The Punjab government has decided to establish 300 Integrated Buffalo Development Centers (IBDCs) to cover 1500 villages in Kandi and Bet areas, Trans-Ghaggar, Mansa, Border and Water Logged areas of Muktsar at a cost of Rs.48 crore soon in a phased manner for developing the productivity under the dairy development programme of the state.
A decision to this effect was taken by the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal while presiding over a high level meeting here at his residence.
It was decided in the meeting that to initiate this project with 100 centers each would be allotted to BAIF and J&K Trust after negotiations with these NGOs. It was informed in the meeting that BAIF was an NGO which was working on the gandhian principles and had done commendable job in the country, especially in Valsad (Gujarat) and Pune (Maharashtra).
Mr.Badal said that the quality of breed of cows and buffalos should
be considerably improved to increase the milk production in the state
through novel techniques of artificial insemination. He pointed out
that the milk production of buffalos has drastically reduced and emphasized the need to produce better quality of milch cattle as Punjab had a
tremendous potential to increase the milk production and the state government had already undertaken an Intensive Buffalo Breed Improvement & Management Programme under Rashtriya Krishi Vigyan Yojana (RKVY) being implemented by the Milkfed with technical support and expertise from the state Animal Husbandry department and in close association with key private players/NGOs in buffalo breeding. The programme is aimed at supplementing the income of small farmers and rural landless workers in the state.
Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Chief Parliamentary Secretary Cooperation Mr. Jagdeep Singh Nakali, Chairman Milkfed Mr. GS Babehali, Chairman Punjab Farmers Commission Mr. GS Kalkat , Chief Secretary Mr. SC Agrawal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Financial Commissioner Animal Husbandry GS Sandhu, Financial Commissioner Development Mr. NS Kang, Registrar Cooperative Societies Mr. G.Vajralingam, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar, Director Agriculture Mr. BS Sidhu, Director Animal Husbandry Dr.Harinderjeet Singh Sandhu and Director Dairy Development Mr. Inderjit Singh.
CM RELEASES PUNJABI VERSION OF RTI ACT
BADAL CALLS ON THE COMMISSION TO LAUNCH A MASSIVE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 11:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today called on the Information Commission to launch a massive campaign to aware the general public about the RTI Act which would not only promote the good and transparent governance in the state but also help the government to improve its day-to-day functioning in the larger public interest.
Mr. Badal was addressing a small but impressive gathering on the occasion of the release of the Punjabi version of RTI Act 2005 published by Mehram Group for free distribution. Referring the Commission as a bridge between the people and the government, Mr. Badal emphasized upon the need to frequently hold panel discussions and seminars about the importance of RTI Act.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Information Commissioner Mr. RI Singh informed that the commission was regularly clearing about 400 cases per month. Presently there were 1300 cases lying pending with the commission which would be cleared within two months, said Mr. Singh.
Expressing satisfaction over the functioning of the commission, Mr. Singh assured the Chief Minister that the commission would initiate a vigorous campaign to educate the general public about their rights.
Earlier, the Chief Minister honoured Mr. SS Bir and Mr. Darbara Singh Kahlon for their commendable efforts for translating and publishing the Punjabi version of Right to Information Act 2005. Mr. Badal also honoured Mr. SS Gill and journalist Mr. Davinder Pal for their efforts in publishing an earlier Punjabi version of RTI Act on their own as a NGO.
Prominent amongst the members of the Commission included Mrs. Rupan Deol Bajaj, Er. Surinder Singh, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) PK Grover, Mr. PPS Gill, Er. Kulbir Singh, Mr. Darbara Singh Kahlon and Mrs.Jaspal Kaur were present on the occasion.
PUNJAB CM GREETS PEOPLE ON THE EVE OF MAHASHIVRATRI
CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 11:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today extended his warm greetings to the people of Punjab on the sacred occasion of 'Mahashivratri'.
In a message, Mr. Badal said that Lord Shiva is the Lord of mercy and compassion. Lord Shiva protects devotees from evil forces such as lust, greed, anger and grants boons, bestows grace and awakens wisdom in his devotees. Mr. Badal urged the people to celebrate 'Mahashivratri' festival with traditional fervour and gaiety as such festivals not only promote communal harmony, compassion and goodwill but also bring joy and prosperity.
Mr. Badal also appealed the people to celebrate this auspicious occasion collectively by rising above the petty considerations of caste, colour, creed and religion.
GIVE INCENTIVES TO FARMERS GOING FOR CANE FARMING-SUKHBIR ASKS UPA GOVERNMENT
CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 11:
Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal Deputy Chief Minister today asked Congress led UPA government to immediately announce a package of Incentives for the farmers opting for sugar cane farming.
Speaking to the correspondents after the installation of Mr. Sukhbir Singh Walha as Chairman of Sugarfed, Mr. Badal said that area under sugar cane was rapidly falling due to non-remunerative prices of sugar cane over the years and there was urgent need to lure back farmers in sugar cane cultivation to sustain the prices of sugar at reasonable level.
Expressing concern over falling area under sugar cane cultivation, Mr. Badal said that against the average requirement of 2.50 lakh acres sugar cane area this year only sugar cane was sown on 60 thousand acres with a shortfall of 1.9 lakh acres in Punjab alone. He said that sugar cane production this year was 145 lakh tones against the average requirement of 230 lakh tones with annual shortage of 95 lakh tones this year.
Giving the outlines for strengthening cooperative sector, Mr. Badal said that administrative reforms would also be made applicable in cooperative sector to make sick mills self-sustaining.
Hoping a bright future for cooperative sugar mills, Mr. Badal said that Punjab government has already Okayed the ambitious plan of cogeneration of power in sugar mills to the tune of 200 MW power in addition to own power requirement of these sugar mills.
Prominent among others who were present on the occasion were Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Public Relations Minister, Mr. Sucha Singh Langah, Agricultural Minister, Mr. Jagdeep Singh Nikae, Chief Parliamentary Secretary and N. K. Sharma, Chairman district planning committee Mohali were also present on the occasion.
SUKHBIR GREETS PEOPLE ON THE EVE OF MAHA SHIVRATRI
CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 11:
Chandigarh, Feb 11: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Punjab today greeted the people of Punjab on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri.
In a message, Mr. Badal said that Maha Shivratri inspires people to strive towards the pursuit of truth that leads to the ultimate consciousness epitomized by Lord Shiva. The festival, he said that, laid stress on the values of piety, devotion, mutual love and harmony, the cornerstones of the great Indian civilization.
The Deputy Chief Minister expressed the hope that Maha Shivratri would be celebrated in a spirit of harmony and would usher in a new era of peace and goodwill among all sections of the society.
COOPERATIVE SECTOR IN FOR MAJOR REFORMS-SUKHBIR
CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 11:
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that Punjab Government was introducing major structural reforms in the cooperative sector to strengthen the cooperative movement, to equip it to face the new challenges of corporate onslaught.
Speaking after inaugurating new office complex of Labourfed, a labour cooperative with 1.5 lakh members, Mr. Badal said that Punjab was a prime example of success of cooperative movement but certain reforms were required in this movement to face the challenges posed by corporate sector in new liberalised economic regime. He said that cost structure of cooperatives has to be rationalized and elected members required more powers for the success of cooperative moment.
Asking the cooperative sector to learn from Gujarat Amul model, Mr. Badal said that the success of Amul has again proved that cooperatives, if managed properly could emerged as torch bearers in all sectors.
Emphasizing the urgency for introducing reforms, Mr. Badal said that the twin purpose of introducing reforms was to facilitate the life of general people besides strengthening the respective cooperative organizations.
Later, Mr. Badal formally inaugurated the new office complex of Labourfed by unveiling the plaque in the presence of Public Relations Minister Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Mr. Jagdeep Singh Nakai, Chief Parliamentary Secretary and Mr. Gorpartap Singh Khushhalpur, Chairman Labourfed.
Mr. Badal also distributed cheques of bonus to various cooperative societies.
Abohar Branch remain closed for 10 days
CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 11:
Keeping in view the crops and weather conditions, Irrigation Department Punjab has issued a notification to close the Abohar Branch from 16.2.2010 to 25.2.2010 (both days inclusive) for 10 days for the closure works to be done on Jaito Distributary and Abohar Branch.
Kotla Branch remain closed for 32 days
CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 11:
Keeping in view the crops and weather conditions, Irrigation Department Punjab has issued a notification to close the Kotla Branch off-taking from Patiala Feeder-1 as notified earlier from 15-1-2010 to 10-2-2010 ( both days inclusive ) for 27 days is extended upto 15-2-2010 i.e. 15-1-2010 to 15-2-2010 (Both days inclusive) for 32 days to carry out the side lining work on the spot of Kotla Branch..
ROTATIONAL IRRIGATION PROGRAMME FOR RABI SEASON ANNOUNCED
CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 11:
The Irrigation Department, Punjab has announced the Rotational Programme for irrigation for the current Rabi Season through Canal water from 12-02-2010 to 19-02-2010. The channels of Sirhind Canal System would run on the priority basis from Patiala feeder, Abohar Branch, Bathinda Branch, Bist Doab Canal and Sidhwan Branch, respectively.
Disclosing this here today a spokesman of the Irrigation Department said that Ghaggar link and its off taking channels i.e. Ghaggar Branch and Patiala Minor in Group 'B' being in the first preference will run to their indent. Balance water supplies available will be utilized in direct distributaries of Bhakra Main Line in group 'A' respectively.
The spokesman further said that Abohar Branch off-taking from Sirhind Feeder and distributaries in Group "B" being in the First preference will run to their indent. Balance water supplies available would be utilised in direct distributaries of Group 'A'.
The spokesman also said that the channels off taking from upper Bari Doab Canal i.e. Main Branch Lower with its distributaries being in the first Preference would run to their indent .Balance water supplies water available would be utilised in Lahore Branch, Sabraon Branch, Kasur Branch Lower with their distributaries respectively.
15th ALL INDIA WHIPS’ CONFERENCE 2010 CONCLUDES
DELEGATES RECOMMEND FORMING AN INSTITUTIONAL BODY; EXPRESS CONCERN OVER DECLINE IN NUMBER OF SITTINGS
CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 11:
The two-day 15th All India Whips’ Conference (AIWC) 2010 concluded here today. In a press briefing, Sh. Pawan Kumar Bansal, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Water Resources, apprised the media persons about the deliberations and the recommendations of the Conference.
One of the most important recommendations given by the delegates was to convert AIWC into an institutional body so as to ensure that the recommendations given during these Conferences are properly implemented. It was also recommended that AIWC should be held annually. The members also noted that while many states have implemented the recommendations of the 14th AIWC, some of the states are yet to do so and the Union Ministry of parliamentary Affairs should take the initiative to ensure the same.
Sh. Bansal informed that the members also expressed concern over the trend of decline in the number of sittings of the Houses and the Legislative bodies. It was recommended that this trend should be arrested and efforts should be made to increase the number of sittings in the Parliament as well as the state legislatures. Serious concern was also expressed by the delegates over the low attendance in the Houses.
He further said that all the delegates were unanimous over the fact that proper decorum and discipline should be maintained in the Houses and it should be ensured by all the parties that there is no disruption in the proceedings in the House. No development should lead to the dispensing of the Question Hour and a meaningful discussion on important issues should take place in the Houses.
The Minister informed that the delegates recommended that Chief Whips, Whips as well as other members of the Houses should be provided periodic training for a large number of specific emerging issues such as climate change as most of them are not equipped to take part in such discussions. The members also recommended that Whips should be frequently sent on study tours both within the country as well as abroad to study the institutions at other places.
Sh Bansal further informed that it was also recommended that the Youth Parliament Competitions should not be limited only to the schools but their reach should be extended to the rural youth who are not in the formal system of education. State governments too should take a lead in this area.
The Union Minister said that the delegates also recommended provision of facilities, especially Secretarial Assistance, to the Whips so as to enable them to discharge their duties adequately. Chief Whips should be given the status of a Minister while Whips that of MoS. Research Assistance should also be provided to the Whips to ensure that the quality of debate in the Houses goes up. The delegates also recommended suitable enhancement in the facilities and the honorarium being providing to the members of the Houses.
Earlier in the day, Sh. Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Chief Minister, Haryana addressed the first session of the second day of the Conference. Delivering his speech, Sh. Hooda said that the institution of Whip in party based politics plays a very significant role. Although the primary role of Whips is to ensure control of the formal decision making process in a Parliamentary legislature, their actual functioning is far more complex and dynamic, he said.
Sh. Hooda appreciated the decision of the Union Parliamentary Affairs Ministry for organizing such conferences. He further said that our Whips Conference is a unique institution, a platform of various political parties-ruling as well as opposition, at the Centre as well as in the States - to sit together, exchange views, thoughts and experiences. It is in this Conference that they discuss difficulties confronted by them in the discharge of their Parliamentary duties and evolve ways and means for efficient working of the Parliamentary system in the country. In our multi-party political system, he said, the office of the Whip is a vital link between the parties and their members. No democracy can survive without discipline and the Whips have a great role in maintaining discipline and decorum in legislatures.
Sh. Hooda said that once Woodrow Wilson had remarked that the “Parliament in Session is Parliament on display, but Parliament with Whips functioning is Parliament at work”.
Later, in his valedictory address, Sh. K Rahman Khan, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha observed that Whips are not only shock-absorbers, but also indicators of the party; they are not only advisers to the leader, but also the binding force in the party; they are not only barometers of the different regions and opinions but also the counselors of members. It is this larger vision behind the role of Whips which is of enduring relevance for our democratic system looked upon as a role model across the world, he added.
CLEAN CHIT TO TYTLER BY CBI-AKALI MPS TO MOVE PRIVILEGE MOTION AGAINST UNION GOVERNMENT-SUKHBIR
CLEAN CHIT TO TYTLER BY CBI-AKALI MPS TO MOVE PRIVILEGE MOTION AGAINST UNION GOVERNMENT-SUKHBIR
CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 11:
Harmeet Singh Dhillon
Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal President Shiromani Akali Dal today said that he has asked Akali MPs to move privilege motion against Congress led UPA government in ensuing budget session of Parliament for giving false statement as Clean Chit to Tytler, the architect of ‘84 Sikh carnage proposed by CBI on the instructions of Union government in Delhi Court was counter to assurance by the Leader of the House Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, that all those responsible for ’84 riots would be punished. He said that Congress party by giving assurance in Parliament on one hand and instructing CBI to give clean chit was committing breach of privilege of the August House and Akali MPs would request Speaker Mrs. Meira Kumar to initiate privilege move against Union government and refer this matter to privilege committee urgently.
Mr. Badal said that Due to reasons known to all, Congress party was adopting all tactics to save the skin of Tytler fearing exposure of role of prominent Congress party leaders behind this cold blooded massacre. He said that till the people responsible for this carnage were controlling the reigns of Congress party, Sikhs can not expect justice in UPA regime. He said that unable to influence prime witness against Tytler, CBI surprisingly was instigating the relatives of witness to depose against the witness. He said that this practice of browbeating witnesses and their relatives into submission, that too by official apex investigating agency CBI has again proved that the agency was playing in the hands of Congress party.
Describing the clean chit given by the CBI to Mr. Jagdish Tytler as a shocking outrage against all norms of civilized society, jurisprudence and natural justice, Mr. Badal said that the victims were being killed a second time through this denial of justice even a quarter of a century after the crime took place. "This is a highly politically motivated verdict. It is a brazen act and really adds insult to the deep Sikh injury”, said the Akali Dal President.
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