Punjab News, NRI News

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal , Deputy Chief Minister Punjab today said that Punjab Government was approaching Union Government seeking fresh loan waiver package for Punjab as in the first edition of package hardly one percent farmers were benefited.

Talking to the media after paying tributes to Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia on its 287th Birth Day in a State Level Function orgainsed today, Mr. Badal said that Union Government cannot ignore the problems of Punjabi famers who were contributing more than 70% grain to the food kitty. He said that previous loan waiver tailor made to favour the farmers of those states those have big strength of MPs in Parliament and Punjab would seek this package on the basis of performance and solid contribution of Punjabi farmers. Mr. Badal said that Punjab had already sought Rs. 3500 crore package to rejuvenate its 100 year old canal network that was backbone of agriculture sector of Punjab.

Answering a question about naxal elements re grouping in Punjab, Mr. Badal said that Punjab police was keeping a close eye on the situation and it would not allow either naxalism or terrorism to raise its ugly head in Punjab. He said that Punjab had already requested Union Government special package for those states that could be the potential threats of expansionist designs of naxal movement. He said that Punjab had recently sought Rs. 200 crore modernisation packages to equip the Punjab police with modern armaments.

Mr. Badal said that the sports policy of the Punjab Government would be soon finalised as he was having deliberations with the top players in New Delhi on 8th May 2010 and the policy would identify 8/9 games that has potential of medal win ability in the International Games. Mr. Badal said that after Kabaddi he was focusing on Hockey and other traditional games. The Deputy Chief Minister said that Punjab all set to introduce district level competition in all the games and Punjab cup with seizable prize for traditional games.

Earlier paying tributes to Sikh General Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia who raised the flag of rebellion against in justice by Mugal and Afghan forces, he said that nation was indebted to Sikh General who recaptured Delhi in 18th century and hoisted national flag.

He said that entire Sikh community was grateful to Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia who tought them the value of excelling in basic engineering and protecting the honour of the nation. Mr. Badal said that Punjab Cabinet would soon take a decision on setting up a full fledged university dedicated to Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia.

Mr. Badal also released a Smriti Granth giving a detailed history of Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia to educate the present generation. The Deputy Chief Minister said that endeavour of SAD BJP Government to commemorate birth anniversaries of all generals, Sikh fighters as State Level Function was aimed at educating the present generation regarding the contribution of Sikhs in Indian history.

Recounting the Saga of unparalleled development during last three years, Mr. Badal said that the development of infrastructure during last three years have surpassed the collective development in last 62 years. He said that Punjab was set to become first state in the country that would have all major towns interlinked with 4/6 laned roads.

Announcing to a thunderous crowed Mr. Badal said that Punjab cabinet would soon come out with Rs. 2000 crore Urban Development package for giving a new look to the Urban areas of Punjab. Mr. Badal also announced a special grant of Rs. 100 crores for the princely city of Patiala to upgrade its sewerage and water supply network.

The Deputy Chief Minister announced that International flights from Mohali International Airport would start in December whereas domestic flights from Sahanewal Airport would start this month.

Mr. Badal said that Union Government given in principal approval four laining of Amritsar-Zira-Faridkot-Bathinda-Ganganagar road that would take the major load of traffic coming from Mumbai going to J&K.

Mr. Badal said that 1900 difficult villages would soon have RO System whereas all villages would have potable water supply in next 15 months.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Industry Minister , Public Relations Minister Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Mr. Hira Singh Gabaria, Mr. Raj Khurana, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Prem Singh Chandumajra, Gen. Secy. ; Mr. Daljit Cheema Advisor to Chief Minister, Mr. Kirpal Singh Badungar Chairman Backward class corporation, Mr. Inder Mohan Singh Bajaj, S. Surjit Singh Rakhra, S. Ajaib Singh Mukhmalpur, S. Surjit Singh Kohli, S. Tejinder Pal Singh sandhu, S. Harinderpal Singh Harry Mann, S. Ravinder Pal Singh Ginni, Advocate B.S.Jandu, Mr. Hari Singh , Mr. Jasjit Singh Banni MLA paid rich tributes to Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia

On the occasion Mr. Hira Singh Gabaria, Tourism and Jails Minister honoured Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal and Public Relations Minister Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan with a memento on behalf of ramgarhia clan.

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Chandigarh May 5: The newly appointed Vice Chairman of Planning Board Punjab Mr. Rajinder Bhandari today called on Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal, Finance Minister Punjab. The meeting was mainly focused on the restructuring and up gradation of the department and ensuring proper implementation of the centrally sponsored schemes especially launched for Punjab.

Mr. Manpreet Badal emphasized the need for introducing orientation and computer literacy programmes for the officers of the department so that they become well versed with the latest techniques in their respective fields. He also said that a number of schemes such as ICD, Mid- Day Meal, NRHM and Sarv Siksha Programmes and a few urban based schemes initiated with the assistance of Government of India required a constant monitoring so that the benefit could reach up to the beneficiaries at the grass root levels.

Speaking on the occasion the Vice Chairman of the state Planning Board, Mr. Bhandari assured the minister of a better coordination of the board functionaries with all the administrative departments in order to ensure integrated development of Punjab. Referring to the implementation of the Border Area Development Programme, Mr. Bhandari said that it was amongst the top most priorities of the Punjab Government to strengthen the existing ongoing centrally sponsored schemes initiated for the people living in remote/inaccessible areas situated near the border.

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Government agencies and private millers procured more than 100.17 lakh tonnes of wheat till last evening as compared to 103.07 lakh tones in previous year on the day.

Out of total procurement of 100.17 lakh tonnes of wheat in all the procurement centers of Punjab, Government agencies procured 99.73 lakh tonnes of wheat (99.6%) till date whereas private traders procured 43750 tonnes (0.4%) of wheat. Till May 4, PUNGRAIN had procured 16.60 lakh tonnes (16.6%) whereas MARKFED procured 23.23 lakh tonnes (23.2%). PUNSUP procured 22.44 lakh tonnes (22.4%), PSWC procured 11.05 lakh tonne (11.0%) whereas PAIC was able to procure 10.17 lakh tonnes (10.2%) of wheat.

The Central Government agency FCI had been able to procure 16.21 lakh tonnes (16.2%).

The spokesman added that District Ferozepur with 11.38 lakh tonnes of wheat procurement was leading in procurement operations whereas District Sangrur with 9.14 lakh tonnes at second slot and district Patiala with 8.18 lakh tonnes ranked at third position.

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