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PUNJAB BIODIVERSITY BOARD TO HOST 6TH NATIONAL
MEET ON BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION FROM 6TH TO 8TH SEPTEMBER
JAIRAM RAMESH TO INAUGURATE AND BADAL TO PRESIDE OVER

CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 04:

The Punjab Biodiversity Board is organizing 6th National Meet of State Biodiversity Board, National Biodiversity Authority and Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India here at CII from 6th-8th September, 2010.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Punjab government said that the Chief Minister and the chairman of the Punjab Biodiversity Board Mr. Parkash Singh Badal would preside over the three-day national meet and Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister of Environment would inaugurate it.

A team of experts from the Ministry of Environment and Forests along with the Chairman and officers of National Biodiversity Authority would deliberate upon issues related to biodiversity conservation. The meeting would also dwell on the issues like equitable benefit sharing mechanism between developed and developing countries at the international level and between commercial houses and local communities at the national and state level.  Issues on protection of traditional knowledge related to bio-resources, expectations from Biodiversity Management Committees and their operation and inventory of the country’s wild and domesticated bio-resources, etc. would also be discussed.

As many as 8 Chairmen and 21 Member Secretaries along with senior officers from 24 state governments were expected to participate in the national meet.  These include Ministers of Environment, Chief Secretaries and Principal Secretaries from various states. This meeting was a precursor to COP-10 (Conference of Partners) to be held under Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in October this year, added the spokesperson.

It may be recalled that the Govt. of India has enacted the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 to address this issue. A National Biodiversity Authority at Central Govt. level and State Biodiversity Boards at State Govt. level have been set up in 24 states in the country.

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PUNJAB CM GREETS TEACHERS ON THE TEACHERS’ DAY

CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 4

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today extended his warm greetings to the teaching fraternity on the occasion of Teacher's Day and urged them to make all out efforts to infuse the noble qualities of discipline, righteousness, truthfulness, sense of integrity, high character and dedication amongst the students besides imparting them value-based education to enable them to become an ideal citizens of the society.

In his message on the occasion of Teachers' day, which coincides with the Birth Anniversary of the former President of India late Dr. Sarvpalli Radha Krishnan and an eminent academician, statesman and a great philosopher who is ever remembered by all of us for his  unparalleled contribution towards the restructuring of the education system in India, Mr. Badal said that after the mother, it was the teacher who leaves an indelible impression on the mind of a child that could never be wiped out with the passage of time. Mr. Badal said, "The real tribute to Dr. Radha Krishnan on this solemn occasion as a teacher would be to discharge our duties with utmost dedication, sincerity and commitment".

Mr. Badal assured the teachers that the State Government was making concerted efforts to create a congenial atmosphere to enable them to discharge their duties in an efficacious manner. He also appealed the members of the society to pay due regards and recognition to the teachers as they perform a sagacious duty in shaping the destiny of our posterity.

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PUNJAB PROVIDES SUBSIDY FOR CONSTRUCTION OF
MODERN CATTLE SHED

CHANDIGARH, SEPTEMBER 3:

In order to promote the Dairy Development, the Punjab Government is providing Rs.1.50 lac subsidy for the construction of Modern Cattle Shed for the farmers of the state.

Revealing this here today, S. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Dairy Development Minister Punjab said that Rs.10 crore as subsidy had been provided to 700 beneficiaries till date. He said that government had fixed the same target for the construction of sheds during the current financial year and for this purpose department has sufficient amount to provide to the diary farmers for subsidy.

The Minister further said that a majority of the farmers of the state were not depending on agriculture olone but also adopting dairy farming day by day on large scale to enhance their income. He said that dairy development department had prepared a unique model of shed for 20 'Walaiti Cows' with collaboration of University which would protect the  live stock in the summers as well as winter season.

The Minister said that under the dynamic leadership of Punjab Chief Minister, S. Parkash Singh Badal, SAD-BJP government was fully committed to provide more facilities to the dairy farmers for their live stock. He urged the dairy farmers to adopt dairy farming as main occupation and assured them of providing maximum benefit of the schemes by the department.

On this occasion Sh. Inderjit Singh, Director Dairy Development Department said that this unique model had 60' length & 42' width and 23' height and sides 14' in which full ventilation had been focused for the live stock. Channels and 'cement chadors' were used for the construction of shed. Farmers were advised to construct such sheds which had Rs.4.50 to Rs.5.00 cost.

No:PR-10/310

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INFORMATION & PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT, PUNJAB
PUNJABTO FLOAT RS. 800.000 CRORE LOAN

Chandigarh, September 03:

The Punjab government in consultation with   Reserve Bank of India(RBI) today  floated  Rs. 800.000 crore (nominal) loan  to finance part of Capital Expenditure of Plan Schemes and other development schemes under execution.

According to an official spokesman  the State government today notified  the sale of Punjab Government  Stock (Securities) of 10 year tenure for a aggregate amount of Rs. 800.000 crore (Nominal). The spokesman said that   consent of Central government has already been obtained to the floatation of this loan.

The spokesman said that the government stock would be sold through RBI Mumbai by auction that would be conducted by them in his Mumbai office on September 7,2010. The application form duly filled in with the Competitive and non- competitive bids should be submitted in electronic format, on the Negotiated Dealing System (NDS)to the RBI, Mumbai on September 7, 2010 by 12.30 P.M and 11.30 AM respectively. Result of auction would be displayed on September 8, 2010 and successful bidders would make payment on September 8, 2010.

The spokesman added that this 10 year tenure loan would be repaid at par on September 8, 2020. He said that interest will be paid every half yearly on March 08 and September 08 and cut off yield determined at the auction would be the coupon rate percent per annum of the stock sold at the auction.

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SAD to oppose any move to capture the Gurudwaras in
Haryana  : Dr. Cheema

Chandigarh, September 3:

Shromani Akali Dal has taken serious note of the ultimatum issued by a handful of Sikhs of the Haryana to capture the Holy Sikh gurudawaras in the State and described it as most unfortunate, dangerous and aimed at scuttling the ongoing process of the elections to the General House of the SGPC.

In a statement issued from the party head quarter here party Secretary   and Spokesman Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said that Shiromani Akali Dal and SGPC would not allow this to happen at any cost.  He further said that Haryana Government must realize its constitutional duty and should not allow these mischievous elements to take control of the Sikhs shrines in the state. SGPC is performing its constitutional duty and is maintaining the sikh Shrines as per the wishes as well as mandate given by the previous SGPC elections. If any body has any doubts regarding the popularity of the SGPC, he is welcome to contest the coming SGPC elections, he added.

Describing it as a deep routed conspiracy SAD leader alleged that on one hand Sarna brothers were making futile attempts to get the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee elections delayed by leveling false and baseless allegations about enrollment of voters and on the other hand those demanding separate SGPC are hell bent  on creating trouble to vitiate the peaceful environment of the state. SAD spokesman squarely blamed the congress party for inciting splinter  groups to a control of the apex body managing the Sikh Shrines and said that right from the very beginning congress had made many futile attempts to a control of the SGPC but every time the Sikh masses have given a befitting reply.

He said that SAD President Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal is fully seized of the matter and a meeting of the senior party leaders is being convened shortly to chalk out the plan to counter the game plan of these mischievous elements.

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OMAR ABDULLAH ASSURES SAD PRESIDENT ABOUT THE SECURITY
OF MEMBERS OF SIKH COMMUNITY

Srinagar, September 02: Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah today assured the Shiromani Akali Dal President and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal that the J&K Government would take all necessary steps to instill the sense of security in the minds of members of the Sikh community residing in the state.

Mr. Abdullah’s assurance came during an hour long meeting between two leaders who had called on the J&K Chief Minister at his residence here this after noon.

Mr. Badal was in Srinagar in connection with the threats being issued to the members of Sikh community about possible conversion from some unknown organizations. Mr. Abdullah also accepted the demand raised by the SAD President about the issuance of state subject certificates to the kids of Sikhs who have migrated from villages to urban areas and announced that he was authorizing divisional commissioner Kashmir to issue the certificates to them at their new addresses. He also promised to look into the legal mechanism to ensure adequate representation to the Sikh youths in the coming recruitment drive for 50,000 new government jobs. He also assured to appoint Punjabi Teachers in those areas having Sikh population keeping in view the demand of Sikh community who wanted their children read Punjabi.

Mr. Abdullah observed that Sikhs and Muslims have stayed together for centuries in J&K without any communal tension between the communities and expressed his confidence that the social fabric of the state would remain intact for ever.

Accompanied by Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Mr.Balwinder Singh Bhunder, both MPs, Mr. Sucha Singh Langah, Agriculture Minister, Punjab, Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, former Minister and Mr. Harcharan Bains, Media Advisor to Chief Minister, Mr. Badal informed Mr. Abdullah that earlier in the day he had deliberations with various delegations of Sikh organizations of Jammu and Kashmir, who have brought in his notice various issues and problems being faced by them in the valley. He brought in the notice of the Chief Minister that the main demands of those representatives were creation of sufficient job opportunities for the Sikh youths, issuance of state subject certificates for those Sikh families who have shifted to Urban Areas, appointment of Punjabi teachers in those areas having sufficient Sikh population, setting up of state minority commission besides taking effective steps to instill the sense of security in the Sikh community. They informed him that they were getting full support and cooperation from the local Muslim brethren but expressed their apprehension regarding the threats of unknown elements, he added.

Mr. Badal informed Mr. Abdullah that earlier in the morning when he visited Leh to distribute relief material to the cloud burst affected families of Leh, he realized that before the start of winter the immediate need to create sufficient accommodation for the affected families. He said that the Punjab Government has decided to send Rs. 1 crore for this purpose and offered Mr. Abdullah every possible help for the speedy rehabilitation of affected people. He informed that as per the demand of local population the Punjab would send 15000 quintal fodder and 2500 quintal cattle feed immediately.

Earlier delegations of prominent Sikh organizations namely SAD (B) Kashmir headed by S.Charan Singh Balli ; Akali Dal Kashmir headed by S.Janak Singh Sodhi ; Sikh Action Committee headed by S. Daljit Singh Kingi, J&K Coordination Committee headed by Jagmohan Singh Raina, Kashmir Minority Forum headed by S.Surinder Singh Channi and Mahila Youth Wing ( Badal ) headed by Mrs. Updesh Kaur Balli called on Mr. Badal here at State guest house and apprised him about the situation as well as threats being issued by unknown elements to Sikh residents besides other problem being faced by the community. Mr. Badal informed them that he was specially came here to bring their demands in the notice of J&K Chief Minister and to get these redressed at the earliest.

It may mentioned here that earlier Mr. Badal handed over 11 trucks of relief for the cloud burst victims of Leh to District administration and offered them every possible help for the affected populace of Leh in this hour of crisis. Mr. Badal informed that this consignment of relief contains 8 trucks of blankets, two trucks of hosiery and one truck of biscuits. He also paid obeisance at Gurudwara Pathar Sahib and handed over a cheque of Rs. 5 lac on behalf of Shiromani Gurudwara Parbhandhak Committee, Amrtisar besides cheques of five lac each to two Sikh families, who have lost everything in the recent cloud burst.

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BADAL MOURNS THE SAD DEMISE OF JAIN SAINT RATTAN MUNI

CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 2:

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today expressed profound grief and sorrow over the sad demise of great saint of Jainism Rattan Muni who passed away at Ludhiana this afternoon after a brief illness.  He was 93.

In a condolence message, the Chief Minister described the great saint Rattan Muni as a spiritual ambassador who preached the message of peace, harmony and brotherhood to the humanity for nearly 73 years.    His outstanding contributions for redeeming the mankind from the ills of materialism through his holy sermon especially in the northern region.

Mr. Badal prayed to the almighty to give strengthen and courage to bear this irreparable loss to the Jain community and grant peace to the departed soul.

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SHIROMANI AKALI DAL COMES TO THE AID OF LEH FLOOD VICTIMS –SUKHBIR DISTRIBUTES FLOOD  RELIEF, SUPERVISES RECONSTRUCTION WORK

Leh, September 2: Sukhbir Singh Badal, President, Shiromani Aali Dal todayled a high level delegation of Party MPs and MLAs to Punjab  today arrived with first consignment of 11 trucks of relief for the Leh flood victims. Mr. Badal formally handed over the consignment of relief to Mr. Chhering Dorje, Chief Executive Councilor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh. Moved by massive devastation the  Deputy Chief Minister also announced a relief of Rs. 1 crore for leh flood victims from Punjab government side. Realizing the shortage of feed for animals Mr. Badal announced that Punjab would soon dispatch a consignment of 15000 bales of hay stock besides25000 quintals of animal feed. Mr. Badal also announced a cash relief of Rs. 5 lac each to two sikh families from SAD, whose shops were washed away in flash flood. Appreciating the  interest of a 9 year old local girl whose studies in Chandigarh got disrupted as her  family lost everything, Mr. Badal announced that Punjab government would adopt this girl and bear total expenditure of his studies. Mr. Badal also gave away Rs. 5 lac for the reconstruction of Gurudwara Sri Pathar Sahib.

Accompanied by Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Mr. Balwinder Singh Bhunder(both MPs),Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia(MLA) and Mr.Harcharan Bains ,Media Advisor to CM, Mr. Badal went to relief camp set up in Solar Colony to give shelter to displaced victims. He also   shared grief with the flood victims for the enormous loss suffered by them in this unprecedented natural disaster. He also distributed blankets, cardigans, biscuits, dry fruits  to them. Mr. Badal intermingled with young children and distributed chocolates and sweets to them. Mr. Badal said that Punjabis in general and Sikhs is particular have a glorius tradition to come to the aid of victims of natural disaster and Punjabis had been on the forefront to rush relief to the Leh immediately  after the tragedy struck in this part. He said that he deputed Cabinet rank Minister Mr. Sucha Singh Langah to organized langars (community meals) for the flood victims in the relief camps the moment road to Leh became motor worthy. Mr. Badal said that he was happy that community meals of Punjab government was quite successful in its basic purpose for providing immediate relief to the victims. Mr. Badal offered the support of Punjab government in massive reconstruction activity required to provide shelter to victims before the onset of winter in Leh.

He said that he has come with the first consignment of 11 trucks consisting 8 trucks of blankets , 2 trucks of cardigans and woolens and 1 truck of biscuits and dry fruits and more than 100 trucks from different cities of Punjab besides trucks of fodder  and animal feed were on their way to Leh.

Appreciating the role of local Sikh community for organizing relief and rescue operations after floods in Leh, Mr. Badal said that they have lived up to the tradition of Khalsa Panth to  provide aid to the victims of who so ever he may be.

The Deputy Chief Minister had   a meeting with Mr. Nawang Rigzing Jora, Tourism Minister and local Administration to know how Punjab could help them in this hour of crisis.

Later Mr. Badal Paid obeisance at Gurdwara Pathar Sahib and saw the damage done to this historic Gurudwara in flash floods. He also gave away a cheque of Rs. 5 lac for reconstruction of Gurudwara. He was bestowed with  a Siropa by Gaini Avtar Singh.

Talking to the media Mr. Badal said that he would be  also going to the Srinagar  to meet the delegation of Sikhs living in J& K and also to meet Mr. Omar Abdullah , Chief Minister Jammu and Kashmir seeking security for Sikh Community living in valley since time immemorial and it was imperative for Jammu & Kashmir government to safe guard  the life and property of Sikh families living here. Mr. Badal said that Sikhs had been living in J & K since centauries and had become integral part of multi-ethnic society of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that they had been contributing for the growth of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy and any attempt to push them out of J & K would be suicidal for the unity and integrity of the country. He said that it was the an imperative  for J&K Government to take steps to protect the lives of  Sikhs in J & K and fail the nefarious the designs of anti social elements.

Mr. Badal said that he was submitting of memorandum to Mr. Omar Abdullah to draw his attention to the widespread feelings of  anguish, concern and alarm in the minds of the members of the brave and patriotic Sikh community over reported threats issued to them by some organizations 'in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It has been brought to his notice that notes circulated by some organizations carrying threats of terrible reprisals against the Sikhs in Jammu and Kashmir if they do not either embrace Islam or leave the state.

He said that Sikhs in valley along with those from other communities, have been living peacefully and harmoniously with their Muslim brethren in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. They share deep cultural and religious bonds, running back to the finest streams of mysticism, as represented by a  lineage of Sufi Saints .Never has there been an instance of  the  people of any community in Kashmir ever indulging in words or acts of violence and bitterness.

He said that the threats about religious conversion can not be overlooked in view of the fact that some elements hostile to peace and communal harmony have been indulging in dangerous activities. The main objective of these elements clearly is to rupture the socio-religious fabric of the state.

Mr. Badal  said that the danger caused to peace and social and communal harmony by these elements needs to be taken seriously. The issue appears to be larger than just one of routine law and order because forces inimical to peace and stability of India were generally believed to be behind such acts. Therefore, an effective response of State government to the situation was the need of the hour. Mr. Badal said that  he was demanding from the state government for taking effective steps to instill a sense of security in the minds of the Sikhs in J & K.

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