Members of Parliament from Punjab limelight Sikh’s  massacre 

New Delhi/Chandigarh February 23– A delegation of five Members of Parliament from Punjab , including Ms. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who shot into international limelight with her forceful espousal of the cause of the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh massacre, today called on the  Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to press for his intervention for mobilizing international opinion against the brutal killing of two innocent Sikhs by the Taliban in Pakistan and securing the release another still held hostage. Later, the Chairman of the NDA, Mr. Lal Krishan Advani and senior BJP leaders Mr. Arun Jaitley and Ms Sushma Swaraj joined the MPs at  Gurdwara Bangla Sahib where prayers were offered for the safe release of the the Sikh still held hostage and for peace to the departed souls of the victims.    Other members of the delegation that called on the Prime Minster include MPs, Naresh Gujral, Tarlochan Singh, Avtar Singh Karimpuri and  S.S. Ahluwalia.

      The delegation  impressed upon him then  need for urgent and immediate steps by the Government of India for stopping such heinous crimes against humanity in Pakistan. A memorandum submitted by the delegation said that the the killing of the innocent Sikhs by the Taliban had shocked the conscience of the the entire mankind and the government of India must rally  world opinion behind it to put pressure on the Pakistan government to act against the killers and kidnappers.A spokesman of the delegation later regretted that the Government fo India had so far not activated its diplomatic channels with the kind of urgency demanded by this extraordinary development.   The spokesman further regretted that the External Affairs Minister Mr.  S.M. Krishna did not deem it necessary to meet the delegation and instead deputed an official to receive the Memorandum. None of the Congress MPs joined the delegation.

      The spokesman  blamed the Congress led UPA Government for adopting a casual attitude to an issue which had shocked not only the entire nation but the whole international community. "This attitude is of a piece with the refusal of the the central law enforcing agencies to arrest the prime accused of the  1984 massacre , Sajjan Kumar, despite clear cut directions of the Hon’ble Court.          

      The delegation strongly urged the Prime Minister to take serious view of these issues and ensure safety and security of Sikhs Community all over the World especially in Pakistan. 
 

PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA SESSION FROM MARCH 4

CABINET GIVES NOD FOR TRANSFER OF 70 ACRES OF LAND FOR INDIAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AT MOHALI 

CHANDIGARH FEBRURARY 23:         

 The Council of Ministers today approved the summoning of the 9th Session (Budget) of 13th Vidhan Sabha from March 4 to 26, 2010.  

      A decision to this effect was taken here at a meeting of the Cabinet chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal this morning. 

      Giving the details, Chief Minister’s Media Advisor Mr. Harcharan Bains said that the session would commence on March 4 in the afternoon with Governor Address and Motion of thanks & discussions on Governor Address would be held on March 8 to 10.  Obituary references would be made on March 5, Budget estimates for the year 2010-11 would be presented on March 16 and the general discussions on budget estimates would be held on March 18, 19 & 22, 2010.  

      The Council of Ministers also authorized the Chief Minister to approve the draft of Governor’s Address and forward the same to the Punjab Governor for final approval. 

      To pave a way for the setting up the Rajpura Thermal Power Project (RTPP) The Council of Ministers also gave ex-post facto approval for mutation and transfer of 1078.16 acres of land acquired for the Rajpura Thermal Power Project in the name of M/s Nabha Power Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Punjab State Electricity Board which is special purpose vehicle created for the project.  The RTPP would be developed on BOO (Build, Own & Operate) bases as per guidelines of GoI. 

      In another significant decision, the Council of Ministers also gave in principle approval to transfer 70 acres of land in the Knowledge City, Sector 81 of Mohali for setting up of Indian School of Business on lease basis.   The Council of Ministers also decided to include two additional founder supporters’ partners including Hero Honda and Bharti Airtel besides initial four partners namely Max India Ltd., Bharti Enterprises Ltd., Hero Corporate Services Ltd. and Punj Llyod Ltd. 

      The Council of Ministers also gave approval to the revival of sugar mills under cooperative sector in Punjab.  The cabinet observed that due to high investments involved in the revival of these closed five sugar mills (Faridkot, Tarn Taran, Zira, Jagroan and Patiala) and three distilleries (Gurdaspur, Nawanshahr and Nakodar) it is neither possible to run these mills in cooperative sector nor its is profitable to lease out, therefore, expression of interest be invited by Sugarfed to rune these mills/distilleries on Build, Own, Operate & Transfer (BOOT).  Likewise, the Council of Ministers also gave nod for inviting expression of interest/tender for selling out the plant and machinery of Budhlada Sugar Mill through liquidator.  All the relevant formalities and documents relating to invitation of expression of interest would be processed and evaluated by Punjab Infrastructure Development Board.  

      The Council of Ministers also approved to hand over the premises of Abohar Cooperative Spinning Mills to PUDA for development and its subsequent sale through open auction.  It was also decided that the PUDA would pay the sale proceeds to the liquidator, Spinfed/Mills after deducting the expenses incurred on development/sale of land portion and to include the representative of the liquidator in all proceedings starting from development to final stage. 

      The Council of Ministers also approved the framing of remission policy for prisoners of Punjab Jails in compliance with the orders of the Punjab & Haryana High Court.   

      The Council of Ministers also gave ex-post facto approval to enhance the emoluments of teaching fellows and education service providers from Rs. 4550 to Rs. 6825 per month and Rs. 5400 to 8100 per month respectively w.e.f. November 1, 2009.

      The Council of Ministers also gave approval for creation of a temporary post of Mr. Nirabhjeet Singh Dhanoa Officer-on-Special Duty to Deputy Chief Minister.

        The Council of Ministers also gave approval to enhance facilitation charges to fund the capital and recurring expenditure of computerization of land records project implemented by the Punjab Land Records Society.  

      The Council of Ministers also approved to amend the Punjab Entertainment Duty Act, 1955 for levying entertainment duty on the DTH services.  The DTH service would therefore be covered under definition of entertainment and entertainment duty could be levied on the same which would likely to generate additional revenue of about Rs.15 crore per annum. 

      The Council of Ministers also gave approval for the conversion of Punjab Value Added Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2010 (Punjab Ordinance No.1 of 2010) and (Punjab Ordinance No.2 of 2010) into Acts through presentation of bills in the coming session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha. 

      The Council of Ministers also gave approval for creation of 24 posts of Excise & Taxation Inspectors under Luxury Act and revival of 90 posts of Excise & Taxation Officers under direct quota.  Besides, the Council of Ministers also approved the revival of posts of ministerial staff in the head office and field offices. 

      …

Vidhan Sabha Punjab condemned the beheading  of  Sikhs 
 

CHANDIGARH, 23 FEB:  

      Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha Punjab, S. Nirmal Singh Kalhon, Deputy Speaker Vidhan Sabha Punjab, Sh. Satpal Gosian, Social Security Technical Education Minister Punjab, Ch. Swarna Ram, Irrigation Minister Punjab, S. Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Chief Parliamentary Secretary(Excise and Taxation) Punjab, Jagdish Raj Sawhney, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Technical Education and Industrial Training Punjab, S. Bikramjit Singh Khalsa condemned the beheading of two Sikhs youths S. Jaspal Singh and S. Mahal Singh - both the businessman from Tira valley in Peshawar, Pakistan.

      The Ministers have demanded justice from the Pakistan government and requested safety of lives and property of the minority community in Pakistan, Especially in Peshawar.  Ministers further told that this incident was aimed at disturbing the solidarity & unity of India which would not be tolerated 

      They appealed to all the Sikh minorities in both the Countries to maintain peace and harmony in larger public interests.  
 

CABINET EXPRESSES ANGUISH OVER SIKH KILLINGS IN PAKISTAN

ASKS PM TO RAISE ISSUE AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL

 

CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 23:

 

            Taking a serious note of the gruesome killing of two innocent Sikhs by Taliban in Pakistan last week, the Punjab Cabinet today expressed grave concern over insecurity of minorities in Pakistan.

            In a unanimous resolution, the cabinet called upon the Government of India to mobilize international public opinion against the carnage and to focus global attention on the insecure plight of the minorities in general and the Sikhs in particular in Pakistan.  The Cabinet also appealed to the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to take up the issue with his Pakistan counterpart and to make a priority item in any future dialogue with that country. 

            Condemning this brutal incident, the Cabinet described it as an ‘outrage against humanity and all civilized norms of behaviour’. 

… 

AUSTRALIAN ENVOY ASSURES BADAL OF SECURITY AND SAFETY OF PUNJABI STUDENTS

SHOWS KEEN INTEREST TO UNDERTAKE COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS 

CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 23: 

 

      The Australian High Commissioner in India Mr. Peter Verghese today assured the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal of the safety and security of Indian students including those from Punjab and reiterated that the safety of these international students was a first order priority for the Australian government. 

      The Australian envoy called on Mr. Badal here at latter’s residence this morning and said that the Australian government was deeply concerned over the recent attacks on Indian students and the police forces had been sensitized to ensure safety and security of the students at all costs  as Australia takes its reputation as a safe destination for internationals students seriously.  That is why the Australian police was energetically pursuing those responsible for these disgraceful and regrettable attacks recently witnessed in Australia.   He assured that the Australian government would make every effort to ensure the attacks were not repeated and that Australia remains a preferred destination for students from around the world, added Mr. Verghese.

      Taking part in the deliberations, Mr. Verghese informed the Chief Minister that recently our government had hiked the cost of living for international students from 12000 to 18000 dollars (approximately Rs.7.20 lakh) annually to ensure financial security so that they could mainly focus on their studies rather wasting time in finding jobs to raise money to meet out their day-to-day expenses.  He also advised that the students should be properly guided by their parents not to reside there in the crime prone areas to avoid unforeseen threat perception to their lives.   Likewise, he also asked the Punjabi students to shun the practice of doing jobs as taxi drivers and in metros as these was highly risky.   Mr. Verghese also suggested that an orientation programme for the students should be organized at New Delhi before they finally leave for Australia to pursue their studies so that they get attuned to the socio-cultural scenario of Australia.

      Mr. Verghese evinced keen interest in collaborative research programmes between Australian and the Punjab based universities to impart quality higher education.  He also informed that the Australian government would soon set up a trade and commerce department at Chandigarh to boost the bilateral trade between the Australia and Indian in general and Punjab in particular. 

      Appreciating the concern of Mr. Verghese for the security and safety of Punjabi students in Australia, Mr. Badal assured him of all support and cooperation in educating our students to adhere to the norms laid by the Australian government for their safety.  He also urged the Australian envoy to set up skill development centers in the state to train our unemployed and less educated youth to be gainfully employed not in the country but overseas also.  Mr. Badal also offered to undertake farmer exchange programme to send delegation of progressive farmers from Punjab to study the techniques of highly mechanized farming in Australia especially in the banana cultivation.  Likewise, Australian farmers could be immensely benefited from the rich experiences of our farmers in the cultivation of wheat, paddy and citrus fruits.  He also lauded the initiatives taken by the Australian government in undertaking collaborative research programme with PAU Ludhiana in the fields of hybrid cropping pattern and free disease zones. 

      The Australian envoy was accompanied by his third secretary (Political/Economic) Mr. Brendon Hodgson and Advisor Ms. Priya Raja. 

      Prominent amongst others who also attended the meeting included Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema and Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar. 

      …    
 

EMPOWERED COMMITTEE ON MEGA PROJECTS APPROVES FIRST PHASE OF SUPER MEGA MIXED USE INTEGRATED INDUSTRIAL PARK OF DLF AT MULLANPUR  

CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 23:

      The Empowered Committee on mega projects today cleared the first phase of Super Mega Mixed Use Integrated Industrial Park being developed by M/s DLF Home Developers Limited over an area of 1250 acres of land with an investment of Rs. 2700 crore in Mullanpur Local Planning Area under Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA). 

      A decision to this effect was taken by the empowered committee chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here at Punjab Bhawan this morning.

      The empowered committee allowed the company to develop residential area in the first phase and it would be treated as a Housing Mega Project.   All the conditions of the Housing Mega Projects would be applicable for this residential pocket and the concessions provided under the Super Mega Mixed Use Integrated Industrial Park Policy would be available to the Company only when the Industrial Pocket was developed by the Company in accordance with the provisions of Super Mega Mixed Use Integrated Industrial Park Policy.           

It may be recalled that 1250 acres of land in villages, Milak, Mastarh, Dhanauran, Togan, Tira, Basnepur, Sangalan, Ratwara, pantpur, Devinagar, Chaharmajra would be utilized for the said project. 

      While making a presentation to the empowered committee, the Executive Director (North) of DLF Homes Developers Ltd. Mr. Rahul Mehta and Senior General Manger Mr. Ajay Chugh requested for making available to them 231.36 acres of Panchayat/ Shamlaat Land and 14.49 acres of Government Land which belongs to the Irrigation Department.  The government Land was being used by the Irrigation department for a Bandh which has been constructed to control the Patiala-Ki-Rao- Rivulet.  They apprised that the Panchayat Land would be used by them as green area in accordance with the master plan of the area as the company would develop a Golf course of international level besides a water body for adventure sports on the irrigation land.

      The empowered committee gave a nod for developing a golf course on the Panchayati Land for which the company would directly apply to the Department of Rural Development & Panchayats. The department would co-ordinate between the developer company and concerned Panchayats and would make a policy decision for leasing out of the Panchayat Land to the company. This land would not be part of the Super Mega Mixed Use Integrated Industrial Park.  As and when the commercial activity was undertaken by the Company on the developed water body, the revenue earned would be shared by the company and the Department of Irrigation.

      Prominent amongst who were present in the meeting included Local Government Minister Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Food & Supplies Minister Mr. Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, Forest Minister Mr. Tikshan Sud, Tourism Minister Mr. Hira Singh Gabria, PWD (B&R) Minister Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Media Advisor Mr. Harcharan Bains.  Besides, Chief Secretary Mr. S.C. Agrawal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. D.S. Guru, Principal Secretary Industries & Commerce Mr. S.S. Channy, Financial Commissioner Development Mr. N.S Kang, Principal Secretary to Local Government Mr. C Roul, Principal Secretary Irrigation & Power Mr. Arun Goyal,  Secretary Finance Mr. Anirudh Tiwari,  Secretary Housing & Urban Development Mr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, Managing Director Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Mr. S.K. Sandhu,  Director Industries Mr. SS Bains and Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar.

      … 

PUNJAB CONSTITUTES A COMMITTEE FOR OPTIMAL UTILIZATION OF 289 ACRES OF BIRLA FARM LAND  

CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 23:           

The Punjab Government has constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary, Punjab to study and recommend various options for optimal use of 289 acres of remaining vacant land after the setting up of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) over 513 acres of Birla Farm at Ropar.            

A decision to this effect was taken in a high level meeting under the Chairmanship of Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal here today.

      Taking part in the deliberations Mr. Badal emphasized the need to suitably develop this chunk of land considering all the proposals submitted by the Technical Education, Information Technology and Industry departments.  Mr. Badal asked the Chief Secretary to submit its report within a month.

      Prominent amongst who were present in the meeting included Local Government Minister Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Food & Supplies Minister Mr. Adesh Partap Singh Kairon,  Finance Minister Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal, Forest Minister Mr. Tikshan Sud, Besides, Chief Secretary Mr. S.C. Agrawal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. D.S. Guru, Principal Secretary Industries & Commerce Mr. S.S. Channy, Principal Secretary Technical Education Mr. Suresh Kumar, Secretary Housing & Urban Development Mr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar and Director Industries Mr. SS Bains.

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CABINET APPROVES EXCISE POLICY FOR 2010-11

NEW POLICY LIKELY TO GENERATE REVENUE OF RS.2501.98 CRORE

CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 23:           

The Council of Ministers which met here today under the chairmanship of Mr. Parkash Singh Badal approved the Excise Policy of the year 2010-11.  The Chief Minister stated that in this Excise Policy, this year revenue generation would be to the tune of Rs.2501.98 crore over the revenue generated of Rs.2000 crore in the year 2009-10.   Mr. Badal described it as a historic increase in the excise revenue.           

While formulating the Excise Policy, the Department of Excise & Taxation have tried to rationalize the duties, levies, application fee and most of all, the Department undertook a detailed exercise to re-determine the vend-wise potential for sale of each vend depending upon the actual sales made in the year 2009-10.   Mr. Badal pointed out that as a result of this detailed exercise, the Department could identify more such areas where there was a substantial scope for increasing the sales.  Thus, the Department had been able to increase the quota by 15% raising it to 804 lac PL of PML as opposed to the 900 lac PL of PML quota of Haryana. The quota for IMFL remains unchanged.           

The Chief Minister stated that as a consequence of this detailed exercise, the Corporation towns and larger towns have been divided into zones and the applications would be received zone wise.  The potential and the quota, pro-rata, would be increased in the zones which have a higher absorbing capacity. Hence, the Department could come into a position where it could increase the quota. In other words, there was an increase in the volume of trade. It was this increased volume in the trade which largely accounted for this historic increase of Rs.500 crore. In addition, there has been marginal increase in the prices of PML and IMFL liquor, as made in other State’s Excise Policy, in Punjab, it was only to the extent of Rs.5.00 and Rs.10.00 for PML and IMFL respectively.            

Mr. Badal revealed that realization from the application fee which was in the range of Rs.120.00 crore last year would this year go entirely to the Department of Welfare of Scheduled Castes for pension and ‘Shagun Scheme’.            

To promote greater participation in the lottery for vends, the Department has done away with the earnest money of Rs.One lac for every application for a lottery as also the 15% security to be deposited by the successful applicants after a successful draw being in his favour. The successful applicant would now be required to deposit only Rs.10.00 lacs in a Corporation town and Rs.5.00 lacs in a District HQs and Rs.2.00 lacs in other cases. The balance of 15% security would be recovered in the overall incoming by way of advance deposit of license fee before 31.03.2010.            

The Chief Minister stated that that there was merely a 2% increase in the number of vends that would be opened in the year 2010-11. Further, in order to check the unhealthy policies of traders to undercut each other, the Department proposes to fix the minimum retail price of every brand of liquor, be it IMFL or  PML.           

There has been no change in the manner of the disposal of the liquor vends. It would continue to be the same as in the year 2009-10. The draws would again be held under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioners and senior officers of the Department. The entire proceedings would also be video-graphed. The press would be invited. No lottery shall be taken out by any official of the Department. In addition, only those persons who have put in their lottery applications and are present in the hall would take out the lottery. A marginal increase has been made in the application fee, which stands duly compensated in the waiver of deposit of 15% duty on application fee and the waiver of the requirement of deposit of Rs.1.00 lac as earnest money before lottery.           

The Chief Minister further stated that in order to encourage people at large to drink the PML of their choice, the fixed quota which is to be equally distributed in equal proportion to all the distilleries would be in the year 2010-11 in proportion of 50%, as fixed and 50% would be allowed to sold in the open, wherein a customer could choose a bran of his choice.           

Mr. Badal also stated that for the convenience of the public, the power for renewal of licenses of hard liquor bar, beer bar, club bars and pub bars, which was heretofore vested in the FCT,  would  now vest in the Collector i..e. the Deputy Excise &  Taxation Commissioner of the Division concerned. Therefore, the people will not have to visit Chandigarh for this work.           

The Chief Minister also lauded the efforts of the entire Department in contributing to this historic increase in revenue and also exhorted the Department to strive still harder in the year to come.

… 

SUKHBIR DEMANDS NATIONAL POLICY ON POLLUTION CONTROL OF RIVERS

·       INDUSTRIES OF NEIGHBORING STATES DISCHARGING EFFLUENTS IN RIVERS FLOWING TO PUNJAB   

·       SRI ANANDPUR SAHIB BECOMES THE FIRST CITY OF PUNJAB WITH 100% SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITY  

·       SUKHBIR INAUGURATES SEWAGE AND WATER SUPPLY WORKS WORTH RS. 15 CRORES   

·       74 Panchayats get Rs. 1 lac each under total sanitation programme   

Sri Anandpur Sahib, February 23

Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister today demanded a comprehensive national policy to check increasing water pollution of rivers flowing through the country as the effluents of industries of one state are discharged in rivers flowing to other states, having a long term impact on flora and fauna of those states.         

Speaking to media after giving away Nirmal Gram Purskar to 74 Panchayats and inaugurating sewage treatment plant, sewage network and water supply network projects worth Rs. 15 Crore, Mr. Badal regretted that Punjab was suffering due to increasing industrialization of neighboring states whose industries was discharging effluents in the rivers flowing to Punjab         

After inaugurating sewage treatment plant using Austrian technology, the first of its kind in the country coupled with sewage network for Anandpur Sahib and adjoining four villages, Mr. Badal said that these projects along with latest water supply project makes the holy city of Sri Anandpur Sahib, the first city in the state having 100% sewage treatment facility. He said that it was a humble tribute of SAD-BJP government to the birth place of Khalsa. Mr. Badal also distributed cheques of Rs. 1 lac each to the Sarpanches of 74 Panchayats for freeing these villages from open defecation. 3 Panchayats were given National and 13 other were given district awards for excelling in the implementation of World Bank project.         

Mr. Badal said that it was the SAD-BJP government that has took upon the task of providing sewage facility in all cities and beginning has been made from four historical towns namely Anandpur Sahib, Fatehgarh Sahib, Faridkot & Muktsar, that would be covered on priority.         

When asked about recent incidents of violence, Mr. Badal said that government was committed to maintain Law and Order in the state and no one would be allowed to disturb hard won peace in the state. Commenting on incident of beheading of Sikhs in Peshawar, Mr. Badal said that cabinet today strongly condemned the incident and also appealed to PM to send a strong message to Pakistan to check the reoccurrence of such incidents. Replying to a query regarding hardcore Punjab militants raising their head in the state, Mr. Badal said that Punjab police was fully vigilant and Punjab government was duty bound to maintain peace and harmony in the state. Mr. Badal said that Shiromani Akali Dal has integrated relationship with BJP and rumors of talks with any other party were baseless and speculative.          

Speaking at the function, Mr. Badal congratulated the water supply department for completing projects worth Rs. 15 Crore in Anandpur Sahib in less than 12 months. He said that his government was focusing on basic necessities of water and power. He said that during last two years 3800 villages have been provided potable water and 100 percent villages of Punjab would have potable water in next 2 years. He said that besides 4 thermal plants with combined generation capacity of 6500 MW, work on 29 mini power plants having capacity of 400 MW was on full swing. He said that after achieving record of selling grains to other parts of the country, Punjab would soon become first state to sell surplus power to other states.         

Three panchayats were given first second and third prize of Rs. 1 lac, 75,000 and 50,000 respectively for excelling execution / augmentation of Rural Water Supply Schemes, besides 13 other were given district awards of Rs. 30 thousands each.         

Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion included Giani Tarlochan Singh, Jathedar Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Ch. Nand Lal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Sant Ajit Singh, MLA, Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal and Master Tara Singh Ladal, both former ministers, Mr. PS Aujla, Secretary Public Health and Sanitation and Mr. SR Aggarwal, Chief Engineer, Public Health and Sanitation.         

The Deputy Chief Minister Punjab also inaugurated the augmentation water supply phase-2 Anandpur Sahib as well as 8 MLD capacity Sewerage Treatment Plant constructed with the latest MBBR.         

Earlier, Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal also paid obeisance at the Sanctum Sanctorum of Takhat Sri Kesgarh Sahib, where Giani Tarlochan Singh, Jathedar, Takhat Sri Kesgarh Sahib presented him rob of honour.  

         It may be mentioned that Shri Anandpur Sahib is one of the most sacred places both for Sikhs & Hindus where lacs of pilgrims visit the town every year to pay their homage to Sikh Gurus. In addition Melas are also held at Sri Naina Devi Temple & most of the pilgrims pass through Anandpur Sahib & even stay here for onward to & back journey from Sri Naina Devi Temple.

CHIEF MINISTER OFFICE, PUNJAB    

KILLING OF SIKHS AN OUTRAGE

AGAINST HUMANITY  

RAISE ISSUE AS PRIORITY

IN INDO-PAK TALKS: BADAL  

SUKHBIR SEEKS PM'S DIRECT INTERVENTION    
 

CHANDIGARH FEBRUARY 22:          

The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today described the brutal killing of two Sikh hostages by the Taliban in Pakistan, as an ‘outrage against humanity’, and asked the Government of India to put the issue as a priority item on the agenda for the proposed Indo-Pak talks.

      In a statement here, Mr. Badal asked the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to intervene directly to secure the release of the remaining members of the Sikh community held hostage by the Taliban. He also impressed upon Dr. Singh to make use of all diplomatic channels to ensure the safety and security of the Sikh community abroad. Mr. Badal said, "Efforts should be made at the highest diplomatic level to provide requisite relief to the distressed families in this hour of crisis."

      Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal also urged the Prime Minister to take up this issue with this counter part in Pakistan to ensure safety and security of the Sikh families there in general and safe return of the other Sikh hostages to their homes in particular.

 

Setting up the industry more transparent and easy

 

Chandigarh Feb.22: Mr. Manoranjan Kalia, Local Government, Industries and Commerce Minister, Punjab inaugurated the Single Window Industrial Clearance Portal (SWICP)- Composite Application Form(CAF) and 24 hours helpline service,  set up by the Department of Industries & Commerce, Punjab at Hotel Taj  in Chandigarh.

 

  While speaking on the occasion he expressed that it has been the endeavor of the Government to make the system/ process for setting up the industry more transparent and easy. After assuming the office in February 2007 various steps have been taken towards this direction. To streamline the system of Industrial Approvals and make it time bound, Punjab Industrial Facilitation Act has been implemented. Time schedules for various clearances have been notified under this Act. System of Deemed approval, in case approval was not granted within prescribed time period by concerned department, has already been implemented. In a Report published by World Bank on ‘Doing Business in India 2009’, Ludhiana in Punjab has been declared as number one where it is easiest to do business. With the setting up of SWICP, the department has provided the facility of a single point and speedy clearances for setting up industries in the state.  With this novel step, the entrepreneur would have the facility to file online Composite Application Form for clearances relating to Departments of Pollution Control Board, PSEB, Local Government and Department of Housing & Urban development, Town & Country Planning, Forest, Excise & Taxation and Factories.

 

     He further expressed that to strengthen the role of facilitator of   the Department, A Round the Clock Helpline for information on State Industrial Policies & Procedures etc., required by the entrepreneurs / Industry, has also been set up. This would certainly attract the industrial investment in the state, said Mr. Kalia.

 

     While addressing the gathering Mr. S.C.Aggarwal, Chief Secretary Punjab lauded the efforts of all responsible for giving this task a final shape. Calling it an excellent beginning, he said that it would be highly beneficial to the industrialists besides bringing transparency at every step.

 

 Dr. S.S.Channy, Principal Secretary Industries said that the web uniform resource locator of the portal. ” The entrepreneur would also have the facility of online tracking the status of his application. The status of application would also be monitored by the Udyog Sahayak wing of the Department. In case the approval was not granted within the stipulated time, the Department of Industries may issue the certificate of Deemed Approval to the entrepreneur. Manual containing Guidelines for using the portal by entrepreneurs has been put on the website of the Punjab Government,. A Toll Free number 18001802469 has been installed. The entrepreneurs/industrialists may use this toll free number to get information regarding state policies, investment opportunities etc, said Dr. Channy.

 

PUNJAB GOVERNMENT ISSUES PUNJAB STATE DEVELOPMENT LOAN

CHANDIGARH, February 22:

      The outstanding balance of 11.00 percent Punjab State Development Loan 2010 issued in terms of the State government vide notification no.7/1/2010-2FBII/133 dated 16.03.2000 would be repaid on 22.03.2010 with interest due upto including 21.3.2010.

      Disclosing this here today, a spokesman of the Punjab Government said that in the event of a holiday being declared on the aforesaid date by State Government under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, the loan would be repaid by the paying offices on the previous working day. No interest would accrue on the loan from and after 22.03.2010, he added.

      He also said that to facilitate repayment on the due date, holders of 11.00 percent Punjab State Development Loan, 2010 should tender their securities at the Public Debt Office 20 days in advance.

      It should be particularly noted, said the spokesman, that at places where the treasury work was done by a branch of the State Bank of India or any of its associate banks, the securities, if they were in the form of Stock Certificates, should be tendered at the branch of the bank concerned and not at the Treasury or Sub-Treasury.

 
 

"Ensure safety of Indians"

Asks Luxmi Kanta Chawla to Union Government

 

Chandigarh, 22 February:

 

      Luxmi Kanta Chawla, Health and Family Welfare Minister, Punjab has asked the Central Government to ensure the safety of all Indians living abroad in general and the Sikh community in Pakistan in particular. 

      Expressing grave concern over the incident occurred in Peshawar where a member of Sikh community named Jaspal Singh kidnapped along with two other Sikhs from Orkzai agency a month ago and then his head was dropped at Gurudwara Bhai Joga Singh in Peshawar on Sunday.

      Terming this bizarre incident, she said that it was aimed at disrupting hard-earned peace, unity & solidarity of India, which would not be tolerated at any cost. Sikhs have always been symbol of indomitable courage and sacrifice that nobody should forget. 

       She made a fervent appeal to all the Sikhs in both the countries to stay calm and maintain peace and harmony in larger public interest. This matter would be sorted out at the highest level, she assured the people.