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\FEBRUARY 5:
PUNJAB INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY TO COME UP NEAR LUDHIANA CM GIVES NOD TO JOINT VENTURE PROJECT WITH CARNEGIE MELLON
CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 5: Punjab is all set to achieve a new bench mark in the higher education of global standards with the setting up of ‘Punjab International University’ near Ludhiana over 35 acres in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA. The proposed university as a joint venture project would be promoted by IREO Group. A decision to this effect was taken by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal in a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer Carnegie Mellon Mr. Gil Taran who evinced keen interest to set up a new university in the state. The Chief Minister was informed by Mr. Taran that the initial proposal would have 5 schools in the university including engineering & technology, education & teachers training, applied sciences, humanities & languages and management & business studies. The courses to be run would be fully at par with the courses being run in its USA campus. Efforts would be made to have degree awarded by this university to be recognized in the USA. Mr. Taran further apprised the Chief Minister that the cost of education would be a fraction of the cost which an international student has to pay in USA. Technical courses would be developed in connection with the needs of the local industry He pointed out that Carnegie Mellon University was rated amongst the top ten universities of USA and its robotics department was ranked as the best amongst other departments. He said that such state-of-the-art educational institutions had also been set up in China, Doha (Qatar) and Kazakhstan. While giving in principle approval to the proposal for setting up this university, the Chief Minister assured Mr. Taran that the entire project would be cleared within two weeks. Taking part in the deliberations, Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said in the wake of globalization and liberalization of economy, the quality of higher education was also required to be of global standards. He said that 65% of population of India constituted youth below the age of 40 years. He hoped that India and Punjab could especially aspire for the growth rate of 10% if we produced well trained university graduates in all the disciplines. He asked the Education Minister should draw a long term strategy for bringing major investments in the education sector to promote Punjab as an educational hub. He also asked the education department to prepare a comprehensive proposal to develop an educational city around the Chandigarh over an area of 2000 acre. He said that Punjab had an excellent infrastructure base with air and road connectivity to offer the best opportunities in the sphere of education to the students not from with in the country but from overseas also. Education Minister Mrs. Upinderjit Kaur said that while the state government would welcome the private sector universities for the promotion of higher education. She exhorted the promoters to adopt a moderate fee structure while imparting the best quality of education to the students. Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included; Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Principal Secretary Higher Education Mr. KBS Sidhu and Special Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema, besides, President Mr. Madhukar Tulsi and Director Varun Khanna of IREO Group.
The SAD president and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today came down heavily against the proposed hike in petroleum products saying that this would break the back of the poor and the middle classes “The Centre’ s move to increase the price of petrol, diesel and cooking gas , coming at the peak of an unprecedented level of price in the country, would further inflame inflationary trends and paralyse the economy by putting additional burden on the purchasing power of the people” said Mr. Badal in a statement here. The hike in the price of diesel would have a serious impact on agricultural growth, he said. The Deputy Chief Minister said that the move was further evidence of what the states have been saying all along: that the unprecedented price rise in the country is the direct consequence of the center’s thoughtless policies. He said that the proposed hike was totally unjustified and is a cruel joke to the people of the country, who are already facing serious blow of growing crisis of food inflation. The Deputy Chief Minister said that the increase in prices of petroleum products will seriously hamper the growth and development scenario of the country. He said that the UPA government at the Centre has been elected in a democratic way by the people and by taking such harsh anti-people steps, its real face has been exposed and the apprehensions posed by the NDA alliance partners during the elections are coming true. S. Badal further lamented that the statement of Union Minister of Food Mr. Sharad Pawar a few days back that he is not at fault in the sharp rise in essential commodities reflects, that the UPA government does not bother about the collective responsibility of the Cabinet and the ministers are blaming each other to hide their incompetence and lack of will to serve the electorates, who have given them power to run the country’s affairs. He said that there is no dearth of potential and resources in the country and such ill-conceived practices are prevalent on the national scene due to mismanagement and unimaginative approach. He said that the state governments can do nothing in such situations as the control of food prices and other daily homely goods lies with the Central Government. He said that Punjab has been the worst hit state with all these anti people policies and our cry for justice have always ignored by the Centre. S. Badal appealed to the like-minded political parties and the people alike to raise their voice against these irrational steps by the UPA Government and make them realize that the people of India can not any more tolerate this unholy nexus of UPA Government and a patronized group of trading community wedded to unethical practices. He appealed to the Prime Minister to personally intervene in the matter and create a balance in demand and supply suiting the interests of both producers and consumers. No.PR-10/
The Punjab Government has approved today the master plans prepared by Jurang Consultants, Singapore for the local planning area of Kharar and Banur. A decision to this effect has been taken in the 17th meeting of Punjab Regional Town Planning and Development Board under the Chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here at his office. The Board had also discussed various objections received regarding the master plan of Abohar and Sri Hargobindpur which were approved in the earlier meeting of the board. Regarding the issue of spot zoning of a particular Industrial Unit in the residential area identified in the master plan of Ludhiana the Chief Minister categorically said that no spot zoning for any industry to be allowed as per the master plan policy. However, the board has unanimously approved the amendment in the master plan of Ludhiana to identify Pritam Puri area Sekhewal road as Hozzary Industry area because 95% of this area was covered by Hozzary Industrial Units. The board has also approved a minor amendment in the master plan of Mullanpur to avoid the uprooting of about 300 small and big constructions on Chandigarh-Mullanpur road. Prominent amongst those who were present in the meeting included Local Government and Industry Minister Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, PWD Minister Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Housing and Urban Development Mr. Sarwan Singh Philaur, Chief Secretary Mr. S.C. Agrawal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. D.S. Guru, Financial Commissioner Rural Development and Panchayats Mr. Jagpal Singh Sandhu, M.D. PIDB Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Chief Town Planner Mr. Kuldip Singh Dhaliwal.
Chandigarh February 4: The Punjab Government has nominated the Presidents of three NGOs namely Indian Red Cross Society, Paryas Special School for Mentally Disabled Children Jalandhar, Vocational Rehabilitation Centre for Blind and Orthopaedically Handicapped Persons, Ludhiana and Indian Red Cross Society, 15 Bedded Drug De-addiction Treatment cum Rehabilitation Centre, Moga as members of the Grant-in-Aid Committee for a period of one year. Chandigarh February 04: State Vigilance Bureau has arrested four Non-Gazzetted Officers (NGOs) in four different bribery cases in the last month and was able to secure the conviction of two accused in two different vigilance cases. Disclosing this here today Mr. Rajinder Singh, SP-cum-Joint Director (Admn.) Vigilance Bureau Punjab, said that Bureau has put up its best efforts to eradicate corruption amongst public servants and others in every sphere in the State. In this direction, the Vigilance officers have ensured that suspect did not escape judicial punishment in the various courts in the State. He added that during the last month of January, the Vigilance had nabbed four corrupt public servants red handedly accepting bribes in four different cases. The Bureau has also registered a criminal case against one suspect corrupt official to probe into the alleged allegations. During the month of January the special courts have sentenced two accused after finding them guilty for two years to three years imprisonment with fines in two different vigilance cases, he added. Chandigarh, February 4: The Education and Languages Minister Punjab, Dr. Upinderjit Kaur today expressed her deep sense of shock and sorrow over the sad demise of noted educationist and prolific writer Dr T.R Vinod. In a condolence message, Dr. Upinderjit Kaur condoled that in the death of Dr T.R Vinod, Punjab as well as literary world has lost a distinguished writer, and critic, whose writings gave it a new identity in the field of education and a social purpose. She described Dr Vinod as an able educationist and good administrator and a torchbearer of writing with a constructive approach and vision, who has left an elegant mark on the world around him. “He was indeed a great inspiring writer with good heart”, she said. She further added that the demise of this noted educationist was an irreparable loss to the State. “He would be ever remembered by one and all in recognising his immense talents as a, writer, humanist, and above all as a fine human being”, she said. The Education Minister expressed heartfelt sympathy with the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to give strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss and grant peace to the departed soul. No.PR-10/40 HSG Chandigarh February 4: Giving a major relief to the government aided colleges teaching faculty, the Punjab Government has decided to extend the time limit of refresher courses upto December 2005 for aided college teachers also at par with government college teachers. This was disclosed by Dr. Upinderjit Kaur Education and Languages Minister Punjab here today. In a meeting held with Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union (PCCTU), the Minister patiently listen to their genuine demands and grievances and asked the officers to put a case for proper implementation of Career Advance Scheme (CAS) for college DPEs and Librarians also. She informed that the grants to the colleges had not been released due to the non compliance of 99 college managements, out of 136 colleges, who have not submitted their UCs (used certificates) till now and the department constantly requesting the managements to send their UCs at the earliest so that the grants could be without any delay. The Minister also responded positively to the PCCTU demands of security of service to the teachers working against un-aided posts under the Act of 1974. Among others Mr KBS Sidhu Principal Secretary Higher Education, Mrs. Ritu Aggarwal Additional Director (Admn.), Mr Sohan Lal DPI (C) including PCCTU President Mr Iqbal Singh Sandhu, Mr Jagwant Singh Senior Vice President, Mr H.S Walia General Secretary and Mr Avtar Singh Secretary were also present in the meeting. Caption: Dr. Upinderjit Kaur Education Minister Punjab presiding over a meeting with delegation of Punjab & Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union at Chandigarh.
Chandigarh February 4: Medical Education and Research Minister of Punjab, Mr. Tikshan Sud expressed a grave concern over the risk from genetically modified crops ( GM crops ) including new allergy causing molecules, toxins etc. While delivering his views at the national level workshop on the introduction of GM crops at Thiruvananthpuram, he also mentioned that Bt cotton has not performed up to the expectations. Farmers are especially at risks from the multinationals that might take advantage from the GM crops. He further recommended the discouragement of commercial proliferation of the crops. A policy decision has also been taken according to which the medical colleges of Punjab would constitute specific cells to monitor the impact of the GM crops on human health, said minister Sud. The Minister appreciated the state of Kerela for having pushed organic farming as a policy thrust area. He took pride in mentioning that Punjab was also actively spearheading in the organic farming. The Minister mentioned that over 84% of the area of Punjab is under intensive agriculture. It has made a significant contribution to the central food grain pool, constituting 56% of wheat and around 45% of rice. He assured to take up the matter with regard to GM crops, at all the levels of the state of Punjab in the larger public interest. Agriculture Minister of Kerala, Sh. MullaKara Ratnakaran and Chief Minister of Kerala were also present on the occasion. Chandigarh February 4: S. Parkash Singh Badal , Chief Minister Punjab would inaugurate the four-day third Arogya Health Fair 2010 at Rajindera Collage Bathinda on 12th of February 2010.The Fair aimed at spreading awareness on Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. It will have free medical checkups, live Yoga demonstrations and preparations of the Ayurveda medicines. Disclosing this here today, Prof. Lakshni Kanta Chawla Health and Family Welfare Minister Punjab said that this would be the third Fair in the state and two more such fairs to be held in different parts of the state within two years. She further said that Mr. Shivraj Patil Governor Punjab would visit the Fair on the 14th of February. The Minister also said that approximately lakhs of people from all over Punjab but neighboring states are expected to visit the Fair where the entry would be free and the treatment would also be given free of cost instantaneously. Acharya Balkrishan Ji from Pitanjali Vidya Peeth would also be visiting the Fair on 14th to deliver lectures on Yoga. With growing popularity and wide acceptability of Ayurvedic and Yoga, India had now become a major medical Tourism Center for international tourists as a sizable chunk of Medical Tourists preferred Ayurvedic medicinal treatment as a traditional health care system, said Prof. Chawla. CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 4: The Punjab Government was all set to establish 13 new Government Colleges in the state and thus finalized a uniform Building Layout plan for all these Colleges. Chairing a meeting with the 6-member delegation of University Grants Commission (UGC) here late last evening, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal said that the design pattern of all the colleges had been approved to give a homogeneous look to these upcoming institutions. Mr. Badal also outlined the perspective of higher education in the state to the UGC team and said that the sole mission of the Punjab government was to spread quality education of global standards in every nook and corner of the state to enable our youth to be immensely benefited. The delegation also lauded Mr. Badal’s passion for quality education. After going through a detailed discussion the members of the visiting team expressed satisfaction over the proposed design of the college buildings and suggested few alterations in the classroom and hostel plans, which were incorporated immediately by the State Chief Architect on the direction of the Chief Minister. It may be recalled that these colleges are being set up at Sardulgarh (Distt. Mansa), Balachaur (Disttt. Nawanshahar), Guru Harsahai (Distt. Ferozepur), Choong (Distt. Tarn Taran), Dhillwan (Distt. Barnala), Narot Jaimalsingh (Distt. Gurdaspur), Sikhwala (Distt. Mukatsar), Nihalsinghwala (Distt. Moga), Jaito (Distt. Faridkot), University College Ghudda ( Distt. Bahtinda), University College, Chunni Kalan (Distt. Fatehgarh Sahib), Ghanaur (Distt. Patiala) and Mithra (Distt. Kapurthala) at a cost of about Rs.104 crore. In addition to these, 7 New Polytechnics at a cost of Rs. 84 crores were also being established in the districts of Fatehgarh Sahib, Barnala, Nawan Shahar and Mansa. The members of UGC team included; Prof. (Dr.) James Thomas, Vice Chancellor of Dr. D.Y. Patil University, Navi Mumbai, Prof. Rajesh Anand, Joint Secretary UGC, Dr. Shalini Malhotra, Associate Prof. Physical Education, Motilal Nehru College, Delhi University South Campus, Dr. Mani Kumar, Director Distance Education, M.S. Univaristy, Tirunalveli, Dr. RR Azad, Principal J.V. Jain College, Saharanpur and Dr. Ramesh Verma of UGC. CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 4: The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today urged the Union Minister of Railways Ms. Mamta Banerjee to issue directions to the concerned Railway authorities to expedite the construction work of new Broad Gauge Railway line of 52 KMs stretch from Morinda to Sahnewal for the completion of Chandigarh-Ludhiana rail link at the earliest. In a letter to Ms. Banerjee, the Chief Minister informed her that the construction work of this Railway line from Chandigarh to Ludhiana was started by the Railways long back and the work of Chandigarh to Morinda Section (46 km) under Phase I was completed in 2006. Mr. Badal also mentioned that the work in Section from Morinda to Sahnewal (52 km) was also in progress but being executed at very slow pace, unlikely to be completed before December 2011. CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 4: Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Virinder Singh as member of Punjab Regulatory Commission at a simple but an impressive ceremony here at Chief Minister’s office this morning. Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Chief Minister’s office said that Mr. Virinder who was retired from PSEB as Engineer-in-Chief in Dec. 2007 rendered service in Generation, Transmission & Distribution system of Power sector in PSEB with credit to initiate managerial and technical reforms throughout career. He had Started career in the year 1971 as an Executive with Bhilai Steel Plant and later shifted to Bokaro Steel Plant. In the year 1973, joined Punjab State Electricity Board as an Assistant Engineer, got promoted as Chief Engineer in September, 2005 and Engineer-in-Chief in February, 2007. During 36 years plus of blotless public service Mr. Virinder had served in various area of Technology & Management like Electrical Maintenance, Sub-Station Design & Construction, Planning, Load Flow Analysis, Hydro Projects, Computer Services, System Operation, Electrical Inspection, Energy Conservation and Human Resource Development. Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Chairman Punjab Regulatory Commission and Former Chief Secretary Mr. Jai Singh Gill, Chief Secretary Punjab SC Agrawal, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, secretary Power Mr. Arun goel and Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar. Chandigarh, February 4: The Punjab government is organizing a state level function to mark the Martyrdom Day of Sardar Sham Singh Attariwala, a leading general of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s army, who made supreme sacrifice while leading the Sikh forces from the front in last Anglo Sikh war, a battle fiercely fought at Sabhraon on the embankments of Satluj river. According to an official spokesman the function would be organised at Attari on February 10 and Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Information & Public Relations Minister Punjab would preside over the function. It may be mentioned here that the Punjab government had recently set up a memorial of great Sikh warrior at a cost of Rs.3.75 crore to perpetuate the memory of great warrior and to motivate the young generation. Chandigarh, February 4: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister today underlined the need for bringing all social welfare schemes including scholarships and incentives under one umbrella to improve their delivery systems to the target populations. Reviewing the implementation of various welfare schemes, the Deputy Chief Minister felt that due to fragmented approach of different welfare schemes coupled with plethora of departments implementing those, the delivery system of these schemes does not fulfill the purpose for which these schemes were originally framed. He said that due to non-publicization of most of the schemes, the beneficiaries themselves were unaware of these schemes resulting in their poor implementation. Referring to different schemes for girl child, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the departments of Social Welfare, Health and Education were implementing various centrally and state sponsored schemes resulting in overlapping besides harassment to the general public who have to knock at the doors of different departments to get the benefits of these schemes. Emphasizing the need for involving NGOs and other welfare organizations in improving the spread of these schemes besides ensuring their benefits to the real beneficiaries at the ground level, Mr. Badal said that the Planning department must consider introduction of social audit of these schemes to under stand the real effectiveness of each scheme. Mr. Badal said that the administrative reforms panel would also consider clubbing all schemes and bringing them under one umbrella for their effective implementations. Prominent amongst those participated in the meeting included; Chief Secretary Mr. S.C. Agrawal, Principal Secretary, Social Security and Development of Women and Children Mr. M.S. Sandhu, Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare and Planning Mr. Satish Chandra, Special Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Viswajeet Khanna, , Special Secretary Finance and Commissioner NRIs Mr. Vikas Pratap, and Additional Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Manvesh Singh Sidhu. Chandigarh Feb.4: A high level meeting was held here late last night between Mr.Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Public Works Minister (B&R) Punjab and Thakur Gulab Singh, Public Works & Revenue Minister, Himachal Pradesh to discuss the upgradation and development of Inter-State roads. The Secretary Public Works, Chief Engineers of both States, Engineer-in Chief of Himachal Pradesh along with their field staff also participated in the meeting. While presiding over the meeting, Mr. Dhindsa assured the visiting delegation of HP to consider taking up of Punjab portion of the Daulatpur Bhera Road under NABARD Scheme. Regarding Ghanoli – Nalagarh Road, the Minister said that it was decided to upgrade this road through Inter-State Connectivity Scheme of Central Government. He also said that the state government was keen to improve Anandpur Sahib – Naina Devi Road in Punjab section to facilitate the traffic of Pilgrims to Holly Shine of Naina Devi. Reiterating the Punjab government’s resolve to strengthen the road network in the state, the Minister said that widening & strengthening of Chakki – Dalhousie Section Dunera to Katori stretch was also under active consideration. Both the states would urge the Central Government for declare Chakki – Dalhousie Road as National Highway. Speaking on the occasion, Thakur Gulab Singh PWD Minister HP ensured better inter-state connectivity matter regarding improvement of Ghanouli-Nalagarh road, Daulatpur-Bhera road, Indora-Bhadukhar-Rialli-Hazipur road and construction of Nurpur-Sadwan-Makour-Jamman-Chakki-Bhagatput Dunera. Chandigarh, February 4: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister today issued directions to Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) to chalk out a plan to ensure 24 hours power supply to the water works situated in Kandi and sub-mountain areas of Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, SAS Nagar and Roopnagar district. Presiding over the meeting of sub committee for Punjab State sub- mountain and Kandi area development here today in which besides government representatives, two MLAs Mr. Gurbachan Singh Babehali and Mr. Balbir Singh Bath participated, Mr. Badal said that these areas being uneven, lot of boosting is required at different place to ensure water supply in these areas. He said that any disruption in power disturbs the whole boosting system of water putting, the residents of Kandi areas at inconvenience. He said that to provide potable water to every citizen of the state was the prime duty of the state and PSEB must ensure uninterrupted power to all water works of kandi areas. Asking the water supply department to expedite work, Mr. Badal said that SAD-BJP government must ensure water supply to every uncovered village within next two years. It was informed in the meeting that out of 1343 villages falling in these areas only 1283 were getting potable water whereas 141 villages were partly covered and 60 villages would be provided water supply in next two years. Expressing concern over frequent burnouts of motors in the water works, Mr. Badal asked Secretary Water Supply to keep spare two motors in each district that could be immediately replaced in place of burnt out motor. A budget of Rs. 10 crores for this purpose would be put in next budget. Mr. Badal also approved the scheme for providing deep hand pumps the villages in which population was small and water supply schemes was not feasible. Expressing concern over poor water supply in the villages of Dhar block, Mr. Badal also approved two schemes that would utilize water from Ranjit Sagar lake to provide potable water to the villages. Mr. Badal also asked water supply department to identify the area in the Chakki river in Pathankot where sand querying was making water supply schemes unviable. He said that he would ask Industry department to ban querying in that block of Chakki river to ensure uninterrupted water supply in the nearby villages. Prominent amongst those who participated in the meeting included Mr.P.S. Aujla, Secretary Water supply and Sanitation, Mr. Viswajeet Khanna , Principal Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister and Mr. Manvesh Sidhu , Additional Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister. CHANDIGARH February 3: Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of an eminent Punjabi scholar and writer Mr. T.R. Vinod who died here at PGI after a prolonged illness In a condolence message the Mr. Badal described Mr. Vinod as a fine human being, a bright scholar and an ardent lover Punjabi who worked tirelessly for the promotion of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiat. In his death a void has been created in the literary circles, which was difficult to be filled. Mr. Badal prayed to the Almighty to give courage and strength to the member of the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss and grant peace to the departed soul. It may be recalled that the Chief Minister had given Rs. 1 lac as a financial assistance for the treatment of Mr. Vinod, who was suffering from brain tumor Meanwhile Education Minister Dr. Upinderjit Kaur and Information & Public Relations Minister S. Sewa Singh Sekhwan also condoled the sad demise of noted Punjabi scholar Mr. T.R. Vinod whose outstanding services for the promotion of the Punjabi languages and literature would be ever remembered by one and all. No.CMO-10/64 CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 3: A high level delegation of Guru Gobind Singh Refinery being executed by Hindustan Mittal Energy Ltd. (HMEL) led by its Chief Executive Officer Mr. Prabh Das today called on Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal to brief him about the current status of the upcoming 9 million MTPA refinery at Bathinda. Taking part in deliberations, Mr. Das informed the Chief Minister the project was expected to be completed by early 2011. A recent study by Business School of Panjab University has established growth in State GDP in the range of Rs. 5,000- 7,000 crore with the commissioning of the refinery. Making a brief presentation, Mr. Das told the Chief Minister that more than 65% of project had been completed on overall basis. In view of the current pace of construction the Refinery Project would be dedicated to the people of Punjab in early 2011, added Mr. Das. The Chief Minister was further informed about the progress on Mundra Port in Gujarat as more than 700 KM of connecting pipeline out of total 1000 KM had been laid from Gujarat to Bathinda and the remaining 300 KM would be completed by May, 2010, so that crude can be brought to Punjab. The delegation thanked Mr. Badal for the overwhelming support being received from various departments of state Government. It was also informed in the meeting that the Company had already spent nearly Rs. 7000 crore on the project and on its completion the entire project would have an outlay of 19,000 crore. The company had already made a commitment of nearly Rs.16,000 crore. To meet the targeted schedule, a work force of approximately 30,000 workers was actively engaged at various project sites. The company was in touch with various industries for development of medium and small scale industries in Petro Chemical Hubs being proposed in Ludhiana and Bathinda. These industries would be based on Poly Propylene produced by the Refinery. The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Principal Secretary Mr. DS Guru. Besides Director HMEL Mr. Rajan Tandon, Director HMEL/HPCL Mr. B. Mukherjee, Advisor HMEL Mr. MA Tankiwala, Head Treasury HMEL Mr. Sanjeev Malhotra and General Manager Coordination HMEL Mr. Jaspal Singh Saini. CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 3: To promote conservation and sustainable use of biological resources, the Punjab Government has constituted five committees to identify areas for conservation of biological resources in the state. A decision to this effect was taken by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here today during the 3rd meeting of Punjab Biodiversity Board chaired by him this morning. These committees are on Heritage Site, Agro-Biodiversity, Livelihood Activities Based on Biodiversity, Biodiversity Registration and for intellectual property rights issues. The Board also gave in principle approval to the Punjab State Biological Diversity Rules and Service Bye-laws of Punjab Biological Diversity Board and Delegation of Powers. The Board also gave nod to constitute Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) at local levels. Taking part in the deliberations, Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal asked the Punjab State Council for Science & Technology to launch a massive campaign for making the general public aware towards the importance of biodiversity. It may be recalled that the Punjab Biodiversity Board has been set up as a statutory body under Section 22 of biological diversity Act, 2002 promulgated by the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF), GoI in response to actions required to be taken up under the international convention on biological diversity of which India is a signatory. Prominent amongst others who were also present in the meeting Chairman Punjab State Farmers Commission Dr. GS Kalkat, Financial Commissioner Animal Husbandry Mr. GS Sandhu, Financial Commissioner Forest Mr. RC Nayyar, Secretary Science & Technology Mr. Vishwajit Khanna and Member Secretary of the Biodiversity Board Dr. Neelima Jerath. CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 3: Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today inaugurated an Implant Center in the Guru Gobind Singh free dispensary of Gurdwara Patshahi Dasvin at Nada Sahib in district Panchukla. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Badal appreciated the efforts of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee for taking this unique initiative to set up the state-of-the-art center to provide the best dental care and treatment inline with the advancement in the field of dentistry especially Implant Dentistry. He hoped that this center would certainly prove to be boon for the public of Panchukla and surrounding areas. Mr Badal pointed out that the state government had already decided to set up a Punjab dental implant centre at Civil Hospital, Mohali with the help of Nobel Biocare India Pvt Ltd, Mumbai and this prestigious project was in the advance stage of implementation. On the occasion, Head Dental Implant Centre, UT Chandigarh Dr R S Mann who rendered honorary services to the center informed Mr. Badal that this region lacked in the field of implant dentistry. He said that these kind of tertiary care ventures have certainly brought the advanced level dentistry within the reach of common man otherwise the dental implants used to be the treatment for the elite category only. He further said that the Dental Implant would be provided here to the patients at “NO PROFIT NO LOSS” over the listed price of the company. The rest of the overall expenses like surgical procedure or the materials being used during the procedures would be provided free of cost by the SGPC to the patient. In this way the Nobel bio-care implant which costs Rs 30,000-35,000 in the private sector would be available to the patient at approx Rs 15,000/-. Country Manager Nobel Biocare India Pvt Ltd, Mumbai Mr Sameer Bhatt said; “Less than 50,000 Indians avail implants each year, whereas the number of bridges done is over a million”. He hoped the opening of such centers would immensely benefit a large population who needed implants but would have otherwise settled for the bridge thereby losing two healthy teeth in the bargain. Even South Korea treats over 5 Lac patients with dental implants. Earlier, the Chief Minister paid obeisance at Gurdwara Sahib and was presented a Siropa by the Head Granthi Baba Joginder Singh. The Chief Minister was accompanied by his OSD Mr. Sukhjitpal Singh. Director Principal Miri Piri Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Shahbad Markanda Haryana Dr. SBS Mann was also present on the occasion. Chandigarh February 3: Giving a major relief to the government aided colleges teaching faculty, the Punjab Government has decided to extend the time limit of refresher courses upto December 2005 for aided college teachers also at par with government college teachers. This was disclosed by Dr. Upinderjit Kaur Education and Languages Minister Punjab here today. In a meeting held with Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union (PCCTU), the Minister patiently listen to their genuine demands and grievances and asked the officers to put a case for proper implementation of Career Advance Scheme (CAS) for college DPEs and Librarians also. She informed that the grants to the colleges had not been released due to the non compliance of 99 college managements, out of 136 colleges, who have not submitted their UCs (used certificates) till now and the department constantly requesting the managements to send their UCs at the earliest so that the grants could be without any delay. The Minister also responded positively to the PCCTU demands of security of service to the teachers working against un-aided posts under the Act of 1974. >CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 3: The Punjab Government here today nominated Vice President of Shiromani Akali Dal (NRI Wing) Mr. Jaswinder Singh Dhaliwal as Patron of NRI Sabha Punjab. Disclosing this spokesman of the Punjab Government informed that Mr. Dhaliwal was the first Sikh independent member of Commonwealth war graves commission. Besides, Mr. Dhaliwal is also the President of Gurdwara Singh Sabha and the President of a social organization - Sikh Information & Cultural Centre Berlin , Germany for the last 19 years. CHANDIGARH, FEBRUARY 2 Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today deeply condoled the passing away of Vaid Telu Ram, the father of Mr. Prem Verma Resident Editor Quami Patrika and former Resident Editor ‘Daily Pehli Khabar’ who died here after a brief illness. He was 86 and is survived by three sons and three daughters. The Chief Minister shared his heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family and prayed to the Almighty to give strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss and grant peace to the departed soul. Media Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Harcharn Bains, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister & Information & Public Relations Mr. D.S. Guru and Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister & Director Information & Public Relations Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar also condoled the demise of the father of Mr. Prem Verma. Meanwhile Joint Director Press Information & Public Relations Department Mr. Megha Singh attended the cremation this evening on the behalf of State Government. Chandigarh February 2: With a view to streamline the examination system, the Punjab Government has asked the Sarv Siksha Abhiyan Authority (SSA) to take examination of 8th classes also at their own from the academic session 2010-11 in the state. Besides, the state government has also decided to take 10th class examination of students studying in unrecognized schools. This was resolved by the Education Minister Punjab Dr. Upinderjit Kaur in a meeting held here today in a meeting with a delegation of Punjab Unrecognised Schools Managements Association, headed by its president S. Surinder Singh Dhillon. The Minister said that the education department had already decided to take the examination of 5th classes of the recognized, aided and government schools at their own but the examination papers would be delivered by the SSA and the papers would be evaluated by the schools under the supervision of concerned DEOs. Similarly the examination of 8th class students of Aided, Recognidsed and Government school students would also be conducted by the SSA, she added. She further said that it has also been resolved by the department to grant a chance to the students, studying in 10th classes in unrecognized schools, to appear as private candidates in the regular examinations to be conducted by the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) during the ongoing academic session. This decision has been taken for the interest of large number of students studying in such schools and their parents had also been advised to admit their wards in the state schools so that they should not face the problems in future. Dr. Upinderjit Kaur also advised the privately managed schools to meet the standards of affiliation so that their schools could be regularized by the PSEB as the Right to Education Act is all set to be implemented by April 2010 by the states. After the promulgation of this national act, such unrecognized schools could face problems as per the National Education Policy standards, she added. The delegation assured the Minister that they would be able to meet the affiliation standards in the next three years to which minister asked them to speed up their efforts. Dr. Upinderjeet Kaur advised the privately managed schools managements to meet the standards of affiliation so that their schools could be regularized by the PSEB as the Right to education is all set to be implemented by April 2010.After the promulgation of their act such unrecognized schools could face problems as the national Education Policy standards, she added. The delegation assured the minister that they would be able to meet the affiliation standards in the next three years. She said that the state Government was committed to raise the standards for imparting quality to the students. In this direction, sufficient infrastructure including required teachers were being provided by the department in all the state schools. Among others Mr. G.S. Grewal Secretary School Education, Mr. Krishan Kumar Special Secretary-cum-DGSE, Mr. R.L. Mehta Special Secretary School Education, Mr. Sukhwinder Singh DPI (Secondary), Dr. Sadhu Singh Randhawa DPI (Elementary), Mr. Dalbir Singh Dhillon Chairman PSEB, were also present in the meeting. Mr. Surinder Singh Dhillon President Punjab Unrecognised Schools Managements Association and other members including Mr. Kulwant Singh, Mr. Prem Chand, Mr. Gurmeet Singh Dhanju and Mr. Tersem Chand appreciated the decisions announced by the Education Minister and promised to cooperate the department in future also for the sake of imparting quality education to the students.
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