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OVERWHELMING RESPONSE FOR THE SALE OF LIQUOR VENDS IN PUNJAB

NEW EXCISE POLICY FETCHES APPLICATION MONEY TO THE TUNE OF

 RS.150.20 CRORE

CHANDIGARH MARCH 16:

            In view of overwhelming response to the sale of liquor vends, Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal said here today that the Excise and Taxation Department had successfully sold all these vends in the State.

The Chief Minister informed that there was approximately 6914 liquor vends in the State and the Department had received more applications than the number of licensing units in most of the places, which clearly meant that this transparent, open to all to apply. Thus, the Excise Policy 2010-11 received application money to the extent of Rs.150.20 crore as opposed to Rs.120 crore of the year 2009-10.

            The Chief Minister stated that in the Excise Policy 2010-11, the Department had made a net increase of Rs.500 crore  reaching the total excise revenue to Rs.2500 crore,  which was easily the highest increase ever made in the history of Punjab by the Department.

            The Chief Minister further stated that this year, the entire proceeds from the sale of applications would go to the welfare of Scheduled Castes and also be used to meet the expenditure being incurred on their pensions and 'Shagun' schemes.

            Giving the details, Financial Commissioner Taxation Mr. Shivinder Singh Brar stated that this had been made possible because the Government adopted a still more applicant-friendly Excise Policy, wherein the Department had waived off the 5% deposit of security amount at the time of the submission of the application form.

            Apart from this, the Department this time had allotted the liquor quota of each liquor vend in the State after conducting a detailed survey with regard to the potential of each and every vend in the State.  This survey brought out the real potential and thus, the Department was able to raise the quota of PML by 15%.

            Excise & Taxation Commissioner Mr. A.Venu Prasad pointed out that the quota had been increased by a merely 15% on PML alone. There would be no quota increase with regard to IMFL.

            Moreover, correspondingly, the State of Haryana have increased the quota of Punjab Medium Liquor (PML) from 750 lac Proof Liter (PL) to 900 lac Proof Litre (PL) which increase is more by 250 lac Proof liter (PL) Thus, the increase of quota in Punjab was much less in so far as the increased flow of liquor in the State of Punjab was concerned as opposed to Haryana.

            According to Mr. Prasad, further the increase in the sale price in Punjab had been to the extent of Rs.10/- per bottle with regard to IMFL and PML Rs.6.25 per bottle, as opposed to Haryana's which had increased its price per bottle by 20% on IMFL across the Board which worked out to be much higher than the increases made in the Punjab Excise Policy.   He stated that in so far as the number of vends was concerned, there had been no substantial increase in the number of vends which remains at 6914 liquor vends as in the year 2009-10.

            Mr. Prasad further stated that the draw by lotteries for disposal of liquor vends would be held on 19th March, 2010 at every District Headquarter. The State Government had already appointed Deputy Commissioners of the concerned districts as Observers for conducting the draw of the lotteries in a fair and transparent manner. The entire process of allotment will be videographed. The process of taking out of lotteries would be carried out in the presence of all the applicants who were present, invitees from the press etc. who would also take out the lotteries themselves, and no Departmental or any other Government official will take out even one single lottery, added Mr. Prasad.

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Memorandums submitted to Governor

SUKHBIR LED DELEGATION SEEKS DUE STATUS FOR PUNJABI IN UT

ALSO SEEKS RESTORATION OF 60 PERCENT

 POSTS IN UT FOR PUNJAB

Chandigarh March 16:

People of Punjab today raised a united voice to give their mother language Punjabi its due status in its own capital, Chandigarh. Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal accompanied Education Minister Dr. Upinderjit Kaur, Mr Sher Singh Ghubaya, MP and Independent MLA Mr. Charanjit Singh Channi representing the collective wishes of total population of Punjab and carrying unanimous resolutions passed by Punjab Vidhan Sabha  marched to Punjab Raj Bhawan, to submit memorandums to Punjab Governor and Administrator Union Territory Chandigarh Mr. Shivraj Patil to accord Punjabi language its due status in Chandigarh and to restore original mandated ratio of 60 percent ratio of Punjab Officers in UT administration.

The delegation also including members of Language Advisory Board led by Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal passionately put forward to Governor that Punjabi language was victim of official apathy and neglect in its own Capital Chandigarh.

The Governor Mr. Shivraj Patil after patiently listening to the detailed presentation by Deputy Chief Minister and supported by other members of the delegation, assured to do "Justice". Mr Patil said that he would get the memorandums examined in light of arguments put forward by the delegation and ensure that justice was done to everybody.

Mr Badal pleaded that it was matter of great concern that teaching of Punjabi as a language in Chandigarh schools or its use in official work has been virtually abandoned by the U.T. Administration. Mr. Badal requested Punjab Governor that UT Administration must take pro active steps to enact similar legislations as Punjab had promulgated for compulsory use of Punjabi language in all offices, educational institutes and subordinate courts.

Mr. Badal also brought to the notice of Governor that UT Administration since last few years was tinkering with original mandated ratio of 60:40 of Punjab and Haryana employees to the disadvantage of Punjab employees. He said that even Punjab IAS, PCS and IPS officers on deputation to UT Administration have been divested of those all departments that were agreed for Punjab officers in 1966.

While stating that English is universally accepted as a link language and Hindi as national language, he said: "We must give due recognition to both English and Hindi, but not at the cost and status of our mother tongue." He further added that in pursuance to the unanimous resolutions adopted by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, a collective responsibility on our shoulders has been added to promote our mother tongue Punjabi in the UT Chandigarh and other Punjabi speaking areas. He said that these resolutions adopted by Punjab Vidhan Sabha unanimously reflect the collective will of people of Punjab and it becomes the bounden duty of UT Administration to translate this will into realty by according Punjabi language its due status in the capital of Punjab.  

He further said that the State government had already promulgated two legislations to ensure proper and official use of Punjabi in all the offices and subordinate courts. Besides, it had also been made compulsory for learning and teaching of Punjabi language in all the schools from standard I to X whether run by any Society, Trust, Board, Management or any central school etc.

Mr. Badal lamented that at present the Three Language Formula (TLF) is in vogue in many neighboring States that are deliberately ignoring to accord due status to Punjabi language as a second language to which it deserved . This Formula, as enunciated in the National Policy Resolution of 1968 and reiterated in the National Policy on Education 1986, provided Hindi, English and modern Indian language in the Hindi speaking states and Hindi, English and the regional language in the non-Hindi speaking States, he said.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that the Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Uttrakhand Governments must provide proper second language status to Punjabi by enacting special legislations as the Punjab state has formulated. They should take up the task of encouraging and patronizing the Punjabi language with renewed zeal to fulfill the aspirations of Punjabi community residing to their states. This would go a long way in promoting the cause of this great language in unity with diversity of India, he added.

Mr. Pradip Mehra, Advisor to Administrator, Mr Ram Niwas, Home Secretary, UT and Mr MP Singh, Secretary to Governor were also present on the occasion.

       The delegation also included 24 official and non official members of State Level Language Advisory Board.

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Remarkable turn around in Punjab economy

Finances on a major upswing;

Deficits down; growth rates up; revenue receipts present a major success story; industry, agriculture growth rates surpass national, averages despite recession

 Chandigarh March 16 -The overall economy and fiscal health of Punjab showed a major upswing during the past three years, registering both recovery and resilience on all financial and growth parameters.  The state defied nationwide recessionary trends and growth slide down to emerge as one of the fastest growing economies among states,. For the first time in decades, Punjab surpassed national average of growth in key areas of  development and fiscal recovery, putting at rest all speculation that the state's fiancés were a cause for worry.

            This is borne out by the concrete data on growth, fiscal and revenue deficit management as well as revenue receipts and debt to GSDP ration percentages. Contrary to popular belief, the states' industry and agriculture also registered impressive growth rate, paving the way for major economic expansion and growth in the years to come.

            The state jumped from  the 24th position to be among the top three in the country in rate of growth in VAT receipts. As against just 4.37 per cent in 2006-07, the rate of growth jumped to 20.46 %  for 2008-09. The budgetary projections show that the figure was all set to go up to 28% during the next fiscal, a jump of  nearly 700% since  the SAD BJP government took over.

     .  Similarly,  plan implementation  by the state  reveals a a dream like success story. The five year figure for plan implementation during the Congress regime was  14, 823 crore. This figure has already been exceeded in just three years for which the figure stood at 15,379 crore. These figures significant relate to plan implementation and not just plan size.

           Despite drought ,recession, low MSP and unexpected hike in agricultural inputs, , the state registered a growth rate of 3.42% which is more than double the national growth rate ( 1.8%)  for the same period,. This figure is projected to reach 3.74%  in the year 2009-10 as against the national  growth rate of  just 1.00 percent during the same period.    

            Similarly, despite the severe handicap of  package of  concessions to  neighboring states, industry in Punjab grew at 8.00 percent  which is exactly double of the national growth rate of just 4.00 per cent. Clearly, Punjab has beaten back  the global and  national recessionary trends. Industry is set to grow at 8.11% during the coming fiscal.

            The state's industrial growth during the Congress regime, despite tall claims of mega projects, was below the national average by 1.65%.  This time around, the same ration is 4% in favour of Punajb as against the national average.

     Punjab also reduced the gap between the national rate of growth of economy and that of the state from minus 2.7% during the previous Congress regime ending 2007,  to just minus 0.5 percent at present.  The economy grew at just 5.1% during the Amarinder regime where in the first three years of the SAD BJP government, the economy of the state achieved a healthy growth rate of  6.7 percent. Here also, the state closed down the gap between the national average from  minus 2.7% to just minus 0.3 %.

             The state government also turned the corner in the matter or revenue receipts including state taxes, jumping form a meager 031% during the Amarinder regime to an incredible 12.4% in the first three years alone. And this figure is like to go astronomically up to touch 24% at the end of 2009-10 fiscal, increase by an  unbelievable   72 times.

  The state was also able to substantially reduce its fiscal deficit from 4.22%  in 2007 to 4.03 % pr cent and the revised estimates show the figure would go further down to just 3.41% in the 2009-10 fiscal.

         Similarly, revenue deficit as percentage of  GSDP,  which stood at 4.1% during the fiscal 2007-8 has been brought down to 2.1 %, and is likely go down even further during the nest fiscal year.

             Another important parameter concerning the ratio of debt to Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) also showed a major improvement.  This ratio stood at 39.89 percent at the end of the Congress regime in 2007. It has now been brought down to 34.85% and is likely to go down further to 33.75 % in the next fiscal.

Key Features of Budget 2010-11

Some indicators

•   The total size of the Budget is Rs. 43925.21 crore.
•   Revenue Receipts are Rs.29617.33 crore.
•   Revenue Expenditure is Rs.33405.06 crore.
•    Revenue Deficit is Rs. 3787.73 crore.
•   Capital Expenditure is Rs.3062.15 crore.
•   Fiscal Deficit is Rs. 6706.11 crore.
•   Total size of the Annual Plan is Rs. 9050 crore.

State of Economy

• In 2008-09, the growth rate for Punjab was 6.40%, against the national growth rate of 6.70%. The advance estimates for 2009-10 indicate the growth rate for Punjab at 6.7 % against 7.2 % for the national economy. Thus Punjab's growth rate is moving closer to the national growth rate.
• Planning Commission had estimated a growth rate of 5.9% for Punjab during the 11th Plan period.
• The primary sector (agriculture, animal husbandry) accounts for 30% of GSDP, as compared to 19% for 2008-09 for India. In 2008-09, this sector grew at 3.42% in Punjab over the previous year while, for the Indian economy as a whole, this growth was 1.80%. Advance estimates for 2009-10 indicate that nationally, the primary sector is likely to grow at 1%, while for Punjab the growth is likely to be 3.74%.
• Across the country, in 2008-09 the growth in the secondary sector was 4%, whereas for Punjab it was 8.0%.Advance estimates for 2009-10 indicate that the secondary sector will grow at 8.41% in Punjab and at 8.11% nationally.
• As per advance estimates, the per capita income at current prices in the state is expected to increase from Rs. 52879 in 2008-09 to Rs. 61035 in 2009-10 indicating a growth rate of 15.42 %.

State Finances

• The growth rate of State's Own Tax Revenue has improved from 0.31% in 2006-07 to 24.27% in 2009-10 (RE). 
• The 2010-11 (BE) projects a growth rate of 7.54% of the ratio of State's own Tax revenue to GSDP against 7.20% in 2009-10(RE).  
• The additional resource mobilization measures, carried out during the current fiscal year, are likely to yield additional revenues of around Rs.1930 crore in 2010-11.
• The total debt stock of the State has risen to Rs.57787 crore in 2008-09 and is expected to reach Rs. 64924  crore by 31-03-2010.
• Interest payments pre-empted Rs. 4902 crore in 2008-09 which will increase to Rs. 5389 crore in 2009-10 and further to Rs. 5764 crore in 2010-11.
• Through prudent debt Management State has been able to improve the debt-GSDP ratio from 39.89 % in 2006-07 to 34.85 % in 2008-09. This is likely to improve to 33.75% by 31-03-2010 and further to 32.85% by the end of 2010-11.

A new focus of the Budget Strategy (Green Initiatives)

• Climate change is a major challenge for Punjab and therefore addressing climate change will now be a major focus of our budget strategy.
• As part of our green initiatives an additional Rs. 12 crore for cleaning of Budha Nallah and holy Bein has been provided. Rs. 50 crore has already been sanctioned for this purpose in December, 2009 as Additional Central Assistance.
• A comprehensive 3 year, Rs. 300 crore programme for containing the pollution due to urban waste discharge in river Sutlej and Ghaggar has been drawn up under the National River Conservation Programme. Rs. 135 crore has been earmarked for this purpose in 2010-11.

Development Initiatives (Annual Plan)

• For the year 2010-11, the State Government has formulated a Plan of Rs. 9050 crore against the Plan size (RE 2009-10) of Rs. 7363 crore. 
• The Plan focuses on power, human resource development, infrastructure, greater stress on welfare of Scheduled Castes and other weaker sections of the society, development of agriculture, development of rural and urban areas, irrigation and power programmes, improved  health and medical services, education etc. 
• Some of the sectoral allocations for 2010-11 are:-

 Infrastructure

• Rs. 1100 crore on roads in the year 2010-11.
• Rs. 916 crore for creation of Infrastructure by PIDB.
• Rs. 3300.00 crore for the Power sector - an increase of 27.27%.
• Rs. 645.27 crore for Irrigation and flood control - an increase of 18.11%.
• Rs. 317.48 crore for Agriculture and allied sectors - increase of 25.45%.

Human Resources

• Rs. 598.43 crore for General Education - an increase of 28.07%.
• Honorarium of the part time Urdu teachers has been increased from Rs. 500 p.m. to Rs. 2500 p.m.
• Rs. 10 crore for Government Colleges at Sunam, Mohali,  Sardulgarh and Bathinda & the Home Science College at Kauni, Muktsar.
• Rs. 17 crore for up-gradation of sports infrastructure including Synthetic hockey surfaces at Barjindra College Faridkot and other locations.
• Rs. 417 crore for Health sector. NRHM outlay increased from Rs. 250 crore to 315 crore.

Industries

• To provide appropriate conditions for the knowledge based industries, the two self-contained mixed use and Integrated Information Technology and Knowledge Industry Parks spread over 1276 acres at Rajpura and on 226 acres at Village Jhall Thikriwala in district Kapurthala will be set up.

1. Social Sector

• Though majority of programmes included in the Plan are gender neutral, an allocation of Rs 1010 crore has been provided as women component under various programmes for the welfare and development of women.
• To further economic empowerment of women, the Government has reduced the stamp duty for properties transferred in favour of women from 4% to 3%. 
• Rs. 159 crore has been provided for Attendance Scholarships to Primary girl students (SC/BC), and grant-in-aid for various programmes for welfare of SC/BC.

1. Defence Services Welfare

• To encourage the coming generation to join the armed forces, the State proposes to introduce an incentive scheme, of awarding Rs.1 lac to a successful cadet from Punjab upon getting admission to the Indian Military Academy and the National Defence Academy.
• Rs. 4 crore for providing grant of Rs. 5 lac each for purchase of plot/house for the widows of martyrs/disabled solders.
• Rs. 3 crore for construction of Sainik Rest Houses and Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum, Ludhiana, and Rs. one crore for Sainik welfare office at Jalandhar.
• It has decided to raise the allowances of its war decorated soldiers by 40%.

1. Entertainment Duty

Entertainment Duty reduced from 125 per cent to 25 per cent and Theaters (Dramas) fully exempted.

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"Entrepreneurship Sensitization Day" organized by Aryans Group of Colleges in CII"

Chandigarh 16:

Highlights

Many eminent speakers/entrepreneurs motivated students to become job providers instead of job-seekers

In business plan competition around 30 MBA students made presentations of their business plans.

·Bank of India selected few business plan and suggested them to make detailed business proposals for loan for those projects.

Aryans Group of Colleges (AGC) today organized "Entrepreneurship Sensitization Day" at CII, Chandigarh. Mr. Rakesh Sethi, ZM, Bank of India (BOI) was the chief guest. Mr. Puneet Vatsayan, President, The Indus Entrepreneur (TiE) and Mr.Dalip Sharma, RD, PHD Chamber were the guests of Honour. Many eminent speakers/entrepreneurs including Mr.Maneet Singh, Director, ADI Backoffice, Col.B.M Sablok, CMA and Mr.Satwinder Saimbi, MD, mbauniverse.com enlighten the students on the Entrepreneurship. The event was presided over by Dr. Anshu Kataria, Chairman, Aryans Group.

Out of nearly 350 students of MBA/BBA of Aryans Group, 20 students made presentations of their business plans who intend to become entrepreneur. The officials of Bank appreciated the ideas of students and suggested them to make detailed business proposals for obtaining financial assistance. Out of the students who made the presentations Mr. Ravinder Vikram (MBA IV) and Mr. Fayaz Ahmad (MBA IV) were adjudged the winners of 1stand 2nd awards for their business ideas.

While addressing the students, Mr. Rakesh Sethi said that MBA programme attracts students to get a job with fat package but non availabilty of initial investment discourages them to start their own ventures. He also explains the students various schemes offered by the banks in India especially meant to aid young entrepreneurs. He also provided the information regarding small and medium industry finance and detail about the education loan. The education system should focus on making students job providers instead of job-seekers, he added.

Mr. Puneet Vatsayan, said that boasting of 100 per cent campus placements is not enough. Professional colleges should come out with concrete plans to build entrepreneurship qualities in students. Further Mr.Dalip Sharma emphasized the need of lifting Indian economy by making the young generation independent and self sufficient in this era of global meltdown.

Mr. Maneet Singh, while motivating the students said that they should come up with innovative ideas and should not hesitate from taking risks as life is full of possibilities. Adding some excitement to the event Col.B.M Sablok, with the help of business/management games, taught the students the various skills required to be successful entrepreneurs. Mr.Satwinder Saimbi added that there is great need of sensitizing the Indian population on management education and how it can help the youth to start up their own businesses.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Anshu Kataria said that this event was organized by the institute in order to develop and groom the potential first generation entrepreneurs and to provide them with a platform to interact with the seasoned experts from various quarters. Prof. D. C. Kataria (Vice Chairman); Dr. Parveen Kataria (Director General);Dr.D.P.Singh; Dr.Manjit Kalra; Dr. A.S.Balgir (all Directors) also spoke on the occasion.

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