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Jairam calls for non partisan approach to tackle pollution problem
LUDHIANA, September 6, 2010
Pawan Dewan
The Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh today called for a non partisan approach to tackle with the problem of pollution across the country. Accompanied by the Ludhiana MP and the national spokesperson of the All India Congress Committee Manish Tewari, the minister conducted a tour along the Budha Nullah to have on the spot assessment of the pollution there.
He announced that the government of India had sanctioned a Rs 900 crore project for the cleaning of the rivers Satluj, Beas and Ghaggar in Punjab for which 70 per cent grant will be provided by the government of India and 30 per cent by the Punjab government.
The minister met a cross section of people during his day long visit to the city. He also disclosed that the government of India had approved a multi-crore Bioremediation Project for Ludhiana. He said, it is only the second of its type in India and first in terms of the scale of the project. Jairam maintained that the project is a unique one and adopts the latest technology. He said, the results of the project can be seen within six to seven months once it is started. He said, the water after being treated will be fit for agriculture use. However, he clarified, it will not be fit for the human consumption.
He disclosed that during his visit he had observed that most of the pollution in the Budha Nullah had been caused by the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation while industry was also partially responsible. He said, it was the responsibility of the industry to clean the pollution. At the same time he said, the MC was well equipped to tackle the problem.
The Minister also made it clear that the Central Pollution Control Board will take strong and strict action against the frequent offenders. He said, the pollution was a serious problem and no laxity could be allowed on the issue.
About the Genetically Modified (GM) foods, he said, it was the best technology and needed to be used cautiously and carefully. He disclosed that India was the second largest producer of the BT cotton in the world.
Speaking on the occasion Manish Tewari expressed his gratitude to the minister for sparing precious time for Ludhiana and for the multi crore cleaning project. He hoped that the project will help in solving the long pending pollution problem of Ludhiana and will provide relief to thousands of people living along the Budha Nullah.
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ROTATIONAL IRRIGATION PROGRAMME FOR KHRIF SEASON ANNOUNCED
Chandigarh, September 7, 2010:
The Irrigation Department, Punjab has announced the Rotational Programme for irrigation for the current Kharif Season through Canal water from 08-09-2010 to 15-09-2010. The channels of Sirhind Canal System would run on the priority basis from Abohar Branch, Patiala feeder, Sidhwan Branch, Bathinda Branch and Bist Doab Canal 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 distributries in Group "B" being in the First preference will run to their ident. 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. Lahore Branch with its distributaries being in the first Preference would run to their indent .Balance water supplies water available would be utilised in Main Branch Lower, Kasur Branch Lower, Sabraon Branch, with their distributaries respectively.
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CM GIVES NOD TO RECRUIT 700 CLERKS IN CENTRAL COOPERATIVE BANKS
Chandigarh, September 6, 2010:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today gave in principal approval to recruit 700 clerks in the Central Cooperative Banks across the state on the regular basis through the Punjab State Cooperative Bank.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister's office said that Mr. Badal also approved B.Com with first division as the minimum qualification for these posts of clerks and candidates with higher qualifications would be given preference.
Mr. Badal directed the Registrar Cooperatives to ask the Board of Directors of the Central Cooperative Banks to adopt resolutions to authorize the Punjab State Cooperative Bank for undertaking the recruitment process in a transparent manner.
Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Finance Minister Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary (Cooperation) Mr. Jagdeep Singh Nakai, Financial Commissioner Cooperation Dr. B.C. Gupta, Registrar Cooperative Dr. G. Vajralingam, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar and Managing Director Punjab State Cooperative Bank Mr. G.S. Mangat.
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BADAL ASKS MoE TO SET UP NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BIO-DIVERSITY EDUCATION RESEARCH AND TRAINING FOR SEMI ARID TROPICS IN PUNJAB
JAIRAM RAMESH DECLARES TO DEVELOP SHIVALIK AREA AS
A BIO SPHERE-RESERVE
Chandigarh, September 6:
Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today urged the Union Minister for Environment & Forests Mr. Jai Ram Ramesh to set up a "National Institute for Biodiversity Education, Research & Training for Semi Arid Tropics' in Punjab for the conservation of wild and domesticated Bio-diversity.
While delivering his presidential address on the three-days 6th National Meet of State Bio-diversity Boards jointly organized by the Punjab Bio-diversity Board and Punjab State Council for Science and Technology here at CII, Mr. Badal said that our government had already set up the Punjab Bio-diversity Board for the conservation of biodiversity, besides National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute and Biotechnology Incubator at Mohali. These institutions, along with PAU & NIPER, could support the efforts of the proposed Bio-diversity Institute. He also impressed upon Mr. Jairam Ramesh to establish a gene bank with cryogenic facility at PAU Ludhiana to conserve the germ plasm of traditional varieties and the varieties developed by it.
Expressing his gratitude to Mr. Jai Ram Ramesh for giving top priority in the National River Conservation Scheme to address the most critical problem of river water pollution being faced by our state, Mr. Badal said that it was only due to his initiative a scheme of Rs. 1035 crore had been sanctioned. Out of this, 70% i.e. Rs. 725 crore would be sent by the Centre and the remaining 30% to the tune of Rs. 310 crore would be borne by state government. He pointed out the biggest threat to bio-diversity in Punjab comes from pollution of river waters namely Satluj, Beas and Ghaggar, which were the life-lines of the people of the state. But unfortunately water of these rivers had been vulnerably polluted due to direct discharge of the sewerage and industrial effluents from 44 towns and cities into the rivers. Mr. Badal further said that the level of pollution was so alarming that the deadly diseases like Cancer and Hepatitis have assumed the proportion of epidemic. The Chief Minister assured that within next 15 months the water in these rivers would be crystal clear like 'Amrit' (Nectar).
Earlier, the Chief Minister honored Mr. Jairam Ramesh with a Siropa and Shawl and presented a memento of Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar as a token of love and affection on behalf of the people of Punjab.
In his inaugural address, Mr. Jairam Ramesh expressed deep concern over the issue of piracy of our bio resources. He underlined the need to make optimum use of Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), Geographical Indications (GIs) and People's Bio-diversity Registers to prevent the firms and companies within the country and abroad to get our bio resources patented. He however made it clear that this move should not be misconstrued as prohibitory rather it was regulatory in nature aimed at the conservation of Bio-diversity in a sustainable manner on one hand and share the fruits of these Bio resources amongst the people on the other.
Conceding the demand put forth by the Chief Minister, Mr. Jairam Ramesh announced that the Shivalik area of Punjab contiguous with Himachal Pradesh and Haryana would be developed as joint corridor and declared it as biosphere reserve under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. This would help to protect traditional farming systems and crop varieties in the Himalayan foothills besides preserving rich and diverse fauna and flora of the region. Mr. Jairam Ramesh also assured the Chief Minister that he would get the proposal thoroughly examined from his Ministry to develop Inami Bagh in district Hoshiarpur which had 37 elite traditional varieties of mango as Bio-diversity Heritage Site before taking a final decision in this regard. He also declared that the Ministry of Environment was seriously considering the proposal of the State Government to set up a Peacock Conservation Centre in Bathinda for in-situ conservation. Mr. Ramesh also released the set of books on 'Bio-diversity' and presented its first copy to the Chief Minister.
Prominent among others who were present on the occasion included Secretary, National Biodiversity Authority Shri C. Achalender Reddy, Joint Secretary, MoEF, GoI Shri Hem Pande, Minister for Environment & Forests, Mizoram and Chairman, Mizoram Biodiversity Board Shri H. Rohluna, Chairman National Biodiversity Authority Dr. P.L. Gautam, Chief Secretary Punjab Shri S.C. Agrawal and Secretary Science, Technology & Environment, Punjab Shri Viswajeet Khanna. Meanwhile, the Member Secretary of the Punjab Bio-diversity Board Mr. Neelima Jerath proposed the vote of thanks on the occasion.
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YOUNG FACES GIVEN REPRESENTATION IN PEDA
PUNJAB ALL SET TO GENERATE 10% POWER FROM RENEWABLE
ENERGY SOURCES-MAJITHIA
Chandigarh, September 6:
The Punjab government has set a target to produce 10% of power being consumed in state from renewable sources of energy and to realize this dream young faces are being given representation in Punjab Energy Development Authority (PEDA).
Disclosing this here today during the installation ceremony of three newly appointed Directors of PEDA namely Mr. Vinarjeet Singh Goldi, Mr Balbir Singh Dhillon and Mr. Rajinder Pal Singh, Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, Former Cabinet Minister and Patron, Youth Akali Dal pointed out that giving representation to youth leaders in this futuristic department was being deliberately done so that they can contribute in PEDA new ideas and new initiatives. He said that the State government’s initiative of setting up of baggase based mini power plants and solar power plants got tremendous response in the State. He asked the newly appointed Directors to play a significant role in the State government’s solar and renewable energy missions to make it first power surplus State of the country.
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab, Mr. Harish Rai Dhanda and Mr. Nand Lal both Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Chairman Punjab Agro Industries, Mr. Prem Singh Chandumajra, General Secretary SAD, Bhai Manjit Singh, Chairman PEDA, Mr. Paramjit Singh Sidhwan, Political Secretary to Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Manpreet Singh Aiyali, Chairman Zila Parishad Ludhiana and Mr. TPS Sidhu, Chief Executive PEDA.
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PUNJAB TO SPEND Rs 2611 CRORE ON VARIOUS WELFARE SCHEMES FOR SC AND BC POPULATION- MAJITHIA
Bawa Singh Gumanpura takes over as Vice Chairman, Punjab Backward Classes Land
Development and Finance Corporation
Chandigarh, September 6:
The Punjab Government would spend Rs. 2611 crores for the welfare of Schedule Castes and Backward Classes in the state during current financial year.
Disclosing this here today at the taking over ceremony of Mr. Bawa Singh Gumanpura as Vice Chairman, Punjab Backward Classes Land Development and Finance Corporation, Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia, former Cabinet Minister and Patron Youth Akali Dal said that that the State government has always accorded top priority to the welfare of SC/BC population besides striving hard to launch various welfare schemes in the form of unique Atta-Dal scheme and Shagun scheme in which the amount of Shagun had been increased from Rs.5100 to Rs.15000. He expressed confidence that Mr. Gumanpura would ensure advancing of sufficient loans to the members of backward classes through his corporation. He also thanked Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister and President SAD Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal for giving this opportunity to senior Akali leader Mr. Bawa Singh Gumanpura recognizing his services to the party.
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Mr. Hira Singh Gabria, Cabinet Minister, Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab, Mr. Baldev Singh Mahmujoian, Chairman, Punjab Backward Classes Land Development and Finance Corporation and Mr. Manpreet Singh Aiyali, Chairman Zila Parishad, Ludhiana.
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PUNJAB PLANS NEW FOCAL POINTS TO GIVE BOOST TO SMALL SCALE INDUSTRY
SARDUL SINGH SHAM TAKES OVER AS VICE CHAIRMAN OF PSIEC
Chandigarh, September 6:
The Punjab government is planning new focal points to give a boost to small scale industries besides encouraging youth to go for self-employment ventures.
Speaking on the occasion of taking over ceremony of Mr. Sardul Singh Sham as vice chairman of Punjab Small Industries Export Corporation (PSIEC) here at Udyog Bhawan, Mr Bikram Singh Majithia, former Cabinet Minister said that as a part of this plan, one new focal point has been sanctioned near Mansa. He said that the PSIEC had played a effective role in promoting over 12 lac small scale industries in the state besides marketing and exporting their products. The small and medium industries set-up with efforts of PSIEC were contributing significantly to the industrial production of the State besides providing employment to a large number of unskilled, skilled and technical persons, he added.
Prominent amongst other who were present on the occasion included Mr. Inderbir Singh Bularia, MLA, Mr. Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, Chairman PSIEC, Mr. Ajaybir Pal Singh Randhawa, Senior Deputy Mayor Amritsar and Mr. Gurpartap Singh Tikka, Vice Chairman Punjab Agro Industries Corporation
Curtain Raiser
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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 05:
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 6 th-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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C M Flags off 120 Trucks of Cattle feed & Fodder to Leh.None of the Farmer will be
uprooted in the residential scheme mooted by Local I T- Badal
Jalandhar: 5th.Sept,2010
Punjab Chief Minister Mr.Parkash Singh Badal today flagged off a convoy of 120 Trucks carrying cattle feed and fodder (Tudi)to Leh as a part of relief operations to bail out the beleaguered families affected by the devastating cloud burst in the region.
Talking to the media persons on the site, Mr Badal informed that 25 trucks loaded with cattle feed from Markfed have been sent to Leh from here and remaining 95 trucks of fodder would be despached from Kapurthala , Taran Tarn, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur today. In addition to it,380 more trucks of Cattle feed and fodder would be sent to Leh fromthe districts of Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Amritsar,Jalandhar Taran Tarn, Nawanshahar, Kapurthala , Ludhiana and Fatehgarh Sahib daily for the next four days. Mr.Badal said that the entire relief material in the form of 250 Tonnes of Cattle feed and 15000 quintal of fodder was being sent as per the requirement of the Deputy Commissioner,Leh. He categorically said that Punjabis were benevolent and magnanimous by nature and were ever ready to help anyone in distress or crisis. Mr Badal said “It is not the first time when Punjab has come forward to help their brethren in Leh, it has come to the rescue of people in Bihar and Rajasthan to bail them out in situation like famine and several other states affected by natural calamities”. The Chief Minister said that he had also offered to help the Government of Pakistan Punjab in the wake of recent flash floods there and personally talked to the Chief Minister in this regard on telephone last week.
On the issue of resentment brewing among the local farmers for acquisition of 380 acre of land by the Jalandhar Improvement Trust for carving out a residential colony, Mr Badal ruled out any possibility of acquiring such land adding he said that the state government had already laid down a clear cut policy of land pooling for the acquisition of land under which even an inch of land could not be acquired by the Government without the consent of the people and assured that none of any farmer would be uprooted under the scheme and asked the Chairman to review the scheme .
Replying to another question regarding the hike in the salaries of MLAs, Mr. Badal said he had no objection to it as the matter was under the consideration of general purpose committee of Punjab Vidhan Sabha. He said, ” the way it would decide after arriving at some consensus on this issue, the Government would implement the same accordingly.
On the issue of disparity between the Urban and Rural development, Mr. Badal said there was no such geographical discrimination in the allotment of funds for the execution of the development works both in Urban and Rural segment and said all the development projects like drinking water, sewerage, roads and street lighting would be completed positively by November 2011.
To another question relating to flood protection works, the Chief Minister said that he had personally taken up this issue with the Union Ministry of Home to allow the State of Punjab to spend 10% out of Calamity Relief Fund on the preventive flood protection measures, besides he had also urged the Prime Minister to immediately revise the norms for calamity relief fund there by enhancing the existing rate of compensation from Rs.1600 to at least Rs. 10,000/- per acre.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Local Bodies Minister, Mr.Manoranjan Kalia. MLA Adampur, Sarbjit Singh Makkar, Chairman District Planning Committee,Jalandhar, Gurcharan Singh Channi and Chairman, Punjab State Scheduled Caste land development and Finance Corporation, Mr.Pawan Teenu. Senior Officers of Civil and Police administration of Jalandhar District were also present on the occasion.
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PUNJAB GOVT. TRANSFERS NINE IGs AND THREE DIGs
CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 4:
The Punjab Government has transferred nine IGs and three DIGs with immediate effect.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal has cleared the file to this effect late this evening.
The spokespersons further said that among nine IGs, Mr. BK Garg has been posted as IG Crime, Mr. Parampal Singh, IG as Commissioner Police Amritsar, Mr. RP Mittal as IG Zonal-II Jalandhar, Mr. Ishwar Chander IG GRP, Mr. Paramjit Singh Saron IG-cum-OSD to ADGP Rules, Mr. BK Uppal IG Special Narcotics Cell, Mr. Kuldeep Singh IG Economic Offences Wing Vigilance Bureau, Mr. Rohit Chaudhary Director Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Police Academy Phillaur and Mr.Harpreet Singh Sidhu as IG Operations. Among three DIGs, Mr. Surinder Singh has been posted as DIG Administration PAP Jalandhar, Mr. Kartar Singh DIG IRB-II & Training Jalandhar and Mr. Tajinder Pal Singh as DIG Administration Commandos Bahadurgarh, the spokesperson added.
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