir Sahib on Bhadon Sudi 1st Samvat 1661.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Information & Public Relations Minister also called upon the people to follow the precious legacy and teachings of Guru Arjan Dev Ji
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BADAL RELEASES 'KRORAN DI KABADDI'
CHANDIGARH, JUNE 17:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal released a book titled 'Karoran Di Kabaddi' of jointly penned by Dr. Sukhdarshan Singh Chahal and Sukhwinder Singh Grewal depicting the various aspects of the first World Kabaddi Cup Tournament held in the state during the April, 2010.
Appreciating the commendable efforts of these two young authors Mr. Badal said that it was very important for every great event that it must be preserved in a book form. He also mentioned that this book would certainly act as a source of inspiration for budding young Kabaddi players in the state.
On this occasion the President, Punjab Kabaddi Association Mr. Sikander Singh Malooka thanked the Chief Minister for all the help and cooperation extended by the State Government in organizing Mega Kabaddi event for the first time in the history of the country to promote Kabaddi World over. He also lauded the unique work of Dr. Chahal and Mr. Grewal.
No. CMO-10/ 182
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