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Punjab News: 2010

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VIGILANCE BUREAU PUNJAB VIGILANCE

BUREAU NABS PCS OFFICER T.K. GOEL RED HANDED
ACCEPTING RS. 50,000

Chandigarh, September 08:

The Vigilance Bureau Punjab today arrested Mr. T.K. Goel, PCS, Joint Secretary, Department of Welfare of SC/BCs, Govt. of Punjab, red handed accepting bribe of Rs 50,000/- from George Shubh and tainted money has been recovered from him.

Disclosing this Mr B.K Bawa, IGP-cum-Director Vigilance Bureau Punjab said that Mr Goel has been arrested from his office in Mini Secretariat Chandigarh while accepting bribe of Rs 50,000/- from  George Shubh S/o Rustam Masih Caste-Balmik, R/o Ward No. 1 Begowal, Distt. Kapurthala by the Vigilance team headed by SP Mandhir Singh, Flying Squad, Chandigarh.

He further said that the complainant George Shubh, a Balmiki by caste had applied to the Deputy Commissioner Kapurthala for his nomination as a Numbadar of Begowal on the basis of his caste. But Amarjit Singh Balmik of the same village had also applied for the same post. In this case the Deputy Commissioner had rejected his nomination on the ground that he had already adopted a Christian religion and he could not be considered under the balmik quota for Numbadari.

Mr Bawa further said that Mr Shubh then filed an appeal to the Divisional Commissioner, Jalandhar against this order. Simultaneously he also filed a complaint before the Chairman, Schedule Caste Commission, Punjab, Chandigarh in this regard. The SC Commission referred this complaint to the Director, Welfare of SC/BC Punjab, Chandigarh for further verification and report. after due verification of the said complaint, the Director, Welfare Punjab  sent a report to the Mr T.K. Goel, who was also the incharge of the Scrutiny Committee upon such matters.

It was alleged that Mr Goel withheld the report of the Director and demanded Rs 50,000/- from the complainant for sending a favorable report to the commission. The complainant, being a poor, initially showed his helplessness but on persistent demands of Mr Goel, he lodged a complaint to the Vigilance. After verification of the allegations, the Bureau laid a trap and he was caught red handed while accepting the bribe from his office in the presence of Mr Anil Shahi and  Mr Charan Das, both SDOs, Department of Irrigation, Punjab, Chandigarh. The vigilance officials recovered the tainted money from him on the spot.

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Justice Gogoi Takes over as Judge Punjab and Haryana High Court

Chandigarh September 9:

Acting Chief Justice of Guhati, High Court, Mr. Justice Ranjan Gogoi has been sworn in as a Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court here today.

Hon'ble Justice Mukul Mudgal, Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court administered him the oath of office. According to the spokesman of the high court with the addition of Justice Gogoi, the strength of Judges has gone to 47.

Justice Gogoi would be the third in one hierarchy after Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal and Justice Mehtab Singh Gill, he added.

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SUKHBIR IMPRESSED BY COSTA RICA MODEL OF GREEN
HOUSE CULTIVATION

Could double the productivity and income of Punjabi farmers

Alajuela(Costa Rica), September 8: Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab was today quite impressed by the by Costa Rica model of greenhouse cultivation that has resulted in substantial improvement in quality and yield of crops giving  better returns to the farmers.

The Deputy Chief Minister who is  a part of government team   to Costa Rica for on the spot knowledge and assessment of the technological intervention required for improvement of yield and quality crops, today visited four farms in different parts of Costa Rica where the farmers were growing Lettuce, celery, Tomatoes, Sweet Pepper and Coriander etc.

Mr. Badal said that as Punjab was facing a major problem of near stagnation of productivity of major crops  i.e. Paddy and Wheat and de gradation of its natural resource base, there was a dire need for diversification. He said that his visit to farms in Costa Rica was to have a on the spot knowledge and assessment of the technological intervention in improvement of yield and quality of vegetable crops that result in bringing better returns to the farmers.

Mr. Badal was demonstrated that the farmers in Costa Rica have adopted a new technology of hydro phonics where the plants were grown under controlled conditions in green houses. He was told that in this technology the nursery was grown in trays filled with compost to be further transplanted in a medium where there is no soil and the supply of water along with other nutrients like fertilizers and minerals was maintained and controlled. It was informed that this method saves the crop from soil borne diseases and efficient use of nutrients. He was shown that how the excess water was re-circulated reducing the water requirement to the minimum and loss of nutrients.

The Deputy Chief Minister met the farmers who were implementing this technology in Alajuela province of Costa Rica and interacted with them. The farmers informed the Deputy Chief Minister and the other experts accompanying him that this technology has doubled their productivity and the improvement in quality thus brought has helped them in getting forward linkages of marketing which has resulted in higher financial benefits to them. The farmers also informed the delegation that this has also resulted in decrease in labour cost and mostly their families are managing the green houses. Casual labour is only being engaged by these farmers to harvest the crops. One of the farmers explained how from an artificial bed of 2m x 16 m he is able to produce lettuce worth $200 in a period of 4 to 5 weeks. The technology which is possible with initial capital investment reduces the overheads and wastage and brings higher returns.

The Deputy Chief Minister also visited a tomato packaging unit to see how the tomatoes were graded, cleaned and packed in an efficient and cost effective manner. The packaging, done in this manner fetches the farmers’ better market prices and also increases the shelf life of the produce. The technology being used in this was very simple and these cleaning and grading machines can be manufactured back home without any difficulty.

Mr. Badal impressed by the technology observed that this was a technology which could be used very efficiently back home and could help in doubling the productivity and in improving the quality of vegetables.

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BADAL APPROVES TO TRANSFER 56 ACRE TO FOREST
DEPARTMENT TO PROMOTE ECO TOURISM

CHANDIGARH, SEPTEMBER 8: The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today gave in principal approval to transfer nearly 38 acre of land belonging to PUDA in Mullanpur to the Forest Department for carrying out forest activities and be developed as green cover.

A decision to this effect was taken by the Chief Minister in a high level meeting held under his chairmanship here. Taking part in the deliberations Mr. Badal directed the Forest department to chalk out a comprehensive plan to promote Eco-Tourism over this chunk of land.

It was also approved in the meeting that 14 acre of the transferred land might be adjusted in lieu of Amaltas (Ludhiana) and Blue Bell (Phagwara) the two hotel projects of Punjab Tourism Development Corporation and the case might be sent to Government of India for approval.

In another significant decision Mr. Badal also approved the transfer of 14.5 acres in village Ghalauri and 3.5 acres in village Alipur Araiyn belonging to Municipal Corporation Patiala, to the Forest department for tree plantation under pool system with a facility that as and when Municipal Corporation Patiala needed land for widening the roads and other projects, Forest Department would adjust this land accordingly.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Forest Minister Mr. Tikshan Sud, Chief Secretary Mr. SC Agrawal, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Financal Commissioner Forest RC Nayyar, Secretary Housing & Urban Development Mr. SS Sandhu, Chief Administrator PUDA Mr. Sarabjit Singh, Chief Administrator GAMADA Mr. VP Singh, MD Punjab Tourism Development Corporation Mr. Hussan Lal, Deputy Commissioner SAS Nagar Mr. Parveen Kumar, and Deputy Commissioner Patiala Mr. Deepinder Singh.

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BADAL CALLS UPON THE AARTIA COMMUNITY TO WORK IN UNISON WITH THE AGENCIES FOR THE
SMOOTH PADDY PROCUREMENT

CHANDIGARH, SEPTEMBER 8: The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal called upon the entire Aartia community to cooperate and work in unison with the State Government and its procurement agencies for the smooth paddy procurement operation in the state for the Kharif season 2010-11 to begin from October 1, 2010 to facilitate the farmers of Punjab.

Mr. Badal was addressing a function of Punjab Aartia Association, here at Kisan Bhawan late last evening. Congratulating Mr. Ravinder Singh Cheema for his unanimous election as president of the association for the third consecutive term, Mr. Badal said that the state government had made elaborate arrangements for the smooth lifting and timely payments of paddy. He said that procuring agencies had already geared up their activities in their respective areas and he had directed the officers to closely monitor the procurement operations in all the districts and regularly visit their assigned districts till the entire exercise was completed. Mr. Badal said that the relations between Aartias and the farmers had age old tieseven far above the monetary considerations. The state government was fully committed for the welfare of both Farmers and the Aartias, added Mr. Badal.

Presiding over a meeting to redress the grievances of Aartia Community just after this short function, Mr. Badal assured them that all the issues pertaining to the allotment of the shops in Mandis, VAT, market fee, delayed payments, pending bonus and other issues would be sorted out on priority. For the quick redressal of these issues Mr. Badal directed the officers of different departments and the MDs of various agencies on the spot.

Prominent among those who were present in the meeting included Financial Commission Development Mr. N S Kang, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. S S Sandhu, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gagandip Singh Brar, Commissioner Excise & Taxation Mr. A. Venu Prasad, MD Punjab Agro Mr. S K Sandhu, MD Markfed Mr. A S Pannu, MD PUNSUP Mr. Vikas Partap and Director Food & Civil Supplies Ms. Alak Nanda besides the heads of other procurement agencies and the district presidents of the Punjab Aartia Association.

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CM GIVES NOD FOR INSTALLATION OF MOBILE JAMMING SYSTEM IN NABHA AND VISITOR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN LUDHIANA JAIL

Okays PPHC Proposal for Seeking Loan of Rs.100 crore from HUDCO for
Infrastructural Development at the Police Stations

 

CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 08: The Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today approved the project of Rs. 1.61 crore for the installation of mobile jamming system in the maximum security jail Nabha to ensure fool-proof security.

Presiding over a meeting of the senior officers of the Police and Jail department here at Chief Minister's Office this morning, Mr. Badal also gave approval for the installation of biometric instrument (visitor management system) in the Central Jail Ludhiana on the pilot basis, for which the budgetary provision of Rs.27 lac had already been made.  This biometric system would be installed by the National Informatics Center, New Delhi and a payment of Rs.17 lac had already been made to them.   The Chief Minister also approved a sum of Rs.5 lac for the construction of a new room in the Central Jail Ludhiana for the installation of hardware of the visitor management system.  Mr. Badal also assured the jail department of additional funds to be released for the installation of biometric system in other jails of the state.

The Chief Minister was also apprised about the installation of PCO facility in all the central/district jails of the state except Nabha and Sangrur with an objective to curb the practice of misuse of mobile phones.  The facility of PCO had been given to the inmates so that they could freely converse with their family members.   Likewise, the Chief Minister also took stock of the situation regarding the facility of video conferencing of the trial of inmates between jails and local courts in the state.  He was informed that the jail department was in touch with the BSNL to provide trained staff for the operational maintenance of video conferencing facility as both the jails and courts were facing acute shortage of manpower to handle the facility of video conferencing.   The Chief Minister also directed the Principal Secretary Technical Education to moot a proposal for opening skill development centers in the central as well as district jails to train the inmates so that they could lead a life with dignity after completing their term of imprisonment.   The Chief Minister also asked the ADGP Prisons to finalize the modalities to immediately fill up 24 posts of Assistant Superintendents of Jails and six posts of Deputy Superintendents of Jails to ensure smooth functioning of the jail department.

Reviewing the status of infrastructural development at the police station level in the state, Mr. Badal gave nod to the Punjab Police Housing Corporation Ltd. to tie up with the HUDCO for getting its project of Rs. 100 crore financed for the construction of police station buildings and SHO houses on the pattern of Haryana Police Housing Corporation, which had also sought a loan of Rs.300 crore for police institutional buildings from HUDCO.

Managing Director of the Punjab Police Housing Corporation (PPHC) Mr. MK Tiwari informed the Chief Minister that a detailed proposal at an estimated cost of Rs.103.96 crore had been sent to the state home department in this regard.  He said that the sanctioned strengthen of all police stations in Punjab was 342 which also included newly notified police station buildings.  PPHC had constructed only 116 police stations so far which fulfilled the functional requirements of the police stations whereas all other polices stations were running in old dilapidated buildings or having insufficient capacity to accommodate the full strength of police station.  Out of 226 remaining police stations, 17 were being constructed by PUDA in district Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Bathinda.  Therefore, out of the balance 209 police stations, 48 have been proposed to be constructed depending upon the land availability.  Apart from this number of other buildings 9 SHO residence, 272 NGO/OR houses at these police stations, 4 DSP office-cum-residence and 18 'F' type police stations which were partially completed in the first phase as per available funds have also been taken in the estimate.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Jail Minister Mr. Hira Singh Gabria, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Principal Secretary Home Mr. AR Talwar, DGP Mr. PS Gill, DGP Jails Mr. Anil Kaushik, ADGP Intelligence Mr. Suresh Arora, Principal Secretary Technical Education Mr. Suresh Kumar Special Principal Secrteary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema and Additional Advocate General Mr.Rupinder Khosla.

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GAIL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DR. KARNATAK CALLS ON PUNJAB CM

Seeks Early Resolution of Issues Hampering in laying  of Gas Pipeline
Badal Assures of all Support & Cooperation to GAIL

CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 08: GAIL (India) Ltd. Executive Director (Projects) Dr. Ashutosh Karnatak today called on Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal to apprise him about the hardships being faced by the company in laying the gas pipeline in the Punjab region and sought his cooperation for the completion of the project by the targeted March, 2011.

Mr. Ashutosh also apprised the Chief Minister that the GAIL had already taken up the matter with the state Chief Secretary and informed him that construction work in Punjab was getting hampered due to various social problems.  Although, they have completed about 35 Kms. of pipeline work in Bathinda, Barnala and Ludhiana districts but due to frequent stoppage of work by local unions, they were not able to progress ahead and therefore, warranted State Governments’ immediate intervention.

Dr. Ashutosh urged the Chief Minister to constitute a task force under a Secretary level senior officer for constant monitoring and support till the completion of construction work as similar arrangements have been done in the states of Karnataka, Kerala and Maharashtra.  He also sought the support of the respective district administrations to help GAIL in negotiation for the purchase of land for setting up of 11 pipeline stations of approximately 45X45 meter.  He also asked the Chief Minister to take up the matter with the Ministry of Environment and Forests, GoI for seeking their permission for the execution of construction work in the reserve forest area.   He also requested Mr. Badal to allot a plot for the setting up of GAIL's regional office at Mohali.

Taking part in the deliberations, Chief Minister assured Mr. Ashutosh of fulsome support on behalf of the state government and asked him to directly contact either his Principal Secretary or Principal Secretary Industries for the early resolution of any issue hindering the installation of the gas pipeline project.  He directed the Chief Secretary to immediately convene the Deputy Commissioners of the  Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ludhiana, Barnala, Moga, Bathinda, Nawanshehar, Hoshiarpur and Roop Nagar to finalize the acquisition of 10,0795 acre of land in 14 villages falling in these districts for which the notification under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 had already been issued.    He also asked the Chief Administrator GMADA to identify a plot to be purchased by the GAIL to establish its regional office at Mohali.

It may be recalled that in order to implement the project, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has approved the request of GAIL for inviting Expression of Interests (EOI) for Dadri-Bawana-Nangal Natural Gas pipeline. The estimated investment for 501 Kms. pipeline is to the tune of Rs. 2500 crore. Out of the total length of 501 Kms. of Pipeline, 291 Kms. will be laid in the State of Punjab in the districts.  The project is targeted to be completed by March, 2011.

Mr. Ashutosh further said that GAIL had identified the total demand potential of approx. 9 MMSCMD in Punjab out of which proposed PSEB power project and NFL Nangal and Bhatinda Fertilizer projects were envisaged to be the major customers. Besides, it will also cater to the needs of other industries as well as City Gas.

Dr. Ashutosh was accompanied by his team included General Manager (PE) Mr. S.Ranganathan, Deputy General Manager Mr. KB Singh and Chief Manager (Project Execution) Mr. SN Yadav.

Prominent amongst others who attended the meeting included Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. DS Guru, Principal Secretary Industries Mr. SS Channy, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Gaggandip Singh Brar and OSD to Chief Minister Mr. NS Sangha.

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PUNJAB APPROVES NEW MEDIA POLICY

SAD-BJP GOVERNMENT FULFILLS ITS PROMISE MADE IN ELECTION MANIFESTO-SEKHWAN

Chandigarh, September 08: The Punjab government has approved its new media policy to facilitate journalistic fraternity in the state fulfilling the promise made by SAD-BJP combine in their election manifestos.

Disclosing this here today in a media interaction, Mr. Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Public Relations Minister said that the newly approved policy has the salient features like group insurance of journalists, constitution of new accreditation committee, extending stay facility in state government’s guest houses to veteran and desk journalists, free bus travel facility to proof readers, enhancing the limit of free bus travel, setting up of press clubs/media centers at district level, constitution of state and district level media advisory committees besides issuance of identity cards to field journalists at District Public Relations offices.

Giving brief outlines of the various initiatives taken in the policy, Mr. Sekhwan said that the Public Relations department under its media welfare fund got insured each of 286 accredited journalists with Rs. 5 lac insurance cover from United India Insurance Company, SAS Nagar.

He informed that keeping in view the rapid changes taken place in media after emergence of electronic media; the department has replaced the Media Rules of 1982 with new rationale Media Accreditation Rules-2009 with special emphasis on the welfare of Journalistic fraternity. Besides this, a 21 member Media Accreditation Committee giving representation to Bureau Chiefs of prominent newspapers, representatives of Journalists associations, electronic media and press photographers has been constituted recently, he added. For the first time electronic media has been given representation in this committee.

Fulfilling another demand of Veteran and Desk Journalists, the State government has made a provision to grant accreditation to these categories, so that they can also avail the facility to stay in government guest houses during their journalistic assignments.

Mr. Sekhwan said that the State government has also decided to extend free bus travel facility to proof readers of daily newspapers considering their case under Working Journalist Act, 1955. It was also decided to double the free bus travel facility amount from present Rs. 600/400 for Chandigarh and Punjab based journalists.

He revealed that to facilitate the field journalists it was also decided to set up Press lounges having required infrastructure and other facilities in each district. He informed that to redress any problem being faced by journalists at the earliest, the directions have already been issued to constitute a State level and District level Media Advisory Committees and expressed confidence that these committees would play a significant role in this direction.

Mr. Sekhwan disclosed that for the convenience of field journalists, the District Public Relations Officers have been authorized to issue identity cards at their level while the Chandigarh based journalists to get their Identity cards from Joint Director (Press) office.

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PUNJAB POLICE LAUNCHES EDUCATION DRIVE TO CURB
THE MENACE OF DRUG ADDICTION

Chandigarh September 08: After affecting the record seizure of drugs in a single year, the Punjab Police has launched a novel education drive to educate the drug addicts regarding the ill effects of drug addiction besides creating awareness in the minds of parents of youngsters about various symptoms of drug addiction.

Disclosing this here today Mr. P.S.Gill, Director General of Police said that Punjab police has decided to curve the demand of narcotics by psychologically educating the drug addicts, involving their families in the counseling process besides working for skill improvement in drug addicts to distract them from these habits.  Mr. Gill said that it is a  matter of great concern that in a small state like Punjab with a geographical area less  than 1.5 % of the country, 160Kg of heroin , 50000 Kg of poppy husk , 455 kg of opium , 23 Kg of Smack, 800 gms of cocaine  , 44.5 kg of chars, 351 kg of ganja, 148 Kg of bhang, 11 Kg of sulpha , 7 Lakh tablets/capsules , 160 Kg synthetic powder, 22000 bottles of liquor and 26000 injections were recovered in first seven months of the current year, which were highest in the country.

The DGP said that more than 4000 persons have been arrested and 1500 person convicted under NDPS Act, the Punjab police thought that drying up the demand of narcotics was the best method to check the smuggling of narcotics.

Giving the details of the campaign Mr. Gill said under this multi- disciplinary campaign drug addicts and criminals were identified and their families were contacted for starting the campaign. After receiving the consent of the families and the addicts the detailed chart of psychological behavior of the addicts were prepared in order to study the reasons/motives that led to the addiction. The services of qualified psychology counselors were availed and where ever necessary the services of religious personalities were also solicited to make this campaign broad based and long lasting. He said that this campaign has started showing positive results, drug addicts in many districts were recovering fast from this addiction.

Even the recovered addicts are being kept under observation so that they may not fall victim to the temptation again.  A 24 hour helpline (09646260000) and website: www.antfpb.gov.in has been made operational in the state, so that any one desirous of getting rid of drug addiction could seek the services of Punjab Police in this regard. Recently Punjab police’s specially constituted Anti Narcotic Task Force (ANTF) has published educative pamphlets and booklets and distributed them through out the state to make the public aware of this new initiative.

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CABINET GIVES NOD TO  REGULARIZE 14000
TEACHERS FROM APRIL 1, 2011

SUMMONS 10TH SESSION OF PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA FROM
SEPT. 24 TO OCT. 1, 2010

ITC restrictions up to four stages waived

CHANDIGARH September 7: The Punjab cabinet today gave in principal approval for the regularization of services of the 9998 Teaching Fellows and 4000 Education Service Providers recruited on contract basis by the Department of School Education w.e.f. April 1, 2011.

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

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Punjab government said that the Cabinet also approved the uniformity in pay-package of Rural Medical Officers working under Zila Parishads on Contractual basis, thereby benefitting 398 Rural Medical Officers who would now get Rs. 37,250/- per month instead of old pay package of Rs.30,000/-per month to ensure pay parity with the new Rural Medical Officers.

The Cabinet also approved to summon the 10th Session of 13th Punjab Vidhan Sabha from 24th September, 2010 to 1st October, 2010.

The cabinet also approved to award a cash grant in lieu of land at the rate of Rs. One lac per acre of entitlement or more as may be decided by the government from time to time to disabled soldiers, widows, parents and dependent children of soldiers killed during wars with China and Pakistan and widows of Army personnel, BSF and PAP killed in Indo-Pak War of 1971.

The cabinet also gave approval for amalgamation of Punjab Agri Export Corporation Limited (PAGREXCO) with Punjab Agro Industries Corporation Limited (PAIC) to have better synergy in the activities of PAGREXCO and PAIC.

The cabinet also approved to change the policy of sale of Abohar Cooperative Spinning Mills by PUDA from open auction to allotment-cum-auction. The Cabinet decided that instead of the earlier proposal of selling the land by open auction would be now sold 80% of residential plots by allotment, 20% by open auction and the commercial area through open auction.

After thorough discussion on the report submitted by the two-member Cabinet Sub Committee comprising Medical Education & Forest Minister Mr. Tikshan Sood and Food & Supplies Minister Mr. Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, the cabinet approved to amend the notification issued with regard to restriction of Input Tax Credit (ITC) upto four stages.  As per this decision, the restriction for claiming ITC claims upto four stages had been waived and the old system would continue.

Regarding the VAT refunds, the Cabinet decided that the department would issue 75% of the refunds on the basis of monthly returns and against the Indemnity Bond. This facility of indemnity bond would be extended to genuine manufacturers and Traders upto a particular limit (Rs.1.00 crore). Once this limit of Rs.1.00 crore was crossed, they would not get the new refunds. Only after getting the statutory forms, the new refunds would be issued.

Similarly, statutory forms would be submitted within one year from the closure of a financial year, i.e. for the year 2009-10, they would be allowed to submit these forms till March, 2011 and thereafter these forms would not be entertained and the department would recover the tax along with interest and penalty on the basis of indemnity bond submitted. The facility of submission of the statutory forms shall not be available to those dealers who have not submitted the statutory forms of previous years i.e. forms pertaining upto the year 2008-09.

The cabinet also granted ex-post-facto approval for levying tax on four-digit lotteries in Punjab @ Rs.75,000/- per draw.

The cabinet also gave green signal to enhance the allowances and other facilities of Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Parliamentary Secretaries and Members of Punjab Legislative Assembly. Likewise, the Cabinet also approved to enhance the pension of Ex-Members of the pension of Punjab Legislative Assembly.

The Cabinet also gave approval to fill up posts of Sub Divisional Engineers, Junior Engineers belonging to direct quota in PWD B&R Branch and some technical posts of Architectural Department through Punjab Public Service Commission and Subordinate Services Selection Board. Similarly, the Cabinet also gave go ahead to fill the vacancies meant for direct recruitment of District Programme Officer and Child Development Project Officers in the Department of Social Security and Women & Child Development.

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CANADIAN CONSUL GENERAL SEEKS PUNJAB'S COOPERATION
TO CHECK ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION 

CHANDIGARH SEPTEMBER 7: Consul General of Canada Mr. Scot Slessor today called on Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and sought cooperation from the state government to address the issues of fraudulent visa cases that had created a major problem for both Canadian as well as Indian Government.

Mr. Slessor immediately after assuming the office of Consulate General of Canada at Chandigarh paid a courtesy call to Mr. Badal here at Chief Minister's residence this morning. He was accompanied by Consul Program Manager Mr. Terry Venerus.

Mr. Slessor apprised the Chief Minister that the Canadian Minister for Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Mr. Jason Kenney was visiting Chandigarh on September 9 to interact with the top brass of Civil and Police administration of Punjab Government to find a permanent solution to curb the illegal practice of immigration.

Taking part in the deliberations, Mr. Badal urged the Consul General to establish skill develop Centre in collaboration with the state government and key players from Canada to train our unemployed youth as per the requirement of the industry in Canada on the pilot basis, which could be later on replicated in all the district headquarters of the state. He said Punjabis by nature were very innovative and enterprising and had already made their presence felt in the Middle East, Europe and USA for enormous contribution towards economic development and growth there. He hoped that this initiative would go a long way to check the abuse of immigration for seeking green pastures especially by our unemployed youth who were often duped by the fraudulent travel agents and immigration consultants.

Expressing concern over the issue, Mr. Badal assured Mr. Slessor that the Punjab Government would extend its fulsome support and cooperation to evolve a permanent solution to curb this illegal practice.  The Chief Minister directed the State Chief Secretary to coordinate with the Consul General of Canada at Chandigarh to chalk out detailed modalities to resolve this issue in a time bound manner.

The other areas of interest taken up in the meeting included diversification of agriculture, trade, education besides initiating programmes to impart skill development training through technology transfer. He Mr. Slessor also offered to help the state government by establishing a state-of-the-art skill development centre in Punjab, which would be instrumental in training the local youth with assured chances of employability in Canada. He further emphasized the need to bring a strict legislation by the state government to curb the malpractices of travel agents in duping the innocent youth, who intend to go abroad.  Mr. Slessor also informed the chief minister that the Canadian Embassy had already put the requisite guidelines for visa on the website to facilitate the prospective applicants.

He also informed that the agriculture was another thrust areas in which his government was also keen to work together with Punjab for mutual benefits as Punjab had a proven track of agrarian economy in India.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by his Special Principal Secretary  Mr. K.J.S. Cheema.

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ROTATIONAL IRRIGATION PROGRAMME FOR KHRIF
SEASON ANNOUNCED

Chandigarh, September 7: 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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